The Kiasyd Revised

Ex Libris Nocturnis - http://www.nocturnis.net By: Mack Knopf & Dan Young

Summary: A new look at an old Bloodline... In my craft or sullen art Exercised in the still night When only the moon rages And the lovers lie abed With all their griefs in their arms, I labor by singing light Not for ambition or bread Or the strut and trade of charms On the ivory stages But for the common wages Of their most secret heart. -- Dylan Thomas, "In my Craft or Sullen Art" A rose on a vine withers and falls, only to bloom again when summer comes. Youth dies as innocence fades, maturing into strength and then old age, and then to dust, as the next generation is born and grows. Winter changes to spring, then spring changes to summer and gives way to fall, and back again to winter. Life comes from death, and death comes from death. But what if you knew an eternal Winter was coming, where the cycle would stop for good? Would you try to stop it, doing your best to inspire wonder? Or would you help it come again in your despair? The Kiasyd are thought by some to be created from the night-dwelling Lasombra, during the Dark Ages, by a thaumaturgical experiment involving a hapless Lasombra childer, faerie spells, and something reported to be "the blood of Zeenerboch, god of the underworld," which they bought from a Magus. The experiment was an attempt to create a Lasombra with new improved Disciplines, blood-bound to his master and suitable as a weapon. The result was a tall, slender pointy-eared being with black pupiless eyes, who promptly upped and vanished to avoid the inevitable post-mortem inquest. Shortly thereafter (in Cainite terms, about a century), similar-looking Kindred with uncanny powers appeared here and there across Europe, claiming to be a new independent bloodline called the Kiasyd.

As to how this was actually achieved, one can only speculate, and all the Lasombra involved in the botched project were promptly executed for stupidity and plotting against their elders (i.e., being caught at it). This being the Dark Ages, when things were a bit looser and what mainly mattered was whose side you were on, the only people who particularly cared were the Lasombra. The other Clans were more than happy to help anyone whose very existence embarrassed the Lasombra. (As the "ones that got away.") Besides, the Kiasyd, while useful and a little unnerving, were not particularly threatening, as they did not meddle in Kindred or mortal politics, preferring to engage in their own pursuits. Said pursuits often involved magic, the Fey, mortal arts, and some of the stranger corners of the world. Granted, this did mean they had to keep a sharp eye out for Tremere, who were frequently interested in some of the same things and interrogating those who were. The Magus, notably, was not to be found after the experiment was completed. No one is quite sure what the last ingredients was, but the odds are quite against it being the blood of a god, gods being notoriously loath to part with bodily components. Thus goes the official story. The truth is something a little different, as in actuality the Kiasyd have been around for quite some time. Kiasyd, literally, is a word in the True Speech of the faeries, who speak all tongues and none. It means "Child of the Dying Lands," and has been in usage for thousands of years. A Kiasyd is either a changeling "successfully" Embraced by a vampire, or a human Embraced by an existing Kiasyd. Not all Kiasyd look inhuman to the normal eye, only those Embraced from the Lasombra Kiasyd side of the family. Other Kiasyd -- that is, those changelings Embraced by any other

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vampire, including a Lasombra in the usual way -- look normal, except in their Chimerical state (more on this below. The specific combination of the Lasombra experiment produced a vampire that functions exactly as the previous-known Kiasyd, with the sole different being that their regular semblance is the same as the Fae Seeming of the other Kiasyd (discussed later). The new Kiasyd were sheltered initially by the Fey for their own reasons, and brought into contact with their other brothers and sisters, who quickly recognized that appearance aside, they shared a common legacy. However, while Kiasyd do need the social company of others, they usually cannot bear to stay around other Kiasyd too long, as it reminds them of each others suffering too much. They do stay in contact and will help each other. Views: The Kiasyd do not believe their soul is damned, being "blasphemous pagan heretics" to begin with (at least the changeling ones), and they quickly informed the others that they still had their soul or spirit. They do not Embrace often, but only in dire loneliness, to save anothers life, or upon determined request for what they deem the right reasons. To be a Kiasyd is to be unable to turn away from the knowledge of what is happening to the world and what should be.

despite their need to feel from others emotions, their Glamour. All Changelings need magic from the world as well, though they exude more than they take, by the way they live. Kiasyd need magic to survive as well, but their hunger is far, far greater, and unlike living Changelings, they must make conscious efforts to spread magic and inspiration. They are also far more aware of the passage of time and the growing loss of magic than their often-incomprehensible living kin, and so cannot turn away from their perceptions as the others do. A curious paradox, that greater hunger would bring greater awareness. Not every Kiasyd tries to restore magic -- some gleefully join in its feasting -- but all are aware of the problem. Most try to make up for their hunger by doing what they can to preserve magic, while the True Fey run away. It should go without saying that True Fey cannot be embraced, as they *are* magic, and do not have (except in cases where they give up their immortality) true flesh to be trifled with, being entirely magical beings. The vampire trying such a thing is probably soon to meet a quick death if hes lucky, or complete insanity (or turned into a deer and hunted from dusk to dawn, perpetually renewed to be killed again, or given the Seven-Year Itch, or sentenced to live inside a mirror, or... You get the idea). Fortunately, the True Fae begin to leave the world throughout the Middle Ages, and the final vestiges of them leave as the Renaissance begins. What are left is only the Changelings, fey who took mortal bindings to exist on this world. The Fey have always done this here and there -usually to stay with a mortal lover, sometimes as a lark -- but eventually all who wish to remain on Earth become changelings. By 1401, the Shattering is complete and only the changelings and the Kiasyd remain, leaving the fey vampires in the strange situation of being some of the few beings who remember the old times of magick and Faerie Glory. The number of changelings around to be Embraced only became a significant number in the High Middle Ages, which is why very few knew anything about them before that. As to why the magus did what he did with the Lasombra experiment and what he did, who knows? Speculations range from a practical joke (the most popular) to a desire to insult the

History
The original Kiasyd were changelings who for one reason or another became vampires. This varied from the voluntary -- wanting to be with the same lover for eternity, fear of death and reincarnation (Sidhe dont reincarnate), wanting to finish a project that absolutely had to be done -- to the involuntary: "date rape," a desire to punish the fey, or just plain bad luck. Voluntary changelings have normal chances of becoming vampires. Unwilling changelings have a one in three chance of just dying, a one in three change of becoming a regular vampire like their parent (as their Fae Self is completely ripped away), and a one in three chance of becoming a Kiasyd, with tattered remnants of their Fae Self left. Those becoming Kiasyd have their magic inverted in a strange sort of hunger, and a gnawing awareness of the passing of magic and the desire to reclaim it. This is the keynote of their existence, and leads many in a search to hold magic in the world and inspire it in others,

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Lasombra to a long-ranging plot to keep something of the fey alive, and perhaps forestall the Eternal Winter to come. Most vampires wouldnt even consider the last explanation, as they are perfectly happy with the loss of magic, and could care less about some fey ranting about the end of the world, should they even listen to the fey in the first place. After all, who knows why mages or fey do what they do in the first place? Theyre mad, all of them, or scholars, which is about the same thing. Particularly paranoid Kindred elders consider the Kiasyd new pawns introduced by the Antediluvians, but then, thats what they think about everything. This attitude by the elders probably contributes to a faction of the Kiasyd joining the Sabbat during the beginning of the Renaissance. (and perhaps with some of the Lasombra joining the Camarilla as an official clan. As far as a causal connection to some of the Giovanni being ordered to join the Sabbat...Who can say? Despite what one may think, Changelingdescent Kiasyd are frequently allowed inside faerie strongholds, and often keep many of their old ties, contacts and Treasures, though for some this is too painful. Kiasyd are treated either with pity, for what they have lost, or fear, for what they have become. Because of this and the sheer pain of constantly reminded of their living past, while Kiasyd may stay inside Changeling society for some time, most eventually choose to leave. The majority of those ties will fade, though not all will (such as the closest friendships, and knowledges). Most Kiasyd set up hermitages, wander, or take root in human or vampiric society. Yes, this can lead to situations where Kiasyd in an area answer to both the Kindred and Changeling courts, a situation that usually becomes untenable in the long-run. Kiasyd descended from the experiment will be treated depending on what they know, though they are always purely visitors, while the others are more seen as exiles who were once great, with some rights. The new Kiasyd might have to have explained to them by the others what is happening to them now and told about the passing of fey society and magic (if they havent already figured it out themselves), but they are generally regarded as equal kin.

Appearance
Kiasyd descended from the Lasombra experiment all share a common look, gaining about six inches, with corresponding slenderness. Eyes darken to be almost black, while ears become pointed, though they can be tucked under hair (and better be, lest the vampire want to become hunted by any passing villager). The net effect is striking, but not unpleasant. No one knows why this change happens, but it is possible that the ingredient provided to Lasombra may have been the blood of a Kiasyd who had been a Sidhe. Kiasyd who were Embraced changelings usually look normal, unless some aspect from their previous Chimerical seeming carries over to their physical form (see the Merit/Flaw). However, their chimerical self -- visible only by the Fey, certain magicians spells, and vampires who can see such things -- still exists and reflects what theyve become. Simply put, it reflects both their former fey self and the state of their soul. The Chimerical Self, the faerie look (pooka, sidhe, redcap, etc.) will always seem very pale, though not necessarily unpleasant. However, if the vampire has become corrupted (check his Humanity), the Chimerical Self may seem monstrous and horribly dissolute (a la "The Picture of Dorian Gray"). Note: Kiasyd cannot see chimerical seemings themselves, including their own, without the appropriate discipline (see Depredation).

Disciplines
For non-Fey embraced by Lasombra Kiasyd: Depredation, Obfuscate, and Potence. For all others (including Changelings embraced by other clans) -- Depredation, and two Disciplines of the Embracing vampire. Note: The Fae Birthrights are lost upon transformation, since they require a full connection to the Dreaming. The sole "exception" involves birthrights already embodied in your mortal self, preserved like a fly in amber(see Seemings Blessing in the Merits and Flaws), and the haunting twist of fate of Chimerical Appearance).

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Bloodline Weakness
Kiasyd must consume Glamour in order to exist. The life essence (blood) from which they feed must contain Glamour. Hence, they can only feed from Changelings or from enchanted mortals. In any event, their victims lose temporary Glamour proportionate to the amount of blood which is taken. Kiasyd can drink the blood of other vampires, and suffer all normal effects of drinking such blood, but gain only one blood point for every two they drink (round down). Drinking unenchanted human blood does absolutely nothing for them, as well as being weak and watery, and will be purged from the body in whatever way or orifice is most convenient. Kiasyd soon learn that they must have the magic to survive. Note, however, that the Kiasyd discipline allows them to enlarge their blood supply without feeding, in certain circumstances. This power affects only the Glamour-infused blood which runs in Kiasyd veins - in order for another clan to learn or use this power, they must first feed from Kiasyd or Changelings.

day per success. Only one success is needed on this roll. To change the emotion to blood, the Kiasyd must roll (Stamina + Empathy?) against a variable target which depends, again, on the emotion's intensity. Stronger emotions are easier to use. Each success on this roll gives the Kiasyd one blood point. Emotional Intensity Mild (just had chocolate) Moderate (found lost item) Significant (a good party) Serious (a hot date) Extreme (end of a hot date) Orgasmic (orgasm) Overwhelming (won the lottery) Consume Sorrow This works essentially like the first power, Consume Joy, except that the Kiasyd may consume sorrow instead of joy. System: The same rolls apply: Emotional intensity Target to take Target to use Emotional Intensity Mild (broke a nail) Moderate (home team defeated) Significant (lost valuables) Serious (failed a major task) Extreme (lost a job) Orgasmic (lost a close friend) Overwhelming (betrayed by lover) Consume Anger This works essentially like the first power, except that the Kiasyd may consume anger instead of joy. Target to Take 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Target to Use 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 Target to Take 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Target to Use 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

Kiasyd Discipline: "Depredation"

There is no pain, you are receding. A distant ship's smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves. Your lips move but I can't hear what you're sayin'. When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse, Out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone. -- Pink Floyd, "Comfortably Numb" Consume Joy With this power, the Kiasyd can take fun out of anything. More to the point, they can use that joy to cause the spontaneous regeneration of their own blood, as if it were still alive. System: The Kiasyd must first find a person who is having a good time, and make physical contact with them. They must then make a (Manipulation + Empathy?) roll, against a variable target which depends on the emotional intensity of the victim, to take the emotion away. Stronger emotions are harder to take. When the emotion is taken, the victim will feel listless and drained -- in fact, virtually emotionless for one

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System: The same rolls apply: Emotional Intensity Mild (irritated) Moderate (annoyed) Significant (frustrated) Serious (exasperated) Extreme (really pissed) Orgasmic (homicidal) Overwhelming (Frenzy) Target to Take 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Target to Use 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

frenzy (for a number of days equal to the number of successes on the first roll). Consume Love This works essentially like the first power, except that the Kiasyd may consume love instead of joy. This power is used to break emotional bonds between two people. The person affected must be touched, and their affection must be aroused (e.g. by the presence of the subject of their affection, or by a train of thought involving them, etc.) System: The same rolls apply: Emotional Intensity Target to Take 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Target to Use 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

Note that this power can be used to instantly defuse a fighting Frenzy in another supernatural creature. If successful, Frenzy immediately ends and the subject becomes temporarily unable to frenzy (for a number of days equal to the number of successes on the first roll). This power can also be used to drain Rage from a creature who possesses the Rage trait. Passive Rage (e.g. in a character who is not frenzied) should be regarded as Extreme (8) anger. Each success on the first roll costs the subject one temporary point of Rage. Consume Fear This works essentially like the first power, except that the Kiasyd may consume fear instead of joy. Note that this can negate Presence effects. System: The same rolls apply: Emotional Intensity Mild (startled) Moderate (spooked) Significant (anxious) Serious (downright scared) Extreme (terrified) Orgasmic (paralyzed) Overwhelming (Fox Frenzy) Target to Take 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Target to Use 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

Mild (like a friend) Moderate (like family) Significant (sincere affection) Serious (emotional attraction) Extreme (obsession) Orga Orgasmic (physical need) Overwhelming (mindless devotion)

Note that this can negate Presence effects and even certain Dominate effects, but does not even temporarily relieve a blood bond. Perceive Chimera This is one of two level six powers. Both must be learned separately. The Kiasyd has absorbed so much glamour through Depredation that she can once again manifest one of the powers of the Fae -- in particular, the ability to perceive the chimerical world. The Kiasyd can see Fae, Chimera, Dross, and even herself as they appear to the Fae Sight. Many who are capable of this power never learn it, as the sight of what they have become might very well drive them mad. System: No roll is necessary to use the power; it becomes innate. The Kiasyd can change between the two modes of perception at will. However, a Willpower (6) roll may be necessary to avoid a temporary derangement if the Kiasyd confronts a mirror and their soul is corrupted (use their Humanity or Path as a guide).

Note that this power can be used to instantly defuse a Fox Frenzy in another supernatural creature. If successful, Frenzy immediately ends and the subject becomes temporarily unable to

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 Consume Chimera This is one of two level six powers. Both must be learned separately. The Kiasyd can consume the very stuff of dreams -- Chimera. The Kiasyd can literally take a chimerical creature or item and consume it. The chimera, and the dream that created it, are completely destroyed. System: The roll to get a hold of the Chimera is Wits + Fae Lore -- the Storyteller should assign a difficulty based on the power level of the chimera. Kiasyd who attempt to perform this feat without perceiving the chimerical world add three to the difficulty, and must have some way of knowing where the chimera is -- for example by stealing the dreams of a sleeping mortal. If the roll is successful, the chimera is destroyed, and the Kiasyd instantly regains her full blood pool... and her location and her act are instantly known to all Fae within a five-mile radius, minus one mile per success. No matter how successful the roll, and Fae who observes this act directly understands what has been done. This power can be used to "kill" the chimerical aspect of a Changeling, but the roll is resisted. The resisting Fae rolls three dice plus her Glamour rating (which may perhaps give her more than ten dice), and both have a base target of seven. The penalty for Kiasyd who cannot perceive Chimera still applies. Inspire By tapping the store of stolen emotions which have fueled her existence, the Kiasyd may inspire emotions in others. System: The Kiasyd may inspire any of the emotions from the first five powers of the Discipline. The Kiasyd rolls Manipulation + Empathy; the difficulty is the same as the difficulty to take the emotion in the first place. At least one success must be achieved, and one blood point spent, to create the emotion; the effects last for one scene plus one hour per extra success/blood point spent. Note that the Kiasyd may not specify the focus of the emotion; the Kiasyd may make the target afraid, but may not choose what the victim is afraid of; she may cause the target to feel overcome with affection, but may not choose the

object of that affection. And so on. Emotions inspired in this manner are not "real", and may not be consumed by Depredation. There are no known Kiasyd above the sixth generation.

Notes for running Depredation in a game:

On the one hand, it makes it fairly easy for Kiasyd to "feed" -- they can take a sip here and a sip there and no one is the wiser, although the cost to their soul (assuming they remember that they have one) is pretty high. All in all, though, considering that they can't feed in the ordinary way, this is fine. The Depredation discipline is versatile, but works with the power scale of other disciplines. To be most effective, it has to be subtle, but that's okay. (If a Kiasyd has to start blatantly hammering with the power out and start hammering with it, he's probably in more trouble than it by itself is going to handle, anyway). Its very use is fraught with ethical questions (ideal for a vampire) about living off other's heartstrings, which I like, but the power *can* be used for good, if the vampire so wishes -- it's just so much easier to do harm by carelessness. The clan flaw allows the Kiasyd to feed more discreetly (providing they're smart about what emotions they take and how they set it up), but also makes it much harder for it to mass-gorge itself on blood and pump up stats. The thing that requires careful storyteller attention is just how people will react to having their emotions taken away. Not that they will know who took it and react to them, so much as that they will still be in the same situation without the emotional baggage. For example, removing someone's fear might make them more talkative -- or less talkative. It all depends on what they're afraid of, and what else is keeping them from talking. Removing someone's anger might make them stop attacking, or might make them attack more calculatingly -- some serial killers work from other things than anger. Removing sorrow might make someone feel better, but will it come back all the harder when it returns, as they realize they

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haven't been grieving? It depends on what they're sad about. And so on. A storyteller that can handle the ramifications of Presence, another emotion-based power, shouldn't have too much trouble with Depredation as long as they're aware of it. Play-testing Notes Though Kiasyd can easily be tragic-romantic figures (such as the Sidhe brought over by his lost vampiric lover who now searches the world for her, a magic amulet with her picture in it the only remnant of their past), a Kiasyd could be many other things, though the way we've designed it they'll all tend toward the gothic-fey style aspect. (Even a Sabbat Kiasyd would have style). The bloodline has some spiffy new features and things that can be bought that add a lot of flavor and roleplay opportunities (mainly the changeling ties and the awareness of others emotions, their "personal magic"). However, rules-wise they're still just vampires when you come right down to it, so a Storyteller shouldn't have any trouble handling them if he's at all comfortable with any of the fey concepts. They add something to a story without making a big splashy spotlight of themselves (Kiasyd will tend to have interesting stories in and of themselves, as well -- unlike other vamps, I'd say that a Kiasyd who doesn't come up with some passion or purpose to distract itself or to cope with what it's lost and is aware of will soon kill herself. Idle pleasure and survival just isn't enough.) They have some nice secrets for other pc's to explore, without really being anything for the Powers That Be to worry about (or so they think). To many, they will just be another of the many lesser bloodlines floating around -- nothing to worry about.

aggravated damage if held too long or used as a weapon against you. Penalties are cumulative. (Adjust the numbers to work best in your game). Seeming's Blessing (5 point Merit): as the Changeling Merit, except that the Kiasyd character also suffers from the Kith weakness as well, in addition to the Kiasyd Weakness. Your Birthrights affect your mortal seeming as well as your fae mien. A sidhe would receive extra dots in Appearance. A satyr would receive extra dots in Stamina and speed. A troll would receive extra dots in Strength. [added:] However, your frailties also affect your mortal seeming (if possible). With this Merit, a Kiasyd can carry over Birthrights from before his death, since they were already manifested in his mortal form. Note: the Changeling still looks normal, unless he takes the Chimerical Appearance flaw. Chimerical Appearance (3 point flaw: Aspects from your chimerical mien have somehow carried over, through some cruel trick of fate, somewhat muted to fit in to normal reality. A Sidhe might bring over pointed ears and high cheekbones - though think of the cruelty of having them, but not the high appearance(hed need to take Seemings Blessing as well for that). Even with Seemings Blessings, shes still a black-and-white photograph (though a gorgeous, exotic one) of the color she used to be (pale skin, black eyes, etc.). A former troll might have bulging muscles, and so on. Note: This can potentially break the "Masquerade," so to speak - said elf had best conceal his ears under long hair or a hat. But then again, who believes in elves anymore? ("Surely those cant be real! How much was the cosmetic surgery?") Legacy (2 point flaw): The Kiasyd suffers the clan weakness of his nearest non-Kiasyd relative (sire, grandsire, etc.) as well as the Kiasyd Weakness. Eyes of the Ghost (3-5 points): You see the world as it dies -- literally. Everything is visibly eroding in your eyes, and you can see times affects. Young girls seem like old women, new wooden houses are already beginning to fall apart, and that old man is already a rotting skeleton. For 3 points, everything seems 20 years

Suggested Merits & Flaws

Allergy to Iron (1-5 point flaw): like Changelings or True Fey, you are sensitive to iron. For 1 point the touch is painful and like touching uncomfortably hot metal, depending the irons purity. For two you get a revealing rash, for three you get 2-point dice penalties, for 4 you get 3-point dice penalties, and at five it will do

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older than it is, for 4 points, 40 years, and for 5 points, 60 years. Rest assured your Storyteller will describe all these things to you, most likely putting a damper on your relationships, so only choose if you want another constant reminder of the coming of Winter to goad you to fight it. Only immortal beings (vampires, mummies, etc.) will seem untouched. On the plus side, this might help you find weaknesses and exploit them, if you choose to put a point or two in it to also make it a Merit. Underhill Knowledge (3 point Merit): You know some of the old passages through the faerie lands that still work (cross the stream, skipping across the proper rocks, and then open the hedge gate without looking behind). These can be used to go to the faerie lands, Underhill, though you will not be permitted to go to Arcadia by any means (and will be destroyed if you try). Your status will be as a visitor -- many strange folk come to Market, why not you?--, and thus you will have to pass the tests of the guardians each time (riddle games, for instance). Just watch out for those sudden sunlight shifts. Getting in doesnt mean youll always get out. However, for those who can navigate their way through the usual hazards, going Underhill can offer shortcuts to the mortal lands in terms of distance. Being thrown backward and forward in time can happen, though, as the fey realms have strange relations to the time rules of the Dying Lands. It is entirely possible to come out earlier or later than you left, or on the earlier side of the globe. Note: this Merit costs at least 5 points after the Renaissance, since most of the old Trods to the realms crash, and those left are often inaccessible. Treasure (1-5 point merit): Youve kept a magical talisman from your living days that could be almost anything, from a locket that keeps a perfect reproduction of your loves face, to an ebon sword crafted to fight the Fomori, ancient enemy of the Celts. Use the Changeling: the Dreaming book for power ratings. Note that possession of the treasure does not guarantee the ability to use it; the Kiasyd must have the abilities and traits required by the device. Title (2-6 Merit): Youve managed to hang on to a title in changeling society from your living days. This costs twice as much as costs in C:tD, and titles above three points in C:tD (six points here) are simply not available; you cant have

any rank too high, since if you did, you were rapidly demoted when you became a vampire. Expect to have to really work to hang on to this, too.

Other Merits & Flaws

Many from the Changeling: the Dreaming books are appropriate, with some adaptation, and altered point costs. Remember that some will be made moot by the Embrace, though, and many depend on having been a Changeling first, not from the Lasombra Kiasyd.

Sample Characters
Lucretia Vito Concept: A former Fae actress, living only for her art. Embraced in 1444 at the "tender" age of 17. A theatre-oriented Kithain who lost her Glamour to the Embrace...inspired somewhat by the songs "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "The Show Must Go On"...she still clings to the theatre because it's the only part of her human life that she can still have. She was a Wilder when she was Embraced, and Seelie, dating the vampire who sired her for thrills; after all, dating vampires is generally regarded as foolhardy at best, and they all knew it would never work. So did she, but House Fiona Fae never care about such things. The Embrace wasn't planned at all; he drained her over her objections (think "date rape"), and then she accepted his offer as an alternative to death. Why would she do that, you ask? Well, because she was Sidhe. They don't have any promise of reincarnation like the other Fae do, and she didn't feel that her work (dramatic or otherwise) was finished. Jordan Rayner Concept: Ex-Sidhe knight hunting for lost love. You renounced your Fey name a hundred years ago, and your title as a Sidhe knight - you dont deserve them, not until you find her. That when you lost both your mortality and your true love - as the Toreador artist you had sworn binding vows to was stolen away by a vampire who longed to possess her beauty. But just

The Kiasyd Revised

before that happened, she had brought you over to the other side so you could be together forever, and you were so happy - how dare that bastard take it all away from you! Youre now immortal, and have traveled the globe hunting for your love, finding just enough clues to keep you going when you begin to despair. You know the man who kidnapped her was a Tremere, but you have no proof. Youve been in more Kindred courts than most vampires a thousand years older than you, as you hunt relentlessly, and your quest has become immortalized in songs by the fey. Most vampires wont have heard of what you are, but no one likes the Tremere, so that helps. The local fey might help you, as they love a good tragic story like yours, but then again, they may not. You bear an enchanted locket that holds her likeness and scent that you show to all you meet, and a sword that still bites as deep as it did when you were breathing. Despite your renouncing of your Name, you still bear the marks of Sidhe beauty, and your passion when enraged can be a terrible thing.

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Generic Template
Concept: Disillusioned Performer: You were just starting to make it big, touring as the opening act with a well-known headliner, when it hit you - performance depression, or at least, thats what everyone called it. Its that feeling you get when youre touring on the road, performing for thousands of screaming fans, unable to get a moment to yourself, and feel lonely as hell. This is fame? Five years spent living day-today, in order to achieve this? Sure, the crowds are happy, but after a dozen shows, the label execs still arent calling. This is the pinnacle of your career and you still dont have far to fall... The depression wasnt rational - it was still early in the tour, there was still a strong chance that something would happen - but depression is never logical, and this time it hit the right nerve at the right time. The pills were open and in your hand, the water there to swallow them, when you had a visitor. He had a pass, so you let him in... showed him the snack table and the booze, and were just about to swallow when he brushed your shoulder. Suddenly you felt no pain. The depression was gone, and with it the will to die. You werent happy per se, but you were no longer unhappy, and that was enough of a boost to do the show. Afterwards, he was still there. When you asked, he told you about himself... about the Kiasyd, a clan of vampires who were once Changelings like yourself. He offered you a new way to live, a way to live forever... and like a fool, you accepted. Someday youll learn to take away others pain, just like your mentor... but you still cant cure your own.

10

The Kiasyd Revised