Numina comprise a variety of mystical powers that don't fall into the realm of Gifts, True Magick, cantrips, Disciplines or Arcanoi. While perhaps not as varied as these other powers, Numina can be quite potent and effective. Some mortals possess these Numina "naturally"; they're born with skills. Others learn them in secret through years of training. Three types of Numina are known to exist: Hedge Magic, Psychic Phenomena and True Faith.
Players purchase Numina with freebie points during character creation; they may later boost these abilities with experience points or possibly diversify their talents with new Numina (and Storyteller approval). Rarely does a mortal possess more than one type of Numina (and Storyteller approval). Rarely does a mortal possess more than one type of Numina. For example, psychic whiz Jane may have Animal Psi and Psychometry (both Psychic Phenomena), but only under the most extraordinary circumstances would she also have any paths of Hedge Magic.
Numina are costly to learn; furthermore, they operate under the most extraordinary circumstances would she also have any paths of Hedge Magic. Numina are costly to learn; furthermore, they operate under very different (and often oppositional) paradigms. Learning too much puts a strain on the character's sanity. {The chart found in Various charts for Kinfolk} list the cost for players using freebie points or experience points to raise Psychic Phenomena and Hedge Magic abilities. True faith increases only through rewards given by the Storyteller for good roleplaying.
Hedge Magic consists of different facets of mystical ability, such as Healing, Summoning, Brewing and Cursing. Each Path has five levels of ability, along with specialized rituals. Granted, the casting and preparation is time consuming, but Hedge Magic is pretty powerful. For the last word on Hedge Magic, see World of Darkness: Sorceror; Ascension's Right Hand is pretty good, and The Book of Madness contains a particularly powerful and nasty Path called Dark Sorcery. Spirit Chasing (below) is a new Path especially for Kinfolk practicing Hedge Magic.
Psychic Phenomenon involve powers of the mind. Knowing more than one Psychic Phenomenon is almost as rare as having access to more than one type of Numina. As with Hedge Magic, each Phenomenon has five levels; the higher the level, the greater the ability. Project Twilight, The Hunters Hunter and Ascension's Right Hand all contain information on Psychic Phenomena. Empathic Healing and Soulstealing are new Psychic Phenomena for Kinfolk (see below).
True Faith reflects a character's deep spiritual belief. The Numina's rating ranges from 1-10, with each level granting greater powers derived from that belief. True Faith is especially damaging to the undead, but it can also affect werewolves...or create miracles. The Inquisition, Vampire: The Masquerade, The Vampire Players Guide, Vampire: The Dark Ages and The Hunters Hunted all contains details on True Faith.
The Three different paths are: