Proteus' Bane

Protean 6

Let the Tzimisce believe that they are the masters of form - the Gangrel know better. It is within Gangrel blood that the true secrets of shape mastery lie, and with it a Gangrel may exert his mastery over others, forcing them out of their assumed forms. All that is required is for the Gangrel's blood to come into contact with the target.

System: The user of this power must first manage to stain the victim with some of her blood - even a tiny amount will do, but it must touch flesh. If the target has attacked and damaged the user with a sharp natural weapon (such as claws or teeth), this condition is considered fulfilled. The Storyteller may also rule that if the target has inflicted at least two health levels of damage in a single strike with a short weapon, such as a dagger, enough blood has been splattered to fulfill this condition. Otherwise, the most common methods are to smear blood (at least one point's worth) on the palm of a hand and then touch the target (requiring a Dexterity + Brawl roll, difficulty varies according to the type of clothing worn by the target) or to flick it at the target (range of 10 feet and requires a Dexterity + Athletics roll). The blood can also be sprinkled surreptitiously, or it can be slipped into something the victim is about to drink. All that is required is that the blood is wet.

In order to activate the power, the user must be able to see the target. The player spends an additional point of blood (beyond any used to stain the target) and rolls Perception + Survival (difficulty 7). Two successes are necessary for the power to work. If these are achieved, the target immediately assumes her natural form, dispelling any and all shapeshifting effects, no matter how minor. The power lasts for one scene or until the user's blood has been washed off (requiring at least one turn, and then only if the victim immerses herself in water). As long as the power remains active, the user can deny the target any shapeshifting she may attempt.

The power dispels any shapeshifting discipline power of level 6 or below, generally from the Disciplines such as Obtenebration, Protean, Serpentis and Vicissitude. It also works on the natural shapeshifting of the Lupines (although not consistently - some werewolves do change into human form but others become wolves or even assume the dreaded man-wolf form that vampires so fear). Note that this cannot remove the animal characteristics that Gangrel gain due to frenzy - the Curse of Caine is not so easily circumvented. Also, it does not dispel Obfuscate or Chimerstry effects, as these Disciplines do not enact physical changes).