LeviathanTempest:ChapterFour

[PICTURE: Full page, three-quarters top-down view. An alleyway. A man in a black suit, wearing a bronze face mask depicting an impassive man's face in a Sumerian style, recoils from a prone figure. The prone body is a young man with AmerInd features. He is in a flannel shirt and ripped jeans, and is lying in a pool of blood. His teeth are gritted as he glares defiantly at the masked man. The teeth are triangular, and his left eye is a featureless black pool. The blood is rising up unnaturally at his side and forming a distinct shape - a vulture's body with a peacock's tail feathers. Instead of a vulture's head, three serpents emerge from the neck. The central serpent is hooded, like a cobra. The creature is formed out of blood at its feet but solid elsewhere, and is clearly taking flight towards the masked man.]

Chapter 4 : Supernatural Powers

“Can you fill his hide with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the struggle, and never do it again! Any hope of subduing him is false; the mere sight of him is overpowering.”

• Job 41:7-9

Supplementing the mystical advantages – and afflictions - that separate the Tribe from humanity is the exploration of the power available from their Progenitor's bloodline. While Sheol measures the degree to which a Leviathan is coming to terms with his or her lineage, this method of exploration is not the only one available to them. The Schools of the Tribe emphasize an approach towards definition of the self, and part of that goal is the realization and reclamation of the Tribe's lost power.

Most Leviathans do not spend particularly much energy simply attempting to gain mystical power. While such things can provide considerable control over the immediate circumstances of a Leviathan's life, delving deeply into one's bloodline involves acknowledging the Tribe's inhumanity in a way that can be frightening to an insecure Leviathan, and even the more balanced and stable members of the Tribe often find that they feel more “stable” spending their time on other studies. At least a portion of this anxiety stems from the fact that the Tribe's power expresses itself imperfectly in humanoid visages – a member of the Tribe must become monstrous to make use of the lore encoded in his blood.

Vestiges

The avenues of supernatural power open to the Tribe are referred to as Vestiges. A Vestige is understood as just that, a fragmentary remnant of some facet of the power of the Progenitors which a Leviathan can, with study, seek to emulate. Comprehension of a Vestige, as well as a Leviathan's conception of how that power is achieved, shapes the Leviathan's monstrous forms – the closer he moves towards the far limits of his transformative ability, the more of the power of the Vestige is made manifest. Meditation and exploration of a Vestige also serves as a method of forming a personal image of the Tribe's lost heritage – the Leviathan's School shapes the ways in which he comprehends the Vestiges and the ways in which they become physically manifest as he attempts to achieve an understanding of his bloodline that gives him a goal to aim for. In other words, the Tribe's study of Vestiges is part of their attempt to construct an ideal form in which they will feel “complete.”

The Tribe has access to seven Vestiges, corresponding to the seven most major Strains. All of the Tribe's abilities fall under the blanket of one of these seven categories, and can be further subdivided into Channels. A Channel is a part of the whole – members of Abzu's Camp tend to refer to them as imperfect emanations of perfect concepts – and serves as a manageable portion of an otherwise massive concept. Leviathans explore a Vestige by comprehending its individual Channels. The most straightforward of these are referred to as Ancestral Channels – they represent certain physical concepts that must be grasped before the more esoteric Descendant Channels can be understood. Descendant Channels involve the conjuration and direction of the forces at the Tribe's command and, as such, require a greater degree of focus and the power of Ichor to invoke.

The Vestiges are a gift shared by all members of the Tribe. While a given Strain may favor certain aspects of the bloodline, there are no aspects of the Tribe's power that cannot be gained by a Leviathan that undergoes proper study. On a practical level this means that there are no Channels that are unique to a given Strain or School, and even if a small group of Leviathans “discovered” a lost Channel, the route they took to this discovery could not be the only one – through meditation and experimentation, it would be possible for a Leviathan with infinite time (and patience) to grasp every Channel of every Vestige. The roadmap to these traits is, after all, contained in the blood of each and every Leviathan, and reproduced in imperfect fragments in the families that gave birth to them.

Birthrights

Remarkably, the first tentative steps taken in the exploration of a Vestige tend to cover similar ground, no matter the Channel being considered or the methods of the Leviathan in question. This “common ground” represents a Vestige's Birthright – the most basic expression of that Vestige, a small blessing that any Leviathan that has explored that Vestige has access to in any form. The trick offered by a Birthright is usually limited, a predecessor to the Vestige's more formal powers, but most members of the Tribe find that the ability to produce their Birthrights at any time more than makes up for the lack of a spectacular effect.

Mechanically, a Birthright is a single power available to a Leviathan regardless of form, which has one effect and an associated Ichor cost. The invocation of a Birthright involves either no transformation or an imperceptible amount of change – it takes supernatural awareness to mark their use. A Leviathan gains access to a Vestige's Birthright upon purchasing any of its Ancestral Channels.

Evolutions

Comparatively, there are paths that a Leviathan can avoid taking in their exploration of a Channel, certain modes of thought or varieties of adaptation that only become apparent to those that search for them specifically. The Tribe refers to these elaborations of the Vestige as its Evolutions. They are of somewhat greater social and mental importance to a Leviathan than the Channels themselves, as they are adaptations that are deliberately sought – by internalizing these traits, a Leviathan is making a claim as to what he believes his (or even the) ideal form ought to be. While the marking of a Progenitor's bloodline causes a Strain to favor certain Vestiges, it is the will of the Leviathan that guides him to more readily undertake a group of Evolutions.

Mechanically, an Evolution is like a Merit – a unique feature purchased separately from other traits. Evolutions are tied to Vestiges or Channels, and provide to the linked powers either additional benefits, new avenues of use, or reduced limitations. Evolutions always have a physical marker that makes them readily apparent to observers – a true scholar of the Tribe might even be able to identify a Leviathan's School and mastered Channels from observing his Evolutions.

Sidebar Page: Attribute-Boosting Channels

A number of Channels provide the Leviathan with bonuses to a specific Attribute. These follow a general template, depending on whether the Attribute is from the Power, Finesse, or Resistance group. To save on space, the basic templates are below, with specific details listed under the individual Channel.

Power Attribute Boosting Ancestral Channel

• “Depth 0”: Birthright, as appropriate
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on rolls with (Attribute)
• “Depth 2”: As above, and +1 to the Attribute
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now 8-Again on rolls, and when the Leviathan spends Willpower on an active (Attribute)-based roll, they gain +5 dice instead of +3.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 to the Attribute
• “Depth 5”: As above, and when acting unopposed or unresisted, the Leviathan may perform (Attribute) actions as rote actions.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now +3 to the Attribute; (unique power)

Finesse Attribute Boosting Ancestral Channel

• “Depth 0”: Birthright, as appropriate
• “Depth 1”: (Unique Power)
• “Depth 2”: As above, and 9-Again on rolls with (Attribute).
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 to the Attribute, and when the Leviathan spends Willpower on an active (Attribute)-based roll, they gain +5 dice instead of +3.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now 8-Again; (Unique Power)
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +2 to the Attribute.
• “Depth 6”: As above; (unique power)

Resistance Attribute Boosting Ancestral Channel

• “Depth 0”: Birthright, as appropriate
• “Depth 1”: When the Leviathan is using (Attribute) to resist a rolled action, his attacker does not benefit from 10-Again. 9-Again or 8-Again will "degrade" one step.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now an attacker with no re-rolls negates one success for each "1" rolled. 9-Again will "degrade" to no reroll, while 8-Again will "degrade" to 10-again.
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 to (Attribute) and the Leviathan boosts his resistance by 4, not 2, when spending Willpower to increase the Attribute.
• “Depth 4”: 8-Again will "degrade" to no re-roll.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +2 to (Attribute); (unique power)
• “Depth 6”: As above, attackers benefit from no re-rolls under any circumstances; (unique power)

At Depths 2 and 4, the Leviathan also gains the 9-again and 8-again properties for uncontested rolls incorporating the Attribute. At Depth 3, he gains +5 dice instead of +3 when expending Willpower to improve a roll incorporating the Attribute.

Vestiges of Awareness

There are countless adaptations that permit natural animals to discern amazing degrees of information from their environment - organs that measure electrical impulses, sort and interpret scents, and adaptations that "feel" the impression made by thrashing fish in the water. All of these various miracles of biology - and supernatural improvements beyond the limits of flesh - are available to the Tribe. The Progenitors, if myths are to be believed, had senses that could measure the quiver of thoughts in the heads of their prey, or pierce the limits of space and time. While their descendants cannot make such grandiose claims, the remaining fragments of these impossible gifts are still impressive.

Those members of the Tribe that explore the relics of their lost civilization see these gifts as represented by a wheel of staring eyes or as an indigo mirror, lens, or jewel. The Progenitor most famed for perception is Nagaraja, the ancestor of the Vasuki, yet the Taninim and Bahamutan Strains also have a strong grasp of these talents.

Birthright of Awareness

The Birthright of the Vestige of Awareness is the Gaze of the Depths. Upon its invocation, the Leviathan's vision ceases to be impaired by water, and he reduces darkness-related vision penalties by his Sheol. He may keep his eyes open underwater, regardless of water quality, without discomfort. These effects last for the rest of the scene.

• Cost: 1 Ichor

Lambent Eyes of Judgment (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan's gaze strips away deception and peers into the heart of matters – he seeks out the blackness at the core of all issues, and reads the lines of guilt in the faces of others.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Awareness
• “Depth 1”: When the Leviathan uses the Empathy skill to read another character, she may see the form of the target's soul. This manifests to her senses as an Aura around the target. For the rest of the scene, she is aware of all the emotions the target is feeling and their degree.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but the Leviathan is also aware of the target's nature (mortal, atoll, Ahab, Leviathan, or even other supernaturals if she's encountered them before) and rough [Power Trait].
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now the Leviathan adds her Sheol to uses of the Empathy skill.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now the Leviathan's understanding of the soul is so complete as to be indistinguishable from mind-reading. She is aware of the surface thoughts of anyone whose soul she currently perceives. The Leviathan may also use her Empathy skill (Wits + Empathy + Sheol vs. Target's Composure + Power Trait) to probe the minds of other characters.
  • -1: The Leviathan searches for information more than a day and less than a year old.
  • -2: The Leviathan searches for buried or unconscious information.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but once per round the Leviathan may use the Empathy skill reflexively.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and Leviathan knows the Virtue, Vice, and [Morality Trait] of any character whose soul she has seen.

Evolutions

• Light of Truth (O) In Depth 1 and lower, the Leviathan's eyes (or body, or some new and horrific organ) give off light – roughly equivalent to candlelight (about a yard of illumination). In this region, Wake-vulnerable subjects lose 10-again on their Subterfuge rolls.
• Lantern of Shame (OO, requires Light of Truth): At Depth 3 and below, the light's intensity increases to that of a lantern, and its light removes the ability of Wake-vulnerable subjects to regain Willpower from their Vice.
• Pyre for Sinners (OOOOO, requires Lantern of Shame): At Depth 6, the light's intensity increases to that of a bonfire (ten yards of illumination). In addition to the other effects, Wake-vulnerable supernatural beings in the light cannot make use of occult abilities that involve Subterfuge, such as the Obfuscate ability “The Familiar Stranger” (Vampire pg 137).

One Brain, Many Minds (Ancestral Channel)

The sad limit of modern creatures of a single consciousness drawn together from the offerings of the brain does not need to be obeyed by Leviathans. As their ancestors once did, they can support a chorus of coordinated psyches within their brains.

One Brain, Many Minds is a Finesse Attribute-boosting Channel. It benefits Wits and has the following unique powers:

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Awareness
• “Depth 1”: The character can take in every detail of his surroundings at once. He ignores (Sheol) points of penalties from external distractions (including feints in combat and defense penalties from multiple attackers) or obstructions (including poor visibility, covered-up tracks, and so on).
• “Depth 4”: As above, and when performing a Wits-based information gathering check the Leviathan may simultaneously investigate up to (Wits) characters or objects in sensory range. For example, the Leviathan could roll Wits + Empathy once to determine if any of the characters around him have been deceptive this scene.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and when the Leviathan acts against an individual whom he has focused his wake on, if that individual's (Willpower + Power Trait) does not exceed the Leviathan's (Wits + Sheol), the Leviathan rolls twice and takes the better result.

Evolutions

• Minds' Eye (O): At Depth 1 or lower, the Leviathan may use his Wits to determine Defense even if his Dexterity is lower.
• Swarm Intelligence (OOO): The amount of time it takes the character to perform an Extended Mental Action is divided by the character's (Sheol + 1). For example, at Sheol 1, an action that would normally take an hour per roll takes a half hour instead.

Empire-Forging Omniscience (Ancestral Channel)

The Progenitors embodied all that was and is and will be. Theirs was the lore of the stars and the tides: the secrets of pattern, energy, and matter.

Empire-Forging Omniscience is a Power-Attribute boosting Channel. It affects Intelligence and has the following unique powers:

• "Depth 6": When the character focuses his wake on an individual whose (Willpower + Power Trait) does not exceed the Leviathan's (Intelligence + Sheol), he may spend an instant action and 1 Willpower to perfectly analyze the target. Storytellers are encouraged to share all relevant traits of an affected target, including Attributes, creature type, Physical Skills, and prominent Merits at the very least. Inanimate objects are considered to have a (Willpower + Power Trait) of 0. This ability does not grant insights into a character's personality or backstory beyond those conferred by the character sheet.

Evolutions

Mind Over Matter (OOOO, requires Sheol 3+): At Depth 6, the character may spend a point of Willpower to replace his Strength or Dexterity with his Intelligence for a scene.

Oroborus' Kin (Ancestral Channel)

In the primordial ocean, time flowed as all waters did. Some of the great beasts of that ocean stretched themselves along such flows and devoured their pasts and future in single gulps. This feat lies beyond modern Leviathans, but they may still hunt the strange eddies of time.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Awareness
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan may perform a prophecy ritual that takes 10 minutes or less as an instant action.
• “Depth 2”: As above, and the character may add his Sheol to all divination rolls.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now the character may substitute his Sheol for his Resources rating when determining his ritual materials at hand. The required materials just find their way to him.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now the character may perform any prophecy Ritual as an Extended Action (1 minute per roll), allowing for large divinations of surpassing speed.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and the Leviathan may now use fortuitous events as a basis for prophecy - upon witnessing a dramatic failure or exceptional success, he may reflexively enact any prophecy ritual he knows which normally requires ten minutes or less to perform. The event substitutes for the necessary materials and actions.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan may "see" temporal anomalies as well as unusual alterations in the fabric of fate. This permits him to use normal senses to note the presence of mystically-warped fates or regions in which supernatural means have been used to distort time.

Evolutions

• Third Eye (OOO, requires Sheol 3): At Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan may use his five normal senses to discern the past and future. He may use a Wits + Occult prophecy roll to get "sensations" from a person or object that up to seven minutes (-1), hours (-2), days (-4) or even years (-8) divorced from the present, in any direction. These "sensations" default to the most "important" or impressive event in the time frame sensed, and provide only hints. A fisherman who will drown in three days might provide the taste of salt water, for instance. Events are considered "important" based off of some notion of their "notability" and import to the subject.
• Divine Perspective (O or OOO, requires Third Eye and Sheol 4 or 5): At Depth 6, the Leviathan may reflexely and constantly receives sensory data from people and objects that extends up to seven minutes in either direction in their personal timeline, as detailed under Third Eye. The three-dot version of this Merit gathers information for up to seven hours.

Eye of the Watchful Deity (Descendant Channel)

The Leviathan may ride the senses of its followers, making use of their eyes and ears to extend its reach and review the world from safety.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Awareness
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan can share the senses of a Beloved or bonded Lahmasu within (Sheol x 10) feet, seeing and hearing what they do. The Leviathan is in a trance state (unaware, no Defense) while doing this, and does not independently roll to notice things - he or she merely perceives what the subject does. The Leviathan needs to know the vague direction towards a subject to tap in - they can't guess until they get the correct answer, however. The subject is aware of this effect. It lasts until terminated, until the end of the scene, or until the subject leaves the target area. The Leviathan must terminate the effect to move and act freely.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but within (Sheol x 10) yards.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but within (Sheol x 100) yards. The Leviathan may now expend 1 additional Ichor to target a willing subject that is vulnerable to the Wake but not a Beloved or Lahmasu. In addition to the direction to the subject, the Leviathan must also either know the target's name or be able to see them with the naked (if supernaturally enhanced) eye.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but within a (Sheol/2) miles.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but within a (Sheol) miles.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but within (Sheol x 10) miles. The Leviathan can expend 3 additional Ichor to target unwilling subjects that are vulnerable to the Wake - this requires an opposed roll (Presence + Sheol vs Resolve + Power Trait). The normal restrictions for targeting non-Beloved apply.

Evolutions

• Gentle Touch (O) If the Leviathan's Subterfuge + Sheol is greater than the subject's Willpower, they are not aware of being monitored. This does not prevent a subject from resisting if unwilling - in this case the victim, should they be affected, is aware that they were subject to mental assault but is not aware of whether they are still being "hijacked" or not.
• Split Focus (OOO): In Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan now taps into the senses of a subject as an unrolled action - they must devote attention to it, but are not in a trance and retain awareness of their surroundings and their Defense trait. The Leviathan may also opt not to use a subject's senses in a turn, taking its normal action, without breaking the effect.
• All-Seeing (OOOO, requires Split Focus): At Depth 6, the Leviathan uses the senses of the target as a reflexive action - it may act freely and has constant awareness of information gathered by both its senses and those of the subject.
• Anointing the Prophet (OOOO): The Leviathan may project his Wake and its associated effects through a willing Lahmasu or Beloved used as the target of this power. The Leviathan's Social Traits are used - the target becomes a mouthpiece for his deity. The Leviathan must remain immobile while this power is in effect.

Memories Before Time (Descendant Channel)

Beyond the confines of the world as it is now exist wonders unimagined. Some Leviathans can do more, however, than imagine them. For some, the memory of these things is present and terrible, and waiting to be called to the fore.

• • Dice Pool: Wits + Occult + Sheol
• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Awareness
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan may dip into the reserve of ancestral memory and conjure up knowledge of a Skill it does not possess. It may use the Skill at a rating of 1 for a number of rolls equal to its successes.
• “Depth 2”: The Leviathan now uses conjured skills at a rating of 2.
• “Depth 3”: The Leviathan may now expend 1 additional Ichor to include a Specialty alongside a conjured skill.
• “Depth 4”: The Leviathan now uses conjured skills at a rating of 3.
• “Depth 5”: The Leviathan now uses conjured skills at a rating of 4.
• “Depth 6”: The Leviathan can expend 3 additional Ichor to conjure a Skill with an accompanying Specialty at a rating of 5 or two skills, each with its own Specialty, at a rating of 3.

Evolutions

• Lasting Impression (O) When using the Depth 1 iteration of this Channel, the Leviathan may "conjure" the Merit Eidetic Memory instead of a Skill. If he does so, it lasts for a number of minutes equal to his successes.
• Lost Tongue (O) When using the Depth 1 iteration of this Channel, the Leviathan may "conjure" a Language instead of a Skill. If he does so, it lasts for a number of minutes equal to his successes and is possessed at the same dot rating as a conjured Skill would have been at.
• Lost Lore (OOO): In Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan may expend 1 Ichor to attempt to remember an obscure fact as though he possessed the Merit Encyclopedic Knowledge.
• Tutelary Cocoon (OOO): In Depth 3 and below, The Leviathan may chose to expend 1 Willpower to form a cocoon, sealing itself away in a sleep-like trance which lasts 24 hours. During this time, the Leviathan may conjure a Skill (or Merit, if available) and purchase or improve it with experience points, as though it had received adequate training and instruction from adept tutors. Only one purchase may be made with each trance period. The Leviathan may "borrow" experience up to its Resolve if available points are insufficient, but gains a minor Derangement for doing so. A Leviathan in experience "debt" continues to gain experience as normal but must pay off the balance before it can purchase or improve Traits with experience. When the debt is paid off, the Derangement is also removed.

Vestiges of Elements

Birthright of Elements

The Birthright of the Vestige of Elements is the Veil of Seas. The Leviathan may compel a body of water of his Size or less to give off a cloud of fog, which inflicts a -3 sight penalty on all relevant rolls made on objects obscured by it. The fog expands considerably – the cloud's radius is roughly (Source's Size) in yards. The cloud lasts until the end of the scene or until mystically dispersed.

• Cost: 1 Ichor

Creature of the Luminous Ocean (Ancestral Channel)

Nothing is truly empty. The Leviathan knows this; she swims through what seems to be a void, bathed in a sea of luminous power: power that she can bring to bear against others.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Elements
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan may use his Computers skill to interface with a local electrically charged information pattern (such as a computer) directly, obtaining an encompassing understanding of the pattern. As a special exception to the "local" rule, the Leviathan may always interface with Earth's magnetic field in this manner, allowing him to locate true north (this application uses Survival).
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now the Leviathan may control such local patterns, allowing him to operate a computer without keyboard and monitor. He may perform Hacking checks as an instant rather than Extended action.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but the Leviathan adds his Sheol to uses of the Computers skill, and he has Armor (Sheol) versus electrical damage.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now the Leviathan may affect patterns up to (Sheol) meters away, allowing him to turn on an assembly line or television with a mere effort of will, and he has Armor (Size) versus electrical damage, if his Size exceeds his Sheol.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now once per round the Leviathan's use of the Computers skill is reflexive.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan can interface with and operate computers and other electrical devices within (Sheol x 10) meters without touching them; the Leviathan can effectively swim through electric and magnetic fields at half-speed: this essentially allows for flight. When flying over oceans, rivers, and lakes in this manner, the Leviathan is considered to be submerged. The Leviathan is immune to electrical damage.

Evolutions

• Deep Battery (OO): At Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan's touch can provide electrical charge sufficient to power an electrical device of his Size or less. He must maintain contact to keep the device powered, and this contact will damage the device over the course of the scene – effectively inflicting electrical damage equal to the Leviathan's Sheol.
• Thundering Fists (OO) At Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan may make electrically-charged unarmed strikes. This costs the Leviathan 1 Ichor per strike. The strikes are + (Sheol)B weapons with the Stun property, which inflict electrical damage (which most mundane armor cannot negate) and are made with the Brawl Skill.
• Crackling Rebuke (OOOOO, requires Deep Battery): At Depth 6, the smell of atmosphere surrounds the Leviathan, and sparks crackle between his fingertips and shoot out of his mouth when he speaks. At this point foes that strike the Leviathan unarmed or with a conductive weapon suffer bashing damage equal to his Sheol. This damage is electrical in nature. Those that grapple him suffer as though they were exposed to a constant current (World of Darkness, pg. 178).

Rain-Dance of the Tempest (Ancestral Channel)

Calling down the truth of his hyperdimensional nature, the Leviathan awakens to a tune only he can hear, stuttering between spaces and sidestepping the raindrops of time. As he falls deeper, his movements embody principles of fractal infinity: tentacles spiraling like galaxies, Wake like a black hole.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Elements
• “Depth 1”: You reflexively create spatial distortions in an area around you with a radius of (Sheol) yards. These distortions impose a -1 penalty to all physical actions in the affected region, though you are immune.
• “Depth 2”: As above, and your allies also become immune to the distortion.
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the penalty increases to -2.
• “Depth 4”: As above, and, as an instant action, you may roll (Intelligence + Composure). If you succeed, you may move at your (Speed + Sheol) without passing through intervening space.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but the check to move outside of space for a turn is now reflexive. Any attack made the turn of such rapid extraspatial movement suffers a penalty equal to (5 - successes rolled) due to disorientation.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and you gain a bonus to your Defense equal to your Composure. This additional Defense is not multiplied when dodging, but is applied against any attack with a physical component, including firearms attacks.

Evolutions

• Creation of Momentum (OO): At Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan no longer suffers Defense reduction from successive attacks.
• Obscene Geometries (OOO): At Depth 3 and below, the dice bonus provided by aiming at the Leviathan instead becomes a penalty. At Depth 5 and below, no character within the radius of a spatial distortion benefits from Cover against the Leviathan or its allies.
• As One (OOOOO): At Depth 6, the Leviathan can be considered "submerged" as long as his Wake overlaps a suitably large body of water above ground (submerged resevoirs and wells are unsuitable, for example.)

Kin of the Conqueror Worm (Ancestral Channel)

The seeds for creatures that crawled on and within the ground emerged from the primordial beasts, and still exist within modern Leviathans. By cultivating these seeds, the Leviathan can adapt to a life within the embrace of the earth and its inner sea of fire and molten metal.

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Elements
• "Depth 1": The Leviathan can add his Size and Sheol to Stamina for the purposes of holding his breath.
• "Depth 2": As above, and the Leviathan's skin becomes slick with mucus. This gives him 8-again on attempts to wriggle free of grapples and restraints, as well as to move through tight places (such as the earth). This mucus hardens afterwards, and is hard enough to keep a tunnel of average dirt from collapsing.
• "Depth 3": As above, and the Leviathan can breathe through his mucus coated skin. So long as there is air or water in contact with the Leviathan's skin, he cannot suffocate.
• "Depth 4": As above, and the Leviathan can burrow through the earth by consuming dirt and excreting it through appropriate organs (default is being devoured via the mouth and passed out through normal channels). This occurs at the Leviathan's running speed. The Leviathan suffers no abrasions from natural dirt/rock structures that he can pass through.
• "Depth 5": As above, and the Leviathan's speed is increased by Size and Sheol while burrowing in the ground. The Leviathan's tunnels and body can endure any depth up to the molten part of the earth without harm from the environment.
• "Depth 6": As above, and the Leviathan is immune to damage from natural rock and metal formations in the earth, regardless of the temperature. He can burrow through natural stone and even molten metal. For purposes of submergence, the Leviathan may treat the earth itself as water, allowing him to remain in Apotheosis form underground without losing Ichor.

Evolutions

• Flesh of the Earth (OO or OOOO): The Leviathan's ability to ingest earth and stone allows her to integrate these materials into her divine form. At the OO level she gets 8-again on all rolls to avoid detection while burrowing, as her body matches with the surrounding material. At the OOOO level she also gains the ability to pass through the earth without digesting/passing it, and if she so chooses without leaving a tunnel (breathing is not enhanced by this, but moist earth counts as water for the purposes of the Depth 2 ability). It is possible for Leviathans with the OOOO Evolution in Depth 4+ form to simply sink into the earth and to navigate in any direction. Breaking the surface of the earth or emerging from underground both require instant actions, but can be made reflexive with the expenditure of one Ichor per transition.

• Waves of Stone (OOOO): The Leviathan can compel the earth to heave and lurch as she passes through it. While moving through the earth using this Channel, she may force all those above her within Size + Sheol miles to make Dexterity + Athletics checks to maintain their balance. All actions dependent on the earth not moving have a penalty of the Leviathan's Sheol.

The Sky Cauldron (Descendant Channel)

Stirring the sky, the Leviathan may worsen weather conditions, calling up rain, winds, and hail. At the farthest reaches of this power, the Leviathan may call down boat-sundering storms with ease.

• • Dice Pool: Intelligence + Occult + Sheol
  • Action Type: Extended (Each roll represents 5 minutes of commanding the skies)

The Leviathan may summon inclement weather, activating this power repeatedly to increase the intensity or duration. The Depth that the Leviathan is at determines the maximum intensity of weather available to him. The weather lasts for a number of minutes equal to the Leviathan's successes and covers a region with a radius of 100 yards per point of Sheol. The Leviathan may opt to create weather less disastrous than he has access to. If existing weather is present, the Leviathan may reduce the necessary successes by the degree of difference between current conditions and the intended goal (i.e. if heavy rain exists, the Leviathan needs only 5 additional successes to ratchet it up to a hailstorm.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Elements
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan may summon gentle rain or a slight breeze. (1 success necessary)
• “Depth 2”: As above, but the Leviathan may summon light rain or a strong breeze - enough to ruin a picnic. (3+ successes)
• “Depth 3”: As above, but the Leviathan may summon heavy rain and wind - cancelling most outdoor events. (5+ successes) The Leviathan may expend 1 additional Ichor to make a check in a single minute.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but the Leviathan may summon a large thunder or hailstorm - those exposed take a level of bashing damage for each minute of exposure (10+ successes) .
• “Depth 5”: As above, but the Leviathan may summon a catastrophic storm or monsoon - power is lost, property damaged. Those exposed take a level of bashing damage for each turn of exposure. (15+ successes)
• “Depth 6”: As above, but the Leviathan may summon a storm that grounds planes and capsizes small ships. Those exposed take a level of lethal daage for each turn of exposure (20+ successes). The Leviathan may expend 3 additional Ichor to make a check in a single turn.

Evolutions

• All-Weather Flesh (O) In Depth 1 and below, the Leviathan has Armor (Sheol) against damage inflicted by inclement weather, conjured or otherwise. This is sufficient to prevent the damage dealt by exposure to most weather.
• Broad Storm (OOO): In Depth 3 and below, the radius of the Leviathan's conjured weather is 250 yards per point of Sheol.
• Lance of the Heavens (OOO): In Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan may expend 1 Ichor to attack foes with bolts of conjured lightning. This is an electrical attack pitting the Leviathan's (Intelligence + Occult + Sheol - subject's Defense) It is electrical and therefore ignores most armor, and has a short range of (Leviathan's Sheol x 10) yards, a medium range of twice that, and a long range of four times the short range. It deals bashing damage and has the Stun property.
• Biblical Deluge (OOOOO): In Depth 6, the Leviathan's conjured weather lasts for 10 minutes for each success.

Swallowing the Storm (Descendant Channel)

Once the weather obeyed the primordial creatures, wind blowing only when they allowed it. Even a modern Leviathan can exert some of that control, absorbing violent weather in to its body.

• • Dice Pool: Stamina + Survival + Sheol
  • Action Type: Extended (Each roll represents 1 minute of concentration)

The mirror image of the Sky Cauldron, the Leviathan may use this Channel to "swallow" weather effects, stopping storms and gales by absorbing the power within them. Disrupting weather is easier than creating it, but the difficulty increases considerably when the weather has been conjured. In such cases, the Leviathan subtracts the Sheol (or Power Trait) of the weather's creator from all rolls. If a Leviathan wishes to merely reduce the intensity of weather, he or she needs only score successes equal to the difference between the intensities listed below (so it takes 10 successes to turn a hurricane into a strong storm, for instance.)

The Leviathan must be within (100 x Sheol) yards of the center of the weather's most intense region. This means that a Leviathan that wishes to take on a hurricane or tornado has to place himself at considerable risk.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Elements
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan may negate gentle rain or a slight breeze. (1 success necessary)
• “Depth 2”: As above, but the Leviathan may clear away a light rain or strong breeze. (2 successes necessary)
• “Depth 3”: As above, but the Leviathan may remove heavy rain and wind - enough to negate the vast majority of normal weather (4 successes necessary.) The Leviathan may expend 1 additional Ichor upon negating a weather pattern - this negates his need to eat or drink for a number of days equal to the successes he required to disrupt it.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but the Leviathan may annihiate large thunder or hailstorms - those sufficient to damage those left exposed (as Depth 4 of the Sky Cauldron, above. 6 successes are necessary.)
• “Depth 5”: As above, but the Leviathan may remove even a catastrophic storm or monsoon - the leval of havoc unleashed by most conjured and unnatural weather. (10 successes necessary)
• “Depth 6”: As above, but the Leviathan may prevent the fiercest weather - even a record-breaking hurricane or tornado (14 successes necessary.) The Leviathan may expend 3 additional Ichor to make a check in a single turn.

Evolutions

• Zone of Calm (OOO, Requires Sheol 2): The Leviathan may opt to "bind" Ichor while activating this Channel. As long as it remains bound, successes in excess of those necessary to disrupt the weather that the Leviathan originally targetted will maintain the effect for one hour each. While the effect is maintained, natural weather of equal or lesser magnitude to the original target will not affect the region within (100 x Sheol) yards of the center of the original center. Those attempting to create supernatural weather inside this region subtract the Leviathan's Sheol from relevant rolls. When the duration of the calm region expires, the Ichor becomes unbound.
• Cultist Proxy (OOO): The Leviathan may "bind" a single Ichor to one of his Beloved or bound Lahmasu. In Depth 3 and below, he may exercise this Channel "through" his proxy, allowing him to use the power as though he were physically in their location. The Leviathan must be aware of the rough position of the Cultist and be facing that direction.
• Long Grasp (OO) In Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan can negate weather while within (250 x Sheol) yards of its center.
• Easy Suppression (OOO): The Leviathan's Depth 6 iteration of this Channel is a reflexive action.

Piercing the Veil of Slumber (Descendant Channel)

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Elements
• "Depth 1": The Leviathan may observe the dreams of others while asleep. Any character who interacts with the Leviathan on a regular basis may be observed for 1 Ichor per scene. Characters may resist with a Wits + Subterfuge roll against the Leviathan's Intelligence + Occult.
• "Depth 2": As above, and the Leviathan is master of its own dreams. Add (Sheol) in automatic successes (or twice Sheol to its resistance trait) to all attempts by the Leviathan to maintain or defend his dreams against invaders.
• "Depth 3": As above, and the Leviathan may spend an additional Ichor to invade the mind of a character whose dream they are observing. Asserting control over a dream is an Intelligence + Occult check opposed by the Resolve + Power Trait of the dreamer. While in control, the Leviathan may perform any social action that they could perform in person to the dreamer, but with an equipment bonus equal to his (Sheol). The targeted individual behaves upon awakening as if the social action occurred in conscious reality, though they do not necessarily believe the dream to have been real. Every time the target suffers damage from any source while their dream remains under the Leviathan's control, the target may attempt to awaken with a reflexive (Resolve + Power Trait + Total Damage Taken) roll against the Leviathan's original successes on the control check.
• "Depth 4": As above, and the Leviathan may affect the dreams of any character they have seen in the last thirty days.
• "Depth 5": As above, and the Leviathan may affect the dreams of any character who has ever seen them in Apotheosis form, or any character within (Sheol) miles of the Leviathan's slumbering body.
• "Depth 6": The Leviathan dreams and changes the world. He first sets an ultimate goal (“My cult shall seize 37th street.” “Doctor Johanss will stumble across an idol and spiral into madness.” “The Mayor will die.” “I shall rise again, when the stars are right”). The Leviathan then spends 4 Ichor and slumbers as an extended action (1 day per Intelligence + Occult + Sheol roll) for up to (Sheol x 2) rolls. Each success can be used to add one die to any action that might advance his goal, or to subtract one die from an attempt to prevent it. Successes accumulated can also be used to affect the dreams of others as per the previous iterations of this channel, or to increase the number of targets whose dreams the Leviathan can invade - each success thus expended doubles the number of targets the Leviathan can affect. Use the highest Resolve + Power Trait out of all targets.

Evolutions

• Dream Contagion (OOO) - The Leviathan may declare a dream it is control of contagious; it will affect all individuals within (Leviathan's wake diameter) of the original target. Roll Intelligence + Occult vs. the highest Resolve + Power Trait out of all targets: on a success, all characters in range have similar dreams over the course of several nights. The Leviathan's social actions in the original dream are replicated (using his original roll results) and tailored to individual targets.
• Lord of Nightmares (OOOOO) - In Depth 3 or lower, the Leviathan may, after making eye contact with a target, spend 1 Willpower to send the target into a waking dream. This is an instant action. The Leviathan rolls (Intelligence + Occult + Sheol) opposed by the target's (Willpower + Power Trait). On a success, the target experiences several hours of subjective interaction with the Leviathan in the span of a turn, as if they were dreaming. The target is incapable of performing non-reflexive actions that turn, but is not considered helpless. On an exceptional success, the Leviathan may opt for the target to experience the dream in real time, asserting total control over the target's senses as a concentration duration effect. A character whose senses are being controlled may spend a Willpower to attempt to break free from the effect, rolling (Willpower + Power Trait) against the Leviathan's original successes. Lord of Nightmares may only be invoked once per day per target.

Vestiges of Fecundity

Birthright of Fecundity

The Birthright of the Vestige of Elements is the Crimson Tithe. By letting his blood mingle with that of another, the Leviathan may open a mystical channel that permits him to infuse a valid subject with his Ichor. This requires an open wound sufficient to draw blood (or one level of bashing damage to represent the creation of one) for both the Leviathan and the intended beneficiary, who must remain touching – generally, the transfer looks like a “blood brothers” declaration, with two freshly-cut limbs held together. The Leviathan may transfer Ichor to the target at his maximum rate of expense, until he decides to stop, breaks contact, or the subject is holding the maximum amount of Ichor that he can. This has no effect on creatures who do not possess an Ichor pool.

• Cost: Varies

Lord of the Sea (Ancestral Channel)

From the sea was life incubated, and to the sea all owe their allegiance.

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Fecundity
• "Depth 1": The Leviathan may use his Animal Ken skill to interact with creatures. He speaks with and understands creatures, using the Animal Ken skill in place of normal Social skills. Creatures of Size 2 or lower may be given commands, but will oppose the Leviathan's roll with their Composure + Power Trait (if any). They will follow to the best of their ability, but will not perform directly suicidal actions.
• "Depth 2": As above, and any non-sentient creature whose Size does not exceed the Leviathan's current Size may be given commands, subject to the same limitations of the Depth 1 iteration of this Channel.
• "Depth 3": As above, and the Leviathan adds his Sheol to uses of the Animal Ken skill.
• "Depth 4": As above, and the Leivathan automatically detects all non-sentient life within the radius of his wake, ignoring concealment.
• "Depth 5": As above, and once per round the Leviathan may reflexively command any one animal within the radius of his wake.
• "Depth 6": As above, and for purposes of this channel wake-vulnerable individuals whose (Willpower + Power Trait) are less than the Leviathan's (Animal Ken + Sheol) are considered to be non-sentient creatures and may be commanded with Animal Ken. Humans will not obey commands that compromise their sense of identity unless the action fulfills their Vice or is particularly revolting to them. For example, a soldier could not be made to attack a random bystander but could be made to attack the partner who they've served next to for decades.

Magnanimous Host to All (Ancestral Channel)

Teeming with symbiotic creatures that can not properly survive in the lessened world, the Leviathan's body sustains these creatures in exchange for the benefits they provide.

When the Leviathan gains this Channel, he designates a Symbiont skill.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Fecundity
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan's symbiont skill gains the 9-again property.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now the symbiont skill gains the 8-again property.
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 dice to the symbiont skill.
• “Depth 4”: As above, and instead +2 dice to the symbiont skill.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and the Leviathan reflexively chooses a second skill to gain the above benefits. The Leviathan may choose a different skill each time he reaches this Depth. He ignores Untrained penalties.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan reflexives chooses a third skill to gain the above benefits. The Leviathan may choose a different skill each time he reaches this Depth. He ignores Untrained penalties.

The Leviathan chooses only the best re-roll mechanic (9-again, 8-again, rote action, automatic successes) for any given roll. Otherwise, all bonuses apply.

Evolutions

Multitudinous Horde (OO to OOOOO): The Leviathan may designate multiple Symbiont skills (up to his dots in this Evolution) and choose which one to apply this Channel's benefits to. He may reflexively switch between skills for 1 Ichor.

Incubation of the Second Self (Descendant Channel)

Leviathans capable of incubating the second self can reproduce without any outside aid, essentially cloning itself. This does not have to be brought to full term, or even sent along the exact same path, allowing the Leviathan to bring forth new creatures from its flesh.

• • Dice Pool: Resolve + Medicine + Sheol
  • Action Type: Extended

The Leviathan is capable of parthenogenesis, creating an egg hosted within its body which will hatch over time, producing a near-copy of the Leviathan him or herself. The only certain difference is the inability of this Channel to reliably produce another Leviathan - the result is almost always a Hybrid unless special ritual measures are taken. Even these can only slightly increase the chances of the egg producing a normal human or full Leviathan. It takes 3 successes to produce the egg, which gestates for 18 months.

Each time the Leviathan activates this Channel, one point of the Ichor spent is "bound" into the egg until it is hatched. The Leviathan cannot regain this "bound" Ichor. While hosting an egg which contains more bound Ichor than his or her Stamina, the Leviathan suffers a -2 penalty to all dice pools due to physical strain. Upon hatching, the egg deals (Bound Ichor - host's Stamina) lethal damage to its parent.

A Leviathan may host up to its Sheol in eggs at one time.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Fecundity
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan may spend 1 Ichor to make an egg-creation roll. Each roll represents an hour of concentration and physical strain.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but the Leviathan may devote rolled successes to reduce the gestation time of the egg by one month per three successes, to a minimum of (10 - Sheol) months or one week, whichever is greater.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but the Leviathan can devote rolled successes to reduce the effective (not actual) bound Ichor in the egg, reducing the difficulty of carrying it. Each three successes devoted to this reduces the effective bound Ichor by one, to a minimum of one. The Leviathan may expend 1 additional ichor to divide successes on a given roll, creating or improving multiple eggs. Each egg will impose its own strain penalty, and the penalties are cumulative.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but the Leviathan may devote successes to "sculpt" the resulting creatures, altering their features slightly. Mostly-cosmetic changes (difference in gender or race) require three successes, while drastic changes (additional limbs, animal features, etc.) require five or more. Hybrid traits (see the Antagonists chapter) can be added or removed for (dot rating +2) successes.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but the Leviathan may "template" his personality onto the egg. This requires a number of successes equal to his Tranquility; the resulting creature has the Leviathan's Tranquility (or equivalent in Morality), Virtue, and Vice upon birth. It also prioritizes its Skills (primary, secondary, etc.) in the same fashion. This costs the Leviathan a dot of Willpower, and may be a Tranquility violation.
• “Depth 6”: The Leviathan may expend 3 additional ichor to make rolls solely for the purpose of embedding his spiritual essence into an egg. The egg must first have the Leviathan's personality template. This requires (five + Leviathan's Sheol) successes, and additionally costs a dot of Sheol. Record the Levitahtan's permanent Sheol after success. Should the spawned creature ever Emerge as a Leviathan after the death of its "parent," roll the fledgling's Sheol in an opposed check against the deceased Leviathan's. If the parent succeeds, the imprinted essence hijacks the body, replacing its Vestiges, Sheol, and Mental and Social Attributes and Skills with its own. The losing essence is annihilated (in the case of a tie, everyone loses.) Hijacking a body in this fashion is a Tranqulity-1 transgression, but serial immortality's not a bad gig.

Sidebar: One Bad Mother

The creatures spawned by Incubation of the Second Self use the Hybrid template by default - usually of the Lahmasu sub-breed most typical to the Leviathan's Strain. On a game-mechanical level, this is the only outcome that occurs without the use of outside effort, such as a ritual, to attempt to beat the system. Even these should be a matter discussed between players and storytellers. Thematically speaking, the Tribe has yet to discover a reliable way to reproduce "safely," both in the sense of "increasing the number of Leviathans" or "having a child that isn't monstrous." It's not fair, but it's part of what happens to monsters.

Genetically speaking, they're "near-matches" to the Leviathan when under scientific scrutiny - close enough that it'd draw attention. It's of some interest to the Tribe, however, that most forms of biological damage and imposed mutation (the hazards of life as a Leviathan) don't transfer to the egg. It most resembles "what the Leviathan would have looked like had they been born as a Hybrid," and does not carry Lamarckian markers of the parent's changes. A templated personality will lead the spawn to pursue a similar course as its parent, but nothing can ensure a complete duplicate.

Rumors persist that certain ancient Leviathans perfected Evolutions or rituals that ensured that even the children of their children would carry a soul imprint - meaning that the press of time would ensure the possibility of their return. Occasionally, Legions have formed around this idea, either seeking to defeat death or to protect the Tribe and humanity from the depredations of a returned horror from bygone days.

Beyond ritual attempts to affect the traits of an egg, the most common and gruesome thing that Leviathans and other Ichor-users can do with an egg is consuming it. The Ichor bound into the egg can be harvested in this fashion, but doing so is a Tranquility-3 transgression, or a Tranquility-1 transgression for a Leviathan that consumes its own young.

Evolutions

• Easy Birth (OO, Requires Stamina 3): In Depth 3 and below, the Levithan reduces the effective bound Ichor of all eggs by 1 for the purpose of damage upon birth and physical strain penalties.
• Opportunistic Parasitism (OOOO, Requires Sheol 3): In Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan may transfer an egg that it is hosting to a helpless creature of Size 5 or greater. This requires a minute of time and inflicts three levels of bashing damage. The Leviathan's Ichor remains bound in the egg, but from that point onward only the host suffers from potential strain penalties and will suffer damage upon the egg's "birth." Traumatic and grisly surgery, at the very least, will be required to remove the egg early. Such surgery usually deals lethal damage equal to the egg's bound Ichor.
• Traumatic Parasitism (OOO, Requires Opportunistic Parastism and Strength 3): In Depth 3 and below, upon scoring an exceptional success against a target using a natural weapon that deals lethal damage, the Leviathan may attempt to reflexively transfer an egg from its body into that of the target. The subject must be Size 5 or greater, and rolls its Stamina (+ Power stat) in an opposed roll against the Leviathan's Sheol. The subject may add any bonuses related to staving off disease to its roll. Most will also spend Willpower, unsurprisingly.
• Hyperparasitism (OOO, Requires Opportunistic Parastism): In Depth 3 and below, when presented with a helpless host containing an egg created by another Leviathan, the character can "overwrite" the egg with one of its own, using the energy bound in the egg to feed its own spawn. The Leviathan makes use of this Channel to create an egg inside the host. This uses the normal system, but the character may first spend the Ichor bound into the egg to be replaced before resorting to its own. This consumes the replaced egg, which is generally a Tranquility violation.
• Reflexive Consumption (OOO): In Depth 3 and below, the Leviathan may reflexively consume an egg that it is hosting, regaining the bound Ichor as noted in the sidebar.

Womb of Terrors (Descendant Channel)

The divine Ichor flowing through the Leviathan's blood gives birth to new and horrible life, clawing its way out of gore and shaped and directed by the will of the Leviathan who gave it life.

• • Dice Pool: Stamina + Sheol
  • Action Type: Instant

When the Leviathan has an open wound (is suffering at least a single level of lethal damage), it may shape creatures from its blood. Upon taking this Channel, the Leviathan designs three creatures which are born of its blood (see sidebar). It may call forth these creatures with a successful roll. The creatures instinctively take actions desired by the Leviathan without verbal instruction. If the Leviathan is not bleeding and wishes to activate this power, he may reflexively open the wound necessary if he has adequate tools at hand (or has hands that serve as adequate tools.) A Leviathan may only have a number of offshoots equal to its Sheol exist at any one time, buy may only have a single third-degree offshoot at a time.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Fecundity
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan may summon its first-stage offshoot. It is present for one turn per success on the summoning roll.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but it is present for three turns per success.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but it is present for a minute per success. The Leviathan may expend 1 additional ichor to instead call its second-stage offshoot, which is present for one turn per success.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but first-degree offshoots are present for five minutes per success and second-degree offshoots for three turns per success.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but first-degree offshoots are present for a half-hour per success and second-degree offshoots for one minute per success.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but first-degree offshoots are present for an hour per success and second-degree offshoots for five minutes per success. The Leviathan may expend 3 additional ichor to instead call its third-stage offshoot, which is present for one turn per success.

Sidebar: Horrors made Flesh

Upon purchasing the Channel Womb of Terrors, the Leviathan's player may design three offshoots. As the Leviathan's Sheol increases, these offshoots become more powerful, but their general form remains the same. The offshoots need not be graduated versions of the same beast, and it's acceptable - in fact, highly appropriate - that their outward forms are alien, amalgamations of various beasts with fearsome appearances. An offshoot can usually not be mistaken for any natural animal. Each offshoot has "base" Traits and a pool of points which the Leviathan's player uses to customize the beast. Once determined, an ability is set and the assigned points cannot be re-assigned.

Horrors are treated like animals, using the higher of their Dexterity or Wits to determine Defense. They lack fine manipulation and cannot hold or use most tools unless a trait is purchased to permit this - and even in this case their intellect is too limited to apply most tools effectively. They are entirely amphibious and may breathe water and swim at full Speed. They execute commands to the best of their intelligence. Note that it may be difficult to craft the core book's example animals as offshoots - they cannot generalize (and that guard dog has phenomenal stats!)

• First-Stage Offshoot: All attributes begin at one, Size 2, Speed species factor 5, no skills. Attributes and Skills cannot exceed 3.
  • A first-stage offshoot is built with a pool of points equal to the Leviathan's Stamina + Sheol.
• Second-Stage Offshoot: Physical attributes begin at two, all others at one, Size 3, Speed species factor 5, no skills. Attributes and Skills cannot exceed 4.
  • A second-stage offshoot is built with a pool of points equal to 3 + Leviathan's Stamina + Sheol.
• Third-Stage Offshoot: Physical attributes begin at three, all others at one, Size 5, Speed species factor 5, no skills. Attributes and Skills cannot exceed 5.
  • A third-stage offshoot is built with a pool of points equal to 6 + Leviathan's Stamina + Sheol.
• Basic Point Costs
  • Physical Attributes: 1 dot per point
  • Other Attributes: 1 dot per 2 points
  • Physical Skills: 2 dots per point
  • Other Skills: 1 dot per point
  • Specialties: 2 per point
  • Armor: 1 per point, max of (Stamina), bulletproof for +1 points.
  • Natural Weapons: +1L per point, max of (Strength)L
  • Speed bonus: +2 per point, max of (Dexterity) points
• Other Tricks (Other traits are possible, with their price mandated by the Storyteller.)
  • Flight: 1 point (at Speed)
  • Venomous bite: Toxicity 3, immediate onset: 1 point (+1 Toxicity for +1 point, limit of +(Stamina) Toxicity)
  • Rare sense (Echolocation, heat-based vision, etc.): 1 point each
  • "Finer" manipulation: 2/3 points (may use simple tools and open doors, but -2 to all relevant rolls, -0 at 3 points)
  • Regeneration: 2 (1 bashing per turn, 1 lethal per 15 minutes; third-stage offshoots may regenerate 1 lethal per round instead)

Evolutions

• Dread Champion (O): The Leviathan may opt to possess his third-stage offshoot upon creating it. If he does so, he is considered insensate and unconscious, and the third-degree Offshoot becomes of Indefinite duration and uses the Leviathan's Mental and Social attributes, skills, and merits. The Leviathan may cancel this effect at any time, destroying the offshoot and returning to consciousness.
• Hone Champion (OO, Requires Dread Champion): When activating the Dread Champion power, the Leviathan may spend excess successes on the activation roll to increase the point-pool available to the offshoot. Each success yields one additional point, which may be spent freely. Raising the Mental and Social traits of a third-stage offshoot will not prevent its Mental and Social traits from being replaced by those of its creator when the Dread Champion power is activated.
• Creator of Life (OO, Requires Sheol 2): The Leviathan may devise a new first-degree offshoot and may now summon either of its options. This Merit may be purchased multiple times - up to the Leviathan's (Sheol -1).
• Craftsman of Life (OOO, Requires Sheol 3): The Leviathan may devise a new second-degree offshoot and may now summon either of its options. This Merit may be purchased multiple times - up to the Leviathan's (Sheol -2).
• Sculptor of Life (OOOO, Requires Sheol 4): The Leviathan may devise a new third-degree offshoot and may now summon either of its options. This Merit may be purchased multiple times - up to the Leviathan's (Sheol -3).
• Reflexive Genesis (OOO): In Depth 1 and below, upon suffering lethal damage, the Leviathan may reflexively summon an offshoot that it has access to in its current Depth. It must suffer levels of damage equal to the Size of the offshoot to be summoned.

The Hydra's Rebirth (Descendant Channel)

A spark of unnatural life coruscates through the blood of the Tribe, its immense potency granting their very organs the ability to reproduce and evolve.

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Fecundity
• "Depth 1": You may convert Ichor into blood. You may expend 1 point of Ichor to heal 1 Bashing level of damage.
• "Depth 2": You may reflexively convert your own blood into Ichor. For each level of Resistant Lethal damage you voluntarily suffer, gain 2 Ichor. Resistant damage is unaffected by the powers of this Channel.
• "Depth 3": You may expend 2 Ichor to heal 1 Lethal level of damage.
• "Depth 4": For purposes of healing, your Safe Ichor/Turn is increased by 1.
• "Depth 5": 1 point of Ichor now restores 2 levels of Bashing or 1 level of Lethal damage.
• "Depth 6": You may expend 4 Ichor to heal 1 Aggravated level of damage. Every time you do so, increase an Attribute by one for the remainder of the scene. No more than (Stamina) points of such healing can be performed each day.

Evolutions

• Resurgent Corpus (OO): You may expend a point of Willpower to use the lower of your Stamina or Composure as your Defense for a scene.
• Dread Return (OOO, requires Sheol 3): That is not dead which can eternal lie. This Evolution costs a dot of permanent Willpower to invoke. If you would be killed, you may fall into a trancelike stasis that appears, to any observer, just like death. The last level of aggravated damage does not slay you for (Resolve) hours - at Sheol 4 this becomes days, at Sheol 5 months - during which time you do not heal naturally but may expend Ichor to restore yourself or benefit from external treatment. You still receive Ichor from your cult's prayers and immersion in water. In this state, you are considered to be dreaming. If your body is fully annihilated (by incineration or some other means), you are truly dead.
• Reap the Whirlwind (OOOOO, requires Sheol 5): Once per week, when you would be slain in combat as a result of filling your rightmost Health box with Aggravated Damage, instead you are restored to maximum Health and Ichor and reflexively shift to Apotheosis Form. This change is not optional but does not cost Ichor. For this scene only, you may remain in Apotheosis Form with no adverse consequences for up to (Stamina + Resolve) minutes. Distribute (Stamina) dots among your Attributes as if you had healed all the aggravated damage with Ichor. Among younger members of the Tribe, this Evolution is sometimes affectionately referred to as "One-Winged Angel."

Vestiges of Might

Birthright of Might

The Birthright of the Vestige of Might is the Privilege of Titans. A quick spike of Ichor permits the Leviathan to enhance his strength by making use of the whole of his body at once, effectively maximizing the force he applies. For the purpose on a single Feat of Strength, the Leviathan may use his Size in place of his Strength.

• Cost: 1 Ichor

Pinnacle of Divine Excellence (Ancestral Channel)

Description

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Might
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan rolls Stamina + Sheol as an instant action. He may distribute successes to reflexively acquire Pinnacle of Divine Excellence Evolutions at a rate of 1 success per 1 merit dot. He may not acquire Evolutions worth more than 3 dots. These evolutions last a number of minutes equal to his Stamina. Repeated activations of this power do not "stack": only the most recent iteration grants benefits.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now he may acquire Evolutions worth up to 4 dots.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now he rolls Stamina + Athletics + Sheol for the Depth 1 ability of this Channel.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now acquired evolutions last the entire scene.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now the evolution-acquisition roll may be made reflexive once per scene.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now he may acquire Evolutions worth up to 5 dots.

Evolutions

• Rugged Tread (O): In Depth 1 and lower, the Leviathan may, when barefoot, benefit from the equipment bonus for athletic shoes, and most terrain will not damage his unshod feet - treat them as though they had the durability of solid work boots.
• Ascend to Heaven (OO): In Depth 2 and lower, the Leviathan may fly up to his (Speed) meters per turn.
• Tireless Vigor (OOO): In Depth 3 and lower, the Leviathan ignores up to his (Sheol) score worth of penalties applied due to wounds or fatigue.
• Relentless Pursuit (O to OOOOO): In Depth 3 and lower, the Leviathan may treat his Speed as though it were (2 x Merit Dots) higher for the purpose of extended rolls related to chases on foot. This does not increase his actual speed - rather, he does not flag and moves as efficiently as is possible, maximizing the benefits granted by his improved stamina. At the 5-dot version of this Evolution, the Leviathan treats physical races as rote actions.
• Crater-Birthing Leap (O to OOOOO): In Depth 1 and lower, The Leviathan adds (2 x Merit Dots) feet to the height and (4 x Merit Dots) feet to the length of all jumps. At the 5-dot version of this Evolution, the Leviathan may reflexively jump once per turn. This is a running jump if the Leviathan moves at least 10 feet in a straight line beforehand.
• Sinuous Ineffable Grace (OO to OOOOO): In Depth 1 and lower, The Leviathan adds an automatic success to any attempt to maintain his balance, and adds (Merit Dots) to his Speed. At the 5-dot version of this Evolution, the Leviathan may reflexively run (moving double his Speed) every turn.
• God-Hurling Sinews (OOO or OOOOO): In Depth 3 and lower, The Leviathan can throw any object he can lift to a distance of (Strength + Dexterity) meters. This takes a minute of effort. At the 5-dot version of this Evolution, the Leviathan may throw such objects as an instant action. Thrown objects that are not intended to be weapons have a Damage Rating equal to their Size.
• Mountain-Breaking Strike (OOOOO): In Depth 5 and lower, The Leviathan ignores the Durability of objects and the physical Armor of his foes when attacking them.

Fluid Icon of Grace (Ancestral Channel)

Description

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Might
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan adds +1 to his Defense after all other effects (i.e. after doubling for a Dodge, not before)
• “Depth 2”: As above, and +1 Speed
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now +2 Defense
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 Speed
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +3 Defense and Speed
• “Depth 6”: As above, and +1 Dexterity.

Evolutions

• Liquid Evasion (OOO): While in Depth 3 or lower, the Leviathan triples his Defense, instead of doubling it, when he opts to Dodge.
• Flow Like Water (OOO): While in Depth 3 or lower, the Leviathan may reflexively spend 1 Ichor and add (Sheol x Speed) to its Speed for the round. Bonuses from Fluid Icon of Grace apply before multiplication.

That Hideous Strength (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan’s body channels more force than a creature it size should be capable of. It is a being of terrible power, capable of crushing the earth itself should it stretch the length of it, and should it decide to throw its force against the sea, great waves will rise up to drown the land.

That Hideous Strength is a Power Attribute boosting Channel. It boosts Strength and has the following unique powers:

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Might
• “Depth 6”: As above, and when invoking the Birthright of Might, add the Leviathan's Size to his Strength instead of replacing one with the other.

Evolutions

• Riotous Vandal (OO) - When in Depth 3 or below, the Leviathan gains 8-Again on Havoc checks.
• Tidal Might (OO) - While in Depth 3 or below, the Leviathan ignores up to his Sheol score worth of Durability when breaking objects manually.
• Rightful Place (OOO) - If the Leviathan's Strength exceeds his target's Stamina, then the Leviathan's attacks gain the Knockdown property. The target rolls (Dex + Athletics - Attack Successes) to retain his footing.

The Killing Perfection (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan does not make war; it merely visits itself upon enemies. It is a force of nature: mortals cannot oppose it, merely take shelter.

When taking this Channel, choose Brawl or Weaponry. You may take this Channel twice to choose both.

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Might
• "Depth 1": The Leviathan may, as an instant action, forfeit his Defense against a close-quarters attack. This may be done before his initiative resolves. If he does so, he rolls (Weaponry or Brawl + Strength + Equipment) against the attack. Each success on his roll cancels out one success from the attack. Excess successes are inflicted as damage (of the type appropriate to the Leviathan's weapon) against the attacker. If the Leviathan opts to use this technique, the attacker's roll is not penalized by armor or the re-roll negation of Resistance Attribute-boosting Channels.
• "Depth 2": As above, but the Leviathan may employ this defensive method against ranged attacks as well. Excess successes are not inflicted as damage unless the Leviathan's weapon has sufficient range to strike the attacker (without being thrown).
• "Depth 3": As above, and the Leviathan now adds his Sheol to uses of the (Weaponry or Brawl) skill.
• "Depth 4": As above, and the Leviathan may use his (Weaponry or Brawl) in place of his Composure when determining Initiative for the round.
• "Depth 5": As above, and the Leviathan may perform the Depth 2 iteration of this Channel as a reflexive action once per round.
• "Depth 6": As above, and the Leviathan may perform a simultaneous defense and attack. When he attacks, record the number of successes - subtract that number from all attacks targeting him this round. Excess successes do not inflict damage. If he chooses to employ this power, the Leviathan is considered to have a Defense and Armor rating of 0 for the round.

Evolutions

• Thunderstroke (OO): The Leviathan adds his Sheol to his Initiative and always acts first on ties. Should two individuals with "act first" powers fight and they tie, their actions are simultaneous.
• Undertow (OOO+): If the Leviathan has the Brawl version of this Channel he may perform an overpower attempt immediately after establishing a grapple against a wake-vulnerable target. At Sheol 5 and 4 Merit dots, remove the "wake-vulnerable" limitation.
• Cleaving Tide (OOO+): If the Leviathan has the Weaponry version of this Channel, once per turn when he slays a wake-vulnerable target he may perform a reflexive attack against another wake-vulnerable target in range. At Sheol 4 and 4 Merit Dots, replace "once per turn" with "every time." At Sheol 5 and 5 Merit dots, remove the "wake-vulnerable" limitation.

Vestiges of Predation

Birthright of Predation

The Birthright of the Vestige of Predation is the Hunter's Boon. The Leviathan may "tune in" to a Wake-vulnerable subject. If the victim's (Wits + Power Trait) is lower than the Leviathan's (Presence + Sheol), that subject cannot benefit from 10-again on attacks made against the Leviathan for the rest of the Scene.

• Cost: 1 Ichor

Mortal-Devouring Armory (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan's Primordial form bristles with cruel natural weapons.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Predation
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan's unarmed strikes are +0L weapons.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now they are +1L weapons.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now they are +2L weapons.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now they are +3L weapons.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now they are +4L weapons.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and those that grapple with the Leviathan suffer (His Stamina + Sheol - Their Stamina + Armor) lethal damage each turn from exposure to countless sharp protrusions or biting mouths.

Evolutions

• Savage Focus (O) - In Depth 1 and lower, The Leviathan may use his Dexterity for Defense even if his Wits is lower, like a wild animal, but loses 10-Again on Intelligence-related rolls.
• Rending Claws (OO) - In Depth 3 and lower, The Leviathan's natural weapons are armor-piercing (rating 2).
• Gaping Maw (OO) - In Depth 3 and lower, The Leviathan's natural weapons deal 2 additional levels of damage if used on a grappled victim.

Stalker's Shifting Hide (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan's Primordial form cannot be perceived clearly by its prey.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Predation
• “Depth 1”: When the character performs Stealth checks to hide his presence, on a success he is always considered at least partially concealed. (Attempts to spot him and Ranged Attacks at -2 against him) While stealth may be broken by initiating combat, the Leviathan's concealment does not fade until scene's end.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now he is considered substantially rather than partially concealed (-3).
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now he adds his Sheol to uses of the Stealth skill.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now the Leviathan is also completely odorless or silent when the Depth 1 ability of this Channel is activated (The character chooses one when this channel is acquired).
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now the Depth 1 ability of this channel is reflexive.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now he is considered completely invisible rather than substantially concealed (Opponents are considered to be Fighting Blind against him). An opponent who successfully strikes the Leviathan once treats him only as substantially concealed for the rest of the scene.

Evolutions

• Ambush (OO) - Whenever the Leviathan successfully surprises and wounds an enemy, he gains 1 Ichor.
• Broken Lens (OOO) - In Depth 3 and lower, those using tools of mortal make (binoculars, flashlights, etc.) to attempt to overcome the Leviathan's Stealth roll will suffer unexplained hardships. Lenses get blurry, lights flicker, and so on. Equipment with a rating of less than the Leviathan's Sheol is effectively negated and provides no bonus.
• Clouded Eye (OOO) - In Depth 3 and lower, the Leviathan may use his focused wake to dull the senses. A subject whose Willpower is lower than the Leviathan's (Stealth + Sheol) will subtract the Leviathan's Sheol from all Wits-based rolls to detect him.
• Slip Sideways (OOOO, requires Sheol 4) - In Depth 6, an exceptional success on the character's Dexterity +Stealth + Sheol roll permits the Leviathan to find a bolthole outside of normal space. No non-supernatural methods may detect his presence as long as he remains in his current general position, and supernatural means must contest against his successes. Non-supernatural events that don't deal catastrophic (10+) damage to the surrounding region will neither affect or reveal the Leviathan, and the Leviathan's Stealth will act as armor to insulate him against even apocalyptic mundane events. He will be visible afterwards (after all, whatever happened probably managed to move him.) Attacking, speaking, or moving will also end this effect, though the Leviathan gains the benefits of surprise.

The Hunter's Blood (Descendant Channel)

• • Dice Pool: Dexterity + Firearms + Sheol
  • Action Type: Instant

The Leviathan may project blood or Ichor at range; transforming it by means of this Channel into a deadly toxin. Most mortal Armor will not defend against this attack, but tools that provide environmental protection (such as a hazmat suit) might provide their bonus to Defense. Despite the unusual nature of the attack, it is treated as a typical ranged weapon.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Predation
• “Depth 1”: The attack deals bashing damage and has a range of 5/10/20.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but the range is now 10/20/40
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the Leviathan may now perform a "short burst" as per the autofire rules. This halves the effective range, however. He may also expend an additional 1 Ichor to inflict lethal damage.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but the range is now 30/60/120.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but the Leviathan may now perform a "medium burst."
• “Depth 6”: As above, but the Leviathan may now opt to perform a "long burst" as per the Autofire rules. He may now expend an additional 3 Ichor to inflict aggravated damage.

Evolutions

• Defensive Bleeding (OOO) - In Depth 3 and lower, upon suffering three or more levels of lethal damage, the Leviathan may reflexively invoke this Channel with the attacker as a target. Stamina replaces Dexterity in the dice pool, and the Leviathan may not opt to perform a "burst."
• Cobra's Spite (OOO) - In Depth 3 and lower, foes that suffer damage equal to their Size from this Channel are effectively blinded until they heal the wound supernaturally or receive medical attention.
• Tiamat's Fury (OOOOO) - In Depth 5 and lower, instead of spitting acid, you breathe iridescent flame. Your attacks are capable of damaging immaterial Spirits (though you gain no means of noticing that you're doing so) and inflict aggravated damage to vampires regardless of how much Ichor you spend to power them. On an exceptional success, the target is set alight (World of Darkness, page 180). Assume the conflagration is bonfire-sized and has the heat of a chemical fire.

Accepting the Tribute of Slaughter (Descendant Channel)

It is the right and prerogative of the original apex predator to devour all beneath her. This Channel makes it clear to the Leviathan's foes that they are nothing more than offerings to an ever-hungry god.

• Depth 0: Birthright of Predation
• Depth 1: You may expend 1 additional Ichor when attacking with your natural weapons. If you do so and your attack inflicts at least one level of damage, your enemy loses 1 point of Willpower in addition to the damage inflicted (you do not gain the Willpower). You may never drain more than 1 Willpower per turn this way.
• Depth 2: As above, and characters who have suffered Willpower loss at your hands this scene also suffer a -1 penalty to all actions against you.
• Depth 3: As above, and when employing the Depth 1 ability of this channel, you may spend 1 additional Ichor to have your attack affect (Sheol +1) opponents within melee range. This attack is resolved against the highest Defense + Armor out of any of them.
• Depth 4: As above, and characters who have suffered Willpower loss at your hands this scene also suffer a -2 penalty to all actions against you.
• Depth 5: As above, and characters reduced to 0 Willpower by the Depth 1 ability of this channel must succeed on a (Resolve + Composure - your Sheol) roll or be rendered catatonic for the duration of the scene.
• Depth 6: As above, and when employing the Depth 1 ability of this channel, you may expend 3 additional Ichor and choose not to benefit from your natural weapons when rolling to attack. Instead, add their Damage rating in automatic successes if your attack lands.

Evolutions

• Predator's Apex (O): Each character may only attack you once per turn.
• Whirlwind of Destruction (OO): When performing the Depth 3 iteration of this Channel, you may subtract 2 from the Defense of your targets.
• Soul-Devouring Jaws (OOO): Whenever you reduce the Willpower of an opponent, gain a point of Ichor.
• Walking Abattoir (OOOO): At Depth 5 and below, the character may spend 1 Willpower to cause his next attack to inflict Aggravated Damage.

Vestiges of Sanctity

Birthright of Sanctity

The Birthright of the Vestige of Sanctity is Parting the School. While this power is in effect, large masses of humans beings and aquatic animals instinctually part around the character and then return seamlessly to their original positions – the Leviathan could run at full speed through a crowded party without running into anyone, or fluidly walk through a queue to the front. A violent crowd will not impede the character or strike him as he is moving, but is free to assault him otherwise – they will simply be incapable of circling him, politely parting to let him pass each time they surround him. The crowd parts only for the Leviathan and will provide the normal impediment to all others. This power has no effect on the positioning of people who are alone and it will only affect normal creatures that are completely subject to the Wake – even the moderate resistance provided by being a supernatural being is sufficient to stifle it entirely. Its effect lasts for a scene.

• Cost: 1 Ichor

Indomitable Solipsist-Tyrant (Ancestral Channel)

A Progenitor is a paradigm unto itself. Rhetoric and spellcraft alike were, to those ancient beings, no more substantial than a passing breeze, for they fell upon the ears not of men but of mountains. It is foolishness to attempt to sway the sentiments of beings whose passing whims became the laws of reality.

Indomitable Solipsist-Tyrant is a Resistance Attribute-boosting Channel. It benefits Resolve and has the following unique powers:

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Sanctity
• "Depth 5": You gain a secondary Willpower pool equal to your (Sheol). This pool disappears upon reaching a shallower Depth and otherwise refreshes every scene. You may spend Willpower points to add or subtract 3 dice from the rolls of other characters within sensory range.
• "Depth 6": You may spend up to two Willpower a turn: one from your primary and one from your secondary pool.

Evolutions

• Insurmountable Arrogance (OOO, requires Divine Prerogative): In Depth 5 or lower, the Leviathan's Divine Prerogative is effective against all characters with a (Power Trait) equal to or lower than his.
• Unconquerable (OOOOO), requires Eye of the Eternal Storm): In Depth 1 or lower, whenever the Leviathan would use either its Resolve or its Composure to resist or oppose an effect, instead use the Leviathan's Resolve + Composure (+Sheol, when it would normally be applicable).

Eye of the Eternal Storm (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan is a creature of preternatural calm and stillness. Adapted to both the loneliness and turbulence of the primordial ocean, he can maintain emotional control in the most extreme circumstances and spread this control to others.

Eye of the Eternal Storm is a Resistance Attribute boosting Channel. It benefits Composure and has the following unique powers:

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 5”: Wake-vulnerable individuals within the Leviathan's Wake may use his Composure as a Resistance trait in place of their own. If they do so, their effective Composure is reduced to 0 when opposing effects created by the Leviathan himself. This effect lasts for the scene or until the victim expends Willpower to resist it (but will begin anew if they borrow the Leviathan's Composure again.)
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan may reflexively spend 1 Willpower to render himself immune to one instance of any supernatural power that may be resisted or opposed by his Composure. Unless otherwise specified characters are only capable of spending one point of Willpower per turn.

Evolutions

Siren of the Depths (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan cannot be resisted; its nature is to draw in others, to bring them in to its orbit.

Siren of the Depths is a Power Attribute boosting Channel. It boosts Presence and has the following unique powers:

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 6”: Actions incorporating the Leviathan's Presence against targets whom the Leviathan has focused its Wake on and whose (Willpower + Power Trait) is less than the Leviathan's (Presence + Sheol) are always unresisted and unopposed.

Evolutions

• Hideous Revelry (OOO or OOOOO) - In Depth 3 or lower, the Leviathan may spend 2 Ichor and reflexively roll Presence + Expression when performing a physical attack, opposed by the highest Composure + Power Trait among its enemies. On a success, the Leviathan may induce one strong emotion (chosen from the list below when purchasing this Evolution) in any number of witnesses. The Leviathan screams a phrase or strikes a pose or integrates her attack into a dance, and this action usurps the hearts of onlookers. Characters so affected are subject to the behaviors below unless they spend a point of Willpower to immunize themselves for the scene. Should a wake-vulnerable individual do so, they still suffer a -2 penalty to all actions. With the five-dot version of this Merit, cost falls to 1 Ichor per attack and the Leviathan may change the emotion it creates once per scene, forcing the expenditure of another Willpower point.
  • Emotions List:
    • Lust - Affected characters attempt to copulate with anything in sight.
    • Wild Abandon - Affected characters are slaves to their base impulses and ignore social conventions.
    • Fury - Affected characters perform All-Out attacks on the character closest to them.
    • Horror - Affected characters are too horrified to do anything but dodge and flee.
    • Joy - Affected characters are extremely suggestible and will not attack unless attacked.

Insidious Creature (Ancestral Channel)

When the Leviathan speaks, or sends thoughts and dreams, the message tangles up the reason of the recipient, ensnaring the mind.

Insidious Creature is a Finesse Attribute boosting Channel. It benefits Manipulation and has the following unique powers:

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 1”: Wake-vulnerable creatures that were in the Leviathan's presence while he was at this Depth or deeper suffer the Leviathan's (Sheol) as a penalty to remember specific facts about the scene.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and if the Leviathan's (Manipulation + Sheol) is greater than a wake-vulnerable individual's (Willpower + Power Trait), that individual must roll at least (Leviathan's Sheol) successes on a memory check to recall any specific details about the scene.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and if the Leviathan focuses his Wake on a subject whose (Willpower + Power Trait) is less than his (Manipulation + Sheol), the Leviathan may fabricate the subject's memories regarding the scene. Subjects who can successfully recall the Leviathan (subject to the Depths 1 and 5 abilities of this channel) may regain their true memories.

Evolutions

• Serpent's Tongue (OO) - In Depth 1 and lower, the Leviathan's presence destabilizes the moral compasses of others. When the Leviathan acts to convince a subject to perform an action that would fulfill their Vice, the subject's Morality Trait is considered (Sheol) lower for purposes of contemplating or executing the suggested course of action. An Envious man could be talked into murdering his boss instead of stealing from him, a Wrathful leader persuaded to exterminate dissidents rather than imprisoning them, or a Proud human convinced to eat the forbidden fruit instead of looking at it.

Call of the Depths (Descendant Channel)

The voice of the Leviathan is what inspired legends of sirens. Speaking, crying, bellowing, or whispering: all vocalizations of the Leviathan draw in mortal listeners, robbing them of their will and self determination.

• • Dice Pool: Presence + Expression + Sheol
  • Action Type: Standard

The Leviathan's voice carries a luring tone that pulls listeners towards him or her and muddle their minds. The effect only extends as far as the Leviathan's voice would naturally carry, without being amplified or broadcast by mechanical methods. Those that hear the voice, are vulnerable to the Wake, and have less (Resolve + Power Trait) than the Leviathan's successes are affected. A point of Willpower may be spent to resist the call for a turn. When at the Leviathan's side, subjects that are still subject to the lure become anxious and uncertain if forced to move away, suffering a -2 penalty to all actions not linked to returning to the Leviathan's side.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 1”: Those that hear the voice move towards the Leviathan for a single turn.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but the compulsion lasts an extra turn for each success over the necessary threshold to affect the listener, to a limit of (Leviathan's Presence) turns. Multiple applications don't stack - the new roll replaces the old one.
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the Leviathan may expend an additional 1 Ichor to increase the cost of resistance to 2 Willpower for subjects whose Willpower is less than the Leviathan's (Presence + Sheol).
• “Depth 4”: As above, and the limit on duration increases to (Presence + Sheol) turns.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and affected subjects cannot regain Willpower normally, instead gaining the Leviathan's Vice and having it be their sole option for the duration of the effect.
• “Depth 6”: The Leviathan may expend 3 additional ichor to remove the ability to spend Willpower to resist from subjects whose Willpower is less than the Leviathan's (Presence + Sheol).

Evolutions

• Song of Madness (OO) - In Depth 3 and lower, those affected by the call also suffer from any derangements possessed by the Leviathan. Those that resist by expending Willpower also resist the derangement.
• Shackle the Mind (OOOO) - In Depth 5 or lower, a wake-vulnerable individual suffering from a derangement induced by the Leviathan must succeed on a reflexive (Resolve + Composure - Leviathan's Sheol) check to disobey or attack it. One attempt per turn may be made; success grants freedom of action for one turn. An exception success frees characters from this effect only for the rest of the scene - inflicted derangements are not lifted.

Besieging the Tower of Will (Descendant Channel)

The Leviathan's innate ability to casually dominate the herd is refined into a cold psychic sword that drives humans mad even as it enslaves them.

• • Dice Pool: Intelligence + Intimidate + Sheol vs. Target's Resolve + Power Trait
  • Action Type: Instant

The Leviathan may telepathically communicate with any target in sensory range. Targets without recourse to telepathy must resort to mundane measures to talk back. The target is aware that the Leviathan is the one communicating with them.

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Sanctity
• "Depth 1": At the cost of 1 Ichor, the Leviathan may send a single message whose meaning can be summed in twenty words or less.
• "Depth 2": As above, but the target may telepathically reply with a single message subject to the same word limit.
• "Depth 3": As above, and the Leviathan may spend an additional 1 Ichor to inflict a minor derangement in a wake-vulnerable target, or to upgrade an existing derangement by one category. The Leviathan chooses the derangement subject to the limitation that it always leaves the target beholden to or obsessed with the Leviathan in some way. Existing derangements that have been upgraded are warped to fulfill these conditions. The derangement or upgrade lasts for (Sheol) days. The Leviathan may only attempt this once per target per day.
• "Depth 4": As above, and the Leviathan need only spend 1 Ichor per scene in order to enable continuous two-way telepathic communication with anyone it can perceive.
• "Depth 5": As above, and telepathic communication is reflexive for the Leviathan and its targets. The Depth 3 and 6 powers of this Channel remain instant actions.
• "Depth 6": As above, and the Leviathan may spend an additional 3 Ichor to instead inflict a severe derangement in a wake-vulnerable target, subject to the same limitations as the Depth 3 version of this power. Derangements inflicted in this manner last until the target receives intensive psychiatric support (successes required on therapy: twice Leviathan's successes) or the target becomes a Beloved or Ahab.

Evolutions

• Mind Blast (OO or OOOO): In Depth 3 or lower, the Leviathan may unleash a psychic attack as an instant action. The Leviathan rolls Presence + Intelligence + Sheol and spends 1 Ichor, subtracting the target's Resolve + Power Trait. The effects of success depend on the number of dots in this Merit the Leviathan possesses. With the two-dot version of this Merit, the Leviathan inflicts Bashing damage with the Stun property. With the four-dot version of this Merit, the Leviathan gains the option to inflict Lethal damage with the Stun property. The Leviathan may augment target factors by taking a -2 dice penalty for each additional victim attacked.
• Assimilation (OOOO+): Purchasing this Merit creates a Memory Slot. In Depth 3 or lower, the Leviathan may devour the mind of a recently deceased character. This requires a (Resolve + Stamina - Target's Intelligence) check on the part of the Leviathan. On a failure, the mind is destroyed. On a success, the Leviathan fills one Memory Slot and benefits from one of the following:
  • A one-dot increase in one social or mental Attribute the devoured had at a higher rank than the Leviathan.
  • The devoured's rank in one skill.
  • One Channel or evolution possessed by the target
  • If the character is an Atoll, the Leviathan gains the serenity of the Atoll's presence.

The Leviathan is also capable of recalling any particulars of the devoured's lifestyle or history with a successful Intelligence + Wits + Sheol check. Additional dots in this Merit confer one Memory Slot each, allowing the Leviathan to benefit from both a devoured's Skill and Channel, for example, at 5 Merit Dots. If the Leviathan wishes to benefit from devouring minds after its Memory Slots are filled, it must first empty a slot, losing the associated benefit and knowledge of the target's history if no more Memory Slots from that target remain. Note that slaying a human for the explicit purpose of devouring his or her brain is a Tranquility 2 Sin. Slaying an Atoll for that purpose is a Tranquility 1 Sin.

• Psychic Shockwave (OOOOO+): When using the Depth 6 iteration of this Channel, the Leviathan may spend 1 Willpower to instead create a minor derangement (or upgrade an existing one that the Leviathan created) in all wake-vulnerable targets that can see it. At Sheol 6 and 6 Merit dots, the Leviathan may use this power reflexively and for free the first time in a scene that it enters the Apotheosis Form. When in Depth 6, any wake-vulnerable character with a (Willpower + Power Trait) that does not exceed the Leviathan's (Presence + Sheol) and witnesses its Aura suffers from a minor derangement of the Leviathan's choice for a scene.

Vestiges of Vitality

Birthright of Vitality

The Birthright of the Vestige of Vitality is the Boon of Tides. While this power is in effect, the Leviathan may breathe water as easily as air and gains Armor 1 when at least half-submerged. Its effect lasts for a scene.

• Cost: 1 Ichor

Lifeblood of Titans (Ancestral Channel)

The immense ancient creatures were beyond death as it is currently understood. A Leviathan who pursues the remnants of this power in its blood finds that same spark of terrible life, which refuses to be constrained to the scale of modern life.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Vitality
• “Depth 1”: +1 Size.
• “Depth 2”: As above, and +1 Health Level
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now +2 Size.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 Health Levels.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +3 Size.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now +4 Size and +3 Health Levels.

Evolutions

• A Mountain Walked (O to OOOOO): The character's Size in Apotheosis Form increases by his (Sheol x Merit Dots). Leviathans may purchase a number of dots in this Evolution equal to their (Sheol), up to 5. Size granted by this Merit, unlike Size granted from other sources, explicitly cannot be converted to Stamina via the Depth 5 iteration of No Mysteries of the Flesh.
  • A Size 15 character is roughly 2 stories tall and weighs roughly 8,000 pounds, or about as much as a large SUV.
  • A Size 20 character is roughly 3.5 stories tall and weighs roughly 30 tons, or about as much as an IFV.
  • A Size 25 character is roughly 7.5 stories tall and weighs roughly 200 tons, or about as much as a blue whale.
  • A Size 30 character is roughly 14 stories tall and weighs roughly 2,000 tons, or about as much as a naval frigate.
  • A Size 40 character is roughly 30 stories tall and weighs roughly 20,000 tons, or about as much as an aircraft carrier.
  • A Size 43 character is roughly 43 stories tall and weighs roughly 60,000 tons, or about as much as Godzilla.
  • A Size 66 character is roughly 960 stories tall, the size of Mount Everest.

Flesh of the Progenitors (Ancestral Channel)

The hides of the ancient ones could turn the blades of humanity's finest champions. With this Channel, a Leviathan can access that legacy of invulnerability.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Vitality
• “Depth 1”: The Leviathan developes 1/0 Armor (General/ballistic).
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 1/1 Armor
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now 2/1 Armor, and the armor becomes bulletproof.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now 2/2 Armor
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now 3/2 Armor
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now 4/3 Armor, and the armor degrades all damage inflicted by mundane weapons to bashing.

Evolutions

• Adaption to Harm (OO) - In Depth 3 and lower, the Leviathan may expend 1 Ichor to "adapt" to an attack that inflicts damage. The Leviathan's Armor is treated as being 1 rank higher against attacks of that general type (bullets, punching, blunt instruments, etc.) for the rest of the scene. The Leviathan may only be "adapted" to one such type of damage at a time.
• Flexible Protection (OO) - In Depth 3 and lower, the Leviathan may roll Stamina + Sheol as an instant action. He may move ranks of protection equal to his successes from general to ballistic or vice versa, increasing one by decreasing the other. He may not reduce a type of armor (general or ballistic) below 0.
• Lead Ward (OO) - The ballistic values of the Armor granted by this Channel are all 1 rank higher.
• Inviolable (OOOOO, requires Sheol 5) - In Depth 6, while being attacked by wake-vulnerable creatures, the Leviathan may opt to use the armor granted by this Channel as Durability instead.

The Toad's Curse (Ancestral Channel)

Approaching the ancient creatures of the depths was a hazardous experience; not only did they have great power to bring to bear against interlopers but their very presence could overwhelm with toxic secretions.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Vitality
• “Depth 1”: Unprotected beings in physical contact with the Leviathan suffer a -1 penalty on all actions. After the contact is broken, the penalty lasts for a number of turns equal to the amount of time spent in contact.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but for every two rounds of full contact, the penalty increases by 1. If it ever rises above the subject's Stamina + Resolve, they pass out due to pain. When contact is broken, the penalty drops down to -1, and lasts as above.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now the penalty applies to any creature within close distance (close enough to touch, even if not touching) of the Leviathan. If the region is left, the penalty now gradually decreases (by 1 each turn), to a minimum of -1, which is suffered for the rest of the scene
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now the penalty increases for each turn of contact.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and creatures that have passed out due to exposure will suffer 1 bashing damage for each turn of continued exposure beyond that point.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but the cloud now covers a region with a radius in feet equal to the Leviathan's Size.

Evolutions

• Mastering the Curse (OO to OOOO): The Leviathan can shut off this Channel reflexively and activate it as an instant action. With the four-dot version of this Evolution, he may apply this Channel's effects selectively, omitting any allies in the radius.

World-Serpent's Endurance (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan’s body channels more force than a creature it size should be capable of. It is a being of terrible power, capable of crushing the earth itself should it stretch the length of it, and should it decide to throw its force against the sea, great waves will rise up to drown the land.

World Serpent's Endurance is a Resistance Attribute boosting Channel. It boosts Stamina and has the following unique powers:

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Vitality
• “Depth 5”: +1 Size
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan reduces all bashing and lethal damage he suffers by 1, to a minimum of 0.

To clarify, for purposes of this Channel Leviathans are considered to resist all damage with their Stamina; this does not change any dicepools but does inflict a Resistance Channel's penalties on the attack rolls of their enemies.

No Mysteries of the Flesh (Descendant Channel)

• Dice Pool: Intelligence or Stamina + Medicine + Sheol
  • Action Type: Extended (Each roll represents either one minute of work (first aid and diagnosis) or one hour of intense concentration (for long-term treatment and major physical reconfiguration)

The Leviathan can exert near-total understanding and control of the physical functions of his body, stopping or redirecting blood flow, diagnosing maladies, and repurposing muscles and organs to increase his capabilities. The lesser examples of this power are acts of will (Intelligence), while the more drastic changes are painful and strenuous (Stamina.)

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Vitality
• “Depth 1”: By expending a point of Ichor, the Leviathan may diagnose illnesses in himself using this Channel; he suffers no penalties for lacking tools (and in fact gains bonuses due to his Sheol.) He may also perform minor field first aid, such as stopping a wound from bleeding and "setting" a broken limb.
• “Depth 2”: As above, and the Leviathan may now apply any medical treatment that would be possible with advanced equipment, up to and including performing what is effectively surgery on himself.
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the Leviathan may now use drastic changes to remove the need for sleep, air, water, and food. Each category requires 1 success for twelve hours of suppression. Healing time can be increased as well - successes are divided between duration (12 hours per success) and degree of increase (2 successes for a 100% improvement.) Increased healing burns increased energy. A Leviathan healing at an increased rate requires a proportional degree more of food, water, and sleep than usual. Suppressing the need for these only suppreses one "normal amount" of need, requiring increased successes to compensate for the increased needs.
• The Leviathan may expend an additional Ichor to perform a check in less time - one turn or ten minutes depending on the procedure.
• “Depth 4”: As above, and the Leviathan may now expend three successes on a drastic change to "shuffle" a dot from one Physical Attribute to another. The change lasts for one hour, and increased successes can increase the duration by thirty minutes per additional success. The Leviathan may only have dots equal to his Sheol "shuffled" at any one time.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and the Leviathan may now control his density. He may "swap" his Size and Stamina with a drastic change. This requires one success for each dot of change (So a Size 5, Stamina 3 Leviathan would require two successes.) The change lasts for one hour, and increased successes can increase the duration by thirty minutes per additional success.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan may now use a drastic change to increase one Physical Attribute by a single dot. This requires successes equal to twice the current rating. The change lasts for one hour, and increased successes can increase the duration by thirty minutes per additional success. The Leviathan may expend 3 additional ichor to perform a check reflexively or in a single minute, depending on the procedure.

Evolutions

• Autosculpting (O) - The Leviathan may select a single physical Merit with a dot rating equal to or less than his Sheol. In Depth 3 and lower, he may use a drastic change to gain access to that Merit. This requires successes equal to its dot rating, and provides the Merit for an hour. Additional successes can increase the duration by thirty minutes per additional success. The Leviathan must otherwise qualify for the Merit when gaining it (but may use the increased traits of his Depth 3 form to determine if he does or not.) This Evolution may be purchased mulitple times, each time allowing access to a different Merit. Only Merits that can be explained as raw physical traits can be gained in this fashion (so no Stunt Driver or Fighting Styles.)

Vigor of Protean Kings (Descendant Channel)

Description

• • Dice Pool: Sheol, when relevant.
  • Action Type: Reflexive

The Leviathan may use Ichor to improve his Attributes, circulating his divine blood throughout his body. Ichor spent on this Channel is "bound" and cannot be regained until the duration expires, but may be spent to pay, in part or whole, for other features of the Channel, as noted below.

• "Depth 0": Birthright of Vitality
• "Depth 1": The Leviathan may boost a single Physical Attribute by 2 for a single turn. He may not invoke this Channel multiple times for the same Attribute, but may have multiple instances active for different Attributes.
• "Depth 2": The Leviathan may lengthen his limbs by one meter for each point of Ichor bound into this Channel.
• "Depth 3": By spending 1 Ichor, the Leviathan may extend a single attribute boost by (Depth) turns. Transforming further adds time to the clock, changing back removes it.
• "Depth 4": The Leviathan may reflexively make shapechanging attempts as long as he has at least two Ichor bound into this Channel.
• "Depth 5": The Leviathan adds Size to the "Attributes" he may boost with this Channel.
• "Depth 6": All boosted Attributes are raised by 3 instead of 2. The Leviathan may expend 3 additional Ichor to make a single boost scene-length.

Evolutions

• Potent Ichor (OOO to OOOOO) - At Sheol 3 and the third level of this Merit, boosted attributes are raised by 3 and 4. At Sheol 6 and the fourth level of this Merit, boosted attributes are raised by 4 and 6. At Sheol 9 and the fifth level of this Merit, boosted Attributes are raised by 6 and 8.
• Tide of Flesh (OOOOO, Requires the Hydra's Rebirth, No Mysteries of the Flesh, and Sheol 4) - In Depth 6, the Leviathan may choose to become a creature of formless protoplasm and gain the following benefits:
  • It can flow through obstacles, moving its full Speed across all types of terrain. Only a watertight seal can repel it. It inflicts Lethal damage with its unarmed attacks if it did not do so before, and attacks with the higher of its Dexterity or Strength.
  • Effects that target a specific part of its body, such as aimed attacks, fail automatically. It is immune to toxins and disease.
  • It may boost mental or social Attributes with this Channel - eyes grow in all directions, nerve bundles multiply, and pheromones fill the air.
  • It may reflexively perform one of the following actions per turn:
    • If it successfully performed an Overpower maneuver in a grapple last turn, it may repeat the exact maneuver this turn.
    • Rearrange its Physical Attributes, excluding effects from this Channel, in any manner.
    • Enhance a Dodge, adding (Stamina) to its Durability this turn.

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