If clan Lasombra is the heart if the Sabbat, Clan Tzimisce is the soul. Even other vampires grow uneasy around these Erie Kindred, and the clan's nickname of 'Fiends' was given to it in nights around 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 Fiend's human traits are merest veneer over something…else. For millennia the Fiends have explored and refined their understanding of the vampiris 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 emotions relevant.
In nights past, the Tzimisce was 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 sorceress 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 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 ensnaring them in the service of 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 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 archaic Antediluvians, the razing of the Camarilla, and the vivisection of the 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 believes 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 if the Fiend in question. Younger Tzimisce, seeking to explore their inhuman natures, perform all manner of body modifications on themselves. Their elders, though, often affect 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 pursed to the ends of the earth and punished in gruesome and lingering fashion. But their homes aren't very well kept.
Background: Tzimisce rarely Embrace capriciously; choice of childer reflects on their sire, and thus Fiends choose only those mortals who they feel have the capacity to improve the clan as a whole. "Brilliance" and "insight" are particularly prized; whether a childe's brilliance and insight manifest in scientific theory or serial murder is a trifling distinction.
Clan Disciplines: Animalism, Auspex, Vicissitude
Weaknesses: Tzimisce are very territorial creatures, maintaining a particular haven and guarding it ferociously. Whenever a Tzimisce sleeps, she must surround herself with at least two handfuls of earth from a place of important to her as a mortal-perhaps the earth of her birthplace or the place she underwent her creation rites.
Quote: Welcome; a thousand welcomes! I am honored that we could put aside the Jyhad's foolish rivalries for a night, that you might come under my eaves in the spirit of-eh? You start? Ahh-that's noise! A trifle! Nothing that need concern you, sweet guest!
