The thaumaturge is capable of connecting his consciousness to that of another being, generally a figure of godly intellect and incredible power. The experience is usually deeply personal and highly religious — one does not communicate directly with one’s divine inspiration without being changed by the experience.

The two-dot version of this Merit allows a character to reach out to the entity he considers his patron and open the way for the divine presence to communicate directly with him. This contact is one-way; the thaumaturge is limited to receiving whatever wisdom his patron desires to send without any ability to communicate in return. Spiritual figures of great power may be omniscient (or nearly so), and thus cognizant of a follower’s wishes. If the ritual succeeds, treat the effect as the Common Sense Merit, but present the “common sense” as emanations from the force with which the thaumaturge connects.

The four-dot version allows the performer to open the same pathway with the advantage of sending as well as receiving. Although the patron figure might choose to focus on matters different from what the character asks, revelations generally consist of warnings against particular courses of action, or of suggestions that will aid the goals of the thaumaturge. In terms of game mechanics, the wisdom transmitted means the thaumaturge may choose to treat an action of your choice as a rote action (see the World of Darkness Rulebook, p. 134), provided the character begins that action before the expiration of this ritual’s duration (one scene). If the action is extended, the rote-action rule applies to each roll in the process.

The greatest challenge to a Storyteller here is presenting knowledge gained by Communion in a thematic light. Try to keep in mind the goals that the thaumaturge’s benefactor might pursue. More importantly, remember that the patron is a spiritual figure with an intellect far greater than that of humanity, and that the patron’s answers are likely to stretch the understanding of a thaumaturge to its limits. The wisdom granted in a single ritual may take years to fully comprehend or for its intended effects to be realized. Perhaps each communion should be recorded so that its full meaning may someday be discovered by future generations.

Dice Pool: Composure + Wits. Storytellers may choose to make these rolls to keep players unsure about the success of contact.
Ritual Length: One hour
Duration: One scene

Roll Results
Dramatic Failure:
The thaumaturge experiences some sort of grand self-delusion that he mistakes for success. He suffers a mild derangement for •• or a severe one for ••••.
Exceptional Success: The communion results in particularly significant information, or is unusually clear. The Storyteller decides what that means in the game.

Suggested Equipment: Thaumaturge lives a lifestyle pleasing to his patron (+1)

Possible Penalties: Questionable or poor symbol in ritual (–1), caster has ignored patron previously (–1 to –3), ritual enacted for trivial reason (–1 to –3), patron currently displeased with caster (–1 to –5), character has posed one or more questions already today (–5), character has posed one or more questions already this week (–3)

Ritual Details: The performer focuses on a symbol of import to his personal concept of his patron. Through intense prayer or meditation, the performer seeks to open his senses to communication from his divine inspiration. Drugs are sometimes used to divorce one’s senses from the normal world, though some practitioners feel this approach clouds the message rather than clarifying it. Darkness, incense and other mild ways of altering the senses are useful as well.

Drawback: Receiving communication from divine power is life-changing. The will of the patron is inscrutable and vast. A patron may be displeased with a follower who ignores the wisdom the patron has shared. Displeasure may be expressed by refusal to answer, repetitive demands or “magnanimous” attempts to reform the thaumaturge. An angered patron may cause the Merit to suffer dramatic failure at will.