Animalism Revised

By Patrick van der Reest and Tobias op den Brouw (t.h.j.opdenbrouw@student.utwente.nl)

* Sweet Whispers

On eye contact, mentally communicate with 1 animal. Try favors (if possible) on Manipulation+Animal Ken(dif 6).

** Coax the Beast

Roll Man + Emp. (Diff path rating, animals = 5, Garou 10-Rage). Passions enflamed due to the added presence of the Beast inside. Can only induce Frenzy if target is on the edge already. Sample emotions: Fear, Rage, Hunger, Lust, etc. Target can spend Willpower to resist.

*** Sharing Spirits Revised

Much like the old level 4 power, except that Dominate and Thaumaturgy are not possible anymore, although basic levels of Protean, Obfuscate, Viccisitude, are possible. Ghouled animals resist with Willpower vs. Char + Animal Ken. After exciting events, the roll is Wits + Meditation, not Wits + Empathy. (Dif 8).

**** Song of Serenity Revised

The vampire can lull the Beast Within to sleep in others. The roll is Man + Expression, difficulty 7). A number of successes equal to the target's Willpower is required. For every target above the first, a Willpower must be expended. Garou, or other creatures innately attuned to their Rage can burn one point to resist this effect for one round. This will require a Frenzy roll afterward. After the Vampire has gathered 3 successes, the target is enspelled by the song and will listen until its continuation. Targets can burn willpower to remove successes on a 1-on-1 basis. Vampires and other supernaturals can be affected. Ascended Mages or Golcondites are immune to this effect. Note: The target retains free will, only violent/heavily empassioned actions are prevented.

***** Shepherd's Innocence Revised

All animals that can sense the Vampire using this power are the "friends" of the Vampire. With this power, a Vampire can extend her animal nature to pull these animals to her, and these animals are inclined to assist this Vampire. With the expenditure of one blood a month, one animal will serve the master in one capacity for the duration of one task. (Thus, it is possible to expend more blood/month for multiple tasks/targets). The latter effect requires a charisma + animal ken roll vs 7, 3 suc. required.

Animalism Beyond Level Five

Above level 5, there are two common "roads" that animalists follow: the Via Animalis and the Via Bestialis. The Via Animalis concerns animal manipulation/affinity, the Via Bestialis concerns manipulation of animal/beastly natures and behaviour in others.

Via Animalis

Auspex may show weird effects.

****** Familiar Spirit

The Animalist discovers the animal type that it has the most affinity with, and forms a special bond with one animal of this type. Also, all rolls vs. this species have a -3 mod to difficulty. A true frienship/kinship exists between vampire and animal; this does not create a squirrel-punching-bag. The animal retains his sense of self. Both will know the other's general state of health at all times. If both partners are in each other's sensory range, they may share all senses. It is not possible to multi-task these senses. (I.e. no 2 sights, no 2 smells, etc.) The bond is stronger than a Blood Bond. The animal resists as the vampire would to Dominate, Presence, etc. The vampire may pass his Frenzy on to the animal at the cost of 1 BP + 1 WP. This may require a conscience roll afterwards. At the cost of 1 WP, the vampire can issue a summons to the animal from anywhere. The vampire can always communicate mentally with the animal if they are in physical contact. If in physical contact, the vampire can use his BPs to heal the animal, the animal can give up health levels to give the vampire blood. The death of the animal or vampire may have dire repercussions on the other partner (i.e. the Storyteller is encouraged to do sick things).

******* Wearing the Animal Skin

The Animalist's connection to his familiar spirit has changed him to such an extent that he may now assume some of the physical aspects of his animal spirit. It costs two BP per change the vampire wants to occur (for 1 scene). E.g. the vampire has an affinity with rattlesnakes. For 2 BP the vampire could get fangs with poison sacs, scales (armor), better sense of scent, alternative movement (confuse your trackers!), etc. etc. etc.

******** Flesh bond revised

The power is revised to such an extent, we'll write it down again. Flesh bond works with all animals of your familiar species, at a +2 diff to animals that are neutral to your familiar specias, and is impossible to natural enemies of your species. You can merge with larger animals, or smaller animals can merge with you. The roll is Stamina + Animal ken. It is automatic for your familiar. The number of successes required is equal to the Health Levels of the smaller being. Volume does change. It cost 1 BP per 5 BP of the smaller animal (or 1 in 10 when you're smaller). It is possible to absorb so many creatures that you actually gain the Huge Merit, or more. You may not absorb incompatible species into your body. All Ghouled creatures resist with their Stamina + Fortitude. Note: You may be getting blood bound to the owner of this ghoul. Have a nice day.

********* Beast form

At this point, the vampire actually becomes an actually living creature of his affinity type. The vampire may still have difficulty staying awake. The physical disciplines are the only ones that carry over into this form. The roll required is Stamina + Meditation, diff 7, 5 succ required, as well as the expenditure of 4 blood. Extended is possible, each roll represents an hour. Maintaining the form requires 1 BP/Hour. Changing back is automatic, but requires 1 WP and takes 5 minutes. At the reversion, a self-control roll (diff ST-set) is required to regain one's normal personality. One day's sleep in vampire form will restore the personality as well.

********** The Becoming

The Vampire may use this power to permanently become a living animal of his affinity type. Since this is mostly role-playing, there are no rolls; it just requires a long ritual to affect this. Not available to Golcondites.

Via Bestialis

****** The Beast Awakened

The vampire can cause the Beast Within to awaken within targets, causing Frenzy. Garou cannot resist this power. For vampires and mortals the roll is Man + Subterfuge, diff of Path rating (requires 2 suc.) 1 suc gives the Coax the Beast effect.

******* Blood Rage

The vampire's Beast comes surging to the surface and the vampire Frenzies. The Vampire may burn 1 BP for one extra action, up to the normal spending limit. As soon as this state is engaged it is required that the vampire spend his maximum possible blood each turn. It requires a Self-Control roll to come out of it the same night, or the expenditure of a permanent WP. This is only possible after the source of the Rage is gone and there is no longer a stressful situation, or the vampire no longer has any blood. The character's humanity may well drop severely dependent on the actions taken (i.e.: Conscience roll).

******** Dominance of One Beast

The vampire using this power lets his inner Beast go full tilt at a Target's personality. To do this, one must issue a challenge using the Voice of the Beast Within (this is a resisted Willpower test). To win (and both combatants can) one must gather a number of successes equal to the opponents Path rating. The winner becomes Alpha to the loser: she has absolute control over the other's actions, as he will follow orders as long as they do not violate the loser's moral code. Orders that do violate the loser's code cause a Conscience roll in the loser. If the roll is made, the action need not be taken. If the roll is failed, the loser may well lose humanity (or other Path trait). Every successful Conscience roll reduces the number of successes on the initial contest by one. The loser is freed when his number of successes becomes equal the winners . Using this power generally requires a Conscience roll.

********* Unexpected Unity

Using this power, the Vampire causes the Target's mind to be taken over by her animal side. The storyteller has say over what powers the Target can use within this state. The roll is Manipulation + Leadership (diff Willpower). The Target can expend willpower on a 1-for-1 bases to remove succeses. The duration of the effect is: (1 = turn, 2 = scene, 3 = day, 4 = week, 5 = until restored from the outside). An extended roll is not possible, and the vampire cannot reverse the effects with this power.

********** Beast Unchained

At this level of power, the vampire knows so much about his personal Beast that there is no more strife or difference between conscious soul and inner beast. The character is a state approximating Frenzy, but with conscious control. The character suffers no wound penalties and is immune to Dominate, Presence, and other mind/beast influencing effects. Were someone else to know of the vampire's state (read: Kindred Lore: Lots, or another Via Bestialis practitioner), normal Frenzy-inducing powers would still work.