The first five levels function the same as the modern equivalents unless otherwise noted.
1 • The Eyes of the Serpent (DA Rev)
2 • Tongue of the Asp(DA Rev)
3 • Skin of the Adder (DA Rev)
4 • Form of the Cobra(DA Rev)
5 • Cheat the Scale of Anubis (DA Rev)
This serves the same as the modern level Heart of Darkness allowing the Setite to remove his heart or enshroud himself in a cocoon that is virtually impossible to harm. This power can only be performed in the dark of the night--either after the moon has set, before it has risen or during the new moon--and only on oneself. Once the Setite has removed his heart and other vital organs, he must place them in specially prepared urns (called canopic jars). After the vampire has removed all his major organs, his vitae and undead flesh combine to wrap him in a dry, scaly shroud that is nearly impenetrable. Only a small opening over his mouth remains in the shroud. The character then falls into a sort of torpor. Only feeding him his removed internal organs will awaken him. Once that is complete, it takes about a minute for the cocoon to crumble to dust. The enshrouded vampire is virtually impossible to harm--no known direct force, from inferno to sunlight, can do him damage. However, the extracted organs are vunerable, most especially the heart. Exposing it to fire or sunlight causes the vampire's instant death. Although terrible, this destruction is actually final part of the ritual--in which the vampire's followers burn his organs before a statue of Set. By meeting his Final Death in this way, the Setite reaches Anubis without a heart and is hence able to pass by without ever undertaking the test of the scales, entering the afterlife as a powerful agent of his god.
It is possible to undertake this ritual part way, something usually done for two reasons. The first is to assume the fully enshrouded form for protection's aske, which some Setites do when they are traveling. Their ghouls carry them as cargo in a ship or caravan and then their master his organs when they arrive at their destination. The enshrouded form is completely immune to harm. No source of injury--save perhaps the might of a Methuselah or Antediluvian--can do it direct physical damage. The other option is to stop the ritual with the removal of the heart. This makes him immune to standard or diablerie. However, if an enemy gets hold of the Canopic jar containing the extracted organ, the vampire is in seriously trouble. Any vampire who witnesses the process is subject to Rotchreck. The removed organs are rich with vitae. Most contain one blood point's worth (which reduces the vampire's overall blood pool), and that blood remains fresh in the withered organ-meat. A ghoul or vampire who consumes a Setite's removed organ takes one step toward the Blood Oath as normal. The heart contains two blood points and a vampire consuming it is attempting diablerie against the Setite. Once the two blood points are drained, the attacker passes straight to the heart's blood. Staking the heart, puts the Setite in torpor.
6 • Breathe the Sandstorm (DA Rev)
An elder Setite with this can call a scorching sandstorm from his patron founder's source of power and expel it from his mouth. This whirling, screeching cloud of hot sand scars and pits everything in its path. The cloud is just a few feet across, but that is more than enough to catch a Cainite unaware and riddle him with deep wounds. Costs one blood point. This cloud is about three feet in diameter and can affect a target up to six feet away. Does aggravated damage that can only be soaked with Fortitude (meaning most mortals will never recover from their wounds). The cloud disappates after one turn. It can also be used on inanimate objects, destroying roughly an inch thickness per use.
6 • Ophidian Infestation (DAC)
7 • Set's Curse (DAC)
8 • Apep's Semblance (DAC)
