Dynamic Knack - Spirit of the Beast, contributed
by Pete Sears
The witch doctors speak of a place called the Valley of Echoes. It is here
that the cave of M'temba is located. Legends say that when M'temba left this
earth he went into the cave and joined with the black blood of the earth. Mystical
powers are imputed to those who immerse themselves in the black blood of the
earth but only if they are pure of heart.
Witch Doctors speak freely of this place for a number of reasons. (1) It is
very difficult to find the Valley of Echoes which is in the heart of the jungle.
(2) The Valley of Echoes is said to dangerous and haunted besides. (3) The cave
of M'temba requires 3 tests to enter the black blood of the earth, a test of
wisdom, a test of stamina, and a test of faith. (4) Supposedly, those who M'temba
adjudges corrupt die in horrible screaming agony.
In other words, there aren't exactly a lot of whites who go looking for it in
the first place and those who do rarely return. Those who do, earn respect among
the tribes for M'temba has judged them and they have passed.
Those who are wise in the ways of medicine also say that other tribes in other
parts of the world have learned the gifts of M'temba. Who are we to question
M'temba if he want to gift Aztecs and Indians with his wisdom. Each of them
learns medicine in a different way and may earn the gifts through visionquest
or through ritual. But they are the Gifts of M'temba. Never forget that.
Spirit of the Beast (level 2 Stalwart knack)
"I call on the spirit of Tantor! Grant me strength!"
M'temba's second gift is the ability to call on the spirit of animals to fortify
the body for the rigors of the world.
System: The Beastlord spend a point of Inspiration and this knack become
active for the rest of the scene. The Beastlord takes his permanent willpower
trait and halves it (rounding up) he then applies those dots to one of his physical
attributes which must be chosen when the knack is activated and cannot be changed
thereafter. The Beastlords physical attributes can go over 5 in this fashion
and those who have used this gift have displayed prodigious feats of strength,
dexterity and stamina. (note to twinks: this will not grant you nifty mega attribute
benefits like Aberrant but extra dice to damage,initiative, and soak are always
nice don't you think?)
When using this gift, the beast lord must enter a light trance and invoke the
power of a particular beast out loud.
