The Star
The Discipline of Constant Meditation
By Palika Goldstein and Margeret Haskins
Description
Developed by the mysterious Chinese Sect of Vampires, the Star is a Discipline that is as much fun learning as using. Often, an ancient prophet/seer has been sighted wandering the old market places in Enoch's Bazaar. It is this shrouded figure that is accredited the knowledge of the Star, and its interesting teaching methodology. Study of the Star requires a deep understanding of ones self, a ritualistic belief in the instructor, and a lot of time in quiet surroundings. The members who practice the Star are quiet philosophers, scholars and lore masters -- making it ideal for those who are in the True Brujah clan, or on the path of Self-Focus. The branding of the practitioner after completion of the first level of the Star is an ancient Chinese ritual dating back thousands of years. Members who receive the mark of the Star are entitled to learn its higher discipline powers, with the tutelage of a Master.
* The Grasp
The months of study to this level leads the Vampire to be able to flood Chi into various parts of his body. It is the basis and start of the Star Discipline, and its latter powers are built up upon the Vampire's development of Chi. An interesting effect at this level is the Vampire's ability to throw small, light objects. By flooding Chi to the arms and fingers, the Vampire becomes adapt at directing the lines of Chi into small objects, making them fly unerringly to their targets. A use for this is in throwing shurikens: roll Dexterity + Meditation [# of targets], each success is the multiplier for the amount of shurikens that hit each target thrown at. The damage per throw is still dependent upon the number of shurikens, use this formula: Strength + amount hit + Potence. It is possible for the targets to dodge, each success in this cancels one shuriken.
** Inner Focus
The constant meditation of this Discipline leads the Vampire to become more resistant to the will of others. Increase the difficulty in all attempts to subvert the Vampire's Willpower by one.
*** Setting the Ball
The Vampire at this level is able to transfer a little bit of her Chi into any object she can touch. This Chi is quite destructive -- the nature of Beast is in everything the Vampire does. The object explodes with the Chi, doing normal damage to all in clos proximity to it. The amount of Chi the Vampire needs is dependent upon the mass of the object -- use the chart on p.213 in the VH; this is the amount of successes the Vampire needs on a Perception + Occult [6] roll (extended). If the she botches, the Chi is unstable and the object explodes, with her at ground zero. The amount of successes equal the amount of normal damage dice to roll for the explosion.
**** Dim Mak
Many disciplines boast the power to cause damage. None are more destructive then the legendary ability of the Dim Mak, often hailed as the Death Touch. The Vampire rolls Manipulation + Occult [8], each success is one agg done to the target, soaked with Stamina + Fortitude[9]. A successful touch upon the target is required also. A botch indicates that the Vampire's Chi has rippled, and she suffers one agg and must spend a Willpower point to use this power again in the same scene.
***** Spreading Silk
Chi is forced to the entire body, and the Vampire glows a dusty gray. Her movements become blurred, increasing the difficulty to hit her by 3. Additionally, all physical melee attacks are countered by the Chi that is directing the body's movements. Add three dodge dice and double the amount of dodge successes obtained. The Vampire must spend each action upon the Spreading of Silk, and can counter melee attacks that occur outside of her init. or in celerity, even if she isn't.