A bloodline is like a clan, but its characteristics are not so universal. It might help to think of a bloodline as a “sub-clan.” Not all vampires are members of bloodlines. Each bloodline has a parent clan from which it distinctly diverges, yet claims descent. Kindred scholars have no reliable estimates of how many bloodlines exist in the world tonight, because bloodlines can arise at any time and few of them would stand up to be counted, even if some formal roster of them were made.
OPTIONAL BLOODLINE WEAKNESS: TRIUMVIRATE OF POWER
This optional bloodline weakness may be too potent for some chronicles, and not potent enough for others. Storytellers with a sizeable number of vampires belonging to bloodlines in their chronicle’s domain may get use out of this optional bloodline weakness, possibly even attaching it to a bloodline like the Gorgons or one drawn from Bloodlines: The Legendary. If bloodline-based vampires are rare in your chronicle (or even if Kindred themselves are especially rare!), this bloodline may be too restrictive to be of use to you:
“For any vampire from this lineage to gain the benefits of the bloodline’s unique Discipline, there must be at least three members of the bloodline within a fixed mystic range of one another. This range is a number of miles equal to the highest Blood Potency of the bloodline’s local members — the vampire whose Blood Potency defines the range is known as the Matron. Unless three vampires from the bloodline are within range of the Matron, none of these vampires may use the bloodline’s signature Discipline. If more than three members of the bloodline are within range, each additional member beyond the third imposes a cumulative –2 penalty on all dice pools to use the unique Discipline.”
Bron
Fisher Kings
A fallen bloodline, who feels destined to rule but are cursed to be unable to do so, they continually seek out new territories in the hope of one day finding that will accept them.
Children of Judas
Suicide Kings
A sinister clan which greatly enjoys encouraging despair, self-destruction and suicide in Kindred and mortals alike.
Galloi
Pretties
Bathers in their own blood who have overcome the inherent ugliness of their parent clan, they may remain beautiful so long as they continue the practice.
Gulikan
Perfumers or Bloodhounds
An odd bloodline which is obsessed with all things olfactory; their sense of smell is beyond compare, and they seek to indulge it all times.
Kuufukuji
The Hungry
Monastic hermits who seek mastery over the Beast and the need for blood.
Macellarius
Gourmands / Gluttons
An ill-reputed bloodline, known chiefly for its morbid obesity, they are believed to consume blood in great quantities, sometimes even devouring bodies to get their fill. They are none the less often as socially charming as their Ventrue brethren.
Melissidae
Queen Bees
A bloodline which is largely quiet, after a late 19th century massacre. They are leaders over mortals who seek to create utopian societies, with themselves at the top.
Players
Wannabes
Vampires who seek to be beautiful and untroubled like those in popular media, they are amongst the most reviled beings in the World of Darkness.
The Carnival
Freaks
A band of twisted and mutated Kindred, they spurn life amongst their fellows, instead choosing to parade before and horrify the public with their shows.