Restrictions on the '4th In Clan Discipline' Merit

As the CM of Dayton: Dying Embers, I propose Character Regulation Bylaw 7, 'Teaching Disciplines' be amended to read as follows:

7. Teaching Disciplines

A. While any vampire can learn any discipline, they must learn out-of-clan disciplines from a vampire who possesses that discipline in-clan unless otherwise noted in the bylaws or clan genre packets.

i. Samedi are exempt from the requirement of a teacher specifically for the discipline of Necromancy, and other Bylaw line items that would prevent them from learning Necromancy, as per their Clan Advantage.

1. Samedi still purchase their Necromancy with out-of-Clan costs.

2. Samedi may not teach Necromancy as it is not an in-Clan discipline.

3. Samedi Necromancers are not considered "Rogue Necromancers" as registered through the Rare & Unusual Bylaws.

B. Combination Disciplines

i. Character Regulation Bylaw 7.A above applies to Combination Disciplines as follows: To teach a combination discipline, the teacher must have at least one of the prerequisite disciplines in-clan; the one being taught must have the requisite disciplines at the appropriate level.

C. Caitiff and Pander must declare three disciplines they possess as “in-clan” for teaching purposes at creation. One of these disciplines may be a Clan Specific (e.g., Protean, Dementation, Quietus) with Coordinator Approval of the appropriate Clan. If chosen, that Clan Specific cannot be taught, but may otherwise be learned as an In-Clan Discipline. Additionally, the character’s three Disciplines cannot duplicate an existing Clan with Clan Specific Disciplines. That character would be defined as an Unusual Caitiff or Unusual Pander as befitting their sect.

D. The Merit '4th In Clan Discipline' , or any merit or benefit that grants the ability to purchase an additional discipline with in clan costs or without a teacher that has that discipline in clan, may only be taken once per character, and may not be used to select any clan specific discipline or blood magic type without appropriate Coordinator Approval.

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Reasoning: The abuse I have seen this merit used for is astounding. I have seen PC's that took this merit three different times and that have taken it to create a 'virtual' R&U without having to submit it to council or a coordinator by taking it for a clan specific power. Indeed, if I wanted to roll up a new Ventrue PC with '4th in clan' merits for Protean, Dementation, and Quietus today, than there wouldn't be anything stopping me. Considering the restrictions we place on Caitiff, it only makes logical sense to place the same restriction on this Merit.

No character with 4th In Clan or similar merit/benefit with a clan specific or blood magic power will be considered 'grandfathered', and all must secure appropriate Coordinator Approval for the merit/benefit.

~Joseph Schuster
CM - DaytonRunning sport mediaAir Jordan