Ratcatcher alpha

Description

Stats: + Spirit, + Reflex, + Arcane

The Ratcatcher is a master of commanding swarms of vermin, bending them to their will to perform a variety of tasks. Whether controlling one to scout ahead, directing the swarm to overwhelm an enemy, or using them to manipulate the environment, the Ratcatcher excels at leveraging small creatures to their advantage.

Mission design tips - I think this class wants to be a scout, provide utility and cause chaos.

Grounded in the trope of a pest controller, this utility summoner

  • Willard Stiles (Willard)
  • Spider / Boss Man (The Amazing Maurice)
  • Squirrel Girl (Marvel)
  • Ratcatcher (DC Comics)
  • Taylor Herbert as Chitter/Scurry (Worm by John McCrae)
  • Pied Piper (folklore)
  • Rat-king (folklore)

Edition: Advent v1

Public: Yes

Owner: detour

Gear

Vermin Handlers

sturdy leather gloves granting decent environmental protection to the user’s hands and allows safe handling of diseased, venomous, or poisonous creatures. Touching a contaminated surface may grant Insights into how it might be counteracted.

Frock Coat

a light coat providing some protection from environmental hazards and has a multitude of pockets. Remains supernaturally clean and grants the user an aura of cleanliness. Dramatically open the coat to release a torrent of vermin, scaling with how long your vermin have remained hidden underneath.

Piper’s Flute

a simple wooden flute. While playing the flute, you may compel small animals and children to follow you. Followers can be compelled to perform simple, non-harmful tasks.

Mischief

a group of about a dozen rats that follows you and clambers about your body. Can respond to a few basic commands.

Skitter

a collection of about a dozen tarantulas that secrete a weak venom. Follows you but prefers to hide in dark corners whenever possible. Can be commanded to attack but cannot easily discern allies from enemies.

Business

a swarm of flies that buzzes around you. Drawn to spoilage, decay, and contaminated areas. Unless commanded not to, will consume decaying organic material causing it to multiply after Mid duration.

Abilities

Crawling With Critters

Summon a large number of vermin to you. Command the swarm and other vermin (within a Low distance) as an extension of your consciousness.
Can perform simple tasks in your vicinity (e.g. push a button, lift and carry small objects, etc).
(Low essence, High duration, Mid cooldown)
Pitch the creatures that form the Swarm but they must be vermin/pests, i.e. insects, rodents, arthropods, etc. and congruent with the environment.
The creatures of the swarm will work in complete synchrony with each other to obey your commands and may even briefly magically bind together (for Low duration) to form large hands and other simple shapes.
Cooldown begins immediately upon use

Paired Action: Coax and cajole the swarm to come out of hiding, “Come out my little friends, if you help me I’ll give you a nice treat.”

Critter Bond

You link your mind with a single vermin. Whenever you close your eyes you can see and hear through it and issue commands.

(Mid essence, Mid duration, Mid cooldown)
While linked, the chosen vermin can be directed and is capable of following complex commands and acting autonomously.
Paired Action: Close your eyes and whisper to the selected vermin, establishing a connection. “Come here my little friend, I have a special job for you.”

Out of the Woodwork

Summon vermin to pour out from every nearby hole and crevice. The summoned horde surges away from you in a chaotic wave - knocking over objects, confusing crowds, activating mechanisms, and