Extra Somaturgey Information
Somaturgey is the most modern application of summoning magic, created via the study of techniques found in Necromancy, Unity, and Spiritualism, as well as utility trees such as Enchantment. Those who pick this tree will be unable to access any other trees, and must choose the practitioner rank path. It revolves around the use of their unique mana type, “Pseudomatter”, which allows them to create mana based constructs that form an outer shell of mundane, non magical material. These constructs are used to create “frames’ as well as “augments”, the two staple techniques of their tree. Frames are unique summons that are unlocked at paige, beginner mage, adept mage, high mage, and practitioner, and exist similar to Unity summons in the fact that they are independent creations that possess their own abilities and racials. Frames also posess the ability to undergo a “primary link” with their creators, providing unique effects both to themselves and their masters while active. Augments are specialized tools that can be fitted to frames, providing them with a multitude of offensive, defensive, or utility abilities. At higher ranks, Augments can even be used independently of frames. While Frames are capable of being fixed or healed, Augments are specific objects that must be crafted, and require recrafting upon breaking. Combining both of these types of magic into a singular style allows a Somaturge to command their Frames in battle and utilize special equipment to control the battlefield, going as far as even creating combined attack patterns or transformations to their troops at higher ranks.
Pseudomatter
While technically considered a “unique mana type”, Pseudomatter essentially only works for the purpose of creating Frames and Augments. While this isn’t necessarily important, as Somaturge’s cannot utilize the archmage path to begin with, it is good to be aware of as the tree is still, in essence, a utility tree, and will be approved as such. When a construct is created out of Psuedomatter, an outer layer transforms into a mundane material which still manages to hold a magical based toughness rank. This means that destructive spells that act against it can still destroy the shell, but effects that solely work on mana (such as an Alumni’s antimagic) will be ineffective against this specific part of the construct. For example, an Alumni would need to physically penetrate the shell of a frame or an augment in order to begin destroying it via antimagic. Please note that the thickness or dimensions of these outer shells vary based on pitch, as well as rank.
Frames
Frames are pitched at Paige, Beginner Mage, Adept Mage, High Mage, and Practitioner, with a unique “Frame Combination” (explained below) able to be pitched at max rank. Pitching a frame is somewhat similar to pitching a Unity summon: You pitch a basic description of what the frame looks like, and a brief description of its base abilities without augments. A frame's abilities independent of their augments are pitched like racials, and -- while allowed to be more powerful the higher rank the frame is -- must be considered as baseline, and cannot be too complex or powerful. Their racials should come from the physical design of the frame: For example, if you pitched a paige Frame that looked like a mechanical spider, a racial that allows them to shoot web might not be specifically approved, but an ability that allows them to climb walls and swing their legs like clubs WOULD be approved.
When designing Frames, one should keep in mind their distinct differences to Unity summons. At a base, a Unity summon will be technically weaker than a Frame of equal rank when attributing their equipped Augments (explained below), but this is because a Unity Summon can be fully resummoned for mana cost after being destroyed. While a Frame itself can be resummoned in active combat, this is not the case for their augments, meaning that there will be cases where a resummoned Frame must exist with only its racial abilities available. It is also beneficial to keep in mind that the speed and method in which a destroyed frame can be resummoned will vary depending on the frame itself.
Frames also possess the ability to provide what is known as a “primary link”. A Somaturge is capable of maintaining this primary link with one Frame at a time (cannot be changed more than once per rotation) and will provide both parties a significant boon. This is similar to shared passives between a Unity Mage and their summon with one significant difference: A primary link will act more as a specific technique that can be cast whenever the link is active, rather than a constant passive. For example, a spider-type frame may contain a primary link that allows the frame to jump onto the casters back, allowing them to use the frame’s limbs to climb walls or physically attack nearby enemies.
When Frames are injured and destroyed, they can be fixed via two primary methods: A Total Recall, or an Augment Fix. A Total Recall is done solely by the caster, which requires them to de-summon an injured or incapacitated frame and re-summon it at full mana cost, which can be expensive depending on the rank of the frame. An Augment Fix is pitch-specific, but essentially means that certain augments (explained below) can be pitched to provide quick -- but minor -- fixes to frames. Some examples of this would be a Spider frame with an attachment that allows it to replace its limbs over time assuming the augment is not destroyed, or an additional frame with a healing augment that can fix specific sections of an ally (such as its limbs). To simplify, Total Recall is more mana intensive but can fix pretty much any issues a frame has, whereas Augment Fixes cost less mana but are determined by the augment itself and can only ever fix specific aspects.
When designing Frames, one should keep in mind their distinct differences to Unity summons. At a base, a Unity summon will be technically weaker than a Frame of equal rank when attributing their equipped Augments (explained below), but this is because a Unity Summon can be fully resummoned for mana cost after being destroyed. While a Frame itself can be resummoned in active combat, this is not the case for their augments, meaning that there will be cases where a resummoned Frame must exist with only its racial abilities available. It is also beneficial to keep in mind that the speed and method in which a destroyed frame can be resummoned will vary depending on the frame itself.
Frames also possess the ability to provide what is known as a “primary link”. A Somaturge is capable of maintaining this primary link with one Frame at a time (cannot be changed more than once per rotation) and will provide both parties a significant boon. This is similar to shared passives between a Unity Mage and their summon with one significant difference: A primary link will act more as a specific technique that can be cast whenever the link is active, rather than a constant passive. For example, a spider-type frame may contain a primary link that allows the frame to jump onto the casters back, allowing them to use the frame’s limbs to climb walls or physically attack nearby enemies.
When Frames are injured and destroyed, they can be fixed via two primary methods: A Total Recall, or an Augment Fix. A Total Recall is done solely by the caster, which requires them to de-summon an injured or incapacitated frame and re-summon it at full mana cost, which can be expensive depending on the rank of the frame. An Augment Fix is pitch-specific, but essentially means that certain augments (explained below) can be pitched to provide quick -- but minor -- fixes to frames. Some examples of this would be a Spider frame with an attachment that allows it to replace its limbs over time assuming the augment is not destroyed, or an additional frame with a healing augment that can fix specific sections of an ally (such as its limbs). To simplify, Total Recall is more mana intensive but can fix pretty much any issues a frame has, whereas Augment Fixes cost less mana but are determined by the augment itself and can only ever fix specific aspects.
Augments
While Frames are unlocked automatically by reaching the required rank, Augments must be pitched and bought via spell slots or points. Augments are -- in essence -- crafted magical objects, similar to a Ritualist’s runes or a Wizard’s artifacts. They have to be crafted IN CHARACTER in order to exist, and unlike frames, cannot be summoned or de-summoned. It is, however, possible to pitch aspects to an Augment that will allow them to be transported in different ways. At a base, an augment must be pitched as an object that cannot be used unless specifically fitted to a frame: the method of attaching an augment to a frame will vary depending on how the augment is pitched, but at early ranks, it is impossible to attach an augment to a frame during open combat, or at least instantly. It would take quite some time (a number of post rotations, denoted by the approver) to attach an augment in open rotations with other mages.
Upon reaching the rank of expert mage, a Somaturge unlocks the ability to pitch Augments that can operate independently from frames. Typically, this will allow the caster to use an Augment as a personal weapon, or even as a separate entity on the battlefield. Unlike frames, Augments can also be upgraded, providing them more versatility as the casters rank increases. The ability to “hot swap” augments also becomes available at Expert Mage, allowing Somaturges to pitch augments specifically capable of removing or attaching themselves to frames far quicker than normal.
If an Augment is totally destroyed, it must be crafted again in order to be used. Augments can also be pitched to survive moderate damage at the sacrifice of some of its ability. For example, an augment that acts as a flamethrower may be pitched to persist after having a portion of its mass destroyed, at the cost of some of the flamethrowers range, etc. If a Frame is afflicted by Total Recall while Augments are attached to it, they will simply fall to the ground, and must be reattached to the resummoned Frame.
Upon reaching the rank of expert mage, a Somaturge unlocks the ability to pitch Augments that can operate independently from frames. Typically, this will allow the caster to use an Augment as a personal weapon, or even as a separate entity on the battlefield. Unlike frames, Augments can also be upgraded, providing them more versatility as the casters rank increases. The ability to “hot swap” augments also becomes available at Expert Mage, allowing Somaturges to pitch augments specifically capable of removing or attaching themselves to frames far quicker than normal.
If an Augment is totally destroyed, it must be crafted again in order to be used. Augments can also be pitched to survive moderate damage at the sacrifice of some of its ability. For example, an augment that acts as a flamethrower may be pitched to persist after having a portion of its mass destroyed, at the cost of some of the flamethrowers range, etc. If a Frame is afflicted by Total Recall while Augments are attached to it, they will simply fall to the ground, and must be reattached to the resummoned Frame.
Frame Combination
In lieu of unlocking another Frame at maximum rank, Somaturges are allowed to pitch a “Frame Combination” technique, which will not cost any points or slots. A Frame Combination technique is essentially a “primary link” ability that combines all current frames into one specific action. This does NOT mean they all have to combine into a singular frame (though yes, you can pitch a megazord if you want), it simply means that the technique will utilize ALL frames at once. This can be done via a massive sweep of an area via all active frames, pairs of tandem attacks from multiple frames at once, or -- as stated earlier -- a gigantic amalgamation of all frames into one. If this sounds vague, it’s because it is intentional, and a Somaturge’s Frame Combination Technique should be as unique to them as an Archmages magic type is to an Archmage. Another benefit of the Frame Combination technique is the fact that it allows a user to activate a multi-faceted ability without an exceptional strain on their mental processing. More information about this specific aspect will be discussed below.
Other Important Notes
The number of augments a frame can attach is determined by the rank of the frame. Paige frames can attach two augments. Beginner Mage frames can attach three, and so on, with one extra attachment being unlocked per stage, capped with six slots at Practitioner. Keep in mind that just because a lot of Augments can be accessed at once does not mean they can be used simultaneously and infinitely. Certain augments may be approved to only be usable while no other augments are active, and anytime ANY frame uses ANY augment, it will cost the caster mana. Overdoing it with augments will cause the same problems as a regular mage overdoing it with their spells.
Frames also exist in a sort of middle ground between summons and constructs. While summons can usually operate independently of the caster entirely, thinking on their own and acting on their own, Frames must be given basic, psychic commands. They cannot make express decisions or take specific actions on their own (unless an augment allows it somehow) and while it will require less mental strain than, for example, a Manatist operating a dozen constructs independently of one another, it will still require intense concentration to utilize a great number of frames at once (this is also the case with any augments that operate independently of frames). In situations where DM’s must judge combat, this will be taken into consideration, so keep that in mind. The “Frame Combination” technique is an exception to this rule, as it is a predetermined pattern of actions undergone by all frames at once.
Although Pseudomatter’s defenses against an Alumni’s antimagic are briefly explained above, keep in mind that the mundane shell of a construct made via this mana is not infallible to being affected altogether. While an Alumni might not be able to instantly remove a frame or an augment, if they are able to pierce through the defensive layer and access the mana inside, they can de-summon it rather effectively. This makes defending your augments from Alumni an important factor to consider, as -- though they can be damaged and remain active -- they will be instantly destroyed by antimagic if their hull is breached.
Frames also exist in a sort of middle ground between summons and constructs. While summons can usually operate independently of the caster entirely, thinking on their own and acting on their own, Frames must be given basic, psychic commands. They cannot make express decisions or take specific actions on their own (unless an augment allows it somehow) and while it will require less mental strain than, for example, a Manatist operating a dozen constructs independently of one another, it will still require intense concentration to utilize a great number of frames at once (this is also the case with any augments that operate independently of frames). In situations where DM’s must judge combat, this will be taken into consideration, so keep that in mind. The “Frame Combination” technique is an exception to this rule, as it is a predetermined pattern of actions undergone by all frames at once.
Although Pseudomatter’s defenses against an Alumni’s antimagic are briefly explained above, keep in mind that the mundane shell of a construct made via this mana is not infallible to being affected altogether. While an Alumni might not be able to instantly remove a frame or an augment, if they are able to pierce through the defensive layer and access the mana inside, they can de-summon it rather effectively. This makes defending your augments from Alumni an important factor to consider, as -- though they can be damaged and remain active -- they will be instantly destroyed by antimagic if their hull is breached.