Toreador


        The Toreador are called many things - "degenerates," "artistes," "poseurs," and "hedonists" being but a few. But any such mass categorization does the clan a disservice. Depending on the individual and her mood, Toreador are alternately elegant and flamboyant, brilliant and ludicrous, visionary and dissipated. Perhaps the only truism that can be applied to the clan is its members' aesthetic zeal. Whatever a Toreador does, she does with passion. Whatever a Toreador is, she is with passion.
        To the Toreador, eternal life is to be savored. Many Toreador were artists, musicians or poets in life; many more have spent frustrating centuries producing laughable attempts at art, music or poetry. Toreador share the Ventrue's love of high society, though not for them the tedium of actually running things - that's what functionaries are for, darling. Toreador know that their place is to captivate and inspire - through their witty speech, graceful deeds, and simple, scintillating existence.
 
        Aptitude: +1 to perception. Toreador are natural critics; while irritating, this trait occasionally serves them in good stead. Toreador add one die to any task involving observation or alertness (for example, detecting an ambush or spotting a hidden wall safe).
        Advantage: Herd. Toreador glide elegantly through nightlife and are invariably at the center of whatever social scene they choose to grace. Accordingly, Toreador attract a following of friends, acquaintances, lovers, ex-lovers, sycophants and other hangers-on. Most of these mortals are unaware their "charming friend" is a vampire. The majority are relatively worthless, but some might know useful information or have useful skills. In any event, they are useful sources of blood; once per story, a Toreador with access to his herd may completely replenish his Blood Levels.
 
        Weakness: Rapture. Toreador are lovers of the aesthetic and beautiful. When a Toreador views, hears or even smells something that is (in the Storyteller's opinion) truly beautiful, he must make a Mental roll (difficulty 4) or become entranced by the sensation. The Toreador will stand in rapt fascination for a scene or until the beautiful thing withdraws. Enraptured Toreador may not even defend themselves if attacked, though being wounded allows them to make another Mental roll to "break the spell."

        Clan Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Presence