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the Arcane Bloodline
This page was originally authored by Adam Solis.
History
This extremely small and unusual bloodline is a very recent phenomena, or so it
is hoped by the few who know about them. It does not help that they have the
disconcerting habit of infiltrating the other clans. It is believed by some
scholars that this bloodline's origins can be traced to the Tremere. It is
said that the Tremere are unique in the annals of history in that they have
very diverse blood. Tremere was Embraced by a fourth generation Tzimisce whom
Tremere then diablerized. Afterwards he tracked down Saulot, the Salubri
Antideluvian and with the Ritual of the Bitter Rose diablerized the ancient
along with his "Apprentices." So Tremere became a clan, but was
distinguished by the fact that all Tremere effectively derive from the blood
of three Antideluvians: Tzimisce who is said to have been a Mage in his human
life, Saulot the first Golcondan and the greatest of the third generation, and
finally Tremere himself who was a lord of the Order of Hermes. The Tremere
are also unusual in that their Antideluvian's status is well known. It is
said that he is in Torpor in Vienna. Unfortunatley (?), that is no longer
true. Tremere merged his soul through diablerie with two extremely powerful and
willful Kindred. To compound matters, in so doing he infected himself with
vicissitude. Tremere, the unknown Tzimisce with his vicissitude, and Saulot
with his Obeah have been waging an internal war for possession of their
communal identity and that war was finally won and lost by all three. What was
once Tremere became the Arcane.
Nickname
The Touched, or the New Salubri
Organization
None, the Arcane infiltrate the other clans and bloodlines for as one arcane
put it "why create a new organisation when one can simply borrow the
organisation of another?" Their infiltration is made quite easy because of
their vicissitude, the versatile nature of Thaumaturgy, and their ability to
learn "semi-clan disciplines" like the Baali infiltrators.
Clan Disciplines
Vicissitude, Obeah, and Thaumaturgy, in addition they may learn two disciplines at the cost Caitiff use to help express their inner nature or infiltrate a
particular clan/bloodline. See the Baali Clanbook for details.
Clan Weaknesses
Like the Salubri, they must strive toward Golconda, and they develop a third
eye (which is completely concealable with Vicissitude). Although there are no
known cases of Arcane Souleaters, Arcane are fully susceptible to the
derangements from developing Vicissitude too quickly. Arcane call that affect
"Twilight."
Preffered Paths of Enlightenment
Lilith, Death and the Soul, and Power and Inner Voice are all popular, but
almost any path is followed with the exceptions of Evil Revelations and the
Setite paths. The Arcane don't believe in objective good or evil and they hold
demons in contempt as beings to be controlled if possible, avoided if not, but
never served or worshipped. Strangely, the choice of path does not restrict the
Arcane from gaining Golconda. Perhaps the Arcane know something the other
Kindred don't?
Relations
Few kindred know of the Arcane. Those who do are usually considered the
undead equivalent of paranoid conspiracy theorists. That is partially due to
the Arcanes' small numbers, and partially due to the versatile nature of
their thaumaturgy, healing powers of Obeah, and the disguises of Vicissitude.
Those who do know of the Arcane see them as practically aliens who seem to have
no sinister motives for their decidedly sinister actions and manners. The
Arcane in turn see other kindred as pitiful souls who can not see the whole
truth, but the Arcane do try to enlighten their brethren. Another problem with
interclan communications is that the Arcane see nothing wrong with diablerizing
kindred who have fallen irretrievably from the path, such as
infernalists. Most kindred in the know see that as inevitable -- the Tremere
came to be from diablerie, the Salubri are ritual diablerists, and the Tzimisce
have always favored the practice. Due to their origins, Arcane are well aware
of soul shards. Funny isn't it that the spirit thaumaturgy power the "evil
eye" can guarantee that soul shards are never a problem?
Initiates
The "New Salubri" pick followers like the Tremere, from those already
touched by the supernatural. Rom (which puts them in conflict with the Ravnos
and the gangrel), Street Fighters, Scanners and other psychics, mages, hedge
wizards, the Faithful, kinfolk and Bete (The Evil Eye power of Spirit thaumaturgy
can guarantee a botch on that Gnosis roll to survive the Embrace), Eagle
Knights, Hunters, dhampir, latent Immortals, kinain and changelings are all
prime targets for the Embrace. This but serves to make the Arcane more
powerful, it also guarantees the further alienation from more normal clans. The
curious should see the Scanner, psychic, dhampir, Immortal, living Vampires,
Wolfen, Street Fighter, and Dragon kith/clan entries for specific rules.
Note
The Arcane may be too powerful for certain campaigns,
but they make great NPCs to really make players paranoid and
confused. Also the Arcane can make for really individual
roleplaying for those ready to stretch the envelop on what
is possible in a campaign. The Arcane can easily be integrated in Tremere and
Black Hand games. The Arcane are well aware of the Baali infestation of the
Tremere, as well as the Souleater menace. The Black Hand appreciates the help
but does not trust them. They wonder "How is it none of them are
Souleaters; is it possible they are just capable of hiding it from us. Why don't
they share their secret of immunity from Souleater-hood?" Arcane will also
aid Salubri with only a little derision on their part.
Legal Stuff
This page was originally authored by Adam Solis.
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