Wolven Protean

By Khlaire (kschaefe@direct.ca) for the Wolven Revised.

Author's Notes

Wolven-Protean level 6 was originally written by Martin Xavier as Protean-Level 7 (Part of XM's High Level disciplines). Wolven-Protean levels 5,7 and 8 were originally part of High Levels of Protean compiled by Craig Lloyd as Protean-Levels 7 and 8.

Many versions of Protean have been posted that give Kindred access to the Chrinos Werewolf form. This is an attempt to standardize this power, and to provide a rationale for it.

These levels are common to the Wolven bloodline, but some non-Wolven Gangrel may also possess them (ST's discretion).

***** Image of the Beast

The Wolven has learned to compel the Beast within him. With this power he can shift into the intermediary Lupine forms, in the same manner as the true Shapeshifters.

Homid (Human)
Glabro (Near Man)
Hispo (Near Wolf)
Lupus (Wolf)

The forms the kindred can take come with all of the accompanying features and the majority of the attribute modifiers.

System: No roll is required to shift forms but the vampire must spend one Blood Point. It takes one turn to shift between each adjacent form (to an overall maximum of three turns) and the Wolven can still function during this time. However, if the Storyteller allows, the vampire may spend three Blood Points and shift to any form in one turn. This power also allows the Wolven to perform partial transformations of her form by expending one Blood Point.

****** Form of the Beast

You can change to Crinos (Wolf-Man) form with all the associated modifications: higher physical traits (eventually exceeding the normal allowed maxima), lower social traits, higher jumping capabilities, sharper senses, higher frenzy difficulties, wolf claws, and a true bite attack. A drawback with this power is the Beast itself. When the Wolven shifts into an intermediary form, she has voluntarily relinquished some of her controlover it, bringing it closer to the surface. In the Glabro and Hispo forms, resisting frenzy is at +1 difficulty. And in Crinos form, +2 difficulty. If he ever Frenzies, the Wolven must make a Willpower roll to resist the urge to shift into Crinos form. (Of course, these restrictions do not apply to those who have reached Golconda.)

System: Spend 5 Blood Points to trigger the transformation that takes 1 round. For the modifiers applicable in Crinos form, refer to Werewolf rules.

******* Blood of the Beast

The Wolven's blood has been empowered with the Beast and increased in Potence. Her blood now possesses very similar qualities to real Shapeshifter blood. The Wolven can no longer be detected as being anything other than a true, living, Shapeshifter.

System: The character's blood is now more potent than the blood of other Kindred of the same generation. The Blood pool of the character is increased by 1/4 rounded down, but the rate at which blood can be spent is not affected. Kindred drinking this blood feel its potency and become agitated to the point of Frenzy just as if it was real Shapeshifter blood. Interestingly, the vampire is now immune from the Frenzy invoking effects of other Shapeshifters' blood, plus, even under Aura Perception, the character appears to be a Shapeshifter, the Aura as bright as any mortal's. In certain situations, this could be tricky for the poor kindred to explain. Still, there are Tremere Rituals which can tell the blood for what it really is.

******** Protean Mastery

The Wolven has mastered the art of shapeshifting to the point where she can reduce the Blood cost of transformations significantly.The Kindred can utilize Protean abilities at a reduced Blood point cost.

System: Any powers that require 1 or 2 Blood points costs no Blood. All other expenditures are at one third normal.