Voodoo Houngans (and Mambos)

[R00kie]

One of the players in my game wants to play a Haitian Houngan (male priest in the voodoo religion).  I was hoping people could have a look through the following and see if it looks unbalanced in any way.

We agreed that he would not be a bokor (Zombie maker) since there appear to be too many associations with Necromancy. The question was how do you represent a non-bokor Houngan in the Dresden Files RPG?

We came up with the following template:

[-2]     Ritual (Ectomancy)
[-2]     Supernatural Senses (Ghosts, Loa and Spirits) (Not sure if these three are too close)
[+2]     Human Form (Spirit Possession Ritual)
[-2]     * Inhuman Strength
[-2]     * Inhuman Recovery


The increased stats would be the result of take on the abilities of a possessing loa (spirit). We agreed that summoning the possessing loa would be the result of a relatively simple ritual and didnt require any game mechanics to support it. Persuading the load to enter your body would be another matter - and depending on events we might roleplay that or base it on a rapport roll vs Good or the spirits Presenec (whichever is higher).

We noted:

• A long ceremony of summoning lasting at least 10 minutes would result in a positive modifier
• Using lots of expensive stuff in the ritual would result in a positive modifier
• Summoning with intents contrary to the spirit’s ideals or morals would act as a very big negative modifier
  
• Previous acts contrary to the spirit’s ideals or morals would act as a negative modifier
• Summoning a loa too frequently or when there is little need will act as a negative modifier

The possessing spirit provides increased strength and stamina, however it comes with a down side. Although the character remains in control the loa colours their perception. Each loa is different (and the Houngan must know the True name of the loa he is calling). Each particular loa will come with two aspects which during possession will superceed two of the Houngan's aspects. In addition each loa may come with particular skills which replace the Houngan's native skills. The Houngan's personality may change under the influence of the spirit and this may even be represented by changes in speach patterns, temprement or attitudes.

The spirit possession will last a short while (no longer than a scene) and be exhausting. This will be represented by mental stress suffered as the spirit leaves (haven't quite decided how much - maybe a point of stress per minute which will mean a 5 minute possession will require a mild consequence)

And finally - as far as I can tell allowing a Spirit to possess your body breaks none of the laws of magic.

All the rest of the Houngan's abilities seem to fall nicely into the category of Ectomancy or Potion making and even then they are supposed to be binding spirits into their potions so that seems to fit nicely. I'll let him create potions so long as he could get the same effect with Ectomancy.

Any thoughts? Does it look about right?

[Deadmanwalking]

Personally, I'd say that they need full-on Thaumaturgy, for sympathetic magic such as curses which, voodoo dolls being a myth notwithstanding, are very much a part of the mystical tradition.

I'd also say Ghost Speaker (at -1 Refresh) is all that's needed to see and interact with ghosts and the Loa, but that may be a personal thing.

Finally, it should be noted that some houngans beloved by a particular Loa, may have Sponsored Magic from the Loa in question either in addition to or instead of Thaumaturgy.

[Buscadera]

Maybe rather than a set number of abilities the houngan is given during the possession, he could have Modular Abilities, which would let him have different abilities depending on the loa/orisha/orixa possessing the captor.

I'd also go in for full-on Thaumaturgy, since he'll need to be able to do curses as Deadmanwalking pointed out and he'll need to be able to put together gris-gris bags (AKA mojo bags).

[KOFFEYKID]

Maybe give him a unique type of feeding dependency that essentially lets the Loa take control of his body for the number of scenes his has to be out of to recover his powers. During the time the possessing loa would be embracing vices unique to that Loa. For example I know some loa are supposed to dig Whiskey and Cigars, or wanton sex, etc. That could buy him a few more refresh points and it adds a mechanical means of paying the Loa.

[Deadmanwalking]

Maybe rather than a set number of abilities the houngan is given during the possession, he could have Modular Abilities, which would let him have different abilities depending on the loa/orisha/orixa possessing the captor.

This is absolutely a valid option, however, so are the set abilities, since as far as I know most cases of possession really are stated to just give enhanced strength and immunity to pain (though, thinking about it, the latter might be better represented through Inhuman Toughness than Recovery).

[R00kie]

Personally, I'd say that they need full-on Thaumaturgy, for sympathetic magic such as curses which, voodoo dolls being a myth notwithstanding, are very much a part of the mystical tradition.

I'd also say Ghost Speaker (at -1 Refresh) is all that's needed to see and interact with ghosts and the Loa, but that may be a personal thing.

Finally, it should be noted that some houngans beloved by a particular Loa, may have Sponsored Magic from the Loa in question either in addition to or instead of Thaumaturgy.

That would make the template:

[-3]     Thaumaturgy
[-1]     Ghost Speaker
[+2]     Human Form (Spirit Possession Ritual)
[-2]     * Inhuman Strength
[-2]     * Inhuman Recovery

Which looks good. He can take a specialisation in Ectomancy or Entropomancy - and possibly foci to help in the same areas.

Unfortunately in a Chest Deep campaign Sponsored magic is going to be outside his reach for a while - it would drop the character from 2 refresh to -1, but it makes perfect sense for any NPC Houngans

[Deadmanwalking]

Well, he could skip Thaumaturgy entirely for it. That would only drop him to Refresh 1. Of course, that would involve having devoted himself exclusively to the Loa in question, since all his power flows from there. So probably not what this particular person is looking for, but not outside the realm of possibilities.

[R00kie]

most cases of possession really are stated to just give enhanced strength and immunity to pain (though, thinking about it, the latter might be better represented through Inhuman Toughness than Recovery).

We thought hard about this. The armour in Inhuman toughness felt wrong. I've never hear of the possessed bouncing bullets, however the ability to 'Shrug it Off' in Inhuman Recovery felt closer to the accounts. The ideal choice would include the 'Hard to Kill' of Toughness and the 'Shrug it off' ability of Recovery

[Deadmanwalking]

Point. Still, I can see armor representing the equivalent of 'shrugging it off' if you wanted it to.

Additionally, it should be noted that you need a Catch. Probably a +0 'depends on possessing Loa' Catch, but you do still need one.

[R00kie]

Additionally, it should be noted that you need a Catch. Probably a +0 'depends on possessing Loa' Catch, but you do still need one.

Well spotted. For some reason I completely forgot the catch. Nothing springs to mind so I'll probably go with the +0 'depends on possessing Loa' Catch as suggested.

Any thoughts on the possession mechanics? Free ritual (no roll) followed by negotiation/rapport roll sound right? How tiring would you make the possession? Does the +2 human form sound right?

[Deadmanwalking]

Taking ten minutes and a roll, without getting particularly tired, combined with the +2 Human Form sounds about right.

Now, you could add a Feeding Dependency requirement to reflect getting tired, or being possessed to the Loa's own ends (as suggested above), bu as things stand, the prep-work required for the power makes the +2 Human Form appropriate, and adding on any tiring mechanic without the Houngan getting something for it (as he would with the Feeding Dependency) seems overly harsh.

[R00kie]

Brilliant.

• I wont go with modular abilities (too complex and unnecessary )
• I'll will go with Inhuman Toughness
• I'll mention the sponsored magic option but I don't think this is really what he wants so I suspect we'll drop it.
• Finally I'll put two options to the player - one with feeding dependency and one without. I'll drop the additional tiredness mechanic.

Thanks for all your help. I think we have what we need now to make the character the playe wants :)

[Deadmanwalking]

I, at least, am always happy to help.

I enjoy mucking about with how to do things in game systems, and in this particular case, while I'd considered how to make a houngan previously, the idea of using Human Form (+2) hadn't even occurred to me, so in the long run, you've probably helped me just as much as I've helped you.

[SaintAndSinner]

Personally I'd go with Sponsored magic and Ghost Speaker (enhanced version to talk to Ghosts and Loa).  Everything else would fall under rituals to get the Loa to do what you want. 

[R00kie]

Personally I'd go with Sponsored magic and Ghost Speaker (enhanced version to talk to Ghosts and Loa).  Everything else would fall under rituals to get the Loa to do what you want. 

Doesnt that run counter to the guidelines in the "Some Guidelines for Thaumaturgical Shapeshifting?" thread?