MEDIUMS

 

 

All the tricks available to mediums have a common purpose: to allow them to see or interact with the dead. Various types of mediums use different methods to activate their particular tricks. Some use a traditional crystal ball. Others use seances or even meditation. All of the following tricks apply only to ghosts trapped in the SKINLANDS/SHADOWLANDS , not to those in any underworld.

​

Mediumship is not a "Numina" or "Gifted" path with an organized structure of progression. Rather it is a background talent available to any and all vanilla (non enhanced) human being willing to pay the points value associated with the different powers allowing for a truly custom medium. Mediumship is not a rote ability, but differs medium to medium. 

​

WHERE IS ASTRAL PROJECTION?

If you are wondering where the previous ability of Astral Projection exists. It is now under the purview of "Projectors"

Some Projectors possess -latent- Medium ability, but generally that is covered under the projector pages and the same talents are not in play.

Mediumship, Projection, Necromancy are -not- the same and we wish to offer a greater choice for building characters involved with the restless dead. Allowing for a greater degree on nuance and varity within the context of Nocturne. 

There is also "Sorcerer" which offers paths to dealing with the restless. Rather than a "All or Nothing" approach to mediumship, we have offered varied different means to explore the universe, Some might be happy playing regular humans with no latent magic, but the ability to perceive ghosts or communicate through a -traditional- path of mediumship.

​

​

 

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE?
The advantages and disadvantages of voluntary versus involuntary mediumhood just about balance. The involuntary medium doesn’t have to roll
to speak to a ghost; . However, this ability means she sees all of the ghosts in a given vicinity, and unless those wraiths are exceedingly stupid, they’ll realize it rapidly. What follows is chaos, as practical jokers, sadists and “normal” wraiths desperate to get word across the Shroud descend
on the hapless medium. The result can be anywhere from low comedy to tragedy, particularly if the wraiths bring their Arcanoi (or Shadows) into play.

On the other hand, a medium who must work to see ghosts has his own problems. While his existence is relatively normal most of the time (in other words, not disrupted by assorted disembodied dead people floating through his living room and demanding that he pay attention), he has to work hard, focus his will and usually spend some sort of mental energy in order to make contact with the other side. This limitation means he can’t listen to the Dead all that often, as doing so would take too much out of him. It also means that he doesn’t necessarily hear his ghostly friends when they want — or need — to get in contact with him. If an emergency situation occurs and the medium’s not listening, things can get hairy quickly.

​

VOLUNTARY: Which requires effort to turn on.

INVOLUNTARY: Which is always on and requires effort to turn off.

BOARDWALK MEDIUMS: Typically these mediums possess zero innate physic ability and rely on Candles or Tarots to communicate with dead. This a a taught ability and is available to any with an OCCULT rank.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

VOLUNTARY MEDIUMSHIP

​

​

CREEPY FEELINGS : 5 XP
While a mortal with this ability can’t actually see ghosts, he gets a shiver up and down his spine whenever a wraith is nearby.(Not wraith inhabiting bodies though)

REFLEXIVE ROLL: (Automatically rolled when wraith enters a scene with the medium)

ROLL: PERCEPTION + WITS 

DIFFICULTY: 12+ 

SUCCESS: 

the mortal gets a weird feeling every time a wraith is in the same room as he is. 

​

BEHOLD THE DEAD  5 XP

With an effort, you can see wraiths. Your vision even occasionally extends across the Shroud and into the Shadowlands, but only when you work at it. 

SYSTEM: 

ROLL: PERCEPTION + WITS

DIFFICULTY 14+ 

the number of successes indicates the number of turns for which the medium can interact with the wraith.

Wraiths cannot counteract their newfound visibility (except with ◉ ARGOS: ENSHROUD ).

​

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INVOLUNTARY MEDIUMSHIP

​

SPEAKER WITH THE DEAD 10 XP

A Speaker with the Dead can, without additional effort, see and hear wraiths and can even see, dimly, across the Shroud into the Shadowlands. This vision cannot be controlled except through the use of Normalcy (see below)  A true Speaker with the Dead is never free from her visions of ghosts, and either learns to reconcile her existence in dual realities or goes mad.

SYSTEM:

This ability is always switched on. The character is consistently surrounded by NPC wraiths, consistently competing for attention, all longing to be heard. It is near impossible to single out a single voice among the din of those wishing to be heard. The character may often at times appear to be speaking to oneself, or asking for peace and quiet. 

• Concentration is near impossible, Simple tasks (feats) are rolled with 1 less dot than normal.

• Extended tasks are out of the question.

• The only way to get over the flaw is to make a successful normalcy roll (If the character possesses normalcy)

• Player character wraiths will on first meeting the medium suspect the medium does not notice them, The medium does notice them, the medium just is not particularly surprised by wraith anymore. 

​

DEATH SIGHT: 15 XP

PREREQUISITE: Speaker With The Dead
This Flaw often comes in conjunction with Speaker with the Dead. When cursed with Death sight, a medium sees the world as a wraith does: as a blasted, decaying morass of rot and desolation. Living humans appear diseased and distorted, plants appear blighted and buildings seem to be on the verge of collapse. Seeing the world through grave-colored glasses naturally wears on the medium’s nerves, and most mortals with this Flaw are edgy, depressed and always on the lookout for incipient disaster.

The Medium may make use of Death Sight in the same manner as Wraith can. However the Medium is unable to use Life Sight.

Full Death Sight Passives are found HERE

​

DEPRESSOR: 5 XP

PREREQUISITE: Death Sight
Extremely Depressing mortals are so tied up in gloom and doom (perhaps because they can see, right there in front of them, the walking, talking evidence that existence is futile) that they actually radiate Angst.

Any wraith dealing with an depressor automatically suffer a point of Angst.

Limit, 1 Angst per scene regardless of how many Depressors are present

​

NORMALCY: 5 XP per rank.

PREREQUISITE: Speaker With The Dead

You have learned how to shut out the voices and visions of the Restless Dead through sheer force of mental effort. By visualizing a wall or other protective shield for yourself, you can ward off unwanted ghostly visions. On the other hand, ghosts may take offense at your refusal to listen to them and could resort to more drastic methods to get your attention

◉ NOVICE:           You can slow the onslaught.

◉◉ COMPETENT:  You can drown out the murmurs

◉◉◉ PRACTICED  Spectres find you a tough nut to crack.

◉◉◉◉ EXPERT      I hear you knockin’ but you can’t come in!

◉◉◉◉◉ MASTER Heck, I can’t even hear you knock.

SYSTEM:

ROLL : WITS + NORMALCY vs Wraiths WITS + RESOLVE (or Difficulty 12+ vs Npc wraith/specters)

SUCCESS: 

If the medium scores more successes, she successfully blocks out the wraith’s presence for a scene.

If the wraith produces more successes, the medium’s attempt fails.

NOTE: A successful Normalcy roll even allows the medium to ignore the effects of EMBODY ◉ WHISPERS but not any more potent uses of Embody.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

DUAL MEDIUMSHIP

The following abilities may be taken by Voluntary and Involuntary mediums.

​

FOG IMMUNITY: FREE

Voluntary & involuntary mediums are immune to the fog. (Boardwalk mediums too)  Constant exposure to wraith has bred an immunity. While this ability is -free- to Mediums, they MUST have purchased at least ONE ability from this page. I.E You can't get fog immunity without any mediumship ability.

​

EASY CONSORT: 5 XP

The medium, while not necessarily able to see across the Shroud, is an easily accessible host for a Puppeteer. All mediums with this Merit are considered to be Attuned, and the difficulty of all Puppetry rolls involving them is decreased by 2.

Furthermore, the medium maintains full awareness while the wraith is in possession of her body.

This condition can lead to particularly benign Puppeteers allowing “time-share” at seances. This Merit has its downside as well, making the medium easy prey for less scrupulous wraiths — and Spectres. This ability may be taken by Boardwalk Mediums as well. (Provided they are vanilla humans with no other supernatural taint)

 

​

​

THE LOOMING PRESENCE 5 XP

This trick allows a medium to sense an incorporeal ghost's nearness. It also inspires an uncomfortable feeling in the presence of Risen, Kuei-Jin, Skin-ridden consorts,  The medium doesn't know the specific location, identity or intent of the spirit, nor does she know which "person" in a crowd might be a life like zombie. She only knows that one is nearby.

SYSTEM:

ROLL: PERCEPTION + WITS

DIFFICULTY: 13+

SUCCESS:

Success tells the medium whether possessed corpses/ hosts. Are in the room where the ability is activated, or within 10 meters if the user is outdoors. Multiple successes indicate the number present.

The sensation is instantaneous, a snapshot of the area.

NOTE:  It does NOT -distinguish- Risen, Skinridden consorts, Kuei-Jin from one another or possessed mortals. It will detect any "Possessed" but not distinguish them.

Possessed means, the body is -actively- inhabited, not simply -controlled- by a spirit of some kind. This does not detect "possessed" objects however.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

​

BOARDWALK MEDIUMS

​

• Human : Only Voluntary and Involuntary mediums, ungifted, Cult, Conspiracy, Ghouls, Consorts and Projectors may purchase this ability 

• Fera: Only Silent Striders may purchase this ability (kinfolk must be silent strider tribe to use this ability)

• Changelings: Only Slaugh can purchase this ability (Kinain must have Slaugh heritage)

• Mages: Only Euthanatoi or Verbena can purchase this ability

• Vampire: Only Hecata can purchase this ability

• Wan Kuei: Only  Thousand Whispers can purchase this ability.

• The above restrictions are to maintain the flavour of individual splats, Euthanatoi and Verbena either deal with wraith or the wiccan like ritual practice as part of their paradigm, Boardwalk Mediumship is simply too much of a leap from normal practice of other mages. The Slaugh famously have more dealings with wraith than other kith, the same is said of the Hecata, Thousand whispers and so on and so forth.

​

Boardwalk mediums are the typical kind of "Medium" you might encounter in your travels. The name comes from the practice of "psychics and Mediums" setting up on the boardwalk of many seaside towns. Though you might just as easily encounter them at carnivals or even in special "Psychic shops" in many modern cities. This path isn't particularly potent, it does not have any latent or innate abilities tied to it. One can not perceive or interact physically with wraith, though one -may- use the abilities here to -summon- or -communicate- to a degree with them.

​

​

BORDWALK MEDIUMSHIP  5 XP per rank.

PREREQUISITE: OCCULT rank equal to the rank you wish to purchase.

You have learned the traditional medium path to summoning spirits from the afterlife. (Note the restrictions above) 

◉ NOVICE:           You know the basics

◉◉ COMPETENT:  You're somewhat accomplished.

◉◉◉ PRACTICED  You run a psychic shop and are known in your local community.

◉◉◉◉ EXPERT      You're a fairly minor psychic celebrity among mediums and the public.

◉◉◉◉◉ MASTER  Your fame extends to the underworld, wraith flock to you waiting for their turn to speak to their loved ones.

​

​

While the crystal ball is the stereotypical tool of choice for Boardwalk mediums, most practitioners prefer to use tarot decks and candles to peer across the Shroud. While a crystal ball certainly is flashy and provides something of a focus for concentration and emotion, tarot cards
provide for more specificity when a medium tries to contact an individual wraith. Candle flame offers the same sort of focus that a crystal ball does (and a brighter beacon to Deathsight-afflicted wraiths). Plus, crystal balls are heavy, expensive and hard to replace — all negatives for mediums
who might have to pick up and run at a moment’s notice.

Tarot readings and candlelight are integral to the process of contacting the Restless.

​

HOW IT WORKS SUMMONING:

A Boardwalk medium usually works for a client who wishes to commune with a dead relative, or solve a mystery around a murder and so on and so forth.

Boardwalk mediums rarely use their skills for their own entertainment. Though it is possible they can attempt to fish for spirits, though generally without a client giving particular details, the wraith (or spectre) the medium summons is only going to fit into the loosely established parameters of the ritual involved, and is unlikely to be a particular wraith, given that wraiths are more strongly attached to the clients than the medium herself.

​

SYSTEM:

PRE ROLL STEPS (VITAL)

• Ask the client the details of the wraith they wish to contact.(Astrological sign during wraiths date of death & manner of death )

• Choose the face card appropriate for the wraith you wish to contact

• Light the Candle for the appropriate day that corresponds to the manner of death of the desired wraith. It does not matter if it is the correct day, this is the -beacon- to attract the wraith from across the shroud.

• Lay the face card that corresponds to the desired wraith.

• Get the "Client" (or yourself ,if no client) , to focus on the memory of the desired wraith.

• Cards And Candles are found at the bottom of the page.

THE ROLL

ROLL: OCCULT + BOARDWALK MEDIUMSHIP

DIFFICULTY: 10 + SHROUD RATING

SHROUD RATING         AREA                                           

    1                             Cearn                                                

    2                             Node/Graveyard                               

    3                             Deep Wilderness                                 

    4                             Rural Countryside                               

    5                             No mans land                                     

    6                             Most Urban Areas                             

    7                             Downtown alley

    8                             Downtown interior locations

    9                             Downtown Mainstreet.          

    10                           Technocratic Lab* 

MODIFIERS:

-  1 difficulty if correct day of week for desired wraith.

-  1 difficulty if appropriate candle is used for desired wraith

-  1 difficulty if appropriate face card is used for desired wraith

-  1 difficulty if appropriate "Medium" Location is used (Psychic shop, Psychic tent at carnival, Psychic stall at fair, Psychic table at Magic Planet)

+ 2 difficulty if wraith is a stranger to client (or self if clientless)

+ 2  difficulty if candles and cards are not used.

SUCCESS:

If a single success is rolled, the wraith in question will have a compulsion to immediately visit the medium (no matter where either party is, except if wraith is undergoing a harrowing)

The wraith may resist this call with a simple Composure + Resolve Difficulty = to the summons difficulty and scoring more successes than the summoner. However "Modifiers" are reversed for the wraith. Example. Correct day adds + 1 difficulty to the summons rather than subtracting 1.

If the wraith fails to resist, or declines to resist, they immediately break across the shroud to the mediums location, arriving almost instantaneously.

​

HOW IT WORKS

COMMUNICATING WITH THE DEAD

Once the wraith is summoned there are several options available to the Boardwalk Medium. IF they have any voluntary or involuntary mediumship abilities then they may use those to communicate with the spirit.

If they have the -easy consort- ability, they may use that. If neither of these options are available a wraith might use its own powers to communicate, if none of these options are available then the card system must be used.

THE CARD SYSTEM:

Each turn the boardwalk medium  (or client )  will ask -one- question of the wraith and turn a card. On a metaphysical level the wraith -slightly-  psychically influences the turning of the tarot cards. This is a totally subconscious process that the wraith has no control over, even if they are unwilling to answer the question, the card turn will give clues. However if the shadow is in control of the wraith, its subconscious -reverses- the meaning of the card or if it was meant to be reversed it will present it unreversed.

HOW TO:

The Medium asks a question publicly. The wraith player chooses which suit and number he feels answers the question and emotes the turning of the card and reveals the suit and number depicted on the turned card. (5 of pentacles ) would imply the wraith was or is struggling with money or material matters. (5 of pentacles reversed would mean the wraith was or is financially comfortable) The medium will -guess- the meaning of the card, and tell their client (It is possible to misunderstand the card meaning in which case a misunderstood wraith is likely to turn to more cup suits) No rolls are required, the wraith player -must- only give the suit and number, it must not present any additional information. It's a guessing game by the medium on behalf of client. (If the wraith really wants to set the record straight, it can always use its Arcanoi, the wraith does not know what the cards mean, the cards however -pick- up on the wraiths thoughts and present themselves in reaction to that.

In order to make it fun, neither the wraith player nor the medium should seek -OOC- clarification over the meaning of the cards.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​