Animalism

Animalism is the Discipline of dominion over beasts — both the creatures of the wild and the Beast that lurks within all Kindred. It allows vampires to commune with, command, and even summon animals. More profoundly, it gives them influence over the Beast inside mortals and vampires alike: the primal fear, hunger, and frenzy that defines existence.

Favored by Gangrel and Nosferatu, Animalism embodies the predator’s bond with nature. Where other clans try to deny their bestial side, Animalists embrace it — ruling both the wilderness and the predator hearts of others.

Narrative Uses

  • Speak to rats in sewers to gather gossip.

  • Calm a frenzied Brujah before they ruin Elysium.

  • Summon a swarm of bats or crows to cover an escape.

  • Ride through the city with feral dogs as guardians.

  • Terrify mortals by stirring the animal fear that slumbers in their guts.

Animalism is subtle when whispering to animals, terrifying when loosed as howls and frenzies. In the modern nights, it is most often seen in street-level survival, turning cities into wildernesses.

Powers by Dot Rating

  • ● (Feral Whispers):

    Speak with animals of a chosen type. Birds, cats, rats, dogs become informants, allies, or companions.

  • ●● (Beckoning):

    Summon a specific type of animal — wolves, bats, rats, crows. In urban centers, this often means vermin, strays, or pests.

  • ●●● (Quell the Beast):

    Calm frenzy in mortals, animals, or even Kindred. A touch of the Animalist’s will suppresses rage and hunger.

  • ●●●● (Subsume the Spirit):

    Possess an animal, riding within its body, seeing through its eyes, controlling its movements. The vampire’s body lies torpid while their spirit wanders.

  • ●●●●● (Drawing Out the Beast):

    The master Animalist can shift their Beast into another — forcing frenzy upon an enemy, or taking frenzy into themselves to spare others. This is terrifying in battle and profoundly dangerous.

Themes

  • Animalism is the predator’s language. It strips away pretense and shows Kindred as what they are: beasts dressed in flesh.

  • Among Camarilla, it is seen as crude, “low clan” magic, though Princes value it when frenzy threatens order.

  • Among Anarchs, it is a weapon of survival — vermin armies and animal spies are tools against elder tyranny.

  • The Sabbat glorify it, loosing packs of war-beasts as signs of their holy war.

Animalism reminds every Kindred that the Beast is not a metaphor. It is real, it is present, and it can be commanded — or unleashed.