Path of the World's Blood
This power allows the vampire to become part of the natural world that surrounds her, partaking of the abilities inherent in the earth, trees, rocks and life forms of any ground to which she has attuned herself. While most practitioners of this Path regularly use it within their "home" territories, a simple ritual (see below) enables the character to attune herself to any plot of ground provided she has sufficient time in which to do so.
This Path occasionally requires the vampire to ingest some rather foul concoctions of her own blood mixed with animal blood, soil, even leaves and grass. It remains a continual mystery (particularly to those outside the Telyavelic circles) how the practitioners of this Path can drink these mixtures without promptly heaving them. some Telyavs claim that study of the Path prepares one for such necessities, while others posit that a form of transubstantiation, such as that which is said to change the bread and wine during Mass, is at work. Whatever the reason, the Telyavs continue to swallow and work their magic without difficulty.
Note: Sielanic thaumaturgy is not quite traditional Thaumaturgy. As a result, it uses the same roll as the normal Discipline except when specifically stated otherwise.
1) Eyes of the Earth
The vampire "sees" everything that goes on within 10 miles of her haven (or shrine) by utilizing the spirits of the grass and other plants, trees, rocks and animals in the vicinity. Thus, a Telyavelic Tremere dwelling within her chantry may know instantly of the approach of worshipers or strangers. In addition, she can also view events transpiring within range of her attunement. Such visions do not come with hand explanations, though. No sound comes through, and unless the Telyavelic can read lips, she cannot know anything that is being said in a spied-upon location. further, if the sorcerer wishes to keep track of a particular person as he travels, and if she views him for longer than one night, she must locate him once again after each broken contact (to sleep or perform other actions, for example).
System: The vampire ingests an infusion of her own vitae mixed with soil, grass shoots, leaves, animal fur and bird feathers (or blood from these creatures). The number of successes achieved on the Willpower roll determines the duration of the subsequent "earth-sight."
1: 1 turn
2: 1 hour
3: 1 night
4: 1 week
5: 1 month
2) Roots of Power
This ability enables the Sielanic practitioner to draw upon the power latent in the earth itself to enhance her own physical abilities - so long as she remains in contact with the soil.
System: The vampire expends a blood point by cutting the soles of her feet and letting her blood soak into the naked earth. The number of successes gained from the Willpower roll determines the number of points the vampire can add to her Physical Attributes. No single Attribute may be raised above 5. For example, three successes allow the character to add on point each to Strength, Dexterity and Stamina, three points to any one Attribute, or two points to one Attribute and one point to a second. The duration of this effect is one scene, and the effect covers an area of approximately 50 feet around the vampire's original position (i.e., where the Cainite's blood first touched the soil).
3) Arbor of Protection
The vampire uses this ability to seek refuge within the living wood of trees. Thus he is able to encase his body within any tree that stands inside his realm of attunement. In this fashion, he may conceal his presence from enemies. His aura blends with that of the tree in such a way that increases by two the difficulty of detecting his presence through Soulsight. In addition, the character may use any Disciplines and abilities not dependent on physical gestures that he possesses; although the vampire can "see" his surroundings, he cannot make eye contact with specific creatures, so any power which requires meeting the victim's gaze does not function. Should the vampire enter a tree to avoid the coming dawn, he is protected from the sun so long as he stays within the tree. If the tree is chopped down, the vampire suffers five levels of (lethal) damage and is forced out of the trunk; setting the tree afire inflicts the same amount of aggravated damage.
System: The vampire drinks a mixture of blood and tree-sap prior to the player expending a blood point and making a Willpower roll. A single success allows the vampire to remain inside a tree for one turn; two successes extend the duration for an entire scene. Three or more successes allow the vampire to maintain his position within a single tree for up to 24 hours. When the time limit expires, the tree ejects the vampire.
4) Course of the Beast
This power gives the Sielanic practitioner the power to assume the shape of any animal that exists within her domain and, in some cases, to change from one animal form to another. The vampire gains all the physical attributes and skills of the chosen creature, although she retains her undead nature in all forms. While transformed, the vampire may use any mental Disciplines she possesses, as well as other powers the Storyteller considers reasonable within the limitations of her form. The ability lasts from moonrise to moonrise.
System: The vampire mixes her own blood with that of an animal and drinks it, then expends three blood points to activate the power. Each success on a Willpower roll (difficulty 7) grants the character the ability to shift into one animal form. Thus, three successes enable the vampire to assume the shape of a deer for swift travel, then transform into a fish to conceal herself and move about easily under water, and, finally, take on the form of a bird to fly to safety.
5) Way of the Stone
The vampire uses this power to transform himself into what resembles a stone dolmen. As such he can withstand the rigors of daylight and is immune to flame. In addition, he can even move about in a very limited fashion. The legends of stones that walk and move about during the night come from the practice of this potent art.
System: The vampire expends three blood points by allowing his blood to drain onto a boulder, at which point he assumes the boulder's rough shape and consistency. The number of successes gained on the Willpower roll (difficulty 8) determines how long he may remain in his stone form. The features of the vampire become indistinct, taking on a semi-carved aspect with barely discernible facial features and body parts. Nevertheless, his eyes, ears, mouth and appendages all function normally, except that the difficulty for all physical actions are increased by two and movement is at one-fourth normal rate.
1 success: 1 turn
2: 1 scene
3: 1 hour
4: 1 night
5: 1 week
6+: 1 month
These durations represent the maximum time limit; the vampire may abort the effect earlier if he wishes.
