CODEX / CAMPAIGN / Flesh Bargains

Flesh Bargains & Body Modification

Surgical Enhancement & Biological Pacts ★ Faction-Specific Upgrades

"Some prices are paid in scrap and credits. Others are paid in flesh and blood. Both leave scars."
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What Are Flesh Bargains?

Flesh Bargains are permanent body modifications that pilots can undergo during Settlement Phase. Each faction offers unique augmentations reflecting their philosophy and capabilities. Modifications provide permanent bonuses but cost Resources, create Scarring, and may incur Taint or Trauma depending on the procedure.

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How Flesh Bargains Work

Requirement Cost Types Duration Strategic Considerations
Grit 2+ (veteran pilots only) + Pilot Consent Resources: 1-5 Scrap
Physical: 1-3 Wounds
Corruption: +1-5 Taint		 Most are Permanent
Some renewable (per mission cost)		 Plan for long-term campaigns. Cannot be reversed. Choose faction bargains aligned with playstyle.

Key System Mechanics

When to Use Flesh Bargains: Late campaign when pilots have high Grit, stable resources, and clear build direction. Not recommended for new pilots or early missions.

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▼ Church of Absolution Modifications
1. Martyr's Stigmata
Cost: 2 Scrap | 1 Wound | Duration: Permanent
Effect: Wounds glow with holy light. Gain +2 Defense. Once per mission, negate lethal damage (take 1 HP instead, gain 1 Trauma Wound). Adjacent allies gain +1 Defense.
2. Blessed Constitution
Cost: 1 Scrap | Effect: Permanent
Effect: Holy blessing strengthens body. Gain +5 max HP (deck size increases by 5). Recover 1 card per turn if under holy ground. Cannot benefit from necromantic healing (unholy sources).
3. Faith Shield Matrix
Cost: 3 Scrap | 2 Wounds | Effect: Permanent
Effect: Soulstone resonates with faith. Allies within 2 hexes gain +1 Defense. First damage you or nearby allies take each round reduced by 1. Once per mission, Shield all damage to nearby allies (you take it instead).
4. Purification Aura
Cost: 2 Scrap | 1 Trauma Wound | Effect: Permanent
Effect: Unholy influences recoil from you. Remove 1 Taint per turn (passive). Enemies within 2 hexes lose 1 SP at turn start. Cannot gain Taint from nearby enemies (cleansed).
5. Resurrection Pact
Cost: 5 Scrap | 3 Wounds | 1 Taint | Effect: One-Time Use
Effect: If killed, automatically resurrect at 1 HP at settlement after mission. Gain 2 Trauma Wounds. Pact must be renewed before next mission (cost: 3 Scrap). Cannot be used again in same mission.
6. Holy Weapon Blessing
Cost: 2 Scrap | Renewal: 1 Scrap per mission
Effect: One equipped weapon becomes Holy-touched. All attacks deal +1 damage vs corrupted enemies (3+ Taint). Cannot deal damage to undamaged Holy targets (must remove curse first). Blessing lasts until end of mission.
▼ Dwarven Clans Modifications
1. Ironclad Plating
Cost: 3 Scrap | 2 Wounds
Effect: Dwarf-forged metal plates integrate with skeleton. Gain +1 permanent Defense. First damage each round reduced by 1. Cannot use light armor (incompatible).
2. Runic Infusion
Cost: 2 Scrap | Effect: Permanent
Effect: Ancient dwarven runes etch into bones. Gain +2 maximum Rune Counters (can stack up to 7 instead of 5). Rune regeneration +1 per turn. All rune abilities gain +1 damage.
3. Forge Heart
Cost: 4 Scrap | 2 Wounds | +1 Taint
Effect: Heart becomes miniature forge. Gain +2 Heat capacity (max 10 Heat). When Heat 5+, all attacks deal +1 damage. Can transfer Heat to Soulstone (consume 2 Heat to recover 1 card).
4. Stoneblood
Cost: 3 Scrap | 1 Wound | Duration: 5 Missions
Effect: Dwarf blood hardens into stone. Regenerate 1 HP per turn if standing on stone/metal terrain. All physical attacks against you require +1 to hit (thick hide). Movement through rubble doesn't cost extra SP.
5. Ancestor's Blessing
Cost: 5 Scrap | 3 Wounds
Effect: Dwarf ancestors grant power. Once per mission, reroll all failed attacks (use new results). Gain +1 to all Defense saves. Cannot use fae artifacts (ancestral pact prevents it).
6. Underground Resonance
Cost: 2 Scrap | Permanent
Effect: Attune to underground vibrations. See enemies through rock (4 hex range). Movement underground costs -1 SP. Detect unstable tunnels (avoid collapses). Cannot be surprised underground.
▼ Elven Verdant Covenant Modifications
1. Root Network Integration
Cost: 2 Scrap | 1 Wound
Effect: Living roots integrate with nerves. Recover 1 card/turn on forest terrain. See through vegetation (4 hex range). Forest movement costs -1 SP. Regrow limbs overnight (heal 1 Wound per rest).
2. Leaf Dance Mastery
Cost: 3 Scrap | Effect: Permanent
Effect: Move and attack seamlessly. All attacks during movement gain +1 damage. Can move after attacking (instead of before). Difficult terrain doesn't penalize movement.
3. Bleed Infusion
Cost: 2 Scrap | 1 Wound | +2 Taint
Effect: Toxins run through veins. All attacks apply +1 Bleed (base 1 becomes 2). Bleed damage +1 per tick. Enemies can become poisoned (5+ Bleed = 1 damage per turn). Immunity to poison yourself.
4. Photosynthesis Core
Cost: 2 Scrap | Permanent
Effect: Derive power from sunlight. On outdoor missions, recover +1 card/turn (instead of passive 1). In darkness, all attacks -1 damage. Cannot operate underground efficiently.
5. Verdant Immortality
Cost: 5 Scrap | 2 Wounds | Duration: Permanent
Effect: Become timeless like the forest. Cannot die from age. Gain +2 maximum HP. Slow regeneration (1 HP/mission if at 50% HP or below). Connection to nature prevents disease.
6. Thorn Manifestation
Cost: 3 Scrap | 1 Wound
Effect: Thorns grow from skin as weapon. Melee attackers take 1 damage (reflect). Gain built-in attack: thorns (2d6, no equipment cost). Cannot equip shields (thorn growth prevents it).
▼ Ossuarium (Undead) Modifications
1. Carapace Grafting
Cost: 3 Scrap | 2 Wounds | +3 Taint
Effect: Chitinous armor grows beneath skin. Gain +2 permanent Defense. First damage/round reduced by 1. Cannot wear plating. Gain 1 Taint/mission passively. Exoskeleton regrows (recover 1 card/turn in dark).
2. Undead Regeneration
Cost: 2 Scrap | 1 Wound | +2 Taint
Effect: Body constantly regenerates. Recover 1 card/turn automatically. If severed, limbs regrow in 1 mission. Cannot be permanently crippled. Decays slightly each mission (appearance worsens).
3. Plague Touch
Cost: 3 Scrap | +4 Taint
Effect: Carry contagion. All attacks apply disease (target cannot recover HP next turn). Enemies touching you gain 1 Taint. Undead allies near you gain +1 damage. Eventually spreads to settlements (risk).
4. Bone Armor Casting
Cost: 2 Scrap | 1 Wound
Effect: Bones harden into armored plating. Gain +1 Defense. Reduce all damage by 1 (minimum 1). Can cast bones as projectiles (ranged attack, 2d6, recovers after mission). Equipment takes longer to destroy (double HP).
5. Soulbound Anchor
Cost: 4 Scrap | 2 Wounds | +5 Taint
Effect: Soul chained to body permanently. Cannot be killed (if destroyed, resurrect at 1 HP after mission). Gain 1 Taint per mission. Other pilots see you as undead (roleplay implications). Cannot be raised as thrall (already bound).
6. Decay Mastery
Cost: 2 Scrap | +1 Taint
Effect: Control decay process. Accelerate decomposition (leave behind corruption zones that damage enemies). Slow decay (preserve self, reduce Taint gain). Spread rot (enemies standing on your decay zones take 1 damage/turn).
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