MYSTERIARCHS

By Terence Berendt (tberendt@nac.net)

Description

The Mysteriarch bloodline is focused on gaining knowledge. They spend their unlives accumulating knowledge, not just on kindred affairs, but on mortal, Lupine, Mage, Faerie, and Wraith as well.

The Mysteriarchs are not an actual bloodline, but a collaboration between two bloodlines. These are known only as the Watchers and the Seekers. The role of the Watchers is to accumulate knowledge by observing the world. They observe and record things as they happen and usually do not interfere. The Seekers actively search for knowledge. They do research and interact with others to gather information.

The Watchers are an offshoot of the Lasombra clan. They appeared before the Anarch Revolt. A group of Lasombra were interested in recording history as it happened for future use. This group left the clan to wander the world and observe events.

The Seekers are an offshoot from Malkavians who were obsessed with finding out information. Eventually many of them met and decided to pool their resources.

During the Anarch Revolt, some Watchers met some Seekers and an alliance was formed. The two groups formed the Mysteriarchs to study and record the history of the world.

The Mysteriarchs usually work in groups of two, one Watcher and one Seeker. They use their areas of expertise to find the whole story behind a given situation. The Watcher observes the major events as they happen, while the Seeker delves into the history and reasoning behind the events. Most major cities have at least one Mysteriarch team in it at any given time.

Nickname

Scholars

Appearance

The Watchers usually dress in dark clothing that would not stand out in a crowd. They wear clothing that helps conceal their appearance. The Seekers dress conservatively like professors or researchers.

Havens

Most Watcher-Seeker teams have a joint haven so that they can compare notes. They usually have easy access to a library and records. Mobile teams usually have vans or mobile homes with blackened windows.

Backgrounds

Most Mysteriarchs are chosen from researchers and scholars. Watchers are also chosen from investigators or spies. Seekers also come from a professor or investigator background.

Character Creation

Mysteriarchs usually have a professional concept. Their Natures and Demeanors are usually similar but not always. Mental attributes are usually primary. For Watchers Talents or skills are primary. For Seekers, knowledges are primary.

Disciplines

Watchers: Misticism, Obfuscate, Obtenebration

Seekers: Auspex, Lore, Obfuscate

Weakness

Watchers have an eerie presence. They make people nervous and uncomfortable. They receive a two dice penalty on any social roll (this is the same as the flaw in the Sabbat Book. Watchers may not take this flaw). Seekers have a compulsion to seek out knowledge. A specific type of knowledge may be chosen or it could be general knowledge. Seekers spend most of their unlives seeking this knowledge.

Organization

The Mysteriarchs operate in groups of two, one Watcher and one Seeker. There is a library of all their accumulated knowledge hidden somewhere in the Alps. This also serves as a meeting place for them. It is rumored that a complete copy of the Book of Nod is housed somewhere in this library.

Quote

"They say that if you study the past, you can know more about what's happening in the present. If that's the case, then we know more about what's going on than anyone."