Castigate
Name: Castigate
Guild: Pardoners
Status: Allowed
Marking(s): Black-tinted Fingers
Contents
Introduction
Of all of the Arcanoi, Castigate is arguably the most welcomed in the Shadowlands. Pardoners have a rare gift: the abilities to soothe an otherwise unruly Shadow, to scare Spectres away, and to take on Oblivion in general. Pardoners can even communicate effectively and calm their own Shadows to a degree. It usually comes at a great cost to the user, however; Pardoners are particularly prone to gathering Angst from their constant contact with darkness. Those who use Castigate foolishly do not last long as a wraith.
The actual use of Castigate is highly personal to each Pardoner. Many favor a method called the Devil’s Dialectic, where a conversation of sorts is held with a Shadow, while using the target’s Nature to strengthen their resolve and lessen the Shadow’s effect. Others may use rituals such as meditation, purification, songs and chants, physical abuse, or other less orthodox methods to reach a Shadow and quiet its destructive cry.
Failed uses of Castigate are extremely hazardous to a Pardoner; it strengthens the resolve of their own Shadow, or perhaps the Shadow of those they are trying to help. In many of these cases, they must start their efforts over from scratch.
Basic Abilities
- Bulwark: A Pardoner can temporarily shield themselves or others from a Maelstrom.
- Soulsight: A Pardoner can measure the strength of another’s Shadow by careful examination.
Standard Powers
- • Coax: A Pardoner may call on their Shadow at decreased risk.
- •• Dark Secrets: A Pardoner may coerce a Shadow into revealing their carrier’s darkest secrets.
- ••• Purify: A Pardoner may directly attack another wraith’s Shadow.
- •••• Housecleaning: A Pardoner can drive away Spectres by cloaking themselves in purity.
- ••••• Defiance: A Pardoner can beat back a powerful Shadow trying to take over a wraith.
20th Anniversary Edition
Basic abilities were dropped in the 20th anniversary edition.
The standard powers of Castigate are the same as previous editions, with the following exceptions, which replace the skills of the same level or where noted.
- • Soulsight: This is essentially the same as the old basic ability.
- •• Bulwark: This is essentially the same as the old basic ability.
- •••• Get Thee Hence: This is essentially the same as Housecleaning.
Alternate Powers
Guildbook: Pardoners and Puppeteers
ANCIENT ARTS
- •• Mask Castigation: A Pardoner may look behind a wraith's mask or Moliated form to determine who is truly before them.
- ••• Transfer Angst: A Pardoner can temporarily hold Angst in themselves until it can be transferred to an appropriate storage place.
- •••• Mass Chastisement: A Pardoner can Purify several wraiths at once.
- •••• Shadow Screen: A Pardoner can hide thoughts and memories from their own Shadow.
- ••••• Shadow Summons: Similar to the Shadow Summons below, except this version can be used by a Pardoner.
- ••••• Shadow Wrack: A Pardoner may use this to strip a Spectre of Angst and pull their Psyche to the fore of their personality.
NEW ARTS
- • Attunement: A Pardoner may mark certain Shadows to make them easier to work with in future Castigation attempts.
- ••• Storm Quell: A Pardoner can call on their Shadow to help them when facing Spectres in a Maelstrom.
Other Books
Sources
