Supping With Our Overseers
The Houses We Watch Over
remember a particular song ? That ’ s what it is like for me to picture my father ’ s face .
And what of those times when the ritual returns ? Though its use was banned centuries ago and the Tremere claim all copies were destroyed , sometimes evidence is found of the materials required to create us outside the Embrace . Sometimes it is a desperate ploy to gain power for the Tremere in the city by making us , especially in cities where history does not run deep and few know about what transpired in the Long Night . Other cities exist where the Tremere believe their clutch of power is so great , such a violation would likely go unpunished . This is hardly the case . Kindred don ’ t need much justification to go to war . A Primogen council may not give us a chance to speak , but suggest the Tremere are up to their old tricks to another Clan and it won ’ t take long for the truth to be revealed . In fire , if necessary .
Supping With Our Overseers
Our relationship with the Clan that created us is complex , to say the least . We have been free for hundreds of years , but many of us stay in service to the Tremere out of tradition , fear , or perhaps even lack of a further sense of purpose . There were many examples of the Tremere mistreating us during our enslavement , but there were also many who treated us with kindness . Cruel masters don ’ t just exist in the Tremere , and some of us prefer to stay with the devil we know . Though there is some lingering resentment , there is also fondness . Don ’ t assume that a free Gargoyle will automatically rail against the Tremere .
Today , having a Gargoyle servant in your haven or Chantry is considered a prestigious luxury . It ’ s a sign that you have power , longevity , or a little bit of both . It ’ s not unheard of for a Tremere to woo a Gargoyle that arrives in the domain for some exclusive services . Our strange forms can be an impressive display when a Tremere is seeking a Primogen seat or to oust the head of the local chantry . Other Kindred will woo us when they are trying to get the Tremere in a city to do what they want . They assume we still have some leverage with the Clan . Even if we don ’ t , entertaining their offers is often worth your time . Even if nothing comes of it , it can offer insight into the politics of the city and a good indication if it ’ s a place you can thrive or one you should avoid .
One advantage of continuing to serve the Tremere is access to their magic . When we were merely their creation , their thaumaturgy was kept away from us like all other Kindred . Now that we have something the Tremere want , learning a few rituals here or there in exchange for some protection can be quite useful . Because of our complicated connection , some Tremere consider us to be closer than a rival Clan , even if we aren ’ t fully of the blood . Beware those Tremere who still exist from the time of our creation , though , because old opinions die hard . They might decide you ’ re not worth the trouble and simply hunt you down .
Chantries unconcerned with the Montmartre Pact have occasionally created “ Gaslight Gargoyles .” Because the Embrace removes many of the memories we had as humans , these Gargoyles are convinced they were created before the Pact came into play , and still treated as slaves created through the ritual . Reinforcement through blood bond and powers causes the Gargoyle to doubt any evidence to the contrary . It ’ s a big risk , because if the process backfires , it ’ s usually the type that burns chanties to the ground and leaves few members with their heads still attached to their bodies . The only documented case where this occurred was in Milwaukee in the 1960s , but the concern arises every decade or so in our circles .
Few , if any , Tremere antitribu have contact with us . Many of the Tremere that left did so because of the Monmartre Pact , taking with them their stone slaves if they were able . Many of these Kindred left their havens , grimoires , and other equipment behind because of the violent backlash of the parent Clan . The Gargoyles who do side with the Sabbat spend no more time with the Tremere antitribu than the other members of the Sect . The one exception is the makeup of the Downward Chain Cabal , which features the Gargoyle Mathilda as one of Hannibal Rex ’ s so-called “ infernal apprentices .”
The Houses We Watch Over
The free Gargoyles recognize they don ’ t exist in a vacuum . Most of us try to keep our allegiances private , but there are those who decide for one reason or another to throw in with a larger Sect . Paying some allegiance can offer more freedom in the long run . If the city is full of Camarilla vampires , saying you are one will mean most of them will leave you alone and let you go about your business .
If you count the Gargoyles who still serve the Tremere , most of the Gargoyles who do choose loyalty to a Sect choose the Camarilla . They don ’ t ask much of their followers , though our appearance challenges their Masquerade . Take a page from the Nosferatu and stay hidden in their cities to avoid getting into any major hassles . Many of us would likely throw in fully with the Camarilla should the Final Nights ever descend upon us .
Service to the Sabbat is rare . We spent a lot of time and effort throwing off the shackles of one group of vampires
34 GARGOYLES