City of Shadows Mux City of Shadows Mux

SEPTIMI

Parent Clan: Daeva Sobriquet: Passionate Source: Ancient Bloodlines, p. 89 Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Majesty, Vigor Revised by: Ganymede

Background

Before the Fall, the Passionate were all-but-extinct. The Lancea et Sanctum successfully culled more of them where they lurked in the European countryside and in the northern parts of Scandinavia. Pockets remains concealed in the far reaches of the American wilderness, masquerading within small communes and clashing with roving Savages. Their network remained tight, but continued to spread the message of humanism: that salvation was possible through charity and education.

After the Fall, the Lancea et Sanctum’s hold over religion crumbled, as mortal populations quarreled among themselves as to the meaning of the near-Apocalypse. In the heartland of America, the Passionate emerged with their followers to carve out their own territories through will-working and volunteerism. Determined to once again counter the Sanctified’s purpose, the vampires of the Septimi line embraced many of their loyal followers, and trained them to become crusaders against the Dark Prophet’s minions.

Humanity craves leadership, and the Passionate provide a rosy vision of the future. Intelligent and charismatic, the Passionate are able to attract many to their banner. This causes substantial friction not only with the remaining Sanctified, but also vampires who lose their countless of prospective ghouls and thralls to the Passionates’ call. Many Princes wisely ostracize the Passionates from their territory, if only to not tempt them into fomenting dissent among the brainwashed, huddled masses.

The Passionate are inevitably driven to areas in need of assistance. They select humanists and engineers to help them in their charitable work. They would be a more effective force if they were not hopelessly altruistic; however, many devious Kindred have been eliminated for attempting to prey upon or prevent the Passionates’ work. For them, the world is a new Garden of Eden, and they intend to ensure that it becomes the Paradise they were once promised.

Bloodline Gift

The Passionates’ natural talents for leadership allow them to buttress themselves against assaults of all kinds. As a reflexive action, a Passionate may spend 1 Vitae in order to gain a bonus equal to her Majesty to the following for the rest of the round: (1) to her Defense; and (2) to all pools to resist or contest supernatural powers directed against her. Ghouls who possess Vitae consumed from a Passionate may do the same, making a Passionate’s followers hard to influence.

Bloodline Bane

The Passionates simply cannot resist their humanist natures, and quickly go astray when detached from humanity. When she loses a Touchstone, she gets the Humbled Condition, which can be resolved. Any time a Passionate’s Touchstone is threatened, she must roll to resist frenzy at -2. Unsurprisingly, the Passionates keep their Touchstones close to them, so as to continue their divine mission without fear of losing control.

Bloodline Devotions

Burning Touch (Celerity ***, Vigor ***)

The Passionate has learned how to channel his own righteous fury and unleash it through his hands. This power can only be used if the Passionate has successfully touched his target.

After making contact, the Passionate may reflexively spend Vitae to transmit his anger. Each point of Vitae spent causes 1 lethal damage if the target is Humanity 5 or higher; otherwise, it causes 1 aggravated damage. Additionally, the target suffers a penalty of -2 to all actions so long as he remains in contact with the Passionate.

This Devotion costs 3 Experiences.

Divine Vengeance (Auspex **, Celerity **, Majesty **, Vigor **)

Through the power of insight and devotion, the Passionate ensures her strikes are true. By spending 1 Willpower, the Passionate’s attack automatically connects with the target, as if it had 1 success. Weapon bonuses still apply to increase the damage, which may be reduced by applicable armor.

This Devotion costs 4 Experiences.

Exorcism (Auspex **, Majesty **, Vigor **)

The Passionate with this devotion can extricate banish ghosts and spirits that may ride a person. The process is painful to the ghost or spirit inhabiting the target, which often try to flee or attach the Passionate in response.

Cost: 2 Vitae Dice Pool: Presence + Occult + Majesty vs. Power + Resistance Action: Extended

Each roll accumulates successes towards exorcising the ghost or spirit, and takes a Passionate’s full concentration. The ghost or spirit is successfully purged from the target once the Passionate has accumulated successes equal to the ghost’s or spirit’s Willpower. The exorcised ghost or spirit is compelled to retreat from the Passionate’s presence, and may never again ride the target.

This Devotion costs 3 Experiences.

The Light of Truth (Auspex **, Majesty **)

The Passionates are able to destroy illusions, particularly those that muddle the senses. While it cannot be used to rid a target of mental or emotional trauma, e.g. derangements, the Light of Truth can dispel conditioning and other forms of deeply-ingrained supernatural influence.

Cost: 1 Vitae Dice Pool: Resolve + Investigation + Auspex Action: Extended

Each roll accumulates successes towards dispelling the illusion, and takes a Passionate’s full concentration. System-wise, this means that Conditions can be removed from the target. Temporary Conditions require 5 successes, whereas Persistent Conditions require 10 successes. Resolving Conditions this way does not permit the sufferer to gain a Beat.

This Devotion costs 2 Experiences.