Promethean: The Created

Promethean: The Created
RPG published by White Wolf
Rule System	Storytelling System
Authors	Justin Achilli et al
First Publication	2006

The New World of Darkness' attempt to do something exotic, in the form of "Frankenstein's Monster: The Roleplaying Game". You are a Promethean, an incredibly rare unliving (not undead; your body isn't really alive, but you are a whole new entity, albeit of artificial origins and often made from corpses in some way) creature stumbling through the World of Darkness. In lieu of a soul, you have a storehouse of Pyros, the raw energy from which all life springs, but which isn't meant to exist in such a concentrated form. As a result, reality itself hates you - and that's not hyperbole. Ordinary humans and other supernatural beings hate and despise you on sight, animals flee from you, plants wither and die in your presence- even hanging around in one place too long eventually fucks it up as the land is corrupted and unbalanced by your presence.

Your goal, then, is to master the understanding of humanity. Through this, you can use spiritual alchemy to hone your Azoth (the power of the Divine Fire honed into a form suited for creation), and eventually transmute it into a human soul, giving up all your mystical powers to become just an ordinary human... but at least reality no longer hates you, so, it's worth it, right?

Promethean has the dubious honor of being the NWoD's equivalent to Wraith: The Oblivion or if you're generous, Mage: The Ascension, in that it's a game where people read it, but don't play it. The setting is incredibly bleak, even if the tone the game is trying to go for is optimistic (since it is canon that you can achieve the New Dawn and become human... but the rules are complex, it requires a hell of a good Storyteller to be run successfully what with the whole "the world itself despises you" thing, and frankly not a lot of people actually want to play a game where your goal is to go from a superpowerful monster to a squishy human. Especially when that squishy human then has to live in the World of Darkness.

In a way, it's the most Humanity Fuck Yeah fanboyistic of the Chronicles gamelines. Yes, you play as a super-powerful golem ala the Frankenstein's Monster archetype, but the whole point of the game is "all this power is meaningless because You're Not Human", with the drive of every single campaign being to find a way to ascend from your cursed state to the blessed form of humanity.

Until 2015, Promethean was also the only game that did not have an earlier version in the Old World of Darkness. Vampire, Werewolf, Mage, Changeling, Hunter, Mummy and Demon all have a version in each. Geist is more of a spiritual successor to Wraith, as they deal more or less with the same subject. Orpheus is the only unpaired in the Old World of Darkness, but it deals with the underworld and is more akin to Wraith and Mummy. It since had to share the position with Beast: The Primordial, although they can be somewhat argued as a rework on the core concept of Changeling: The Dreaming.

2016 saw the release of the second edition of Promethean: The Created. Playtesting is in progress.

Lineages

Lineages are the "racial" splat; they describe where a Promethean came from: how was it created? What is its view of the world? Mechanically, they serve to determine elemental affinity, primary humor (the body fluids thought to determine personality in the past), Torment (how the Promethean snaps when aforementioned humors go out of control), Disquiet (how humans freak the fuck out over their existence), Wasteland (how the world itself freaks the fuck out over their existence), and general outlook as well as giving Bestowments (racial boons).

Frankensteins, the Wretched

Humor: Choler (Yellow bile)

Element: Fire

As their name suggests, the Frankensteins are made from pieces that were put together. Most frequently of human bodies, but they can also include nonhuman or even inorganic parts. Because of their fractured nature they can be quite contrarian, questioning everything they see to learn from it. They see their existence as a challenge, fully putting their abilities to the test. They revel in such challenges, willing to take them on to test and expand their limits. This makes them rather forceful and zealous in nature, albeit as bitter and vengeful as their namesake.

Also like their namesake, a Frankenstein's Torment is simple, violent, anger- often at the things they love most. This very frequently ends up creating a vicious cycle in which the Frankenstein's Torment drives him to go too far in the name of revenge, only for the consequences to come back and bite him in the ass and push him further into Torment. Their Disquiet makes people irritable and quick to anger, and eventually people view the Frankenstein as the source of all their problems. Finally, their Wasteland triggers violent thunderstorms and causes people and animals alike to grow increasingly aggressive.

Galateids, the Muses

Humor: Sanguine (Blood)

Element: Air

The social ones, named after the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea. Galateids are creatures of love for good and ill, from the purest of love to the darkest of obsession. They are prone to obsession and crave company of all kinds. They aim to please, even if this means enduring abuse. Because of their closeness they gain insight into humans that the other Lineages lack, but they tend to fall apart when they're on their own.

The Galateid Torment exaggerates their need for companionship, making them prone to paralyzing insecurity and wild mood swings. Their Disquiet creates obsession in people as well- as in "creepy stalker shrine" levels of obsession. Galateid Wastelands are similarly marked by extremes, especially extreme winds and extreme obsessiveness.

Osirians, the Nepri

Humor: Phlegm

Element: Water

The Osirians are the product of, you guessed it, Osiris. Much like their mythical progenitor, the Osirians are not whole. Though while the original lacked a dick, the Osirians can be missing just about anything on their bodies. The scholars amongst the Prometheans, they have great intelligence and mental fortitude with a knack for gathering information, artifacts and secrets. They are emotionally distant though, which suits them just fine given their cerebral approach on their Pilgrimage.

Osirian Torment takes their phlegmatic nature to an extreme, causing them to become callous and manipulative; in such a state, others become little more than pawns to be used and disposed of. The Nephri Disquiet pushes people away from them at first, but with time they become fascinated with the Osirian, wondering what he might be- and then deciding the only way to know for sure is to dissect him and see what's inside for themselves. Wastelands formed by Osirians are wastelands in a literal sense- rain doesn't fall, plants won't grow, and humans grow proud and overconfident.

Tammuz, the Named

Humor: Melancholer (Black bile)

Element: Earth

AKA golems! Tammuz are, much like the Golem of Prague, inscribed somewhere on their body. This can be a Hebrew word written upon their forehead, or take the form of any holy or unholy phrase, or even tattoos or scars that will not go away. The Tammuz are builders and creators. They start out simple (building walls, digging wells) but as they continue on their Pilgrimage their creations become more and more complex. Do NOT call them servants though, as the best way to turn a Tammuz violent is to disrespect its work, forego paying it for its work, or trying to enslave it. Not working is an alien concept to the Tammuz and one of the most important and difficult things for them to learn. Being creations of words, Tammuz have a knack for language, and they often learn many languages while on their pilgrimage.

Tammuz Torment can manifest in one of two ways- either restlessness that no amount of work can deal with or a state of apathy. Disquiet caused by them causes this depression to spread to humans, who inevitably end up blaming the Named for it. Even nature seems to be depressed in their Wastelands, as dark clouds fill the skies and predators stop feeling the need to hunt.

Ulgan, the Riven

Humor: Ectoplasm

Element: Spirit

Named after a Siberian shaman said to have been torn to pieces by spirits and reassembled from the remains. Ulgan are shamans, dealing with the spirits and ghosts all around them. Much to their dismay, for the Ulgan want nothing more than to escape the constant attentions of the spirits. This forces them into roles of diplomats to be able to handle the constant botherings by spirits. This is because they are made from a dead body and ectoplasm, the stuff of spirits. When not being constantly pestered, Ulgan reveal themselves to be quite macabre with a dark sense of humor. The weight of their burden is an extra risk to them, putting them at risk of becoming as irrational and capricious as the spirits themselves.

Ulgan Torment brings with it a sense of detachment and isolation, causing them to eschew the mortal world for that of the spirits they would normally want to be rid of. Disquiet caused by Ulgan leads to a sense of paranoia and the feeling one is being hunted- specifically, by the Ulgan. Their Wasteland causes the barriers between the mortal world and Twilight to grow unstable, allowing ghosts and spirits alike to enter and wreak havoc (and undoubtedly annoying any werewolves in the area).

Unfleshed, the Manufactured

Humor: Oil (2e) or Any (1e)

Element: Metal

AKA motherfucking robots. From manikins and statues to clockwork devices and cutting-edge machinery, the Unfleshed are the vegetarian option of Promethean: they contain 0% meat. Because they are machines they are, of course, beings of extreme logic and literal of nature. They were built with a purpose in mind, and an Unfleshed that cannot fulfill this purpose will frantically search for a way to do so. However, they do not consider themselves tools despite them being built as such. Treat them as tools anyway and they are hit with a wave of emotion, which will frequently end with the offender getting an arm ripped off. The most difficult part of their Pilgrimage is to learn how to be imperfect: how to fail, be bad, let their judgement cloud their minds and so on. Eventually they must become truly free-willed and be a tool that they wield themselves.

The Unfleshed's Torment can manifest in two ways, just like the Tammuz's: sometimes it comes in the form of embracing their mechanical nature, becoming unemotional, obedient, and fixated on performing their original functions. Other times it can make them dangerously violent in the same vein as a Frankenstein. Their Disquiet makes others view them as things instead of sentient beings- at best, they're useful servants and at worst, they're slaves whose expression of free will is nothing more than a malfunction to be corrected. The Manufactured's Wasteland similarly divides nature between the dominant and the submissive, while pushing people to act as methodically and repetitively as any machine.

Constructs

Humor: As parent Lineage

Element: As parent Lineage

Introduced in the 1e sourcebook Magnum Opus, Constructs are essentially attempts to take Prometheans to the more "traditional" idea of golems being made out of inanimate matter rather than corpse flesh. If Constructs exist in your game, they essentially say that, yes, the myths of Galatea being living marble or the Golem of Prague being living clay are true. Being made of material has assorted benefits and drawbacks - stone or metal-based Constructs are armored but slower, for example - but the universal drawbacks are that they do not look human (their Pyros just can't hide their Disfigurements) and they induce Disquiet far faster. Other than this, though, they follow the "normal" rules for their parent lineage - Frankenstein, Galateid, Osiran, Tammuz or Ulgan.

Although a Construct can be made out of any material, each Linage has a particular material that "resonates" with them, imposing the least penalty to attempts to create a Construct offspring:

• Frankenstein - Copper
• Galateid - Marble
• Osiran - Limestone
• Tammuz - Clay
• Ulgan - Birch Wood

In 2e, the writers realized that there wasn't really that much of a difference in terms of concept space between the Constructs and the Unfleshed, and so they were quietly folded together. Thusly, 2e's version of the Unfleshed Lineage encompasses any Promethean made out of something other than corpse-meat, rather than just those made out of machines.

Extempores, the Matchless

Humor: Varies

Element: Varies

Byproducts of freak accidents in which enough Pyros manifested near a corpse to bring it to life as a Promethean. All other Lineages describe them with variants of "What the fuck are you?", making them the Special Snowflake Lineage. They come from may different backgrounds without any rhyme or reason to them. Most of them however are created through fate or sheer luck, others seem to be the embodiment of some location as if they were elementals, others still seem to resonate with some kind of disaster. As a result, many Extempors have Humors and Elements that don't match, or may have more than one of each. It's not known for sure if they're even capable of reaching the New Dawn, due to the often inexplicable means in which they were formed. Extempore Torment, Disquiet, and Wastelands can take as many forms as the Matchless themselves.

They were introduced in 1e, in the Magnum Opus sourcebook, but got updated to the corebook of 2e. Their creation rules in 1e were fairly handwaved, but they received much more detail in 2e.

The Hollow, Skeletons, Beggars

Extempore Sub-Lineage

Progenitor: The American Dust Bowl (1933-1939)

Humor: Sanguine + Melancholer

Element: Air + Earth

When America's poor farming practices combined with the droughts of 1933 into a disaster that saw topsoil blow away in huge dust storms, sparking a famine that devastated the nation, a new lineage of Prometheans arose from the wastelands that consumed the Midwest. The Hollow are desiccated Prometheans torn between their affinity with the dead earth and the killing air, formed from the corpses of those who died of physical or metaphorical deprivation. They are driven by their hunger, making them prone to both Sanguine and Melancholic Torments at random, and in fact they're so desperate to have something that it actually becomes a power for them: their "Hunger" bestowment lets them try to convert damage from an attack into Pyros or Willpower. After the Dust Bowl ended, their creation rite stopped working and the Lineage is presumed extinct, although unlike there may still be members of the Lineage roaming he world and it may continue in other desolate regions of the world, like Africa.

Zeka, the Children of the Bomb

Humor: Any (Irradiated)

Element: Radiation/Fallout

The Zeka are freaks even among the Prometheans, with the only real connection between Zeky being the massive amounts of radioactivity involved in their creation and the constant pain they suffer as a result of said radiation. This radioactivity also has a tendency to make them rather unhinged at the best of times and completely insane at the worst. Disquiet? Unreasoning paranoid fear, a la the Red Scare of the 1950s but worse. Torment? The Zeka goes into a mindless killing spree, exhausting all of his/her Pyros in the pursuit of killing anyone and everyone he/she can find. Wasteland? The nuclear variety, of course: the land becomes smothered under cold, sun-blocking clouds that rain down poisoned ash and snow, mutant insects proliferate whilst everything else dies, killed by the spiritual radiation contaminating the land. These guys are screwed even by the standards of Prometheans; for some fucking insane reason, a Zeka takes "radiation damage equal to their Azoth" if they complete the New Dawn. But, see, you need a minimum fucking Azoth of 4 to achieve the New Dawn. And a 5-dot dose of radiation? Is instant fucking death. It's no surprise that most of them embrace their monstrous nature and become Centimani for relief, something that is easier for them than any other kind of Promethean - these guys find Centimanus as easy to enter and as hard to leave as other Prometheans find Stannum.

The Zeky were added to 1e in the Saturnine Night sourcebook, and have yet to see a 2e rendition.

Supernal Prometheans, The Impossibilities

Humor: Any (Mystical)

Element: Any (Magical)

Introduced in 1e's Saturnine Night sourcebook, the Impossibilities are Prometheans created by demiurges who belonged to one of the supernatural races, who somehow found the drive to abandon their normal "creative rites" and tap into Pyros to breathe life into a new Promethean, coloring it with their own supernatural nature. Examples given in the sourcebook include a "vampire Promethean" with the Humor of Vitae, who can refuel Pyros by drinking blood, and a "werewolf promethean" with the Humor of Moonlight, who can fly into a berserk frenzy. In 2nd edition, these Prometheans have not been mentioned, but could probably be folded under the Extempore lineage.

Dreamspun Prometheans

Introduced in 1e's Magnum Opus, Dreamspun Prometheans are born when Pryos and the Astral Plane get kind of kinky together. Like the title says, these are Prometheans literally dreamed into existence. Somebody dreams about making a person somehow, and elsewhere, it comes to life. Because of this, Dreamspun Prometheans can be a bundle of different elemental affinities, like Extempores, or they can seemingly mimic an existing Lineage. The biggest difference is that, being partially Astral beings, Dreamspun Prometheans can't dream on their own. Instead, when they sleep, they unwittingly project themselves into the dreams of other people... and, of course, not only does this tend to twist the dream into a nightmare, it means the Promethean can whammy them with Disquiet without ever meeting them face to face. Under the 1e rules for Wasteland, a side-effect of their wasteland is that peoples' dreams start to merge together even when the Promethean itself doesn't enter their dreams. Naturally, they can eventually figure out how to have some control over the dreams they're entering. In 2e, they're considered to be a form of Extempore.

Animal Prometheans

Yeah, that's right, sometimes, Prometheans are such dicks that they will try and perform the generative rite with animal corpses just to see what'll happen. If it works, you get a flesh golem animal with human level intelligence and the ability to talk, but no opposable thumbs (unless, you know, they used a monkey) and who suffers from the absolute bullshit rule that humans who sees the Animal Promethean talking suffers a cumulatively worse Disquiet check each time it talks, until it's inevitable that the humans will go nuts and try to kill it. This is another 1e idea out of Magnum Opus.

Extinct Lineages

Although hinted at existing in 1e, 2e makes it explicit that Lineages of Prometheans rise and fall all the time, and many ultimately go extinct. Although Extempores are the most obvious candidates for such a fate - the Faceless, Extempore Prometheans born of chemical warfare, went extinct when using chemical weapons was outlawed after World War 1 - they're not the only ones. For example, the "Fire Lineage" slot now taken up by the Frankensteins was once given to a Lineage now remembered only as "The Prophets", who rose from the bodies of those who died in agony from torture, plague or executions.

Refinements

The "class" splats. Prometheans are divided by their "Refinements", their philosophical approach to undertaking the Great Work and achieving the New Dawn. All Refinements take their name from the Latin name for a particular metal to follow their alchemical theme, such as Stanneum (Tin), Aurum (Gold), Cuprum (Copper), Aes (Bronze) or Argentum (Silver). Unlike most social splats in the World of Darkness, because each Refinement focuses on a very specific concept of spiritual refinement such as Aid, Mortality, Torment, Source, etcetera, it's understood that a Promethean will change between Refinements on a relatively regular basis, instead of trying to stick to just one for the entirety of their existence.

In first edition, Refinements weren't really anything special. They defined which two Transmutations you could start taking dots in, asnd were used to unlock Athanors, which were permanent passive special abilities that'd also translate over into special bonuses if the Promethean achieved the New Dawn. You could freely switch between them, but it would take time in order to fully "grasp" its nuances; a week with a tutor, or a month figuring it out on your own. The exception is Stannum (or Centimanus, for Zeky); this is so instinctive to Prometheans that they can instantly switch over to it, but it's so seductive that it takes twice as long to change out of it.

In 2e, Refinements became vastly more important, as pursuing them became necessary for the New Dawn to occur. With every Refinement comes a number of Roles. If a Promethean can fulfill these Roles they become closer and closer to the New Dawn and finally become human. A Promethean has to fulfill at least the majority of ten Roles picked from at least four Refinements to be able to attempt the New Dawn; the more Refinements thus mastered, the easier it is to accomplish the New Dawn and the easier the Redeemed Promethean's life will be upon becoming human. There are 10 refinements in total: five simple and five complex. Starting with a simple refinement a Promethean can, upon completing its Role, either perform another role in the same Refinement or switch Refinements. The complex Refinements require someone to teach it, and a Promethean can never have more complex than simple refinements. Because of their philosophical nature, Refinements also affect and influence a Promethean's study of how to manipulate Pyros, and so each is associated with two specific Transmutations.

Simple

Aurum, Refinement of Gold

Nickname: Mimics

Concept: Mortality

Associated Transmutations: Deception, Mesmerism

The thing about Prometheans that you need to remember is that they don't come into the world with an instruction manual. When they wake up, they don't know anything. Humanity in particular baffles and confuses them; they don't have the advantage of decades of conscious and subconscious social tutelage to fall back on to teach them about things. So, followers of Aurum, known as Mimics, focus on trying to better understand humans and blend in. As the New Dawn is the ultimate goal of Prometheans, it's a natural fit, but it doesn't hold all of the answers. Their Roles are:

• Companion: By living as an equal amongst humans (friends, lovers) the Promethean wants to learn intimacy and human interaction. Preferably without Disquiet ruining it all.
• Follower: Through trust and deference, the Promethean wants to learn how to trust people. Some take it too far and become almost totally subservient to that one person.
• Leader: By taking charge themselves, they learn how to care for people, whether this is actual care or more in a mentor-like way.

Cuprum, Refinement of Copper

Nickname: Pariahs

Concept: Self

Associated Transmutations: Metamorphosis, Sensorium

One of the more philosophical of the Refinements, the Pariahs focus their efforts on attempting to find rebirth through understanding the soul. With some slight resemblance to Buddhism and Taosim, the Refinement of Cuprum preaches that the superiority of the soul to the body of and of nonresistance to fighting. Pariahs withdraw from human contact, adopting hermit-like lifestyles wandering the world and attempting to understand their place in it with the hope that this will eventually convince the world to accept them as part of it. For a Pariah the most important thing is to learn how to come out of their shell, bit by bit, to emerge as something new. Their Roles are:

• Herimit: By seeking solitude and reflecting on themselves, a Hermit seeks to learn about itself, emerging as a new person.
• Sage: Living in solitude, Sages are willing to have others in their company for some time so that they can instill wisdom upon the visitors, but in reality just having them over is enough.
• Watcher: Stalkers, in more way than one. By hiding and following someone the Promethean can learn stealth, hunting and how to find hidden targets.

Ferrum, Refinement of Iron

Nickname: Titans

Concept: Corpus

Associated Transmutations: Corporeum, Vitality

Ferrum focuses on the physical aspects of the Promethean rather than the spiritual. The Titans seek out struggle and overcome it, learning from the experience. Titans strive to master their bodies, becoming stronger, faster, better in the belief that when they have mastered their flesh, they will have attained the physical perfection needed to shed their impurities and attain the New Dawn.Their Roles are:

• Exemplar: It's no use being the biggest badass on block when nobody around you grows along with you. Training others trains you as well, in ways you could never train yourself.
• Martyr: You're a badass. Use it to protect those less badass than you. You can take it, and what doesn't kill you will make you even stronger.
• Soldier: Learn how to protect yourself. Through that, protect others.

Plumbum, Refinement of Lead

Nickname: Originists

Concept: Source

Associated Transmutations: Disquietism, Saturninus

The counterpoint mirror to Aurum, practitioners of Plumbum make the rather reasonable argument that if you want to become more like a human, you should probably figure out exactly what the hell you are and how that makes you different first. The Refinement of Lead focuses on studying the base Promethean condition: how Disquiet and the Wasteland work and how to lessen their impact, identifying just what makes them tick and how they tick in order to make reasonable deductions into why. Because of this Lead a favorite for a Promethean's first Refinement. Their Roles are:

• Ascetic: By being alone or with fellow Ascetics a Promethean can learn what it is like to be a Promethean without endangering others with their powers. Groups of Ascetics tend to not last very long but they can get shit done fast.
• Chronicler: Essentially a historian. By talking to other Prometheans they discover what they are, where they come from and where to go next.
• Pilgrim: Travelers who seek where they came from, and from there they can decide where to go next. They are the glue that keeps a Promethean throng bound together.

Stannum, Refinement of Tin

Nickname: Furies

Concept: Torment

Associated Transmutations: Disquietism, Electrification

There are many philosophical arguments that one could make to justify the Refinement of Tin, from the fact that Torment and Disquiet clearly are natural parts of the world as far as Prometheans are concerned, to the need to understand the propensity for destructive rage that lurks within the Created, but ultimately it all boils down to something simple. Furies use their Torment and hopefully learn from it before it consumes them. The Prometheans have to put up with a lot of shit in their day to day lives. And sometimes, it's good to be able to dish out a little payback. Their Roles are:

• Outcast: Living on the fringe of society a Promethean can learn from the farthest parts of humanity in the hopes of coming closer to it.
• Savage: Weaponizing their Disquet, a Promethean can learn what effect his fury has on others and how fear can break down a community. With luck, he won't go further and become a Centimanus in the process.
• Vigilante: By establishing himself as the protector of a community, the Promethean can be the justice where there is none.

Complex

Aes, Refinement of Bronze

Nickname: Sentries

Concept: Aid

Associated Transmutations: Benefice, Corporeum

The Sentries are the upholders of hierarchies, putting the good of the group before their own. This Refinement is only practiced by Prometheans who have managed to form a Throng (a traveling group of Prometheans), it focuses on the idea of sacrifice and teamwork, striving to become the best they can in order to ensure that others are helped and guided. Their Roles are:

• Bodyguard: By protecting their charge from danger, a Promethean learns how to deal with people on their terms instead of the Promethean's own.
• Seeker: Tending to the emotional and spiritual needs of a group, the Promethean learns that sometimes people need to hear things they should hear, instead of what they want to hear.
• Servant: By taking up the burdens of others a Promethean learns how to adapt in many ways: to suit others, how to fit in and fostering empathy.

Argentum, Refinement of Silver

Nickname: Mystics

Concept: Mystery

Associated Transmutations: Sensorium, Spiritus

The Mystics are, in a word, curious. Argentum is basically the same "let's learn about the neighbors!" mindset as Aurum, but applied to the other creatures of the night instead of humanity. Now, this might seem counter-intuitive at first glance, but remember the point made in Aurum; Prometheans don't really know anything about humans, they just know they need to become one. So, Argentum is a valuable philosophy to them as the Study of What Humans Are Not, aka vampires, werewolves, mages and all other wonderful critters that hide in the dark are their focus. It does kind of suck if your Storyteller is adamant on running a game where you don't meet any other kinds of supernatural phenomena beyond Prometheans and their little bubble of Azoth-related weirdness. Their Roles are:

• Envoy: The unlucky bastards who get to make first contact and hopefully convince the other game lines that they mean no harm, hopefully before the werewolf rips your head off because it thinks you're possessed by a spirit. Which, if you're an Ulgan, is not entirely incorrect.
• Observer: The bookish ones, keeping logs on what the other game lines are and what they can do in an attempt to learn from them and not get brutally murdered in the process. With luck, they can learn how they differ from humanity and apply that knowledge to the Promethean condition.
• Wardens: The Prometheans who are LARPing Hunter: The Vigil. No idea what they're up against, but they carry everything that might help against the (other) monsters out there.

Cobalus, Refinement of Cobalt

Nickname: Cathars

Concept: Impurity

Associated Transmutations: Contamination, Deception

As you'd expect of a place called the World of Darkness, the world that Prometheans live in is not a happy place. And, likewise, humans are far from angels. The Cathars seek perfection through imperfection. They devote themselves to study of the darker and seedier aspects of life; sin, vice, madness, cruelty, evil, all so they can learn to better identify the impurities in their own souls and expel them. By knowing their limits and fallibilities the Promethean can learn how to endure, and in enduring grow stronger. This is a very difficult path to walk, as such focus on humanity's ugly side and the Promethean's own flaws can lead to disillusionment that ultimately guides them down the path to Centimanus. Their Roles are:

• Confessor: By helping others overcome their weaknesses and deal with their sins the Promethean learns more about why people do bad things.
• Deviant: Sex, drugs and rock & roll, baby! By indulging in vice and sin the Promethean gets a first-hand look at what it's like to sin. This can also include things like self-mutilation, checking into a mental ward or even become part of a hate group. Empty a Glock on Count Orlok!
• Provocateur: Instead of indulging in vice the Promethean pushes it. Be a fucked up whore, a drug dealer, incite crowds into violence or lurk internet forums and troll them.

Mercurius, Refinement of Quicksilver

Nickname: Savants

Concept: Pyros

Associated Transmutations: Alchemicus, Vulcanus

Prometheans are creatures born of alchemy and the Divine Fire, and it's only natural that some seek to find the keys to completing the New Dawn by unlocking the secrets of Pyros. The Savants are the wizards amongst Prometheans, learning how to do Alchemy beyond the abilities of their fellow kin. Despite being a bunch of nerds they can grow immensely powerful. It is one of the deeper and more thought-provoking Refinements, and requires a certain level of introspection to even contemplate. Their Roles are:

• Craftsman: These Prometheans simply build and make thing, just to say that they can.
• Explorer: The world is filled with answers, and these Prometheans try to match them to the right questions.
• Scientists: By experimenting with their abilities in the scientific method, the Promethean can figure out just what it can and can't do. Unfortunately they tend to place their science above any kind of ethics.

Phosphorum, Refinement of Phosphorus

Nickname: Light-bringers

Concept: Ephemerality

Associated Transmutations: Luciferus, Vulcanus

The Light-bringers know that the path to the New Dawn takes long: years, if not decades. They don't want to wait though: they want to be human, and fast! As such, the followers of this Refinement want to feel alive more than anything else, spurring themselves and other Prometheans forward. Their Roles are:

• Daredevil: Live fast, die young. Preferably more of the former. They do dangerous and stupid things to the point of Chaotic Stupid because it makes them feel alive.
• Psychopomp: To truly appreciate life you must know death. By studying death in some way or form the Promethean hopes to learn about life from it.
• Whip: Spur others onwards to JUST DO IT. If they don't act, they don't live and need to be dragged into life, kicking and screaming if it must be.

Centimanus, Refinement of Flux

Nickname: Hundred-Handed, Freaks

Concept: Monstrosity

Associated Transmutations: Pandoran (1e) or Flux (2e)

The Refinement no Promethean likes to talk about, Centimanus is the complete opposite of all other Refinements in that it focuses on embracing the alien and evil aspects of Promethean nature. The Hundred-Handed have effectively given up on the New Dawn entirely; as far as they can see, if the world is going to keep treating them like monsters then they may as well become monsters in reality too. Centimani reject the New Dawn as either impossible or simply not worth it, instead focusing on becoming the greatest monsters that they can be. Between their mastery of Flux and their ability to command Pandorans, other Prometheans view them with pity at best and at worst feel they have to be destroyed for the good of the rest of their kind. In first edition, despite this association with negative aspects of Pyros, being a Centimanus could still serve as a bizarre and unconventional step on the Pilgrimage; potentially misleading, yes, but also a great way of understanding humanity by further becoming aware of What Humans Are Not, much like Argentum. In 2e, however, Centimanus was changed into a true embodiment of stasis and degeneration; this Refinement has no Roles, and so a Promethean cannot progress on the Pilgrimage until they abandoned it and took up one of the other Refinements.

Transmutations

The powers of the Prometheans, Transmutations are intimately associated with the various Refinements.

In first edition, these were your standard arrays of powers; each has a number of powers ranked by dots and you need to buy these in dotted order with increasing amounts of EXP.

In second edition, things are more complicated. Upon entering a new Transmutation a Promethean gains access to one Alembic (a small group of powers within a Transmutation) for each Transmutation that the Refinement has. Upon completing a role and picking another the Promethean can pick one new Alembic from each Transmutation. Upon completing all three Roles within a Refinement the Promethean gains access to all four Alembics within a Transmutation. Each Alembic contains three abilities that can be used as regular powers. When shifting a Refinement a Promethean loses all their powers and has to start with one Alembic from each Transmutation, even if one of the Transmutations is shared between the old and new Refinements. By spending XP a Promethean can choose to Calcify an Alembic, allowing them to use the Alembic and its powers regardless of their Refinement.

Alchemicus

The power of altering things, either through physical transformation, corrosion, temperature manipulation and inanimate animation.

Benfice

As its name suggests, Benifice helps others and through that aid the good of the group.

Contamination

Contamination exploits the weaknesses of others and is meant to teach the Promethean that nothing is perfect. The Alembics allow the exploitation of secrets and physical, mental and character weakness.

Corporeum

Three parts Celerity and one part Fortitude, Corporeum is all about boosting the speed, dexterity and toughness of its user.

Deception

Now you see me, now you don't. This Transmutation teaches the importance of not being seen, either by being overlooked, blending into a crowd, imitating another or remaining unseen.

Disquietism

Disquiet is a bitch. Disquetism can make it YOUR bitch. To some degree. At least enough to make it somebody else's problem, either through manipulating Wastelands or reducing, deflecting or utilizing Disquiet.

Electrification

Zap, motherfucker! The Transmutation of roasting dudes with lighting as well as fine control. Allows you to mess with electronics, do the lightning generation thing from Avatar: The Last Airbender, mess with EMP or slurp electricity right out of power cables.

Flux

Wielding the powers of Flux allows a Centimanus to degrade itself and the world around it, reveling in decay and ruination. The Alembic of Blight focuses on fuelling Disquiet and coaxing the birth of Wastelands and Firestorms. The Alembic of Lordship allows a Centimanus to control Pandorans like faithful pets. The Alembic of Mutation lets a Centimanus resculpt its body in various hideous ways, allowing it to adopt (potentially permanently) various Dread Powers. Finally, the Alembic of Flux allows a Centimanus to disrupt the Transmutations of other Prometheans, in classic counterspelling fashion. This is a 2e Transmutation which replaced the Pandoran Transmutation of 1e, being much more versatile in effectiveness.

Irradiation

Signature power of the Zeka Lineage, Irradiation lets a Promethean create, control and manipulate radiation in various ways, from cooking enemies with blasts of the stuff to sucking it out of the environment to creating mind-controlling tumors in human brains to commanding swarms of carnivorous roaches to creating giant bug minions. This is a 1st edition Transmutation introduced in Saturnine Night; like the Zeka, it has yet to reappear in 2nd edition.

Luciferus

Derived from the Latin word for lightbringer, Luciferus grants the ability to mess with light. Use it as a laser, for illusions, unleash Pyros or enlighten people. This transmutation did not exist until 2nd edition.

Metamorphosis

No, it's not just shapechanging. It's adaptation, with some shapechanging added to the mix. A Promethean can use it to adapt to the environment, change into an animal (whole or in part), create armor or turn into another person.

Mesmerism

Mind powers! Through Mesmerism you can make people afraid, make them do things for you, confuse them or make them mentally collapse in on themselves.

Pandoran

The 1e signature power of the Centimanus Refinement, Pandoran Transmutations make a Promethean into a better monster, physically deforming it into useful, if grotesque, new forms and allowing to command Pandorans instead of being eaten by them. It was replaced in 2e by the Transmutation of Flux.

Saturninus

Pretty much the Promethean equivalent to the Sphere of Prime, Saturninus allows a Promethean to master Azothic radiance and memory, become what they wanted to be, manipulate a Promethean's body, or form an alchemical pact within a Throng to create a variety of benefits for its members.

Sensorium

As the name suggests, this is the Transmutation of the senses. It can grant new senses outside of human ability, become more able to deal with sensory input, read minds or increase existing senses to super levels.

Spiritus

There are some ugly things out there in the World of Darkness, and Spiritus deals with them. They can interact with things that hurt other supernaturals (sunlight, silver), protect themselves against supernatural powers, impersonate supernaturals or become able to locate them.

Vitality

A mix of mental and physical fortitude to strengthen a Promethean. Vitality can grant attempts at taking control of the Promethean, toughen things out, perform feats of strength and break through restrains, be they chains or walls.

Vulcanus

The Divine Fire powers Prometheans, which interacts violently (and dangerously) with regular fire. It allows for the use of exploiting the Divine Fire, to be a Firebender, manipulate Flux and Pyros.

Other Weirdness

No corner of the World of Darkness is free of strange things, and Prometheans will encounter a lot of fucking weird-ass stuff on their Pilgrimage, even just by sticking to their little bubble of Azoth-induced or influenced things.

Qashmallim

Mysterious angel-like beings thought to be sentient manifestations of Pyros. When they appear to a Promethean, odds are something important is going to happen.

Pandorans

Pandorans are the malformed horrors spawned when a Promethean creation rite fails. Like Prometheans, they draw power from Pyros but cannot generate Azoth themselves. Instead, they harness the destructive aspects of the Divine Fire (called Flux) to steal the Azoth from Prometheans; if none are nearby, they enter a state of dormancy until a source of Azoth revives them. In the rare event they manage to steal the precious substance known as Vitriol from a Promethean, one can evolve into a Sublimatus, a much more intelligent but no less monstrous creature that exists solely to hunt and kill Prometheans.

Clones

A first edition aspect of weirdness, Clones are essentially artificial Pandorans; attempts at creating clones of humans through stolen Pyros, producing creatures that are even further removed from humanity than Prometheans are.

Alchemists

The primary antagonists of 2e, alchemists interested in Pyros tend to be known as the Insatiate, because they're so damn desperate to make their alchemy work that they're willing to torture and murder Prometheans in order to rip the Pyros-rich Vitriol from their bodies to make it work. This is pretty insane to begin with, but add in the fact that it's really not a good idea to go injecting raw transmutational energy into your living brain, and the Insatiate tend to go screaming off the deep end in pretty short order. Alchemists who don't go doing this tend to be far less hostile, because, you know, they're not hopped up on pure liquified madness.

Scions

A 1e element that hasn't resurfaced in 2e yet, Scions are essentially the Promethean equivalent of Dhampyres; human children born to a parent that should not be capable of siring a child or falling pregnant. Whether they are born from the carnal union of Promethean and human - or, more miraculously, two Prometheans, Scions are fundamentally normal kids... except for the ability to see through the "masks" that Prometheans project to fool people into thinking they aren't walking corpse-golems. And the fact they're immune to Disquiet. Needless to say, you do not want to try to hurt one of these kids.