Post by Annabelle Devonshire on May 22, 2020 15:22:02 GMT -5
Frequently Asked Questions
What does having active Conviction protect the Imbued from? Are Garou or Kinfolk affected by the supernatural fear caused by overt Edges?
Imbued with active Conviction are immune to the effects of Delirium, the social penalty for high Rage and the innate “animal attraction” power Rage can also be used for. Active Conviction also protects against Gifts which affect the mind (eg: Persuasion, Staredown, Disquiet, Assimilation, etc), create invisibility and illusions (eg: Blur of the Milky Eye, Mimic, Curse of Aeolus, etc), cast curses (eg: Whelp Body, Heart of Ice, etc), and bodily manipulation (eg: Wither Limb, Body Wrack, etc).
Likewise, due to their innate supernatural nature, Garou are not affected by the supernatural fear brought about by overt Edges. By their blood relation to the Garou, Kinfolk are not affected by the mind-numbing fear either.
What are the Imbued? Are they of the Wyrm or the Weaver?
Whatever the Imbued are, they are blind to the Triat. None of them possess any taint from the Wyrm or Weaver… not even those who have gone beyond the edge of sanity possess any greater or lesser taint than the average human being.
The only exception to this rule is aimed towards the few Corrupt Extremists in existence. Because of their spiritual connection and corrupting influence of their demonic patron, they carry a heavy Wyrm taint about them.
What do Garou look like to the Second Sight and observation Edges? Is there any way for Garou to detect Imbued through use of Gifts or Rites?
Imbued who look at Garou with the Second Sight see a being that’s “inhuman,” “wrong,” “off” or otherwise offensive by whatever means is appropriate. They might have a momentary glimpse of a bestial or feral side to a werewolf in human form. Shapechangers in pure animal form, which to normal eyes looks like an ordinary wolf, also seem wrong or unnatural.
Observation edges such as Discern, Witness or Illuminate offer other insights…
Discern highlights physical features about the Garou that might otherwise been unnoticed. These include perhaps the werewolf breathing more like an animal than a human being and them smelling like something out of the wild.
Witness gives the hunter visions of the Garou’s predatory nature or half-human nature, as well as actions taken by them in the presence of or towards humans. Images of claws rending flesh, for example.
Illuminate shows Garou as having a blood-red aura.
Similar insights are also gained about Kinfolk. The immediate relatives of werewolves - whether human or wolf - register as wrong to hunters’ Second Sight. Edges such as Witness, Illuminate and Discern that allow greater insight to the identity of monsters might show a hint of feral nature or provide glimpses of a family member’s relationship with a werewolf - as parent, child or even brother or sister. Still, use of the sight and edges make it difficult for a hunter to determine exactly what Kinfolk are. The subject seems to have been tinged by the supernatural, but not made an integral part of it.
The same is true for people and wolves, often young ones, who are full-blooded Garou but who have yet to undergo the First Change. They may not know it yet, but these beings aren’t quite human.
For the Garou, there are a few ways to detect the Imbued… however, all of them can only be used whilst the hunter in question has active Conviction or has recently used an Edge.
Sense The Unnatural offers many ambivalent and varied hints about the nature of the Imbued, depending on the hunter’s Creed and Virtues. The Zealous might smell of gunpowder, fire, righteous anger and of the blood of the enemies whilst the Merciful smell of tears, purity, curiosity or anything else that might be appropriate.
Scent of the True Form can also be used to detect the Imbued as something other than human.
Can Imbued be brought into the Umbra by Garou?
You may have noticed that very little is said about the spirit world and the Imbued. There’s a good reason for that.
From the moment of the imbuing, hunters are barred from the spirit world. Something inherent to their new existence or awareness keeps them in the physical world alone. Garou cannot carry a hunter with her into the Umbra. None of a werewolf’s Gifts or Rites can take Imbued into the Umbra. Nor can any magic item.
The Messengers, for reasons best known to them, seem to want to keep hunters focused on this world; the Imbued cannot be taken into the Umbra by any means whatsoever.
Furthermore, Second Sight and observation Edges such as Witness or Discern do not allow hunters to see into the Umbra. Once a werewolf has gone beyond, it’s gone from hunters’ awareness until it returns to the physical world.
If Garou use a Gift or Rite from the spirit world that affects the physical world, a hunter may glimpse the werewolf when the power is used, assuming she has Second Sight active. The creature appears hazy and only for the Gift/Rite’s activation or duration, whichever makes more sense. Imbued are unable to use any Edges against such otherworldly werewolves.
Though, perhaps the only exception to all these rules regarding the Umbra applies to the infinitesimally few Hermits out there who have manifested the Transcend edge.
Can Kinfolk become Imbued?
Just so we're clear... no one who carries the werewolf bloodline is imbued. Imbued cannot have a blood parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt or child that is a werewolf or that is werewolf kin. The Messengers simply never choose anyone with such close ties to the supernatural.
This proscription also applies to sexual interaction with a werewolf. Given that werewolves are living beings that can assume human shape, it's possible for other people to have sex with them. Imbued cannot become pregnant by a werewolf, nor can he impregnate one. Perhaps the fact of being imbued precludes the supernatural from perpetuating in this way, or the Messengers do not allow the imbued to achieve a lineage with monsters.
The point is, no one with such physical ties to shapeshifters can be imbued. They cannot even become Bystanders.</li>
Imbued Edges
Vengeance
- Cleave, Impact, Smite and Harpoon all inflict Aggravated Damage.
- Garou/Kinfolk affected by the Trail Edge can be detected with Sense The Unnatural, manifesting as a smell of smoke, righteous fury and other traits associated with the Zealous hunters.
If Garou enter the Umbra at some point whilst they have been marked by Trail, the trail of smoke ends where they crossed over. Once they sidestep back into the material world, however, the trail of smoke begins again.</li>
Defence
- Windows and doors affected by Lock cannot be bypassed by sidestepping into the Umbra. Obviously this Edge does not affect the areas surrounding the window/door, unless that as well has been reinforced. Lock also compromises many Glass Walker Gifts that affect computers (as Lock can be transferred to computer and computer files as well) and the Open Seal Gift.
- The symbol created from Brand stays on the Garou, even if they shift through forms, use invisibility Gifts or sidestep.
- Protect can block against bite, claw and Fetish weapon attacks.
- Both the Burn and Blast Edges inflict Aggravated Damage.</li>
Judgement
- Garou can still change forms when held in place with Burden or Imprison. And, with a certain degree of strain or within sight of a reflective surface, they can step sideways.
- Balance takes away the werewolf’s ability to use Rage and Gnosis.
Rage cannot be used to heal wounds, gain extra actions, speed-shift, intimidate humans/attract potential mates, or to fuel Gifts/Rites. Gnosis cannot be used to step sideways or to fuel Gifts/Rites/Fetishes. This edge also robs Garou of the ability to use Willpower to activate Gifts, Rites or Fetishes, if deemed necessary.
The Garou can still changes forms, but must do so slowly through each stage (eg: to get to Lupis from Homid, they must go through Glabro, Crinos, and Hispo). The can still also attempt to sidestep into the Umbra, but not as easily as they could by spending Gnosis to gain automatic successes.</li>
Innocence
- Garou might be able to the scent of Imbued using Hide with Gifts such as Sense The Unnatural, Scent of the True Form, etc.
- Illuminate works even on alternate forms assumed through the use of Gifts or shifting into different forms.
- Blaze inflicts Aggravated Damage</li>
Redemption
- Respire can steal Gnosis and Rage as well as health.
- Suspend prevents Garou from sidestepping into the Umbra or using any scrying Rite (such as the Rite of Questing Stone) on the area the Imbued occupies</li>
Martyrdom
- Ravage inflicts Aggravated Damage.
- Payback can be used to take away any of the Garou's innate abilities (frenzy, regeneration, shapeshifting, sidestepping into the Umbra, etc) or any of their Gifts/Rites. It can also be used to remove Deformities or Derangements from metis-breed Garou.
- Expiate, if successful, changes the Garou into a “normal” state. Homid-born Garou turn into normal humans and Lupus turn into normal wolves. Metis Garou, being never normal to begin with, simply die. This gift even works on Kinfolk, effectively taking their shapeshifter “gene” away from them.</li>
Deviance
- Spiral affects even Garou across the Gauntlet</li>
Solitude
- Typically, being exposed to Edict or Proclaim will cause Garou to enter fox frenzy (as well as gain a temporary or permanent Derangement, at handlers' discretion)</li>
Corrupt
- Channel has the potential in incite frenzy in Garou, though those of higher Rank find it easier to resist.
The only exception to this rule are the corrupt Black Spiral Dancers, who react in the same way they'd react to any other powerful manifestation of the Wyrm - through character appropriate fear, rage, lust, envy, etc</li>
Garou Gifts/Rites
Homid Gifts
- Jam Technology has no effect on manifested weapons made by the Cleave Edge but does affect melee weapons enhanced by Cleave
- Tongues cannot be used to decipher The Word
- If Imbued don’t have active Conviction, Garou can use Part the Veil to render them immune to the Delirium for a scene</li>
Metis Gifts
- Wounds created by Splintered Claw don’t affect the use of Rejuvenate</li>
Lupus Gifts
- Scent of Sight can compromise Hide</li>
Ragabash Gifts
- Whilst active Conviction prevents Taking the Forgotten from working, it does not recover the memory of items stolen when Conviction was not active
- Thieving Talons of the Magpie can be used to steal Edges, as long as the Imbued doesn’t have active Conviction. This power has it’s dangers though, particularly when stealing Level-Five Edges.
Corrupt Level-Five Edges may taint the Garou with the taint of the Wyrm or even bring them under the scrutiny of the corruptor.</li>
Theurge Gifts
- Mother's Touch cannot be used on Imbued with active Conviction
- Even if the Garou somehow learned of the Imbued‘s mysterious benefactors, Spirit Speech cannot be used to summon or speak with the Messengers</li>
Philodox Gifts
- Champion compromises the Gift of Weak Arm
- Take The True Form cannot be used on Imbued who have access to shapeshifting Edges (eg: Channel, Visage, etc)</li>
Galliard Gifts
- Dreamspeak is negated by active Conviction. If it is activated whilst Garou are still inside the dreams they are instantly flung out.
Additionally, other Imbued who witness the werewolf using the Gift see them as a ghostly image floating over the victim through the Second Sight and perception Edges and can be affected with Edges that target ghosts (eg: Cleave, Burden, etc).
- The creatures brought to life by Fabric of the Mind are otherwise solid, physical beings capable of interacting with the world as directed by the Galliard. Naturally, such creatures show up under the Second Sight as “wrong” and can be affected by Edges as normal.</li>
Ahroun Gifts
- When Conviction is inactive, Imbued can benefit from Gifts such as Inspiration and Strength of Will.</li>
Black Fury Gifts:
- Breath of the Wyld cannot be used on Imbued with Active Conviction.</li>
Bone Gnawers Gifts
- Friend In Need cannot be used on Imbued with Active Conviction.</li>
Children of Gaia Gifts
- Imbued can benefit from the Gift of Luna’s Armour, but only whilst they have inactive Conviction.</li>
Fianna Gifts
- The lights and illusions of the Gifts of Faerie Light and Phantasm are detected as unnatural by the Second Sight.</li>
Get of Fenris Gifts
- Halt the Coward's Flight is negated by active Conviction.</li>
Glass Walkers Gifts
- Even if a Garou learns of Hunter-net‘s existence, no Gift or Rite can be used to penetrate it’s supernatural defences.
- The Second Sight sees through the Gift of Doppelganger.</li>
Red Talons Gifts
- Curse of Lycaon does not work on Imbued.</li>
Shadow Lords Gifts
- Use of observation Edges (Discern, Witness, etc) are more difficult to use when Aura of Confidence is in affect, though this Gift can be negated by active Conviction.
- Champion compromises Fatal Flaw.
- Paralyzing Stare and Obedience are negated by active Conviction.</li>
Silent Striders Gifts
- Silence is negated by active Conviction.
- Suspend negates the use of Reach the Umbra and Gate of the Moon.</li>
Silver Fangs Gifts
- Wrath of Gaia only affects Corrupt Extremists who do not have active Conviction.
- Paws of the Newborn Cub strips all Edges for a turn per Gnosis (work this out between handlers… generally between 5-8 turns) unless they have active Conviction.</li>
Uktena Gifts
- Sense Magic detects nothing magical about the Imbued.
- Discern can pierces the Gift of Shroud.</li>
Wendigo Gifts
- The Second Sight pierces Camouflage.</li>
Black Spiral Dancer Gifts
- Banes summoned through use of Bane Protector can be detected through use of the Second Sight and/or observation Edges as well as being affected as ghosts can be with Edges (eg: Cleave, Ravage, etc).
- Mask Taint cannot be used to conceal their inhumanity from the Second Sight or observation Edges.</li>
Rites
- Imbued cannot participate in Rites (except as sacrifices and targets). Any rite performed involving Imbued as the ritualist automatically fails.
- Imbued cannot have spirits bound to them.
- The Rite of Renunciation cannot be used to make an Imbued change their Creed
- The Rite of Talisman Dedication cannot allow items to be dedicated to Imbued.
- If Garou ever learn of their existence, the Messengers cannot be affected by the Rite of Summoning or the Rite of Binding Garou, as they are not spirits governed by The Pact.
- If it was ever attempted, Imbued could not benefit from Rite of the Totem.
- Punishment Rites have no effect on Imbued, though they can be targeted by The Rending of The Veil.
During this time, unless the Imbued can see any Garou without need of the Second Sight or observation Edges, but is denied the protection against mental and emotional attacks and body control that active Conviction confers. Indeed, Conviction cannot be spent to gain the Second Sight or to gain protection from the powers of any kind of monster for the duration of the ritual unless they have active Conviction before the ritual has taken hold.
Either way, they may still use Edges whether they have active Conviction or not at that time.
- Imbued with active Conviction can see/hear through the effects of Rites designed to shroud an individual or Caern. They are also immune to Rites designed to inflict fear, curses and other stigma whilst Conviction is active.
- Imbued are unable to enter Moon Bridges, as they are bound to the material world.
- The Rite of the Parted Veil cannot be used to make Imbued into Kinfolk regardless of whether they have active Conviction or not.</li>
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