Storm Witch (template)

This House Bonisagus template represents a member of the House dedicated to improving Magic Theory through the integration of ancient or exotic magic. For these purposes, a member of the only non-Hermetic Bonisagus lineage in cannon was created - the lineage of Irmele. Adapting this template to other Seeker and similar directions would require some work, however, as it is strongly determined by its particular non-Hermetic ancestry.

Characteristics: Int +5, Per 0, Pre 0, Com +2, Str -2, Sta +1, Dex 0, Qik 0
Size: -1
Age: 25 (25), Height: 3'10'', Weight: 80 lbs, Gender: Female
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence: 1 (3)
Virtues and Flaws: The Gift, Hermetic Magus, Puissant Magic Theory*, Puissant Auram, Major Magical Focus (weather), Special Circumstances (During Storms: +3), Inventive Genius (Invent Lab Totals: +3), Great Intelligence, Driven (integrate her tradition), Unpredictable Magic, Small Frame, Necessary Condition (whistling)
Personality Traits: Driven +3, Curious +1, Optimistic +1
Combat:
Dodge: Init: +0, Attack – , Defense +3, Damage –
Fist: Init: +0, Attack +2, Defense +2, Damage -2
Kick: Init: -1, Attack +2, Defense +1, Damage +1
Soak: +1
Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-4), -3 (5-8), -5 (9-12), Incapacitated (13-16)
Abilities: German 5, Stealth 1 (shadowing), Survival 2, Area Lore: Aachen 2 (geography), Athletics 1 (running), Awareness 2 (searching), Brawl 2 (Dodge), Charm 3 (first impressions), Folk Ken 2 (townsfolk), Order of Hermes Lore 1 (hedge traditions), Latin 4 (hermetic usage), Artes Liberales 1 (astronomy), Magic Theory 4 (integrating exotic/ancient magic), Parma Magica 1 (Vim), Magic Lore 1 (magical traditions), Concentration 1 (spell concentration)
Arts: Cr 8, In 0, Mu 0, Pe 0, Re 8, An 0, Aq 0, Au 8+3, Co 1, He 0, Ig 0, Im 0, Me 1, Te 4, Vi 0
Equipment:
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells Known:
Wings of the Soaring Wind (Cr(Re)Au 30) +20
Clouds of Thunderous Might (ReAu 30) +28
True Sight of the Air (InAu 15) +12
Ward Against Rain (ReAu 10) +28
Circling Winds of Protection (Cr(Re)Au 20) +20
Wielding the Invisible Sling (ReTe 10) +13
Sense the Nature of Vis (InVi 5) +1

Note: The Storm Witch had an Exploring Childhood, followed by 10 more years of Later Life gaining mostly city-related skills but also learning a little Order of Hermes Lore before beginning her apprenticeship.

Customization Notes: The Storm Witch can easily loose her Unpredictable Magic flaw for some other. Replacing the Small Frame with another flaw would likewise require only a small change to her Wound level numbers. Her Special Circumstances virtue can also be exchanged easily.

The Storm Witch has 8 virtue points, leaving room for 2 more points if more Flaws are taken. Suitable flaws can include Cyclic Magic (positive in summer months and/or negative in winter), or a Story or Minor Personality flaw.

The character's virtues and flaws were largely chosen to represent her lineage. The Necessary Condition hails from her ancestor's use of the Whistle Up the Wind ability, and is a serious handicap (that may be replaced with other Flaws, if desired). Her Puissance with Auram, the Magical Focus with weather, and the Special Circumstances likewise represent her mystic attunement to storms. Her Great Intelligence and Inventive Genius should be significant in her efforts to integrate her lineage's magic into Hermetic Magic, while her personality is dominated by the Driven Major Personality Flaw to represent this quest mechanically.

Her Small Frame and Unpredictable Magic were largely chosen to balance her Flaws, but can be given thematic explanations as well - her magic is as wild as the storm-power she draws on, and her build is tall but lithe and light-weighted, reflected the airy qualities of the wind.

Roleplaying Notes: Her ancient lineage's magic was more apparent in her than in others in her Hermetic lineage, and dominates her magic and mental life. She is almost obsessed with deepening this connection, and should spend much of her time trying to find other lineages and hedge wiards from the same tradition, or their remains and relics, or trying to improve her own weather magic.

When planning her future, remember that the Storm Witch's offensive combat powers are still lacking. She is already able, however, to fly in a protective whirlwind and use powerful spouts of air to strike her opponents with debris and any available objects (using her Wielding the Invisible Sling spell). In time, she should probably develop her storm-raising powers further, and perhaps add use of lightning to her repertoire. Arguably, she should be able to pull down lightning from natural storms (including one gathered with Clouds of Thunderous Might), allowing her to make aimed attacks with it (using Finesse) instead of needing to penetrate Magic Resistance as with the Incantation of Lightning. Enchanting an item (possibly a talisman) to maintain concentration on several effects (such as controlling storms or flying) should also prove useful.

Supplemental Customization: This character is based on the Trianoma lineage of Irmele (GotF p. 22), but represents a member of that lineage that switched over to the magical research (Bonisagus) side of the House. The Tempestaria are an Hermetic lineage originating in the same hedge tradition, found in House Ex Miscellaneau (S p. 109), based on the Whistle Up the Wind ability; note that their Necessary Condition is different, however ﷓ you may choose to preserve their original necessary condition instead if you wish (the template's necessary condition was chosen to reflect their supernatural ability instead).

This character is geared up to integrate her traditions magic into Hermetic magic. This may occur in several ways. If using Ancient Magic, she could uncover lost relics of her witch ancestors and work to integrate this ancient magic. If non-Hermetic weather witches are still extant, she could also attempt to integrate their magic directly, using the guidelines from Hedge Magic. Acquaintance with the Ex Miscellanea lineage may provide her with Insight towards these goals. Finally, she can engage in Original Research to fill in the missing pieces (following the rules in TL).