Path of the Night Wing (Via Pennae Noir)

By Gregory Rowbotham (gard@ats.com.au)

Description

The power of flight has always intrigued mankind. It seemed so unfair that we were stuck to the earth to struggle in the mud whilst the birds could fly easily overhead. This thaumaturgical path has been created so that the thaumaturgist is able to fly as easily as a bird, to soar above the petty problems of the land bound kindred and kine.

* Leap of the Dancer (Saltus Saltator)

At this early stage the thaumaturgist is only vaguely able to control the forces of flight. She is able to hurl herself into the air in one giant leap.

System: Roll Strength + Occult (Dif 6). The character travels 10 feet per success. One Blood point is required for each jump.

** Cat's Landing (Egressus Felis)

Now the thaumaturgist is able to use the flight forces with more finesse. If the thaumaturgist falls then she is able to slow her descent to the point that no damage will be incurred.

System: Roll Wits + Occult (Dif 6). For each success gained subtract one die from the falling damage pool. One blood point is needed to activate power. The Bbse difficulty will rise one or two if the thaumaturgist is somehow confused, (e.g. spinning out of control, blindfolded drugged etc).

*** Hummingbird's Flight (Avis Fremetus Lapsus)

Finally the Thaumaturgist is able to counteract the laws of gravity with her control of the flight forces. She is able to levitate vertically and hover in place like a hummingbird.

System: Roll Wits + Occult (Dif 7). With one simple success, and one blood point the thaumaturgist is able to ascend or descend in the vertical plane. She is even able to hover. The more successes the caster gets the faster she can travel. Each success means another metre per round you can travel. The power lasts until willed to stop.

**** Flight of the Eagle (Aquila Lapsus)

Now true flight is in the control of the caster. She is able to soar like an eagle with exact control of flight forces. The thaumaturgist is able to swoop and soar and with practice, perform aerial acrobatics.

System: Roll Wits + Occult (Dif 8). One success and a blood point is all that is required to begin flight. The flight lasts one hour per success; then the spell must be recast. A new skill, Flying will have to be learnt for greater control (Dex + Flying). The thaumaturgist flies at a speed of her Thaumaturgy rating * 10 km/hour.

***** Flight of the Flock (Pecus Lapsus)

The Thaumaturgist is now able to extend her ability to those around her. Just like a flock of birds, the caster can lift her friends and bequeath on them the ability to fly.

System: Roll Wits + Occult (Dif 8). The number of successes is the number of others who can now fly. A blood point must be spent for each tag along, be that spent by the caster or the recipient of the power. Each flier must be touching either the caster or another flier. As long as an unbroken chain extends back to the caster the number of fliers is merely limited to the blood points spent and successes gained. The caster is in full control where they fly and his flight speed is the speed they all travel. If the chain is broken then those no longer in contact with the caster will plummet to the ground. Only if the caster or those still touching him grab the falling people will they be able to fly again. Another blood point will have to be spent to regain the flight power. Multiple castings are allowed by the original caster (or others!) for huge number of fliers. The flight time is equal to the original casters flight time (see Level 4).