Monk
AP 60 EP 50 FF 14 Gen. 3
Described in: Add-on 2038
Since its inception, Avalon has attempted to harness alpha energy and use it as a weapon, particularly against its human enemies. Energy capable of generating targeted electromagnetic pulses and cutting through alpha element plating would be highly useful for those planning to seek out and apprehend or kill Knights of Darkness, or as a precautionary measure should the organisation‘s allies turn traitor. Inherently destructive and also quite unstable, alpha energy was considered, however, too volatile a force to be used outside of shielded power plants or the armoured reactors used on meta-armour, vehicles, and buildings.
Lancelot, quite by accident, came across the solution to using alpha energy as a martial tool. While on deployment to the U.S., he came across a fearsome creature wielding an odd weapon made of darkened wood, one that fired beams and waves of alpha energy at the Knight. He faced and slew the monster, taking its weapon as a trophy, one he handed to the Cyclops division researchers as soon as he returned to Camelot. Although it appeared wood-like, the staff was made of a material unknown to modern science. Its odd properties allowed it to store any alpha energy it was exposed to and release it in destructive waves or concentrated beams, depending on how it was gripped and aimed. As an alpha energy catalyst, it became known as AEC, or ‘Ache.’
Cyclops division, with the help of Lancelot and Dagonet, set out to collect as much AEC as it could from fallen enemies. They were not as successful as they had hoped, for AEC turned out to be surprisingly rare and held by very few creatures of the Anathema (inevitably ones in positions of command). Facing the evidence that they would not be able to amass large amounts of it for massed weapon production, the two chose to use what little they had to build a new type of meta-armour powered by an Infinity alpha energy reactor. Thus was the Monk born.
This meta-armour‘s main drawback is that extensive use of alpha energy gradually saps its wearer‘s will, edging them bit by bit closer to hopelessness. Knights selected to wear this particular suit of meta-armour are therefore among those most likely to withstand the debilitating effects of Horror. Furthermore, Monk meta-armour AIs are specifically programmed to help their wearer battle despair.
Fine veins of AEC run the length of the Monk meta-armour, from its reactor to its gauntlets. Using precise, learned motions and gestures, its wearer can hurl alpha energy up to a respectable range in three different manners. First, by making a large, sweeping motion with hand open wide, the wearer can throw thick waves of dark alpha energy to interfere with vehicle, building, and meta-armour electronics. Next, by thrusting their forearm briskly forwards, they can lob spherical globes of highly destructive, concentrated night-blue projectiles from their palm to devastating effect against enemy bands. The last type of attack is a focused beam. By stretching their arm out and slowly opening their hand, the wearer sends a ray of alpha energy capable of piercing the thickest armour plating. This attach‘s main function is to take down heavily armoured foes and tanks. Each time these abilities are used they cost a portion of the reactor‘s alpha energy, of course, but they also drain their user‘s hope. Accordingly, the meta-armour‘s AI was designed to keep its user from sinking completely into hopelessness. When its user deems it safe, they can ask their AI to help them enter a meditative state, soothing their spirit and helping them recover some of their lost hope.
This meta-armour looks like other third generation suits: light plating paired with a powerful reactor and force field. Several parts of the meta-armour sport vents intended to cool the suit‘s systems after a sustained alpha energy discharge. Its most distinctive feature is the crackling energy around the user‘s gauntlets, which display an unmistakable dark blue glow.
Monk meta-armour users must choose between their ability to project alpha energy with their gauntlets and to use of Avalon equipment. Since they need to make precise hand movements to use their suit‘s modes, most tend to prefer light, one-handed weapons in their main hand, keeping their off-hand free for wielding AEC energy.
Available slots
Overdrives
Mode Céa
AEC mode lets the Monk wearer send alpha energy from their gauntlets. This energy can be shaped in three ways: wave, salvo, or beam.
Special: The user does not need to use both gauntlets to create AEC waves, salvos, or beams. They can use one hand to create their energy blasts, leaving the other hand free for a one-handed weapon (any weapon without the two-handed effect).
By using one combat action, the Knight can use their gauntlet to perform an energy attack in any of the following 3 ways, without penalty. They can choose to use Ambidextrous style in order to use both their one-handed weapon and an alpha energy attack at the same time. Either way, each of their attacks requires an attack roll. Using AEC mode requires a Ranged based roll if the target is at short range or more, and a Combat based roll if the enemy is in contact range.
Lastly, it should be noted that a Monk can use both gauntlets to fire alpha energy. This requires the use of Ambidextrous style, in which case they can use two different types of energy attack. Alternatively, they can use Akimbo style, in which case both attacks must be identical with the usual benefits and drawbacks of Akimbo style. This also costs twice as much energy, as if the AEC mode were used twice.
Special – Hope drain: The alpha energy coursing through the armour‘s veins causes the wearer‘s very soul to ache and cry out in pain. Each AEC mode use drains the Knight of 1 hope point. This loss cannot be prevented or reduced by any means, module, or ability. Keep track of these point losses separately: they can be partially refunded after a fight by using the armour‘s Zen mode.
| Energy | 3 per use |
|---|---|
| Activation | Combat action |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
Variants
An abrupt, sweeping arm motion throws a powerful wave of energy towards several foes, sending them reeling and jamming their electronics.
Effects
| Damages | 3D6 (9) |
|---|---|
| Violence | 3D6 (9) |
| Reach | Short - ≤50ft |
Thrusting their arm forwards, the Knight‘s gauntlet sends several night-blue projectiles forth, exploding in small alpha energy novas when they hit their target.
Effects
| Damages | 3D6 (9) |
|---|---|
| Violence | 3D6 (9) |
| Reach | Medium - ≤150ft |
A slow, stretched-out arm motion creates a powerful ray of concentrated, destructive night-blue alpha energy in a direct line towards the user‘s target.
Special: Each turn the Knight maintains the beam on a foe after the first increases its damage dealt by 1D6. So long as the beam‘s target remains the same, this damage keeps increasing.
Effects
| Damages | 4D6 (12) |
|---|---|
| Violence | 2D6 (6) |
| Reach | Medium - ≤150ft |
Zen Mode
After a particularly arduous battle, the wearer can ask its armour‘s AI to activate Zen mode to help soothe their spirit and restore some of their hope. The Knight must kneel, hands on their calves, and lose themselves in a distant reverie induced by their AI, specially tailored to scour their mind of despair.
Effect: During the scene following a conflict phase, the Knight may choose to activate Zen mode and recuperate some of the hope they spent on AEC modes during the previous fight. This can only include losses due to AEC modes.
In order to recover hope points, the Knight must spend an hour meditating in Zen mode before attempting an Aggression combo Composure check against an arduous (5) difficulty.
If the test succeeds, the character recovers half the hope points (rounded up) they spent on AEC modes during the previous conflict phase. For each success beyond the first, the character recovers 1 additional hope point, but cannot exceed the number of points they spent on AEC modes during the previous conflict phase.
If the Knight fails to use their Zen mode during the scene following the use of AEC modes, hope points spent on energy attacks are lost for good and can only be recovered by the usual means (lesser motivations, for example).
| GP | Description |
|---|---|
| 150 | Damage and violence of all AEC modes now receive a 2D6 increase. |
| 200 | Zen mode can now be activated to regain the hope points lost from AEC use in any single one of the current mission‘s conflict phases. The PC should keep careful track of how muchthey spent in each conflict phase. If the Knight fails to use their Zen mode during the mission in which AEC modes were used, hope points spent on energy attacks are lost for good and can only be recovered by the usual means (such as lesser motivations). |
| 250 | Some AEC mode effects are improved :
Furthermore, damage and violence of all AEC modes receive another 2D6 increase. |
Q&A > Meta-armour questions > Wizard - Jan. 17, 2025, 12:31 p.m.
Yes.
Q&A > Meta-armour questions > Monk - Jan. 17, 2025, 12:31 p.m.
If the Monk is using AEC mode as a Ranged attack, they target the enemy’s reaction. If they are using Combat, they target the enemy’s defence.
Q&A > Meta-armour questions > Monk - Jan. 17, 2025, 12:31 p.m.
Bonus damage from a strike intensifier applies in contact range. When firing from any other distance, it does not.
Q&A > Meta-armour questions > Monk - Jan. 17, 2025, 12:31 p.m.
AEC mode damage is calculated as is, and can only be modified by modules.