Predators Taint
From Edge of Darkness Wiki
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| There are House Rules governing Predators Taint |
Vampires instinctively know other Kindred upon sight, as the Beast seems to call to other Beasts in its vicinity. Hackles rise, fangs distend and a sense of fear or territoriality overtakes a Kindred upon meeting another vampire for the first time. The urge is primal and bestial — the Kindred with more potent blood sees the interloper as a threat to his superiority, while the vampire with less potent blood instinctively feels a desire to flee this greater predator. Both Kindred potentially risk frenzy at the overwhelming surge of instinct, the aggressive vampire feeling the urge to attack the lesser to assert his dominance, and the “subordinate” vampire feeling a pressing urge to flee. Kindred of equally potent blood both feel the desire to attack each other and settle the matter of primacy once and for all. True, such compulsions abate once two Kindred are familiar with each other, but the initial experience can be terrifying — or perversely thrilling.
Despite the predilection some Kindred have for describing each other as parasites, the truth of the matter is that vampires are finely suited to the roles of predators. Their supernatural abilities allow them to hunt with great efficacy. Their mesmeric personalities draw people to them. Even their hideous or off-putting weaknesses can reduce their prey to impotent wretches from whom blood can be taken at will. The Kindred are consummate solitary predators, keenly able to procure their own sustenance without the aid of others of their kind.
It is no surprise, then, that when such perfect predators meet each other, the Beast inside each attempts to determine whether the other is a threat or an encroaching lesser. Indeed, when Kindred meet for the first time, the Beast rages within, wishing to flee in terror of a greater predator or to conquer a less able creature in hopes of protecting one’s own territory.
One minor benefit of the Predator’s Taint is that, due to the presence of the Beast, vampires instinctively know other vampires upon seeing them.
Even if a vampire has met another Kindred before, the initial “surge” of the Beast takes place every time the two make contact, though it is far more manageable than the initial contact of the unknown. This also, unfortunately, explains the tense and mercurial nature of relations between vampires.
System
| Modifier | Situation |
| +3 | The character is at Elysium or some other social event that would invoke grave consequences for succumbing to frenzy. |
| +2 | The character expects to meet another vampire, such as through a planned meeting suggested by a common acquaintance. |
| +1 | The character frequents an establishment known to have common Kindred presence, such as a blood cult’s temple or the Rack. |
| - | The character witnesses another vampire in a potentially threatening capacity for the first time. |
| -2 | The character perceives the other vampire as an intruder or unexpected threat, such as by coming back to her haven and finding an unknown vampire there. |
Characters risk frenzy and Rötschreck only when they are aware of the presence of the other Kindred. It is entirely possible, say, for a vampire to see another, unknown vampire feeding in an alley and thereby cause her own frenzy check as her Beast senses the rival Beast. While the other vampire is preoccupied with feeding he remains oblivious; only when he becomes aware of the other Kindred does his Beast respond to the presence of the first.
When a vampire sees another vampire for the first time (and only for the first time), compare the characters’ Blood Potency dots.
- The character with the lower Blood Potency immediately checks for fear Frenzy.
- The character with the higher Blood Potency immediately checks for anger Frenzy.
- If the characters have the same Blood Potency, both check for anger Frenzy.
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