Path of Shadows

By Tom Adams, Jr. (tadamsj@yahoo.com)

Background

After an encounter with a Salubri, Antonio Transetti (a Tremere of the 8th Generation) was trapped in the Land of the Dead (the Shadowlands). He ventured far and wide and met only a few souls, the majority of whom were dark, vile creatures.

Eventually, he met a friendly shade, one he had known when the shade was living. This shade was able to lead him out of the land of the dead, but not before Anton was to encounter a mortal friend who had passed away 200 years before. This friend was a bit naïve, but definitely kind-hearted. He was a shepherd of lost souls, the souls that had perished because of Anton's follies.

Believing that this shepherd had the correct idea -- that lost souls should be shepherded, helped, and set free -- Anton started the long process of research into the Shadowlands and his journey to become a Shadow Master.

* Shadow Walker

Perform a ten (10) minute ritual involving two points of vampire vitae, which must be burned in a silver incense burner while the thaumaturgist chants. The vitae will be consumed in a puff of smoke and the Shadow Walker can now mentally project himself into The Shadowlands. He will be seen as a cloud of mist with a misty version of his own face. When in this misty form, he can talk and travel (walk, run, fly or teleport (to known places) but cannot cause harm or be harmed.

** Assault of Shadows

By using an additional two (2) ppints of vitae, and chanting for an additional five (5) minutes, the Shadow Walker will take on a more solid shape. This form can look like anything of the same mass as the walker. He can now assault other beings on the plain of shadows. Yet, with the physical shape, he can also be harmed. Upon reaching incapacitated, he will be expunged from the land and won't be able to return for a weeks time.

*** Shadows Bound

By now, the warlock has become more attuned to the Shadowlands and he can now bind or release souls with his will! At the cost of a Willpower point, he can release a bound soul -- this is automatic. The warlock can also bind a soul at the cost of one Willpower point and three successes in a Willpower test against a target of six (6). Binding an innocent soul causes a test of humanity.

**** Molding Shadows

The Shadowlands are now open to the necromancer and he can now shape bound souls into weapons, vehicles, rocks, etc. One Willpower point will be spent in this and a Willpower test against a target of six (6). A botch indicates that the bound soul is released to attack the necromancer with a free attack (attack as if surprised).

***** Castle of Souls

The Shadow Master understands all that a 'living soul' can of the Shadowlands. He can now ward an area or building from unauthorized entry/exit. At the cost of two (2) Willpower points the Shadow Master can ward one building or a fifty square foot area (more than one area can be warded but at separate costs). This ward will last until dispelled.