Devotions
The rote Disciplines that are common to all Kindred are not the only supernatural capabilities at their disposal. Every so often, an entirely new Discipline “technique,” formed by a curious combination of two or more standard powers, emerges from the ranks of the undead. Like standard Disciplines, these techniques — called Devotions — can be learned from or taught to other Kindred in much the same time frame and manner as the broader powers from which they originate. Any vampire with the appropriate prerequisite Discipline dots can, in theory, develop the Devotions for which he qualifies. It’s simply a matter of time and effort.
Some claim to have truly secret Devotions, however, and the claim does have some basis in truth. Kindred may find themselves incapable of developing some of the more esoteric techniques without a learned mentor at their side. Indeed, not all Kindred have even heard of Devotions. By their nature, they are far rarer than the common Disciplines are, and knowledge of them is a bit more fleeting than the understanding of the unique Disciplines that sometimes accompany the creation of new bloodlines. Only a relative handful of Kindred possess Devotions, and fewer still have been wise enough to create their own. Kindred may learn of them through a “secret knowledge” a sire wishes to pass on to them, the confidences of a mentor, stolen wisdom in the hands of rebellious vampires, or by any other manner in which they come up in a story.
Although any Kindred can potentially learn any Devotion as long as she has the Discipline prerequisites, some measure of “creator’s pride” exists pertaining to each, depending upon who claims to have developed the power first. Most of the Devotions stemming from and involving the Protean Discipline are known as Gangrel Devotions, for example, while those involving Theban Sorcery are referred to as Lancea Sanctum Devotions.
The following are sample Devotions that vampires might encounter and learn. Remember that if a Devotion is turned against or applied to a vampire with whom the user has a blood tie (see p. 162), a +2 bonus is gained on the power’s activation roll. For information on creating one’s own Devotions, see p. 265.
Some claim to have truly secret Devotions, however, and the claim does have some basis in truth. Kindred may find themselves incapable of developing some of the more esoteric techniques without a learned mentor at their side. Indeed, not all Kindred have even heard of Devotions. By their nature, they are far rarer than the common Disciplines are, and knowledge of them is a bit more fleeting than the understanding of the unique Disciplines that sometimes accompany the creation of new bloodlines. Only a relative handful of Kindred possess Devotions, and fewer still have been wise enough to create their own. Kindred may learn of them through a “secret knowledge” a sire wishes to pass on to them, the confidences of a mentor, stolen wisdom in the hands of rebellious vampires, or by any other manner in which they come up in a story.
Although any Kindred can potentially learn any Devotion as long as she has the Discipline prerequisites, some measure of “creator’s pride” exists pertaining to each, depending upon who claims to have developed the power first. Most of the Devotions stemming from and involving the Protean Discipline are known as Gangrel Devotions, for example, while those involving Theban Sorcery are referred to as Lancea Sanctum Devotions.
The following are sample Devotions that vampires might encounter and learn. Remember that if a Devotion is turned against or applied to a vampire with whom the user has a blood tie (see p. 162), a +2 bonus is gained on the power’s activation roll. For information on creating one’s own Devotions, see p. 265.
Learning Ordo Dracul Devotions
In certain domains, it may be impossible to learn some of the following Devotions without possessing one or more dots of Covenant Status in The Ordo Dracul. In many cases, the following Devotions cannot be learned at all without having learned one or more tiers of Coils, which has a Covenant Status requirement of its own (see Vampire: The Requiem, p. 149). Alternately, the Storyteller may require Kindred outside the covenant to learn the powers they can from a Dragon associate or Mentor. In cities where the Dragons are well known, respected or powerful, they may have little fear of sharing some secrets with outside vampires. In cities where the Order is a truly secret society, however, even minor powers may be clutched close in a miser’s grip.
Ancient Mysteries Devotions
The Devotions in this book are meant for elder characters. It isn’t that a skilled ancilla or even neonate wouldn’t be capable of learning these powers, it’s just that they are more easily discovered and developed by Kindred of particularly potent blood.The experience costs for these Devotions, therefore, are slightly higher than usual. For every dot of Blood Potency over five that a Kindred possesses, however, he subtracts three points from the experience cost of the Devotion. Therefore, a vampire of Blood Potency 8 who wishes to learn Fooling the Sleeping Beast would pay 12 experience points, while a vampire with Blood Potency 6 would pay 18, and a character with Blood Potency 1 would pay the full, listed cost.