Custom Blood Magic: Path

Once protection from hostile spirits and wraiths was the sole providence of the church, the task of protecting the
family from the predations of such hostile spirits of the dead have fallen to family in this modern age. While most
that follow this path are family and clergy some have taken up the mantle without the cloth. Those few outside the
clergy that accept the charge are often those most devoted to the protection of the mortal family and their connection
with it. While the greatest problem for the family tends to be vengeful and cunning wraiths the Family trained
Exorcist may recognize the position of a daemon or other entity, though his ability to handle it is as limited as any
other catholic.
Note: Unlike most studies of necromancy the effects of the Path of the Shepherd may be employed upon a
wraith within the skinlands as well as in the shadowlands. (This path may not exceed the necromancer's
Sepulcher Path rating.)
•Sheep from the Goats
Through study and observation the Necromancer can recognize the telltale signs of possession on an individual
vessel, be it man, beast, or object. The idiosyncrasies of behavior and the tell tail resonance’s are as plain as painted
billboards to the studied. The Necromancer makes a static mental test on an object, person, or beast to recognize a
spirit riding, bound within, or inhabiting the item. Once this is done a test to recognize the type of entity therein may
be required based on the relevant knowledge and lores of the Necromancer.
••The Armor of Faith
Through focus and training a necromancer can harden his personal defense and prepare himself to weather the most
insidious assaults of the restless dead. While the necromancer is still at the mercy of a wraith prone to emotive and
overt acts on any those arts that are attacks against the mind, emotion or the soul itself. The necromancer gains a free
retest when a wraith employs the arts of Keening, Intimation, Puppetry, Phantasm, Mnemosyne, and Fatalism upon
him. He has hardened himself to attacks upon the mind, the emotions, and on the soul in hopes of better protecting
the family from the predictions of wraiths.
•••Console the Inflicted
The necromancer lays his hand upon the possessed, and then through mental exertion may channel the spirit of the
possessed man or beast. He or another may communicate with the being, being possessed. While this can be used to
comfort friends and family, it is more often used to offer hope to the possessed or to seek out information from them
on possible motives and past activities of the wraith or specter. After succeeding in a physical test the Ritualist
expends a mental trait, and then for the remainder for the scene he may speak for the puppeted individual so long as
physical contact is maintained. Inquiring from the contained unfortunate may provide details of the possessing
wraith’s motivation in the possession and further revelation of secrets that may be used to cause release of the
puppet. The storyteller may choose to resolve this through a series of tests or role-play as it suits him.
••••Subvert the Legion
The greatest weakness of the restless dead is themselves and in a time of need the Necromancer can call upon this
inner battle and through careful manipulation an exertion of force of will. The spiritualist causes either the recessive
id or ego to rise to the surface either for a temporary respite, an attempt at conspiring, or to counsel it to assert
permanent authority. The Necromancy must succeed in a contested social challenge against the wraith or specter. If
successful the necromancer may spend a willpower trait to allow the psyche or shadow to make a test for Catharsis
(to assert dominance) without the normal expenditure or prerequisites. If the psyche or shadow is successful the
necromancer may solicit information to be used against the dominant personality. Examples include, but are in no
way limited to motivations, fetters, and passions. In the event of a psyche being called to the surface the
necromancer may even call upon the services of a Pardoner to help redeem the specter through repeated uses. If use
of this power fails, the wraith gains one temporary angst.
•••••Banishment
Properly prepared the Necromancer can cast an unrelenting wraith from the skin lands and its shadow
sealing the shade away for the protection of the family. To accomplish this, the necromancer must have an object of
importance to the wraith or specter, or have physical control of its possessed form. The Necromancer must grasp the
possessed or an object of importance to the wraith or specter and then succeed in a social challenge. If successful the
wraith is banished from the skin and shadowlands for the remainder of the night, this may be extended to a month
for the expenditure of a willpower or for a year for a permanent willpower trait. It should be noted that the
banishment to the tempest or the labyrinth is often a consignment to destruction for the unprepared wraith and a path
check may be necessary. In addition if a wraith has crossed into the Skinlands the form, vessel, or puppet of the
wraith may be employed as the object of importance for banishment.