Cantrips are the complex ways of faerie magic (also referred to as Draocht by some Grumps), that are used by modern Changelings. While Cantrips are not a new invention, they have become the only alternative since the Shattering, as the high levels of Banality make Unleashing impossibly without being Undone.
Overview
In essence, casting a Cantrip involves the manipulation of Glamour, both in the Dreaming and in the mortal world (naturally, using Cantrips in the Dreaming is somewhat easier). A changeling sparks his own internal Glamour and thereby creates a link with the Dreaming - a link strong enough that he can draw upon and form the raw stuff of the Dreaming to suit his desires.
Division
Before the Cantrip is used, the Changeling has to whether his Cantrip is to affect only chimerical beings (which would make it a chimerical Cantrip) or is also meant to target beings in the Autumn World (which would make it a Wyrd Cantrip). Wyrd Cantrips always cost Glamour upon activation.
The actual Cantrip is divided into two parts:
- Arts - the way of shaping Glamour to a desired end to manipulate the world
- Realms - the objects the Changeling can influence via his art. Changelings may attempt to use more than one Realm in their Cantrip
After that, the Cantrip is theoretically ready to be used. However, the Glamour must be stabilized, lest it desintegrates.
This is achieved via a Bunk, an action that establishes a link to the Dreaming. Bunks vary from Changeling to Changeling and from Cantrip to Cantrip. Some involve long procedures, while other are as simple as clapping your hands.
Resisting
Banality
Cantrips can be resisted by tapping into the numbness of Banality, which disperses the Glamour used against them. Only Changelings and Dauntain can use this effect, other supernatural beings, no matter how banal, are not sensitive enough for it. Doing so naturally raises Banality.
Counterweaving
Other ways include Gremayre, the lore of the Dreaming, which allows the Changeling to Counterweave the Cantrip if he possess the same Realm. To do this, the fae must spend a point of Glamour and roll Wits + Gremayre against a difficulty equal to the Glamour rating of the cantrip's caster. The changeling must earn as many or more successes than the caster to be successful; partial successes do not affect the cantrip in any way. The counterweaver must also possess the appropriate realms and their levels used in the original casting.
Counterweaving can be used on instantaneous cantrips. To attempt to undo a cantrip as it is being cast, the counterweaver must abort their next action (even if it wold take place on the following turn).
If the Realms being used by the caster are not readily apparent, the changeling must roll Perception + Kenning (difficulty 6) to determine the nature. The difficulty is 8 for the counterweaver to determine the Art being used.
Permanent Cantrips
While in their freeholds the nobility (and some highly talented commoners) are able to cast cantrips that withstand the rigors of Banality and time. Permanent cantrips require the expenditure of permanent Glamour and the Art of Chronos.
References
- CTD: Changeling: The Dreaming Second Edition
, p. 171-172, 188 - CTD. Nobles: The Shining Host, p. 35.