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Binding Covenant “These are the guidelines”
Harold Polk’s Binding Covenant power transforms spoken agreements into unbreakable oaths, reinforced by the permanence of written word. For each covenant, Harold drafts a formal contract on paper, infusing it with the intent and authority that define his speech. His words, once spoken aloud over the document, create a powerful binding that tethers the target to their promise, with the contract itself acting as a physical anchor for the vow. This ritual of spoken and written word merges into a pact that cannot be broken without consequence.
The paper of the Binding Covenant becomes more than a document—it’s an extension of Harold’s will, symbolizing the weight of the promise. Should anyone attempt to violate the terms, they face repercussions that manifest psychologically, physically, or even supernaturally, as though reality itself enforces the pact. For Harold, the Binding Covenant is a sacred vow, the written form capturing his intent and ensuring that promises are kept.
You must actively and obviously use Paper to activate this Effect.
You may make an oath with a physically-present, Sapient target. Communicate the oath's terms to the target, including the requirements and penalties for each participant. If all agree to the terms, you must Exert your Mind and all participants must Sign The Contract to seal the deal.
Record the oath as a Condition. If a party breaks the oath, the Condition ends and they suffer the oath's penalty.
When crafting your oath, you may incorporate any of the following penalties:
- The oath-breaker dies (if alive)
- A Battle Scar up to Severe (deaf, missing limb)
- The oath-breaker is physically marked as an oath-breaker, and any investigative effect will reveal the terms of the oath they broke.
- A particular Trauma and a single Mind Damage
- The oath-breaker goes unconscious for up to 24 hours
- An Injury up to Severity-6 (cannot be reduced by any means)
The target cannot be compelled to agree via a direct threat of violence, another Effect, or another oath. If you would like to use clever wording to mislead the target, you must succeed a contested Intellect + (Culture or Influence) roll.
When crafting your oath, you may opt to enforce compliance. If you do, any participant that wishes to break the deal must take 3 Mind damage and succeed a Self-Control roll. They may attempt once per day.
Whenever a participant breaks the oath, you are immediately made aware and may even witness the act as if standing nearby.
- All Oaths must have at least two participants.
- The target must be physically present to enter the oath.
- The terms and penalties of the oath do not need to be equitable and do not need to affect all parties equally.
- A single action cannot break multiple oaths. You cannot 'stack' oath penalties by having a target sign multiple identical oaths, or similar.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
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Charlatans
“Unsettling are the days in which everyone is an expert.”
― Criss Jami
Nowadays you can't go a day without some phony prophet trying to peddle their wares to you.
Driven by the increased interest in the supernatural, charlatans from palm readers to televangelists are everywhere. And while the vast majority of witches, psychics, magicians, hypnotists, cures, potions, faith healers, and clairvoyants are complete fakes, they do make a living.
As the saying goes, "it's easier for an actor to make it in alternative medicine than Hollywood."
Most people scoff at these clearly-phony supernatural services, yet those same people often buy into at least one scam.
The most dangerous charlatans are the self-styled monster hunters who carry a mall-ninja arsenal and guns with silver bullets. Most have never encountered anything supernatural and do absolutely nothing besides burn some sage and patrol the area for a night or two. Even so, those who are superstitious, fearful, or desperate enough will hire them to solve the problems they simply don't understand. In some cases with disastrous results.
For Contractors, charlatans are red herrings and obstacles. Clumsy fakes that conjure a smokescreen of misinformation and escalate the situations they're in.
Community
Binding Oath Gifts
Faust's Conjecture
Infernal insurance, and all it costs is the Devil's kiss.
Once the oath's final participant has kissed the cigarette, all present shall see you assume the aspect of the devil. All shall bear witness to the pact as it has been struck, shall scent the sulfur of its striking, and witness the chains binding the participants together. All shall hear the striking of a clock, and witness the vistas of Hell on whose rocks the oath has been written. The vision shall last for but a fraction of a moment, but it shall certainly be remembered far longer.
You must actively and obviously use a cigarette to activate this Effect.
You may make an oath with any number of physically-present, Sapient targets. Communicate the oath's terms to the targets, including the requirements and penalties for each participant. If all agree to the terms, you must Exert your Mind and all participants must kiss a cigarette to seal the deal.
Record the oath as a Condition. If a party breaks the oath, the Condition ends and they suffer the oath's penalty.
When crafting your oath, you may incorporate any of the following penalties:
- A Battle Scar up to Severe (deaf, missing limb)
- The oath-breaker is physically marked as an oath-breaker, and any investigative effect will reveal the terms of the oath they broke.
- A particular Trauma and a single Mind Damage
- The oath-breaker goes unconscious for up to 24 hours
- An Injury up to Severity-6 (cannot be reduced by any means)
The targets cannot be compelled to agree via a direct threat of violence, another Effect, or another oath. If you would like to use clever wording to mislead the targets, you must succeed a contested Intellect + (Culture or Influence) roll.
You may revert a penalty for breaking one of your oaths on any participant other than yourself.
When crafting your oath, you may opt to enforce compliance. If you do, any participant that wishes to break the deal must take 3 Mind damage and succeed a Self-Control roll. They may attempt once per day.
Whenever a participant breaks the oath, you are immediately made aware and may even witness the act as if standing nearby.
Anyone who witnesses you during this Effect's activation will almost certainly be disturbed to see you momentarily take on the aspect of the devil.
Possession of this Power grants the following Trauma at all times: Compulsion to offer an oath whenever met with a significant need an oath could satisfy.
- Reverting a penalty covers only the direct penalty for breaking the oath, eliminating the relevant Injury, Battle Scar, etc.
- When narrating disturbing content, be cognizant of your group's tone and accommodating to those who would like to "fast forward" through the description.
- All Oaths must have at least two participants.
- The target must be physically present to enter the oath.
- The terms and penalties of the oath do not need to be equitable and do not need to affect all parties equally.
- A single action cannot break multiple oaths. You cannot 'stack' oath penalties by having a target sign multiple identical oaths, or similar.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Deal with the devil
"You seem down on your luck friend, I have a proposition for you"
The user will outstretch their hand and if their hand is shook, sealing the deal, the users eyes will flicker with an otherworldly red light and smoke will come off of the user.
You must use up Cigar in order to activate this Effect.
You may make an oath with a physically-present, Sapient target. Communicate the oath's terms to the target, including the requirements and penalties for each participant. If all agree to the terms, you must Exert your Mind and all participants must Shaking hands to seal the deal.
Record the oath as a Condition. If a party breaks the oath, the Condition ends and they suffer the oath's penalty.
When crafting your oath, you may incorporate any of the following penalties:
- The oath-breaker dies (if alive)
- A Battle Scar up to Severe (deaf, missing limb)
- The oath-breaker is physically marked as an oath-breaker, and any investigative effect will reveal the terms of the oath they broke.
- A particular Trauma and a single Mind Damage
- The oath-breaker goes unconscious for up to 24 hours
- An Injury up to Severity-6 (cannot be reduced by any means)
The target cannot be compelled to agree via a direct threat of violence, another Effect, or another oath. If you would like to use clever wording to mislead the target, you must succeed a contested Intellect + (Culture or Influence) roll.
Whenever a participant breaks the oath, you are immediately made aware and may even witness the act as if standing nearby.
- All Oaths must have at least two participants.
- The target must be physically present to enter the oath.
- The terms and penalties of the oath do not need to be equitable and do not need to affect all parties equally.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Ledger of Pledge
As they put their name in the book, the ink sizzles like a water on a hot surface. Each time they are met with a moment where the oath is at risk, they remember the moment they took it.
You may make an oath with any number of physically-present, Sapient targets. Communicate the oath's terms to the targets, including the requirements and penalties for each participant. If all agree to the terms, you must Exert your Mind and all participants must Signing the contract to seal the deal.
Record the oath as a Condition. If a party breaks the oath, the Condition ends and they suffer the oath's penalty.
When crafting your oath, you may incorporate any of the following penalties:
- The oath-breaker dies (if alive)
- A Battle Scar up to Severe (deaf, missing limb)
- The oath-breaker is physically marked as an oath-breaker, and any investigative effect will reveal the terms of the oath they broke.
- A particular Trauma and a single Mind Damage
- The oath-breaker goes unconscious for up to 24 hours
- An Injury up to Severity-6 (cannot be reduced by any means)
The targets cannot be compelled to agree via a direct threat of violence, another Effect, or another oath. If you would like to use clever wording to mislead the targets, you must succeed a contested Intellect + (Culture or Influence) roll.
Whenever a participant breaks the oath, you are immediately made aware and may even witness the act as if standing nearby.
It is obvious to your targets that the oath you are proposing will be supernaturally enforced.
- All Oaths must have at least two participants.
- The target must be physically present to enter the oath.
- The terms and penalties of the oath do not need to be equitable and do not need to affect all parties equally.
- A single action cannot break multiple oaths. You cannot 'stack' oath penalties by having a target sign multiple identical oaths, or similar.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Gambler’s oath
Sosna and the other party enter a shared oath in which they are to gamble (for some kind of winnings determined by both parties). The game and the consequences of the game are enforced by Sosna’s magic.
This Effect cannot be used unless the oath can only be related to a gamble between Sosna and the other party..
You may make an oath with a physically-present, Sapient target. Communicate the oath's terms to the target, including the requirements and penalties for each participant. If all agree to the terms, you must Exert your Mind (unless you win a coin flip) and all participants must shake hands to seal the deal.
Record the oath as a Condition. If a party breaks the oath, the Condition ends and they suffer the oath's penalty.
When crafting your oath, you may incorporate any of the following penalties:
- A Battle Scar up to Severe (deaf, missing limb)
- The oath-breaker is physically marked as an oath-breaker, and any investigative effect will reveal the terms of the oath they broke.
- A particular Trauma and a single Mind Damage
- The oath-breaker goes unconscious for up to 24 hours
- An Injury up to Severity-6 (cannot be reduced by any means)
The target cannot be compelled to agree via a direct threat of violence, another Effect, or another oath. If you would like to use clever wording to mislead the target, you must succeed a contested Intellect + (Culture or Influence) roll.
When crafting your oath, you may opt to enforce compliance. If you do, any participant that wishes to break the deal must take 3 Mind damage and succeed a Self-Control roll. They may attempt once per day.
Whenever a participant breaks the oath, you are immediately made aware and may even witness the act as if standing nearby.
It is obvious to your target that the oath you are proposing will be supernaturally enforced.
All oaths you create last 12 hours maximum
- All Oaths must have at least two participants.
- The target must be physically present to enter the oath.
- The terms and penalties of the oath do not need to be equitable and do not need to affect all parties equally.
- A single action cannot break multiple oaths. You cannot 'stack' oath penalties by having a target sign multiple identical oaths, or similar.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
The Contract
So we have a deal?
The lower writes up a quick contract on a spare pen and paper and presents it to the client with a blank expression. Quickly the client signs, rhe words far too complicated to understand fully. Then the lawyer smiles wider than any man should reasonably smile. Then again, an unreasonable smile, for an unreasonable contract
You must use up ink and paper in order to activate this Effect.
You may make an oath with any number of physically-present, Sapient targets. Communicate the oath's terms to the targets, including the requirements and penalties for each participant. If all agree to the terms, you must Exert your Mind and all participants must sign the contract to seal the deal.
Record the oath as a Condition. If a party breaks the oath, the Condition ends and they suffer the oath's penalty.
When crafting your oath, you may incorporate any of the following penalties:
- A Battle Scar up to Severe (deaf, missing limb)
- The oath-breaker is physically marked as an oath-breaker, and any investigative effect will reveal the terms of the oath they broke.
- A particular Trauma and a single Mind Damage
- The oath-breaker goes unconscious for up to 24 hours
- An Injury up to Severity-6 (cannot be reduced by any means)
The targets cannot be compelled to agree via a direct threat of violence, another Effect, or another oath. If you would like to use clever wording to mislead the targets, you must succeed a contested Intellect + (Culture or Influence) roll.
When crafting your oath, you may opt to enforce compliance. If you do, any participant that wishes to break the deal must take 3 Mind damage and succeed a Self-Control roll. They may attempt once per day.
It is obvious to your targets that the oath you are proposing will be supernaturally enforced.
- All Oaths must have at least two participants.
- The target must be physically present to enter the oath.
- The terms and penalties of the oath do not need to be equitable and do not need to affect all parties equally.
- A single action cannot break multiple oaths. You cannot 'stack' oath penalties by having a target sign multiple identical oaths, or similar.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.
Stock
Binding Oath Gifts
Racketeering
"Hurt you? No you got it all wrong, this is for your protection!"
The mobster presents a reasoned, logical case to the target: there's a lot of dangerous folks out there, and only they can offer safety... for a price.
If they agree, they will pay the mobster a monthly fee for protection. If they stop making their payments... well, let's just say, the mobster can't be held responsible for any unsavory types that might pay them a visit.
This Effect cannot be used unless you are making a deal to exchange money for protection.
You may make an oath with a physically-present, Sapient target. Communicate the oath's terms to the target, including the requirements and penalties for each participant. If all agree to the terms, you must Exert your Mind and all participants must shake hands to seal the deal.
Record the oath as a Condition. If a party breaks the oath, the Condition ends and they suffer the oath's penalty.
When crafting your oath, you may incorporate any of the following penalties:
- You may suspend a targeted Offensive Power which will take effect when the oath is broken. The Power must be able to target all participants the oath indicates it could hit.
- A Battle Scar up to Severe (deaf, missing limb)
- The oath-breaker is physically marked as an oath-breaker, and any investigative effect will reveal the terms of the oath they broke.
- A particular Trauma and a single Mind Damage
- The oath-breaker goes unconscious for up to 24 hours
- An Injury up to Severity-6 (cannot be reduced by any means)
The target cannot be compelled to agree via a direct threat of violence, another Effect, or another oath. If you would like to use clever wording to mislead the target, you must succeed a contested Intellect + (Culture or Influence) roll.
- All Oaths must have at least two participants.
- The target must be physically present to enter the oath.
- The terms and penalties of the oath do not need to be equitable and do not need to affect all parties equally.
- A single action cannot break multiple oaths. You cannot 'stack' oath penalties by having a target sign multiple identical oaths, or similar.
- Your target must be within line of sight, or within range of another sense if more fitting for the Gift's flavor.