Draconis

By Joseph Saviano (j_cypher_1971@yahoo.com) for the Lamia bloodline

Description

The Discipline of Draconis is new for Vampire: The Masquerade. The Lamia, who are its sole practitioners, use this Discipline to disable, confuse and even injure their opponents, all with a single breath. The scientifically minded among the Lamia believe that their Bloodline has developed a series of glands and sacks in their bodies, which are located throughout their respiratory systems. By using these unique organs, a Lamia can produce startling effects. Coincidentally, it should be noted that Lamia still possess fully formed lungs.

Note: Due to the unusual nature of this Discipline, non-Lamia vampires cannot learn or use Draconis.

* Stench of Death

At this level, the Lamia is able to exhale a foul smelling gas that effects all around her: including vampires and other supernaturals. The effects of this gas are similar to nerve gas and causes burning eyes, running nose, nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms and other sorted effects. While not usually fatal, the gas can disorient and weaken opponents.

System: The player spends one Blood Point and the power takes effect the next turn. The gas will affect everyone within a thirty-foot radius of the vampire. Those exposed to the gas must make a Stamina + Fortitude roll (Difficulty 5) to soak five levels of Bashing damage caused by exposure to the gas.

Even if the player-character manages to soak all the damage, he will still suffer a -1 dice penalty to all Dice pools for the remainder of the scene.

** Breath of the Fog

With this power, the Lamia can exhale a thick, black cloud that obstructs all vision and even limits the use of some vision-enhancing powers.

System: One Blood Point is spent and at the next turn, the character begins spitting forth the fog. While within the fog, all characters (except the Lamia) suffer a +3 Difficulty to all Perception rolls regarding sight. Player Characters with any type of vision-enhancing powers still suffer a +2 Difficulty penalty while immersed in the Fog.

*** Call of the Vortex

At this level, the Lamia can generate powerful winds to knock down her opponents. These cyclone winds can send even the strongest opponent flying.

System: The player rolls her character's Willpower (Difficulty 8). For every success, the Lamia can generate wind speeds of up to 20 mph per success; this power remains in effect for one turn, unless the Lamia makes another roll. If the player botches, however, the Lamia can be sent backwards by the turbulent winds building up inside her; she also suffers two levels of lethal damage causes by atmospheric pressure in her lungs.

**** Breath of Corruption

This destructive power causes objects the Lamia breathes upon to rapidly decay. Wood rots and turns brittle; metal crumbles and turns into a pile of rust and living tissue decays.

System: This power costs two Blood Points to use. For every level of Dexterity the character possesses, she can hit a target up to five yards away per level. Opponents hit with this power must roll Fortitude (Difficulty 7), or suffer five levels of Aggravated Damage.

***** Wrath of the Dragon

This is the most feared of the Lamia's powers as it transforms the Lamia into a living flame-thrower. But unlike normal fire, this flame is supernatural in nature. A supernatural can soak the damage but the wounds caused by this power cannot be healed normally; the tissue has to be cut from the supernaturals body and the new wound healed (obviously creating a battle scar with regards to Lupines).

System: This power costs two Blood Points. On the next turn, the character begins immolating everything within twenty feet of her. This power remains in effect for one turn. Fire damage can be soaked normally, but the wounds created can only be healed either but cutting away the burned tissue and regrowing it, or by way of powerful magic.

****** The Cry of the Banshee

A Lamia who possesses this notorious power can emit a piercing shriek that can actually transform those affected into stone. The effect lasts for several hours, but if a victim is turned into a statue and then broken, he will die. A Lamia can target a victims limbs; effectively immobilizing her opponents or disarming them.

System: The player spends one blood point and rolls her Dexterity + Alertness (Difficulty 6). Every success means the power remains in effect for one additional hour. An opponent can resist using his Stamina. The victim must score one more success than the Lamia order to avoid being turned into stone.

A Lamia player can target a particular body part at an increased Difficulty of 7.