By Christopher LaHaise (foxtrot@storm.ca) (6 April 1995)
The DeDanu (meaning "of Danu") are a bloodline that was created near the beginning of the Age of Reason.
The Technocracy had just started taking the form they have now, and the Order of Hermes was falling.
With the coming of True Reason, creatures of magic were starting to fade from the world. Desperation was setting in, as the Faeries tried desperately to cling to what little magic was left.
With this desperation, came war. Darker creatures of magic were delighted with what was coming, as they knew that humanity would be almost defenceless without their charms and wizards. They sought out those who could remain, and attempted to destroy them.
The Faeries of Britain, already weak from their battles, first against True Faith, and now against True Reason, were next to helpless against the Minions of the Wyrm. The Faeries retreated into Arcadia, but the portal was slow in closing, and the creatures of darkness approached.
In an act of utter desperation, they called to a small pack of Gangrel to help them.
Danu ap-Rhian, the head of the Gangrel, answered the call, and the battle was joined.
The war was long and bloody, and the Gangrel suffered under the might of the Wyrm.
But when it was over, and the sun began to rise, the Faeries almost had the Gateway closed. In a last burst of terror, Danu plunged through the Gate, escaping the rising Death.
Danu thirsted, as her wounds began the slow process of healing, and as time passed swiftly in Arcadia, it all but stood still on Earth.
The Faeries tried to care for her, and she tried desperately to prevent herself from feeding on the Minions of the Wyld. The Faeries took delight in this, and after much teasing of Danu, they provided her with drink.
"Drink this, and you will never starve again."
Danu was almost overcome with Frenzy, but she drank what was offered to her. A wave of dizziness came over her.
For what seemed like centuries she drank and danced with the Faeries, and her joy was almost overwhelming.
Then one night, when she awoke, she was back on Earth, just a short distance away from where the Gateway had closed.
She soon discovered almost no time had passed, and that the War was not over. It had just begun.
The De Danu are (technically) part of the Camarilla by the fact that the Camarilla considers all Kindred not of the Sabbat, Black Hand, or Inconnu to be part of the Camarilla. As far as the De Danu are considered, they are Autarkis, and follow the Masquerade by accident, if at all. The De Danu embrace those they like, and try to make it look like a normal 'disappearance', or if the family is superstitious, make it look like a Faerie kidnapping.
The De Danu are secretive, but are just now starting to leave Europe, and see the world (curiosity abounds). Most De Danu prefer to go in groups of three, one Princess (leads), and one male and female (retainers). Lone De Danu are rare, but follow the name Fools. The Fools are titled such, as they usually play pranks on those they don't like, and are a bit of a strain on the Masquerade.
De Danu who seduce to feed are called Ganconer (male), or Lianahn (female).
De Danu prefer to be Autarkis, and have very little to do with other politics besides their own, but are willing to meet the head of a city, if they know where to look. De Danu usually call such heads either King or Queen, and, depending on the mood they are in, and the Demeanor of the person they are talking to, add the addendum ...of Winter, or ...of Night, or ...of Pleasure, or similiar.
Nickname: Fruit Bats
Appearance: The DeDanu appear as most kindred do when first Embraced, but their skin takes a darker hue as they age. Eventually, the skin of the DeDanu will become dark and tanned. The DeDanu's hair, as they mature, will starting turning either strawberry blond or red. All DeDanu, upon Embrace, will have green eyes.
Haven: The DeDanu prefer to live in forests, and prowl large stretches of land. Some of the more "noble" of the DeDanu buy castles or manors in which to live.
Background: Almost any background can be taken. The DeDanu usually Embrace people from small villages, pretending to be Faeries. They take their Childer to a clan meeting, where they celebrate and dance until sunrise.
Character Creation: The DeDanu are almost entirely female, and of European descent. The most common DeDanu are Irish, Scottish, or Welsh. Recently, DeDanu have been found in America, Australia, and Canada.
Clan Disciplines: Protean, Manteis, Riastarthae
Weaknesses: The DeDanu still suffer the Gangrel Clan weakness. The DeDanu also take aggravated wounds from cold iron. (Cold Iron, meaning never heated when forged.) and from man-made toxic material that comes in contact with them.
Organization: The DeDanu are organized in clans. Each clan has between three to ten members, and there is estimated to be about ten clans. (30-100 Kindred world-wide) The DeDanu have a Queen, who presides over the clans of a given region (like Ireland).
Gaining Clan Prestige: Successfully stopping a threat to the wilderness in one's Domain. Dealing with the Faeries favourably. The DeDanu protect ancient sites of Magik from being Drained or taken over, as well as guarding large tracts of wilderness. The DeDanu have good ties with the Fianna.
Quote: "We dance tonight! We dance to celebrate the Moon as it bathes the land with a radiant glow! Come dance with me, and drink the fruit of our sisters!"
Camarilla: An interesting bunch. We wish they could leave the cities, however, and dance with us! Our cousins, the Gangrel, do well to watch them and steer them away from self-destruction.
"Nothing but a bunch of tree-huggers! They rarely enter the city, and leave us well enough alone. They fear us, as they should!" - Sir Ryan McKenzy, Ventrue Primogen of Munster, Ireland
Sabbat: Violent anarchists, who care little for the harm they do. They are the flipside of our natures, and must be watched.
"Pacifistic scum! They sit in the trees as we pass through their land, and don't raise a finger to stop us! When the Ancient Kindred awaken, they will fall, and that will be the end of it." - Frank Donnoly, late Tremere antitribu.
Inconnu: The Who? "Mostly harmless, as long as one does not disturb their havens. The problem being, their Havens cover entire acres of land."
View the Manteis discipline.
View the Riastarthae discipline.