Custom Merit
Some chronicles allow for their players to develop customized powers for their characters. The following is a compilation of player created custom content in OWBN. At this time, custom content that is created and/or used by vampire PC's is required to be listed.
Memory Palace (3 pt Merit, 1 pt for every additional Path of Thaumaturgy added to the Memory Palace, OWbN Custom Content, Reference-Sorc Crusade: Swashbucklers p87)
Requirements: Merit-Eidetic Memory, 12 Mental Traits, Meditation 5, 1 Path of Hermetic Thaumaturgy at Advanced
Description:
The classical tradition of rhetorical training incorporates some very powerful mnemonic techniques. Historically this technique requires the creation of a "memory palace" - an imaginary building in a practitioner's mind. Within this "palace,'' different parts of the building are assigned to different subjects and symbols are placed within to recall items or facts. This technique is still utilized in the modern world and is more commonly known as eidetic memory.
Scholars of all kinds have employed this technique for ages. Through a great deal of hard mental work, requiring a keen mind and hours of research into the proper meditation this technique has been expounded. By utilizing the concepts of a "memory palace" individuals with this Merit have developed a way to utilize the symbols and devices within their "memory palace" to direct the flow of their magic through those dedicated symbols and devices outward into the external world. The basis for this understanding initially came from understanding Hermetic Thaumaturgy but it can be expanded into other paradigms if the individual has access to them.
System:
Purchasing this background allows the individual to remove all verbal, somatic or material components for one Path of Thaumaturgy, this Path has to be selected when this Merit is initially purchased and has to be a Hermetic Path. In order to imprint each level of the path into their "memory palace" the individual must meditate for one hour/per level they are trying to imprint. After the meditation they are required to succeed in a static Mental Challenge (Hermetic Path: 10 for Basic, 12 for Intermediate, 14 for Advanced / Non-Hermetic Path: 12 for Basic, 14 for Intermediate, 16 for Advanced), retest Meditation. One success is required for Basic, two successes are required for Intermediate, three successes are required for Advanced. Failing even one of the challenges requires the individual to start the meditation process over again the next night for that level. Until each level is mastered and imprinted you can not use any of the levels of the Path through your "memory palace" and must continue to use the verbal, somatic or material components.
For every additional one point spent on this Merit, you can expand your training to include another Path of Thaumaturgy. Using the same methodology listed above.
Memory Palace (3 pt Merit, 1 pt for every additional Path of Thaumaturgy added to the Memory Palace, OWbN Custom Content, Reference-Sorc Crusade: Swashbucklers p87)
Requirements: Merit-Eidetic Memory, 12 Mental Traits, Meditation 5, 1 Path of Hermetic Thaumaturgy at Advanced
Description:
The classical tradition of rhetorical training incorporates some very powerful mnemonic techniques. Historically this technique requires the creation of a "memory palace" - an imaginary building in a practitioner's mind. Within this "palace,'' different parts of the building are assigned to different subjects and symbols are placed within to recall items or facts. This technique is still utilized in the modern world and is more commonly known as eidetic memory.
Scholars of all kinds have employed this technique for ages. Through a great deal of hard mental work, requiring a keen mind and hours of research into the proper meditation this technique has been expounded. By utilizing the concepts of a "memory palace" individuals with this Merit have developed a way to utilize the symbols and devices within their "memory palace" to direct the flow of their magic through those dedicated symbols and devices outward into the external world. The basis for this understanding initially came from understanding Hermetic Thaumaturgy but it can be expanded into other paradigms if the individual has access to them.
System:
Purchasing this background allows the individual to remove all verbal, somatic or material components for one Path of Thaumaturgy, this Path has to be selected when this Merit is initially purchased and has to be a Hermetic Path. In order to imprint each level of the path into their "memory palace" the individual must meditate for one hour/per level they are trying to imprint. After the meditation they are required to succeed in a static Mental Challenge (Hermetic Path: 10 for Basic, 12 for Intermediate, 14 for Advanced / Non-Hermetic Path: 12 for Basic, 14 for Intermediate, 16 for Advanced), retest Meditation. One success is required for Basic, two successes are required for Intermediate, three successes are required for Advanced. Failing even one of the challenges requires the individual to start the meditation process over again the next night for that level. Until each level is mastered and imprinted you can not use any of the levels of the Path through your "memory palace" and must continue to use the verbal, somatic or material components.
For every additional one point spent on this Merit, you can expand your training to include another Path of Thaumaturgy. Using the same methodology listed above.
This merit takes away the vampire's natural aura. When someone attempts to use Auspex: Aura Perception on the vampire, even if they're successful, the aura will not be able to be read. It will be as if the vampire has no aura at all. The only things that would show up on an aura read (if the person using Aura Perception checks) would be things like (but not limited to) the Assamite Warrior clan flaw of always having diablerie veins in their auras.
This devoted follower of the spirit of Odin has been blessed with Odin's ability to perceive the future. This merit acts as a free retest for any lore chops that the blessed follower may engage in.
In addition, these merit serves as a final retest for any 3 botched/failed challenges. All 3 retests from this merit may be stacked into 1 challenge.
Once these 3 retests are used, they will only reset the next evening; though the lore retest will always remain so long as the follower has this merit.
Should this follower fall away from Odin, or disgrace him, his teachings, or his values; this merit will be removed with no option to purchase it back in the future. This is truly a once in a lifetime gift.
This merit is a double edged sword. The possessor of oversized claws does one additional damage on claw attacks, and receives 2 bonus traits on these challenges. However, due to the size of their claws, they are 1 trait down on tasks of fine manipulation, and these claws cannot retract.
Toreador Only
There are a lot of forms of beauty in the world, but for you there is one in particular that stands out... as being utterly terrible. Others have tried to tell you that you've been exposed to the wrong material, but try as you might, you just don't get what the fuss is about.
You never have to roll to avoid entrancement by beautiful works of this ONE specific sub-type. Topiary, opera, modern art, black and white photography or similar, would be an appropriate choice; "music" is too vague.
Storytellers, feel free to refuse players who request "sunrise".
(Published by White Wolf to The Storyteller's Vault)
Reference Mind’s Eye Theatre Dark Epics for weapons/armor subtypes.
MET Mechanics:
Some vampires are not shaped by chance. Long before the Embrace, certain individuals are deliberately prepared — not only mentally, but physically — through relentless discipline, conditioning, and surgical intervention. These individuals are molded toward an ideal long before becoming Kindred.
From their earliest years, their lives are carefully guided by their sires or handlers, even while still mortal. Every aspect of their existence is controlled: diet, posture, movement, endurance, and form. Through intense physical training and precise bodily modifications, their bodies are refined toward an unnatural ideal of balance and proportion.
As a result of this preparation, the vampire possesses Perfect Symmetry — a form so flawlessly balanced that it appears effortless and mesmerizing rather than artificial. Their features align in exact proportion, creating an instinctive and undeniable sense of beauty.
This Merit grants +2 Appearance, representing a body and visage sculpted toward physical perfection long before the Embrace itself.
This perfection is neither accidental nor easily replicated. It is the product of a lifetime of deliberate design.
The trappings of the Occult come especially easy to you. Select one Background from the following group: Allies, Arcane, Cult, Familiar (Lesser), Membership, Network, Occult Library, Retainers, Rituals, or Status. You received one free dot in that Background, and your maximum Trait score in that Background may exceed normal Generational limits by one. Pinnacle may not be purchased multiple times for additional Backgrounds, nor may it be purchased alongside the Paragon merit.
Merit: Second Brother
Level 3 Merit (6xp)
This merit allows a vampire to have an additional number of influence levels equal to a second retainer rating. This may not be used in conjunction with the Paragon Merit, and does not include backgrounds like spirit slaves, spirit retainers, etc.
Merit mechanics: Must have “Sense the Infected” ritual cast on them before purchasing this Merit. This merit allows for an individual to detect the possession of Vicissitude in the aura of an individual via the use of Aura Perception. You are given no indication of the level or powers known and it does not reveal any modifications performed on the target.
You may not have this merit if you possess Vicissitude. If you ever learn Vicissitude you lose this merit. If at any time you no longer have Vicissitude you may be taught again.
Merit mechanics: Must have “Sense the Infected” ritual cast on them before purchasing this Merit. This merit allows for an individual to detect the possession of Vicissitude in the aura of an individual via the use of Aura Perception. You are given no indication of the level or powers known and it does not reveal any modifications performed on the target.
You may not have this merit if you possess Vicissitude. If you ever learn Vicissitude you lose this merit. If at any time you no longer have Vicissitude you may be taught again.
The character possessing this merit is strangely connected to the realm known as the Umbra and the spirits that reside there. This could be because of heritage, religion, or some other spiritual connection that they might or might not know about. Whether the PC knows it or not this ability draws extra attention and hatred from Lupines, as all uses of this on spirits Wyrm taints them to some degree.
With intense concentration the Shaman may expend one to three temporary Willpower to raise or lower the gauntlet in the area immediately around them. This use may not be stacked and can not lower the gauntlet below a rating of 1. The second part of this merit allows the Shaman to see, hear, and speak across the gauntlet by succeeding in a static mental challenge vs the gauntlet rating, retest with Occult or Umbra Lore (this is up to the ST). The final part of this merit allows for the Shaman to assist in binding a willing spirit into an item. The spirit may not be coerced by any disciplines or any other supernatural power/ability. A deal must be struck with the spirit via natural conversation. As stated, binding a spirit in this manner wyrm taints that spirit to a degree determined by the Story Teller.