** Shadow Taunt

A wholly unnerving power, Shadow Taunt allows a thaumaturge to take command of a distant shadow. By sympathetically linking it to his body, the thaumaturge makes the distant shadow obey his own shadow’s motion. The caster can jape, threaten or move about and cause the faraway shadow to behave in similar fashion. If the shadow belongs to a person, it follows the thaumaturge’s actions. Shadows of other than anthropomorphic shape contort as best they can, stretching, elongating and moving in a semblance of the caster’s motion. A shadow controlled in this fashion cannot actually do harm, nor does it harm its source, but it certainly proves unnerving. On at least one occasion, a Tremere novice managed to humiliate an opponent simply by making the Kindred’s shadow subtly berate him; when the aggrieved Kindred brought the matter to the attention of the harpies, he found himself roundly scathed – “Afraid of your own shadow now?”

System: Successes scored on the Willpower roll for this effect determine how many turns the caster can control a distant shadow. Only one shadow at a time may be so influenced. Shadows animated in this fashion can move and even pantomime as they follow the thaumaturge’s actions, but they cannot make sound, nor do they actually break away from their casting source (so, if the thaumaturge leaves, the shadow moves as if running in place). The caster must be able to see the shadow that he wishes to manipulate, and it must be a natural shadow, not one created with Obtenebration.

*** Coruscating Shadow

How would shadow appear if it hovered in the air? A discoloration? A dimness in the atmosphere? A hole in space? A commanding Tremere can peel the very shade from surrounding surfaces and bend it into floating forms that whip about. These airborne shadows conceal the caster and create a roiling sphere of confusion. The unnatural display manifests as an ephemeral globe that encompasses the caster at about arm’s length, though it contracts and expands rapidly while the shadows flit about its surface.

System: Under the effects of Coruscating Shadow, the Tremere gains partial concealment due to the rapidly strobing passage of shadowy shapes. The ball of shadows that surrounds the caster has no physical substance but expands and contracts, writhes and spins and generally makes matters difficult for anyone trying to observe the thaumaturge. Raise the difficulty of actions that affect the caster, including attacks, by one while this power is in effect. Furthermore, the heavier prevalence of shadow helps when blending into darkened areas, giving the player a two-die bonus to Stealth rolls for the character. The sphere lasts for one turn per success garnered on the roll.

**** Nights Veil

Shadows seem to devour the landscape hungrily as night falls. Where any shadow lies, the power of night remains – through that sympathetic power the Tremere can invoke the strength of night in any place. Mortals who have observed this bizarre power have left the experience “touched,” talking of shadows impossible in the current light and non-Euclidian geometries casting horrid shades.

System: System: Like other Shadowcrafting powers, the Tremere must extend existing shadows. Typically, the caster stands within a shadowed corner and invokes this power. In each successive turn, the shadow slowly expands to cover greater ground. Such mystically enhanced shade can even reach out into sunlit stretches. The shade extends about a yard beyond its normal distance for each success scored on the roll. For the rest of the scene, the shade counts as an area under the province of night: the Tremere can act normally without hindrance from daytime and avoid the sun’s rays. Should the caster step outside the shadow (whether accidentally or purposefully), though, the effect ends immediately – quite possibly stranding the Tremere, dizzy and disoriented, in burning sunlight.

***** Abyssal Pact

Mastery of the Path of Shadowcrafting allows a Tremere to imbue his shades with some semblance of substance. At this level of expertise, the path truly takes on some characteristics of tangible nightmares. While smothered in darkness, the Tremere lets loose something that seems hungry and malevolent. Mastery of such shade creations also gives the Tremere a small chance to counter the Obtenebration Discipline, though such hope perhaps leads more to overconfidence than to conquest.

The creator of the Shadowcrafting path, now a chattering invalid, maintains during brief moments of lucidity that strange shadow entities wait in every darkened corner. Certainly the shades conjured by this path give some credence to such notions, but the Kindred in question asserts that these beings devour light and feed upon the very essences of those who would dare truck with them. If these are, perhaps, the primal fiends that deal with the Lasombra’s fluid darkness, then perhaps their secrets are best left hidden – their unnatural kin were never meant to withstand the light.

System: To summon the final powers of Shadowcrafting, both the Tremere and the target must be within the same patch of darkness – two individuals in a closet, or both out on the street on a moonless night. The Tremere does not need to see the individual, but must somehow sense the victim’s presence, whether by hearing, touch or some other apprehension. Furthermore, the darkness must be total or near total; simple shadows do not suffice. Conjuring the esurient shadow costs five blood points (total, not in addition to the usual Thaumaturgy costs).

Once created, the shade-form assaults the victim and drains vitality. Tangible shadow attacks envelop the victim in a smothering blanket of darkness that bites like a school of barracuda. Every two successes scored on the casting roll cause the victim to lose one health level of lethal damage; additionally, the victim loses one point of Stamina for the remainder of the scene, as the hungry shadows suck out the very essence of living vitality (note that Kindred can use their blood to restore such losses until the next scene). Subsequent attacks are cumulative, so it’s possible to wear a victim down over multiple turns, though that’s certainly expensive and time-consuming for all but the most proficient thaumaturges.

The abyssal shades conjured with this power can be used to fight against Obtenebration, but they seem reluctant to do so. Instead of inflicting damage upon an opponent, the caster can direct the shadow power so that every two successes scored by the player removes one success from an Obtenebration effect. This can negate a power entirely or reduce its efficacy. Of course, the Lasombra can simply reactivate the appropriate Obtenebration powers, probably without nearly as much effort, but the surprise alone can prove invaluable. Should the thaumaturge botch the casting toll, the shades still manifest but attack him instead, in addition to the normal Thaumaturgy botch penalty of one permanent Willpower point. Roll six dice and apply the results as specified above for every two successes.

Path of Technomancy

The newest path to be accepted by the Tremere hierarchy as part of the clan’s official body of knowledge, the Path of Technomancy is a relatively recent innovation. It was developed in the latter half of the 20th century, and has not yet spread far beyond the North American Pontifices. The path focuses on the control of electronic devices, from wristwatches to computers, and its proponents maintain that it is a prime example of the versatility of Thaumaturgy with regards to a changing world.

More conservative Tremere, however, state that mixing Tremere magic with mortal science borders on treason or even blasphemy, and some European Regents have gone so far as to declare knowledge of Technomancy grounds for expulsion from their chantries. The Inner Council did approve the introduction of the path into the clan’s grimoires, but has yet to voice any opinion on the conservative opposition to Technomancy.

* Analyze

Mortals are constantly developing new innovations, and any vampire who would work Technomancy must be able to understand that upon which he practices his magic. The most basic power of this path allows the Tremere to project his perceptions into a device, granting him a temporary understanding of its purpose, the principles of its functioning and its means of operation. This does not grant permanent knowledge, only a momentary flash of insight that fades within minutes.

System: A character must touch the device in order to apply this power. The number of successes rolled determines how well the character understands this particular piece of equipment. One success allows a basic knowledge (On/off and simple functions), while three successes grant competence in operating the device, and five successes show the character the full range of the device’s potential. The knowledge lasts for a number of minutes equal to the character’s Intelligence.

This power can also be used to understand a nonphysical technological innovation – in other words, a new piece of computer software – at +2 difficulty. The character must touch the computer on which the software is installed – simply holding the CD-ROM is not enough.

** Burnout

It is usually easier to destroy than to create, and sensitive electronics are no exception to this rule. Burnout is used to cause a device’s power supply, either internal or external, to surge, damaging or destroying the target. Burnout cannot be used to directly injure another individual, although the sudden destruction of a pacemaker or a car’s fuel injection control chip can create a definite health hazard.

System: A character can use this power at a range of up to 10 times her Willpower in yards, although a +I difficulty is applied if she is not touching the target item. The number of successes determines the extent of the damage.

Large enough systems, such as mainframe computers or passenger aircraft, impose a +2 to +4 difficulty (at Storyteller discretion) to affect with this power. Additionally, some system, such as military and banking computers, may be hardened against power surges and spikes, and thus possess one to five dice (Storyteller discretion again) to roll to resist this power. Each success on this roll (difficulty 6) takes away one success from the Thaumaturgy roll.

Burnout may be used to destroy electronic data storage, in which case three successes destroy all information on the target item and five erase it beyond any hope of non-magical recovery.

*** Encrypt/Decrypt

Electronic security is a paramount concern of governments and corporations alike. Those Tremere who are techno-savvy enough to understand the issues at stake have become quite enamored of this power, which allows the thaumaturge to scramble a device’s controls mystically, making it inaccessible to anyone but him. Encrypt/Decrypt also works on electronic media; a videotape under the influence of this power displays just snow and static if played back without the owner’s approval.

System: The character touches the device or data container, which he wishes to encrypt. The player rolls normally. The number of successes scored is applied as a difficulty modifier for anyone who attempts to use the protected equipment or access the scrambled information without the assistance of the character. The thaumaturge can dispel the effect at any time by touching the target item; this countermanding costs a point of Willpower.

This power may also be used to counter another thaumaturge’s use of Encrypt/Decrypt. The player TOM at + I difficulty; each success negates one of the “owner’s.”

The effects of Encrypt/Decrypt last for a number of weeks equal to the character’s permanent Willpower rating.

**** Remote Access

With this power, a skilled thaumaturge can bypass the need for physical contact to operate a device. This is not a form of telekinesis; the vampire does not manipulate the item’s controls, but rather touches it directly with the power of his mind.

System: This power may be used on any electronic device within the character’s line of sight. The number of successes rolled is the maximum number of dice from any relevant Ability that the character may use while remotely controlling the device. For instance, if Fritz has Computer 5 and scores three successes when using Remote Access on an automated teller machine, he can only apply three dots of his Computer rating to any rolls that he makes through any use the power. Remote Access lasts for a number of turns equal to the number of successes rolled, and can only be used on one item at a time.

If an item is destroyed while under the effects of Remote Access, the character takes five dice of bashing damage due to the shock of having his perceptions rudely shunted back into his own body.

***** Telecommute

A progressive derivation of Remote Access, Telecommute allows a thaumaturge to project her consciousness into the global telecommunication network, sending her mind through satellite uplinks and ISDN lines and fiber-optic phone cables at the speed of light. While immersed in the network, she can use any other Technomancy power on the devices with which she makes contact.

System: The character touches any form of communications device: a cellular telephone, network card-equipped computer, fax machine or anything else that is connected directly or indirectly to the global network. The player rolls normally and spends a Willpower point. Telecommute lasts for five minutes per success rolled, and may be extended by 10 minutes with the expenditure of another Willpower point. The number of successes indicates the maximum range that the character can project her consciousness away from her body.

While in the network, the character can apply any other Path of Technomancy power to any device or data with which she comes in contact. A loss of connection, usually through the shutdown or destruction of a part of the network through which the character’s connection runs, hurls her consciousness back to her body and inflicts eight dice of bashing damage.

A character traveling through the Net by means of this power can use her Path of Technomancy powers at normal difficulty. Using any other abilities or powers while engaged thus is done at a +2 difficulty. Furthermore there are other denizens of the Net who may not take kindly to Tremere intrusion, and who may well take steps to remove the riffraff from their electronic doorsteps.

Path of the Bloods Curse

Elder vampires have forever flaunted their powers over their lessers, the ancillae and neonates. With the approaching threat of Gehenna, young Kindred actively pursue ways to circumvent the stranglehold these powerful elders possess in the Jyhad. With this desire driving their ambitions, a few rogue Pander and Caitiff thaumaturges gathered together and developed this thaumaturgical path as a means of ousting those above them.

These rebels resorted to a very basic concept for this path of thaumaturgy by exposing the inherent disadvantages that accompany the vampiric Embrace. The elders’ paranoia only increased exponentially due to this movement toward a new method of usurping their power and vitae. These new thaumaturges give rise to the whisperings of the Day of Reckoning soon at hand in the courts of Elysium.

* Ravages of the Beast
From the moment a Kindred is Embraced, he suffers the rage and instincts of a primal Beast; it is the first bane to accompany the Change. If provoked, the Beast Within sends a vampire into a mindless, berserk frenzy. Some Kindred struggle to keep their Beasts in check, while others enjoy riding the waves of this violent rage. A thaumaturge invoking this power coaxes the Beast to surface within his target, unleashing a rampant killer.

System: The subject of this power must make a frenzy roll (Self-Control, difficulty 7), as per page 228 of Vampire: The Masquerade. If the victim cannot resist the Beast, he immediately enters a frenzy the Storyteller deems appropriate to the situation, whether rage, Rotschreck, hunger, etc. A thaumaturge may affect any target within her line of sight.

** Weight of the Sun
A concomitant curse of the Embrace is an inability to remain awake during the daytime. Forced to maintain a surreptitious existence at night, a Kindred loses the opportunity to ever again see the sun. As that fiery white globe rises in the east, Kindred feel its pressing weight as it drives them down into slumber. This power allows a thaumaturge to invoke the same type of lethargy that the sun imposes during the long hours of the day.

System: This power lasts for one scene per success on the thaumaturge’s Willpower roll. Suffering the same penalty as if awake during the daytime, a Kindred reduces his maximum dice pool to equal his humanity (or Path of Enlightenment). Characters who have achieved Golconda are immune to this power.

*** Abated Tooth
All vampires require blood to survive; they depend on mortal vessels for sustenance and the Kiss to maintain their unlives. When Kindred do feed, they usually extend their fangs, to more easily pierce their victim’s flesh. By invoking this power, a thaumaturge mystically dulls a subject’s fangs, robbing him of the ability to use them effectively. His fangs become so severely blunted that it becomes nearly impossible to effectively pierce flesh, causing affected Kindred to search for alternate methods of feeding.

System: Each success the thaumaturge scores dulls the fangs of his subject for a night. Victims may make a Stamina (plus Fortitude, if any) roll (difficulty to subtract successes from the thaumaturge. While affected by this power, a Kindred may not use the Bite close combat maneuver, and her Kiss ceases to cause ecstasy, instead becoming a “bite.”

Storytellers may decide to throw as many obstacles as deemed necessary at the victim in this sticky situation. The police do not look kindly on psychopaths who bite others in the middle of the Rack, and anyone who feeds carelessly is almost sure to arouse the ire of Kindred interested in maintaining the Masquerade.

**** Treacherous Bonds
One of the most potent properties of Kindred vitae is the ability to create a blood bond. A regnant offering his blood to a victim on three separate nights floods a thrall with a powerful attraction and devotion to him. Under a blood bond, the thrall becomes a most loyal and subservient tool of the regnant and will do anything to appease him.

Traditionally when the connection of a bond becomes unstable or weak, emotions of hate may cloud the mind of the thrall, though it may possibly span lifetimes before these feelings become evident. The thaumaturge invoking this power incites an instantaneous, hate-induced emotional state within a regnant’s thrall; where once there was love, now only loathing drives his emotions. This power creates a backlash in the target’s blood, temporarily twisting any bonds he is under, from the newest to ones built over years’ time.

System: The vampire must touch his intended subject for this power to take effect. For the duration of one night per success a thaumaturge scores on his Willpower roll, and depending on whether the magus chooses to affect a regnant or his thrall, a blood bond becomes corrupt and unstable. Should a thaumaturge direct this power at a thrall, only the thrall’s bond is corrupt, consumed by hate for as many nights as successes. However, if the thaumaturge chooses to invoke this power in a regnant, one of the regnant’s thralls is affected per success. Should a regnant also be in thrall to someone else while under this effect, she too will feel only malignity for her regnant.

This power is mistrusted widely by vampires of Clan Tremere, and had the Ventrue and Lasombra any real knowledge of it, they would likely balk at it, too (when they weren’t inflicting it upon their enemies). More than one regent has levied extreme censure on vampires learning this power, and an apocryphal story tells of a European prince putting a Tremere to Final Death after learning that he had used this power to turn her ghouls against her.

For example: Clifton Andrews wants to settle a score with Josephine the Seamstress of Flesh, a Tzimisce, by reversing the blood bonds of those in her thrall. Clifton’s player spends a blood point and rolls against a difficulty of 7 (as this is a Level Four power). He gains three successes on the roll, and Clifton warps the blood bond in all five of Josephine’s childer. For the next three nights, three of Josephine’s blood bound thralls will not only loathe Josephine but may plot to harm their “tyrannical” mistress. Clifton’s revenge is sweeter still, as for the span of these three nights Josephine is racked by fiery hatred for her own sire, who had blood bound her decades before. Clifton knows how treacherous the Seamstress of Flesh is, and rejoices in the knowledge that there is a chance his enemy will suffer a slow Final Death at the hands of her sire.

***** The Withering of Ages
This devastating power warps the blood within vampires, temporarily suspending the properties sustaining their immortality. A thaumaturge making physical contact with a victim may strip her of her agelessness and render her briefly decrepit. Within moments, the body of the target will reveal the truth of her true age, shriveling and shrinking to reflect the weight of her years. Additionally, the fangs of the victim become elongated, and other facial features accentuate his vampiric nature. Ancient vampires become crippled, as their bodies become their own worst enemies.

System: After the thaumaturge makes physical contact with her victim, the player engages in a contested Willpower roll (difficulty 8). Should he accumulate more successes than his target, the victim begins to grow physically older until he fully resembles his true age.

A character will lose one Physical Attribute point per 10 years of age he physically gains, to a minimum of 0. Vampires who sink to scores of 0 in Physical Traits are so enfeebled that they must have help moving, feeding, etc. and can barely be heard or understood. This effect lasts for one night, after which time the victim rapidly sheds his physical years and is restored to the full potency of his vampiric blood. The affected Kindred can also restore himself by spending five blood points and one Willpower point, though this blood must be spent on the same turn he becomes afflicted. Once the duration of this power has expired, the victim will appear as youthful or as old as he was the night of his Embrace.

Path of Transmutation

Thaumaturges practicing the art of Alchemy can manipulate the forms of solids, liquids and gases. Guns and knives melt into pools of metal, wood petrifies and becomes brittle, and common boundaries such as walls and doors transmute to vapor. The laws of chemistry do not bind Warlocks employing the powers of transmutation, as materials shift their state regardless of their temperature. Effects similar to those achieved by true alchemy can be achieved by using the Path of Transmutation. This path is looked upon somewhat unfavorably among the Tremere, as it reflects a “quick and dirty” effect rather than true mastery of alchemical transmutation.

* Fortify the Solid Form

By fortifying a solid object, a magus increases the strength and integrity of an item. A thaumaturge mystically transmutes a feather to become a crude blunt object, pencils become makeshift stakes, and a car becomes as tough as a tank.

System: This power increases the offensive and defensive capabilities of an object. For each success the player scores, an object will absorb one health level of damage. Similarly, a thaumaturge wielding the same object offensively will inflict one extra die of damage per two successes the player scores on the activation roll. In either case, an object may absorb or inflict a maximum of five health levels or dice of damage, respectively. The effects of fortifying an object last for one scene, and must either be offensive or defensive the Platonic ideal of attack is not the same as for defense.

Note: This power cannot be used to increase the structure of a living creature. However, a thaumaturge may use Fortify the Solid Form in conjunction with the Level Two power Crystallize the Liquid Form to make a very solid piece of ice, molten metal, etc.

** Crystallize the Liquid Form

Tremere designed this power to prevent other Kindred from taking vitae. This can also be used to solidify water and molten metal. Liquids within living bodies may not be altered, though blood exiting the body may be solidified. Kindred may not consume solidified blood.

System: For every success the player scores on the Willpower roll, the vampire may transform one blood point (or about two pints of a liquid) into solid form for a scene. This substance will not change in temperature; solidified molten steel still burns and melts other material. The liquid must be within the thaumaturge’s line of sight.

*** Liquefy the Solid Form

A thaumaturge may “melt” solid objects and leave them in a liquidlike state. By employing this power, attackers could find their weapons in small pools at their feet. Stakes rot away at a rapid pace, and blades corrode into soft, nondescript puddles. Some wily thaumaturges might even transmute bullets before they impact an intended target.

System: The thaumaturge may transform an object within his line of sight. When the object reforms from a liquid, it will likely assume a deformed state and be rendered useless. A transformed object remains in a liquid state for one scene, after which it resumes its original shape (which many thaumaturges claim is a recent improvement over an older, more dated version of this power). The size of the object that may be changed depends upon the success of the player’s roll.

As much as many Tremere would like it, Liquefy the Solid Form may not be used on living (or unliving) beings.

**** Gaol

When a Warlock invokes this power, he solidifies the air into an opaque, indestructible object. A crude shimmering prism forms around a victim’s body, encasing him within unbreakable material. Doorways become impenetrable boundaries as the air between a doorjamb condenses to a resilient barrier.

System: A Warlock may solidify the air within 50 yards of his person. One success on a Willpower roll solidifies an amount of air equivalent to a brick where five successes will form a solid block of air that can encompass a telephone booth. Once the air condenses, it becomes completely indestructible; this effect lasts for one scene. Victims trapped within the solid air will not be able to break through this barrier (not even with Potence), though mortals will not suffocate.

The oxygen within the block is breathable, though liquidlike. These victims will experience an uncomfortable sensation in their lungs from the alien dependency on the oxygenated fluid, and they may reject it altogether. When the effect of Gaol expires, the barrier around the subject dissipates into its original gaseous state. The oxygen within the target’s lungs, however, will remain a fluid and, though breathable, must be purged from the body – coughed out – before it can transmute back into a gas. Subjects suffer one level of bashing damage from this overexertion.

For example: Clifton Andrews notices Rebecca, a ghoul spy, attempting to sneak into his haven. His player gains five successes, solidifying enough air to completely capture Rebecca inside an indestructible block. Immediately after, Rebecca panics as she breathes the liquidlike oxygen within the solid block of air. She gulps in mouthfuls of the fluid while her body adjusts to the foreign method of breathing, causing her to retch until she accepts the oxygen. After the solid block dissipates, Rebecca drops to the ground and throws up all the liquid she took in while trapped, suffering a level of bashing damage from the amount of retching she must do before the liquid purges from her lungs.

***** Ghost Wal

After attaining this level of mastery, a thaumaturge finds herself no longer hindered by common barriers such as walls and rock formations. With but a thought, solid objects shift to a vaporous state and may be traversed with little difficulty. The Warlock passes beyond walls, as they are insubstantial and will not obstruct his movement. Targets fall through a gaseous floor, and vaporous parachutes are useless in slowing the travel speed of a skydiver.

System: A thaumaturge may make vaporous any nonliving body within his line of sight. For every success he scores on his Willpower roll, a larger amount of material transmutes in this manner. It takes a single success to transmute a laptop computer into vapor, while it takes five successes to transmute a city bus. A transmuted object loses its shape and becomes transparent. This effect lasts for one scene, after which the object in question reforms as if nothing had ever happened. Needless to say, this is an outrageous breach of the Masquerade if any inappropriate eyes observe it.

Should a victim occupy the same space as the object after this power expires, he suffers a number of unsoakable health levels of aggravated damage the Storyteller determines appropriate to the circumstance. For example, a rock reforming within a body might inflict a single level of damage, where a person trapped within a tree trunk should suffer at least five levels of damage. Objects that reform partially within another object will remain this way until physically removed, or invoked to be vaporous again.

Path of Spirit Manipulation

Not to be confused with, or perhaps derived from the ancient Path of Spirit Thaumaturgy (see Dark Ages Companion, p. 107), Spirit Manipulation is a relatively recent innovation of the Tremere. Created to replace the rituals practiced by the clan in the days when it was a band of mortal wizards, Spirit Manipulation is the art of forcing spirits into actions and situations that would normally be anathema to them. Spirit Manipulation simulates many effects that can be created by Lupine and shamanic mages, but does so by forcing the spirits involved into a grotesque mockery of their normal behaviors. Any botch with Spirit Manipulation not only inflicts the normal loss of Willpower involved with thaumaturgical mishaps but also turns the full force of the spirit’s wrath against the offending vampire.

* Hermetic Sight

The vampire can perceive the spirit world, either by gazing deeply into it or by seeing the presence of nearby spirits as a hazy overlay on the material world. This power does not allow the thaumaturge to see into the realms of the dead or into the realms of the fae.

System: 0ne success on the roll is needed for the thaumaturge to perceive spirits, while two allow him to view the spirit realm. With less than four successes, the thaumaturge is at +2 difficulty to all actions performed while using this power due to the distraction of divided perceptions. Hermetic Sight lasts for the duration of the scene or until the thaumaturge deactivates it.

** Astral Cant

The languages of the spirit world are infinitely varied and mainly incomprehensible to mortal (or immortal) minds. Astral Cant does not teach the thaumaturge the tongues of the spirits, but it does allow him to understand them as they speak to him and to reply in their own languages – in effect, a universal translator for the spirit world. Imprecise use of this power can be disastrous, particularly when a thaumaturge is bargaining with a powerful spirit. The use of this power is not always necessary; many spirits speak human tongues but choose to feign ignorance when dealing with vampires.

System: The number of successes determines the accuracy of the translation.

*** Voice of Command

This is perhaps the most dangerous power in the Spirit Manipulation arsenal, for the consequences if a thaumaturge fails can be most unpleasant. Voice of Command allows a vampire to issue orders to a spirit, compelling it to heed her bidding whether or not it desires to do so.

System: The player makes the normal Willpower roll; the target spirit resists with Willpower (difficulty of the thaumaturge’s Manipulation + Occult or Manipulation + Lore: Spirits). The degree of success the thaumaturge attains determines the complexity and severity of the command that she can issue.

Crafty Storytellers should note that spirits compelled by this power are fully aware that they are being forced into these actions, and may well seek revenge on their erstwhile masters at a later time.

Thaumaturges who issue commands above and beyond what their spirit servants are compelled to perform may find themselves ignored or mocked. Even worse, a spirit in such a situation may “agree” to follow orders without following through, leaving the thaumaturge in a situation of potentially fatal embarrassment.

**** Entrap Ephemera

This power allows a thaumaturge to bind a spirit into a physical object. This can be done to imprison the target, but is more often performed to create a fetish, an artifact that allows a user to channel a portion of the spirit’s power through it to affect the physical world. Fetishes created by this power are often recalcitrant and fail at inopportune moments, as the spirits within are most displeased with their situation and will take any Opportunity to escape or thwart their captors.

System: The number of successes rolled determines the power level of the fetish to be created. A fetish is activated by rolling the user’s Willpower (difficulty of the fetish’s power level + 3). A botch on this roll destroys the physical component of the fetish and frees the spirit that was trapped within.

For more complete guidelines to fetish powers, refer to pages 273-275 of Werewolf: The Apocalypse. The Storyteller is always the final authority in determning the powers and mechanics of a fetish created through use of this power.

***** Duality

The thaumaturge can now fully interact with the spirit world. While using this power, he exists on both planes of existence at once. He is able to pick up objects in the physical world and place them in the spirit world and vice versa. Beings and landscape features in both realms are solid to him, and he can engage in any manner of interaction. He can even use Thaumaturgy and other Disciplines in either world. This is not without its dangers, however; One misstep and the vampire can find himself trapped in the spirit realm with no way to return home. Several incautious thaumaturges have starved into torpor while trapped on the other side of the barrier that separates the physical and spirit realms.

System: The number of successes dictates how long the vampire can interact with the spirit world.

Duality can only be used while the character is in the physical world. Note that while Duality is in effect the character is also susceptible to attacks from both realms. Additionally, the player must roll Perception + Occult (difficulty when this power is activated; a roll with less than three successes indicates that all rolls made while this power is active are at +2 difficulty due to the distraction of the character’s dual perceptions. The character is still considered to be in the physical world for purposes of basic physics and common sense – for instance, his feet rest on the ground in the physical world, not the ground in the spirit world, and he could thus walk across a spiritual chasm if a physical parking lot overlaid the same space.

A botch on the roll to activate this power tears the vampire out of the physical world and traps him in the spirit realm. The way back the physical realm, if there is one, is left to the Storyteller’s discretion, and may constitute an entire adventure in and of it self.

The Green Path

The Green Path deals with the manipulation of plant matter of all sorts. Anything more complex than an algae bloom can theoretically be controlled through the appropriate application of this path. Ferns, roses, dandelions and even ancient redwoods are all equally valid targets for this path’s powers, and living and dead plant matter are equally affected. While not as immediately impressive as some other more widely practiced paths, the Green Path (sometimes disparagingly referred to as “Botanical Mastery”) is as subtle and powerful as the natural world, which it affects.

bsp; The origins of the Green Path are thought to lie with the Order of the Naturists (see Clanbook Tremere), a druidic sect within Clan Tremere. Most practitioners of the path are members of the order, and those who are not were more than likely mentored by one. According to those who are familiar with Tremere history, the Green Path is a blood magic-based derivation of some magickal workings formerly practiced by House Diedne, an order of mortal mages destroyed by the Tremere during the Dark Ages.

* Herbal Wisdom
With but a touch, a vampire can commune with the spirit of a plant. Conversations held in this manner are often cryptic but rewarding – the wisdom and experience of the spirits of some trees surpasses that of the oracles of legend. Crabgrass, on the other hand, rarely has much insight to offer, but might reveal the face of the last person who trod upon it.

System: The number of successes rolled determines the amount of information that can be gained from the contact. Depending on the precise information that the vampire seeks, the Storyteller might require the player to roll Intelligence + Occult or Intelligence + Intuition in order to interpret the results of the communication.

** Speed the Seasons Passing
This power allows a thaumaturge to accelerate a plant’s growth, causing roses to bloom in a matter of minutes or trees to shoot up from saplings overnight. Alternately, she can speed a plant’s death and decay, withering grass and crumbling wooden stakes with but a touch.

System: The character touches the target plant. The player rolls normally, and the number of successes determines the amount of growth or decay. One success gives the plant a brief growth spurt or simulates the effects of harsh weather, while three noticeably enlarge or wither it. With five successes, a full-grown plant springs from a seed or crumbles to dust in a few minutes and a tree sprouts fruit or begins decaying almost instantaneously. If this power is used in combat, three successes are needed to render a wooden weapon completely useless. Two successes suffice to weaken it, while five cause it to disintegrate in the wielder’s hand.

*** Dance of the Vines
The thaumaturge can animate a mass of vegetation up to his own size, using it for utilitarian or combat purposes with equal ease. Leaves can walk along a desktop, ivy can act as a scribe, and jungle creepers can strangle opponents. Intruders should beware of Tremere workshops that harbor potted rowan saplings.

System: Any total amount of vegetation with a mass less than or equal to the character’s own may be animated through this power. The plants stay active for one turn per success scored on the roll, and are under the complete control of the character. If used for combat purposes, the plants have Strength and Dexterity ratings equal to half the character’s current Willpower (rounded down) and Brawl ratings one lower than that of the character.

Dance of Vines cannot make plants uproot themselves and go stomping about. Even the most energetic vegetation is incapable of pulling out of the soil and walking under the effect of this power. However, 150 pounds of kudzu can cover a considerable area all by itself…

**** Verdant Haven
This power weaves a temporary shelter out of a sufficient amount of plant matter. In addition to providing physical protection from the elements (and even sunlight), the Verdant Haven also establishes a mystical barrier which is nigh-impassable to anyone the caster wishes to exclude. A Verdant Haven appears as a six-foot-tall hemisphere of interlocked branches, leaves and vines with no discernible opening, and even to the casual observer it appears to be an unnatural construction. Verdant Havens are rumored to have supernatural healing properties, but no Kindred have reported experiencing such benefits from a stay in one.

System: A character must be standing in a heavily vegetated area to use this power. The Verdant Haven springs up around the character over the course of three turns. Once the haven is established, anyone wishing to enter the haven without the caster’s permission must achieve more than the caster’s original number of successes on a single roll of Wits + Survival (difficulty equal to the caster’s Willpower). The haven lasts until the next sunset, or until the caster dispels or leaves it. If the caster scored four or more successes, the haven is impenetrable to sunlight unless physically breached.

***** Awaken the Forest Giants
Entire trees can be animated by a master of the Green Path. Ancient oaks can be temporarily given the gift of movement, pulling their roots from the soil and shaking the ground with their steps. While not as versatile as elementals or other summoned spirits, trees brought to ponderous life via this power display awesome strength and resilience.

System: The character touches the tree to be animated. The player spends a blood point and rolls normally. If the roll succeeds, the player must spend a blood point for every success. The tree stays animated for one turn per success rolled; once this time expires, the tree puts its roots down wherever it stands and cannot be animated again until the next night. While animated, the tree follows the character’s verbal commands to the best of its ability. An animated tree has Strength and Stamina equal to the caster’s Thaumaturgy rating, Dexterity 2 and a Brawl rating equal to the casters own. It is immune to bashing damage, and all nonaggravated lethal damage dice pools are halved due to its size.

Once the animating energy leaves a tree, it puts down roots immediately, regardless of what it is currently standing on. A tree re-establishing itself in the soil can punch through concrete and asphalt to find nourishing dirt and water underneath, meaning that it is entirely possible for a particularly sluggish sycamore to set up shop in the middle of a road without any warning. Abuses or misuses of this power can very easily lead to breaches of the Masquerade, and the thaumaturge who leaves a row of maples across a major traffic artery is unlikely to have the opportunity to make the same mistake twice.

The Hearth Path

For those Tremere who maintain private havens, secrecy is paramount. The Hearth Path seems to have evolved from a collection of rituals designed to protect the integrity of a vampire’s sanctum sanctorum. Havens protected by these powers often acquire reputations as “haunted” houses and the like. The Tremere are quick to point out, however, that these reputations help to strengthen the Masquerade rather than jeopardize it. When people find out that the house is just a house with a spooky atmosphere, they chastise themselves for being so foolish as to believe in ghosts.

* Guests Herald

This power, when used on a door or other portal, creates an audible or visual effect that notifies the Tremere that someone has crossed it. In this way, the vampire knows when someone has entered her haven and can deal with the interloper as she sees fit.

System: This power lasts for 24 hours. The signal may be anything of the thaumaturge’s choosing – a particularly noisy creak, a tendency to stay ajar or even something wholly unconnected, like the rotation of a decanter in another room. In all cases, the effect is static – it looks or sounds exactly the same every time it happens. Any point at which someone other than the thaumaturge crosses a warded area, the effect takes place. Whether or not the vampire is present to observe it is a different matter.

Note that complex chains of events are outside the purview of this power. The ritual will not trigger an elaborate Rube Goldberg-style “trap” (though it may set off the first part of one), nor will it aim and fire a shotgun at the door. These are simple, subtle, brief effects.

** Masters Order

In his own haven, the thaumaturge knows where every last article lies. He knows where he placed an important book, he knows the drawer that the keys to his safe occupy, and he knows where his ensorcelled wooden stake rests. He even knows these things when he doesn’t…

System: As long as this ritual is successful, for the duration of the scene, the thaumaturge knows exactly where any given object has been placed, as long as it is in his haven. This knowledge applies only to inanimate objects – he may not locate his childe in this manner. Also, the object must belong to the Tremere himself, an assassin’s knife will not be found by this power, nor will the objects on another’s person. Something the Tremere has stolen will turn up without difficulty, however.

This power works only in the Tremere’s haven, where he has spent at least one day’s rest prior to invoking the power.

*** Rhyme of Discord

The vampire may create a miasma of confusion in her haven. This power plays upon intruders’ minds, causing them to become lost in the vampire’s haven, to lose their direction and misremember specific details such as objects in rooms and their location.

System: Characters other than the thaumaturge find themselves hopelessly lost in her haven, no matter how small it is. Additionally, they are unable to remember any but the smallest details regarding the place once inside. Even if an intruder attempts to follow or chase the Kindred through the haven, she will lose track of direction, make wrong turns, etc. This effect lasts for one full 24-hour period, but the confused memories an intruder takes with her last until she visits the haven when it is not under this protective ensorcellment.

**** Temporta

As master of her haven, a vampire may briefly reshape it so that doorways lead to rooms other than those to which they are connected. For example, the door to the bedroom may suddenly open into the study, while the deepest catacomb of a Transylvanian dungeon might lead to a tower elsewhere in the castle. Thaumaturges find this useful both as a convenience how better to retrieve a book from the basement when one is on the third floor – and as an escape route.

System: This power works until sunrise. At the thaumaturge’s whim, he may walk through any doorway in his haven and be immediately transported to any room of his choice that is also in his haven. Anyone who follows him through the door will find themselves in the room the doorway naturally connects to.

***** The Cauldrons Rede

This power bestows a primitive awareness upon the magus’ haven. While her haven is under this sending, the thaumaturge may ask any of the items in her haven about specific events taking place therein. A bedroom mirror may whisper of guests conspiring in the foyer, a divan may disclose bed chamber indiscretions, and the lowliest kitchen rug may reveal high treachery taking place in a salon. Anything occurring within the haven (or within eyeshot of the outside, as the windows can “see” as well) can be relayed to an inquisitive magus by the common items inside.

System: This power lasts until the sunrise after the vampire invokes it. The vampire must verbally ask questions of her haven’s accouterments, should she desire information from them. Only in case of extreme danger, such as a pending attack or a haven set ablaze will the voices of the haven call out to the Kindred.

Path: The Vine of Dionysus

Years before the rise of the mighty Roman Empire, pagan sects dedicated to the Greek god Dionysus thrived. Small cults of vampires worshipped the lord of rebirth as a release from the burdens of undeath. Symbolized in oinos, or wine, and orgy, the cults of Dionysus spread their intoxicating practices throughout Eastern Europe. In practice, members of the cult of Dionysus would gather at night and debauch themselves with oinos, orgies and other euphoric activities. When the ecstasy rose to fever-pitch, the rites might culminate in castration or even cannibalism.

Any practitioner of the Vine of Dionysus often refers to himself/herself as a thyrsus (females are occasionally called “Maenads” preferably from a safe distance). These Warlocks sometimes wear jewelry or other accouterments with ivy and/or pinecone motifs as symbols of their dedication.

* Methyskein

By making physical contact with a subject, the thyrsus causes him to act as if he were drunk. While intoxicated, the subject falls into a slight euphoric episode, including slurred speech and clouded judgement.

System: A victim suffers a one-die penalty to all Dexterity and Intelligence dice pools for one scene per success the thaumaturge scores. However, a victim may make a Stamina roll (difficulty 6) to subtract successes scored by the Warlock. Failure on the part of the thyrsus will not alert her victim to this attempt at intoxication, though a slight “buzz” may momentarily cause a target to become disoriented.

Note: A mortal, if affected with methyskein for three consecutive nights, lose the ability to willingly resist this euphoria. Only with the expenditure of a Willpower point can he initiate a Stamina roll (difficulty 6). Kindred react differently should they be exposed to this influence for an equal amount of time. For every three consecutive nights of intoxication under Methyskein, a Kindred’s difficulty to resist on a Stamina roll (difficulty 6) raises by one, to a maximum of 9.

** Omophagy

According to myth, Dionysus had the ability to incite animal urges within anyone he pleased. The thyrsus invoking Omophagy creates a ravenous hunger in a target, overwhelming all sense of reason and reality. To the victim, the only thing that matters is devouring raw flesh and hot blood, and he is not choosy about his potential targets.

System: Once the thaumaturge makes eye contact with a subject, and successfully invokes this power, a target gains the derangement Gluttony (page 162 in the Guide to the Sabbat). Whenever consuming food, the subject will gorge himself until physically unable to eat more. Kindred affected by Omophagy not only drain a vessel completely of blood, but may also attempt to devour the victim’s body. Vampires will also frenzy when confronted with the sight, smell or taste of blood when hungry (blood pool of three or less). This effect lasts for the remainder of the night. A victim may resist this effect by spending a point of Willpower to ignore Omophagy for a scene. Note that this power does not impart vampires with the ability to digest food – any flesh or food they eat will be immediately vomited forth unless other circumstances prevail.

*** Hamartia

Far less subtle than Methyskein, Hamartia grants the thyrsus the power to cause an extremely dangerous euphoric episode within a target, to the point of delirium, perversity and possibly torpid stupor. Cultists of Dionysus claim to gain superhuman vigor while in a similar state of intoxication on oinos.

System: For each success on the activation roll, a subject remains under the effects of Hamartia for a scene. Victims affected lower all dice pools by two, though they gain two dice to Strength-related pools. Targets can resist this effect by scoring more successes on a Stamina roll (difficulty 7). The Storyteller should decide how a character reacts to this type of intoxication, as a character’s Nature may dictate actions. Some might stand very still and glassy-eyed, while others might choose to engage in conjugal relations with the people around them (gender notwithstanding). This power lasts for one scene.

**** Enthousiasmos

A thyrsus may exude a pheromone into the air all about her person. Those affected fall into a druglike stupor as the empathogenic toxin induces visions of all sorts of ephemeral creatures: fauns chasing nymphs, angels in flight, sprites dancing in the comers of one’s eyes, and the like. The pheromone induces a happiness within the affected targets, who are likely to dance around in glee to fictitious music with make-believe creatures.

System: A thaumaturge successfully invoking this affects any target within a 10-foot radius of herself. Victims suffer a two-dice penalty to all Dexterity and Intelligence dice pools for one scene. Furthermore, victims under the effects of Enthousiasm6s are passive, content to while away their time in the euphoric haze. Anyone wishing to take any action must spend a point of Willpower to shrug off its effects for a turn.

***** Oinosaimatos

Many thaumaturges suspect that this power is not the original apex of this path, but rather a variation suited to a Dionysian cult headed by a vampire passing himself off as an incarnation of the god. When the thyrsus invokes this power, her blood takes on the properties of potent oinos. Whether this was intended as a deterrent to diablerists or to drive feeding ghouls into euphoric ecstasy is unknown.

System: For the duration of one scene, anyone drinking even the tiniest drop of the thyrsus’ blood is affected as per Enthousiasmos. The thaumaturge’s player need only spend a point of blood and make a Willpower roll when the character first invokes this power thereafter, anyone who drinks the blood suffers the effects without any further expenditure on the part of the vampire.

The Path of Weather Control

Command over the weather has long been a staple power of wizards both mortal and immortal, and this path is said by many to predate the Tremere by millennia. The proliferation of usage of this path outside the clan tends to confirm this theory; Weather Control is quite common outside the Tremere, and even outside the Camarilla. Lower levels of this path allow subtle manipulations, while higher stages of mastery allow a vampire to call up raging storms. The area affected by this power is usually rather small, no more than three or four miles in diameter, and the changes the power wreaks are not always immediate.

System: The number of successes rolled indicates how long it takes the weather magic to take effect. One success indicates an entire day may pass before the weather changes to the thaumaturge’s liking, while a roll with five successes brings an almost instant effect.

The difficulty, of the Willpower roll necessary to invoke this power may change depending on the current local weather conditions and the weather the character is attempting to create. The Storyteller should impose a bonus (-1 or -2 difficulty) for relatively minor shifts, such as clearing away a light drizzle or calling lightning when a severe thunderstorm is already raging. Conversely, a penalty (+1 or +2 difficulty) should be applied when the desired change is at odds with the current conditions, such as summoning the same light drizzle in the middle of the Sahara Desert or calling down lightning from a cloudless sky.

If the character tries to strike a specific target with lightning, the player must roll Perception + Occult (difficulty 6 if the target is standing in open terrain, 8 if he is under shelter, or 10 if he is inside but near a window) in addition to the base roll to use Thaumaturgy. Otherwise the bolt goes astray, with the relative degree of failure of the roll determining where exactly the lightning strikes.

Effects of the power default to the maximum area available unless the thaumaturge states that he’s attempting to affect a smaller area. At Storyteller discretion, an additional Willpower roll (difficulty 6) may be required to keep the change in the weather under control.

Individual power descriptions are not provided for this path, as the general principle is fairly consistent. Instead, the strongest weather phenomenon possible at each level is listed.

* Fog: Vision is slightly impaired and sounds are muffled; a + 1 difficulty is imposed on all Perception rolls that involve sight and hearing, and the effective ranges of all ranged attacks are halved.

Light breeze: A +1 difficulty is imposed on all Perception rolls that involve smell.

Minor temperature change: It is possible to raise or lower the local temperature by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

** Rain or Snow: Precipitation has the same effect as fog, but Perception rolls are impaired to a much greater extent; the difficulty modifier for all such rolls rises to +2. In addition, the difficulty on all Drive rolls increases by two.

*** High Winds: The wind speed rises to around 30 miles per hour, with gusts of up to twice that. Ranged attacks are much more difficult: +1 to firearm attacks, +2 to thrown weapons and archery. In addition, during fierce gusts, Dexterity rolls (difficulty 6) may be required to keep characters from being knocked over by the winds. Needless to say, when gale-force winds are in effect, papers go flying, objects get picked up by the winds and hurled with abandon, and other suitably cinematic effects are likely.

Moderate temperature change: The local temperature can be raised or lowered by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

**** Storm: This has the effects of both Rain and High Winds.

*****Lightning Strike: This attack inflicts 10 dice of lethal damage. Body armor does not add to the target’s dice pool to soak this attack.