Races of the Dragon.pdf - The Techno Jesus

CHAPTER 2
SPELLSCALES
26
Illus. by E. Cox
encounters of all sorts to broaden their understanding.
Anything and everything can attract a spellscale’s curiosity.
No matter how objectively lovely or horrifi c an object,
creature, or experience is, it merits deep attention. The
myriad colors of a sunset, the whorls and patterns on a
human’s fi ngertip, the fur and feathers of an owlbear, even
the diversity of sizes and shapes of a gibbering mouther’s
many maws—all these phenomena are unique, noteworthy,
and attractive to a spellscale who might later incorporate
these details into song, art, or even dance.
Despite spellscales’ deep-seated curiosity and fascination
with exploration, they do not act foolishly. Although one
might admire the fur and feathers of an owlbear, he has
the common sense to render the creature harmless before
examining it in detail.
Spellscales’ curiosity is not limited to the outside world.
Even as toddlers, spellscales expend a great deal of time
and effort on self-analysis. They focus their attention
on their bodies and minds. Spellscales
listen to their heartbeats and breathing when
at rest and after vigorous activity. They
heed their true thoughts and feelings, expressing
them when doing so is prudent.
What pleased me today? What angered
me? What bored me? How can the next
day include more of the interesting and
less of the dull?
Most spellscales spend part of each
day in introspection, examining
the physical, mental, and emotional
changes their recent experiences
have wrought. They then focus their
energy upon the coming day and
prepare to face it by dedicating themselves
to one of the draconic gods.
This blood-quickening meditation
can center on any dragon deity,
not necessarily one of an alignment
compatible with that of the
meditating spellscale. See the Blood-
Quickening Meditations sidebar for
more information.
LIVING WITHOUT APOLOGY
OR EXPLANATION
While a spellscale meditates and seeks inner truth, he
views his interpretations as subjective. He lives life without
lingering regret. After all, everything he has experienced
or done has contributed to the individual he is today. A
spellscale is usually happy with who he is.
Apologies
A spellscale can’t bring himself to apologize for anything.
Perhaps the outcome wasn’t what he anticipated, but trying
the action was what he fully intended to do. One shouldn’t
apologize for something one meant to do.
Parents of spellscale children quickly learn that demanding
their child apologize for any action either leads to a
rebellious but truthful refusal or a white lie. False apologies
become more apparent when the child resumes the activity
that prompted the situation in the fi rst place.
. . . or this . . .
Parents of a spellscale child soon come to learn that
telling their child to behave well is practically fruitless.
The equivalent spellscale parental saying is, “Be wise.”
Roleplaying Application: Most of the time, don’t offer
apologies. If one is demanded of you, be very specifi c about
what you’re sorry about. Don’t apologize for what you did;
apologize for unforeseen or unwanted consequences. Thus,
after unintentionally catching a couple of companions in
the area of your fi reball spell, don’t say, “I’m sorry I cast that
spell.” You might say, “It’s unfortunate that you got hurt.”
This statement expresses a truth but doesn’t admit to any
culpability or regret.
Explanations
What use is it to give an explanation after you do something?
What did you do? Why did you do it? Most of the
time, what people want to hear isn’t what really
happened. Someone doesn’t always know
why he did something at a particular
moment—it simply seemed a proper
thing to do at the time. However,
when asked, a typical nonspellscale
creates some plausible explanation
to placate the hearer. Spellscales
dispense with much of this social
baggage by often simply refusing
to answer.
Roleplaying Application:
Don’t bother to explain yourself.
If you are asked why you did
such-and-such or what you were
thinking at a particular time,
merely smile, shrug, or ask the
questioner what it is she expects
as an answer or why she cares.
Whatever happened, it’s over and
done. If you ever find yourself
forced to give an explanation, either
be truthful or so outrageously untruthful
that it mocks your interrogator.
SPELLSCALE LIFE
“Spellscale emotion and behavior is the triumph of sensibility
over common sense.”
—Finstarian, the Wronged
“The only constant is magic.”
—Spellscale adage
Spellscales approach life with intensity, always living
in the now, and caring little about the past or future. A
spellscale wholeheartedly pursues whatever he’s doing at
the moment. His current career, hobby, or relationship is
of paramount importance. He ardently believes whatever
he professes and what he values at any particular time is
permanent for him. That is the truth of the moment.
With the exceptions of sorcery and family, spellscales
never pursue the same objective or feel the same way
for very long, though. Their interests change, they grow
bored, or they simply fi nd something or someone newer