Clan Information : Nosferatu Caine's childer are called "The Damned," and no
vampires embody this more fully than the wretches of Clan Nosferatu. While other
vampires still look human and many 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
Antediluvan 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 must.
Following the Embrace, Nosferatu childer suffer an agonizing transformation
as, over the subsequent weeks, they warp from humans into hideous monsters. The
horror of the physical devolution often produces 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 level-headed and practical, avoiding the obsessions, fits and
rage 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 peers, 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 on
"secret" meetings. If a Kindred wishes to learn about the doings and
denizens of the city, 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 messy indeed…
Nickname: Sewer Rats
Sect: Surprisingly, the clan as a whole belongs
to the Camarilla, despite obvious difficulties with upholding the Masquerade.
Perhaps they value the safety of membership; perhaps they simple want the other
clans within observing distance. Still, a fair number of Nosferatu are in the
Sabbat or simply consider themselves autarkis (of no sect).
Appearance: No two Nosferatu look precisely
alike, but all are hideous. Gapping fang-filled maws, discolorations, tumors,
holes in place of noses, batlike ears, sloping bald heads, twisted spines,
claws, wrinkled hides, pustulent 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 and guarded by monstrous ghouls.
Even princes treat warily with the Nosferatu kingdoms.
|
|