Mind's Eye Theatre - Vampire The Requiem.pdf - RoseRed

mekhet
at heart. This is not to say that the clan is weak within the Invictus, though. Invictus Shadows
are simply quieter about their covenant affi liation than their boastful brothers, or are more
reserved about the reasons for their affi liation, which typically coincide with those of the
Carthians or Lancea Sanctum. More than a few Mekhet fi nd themselves among the Ordo
Dracul, as the study of its esoteric principles often coincides with artifact-fi nding expeditions
or secrets to be gleaned from other Dragons.
Appearance: Of all the clans, the Mekhet are perhaps the least uniform in the way they
appear to others. Some play the clan archetype to the hilt, dressing in black clothing and
adopting styles that allow them to blend into the scenery. Others choose from popular mortal
styles and fashions, attempting to blend in with the crowd by evading individual notice. This
practice is particularly common among Mekhet who associate with one particular subculture,
thereby becoming an iconic, though rarely outstanding, example of that group’s tastes.
Havens: Of all the clans, the Mekhet are typically the most polarized by their preferences
and proximity to the mortal world. Some Mekhet prefer to keep close to where the action is.
In large cities, where their numbers are strong, many take fl ats in the downtown core, or at
least within short distance of various urban hot spots or the Rack. Older or more withdrawn
Shadows are often preoccupied with security, and many elect to dwell in large homes on the
outskirts of populated areas. Such Kindred often keep dogs and other servitors, made strong
by the cursed Vitae of their masters. A few paranoid Shadows even take havens underground,
where they cohabitate (or compete) with Nosferatu for shelter from the sun.
Background: Prospective Mekhet can come from just about any walk of mortal life. The
only common thread linking potential candidates is an affi nity for the night itself or some
metaphorical darkness, such as a pained soul or a thirst for knowledge. Many Mekhet are
tutored heavily by their sires post-Embrace, in order that they understand the nature of the
clan and its duties. A Mekhet sire who leaves a new childe to the misinformation of other
Kindred is a rarity indeed. Some prefer to let their progeny discover the Kindred world on
their own, but not even these sires stray so far that they can’t watch a protégés’ progress.
Character Creation: Most Shadows prize those traits that best assist them in furthering
their passion or their cause. Violent or politically motivated Mekhet typically favor Physical
and Social Attributes and Skills, to improve their dealings with others and to allow them to
strike from their namesake. Scholarly or philosophical clan members tend to acquire as many
dots worth of Mental traits as they can. For many Shadow players, the process of assigning
new traits is like being a kid in a candy store — just about everything looks good, but you
don’t have a whole lot to spend. The best solution is to keep your character’s personality in
mind when deciding what to take.
Favored Attributes: Intelligence or Wits
Clan Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Obfuscate
Weakness: As creatures of darkness even more sensitive to light than most of the Damned,
the Mekhet suffer certain banes of vampiric existence more acutely than do their fellow Kindred.
Whenever Mekhet suffer damage from sunlight or fi re, they take an additional point of
aggravated damage from that source (see p. 243 for more on sunlight and fi re damage). Just
as shadow cannot exist without light, so too does light banish shadow.
Organization: While this clan is not the most tightly organized, it does have some structure.
The majority of it falls in line with the clan’s various bloodlines, which are generally more
independent than those of other clans. Nonetheless, some clanwide structure does exist. In
addition to the Primogen in any Mekhet-heavy city, the Shadows often give more deference
to a Priscus in clan affairs than do members of other clans, particularly if a Priscus has earned
a reputation for wisdom.
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