Ravnos

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The Ravnos are a fictional clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games. Unlike most vampires, the Ravnos are associated with neither the Camarilla nor the Sabbat; much of the Ravnos symbolism is Middle Eastern and Asian, and the organization is centered in India. In Europe, these vampires are associated with Gypsies. Their symbol is a pointed cross. Even when compared to other vampires, Ravnos are not seen as being especially honorable; they are often seen as compulsive gamblers, thieves, liars, and criminals in general. This is because of the Ravnos' unique curse, that their beast is especially clever and cajoling. Rather than the usual feral desires for violence and gorging on blood, the Ravnos beast tempts it's host with crimes and infractions against society. In this way, the Ravnos beast is more similar to the classical "devil on the shoulder" than the usual Cainite version(which is much more brutal and violent in nature).

In the late 1990s, the Ravnos had been fighting a war with the Cathayans, siring large numbers of high-generation cannon fodder. The mass Embracings and Final Deaths of so many awakened the clan's slumbering Methuselahs, and in turn awakened Zapathasura, the clan's Antediluvian founder.

In the Week of Nightmares, Zapathasura's awakening caused all Ravnos to go mad. Zapathasura caused a massive monsoon to block out the sun as he laid waste to Bangladesh. Three powerful Eastern Kindred fought him for three days and nights, until the Technocracy dropped a spirit nuke on him. The attack did not kill him, but it enraged him even farther. (The blast had the additional effect of killing hundreds of mortals, which was later blamed on the monsoon; as well as bringing the adhene into the waking world, which would effect events in the Changeling: The Dreaming RPG). The Technocracy had to reflect the sun off three satellites onto Zapathasura, burning through the cloud cover, in order to destroy him. In his death throes, Zapathasura forced all of his progeny to engage in a brief self-destructive rampage. When their minds cleared, an unknown (but low) number of Ravnos survived. This number is not strictly known, as some sources say 'less than 100' survivors, while others say 'at least 100' or similarly-vague figures.

Nickname: Rogues

Appearance: Ravnos are usually embraced from the homeless, vagrant, or derelict and tend to dress more for functionality than form. Many of the older Ravnos originate from Roma (gypsie) or Indian descent, and so have the appropriate physical features.

Background: Potential Ravnos are selected because they have a quick mind and an ability to decieve. In India, potential childer are selected according to social caste.

Clan Disciplines: Animalism: The ability to communicate with animals and the feral nature of humans. Fortitude: Superhuman resilience and resistance to physical harm. Chimerstry: This is a unique Discipline practiced only by the Ravnos. This power allows them to manipulate "Maya", or the lie of the world, creating illusions that are incredibly realistic and able to decieve all five senses.