Stigmata (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)
Flaws
Definition
Stigmata means your undead body shows its nature. When Hunger climbs, blood seeps from your palms, feet, or forehead, the classic wounds of martyrdom. Mortals stare, the devout kneel or scream, and every camera in range is a Masquerade problem. It is a mythic flaw: a vampire marked by something older than the clans.
How it works
**Effect**: At high Hunger (commonly Hunger 4 or more), you bleed visibly from stigmatic wounds. Concealing it requires bandages, gloves, or a Stealth roll, and it can breach the Masquerade on its own. **Interaction**: Feeding to lower Hunger stops the bleeding. **Benefit**: Grants creation experience points or story leverage, like every flaw on the RPG Stack sheet.
Tips
**Character concepts**: Former priest or nun, Kindred who believes the Curse of Caine literally, Hecata death-cultist, Lasombra with a Catholic past. **When to take**: Take it if your character's faith or damnation is central and you do not mind Hunger becoming a visible countdown.
Frequently asked questions
Do the wounds hurt or cost Health?
No. They are cosmetic, but the blood is real and the social consequences are not.
Can Obfuscate hide Stigmata?
Obfuscate hides you or alters how you are perceived, so yes while active. The moment it drops, the bleeding is visible again.