Pain is a powerful motivator. Animals instinctively shrink
back from causes of suffering; some scientists even believe
that plants do so. Every living thing reflexively does what it
can to avoid pain. Thus, some mages find benefit in magic
intended to inflict harm upon others without having to
resort to more lasting forms of violence, whether as a tool
of interrogation or one of simple cruelty.
Successes accrued in the casting of this spell (as well as
successes accrued to resist) are treated precisely like successes
gained in the interrogation process (see The World
of Darkness, pp. 81-2). At the Storyteller’s discretion, Inflict
Agony may be used to supplement other applications of
the Intimidation Skill. Also, a Storyteller may choose to
allow a character with the Iron Stamina Merit (The World of Darkness, p. 113) to add her dots in that Merit as an
equipment bonus to her roll to contest this spell.
At Life 3, this spell requires touch. With Life 4, it may
be cast at sensory range and, at Life 5, it may be cast sympathetically.
The use of this spell on an unwilling subject
requires a check to resist degeneration when cast by any
character with a Wisdom of 4 or greater (roll three dice).
Seers of the Throne Rote: The General's Burning Gauntlet
Seers of the Praetorian Ministry are often confronted
with stubborn enemies, unwilling to reveal what they
know when offered gentler forms of persuasion. Thus,
torture occasionally becomes necessary in the pursuit of
critical intelligence… or even just the “reeducation” of
troublesome foes.
