sol invictus.indd

CHAPTER 2 • EXTENDED CHARM TREESThe air around the Solar fills with burning,blinding light. Her form seems to grow, her shadowlengthen. Those who look upon her see not herface, but only her shape, silhouetted black beforethe inescapable light of the sun. Any characteropposing the Solar who can see her must roll hisValor against a difficulty equal to half the Solar’sPermanent Essence, rounded up; on a failure, hecannot attack the Solar or enter within 10 feet of himwhile this Charm remains in effect. In addition, anyservants of darkness (walking dead, nemessaries,First Circle demons, etc.) who fail this roll areovercome with pain — they fall to the ground inplace, unable to take any action other than to slowlycrawl away from the character. This Charm doesnot affect anyone with a Permanent Essence greaterthan the Exalt’s.MAJESTY’S BIDDINGCost: 8 motesDuration: InstantType: SimpleMinimum Presence: 6Minimum Essence: 6Prerequisite Charms: Command VoiceThe Solar’s demeanor so perfectly matches theimage of leadership that no one can resist her directcommands. By spending 8 motes, the Exalt cantarget any one person with a Permanent Essenceless than or equal to her own with an irresistableorder. Regardless of the target’s normal intentionsand nature, he must follow the given order to thebest of his ability. This order must be a specific taskwith a set duration or manner of completion —“Serve me forever” is not an acceptable command.The target instinctively understands that they haveno choice but to obey the order, and will do sowithout bitterness or anger, though otherwise theiremotional state is not affected.AURA OF DREADCost: 5 motesDuration: One sceneType: SimpleMinimum Presence: 4Minimum Essence: 2Prerequisite Charms: Prey-Freezing GazeProjecting a fearsome and unsettling aura, theSolar ensures that no one comes too near to him.For the scene, the Exalt gives off an unsettling senseof danger, which anyone who sees him will feel.Anyone with a Willpower less than or equal to theExalt’s Permanent Essence cannot enter withinten feet of him due to the horrible fear it causes inthem; anyone whose Willpower is less than or equalto the Solar’s cannot do so without a successfulValor roll. This Charm has no effect if used duringa raging combat, but it can prevent such a combatfrom beginning if no opponents are willing to comeclose enough to attack.UNAPPROACHABLE VISAGECost: 4 motes, 1 WillpowerType: SimpleDuration: One sceneMinimum Presence: 5Minimum Essence: 3Charm Prerequisites: Aura of DreadStanding with a terrifying and unassailabledemeanor, the Solar makes the mere act of attackinghim seem insane and unimaginable to her foes. Eachturn that an opponent wishes to attack the Solar,she must pay 1 point of temporary Willpower todo so. This Charm has no effect on characters withEssence higher than that of the Solar.SHOCKING PRONOUNCEMENT STYLECost: 8 motes, 1 WillpowerDuration: Essence turnsType: SimpleMinimum Presence: 5Minimum Essence: 3Prerequisite Charms: Prey-Freezing GazeStanding before a crowd of onlookers, the Solarmakes a single pronouncement so startling andunexpected that the crowd can merely stare in shock.77