BogModAlternateSidereals/Astrology
One of the current problems with Astrology right now is that it does little of actual prediction and more of a wide bag of effects that could easily have been charms. So here are some ideas on how to make it less complicated and more useful. Some key ideas are that Fate isn't set in stone but it does have weight to it, that Sidereals are not bound to just things under the Loom's auspice and that there is always free will at work
Event Weaving
In plotting the stars and making the charts a Sidereal can effect what people will do. The whole process takes a days worth(8 hours) of work reading astrological charts and cross referencing with the individual and predicted heavenly states in the upcoming time frame. She can influence large groups as well as smaller ones with this. This works on anyone within a place that obeys some form of fate's rules or is not themselves the source of fate. So this will not work on the Yozi but can be worked upon their demons even though they exist beyond Creation's fate. Places within the true wyld which have no fate or reason to events can not be so influenced.
In effect this functions as a Social Attack though it is actually a shaping effect though not an attack. The Sidereal names an event they know or believe will happen and a target and roll Intelligence + Craft(Fate). They add bonus successes to this roll equal to the appropriate House the choice will involve and can substitute Craft(Fate) with an appropriate Ability if appropriate. If this roll meets or exceeds the targets Dodge Mental Defense Value when that event comes up they will make the choice the Sidereal planned unless they spend 2 willpower to work against Fate. Essence users need only spend a single Willpower point. This simulates the target choosing their own destiny. This effect works best when the action planned is within the target's nature. Targetting large populations causes an Internal Penalty equal to the group's Magnitude and is checked against their leaders DVs just like with normal mass social combat.
For example: The Chosen of Battles Serene Tiger is preparing to influence a battle between a Wing of Realm Soldiers in Harborhead and a group of rebels. She is well acquainted with the leadership of the Wing and that the two leaders are both competitive and antagonistic and rather typical Dynasts. She works long into the night to put in certain events into the planned weave of Fate. First that the night before the battle that the leader of the Wing will drink to excess with his men. The day of the battle the commander of the Talon will try to assume command.
She has an Intelligence of 4, Craft(Fate) 3, House of Battles 3, and War 5. For the drinking she rolls 7 dice(Int+Craft) and adds 3 successes(House of Battles). She also will use her First Craft Excellency and the Storyteller likes the descriptions and how she does her astrology for a 2 die bonus. Total dice pool of 15 with 3 bonus successes. She gets 11 successes. For the next she will roll 9 dice as the Storyteller agrees that War is an appropriate ability for having one commander take over for his hung over superior or even for such military chain of command matters. She gets after rolls and charms 12 successes. Both beat the targets MDVs.
The night before the battlefield Cynis Dave can either try to fight fate and not get really drunk or go with it. He goes with it since it isn't exactly out of character for him. The next day finds him heavily hung over. Now even if her other roll hadn't of succeeded there is good reason to assume command. Tepet Jim tries to assume command which leads to infighting between the two. The rebels fall upon them while the Realm force is still disorganized and they take a sound drubbing as they refuse to support each other.
Here she knew her targets and their natures. She further set things up so even if one of her fate workings failed the other could still have a reasonable chance to go ahead. Even if Cynis Dave had not gotten drunk his competitive sub-commander Tepet Jim might still try to take over. Both men being competent commanders trying something like making them appoint one of the rank and file to take command of the Legion would surely have been fought off. It is a subtle art that can have great reach when used right. It is not a club to enforce their will on the world.
