Enigmatic Text
The Malkavians' familiarity with madness renders them peculiarly able to extract information from sources where it should not exist. Some elder Malkavians can reverse the process and plant information in hidden forms. they usually do this through speech or writing, but Malkavians have planted hidden messages in paintings, music, flower arrangements, trash scattered around the haven or anything else that the hand or mind could shape. A person who sees, hears or reads the Malkavian's work for an extended period recognizes the hidden meaning, though he cannot say exactly where the information comes from.
System: Enigmatic communication requires a simple success on a Wits + Expression roll. the difficulty depends on the medium. Planting a hidden meaning in words is difficulty 6; in a nonverbal medium that is nevertheless a recognized form of communication, such as a painting, is difficulty 7; and a form that does not normally cover information at all, such as piles of pebbles or a table-setting, is difficulty 8. The power does not cost blood points. If, however, the Kindred wants to store the Enigmatic Text in a permanent form so that anyone can perceive the message later, this costs the character two points of Willpower.
If someone receives an enigmatic Text directly fro the malkavian, no roll is needed; the target always understands the message. Imparting an Enigmatic Text directly takes a few minutes. "Reading" a stored Enigmatic Text takes at least an hour, and a lengthy Enigmatic Text may take nights or weeks to understand in full. The character's player rolls Perception + Expression (difficulty 6) to receive the hidden meaning. this is an extended roll. the Storyteller decides how many successes the player must accumulate to comprehend the enigmatic Text.
