Kiasyd
The origins of the strange Kiasyd bloodline have been lost to the passage of centuries, but their affection for pomp and their curious powers lead some Cainites to suspect that their roots lie with the Lasombra. The most pervasive theory attributes their creation to unholy experimentation with the blood of the Wild Ones and forbidden deals made with demons. Whatever the truth, the result is one of the strangest consanguinities of vampires in the World of Darkness.
The Kiasyd are scholars and keepers of secrets. They tend to be observers rather than taking an active part in acts such as War Parties. Kiasyd don't like to take physical actions against an opponent, preferring to spar with wits and words instead. They jealousy guard their knowledge and their private collections. While a Kiasyd's home is always open to visiting members of the bloodline, all Kiasyd are viciously territorial, and most cities house one member of the bloodline, at most. Weirdlings don't like to compete with each other for knowledge. If one encounters two Kiasyd together, it is likely an elder with her childe, who may study with the elders for upward of 50 years. Eventually, however, the time will come when the childe will seek his own haven, almost always in a different community.
The Kiasyd are well known for being very calm and studious. Their raison d'être centers around their collections of scrolls, books, spells and vampiric lore piled high on their library shelves. Their unusual stature and unquenchable thirst for knowledge make for very high-stacked shelves indeed.
As to the Kiasyd's membership in the Sabbat, the theories again involve Lasombra influence. Whether the Keepers have struck a bargain with the Kiasyd, trading secrets for protection, or whether their relationship is a more sinister brand of master and servant, few can say. Their inquisitive natures hide devious, twisted personalities, warped by massive amounts of forbidden lore and probably the far blood that contributed to their initial creation. In fact, some Kiasyd are rumored to be addicted to the blood of the changelings, drawing sustenance only from its magical nourishment rather than the pale, tepid taste of mortal blood. Other Kiasyd are suspect of even more perverse tastes, feeding only while violating their vessels in impotent parodies of sexual ravishment or stealing children away under the light of the full moon to eat their flesh in their own libraries. In the end, all that is truly known of them is that they are enigmas, suffered only for their knowledge.
Nickname: Weirdlings
Appearance: The Kiasyd have retained the unusual beauty of the fae folk. Their skin is chalky white, which takes on a faint bluish glow in the moonlight. Rumor has it that the tone of a Kiasyd's skin is an indication of the age of the vampire, but Kiasyd are much too polite to talk about themselves, so no one knows for sure. They are willowy tall -- six to seven-and-a-half feet -- and they have angular noses, cheekbones and ears. The eyes of a Kiasyd have been similarly distorted, showing only inky blots with no discernible whites or pupils. Some Kiasyd prefer to dress in Victorian of goth clothing to reflect their studious, somber mood, much to the amusement of more modernized vampires. Long hair or a bandana, and sunglasses hide their unique appearance from prying eyes.
Haven: Permanent, nondescript havens are important to the Kiasyd. They often seclude themselves in their havens, whiling away the innumerable hours in study until forced to leave, either due to the curious prying of unwelcome guests, or to the eventually rundown condition of the haven. They often choose a private library, museum, art gallery, historical ruins or catacombs in which to establish havens. Whatever the style, the haven almost invariably has a very large and well-stocked library, and many of the accouterments of genteel "living." Kiasyd pride themselves in being gracious hosts, and some keep vintage vitae for guests.
Background: Kiasyd choose polite and intelligent mortals as progeny. Potential childer are well disciplined in their studies and share the Kiasyd's love of books and curiosity for unearthing new knowledge. Likely choices include librarians, educators, students or museum curators. These childer usually have more professional contacts than personal friends, and they value education and learning above self-gratification.
Clan Disciplines: Dominate, Mytherceria, Obtenebration
Weaknesses: The Kiasyd's shortcomings can be attributed to their mixed blood. Pure iron causes great discomfiture in the Weirdlings. Being in the presence of iron -- within a number of yards equal to the Kiasyd's stamina -- raises the Kiasyd's frenzy difficulties by one. Touching it causes an immediate frenzy roll, and wounds caused by iron weapons inflict aggravated damage.
Organization: Weirdlings have a formal, almost Victorian organization, based on numerous distinctions that have meaning only to the Kiasyd. Every 50 years, all Kiasyd attend a formal affair at the haven of a duly selected member of the bloodline, where they discuss new lore they're unearthed and new mysteries they've unraveled. Very rarely, the Kiasyd invite an outsider or Sabbat pack, who are expected to converse intelligently in the matters the Weirdlings raise. Boorish or obstinate packs are dealt with in appropriately malevolent fashions, from wicked snubbing to unbreakable curses.
Quote: "Be very careful. That's an original Gutenberg Bible you're handling. If you damage it, I shall have no choice but to exact reparations; I doubt you'd live long without your skin."