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| - | __NOTOC__{{Infobox Discipline|Name=Nightmare|Source=Vampire The Requiem Sourcebook|Pages=133}}
| + | {{Infobox Discipline|Name=Nightmare|Source=Vampire The Requiem Sourcebook|Pages=133|below=__TOC__}} |
| - | The [[Kindred]] [[Discipline]] of striking fear and dread into the hearts of others. Practitioners learn to manifest their inhumanity in their appearance or by letting unfortunate onlookers peer deep into their Damned souls. The Discipline can have a variety of effects, from shocking even the most jaded individual to literally frightening a victim to death. Nightmare is the signature [[Discipline]] of [[clan]] [[Nosferatu]].
| + | There’s no question that one of the foremost powers of legendary vampires is the ability to strike fear in the hearts of mortal men. Also born of mortal existence, other now-supernatural beings are susceptible. Fear is a fact of existence that transcends any origins. |
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| | + | Vampires who delve into the dark side of their being — often exploring the Beast or what it means to be monstrous — invest in the Discipline of Nightmare. They learn to bear that which is terrifying or unholy about their spirits, manifesting their inhumanity in their appearance or letting unfortunate onlookers peer deep into the creatures’ depraved souls. The results can take a jaded individual aback or subject an unsuspecting victim to a fatal physiological reaction (to literally be frightened to death). |
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| - | === • Monstrous Countenance ===
| + | Practitioners of Nightmare explore this route to power for different reasons. One vampire might exult in his inhuman nature and enjoy lording over lessers. The Discipline offers immediate gratification, and these Kindred display what is hideous about themselves to everyone, hiding it only insofar as they must in order to observe the secrecy of the Traditions. Other undead recognize the wisdom or even benevolence that fear affords. What better way to deal with a problem or avoid a confrontation than by frightening away an opponent? How better to protect someone from harm than by scaring her off? And if one seeks solitude, striking fear is certainly more effective than issuing threats, trying to reason with would-be intruders or orchestrating ever more elaborate means by which to hide. |
| - | {{main|Monstrous Countenance}}
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| - | The true face of a vampire is a frightening thing, indeed — made all the more terrifying by the assistance of this entirely unsubtle Nightmare power. When a Kindred activates Monstrous Countenance, he does so in conjunction with a ferocious baring of fangs and a raspy, malevolent hiss. This horrid display may be enough to shake the confidence on any onlooker, but the supernatural revelation of the vampire's Beast terrifies beyond the flesh, into the soul. The result is an experience most terrible, one that can make stalwart foes cower at the vampire’s feet.
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| - | Cost: --
| + | : '''Note''': All uses of Nightmare gain a +2 bonus if the individual power is turned on a vampire with whom the user has a [[Blood Tie]]. Naturally, this bonus does not apply to the subject’s resistance. |
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| - | Dice Pool: Presence + Intimidation + Nightmare versus subject's Composure + Blood Potency (The Nosferatu clan weakness does not apply to the Discipline user's roll.)
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| - | Action: Contested
| + | === • Monstrous Countenance === |
| | + | {{main|Monstrous Countenance}} |
| | + | The true face of a vampire is a frightening thing, indeed — made all the more terrifying by the assistance of this entirely unsubtle Nightmare power. |
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| - | Dramatic Failure: The vampire is incapable of Monstrous Countenance for the remainder of the scene.
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| - | Failure: The subject's successes exceed or tie those rolled for the vampire. The subject is a bit shaken, but otherwise unaffected.
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| - | Success: Successes rolled for the vampire exceed those rolled for the subject. The victim flees the vampire's presence entirely, using all available means at his disposal to do so. He continues fleeing for one turn per success rolled and will not come within sight of the vampire for the remainder of the scene.
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| - | Exceptional Success: An exceptional success reduces the subject to a cowering heap, unable to take any action of his own volition. If attacked, a terror-stricken foe can defend himself (he is allowed Defense but not a dodge action), and may attack anyone who attacks him. He cannot attack the Nightmare-user, even if she is also the source of an attack. The victim remains terrified as long as the vampire remains in the vicinity.
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| | === •• Dread === | | === •• Dread === |
| - | :A more subtle act than Monstrous Countenance, Dread instills the feeling of pure terror in the recipient's mind.
| + | {{main|Dread}} |
| | + | While an outward, physical manifestation can strike fear in onlookers, it is an overt, blunt means by which to prey upon the weak. More insidious and subtle is a general sense of unease, rising panic and paranoia that a vampire can engender with this power. |
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| | === •••• Shatter the Mind === | | === •••• Shatter the Mind === |
| - | :The name is self-explanatory. Brutal, subtle, and evil, Shatter the Mind shows a victim their greatest fear, driving them insane.
| + | {{main|Shatter the Mind}} |
| - | {{VHR|Exceptional Success: No additional effect other than increased effectiveness.}}
| + | The vampire confronts a subject with her greatest fear, driving her mad. |
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| | === ••••• Mortal Fear === | | === ••••• Mortal Fear === |
| - | :The vampire weilds fear as a weapon, dealing actual physical damage with the terror they inflict. Premature aging, hair turning white, and even heart attacks are noted with use of Mortal Fear.
| + | {{main|Mortal Fear}} |
| - | :Even other vampires can be targets of Mortal Fear, reminding them of what they used to fear before becoming immortal.
| + | At this point, the vampire is able to inspire fear as a weapon unto itself. |
| - | {{VHR|Exceptional Success: No additional effect other than increased effectiveness.}}
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| | {{Links|Nightmare|Parent2=Nosferatu}}{{Vampire/Disciplines}} | | {{Links|Nightmare|Parent2=Nosferatu}}{{Vampire/Disciplines}} |
There’s no question that one of the foremost powers of legendary vampires is the ability to strike fear in the hearts of mortal men. Also born of mortal existence, other now-supernatural beings are susceptible. Fear is a fact of existence that transcends any origins.
Vampires who delve into the dark side of their being — often exploring the Beast or what it means to be monstrous — invest in the Discipline of Nightmare. They learn to bear that which is terrifying or unholy about their spirits, manifesting their inhumanity in their appearance or letting unfortunate onlookers peer deep into the creatures’ depraved souls. The results can take a jaded individual aback or subject an unsuspecting victim to a fatal physiological reaction (to literally be frightened to death).
Practitioners of Nightmare explore this route to power for different reasons. One vampire might exult in his inhuman nature and enjoy lording over lessers. The Discipline offers immediate gratification, and these Kindred display what is hideous about themselves to everyone, hiding it only insofar as they must in order to observe the secrecy of the Traditions. Other undead recognize the wisdom or even benevolence that fear affords. What better way to deal with a problem or avoid a confrontation than by frightening away an opponent? How better to protect someone from harm than by scaring her off? And if one seeks solitude, striking fear is certainly more effective than issuing threats, trying to reason with would-be intruders or orchestrating ever more elaborate means by which to hide.
- Note: All uses of Nightmare gain a +2 bonus if the individual power is turned on a vampire with whom the user has a Blood Tie. Naturally, this bonus does not apply to the subject’s resistance.
• Monstrous Countenance
The true face of a vampire is a frightening thing, indeed — made all the more terrifying by the assistance of this entirely unsubtle Nightmare power.
•• Dread
While an outward, physical manifestation can strike fear in onlookers, it is an overt, blunt means by which to prey upon the weak. More insidious and subtle is a general sense of unease, rising panic and paranoia that a vampire can engender with this power.
••• Eye of the Beast
The terrifying nature of the Beast is a horrific reminder of the fundamental predator-prey dichotomy of existence. Shown the Beast, another being is reduced to the most primal of instincts, foregoing all reason and cunning in the face of primeval horror.
•••• Shatter the Mind
The vampire confronts a subject with her greatest fear, driving her mad.
••••• Mortal Fear
Main article:
Mortal FearAt this point, the vampire is able to inspire fear as a weapon unto itself.
