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Toreador are committed to the Camarilla and share the Ventrue's
love of high society, though not for them the tedium of
actually running things - that's what functionaries are
for, after all. T oreador know that their place is to captivate
and inspire - through their witty speech, graceful deeds
and simple, scintillating existence.
Nickname: Degenerates
Sect: Most Toreador are in the Camarilla, as only
that august organization promotes "culture" and
allows the Toreador to live among the mortals they so favor.
Those in the Sabbat pursue bizarre "artistic"
pastimes, such as torture and blood-painting, or are the
rulers of the most decadent underground movements.
Appearance: Toreador Embrace out of passion as much
as any other reason; accordingly, many Toreador are creatures
of surpassing beauty. Of all Kindred, Toreador are the vampires
most attuned to human fashion trends; centuries-old Degenerates
are often more stylish than Some 30-year-old mortals. If
it's in, chances are that at least one Toreador will adopt
it.
Haven: Toreador take care to ensure that their havens
are comfortable, convenient for socializing and - above
all conform to their aesthetic tastes. Vampires of a more
artistic bent might maintain spacious lofts to display their
works, while their "poseur" counterparts love
opulent suites perfect for hosting parties.
Background: Toreador range across a spectrum of concepts,
from lonely, tortured artists to debauched jetsetters. Some
T oreador are Embraced for no reason other than their beauty
or personal style, as a passionate sire decides that they
simply must b " d" f e preserve or eternity.
Character Creation: Social Attributes and Abilities
are prized among the clan, though Toreador are typically
concerned less with outright control than with making a
good impression. Perception is also favored, both for creation
and for critiquing. Artistes favor Abilities such as Expression
and Performance, often enjoying very high levels in these
aesthetic Traits; their poseur brethren must make do with
Abilities like Subterfuge and
Etiquette. Toreador are very social creatures, and love
adoration from both Kindred and kine; as such, Backgrounds
like Allies, Contacts, Fame, Herd, Resources and Status
are common.
Clan Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Presence
Weaknesses: Toreador are preternaturally attuned
to the aesthetic and beautiful, but this sensitivity can
prove dangerous. When a T oreador views, hears or even smells
something that is truly beautiful - a person, a painting,
a song, a particularly lovely sunrise - he must make a Self-Control
roll (difficulty 6) or become entranced by the sensation.
The Toreador will stand in rapt fascination for a scene
or until the beautiful thing withdraws. Enraptured Toreador
may not even defend themselves if attacked, though being
wounded allows them to make another Self-Control roll to
"break the spell."
Organization: Toreador have little practical organization,
though their cliquishness and social networks are legendary
. The clan meets frequently, but more as an excuse to host
lavish parties and showings than to accomplish anything.
Status among the Toreador is a tempestuous whirlwind in
which one subtle smile or catty critique can lead to fortune
or disaster; a prodigy may be adored one night, commit a
barely perceptible faux pas, and be ostracized the next.
Bloodlines: Toreador put a fair degree of stock in
lineage; a vampire fortunate enough to descend from a favored
sire is lavished with adoration ( to her face, anyway) ,
while childer of a sire "on the outs" suffer social
humiliation. Few of these lines deviate from the main clan
in any significant way. TheT oreador antitribu of the Sabbat
are a notable exception, for they take equal aesthetic delight
in great beauty or great ugliness.
Quote: Oh, yes, isn't she exquisite. Yes, she'.s
my newest find - I'm her muse, the sweet little creature.
Imagine! And what of - oh, Thomas? Why, I could hardly say
- after all, he had his "15 minutes," as they
say, but it just wasn't going to last, and it all became
so very' tedious, So I had to say adieu. Suicide? Really!
Silly boy - he should thank me, then, that I didn't give
him the Embrace. It would have made things so difficult,
after all. . . .
Stereotypes:
Assamite: There is beauty in what they do, make no mistake,
but it is a beauty best observed from a distance.
Brujah: On the first night, their passion terrifies. On
the second night, their passion fascinates. On the third
night, their passion inflames. After that...frankly, their
passion begins to bore.
Followers of Set: It is inevitable, of course, that persons
of epicurean refinement will in the course of eternity engage
in dealings with those of. . . unsavory character. Record
well any transactions made, and repay all favors promptly.
Gangrel: As charmingly untamed as a tiger; as worthy of
consideration as a housecat.
Giovanni: They dress splendidly and are charmingly mannered.
Why, then, do they frighten me so?
Lasombra: Their Miltonian conceit is dreadfully provocative,
or provocatively dreadful, but they take it all so seriously.
Malkavian: The fractured kaleidoscope of their thoughts
is enchanting at first glimpse. Gaze at it too long, though,
and one grows prone to terrible headaches.
Nosferatu: Odious beasts! And to think that they are allowed
in the halls of culture! Oh, how gauche....
Ravnos: The subiects of many delightful stories - we ll,
delightful so long as one does not also feature in the tale.
Tremere: One deals with the butcher and the bureaucrat because
they provide useful conveniences. One graciously acknowledges
services efficiently performed. One does not, though, invite
the hired help to the soiree, nor take kindly to party-crashers.
Tzirnisce: T o experience this clan's alien fruits would
be almost worth the price. Remember well that "almost,"
dear.
Ventrue: Every masterwork must have its frame; every bust
must have its pillar. This the Ventrue understand, and they
perform their functions admirably.
Caitiff: Really. Who let them in ?
Camarilla: Through its auspices may Kindred and kine harmoniously
coexist, each benefiting from the other's presence.
Sabbat: Why would I wish to spend eternity wallowing in
gore?.
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