BPRD Ley Lines

 

Ley lines are matrices of natural Psycho Kinetic Energy that run in straight lines across the globe. Life creates this energy, and it is constantly renewed by the circle of life and death of living beings. Where several lines intersect and cross, the energy is even greater. These intersections are called nexus points. Magi can siphon energy from these lines and nexuses, especially during certain periods and positions of the moon and stars. The additional energy is often only accessible directly at a ley line nexus and must be used while it is available. The PKE cannot be saved and used later. This makes timing a critical factor.

 

Ley lines have the following effects:

 

  1. Being near a ley line, 3.2 km increases the range and duration of spells, wards, and circles by 20% or 2D6.
  2. Within half a mile of a nexus or on a ley line increases the range, duration, and damage of magic spells, wards, and circles by 50%. The mage can also draw 10 PKE or ‘Manna' from the ambient energy once per combat round. Also, the magi can recover 10 PKE per 30min without having to meditate or sleep.
  3. Being at a nexus or within 200 ft (61m) of one doubles the normal range , duration, and damage of magic spells, wards, and circles. Magi also enjoy a bonus of +5 to saves against spells. The magi can also draw an additional 20 PKE once per combat round. Plus the magi can recover 20 PKE per half hour.
  4. Periods of increased energy:
    1. Midday and Midnight : Magi can draw an extra 20 PKE per combat round along ley lines and 40 PKE at a nexus. This energy is available for one minute; from 12:00 to 12:01 .
    2. Vernal and Autumnal Equinox: Energy is high during daylight hours of the vernal equinox and the nighttime hours of the autumnal equinox. Magi can draw 40 PKE per combat round at a nexus. This amount doubles to 80 points at dawn, noon , sunset, and midnight . However, on a failed roll, or a complication or an over draw of energy, there is a 15% chance that a portal will open, and demons will come out.
    3. Summer and Winter Solstice: June 21 st and December 21 st the PKE energy is the same as during the equinox. At the dawn of a solstice, the nexus erupts with energy for a five minute period. During this time the Magi can tap into 300 PKE. However there is a chance, (50%) upon a complication, or failed roll that a portal will open and something will come out or a terrible storm. At sunset, another, smaller, five minute energy flare erupts. The Magi can draw upon a 150 PKE. This time there is a 25% chance of a portal opening with a failed roll or a complication.
    4. Lunar Eclipse: Once per combat round 30 PKE can be tapped during the 90 minute period of the eclipse. But for one minute during the zenith of the eclipse the Magi can tap into 400 PKE.
    5. Partial Solar Eclipse: During the 2-8 min eclipse, 60 PKE can be tapped once per combat round and 800 PKE a the zenith for one combat round.

Ley Line Storms

 

Ley line storms occur seemingly at random and some scientists think it might have to do with recycling ley line energy and to keep the flow evenly distributed. During a ley line storm rain seldom occurs, but the skies turn a dark green-grey color, black clouds roll in, and the wind gusts bringing a chill to the air. Bluish bolts of electrical energy shoot down from the sky and everything in the area of the storm crackles with a halo of energy.

 

These maelstroms of mystic energy have dangerous side effects on magic items and creatures of magic. Most flee at the first sign of a storm.

 

Things that can occur during a ley line storm:

 

  1. Extra PK energy normally available at ley lines and nexuses are not available during a storm.
  2. Magic effects are heavily distorted during a storm. Use the Chart below if any spells are cast, or magic imbued items are used, or if anyone tries to siphon energy from the storm.

Roll Percentile

Effect

1-20

Magic powers are increased-double range and damage. The caster cannot regulate damage or range.

21-40

Magic powers are decreased-reduce range and damage by half. The caster cannot regulate damage or range.

41-60

Magic powers are completely negated-the PKE is absorbed by the storm, and so nothing magical works.

61-80

Magic powers are completely wrong-the GM can switch spells at will (anything goes) It is wise not to use magic at this time.

81-00

Magic discharge-everytime a spell or magic item is discharged, there is the sound of thunder and the magic user is knocked off their feet from a sudden explosion in their face! Initiative is lost along with one action from that combat round.

 

  1. Bolts of ley line energy are attracted to anything magic in the area including magi, creatures of magic, magic items, artifacts, or weapons. The bolts appear as blue-white energy doing 2D6 energy damage.
  2. Creatures who are disguised by metamorphosis or magic suddenly appear to grow or shrink and their features become distorted. Getting hit by a ley line bolt may transform them into their true shape. (1-44% chance)
  3. Psionic characters and similar creatures suffer from headaches (use stun damage), are -2 to initiative, and their psionic sensing powers are scrambled; reduce range by half.
  4. Magic Illusions disappear
  5. Existing dimensional portals close.

 

Roll the following for every 30min of the storm when along a ley line or once every 5min at a nexus. No saving throws for this.

 

Roll percentile dice

Event

1-15

Airlift, everybody, including vehicles, crackle with energy and rise 10ft (3m) above the ground and are blown down the ley line for 2D6 minutes before dropping to the ground.

16-30

Rolling thunder-a rolling black cloud comes racing along the entire width of the ley line. Speed of 60mph, everyone hit by the thundercloud is drenched in water, temporarily deafened by the thunder, and knocked off their feet, losing all attacks for the combat round.

31-55

Euphoria-everyone feels good, happy, and cheerful. Many will start to laugh, sing, act silly, as if intoxicated. Those who are injured are healed one level of damage. Characters will feel no fear or hostility toward anything, including known enemies. They will not attack unless attacked first, at which point all attack dice are halved. Number of attacks limited to one. Euphoria typically lasts 2D6 minutes.

56-64

Alien..slimy things accompany a light rain. Squishy, icky, foul smelling, alien things. They don't do any damage except make the characters stink for 2D6 days

65-72

Dimensional Flux!-one minute on earth, the next, in limbo. After 1D6 minutes they are returned to the same spot on earth. But 2D6 hours passed.

73-80

Massive Ley Line Energy bolt-Characters hit by the bolt take 2D6 energy damage, lose initiative, all attacks, 4D6 PKE, and are teleported 4D6x10 meters down the ley line.

81-00

A dimensional rift opens! –GM Choice