Tafatafa

Warriors of the southern Island Bridge who somehow defeated an impossibly powerful foe via a miracle, and now have lingering essence about them, making them prone to miraculous hits with bow, rifle, sling, or thrown spear. They are only called upon to make impossible shots, often made possible via miracles due to the desperate nature of their work.

Miracle

In the southern Island Bridge, Elysian essence - called ata lafoia there - is said to be slightly more present than elsewhere, and thus, miracles happen there. When they do, the people to whom they happened, if they are aware, are seen as special, figures of respect who have been honored by the spirits, angels, Divines, or elementals. When a miracle happens to someone, the ata lafoia lingers near them, and more miracles occur, if they are worthy. Some of these are warriors, usually archers (tagata fana) who hunt, fish, or fight the giant animals in the area, and they are sometimes required to do so in circumstances - tropical storms, volcanic eruptions, wars, invasions from settler armies - that make it even more difficult. In these circumstances, especially up against, for example, infernal dragons or Pit-monsters, it takes a shot that would be nothing less than a miracle to hit. At these times, these warriors, called tafatafa in the wake of their first miracle, are called upon.

One in a Million

A "one in a million" shot is a called shot that is 9+ points above the skill of the archer due to multiple circumstances (size of target, weather conditions, other defenses of the target, infirmity of the tafatafa). A tafatafa can hit these shots regularly if not called upon too often (about once every three months or so). The shot is always narrated as successful, making an exceptional hit.

Inventory

Tafatafa are all long-range warriors with the appropriate weaponry.

Weaponry

Tafatafa vary by weapon:

• Bow and arrow: the most common weaponry for a tafatafa is a simple bow and arrow of any form.
• Crossbow: crossbows are much rarer, but they are employed by tafatafa especially in warfare.
• Sling: slings are extremely common, used during hunts and in warfare, as ammunition is plentiful.
• Throwing rock or small missile: throwing small rocks or improvised weaponry such as bricks, bottles, garbage, and so on is very uncommon in the islands, but in major cities, this sometimes happens spontaneously to those in other cultures.
• Throwing spear or javelin: another common weaponset in the islands and elsewhere.
• Bola: used mostly by horsemen, uncommon in the islands, these are rare weapons for a tafatafa.
• Atlatl: sling-throwers used more in Palhur, these tafatafa are extremely respected in their cultures.
• Firearms: in later period settings, rifles and other firearms become the preferred projectile weapons.
• Shotgun: as they are not precision weapons, they tend not to be used.
• Siege weaponry: siege weaponry and cannons do not work with this.
• Energy weapon: energy weapons are very rarely subject to this, but it is not unheard of.

Variations

The main variation of a tafatafa is a lruti porviran, one who uses the same kind of skills and powers, but with melee weaponry.

Societal Role

Tafatafa are considered honored, special warriors and often lauded, rewarded, and celebrated in their cultures. Oppressor classes try to wipe them out, but usually just as part of broader national oppression.

Skills

Tafatafa have no special skills beyond their skills as a warrior.

Stats

Modifiers from base of nation/species:

PRO +3
ATH +2
STR +2
AWA +3
WIL /
STH +1
PRS /