The Dunsirn are a bloodline of Clan Hecata, who had originated as a family branch of the Giovanni. They are located mainly in Scotland, with major holdings in the rest of the U.K.
History[]
The Dunsirn were assimilated into Clan Giovanni in the early 18th century. Before that, the Dunsirn were already a rich family. Rumors speak that the patriarch of the modern Dunsirn was banished from his family's estate for the crime of cannibalism. Unperturbed, the outcast returned with a family of his own, killed (and probably ate) his relatives and overtook their business. In the modern family, cannibalism is treated like an urban legend, and many Kindred that have contact with a Dunsirn banker joke about their fondness for "long pork", but just as many still look wary when a Dunsirn eats a sandwich.
It is believed that the Dunsirn entered service to the Giovanni with a loophole of leaving the Clan when they desired it. Not interested in Necromancy, the family focuses nearly exclusively on making money. The Dunsirn were crucial for establishing Giovanni domains in the colonies, and their influence in the U.K allowed them to play on the various internal conflicts, like the issue between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland. In modern times, the Dunsirn have been vital for the developments of Giovanni interests in the European Union. However, several Anziani now insist that the Dunsirn have to deepen their knowledge of Necromancy in the wake of the Sixth Maelstrom. Being bossed around chafes at the Dunsirn's pride and some worry what this will bode for the relationship between the families.
Another facet of the Dunsirn is that they are distantly related to Garou (i.e. some of them are Kinfolk), understood to be Fianna (although given their location in Scotland, it could also be one of the old Kin lines of the Black Spiral Dancers). Approximately, one in hundred children has the potential for the First Change and in the rare case that the child becomes a Garou, it is either quickly killed by the family or flees to become a Ronin. Also, more Dunsirn than any other family are adept in Hedge magic, which is tolerated by the main family.
They were recognized at the Family Reunion as a full bloodline of Clan Hecata, and relish the fact that they no longer have to answer to the Giovanni.
Bloodline (V5)[]
Sometime around the 18th century, the Giovanni wanted a foothold in the markets of the New World. But all of their attempts were constantly blocked by a Scottish family of bankers who owned several shipping ventures. Impressed by their financial acumen, the Giovanni investigated bringing the family into the fold. What closed the deal was the discovery that the Dunsirn were cannibals as well as financiers. It was the perfect balance of money, depravity, and ability to keep a secret.
For centuries, the relationship between the two families was clear: The Dunsirn made the money, and the Giovanni family spent it like water. Surprisingly, even though mortal members of the Dunsirn family still indulge in the occasional bit of “long pork,” the Kindred don’t show much aptitude or interest in necromantic pursuits. Prior to the Family Reunion, there was an effort to force them into learning the ways of Oblivion, but now the Dunsirns are happy to go back to what they do best: bleeding people dry.
And this time, they don’t need to answer to the fucking Giovanni to do it, either.
Money Obfuscates: The Dunsirn has invested their family's money in an alternate identity for themselves, receiving two dots in Mask Background that must be maintained at least once per story.- Money Talks: The Dunsirn knows how to purchase information, receiving for a single scene the ability to communicate with the equivalent of a Contacts background equal to their dot allocation of Resources, once per story.
- Money Enhances: The Dunsirn appreciates quality goods. They receive a bonus die to a roll involving the use of their own equipment.
- Money Multiplies: The Dunsirn is, or is directly related to, a legitimate investment banker, gaining three dots in Resources (up to 5), nullifying the Destitute flaw of any coterie member, and offering a 1 XP discount towards Resource dots.
- Money Dictates: The Dunsirn is the head of the entire family's accounts, with all the benefits it entails. They receive three free dots of Hecata Status, and once per chronicle can for a single story either give two additional dots in Resources to every Hecata, or remove all of them at the cost of a chronicle-long Adversary Flaw.
Members[]
- Archibald Dunsirn I (7th Generation)
- Euan Dunsirn (7th Generation)
- Diarmid Dunsirn (13th Generation)
- Adam Dunsirn
- Piper Dunsirn (mortal)
Gallery[]
References[]
- Fifth Edition
- VTM: Cults of the Blood Gods, p. 220
- VTM: Cults of the Blood Gods, p. 220
- VTM: Clanbook: Giovanni, p. 28-29
- VTM: Clanbook: Giovanni Revised, p. 29-30, 45
- VAV: Victorian Age: Vampire Rulebook
- VTM: Lore of the Clans, p. 100-101