KEENAI
By Mitchell Kelly (mitch.kelly@tesco.net) (12 June 1995)
"Here's tae us: wha's like us? Gae few, and they're all deid"
Nickname
History
The Keenai are a small Bloodline, completely associated with Scotland. They were originally a part of a migration that lead several small groups from central Europe, under their fourth Generation founders several thousand years ago. They fell out with other Kindred groups over the right of each to rule the west coast of Scotland, and the Keenai's connection to the Unseelie Court. A few of the blood are said to have left for other parts of the world before now, probably Canada. The Keenai are largely confined to the larger cities of Scotland, and were originally part of the Highland clans. They fought against the Ventrue and the Malkavians, against the Roman invasions, and continued to resist Ventrue expansionism (via the English conquest of Scotland) until about a hundred and fifty years ago. They have since made their peace with the Ventrue, and retain good relations with all Camarilla clans except the Tremere, whom they hold in contempt.The Keenai have a strange relationship with the Garou: quite who the White Howlers are, and why the preservation of their memory is so important no-one knows, but both sides immediately recognise each other, then after very formal greetings, politely ignore each other.
Appearance
Tall and thin, even by Kindred standards, they are notably old-fashioned in their dress. All favour some kind of Scottish motif on their clothing, be it tartan, a thistle badge, a blue bonnet or whatever. Most Keenai tend to have sharp features: long noses and pointed chins abound.
Background
All are of Celtic origin, and are mostly of Highland stock. Celtic revivalists are very common among their younger Childer. Common Natures include Survivor, Cavalier and Gallant, with most Demeanors being fairly open. The Bloodline is closely knit, and common Backgrounds include Mentor and Status.
Disciplines
Auspex, Dominate and Bequaine. Animalism and Presence are common, along with Obfuscate. Fortitude, Potence and Protean are rare.
Creation
Mental Attributes are usually primary along with Talents, although this is by no means universal. Prized abilities include Etiquette, Music and Law, all of which are invaluable when dealing with the Fay. Knowledges like Linguistics, Heraldry and Occult are highly regarded. Common Backgrounds in addition to the above are Contacts, Herd and Allies, from the Highland clan members they have long fed upon. Supernatural Merits and Flaws are the most common, along with Vampiric Society. The Flaws Clan Emnity and Intolerance, toward the Tremere, are common. All Keenai have the Merits Code of Honour and Faerie Affinity, although the latter costs only one point, since their association is with the Unseelie alone.
Weakness
All Keenai live by a Code of Honour. In addition to the effect of the Merit of the same name, this gives them problems. At the creation of a character, the player must flesh out a fully-developed code of honour, almost like a Path of Enlightenment. If the Keenai acts against his or her code, he or she will lose the benefits of the code and three dice from all rolls until some sort of atonement is made. The severity of the atonement is dependent upon the severity of the lapse. Also, until atonement is made, the Faeries will pointedly ignore the Vampire. The code should be tight enough to restrict the character's actions without binding them beyond all hope of fun.
Organisation
The Bloodline tends to live as broods around early-generation leaders, and is frequently the dominant force in the Kindred politics of the area (e.g. Edinburgh, Dundee, Strathclyde). It retains good relations with the organisation of the Camarilla, although between individuals this can vary. Relations between members of the Bloodline are formal but friendly, and tend to follow a very Celtic view of place, position and prestige.