"The Fiends simply hate to come in second on anything and seize every opportunity to punish those with the misfortune to be more successful."
-Clan Lasombra 3rd Ed View on Clan Tzimisce
Click Here for Tzimisce Clan Lore Ratings
Clan Background
The Tzimisce clan is a venerable clan, stepped in tradition and lore. They
are renowned within the Kindred community for its evil. Among the most renowned
of this line is Vlad Tepes, the Impaler, who split centuries ago not only from
the clan, but the sect as well. Tepes is especially infamous for his cruelty,
but this trait is common among the members of the Tzimisce.
From time immemorial, the Tzimisce clan has stretched across the Baltic
regions of Eastern Europe, haunting the region beyond the Elbe, along the Oder
and Danube rivers, through the Pripet marshes, amid the peaks of the Carpathian
Mountains. It established a great uncontested power base there until the Tremere,
then a house of mortal magi, established covens in what later became northern
Bulgaria. The two factions, Kindred and Magi, coexisted for a time, not
intruding upon the domains of one another. But eventually, the power-mad magi of
the Tremere captured some Tzimisce Elders, experimented on them and used them in
perverse rituals, aimed at extracting the essence of their immortality from
them. This experimentation on the stolen members of the Tzimisce clan was the
end of the House Tremere and the beginning of the Clan Tremere.
A rival group of magi known as the House Tytalus, uncovered the Tremere
activities and began maneuvering against that order with the aid of other Magi.
The Tremere had seen this coming and were prepared, gathering additional magical
support from an unrevealed source. House Tytalus met with defeat and the early
efforts of the Inquisition curtailed its activities. The Tzimisce also suffered
greatly at the hands of the new Clan Tremere by the end of the war between the
magi orders.
Seeking revenge against the Clan Tremere, the Tzimisce offered to aid the
House Tytalus. The Tzimisce offered support and, in exchange, House Tytalus
promised to ensure that no mages encroached any further into the clan's
territory. The two groups began working together against the Tremere. The uneasy
alliance between the Tzimisce Kindred and the Tytalus Magi lasted for centuries.
Even long after the need for the alliance passed, the two groups continued to
aid one another as contacts and as occasional supporters. This was all kept very
quiet as the the alliance continued. In fact, the Tzimisce still have
connections with certain magi, which the clan keeps very secret to avoid censure
by the leaders of other Kindred clans.
During the time of the Inquisition, Tzimisce anarchs went to great extremes
to destroying the Elders of their clan, but in time, gave up in their efforts to
destroy the remaining few. Most of the remaining Elders live as Inconnu in
Bulgaria, Romania, Austria and Hungary, sitting alone in their cold dark
mansions and castle havens. Over the centuries, they have accumulated so much
magical and political power that they have no fear of their former clan, and
fear the Camarilla even less.
Of all the clans, the Tzimisce are among the most educated and have a strong
appreciation for learning. They have long been among the most knowledgeable and
erudite Cainites. For millennia, other Kindred have made the perilous journey
into the Carpathian mountains in search of Tzimisce wisdom (the fact that many
of these vampires did not return deters other little) They are scholarly and are
some of the most brilliant and enlightened beings on the earth. They seek to
understand magic, as well as science, but have not quite reached the level of
the Tremere in this understanding. But their studies (and experimentation with
their Vicissitude discipline) have led them to the unequivocal conclusion that
as vampires are more superior and more evolved than humans, so the Tzimisce are
more advanced that other Kindred. The "best" (by Tzimisce standards) humans are
to elevated; the rest are fodder. Unlike most Kindred, Tzimisce do not consider
themselves cursed or damned, but a higher form of life.
A millennia of defending their domains from all sides has made the Tzimisce
extremely vicious, and Tzimisce cruelty is infamous, even among the Kindred.
While they are inhuman, they do not show it as overtly as do the Toreador
Antitribu, for instance, but any significant time spent with a Tzimisce will
eventually reveal their demented and twisted soul. Most Tzimisce tend to be grim
and serious, and are noted for their twisted and warped sense of humor (or a
lack of one in some cases). They are also known for the high value they place on
their privacy and are very territorial, about their domains and especially their
havens.
The Tzimisce is the second most powerful and numerous clan of the Sabbat. The
Lasombra hold the top position in both categories. However, the Tzimisce are a
driving force behind most of the Sabbat's ideology, goals and planning. The
Tzimisce clan appears happy to let the Lasombra believe that the hold the reins
of power in the sect.
Clan Disciplines
The clan disciplines of the Tzimisce include Animalism, Auspex and Vicissitude.
About the Clan Weakness
Tzimisce are inexplictedly tied to the land, either of their birth or
Embrace. When a Tzimisce sleeps, he must surround himself with at least two
handfuls of earth from a land important to him as a mortal (the land of his
birth, the soil of his demense, the earth of his grave, etc). Failure to do this
leaves the Tzimisce weakened, more with each day, until this is rectified by a
night's rest in this sacred earth. Tzimisce are also very territorial about
their domains and especially their havens. Extremely brave (or foolish) are
those who trespass on a Tzimisce's haven. However, those lucky visitors a
Tzimisce invites into his haven are treated like royalty, but should take care
to display extreme courtesy in return.
The Tzimisce Embrace
Given that the clan as a whole holds the Tradition of Progeny in contempt,
Tzimisce are notoriously selective about whom they Embrace. Tzimisce are not
human, and seek to Embrace people who have in some way deviated from their
species -- socially, mentally, or emotionally. Such deviation, however, must not
preclude adherence to the clan's precepts or the capacity for wit, honor and
charm. Tzimisce infinitely prefer a Hannibal Lector to a Jeffrey Dahmer.
Tzimisce prize intelligence and insight, but intelligence of a particular
variety -- the ability to perceive new ways of looking at things rather than the
conventional problem-solving or logical sort. In many ways this approach
resembles that of the Malkavians, but Tzimisce do not respect insanity for its
own sake. A catatonic vegetable or dysfunctional schizophrenic is a
manifestation of frailty, not proto-vampiric insight. A Tzimisce must be able to
shape their madness rather than be shaped by it.
Even expedience rarely excuses a hasty Embrace. Tzimisce often hang back
during wartime Creation Rites, allowing their Brujah and Pander comrades-in-arms
to sully themselves with the animation of cannon fodder. A fiend in need of
muscle would much rather construct a dozen ghouls than transmit precious
Tzimisce vitae to an unworthy being.
Tzimisce's use
of Torture
It is an unpleasant fact to some Kindred, that a large portion of the
Tzimisce culture revolves around ways and means of hurting other beings. Many
Kindred would understandably prefer to ignore or gloss over this aspect of the
clan. Still, Tzimisce are dubbed Fiends for a good reason, and
information from that perceived evil that is the Clan Tzimisce, may be
particularly useful to those used to a more benevolent Camarilla perspective.
Psychological preparation is vital for any torture session and Tzimisce
disciplines are admirably suited to this. Vicissitude allows the torturer to
assume a shape appropriate for the situation. Perhaps an incredibly beautiful
member of the gender to which the victim is attracted, to heighten their shame;
or an impossibly hideous one, to heighten the revulsion and terror; or even the
form of the victim's worst enemy, or closest friend. Auspex allows the Tzimisce
to discover the victim's phobias and dirty little secrets, and to discern which
areas of the victim's body are particularly sensitive.
Tzimisce disciplines also vastly aid in the actual torture session.
Vicissitude allows the torturer to become his own tool kit, reforming his
extremities (or the victim's extremities) into a variety of intrusive
implements, perfectly shaped to fit the victim (or, not quite fit, as the case
may be...). Then, too, the sight of one's bones heaving of their own accord
through one's skin is always disconcerting --- and it becomes difficult to find
release in a scream when one's tongue has been grafted to the roof of one's
mouth.... Animalism allows for a variety of noxious creatures (particularly
those inspiring panic in the victim) to be summoned and precisely directed
around, on top of, or even into the victim.
Of course, as is commonly physical torture has it's limits and this is
particularly true concerning Kindred. Most Elders worthy of that title have
experienced massive body trauma at least once during their unlife and thus, are
somewhat numb to the standard concept pain. Moreover, Kindred scoff at threats
that would break many mortals, such as amputation or castration, given their
regenerative capabilities. And how does one threaten a Nosferatu with
disfigurement? Sometimes even mortals display surprising resilience.
Unfortunately for such victims, Tzimisce are equally skilled at emotional
torture. Centuries of unlife have given Tzimisce torturers an uncanny degree of
psychological insight into the way the human, and Kindred mind operate.
Furthermore, Tzimisce control over the Blood Bond provides torturer's with a
variety of fiendish new ways to hurt their victims. For example, two Kindred may
be forcibly Blood Bound to one another and then one painstakingly disfigured
before the other's eyes. Alternatively, the Tzimisce may break one victim's
Bond, while leaving the other still Bound; then the un-Bound victim may then be
re-Bound to the torturer and induced to inflict physical or emotional pain on
the other remaining victim. Tzimisce may also, through rituals, can cause
already Bound beings to feel emotions other than love. A victim capable of
bearing the most atrocious wounds without flinching may be utterly broken by a
contemptuous slap from the hand of the now hostile love (or childer).
Certain Tzimisce actually eschew supernatural means of torture, considering
such practices effete. The Sabbat priest Stefan Kostas still speaks with great
pride of how he extracted vital military information from a Gangrel, using
nothing but a 50 cent disposable razor blade, three needles, a pack of Holiday
Inn matches, a rubber tube and a gallon of Clorax.
Tzimisce Blood Bonds
According to Kindred legend, the Tzimisce Antediluvian was the first of
Caine's childer to discover the Blood Bond, and it is fact that his progeny were
the first vampires to break such a Bond en masse. In any event, Tzimisce
are far more adept at the creation, maintenance and dissolution of Blood Bonds
than are any other Kindred clan.
Most Blood Bonds create a strong, but rather nebulous feeling of affection on
the part of the Thrall. The Regnant, while fairly certain that the Thrall will
act in her best interests, has little specific control over the Thrall's precise
emotions. Tzimisce, however, have discovered rituals and alchemical techniques
that vastly increase their control over Blood Bonds.
Specific emotions can be evoked in the Thrall: filial love, romantic love,
lust, loyalty, reverence, etc. Nor are the emotions induced by a Tzimisce-manipulated
Blood Bond limited to "positive" ones. One being can be made to feel unremitting
hatred toward or paralyzing fear of another. Moreover, certain Tzimisce may even
create Blood Bonds between beings other than vampires -- provided the
appropriate blood is drunk -- and may manipulate the emotions of both parties.
Some Camarilla Kindred whisper that powerful Tzimisce may set up a Blood Bond
and delay it's effects until a "trigger" (a condition, word, phrase, gesture,
etc.) occurs. These Kindred claim that such delayed Blood Bonds, combined with
Dominate-induced forgetfulness on the part of the Bound parties, have riddled
the Camarilla with "undead time bombs" waiting to explode in ways beneficial to
the Sabbat. Most Camarilla Justicars dismiss these rumors as Anarch-created
paranoia.
Tzimisce
Havens
Enter at your own risk,
as the saying goes.
Tzimisce, even the wilder ones, tend to enjoy periods of contemplative
solitude. Their innate territoriality manifests as an extraordinary sensitivity
to their surroundings. Something deep in the Tzimisce psyche demands privacy and
personal space, and Tzimisce plan and maintain their havens with meticulous
care.
Most Kindred, aware of the Tzimisce proclivity for cruelty and torture,
imagine Tzimisce havens to be vast haunting abattoirs, where the very walls drip
with the gore of violated innocents and the corridors reverberate with the
screams of the unfortunate. This is rarely the case -- at least not in the main
haven. An ambiance of murder and horror, pleasurable as it may be, is not
conducive to rest.
Tzimisce refer to their main haven as the manse (regardless of size or
opulence -- Tzimisce are nothing if not wishful thinkers). It is here that a
Tzimisce keeps her mementos of mortal and undead life. Tzimisce decorate their
manses in a manner reflecting their attitude toward unlife. Tzimisce often sleep
in coffins as a constant reminder of their separation from the world of mortals.
To circumvent their clan weakness, most Tzimisce also maintain one or more
auxiliary havens. Auxiliary havens contain a supply of sleeping earth and other
bare necessities of existence. They are generally used when a Tzimisce has
reason to believe her manse is being sought by enemies. Auxiliary havens are
also where a Tzimisce usually brings her victims in order to torture and slay
them, thus allowing the Tzimisce to maintain the serenity of the primary abode.
Tzimisce are extremely sensitive about whom they admit into their havens. No
one may enter without the express permission of the master, which is generally
extended in the form of an elaborate invitation. (Ironically, this custom
probably provided the basis for the Camarilla's Second and Fifth Traditions).
Likewise, Tzimisce are reluctant to enter another's dwelling without similar
permission being granted. Obviously, this custom is suspended while at war or
hunting. Nonetheless, Tzimisce adherence to this tradition has led to the
Camarilla's unmasking of more than one Sabbat spy.
A few modern Tzimisce, having grown up immersed in the genre of science
fiction and horror, have taken to using their discipline of Vicissitude on
unfortunate victims to fashion their manses into quasi-organic creations.
Breathing walls, venous corridors that throb and pulse, "doors" fashioned with
vicious membranes, and "bas-relief" ghouls, all eternally bound into the
furnishings, adorn such manses.
From time immemorial, the Tzimisce clan has stretched across the Baltic
regions of Eastern Europe, haunting the region beyond the Elbe, along the Oder
and Danube rivers, through the Pripet marshes, amid the peaks of the Carpathian
Mountains. It established a great uncontested power base there until the Tremere,
then a house of mortal magi, established covens in what later became northern
Bulgaria. The two factions, Kindred and Magi, coexisted for a time, not
intruding upon the domains of one another. But eventually, the power-mad magi of
the Tremere captured some Tzimisce Elders, experimented on them and used them in
perverse rituals, aimed at extracting the essence of their immortality from
them. This experimentation on the stolen members of the Tzimisce clan was the
end of the House Tremere and the beginning of the Clan Tremere. 