Clan Malcador

Faust

The Malcador are one of the seven Great Clans of vampires, founded directly by one of the Firstborn scions of Cain himself. Known as the Clan of Kings, they among all vampires are the most focused on prestige and power, and carry numerous traditions derived from their noble heritage as the foremost leaders amongst the Children of Cain. The Malcador hold more positions of leadership and power than any other Cainites, a fact predominantly due to their culture of noblesse oblige, which leads them to embrace those suited for power and seek it out whenever they can. Of course, many other clans resent the Malcador for their success... And for the despotism and arrogance that often arises from such a long legacy of power.

## Organization

The Malcador are one of the few clans with any sort of established hierarchy, though they are by no means the most organized of clans. Mostly, the Malcador hierarchy, or the Magistrate, is a system whose titles confer loose prestige and authority upon clan members. Many of the Magisterial titles are derived from Ancient Greece and Rome, which the main body of the Clan considers to be their golden age. Unlike most other clans, who abandoned many of the hierarchal positions of the Triumvirate, the Malcador have clung onto them, though with numerous alterations made. In the modern nights, however, most of these ancient titles are referred to like corporate positions.

### Autarch

Only two Cainites of Clan Malcador have ever held the title of Autarch. The first was ancient known Artemis Orthia, who started the clan down the road to greatness in Sparta. The other was her broodmate and successor, Latinus the Patriarch, the most legendary member of the entire lineage, who formed the Triumvirate with fellow ancients Alaric and Refias, and laid the foundations of vampiric civilization in the modern nights. The position of Autarch was devised by Orthia, the eldest scion of the Founder, as she declared herself director of the clan's affairs in his absence. Since Latinus's destruction in 1204 AD during the Sack of Constantinople, no other Malcador has ever attempted to claim the title of Autarch.

### The Board of Directors (Council of Magnates)

The original Council of Ephors was devised in Sparta by Artemis Orthia, a quintet to serve as advisors to her in the affairs of the clan, meeting every few years to work on clan policy, either her broodmates or their scions representing them. It later shifted to Rome when Latinus became Autarch, before being dissolved, some of its members becoming praetors and some joining the Eternal Senate. After Latinus met the True Death in 1204 AD, a gathering of elders reformed the council, under the name of the Council of Magnates. A highly secretive group, the modern Council directs the clan's affairs primarily from the shadows, sending out edicts of policy, and occasionally serving to judge high profile cases in which prominent clan members are involved. The name officially remains to this night, though the Council is referred to by many Malcador as the Board of Directors, the Directorate, or simply the Board.

### Regional Managers (Praetors)

In the nights of Sparta, Artemis Orthia designated some of her scions and those of her broodmates to serve as her personal agents, to carry out her will to distant lands. To be her generals. In Rome, Latinus and the Triumvirate continued that tradition, appointing generals from across their domains to prosecute campaigns on their behalf. When Rome began to crumble, Latinus continued the posts of Praetors within Clan Malcador, using them to oversee the affairs of the clan within a particular region. In the modern nights, they are known as Regional Managers, and serve to enforce the will of the Board, as well as to adjudicate disputes between clan members that are not weighty enough to require the Board's personal attention.

### Troubleshooters (Lictors)

The position of Lictor dates back to the nights of Rome, when each vampiric Praetor was given a set of bodyguards to defend their person. These lictors eventually expanded their roles to agents of their praetors, being sent to make the Praetor's will a reality. The position of Lictor continued along with the praetor among Clan Malcador after the decline of Rome, and in the modern nights, Lictors travel from city to city to aid whoever has requested assistance from the regional Praetor. Many younger Malcador know them as Troubleshooters.

### Local Managers (Tribunes)

Another rank that originated in Rome, the first Tribunes served both within the Eternal Senate (wherein the youngest scion of the Founder at the time, Faust, served as the first Tribune of the Fledglings) and as subordinate commanders to the Praetors. After the fall of Rome, the Malcador refashioned the title of Tribune to refer to a Malcador recognized by their peers the most prestigious and wise among, them, and to serve as a go between for them and the Praetors. Essentially, modern Tribunes serve as the most esteemed member of the clan in a local area, usually the size of a city and its surrounding region, who makes sure the will of the Praetors is carried out, and that everything runs smoothly for those below them. They head meetings of Aediles, local elders, during which current events are discussed and plans are made. In the modern nights, Tribunes are usually called Local Managers.

### Supervisors (Aediles)

In the nights of Rome, an Aedile was simply an elder with some prestige and power. Largely, that remains true for the Malcador, as the title is afforded to any elder or perhaps alumnus in good standing with the local members of the clan, as well as influence among them. Given the Ethic of Deference, most younger Malcador will be willing to do all manner of services for for their Aediles, who in turn provide them with various forms of assistance. Most Malcador in the modern nights refer to Aediles as Supervisors.

### Foremen (Quaestors)

The Quaestors were originally used in Rome to fill positions of lower management for their superiors, often being charged with managing the night to night affairs of their elders. Within the Malcador, this still holds true. Aediles and Tribunes tend to pick promising youngsters out from the common newcomers to the clan, often choosing those who demonstrate resourcefulness and more importantly, obedience to their elders. These Quaestors, or Foremen as they are known in the modern nights, are used by their elders for all manner of more menial tasks. However, this fact offers them prestige over their common peers, as they have the ear of their elders. Many Foremen request services of the Associates of the clan, who are not at all obligated to obey, but doing so is the best way to forge connections with the higher ups.

### Associates (Civitates)

In Rome, the Civitates were the common citizens of the vampiric Triumvirate. The Malcador continued this tradition within their own clan, referring to the young, unproven members of the clan as such. Though they were doubtless skilled and came from noble blood, each would have a way to go to distinguish themselves from their peers. The most common method of advancement is adhering to the Ethics of the clan, and performing services for the elders. Most modern Malcador refer to Civitates as Associates.

## Culture

### The Six Ethics

The Six Ethics are a set of customs and traditions passed along from sire to scion among the Malcador since the very foundation of the clan. The Six Ethics are represented in the symbol of the clan, with each Ethic being symbolized by a portion of the icon of the crown. According to clan history, each of the Founder's progeny were instructed in them, and they in turn instructed their progeny, and so on and so forth until the modern nights.

#### Ethic of Deference

The Ethic of Deference is represented in the clan symbol as the base of the crown, as it is the most foundational of all the Ethics of the clan. The Ethic of Deference is one that most sires are all too happy to impart to their progeny, as its foremost tenet is loyalty and obedience of every Malcador to their sire. The sire has gifted their progeny with the blood of the Malcador, the noblest of all vampire clans, and as such, their progeny are indebted to them eternally. Of course, many a Malcador who did not fancy the prospect of remaining under their sire's thumb for all time may have had a hand in their destruction, but it is a rare Malcador who would make such a thing known. Ideally, the sire and scion relationship is one of mutual benefit, with the scion receiving protection, prestige, and power from their sire, who in turn receives an agent to carry out their will when needed.

In addition to emphasizing loyalty to one's sire, the Ethic of Deference also emphasizes respect for one's elders, even to elders outside of the clan (so long as they behave in a dignified manner, of course). The advice of elders are to be heeded, due to their superior wisdom and experience, and they are to be afforded all the respect due whatever prestige and station they possess. Young Malcador are also highly encouraged to "carry out favors" for elders of the clan whenever one is asked of them, which, if successfully fulfilled, earn them not only the gratitude and favor of their elders, but also increase their own prestige.

#### Ethic of Unity

The Ethic of Unity is represented as the central large prong within the clan symbol. First and foremost, the Ethic of Unity discourages conflict within the clan of all kinds, be it in open warfare or through petty rivalry, with the exception of the absolute gravest of causes, such as unforgivable insults or betrayals. In practice, when this tenet of the Ethic is observed, Malcador tend not to insult one another directly, but rather in as polite and subtle manner as possible, so as to avoid giving overt excuse for discord. When it comes to open battle between Malcador, it is traditional to not initiate any such conflicts without first securing some pretext for doing so, as unwarranted attack on a fellow Malcador is seen as deeply shameful.

Along with discouraging conflict, the Ethic of Unity also requires Malcador to defend their clanmates from attack if ever they should call for aid. This aspect of the Ethic is invoked by one Malcador saying to another "I beseech thee for thy assistance, kinsman." Failure to defend a fellow Malcador who invokes this aspect of the Ethic is seen as greatly shameful, and will result in a tremendous loss of face among the clan, no matter how much the two might despise one another. For instance, an elder turning away a young fledgling who arrived at their castle with a pack of werewolves on their heels would be utterly disgraced and ostracized for centuries thereafter. And that is assuming they survive the judgement of their peers, who will subject them to a formal tribunal for tainting the honor of the entire clan with their failure. After all, in a clan as proud as the Malcador, an attack on one Malcador is an attack on all of them. That said, while any Malcador who is beseeched for aid must give it, the exact amount they provide can vary, and it is viewed as perfectly acceptable to provide minimal protection to someone who invokes the request out of mere fear, rather than genuinely being unable to save themselves. Any individual who beseeches aid frivolously will be mocked and ridiculed for centuries to come. Given all of that, it is plain to see why the Malcador have remained one of the most powerful clans throughout history. Others might be more structured and organized, but none have the same absolute policy of aid, without excuse and without exception.

#### Ethic of Honor

The Ethic of Honor is represented by the left large prong of the clan symbol. As its name implies, it requires Malcador to act honorably towards one another. At least openly. The Ethic prohibits any outright lies being told to a fellow Malcador, though clever wordplay has been a method of circumventing this restriction since time immemorial. When a Malcador is vouching for the absolute truth of something, they would state "Beneath the gaze of the Founder, it is so". It is considered massively insulting to ask for any Malcador to make this vow, as it calls into question their honor. Lastly, though honor is preferred when speaking to those not of the blood, the Malcador have accepted that the lesser Cainites do need to be deceived on occasion, for the good of all.

Additionally, the Ethic also greatly emphasizes keeping one's sworn word. It is an act of great dishonor to break a promise to a Malcador, and with others it is considered highly distasteful, and very discouraged. As a result, many Malcador are very specific with the wording of any oaths they give, and prefer to implant loopholes which they may exploit. The most sacred of all oaths which a Malcador may make is one which invokes the phrase "By the blood of the Founder, I swear". Any Malcador who breaks an oath made by the Founder's blood is to be put to death by the rest of the clan, without exception. Given the gravity of such an oath, it is seen as a grave matter to demand that any Malcador swear by the blood of the Founder.

#### Ethic of Dignity

The Ethic of Dignity is represented in the right great prong in the Malcador clan symbol. This Ethic commands Malcador to ensure that the image of the clan is protected. They are to comport themselves with poise and respect, to be civil and polite, for such is the way to sway the lesser clans to their will without needing to do so by force. The Ethic of Dignity also demands that they suffer no slight to themselves or their fellow clanmates. If words should be sufficient, they are to refute any unwarranted insult to the clan. If the statement is utterly heinous, than they should defend the clan's honor by blood duel or some other means.

#### Ethic of Erudition

The Ethic of Erudition, represented by the left lesser prong on the clan symbol demands that Malcador possess the learning necessary for rule. Ever since the nights of Sparta, sires have instructed their scions through the rigorous training known as the agoge, named for the school that young Spartan boys were put through to shape them into warriors for their city. The Malcador likewise train their broods just as rigorously on not only the Ethics of their clan, but also that they know of the deeds of their ancestors. Every single Malcador is instructed by their sires to recite their lineage of their bloodline back to its founder. Not only are they expected to know the names of their forebears, but they are also meant to be able to name notable information about their history, reciting when they were Embraced, when they won a particular battle, or how long they reigned over a particular region. All these facts are brutally ingrained during the agoge, where the sire often uses all manner of punishments to ensure they are learned.

While it is well known that certain facts of one's ancestors may be lost to history, and not every Malcador is expected to be an absolute scholar on the deeds of those who came before them, it is a sign of prestige to be able to recite more information on the topic of one's forebears.

#### Ethic of Purity

The Ethic of Purity is represented in the clan symbol by the right lesser prong. First and foremost, it forbids any Malcador from Embracing any beings that are not human, such as Skinchangers, Changelings, or Cambions. Such abominations may be sired by the lesser clans, but not the descendants of Cain's Right Hand. Any such unfortunates who do are to be destroyed, as they are a stain upon the clan's honor and purity. Furthermore, Malcador are highly discouraged from Embracing cripples, children, or the deformed, as such grotesques taint the clan's image.

## Traits

### Clan Curse

The Clan Curse of the Malcador is that to them, the consumption of blood provides a far weaker rush than it does to other vampires, requiring them to consume much more blood to experience the same euphoric experience. The Malcador view this fact as a mark of refinement; unlike the other, less noble clans, they do not lose control when imbibing a bit of blood. The dark side to this curse, however, is that the feeding rush common to other vampires can be achieved, but it requires far more blood to do so. This leads to some Malcador becoming addicted to gorging themselves on blood, with many transforming into rapacious engines of slaughter to sate their thirst. Such Malcador who engage in such deeds are looked down upon by their peers... If of course, such information becomes public. And the Malcador, with their Ethic of Dignity, have an unspoken agreement that such indulgences are to be kept quiet.

### Clan Gifts

Each Malcador Bloodline has a slightly different set of Blood Gifts, but the one that is universal to them is Mesmer. Mesmer is viewed as their greatest tool, the method by which they might enforce their will upon those who do not know better. But the Malcador recognize that using Mesmer like a constant whip earns enemies: No one likes having their will stripped from them. As such, they prefer to apply its use subtly when they can, and use it overtly when they must remind their subordinates of their power.

After Mesmer, Glamour and Ardor are the most common gifts inherent. They are viewed as the tools of rulers. Glamour is the more subtle cousin to Mesmer, and is more often employed to strengthen the leadership of a Malcador. Ardor is an essential tool to any ruler, their defense against attacks on their noble person, which, when used effectively, can shroud them in an aura of invincibility.

Augury and Virtus are also somewhat common among Malcador bloodlines. The former is a tool for keeping wary, against physical threats and of the minds and hearts of one's subjects, enabling a wily Malcador to ferret out disloyalty from their subordinates. Virtus is a weapon, the hammer to the shield of Ardor, that enables a Malcador to visibly demonstrate their power and might when needed, and crush those who oppose them.

## Bloodlines

> *"Malcador blood is more potent and more pure than any other clan."*
> *-Katerina Von Bauren, renowned Cainite Genealogist*
>
>

The belief that the blood of the Malcador is more pure and potent than any other Cainites is universally spread throughout the clan. As evidence, Malcador genealogists point to the fact that every scion of their clan founder (who are collectively known as the Sacred Eight) has spawned a bloodline of their own as an indication of its potency. To attest to the blood's purity, they note that unlike the other Great Clans, no Lesser Clan has ever sprung from Malcador stock. This is believed by many to be a result of the fact that the Founder is the eldest of his progeny, the First among Firstborn.

Each bloodline possesses a different set of Blood Gifts, and also a different set of customs passed down from their ancestors.

### Orthians

The Orthians are the descendants of Artemis Orthia, the oldest scion of their Clan Founder, a fact which they take great pride in. Gifted with the powers of Mesmer, Glamour and Virtus, the Orthians tend to favor bold, dynamic leadership, like their progenitor. Their disciplines afford them personal power and charisma with which to rally their allies and shatter their enemies. They are one of the more widespread bloodlines, with their main center of power being in Greece and the surrounding Mediterannean sea.

### Enmerkari

The Enmerkari were sired by King Enmerkar of Uruk, and are found primarily within modern day Turkey, and the lands of the Middle East and Eastern Europe nearby. They are known for being scholars and philosopher kings, gifted in Mesmer, Blood Sorcery, and Ardor. They are the least numerous of all bloodlines of Malcador, having the most exacting standards for their Embrace, refusing to bring any mortals who were not first mages into Enmerkar's brood.

### Veddartha

The most distant and unknown branch of the Malcador family tree, the Veddartha have been separated from the main body of the clan for many thousands of years. Residing mostly in India and Southeast Asia, the scions of Veddarth are sometimes known as the Lost Line by their kinsman. Gifted with Mesmer, Augury, and Blood Sorcery, the Veddartha are sages and mystics who typically Embrace from the Brahmin Hindu caste, and rarely have left their homelands in India. Since the Indian Subcontinent was colonized by the British, however, the Veddartha have begun slowly spreading outside their ancestral home.

### Latinites

The Latinites are by far the most widespread of all the Malcador, and they hail from the clan's most influential leader, Latinus the Patriarch. Found all across Europe and beyond, they inherited their sire's proclivity for Mesmer, Glamour, and Ardor. Their number tend to be individuals of implacable will, visionary architects with the patience and cunning to see their dreams built.

### Neferten

Gifted with Mesmer, Glamour, and Legerity, the children of Nefertiti originated in Egypt, and have spread across the Middle East and into Sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for social grace that is reminiscent of the stereotypical Amaros. Neferten rulers usually opt for the strategy of being adored and admired by their subjects, which results in some becoming idols to those beneath their rule and the rest being viewed as self obsessed tyrants.

### Anahin

The Scions of Anahita are at their center of power in what was once Ancient Persia, and is now modern day Iraq. They have also spread to the surrounding areas, into Asia and the rest of the Middle East. They wield the gifts of Mesmer, Augury, and Glamour, which assist them in their preferred style of secretive and subtle rule.

### Faustines

Sired by Faust, the Faustines are known for being stoic, stolid, and direct. They are gifted with Mesmer, Augury and Ardor, a combination of powers which enables them to withstand assault and root out deception. They tend to be the most strictly adherent to the Ethics of the clan, and rulers of Faustine stock usually are stern dispensers of the laws of whatever coven they belong to.

### Einardes

The Einardes are descendants of the Founder's youngest scion, Erik Einarsson. Viewed as the impetuous younger sibling by many Malcador of older bloodlines, the Einaredes are reputed as brutal conquerors, gifted with Mesmer, Virtus and Ardor, and are by far the most martial of the Malcador lines. Brutal as they might be, however, they still adhere to a sense of honor and nobility, and remain proud scions of the Malcador Clan.