Chamaeleonis

By John Taggart for the Ombras bloodline. Also a discipline of the Shadow Stalkers bloodline.

Description

This Discipline can best be described as a cross between Protean, Vicissitude, and a chameleon-like ability. Developed by the Ombras through their Malkavian founder, Chamaeleonis is a rather useful Discipline for anyone needing absolute secrecy.

* The Unassuming

To one who is but a novice in the powers of Chamaeleonis, this level of the Discipline may seem somewhat weak. However, the further advanced one is in the powers, the more potent it becomes. The Discipline works much in the same way as the Mage Background: Arcane. It simply causes those around an Ombra to ignore her. It is also harder for her to be traced through a "paper trail". Documents might be misplaced or lost; identification will merely be glossed over, instead of inspected closely; those nearby will simply "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

System: For every level of Chamaeleonis a Vampire possesses, one die is subtracted from the dice pools of anyone seeking her out. As well, anyone even trying to remember the Kindred while she is not around must roll Intelligence at a difficulty of (3 + the level of Chamaeleonis possessed).

** Master of Faces

This power works almost identically to the Changeling power of Vicissitude, except that the Vampire is tapping directly into her Beast, manipulating it to change her outward appearance. This is a somewhat dangerous power to use, due to the Beast's wild and unpredictable nature. As well, repeated use in a short span of time may produce unexpected warps within one's body and/or mind (Storyteller's discretion).

System: The Kindred must roll Manipulation + Self-Control (difficulty of 10 - Stamina), and spend one Blood Point for every feature that is altered, to change her appearance. Success is determined as per the rules for Changeling. A failure will result in an immediate Rage Frenzy, unless a Willpower point is spent to prevent it. A botch results not only in a Rage Frenzy that cannot be prematurely ended, but one feature permanently warping itself to reveal the Beast (as per Protean).

*** Embrace the Shadow

An Ombra may, at this level of ability, mask herself, using a dark surface, such as a shadowed wall, or one that is painted in muted and dark colours. This involves changing the pigmentation of her skin to match that of her background.

System: With a roll of Stamina + Stealth (difficulty 6), a Vampire hidden against a dark background may reduce one success from those seeking her for every success she obtains. She must, however, remain relatively motionless (moving less than five feet per minute, or one inch per second) A failed roll simply indicates an inability to hide, while a botch will cause one's pigmentation to wildly contrast with one's surroundings, granting one automatic success per botch.

**** Shroud of Leukos

This is merely an extension of Embrace the Shadow, allowing one to hide against a background of any colour, no matter how bright it may be. Furthermore, dark, mottled colours, such as a brick wall, or a forest landscape, are possible to conceal oneself within.

System: As with Embrace the Shadow, but the difficulty is one higher. As well, one Blood Point must be spent.

***** Rainbow's Blessing

Once an Ombra has the Blessings of the Rainbow, she becomes more proficient at hiding herself than even the hardiest chameleon. A tartan, a child's finger-paint, or a tie-dye shirt are no longer a hindrance to one ability to conceal oneself.

System: As with Embrace the Shadow, but the difficulty is 8, and two Blood Points must be spent.

****** Cloak of the Pasture

Once an Elder has achieved this level of proficiency, moving through an open field, across a constantly changing background, or in a crowded mall is as simple as walking. The Vampire has learned to appear as though light is warped around her (see Predator as an example), thus providing an excellent cover for sneaking or escape.

System: The Vampire must roll Wits + Stealth at a difficulty based on her surroundings (6 for a forest, 7 in an empty room, 8 through a crowd, 9 for passing in front of a large TV screen). The difficulty to spot her is based on her movement (9 if she stands still or creeps, 8 if she is walking slowly, 7 if she walks quickly, and 6 if she is running). Three Blood Points must be spent to activate this power, and failure or a botch are as with Embrace the Shadow.

******* Sight of the Master

Any Vampire achieving this level of mastery in the Discipline may automatically see anyone using any of the first five levels of Chamaeleonis. As well, those using Obfuscate are more visible to the Ombra, as she is used to looking where others ignore.

System: Anyone using any power of Chamaeleonis below the Cloak of the Pasture is automatically seen, and is even brought to the attention of the Elder. The difficulty to spot a Vampire using Obfuscate is reduced by (7 - level of Obfuscate known). Anyone with Obfuscate 7 or higher is spotted at regular difficulty. To see through Obfuscation, the Ombra must still have a sufficient level of Auspex to pierce the Discipline normally.

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