Haku/FM Curse
Lunar Curse
The curse afflicted the exalts by the dying Primordials did not leave the lunars unscathed. While they were affected less then the solars or sidereals, they were still affected by the curse like their cousins, the dragonblooded. Where the dragonblooded's curse tend towards elemental behavior, the lunar's curse is more animalistic and tied into their ability to assume animal forms.
The curse on the lunar is also tied into their patron's essence and light for the curse was originally directed at her, before being deflected on to the lunars as a host. The primordial curse levied against the lunars ensured that their humanity would be dominated by their animal natures. Their virtues and intelligence which seperate humanity from animals are lost.
Every month, during the nights of the full moon phase or aspect, the lunars need to make a willpower + (highest virtue) roll, the difficulty of the roll is equal to a difficulty of (essence trait). This roll is to determine whether the lunar is affected by the curse. Virtues can be channeled as normal for the roll for additional die.
Success means that the lunar is unaffected by the curse and may act normally until the next full moon night. If the lunar character so choses, he can act as if he had failed, but won't be compelled to stay in his animal forms or avoid using charms or spells.
Failure means that they fall under the effects of their curse. They can resist for an hour by spending 1 temporary willpower. Should they chose not to resist, for the rest of that night, the lunar will assume one of their animal forms if not their totem animal form, and are compelled to act as one of those animals. They can use their charms if need be, but they generally won't unless the need is great. They are free to switch forms while under the curse, but they will be compelled to act as the form that they are in.
Botches are terrible things for a lunar character. They are completely subsumed by their animalistic nature, the lunar will black out and transform reflexively to one of their animal forms if they are not already in one. They will then behave like that animal in all respects, without their memories, driven entirely by their animal instincts. They can NOT use their charms unless their lifes are in absolute danger, and their animal natures can recognize the danger. Charms, spells and other supernatural affects that effect animals will treat the lunar as if he were a natural animal while he is driven by his curse.
This state lasts until the next night with a full moon, should the willpower roll fail on that night, the botched state continues on as if the lunar had botched. If the botch occurs on the last night of the full moon, the animal state will last for (highest virtue) in days and nights. The lunar won't remember what they did or happened to them while in their animal driven state.
The lunars, on a whole, don't think it's a curse. They believe, as do the dragonblooded, and sidereals (along with the solars in the First Age) that this was Luna's way of helping them becoming one with the animals that they assume the shapes of. And that it's a way to stay connected to their natural animalistic roots. As such, most lunars tend to assume the form of their totem animals on full moon nights and don't generally resist the curse without great need.
It should be noted that the full moon phase occurs only on 5 nights per month.
Still there have been embaressing cases of lunars losing themselves to the animals within, and not recognizing their family and friends. The resulting incidents are generally not spoken of, but are acknowledged as isolated incidents or rumours. There are also incidences where lunars in their botched state are mistaken (or not so mistaken) for wild animals and killed.
Also note that should the lunar be in a failed or botched cursed state, they will NOT use any charms or spells to help their stamina + stamina rolls to stay alive over the age of 250 years if the roll is needed on that night. This has helped keep Creation free of truly ancient lunars.
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