SolarAwareness/IsawaBrian
Transcendent Awareness Prowess
Cost: None Duration: Permanent Type: Special Minimum Awareness: 5 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: 2 Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline Charms
The Exalt has become a master of his own senses. Fog, background noise, the stench of a city-- all can be filtered out by such a Solar. Subtract 2 from the difficulty of any Awareness rolls (minimum difficulty 1). This charm inspired by Neph's list of potential Solar Permanents.
In Second Edition, this Charm reduces any External Penalties to Awareness rolls by 2. Its Prerequisite Charms are all three Awareness Excellencies, Infinite Awareness Mastery, and Essence Awareness Flow. It has the Leader Keyword
Total (Sense) Method
Cost: 10 motes Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Minimum Awareness: 5 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline
The character's mastery of the Essence of one or two of her senses has reached incredible levels. When purchased, this charm must be selected for one of the three (see below) groups to be enhanced. The Charm can be purchased for each version, but cannot be invoked at the same time as any other Total Sense Method, an Unsurpassed Sense Discipline, a Keen Sense Technique, or Sensory Acuity Prana. The Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline that is used as a prerequisite for this Charm must be the one that corresponds to the sensory-group being enhanced.
Each of the sensory groups has the following traits in common: Any roll required for the sense(s) so modified is automatically a perfect success. Furthermore, the sensory effect is partially filtered; an individual with Total Hearing and Touch can select which of the literally billions of sounds in his hearing range to focus on, and yet is still aware of the others. The character will not be stunned by the new excess of sensory ability (although it provides no protection from anything that would ordinarily overwhelm a sense).
- Sight -- The Solar's eyes become like that of his Patron. His sight cannot be blocked by any non-solid, non-magical concealment. Darkness, fog, smoke, distance-- none of these will affect the Solar. Magical invisibility, mountains, and so on will either hide from his sight, or block it, although with any non-perfect means of magical concealment, he should make a Perception + Awareness roll, either contested by the target or against the target's essence in order to see past the deception. As a side effect, the character suffers no range penalties of any kind (for example, to archery or thrown weapons).
- Hearing and Touch: The character can hear any sound within her Essence x 10 miles; solid objects will simply serve to echoes noises to her mind. These are, of course, filtered by the Charm. The Exalt's sense of touch will permit her to feel traces in the earth centuries old, faded ink, and sometimes even subsurface differences just by tapping material and listening/feeling to the results.
- Smell and Taste: The Exalt's perfect success applies to tracking, food hunting, and similar rolls, although Charms like Traceless Passage may require that the Exalt make a contested Perception + Awareness roll. Furthermore, the character can filter out particular scents, no matter the cacophony of smells around him. The character can distinguish even supposedly odorless poisons at a distance by scent alone so perfectly that he will be able to tell how much poison is present, and how long ago a target was poisoned.
In Second Edition, this Charm is slightly different.
Cost: 8m; Mins: Awareness 5, Essence 4; Type: Simple Keywords: Combo-Basic, Leader Duration: One scene Prerequisite Charms: Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline, Infinite Awareness Mastery
The character's mastery of the Essence of one or two of her senses has reached incredible levels. When purchased, this charm must be selected for one of the three (see below) groups to be enhanced. The Charm can be purchased for each version, but cannot be invoked at the same time as any other Total (Sense) Method, an Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline of the same Sense, or Keen (Sense) Technique of the same Sense. The Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline that is used as a prerequisite for this Charm must be the one that corresponds to the sensory-group being enhanced.
Each of the sensory groups has the following traits in common: Any roll required for the sense(s) so modified is automatically a perfect success. Any situation that would ordinarily require a roll using the Sense in question is instead considered to be automatically successful to the absolute limits of detail provided by that sense. Any effect that would be possible with a lesser sensory effect should be possible with a Total Sense Method. Magical concealments are treated as per Total Sight Method, above. None of these Charms as written directly effect Join Battle rolls. Furthermore, the sensory effect is partially filtered; an individual with Total Hearing and Touch can select which of the literally billions of sounds in his hearing range to focus on, and yet is still aware of the others. The character will not be stunned by the new excess of sensory ability (although it provides no protection from anything that would ordinarily overwhelm a sense). Each Sense has other effects, as per the First Edition version.
All-Directions Sensory Stance
Cost: 4 motes Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Minimum Awareness: 4 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: Keen Sight Discipline
The character gains a sense of perception that completely surrounds her, regardless of condition. She sees in all directions at once around her, and a sound from behind her will be just as loud as from in front. As a side effect of this, it is impossible to ambush the character from anything less than total concealment. Add the character's essence in automatic successes to resist any ambush attempt.
This Charm's cost is reduced to 2m in Second Edition, and it is Reflexive. It is also Combo-OK and Leader.
Flash of Insight
Cost: 1 motes per die Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Minimum Awareness: 2 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: None
The character suddenly gains an insight into some aspect of his sensory data, or perhaps perceives something that he could not previously perceive. For every mote spent activating this Charm, add one die to any Attribute + Awareness roll, to a maximum bonus equal to the original Attribute + Awareness total. This may be used to buy a reflexive sensory action, either as a way of surreptitiously monitoring something or as a fairly expensive replacement for Surprise Anticipation Method. Unless the character garners a requisite number of successes (GM's decision, based on the difficulty of perceiving the danger), further Charms placed in combo with Flash of Insight may not be used immediately as they might with Surprise Anticipation Method.
In Second Edition, this Charm is very different.
Cost: --; Mins: Awareness 5, Essence 4; Type: Permanent Keywords: Leader Prerequisite Charms: Surprise Anticipation Method
The Solar’s Awareness becomes more insightful, attuned to the concealing whorls of essence. If the Solar is utilizing any Awareness Charm that enhances her senses but would not ordinarily be able to magically contest (via UF:IO) invisibility, camouflage, aural baffling, or other forms of concealment, he may spend an extra mote to gain the option to do so. The Storyteller need not inform the Solar of whether or not he should spend this mote; it is up to the Solar’s curiosity and paranoia.
Unbroken Watchman Prana
Cost: 6 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Scene Type: Simple Minimum Awareness: 5 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: Flash of Insight, Surprise Anticipation Method
The Solar surrounds her perceptions with protective essence, shielding and filtering them against overload. Add the character's Essence in successes or soak against any incoming attacks or effects that function through or against her senses. This will also permit the character to filter her senses to an unprecedented degree. She may activate Sensory Acuity Prana at the same time as any of the Keen, Unsurpassed, or Total sense modifiers, activate a Keen sense with an Unsurpassed, or may activated two Unsurpassed sense Charms at the same time. The Solar still may not activate two Total Sense Charms at the same time, nor may she invoke a Keen or Unsurpassed Sense Charm with a Total Sense Charm.
In Second Edition, this Charm has no effect on any of the General Charms or Keen or Unsurpassed Sense Charms, as it is no longer needed for such things. Its defensive effect remains, effectively adding the character's Essence to DV against sensory-based or channeled attacks (this may include some MDVs versus Charms that rely on, for example, hearing harmonics in a voice or seeing a transcendently beautiful dance). This does not include regular social combat, even though that generally requires some form of sensory input. A character using this Charm may use two Total Sense Methods at one time. This Charm has a Speed of 5. It is Combo-OK and Leader
Heavenly Sentinel Protection
Cost: 3 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: Instant Type: Reflexive Minimum Awareness: 4 Minimum Essence: 2 Prerequisite Charms: Surprise Anticipation Method, Flash of Insight
The Solar momentarily creates a block of unsurpassed power around his senses. This counts as a perfect defense, even against ordinarily undefendable attacks, against any attack or effect that works on or through the character's senses.
This Charm costs 4 motes (no Willpower), and is a Step 2 Reflexive. Its prerequisite charms are Surprise Anticipation Method and any Awareness Excellency. It is Combo-OK and Leader. This Charm may be used as a social combat perfect defense, but only if the character is being attacked by Charms that rely on sensory effects. Like any Perfect Defense, it has one of the Four Flaws of Invulnerability common to all Solar perfect Defenses.
Eyes of the Celestial Bodyguard
Cost: 4 motes, 1 Willpower Duration: One Hour Type: Simple Minimum Awareness: 4 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: Surprise Anticipation Method
Despite the name, this Charm affects all of the character's senses. It gives her a perfect insight into threats and possible dangers within reach of her senses for the next hour. Any immanent danger is instantly detected, as per Surprise Anticipation Method, and the character may react with Charms or Combos accordingly. Any potential danger will be spotted instantly as well. If the danger is something that could be determined through an ordinary awareness check-- "That woman is carrying a concealed weapon," "That guard is fingering his swordblade while looking at my companion,"-- the Solar will be aware of what the precise nature of the danger is. Otherwise, she will simply know that some being or object is dangerous.
The Storyteller should give the Exalt's player some basic information about how dangerous the target is, but should not give any specifics. This will not allow the Exalt to preemptively sense someone who may, in the future, simply go mad and attack; nor will it give any clues to any being or object beyond her perceptions. It will, however, give her the instantaneous warning as usual right before a dangerous event happens. This Charm is a perfect defense effect.
In Second Edition, this Charm has Speed 3 and the Leader Keyword.
Hidden Watcher Method
Cost: None Duration: Permanent Type: Special Minimum Awareness: 5 Minimum Stealth: 4 Minimum Essence: 3 Prerequisite Charms: Lord of Shadows Aura (SolarStealth/IsawaBrian)
See Unseen Thief Method, in SolarLarceny/IsawaBrian for an explanation of the history of the Subtle Methodologies
Like all Subtle Methodologies, Hidden Watcher Method increases the efficiency of the Night's anima ability to suppress motes-- to the point where there is no increased mote cost to suppress anima banner development for Awareness Charms. The Hidden Watcher Method is the Awareness Subtle Methodology, granting the Night the ability to observe all those around him without revealing himself by an unwise display of Essence. None of the Subtle Methodologies affect essence gained from other sources, such as that from a Radiant Spirit pool (see Blazing Soul Discipline in SolarEndurance/IsawaBrian). Only Night Caste Solars can learn Subtle Methodologies. Even other beings who can mimic Night Caste abilities and anima effects cannot learn this Charm; it relies on the fundamental Essence of a Night Caste Shard.
In Second Edition, this Charm relieves the extra mote cost for both Obvious and non-Obvious Charms. It now affects non-Peripheral Essence. It has the Leader keyword
Second Edition
Owl-Eye Technique
Cost: 4m; Mins: Awareness 4, Essence 2; Type: Reflexive Keywords: Combo-OK, Leader, Obvious Duration: One Day Prerequisite Charms: Any Awareness Excellency
This is a mechanical conversion of the Charm on p CB: N 75. Note the shift in cost and type; this is to keep it more in line with 2E Awareness charms.
Barrier-Bypassing Senses
Cost: 6m; Mins: Awareness 4, Essence 2; Type: Simple Keywords: Combo-OK, Leader Duration: One Scene Prerequisite Charms: Unsurpassed (Sense) Discipline
This is a mechanical conversion of the Charm on p CB: N 75.
Sensory Acuity Prana
Cost: --; Mins: Awareness 5, Essence 4; Type: Permanent Keywords: Leader Prerequisite Charms: Surprise Anticipation Method, Any Keen (Sense) Technique
When a Solar’s senses sharpen, she becomes more attuned to the small details, the hidden changes that not even the greatest scout or thief can ambush her. Whenever the Solar is under the ongoing effects of an Awareness or Perception-boosting power, she may spend an additional 1 mote to activate Surprise Anticipation Method as a non-Charm action.
