User with this ability either is, can transform into or mimic the appearance, attributions and traits of clowns, thus gaining special abilities.
The character will instantly transform into your typical circus clown with white face , big red nose, funny make-up, the big feet, the oversized clothes, etc. Furthermore, he will be compelled to act silly, make jokes and puns, and perform like a clown for others, especially children. The character may still have his or her own agenda, skills and memories, but suffers from this uncontrollable urge to "clown around" and make people laugh. This may lead him to pause to do a 1D4 melee round long skit or trick for a child or group of people rather than make good on an escape or the opportunity to strike at his target. Likewise the character skips rather than runs (-10% on Spd.), likes to do a somersault/roll when prowling or rushing to attack, dance when making an exit, and similar clown behavior.
In the alternative, the character can transform into a monster clown persona. The character's lips are a deep, dark red, with blood flowing out of the corners. The lip-gloss red extends well beyond the normal borders of the mouth, making it seem as if they are painted red. The oversized carnivorous teeth are stained yellow with many ruts and cavities. A sick ichor flows along them, mingling with the blood into a disgusting drool. The character will find it hard to keep the mouth closed with such large teeth. The head is crowned with wild hair in hues of orange, purple or green, and the skin looks like it is painted in weird colors. The eyes are wide and red. A bite inflicts 3D6 damage, +1D6 for an additional 3 rounds unless a save vs. Poison is made. Horror Factor is 10+1D4 H.F.
Other possible powers may include:
* Clown Nose: The character has a small, brightly colored rubber ball over the tip of the nose which honks when squeezed. Unlike a normal clown nose, this one is a part of the character and cannot be removed. The skin color of the character’s face may be normal or pale grey or white like that of clown, or reflect the rest of his appearance. Bonuses: Keen sense of smell. Track by smell equal to a bloodhound (70% +1% per level of experience; +10% to follow blood or chemical scent). As a funny prop, if the character honks the nose while smiling, laughing, behaving in a silly manner or striking a silly pose, those who see or encounter him are temporarily unaffected by the character’s Horror Factor. In fact, as long as he makes no aggressive or scary moves, he seems harmless, even comical and friendly. It also gives the character a +1 Reaction bonus or +3 when dealing with children under the age of thirteen. Penalties: -2 to M.A. and P.B. attributes, -3 to base P.P.E., -2 to Horror Factor and -20% to the Disguise and Impersonation skills.
* Face Paint: The character has a white face painted in classic clown patterns in a riot of garish colors. This may be the traditional embellishment of clowns the world over or a completely original pattern that may look silly, friendly, happy, sad, or yes, frightening and monstrous. The juxtaposition of the clown motif with other monstrous or spooky elements like fangs or pointed teeth, glowing eyes, spikes, mouth sewn shut, etc. can make the clown face seem all the more menacing and creepy. Bonuses: +2 to M.A., +1 on initiative, +1 to Horror Factor,
* Clown Clothes: The clothing that appears on this character is garishly colored and may be baggy and oversized. The actual type of attire varies drastically, and can range from the denim overalls and the western shirt of a rodeo clown to multicolored outfits attributed to clowns or medieval court jesters, to
suit and tie. Bonuses: +2D6 S.D.C. and +1 to Natural A.R. +1 to dodge and entangle. +15% to any skills used to entertain such as Performance, Sing, and Dance. +20% to the Concealment and Palming skills if hiding something on the character’s person. Penalties: -1 to the P.P. attribute and -2 to Spd. -15% to Climbing, Prowl, and Swimming skills.
* Clown Shoes: The character is wearing brightly colored shoes that are roughly twice the normal
size. These stereotypical “clown” shoes make running or sneaking more difficult, but they’re good for a laugh and have a few perks. Bonuses: +6 to the swimming Spd only, +6 damage from kicks and stomp attacks, and impervious to damage from falls and impact from large objects (special) like a falling safe, car, truck, boulder, etc., as well as explosions (no damage!). Note that punches, kicks, bullets and melee weapons, including blunt weapons, do full damage to the clown. Penalties: -2 to the P.P. and M.E. attributes, reduce land Spd by half, -20% to Prowl, -30% to Climbing and cannot leap/jump.
* Outrageous Hair and Head: The Nightbane has a painted clown face, and wild hair that could be a mohawk of any variety, shaped into spikes, frizzed up and out in one or more weird directions, a giant Afro, incredibly long or in ponytails, and in one or more bright colors.