The Vathi
Description: Originally possessed by the legendary druid Cathbad, the vathi are among the most grotesque methods of divination available. Consisting of over two dozen perfectly preserved severed heads, the vathi are usually arranged in a circle, either on stakes or in a cool grotto, with a cauldron of blood in the center of the ring. While no blood drips from the stumps of the severed heads, their flesh is as firm and warm as they were the day each was taken from its previous owner.
When called upon to prophesy, the vathi tend to speak in a series of short phrases, with various heads taking turns in speaking. While the original spirits of the heads' owners are gone, traces of their personalities remain and as such, the vathi can be snide, sarcastic or even flatly uncooperative. On the other hand, they can also be cajoled into revealing more than they would have normally.
Since the fall of Conchovor of Ulster, the vathi have been scattered far and wide across Europe. Thirteen can be found in the possession of the ancient Cappadocian Kylon, while the rest are merely the subject of rumor and conjecture. As each head has certain protections laid on it by Cathbad, it is unlikely that many have been destroyed. They are merely lost, awaiting discovery and use.
System: The prophetic powers of the vathi are conjured forth in a ritual called the Tarbfeis (pronounced TAUR-vesh), or "bull dream." The cauldron of blood in the center of the ring of heads is stirred counterclockwise and a ritual chant is intoned; when the rhythm of the spinning blood and the rhythm of the chant are in sync, the heads will begin to prophesy. Common subjects for prophecy include approaching enemies, plans being made against the supplicant and the doings of the local fae.
To activate a tarbfeis, the player must roll Wits + Occult against a variable difficulty. The cauldron in the center of the ring must contain some bull's blood, but the rest can be the blood of beasts, men or Cainites. If the cauldron contains entirely animal blood, the difficulty for the roll is 7. If there is human blood mixed in, the difficulty is 6. If Cainite blood is included, the difficulty is 5. The number of successes indicates the duration of the vathi's prophetic ramblings; a botch produces malicious inaccuracies.
A List of the Known Vathi
- -- Morfran y Fagddu - Priest of Arawn
- -- Trèvédic - The Traitor Apprentice
- -- Naoise -- The Doomed Prince
- -- Deirdre - The Beauty of Ulster
- -- Nonus Aquila - The Roman General
- -- Septimus Severus - The Emperor
- -- Cairbre Nia Fer -- Fallen King of Tara
- -- Erc mac Cairpri -- The Patricide
- -- Taliesin -- The Brythonic Bard
- -- Tlachtga -- Daughter of Mug Ruith
- -- Mímir the Wise -- Mim is a figure in Norse mythology renowned for his knowledge and wisdom who is beheaded during the Æsir-Vanir War. Afterward, the god Odin carries around Mímir's head and it recites secret knowledge and counsel to him.
- -- Orvar Odd-Eye -- 13th Century Viking
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Associated Necromancies
- -- Tarbfeis {Level 1 ritual of Celtic Necromancy}
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