Post by Iota on Jun 4, 2010 16:22:16 GMT -5
The Embrace: Caitiff are primarily a development of the last century, especially the years since World War II. Alarmist Kindred point to the explosion in the numbers of the clanless as a harbinger of Gehenna, but more level-headed vampires see the problem as symptomatic of a breakdown in the tradition social orders.
Caitiff often flock together forming coteries out of desperation and for defense. Groups of the clanless tend to have short life expectancies; they shatter, fragment and reform on a regular basis. Most receive the Embrace as an accident of fate, rather than by design, and as such that means that there's no such thing as a "typical" candidate for Caitiff. All the Caitiff share is a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Caitiff have to survive on the streets with little or no help, and a few debilitating conditions that no neonates are in no shape to deal with on their own. While Caitiff are spread across the spectrum of mental, social and physical capabilities, those who survive the longest often have mental or physical strengths.
Appearance: Caitiff often appear as more poorly dressed versions of their accepted cousins, aping Toreador or Brujah style on a rather limited budget. Few display truly outstanding physical characteristics marking them as descended from one clan or another--disdainful Ventrue have referred to Caitiff as "generic" in appearance, and the Caitiff have seized upon the slight as an ironic badge of honor. A close look at any gang of mortal vampire-wannabes oftens reveals one or two Caitiff, dressed in their imitative best and enjoying the hell out of the whole scene.
Havens: Caitiff make havens wherever and whenever they can. Basement apartments and abandoned tenements are particular favorites, as no one else wants these places and the Caitiff aren't likely to be booted out of them after having set up shop.
Weaknesses: Caitiff can purchase any three Disciplines (including custom ones) at character creation, but thereafter have to struggle six times as hard as any other Kindred to learn others. However none of them will be of any significant power and may actually be less efficient than a regular clanmember discipline. (For example, a Caitiff might have a harder time getting someone to obey using Dominant than a regular clanmember might.) On a more basic level Caitiff suffer a social stigma from not being a part of an accepted clan. As a result, more established Kindred feel free to snub or denigrate Caitiff freely.
Caitiff often flock together forming coteries out of desperation and for defense. Groups of the clanless tend to have short life expectancies; they shatter, fragment and reform on a regular basis. Most receive the Embrace as an accident of fate, rather than by design, and as such that means that there's no such thing as a "typical" candidate for Caitiff. All the Caitiff share is a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Caitiff have to survive on the streets with little or no help, and a few debilitating conditions that no neonates are in no shape to deal with on their own. While Caitiff are spread across the spectrum of mental, social and physical capabilities, those who survive the longest often have mental or physical strengths.
Appearance: Caitiff often appear as more poorly dressed versions of their accepted cousins, aping Toreador or Brujah style on a rather limited budget. Few display truly outstanding physical characteristics marking them as descended from one clan or another--disdainful Ventrue have referred to Caitiff as "generic" in appearance, and the Caitiff have seized upon the slight as an ironic badge of honor. A close look at any gang of mortal vampire-wannabes oftens reveals one or two Caitiff, dressed in their imitative best and enjoying the hell out of the whole scene.
Havens: Caitiff make havens wherever and whenever they can. Basement apartments and abandoned tenements are particular favorites, as no one else wants these places and the Caitiff aren't likely to be booted out of them after having set up shop.
Weaknesses: Caitiff can purchase any three Disciplines (including custom ones) at character creation, but thereafter have to struggle six times as hard as any other Kindred to learn others. However none of them will be of any significant power and may actually be less efficient than a regular clanmember discipline. (For example, a Caitiff might have a harder time getting someone to obey using Dominant than a regular clanmember might.) On a more basic level Caitiff suffer a social stigma from not being a part of an accepted clan. As a result, more established Kindred feel free to snub or denigrate Caitiff freely.
