Custom Blood Magic: Path

The Faustian Way

Since the first interactions between mankind and the Infernal, their relationship has been defined by the exchange of information and services, historically leaving the mortal holding the short end of the stick. The Associates have watched and learned from their clients' demonic patrons, and over the years adapted some of the most effective of those techniques into a path of Dark Thaumaturgy which they proudly call The Faustian Way.

The Faustian Way is a subtle art, and many who fall under its influence do not realize it until their final moments. Its use is not betrayed by outward signs, and even attempts at supernatural detection must be made as contested challenges against the caster.

• Record Keeping

All contracts are recorded. Whether on paper or electronically, they mark the very souls of those who make them. Record Keeping can verify whether or not such a contract exists. Spend a Blood Trait and make a Static Mental Challenge. If successful, the caster learns the nature of any pacts, bonds, or spiritual ties (Blood Bonds, covenants, Infernal Bargains, etc.), current or broken, between the target and any other beings.

• • Breach of Contract

Contracts are formally binding, moreso for those formed through the Faustian Way. When agreed upon and sealed with Breach of Contract, any violation becomes plain for the Associate to see. Whenever an explicit contract is made (either a promise, an oath, a deal, etc.), either verbal or written, you may spend 1 Willpower Trait to formalize it. The caster is automatically made aware when a formalized contract has been broken or violated, and they may make a Static Mental Challenge to ascertain the details of the violation.

• • • Terms and Conditions

Often, mere knowledge of a contract's existence is not enough. A skilled Associate can determine the specific terms of a contract simply by studying an individual's soul. The caster spends 1 Blood Trait and makes a Static Mental Challenge against their victim. If successful, they learn the details of one of the target’s contracts. The caster must be aware of the contract's existence beforehand, either through Record Keeping or some other means (random guesses or rumors are not sufficient justification, and the Storyteller should be on the lookout to prevent such abuse).

• • • • Implied Venue

It is expected that those invested in any contract will want to check in on their interests periodically. Likewise, when a contract is breached, measures must be in place to secure damages. Implied Venue may only be performed upon a target who has engaged in a contract which the Associate has sealed with Breach of Contract. The caster spends 1 Blood Trait and makes a Static Mental Challenge. If successful, the caster gains intuitive knowledge of the contractee's exact location, and may engage in a second Mental Challenge against the target in order to remotely observe the individual and their surroundings for the duration of a scene. This power works even if the target is in another plane of existence.

• • • • • Mandatory Injunction

Caveat emptor: buyer beware. When a party enters into a contract, they own the responsibility of ensuring they are capable and willing to meet their obligations. Sometimes, parties opt to flee from that responsibility, while other times they are simply incapable of fulfilling their end of a bargain altogether. To a master of the Faustian Way, these diversionary tactics are irrelevant. The Associate spends 1 Willpower Trait and makes a Mental Challenge against their target. Success compels the target to complete the terms agreed upon under Breach of Contract, with all due haste and to the best of their ability. The target will take all possible precautions to avoid situations that might prevent them from the completion of their agreement (such as revealing their situation to sympathetic allies). In the event that a Kindred target has agreed to terms which they are incapable of fulfilling, they instead succumb to torpor which lasts the normal duration set by their Humanity or Path of Enlightenment rating. Should the victim be a non-Kindred, they instead suffer 5 unsoakable levels of aggravated damage which can only be healed at a rate of 1 per month regardless of any supernatural healing the victim may possess or seek out.