Aqueous

by Larry J. Langley (29 Aug 92)

This discipline allow the Coelacanth to make use of the advantages of the
ocean to aid their survival. Similar to Protean or Serpentis, Kindred
possessing this discipline must spend one blood point when using a power
that involves active transformation. Vampires learning this discipline also
begin to develop slight physical changes for each level of Aqueous gained.
These changes slowly adapt the Vampire to an underwater existence. A Vampire
may gain rounded eyes, smooth hairless skin, etc.

[1] Senses of the water: The senses of the Coelacanth physically alter to
adapt to underwater conditions. This affects all the Vampire's senses to a
greater or lesser degree: the pupils widen and the eyes gain a protective
sheath, the ears become better able to translate underwater sounds, the
sense of 'smell' works through water to a fine degree, etc.

[2] Ocean's hands: The Vampire's fingers and toes lengthen and become webbed
allowing the Vampire to swim quite easily underwater.

[3] Haven of the depths: Changes occur in the Coelacanth's body so that she
can handle the most severe water pressure allowing her to survive in the
deepest ocean chasm. The Vampire also adapts to cold and her body will not
freeze except in the most extreme conditions.

[4] Hunter's awakening: With this level of ability a Coelacanth may
transform into a shark (the exact type of shark is up to the story teller).

[5] Watery form: The Coelacanth can transform his body into saltwater. In
this form he may move about freely underwater (at about a walking pace) and
is not subject to physical attack, much as the advantages gained in mist
form. On land, the Vampire can only ooze along very slowly though may move
through even the smallest openings.

[6] Bounty of the ocean: Each time a Vampire learns this aspect of the
discipline she may develop a unique (often frightening) form that she can
transform into. Some possibilities include changing arms into numerous
tentacles, gaining a head of a shark, growing quills with deadly venom, or
gaining the ability to deliver powerful electrical shocks. Only one form is
gained each time this power is learned, though the possibilities are only
limited by the strange creatures of the sea and your imagination. The
storyteller will need to determine the exact abilities of each form.

[7] Cross the ocean's vastness: The Vampire uses the water around his body
to travel great distances. The Vampire can move through the water at speeds
over a hundred knots all night without tiring.

[8] Grow to full greatness: Through time and the consumption of vast amount
of blood, the Coelacanth's body begins to grow. Kindred with this ability
may increase in mass to the point that they may add health levels to their
total beyond the usual seven. A Vampire may add up to her stamina in new
health levels. The exact rate of growth is up to the storyteller, but it is
likely to occur at approximately one health level per century depending on
how much blood the Vampire is able to freely consume. When out of water the
Kindred must subtract the number of new health levels from any activity
involving athletics.

[9] Swallow: A truly horrible power to witness, the Coelacanth consumes
living organisms by absorbing them directly into his body. This requires
that the Kindred first grapple the target and on the next action make a
successful attack with difficulty 5. Five successes are required to
completely absorb the victim. After a creature is absorbed it may make no
physical action, but it remains alive and in great pain. Someone so absorbed
must expend a willpower point a turn to make use any mental abilities. After
ingesting a creature the Vampire begins to drain blood from the creature at
double the usual rate. Once the victim has been entirely drained it is dead
and the physical body is for the most part destroyed, although the Vampire
will eventually excrete some waste matter through the skin. A Vampire may
absorb no more than his mass in victims each night.

[10] Ocean's master: This powerful ability allows the Coelacanth, after
transforming into a watery form to extend herself throughout the surrounding
water and control its motion. Using this ability the Vampire can perform
actions ranging from creating an unusual tide in a local area (a bay for
example) to forming a whirlpool that can sink ships to becoming a tidal
wave. All of these manifestations require several hours time and the
expenditure of ten or more blood points.