Page 52 - World of Darkness

meaning or purpose of the book still eluded her, and she was Composure, along with Resolve, is a factor in deter-
at the end of her rope. mining your character’ s Willpower. (See p. 95.) Compo-
Once she recovered sufficiently from the shock of sure is also added to Dexterity to determine your character’s
finding a priest at her door, she answered. “What?” Initiative at the beginning of a fight. (See p. 151.)
“Do you understand now? About the book? About Meditation
what it says?”
Dice Pool: Composure + Wits + equipment
Becky continued her look of disbelief. How could this Action: Extended (4 successes; one roll represents 30
perfect stranger — and a man of the cloth — know anything minutes)
about her, or more importantly the book?
Meditation is a means of relaxation and reflection
“I see,” he continued as he let himself in and shut the that is useful to counterbalance daily stresses and to re-
door. store one’s emotional center. It helps to filter out extrane-
Becky didn’t object. She could scarcely complete a thought. ous influences and allows a person to re-dedicate herself
to personal beliefs, values and aspirations. For game pur-
“You might be confused. I understand. Rest assured, poses, this practice has a powerful effect on maintaining
though, you’re the one. The book chose you. It knows emotional balance and bolstering one’s moral resolve in
you’re ready. Well, almost. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to the face of potential degeneration (the decline of one’s
help open your eyes.” And with that, everything Becky had Morality, as explained on p. 91).
stared at and studied moved about in her mind like the pieces Performing a successful meditation session requires
of a puzzle. They spun, crisscrossed and overlapped — and at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time in which your
finally formed a complete picture. Looking at it was like character turns her attention inward and tunes out the
looking at the sun. It was like staring into the void and world. Each roll represents one such 30-minute segment,
knowing that the void stared back. In that moment, Becky’s and meditation sessions can potentially run for several
mind snapped. hours as the practitioner struggles with life’s distractions
Poise. Dignity. The capacity to remain calm and ap- and seeks her focus. Situational modifiers such as the
pear — and actually be — unfazed in social and threaten- character’s mental and physical condition and environ-
ing situations, usually harrowing ones. Your character mental distractions can apply. Four successes are required
might lose his temper at the slightest perceived insult, for a rewarding effort. If successful, your character gains a
collapse emotionally under a mere pretense, weather a +1 bonus on her next degeneration roll. This bonus lasts
storm of verbal (or literal) slings and arrows, or have the until that degeneration roll is made or until the character
nerve to look unspeakable horror in the eye. This trait is a sleeps, whichever comes first. Once she awakens, she has
measure of emotional fortitude, restraint and calm. It’s to meditate again in order to reclaim the bonus. Once the
ideal among leaders, soldiers, moderators and anyone degeneration roll has been made, she can meditate again
whose movements are public consumption. Composure is for a bonus on her next roll, even if she hasn’t slept yet.
vital to resisting social influence and pressure — overt, Suggested Equipment: Yoga mat (+1), prayer beads
covert or otherworldly. (+1), meditative music or relaxation tapes (+2), medita-
Composure is pivotal to resisting supernatural forms tion room (+3)
of emotional control; it acts as a veritable emotional de- Possible Penalties: Loud noises (-1), nearby children
fense. The trait is also vital to efforts among supernatural (-1), uncomfortable environment (-1), lack of sleep (-1
beings such as vampires and werewolves to restrain them- to -2), lack of food (-1 to -3)
selves when their blood is raised and frenzy threatens.

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ATTRIBUTE DESCRIPTIONS- SOCIAL