DBSInfernalExalted/Presence

Presence

Infernal Presence Charms harness the otherworldly power of the Yozis to make them seem terrible and powerful – usage of any of these Charms would mark the Infernal as at least a thaumaturge, and likely a spirit or Anathema. However, it is not obvious that the character is actually an Infernal – who has heard accurate descriptions of Infernals, let alone their Charms?

Bad Omen Attitude

• Cost: 6 motes
• Duration: One hour
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Presence: 3
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: None

An Infernal using this Charm seems to shimmer with obscure glamour. He seems like a dark colossus, awful and taboo, that mortals would not dare oppose. The Exalt adds a number of dice equal to his permanent Essence score to all Presence, Socialise and Bureaucracy rolls involving one-on-one interaction, and to all intimidation attempts. This Charm causes fear and superstition – it does not make friends.

Obsidian Colossus Defence

• Cost: 3 motes
• Duration: Instant
• Type: Reflexive
• Minimum Presence: 4
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Bad Omen Attitude

Seeming an icon of despair, the Infernal makes all who would oppose him think twice. Obsidian Colossus Defence may be activated whenever the Infernal becomes aware of an attempt to attack him or put forth an argument against him. Upon activation, the target is reminded of what he stands against and must make a successful Virtue roll (depending on the reason for his affront) to avoid being paralysed by indecision, licking their lips and falling quiet and calm for the remainder of the scene – “Otherworldly fiend! We cannot abide your… erm, yes, well. Just passing through. Ahem.” Should someone else pluck up the courage to stand against the Exalt they may join in, but otherwise may not confront the Infernal.

Verdigris Conquistador Method

• Cost: 10 motes, 1 Willpower
• Duration: Instant
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Presence: 5
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Obsidian Colossus Defence

It is hard to fight an opponent with outposts in your mind. Upon making an argument, the Infernal activates this Charm and seems mighty and terrible – most would rather humbly accept his words than dare question them. Make an opposed Willpower roll between the Infernal and his victim. The Infernal must score a number of net successes comparable to the ludicrousness of his argument – 1 success is sufficient to persuade someone that the Infernal is a good person really, 3 would convince someone that the Yozis are merely misunderstood, and 5 is sufficient to bludgeon someone into becoming a dedicated infernalist. Exalt-shards reject this kernel of delusion; Exalted subtract their Essence from the net successes scored against them. The victim of this Charm will not question the argument for the remainder of their lives, and any attempt by others to persuade them otherwise suffer a penalty equal to the Infernal’s Essence score. If the Infernal fails to score sufficient successes the Charm has no effect.

Seductive Abhorrence Style

• Cost: 8 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Presence: 5
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Bad Omen Attitude

The Exalt sculpts portents about himself, becoming possessed of such profanity that all onlookers are overwhelmed by the romantic appeal of such self-desecration. Such portents are as insipid as they are beautiful: Infernals conjure clouds of skin flakes, songbirds that hit a single note before perishing, and reflections that appear clad only in bodily fluid. The character is obviously dark and supernatural in origin, but adds his permanent Essence to his Charisma for the duration of the Charm.

Furthermore, all that regard the Infernal see some potential in him – knowledge, skill or simple emotional release. Players must make a successful Compassion roll to remind themselves of their own scruples, or they will become drawn to the Infernal, seeking to appease him to turn him to their own end with selfish abandon. They will not harm the Infernal, and will seek to recompense him for future favours. This has no effect on gods, celestial Exalts or elementals, nor on characters with an Essence higher than that of the Exalt. Neither does it work on those actively engaged in combat or otherwise believing the Infernal actively wishes them harm.

Inauspicious Existence Meditation

• Cost: 6 motes
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Presence: 4
• Minimum Essence: 2
• Prerequisite Charms: Bad Omen Attitude

Ebbing malevolence in translucent wisps through his anima, the Infernal bleeds out fear and paranoia into his surroundings. Birds cry, breezes whistle, wood creaks and shadows twist; all within 100 yards are put into a state of subtle unease. The difficulty of all Virtue rolls is increased by 1, and people find it extremely difficult to trust or get on with each other – any social rolls requiring friendship or trust suffer the same increase in difficulty. Creatures with a higher Essence than the Exalt are unaffected.

Dark Harbinger Prana

• Cost: 12 motes, 1 Willpower
• Duration: One scene
• Type: Simple
• Minimum Presence: 5
• Minimum Essence: 3
• Prerequisite Charms: Inauspicious Existence Meditation

As oily tendrils waft from him and drift into bizarre patterns, the Exalt’s corruption manifests outward as a thousand bad omens – lightning strikes, glass breaks, light diffracts into strange luminescent patterns, shadow warps and ebbs, perspectives distort and a veil of panic falls across the area. All inhabitants feel a sense of dreamy desperation, feeling as if these few minutes are their last, and may not channel their Virtues whilst remaining within 100 yards of the Infernal. This is cumulative with the effects of Lurking Viper Stance. Creatures with a higher Essence than the Exalt are unaffected.

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for the VCM, I'd suggest giving Exalts a daily Essence roll, with each success removing one of the infernal's net successes, because their shard will never believe something so against what they are. Certainly, if you only need 5 net successes against an exalted, it's disturbingly easy (specifically, -too- easy) for a Will 10 Infernal to permanantly convert a few of the weaker minded exalts out there...
-- Darloth

Implemented a not-inconsiderable penalty on trying to use the technique against Exalted, as it seemed easier than the duration-based solutions I was playing around with. I hope this is sufficient to rectify the problem; if not, please say so (an alternative method would also be heartily well received, in this case)...DeathBySurfeit