possible bonuses for having a genius loci

[ralexs1991]

I wanted to have my character get a genius loci and i was having trouble figuring out possible bonuses to give him for it

[finnmckool]

Well it almost seems that when he's on Demonreach he gets free declarations and assessments that have directly to do with physical things on the island. It's specified to that place but there ya go. Maybe it's just an aspect you tag to get bonuses to those declarations and assessments or survival skill checks in said area, or alertness or whatever.

[MijRai]

I'd say that it could also tell you the Catch of any foes that trespass.

[HobbitGuy1420]

'course, all this is if the Genius Loci offers Intellectus (and transfers that Intellectus to the character). 

Without it, I'd say it just grants a power boost on magic that's suitable to the place's resonance, same as other Sponsored Magic.

[wyvern]

I'd also suggest you look up a Power in the books called "demesne" - that one is listed as being for a realm in the nevernever, but a genius locii might offer similar advantages in the normal world.

[Todjaeger]

A genius loci is the 'spirit' or awareness of a place, depending on the circumstances, different places can have entirely different vibes or a feel to them than others.  Depending on just how strong or potent a place is (and any associated ley lines) can determine what sort of awareness exists, and what capabilities the place extends to a wizard performing a sanctum invocation at the site.  I suspect that the ability intellectus is quite rare, based off comments by

(click to show/hide)

Morgan in Turn Coat

. 

In terms of characters performing a sanctum invocation to gain a tie to a genius loci, which works out mechanically to spending Refresh to gain a form of Sponsored Magic, I would likely treat many if not most of the major potential sites as strategic locations/resources, which would either be already controlled or contested by other members of the supernatural community. 

For example, Stonehenge would be a classic example of a site reputed to have a set of very strong ley lines.  Assuming that this is correct, given how long that people would have known of the potential power which could be tapped at the intersection of potent ley lines, most likely that one or more individuals or groups would have claimed (or at least attempted to) Stonehenge as a sanctum, and gained access to the power of the genius loci.  Given the sort of power boost that could potentially be gained, I would expect that a strong caster (mortal or otherwise) would be required to forge the bond with the genius loci and that kind of bond would make a caster even stronger.  In other words, a big fish would become an even bigger fish, and they would have most likely already been too big for most players, at least initially.

[Wyrdrune]

if it is not intended with intellectus, I would handled it like a sponsored magic tied to that place.

[Todjaeger]

if it is not intended with intellectus, I would handled it like a sponsored magic tied to that place.

That was pretty much how I interpreted the rules of Sponsored Magic - Place Magic as well.  For essentially Refresh cost of 1, a character can get access to Sponsored Magic went casting at a particular site.  I would also likely have the genius loci have a Sponsor agenda in line with whatever type of ley line was at the site.  Some ley lines tend to have dark energy, others tends towards Warding or protection, etc...  This suggests to me that in order for someone to tap into the energy inherent at a site (the genius loci) then they need to be casting something that fits within the nature of the place.  Or at least isn't diametrically opposed to it.  For example, a dark ley line welling up from an altogether too creepy abandoned and uncharted island located out of site of land in the midst of an inland sea, and might have a tie to an ancient Spirit of Decay, would likely be somewhat less than co-operative about lending power for a casting to spur growth, development and happiness.  Or at least, that's my take on it.