Post by Tami on Mar 6, 2007 10:15:21 GMT -5
Abombwe
The Beast, for Laibon, is not so fearful as it is for European vampires. Laibon are less burdened by knowledge of sin and its accompanying guilt, and thus are more receptive to the urges of their Beasts. European vampires might well learn from the Sphinxes; Laibon demonstrate admirable control over their Beasts- a control that is learned through hard experience and communion in the wastes.
The Abombwe Discipline is unique to its bloodline. It gives the vampire direct control over the Beast Within - his own and others'.
It is rumored that the mysterious Cathayan vampires of the Far East have similar powers of control over their Beasts (for more information, see Kindred of the East). Whether this has been learned from the Laibon or is merely coincidental is unknown.
Level 1 -- PREDATOR'S COMMUNION
The Laibon can commune with her Beast. With this level of Abombwe, she is able to utilize the Beast's mystical senses, keeping it on a psychic "leash" and enabling it to act as a bloodhound of sorts.
System: The player must spend a Blood Point (actually two, because of the clan weakness). Thereafter, the Laibon may mystically sense other Beasts in the vicinity (other vampires, Changing Breeds with Rage, wraiths and Spectres, predatory animals, and humans with Via scores of 3 or less). Successful detection manifests as smell; the Laibon may "sniff fout" the Beast with a Perception + Survival roll (difficulty 6; can be higher or lower if the Beast is particularly strong or weak).
The power remains active for a scene.
Level 2--TAMING THE BEAST
The Laibon may enter into a pact with his Beast. If properly supplicated, the Beast lends its strength to the Laibon for a brief period of time. This is a very dangerous activity, as the Beast often uses the opportunity to manifest in the Laibon.
System: The Laibon must spend a full turn in concentration. The player rolls Willpower (difficulty 8). Each success grants one extra die on a subsequent physical action (one punch, one leap, etc.)—but the Laibon must immediately check for frenzy thereafter.
Level 3--WHISTLING UP THE BEAST
The Laibon learns the "songs" that cajole and frighten the Beast Within.
System: The Laibon whistles for a full turn, and a Manipulation + Music roll (difficulty 7) is made. If the roll succeeds, the target must make a Courage roll (difficulty 7; victim must equal or beat the Laibon's successes). Even if the victim's roll succeeds, she is uneasy (one-die penalty to all Dice Pools against the Laibon; difficulty of frenzy and Rotschreck rolls is reduced by one). If the victim's roll fails, she must retreat from the Laibon for the duration of the scene - not necessarily mindless flight, but the wary retreat of an animal that realizes it has met a superior foe.
Alternatively, the Laibon may "whistle up" her own Beast; a successful roll immediately sends the Laibon into frenzy (thus negating wound penalties).
Level 4--DEVIL CHANNEL
The Laibon may channel his Beast through his body. Depending on which part of his body the Laibon chooses to "invest" with the Beast, a variety of powers are gained.
System: The player must spend two Blood Points (actually three, due to the clan weakness). All difficulties to avoid frenzy are increased by one because the Beast is so close to the surface. The Beast actually manifests as a film of black, clotted blood that cakes the affected body part. Only one power may be "turned on" at a time.
Various powers demonstrated by Laibon include:
Hands: The Laibon may inflict aggravated damage with punches. The power lasts for the scene.
Body: All blood expenditure to increase Physical Attributes (not heal) is considered doubly efficient. The power lasts for the scene.
Throat: The Laibon may roar. Humans flee unless they succeed on Courage rolls (difficulty 9). Supernaturals must make successful Courage rolls (difficulty 8) or become weak with terror (all Dice Pools reduced by half, rounded up). This effect lasts for a scene.
Feet: Aggravated damage may be inflicted with kicks. This power lasts for the scene.
The Laibon may also stamp, paining the earth-spirits with his tread. The spirits react with a violent shock wave that affects all within 100 feet of the Laibon. Those in the vicinity (including the Laibon) must make Dexterity + Athletics rolls to remain standing (difficulty 5 for the Laibon, 6 if expecting it, 8 if the shock wave is a surprise). The tremors continue for as long as the Laibon "dances."
Some Laibon speak in guarded tones of elder members of the bloodline, who use variants of this power to create even more terrifying effects.
Level 5--TAKING THE SKIN
By slaying a creature and drenching herself in its blood, the Laibon can enshroud herself in the creature's Beast. This allows the Laibon to transform herself into the slain creature.
System: The Laibon must anoint herself with the creature's blood and then successfully invite the spirit of the creature intoherself (Charisma + Occult, difficulty 7). If successful, the player makes a frenzy check. The creature in question must have at least one Blood Point's worth of vitae (i.e., must be as large as a bat or large bird) and must be a predatory or omnivorous animal (no elephants or rhinos). The blood must be fresh. The Laibon gains all physical traits of the creature (so a Laibon transformed into a vulture can fly, and a vampire transformed into a leopard has claws and increased speed). Humans and supernatural creatures may be duplicated in this fashion, though such changes are limited to appearances (no Disciplines, Numina or Rage may be gained from such transformations ). The transformation lasts until sunrise or until the Laibon "sheds" the skin taken.
Level 6 -- Predator's Master
The Laibon may confront any other creature that posseses a Beast (For basic list see Predator's Communion above). She may attempt to use er Beast to dominate the opponent's and, if sucessful, the "subdued" Beast must obey the "dominant" Laibon.
System: The player rolls manipulation + Courage (difficulty 5 if the victim is less powerful than the Laibon, 6 if of equal power, 8 if of gr4eater power. Animals are typically less powerful, though there are exceptions). If the roll succeeds, the creature grudgingly obeys the Laibon. This is not a willing vassalage, but servitude of an animal cowed into submission. The Dominated creature bears no love for the Laibon, but is too fearful to act directly against her. The forcible servitudes last until the Laibon relaxes her vigilance. A botch send the Laibon into Rötschreck
The Beast, for Laibon, is not so fearful as it is for European vampires. Laibon are less burdened by knowledge of sin and its accompanying guilt, and thus are more receptive to the urges of their Beasts. European vampires might well learn from the Sphinxes; Laibon demonstrate admirable control over their Beasts- a control that is learned through hard experience and communion in the wastes.
The Abombwe Discipline is unique to its bloodline. It gives the vampire direct control over the Beast Within - his own and others'.
It is rumored that the mysterious Cathayan vampires of the Far East have similar powers of control over their Beasts (for more information, see Kindred of the East). Whether this has been learned from the Laibon or is merely coincidental is unknown.
Level 1 -- PREDATOR'S COMMUNION
The Laibon can commune with her Beast. With this level of Abombwe, she is able to utilize the Beast's mystical senses, keeping it on a psychic "leash" and enabling it to act as a bloodhound of sorts.
System: The player must spend a Blood Point (actually two, because of the clan weakness). Thereafter, the Laibon may mystically sense other Beasts in the vicinity (other vampires, Changing Breeds with Rage, wraiths and Spectres, predatory animals, and humans with Via scores of 3 or less). Successful detection manifests as smell; the Laibon may "sniff fout" the Beast with a Perception + Survival roll (difficulty 6; can be higher or lower if the Beast is particularly strong or weak).
The power remains active for a scene.
Level 2--TAMING THE BEAST
The Laibon may enter into a pact with his Beast. If properly supplicated, the Beast lends its strength to the Laibon for a brief period of time. This is a very dangerous activity, as the Beast often uses the opportunity to manifest in the Laibon.
System: The Laibon must spend a full turn in concentration. The player rolls Willpower (difficulty 8). Each success grants one extra die on a subsequent physical action (one punch, one leap, etc.)—but the Laibon must immediately check for frenzy thereafter.
Level 3--WHISTLING UP THE BEAST
The Laibon learns the "songs" that cajole and frighten the Beast Within.
System: The Laibon whistles for a full turn, and a Manipulation + Music roll (difficulty 7) is made. If the roll succeeds, the target must make a Courage roll (difficulty 7; victim must equal or beat the Laibon's successes). Even if the victim's roll succeeds, she is uneasy (one-die penalty to all Dice Pools against the Laibon; difficulty of frenzy and Rotschreck rolls is reduced by one). If the victim's roll fails, she must retreat from the Laibon for the duration of the scene - not necessarily mindless flight, but the wary retreat of an animal that realizes it has met a superior foe.
Alternatively, the Laibon may "whistle up" her own Beast; a successful roll immediately sends the Laibon into frenzy (thus negating wound penalties).
Level 4--DEVIL CHANNEL
The Laibon may channel his Beast through his body. Depending on which part of his body the Laibon chooses to "invest" with the Beast, a variety of powers are gained.
System: The player must spend two Blood Points (actually three, due to the clan weakness). All difficulties to avoid frenzy are increased by one because the Beast is so close to the surface. The Beast actually manifests as a film of black, clotted blood that cakes the affected body part. Only one power may be "turned on" at a time.
Various powers demonstrated by Laibon include:
Hands: The Laibon may inflict aggravated damage with punches. The power lasts for the scene.
Body: All blood expenditure to increase Physical Attributes (not heal) is considered doubly efficient. The power lasts for the scene.
Throat: The Laibon may roar. Humans flee unless they succeed on Courage rolls (difficulty 9). Supernaturals must make successful Courage rolls (difficulty 8) or become weak with terror (all Dice Pools reduced by half, rounded up). This effect lasts for a scene.
Feet: Aggravated damage may be inflicted with kicks. This power lasts for the scene.
The Laibon may also stamp, paining the earth-spirits with his tread. The spirits react with a violent shock wave that affects all within 100 feet of the Laibon. Those in the vicinity (including the Laibon) must make Dexterity + Athletics rolls to remain standing (difficulty 5 for the Laibon, 6 if expecting it, 8 if the shock wave is a surprise). The tremors continue for as long as the Laibon "dances."
Some Laibon speak in guarded tones of elder members of the bloodline, who use variants of this power to create even more terrifying effects.
Level 5--TAKING THE SKIN
By slaying a creature and drenching herself in its blood, the Laibon can enshroud herself in the creature's Beast. This allows the Laibon to transform herself into the slain creature.
System: The Laibon must anoint herself with the creature's blood and then successfully invite the spirit of the creature intoherself (Charisma + Occult, difficulty 7). If successful, the player makes a frenzy check. The creature in question must have at least one Blood Point's worth of vitae (i.e., must be as large as a bat or large bird) and must be a predatory or omnivorous animal (no elephants or rhinos). The blood must be fresh. The Laibon gains all physical traits of the creature (so a Laibon transformed into a vulture can fly, and a vampire transformed into a leopard has claws and increased speed). Humans and supernatural creatures may be duplicated in this fashion, though such changes are limited to appearances (no Disciplines, Numina or Rage may be gained from such transformations ). The transformation lasts until sunrise or until the Laibon "sheds" the skin taken.
Level 6 -- Predator's Master
The Laibon may confront any other creature that posseses a Beast (For basic list see Predator's Communion above). She may attempt to use er Beast to dominate the opponent's and, if sucessful, the "subdued" Beast must obey the "dominant" Laibon.
System: The player rolls manipulation + Courage (difficulty 5 if the victim is less powerful than the Laibon, 6 if of equal power, 8 if of gr4eater power. Animals are typically less powerful, though there are exceptions). If the roll succeeds, the creature grudgingly obeys the Laibon. This is not a willing vassalage, but servitude of an animal cowed into submission. The Dominated creature bears no love for the Laibon, but is too fearful to act directly against her. The forcible servitudes last until the Laibon relaxes her vigilance. A botch send the Laibon into Rötschreck