••••• Puissance of Flesh
Blood and flesh contain power; the Gluttons recognize this. Locked in the fi bers of muscle tissue, hidden in the crimson depths of blood, fl ows the essence of the victim. Those Macellarius who have advanced their digestive capabilities to this level not only understand this, but have learned how to unlock that essence — and appropriate it for themselves. After swallowing a mouthful of the victim’s fl esh, the Glutton can use the victim’s power as if it were her own.
Effect
Dramatic Failure: The bite is successful — but processing the flesh is not. The Glutton immediately vomits up the gobbet of meat and his own foul humors, suffering a point of lethal damage in the process.
Failure: The Macellarius swallows the meat, but it has no effect.
Success and Exceptional Success: Provided the bite attack was successful, as was the roll to use this level of Gustus, the Glutton may apply and spend his successes in the following ways:
Cost | Result
1 success | Add +1 to any Attribute
1 success | Gain 2 points of Skills possessed by the victim
1 success | Gain 1 Willpower point
1 success | Heal 1 point of bashing damage
1 success | Gain +1 Speed
2 successes | Heal 1 point of lethal damage
2 successes | Gain +1 Size (and the concomitant health level)
3 successes | Heal 1 point of aggravated damage
3 successes | Gain 1 point of a Discipline possessed by a Kindred victim
Failure: The Macellarius swallows the meat, but it has no effect.
Success and Exceptional Success: Provided the bite attack was successful, as was the roll to use this level of Gustus, the Glutton may apply and spend his successes in the following ways:
Cost | Result
1 success | Add +1 to any Attribute
1 success | Gain 2 points of Skills possessed by the victim
1 success | Gain 1 Willpower point
1 success | Heal 1 point of bashing damage
1 success | Gain +1 Speed
2 successes | Heal 1 point of lethal damage
2 successes | Gain +1 Size (and the concomitant health level)
3 successes | Heal 1 point of aggravated damage
3 successes | Gain 1 point of a Discipline possessed by a Kindred victim
Side/Secondary Effects
The Glutton can spend his successes in any of combination of the above parameters. However, he may not “buy” Skills or Disciplines that the bite victim did not herself possess. Moreover, the Glutton cannot increase his own Skills or Disciplines above the victim’s own level. (This does not apply to Attributes or other Traits, however.)
Example: Jubal Macellarius successfully bites a hunk of meat from a Gangrel’s flesh. Jubal gains five successes on his activation roll. He chooses to spend three of his successes to gain a single point of the Gangrel’s Disciplines. The Gangrel possesses Protean 3 and Resilience 2. The Glutton’s own Resilience is already at a 2 — but he (obviously) possesses no Protean. His only choice is to gain the fi rst level of Protean, Aspect of the Predator. Jubal has two successes left. He spends one to temporarily acquire two points of Skills the Gangrel possesses. Again, Jubal can choose only from what the Gangrel possesses, and so the Marcellarius adds +1 to his Survival score, and +1 to his Brawl. The final point remains; Jubal spends it to recover a single point of the damage he suffered previously in the fight with the Gangrel.
The effects of this power last for one scene. This ability may not be used in conjunction with the fi rst level of Gustus (Pound of Flesh). If used on a vampire in which the Glutton has a Blood Tie, the roll to activate is at +2 dice.
Example: Jubal Macellarius successfully bites a hunk of meat from a Gangrel’s flesh. Jubal gains five successes on his activation roll. He chooses to spend three of his successes to gain a single point of the Gangrel’s Disciplines. The Gangrel possesses Protean 3 and Resilience 2. The Glutton’s own Resilience is already at a 2 — but he (obviously) possesses no Protean. His only choice is to gain the fi rst level of Protean, Aspect of the Predator. Jubal has two successes left. He spends one to temporarily acquire two points of Skills the Gangrel possesses. Again, Jubal can choose only from what the Gangrel possesses, and so the Marcellarius adds +1 to his Survival score, and +1 to his Brawl. The final point remains; Jubal spends it to recover a single point of the damage he suffered previously in the fight with the Gangrel.
The effects of this power last for one scene. This ability may not be used in conjunction with the fi rst level of Gustus (Pound of Flesh). If used on a vampire in which the Glutton has a Blood Tie, the roll to activate is at +2 dice.
Material Components
Cost: 2 Vitae
Gestures & Ritual
Dice Pool: Unless the victim is prone, the Glutton must fi rst succeed on a successful bite attack (see p. 157 of the World of Darkness Rulebook). If successful, during the subsequent turn (after swallowing the meat), a Dexterity + Empathy + Gustus roll is required.
Related Discipline
Effect Casting Time
Instant
Level
5