Difference between revisions of "Anima"

Latest revision as of 11:45, 9 September 2014

Anima is a source of rich magical power that flows from Gaia and can be tapped for a variety of purposes. Be it healing or harming, breaking or building, Anima is a versatile form of energy used directly or indirectly by nearly all magical practitioners in the Secret World. As one of those empowered by The Buzzing, Anima Wielders can channel great amounts of Anima with no preparation or ceremony whatsoever for a variety of purposes, though it is most useful in combat situations.

In the hands of a practiced and powerful Anima wielder, weapons become far deadlier than their designers ever envisioned. Blades and hammers become capable of felling huge, hulking monsters and projecting waves of molten earth. Ancient tomes and inscribed objects suddenly allow their bearer to cast lightning from their hands or twist probability and chance to their will. Even modern weapons are enhanced, with Anima substituting entirely for ammunition and firing with greater force than they have any right to. While most weapons are capable of having Anima channeled through them, some more complicated weaponry needs to be adapted to be able to channel or infuse Anima into them -- the technology for which is in development among the great conspiracies of the world, though certain Multiversal techniques may make it similarly possible.

The act of channelling Anima causes a weapon to be used in a specific way. An Anima wielder will not pick up Jedi Lightsaber styles if they acquire one, nor will a Starfleet Phaser's inherent limitations keep them from firing one in each hand like John Woo should they use Anima instead of the actual blast settings. Weapon quality /does/, however, play a major part in how effective a weapon is at allowing a given wielder to channel Anima through it. What matters most is how effective it is at allowing someone to project their Anima through it, meaning that a battered and ancient macuahuitl may prove a more suitable weapon than a steel broadsword of modern manufacture.

The vast majority of talismans for use by Anima Wielders are occult in nature: Lucky charms, anointing oils, sacred ashes, engraved pendants. Multiversal exposure might diversify this as well, as the primary requirement is the ability to channel the Anima through these objects to feed back and strengthen the self. Using the right talismans, it is not unexpected for an Anima wielder to be able to make their flesh more resilient than a bulletproof vest and with none of the drawbacks. As a result, most people who can use such talismans don't bother with any actual body armor or other protective measures; it would be redundant at best, and restricting at worst.

Anima wielders can make use of specialized tools and raw materials to create these talismans and modify weaponry in a manner that will allow them to channel more efficiently through them. They can also break down existing objects for the materials needed for the creation of others, using a liberal application of Anima power as the catalyst. What's more, they can do this in the field, letting them pick up new weapons and maximize their potential usefulness with a minimum of wait time... though most wielders don't bother to spend the time to attain the skill in artifice to do more than turn it into an appropriate and slightly more specialized focus. As mentioned, extremely specialized and unusual weaponry -- chainsaws, flamethrowers, rocket launchers, etcetera -- requires a more advanced and intensive modification beyond the scope of this mystical jury-rigging.