Bloodline: Umbral
The Umbral vampire bloodline is the most reclusive of all the vampire bloodlines. They tend to be intellectuals who prefer tales of society rather than society itself. They tend to shun others, both vampire and mortal and take to living solitary existence in dark and hidden places.
Their bloodline presents some physical deformities which make it difficult for them to blend into society and they have a long history or persecution due to this. Their past has made them very distrustful, and their isolationism has made it even harder for them to have meaningful relationships, even with others of their own bloodline. In the rare event that a Umbral Vampire does build trust with another, they will defend that friendship fanatically.
Most of the Umbral have a fascination with knowledge. In the past, it was due to their segregation and limited contact with the outside world. Today the Umbral looks for those who already have this trait in the ones they choose to transform. This love of knowledge is not just historical but extends to everyday life. Rumors, gossip, secrets are what the Umbral relish. They are natural information brokers that sell knowledge for the things they cannot get themselves. Some even take a page from the Patricians, controlling who they share this information with to manipulate those around them.
The power granted by their bloodline makes it easy for an Umbral to collect this information. It is also what gives them their name. They have the ability to cloud the minds of those around them, causing them not to notice the presence of the Umbral. A person can look right at the vampire and not even notice he is there. As the Umbral ages and grows in power so does this ability. Older Umbral can hide themselves with less effort and can walk around and move without being seen. Stronger Umbral can even blend into crowd and interact with others, though those the interact with would not be able to describe them. For the most powerful, even the memory of the Umbral is wiped away, leaving no trace that they ever interacted at all.
They also tend to favor the feeling of hopelessness that comes through when they feed. They like to make sure that their prey knows that there is no escape and no salvation before they feed on them. That they are utterly alone, just as most of the Umbral see themselves. They often drain their prey completely when they can.
After the transformation, the Umbral like to leave the new vampire alone, though they usually provide for their survival. They ensure they have prey and they are safe from the sun, and they are surrounded by books, or music or things the new vampire can lose themselves in. Then they watch to make sure the new vampire can adapt without assistance. If they cannot, the Umbral will end their life. This is seen as mercy, for they know eventually the new vampire will seek its own end.
If the new Umbral is able to accept its new existence, the maker will eventually introduce themselves and explain the vampires’ place in the world. Teach them to use their power, to hunt and how to navigate the vampire community. Afterwards though the maker will leave the fledgling to themselves to make their own way in the world in their own, as all the Umbral must do.
Their bloodline presents some physical deformities which make it difficult for them to blend into society and they have a long history or persecution due to this. Their past has made them very distrustful, and their isolationism has made it even harder for them to have meaningful relationships, even with others of their own bloodline. In the rare event that a Umbral Vampire does build trust with another, they will defend that friendship fanatically.
Most of the Umbral have a fascination with knowledge. In the past, it was due to their segregation and limited contact with the outside world. Today the Umbral looks for those who already have this trait in the ones they choose to transform. This love of knowledge is not just historical but extends to everyday life. Rumors, gossip, secrets are what the Umbral relish. They are natural information brokers that sell knowledge for the things they cannot get themselves. Some even take a page from the Patricians, controlling who they share this information with to manipulate those around them.
The power granted by their bloodline makes it easy for an Umbral to collect this information. It is also what gives them their name. They have the ability to cloud the minds of those around them, causing them not to notice the presence of the Umbral. A person can look right at the vampire and not even notice he is there. As the Umbral ages and grows in power so does this ability. Older Umbral can hide themselves with less effort and can walk around and move without being seen. Stronger Umbral can even blend into crowd and interact with others, though those the interact with would not be able to describe them. For the most powerful, even the memory of the Umbral is wiped away, leaving no trace that they ever interacted at all.
Appearance
Most vampires have the ability to pass off as human. When fed, their skin takes on a healthy sheen, then can retract their teeth and cause their eyes to retain a natural human appearance. This is not the case for the Umbral. Perhaps because of their ability they never needed to adopt this ability, or perhaps the opposite, their power drove from the fact that they do not have the ability to blend in, but wither way a Umbral vampire is always recognizable as something not human. Their skin have a grey sickly pallor, like that of the deceased. They cannot hide their fangs, and their bodies are always thin and gaunt. Their eyes are like that of animals, slitted, and adapted to the night. Bright light causes them discomfort. All of these traits make them unmistakably alien and contribute to their isolationism. They are not accepted by mortals, and even rarely accepted by other vampires, who look upon them and are reminded that they themselves are not human.Favorite Prey
The Umbral find great pleasure in feeding from the downtrodden. They see these mortals who live on the streets as reflections of themselves and what they could be if they did not have the power of vampirism. These mortals are shunned from society, just like the Umbral themselves. One would think that would cause the Umbral to empathize with them, but for a hunter like a vampire there is little room for empathy when it comes to mortals.They also tend to favor the feeling of hopelessness that comes through when they feed. They like to make sure that their prey knows that there is no escape and no salvation before they feed on them. That they are utterly alone, just as most of the Umbral see themselves. They often drain their prey completely when they can.
Progeny
The Umbral know too well their existence as a vampire if difficult to tolerate. When they wish to transform one, they look for mortals that already live lives of solitude. They look for kindred spirits who like to read and learn and don't need the trappings of society to exist. Those who can lose themselves in the past, or those who take pleasure in watching but not joining in. New Umbral are rare for this reason.After the transformation, the Umbral like to leave the new vampire alone, though they usually provide for their survival. They ensure they have prey and they are safe from the sun, and they are surrounded by books, or music or things the new vampire can lose themselves in. Then they watch to make sure the new vampire can adapt without assistance. If they cannot, the Umbral will end their life. This is seen as mercy, for they know eventually the new vampire will seek its own end.
If the new Umbral is able to accept its new existence, the maker will eventually introduce themselves and explain the vampires’ place in the world. Teach them to use their power, to hunt and how to navigate the vampire community. Afterwards though the maker will leave the fledgling to themselves to make their own way in the world in their own, as all the Umbral must do.
Structure
There is no real social order to the Umbral. Once a maker has left their progeny each Umbral is judged by their own merits. If two come into conflict, it is usually power that decides the outcome, but the Umbral do respect intelligence and may step aside for one who has demonstrated better insight. The Umbral have no leaders. They are all equal in standing.
The Umbral of New Orleans are led by Arthur Meeks, a disfigured vampire that is said to be the oldest in the city. Meeks is more of a mentor to the other Umbra and leads through example. He doesn't force anyone to follow him, and actually is a reluctant leader preferring to leave the other to their own.
Umbral Vampires are known for being very knowledgeable about the happenings in the city, even when they are not a part of them. They are often a resource for other vampires, and even other supernatural’s. They often trade their services for rare items, books, or favors.
Fortunately, New Orleans is a little more forgiving than other cities, as it is not uncommon to see people dressed in a way that may hide their general appearance, especially at certain times of the year. This offers an opportunity for Umbral vampires to move about society without having to hide. Of course they don't have to show themselves to move about, as their powers make it easy for them to remain hidden, but that also prevents them from making any type of personal relationships.
Although the Umbral will say they do not need personal connections there is a part of them that needs to feel as if they belong to some type of society in order to keep from fully turning bestial. In other places they tend to use their own members for that connection, but since New Orleans doesn’t have a large population of Umbral, nor do they have a central home, like other cities do, Umbral Vampires will usually attach themselves to another supernatural figure. Some develop true friendships, while others just play at the relationship, as the two use each other.
As an Umbral Vampire, your greatest enemy is loneliness and boredom. It is why so many of your kind devote themselves to gathering knowledge. When reading and learning you cannot hear the beast trying to take over.
Umbral Vampires have vampire form and supernatural stealth as powers.
Umbral Vampires of New Orleans
Built below sea level the sewer system of New Orleans, where Umbral Vampires normally lair, is often flooded as unsuitable for the undead. While there are some areas of the city that may be suitable the few Umbral vampires tend to lair in the Cemetery of St Louis No 1. They live among the truly dead sharing mausoleums that have long stopped having visitors. For some it is the isolation that draws them, but some are drawn to the last resting place of others as a reminder of their own dead state.The Umbral of New Orleans are led by Arthur Meeks, a disfigured vampire that is said to be the oldest in the city. Meeks is more of a mentor to the other Umbra and leads through example. He doesn't force anyone to follow him, and actually is a reluctant leader preferring to leave the other to their own.
Umbral Vampires are known for being very knowledgeable about the happenings in the city, even when they are not a part of them. They are often a resource for other vampires, and even other supernatural’s. They often trade their services for rare items, books, or favors.
Playing an Umbral Vampire
Playing an Umbra Vampire can be a challenge. Due to their inability to hide their vampiric features, most can not integrate in mortal society. This makes it difficult to learn the social skills that the other vampire bloodlines love to hide behind. They are often segregated and looked down upon except when their services are needed.Fortunately, New Orleans is a little more forgiving than other cities, as it is not uncommon to see people dressed in a way that may hide their general appearance, especially at certain times of the year. This offers an opportunity for Umbral vampires to move about society without having to hide. Of course they don't have to show themselves to move about, as their powers make it easy for them to remain hidden, but that also prevents them from making any type of personal relationships.
Although the Umbral will say they do not need personal connections there is a part of them that needs to feel as if they belong to some type of society in order to keep from fully turning bestial. In other places they tend to use their own members for that connection, but since New Orleans doesn’t have a large population of Umbral, nor do they have a central home, like other cities do, Umbral Vampires will usually attach themselves to another supernatural figure. Some develop true friendships, while others just play at the relationship, as the two use each other.
As an Umbral Vampire, your greatest enemy is loneliness and boredom. It is why so many of your kind devote themselves to gathering knowledge. When reading and learning you cannot hear the beast trying to take over.
Umbral Vampires have vampire form and supernatural stealth as powers.
Type
Social, Group
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