System
Scion uses a rules system similar to the Storyteller system made popular by the World of Darkness, but is not part of the World of Darkness. The rules are a new version of the system presented in Exalted: Second Edition but set in a modern world, that also includes elements from the Trinity Universe series of games, most notably Aberrant.
One change to the system that has caused some debate is the lack of Backgrounds in Scion. Characters are allowed to have whatever contacts, history, and wealth that makes sense for the character without the need of any rules to oversee them. The core mechanics of the game will also increase in scale with each additional book in the series, eventually promoting the hero characters to demigod- and god-hood.
The two primary abilities available to hero characters are Epic Attributes and Boons. Epic Attributes increase the characters nine basic abilities to super-human levels (Hercules' strength or Helen's beauty, for example). Boons are the divine powers granted to the children of the Gods, categorized into Purviews (covering animals, chaos, darkness, death, earth, fertility, fire, guardians, health, justice, the moon, psychopomp, the sky, the sun, war, water, pantheon-specific purviews, magic, mystery, and prophecy), and activated through special relics given to the Scions by their divine parents. Scions also round out their abilities by attracting Followers, being befriended by legendary Creatures, or being aided by often mystical Guides.
The List of Pantheon-specific Purviews includes:
Arete - The Dodekatheon Purview, granting Scions transcendent capabilities in their areas of expertise and knowledge
Asha - The Yazata Purview, allowing Scions to promote truth, order and justice
Cheval - The Loa Purview, allowing Scions to control and influence others via possession and mysticism
Deuogdonio - The Nemetondevos Purview, allowing Scions to manipulate and affect the fateful connections between themselves and mortals
Enech - The Tuatha de Danann Purview, giving Scions access to the great benefits and tragic consequences of geasa
Heku - The Pesedjet Purview, allowing Scions to tap into the different aspects of their souls for power
Itzli - The Atzlanti Purview, granting Scions the ability to perform ritual sacrifices in exchange for power
Jotunblut - The Aesir Purview, allowing Scions to enhance the capabilities and loyalties of mortals
Samsara - The Deva Purview, providing Scions with the means to control their fates through meditation and concentration
Scire - The Atlantean Purview, giving Scions greater insight into the mysteries of information and knowledge
Taiyi - The Celestial Bureaucracy Purview, allowing Scions to combine their powers and solidify themselves with their companions
Tsukumo-Gami - The Amatsukami Purview, allowing Scions to speak to the spirits of the inanimate world around them
Read more about this topic: Scion (role-playing Game)
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