Torpor is a term used to describe the state of deep slumber that vampires enter into for prolonged periods of time in Vampire: The Masquerade.
Overview[]
- torpor: A state of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility. Lethargy; apathy. The dormant, inactive state of a hibernating or estivating animal.
Torpor may be entered into voluntarily by vampires, such as when one seeks to escape the monotony of eternal life and awaken in a different age, or, more commonly, involuntarily, as when a vampire starves or suffers enough damage. The amount of time one spends in torpor depends on the reason for hibernating and the vampire's strength against the Beast. Torpor is particularly common among elders, who often feel a great ennui after centuries of unlife or who wish to sleep through certain ages and rise again during more "interesting" times.
In Vampire: The Masquerade, torpor is a deeper state of stasis compared to the sleep vampires normally experience during daylight hours. Though it is stated that ancient vampires often feel the need to enter voluntary torpor, or the Sleep of Ages, rules for this were not described until the Dark Ages Storytellers Companion.[1] Torpor is described as a relatively dreamless state where the vampire's body is preserved (unless suffering from lack of blood) and does not require sustenance. Sufficiently strong-willed individuals may maintain some degree of consciousness, and a few high-level Disciplines can be used from torpor.
During this time the body swiftly dries out and takes on the appearance of being mummified. The skin contracts around the bones, the eyes dry out and sink into their sockets, hair become fine and brittle. The muscles of one's mouth retreat, forming a rictus around the teeth. To all appearances, the vampire is a long dead corpse.
Torpor Length[]
The length of torpor depends on the vampire's Humanity or Path rating, and can last from a day to over a millennium. Following this period of rest, the player may spend a blood point and make an attempt to Awakening. If the vampire has no blood in his body, he may not rise until he is fed; the vampire may try to awaken for as long as he has Vitae on his system. If the vampire rises successfully, he is considered Crippled and should either spend blood or hunt immediately to regain his full strength.
| Humanity/Path | Length of Torpor |
|---|---|
| 10 | One day |
| 9 | Three days |
| 8 | One week |
| 7 | Two weeks |
| 6 | One month |
| 5 | One year |
| 4 | One decade |
| 3 | Five decades |
| 2 | One century |
| 1 | Five centuries |
| 0 | Millennium |
See Also[]
References[]
- ↑ VTDA: Dark Ages Storytellers Companion, p. 75