Human Mask

+4

The most cunning of oni sometimes transform themselves into human guise. Though imperfect, these disguises are often capable of fooling the unwary and allow the oni to close with a victim or to bypass a foolish sentry. Closer scrutiny often reveals the truth, however, as even the cleverest of oni won’t follow (or comprehend) the tenets of Bushidō properly. Less cunning oni, with little or no understanding of how to act human, behave in bizarre fashions that even gaijin would notice as not falling within Rokugani norms.

First Rank: As a Scheme action, oni with this power can weave an illusion of Tainted sorcery to change its apparent nature. It may only initiate this illusion while unseen by others. While under the illusion, the oni appears to be a normal human unafflicted by the Taint, its silhouette is reduced to 2, and it is unaffected by its Sickening Visage disadvantage. However, some element of the oni’s inhuman nature remains, allowing careful observers to note something wrong by performing a TN 4 Medicine (Air) or Theology (Earth) check. Outside of the Shadowlands, the oni’s illusions are harder to maintain, reducing the TN of the check to 3. Success reveals the horn carefully hidden in hair, the fire in the oni’s eyes, or some other tell that reveals it as an inhuman monster. The oni may dismiss the illusion as a Support action and typically does so before engaging in combat.