Heart's Shield

By Steven Markley (smarkley@ocean.otr.usm.edu)

Level Four Fetish

Gnosis

6

Description

The Heart's Shield is a fetish in the form of an ivory amulet, which is half an inch thick and is as big around as a child's palm. It sports an intricate depiction of a hideous goddess, done in a style similar to ancient Aztecs or Incans. The amulet is worn around the neck, normally under a shirt. The fetish was created by a Tremere Spirit Thaumaturgist who used it to counter Toreador and Ventrue Presence effects. He has since been slain, and the item has passed through the hands of several owners; the current owner is believed to be be an American Bubasti, who uses it to defend himself against Setite influence.

The heart's shield activates automatically when a Presence effect is used against the wearer, and reduces the vampire's successes by an amount equal to the successes on a Willpower roll, difficulty 6; Gnosis or Arete can be used instead of Willpower for lupines or mages. It may protect the wearer somewhat against elder levels of Presence (6+), or other emotion-altering powers, such as Gifts or Mind effects, at higher difficulty (8). This bonus is granted at the Storyteller's discretion. The only way to prevent the device from activating is to keep it from touching the user, which can be accomplished by putting it in a pocket or wearing it over a shirt.

This fetish was designed for use by vampires, and requires a Blood Point each time it is activated; non-vampires will take a Health Level of non-Aggravated damage when it is activated, drawing the required blood through the skin (and thus long-time users often sport permanent scars the size and shape of a quarter on their chests from repeated use.)

The amulet, which is crafted from ivory, will take on a reddish cast when first used, becoming a coral pink. Each consecutive use after that will turn it red, then deep crimson, then finally black. If it is used a fifth time in a 24-hour period, while it is black, it will break in half and can never be used again. However, the color will fade back to bone white after a full day has passed.