Know Your Kindred – Count Vladimir Rustovitch

Name: Vladimir Rustovitch
Clan: Tzimisce
Generation: 6th
Embraced: 876 AD

A peculiar combination of nobility and evil, Vladimir Rustovitch is the embodiment of the term “vampire lord” and was one of the most powerful Tzimisce in Eastern Europe and high general of the Transylvanian voivodate.  Werewolves have trembled at his name for centuries.

Born during the bleakest era of the Dark Ages, Rustovitch grew up in a family already subjugated as warrior-revenats for the Tzimisce clan. After showing his mettle as a solider fighting in the Tzimisce’s wars and expanding the fiefdom of House Rustovitch as its leader for almost 10 years, he was embraced by the ancient fiend Kosczecsyku.

Kosczecsyku met final death from a pair of treacherous clanmates — Mischa and Csikos. They fled from the lands after Rustovitch killed the other co-conspiractors. He then took over Kosczecsyku’s fiefdom and carved out a dominion between Western Hungary and Transylvania proper using equal parts fear and strategy.

For centuries, Rustovitch led successful campaigns against the Gangrel, Ventrue, Old Clan Tzimisce, the Tremere, and the Garou tribe known as The Shadow Lords. Rustovitch expanded his fiefdom again and again. Other Tzimisce voivodes paid him their respect and the most beautiful women in all of Hungary were brought to his castle as food or as brides-to-be.

That all changed in 1313 A.D., after defending the country’s borders from a Teutonic Knight invasion, Rustovitch returned to his home… or what was left of it. Micha and Csikos had returned and manipulated the Shadow Lords to attack his castle. Rustovitch’s bat banners were torn down, his guards lay strewn throughout the courtyard and his brides torn to tattered, bloody rags. Rustovitch’s wrathful frenzy on that night is still told by Shadow Lords who wish to frighten unruly cubs. Eventually, Micha and Csikos were captured alive and what Rustovitch did to them sends a shutter up the spines of other Tzimisce.

Afterwards, a grieving Rustovitch filled a sack with dirt from his courtyard and began to wander the world, angry and bereaved. All he cares about now is revenge against the Shadow Lords. He joined the Sabbat to help him capture Micha and Csikos, but cares little for the sect’s mission and more about killing werewolves.

Rustovitch is the embodiment of Old World gentleman. Standing six feet tall, perfectly groomed and manicured (thanks to Vicissitude) in immaculate suits and cravats.

Rustovitch is able to use his Animalism to extend his consciousness into a swarm of bats, controlling the swarm like a puppet.  With Auspex he is also able to “see” in 360 degrees by means of sonar emissions, like a bat. With Vicissitude he can assume the Chiropteran Marauder shape and transform himself into a hideous, tusk-fanged bipedal bat.

Sources: Rage Warriors of the Apocalypse, pg 125-126. Transylvania by Night pg 117. Under the Black Cross, pg 95.

Know Your Kindred – Piotr Andreikov

Name: Piotr “Peter” Andreikov
Clan: Tzimisce
Generation: 12th
Embraced: 1969

Codenamed “Winter” for his cool demeanor, white-blonde hair and pale blue eyes – Piotr serves both as a priest of the Druid Hill pack in Baltimore and as an intelligence analyst, investigator and strategist for the Black Hand.  He spends his nights reading reports from Sabbat packs and interviewing spies sent into Camarilla territories, pinpointing targets for both the Sabbat and the Black Hand

Piotr grew up in Houston, Texas, a first generation American born to immigrant Ukrainian parents, including an abusive father. His unusual name and cool nature set him apart from the other boys at school, who bullied him, but soon learned it was best to leave him alone, as his frustrations at home exploded into violent rage when other kids pushed him.

He grew up fascinated by serial killers, psychopaths and ancient cults. His interest in the dark side of human nature lead him into psychology and police work. Piotr was an excellent detective – solving several high profile murders, which earned him the ire of the Toreador, who were trying to found a criminal empire.

The Toreador blood bound Piotr and the effects of the bond frightened him. Odd lapses of judgement, irrational compulsions troubled him deeply. His increasingly distracted mind and carelessness lead him to be kidnapped by a Tzimisce named Deloris, who at first delighted in playing with this Camarilla pawn, but she soon respected his cool courage when faced with her horrific pets. Intrigued, she embraced him into her clan.

Piotr adapted well to unlife. No stranger to violence, he grew to enjoy inflicting it on others. He tracked down his former slave master and wrecked the Toreador’s criminal business before trapping and destroying him in his own haven.  However, Piotr was not cut out to be a morphosist like his sire and her pack mates.  His keen intellectual curiosity forced him to sever his ties when the Black Hand dominion, Chang, who noted his abilities, invited him to join the Black Hand.

His labors have served the Sabbat well during its invasion up the East Coast. Piotr has self appointed himself as Baltimore’s Black Hand census taker, filling out his own knowledge of the sub-sect’s members, activities and aspirations.

Piotr’s pale hair and eyes and bone-white skin give him a washed out look. Due to his police training, his frame is muscular but short. He still tends to dress in suits.

Source: Caine’s Chosen: The Black Hand, pg 93-94.