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.

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”: 9-Again on Empathy rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, and +1 die on Empathy rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now 8-again on Empathy rolls
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 dice on Empathy rolls
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +3 dice on Empathy rolls
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan is aware of the Vice of all vulnerable subjects inside his Wake.

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.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Awareness
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on Wits rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 8-again on Wits rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the Leviathan gains +5 dice on a Wits-based roll when expending Willpower on it, instead of +3.
• “Depth 4”: As above, and +1 to Wits.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and the Leviathan ignores dice pool penalties based off of distractions. Combat maneuvers based off of feinting fail automatically unless the user's relevant Skill is higher than the Leviathan's Wits.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now +2 to Wits.

Evolutions

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 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 10 yards.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but within 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 half-mile.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but within a mile.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but within 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 stat) to accomplish. The normal restrictions for targetting 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.

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 for a single roll at a rating of its successes, subject to its normal Trait maximums.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but the Leviathan may divide successes between Skill rating and number of rolls it can be used for (minimum 1).
• “Depth 3”: The Leviathan may now expend 1 additional Ichor and, on a successful roll, spend any current XP (plus "borrow" against up to Willpower XP) to increase any skill or buy specialties. Borrowed XP is deducted one per session until paid off. The improvement occurs immediately after the successful roll..
• “Depth 4”: As 3 above, but the Leviathan may now improve or gain Mental Attributes or Merits in this fashion.
• “Depth 5”: On a successful roll, the Leviathan may opt to give up a dot of Willpower in order to gain 8 XP.
• “Depth 6”: As above. The Leviathan may now spend 3 additional Ichor and roll this power at a penalty of (current Willpower +1). On a success, the Leviathan may regain a lost dot of Willpower for 7 XP. On a failure, no experience is lost. On a dramatic failure, 5 XP are lost. Regardless of success or failure, the Leviathan gains a minor Derangement.

Alternate: 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”: As above, but the Leviathan also benefits from 9-Again with the conjured skill.
• “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 are a rating of 3.
• “Depth 5”: The Leviathan now benefits from 8-Again with conjured skills.
• “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. If two Skills are recalled, the Leviathan has the full complement of rolls with both skills - each has its own pool.

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. The 9-Again or 8-Again benefits will apply to attempts to recall information while under stress.
• 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.
• Split Focus (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 disperses.

• 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 see of luminous power; power that she can bring to bear against others.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Elements
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on Computer and Survival rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 8-Again on Computer and Survival rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 dice on Computer and Survival rolls, and Armor 1 vs. electrical damage
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 dice on Computer and Survival rolls, and electrical damage cannot stun or paralyze the Leviathan.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now Armor (Size) vs. electrical damage
• “Depth 6”: As above, and the Leviathan can operate computers and other electrical devices within (Sheol) yards without touching them; The Leviathan can effectively swim through electric and magnetic fields at half-speed, this essentially allows for flight.

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 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).

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.
• 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.

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

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.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Fecundity
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on Animal Ken and Medicine rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 8-Again on Animal Ken and Medicine rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 dice on Animal Ken and Medicine rolls.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 dice on Animal Ken and Medicine rolls.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and the Leviathan gains two free specialties to any two skills and may pick a third Skill to apply 8-again to.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and when the Leviathan would be killed by a strike, the damage is negated and he permanently loses one Size. If this would reduce his Size to 0, he dies.

Evolutions

Incubation of the Second Self (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: 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 Genesis (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: Standard

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)
  • 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) points)
  • Rare sense (Echolocation, heat-based vision, etc.): 1 point each
  • "Finer" manipulation: 2 points (may use simple tools and open doors, but -2 to all relevant rolls)

Evolutions

• 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.

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

Divine Pinnacle of Excellence (Ancestral Channel)

Description

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Might
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on Athletics rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, and +1 dice on Athletics rolls.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now 8-Again on Athletics rolls.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 dice on Athletics rolls.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +3 dice on Athletics rolls.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and +1 Stamina.

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.
• Relentless Pursuit (OO): In Depth 3 and lower, the Leviathan may treat his Speed as though it were 3 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.
• 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.

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.

Outraged Titan's Furor (Ancestral Channel)

Description

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Might
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on rolls to break objects manually.
• “Depth 2”: As above, and +1 dice on relevant rolls.
• “Depth 3”: As above, but now 8-Again on relevant rolls.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 dice on relevant rolls.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and the Leviathan may ignore up to his Sheol score worth of Durability when breaking objects manually.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and +1 Strength.

Evolutions

• Riotous Vandal (OO) - When in Depth 3 or below, the Leviathan gains 8-Again on Havoc checks.

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 Stat) 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 inflict lethal damage
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now they are +1L weapons.
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the Leviathan gains 9-Again on attacks with them.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now they are +2L weapons.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now they are +3L weapons.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now 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 an additional 2 damage if used on a grappled victim.
• Serrated Jaws (OO) - In Depth 3 and lower, the Leviathan instead gains 8-Again with his natural weapons.

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”: 9-Again on Stealth rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 8-Again on Stealth rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 dice on Stealth rolls.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 dice on Stealth rolls.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +3 dice on Stealth rolls.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and Wake-vulnerable subjects whose (Wits + Composure) is less than the Leviathan's (Stealth + Sheol) cannot see him unless they spend a Willpower point or invoke supernatural methods of sensing his presence. The expenditure covers the rest of the scene but cannot be made until the victim is aware that the Leviathan is present but invisible - either by being informed of this or hearing or otherwise noting evidence of his existence.

Evolutions

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

Eye of the Eternal Storm (Ancestral Channel)

The Leviathan is a creature of pretrenatural 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.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 1”: When the Leviathan is using Composure 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, and now a normal attacker 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 the Leviathan boosts his resistance by 4, not 2, when spending Willpower on Composure-related resistance.
• “Depth 4”: As above, and +1 Composure (This does not increase the Leviathan's Willpower)
• “Depth 5”: As above, and 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 lasts for the rest of the scene or until the victim expends Willpower to resist it (but will begin again if they borrow the Leviathan's Composure.)
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now +2 Composure and the Leviathan may use Composure in place of Presence or Manipulation for any social skills that remain viable in this form.

Voice of the Elder Temptress (Ancestral Channel)

Description.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on Persuasion rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 8-Again on Persuasion rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 dice on Persuasion rolls.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +2 dice on Persuasion rolls.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +3 dice on Persuasion rolls.
• “Depth 6”: As above, and using Persuasion on Wake-vulnerable subjects is a rote action.

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.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on Presence rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 8-Again on Presence rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the Leviathan gains +5 dice on a Presence-based roll when expending Willpower on it, instead of +3.
• “Depth 4”: As above, and +1 to Presence.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and the Leviathan may select a single social Skill to retain use of at this Depth, as long as that Skill is used with Presence.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but +2 to Presence. Wake-vulnerable individuals with a Willpower lower than the Leviathan's Presence will follow it around in a dazed state unless they expend a point of Willpower (one per scene) to act normally.

Evolutions

Insidious Creature (Ancestral Channel)

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

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Sanctity
• “Depth 1”: 9-Again on Manipulation rolls
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now 8-Again on Manipulation rolls
• “Depth 3”: As above, and the Leviathan gains +5 dice on a Manipulation-based roll when expending Willpower on it, instead of +3.
• “Depth 4”: As above, and +1 to Manipulation.
• “Depth 5”: As above, and wake-vulnerable subjects spending Willpower to increase their resistance to the Leviathan's Manipulation-based actions gain only +1 to their resistance Trait.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but +2 to Manipulation. Wake-vulnerable individuals with a Willpower lower than the Leviathan's Manipulation cannot use rolled resistance against the Leviathan's Manipulation-based actions; the Leviathan automatically scores an exceptional success against them in these cases.

Evolutions

Call of the Depths (Descendant Channel)

The voice of the Leviathan is what inspired legends of siren's. Speaking, crying, bellowing, or whispering: all vocalizations of the Leviathan draws 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 Stat) 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.

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

Assumption of Titan's Stature (Ancestral Channel)

Description.

• “Depth 0”: Birthright of Vitality
• “Depth 1”: +1 die on Brawl rolls mades during a grapple.
• “Depth 2”: As above, but now +2 dice on relevant rolls.
• “Depth 3”: As above, and +1 Size.
• “Depth 4”: As above, but now +3 dice on relevant rolls.
• “Depth 5”: As above, but now +2 Size.
• “Depth 6”: As above, but now +3 Size and 8-Again on relevant rolls made against smaller targets.

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