View source for What Is Chimerical

Chimerical reality is made of dreamstuff.  This should surprise no one.  For the sake of clarifying what is meant by 'Chimerical' we will outline some quick guidelines here.

Chimerical objects, forces, and entities are imperceptible to unenchanted eyes. Only Kithain, Chimera, and those who have been enchanted, can see, interact with, and be effected by Chimerical objects, forces, or entities.

Chimera are objects or entities which exist <i>only</i> in chimerical reality.  They have no real-world analog and give no wyrd signs or traces of their presence or activities.  Unenchanted eyes are unable to detect them by any means.

Chimerical objects, entities, and forces, may impact the real world, however.  In order for this to occur, there must be no unenchanted observers - which means either all observers are enchanted, or there are no sapient observers.  If left alone in a room, a chimerical pixie may eventually get a window or door open enough to escape, even if the window or door are real and the pixie, only chimerical.  But if unenchanted eyes are in the room, the pixie doesn't have the strength to perform the same escape as it requires moving real-world objects.  If the pixie is being guarded by a kithain, however, they may attempt the escape (though their guard may have something to say on the matter).

<b><i>Chimerical objects, entities, and forces, however, are impacted by the real world, </i> </b> whether or not there's unenchanted eyes present.  What's more, chimerical reality (often comically) takes extra steps to make sure that it's consistent with real world expectations.  A chimerical goblin standing behind a door that suddenly is opened by an unenchanted mortal goes flying across the room from the impact as if the swing of the door had enough force to continue opening at the speed it did in the real world even with the goblin there, whereas if a Kithain opens the same door, the mass of the goblin stops it short.  This can lead to a lot of unfortunate injuries for chimera, though they're often more resilient than mortals.

Chimerical <i><b>cantrips</b></i> may only target kithain, enchanted individuals, or chimera - in otherwords entities and objects that are at least partially within chimerical reality.  They usually leave no sign of their going off, and so may be used in the presence and view of the unenchanted, but to target such individuals (or any real-world object in their view) directly one must make the cantrip Wyrd (by expending a point of glamour).  Targeting objects in the real world without mortal observers is less clear, and it is here that the 'wyrd' and 'chimerical' designations for given cantrips is binding.

Certain, chimerical <i>aspects</i> of a Kithain (E.g. a troll's blue skin color or a satyr's fluffy tail, etc) are invisible and unable to interact with the real world.  This is especially problematic if they're brought into direct conflict with the real world.  E.g. a Pooka's tail can get caught in the doors of a subway train causing extreme discomfort and, if not quickly rectified, serious chimerical injury.  Acting to save his tail, however, can cost the Pooka social esteem, get him labeled as nuts, and so on.

It is possible for Kithain to ignore the consequences of such events (and they are quite common), by taking a temporary banality.

Calling upon the Wyrd makes all chimerical aspects, including chimera that are part of a character's +sheet, Wyrd.

[[Category:House Rules]] [[Category: Changeling]]