Custom Combination Discipline / Technique

Typically, when one activates the powers of Psychic Projection, they send their consciousness into the Astral Realm. The scholarly few that study the intricacies of the Umbra know that this is actually the thin layer of the High Umbra or Astral Courts that is closest to the real world. This near layer is often referred to generally as the Penumbra, but more specifically as the Periphery or the Vulgate. When using Psychic Projection, the user is anchored to this near layer and can only manifest briefly in the real world with an effort of will and even then, only for a very short time.

 

Beyond the Horizon allows the user to travel even closer to the real world while projecting or deeper into the High Umbra to explore its depths. Though in order to make such trips possible, the user must make a sacrifice; they must sever their own silver cord. This can have a dangerous effect if the user is not deeply familiar with both their own psyche and the landscape of the High Umbra. One could easily get lost and never be able to return. Though, with this power, the silver cord is more gently unplugged then it is forcibly ripped. By making the conscious choice to sever their own cord, the user is more likely to be able to return to their body later.

 

Once in Psychic Projection, then user must spend another willpower and make a static mental challenge against a difficulty equal to her own permanent willpower score. Should she win, she becomes disconnected from her own body.

 

While in this state, the user is completely and totally unaware of what occurs around her body. Once so separated, the user is no longer able to move at the speed of thought, but instead, may fly about as fast as a bird flies.

 

While using Beyond the Horizon, the user may then choose to spend a mental trait to come closer to the real world and exist as a shimmering, translucent version of herself (as she would normally appear if she were manifesting from Psychic Projection). While in the real world, she can walk and talk as usual however, she is unable to utilize any discipline that requires physical contact (with the exception of Spirit's Touch) or that requires blood; she is both intangible and severed from her own body. Likewise, she may not be targeted by any physical attacks. Other attacks, such as Horrid Reality, One Track Mind or Soul Steal will function as normal. She may return to the Vulgate at any time with just a thought.

 

Alternately, the user may project herself deeper into the High Umbra by spending a mental trait. While here, the user is unable to see the events of the real world but may still look into the Vulgate as one in the Vulgate can look upon the real world. While in the High Umbra, the user may explore and wander but she must do so with caution as the likelihood of encounter spirits of the High Umbra is greatly increased. If the user has not strayed too far from the Vulgate, she may simply return with a thought. If she has delved in deeper, returning may be more difficult and is up to ST discretion.

 

Once back in the Vulgate, the user may attempt to return to her body at any time. She must go to her body's location and forcibly attempt to reconnect her silver cord. To do so requires another static challenge against the difficulty of her permanent willpower. If she fails, she is unable to force her way home. She may attempt to do so again every hour. Should she be unable to reconnect her silver coord by sunrise, then her spirit is thrown into the depths of the High Umbra. She must painstakingly make her way back to her body. If she is unable to do so by the next Full Moon, then her body crumbles to ash and her spirit fades from existence.