Blood Magic

The roots of blood magic run deep. As long as vampires have prowled the earth, some Kindred have sought to gain powers through the blood that they couldn’t create any other way. Almost every generation of vampires active in the modern nights includes some practitioners of Thaumaturgy in various forms, and the oldest known blood magicians allude to still older magicians now destroyed, inactive or disappeared. The Tremere brought organization and visibility to blood magic; they codified it, but didn’t invent it.

Blood magic isn’t pleasant. The thaumaturge burns through his very essence – and that of other vampires – in an effort to make the world into what he wants. This requires enough ego to feel worthy of imposing one’s will upon the world, enough discipline to master the intricacies of arcane formulae, and enough ruthlessness to ignore the moral costs of harvesting so much blood for personal ends. Humanity tends to wither in the face of the thaumaturge’s willingness to exploit his own kind for the sake of power. Disregarding others as moral concerns makes the blood magic so much easier, after all, and it frees the magician to really explore lines of investigation without troublesome ethical concerns…

Most vampires associate Thaumaturgy (“the performance of miracles”) almost exclusively with the Tremere. The Tremere certainly brought unprecedented organization and fresh perspective to the search for mastery of the world through blood. The clan’s hierarchy allows it to systematize research and teaching, producing more competent thaumaturges every century than most magical groups have had since the first nights.

The simplest expression of the Warlock’s theories is that vitae represents the prima materia, the pure matter out of which all other things are generated. Without any form (in the Aristotelian sense) of its own, it can be shaped into whatever its possessor wills it to be, but it is vulnerable to those elements of nature that embody clarity and perception: the Sun and fire. Both of these react against the formlessness of vitae and force it back to an inert state because they aid the mind and senses in recognizing the forms of things. It is from these basic principles that House Tremere has guided a millennia of thaumaturgical experimentation into the modern nights.

Some knowledge of Clan Tremere’s past is helpful to understand why Thaumaturgy has developed into its current form.

The legends whispered among neonates are true: Clan Tremere was founded by human mages who voluntarily took on the mantle of the undead. They were known as ‘House Tremere’ then and still are tonight, within the seclusion of their sanctums and chantries. A millennia ago, consuming lust for knowledge and ever-greater power literally devoured the mortal lives of the clan’s originators. Unfortunately, such power can be attained only through long and diligent study – far longer the mages found, than a mortal’s lifespan, especially as their once potent elixirs of longevity began to wane. Some particularly desperate magi turned to unwise pacts with demons…others thought that something in the nature of vampiric existence might hold the key.

It is unknown whether becoming vampires themselves had been their intent or (more likely) a tragic mistake. Ultimately, the founders gained nearly limitless time with which to continue their research, even as their pursuit of magic lead them to lose it. By sacrificing their mortality, they also inadvertently gave up the arcane secrets of ‘true magic’ they so coveted. The founders Embraced many members of their former House and all, without exception, lost the ability to practice mortal magics. This loss is a blank spot in the education of the modern Tremere apprentice, who are instead taught that they surpassed mortal sorceries. One suspects much of about the nature of magic (or ‘magick’) and the Kindred may be bound up in the reason, giving Tremere elders reason to fear its exposure.

Although the loss of their power stung bitterly, of more immediate concern to the fledgling wizards was the fact that they had made a number of powerful enemies during their pursuit of immortality. While they were still seeking the secrets of undeath, they conducted experiments involving members of the Tzimisce. Those Kindred, including at least one prestigious elder of that clan, did not survive the research. Simultaneously, they drew the ire of their once-fellow Hermetic Houses – the mortal magi who had until recently been their mortal peers and rivals – who took exception to discovering the fallen House’s undead blasphemies. These acts earned the Warlocks the undying enmity of the Fiends and a century-long two front war with the mortal order of sorcerers. Understandable, really.

The Warlocks, forced by the loss of their original aptitudes, knew they must quickly develop an appreciable edge of be expunged. The former magi adapted an ancient form of mysticism from their mortal grimoires to their new existence. Ancient vampire sorcerers of Mesopotamia (and even mortal magi!) had already experimented with this art, calling it blood magic – a foul thing. It was a form of sorcery drawing on the power inherent in the vital fluid of life – and unlife. Prior to Thaumaturgy, blood magic may have been rare, but it is typical of the Warlock’s arrogance to claim it was completely unknown. Still, the Tremere have earned their reputations as masters of Thaumaturgy, by sheer force of numbers and coherence in practice.

Clan Tremere believed that, with some effort, its rites could be translated into more familiar Hermetic formula and retain their efficacy. As evidence by the clan’s continued existence and influence, its founders not only succeeded, they excelled in this endeavor. The early Warlocks codified the rituals and practices, creating what became known as the Discipline of Thaumaturgy.

One of the ways Thaumaturgy differs from the earlier forms of blood magic is in the application of a systematic approach to its practice, innovated as it was by Kindred practitioners of Hermetic rituals.

The Hermetic tradition takes its name from Hermes Trismegistus, or Hermes the “thrice great,” the legendary founder of the practice. Medieval alchemists considered him as the father of alchemical philosophy, and he is mentioned in writings as early as the seventh century – over time, all alchemical philosophy and practice came to be known simply as Hermetic magic. Interestingly enough, much of this knowledge might not have passed down to the modern nights were not the bulk of it saved by eastern scribes, much of which was subsequently ‘rediscovered’ by western scholars.

Essentially, Hermetic practice combined the arts of ancient mysticism with the analytical approach of what would eventually be regarded as the sole preserve of science. It sought to prove the power of magic through reason and logic. Thus, Hermeticism pursued mastery over the material (that is to say ‘mundane’) through disciplined application of the mind and the will. According to its teachings, all natural elements (gold, lead, water, etc) and phenomenon (fire, life itself, etc) were interrelated, and certain ones possessed traits that could be exploited by a Hermetic magician through proper preparation or ritual. A skilled and knowledge practitioner, Hermetics claimed, could manipulate these traits and relationships to impose his desires on reality.

Contrary to popular belief, Hermetic alchemy is not concerned solely with the conversion of lead to gold. The magicians merely considered gold as the finest of all metals, and as such the transmutation of any substance into gold represented mastery of the Hermetic art. More philosophical alchemists claim the true goal of Hermeticism is the pursuit of a pure spirit or soul, and thus the quest for gold – the purest metal – is allegorical. Ultimately, what set the first Hermetics apart from the charlatans and hedge wizards of their time was their search for a regimented understanding of the principles behind the workings of the arcane.

After attaining their newfound immortality, the Tremere applied this same systematic approach of Hermetic analysis to their new condition. Through inquiry and trial, the Warlocks learned that blood magic, an ancient and feared art even among Kindred, would allow them to shape the power inherent in their own vitae and thus regain their lost power.

The Tremere fused blood magic with Hermetic practice, trimming both traditions to their bare essentials. To the Tremere, Hermetic Thaumaturgy is nothing more than a tool – no more or less spiritual than any other Kindred Discipline or mortal science. The Warlocks stripped all reference to religion and vestiges of frivolous exhibition. You don’t usually find hours of liturgies, beseeching prayers or altars in Tremere rituals. If a procedure doesn’t serve a definitive thaumaturgical purpose, its commonly excised from the tradition.

The paths are the purest forms of blood magic. Simply put, they are the power of vitae channeled by the knowledge and will of the magus, allowing her to instantly affect reality. Such is the case with any Discipline. Unlike complex Hermetic rituals, the effects of paths are available to a magus at any time, and require almost no preparation (aside from learning them as one does with any skill) and no unique ingredients. Instead, use of a path requires the blood magician to sacrifice a small portion of her vitae. The amount is small in most cases, generally equivalent to the same amount expended to maintain the Kindred’s existence a single night. This may seem trivial, but it does impose a quantifiable limit to this sorcerous power. No Kindred, especially a blood magician, can afford to frivolously expend her vitae.

Because the ritualistic elements are removed, it is easy for the uninitiated to mistake the effects of a path for an innate Kindred ability. The strength and versatility of the paths leads many magi to theorize Thaumaturgy represents the ultimate potential inherent in Kindred vitae. They also claim other Kindred Disciplines are actually nothing but pale shadows of Thaumaturgy, little more than specialized, stillborn paths that the other clans have developed over several millennia of study and practice. The major proponents of this view tend to be younger Warlocks barely elevated from Apprentice status.

Tremere elders point out that while paths are capable of reproducing to some degree the effects of other Disciplines, the ends should not be used to compare the means. For example, they say, fire, electricity and acid all are capable of inflicting burns, but do so in a vastly different manner. Other Disciplines are a function of Kindred nature; in a path, a magus uses vitae as a fuel for blood magic. The difference may seem subtle, but it is very important.

Unlike many other Disciplines, blood magic paths actually consume a portion of vitae to provide power for the magus’ will. Whether the magic draws the vitae directly from the magus’ body or he actually opens a vein to expose the liquid varies among the Warlocks depending on each practitioner’s training. The latter sort are sometimes called “bloodletters” and usually carry a small blade or at least sharpen a thumbnail so they can readily spill their own vitae.

Other Kindred Disciplines are closer to manifestations of the inherent potency contained within Kindred vitae. Only occasionally do they actually expend any of the vital fluid to be effective. A path, and Thaumaturgy as a whole, is not an innate ability like the superhuman physical strength, speed or even perception that Kindred may exhibit, but, rather, a set of skills allowing trained magi to draw upon their own immortality to shape their surroundings.

This explains the limitations of paths as well. While other Kindred Disciplines are bound by the owner’s generation, even the most thin-blooded childer can learn the highest levels of the paths. There are however, a few potent rituals that only the most ancient of the grayfaces have mastered — rites that only thaumaturges of the Seventh Generation or lower can perform. Still, where other Kindred abilities are the result of immortality, Thaumaturgy only exploits an aspect of it.

Among Warlocks, the prevalent view is that the paths are the ultimate refinement of blood magic. They combine pure will and pure power without relying on the constructs of Hermetic ritual. As such, they represent a new road for Kindred to follow, one offering possibilities denied by the static progression of Disciplines, one that may eventually lead to another level of Kindred existence.

In spite of this belief, most experienced magi use paths only to a limited extent. While a path may be developed to create nearly any effect, each one is itself fairly restricted in scope. The Path of Blood, Neptune’s Might or even Technomancy are all highly effective within their respective realms, but utterly useless outside of them. Therefore, in practice, the majority of Warlocks still employ lengthy Hermetic rituals to accomplish most of their arcane tasks.

Thaumaturgy as a Discipline does not unite all forms of blood magic, of course. It is not given to usurpers to achieve the final consummation; great variations remain in the forms of blood magic practice. Thaumaturgy, as the Tremere define it, does gather in many of what had been scattered paths. It brings order to what had been chaotic, with knowable patterns of progression and methodology for building new definitions.

Almost every Tremere studies the Path of Blood as her primary path. It encompasses some of the most fundamental principles of Thaumaturgy, based as it is on the manipulation of Kindred vitae. In addition, they have categorized certain others that form the core of their grimoires.

The so-called Lesser Paths are most often the ones first taught to initiates in the thaumaturgic arts. Increasing mastery of these paths usually does not rely on the thaumaturge grasping radically new theories, yet proceeds largely along logically linear principles. These are some of the most ingrained and traditional techniques, and it’s the rare Apprentice of House Tremere that doesn’t eventually end up proficient in one of them. These include the Path of Alchemy, the Lure of Flames, Movement of the Mind and Weather Control. Another example of a ‘lesser mystery’ is the Hearth Path, which although of great importance in medieval times, is tonight considered a relatively harmless way to test a young Apprentice’s grasp of slightly more complex theories.

Unlike the ‘lesser mysteries’, thaumaturges cannot master the Greater Paths simply by concentrating more force of will onto a single purpose. Instead, the Greater Paths represent sophisticated collections of related powers that build upon each other through increasingly disciplined techniques. The desire to learn one of these ‘greater mysteries’ is often a Tremere Apprentice’s first taste of Chantry politics. Although relatively common, there might only be a single Warlock in a major city or region who has acquired mastery of one of these – and the competition for instruction can be fierce. The traditional Greater Paths include the Path of Conjuring, Elemental Mastery, Geomancy, the Green Path, Mastery of the Mortal Shell, Oneiromancy, Neptune’s Might, the Path of Transmutation, and the Path of Warding.

There are many other Greater Paths hidden away in the archives and vaults of House Tremere. A budding young Warlock must often spend a great deal of time poring through dusty old tomes, conducting dangerous experimentations and offering boons to acquire knowledge of them. This is usually from a combination of the Paths being either taboo/restricted (such as the Path of Corruption, Shadowcrafting, the Path of Spirit Manipulation and the Hands of Destruction), relatively rare these nights owing to less sustained interest (the Path of Mars, the Path of the Father’s Vengeance and the Path of Warding) or else simply very difficult (Path of the Focused Mind and Power of the Mirror).

In addition to the above, the thaumaturges of House Tremere have incorporated several ‘new’ Greater Paths over the last few centuries, although they don’t have the same pedigree as above and are still regarded with deep skepticism by many Tremere Regents (especially the latest developments). These include Biothaumaturgy (developed in the 18th century), the Path of the Levinbolt (developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries), and the Path of Technomancy (developed in the last thirty years). It has only been in the last decade that most Regents have begun to sanction the study of Technomancy after several notorious incidents of oppressed Apprentices going rogue.

Tremere often refer to themselves as “magi” or as the singular “magus.” They use the term “mage” for mortal practitioners of the arcane. Although both Kindred Thaumaturgy and mortal arcane practices have certain roots in medieval science, the Warlocks have good reason to make a distinction between the two – their differences run as deeply as those between Kindred and kine.

While Thaumaturgy traces its roots to a mortal Hermetic tradition, the magic practiced by Kindred is worlds removed from that of their former peers. The blood magic of Thaumaturgy comes from within the magus; he does not rely on any outside source to impose his will upon the world. Only his own determination and puissance limits a blood magus’ power.

Mages practice a form of magic that differs from the blood rites of Thaumaturgy. Unfortunately, because clan elders long ago determined it was forever denied to Kindred magi, Tremere chantries no longer hold much information on mortal magic – or at least so the grayfaces claim. What records are available indicate mages do rely on some outside element to work their sorceries. Also, mages seem reluctant to exert much of their power overtly, fearing some form of undefined effect that balances their manipulations of reality. The thaumaturge is not subject to these strictures of reality in working his magic; no blood magician has ever felt the effects of the mage’s mythical and nebulous bane (except perhaps Clan Tremere’s founders themselves…).  Tonight’s elders assure Apprentices that such metaphysics are best left unpondered.

Ultimately, magi believe most of a mortal mage’s limitations spring from her own mortality. Regardless of her aptitude or training, her existence is like a mayfly’s when compared to a Kindred magus; she simply does not have the time to learn her art and hone her skills to the level a magus can. Those mortal restrictions drove Tremere himself to seek the gift of immortality. Moreover, a magus has the potency of vitae to call upon – something no mage can reliably tap – allowing him to draw his power entirely from within.

On the whole, whether accurately or note, the thaumaturges of ‘House Tremere’ view mortal mages as practitioners of a rather less refined art than their own. However, no blood magus with any knowledge of the so-called ‘Massasa Wars‘ denies the  power a mage can wield when pressed. The nature of non-Hermetic, mortal ‘magick’ allows a mortal mage to call upon terrible forces at her whim. She may pay a terrible price for her imperfect art, but so might we all

Skillful thaumaturges can visit the world with rains of fire, earthquakes, floods, lightning and other impressive displays of power. They can siphon the blood from their victims, curse them with barrenness and give them the fabled “evil eye.” But not all blood magic produces such flashy results. Reshaping the world requires more than spectacle; it takes time, effort and transformations that work deep in the essence of all things. Thaumaturges spend nights, weeks, years and even decades crafting magical effects, most of which won’t ever be noticed by anyone else. That’s often quite the point: A ritual that instills a new desire or saps another’s willpower should remain secret.

Hermetic rituals are tedious and time-consuming when compared with other Kindred powers. These archaic rites usually require the caster to obtain obscure items, recite phrases in dead languages and perform complicated movements to be effective. If the thaumaturge neglects to meet a single formulaic stricture, the magic fails and all the effort expended is wasted. Non-initiates often wonder why blood magicians waste time continuing to study these restrictive forms or even go so far as to develop new ones.

Part of the explanation is found in the history of Thaumaturgy. The blood magic ritual was the first aspect of Thaumaturgy developed by Clan Tremere. The original practitioners were accustomed to intricate formulae and complex ritual; Tremere, Goratrix and the other founding members had spent their mortal lives studying these Hermetic applications. It was only natural they would maintain this affinity when they laid the foundation of the Discipline.

As the early Warlocks sought a weapon with which to defend themselves from other hostile Kindred, they delved into previously shunned tomes and writings they had avoided as blasphemous prior to their transformation. They unearthed long-forgotten blood-soaked rites and reworked them according their own skills. It was during this time that the magi developed the first wards against Kindred and ghouls to protect their sanctuaries; Flesh of the Fiery Touch and Wake with Evening’s Freshness also appear to trace their origins back to those first nights. Using these first rituals, the Warlocks balked the assaults of their foes until they were able to develop other means to exploit the power of vitae.

However, even after the clan began to experiment with the paths, the Warlocks clung to the ancient forms of rituals. Clan Tremere isn’t the type to continue a practice merely because “that’s how it’s always been”; the speed with which they scrapped their own philosophy and combined it with blood magic attests to that. No, the clan retains the practice of ritual magic because, quite simply, it works.

Blood magic rituals require a great deal more time to enact than a path’s effect, but generally place less strain on the caster. Only rarely do they require the thaumaturge to offer a portion of his own vitae, unlike abilities granted through a path, which always do. Some of the more complex rituals do require the expenditure of vitae, but these almost always produce a powerful or lasting effect.

Rituals also protect the caster from much of the risk associated with a path. A failure when performing a ritual seldom has a baneful effect on a magus, whereas some blood magicians have reported a weakening of determination and focus after a botched attempt to summon a path ability. Apparently, because the magus’ will provides not only the impetus but also the focus for a path’s effect, she can somehow actually deplete her own spirit. This loss is, for all intents and purposes, permanent — more than one sorcerer has been left an effete wretch after too many failures. Crafting blood magic requires a strong will, so this potential damage represents a considerable risk for magi.

Thaumaturgical magic produced by a ritual is often more potent and has a longer-lasting effect than that created by a path. Clan Tremere’s greatest successes are the result of ritual magic. The binding of the Assamites, the creation of the Gargoyles and the clan founders’ very transformation from mortal to Kindred are examples of the power available through Hermetic blood ritual.

New rituals are far easier to develop than new paths, as shown by the earliest practitioners of the Discipline; blood magic rituals were the first form of Thaumaturgy developed by the Warlocks. The clan can quickly and effectively fashion rites to meet its needs. Blood magic formulae allow a magus to quantify and define the effects of her magic by laying out the steps in a pattern. Whereas each step of a path builds on the previous one, through application of Hermetic principles and formulae, a magus can develop a new ritual independently.

Similarly, the only limit to a ritual’s power is the blood magician’s understanding of the overall principles of Thaumaturgy. A magus must learn each path’s permutations separately. Rituals have no prerequisites beyond the basic understanding of the sorcerous arts of the blood. This allows a magus to pick and choose which effects he wants to develop, rather than advancing through a rather static progression of a path. As a result, many magi know far more rituals than they do paths.

Although the paths may represent the highest potential of blood magic, rituals are usually more practical to employ. Even the most innovative, non-traditional practitioners of the art rely on them for a variety of tasks.

All thaumaturges and necromancers have the ability to use rituals, though each individual ritual must be learned separately. By acquainting herself with the arcane practice of blood magic, the caster gains the capacity to manipulate these focused effects.

Rituals are rated from 1 to 5, each level corresponding to both the level of mastery of Thaumaturgy or Necromancy the would-be caster must possess and the relative power of the ritual itself. Unless stated otherwise, a ritual requires five minutes per level to cast.

Casting rituals requires a successful Intelligence + Occult roll, for which the difficulty equals 3 + the level of the ritual (maximum 9). Only one success is required for a ritual to work, though certain spells may require more successes or have variable effects based on how well the caster’s roll goes. Should a roll to activate a ritual fail, it likely results in strange occurrences or side effects. A botched ritual roll may even indicate a catastrophic failure or summon an ill-tempered demon.

Rituals sometimes require special ingredients or reagents to work — these are noted in each ritual’s description. Common components include herbs, animal bones, ceremonial items, feathers, eye of newt, tongue of toad, etc. Acquiring magical components for a powerful ritual may form the basis for an entire story.

At the first level of Thaumaturgy or Necromancy, the vampire automatically gains a single Level One ritual. To learn further rituals, the blood sorcerer must find someone to teach him, or learn the ritual from a scroll, tome, or other archive.

The V20 Rites of the Blood book is used here, and it further expands on the thematic and mechanical properties of Blood Sorcery Rituals, establishing the Principles of Blood, Will, Knowledge, Identity and Sympathetic Magic.

A Ritual requires a successful Intelligence + Occult vs with only one success required. Failures result in strangeness, botches result in Very Bad Things™. Additionally, Rituals often require ingredients and/or the expenditure of vitae.

The Principle of Blood is easiest to understand. Simply put, blood magic is completely dependent on the application of Kindred vitae. No non-vampire can ever work blood magic as it is performed by Kindred. Ghouls and revenants who receive extensive training from their sorcerous regnants (and after many years of study) may command a few minor paths and rituals. However, even this simple mastery requires the regnant’s vitae coursing through their veins.

Without exception, every power associated with every blood magic path requires the expenditure of at least one point of vitae.

The Principle of Will is equally straightforward. Every manifestation of blood sorcery is the result of the vampire focusing and exerting his will to bring the effect into existence. It is important to underline that blood sorcery requires the exertion of will to succeed – not the faith of belief. Actual religious devotion is not a requirement, although there are sects and cults who confuse this (potentially leading to a heightened risk of malefic possession).

Mechanically, the Principle of Will means that all activation rolls for blood magic path powers are Willpower rolls. It is impossible for any blood magician to accidentally unleash a blood magic effect, such as in frenzy. Although successful blood magic is highly unlikely to deviate from the magician’s desired result, botches can be catastrophically harmful. This may be reflected in the loss of a temporary or permanent dot of Willpower, or some other effect at the Storyteller’s discretion.

The Principle of Knowledge holds that a vampire cannot learn any form of blood magic either intuitively or through observation of another practitioner. Each aspiring magician must actively study the occult lore associated with her school and develop a deep empirical knowledge of the arcane practices that go into each path and each ritual.

The Principle of Knowledge has its greatest relevance in the area of rituals, as almost all rolls to enact rituals are Intelligence + Occult, with the exception of certain obscure schools. Whichever path the sorcerer studies first informs his understanding of all other paths. As such, no secondary path rating can ever exceed his primary path rating.

Next, the Principle of Identity defines the level of connection that allows the blood magician to properly target his magic. When invoking the powers associated with most paths, the magician must direct his attention to himself or to some personage or thing within his field of view.

It is generally impossible to target something the magician sees on television or through other means with a Path effect. Indeed, for some Path effects, even line-of-sight is insufficient and the magician must be especially near or even physically touch the target. A noted exception are some Anarch ‘hacktivist’ thaumaturges, who are able to push against the edges of this limitation by focusing their magic through ritually-prepared CCTV cameras.

Rituals allow for greater range, but even they are limited in that the blood magician must supernaturally identify a distant target. In ancient times, this could be achieved by invoking True Names, but the power of such naming has diminished over the centuries, and tonight, only spirits and a handful of similar, ancient creatures can be bound in such a manner. Many schools of blood magic traffic in ancient lists detailing the True Names of angels, demons, totems and other spirits, especially the Tremere.

For modern, material beings, blood may serve instead. This is especially true for vampires, and a single point of vitae properly incorporated into a ritual can allow the ritualist to strike her target across any distance.

For most other rituals and circumstances, the connection between a ritualist and their target is achieved through sympathetic magic.

Finally, the lesser Principles of Contagion and Sympathy, often seen as subsidiary to the Principle of Identity, collectively describe what is meant by the phenomena of sympathetic magic: The process by which a blood magician attempts to target someone or something beyond his immediate presence.

The Principle of Contagion states that things that were once connected or once part of a single whole retain a link even after they are separated. The stronger the physical or emotional connection was during its existence, the stronger the link after separation.

When using a ritual against a distant target, it is helpful to incorporate something that was once part of the target, or in their possession. Ideally, the most powerful such element would be the target’s own blood. Less intimate connections impose a correspondingly steeper dice penalty on the ritual roll.

The Principle of Sympathy can be summarized by the aphorism that “like produces like.” Thus, two things which are similar in some ways can, through magic, be made similar in other ways as well. The ‘voodoo doll’ fetishes associated with some Necromancy schools are a prime example of this principle.

The vampire must craft the effigy to be used in the ritual with an Intelligence + Artistry roll (difficulty 8). A sympathetic element (see the chart above) must be incorporated in the doll’s construction, such as the target’s name or a lock of their hair. Every success on the Intelligence + Artistry roll reduces the difficulty modifier given by a weak connection to the subsequent Intelligence + Occult roll by 1. Successes on this roll cannot modify the difficulty by more than the vampire’s rating in his highest blood magic path. It can not reduce the penalty imposed by a weak connection to below zero.

Learning a ritual in play can be achieved in a number of ways. We have chosen to use the rules here given in V20 Rites of the Blood.

The first step in learning a ritual in play is to start a job stating the name of the ritual, what IC/narrative steps you are taking to learn it, and then (if necessary) to roll out the results. If you are learning from an IC teacher such as an approved NPC Mentor or another PC with an Instruction equal to the ritual level, you should note as such in the job. You may then proceed to the next step. If you do not have access to the above, you must discover the ritual yourself.

• You must commence an extended Intelligence + Investigation vs (Ritual Level + 3) requiring a total of Ritual Level x 5 successes. Each roll requires one RL week. You may substitute Intelligence + Academics, if you have the Research specialty for Academics.
  • If you are a Tremere PC with the ‘Keys to the Library’ merit, you may add as many dice to this roll as you have merit dots – provided your merit rating is equal to or higher than the ritual being sought.

Immediately proceed to the second step when you have accumulated enough successes (you don’t need to wait the extra week!). Having discovered the ritual, the second step involves learning the ritual itself.

• This requires an extended Intelligence + Occult vs (Ritual Level + 3) requiring a total of Ritual Level x 5 successes. Each roll requires one RL week.
  • If you are a Tremere PC with an approved Mentor NPC (i.e., a Mentor that the Director agrees has and is willing to teach this ritual), you may add your Mentor dice to the roll. If you are learning from another PC, you may add your teacher’s Instruction rating to this roll, instead.
  • If you are a Tremere PC with the Keys to the Library Merit, you may add as many dice to this roll as you have merit dots – provided your merit rating is equal to or higher than the ritual being sought.
  • In the extraordinary event of studying a ritual from a different school (which likely requires either a willing PC teacher, or somehow acquiring or stealing access to their arcane lore), you must take extra effort to reframe the ritual in the trappings of the ritualist’s own school. This doubles or even triples the number of successes required to learn the ritual.

Immediately proceed to the third step when you have accumulated enough successes. Having now discovered and learned the ritual, the third and final step is paying for it.

• The base XP cost for a ritual native to your in-Clan Discipline and ‘school’, (such as a Tremere Warlock learning a Tremere Thaumaturgy ritual) is x 2.
• The base XP cost for adapting a ritual that isn’t native to your ‘school’ , yet still related to your in-Clan Discipline (such as a Tremere Warlock with Thaumaturgy attempting to learn an Anarch Thaumaturgy ritual) is x 3. This is also the minimum that characters pay who somehow acquire Thaumaturgy or something like Necromancy as an out of clan Discipline.
• The base XP cost for attempting to learn a ritual that is neither native to your Clan nor ‘school’ (such as a Tremere Warlock attempting to learn a Koldunic Sorcery or Necromancy ritual) is x 4.
• You may subtract 1 XP from the cost for the ritual for every logged scene, from the very beginning of discovery and throughout learning, that related to acquiring mastery of the ritual. You may subtract up to half the cost of the ritual in this fashion.
  • If you are a Tremere PC with a high enough Keys to the Library Merit, you may subtract an additional 1 XP from the cost of the ritual.