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* FlawExploitation: Lasombra don't just lack a reflection, but they can't leave any recorded image behind, be it a reflection from any source, never showing up on photographs or security cameras. While it can be a weakness in today's modern age, it can also be exploited if say...a Lasombra wanted to rob a bank at night. So long as they didn't trigger any alarms, they'd never appear on camera (and the money would also disappear since it's on their person) and thus never be caught.
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* SmugSnake: When you consider that they failed to even successfully destroy the two Antediluvians they claim to have eliminated, their leadership can come across this way, yes.
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* {{Hypocrite}}: They accuse the Camarilla's elders of only using the sect's neonates and ancillae as tools, to be discarded with next to no room for real advancement of any kind. The Sabbat themselves mark a distinction between 'True Sabbat' and 'False Sabbat,' and if you happen to be the latter, they're more than happy to use you as cannon fodder against their foes. Or murder you just for shits and giggles, actually. Even the 'True Sabbat' have a hard time edging in on traditional Lasombra-Tzimisce hegemony of the sect. Ergo, their claims of inclusivity are largely complete horseshit.
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* AboveGoodAndEvil: Most other would see them as evil. Tzimisce simply don't care.
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* AboveGoodAndEvil: Most other others would see them as evil. Tzimisce simply don't care.
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* ClassicalMovieVampire: Of all the clans, the ''Old Clan'' Tzimisce are the most likely to be this, and it is even implied that Dracula himself is a member of the clan. Unlike the modern Tzimisce, they substitute Dominate for Vicissitude, and are stereotyped as being old, of relatively low generation, as well as possessing large tracts of land and mortal retainers.
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* ClassicalMovieVampire: Of all the clans, the ''Old Clan'' Tzimisce are the most likely to be this, and it is even implied that Dracula himself is a member of the clan. Unlike the modern Tzimisce, they substitute Dominate for Vicissitude, and are stereotyped as being old, old and of relatively low generation, as well as possessing large tracts of land and mortal retainers.
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Believing themselves to be the true masters of the world and superior to humanity in every way, the Sabbat embrace their monstrous natures wholeheartedly. Enemies of the Camarilla in every respect, they oppose both the Masquerade and the disbelief in Antediluvians - who the Sabbat claim are secretly orchestrating the Camarilla's every move.
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Believing themselves to be the true masters of the world and superior to humanity in every way, the Sabbat embrace their monstrous natures wholeheartedly. Enemies of the Camarilla in every respect, they oppose both the Masquerade and the disbelief in Antediluvians - -- who the Sabbat claim are secretly orchestrating the Camarilla's every move.
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* AssimilationPlot: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is revealed to be operating one of these in the Gehenna scenario "The Crucible of God." Having been left under New York, he starts growing into a hideous blob of flesh that spreads throughout the city, draining humans and vampires alike- and absorbing all Tzimisce in the area. Then, having acquired enough energy to exist as spirit alone, he allows its body to be destroyed by the sun and begins [[BodySurf periodically taking over the bodies]] of anyone with Tzimisce blood- including the Tremere. This eventually results in the Antediluvian sabotaging Tremere's ritual to control all humans and vampires alike by possessing him at a critical moment; he then alters the ritual, allowing him to contaminate and control everyone on the planet- except for the player characters.]]
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* AssimilationPlot: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is revealed to be operating one of these in the Gehenna scenario "The Crucible of God." God". Having been left under New York, he starts growing into a hideous blob of flesh that spreads throughout the city, draining humans and vampires alike- alike -- and absorbing all Tzimisce in the area. Then, having acquired enough energy to exist as spirit alone, he allows its body to be destroyed by the sun and begins [[BodySurf periodically taking over the bodies]] of anyone with Tzimisce blood- blood -- including the Tremere. This eventually results in the Antediluvian sabotaging Tremere's ritual to control all humans and vampires alike by possessing him at a critical moment; he then alters the ritual, allowing him to contaminate and control everyone on the planet- planet except for the player characters.]]
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* BloodMagic: Koldunic Sorcery.
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* EasySexChange: A potential function of Vicissitude, judging by the presence of Doktor Totentanz, previously Dr Heinrich Lundt.
** Not to mention Vykos, who is referred to as "it" instead of a gender pronoun. Previously male, Vykos removed his genitals and forswore any gender to demonstrate his detachment from humanity.
** Not to mention Vykos, who is referred to as "it" instead of a gender pronoun. Previously male, Vykos removed his genitals and forswore any gender to demonstrate his detachment from humanity.
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* EasySexChange: A potential function of Vicissitude, judging by the presence of Doktor Totentanz, previously Dr Heinrich Lundt.
**Lundt. Not to mention Vykos, who is referred to as "it" instead of a gender pronoun. Previously male, Vykos removed his genitals and forswore any gender to demonstrate his detachment from humanity.
**
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* SacredHospitality: The older a Tzimisce is, the more likely he is to believe in this.
** This actually becomes a plot point in "The Crucible of God." [[spoiler: In this Gehenna scenario, your team is joined by Lambach Ruthven, grandchilde of Tzimisce himself; spared from being devoured like the other Tzimisce vampires in order to act as a final witness for when his grandsire consumes all life on earth, he's lapsed into depression. However, he is still a deep believer in SacredHospitality, and if the players treat him kindly, he will grant them a boon in return.]]
** This actually becomes a plot point in "The Crucible of God." [[spoiler: In this Gehenna scenario, your team is joined by Lambach Ruthven, grandchilde of Tzimisce himself; spared from being devoured like the other Tzimisce vampires in order to act as a final witness for when his grandsire consumes all life on earth, he's lapsed into depression. However, he is still a deep believer in SacredHospitality, and if the players treat him kindly, he will grant them a boon in return.]]
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* SacredHospitality: The older a Tzimisce is, the more likely he is to believe in this.
**this. This actually becomes a plot point in "The Crucible of God." God". [[spoiler: In this Gehenna scenario, your team is joined by Lambach Ruthven, grandchilde of Tzimisce himself; spared from being devoured like the other Tzimisce vampires in order to act as a final witness for when his grandsire consumes all life on earth, Earth, he's lapsed into depression. However, he is still a deep believer in SacredHospitality, and if the players treat him kindly, he will grant them a boon in return.]]
**
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* ReligiousVampire: While the Lasombra have been associated with the Catholic Church to carry out their agenda, the biggest and most sinister example of this trope is [[SinisterMinister Archbishop Ambrosious Luis Moçada]], an corrupt Cardinal that saw his Embrace as the Lord's gift and was one of the very few vampires capable of True Faith.
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* VampiresLoveJesus: An sinister example, since the Lasombra were associated with the Catholic Church and at least one of their factions, the Faithful, are followers of God and believers in their own damnation alike, these individuals seek to fulfill the will of God in this world. The most infamous example of this trope among the Lasombra is Archbishop Ambrosious Luis Moçada, an corrupt Cardinal that saw his Embrace as Lord's gift and was one of the very few vampires capable of True Faith.
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* VampiresLoveJesus: An sinister example, since the Lasombra were associated with the Catholic Church and at least one of their factions, the Faithful, are followers of God and believers in their own damnation alike, these individuals seek to fulfill the will of God in this world. The most infamous example of this trope among the Lasombra is Archbishop Ambrosious Luis Moçada, an corrupt Cardinal that saw his Embrace as Lord's gift and was one of the very few vampires capable of True Faith.
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* MadScientist: Often obsessed with exploring their vampiric "superiority" or the "inferiority" of humans, many Tzimisce fulfil this particular role. Because of their clan's reliance on ghouls, even the less philosophically-inclined members end up becoming this as they create new varieties of ghouled monsters via Vicissitude.
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* MadScientist: Often obsessed with exploring their vampiric "superiority" or [[FantasticRacism the "inferiority" of humans, humans]], many Tzimisce fulfil this particular role. Because of their clan's reliance on ghouls, even the less philosophically-inclined members end up becoming this as they create new varieties of ghouled monsters via Vicissitude.
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* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Maybe not ''zero'', exactly, but it bears saying that even his most loyal childe (Montano) disliked the Lasombra Antediluvian.
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* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Maybe not ''zero'', exactly, but it bears saying that even his the Lasombra Antediluvian's most loyal childe (Montano) disliked the Lasombra Antediluvian.him.
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* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Maybe not ''zero'', exactly, but it bears saying that even his most loyal childe (Montano) disliked the Lasombra Antediluvian.
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The scholars and clergy of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce do not merely disparage their humanity, but have successfully discarded it altogether: with the ability to manipulate human (and immortal) tissue by touch, a viewpoint bordering on alien, and a prediliction for torturing and experimenting on humans and vampires alike, the Tzimisice are known as Fiends for good reason...
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The scholars and clergy of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce do not merely disparage their humanity, but have successfully discarded it altogether: with the ability to manipulate human (and immortal) tissue by touch, a viewpoint bordering on alien, and a prediliction predilection for torturing and experimenting on humans and vampires alike, the Tzimisice are known as Fiends for good reason...
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* BadPowersBadPeople: Only the Baali are perhaps more wicked.
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* BadPowersBadPeople: Only the Baali are perhaps more wicked. Only the Baali wield perhaps more disturbing powers.
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* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: Similar to the Ventrue in this regard, the Labsombra have a tendency to ghoul accountants, lawyers, bankers and other experts in financial matters for this very purpose.
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* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: Similar to the Ventrue in this regard, the Labsombra Lasombra have a tendency to ghoul accountants, lawyers, bankers and other experts in financial matters for this very purpose.
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* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Sabbat, monsters as they are, do not allow demon worship and will kill any that practice it. That said, [[TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen demons can themselves be awfully sympathetic figures...]]
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* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Sabbat, monsters as they are, do not allow demon worship and will kill any that practice it. That said, Ironically [[TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen demons can themselves be awfully sympathetic figures...figures, much more so than the murderous Sabbat who drain humans hung from ceilings in parties...]]
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* CompleteMonster: They are honestly well over the MoralEventHorizon by the time they hit a decade of unlife. BlueAndOrangeMorality is a petty excuse when you use kidnapped mortals as furniture in AndIMustScream degree of savagery. So much that during Bronze Age, the only good clan of vampires led a huge crusade to destroy the monsters they have become.
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* But that's not all. The Sabbat claim that the Camarilla are Antediluvian puppets ignoring the Masquerade as they see fit, and that only they are able to destroy the 11 remaining Antediluvians in order to save the world. In practice, the Sabbat is almost exactly like the Camarilla that they claim to hate. The Sabbat's inner circle, the True Black Hand, is directly serving the Antediluvians, they have their own Masquerade (the Lasombra vampires pay out Mexican authorities to ignore them, ghoul families (particularly Zantosa) clean up messes, and the Tzimisce pretend to not be vampires in their domains in the old world), and instead of being a beacon of freedom it's a tyrannical shithole whose mortal population would go extinct if the Sabbat could openly do what they want; even their vampires aren't "free", they are blood bound to their packmates.
* And those two Antediluvians that the Sabbat killed? They're not dead. Lasombra used his own diablerization in order to unshackle his soul from his body and enter the Abyss: he is now trying to merge with it. Meanwhile, Tzimisce has gone through a whole deal of stuff and is now currently a massive growth of flesh in the sewers of New York, biding its time. So, good going there, Sabbat.
* And those two Antediluvians that the Sabbat killed? They're not dead. Lasombra used his own diablerization in order to unshackle his soul from his body and enter the Abyss: he is now trying to merge with it. Meanwhile, Tzimisce has gone through a whole deal of stuff and is now currently a massive growth of flesh in the sewers of New York, biding its time. So, good going there, Sabbat.
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But that's not all. The Sabbat claim that the Camarilla are Antediluvian puppets ignoring the Masquerade as they see fit, and that only they are able to destroy the 11 remaining Antediluvians in order to save the world. In practice, the Sabbat is almost exactly like the Camarilla that they claim to hate. The Sabbat's inner circle, the True Black Hand, is directly serving the Antediluvians, they have their own Masquerade (the Lasombra vampires pay out Mexican authorities to ignore them, ghoul families (particularly Zantosa) clean up messes, and the Tzimisce pretend to not be vampires in their domains in the old world), and instead of being a beacon of freedom it's a tyrannical shithole whose mortal population would go extinct if the Sabbat could openly do what they want; even their vampires aren't "free", they are blood bound to their packmates.
And those two Antediluvians that the Sabbat killed? They're not dead. Lasombra used his own diablerization in order to unshackle his soul from his body and enter the Abyss: he is now trying to merge with it. Meanwhile, Tzimisce has gone through a whole deal of stuff and is now currently a massive growth of flesh in the sewers of New York, biding its time. So, good going there, Sabbat.
And those two Antediluvians that the Sabbat killed? They're not dead. Lasombra used his own diablerization in order to unshackle his soul from his body and enter the Abyss: he is now trying to merge with it. Meanwhile, Tzimisce has gone through a whole deal of stuff and is now currently a massive growth of flesh in the sewers of New York, biding its time. So, good going there, Sabbat.
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Sabbat is "Edgy Loser" written all around.
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* NotSoDifferent: Sabbat openly wants to rule the world and subjugate the human race. Which is not very likely: not only is Sabbat territory limited to Latin America, Spain and the poorer parts of the United States, they also have to compete with the other supernatural powers of the World of Darkness. Pentex is everywhere and is their prime competition for who can be the most cartoonishly evil and the Technocracy has fingers in every pie and is advanced enough to explore other star systems, make Terminators on the side and was able to kill Zapathasura when he awoke using space mirrors and magical nukes while the Sabbat's only contribution to that fight was pinning down their Ravnos pack mates and keeping them from joining their Antediluvian. And all that is discounting the Garou, Kuei-Jin, Hunters, Changelings, Mummies, the Traditions and the Crafts, the Fallen and the Earthbound and... look, Sabbat victory is not likely. The Sabbat could have been a dark mirror of Camarilla, but in the modern nights they are little more than a swarm of borderline insane monsters.
But that's not all. The Sabbat claim that the Camarilla are Antediluvian puppets ignoring the Masquerade as they see fit, and that only they are able to destroy the 11 remaining Antediluvians in order to save the world. In practice, the Sabbat is almost exactly like the Camarilla that they claim to hate. The Sabbat's inner circle, the True Black Hand, is directly serving the Antediluvians, they have their own Masquerade (the Lasombra vampires pay out Mexican authorities to ignore them, ghoul families (particularly Zantosa) clean up messes, and the Tzimisce pretend to not be vampires in their domains in the old world), and instead of being a beacon of freedom it's a tyrannical shithole whose mortal population would go extinct if the Sabbat could openly do what they want; even their vampires aren't "free", they are blood bound to their packmates.
And those two Antediluvians that the Sabbat killed? They're not dead. Lasombra used his own diablerization in order to unshackle his soul from his body and enter the Abyss: he is now trying to merge with it. Meanwhile, Tzimisce has gone through a whole deal of stuff and is now currently a massive growth of flesh in the sewers of New York, biding its time. So, good going there, Sabbat.
But that's not all. The Sabbat claim that the Camarilla are Antediluvian puppets ignoring the Masquerade as they see fit, and that only they are able to destroy the 11 remaining Antediluvians in order to save the world. In practice, the Sabbat is almost exactly like the Camarilla that they claim to hate. The Sabbat's inner circle, the True Black Hand, is directly serving the Antediluvians, they have their own Masquerade (the Lasombra vampires pay out Mexican authorities to ignore them, ghoul families (particularly Zantosa) clean up messes, and the Tzimisce pretend to not be vampires in their domains in the old world), and instead of being a beacon of freedom it's a tyrannical shithole whose mortal population would go extinct if the Sabbat could openly do what they want; even their vampires aren't "free", they are blood bound to their packmates.
And those two Antediluvians that the Sabbat killed? They're not dead. Lasombra used his own diablerization in order to unshackle his soul from his body and enter the Abyss: he is now trying to merge with it. Meanwhile, Tzimisce has gone through a whole deal of stuff and is now currently a massive growth of flesh in the sewers of New York, biding its time. So, good going there, Sabbat.
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* CompleteMonster: They are honestly well over the MoralEventHorizon by the time they hit a decade of unlife. BlueAndOrangeMorality is a petty excuse when you use kidnapped mortals as furniture in AndIMustScream degree of savagery. So much that during Bronze Age, the only good clan of vampires led a huge crusade to destroy the monsters they have become.
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* BloodMagic: Kolundic Sorcery.
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* BloodMagic: Kolundic Koldunic Sorcery.
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* GrandTheftMe: [[spoiler: Throughout the various Gehenna scenarios, the Tzimisce antediluvian demonstrates the ability to take control of any vampire descended from him or in possession of his blood; in two seperate scenarios, both Tremere and Saulot are completely dominated by him.]]
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* GrandTheftMe: [[spoiler: Throughout the various Gehenna scenarios, the Tzimisce antediluvian demonstrates the ability to take control of any vampire descended from him or in possession of his blood; in two seperate separate scenarios, both Tremere and Saulot are completely dominated by him.]]
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* LovecraftianSuperpower: The Tzimisce possess a clan-unique discipline known as "Vicissitude," (also known as Fleshcrafting) which allows them to mould and shape flesh, tissue, blood and bone as if it were clay; members of the clan use it wherever possible- for decorating their havens, for experimenting on captives, for creating monsters and guard animals, or for altering their own appearance. During a very brief DorkAge, Vicissitude was reimagined as the result of a supernatural virus from the Umbra, thus playing up the Lovecraftian aspects; this has since been retconned.
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* LovecraftianSuperpower: The Tzimisce possess a clan-unique discipline known as "Vicissitude," "Vicissitude" (also known as Fleshcrafting) Fleshcrafting), which allows them to mould and shape flesh, tissue, blood and bone as if it were clay; members of the clan use it wherever possible- for decorating their havens, for experimenting on captives, for creating monsters and guard animals, or for altering their own appearance. During a very brief DorkAge, Vicissitude was reimagined as the result of a supernatural virus from the Umbra, thus playing up the Lovecraftian aspects; this has since been retconned.
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* OurGhoulsAreCreepier: Unlike much of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce have a prediliction for utilizing ghouls, apparently due to being far too choosy about embracing childer to bother with mass-embracing shovelheads. Along with the armies of slaves, test subjects and monsters ghouled by the clan every month, the Tzimisce also have access to a number of ancient families that, thanks to constant exposure to vampire blood over the centuries, have become immortals in their own right. Still loyal to their vampire benefactors, these indentured families can aid the clan in many ways, providing fleshcrafted hounds, occult information, key access to mortal society, and so on. Some eventually prove themselves as capable servants, and become vampires themselves.
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* OurGhoulsAreCreepier: Unlike much of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce have a prediliction predilection for utilizing ghouls, apparently due to being far too choosy about embracing childer to bother with mass-embracing shovelheads. Along with the armies of slaves, test subjects and monsters ghouled by the clan every month, the Tzimisce also have access to a number of ancient families that, thanks to constant exposure to vampire blood over the centuries, have become immortals in their own right. Still loyal to their vampire benefactors, these indentured families can aid the clan in many ways, providing fleshcrafted hounds, occult information, key access to mortal society, and so on. Some eventually prove themselves as capable servants, and become vampires themselves.
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* EvilIsPetty: In contrast with the Camarilla's more subdued PragmaticVillainy, the Sabbat are often (and ''[[EvilIsHammy loudly]]'') complete asshats just for the sake of it.
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* EvilIsPetty: In contrast with the Camarilla's more subdued PragmaticVillainy, the Sabbat are often (and ''[[EvilIsHammy loudly]]'') complete asshats [[ForTheEvulz just for the sake of it.it]].
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there is now a specific trope page for supernatural creatures with no reflection
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* TheMirrorShowsYourTrueSelf: Lasombra cast no reflection, and will actually appear invisible to photographs and security cameras.
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* TheMirrorShowsYourTrueSelf: MissingReflection: Lasombra cast no reflection, and will actually appear invisible to photographs and security cameras.
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* AlwaysChaoticEvil: Gets this treatment from both the Camarilla and the Anarchs.
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* AlwaysChaoticEvil: AlwaysChaoticEvil:
** Gets this treatment from both the Camarilla and the Anarchs.
** Gets this treatment from both the Camarilla and the Anarchs.
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* BlueAndOrangeMorality: The Sabbat happily enforces Paths of Enlightenment- which don't really abide by any human morals- to keep the Beast at bay.
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* BlueAndOrangeMorality: BlueAndOrangeMorality:
** The Sabbat happily enforces Paths of Enlightenment- which don't really abide by any human morals- to keep the Beast at bay.
** The Sabbat happily enforces Paths of Enlightenment- which don't really abide by any human morals- to keep the Beast at bay.
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* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Sabbat, monsters as they are, do not allow demon worship and will kill any that practice it.
** That said, [[TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen demons can themselves be awfully sympathetic figures...]]
** That said, [[TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen demons can themselves be awfully sympathetic figures...]]
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* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Sabbat, monsters as they are, do not allow demon worship and will kill any that practice it.
**it. That said, [[TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen demons can themselves be awfully sympathetic figures...]]
**
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* WeHaveReserves: A common Sabbat tactic is to knock out and embrace random humans (often referred to by the derisive term "shovelheads," i.e. someone who "took a shovel to the head" before being turned), point them in the direction of the enemy, and let them loose. Survivors, if there are any, have earned the right to be accepted into the Sabbat proper.
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* WeHaveReserves: A common Sabbat tactic is to knock out kidnap and embrace random humans (often referred to by the derisive term "shovelheads," i.e. someone who "took a shovel to the head" before being turned), large number of humans, point them in the direction of the enemy, and let them loose. Survivors, if there are any, have earned the right to be accepted into the Sabbat proper.
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* WeHaveReserves: A common Sabbat tactic is to knock out and embrace random humans (often referred to by the derisive term "shovelheads," i.e. someone who "took a shovel to the head" before being turned), point them in the direction of the enemy, and let them loose. Survivors, if there are any, have earned the right to be accepted into the Sabbat proper.
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** Ventrue ''antitribu'' also consider themselves this; they feel the main clan's new business-focused approach to power is too soft and weak, pining for the days when they were kings and knights instead.
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* EqualOpportunityEvil: Almost a literal example as twelve of the thirteen clans were represented as well as an equal status "Clan" for Caitiff called the Panders. However, none of the Antitribu are as respected as the Lasombra or Tzimisce.
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* EqualOpportunityEvil: Almost a literal example Played with as while twelve of the thirteen clans were represented as well as an equal status "Clan" for Caitiff called the Panders. However, Panders, none of the Antitribu are as respected as the Lasombra or Tzimisce.
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* DefectorFromDecadence: It says something about the Followers of Set that the Serpents of Light consider the Sabbat the more ethical choice.
** Inverted by the Salubri Antitribu and, really, all the other clans.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: A major cause of friction in the Sabbat as they often find themselves rebelling against the Lasombra and Tzimisce presence in the sect.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: Almost a literal example as twelve of the thirteen clans were represented as well as an equal status "Clan" for Caitiff called the Panders. However, none of the Antitribu are as respected as the Lasombra or Tzimisce.
** Notably, the Panders were actually treated as full members of the sect with only a minimal amount of FantasticRacism.
** Inverted by the Salubri Antitribu and, really, all the other clans.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: A major cause of friction in the Sabbat as they often find themselves rebelling against the Lasombra and Tzimisce presence in the sect.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: Almost a literal example as twelve of the thirteen clans were represented as well as an equal status "Clan" for Caitiff called the Panders. However, none of the Antitribu are as respected as the Lasombra or Tzimisce.
** Notably, the Panders were actually treated as full members of the sect with only a minimal amount of FantasticRacism.
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** The Malkavians and Toreador Antitribu are particularly notable for the fact the former have TWO permanent derangements while the latter find beauty in horror.
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! The Sabbat
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder: Overall Tropes]]
[[quoteright:114:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b8fc8cb7a22ec6f909851450462948aa.png]]
Believing themselves to be the true masters of the world and superior to humanity in every way, the Sabbat embrace their monstrous natures wholeheartedly. Enemies of the Camarilla in every respect, they oppose both the Masquerade and the disbelief in Antediluvians - who the Sabbat claim are secretly orchestrating the Camarilla's every move.
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* AlwaysChaoticEvil: Gets this treatment from both the Camarilla and the Anarchs.
** Played straight in Revised with the only decent Sabbat, the Path of Harmony followers, getting exterminated.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: The Sabbat happily enforces Paths of Enlightenment- which don't really abide by any human morals- to keep the Beast at bay.
** Subverted in Revised as the number of Path followers are minuscule. Most Sabbat are just poseurs at overcoming their humanity.
* CassandraTruth: Regarding the existence of the Antediluvians.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: For such a bloodthirsty, unapologetically monstrous sect, they're remarkably all inclusive. The Sabbat is made up of antitribu from pretty much every clan, as well as a pretty much ''extinct'' one [[spoiler: or two.]] Though this doesn't stop the Tzimisce and ''especially'' the Lasombra from looking down upon just about all of their comrades.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Sabbat, monsters as they are, do not allow demon worship and will kill any that practice it.
** That said, [[TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen demons can themselves be awfully sympathetic figures...]]
* EvilIsPetty: In contrast with the Camarilla's more subdued PragmaticVillainy, the Sabbat are often (and ''[[EvilIsHammy loudly]]'') complete asshats just for the sake of it.
* FiveBadBand:
** BigBad: Lasombra
** TheDragon: Tzimisce, Ventrue antitribu
** TheEvilGenius: Nosferatu Antitribu, Serpents of the Light
** TheBrute: Brujah antitribu, Gangrel antitribu, Malkavian antitribu, Salubri antitribu
** TheDarkChick: Toreador antitribu, Ravnos antitribu, Panders
** TheSixthRanger: Harbingers of Skulls, Kiasyd
* KnightTemplar: They even have a rank literally named templar.
* NobleDemon: Followers of the Path of Honorable Accord are all about this.
* OrderVersusChaos: In the eyes of the Camarilla, they tend to solidly occupy the chaos side. The sect in itself is a lot more complex than that, however, not really sticking to any side of the spectrum.
* ReligionOfEvil: Worshipping Caine, the first vampire.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Antitribu]]
Members of other clans not formally part of the Sabbat who have defected and joined the Sabbat instead. Antitribu basically means against the clan, and as such, most of these offshoots tend to occupy the Sabbat unless they are antitribu of a clan that is already part of the Sabbat.
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* AxCrazy: Malkavian, Brujah and Gangrel antitribu tend to be a lot more unhinged than their origin clan- not a good thing in the case of the Malkavians.
* CannonFodder: What they essentially serve as to the Lasombra and Tzimisce.
* EvilCounterpart: To their Camarilla and Independent cousins.
* {{Foil}}: They serve as this to many of their mainstream clan members. Ventrue Antis, for example, are noble warriors versus Camarilla Ventrue who are primarily focused on finance and politics.
* NotSoDifferent: Literally, in the case of Nosferatu antitribu due to Clan loyalty preceding sect loyalty. In fact, Camarilla Nosferatu often trade information with their antitribu counterparts, and see if anything would upset the status quo. No one has been able to find any definite proof of these dealings thanks to their skills at remaining undetected.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Lasombra]]
[[quoteright:336:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a8898ef68c914e96cc1705f3a1bca8c9.png]]
The leaders of the Sabbat, the Lasombra clan is well known for their ruthless natures and Darwinist beliefs. Arrogant, power-hungry and treacherous, they practise a unique Discipline that allows them to manipulate the shadows- making them deadly opponents in combat.
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* BerserkButton: They do not like the Ventrue, or any Lasombra who join the Camarilla. Officially, Lasombra refuse to acknowledge that their ''antitribu'' exist, but that doesn't stop them from making any rumored ''antitribu'' priority targets.
* BreakTheCutie: Their preferred tactic in choosing recruits, as those who don't crack under the strain are judged worthy. One example found in the revised handbook recounts the story of a paraplegic writer selected for the Embrace: In this case, his sire spent five years doing her very best to ruin his life in every way she could before finally deciding that he was worthy to join the Clan.
* BreakTheHaughty: [[spoiler: Much to their embarrasment, the Lasombra are forced to swallow their pride and follow Ventrue leadership in "The Crucible of God." The humiliation is threefold: After centuries of despising weakness, they had to admit they were too weak to survive alone; despite having prided themselves as being a clan of leaders, they ended up becoming subservient; and finally, they ended up being led by their most hated enemies, the Ventrue.]]
* CastingAShadow: Their signature discipline of Obtenebration, which allows them control over not only ordinary shadows but the primeval darkness of the Abyss. Once practitioners have moved beyond simply hiding their movements, they can create deadly CombatTentacles and InstantArmour from elemental darkness, teleport themselves from shadow to shadow, summon shades to do their bidding, even transform themselves into [[LivingShadow Living Shadows]]. [[spoiler: As with all Antediluvians, theirs is even better at it, to the point of becoming a creature of pure darkness residing within the Abyss.]]
* CharmPerson: Much like the Ventrue, the Lasombra possess Dominate. Unlike the Ventrue, they possess no qualms about using it in place of regular negotiations.
* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: As one of the most ambitious clans in the game, this is a given. [[spoiler: The Lasombra Antediluvian is no exception, as Gehenna demonstrates; in the event that you take his side during "Fair Is Foul," he kills you as soon as YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness... and the text actually mocks you for being gullible enough to trust him.]]
* DarkIsEvil: They control shadows, and are quite evil.
* EldritchAbomination: [[spoiler: Their Antediluvian, who has become a creature of pure shadow by the time of Gehenna.]]
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: The Lasombra Antediluvian; though the Sabbat report that they successfully diablerized him centuries ago, nobody seems to be able to remember exactly how it happened. Worrying, to anyone who knows of the Lasombra's proficiency with Dominate.]]
* FantasticRacism: As a whole, the clan despises ghouls, seeing them as mortal intruders in a world that only vampires have a right to inhabit; as such, they tolerate them only as convenient sources of money or substitutes for mirrors.
* TheFightingNarcissist: Vain and hopelessly self-obsessed, many Lasombra are often driven to considerable frustration by their lack of reflection; as such, they have a habit of creating ghouls solely for grooming purposes- with vicious punishments in store for leaving a single hair out of place.
* LaserGuidedKarma: [[spoiler: The social darwinism and constant diablerie prevalent to their leadership of the Sabbat finally backfires on them during "The Crucible of God," leaving their numbers too depleted to retain autonomy as a clan. With humanity gearing up for war against the vampires and no other source of aid in sight, the Lasombra reluctantly pledge their allegiance to the Ventrue/Toreador/Setite alliance.]]
* LivingShadow: One of the more advanced techniques of Obtenebration is temporarily becoming one of these. [[spoiler: The clan's Antediluvian has become a permanent example.]]
* TheManBehindTheMan: One of the things that Lasombra sires look for in future children is the ability to manipulate events while staying out of the limelight.
* ManipulativeBastard: In no small part due to possessing Dominate.
* TheMirrorShowsYourTrueSelf: Lasombra cast no reflection, and will actually appear invisible to photographs and security cameras.
* TheNightThatNeverEnds: [[spoiler: The clan's Antediluvian starts one of these in "The Crucible of God," spreading himself across the entire planet to create a permanent state of night; during this time, countless plants die without sunlight and the earth's temperature rapidly cools, to the point that the tropics experience frost. Many humans freeze to death as heat sources fail them, their souls immediately devoured by the hungry Antediluvian overhead; many Kindred die as well, devoured by the shadows themselves. Then, a month after the nightfall began, it ends with a rain of blood as the Antediluvian is slain; nobody knows who killed him or how.]]
* PowerIncontinence: [[spoiler: As with many clans, the Lasombra begin to lose control over their most-valued disciplines in "Fair Is Foul": Shadows normally controllable through Obtenebration start to attack the wielder, and - at higher levels - punching holes in reality and allowing the Abyss to flow through...]]
* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: Similar to the Ventrue in this regard, the Labsombra have a tendency to ghoul accountants, lawyers, bankers and other experts in financial matters for this very purpose.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: The clan has something of a fascination with the game, and see proficiency in it as a sign of success.
* SocialDarwinist: Believe strongly in this, hence their lengthy tests of their future recruits.
* TheStoic: Much like the Ventrue, they believe in distancing themselves from emotion. This is particularly true in dealing with their clan weakness. Most Lasombra will pose for portraits, but one who hires a Tzimisce to fleshcraft a ghoul will be mocked.
* SuperStrength: Wielders of the Potence discipline; appropriate, given their belief in strength.
* WeakenedByTheLight: Lasombra take double damage from sunlight, and lose a die if they are in areas with bright light.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tzimisce]]
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aec8cbcae049cdf67f42e78586823dfa.png]]
The scholars and clergy of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce do not merely disparage their humanity, but have successfully discarded it altogether: with the ability to manipulate human (and immortal) tissue by touch, a viewpoint bordering on alien, and a prediliction for torturing and experimenting on humans and vampires alike, the Tzimisice are known as Fiends for good reason...
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* AboveGoodAndEvil: Most other would see them as evil. Tzimisce simply don't care.
* AffablyEvil: Because of their deeply-held beliefs regarding hospitality, the Tzimisce are unfailingly polite and gracious even to their enemies, particularly when on home territory.
* AndIMustScream: The fate of those used as decoration around a Tzimisce's lair; one particularly horrific case involves several unfortunate victims being woven into wallpaper, still alive and conscious.
* AssimilationPlot: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is revealed to be operating one of these in the Gehenna scenario "The Crucible of God." Having been left under New York, he starts growing into a hideous blob of flesh that spreads throughout the city, draining humans and vampires alike- and absorbing all Tzimisce in the area. Then, having acquired enough energy to exist as spirit alone, he allows its body to be destroyed by the sun and begins [[BodySurf periodically taking over the bodies]] of anyone with Tzimisce blood- including the Tremere. This eventually results in the Antediluvian sabotaging Tremere's ritual to control all humans and vampires alike by possessing him at a critical moment; he then alters the ritual, allowing him to contaminate and control everyone on the planet- except for the player characters.]]
* BadPowersBadPeople: Only the Baali are perhaps more wicked.
* TheBeastmaster: As masters of both Animalism and the Blood Bond, the Tzimisce rarely lose control of the ghouled monsters they create.
* BerserkButton: Most members of the clan utterly despise Tremere for gaining immortality by stealing it from Tzimisce elders, and ensure that any Tremere unlucky enough to be captured in a Sabbat raid will suffer a long and excruciating demise.
* BigBad: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is this in "The Crucible of God," having far more apocalyptic designs than any other Antediluvian in the scenario, even eclipsing Tremere's plan in sheer ambition.]]
* BlobMonster: An option for Tzimisce who like the plasmic form. [[spoiler: This is also the Antediluvian's first major appearance in "The Crucible of God."]]
* BloodMagic: Kolundic Sorcery.
* BloodyMurder: Not only can Tzimisce transform themselves into mobile blood and slide under doors and through keyholes, but they can also make the blood into deadly acid.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Thanks to their unique powers, ancient traditions and self-deifying philosophies, most members of the clan tend to hold very strange perspectives on the world around them; as they grow older and modify themselves through Vicissitude, these attitudes grow steadily more alien and their motives increasingly incomprehsible. As the manual itself says, "while younger fiends might be described as merciless or sadistic, elders of the line simply fail to comprehend mercy or suffering- or perhaps they do comprehend, but no longer consider such emotions relevant."
* BodyHorror: Most of the effects of Vicissitude involve this to some extent or another, particularly when used against enemies and captives.
* ClassicalMovieVampire: Of all the clans, the ''Old Clan'' Tzimisce are the most likely to be this, and it is even implied that Dracula himself is a member of the clan. Unlike the modern Tzimisce, they substitute Dominate for Vicissitude, and are stereotyped as being old, of relatively low generation, as well as possessing large tracts of land and mortal retainers.
* CombatTentacles: A common choice for Tzimisce self-modifications.
* EasySexChange: A potential function of Vicissitude, judging by the presence of Doktor Totentanz, previously Dr Heinrich Lundt.
** Not to mention Vykos, who is referred to as "it" instead of a gender pronoun. Previously male, Vykos removed his genitals and forswore any gender to demonstrate his detachment from humanity.
* EldritchAbomination: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is commonly seen as this. [[spoiler: In the Gehenna scenarios that feature him, he goes out of his way to prove his credentials in this field, especially in "The Crucible of God," in which he first appears as a gigantic blob of living flesh that devours all of New York, then as a disembodied spirit that periodically possesses any vampire descended from him and uses it to reshape plants and animals into monstrous new forms across the world... and finally as ''all of humanity and vampires put together.'' His control over both is so unshakable that it takes the Wrath of God- as called down by Saulot and the player characters- to finally finish him off.]]
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian; much like Lasombra, he was supposedly found and diablerized many centuries ago. In reality, he actually killed his would-be-assassin and used Vicissitude to [[DeadPersonImpersonation impersonate him]] until he could retreat into seclusion again.]]
* FleshGolem: The ''Vozhd'' War Ghoul; among the most terrifying creature in the Tzimisce menagerie, the average ''Vozhd'' is actually fifteen or more ghouls moulded into one gigantic monster through a mixture of Vicissitude and Koldunic magic. Driven insane by the process, lobotomized with Vicissitude and starved before a fight, the War Ghouls were particularly dreaded before the Modern Nights. However, the ''Vozhd'' is a prime example of AwesomeButImpractical: the creation rites are long and extremely complicated even when only one is meant to be produced; in combat, they're liable to be just as dangerous to their masters as they are to the enemy; at times, the sight of just one such War Ghoul has been known to force enemies of the Tzimisce to join forces against it; and finally, the proliferation of LAW rockets, shaped charges, grenades and other modern weaponry make it much easier to kill than it once was. As such, the ''Vozhd'' isn't widely used anymore.
* GenuineHumanHide: Those of the clan who don't stop at making furniture out of people may extend their talents to making clothes out of people. In fact,at least one Tzimisce fashion designer liked tailoring clothes out of rewoven human tissue and selling them to Ventrue and Toreador clients; as well as being essentially spies for their mistress, the skin and sinew used in their creation was taken from homeless people- just so the designer could get a cheap laugh out of seeing a Toreador vampire dressed in a beggar's skin.
* GrandTheftMe: [[spoiler: Throughout the various Gehenna scenarios, the Tzimisce antediluvian demonstrates the ability to take control of any vampire descended from him or in possession of his blood; in two seperate scenarios, both Tremere and Saulot are completely dominated by him.]]
* HorrifyingTheHorror: The Tzimisce are alien and unknowable, and between their powers and being just rare and reclusive enough to feed into quite a few horror tropes, the clan has become in-universe NightmareFuel even to the other undead monstrosities. One ghoul handbook had the narrator do a rundown on the vampire clans. When he got to the Tzimisce, he broke down and could only repeat that you must [[FateWorseThanDeath never let them catch you alive]].
* LovecraftianSuperpower: The Tzimisce possess a clan-unique discipline known as "Vicissitude," (also known as Fleshcrafting) which allows them to mould and shape flesh, tissue, blood and bone as if it were clay; members of the clan use it wherever possible- for decorating their havens, for experimenting on captives, for creating monsters and guard animals, or for altering their own appearance. During a very brief DorkAge, Vicissitude was reimagined as the result of a supernatural virus from the Umbra, thus playing up the Lovecraftian aspects; this has since been retconned.
* MadArtist: Those of the clan not interested in experimenting for practical reasons will do so for aesthetic reasons, and as usual, the materials will be very much alive. Some prominent members have been known to boast of paintings, sculptures, even furniture still alive after decades of their first fleshcrafting- and still crying.
* MadScientist: Often obsessed with exploring their vampiric "superiority" or the "inferiority" of humans, many Tzimisce fulfil this particular role. Because of their clan's reliance on ghouls, even the less philosophically-inclined members end up becoming this as they create new varieties of ghouled monsters via Vicissitude.
* MagicPlasticSurgery: A popular use of Vicissitude; in fact, it's become so popular among the clan that few members retain their original appearance once they master the basics: some remake themselves as terrifying [[HumanoidAbomination inhuman monstrosities]], while others sculpt themselves into creatures of impossible beauty.
* MalevolentMutilation: Another popular use.
* MultiArmedAndDangerous: A possibility for Tzimisce self-modifications.
* OneWingedAngel: At higher levels, Vicissitude can be very useful in combat for allowing Tzimisce vampires to shape themselves into monsters at a moment's notice: one good example is the "Horrid Form," an eight-foot-tall monster with clawed hands, leathery, kevlar-like skin, massive jaws and incredible strength; another is the "Plasmic Form," a wave of mobile, sentient blood immune to everything except sunlight and fire.
* OurGhoulsAreCreepier: Unlike much of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce have a prediliction for utilizing ghouls, apparently due to being far too choosy about embracing childer to bother with mass-embracing shovelheads. Along with the armies of slaves, test subjects and monsters ghouled by the clan every month, the Tzimisce also have access to a number of ancient families that, thanks to constant exposure to vampire blood over the centuries, have become immortals in their own right. Still loyal to their vampire benefactors, these indentured families can aid the clan in many ways, providing fleshcrafted hounds, occult information, key access to mortal society, and so on. Some eventually prove themselves as capable servants, and become vampires themselves.
** In "The Crucible of God," ghouls start to become even creepier as [[spoiler: Tzimisce himself begins randomly ghouling creatures across the planet, transforming whole sections of wildlife into fleshcrafted monstrosities; even after the Antediluvian's death, these nightmarish creatures remain, becoming part of the natural environment following Gehenna.]]
* {{Ouroboros}}: The symbol of the clan.
* PetTheDog: They are one of the only clans in the modern nights that still insists upon the Salubri's innocence. Then again, it's the Tremere (who the Tzimisce '''hate''') who are pushing [[BlatantLies that story]], so it makes sense why the Tzimisce still defend them.
* PowerIncontinence: [[spoiler: The clan loses control of Vicissitude in "Fair Is Foul," frequently losing their ability to wield it with any degree of accuracy or control. In extreme cases, some Tzimisce are reduced to a permanent state of ShapeShifterSwanSong. On the upside, a few learn the ability to use it without touch.]]
* ProudScholarRace: A ''very'' dark twist on the trope.
* PunishedWithUgly: In some cases, Tzimisce punish their ghouls by ruining their faces with Vicissitude and then promising to restore ''one'' feature of their face for every year of perfect service- ''perfect'' service, without even the slightest instance of failure. Nobody has yet succeeded.
* RedRightHand: Even if they've made themselves beautiful through fleshcrafting, many Tzimisce can't resist adding the odd inhuman trait.
* SacredHospitality: The older a Tzimisce is, the more likely he is to believe in this.
** This actually becomes a plot point in "The Crucible of God." [[spoiler: In this Gehenna scenario, your team is joined by Lambach Ruthven, grandchilde of Tzimisce himself; spared from being devoured like the other Tzimisce vampires in order to act as a final witness for when his grandsire consumes all life on earth, he's lapsed into depression. However, he is still a deep believer in SacredHospitality, and if the players treat him kindly, he will grant them a boon in return.]]
* TheSocialDarwinist: Some members of the clan espouse these kind of beliefs.
* TheresNoPlaceLikeHome: Tzimisce require two handfuls of earth from their home in order to sleep. If they don't, it halves their dice pools.
* ThoseWackyNazis: Despite insisting that they didn't actually inspire Hitler or the creation of the Nazi party, the Tzimisce profited immensely from it; they were able to use the death camps as makeshift laboratories and feeding grounds, and managed to find several valuable recruits among the Nazi membership- one of the most notable being Doktor Totentanz.
* TortureTechnician: Any member of the clan worth his salt is an expert at both physical and psychological torture, and ready to do so- for extracting information, performing [[ForScience experimentation]], creating art, or [[ForTheEvulz personal enjoyment]]. Every single discipline they possess can be put to use in a torture session: Auspex can be used to learn a victim's fears and humiliating secrets; Animalism allows the summoning and direction of maggots, spiders and other creatures that might provoke horror in a victim; Vicissitude can not only be used to mutilate, but it can also allow the user to assume an attractive form to tempt the victim- or a horrific one to terrify it. Blood Bonds are also considered useful in utterly breaking a victim's spirit, thanks to the emotional attachments that can be formed and abused as a result. However, some Tzimisce prefer not to use supernatural methods at all: at least one elder still brags about how he once "convinced" a Gangrel Archon to talk with the aid of a [[NoodleImplements disposable razor blade, three needles, a pack of Holiday Inn matches, a rubber tube and a gallon of Clorox.]]
* {{Transhuman}}: What many profess to.
* {{Ubermensch}}: What they believe themselves to be.
* TheUnfettered: Tzimisce are the most alien and inhuman of all vampires.
* VampireVords: Many elders tend to speak like this, which is justified since the original Tzimisce domains were located around Romania.
* VoluntaryShapeshifting
* WipeThatSmileOffYourFace: In the event that a servant, test subject or food-source is making too much noise, Tzimisce have been known to simply erase the unfortunate's mouth with a touch.
* WorthyOpponent: The Tzimisce generally think this of the Ventrue, almost name-dropping the trope in the second-edition clanbook. With [[BlueAndOrangeMorality the Tzimisce]], it's [[FateWorseThanDeath not a good thing]].
[[/folder]]
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[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder: Overall Tropes]]
[[quoteright:114:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b8fc8cb7a22ec6f909851450462948aa.png]]
Believing themselves to be the true masters of the world and superior to humanity in every way, the Sabbat embrace their monstrous natures wholeheartedly. Enemies of the Camarilla in every respect, they oppose both the Masquerade and the disbelief in Antediluvians - who the Sabbat claim are secretly orchestrating the Camarilla's every move.
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* AlwaysChaoticEvil: Gets this treatment from both the Camarilla and the Anarchs.
** Played straight in Revised with the only decent Sabbat, the Path of Harmony followers, getting exterminated.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: The Sabbat happily enforces Paths of Enlightenment- which don't really abide by any human morals- to keep the Beast at bay.
** Subverted in Revised as the number of Path followers are minuscule. Most Sabbat are just poseurs at overcoming their humanity.
* CassandraTruth: Regarding the existence of the Antediluvians.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: For such a bloodthirsty, unapologetically monstrous sect, they're remarkably all inclusive. The Sabbat is made up of antitribu from pretty much every clan, as well as a pretty much ''extinct'' one [[spoiler: or two.]] Though this doesn't stop the Tzimisce and ''especially'' the Lasombra from looking down upon just about all of their comrades.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Sabbat, monsters as they are, do not allow demon worship and will kill any that practice it.
** That said, [[TabletopGame/DemonTheFallen demons can themselves be awfully sympathetic figures...]]
* EvilIsPetty: In contrast with the Camarilla's more subdued PragmaticVillainy, the Sabbat are often (and ''[[EvilIsHammy loudly]]'') complete asshats just for the sake of it.
* FiveBadBand:
** BigBad: Lasombra
** TheDragon: Tzimisce, Ventrue antitribu
** TheEvilGenius: Nosferatu Antitribu, Serpents of the Light
** TheBrute: Brujah antitribu, Gangrel antitribu, Malkavian antitribu, Salubri antitribu
** TheDarkChick: Toreador antitribu, Ravnos antitribu, Panders
** TheSixthRanger: Harbingers of Skulls, Kiasyd
* KnightTemplar: They even have a rank literally named templar.
* NobleDemon: Followers of the Path of Honorable Accord are all about this.
* OrderVersusChaos: In the eyes of the Camarilla, they tend to solidly occupy the chaos side. The sect in itself is a lot more complex than that, however, not really sticking to any side of the spectrum.
* ReligionOfEvil: Worshipping Caine, the first vampire.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Antitribu]]
Members of other clans not formally part of the Sabbat who have defected and joined the Sabbat instead. Antitribu basically means against the clan, and as such, most of these offshoots tend to occupy the Sabbat unless they are antitribu of a clan that is already part of the Sabbat.
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* AxCrazy: Malkavian, Brujah and Gangrel antitribu tend to be a lot more unhinged than their origin clan- not a good thing in the case of the Malkavians.
* CannonFodder: What they essentially serve as to the Lasombra and Tzimisce.
* EvilCounterpart: To their Camarilla and Independent cousins.
* {{Foil}}: They serve as this to many of their mainstream clan members. Ventrue Antis, for example, are noble warriors versus Camarilla Ventrue who are primarily focused on finance and politics.
* NotSoDifferent: Literally, in the case of Nosferatu antitribu due to Clan loyalty preceding sect loyalty. In fact, Camarilla Nosferatu often trade information with their antitribu counterparts, and see if anything would upset the status quo. No one has been able to find any definite proof of these dealings thanks to their skills at remaining undetected.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Lasombra]]
[[quoteright:336:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a8898ef68c914e96cc1705f3a1bca8c9.png]]
The leaders of the Sabbat, the Lasombra clan is well known for their ruthless natures and Darwinist beliefs. Arrogant, power-hungry and treacherous, they practise a unique Discipline that allows them to manipulate the shadows- making them deadly opponents in combat.
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* BerserkButton: They do not like the Ventrue, or any Lasombra who join the Camarilla. Officially, Lasombra refuse to acknowledge that their ''antitribu'' exist, but that doesn't stop them from making any rumored ''antitribu'' priority targets.
* BreakTheCutie: Their preferred tactic in choosing recruits, as those who don't crack under the strain are judged worthy. One example found in the revised handbook recounts the story of a paraplegic writer selected for the Embrace: In this case, his sire spent five years doing her very best to ruin his life in every way she could before finally deciding that he was worthy to join the Clan.
* BreakTheHaughty: [[spoiler: Much to their embarrasment, the Lasombra are forced to swallow their pride and follow Ventrue leadership in "The Crucible of God." The humiliation is threefold: After centuries of despising weakness, they had to admit they were too weak to survive alone; despite having prided themselves as being a clan of leaders, they ended up becoming subservient; and finally, they ended up being led by their most hated enemies, the Ventrue.]]
* CastingAShadow: Their signature discipline of Obtenebration, which allows them control over not only ordinary shadows but the primeval darkness of the Abyss. Once practitioners have moved beyond simply hiding their movements, they can create deadly CombatTentacles and InstantArmour from elemental darkness, teleport themselves from shadow to shadow, summon shades to do their bidding, even transform themselves into [[LivingShadow Living Shadows]]. [[spoiler: As with all Antediluvians, theirs is even better at it, to the point of becoming a creature of pure darkness residing within the Abyss.]]
* CharmPerson: Much like the Ventrue, the Lasombra possess Dominate. Unlike the Ventrue, they possess no qualms about using it in place of regular negotiations.
* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: As one of the most ambitious clans in the game, this is a given. [[spoiler: The Lasombra Antediluvian is no exception, as Gehenna demonstrates; in the event that you take his side during "Fair Is Foul," he kills you as soon as YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness... and the text actually mocks you for being gullible enough to trust him.]]
* DarkIsEvil: They control shadows, and are quite evil.
* EldritchAbomination: [[spoiler: Their Antediluvian, who has become a creature of pure shadow by the time of Gehenna.]]
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: The Lasombra Antediluvian; though the Sabbat report that they successfully diablerized him centuries ago, nobody seems to be able to remember exactly how it happened. Worrying, to anyone who knows of the Lasombra's proficiency with Dominate.]]
* FantasticRacism: As a whole, the clan despises ghouls, seeing them as mortal intruders in a world that only vampires have a right to inhabit; as such, they tolerate them only as convenient sources of money or substitutes for mirrors.
* TheFightingNarcissist: Vain and hopelessly self-obsessed, many Lasombra are often driven to considerable frustration by their lack of reflection; as such, they have a habit of creating ghouls solely for grooming purposes- with vicious punishments in store for leaving a single hair out of place.
* LaserGuidedKarma: [[spoiler: The social darwinism and constant diablerie prevalent to their leadership of the Sabbat finally backfires on them during "The Crucible of God," leaving their numbers too depleted to retain autonomy as a clan. With humanity gearing up for war against the vampires and no other source of aid in sight, the Lasombra reluctantly pledge their allegiance to the Ventrue/Toreador/Setite alliance.]]
* LivingShadow: One of the more advanced techniques of Obtenebration is temporarily becoming one of these. [[spoiler: The clan's Antediluvian has become a permanent example.]]
* TheManBehindTheMan: One of the things that Lasombra sires look for in future children is the ability to manipulate events while staying out of the limelight.
* ManipulativeBastard: In no small part due to possessing Dominate.
* TheMirrorShowsYourTrueSelf: Lasombra cast no reflection, and will actually appear invisible to photographs and security cameras.
* TheNightThatNeverEnds: [[spoiler: The clan's Antediluvian starts one of these in "The Crucible of God," spreading himself across the entire planet to create a permanent state of night; during this time, countless plants die without sunlight and the earth's temperature rapidly cools, to the point that the tropics experience frost. Many humans freeze to death as heat sources fail them, their souls immediately devoured by the hungry Antediluvian overhead; many Kindred die as well, devoured by the shadows themselves. Then, a month after the nightfall began, it ends with a rain of blood as the Antediluvian is slain; nobody knows who killed him or how.]]
* PowerIncontinence: [[spoiler: As with many clans, the Lasombra begin to lose control over their most-valued disciplines in "Fair Is Foul": Shadows normally controllable through Obtenebration start to attack the wielder, and - at higher levels - punching holes in reality and allowing the Abyss to flow through...]]
* ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney: Similar to the Ventrue in this regard, the Labsombra have a tendency to ghoul accountants, lawyers, bankers and other experts in financial matters for this very purpose.
* SmartPeoplePlayChess: The clan has something of a fascination with the game, and see proficiency in it as a sign of success.
* SocialDarwinist: Believe strongly in this, hence their lengthy tests of their future recruits.
* TheStoic: Much like the Ventrue, they believe in distancing themselves from emotion. This is particularly true in dealing with their clan weakness. Most Lasombra will pose for portraits, but one who hires a Tzimisce to fleshcraft a ghoul will be mocked.
* SuperStrength: Wielders of the Potence discipline; appropriate, given their belief in strength.
* WeakenedByTheLight: Lasombra take double damage from sunlight, and lose a die if they are in areas with bright light.
[[/folder]]
[[folder: Tzimisce]]
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aec8cbcae049cdf67f42e78586823dfa.png]]
The scholars and clergy of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce do not merely disparage their humanity, but have successfully discarded it altogether: with the ability to manipulate human (and immortal) tissue by touch, a viewpoint bordering on alien, and a prediliction for torturing and experimenting on humans and vampires alike, the Tzimisice are known as Fiends for good reason...
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* AboveGoodAndEvil: Most other would see them as evil. Tzimisce simply don't care.
* AffablyEvil: Because of their deeply-held beliefs regarding hospitality, the Tzimisce are unfailingly polite and gracious even to their enemies, particularly when on home territory.
* AndIMustScream: The fate of those used as decoration around a Tzimisce's lair; one particularly horrific case involves several unfortunate victims being woven into wallpaper, still alive and conscious.
* AssimilationPlot: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is revealed to be operating one of these in the Gehenna scenario "The Crucible of God." Having been left under New York, he starts growing into a hideous blob of flesh that spreads throughout the city, draining humans and vampires alike- and absorbing all Tzimisce in the area. Then, having acquired enough energy to exist as spirit alone, he allows its body to be destroyed by the sun and begins [[BodySurf periodically taking over the bodies]] of anyone with Tzimisce blood- including the Tremere. This eventually results in the Antediluvian sabotaging Tremere's ritual to control all humans and vampires alike by possessing him at a critical moment; he then alters the ritual, allowing him to contaminate and control everyone on the planet- except for the player characters.]]
* BadPowersBadPeople: Only the Baali are perhaps more wicked.
* TheBeastmaster: As masters of both Animalism and the Blood Bond, the Tzimisce rarely lose control of the ghouled monsters they create.
* BerserkButton: Most members of the clan utterly despise Tremere for gaining immortality by stealing it from Tzimisce elders, and ensure that any Tremere unlucky enough to be captured in a Sabbat raid will suffer a long and excruciating demise.
* BigBad: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is this in "The Crucible of God," having far more apocalyptic designs than any other Antediluvian in the scenario, even eclipsing Tremere's plan in sheer ambition.]]
* BlobMonster: An option for Tzimisce who like the plasmic form. [[spoiler: This is also the Antediluvian's first major appearance in "The Crucible of God."]]
* BloodMagic: Kolundic Sorcery.
* BloodyMurder: Not only can Tzimisce transform themselves into mobile blood and slide under doors and through keyholes, but they can also make the blood into deadly acid.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Thanks to their unique powers, ancient traditions and self-deifying philosophies, most members of the clan tend to hold very strange perspectives on the world around them; as they grow older and modify themselves through Vicissitude, these attitudes grow steadily more alien and their motives increasingly incomprehsible. As the manual itself says, "while younger fiends might be described as merciless or sadistic, elders of the line simply fail to comprehend mercy or suffering- or perhaps they do comprehend, but no longer consider such emotions relevant."
* BodyHorror: Most of the effects of Vicissitude involve this to some extent or another, particularly when used against enemies and captives.
* ClassicalMovieVampire: Of all the clans, the ''Old Clan'' Tzimisce are the most likely to be this, and it is even implied that Dracula himself is a member of the clan. Unlike the modern Tzimisce, they substitute Dominate for Vicissitude, and are stereotyped as being old, of relatively low generation, as well as possessing large tracts of land and mortal retainers.
* CombatTentacles: A common choice for Tzimisce self-modifications.
* EasySexChange: A potential function of Vicissitude, judging by the presence of Doktor Totentanz, previously Dr Heinrich Lundt.
** Not to mention Vykos, who is referred to as "it" instead of a gender pronoun. Previously male, Vykos removed his genitals and forswore any gender to demonstrate his detachment from humanity.
* EldritchAbomination: The Tzimisce Antediluvian is commonly seen as this. [[spoiler: In the Gehenna scenarios that feature him, he goes out of his way to prove his credentials in this field, especially in "The Crucible of God," in which he first appears as a gigantic blob of living flesh that devours all of New York, then as a disembodied spirit that periodically possesses any vampire descended from him and uses it to reshape plants and animals into monstrous new forms across the world... and finally as ''all of humanity and vampires put together.'' His control over both is so unshakable that it takes the Wrath of God- as called down by Saulot and the player characters- to finally finish him off.]]
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: The Tzimisce Antediluvian; much like Lasombra, he was supposedly found and diablerized many centuries ago. In reality, he actually killed his would-be-assassin and used Vicissitude to [[DeadPersonImpersonation impersonate him]] until he could retreat into seclusion again.]]
* FleshGolem: The ''Vozhd'' War Ghoul; among the most terrifying creature in the Tzimisce menagerie, the average ''Vozhd'' is actually fifteen or more ghouls moulded into one gigantic monster through a mixture of Vicissitude and Koldunic magic. Driven insane by the process, lobotomized with Vicissitude and starved before a fight, the War Ghouls were particularly dreaded before the Modern Nights. However, the ''Vozhd'' is a prime example of AwesomeButImpractical: the creation rites are long and extremely complicated even when only one is meant to be produced; in combat, they're liable to be just as dangerous to their masters as they are to the enemy; at times, the sight of just one such War Ghoul has been known to force enemies of the Tzimisce to join forces against it; and finally, the proliferation of LAW rockets, shaped charges, grenades and other modern weaponry make it much easier to kill than it once was. As such, the ''Vozhd'' isn't widely used anymore.
* GenuineHumanHide: Those of the clan who don't stop at making furniture out of people may extend their talents to making clothes out of people. In fact,at least one Tzimisce fashion designer liked tailoring clothes out of rewoven human tissue and selling them to Ventrue and Toreador clients; as well as being essentially spies for their mistress, the skin and sinew used in their creation was taken from homeless people- just so the designer could get a cheap laugh out of seeing a Toreador vampire dressed in a beggar's skin.
* GrandTheftMe: [[spoiler: Throughout the various Gehenna scenarios, the Tzimisce antediluvian demonstrates the ability to take control of any vampire descended from him or in possession of his blood; in two seperate scenarios, both Tremere and Saulot are completely dominated by him.]]
* HorrifyingTheHorror: The Tzimisce are alien and unknowable, and between their powers and being just rare and reclusive enough to feed into quite a few horror tropes, the clan has become in-universe NightmareFuel even to the other undead monstrosities. One ghoul handbook had the narrator do a rundown on the vampire clans. When he got to the Tzimisce, he broke down and could only repeat that you must [[FateWorseThanDeath never let them catch you alive]].
* LovecraftianSuperpower: The Tzimisce possess a clan-unique discipline known as "Vicissitude," (also known as Fleshcrafting) which allows them to mould and shape flesh, tissue, blood and bone as if it were clay; members of the clan use it wherever possible- for decorating their havens, for experimenting on captives, for creating monsters and guard animals, or for altering their own appearance. During a very brief DorkAge, Vicissitude was reimagined as the result of a supernatural virus from the Umbra, thus playing up the Lovecraftian aspects; this has since been retconned.
* MadArtist: Those of the clan not interested in experimenting for practical reasons will do so for aesthetic reasons, and as usual, the materials will be very much alive. Some prominent members have been known to boast of paintings, sculptures, even furniture still alive after decades of their first fleshcrafting- and still crying.
* MadScientist: Often obsessed with exploring their vampiric "superiority" or the "inferiority" of humans, many Tzimisce fulfil this particular role. Because of their clan's reliance on ghouls, even the less philosophically-inclined members end up becoming this as they create new varieties of ghouled monsters via Vicissitude.
* MagicPlasticSurgery: A popular use of Vicissitude; in fact, it's become so popular among the clan that few members retain their original appearance once they master the basics: some remake themselves as terrifying [[HumanoidAbomination inhuman monstrosities]], while others sculpt themselves into creatures of impossible beauty.
* MalevolentMutilation: Another popular use.
* MultiArmedAndDangerous: A possibility for Tzimisce self-modifications.
* OneWingedAngel: At higher levels, Vicissitude can be very useful in combat for allowing Tzimisce vampires to shape themselves into monsters at a moment's notice: one good example is the "Horrid Form," an eight-foot-tall monster with clawed hands, leathery, kevlar-like skin, massive jaws and incredible strength; another is the "Plasmic Form," a wave of mobile, sentient blood immune to everything except sunlight and fire.
* OurGhoulsAreCreepier: Unlike much of the Sabbat, the Tzimisce have a prediliction for utilizing ghouls, apparently due to being far too choosy about embracing childer to bother with mass-embracing shovelheads. Along with the armies of slaves, test subjects and monsters ghouled by the clan every month, the Tzimisce also have access to a number of ancient families that, thanks to constant exposure to vampire blood over the centuries, have become immortals in their own right. Still loyal to their vampire benefactors, these indentured families can aid the clan in many ways, providing fleshcrafted hounds, occult information, key access to mortal society, and so on. Some eventually prove themselves as capable servants, and become vampires themselves.
** In "The Crucible of God," ghouls start to become even creepier as [[spoiler: Tzimisce himself begins randomly ghouling creatures across the planet, transforming whole sections of wildlife into fleshcrafted monstrosities; even after the Antediluvian's death, these nightmarish creatures remain, becoming part of the natural environment following Gehenna.]]
* {{Ouroboros}}: The symbol of the clan.
* PetTheDog: They are one of the only clans in the modern nights that still insists upon the Salubri's innocence. Then again, it's the Tremere (who the Tzimisce '''hate''') who are pushing [[BlatantLies that story]], so it makes sense why the Tzimisce still defend them.
* PowerIncontinence: [[spoiler: The clan loses control of Vicissitude in "Fair Is Foul," frequently losing their ability to wield it with any degree of accuracy or control. In extreme cases, some Tzimisce are reduced to a permanent state of ShapeShifterSwanSong. On the upside, a few learn the ability to use it without touch.]]
* ProudScholarRace: A ''very'' dark twist on the trope.
* PunishedWithUgly: In some cases, Tzimisce punish their ghouls by ruining their faces with Vicissitude and then promising to restore ''one'' feature of their face for every year of perfect service- ''perfect'' service, without even the slightest instance of failure. Nobody has yet succeeded.
* RedRightHand: Even if they've made themselves beautiful through fleshcrafting, many Tzimisce can't resist adding the odd inhuman trait.
* SacredHospitality: The older a Tzimisce is, the more likely he is to believe in this.
** This actually becomes a plot point in "The Crucible of God." [[spoiler: In this Gehenna scenario, your team is joined by Lambach Ruthven, grandchilde of Tzimisce himself; spared from being devoured like the other Tzimisce vampires in order to act as a final witness for when his grandsire consumes all life on earth, he's lapsed into depression. However, he is still a deep believer in SacredHospitality, and if the players treat him kindly, he will grant them a boon in return.]]
* TheSocialDarwinist: Some members of the clan espouse these kind of beliefs.
* TheresNoPlaceLikeHome: Tzimisce require two handfuls of earth from their home in order to sleep. If they don't, it halves their dice pools.
* ThoseWackyNazis: Despite insisting that they didn't actually inspire Hitler or the creation of the Nazi party, the Tzimisce profited immensely from it; they were able to use the death camps as makeshift laboratories and feeding grounds, and managed to find several valuable recruits among the Nazi membership- one of the most notable being Doktor Totentanz.
* TortureTechnician: Any member of the clan worth his salt is an expert at both physical and psychological torture, and ready to do so- for extracting information, performing [[ForScience experimentation]], creating art, or [[ForTheEvulz personal enjoyment]]. Every single discipline they possess can be put to use in a torture session: Auspex can be used to learn a victim's fears and humiliating secrets; Animalism allows the summoning and direction of maggots, spiders and other creatures that might provoke horror in a victim; Vicissitude can not only be used to mutilate, but it can also allow the user to assume an attractive form to tempt the victim- or a horrific one to terrify it. Blood Bonds are also considered useful in utterly breaking a victim's spirit, thanks to the emotional attachments that can be formed and abused as a result. However, some Tzimisce prefer not to use supernatural methods at all: at least one elder still brags about how he once "convinced" a Gangrel Archon to talk with the aid of a [[NoodleImplements disposable razor blade, three needles, a pack of Holiday Inn matches, a rubber tube and a gallon of Clorox.]]
* {{Transhuman}}: What many profess to.
* {{Ubermensch}}: What they believe themselves to be.
* TheUnfettered: Tzimisce are the most alien and inhuman of all vampires.
* VampireVords: Many elders tend to speak like this, which is justified since the original Tzimisce domains were located around Romania.
* VoluntaryShapeshifting
* WipeThatSmileOffYourFace: In the event that a servant, test subject or food-source is making too much noise, Tzimisce have been known to simply erase the unfortunate's mouth with a touch.
* WorthyOpponent: The Tzimisce generally think this of the Ventrue, almost name-dropping the trope in the second-edition clanbook. With [[BlueAndOrangeMorality the Tzimisce]], it's [[FateWorseThanDeath not a good thing]].
[[/folder]]
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