Toreador

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Magnificent roses in a garden of evening stars. A lilting aria in a drowsy twilight. The sweet brush of a lover's kiss. These images evoke the Toreador, as these vampires are the most beautiful of all. Toreador are artists, writers, and creators: artisans enjoying an immortal life of pageantry and sensuality. Unlike other clans, Toreador plunge themselves into the mortal world. Often, they will pretend to be mortal, living as glitterati and giving patronage to influential mortal artists. From city to city, passion to passion, the Toreador flit about, inspiring the finest art and leaving a trail of broken hearts. With such refined tastes, it is easy for a member of the Toreador clan to become jaded and bitter, filled with ennui. Surrounded by excess, they quickly lose interest, seizing prize after prize — the sweetest of which are those stolen from another. The oldest Toreador often become depraved, sinking into debauchery simply so they can feel anything at all. Toreador love politics and live for hierarchy, so long as they can remain at the top. They develop cults of personality, gathering followers captivated by their beauty or begging for their patronage. They are always at the cutting edge of arts, culture, and society. They pride themselves on their beauty and poise, hosting salons and gatherings to show off their wealth and style. Those who cannot keep up are mocked and ridiculed. Vampires who are ugly, uncivilized, or show no respect for the arts are torn apart by a Toreador's metaphorical claws. For this reason, there is an eternal enmity between the Nosferatu and Toreador clans, a hatred that will never be reconciled.

Weakness

Toreador are often entranced by beauty and art. When you encounter a piece of art, a performance, or something beautiful that you are particularly interested in or that you have never seen before, you must give it your undivided attention for a scene. Toreador can resist this urge by expending a point of Willpower. Although distractions like loud voices or a nearby scuffle can divert your attentions, Toreador dislike being interrupted while experiencing art and beauty, and will respond with anger — even violence or frenzy.

Organization

The Toreador hierarchy is based around an elaborate system of guilds and patrons, with rising stars shooting to the fore — and discarded just as quickly when their moment of glory has faded. Cliques of powerful elders snipe one another, engaging in subtle politics as they shred reputations and destroy lives. Young Toreador thrown into this pool of sharks must quickly learn to sink or swim.