Shadow-Striking Way

Template:Cost 4m; Mins: Stealth 5, Essence 3
Type: Supplemental
Keywords: Decisive-only, Mute
Duration: Instant
Prerequisite Charms: Hidden Snake Recoil, Killing Shroud Technique

The Lawgiver strikes from the shadows and is gone again. This Charm supplements a decisive attack made from concealment, and uses extra successes from the attack as automatic non-Charm successes on a Stealth roll for the Solar to re-enter concealment, ignoring the penalty for attempting concealment during combat. If the roll for concealment is successful, the Lawgiver moves to a new hiding place within one range band. As her old location is discovered, the Lawgiver must move in order to use this Charm. If the Storyteller deems there are no other places of cover or concealment within one range band, this Charm can't be used. Extra decisive attack successes used by Shadow-Striking Way cannot be used by hypothetical other Charms that might use them. If the Solar combines this Charm with Shadow-Crossing Leap Technique (Exalted p. 408) lower the cost of that Charm to one mote, one Willpower, and double the auto¬matic successes granted to the Lawgiver's Stealth attempt. On Shadow-Striking Way The backer wanted a way to attack from concealment and immediately disappear like a deadly shadow. I could tell from his description that he wanted something a little more versatile than Hidden Snake Recoil. The problem with this effect has always been balancing it. Fighting from a state of concealment is prohibitive on purpose. Thus, I balanced this Charm against the significant advan¬tage it confers. Charms that follow Shadow-Striking Way will only enhance it in very gradual ways. Like many Solar Charms, Shadow-Striking Way is a central effect from which small upgrade Charms might radiate outward. Backer: Kalzera of Nugasya