On Matters of Obtenebration

The shadows summoned by the Shadow Arts of Obtenebration muffle all sound within it, also
deprives the area of Oxygen; it is not simply shadow, but tangible darkness.

- At it's most basic level, Obtenebration can be used to control the shadows of an area; It can
make an individual more difficult to see and harder to track in Ranged combat; it can also be
used to attack an idividual, training their strength with it's unnatural Cold. Mortals attacked this
way can be suffocated and frozen, although slowly.

- The Shroud summoned by Lasombra is an area of intense Darkness that destroys any light
within it and makes sound almost unintelligible; Normally, it takes the size of a sphere, but it
can be increased in size. Individuals within the shroud find themselves numbed and disoriented
by the Darkness, making them Clumsier, and are completely blind; The darkness is so great that
not simply Auspex, Protean, or Serpentis alone are capable of compensating for the loss in
sight; two of these powers must be used in conjunction in order to accurately see.

It is important to note that Lasombra can see in his own shroud, but his allies cannot. However,
Fire still casts light, so an idividual with - for example - Lure of Flames could be used to
illuminate the Shroud to negate it. It is inadvisable to fight within a Shroud if you do not have a
way to see or fight while blind; Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that the Lasombra will
always be in the center of the Shroud. If one is using a Firearm or otherwise ranged weapon to
attack into the Shroud, they will likely miss.

- The limbs summoned by a Lasombra are six feet in length, and although they are inherently
rather weak, they can improved with time, and can be amplified by the user's Potence or
Fortitude. Fire and Sunlight will almost immediately dispell the Arms, but there are ways for
individuals to empower their Arms so they can be stronger, longer, and more resistant to fire.

Often, these Arms are used to establish a grapple, or prevent eggress; However, although they
can hold and perform minor manual tasks, they cannot hold weapons nor operate Firearms.
Some Lasombra with Advanced Fortitude have been seen wrapping themselves in a cocoon of
tentacles, making a nearly impeneterable personal fortress.

- The most visibly striking use of Obtenebration is the Black Metamorphasis; it takes time to
activate this form changing power, but it's effects are significant. The Lasombra radiates an aura
of supernatural cold, and gains four extra appendages. This will provide the user additional

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strikes in combat, and will likely drain your strength.

A benefit to this power is the ability to see in any non-magical darkness, although it cannot be
used to see through a rivals' Obtenebration.

It is important to know that this power is frightening to behold, it does not make a Lasombra
any more physically powerful. If you can overpower a Lasombra without this power active, you
can still overpower him while he is wearing his shadows.

- Finally, a Lasombra can also turn himself into a pool of living shadow; This makes them
completely immune to anything besides Fire, Sunlight, and Thaumaturgy. Furthermore, they can
move through nearly any substance, wall, door, or opening, as their bodies are insubatial; only
something hermetically sealed can prevent their entry or escape. Gravity does not effect them,
and they can scale any surface, regardless of what purchase they might find on it.

The blood of a lasombra is nonexistent in this form; It cannot be consumed, manipulated, or

drawn. Some can, however, consume blood in this form, but only if it is in an open container.

Since the form is without eyes, Domination is exceptionally unlikely, but they also cannot
Dominate within the form.

-♔-
A common theme with all of the Lasombra powers is a weakness to Fire or Sunlight; Indeed, if
you are capable of weilding either of these powers, a fight with a Lasombra may be brief. They
will likely flee, however, and Lasombra are exceptionally difficult to catch if they have decided
to escape; Between Shroud, their Advanced powers, and some Elder powers, it is unlikely they
can be captured without first being torpored. This is made even more difficult if the user has
Obfuscate.

Many combination disciplines modify or improve the powers of Obtenebration; If ever you are
in the field, and witness Tentacles that seem unusually strong, a Shroud that is not destroyed by
light, or strange monsters formed of shadow, you must assume one of two options, either;

A) the individual possessing these powers has forsaken the learning of other powers in hope of
perfecting their Shadow Arts, in which case they will likely be exceptionally weak if you can
close the gap between you and them, or;

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B) the individual is an exceptionally powerful Lasombra with knowledge and experience with
the Shadow Arts that you cannot hope to match, combined with the Physical puissance that you
are likely already trained to deal with.

In the first instance, victory should come easiliy to you. Simply disregard whatever fear the
Lasombra evokes within you, and get as close to him as possible; They will likely use a Shroud,
but if you are trained in Blind Fighting, you can disregard this and disable them quickly. Once
disabled, the Shadows they have summoned will disappear.

In the second instance, it is unlikely you can prevail without catching them unaware with
superior numbers. Elders of Clan Lasombra are exceptionally dangerous, and you would do well
to take caution if are uncertain of your odds. In the event you cannot be certain that an
individual you are fighting falls into the first category, assume they fall into the second; It is
better to overestimate a Lasombra and survive than it is to underestimate them and be trapped
in a Shadowy Prison for the rest of eternity.

In regards to launching an attack on a Lasombra; Do not attack their Haven. Your chance of
success is low; though you will likely escape with your life, it is unlikely they will not also. If
possible, ambush them on their way from their haven to another location, or comprimise their
Haven first while they are away, then attack them.

-♔-
I reccomend the following training methods for individuals planning to combat Obtenebration;

- Shroud Combat Training; Participate in combat excercises in utter darkness, with

no sound, while cold and clumsy; If possble, train in an actual Shroud. ((Blind Fighting with a
Specialization: Shroud Combat))

- Arms Combat Training; Particpate in fighting outnumbered against multiple

tentacles; These tentacles almost exclusively Brawl and Grapple.

- Perception Training; Learning to tell the difference between natural shadow and
Obtenebration is important to finding hidden individuals.

- General Knowledge; Education on Clan Lasombra, the Sabbat, and Obtenebration.

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((Sabbat Lore, Lasombra Lore, and Obtenebration Lore.))