WoD Loci

A locus is a wellspring of Essence where the space between Shadow and the skin-world is thin. Each locus also has a specific Resonance, which influences the area around the locus in both skin-world and Shadow.

• Essence: A locus generates (Rating x3) points of Essence per day, and can hold (Rating x10) Essence in its "reserve." A locus that generates Essence in excess of this bleeds that Essence into the environment within its Influence, which is called "free Essence."
• Touchstones: A locus is invested in a central physical object that acts as the center for that Resonance.
• Influence: Loci generate an area of "influence" in which their Resonance strongly bleeds into the world. This causes all manner of strange manifestations.
• Liminal Space: Those seeking access to Shadow - whether spiritual or physical passage - generally must do so at a locus.
• Harvesting Free Essence: To draw Essence from a locus, a shapeshifter must touch the Touchstone and make a Presence + Harmony test, taking one point of Essence per success, at a rate of one Essence per minute. This may only be done once per day for free; each subsequent attempt costs 1 Willpower.
• Harvesting Locus Essence: If a locus' reserve is drained, it can be tapped for more Essence; this is a Presence + Harmony test at a penalty equal to the locus' rating. Each success gains one Essence as usual, but for each five points of Essence so drained from an empty locus, the locus rating drops by 1. A locus recovers dots at a rate of one per lunar month.

Detecting A Locus

• A creature capable of using Essence can sometimes detect the presence of one when he enters its Influence area.
• This is a reflexive Wits + Composure test, at a penalty equal to (5 - locus rating) to the roll.
• This detection always manifests as the so-called "Resonance Visions" that loci have.

Spirits & Loci

• Spirit Concealment: Spirits of attuned Resonance as the locus can conceal themselves within its influence, inflicting a penalty equal to the rating to avoid being seen or tracked.
• Spiritual Healing: Spirits reform or regenerate twice as quickly at loci as long as their resonances are generally compatible.

Creation and Destruction

• Creation: 150 points of free Essence with the same Resonance must be allowed to accumulate and gather in a given area and to remain there undisturbed for a full week without being consumed or disturbed. At that point, the Essence achieves a spiritual "critical mass" and the locus comes into being with all the benefits above. They can be strengthened the same way, increasing by one dot for each 150 points.
• Destruction: Destroying the Touchstone of a locus will disrupt it, but it is likely to reform unless the ambient Resonance is also fought in some fashion, usually by introducing 150 points of Essence of a different Resonance, which will reduce it by one dot.