New suaven rules.
The ven do not die of old age. Instead, their bodies slow down, their blood cools, and their skin begins emitting a strange substance called altrua. Altrua is not unlike spider’s webs. Over the years, they fall into a state they call “solace.” Eventually, the entire body goes into hibernation, wrapped up in altrua, asleep. And dreaming.
The ven believe the mind of a ven in solace is still aware. In fact, while in solace, the ven mind becomes incredibly powerful, capable of transmitting thoughts and visions to those of kindred blood and spirit. The ven receive these visions while dreaming themselves, but they can also learn how to place their minds into an altered state that is able to receive these messages of dreaming ven.
Those who slumber in solace are called suaven: the dreaming ven. Revered by their Houses, they become the equivalent of our own patron saints. The ven pray to them at shrines, collect artifacts from their lives, and maintain the sleeping body. While the suaven is protected within his altrua shroud, his is not invulnerable. Altrua is particularly vulnerable to fire and many suaven has been lost in such a way.
The suaven are far from equal and not all are universally revered. The worship of some suaven is small: they are only revered by their families. Other suaven, however, have temples in every city on Shanri. Their names are whispered only in reverence, sung with open throats, and feared by every sensible ven.
Most ven often find a kind of communion with a particular suaven—sometimes a saint not even of his own House. In order to gain a deeper understanding and to make the bond between them stronger, many ven join mystery cults devoted to the suaven.
All the suaven are different. What is true of one is most likely not true of another. Some are revered while others are worshipped. Some have temples and others have perhaps one or two shrines. A few suaven have even been forgotten, lost in the catacombs under the thriving metropolis, they wait, sending visions to those who might hear, hoping one day hey will be rediscovered.
And then there are the fashuva: the fell ones. Suaven so evil, even whispering their names is dangerous. We shall not speak of them here, lest they hear us. Even mentioning them could call their attention. We shall say no more.
The Invisible Dancers
In ven literature, the suaven are the one force the ven cannot control. Invisible, intangible and esoteric, the suaven remain mysterious. Ambiguous.
But the ven write of the profound relationships they have with the suaven. Visions. Dreams. Nightmares. Sometimes, even miracles.
So, how does a roleplaying game attempt to make rules for forces so subtle and invisible that they might not even exist? Here’s my attempt.
First, we have to remove player control from the suaven. Completely. No style points, no wagers. The suaven are the only element of Shanri that are beyond the players’ reach. They cannot influence the suaven. Cannot define the suaven. Cannot control the suaven.
All the ven can do is give Devotion.
Again. Players cannot use style points or wagers to define the suaven. The suaven are beyond definition. Beyond the vulgar and mundane manipulations of mortals. Only the GM can say anything true about the suaven.
Devotion
To represent the ven relationship with their suaven, we use Devotion.
There are precious few moments when the ven pray. Prayer requires humility. An admission of powerlessness. Admitting defeat. The ven don’t do that all too well. But when they do it, when they kneel and call upon the suaven, they do it as only the ven can.
With style.
On bended knee. Tears streaming down their cheeks. Or a haughty pride flashing in their eyes. A wicked grin. A knife. Pain. A scream. Blood, blood, blood.
Nobody does humility like the ven.
On your character sheet, you have a space for the suaven your character has chosen to revere. You have five Devotion Points to allocate to suaven. The more points you give a suaven, the more it will be a part of your character’s life. Look through the suaven listed below and decide how much Devotion you want to give to each one. Each rank of Devotion brings you closer to that suaven. You cannot start the game with more than 3 ranks of Devotion for any suaven.
Each suaven has a number of Blessings. These are the esoteric secrets given by the suaven to his devoted followers… if they prove their Devotion. You can only learn secrets by joining the appropriate mystery cults. In order to do that, you have to prove your devotion. The suaven don’t like urdagha: “convenient faithful.” And trust me: they can tell.
You may have Devotion to multiple suaven. Thus, you may have Blessings from multiple suaven. You may have a number of Blessings from a suaven equal to your Devotion to that suaven.
Remember: you can never have more than five total ranks of Devotion for any and all suaven.
For example, Shara shows Devotion to two suaven: Talia, the Sacred Harlot (rank 3) and Falvren Dyr (rank 5).
Ranks of Faith
As a character’s Devotion increases, his relationship to that suaven also increases, bestowing greater gifts upon the faithful. A follower must prove himself worthy of the suaven’s Blessings and you’ll find actions that will win your favorite suaven’s favor.
Devotion 1: Faithful
If a character has Devotion 1 to a suaven, he is known as one of the faithful. He has no particular relationship with the suaven, only a passing interest.
Devotion 2: Devotee
At Devotion 2, the character is considered a faithful follower. He is given respect by his fellow acolytes and assists in the ceremonies. He is trusted with further duties and responsibilities… and gains more of the benefits.
Devotion 3: Acolyte
At Devotion 3, the character is invited into the secret circles of the faith which usually involves being initiated into the secret rites of the cult. This is the beginning of a deeper understanding of the suaven. While a ven may hold many saints in high regard, at this level of devotion, members of the cult begin to expect a certain degree of exclusivity.
Devotion 4: Anointed
Anointed characters are no longer initiates of the suaven’s mysteries; their understanding and attunement to the suaven is deep and intuitive. There is a deep bond between the character and the suaven that cannot be expressed with language alone. The character receives waking visions and can feel the presence of the suaven wherever he goes. He teaches younger initiates the secrets of the mystery cult and seldom holds Devotion for another suaven. And by seldom, I mean, “It had better be a secret.”
Devotion 5: Priest
At this level of Devotion, the character holds no other suaven in esteem. In other words, he has zero Devotion invested in any other suaven. It is at this level that the deepest secrets are understood. The character’s connection to the suaven is as a parent and child. There is a danger in this degree of Devotion, however, because the ven who show such fidelity often seem distanced from others, speak in arcane riddles, and often enter solace sooner than normal. But it is at this level of Devotion that the most powerful Blessings are revealed: for some, a small risk to run.
Gaining Devotion
Gaining Devotion is a Season action. You must spend one Season action to increase your Devotion to any suaven. This information can also be found in the Season chapter.
Increasing Devotion from rank 1 to rank 2 requires only a single Season action and a sacrifice of at least one Resource. Roll one die. If the die rolls even, the suaven finds favor with your sacrifice. Your Devotion increases to rank 2. If the die rolls odd, the fickle spirit has been offended somehow. You gain nothing.
Additional sacrifices add dice to your roll. If even a single die rolls even, your Devotion increases one rank. Each Luxury Resource gives you two bonus dice. A Luxury does not count as two Resources, it only counts as one Resource that gives you two dice.
Increasing Devotion from rank 2 to rank 3 is done in a similar manner. This time, you must sacrifice at least two Resources. And again, one Luxury does not count as two Resources, it only counts as one Resource that gives you two dice.
Increasing Devotion from rank 3 to rank 4 is something else all together. Yes, it requires three Resources (at least). It also requires an Adventure given to you by the devoted of your suaven. The adventure usually involves building a shrine or protecting a shrine for a Season, writing an opera about her life, or some other activity promoting the good news of your suaven.
Increasing Devotion from rank 4 to rank 5… now we’re talking serious trouble. This is entry into the mystery cult. Through the initiation rites, through the trials, through the rituals. The secret wisdom. The final gift.
Yeah, this requires an Adventure. At least. A relic. Build a
Dividing Devotion
Any ven may only hold so much Devotion for each suaven. That limit is five. You may only ever have a total of five ranks of Devotion for any and all suaven. A couple of examples:
1, 2, 2. Good.
1, 1, 1, 1, 1. Good
1, 4. Good
2, 2, 2. Bad.
3, 2, 2. Bad
Five. That’s your limit. Five ranks of Devotion for the suaven. Nothing more.
If you want to increase your Devotion for a suaven and you already have five ranks allocated, you have to drop your Devotion to one of the suaven to increase your Devotion for another.
Blessings and Wrath
The suaven bestow Blessings on those that serve them well. Attend to their shrines and temples, help fellow devotees, act against their enemies.
The suaven bestow Wrath on those who betray them.
Blessings and Wrath take many forms. Mysterious omens and prophesies. Miraculous occurrences. Relics from the past. All of these are represented in the game. You can find them under each of the Greater Suaven, detailed below.
Part Two in a moment…