BESAI

By ShadowWalkyr (shadowwalkyr@hotmail.com)

Description

Possibly an offshoot of the Assamite clan, the Besai are wandering martial artists of the highest degree. They wander the world challenging each other to duels, though these duels rarely end in Final Death. They seek to master themselves and their weapons. As the Salubri seek Golconda, these Kindred seek Lahmi, a similar state of grace. Some say that Lahmi and Golconda are in fact the same thing, but the Besai claim that Lahmi is different though they cannot say how. The Besai know of the Salubri and the members of these Clans often find themselves allied. A Besai will work with a Salubri before another Besai, although the rarity and wandering nature of each Clan often denies the Besai any choice.

The Besai are honorable to a fault, and will not lie to, break oath to, cheat, or ambush any being (strangely, they have no objection to stealth activities). The exception to this is Shallun, the Besais' terrible oath of vengeance. The one whom Shallun has been sworn against is deserving of no honor, and the Besai will gladly ambush or use any other method to destroy the offending party. This extends itself to any who are trying to protect the party, including Ghouls, guards, and allies. Shallun sworn against vampires is typically ended by Diablerie (regardless of relative generation). Once sworn, Shallun cannot be rescinded. It is never sworn in vain.

The Besai are as comfortable in the wilderness as they are in the city, moving between the two with an ease and grace exceeded only by the Gangrel.

Most Besai will wait until they have mastered Sense of the Opponent before siring a Childe, and no Besai has ever sired more than three. The entire clan, including those who are in Torpor or have been destroyed, numbers fewer than one hundred.

Although most Besai use swords, nearly any weapon can be chosen. There have been Besai dedicated to war hammers, knives, clubs, and even one who uses whips. Most dedicate themselves to melee weapons, though thrown weapons are not unheard of. The Besai hate firearms, and never use them.

Nickname

Sword-Saints

Appearance

Besai often dress in dark clothing (it makes hunting easier), but their clothes are always loose and comfortable. Their weapons (when visible) are always well cared for and in perfect condition. Most Besai are extraordinarily graceful.

Havens

Snicker.

Background

Race, sex, creed, age, national origin, status, none of this matters one whit to the Besai. Even weapon skill is not required. Anyone who is willing to spend eternity mastering a weapon and acting honorably may be Embraced. Children are not usually Embraced, but it has happened (once). Usually, the Besai will wait until the child is in her mid-teens.

Creation

Besai can have just about any concept, but most were drifters or martial artists even before the Embrace. Physical attributes are usually primary, as are talents. Normal backgrounds include Mentor (the sire), Generation, and Allies (Salubri or other Besai). Melee is almost always the Besai's highest Ability (especially among more experienced Besai).

Preferred Paths

Almost all Besai follow Humanity. There are a few who do not, but their Paths are similar. No Besai will follow a Path with the Virtue of Callousness (Conviction, yes, Callousness, no.) There are no Sabbat Besai.

Clan Disciplines

Celerity, Fortitude, Hanoch. Also, many have learned Protean.

Clan Disadvantage

Besai are wanderers who put both the Gangrel and the Ravnos (combined) to shame. They cannot live in one place for more than one week. Moving to the next block is not enough, the Besai must move at least out of the city. If the Besai does not move, she will lose one permanent willpower point per night until she does. No willpower is lost in torpor. Upon moving, lost willpower is not regained; it must be bought back with experience. This is not usually an issue, as most Besai can (and will) take care of business and be gone inside of a few hours. When I create a Clan of wanderers, they wander!

Organization

Little to none. Besai show respect to each other based on skill with weapons and honorable actions, but there are no actual leaders or followers. Alliances between clan members have happened, but these are typically short term. Typically, any Besai will help any other Besai upon request. This makes them far more powerful than they might seem at first glance.

Quote

"I have no home, no herd, no money and no desire for any of these things. I live by my blade, and will die holding it."

Stereotypes

The Camarilla: They sit around and bicker like the old biddies they are. They know the power of the pen, but they do not use it. They are fools.

"The Besai are far too few in number to ever cause us lasting harm. Still, it's not worth it to get in their way unless one has a lot of allies and a desire to lose most of them. They are relentless."

-- Antilles, Ventrue Elder

The Sabbat: More action, but not the right action. They should be extinguished, one by one. Unfortunately, they put rabbits to shame.

"In truth, they are weak. Even their elders are no match for the lowest of the Black Hand."

-- Calais, Black Hand member

The Inconnu: They leave us alone; we leave them alone.

"These guys are okay. If they ever need help, they have only to ask. For some reason, however, they never do."

-- Elijah, Fifth Generation Gangrel