Clan Assamite
Nicknames: The Assassins, The Children of Haqim
Disciplines: Celerity, Obfuscate, Quietus
Sect: Independent
Status: OPEN for new characters

Clan Assamite are scholars and warriors, a deeply philosophical clan dedicated to learning historical and religious truths and safeguarding a world that they fear might be easily thrown out of balance by the misbehavior of the Kindred. Historically Islamic, with folklore that claims their founder met Mohammad and learned the truths of the universe from him, the clan is traditionally very religious but has suffered several schisms and changes of popular opinion over the centuries, and members may be of any faith or belief that allows them to continue to seek justice and balance. Many Assamites consider that they only need to remind their fellow vampires to behave themselves to help keep balance in the world, but others, more radical, believe that all non-Assamite Kindred are blights on the earth, and that removing them is the only sure way to make the world safe.

Like their fellow Independent clan, the Ravnos, the Assamites have an unsavory reputation with the other clans; they are considered dangerous, mysterious barbarians by most of the other Kindred, and chiefly considered important as assassins for hire, with a reputation for being able to carry out almost any hit they are contracted for and a code of honor that will not allow them to turn on or give away information about those who purchase their services. Of course, it is illegal in the Camarilla to hire any Assamites to dispose of any other Kindred... but then again, a lot of things are illegal in the Camarilla, and they still end up happening anyway.

Clan Advantage and Weakness

Advantages: Because of the famous hidden armories of their clan and the clan's overall dedication to acting as guardians of whatever territory they spend time in, Assamites always have access to specialized equipment and weapons through their clan; they have only to ask and, if the reasoning they give is deemed appropriate, receive whatever tools would be most useful for them. This might include weapons of various types, surveillance equipment, protective measures, or electronics.

Disadvantages: Assamites, even if they don't believe in the extermination of other Kindred, nevertheless share a hunger for Kindred blood that they have great difficulty overcoming. They often can't help but take vampire blood when it is offered to them, making them very susceptible to the Blood Bond, and any time they do imbibe must exert considerable force of will or lose control and attack the Kindred the blood came from in an attempt to consume more of it. This makes Assamites dangerous to be around, and Kindred who are aware of their addiction problems usually take care not to tempt them lest they become victims of the blood-fueled compulsion.

The Assamites in DC

The Assamites have no official voice in DC, since they are Independents, but the Prince regards them as a reasonable clan and might occasionally extend them the courtesy of allowing them to sit in on proceedings for their information, although they aren't allowed to affect the outcome much. Like the Gangrel, they are considered "pseudo-Camarilla", with a tentative claim to a say in the city but no official power. They mostly keep to themselves, watching the power struggles of the other Kindred from afar; they prefer not to interfere, but several of their younger members do accept assassination contracts now and then (only if they believe the target deserves to die, of course).

Bloodlines

The most revered and scholarly of Assamites belong to the Sorcerers bloodline, which practices thaumaturgical magics in place of the Celerity Discipline. They are few in number and usually remain secluded away from other Kindred, working to study ancient scriptures and spells in search of solutions to the problems of these modern nights. Their addiction to sorcery somewhat mirrors the normal Assamite addiction to blood, and their auras clearly show the stain of sorcery to anyone who might have the Auspex to look.

Notable Assamites

Edward Gibson, Vizier of DC