Editing LeviathanTempest:ChapterFour (section)

==== Birth Control Ritual (OOOOO) ====

The Tribe have long sought a way to reliably birth pure humans or full blooded Leviathans. So far they've failed and this represents one of the many Rituals used in the attempt. It's important to remember that this ritual actually does work, a child born after this ritual really is more likely to emerge as a Leviathan (or be truly human, it depends which Ritual we are talking about), it's just that the more likely doesn't actually mean likely. Perhaps a family which regularly uses this ritual will see a full Leviathan emerge around once in 45 generations rather than 50. 

If used for purely practical ends this ritual is only really suitable for characters whose goals stretch across centuries, anyone else is unlikely to see any return for their efforts. A loving parent who wishes to spare their child from the horrors of Leviathan life (or share it's glory) may use this Ritual. If this parent is a player character it could raise a dilemma: This ritual costs experience points and effort yet has no mechanical bonus. Spending experience and effort on a Ritual with an uncertain payoff is exactly what the Leviathan is doing in character but depending on the player it might not make for fun gaming. The Storyteller should consider offering discount, some form of reward for good role playing or even letting the Ritual work. Even in the World of Darkness, sometimes you get a miracle. 

Sacrifice: Either parent must undergo some form of body modification to become closer to the desired child. This causes 5 Lethal Damage and counts as serious torture. If a skilled doctor is on hand this is no longer considered torture. The Doctor may roll Dexterity + Medicine, each success downgrades one Lethal Damage to Bashing. 

Effigy: The parent uses cosmetics and costumes instead to appear closer to the desired child. 

Auspicious Portents: Low Tide and Venus (When hoping for a human), High Tide and Venus (When hoping for a Leviathan)

Ominous Portents: High Tide and Pluto (When hoping for a human) Low Tide and Mercury (When hoping for a Leviathan)

Sample acts: The parents choose a name for the child only appropriate to a human or Leviathan. Cultists provide gifts to the unborn child only appropriate to a human or Leviathan. A “seer” or “prophet” undergoes or fakes a trance then pronounces good news. 

Suggested Modifiers: The Leviathan is of Bahamut's Strain (+1). The Leviathan is of Dagon's Strain (-1). The Leviathan possess No Mysteries of the Flesh (+1). Both parents undergo the ritual (+2). The child was created with Incubation of the Second Self (-2 due to a lack of genetic diversity).