Whoah-oh we're halfway there. This is another one that introduces a new supernatural ability, this time unashamedly inspired by martial arts media and Disney's Hercules.
Sisyphos, the Labourer (Might 20)
This Daimon bears a striking resemblance to the Sisyphus of Hellenic myth, enough so that theurgists have nicknamed him for the character. If he is, in fact, that Sisyphus he does not let on. In fact, he answers no questions about himself at all. He takes just enough time to impatiently grant a service to the theurge and not a moment longer, apparently anxious to return to whatever task he labours at.
He is not particularly favoured by hermetic theurgists as he offers not quick rewards. Any powers he grants do not bear fruit without many years or decades of effort. He is more of a curiosity to theurgists than anything. His powers are based on a supernatural ability and it is possible that there are practitioners of this power somewhere in Mythic Europe, or failing that it may be a lost power that could be rediscovered.
He appears as a man in perfect physical shape with unkempt hair and beard. He is always out of breath and drenched in sweat and leaning on some oject or tool, as if just taking a momentary break from a labour – sometimes it is a boulder, sometimes a shovel or pick, sometimes a weapon, a hammer, an anvil etc. It changes each time he is invoked.
Characteristics: Int 0, Per 0, Pre 0, Com 0, Str +9, Sta +9, Dex 0, Quik 0
Personality Traits: Impatient +6, Irritable +4
Size: 0
Soak: +9
Wound Penalties: –1 (1-5), –3 (6-10), –5 (11-20), Banished (21-25)
Abilities: Heroic Training 12*
*This is a supernatural ability. See below for details.
Powers:
Sisyphos will use the Heroic Training ability to instruct the theurge once in an ability of the theurge’s choice and then depart. The transfer of knowledge is instant, as if the theurge had trained with the Daimon for a season (15xp). The theurge must spend a season practicing to properly absorb the benefit and gain the xp.
Supernatural Ability: Heroic Training
Heroic Training is a supernatural ability that allows people to be taught spell-like abilities somewhat similar to performance magic through years of dedicated practice. Possessing the Heroic Training ability does not grant these abilities to the user but is used to devise them for other people.
Powers taught with this ability must follow the following constraints: They must involve a mundane ability which can be practised and they must use a specific ritual method of using that ability which triggers the effect (like with performance magic).
The final desired effect to be taught is designed like a hermetic spell. The maximum level is determined by a roll of (Simple Die+Int+Heroic Training)x3. This cannot incorporate vis so cannot be a ritual spell. The only exceptions are spells which would be ritual because of the spell level or year duration which can be used. Such powers always have a penetration of 0 although the penetration ability adds to that as normal.
The trainer must spend a season training the target using his Heroic Training ability to determine the xp gained (rather than the mundane ability used to trigger the power). This teaches an ability specific to the power which the target can increase by training with the original trainer or by practice. For every level they possess in the ability they gain 3 spell levels towards the power which they can trigger by expending a short-term fatigue level and performing the ritual action. If they do not have a high enough score the duration, magnitude of the effect, or target is lowered until it is weak enough for them to use. This may make it useless or even harmful to the user. The details are left up to the storyguide.
If the student possesses the blood of heroes they gain 5 levels per point in the ability instead.
It is impossible to teach an ability gained via Heroic Training to others unless you also possess the Heroic Training supernatural ability. In the case where the trainer has the Heroic Training ability he may teach any ability derived from it he knows, even if he could not normally invent that ability himself. As with devising a new ability this uses the trainer’s Heroic Training score, not the taught ability, for the purposes of calculating training xp.
For example, the heroic trainer Philoctetes wants to teach the warrior Gryf to strike blows that can cleave mountains. He has a Heroic Training ability of 8, Int +2, and rolls a 6. The max level of the spell is 16×3 = 48. He chooses a Perdo Terram effect triggered with the Single Weapon ability which is base level 4, touch range, and part target then adds 6 magnitudes for size for a final level of 40. After a season of training Gryf has gained 12xp in his new ability “Cleave the Mountain” and has a score of 1. As this only amounts to 3 spell levels he is still just hitting rocks with a sword. He trains with Philoctetes for another year until he has a score of 4 in “Cleave the Mountain”. Now he can manage 12 spell levels and split boulders in half with his blows. After this Philoctetes refuses to spend any more time teaching him so he must practice for only 4xp a season. If he perseveres he will be able to actually cleave cliff faces when he achieves a score of 14, which will require around 33 years of practice. If he had the blood of heroes he would only need a score of 8, requiring a less extreme 8 years of practice.