The Demon that Stared Back

It is not possible for non-Hermetic powers to be used through an Intangible Tunnel-style effect. This means that a "safe" way to hunt infernalists (and hedge wizards) is to employ grogs to hunt down Arcane Connections to the quarry, which can then be safely eliminated via an Intangible Tunnel from the sanctuary of the magi's laboratory.

Within the tribunal, there is a secret group of demon hunters who slay infernalists using this strategy. The group is secret because collecting Arcane Connections to infernalists is considered highly suspicious and likely evidence of infernalism itself. Unfortunately, the demon hunters stumble upon a infernalist who is accompanied by a demon who recognizes the tunnel and can, in fact, use his powers back through the tunnel. Another possibility is that the demon manages to open a similar tunnel straight back to the magi, and then disguises his parallel tunnel with impenetrable diabolic illusions. Either way, the demon has managed to control the minds of some of the demon hunters, and sets about using these pawns to corrupt the Order.

The player characters might be caught up in the machinations of the demon-controlled demon hunters. Alternatively, they could be uncorrupt members of the secret group of demon hunters who gradually come to realize that their allies have been corrupted.

range and does not exceed the permitted level may be cast through the tunnel. Spells do not have to be specially designed to work with the tunnel. Touch range spells may be used through the tunnel by both the caster and the target. Voice range spells may be used through the tunnel by anybody within Voice range of their local tunnel end. Sight range spells are usable by anybody within Sight range of their local tunnel end. Remember that such spells must target either the original target of the tunnel, or the original caster, as described earlier.

• • Anybody using the tunnel must first sense it. Only the caster automatically senses the presence of the tunnel. Other characters (including the target) must use Intellego Vim effects (or similar) to detect the tunnel. Note that a Hermetic magus with sufficient Magic Theory may well be able to infer the presence of a tunnel, but this does not by itself allow him to cast spells through the tunnel.

• • The tunnel does not provide the caster or target with any sense impressions of their opposite, although obviously spells that provide sensory information may be cast through the tunnel.

• • The tunnel spell must Penetrate the Magic Resistance of the target. All other spells cast through the tunnel must also Penetrate the Magic Resistance of whomever they target, as normal.

• • The caster and target (and other magi using the tunnel) receive bonuses or penalties to their Magic Resistance and Casting Total, depending on their local aura. The caster and target could obviously each be in auras of different level and type.

• • Tunnel spells, and spells cast through tunnels, interact normally with the Aegis of the Hearth ritual. If either the target (or the caster) are standing within an Aegis, then any incoming spells must Penetrate the level of the Aegis, unless the caster of the spell either participated in the Aegis casting or has a token to the Aegis. Outgoing spells do not need to Penetrate an Aegis that protects the caster. However, note that if the target or caster is standing within a hostile Aegis, then his Casting Total will be reduced by half the level of the Aegis (as is normal).

• • The tunnel remains in place for the duration of the spell that created it, unless it is dispelled or similar. Spells cast through the tunnel with a dura-