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

ond. (Willingly bonded characters seldom have trouble displaying their devotion.) Regardless
of the character’s frustration, however, players should remember that ignoring how their
character is supposed to feel is against the rules. A character who badmouths his regnant at
every turn, constantly urges others to work against her and splits semantic hairs to fi nd ways
to undermine her interests without actually violating the letter of the rules is not playing the
Vinculum correctly. Just because a thrall might be painfully aware that his feelings for his
regnant are artifi cially created doesn’t make them any less potent. It eventually might help
him rebel, especially if his regnant treats him particularly cruelly on top of it, but for the time
being, he’s bound and should play accordingly.
Indeed, a thrall might despise his regnant and wish for his freedom with all his might, but
he still fi nds himself powerless to resist when his regnant calls for aid or he sees her interests
in danger. Even when he tries to do nothing more than speak ill of her, he will often present
her side of an argument in rebuttal to himself without realizing it, or apologize profusely
for his temerity, even if everyone present agrees with his assessment. This has no strict game
mechanic, but should be roleplayed.
Lastly, players should remember that not all Vinculums need to be portrayed as romantic
love. An older or more powerful Kindred might view his regnant like a favored child or
treasured protégé, while a younger or less potent vampire might look up to her regnant like a
revered parent. A peer could see his regnant as an admired comrade or close sibling instead
of a lover. As a rule of thumb, whatever kind of relationship would inspire the most love,
loyalty and devotion in the thrall is what the Vinculum creates, even if the thrall no longer
believes herself capable of those sorts of feelings.
Indeed, this is not to say that these alternative models don’t have the normal potential for
sour feelings as a “regular” Vinculum. After all, a thrall whose feelings place his regnant akin
to a sibling might not be very fond of his “sister.” He might even hate what he does on her
behalf, but he still fi nds himself compelled to look out for her interests because of the bond
he feels with her. Different as they might be from their mortal counterparts, the dysfunctional
“families” created by the webs of the Vinculum are still a part of Kindred society.
BLOOD TIES
Vampires call themselves “Kindred,” but some are closer kin than others. The connection
between sire and childe carries supernatural power. Kindred can affect their immediate, linear
“family” with their Disciplines more easily than they affect other vampires.
For this purpose, all Kindred within two Embrace “steps” of each other count as immediate
family and are subject to this effect. Therefore, a character receives the blood-tie bonus
to affect her sire, her sire’s sire, her childer and her childer’s childer.
The character receives a +2 bonus when she tries to affect these close “relatives” with
certain Disciplines. These Disciplines include Auspex, Dominate, Nightmare and Majesty.
Others state when such bonuses apply in their write-ups in Chapter Two. Certain bloodline
Disciplines might apply as well (and Storytellers should consider this when allowing a player
to create a new Discipline; see Appendix One for more details). A character must try to affect
a “relative” directly with the Discipline in question. The bonus is not gained by a character
for using a Discipline on herself and then doing something to another Kindred.
For example, a character does not receive a bonus to hit a relative while using Vigor. Likewise,
indirect powers don’t enjoy the bonus. A character employing the Auspex power The Spirit’s
Touch does not receive the bonus. That Discipline affects the character herself, and what she
does with the capability is incidental. Powers that affect targets automatically without the
need for a player to make a draw do not gain any bonus. Further, the blood-tie bonus does
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mind’s chapter eye three: theatre: special requiem rules and systems