Items

Arete 2, Quintessence N/A, Background Cost 2 pts.

From the Hindi word “pandit” comes the modern word “pundit,” meaning teacher or any other learned scholar. Many modern people — especially those in Her Majesty’s Indian holdings — know this. What fewer know is that some of these Indian teachers are actually spies and intrepid explorers of Central Asia for Her Majesty. As Indians, they’re welcome — or at least tolerated — in many places where British subjects are not. These pundits have kits full of disguised equipment: prayer beads subtly adjust­ ed to serve as pace count beads, hidden compartments to assemble mercury thermometers, prayer wheels that open to reveal rolled notes, and other such cunning devices.

Within those privy to the pundits’ secrets are an even smaller group of luminaries who have outfitted several of the pundits with Enlightened surveying equipment. This equipment automatically draws a second map. While this map omits all of the important terrain and elevation data that the pundit-drawn maps have, it notes the con­ centrations of Essentia in these areas. When these maps are overlaid on top of the pundits’ maps, it provides a detailed picture of likely nodes, superstitionalist enclaves, and dangerous creature habitats.

Naturally, the existence of these kits is a closely held secret, as the Traditions, Crafts, Night-Folks, and other enemies of the Order would attack the pundit on sight if they knew the true nature of the scholars’ missions.

System

This Device uses a Life 1, Matter 1, Mind 1, and Essentia 1 Effect to detect all sources of Awakened life, sapient non-human life, and Quintessence within a 100-foot radius. A Matter 2 Effect commits this informa­ tion to the hidden map concealed within the kit. This will not detect anyone whose Avatar or aura is concealed. The sensor and its map are concealed with an Essentia 2 and Spirit 2 Effect; the kit rolls its Arete to resist anyone attempting to pierce this Effect. These Effects are elegant.