Intoxicate

By Andrew Knock (bwuhaha@yahoo.com)

Description

A strange discipline that has only arisen among very few modern vampires. It utilises the powers of modern drugs to create various effects, some good, some very bad. It is most commonly found among Setites, Brujah and Malkavians, although it is a foolish vampire who overlooks the powers that modern drugs can have. The use of this power can also sate an addict's thirst for his particular drug.

Unless otherwise stated, the effects of all powers last for 1 scene.

* Generous Pint / Pick-me-up

The vampire, with but a touch and the expenditure of a blood point, can induce the effects of minor drugs upon a target (or herself). Effects from such things as alcohol, marijuana, and caffeine can be simulated.

System: The player rolls Manipulation + Subterfuge (difficulty = target's Stamina + Fortitude). As well as the feelings induced by the particular drug, the target will suffer dice penalties as follows:

Successes	Dice penalty
1-3	1
4	2
5	3
6+	+1 for every 2 successes (rounding up)

NB: If used to induce a positive result (e.g., caffeine), the target gains additional die in alertness instead of dice penalty.

The effects are not cumulative.

** Hardcore User

This level allows the vampire to create effects from more 'hard' drugs: cocaine, amphetamines, heroin etc. Hallucinogens can also be produced, with effects decided by the ST.

System: The vampire must spend 1 blood point and touch the target. Roll willpower (diff targets stamina + fortitude). Effects are as follows:

Successes	Depressants (dice penalty)	Stimulants
1	1	+1 Alertness
2	1	+2 Alertness
3	2	+2 Alertness, +1 Wits
4	3	+2 Alertness, +2 Wits, +1 Difficulty on all physical actions requiring steady nerves (e.g., shooting a gun, hot-wiring a car)
5	4	+3 Alertness, +2 Wits, +2 Difficulty on all physical actions requiring steady nerves (e.g., shooting a gun, hot-wiring a car)
6+	+1 per success	No extra affects

*** Bad Trip

This level allows the vampire to create a horrible period of hallucinations. The vampire has no control over the nature of the hallucinations, but the target will no doubt be freaked out.

System: Spend 1 blood point and roll Manipulation + Medicine (diff: target's Wit's + Survival). The Storyteller decides how the target is affected. Possible effects include paranoia (1-2 successes), the target running in terror (3-4 successes) or other similar effects.

NB: The samples provided should by no means govern the ST. Do what you think is appropriate depending on numbers of success.

**** Wasted

The vampire can create near overdose effects in victims, rendering them unable to do much at all.

System: Vampire must spend two blood points, touch the target, and roll Willpower (diff: target's Stamina + Fortitude).

Successes	Dice Penalty
1	1
2	2
3	4
4	6
5+	Incapacitated

***** Overdose

The vampire can actually cause a target to overdose on a substance.

System: Vampire must spend 3 blood points, touch the target, and roll Manipulation + Medicine (diff: target's Stamina + Fortitude).

Successes	Damage
1	2
2	4
3	7
4	9
5	11
6+	+3 per success

****** Spike

The vampire can now place the effects of any of the previous level powers into a consumable object.

System: The vampire must spend 1 blood point in addition to any needed for the particular level. The effects take effect for the first person to eat/drink the spiked substance. The player rolls Manipulation + Subterfuge (diff 6) to determine the number of successes for the power used.

****** Optimum Capacity

This power allows the vampire to create a drug that is greatly beneficial to the user. This power cannot be used on oneself (unless spike is possessed). Continual use can cause addiction though.

System: By giving a target a taste of the vampire's blood (1 blood point), a target gains benefits (see table) but also must make a self-control roll or face addiction (see Addiction flaw). The vampire using this power rolls Manipulation + Survival (diff 6).

Successes	Bonus	Addiction Roll Difficulty
1	+1 Alertness, +1 Wits	4
2	+2 Alertness, +1 Wits	5
3	+1 Wits, +1 Dexterity	6
4	+1 Alertness, +1 Strength, +1 Dexterity	7
5	+1 Dexterity, +1 Stamina, +1 Perception	8
6	+1 Dexterity, +1 Wits, +1 Perception	9
7+	+1 Alertness, +1 Wits, +1 Perception	10

******* Addiction

The vampire can cause a terrible longing for a particular drug in any target.

System: See the flaw Addiction for rules of addiction. The vampire must spent 2 blood points and touch the target. The roll is Manipulation + Medicine (diff: targets Willpower) to determine the duration of the addiction.

Successes	Duration
1	3 nights
2	1 week
3	1 month
4	1 year
5	Permanent

NB: Extended expenditure of Willpower (Storyteller decides the amount) can resist and eventually kick the addiction before the duration wears off.

******** Obsession

This power is similar to the level 6 power Addiction. Unlike addiction, however, this power creates an obsession with the substance. The target's every action is devoted to obtaining the 'high' provided. With time, the target builds up a tolerance to the substance and must consume more and more to achieve the same high.

System: The vampire must touch the target, spend 5 blood points and 1 Willpower. Unlike Addiction, the target cannot kick the addiction (except under exceptional circumstances) and suffers a +1 difficulty to all actions not somehow involve with gaining more of the desired substance. If the target has not had his 'fix' for the night, he suffers a +3 difficulty to all actions. The player rolls Manipulation + Medicine vs. the target's Willpower (both diff 6) and must score 2 or more successes.

********* The Perfect Drug

This is a truly hideous power to use. It creates a brief glimpse of absolute bliss, beyond all comprehension. The problem is that after coming down off this amazing high, everything else in the world is pointless. The target must get the high again, but there is no way (short of using this power again) that the target ever can. Many vampires, upon realising this, cannot bear to live such a shallow unlife and commit suicide. The few who struggle on are shattered wrecks, finding the world to be pointless. For these shattered husks, nothing can be done. Nothing gives them pleasure and any accomplishments they make seem totally insignificant. They are truly the damned.

System: This power is devastating. The vampire must touch the victim, spent 5 blood points and 2 permanent Willpower. The player rolls Willpower (diff 8) vs. target's Willpower (diff 6). At least 3 successes must be scored. The vampire using this power automatically loses 2 Humanity (some paths might also lose points).