The Architect
The Architect is an Autarkis Tzimisce on Caliburn Island.
Mortal Life[edit | edit source]
The Kindred known only as The Architect does not like to discuss their life before the Embrace, following ancient Tzimisce traditions in regarding one's Mortal Life as nothing more than a chrysalis to be discarded once rebirth through the Blood of Caine is completed. If pressed about it (and it would be unwise to do so ICly) they may simply state they were no one and that it simply doesn't matter now.
Kindred Life[edit | edit source]
They were Embraced on 17th August 1526 in a place once called Wallachia, now mostly lost to time, in what is now modern Romania. Being Embraced by a Tzimisce Old Clan Elder of potent 7th Generation blood meant that his status as a Fledgling of the Old Clan was short, unkind, and harsh by the standards of modern Kindred; being expected to excel in every task their Sire instructed them to carry out or be punished for it in ways only a particularly old and cruel Tzimisce could come up with.
Still, being reborn into the Old Clan rather than the larger fragmented Clan Tzimisce had its advantages; their Sire though cruel as they could be still kept them sheltered and protected from others who would hunt sources of ancient blood and, over time, would be taught techniques and disciplines only available to the Old Clan. They were never exposed to the larger depravations of the Sabbat, sheltered as they were in the old crumbling estates of their Clan Elders.
It was not long until they shed their mortal birthname and took on the moniker of "The Architect", serving as both a name and a title as their growing skill with Vicissitude was employed by the Clan Elders in the construction of wonderous artifacts, furniture, and even larger scale buildings; his greatest honour being included in the maintenance of a remarkable Cathedral of Flesh beneath the estate of a particularly ancient Old Clan Methuselah.
In terms of gender they currently express themselves as male, though being from Clan Tzimisce and highly skilled in Vicissitude this generally changes between male and female every few decades with the occasional bout of a genderless androgynous form when the mood takes them.
Once several centuries had passed and they had more than demonstrated their usefulness to the Old Clan Elders, The Architect was tasked with the gathering of information for the Elders of the Old Clan in places where the weight of their ancient blood would be more of a hindrance than not. It was a task The Architect relished, allowing them to travel the world and see sights they never would've thought imaginable, becoming more useful and indispensable to the Elders of the Old Clan until, with time, they became considered a true Elder of the clan themselves.
It is unknown what exactly has brought The Architect to Caliburn Island. If asked, they would state they were commanded here by the Clan Elders to be their ambassador to the New World, nothing more.
Recent Unlife[edit | edit source]
The Architect arrived on Caliburn Island some time ago, mingling with the local Kindred factions only enough to assure them that the arrival of an Elder of Clan Tzimisce was no threat to them and that they really would prefer to simply be left alone. Still, the method of their arrival did raise some eyebrows; arriving via container ship in one of the worst storms the island had seen in living memory.
Their true intentions for being on the island are still a mystery, as are questions about what they may or may not have brought with them from the Old World on the behest of their Tzimisce masters.
Suffice it to say; they are an old and potent Elder of terrible strength and woe betide any who seek to prevent them from completing the mission the Elders of the Old Clan sent them to Caliburn Island to complete, whatever that may turn out to be.
Personality & Interactions[edit | edit source]
The Architect's personality is one of aloof detachment and cold calculations.
KINDRED: They genuinely do not enjoy speaking with other Kindred unless they are also of Clan Tzimisce, though even then if they are part of the main clan they considers them "tainted" and beneath themselves and the Old Clan Elders they serves. They will speak to others only when needed to further their goals and to integrate themself into existing power bases. They is not above killing those Kindred they deem to be in the way of their mission to Caliburn Island and likewise has absolutely no qualms about diablerie, though with the latter they would not openly admit to those who deem it a crime punishable by Final Death.
KINE: They have no interest whatsoever in the Kine (mortals) other than as a food source and to serve their basic daily needs. In their eyes the Kine are utterly beneath them, mere ants to be fed upon or crushed. They will perform the bare minimum acts in order to maintain the Masquerade, if only to not anger the local Kindred. They are, however, not stupid and knows that in sufficient numbers the Kine can be genuinely dangerous to the Kindred.
GAROU: Clan Tzimisce have long-standing feuds with the werewolves of Eastern Europe, some wars of which The Architect participated in personally, and as such they know well the kind of raw power and ferocity a shape changer can bring to the battlefield. They keep a respectful distance from the tribes of Caliburn, knowing they have neither the numbers or the raw strength to outmatch an entire tribe in a confrontation even in Zulo form.
FEY: Finding them and their fantastical "powers" fascinating in a purely scientific sense, The Architect will always attempt to lure and capture those he comes across in order to study them. They wish to fleshcraft Fey flesh and bones in order to gauge the usefulness of such components.
MAGES: Similar to their stance on Fey creatures, they are fully aware of the existence of Awakened Mages and wish to speak to some, though being that they are incredibly rare and dangerous.. they are unlikely to encounter any.
Being a Tzimisce Elder they place a great regard on those who respect their age, their authority, or their knowledge and act as such. Those who are aware of Tzimisce traditions can genuinely surprise them and earn their respect. Tzimisce have long memories in relation to ancient grudges and The Architect is no different; those who insult or assault their person will not be forgotten, and they have many ways of fulfilling a grudge to their satisfaction long after the other party has forgotten all about it.
Powers & Abilities[edit | edit source]
Being an Elder of Clan Tzimisce and close to 600 years old; The Architect is an astoundingly well-versed practitioner of the clan's signature Discipline of Vicissitude, though full mastery of the Discipline and its height of Azhi Dahaka remains frustratingly out of reach to them. Still, they are a firm adherent on the Path of Metamorphosis and it is a path that some say never truly ends, as such they are confident they will reach Azhi Dahaka in time. It can truly take millennia to reach the state only The Eldest and a scant few Tzimisce Methuselahs have reached.
The Architect may transform into the horrifying Zulo War Form when required to defend themselves. This form may not always be the same in appearance each time they transform, though it will always be terrifying and monstrous and a clear Masquerade violation that cannot be easily covered up. As such, it is used sparingly and carefully. One transformation may be a long-limbed demonic monstrosity as elegant as it is dangerous, while the next transformation may be an indistinct flesh concoction of teeth and lashing bone-whips designed to eviscerate its foes like a living blender.
Rumours from the Old World suggest The Architect has been taught one or more lines of Koldunic blood magic by one of the more enlightened Methuselahs within the Old Clan, if these rumours are true it would make the Elder a particularly dangerous and unpredictable Kindred indeed.
The Architect is a Loremaster and an ancient, having knowledge of many things younger Kindred may wish to know about their immortal forms that they are all too eager to teach, including several subjects normally reserved to the ranks of the Sabbat such as knowledge of the Book of Nod. Though for a being as old as they are, sometimes they truly struggle with understanding the modern world and its interconnectivity through modern pieces of technology; they are liable to forget phones and computers even exist.
In-Game Variations[edit | edit source]
The Architect has several different guises they may show up as, depending heavily on the demands of the situation they may find themselves in.
Clan Tzimisce are, after all, the masters of change.
