Abysal Mysticism (v20 Inspired)
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Abysal Mysticism (v20 Inspired)
Malakiel Sat Sep 08, 2018 12:47 pm
Although the Lasombra are a pragmatic Clan, some Keepers delve into the occult mysteries of their power over shadow. They have learned that Obtenebration rises from a realm at the center of creation — a darkness known as the Abyss. Abyss Mysticism is an important tool, but it is also a dangerous one. These mystics are ever in search of dark secrets, terrible truths, and philosophical answers, attempting to unlock the depths of the Abyss.
Those who practice these mystic arts are called “The Shadowed,” and their prestige among the Lasombra Clan suffers due to their studies. It is not unknown for members of the Kiasyd bloodline to practice Abyss Mysticism, although the Lasombra Clan makes every effort to keep such knowledge away from their curious “cousins.”
Abyssal magic summons spirits from another dimension, one which resembles a form of dark purgatory. Such practitioners are enslaving and controlling spirits, but those spirits are unlike anything else in creation, and seem to have no memory of or association with true demonic entities. Nevertheless, the Inquisition has noted their existence, and the practice of Abyss Mysticism.
This causes the Lasombra to keep their Abyss Mystics out of the limelight and their abilities unknown to the majority of the Sabbat. The elders of the Clan have seen the suspicion placed on Tzimisce kolduns, and fear the Inquisition’s capacity to declare Abyss Mysticism heretical.
Those who practice these mystic arts are called “The Shadowed,” and their prestige among the Lasombra Clan suffers due to their studies. It is not unknown for members of the Kiasyd bloodline to practice Abyss Mysticism, although the Lasombra Clan makes every effort to keep such knowledge away from their curious “cousins.”
Abyssal magic summons spirits from another dimension, one which resembles a form of dark purgatory. Such practitioners are enslaving and controlling spirits, but those spirits are unlike anything else in creation, and seem to have no memory of or association with true demonic entities. Nevertheless, the Inquisition has noted their existence, and the practice of Abyss Mysticism.
This causes the Lasombra to keep their Abyss Mystics out of the limelight and their abilities unknown to the majority of the Sabbat. The elders of the Clan have seen the suspicion placed on Tzimisce kolduns, and fear the Inquisition’s capacity to declare Abyss Mysticism heretical.
Malakiel- Admin
- Posts : 4142
Join date : 2011-10-16
Age : 45
Location : Caracas -
Abyssal Rituals
Malakiel Sat Sep 08, 2018 12:52 pm
The following rituals do not adhere to the same rules as other forms of magic, in large part because they build on a Discipline that is not truly a form of sorcery. To learn Abyss Mysticism, a Cainite must have at least one dot in both Obtenebration and one dot in Occult. Such a character may not learn Abyss rituals rated higher than her Obtenebration or Occult score (whichever is lower). Casting Abyss rituals requires a successful Wits + Occult roll, for which the difficulty equals 3 + the level of the ritual (maximum 9). Only one success is required for a ritual to succeed. Should a roll to activate an Abyss ritual fail, the Storyteller is encouraged to create particularly horrible consequences or side effects; the Abyss demands a heavy penance for failure.
Unlike normal rituals, each Abyss Mysticism ritual costs 3 time the ritual level in experience points to learn. All rituals of Abyss Mysticism also have permanent side effects associated with learning and using them, as befits the alien and malignant nature of the Abyss. Under no circumstances do Flaws obtained from these side effects reward the vampire with bonus or experience points, nor can they be bought off.
Unlike normal rituals, each Abyss Mysticism ritual costs 3 time the ritual level in experience points to learn. All rituals of Abyss Mysticism also have permanent side effects associated with learning and using them, as befits the alien and malignant nature of the Abyss. Under no circumstances do Flaws obtained from these side effects reward the vampire with bonus or experience points, nor can they be bought off.
Malakiel- Admin
- Posts : 4142
Join date : 2011-10-16
Age : 45
Location : Caracas -
Oubliette
Malakiel Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:35 pm
Exclusive background: Oubliette
Vampires who possess at least three dots in Obtenebration and one Abyss Mysticism ritual can construct an Oubliette within a subterranean structure. The darkness within the Oubliette drains Intelligence from mortals immersed within it, at a rate of one dot per night. This Intelligence is not recoverable. Nightmarish visions constantly beset vampires within the Oubliette, often leading to the swift arrival of Derangements.
The player of any vampire immersed in an Oubliette must roll against the character’s current Willpower each night; the character may not recover any temporary Willpower points while within the dark. Failure reduces the current Willpower by two points, inducing a Derangement in the vampire once the rating reaches zero. Willpower then resets, and the procedure begins again until the vampire’s extracted or discovers an exit. Vampires who enter the Oubliette willingly, and those on the Road of the Abyss or Road of Sin, lose one Willpower point per night.
The darkness within the Oubliette is unnatural and therefore impossible to see through unless the vampire possesses the Darksight Merit. Entities summoned with Obtenebration or Abyss Mysticism within the Oubliette remain permanently, and cannot be dismissed unless they, or their summoners, are destroyed.
Any Cainite who braves and survives 20 consecutive nights within the Oubliette and doesn’t succumb to torpor has the cost of learning Abyss Mysticism rituals reduced by one experience point for the remainder of the year.
The greater the Oubliette Background rating, the greater the volume of the underground structure that is filled with foul darkness. Points in Oubliette are bought at character creation, or earned through roleplay.
• Coffin or cupboard-sized chamber
•• Single-room chamber
••• Dungeon containing up to five rooms
•••• Multi-level structure, containing up to 15 rooms
••••• Labyrinthine complex, containing multiple structures
Vampires who possess at least three dots in Obtenebration and one Abyss Mysticism ritual can construct an Oubliette within a subterranean structure. The darkness within the Oubliette drains Intelligence from mortals immersed within it, at a rate of one dot per night. This Intelligence is not recoverable. Nightmarish visions constantly beset vampires within the Oubliette, often leading to the swift arrival of Derangements.
The player of any vampire immersed in an Oubliette must roll against the character’s current Willpower each night; the character may not recover any temporary Willpower points while within the dark. Failure reduces the current Willpower by two points, inducing a Derangement in the vampire once the rating reaches zero. Willpower then resets, and the procedure begins again until the vampire’s extracted or discovers an exit. Vampires who enter the Oubliette willingly, and those on the Road of the Abyss or Road of Sin, lose one Willpower point per night.
The darkness within the Oubliette is unnatural and therefore impossible to see through unless the vampire possesses the Darksight Merit. Entities summoned with Obtenebration or Abyss Mysticism within the Oubliette remain permanently, and cannot be dismissed unless they, or their summoners, are destroyed.
Any Cainite who braves and survives 20 consecutive nights within the Oubliette and doesn’t succumb to torpor has the cost of learning Abyss Mysticism rituals reduced by one experience point for the remainder of the year.
The greater the Oubliette Background rating, the greater the volume of the underground structure that is filled with foul darkness. Points in Oubliette are bought at character creation, or earned through roleplay.
• Coffin or cupboard-sized chamber
•• Single-room chamber
••• Dungeon containing up to five rooms
•••• Multi-level structure, containing up to 15 rooms
••••• Labyrinthine complex, containing multiple structures
Malakiel- Admin
- Posts : 4142
Join date : 2011-10-16
Age : 45
Location : Caracas -
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