Mage ●
Spells ● Verminous Metamorphosis
Much like the miracle that allowed
for the transformation of Moses’ staff,
this spell enables a mage to alter a piece
(or pieces) of lifeless material into
simple vermin, such as spiders, scorpions
or biting flies. Some mages are
known to fling a fistful of small change
or pebbles, transforming the objects in
mid-flight to harry (or even seriously
harm) enemies.
Successes determine the number of
objects (coins, staves) that are transformed,
and the size of the swarm
created.
Successes = Targets
1 = 1 (becomes a 1-yard radius swarm)
2 = 2 (becomes a 2-yard radius swarm)
3 = 4 (become a 4-yard radius swarm)
4 = 8 (becomes a 8-yard radius swarm)
5 = 16 (becomes a 16-yard radius swarm)
The creatures can be various types of
vermin. In the case of a swarm of stinging
insects, it usually attacks any person
or persons within its radius. (The caster
can direct the swarm with the Life 2
“Control Base Life” spell, p. 182.) The
damage the swarm inflicts depends on
its density. All sizes listed above deliver
one die of bashing damage to anyone within the radius. A swarm
can inflict more damage by condensing.
Using the success chart above, add
one die per step smaller on the chart.
For example, a 16-yard-radius swarm
(five successes) that condenses to a
two-yard radius (two successes) inflicts
four dice of bashing damage. Armor is
effective only if it covers the full body,
and then it provides only half its rating
(rounded down).
In addition, the vermin can be given
venom if the caster imposes a –2 dice
penalty on the casting roll. If a victim
suffers at least one Health wound, he
must contend with the venom with a
reflexive Stamina + Survival roll. If it
succeeds, he suffers no effect; if it fails,
his physical-action dice pools suffer a –
2 penalty for the rest of the scene or
until he receives an antivenin (based
on whatever creature the mage conjures).
This penalty is cumulative. If a
victim suffers successive bites and the
Stamina + Survival roll fails, his penalties
are added together.
The vermin created are mindless
and act solely on instinct (and thus
this spell is best used to create naturally
aggressive insectile vermin).
Free Council Rote: Stinging Pestilence
Council willworkers use this rote to
buy precious time when being pursued
by those hostile to them, or to sow
confusion and fear among foes. Silver
Ladder mages use their own version of
the rote (Intelligence + Animal Ken +
Life) to turn even random detritus into
a weapon again enemies.
