Difference between revisions of "Metal Powers (FiD)"

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|align="center" valign=bottom | '''Apex'''       
 
|align="center" valign=bottom | '''Apex'''       
 
|-   
 
|-   
|valign=bottom | '''Dice '''  
+
|valign=bottom | '''Dice'''  
 
|align="center" valign=bottom | —     
 
|align="center" valign=bottom | —     
 
|align="center" valign=bottom | Minimum 2d  
 
|align="center" valign=bottom | Minimum 2d  
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|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Attune'''
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Attune'''
|valign="top"| '''Alloy Awareness''' <br> Detect Metal creatures and powers.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Mercurial Meridian''' <br> Detect Metal creatures and powers.  
|valign="top"| '''Allay Metal'''     <br> Dismiss Metal creatures and powers.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Mercurial Medium'''   <br> Dismiss Metal creatures and powers.  
|valign="top"| '''Manifest Metal''' <br> Summon Metal creatures.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Mercurial Merge'''   <br> Summon Metal creatures.  
|valign="top"| '''Brass Bridge'''   <br> Portal to a plane of Metal.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Mercurial Messenger''' <br> Open a portal to a plane of Metal.  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Command'''
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Command'''
|valign="top"| '''Chromium Command'''     <br> Intimidate with Metal.
+
|valign="top"| '''Chrome Command'''       <br> Intimidate with Metal.
|valign="top"| '''Chrome Connection'''     <br> Talk to faraway Metal creatures.
+
|valign="top"| '''Chrome Communication''' <br> Talk to faraway Metal creatures.
|valign="top"| '''Master of Metal'''      <br> Command Metal creatures as a superior.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Chrome Control'''      <br> Command Metal creatures as a superior.  
|valign="top"| '''Brass Bondage'''        <br> Enslave Metal creatures.
+
|valign="top"| '''Chrome Crush'''        <br> Enslave Metal creatures.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Consort'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Consort'''  
|valign="top"| '''Metal Masquerade''' <br> Imbue clothes and accessories with metal.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Golden Gloss'''   <br> Imbue clothes and accessories with metal.  
|valign="top"| '''Metalize'''         <br> Assume the form of a metal creature.
+
|valign="top"| '''Golden Grace'''   <br> Assume the form of a metal creature.
|valign="top"| '''Iron Infusion'''   <br> Metalize a willing or helpless creature.
+
|valign="top"| '''Golden Glamour''' <br> Golden Grace on others.
|valign="top"| '''Steel Stampede'''   <br> Turn minions into Metal.
+
|valign="top"| '''Golden Garland''' <br> Turn minions into Metal.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Finesse'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Finesse'''  
|valign="top"| '''Metal Mount'''     <br> Ride a metal mount or vehicle.
+
|valign="top"| '''Steel Steering''' <br> Ride a metal mount or vehicle.
|valign="top"| '''Brass Blade'''     <br> Metal melee attack.
+
|valign="top"| '''Steel Sting'''   <br> Metal melee attack.
|valign="top"| '''Manipulate Metal''' <br> Small and exact manipulations at range.
+
|valign="top"| '''Steel Spiral'''   <br> Small and exact manipulations at range.
|valign="top"| '''Metal March'''     <br> Create metal steeds.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Steel Streak'''   <br> Create metal steeds.  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Hunt'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Hunt'''  
|valign="top"| '''Steel Steps'''   <br> Track Metal and across Metal.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Lead Leash'''     <br> Track metal and movement across metal.  
|valign="top"| '''Metal Marksman''' <br> Attack like a fine and potent rifle.
+
|valign="top"| '''Lead Longshot''' <br> Attack like a Fine and Potent rifle.
|valign="top"| '''Rain of Rust'''   <br> Minor changes to metal over an area.
+
|valign="top"| '''Lead Landscape''' <br> Minor changes to metal over an Area.
|valign="top"| '''Steel Storm'''   <br> Attack like a fine and potent grenade.
+
|valign="top"| '''Lead Lethality''' <br> Attack like a Fine and Potent grenade.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Prowl'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Prowl'''  
|valign="top"| '''Steel Stealth'''    <br> Hide in environments of metal.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Tin Tread'''    <br> Hide in metal environments.  
|valign="top"| '''Metal Maneuver'''   <br> Move on and through metal.   
+
|valign="top"| '''Tin Traverse''' <br> Move on and through metal.   
|valign="top"| '''Titanium Travel''' <br> Crew Steel Stealth and Metal Maneuver.
+
|valign="top"| '''Tin Tangle'''   <br> Crew Tin Tread and Tin Traverse.
|valign="top"| '''Chromium Conduit''' <br> Crew teleport between Metal rooms.
+
|valign="top"| '''Tin Tunnel'''   <br> Crew teleport between metal-dominant rooms.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Skirmish'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Skirmish'''  
|valign="top"| '''Metal Mitigation''' <br> Attack similar to a melee weapon or pistol.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Bronze Bulwark''' <br> Resist Harm from Metal.  
|valign="top"| '''Honed Hammer'''     <br> Attack like a fine, potent melee weapon or pistol.
+
|valign="top"| '''Bronze Beatdown''' <br> Fine and Potent melee attack.
|valign="top"| '''Brass Blockade'''   <br> Honed Hammer, plus obstructions that prevent scale.
+
|valign="top"| '''Bronze Bars'''     <br> Obstructions prevent Scale.
|valign="top"| '''Metal Mayhem'''     <br> Metal attacks against all enemies in a wide area.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Bronze Blitz'''   <br> Attacks all Enemies in a wide Area.  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Study'''   
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Study'''   
|valign="top"| '''Steel Scrutiny'''   <br> Identify metal objects and creatures.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Brass Brief'''       <br> Identify metal objects and creatures.  
|valign="top"| '''Analyze Alloy'''     <br> Learn of powers and abilities.
+
|valign="top"| '''Brass Blueprint'''   <br> Learn of powers and abilities.
|valign="top"| '''Metal Memory'''     <br> You can read the past events of something you analyze.
+
|valign="top"| '''Brass Backstory'''   <br> Read the past events of an object.
|valign="top"| '''All-Knowing Alloy''' <br> Analyze Alloy  everything you can see, then Metal Memory three times.
+
|valign="top"| '''Brass Bibliography''' <br> Analyze everything in a wide area.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Survey'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Survey'''  
|valign="top"| '''Iron Insight'''     <br> You can sense metal.
+
|valign="top"| '''Electrum Enquiry'''       <br> Sense metal.
|valign="top"| '''Metal Monitor'''   <br> Perceive from a Metal object.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Electrum Eye'''           <br> Perceive from a Metal object.  
|valign="top"| '''Iron Inquisition''' <br> Metal Monitor to see target.
+
|valign="top"| '''Electrum Eavesdropper''' <br> Electrum Eye to see a target.
|valign="top"| '''Copper Clarity'''   <br> Perceive from all Metal in area.   
+
|valign="top"| '''Electrum Enlightenment''' <br> Perceive from all Metal in an Area.   
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Sway'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Sway'''  
|valign="top"| '''Iron Insight'''     <br> Understand metal creatures.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Silver Sympathy''' <br> Understand Metal creatures.  
|valign="top"| '''Iron Interpreter''' <br> Crew talk to metal creatures.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Silver Speech'''   <br> Talk to Metal creatures.  
|valign="top"| '''Iron Intrigue'''   <br> Suggestions to Metal creatures.
+
|valign="top"| '''Silver Suggestion''' <br> Suggestions to Metal creatures.
|valign="top"| '''Metal Molding'''   <br> Inculcate Metal creatures.   
+
|valign="top"| '''Silver Subtlety''' <br> Inculcate Metal creatures.   
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Tinker'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Tinker'''  
|valign="top"| '''Iron Instrumentation'''   <br> Emulate metalworking tools.
+
|valign="top"| '''Patch Pewter'''     <br> Emulate metalworking tools.
|valign="top"| '''Mold Metal'''             <br> Emulate metalworking workshop.  
+
|valign="top"| '''Pour Pewter'''     <br> Emulate metalworking workshop.  
|valign="top"| '''Titanium Transmutation''' <br> Emulate metalworking lab.
+
|valign="top"| '''Provision Pewter''' <br> Emulate metalworking lab.
|valign="top"| '''Steel Structure'''       <br> Emulate metalworking factory.
+
|valign="top"| '''Produce Pewter'''   <br> Emulate a metalworking factory.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Wreck'''  
 
|align="left" valign="top" | '''Wreck'''  
|valign="top"| '''Iron Impact'''       <br> Emulate Metal sledgehammer.   
+
|valign="top"| '''Iron Impulse'''   <br> Emulate a Metal sledgehammer.   
|valign="top"| '''Shatter Steel'''     <br> Shatter metal as if it was wood.
+
|valign="top"| '''Iron Impact'''   <br> Shatter metal as if it were wood.
|valign="top"| '''Annihilate Alloys''' <br> Transmute Metal.
+
|valign="top"| '''Iron Implosion''' <br> Pulverize Metal.
|valign="top"| '''Alloy Apocalypse'''   <br> Shatter Steel over a large area.   
+
|valign="top"| '''Iron Invasion''' <br> Iron Implosion over a large area.   
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
== Expanded Metal Powers ==
 
== Expanded Metal Powers ==
 
  
 
=== Attune ===
 
=== Attune ===
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{{ : Include Attune Gate (FiD) }}
 
{{ : Include Attune Gate (FiD) }}
 +
 +
  
 
=== Command ===
 
=== Command ===
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A creature under your enemies’ care may break free over time.   
 
A creature under your enemies’ care may break free over time.   
 
Strong emotions, conflicting authority, or external interference can also break your control; otherwise, the effect lasts until dispelled.
 
Strong emotions, conflicting authority, or external interference can also break your control; otherwise, the effect lasts until dispelled.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Consort ===
 
=== Consort ===
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You create metal mounts or vehicles for your crew.   
 
You create metal mounts or vehicles for your crew.   
 
These are untiring and durable, but otherwise function like mundane means of transportation.
 
These are untiring and durable, but otherwise function like mundane means of transportation.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Hunt ===
 
=== Hunt ===
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Less precise, it affects all creatures at a location.
 
Less precise, it affects all creatures at a location.
 
Targets in trenches, behind walls, or otherwise shielded are not directly damaged, but are forced to keep their heads down, giving your side the initiative.
 
Targets in trenches, behind walls, or otherwise shielded are not directly damaged, but are forced to keep their heads down, giving your side the initiative.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Prowl ===
 
=== Prowl ===
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Crew teleport between metal-dominant rooms.
 
Crew teleport between metal-dominant rooms.
 
Teleport from one location dominated by metal to another you’re familiar with (foundry, forge, mine with rich ore, metal-walled room). Position and effect are worse if you don’t know the destination—excellent for escapes, risky for blind intrusion. Regional only (same city/region) but enough to exit almost any situation.
 
Teleport from one location dominated by metal to another you’re familiar with (foundry, forge, mine with rich ore, metal-walled room). Position and effect are worse if you don’t know the destination—excellent for escapes, risky for blind intrusion. Regional only (same city/region) but enough to exit almost any situation.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Skirmish ===
 
=== Skirmish ===
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Creates a shifting Maze of Walls and Spikes that isolate opponents into one-on-one engagements, negating the advantage of Scale (p 221).
 
Creates a shifting Maze of Walls and Spikes that isolate opponents into one-on-one engagements, negating the advantage of Scale (p 221).
 
You can also attack like Bronze Beatdown.
 
You can also attack like Bronze Beatdown.
 +
 +
  
 
==== Bronze Blitz ====
 
==== Bronze Blitz ====
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You overwhelm multiple Foes at once—negating their Scale advantage and spreading your Effect across all Enemies in the Skirmish as appropriate to Area and Scale (p 221).
 
You overwhelm multiple Foes at once—negating their Scale advantage and spreading your Effect across all Enemies in the Skirmish as appropriate to Area and Scale (p 221).
 +
 +
  
 
=== Study ===
 
=== Study ===
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This can detect things such as tanks, railroads, vaults, and similar structures.
 
This can detect things such as tanks, railroads, vaults, and similar structures.
 
You can then use Brass Backstory to learn the history of up to three such locations.
 
You can then use Brass Backstory to learn the history of up to three such locations.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Survey ===
 
=== Survey ===
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Creates a comprehensive mental image of the area, revealing numerous details simultaneously.  
 
Creates a comprehensive mental image of the area, revealing numerous details simultaneously.  
 
It's challenging to hide in this area unless they are aware of the need to conceal themselves.
 
It's challenging to hide in this area unless they are aware of the need to conceal themselves.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Sway ===
 
=== Sway ===
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There are limits to this power, you cannot make a metal creature indecisive or deliberately clumsy.  
 
There are limits to this power, you cannot make a metal creature indecisive or deliberately clumsy.  
 
Exceptional creatures and circumstances can break the charm.
 
Exceptional creatures and circumstances can break the charm.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Tinker ===
 
=== Tinker ===
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You mass produce objects, even a set of different objects, or create large structures like ships or buildings that normally require a work force and facilities.
 
You mass produce objects, even a set of different objects, or create large structures like ships or buildings that normally require a work force and facilities.
 
In long-term projects involving construction or crafting, Steel Structure makes many dozens of items with the same effort as one item, but remember the stress cost.
 
In long-term projects involving construction or crafting, Steel Structure makes many dozens of items with the same effort as one item, but remember the stress cost.
 +
 +
  
 
=== Wreck ===
 
=== Wreck ===

Latest revision as of 12:08, 8 January 2026

Fox in the DarkFox in the Dark logo
Starfox's Blades in the Dark fan page
Powers (FiD)Fox in the Dark logo

Metals are common in all but the most primitive culture, and metalworkers have often been associated with mystical powers.

Metal is considered an element in some systems of thought, a mix of elements in others. It combines the resilience of earth with the flexibility and destructive potential of fire. It carries the mark of civilization, yet is used in wars of destruction. Metal, especially iron, is essential to technology and thus opposed to the fey and magic in general. In science, iron is the most stable material and changing it takes vast amounts of energy, making it hard to play around with.

Metal attacks are blades and bullets.

Metal elementals are made up of chunks of scrap metal, other metal creatures includes metallic robots, clockwork creatures, and animated armor and weapons.

Metal Power Effects

Action Basic Advanced Master Apex
Dice Minimum 2d Minimum 4d Minimum 6d
Stress Avoid fumble (2+). Succeed (4+). Full success (6). Critical (2 sixes).
Attune Mercurial Meridian
Detect Metal creatures and powers.
Mercurial Medium
Dismiss Metal creatures and powers.
Mercurial Merge
Summon Metal creatures.
Mercurial Messenger
Open a portal to a plane of Metal.
Command Chrome Command
Intimidate with Metal.
Chrome Communication
Talk to faraway Metal creatures.
Chrome Control
Command Metal creatures as a superior.
Chrome Crush
Enslave Metal creatures.
Consort Golden Gloss
Imbue clothes and accessories with metal.
Golden Grace
Assume the form of a metal creature.
Golden Glamour
Golden Grace on others.
Golden Garland
Turn minions into Metal.
Finesse Steel Steering
Ride a metal mount or vehicle.
Steel Sting
Metal melee attack.
Steel Spiral
Small and exact manipulations at range.
Steel Streak
Create metal steeds.
Hunt Lead Leash
Track metal and movement across metal.
Lead Longshot
Attack like a Fine and Potent rifle.
Lead Landscape
Minor changes to metal over an Area.
Lead Lethality
Attack like a Fine and Potent grenade.
Prowl Tin Tread
Hide in metal environments.
Tin Traverse
Move on and through metal.
Tin Tangle
Crew Tin Tread and Tin Traverse.
Tin Tunnel
Crew teleport between metal-dominant rooms.
Skirmish Bronze Bulwark
Resist Harm from Metal.
Bronze Beatdown
Fine and Potent melee attack.
Bronze Bars
Obstructions prevent Scale.
Bronze Blitz
Attacks all Enemies in a wide Area.
Study Brass Brief
Identify metal objects and creatures.
Brass Blueprint
Learn of powers and abilities.
Brass Backstory
Read the past events of an object.
Brass Bibliography
Analyze everything in a wide area.
Survey Electrum Enquiry
Sense metal.
Electrum Eye
Perceive from a Metal object.
Electrum Eavesdropper
Electrum Eye to see a target.
Electrum Enlightenment
Perceive from all Metal in an Area.
Sway Silver Sympathy
Understand Metal creatures.
Silver Speech
Talk to Metal creatures.
Silver Suggestion
Suggestions to Metal creatures.
Silver Subtlety
Inculcate Metal creatures.
Tinker Patch Pewter
Emulate metalworking tools.
Pour Pewter
Emulate metalworking workshop.
Provision Pewter
Emulate metalworking lab.
Produce Pewter
Emulate a metalworking factory.
Wreck Iron Impulse
Emulate a Metal sledgehammer.
Iron Impact
Shatter metal as if it were wood.
Iron Implosion
Pulverize Metal.
Iron Invasion
Iron Implosion over a large area.

Expanded Metal Powers

Attune

Harness the power of Attune to perceive and manipulate supernatural energies relating to metal, allowing you to detect and interact with metal-aligned beings and phenomena, whether native to this world or to other planes.

Consequences usually depend on what happens around you when you do this. In a safe and controlled environment, the Position is Controlled. When you lack control of the situation or face active opposition, the Position becomes Desperate.

Mercurial Meridian

Detect Metal creatures and powers.

You can see Metal Spirits and detect Metal creatures and Metal-aligned powers. This is usually done to spot a spirit or a disguised creature. It can also help identify a creature's connection to powers, providing valuable insights into their nature. If you know several different powers, you can scan for all of them at the same time. Limited outcome suffices against a nearby creature you can clearly see. You need greater outcome against against a creature that is hidden or far away (standard outcome) or behind a wall (great outcome). The position usually starts controlled, with the usual consequence that you missed the opportunity and cannot try again until the situation changes.

Mercurial Medium

Dismiss Metal creatures and powers.

You can force a Metal creature that is native to another plane to return to that plane, force a Metal spirit to materialize, or end the operation of a Metal power, including powers affecting a Metal item or creature.

Dispelling can be used as a defense against others' use of powers, or it can be used to break continuing effects. Dispelling is often used as a setup action to help another character in a situation when the opposition is using powers. This usually improves the position of the supported action and can work in addition to other setup actions. When used directly, the effect is usually limited unless the opponent is relying on powers for their safety. Against an opponent that uses Animal wings to fly or turned into a fish to breathe underwater you have a better base effect. When dramatically appropriate that a power is hard to dispel, often because it is the crux of the situation, this will not negate the power but instead give you a clue to what you need to do to resolve the situation.

Forcing a spirit to materialize is easy, but limited in range; if the creature can get away from you it can de-materialize again, only to materialize again if it gets close enough. Limited effect only works on spirits within reach. Standard effect covers an area based on your tier (p 220). Great effect reaches out to a range covered by tier (p 220).

Dismissing a creature is hard and usually requires great effect. A creature that has been wounded or otherwise weakened only needs standard effect. A creature that wants to be dismissed requires only limited effect.

Mercurial Merge

Summon Metal creatures.

Metal creatures generally fall into two broad categories: elementals and creatures with powers.

A Metal elemental is a simple creature wholly dominated by metal. Most elementals possess animal-level intelligence and often take the shape of animals, though animated chunks of matter and crude humanoid forms are also common. Many Metal elementals favor forms resembling tools, weapons, or machinery.

Creatures with powers resemble ordinary creatures and typically possess a biological body and metabolism, functioning much like mundane life but with exceptional abilities tied to Metal. A Metal dragon may be impossibly large, capable of flight, and able to generate powerful metal effects. A Metal turtle may possess a shell of steel and grow to such massive size that entire settlements can be built upon it.

Not all creatures with powers are summonable or dismissible. Many are native to this world and have no special vulnerability to Attune effects.

Summons are Chohorts: Creatures you summon function as temporary cohorts — either an Expert or a Gang — with added Powers from their Form. An Expert is a skilled individual who can offer advice, Assist, or act independently. A Gang is a group (numbers based on your Tier, p. 221) that primarily provides Scale in combat and labor.

You can always summon a Gang of creatures one Tier below yours. Summoning a specific Gang or Expert requires knowing its unique identity — called a true name in mystical traditions. For a technomancer, this might be a type ID, blueprint, or genetic code. Learning a creature’s true name may require a flashback, or in complex cases, the research downtime activity or a reward from a score.

Summoning a Creature: The summoning itself is quick but dangerous. When you have time and resources, it is wise to use wards and Barriers, but in action this is usually impossible and you must face the risks. Having allies present for safety is advisable. Offering a creature gifts or services appropriate to its nature and power can be a literal Devil’s Bargain — accepting an additional consequence to gain an advantage.

Depending on your degree of outcome, a creature is willing to do different things:

  • Limited Outcome allows you to ask questions of an Expert or demand a short period of physical labor from a Gang. They will not fight for you.
  • Standard Outcome allows any service appropriate to the creature’s type, having it act in its typical role. Most creatures don’t mind fighting, but may have preferences about how they do it and what they do outside a fight.
  • Great Outcome allows service outside the creature’s comfort zone, though not against its nature. Lengthy service — even within its comfort zone — also requires a Great Outcome, such as guarding treasure until it is stolen.

The position usually starts at Risky — the creature is compelled and may resist. Typical consequences, in ascending order of severity:

  • General sulkiness
  • Half-hearted efforts
  • Demanding not to be summoned again
  • Breaking things or demanding concessions
  • Overly literal interpretations of your commands
  • A test attack to assert dominance
  • Deliberate sabotage of tasks
  • A constant struggle to maintain control

Mercurial Messenger

Open a portal to a plane of Metal.

You can create a portal that allows travel to and from a plane of Metal. This plane is an iron-framed world covered in sheets of tin and copper, with fittings and structures of precious metals.

There are things that are possible to do here that are not allowed in the regular world. Appropriate effects are reduced one step in difficulty, from advanced to basic, master to advanced, and apex to master. This opens the possibility of new super-apex powers that have to be negotiated with the game master. Such effects rarely reach outside the plane of origin, but if they affect creatures there the effect may remain when you return to the mundane world.

This can also be used to contact creatures too powerful to summon. This allows you to ignore tier when creating the gate, but gives you no power over the target. The creature may then use the gate to come to you, call you into its presence, send minions, or communicate with you at a distance.


Command

Command and intimidate Metal creatures, projecting authority. Position and Effect depend on the situation and your relationship with the listeners.

Chrome Command

Intimidate with Metal.

You can create Metal effects, such as making nearby metal gleam or hover, to heighten your authority, gaining leverage similar to what could be achieved by a threat such as displaying a weapon. This can provide the leverage needed to use Command to intimidate without an actual threat of violence. Metal creatures may recognize you as a figure of authority.

Chrome Communication

Talk to faraway Metal creatures.

You can communicate with Metal creatures over any distance as long as you know the target, even without line of sight. You can communicate with the most powerful Metal creature in a vehicle or installation as long as you can see the exterior. You can use a Metal item to communicate with its wearer. The communication is simple and direct, suitable for the Command Action.

Chrome Control

Command Metal creatures as a superior.

Metal creatures will understand your orders and are likely to obey. Targets will perceive you as an officer, professional superior, alpha, or other leader type outranking them. This does not remove existing loyalties, which can lead to conflicts. Understanding the social order of your target helps avoid clashing with their established loyalties.

  • Limited Effect might result in a creature doing something it might plausibly have done anyway, such as forgetting to report you or letting you pass without comment.
  • Standard Effect makes the creature do what it should, but in a way you decide, such as a police officer escorting you to safety or performing a quick favor.
  • Great Effect causes targets to ignore their normal routines and go out of their way to please you, such as neutral faction warriors fighting on your behalf or enemies choosing to ignore or flee from you.

Ordering city guard drones to ignore a disturbance usually requires more Effect than ordering them to resolve it and move on, as their default role is to protect the city.

Position depends on the creature’s actual relationship to you:

  • Ordering a creature that sees itself as your superior is usually Desperate.
  • A creature that agrees you outrank it is usually Controlled, with consequences focused on limiting retries.
  • A creature that sees itself as your equal is usually Risky, potentially leading to Heat, misunderstood orders, or small rebellions.

Chrome Crush

Enslave Metal creatures.

You bind Metal creatures into obedient service. They remain in one location and act according to your instructions, like loyal and literal-minded enforcers, until the effect is broken.

This will not work unless you are already in a position of power. The effect is similar to Chrome Control, but potentially permanent. A creature under your enemies’ care may break free over time. Strong emotions, conflicting authority, or external interference can also break your control; otherwise, the effect lasts until dispelled.


Consort

Consort powers change your form and later that of other creatures. These powers may also be used as a Set-Up action for a later Consort roll. This will often grant improved Effect, improved Position, or allow actions a human body could not normally perform.

Consequences may reveal your disguise, but only if the Position is Risky or Desperate. More common consequences are being mistaken for someone else, or attracting attention because your form is unnaturally glorious.

Golden Gloss

Imbue clothes and accessories with metal.

You do not physically change your body; instead, you alter your clothing and accessories. This can mask your identity or create extravagant, symbolic outfits. The Effect is usually Limited and the Position Controlled, though especially elaborate or conspicuous changes may require greater Effect.

Golden Grace

Assume the form of a metal creature.

This is a true physical transmutation, transforming you into a metal creature. You need not assume the form of an existing being, as long as the table agrees that your new form fits the power being used.

Golden Grace may function as a Set-Up action for social interactions, but may penalize other actions depending on the nature of your new form.

  • Limited Effect — You resemble how you might have been had you grown up as the metal creature you assume; those familiar with you may still recognize you.
  • Standard Effect — You become a generic metal creature, very difficult to recognize as yourself.
  • Great Effect — You assume the form and some of the mannerisms or presence of a specific metal creature you have studied.

Golden Glamour

Golden Grace on others.

You transform a willing or helpless creature into a metal creature. This is Golden Grace applied to another target.

The duration depends on Effect:

  • Limited Effect — Very brief.
  • Standard Effect — Lasts for the duration of a score.
  • Great Effect — Lasts longer and may become permanent, depending on the fiction.

This is often used as poetic justice, a curse that is difficult to reverse. Making the target unrecognizable requires additional Effect, as per Golden Grace.

Golden Garland

Turn minions into Metal.

This is where Consort becomes similar to an Attune Summon power effect. You transform a number of existing creatures and give them a task that they will perform with gusto, turning them into single-minded minions. Targets must be willing, Non-Sentient like animals, or just very minor figures in the plot, many tiers below you.

This creates a gang cohort (p 96) that they can be given bit parts as servants or laborers or fight and chase for you. Such goons are more useful for chasing and cornering targets than in actual combat.


Finesse

Steel Steering

Ride a metal mount or vehicle.

If a metal mount or vehicle is present, you can ride it as if it were domesticated and you had the keys. This allows you to use Finesse with mounts and vehicles you are not familiar with. You can overcome simple locks, but not locks that require Tinker.

You can grant this ability to your crew as an Advanced effect.

Steel Sting

Metal melee attack.

Attack in a manner similar in effect to a Fine and Potent dueling sword or pistol. This only substitutes for equipment; a fine and potent finesse weapon is just as effective. In combat, using this does not take additional time — activating the power is equivalent to drawing a weapon.

Steel Spiral

Small and exact manipulations at range.

You can precisely manipulate small amounts of metal at short range, similar to what you could do by hand. This allows you to push buttons, trigger devices, and perform acts of legerdemain.

Such minor manipulation takes almost no time and can be used as a Set-Up for yourself or slipped in between other actions. If metal fencing or sheet metal is available, you can shape it into simple obstacles.

This can substitute for simple Tinker actions, but not for complex or delicate work.

Steel Streak

Create metal steeds.

You create metal mounts or vehicles for your crew. These are untiring and durable, but otherwise function like mundane means of transportation.


Hunt

Lead Leash

Track metal and movement across metal.

You can track and pursue metal creatures and vehicles, or track anything across a metal surface. This works even if the quarry does not leave any mundane trail or clues. Consequences are usually losing the trail, but depending on the environment and the target, they may include getting lost, losing traction and skidding, or colliding with an obstacle at speed.

Lead Longshot

Attack like a Fine and Potent rifle.

You can use your power to attack at range, similar in effect to a Fine and Potent rifle. This serves as a replacement for traditional equipment; a Fine and Potent ranged weapon provides the same Effect.

Lead Landscape

Minor changes to metal over an Area.

Alter the environment by making minor changes to metal over a wide area. You can corrode or polish metal to make it dull and pitted or smooth and reflective. You can gather, disperse, or alter slag and metallic pollution, changing its color and consistency. This does not inflict direct damage, but can significantly reshape the battleground and is often useful as a Set Up action, as long as the terrain or opponents’ gear includes metal.

Lead Lethality

Attack like a Fine and Potent grenade.

Attack in a manner similar to a Fine and Potent grenade, harming many creatures at once while risking collateral damage. This is an escalation of Lead Longshot. Less precise, it affects all creatures at a location. Targets in trenches, behind walls, or otherwise shielded are not directly damaged, but are forced to keep their heads down, giving your side the initiative.


Prowl

Sneak and move with stealth and agility.

Tin Tread

Hide in metal environments. You can hide in impossible places as long as the environment is predominantly metal (tin roofs, ship hulls, airframes, city pipes/gutters of lead). Otherwise resolve as a normal Prowl to avoid notice. Only you benefit unless you use Tin Tangle.

Tin Traverse

Move on/through metal. You can climb sheer metal, pass through thin sheets, and slip gaps.

  • Limited effect: cling to metal surfaces.
  • Standard effect: pass through grilles, wire, bars.
  • Great effect: pass through thin hulls/walls (not structural members or armor plate).

Only you benefit unless you use Tin Tangle.

Tin Tangle

Crew Steel Stealth and Metal Maneuver. You can bring allies when you use Tin Tread or Tin Traverse. Allies roll their own Prowl if needed. Often resolved as a Group Action.

Tin Tunnel

Crew teleport between metal-dominant rooms. Teleport from one location dominated by metal to another you’re familiar with (foundry, forge, mine with rich ore, metal-walled room). Position and effect are worse if you don’t know the destination—excellent for escapes, risky for blind intrusion. Regional only (same city/region) but enough to exit almost any situation.


Skirmish

Skirmish focuses on Endurance tactics and Teamwork.

Bronze Bulwark

Resist Harm from Metal.

Absorb Harm from Metal sources (Metal Powers, melee Weapons, Bullets). You increase the effect of Skirmish rolls for endurance in such environments. Roll Skirmish to resist such Harm. 1-3: No reduction. 4-6: Reduce Harm by 1 level. Critical: Reduce Harm by 2 levels. As a Master power, you can protect an ally for a score; as an Apex Power, you can protect your crew. Allies roll their own Skirmish dice.

Bronze Beatdown

Fine and Potent Melee Attack.

This substitutes for Equipment; a Fine and Potent mundane Weapon is equally effective.

Bronze Bars

Obstructions prevent Scale.

Creates a shifting Maze of Walls and Spikes that isolate opponents into one-on-one engagements, negating the advantage of Scale (p 221). You can also attack like Bronze Beatdown.


Bronze Blitz

Attacks all Enemies in a wide Area.

You overwhelm multiple Foes at once—negating their Scale advantage and spreading your Effect across all Enemies in the Skirmish as appropriate to Area and Scale (p 221).


Study

Study and analyze objects and creatures imbued with your power to gain insight and knowledge. The effect required depends on range:

  • Limited Effect for touch.
  • Standard Effect for line-of-sight.
  • Great Effect to reach a target you know of or have some link to, but which is out of line-of-sight.

Position depends on the situation. Safely in your base, the Position is Controlled. In the middle of a fight or when pinned down, the Position is Desperate.

Brass Brief

Identify metal objects and creatures.

This gives precise mundane information, but not supernatural or exceptional abilities such as Powers.

Brass Blueprint

Learn of powers and abilities.

You learn the powers and abilities of a target. This is not restricted to mundane information; you also learn of any Powers, special abilities, and relevant rules.

Brass Backstory

Read the past events of an object.

You learn previous owners, how the object has been moved or used, and significant scenes from its history. The power focuses on events of interest to you.

Brass Bibliography

Analyze everything in a wide area.

Provides a detailed view of events involving metal within Range (p. 221), pinpointing locations of interest that contain large amounts of metal or complex metal formations. This can detect things such as tanks, railroads, vaults, and similar structures. You can then use Brass Backstory to learn the history of up to three such locations.


Survey

Perceive and locate metal objects and creatures and Metal powers in use. The outcome you need depends on the target's concealment.

  • Limited Outcome finds those hiding behind cover and in far places you can only barely see.
  • Standard Outcome can look behind walls and into hard cover.
  • Great Outcome can look into far-away places and spots you had no idea existed.

Electrum Enquiry

You can sense metal.

This is a basic spotting power, selectively sensing things of Metal. You can look for specific metals or types of metal objects if you want, as well as Metal creatures. The more detailed your information about what you are seeking is, the more precise the result.

Electrum Eye

Perceive from a Metal object.

Choose a metal object; perceive as if you were at that spot. Shift your perception to a Metal object you know about and sense as if you were physically there, while still maintaining a dim awareness at your actual location.

Electrum Eavesdropper

Electrum Eye to see a target.

Choose a location or creature. Gain sensory perception from the nearest metal object. Similar to Electrum Eye but allows you to focus on a specific creature or position. Automatically directs towards the best vantage point provided by a glowing object. This is typically close enough to observe the target. Fails if no suitable viewpoint is available.

Electrum Enlightenment

Perceive from all Metal in area.

You perceive from all metal objects within Range (p 221). Enhances your senses impossibly, akin to being multiple individuals spread across the scene. Creates a comprehensive mental image of the area, revealing numerous details simultaneously. It's challenging to hide in this area unless they are aware of the need to conceal themselves.


Sway

Silver Sympathy

Understand Metal creatures.

You can converse with and gauge the mood and motivations of Metal creatures. You can also sense if a creature of any kind is confident, precise, or decisive.

Silver Speech

Talk to Metal creatures.

You and your crew can communicate with Metal creatures. This allows you to use the Sway action with full effect, overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers as long as you are speaking to Metal creatures. You are persuading, not speaking with authority. You can instead influence creatures of any kind to be precise, decisive, or confident.

Silver Suggestion

Suggestions to Metal creatures.

This is an enhanced Sway attempt, allowing you to implant suggestions in Metal creatures that will trigger under conditions you set. The power remains subtle until the suggestion is activated. The target will not remember being swayed, and if you succeed, you can give them instructions that will activate later in a specified situation. This is still a Sway attempt and absurd suggestions will be ignored.

Silver Subtlety

Inculcate Metal creatures.

You permanently change the personality and motivations of Metal creatures. This takes a while to use and the target must be willing or unable to resist. The power is permanent, but blatant. This changes the target on a deep level, altering their priorities and loyalties. They remember their past, but regards it as unimportant compared to their new motivations. There are limits to this power, you cannot make a metal creature indecisive or deliberately clumsy. Exceptional creatures and circumstances can break the charm.


Tinker

Manipulate, shape, and create metal objects. The effectiveness and durability of your constructions depend on the effect. More powerful devices are harder to sustain and will not last as long.

  • Limited Outcome solves an immediate problem, then ends. Any effect achieved will last, such as a repair made with temporary tools.
  • Standard Outcome construction, repair, or item lasts for the duration of a score.
  • Great Outcome is semi-permanent. This does not make permanent kit, but it can make permanent effects to the setting, such as repairing a large construction like a bridge or wall.
  • Something larger than a human, very complex, or of higher Quality Level than your Tier or Lifestyle increases the needed Outcome.

Position depends on the tranquility of your workspace and if you are working on something that is dangerous in itself.

For long-term projects, Tinker powers can substitute for missing tools, but that is all they do until you use the Apex ability.

Patch Pewter

Emulate metalworking tools.

You can handle metal as if you had the appropriate tools. This ability substitutes for tools and protection devices typical of a small workshop.

Pour Pewter

Emulate metalworking workshop.

Shape metal objects as if they were of clay. This surpasses normal crafting, letting you manipulate elements that are not stable, like quicksilver and molten metals, making them stay in a new shape. This can substitute for pipes and containers and facilitate the construction of traps or devices, avoiding the need for extensive equipment.

Provision Pewter

Emulate metalworking lab.

This is two distinct effects. The first allows you to create metal out of nothing. This can be fairly complex, to the level of Fine and Potent effects, but won't last past the end of a score.

The second can only be used if you know multiple Forms. You transmute metal into material connected to another Form. The result will maintain its form as if affected by Pour Pewter. The advantage of this is that you can transform a complex object and it will retain its form and function as far as its new material allows.

Combining this with Air, a metal door could be changed from metal to mist, you then pass through and the door reverts to metal. Likewise, a metal sword can be turned into Fire to create a burning weapon.

Produce Pewter

Emulate a metalworking factory.

This is similar to Pour Pewter above, but on a larger scale. You mass produce objects, even a set of different objects, or create large structures like ships or buildings that normally require a work force and facilities. In long-term projects involving construction or crafting, Steel Structure makes many dozens of items with the same effort as one item, but remember the stress cost.


Wreck

Destroy, dismantle, and obliterate metal or using metal as an implement of destruction.

The effect required depends on the size and structural strength of your target.

  • Limited outcome is a car-sized hole in a flimsy metal barrier, like foil or netting.
  • Standard outcome is a car-sized hole in a thin metal wall. A smaller hole still need the same effect.
  • Great outcome can affect something larger and/or stronger.

The position depends on the situation. A quiet workspace is controlled, the general hustle of adventure risky, dealing with direct attacks, massive crowds, or dangerous construction is desperate.

Iron Impulse

Emulate a Metal sledgehammer.

Just as crude as it sounds. You destroy metal and strike with the force of a sledgehammer in combat. This relies on brute force, it does not bypass the inherent strength of a metal target. As usual, Wreck may be at an advantage or disadvantage compared to Hunt, Finesse and Skirmish, depending on the situation.

Iron Impact

Shatter metal as if it was wood.

This bypasses the strength of metal, allowing you to break even the strongest barrier. You can also use this to smash people and things as a fine, potent sledgehammer.

Iron Implosion

Pulverize Metal.

Like Iron Impact, but silent and reduces remains to fine metal filings, destroying most clues to what it was. Gets rid of evidence, as long as that evidence is of metal.

Iron Invasion

Iron Implosion over a large area.

This can level a city block, raze a metal wall, destroy a mass of vehicles, and similar large-scale destruction. Metal is a ubiquitous support material in modern construction, wrecking the metal makes that construction unstable and causes it to slowly crumble.