Clan Mortivanni
Ancient sorcery and bloody rituals
The greatest power in the world, and reality, is death. Death is the all encompassing, inevitable end of life. None can escape, even the vampires are but delaying an inevitable end, and with the passing of strange eons, even death may die. However, some know that death does not have to be the end. Necromancers and their ilk know that a soul can be morphed, changed, and turned into something truly endless, regardless of the cost. While most vampires are magical by nature, there is one strain that is perhaps the most magically gifted of all: that of the Mortivanni
Their macabre origins are shrouded in mystery, but we do know that their bloodline began in the lands of the Ardita States. Being such a diverse land of warring city states and political intrigue, it is hard to truly figure the exact start of this bloodline. A common legend amongst the bloodline is that long ago, a scholar by the name of Vanni Acolti was said to be so scared of the inevitable pull of death, only because he would not be able to fully learn the secrets and knowledge of the world. Secluding himself to a small library sanctuary in Lumorto, he and a few dozen scholars worked tieresly to speed up their acquisitions of knowledge. Using magic, they delved deep into the libraries of the world, but all knew it would not be fast enough to learn all there is to learn. However, that is when Vanni learned of an old ritual, that when paired with a few modifications of his own, could perhaps halt death entirely. Preforming this ritual, he would become the first vampire, but even this ritual was imperfect, for it only delayed and did not halt death. Continuing to work obsessively, he feasted on his fellow scholars, and the dozens of dead bodies of workers and serfs, till eventually he achieved something. Harnessing the power of their souls and very beings, he warped necromancy to attain a divine like precense. It is said of the few scholars left (who by this point worshiped him in a sort of makeshift blood cult) witnessed him float into the air and then explode into a storm of blood, before ascending beyond. In truth, none know exactly what happened, but according to the legend, the surviving scholars turned necromancers became the founders of Clan Mortivanni.
From there they spread, escaping the damned land of Lumorto and into wider Ardita, plying their magiks of necromancy. They mastered it, turning it not into a magical path but an art. Death was the canvas of their disturbing art, experimenting on the raising of corpses and creation of undead minions. They would be a constant unknown threat to many cities and villages, causing a stark increase in the presence of witch hunters and zealous crusaders seeking to fight the undead scourge. Though they killed many, the clan never truly perished entirely, much to their amusement. In fact, some even believe that it was vampires of the Mortivanni that caused the original cataclysm in the Vunao Kingdom that led to the deadlands, though none in the Mortivanni have ever claimed responsibility for such an act. Regardless, to this day the clan remains, plying their strange arcane ways and delving into occult secrets and other such cursed things. Pray that they never achieve their final goal, whatever that may be.
Culture
Vampires by their nature are magical/supernatural creatures, but those of the Mortivanni are the most magically gifted of all. Some believe that their particular bloodline has Akinstone in their bodies, and indeed some Mortivanni graft akinstone clusters onto their bodies to lean into this theory. Due to this focus on arcane mastery, while they may not be as skilled in martial strength, it matters not when you can summon legions of warriors to fight for you, or obliterate armies with a gesture. They are also known for plying their magics in all forms of magic, no matter how strange, even the eldritch strangeness of abberition magic. While necromancy is their primary trade, many dabble in occult magics dedicated to those eldritch beings of the Far Realm. Some hunters wonder if they are truly vampires or eldritch monsters disguised as vampires, but this theory is largely laughed at.
However, their particular strain comes with its own drawbacks. Being so focused on death, their bodies exhibit their undead nature more than other bloodlines. Their bodies are almost always ashy and corpselike, and hiding this is hard on their bodies. This is why many take to wearing beautiful funerary like masks or veils, both as a means of disguise and as a fashion statement. Their eyes are almost corpse like, and not like the sharp, focused predatory eyes of other bloodlines. However, make no mistake that despite their weak looking bodies, they are more than capable of tearing metal apart with their bare hands.
Some have scoffed at the "lax, laziness" of the Mortivanni, but this is a childish insult at bet. Simply, why must a vampire deign to bother dealing with cattle thinking they can kill them when the vampire can simply drown them in undead monstrosities. Many take to living rather secluded and insular lives, though occasionally go out to seek the knowledge of nearby libraries and other such places of learning. Many come from backgrounds in magical academies, leading to a very worrying prospect that perhaps there are vampires on the inside of some of the largest magical schools on the continent. Regardless of this, make no mistake that despite their reclusive habits, their webs of power and intrigue run deep.
