Path of the Learned

This is the path of the scholar. Surprisingly enough, more thaumaturges outside the Tremere clan are in possession of this path than the Tremere themselves.

It is believed that the Path of the Learned was first developed by Egyptian scholars, then perfected by monks in the Dark Ages. Until recently, it has been the closely guarded secret of independent Kindred and resourceful Nosferatu.

[1] Hermes' Tutelage

With this level of the Path, the thaumaturge can read and comprehend any printed material at astonishing speeds – provided the material is in a language the vampire can understand. Using this power, the thaumaturge can peruse entire libraries with lightning speed, or can scan documents with just a moments glance.

System: Each success rolled by the player gives the thaumaturge the ability to read any printed material at the rate of 10 pages per minute (e.g. Felicity wishes to scan a book using Hermes' Tutelage, she scores 3 successes on her activation roll; she therefore may read at the rate of 30 pages per minute). The length of time a thaumaturge may keep up this extended rate of reading is determined by a separate Intelligence + Academics roll (difficulty 6) each success extends the length of time as per the chart below.

1 success: one minute

2 successes: 30 minutes

3 successes: one hour

4 successes: three hours

5+ successes: one night

This time frame may be lengthened with the expenditure of one Willpower point. Each point spent raises the time limit to the next success level.

[2] Memory's Imprint

While Hermes' Tutelage gives the vampire the ability to read with amazing speed, she still only retains portions of the information – as is normal when reading large amounts. However, once the thaumaturge activates Memory's Imprint, she can memorize entire volumes and recite them back letter perfect.

This ability may be combined with Hermes' Tutelage.

System: The character activates the thaumaturgical path normally, then spends a point of Willpower. The number of successes on the initial roll determine the volume of material that may be memorized. This power may only be used once per night.

1 success: 150 pages of text memorized

2 successes: 500 pages of text memorized

3 successes: 1000 pages of text memorized

4 successes: 5000 pages of text memorized

5 successes: 10000 pages of text memorized

The amount of information absorbed by this ability can be extended, by spending another point of Willpower, the vampire may memorize a total volume equal to the next step up on the table per point of Willpower spent.

[3] Call of the Gathering

The sharing of knowledge is almost as important as the gathering of it. With this level, the thaumaturge may call together any vampires in the area who possess Path of the Learned level one or higher.

Other Kindred are under no obligation to meet with the thaumaturge, but once the Call of the Gathering has been made, all will know who and where to meet.

System: Each success rolled increases the radius in which the Call of the Gathering may be heard.

1 success: 5 miles

2 successes: 10 miles

3 successes: 50 miles

4 successes: 70 miles

5 successes: 100 miles

[4] Unfettering of Chained

Knowledge

With this power, no knowledge can be kept from the thaumaturge, at least not for long. At this level, the vampire has the ability to walk through solid objects, such as walls, doors, even iron bars. The vampire actually pushes her body through the obstruction, leaving no trace of her passage.

It is unsure how or even why such a powerful ability came into the possession of the thaumaturges of this path. Perhaps the incessant need to learn drove them to create a way to get at knowledge that was previously denied them.

System: The player spends a blood point then the character activates the power. The thickness through which she may travel is limited to her Strength + the successes on the activation roll, in feet. For example; Felicity needs to get at a very important document, kept in a Tremere's basement. Somehow (that would be telling) she gets to the basement, but is blocked by a large iron door. To get through she spends her blood point, and her player rolls four successes. Because she has a Strength of 3, she can move through 7 feet of obstruction. That's good, 'cause the door is 6 feet of titanium steel.

If a character does not have enough total Strength + successes, she can spend another blood point and roll Dexterity + Athletics (difficulty 8) to keep from being trapped. One success is all she needs to make it through to the other side, though she takes one health level of aggravated damage in the process. If she fails this roll, she is trapped inside the door, wall or whatever obstruction she was attempting to circumvent. If trapped, she may attempt to use Unfettering of Chained Knowledge again, but at a +1 difficulty.

[5] Resist the Morning's Call

Relentless in their pursuit of knowledge, the practitioners of the Path of the Learned despise the sun for it deprives them of valuable time which could be spent studying. By employing Resist the Morning's Call, the thaumaturge may preform minor activities throughout the day, though she must still be protected from the sun.

The thaumaturge enters a trancelike state, minimizing the use of their spirits. While in this state, the vampire may read, walk (slowly), and even carry on (very) limited conversations while Resist the Morning's Call is in effect, and still "awaken" the next evening refreshed as if she had slept the entire day away. She cannot, however, use Disciplines, engage in involved conversations, fight, or even move faster than a slow shuffle.

It is said that masters of this path have not slumbered in centuries, busying themselves in the pursuit of knowledge.

System: The character spends a point of Willpower and activates Resist the Morning's Call. Only one success is needed to remain awake throughout the day, though she gains all the benefits of a full days rest – gain one Willpower, loose one blood point.

If the character tries to attempt any action other than slow walking, reading, or speech, she immediately suffers all the penalties from being awake during the day, though she does not take penalties for surprise.