Mental Effects of Awnsheglienis

[Brian Stoner]

I would argue that the desire to have the "cool" powers of Azrai's derivation
may be of darker motivation. In other words, the desire for power may be
evil. Certainly, this doesn't mean that the character is evil...but the seeds
for corruption are there. It is this corruption that drives the awnshegh. The
more the character accesses the darker power of Azrai within, the more he gives
into this internal corruption. As time passes, he slowly changes. Physical
metamorphosis mirrors the metamorphosis of his soul from good to evil. If the
character has bloodform, he should resist the urge to use his blood powers. He
doesn't have to become an awnshegh...but to avoid he must resist evil urges.
Including the use of power he knows comes from an evil god. This is a great
opportunity for DMs wishing to provide a deep challenge for their players.

Dearnen

Olesens wrote:

> I have recently had a player express dislike over his choice of
> bloodline, saying that Azrai has all the really neat ones. The campaign
> is well underway so I can't just change it, although I though I could
> grant the player his wish and at the same time throw in the stuff for a
> lot of adventures/roleplaying. Well I was drawing a blank of how to
> change the bloodline derivination until I came across page 65 in Blood
> Enemies. Listed there is a spell called "Corrupt Bloodline" that
> changes the victim's bloodline into Azrai and grants his 1d4 extra Azrai
> abilities in addition to his current ones (which I have decided fuction
> as the old derivination). The victim also gets bloodform. The idea
> didn't really bother me, but I couldn't find any examples of a
> good-aligned awnsheglien. So I would like to hear some other opinions
> of how being an awnsheglien effects one's personality. The player's
> internal conflict with his evil bloodline is fairly sure to be fun
> (although I do have a backup plan if the player is miserable with it).
> How does this change work? The Manticore was once a Paladin of Avani
> (LG) but is now Lawful Neutral (I'm pretty sure).

[Mark A Vandermeulen]

On Wed, 17 Feb 1999, Olesens wrote:

> I have recently had a player express dislike over his choice of
> bloodline, saying that Azrai has all the really neat ones. The campaign
> is well underway so I can't just change it, although I though I could
> grant the player his wish and at the same time throw in the stuff for a
> lot of adventures/roleplaying. Well I was drawing a blank of how to
> change the bloodline derivination until I came across page 65 in Blood
> Enemies. Listed there is a spell called "Corrupt Bloodline" that
> changes the victim's bloodline into Azrai and grants his 1d4 extra Azrai
> abilities in addition to his current ones (which I have decided fuction
> as the old derivination). The victim also gets bloodform. The idea
> didn't really bother me, but I couldn't find any examples of a
> good-aligned awnsheglien. So I would like to hear some other opinions

The good-aligned "blood-transformed" are called Ersheghlein, which I
believe is elvish for "blood of light" rather than "blood of darkness" or
something similarly picturesque. In effect they go through the same sort
of transformation as the awnsheighlein, a change in their body's shape and
form as their bodies attempt to make the best use of the power that their
divine blood can give them. They are definitely described in the "Blood
Enemies" book, some examples are the Fae, the Unicorn, and some ranger in
Rjuric who is becoming "the Badger" or something. Apparently it is a much
slower/more painful/more difficult process than the transformation to
awnsheghlein. Also, the process is apparently virtually unknown. In my
case, I've ruled that the procedure is only writen down is a book called
the "Lorebook of the Mage-Kings of Yond," most copies of which were
destroyed by the Gorgon, who realized that Ersheghlein constitute the
biggest threat to his continued existence.

> of how being an awnsheglien effects one's personality. The player's
> internal conflict with his evil bloodline is fairly sure to be fun
> (although I do have a backup plan if the player is miserable with it).
> How does this change work? The Manticore was once a Paladin of Avani
> (LG) but is now Lawful Neutral (I'm pretty sure).

A personal theory of mine is that the Transformation is caused by giving
in fully to the inherent tendencies of the Blood you possess. For those
with Azrai's blood, that comes down to pure powermongering self-interest
by any means necessary. I suspect that the same kinds of things could be
done by giving your life fully to the tendencies of the other bloodlines.
The Badger is probably changing because of his committment to preservation
of the Wilderness which was a basic tennant of Reynir's faith.

Mark VanderMeulen
vander+@pitt.edu

[Jim Cooper]

Olesens wrote:
> Well I was drawing a blank of how to change the bloodline derivination until I came across page 65 in Blood Enemies. Listed there is a spell called "Corrupt Bloodline" that changes the victim's bloodline into Azrai and grants his 1d4 extra Azrai abilities in addition to his current ones (which I have decided fuction as the old derivination).<

Oh no! Once the victim's bloodline is corrupted, their old abilities
will no longer function! Only those that Azrai's bloodline can accept
will continue to be part of the character. Unless this is a home
campaign rule, and if that's so, I'll just shut-up! :)

>The victim also gets bloodform. The idea didn't really bother me, but I couldn't find any examples of a good-aligned awnsheglien. So I would like to hear some other opinions of how being an awnsheglien effects one's personality. The player's internal conflict with his evil bloodline is fairly sure to be fun (although I do have a backup plan if the player is miserable with it). How does this change work? The Manticore was once a Paladin of Avani (LG) but is now Lawful Neutral (I'm pretty sure).>

Well, there are plenty of good ersheghlien in the back of Blood Enemies,
guy! But to your question: I think the blood affects a person's mental
and spiritual self totally. There is no room for negotiation when
bloodlines are involved. Fortunately, though, Azrai's blood responds to
the base nature of the creature infected, so the DM's job becomes a
little easier. The DM need only observe the actions of the player and
decide what type of monster best represents the trait(s) the PC is
displaying. If the future awnsheghlien is bloodthirsty, turn them into
a Vampire. If vain, viola, the Lamia. Proud, the Sphinx. Obviously
these ones are taken (since awnsheghlien should be unique individuals),
but there are plenty of mythlological beasties that are based on
personality traits. Indeed, back then, people thought monsters
represented certain strong characteristics, and this can be carried over
into your BR campaign. Moreover, the change to their cursed form
depends on how dependant the characters are on their powers (which the
blood calls to them to use - like the Dark Side of the Force).

Cheers,
Darren

[Jim Cooper]

Mark A Vandermeulen wrote:
> something similarly picturesque. In effect they go through the same sort of transformation as the awnsheighlein, a change in their body's shape and form as their bodies attempt to make the best use of the power that their divine blood can give them. They are definitely described in the "Blood Enemies" book, some examples are the Fae, the Unicorn, and some ranger in Rjuric who is becoming "the Badger" or something. Apparently it is a much slower/more painful/more difficult process than the transformation to awnsheghlein.<

Moreover, the change is apparently quite voluntary, until full
transformation takes place (ie: until the ersheghlien is ready to give
themself fully to the side of 'light'). I believe if you read the
bloodtrait blood ability all this info is there.

Cheers,
Darren

[Olesens]

Mark A Vandermeulen wrote:

> The good-aligned "blood-transformed" are called Ersheghlein, which I
> believe is elvish for "blood of light" rather than "blood of darkness" or
> something similarly picturesque. In effect they go through the same sort
> of transformation as the awnsheighlein, a change in their body's shape and
> form as their bodies attempt to make the best use of the power that their
> divine blood can give them. They are definitely described in the "Blood
> Enemies" book, some examples are the Fae, the Unicorn, and some ranger in
> Rjuric who is becoming "the Badger" or something. Apparently it is a much
> slower/more painful/more difficult process than the transformation to
> awnsheghlein. Also, the process is apparently virtually unknown. In my
> case, I've ruled that the procedure is only writen down is a book called
> the "Lorebook of the Mage-Kings of Yond," most copies of which were
> destroyed by the Gorgon, who realized that Ersheghlein constitute the
> biggest threat to his continued existence.

Well I seem to totally disagree here. First of all, Ersheghlein are the result
of bloodtrait, not bloodform (which is Azrai only). Bloodtrait is available to
all the good bloodlines (ie. all but Azrai). Therefore, Ersheghlein cannot be
decended from Azrai. Thier bloodtrait is controlled, they basically get to
choose how much they want to change and what they change. Bloodform is
uncontrolled, it is based on the charachter's use of his blood abilities and
his evil actions. It seems to me that strictly by the books, a ersheglien
could be evil (there are plenty of evil, non-Azrai scions). He would be
superior to the awnsheglien because he could control his change. I feel the
ersheglien process is something perpetuated by deep, internal desires. One has
much more control over it than awnsheglien (Who change whenever they use a
power).

[Olesens]

Jim Cooper wrote:

> Olesens wrote:
> > Well I was drawing a blank of how to change the bloodline derivination until I came across page 65 in Blood Enemies. Listed there is a spell called "Corrupt Bloodline" that changes the victim's bloodline into Azrai and grants his 1d4 extra Azrai abilities in addition to his current ones (which I have decided fuction as the old derivination).<
>
> Oh no! Once the victim's bloodline is corrupted, their old abilities
> will no longer function! Only those that Azrai's bloodline can accept
> will continue to be part of the character. Unless this is a home
> campaign rule, and if that's so, I'll just shut-up! :)

Hmmm, that's not the way I read it. I thought about that for awhile, and I liked the idea of the transformed scion having "safe" acess to his old powers plus acess to the harmful new powers (which I made all abilities that get activated when wanted, they'll be there to tempt the PC, but always with a negative point).

>
>
> >The victim also gets bloodform. The idea didn't really bother me, but I couldn't find any examples of a good-aligned awnsheglien. So I would like to hear some other opinions of how being an awnsheglien effects one's personality. The player's internal conflict with his evil bloodline is fairly sure to be fun (although I do have a backup plan if the player is miserable with it). How does this change work? The Manticore was once a Paladin of Avani (LG) but is now Lawful Neutral (I'm pretty sure).>
>
> Well, there are plenty of good ersheghlien in the back of Blood Enemies,
> guy!

But they are not *awnsheglien*, see my reply to Mark's post.

> Moreover, the change to their cursed form
> depends on how dependant the characters are on their powers (which the
> blood calls to them to use - like the Dark Side of the Force).

Love the analogy, it fits perfectly. I always felt a connection between the bloodlines and the Force. Hmm, that wouldn't be a bad source for some new blood abilites... time to find my Jedi Knight manuel. As you read above, I am doing just that: Having those powers there, always beconing to be used.

[Olesens]

Peter Wiyda wrote:

> They are both the result of the bloodform, where as the azari blood line
> is the only evil one that can change the overall form of a person
> permently, after and during the transformation the scion has control of
> his own actions, whether they be good or bad. While Blood trait is a
> power that temperarily changes the form of a part of the scions body to
> aid them perform another blood ability.
>
> Peter Wiyda

I am sorry, but no. I read about those abilties as I was considering this
last night. Bloodform is avilable only to Azrai scions and is uncontrolled.
Bloodtrait is just as permenent, but the change is volentary. Bloodtrait is
available only to non-Azrai scions. And I quote (BE: ABoC pg 125) "This
[bloodtrait] is very similar to the uncontrolled bloodform ability that creates
awnsheghlien, though the charachters partially control the powers changing
them."

[the Falcon]

> Oh no! Once the victim's bloodline is corrupted, their old abilities
> will no longer function! Only those that Azrai's bloodline can accept
> will continue to be part of the character. Unless this is a home
> campaign rule, and if that's so, I'll just shut-up! :)

That's a home rule alright, since the Manticore sure as the Shadow World
still has all of his Basaia abilities intact.

[Memnoch]

I do have an extended document on Blood Abilities that may help you with
your players. If you wish to have me send it to you, e-mail me privately,
and tell me what document format you would like it in, .rtf, .doc (and Word
version), or .pdf.
It also has the "Corruption of Azrai" rules in it that can allow for a
change in bloodline derivation through bloodtheft of scions of azrai or
awnshegh.


Memnoch
memnoch@comic.net
- -----Original Message-----
From: Olesens
To: birthright@MPGN.COM
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 1999 4:51 PM
Subject: Re: [BIRTHRIGHT] - Mental Effects of Awnsheglienism


|
|
|Mark A Vandermeulen wrote:
|
|> The good-aligned "blood-transformed" are called Ersheghlein, which I
|> believe is elvish for "blood of light" rather than "blood of darkness" or
|> something similarly picturesque. In effect they go through the same sort
|> of transformation as the awnsheighlein, a change in their body's shape
and
|> form as their bodies attempt to make the best use of the power that their
|> divine blood can give them. They are definitely described in the "Blood
|> Enemies" book, some examples are the Fae, the Unicorn, and some ranger in
|> Rjuric who is becoming "the Badger" or something. Apparently it is a much
|> slower/more painful/more difficult process than the transformation to
|> awnsheghlein. Also, the process is apparently virtually unknown. In my
|> case, I've ruled that the procedure is only writen down is a book called
|> the "Lorebook of the Mage-Kings of Yond," most copies of which were
|> destroyed by the Gorgon, who realized that Ersheghlein constitute the
|> biggest threat to his continued existence.
|
|Well I seem to totally disagree here. First of all, Ersheghlein are the
result
|of bloodtrait, not bloodform (which is Azrai only). Bloodtrait is
available to
|all the good bloodlines (ie. all but Azrai). Therefore, Ersheghlein cannot
be
|decended from Azrai. Thier bloodtrait is controlled, they basically get to
|choose how much they want to change and what they change. Bloodform is
|uncontrolled, it is based on the charachter's use of his blood abilities
and
|his evil actions. It seems to me that strictly by the books, a ersheglien
|could be evil (there are plenty of evil, non-Azrai scions). He would be
|superior to the awnsheglien because he could control his change. I feel
the
|ersheglien process is something perpetuated by deep, internal desires. One
has
|much more control over it than awnsheglien (Who change whenever they use a
|power).
|
|************************************************* **************************
||'unsubscribe birthright' as the body of the message.
|

[Memnoch]

- -----Original Message-----
From: the Falcon
To: birthright@MPGN.COM
Date: Thursday, February 18, 1999 5:26 AM
Subject: Re: [BIRTHRIGHT] - Mental Effects of Awnsheglienism


|> Oh no! Once the victim's bloodline is corrupted, their old abilities
|> will no longer function! Only those that Azrai's bloodline can accept
|> will continue to be part of the character. Unless this is a home
|> campaign rule, and if that's so, I'll just shut-up! :)


No, actually, with the Bloodline Corruption spell, this is a special case.
It is in the spell description that they retain their old blood abilities
and only gain new ones. The rules for normal corruption of azrai (changing
the derivation of one bloodline to that of azrai through bloodtheft of
awnshegh) is in the TSR supplement "Lands of The Hero-Kings", under the
Adventure dealing with The Ogre (a new awnshegh).



|That's a home rule alright, since the Manticore sure as the Shadow World
|still has all of his Basaia abilities intact.
|
|************************************************* **************************
||'unsubscribe birthright' as the body of the message.
|

[Mark A Vandermeulen]

On Wed, 17 Feb 1999, Olesens wrote:

> Well I seem to totally disagree here. First of all, Ersheghlein are the result
> of bloodtrait, not bloodform (which is Azrai only). Bloodtrait is available to
> all the good bloodlines (ie. all but Azrai). Therefore, Ersheghlein cannot be
> decended from Azrai. Thier bloodtrait is controlled, they basically get to
> choose how much they want to change and what they change. Bloodform is
> uncontrolled, it is based on the charachter's use of his blood abilities and
> his evil actions. It seems to me that strictly by the books, a ersheglien
> could be evil (there are plenty of evil, non-Azrai scions). He would be
> superior to the awnsheglien because he could control his change. I feel the
> ersheglien process is something perpetuated by deep, internal desires. One has
> much more control over it than awnsheglien (Who change whenever they use a
> power).

Did I ever say that Ersheghlein could arise from someone of Azrai's blood?
I don't think I did. I certainly do not hold that they do. However, I do
tend not to make the distinction between bloodtrait and bloodform: I think
the distinction is an artificial one: If it's of Azrai, it's bloodform, if
it's of another, it's bloodtrait. The only real difference I see is the
ease of aquiring. It tends to be real easy to give in to our own deepest,
darkest desires, particularly when it starts to become a practice, a
habit. I think both changes are perpetuated by deep, internal desires, but
an abiding desire to sacrifice one's own body and desires for the
benefit of others or a somewhat abstract concept is somewhat more rare.

Mark VanderMeulen
vander+@pitt.edu