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The Children of Foul Seed
These creatures are the only known means by which vampires
can create new, independent life during sex with humans, by using
the banned ritual "Milk
the Foul Seed". Resulting children do bear some resemblance
to their sire, despite the macabre way in which they are conceived,
and share their genetic heritage.
After the ritual, the foetus grows normally over nine months,
except that it is abnormally large and forms itself quite early.
During pregnancy, the mother will gradually lose blood and becomes
weak, listless and anaemic - without regular transfusions she
will die by the time of the birth. In former times death was
almost certain, and the child would be cut from the womb. With
modern medicine mothers generally survive, but the subsequent
birth is always violent and bloody. The resulting infant is born
very large, strong and self-aware, with sharp teeth and strong
arms with which rips the mother open like a spitted pig during
the birth, a horrorific sight to all who witness it.
All Children of Foul Seed bear some sort of crescent mark
on their body, usually above the hairline or on the inside of
a limb, which is a shade lighter than their natural skin colour.
The child grows unnaturally quickly, becoming sexually mature
and rapacious at eight years' of age, although they are themselves
sterile. Foul Spawn are universally hostile, aggressive, and
although potentially intelligent and capable of showing affection
to their families, they are often violent and uncontrollable,
particularly when surprised or threatened. They are essentially
sociopathic, having no Empathy for the feelings or considerations
of others, and no qualms about causing fear, pain and death.
They are also ghouls - blood-bound
to their vampiric parent, a permanent bond which does not need
to be maintained by blood. They have the capacity to develop
vampiric disciplines, also, but unless they are maintained by
vampiric Vitae they will age normally. It is believed that their
natural lifespan is longer than humans, but because of the violent
nature, few survive to live into a peaceful old age.
If Embraced, Foul Spawn remain blood-bound
to their vampire parent as well as to their vampiric sire. Their
Humanity tends to be naturally quite low, and they have a low
level of Self-Control - but otherwise have no particular advantage
or disadvantage. On Embrace their clan disciplines become that
of their sire.
Historical Note
Guido Alvarez,
the Great Grand Master, took control of an entire Ursuline Convent
outside of Madrid, which he used mercilessly to spawn Children
of his own Foul Seed. The Children (as adults) were formed into
his own private Guard which protected his properties, and exacted
his justice on the City. Terrible stories of witch possessions
and demons rocked the City after the births, although he crushed
such opposition mercilessly, destroying the sanity of Inquisitors
who chose to investigate. During daylight hours he often kept
a loose rein on these, his Children, and there were many stories
of monstrous rapes and murders being carried out by them on the
innocent and guilty alike.
This outrage threatened to break the newly formulated Masquerade,
and was one of the reasons why in 1595 - almost the centennial
anniversary of the instigation of the Masquerade (which Guido
opposed) - the then Tremere Justicar began an investigation into
goings-on within the City, leading to Guido's impeachment, trial
and eventual blood-hunt. It also led to the first Purges against
the Draconi Order which swept on a wave of fire throughout the
cities of Europe.
All known copies of this ritual have been hunted down and
burned, although it is well known that many survived. However
the ritual is still officially banned, and its use is deemed
to be a breach of the Code of Tremere.
"Order of Draco", (c) Robert
D How, 1998
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