Page 48 - Hunter the Vigil - Mortal Remains

THE RESPOnSE

Dark Gate: For changelings, Dark Gate has a slight The Response
modification. Rather than connecting two locations
immediately, the Dark Gate opens a pathway through Unlike many supernatural monsters, the Lost find it easy
the Hedge from one locale to another. The Lost (and to hide in plain sight, masquerading as humans for as long as
anyone following them) must traverse this pathway to their mercurial temperaments allow the façade to continue.
emerge through the other Gate; this mystical route may Their physical characteristics, attitudes, and abilities are almost
be much shorter than a mundane one. Leaving the path infinitely diverse. These factors combine to make it exceedingly
during transit is possible, and results in the traveler difficult for hunter groups — even for compacts and conspira-
being lost in the Hedge. cies that have extensive information — to efficiently interpret
what data can be applied to a particular Changeling.
Absorb Energy: The “energy” most Changelings possess Each compact and conspiracy section includes an in-game
is emotional, rather than physical, in nature. Emotional example of how that hunter group might interact with one of
energy can be harvested from humans experiencing any the three Changelings detailed at the end of this chapter, with
strong positive or negative emotion. the exception of Task Force: VALKYRIE, which reports engag-
ing all three. Notes are also included that reveal how the group
Dream Seeing: All Changelings can use this Dread might encounter Changelings and their ilk, what information
Power for their own dreams, and those of their fetch. they are most likely to have on the Lost, as well as any unique
challenges the group may face when interacting with the fae.
Mixed Blessings: Changelings are masters of Mixed
Blessings. Agreements rendered with the Lost are Compacts
supernaturally binding, often in ways too cunning or
tricky for a mortal mind to grasp. The biggest challenge that the compacts face with regards
to the fae and the Lost isn’t the volume of information they can
Revelation: By expending all of her Willpower, a gather, but the diversity of fae creatures. Vampires, werewolves,
Changeling can reveal her true fae nature to those and other monsters are often easily identified based on physical
around them for a period of time. characteristics alone. A Changeling appearance can manifest as
almost anything — including vampires and werewolves! Even if
Other Dread Powers are commonly found among fae crea- a hunter is able to perceive a Lost’s true fae appearance, what
tures, but aren’t necessarily an inherent ability. These include: they find behind their Mask can be almost anything: a bestial
Dread Attack is often found amongst Beast Changelings bird-man, a sexless mannequin, a beautiful maiden, a stone
and represent their fangs, talons, and claws. Many Beast statue, a bedraggled street urchin. There are no “pale skin and
Changelings also possess Strange Form, giving them the fangs” or “piecemeal body sewn together” characteristics that
ability to transform completely into one or more animal make identifying a Changeling simple.
shapes. Fae magics are just as diverse, which makes it equally dif-
ficult for any compact to pinpoint a Changeling by his abilities.
Blackout is most commonly possessed by Changelings One of the Lost may be able to talk with inanimate objects, an-
of the Darkling Seeming, as is Lurker in Darkness. other to manipulate dreams or emotions, while a third can up-
root an oak tree and swing it like a baseball bat. They may have
Elemental Changelings often have Absorb Energy, the power of flight, shapeshifting, or time-manipulation. Some
based on whatever their elemental affinity is, as well as of the Lost can give curses and blessings, work the weather,
Tempest, which is especially appropriate for weather, or supernaturally farm the land. The possibilities are endless,
lightning, air, or electricity Elementals. and the combinations innumerable. Throw in fetches, hobgob-
lins, hedgebeasts, and the True Fae, and a compact’s dossier is
Cloak of Authority is possessed by almost all Fairest, as likely to be full of contradictions and quasi-facts that impacts
is Impress. the hunt. A cell that approaches a lycanthropic-esque Lost with
silver, based on their compact’s data on shapeshifters, may not
Crushing Blow, Giant Size, and Titan’s Strength are live to update that information back at headquarters.
common for Ogres. To make matters worse, the Lost’s state-of-mind is widely er-
ratic and unpredictable. Some may have been so mentally broken
Degradation is often possessed by Wizened Changelings, by their Durance that they are incapable of maintaining their
as is Gremlinize. humanity. Sociopathic, homicidal, paranoid, or simply mad, the
Lost are no longer bound to the constraints of human morality.
Dream Seeing, Dream Shaping, and Dream Walking Compacts may record changelings who victimize normal humans
are common among the Lost; many fae creatures are in any number of ways: physically, emotionally, or supernaturally.
masters at dream manipulation. Eye For Desire is also Cannibalism, too, is de rigueur for certain Lost groups. Theft, ar-
common, along with Curse of Failings. son, assault, and murder are also justified in many Changelings’

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