| Obtenebration |
| The Bailiwick of the Lasombra,the Obtenebration Discipline grants its user power over darkness.The precise nature of the "darkness' invoked is a matter of debate among the Keepers.Some believe it to be shadows, while others, perhaps more correctly,believe the power grants a Kindred control over the stuff in her soul,allowing her to coax it tangibly forth.In any event, the effects of Obtenebration are terrifying, as waves of enveloping blackness roil out from the Vampire, washing over their targets like an infernal tide. Blatant uses of this power are obvious breaches of the Masquerade---of course,as Obtenebration is proprietary to the Sabbat, any Camerilla neonate or ancilla caught using the Disciplinehad better have an 'impeccable explination. |
| Levels of Power |
| Level 1 Shadow Play: This power grants the vampire a limited control over shadows and other ambient darkness.Though the vampire cannot truly "create" darkness,she can overlap and stretch exsisting shadows, creating patches of gloom.This power also allows Kindred to seperate shadows from their casting bodies and even shape darkness into shadows of things that are not truly there.Once a Kindred takes control of darkness or shadow,it gains a mystical tangibility while under the vampire's manipulation.By varying accounts cold or hellishly hot and clying,the darkness may be used to aggrivate or even smother victims.Certain callous Lasombra claim to have choked mortals to death with their own shadows. |
| Level 2 Shroud of Night: The vampire can create a cloud of inky blackness.The cloud completely obscures light and even sound to an extent.Those who have been trapped in it (and survived) describe the cloud as viscous and unnerving.This physical manifestation lends cedence to the tales of those Lasombra who claim that the darkness is something other then mere shadow.The tenebrous cloud may even move, if the creating Kindred so wishes,though willing this requires complete concentration. |
| Level 3 Arms of the Abyss: Refining his control over darkness, the Kindred can create prehensile tentacles that emerge from patches of dim light.These tentacles may grasp,restrain and constrict foes. |
| Level 4 Black Metamorphosis: The Lasombra calls upon his inner darkness and infuses himself with it, becoming a monstrous hybrid of matter and shadow.His body becomes mottled with spots of tenebrous shade,and wispy tentacles extrude from his torso and abdomen.Though still humanoid, the Lasombra takes on an almost demonic appearance, as darkness within him bubbles to the surface. |
| Level 5 Tenebrous Form: At this level, the Kindred's mastery of darkness is so extensive that she may physically 'become' it.Upon activation of this power, the vampire becomes an inky, amoeboid patch of shadow.Vampires in this form are practically invulnerable and may slither through cracks and crevices. In addition, the shadow-vampire gains the ability to see in utter darkness. |