DBSInfernalExalted/Bureaucracy

Bureacracy Charms

The theme for this Charm tree is economic domination.

Beneath Nothing Attitude

• Cost: 3 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Bureacracy: 2
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: None

Drawing on their position as ambassadors of the Yozis, the Infernal appears inferior to no-one. Everyone will consider her at least an equal, regardless of actual social standing or lineage. Creatures with a higher Essence than the Infernal are not affected, however.

Last Man Standing

• Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower
• Duration: Indefinate
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Bureacracy: 3
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: Beneath Nothing Attitude

Choosing a title of his choice, the Infernal emboldens his claim to it. Should the position become vacant, he may claim it immediately and nobody with an Essence lower than the Infernal will assume anything wrong with the claim. This works even where titles are hereditary and other nonsensical claims – a vizier may become sultan, for example. This Charm does not, however, create any real justification or change records; if someone should vocally question the Infernal’s authority, he may have a rebellion on his hands.

Prodigal Son Method

• Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower
• Duration: Indefinite
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Bureacracy: 4
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: Last Man Standing

Hope is a great flaw in the bureaucratic world, and one readily taken advantage of with this Charm. The Infernal weaves her way into the confidence of another, and squanders away their fame and fortune as their most trusted confidante and successor. She may choose any socially-orientated Background to use this Charm upon (Spies, Resources or even Liege would work, but Artifact, Breeding or Knowledge would not). The target loses a point in the Background, and the Infernal is raised to the target’s new level in that Background, unless it would normally be higher.

Should the Infernal manage to get rid of all her dots in that Background (compromising all her spies, spending all her money or royally pissing off her Deathlord), the process is repeated as her patron entrusts her with more. This Charm has no effect on targets with a permanent Essence equal to or higher than that of the Exalt. Note that the Infernal may wish to keep his Backgrounds for as long as the essence remains committed, rather than squander them.

Scrupulous Coup Technique

• Cost: 5 motes, 1 Willpower, 2 experience points
• Duration: Indefinite
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Bureacracy: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Last Man Standing

This Charm functions as Last Man Standing, save that the Infernal twists reality to become a genuine successor, regardless of the irrationality involved. For the purposes of all records and the memories of those with an Essence lower than the Exalt, the Infernal really was the king’s firstborn son, or the Vice Principal of the academy beforehand. Where a title requires possession of a special artefact or item, this Charm creates a mundane replica for as long as the Essence is committed, but does not destroy the original.

Building The Hornet’s Nest

• Cost: 3 motes per die
• Duration: Instant
• Type: Supplemental
• Minimum Bureacracy: 2
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: None

The Infernal twists and distorts the intent and meaning of words, leading people to incorrect assertions, veiling clauses in contracts, misdirecting documents and confusing people’s attitudes. For every 3 motes spent, he may steal a die from another person’s Bureacracy pool to add to his own.

Obsidian Scissor Method

• Cost: 6 motes, 1 Willpower
• Duration: Indefinite
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Bureacracy: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Prodigal Son Method, Last Man Standing

With a single subversive writ or declaration, the Infernal attempts to destroy all sense of structure and hierarchy in an organisation he has a place within. Make a Manipulation + Bureaucracy roll based on the scale of the organisation involved; a small business or ship’s crew is standard difficulty, whilst grand structures such as the Thousand Scales, Immaculate Order or Guild are legendary difficulty. On a success, everyone in the structure loses the sense of who their superiors and subordinates are, else don’t respect the hierarchies in place, for as long as the essence for this Charm is committed. Non-extras may ignore this effect by spending a point of temporary Willpower, and typically will.

Back to DBSInfernalCharms / Back to DeathBySurfeit's page