Shield Maiden cultural blessing question

[Southron]

For Shield Maiden It says: "If she passes the test, she will add one Success die (up to a maximum of 6) to all her attack rolls aimed at that creature until the end of the fight."

For the Fey Mood it says: When this happens, they may choose to gain a point of Shadow, to add one Success die (up to a maximum of 6) to all their close combat attack rolls until the end of the battle.

I assume that the shadow point would be applied to the Shield Maiden blessing also even though it is not explicitly stated.

[Otaku-sempai]

I agree, but only to a maximum of six (6) Success dice.

[Glorelendil]

No. The normal cultural blessing triggers on a G or Eye, and then "costs" a Shadow point to activate.

The Shield Maiden virtue triggers on a Fear test, and then doesn't cost anything to activate.

The reason for the difference is probably that Eyes and Gandalfs happen quite often, but you're far less likely to have to make a Fear test in combat (and then you still have to pass it, which may mean you spend a Hope point).

[mirkwoodfalcon]

No. The normal cultural blessing triggers on a G or Eye, and then "costs" a Shadow point to activate.

The Shield Maiden virtue triggers on a Fear test, and then doesn't cost anything to activate.

The reason for the difference is probably that Eyes and Gandalfs happen quite often, but you're far less likely to have to make a Fear test in combat (and then you still have to pass it, which may mean you spend a Hope point).

This was my understanding as well.

However, what I was foggy on was what happens when a creature triggers multiple fear tests. For example, creatures with the Thing of Terror ability force a Fear test every round of combat; can the Shield-maiden virtue be "stacked" to allow for multiple bonus success die for the rest of the combat in this case?

[Southron]

I guess where my thoughts are wouldn't the shield maiden always choose to max as there is no cost.

[Glorelendil]

I guess where my thoughts are wouldn't the shield maiden always choose to max as there is no cost.

Yes but it will rarely occur: there just aren't that many adversaries with Fear effects.

[T.S. Luikart]

The reason for the difference is probably that Eyes and Gandalfs happen quite often, but you're far less likely to have to make a Fear test in combat (and then you still have to pass it, which may mean you spend a Hope point).

Glorelendil is correct. Also note that the Fey Mood extra Success die applies to all close combat attack rolls for the rest of the battle. The Faithful beyond Fear die only applies to the creature that caused the Fear test.

However, what I was foggy on was what happens when a creature triggers multiple fear tests. For example, creatures with the Thing of Terror ability force a Fear test every round of combat; can the Shield-maiden virtue be "stacked" to allow for multiple bonus success die for the rest of the combat in this case?

No. If the Shieldmaiden passes the success she adds only one die - she doesn't get to stack them. Note, however, that a Shieldmaiden could succeed in her Fear test against a Thing of Terror, get the bonus die, then fail on a subsequent round, as she had not yet rolled a great or extraordinary success, but she would retain the bonus die, as she had succeeded and gets to retain the bonus die till the end of the fight.

[T.S. Luikart]

I guess where my thoughts are wouldn't the shield maiden always choose to max as there is no cost.

Yes but it will rarely occur: there just aren't that many adversaries with Fear effects.

I'm not following you two here - what do you mean by "choose to max"?

[Glorelendil]

I guess where my thoughts are wouldn't the shield maiden always choose to max as there is no cost.

Yes but it will rarely occur: there just aren't that many adversaries with Fear effects.

I'm not following you two here - what do you mean by "choose to max"?

Take the option that maximizes output. In other words, it's a cost/benefit analysis for the Rider, but it's a no-brainer for the Shieldmaiden.

[Southron]

Hello TS: For Shield Maiden It says: "If she passes the test, she will add one Success die (up to a maximum of 6) to all her attack rolls aimed at that creature until the end of the fight."

It seems that she can choose how many success die she wants freely up to six, if she passes the test.