Caine's childer are called "The Damned,"
and no vampires embofy 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 ofCaine, 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 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 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 simply 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. Gaping 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.
Background: Nosferatu choose their progeny from society castoffs:
derelicts, the mentally ill and the hopelessly antisocial. Occasionally, a
vindictive Nosferatu chooses beautiful, vain mortal, then watch gleefully
as the Curse takes hold.
Character Creation: Nosferatu can have often come from loner,
outsider or drifter Mental Attributes are often primary (Social other than
tertiary!). Stealth is highly prized amond the clan. while Survival allows
a Sewer Rat to find shelter in the blighted zones Nosferatu favor. Nosferatu
occasionally take retainers in the form of ghoul animals, or even a human
ally or two, but Backgrounds are rarely predominant among the clan.
Clan Disciplines: Animalism, Obfuscate, Potence
Weaknesses: As mentioned, Nosferatu are absolutely loath-some
to look at. All Nosferatu have Appearance ratings as zero - cross the automatic
dot right off the character sheet. Nor many 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 Tremere and Ventrue, their shared
deformity creates an exceptional clan unity. Shunned and reviled by other
creatures, Nosferatu stick together out of the equal parts necessity and loneliness.
Bloodlines: Like many other calns, Nosferatu has an antitribu
analog in the Sabbat, though this branch does not differ greatly from the
ruck and run of the clan save in ideology. Descendants of certain sires sometimes
bear "signature" deformities, but few differ in any signincant fashion.
Quote: Come here, little boy, howsabout a kiss? [phlegmy,
wheezing hack] Whazza matter? Big bad gangbanger's scared now? Don't so
much like being a victim, heh? Well, get used to it, cuz you ain't seen the
half of it!