Catharsis
I know what is best for you
I have always known these things
That's why I've pulled your strings, tonight
You must learn to listen to me
The Book of Truth and Joy - Anon. |
The Shadow doesn't just have to rely on tricks, trade and being
a nag in the backseat. It can, with luck - or proper timing -
take over the body it shares with the Wraith. This state of being,
known as Catharsis, isn't easy for a Shadow to pull off. That
doesn't stop them from trying, though.
In order to enter Catharsis, the Shadow must spend a three dots
of Tainted Essence, and roll its Angst against the Wraith's Resolve
+ Composure + Eidolon. Success means that the Wraith slips into
a coma of sorts while the Shadow takes over the body for a Scene
per success scored over the Wraith's successes. Failure means
nothing happened at all.
While in charge of the body, the Shadow can do anything the
Wraith can do. It moves the body, speaks with the Wraith's voice
and appears perfectly normal. It can spend the Wraith's Willpower
and Essence, and gain them both back, and it can use her Numina
and Advantages as well. It cannot, however, use its Thorns, spend
Tainted Essence to fuel Numina or heal, or attempt Dissolution
{or a Harrowing, for that matter}.
Taking Over Easier:
Under normal circumstances, the Shadow doesn't have a very good
chance of succeeding against the Wraith. These chances are lessened
even more by the Wraith's possessing the Eidolon Background.
However, there are some circumstances when the roll is much
easier, and Wraiths need to be very careful of them:
* Shadowstate: When in Shadowstate, the Shadow can make the roll
as though its Angst were three higher than it is. It may only
try this once per Shadowstate.
* Death Triggers: All Death Types have a specific "Trigger"
that cuts through the Wraith, right to the core of her being,
and gives the Shadow a slightly better chance to take over. In
these cases the Shadow can make the roll as though its Angst
were two higher than it is. It may only try with this increased
chance once per day, even if the Wraith encounters Trigger after
Trigger.
* Various Modifiers: The Storyteller may decide that something
the Wraith does makes her especially susceptible to Catharsis,
just then. This might be anything from giving into the Shadow's
ideas a little too readily, or going dangerously close to the
Shadow's Type in thought, word or deed. Such Modifiers should
ideally range between +1 and +3, depending on the severity of
the Wraith's indiscretion.
Cost: 3 Tainted Essence
Dice Pool: Angst vs. Resolve + Composure + Eidolon
Action: Contested
Dramatic Failure: N/A
Failure: Nothing happens, and the Shadow has spent Tainted
Essence for nothing.
Success: The Shadow takes control of the body, as described
above, for one Scene per success
Exceptional Success: The Shadow takes control of the body
for an entire day and night {24 hour period}
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