Instability for Ar-Kaïms

The degeneration named "Instability" is the price that Ar-Kaïms pay for being able to utilize all eight elements without being limited by the Nephilim's Cardinal Balance or the Selenim's Entropy. The following rules are adapted from the French 3e.

The Ar-Kaïm's Instability POT is equal to the difference between the highest and lowest Ka-elements in the character's Heart. This calculation uses the current/temporary values, not the permanent values. If an Ar-Kaïm overcharges his Heart or fumbles any magical roll, then he must make an Instability check. The character contests his Ka against his Instability POT on the Resistance Table, with the following effects:

Effects of Overload

FAILURE: 10 points from the Heart evaporate into the magic fields. This loss is distributed at the player's discretion.

FUMBLE: 20 points evaporate.

SUCCESS: Nothing happens immediately, but the character must release the excess as quickly as possible to resolve the overload. Another Instability check is made every ten minutes until the overload is resolved.

CRITICAL SUCCESS: No points are lost. The player may redistribute points as desired to resolve the overload. If the Heart is still overloaded, then another Instability check is made every ten minutes until the overload is resolved.

Effects of Magical Fumble

FAILURE: The character loses a number of points from his Heart equal to the spell's Circle multiplied by one-half (rounded up) of the total number of Ka-elements in the character's Heart. This loss is distributed at the player's discretion, but at least half of the points must be spent from the spell's corresponding Ka-element. If this Ka-element is empty or absent, then these must be spent from Solar-Ka or Saturnian-Ka.

FUMBLE: This loss is doubled.

SUCCESS: Nothing happens.

CRITICAL SUCCESS: The player may redistribute points as desired to reduce the Instability POT.

Explosion!

The Heart's explosion is a rare event, but feared by all. When Solar-Ka or Saturnian-Ka falls to 0, the Heart explodes! The Ka-elements dissociate and disperse into the magic fields, killing the Immortal. Any remaining Saturnian-Ka sublimates into gaseous Orichalc that violently reacts with any Elemental Ka in the vicinity, dealing an equal amount of Ka damage and leaving Litharge residue.



It's pretty crazy, no? I'm still wondering whether multiple ch'awe pools would be too much bookkeeping or not. Probably yes, but I still need to figure out a substitute to represent the Ar-Kaïm's ability to cultivate all 8 elements...

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