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Oblivion (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

Disciplines

Definition

Oblivion is the Discipline of the abyssal void, drawing on the shadow that lies beneath reality and the entropy of death. It lets a vampire command living darkness, rot flesh and matter, and touch the world of the dead. Oblivion is the signature Discipline of the Lasombra, who bend shadow to their will, and the Hecata, who commune with ghosts and decay. Vampires with Oblivion can cloak themselves in shadow, animate tendrils of darkness to attack, wither their victims with a touch, and at the highest levels dissolve into living shadow. Its power comes at a price: many Oblivion powers risk Stains, eroding the user's Humanity as they draw closer to the void.

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How it works

**Clans with Oblivion**: Lasombra, Hecata **Basic Powers**: - **Level 1**: Oblivion's Sight (see through darkness and perceive ghosts) and Shadow Cloak (+2 dice to Stealth and Intimidation in shadow) - **Level 2**: Arms of Ahriman (animate shadow tendrils to attack and grapple) and Shadow Cast (shape and project darkness) - **Level 3**: Touch of Oblivion (wither a victim's body with a grip), Aura of Decay (rot the area, food, and objects around you), and Shadow Perspective (see and act through distant shadows) - **Level 4**: Stygian Shroud (smother an area in killing darkness) and Necrotic Plague (inflict a wasting, spreading decay) - **Level 5**: Tenebrous Avatar (become living shadow, harmed only by fire and sunlight) **Oblivion Ceremonies**: Like Blood Sorcery's Rituals, Oblivion grants access to Ceremonies (such as Ashes to Ashes), slower ritual workings tied to death and the abyss. **Rouse Checks and Stains**: Oblivion powers require Rouse checks, which can increase Hunger, and many risk Stains that erode Humanity.

Tips

**Best For**: Control-focused characters, shadow manipulators, necromancers, and Storytellers who want gothic horror at the table. **Synergies**: Oblivion pairs naturally with Dominate (the Lasombra pairing) for battlefield and mind control, and with Auspex and Fortitude (the Hecata pairing) for investigation and survival. Beware the Humanity cost of leaning on its darker powers. **Character Concepts**: Lasombra magister, abyss mystic, Hecata necromancer, shadow assassin, oblivion-touched warlock.

Frequently asked questions

Which clans use Oblivion?

Oblivion is the in-clan Discipline of the Lasombra (who command shadow) and the Hecata (who command death and the dead). Other vampires almost never learn it.

What is the difference between Oblivion powers and Ceremonies?

Powers are the per-level abilities you activate in the moment (like Shadow Cloak or Arms of Ahriman). Ceremonies are slower ritual workings, similar to Blood Sorcery Rituals, that deal with death and the abyss.

Why does Oblivion risk Stains?

Drawing on the void and death is corrosive to the soul. Many Oblivion powers force a check that can inflict Stains, gradually eroding the vampire's Humanity as they embrace oblivion.

Is Oblivion the same as old-edition Necromancy or Obtenebration?

Oblivion in V5 merges the themes of the old Lasombra shadow Discipline (Obtenebration) and the death magic of Necromancy into a single Discipline split between shadow powers and death-focused Ceremonies.

Further Reading

Lasombra ClanHecata ClanDominateAll VTM5e Disciplines
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