EXPRESSIONISTS

By Lord Drewcifer (drewcifer0@aol.com)

Description

This bloodline is an offshoot of the original Toreador bloodline. No one is exactly sure who started it, or when, but it seems to have originated during the early 1960's and continued on from there, the time period during which free thought and expression were in, and anything was accepted. The Toreador are welcoming of this clan, seeing as how they tastefully create masterpieces of art, poetry, and literature. However, some Toreadors see them as "too moody" and "disturbed", as well as finding their work "preposterous' and "mundane". The Expressionists tend to keep to themselves, and seclude themselves from the rest of the Toreadors, Expressionists, and pretty much all of Cainite society. (If you are looking for a dark, brooding character, but don't want to be a Tremere or Malkavian, then these are your guys.) They seem to take great pleasure in mortal affairs, and are always at the biggest social "underground" events, attending concerts and poetry readings by artists no one has ever heard from, and probably never will again.

Nicknames

Artistes, Degenerates, Beatniks, Hippies, Bohemians, Weirdos

Appearance

The members of this clan are usually good looking. They wear exclusively black, and almost nothing but. This does not mean that everyone in the clan is restricted to such attire, but it is usually the case. They usually sport berets, the males wearing mustaches and goatees, with clove cigarettes and circular frame "John Lennon" glasses/sunglasses. They only go out at night, but hey, it's fashionable, and so "retro". The females usually dress in long elegant black dresses, with the same taste for cigarettes and head accessories. They wear little make-up, if any. Both sexes usually wear turtleneck tops or otherwise long-sleeved shirts.

Haven

Most live in their own little "studio" apartments, but a few own coffee-shops, "Java-Huts," and other small, exclusive clubs that offer nightly poetry reading, jazz music, and "open-mike nights." They revel in their own moodiness.

Background

The Expressionists usually only take in the most dark and disturbed individuals for their group, thinking all others simply "poseurs" and unfit to wallow in their own self-pity.

Character Creation

Expressionists are usually very high in Social and Mental stats. They have no use for Physical prowess. Well, it just gives them so much more pity to wallow in. ( "Oh, my fragile body is weak in the cruel world that surrounds me, oh the anguish I must suffer for my talent.....") They usually have high Empathy and Acting abilities, in more cases than not. Music is also a highly valued talent in this clan. Poetic Expression may be one to consider as well.

All Expressionists have sullen Demeanors and usually dark Natures, but this does not make them act like it all the time. They are excellent actors, and may take Artistic Expression as one of their beginning Traits. They must however, take the 1 Point Flaw "Tortured Artist". (See page 41 of CLANBOOK: Toreador) This does not count towards purchasing Merits or otherwise counting towards "freebie" points. (You little cheaters, you!)

Clan Disciplines

Auspex, Dominate, Presence

Weaknesses

They suffer from the weakness of darkness. They must remain held in the dark broodiness of anything the Storyteller deems "deeply moving work" or "hauntingly beautiful" or "gothic underground mystique". Use the same system as the Toreador when attempting to break free of the spell. Otherwise, the character must stay and become wrapped up in whatever is attracting them and they must join in the crowd, acting dark and quiet, brooding and melodramatic, or just going with the crowd.

Organization

This clan usually finds itself too wrapped up in whatever is the latest underground fad to care for organization. That's way too governmental anyway, and besides, if you join the group, you can't be different, can you?

Quote

"Did you see that group that played at the Java Palace last week? They were so...captivating. I had no idea that one could do such things with musical talent such as theirs. What? Of course I knew who they were. I've been going to their concerts since they first started playing in clubs like that. Now everyone listens and thinks that they are their biggest fans. I saw some of the singer's art. His pictures moved me to tears. I felt so ...dark and brooding, you know? Oh, you poseurs are all the same! You never appreciate anything. I tire of your babbling. Leave me to my darkness. Oh, the anguish, the absolute torment...."