Awe

Presence 1

Awe is an active use of the subtle charisma that flows from all characters with Presence. The vampire concentrates for a second and swells in the mind's eye for all those around her. There is no visual or physical symptom, but suddenly the vampire becomes the most fascinating thing in the vicinity. Depending on her overall mien, she may appear stunningly beautiful, simply fascinating or chillingly impressive. She is, quite literally, awesome.

Such an impressive character can sway a crowd with ease. Those of weak will bend over backward to please her, while those of stronger resolve still acknowledge her worth. Even dubious arguments and strange demands become workable since the very act of emanating from the character's dazzling lips gives them legitimacy with mere logic cannot compete. This effect is not absolute - no matter how awesome the vampire is, she'll never convince man or beast to leap into open flames - but with subtle application, it is very potent indeed.

System: The player rolls Charisma + Expression (difficulty 7). The number of successes determines how many people are affected, as noted on the following chart. If there are more people present than the character can influence, Awe affects those with lower Willpower scores first. The power stays in effect for the remainder of the scene or until the character chooses to drop it.

Roll: Charisma + Expression = 7
1 Success = 1 person affected
2 Successes = 2 people affected
3 Successes = 6 people affected
4 Successes = 20 people affected
5 Successes = Everyone in the vampire's immediate vicinity (an entire auditorium, a mob).
Note: If there are more individuals present than the character can affect, those with the lowest willpower ratings are effected first.

Alternatively: the character may concentrate his or her Awe on a limited number of subjects.

Duration: The scene or until the character willingly drops it.

Counter: The effects of Awe can be nullified by the expenditure of willpower, but that expenditure must continue each turn until the subject leaves the character's vicinity or until the subject spends more willpower than the character garnered successes. Subjects that spend more willpower than the character's successes are completely free of the effects of Awe, until its next use.