Absent Sway

Presence 6

Some Toreador have learned to leave a "residual" Presence in their wake. Artists of the clan can imbue their artwork with certain emotions; territorial Toreador may leave palpable claims to a domain wherein it "feels" as if they are a constant, looming threat. When this power is used, the Toreador can inspire those emotions in those who are not even within her presence. Art works its effect on those who view it and an area "marked by the Kindred" resonates with emotional undercurrents. The art or area must also be designated or appointed with the intent of inspiring that emotion in mind - in other words, an author is unlikely to be able to inspire hope in those who read his graphic account of World War I battlefield atrocities. Thus, the Kindred may produce a photograph of an emaciated child that makes viewers intensely sad or decorate his sanctum with such opulence that those within it doubt their own worth.

System: The character begins this process when he undertakes a work of art or decides to imbue a room with his essence. He must decide ahead of time which single emotion he wishes to inspire. The player then spends a blood point (which the character mixes into his paint or ink, or secretes in the general area) and rolls Manipulation + Expression (difficulty 7). Success indicates that whoever experiences the work or visits the area feels intensely the emotion the Toreador wished to inspire. Obviously, roleplaying is the best way to illustrate this; much of this power is left in the hands of the Storyteller, and its effects are best handled by the players. Storytellers may wish to mechanically "assist" players whose characters do not react appropriately to the power's effect - not allowing belligerent characters to spend Willpower in the presence of a frieze that inspires dread, for example.