Protean

Protean

Protean
Clans	Gangrel, Gangrel Antitribu
Bloodlines	Ahirmanes, Anda, Coyotes, Mariners, Noiades, Tlacique, Zoidones
Sects	Independents Sabbat
Rituals	None
Combination Disciplines	Protean Combination Disciplines
Play Status	Restricted

The powers of Protean all have to do with shifting and changing, becoming one with beasts or the very earth they walk; many a vampire with the Protean Discipline has been mistaken for some other kind of creature, or contributed to legends of strange shapeshifting beasts that stalk the night. Protean is natively practiced only by the Gangrel, to whom such changing, especially since it brings them closer to the natural world that they prefer, is second nature; a few members of other clans have learned it, but none could ever be said to have truly perfected it.

Basic Powers

Eyes of the Beast

You may cause your eyes to glow blood-red and bright in the darkness, giving you the ability to see normally no matter how little light is present. You cannot see in the dark without your eyes glowing this way, making this power a poor choice for stealth or avoiding terrifying mortals who might cross your path.

Feral Claws

Your hands transform into dangerous, bestial claws, capable of inflicting immense damage on anyone you attack with them. In addition to going through poor humans like a hot knife through butter, they injure other vampires as badly as fire or sunlight would, and are especially effective against other types of supernatural creatures.

Intermediate Powers

Earth Meld

You may sink into the ground itself, becoming one with the earth and completely disappearing from sight (often used to rest during the day without risk of being exposed to sunlight). You must be touching raw earth to use this power (not stone, concrete, glass, or anything humanmade), and you may only take your clothing and items small enough for you to hold in your hands with you as you become one with the ground. Once buried, you cannot be found by normal detection, although the Auspex Discipline will still be able to recognize your location, you have no awareness of what's going on aboveground, and if the ground is seriously disturbed, you immediately rise back up out of it.

Shape of the Beast

You may transform into an animal, gaining all of its particular skills and shape, becoming indistinguishable from the real thing. You retain your consciousness and personality, although long periods of time spent in animal form may cause vampires to start becoming more bestial than they otherwise would be. Most vampires can transform into only a single kind of animal; the vast majority of Protean-using vampires use this power to become wolves, although a few might have a different particularly appropriate animal based on their background, and some very old and powerful vampires can turn into more than one kind of creature.

Advanced Powers

Mist Form

You may dissolve your body completely into mist, becoming intangible as the air itself. You may travel at the same speed as the air around you (and be blown off-course by heavy winds), and reform as soon as you wish to; while mist, no one can touch or affect you with powers, and likewise you can't do anything to affect them, either. You suffer less damage from sunlight than usual, thanks to it going right through you, and can use this power to sneak through keyholes or under doors.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

Protean use is usually a massive breach of the Masquerade if witnessed by any mortal, so be careful about using it when your privacy might not be complete. While some Gangrel have more than one animal form, or turn into something more exotic than a wolf, you should probably assume that you are not one of these rare exceptions unless approved by a mod.