Clans and Bloodlines of the Kindred (Modern & Dark Ages) v2

Cappadocians
The story of Clan Cappadocian is tragic, but illustrative
of the parasitic cycle of Kindred existence. Nothing
lasts forever in vampiric circles, but nothing ever
truly dies.
The Cappadocians were a Clan that focused on death
and undeath. Their founder, an ancient known simply
as “Cappadocius” (“of Cappadocia”), did not attempt
to rule his Clan. He asked only that they continue the
search for truth and the secrets of life and death. The
Clan’s ancestral roots were rumored to be somewhere
in Asia Minor, but by the end of the Dark Ages they
had spread throughout Europe. Known as scholars,
mystics, and necromancers, the Cappadocians were as
firmly entrenched in the Cainite society of their time
as any of the Clans of the Camarilla are tonight.
The Graverobbers expanded their knowledge base
by Embracing members of important families or promising
scholars. By the 13th century they had inroads
across Europe, in monasteries, universities, and in the
courts of royalty, but also members and ghouls among
the working classes. Everyone must eventually die,
the Cappadocians realized, and every death was
potentially a lesson.
Their inclusive attitude may have spelled the
Clan’s doom. They accepted a Venetian merchant
family called the Giovanni (the family’s
propensity for summoning up and controlling
ghosts had as much to do with their Embrace
as their skill with finance). Over the
following centuries, the Giovanni worked
their way into the hierarchy of the Clan, until
Augustus Giovanni committed diablerie
upon Cappadocius. Over the next few centuries,
the Giovanni systematically destroyed the
remaining Cappadocians. In modern nights, only
small remnants survive, such as the Harbingers of
Skulls. The lineage of these remnants is largely unknown.
Nickname: Graverobbers
Sect: The Cappadocians did not survive long
enough to take a side in the Camarilla/Sabbat divide.
Appearance: The Graverobbers were pale and
corpse-like, even for vampires. Their hair often darkened
slightly after the Embrace, giving them even more
of an ethereal appearance. The Cappadocians dressed
appropriately for their station and role.
Haven: Cappadocians preferred a measure of solitude
when choosing their havens. Although they had to stay
close enough to mortals to feed, they often chose quiet
27 CHAPTER TEN: BLOODLINES