Moon

XIX. Moon

“Life is the illusion before death.”

Aloof and mysterious, the Moon Arcana is the second of the so-called Arcana of Light, the parts of the Arcana that denote the successes of a being’s life in the karmic wheel. While the Star is the resolution and inspiration for the path towards excellence, and the Sun is the blazing end of a life full of achievement, the Moon in turn is the path itself.

Because such paths are often myriad, complex and twisting, the Moon Arcana is essentially an Arcana that delves into the random chances and makes the best of opportunities as they come. It will test those who strive for excellence, and marks those who dare its ways with power.

It thus behooves the Moon to choose Servitors who know the difference between lies and the truth. To be deceived is to walk off the path---and there are times that the Moon wishes this to be, if only to gain strength when one has righted oneself. In short, the Moon Arcana is a philosophy of waxing and waning, of biding one’s time, and of learning what is truly precious in a world where nothing is constant under the Moon’s shifting gaze.

Because the Moon’s powers ebb and increase with time, its Dealer has to work doubly hard to make sure that the Moon’s position within the Arcana is as constant as he could make it.

To this end no one knows who the Dealer of the Moon Arcana is, save that he can always be identified by the presence of the Moon in its current phase reflected in his eyes. To know the identity of the Moon Dealer would allow his rivals (of which he has none, but it pays to be cautious) the ability to counter his movements.

The Powers of the Moon

The Moon Dealer prefers Servitors who are perceptive and not easily misled by the machinations of others. He also prefers a streak of adventure that allows them to fearlessly wander the path that the Moon is. Unfortunately, this streak of adventurousness is yet another trait that can lead an overconfident Moon-user astray.

Moon 1: The Moon’s Gentle Fingertips
Roll: Stamina + Numen, Numina cost variable, see below.
This ability allows Moon-users to heal and strengthen those who would dare tread the paths of fate and destiny.

Exceptional Failure: As Failure.

Failure: The power fails to function.

Success: The Moon-user is able to heal 1 bashing damage for every Numina he spends on his target. He can choose to double this cost to heal lethal damage, and triple this to heal aggravated.

Exceptional Success: As Success.

Moon 2: Lunar Veil
Roll: Presence + Resolve vs Willpower. 1 Numina.
A shimmering veil hides the features of the Moon-user.

Exceptional Failure: The power fails to function and cannot be used for another day.

Failure: The power fails to function.

Success: The Moon-user is able to hide all his physical features and exchange them to render his face unrecognizable. This ability does not allow the imitation of another person’s face; instead, it just distorts his that it becomes unremarkable. Traits such as Striking Looks are negated while the power is in effect. The power cannot hide his Arcana, however.

Exceptional Success: The ability is so strong that the Moon-user is rendered invisible and cannot be seen unless an actively searching onlooker rolls a Wits + Investigation roll.

Moon 3: Induce Dream
Roll: Manipulation + Resolve + Numen vs Willpower. 2 Numina.
Moon-users use this ability to implant dreams and messages in their targets.

Exceptional Failure: The power fails to function and cannot be used for another week.

Failure: The power fails to function.

Success: The Moon-user can project and program a dream in a target; the dream can either be a soothing dream or a nightmare. Should it be a soothing dream, the target enjoys the benefits of the Fast Healer merit as he rests and sleeps. Should it be a nightmare, the target cannot rest (nor heal damage) without artificial aids. Either form of dream can be used to send messages to a target, but unless the target expects such a dream, the dream’s meaning could be lost or misinterpreted.

Exceptional Success: The dream is so potent that a suggestion can be implanted in the target. The suggestion must be in character for the target, and he will perform the suggestion but once.

Moon 4: Mirage
Roll: Manipulation + Craft + Numina vs. Wits + Investigation. 3 Numina.
Moon-users can create large-scale illusions with this ability.

Exceptional Failure: The power fails to function, and cannot be used for another month.

Failure: The power fails to function.

Success: Large scale illusions fill an area equal to the cubic volume of the Persona-user’s Numen rating. These can be as detailed as the Persona-user wants. Any sensations a target receives in this realm are real to him; damage is received, but dispels the Mirage. Food sustains the eater, but any inimical action within the Mirage dispels it. Moon-users sometimes use this ability to create safe zones in harsh environments where they would otherwise have none.

Exceptional Success: As Success.

Moon 5: Citadel of the Moon
Roll: Presence + Manipulation + Craft. 5 Numina.
This ability creates a structure made out of pure mental energy.

Exceptional Failure: The power fails to function, and the Moon-user cannot access any Moon powers for the duration of the month.

Failure: The power fails to function.

Success: A structure of pure energy surrounds the Moon-user, taking shape equal to a Mirage. Any being who tries to force entry into a Citadel finds himself receiving bashing damage equal to the Moon-user’s Numen rating. Unlike a Mirage, the Citadel creates a real environment where any action can occur within it and cannot be dispelled by the dangerous actions of others.

Exceptional Success: As Success.