Tremere

The members of this clan are dedicated and extremely well-organized. Others, however, think of them as arcane and untrustworthy. They are aggressive, highly intellectual and manipulative, and respect only those who struggle and persevere despite all odds. The Tremere believe they must use the other clans in order to prosper. "Be friendly with them, let them think that we are one with them, but never forget that we serve our clan first and foremost," the Tremere elders whisper to their progeny. "If you must use your friends in service to the clan, then you know that your time was not wasted."

The Tremere are an odd lot indeed. They claim to have once been wizards who voluntarily gave up their "art" for the powers and eternal life of the vampire. They have never named a founder, and some claim they have none, having instead harnessed mystical powers to achieve their state. Most elder Kindred discount this claim, however.

Their link to the substance of blood apparently runs deep, and they are rumored to be able to use blood in special ways to gain extraordinary powers. Many also believe that the knowledge of those practices has been passed down from generation to generation, and that it is now viewed by the younger Tremere as natural and commonplace - certainly not magic.

The leaders of this clan are based in Vienna, though they have chantries ("guild houses" for the practice of magic) on every continent of the world. A council of seven elders is said to control the entire clan from the Vienna chantry. From that locus, they maintain a tightly ordered, highly hierarchical group, one that allows no outsider to view their inner workings.

Tremere typically have immense love for and loyalty to their clan, and the younger members of Clan Tremere are expected to obey their elders without question. This is not as true in practice as it once was, however. Though there are some rebels and anarchs from the Tremere line, it is thought that they are posing as such on the orders of the clan, as part of its long-term plots.

Nickname: Warlocks

Appearance: Tremere traditionally wear black coats or even cloaks with high, upturned collars and arcane symbols sewn on the lining. Though this is no longer universal, they still prefer black, impressive-looking clothing (such as the pinstripe power suit). Many Tremere also carry props such as canes; some of these "ornaments" are rumored to be potent mystical talismans.

Haven: The Tremere clan operates a chantry in almost every city where it has members. All those of the Tremere clan are welcome in any chantry. Those who live on their own have a wide variety of accommodations.

Background: They choose the most aggressive and ambitious people as their neonates, preferring males. They carefully train and nurture them for years, calling them "apprentices."

Character Creation: Tremere usually have professional and highly educated concepts and their Natures and Demeanors tend to be archetypes connected with power or science. Mental Attributes are primary, as are Knowledge Abilities. They often have the Mentor Background Trait.

Clan Disciplines: Auspex, Dominate, Thaumaturgy

Weaknesses: Tremere neonates must all drink from the blood of the seven elders of the clan when they are created. This means that all Tremere are at least one step toward being Blood Bound to the clan, and therefore must watch their step very carefully when around their leaders.

Organization: The Tremere are tightly organized and very hierarchical. The younger members are expected to obey the older ones without question, but this is not as strong a tenet as it once was.

Quote: "We must survive Gehenna and establish the tenets of the new world order once the horror is overcome. If we are to succeed, we must control the other clans. No more time can be wasted. If they cannot be convinced to aid us, they must be forced."

Stereotypes:
·Nosferatu - These creatures may make useful servants, but they are too noxious to tolerate for long.

·Ventrue - Too fractious to be truly effective; nonetheless, they are our chief rivals for control of the Camarilla.

·Gangrel - Noble Kindred, in their own way.

·Toreador - Idle hedonists. They do not understand that Gehenna will end their way of life forever.

·Brujah - Ignorant revolutionaries who don't even comprehend what it is that they oppose. They respect only power.

·Malkavian - So often they seem normal, but all their lineage carry their strange curse. They are occasionally useful.