HETAERAE



   By Deidre Brooks (deirdre@efn.org) (16 Oct 1993)

   Nickname: Whores

   The founder of this Clan was a highly regarded priestess of the love
   goddess in Sumer and her skill at the amorous arts was legendary even
   before her embrace. The tales of her abilities impressed a pale man
   who had been living in the city for some time. He spent a night with
   her, describing the wonders of his form of life, finally asking her to
   join him in it. To her later regret, she accepted.

   After a short period of elation she discovered she had lost the very
   reason he had made her. Angry at him, and very distressed over her
   loss, she began to develop the basics of Ekstasis. Only when she was
   satisfied with it did she make Progeny. After a century, she moved
   onward, traveling to different cities and finding more priestesses
   worthy of eternal life.

   After an assault by a cabal of Fourth Generation intent on
   Diablerizing her, she decided she needed more protection than a group
   of Ghouls could give her. Because of this she embraced her Ghouls,
   making them into the first of her chosen warriors, the Epilektoi.

   During her travels she became legendary among mortals. Many considered
   her to be an incarnation of the various goddesses in all aspects. Some
   of the religions of the love goddess formed because of a visit by her
   or one of her Progeny. When she visited a city, she would find two or
   three priestesses to embrace and train in Ekstasis. They would watch
   the young women of the city for promising talent and train them as
   they had been trained. Through these means, the Clan spread throughout
   the Middle East and the Mediterranean shores, along with the worship
   of the goddess of love in all her forms. The Epilektoi would also
   select competent warriors to guard the priestesses from harm.

   In time, the Hetaerae and their guards had spread across Europe and
   Africa. Many were involved in the establishment of Carthage and many
   died when it fell. Since that time a significant fraction have been
   working to make such a culture possible again.

   During and after the Punic Wars the Ventrue and Malkavians were
   attempting to root out the Hetaerae wherever they could be found and
   destroying them. The reason for this was the Hetaerae's open
   relationship with humans. Both Clans suffered severe losses due to the
   Epilektoi, but many temples were destroyed. As a result, the Hetaerae
   attempted to fade into the background, leaving many temples empty,
   thus giving them no target to attack. They also began using different
   names, Greek instead of Sumerian, to throw smoke into the search. They
   were successful to the extent that most Kindred of the modern world,
   if they know of the Hetaerae at all, consider them a legend.

   In modern times the Hetaerae are drawn from prostitutes at all levels
   of society. In fact, many of the most skilled mortal prostitutes are
   ghouls of one Hetaera or another, and will someday soon join the Clan
   as full members.

   The Clan is currently based in Monaco although an enclave with strong
   Anarch sympathies is centered in Las Vegas. This enclave is known as
   the Daughters of Lysistrata. Their primary purpose is to recreate
   Carthage in the modern world despite the efforts of the Camarilla.
   Many Hetaerae, especially among the Daughters, are not content to
   simply be prostitutes. Many of them have moved into the upper levels
   of society and politics with a vengeance, using their talents and
   charms to gain influence and win friends. With their abilities and the
   sort of clientele they attract, they are privy to a great many secrets
   of many of the governments and corporations around the world.

   While this Clan looks harmless on the surface, the potential their
   primary Discipline holds is quite powerful. The idea of an elder
   Hetaera in a city is enough to frighten most Kindred who know of them;
   their ability to charm is legendary. Nor should the combat prowess of
   the Epilektoi be ignored, for it was their abilities which have kept
   the Hetaerae alive through some rough times.

   They closely resemble the Toreador in many ways, yet members of the
   two clans, when they meet, rarely get along. The traitor that gave
   Carthage to the Ventrue was a Toreador, and the Hetaerae have not
   fully trusted them since. The Toreador who have encountered them
   consider them no better than Poseurs, chosen for beauty over talent.

   A younger member of this Clan will rarely travel beyond her home city,
   unless she is with an elder. Elders travel quite often, to meet the
   younger Hetaerae and possibly establish a new Brothel. Such Elders
   will often be found with two or more Epilektoi and several Ghoul
   retainers.

   Appearance: Hetaerae are always very beautiful and are generally
   chosen from the most skilled and attractive artists available. They
   are nearly always dressed in the most fashionable styles available.

   Epilektoi vary widely in appearance as they are more often chosen for
   their fighting prowess than their good looks.

   Haven: The Hetaera normally makes her lair in a Brothel or hotel. In
   general, you can expect to find her wherever you find mortal
   prostitutes.

   Epilektoi lair with Hetaera.

   Background: Hetaerae are always chosen from the previously mentioned
   professions. Occasionally an Hetaera will 'adopt' a young person and
   train her in the erotic arts.

   Epilektoi most often choose young women or men to train them in the
   arts of combat. Often they will choose those who are skilled in the
   modern styles of warfare so as to update their tactics and Abilities.

   Character Creation: Usually Drifter or Entertainer Concepts for the
   Hetaerae. They tend to have Bon Vivant Natures, and often a Bon
   Vivant, Caregiver or Confidant demeanor. Social Attributes and Talents
   are primary, with Mental Attributes and Skills often being secondary.
   Herd is very common in the form of regular customers, Influence,
   Contacts and Resources are very common (they are paid for pleasuring
   people), Mentor is often useful. Hetaerae are almost always Casanovas.
   The Hetaerae, especially amongst the younger members, is mostly
   composed of women. Epilektoi are fairly evenly divided among men and
   women. All who live at the Brothel are taught Masquerade.

   Most Hetaerae and Epilektoi have three or more dots in Generation due
   to the tradition of having the eldest Vampire present Embrace any
   Neonates.

   The Epilektoi are generally drawn from Drifter, Outsider or Soldier
   Concepts. They generally have Deviant, Fanatic, Gallant or Survivor
   Demeanors and Natures. Loners do not work well in the Brothel
   atmosphere, and often leave.

   Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Ekstasis (although a few have learned
   some Vicissitudes so as to enhance their beauty.)

   The Epilektoi possess Auspex, Celerity and Potence.

   Weaknesses: An Hetaera cannot create a Blood Bond with Kindred, no
   matter how many times a Vampire drinks from the same Hetaera. She is
   completely incapable of doing it. She is also susceptible to sensual
   pleasures in a fashion similar to the Toreador attraction to beauty.

   The Epilektoi also cannot Blood Bond, but they do not possess the
   susceptibility to sensual pleasures. Instead, they have a strong
   commitment to defend those who cannot defend themselves, specifically
   the Hetaerae. However, they will often intervene when they come across
   a crime such as rape, mugging or assault. This commitment is strong
   enough that a Willpower roll must be made to control it. The
   difficulty is set by the Storyteller, but is rarely below a 6. This
   attitude is instilled by their training and the rituals involved in
   their Becoming.

   Organization: The Clan operates enclaves known as Brothels around the
   world and maintains constant contact between them. They also act as
   safe houses for Kindred who are in need of shelter or protection, most
   often Caitiffs. Those who stay are encouraged to learn either the arts
   of love or war.

   They frown upon pimps intruding into a territory they claim and the
   Epilektoi war upon them whenever possible.

   There are a few Hetaerae and Epilektoi who have left the Brothels to
   live on their own. They are always welcome to return should they so
   desire.

   Gaining Prestige: Be successful at your chosen profession. The better
   you are at it, the more prestige you will have. Gain control of the
   prostitution trade in your city through elimination or domination of
   the mortals controlling the trade. Insure proper treatment for the
   prostitutes. Through manipulation of the mortals in charge of a city,
   cause prostitution to be legalized.

   The Society of Lysistrata gain prestige by effecting changes in Kine
   society.

   The Epilektoi gain prestige by successfully executing their duties.

   Quote: "We may possibly be the only Kindred who truly understand love
   and what it means to Kindred and Kine alike. The others forget their
   past, the fact they were once human also. That is a mistake. Humanity
   is our greatest inspiration.

   "We are not involved in the Jyhad if at all possible. Unfortunately,
   it sometimes cannot be helped."

   Stereotypes:

   The Camarilla: These stuffed shirts are desperately trying to hold
   onto a world that is slipping from their cold fingers. They no longer
   understand what it is to live!

   "These fools would throw away the Masquerade simply to satisfy their
   mad hedonistic desires. They are artistically bankrupt and are unable
   to admit it, to themselves or anyone else."

   -- Lucina, Toreador, Milwaukee

   The Sabbat: They are just as bad as the Camarilla in different ways,
   their version of pleasure often leaves too many others in pain.

   "They do not possess enough power on a large scale to present a threat
   to us. Individually, these puppeteers can be very powerful. The best
   way to deal with their kind is to exterminate them where they are
   found."

   -- Matthew, Tzimisce Priest

   The Inconnu: These fools hide from the mortal world, losing contact
   with the single most valuable resource on the planet. They do not
   produce, they simply exist.

   "Their path gives them a tighter grasp on their humanity. Golconda is
   not as difficult for them to reach once they understand their place in
   the scheme of things."

   -- Solomon, 4th Generation Ventrue

   View Ekstasis discipline.