Post by Valcrist Rocheim on Mar 22, 2005 18:41:44 GMT -5
Casting all that "y" and "i" nonsense aside... I'm going to let you in on a little secret about vampires. You don't know shit. There are lots of clans, alliances, rivalries, and other things you need to know. This is the 'clans' thread. So if you decide that "vampires are neat" and "ooo, I wanna be a vampire," then you should read this post...
Brujah
The Brujah are inheritors of a majestic and ancient legacy. Tonight's Brujah seem less like a clan and more like a gang. Among them are punks, terrorists, revolutionaries, criminals, and gangbangers; the clan seems to be united in nothing save its contempt for the institutions of vampire and mortal society. Brujahns are among the most savage vampires, and the most trivial annoyance may trigger a Brujahn's frenzy. The Brujah's disunity keeps the clan tenuously in the Council. Despite their rapscallion nature, however, Brujah are valued as warriors; they are perhaps the most dangerous vampires in a straightforward battle. To anger a Brujah is nigh suicidal...
Cappadocian
Clan Cappadocian is largely a clan of scholars and priests. It is also known as The Clan of Death. From their humble beginnings in the Holy Lands, these vampires have spread throughout the dark medieval world, pursuing their eternal quest as time and history conspire against them. They are condemned by their own actions, and toil endlessly against inevitable destruction.
Gangrel
Clan Gangrel is the clan that is most in tune with its inner nature. These nomadic loners spurn the constraints of society, preferring the comfort of the wild. How they avoid the wrath of the werewolves is unknown; perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the Gangrel are themselves shapeshifters. When a mortal beingspeaks of a vampire changing into a wolf or a bat... he/she is probably referring to the actions of a Gangrel. Like the Brujah, Gangrel are fierce warriors; yet, they are different from the Brujah because Gangrel ferocity does not stem from anarchic rage, but from animalistic instinct. Gangrel have a keen understanding of the "Beast" within themselves, and they would prefer to spend their nights in communion with the animals whom they so emulate.
Malkavian
At first glance, the members of Clan Malkavian do not appear to be a clan at all; they are chosen from all races, creeds and social strata. But Malkavians, regardless of mortal standing, bear one disturbing commonality: They are all quite mad. Whether from the clan's choice of victims, the circumstances of the Embrace, or some property in Malkavian blood itself, all Malkavians go insane shortly after the transformation (if they were not insane to begin with). Accordingly, many Malkavians find themselves pariahs, ostracized by a vampiric society fearful of their random urges and capricious whims. Wiser Kindred, however, prefer to keep the madmen close at hand: Behind the Malkavians' lunatic cackling and feverish rantings lie smatterings of insight, even wisdom.
Nosferatu
Caine's childer are called "The Damned," and no vampires embody this more than do the wretches of Clan Nosferatu. While other vampires still look human and may travel in mortal society, Nosferatu are twisted and deformed by the curse of vampirism. To put it bluntly, the Embrace transforms them into hideous monsters. Unable to walk among humans, Nosferatu must dwell in subterranean sewers and catacombs. Other vampires revile Nosferatu, considering them disgusting and interacting with them only when they must. Because of this stigma, however, Nosferatu are excellent survivors. Additionally, Nosferatu have refined the crafts of sneaking and eavesdropping to a science; if anyone or anything has the latest dirt on mortal or vampiric society, it is the Nosferatu. Nosferatu forego the squabbling and feuds ubiquitous to the other clans, preferring to work in unison. You mess with one, you mess with 'em all - which is by no means good.
Treador
The Toreador are called many things - "degenerates," "artistes," "poseurs," and "hedonists" being but a few. But any such mass categorization does the clan a disservice. Depending on the individual and their mood, Toreador are alternately elegant and flamboyant, brilliant and ludicrous, visionary and dissipated. Perhaps the only truism that can be applied to the clan is its members' aesthetic zeal. Whatever a Toreador does, they do with passion. Whatever a Toreador is, they are with passion. To the Toreador, eternal life is to be savored. Many Toreador are artists, musicians or poets. Toreador know that their place is to captivate and inspire, because they have achieved this through their witty speech, graceful deeds, and simple, scintillating existence for centuries.
Tremere
Even among vampires, the insular Clan Tremere bears a reputation for treachery. This reputation is well earned: the Tremere were formerly a cabal of human wizards who, hungering for immortal life, stole the secrets of vampirism from unwilling Kindred. Such vile deeds earned the clan a sinister reputation; even today, certain vampire clans would love nothing better than to destroy the entire Tremere line. Nevertheless, the they are still considered vicious enemies and powerful allies. Even now, Tremere still study a version of the arcane arts they once studied centuries ago.
Ventrue
Elegant, aristocratic and regal, the Ventrue are the lords of the vampire race. It was Clan Ventrue that provided the cornerstone of the council, and it is Clan Ventrue that directs and coaxes the high council in its darkest hours. Even in the modern age, the majority of noble vampires descend from Clan Ventrue. The Ventrue would, of course, have things no other way. In the tradition of noblesse oblige, the Ventrue must lead the other clans for their own good. In ancient nights, Ventrue were chosen from nobles, merchant princes or other wielders of power. In modern times the clan recruits from wealthy "old-money" families, ruthless corporate climbers, and politicians. Although Ventrue move in the same social circles as the Toreador, they do not fritter away their existences in frivolity and idle chatter. The Ventrue proudly wear the privileges of leadership, and stoically bear its burdens.
Brujah
The Brujah are inheritors of a majestic and ancient legacy. Tonight's Brujah seem less like a clan and more like a gang. Among them are punks, terrorists, revolutionaries, criminals, and gangbangers; the clan seems to be united in nothing save its contempt for the institutions of vampire and mortal society. Brujahns are among the most savage vampires, and the most trivial annoyance may trigger a Brujahn's frenzy. The Brujah's disunity keeps the clan tenuously in the Council. Despite their rapscallion nature, however, Brujah are valued as warriors; they are perhaps the most dangerous vampires in a straightforward battle. To anger a Brujah is nigh suicidal...
Cappadocian
Clan Cappadocian is largely a clan of scholars and priests. It is also known as The Clan of Death. From their humble beginnings in the Holy Lands, these vampires have spread throughout the dark medieval world, pursuing their eternal quest as time and history conspire against them. They are condemned by their own actions, and toil endlessly against inevitable destruction.
Gangrel
Clan Gangrel is the clan that is most in tune with its inner nature. These nomadic loners spurn the constraints of society, preferring the comfort of the wild. How they avoid the wrath of the werewolves is unknown; perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the Gangrel are themselves shapeshifters. When a mortal beingspeaks of a vampire changing into a wolf or a bat... he/she is probably referring to the actions of a Gangrel. Like the Brujah, Gangrel are fierce warriors; yet, they are different from the Brujah because Gangrel ferocity does not stem from anarchic rage, but from animalistic instinct. Gangrel have a keen understanding of the "Beast" within themselves, and they would prefer to spend their nights in communion with the animals whom they so emulate.
Malkavian
At first glance, the members of Clan Malkavian do not appear to be a clan at all; they are chosen from all races, creeds and social strata. But Malkavians, regardless of mortal standing, bear one disturbing commonality: They are all quite mad. Whether from the clan's choice of victims, the circumstances of the Embrace, or some property in Malkavian blood itself, all Malkavians go insane shortly after the transformation (if they were not insane to begin with). Accordingly, many Malkavians find themselves pariahs, ostracized by a vampiric society fearful of their random urges and capricious whims. Wiser Kindred, however, prefer to keep the madmen close at hand: Behind the Malkavians' lunatic cackling and feverish rantings lie smatterings of insight, even wisdom.
Nosferatu
Caine's childer are called "The Damned," and no vampires embody this more than do the wretches of Clan Nosferatu. While other vampires still look human and may travel in mortal society, Nosferatu are twisted and deformed by the curse of vampirism. To put it bluntly, the Embrace transforms them into hideous monsters. Unable to walk among humans, Nosferatu must dwell in subterranean sewers and catacombs. Other vampires revile Nosferatu, considering them disgusting and interacting with them only when they must. Because of this stigma, however, Nosferatu are excellent survivors. Additionally, Nosferatu have refined the crafts of sneaking and eavesdropping to a science; if anyone or anything has the latest dirt on mortal or vampiric society, it is the Nosferatu. Nosferatu forego the squabbling and feuds ubiquitous to the other clans, preferring to work in unison. You mess with one, you mess with 'em all - which is by no means good.
Treador
The Toreador are called many things - "degenerates," "artistes," "poseurs," and "hedonists" being but a few. But any such mass categorization does the clan a disservice. Depending on the individual and their mood, Toreador are alternately elegant and flamboyant, brilliant and ludicrous, visionary and dissipated. Perhaps the only truism that can be applied to the clan is its members' aesthetic zeal. Whatever a Toreador does, they do with passion. Whatever a Toreador is, they are with passion. To the Toreador, eternal life is to be savored. Many Toreador are artists, musicians or poets. Toreador know that their place is to captivate and inspire, because they have achieved this through their witty speech, graceful deeds, and simple, scintillating existence for centuries.
Tremere
Even among vampires, the insular Clan Tremere bears a reputation for treachery. This reputation is well earned: the Tremere were formerly a cabal of human wizards who, hungering for immortal life, stole the secrets of vampirism from unwilling Kindred. Such vile deeds earned the clan a sinister reputation; even today, certain vampire clans would love nothing better than to destroy the entire Tremere line. Nevertheless, the they are still considered vicious enemies and powerful allies. Even now, Tremere still study a version of the arcane arts they once studied centuries ago.
Ventrue
Elegant, aristocratic and regal, the Ventrue are the lords of the vampire race. It was Clan Ventrue that provided the cornerstone of the council, and it is Clan Ventrue that directs and coaxes the high council in its darkest hours. Even in the modern age, the majority of noble vampires descend from Clan Ventrue. The Ventrue would, of course, have things no other way. In the tradition of noblesse oblige, the Ventrue must lead the other clans for their own good. In ancient nights, Ventrue were chosen from nobles, merchant princes or other wielders of power. In modern times the clan recruits from wealthy "old-money" families, ruthless corporate climbers, and politicians. Although Ventrue move in the same social circles as the Toreador, they do not fritter away their existences in frivolity and idle chatter. The Ventrue proudly wear the privileges of leadership, and stoically bear its burdens.