Animalism

Languages:

Animalism

Doolittling, Taming, Bestiae Sermo

Clan affinity:

Gangrel

Nosferatu

Ravnos

Tzimisce

Type:Mental

Masquerade threat:Low to Medium

Resonance:Animal Blood

Overview

Animalism allows Kindred to communicate with, control, or feed more efficiently on animals. It also lets them act on the inner Beast of other vampires. Although stereotypically used by those who are social outcasts, struggling to fit into mortal society (or simply lacking the interest to), it's not a rule - example being Lettow Kaminsky, Gangrel Prince of Tucson, Arizona. Their ability to control animals lets them gather information in secret or unleash devastating attacks with their minions. Animalism only works on vertebrates unless the user has Unliving Hive, which extends the power to swarms of insects. The power is most effective on predators, and in cases where it's being used on herbivores increases the Difficulty of skills rolls by one. ^[1]

As example uses, Clan Gangrel may employ an animal companion using Bond Famulus, some of which they use for spying on others or attacking victims. Other Gangrel may even turn the pets on their owners using powers such as Feral Whispers or Atavism.^[2] To the Nosferatu Animalism is an incredibly useful tool that allows them to extend their influence in both information gathering and sharing. It also allows them to approach combat in a different way than other Disciplines as they swarm their opponents with hordes of creatures.^[3] With the occasional companion at their side, the Ravnos, are less alone as they travel. They may also utilize animals as spies or distractions when needed.^[4] Tzimisce may use animals to flex their power over their domain.^[5]

List of available powers

Level 1

Name	Effect	Cost	Prerequisite	Amalgam	Duration	Dice pool	Opposing pool	Additional Notes	Source
Bond Famulus	Create an enhanced animal companion.	Free	None	No	Only death releases the famulus.	Charisma + Animal Ken	N/A	Vampires may only have one famulus but you can make animal ghouls without this.	/ Corebook, page 245
Sense the Beast	Sense hostility and supernatural traits.	Free	None	No	Passive	Resolve + Animalism	Composure + Subterfuge	This power can also be used actively.	/ Corebook, page 245

Level 2

Name	Effect	Cost	Prerequisite	Amalgam	Duration	Dice pool	Opposing pool	Additional Notes	Source
Atavism	Revert animals to their base and primal instincts.	One Rouse Check	None	No	Number of rounds equal to margin +1 or entire scene if it's a Critical win	Composure + Animalism	N/A	The target must be able to sense the user for this power to work.	Winter's Teeth #3
Feral Whispers	Two-way communication with animals or summoning.	One Rouse Check per type of animal	None	No	One scene	Manipulation/Charisma + Animalism	N/A	The cost is free if used on their Famulus.	/ Corebook, page 246

Level 3

Name	Effect	Cost	Prerequisite	Amalgam	Duration	Dice pool	Opposing pool	Additional Notes	Source
Animal Succulence	Slake additional hunger from animals and counts Blood Potency as 2 levels lower in regards to slaking penalties.	Free	None	No	Passive	N/A	N/A	This will never let the character slake to 0.	/ Corebook, page 246
Quell the Beast	Force a vampire's beast to slumber or make a mortal lethargic.	One Rouse Check	None	No	One scene	Charisma + Animalism	Stamina + Animalism	Against Vampires this lasts several turns equal to test margin +1.	/ Corebook, page 246
Scent of Prey	Track a mortal down who has witnessed a masquerade breach.	One Rouse Check	None	No	One scene	Resolve + Animalism	N/A	It lasts one night if Critical Win.	/ Sabbat, page 47
Unliving Hive	Extends Animalism influence to swarms of insects.	None	None	Obfuscate ●●	Passive	N/A	N/A	Swarms are treated as single creatures.	/ Corebook, page 246

Level 4

Name	Effect	Cost	Prerequisite	Amalgam	Duration	Dice pool	Opposing pool	Additional Notes	Source
Subsume the Spirit	Possess the body of an animal.	One Rouse Check	None	No	One scene / Indefinitely	Manipulation + Animalism	N/A	The cost is free if used on their Famulus.	/ Corebook, page 247

Level 5

Name	Effect	Cost	Prerequisite	Amalgam	Duration	Dice pool	Opposing pool	Additional Notes	Source
Animal Dominion	Command flocks or packs of animals.	Two Rouse Checks	None	No	One scene or when the directive is fulfilled	Charisma + Animalism	N/A	This power does not summon animals, instead utilizing those already present.	/ Corebook, page 247
Drawing Out the Beast	Transfer their terror or fury frenzy to a nearby victim.	One Rouse Check	None	No	Frenzy Duration	Wits + Animalism	Composure + Resolve	This power cannot transfer Hunger Frenzy.	/ Corebook, page 247

Other Amalgams

Below are the amalgams from other Discipline trees that require Animalism;

Name	Power Level	Animalism Level Required	Effect	Cost	Dice pool	Source
Enduring Beasts	Fortitude ●●	●	Share the vampire's toughness with animals	One Rouse Check, Free if Famulus	Stamina + Animalism (If not Famulus)	/ Corebook, page 259
Ghost's Passing	Obfuscate ●●	●	Aid animals in hiding their steps against mundane tracking	One Rouse Check	N/A	Forbidden Religions, page 18
Eyes of Beasts	Auspex ●●●	●●	Share the senses of animals	One Rouse Check	N/A	/ Fall of London, page 148
One with the Land	Protean ●●●●●	●●	Sink into the earth of their Domain	Two Rouse Checks	N/A	Companion, page 28

Gallery

Animalism being used to control the dog and have them attack their owner. Source: Vampire: The Masquerade Winter's Teeth Issue #3
Animalism being used to control rats to attack vampire hunters in the sewers. Source: Vampire: The Masquerade Winter's Teeth Issue #9
Using birds to gather information on the surface. Source: World of Darkness: Crimson Thaw, Issue #3