Bodhisattvas of the Broken Cage

Bodhisattva, Agent of Change, Succubus/Incubus (intended as offensive, but rarely taken that way)

Lords of Summer pps. 43-46
Wyrd	●●
Court	Spring
Preqs	Wits ●●● Fleeting Spring ●
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The Bodhisattvas of the Broken Cage are dedicated to encouraging individuals (both human and Lost) to break out of the rut of habit, conformity and social acceptability. Depending on the Bodhisattva, this might be focused on a specific “cause,” like encouraging illegal recreational drug use, pushing for “bleeding edge” fashion trends or inspiring new and innovative uses for technology. Alternately, it might also focus on a particular individual or group, either serving as a personal muse, nag or bully to a particular individual (and then moving on when he has gained enough momentum to continue his forward movement on his own) or by acting in a similar fashion for an entire subset of society.

While the Bodhisattvas are living embodiments of the Spring Court tenet, “Desire Inspires Growth,” their methods are not always beneficial or even safe for those they choose to “help” with growth.

Mien

The Bodhisattvas are all about change, progress and evolution, and their mien reflects that in a tangible, if disturbing manner. A Bodhisattva’s appearance constantly, but subtly, shifts. These changes are uncontrollable and can, over time, result in significant changes to the Bodhisattva’s appearance, although the changeling’s current visage always seems natural and somehow “right” to them. Eye color, hair color and texture, skin tones, facial features, body shape, stature and vocal timber can all shift, although the changes are rarely enough to fool those who see the changeling on any sort of regular basis. Some Bodhisattva have been known, over time, to gradually shift physical forms from male to female or vice versa, although this change takes a matter of months or years during which the Bodhisattva manifests androgynous features (neither strongly male or female) or hermaphroditic ones (both male and female, such as a feminine shape but masculine facial hair). These changes do not affect the Mask.

The one feature which does not change, and is considered by some to be the true mien of the Bodhisattva (with the shifting of features being merely an affectation) is a golden glowing aura which emanates from them. This light does not affect Darklings as the sun’s light does, but it is enough to serve as a subtle source of illumination in darkness (or to make it difficult for them to hide in shadowy environs.)

Sprung Door ●● (Privilege)

This token takes the form of some variation of a broken door. The stereotypical manifestation (if any such thing can be said to exist) is a tiny golden birdcage with a sprung door. Regardless of the specific symbol, the token is normally crafted in the form of a piece of jewelry (pendant, earring, brooch or bracelet charm), although it can also take the form of a piece of clothing like a batik scarf, embroidered sash or elaborately painted biker’s jacket.

While the gifting of the token from one Bodhisattva to a new member is an important symbolic invitation into the entitlement, the exact cage gifted does not have to be the one empowered to become the token, allowing a new recruit to create (or commission) a piece which suits her own individual style. Should it be stolen or destroyed (or simply become passé) the owner can spend a point of Glamour to disinvest her connection with the old symbol and a point of Willpower to connect herself with a new piece that takes on the qualities of the Sprung Door. Only one token of this kind can be associated with any given character at a time.

The Sprung Door gives a +3 dice to any Social challenge involving an attempt to get the subject to thwart social mores, break out of established habits or comfortable patterns, or try new things. If the Bodhisattva has successfully used Cupid’s Eye to determine that the course of action she is attempting to influence the subject into is something that he truly desires to do, she receives an additional +2 dice to the above Social challenge.

Drawback: On fellow members of the entitlement, any Agent of Change suffers from a –2 penalty to any active Presence or Manipulation challenges (this penalty affects only the character attempting the action, not the defending Bodhisattva.) This disadvantage occurs regardless of whether the Bodhisattva was attempting to use the Token or not, and happens even if the Token is not present (or if the Bodhisattva has temporarily divested herself of the Token altogether).