                                   ATARGIA



   By Feryn (feryn@aol.com)

   History: This bloodline, which claims its own Methuselah, stretches
   its ancestry back into the Babylonian civilization. A Kindred of the
   time, named Atargatis, began the bloodline. Atargatis, whose current
   location remains a mystery, was of a clan whose identity has lost
   itself through the mists of time and the collapse of civilizations.
   Some scholars have associated the Atargia as a spin-off from the
   Assamites, due to the geographical similarities, the similar dark
   skin, and the similar clan disciplines. Regardless, this Babylonian
   kindred identified himself with spiders, and during his wanders of the
   world, the myths of the spider as weaver of fate, trickster, and
   hunter spread. He was known by many names, among them, the Egyptian
   "Neith", Japanese "Tsuchi-Gumo", the Norse "Holda", and the Plains
   Indians of America called him "Iaktomi". Through all his wanderings,
   it was the time he spent on the African continent which has influenced
   his bloodline profoundly.

   During the height of the Nile Empire, Atargatis allied himself with
   the Ananasi, and taught them how to burn blood, which gave them the
   edge they needed to survive after being almost destroyed by the Wars
   of Rage, in return for their providing their male kinfolk as herd and
   occasional childer. During this time, the Ananasi were being
   blackmailed into serving the Wyrm, so when another powerful Methuselah
   began to corrupt and seduce Atargatis, they stayed silent by orders of
   the Wyrm. The later betrayal of Atargatis by Set was to become the
   single defining incident for the clan.

   After the Betrayal of Set, the Atargia's alliance with the
   Were-Spiders grew stronger, yet they remained allies of the Wyrm.
   Together the two races slowly spread the power of the Wyrm through
   Africa and Europe during the rise of Rome and the Conquering of the
   Jews. And still these Kindred were unaware of Set's betrayal, aware
   only that a huge part of their line had been wiped out during a
   botched raid on a Mokole settlement that had become a nuisance to Set,
   but that Set's flank of the attack had been destroyed by a human Mage.
   This botched attack left Atargatis himself in Torpor, and forced the
   Atargia to retreat into the deepest caves they could find, hiding from
   the light of day as well as the vengeful Mokole.

   It took Osiris, another powerful Egyptian Kindred, showing the Atargia
   Set's betrayal, and the insanity inherent in serving the Wyrm, to turn
   the kindred from the Wyrm and against Set, his arch-rival. The Ananasi
   then turned to their Queen, held by the Wyrm in ransom, and learned
   that she, to had turned from the Wyrm.

   It was this act of kindness on Osiris' part that opened the door to
   his destruction at Set's hands, and the Atargia have never forgotten
   this. After they turned from the Wyrm and watched as Osiris' forces
   began to crumble at Set's machinations, the two races, rage-infected
   from the news of the betrayal of themselves and their benefactor
   Osiris, launched a massive, swarming assault on Set's stronghold in
   Egypt. This assault was anticipated, and soundly crushed with few
   survivors. When the slaughter ended, the Atargia and Ananasi retreated
   deep underground, deeper than the Spiral Hives, and waited, biding
   their time until Osiris could be avenged, and Set destroyed.

   During the centuries that followed, the Atargia and Ananasi formed a
   deep and meaningful bond of friendship, an unique situation among the
   supernatural denizens of the world. Those Children of Osiris who
   remain have over time learned of the Atargia's survival, and some have
   managed to contact them. Through these contacts, the Atargia have
   learned of the current status of the Setites. They hope to use the
   almost universal distrust and hatred of the Setites and all they
   represent as a tool to sow the seeds of revenge.

   With this new knowledge, several of the Atargia have surfaced, in
   hopes that they can find a usefulness within the Camarilla, and
   eventually, wield enough power to order the destruction of all Setites
   across the globe. The Atargia have been moderately successful, though
   only the most learned of the Kindred even know they exist. With the
   power they hope to wield, the Atargia aim to war against the Wyrm, the
   Setites, and if all goes well, return the Children of Osiris to their
   rightful position of prominence. If the Atargia were to learn of the
   Salubri, and their plight against the Tremere, it is well within the
   character of the Clan for them to provide unsolicited aid to the
   Healers.

   Nickname: Creepers

   Appearance: Almost universally young and attractive, the Atargia are
   almost entirely male, just as the Ananasi are female. An ethnically
   diverse clan, due to Atargatis' wandering around the world, members of
   the clan cover the spectrum of the genetic spectrum.

    As a member of the clan grows in age and power, however, their eyes
   begin to change, growing darker and more circular, until by the age of
   100, or level 4 of the Arachnos discipline are reached, their eyes are
   emerald green or jet black, lidless, compound round eyes, though no
   bigger than human eyes. Additionally, their skin becomes darker as
   time passes, becoming midnight blue/black by the age of 200.

   Haven: The Atargia are a reclusive bunch, the instinct for survival is
   strong within their blood. As such, they prefer to stay in open, dark
   places, away from the crowds, light and noise of the center of the
   city. Favorite places include large basements, abandoned warehouses,
   Factory complexes, and garages. This also relates to their clan
   Weakness, discussed below. Background: Many members of the Clan are
   the male Kinfolk of the Ananasi, as only the females of the Were-race
   experience the First Change.

   Character Creation: Most have soldier or Survivor concepts. Physical
   stats are primary as are skills. Most natures are consistent with the
   shadow-war against the Wyrm and Set, normally survivor, Competitor, or
   Visionary. Demeanors vary widely.

   Clan Disciplines: Obfuscate, Celerity, and Arachnos.

   Weakness: Due to the centuries of dwelling underground, the Atagaria
   suffer a visual sensitivity to light. If exposed to bright lights
   without some sort of eye-protection, Atargia suffer a -2 dice penalty
   on all rolls, as well as a +1 difficulty modifier. Once their eyes
   have changed, this penalty increases by 1, and the kindred acquires
   the "Colorblind" flaw.

   Organization: The Atargia are a rage breed, and as such, the
   organization of the line is a mystery. They are a solitary lot, but
   seem perfectly comfortable around each other, and there are reports of
   war parties composed of Atargia, called "Swarms", working together for
   assaults against the Setites. All Atargia instinctively understand the
   clicking, whistling language the race developed to communicate with
   the Ananasi in their vast underground lairs. Often, an Atargia will
   only stay in one city long enough to make a mane for the Clan, then
   proceed onto another city. This helps to spread the word among the
   princes of the world, as well as spreading news among the clan
   regarding their shadow-war.

   Gaining Clan Prestige: A simple matter, but not an easy one. The
   Atargia gain prestige among one another by, above all else,
   frustrating and if possible, killing Setites. As a secondary concern,
   though no less important, is spreading the knowledge of the clan among
   the powers that be, to further the acceptance of and thereby the goals
   of the clan.

  STEREOTYPES:



   The Camarilla: They have given us the opportunity to recover from the
   betrayal of Set, and avenge the destruction of our brothers, the
   Children of Osiris. Their acceptance of our line could be because of
   the abilities we possess, or simply because of our hatred for
   Sand-Snake scum. Whatever the case, they often turn a blind eye on our
   Swarms, when they occur. One must be cautious, however, for these
   surface-dwelling Cainites spin webs of their own, often invisible and
   impossible to escape.

   "These shadow-crawlers are useful pawns, easily duped with the lure of
   a tasty Setite snack. In the short term, they provide a valuable
   opportunity to crush one's enemies, for they make powerful spies,
   assassins, and thieves." -Marcus, Ventrue Elder of Cincinnati

   The Sabbat: Their senseless acts of brutality and slaughter of the
   cattle called Mortals furthers the power and domain of the Wyrm, our
   over-enemy. We fight them almost as vigorously as the Setites, though
   certain of their paths to Golconda interest our elders. It is always
   best to know thy enemy, even the most disgusting of them. For now,
   they remain too powerful for us to move against overtly, but the time
   will come, and until then, we will watch.

   "Who?" -Christoff, LaSombra Elder of Memphis

   The Inconnu: Many of them know our heritage, and thus our checkered
   past. It is reasonable therefore, to assume that they do not yet trust
   us as a clan of equal standing and power. Our relationship with the
   Ananasi does no good for our reputation with them, but one does not
   turn on one's brothers for political gain. They will be difficult to
   convince, but they will see our worth, and they will accept us...
   eventually."

    "The Atagaria.... there's a name I've not heard in quite some time.
   An odd line, they were supposedly wiped out by the Garou. If they
   truly exist, they deserve a careful eye." -Francois Phillippe Bardot,
   4th Gen Toreador

   Quote: "Well, well, well.... So far as I can tell, you have about ten
   seconds to live before my Toxins lock you up tighter than a fish's
   ass... perhaps crossing the prince was not such a wise Idea after all,
   eh Thopet? Let's count... one... ten."

   View Arachnos discipline.

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