By Galliard (galliard@bellatlantic.net) for the Merrow
Nautika and Protean
If your Nautika rank is 3 or more and you learn the Protean power "Shadow of the Beast", you may chose to take the shape of a shark in place of a wolf and/or a barracuda in place of a bat. These forms permanently replace the traditional ones.
Shark: Str+3, Sta+3, all Social at 0, bite does Str+2 damage
Barracuda: Str -1, Sta+1, Dex +3, all Social at 0, bite does 1 die of damage.
* Ocean's Embrace
Swim at your normal running speed and to see, hear and speak underwater unaided. Your sight does rely on at least some light and is susceptible to extremely murky or dirty water, but not to the extent of a mortal. Normal swimming speed for most people is 1/3 their normal movement. You may ignore damage done by water pressure to a depth of 1/2 mile per rank.
** Salmon's Leap
You can leap out of the water 10'/success rolled on a Str + Athletics roll. The difficulty is 8 if you are still in the water, 6 if you get a "running start" of at least 20', and 5 if you get a running start of at least 40'. This power is good for jumping up onto boats, bridges, or just on a mortal walking along the shore.
*** Naiad's Vision
You can sense objects in the water around you, regardless of visibility. Roll Per + Nautika, difficulty of 6 for a radius of 1/2 mile. To extend the radius, spend 1 blood point for each additional 1/2 mile. You need 1 success to detect an item the size of a fishing boat or larger, 2 for large fish or small boats, 3 for humans, 4 for smaller fish or items, and 5 for trace items such as blood or oil or really small items, like gold coins. You many only try once per night in any given area.
**** Swift Current
Allows you to move through the water at up to 20 mph + 10/Dex. For each additional hour after the first, you must spend a blood point. You produce almost no turbulence in the water when you use this power.
***** Undertow
Creates a wave that swamps over targets on the surface and drags them down beneath the water. Items of up to 10' + 10'/suc on a Willpower (difficulty 6) roll can be swamped. Buoyant items remain submerged for the duration of the scene. This power costs 1 Willpower point to use. Live targets can resist using their Str + Athletics, against a difficulty equal to 3 + the Merrow's Willpower.