Humanity is arguably the most central trait of Nuova Malattia. From the moment your character tastes the Blood, the downward spiral begins. I'm posting the Humanity rules here for easy reference as well as giving some useful roleplay pointers as the Beast grows stronger. Keep in mind that ghouls develop a Beast, just like Kindred. It is weaker, but also more prone to rattle its cage. As Humanity fades, the Beast's cage grows weaker.
Hierarchy of Sin — HumanityHumanity - Moral Guideline - Mien- Utter perversion of heinous acts - Horrific
- Casual violation (thoughtless killing, feeding past satiation) - Bestial
- Planned violation (outright murder, savored exsanguination) - Cold
- Impassioned vilation (manslaughter, killing a vessel in frenzy) - Unfeeling
- Intentional property damage - Distant
- Accidental violation (drinking a vessel dry out of starvation) - Removed
- Theft - Normal
- Injury to Another (accidental or otherwise) - Caring
- Minor selfish acts - Compassionate
- Selfish thoughts - Saintly
Effects of HumanityA Kindred’s Humanity rating reflects how much of a character’s mortal nature remains despite the curse of Caine. It influences how well a character may deny her vampiric state, as well as how effectively she may pass for mortal.
• Vampires sleep unnaturally deeply and are loath to rise even if presented with danger. Vampires with higher Humanity rise earlier in the evening than vampires with lower Humanity ratings. Also, if a Kindred is forced to act during the day, the maximum dice pool he may employ for any action is equal to his Humanity rating.
• Humanity also affects a character’s Virtues. Whenever a certain Virtue is called into question, a player may not roll more dice for a Virtue than her character has dots in Humanity. Obviously, as the character sinks ever more deeply into the arms of damnation, questions of morality and self-preservation mean less and less. As Humanity depletes, the character creeps slowly toward the night when she loses all self-control.
• The length of time a Kindred spends in torpor (p. 283) relates directly to his Humanity rating. A vampire with low Humanity remains in torpor for a longer time than a vampire with a higher Humanity rating.
• Humanity determines how human a character appears and how easily she may pass among the populace. Vampires with low Humanity acquire unnatural and disturbing features like sunken eyes, perpetual snarls, and bestial countenances (a reflection of the vampire’s mien).
• If a character’s Humanity rating ever drops to zero, that persona is no longer suitable for use as a player’s character. Completely controlled by his Beast, the character is mindless and falls under the Storyteller’s control.
Humanity ratings fluctuate based upon the Hierarchy of Sin — if a vampire accidentally or purposefully commits an act rated lower than her Humanity rating, she must roll her Conscience Trait to see whether she accepts the act (and thus loses Humanity) or feels remorse and maintains her current level. Humanity may be raised only by spending experience points on it.