Typsies
By Handel W. Care (P.R.Church@massey.ac.nz) and Mr Badger (mbadger@es.co.nz)
Nickname
Description
As the Gypsies refer to themselves as Romany, so do the Typsies refer to themselves as Rumany. They can live similarly to Gypsies, travelling about the countryside in a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Even though their path appears to be random, all the participants will swear that they are travelling in a straight line and that the observer must be a drunkard to think otherwise. There is a tale of a Typsie band which travelled around in circles for three months all the time singing 'nearly there...nearly there...' the whole way.Some of the Rumany, however, tend distilleries, vineyards and breweries, where their natural focus towards alcohol makes them invaluable and highly skilled. Their links to Kine society are somewhat limited to those occasions and areas where liquor is brought into play, and thus certain cultures tend to favour them more than others.
The family has a long and mostly forgotten history. Rumours of at least one portion of the family having been stranded in an Umbral realm for some time have been bandied about, but as yet this has not been substantiated. Conflicting stories also tell of a founding in the distant past and yet also in what appears to be the future. Most of the tall stories told by the family have a grain of truth in them somewhere, but it is hard tell it from the piles of... other components.
Fanciful storytelling, japes and pranks show their Malkavian blood, along with the obsessive fixation with alcoholic beverages that they all share.
Appearance
A member of the Rumany can have any kind of appearance, but there is a preponderance of well-flushed cheeks and the occasional bloodshot eye among them, particularly during or after their frequent revelries. Clothing is also variable, though frequently fairly loud. Many Typsies have collections of garish T-shirts which have alcohol advertising emblazoned upon them, but overall they tend to wear garb which is suitable to the occasion and doesn't show stains.Men are often moustached or bearded, while women frequently have long flowing hair. Brunettes predominate, with a large proportion of blue or green eyed family members, possibly indicating Celtic origins. When not indulging in their common vice, the eyes of many Typsies are uncommonly piercing when brought to bear, indicating the keen intellect hidden behind the ready smile and shield of dissipation.
Family Estates
The closest to family estates the Typsies maintain are some entirely Rumany run distilleries, wineries and the like. Other than this they tend to move around, keeping to themselves but still linked to human society, especially at pubs.
Backgrounds
All Typsies have some degree of brewing knowledge, so it is quite likely that one will have some scientific training. Conversely, the creativity of some of their frequent storytelling coupled with singing and similar amusements might lead to the liberal arts. As lifestyle permits, schooling is generally carried out as standard in the country that they live and supplemented by the family. There are several Rumany scholars, although other activities are just as likely.Whatever apparent background they have can be exceptionally misleading at times, as a great deal of them are information gatherers of a high caliber.
Character Creation
The majority of the Typsies have a Bon Vivant Demeanour. Natures vary widely but are tempered by a lust for both alcohol and knowledge. The Bon Vivant/Bon Vivant Typsies are truly worrying creatures however, and tend to Frenzy when denied alcohol.Mental or Social attributes as primary are usual. Knowledges are frequently prized -- on any number of seemingly disparate subjects.
Disciplines
Rummery, Fortitude, Auspex.These revenants seem to possess a remarkable control over reality. A Typsie can walk over 120 kilometres during a night if they happen to be on the way home and blind drunk at the time. Also, the Rumany are well known for their ability to sense alcohol in the same way a camel can sense water, but in this case the effect is over a 200 kilometre radius, an effect inherent in their strange Rummery Discipline.
Weaknesses
Alcohol is a very necessary part of the lives of this family. Revenants who abstain from alcohol for 24 hours will automatically lose a Willpower point a day until they begin to drink again. Furthermore, a personal Obsession with a particular type of alcohol will become apparent in the early teenage years.Typsies have a grand tradition of hospitality, and will take it whenever it is offered. If supplied with booze, the benefactor will have a Typsie friend for at least as long at it lasts. This effect is like unto a Blood Bond and the Typsie will defend the person with his life if free alcohol is at stake.
Superstition has quite an effect on the Rumany. They will often halt their journeying if they should pass a pub after midday. One troupe is said to have held a week long wake after a can of beer had been shaken up too much and thus spilt on opening. That is to say, any excuse will be used for a drinking session.
Preferred Paths
Family Organization
Age is respected, as is knowledge and intelligence. Leadership is given when necessary, but generally the family members are encouraged to think for themselves. They have a democratic society where those who are best at certain areas of expertise are the ones who lead in that sort of situation. A certain degree of patriarchal society still exists among them, but is waning as time goes by.As a particularly social family, the Typsies visit each other frequently when possible and sample each other's creations. Once a generation there is a gathering called "The Big Piss-up" to which as many of the Rumany as possible attend.
Typsies will recruit from outside the family, but the process takes many years and often a liver transplant or two along the way. Marriage into the family is often a trying experience to begin with, as the next day, after the reception, the Typsies may forget the new member exists and wander off to fresh pastures.
Gaining Family Recognition
Finding hidden knowledge or performing particularly well in either making or drinking alcohol will give a Typsie prestige within the family. Performing consistently well, whether in song, tale, prank or whatever will also add to status.
Duties
It is uncertain who made the Typsies or what their original purpose in doing so was. They seem to have no links to the Sabbat or any other sect, and it is entirely possible that an independent Malkavian began them as an experiment or joke. Their purpose is overtly to further the cause of alcohol, but their information gathering is well beyond that of a simply nosey group of Revenants. Some of the secrets they pass down from father to son (and now daughter) only by word of mouth (or mind), never to be laid upon paper.
Quote
Typsies have a unique dialect of their own which is loosely based upon English. Examples are: 'You're my mate, yes you are, yes you are." Translated this means 'Hello old friend, do you happen to possess an ale?' Or, "There I was, faced by sixteen armed ninjas when...." Which means 'I fell over last night and hurt myself a bit.'
Stereotypes of other Revenants