Endendara

by Joel Sax (12 Oct 93)

Several thousands of years ago, legend has it, Geb, the first Endendara was
created in Africa. Traditions differ as to what Geb was before he became one
of the Kindred: some say he was human. Others say that he was a sentient,
carnivorous plant. All sources agree, however, that Geb was altered, either
by magic or deliberate manipulation by the Antediluveans, into a being which
combined plant and animal characteristics in a new bloodline. Many centuries
later, when Geb followed the Moors into Spain, he and his childer acquired
the name they are known by today: Endendara or "Vines".

Geb probably perished in the anarch uprising. Today, perhaps twenty of his
descendants live mostly sendentary existences around the world, mostly in
the rainforests of Africa. Despite their vegetable natures, Endedara are
voracious predators. They often have an alien intelligence which is
perplexing to mortals and other vampires. Their abilities to conceal
themselves in a forest have made them feared by the Garou who associate them
with kudzu vines.

Endendara usually Embrace mortals who spend much time in the woods. At
first, the Endendara childer may act as her sire's procurator, luring prey
into the reach of the sire's tendrils. As the childer grows older and more
powerful, she usually leaves her sire and finds a distant spot in a forest
where she can take root and hunt her own meals.

As they grow older, Endendara grow more and more plantlike. The oldest of
Endendara never move at all, existing below the ground for centuries while
catching passing prey with their moveable tendrils. Endendara are unique
among Kindred in that they require the light of the sun to help them process
the blood they take in for food. As long as an Endendara's body reminds
buried during the day, it may freely use its tendrils to capture prey and
its leaves to photosynthesize its food.

Nickname: Vines or Weeds.

Appearance: Like the Gangrel, Endendara begin looking like normal human
beings. Members of the bloodline often develop yellowish or greenish skin.
The oldest Endendara resemble tree root balls shaped like human beings.
These are seldom seen. Human-like Endendara often look dirty and disheveled,
though some have been known to keep themselves as impeccably as Toreador.

Haven: Endendara grow increasingly sendendary as they lose humanity. They
are often found in forests or thickets or jungles. They often remain melded
with the earth for months, years, decades, or centuries in one location.

Background: They prefer to choose people who spend a great deal of time in
the woods such as hermits, survivalists, Rastafarians, and hunter-gatherers.

Character creation: Endendara often have outsider, working class, or hermit
concepts. They often have passive demeanors, but very ferocious natures.
Skills (with emphasis on nature/plant craft) tend to be primary.

Clan Disciplines: Daphneism, Fortitude, Presence.

Weaknesses: Endendara have two critical weaknesses. The first is that they
grow more plantlike as they lose humanity. The character's skin first turns
greenish, then she turns brown more barklike as she becomes gradually more
sendentary. The oldest Endendara never move. The second is that the youngest
Endendara must spend twice as many blood points as usual to raise
attributes, sleep, or perform any discipline which requires them. This
weakness disappears as they master the Discipline of Daphneism.

Organization: The Endendara have never gathered together in one spot since
Geb left Africa. Some small local covens are rumored to exist, consisting of
a sire and its offspring. These break up as the childer grown older and seek
their own havens.