KARES

By Tyree Quincan Kimber (caius@ksu.ksu.edu) (6 February 1996)

History

The Kares bloodline consists of the few scatered survivors of a clan of the same name. While few Kindred believe this, those who know the truth find them a disturbing omen of the possible. The notion of facing thirteen Antediluvians on the night of Gehenna is forboding enough for most, but to add the possibility that there were originally, and may still be, many more lying in Torpor with hidden legions waiting to serve them is a truly frightening possibility few wish to ponder. As things already stand, many find the Kares alone frightening enough...

In the mythology of Ancient Greece, rumors persisted of nocturnal female demons known as Kares who fed on human blood. As it turns out these demons were in fact, a Clan of vampires.

Shortly before the fall of the Second City, the Antediluvian Kare silently observed from day to day as the bickering between her brothers and sisters grew more and more intense. Knowing that the city of the Kindred did not have much time, she fled, telling no one of her destination, in an effort to abandon the Jyhad forever. After decades of wandering, careful to avoid crossing paths with the other ancients, Kare settled on the island of Crete. Upon arriving she discovered the beginnings of an enlightened matriarchal culture slowly taking shape; the Antediluvian set about siring progeny to help her rule these kine.

For years the Kares secretly controlled the bloodthirsty matriarchal religion which flourished among the Minoans, but nothing can last forever and soon, the Jyhad caught up with Kare and her followers. A powerful coterie of Setite Typhonists discovered the tiny island kingdom, and destroyed Kare after a battle of epic proportions. Her followers were unable to do anything save watch in horror as their Mother perished in wave after wave of dark magic.

Following Kare's demise and the absorption of Crete by the Myceneans, the Clan moved to mainland Greece where they began to infiltrate the priesthood of Hera in an effort to wrench power away from the masculine religion of Zeus. If things had remained as they stood it would have only been a matter of time before the Kares brought all of Greece under their sway, making them one of the most powerful of the Kindred tribes.

Unfortunately, they two powerful enemies in their bid to control the Mediterranean: The mage society known as the Order of Hermes and the Black Furies Garou tribe. While capable fighters and potent strategists, the Kares were unable to long withstand the assaults of their fearsome adversaries and soon found themselves facing extinction. The survivors fled, scattering themselves across the mediteranean, many entering Torpor with time and legend quickly reduced them to nothing more than unimportant denizens of the underworld. Alas, history is written by the victors...

Centuries have passed and now the Kares have begun to rebuild. Slowly, they are spreading out across the world, seeking women worthy to carry the bloodline and make their own claim for domination of the Masquerade.

The Kares are quite manipulative and could pose a real threat for the other clans if only they possessed the numbers. While agressively pro-woman, they are not necessarily against men and many retain their former lovers and husbands as Ghouls. Their mindsets endears them to no one, however, as they feel themselves superior to all and their spiteful attitude often brings them into Frenzy over things other Kindred would find absolutely trivial. Additionally, they are also among the most monstrous of Kindred, thanks to their discipline of Cthonis.

Nickname

She-Demons

Appearance

Members of this Bloodline are all female and tend to have a broad range of appearances. Nearly all of high Generation are of Greek lineage, however. All become feral and disheveled looking when their Cthonis is in effect; additionally they become increasingly demonic-looking as their Humanity scores decrease. (See Weaknesses below.)

Haven

The Kares seem to enjoy being underground as much as possible and therefore tend to reside in caves, sewers and abandoned basments. However, neonates tend to simply remain in the homes maintained while alive.

Character Creation

All Kares are female and generally only embrace either repressed or very aggressive women. Most are strongly feminist. The Elders encourage the neonates to rise up and claim the things in unlife society denied them during their breathing days. Anyone from the most timid battered housewife to cold and ruthless corporate types perpetually thwarted by the Glass Ceiling are fair game for the Kares. Likely Natures for a Kare include Conniver, Architect, Fanatic, Martyr, Pedagogue or Caregiver. Demeanors and natures sometimes differ vastly among these wiley Kindred, but likely ones include Competitor, Curmudgeon and Bravo. Social Attributes are primary, as are Knowledges.

Organization

Holding much of both Kindred and Mortal society in contempt, the Kares strive to work together whenever possible. However, their small numbers making this difficult, the Kares often join coteries of other vampires out of necessity. Their main strength still laying in Greece, most eventually travel there. Greek Kares often still organize into priesthoods devoted to brutal goddesses like Hera, Hecate, Demeter and Eris.

While Kares tend not to bother with prestige very much, they hold in esteem those who signifigantly help to propagate the bloodline or cause the other sects to lose face, or, in the case of the Setites, members.

Clan Disciplines

Celerity, Cthonis, Presence

Weaknesses

Whenever a Kares' Humanity falls below its initial level, her Beast comes dangerously close to the surface. Each point of Humanity lost below the initial level causes a new demonic feature to appear on her person. Whenever a Kare loses a point of Humanity, she automatically loses one dot in Appearance. When her Appearance reaches zero, she has become the visage of evil, bearing vestigal wings, horns and a hideous, Nosferatu-like visage. The storyteller should describe what kind of monstrous feature appears.

At high levels of Humanity the deformities are often easily concealed, the Kare not suffering the modification to her appearance until that part of the body is exposed. As she grows nearer the Beast these features become more and more apparent and harder to conceal. Note: A Kares' mutations never provide effective weaponry or other powers. As Humanity (or Path,) is regained, monstrous features disappear and Appearance is regained, but always return in exactly the same form when points are lost again. Some rumors speak of Kare Methusulahs lying in Torpor somewhere in the Mediteraenean who no longer even remotely resemble humans.

Stereotypes

Brujah: Their lack of discipline is appalling, but their steadfast refusal to allow themselves to be tamed sets an example. The wonderful thing about Brujah is that despite all their manifestoes, they often have no idea who their enemies really are. Therefore, when dealing with one provide him with something to take out his anger against and thereby further your own ends.

"I don't know what the story is on these chicks, but they freak me out. I saw one of them fight once and it scared the crap outta me. She just turned into some kind of monstor and tore the guy to pieces! She explained to me that it's just the nature of the Beast. Man, if that's what all vamps have inside of them I'm not sure I'd like to stay one"

-- Brad, 13th Generation Brujah

Malkavians: Pan is dead. Long live Pan! It doesn't matter to a Malkavian that no one understands what he is doing, for he usually knows all too well himself and that is enough. Malkavians are sometimes the most careful and methodical Kindred one can possibly encounter. Never underestimate them and never forget that the Malkavians assisted the hated Ventrue in the propagation of Rome. For this, they cannot be forgiven.

"Hey she-bitch, I've got a dollar in my pocket. Do you like brussel sprouts?"

-- D.V. Peter, 9th Generation Malkavian. Current whereabouts unknown.

Nosferatu: Like us, they bear the monstrous truth of what vampires are for all to see. Nosferatu can be every bit as manipulative as ourselves and sometimes even more cruel. They often have insights others may not and make valuable allies. However, it's usually best to part ways with one once your mutual goals have been accomplished.

Gangrel: These foolish mongrels think they know what freedom is when in reallity, they know nothing. For all their grandstanding they would only instigate a different kind of tyranny, but tyranny none the less. Their ties to the Lupines make them our eternal foes. Gangrel hold their Beast barely in check. They know that we know this and fear us accordingly. Turn against them their inner power they prize so much and watch them turn their newly-grown tails and run.

Toreador: Unlike most, we bear no grudge against the Toreador. They coexisted peacefully with us in Greece for centuries and they only served to strengthen the beauty and nobility of our proud culture. Unfortunately, they've made the mistake of embracing a few too many overly-libidinous Don Juan types. If forced to endure one of these misogynistic fools tolerate him, but be sure to remind him that women really run the world.

"Mmmmm...I love an agressive woman. Play rough with me! Ooohh!"

-- Marquis, 12th Generation Toreador

Tremere: Pricks who can't get over their phallocentirc notions and juvenile squabbles. If the Tremere spent less time tweaking each other's noses and more time working toward their so-called goals they might actually gain a modicum of power. Did you know that the Tremere have less female members then any other clan? This should be remedied by reducing their male population accordingly.

"Hmmm...Demons, Familiars, Banes, Nexus Crawlers and now, monsters from Greek mythology. Just one more world for us to conquer."

-- Dabononicus Tyfares, 8th Generation Tremere. Lord of Colorado Springs chantry

Ventrue: Ah, the Billionaire Boys' Club responsible for Greece's subjugation, the final blow for our clan. The Ventrue seem to be unable to get past the idea that he who dies with the most toys wins, even though they're already dead. It is unfortunate that only now, in the eleventh hour, the other clans are beginning to realize what the Ventrue are truly about. Still, better late then never. Let us find common ground in our oppression and unite to destroy white male corporate oppression once and for all!

The Camarilla: An organization dedicated to equally representing vampires and helping them achieve their goals. Funny how they never asked us to join...

The Sabbat: The Camarilla's ugly brother. Actually, come to think of it, the Sabbat and the Camarilla fight sort of like married people. Let's face it, neither of them would know what to do without the other. In and of themselves, the Sabbat are a typically male-dominated, pig-headed violent sect with no respect for themselves or anything else. So what if a Gangrel is antitribu? She's still a Gangrel who will bore you with proselytizing and then claw you to death when your back is turned.

"Women should stay in the kitchen. In these womens' case, preferably while simmering in the pot."

-- Anonymous Black Hand member

Inconnu: The retirement home for vampires. They think they can place themselves apart from their own nature. They are fools. Hecate meant for us to rule the night and hunt in the shadows. Why does everyone save ourselves seek to deny this lineage?

Assamites: The Arabian culture's treatment of women throughout history has been, and continues to be appalling. The Assamites are merely pompous boors who still cling to outdated patriarchal doctrines. Unfortunately, even though Assamites belong to a dying age they still do everything in their power to ensure that you die with them.

Giovanni: Everyone's afraid of them for some reason. All I see is what the Tremere would be if they spoke Italian and wore the same cheap suits as the Ventrue. Some say they practice Necromancy. Isn't that a little pointless at this stage of our lives?

Ravnos: It is usually best to avoid these, for they should not be taken lightly. However, they have many uses. The Ravnos presence in Greece is strongly felt as they follow the Gypsies and our common strength is found in a lust for life and freedom. Their most potent usefulness, however, comes in the way that they divert the attention of the Gangrel and Lupines.

"You want to know something fun to do? Find a Kare and start talking about Greek mythology. Then, suddenly ask her if she's ever kissed Uranus. It should take her a few seconds to get it, so run like hell."

-- Hitchhiker S., 9th Generation Ravnos

Setites: May Set and his progeny burn together! Their butchering of our founder was only partly avenged when Alexander laid waste to their precious Egypt. Spare none of the minions of the Pretender-God!

View the Cthonis discipline.