Libitinarius
”Now sleep the sleep of kings, my lord, and be reborn.”
The Libitinarius bloodline began as a mortal cult hidden behind the scenes of University College in the 1880s. It is a manifestation of Europe’s renewed scholarly interest in classical art and culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The so-called Morticians have successfully resurrected ancient mortuary rituals and funerary magic through the mystic properties of the blood. Tonight, Libitinarius Kindred are the undertakers and funeral priests of the Damned, preparing the corpses and spirits of vampires for the long deathlike sleep of Torpor.
In 1884, a wealthy and idle Englishman named Ivor Gardner began funding the harmless ritual ceremonies of a few overenthusiastic classics professors of University College in London. Originally, the ceremonies were little more than a colorful way of paying respects to the ancient peoples the professors were studying every day. Due to their interest in religion in the Ptolemaic era, the professors centered many of their rituals on Serapis, a composite god combining elements of Osiris, the Apis bull of Memphis and various other Hellenistic deities. The ceremonies were secret only because the professors were embarrassed to be spending their time singing in Latin and reciting Egyptian “spells.”
With the addition of Gardner’s interest and money, however, the monthly ceremonies became more and more elaborate. Before long, Gardner was bringing other visitors and guests with him and the ceremonies had become something more akin to costume parties. The ceremonies were kept secret if only because exclusivity is attractive.
In October of 1885, however, Ivor Gardner died at just 44 years of age. In his will, Gardner indicated his desire to be buried by his professorial friends in a suitable ancient ceremony. In exchange, he left a considerable fortune to the “secret society of Serapis.” In honor of Gardner, the professors buried him according to the funeral customs of the Roman goddess of corpses, death and funerals — Libitina. Somehow, between the richly funded grandeur of the ceremony and the real pathos of the participants, the motives of the attendees changed. By 1886, the ceremonial club that had jokingly called itself the “society of Serapis” had become a cult of Libitina.
In 1888, the cult drew the attention of a corpse. One of the original ceremonialist professors, Dr. Henry Weeks, was a ghoul in service to a vampire of The Ordo Dracul. Weeks provided his master with access to the university’s library and facilities, and Weeks’ master provided him with Vitae and tales from ancient Kindred. After learning of the cult, Weeks’ master slowly insinuated himself into the cult as a figurehead and idol… and revealing himself as a vampire to the cultists.
Pairing the Resources of the mortal professors and The Ordo Dracul, the cult became a formidable collection of minds and texts. The cult and the Dragons, through Weeks, cultivated knowledge of Ptolemaic religious practices and spells of the ancient world. Due to the unnatural needs of the Dragons and the funerary expertise of the cultists, the focus of the group’s occult studies remained on Greek and Roman interpretations of Egyptian mortuary magic. The beginnings of the Mortualia Discipline were coming together in those nights, and Weeks and his master knew it.
By 1891, Kindred of other covenants were also interacting with London’s cult of Libitina. Not long after, the question of the Embrace was brought up again and again among the living and the undead of the cult. In 1892, Weeks was Embraced by his master for the purposes of taking over as the “risen mouthpiece for the dead” within the cult. Shortly thereafter, Weeks oversaw the performance of an ancient Greco-Roman funeral ritual held for the benefit of his aged sire. Using artifacts and incantations gathered over the past few years, the cult of Libitina prepared the body of Weeks’ sire for its long sleep — for Torpor. The climax of the ceremony was the casting of an Egyptian funeral spell and the accidental destruction of the ancient urn on which it was inscribed.
Something went wrong. Weeks and the other Dragons couldn’t explain precisely what might have happened, but the broken Relic and the spoken spell did produce a magical effect of some kind. The magic of the spell was infused into the blood of Weeks — the only non-torpid vampire at the ceremony — and transformed his love for his sleeping sire, his tangible Damnation and his intangible hope for the future into an potent new mixture of the Blood, which Weeks held onto with all his will — he refused to let the power of the spell in his blood “separate” or thin. Within a year of his Embrace, Weeks had become the founder of a new bloodline. It was a remarkable achievement for a young vampire, and suggested that Weeks had an intuitive understanding of the Blood and an incredible understanding of the mortuary magic he had studied for so many years.
Weeks named his bloodline “Libitinarius,” after the Libitina-worshipping morticians of the classical world. By 1911, he’d gathered a small circle of fellow Morticians around him, drawn from the ranks of both the Order and the university. Weeks completed his exploration of the Mortualia Discipline in 1901 and began to guide his fellow Morticians in its use soon after.
Tonight, Weeks continues to practice the art of Mortualia at the behest Princes and Regents throughout England and Europe.
How is it possible that Weeks became the sire of a bloodline so soon after his Embrace? How is it possible that he gained mastery over the powers of his Blood so quickly? Was it really the result of an “ancient incantation?” Some of the scientific minds within the Order remain skeptical. Occam’s Razor suggests a simpler alternative story is more likely: Weeks is a liar.
Except for a core group of loyal followers, Weeks’ tale was witnessed only by mortals (now dead) and the torpid body of his mysterious master (who has not yet awakened). No impartial participants remain to corroborate the account tonight. How much of it is misremembered nostalgia? How much of it is outright fiction? How much of it is true?
Kindred scholars of various covenants have speculated that the mystic aspects of the Blood may lay dormant in childer for generations, as the echoes of power from a distant sire. Though the childer may not activate the power of the Blood within themselves, it may yet be passed on to grandchilder. Thus, even centuries after a bloodline dies out, it might be resurrected when a distant descendant transforms his Vitae and his Requiem into a sanguine mixture like that of his ancestors’. Perhaps it’s possible that Weeks’ story was essentially true when it first happened centuries (or even millennia) ago in Rome or Alexandria.
On the other hand, perhaps Weeks needed to create a cover story to protect himself, his sire or the bloodline itself. What if the true origin of the Libitinarius bloodline was rooted in some dark crime, such as Diablerie? Perhaps the first Libitinarius was altered by the blood of a mage or other supernatural creature? Perhaps the secrets of Mortualia were dug up from some vampiric Tomb that Weeks wants to keep to himself?
Whatever the truth, the Order has not yet had sufficient reason to challenge Weeks’ story. For a century, Weeks has been a loyal, if shy, member of the covenant and an aid to its Allies. Though some among the Sworn continue to keep watch on the Morticians, their scrutiny has been applied with exquisite patience for 50 years and isn’t likely to change until some new facts are unearthed. One night, if the tale is true, Week’s sire will awaken…
In 1884, a wealthy and idle Englishman named Ivor Gardner began funding the harmless ritual ceremonies of a few overenthusiastic classics professors of University College in London. Originally, the ceremonies were little more than a colorful way of paying respects to the ancient peoples the professors were studying every day. Due to their interest in religion in the Ptolemaic era, the professors centered many of their rituals on Serapis, a composite god combining elements of Osiris, the Apis bull of Memphis and various other Hellenistic deities. The ceremonies were secret only because the professors were embarrassed to be spending their time singing in Latin and reciting Egyptian “spells.”
With the addition of Gardner’s interest and money, however, the monthly ceremonies became more and more elaborate. Before long, Gardner was bringing other visitors and guests with him and the ceremonies had become something more akin to costume parties. The ceremonies were kept secret if only because exclusivity is attractive.
In October of 1885, however, Ivor Gardner died at just 44 years of age. In his will, Gardner indicated his desire to be buried by his professorial friends in a suitable ancient ceremony. In exchange, he left a considerable fortune to the “secret society of Serapis.” In honor of Gardner, the professors buried him according to the funeral customs of the Roman goddess of corpses, death and funerals — Libitina. Somehow, between the richly funded grandeur of the ceremony and the real pathos of the participants, the motives of the attendees changed. By 1886, the ceremonial club that had jokingly called itself the “society of Serapis” had become a cult of Libitina.
In 1888, the cult drew the attention of a corpse. One of the original ceremonialist professors, Dr. Henry Weeks, was a ghoul in service to a vampire of The Ordo Dracul. Weeks provided his master with access to the university’s library and facilities, and Weeks’ master provided him with Vitae and tales from ancient Kindred. After learning of the cult, Weeks’ master slowly insinuated himself into the cult as a figurehead and idol… and revealing himself as a vampire to the cultists.
Pairing the Resources of the mortal professors and The Ordo Dracul, the cult became a formidable collection of minds and texts. The cult and the Dragons, through Weeks, cultivated knowledge of Ptolemaic religious practices and spells of the ancient world. Due to the unnatural needs of the Dragons and the funerary expertise of the cultists, the focus of the group’s occult studies remained on Greek and Roman interpretations of Egyptian mortuary magic. The beginnings of the Mortualia Discipline were coming together in those nights, and Weeks and his master knew it.
By 1891, Kindred of other covenants were also interacting with London’s cult of Libitina. Not long after, the question of the Embrace was brought up again and again among the living and the undead of the cult. In 1892, Weeks was Embraced by his master for the purposes of taking over as the “risen mouthpiece for the dead” within the cult. Shortly thereafter, Weeks oversaw the performance of an ancient Greco-Roman funeral ritual held for the benefit of his aged sire. Using artifacts and incantations gathered over the past few years, the cult of Libitina prepared the body of Weeks’ sire for its long sleep — for Torpor. The climax of the ceremony was the casting of an Egyptian funeral spell and the accidental destruction of the ancient urn on which it was inscribed.
Something went wrong. Weeks and the other Dragons couldn’t explain precisely what might have happened, but the broken Relic and the spoken spell did produce a magical effect of some kind. The magic of the spell was infused into the blood of Weeks — the only non-torpid vampire at the ceremony — and transformed his love for his sleeping sire, his tangible Damnation and his intangible hope for the future into an potent new mixture of the Blood, which Weeks held onto with all his will — he refused to let the power of the spell in his blood “separate” or thin. Within a year of his Embrace, Weeks had become the founder of a new bloodline. It was a remarkable achievement for a young vampire, and suggested that Weeks had an intuitive understanding of the Blood and an incredible understanding of the mortuary magic he had studied for so many years.
Weeks named his bloodline “Libitinarius,” after the Libitina-worshipping morticians of the classical world. By 1911, he’d gathered a small circle of fellow Morticians around him, drawn from the ranks of both the Order and the university. Weeks completed his exploration of the Mortualia Discipline in 1901 and began to guide his fellow Morticians in its use soon after.
Tonight, Weeks continues to practice the art of Mortualia at the behest Princes and Regents throughout England and Europe.
Cult of Libitina
Such is the story shared by the Libitinarii, at least. More than a few of Weeks’ fellow Dragons suspect it’s fiction, invented by Weeks and his absent master for the purpose of getting the artifacts and texts they wanted altogether in one place. An investigation performed by a London Dragon in 1954 turned up suspiciously little evidence of any professor named Weeks working at University College during the time of Weeks’ tale. In 1978, an Acolyte occultist and historian in Rome found evidence of Kindred “Torpor burials” from the 11th century that make use of many trappings of the Libitinarius line — Roman-styled canopic jars for storing Vitae, etched incantations and “waking charms” with many similarities to those used in modern Mortualia.How is it possible that Weeks became the sire of a bloodline so soon after his Embrace? How is it possible that he gained mastery over the powers of his Blood so quickly? Was it really the result of an “ancient incantation?” Some of the scientific minds within the Order remain skeptical. Occam’s Razor suggests a simpler alternative story is more likely: Weeks is a liar.
Except for a core group of loyal followers, Weeks’ tale was witnessed only by mortals (now dead) and the torpid body of his mysterious master (who has not yet awakened). No impartial participants remain to corroborate the account tonight. How much of it is misremembered nostalgia? How much of it is outright fiction? How much of it is true?
Buried
It is more likely, say the skeptics, that the Libitinarius bloodline is old — even ancient — and that Weeks and his absent master (if he truly exists) were among the last of their kind. Perhaps Weeks was already a member of the bloodline when he came upon the Society of Serapis. Perhaps Weeks even orchestrated the very formation of the society and the subsequent cult of Libitina to create a flock of followers and win the bloodline some temporal power.Kindred scholars of various covenants have speculated that the mystic aspects of the Blood may lay dormant in childer for generations, as the echoes of power from a distant sire. Though the childer may not activate the power of the Blood within themselves, it may yet be passed on to grandchilder. Thus, even centuries after a bloodline dies out, it might be resurrected when a distant descendant transforms his Vitae and his Requiem into a sanguine mixture like that of his ancestors’. Perhaps it’s possible that Weeks’ story was essentially true when it first happened centuries (or even millennia) ago in Rome or Alexandria.
On the other hand, perhaps Weeks needed to create a cover story to protect himself, his sire or the bloodline itself. What if the true origin of the Libitinarius bloodline was rooted in some dark crime, such as Diablerie? Perhaps the first Libitinarius was altered by the blood of a mage or other supernatural creature? Perhaps the secrets of Mortualia were dug up from some vampiric Tomb that Weeks wants to keep to himself?
Whatever the truth, the Order has not yet had sufficient reason to challenge Weeks’ story. For a century, Weeks has been a loyal, if shy, member of the covenant and an aid to its Allies. Though some among the Sworn continue to keep watch on the Morticians, their scrutiny has been applied with exquisite patience for 50 years and isn’t likely to change until some new facts are unearthed. One night, if the tale is true, Week’s sire will awaken…
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Background: Libitinarii select progeny almost exclusively from the ranks of academia. Simple scholarly types are seldom impressive enough to warrant a Mortician’s Embrace, however — only leaders in their fields deserve to experience the development of their studies over centuries. Historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists are typical favorites. The Morticians are, after all, selecting students and colleagues as much as childer when they consider potential progeny. Most Morticians are driven to sire childer out of a desire to put a mortal’s talents to use for the covenant, the bloodline or themselves. More emotional Libitinarii select progeny out of a desire to show them eternity, introduce them to ancient Kindred and freely share what they know of the past from their own experience.
As a matter of practice, rather than philosophy, a large segment of the Libitinarius bloodline is made up of subjects to the Queen of England. Most Morticians, it seems, have an English accent, whether they learned the Language in Calcutta, Cairo, Rome or London.
As a matter of practice, rather than philosophy, a large segment of the Libitinarius bloodline is made up of subjects to the Queen of England. Most Morticians, it seems, have an English accent, whether they learned the Language in Calcutta, Cairo, Rome or London.
Common Dress code
Appearance: Libitinarius Kindred come from all races and both genders. As academics, many favor a classical, professorial style. As ageless undead historians, many also find ways to incorporate archaic or classical art styles in their dress. Scarab brooches, old-fashioned beards or mustaches and ornate rings or necklaces are common among older Libitiniarii. Younger Morticians may sport Latin or Egyptian tattoos, elaborate body piercings and other physical decorations from their mortal lives as archaeology students. Some Libitinarii display downright archaic fashions even outside of their Mortualia ceremonies, such as faux-Egyptian eye make-up and Roman-style dresses.
Art & Architecture
Haven: Many Morticians keep havens that suggest nothing of their unique blood — they nest very much as any other Kindred might. The ideal Haven for a Libitinarius, however, is as secret and secure as a Theban Tomb. Underground chambers protected by secret doors and modern security systems are ideal. Solid stone or metal sarcophagi are used by some Morticians, for protection as much as style. Most Morticians seek out havens that could house them safely through decades of Torpor, if necessary.
Some Libitinarii also maintain havens for other torpid vampires. Often these are little more than storage containers, mausoleums and cellars with solid locks and sturdy doors. These “Torpor tombs” may see any number of temporary residents throughout a Mortician’s Requiem. The favors and Allies a Libitinarius gains by protecting and maintaining such havens can be considerable.
Some Libitinarii also maintain havens for other torpid vampires. Often these are little more than storage containers, mausoleums and cellars with solid locks and sturdy doors. These “Torpor tombs” may see any number of temporary residents throughout a Mortician’s Requiem. The favors and Allies a Libitinarius gains by protecting and maintaining such havens can be considerable.
Major organizations
Covenant: The first Libitinarius Kindred were members of The Ordo Dracul even before Dr. Weeks founded the bloodline in 1892. When Ivor Gardner’s Serapis cult expanded beyond the Masquerade, it drew the attention of numerous Acolytes. Those Acolytes then brought the Blood of Libitina to The Circle of the Crone. Tonight, the Libitinarius bloodline continues to be made up almost solely of Acolytes and Dragons. Invictus and Carthian vampires may deal with Morticians in any domain where they can be found, depending more on the interests of the individual Kindred and less on politics. Sanctified Kindred of some domains focus on the shared Greco-Egyptian influences on Theban Sorcery and Mortualia and even participate in Libitinarius ceremonies as secular performances. In other domains, the Sanctified regard Morticians as admirably learned providers of a service that has been sadly and needlessly draped in the trappings of pagan idolatry.
Organization: Libitinarius vampires naturally fall into informal hierarchies based on education and experience with Mortualia. In general, these Kindred interact something like a university professors. Age and experience is respected, and often deferred to, by younger Morticians, but colleagues of similar ages place a greater practical importance on skill than age. An ancient, experienced Libitinarius is more likely to be loved but a brilliant and clever Libitinarius is more likely to be followed.
Because Morticians love to talk, debate and lecture, they also tend to swell their ranks in domains where they reside. Thus, in many domains, Libitinarii are seen as a social group rather than a lineage. Certainly, some domains are home to a lone Libitinarius, but eventually most seek out contact with other history buffs, antiquarians or armchair archaeologists to satisfy their minds.
Organization: Libitinarius vampires naturally fall into informal hierarchies based on education and experience with Mortualia. In general, these Kindred interact something like a university professors. Age and experience is respected, and often deferred to, by younger Morticians, but colleagues of similar ages place a greater practical importance on skill than age. An ancient, experienced Libitinarius is more likely to be loved but a brilliant and clever Libitinarius is more likely to be followed.
Because Morticians love to talk, debate and lecture, they also tend to swell their ranks in domains where they reside. Thus, in many domains, Libitinarii are seen as a social group rather than a lineage. Certainly, some domains are home to a lone Libitinarius, but eventually most seek out contact with other history buffs, antiquarians or armchair archaeologists to satisfy their minds.
Nickname: Morticians
Character Creation: Libitinarii tend to favor higher Mental Attributes, particularly Intelligence and Resolve. The rites and ceremonies of the Libitinarius bloodline are most impressively performed by characters with high Social Attributes, however. Because the Mortualia Discipline requires the creation of certain tools and charms, the Crafts Skill is also invaluable to a Mortician.
A Libitinarius who tends to the torpor-haven of another vampire (or, indeed, any Mortician who discusses Mortualia with outsiders) would benefit from dots in Subterfuge if he values the secrets he keeps. The Academics and Occult Skills are also plainly useful to a Libitinarius; most Morticians were the sorts of humans who studied those Skills in life.
A Mortician with City or Covenant Status might have a reputation as the go-to guy for Kindred concerned with Torpor. The Haven Merit is vital to many Morticians, as well. Haven Security almost always takes priority over Size and Location.
Bloodline Disciplines: Auspex, Dominate, Mortualia, Resilience
Weakness: Like all Mekhet, Libitinarii suffer the pains of fire and sunlight more severely than other Kindred. A Libitinarius suffers one additional point of aggravated damage from any source of fire or sunlight (see p. 172 of Vampire: The Requiem). Furthermore, Morticians find it more difficult to resist the dark sleep of the Damned than other Kindred. Libitinarius Kindred suffer a -2 penalty on all Humanity rolls to awaken or act during the daytime. This penalty also affects the character’s Humanity dots for purposes of determining maximum dice pool sizes when awake. (See p. 184 of Vampire: The Requiem for information on daytime activity.)
The most dreadful weakness of the Libitinarius bloodline, however, is a secret kept even from many of its members: in the 1930s, Dragon Morticians in the American Midwest discovered that the change Dr. Weeks made to the Blood was not as dramatic as it first seemed. The mystic power of the Mortualia Discipline is not so far beyond the reach of ordinary Kindred that it can be considered truly unique. In practice, any Mekhet vampire can learn Mortualia as an out-of-clan Discipline provided a Libitinarius is willing to teach him. If this secret were to be revealed, the Libitinarii bloodline would wither and die as Kindred ceased to commit their eternal Blood to the lineage to keep its unique power in practice.
Concepts: Disturbed surgeon, Egyptologist, funeral home director, hospice nurse, occult archaeologist, pagan priest, Roman religion revivalist, taxidermist, undertaker. libitinarius
The grimmest and most dramatic of the Libitinarius conspiracy theories suggests that Weeks’ sire is a figment of his imagination, given some semblance of existence in the minds of his followers through the powers of Dominate. Some of Weeks’ tales suggest his sire was so ancient, and had so many names, that his “real name” had become meaningless. Practitioners of Dominate could see that as a way to cover for the inconsistencies of altered memories. Scholars of Egyptian theology and the occult could speculate that a being without a “true name” does not truly exist.
Parent ethnicities
A Libitinarius who tends to the torpor-haven of another vampire (or, indeed, any Mortician who discusses Mortualia with outsiders) would benefit from dots in Subterfuge if he values the secrets he keeps. The Academics and Occult Skills are also plainly useful to a Libitinarius; most Morticians were the sorts of humans who studied those Skills in life.
A Mortician with City or Covenant Status might have a reputation as the go-to guy for Kindred concerned with Torpor. The Haven Merit is vital to many Morticians, as well. Haven Security almost always takes priority over Size and Location.
Bloodline Disciplines: Auspex, Dominate, Mortualia, Resilience
Weakness: Like all Mekhet, Libitinarii suffer the pains of fire and sunlight more severely than other Kindred. A Libitinarius suffers one additional point of aggravated damage from any source of fire or sunlight (see p. 172 of Vampire: The Requiem). Furthermore, Morticians find it more difficult to resist the dark sleep of the Damned than other Kindred. Libitinarius Kindred suffer a -2 penalty on all Humanity rolls to awaken or act during the daytime. This penalty also affects the character’s Humanity dots for purposes of determining maximum dice pool sizes when awake. (See p. 184 of Vampire: The Requiem for information on daytime activity.)
The most dreadful weakness of the Libitinarius bloodline, however, is a secret kept even from many of its members: in the 1930s, Dragon Morticians in the American Midwest discovered that the change Dr. Weeks made to the Blood was not as dramatic as it first seemed. The mystic power of the Mortualia Discipline is not so far beyond the reach of ordinary Kindred that it can be considered truly unique. In practice, any Mekhet vampire can learn Mortualia as an out-of-clan Discipline provided a Libitinarius is willing to teach him. If this secret were to be revealed, the Libitinarii bloodline would wither and die as Kindred ceased to commit their eternal Blood to the lineage to keep its unique power in practice.
Concepts: Disturbed surgeon, Egyptologist, funeral home director, hospice nurse, occult archaeologist, pagan priest, Roman religion revivalist, taxidermist, undertaker. libitinarius