Skin of the Chameleon
This power exists both as a ritual cast by the Tremere on early Gargoyles, and as the first rank of the Discipline Visceratika. As they do the same thing, I've included them both.
This basic power has saved countless Gargoyles from committing breaches of the Masquerade - and has allowed just as many to ambush unsuspecting intruders. When Skin of the Chameleon is in effect, the Gargoyle's skin takes on the color and texture of the surrounding environment. This coloration changes reflexively as long as the Gargoyle maintains a walking pace or slower speed. More rapid movement causes the Gargoyle's appearance to blur, negating the camouflaging effect. If this power is used while the Gargoyle is in flight, his skin becomes a reasonable facsimile of the night sky (though it will not shift to mimic nearby skyscrapers or star patterns, and a black silhouette against a brightly lit skyline is likely to be noticed).
System: The player spends one blood point. For the rest of the scene, the Gargoyle's stealth dice pool is increased by five dice. This power is subject to the limitation described above; any ground movement faster than a walk negates this power's effect, as does flight (at the storyteller's discretion).
- Level 2. Thaumaturgy ritual
The Tremere caster first creates an alchemical mixture distilled from a variety of color-changing lizards and flowers. This compound is then mixed with the vitae of the Gargoyle. When this mixture is rubbed into the Gargoyle's skin, the Gargoyle gains the ability to blend in with its surroundings.
System: This ritual can be used on a Gargoyle of 11th generation or lower, and requires a point of the Tremere's blood to be added to the mixture. After rubbing the elixir into the skin of the Gargoyle for one hour, the Gargoyle gains the power to change color to match its surroundings. This give the Gargoyle five extra Stealth dice, so long as it moves slowly (at half speed). The effects of this ritual last until the next full moon, at which time it can be repeated.
(As a ritual, this is one of the pre-Visceratika Gargoyle rituals)
