HATTER

By Shadow Lu (qcay78f@prodigy.com> (29 November 1995)

Description

A particularly psychotic breed of Malkavian Vampires started not too long ago by eccentric Ancillae addicted to the book Alice in Wonderland.

Their main inspiration was the Mad Hatter, and a bit of the psychotic Cheshire Cat. They quickly found out how to bend their disciplines to resemble the effects of the characters they so worshiped.

Clan beginnings (which are fairly hazy) suggest that a particularly insane Gangrel had something to do with the creation of this clan, but that the Malkavian who began it played more of a role.

The Gangrel (known as Cheshire) and the Malvavian (known as the March Hare) shared an affinity for the book, and both dressed like their mentor, the Mad Hatter (though neither dared take his name).

The clan numbers little more than fifty, and tries to keep their numbers relatively small, so as not to be noticed by the Sabbat, the Inconnu, or the Camarilla.

No one has seen "Cheshire" or "March Hare" since the beginning of the clan.

Nickname

Mad Ones. In Malkavian slang, "Oooh! I got a live one here!"

Appearance

One thing sets the Hatters apart from any other clan, and that is the color of their eyes. The color of their eyes tends to be very bright and odd (i.e., purple, royal blue, bright green, anything fluorescent) and usually never remains the same as their mortal eyes.

The Hatters tend to dress in flashy, bright colored clothing along with the trademark top hat (though not always a top hat). They tend to wear big clothes, wide ties, and hats that flop down over their eyes.

Haven

Usually next door to a coffee house, bar, or other type of cafe. Sometimes, even above or below one. The Hatters like to be near to the action.

Background

The Hatters tend to take the ones who share the affinity for the book, and are particularly bent or warped-minded in one way or another. Once made, the progeny goes through a series of tests to see what they know about the book and how truly demented they are. If the current leader decides they are not good enough, they are cast out and shunned by the Hatters.

Character Creation

Hatters tend to veer toward social and/or mental attributes. They love to manipulate people and make them go insane. Talents are usually primary abilities. Backgrounds are usually Fame, Herd, and Allies.

Clan Disciplines

Auspex, Presence, Cheshire (see end of this document for the Cheshire discipline)

Weaknesses

Basically the same as Malkavians, but their derangements are usually marked with some sort of characteristic from a character in Alice in Wonderland. (i.e., White Rabbit would be Perfection or Paranoia, Delusions of Grandeur for the Queen of Hearts, etc.)

Organization

Usually monthly, the Hatter's have a "Tea Party." This usually results in mass hunting and sometimes even a new progeny. The Hatters keep in close contact, as they are small in number, and are a very tight group of vampires. They tend to look out for one another.

Quote

"Twinkle Twinkle little bat... how I wonder where you're SMACK!"

Stereotypes

Nosferatu: A division of Lord Malkav himself. Truly progeny of a madman.

Tremere: Are you sure they're not just plain Malkavians?

Ventrue: Just as long as they don't crash my Tea Party...

Gangrel: And we are supposed to have a part in this... pity.

Toreador: They respect their literature, and they know how to use it to their advantage. Good boys.

Brujah: One word: Wacko.

Malkavian: Makes me proud to be a Malkavian!

The Sabbat: Ye Gods... I'm happy they're not with us.

The Camarilla: Odd ones. Children of Malkav to the highest extent.

The Inconnu: Who?