By Silja Muller (smuller@tcd.ie)
This Thaumaturgy Path was invented by a character of mine, who was a Tremere, but also a Groundskeeper (Gehnna cult from Elysium Sourcebook). It is designed to be used against old vampires. Some rolls should be made hidden, by the ST. Some might prefer to use the Path as rituals of the same levels, to be done at sunset.
* Puppet Show: Allows you to see if someone has been manipulated by a supernatural discipline.
System: Roll Perception & Empathy against a difficulty of 5-8, depending on how strong the manipulation is (St's choice). On three or more successes, find out what power has been used (only if the character is familiar with that power, of course).
** Puppet Master: Find out where a vampiric manipulation (disciplines/attributes) is coming from, and how strong it is.
System: Roll Perception & Empathy against a difficulty of 6.
1 success: Find approx. direction (N/E/S/W)
2 successes: Find how far away the manipulation is, to 100 meter.
3 successes: Find how far away the manipulation is, to 50 meter.
4 successes: As above, plus clearer directions (SSW, ENE) and what discipline/attribute has been used.
5 successes: Find out location of manipulation, plus above.
*** Strength of Master: Allows you to detect an old Kindred, what generation s/he is (only if 6th or lower) and attributes/disciplines over 5.
System: Roll Perception & Alertness against a difficulty of target's willpower. 3 successes: know exact levels of disciplines/attributes over 5. 5 successes: Notice a vampire with disciplines over level 5 even if s/he is hidden, within 20 meters (doesn't work against Obfuscate/ Chimestry etc, though a "presence" might be felt, up to ST).
**** Sandman: A vampire affected by this discipline, who is in torpor or asleep, cannot wake for some time. One must have a clear picture in the mind of the vampire's face, or his/her true name.
System: Roll Leadership & Manipulation against a difficulty of the target's willpower + 1 (not exceeding 10). A vampire in torpor cannot wake for the amount of successes in nights, or in minutes if s/he is asleep. The merit Light sleeper takes away 1 success. A botch means the target cannot be affected again.
***** Nightmare: The disciplines of a vampire in torpor have no effects on the vampire with this level.
System: An opposed willpower roll. You are immune for the number of successes in minutes. Can be repeated, at +1 difficulty.