Playing The Lady of the Lake

Ethereal, giving, vengeful, and otherworldly. The Lady

of the Lake is a powerful being of magic, her forms and
nature have shifted in the different Arthurian tellings.
She offers gifts to show her favor, and expects them to
be used wisely.

The two stat choices for the Lady of the Lake tend
towards her otherworldly and mystical nature (Cold 1
& Dark 2), or her giving and attractive nature (Hot 2
& Dark 1). With her low volatile she is unlikely to use
violence as a solution, or act on immediate impulses.

The Lady of the Lake has often been referred to as

Nimue. She was said to have been a former student of
Merlin, learning his secrets and eventually destroying
him (trapping him in a tree or under a stone), the
reasoning varies from punishment to jealousy. A
powerful sorceress, and possible water nymph. She is
also said to have gifted the sword Excalibur to Arthur,
sometimes offering it in return for some sort of favor
or service such as revenge. Her portrayal varies in
the cannon from vengeful to magnanimous, justice,
gratitude and charity are core themes for the Lady of
the Lake.

The Lady of the Lake

Credits
This is a fan Skin for Monsterhearts 2, designed by Lauren Bond
Check out the game at buriedwithoutceremony.com
Photo: The Lady of the Lake in Lancelot Speed’s illustration for James Thomas
Knowles’ The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights (1912).
You choose your champions with great care, it is at your whim that the
legendary blade Excalibur is bestowed. To the unobservant your power is
subtle, but you know it rivals even the greatest sorcerers.
You give gifts generously, and expects the recipients to live up to your high
standards. Those that fall short are not treated kindly, as you exact your
justice.

Identity
Name: Nimue, Viviane, Maya, Lynn, Agam, Moana, Rayyan, Shui, Tirta,
Bibiana, Sipho, Nawal
Look: soft, mysterious, gaunt, waif, unkempt
Eyes: piercing eyes, observant eyes, unnerving eyes, sharp eyes, quiet
eyes
Your Backstory
You have a reputation as a giver.
Give everyone one String.
Someone feels like they owe you
something. Gain 2 Strings on
them.
Darkest Self
Your gifts have been squandered,
wasted, and used for the wrong
purpose. It’s time for people
to pay their debts, in kind,
in flesh and blood if needed.
Justice must be wrought, and
you aren’t subject to the human
rules of mercy. You escape your
darkest self when all gifts given
have been paid for or you have
balanced the scales of justice.
Strings
Harm
Experience 
 Add +1 to one of your stats.
 Take another Lady of the Lake move.
 Take another Lady of the Lake move.
 Take a move from any Skin.
 Take a move from any Skin.
 You belong to a Cove of Nymphs.
Conditions
Lady of the Lake
Moves
Take ‘Gifts from the Lady’,
‘Excalibur’ and one more:
 Gifts from the Lady
If someone accepts a gift of a
material object take a string on
them. When spending a string on
a gift recipient add these options
to Pulling Strings:
They take 1 forward to their
next action.
Add 2 to your roll on an act of
enacting justice.
 Excalibur
You may gift someone the sword
Excalibur, and its scabbard, tit
can take any form. While in their
possession the bearer gains the
following benefits
The “Blade” deals +1 harm
The “Scabbard” reduces harm
by 1.
This benefit is only conferred
to the person who was gifted
Excalibur, even if someone else
has it in their possession.
While they have Excalibur you
have 1 string on them that
refreshes at the start of every
scene. They automatically lose
Excalibur when they become their
Darkest Self. They can also choose
to return the gift of Excalibur.
 From the Lake
You can pull and object from a
body of still water. The object
must be able to fit through the
opening, and you must be able
to lift/pull it out alone. Roll with
dark, on a 10 and up you gain the
object you were seeking. • On
a 7 - 9 you gain an object close
to what you were seeking. The
object applies relevant bonuses
determined by the MC.
 The Pull of Water
When you are in the vicinity of a
body of water (large enough to
be submerged in), add 1 to a roll
to Turn Someone On.
 Beyond the Surface
To seek audience with the Spirits
of the Lake, Gaze Into the Abyss.
On a 10 up, in addition to other
results, the Lake reveals to you a
hidden String on someone. Gain
it. • On a 7 to 9, in addition to
other results, the Lake demands a
gift from you.
 Reciprocity
Whenever someone takes a gift
from you they mark experience.
Whenever someone gives a gift to
you, you mark experience.

Hot 2 Cold -1 Volatile -1 Dark 1 Sex

When you have sex with someone you can ask them for a
gift, if they refuse or are unable, take 2 strings on them.

Hot -1 Cold 1 Volatile -1 Dark 2 Move