Crescent Moon

By Ed Hackett (maguslord@hotmail.com)

Arete

5

Cost

7

Description

This talisman has many variants. The Crescent Moon appears as a tattoo, a silver marking on the palm, that phases with the moon. During part of the month it will appear as a full silver disc, while at other times it will only appear as the first quarter. The effects of the talisman depends on the current quarter of the moon.

Luna once gave the ability for some mortals to serve in Gaia's aid. Normal sleepers have been known to have been born with the mark of the Crescent Moon. However, such a thing today is rare. Those mortals who are born with the tattoo automatically receive the Destiny background at 5. This does not apply to mages.

Mortals who are born with this talisman are not Awakened. They use the talisman's Arete to roll for magick. Paradox results in the tattoo heating with an intense pain.

(Spirit 2)

This effect is automatic. Any bearer of the tattoo will not be harmed by Garou, or other spirits/beings who serve Gaia. The bearer of the Crescent Moon is marked as a servant of Gaia as well. Those who wear the mark more than likely will be in the company of those who already serve Gaia.

(Spirit 1, Prime 2, Forces 3)

The second automatic benefit of this talisman is that it gives the bearer the power to harm those who are evil, not neccessarily only those who serve the Wyrm. The power grants the ability to sense evil beings and harm them by pure belief. Harming them might manifest as a lightning bolt, fireball but more often it is a psychic shock that sends the evil entity hurling through the air.

Effects by the Quarter

First Quarter: Healing Touch (Life 3)

This effect acts like a normal Life 3 rote. It allows the bearer to heal others.

Half Moon: Better Body (Life 3)

Each success allows the player to increase any physical attributes and the Appearance trait as well. If the effect raises the character's attribute ratings above 5 consider it vulgar. If the Appearance trait is raised two greater than its normal rating consider that effect is vulgar as well. It cannot be used to alter the physical being in any other way. For example, growing claws, growing gill slits etc.

Third Quarter: Stepping Sideways (Spirit 3)

During this phase, the mage may cross over the Gauntlet to the Penumbra. He may also see past the Gauntlet to the spirit world.

Full Moon: Luminous Light (Forces 3, Prime 2, Spirit 2)

This power manifests a shield around the character and sends pulsing streams of light striking anything that would threaten the spirit of Gaia, and the bearer of the tattoo as well. Highly vulgar!