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

characterization chapter • one: the society mind of the a predator
damned 335
In The Requiem, these questions aren’t academic — they’re the essence of what the characters
are really all about. Exploring this alien mindset is a challenge, but the reward allows
a player to move beyond the limits of conceptions like “pale superheroes” or “Goths with
problems” and really understand what the Danse Macabre is all about. This section includes
some discussions aimed at helping players get more into the mindset of the Kindred, as well
as some practical tips for bringing vampire characters to (un)life in live-action play.
THE MIND OF A PREDATOR
Every vampire must learn to adapt to the passage of time. If one cannot, then the sheer
weight of years will wear him down until he can only end his unlife in despair. The weak are
quickly removed from the playing fi eld, leaving those strong enough to seize what they will.
Learning to roleplay this predatory (and often alien) nature is all part of personal horror that
is at the heart of The Requiem.
NEONATE
Younger Kindred have to adapt quickly to their new state of being. Once they are brought
into the community of the undead, they have precious little time to adjust (and possibly no
time at all to make real mistakes). Once they learn the basics of their unnatural existence,
however, they attempt to defi ne themselves as individuals, just as they did in life. They cannot
see themselves simply as slavering monsters, so they fi nd some purpose or identity to keep
from succumbing to the Beast. Many seek comfort in what they know — holding on to the
practices of their mortal lives. They might fi nd a seat at the diner, go to the movies, watch
some television — anything it takes to allow them to reconnect with their previous life. As
much as people complain about the banality of modern living, they often become very upset
when it is disrupted because there is comfort in routine. Now, with all they once knew fading
with their memories of the sun, younger Kindred often seek to embrace the little things
that once made them human.
Others fi nd solace in their newfound powers and seeming invulnerability. After all, they can
now muster abilities that were only fi ction to them in their breathing years. The beasts of the earth
can be theirs to command. They can impose their will on complete strangers. They can shrug
off grievous wounds that would have been deadly to their mortal selves. Now they are vampires,
and even the most reluctant Kindred eventually revels in his power sooner or later, though it
might fi ll him with shame down the road. This heady rush often leads to certain cockiness in
the younger vampires. They take risks and fl aunt their power. They make use of their abilities
at a moment’s notice. After all, if you were suddenly gifted with a range of supernatural powers
and the ability to heal back the damage from all but the worst mistakes, what would you do?
Although the nature of the Beast means such efforts almost always end in tragedy, neonates
haven’t learned this lesson yet. They might try to fi ght for their Humanity, stopping petty
crimes, feeding only on criminals and trying to do right when they can. They might even try
to restore order to their old lives by doing the things they could not before. They might think
they can walk into a local street gang’s territory with impunity. After all, the worst they have
is guns, right? Why should one of the walking dead be afraid? Many try to do good things
with their new state. But more often than not, this attitude leads only to disaster.
ANCILLAE
Older undead are a different matter. The ancillae (singular: ancilla) are the middle children
of the vampire community. They know the Traditions and understand what it takes to make
sure the Masquerade remains intact. They have been accepted into undead society, but it’s
still acknowledged that they do not have the weight of years behind them. They often have