Gargoyles

In the early days of the Middle Ages, the newly founded Tremere line was in grave danger. Hounded from all sides by agents of the Inconnu, even the power of the recently created Circle of Seven did not seem enough to save the line from extinction. Though they were individually mighty, they simply did not have the hordes of lesser shock troops that they needed to fend off their enemies.

It is rumored to have been the Clan founder himself who thought of a solution. Capturing several other Vampires and mystic creatures, including a Gangrel and a Nosferatu, Tremere and his Circle used their extensive alchemical knowledge to synthesize a race of new Vampires, ones which would serve the Tremere. Deep beneath the Carpathians, the first Gargoyle rose from the steaming ichor of their cauldron. In a mocking parody of the Bible, they commanded it, "Go forth and multiply."

And go forth it did, rapidly creating swarms of Progeny from the terrified peasantry and leading them against the Inconnu. It was largely due to the terrible strength of the Gargoyles that the line of Tremere survived their first great battles.

For centuries the Gargoyles served the Tremere with great loyalty, despite the numerous abuses heaped on them by their masters. Finally, the ill-treatment grew too great for even their dull spirits to tolerate. During the late Middle Ages, the Gargoyles broke away from the Tremere; some scattered into the wilds of Europe, some flocked to the great cities such as Paris, while others offered their services as mercenaries and sentinels to any Kindred or Magus who could pay their price in gold and vitæ.

Appearance: Gargoyles are grotesque and repulsive, much like Nosferatu, and generally have a "demonic" appearance. They begin with small bat-like wings which grow as they advance in the Discipline of Visceratika. Each level they have gained in that Discipline allows them to fly at an additional five mph. Also, as they age, their skin becomes more rocklike and various strange protrusions appear on their bodies.

Haven: Gargoyles greatly prefer interior or underground areas with lots of stone and earth to manipulate. Abandoned buildings (particularly tall ones, where they can sit at night), warehouses, sewers, caves and the like are ideal.

Background: Gargoyles reproduce rarely, and only for their own twisted reasons. As Gargoyles are a composite and artificial race, once a victim is chosen, his own mind becomes sublimated in the wash of magic and memories already ingrained in the Sire's vitæ, and he almost forgets his prior life. Gargoyles can come from any background.

Character Creation: Gargoyles are not really suitable for playing, but make ideal sentries, guards and mercenaries. Physical Attributes and Talents are primary.

Weaknesses: Gargoyles have an appearance of zero, much like the Nosferatu from whence they are partially derived. Also, as a race created to be slaves, their Willpower is treated as two lower when resisting Domination or Magi mind-control spells.

Disciplines: Fortitude, Potence, Visceratika

Quote: "You intrude on master's property. I count to 10 - you leave or I feed the earth with your entrails. One 10."