- See also: You might also check: Shroud (disambiguation)
The Shroud is the mystical barrier that separates the Underworld from the Skinlands (akin to the Gauntlet). The Shroud makes the Shadowlands imperceptible to most living creatures and obscures Skinlands activity to the dead.
Wraith lore holds that early in history, there was little separation between the living and dead worlds, and individuals would often cross the two – as exemplified by legends of Odysseus and Gilgamesh. However, at some point a barrier arose to separated the two, resulting in a Sundering that forever divided the Skinlands and Shadowlands. Since that time, the Shroud has grown progressively stronger.
The strength of the Shroud varies from location to location, and the weaker it is, the more easily a wraith can impact the living world. In a suburban shopping mall during the middle of the day, the Shroud is almost impassable. In a cemetery on a moonless midnight, crossing over is far easier. Mortals can detect the Shroud vaguely, with low-Shroud areas considered "creepy". Seances or use of Ouija boards, and particular dates (like Friday the 13th), occasions, holidays or traditional celebrations related to the deceased (such as Halloween) all weaken the Shroud.
The Hierarchy enforces the Dictum Mortuum, which treats the Shroud as legally impassable even if it is low. Arcanoi which can violate the Shroud are considered highly illegal. Certain Guilds are consequently highly interested in tearing down the Shroud because of the power it would grant them, the Proctors and Puppeteers being good examples. Other organizations, like the Giovanni Clan of vampires, are also interested in tearing down the Shroud, although that may be a gross miscalculation on their part.
In Orpheus, the Sixth Great Maelstrom caused the Shroud to thicken and twist into the Stormwall, and catapulted many of the Restless into the Skinlands. They remain invisible to most of the Quick, but can interact more directly with the Skinlands than they could before. On the other hand, the Stormwall correspondingly impedes entry to the Shadowlands.
The Sea Shroud[]
Away from human civilization, the Shroud is remarkably thin across most of the oceans. Clever wraiths have been known to take advantage of this, piercing the Shroud on ships deep in the ocean to contact relatives or pursue passions. The distance from Hierarchy strongholds and their strict enforcement of the Dictum Mortuum is an added incentive.
| Location | Rating |
|---|---|
| Modern ports | 9 |
| Historic harbors | 8 |
| Inland rivers | 7 |
| The three mile limit | 6 |
| The open sea | 5 |
| The open sea at night | 4 |
References[]
- WTO: Wraith: The Oblivion Second Edition, p. 6, 35, 240
- WTO/cMET: Oblivion, p. 20, 31, 160-161
- WOD: World of Darkness: Blood-Dimmed Tides, p. 58
- WTO: Wraith: The Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 26