Surrender to the Beast
By Ricky Marin (rickdog86@aol.com)
Stage 1: Beast Zombies
Sample Statistics(Add one to all Attributes and Abilities below if the Beast Zombie is on Final Level before passing on to the next stage of Beast Domination):Concept: Cannibal
Clan: ____
Generation: ____
Haven: None
Nickname: Cannibal Corpse
Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 1, Stamina 5
Social: Charisma 0, Manipulation 0, Appearance 0 (Depends on time as Beast Zombie; within one day should have 3 or below, within two days should have 1 or below, and onward should have 0)
Mental: Perception 2, Intelligence (Strategy) 2, Wits 2
Talents: Alertness 5, Brawl 3, Dodge 1, Intimidation 4
Skills and Knowledges: 0
Disciplines: (None until this stage has passed)
Virtues: Conscience 0, Self-Control 0, Courage 2
Humanity: 0
Willpower: 1
Blood Pool: 3 (used to regenerate health - one point per 2 levels a turn)
Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2, -5, -5, Incapacitated
CombatBite: Strength + 1 Damage (Difficulty 3)Beast Grab: Distorts mind -- no actions (Disciplines, Gifts, Spells, Attacks, etc.) may be used, excepting automatic ones (Healing, etc.) -- privileged only to those Beast Zombies at the second and final level before passing on to the next stage of Beast Domination. 1 Level of Damage (Difficulty 6)
Hellfire: 4 Damage Levels (Difficulty 6)
Total Distortion: Final level only. In humans, this attack distorts the mind through the use of powerful hallucinations. permanently upon. Those who are unaffected by the Delerium are immune to this attack. The Difficulty for this attack is 9 and it can only be used once.
FeaturesCommonly recognized by rotting skin, red, glowing eyes, a carnivoreıs teeth (for tearing flesh), fangs (though not used), patches of missing skin, patches of hair, loss of socialization, immunity to Delirium, no reflexes, and immunity to sunlight restrictions.
TendenciesTheir most common feature is their craving for human flesh, whether it by live, dead, or that of another Beast Zombie if none is available. They will not run, but instead limp until prey has been reached. If prey is behind a locked door or another fortification or obstacle, the Beast Zombie will do everything in its power to reach it, whether it is digging underground, climbing, ramming or using weapons. Also, they will mumble incoherent ramblings until interrupted by prey or by anything else.
OpinionsThey are despised by Kindred and Garou alike, for they abuse the Masquerade and even kill other vampires, and murder and devour Garou. If one is seen by either, a Roll must be made (Difficulty Storytellerıs discretion) or else a Frenzy will be invoked.
Other notesAlthough rare, there is certainly a large number in every large town / city, ranging from twelve to ninety-something. This should be emphasized in your Story, keeping in mind the fact that they do not make themselves obvious -- they are not stupid. Saying this they will usually hunt after sundown, although some have been known to find them attacking people in broad daylight. Also, they may work alone or in packs, the packs being only if they were in a pack before the time of their surrender to the Beast.
Stage 2: Full Transformation
Sample Statistics(Parenthesis are attributes in Beast Form, although they can certainly vary):Concept: Cannibal/Reckless Killer
Clan: ____
Generation: ____
Haven: Umbra/Shadowlands
Nickname: Mimics
Physical: Strength 5 (10), Dexterity 4 (8), Stamina 6 (12)
Social: Chaisma 0 (0), Manipulation 1 (0), Appearance 2 (0)
Mental: Perception: 5 (8), Intelligence 5 (7), Wits 5 (9)
Talents: Acting 2, Alertness 5 (10), Athletics 2, Brawl 5 (10), Dodge 5 (9), Intimidation 4 (12)
Skills: Firearms 2, Melee 4, Security 4, Stealth 4, Survival 6
Knowledge: Investigation 5, Occult 5
Disciplines: Obfuscate 5, Auspex 5, Celerity, Protean 5, All Paths
Virtues: Conscience 0, Self-Control 0, Courage 4
Humanity: 0
Willpower: 6
Blood Pool: 30
Health Levels (in regular form): OK, OK, OK, -1, -1, -1, -1, -2, -2, -2, -2, -5, -5, -5, Incapacitated
CombatBite: Strength + 2 Damage (Difficulty 3)Beast Tilt: Distorts mind - no actions (Disciplines, Gifts, Spells, Attacks, etc.) may be used, excepting automatic ones (Healing, etc.) for the present turn. 1 Level of Damage (Difficulty 6) Hellfire: A flourecent flame erupts from any area on the Beastıs body, harming the opponent. 4 Damage Levels (Difficulty 6)
Total Distortion: Final level only (Difficulty 9, only possible once per scene). Distorts mind permanently upon any human (Excepting those immune to the Delirium) by expressing real illusions upon mind. Inhuman characters may also be affected, though not permanently, and those that are must make a roll to resist the effects with a difficulty of 5.
FeaturesSecond Stage Beast Dominations (2SBDs) are more difficult to recognize than First Stage Beast Dominations (FSBDs) since the Beast has now taken full control of the body and soul, thereby making a few adjustments to make itself less noticeable. These adjustments include the loss of all Zombie-like features described for Beast Zombies, excepting red eye, glowing eyes - these will always be retained since the glowing eyes are what remains of the independent vampire, while the red eyes are the influence the Beast has on its vampiric body. For example, 2SBDs with two glowing eyes will certainly be easier to destroy than 2SBDs with two fully bloodshot eyes for obvious reasons. Also, 2SBDs will certainly be more social than their FSBD counterparts since the Beast within is rather intelligent, therefore wanting as many allies as possible. They remain immune to the Delirium and sunlight restrictions as well as lacking any reflexes, making them worthy opponents.
Tendencies2SBDs have the strange tendecy to mimic and copy the tendencies, attacks, and features of others, thereby giving them the nickname of Mimics. However, this is not a simple repetition, but rather a comprehension of the requirements, process, and end result of the above traits for whatever its copying, allowing it to make an illusion that its audience will believe and be physically affected by, though they really arenıt. As you can see this has led to many deaths by the hand of a 2SBD since it makes the target believe that it is mortally wounded, or the witnesses to believe the target is mortally wounded, in turn causing the target to die by its own hand. Also, like their FSBD counterparts, they will be found mumbling incoherent ramblings.
Beast FormThe Beast Form of all 2SBDs vary, but they are all deeply disturbing. For instance, in one very bad case, a 2SBD encountered a Tindelhound in the Shadowlands and mimiced it, thereby learning its techniques and appearance. Once it returned to the world of the living havoc ensued when a pack of young Silver Fangs encountered it during their Rite of Passage, causing it to change into its now memorised Tindelhound form. The pack of seven were hung, drawn, and quartered by this Tudor Marqui, who took no pity upon them and personally delivered their remains to the cubsı appropriate Caern. The Sept was righteously infuriated by this and discovered the 2SBDıs true form, sealing the fate of the Caern of Golden Truth forever. All that remains of that Caern now is a scorched field with poppies atop the ashes since all of the pieces of Golden Truth Garou now lie underfoot, as well as a trail of soot leading away from the field and into the city. . . .As you can see, I hope, A 2SBDıs beast form may be one of its mimicked targets, but this would replace the standard beast form that 2SBDs receive at the point of their first hunt, a physical projection of the preyıs worse fear (i.e., if the prey has a fear of spiders, the 2SBD may make itself into a giant Wolf Spider).
OpinionsHardly any Garou or Kindred know of these since all Beast Zombies are hunted down on sight, but those who do tend not tell others of them because of their grief at the instance of the Caern of Golden Truth as well as that of the Kindred Domain of Tanguska (that is a very long story which I can give if someone would like it). These two put together imply a shared hatred for them by Kindred and Garou though, as I said before, not many Garou and Kindred know of them, but those who do will kill them on sight regardless of the Masquerade or the Shroud. Magi, however, have a different view as they have assisted them on countless occasions in struggles. This has led to the two groups becoming permanent allies, under the Order of the Jyhad - agreed upon by the ancient Magi leaders and Darksoul, a Black Spiral Dancer Abomination which remains the first FSBD / 2SBD and king of all 2SBDs -- which states that upon the extinction of the Kindred and any other standing opposision the Earth, Umbra, and Shadowlands will be conquered and divided for the Order of Hermes and Oblivion, thereby making any who follow this allies of each other and permanent enemies of the Wyrm, the Wyld, the Weaver, and Gaia.
Other NotesAlthough Vampires and FSBDs are of the Wyrm, the Beast must make a vow to serve Oblivion in order to reach the state of a 2SBD, making the Beastıs natural home be the Shadowlands, specifically the Tempest. However, some have been known to stay in an Umbral Realm for safety though they are a decreasing number since Garou will kill them if they are found in the Umbra. For a 2SBD to reach the Umbra it must go there in the form of its Beast Form or those it has mimicked if it has any, disinhabiting its body for however long it remains in the Spirit World. If the body is destroyed then the 2SBD will remain in the Spirit World until it possesses something. Until it does, they will most likely be confused as Banes, though they are different almost entirely.