Clan Information : Tzimisce If Clan Lasombra is the heart of the Sabbat, Clan Tzimisce
is the soul. Even other vampires grow uneasy around these eerie Kindred, and the
clan's nickname of "Fiends" was given to it in nights past by
horrified Kindred of other lines. The Tzimisce's signature Discipline of
Vicissitude is the subject of particular dread; tales speak of crippling
disfigurements inflicted on a whim, of ghastly "experiments" and
tortures refined beyond human — or vampiric — comprehension or endurance.
This fearsome reputation often seems unwarranted at first. Many Tzimisce are
reserved and perspicacious beings, a far cry from the howling war packs that
compose much of the Sabbat. Most Tzimisce appear to be rational creatures,
formidably intelligent, possessed of an inquisitive and scientific bent, and
unstintingly gracious to guests.
Kindred who treat with the
Tzimisce,
though, realize that the Fiends' human traits are the merest veneer over
something… else. For millennia the Fiends have explored and refined their
understanding of the vampiric condition, bending their bodies and thoughts into
new and alien patterns. Should it prove necessary, enlightening or simply
enjoyable, Tzimisce do not hesitate to bend victims in similar fashion. While
younger Fiends might be described as merciless or sadistic, elders of the line
simply fail to comprehend mercy or suffering — or perhaps they do comprehend,
but no longer consider the qualities relevant.
In nights past, the Tzimisce were among the most powerful clans in the world,
dominating much of the region now known as Eastern Europe. Potent sorcerers, the
Fiends dominated the region's mortals as well, in the process inspiring many of
the horror stories about vampires. Clan after clan conspired to uproot the
Tzimisce, but it was the sorcerous Tremere who finally succeeded. Indeed, as
some tell the tale, the Tremere used captured Tzimisce vitae in their
experiments to become immortal. For this, the Tzimisce hate the Tremere
unrelentingly, and Tremere who fall into the Sabbat's clutches typically suffer
a hideous end at the talons of the Fiends.
During the great Anarch Revolt, the Tzimisce clan turned on itself, as
younger members of the clan discovered mystic means of breaking the blood bonds
that compelled them to serve their elders. In the ensuing struggle, the younger
Fiends destroyed many of their elders and demolished what was left of their
power bases. Certain Sabbat whisper that the clan managed to find and destroy
its own Antediluvian progenitor, though the Fiends will neither confirm nor deny
this tale.
Now the Tzimisce serve the Sabbat as scholars, advisors and priests. Many of
the sect's practices originated in the customs of the clan. By exploring the
possibilities and limits of vampirism, the clan hopes to discover the greater
purpose of the Kindred as a whole. If this means the wholesale destruction of
the archaic Antediluvians, the razing of the Camarilla, and the vivisection of
millions of kine victims, well, all experiments have their consequences.
Nickname: Fiends
Sect: Most Tzimisce serve the Sabbat. A few
powerful Tzimisce elders retain their independence; these are believed to be
Inconnu. Almost no Tzimisce are in the Camarilla; even those Fiends
unsympathetic to the Sabbat find the Camarilla's skulking among the masses to be
distasteful.
Appearance:
As masters of the Vicissitude Discipline, Tzimisce often have striking
appearances — whether strikingly beautiful or strikingly grotesque depends on
the whim of the Fiend in question. Younger Tzimisce, seeking to explore their
inhuman natures, perform all manner of body modifications on themselves. Their
elders, though, often adopt flawless, symmetrical forms; the body is merely a
passing-useful machine, after all. Tzimisce faces often resemble masks of blank
perfection, and the Fiends typically laugh little, though some have been known
to chuckle during particularly elaborate experiments.
Haven: Tzimisce are exceedingly private beings,
placing great value on the sanctity of the haven. In fact, the clan has an
entire series of elaborate protocols based around hospitality. Guests invited
into a Fiend's haven are protected with the host's unlife; trespassers are
pursued to the ends of the Earth and punished in gruesome and lingering fashion.
Surprisingly, Tzimisce havens, or "manses," are not necessarily
comfortable or well-kept in the manner of Ventrue or Toreador dwellings. The
amenities of mortals matter little to the Fiends.
|
|