Avenues of Power

The greatest creations of the Codeverse are the universes themselves, each of which holds within its own unique attributes, stories, and people. This great existence, a gift left behind by those who dwelled before time, is trekked with novel paths by each individual. As you walk down these paths, you may be presented with the unique opportunities to harness powers of great ability which can be the means through which each respective journey is achieved. These opportunities granted to mortals are plentiful, allowing them to dabble and grow in many ways before their journeys are concluded one way or another.

Whether they be hero, villain, or otherwise, all who travel the road of life will have to make choices in how they intend to do it.

So it is that mortals, while possessing great potential and capabilities, are limited in the total methods through which this journey can be taken. One avenue for the mind, body, and soul each; no one weaker than the other two, and each holding its own strengths. Using these powers comes at no cost (or sometimes it does, but that isn't to say there is an inherent detriment to any ability normally), except for the fact once an avenue is taken, very rarely can it be backtracked.

The Mind: Prioritizing critical thinking and linked to the brain. Abilities of this nature are calculative and require methodical thinking to go through the processes. Use the strength of thought to overcome any obstacle.

The Body: Focused on physical ability and linked to the mortal's vessel. Abilities of this nature are intuitive and transformative, allowing one to bypass limits and push their techniques to new heights. The might of the fist is enough to turn the tide.

The Soul: Drawing on individuality and linked to the innate energy of life. Abilities of this nature are unique and variable, you can never predict what powers someone can gain through their spirit and will. The forces of dark yearn for the immeasurable power that dwells within.

Since every person has only the three avenues to work with, the details around how those avenues are used is important to understand. First and foremost, once you take a power from any avenue, you can no longer take another power from that avenue with only ONE exception. This means that every character is limited to three power sources, one from each avenue. When you make an Oc, you can start with 1 or maybe 2 power sources, with varying degrees of mastery between them. If you wish, you can replace a power source from the same avenue with another, but doing so requires a narrative explanation. This change should be a significant moment in a character's story, so treat it with the care that it deserves.

As for the one exception, the only way to have two abilities from the same avenue is to sacrifice your ability to have three avenues. That is to say, if you wish to break the standard rule of one power for body, mind, and soul, you are allowed to take two from any one category... but take no other avenue, period. You are limited to just those two avenues, although going about it this way does enable you to explore unique combinations of abilities and skills, so it isn't something to be totally disregarded if it fits in line with your character.

The Applications of Avenue:

Gifts:

The world's gift to mortals, powerful abilities centered around the individual self. Gifted are enhanced physically by the Genesis Gene and are capable of feats normal humans simply... can't do, without the supplementary help of technology or other resources. Gifts, being from one's soul, take up a soul Avenue slot. These abilities are endlessly versatile and heavily based on the character they are applied to, so try your best to make your gift a representation of who they are as a power!

Source: Soul | Basis: The Dreaming

Nightmare Contracting:

Gnawing hunger claws at these dark reflections of mortals and grants them no peace. It makes them hard to negotiate with... but if you somehow manage to convince these creatures not to devour you, then they might see something of value in you. By offering up one's soul as collateral, a nightmare exchanges a small fraction of their essence which comes about as a curse- a powerful ability that a contractor can then use to fulfill the will of their new eldritch master. These powers are directly related to the nightmare bargained with, so be careful who you give your soul to. You might not get it back.

Source: Soul | Basis: The Waking

Somnists:

You have given up more than your soul. You have given up your humanity. Your future. In exchange, you may very well live forever... as will the domain of the geist you merged with to get here. Few people ever reach the point where they are considered equals with their nightmares, who see people as prey. Fewer still do nightmares willingly give up everything they are to merge with a human. When they do, the best and worst parts shine darker and more fervently than when they were ever apart. What remains is far more than what was used to make it.

Source: The Body, The Mind | Basis: The Dreaming

Spirit’s Blessings:

Whether by unfortunate luck or through an artificial scenario crafted by a spirit, one thing is certain; its magic has struck down upon you and granted you a chance to hunt down the accursed forces of the dark or serve its whims. Should you accept its powers, you will become a spirit kissed, one whose powers are based on the spirit's own aspects. The Spirit Kissed are few and far between, as unlike Nightmares, spirits rarely interfere with the material world- so, if you come across one, it is not likely you will ever see it again, should you turn it away.

Source: The Soul | Basis: The Dreaming

Animi Boons:

Source: The Soul (Exclusive to Beastkin) | Basis: The Dreaming

Since ancient times, the Beastkin were granted the means to defend themselves and survive against the dangers of the world. Nowadays, as peace is more common than bloodshed, the Beastkin are not as reliant on such powers. Even so, it does not mean that they do not exist. Those who walk the path of the beast can appease the animalistic spirit whom their clan harkens back to, and these boons allow them to fully realize that ancient might once exhibited by all beastkin. Or, something akin to it, depending on how skewed or personal their view and relationship with their animi might be.

Virago Mystic Arts:

Source: The Body(Exclusive to Viragos) | Basis: The Dreaming

Whether you come from the heroic lands of Minerva, the Feudal territories of Olympius, or even the rugged ice swept tundra of Renastursia, it is likely your lands have seen the Virago before. Women with extreme physical might are prepared to face the most dangerous of threats, these warriors are talented in battle, always looking for a fight that can truly stack up to their order. After training and connecting with the realm beyond, these unstoppable warriors can utilize magic from the Dreaming in order to unleash their mastered might upon their enemies.

Bioengineering:

Perhaps you were infected by a C.R.O.W scourge or blighted, or perhaps you were an experiment kidnapped by the Abaddon's summit. Regardless of how it happened, your body has been... twisted. Changed, beyond recognition. Now, you might be stronger, more agile, capable of seeing things invisible to the human eye or with more arms than you know what to do with. But, it's hard to see whether you'll be able to fit in with society anymore. There might be a way to reverse your state- or perhaps you're stuck like this forever. For some, this could be the ideal life- but for others? This could simply be hell on earth....

Source: The Body | Basis: The Waking

Life Rhythms:

Enlightenment. A state of higher consciousness, where you embrace a new way of being. In order to achieve it, there are a multitude of ways, whether it be meditation or rituals or research. Frankly, the easiest way is to simply live your life. To go through your day to day life working on habits you want to make the core of your existence. Self satisfaction. Contentment. In return for this driven process, you can harness something that only a scant few know... the ambient power of melodic force, attained by those who do not settle on inconsistency.

Source: The Body | Basis: The Waking

Blighted:

Look at you. Everything about you has been improved. You are better like this. You are special. The way your new form is presented, is a special strain of the CROW virus. You are you. You could be us. You could be better. Neogen may want you, they may have even introduced you to us, but that does not mean you have to listen to them. They seek control, we offer salvation. A new way. All you have to do... is open the door.

Source: The Body | Basis: The Waking

Disciples:

You barely escaped that... thing. You didn't get a good look at it, or- well, maybe you did? Its form was shifting constantly, but the longer you stared the more... concrete it seemed. But, it's not just that. Now you look at others and see what you assume to be their thoughts. It doesn't help that it feels like people are watching you now-Neogen vans seem to always be near your work, and you swear you can see their thoughts too. They... want you. But they're not the only ones. It talks to you sometimes. It sees your potential. It... wants. To. Be. Let. In.

Source: The Mind | Basis: The Waking

Signal-Attuned:

Basis: The Waking | Source: The Body, The Mind

No longer are you restricted to the feeble limitations of a disease, nor the cramped barriers of the mind. You have let them in. Now, they are going to keep your image maintained. They will open you up to the greatest things the world has to offer. In return, you are now responsible for furthering their purpose. You are to go to any lengths to complete their objectives. You want to do it. You will do it. You are free.

While these are not avenues of power themselves, they are accessible techniques and abilities which can be achieved through any of the avenues or on their own from them.

Even if you don't read all the above avenues of power, READ BOTH OF THESE!

Important Related Systems!

Speed System: Rush!

You fling down the street, rushing around cars that are slow as snails, ducking and weaving arms hanging out of windows and people walking across the road. You dive forwards, your brain scintillating with raw power as you make a dozen movements in one second: sliding under a semi, jumping over a block, landing with a roll on the side of a building and soaring into the sky. Speed is the name of the game... and you're the best player there is.

Tech System: Modules

Your suit maker says it's time to pay your tab. You grimace at the thought... the laser gauntlets and magnet boots were certain to set you back, but you decided to get the reflective energy shield on your chest piece for extra defense. You nervously bob in your seat, before he places a hand on your shoulder. ".... you owe me a drink, I'm fucking tired." Thank god you saved his daughter the other day. Maybe now you can go for the x-ray helmet....