MIMOS

By Joshua Bouton (morvius@epix.net)

Nickname

Spies

Description

The word Mimos is Greek for imitator, and it is an appropriate name for this Bloodline. The Mimos are the Masters of impersonation and change. The line is not bound by the flesh as are most clans, nor do they suffer from the curse of Vissicitude.

The origin of the Mimos is clouded in mystery, as the members of the line would have it. It was originally believed that the bloodline's discipline, Zeuxis, was a derivative of Protean, and that the Mimos were first found in southern Europe during the time of the Roman Empire. Any kindred old enough to remember the Roman Empire can tell you that this is simply not true. The The Bloodline had only started appearing in the early fifteen hundreds in the courts of Europe.

It is believed by most educated in the study of Bloodlines that the Mimos are descendants of the Malkavian antitribu because of their use of Dementation. It is also believed that the intrigue of the courts of Europe at the time of the Mimos first Appearence is what triggered the formation of the discipline Zeuxis.

The Mimos, while they do not suffer the derangements of the malkavians, suffer from problems related to Zeuxis. Because Zeuxis, unlike Obfuscation, actually changes the physical body of the Mimos, Zeuxis is not vulnerable to Auspex powers. The Mimos do suffer from the effects of Zeuxis, however. Every time a Mimos changes more than fifty percent of her body through the use of Zeuxis she risk changing her basic personality to fit her new form.

The Mimos have an obvious niche in kindred society. The Mimos are the perfect infiltrators, and because of this, they are often mistrusted. The Mimos know that a spy cannot be trusted and, therefore, they adhere to a strict mercenary code of employment. The Mimos do not get involved with their employers, they merely do there and collect their pay. The Nosferatu loathe the powers of the Mimos and actively argue against their use.

The Camarilla actively deny using the Mimos for espionage, but many Princes will not pass up the oppurtunity to gain information by employing them. The Sabbat uses them as top rank spies and infiltrators. The Sabbat often uses the Mimos in missions where the tightly knit Nosferatu Clan may have ulterior motives.

Appearence

The Mimos can look like anyone, and they usually do. Throughout their existence there have been those who claim to know how to recognize a Mimos, but since these individuals seem to have very short unlife spans, one is led to wonder: How sure were they?

Haven

The Mimos live where the people they are impersonating would live. When the Mimos are in between jobs, they live well in the more upscale parts of the cities.

Background

The Mimos choose mortals to embrace for their intelligence and their ability to deal with people. No lifestyle, or occupation is a prerequisite, but many Mimos worked in espionage or business in their mortal lives. The Bloodline as a whole cares little where new Mimos come from as long as they uphold the code.

Character Creation

Characters often have professional, or soldier backgrounds; many were government agents or CEOs in life. The Natures of the Mimos are often manipulative or controlling, but the demeanors range as wide as the roles they play. Mental attributes are primary as are talents.

Disciplines

Dementation, Obfuscate, and Zeuxis.

Weakness

The Mimos suffer from the malleable nature of Zeuxis. If a Mimos changes more than fifty percent of his body through Zeuxis he may lose his identity and gain a new one. System: Every time Zeuxis is used three or more times in a twenty four hour period, the Mimos must roll Willpower vs. the number of times of use. Two successes must be gained or the Nature of the Mimos will shift. The roll must be remade every time another Zeuxis power is used within the same twenty four hours after the first roll.

Organization

The Mimos, while they rarely see one of their own kind, have a well defined organization. The structure of the Mimos is derived from both generation and prestige. Like the formal Japanese system of status, it is important for the Mimos to know which has the higher position in the bloodline. Mimos will never knowingly work against another Mimos. There is only one formal meeting of the line. Once every twenty one years the Mimos with the highest status hosts a meeting of the line in a city that he designates through word of mouth.

Gaining Prestige

Prestige is gained through feats of impersonation. The more secretive and powerful an organization that the Mimos penetrates through impersonation, the greater her prestige.

Quote

"Me? I have been many people. Now, who do you need me to be?"

Stereotypes

The Camarilla: They are good employers. Even though they deny that they use us, We know that they need us more than we need them.

"I've sen these guys fool elder Toreador like no Nosferatu ever could. They may be off limits, but they sure are useful!"

-- Dominick, Ventrue Archon.

The Sabbat: I cannot personally vouch for their philosophy (actually I would say that they are sick), but then my views do not matter. They are loyal to their cause, and they pay off their contracts.

"They are the perfect tools. We use them, pay them, and discard them, just like you do with any good tool."

-- Gabriella, Tzimisce Priscus

The Inconnu: They don't hire us; they don't talk to us, and I doubt that they like us. Just stay clear of them.

"These bastards of the Malkavians should know their place. They think they know what espionage is, I assure you they do not."

-- Sendow, Monitor of Rabat