RedMegaman/SolarHearthstones

Solar Hearthstones

Due warning: This stone might be slightly overpowered.

Cloak Stone

Solar Aspected (Night)
Manse *****

This is a clear, faceted Hearthstone. When touched against a person not attuned to the Manse of its origin, the stone steals the target's identity and an image of the target can be seen floating inside the stone. The target's body remains outside the stone, but is robbed of its sense of self and identity and suffers from complete amnesia, reduced to its animalistic functions. While robbed of his identity, neither family or aquaintances recognise him. For all intents and purposes, the victim has disappeared. The non-descript vagrant left in his stead may be shooed out of the way, but is never remembered due to his lack of identity. But wait - there's more! The bearer of the stone may don the stolen identity and perfectly pass for the victim, even adopting his mannerisms and outlook on life. This is not without hazards however, if the bearer keeps the adopted identity for an extended period, he risks losing his own identity and replacing it with the adopted one.

Individuals with a permanent essence above one are never affected by this hearthstone.

Stealing another's identity is tricky and requires an extended opposed essence + willpower roll. Roll at the end of each turn of contact until either bearer or victim manages to collect 3 or more net successes. The victim is not obligated to stay still during this ordeal and may act normally until his identity is successfully stolen. If the Stone loses contact with the victim at any point before completion, all successes are lost and the contest must start anew. It may be wise to render victims unconscious before stealing their identity.

For each week continuously wearing an adopted identity, roll willpower diff [victim's essence] or the adopted identity takes over and the character's own identity is slowly lost barring outside interference. Doffing an adopted identity releases it whereupon it returns to its original body. The victim has no memories of what's been done in his name during this period.

If an identityless victim is somehow killed (usually by accident), he will invariably rise as a hungry ghost.

Comments

The stone got some comments in this thread which I saved from the WW forum. --RedMegaman

Hmm.. It is a tad overpowered, but I think that the concept could be salvaged while bringing it back in line with the rest. I would begin by making it ineffective against essence users, and making the owner roll the same pool (essence + willpower) against mortal targets. On top of that, I'd assign a duration unless the player spends a willpower; that would make it an especially powerful version of the "King of Masks" charm tree in CB:Zenith. Also, to make things interesting, I'd have anyone killed while under its effects turn into a hungry ghost instantly. Beyond that.. well, there's a level five hearthstone in the core book which makes you invincible. Go nuts.

I like the concept though, I have a morbid fondness for identity theft.. when I saw something like it in the Sidereal book I was disappointed there was no solar equivalent, but they made one in Castebook: Zenith. Rockin stuff. Good luck! - Alaron

Hi Alaron! Yes, it is a bit overpowered and I agree with your fixes (updated the description accordingly). I probably won't place a duration on the effect since the effect on the victim is quite harsh and makes it possible to trace the effect back to the PC. I like your idea of making victims hungry ghosts upon death, consider it nabbed :-) Thanks for the comments! --RedMegaman