Post by Andrei on Jun 12, 2007 16:39:34 GMT
Developed by a Tremere Kabbalah scholar, this little-known path of Thaumaturgy has been around for a few centuries and remains in practice by a select few. Practitioners of the Focused Mind greatly enhance their mental alacrity and readiness, allowing better comprehension of problems and situations. Thaumaturges, already disciplined of mind, become frightfully powerful in the realm of the cerebral when mastering this path.
Unlike most Thaumaturgy, the powers of this path do not require an action to invoke, although they still require the normal blood expenditure. Each of these powers is usable only once per post.
1 • Readiness
Using Readiness makes the caster able to gain a quicker understanding on a predicament. Enhanced lucidity enlightens the caster, allowing better reactions to changing situations and increased cleverness. This power is only usable on the thaumaturge himself.
2 • Centering
By invoking this power, the thaumaturge causes a sudden, intense calmness in the subject by whispering soothing words to her. While under this serenity, the target is able to better focus on tasks at hand, ignoring distractions and annoyances, including grave bodily harm.
Magi in fear of frenzy often use this power on themselves to achieve a state of tranquility, as emotions are stifled.
This power is usable on any subject within earshot of the thaumaturge and lasts for one post per attempt.
3 • One-Tracked Mind
By extending his powers to other individuals, the thaumaturge is able to fixate the subject on one action. This single-mindedness of the target is such that they ignore everything else that occurs around them. Use of this power is sometimes colloquially referred to as ''railroading someone.'' This power may affect anyone who can hear the thaumaturge.
4 • Dual Thought
With the rigors of concentration required to learn Thaumaturgy, many Tremere are able to take quick and complete control of a situation. With this power, the thaumaturge is able to divide his attention to two completely separate tasks without problems. As One-Tracked Mind forces the subject’s attention into a single objective, Dual Thought expands the thaumaturge’s concentration to the point that focus upon two goals is possible.
Successful use of Dual Thought allows the caster to take an extra action during his turn. This is restricted to mental actions, be it the use of Disciplines such as the use of Auspex or Thaumaturgy, or the contemplation of some problem.
5 • Perfect Clarity
Perfect Clarity brings about a Zenlike moment of unimpeded insight for the thaumaturge. Pure focus is achieved, thought and action become one, and complete serenity of mind descends upon the Kindred magus. This lucidity protects the thaumaturge from influences both internal and external; even the Beast within is unable to rage forth.
Some practitioners have likened use of this power with the state of Golconda (theoretically, of course), but the upper Tremere hierarchy denies this rumor as much as they deride the existence Golconda itself. This power lasts for the duration of one page. The Kindred is immune to frenzy and Rotschreck from all sources, even by supernatural means. Finally, any means to control or influence the thaumaturge suffer a X2 difficulty, including the powers of Presence and Dominate.
Unlike most Thaumaturgy, the powers of this path do not require an action to invoke, although they still require the normal blood expenditure. Each of these powers is usable only once per post.
1 • Readiness
Using Readiness makes the caster able to gain a quicker understanding on a predicament. Enhanced lucidity enlightens the caster, allowing better reactions to changing situations and increased cleverness. This power is only usable on the thaumaturge himself.
2 • Centering
By invoking this power, the thaumaturge causes a sudden, intense calmness in the subject by whispering soothing words to her. While under this serenity, the target is able to better focus on tasks at hand, ignoring distractions and annoyances, including grave bodily harm.
Magi in fear of frenzy often use this power on themselves to achieve a state of tranquility, as emotions are stifled.
This power is usable on any subject within earshot of the thaumaturge and lasts for one post per attempt.
3 • One-Tracked Mind
By extending his powers to other individuals, the thaumaturge is able to fixate the subject on one action. This single-mindedness of the target is such that they ignore everything else that occurs around them. Use of this power is sometimes colloquially referred to as ''railroading someone.'' This power may affect anyone who can hear the thaumaturge.
4 • Dual Thought
With the rigors of concentration required to learn Thaumaturgy, many Tremere are able to take quick and complete control of a situation. With this power, the thaumaturge is able to divide his attention to two completely separate tasks without problems. As One-Tracked Mind forces the subject’s attention into a single objective, Dual Thought expands the thaumaturge’s concentration to the point that focus upon two goals is possible.
Successful use of Dual Thought allows the caster to take an extra action during his turn. This is restricted to mental actions, be it the use of Disciplines such as the use of Auspex or Thaumaturgy, or the contemplation of some problem.
5 • Perfect Clarity
Perfect Clarity brings about a Zenlike moment of unimpeded insight for the thaumaturge. Pure focus is achieved, thought and action become one, and complete serenity of mind descends upon the Kindred magus. This lucidity protects the thaumaturge from influences both internal and external; even the Beast within is unable to rage forth.
Some practitioners have likened use of this power with the state of Golconda (theoretically, of course), but the upper Tremere hierarchy denies this rumor as much as they deride the existence Golconda itself. This power lasts for the duration of one page. The Kindred is immune to frenzy and Rotschreck from all sources, even by supernatural means. Finally, any means to control or influence the thaumaturge suffer a X2 difficulty, including the powers of Presence and Dominate.
