Werewolf: The Forsaken - Blank It

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Chapter II: Character
that has become quite popular in the last few decades — requires
the ritualist to draw a chalk circle around the fringes
of a room or glade before summoning the spirit. Creating
the circle requires 20 successes on an extended Intelligence
+ Occult roll. Each roll represents one minute of work. The
circle is marked with dozens of Uratha claw-sigils, and a
complex half-howling chant is performed before the spirit
is summoned. Once the spirit has been summoned into the
circle (via an appropriate rite, such as Summon Gaffling),
the werewolf must complete the last notes of the howl
before the spirit realizes what is going on and escapes.
To bind a spirit that is already present, the ritualist
may be able to complete the aforementioned circle in secret.
For example, a particularly clever werewolf might be able to
convince a night-spirit that the circle he is drawing represents
the spirit’s “star chart.” If that cannot be done — it isn’t likely,
Luna knows — he must somehow wrap the rite’s subject three
times in silvered thread (which is impossible to do in the material
world) and then perform the aforementioned chant. That
silvered thread can easily be broken until the third loop is complete.
After that, it cannot be broken at all unless the ritualist
makes a mistake in the chant. In the physical world, a spirit
may be encircled by physically holding its host on the spot.
This rite doesn’t work on ghosts.
Dice Pool: Harmony versus spirit’s Resistance
Action: Instant (once circle has been prepared)
Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: The binding circle or silver thread
is broken, and the spirit gains an extra point of Resistance
for the duration of the scene.
Failure: An equal number or the most successes are
rolled for the spirit. The binding circle or silver thread is
broken, and the spirit may escape.
Success: The most successes are rolled for the ritemaster.
The spirit is successfully bound and cannot break
free except under a few circumstances:
• If the ritualist that binds the spirit releases it with
the phrase, “I release you” or its equivalent.
• If the binding circle is broken or the silver thread is
snapped by an outside force.
• The ritemaster must designate one other way that the
spirit can be freed, and he must express this method to at
least two other entities within an hour of the spirit’s binding.
One of those two may be the spirit, but it doesn’t have to be.
Exceptional Success: The most successes — five or
more — are rolled for the ritemaster. The werewolf may
choose to strip a point of Essence from the spirit and use it
to refresh a spent point of Essence of his own.
Suggested Modifiers
Modifier Situation
+1 or more The werewolf outranks the spirit*
–1 or more The spirit outranks the werewolf*
*The werewolf’s honorary Rank as determined by total
Renown (see p. 272) is compared to the Rank of the spirit
summoned. If the werewolf outranks the spirit, the Harmony
roll for the ritemaster gains a bonus equal to the difference.
If a werewolf with a total of 13 Renown (equivalent to Rank
3) calls a lesser Gaffling (Rank 1), rolls made for the werewolf
receive a two-die bonus. If the werewolf’s honorary Rank is
less than the spirit’s Rank, the roll made for the ritemaster
suffers a penalty equal to the difference.
Call Jaggling (•••)
This rite is a more powerful version of Call Gaffling.
Jagglings are more independent and powerful spirits than
Gafflings, and are more likely to resist the sweet summons of
chiminage. And yet, a Jaggling servant — even a temporary
one — is a valuable tool for any werewolf, so this ritual is a
valued tool among Ithaeur. Jagglings are even less likely to be
sympathetic to an Uratha summons than Gafflings are, and
the wise werewolf is especially cautious when summoning.
Jagglings are likely to treat a werewolf of low Renown (highest
trait rated 1 or 2) with open contempt, while they respond
more favorably to a more accomplished werewolf.
Performing the Rite: This rite is very similar to Call
Gaffling, but the ritualist must provide richer chiminage,
and his howl of summons must be customized to the type
of Jaggling he wishes to summon. A common howl of summoning
doesn’t suffice. If the werewolf wants a stag-spirit,
he must howl a specific call to the Children of Stag. The
rite takes around several minutes to perform.
Dice Pool: Harmony (versus spirit’s Resistance)
Action: Extended (50 successes needed; each roll
represents one minute); potentially contested
Roll Results
Dramatic Failure: All accumulated successes are lost;
the ritemaster must begin again.
Failure: No successes are added.
Success: Most Jagglings come automatically once the
required successes are gathered. A Jaggling with an important
duty may attempt to resist the call. In that case, the
Jaggling’s Resistance is rolled to fight the summons. The
ritual becomes an extended and contested action. Each
side accumulates successes and the first to gather 50 wins.
In the spirit’s case, it refuses the summons and another
may respond in its place or the werewolf beckons none. In
the werewolf’s case, the spirit responds normally.
Once the spirit has been summoned, the ritualist
must bargain for its services or bind it.
Exceptional Success: Several successes are gained. In
an extended and contested action, the opponent suffers a –1
penalty to all subsequent rolls. This penalty is cumulative if
one side achieves more than one exceptional success.
Suggested Modifiers
Modifier Situation
+2 Chiminage is very valuable to the spirit
+1 or more The werewolf outranks the spirit*
+1 Chiminage is particularly valuable to the spirit
+1 Spirit is particularly disposed toward the
ritemaster’s tribe or auspice (a metal-spirit