Spell Against the Curious

Original idea and pre-development: Kivak

Development and Translation: Michael Gachek (hejniak@usctoux1.cto.us.edu.pl)

Level Four Ritual

Description

This unusual ritual is often used by vampires who like having secrecy during their meetings. It can also teach mortals to avoid places where they don't belong. The place enchanted with this spell by the thaumaturgist (usually it is a single building) becomes unfriendly to undesirable visitors. Floors creak in very strange ways, sharp nails and splinters are in all wrong places. Its easy to break a limb, or slip on the stairs, and the whole atmosphere is full of "something" that causes claustrophobia in he unfortunate mortals that are in wrong house in wrong time. It doesn't work as well against supernaturals; see below.

System: For the ritual to be complete, it is necessary to catch a living spider and feed it with vampiric blood. After feeding and hourly ritual, the spellcaster must carry the spider to the place to be enchanted. The magic spider immediately begin to weave webs, and it remains in place to its end. The ritual lasts as long as the spider or his webs are present (it may mean years in old, abandoned buildings) -- so good house cleaning is the best way to remove the spell. However, cleaners who dare to enter the place under the ritual's effect are very rare! When the spell is working, every mortal who wants to enter the enchanted place must succesfully test his Courage (difficulty 7). The Courage test is also required for every few minutes inside! Failing any of the tests result in a severe claustrophobic attack. The Spell Against the Curious doesn't affect supernaturals to this extent, but every Virtue roll performed in the enchanted place is at +1 Difficulty.