Mind's Eye Theatre - Vampire The Requiem.pdf - RoseRed

154
Note, however, that such protection doesn’t apply when no contested draw is
allowed against the power in question. Say the Storyteller draws to determine the
effects of a witch’s spell cast on your vampire, and the rules say your character’s Resolve
is simply subtracted from that pool. In that case, your vampire’s Blood Potency is not
subtracted from the pool. Since no contested draw is involved to fi ght off the power,
your character’s Resistance Attribute alone applies as a test pool penalty.
Be prepared! Just as vampires get special defenses against the powers of other
supernatural entities, so too do those beings get extra benefi ts against vampire
Disciplines. When Disciplines are combated with contested draws, creatures such
as werewolves and mages get special test pools based on their own otherworldly
nature. Their extra protection is addressed in The Forsaken, The Awakening and
other Storytelling games.
ANIMALISM
Although most look human, all the Kindred conceal within them a feral predator, a Beast
that divides all others into only two categories: threat or prey. Some Kindred feel their affi nity
with the animals of the world, and their connection with their own animalistic nature
to a greater degree than others. These Kindred often develop the Discipline of Animalism,
which allows them to bond with the beasts — and the Beasts — around them. They can not
only commune with lower creatures, but project their will upon them, forcing them to obey.
As the Kindred gain power, some develop the ability to join with animals or to infl uence the
Beast lurking with their own souls or the souls of other vampires.
Most Kindred are repellent to animals. Lesser creatures grow agitated in the presence of
the undead and normally fl ee the scene (or, in some cases, attack the vampire in question).
Kindred who possess Animalism are a very different story. Animals are often attracted to
such Kindred, and their presence is soothing even to restless beasts.
Unless otherwise noted, other sentient, supernatural beings such as shapechangers who
have animal form or who can assume animal form are not affected by Animalism. Their intelligence
makes them the purview of the Dominate Discipline. Therefore, a Ventrue can try
to ply his will on a werewolf — even a werewolf in wolf form — by using Dominate. Similarly,
Animalism is useless on another vampire who assumes wolf or another bestial form. Animalism
is of no avail to the vampire in regard to such intelligent beings.
Note that any Animalism power that requires eye contact is made more diffi cult if the subject
does not stand still or is not otherwise immobilized. If the animal in question moves about,
the draw to initiate the relevant power suffers a -1 penalty in addition to all others listed.
2.3 — OPTIONAL MODIFIERS FOR ANIMALISM
Modifi er Situation
+1 The animal is a predatory mammal (wolf, cat, insectivorous
bat).
+1 The character is able to assume the same animal form via the
Protean Discipline as the creature with which he tries to communicate
(though he need not actually make the transformation).
+1 The character attempts to communicate with an animal in its
“native tongue” by hissing, squeaking or what have you (assuming
the player is willing to attempt to roleplay such actions).
— The animal is another sort of mammal, a predatory bird or a
large reptile (rat, owl, alligator).
-1 The animal is another sort of bird or a small reptile (pigeon,
snake).
-3 The animal is an insect or fi sh.
chapter two: character