Basic info: The members of this clan are known for their hedonism, though that is a misinterpretation of what they truly are. They are indeed proud and regal Kindred, highly excitable with expensive tastes - but hedonism is going a bit too far. Artists are always so misunderstood. Throughout history, the Toreador have been involved in the arts. This tradition is said to have begun with the first progeny of the founder, a pair of beautiful and artistically gifted twins. Their sire was a leader of the cabal of third generation vampires who slew their own sires. Though ruthless, he was very doting upon his progeny, proffering them far more independence than any other fourth generation vampires were given. They used their freedom to nurture the full panorama of the arts, and their sire protected them throughout war and famine. To this day, the Toreador claim that they are watched over by Arikel, their founder. Though the Toreador are not as formally organised as some other clans, they are furiously loyal to one another and to the art they claim to serve. Debutantes to the end, these vampires are inspired by things of great beauty. A Toreador’s senses are vastly enhanced to see beauty in the most unlikely of places, and they can use this skill (Auspex) to find their way out of seemingly impossible situations. They also have the ability to enchant and charm others (Presence). The Toreador are known to be the most sophisticated of the clans. They are concerned with beauty in a way no mortal can fathom. They use the rarefied senses and tastes given to them with the Embrace to become as consumed and impassioned as possible. Ideally, to a Toreador, nothing matters as much as beauty, though in many cases the search for beauty simply degenerates into a search for pleasure, and the Toreador becomes little more than a hedonist. Like all true artists, they search for a truth beyond the existence they fear to be meaningless. It is that struggle for truth, and ultimately salvation, that has brought them to what they consider to be their mission: to protect the genius of the human race. Toreadors are truly in love with the vigor and passion of mortals and never tire of marveling at their creations. The clan as a whole considers itself conservators of the greatest artists of any variety. They specifically seek out those who they consider to be the most worthwhile and bring them into immortality, thus protecting their genius against the ravages of aging and death. Toreadors constantly search for new talent and spend a great deal of time deciding who to preserve and who to leave to fate. Among the Toreador are some of the greatest musicians and artists who ever lived. It is said that while the Ventrue are the mind of the Camarilla, the Toreador are it's soul. It was one of their number, Rafael de Corazon, who was instrumental in it's formation. The Toreador are the greatest supporters of many of the Camarilla's traditions, most notably that of Elysium. This is where the Toreador are in their element, showcasing their latest pieces and practicing their highly effective (and sometimes deadly) form of social maneuvering. From the outside, most other Clans think of one face of the Toreador, but see another. When speaking of them to another, most envision Toreador as the Artistes - billowy shirted, frock-coated fops who crow about the beauty of the ages and lamenting their lost humanity. In reality, outsiders are less likely to meet such characters, given as they are to sequestering themselves away to work on their latest masterpiece. Far more often encountered are those Toreador whose unlives have become dedicated to the Kindred social scene - Toreador are often up to date on the latest gossip in Kindred society, and having spent years with their often bitchy and conniving clan mates they are more than capable of ruining someone's reputation with a pithy comeback or a damning piece of gossip whispered in just the right ear. The greatest weakness of the Toreador is their sensitivity to beauty. They so reflexively surround themselves with elegance and luxury that they sometimes lose sight of their goals and become concerned only with self-gratification - the reputation of the entire clan suffers from these individuals. And, being so sensitive, they are also drawn to any beautiful thing and can become completely captivated by it - even at the most inopportune moments. Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Presence. General appearance: Toreador Embrace out of passion as much as any other reason: accordingly, many Toreador are creatures of surpassing beauty. Of all Kindred, Toreador are the vampires most attuned to human fashion trends; centuries-old members of this clan are often more stylish than some 30-year-old mortals. If it's in, chances are that at least one Toreador will adopt it. Usual Havens: Toreador take care to ensure that their havens are comfortable, convenient for socializind and - above all - conform to their aesthetic tastes. Vampires of a more artistic bent might maintain spacious lofts to display their works, while their "poseur" counterparts love opulent suites perfect for hosting parties. Progeny: Toreador range across a spectrum of concepts, from lonely, tortured artists to debauched jetsetters. Some Toreador are Embraced for no reason other than their beauty or personal style, as a passionate sire decides that they simply must be "preserved" for eternity. Though artists do make up a large proportion of the clan, which in the modern nights can include computer graphics artists, avant-garde performance artists and sportsmen alongside the singers, dancers and writers. Then there are the businessmen, critics and those who are simply beautiful. While the main detractors of the clan, often the Nosferatu and the Brujah complain that Toreador coddle their childer. The truth is a much more brutal one. Toreador sires are notoriously faddish, and while the subject of their Embrace can be the most cutting edge, the most innovative, the most beautiful, the most now, they can easily be terrible passe and embarrasing the following week. The sire then inevitably dumps the new childe as soon as is feasible, leaving the young vampire confused and struggling to make their own way. Such is the nature of the Toreador. Views on the other clans: Brujah: On the first night, their passion terrifies. On the second night, their passion fascinates. On the third night, their passion inflames. After that... frankly, their passion begins to bore. Gangrel: As charmingly untamed as a tiger; as worthy of consideration as a housecat. Malkavian: The fractured kaleidospoce of their thoughts are enchanting at first glimpse. Gaze at it too long, though, and one grows prone to terrible headaches. Nosferatu: Odious beasts! And to think that they are allowed in the halls of culture! Oh, how gauche... Tremere: One deals with the butcher and the bureaucrat because they provide useful conveniences. One graciously acknowledges services efficently performed. One does not, though, invite the hired help to the soiree, nor take kindly to party-crashers. Ventrue: Every masterwork must have it's frame; every bust must have it's pillar This the Ventrue understand, and they perform their functions admirably.

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