Nosferatu
“Above, we are divided by politics, religion, and petty concerns. Below, we are brothers and sisters born of mutual agony and terror. We are hunted as one. We live and die the same way.” — Lorelei, Nosferatu Elder
Nickname: Sewer Rats
Disciplines: Animalism, Obfuscate, Potence
Members of Clan Nosferatu are physically twisted and deformed by the Embrace, turned from their mortal appearance into the shape of horrific monsters. Worse, Nosferatu deformations are so cruel and vicious that many who are Embraced do not survive. Because these vampires are so hideous, they must keep themselves hidden from mortal society, lest they break the Masquerade. These deformities cause a deep bond between members of the clan, unifying them.
Some members of the Nosferatu clan revel in their repugnant appearance, using their deformities to shock and horrify other vampires. They keep their visages clearly apparent whenever possible, enjoying the discomfort that such a sight causes. In particular, these deformed vampires taunt the Toreador; the Nosferatu hate their beauty and artistic ability with a passion. If the Toreador had their way, Clan Nosferatu would be eradicated in order to protect the Masquerade — a thinly veiled excuse to cover bigotry and elitism. Clan Nosferatu carries similar animosity and revels in hurting Toreador above all else.
Members of Clan Nosferatu makes their home amid the sewers of large cities, sheltering in broods with ghouled animals to protect them during the day. The Nosferatu are information-brokers, expert at stealth and cunning in the application of political pressure. They collect secrets, spying on and blackmailing other vampires. If they are cruel in their use of other people’s secrets, it is because their eternity is a hard one. Their ugliness makes them loathed, and such alienation quickly turns to spite.
Legend has it that the Nosferatu Antediluvian regretted breaking Caine’s law, and when the clan was cursed, he swore to eradicate his progeny from the earth. He took the most powerful of his brood, blood bound them, and commanded them to hunt the Nosferatu until every member of the clan is destroyed. No matter what sect or other loyalties a Nosferatu may have, the clan is unified in its fear and hatred of these Niktuku.
Organization: The Nosferatu tend to organize in small groups, usually broods sired by the same individual. These broods can sprawl into vast groups, with internal hierarchies based on nothing more than the original sire’s whims and moods. Beyond a single city, the clan shares information via technology; they use email, forums, and secure servers known as ShreckNET, which is maintained by a powerful lineage of Nosferatu.
Clan Weakness: All Nosferatu are inhumanly ugly. Nosferatu cannot have the Appearance attribute focus.
Clan Merits: Nosferatu can purchase any of the following Nosferatu-only merits:
- Unseeing Eye (1 point merit): You can’t be targeted by powers such as Clairvoyance.
- Hidden Advantage (2 point merit): It is more difficult than normal to see through your Obfuscate, and your powers of invisibility persist even while you sleep.
- Pliable Blood (3 point merit): You have a fourth in-clan discipline.
- Unnatural Adaptation (4 point merit): You have an unusual mutation that can be used to your advantage.
