Beguile

By Kirstin Hargie and Jayke Rhyen

Introduction

Let me tell you a story. It shouldn't take too long. It's about what you feel, and the things you're going to do for me. Now, now, don't get up! I'm not giving you a choice in this matter! I was just being polite. I'm going to tell your story now, and it starts like this...

This Arcanos governs the realm of social manipulation -- of altering the social reactions and interactions of the wraith and others. Beguile is not an outright form of manipulation. It is hidden and veiled within layers of etiquette and performances.

Storyteller's Note : To perform these arts on mortals the wraith must use Embody 2, or Puppetry 3. If a player botches on any Beguile power the subject cannot be affected by the powers of Beguile for an amount of time determined by her willpower (see chart below).

Botch Table

Willpower	Duration
1 or 2	1 hour
3 or 4	12 hours
5 or 6	1 Day
7 or 8	3 Days
9 or 10	One Week

Bards -- Beguile

The bards once were, and still are the storytellers of the Underworld. They were, like all entertainer guilds, never truly sanctioned by the hierarchy. Though they did not hold any power within the hierarchy they were still respected and feared. Bards are known for their ageless eyes that seem to burn with cold fire, and their always witty expressions.

Basic Abilities

Numb the Heart: This art allows the wraith to conceal the use of Beguile from others.

System: The player must roll Manipulation + Beguile (Diff. 6). This art can be countered by Eyes of Grandeur.

Eyes of Grandeur: This art allows the wraith to sense the use of Beguile by others.

System: The player rolls Perception + Beguile (Diff. 6).

Heart of my Heart: This art allows a wraith to gain insight into the passions that drive another wraith.

System: The player rolls Perception + Beguile (Diff. of subjects Wits + Subterfuge). The number of successes indicates how much about a subjects passions can be learned.

* Enthrall

This art allows a wraith to charm a subject. The wraith must carefully phrase the command which the subject must obey unless it is against her nature.

System: The player rolls Appearance + Beguile (Diff. of subject's Willpower). Note: This power cannot be used on a subject for 24 hours hours or two slumbers after the command has been completed. The cost to employ Enthrall is one pathos.

Duration Table

Successes	Duration
1	One Hour
2	One Day
3	One Week
4	One Month
5+	One Year

** Inspire

This art allows a wraith to speak an idea or plan to someone and convince him it was his own idea. The subject will be consumed with the need to fulfill this idea or plan.

System: The player rolls Charisma + Beguile (Diff. of the subjects Willpower). The number of successes indicates the difficulty required to resist the need to fulfill the idea. This "desire" lasts for two turns. The cost is one pathos + 1P/turn to increase duration.

Success Table

# of Successes	Difficulty
1	5
2	6
3	7
4	8
5	9

** Harmonize

This art allows a wraith to twist her words into whatever the target wants to hear.

System: The player rolls Wits + Beguile (Diff. of target's Wits + Alertness). This power only requires one success. This art costs one pathos.

*** Unholy Grace

Unholy Grace allows a wraith to talk her way out of any minor situation by sheer grace.

System: The player rolls Manipulation + Beguile (Diff. 7). Each success indicates one "1" that can be ignored on a Wits, Manipulation, or Charisma roll. Unholy Grace requires two pathos.

*** Heart Strings

Heart Strings allows a wraith to create or alter the emotional state of a subject.

System: The player rolls Charisma + Beguile (Diff. of subjects willpower). If successful the character can 1) amplify a passion temporarily, positively or negatively or 2) Drain a passion temporarily. The number of successes indicates how long the passion will take to return, or how long it will remain. The source of a passion must be created with Inspire. Note: This art requires the use of Inspire. Cost is one pathos or one pathos + one angst if a passion is amplified in a negative direction.

Success Table

# of Successes	Duration
1	One Hour
2	Two Hours
3	One Day
4	Two Days
5	One Week

**** Articulate

Articulate allows a wraith to manipulate her words so that anything she speaks will be considered the 'ultimate' truth. She can use this art to prove or disprove almost anything.

System: The player rolls Charisma + Beguile (Diff. of the targets Wits + Enigmas). The player must have three successes for this power to take effect. If the player is speaking to a group he must make this roll against all members of the group. Cost is one pathos per subject affected.

***** Geas

Geas allows a wraith to cause others to do his bidding. The Geas cannot work against the targets nature. Complex acts can be commanded using this art, and the target/s must fulfill them.

System: The player rolls Manipulation + Beguile (Diff. of the subjects Willpower). If the player is attempting to Geas a group then the Willpower equals the highest willpower in the group. Each success indicates one sentance that can be given to describe the geas. Cost is one pathos + one for each target.

***** Narrate

Narrate allows a wraith to create interactive stories which others must act in, or in which they believed they have acted.

System: The player rolls Manipulation + Beguile (Diff. of the targets Willpower). The player must have three successes in order for Narrate to take affect. Difficulty to affect a group is the highest willpower in the group. Note: If this power is used on a willing target the Diff. is automatically 6 and only two successes are needed. Cost is one pathos for each target or two for a willing group.