ATARGIA

By Feryn (feryn@aol.com)

History

This bloodline, which claims its own Methuselah, stretches its ancestry back into the Babylonian civilization. A Kindred of the time, named Atargatis, began the bloodline. Atargatis, whose current location remains a mystery, was of a clan whose identity has lost itself through the mists of time and the collapse of civilizations. Some scholars have associated the Atargia as a spin-off from the Assamites, due to the geographical similarities, the similar dark skin, and the similar clan disciplines. Regardless, this Babylonian kindred identified himself with spiders, and during his wanderings of the world, the myths of the spider as weaver of fate, trickster, and hunter spread. He was known by many names, among them, the Egyptian "Neith," Japanese "Tsuchi-Gumo," the Norse "Holda," and the Plains Indians of America called him "Iaktomi." Through all his wanderings, it was the time he spent on the African continent which has influenced his bloodline profoundly.

During the height of the Nile Empire, Atargatis allied himself with the Ananasi. He taught them how to burn blood, giving them the edge they needed to survive after being almost destroyed by the Wars of Rage. In return, they provided their male kinfolk as herd and occasional childer. During this time, the Ananasi were being blackmailed into serving the Wyrm, so when another powerful Methuselah began to corrupt and seduce Atargatis, they stayed silent by orders of the Wyrm. The later betrayal of Atargatis by Set was to become the single defining incident for the clan.

After the Betrayal of Set, the Atargia's alliance with the Were-Spiders grew stronger, yet they remained allies of the Wyrm. Together the two races slowly spread the power of the Wyrm through Africa and Europe during the rise of Rome and the Conquering of the Jews. Still these Kindred were unaware of Set's betrayal. They knew only that a huge part of their line had been wiped out during a botched raid on a Mokole settlement that had become a nuisance to Set, but that Set's flank of the attack had been destroyed by a human Mage. This botched attack left Atargatis himself in Torpor, and forced the Atargia to retreat into the deepest caves they could find, hiding from the light of day as well as the vengeful Mokole.

It took Osiris, another powerful Egyptian Kindred, showing the Atargia Set's betrayal, and the insanity inherent in serving the Wyrm, to turn the kindred from the Wyrm and against Set, his arch-rival. The Ananasi then turned to their Queen, held by the Wyrm for ransom, and learned that she, to had turned from the Wyrm.

It was this act of kindness on Osiris' part that opened the door to his destruction at Set's hands, and the Atargia have never forgotten this. After they turned from the Wyrm and watched as Osiris' forces began to crumble at Set's machinations, the two races, rage-infected from the news of the betrayal of themselves and their benefactor Osiris, launched a massive, swarming assault on Set's stronghold in Egypt. This assault was anticipated and soundly crushed with few survivors. When the slaughter ended, the Atargia and Ananasi retreated deep underground, deeper than the Spiral Hives, and waited, biding their time until Osiris could be avenged, and Set destroyed.

During the centuries that followed, the Atargia and Ananasi formed a deep and meaningful bond of friendship, a unique situation among the supernatural denizens of the world. Those Children of Osiris who remain have over time learned of the Atargia's survival, and some have managed to contact them. Through these contacts, the Atargia have learned of the current status of the Setites. They hope to use the almost universal distrust and hatred of the Setites and all they represent as a tool to sow the seeds of revenge.

With this new knowledge, several of the Atargia have surfaced, in hopes that they can find a usefulness within the Camarilla, and eventually, wield enough power to order the destruction of all Setites across the globe. The Atargia have been moderately successful, though only the most learned of the Kindred even know they exist. With the power they hope to wield, the Atargia aim to war against the Wyrm, the Setites, and if all goes well, return the Children of Osiris to their rightful position of prominence. If the Atargia were to learn of the Salubri, and their plight against the Tremere, it is well within the character of the Clan for them to provide unsolicited aid to the Healers.

Nickname

Creepers

Appearance

Almost universally young and attractive, the Atargia are almost entirely male, just as the Ananasi are female. An ethnically diverse clan, due to Atargatis' wandering around the world, members of the clan span the gamut of the genetic spectrum.

As a member of the clan grows in age and power, however, his eyes begin to change, growing darker and more circular. By his hundredth year (or level 4 of the Arachnos discipline has been reached) his eyes, though no bigger than human eyes, are emerald green or jet black, lidless, compound round eyes. Additionally, his skin becomes darker as time passes, becoming midnight blue/black by the age of 200.

Haven

The Atargia are a reclusive bunch, the instinct for survival is strong within their blood. As such, they prefer to stay in open, dark places, away from the crowds, light and noise of the center of the city. Favorite places include large basements, abandoned warehouses, Factory complexes, and garages. This also relates to their clan Weakness, discussed below.

Background

Many members of the Clan are the male Kinfolk of the Ananasi, as only the females of the Were-race experience the First Change.

Character Creation

Most have soldier or Survivor concepts. Physical stats are primary as are skills. Most natures are consistent with the shadow-war against the Wyrm and Set, normally survivor, Competitor, or Visionary. Demeanors vary widely.

Clan Disciplines

Obfuscate, Celerity, and Arachnos.

Weakness

Due to the centuries of dwelling underground, the Atargia suffer a visual sensitivity to light. If exposed to bright lights without some sort of eye-protection, Atargia suffer a -2 dice penalty on all rolls, as well as a +1 difficulty modifier. Once their eyes have changed, this penalty increases by 1, and the kindred acquires the "Colorblind" flaw.

Organization

The Atargia are a rage breed, and as such, the organization of the line is a mystery. They are a solitary lot, but seem perfectly comfortable around each other. There are reports of war parties composed of Atargia, called "Swarms", working together to assault the Setites. All Atargia instinctively understand the clicking, whistling language the race developed to communicate with the Ananasi in their vast underground lairs. Often, an Atargia will only stay in one city long enough to make a name for the Clan, then proceed onto another city. This helps to spread the word among the princes of the world, as well as spreading news among the clan regarding their shadow-war.

Gaining Clan Prestige

A simple matter, but not an easy one. The Atargia gain prestige among one another by, above all else, frustrating and if possible, killing Setites. As a secondary concern, though no less important, is spreading the knowledge of the clan among the powers that be, to further the acceptance of and thereby the goals of the clan.

Stereotypes:

The Camarilla: They have given us the opportunity to recover from the betrayal of Set, and avenge the destruction of our brothers, the Children of Osiris. Their acceptance of our line could be because of the abilities we possess, or simply because of our hatred for Sand-Snake scum. Whatever the case, they often turn a blind eye on our Swarms, when they occur. One must be cautious, however, for these surface-dwelling Cainites spin webs of their own, and they are often invisible and impossible to escape.

"These shadow-crawlers are useful pawns, easily duped with the lure of a tasty Setite snack. In the short term, they provide a valuable opportunity to crush one's enemies, for they make powerful spies, assassins, and thieves."

-- Marcus, Ventrue Elder of Cincinnati

The Sabbat: Their senseless acts of brutality and slaughter of the Mortals furthers the power and domain of the Wyrm, our over-enemy. We fight them almost as vigorously as the Setites, though certain of their paths to Golconda interest our elders. It is always best to know your enemy, even the most disgusting of them. For now, they remain too powerful for us to move against overtly, but the time will come. Until then, we will watch.

"Who?"

-- Christoff, Lasombra Elder of Memphis

The Inconnu: Many of them know our heritage, and thus our checkered past. It is reasonable therefore, to assume that they do not yet trust us as a clan of equal standing and power. Our relationship with the Ananasi does no good for our reputation with them, but one does not turn on one's brothers for political gain. They will be difficult to convince, but they will see our worth, and they will accept us... eventually."

"The Atagaria -- there's a name I've not heard in quite some time. An odd line, they were supposedly wiped out by the Garou. If they truly exist, they deserve a careful eye."

-- Francois Phillippe Bardot, 4th Gen Toreador

Quote

"Well, well, well.... So far as I can tell, you have about ten seconds to live before my Toxins lock you up tighter than a fish's ass. Perhaps crossing the prince was not such a wise Idea after all, eh Thopet? Let's count... one... ten."