27.04.2013 Views

Book of Bone and Ebony

Book of Bone and Ebony

Book of Bone and Ebony

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>of</strong> the vivid sensations he used to have, rapidly fading<br />

memories are all that remain.<br />

This spell was crafted in the First Age as the Exalted<br />

began to explore the Underworld <strong>and</strong> its then-sparse<br />

inhabitants. While many spells <strong>of</strong> sorcerous origin could<br />

do little to relieve the ghosts’ dreary existences, the discovery<br />

<strong>of</strong> necromancy gave the curious sorcerer-priests a<br />

second opportunity.<br />

A ghost affected by this spell experiences the world as<br />

he used to in his previous life. Blood appears a bright scarlet<br />

instead <strong>of</strong> a faded pink, <strong>and</strong> wracking sobs echo <strong>and</strong> ring in<br />

a pleasantly abominable din. The dull foods <strong>of</strong> the Underworld<br />

are given taste, <strong>and</strong> the sacrificed foods <strong>of</strong> the living<br />

taste as sweet <strong>and</strong> savory as they did before the ghost’s<br />

death. These are pleasures otherwise unknown to the<br />

residents <strong>of</strong> the Underworld. In the Age <strong>of</strong> Sorrows, this<br />

spell is <strong>of</strong>ten a blessing bestowed on much-prized servants<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Abyssals or the Deathlords. Ghosts <strong>of</strong> moderate<br />

means may humble themselves to purchase what is, to<br />

them, bliss, <strong>and</strong> necromancers in negotiation with the<br />

dead can use this spell as a powerful bargaining chip. There<br />

is no danger inherent in the spell, which makes it an<br />

attractive alternative to risking one’s corpus in a world <strong>of</strong><br />

ghost-hunters, Immaculates <strong>and</strong> exorcists.<br />

Five Gifts lasts only until the next sunset, but it is a<br />

strongly reaffirming experience. It reminds ghosts <strong>of</strong> the<br />

world they are refusing to leave, <strong>and</strong> when the spell is cast,<br />

125<br />

CHAPTER FIVE • NECROMANCY<br />

the target gains points <strong>of</strong> temporary Willpower equal to the<br />

successes on a roll <strong>of</strong> his highest-rated Passion. This may<br />

temporarily raise Willpower above the ghost’s maximum.<br />

When the spell begins to fail, the ghost can feel it fading. It<br />

is very difficult for a ghost to peacefully let go <strong>of</strong> mortal<br />

pleasure. Roll the ghost’s Temperance when the spell ends.<br />

A failure results in the loss <strong>of</strong> a single point <strong>of</strong> temporary<br />

Willpower. All Willpower in excess <strong>of</strong> the ghost’s normal<br />

maximum vanishes with the effects <strong>of</strong> the spell.<br />

Although there is no physical addiction, ghosts who<br />

receive the pleasures <strong>of</strong> this spell multiple times find<br />

themselves yearning for it more <strong>and</strong> more <strong>of</strong>ten, making<br />

them more pliable, even slavish, if it will get them the<br />

sensations they crave.<br />

FLESH AND BONE WINDS<br />

Cost: 18 motes<br />

Target: Caster<br />

With the final syllable <strong>and</strong> gesture <strong>of</strong> this spell, the<br />

ground around the necromancer glows a s<strong>of</strong>t, pearly white.<br />

After a moment, the earth or stone is ruptured by sharp,<br />

shattered bone <strong>and</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t ribbons <strong>of</strong> flesh. The materials spin<br />

around the caster at ever-increasing speeds, obscuring him<br />

<strong>and</strong> picking up the flesh <strong>and</strong> bone <strong>of</strong> the dead that lie in the<br />

necromancer’s path, tearing them to pieces <strong>and</strong> adding<br />

them to the storm.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!