•• Stoke the Flames
The power of the Xiao lies in their ability to bring one’s passions to the surface, goading their prey into emotional behavior without thought for the consequences of these acts. Stoke the Flames may be used on any target who is paying attention to the Xiao; she need not be actively dealing with that target. While active, Stoke the Flames brings the passion of the target to the fore, causing a momentary outburst. The Xiao cannot choose the nature of that outburst; she is prodding an urge that already exists.
Effect
Dramatic Failure: The character accidentally severs her connection to her target’s emotions. The target cannot be affected by the character’s use of Xinyao for the rest of the night.
Failure: The character loses or ties the contested roll. The target is unaffected, but the character may try again later.
Success: The target is electrified by the presence of the Xiao, and reacts with a brief outburst of emotion. The manifested emotion depends on how the target already feels with respect to the Xiao — if he is currently feeling unhappy, hurt or ashamed, tears will fall from his eyes. If he currently feels jealous, indignant or annoyed, he will be overcome by a flash of rage. If he desires the Xiao, he will beg for her affection.
The outburst caused by this power lasts for only one turn. Afterwards, the victim is free to recover his self-control, but in most cases the damage will be done. Strangely, some just seem to go with the flow, relaxing into the display and continuing to laugh or cry unbidden.
Note that Kindred who are affected by this power are likely to frenzy — especially if their feelings with regards to the Xiao are angry, fearful or lustful. The frenzy that is provoked (which can be resisted per normal) will certainly be directed at the Xiao, so the power must be used judiciously.
Exceptional Success: If the character wins the contested roll by five or more successes, she temporarily unhinges her target’s heart. Mortals will lose all self-control, breaking down in a blubbering heap or flying into a screaming rage. Kindred will frenzy instantly, no matter what their emotional state, and must roll seven successes on the Resolve + Composure resistance roll if they wish to calm themselves. The expressed emotion runs its course naturally, affecting the victim for the remainder of the scene. Even if he overcomes it mechanically, he will feel its echoes.
Stoke the Fire works most effectively if the Xiao herself is feeling the same emotion as her intended target. If that is the case, she gains a +2 dice bonus on the power’s activation roll. If she feels an opposing emotion (a melancholy Xiao trying to stoke a joyful target, for example), she suffers a –2 dice penalty instead.
Failure: The character loses or ties the contested roll. The target is unaffected, but the character may try again later.
Success: The target is electrified by the presence of the Xiao, and reacts with a brief outburst of emotion. The manifested emotion depends on how the target already feels with respect to the Xiao — if he is currently feeling unhappy, hurt or ashamed, tears will fall from his eyes. If he currently feels jealous, indignant or annoyed, he will be overcome by a flash of rage. If he desires the Xiao, he will beg for her affection.
The outburst caused by this power lasts for only one turn. Afterwards, the victim is free to recover his self-control, but in most cases the damage will be done. Strangely, some just seem to go with the flow, relaxing into the display and continuing to laugh or cry unbidden.
Note that Kindred who are affected by this power are likely to frenzy — especially if their feelings with regards to the Xiao are angry, fearful or lustful. The frenzy that is provoked (which can be resisted per normal) will certainly be directed at the Xiao, so the power must be used judiciously.
Exceptional Success: If the character wins the contested roll by five or more successes, she temporarily unhinges her target’s heart. Mortals will lose all self-control, breaking down in a blubbering heap or flying into a screaming rage. Kindred will frenzy instantly, no matter what their emotional state, and must roll seven successes on the Resolve + Composure resistance roll if they wish to calm themselves. The expressed emotion runs its course naturally, affecting the victim for the remainder of the scene. Even if he overcomes it mechanically, he will feel its echoes.
Stoke the Fire works most effectively if the Xiao herself is feeling the same emotion as her intended target. If that is the case, she gains a +2 dice bonus on the power’s activation roll. If she feels an opposing emotion (a melancholy Xiao trying to stoke a joyful target, for example), she suffers a –2 dice penalty instead.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments