Free spirits, allies, and greater spirit forms

So You Think You Know Your Ally Spirit v.1.13

Free spirits, greater spirit forms, and ally spirits are far more than the sum of their planned attributes. A mage’s most rigorous calculations will often result in something largely unforeseen.
- Talia “White Raven” Invierno, serpentspawn

>> There may be hope for you yet.
- Gray Wolf, Aztechnology bane

HISTORY

It is a matter of some debate whether spirits and elementals have an independent existence beyond the action of summoning. Recent events at the Garden Terrace apartment block in Denver suggest that at least some spirits and elementals seem to have had an existence prior to the current summoning, and at least some of them may remember previous summoners. Rumours as to the existence of a spirit society and “astral court” remain unsubstantiated at this time.

FREE WILL

When conjuring an ally, the first choice the magician faces is whether to allow it to be free-willed or not. Most shamans will usually choose for their ally to be free-willed while most mages will usually choose the opposite, but this is not an invariable rule. A free-willed ally will obey its summoner in every particular, but will also have its own pursuits and its own agendas, some of which may well conflict with the immediate needs of the summoner. A non free-willed ally is for all intents and purposes an extension of its summoner, and should be played as such. They do, however, have a sort of “pseudo free will” and “pseudo personality” which manifests briefly when its master is unable to exert direct control over them (such as during unconsciousness), often in the form of escape attempts. Should it succeed, that manifestation of free will and personality becomes permanent … which may potentially have unfortunate results for the caster.

All great form spirits and elementals and free spirits are free-willed.

EDGES AND FLAWS

All free spirits, allies, and greater form spirits and elementals may have Edges and Flaws, including the special Spirit ones listed in “Edges and Flaws” (Appendix C). In addition to the normal calculation of abilities and Force and Karma, all ally spirits automatically start with one Flaw point per point of Essence one Flaw point per two points of Body Index lost by their caster (rounded up).