Custom Combination Discipline / Technique

Requires: Forbidden Zone

The Nosferatu twists the understanding of the powerful forbidden zone. When creating the zone the Nosferatu can designate one target, to whom escape becomes obfuscated. The Nosferatus victim finds they are unable to think of or enact any action that would allow them to leave the zone while it's active. This can only be broken if the target beats the Nosferatu in an obfuscate challenge. For the cost of 1 willpower, the Nosferatu adds their levels of obfuscate and auspex to their traits. This power lasts for the scene or hour.
When the Nosferatu leaves the zone the effect ends immediately

Description: A Kindred using Mindworm creates a series of increasingly sophisticated data algorithms (Firewalls) which weave a contagious madness into the mind of anyone attempting to hack through or interpret the code. Using Mindworm, Malkavians can make the target of their power insane and/or confused/forgetful of what happened when they encountered the code (Firewalls).

The Malkavian uses Mindworm to embed the specified Dementation power for each Firewall into computer coding. Normally this is Coding of computer security software algorithms but it may also be used on regular software such as a Microsoft Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, etc.. Once triggered, each Dementation power works the same as the Discipline in MET with the same requisite tests, retests, etc.

Unlike Madman's Quill, Mindworm has three consecutive levels or “Firewalls.” Below are the Dementation powers embedded in each:
Firewall 1: Dementation 2 (The Haunting)
Firewall 2: Dementation 4 (Voice of Madness)
Firewall 3: Dementation 5 (Total Insanity)

MET System: To introduce Mindworm into software, the user must have at least Computer Ability 4 and also have at least one dot of either Crafts: Coding/Programming (or similar name) or Crafts: Hacking. The process of actually writing/embedding the code takes a number of nights equal to the encoded power’s. This time is NOT cumulative. Taking 5 nights to apply Firewall 3 applies all three levels of Firewall. Note that each individual software application (computer system, individual program, laptop security file, etc.) is considered a SEPARATE application of Mindworm and requires the full time dedication for each application. The coder can choose which level of Firewall(s) they want to employ; they do not have to encode all three.

Once encoded, Mindworm Firewalls are permanent. Subsequent attacks by the same hacker or other hackers would still have to breach them as described. Destruction of the embedded code (such as completely scrubbing infected programs from the device and reinstalling from the original source) will get rid of Mindworm. The coder may also choose to remove the Firewall code at any time, thus ending the effect. Destroying the creator renders all Firewalls inert and ends any lingering effects. The duration of each Firewall’s Dementation effect is the same as the base Dementation power’s duration.

At the time of encoding, the item should be noted with the coder’s mental traits (adding Obfuscate levels) AND Social traits for use in the challenges outlined below.

When first encountering the Firewall, the target makes a Social challenge versus the coder’s traits (retest Empathy). If they fail, they are affected by the Firewall’s Dementation effect. It is perfectly possible to get through all 3 Firewalls, fail the Test against each suffering all the effects or a combination thereof and STILL actually access/get to the program/software that the Mindworm was protecting (though there would still remain any normal Computer defenses).

Anyone encountering the code who *resists* the power(s) can make a Mental challenge (difficulty is the coder’s traits + obfuscate; target may add Auspex levels to their traits) to notice there is something “off” about the code (retest Investigation or Awareness). This test is applicable for each level of Firewall. (If they fail to notice Firewall 1, they can still notice Firewall 2.) This gives the victim the option of stopping at each Firewall...or at least going forward knowing the risks. If the victim of the Firewalls does not have Auspex, they cannot test at all (since the code is embedded with Obfuscate). Exactly what they determine about the code is left to Storyteller Discretion.

Mirror Mask

Spend a Blood and a Willpower the power is active for 3 uses where the user cloaks themselves in Warding magic. This ability makes it so supernatural powers that are directed at the owner but normally are not contested vs the player become contested challenges of the appropriate category. Temper challenges become willpower challenges for the user of this combo vs the aggressors appropriate temper. Retests are whatever the power power would normally give, defaulting to occult if non are given.

Spend a willpower to activate the power for a scene or an hour. While in Mist form (costing the normal blood to change forms) you can communicate with other people in the area. To willing targets your mist form appears to form generic appearance. The form is still obviously mist in appearance and you still function as someone in mist form by the book (you have an idea of your surroundings, but not exact details, cannot be targeted by physical attacks, 1 less damage from non magic fire. etc). While in this form, mist talker allows those who you wish to hear your voice, as though the mist was speaking to them. Only the willing subjects of your choice can hear you. They cannot communicate back without speaking out loud, thus they can be heard by anyone else. Your mist form can take on a more detailed shape similar to mask of 1k through the spending of mental traits, though you will still appear as a mist version with those specific features. Because you are in mist form and only appear to have eyes to those who see you, you cannot dominate someone while in this form. This also means that others cannot dominate you either due to lack of eye contact. Because you are not actually establishing a full telepathic link with the targets no mental trait needs to be spent. An unwilling subject can be made to see and hear you by spending a mental trait and issuing a telepathy challenge. If won Mist Talker works on the target in addition to the telepathic link created. A telepathic link can still be created while in Mist Talker normally without revealing your Mist Talker form.