Hedonism

By Sean J. Young (sjyoung@pipeline.com) for the Bloodline of Bliss

Description

Opium Denny was not satisfied his newly acquired disciplines. Having been a mage, he missed the ability to cast True Magick. After learning of the Tremere, he set out to produce his own version of Thaumaturgy he came to call Hedonism. Hedonism appears to be a nonviolent Thaumaturgy Path, though Bliss members use it to devastating effect, killing and manipulating people "softly" with the caress of a velvet glove.

Bliss members zealously guard the secrets to Hedonism from outsiders. In fact, most non-Bliss kindred don't even know the Path exists and most likely would not live long enough to spread the word if they found out.

Blissers call the path's effects "rotes" (as true mages call their "spells"). Keeping with the Bliss attitude, these rotes evidently came to be known by different names as society's pop culture changed. Even a newly Embraced member is taught at least one level of the path.

* "The Bliss Blessing" or "Things ain't the Same without Me"

This rote is somewhat similar to the Dementation effect "Incubus Passion." A Bliss member may assist a human or kindred in some pleasure and triple the amount of pleasure that is felt. A sip of good wine served by a Bliss member is never forgotten, the taste of blood from the Blisser's favorite "blood doll" is beyond belief, a sexual encounter is almost unbearably good. The victim of this rote will most likely seek out the sensation again, though will find it leaving more to be desired without the "extra something" the presence/blessing of the Bliss member adds.

System: The Bliss member need only spend a Willpower to increase another's pleasure reception. If the victim chooses to fight the effect (highly unlikely), he must spend a Willpower point himself. The effect lasts for one "event" (an entire bottle of wine, meal, sexual encounter, etc).

** "Pheromone Boost" or "I'm Givin' off Good Vibrations"

Bliss members still appear to sweat and give off pheromones. By tapping into the unique qualities of their blood, they may "rev-up" their pheromone output, which temporarily effects their social traits.

System: The user must spend one blood point and make a Stamina (including any Fortitude) + Medicine roll vs. difficulty 6. The number of successes determines the length and strength of the "boost." However, a botch result lowers all the user's social traits for the remainder of the evening (something about the "aura" just doesn't seem right).

Successes	Effects
1	+1 Charisma for one hour.
2	+1 Charisma, Manipulation and Appearance for one hour.
3	+1 Charisma, Manipulation and Appearance for the entire evening.
4	+1 Charisma, Manipulation and Appearance and -1 difficulty on all Presence rolls for the entire evening.
5	+1 Charisma, Appearance, Manipulation, and -1 difficulty on all Presence and Blissfulltry rolls for the entire evening.

*** "Burning Desire" or "Unzip that Spanish Fly"

Bliss members aren't only concerned about their own pleasure, but also the pleasure of others as this rote shows. This rote can induce a uncontrollable passion and need in another person for a person who is not the Bliss member herself. In a way, it is a powerful, though short-lived, form of "Entrancement," but much more carnal in nature.

If the victim is human she will immediately seek a sexual encounter with the person. If the victim is kindred she will seek blood from the person of her desire. The effect is so strong, the victim will drop everything to seek the person out. Depending on the victim's nature, she may physically force herself onto the person or beg for attention in an embarrassing manner.

Unlike "Entrancement," the object of the desire can not manipulate the victim into "favors. The victim's mind is too one-tracked; she wants what she wants now, even if she has to take it. In truth being the object of desire can be a huge annoyance.

System: The attacker must make a Manipulation + Subterfuge vs. the target's Willpower. The attacker must briefly speak to the victim and at some point say the name of the person she is to lust after. Afterwards, the victim will be consumed by an uncontrollable, overpowering lust for that person and rush to seek them out and gain his "attention."

The victim may fight the urge for short periods of time (one turn), but she must make a Willpower roll each time (at difficulty 7 + 1 for each success the attacker gained for a max of 10). The effect lasts one hour.

**** "Bi-Sexuality" or "I've Looked at Love from Both Sides Now..."

This rote was originally created so that a Bliss member could enjoy the pleasures that the opposite sex enjoys. However, now it can be used for more devious reasons. It is a most guarded rote of Hedonism.

It allows a male Bliss member to transform into female form and female to transform into male. The transformation is total. The Bliss member's fingerprints, voice, mannerisms, even their "aura finger print" and basic thought patterns slightly change, though she remains the same person in mind and intent. There is no "split personality" type of effect. (Four successes or more are required on Aura Reading, Spirit's Touch or any other "detection" discipline under fourth level to even begin to think the Bliss member may not be what she appears to be). A person "entranced" in one form would not be entranced in the Blisser's other form. They are truly two separate people (though one in the same).

The Bliss member can only have one alternate appearance. She appears as the same opposite sex member each time the rote is used. The alternate form can only change its appearance even further with other means, both mundane and non-mundane (Vicissitude, disguise, etc.).

The Blisser's stats do not change in her alternate form. Dots in all her talents, skills, and even attributes remain the same. Bliss members have learned to use this rote to full effect in both their schemes and pleasure.

System: The Blisser most spend one blood point to initiate the change and takes a full 3 turns to complete the change. The Blisser may make the change instantly if 3 blood points are spent. Clothes change also, though usually most of the mass, color and fabric of the clothes will remain the same. The Bliss member may remain in the alternate form as long as she wishes, though a blood point must be spent each new day to maintain it.

***** "Beautiful Dreamer" or "Feasting on the White Rabbit"

Rumor has it that this rote was created by Opium Denny after a fae Satyr associate told him of a realm changelings call the "Dreaming."

This effect forces the victim's consciousness into a dream-like realm in which everything is as the victim would want it to be in her most hedonistic dreams. It may be a harem-like environment, a setting of natural beauty, one of sadistic sexual acts, or one of total pampering. Even her demeanor is forced into "bon vivant" mode. Whatever the victim's true hedonistic desires are, they will manifest in the dream realm: desired lovers, foods, wines and anything else are in abundance. Not even the caster of the rote can control the overall "vibe" of the dreamscape; it will always be a positive and pleasing one.

While the victim's consciousness is "beautifully dreaming", her physical body is in a coma (or torpor) like state. She is totally vulnerable to any kind of physical attack or manipulation and will not feel any pain if she is harmed or even killed. However each attack on her physical body offers her another chance to "escape." (see below)

System: A Manipulation + Empathy roll is necessary (difficulty is the Willpower of the victim if she is unwilling) and the victim must be in view. Two successes are needed to force the victim into the dreamscape.

The victim gets one attempt to force herself back to reality (or more if she is physically harmed) after one turn has passed. She must spend one Willpower point for each success that the attacker acquired. However, to even attempt to spend her Willpower, see must succeed in a Willpower roll vs. difficulty 8, again equaling or exceeding the amount of successes the attacker acquired. (She subconsciously wishes to remain in the dreamscape and most overcome her own desires).

If she fails her one attempt to break free, she will remain (blissfully) in the dreamscape for one hour for each success gained or until the attacker ends the effect.