Novam Vicissitudinis
An Explanation
It has been argued that Vicissitude as it has been written is a unbalanced and inordinately powerful discipline. In the hopes of addressing this point, I am creating an alternative discipline that still embodies the grotesque nature of the Tzimisce without incorporating any of the original powers or their broken effects. If any of you want to contribute commentary or alternatives, please do so on the discussion section at the top of this page. -- "The Magister 21:16, 2 July 2017 (MDT)"
Secretion
The foundational effect of Novam Vicissitudinis is the ability to manufacture from the Tzimisce's undead body a variety of disgusting secretions that serve practical or monstrous ends. The secretions can emerge as sweat, spit, snot, vomit, or as reproductive ejaculate. While each Tzimisce specializes in one kind of secretion, he - she or it, can learn other techniques and varieties of secretion from other Tzimisce. Secretions can serve numerous purposes, collectively they only last a few minutes or at most a few hours, and break down rather fast once they leave the vampire's body.
The most common secretion is of course, blood, which can serve a variety of purposes from binding a potential ghoul to his or her new domitor to enticing a vampiric lover with bloody nakedness. Another common secretion is a clear slime used as a lubricant to escape from handcuffs, ropes, or to aid the Fiend in loosening the grip of a strong combatant. Secretions of spit can be used to numb a bitten area or prevent blood clotting, both of which aid in feeding. Secretions of snot can be used to mark a place or target, bind a victims hands or feet together, seal a room or create a light proof cocoon in which to safely sleep the day away. Vomited secretions are effective ways of disposing of poisoned blood, vitae meant to create a blood bond over the Tzimisce, or as a toxic distraction against both mortals and fellow undead. The possibilities are limited only by the Fiend's imagination, rumors of infectious puss and semen that can impregnate mortal women have circulated for centuries among the younger Tzimisce, but only the elders would know for certain.
System: The vampire expends one to three points of blood and rolls Stamina + Medicine at a standard difficulty of six (6). If the player botches the roll, then the blood expended is wasted and the secretion oozes out in a uncontrollable and uncomfortable fashion. Failure on the roll results in wasted blood, but does not limit subsequent tries. A successful roll leads to the desired result within realistic limitations.
Epidermal Manipulation
The skin is said to be the largest organ of the human body, as a barrier against infection it is critical to survival, but it also reflects the health and identity of the individual. Epidermal manipulation allows the novice Tzimisce to alter his own skin or that of another. Such manipulations include, but are not limited to scarification, tattoos, changes in hair and nail color or piercings and sub-dermal implants. The young Fiend can use this power equally on the living or the dead. All changes that are made are temporary unless the vampire expends great effort to make it permanent.
The variety of manipulations that can be performed upon the epidermis is a long one, common variations include: tattooing, piercings, sub-dermal implantation and scarification. Cosmetic applications include the growth of hair (even for the formerly bald), its color, length, where it grows upon the body or its complete absence. Nails can be colored and shaped with ease or grown in to claws and skin pigmentation can altered almost at will, giving oneself a tan or making one's rival into a albino.
Those Tzimisce of a more medical bent can actually perform plastic surgery with little more than household items. Equally it can be used to enhance the sensitivity of the epidermis for sensual purposes or as an aid to torture. For those Fiends of a martial bent, it serves nicely to scalp an enemy or literally flay a victim. The vampire can
