Catalysts can be found anywhere in the world of Argan. This gives gamemasters the freedom to insert them whenever and wherever they are appropriate for their campaigns. The following section provides rules on creating Catalysts.
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Step 1- Determine the Elder God
Each Catalyst is quite literally the remains of an Elder God. As such you should consider who or what the god was prior to dying. This will help determine the theme of your catalyst. These gods can be as varied as you can imagine, so feel free to get creative. The full pantheon of elder gods has been left intentionally vague to provide GMs freedom to create whatever might fit their campaigns.
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Step 2- Determine the Native Aspect
Each Catalyst has a Native Aspect. This Aspect determines the type of magic it bestows, the abilities it can grant an Eldimagus as well as the theme of the Godmark. You should select an Aspect from the Circle of Eight that best fits the god you chose in Step 1.
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Step3- Determine the Troll Type(s)
Every Elder God was responsible for creating one or more races. All are descended from a common template called an untyped troll. These trolls are produced by a relic of enormous power somewhere deep within the earth.
Their one driving goal is to find an elder god to shape them into a true race. Since the elder gods are all dead they congregate around Catalysts. Over time the will of the dead god shapes these trolls into a form that it found pleasing in life.
The trolls at Dragonscar become dragons, because that was the form the dead god found most pleasing. Those at the Earthmother become elfen, because that was her favorite race. Determine what form you think the elder god would have found pleasing.
This can be anything from merfolk to fire elementals to vampires to undead. They can also evolve over time, which allows you to use several different types of trolls. For example, Dragonscar has lizardmen, drakes and different types of dragons. The Skull of Xalegos has shamblers, wights, mummies and liches. The only limits are your imagination!
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Step 4- Determine the Godmark
The top tier ability each Catalyst can bestow is called a godmark. Godmarks can vary widely in power, but should reflect both the theme and power level of the god you created. As a general rule most godmarks either offer a spell like ability with some perks, or an ability that is not offered through other means.
Examples of the first include the Golden Wings of the Seraphim, which gives the bearer golden wings of light (mimicing the flight spell, but with perks). Or the Touch of Xalegos which grants the user the Vampiric Touch spell (again with perks).
Examples of the second include the Immovable Mountain ability which grants damage resistance and immunity to bull rush, overrun or trip attacks. Or the Aegis of Battle, which always allows a character to act first in combat. These abilities are not something characters can access through other means.
Regardless of the ability you create it should fit the Aspect and theme of the Catalyst you are creating. Godmarks are meant to be both powerful and varied, so have fun when creating them!
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Step 5- Primary & Secondary Attributes
Each Catalyst can bestow one of two attributes to anyone who catalysizes. You must choose both a primary and a secondary attribute, which should reflect the elder god you created in step one. There are no restrictions on which attributes you can choose.
Characters who catalyze will gain a +2 bonus to whichever attribute they select.
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Step 6- Choose a Primary and Secondary Skill
Each Catalyst can bestow a bonus to a primary or secondary skill, in much the same way attributes work. You must select these skills, which should be in keeping with the theme of your elder god. If your god was a great horseman, for example, you might consider granting the ride and survival skills.
Characters who catalyze will gain a +5 bonus to whichever skill they select.
