Lazarene Blessing
Level 5
Oblivion — Ceremonies
This ceremony allows a Necromancer to force a wraith's soul to possess a freshly dead body, bringing it back to a facsimile of life.
System
Once the wraith has entered the body, the corpse will animate. Over the course of 5 minutes, the body heals itself of any wounds or damage that may have caused its death. Once fully healed, the body appears to be a living human even under medical scrutiny. The newly risen body possesses all of its same physical attributes, Disciplines (if a ghoul), and Backgrounds that it had in life. The body's Mental Attributes, Social Attributes, and Skills match those of the possessing wraith.
The risen corpse cannot be Embraced or made into a ghoul. However, if the corpse was a ghoul before its death, and before the use of this ritual, it no longer requires 1 Rouse Check worth of blood to maintain its ability to use Discipline powers. The Storyteller will decide what type of wraith possesses the body, including which powers or special abilities it has, if any.
The sacrifice of a living mortal and the acquisition of a mammal's heart used for this ritual may incur Stains depending on your Chronicle Tenets.
Ingredients
A living mortal to be sacrificed, incense, the heart of any mammal, and silver powder.
Process
Incense is burned to perfume the air before the necromancer cuts the heart from their living sacrifice. The beating heart is then replaced with the heart of another mammal. The chest cavity is stitched up, and then the silver powder must be poured over the open eyes of the sacrificed mortal. For the next hour, any nearby wraiths may possess the body. None can be forced to do so, but few would refuse such an opportunity. The first wraith to possess the body completes the ritual.
Duration: Indefinitely, until the body dies again, or the wraith is exorcised.
Source: Enemies of the Night