Post by Tami on Mar 8, 2007 22:27:27 GMT -5
Magic Among the Rom
While many gypsies are not gifts with the Sight or other esoteric abilities, magic is an acknowledged part of any Gypsy’s life. It has long been known that many Gypsies possess the ability to catch glimpses of both the past and future, or to give an enemy bad luck with merely a glance. Some Gypsies can cast speak with the dead while others can cast spells. Certain clans maintain their own, specialized abilities, while others have rejected (or have lost) potential possessed by most their race.
Of course this does not mean your average Joe who stops by his local fortune-telling shop to speak to his dear-departed aunt, or ducks into Madame Eva’s tent at the Gypsy carnival to have his palm read, is going to be the beneficiary of true Gypsy magic. Even if his chosen Gypsy consultant has a real gift, she may not strain herself by using it to aid a mere gaje. Of course she might, but don’t hold your breath waiting.
Young Gypsies usually discover their Talents early in life. Just as they notice developing physical and mental talents, the child’s parents will inevitably be watching for any signs of potential magical talent in their youngster. The Phuri Dae go so far as to elaborately test each child, and have evolved a number of games that aim to bring latent talent to the surface. No matter how or when talent is discovered, a child so gifted will normally be taught to use that talent for the benefit of herself, her family and all Romani.
Magic specific to the Rom can be grouped into four distinct abilities or talents. While some Gypsies posses more than one of these abilities, the majority of talented Gypsies posses (or at least focus on) only one in particular.
Some Gypsies also have other Psychic abilities, such as Telekinesis (The ability to move objects through thought alone) or the ability to travel astrally. Although these are true talents and those Gypsies who posses them are encouraged to develop their psychic abilities, the abilities are not granted by the Blood. Since these abilities are not granted by the Blood they can not be “boosted†by a gathering of Gypsies.
Only human characters may have these abilities, known as Numina. More on Numina can be found in The Hunter Hunted and The Vampire Players Guide second Edition
While many gypsies are not gifts with the Sight or other esoteric abilities, magic is an acknowledged part of any Gypsy’s life. It has long been known that many Gypsies possess the ability to catch glimpses of both the past and future, or to give an enemy bad luck with merely a glance. Some Gypsies can cast speak with the dead while others can cast spells. Certain clans maintain their own, specialized abilities, while others have rejected (or have lost) potential possessed by most their race.
Of course this does not mean your average Joe who stops by his local fortune-telling shop to speak to his dear-departed aunt, or ducks into Madame Eva’s tent at the Gypsy carnival to have his palm read, is going to be the beneficiary of true Gypsy magic. Even if his chosen Gypsy consultant has a real gift, she may not strain herself by using it to aid a mere gaje. Of course she might, but don’t hold your breath waiting.
Young Gypsies usually discover their Talents early in life. Just as they notice developing physical and mental talents, the child’s parents will inevitably be watching for any signs of potential magical talent in their youngster. The Phuri Dae go so far as to elaborately test each child, and have evolved a number of games that aim to bring latent talent to the surface. No matter how or when talent is discovered, a child so gifted will normally be taught to use that talent for the benefit of herself, her family and all Romani.
Magic specific to the Rom can be grouped into four distinct abilities or talents. While some Gypsies posses more than one of these abilities, the majority of talented Gypsies posses (or at least focus on) only one in particular.
Some Gypsies also have other Psychic abilities, such as Telekinesis (The ability to move objects through thought alone) or the ability to travel astrally. Although these are true talents and those Gypsies who posses them are encouraged to develop their psychic abilities, the abilities are not granted by the Blood. Since these abilities are not granted by the Blood they can not be “boosted†by a gathering of Gypsies.
Only human characters may have these abilities, known as Numina. More on Numina can be found in The Hunter Hunted and The Vampire Players Guide second Edition