So this was the second time they'd forgotten my salad... Annoying, huh? The first time they forgot it, I was nice; "Just go ahead and credit my account and bring the salad next time you come." After all, Anarch lives out in the boondocks and tends to (Believe it or not) be this quiet, non-threatening being that accepts all the little glitches life throws her, with a calm, numb, nonchellant air. But I really wanted that salad. You know how you get a yen for something? Well, I call the delivery people back... The voice on the other end of the phone is this bubbley teenager. I picture her as blonde, giggley, you know; the kind that goes "You play VtM? Oh my gawd. I, like, heard that's a game for freaks!" She wanted to merely credit my account with the missing salad.
I had had enough of being nice. To make a long story short; not only did I convince her to give me the manager, but I convinced the manager to agree to buy me an entire dinner the next time I ordered from him. Intimidation and Manipulation are wonderful things...
Now... A vampire may attempt to Intimidate in one of two ways; First off, there is the blatant intimidation... the baring of fangs, rippling muscles as they lunge towards you, the raw power behind their gaze. This is the weightlifter who, on the beach, seeks to intimidate his 96 lb. antagonist. This is the beautiful stallion who stands, magestically on the rise, watching the other stallion approach, prior to the fight. This is the wolverine, who snarls and warns you from his corner, before launching into an outright attack.
This is a blatant form of Intimidation. The get-in-your-face, I'm the boss and you're gonna call me daddy form of Intimidation. It's based on Strength and Intimidation. Your character asks for a contested roll; the Intimidator rolling Strength + Intimidation, difficulty 6. The Intimidatee or victim of this brutal onslaught then rolls whichever is HIGHER: his Strength + Intimidation OR his Willpower, difficulty 6.
If the one Intimidating scores more successes; the victim is suitably cowed, meaning they will back away or, if the one Intimidating is exceptionally vicious-looking (has 3+ successes) they may even run.
If the victim scores more, then he can defiantly look the other in the eye and say "Bite me" or whatever trendy cliche` they wish to use...
The other form of Intimidation is based on a subtle, perceived threat. This is that eerie, creepie situation where you blink and wonder "Was that a threat or am I being paranoid?" Itīs like the title of the story "Something Wicked This Way Comes"...you arenīt sure what the hell is going to hit you but you really donīt want to find out.
This is more of a verbal threat, rarely involving muscles, and is based on Manipulation + Intimidation. Remember, you are playing with the victimīs psyche... you could be that 6' 100 lb. Tremere that hides in shadows but looks like a summer breeze could blow him over and still use this form of Intimidation. This is all about Mind Games.
In such a case, the one attempting to Intimidate rolls Manipulation + Intimidation in a contested roll against the victimīs Willpower (both rolls are difficulty of 6). If the Intimidator rolls more successes, the victim is cowed; if the victim wins, he can laugh in the Intimidatorīs face merrily. "Hahahaha youīre gonna WHAT?"
In either case, should the Intimidator botch, he just appears to be a big buffoon to anyone who bothers to take notice. He may spill his drink down the front of himself, forget what he was saying, his voice may crack, you name it. Either way, he comes off looking like a stooge :)
So there you have it. Practice and refine your technique and soon, you too, may have bosses buying you dinner.
Anarch signing out :)