Holding It In (Defaults to Will -2)
This skill is only available to those with Symphonic
Awareness; it represents the ability to use a note of Essence and not release
it into the Symphony (and thus causing Disturbance). Essence held in such a manner counts towards the maximum number
of notes of Essence that an entity can hold at any given time, but cannot be
used for any other purpose. The entity
may release the note of Essence at will, usually when the coast has been
determined to be more or less clear.
This skill requires some concentration to use; any
use of a Will-based skill or resonance or Celestial Song will require another
Holding It In roll, at -2 for every day (rounded up) that the Essence is
held. Likewise, generating Essence via
daily acquisition and/or Rites also requires an immediate Holding It In roll at
the same penalties, as does taking damage in combat, sudden surprise (GM call)
or the perception of five or more notes of Disturbance. Failure to make this roll results in the
Essence being released into the Symphony, which will result in two notes of
Disturbance instead of one. It's also
good for a -1 reaction from anyone with Symphonic Awareness - on general
aesthetic principles, as this lack of control is considered, well, uncouth.