FRIDAY, JULY 30 To Drink the Heart's Blood – Known as the ultimate sin among the sinful Kindred, the act of diablerie is expressly forbidden by the Third Tradition. The process of drinking another vampire's heart's blood and very soul is an act which stains the conscience of even the most devout Kindred, and along with fire and sunlight, is one of the few ways Kindred can reach the Final Death. However, diablerie cannot simply be called a crime, as it provides a host of benefits: by consuming the Vitae and soul of another Kindred, a vampire can quickly learn forbidden Disciplines, ancient Skills, and increase his Blood Potency. When a diablerist drains a victim, he gains a point of Blood Potency if the victim's is higher than his own, and may gain a single dot in any Skill or Discipline the victim possessed. There are definite repercussions for committing diablerie, however. Firstly, The grievous act robs the diablerist of a point of Humanity. Secondly, the diablerist risks becoming a blood addict, and may eventually turn into a diablerie addict. Finally, the act of diablerie stains the diablerist's very soul – black veins run across his aura, which cannot be hidden from those who are capable of seeing such things. These veins remain on the diablerist for a year for each dot of Blood Potency the victim possessed. Next Week: Dread and Secret Gifts – Next week we return to the topic of Disciplines, taking a look at a few more of the powers of the undead. Did anyone say "blood sorcery"? |
