EPHERA

By Dave and Kim Seward (sewaka67@telenet.net)

Introduction

There are some wraiths who exist only at a certain time. They slumber in their fetters until that time comes. When that time comes they awaken, and begin to reinact their deaths. These wraiths are known as Ephera. These wraiths are extremely rare and not known to have any sentience. Some are encountered in the Tempest but most in the Shadowlands.

Slumber

When these wraiths slumber there is no waking them although their presence can be felt. Most common fetters are the rooms or areas that they died in. These places feel cold, and as the time approaches the fetter gets colder.

The Time

No one knows what will trigger an Ehera into the repeat. Sometimes it is the time of day. Other times it could be a word or specific day. It is different for each, although the trigger never changes.

System: When a trigger is selected it is set. Nothing will change it, and nothing but the trigger will induce an Ephera.

The Death Scene

Some Ephera's are stronger than others. Some appear translucent and whispy, while others are full on reinactments to the detail (smell,sounds) There is a danger in being around to observe a death scene. Some say a wraith could be pulled into the reinactment and see it from the Ephera's point of view. Others say a wraith could be trapped there forever.

System: When an Ephera's death scene is observed, a wraith will feel a pull towards it. To resist the pull, roll permanent Willpower vs. a base difficulty 6 plus a modifier based on the Ephera's rating. Consult the following table:

Rating	Modifier
1-2	+1
3-4	+2
5	+3

If a wraith fails this roll it is pulled in and effectively becomes the ephera, experiencing everything the ephera did. The higher the rating the more strongly it is felt. The wraith will not be able to escape until the death scene plays out, which usually only takes a few minutes. If the wraith botches the roll then it is trapped in the Ephera forever.

Death Scene rating

1:	The death scene will appear translucent and will be silent. You will see the ephera die, but not what killed it. Example: If an ephera died of gunshot wounds you will see it grab its chest but not see the killer.
2:	It becomes more defined. No sounds or odor yet, but what killed it will be seen vaguely. Touch will be a little off. Example: The killer will be seen, but features will be vague. Bullets feel like wind.
3:	Still a little vague. More details are seen. Sounds will be whispers, and odors faint. Touch is slightly better. Example: Killer's eyes are seen, gunshots heard, gunsmoke detected, bullets feel like light touches.
4:	The scene can be viewed well. Sounds and odors are stronger. Example: killer's face is seen, gunshots louder, any smells can be detected. Bullets feel like a hard poke. (Like a bb gun or paintball gun)
5:	Fully rendered scene. You are there as it happens. Example:Killer is seen in detail, gunshots heard, smells detected, and bullets feel like bullets.