Know Your Kindred – Tariq, The Silent

Name: Tariq, The Silent
Clan: Assamite
Generation: 5th (now 13th)
Embraced: 1250

With the exception of Kemintiri, Tariq has been on the Red List longer than any other vampire.  For the last 500 years he has been a wanted criminal and exiled from his own clan.  Despite this he still serves his clan as a symbolic martyr and scapegoat.

In the 13th century, when Assamites were taking advantage of the Anarch Revolt and the Inquisition, Tariq made a name for himself as a serial diabolist.  His deeds were so well known that when the newly formed Camarilla won its seven year war against the Assamites, Tariq was used as a political bargaining chip.  The Assamites exiled him, he would be cast out and hunted until the end of his unlife.

Tariq was once a proud Muslim warrior who defended his homeland against the Christian forces during the Seventh Crusades.  He was captured and tortured, but never let his captors get the better of him.  He insulted them and called them cowards.  They responded by cutting out his tongue. Waiting for death, Tariq awoke to find a man standing over him.  The stranger had been watching Tariq and was very impressed with his devotion and valor.  Tariq was Embraced and he fully dedicated himself to serving the Assamite clan.

The mid-13th century was a time for the Assamties.  With the anarchs and elders fighting one another, the Inquisiton and the birth of the Sabbat, the Assamites were free to roam the world, diablorizing Kindred at will – and Tariq was the most notorious killer of Kindred.  After the creation of the Camarilla, a Blood Hunt was called on the Assamites and a seven year war was waged.  Despite heavy casualties, the Camarilla was on the verge of discovering the Assamites’ most sacred haven – the Alamut.  To prevent this from happening, Assamite elders agreed to a truce and the clan was subjected to the now famous Blood Curse, making vampire blood poisonous to them.

Tariq escaped the curse, as he was out on a covert mission at the time.  When he tried to return to the Alamut, he was greeted in the wilderness by some of his clan mates.  They gave him the bad news and informed him that he was to be exiled.  As the most notable diabolist in the clan, he was to be the scapegoat for all their crimes.  He would always be on the run and would never be able to return to the Alamut.  Tariq nodded and agreed this was best for the clan.  Before he left, the Assamites attached a spirit guardian to Tariq – a wraith who would always alert him when danger was near.

The Assamites publicly rebuked Tariq and promised the Camarilla they would help hunt him down.  But infact they have done nothing.  Even in exile Tariq is a benefit to the clan, allowing them to occasionally kill off an enemy and frame Tariq for the crime.

Tariq’s spirit guardian proved to be a valuable asset.  The spirit was so helpful, it was virtually impossible to ever surprise Tariq.   The Tremere Antitribu began to seek out Tariq, hoping to recruit him into the Sabbat.  After years of failed attempts and many slain warlocks, they discovered Tariq’s spirit guardian and were able to sever the connection.  Tariq was finally captured and subjected to every torment possible.  But after months of torture, Tariq refused to bend and the Tremere antitribu gave up in disgust.

Instead of killing Tariq, they performed the Ritual of Quenching the Lambent Flame, a spell that effectively reduced him to a 13th generation vampire.  Now a weak neonate in a world full of enemies, Tariq was dumped into the middle of Camarilla territory.  But he refused to give up.  With over 500 years of experience behind him, Tariq began a series of attacks on Camarilla havens, destroying the fearful vampires who couldn’t escape in time.  News of these attacks spread and many began to believe the Red Lister had gone mad.

Djuhah, the Black Hand Seraph, learned about Tariq’s plight and sensed an opportunity.  He assigned a pack of Black Hand elite to recruit Tariq at all costs.  The pack was to refer to Tariq as their “Dominion” (pack leader).  So for now it would appear Tariq commands a permanent Black Hand column.  For his part, Tariq is aware his spirit guardian has been figuratively replaced by this column of Assamite antitribu.

Tariq is a striking fellow with light eyes and jet-black skin.  But since his encounter with the Tremere antitribu, his ageless face has begun to wrinkle and his hair is starting to turn gray.

– Sources:  Children of the Night, pg 15-16.  Kindred Most Wanted, pg 68-74.