                                   LYCAON



    BY ROBERT KIRKPATRICK

   Bloodline: Lycaon

   Nickname: Cannibals

    Origins: These are the myths that the Lycaon Bloodline makes about
   itself. Whether or not the claims they make (about their line and
   about the Gangrel line) are true are like most Vampire legends - very
   hard to prove.

   They claim that their founder Lycaon was a noble and trustworthy
   gangrel, who worked hard and diligently as one of Gangrel's closest
   brood. Gangrel himself intrusted him to oversee the Fairies that still
   lingered strongly in the world. Of all the clans, the Fairies got
   along well with the Gangrels. (The Malkavians were supposedly not
   insane yet, and had yet to be Cursed.) The Gangrels had made a
   tentative alliance with them, promising to help protect their Woodland
   Realms, in return for learning some of their natural magic. The
   Fairies always held back on their end of the bargain, as the Fae are
   known to do.

   Except in regard to Lycaon himself. For some reason, they trusted him
   - probably because of his grand sense of humor and regal yet deviant
   attitude. Lycaon was a very unpredictable vampire, who was known for
   his sinister sneer and cold, sarcastic wit. To the Fairies, this was
   so much better than the stoic, loner nature of most of Gangrel's other
   Childe.

   The Lycaons claim that Gangrel grew jealous over Lycaon's ties with
   the Fairies. Gangrel believed that Lycaon was building an alliance
   with the Fairies to topple him, perhaps to even diablerize him. With
   the aid of the other Clan Founders and the permission of Caine, Lycaon
   was cursed with a ravenous hunger for human flesh. Lycaon's appetite
   became unsatiable until raw meat was swallowed down his gullet. Then
   he was banished out of the society of vampires (thrust out like Adam
   and Caine were) and forced to survive in the wilderness.

   With the Curse still fresh upon him, Lycaon was immediately betrayed
   by his Fairie friends. They turned their backs on him in his time of
   greatest need. They drove him out of their Glens and their
   territories.

   Alone, stranded, and starving - Lycaon was then greeted by Fairies he
   had never met before. Dark skinned Fairies with diabolic eyes, and
   sneers as sinister as his. They brought him fresh human meat and
   offered him shelter in one of their dark realms. There, Lycaon became
   strong again. Vengeance grew in him as the years passed on. The
   Unseelie taught him some of their arts, and taught him how to shape
   his disclipines to mimic theirs. The Dark Fae even helped to develop
   sinister versions of his Protean disclipine. Here, Lycaon had found
   his true friends who would never betray him.

   Lycaon swore then to get revenge on all those who betrayed them. He
   hunted the human cities, now not only for meat, but for those humans
   vicious and bloodthirsty enough for him to Embrace. He would create a
   small army, send them out into the world, to bring down the society of
   Fairies, Vampires, and men - as the price for the World of Darkness'
   betrayal against him.

   Lycaon is said to still be alive, living in one of the Dark Fae
   realms. Lycaons who believe in him say that he watches over his
   children, with the help of the Unseelie, so that one day he will
   gather them up to destroy all the betrayers.

   Elder Gangrels whose memories and legends date back far enough find
   all of this myth to be pure poppy-cock. The Lycaons - to those few
   Gangrels that know of them - have created a lie to shroud up their
   nasty habits. The myth is nothing but the twisted fantasies of the
   ego-mad, who think they are justified to kill everything.

   "You must be joking," the Gangrels say. "You have a vengeance against
   Vampires, Fairies, AND Man... Lycaon was just a Gangrel who developed
   delusions of grandeur from all of his acts of diablerie. He was never
   the brood of Gangrel. Gangrel was not stupid to have Embraced a
   vicious beast like Lycaon." The Gangrel also point out the fact that
   no Lycaon has ever surpassed 8th level in any discipline. "How the
   hell can he be a brood of Gangrel if they have never reached near his
   power?"

   But very few Gangrel Elders would say this outloud, just in case one
   of the Gangrel listening is actually a Lycaon, out for meat and blood.


   The Lycaons are among the smallest of all the Bloodlines. They regard
   themselves as Vengeance Embodied; their anger and hatred of all other
   Vampires (especially Gangrels) and Fairies flows through their blood
   as strongly as it did their Founder. The myth of their creation is
   what drives the oldest of them.

   They have no affiliation with either the Sabbat or the Camarilla, but
   instead live among the two groups: either disguised as loner Gangrel
   or Caitiff/Panders. With either group and among mixed company, they
   keep their meat-eating secretive and private.

   Among the Camarilla, the Lycaons have to be the most secretive and
   hidden in their activities. Few Elder Gangrels know of them, and would
   do their best to wipe them out "before they cause real problems". The
   Lycaons are small enough and so well disguised among Vampires, that
   it's hard for the Elder Gangrels to weed them out.

   In the Sabbat, the Lycaons don't have to be as quiet, and can
   sometimes let their strange hunger show to strangers. Excessive
   violence and gore is easier to express among the Sabbat, so usually
   the greatest number of Lycaons can be found among them. However,
   because of the fairly sizable portion of Lycaons who follow the Path
   of Evil Revelations, and because the Lycaons still wait for the
   original Lycaon to return and lead them in vengeance (a heresy to any
   Antideluvian-hating Sabbat in existence), the Lycaons still must hide
   their true selves among the Black Hand. They will fake loyalty
   (entering war parties, etc), in order to better hide themselves.

   Of all the clans, they get along with the Malkavians best. If any clan
   knows the most about the Lycaons, it's the Loonies (whether Sabbat or
   Camarilla rarely matters). Perhaps it's the ties that both of them
   have to the Fae, or perhaps the Malkavians really don't mind the
   strange needs of the Lycaons - whatever it is, Lycaons tend to be more
   open with these crazy Kindred. Gangrels have rumors and myths about
   this bloodline, the Malkavians have facts.

   In their vengeance against the Fae, they have fought with various
   Garou tribes, including the Fianna. But with others, like the Shadow
   Lords and those who still uphold the Impergium, they have created
   several nests of allies. They consider the Black Spiral Dancers - who
   are also allied with the Unseelie - close friends, and the feeling
   appears to be mutual. The Dancers have allowed many Lycaons to seek
   refuge in their Wyrm Pits. Even though they are a small lot, if they
   were to pool their contacts, herds, allies, and all their supernatural
   ties, the Lycaons could be a major force to contend with.

   Appearance: Lycaons come in all shapes, sizes, dress, and resources.
   They are known for their strange smiles and cunning, fox-like eyes.
   All of them seem secretive. When their fangs are retracted, they tend
   to look longer and more curved out. Elder Lycaons, due to high levels
   of Protean, can have large bat-wings jutting out of their shoulder
   blades, or resemble Lupines.

   Most people tend to leave Lycaons alone, because they look and
   sometimes act like your standard weirdos. Jeffrey Dahmer would be a
   Lycaon - normal- looking at first glance, but if you probe deeper, an
   ugly, sinister side.

   Haven: Lycaons choose remote, out-of-the-way places in which to live.
   Usually these places have no neighbors and some method of freezing or
   storing bodies and body parts. This could be a slaughterhouse, a
   farmhouse, a decrepid barn, a nice house in the mountains - whatever.
   Wherever the sound of latenight drilling and sawing and strange
   chewing will not be noticed or thought too much about.

   Conversely, some Lycaons choose crowded inner city apartments where no
   one really cares what happens. They will live alone, and if anyone
   complains of any noise (like when they use chainsaws to carve up their
   meat), it usually falls on deaf ears. Some Lycaons live in luxurious
   penthouses, where their status and money allows them to remain
   unbothered. Lycaon apartments tend to have lots of refrigerators or
   deep-freezes.

   Character Creation: Almost all of the Lycaon Bloodline have some sort
   of Deviant or vicious demeanor, and usually their natures are either
   that of Survivors, Martyrs, or Fanatics.

   Lycaons tend to choose the most headstrong and the most cunning of
   mortals to Embrace. These mortals are usually not in any position of
   power, but who tend to live on the edge of mortal society, with morals
   all their own: usually serial killers, cannibals, rapist, and
   hard-core junkies - anyone who would willingly kill to have some sort
   of fix (be it through sex, violence, drugs, etc). Only these kind of
   people have been able to deal with the harsh and peculiar appetites of
   the Lycaon Bloodline.

   Those Embraced also tend to feel unjustly treated by the world, that
   somehow they have been betrayed and misunderstood by others. In their
   early lives, they have been considered outcasts, geeks, nerds, and
   sickos by their peers. They are also people of supreme intensity - the
   headstrong nature of this Bloodline couldn't be emphasized more.
   Whatever they feel, they feel to almost religious zealot fervor, and
   cannot usually be persuaded otherwise. Like their founder, they have a
   vengeance streak a mile wide.

   When creating a character, two obvious flaws to get are Vengeance's
   and Hatred's against something (almost anything). Other Lycaons tend
   to add Intolerance's as well.

   However, this is pretty much the stereotype of the Lycaons. Not all of
   them are like that. You can find the sweetest and most demure Lycaon
   as you can find in any other Clan or Bloodline. However, their
   disgusting weakness is want makes their life even more intolerable.

   As for Humanity: most Lycaons who have it usually have it at a very
   low level. Some especially tortured Lycaons who choose to have high
   Humanity are going to have a very vicious life ahead of them. Lycaons
   tend to follow the Path of Cathari, with a several following the Path
   of Evil Revelations, and a small handful following the Path of
   Harmony. Those that tend to follow Harmony or Humanity are usually
   disdained by their Lycaon brethren.

   Physical or Mental Attributes are usually their Primary traits, while
   Social is almost always Tertiary. Talents or Skills are also Primary,
   and like Social attributes, Knowledges are almost always Tertiary.
   Those that do possess high Knowledges tend to possess it in Lore
   (Vampire, Gangrel, Lycaon, Lupine, Wyrm, or Faerie).

   Bloodline Disclipines: Protean, Fortitude, Unseelie.

   Some of the older Lycaons have been known to develop Chimerstry and
   limited Thaumaturgy. These have been gained, not from Diablerie, but
   from their contacts with the Unseelie, who have shown them what
   potential they really have.

   A typical Lycaon Elder would have either Chimerstry or Thaumaturgy,
   one other physical disclipines (Celerity and Potence), and the
   disciplines above.

   Lycaons tend to refrain from disclipines like Auspex, Dominate,
   Animalism (they have lost touch with that side of their nature), and
   Presence, although it is still possible for them to possess these
   certain disciplines, given the right reason (after diablerie, for use
   as subterfuge, etc). They never learn any disclipines relating to
   other Bloodlines (like Quietus, Serpentis, Mechanus, etc), except for
   the sole exception of Chimerstry. Lycaons can usually have no problem
   developing this, due to the fact Ravnos and Lycaons both come from the
   similiar lines.

   Bloodline Weaknesses: The main weakness of the Lycaon is that they
   cannot gain sustenance from just drinking blood. Their blood pools
   cannot be replenished until they eat the equivalent amount of raw
   flesh. If a mortal has 10 blood points, a Lycaon must eat all of the
   flesh in order to get the blood points (including sucking the marrow
   out of the bones). In order to get one blood point then, a Lycaon
   would probably have to eat the equivalent of a hand or a foot. Thus,
   most Lycaons must usually kill the victim in order to satisfy their
   hunger.

   Lycaons can digest the meat VERY quickly. It is said that once the
   flesh is swallowed, something in the Lycaon blood breaks it up, and
   converts it almost instantly to blood.

   Lycaons can still drink blood, but it provides no sustenance
   whatsoever for them. Thus they can "fake it" if necessary, but if they
   are hungry and they try to fake it, they usually frenzy and start
   tearing away at the meat.

   Lycaons also tend to be heavy bankers, of sorts. When they kill a
   mortal or Vampire, they usually hack up parts of the body, and keep
   them in the refrigerator, freezer, or deep-freeze. When they need more
   in their blood pool, they let the meat thaw out before devouring it.

   Lycaons must also eat the flesh in order to diablerize another
   vampire. They basically must eat everything (except the hard skeleton)
   in order to fully drain the vampire of their soul. It is said that
   some of the Lycaon Thaumaturgist have elaborate rituals that allow
   them to gain the full Disclipines and memories of those they eat.

   Elder Lycaons tend to be massive Diabolists. They usually bloodbond
   several vampires and keep them imprisoned. They would then hack off a
   body part whenever they needed to feed. The vampire would be given
   enough blood to repair the damage over a period of time. The Lycaon
   would drain the part of all the blood (some through long pounding and
   others through rituals similar to Ritual of Purify the Body) so that
   they would not get bloodbound by drinking it.

   It doesn't matter if there is blood in the meat, as long as it's raw.
   This does not give an automatic merit of being able to digest food.
   The Lycaon will still vomit anything that is not raw meat or blood.
   They cannot eat cooked meat of any kind, even if it's cooked rare. Raw
   chicken, beef, and hamburger can sustain them, but it takes a lot to
   do so.

   Any Vampire that drinks the blood of Lycaon will taste something
   different in their blood; and especially if the Lycaon has Level One
   of the Unseelie Discipline, then that Vampire is also in for a
   surprise.

   They also possess the Gangrel weakness of gaining an animal feature
   each time they frenzy. However, this feature only shows when they
   frenzy - but in any other mode, they appear normal. Thus, when they
   frenzy, they have been mistaken for Garou, based on how quickly hair
   and fur appears to grow. Plus, the higher levels of Protean help in
   maintaining this illusion.

   Organization: Lycaons do not lose touch with another. Sires tend to
   have a very good idea where their Childe are located. However, they
   rarely communicate to one another. Two Lycaons who meet on the street
   will walk past each other without saying a word or taking a look. This
   is to keep themselves secret in whatever society they happen to be
   living in.

   If urgent information must be relayed (such as the time and location
   of a Feast or Grand Feast), then it is the responsibility of the Sire
   to get the message through to his Childe. It is said that messages are
   sent down from Lycaon himself and trinkle down to everyone.

   If a Sire dies, some Lycaon will be appointed the adopted Sire of the
   dead Sire's Childe. No Lycaon chooses who that new adopted Sire will
   be. It is said that Lycaon himself chooses, and passes the order down
   in the traditional way.

   Every year, during a fat, plump red moon, Lycaons in a city will
   gather and have a Feast. There they share myths and knowledges, and
   give due respect to all those that have acquired any Prestige. They
   treat each other quite well, because a Feast is the only place these
   outcasts feel they belong. Throughout most of their existence, all
   Lycaon feel guilty for eating meat (a big taboo), but the Feast is
   where they can push that guilt aside and talk openly of their hunger.

   At every Feast, it's rumored that Lycaon himself may be among them to
   see the progress in his Progeny. Unseelie Faeries have been known to
   join in with these Feasts.

   At every Feast, a Gangrel is served as the main course. Those with
   high Prestige get to have the first bite, and those with the highest
   Prestige are allowed to diablerized the meal (if they so desire) when
   everyone else is done having a morsel. Mortals are brought in from
   around the city, from all different walks of life, and served before
   the main course to quell everyone's appetite.

   Every seven years, a Grand Feast is held in each country. Around that
   time, Elder Gangrels have been known to disappear and not be seen
   again. They have probably been served up at the Grand Feast. Very few
   humans are used for food at these Grand Feasts. Instead, random
   Vampires are captured and brought in from around the country and
   served beforehand - in a fashion similar to the mortals at a normal
   Feast. Unseelie Faeries are always at attendance at these Grand
   Feasts. They always hint that Lycaon is definitely somewhere near, and
   with his powers to manipulate time and space, he could be there
   instantly.

   Sometimes, in place of the Elder Gangrel, the Lycaons will serve some
   Garou instead. This usually leads to great violence, however, as the
   Lycaons will frenzy (after eating the Garou) and start trying to
   devour all the meat in sight. Most of the time, this is done on
   purpose, just before the Lycaons attack some Gangrels. They fill
   themselves on Garou meat in Gangrel territory, and start to hunt down
   every Gangrel in sight.

   Gaining Prestige: Pretty much the only way to gain Prestige is to
   undermine Gangrels or Faeries. Either by killing and eating them (the
   most Prestige) to destroying one of their plans (a point or two).

   Other ways include establishing contacts and alliances with other
   supernatural creatures, such as Lupines and Dark Faeries - any force
   that gives the Lycaons a stronger power base. Thus, Lycaons will
   usually ally themselves with the Werewolves' Wyrm-entity, especially
   since it has been known that the Wyrm may grant a few of them some
   special powers.

   A very minor way to gain Prestige is to have brought the most
   succulent meat to a Feast or Grand Feast. Gangrels are the first
   choice (Camarilla or Sabbat), while Toreadors are the second.

   Quote: "Oh, hold still! It's only marinade. Just some garlic, hot
   pepper, and salt. You should be honored. You're going to be the guest
   of honor at our dinner party. You'll be served well. And I get to have
   the first succulent slice all to myself. Yum-yum."

   Stereotypes of Other Clans and Bloodlines:

   Anti-Salubri: "Wicked fellows. They will try to expose you the minute
   they discover what you are. Never turn your back on them, and never
   fall prey to their plans."

   Assamite: "Mighty kindred who came so close to being what we embody.
   They are now nothing but weak, little cowards, who gave up so easily
   to the Curse brought upon them by the Camarilla."

   Assamite Antitribu: "They still rage on against those that would try
   to do them in. For this we respect them. But when they try to stop the
   coming of our Vengeance, let them stand aside or die."

   Brujah and Brujah Antitrubu: "They do not know the meaning of the
   word, 'Rebellion'. They fight with no reason at all, and lack the
   passion and sense of purpose that we have. But still, some make good
   friends and are always in the mood for a fight. Maybe they can join us
   when we take down the others."

   Children of Osiris: "Delicious Kindred. Meat so pure, so empty of
   taint. Eat one if you can. They mean to destroy us, but we want to
   make a nice herd of fat, juicy cows out of them."

   Daughters of Cacophony: "Who the hell cares?"

   Followers of Set: "They wait for their master like we wait for ours.
   Until that time, we are allies. After that, they are dinner."

   Gangrel: "We will strip the meat from their bones and devour their
   hearts as they watch. We will work our way up to their master, and
   beat him like the dog he is. Watch them run, with their tails between
   their legs, when they realize their 'brother' means to eat them."

   Gangrel Antitribu: "Like us, they are waging war against their
   previous masters. They will just have to learn to bow before a new
   master when Lycaon comes, and strips this world of all it's meat."

   Gaki: "Delicious. But five minutes after you eat one, you're hungry
   again." (Hey, I can make this kind of joke. I'm Asian.)

    Giovanni: "Mmmm. I love Italian food."

   Lasombra and Lasombra Antitribu: "Power they want, power they will get
   - especially when I ram my clawed power down their throats."

   Malkavian and Malkavian Antitribu: "Our best allies. They think we are
   just as mad as they are. They think we epitomize the truth of a world
   where everyone must eat another to get ahead."

   Mekara: "Taste too much like axle grease and gasoline. But if you're
   in the mood for fast food, you can't beat it."

   Nosferatu and Nosferatu Antitribu: "They try to learn the truth about
   us. Do your best to convince them that you are Gangrel, and get the
   Gangrel in trouble. The Skulkers think they are the vile ones. Wait
   until they see us eat."

   Ravnos: "They are more aligned with their Gangrel cousins, and in
   their elitist attitude, they spit on us. Even if they are masters of
   deception, strip their skeletons - but only after they teach you the
   ways of their illusions."

   Ravnos Antitribu: "Allies. As cunning as we are. To deceive is second
   nature to them. Too bad that don't kill as much as we do."

   Salubri: "Let's see them heal their holier-than-thou selves once you
   swallow them whole."

   Samedi: "Samedi?! There is no such thing as a Samedi! Some game
   company made them up in 1993 in order to sell more copies of the 2nd
   Edition Player's Hand- book. Samedi! Hmmpph."

   Sardonicus: "Worthy foes. They don't care who you are. As long as they
   can hunt you down as you sleep, and drain you of your power. If we
   could get them on our side, then everyone will fear us."

   Serpents of the Light: "As mysterious and as alone as we are. If
   you're in a bind, snake food ain't bad. Watch out that you don't get
   bit."

   Toreador: "Their meat taste like chocolate with a lovely cherry
   center. Bite into them, and watch the red flow. They are artists, be
   their fan. Devour their work and then devour them."

   Toreador Antitribu: "So different from their Camarilla brethren. They
   also understand ugliness like we do. Some of them make good allies.
   The others, though not as tasty as the Camarilla bred, still taste
   like chocolate."

   Tremere and Tremere Antitribu: "Good men and women. Wouldn't trust one
   in a minute, but that's why I like them. Strong willed, and forceful
   intruders into the world of Vampires. Be careful around the loyal
   ones, though. They have certain abilities that can discover exactly
   who you are."

   Tzimisce: "So stoic. So distant. They matter very little to us. They
   think they understand the bondaries of flesh and blood, but they will
   never know how to truly manipulate flesh, until they've bitten into
   it."

   Ventrue: "Old, stoggy, wrinkled meat. Good only if you're hungry.
   Otherwise, just kill them."

   Ventrue Antitribu: "Good allies here. They understand what it means to
   be outcasts and geeks. Some of them will even take a bite of flesh
   just to show you how different they are."

   CAMARILLA: "Sounds like caramel, don't it? Take that as a hint. Don't
   step too far out of line in their cities, or things might get sticky.
   You must be very sly to live among them."

   SABBAT: "It's easier to let yourself go in their cities. But watch
   yourself. They don't care for our love of Lycaon and the coming of his
   Vengeance."

   INCONNU: "They are liars, all of them! They tell us that all we know
   about Lycaon is a myth, that he's just a mad Kindred who works for the
   Dark Fae. They will learn the truth when Lycaon devours them all!"

   GOLCONDA: "A fool's quest. The only peace we will find is when all the
   Betrayers of Lycaon are dead."

   WYRM: "The Wyrm is a function of us. The Black Spiral Dancers tell us
   that we are but an aspect of its 'Hydra', whatever the hell that is.
   It doesn't really matter. As long as we have it on our side."

   IMPERGIUM: "Gotta keep them in line. Gotta keep everything in line.
   Like a line of lambs fresh to the slaughterhouse."

   SEELIE FAERIES: "Kill them all, tear at their flesh, and revel in the
   acid trip their meat will give you. They deserve no better, those that
   would so easily betray a friend."

   UNSEELIE FAERIES: "Close friends. They gave aid to our founder when
   all the others turned him away. Help them whenever they need it, and
   it will return to you tenfold."

   LUPINES: "The ones you can always count on are the Black Spiral
   Dancers. Ours is a trusting friendship. They do not mind serving our
   master if we serve theirs. As for the others, look toward the
   power-hungry tribes and the ones filled with the most hate. The Shadow
   Lords, the Red Talons, the Get of Fenris, any and all that hunt for
   power or for vengeance. Of course, don't let them know your true
   intentions. They'll tear you apart in no seconds flat."

   MAGES: "They're out for your blood. Nothing more. Watch your step with
   these humans. They'll drain you quicker than any vampire."

   Opinions By Others:

   "So their history is based on lies. So what? Like you don't you any
   delusions? Like you don't have any lies that keep you going throughout
   this miserable existence? Like you haven't made up any myths about
   yourself? Calling yourself the 'Ultimate Predator'! Calling yourself
   'One of the Damned'! How pathetic! The only reason you should fear
   them is that their lies are stronger than yours. And before it's all
   over, their lies may show you the truth about yourself. And how weak
   you truly are!"

   -- Bonzo, Malkavian Antitribu Methusaleh Death-Clown

   "They hate us with a passion, although we are their brothers. The Dark
   Folk have deluded them into hating us, have turned them from good
   friends, into eternal enemies. They are cursed with a hunger that
   repulses us all. Have mercy on their souls, for they know not what
   they do. But show no mercy when you meet one. They want nothing less
   than to tear the meat from your bones."

   -- Thoreau, Gangrel Scholar and Hermit

   "Young pups, listen and listen good. Not every Garou you met is what
   he may seem. Not every friend you have is a friend forever. There are
   Wyrm creatures that may be living among you now. Vicious leeches in
   wolf's clothing. They are enemies to all - they are children of the
   Wyld gone angry, children of the Weaver gone mad, children of the Wyrm
   still hungry. And they may be hungry for fat puppies like you, so
   beware. Beware."

   -- Xiao Lu, Elder Silent Strider Galliard

    View high level Lycaon Protean abilities.

   View Unseelie discipline.
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