Serpentis 5

Category

The Heart of Darkness

This power allows the Setite to remove her heart from her body. With several hours of surgery, the operation can even be performed on other Kindred. This power can only be used during the dark of the moon (the new moon). Upon removal, the heart must be placed in a small clay urn, which is often buried underground. This power effectively renders the Setite 'stakeproof,' and also makes it easier to resist frenzy (after all, the heart is the source of emotion). The difficulties of all rolls to resist frenzy are two lower. The major danger inherent to the use of this power is the possibility that someone else will find the heart. If this happens, then the Setite is completely at the mercy of the finder. If the heart is cast into a fire or exposed to sunlight, the Setite dies a horrible death. This is the only way a Setite heart can be destroyed. If an exposed heart is impaled by a wooden stake, the Setite is put into instant torpor. Many Setites either carry their hearts with them or have several false hearts buried in different places. Most Setites are too paranoid to visit their own hearts, afraid that they will lead someone to them. At the same time, these Setites live in fear because they are not sure if their hearts are still safely cached. There are rumors that the elder Setites control their progeny by retaining possession of their childer's hearts. If this is true, then it helps explain why the clan is so tightly bound.

System

This power is automatic and requires no roll, though Storytellers might force the squeamish (or onlookers) to make Courage rolls.