LAMIA

By Joseph Saviano (j_cypher_1971@yahoo.com)

Author's Note

This bloodline of vampires has no connection whatsoever with the Lamia bloodline that branched off the Capadocian clan from Vampire: The Dark Ages. These Kindred are wholly my own creation, and stand as a testament to the fact that the Tzimisce are a truly twisted clan of vampires. Enjoy.

Description

In the twelfth century, the fledgling Tremere clan was facing destruction at the hands of the Tzimisce clan, whom were furious over the mages destroying some of their own clan members in order to obtain immortality. In order to protect themselves, the Tremere created their powerful servitors, the Gargoyles, then unleashed them against their enemies.

In response to this action, a secret cabal of Tzimisce alchemists began work upon the creation of their own shock troops that would be able to match the Gargoyles in strength and ferocity. Gathering together several "voluntary" subjects from various clans, the Tzimisce began to conduct alchemical experiments upon their unwilling subjects.

After several unpleasant failures, the Tzimisce came upon their last subject, a Setite neonate named Lamia. They soon discovered that she was more responsive to their treatments than their previous victims were. Thus, after subjecting her to countless hours of mental and physical pain, and warping her body and mind with their magic and potions, the Fiends gazed in awe at the accumulation of their hard work.

The neonate was forever changed. Only roughly did she resemble a human. While her shape was undeniably feminine, her body was now covered in green scales like a snake. Her eyes were now two glowing yellow orbs; her mouth was filled with pointed teeth and a long forked tongue. From her shoulder blades sprouted two large dragon-like wings and from her backside, a long serpentine tail.

The Tzimisce were very impressed with what they saw. However, they were not prepared for what happened next. The woman, already mad from the pain she had suffered, lashed out at the Fiends like a wild animal, attacking anyone in sight and making good her escape before the Tzimisce could subdue her.

The now changed Setite, wandered for days in the Translyvanian forests, attacking local peasants

in addition to stirring up panic in the mortal population. The situation had gotten so bad that the local Prince dispatched a group of Nosferatu to capture and kill the creature.

The Nosferatu managed to capture the vampire before she could do any more harm and with time, were able to bring her back to her senses. Although amnesiac from her past ordeals, the young vampire wanted to return to her clan.

Then the Nosferatu showed her what she looked like.

Suddenly everything came back to her. She told the Nosferatu about the Tzimisce and what they had done to her. Taking sympathy upon the unfortunate neonate, the Nosferatu decided to adopt her as one of their own and to protect her should the Tzimisce come to retrieve her.

However, it was soon obvious that she was now different in more ways that just her appearance. She soon began to exhibit strange new powers, obviously because of the changes done to her physiology. In addition, while she no longer possessed the Discipline Serpentis, she did have a remnant of some of that power. She found that with concentration, she could resume her original appearance for a few hours each night, but she eventually returned to her new form after the proscribed time had passed.

She also discovered another change. When she attempted to sire another vampire from a male fledgling, the resulting vampire turned into a monstrous, animalistic creature that had to be destroyed immediately. This however, did not occur when she sired progeny from females. A female fledgling would look like her, but would retain her sanity and intelligence.

Never forgetting what the Tzimisce had done to her, Lamia Embraced other persons to aid her in destroying the Tzimisce. Today, while a relatively small Bloodline, they continue to thrive, hidden from their fellow vampires and secretly plotting the Tzimisce clan's downfall. Only time will tell if they will succeed.

Nickname

Dragonladies

Sect

As mentioned above, most Kindred do not even know the Lamia exist (except, of course, the Nosferatu).

Appearance

Lamia resemble women with the features of the Dragons of legend. Their facial features are angular, with high cheekbones and glowing, yellow eyes; most Lamia have pointed ears. Their bodies are covered in small scales ranging in color from dark green to greenish-yellow. Some Lamia may have diamond shaped patterns of scales on their backs. These scales act as Class 1 armor (with no Dexterity penalties). Lamia have pointed teeth and a long forked tongue.

Most Lamia lose their hair during the change, but some still retain a thick mane of hair on their heads; the rest of a Lamia's body is hairless. All Lamia have a thick, prehensile tail, which can be used to grasp objects. Lamia also possess retractable claws on their hands and feet enabling them to inflict Strength +1 lethal damage. These claws also give a Lamia a +2 dice advantage when climbing. All Lamia possess wings, granting them flight. For every point in Dexterity a Lamia possesses, a character can fly an additional 10 mph.

While they do not require protective clothing, some Lamia may still wear shirts or other articles of clothing to cover their breasts and other private areas. Most Kindred, when they encounter Lamia, find them alluring but terrifying.

Haven

Lamia prefer to live in places not easily accessible to humans (church towers, abandoned buildings, etc.). However, those who have mastered the Lamia's inherent ability of Mortal Coil (see below), live very luxurious lifestyles.

Background

Lamia primarily choose strong and self-reliant women for progeny. Many Feminists, Police Officers, and former Soldiers make up the majority of this Bloodline. However, the Lamia are also prone to choosing progeny from dilettantes and seductive women.

Character Creation

Lamia can come from Dilettante, Soldier, Drifter, Outsider, and Professional Concepts. Physical Traits are usually primary as are Talents. All players must spend one point in the Talent Mortal Coil. Players can put dots into Appearance but this number is only in use when Mortal Coil is in use. Otherwise Lamia have an Appearance of zero. Common background traits include Allies, Herd, and Resources.

Bloodline Disciplines

Celerity, Draconis, Potence

Weaknesses

In their normal form, Lamia are terrifying to look at. All Lamia have an Appearance rating of zero. This fault can be temporarily resolved by using the Trait Mortal Coil (which was derived from Serpentis). Coincidentally, Lamia are also incapable of gaining or learning Serpentis. Also, if a Lamia attempts to Embrace a male, the resulting creature will become monstrous and possesses an Intelligence of 1, as well as three Derangements; such abominations are little more than intelligent animals, and are usually killed mercifully.

Organization

The Lamia are poorly organized and do not meet frequently. However, if a Lamia calls for help in fighting a Tzimisce, other Lamia will come to her aid. In addition, two or more Lamia will sometimes stay together in the same haven for safety and companionship.

Quote

"So Fiend, how effective are your fabled fleshcrafting powers without hands to use them."

Stereotypes

The Camarilla: These foolish kindred erroneously refer to us as Gargoyles. Nevertheless, so long as they stay out my way, they will avoid any undue pain.

Nosferatu: Our adoptive parents. They cared for our founder in her time of need, and still help to hide us from others today. It is most certainly a good partnership.

The Sabbat: We will never deal with them or ever join their hated ranks, as the Tzimisce among them still try to recapture us and use us as servants. Still, it's fun to watch their ridiculous midnight rituals.

The Views from Without

Camarilla: "The what? Oh yea, ain't they Gargoyles or somethin'?"
-- Gus, Brujah raver about to have a very bad night

Sabbat: "Lamia!? Where did you see it? Tell me now dammit, while you still have a mouth to speak with!"

-- Romer Caescu, Tzimisce interrogator

The Independents: "Sorry? I have no idea what you're talking about."

-- Leo Giovanni, Giovanni medium who's lying through his fangs

New Ability

Mortal Coil

According to Lamia legends, the Bloodline's founder found that she no longer possessed the Discipline Serpentis. She did discover however, that she was able to shed her new form for a short time and resemble what she looked like before her transformation. All Lamia still possess a remnant of this lost power in the Talent Mortal Coil. When a player rolls Stamina + Mortal Coil (Difficulty 8) for every success the player gets, the Lamia is able to resume her human appearance of one hour per success gained.

The character is still a vampire however, but now she is able to interact with Kindred and kine without drawing attention to herself. However, a character's humanity does affect the roll. A player cannot roll more dice than their Humanity rating.

Specializations: Masquerade, Interact with Kindred

Merits and Flaws

These merits and flaws are specifically made for Lamia. Other characters cannot take these merits or flaws.

Rattle

(3 pt. Merit)

Your tail ends in a rattle that you can shake as a warning to others. This gives the player one additional die on all Intimidation rolls.

Spike

(3 pt. Merit)

Your tail ends in a long nail-like spike that can be used as an additional weapon during combat. It inflicts Strength + 1 Lethal Damage.

Stinger

(4 pt. Merit)

You have a stinger on the end of your tail that contains a potent toxin. The stinger does Strength Lethal Damage, and anyone inject with the toxin suffers an additional five health levels of damage. (Vampires only take two levels of damage).

Chameleon

(5 pt. Merit)

You have the ability to control the color of the scales on your body, enabling you to blend into your surroundings. This gives the player an automatic success on any Stealth roll.

Lamian Heritage

(1-5 pt. Flaw)

When you use the ability Mortal Coil, there is still a part of your physical form that retains your true appearance. This could be the glowing yellow eyes, clawed hands or even a greenish appearance caused by your scales. The player works with the Storyteller on the severity of this flaw.