Bloodline: Roma

There is something in the Roma Bloodline that imparts a strong restlessness. While most Vampires stake out a territory and defend it, Roma vampires rarely stay in one place. They prefer the open road, and paths less traveled.


Vampires with Roma blood cherish their freedom. They do not like to settle, but roam from place to place. Roma vampires have a strong love of the wilderness, preferring it to city streets and hotel rooms. Most of them live a solitary life, but at times, they can be found traveling in small groups for companionship. When they do visit cities, they seek out other Roma blooded vampires to share news and stories of their travels. Occasionally they will take up residence in a city for a bit, especially is there is some type of project that is putting natural spaces in danger. They have a great respect for nature and don't see it as a resource to be used, but as a thing to be protected. They will join with activist group to help combat the wasting or spoiling of natural resources, sometimes even using violence. This can put the Roma vampires at odds with others in the vampire community who do not respect living things as they do. The Roma do not stay for long though, usually leaving when the threat passes. Sometimes, if they have made friend or joined a local coven, they may stay longer but eventually the call of the road will cause them to move on.


Roma Vampires have a kinship with the natural world, that is not shared with any other vampire bloodline. Most creatures of the natural world shun vampires, able to sense that they are not natural creatures. Not so with the Roma vampires. In fact, the Roma are even known to keep pets, something no other vampire is capable of. Since many of the Roma travel alone many will have a large canine for companionship and protection. Some are even known to travel with wolf companions.


The Roma Bloodline grants them the ability to mimic certain animal features and converse with animals in supernatural way. The Roma vampires have heightened senses like that of most animals. They also seem to have the ability to feel what an animal is feeling and even influence them like some other bloodlines do with mortal humans. A newer Roma can usually see in the dark much better than other vampires. Their hearing and scent is also stronger. They can feel when an animal is angry of fearful and instinctively know how to keep the animal from turning violent. As they gets older their senses increase, and their ability to feel an animal's emotion become more refined and they can exert their will over them. Older Roma can even see into other spectrums like heat, and they can tell a people apart by their scent and even pick up mortal emotions by just their scent. The also can manipulate animals having almost complete control over them, to the point the animal will sacrifice itself it the Roma wills it (Something no real Roma would do unless under very dire circumstances.)

Progeny

Romas like to give the gift to those who are skilled outdoorsmen. When they find someone, they think might have potential they usually follow them for a few weeks, to see if they are fit for the gift. Once they have decided to transform them, they will do so in a secluded place far from civilization.
After the change, they usually reveal themselves, and explain to the new vampire what they are and that which can kill them. They then tell the fledgling to meet them somewhere, usually far enough away it will take several days, and then they go, leaving the fledgling on their own to survive or not. If the new Roma makes it back to the maker, then the maker will spend some time with them, teaching them more about being a vampire. They may even travel together for some time. Eventually though they will go their way.


Some Roma live by the "survival of the fittest" rules, and will not appear to their fledglings after the change, letting them live or die without any help. Obviously, many do not make it past the first sunrise, but those that do tend to be very self-sufficient.

Preferred Prey

Finding prey can be difficult for someone who often spends time where other people do not. Roma have no issues feeding on animals thought, and their power makes that even easier. When they do manage to get to a place where they can find mortal prey, they usually find someone alone, and reveal themselves, before feeding. While they don't savor fear like some other bloodlines, they enjoy hunting their prey through the streets. They like to choose those who they think will give them a good chase but the outcome is never in doubt. No mortal can escape a creature whose very existence is built around their ability to hunt down and feed off of men.

Structure

Nomads have no formal organization. The general rule of age is even more respected by the Nomad. Elders are revered and respected and obeyed. It would be a very rare occurrence for a younger vampire to have more influence with the Nomad than an Elder. The younger would have had to do something very special in order to earn that kind of subservience.

Roma Vampires of New Orleans

Roma often pass through New Orleans on their way south in their wandering, but few have taken up residence even for a short time. For most New Orleans is the kind of place that makes them uncomfortable, a city teaming with people and urban fixtures. Packed bars, clubs teaming with tourists, open squares filled with the masses are all things that the Roma want to be far away from. They are not immune to the city charm that affect most people that visit the Big Easy though. The culture, the music, and the general feel of the city pulls on the Roma just like it does anyone else. Usually not enough for them to stay but at least enough for them to spend a little bit of time here. It is not unusual to see a group of Roma passing through the city.

Most Roma who have stayed for any amount of time have done so because they have some kind of relationship too Davon, the Eldest of the New Orleans Roma. He inspires loyalty as well as true friendship, but eventually even they get taken by the wanderlust and move on.

Playing a Roma Vampire

New Orleans is most likely just a way stop in your wanderings whether you are passing through from somewhere else or are from here and have yet to be bitten by the wanderlust that all Roma eventually feel. A way stop for an immortal being can be a long time though, and plenty of time for you to set temporary roots in the city or the area around it.
You could be a traveler taken in by the uniqueness of the city, or a friend of one of the Roma already here. Out of all of the vampire bloodlines, the Roma are the least xenophobic and often spend time with other supernatural’s, so you may know one of the Rougarou or another person in the city and want to spend some time here with them. You also might have heard some of the rumors of a power struggle and wish to ensure that the other Roma have some support if needed.

Roma Vampires have the Vampire Form and Animal Affinity Powers.