The Cult of Bastet and Bastet's Gifts

By Gary Astleford (ocelot@connectnet.com)

The Cult Of Bastet

Bast (or Bastet), the Egyptian goddess of the home, pleasure, and of course, cats, was one of the most popular deities of Ancient Egypt. Over the years, her worship has diminished but for a few solitary cults sprinkled throughout the Middle East. Of those who worshipped her, none were more devoted than a small group of Egyptian men and women who kept their temple in a canyon, a day's travel west of Cairo. This sect was very small, with only nine or ten members. It is believed to have been wiped out in 1314 by a group of thieves sponsored by an anonymous Setite, for it is well known that Bast and Set are dire enemies. The priests and guards of the temple were taught special magics by their goddess, which they called "Bastet's Gifts." These powers are, specifically, a Thaumaturgical path that the mortal priests, in their devotion to their goddess, learned. However, because of it's Thaumaturgic nature, it is possible for Cainites (as well as others) to develop proficiency with it, if the proper scrolls are found and the instructions followed. Such scrolls would be exceedingly rare, as would be practitioners of the art who might be willing to teach it.

Thaumaturgy Path: Bastet's Gifts

* Feline Grace

This level of Bastet's Gifts endows the thaumaturgist with uncanny grace and a supernatural ability to avoid being hit. Practitioners can use this level to land on their feet from a fall of no more than twenty feet.

System: For each success rolled the user gets an automatic success on any Athletics or Dodge skill rolls he attempts for the remainder of the scene, and this power can only be used once per scene. Subsequently, he is also endowed with the ability to land on his feet from falls of up to twenty feet.

** Cat Feet

Cat Feet endows the user to move as if his feet were padded like a cat's, which is to say, almost silently.

System: For each success rolled, reduce the difficulty of all Stealth rolls the user makes by one for an entire scene. In order for this to work, the user must also be barefoot.

*** Senses of the Cat

Successful use of this level endows the user with the senses of a cat. He can hear into the ultrasonic range, is granted night vision (up to 50'), and can track or identify foes by their smell.

System: For each success rolled, add one die to any Alertness-related skill roll (except for initiative) for one full scene.

**** Claws of Bastet

The user grows retractable claws on his hands or feet (caster's choice). The claws are sharp and hooked, like a cat's. When retracted, they are nearly undetectable (Perception+Alertness difficulty 9 to notice them).

System: The number of successes determines the duration of the spell.

Successes	Duration
1	5 Minutes
2	15 Minutes
3	30 Minutes
4	45 Minutes
5	1 Hour

Claws inflict STR damage, and the damage inflicted is considered aggravated.

***** Form of the Cat

This power allows the user to shapeshift into a large-sized domestic cat. Fur color and length, and breed are chosen by the caster. The caster's clothing and items are left behind unless "dedicated" to the user somehow.

System: Each success rolled determines how long the transformation will last.

Successes	Duration
1	5 Minutes
2	15 Minutes
3	30 Minutes
4	45 Minutes
5	1 Hour

The character's mental attributes remain the same while in feline form. Social attributes are all reduced to 1. Physical attributes are as follows -- Strength: 1, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 2. Cat's claws will do one die of non-aggravated damage. No disciplines except for "Bastet's Gifts" may be used while in cat form.