Dramathurgy
By Peloquin (ka.vanadis@karlskrona.mail.telia.com) for the Gremere
Path of Soundtracks
Description
This path is mainly directed at enhancing the audio experience of unlife. Those Gremeres who master it are known as "THXers." (And yes, I know that I have pinched a little off previous Discipline inventors, but hey, plagiarism is the most honest flattery, right? Right? Please don't sue me...)
* Surround Sound
Every little sound effect you make is slightly enhanced. The creak of your shoes sounds like the creak of really old leather shoes. When you open a door there is always an ominous creeeeaaak, etc. Of course it is possible to switch this power off at will, but no Gremere does unless they need to be really sneaky.
** AHAH!
Now, whenever you make a dramatic statement, movement, or do anything dramatically, a shrill chord of blaring music is heard. If you stab at someone repeatedly, well, a certain shower scene comes to mind, or, if slamming the door open and yelling "NOBODY EXPECTS THE GREMERE!!!" a certain scene regarding a Mediterranean, religious pogrom in the Dark Ages, perhaps? As always, it can be switched off.
*** Original Soundtrack
Now, a musical, instrumental soundtrack follows you wherever you go. It changes in moods and rhythm following the scenes you are in, and is close in nature to your character's true Nature. If a Bravo, Loner or Fanatic, perhaps it would be something in the style of Danny Elfman (e.g. Batman, Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare before Christmas, Darkman), if a Judge, Architect or similar, perhaps it would be something by Basil Poledouris (Conan, Total Recall) or John Williams (uh...come on, everyone knows who this guy is...). You get the picture -- or soundtrack. The offswitch is available, as usual.
**** Tagging Along
With this power you can attach the effects of any of the three previous levels on some unsuspecting victim. The poor sod then has to live with what you've put on him and since only Gremere have this Discipline, they always know exactly who to come and stake in the sun. The power lasts for as many days as you receive successes on a Willpower roll, difficulty 7. The victim cannot turn it off. Imagine how annoying levels one and three would be to an Assamite trying to stalk his next target. And yes, they work even if he uses his Quietus -- poor bastard.
***** Finale
This level enables you to end each gaming session or chronicle with a highly catchy version of your level three theme music. It ascends in power until it delivers a crashing, soaring crescendo. See the endings of Superman, Batman and Batman Returns for hints. This one cannot be used in conjunction with level four. Sorry.
Path of Visual Effects
Description
This path is exactly what it sounds like. If you still don't get it, go watch a big budget movie like Independence Day or Titanic.
* Holy Ratsmoke, Ratboy!
Your moods become visual. If you have an idea, a glowing lightbulb appear above your head. If you fall in love, little pink or red hearts float behind your head all the time. If you're angry, a small black thundercloud appears above your head. This can be switched off, but why? It's too much fun! Also, if you involve yourself in physical combat, every punch, hit and kick gives off a big comic book blurb in the air, like "BIFF", "POW" "KA-THUD" or "WHOOMP". This tends to affect your combatants as well. It also includes such noises as machinegun fire ("RATATATATAT"), explosions ("KA-BOOOOM!") and other visual occurrences.
** Sweeping Wind
When you switch it on, a sweeping wind blows through your hair and clothes, making you look ominous and impressive. That's it. What. You expected more? Well, okay, when you reach level five, you may add a fake thunderstorm behind you. No rain, and the lightning is pure show; it looks impressive, though.
*** Magic, Squire?
You may fake visual magic effects, like lightning bolts or fireballs coming from your hands. They always end in flashy explosions. None of these effects actually cause any damage; they're purely illusional, but they're very useful as a diversion. No rolls are necessary; only point and say something impressive -- Latin is always good.
**** "This means something...this is important..."
Once per story the Storyteller may give you a hint of what's to come. You must then reveal this in some sort of trancelike state where you don't quite reveal what you know. You must ask for this, and it's quite possible that your fellow players don't get it...
***** Big Production Number
You may, once per story, create a visual illusion on the scale of Godzilla attacking New York, a Independence day-like invasion by aliens (knowing the Gremere, it would more be like Mars Attacks-aliens invading; they think (rightly so) that Tim Burton is more stylish than team Emmerich-Devlin) You must roll Performance+Dramathurgy, difficulty 8, it requires at least ten cumulative successes to make the illusion realistic.