Alternatives to Obeah

By Landon W Schurtz (Wylodmeyer@msn.com)

Introduction

Let me start by saying that I like Obeah and the Salubri. This article is merely the result of having too much time on my hands.

There is a story which most Kindred consider apocryphal that, at some point in the past -- exactly when varies wildly depending upon the source -- a Kindred named Lossian, who was not a Salubri but was a great admirer of the children of Saulot, traveled into the Mystic East to seek the source of the ancient wisdom which led to the development of Obeah. It is said that Lossian found a temple, high in the mountains, whose monks were of the same order which originally instructed Saulot, and enlightened him as to the arts of healing. While studying with them, Lossian learned that Saulot sought not to learn how to heal per se but rather was in pursuit of inner peace. The monks taught that the healing arts were but one of the myriad paths which could lead to Perfect Harmony and Enlightenment. It is said that Lossian learned of other Paths of Contemplation while studying at the temple, and that this knowledge has filtered back to the West over the years.

To be sure, the story is vague and lacking in many important details. However, if this Lossian, or someone like him, really existed, and if the story of how Saulot learned Obeah is true, then it is possible that Obeah is not so much a single Discipline as merely a representative of a related group of mystical practices. Exactly how these would relate to Thaumaturgy is unclear, but the legend does seem to indicate that if there are other "Paths of Contemplation," then, unlike Thaumaturgy, it would be more difficult than with traditional Thaumaturgy to learn more than one Path.

(If the Storyteller does use the alternate Paths of Contemplation, it is important to note that the Third Eye manifests at Rank Three with each one.)

I will only include one alternate Path of Contemplation here. Others are left to the devices of other White Wolf fans.

Epiphany (or, The Path of Mystic Revelation)

By contemplating deeper truths and esoteric puzzles, the practitioner gains insight which can lead to profound inner peace. Note that the actual powers of the Path listed below are considered secondary effects of following the Path of Mystic Revelation; spiritual harmony in considered the primary goal, and any special insights gained along the way are incidental.

* Consequence

This level not only acts as the Danger Sense aspect of Auspex Level One, but also helps the Kindred recognize the importance of his place in the Great Cycle. The kindred will automatically understand whenever he encounters a person, place, or thing which is somehow significant to his existence and/or current goals. Note that he will not be "informed" of the nature of this significance. For example, a Salubri with Epiphany is part of a coterie which is trying to find a mad Anarch who has been diablerizing other Kindred willy-nilly and generally making a nuisance of himself. The Salubri's power of Consequence could be triggered by a club the Anarch frequents, by the Anarch himself, by his next intended victim, or even by a normal human who is investigating the unusual goings-on in the area.

** Resonance

The Kindred begins to sense the "imprint" created by the Awakened (Garou, Kindred, Mages, etc). Any time the Kindred makes contact with any sort of mystical object or Awakened being (of any sort, including mere mortals with the Awakened Merit), the Storyteller should make a secret roll of Perception+Meditation, difficulty 7. With at least one success, the Kindred will know that he has made contact with something out of the ordinary. Three or more successes will relate the general nature of the special item in question (a Shapechanger, a Mage, an Undead, a Spirit Object, a Talisman, etc).

*** Epiphany

Use of this power requires the manifestation of the Third Eye. In fact, the Kindred must close his mundane eyes, relying now only upon the sight granted him by his Third Eye. It's not as bad as it sounds; the eye sees everything that a person could normally see (minus depth perception, so this isn't ideal for combat), and then some. The eye can see through any effect that would fool normal vision in any way (Chimerstry, Blur of the Milky Eye, the mortal Seeming of a Changeling, etc). In order to fool the Kindred employing this power, one must make a roll of Manipulation+Stealth (I only picked that because every WoD character has those two on its character sheet), difficulty 7, and score more successes than his rank in Epiphany. Even if the power of Epiphany is overcome, the effects only last for one Scene, and if the same person hopes to fool the Kindred employing this power in the future, he must roll again.

**** Soulsight

This is a relatively straightforward power, but it may irk some players. Too bad. The Kindred learns to peer into the soul of another, and see his True Self. This, too, requires open manifestation of the Third Eye, as well as a Perception+Empathy roll, difficulty 9. Two successes are required, and if the power works, the Kindred learns one of the following (his choice): the target's Nature, Current and Permanent Willpower, any Derangements, or Humanity. Failing the roll costs one Willpower. There is no additional penalty for Botching.

***** Esoteric Vision

This power requires open manifestation of the Third Eye, as well as several hours of meditation. To employ Esoteric Vision, the Kindred must meditate for a base of six hours, minus his successes on a Perception+Meditation roll, difficulty 8, minimum of one hour. Failure indicates six wasted hours. Successful meditation means that, after the prescribed time, the Kindred begins to sense the special interconnectedness of all things in the universe. Generally, this power is used by practitioners of the Path to attempt to gain greater insight and enlightenment, but in practical terms, it can be used to repeat any single Perception or Intelligence based roll the Kindred has made in the past day, although the insights may be extended even farther back with expenditure of one Willpower per day (i.e. spending four Willpower would allow the re-roll of any single Perception of Intelligence roll made in the past five game days).