Tagapagpalaya

The diwata are one of the few people who have resisted any colonization or oppression since the first time they liberated themselves. To do this, they perfected the use of the rare form of radiance known as liberation power (kapangyarihan sa pagpapalaya). Use of liberation power is something that requires preparation and quick reaction, as one must be aware of when it has been generated and act quickly and in unison with others in order to use it.

Pagsuway

The use of liberation power starts with an act of defiance against an oppressor. This act, if seen or heard about by others, will inspire others, and thus, a tiny amount of liberation power will be born. Anyone can do this. Anyone can be the spark of defiance, the pagsuway, that creates a tiny bit of liberation power. But only a tagapagpalaya can wield it. Someone who feels inspired by a pagsuway has the potential to become a tagapagpalaya, but only if they understand what they are feeling, why, and how to wield it. It requires that they act on the inspiration, on the force of liberation, and continue the act of defiance.

Pagtutol

One who continues the act of defiance enters into active resistance, or pagtutol. If they do this as an individual, they will not generate enough liberation power to be effective, but if they and others act in unison, enough power might be generated to be useful.

Pagkakaisa

If more than one person acts upon the inspiration of defiance in order to engage in active resistance, if they act in unity (pagkakaisa), a great amount of liberation power will be generated. A tagapagpalaya will then be able to act, if they have been taught how to wield such power.

Palakasin

A tagapagpalaya who is part of pagkakaisa may take hold of the liberation power, which will be in the hearts of all involved in pagtutol. Placing their hands on their breast, they may draw forth that power and channel it into weapons--usually a sword (tabak) or spear (sibat). To channel this power from their hearts, they must act in unison with the others engaged in pagtutol, though only one of them needs to know what they are doing (and thus be a tagapagpalaya). Hands over heart, pushed forward, clasped, concentrating, unwavering in devotion to liberation, and acting all at once, they may draw out fulvous (reddish-yellow/tawny/orange-colored) sparks. If they have a weapon on hand--a tabak or sibat--they will then be able to place the spark on the blade to empower it (this act is called palakasin).

Nakatali

Once weapons are empowered, they may be used for further acts of resistance. As resistance continues, more liberation power will build up, eventually allowing a group of tagapagpalaya to draw forth enough to create armor (nakatali) out of the fulvous energies if they have the right materials: carabao horn, barote (abaca-corded body armor), elephant hide, bamboo, sharkskin, carabao hide, or ebony bark. Their breastplates and backplates are called pakil or batung-batung.

Pagmamana

The fight for liberation can last generations. If a tagapagpalaya and their comrades have younger comrades who will carry on the fight, they can pass on their liberation power before they die, assuming they are within a thousand miles of them. Their spark will flit into the sky and come down into the hearts of their successors. This is called pagmamana. When it happens, the weapons and armor of the tagapagpalaya is passed on as well.

Variants

There are many variations and specializations:

• Biro: a fool whose performances generate liberation power or inspire others to generate it.
• Insurgent: an urban-oriented resistance fighter, usually engaged in open warfare against the state.
• Ke' Ban Tia: rebels and resistance fighters who engage in sniper activity.
• Lalakad: those in the rain forests who resist the conquest, deforestation, pollution, or otherwise attacks on the environment.
• Manlilimbag: one who prints revolutionary pamphlets and other materials in defiance of oppression and censorship.
• Manunula: a bhat who serves the lower classes in defiance of the lords.
• Matalino: one who teaches banned, censored, or forbidden subject in defiance of oppression.
• Milsuseon: one who smuggles weapons and other materials to resistance fighters.
• Naghihimagsik: one who engages in acts of terror against the ruling class.
• Umalohokan: one who engages in spreading of information, often as a towncryer, newspaper seller, or other messenger, in defiance of oppression or censorship.

Oppression

As they are defined by their resistance to oppression, the tagapagpalaya do not exist in any circumstance where they are not oppressed. Indeed, once their liberation is achieved, they usually lose their powers.

Skills

Tagapagpalaya vary greatly, but some common skills include

• Political organizing
• Union organizing
• Writing
• Journalism
• Espionage
• Wilderness survival
• Smuggling
• Tactics or strategy
• Outreach
• Morale raising
• Oratory

Stats

The average tagapagpalaya has these variations on the base stats of their nation/species:

PRO +2
ATH +2
STR +2
AWA +2
WIL +2
STH +2
PRS +2

Though many get greater bonuses as they use their power.