"Astra"
By Vigilance99 (https://pastebin.com/u/Vigilance99)

URL: https://pastebin.com/EYZY2nFG
Created on: Friday 23rd of June 2017 09:17:46 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Sunday 25 of October 2020 10:11:30 AM UTC



Astra
-Glavoastra
-Sildoastra
-Iloastra

Astra are the mystical tools and weapons of the Numeri, usable only by the Many. They are the result of forging a powerful soul [or souls] into a seemingly common item to create something more powerful then a mere soul. 

All Astra possess two forms, a base state that usually resembles a high quality [but otherwise very mundane] item, such as a sword, spear, amulet, belt, crown, staff, gemstone, etc. And a transformed state whose appearance is determined by the user.

A Numeri binds themselves with an Astra in much the same way they would absorb a Soul, by concentrating on it while holding it. This binds the item to them [occupying the relevant Soul Slot] and allows them to transform the item by saying a magic word, phrase, or invocation. This phrase varies from user to user, and often [but not always] includes the name of the Astra in question.

There are three types of Astra. Glavoastra, which occupy the Offense Slot are usually Masterwork Weapons with two points of improvements [such as extra tags, elemental effects, granted skills, special buffs/debuffs, etc]. These take the form of swords, spears, axes, hammers, bows, guns, and other weapons, as well as occasionally more obscure forms such as gems, belts, or amulets.

Sildoastra occupies the Defense Slot, and when actiated often manifests as various forms of mystical defense, such as barriers, summoned armor, auras of crackling energy, and so on. Mechanically they usually involve a mild HP raise [Toughness or Martial Defender] as well as 2-pts of defensive skills or buffs [such as specialized Inures or improved DR].

Iloastra occupy the Utility Slot, and are used for various purposes among the Numeri. Two of the most common forms are special Masterwork Catalysts, which improve spellcasting ability. These items, craved by Animancers and other magicians, usually take the form of a Masterwork Catalyst that is unique among Anima in that it can be equipped alongside another Soul. This is frequently the ONLY additional power such Catalysts possess. Some such catalysts cannot be dual-equipped, but instead substitute 2-pts of Spells. Another common form of Iloastra is summoned vehicles, mounts, or other forms of transport, which transport ranging from as few as a single person, the user, to as many as an airship. There are rumors that Captain Diez' ship is nothing more then a particularly powerful Iloastra.