The Mind and the Body.

A Short Treatise on the side effects of Vicissitude.

by BigJobbs


It has come to my attention recently that many of the
younger Kindred of today are extremely impressed with the
capabilities that the Discipline known as Vicissitude can
infer on its user. They seem to want to learn this
Discipline so as to be able to exercise a greater level of
control over their forms, and the forms of others. And
because it is, to use the current phraseology, 'cool'.

However, this Discipline -- and the change it reaps on its
targets - are imbued with certain side effects. As such, I
feel that I should point out a few things about my own
experiences with Vicissitude, to give these would be fiends
a clearer view of the problems and effects inherent in its
use, especially in the long term.

For reference's sake, we shall refer to the long time user
of Vicissitude in this Treatise as a Tzimisce, but remember
that the same problems affect all who use this Discipline
too much.

1. The Body.

Flesh and Bone are the stuff that humans are built of, and
Vicissitude allows these to be moulded as the user sees fit.
It can take time, especially for the more severe changes,
but the body can effectively be completely recast into
another form. Bones can be changed in shape, and flesh can
be altered in shape or texture.

However, here's the rub, children.

Normally, the body 'remembers' its own shape, making it
possible to go back to the original shape relatively easily.
At least, at first· because the longer and more frequently
these powers are employed, the greater the chance of the
body 'forgetting' its original shape. Tzimisce usually look
'other than human', and there's a good reason for it. It's
because they can no longer look like a 'natural' human.

Their bodies are a sloppy gooey mess, held together in the
guise of a human solely by an act of Will. There are no
bones, there is no flesh, but a revolting mixture of both of
them together. The Blood leeches through this mess, having
no easy paths to follow. Not only this, but the mess that
passes for the flesh of a Tzimisce also tends to dissociate
somewhat into the Tzimisce's blood. This causes other
problems, as will be discussed below.

In normal Kindred, the blood is absorbed and held by the
body in much the same way as a sponge. With a Tzimisce, the
body starts to lose this spongelike ability and the blood
collects in certain areas of the body. The phrase
'circulatory disorder' can scarcely be applied to one who
can form tentacles from their chests on a whim, but the
Tzimisce must consciously 'hunt' for these blood pools
within their bodies before they can use the Blood.

The skin of a Tzimisce is stronger than is usual, to be
sure - any skin that has bone mixed with it is going to be
extremely tough. However, the phrase 'fiend', associated
with the Clan Tzimisce, is partly a reference to this state
of inhumanity. Think of this, the next time you talk to an
Elder who utilises this discipline. Look at them. Their
appearance is a charade. Their true form does not bear
witnessing. You thought the Nosferatu were the epitome of
inhuman. You were way, way wrong.

2. The Mind.

Now, as I pointed out just before, the blood of a Tzimisce
tends to pool in certain areas of the body, and I also
mentioned that the blood tends to have differing amounts of
'dissolved' flesh in it. Now, here's why this is a Bad
Thing.

One of the prime areas for blood to pool in a Tzimisce is
the brain pan. The reason for this is that the mental
processes of any Kindred are considerably decreased when no
blood is available to the brain. It's called torpor, or as
Elders prefer to call it, 'a nap.'
Now, this means that there is a fairly large quantity of
this 'contaminated' blood flowing through the Tzimisce's
brain. Small amounts of the flesh/bone particles lodge in
the brain, and these build up over time, causing the
Tzimisce to lose the ability to discern certain things. An
example of this is the ever popular lack of regard for
humanity, hence their practices towards captives, and hence
their name of 'fiends'. This is not entirely a problem of
outlook, it is a mental disorder.


So, take this opportunity to think about some of the Elder
Kindred you know to possess this Discipline. Do you know
them very well? Have you had any exposure to their plans? Do
you seriously want to end up like them? And before you say
yes, think about what fate is in store for you should their
plans come to fruition...


BigJobbs (shurr@ihug.co.nz)