* Find Path
This evocation permits the Malefactor to determine if a path exists between
herself and a destination that fits the criteria she requires. The path is
visible only to the demon and anyone she touches, revealing itself as a faint,
silver-blue line, like a ray of moonlight. Examples would be: A safe pathway
through a swamp, or a pathway through a field that lets her remain unseen.
This does not allow the demon to search for a person, place or object.
Torment: Monstrous demons are able to seek paths just as their more human
peers can, but the more Tormented the demon is, the more difficult it becomes.
The more murderous the demon is, the less she is prepared to perform a concentrated
search.
** Lay Path
At this level, a Malefactor doesn't have to look for a useful path. She can
lay one to suit her needs, though it's not something that can be done on the
spur of the moment. The longer and more complex the path, the more difficult.
The path once laid, is only visible to the Malefactor, though other users
of Find Path can discover it. It lasts for several days, though can be made
permanent through sheer willpower. Examples include laying a path that allows
a demon to take a shortcut across two city blocks, or a quick escape route
from their lair.
Torment: Monstrous demons can lay paths as well, but the taint that becomes
worked into the fabric of a trail makes the course unpredictable and dangerous.
If someone is forced to exit the path due to its instability, they will be
forced off at a random point along its length. Not a good thing to happen
if the path in question leads under a lake or through a mountain.
*** Conceal Path
Paths, once formed, can be found and followed by any demon who has the eyes
and evocations to look for them - unless they are camouflaged by the demon
that made them. This concealment lasts for several days, or can be made permanent
by force of willpower. It's not perfect, however, and the most perceptive
of demons may still discover the path.
Torment: Monstrous demons do not hide a path so much as they lay a trap for
the unwary. Anyone attempting to step onto the path will take a nasty amount
of damage. Demons can detect this trap if they are actively searching with
their supernatural awareness (see Innate Abilities), but it cannot be avoided
or disarmed. Unlike the more benign form of concealment, this trap cannot
be made permanent, and vanishes after a few days.
**** Close Path
This evocation allows a Malefactor to seal both ends of a path, denying its
use to both friend and foe until it is opened again. Paths closed in this
way are often "locked" using special words that can then be used
as a kind of key to allow specific individuals access to the path while restricting
others. Takes a minute or so to work, and if any travellers walk the path
at the time, they are trapped within until the demon chooses to open it again.
Alternatively, a large exertion of willpower can force the path open again,
and takes at least as long to open as the evocation that closed it. To create
key words requires an exertion of willpower, and key words may only be used
by demons and thralls.
Torment: Monstrous demons do not close paths - they collapse them. Again,
the evocation takes a minute or so, and any travellers on the path at the
time may suffer dire consequences. If they are lucky, dexterous, or have good
survival instinct, the victim will be able to leap from the path at a random
point along its length, though this is not such a good thing to happen if
the path in question leads under a lake or through a mountain. If not, she
is lost between the physical and spirit realms (the Shadowlands) and begins
to suffocate...
***** Warp Path
This evocation allows a malefactor to warp the nature of an existing pathway,
altering one of many of its parameters. The path can be travelled in a shorter
or longer period of time, it can lead travellers back to their point of origin,
it can lead to a different destination entirely, or it can simply loop back
upon itself without end. Effects last several days, unless made permanent
by force of willpower.
Torment: Monstrous demons create warped paths that prey upon the minds of
travellers, as well. In addition to any alterations made to the path itself,
travellers crossing it may well find themselves deranged by the twisted, coiling
madness of the pathway.