By Deirdre Brooks (xenya@teleport.com) (16 Oct 1993)
After a short period of elation she discovered she had lost the very reason he had made her. Angry at him, and very distressed over her loss, she began to develop the basics of Ekstasis. Only when she was satisfied with it did she make Progeny. After a century, she moved onward, traveling to different cities and finding more priestesses worthy of eternal life.
After an assault by a cabal of Fourth Generation intent on Diablerizing her, she decided she needed more protection than a group of Ghouls could give her. Because of this she embraced her Ghouls, making them into the first of her chosen warriors, the Epilektoi.
During her travels she became legendary among mortals. Many considered her to be an incarnation of the various goddesses in all aspects. Some of the religions of the love goddess formed because of a visit by her or one of her Progeny. When she visited a city, she would find two or three priestesses to embrace and train in Ekstasis. They would watch the young women of the city for promising talent and train them as they had been trained. Through these means, the Clan spread throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean shores, along with the worship of the goddess of love in all her forms. The Epilektoi would also select competent warriors to guard the priestesses from harm.
In time, the Hetaerae and their guards had spread across Europe and Africa. Many were involved in the establishment of Carthage and many died when it fell. Since that time a significant fraction have been working to make such a culture possible again.
During and after the Punic Wars the Ventrue and Malkavians were attempting to root out the Hetaerae wherever they could be found and destroying them. The reason for this was the Hetaerae's open relationship with humans. Both Clans suffered severe losses due to the Epilektoi, but many temples were destroyed. As a result, the Hetaerae attempted to fade into the background, leaving many temples empty, thus giving them no target to attack. They also began using different names, Greek instead of Sumerian, to throw smoke into the search. They were successful to the extent that most Kindred of the modern world, if they know of the Hetaerae at all, consider them a legend.
In modern times the Hetaerae are drawn from prostitutes at all levels of society. In fact, many of the most skilled mortal prostitutes are ghouls of one Hetaera or another, and will someday soon join the Clan as full members.
The Clan is currently based in Monaco although an enclave with strong Anarch sympathies is centered in Las Vegas. This enclave is known as the Daughters of Lysistrata. Their primary purpose is to recreate Carthage in the modern world despite the efforts of the Camarilla. Many Hetaerae, especially among the Daughters, are not content to simply be prostitutes. Many of them have moved into the upper levels of society and politics with a vengeance, using their talents and charms to gain influence and win friends. With their abilities and the sort of clientele they attract, they are privy to a great many secrets of many of the governments and corporations around the world.
While this Clan looks harmless on the surface, the potential their primary Discipline holds is quite powerful. The idea of an elder Hetaera in a city is enough to frighten most Kindred who know of them; their ability to charm is legendary. Nor should the combat prowess of the Epilektoi be ignored, for it was their abilities which have kept the Hetaerae alive through some rough times.
They closely resemble the Toreador in many ways, yet members of the two clans, when they meet, rarely get along. The traitor that gave Carthage to the Ventrue was a Toreador, and the Hetaerae have not fully trusted them since. The Toreador who have encountered them consider them no better than Poseurs, chosen for beauty over talent.
A younger member of this Clan will rarely travel beyond her home city, unless she is with an elder. Elders travel quite often, to meet the younger Hetaerae and possibly establish a new Brothel. Such Elders will often be found with two or more Epilektoi and several Ghoul retainers.
Epilektoi vary widely in appearance as they are more often chosen for their fighting prowess than their good looks.
Epilektoi lair with Hetaera.
Epilektoi most often choose young women or men to train them in the arts of combat. Often they will choose those who are skilled in the modern styles of warfare so as to update their tactics and Abilities.
Most Hetaerae and Epilektoi have three or more dots in Generation due to the tradition of having the eldest Vampire present Embrace any Neonates.
The Epilektoi are generally drawn from Drifter, Outsider or Soldier Concepts. They generally have Deviant, Fanatic, Gallant or Survivor Demeanors and Natures. Loners do not work well in the Brothel atmosphere, and often leave.
The Epilektoi possess Auspex, Celerity and Potence.
The Epilektoi also cannot Blood Bond, but they do not possess the susceptibility to sensual pleasures. Instead, they have a strong commitment to defend those who cannot defend themselves, specifically the Hetaerae. However, they will often intervene when they come across a crime such as rape, mugging or assault. This commitment is strong enough that a Willpower roll must be made to control it. The difficulty is set by the Storyteller, but is rarely below a 6. This attitude is instilled by their training and the rituals involved in their Becoming.
They frown upon pimps intruding into a territory they claim and the Epilektoi war upon them whenever possible.
There are a few Hetaerae and Epilektoi who have left the Brothels to live on their own. They are always welcome to return should they so desire.
The Society of Lysistrata gain prestige by effecting changes in Kine society.
The Epilektoi gain prestige by successfully executing their duties.
"We are not involved in the Jyhad if at all possible. Unfortunately, it sometimes cannot be helped."
"These fools would throw away the Masquerade simply to satisfy their mad hedonistic desires. They are artistically bankrupt and are unable to admit it, to themselves or anyone else."
The Sabbat: They are just as bad as the Camarilla in different ways, their version of pleasure often leaves too many others in pain.
"They do not possess enough power on a large scale to present a threat to us. Individually, these puppeteers can be very powerful. The best way to deal with their kind is to exterminate them where they are found."
The Inconnu: These fools hide from the mortal world, losing contact with the single most valuable resource on the planet. They do not produce, they simply exist.
"Their path gives them a tighter grasp on their humanity. Golconda is not as difficult for them to reach once they understand their place in the scheme of things."