Dhampir: The Sin

By Kirith1443@aol.com

Description

When a vampire has a child with a mortal, the child is a dhampir, half-mortal, half-vampire. Dhampir seek to hunt vampires almost instinctively as soon as they become aware of their dhampiric nature. The theme of Dhampir is one of self-hatred and trying to make up for your parent's mistakes, trying to fix things that keep breaking.

Character Creation

Dhampirs are created with the same rules as vampires, with the following notes:
• Dhampirs start at 14th generation.
• Dhampirs receive no damage from sunlight.
• A stake to the heart will torpor a dhampir.
• Dhampir do not lose a blood point daily.
• Dhampir may commit Diablerie.

Dhampir Clans

Most of the clans have spawned dhampir. They are described below. If you feel another clan should exist, add it.

Brujah: Hard Warriors, brujah take the fight to the front against the kindred.

Blood Brothers: Blood brother Dhampirs seek to defend their strongholds above all else.

Salubri: Only one "naturally" born salubri dhampir has existed. Before he was slain by Tremere, he had gained many dhampir converts.

Tremere: Dhampir Sorcerers, they ward over their masters while pulling the strings of the stronghold.

Baali: Baali dhampir are very sorry for the actions of their vampiric fathers/mothers, and are the most devoted vampire hunters.

Ventrue: Ventrue dhampir usually get funds for the stronghold and keep in contact with other strongholds with the 'net.

Toreador: Toreador dhampirs tend to go against the grain, ignoring dhampiric code and stronghold alike.

Ravnos: Having affirmed ties with Cathayans, wandering Ravnos dhampir aid their eastern counterparts.

Dhampiric Code

Written in ancient German/Gothic, this outlines what a dhampir is and what they are supposed to do, and a few laws for dhampir everywhere.

Rule One: The Twilight Dawn

The Vampires have plagued humanity long enough. they are to be killed if they are causing a disruption to the populous.

Rule Two: The Seal

A Dhampir will never disclose his nature to anyone, for none understand us save the magi.

Rule Three: The Danse

Maintain a mortal identity. Do not appear to be a supernatural agent unless the land accepts you.

Strongholds

Like a chantry or haven, the dhampir picks a secret hideout for himself called a safe house. The stronghold is one of a few local holds for dhampirs to pass their rules against vampiric society. They have no inherent no mystical power, but allows for common ground and can be anywhere.

Disciplines

Dhampir may learn any non-exotic discipline (i.e., rare or clan-specific disciplines such as Temporis or Bardo), and have their own discipline of Vampirios. It costs current level x 8 to learn each level and may only be purchased by dhampir.

History

When Caine was cursed to become the first vampire, he did not accept the weight of the curse bestowed upon him. He believed he could regain mortality by mating with a mortal. When that did not work, he hoped he could at least hang on to his spirit by doing it. It worked, but only for a while. He hoped his children would not have to suffer as he did.

But it was all for naught. His child, Dhampir, was the result of his sins. Overwhelmed by despair, Caine killed his son. His childer, vampires like Brujah and Toreador, created more vampires, but they eventually learned of Caine's attempt at regaining Humanity. They thought since they were more distant from him, perhaps it would work. It didn't.

Their spawn founded the Order: dhampirs dedicated to seeing the sins of their fathers repented. They sought out other dhampirs, and taught them. However, such synergy did not last. Some are wanderers who call themselves Mavericks, dhampirs without a clan. Then there are those who serve the vampires, the Thralls.

Their watch has gone on since that day.

Role-playing:

The Order: Dhampirs in the Order joined because they saw the value of teamwork, friendship, and openness. Dhampir characters are not slavishly devoted to their groups. They're like friends, if nothing else, not close friends, but businessman-like. However, they are not inclined to politically bicker.

Mavericks: A maverick dhampir does not want a stronghold, or a group to run with. They don't pretend to be heroes or anything they aren't. Sometimes they find acceptance amongst the Arcanum, but they usually do what is needed to be done, and move on. Sometimes they even abandon the quest to stop vampires (not Baali) or decide to kill all vampires (usually Baali).

Thralls: You have sold out to the vampires. You may have been a member of the Order or were a Maverick, but now you are bound to a vampire. You may accept your role, or quietly rebel against it. Baali dhampir will die before thralldom. Some dhampir willingly accept being a vampire's servant, and they do it for power or money. Thralls are hated by other dhampir for forgetting the sins of their fathers.

Stereotypes

Vampires: The sole reason for our cursed existence. Still, I only kill those who abuse their power.

"These half breeds are but a joke. They could never hurt us."

-- Inconnu monitor of Edge City

Werewolves: The Worm? What's that?

"Dhampir, vampire -- all Wyrmspawn to me."

-- Unnamed get of Fenris Ahroun

Mages: These guys are supposed to understand us?

"Dhampir...? Ah yes, half vampires who hunt their vampiric parents."

-- Porthos, Order of Hermes

Wraiths: Wonderfuls spies against the vampires, especially those killed by vampires. Also, they can talk of other things, almost like mages.

"They prove to be very interesting companions should they possess necromancy. Intelligent fellows."

-- Geneive buck, anacreon of Violence, Worcester

Changelings: You mean they still exist?

"Pretty banal for supernatural beings. Avoid contact with them or I'll geas you into it."

-- Stupid Sidhe noble

References

Where vampire stories and movies are very common, the dhampir is rarely seen , and little known. Thus I only have a few recommendations.
• Vampire Hunter D: Top of the list, this anime movie was a major influence on the dhampir character. if you have not seen it, do so. However, the organization was self-made. D and the World of Darkness have little in common, but it's still the best.



• Any book on Balkan folklore: If you have access to books of Balkan mythology (not many people do) , I encourage you to read them. The dhampir was originally a balkan myth, and adds as much as D to my Dhampir Creation.



• Blade: I do not officially recommend this movie, as it was just a fight-fest and little else. it did, however, have some rocking gadgets that might redeem it for a person into doing a Cyberpunk World of Darkness (Upcoming project) or a Mage ST who wants to beef up the Technocracy.