Variant Quintessence, requesting feedback

[RedMattis]

Hey, I'm tinkering with a Quintessence attribute for a possible Modern Thriller-themed Hidden-Fantasy campaign. Here's what I've got at the moment:

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Quintessence (QN) costs 10 points per level. Quintessence Points (QP) costs 3 points per level (as per Fatigue).

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Quintessence is a measure of the astral or spiritual fortitude and density of a being.

In Mundane situations it is rarely relevant, but many supernatural entities uses and can exploit possessing a greater Quintessence.

Notably entities without the disadvantages "Limited Quintessence [-20]" or "Sealed Quintessence [-40]" can use it to effectively increase their strength against more mundane or weakened foes.

It is also important to note that what matters is almost always effective QN. That means Quintessence limited by things such as low QP (Quintessence Points). Mundane humans are always on at most 1/3 of their QP which halves their QN. As a result the average human as an effective QN of just 4.

Every third point of QN above 10 gives +1 to rolls to use or resist supernatural powers. Same goes for low QN which reduces rolls.

Finally QN is not a be all end all to supernatural affairs. Mind Control and Glamour is typical resisted by Will. A human has an effective -2 to their Will rolls due to low QN (4), but a Will 15 Human will still overcome a bog-standard vampire trying to enthrall them f.ex.

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Quintessence as Strength:

When applying Quintessence in a contest of Strength (such as arm-wrestling) every other point of effective QN above 10 gives a +1 bonus to effective strength. This also goes in for QN lower than 10 where it will reduce effective strength in the same way.

In combat, each 5 QN you have above your opponent gives you +50% damage. Exception, if you have more than twice their QN increase by a minimum of +100%. Even if your opponent has higher QN you don't reduce your damage to them however (unless they have a QN-limited damage divisor).

Finally completely mundane objects count as having a QN of 0. Each 5 QN above that of the object divides DR by 2. Note that objects still get the +5/+10 QN from stability if the Quintessence user has "Forbidden Quintessence".

Quintessence does nothing for mundane acts such as lifting, though most creatures without "Sealed/Limited Quintessence " will have at least some levels of Lifting ST.

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Quintessence related abilities:

Sealed Quintessence [-40]
QP naturally drains down to 1/3 resulting in halved resistance to supernatural effects. Cannot gain advantage from high QN.

Limited Quintessence [-20]
Does not gain any advantage in contests from higher-than-the-opposition QN.

Forbidden Quintessence [-10]
Obvious supernatural effect when QN is used actively or if resisting a powerful attack.
In Stable/Highly Stable areas your target's QN is considered +5/+10 lower when defending against your abillities
Repeated use can cause stable/highly stable areas to temporarily lose stability.

This disadvantage is typically possessed by entities whose powers don't properly play by the rules'. Espers, and various "Outsiders" mostly.

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Quintessence and Templates

Mundane Human [-57]
Decreased Quintessence 2 [-20]; Increased QP [3]; Sealed Quintessence [-40]

Fledgling Esper, Witch, or Low-tier Supernatural [-20]
Limited Quintessence [-20]

Unchained Esper [18 points]
Forbidden Quintessence [-10]; Lifting-ST 2 (KYOS; Illegal Quintessence, -10%) [13]; Resistant (Astral Corruption +8) [15]

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So basically Quintessence acts as a kind of Supernatural Resistance & Power, while also being the basis of the spiritual energy reserves (QP). Since QP already does quite a lot, but it isn't the basis for any skills, so it is perhaps best described as a mix between HT & ST. Currently it is priced at 10/points level, but perhaps it is a bit cheap for all that it does.