Curses influence Guides provoking character into uncontrolled action and corrupting their ambitions.
• When character contracts a Curse they replace one of their Guides Boons with a Curse
• Guide becomes Cursed and cannot be changed until the Curse is broken
Curses have beneficial effects however drawing on them is risky. Drawing Strength from a Cursed Guide Stirs the Curse, granting the character its power but also risking it spreading.
Stirring the Curse
Curse Stirs when the character makes a contact with a source of a Curse. For example.
• Using a Gift from a Cursed artefact
• Drawing Strength from a Cursed Guide
• Cursed Effort when making a Test
When a Curse Stirs effects of the Curse activate. Character then makes a Burden Test. On a successful Test Curse is kept at bay. On a failure the Curse Spreads.
Spreading Curse
When a Curse Spreads replace a Boon in an uncursed Guide slot with the Curse.
If character does not have an uncursed Guide Slot, character is lost to their Curses and leaves to pursue strange goals. To bring them back go on a quest.
Influence of the Curse
Influence measures strength of the Curse, it makes the active effects of the Curse more powerful. Influence is rated from 1 to 3 and is equal to number of Guide slots the Curse is marked into.
Sources of Curse
Cursed Lands: Rest and Downtime in Cursed lands and places Stirs the Curse. If the Burden Test fails Curse of the land spreads.
Cursed Fare: Eating or drinking Cursed fare Stirs the Curse. If the Burden Test fails Curse of the fare spreads.
Cursed Gifts: Using a Cursed Gift Stirs the Curse. If the Burden Test fails Curse from Gifts source spreads. Cursed Gift can come from many sources artifact or a Guide for example.
Cursed Beings: Being struck by a Cursed attack Stirs the Curse. If the Burden Test fails Curse of the attacking being spreads.
Cursed Hazards: Coming to contact with a Cursed Hazard, such as looking into a possessed mirror, Stirs the Curse. If the Burden Test fails Curse of the Hazard spreads.
Breaking a Curse
While each Curse is unique there are three general strategies to breaking a Curse. To find what is required to achieve these goals go on a quest.
Manifest: Curse can be made to manifest as a being. It can then be fought and driven off.
Ritual can be performed to Manifest a Curse. As long as the ritual holds Curse can be fought.
Rite: Performing rites under favorable conditions pushes back spreading Curse.
Rites are Arduous challenges that can be performed to decrease Curses strength. If challenge succeeds one Guide slot taken over by this curse is cleared.
Deed: Performing a deed tied to the Curse will break the Curse. True loves kiss or atonement for sins are examples of performing a deed.