HIBAKUSHA HANTU

By Jenny Parr (j.l.parr@bradford.ac.uk)

Description

The Hibakusha Hantu were one of the first Hibakusha bloodlines to declare war on those they had inherited their powers from -- the Toreador. The Toreador were everything the Hantu despised -- lazy, arrogant, decadent, vain and boastful. The occupation of Malaysia and Borneo by the Europeans was the worst thing that could have happened to the Hantu. The sudden influx of British, French and Portuguese Kindred -- mainly Toreadors -- was a great blow to them and many died the Final Death or were diablerised by the Europeans while fighting to reclaim their dinners. When the Europeans were finally kicked out in 1957 and Malaysia was officially made a Muslim country (no drugs, no alcohol) it was a great victory in a hard fought war for the Hantu.

The perfect blend of fighting spirit and grace is what the Hantu seek to obtain. These warrior-entertainers have honed their skills of dance, acrobatics and fighting to such a degree that often their mortal enemies the Toreador become entranced by their beauty and grace at high levels of Kathakali.

At level 3 Kathakali they can roll to see if they can use their skills to entrance any watching Toreador. Roll Dex + Acrobatics/Dancing the difficulty being the Toreador's Willpower.

It has been suggested that the Hantu developed this fighting style to play upon the Toreador's weakness. However the Hantu's weakness is also influenced by the behaviour of the Toreador. The Hantu's susceptibility for drugs and alcohol so prized by the Toreador make it far more difficult for the Hantu to infiltrate them secretly.

The Hantu were the major supporters of the Kyuketsuki in their unsuccessful bid to unite the clans against the Camarilla and Sabbat. After the rejection of the plan by both Kasa and Ju (who still hold the most power in Asia) the Hantu are considering a partnership between themselves, the Onyudu and the Kyuketsuki in order to force the Westerners out of their territory. The Kuei have voted to take the fight to the shores of America and Europe which the Hantu are very wary of. They believe that the Westerners would be no trouble if forced back to their own homelands.

Since the overthrow of the Marcos Regime in the Philippines, the Hantu have become the major power there. They have taken over most of the South Seas Islands, the only exception being Singapore which they were quite happy to exchange with the Onyudu in return for support in the West coast of America. They are currently expanding their power base to Thailand and Burma. They have, however, been unable to gain any kind of foothold over New Guinea; the reason for this is still unclear and none of the scouting parties have returned...

Quote

"Did you know you have all the grace and sophistication of a dead rat?"

Nickname

Dancers

Origins

Malaysia

Appearance

Although originally from Malaysia the Hantu now have many American and African kindred. They often have bizarre hair styles and tattoos.

Haven

As they often use their talents as part of acrobatic shows, they often live in R.V.s or converted circus wagons.

Backgrounds

In their first lives most Hantu were entertainers, martial artists, athletes or members of other professions dedicated to the perfection of the body. However more than one doctor has been embraced in order to better understand what is needed to obtain perfection.

Character Creation

The Hantu are most often of entertainer concept with Physical attributes and Skills primary. Common archetypes include Thrill-seeker, Perfectionist and Competitor. Hantu usually have at least two dots in Athletics, often more.

Clan Disciplines

Celerity, Presence, Kathakali.

The Hantu are very proud of their disciplines and most will try to develop them to their fullest extent in order to reach physical perfection.

Weakness

The Hantu are extremely susceptible to alcohol in the blood stream of their victims. On a roll of 1-4 (or 1-6 in the rack) the victims have been drinking and the Hantu suffers the effects of alcohol. This reduces motor control (-1 Dex) and concentration (+1 difficulty to all rolls) for 30 minutes per blood point imbibed.

Geography

The Hantu have their main power base in the country of Brunei on the island of Borneo. From Borneo they have spread out to all parts of Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, with the exception of New Guinea. Jakarta and Manila have very large populations of Hantu. They have recently began a new drive for power by taking custody of Bangkok and are making threatening moves towards Burma's main cities. Individual Hantu can be found anywhere in the Orient and as far West as Pakistan. They have, so far, decided to avoid Europe altogether. A few have moved to the northern coast of Australia and have agreed a non-aggression pact with the local ruling Gangrel in return for following the city rules. Some Hantu have decided to make the journey to America in order to take the battle to the enemy. This small number are not too popular with the elders who accuse them of taking unnecessary risks and endangering the entire bloodline. More successful are the Hantu who have moved to Africa to drive out the European Camarilla. Relying heavily on guerilla tactics, they have had some success without revealing their true natures.

Structure

There is no real structure to the Hantu. The eldest are respected as the leaders of the bloodline and all others have to fight for position below them. Often the ability to enforce their will is more important than generation.

Gaining Power

Prestige among the Hantu can often be measured by the wealth and standing of their mortal families. The Hantu acts as a patron towards her family in order to secure jobs, money and influence for them in their homelands. The family unit is strong among the Malay and they prize loyalty to the elders above all else. As they originate from some of the poorest countries in the world keeping their families in comfort is not an easy task.

Gathering Days

The local Hantu meet on the new moon of every month to exchange tales and generally catch up on what has been happening. These meetings tend to be very informal affairs with no real purpose. One month, however, is different. At the first new moon in September a gathering is held in Brunei. At this meeting any Hantu can present a candidate for the Embrace to the elders. A contest is held to determine which of the candidates is embraced. In any year only one neonate is created. If a neonate has been created in any other way (repayment of a life-debt, accident, etc) the new Hantu will be presented here as well. If they are not deemed worthy they will be disowned by the clan.

Power Rumours

Strange rumours have emerged from the East where many Tahumenyimpan have emigrated to Fiji. No one knows why but the emigrants have just claimed to have 'strange dreams' about Fiji. Native New Guineans have claimed that the raiding parties sent to their home country were killed by 'Dragons'. Some in the Hantu are blaming the Drukpa and a full scale war may be looming.

Internal Order

There are only two factions within the Hantu and these make up only 10% of the clan. The Tahumenyimpan, the 'Preservers of All Wisdom,' believe that the Faithless are right in their assumption that Gehenna is nigh. They comb the world looking for fragments of the Book of Nod to verify this and have been known to associate with the Sabbat to further their search.

The Rohmeraba 'Soul Stealers' are a small, secret faction among the Hantu. They travel the world looking for powerful Faithless to challenge to single combat. If the Hantu wins she will diablerise her victim. If she looses she will commit suicide. Rumours have started to circulate that the Rohmeraba have not restricted their practices to the Faithless...

Allies

Surprisingly the Hantu are slow to count their mortal friends as allies, not wishing to bring them into the war of Faith. The allies that most Hantu rely on are, more often than not, friends that they have made on any travels and they are usually spread across the world.

Contacts

Immediate friends and close family are the most common contacts for a Hantu to have. In order to place these into important positions in their homelands, string pulling and subtle manipulation is often used. As a result of this a quick phone call to a contact can often sway the judgement of officials and bureaucrats.

Influence

The Hantu have great influence among mortal society. The ties they feel to their living relatives and friends are strong. As a result of this many Hantu keep an eye on the local mortal communities to protect their kin. They also prize influence as a bargaining method with others of their clan. Direct threats are unlikely to work against a Hantu but political actions can be very effective against immediate family.

Military Force

Strangely enough, the Hantu elders do have a large amount of influence in the military forces. The Malay, Indonesian and some mercenary forces are directly controlled by them and are at beck and call. They have refrained from using visible force on their enemies... so far.

Resources

Originating from some of the poorest countries in the world, the Hantu are unlikely to acquire much in the way of resources. Much prestige is gained by using any resources to help their kin better themselves.

Status

Some Hantu prize Status above all other things; however most like to keep a low profile. They know that the close ties they keep with their relatives can be used against them in power plays, so they like to keep a low profile.

Supernatural

The Hantu have little contact with other supernatural beings except for the Eshu of the Fae, the Gypsies and the Silent Strider tribe of Lupines. The Gypsies believe that the Hantu may be related to certain branches of the Gypsy blood and may help Hantu in need. The Eshu are by far the most common of supernatural allies for the Hantu.

Merits

Among the Hantu Ambidextrous is a very common merit, as well as Blase, Catlike Balance and Inoffensive to Animals. Also Controllable Thirst is very common due to the amount of time most Hantu spend among their mortal family and friends.

Flaws

Common flaws include Clan Enmity-Toreador, Overconfident and Ward. The Ward is very often a member of the Hantu's immediate family or even a descendant that she has vowed to protect.

Skills

Clan Knowledge-Hantu

Stereotypes

Drukpa: We would have lost many drug wars without them.

Hibakush: I saw one once. She was as beautiful as the sun and twice as deadly if the police reports are to be believed...

Ju: Dead. Or is that just wishful thinking?

Kasa: Big boys with big swords...and no brains.

Kuei: They may be built like a Rakshasa but they have loyal hearts.

Kyuketsuki: Want to know how to die real quick? Annoy a Kyuketsuki, or me.

Onyudu: Money, money, money. At least they think to the future.

Sanatan: Annoying, petty, miserable; want any more adjectives?

Bushi: Helpful in America but don't cross them on their own turf.

Gaki: They try to convince us that they can move around in daylight... yeah, right.

Sazan: If one asks for a favour don't hesitate to give it. They always pay their debts ten times over.

Shreh Ren: If you bow at all, bow low.

Faithless: Our ignoble enemies.

Camarilla: Controlled by the Toreador. The fools.

Sabbat: A faction of the Faithless. To be used to turn them against each other.

Gangrel: Noble in their own way. The only Faithless that could be converted.

Toreador: The enemy.

Tremere: Their powers are impressive but don't get involved in their plots.

Setite: Drug dealers and terrorists; they'd stick a needle in your arm as soon as shaking hands.

Yei: Too secretive. They may betray us all to the ancient ones.

Upir: Kill them! Kill them all!

Lupines: Fun to watch, but don't pick a fight with one unless you're feeling lucky.

Mages: Creepy.

Wraiths: Our ancestors are with us all of our lives... and deaths. Fae: Fun. Interesting company at least.

Gehenna: The party isn't going to be over for a while yet so enjoy yourself while you can.