Kiasyd Merits and Flaws
Merits
- Home Library Affinity (1 point Merit)
Your obsession with your research has been filed to an edge and you now wield it like a weapon. When researching in your home library (not just any library, but when using your own books in your permanent haven, and not when on the run living out of boxes) the player gains an addition die in all dice pools rolled for research.
- Dexterous Toes (1 point Merit): From Kithbook: Sluagh
Your toes were so lengthened by the Embrace that they are now prehensile. You can use them as a second pair of hands, just as well as you could if they actually were hands.
- Prized Collection (1-2pt. Merit)
Kiasyd have appreciation for compilations of books, records, vintages of blood, and other collectable items among Cainites. You possess a collection that may not be worth much (1pt.) or could be worth a lot to the right buyer (2pt.). Importantly, it’s a point of interest for any visiting Kiasyd or expert in the field, and they’re likely to treat you well just to get access to it.
- Long Fingers (2 point Merit)
The Kiasyd’s fingers are nearly unnaturally long and nimble. She gains a -1 difficulty to all Dexterity rolls that require fine or precise work with her fingers.
- Alien Perfection
(2pt. Merit) You possess beauty unsettling in its perfection. People stand in awe of your flawless form, while inexplicable nausea subconsciously creeps up. The difficulty of any Appearance roll is reduced by three. A Stamina roll is required by anyone in your presence for longer than one scene, if this is the first time they’ve encountered you. Failure drives them away from you with a sickness wracking their body
- Paranormal Link (2pt. Merit)
You’re linked to another weird species of the world, and unconsciously find yourself able to understand their parlance, codes, and rituals. Difficulties to decipher the hidden rites and languages of one society (selected when this Merit is purchased) are reduced by three.
- Cursed Glamour (2 Point Merit)
You have an intrinsic ability to influence those around you, but it comes with a catch. You can use your presence to charm or captivate mortals more easily, gaining a -2 difficulty to all Manipulation + Social rolls. However, each time you use this power, there is a chance (Storyteller’s discretion) that you will inadvertently draw the attention of supernatural entities or mortals who become obsessively fixated on you.
- Prehensile Tongue (2 point Merit)
From Kithbook: Sluagh - Your change during the Embrace had some very strange effects. You grew a two-foot long, prehensile tongue. While virtually useless in combat (this is not Serpentis two), this can be used to utterly disgust opponents.
- Kiasyd Gigantism (2 point Merit)
All Kiasyd are abnormally large, standing well over 2 meters tall (approximately 6'6" to 7'0"). However, some Kiasyd are even more massive, and this exceptional size grants certain advantages. Your character weighs around 130 kg (286 lbs), and this extra mass provides an additional Bruised health level. Characters with this Merit may also receive bonuses for actions involving physical strength, such as pushing heavy objects, forcing open barred doors, or resisting attempts to be knocked down. (This Merit cannot be combined with the Huge Size Merit or any Child-related Merits or Flaws)
- Symbiotic Scroll (2 point Merit)
The Kiasyd maintains a connection with a small magical scroll (or similar artifact) that seems to possess a degree of sentience. This artifact provides minor but valuable hints about surrounding dangers or entities the Kiasyd may encounter, granting them a +1 die to perception rolls when a threat is present.
- Kiasyd tasting (2-3 point Merit)
Kiasyd possess an innate ability to discern intricate details through the taste of blood.
(2pt) When you taste blood, you can instinctively tell if it belongs to a vampire and automatically determine their generation. This ability requires no test or expenditure of resources. If the blood is not from a vampire, you only recognize that it isn't Kindred blood; you cannot distinguish between other supernatural blood types (such as Lupine or faerie) and human blood without additional testing.
(3pt) Your senses are even more finely attuned. You can discern not only the age and race of the blood's source but also the blood resonance of human or supernatural creatures. Additionally, when drinking vampire blood, you can identify the clan to which the vampire belongs. Furthermore, if the blood belongs to another supernatural being, you may recognize the creature’s type, whether it's a Lupine, faerie, or another entity. This recognition, however, is not automatic and may require a successful roll, depending on the Storyteller’s discretion.
- Incredible Focus (3 Point Merit)
You possess an extraordinary ability to concentrate and maintain focus on a single task. You gain a +2 bonus to all rolls involving extended actions or tasks that require prolonged attention. This merit is particularly useful for long-term projects, research, or sustained concentration during rituals or investigations.
- Spirit Mentor (3 point Merit)
A friendly wraith has decided that you are worthy of its attention. Whether or not known to you in life or unlife, the spirit has come to be a mentor figure for you. While it may employ manifest in the Skinlands if that is allowed by its Arcanoi, its primary relationship with you is as teacher and advisor. Characters with this Merit may purchase this spirit as a Mentor. The more dots in Mentor the spirit has, the more willing it is to do favors for the Kiasyd.
- Mythic Aura (3 Point Merit)
Your presence emanates an aura of legend and myth. Mortals who encounter you are inclined to view you as a figure of folklore or destiny, providing you with a +2 bonus to all rolls involving persuasion or intimidation with those who have an inclination towards mysticism or the supernatural. This aura can also make it easier to gather followers or admirers in supernatural circles.
- Changeling Ties (3 point Merit)
You have a close, personal contact in fae society, someone you can rely on for assistance, secrets, or favors. This connection might involve sharing forbidden knowledge about the Shadowlands with Sluagh, working with Redcaps for mercenary tasks, or leveraging the skills of other fae. These ties provide you with useful allies in fae courts or access to valuable resources and information. 'System: You may call upon your faerie contact for assistance or advice, especially when dealing with matters involving the fae or supernatural forces. Your contact can provide insights, carry out specific tasks, or grant access to the faerie world’s mysteries. However, these favors come with a cost — your fae allies may also call upon you for aid, and refusing them could damage the relationship or incur faerie retribution. Example Contacts: The nature of your contact depends on the fae you’re connected to. Sluagh might share whispers and secrets, Redcaps might offer muscle and dirty work, and Sidhe may help with political intrigues or magical lore. Limitations: While this merit grants significant aid, your contact’s power is not limitless. They may have their own restrictions and priorities within the fae society. Additionally, over-reliance on this merit could draw the attention of other fae beings, both friendly and hostile, who may take an interest in your relationship.
- Skin of Porcelain (4pt. Merit)
Through concoctions imbibed or by a fluke of your Embrace, you possess a ceramic-like coating to your skin. In order for this to have any effect beyond looking strange, a Stamina roll is required (difficulty 8). Success allows you to convert up to three points of aggravated damage from a fire source to lethal damage before attempts to soak. The hardening dissipates for the remainder of the current story.
- Arcane Collector (4 Point Merit)
You have a knack for acquiring rare and unusual magical artifacts, either through trade, theft, or discovery. You possess a collection of such items that hold significant power or lore. When interacting with supernatural artifacts or dealing with magic, you gain a +2 bonus to all rolls related to their use, knowledge, or identification.
- Vibes (4 point Merit): From Guildbook: Oracles
You get an instantaneous - and usually accurate - gut feeling about anyone you meet. There's no detail involved, just a visceral reaction as to whether someone is good news or not. Obviously, this involves asking your Storyteller for a reading. Just remember, the Vibes you get on someone are usually correct, but not always. Over-reliance on this merit can get you in very deep trouble indeed.
- Magical touch of Darkness (4 point Merit)
The Kiasyd can control small shadows even when not actively using Obtenebration. They are able to subtly manipulate small objects, such as papers or pens, with shadows, giving them a +1 die to rolls involving delicate, covert actions such as sleight of hand or deception. This manipulation is subtle enough that it often goes unnoticed unless someone is actively looking for it.
- Vitae Mutation (5pt. Merit)
You’ve drank the liquid essence of entities both strange and powerful. Whether the vitae of Methuselahs, the boiling blood of lupines, or bottled dreams of fae, the volume and combination of the brews you’ve consumed have forever altered you. Each night a Willpower roll is required (difficulty 7) for you to manifest a single point of Auspex, Chimerstry, or Dementation. This point can be added to an existing rating in the Discipline, but disappears the following night
- Ravaging (7 point Merit)
The Kiasyd can rip energy from mortals, living off their Glamour instead of blood. After forming at least a loose relationship with a mortal, the Kiasyd may roll Willpower (difficulty 6) to rip Glamour from the victim. Each success counts as one blood point gained (although the victim doesn't lose blood). For days (a number equal to the blood points gained) after the Ravaging, the mortal will be uncreative, passive and Banal. Seelie fae will not look kindly on a routine ravager. The Unseelie are a different story, however. The character must choose the method with which they rip Glamour, such as destroying love or hope, or causing despair.
Flaws
- Lightweight (1pt. Flaw)
Shamefully, you cannot imbibe the blood of any creatures other than mortals, ghouls, and vampires. Whenever you attempt to drink from another entity, you’re forced to purge the contents immediately after and gain no sustenance from it (Malconian Alchemy is exception for this flaws).
- Playful Shadows (1 point Flaw)
The shadows you summon with Obtenebration don't always behave as intended. While they don’t outright disobey you, they also don't follow your commands perfectly. Possessed by mischievous chimera, the shadows will act on their own and perform whatever pranks than can. Tentacles will move objects or trip up your allies, and cloaks of shadow could muffle your voice during an important speech. These antics aren't dangerous, but they can be frustrating. the flaw only occurs when you actively use Obtenebration. A player can suppress this effect for one scene by spending a point of Willpower.
- Rebellious Shadows (1 point flaw)
Shadows in the Kiasyd’s presence move of their own accord, and from time to time, spontaneous Obtenebration effects may manifest. The Storyteller can introduce these effects at any time, narratively. A player can suppress this effect for one scene by spending a point of Willpower.
- Eldritch Ears (1 point Flaw)
The Kiasyd has obviously pointed ears. In modern nights, this gives her a +2 to the difficulty of all Social rolls, along with being a fairly obvious breach of the Masquerade. This can be waived at the Storyteller’s discretion, in situations where the other character is not alarmed by the eldritch appearance of the Kiasyd. Due to her mark of the fae, the difficulty of rolls to recognize the Kiasyd as otherworldly decrease by one (more if her mark is particularly obvious).
- Ebony Eyes (1 point Flaw)
Although all Kiasyd have black irises, some have entirely black eyes. As with Eldritch Ears, Ebony Eyes adds +2 to difficulty of all Social rolls. Due to her mark of the fae, the difficulty of rolls to Intimidation decrease by one (but this is violation for masquerade) and the difficulty of rolls to recognize the Kiasyd as otherworldly decrease by one (more if her mark is particularly obvious). If the player is in the modern nights and in a situation where black tattooed sclera is not uncommon or his eve are hiden, the social penalties or advantages can be ignored.
- Blue Skin (1 point Flaw)
All Kiasyd have a chalky white, nearly albino, complexion, but some rare Weirdlings take on a slight bluish tinge directly after feeding. This color is most pronounced in low-light conditions, such as shadowed moonlight. This blue tinge is more difficult to see under the red-orange sodium lights that illuminate so many city streets at night, however. Due to her mark of the fae, the difficulty of rolls to recognize the Kiasyd as otherworldly decrease by one (more if her mark is particularly obvious). The Bard's Tongue (1 point Flaw)From Changeling: the Dreaming 2nd Edition - You speak the truth, uncannily so. Things you say tend to come true. While not an ability at blessing or cursing, and not under conscious control, you will spew forth and uncomfortable truth about someone once per story. To avoid this, you must spend a point of Willpower and take a Health Level of damage from the strain of resisting.
- Kiasyd Giantism (2 point Flaw)
All Kiasyd stretch after their embrace, but only some become giants. In this case, woman over 6’6” and men over 7’ tall qualify for this Social Flaw. This Flaw is reserved for those Kiasyd who are not only extremely tall, but feature the drawn-out, gaunt appearance that sets Weirdlings apart from tall humans. Afflicted Kiasyd add +2 to the difficulty of any Stealth roll, and +1 difficulty to the difficulty of any Manipulation roll involving Etiquette or Performance, due to their alien appearance. Surreal Quality (2 point Flaw)From Changeling: the Dreaming 2nd Edition - There is just something alluringly odd about you. Most Kiasyd look odd, but you seem to draw people to you, even if Obfuscated to look normal. People will walk over just to start a conversation with you, or choose you over another for a victim for one form of crime or another...
- Wild Tenebrations (2 point Flaw)
Whenever a player botches an Obtenebration, Mytherceria, or Necromancy roll, she must then make a Willpower check, difficulty 6. If the roll fails, an uncontrolled and unplanned Darkling Trickery effect is unleashed. This phenomenon can affect either the Kiasyd or his surroundings, creating unpredictable and often inconvenient results for the remainder of the scene. Examples include: milk curdling, people tripping, computers crashing, or lights flickering ominously. These effects are random and mischievous, reflective of the chaotic nature of the Kiasyd's dark magic.
- Tainted Blood (2 Point Flaw)
The blood of supernatural creatures you consume leaves a lingering taint in your own vitae. This taint occasionally manifests as an aura of corruption or instability, making you more noticeable to those with supernatural senses. When engaging in activities that require stealth or concealment, you suffer a +2 difficulty.
- Compulsive Counter (2 point Flaw )
If you see a collection of small, identical objects (such as scattered handfuls of rice or marbles) you feel compelled to pick them up and start counting them. You can resist with a willpower roll, difficulty based on the absurdity of the task (a handful of rice, literally hundreds of grains, would be diff 6... however, a dozen marbles would be diff 9).
- Illiterate (1-2pt. Flaw)
Perhaps you communicate best through illustration, dance, or impassioned speech; but you can’t read or write. This is either a temporary Flaw (1pt.) that can be rectified with a patient teacher, or permanent (2pt.) due to a disability inhibiting your understanding. This Flaw is enough to get you ostracized by others of your bloodline if you do not conceal it.
- Refined Palate (1-3pt. Flaw)
Many Kiasyd self-impose feeding restrictions: refusing to feed from the poor and diseased, or even those still wearing skin, or over a certain age. This manifests akin to the Ventrue Clan weakness (V20, p. 73), due to conditioning making any blood outside of the Kiasyd’s preference unpalatable. The severity of the Flaw depends on how narrow the restriction is.
- Privacy Obsession (3 point Flaw)
You carry the academic penchant for privacy to an illogical extreme. Most Kiasyd say, “for better or for worse, research comes first,” but, in your case, it’s definitely for the worse. Even when you aren’t researching, you demand time to think alone. You must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) before allowing other to enter your haven, temporary home, or current shelter. When disturbed by an unwanted guest in your permanent haven (rather than a temporary shelter), you must make a Self-Control or Instincts check (difficulty 6) to avoid a frenzy.
- Dreadful Mara (4pt. Flaw)
You drank something that still lives within you and hates you, exerting alarming control over your thoughts and actions. Each night, the Storyteller may convert a single rolled success into a 1, potentially leading to a botch. At the Storyteller’s discretion, the entity may also whisper advice or insults, which can lead to increased difficulty during attempts to concentrate
- Recluse (4 point Flaw)
You are afraid to leave the safety of your haven or temporary accommodations. Nightly activities that require leaving trigger a Willpower check (difficulty 6). You are so used to being alone that, at the Storyteller’s discretion, you suffer +1 to the difficulty of your skill checks that requires a social attribute. This penalty is often limited to your first interaction once leaving your haven and goes away once you spend enough time amongst “people.”
- Fleeting Humanity (4 Point Flaw)
You are losing touch with your human emotions and values. This emotional detachment affects your ability to empathize or relate to others. You suffer a -2 penalty to all rolls involving emotional connection, persuasion, or empathy. This flaw may also cause difficulties in forming meaningful relationships with both mortals and Kindred.
- Echoes of the Bell (4 point Flaw)
The Kiasyd’s connection the Wyld through her knowledge of Mytherceria has affected her as if she were True Fae. The sound of the faithful can be extremely painful to the Kiasyd. The sound of church bells, or other religious music, such as a Jewish chant or Muslim adhan, forces the Kiasyd to roll for Rötschreck (difficulty 6). Only players with at least one dot in Mytherceria can take this Flaw.
- Sidhe's Curse (4 point Flaw)
Kiasyd with this flaw are closer to their fae natures than their fellows, but instead of gaining power, they gain a susceptibility to Banality (see Changeling: the Dreaming). You have a Banality rating like any other changeling and can gain Banality in just the same way (killing fae, destroying chimera of faerie treasures, spending too much time with other old vampires) and if you ever reach 10 permanent Banality, your faeries soul dies and you lose all ability are Mytherceria. Then things really get bad when all your pent-up "karmic balance" from ages of fate manipulation comes back to haunt you, with a vengeance.
- Geasa (1-5 point Flaw)
You begin the game with a geasa of some sort (and not the 6th-7th level Mytherceria powers). Either a Ban or a long-term quest, it may be a family debt or a duty imposed upon you (fairly or not). The difficulty or imposition of the geasa depends upon the level of the flaw. Something minor (a ban against harming animals, a requirement to give to charity) would be worth only one point. More difficult geasa (a ban against sleeping in the same place twice, a quest requiring you to help everyone who asks for aid) are worth more points and affect your entire life.
- Dark Fate (5 Point Flaw)
You are fated for a terrible and unavoidable end. Whether it is through prophecy, curse, or supernatural insight, you know that your demise is inevitable and will be tragic. You may try to fight it, but nothing can prevent the ultimate outcome. The Storyteller will determine how and when this fate manifests, but it will hang over your character’s head throughout the chronicle.
- Alien to Modern Night (5 point Flaw)
In modern nights, the Kiasyd’s eldritch features are not just unsettling—they are a blatant breach of the Masquerade. This Flaw combines and intensifies the effects of Blue Skin, Eldritch Ears, and Ebony Eyes into a single, powerful Flaw. If the Storyteller allows, this Flaw requires a Willpower check from any human who witnesses your character's appearance. The number of successes on this roll determines the level of fear the mortal experiences: Botch: The mortal is consumed by immediate panic and can act rationally only with self-preservation as the primary focus. They might lock doors, grab a weapon, flee the area, or otherwise try to protect themselves. Failure: The mortal is overcome with fear. They may plead, bargain, or react irrationally, likely believing the Kiasyd to be a demon or other terrifying being 1+ Successes: The mortal experiences a sudden fright but manages to stay calm, avoiding panic, flight, or attack. Characters with this Flaw are a walking breach of the Masquerade, similar to the Nosferatu. The combination of blue-tinged skin, pointed ears, and entirely black eyes makes it nearly impossible to blend into mortal society without significant effort.
- Elder Insanity (5 point Flaw)
Your age weighs heavily on you mind, body, and spirit. You long for torpor. The days are you spend awake are anhedonistic. Your lack of pleasure and satisfaction drives you to indulge yourself in increasingly dangerous and radical activities. When you aren’t concocting a selfish new plan to entertain yourself, you sleep deeply in torpor. So few of these endeavors provide your with relief, so you become increasingly frustrated with the material world, and the times spent in torpor become longer and longer. Kindred afflicted in this way will sleep for years, decades, even centuries. And when they wake, they are just as bored and aggravated with their unlife as when they went to sleep. It is thought that the Kiasyd have a remedy, but they are also affected by it…
