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« on: February 27, 2025, 03:03:36 AM »
PTSD are...unpleasant. They are very common at the Gates; created from Trolls Mab considers to valuable to be put down but too insane to continue fighting. Somehow, she carves their traumas out of them, to create a tool that can help new recruits survive longer.
The derangements caused by long term service at the Gates aren't Lawbreaking, but they function on mortals in a similar fashion.
[-0] Purpose. PTSD are created to restablize veterans of the war against the Outside, and given to new recruits to help them survive.
[-0] It Is What It Is. These are usually scales or horns, physically carved from the troll, along with their madness.
[-0] Unbreakable. As an Item of Power, this item cannot be broken except with a magical ritual that opposes its nature.
[+2] One-Time Discount. This is sometimes enough to let the Troll continue functioning; more often the discount is being used for a weapon so cannot be applied, and the Troll will not return to sanity until a rookie buys the item.
[-2] Lawbreaking/3. Always the 5th Law; Usually the 1st; plus either 2nd, 3rd or 4th.
[-0] Cassandra's Tears. Any
[-0] Wizard's Constitution
If one of these is found anywhere except at the Gates, something has gone horribly wrong. The most likely scenario is that Unseelie forces have pursued an Outsider into the physcial world, and then lost the resulting fight. So if you find one, you are in trouble. Still, it might help you survive the Outsider!
Mab, of course, will want it back. You can either hand it over; no problems. Or you could buy the item...
if you buy this item, then you have volunteered to serve in the war against the Outside. You will be drawn into the Nevernever, and find yourself at the Gates. A kindly GM might let you play out your first, and probably last, engagement...
PTSD have a minimum of two aspects, one for being an item and the other for Cassandra's Tears. In the original Troll these replace the aspects inflicted by the Lawbreaking. Once every 3 adventures, a Refresh gained from Cassandra' Tears can heal a mental Extreme Consequence caused by battle at the Gates.