Zeuxis

By Joshua Bouton for the Mimos bloodline.

Description

The main discipline of the Mimos, Zeuxis allows the Kindred to change parts of her body into different human forms. Zeuxis is different from Protean in the respect that Protean allows a kindred to turn into something inhuman and Zeuxis concentrates on the human form. Zeuxis is also more powerful than Obfuscate because the actual change in the Kindred's physical body makes this power immune to all powers of Auspex. Since the kindred is changing from human form to human form, all of the disciplines will work with Zeuxis.

The discipline is different from Vicissitude in two very important ways. First, while the vampire with Vicissitude may change into whole inhuman forms, the practitioners of Zeuxis remain humanesque. Second, while Vicissitude has the affect of making a vampire more alien, mastery of Zeuxis endows a vampire with an almost trancendent human quality. It is rumored that there are higher, forgotten levels of the discipline that allow a vampire to regain his humanity, but this has never been proved.

* Vox Fidelis

The faithful voice allows a vampire to change the physical form of her larynx. The vampire may change the tone, pitch, and to a lesser extent, volume of the sounds produced from the larynx during speech. The power differs from mimicry. The Mimic relies on the flexibility of the vocal chords to create sounds that are not normal for that individual. In times of stress mimicry will fail. Vox Fidelis allows the vampire to change the actual physical form of the larynx so that her "real" voice changes permanently. Once used, the larynx will retain its new form until the power is used again. The vampire with this power may use it on herself and no one else.

System: To activate this power the vampire must spend one blood point. The transformation takes one turn, and a Perception + music roll must be made. The dificulty of the roll depends on the desired effect. Changing the voice is simple (difficulty 3), but making an exact copy of the Prince's voice is hard (difficulty 8).

** Godiva's Shield

Once this level of Zeuxis is reached, the vampire is again able to produce hair. The power opens the dead hair follicles, and allows the vampire to again grow hair. Even kindred who were bald in fife may grow hair with this power. The length, color, and pattern of the hair grown may be chosen by the vampire. the hair growth is not restricted to the head. Hair may be grown on any part of the body in any length and any color that humans can. This power, like all Zeuxis powers, can be used only on the vampire possessing it. The new hair will remain until the power is again used, even from night to night.

System: One blood point must be used to activate the power, but no roll need be made. One turn is required for the effect.

*** Changeling Flesh

Changeling Flesh looks in many respects like the Vicissitude power Fleshcraft, but there are important differences between the two. A kindred may only use this power on himself. The power must also be used to make human features. If a vampire tries to change any features into a non-human feature, said feature will change into the nearest human equivalent. The power can be used to change both bodily and facial features. The complexion, color, and texture of the skin can be changed as well as the shape. An especially skilled kindred can even change his sex through the use of this power. Once the changes have been made in the vampire's flesh, which is brought partially back to life for the changes, the changes will remain until the power is again used.

System: A blood point must be used to start the change. The change takes one turn for each success rolled on a Body Alteration + dexterity roll (difficulty 6). The Appearence rating of the vampire should be changed accordingly by the Storyteller. The number of successes determines the extent and type of changes that are made.

1	Facial and other Minor features.
2 Successes	Skin texture, color, and complexion.
3 Successes	Major changes in the overall flesh appearence.
4 Successes	The flesh may be changed to match any model of the vampire's sex.
5 Successes	The kindred may change the sex of his body.

**** Metamorph Muscle Mass

The vampire who controls this level of Zeuxis may change the mass of her body. The weight and muscle mass of the vampire may be changed to increase or decrease the weight of the kindred. The vampire may choose the distribution and the quality of the weight (fat or muscle) as long as it falls within human possibilities. This is accomplished through spontaneous cell regeneration or destruction. The transformation is quite draining and requires knowledge of the body. The change only effects the weight and appearence of the vampires not her physical abilities. Once the changes are made with this power they are permanent until the power is used again, and the kindred may only use this power on herself.

System: This power functions similarly to Changeling Flesh. The power requires an expenditure of three blood points over the period of the transformation. The power takes as many turns as the vampire scores on an Intelligence + Medicine roll (difficulty 6) plus three. The number of successes determines the amount of mass that can be gained or lost.

1	1 - 20 lbs/ .5 - 8.9kg.
2	21 - 40 lbs/ 9 - 17.8kg.
3	41 - 60 lbs/ 17.9 - 26.7kg.
4	61 - 100 lbs/ 26.8 - 44.5kg.
5	101 - 150 lbs/ 44.6 - 66.7kg.

***** Skeletal Restructuring

When a kindred reaches this advanced level of Zeuxis he are able to change the skeletal frame of his body. The change reintroduces the chemicals found during the formative years of a child into the blood stream of the vampire. The main effect of using this power is change in the vampires height. The effect is quite painful and can cause severe damage. The change does not give any physical enhancement other than the normal benefits and restrictions of being a certain height. As with all Zeuxis powers, the vampire can only effect himself, and the changes are permanent until the power is used again.

System: The vampire must spend three blood points over the course of the change to use this power, and he must make a Intelligence + medicine roll (difficulty 6). The change takes three turns plus the number of successes that are scored. The number of successes also determines the height that can be lost or gained. The vampire takes one aggravated wound for every three inches (7.5 cm) in height that are gained, or lost.

1	1 - 3 inches/ 2.5 - 7.5 cm.
2	4 - 6 inches/ 10 - 15 cm.
3	7 - 9 inches/ 17.5 - 22.5 cm.
4	10 - 12 inches/ 25 - 30 cm.
5	13 - 15 inches/ 32.5 - 37.5 cm.

****** Body memory

It is said that the body remembers what it used to be. This power makes that statement a reality for the master of Zeuxis. The vampire with this power is able to assume any form that the body has previously taken. The change is almost instantaneous, but the change takes both a physical and a mental toll. This power can be both a great ally and a dreaded foe.

System: The vampire spends three blood points and in one turn, the body changes to any form the vampire has taken in the past. The vampire does not take any physical damage from the change, but the vampire must immediately roll to resist frenzy (difficulty 7).

******* The Familiar Face

You seem like an old friend to those you just met. This power resembles the powers of Presence more than anything else. The power makes it seem to other as if they know you. Your features take on a familiar look to those under the power's sway. You seem like an old friend who is to be trusted to those affected by the power. Unlike the powers of Presence, willpower may not be used to resist this power as it works on a physio-emotional level rather than a purely emotional one. One must remember that this only gives the impression of familiarity, it does not compel anyone to act in a certain manner, but most react in a friendly way despite this.

System: The vampire must make a Charisma + Subterfuge roll (difficulty of targets Wits + 3). If successful the target will feel a strong bond to the power's owner. For the rest of the scene the target will be friendly to the user.

******* Substance and Style

The motto: "Substance over style" does not apply to the vampire who possesses the second of the two seventh level Zeuxis powers. This power allows the kindred to have the best of both worlds. The power allows the kindred to use the powers of Changeling Flesh, Metamorph Muscle mass, and Skeletal Restructuring to change her physical Attributes. The vampire must first change her physical form via one of the above powers. Then, the vampire uses the power of Substance over Style to change the corresponding attribute. Changeling flesh corresponds to Stamina, Metamorph Muscle Mass to Strength, and Skeletal Restructuring to Dexterity. The reason for the increase is that the vampires mastery of Zeuxis has advanced to such a point that subtle manipulations of the body are possible (Such as thickening the skin, tightening muscle chords, and loosening joints.)

System: One of the three powers is used. If the use is successful, the vampire can use Substance over Style. The kindred rolls Stamina + Medicine (difficulty 9). For every success scored on this roll the vampire gains one permanent point on the corresponding attribute. Points gained through this power may not exceed the generational limit forthe vampire.