Vine of Dionysus

Years before the rise of the mighty Roman Empire, pagan sects dedicated to the Greek god Dionysus thrived. Small cults of vampires worshipped the lord of rebirth and release from the burdens of undeath. Symbolized in oinos, or wine, and orgy, the cults of Dionysus spread their intoxicating practices throughout Eastern Europe.

Any practitioner of the Vine of Dionysus often refers to himself/herself as a thyrsus (females are occasionally called “Maenads”, preferably from a safe distance). These vampires sometimes wear jewelry of other accoutrements with ivy and/or pine cone motifs as symbols of their dedication.

Powers (Social - Occult)

⚫ Methyskein

Challenge: Social (Occult) vs Physical(Survival) Cost: One Blood Duration: Scene

By making physical contact with his target, the Warlock causes her to behave and appear as if she were drunk. For one scene, a person affected by this power suffers -1 Mental and -1 Social Traits, and generally acts intoxicated, from slurred speech to euphoria and clouded judgement.

Note: If used on a mortal or ghoul three nights in a row, the victim becomes addicted to the euphoria this power brings and may suffer ill effects from this addiction (such as Trait penalties for each night without a “fix”)

⚫⚫ Omophagy

Challenge: Social (Occult) vs physicals ( Survival) Cost: One Blood, One Willpower Duration: One Night

This power hearkens back to Dionysus’ ability to invoke animal urges in his victims. By making direct eye contact and winning a Social (Occult) vs Mentals with her target, the Warlock imbues her target with an all encompassing gluttony. Mortals eat until they become sick and even then will feel hungry and continue to gorge after they vomit. Kindred affected in this way will not only drain a vessel completely of blood (even if it is another Kindred!) but attempt to devour the victim’s flesh (although this does not grant the ability to digest whatever flesh is eaten, ensuring predictable, gory results). A Kindred who kills another in a fit of gustatory ecstasy cannot “accidentally” diablerize the victim.

In basic terms, this power causes a hunger frenzy in the target for whatever they consume for energy (humans eat food, vampires drink blood).

A vampire affected by this power seeks out the easiest “prey” readily available. If the vampire is hungry and confronted by the sight, smell or taste of blood, hunger frenzy occurs. The target loses awareness of her surroundings to the extent that a breach of Masquerade is probable. By spending a Willpower Trait, the victim may resist the hunger for one hour but will lapse back into it with gusto. This effect, which is two trait penalty to self control checks, lasts for the rest of the night.

⚫⚫⚫ Hamartia

Challenge: Social (Occult) vs Physical(Survival) Cost: One Blood Duration: Scene

Far more intense than the mere euphoria created by Methyskein, this power causes intoxication to the point of perversity, delirium and possibly torpid stupor. In those who possess the path themselves, however, it also grants superhuman strength.

By making physical contact with his target, the thaumaturge induces such euphoria in the victim that she is two Traits down on all challenges for the remainder of the scene. How the victim reacts to such intoxication is in the hands of the Storyteller - lust, depression and violence are possible, and the target’s Nature, Flaws or derangements may further affect her actions.

Interestingly enough, while they also suffer most of the negative effects detailed above, when this path is used upon another follower of the Vine of Dionysus the victim takes no penalty to physical actions and gains a two-Trait bonus in challenges involving strength.

⚫⚫⚫⚫ Enthousiasmos

Challenge: Social (Occult) vs Physical(Survival) Cost: One Blood Duration: Scene

With this power, the follower of Dionysus exudes a powerful pheromone with which she may “infect” others within a 10 foot radius. Anyone affected will fall into a narcotic stupor as the hallucinogen induces pleasant, dreamlike images. In this state they wilt simply giggle, dance or sigh as they sink into the visions.

By succeeding in this power, the caster inflicts a -1 penalty to all skill ratings and virtues. The vampires enter a state of euphoria though and are likely too pleased with themselves tok care much ( for the moment); they’re inclined to passive euphoria, content to while away their time with their visions (which are better than television). Someone affected by this power may spend a temporary Willpower to shrug off the effects for one turn, after which he slides back under. This power lasts for one scene.

Note: This penalty does stack with others of this path

⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ Oinos Aimatos

Challenge: N/A Cost: One Blood, One Willpower Duration: Scene

By invoking the essence of the wine-god into themselves, the thrysus transforms his blood into a powerful elixir. For the duration of one scene, anyone imbibing even the tiniest drop of the Warlock‘s blood will be affected as per Enthousiasmos. The thaumaturge need only spend a Blood Trait and a Willpower Trait upon first invoking this power: He can affect as many targets as drink his blood without further expense.

If dumped into a communal punchbowl or the like, it can only be detected through the use of Heightened Senses and a successful Mental Challenge (difficulty at the Storyteller’s discretion). It can also be detected by enhanced powers of taste, but by then of course it is too late for the Kindred in question.

The effects of this power last for one scene.