[FOCI]
Cypher System Rulebook 1e
You discovered, were given, or otherwise obtained an allied magic creature bound to an object (perhaps a djinni in a lamp, but work with your GM if either of you would prefer a different kind of creature and object). It requires a fair bit of your attention and energy to keep the djinni happy and satisfied, but it’s usually worth the effort. The djinni grants you aid and companionship, and eventually it may grant minor wishes. You wear comfortable, flashy, and somewhat striking clothing, possibly provided by your magic ally, who is at pains to tell you how fabulous you look, even if others suggest that you’ve gone overboard.
A lamp or other object, clothing somewhat more striking than is common for your recursion (in Ardeyn, a feathered headdress, layers of brightly colored silks, semiprecious jewelry, and a silver cape), light armor, a weapon of your choice, an explorer’s pack, and 100 crowns.
The difficulty of the next task attempted by your magic ally is decreased by one step.
Your magic ally can take an immediate extra action of its choice (possibly making an attack on its own).
You possess a magic creature bound to a physical object (perhaps a djinni bound to a lamp, a demon bound to a coin, or a spirit bound to a mirror). The magic creature doesn’t (yet) have the full power that one of its kind could possess when mature. Normally, the creature remains quiescent in its bound object. When you spend an action to manifest it, it appears next to you as a level 3 creature (if a djinni, as a humanoid of somewhat exotic appearance and dress) that can converse with you.
Action to manifest magic creature.
The creature has its own personality determined by the GM and is a level higher than its base level for one area of knowledge (such as local history). The creature may have a long-term goal of its own, if the GM determines.
Each time the creature becomes physically manifest, it remains so for up to one hour. During that period, it accompanies you and follows your instructions. The creature must remain an immediate distance from you; if it moves farther away, it is yanked back into its object at the end of your following turn and cannot return until after your next ten-hour recovery roll. It doesn't attack creatures, but it can spend its action to serve as an asset for any one attack you make on your turn. Otherwise, it can take actions on its own (though you'll likely roll for it).
If the creature is reduced to 0 health, it dissipates. It reforms in its object in 1d6+2 days.
If you lose the bound object, you retain a sense of the direction in which it lies.
Magic creature: level 3; health 9
When you manifest your allied creature, it can move up to 300 feet (91 m) from you before being returned to its bound object. In addition, it can remain manifest for an extended period, lasting until the end of your next ten-hour recovery roll. Finally, if you give permission, the creature can emerge from and enter the bound object on its own initiative.
The allied creature can store items for you within its bound object, including extra sets of clothing, tools, food, and so on. The interior of the object is, in effect, a pocket dimension recursion that normally only the creature can access. The additional storage is equivalent to that of a large closet, and the creature can ferry only items that it can carry. Enabler
At your request, the allied creature can spend its action casting a minor spell on you. Afterward, it must retreat to its bound object to rest for at least one hour. The effects it can produce include the following:
MAKING A WISHIf a character asks the magic ally for a real wish instead of a minor or moderate spell, the creature may grant it, especially if the PC is tier 3 or higher. If so, the creature is then free of its compulsion to serve the character, and the PC loses access to this focus and can't choose it again for at least one year, even if she translates back to the same recursion or a different one that offers this focus. Even if the wish is granted, the character may not get exactly what she wants, especially if a wish is poorly worded or has multiple interpretations. The level of the effect granted is no greater than level 7, as determined by the GM, who can modify the effect of the wish accordingly. (The larger the wish, the more likely the GM will limit its effect.) |
Action to initiate.
When you manifest your magic ally, it is a level 4 creature. In addition, the creature gains a pulse attack that renders all artifacts, machines, and lesser magic devices within short range inoperable for one minute. After the creature uses this ability, it must retreat to its object to rest for a few hours.
Improved magic creature level 4; health 12
At your request, the allied creature can spend its action casting a moderate spell on you. Afterward, it must retreat to its bound object to rest for at least one hour. The effects it can produce include the following
Action to initiate.
When you manifest your magic ally, it is a level 7 creature. It can remain manifest for only a few minutes, after which it must return to its object and rest for several days before you can manifest it again.
The creature can make its own magic touch attacks (when it does, you roll for it). If it uses its pulse attack from Improved Object Bond (tier 4), instead of deactivating items, the creature can take control of one item within short range for one minute, if applicable.
Finally, the creature can transform into smoke and flame as its action, giving it +10 to Armor but rendering it incapable of attacking foes. In this form, it can fly a long distance each round, and the first time each day it returns to flesh (as an action), it regains 25 points of health.
Masterful magic creature level 7; health 35; magic touch attack inflicts 9 points of damage; can transform into smoke and flame
GM Intrusions The creature unexpectedly disappears into its bound object. The bound object cracks. The creature disagrees with you and doesn’t do as asked. The creature tells you that it’s leaving unless you agree to perform some task for it.