Maple Shade Apotropaic Lore Research

Apotropaic Lore (Main Topic)

Skill: Occult
This Topic covers the very basic of cultural knowledge about methods of protecting oneself against the supernatural.

Apotropaic Lore, Basic

Obscurity: Occult 0 (General Knowledge Test applies)
Progress: 9 successes • 2 rolls

• 2 successes: The term originates with the Greek phrase apotrepein, from apo- ("away") and trepein ("to turn"). These are various techniques and bits of folklore intended to protect the individual from (traditionally) curses and hexes, but the term is used more broadly by modern folklorists to describe means by which folk protect themselves from the supernatural.
• 4 successes: Apotropaic means can be employed to both lure supernatural entities into an area, as well as prevent them from gaining entry.
  • Apotropaic Summoning (•)
  • Apotropaic Warding (•)
• 8 successes: When deployed by skilled occultists, apotropaic means can be used to not simply prevent passage of supernatural entities into an area, but to drive them away when they are there.
  • Apotropaic Abjuration (••)

Obscurity •

Apotropaic Summoning

Obscurity: Occult 1
Lore concerning the use of items to which supernatural creatures have occult responses in order to summon them into an area
Progress: –

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Apotropaic Warding

Obscurity: Occult 1
Lore concerning the myriad techniques of creating wards to keep supernatural things at bay.
Progress: 13 successe • 2 rolls

• 3 successes: Nearly every culture features techniques for keeping monsters and spirits at bay. There seems to be little agreement in methods, ingredients and philosophy, however.
• 7 successes: With sufficient study, a pattern has come to the fore. Supernatural creatures seem to have elements which ban them from entering an area or passing a barrier. These substances must be used or prepared in certain ways, however.
• 13 successes: The character learns the technique for Warding, as long as he knows the appropriate bane to use.
  • Hunters additionally learn the Tactic: Warding.

Obscurity ••

Apotropaic Abjuration

Obscurity: Occult 2
Lore concerning the various methods for repelling supernatural creatures, through the use of the materials inimical to their power.
Progress: –

Obscurity •••

Apotropaic Binding

Obscurity: Occult 3
Lore concerning the various methods for binding the will and mobility of supernatural creatures, through the use of the materials inimical to their power.
Progress: –