Smoothing-over-the-Past Technique
Cost: 3m, 1wp; Mins: Socialize 5, Essence 3; Type: Reflexive
Keywords: Combo-OK, Dynasty, Illusion, Social
Duration: One scene
Prerequisite Charms: Warm-Faced Seduction Style
It is a rare individual who can make an enemy of someone and then blithely sit down with him as a friend. Those Fire Aspects who know this Charm can be counted among that rare breed. The Exalt using this Charm can cause a target to temporarily "forget" a single past event involving him that would reflect poorly on the current discussion. In other words, the Exalt can cause the target to forget a single past encounter for the duration of the current scene, whether to make the target forget how the Dragon-Blood cheated him out of a fortune or slept with his wife. Indeed, the Dragon-Blood can even compel his target to forget multiple encounters, although each separate encounter requires the expenditure of three motes and one Willpower. As this Charm is activated, the Exalt's player must roll (Manipulation + Socialize), adding the Dragon-Blood's Essence in automatic successes. Only the target's Dodge MDV is applicable to this role. If this roll is successful, the target forgets the event.
Once the scene is over and the target's memories return, he will certainly be aware of what happened and will undoubtedly regret any unwise bargains he made while he was confused. Therefore, future uses of the Charm require the Exalt to erase the prior usage of the Charm as well as the original event(s) that needed to be erased. This Charm automatically fails when used against any target with a higher Essence trait than the Dragon-Blooded using the Charm.
This is a reflexive Charm that can be used freely without the need for a Combo. It cannot be used during physical combat, but it can be activated on any long tick during social combat.
Latest Errata: The Charm costs only 3m to target a descendant. If the roll for this unblockable unnatural influence succeeds, the target can pay 1wp right then to resist (but does not realize anyone attempted to alter her memories). Paying a total of 3wp this way immunizes a character from further use of the Charm by the Exalt for a day. Once memory has been suppressed, however, the cost to break free and remember the truth is 5wp per alteration. With Essence 5+, the duration drops to Instant, but suppressed memories remain so until reclaimed with appropriate Willpower expenditure.