MONDAY, AUGUST 9 United by Blood – This week we look at bloodlines, offshoots of the clans, and the distinct advantages (and disadvantages) of being a part of one. Vampire: The Requiem describes five different sample bloodlines (one for each clan) and two unique Disciplines. "Special" Heritage – When Kindred talk about bloodlines, they mean a lineage whose nature or inclination genuinely differs from that of its parent clan. A Kindred is not Embraced into a bloodline, but instead is able to join or create one during his Requiem – he may differentiate himself from his clan, but he can never leave it. True bloodlines stand out because their members favor at least one different Discipline than their parent clan and they suffer an additional blood-borne weakness. Most remarkably of all, some bloodlines practice Disciplines known to few other Kindred. A few bloodlines actually introduce new Disciplines that have never been seen before. A character's ability to join a bloodline or create one of his own depends on several factors, including his clan, specific lineage and Blood Potency. At Blood Potency 2, a Kindred may "activate" his sire's bloodline (assuming his sire is a part of a bloodline), becoming a part of it. At Blood Potency 4, a Kindred may align himself with an existing bloodline to which his sire doesn't belong. The character must belong to the bloodline's parent clan, however. If a Kindred does not activate a sire's bloodline or join another clan bloodline, he may create a bloodline of his own at Blood Potency 6. A character can engage only one of these options. |