Lasombra
Perhaps more than any other personality factor, Lasombra sires favor ambition on the part of their Childer , and Magisters see themselves as examples of excellence. Precisely what form that excellence takes spans broadly, as the web of personal ambition may have multiple generations of Lasombra Kindred acting to fulfill (knowingly or otherwise) a sire’s agenda. Politically savvy individuals, criminal masterminds, individuals with military or law enforcement experience, and even survivors of tragedy all find their place among the ranks of the Shadows. Some Magisters have been Embraced to one night lead, while others are like the Shadows of their sires, serving in perpetuity.
Speaking more broadly, many Lasombra have wealthy, powerful backgrounds or experience among religious institutions (though they are not themselves necessarily devout). Some are even from semi-aristocratic lineages. Whatever the case, Lasombra Sires seem drawn to mortal lives spent cultivating power, an environment in which the Magisters’ excellence blooms like a shadow at twilight. As a member of a coterie, they almost always consider themselves the most important one. Just ask them. A Lasombra’s ambition may drive them to seek out a position of leadership, in Kindred society or of significant (if discreet) mortal influence. The clan has included Ivory Tower Princes, Anarch warlords, seneschals, priests, and even maritime raiders. By contrast, Keepers also make excellent spies, infiltrators, and even assassins, given their ability to hide in shadow and collect information or lurk unseen in preparation for a powerful strike. If caught, they can bully or brawl their way out of a difficult spot.
Bane:
Distorted Image - Anyone seeing the reflection or recording (live and otherwise) of a Lasombra vampire can instantly recognize them for what they are, provided they know what they’re looking for. People with no prior knowledge will know something is wrong, but likely attribute the distortion to irregularities in the reflecting surface or recording errors. Note that this will not hide the identity of the vampire with any certainty: the Lasombra are no less likely to be caught on surveillance than any other vampire. In addition, use of modern communication technology, including making a simple phone call, requires a Technology test at Difficulty 2 + Bane Severity as microphones have similar problems with the voice of a Lasombra as cameras with their image. Avoiding electronic vampire detection systems is also done at a penalty equal to Bane Severity.
VARIANT BANE:
Callousness - Whether from their tendency to select particularly ruthless mortals for the Embrace or that something gnawing at their psyche, Lasombra vampires tend toward the inhuman, regardless of sect or unlifestyle. Something just seems off about them and Lasombra who care about their sanity must be extra careful, lest their Beast take another bite out of their Humanity.
When making a Remorse roll, deduct a number of dice equal to the Bane Severity of the Lasombra vampire. This cannot reduce the dice pool below one die.
COMPULSION:
Ruthlessness - Lasombra despise failure, associating it with poor planning or a personal declivity. When affected by this compulsion, their Blood urges them toward any act conceivable to reach their goals, whether in the moment or via Byzantine plots lasting centuries. The Magister feels any setback profoundly and they quickly escalate to the most ruthless of methods until they achieve their aims. The next time the vampire fails any action they receive a two-dice penalty to any and all rolls until a future attempt at the same action succeeds, or the scene ends. Note that the above penalty applies to future attempts at the triggering action as well.
Parent ethnicities