Tzimisce

The Tzimisce clan is renowned for its evil. Among the most renowned of this line is Vlad Tepes, the Impaler, who split from the clan and the sect. Tepes is especially infamous for his cruelty, but this trait is common among the members of the clan.

The Tzimisce clan stretched across the Baltic regions of Eastern Europe for many centuries. It established a great power base until the Tremere, then a house of mortal wizards, established covenants in what is today northern Bulgaria. The two coexisted for a time, not intruding upon one an other. Eventually, the power-mad Tremere captured some Tzimisces and used them in perverse rituals aimed at extracting the essence of their immortality. Some Tzimisces believe this was the beginning of the Tremere as a clan.

A group of mages known as House Tytalus uncovered the Tremere activities and began maneuvering against the order with the aid of other occultists. The Tremere had seen this coming and were prepared, gathering additional magical support from an unrevealed source. House Tytalus met with defeat, and early efforts of the Inquisition further limited its activities.

The Tzimisce had also suffered at the hands of the Tremere by the time of the war between the wizards. Seeking revenge against the Tremere, the clan offered aid to House Tytalus. The Tzimisce offered support and, in exchange, House Tytalus promised to ensure that no mages encroached any further into the clan's territory. The two groups began working together against the Tremere.

The uneasy alliance lasted for many years. Even after the need for it passed, the two groups continued to aid one another as contacts and occasional supporters. It was kept very quiet, but it lasted. In fact, the Tzimisce still has connections with certain wizards, which the clan keeps very secret to avoid censure by the leaders of other clans.

The Tzimisce anarchs went a long way in destroying the elders of their own clan, but gave up all major efforts to destroy the remaining few. The remaining elders live as Inconnu in Bulgaria, Rumania, Austria and Hungary, sitting alone in their mansion and castle havens. They have accumulated so much magical and political power that they have no fear of their former clan, and fear the Camarilla even less.

Tzimisces have a strong appreciation for learning. They are some of the most educated beings on earth. They seek to understand magic as well as science, but have not reached the level of the Tremere in this understanding. While they are inhuman, they show it to a lesser extent than do the Toreador antitribu, for instance. Most Tzimisces are grim and serious, noted for their lack of a sense of humor (or a twisted one, at best). They are also known for the high value they place on privacy.

The Tzimisce is the second most powerful and numerous clan of the Sabbat. The Lasombra hold the top position in both categories. However, the Tzimisce is a driving force behind Sabbat ideology, goals and planning. The Tzimisce clan appears happy to let the Lasombra take the lead in carrying out sect plans.

Nickname: Fiends

Appearance: Tzimisces tend to dress in a very old-fashioned manner. Most, both old and young, dress in clothing popular 100 years ago. Solid black, accented with white, is popular. Tzimisces tend to resemble the traditional vampire of legend.

Haven: Tzimisces maintain luxurious mansions away from the eyes of mortals. They will stay in communal havens for short periods, but generally dislike them. The Tzimisces are very peculiar about their havens. To be invited in is a great honor bestowed only on the closest of comrades. If one enters a Tzimisce's haven uninvited, he will incur the wrath of the vampire. If a Tzimisce invites an individual into her haven, she assumes the responsibilities of providing for and protecting the individual.

Background: Most Tzimisces choose recruits who are intelligent and well-educated. Recruits are typically between 30 and 40. Most come from such backgrounds as medicine, science, academia and theology; however, a few have been chosen from the ranks of lunatics. In peace, Tzimisces get to know their targets by becoming friends with the mortals, making sure the targets will be interesting companions for centuries, especially since sires maintain close relationships with neonates. During Jyhad, Tzimisce commonly choose college students and professionals such as doctors and lawyers.

Character Creation: Most Tzimisces have dilettante or professional concepts. Mental Attributes are primary, as are Knowledge Abilities. Their Natures and Demeanors are generally similar, but not identical. Common Background Traits include Contacts, Mentor, Resources and Sabbat Status.

Clan Disciplines: Animalism, Auspex, Vicissitude

Weaknesses: Due to the effects of the Vicissitude Discipline, Tzimisces are in a continuous state of physical flux (often they forget their original form over the centuries). Thus, something deep within the Tzimisces craves stability and permanence. As a result, each time the Tzimisces sleep, they must surround themselves with at least two handfuls of earth from a land important to them as mortals (usually their homeland or the graveyard where they underwent their Creation Rites). If they fail to do this, they cannot rest in peace and lose half their Dice Pools from all actions every 24 hours until down to one die; this weakened state continues until they rest amid their special soil once again. Many Tzimisces maintain several auxiliary havens, each of which contains the needed soil.

Preferred Paths: Most prefer the Path of Death and the Soul or the Path of Caine. Some are also known to follow the Path of Honorable Accord.

Organization: The Tzimisce is a closely knit clan, but its members' loyalties lie with the Sabbat first. The Tzimisce hold regular meetings once per year around the beginning of fall, though not on a particular date. Unlike many clans of the sect, the Tzimisce greatly respects its elders. However, those who prove inadequate are usually extinguished for the benefit of the sect. The leader of the clan holds the title of Voivode, and he may make decrees for the Tzimisce to follow. Only foolish Voivodes abuse this power, since the clan would certainly destroy any leader who might jeopardize the Sabbat or compromise the clan's power.

Gaining Clan Prestige: The Tzimisce protocol for gaining Prestige is extremely complex. It is gained by maintaining the good reputation of the clan, demonstrating control over others, and supporting the conservative leadership role the Tzimisce plays in sect affairs. It should also be noted that this clan never awards Prestige to the foolish, rebellious or obnoxious. Subtlety carries a great deal of weight with this clan.

Quote: "Those who possess true power seldom need to use it. There is much about us you do not know, nor ever will."

Stereotypes:

* Lasombra - "We allow them to lead, even though many of our clan hold minor positions as prelates. They take the brunt of all dissension, leaving us unscathed."

* Assamite Antitribu - "It is better they fight with us than against us."

* Brujah Antitribu - "They represent that for which the Sabbat stands. They are far too disordered to ever accomplish anything as a clan."

* Gangrel Antitribu - "They enjoy the freedom we fight for and we cannot hold that against them. They can be difficult to manage at times."

* Malkavian Antitribu - "They increase our number and cause fear in many. They are sons and daughters of Caine. They have as much right to save our race as the next vampire."

* Nosferatu Antitribu - "They are the most highly adept spies we have."

* Panders - "Lesser creatures. They challenge the order of things in our sect. That is not so bad, as long as we do not let them get out of hand."

* Ravnos Antitribu - "One never knows where one stands with a Ravnos, even if said Ravnos is of the Sabbat."

* Serpents of the Light - "They are Setites nonetheless. They just want us to think they are loyal."

* Toreador Antitribu - "Sycophants of the Lasombra. They accomplish nothing and would be better off destroyed."

* Tremere Antitribu - "They share our interest in the magic arts. While they are superior to us in their practice, they are inferior to us in their convictions. They enjoy being the lap dogs of the Lasombra."

* Ventrue Antitribu - "Some of the most interesting vampires are members of this clan. They thrive on the total anarchy the Sabbat provides."

* Black Hand - "There is much below its surface it would keep hidden from us."

* Camarilla - "What pitiful pawns we have been gathered to destroy. All its members deserve the flames of Final Death. It is a kinder fate than their masters have in store for them."