To the Toreador, eternal life is to be savored. Many Toreador were artists, musicians or poets in life; many more have spent frustrating centuries producing laughable attempts at art, music or poetry. Toreador tout themselves as cultivators of all that is best about humanity. Occasionally, a particularly gifted or inspired creator is Embraced into the clan, to preserve her talent for eternity. In this manner, Clan Toreador has inducted some of humanity's greatest artists, poets and musicians into its ranks; of course, if one thing can be said about the Toreador, it is that no two of them agree precisely what "gifted" or "inspired" means.
Of all clansm Toreador are the vampires most connected to the mortal world. While other vampires view the kine as pawns or simple sustenance, Toreador glide gracefully and effortlessly through the society of the Canaille, sampling the delights of each age as a gourmand savors rare delicacies. Toreador are the Kindred most likely to fall in love with mortals, and they surround themselves with the best, msot elegant and most luxurious things - and people - that the world has to offer. It is, thus, acutely tragic when a Toreador succembs to ennui and discards aethetic pursuits in favor of pointless hedonism. Such Kindred become decadent sybarites, concerned only with indulging personal whims and vices.
Toreador are committed to the Camarilla and share the Venture's love of high society, though not for them the tedium of actually running things - that's what functionaries are for, after all. Toreador know that their place is to captivate and inspire - through their witty speech, graceful deeds and simple, scintillating existence.
Nickname: Degenerates
Sect: Most Toreador are in the Camarilla, as only that august organization promotes "culture" and allows the Toreador to live among the mortals they so favor. Those in the Sabbat pursue bizarre "artistic" pastimes, such as torture and blood-painting, or are the rulers of the most decadent underground movements.
Appearance: Toreador Embrace out of passion as much as any other reason; accordingly, many Toreador are creatures of surpressing beauty. Of all Kindred, Toreador are the vampires most attuned to human fashion trneds; centuries-old Degenerates are often more stylish than some 30-year-old mortal. If it's in, chances are that at least one Toreador will adopt it.
Haven: Toreador take care to ensure that their havens are comfortable, convenient for socializing and - above all - conform to their aethetic tastes. Vampires of a more artistic bent might maintain spacious lofts to display their works, while their "poseur" conterparts love opulent suites perfect for hosting parties.
Background: Toreador range across a spectrum of concepts, from lonely, tortured artists to debauched jetsetters. Some Toreador are Embraced for no reason other than theur beauty or personal style, as a passionate sire decided that they simple must be "preserved" for eternity.
Character Creation: Social Attributes and Ablilities are prized among the clan, though Toreador are typically concerned less with outright control than with making a good impression. Perception is also favored, both for creation and for critiquing. Artistes favor Abilities such as Expression and Performance, often enjoying very high levels in these aesthetic Traits; their poseur brethren must make do with Abilities like Subterfuge and Etiquette. Toreador are very social creatures, and love adoration from both Kindred and kine; such as, Backgrounds like Allies, Contacts, Fame, Herd, Resources and status are common.
Clan Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Presense.
Weaknesses: Toreador are preternaturally attuned to teh aesthetic and beautiful, but this sensitivity can prove dangerous. When a Toreador views, hears or even smells something that is truly beautiful - a person, a painting, a song, a particularly lovely sunrise - he must use self-control or become entranced by the sensation. The Toreador will stand in rapt fascination for a scene or until the beautiful thing withdraws. Enraptured Toreador may not even defend themselves if attacked, though being wounded allow them to break the spell.
Organization: Toreador have little practical organization, though their cliqishness and soical networks are legendary. The clan meets frequently, but more as an excuse to host lavish parties and showing than to accomplish anything. Status among the Toreador is a tempestuous whirlwind in which one subtle smile or catty critigue can lead to fortune or disaster; a prodigy may be adored one night, commit a barely perceptible faux pass, and be ostracized the next.
Bloodlines: Toreador put a fair degree of stock in lineage; a vampire fortunate enough to descent from a favored sire is lavished with adoration (to her face, any ways), while childer of a sire "on the outs" suffer social humiliation. Few of these lines deviate from the main clan in any significant way. The Toreador antitribu of the Sabbat are notable exception, for they take equal aesthetic delight in great beauty or great ugliness.
