Nosferatu

Caine’s chider are called “The Damned,” and no vampires embody this more fully than 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. Other kindred speak shudderingly of Caine placing a mark upon the entire clan for the monstrous deeds of its Antediluvian founder. As such, Nosferatu find themselves loathed and ostracized by the other Children of Caine, who consider them disgusting and interact with them only when they much. Following the Embrace, Nosferatu chider suffers an agonizing transformation as, over the subsequent weeks, they warp from humans into hideous monsters. The horror of the physical devolution often produced an accompanying psychological trauma. Unable to walk among the kine, Nosferatu must dwell in subterranean sewers and catacombs forever after. Nosferatu often choose physically or emotionally twisted mortals for the Embrace, seeing in the curse of vampirism a possible means of redemption for the mortals. Amazingly, there seems to be some merit to this belief. Many Nosferatu are surprisingly levelheaded and practical, avoiding the obsessions, fits and rages of their fairer brethren. Not that this makes the Sewer Rats particularly pleasant to be around; indeed, some Nosferatu come to delight in the shock and horror their grotesque appearances inspire in others. Nosferatu are survivors par excellence. Few creatures, mortal or vampire know a city’s back alleys and dark corners like the Nosferatu do. Additionally, Nosferatu have mastered the crafts of sneaking and eavesdropping; they make a point of keeping up with current gossip and affairs, not merely for pleasure, But for survival. Information brokers without peer, they can command high prices for their knowledge. Using their Obfuscate Discipline, Nosferatu make a point of listening to others’ conversations from hiding, or sitting in a “secret” meeting. If kindred wishes to learn about the doing and denizens of the city, he/she would do well to consult the Nosferatu. Finally, millennia of shared deformity and abuse have fostered strong bonds among the monsters. Nosferatu forego the squabbling and feuds ubiquitous to the other clans, preferring to work in unison. They treat each other with meticulous politeness and freely share information among themselves. To mess with one Nosferatu is to mess with them all – and that can get mess indeed.

Nickname:
Sewer Rats

Sect:
Camarilla

Disciplines:
Animalism, Obfuscate, Potence.

Appearance:
No two Nosferatu look precisely alike, but all are hideous. Gaping fang-filled maws, discolorations, tumors, holes in places of noses, bat like ears, slopping bald heads, twisted spines, claws, wrinkled hides, postulant sores and webbed fingers are just a few possible deformities possessed by Nosferatu. An existence in sewers and crypts tends to ensure that most Nosferatu smell about as good as they look.

Haven:
Their disfigurement forces most Nosferatu to take havens far from the eyes of mortals, in graveyards abandoned warehouses and cellars. In large cities, entire broods of Nosferatu lair in sewers and subway systems. These “kingdoms” particularly the older ones, are often much more extensive than mortals or Kindred are aware – subterranean labyrinths stretching deep into the darkness guarded by monstrous ghouls. Even princes treat warily with the Nosferatu kingdoms.

Background:
Nosferatu choose their progeny from society’s castoffs: derelicts, the mentally ill and the hopelessly antisocial. Occasionally, a vindictive Nosferatu chooses to embrace a beautiful, vain mortal, and then watch gleefully as the Curse takes hold.

Char Creation:
Nosferatu can have any concept, but often come from longer, outsider or drifter stock. Physical or Mental Attributes are often primary (Social are rarely anything other than tertiary) Stealth is highly pried among the clan, while Survival allows a Sewer Rat to find shelter in the blighted zones Nosferatu favor. Nosferatu occasionally have retainers in the form of ghouls’ animals, or even a human ally or two, but Backgrounds are rarely predominant among the clan.

Weakness:
As mentioned, Nosferatu are absolutely loathsome to look at. All Nosferatu have Appearance ratings of zero- cross the automatic dot right off the character sheet. Nor may they improve Appearance with experience points. Most Social actions based on first impressions, except intimidation and the like fail automatically.

Organization:
While Nosferatu do not have the rigid protocols that mark clans such as the Tremere and Ventrue, their shared deformity creates an exceptional clan unity. Shunned and reviled by other creatures, Nosferatu stick together out of equal parts necessity and loneliness.