Arai, Spirits of Curses – Magic Might 20 (Vim) (Summer)
Wise people avoid speaking idle curses in strong magic auras, because sometimes such a curse will call forth one of the Arai - with the sole purpose of enacting vengeance on the target of the curse. Only the curse of someone who has been truly wronged can bring forth a spirit such as this. The mechanism for this determination is unknown but Gregorius of Bonisagus has claimed to have detected a short lived arcane connection between the person who utters the curse and the spirit, much like people experiencing strong emotion can sometimes form arcane connections to Eidolons.
Arai unnerve magi because it would be very easy for a demon to slip within a covenant disguised as a spirit of righteous vengeance. Unlike faeries who fulfil similar stores there is little that can dissuade an Ara from completing their task once summoned – they do not care at all for the wishes of the invoker, to carry out retribution is simply their essential nature.
Characteristics: Int +0, Per +1, Pre +2, Com +0, Str +1, Sta +3, Dex +1, Qik +2
Qualities and Inferiorities: Improved Characteristics x2, Ritual Power x3, Greater Power, Focus Power x2, Personal Power x2
Personality Traits: Spirit of Vengeance +3*, Just +3, Cruel +3
Abilities: Penetration (Powers) 8, Concentration (Powers) 5, Folk Ken (The Wronged) 5, Hunt (Tracking) 5, Awareness (Spotting Target) 3
Description: An Ara appears as a crone with charred black skin, hair made of snakes, and a huge pair of wings.
Powers
Eidolon (CrIm) 0 Might Init +2
R: Touch D: Concentration T: Individual
The spirit can take on an incorporeal form which can be seen and heard by material beings. It matches the description given above.
Ruler of Flesh (Co) Variable Might Init Quickness-Magnitude
The spirit can replicate any effect related to Flesh of up to level 20 at a cost of 1 might per magnitude.
Material Anchor (CrVi) 4 Might Init 0 Ritual
R: Touch D: Concentration T: Individual
This ritual-like power either forms an Arcane Connection to a particular person or place, or makes an object into an Arcane Connection to the spirit itself. The spirit must be in the physical location of the object it is making into an Arcane Connection, and must penetrate Magic Resistance as usual.
This version of the power creates an indefinite connection. The Arai use this power to create an arcane connection for increased penetration on their other powers.
Material Anchor (TeCo) Variable Might Init 2 – Might cost
R/D/T: Variable
Duplicates any non-Ritual spell pertaining to flesh no greater than 20th level, at a cost of 1 Might point per magnitude of the effect.
Sight Beyond Sight (InIm) 1 Might Init +2
R: Personal D: Concentration T: Vision
All five senses of the creature operate at a distance, as far as the creature can see. This gives the creature supernaturally aware of everything which occurs, and it is exceptionally difficult to catch it by surprise.
Inflict Malediction (Vi) 10 Might Init -18 Ritual
R: Touch D: Momentary T: Individual
Inflicts the flaw Greater Malediction . In most cases this will be permanent which reduces the actual might score of the spirit. This is a catch all for non-fatal curses. The spirit has a strong sense of justice and will always inflict something proportional to the offence, though it will take into account the requests of the person who summoned it. If the appropriate response to a transgression would be death then instead of this power the summoned spirit would have something replicating Clenching Grasp of the Crushed Heart.
Story Seed
One of the covenant’s more prominent grogs falls suddenly ill with an embarrassing venereal disease which escalates until they are incapacitated and near death. A magical investigation will reveal that the illness is being caused by magic. The natural assumption is a hostile magus but in fact the cause is an Ara summoned accidentally by another grog who found the curse victim in bed with their spouse. The Ara is perpetuating the supernatural illness with its Ruler of Flesh power and an arcane connection it formed to the victim. Now the grog who spoke the curse lives in fear it will be discovered they are responsible, but the spirit will not leave despite ardent pleas.