Grimaldi

The wealthy Grimaldi family, similar to the Enrathi, Rossellini, and Rafastio, originated in Italy. Unlike the other revenant families, however, the Grimaldi had achieved status, influence, and power prior to becoming the property of Clan Tzimisce in the late Middle Ages. Family members often warn of how their greedy ancestors were tricked by the Fiends to serve them in exchange for more power, more wealth, and more influence. In truth, the Grimaldi’s early ambitions may have damned the family into becoming revenants, but they have never forgotten the price they were forced to pay. Despite their vast riches and allies, the founders of the Grimaldi family were, at first, treated similarly to other revenants, and the Clan’s promises of Embrace have never been fulfilled.

Of all the families, the Grimaldi revenants have managed to keep strong ties to the outside world, and have maintained a tight grip on their humanity. Though they watched other ghouls and revenants tortured during the Inquisition, the Grimaldi infiltrated the upper echelons of the Holy Roman Empire with the help of their masters. Some vampires speculate that their connection to the Church allowed the family to hide in plain sight, and it is for this reason that they may have avoided being hunted or arrested for witchcraft. Historically, the Grimaldi have demonstrated an uncanny knack for anticipating who would benefit them the most in any conflict, which some say is the reason why they sided with the rebellious Tzimisce during the Anarch Revolt, and then later joined the Sabbat.

Following the Convention of Thorns, the Grimaldi remained influential through the Renaissance, and their continued success did not go unnoticed. Other Clans within the Sabbat, such as the Lasombra and Ventrue antitribu, requested their services. Soon, the family was instrumental in financial matters, providing advice, money, and connections to bishops and cardinals within the Sect. Though the Clans did not trust the Grimaldi, the family maintained a natural distance from their masters, because the nature of their business required them to operate in the daylight. Thus, while the Sabbat was always suspicious of them, the family learned how to hide their true goals.

In many ways, the Grimaldi are an example of revenants forced to live a double life that is not governed by daylight. Under the guidance of their masters, the revenants manage the affairs of Sabbat elders and balance their accounts in order to protect the Sect’s interests. When a murder, kidnapping, or theft needed to be covered up, for example, a bishop would expect the Grimaldi to do it.

Despite their purported loyalty, however, the Grimaldi would similarly work toward fulfilling their own goals, often at the same time. A broker might finance an expedition for a Lasombra domitor, and invest a small percentage of the family’s money toward the same trip. An attorney might interrogate key witnesses after a Malkavian *antitribu* murdered a local official, too, and bribe them to report any further supernatural activities to an unlisted number.

Though the family’s wealth and holdings granted them more freedoms than other revenants, there was one detriment they could not escape. The slow crawl of time had an impact on the health of the Grimaldi line, and in order to prevent the same issues incest caused for the Bratovich, Obertus, and Zantosa families, they sought to intermarry with suitable partners. Thus, when the Sabbat abandoned Europe to sail to the Americas, a group of Grimaldi traders asked to accompany their masters, hoping they could convince them to create a new revenant family on foreign soil.

Following the Sect’s establishment of several havens and strongholds throughout Central America, the Grimaldi once again proved their worth by becoming financial and political juggernauts of the time. Instead of the Embrace, the Grimaldi asked their masters to ensure the health of their servants, and proposed the establishment of the Salamanca branch of their line. In this way, the Grimaldi has managed to avoid the problems that plague other revenant families.

In truth, the Grimaldi revenants walk a razor-thin line between serving vampires and plotting their departure to side with the Camarilla. Their position, power, and influence allows them to thrive in ways that no vampire can. For all of their influence, members know that they will be tolerated in the Sabbat as long as they are useful. To the Grimaldi, however, the Camarilla represents a way out, and some revenants have even gone so far as to romanticize their future allies. No family member, however, has any doubt that the Sabbat would hunt them down to the last man, woman, and child should they learn of the betrayal the Grimaldi has been planning for centuries.

**Appearance:** Unlike other Sabbat revenant families, the Grimaldi have taken great pains to maintain their appearance. Many family members wear business casual suits and dresses, while others adopt timeless fashions befitting the wealthy and social elite.

**Character Creation:** The Grimaldi family’s Demeanors vary widely, but their Natures reflect their roles in life. Judge, Eye of the Storm, and Perfectionist are all very common. A heavy investment in Backgrounds is a must for these characters. All Grimaldi revenants have at least some levels in Allies, Contacts, Influence, Fame, Resources, or Retainers. When selecting Merits and Flaws, however, remember that the Grimaldi reward members who retain their Humanity, and tend to punish those who don’t. Thus, most members do not follow a Path.

**Disciplines:** Celerity, Dominate, Fortitude

**Weakness:** From birth the Grimaldi are taught that family comes first and that the Grimaldi are superior to all others. While this family first attitude creates loyalty, it also results in an underlying arrogance and difficulty relating to non-family members. Whenever a Grimaldi character has an opportunity to brag about the family, especially when comparing them to other Sabbat revenants (and ghouls), they must make a Willpower roll at a difficulty of 7 to hold back their scorn. This arrogant attitude can make it very difficult for the family to form allegiances, or even serve alongside other Retainers in the Sabbat.

Additionally, most Grimaldi who serve as advisers and Retainers to ranking members of the Sabbat are Bound to that vampire on orders of the Regent.

**Quote:** “Who am I? Oh, just the mayor’s highly-paid and well-respected advisor.”