Path of the Sanguine Nightmare

By Anthony "The Magician" Murlin (ruby@pa.net)

* View Dreamstate

This power allows the vampire to peer into another person's dreams, viewing the actions of his mind while he sleeps. Nothing else may be done.

** Dreamweaver

This power allows the vampire to alter small objects, sights, or sensations in another person's dreams. No major changes may be made, but small objects, such as books, or even sensations, such as sounds, may be altered.

*** Dream Addiction

With this power, the vampire may make a dream so pleasing that the victim may regard the dreamworld as better than the real world. These subtle manipulations may even alter the nature of the character, turning a stone cold perfectionist into a slacker daydreamer, who is unwilling to deal with the real world.^**

Successes	Effect
1	Dream was only slightly good, but not enough.
2	A little better....
3	A minor sex dream.
4	An interesting experience.
5	An unforgettable and inspiring event.

Number of times	Effect*
1	Might talk about his dreams with friends.
2	Might talk with close friends and family.
3	Might talk to a therapist.
4	Might talk to people on the street.
5	Might start a cult.
6	Might begin to disown reality.
7	Might require medical or psychiatric attention.
8	Change Nature to a more slacking one.
9	Definitely commitable.
10	Comatose or has chosen dreamworld over reality.

^*The number of successes assuredly has an effect on the number of times the effect must be done to accomplish the task. One success equals 1/4 the amount of times the effect must be done to achieve the above results. Two Successes equals 1/ 2 the amount of times the effect must be completed. Three successes equal 1 time need to achieve the results above. Four successes equal 1 1 / 2 times, and five successes equal 2.

^**When used in conjunction with the other powers, Dream Addiction can become an awesome force. If Insomniac is used to deprive the victim of sleep, and then, while the victim recuperates, the caster uses these effects to their maximum potential, such as using Enter Sandman and Dreamweaver, plus adding a few subliminal suggestions into his dreams, the vampire can have the ultimate thrall, or the ultimate assassin. In the end, all decisions are made by the Storyteller, and he may even decide that your manipulations are too much for the victim to handle, and they might fly over the top.

**** Enter Sandman

The caster is now able to project himself into the victim's dreams and alter events as he sees fit, adding mountains to a beach dream, or a horrible monster instead of a pleasant sex dream.

***** Insomniac

By using this power, the caster is able to keep the victim from sleeping for an amount of time equal to the number of successes gained. If performed on mortals (and most non-vampires), any amount of successes over 5 is enough to cause death after a few months. For every two days after a month, subtract 1 die from the victim's dice pool. A Willpower point may be spent to negate these effects for a turn. When no more dice are available, begin subtracting permanent Willpower points. When only one permanent Willpower point is left, then subtract health levels. If the victim reaches 4 health levels, he must be hospitalized, and at this point the victim receives a permanent derangement related to sleep deprivation. If the victim reaches only one health level, he begins to lose one dot from every attribute for every day. When all the attributes are down to one, and he still cannot sleep, he loses that final health level and dies.

The process is slow and painful, and the vampire automatically loses a point of humanity/path and then must make a conscience roll to keep from losing yet another upon the death of the victim. If the victim's demise is part of the plan, then the proper subtractions and rolls are made at that time. Fortunately, the caster may cancel the effect at any time, but must do so willingly and consciously, and must not be tricked or cajoled into doing so. Vampires suffer the same effects, but do not die from it. Vampires who are effected gain a permanent derangement related to sleep deprivation, such as hallucinogenic schizophrenia, or the like. Vampires who are taken down to one health level, with one dot in each attribute, enter Torpor for a time equal to the vampire's Humanity - 4. When they awaken, all traits will be returned to normal.

Successes	Effect
1	Several Hours
2	One Day
3	Several Days (3 at most)
4	A week
5	A Month
6	Several months
7	A Year
8	Several years
9	A Decade
10	Permanently