Enrathi

Legends claim that the roots of the Enrathi family tree trace back to humble beginnings in Italy, sometime in the sixth century B.C.E. They were once Etruscan farmers who had suffered greatly from the changing tides of commerce and industry, for their talents did not lie in working the land alongside their neighbors. As the Etruscan civilization shifted from farming to mining precious metals, eventually the Enrathi were forced to choose a new trade. Instead of digging for copper, however, the Enrathi became merchants and traders and prospered for a time along with their people.

Unfortunately, the newly expanded Etruscan civilization did not last long, and eventually the people were assimilated by the Romans around 500 B.C.E. Not long afterward, the Enrathi family fortunes began to crumble as the proud Romans preferred to do business with other Romans. Desperate and alone, the Enrathi joined forces with spurned traders and allies, such as the Rafastio, who were in a similar position. Not long afterward, the family turned to owning, trading, buying, and kidnapping slaves when other more respectable merchants would not.

Unfortunately, the newly expanded Etruscan civilization did not last long, and eventually the people were assimilated by the Romans around 500 B.C.E. Not long afterward, the Enrathi family fortunes began to crumble as the proud Romans preferred to do business with other Romans. Desperate and alone, the Enrathi joined forces with spurned traders and allies, such as the Rafastio, who were in a similar position. Not long afterward, the family turned to owning, trading, buying, and kidnapping slaves when other more respectable merchants would not.

For centuries, the Enrathi slavers continued to trap and sell desperate souls as their primary source of income. As time passed, however, some vampires believe the Enrathi’s focus shifted from human trafficking for profit to kidnapping victims because they enjoyed it. Why else would they continue to risk life and limb despite significant advances to end slavery? Ironically, while many vampires benefit greatly from the services the Enrathi perform, such as kidnapping “gifts” for visitors and luring children out of their beds for special feedings, they also claim that this family of revenants is even more brutal and depraved than the Bratovich. Thus, while the Clans and Sects have not outright condemned the Enrathi, warnings are often issued to tread carefully when dealing with them, for they are not beneath kidnapping and selling vampires despite their status and position. In truth, most vampires would be shocked to learn that Clan Ventrue is one of the family’s biggest clients.

Modern Enrathi are an amalgamation of a child’s worst fears and a vampire’s. They claim no allegiance to any Clan or bloodline, nor do they ally themselves with a specific Sect, even though one branch of the family is loyal to the Tal’Mahe’Ra, and other branches act as free agents. While no one, mortal or vampire, has survived a visit to their fortresses uninvited, it is commonly believed that the Enrathi’s operation is as sophisticated and well-funded as any terrorist organization’s.

Despite being mortal, the Enrathi are not squeamish when it comes to torture, and do not struggle to maintain their humanity. It has long been suspected, however, that the Enrathi revenants have encouraged such rumors, for the family also performs high-priced services such as transporting vampires through enemy territory or participating in a hunt for transgressors.

**Appearance:** Enrathi revenants who can trace their ancestry back to their Etruscan forbearers have the same characteristics as northern Italians do. Of all the families, however, the Enrathi frequently intermarry, and members are occasionally mistaken for descendants of other revenant families from eastern Europe. When seen in public, the Enrathi tend to dress well and carry arms befitting a mercenary or private security. Those who dare to examine them closer, however, might notice the dark stains on their clothing that never come out.

**Character Creation:** Most of the Enrathi have a hand in the family business, in some fashion, and characters tend to be specialized accordingly. Slavers, torturers, and kidnappers, for example, are more physical than their relatives and their Nature and Demeanor reflects their amoral personalities. While all Enrathi follow a Path of Enlightenment, it does not mean they have no social skills. Buyers, traders, spies, and lures are still unscrupulous, but have more need to be social in order to fulfill a specific need such as entrapping innocents or collecting debts. Despite their monstrous reputation, the Enrathi are cunning and, as such, understand the importance of maintaining a public face.

**Disciplines:** Dominate, Obfuscate, Potence

**Weakness:** Centuries of moral decay has taken its toll on the Enrathi. Members of the Enrathi family may not have a Humanity rating higher than 3, nor may they have a Conscience higher than 2.

**Quote:** “My, you are a cute one! Would you like to meet your uncle now?”