Tapas, Rituals of Penance
Level-One Crúac Ritual
Throughout the stories of the Thai people, devotees of the Devi would perform rituals of sacrifice in the hopes of receiving blessings from their patrons. Rather than one specific ritual, the Tapas are a suite of rituals used to grant the penitent bonuses to certain dice pools depending on which spirit receives the sacrifice. The bonus lasts for one scene, but each one must be purchased as a separate ritual to a different member of the pantheon; three examples are listed below.
Effect
Tapas to Ma Durga: Calling out to the destroyer of demons, a petitioner must make an offering of the precious blood from her own tongue without showing signs of pain or suffering. This does not cause any damage, but requires a Resolve + Composure roll to resist a display of pain (add any dots in the Iron Stamina Merit to this pool). On successful activation of the ritual, Ma Durga grants the penitent two dice to any Weaponry roll that pertains to swords, Durga’s preferred weapon.
Tapas to Brahma: Like Shurpanakha’s wicked brother, a petitioner calls out to Shiva and stands on one foot for a full turn. Upon successful activation of the ritual, the penitent is gifted with a bonus of two dice to Politics rolls, or three dice for Politics rolls involving conquest or political domination.
Tapas to Hannuman: The King of the Monkeys was a great friend of Lord Rama, and a master of beasts. A penitent seeking Hannuman’s boon must symbolically break the neck of a hog or boar; this can be as simple as drawing a picture of the animal and tearing the paper in half. Upon successful activation of the ritual, the penitent receives a bonus of two dice to all Animal Ken rolls for a scene.
Tapas to Brahma: Like Shurpanakha’s wicked brother, a petitioner calls out to Shiva and stands on one foot for a full turn. Upon successful activation of the ritual, the penitent is gifted with a bonus of two dice to Politics rolls, or three dice for Politics rolls involving conquest or political domination.
Tapas to Hannuman: The King of the Monkeys was a great friend of Lord Rama, and a master of beasts. A penitent seeking Hannuman’s boon must symbolically break the neck of a hog or boar; this can be as simple as drawing a picture of the animal and tearing the paper in half. Upon successful activation of the ritual, the penitent receives a bonus of two dice to all Animal Ken rolls for a scene.
Associated Bloodline
Kinnaree
Kinnaree