HotB Advantages are gone. Instead, we have the suaven. As mentioned earlier, your character gets 5 points to spend on the saints. The number of points you spend determines your Devotion to that saint. You may not spend more than 3 points on any single suaven.
I’ll be introducing you to the suaven throughout the week. Let’s begin with one of my favorites.
“She is the Muse of All Muses, the Inspiration for All Beauty.”
Each House has its own “high saint,” a figure of legend and mythic stature. For the Blooded of the Fox, that figure is Talia Yvarai. Founder of the Yvarai family, she lived a life of scandal, beauty and tragedy. She was cursed to never know true love, but that did not discourage her from searching for it. Her list of lovers is a who’s who of ven legends, each devoted to her haunting voice and mesmerizing eyes. But Talia was more than just a lover. She was a poet, a painter, and a musician. It is said she once stopped a war with a song. A song that cost her dearly: she could never sing again.
Her body rests in solace in Yvarai Castle, surrounded by guards who are regularly visited by the suaven in their dreams.
A common misconception of Talia’s followers is that belong to a sex cult. Talia’s priestesses are skilled lovers, but they are also painters, poets, sculptors, and musicians as well as composers. Talia’s priestesses know the proper methods of preparing and eating elegant meals, the techniques of banter and debate, as well as the high holy art of love.
In return for their devotion, the followers of Talia learn secret arts no other school or academy in the rest of the seldom sees. Talia’s “seven kisses” are taught only to those most devoted to her. Those who betray her secrets are not treated kindly.
Secrets: The Seven Kisses
Talia demands rigorous rituals and ordeals to make her followers stronger. She demands her followers win over enemies with wit, charm, and creativity. And kisses. Priestesses are taught the Seven Secret Kisses; powerful magics that have been known to enslave even the mightiest opponent. While they are called “kisses,” the powers are actually invoked by any particular kind of contact.
Each kiss requires only a moment of contact and another vital element: the target’s trust. Contact between the priestess and the target cannot be initiated by her; the target himself must touch the priestess. The priestess may extend her hand, but the target must put his own hand in hers. Without this, she cannot invoke any of her secrets.
If the target touches the priestess, she may then activate any of the effects at any time. It could be immediately or the following week or later that night, just as she invokes the power of the kiss within the current month. If the moon has passed through her phases and the follower has not invoked the power of a kiss, she must re-invoke it with another touch.
Followers of Talia are taught the Kisses by the Harlot’s most faithful devotees. Learning a Kiss requires one Season of study. You may only know a number of Kisses equal to your Devotion rank. Teaching anyone a Kiss or even telling anyone about their secrets may result in losing complete favor with Talia, and thus, losing all of her Secrets.
Invoking a Kiss requires a Fate or Chance Point.
Befuddling Kiss
When activated, this Secret causes the subject to become confused and bewildered with an overwhelming tide of emotions. The subject loses a number of dice from each action equal to half your character’s Devotion (round up). The effects last until the next sunrise.
The Black Kiss
Talia first gave her priestesses the Black Kiss in response to violence against them in her shrines. The Black Kiss may only be given under specific circumstances; it is the exception to the aforementioned rules. The priestess’ lips must be blooded (either by her own blood or another’s) and she must know the true name of the target. If she gives the Kiss with blood on her lips, whispering the target’s name, he receives a Wound. The Kiss may be maintained with the target gaining an additional Wound every round.
The Enchanting Kiss
When activated, the priestess can make the target feel the pangs of any emotion she deems fit – except love. It can be anger, jealousy, nervousness, or even heart-break, but none can cause a heart to feel untrue love… not even Talia herself. The effects of this kiss last until the next sunrise.
Goodnight Kiss
When activated, the Kiss sets the target to sleep until the next dawn. Nothing will wake him except a touch from the priestess who originally kissed him.
The Muse’s Kiss
When invoked, the target feels the pure inspirational power of the Sacred Harlot fills his heart. He gains four dice on his very next action. The effects of the kiss fade thereafter.
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Yes, I know. That’s only five Kisses. Declare your devotion to Talia and I’ll tell you more.