holds that any Nosferatu is welcome in any warren
Nosferatu
Not all curses are created equal, and even the
Damned have outcasts. These are the Nosferatu,
the most overtly disturbing of the undead. Only
sometimes able to pass as human, the Haunts are
horribly warped by the Embrace, either physically
or… Otherwise. They dwell in shadows that other
vampires would not dare. Even other undead fear
the Nosferatu, for their unsettling seemings are
constant reminders that those Kindred who look
mortal are not. They grudgingly respect the
Nosferatu as well. These blighted creatures have
incredible powers of stealth, terrifying strength,
and they embody the monstrous destructive force
that every one of the Damned can muster if pushed
too far. If they had their druthers, most other
Bloodlines would prefer never to associate with
the Nosferatu at all, yet the Haunts’ inarguable
talents and brute force make them too dangerous to
ignore. So other Kindred offer them a tense
hospitality, hide their unease behind wary
diplomacies and pray that the Nosferatu leave as
soon as possible. Many Nosferatu conceal their
loneliness and resentment behind masks of
indifference. They scoff in turn at those who
recoil from them, belittling pretty vampires with
soirées and silly political games, all the while
seething at their exclusion.
This isolation has fostered strong familial bonds
among the Nosferatu. To those outside their ranks,
they put on a unified front, creating the impression
of a single extended network. The truth, of course,
is that Nosferatu squabble and compete with one
another as much as members of any other
Bloodline — but when faced with an outside
threat, they close ranks. The Nosferatu’s inability
to blend in with society forces them to dwell apart,
often congregating in places others shun. Some
find sanctuary in the sewers, using influence with
mortal government and construction, as well as
their own substantial strength, to expand simple
maintenance tunnels and sluiceways into vast
underground warrens. Others lurk in cemeteries,
sharing above ground crypts with sedentary
occupants.Still others prefer abandoned homes,
often giving rise to neighborhood urban legends of
haunted houses, or exist in the basements or boiler
rooms of modern office buildings. Tradition
until she provides her brethren reason to expel her.
The Haunts might not all get along, but they
recognize their common bond
— not that they have any choice, since it follows
their aspect like a miasma.Feared by and therefore
ostracized from society, many Nosferatu become
as alien as their demeanor. Others choose the
opposite path, becoming surprisingly cultured,
well mannered and well spoken to compensate for
their unnerving seeming. The latter are the Haunts
most frequently found playing politics with other
Kindred. The Nosferatu are also known as
purveyors of information. Not only do their
supernatural powers make them foes to be
reckoned with, but many elder Nosferatu are
keepers of ancient lore, rivaling anything
preserved by the Ventrue or Mekhet. Sophisticated
Haunts trade knowledge the way other Kindred
trade favors, and if a Nosferatu doesn’t know
something, he can probably scare someone who
does into telling him. It is this trade in terror, more
than anything else, that makes the Nosferatu too
valuable — and too dangerous — to ignore. After
all, one never knows what the horrid Haunts tell
one’s enemies, or how many of them wait in
ambush.
Nickname
Haunts
Symbol
Cracked Mirror
Appearance
No two Nosferatu have exactly the same air,
though troubling characteristics often follow
patterns within“families.” Discolored leathery
skin, gaping maws, rubbery skin, misshapen heads,
odors like grave earth, bulging eyes, queasy stares
and personal habits, gnarled hands, ineffable
feelings of dread, sagging flesh — all these and
more are the hallmarks of the Bloodline. Not every
Haunt is physically deformed. Indeed, many are
not, instead discomfiting those who look upon
them with indescribable unease. The darkness and
filth in which many Nosferatu dwell make their
foul miens (and fouler odors) even worse.
Havens:
Most Nosferatu dwell in places far from mortals,
such as abandoned warehouses, graveyards,
basements and of course the ever-popular sewers
and subway tunnels.That said, some few Nosferatu
choose to flout tradition and take their havens in
penthouses, fantastic manors — anyplace where
they can enjoy the luxuries of wealth yet still count
on substantial privacy.
Background: Nosferatu normally choose progeny The Nosferatu have little formal organization, but
from among society’s castoffs,such as the as stated previously they do tend to band together
homeless, the mentally ill and criminals. Many in the face of outside threats. The Bloodline is
Nosferatu Embrace out of spite, using the curse to almost tribal, with differing “families” of
punish vanity, cruelty or other such “sins.” Nosferatu often sticking together or warring
Assuming a sire wants a childe to survive — against one another. Bloodline hierarchy, such as it
which isn’t always the case — Haunts tend to is, is usually determined by a combination of
choose seniority and actual merit.
self-reliant individuals who might actually be able
to manage their new condition. Few Nosferatu
In the Covenants
The Carthian Movement
Embrace out of love or affection, though even this
Sometimes, the politics of change are the politics
is not unheard of. Rare but heartbreaking are the
of fear. The people should not be afraid of their
tales of a Nosferatu determined to “gift” his love
government. The government should be afraid of
with the Requiem, only to find himself the object
its dead. Underground networks and subterranean
of his beloved’s loathing when she learns what’s
lairs are handy things when taking on the Man.
been done to her.
Who better to wage guerrilla war on the
Character Creation
entrenched establishment? Who better to initiate a
Physical and Mental Attributes are more useful to
reign of terror?
most Haunts than Social. Nosferatu frequently
The Circle of the Crone
make use of Skills such as Stealth and Survival.
Some Haunts look at their own visages and see a
It’s unwise to begin with too high a Blood
reflection of the Crone. Divinity is terrible for
Potency; until a Nosferatu has obtained some
mortals to look upon. These hags and hierophants
experience in the Requiem, he might be forced to
preach that they are blessed with a divine beauty
rely on animal blood. Although Nosferatu aren’t
recognized by eyes ancient and deep that operate
social creatures, certain Social Merits such as
under different aesthetics. The Nosferatu murmur
Contacts can be useful for gaining information
about the Gods Below. Why not worship the
from inaccessible areas.
Hidden Ones more directly? Who better to become
Favored Attributes
a perfect monster than one unfettered by a human
Composure or Strength
face?
Bloodline Disciplines
The Invictus
Nightmare, Obfuscate, Vigor
The First Estate knows the value of Haunt agents.
Bloodline Bane
Some Nosferatu creep to great heights. There are
All Nosferatu are repulsive or at the very least
cities where rat lords and worm ladies hold
uncomfortable to be around. The cause need not be
nightmare court below. The Invictus of other
a physical deformity. A palpable aura of menace, a
Bloodlines are forced to descend, to speak
charnel odor or the undeniable manner of a
courtesies on gritted teeth to the Haunt lackeys
predator is just as compelling as a twisted body.
who guide them down, hoping the wretches do not
With regard to dice pools based on Presence or
abandon them in the dark. What was that
Manipulation Attributes in social situations, the
Machiavelli said about fear?
10-again rule does not apply. Additionally, any 1’s
The Lancea Sanctum
that come up on a roll are subtracted from
Some Haunt s look at their visages and see the
successes. (This latter part of the weakness does
faces of demons. Religion comes easy after that. In
not affect dramatic failure rules.) This weakness
centuries past, Nosferatu serving the Spear carried
does not apply to dice pools that involve the
sickness and pestilence as the wrath of Heaven
Intimidation Skill, or to the Composure Attribute.
upon humanity. Terrorizing sinners comes so easy
Presence and Manipulation failures are counted as
to them. This gives their horrible curse a purpose.
dramatic failures.
What wretch would not want to learn that her
Example: The Nosferatu Scratch attempts to
malady serves a divine plan? Who better to instill
smooth-talk his way past a ghoul standing guard at
the fear of God? Who more fully embodies a
a nightclub door. Scratch has a Presence of 4 and a
divine plague on mankind?
Persuasion of 2 — his player rolls six dice and
The Circle of the Crone
comes up with 1, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. The net result is
Some Haunts look at their own visages and see a
two successes: The 1 cancels the 8, the 9 counts as
reflection of the Crone. Divinity is terrible for
normal, and the 10 isn’t rolled again.
mortals to look upon. These hags and hierophants
Organization:
preach that they are blessed with a divine beauty
recognized by eyes ancient and deep that operate
under different aesthetics. The Nosferatu murmur
about the Gods Below. Why not worship the
Hidden Ones more directly? Who better to become
a perfect monster than one unfettered by a human
face?
The Invictus
The First Estate knows the value of Haunt agents.
Some Nosferatu creep to great heights. There are
cities where rat lords and worm ladies hold
nightmare court below. The Invictus of other
Bloodlines are forced to descend, to speak
courtesies on gritted teeth to the Haunt lackeys
who guide them down, hoping the wretches do not
abandon them in the dark. What was that
Machiavelli said about fear?
The Lancea Sanctum
Some Haunt s look at their visages and see the
faces of demons. Religion comes easy after that. In
centuries past, Nosferatu serving the Spear carried
sickness and pestilence as the wrath of Heaven
upon humanity. Terrorizing sinners comes so easy
to them. This gives their horrible curse a purpose.
What wretch would not want to learn that her
malady serves a divine plan? Who better to instill
the fear of God? Who more fully embodies
a divine plague on mankind?
The Ordo Dracul
Seclusion, and something to contemplate to fill
that seclusion, suits the Nosferatu. The Haunts
have strong stomachs and adjust quickly to
performing grotesque surgeries and disturbing
procedures. Underground sanctums make for ideal
laboratories, and Dragons know the value of
recruiting local Haunts. Some Nosferatu toil their
nights away, subjecting themselves to all manner
of esoteric experiments, trying to fix their twisted
forms, or transcend them and enter the next stage
of change. Who would be more driven to subvert
his Curse?