Vicissitude

Disciplines / Discipline Techniques

20th Anniversary Edition Variant

Description: Vicissitude is the signature power of the Tzimisce, and is rarely shared outside the Clan (though it is known to some other Cainites of the Sabbat). Similar to Protean in some ways, Vicissitude allows vampires to shape and sculpt flesh and bone. When a Kindred uses Vicissitude to alter mortals, ghouls, and vampires of higher Generation, the effects of the power are permanent; vampires of equal or lower Generation can choose to heal the effects of Vicissitude as though they were aggravated wounds. A wielder of Vicissitude can always reshape her own flesh.

The wielder must establish skin-to-skin contact and must often manually sculpt the desired result for these powers to take effect. This also applies to the use of the power on oneself. Tzimisce skilled in Vicissitude are often inhumanly beautiful; those less skilled are simply inhuman.

There are rumors that Vicissitude is a disease rather than a “normal” Discipline, but only the Fiends know for sure, and they aren’t talking.

Note: Nosferatu always “heal” Vicissitude alterations, at least the ones that make them better-looking. The ancient curse of the Clan may not be circumvented through Vicissitude. The same applies to physical deformities from the Gangrel Clan weakness.

Body Crafts

Vampires who wish to use Vicissitude well
often specialize their knowledge of Medicine
in an art known as Body Crafts. This specialization
enables its possessor to make all manner of
alterations to living and dead flesh and bone. It
also gives insight into more mundane techniques;
many Tzimisce are skilled at flaying, bone-carving,
embalming, taxidermy, tattooing, and piercing.

Introduction to Vicissitude

Vicissitude competes with the Madmen's gift of Dementation for the title as the most harrowing power of the unliving. Cainites of Clan Tzimisce consider this Discipline their true gift, which allows them to reshape living or unliving flesh. Neonates might call attention to the Similarities between Vicissitude and Protean, but ancillae and those who are familiar with both the Gangrel and Tzimisce recognize the truth. Protean allows a Gangrel to manifest certain aspects of his Beast for the world to see. Vicissitude, by contrast, allows the Tzimisce to visit his foulest perversions upon otherwise innocent victims and present them for the world to see.

All Vicissitude powers require at least a moment's physical contact. Some require considerably longer periods of time, in order to physically sculpt flesh and bone into the proper shapes. Vicissitude cannot be used to heal damage, though. That takes vitae, in the case of vampires, or time, in the case of mortals. And some of the reshaping that Tzimisce perform upon their victims takes time to heal into its new form, in the same way that a broken bone must reknit, and it might do so at an odd angel if it is set incorrectly.

Typically, changes made by Vicissitude are permanent, with a couple of caveats. First, a victim of lower generation than the Cainite using Vicissitude can heal any changes made as though they were aggravated wounds. Second, Vicissitude can be used to undo changes wrought by that power - but such a thing might take time and a great deal of work. Finally Vicissitude cannot permanently undo the horrid aspect of a Nosferatu, the deathly pallor of a Cappadocian, the inky blackness of an elder Assamite's flesh or the animalistic features of a Gangrel who has frenzied overmuch. Those features are intrinsic aspects of the victim's blood, and they return after a day's rest.

Vicissitude is a part of God's curse on Caine because it replaces the ability to create and nurture new living things with the hideous compulsion to reshape God's creation in a twisted new image. Those Cainites on the Road of Heaven rarely use this power, but it is popular among former butchers and peasants, as well as those who grew up in the shadow of Tzimisce holdings. Some Tzimisce fanatics follow a Road of Metamorphosis that uses Vicissitude as part of its holy (or unholy) sacraments. They are even said to worship in a horrific temple known as the Cathedral of Flesh.

Body Crafts (Special Skill)