ARKADY

By Chris Bonnici (30 November 1993)

Description

This bloodline is mostly overlooked and ignored by the rest of vampire society, Sabbat and Camarilla included. They refused membership in the Camarilla when invited back in the early 1800's and still maintain that they want nothing to do with vampire society at all. Little is known about this bloodline due to the fact that very few care to find out. Arkady are most like Nosferatu in that they avoid the public eye, yet their reasons are not aesthetic. They don't like people, vampires or any other group for one reason above all others; they interrupt on reading time.

Arkady appeared around the middle of the 16th century, from where it is not known. They themselves have little to say beyond that their originator decided one day that the Kindred were doing it all wrong; knowledge was the key. Then, he promptly shut up so he could read.

It could be said that no other group of vampires knows more about the world, both above and below the Masquerade than Arkady. They are the quiet, too-smart young adult in the back row of your night class who says nothing all semester until one night when he poses a question to the Professor that makes the whole class stay an extra 30 minutes so that the Prof. can answer it. When not in the multitude of night classes they frequent, they can be found in libraries buried beneath books on any subject available. Clan Arkady (the title of Clan is self-appointed by the bloodline and nobody cares enough to argue) is a Clan of learning and study.

Arkady do not like people in general, avoiding contact and discussion unless they feel it may help to enlighten themselves in some way. Their favorite 'victims' of discussion are Professors who believe they are authorities on subjects. It is not uncommon for an Arkady to travel to a particular University just to involve himself in a debate with a Professor he disagrees or agrees with.

Arkady wish to know all that is possible. It is believed that once a member has decided that she knows all that there is to know, she will end her existence in happiness. It is through this that Golconda is reached for members of Arkady.

The first Arkady is thought to be, (by those who have spent the time considering it; Arkady are impossible to question when they are busy), a Brujah who found society too uninteresting in comparison with her books. Their discipline as well, is devoted to this pursuit of knowledge. With Brujah blood comes from rebel habits which makes them formidable foes if someone chooses to persecute one of their own. Arkady are loyal to two things, their sources of knowledge and each other. With the knowledge they have, or have access to, wouldn't you be worried?

Nickname

Bookworms

Appearance

They're students, plain and simple. Arkady can be from any place on earth so long as they possess the hunger for knowledge. They tend to dress in comfortable and sensible clothes, and never go anywhere without their books and backpacks.

Haven

Arkady almost always dwell in libraries or close to them. They can be found on University campuses, in sewers under famous libraries and in dormitories and student housing. They generally keep student hours so very little attention is paid to them.

Background

Arkady embrace only those they have found possess the hunger for knowledge that they do. They tend to sire few childer; it is not uncommon for an Arkady to have no progeny. Progeny take time, and time is better spent reading and studying.

Character creation

Arkady almost always have drifter or kid concepts. They often have fanatic, loner, director or visionary natures and demeanors. Mental attributes rank first always, social and physical having little meaning to them. Knowledges are of course primary to Arkady; Skills and Talents ranking in order from there. Arkady have very few background areas, but they sometimes possess contacts or a mentor.

Clan disciplines

Obfuscate, Celerity and Scriptus

Weaknesses

Arkady are limited in their hunting grounds to the vicinity of where their havens are: campuses and library neighborhoods. They also must make a WILL+ALERTNESS roll every other round when involved in discussions of any degree, if they fail their attention span has been breached and they go back to their books. A roll of INTIMIDATION+CHARISMA must be made at normal difficulty to get their attentions back. Their attention is then again based on the every second round rule mentioned above.

Organization

Surprisingly, Arkady are loosely organized into a network which allows the exchange of information between members as they move from library/university to library/university. However, this network may or may not be efficient depending on the amount of time and attention the member devotes to getting the message through. It is not uncommon for two or more members to be at the same location, studying.

Gaining Clan prestige

The only known way that Arkady members recognize their own for anything is through the discovery of new sources of knowledge or dominance in any one field above all other members.