The Kindred are divided by Clan for ease of reference. Within each Clan they divided into broods. In most ancient cultures loyalty to family is more important than loyalty to the state, and this is the pervading rule in Rome.

Rome's Kindred

The Elders of Rome come from an era when each vampire lived alone in his domain and the absolute ruler over it. Therefore many Roman Kindred are rather reclusive by modern standards. It is the custom among the oldest vampires to maintain exclusive 'princedoms' within the city. It is considered a very great insult to hunt within such an area without permission. Many also have Havens outside the city amongst the villas of the prosperous mortals.

There are common areas (the Roman Elysium) where Kindred may meet and mingle, if they so choose. These include most of Rome's temples, except those few which are Havens, public buildings such as theatres, markets and government buildings and the Imperial Palace. Many of the Cainites of the city also host parties, readings of original literature by mortals and immortals, plays, concerts and other social events to display their wealth and generosity.

Rome also has an active night-life, which is attractive to some Vampires, mostly the younger Toreador. The streets are lit with lanterns and many of the festivals continue through the night. There are even night-time shows in the arenas. During the most important festivals, many Vampires come into the city from outside Rome. The most important festival, for both Kindred and Kine, is the Saecular Games, held approximately every 110 years, which draws many Kindred to attend from all over the Empire.

Rome was founded by a Coterie of seven Ventrue, who are said to have chosen Rome because of it's severn hills. Their names were: Minos; Nanna (4th Generation, embraced in Sumeria c. 3400 BC); Castor and Pollux (5th generation twin brothers); and Menes (4th generation, Egyptian) and his two 'sons', Khufu (also Egyptian) and Mausolus (Greek).

It is popularly believed among Rome's Ventrue that Minos was in fact the founder of the Ventrue line, who united his favourite descendants to spread Ventrue power across the known world through the patronage of Rome. Today, only Nanna, Castor, Pollux and Mausolus live in Rome. Menes and Khufus have returned to their native Egypt and the whereabouts of Minos are unknown, although he is popularly assumed to have entered Torpor during the republic. The Ventrue still control much of the Empire, although the Treaty of Syracusae has given more influence to other clans.

As the center of a flourishing new culture, Rome attracted many Torador, mostly from Greece, who form the second largest group in the city. Although the numbers of Toreador resident in Rome almost equal that of the Ventrue, they are much less well represented in the provincial administrations and have less influence in the senate. While, following the Treaty of Syracusae, they have a great deal of potential political power in the city, they only unite to exercise it when the Ventrue become too dominant. In general, they are content to use the Empire to spread Roman culture and to compete among themselves in discovering new art from all over the known world.

The Lascombra also have a presence in Rome. While mostly originating in Spain and northern Africa, the new openness in the Empire has lead to them taking a more active role in politics. As mortals from the Western Empire enter the administration, so do the Lascombra become more prominant in the Rome of the kindred. At the moment, their main area of influence is the vast trade network across the Empire.

The Salubri represent a growing force. Although not as interested in mortal conquests as the Ventrue, they share a certain kinship with them and a few of the younger Salubri have moved to Rome. As Greece is drawn more into the center of the Empire, it is likely that their importance will increase.

At most times, there will be one or two Nosferatu in Rome. They feel uncomfortable in the new kindred society forming in Rome and prefer to remain alone among the peoples of northern Europe. However, for whatever reason (curiosity, envy, or, some say, as spies for their elders) some do come, although few remain long.

The Malkavian clan in Rome is represented by Xavier and his Childe. He does not tolerate others of his clan in the city. While of great personal power, he chooses not to exercise it in Roman politics. Occasionally, he will throw his weight behind one faction or the other, but only over single issues, never long term policies.

The Gangrel and Brujah play no part in Roman politics at the moment. A few Gangrel have settled in the city briefly but discomfort at the urban atmosphere, coupled with the disdain of the Toreador for their 'rustic' manners means they always move on. There is only one current Gangrel resident of Rome, Maura, who lives in an extensive villa outside the city. No Brujah have visited the city openly since the sack of Carthage, on pain of Final Death.

There are around forty Vampires who make their main Haven in Rome:

• The Ventrue: 16
• The Toreador: 15
• The Lasombra: 4
• The Salubri: 3
• The Nosferatu: 1-2
• The Malkavians: 2
• The Gangrel: 1

The Ventrue

Although the Ventrue clan holds much of the power in the Roman Empire, they are not united in wielding it. The main division is the clan is between the supporters of the Imperial system of government and those who would restore the republic.

The majority 'Empire Faction' is made up of the older and more powerful vampires. Some were Sired during the time of the God-Kings and find the Imperial government familar and comfortable. They argue that, as the distribution of power in the Empire now means it would be almost impossible for any one Cainite to take sole control, the checks and balances of the republic are no longer needed. This faction, being made up of the oldest vampires, has control of much of the administration and the rich provinces near Rome. They are also supported by the Lasombra, who have benefited most from the opening of the Empire to foreigners.

The 'Republican Faction' is much less powerful, made up mostly of the younger Vampires, embraced during the republic. However, it is said that the group is supported privately by Mausolus, who has occasionally moved to protect them from the wrath of the other Founders. The faction also has support from the Salubri in Rome. This is partly due to their clan's base in democratic Greece. As most Salubri in Rome are 'youngsters' however, they have little real influence. Deprived of any significant political power amongst the Kindred, the republican faction has moved increasingly toward controlling greater numbers of mortals, both in politics and outside. Although the RF are usually seen as the 'young' faction, Vampires embraced during that last few decades are leaning increasing toward the Empire as it is all they have known.

There are no 'neutral' Ventrue. Over time, everyone becomes identified with one of the factions. In fact the only real neutral is Paganus, a Toreador. This internal split in the Ventrue is the centre of Kindred politics in Rome, with other groups in the city waiting to see if the dispute can be turned to their advantage. Although the Ventrue have striven to keep the divisions concealed, they have inevitably leaked out.

Nanna (4th Generation)
Nin-Gal (5th generation)
Octavian (5th generation)
Livia Augusta (6th generation)

As the oldest of the Founders still living in Rome, Nanna has his Haven in the Temple of Capitoline Jove. He was embraced in Ur, the capital of the Sumerian empire, where he dwelt for centuries as the God of the Moon. His love for the Roman Empire is legendary amongst Kindred, as is his anger toward any who plot against it. A very handsome man, apparantly in late middle age, he often leads others by sheer force of personality. In his presence, those of younger generation find it difficult to marshall arguments against his ideas and tend to find themselves agreeing with him. However, he is not overtly cruel or despotic. Indeed, he has shown mercy toward the republicans when many other elders pressed for severe punishments.

One of his deepest feelings is hatred of the Brujah, whom he blames for the destruction of the Sumerain empire by the Babylonians. His hatred was ameliorated somewhat by the destruction of Carthage. However, no effort is spared at the rumor of a Brujah plot against Rome. To be discovered plotting with the Brujah would mean Final Death.

Some Celtic tribes fought with the Carthaginians against Rome and it was the Gallic Celts who sacked Rome in 390 BC. Consequently, Nanna has favoured very harsh policies in dealing with the Celtic tribes conquered by Rome. On occasion, it has taken the combined efforts of the rest of the leading Ventrue to remind him that the Empire's strength depends on successfully integrating the peoples of the newly acquired territories into the Roman way of life.

His 'wife' Nin-Gal dwells in the Temple of Diana. She is said to be one of the most beautiful woman ever to have lived. Also a goddess of the Sumerian empire, over the last centuries, she has become increasingly detatched from everyday life and awakens less and less. Around 30 BC she began to rouse only on the night of the full moon. Now even this does not always wake her. On those nights when she does wake, she is sometimes seen moving silently through the city streets like a vision of Diana, often followed by awestruck Toreador entranced by her luminous beauty. Nanna is said to have prepared a hidden Haven for her, should she fall irretrievably into Torpor.

After the fall of the Sumerian Empire, Nanna and Nin-gal were estranged for many years. She travelled to Greece, where she became a fertility goddes to the pre-Hellenic tribes. Later, she became identified with Artemis. Towards the end of her life there she fell in love with a mortal boy, Actaeon, visiting him in secret at night. One night he followed her to her haven in a temple beside a stream and entered the temple during the day. Frenzied by the burning light she tore him to pieces. Stricken by remorse, she entered torpor and was revived by Nanna with his own blood, shortly before the founding of Rome. However, she has never recovered from her grief and this is the cause of her slow decline back into Torpor. This story is known to few in Rome.

Octavian was the first Emperor of Rome, which he ruled under the title of Augustus. On his death, he was Embraced by Nanna, as a reward for his great work in the foundation of the Empire and the development of the city of Rome. Neither of his successors have been so honoured. However, Octavian did Embrace his wife, Livia, on her death. In appearance a kindly old man, Octavian has apparantly little interest in current Roman politics. However, Livia, who still prefers to be referred to as 'Augusta', is greatly involved in Rome today and is said to control one of the greatest spy networks in the history of the world. Also physically old, she has never been described as kindly.
Castor (5th generation)
Pollux (5th generation)
Celtillus(6th generation)
Ambronus (6th generation)

Castor and Pollux were among the founders of Rome. These twin brothers have their Haven in the temple of Romulus and Remus. Among the Kindred, they are often identified as the legendary twins who founded Rome. No-one knows how their names are connected to the Greek legend of the Heavenly Twins. Like Nanna, they are firmly pro-Empire. Over the centuries they have become more and more alike and it is often difficult for those who do not know them well to tell them apart. To Toreador, they are facinating as their Auras are always exactly in tune, the colours of both shifting and swirling as though reflected in a mirror.

They are known to have sired several times, always choosing twins. However, only one pair of their brood still lives in Rome. Celtiullus and Ambronus were twin Celtic chieftains who were taken as hostages during the Roman wars in Gaul. They caught the eyes of the Roman twins, who eventually embraced them. Tall, blonde and muscular, they are the epitome of Celtic warriors. They still dress in traditional Celtic clothes. It is assumed they are are pro-Empire, as are their sires and many believe that they are being groomed by the twins to rule over Gaul.

Mausolus (5th generation)
Gaius Marius (6th generation)

Mausolus chose to remain in Rome when Menes and Khufu left. Unlike the other Founders, he does not make his home in one of the city's temples but has a number of havens in public buildings. Much of his political will is directed toward preserving the good relationship between Rome and the Greek city states. He is also acknowledged as one of the finest military tacticians in Rome and has helped many of Rome's greatest generals.

Publically, Mausolus supports the Empire and the other Founders in order to preserve his own position and influence. Privately, he regards the Empire as a mistake. He sees the Toreador as nothing but a menace, spreading decadence and corruption throughout the Empire. He lends his support, whenever possible, to the RF, usually by helping them out of trouble.

Marius was the Roman general who repelled the threatened Celtic invasion of Italy at the end if the 2nd century BC. One of the greatest soldiers of roman history, he completely restructured the Roman army. The legionary ceased to be a short-service citizen levy and became a professional heavy infantryman supported by a secondary army of auxiliaries. A devoted replublican, he was strongly opposed to the formation of the empire which he holds is a danger to the strength of Rome. Often described as the leader of the republican faction, he is fortunate to have Mausolus as a Sire.

Zemiah (6th Generation)
Publicola Valerius (7th generation)
Psamathe (8th generation)
Marcus (7th generation)

Zemiah was Embraced in Erech, around 1760 BC at the height of Sumerian power. Zemiah's Sire, Sargon of Akkad united the city states of Sumeria and the surrounding areas in the Akkadian empire. Sargon's sire was Enlil, the 'brother' of Nanna and a fellow Sumerain deity. Now, Zemiah is a prominant member of the Ventrue empire faction. She shares Nanna's belief that only strong central government can control a political entity the size of Rome and that to bring back the Republic would cause such chaos amongst the mortals that Rome could well be destroyed.

Although not counted among the Seven Founders, Zemiah came to Rome very soon after it's creation, invited by Nanna who had been a friend of Sargon. Although of 6th generation, Zemiah's great age has given her powers which surpass many of lower generations. Despite her immense personal power, she prefers to deal with people by negotiation, which has lead some to underestimate her.

Publicola Valerius was a prominant senator embraced by Zemiah about 250 years after the foundation of Rome. Despite his Embrace under the republic, he publically, and is far as is known privately, supports the empire. He has served Zemiah faithfully ever since his Embrace, mostly in Rome, although he has travelled quite extensively around the Empire.

While in Greece, during the conquest of the Greek city-states by Rome, he Embraced Psamathe, the daughter of a Greek King, who had received a liberal education at Athens. Valerius was entranced by her keen mind and greatly impressed by her published treatsies on law. He immidiately embraced her, without Zemiah's permission, a potentially fatal transgression at this time. However, Zemiah was amused rather than angry and has often teased him since about his supposed 'Toreador blood'.

Marcus was also a senator, embraced by Zemiah during the turmoil of Rome's civil wars. Although he has held a Ventrue position in Gaul, he is generally known to favour the Republic over the empire, as he did in life. Despite this, Zemiah has supported him, sometimes against the other elders of the empire faction.

Solon (6th generation)
Attalus (7th generation)

Originally an Athenian lawyer, Solon moved to Pergamum, a Greek city state, after the death of Alexander the Great. He secured it's independance from the Seleucid dynasty, which ruled part of the divided Macedonian empire and installed his mortal descendants as rulers. Under his influence Pergamum became a brilliant centre of Greek civilisation. It remained independant and even gained a small empire in Asia Minor. Solon protected Pergamum from the neighbouring Macedonians and Seleucids by allying with Rome.

However, Solon recognized the impossibility of remaining permenantly independant from Rome. In order to save Pergamum from eventual conquest by Rome he commanded the last king, Attalus III, to bequeath Pergamum to Rome in his will on his 'death' in 133 BC. In return, Solon Embraced Attalus.

Although he was offered the opportunity to continue as ruler of Pergamum, Solon moved to Rome. Solon is believed to be rather uninterested in politics, although he supports the Founders and the Empire in most situations. Attalus on the other hand has become associated with the republican faction. He hopes that where the republic restored, he might be able to restore liberty to Pergamum as an ally of a free Rome.

The Toreador

Rome is the cultural capital of the known world. Consequently, Toreador have flocked here, although there is a certain exclusivity in the residents. Those who fall short of the exacting standard of Rome's Toreadors are edged out of Kindred (ie. Toreador) society there and usually leave quickly and quietly. One of the greatest humiliations among Toreador of the empire is to have moved to Rome and failed to make a place. As a result, most Toreador who come to Rome make a great point of being 'only visiting' to avoid the shame of rejection.

Politically, most Toreador in Rome support the Empire, although the majority have very little genuine interest. Paganus, the most political of the Roman Ventrue, has often tried to persuade his fellow clan members into greater activity. However, most are deeply bored by the details of administering an Empire and are delighted to leave them to the Ventrue as long as their personal interests are secure.

Broadly speaking, the Roman Toreador split into four groups. Membership of these groups is fluid, and their importance fluctuates dramatically. Their greatest influence is in the patronage of mortal artists and the divisions largely represent the personal animosities of the senior Toreador. However, they describe the main ongoing debates amongst the Roman Toreador.

1. The Latin Faction. The center of this group is the former Senator Clavius and his wife the Lady Aelia. They firmly hold that Rome has supplanted Greece as the center of the cultural world. Greek culture, useful though it was as the foundation of Roman ideas, has become stale. The 'barbaric' cultures of the rest of Europe certainly have something to offer Rome, for example, gold, marble and slaves. These uncultured peoples need to be taken in hand and shown the merits of a truly Roman way of life, in order to reach their full potential.

2. The Classical Faction. The central tenet of this group is that Greek culture is still supreme in the known world. Romans should be less arrogant and accept that culturally, they are barbarians compared to the ancient scholars of the city-states. The true barbarians of the empire have genuinely interesting cultures of their own but the political might of Rome must not prevent them from discovering the paramount importance of true Greek culture. The Classical faction have successfully fought for the retention of Greek as the scholarly language of the Empire, in which they are supported by the Ventrue, who are keen to maintain good relations with Greece.

Their rivalry with the the Latin faction became more bitter when, just after the formation of the Empire, the Lady Aelia, who was herself Greek in origin, deserted her fellow countrymen and supported her husband in the Latin group. This resulted in an important stylistic change in the portrayal of semi-divine beings in the mosaics of new public buildings, for which she has not been forgiven.

3. The Barbarian faction. This 'group', made up of Polybius and Ngame, cites Celts, Africans and other 'marginal' (ie. not well known to the Roman Toreador) cultures as superior to the Greek and Roman in vigour and variety. Rome should help these 'emergent' cultures, not crush them, bringing a flowering of new art forms which will benefit the whole Empire.

This faction contains two of the truly gifted artists among the Roman Toreador and they periodically courted by the other two groups when they are in need of political clout. The rest of the time, they are ignored. They are also the only Toreador who always attempt to make welcome Toreador and other Vampires from outside the 'civilised' provinces.

4. Paganus and his brood. Standing apart from the rest of the Toreadors, Paganus has often said that the shaping of an Empire is the greatest art of all. He is largely uninterested in Roman Toreador politics, preferring the company of the Ventrue, where he is generally repected. However, when pushed, Paganus will usually support the Greek faction, unless it would harm the Empire. Many in the Greek camp admire his political writings and he is acknowledged by them as a fine orator. They also like his deep antipathy toward Clavius and Aelia.

Clavius (5th)
Aelia (6th Generation)
Roscius (7th Generation)
Livia (7th Generation)

The Senator Clavius and his 'wife', are prominent Toreador in Roman society. They are known for their remarkable orgies which are unrivalled in Roman history, even during the reign of Caligula. Often prominant mortals as well as Kindred are invited, although they are usually Dominated to forget the events afterward. As well as their talent for entertaining, they are great patrons of the Arts. Aelia, especially, enjoys personal patronage of many of Rome's leading actors, from whom her Herd is drawn. A regular item of gossip among Rome's Kindred is her latest 'find'. In general, the couple are regarded as the epitome of Toreador decadence.

Aelia is the only known Childe of Clavius. He is said to have embraced her shortly after his own Becoming. Aelia, while known for her passion for actors, has only embraced one, Roscius. Embraced in 187 BC, he was the greatest actor of his generation. Doubtless Aelia's passion for him would have faded in time, but dazzelled by his genius, she Embraced him when he became ill with a fever, much to Clavius' annoyance.

Roscius has become a playwrite of some renown amongst the Kindred and keeps his own Herd of actors in rival to Aelia's. While less attractive, they are probably more talented. Over the years, many of them have been Ghouled, although none have yet pleased him enough to Embrace. Roscius is of the Greek faction amongst the Toreador.

Recently, Aelia has Embraced Livia, the youngest daughter of a minor noble house whose members she has shown an interest in for some time. Although the girl is a talented artist, this caused much surprise in Kindred society. Aelia has had many infatuations in the past but they are mostly short-lived and always for actors.

Politically, the couple profess neutrality, claiming their only goal is the furtherance of Art. However, it is believed by some that they were a driving force behind the election of Caligula to the throne and that they may have played a role in his subsequent madness. Opinion is divided over whether their support for Caligula was part of a subtle intrigue, or whether they simply liked his company.

In fact, Clavius and Aelia have become involved with the Followers of Set. They have been promised personal power and even control of the Empire in return for helping the Settites free Egypt from Rome. The penalty for conspiring with the Followers of Set is Final Death. The Settites are also keeping control of them by supplying them with (addictive) drugs, which, when fed to slaves, heightens the ecstacy of the Kiss. Although the two Toreador have no quarrel with their Settite allies at them moment, if they ever try to break free they will find the Settites have a very powerful hold over them.

The couples' overall plan is to destabilise the Empire in the West. Through a network of mortal pawns and with the aid of the Settites, they will engineer a series of revolts and uprisings which will threaten the existence of the Empire. When troops are rushed to the west, the Settites will throw off Roman rule in Egypt, hopefully extending her territory at the same time. Clavius and Aelia will then take a leading role in 'suppressing' the troubles. Once they have 'proved' the incompetance of the Ventrue, they will take personal control of the Empire.

An important pawn in the plot is Messalina, Claudius' wife. She has been befriended by Aelia and has been so throughly corrupted by the Senator and his wife that her reputation for orgies has begun to rival theirs. While her adulteries are famous throughout the empire, the scandle had been kept from Claudius by everyone, as all realise that he would be devastated by the knowledge. The Settites hope to use this by revealing it at a suitable moment to further destabilise the empire. The other Toreador and Ventrue keep Claudius in the dark for fear of the political repercussions and mortals are too terrified of Imperial wrath to tell him.

Aelia has also become involved with a prophecy over the future of the Empire, which whilst annoying vague is somehow tied to Livia's family and the newly conquored Tin Islands. She is keeping this from her husband, who has little time for 'that Delphic nonsense'.

Ennius (6th generation)
Horace (7th generation)

Ennius was one of the greatest poets of the Republic, whose breathing days were from 239-169 BC. He is a mainstay of the Latin faction of the Toreador. More interested in politics than many Toreador, he believes that, in general, mortals should be left to run their own affairs and the Kindred should interfere with them as little as possible. As well as poetry, he writes tragedies, comedies and satires, many of which are presented at grand evenings held by Clavius and Aelia, to which the Greek faction are always invited as Ennius is a genuinely great writer.

His only known childe is Horace, an ex-soldier who wrote philosophical poetry and prose. Embraced in only 8 BC, Horace has written nothing since his Embrace and is seldom known to leave his Haven with Ennius. Horace's inability to accept the change had greatly distressed Ennius, although he hopes that with time Horace will recover and write again.

Pandora (5th generation)
Hesiod (6th generation)
Phidias (6th generation)

No-one except Pandora herself knows how she is connected to the Pandora of Greek legend. Certainly she is ancient, even in a city which holds many of the greatest immortals of the age, although her physical form is young, very beautiful and classically Greek.

She moved to Rome around 300 BC, long before the conquest of the Greek city states by the Romans. The center of the Classical faction, she takes great delight in thwarting the plans of Clavius and Aelia. In fact, although she concentrates on their artistic endeavours, the Toreador pair have begun to fear she might discover thier deeper plans. Indeed, they have begun to plot against her on a more serious level than the spoiling of a a poetry recital.

Hesiod was the first great Greek poet after Homer. He wrote his mortal poems around 700 BC. However it is universally agreed among the Toreador that he has produced much finer work since his Embrace. His readings of new poetry are always attended by most of the Kindred of Rome. Pandora often takes advantage of this by scheduling them at the same time as parties announced by Clavius and Aelia, as she known most Kindred will come to her readings. Despite his popularity as an artist, most kindred tend to avoid Hesiod in person. He is amazingly perceptive, beyond even the norms of Auspex, which makes those with secrets uncomfortable. And who does not have secrets among the Kindred of Rome?

While a supporter of his Sire, Hesiod also supports the Barbarian faction. He is often away from Rome, travelling the Empire. He is especially interested in the Gods of the newly conquered peoples. He is known to be attempting an account of all the legends of the known world, before they are cestroyed by Rome. Secretly, he hopes that the study of all the Gods of the peoples of the world will reveal something of the true origin of the Kindred.

Embraced in 400 BC before Pandora came to Rome, Phidias was the sculptor who oversaw the sculptures of the Parthenon on Athens. Phidias loves Rome, to the extent that in some things he may be considered to be of the Latin rather than Classical faction. This is hardly surprising, as he has been reponsible for many of the new sculptures placed in the city during the reigns of the Emperor's (especially Augustus). However, dearly though Aelia would love to lure him away from Pandora, Phidias remains passionately loyal to his Sire and will always support her when she requires it of him.

Apollodorus (5th generation)
Livius (6th generation)

A poet of ancient Greece, Apollodorus left Greece for unknown reasons and settled in Rome during the Republic. A staunch member of the Classical faction, he has a long-running feud with Clavius and Aelia. He especially dislikes Aelia, as she is of Greek origins.

A Roman poet of the 3rd century BC, Livius translated many Greek tragedies and comedies into Latin and produced a Latin translation of the Odyssey. He supports his sire in the Classical faction. However, he occasionally writes original poetry in Latin and he is being cautiously courted by the Latin faction. It would a great coup for them is he could be lured away.

Polybius (7th generation)
Ngame (8th generation)

A historian embraced in the 2nd century BC, Polybius wrote on the conquests of the Roman armies in Spain. For a Toreador, he is rather shy and retiring, although he will occasionally give readings of his works for small gatherings. He is widely reaspected among Toreadors of all factions as a truly gifted writer. Polybius is the leading light of the Barbarian faction of the Toreadors. He travels widely around the Empire, unusually for this time, and is a great sponsor of new arts.

Polybius' only child is Ngame, an African sculpter. Tall and exceedingly handsome, she is rather shy with strangers although the patient who are willing to get to know her find her extremely good company. However, she is most famous in Rome for her wickedly life-like terracotta heads, which Polybius often gives as presents, especially to people he doesn't like.

Paganus (6th Generation)
Marcus Papirius (7th Generation)
- Vinicius Valarius(7th generation)
- Cicero (7th generation)
Leah (7th Generation)

Paganus is well-placed in the Roman hierarchy - an extremely intelligent fellow with aspirations for power for the good of the people and of the kindred. A Toreador, he sides with the Ventrue in most matters. Paganus is very keen on the maintainance of the Ventrue/Toreador alliance. His view is that that the influence of Rome is a great force for good, bringing peace to the world. He also believes that Toreadors are not capable of running a great Empire and that Ventrue do not have the insight and understanding of mortals to do so alone. Before his embrace, Paganus was a leading Greek thinker and philosopher whose writings on freedom and democracy had many followers among the Toreadors. He was Embraced on the brink of death after a sailing accident.

Paganus was one of the leading figures behind the Treaty of Syracusae. He is respected in Roman circles as something of a moderator and independant. While he was one of those responsible for the establishment of the Empire, his natural inclinations are toward the republic, or, better still, some expanded form of Greek democracy. He has been described by Xavier as 'the pro-Empire republican Ventreador democrat'.

Paganus is tall and thin with dark hair and a short dark beard. He has a somewhat sardonic expression and piercing blue eyes, which tend to make people uncomfortable. He is a famed orator and possesses a sharp wit which makes others unwilling to cross him in public.

Paganus has a brood of four. Marcus Papirius, Vinicius Valarius and Cicero are all noted historians, strategists and political writers, chosen for their literary talents and use to Paganus in his furtherance of the cause of Rome. He believes the Embrace is justified in such cases, when the alternative is to allow death to eradicate their talents. All three are mature, rather serious and regarded by the other Roman Toreador as something of a bore, especially when collected together.

The three are seldom all in Rome, often being sent by Paganus as his representaives around the Empire. Indeed, Paganus is noted for the latititude which he allows his brood, even by Toreador standards. To the amusement of many in Rome, Paganus has recently fallen victim to his Toreador blood and Embraced a young dancing-girl slave he met at the house of Senator Cassius Longius.

The Lasombra

The Lasombra have long been excluded from the Roman administration. This was mainly due to the conviction of Nanna that they had secretly supported Carthage during the Rome-Carthage war. However, the opening of Roman government, following the Treaty of Syracusae, has lead them to become more involved.

Their traditional interest has been in trade. Politically, they are supporters of the Ventrue, although they have frequently expressed concern at the many taxes and levies imposed by the Empire, which they claim are stifling the economy. Because of this, they are thought by some to have been behind the removal of Caligula, whose extravagance was legendary and who imposed many extraordinary taxes. However, there is no real evidence for this and it is one rumour among many as almost every faction in Rome have been suggested as the agents behind Caligula's death at one time or another.

Meherdates (5th generation)

Meherdates if the oldest Lasombra in Rome. He is incredibly wealthy, beyond the imagination of mortals and even kindred. His origins are unknown but he is rumoured to have traded in all the greatest empires of the world. It has often been said that he is the legenadary King Midas, although never to his face. One possible cause of the rumour (other than the obvious) is his extremely long, shaggy hair.

His history is rather shadowy, which accounts for the many rumours regarding him. As well as Midas, he has been associated with several of the God-Kings of Egypt and even Zeus. Whatever his past, Meherdates is known to be loyal only to his immense fortune and to whatever can bring him the most wealth. Indeed, he is regarded rather as the modern day ravens at the Tower of London - as long as he remains, Rome will endure.

The other Lasombra in Rome are:
Vettius Valens (6th generation)
Pheronactus (6th generation)
Sabazius (8th generation)

All three are involved in trade across the empire and are therefore quite influential in Kindred politics. All the Lasombra in Rome support the continuation of the Empire, or rather, it's continued stability. If they could be convinced that a different style of government could hold the empire together and perhaps improve trade or reduce taxation, they might be persuaded to support a change.

The Salubri

The Malkavians

Xavier (5th generation)
Thrasyllus (6th generation)

Xavier and Thrasyllus are the only Malkavians known to live in Rome. He will not tolerate others of his clan and any which have entered the city hve been driven out or killed. Other than this, Xavier seems to cause little trouble in the city. Politically, he is largely neutral, although he will occasionally lend his full support to a particular cause for a while, often one which is contentious. However, no-one has ever managed to find a pattern in his support and he will usually seem to lose interest in it once he has achieved the desired result. Xavier's haven is in the Temple of Saturn. On occasion, he has identified himself diectly with the God, especially during the yearly festival, the Saturnalia.

A famous soothsayer, Thrasyllus was embraced at the end of a long life. During the reigns of both of Augustus and Tiberius, he was noted for the amazing accuracy of his prophecies and during the time of Tiberius was the only soothsayer in the city. There was much debate among the kindred as to whether Thrasyllus should be Embraced but it was always delayed because of the fear that he would lose his gifts. However, Xavier left the city secretly and travelled to Capri and embraced him, at the time Thrasyllus had secretly foretold for his own death. Since then he has lived with Xavier in Rome. If he has retained his gift, he has revealed his prophesies to no-one except, possibly, Xavier.

The Gangrel

Maura (5th generation)

Only one Gangrel lives in Rome. Maura lived near Rome before the Founders arrived and was worshipped by the local Etruscans as a nature deity. During the rise of Rome, she continued to live in the area. Now, she lives in an extensive villa several miles outside the city. However, she maintains a haven in a temple in the city and has become associated with the Goddess Roma. There are also rumours that she is associated with a secret Bacchic goddess cult in the city.

Embraced in Africa, over the centuries Maura has acquired many feline features and now looks quite inhuman. It is considered unwise to enter her domain uninvited, However, to those she invites she is a good host and although she is rather distant to other Roman Kindred, she is often friendly toward visiting Gangrel.