By Christopher Bova
Totem of Corruption
Background Cost: 7
The corpseworm slithers in the darkness, violating the sanctity of the bodies of the dead and returning all creatures to base earth. This bane manifests as a human-like form composed of millions of writhing maggots. Bastards of the Corpseworm gain two extra dice to their survival rolls, and by expending one Gnosis point, they can activate the "blackfire touch", a brackish aura that surrounds the Black Spiral and causes all organic matter within a few inches of his body to rapidly turn putrid and rot to tatters within seconds. Fetishes, Talens and other objects of magic are excepted. The aura lasts for one minute per success on a Strength + Primal Urge roll against difficulty 6, and cannot be deactivated before the time limit is up.
Bastards of the Corpseworm must subsist on a diet of rotten meat, spoiled wine, and other tainted or unwholesome food and drink, which the Corpseworm gives them the ability to digest without harm.