DRAKUL

By Lost Soul (mcvonste@mailbox.syr.edu)

Background

A twin clan to the Tzimisce, clan Drakul is even less known, something which the clan would like to maintain as long as possible. Whether they are truly descended from the fabled Vlad Tepes Dracula is uncertain. The clan does originate in Romania, near the Carpathian mountains, as do both Tzimisce and Ravnos, yet neither clan is very aware of the of the existence of the Drakuls.

Quote

"Dracula? That's only a children's story..."

Appearance

All members of clan Drakul are of Rom descent, and are tall in stature, with dark eyes, skin and hair (dark skin as compared to other Kindred, of course). The acquiline nose is another prominent feature of many clan members, as are the ridged brows. Many members are of royal blood, which is also noticeable.

Nature

The clan Drakul is a very small and secretive group. They often pass themselves off as members of other clans, Ventrue, Ravnos, or even Gangrel. Their driving goals differ as much as members of other clans, but they all share a desire to gain power in Kindred society. Rather than make a bold stand among the other clans (in which they would most certainly be struck down immediately by the stronger and larger clans), they choose to steadily increase their influence among the other clans across the world. This process is a slow one, for only those of Romanian blood are embraced by members of this clan.

Clan Biases

Ventrue: They know where the power lies. They simply do not know how to get it quite yet...

Malkavian: Madness brings wisdom, true. However, it also brings lack of control.

Toreador: Idle fancies take away too much drive and ambition. Their art can be meaningful, and insightful, however. Nosferatu: They are the true power behind the clans. They know all, and knowledge is power. They are as cousins to us, though their faces disgust many.

Gangrel: Though once they were our distant cousins, many have lost their heritage. They are very noble, however, and difficult to defeat in combat. They make good bodyguards.

Brujah: Their might is considerable, if only it had a single direction.

Assamites: Assassins who also, like us, often remain unseen. They have great power, but have allowed themselves to become servants of the clans.

Followers of Set: Their evil is impressive, yet their goal to corrupt often ends up causing them more harm than it is worth.

Ravnos: Tricksters and scoundrels, they will steal anything you do not watch constantly, and sometimes even that which you do watch. Always respect their power of illusion, for only the most powerful of our clan can see through the mists they weave.

Lasombra: We know little about this clan, except that they are all that the Ventrue strive to be and more. They are perhaps the most dangerous clan to us. Tzimisce: Our closest cousins have made the mistake of allowing themselves to be known. We shall not make the same error.

Samedi: I have never seen one. Pray that you never do also.

Disciplines

Protean, Fortitude, Perseverance

Clan Weakness

The Drakul clan, for unknown reasons, are especially susceptible to fire and sunlight. As a result of this, they are more susceptible to Rotschreck as well.

System: All damage caused by fire and the sun is double what would normally affect a vampire of another clan. It also takes twice as long to heal.

All difficulty rolls against Rotschreck are twice as difficult, and consequences of failing the roll are twice as intense as normal.

Roleplaying Tips

When starting a new Drakul character, there should only be two people who know that this is your character's clan: yourself, and the storyteller. To successfully roleplay this, create two copies of your character, one with clan Drakul and Perseverance, if you have it, listed. The other copy will have another clan (Ventrue, Gangrel, Ravnos, or perhaps another) and if he or she has Perseverance, list it as Fortitude. The other vampires in the group may start to notice some odd things occur with this character, and chances are the other players will notice something odd as well. The idea, however, is to keep the secret as long as possible, eternity if need be.

Drakuls tend to be of the secretive type already, before they are embraced. Common Drakuls are detectives, underground club owners, drug dealers, CIA agents, computer hackers and other people who lead hidden lifestyles. Playing a Drakul with Fame is very difficult and against their nature, and is not recommended.