This also applies to surprise attacks from Obfuscate – a victim always has a chance to sense the danger a moment before the strike. Anyone can detect an Obfuscated vampire who draws attention to themselves such observers detect such accidental revelations with a contest of Wits + Awareness (or Resolve + Awareness for an active searcher) vs Wits + Stealth. A vampire with Sense the Unseen (Auspex 1) can detect Obfuscated characters by rolling Wits or Resolve + Auspex vs Wits + Obfuscate. A human staking out the vampire has a hard time pointing the lens in the right direction, but automatic cameras and other types of detectors can catch them. Generally, the Discipline offers no protection against machine surveillance. Whispering without breaking Obfuscate is still possible. Likewise, violent action jeopardizes the façade, as does actions like raised voices, failed pickpocket attempts, and weapons raised to strike. A vampire blocking a doorway cannot maintain Obfuscate against someone walking through it. The Discipline does have limits: the illusion fails if the observer cannot ignore the user or if the user backs the observer into a corner. Obfuscate affects all five senses unless otherwise noted. Witnesses unconsciously move out of the way if the user blocks their path and rationalize their behavior Observers see the vampire but their minds choose to ignore it.
Obfuscate powers work through ambient, low-level mesmerism.
Obfuscate experts may utilize the Discipline to lurk in the shadows while spying, change appearance in a crowd while under surveillance, or even spread the gift For the Kindred practitioners of Obfuscate, the Discipline provides the perfect cover to get close to a victim, disguise themselves as harmless, and escape when the heat grows too much. Avoiding detection is the whole point of this Discipline.įor any hunter, the ability to hide, move without being seen, and employ camouflage proves vital.