Scorpion Sending
Description: Set dispatched a scorpion to sting the infant Horus. This ritual emulates the myth by creating a magical scorpion that attacks a single, predetermined victim. The scorpion's magical venom has an excellent chance of killing a mortal and can seriously inconvenience a vampire.
The magician makes a model scorpion out of wax, incorporating hair, nail clippings, spittle or something else that came from the victim's body. She writes the name of Set on the wax scorpion in green ink and recites the myth of the poisoning of Horus (though not the god's healing). Then she leaves the model scorpion in a place frequented by the victim. The next time the victim comes near the model, it becomes a real scorpion and stings him.
System: The scorpion's venom inflicts one health level of lethal damage every 15 minutes. The damage ends if the victim's player makes a successful Stamina roll at difficulty 7 (check at every increment of damage). The venom harms both mortals and vampires (although Kindred can expend vitae to increase their Stamina and heal the damage). It also affects Lupines, changelings and other supernatural races who have physical bodies.
The victim might see the scorpion before it strikes (a Perception + Alertness roll, difficulty 7 due to the scorpion's small size, or 9 if the victim-to-be is not actively looking). If the target kills the scorpion before it stings him, it reverts to a wax model. If the scorpion dies after stinging, it stays a real scorpion.
