The Ducheski Family

By: Mitchell Kelly (mk00nf@csl.gov.uk)

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"Every king springs from a race of slaves, and every slave has had kings
among his ancestors."

-Plato, "Theaeteros"

The Ducheski family are a family of Revenant Ghouls, once associated with
the Tzimices, but now in the service of the Tremere.

History: Originally, the Ducheski served the Tzimices, acting as their tame
necromancers, releasing hordes of ghosts and zombies against their enemies
and summoning dead foes to learn of their plans and schemes. The Tremere
suffered heavily from assaults by the Ducheski early in their history, when
the war between the Tzimices and the Tremere was in full cry.

The Tzimices, however, were even more cynical than normal in their dealings
with their sevants. The Tremere counterattacked against the Ducheski,
killing many and driving others insane. The Ducheski asked their masters to
protect them, so that they could regroup and continue the attack. The
Tzimices simply sent other servants of theirs to destroy the Ducheski,
saying that servants who needed protection were of no value, and best
disposed of.

Very few Ducheski survived the double sided onslaught, but those that did,
after a brief period of hiding from both sides fled into the arms of the
Tremere. This curious turn of events arose because Amin Ducheski, the then
leader of the family saw that whilst there was no hope in trying to return
to the Tzimices fold, what they knew about their former masters' strengths,
weaknesses and battleplans might just allow them to make peace with the
Tremere and thus survive. There was the possibility, Amin said, that the
Tremere too might simply use them and kill them out of hand, but what other
chance did they have? It took several years, dark deeds too numerous to
mention and a powerful binding ritual to finally convince the Tremere of the
loyalty of their new servants, and then the Ducheski were released against
their former masters.

The skills and knowledge the Ducheski had brought with them were used to
great effect, and the family was able to watch gleefully as the whole
Tzimices clan crumbled in disarray.

The Ducheski have continued to serve the Tremere over the years, although
their numbers have remained small. They are concentrated in Central and
Western Europe, with very few indeed elsewhere. Knowledge of their existance
is closely guarded by the Tremere, who regard them as too valuable an asset
ot advertise openly.

Appearance: Traditional in dress, aristocratic in feature and bearing, the
Ducheski retain a steady demeanor at all times.

Family Estates: None as such. They live as discrete families, with the
family members attached to different members of a given Chantry.

Background: All are Dilletante or Noble in concept. The see themselves as
nobles in the service of a greater group of rulers. The children are
educated in exclusive schools and at home, where they learn more esoteric
knowledge.

Disciplines: Auspex, Necromancy, Obfuscate.

Creation: Natures usually Tradiotionalist, Architect or Autocrat. Demeanors
are variable, but usually not very unusual. Mental Attributes and Knowledges
are primary, common Backgrounds include Resources, Contacts (often Spirits)
and Mentor (either a family member or a Tremere).

Weakness: As a result of a powerful ritual placed on the whole clan and
passed down through the generations, the loyalty of the Ducheski is
guaranteed. If a Ducheski deliberatly acts against the best interests of the
clan, she immediately ages 50 years, and acquires a magical "glow" (visible
on Perception+Occult, 8). This ritual does not otherwise affect the free
will of the Ducheski. Also, the Ducheski frenzy in the presence of Tzimices.

Prefered Paths: Most follow the Path of Humanitas, but some follow the old
Paths now forgotten by the Kindred, and a very few folow the Path of
Cathari.

Family Organisation: The eldest male is regarded as the leader of the
family, although his decisions are usually considered advisory rather than
absolute. All defer to the Regent of the Chantry to which they are attached.
Family relations are cordial but formal, and regualr meetings and visits
occur.

Gaining Respect: Intelligence, and the demonstration of it is highly prized,
and skill in the occult or Necromancy is considered of paramount importance.
Stupidity or acting without thought are punished, although the s ternest
punishments are reserved for traitors.

Duties: The Ducheski act as watchdogs, although they feel that this
underutilises their abilities. They are expert information gatherers, with
both temporal and spiritual contacts. They are sometimes called upon to take
part in rituals, especially those that require some action to be taken
during daylight. Sometimes, the Regent of a Chantry will have a Ducheski
placed discretely (e.g. through a normal recruiting agency) with a new
Childe, to monitor the Neonate in their early years. Such Ducheski do not
reveal their true nature to their masters until ordered to by the Regent.