...
rom
their beginning, the Toreador have always been devotees of beauty in all
its forms. Beauty means so much to them, for they devote the entirety of
their vampiric senses to it, immersing themselves in the aesthetic. They
consider themselves the preservers and the guardians of the exquisite,
the bearers of the flame of inspiration. Of all the Clans, the Toreador
are the ones who most appreciate the accomplishments of the human race.
...Throughout their history, the Toreador have always associated with mortal artists and creators. Many elders recall the splendors of the Golden Age - but they also remember the Roman Empire, when the Toreador fell into decadence and excess. Many of the Artisans fell in the sack of Rome, and now the Toreador seek temperance, the better to preserve what they love most.
...Currently, the Toreador of Western Europe are strongly associated with the Church and the artwork it inspires. They oversee the building of cathedrals with great joy, and many undergo something akin religious rapture when presented with exceptional craftsmanship or beauty. They particularly enjoy artwork that inspires those who look on it.
.......Unfortunately,
they still retain their love for pleasure and luxury; it is an easy thing
for a Toreador to succumb to sophisticated temptation. Their attraction
to various forms of vice (those that can still stir the undead breast)
is legendary. Their desire to find truth and meaning in the beautiful has
led many a careless Toreador into ruin of some form or another. In addition,
their disdain for Cainite politicking or causes has not endeared them to
the other clans, who usually consider the Toreador apathetic and useless.
The Artisans know this, but they care little for others' opinions. They
have all the proof they need that their vision is worth
following.
Artisans
The Toreador often Embrace the very
beautiful in order to preserve them for eternity. They are common in Spain,
Italy and France, and frequently choose neonates from these regions. Toreador
are rarely slovenly or unkempt, even those associated with somber monastic
lifestyles.
They typically live either in the
best portions of large cities or near monasteries and the like: wherever
art and fine crafts are produced. Few Toreador live the life of a hermit.
Toreador select only those with much
to offer for initiation into their clan. Many members were artists, musicians
or teachers of great ability. They are the clan most likely to Embrace
mortals on impulse.
Many Toreador have religious or entertainer 
concepts.
Their Natures are often passionate and inspired, while their Demeanors
can be of any sort. Social Attributes are usually primary, as are Skills.
Their Backgrounds often include Resources, Herd and Retainers. Toreador
prefer the Road of Humanity to all others.
Auspex, Celerity, Presence
The Toreador sensitivity to the beautiful
is also their greatest flaw. They may be overcome with a thing or person's
beauty, standing in fascination for hours. Only a successful Willpower
roll will break the reverie quickly; otherwise, the Toreador is helpless
for minutes or even hours. Even sunrises can captivate them, and the Toreador
are the Cainites most likely to fall in love with mortals.
Toreador maintain informal communications
with one another, occasionally gathering to exchange news. They rarely
unite as a clan to pursue a common goal, preferring their individual pursuits.
We have eternity stretched
out before us, while the mortals have but an eyeblink. How can we be so
selfish as to spend our time fighting and despoiling? The eventual salvation
of us all lies in the secrets of creative genius - you have but to look
for it.
tereotypes
ssamites:
They are the defenders of an enlightened
culture with much to offer. It is one of the world's tragedies that they
hate all other clans with such ferocity.
rujah:
In their rage, they destroy exactly
that which they would find worth preserving. If only they knew how to use
their strength...
appadocians:
The past has much to offer, but
it is a death of the soul to ignore the present.
ollowers
of Set: These basilisks offer
poisoned gifts with honeyed promises. Be ever wary of these clever serpents.
angrel:
There are many wonders in the wild places, but the Animals have sacrificed
too much to look on them.
asombra:
How can they be so lettered and
so ignorant at once? Their souls were lost to them along with their reflections.
alkavians:
I wonder at the design that granted
them such wisdom but consumed their minds. I weep for them, because that
is all that may be done for the Malkavians.
osferatu:
Ai! These things are all that is
foul in the vaampiric being. They may see much, but I cannot bear to hear
their stories. It is too much to ask of me.
avnos:
These lying robbers steal without
knowledge of the value of their gains. Nothing will ever be able to sate
their greed, and so the hollow Ravnos dance on, until they devour themselves
from spite.
remere:
They sought immortality for all
the wrong reasons, and now all Cainites are cursed with their presence.
Alas for Saulot and his kin, for surely they were the most enlightened
of our fellow clans.
zimisce:
There is nothing the Tzimisce or
their chosen do that deserves to survive into the next century. With luck,
they and the Usurpers will exterminate one another, and their kine will
be free to explore what it is to be alive.
entrue:
Royal blood does not nobility make,
and that is something the Ventrue must understand. Forgive me if I do not
stand at attention until they do.
aali:
Truly they must abhor themselves,
for why else would anyone take their path? Be wary of these ones, for they
seek company in their damnation.
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