Power Expressions

One of the few mechanics unique to The Paradise Effect are what's called Power Expressions, or Expressions of Power, whichever way you want to say it. These mechanics are very simple and very personalized to each character, but make sure to read this entire page before considering what you may want for your character going forward!

So, what are Power Expressions?

Simply put they're a way for your character to have a more personalized experience within their own Soul Class. Every character will have one Power Expression, and once chosen, they cannot be changed.

Power Expressions fall into two categories:


Internal
Internal Power Expressions tend to be a single extra ability that your character has that is not already covered within their powers, or an extra boost to powers that are already there. These fall into one of three different categories.

Enhancing power that already exists within your Soul Class.

A permanent increase to one of your overall powers (ex. fire or earth for Red Souls, but not both fire and earth), otherwise known as always using power that's one level above your own without drawbacks. (Limits will be made for level 5 users when we get there). Your powers are considered more powerful than average, but otherwise do not extend outside the abilities and drawbacks listed on your Soul Power’s page.

A new, Soul Class-specific power not otherwise covered by your current powers, but which still relates to the powers of your class and can function as a specialization. These can include bypassing Soul Power limitations, but must be specific in their usage.

For Example:
  • PURPLE The ability to teleport to a location unseen/unknown.
    • Lumi’s power expression was the ability to create ice that never melts unless by unnatural means.
  • RED The ability to levitate earth off the ground.

  • YELLOW The ability to fully transform into a single different animal.

  • GREEN The ability to breathe in low oxygen environments.
    • Callisto's power expression is the ability to make new plants of his own design.
  • BLUE The ability to hear underwater as though you were above water.
    • Chasm’s power expression is the ability to create illusions that accurately mimic a cat's younger self.
  • BLACK The ability to make a cat, creature, or object invisible that's not yourself.
An ability that exists at the corner of your Soul Class and a different one, though not necessarily one that aligns with your class. This is a specialization that combines your Soul Class’s ability with another as an inherent aspect of your character’s power rather than anything related to a formal Alignment.

For Example:
  • PURPLE The ability to make ice figures that move independently and can be controlled by the user. (Black)

  • RED The ability to make fire that heals instead of hurts. (Green)

  • YELLOW The ability to bend light in order to become invisible. (Black)

  • GREEN The ability to create an eye of the hurricane effect. (Blue)

  • BLUE The ability to use your illusions to alter your appearance to others. (Yellow)
    • Rye’wynn's power expression is the ability to teleport through standing bodies of water. (Purple)
  • BLACK The ability to spontaneously combust matter as a form of decay. (Red)

Keep in mind that a lot of these powers will be limited based on your level as well! They will grow with you, but unlike normal powers you won't have the opportunity to use higher level versions of them at lower levels.


External
External Power Expressions are usually aesthetic, but can also be functional. These can be based on real or fantastical creaturers or phenomenon.

Wings are something that can be used for every Soul Class, but need to be thematically appropriate to the Class. Kohaku's power expression is an example of this.

For Example:
  • PURPLE
    • Perpetual ice body parts.
    • Starry "glitter" or frost in/on fur, skin, etc.
    • Anything related to cold weather animals (deer, rabbits/hares, wolves, etc.).
  • RED
    • Perpetually flaming/earthen body parts.
    • Extra tough/resilient skin.
    • Anything related to hot weather animals (reptiles, antelopes, hyenas, etc.).
  • YELLOW
    • Perpetually glowing body parts.
    • Existing in permanent light/without a shadow.
    • Anything related to animals in general.
  • GREEN
    • Perpetual plant body parts/companions.
    • Pelt moving constantly due to an unseen wind.
    • Anything related to animals that live in or around thick vegetation (birds, insects, monkeys, etc.).
  • BLUE
    • Perpetual watery body parts.
    • Fur that's always damp, or sparkles with water droplets.
    • Anything related to animals that live in or around large bodies of water (fish, seals, sharks/dolphins, etc.).
  • BLACK
    • Perpetual shadow body parts.
    • Pitch dark fur (Vantablack).
    • Anything related to nocturnal animals (bats, leopards, raccoons, etc.).


Players will not be able to select a Power Expression until we enter into Chapter 3 and your character is officially Level 3 (after having leveled up three times), so there's plenty of time for you to think it over before deciding. However, once you're sure you know what you want, you can either open a ticket or DM your GM to let them know! Your choice will be logged in a Google Sheets and again, cannot be changed once chosen.