Ravnos

@Ravnos

Nicknames: The Deceivers, Rogues, Nomads, Charlatans

Sect: Fiercely Independent, with some finding temporary shelter among the Anarchs.

Archetypes: Con Artist, Drifter, Storyteller, Escape Artist, Thief, Gambler.

Description

The Ravnos are a clan of nomadic tricksters and survivors who live by a code of their own making. They are the ultimate outsiders, believing that all institutions are illusions and all realities are mutable. Masters of misdirection and deception, they survive by their wits, challenging the beliefs of others and profiting from the chaos that ensues. A Ravnos is a wanderer at heart, distrustful of static society and bound to a life on the road, forever staying one step ahead of the enemies they inevitably make.

Known History

The Ravnos' history is one of travel and persecution, with origins tied to the Romani peoples. For centuries, they were a scattered but numerous clan of wanderers. This changed forever during the catastrophic "Week of Nightmares." In 1999, their slumbering Antediluvian awoke in India, casting a wave of homicidal madness across his entire bloodline. The clan tore itself apart in a global frenzy until the Antediluvian was finally destroyed in a battle that scarred the supernatural world. The modern Ravnos are the few, traumatized survivors of this clan-wide apocalypse, a shattered people struggling to rebuild.

Clan Characteristics

Disciplines: Animalism, Obfuscate, Presence (The illusions of their signature discipline, Chimerstry, are now achieved through amalgams of these powers).

Bane: The clan is Doomed to a wanderer's life and a fiery end. When a Ravnos attempts to sleep in the same location more than once within a seven-day period, they suffer Aggravated damage. This forces them into a life of constant motion, never able to establish a permanent haven.

Compulsion: Tempting Fate. The vampire is overcome with the need to take a big risk for a bigger score. They are compelled to lie, cheat, or steal to achieve their goals, especially when the odds are against them. They must take the dangerous shortcut or attempt the impossible con, unable to resist the allure of a long shot.

Views and Standing

Stereotypes: "Never trust a Ravnos, they'll steal the shoes off your feet and sell them back to you." "They're all liars and grifters." "A Ravnos in town is a sure sign of trouble." "A shattered clan, and for good reason."

In Chicago Tonight: The Ravnos have no formal standing in Chicago. They are a scattered and deeply distrusted presence, a collection of individuals or small family groups passing through rather than settling down. They are most often found on the fringes of @Anarchs territory, running short-term cons before their Bane forces them to move on. @The Camarilla views them as a threat to the Masquerade, and Sheriff @Damien has a zero-tolerance policy for any Ravnos who draws attention. They are the ultimate wildcards in the city's Jyhad.