Fortitude Revised (version 4)

By Old Visionary (oldvis@mindless.com)

Description

In any case, here is how my Fortitude ideas transliterate into game mechanics. Each level of Fortitude grants the kindred one automatic reduction in damage from any source of aggravated or non-aggravated physical injury. This powerful protection is balanced by the side effects...

* At the first development of Fortitude, the kindred's skin begins to take on an especially light pallor. Since most vampires tend to be pale anyway, this effect is hardly noticeable.
** The paleness becomes noticable under bright light. Some of the lines and wrinkles in the kindred's face disappear.
*** The kindred begins to take on a disturbing appearance. Depending on his original skin tone, he now has a grayish or beige complexion noticeable under normal light.
**** The kindred's skin color becomes pale enough that he will draw many stares from mortals unless he uses makeup or the Obfuscate discipline to mask it. His face loses the last of its wrinkles and lines, making it difficult to determine his facial expressions.
***** At this level of Fortitude, the kindred's skin loses all trace of its original color, becoming either pure white or a shade of polished gold. It also feels hard and smooth to the touch, and only forms lines if the kindred forces himself to make an obvious expression.
****** In the higher levels of Fortitude, the kindred's flesh begins to become translucent. Bright lights are dimly visible through him, as if through heavily frosted glass. Makeup or other means are necessary to keep his bizarre appearance from frightening mortals.
******* The translucency of the kindred's body increases. Some of his internal organs and bones, which are also becoming clearer, are actually visible beneath the skin under close inspection.
******** The kindred's body lightens to the point of partial transparency. Actual colors and distorted shapes are visible through his rock-hard flesh. Only a frenzy can bring any sort of expression to his statue-like visage.
********* At this stage, the kindred is nearly transparent -- tiny sparkling specks suffuse his otherwise clear body. Light and shapes are clearly visible through him, to the degree that he would no longer provide protection from the sun to another kindred hiding behind him.
********** If an Antediluvian decided to make an appearance in his natural form, he would resemble a glass statue. His diamond-like body is completely devoid of coloration and virtually impervious to anything short of nuclear weapons. Sunlight no longer has any effect on the kindred as it simply passes through him like a window.

*	At the first development of Fortitude, the kindred's skin begins to take on an especially light pallor. Since most vampires tend to be pale anyway, this effect is hardly noticeable.
**	The paleness becomes noticable under bright light. Some of the lines and wrinkles in the kindred's face disappear.
*******	The kindred begins to take on a disturbing appearance. Depending on his original skin tone, he now has a grayish or beige complexion noticeable under normal light.
********	The kindred's skin color becomes pale enough that he will draw many stares from mortals unless he uses makeup or the Obfuscate discipline to mask it. His face loses the last of its wrinkles and lines, making it difficult to determine his facial expressions.
*****	At this level of Fortitude, the kindred's skin loses all trace of its original color, becoming either pure white or a shade of polished gold. It also feels hard and smooth to the touch, and only forms lines if the kindred forces himself to make an obvious expression.
******	In the higher levels of Fortitude, the kindred's flesh begins to become translucent. Bright lights are dimly visible through him, as if through heavily frosted glass. Makeup or other means are necessary to keep his bizarre appearance from frightening mortals.
*******	The translucency of the kindred's body increases. Some of his internal organs and bones, which are also becoming clearer, are actually visible beneath the skin under close inspection.
********	The kindred's body lightens to the point of partial transparency. Actual colors and distorted shapes are visible through his rock-hard flesh. Only a frenzy can bring any sort of expression to his statue-like visage.
*********	At this stage, the kindred is nearly transparent -- tiny sparkling specks suffuse his otherwise clear body. Light and shapes are clearly visible through him, to the degree that he would no longer provide protection from the sun to another kindred hiding behind him.
**********	If an Antediluvian decided to make an appearance in his natural form, he would resemble a glass statue. His diamond-like body is completely devoid of coloration and virtually impervious to anything short of nuclear weapons. Sunlight no longer has any effect on the kindred as it simply passes through him like a window.