Post by Annabelle Devonshire on May 17, 2020 3:48:47 GMT -5
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Overview of Revenant Families
Revenants are members of what are called the Ghoul families or simply the “families.” The Tzimisce once used entire families of nobles as sources of childer and guards. In return, the Tzimisce provided members of these noble families with their own immortal vitae, turning them into Ghouls.
Over the centuries, the Ghouls of these families began breeding with members of their own family and the Ghouls of other families. Within a few hundred years, the blood of Kindred was no longer necessary to sustain Ghoul-like powers. Certain traits, including long lives and vampiric Disciplines, became in-born characteristics of those born into these families.
Revenants are a breed apart from normal Ghouls, born with vampiric blood coursing through their veins. Born into the world of the supernatural, their entire lives are long and drawn out, and some have lived for more than three centuries. They continue to age, despite the vampiric blood in their veins, because the effectiveness of their longevity has worn thin from generation after generation of natural born, inbred Ghouls. Only real vampire blood can sustain them agelessly.
They have advantages in addition to extended livespans. Their bodies produce potent vitae for them to power their Disciplines which increases in it’s strength the longer they have been alive, so naturally a 320-year old Revenant would have more potent vitae than a 20-year old Revenant would have.
They can get tried by overuse of Disciplines though because they aren’t truly vampires, they will be unable to regain their strength by consuming human blood. But if a vampire feeds them their own vitae, the Revenant should be able to recharge their batteries almost immediately from consuming their blood or, alternatively, after a good night’s rest.
Revenants produce children just as humans do; however, they usually mate only with members of their own or another Ghoul family. On rare occasions, they mate with other Sabbat Ghouls. It is rare for them to produce children by human mates (though not rare for them to have many human lovers), but it does occasionally occur; the child is usually branded an outcast and destroyed, though a few of these “bastards” are allowed to live. Because inbreeding frequently leads to diseases and other genetically caused handicaps, Revenants prefer marriage to distant kin.
The moral values and ethics of the Ghoul families are not those of humanity. Raised in the supernatural world of the Sabbat, Revenants reject their human nature and follow instead the Sabbat’s Paths of Enlightenment. Some follow Paths no longer in use by the Sabbat. Elitists to the very end, they consider themselves far superior to humanity, and it shows in their lifestyles and attitudes.
A few Revenants of the Ghoul families – either naturally sensitive or raised apart from the Ghoul family – manage to find a sliver of their humanity and nurture it, though they must keep this hidden. If their “weakness” were discovered, they would suffer great humiliation and punishment, possibly even death.
The lifestyles of Revenants would shock and appal most humans because most Revenants do not possess or even understand human morality. Some vampires express more humanity than these Ghouls do. Revenants lead evil lives centred around drugs, murder, torture, orgies, strange ritualism, dark science, bizarre sex, occultism and utter lawlessness.
Culturally isolated from the mundane world, living like hermits on private estates or in townships where supernatural occurrences are everyday events, most Revenants (except the Grimaldi) believe themselves normal; humans are the real fools, because they have yet to open their eyes to see the dark world in its true form. Many Revenants do not understand human behaviour and have trouble interacting with normal folk.
Origins of the Ghoul Families
These families were once noble houses, serving the Tzimisce. From these noble houses came the progeny of the Tzimisce, adept in leadership and practiced in subjugating others.
These noble families were no better than the other noble houses, but their vampiric relations provided them with many advantages. First, the nobles were very rich and powerful, controlling vast estates all across Eastern Europe. Second, the Tzimisce provided them with protection and strength in battle. Third and most important, they were given the blood of the Damned, transforming them into Ghouls. The price of power and near immortality was their absolute loyalty and fidelity, which they gave without hesitation.
The Ghoul families were the Tzimisce’s eyes and ears in courts all over Eastern Europe, Russia and the Ottoman Empire. It also gave them access to the Church. The Ghoul families – Blood Bound to the clan – were powerful tools. In addition to their roles as spies and sources of recruits, the families also provided Ghoul armies for battle.
After the Anarch Revolt and the formation of the Sabbat, the surviving families divided over whom they should follow. Some claimed independence, some entered the service of the Inconnu, a few chose to serve the Sabbat, and the rest were destroyed by the Sabbat, Camarilla Kindred and witch hunters.
It is believed one family – the Ducheski – became followers of the long-hated Tremere,m though their fate remains a mystery. Another rumour among the Brujah antitribu alleges that the Assamite Clan has its own Ghoul family composed of assassins trained since birth in the arts of murder and descended from an ancient Thugee sect.
Of the eight families who joined the Sabbat, only four are extant. No Sabbat would ever admit to the massacring the sect’s own servants, but the sect does not like large numbers of mortals to be privy to its secrets. These four Ghoul families – the Bratovitches, Grimaldis, Obertuses and Zantosas – no longer feel the threat of extinction.
Tzimisce stand against further mistreatment of the “pets,” as they refer to Revenants of Ghoul families. The Ghoul families are a reminder of Tzimisce culture and remain unscathed by time.
Status within the Sabbat
The Ghoul families receive grudging respect from the Sabbat because the Tzimisce Clan demands that their existence continue unhindered. Revenants of Ghoul families probably know more about the sect than many Sabbat veterans; the lore is passed from generation to generation – as is other secret lore that even the Sabbat do not know. While the Revenants know a great deal about the sect, they do not participate in rituals with the Sabbat. However, many of the Ghoul families practice traditions and rituals of their own.
Revenants may not ask to become vampires, but many Tzimisce (and a few Malkavian antitribu and Toreador antitribu) select recruits from these Ghoul families. Born with vampiric powers, the additional powers gained shortly after the Embrace make them more powerful than most recruits. Because most of them already follow a Path of Enlightenment, they have little or no problem coping with the transformation.
Their keen understanding of vampiric Disciplines, strengths and weaknesses, and Sabbat ideology, strategy and unlife-style make them naturals in dealing with undead existence.
Of all the Ghoul families, only one, the Grimaldis, provide useful service to the sect. They maintain something similar to a Masquerade for the Sabbat, covering up stories of Sabbat escapades that would otherwise make the front page.
Family Relations
The four Ghoul families still loyal to the Sabbat seldom interact, but they occasionally carry out business deals with one another. On rare occasions, they arrange marriages between members of their families as a gesture of good will, especially when settling disputes with one another.
The Obertus family remains relatively unknown to the other three Ghoul families. The Grimaldis, Zantosas and Bratovitches know but do not trust or understand one another.
The Grimaldis and Zantosas do not get along well due to centuries-old feuds over ancient land disputes and forgotten insults. They rarely actively oppose one another, but make the other the brunt of their criticisms and jokes.
Traits of the Revenants
– Revenants have the unique ability to generate their own weakened form of vitae. This provides them the benefits of an extended lifespan (up to 300 years… maybe more), can be used to heal themselves and be used to power Disciplines. Revenants rejuvenate their supply of vitae at a rate of one blood point per day
– Like Kindred and Ghouls, Revenants can fly into Frenzy
– Revenants' ability to wield Disciplines is no where near the level of Kindred, but enough to mark them as a step above normal Ghouls
– Like Ghouls, Revenants can stay awake and walk around in broad daylight without suffering any effects
– Revenants can't feed on the blood of mortals to refuel their blood supply, but they can be fed Kindred vitae to replenish their reserves if needed</li>
© Copyright White Wolf Publishing, Inc.
The Revenant Families
------------------------------
Overview of Revenant Families
Revenants are members of what are called the Ghoul families or simply the “families.” The Tzimisce once used entire families of nobles as sources of childer and guards. In return, the Tzimisce provided members of these noble families with their own immortal vitae, turning them into Ghouls.
Over the centuries, the Ghouls of these families began breeding with members of their own family and the Ghouls of other families. Within a few hundred years, the blood of Kindred was no longer necessary to sustain Ghoul-like powers. Certain traits, including long lives and vampiric Disciplines, became in-born characteristics of those born into these families.
Revenants are a breed apart from normal Ghouls, born with vampiric blood coursing through their veins. Born into the world of the supernatural, their entire lives are long and drawn out, and some have lived for more than three centuries. They continue to age, despite the vampiric blood in their veins, because the effectiveness of their longevity has worn thin from generation after generation of natural born, inbred Ghouls. Only real vampire blood can sustain them agelessly.
They have advantages in addition to extended livespans. Their bodies produce potent vitae for them to power their Disciplines which increases in it’s strength the longer they have been alive, so naturally a 320-year old Revenant would have more potent vitae than a 20-year old Revenant would have.
They can get tried by overuse of Disciplines though because they aren’t truly vampires, they will be unable to regain their strength by consuming human blood. But if a vampire feeds them their own vitae, the Revenant should be able to recharge their batteries almost immediately from consuming their blood or, alternatively, after a good night’s rest.
Revenants produce children just as humans do; however, they usually mate only with members of their own or another Ghoul family. On rare occasions, they mate with other Sabbat Ghouls. It is rare for them to produce children by human mates (though not rare for them to have many human lovers), but it does occasionally occur; the child is usually branded an outcast and destroyed, though a few of these “bastards” are allowed to live. Because inbreeding frequently leads to diseases and other genetically caused handicaps, Revenants prefer marriage to distant kin.
The moral values and ethics of the Ghoul families are not those of humanity. Raised in the supernatural world of the Sabbat, Revenants reject their human nature and follow instead the Sabbat’s Paths of Enlightenment. Some follow Paths no longer in use by the Sabbat. Elitists to the very end, they consider themselves far superior to humanity, and it shows in their lifestyles and attitudes.
A few Revenants of the Ghoul families – either naturally sensitive or raised apart from the Ghoul family – manage to find a sliver of their humanity and nurture it, though they must keep this hidden. If their “weakness” were discovered, they would suffer great humiliation and punishment, possibly even death.
The lifestyles of Revenants would shock and appal most humans because most Revenants do not possess or even understand human morality. Some vampires express more humanity than these Ghouls do. Revenants lead evil lives centred around drugs, murder, torture, orgies, strange ritualism, dark science, bizarre sex, occultism and utter lawlessness.
Culturally isolated from the mundane world, living like hermits on private estates or in townships where supernatural occurrences are everyday events, most Revenants (except the Grimaldi) believe themselves normal; humans are the real fools, because they have yet to open their eyes to see the dark world in its true form. Many Revenants do not understand human behaviour and have trouble interacting with normal folk.
Origins of the Ghoul Families
These families were once noble houses, serving the Tzimisce. From these noble houses came the progeny of the Tzimisce, adept in leadership and practiced in subjugating others.
These noble families were no better than the other noble houses, but their vampiric relations provided them with many advantages. First, the nobles were very rich and powerful, controlling vast estates all across Eastern Europe. Second, the Tzimisce provided them with protection and strength in battle. Third and most important, they were given the blood of the Damned, transforming them into Ghouls. The price of power and near immortality was their absolute loyalty and fidelity, which they gave without hesitation.
The Ghoul families were the Tzimisce’s eyes and ears in courts all over Eastern Europe, Russia and the Ottoman Empire. It also gave them access to the Church. The Ghoul families – Blood Bound to the clan – were powerful tools. In addition to their roles as spies and sources of recruits, the families also provided Ghoul armies for battle.
After the Anarch Revolt and the formation of the Sabbat, the surviving families divided over whom they should follow. Some claimed independence, some entered the service of the Inconnu, a few chose to serve the Sabbat, and the rest were destroyed by the Sabbat, Camarilla Kindred and witch hunters.
It is believed one family – the Ducheski – became followers of the long-hated Tremere,m though their fate remains a mystery. Another rumour among the Brujah antitribu alleges that the Assamite Clan has its own Ghoul family composed of assassins trained since birth in the arts of murder and descended from an ancient Thugee sect.
Of the eight families who joined the Sabbat, only four are extant. No Sabbat would ever admit to the massacring the sect’s own servants, but the sect does not like large numbers of mortals to be privy to its secrets. These four Ghoul families – the Bratovitches, Grimaldis, Obertuses and Zantosas – no longer feel the threat of extinction.
Tzimisce stand against further mistreatment of the “pets,” as they refer to Revenants of Ghoul families. The Ghoul families are a reminder of Tzimisce culture and remain unscathed by time.
Status within the Sabbat
The Ghoul families receive grudging respect from the Sabbat because the Tzimisce Clan demands that their existence continue unhindered. Revenants of Ghoul families probably know more about the sect than many Sabbat veterans; the lore is passed from generation to generation – as is other secret lore that even the Sabbat do not know. While the Revenants know a great deal about the sect, they do not participate in rituals with the Sabbat. However, many of the Ghoul families practice traditions and rituals of their own.
Revenants may not ask to become vampires, but many Tzimisce (and a few Malkavian antitribu and Toreador antitribu) select recruits from these Ghoul families. Born with vampiric powers, the additional powers gained shortly after the Embrace make them more powerful than most recruits. Because most of them already follow a Path of Enlightenment, they have little or no problem coping with the transformation.
Their keen understanding of vampiric Disciplines, strengths and weaknesses, and Sabbat ideology, strategy and unlife-style make them naturals in dealing with undead existence.
Of all the Ghoul families, only one, the Grimaldis, provide useful service to the sect. They maintain something similar to a Masquerade for the Sabbat, covering up stories of Sabbat escapades that would otherwise make the front page.
Family Relations
The four Ghoul families still loyal to the Sabbat seldom interact, but they occasionally carry out business deals with one another. On rare occasions, they arrange marriages between members of their families as a gesture of good will, especially when settling disputes with one another.
The Obertus family remains relatively unknown to the other three Ghoul families. The Grimaldis, Zantosas and Bratovitches know but do not trust or understand one another.
The Grimaldis and Zantosas do not get along well due to centuries-old feuds over ancient land disputes and forgotten insults. They rarely actively oppose one another, but make the other the brunt of their criticisms and jokes.
Traits of the Revenants
– Revenants have the unique ability to generate their own weakened form of vitae. This provides them the benefits of an extended lifespan (up to 300 years… maybe more), can be used to heal themselves and be used to power Disciplines. Revenants rejuvenate their supply of vitae at a rate of one blood point per day
– Like Kindred and Ghouls, Revenants can fly into Frenzy
– Revenants' ability to wield Disciplines is no where near the level of Kindred, but enough to mark them as a step above normal Ghouls
– Like Ghouls, Revenants can stay awake and walk around in broad daylight without suffering any effects
– Revenants can't feed on the blood of mortals to refuel their blood supply, but they can be fed Kindred vitae to replenish their reserves if needed</li>
© Copyright White Wolf Publishing, Inc.