Clan Malkav

An Essay by L. Velnikova

Although I had two years under the wing of my sire, Brandon, he was more interested in himself than in educating me. He did like to tell stories of his exploits, but they usually consisted of how clever, and superior he was in any given situation.
Now I am no longer dependent upon him, I thought I should do my own research into this clan into which I unwillingly became a member. I have done some research and found that Clan Malkav is very old, dating back to the city of Enoch before the time of the biblical flood. It seems our father, Malkav was a Seer who was embraced by one of the second generation, most likely Enoch.
I think this origin to our clan is very interesting and very telling. Many Kindred regard us as a clan of crazies but that is a very narrow-minded view. Our Father was a Seer and to me that defines our clan in another way – we have a superset of powers, enabling many of us to see that which others cannot and to feel emotions that are beyond most other Kindred and Kine.
Before I go into that in more detail, let me first very briefly summarise a little more of Malkavian history. We were very influential in both the Greek and Roman Empires, usually in positions of power as oracles, soothsayers, viziers, and advisors. Of course, that meant we were blamed when Rome fell, especially since it was due to some mentally unstable Emperors. Things went not so well for the Malkavians for some time after that.
Things were very dark until the time of the Renaissance. New interest in philosophy, literature and the study of mental illness gave us some interest and influence. Unfortunately, it was also a time of Christian zealots so great care was required.
We have always been integral to the Camarilla, although they don’t always know quite what to do with us. Some Malkavians are Sabbat and I have read that they suffer far more than we.
Another interesting thing that I found was that we are a very loose clan, and this is borne out by my own experience. Yes, I have met my primogen but have never received any clan orders or guidance. I was abandoned by Brandon as soon as it suited him and apparently this is not unusual among Malkavians. Despite this clan vagueness we have The Cobweb (more modernly referred to as The Network). I am still very young by Kindred standards and have little experience with it, yet I am starting to feel the call of this shared consciousness. I sometimes see little snippets of another time, past or future. I look forward to increasing my access, understanding, and contributing to this shared consciousness.
Now to the misunderstood part. Yes, it is true that every Malkavian has their own gift, hidden among some type of mental instability. For some, like Brandon, their gift is difficult to find. It is said that being embraced by a Malkavian causes these mental issues but I feel that usually we are predisposed. I include myself in this. My life story was not all roses. I have had my difficulties and I am sure they had taken their toll. My embracement seems to have removed the veneer I often covered my feelings with. I feel I can empathise more and stronger. This means that feelings do occasionally become too much to bear and I become too involved and sometimes lose control. But I feel this is what I am destined for. Someone must feel the pain and use it to gather information, to see that which others cannot. I know I am still but a child in this world, but I am not broken, I am just adjusted differently for purposes that many other Kindred do not understand. It will be a hard path and I may often feel that there is too much pain, but I have little option but to struggle forward to learn and to try to protect those who need it most.
I do not claim to understand other Malkavians, yet I see that young Malady has an insight far greater than my own. She has her own demons to deal with and I hope I can gently guide her to feel a little more understanding and compassion for Kine. She is so young to have been embraced. It must be so difficult for her without the added years that I was fortunate to have.