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transformative powers of the vampiric blood she ingests. During daylight hours, she might require strong, prescription sunglasses, and bright flashes such as a camera flash or lightning may require a Frenzy check. Among ghouls of certain Clans and bloodlines, like the Followers of Set, this Flaw can worsen over long periods of time at the Storyteller’s discretion.
The point value for the Light Sensitive Flaw reflects an increasing sensitivity to artificial and natural light. A 2-point Flaw means your ghoul retreats from harsh, bright sunlight harsh and will react more quickly than most mortals. At 4 points, your ghoul is incapable of functioning normally in bright sunlight, and may develop painful skin rashes and/or sunburn after exposure.
At 6 points, the ghoul finds any bright light nearly paralyzing, and will go to whatever lengths required to avoid such bright conditions. Bad sunburn will result from only a minute or two in full sunlight, and will become bashing damage at a rate of one point of damage per fifteen minutes’ worth of exposure. A ghoul with this level of the Flaw will therefore receive four points of bashing damage per hour of contact with full sunlight or its equivalent. Such damage may be healed normally, as per V20 on pp. 282-286.
Used by: All ghouls and revenants
Cannibal (3pt. Flaw)
Though the Bratovich family of revenants is known for their depravity, the desire to consume human flesh is not limited to them alone. Historically, mortals have resorted to acts of cannibalism during times of war or starvation, but they have also eaten the flesh of the dead as part of a religious ceremony to honor the fallen, too. The vast majority of cultures, however, consider the practice barbaric and unnatural.
To become a Cannibal, is to put your character at risk of ostracization and death. There are several physical disorders that can be transmitted through the consumption of infected flesh or organs. For the most part, such an infection is undetectable through normal, non-medical means. Should you eat human flesh as a ghoul, the vitae you’ve already ingested is likely strong enough to negate the effects in most cases. Should your ghoul be denied future feedings, however, the infection will take hold as your body returns to its natural state and age.
A character with the Cannibal Flaw will generally only feed on the flesh of the living or the dead in privacy. Most cannibals are not rabid animals, and are cunning and highly intelligent. They are aware that modern society frowns on cannibalism, but they feel compelled to do it anyway. Thus, they are often careful to act on their Flaw in places and at times where they and their victims cannot
be easily discovered. Missing corpses or well-loved people, for example, are likely to be searched for. If there are witnesses who spotted the cannibal and victim together, it might lead to further complications a Cannibal is not prepared to deal with. A Willpower roll may be called for to determine if the cannibal can exercise sufficient control and discretion to avoid leaving clues behind.
The Cannibal Flaw may be selected by any ghoul, or may be bestowed upon a character by the Storyteller as a result of acquiring a Derangement. Though this Flaw is far more common among revenant families, it is not exclusively available to them. Because of the dramatic impact the Cannibal Flaw has on ghouls in modern society, Camarilla ghouls are discouraged from taking this Flaw. Used by: Revenants, some Sabbat and independent ghouls
Hemophiliac (3pt. Flaw)
Your character suffers from hemophilia. If your ghoul’s skin is cut, you will not stop bleeding without medical assistance. The Blood does not have any effect on a ghoul or revenant Hemophiliac.
If your character suffers lethal or aggravated damage, he suffers an additional level of bashing damage every five minutes until his wound has been dressed to stop the bleeding. Any vampire who bites a Hemophiliac may “dress” such wounds. By licking the injury after biting the ghoul, the vampire will put a stop to any future bashing damage.
Used by: All ghouls and revenants
Seizures (3pt. Flaw)
Seizures tend to occur during moments of duress, and few mortals have a more stressful or terrifying existence than ghouls. The affliction of the Seizures Flaw can also be more pronounced in revenant families whose members suffer from a limited genetic pool. Many types of seizures can be controlled or mitigated with medication following thorough medical tests or examinations. However, some ghouls and revenants aren’t willing to risk their lives by seeking the advice of a doctor, and these Seizures are often not related to a diagnosed illness. This Flaw is a side effect of the many horrors ghouls and revenants witness over the course of their lives.
Seizures can potentially be disastrous, especially if they occur in the presence of a vampire or at an inopportune moment. Under any stressful circumstances related to combat, physical or verbal threats, or witnessing a terrifying, bloody sight the character with this Flaw will need to make a Frenzy roll. A success means a seizure was not triggered, and you’ve managed to regain control.
Failure indicates your body was not able to cope with the stress and something has happened. If you roll a critical failure, your character suffers a full-blown grand mal seizure. You will have fallen to the ground and will thrash uncontrollably for a number of minutes equal to the number of 1s rolled on the Frenzy check. Your actions may wind up getting yourself, or others, hurt as your finger might accidentally pull the trigger, or you may slip and fall. A less than critical failure may likely result in your character blacking out until the next round. Depending on the needs of your story, your ghoul may pass out and drop to the ground, your vision might turn black for a few seconds, or your arm might tremble and you cannot regain control.
Used by: All ghouls and revenants