Invoking the Golden Fang, a Power for Fantastic Medieval Wargames
Luke Gearing’s post laying out a system of divine magic based on reaction rolls has been tumbling in my mind for awhile now, and I thought I’d take a stab at my own.
In a past campaign, one of my setting's minor deities was a very thinly veiled Thomas Pynchon reference. I decided to turn my Inherent Vice nod into a power that can be invoked for conspiracies, both profitable and murderous.
CHRYSKYLODON, THE GOLDEN FANG
Represented in art as the disembodied golden fangs of a beast on a black background teeth of a beast, Chryskylodon governs the hinterland between commerce legitimate and otherwise; assassinations and muder; conspiracies and revelations. A fickle and capricious god, he is often worshiped by sailors, the wealthy, and anyone who kills for a living.
Chryskylodon may be invoked when carousing or managing a domain, or when plotting the death of another.
Base reaction: 2d3
- Add +1 to the reaction for each 2500gp of your own wealth sacrificed to Chryskylodon—may be buried in the earth or cast to sea. This must be made in addition to any other expenditures.
- Add +d3 to the reaction for each 2500gp you convince another party to sacrifice to Chryskylodon on your behalf.
When carousing or managing a domain:
On a Hostile result, a party eager to take advantage on the invoker gains leverage on them. This could be by way of learning a compromising secret, the invoker committing a faux pas, a debt, etc.
On a Negative, Disinterested or Disinterested result, Chryskylodon ignores the invoker.
On a Positive result, the invoker gains advantage. New business opportunities reveal themselves. A hard bargain is struck.
On a Friendly result, the invoker gains great advantage. A powerful figure is blackmailed. A major favor is owed. A sudden windfall. The Golden Fang is now a partner in your enterprises, and will make requests of the invoker.
When invoked to aid in murder:
On a Hostile result, the target becomes aware of a conspiracy against them, though they do not initially know by whom. Roll Morale for the target; depending on their reaction, they may descend into paranoia or take clear-eyed countermeasures.
On a Negative or Disinterested result, Chryskylodon ignores the invoker.
On a Positive result, the invoker finds willing and able co-conspirators, angles of unfair advantage, gaps in the schedule of their enemies.
On a Friendly result, Chryskylodon dispatches one of his unerring and untraceable killers to do the invoker’s dirty work—a man-shaped figure clad head to toe in featureless black, save for a mouth with golden fangs and a dagger to match. This assassin will eliminate a single target before the next sunrise, then disappear. The invoker will never be linked to the crime, but is now enmeshed in Chryskylodon’s own conspiracy forevermore…