Path of the Archangels

By Joseph Carriker (oakthorne@hotmail.com)

Description

Developed by the Christian Qabbalist and Theurgist Prince Flaminio Rey del Angel of San Antonio, the Path of the Archangels allows the Theurgist to mimic the powers and attributes commonly attributed to the four Archangels and finally Divine Retribution itself. These powers do not really invoke True Faith, but at higher levels, the spiritual purity of the wielder (read: Humanity) will have some bearing on the success of the Path. In my campaign, I require the Theurgist to have a rating in the secondary Knowledge of Theology at least equal to the rating in this Path. Only those with Humanity may wield this Path, but at the ST's option, those on human-like Paths or Roads (such as the Roads of Heaven or Chivalry, or the Path of Harmony) might learn these powers.

Hand of Uriel

With but a touch, the Theurgist can instill a morbid fear of dying in his target. This power causes the target to suffer penalties against Rotschreck, but does not cause Rotschreck itself. System: The target is touched and a Blood Point is spent. The victim is now at a +3 difficulty to his next Courage roll.

** Armour of Michael

The Theurgist who invokes the Armour of Michael is enveloped in a silvery, flickering aura of fire. This does no damage -- indeed, it allows the Theurgist protection against damage.

System: Roll Willpower (diff 8) and spend 1 BP. Each success lowers the difficulty to soak damage by one. With each soak roll, this protection wanes by 1 pt until dissipated or the scene has ended. Thus, if four successes are gained, the first soak roll is at -4 difficulty, then the next soak is at -3, etc, until all bonuses are used or the scene ends.

*** Gabriel's Remorse

The Theurge is able to send feelings of guilt and remorse through a target. The more human the target is, the more susceptible he is.

System: Roll Manipulation + Empathy (diff 11-Humanity of target). To take an action while wracked with guilt, the target must roll Conscience (dif of 3+ successes rolled).

**** Glory of Raphael

The Theurgist is able to glow with the glory of the sun, wounding vampires and often causing Rotschreck. Unlike the earlier abilities, the Theurgist's own purity does determine the success of this power. System: Spend 1 Willpower Point and roll Humanity (diff 6). Each success causes 1 Health Level of non-Aggravated damage; this is not true sunlight, after all. All vampires in the area (roughly a 10' radius per point of Humanity) must also roll Courage (diff 6) or enter Rotschreck.

***** Castigatio Caelestis

Somehow, the Theurgist is able to tap into his own Humanity and cause the target of this power to suffer grevious, wracking wounds. These wounds manifest as physical embodiments of the target's sins. Thus, a spousal abuser might spontaneously develop broken bones and bruises, a murderous pyromaniac might burst into flame and the slasher serial killer might develop gashes and cuts. However, the wielder of Castigatio Caelestis must be sure of his own purity, for this power may backfire, wounding the prideful Theurgist and inflicting damage in the form of the Stigmata upon him.

System: The Theurgist and the target's Humanity ratings are compared. The one with the lowest Humanity takes the difference in the ratings as Aggravated damage. This power works well against inhuman vampires; any vampire with a Path of Enlightenment is considered Humanity 0 (exceptions are as noted above). These wounds may be soaked with Fortitude only, difficulty 7.