W20 - Changing Breeds.pdf

System: The player spends a point of Gnosis androlls Charisma + Empathy (difficulty 7). One success isenough to ensure success.Rite of Fighting the Death BearLevel FiveGurahl use this sacred rite to restore life to an individualtoo long deceased for Gaia’s Breath (or, sometimes,when the only Gurahl to hand is of insufficient rankto have learned Gaia’s Breath — but this is consideredparticularly dangerous and foolhardy).The Gurahl enters the Umbra, calls upon Mangi,makes suitable offerings to the Death Bear, and then issuesa challenge for the departed’s spirit. The Gurahl and Mangiengage in Umbral combat. If the Gurahl defeats Mangi,he may enter the realm of the Death Bear and reclaim thespirit he seeks, returning it to its body. If the Gurahl fails,he is ejected from the Umbra and the rite fails. Occasionally,even if the Gurahl fails, Mangi returns the fallen one’ssoul — and claims the rite-performing werebear’s life inexchange. Because of this, and out of respect for the naturalcycle of life, werebears rarely use this rite.System: This rite fails automatically if the individualhas already failed to respond to Gaia’s Breath. Mangi’straits are left up to the Storyteller; while it is a ferociousspirit indeed, Mangi can be and has been defeated by midrankedGurahl on rare occasions.FetishesRattle-trapLevel Three, Gnosis 7These fetishes were first made for the great hibernationsof the Gurahl. These periods are a dangerous timefor werebears, as they are helpless if enemies find theirhiding place. The rattle-trap helps balance the odds bygiving a hibernating werebear a chance to defend herself.A Gurahl can also use the rattle-trap during normal sleep.System: The Gurahl activates the fetish prior tosleep; it remains active until she wakes. If a person orspirit intending harm comes within (Gnosis) yards of theGurahl, the fetish rattles, passing the bear’s slumber tothe intruder. The Gurahl may function without penaltywhile the intruder must make a Willpower roll (difficulty7) to remain active or she succumbs to the Gurahl’s sleep.If the intrusion occurs in winter the intruder will sufferthe Gurahl’s sluggish reactions even if she succeeds ather Willpower tests.120 CHANGING BREEDS