Difference between revisions of "Category:Ophion CofD"

Quotes

Overview

• Ophion (known collectively as the Ophioneus) are a line of Ventrue who believe themselves to be envenomed by the primordial serpent of ancient Greek myth. This venom can be passed down through Kindred lineage, however the origin of some Ophion can't be traced. These select few are usually known to have been bitten by a venomous snake at some point of their kine life.
• Ophioneus are not well known among the Kindred, oft thought of as a lost or made-up bloodline even by some Ventrue.
• As serpent symbology follows an Ophion through both their life and un-life, An Ophion is usually embraced in the year of the Snake.
• Ophioneus have a special affinity with snakes, and find it especially hard to relate to or control any other animal. They fall out of touch with the traditional Animalism abilities of the Ventrue in favour of their serpent brethren.

Background

Background

Long before the gods of the Greek pantheon rose and overthrew their titan parents-- when they still slept as stars in the eyes of eternity along a primordial landscape, there was the titan Ophion, guarding the egg of the world in serpent form. When the world egg cracked and Chronus slayed Ophion, his venom drenched deep into the new earth. As the first bodies of the dead were buried, some in that very earth, they rose again did so with the same wicked grace as the serpent titan.

Ophion are usually solitary Kindred and, given the similar agenda they share to sit 'atop the mountain', do not work well together. They are a cold breed and have little desire to make connection beyond what another can offer them in their unrelenting pursuit of power, and the warmth they need to leech from others to get through the long winters.

It is said that Agamemnon of Mycenae carried the Ophioneus bloodline, and that Poseidon's hatred became whispers to Artemis that lost the king her favour, while at sea towards the Trojan War.

The Becoming

The Ophioneus rarely embrace, as part of their solitary nature. When they do, it is almost always during a cold snap in the weather, when a snake is desperate for seeking warmth. They focus their energy on one Childe and one only, taking a heavy hand in crafting them into whatever is needed for their agenda. They will toy with a Childe prior to the embrace for a while, sussing them out, seeing how much they can take, and basking in their warmth while it lasts. As the primordial snake wrapped around the egg of the world until its hatching, Ophioneus can seem uncharacteristically possessive and nurturing of their child, but also extremely controlling. They would just as soon swallow the egg whole than let another have it.

Stereotypes:

• Cold and Aloof
• Ambitious
• Manipulative

In the Danse Macabre

An Ophion is almost always seeking power, and there is no better place to do so than from within the Invictus. The mask of the stereotypical Ventrue suits them well. They are not commonly religious enough for the Lance, and preference quiet order too highly to suit the Carthians. They do not draw attention to themselves up until the moment they strike, each movement practised and precise, as they will have nothing less than perfection. This perfectionism and rigidity makes an Ophion uphold the Masquerade well, to the point of having an unreasonable loathing towards those who would be careless and messy. They often take supervisory or judgement rolls relating to the concealment of Kindred business--because if you want a job done properly, do it yourself.

That said, the Ophioneus are also a malleable breed, able to adapt to sudden changes and difficult circumstances as a snake changes its skin. They do not believe in the overconfidence of rigid plans without room for failure or unknown elements. In that way, while they come across in general just as arrogant as other Ventrue, there is caution to their cunning. An Ophion knows when to bide their time, when to back down, and will only strike at the most calculated point.

Clan

Parent Clan:

Ventrue

Bloodline Disciplines:

Dominate, Auspex, Resilience, Majesty

Nicknames

• White Serpents
• Kingsnakes
• Wormskins (Derogatory)

Bloodline Gift and Bane

Bloodline Gift

Hypnotising Gaze

An Ophion's eyes draw you in. They seem fathomless, peeling back your social armour, your surface personality, piercing into your soul directly. It may be a child's fairytale that snakes can hypnotise their prey--but these snakes can. As long as eye contact is held, Ophioneus can program a target to believe something to be the complete truth.

For example: "(Character name) is trying to kill you tonight"; "You feel so tired, and need to go rest"; "You are on fire"

The Ophion uses the Persuasion skill to activate this ability. If successful, the target must make a successful Resolve + Composure check to reject the reality being placed to them.

• The target being hypnotised sees the Ophion's eyes as slit and snake-like. An observer can make a Wits + Occult check to also see this.

Bloodline Bane

Reptilian

An Ophion becomes slow and lethargic in the bitter cold. Extreme cold can, in this way, be used to incapacitate them like a strong opioid. As such they seek out the warmth of the living fairly frequently, and are least 'active' in the winter. Cold iron and sterling silver touching the Ophion's skin can also have this effect, and with long term exposure or penetration, can lull them into torpor.

While in physical contact with Stirling Silver or Cold Iron or temperatures of less than 5 degrees, they receive a -2 to all physical rolls. Exposure to cold of less than 5 degrees Celsius for a period of 12 hours minus Blood Potency will result in torpor.

• As with their gift, an Ophion effected by their clan or bloodline bane will portray snake-like eyes. This is visible to all and does not need a check.

Approval Number: Not Yet Approved

Lineages

Please note these are Lineages whom carry the bloodline, not all individuals are necessarily members of the bloodline.

Though there are a few known Ophioneus, it is difficult to trace due to its rareness and the specific circumstances required. Marya is an Elder and may be one of the oldest Ophioneus still knocking around, but there are others, most who can trace their lineage back to Peleponnese (Πελοπόννησος), in Greece during the classical period.

• Marya Ekaterina Kratochvíl (member)
  • (Some other Kindred) (carrier)
  • (Some other Kindred) (member)
  • Silas Warrick (member)
    • Sparrow Alvarez (carrier)