Their Finest Hour- Ascended Magnetists p1

The world once believed all magnetic abilities were innate. Some people simply develop fantastic gifts or gain them at birth. Now, mysterious legends from the east and modern psychiatry reveal the strange forgotten secrets of Ascended Magnetism.

While any mind is capable of so much more than commonplace thoughts and bodily control, few persons attain its pinnacle of potential. Legends run around the world of men and women wielding their charisma like a weapon. Their abilities fool the senses, elevate human consciousness, and break the spirit of their enemies. Through mental exercise and esoteric training, Ascended Magnetists unlock the hidden power of their minds. 

Ascended Magnetists bridge the gap between magnetists and magical disciplines such as Thaumaturgy and Sigil Scribing. Because of its “neither this nor that” nature, the Guild refuses to recognize Ascended Magnetism. The western magical community considers those touting Ascended Magnetism charlatans hiding behind smoke, mirrors, and mumbo-jumbo. While those teaching “Magnetic Miracle Classes” at 10 shillings a ticket never helped anyone attain enlightenment, a handful of men and women gifted with dangerous wisdom certainly exist.

Astral Projection

Difficulty: 2

Vril Cost: 2

The Ascended traverses our world on the astral plane by projecting their consciousness beyond their bodies! Their astral form floats through the material world at walking speed through the power of thought, passing through solid objects. This ability lasts a number of minutes equal to the Ascended’s Concentration skill. For its duration, the Ascended’s body lies helpless in a trance. Their astral form may end their wanderings at any moment and instantly return to the body at which point the Ascended awakes.

In astral form, the Ascended sees and hears as normal, but no one can see, hear, or detect them without magical means. Beings, creatures, or devices capable of detecting magical beings or presences will be able to notice the Ascended. Similarly, destructive magic damages an astral form. Any damage suffered by an astral form during Astral Projection spreads to the body upon return. Astral forms have all the same stats and attributes of their material bodies. If an astral form loses all its Health pips, it dissipates forever leaving their body an empty shell.

Hesitation

Difficulty: 1

Vril Cost: 2

The Ascended locks eyes with a single living being or creature and exudes tremendous, terrifying charisma! If engaged in combat, the target’s initiative rolls suffer 3 black dice until the end of the fight. The target also must pass a Resolve test with 9 black dice or suffer 6 black dice to their next test.

Ombromanie 

Difficulty: 1

Vril Cost: 2

Surrounding shadows appear to bend to the Ascended’s whims! This ability distorts a nearby shadow to the desired silhouette and manipulates its movements. Shadows can be projected to any surface within eyesight, even those blasted by direct light. If cast into a patch of darkness, the shadow deepens in shade but remains under the Ascended’s control. Shadows may be stretched or shrunk, but cannot completely blot out light. Control over shadows lasts minutes equal to the Ascended’s Concentration skill or until the Ascended chooses to end