Post by Annabelle Devonshire on May 22, 2020 16:52:54 GMT -5
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Fallen and Kindred normally interact?
The War of Wrath changed the world in ways that not even the minds of the Neberu could predict. Many blasphemous creatures were created, by accident or design, and in the depths of their anger and hatred, the rebels experimented on uncounted humans in the depths of their fortress, spawning abominations whose ultimate fate no one knows. Such could be the origin of the creatures haunting the earth in its present nights, feeding on the blood of mortals while spinning webs of influence and deceit across the entire globe.
Though not old by infernal standards, vampires have lurked among the human race for thousands of years. In times past, they ruled vast territories from night-haunted castles like mortal kings, but internecine conflict and the dreaded fires of the Inquisition forced the vampires into hiding, where they remain in the 21st century. These undead creatures (they “kindred,” as they call themselves) have a well-developed society with strict laws forbidding direct action that would reveal their existence to mankind. Meanwhile, the kindred use their powers to prey upon the unknowing human populace, fighting the ennui of centuries of unchanging existence with savage intrigues equal to any pursued by the fallen.
The true origin of the kindred is unknown, though the fallen have many theories. Some believe the vampires to be debased descendants of the nephilim, forced to sustain their superhuman powers through consumption of human blood. Others have learned of the vampires’ own beliefs, that point to themselves as descendants of the First Murderer, none other than Caine himself.
Those fallen who have heard the legend have no trouble believing such a thing is possible - they know all too well how cruel a vengeful Creator can be.
Encounters
A demon could cross paths with a vampire in any number of ways. At the street level, a string of gruesome deaths in an area that a demon claims for her own could lead her to a hungry, bestial vampire preying on the locals. (This is especially serious if one or more of the intended victims are the demon’s thralls or mortal acquaintances.) At the corporate/political level, demons and vampires are likely to cross swords over control of any number of institutions and powerful individuals, from government to corporate boardrooms. Demons, particularly Faustians, seek the same sources of power and influence that the kindred do, for similar reasons, and the vampires have something of a home-field advantage. The kindred have a means of enthralling mortals as well as the fallen, sharing their blood with an individual and granting them a limited degree of physical power and immortality. What is more, this blood bond eventually causes the mortal to become unswervingly loyal to the vampire, something that even the greatest demon cannot force a man or a woman to be.
Some vampires see the fallen as a source of power and knowledge that they believe will give them an advantage over their rivals, and they are equally capable of using blood-bound mortals to ritually summon and bind demons for their own purposes. Even without access to arcane lore, these creatures are capable of influencing the fallen in more subtle ways. A powerful kindred’s sway over mortal agencies such as the IRS and the police can make a demon’s mortal life a living hell, not to mention seriously threatening the health and welfare of her thralls. As immortal as demons and infinitely more patient, the kindred can be formidable adversaries to any fallen - and vice versa.
Relations
Demons and the kindred are competitors for the same prize - mankind and all it has to offer. Both groups are highly territorial, prideful and more than willing to resort to violence if threatened. It’s not surprising, then, that most demon-vampire relations tend to be highly confrontational. This is especially true when a fallen and one of the kindred find themselves vying for a hold over a particular mortal or mortal institution. Both sides will spare no effort to protect what they see as theirs. So far, any attempts at détente between a kindred court and an infernal court in a given town or city have broken down into outright conflict, continuing until one side or another is destroyed or leaves for safer climes.
This is not to say that all demon-vampire relations are ultimately destructive. Some of the fallen, particularly of the Reconciler faction, have forged ties with individual vampires, hoping to use their lore to restore the kindred’s humanity in exchange for knowledge and support as the demons try to further their agenda worldwide.
How can Kindred detect Fallen?
Despite the subtle nature of their possessing of human hosts, the Fallen can be detected in a variety of different ways by the Children of Caine…
Auspex 2 (Aura Perception) shows something clearly different about demons. Fallen tend to be inconsistent under such supernatural scrutiny, presented as having kind of a rainbow-like aura, as if the demon is rapidly flashing through multiple states of mood, which can result in them being easily mistaken for one of the Fair Folk by an unwitting vampire. The only subtle difference to their auras compared to Changelings is the Fallen aura’s tendency to flicker like the flame of a candle, which becomes more and more prominent as the demon’s Torment rises.
Dementation 3 (Eyes of Chaos) reveals some particularly interesting things about the Fallen. The information revealed to the vampire using this power usually hints that the demon residing within is a usurper or a parasitic entity, and often a handful of scattered hints about the individual demon‘s House, Faction, and overall purpose (however corrupted) in Creation.
This power does not, however, provide hints about the Fallen’s Celestial or True Name. The only exception to this rule are Elder vampires who have had centuries to perfect the use of this Discipline, but even then they are restricted to the first few syllables or even just the first few letters, of either Name.
Certain Thaumaturgic Rituals can also prove useful in discerning a demonic presence…
How can Fallen detect the Kindred?
Outside of the expected use of Supernatural Awareness to detect the use of Kindred Disciplines and/or use of Blood (for healing, ghouling, etc), there are several ways Fallen can detect the presence of vampires.
Lore of Celestials 1 (Lamp of Faith) reveals some information about vampires, particularly about their potential strength and, arguably, how they are able to mystically generate Faith from the blood they drink. The brightness of the Lamp of Faith evocation differs on two factors; firstly, the actual amount of blood in the vampire’s system (a “full” vampire who had only just recently fed would be much brighter than one who was on the brink of starvation) and secondly, the strength of the vampire’s blood (ie: their Generation).
Certain Apocalyptic Form Traits can also be useful for detecting the presence of a vampire…
Can Fallen be Embraced, Blood Bound or fed from?
Owing to the fact they are ancient spirits possessing a human host, Fallen cannot be Embraced. Any attempt to do so will kill the demon’s host body, forcing the demonic spirit to find another host to shelter them from the Abyss.
As long as the Fallen has a single point of Faith, they cannot become Blood Bound. Regardless of whether they have Faith points or not, Fallen cannot become ghouls… thus, they can never receive any of the expected benefits or drawbacks of being a Ghoul.
The mortal host of the Fallen contains just as much blood as a normal human does and can provide sustenance to the vampire that feeds from it. The Fallen are immune to the typical paralysing rush of pleasure the Kiss grants and can regain their stolen blood at the same rate as a human would (unless they use Faith or Lores to heal themselves otherwise).
Unless the demon has used Lores to alter their blood somehow, the blood itself provides Kindred with no special benefits or drawbacks whatsoever.
Can Kindred become Thralls of Fallen?
Because of their undead nature, Kindred lack the necessary “godspark” needed to create a Pact. Thus, vampires cannot benefit from pacts of faith nor can they be possessed by a demon. A Ghoul can be enthralled by a demon (and vice versa!), however, and she may be possessed like any other human under the right conditions.
Can Kindred have Faith reaped from them?
Due to the lack of “godspark” the Kindred cannot even have Faith reaped from them by the Fallen. Though this isn’t to say they aren’t completely without their uses… some vampires are rumoured to have worshipped demons for centuries. They do not provide Faith, but they are more powerful than anything other than an infernal servant, and there is the chance that lore and memories from the war itself have been passed down incalculable ages through their bloodline.
Are Kindred affected by Revelation?
Owing to their supernatural nature, Kindred are not affected by Revelation. And, by extension, neither are Ghouls. They would, presumably (and especially if they were a young vampire or one with anachronistic and/or superstitious beliefs), experience the expected mundane fear of witnessing one of the Angels of the Abyss in all their unholy glory.
Can Kindred use Celestial and True Names?
Yes, they can. Though like all such Names, however, Kindred still have to learn them before they can use them.
Can Kindred use summoning/binding rituals against Fallen?
Yes. Even though they are undead, the lack of “godspark” does not prevent them from using or participating in summoning/binding rituals against the Fallen.
Can Kindred use Relics?
Again due to their lack of “godspark” vampires are usually unable to “attune” themselves to Relics, unless the Relic has been specifically tailored to be used by vampires. The only exception to this are the few Kindred out there that can utilise the blood magicks of Thaumaturgy to try and unlock the latent abilities tailored into the Relic.
Is there any way for Fallen to use their Lores to remove the Curse of Caine?
So far, efforts to return the undead to life have failed, but both parties have time on their side, if nothing else.
What Disciplines are Fallen immune?
As long as Fallen have reserves of Faith, they are immune to the following Disciplines and/or powers; Animalism (3 and 5), Auspex 4, Chimerstry, Daimoninon (2 and 4), Dominate, Dementation (1, 2, 4, and 5), Melpominee, Mytherceria (4 and 5), Obfuscate, Quietus 1, Presence, and Serpentis 1.
Can Fortitude or certain Apocalyptic Form Traits or Relics be used to soak Aggravated Damage?
Unless stated otherwise, yes, they can.</li>
Fallen Lores
Lore of the Celestials
- The Fire of Heaven evocation causes Aggravated Damage</li>
Lore of Flame
- As expected, all evocations of this Lore cause Aggravated Damage</li>
Lore of Radiance
- Voice of Heaven evocation can affect Kindred who are in throes of Frenzy or Rötshreck</li>
Lore of Awakening
- Due to their undead state, Fallen cannot use the Cleanse or Heal evocations on Kindred
- Restore Life cannot be used to turn Kindred into human again, nor can it bring them back from Final Death. Animate cannot be used to create the same effect, either</li>
Lore of Patterns
- The Twist Time evocation cannot be used to give vampires employing Celerity extra actions on top of what it already gives them, but it can be used to negate Celerity’s extra actions.</li>
Lore of Light
- The light created through the Light evocation isn‘t enough to burn like it was sunlight</li>
Lore of Longing
- Elder vampires and vampires who are removed from their Humanity (or are low Path followers) are more difficult to affect with the Read Emotion evocation
- Due to their undead nature, the Manipulate Senses evocation is more difficult to affect Kindred with</li>
Lore of the Beast
- The Summon Animals, Command Animals and Possess Animals evocations don’t work on vampires using Protean 4, Serpentis 4 or any application of Vicissitude</li>
Lore of Death
- Use of the Read Fate evocation on Kindred provides some very interesting visions; specifically, that of the vampire’s Embrace
- Extinguish Life, rather than killing, slowly saps the vitality from a vampire‘s body</li>
Lore of Contamination
- Lash of Corruption causes Aggravated Damage</li>
Kindred Disciplines
Daimoninon
- Conflagration inflicts Aggravated Damage</li>
Obeah
- Sense Vitality, Anesthetic Touch, and Corpore Sano can only affect the demon’s mortal host
- Mens Sana, as well as alleviating Derangements, can also help reduce a demon’s temporary Torment
- Unburdening the Bestial Soul cannot be used on Fallen</li>
Obtenebration
- Arms of the Abyss inflicts Aggravated Damage</li>
Protean
- Feral Claws inflict Aggravated Damage</li>
Quietus
- All uses of this Discipline only affect the demon’s mortal host</li>
Valeren
- Ending The Watch slowly saps the vitality from the Fallen’s mortal host instead of killing them straight away</li>
Vicissitude
- Alterations made by this Discipline can only affect the mortal host</li>
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