Destinies in SwordScape represent the unique paths and callings that individuals feel drawn to pursue. Each character possesses a destiny, a deep-seated longing or purpose that guides their actions and shapes their journey. When creating a character, players are encouraged to choose a destiny that resonates with their character's aspirations and motivations.
Destinies provide benefits to certain skills, enhancing a character's aptitude in specific areas and making certain aspects of their life easier to navigate. By aligning themselves with a particular destiny, characters gain a deeper connection to the associated skills, allowing them to excel in those areas and overcome challenges related to their chosen path.
While the examples provided, such as Wealth, Fame, Power, Invention, Enlightenment, and War, showcase common destinies, SwordScape acknowledges that the concept of destinies is not limited to these options alone. Game masters are encouraged to work with players to create custom destinies that align with the unique setting and narrative of their homebrew worlds.
The destiny system in SwordScape serves as a narrative tool to enrich character development and provide additional depth to their personal journeys. It allows players to explore their character's chosen path, pursue their goals with determination, and unravel the mysteries of their individual destinies in the ever-evolving world of SwordScape.
Wealth: Characters who embrace the destiny of wealth have a natural affinity for acquiring and managing resources. They gain a bonus to the skills of Appraise and Negotiation, allowing them to accurately assess the value of items and strike favorable deals. However, their relentless pursuit of wealth may distract them from survival skills, resulting in a penalty to the skill of Survival.
Fame: Those who choose the path of fame possess an innate charisma and captivating presence. They excel in the skills of Perform and Persuasion, allowing them to mesmerize audiences and sway the opinions of others. However, their focus on maintaining their public image may hinder their ability to blend into the background, resulting in a penalty to the skill of Stealth.
Power: Characters driven by the destiny of power possess an inherent potency that sets them apart. They gain a bonus to the skills of Leadership and Intimidate, enabling them to command others and instill fear. However, their pursuit of power may blind them to the nuances of negotiation, resulting in a penalty to the skill of Negotiation.
Invention: The destiny of invention guides characters to become brilliant inventors and innovators. They gain a bonus to the skills of Engineering and Craft, allowing them to create groundbreaking devices or master various crafts. However, their single-minded dedication to their creations may limit their ability to understand complex social dynamics, resulting in a penalty to the skill of Persuasion.
- Enlightenment: Characters who pursue the path of enlightenment seek spiritual growth and transcendence. They gain a bonus to the skills of Insight and Investigation, granting them profound self-awareness and the ability to perceive hidden truths. However, their introspective nature may make it challenging for them to navigate practical situations, resulting in a penalty to the skill of Persuasion.
- War: Characters destined for war excel in combat and battle strategy, honing their skills for warfare. They gain a bonus to the skills of Athletics and Intimidate, reflecting their physical prowess and ability to inspire fear in their enemies. However, their intense focus on martial endeavors may result in a penalty to the skill of Negotiation, as they may struggle with diplomacy and peaceful resolutions.