Claustritimi, Spirits of the Lintel – Magic Might 10-15 (Terram) (Spring)
Some magi favour the use of stone lintels in the construction of doorways, especially for sancta, in order to cultivate elemental spirits which can act as an extra layer of defence. These spirits are often called Claustritimi (Wardens of the Portal).
As spirits of Terram Claustritimi view the world through a lens focused very much on rigidity and permanence and as such have difficulty recognising (or even noticing) ephemeral and changeable being such as humans and animals but are highly adept at recognising more solid objects of metal or stone. As such they should not be relied on to secure a sanctum but can be a useful addition to an overall security system.
Some magi actively cultivate a Claustritimus at the entrance to their sanctum, feeding it vis and directing its growth (as much as such a thing can be directed) in the hopes of producing a more potent guardian for their sanctum. Maxentius of Flambeau has recorded one known instance where this meddling caused the spirit to become hostile, rendering the unlucky magus unable to enter his own sanctum for several weeks until a magus skilled in vim destroyed the spirit for him.
The spirit described below is a relatively weak (Might 10) Claustritimus. More powerful spirits (with more impressive lintels, or who have served a long time in an established covenant) will have improved powers to increase the initiative of their powers, or increased soak and physical abilities.
Characteristics: Int -1, Per +0, Pre +0, Com -3, Str +3, Sta +3, Dex +2, Qik -1
Qualities and Inferiorities: Greater Power x3, Lesser Power, Tough, Weak Hearing
Personality Traits: Spirit of the Lintel +3*, Protective +3
Abilities: Awareness (Intruders) 3, Brawl (Grappling) 3, Concentration (Powers) 3, Penetration (Powers) 3
Combat: Unarmed: Init -1, Attack +6, Defense +2, Damage +3*
*Successful attacks against targets of size +1 or less can pin and grapple them, and destroy or damage their equipment. See the Crush power in RoP:M pg. 136 for details.
Soak: +3
Wound Penalties: –1 (1–6), –3 (7–13), –5 (14–20), Incapacitated (21–27), Dead (28+)
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Unconscious
Description: Claustritimi have an appearance dictated by the carvings on their lintel. Typically if anything there has eyes to those with second sight it will appear that the eyes follow them around the room. Otherwise they appear as a pair of disembodied eyes in the middle of the lintel. This is distinct from their appearance when using Donning the Corporeal Veil.
Powers
Donning the Corporeal Veil (Te) 0 Might Init -2
The spirit can produce and animate a body of stone. This body is size +1 and has the same stats as the spirit itself. As it is made of stone the body is immune to any attacks other than bludgeoning and has the Crush power (see RoP:M pg. 136). This body will usually be humanoid and have an appearance reflecting the iconography on the lintel, though it is possible for Claustritimi to have bodies in the shape of animals as well (a dog shape is not uncommon) or even more unusual formations. However, the shape is always the same for a given spirit and cannot be larger than size +1. In this form it can communicate with a voice like stone grinding on stone.
Bar the Passage of the Hidden Blade (ReTe) 0 Might Init -12
R: Sight D: Concentration T: Group
By concentrating the spirit can prevent up to 100 base individuals worth of metal or stone objects from passing beneath it. Claustritimi are not well suited to recognising humans but can recognise familiar and unfamiliar tools or weapons. This can be bypassed by discarding the offending item(s) but this is enough to prevent a would-be-assassin from bringing a hidden dagger into a sanctum.
(Base 2, +2 Affect Metal, +3 Sight, +1 Concentration, +2 Group, +1 Size)
Door of Stone (CrTe) 0 Might Init +0
R: Touch D: Concentration T: Individual
By concentrating the spirit can seal the doorway with a wall of solid stone.
(Base 3, +1 Touch, +1 Concentration)
Sense the Hidden Blade (InTe) 0 Might Init -14
R: Touch D: Concentration T: Room
By concentrating the spirit can sense all the mundane properties of very object made of metal, stone, or earth in the room on either side of its doorway.
(Base 15, +1 Touch, +1 Concentration, +2 Group)
Story Seed
A serious crime has been committed against a covenant which involved the plundering of the sanctum of one of the resident magi. The crime was cleverly done – spell traces were dampened and sigils masked, leaving no way to prove who the perpetrator was. However, the Claustritimus inhabiting the victim’s sanctum door saw the whole thing and claims to be able to identify the perpetrator based on their talisman. Will the testimony of a magical spirit, and one notoriously bad at recognising people, be enough to sway the tribunal? Or will the victim use this information to take matters into their own hands…?