Custom Combination Discipline / Technique

The Umbra is a realm that reflects one's innermost feelings and offers a chance for those that make journeys there to connect with their true nature. It is a realm of the essence of who and what people and things are.  Separating the Umbra from the physical Material is the great barrier of the Gauntlet.  Negotiating the Gauntlet is a task that supernatural creatures often approach differently from one another. To a werewolf, their natural spiritual connection provides them with a convenient means of "stepping sideways". A blood mage might prepare a ritual sacrificing another living being to force the Gauntlet to part. The wielder of this power seeks to make use of the connection that exists between Earth Meld and the Gauntlet and to then navigate into the spiritual realm with the cosmological orienteering of Psychic Projection.

To activate, the kindred first spends a blood Trait to activate an Earth Meld power and inters themselves as is appropriate. This will render the user's body into a spiritual state that exists within the confines of the Gauntlet. The kindred then, while in a dream-like state, needs to acknowledge and accept their own Nature spending two Willpower Traits and making a Static Mental Challenge (Occult or Cosmology retest) against the local rating of the Gauntlet.  This test is reflective of the kindred's ability to properly utilize the tools of Psychic Projection to read spiritual signs, orient themselves and move in the proper "direction" when it comes to finding the Umbra. Success results in the kindred emerging from their interment on the corresponding other side of the Gauntlet in the Umbra just as they would have in the Material.  If the test is failed the wielder makes two simple tests. A win or tie on either and the kindred simply emerges back in the Material where they left. A loss on both simple tests and the fate of the kindred is left to Storyteller discretion with an unexpected detour being the most likely outcome. To return, the kindred must repeat the same process and will emerge in a corresponding place in the Material. This power does not work for areas of the Umbra that do not have a corresponding area in the Material.

In order for this power to be learned, the kindred in question must come to an understanding and acceptance of what their Nature is. The Umbra is the realm of the fundamental nature of things. Finding it first requires finding one's own nature. While this may sound simple, such insight often comes with knowledge or trials that are difficult to confront and should be roleplayed appropriately.

[This combo requires: Auspex 4, Animalism 3; the OWbN website requires three entries in the Requirements section]

The Beast is always present. The philosophy used to keep it in check must likewise permeate the Kindred whenever the higher mind is in control. This Discipline Technique allows a skilled observer to discern what system of morality a Kindred follows.

Engage or observe the target in conversation for at least ten minutes. Make a Social Challenge, retest with Empathy. The target retests with Subterfuge. If successful, the user knows if the target follows a Path or Road other than Humanity and if they have a Code of Honor (or similar merit at Storyteller discretion). 

On a success, the user may also gain additional information by spending Blood Traits:

1 - The virtues of the path (ie, Conscience or Conviction and Self-Control or Instinct)

2 - What Path/Road the target follows (see note)

3 - Path/Road rating, and specifics of the Code of Honor (if applicable)

Note: This Discipline Technique does not directly reveal the name of the Path. Instead, it gives the user an idea of the ethics and sins. Identification of the exact Path will depend on the PC’s Lores and knowledge.

Name: Penultimate Scry
Requirements: Auspex 4, Visceratika 3, Discerning Scry
Cost: 8 XP

When Bonded with a stone structure and using Scry the Hearthstone, a Gargoyle can unlock even more of her potential. Being able to move through the building's very foundation (or walls, floors or ceiling, depending on the building) may allow for a Gargoyle to access additional levels of Auspex (at Storyteller discretion, based on the layout of the building). It is important to note that while Bond With the Mountain is activated, a Gargoyle is still potentially visible, even to those without Auspex, so this is by no means a foolproof method of spying without a way to get caught. Additionally, a Gargoyle could not be Bonded in the basement of the building and use this power on people in the attic. They must be Bonded in the same room with their target(s) for the powers to work.

MET System: The Gargoyle must spend a Blood to activate Bond with the Mountain, and the Willpower to activate Scry the Hearthstone. When the Gargoyle is able to move into a room with appropriate targets present, she may use additional Auspex powers to the following effect:
She may use Heightened Senses to listen to a conversation that is being held in the room. A Gargoyle cannot focus on all conversations in the room, and must take a full round to focus in one one, or to change focus from one conversation to another;
The Gargoyle may also use Spirit's Touch on items inside of the room, but said item must be in direct contact with the building itself. For example, she could Spirit's Touch a table, as it is touching the floor, but not the vase of flowers sitting on the table;
A Gargoyle who has also mastered Telepathy is considered to have line of sight on anyone in the room for the purposes of establishing telepathy. If the target leaves the room, line of sight is broken, even if the Gargoyle uses Flow Within the Mountain to follow; the movement and concentration required to do so prohibits the use of this power. The Gargoyle could, however, attempt to reestablish Telepathy once she and the target have stopped moving.

Requires: Ihai Creation Ritual
As Buddhist vampires members do not seek conflict, that by no means is to say they are unready for it when called upon.  As a defensive order they vampires of the cult have learned to match their mind with their bodies.  Combining the arts of both celerity and auspex to perceive any attack that may come moments before it does and attempt to avoid it.

System: Spend 1 Willpower.  For the next scene or an hour you may call upon a “Persistent Guard” retest on all Dodge challenges.  This retest is not used up once called upon, however it is the last retest you may call in a Dodge challenge when used.

The user of Personae is able to mask their thoughts by creating a false layer of jumbled images and random information. It becomes difficult to search for truth or know the mind of someone who employs this technique. The user wins ties defensively against Telepathy based powers and other similar abilities.