Fugue

By Scott Nimmo (s9403743@westgate.vut.edu.au)

Introduction

Sitting at the mouth of a fire hole in the forests just out of Melbourne is a tall silver-haired man, with pointed ears, curled horns like that of a ram and red/green robes. Sitting opposite is a golden haired boy, not yet reached puberty. Sprouting from his back, large leaf-like wings lay casually to each side.

The man holds a stick that he weaves through the damp dark earth in front of his crossed legs. "Boy, have I told you the story of the man who stole the voice off a Bean-Sidhe?" he inquired.

"Yes, Nathaniel, many a time."

"Ohh... very well but have I told you of the art of Fugue?"

"No, Nathaniel, will you tell me?"

Nathaniel sweeps the stick across the earth clearing it for another doodle. "...have you practiced your ogham?"

"Yes...", Padriac picks up a stick and draws the first, "beith..."

"Yes, very well, you go well towards your bronze branch, but the art..."

Before the Shattering the mortals had much to fear from us. One of their greatest fears was the loss of control, and we were the masters of beguilement. The Fae were forced to breed with mortals to protect us from the ever increasing tides of banality. But I won't go into that...

Anyway, our Glamour was diluted and we were forced to master Magicks that once were second nature. Fugue is one of these arts...

Attribute

Charisma

* Traveling Voice

The Siren is capable of manipulating sound so that it can heard from any location.

Realms:

Actor:	This describes the target.
Fae:	This describes the target.
Nature:	This decribes the target.
Prop:	This describes the target (good if some technology).
Scene:	Great for concerts...

** They're Everywhere, They're Everywhere

Creating sounds of a scary monster under a bed, or that of a peaceful babbling brook are just examples of what can be created with a Siren's voice. Simpler tasks may be to impersonate a voice or sound like a musical instrument.

Realms:

Actor:	Describes the location of the sounds, or voice of person being impersonated.
Fae:	Describes the location of the sounds, or the voice of the creature being impersonated.
Nature:	Describes the location of the sounds.
Prop:	Describes the location of the sounds, or the instrument.
Scene:	Describes the location(s) of the sounds.

Successes: The number of successes needed is dependant upon the difficulty of the sounds and the volume.

1	One simple sound, a short complex sound, a scream.
2	A voice or an instrument, the growl of a closet monster.
3	A voice with a strange accent, a few of the same instrument, the chilling wail of a Bean-Sidhe in the distance.
4	A few voices, hard to understand, a number of the same instrument but not not the same thing, a roar of a dragon right behind you.
5	A conversation, an orchestra, front row of a AC/DC concert.

*** Come Hither

The Siren's alluring voice can compel a person to do a simple task. This is often used as a summons, but can be used to get a person to pour a drink or get the paper. This limited to tasks with little thinking, require rapid action, and nothing hostile. The person affected looks like he is in a daze and can be easily brought back with a loud noise a slap in the face or any other strong stimulus.

Realms:

Actor:	Describes the target.
Fae:	Describes the target.
Nature:
Prop:	Unless it has a mind forget it.
Scene:	Must be added to effect more than one target.

Successes: The number of successes needed is dependant upon their attitude to you and the task.

1	The target would of done it anyway.
2	Doesn't mind and likes you.
3	Doesn't really care and is pretty neutral to you.
4	Why don't you do it yourself?
5	No way am I doing that!

**** Hypnotic Quality

The Siren is able to create frequencies that can have various effects. These tend to be simple emotions or effects of just the right frequency. Examples include putting creatures (be they fae, human, animal or chimera) into a trance (requires skill) or make them tired, happy, irritated, etc. These are very limited and may require certain abilities. They also have to be open to the feeling. You cannot make an angry troll into a slumbering child, but can make him less angry. You can put a child to sleep during a drive in the country but not when he is watching a Pinky and the Brain episode. Other effects can be getting glasses to hum or even with enough successes cancel out simple sounds (but not voice or music), like this irritating 486 in front of me.

Realms:

Actor:	Describes the opponent.
Fae:	Describes the opponent.
Nature:	Hey they do saying talking to plants is good for them...
Prop:	Describes the object targeted.
Scene:	Must be added to do an area-effect.

Successes: If used to make the target more receptive, lower social difficulties by one per success.

1	You can make an irritating screech or a sound that hurts the ears.
2	Your lullabies are very effective; you can slightly dull the sound of a constant noice (eg fan).
3	Your target's head seems to pulse, hynotic states can be reached after a minute. Glasses start to hum on their own.
4	People have to lift their hands to their ears in pain (Willpower diff:6). You can induce a person to move with the music. Some light brittle objects might tremble. You can dull the sound of the washing machine.
5	If people are really close you can stun them for a moment. Very fragile objects might break. Loud sounds such as living near an airport can be cancelled out.
6+	If it happens nausea can beinduced to vomiting, sending Children of Lilith into frenzy and knocking someone out is possible.

***** Bean-Sidhe's Wail

The sound that strikes the heart with fear and turns the hair white. This is the sound of despair, of fear, of angst. It's sheer volume can be enough to jelly the flesh and crack the bones.

Realms:

Actor:	Describes the target.
Fae:	Describes the target.
Nature:	Describes the target.
Prop:	Describes the target.
Scene:	Must be used to affect a region.

Successes: This wail can damage more than just creatures, it's volume and pitch can be enough to smash many an object. The damage for this is equal to number of successes times two. This can be soaked.

1	Able to break any glass in the area, people are deafened
2	Many things brittle start shattering; the scream seems to create a wind.
3	Brings whole rooms to ruin shatters all glass and light ceramics; the gust of wind can make you step back. People affected feel dizzy, nauseous and continue trembling after the incident.
4	Can now affect other materials less brittle; thin metal can start bending; wood cracks. People will be thrown across rooms, can pass out, a few grey hairs are gained, will not sleep well for days. Will have a constant trembling for a while.
5	Like being in a hurricane. Building damage is possible; trees flattened and cars overturned. People are thrown, will pass out if fail Willpower check (diff:8); hair will go white. Even if they don't pass out they will suffer nightmares for a few days.

Epilogue

Nathaniel finishes the theory with a demonstration, a high pitched call barely heard. Almost a minute of a flawless appeal without the slightest change in pitch is rewarded by a number of finches flying to his outstretched hand.

"But, remember boy a true Art is not measured by its power but its scarcity. The beauty of the Arts is related to their usage; at first it is magic, but abused it is a power soon regulated to a mere talent. It is precious thing. Maybe in time you be worthy to know it?"