Blossom Hides Throns

Cost: 3m; Mins: Performance 4, Essence 3; Type: Reflexive (Step 3)
Keywords: Combo-OK, Illusion
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: Dance of Flashing Swords

The Dragon-Blooded are social creatures, enamored of culture and art, but they are also creatures of violence, passion and cunning artifice. With this Charm, a Dragon-Blood who is currently engaged in a performance of some kind can initiate a surprise attack on a target while disguising it as simply another part of the performance. The player of the target can attempt a reflexive (Wits + Awareness) roll to anticipate the sneak attack, but the difficulty is equal to the Exalt's Essence. If that roll is unsuccessful, the target's DV is reduced to zero for the Dragon-Blood's surprise attack. Any target will realize that he has been attacked after he has taken any damage, but if an attack misses, the target might not even notice that it took place unless at least one success is rolled for him on a (Wits + Awareness) roll. Also, if the damage to a target is sufficient to kill the target with a single blow, bystanders might not even notice that an attack took place until the victim's body is discovered. This discovery might take some time if, for example, the target was slain in his box seat by a singer performing on stage at an opera. This Charm cannot be used after combat has begun. It can be used only while the Dragon-Blood is in the midst of some kind of performance activity.

This Charm is a reflexive one that can be used freely without the need for a Combo. It can be used only on a tick upon which the Dragon-Blood acts.