Disciplines

DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINES DISC CLANDISC

Each vampire (except for the original one) has three disciplines from 
which their powers come, although these disciplines vary from clan to 
clan.  In addition to the basic three, vampires are allowed to select 
from one to five additional personal disciplines, depending on their 
generation, age, hps, mana, move, and status.  Personal disciplines 
are identical to clan disciplines in all ways, except that they are 
not passed on to further generations.

There are nine disciplines, each with the following powers:

* Protean       - Nightsight, Claws, Earthmeld, Change.
* Celerity      - Extra attacks.
* Fortitude     - Improved Damage resistance.
* Potence       - Improved damage.
* Obfuscate     - Concealed Strike, Disregard, Mask, Shield, Unseen.
* Obtenebration - Shadowgrab, Shadowplane, Shadowsight, Nightsight.
* Serpentis     - Darkheart, Nightsight, Poison, Poison Immunity, Serpent.
* Auspex        - Truesight, Scry, Readaura.
* Dominate      - Command, Evileye, Mesmerise, Tranquility.
* Presence      - Awe, Dreadgaze, Entrancement, Mindblast.
* Dementation   - Eyes of Chaos, Haunt the Soul, Howling Lunacy.
* Thaumaturgy   - Improved damage with fireballs.
* Animalism     - Frenzy, Wolf.
* Mortis        - Blight, Death's Whisper, Vigor Mortis.

Protean
This Discipline allows a vampire to transform either their entire body or a part of their body into something inhuman. The vampire can thus grow claws, turn into a bat, transform into a wolf or dissolve into a fine mist. A vampire can use most other Disciplines while shapeshifted, but may not cast spells. Full transformation is not possible during combat, although claws can be grown if you are fighting. While shapeshifted the vampire cannot wear any equipment.

Celerity
This Discipline explains the legendary superior quickness of vampires. Using the Celerity Discipline allows a vampire to move extremely quickly and have extra attacks in the same round.

Fortitude
Fortitude describes a type of supernatural toughness and vigor which allows Kindred to resist harm. Many vampires are very tough and are able to withstand a lot of injury inflicted by weapons and spells. However with the Fortitude power, they resist damage even further by often keeping the weapons from harming them at all.

Potence
This Discipline defines the superior strength that vampires often possess. This physical might allows the user to inflict much larger amounts of damage in combat than normal.

Obfuscate
Kindred with this Discipline excel at hiding among and away from crowds. When they do not wish to be seen, others rarely notice them even if they are standing in plain view. Though this Discipline affects others minds and does not actually render the users invisible, the end result is much the same. Obfuscate is the opposing Discipline to Auspex, and they cancel out many of each others powers.

Obtenebration
Obtenebration allows the user to manipulate the powers of darkness. By using their powers they are able to switch between the normal plane and the SHADOWPLANE at will. They may also view things in both planes simultaneously if they so wish.

Serpentis
Serpentis is the art of temptation and corruption. Vampires with this Discipline have the ability to tear out their own hearts, rendering themselves immune to being staked. Serpentis users also gain the ability to transform themselves into a giant serpent and back at will. The third ability available to vampires with this Discipline is the ability to run their tongues along weapons, coating them with a deadly snake venom.

Auspex
This Discipline is one of extrasensory awareness, empathy and perception. Those using this Discipline tend to be strongly affected by environmental phenomena. Vampires with Auspex are able to see and sense things most other people cannot. Auspex is the opposing Discipline to Obfuscate, and they cancel out many of each others powers.

Dominate
This discipline reflects the mystical ability of vampires to influence the minds and actions of others. Dominate is an aspect of the power of the mind and the will.

Presence
Presence is a Vampire mastery over the mind. With this telepathic and teleconetic Discipline, a Vampire can use it's mind to, amongst other things harbour thoughts and envoke commands from other beings, including other Vampires.

Dementation
This is a Discipline solely available to Malkavian Vampires, due to their personal Dementation. This Discipline differs from the others in the fact that there is little physical effect on the victim of the casters powers, instead, the effects are on the caster, and the victim is hurt by his own morality and conscience.

Thaumaturgy
Thaumaturgy is a Vampire's mastery over all things magical. This Discipline allows Vampires to improve there sorcery beyond that of any other Vampire. The result of this is improved spells, notably fireball.

Animalism
This Discipline is that of the Vampire's mastery over other living things. This ability allows Vampire to communicate, on a basic level with 'lower' creatures, be it a wolf or a bird.

Mortis
This is the necromanic's Discipline of choice. All these powers, granted naturally only to those of Cappadocian blood, have to do with death. This Discipline focuses on corpses and other aspects of death. You can sac corpses for blood points.

Last updated:
© 1999 David Crosby
dave@snowyrock.net