Chimerstry

Chimerstry is the trademark Discipline of the Scintilla that conjures illusions into existence. Such phantom images are as real as the vampire's skill allows, but will not fool technological sensors. While its origins are lost in myths and half-truths, it is assumed to have been developed by the Scintilla herself, and over the centuries has greatly contributed to the perception of her clan as great artists. Because Chimerstry works best when targets do not realize they are being deceived by illusions, most practitioners keep their knowledge of it a secret. Even then, it is not always easy to dismiss the phantoms created by this Discipline even when one knows them to be false. Vampires with levels of Auspex may see through the effects of Chimerstry.

In order to proper utilize Chimerstry, the vampire has to experience the illusion he creates himself, deceiving even himself for an instant about the substance of his creation (which can lead to Rötschreck if the vampire summons the illusion of fire). Also, the vampire can only create illusions he can perceive by himself; a deaf vampire could not create auditory illusions, while a blindfolded vampire could not summon visual illusions.

Chimerstry is a part of the curse on a vampire because it fools him into believing that he is capable of truly creative acts, when all he does is pervert and deceive the senses of his audience. Some advanced users become so enthralled and convinced in the reality of their illusions that they lose themselves in dream worlds of their own making.