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

chapter one: humanity society of as the morality
damned 261
DRAW RESULTS
Degeneration draws are handled slightly differently than normal draws. Instead of making
a single draw and adding it to a test pool, a number of straight draws are made equal to
the value indicated on the chart above. So a character that commits a callous crime makes
two such draws, while a character who commits a minor selfi sh act makes fi ve draws. This
sequence of draws is known as the degeneration series.
A draw of an 8, 9 or 10 counts as a success, while a draw of an ace removes one success
from the total. If even one success remains at the end of the series, degeneration is avoided.
If no successes remain, the character loses a dot of Humanity and may even have to check
for derangement.
Example: In the midst of a heated stand-off, Justin’s character Shane lashed out in anger and accidentally
killed a ghoul, which the Storyteller counts as an impassioned crime. Since this sort of sin is
lower than Shane’s Humanity rating 6, he must test to check for degeneration. Consulting the chart,
he sees that this crime allows for three draws. His fi rst draw is a 9 — success! His second draw, though,
is an ace, which removes that one success. He has only one draw left, but manages to draw an 8, for
another success. Shane manages to feel enough remorse for the crime that his Humanity rating doesn’t
drop… this time.
It is possible for a player to gain bonus draws to a degeneration series if his character is
truly contrite or takes action to try to rectify his sins. Conversely, a player can be penalized
by having draws removed from the series if his character clearly enjoyed what he did and/or
made no effort to make amends. Bonus draws are optional and need only be used if the player
desires, however. For example, if a player has already accumulated successes in the regular
series, she may waive any bonus draws earned to avoid possibly drawing aces that cancel out
existing successes. It is intended to be a benefi t, after all.
In no instance can a character be penalized below one draw, however. There’s always some
chance to retain a vestige of Humanity, however slim. Of course, if the player voluntarily
chooses to automatically fail the degeneration series and lose a dot of Humanity, the Storyteller
may certainly permit her to do so.
Lastly, when drawing Humanity to check for a derangement, do not add other Attributes
or traits. You may not spend Willpower to gain a +3 modifi er on either kind of draw, though
other situational bonuses or penalties may apply.
Degeneration draws can be made with a Narrator immediately following the sin, to help
guide a player’s roleplaying from that point. If this proves too disruptive to the fl ow of play,
however, the Storyteller may instead request that any players whose characters committed
suffi cient crimes to warrant degeneration tests come see her at the end of the night. Degeneration
tests are performed at that time, with results recorded by the Narrator.
Failure: For a degeneration series, failure to retain even one success by the end of the series
means your character loses the struggle to maintain his standards of morality when faced
with the reality of his sin. He loses one dot of Humanity. On a Humanity draw, he gains a
derangement.
Success: Your character emerges from his crisis of conscience with his sense of right and
wrong intact. His Humanity is unchanged, and he remains as sane as before.
Roleplaying Degeneration Draws
Success on a degeneration draw means that a character feels guilt and remorse for what she
has done, but ultimately manages to keep her personal sense of morality intact. She may have
sinned, perhaps even rather grievously, but it’s not normal or desired by her own standards,
and she can put the crime into proper perspective with her overall sense of self. She need not
be weepy or dramatic upon succeeding at a degeneration draw, and may even make a public