BurgerSlave/WolfStyle

Wolf Style Martial Arts

White Ivory Lotus panted for breath as he clawed his way up the hillside. The snow burned his numbed fingers, but still he struggled on. Behind him, he could hear the howls of the Lunar Anathema, hot on his trail. It did not matter if they caught him, for he had accomplished his mission. His masters had requisitioned the death of their shaman, and Wayang had set its blessing on the work order. The appropriate pattern spiders had been correctly and assiduously addressed, and thus the No Moon's rightfully ordained ending was woven into the Loom. Lotus was merely the instrument of that ultimate fate, though the savages would never see it that way.

The rest of Lotus' Circle was waiting for him just on the other side of the hill. Once he joined them, Jyurai would call forth the Swift Spirit of Winged Transportation, and they would be on their way back to the Blessed Isle in no time. For what seemed to be the hundredth time, Lotus found himself wishing he had studied those Charms that lent speed to one's feet rather than one's blade. But it was an inappropriate time for 'could haves' and 'might have beens'.

There! He could already see Jyurai's brilliant green anima flaring as he shaped Essence, while Wei Leung hollered to him, urging him on. Lotus sent a silent prayer to Saturn and leaped, forgetting the earth beneath his feet for an instant. Just behind him, he could feel the showering of earth as massive claws slammed into the ground where he had been not a breath before. Lotus flipped in the air, landing between Jyurai and Leung, bringing his starmetal tanto out as he landed.

Lotus regarded the rabble of Exalts as they drew into a line--this one a hawk, that one a bear, a stag in the rear. They parted as a wolf trotted up to the front of the line, rising into his hybrid man-wolf shape. Steam puffed from his black snout as he panted with exertion, but he was barely even winded. Instead, he pointed a silvered talon at Lotus.

"You. Boy. You murdered my mother," he snarled, his muzzle adding a curious inflection to otherwise perfectly pronounced High Realm. Slowly, the wolf Lunar drew that talon across his throat. "Now, you and your friends will pay with your lives."

Lotus smirked behind his black silk veil as assumed the stance of Endings Form. "You are an arrogant wolf," he said. "I am White Ivory Lotus, and I have studied the Charcoal March of Spiders Style under Chejop Kejak himself. If you beasts think you are a match for I and my Circle, then come at us. I promise your endings will be as swift as your mother's."

But to his dismay, the beastly Exalts did not charge headlong. Rather, the others rose up into their hybrid shapes as well, settling themselves into an unorthodox stance that Lotus did not recognize. The wolf-Exalt grinned, licking his chops. "You think us ignorant of your ways of fighting, Star-brat?" he growled. "Then more the fool you. Is it not written that persistence is its own reward? My dojo is the whole of the wild. My sutra is the song of my pack. We have had many centuries to learn how to harness our instincts. And we have become very good at it."

As the Lunars charged simultaneously, Lotus had just enough time to notice offhandedly that his star had shifted into the descending house of the Rising Smoke. He had one further instant to realize his grave mistake in underestimating the Lunars. Then, he was rushing headlong to meet his final destiny.

It has been many hundreds of years since the Lunar Exalted studied the martial arts at the feet of the Sidereal Exalted. Indeed, only a few Lunars of the Full Moon Caste ever came to the dojos, preferring instead to rely on their own combat abilities. However, those few who did embrace the Trinity of Perfected Understanding were able to innovate their own curious style of martial arts.

Not even the most ancient Sidereal bodhisattvas could truly reckon why the Lunars were unable to grasp the ultimate Blossoming of the Lotus. It certainly was not for lack of spiritual perfection, for the Lunar Essence is of higher rank than the Sidereal. Thus, they determined it must be something inherent in the bestial nature of Luna's Beloved that prevented them from attaining ultimate understanding. Believing this to be an insurmountable weakness, the Chosen of the Maidens gently but firmly advised the Lunars to pursue studies other than the martial arts, believing their presence in the dojos to ultimately be a futile undertaking.

But the Lunar Exalted are not easily defeated. The few masters of Celestial-type martial arts began experimenting with the manipulation of Essence through their bodies, trying to unlock the final secrets of the Lotus through instinct. While this endeavor was doomed to failure, these masters discovered that they were able to take advantage of the bonds formed by the Brotherhood of Lake and River, elevating these bonds to a new level through their martial arts study. The result of this study was a series of martial arts techniques that would culminate in Wolf Style.

Sadly, the Usurpation quickly followed this revelation. While the Sidereals were content to permit most Lunars to flee to the Wyld, many ancient masters hunted down their wayward students, determined that they should not carry their secrets away to be used against their murderers. As a result, only a handful of practitioners of Wolf Style martial arts escaped to pass down their teachings.

In the present day, the study of this style remains rare. Most Lunars prefer more simplistic means of killing their enemies. Why spend hours upon hours just sitting and thinking when one can simply will his talons into moonsilver? Those are hours better spent hunting meat for the tribe, or doing something other than just loafing. However, those few Lunars with the dedication, wisdom, and committment to spiritual perfection will find the most intimate bonds of fellowship in his pack as they seek enlightenment together. The path is difficult, but the rewards are beyond price.

Wolf Style Martial Arts is a Celestial-type martial art. Since the first Charm in the cascade has Brotherhood of Lake and River as a prerequisite, only Lunar Exalted may learn it, although it may be possible for Eclipse Caste Solar (or, in theory, a Moonshadow Caste Abyssal) to learn it if they can find a Lunar pack to adopt him. However, many Charms in this style rely on Lunar shapeshifting, which Eclipses cannot emulate. Wolf Style has no signature weapon save for a practitioner's own natural weaponry. A Wolf stylist may wear armor, so long as it is moonsilver and has a fatigue value of no more than 1. Charms that reduce armor penalties may not be used to permit armor that is otherwise forbidden by this limitation. Unless otherwise noted, the Charms of Wolf Style are usable in any of a Lunar's natural forms. The majority of these Charms require one or more wolf-siblings in order to be effective. Unless otherwise noted, the character must be within his Martial Arts x 10 yards of one or more of his wolf-sibs in order to effectively use any Charms out of Wolf Style.

These Charms follow the standard rules for Lunar martial artists. Each one costs 15 experience points, even if Martial Arts is a Favored Ability. This limitation applies to Eclipse or Moonshadow Caste Exalts--they may never apply their Favored Ability discount to any Charm derived from Wolf Cry Method, but must always pay the full cost for non-Caste Charms. Furthermore, these Charms may only be Comboed with other Martial Arts Charms, and may not be Comboed with any Charm that is based off an Attribute.

Wolf Cry Method
Cost: None
Duration: Permenant
Type: Special
Minimum Martial Arts: 2
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Brotherhood of Lake and River

The first thing a Wolf stylist must learn is how his Essence interacts with his wolf-siblings. Study for this Charm involves spending a number of hours in deep group meditation with his wolf-sibs while concentrating on merging his thoughts with their own. Upon mastering this Charm, the Exalt's capabilities are permenantly increased. By loosing a howl or cry, the character is able to extend the range to which he and his wolf-sibs share thoughts. The Exalt may now read the thoughts of any of his wolf-sibs out to a distance of his Essence in miles. If both wolf-sibs are within each others' range, they may communicate normally.

Whenever a Lunar character learns this Charm, he immediately loses 5 points of Glory Renown. The warriors of the Silver Pact frown upon this sort of esoteric study, associating the study of martial arts with the cowardly Immaculate whelps.

Running Pack Style
Cost: 5 motes
Duration: One turn
Type: Instant
Minimum Martial Arts: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Cry Method

The Essence of the wolf pack begins to flow in harmony, each wolf-sib contributing a part of their own inherent power to the whole. By activating this Charm, a Lunar Exalt is able to call upon the swiftness of the Full Moon Caste, adding his Martial Arts score to his Dexterity for the purposes of determining his running speed for the remainder of the turn. This Charm stacks with the Full Moon anima ability.

All Wolf stylists may learn and internalize the lessons of this Charm. However, in order to activate it, one of their wolf-sibs must be a Full Moon Lunar. Otherwise, they cannot call upon the Full Moon anima.

Sheep Stalking Method
Cost: 2 motes per success
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Cry Method

As with Running Pack Style, this Charm blends the Essence of the wolf-sibs into greater harmony. Sheep Stalking Method invokes the power of the Changing Moon anima to disguise the Lunar's actions. This Charm allows a character to turn dice on a Stealth roll into automatic successes by spending 2 motes per die. He may only transform as many dice as he has Martial Arts in this manner.

All Wolf stylists may learn and internalize the lessons of this Charm. However, in order to activate it, one of their wolf-sibs must be a Changing Moon Lunar. Otherwise, they cannot call upon the Changing Moon anima.

Wise Wolf Prana
Cost: 4 motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Cry Method

Like the previous two Charms, Wise Wolf Prana contributes to the admixture of Essence in the wolfpack. This Charm calls upon the No Moon anima to lend power to the Exalt's magic. For the duration of the Charm, the cost of all Charms is reduced by 1 mote (to a mimimum of 1). This Charm does not affect spells, and does not stack with the No Moon anima. Any other costs (Willpower, health levels, etc.) remain unchanged.

All Wolf stylists may learn and internalize the lessons of this Charm. However, in order to activate it, one of their wolf-sibs must be a No Moon Lunar. Otherwise, they cannot call upon the No Moon anima.

Wolf Form
Cost: 8 motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Running Pack Style, Sheep Stalking Method, Wise Wolf Prana

Upon learning Wolf Form, the Lunar has become fully in tune with the Essence flowing through his body. To activate Wolf Form, he must execute a series of postures and stances, carefully aligning the seven chakras into a perfect configuration. This does not require a roll, but is a Martial Arts dice action that requires one full turn to complete. As a result, this Charm may only be activated in human or Deadly Beastman form.

Once Wolf Form is activated, the Lunar's Essence flows freely through his tattoos. For the rest of the scene, he is able to reflexively shapeshift without need to take a dice action to do so. All Charms derived from Finding the Spirit's Shape cost no motes to use. He is still constrained by the limits of his anima banner, however, and may only assume his true forms if he has become shapelocked through spending Peripheral Essence.

Upon learning this Charm, a Lunar character immediately gains 5 Mettle and 5 Wisdom Renown. He has exhibited a great deal of dedication to master himself and his Essence, as well as a deep committment to his wolf-sibs, as exhibited by his mastery of the Form Charm.

This Charm may be bought and internalized by Eclipse and Moonshadw Caste Exalts in order to satisfy prerequisite requirements, but calls upon inherent Lunar shapeshifting; thus, they may not activate this Charm. Characters may only have one Form-type Charm active at a time.

Omega Wolf Avoidance
Cost: 1 mote, 1 Glory Renown
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Form

In every pack, there must be a leader and follower. The omega wolf is the one who submits to all other members of the pack. His presence is tolerated rather than welcomed, for he is the weakest of all. The lesson of the omega wolf is a difficult one, but carries with it further understanding of the pack itself. By spending a single mote, the character directs an attack aimed at any one of his wolf-sibs to himself, so long as they are within a number of yards equal to his Martial Arts score. This damage is unavoidable and cannot be soaked by any means. However, the attack inflicts no more damage than the Face of the lowest-ranked character in the pack. This Charm does not affect the attacks of characters with a higher Essence than the character.

Using this Charm is considered disgraceful, for it is shameful for a Lunar to submit to the abuses of his enemy, even to protect his wolf-sibs (who should be able to protect themselves). Any time a character activates Omega Wolf Avoidance, he loses 1 Glory Renown. Also, only Lunars in the pack count towards the lowest Face--disregard any Eclipse or Moonshadow Caste Exalts when determining whose Face is lowest. Such characters pay 1 Willpower instead of 1 Glory to activate Omega Wolf Avoidance.

Alpha Wolf Attack
Cost: 2 motes per success
Duration: Instant
Type: Supplemental
Minimum Martial Arts: 4
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Omega Wolf Avoidance

By calling upon the strength of the pack, the Exalt is able to deliver a devastating blow. The character may add the Face of his highest-ranked wolf-sib to the damage of one Martial Arts attack. These are automatic damage successes that must be paid for before soak is applied, and cost 2 motes per success.

Heel-Nipping Distraction
Cost: 5 motes
Duration: One turn
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 4
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Form

Wolves fighting in a pack can be very dangerous, particularly when they work together. With a sudden misdirection, the Wolf stylist is able to distract an enemy, which creates an opening that his wolf-sibs can exploit. The Exalt chooses a target and activates Heel-Nipping Distraction. For the rest of the turn, all of that target's defensive actions against the Lunar's wolf-sibs are reduced by the Exalt's Martial Arts score. The Lunar who uses this Charm cannot benefit from it himself unless another of his wolf-sibs also uses it. However, multiple uses of this Charm do not stack, except to permit other members of the pack to gain its benefits.

One Blood Method
Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower or 8 motes, 1 health level
Duration: One scene or Indefinite
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 4
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Form, Deadly Beastman Transformation

With the mastery of this Charm, the Lunar has learned how to borrow the shapeshifting prowess of his wolf-sibs. This Charm has two applications.

The first application of this Charm allows the character to benefit from one of the Deadly Beastman gifts of his wolf-sibs. Only one gift may be chosen at a time, although it applies to any form the Lunar happens to be in. If the chosen gift has prerequisites, then the Lunar must pay the activation cost for each prerequisite as well, even though he only gains the benefit of the final gift. The character may activate this Charm anywhere, so long as the wolf-sib he is borrowing from is alive and in Creation. The character having a gift 'borrowed' knows instinctively when his gifts are borrowed and who is using it, although he retains the use of all his Deadly Beastman gifts normally. This application of One Blood Method lasts for the scene.

The other version of this Charm requires both Exalts to cut their palms and clasp their hands together. This costs both characters one lethal health level that cannot be soaked by either party, although it may be healed normally. The health level on the part of the character using One Blood Method is already figured into the cost of the Charm. Once this Charm is activated, the Exalt gains the Heart's Blood form of the targeted wolf-sib, which he may assume at any time at a later date. The extra form remains in 'reserve' until he assumes it, and lasts until he re-takes one of his other forms. Once he does so, he looses access to the extra form, and must re-invoke One Blood Method to regain it.

This Charm draws upon inherent Lunar shapeshifting ability. As such, while Eclipse and Moonshadow Caste Exalts may buy it (and disregard the Deadly Beastman Transformation prerequisite) and internalize the lessons in order to meet prerequisites, they may not activate this Charm.

Claw-Storm Technique
Cost: 3 motes per attack
Duration: Instant
Type: Extra Action
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Alpha Wolf Attack

By this level of mastery, the character has learned to time his attacks to match those of his wolf-sibs precisely. A character using this Charm may make an extra attack action at the same initiative as one of his wolf-sibs, paying 3 motes per extra attack. He may take no more extra attacks than his Martial Arts score. Each attack must be against the same target as his wolf-sib's, and both attacks are resolved at the same time. The target may allocate dodge actions against either attacker, but suffers a -2 penalty due to reduced mobility. Charms such as Flickering Candle Meditation that allow dodges even in reduced space negate this penalty, as do perfect dodges. However, since both attacks land simultaneously, only one attack may be parried without the use of Charms. Beyond that, the normal limit of attackers per target applies.

Liquid Shadow Illusion
Cost: 4 motes per dot
Duration: One turn
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Heel-Nipping Distraction

Through the use of this Charm, the Exalt is able to run a target ragged, tying the unfortunate up with confusion until he can no longer act. Visually, the character's features blend and shift seemingly at random, turning and warping through a series of eye-straining patterns. By spending 4 motes per dot, the Exalt may lower his target's Dexterity or Wits for the purposes of determining initiative. The Lunar may lower no more dots in this manner than his Martial Arts score or the number of the character's wolf-sibs within hand-to-hand range of the target, whichever is lower. If this lowers either Trait to 0, the target becomes so confused that he looses his action for the turn. This Charm does not affect beings with Essence higher than the Exalt's.

This Charm draws upon the innate shapeshifting ability of the Lunar Exalted. Eclipse and Moonshadow Caste Exalts may learn this Charm and internalize it to satisfy prerequisites, but may not activate it.

Life Lending Kata
Cost: 3 motes per health level
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: One Blood Method

This Charm draws upon the linked life-force of the whole of the pack, allowing an Exalt to sacrifice a bit of his life force for the benefit of one of his wolf-sibs. By spending 3 motes, he may cannibalize a portion of his life force and transfer it to one of his wolf-sibs with a skin-to-skin touch. Each health level sacrificed in this manner may have one of the following effects:

• Restore one bashing or lethal health level
• Restore 1 Willpower
• Restore 3 motes

The Lunar must pay 3 motes for each health level sacrificed, and he is the one who decides what is restored when the Charm is used. He may sacrifice no more health levels than his Martial Arts score in this manner. These lost health levels are considered aggravated for purposes of healing and treatment. At no time may a character exceed his normal pool maximums through the use of this Charm.

Prodigious Lupine Powerup Practice
Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower, 1 health level
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Martial Arts: 5
Minimum Essence: 4
Prerequisite Charms: Claw-Storm Technique, Liquid Shadow Illusion, Life Lending Kata

The master of Wolf Style Martial Arts becomes able to draw upon the best aspects of his wolf-sibs, becoming a killing machine of terrifying power. When this Charm is activated, the character may borrow one trait from each of his wolf-sibs, adding them to his own for the duration of the Charm. Any wolf-sib who has a Trait borrowed retains its full use, and multiple wolf-sibs may borrow each other's Traits up to the limitation of the Charm (one Trait from each wolf-sib). Thus, a pack may continue to add to each others' Traits. However, once the Traits are set, they remain in place for the remainder of the scene. If a character wishes to borrow a different set of Traits, he must spend an action to re-activate Prodigious Lupine Powerup Practice. Only natural Traits are borrowed, even if a Trait happens to be augmented by a Charm at the time. The exceptions to this are health levels granted by Lunar Ox-Body Technique and Traits enhanced through Deadly Beastman Transformation.

The number of legal traits that may be borrowed are:

• Natural bashing and lethal soak (counts towards oversoak)
• Any one Physical Attribute
• Any Deadly Beastman gift (regardless of prerequisites)
• Wits (for determining initative only)
• Any Charm (must meet and/or borrow prerequisites and minimums, excludes sorcery)
• Any one Virtue
• One -0 health level
• Up to two -1 health levels
• Up to three -2 health levels
• The benefit of one Hearthstone (the power only, not Essence regeneration)

A Lunar who masters Wolf Style has proven utmost dedication to one of the most challenging rigors one of Luna's Beloved may undertake. He immediately gains 5 Renown in each category. At this point, he may act as a sifu for any Lunar who wishes to learn from him. For every student of his who learns Wolf Form, he gains 3 Glory and 3 Wisdom Renown. For every student of his who learns Prodigious Lupine Powerup Practice, he gains 5 Mettle and 5 Cunning Renown. The number of Wolf Style masters in the Silver Pact can be counted on two hands, and are considered precious repositories of knowledge.

Non-Lunar masters of Wolf Style can be counted on less than three fingers, and are accorded grudging respect in the Silver Pact. Such persons are considered uf-ya in the Silver Pact, and may earn Renown by training Lunar students. This applies largely to Eclipse Caste Solars.

Commentary?

This doesn't seem that it would be inappropriate for a tree of non-martial arts charms. I personally would prefer them that way. So here's my take on the style described as Lunar style ability charms rather than as a martial arts tree:

Wolf Cry Method
Cost: None
Duration: Permenant
Type: Special
Minimum Perception: 2
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Brotherhood of Lake and River

The first thing a Wolf stylist must learn is how his Essence interacts with his wolf-siblings. Study for this Charm involves spending a number of hours in deep group meditation with his wolf-sibs while concentrating on merging his thoughts with their own. Upon mastering this Charm, the Exalt's capabilities are permenantly increased. By loosing a howl or cry, the character is able to extend the range to which he and his wolf-sibs share thoughts. The Exalt may now read the thoughts of any of his wolf-sibs out to a distance of his Essence in miles. If both wolf-sibs are within each others' range, they may communicate normally.

Running Pack Style
Cost: 5 motes
Duration: One turn
Type: Instant
Minimum Stamina: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Cry Method

The Essence of the wolf pack begins to flow in harmony, each wolf-sib contributing a part of their own inherent power to the whole. By activating this Charm, a Lunar Exalt is able to call upon the swiftness of the Full Moon Caste, adding his Essence score to his Dexterity for the purposes of determining his running speed for the remainder of the turn. This Charm stacks with the Full Moon anima ability.

All Wolf stylists may learn and internalize the lessons of this Charm. However, in order to activate it, one of their wolf-sibs must be a Full Moon Lunar. Otherwise, they cannot call upon the Full Moon anima.

Sheep Stalking Method
Cost: 2 motes per success
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Dexterity: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Cry Method

As with Running Pack Style, this Charm blends the Essence of the wolf-sibs into greater harmony. Sheep Stalking Method invokes the power of the Changing Moon anima to disguise the Lunar's actions. This Charm allows a character to turn dice on a Stealth roll into automatic successes by spending 2 motes per die. He may only transform as many dice as he has dexterity in this manner.

All Wolf stylists may learn and internalize the lessons of this Charm. However, in order to activate it, one of their wolf-sibs must be a Changing Moon Lunar. Otherwise, they cannot call upon the Changing Moon anima.

Wise Wolf Prana
Cost: 4 motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Intelligence: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Cry Method

Like the previous two Charms, Wise Wolf Prana contributes to the admixture of Essence in the wolfpack. This Charm calls upon the No Moon anima to lend power to the Exalt's magic. For the duration of the Charm, the cost of all Charms is reduced by 1 mote (to a mimimum of 1). This Charm does not affect spells, and does not stack with the No Moon anima. Any other costs (Willpower, health levels, etc.) remain unchanged.

All Wolf stylists may learn and internalize the lessons of this Charm. However, in order to activate it, one of their wolf-sibs must be a No Moon Lunar. Otherwise, they cannot call upon the No Moon anima.

Three Moon Mutability
Cost: 8 motes, 1 Willpower
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Manipulation: 3
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Running Pack Style, Sheep Stalking Method, Wise Wolf Prana

Upon learning Three Moon Mutability, the Lunar has become fully in tune with the Essence flowing through his body. To activate Three Moon Mutability, he must execute a series of postures and stances, carefully aligning the seven chakras into a perfect configuration. This does not require a roll, but is a dice action that requires one full turn to complete. As a result, this Charm may only be activated in human or Deadly Beastman form.

Once Three Moon Mutability is activated, the Lunar's Essence flows freely through his tattoos. For the rest of the scene, he is able to reflexively shapeshift without need to take a dice action to do so. All Charms derived from Finding the Spirit's Shape cost no motes to use. He is still constrained by the limits of his anima banner, however, and may only assume his true forms if he has become shapelocked through spending Peripheral Essence.

Upon learning this Charm, a Lunar character immediately gains 5 Mettle and 5 Wisdom Renown. He has exhibited a great deal of dedication to master himself and his Essence, as well as a deep committment to his wolf-sibs, as exhibited by his mastery of the Form Charm.

This Charm may be bought and internalized by Eclipse and Moonshadw Caste Exalts in order to satisfy prerequisite requirements, but calls upon inherent Lunar shapeshifting; thus, they may not activate this Charm.

Omega Wolf Avoidance
Cost: 1 mote, 1 Glory Renown
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Dexterity
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Form

In every pack, there must be a leader and follower. The omega wolf is the one who submits to all other members of the pack. His presence is tolerated rather than welcomed, for he is the weakest of all. The lesson of the omega wolf is a difficult one, but carries with it further understanding of the pack itself. By spending a single mote, the character directs an attack aimed at any one of his wolf-sibs to himself, so long as they are within a number of yards equal to his Martial Arts score. This damage is unavoidable and cannot be soaked by any means. However, the attack inflicts no more damage than the Face of the lowest-ranked character in the pack. This Charm does not affect the attacks of characters with a higher Essence than the character.

Using this Charm is considered disgraceful, for it is shameful for a Lunar to submit to the abuses of his enemy, even to protect his wolf-sibs (who should be able to protect themselves). Any time a character activates Omega Wolf Avoidance, he loses 1 Glory Renown. Also, only Lunars in the pack count towards the lowest Face--disregard any Eclipse or Moonshadow Caste Exalts when determining whose Face is lowest. Such characters pay 1 Willpower instead of 1 Glory to activate Omega Wolf Avoidance.

Alpha Wolf Attack
Cost: 2 motes per success
Duration: Instant
Type: Supplemental
Minimum Strength: 4
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Omega Wolf Avoidance

By calling upon the strength of the pack, the Exalt is able to deliver a devastating blow. The character may add the Face of his highest-ranked wolf-sib to the damage of one Martial Arts or Brawl attack. These are automatic damage successes that must be paid for before soak is applied, and cost 2 motes per success.

Heel-Nipping Distraction
Cost: 5 motes
Duration: One turn
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Dexterity: 4
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Form

Wolves fighting in a pack can be very dangerous, particularly when they work together. With a sudden misdirection, the Wolf stylist is able to distract an enemy, which creates an opening that his wolf-sibs can exploit. The Exalt chooses a target and activates Heel-Nipping Distraction. For the rest of the turn, all of that target's defensive actions against the Lunar's wolf-sibs are reduced by 4 dice. The Lunar who uses this Charm cannot benefit from it himself unless another of his wolf-sibs also uses it. However, multiple uses of this Charm do not stack, except to permit other members of the pack to gain its benefits.

One Blood Method
Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower or 8 motes, 1 health level
Duration: One scene or Indefinite
Type: Simple
Minimum Manipulation: 4
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Wolf Form, Deadly Beastman Transformation

With the mastery of this Charm, the Lunar has learned how to borrow the shapeshifting prowess of his wolf-sibs. This Charm has two applications.

The first application of this Charm allows the character to benefit from one of the Deadly Beastman gifts of his wolf-sibs. Only one gift may be chosen at a time, although it applies to any form the Lunar happens to be in. If the chosen gift has prerequisites, then the Lunar must pay the activation cost for each prerequisite as well, even though he only gains the benefit of the final gift. The character may activate this Charm anywhere, so long as the wolf-sib he is borrowing from is alive and in Creation. The character having a gift 'borrowed' knows instinctively when his gifts are borrowed and who is using it, although he retains the use of all his Deadly Beastman gifts normally. This application of One Blood Method lasts for the scene.

The other version of this Charm requires both Exalts to cut their palms and clasp their hands together. This costs both characters one lethal health level that cannot be soaked by either party, although it may be healed normally. The health level on the part of the character using One Blood Method is already figured into the cost of the Charm. Once this Charm is activated, the Exalt gains the Heart's Blood form of the targeted wolf-sib, which he may assume at any time at a later date. The extra form remains in 'reserve' until he assumes it, and lasts until he re-takes one of his other forms. Once he does so, he looses access to the extra form, and must re-invoke One Blood Method to regain it.

This Charm draws upon inherent Lunar shapeshifting ability. As such, while Eclipse and Moonshadow Caste Exalts may buy it (and disregard the Deadly Beastman Transformation prerequisite) and internalize the lessons in order to meet prerequisites, they may not activate this Charm.

Claw-Storm Technique
Cost: 3 motes per attack
Duration: Instant
Type: Extra Action
Minimum Dexterity: 5
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Alpha Wolf Attack

By this level of mastery, the character has learned to time his attacks to match those of his wolf-sibs precisely. A character using this Charm may make an extra unarmed attack action at the same initiative as one of his wolf-sibs, paying 3 motes per extra attack. He may take no more extra attacks than his score in the skill that he is useing (Martial Arts or Brawl). Each attack must be against the same target as his wolf-sib's, and both attacks are resolved at the same time. The target may allocate dodge actions against either attacker, but suffers a -2 penalty due to reduced mobility. Charms such as Flickering Candle Meditation that allow dodges even in reduced space negate this penalty, as do perfect dodges. However, since both attacks land simultaneously, only one attack may be parried without the use of Charms. Beyond that, the normal limit of attackers per target applies.

Liquid Shadow Illusion
Cost: 4 motes per dot
Duration: One turn
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Dexterity: 5
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: Heel-Nipping Distraction

Through the use of this Charm, the Exalt is able to run a target ragged, tying the unfortunate up with confusion until he can no longer act. Visually, the character's features blend and shift seemingly at random, turning and warping through a series of eye-straining patterns. By spending 4 motes per dot, the Exalt may lower his target's Dexterity or Wits for the purposes of determining initiative. The Lunar may lower no more dots in this manner than the number of the character's wolf-sibs within hand-to-hand range of the target. If this lowers either Trait to 0, the target becomes so confused that he looses his action for the turn. This Charm does not affect beings with Essence higher than the Exalt's.

This Charm draws upon the innate shapeshifting ability of the Lunar Exalted. Eclipse and Moonshadow Caste Exalts may learn this Charm and internalize it to satisfy prerequisites, but may not activate it.

Life Lending Kata
Cost: 3 motes per health level
Duration: Instant
Type: Reflexive
Minimum Charisma 5
Minimum Essence: 3
Prerequisite Charms: One Blood Method

This Charm draws upon the linked life-force of the whole of the pack, allowing an Exalt to sacrifice a bit of his life force for the benefit of one of his wolf-sibs. By spending 3 motes, he may cannibalize a portion of his life force and transfer it to one of his wolf-sibs with a skin-to-skin touch. Each health level sacrificed in this manner may have one of the following effects:

• Restore one bashing or lethal health level
• Restore 1 Willpower
• Restore 3 motes

The Lunar must pay 3 motes for each health level sacrificed, and he is the one who decides what is restored when the Charm is used. He may sacrifice no more health levels than his Compassion score in this manner. These lost health levels are considered aggravated for purposes of healing and treatment. At no time may a character exceed his normal pool maximums through the use of this Charm.

Prodigious Lupine Powerup Practice
Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower, 1 health level
Duration: One scene
Type: Simple
Minimum Charisma: 5
Minimum Essence: 4
Prerequisite Charms: Claw-Storm Technique, Liquid Shadow Illusion, Life Lending Kata

The master of Wolf Style Martial Arts becomes able to draw upon the best aspects of his wolf-sibs, becoming a killing machine of terrifying power. When this Charm is activated, the character may borrow one trait from each of his wolf-sibs, adding them to his own for the duration of the Charm. Any wolf-sib who has a Trait borrowed retains its full use, and multiple wolf-sibs may borrow each other's Traits up to the limitation of the Charm (one Trait from each wolf-sib). Thus, a pack may continue to add to each others' Traits. However, once the Traits are set, they remain in place for the remainder of the scene. If a character wishes to borrow a different set of Traits, he must spend an action to re-activate Prodigious Lupine Powerup Practice. Only natural Traits are borrowed, even if a Trait happens to be augmented by a Charm at the time. The exceptions to this are health levels granted by Lunar Ox-Body Technique and Traits enhanced through Deadly Beastman Transformation.

The number of legal traits that may be borrowed are:

• Natural bashing and lethal soak (counts towards oversoak)
• Any one Physical Attribute
• Any Deadly Beastman gift (regardless of prerequisites)
• Wits (for determining initative only)
• Any Charm (must meet and/or borrow prerequisites and minimums, excludes sorcery)
• Any one Virtue
• One -0 health level
• Up to two -1 health levels
• Up to three -2 health levels
• The benefit of one Hearthstone (the power only, not Essence regeneration)

A Lunar who masters Wolf Style has proven utmost dedication to one of the most challenging rigors one of Luna's Beloved may undertake. He immediately gains 5 Renown in each category. At this point, he may act as a sifu for any Lunar who wishes to learn from him. For every student of his who learns Wolf Form, he gains 3 Glory and 3 Wisdom Renown. For every student of his who learns Prodigious Lupine Powerup Practice, he gains 5 Mettle and 5 Cunning Renown. The number of Wolf Style masters in the Silver Pact can be counted on two hands, and are considered precious repositories of knowledge.

Non-Lunar masters of Wolf Style can be counted on less than three fingers, and are accorded grudging respect in the Silver Pact. Such persons are considered uf-ya in the Silver Pact, and may earn Renown by training Lunar students. This applies largely to Eclipse Caste Solars.

Tyrrell