                                  MNEMOSYNE



   By ???

   Based on material from The Book of Nod

   "Literature says something, and, at the same time, it denies what it
   has said; it doesn't destroy signs, it makes them play and it plays
   them. If and whether literature is liberation from the power of the
   given language depends on the nature of the power." --- Umberto Eco,
   Travels in Hyperreality

   The members of this bloodline see themselves as undertakers of a noble
   quest: the search for the scattered pieces of The Book of Nod. They
   are obsessed with this search for the origins of our kind. Nothing
   else comes close in importance to this quest. Mnemosyne who have built
   huge fortunes, have given up everything they possessed to pursue the
   slightest clue about The Book.

   Strangely enough, for a clan that seeks the knowledge of our origin,
   that of the Mnemosyne is shrouded in mystery. No one knows from whence
   they came, and who their Founder is. The Mnemosyne avoid answering
   questions about their origins. The few who have spoken on the subject
   are part of a sub-cult within the bloodline that claims Mnemosyne, the
   Greek Elder god of Memory, herself created the bloodline ages ago,
   charging them to safeguard and pursue all knowledge of their kind.

   Relations with the rest of Kindred society is shaky at best. Mnemosyne
   tend to completely ignore conventions of our society when on the
   trail. Most Clans tolerate them, perhaps in the hope the Bookworms may
   actually succeed in finding the truth. Surpisingly, the Brujah are
   usually the most tolerant towards this bloodline, obsessed as they are
   with the truth...

   Scholars of the Tremere have theorized that the Mnemosyne are
   descended from the Malkavian Clan, as they have similar abilities, and
   their obsession with The Book seems to be a derangement of some sort.

   For the most part, members of this bloodline keep out of the politics
   of Kindred society. If it does not get in the way of their quest, they
   do not care. There are independent Mnemosyne, as well as those loosely
   affiliated with the Sabbat or Camarilla. Such associations are usually
   a matter of convenience for the Mnemosyne, or a way to get resources
   or information for the quest. Thus, the alliances do not last long.

   They claim that another bloodline, named after Jocasta (mother of
   Oedipus), seeks the same knowledge and is constantly thwarting them
   and trying to steal their findings. The horrible and outlandish
   stories they tell about the practices of these so-called
   'Jocastatians' are just too ridiculous to even consider.

   [illustration: A broad man wearing spectacles and a tweed jacket, with
   his hair slicked-back. An academic obviously, college professor-type,
   but rough around the edges. Like Indiana Jones before he puts on his
   hat and bullwhip.]

   Nicknames: Memory-Seekers, Bookworms

   Appearance: Any, tend to be paler than most from all that time inside
   libraries or underground digging for relics... They tend to favor
   either academic or 'Indiana Jones' style of dress.

   Havens: Libraries, archaeological digs, colleges

   Background: They mostly embrace Academics or scientists, although they
   have been known to ghoul or embrace their guides or others if they
   think it will ensure their success while searching for a fragment of
   The Book. These 'on-the-spot' recruitees are shortly thereafter sent
   to Alexandria to undergo the long indoctrination most members of this
   bloodline undergo.

   Character Creation: Usually tend to have Academic/Scientist concepts,
   although Adventurer concepts fit as well. Nature and Demeanor tend to
   be Visionary, Architect, Survivor, Fanatic, or similar ones. Mental
   and Knowledge are Primary. They also have many Contacts and Allies.
   Investigation and Survival are usually high.

   Clan Disciplines: Obfuscate, Auspex, Dominate

   Weaknesses: Obsession. Beyond anything. Members of this bloodline will
   sacrifice everything; material wealth, friends, family, lovers, their
   blood, even their own humanity, if it will take them closer to The
   Book. Mnemosyne must, upon hearing or discovering a clue to the quest,
   drop everything they are doing and immediately pursue this new course.

   Refusing to do this is dangerous for the Mnemosyne and those around
   him. For every week the quest is ignored, difficulties to resist
   Frenzy increase by one. After the difficulty reaches 10, the Mnemosyne
   begins to lose one Self-Control die per week. Finally, after the
   Mnemosyne is down to one Self-Control die, he becomes unable to spend
   Willpower to resist Frenzy.

   Should the roll be failed, the Mnemosyne will immediately attack
   anyone in his way to head in the direction his research has led him. A
   botch is even worse, as the Mnemosyne also gains a Derangement.
   Usually, one that contributes to his Obsession even more.

   The Frenzy aspect of the Mnemosyne leads many Tremere to consider if
   their origins lie with the Brujah of ages past...

   Organization: Loosely organized, they seem patterned after an academic
   institution. The 'Dean' of the bloodline resides in Alexandria, the
   home of the Mnemosyne as far back as anyone can remember. Much
   priceless knowledge was lost in the 3 fires that destroyed the library
   over time. The Mnemosyne could not search the library fast enough over
   the years before it was finally destroyed. It is certain anything they
   might have found was lost, yet the bloodline stays there in the hope
   something may be uncovered.

   The storehouse of knowledge and bloodline center is located in
   catacombs deep below the former site of the library, guarded by the
   deadliest members of the bloodline, who it is rumored, have been
   trained by the Black Hand and the Assamites...

   Status in the bloodline is determined by success. The more knowledge a
   Mnemosyne discovers, the more well-regarded he is. Mnemosyne who give
   up the quest are looked upon with scorn and disgust, and are usually
   killed. Any member who is discovered keeping knowledge secret, is also
   killed. Many risk this, hoarding their knowledge for that 'one big
   find.'

   Quote: "Your petty politics and games of lust do not concern me. I
   exist for one thing, and one thing only. The quest for the knowldge of
   our Father and his first Children. Nothing else matters. Nothing."

  STEREOTYPES



   Brujah - Violent anarchists. Suprisingly, they seem to be the most
   open-minded to our quest. We remember when they often joined us in our
   search, even if many of them do not today...

   Gangrel - Excellent guides and guards. They are the backbone of any
   expedition. Unfortunately, they are rather close-minded and hard to
   persuade to lend their aid. Always going on about Gaia. They are
   closer to the Lupines then even they suspect...

   Malkavian - Fools and children. Yet, wisdom lies hidden below it.
   Untapped depths. You can search for years, fruitlessly. Then a single
   word from one of them sets you on the right track.

   Nosferatu - They weren't always so hard on the eyes, you know. Anyway,
   they are good sources of information, always turning up an odd fact
   here and there. They are also handy for quick escapes out of the city
   when the Prince becomes unsympathetic.

   Toreador - Useless. Frivolous. Idiots.

   Tremere - DON'T TRUST THEM! DON'T TELL THEM ANYTHING!!

   Ventrue - Our 'rulers' cannot see what is right before their eyes. To
   know one's origins is to know oneself. Knowledge is power... not
   senseless manueverings and politics. Until they realize this, they
   will never be what they like to think they already are.

   Sabbat - The 'True Children of Caine,' or so they would like to
   believe. They are not all bad and, in fact, sometimes support us more
   than the Camarilla. I would trust them about as much as I would one of
   the Children of Sutekh, however.
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