Ok, there is clearly an interest so here is an attempt at a write up of my 'statuepires.'
These can serve as a jade court if you haven't already established one in your game or an ivory court. It should be noted that these are not intended as playable templates. They are more on the evil people eater side as a villain for powerful groups. In the interest of a unique name for Sanctaphrax's template resource post I will call them the Porcelain Doll Jade Court.
The Jade Court have been a shadowy presence existing throughout most of Asia for more than two thousand years. Rather than a single unified group, they exist as small hives of three to nine Elder vampires, and a single caretaker. Though, a measure of communication does exist between hives for official actions, such as the signing of the Unseelie accords.
The elders of the court are essentially sentient statues that communicate with each other by a collective mind. The caretaker is a young vampire, still capable of physical movement, who acts as little more then a puppet for the collective with no individual will of it's own.
The Jade Court life cycle progresses through four distinct stages.
Stage 1.) A newly made vampire is created as the old caretaker begins to wear out. A suitable human is chosen and brought before the sanctuary of the elders. Over the course of days the elders scrub all personality and individuality from the victim's mind. Once so prepared, the caretaker carefully chips a fragment from the youngest elder in the hive, then quickly tears open the humans chest cavity and plunges it into the still beating heart. If done quickly enough, the flesh around the shard begins to crystallize. Over the next few weeks, the whole body becomes stony and crystalline. When the process is complete, the new caretaker rises. The hive's grasp on the old caretaker is released and the new destroys the old.
In this stage the vampire is practically a physical god. It has:
Mythic Strength -6, Speed -6, and Toughness -6 as well as Blood drinker -1 and Feeding Dependency (Human Blood) +1. the catch is things that could shatter stone like sledge hammers, explosives, etc. +4. The hive mind and lack of free will are largely represented through aspects and the psychic powers of the elders. They can heal from injury, but no faster than mortals.
Total template cost: -14
Stage 2.) After about a year the vampire progresses to the second stage of it's lifecycle. It begins to slow down considerably as it's flesh stiffens. It has Supernatural Speed -4 and Strength -4 as well as Mythic Toughness -6 catch +4. It retains Blood Drinker -1 and Feeding Dependency +1
Total Template Cost: -10
At this stage the vampire may also begin to develop signs of a new intelligence and awareness forming, though most do not. The new mind is still easily suppressed by the collective, but is taken as an early sign that the vampire will become a new elder rather than be disposed of.
Stage 3.) After 50 years or so at stage 2 the vampire moves to this stage. If the vampire has shown no signs of awareness then it is disposed of as it reaches this stage and a new caretaker is created. If it is to become a new elder, it's mind will awaken fully and begin to join the collective and awaken in psychic power. Such a vampire continues to act as caretaker and the search for a new caretaker is postponed until it nears the end of this stage.
Stage 3 vampires have Inhuman Speed -2, Strength -2, and Mythic Toughness -6 catch +4. Blood Drinker -1 / Feeding Dep. +1. Domination -2
Total Template Cost: -8
Stage 4.) After approximately 20 years at stage 3, the vampire begins to rapidly grow feeble and must quickly prepare a new caretaker or leave the hive defenseless. Once this is done, the vampire takes it's place in immobility and becomes a new elder. It's body solidifies and becomes an immobile statue, allowing it's psychic power to expand considerably. The younger elders resemble detailed statues of themselves, while over the course of centuries their outer flesh begins to wear down and they come to resemble vaguely man shaped pillars of marble (or jade if you prefer.)
It has Mythic Toughness -6 catch +4, Domination -2, Master Dominator -2, possession -3
Total Template Cost: -9
The elders no longer need to feed on blood but still crave it. One of the duties of the caretaker is to bring live humans to the lair every so often and butcher them to allow the elders to absorb blood through their now slightly porous outer flesh. The elders sometimes possess these sacrificial humans to allow them to experience mobility outside of their joint control over the caretaker. Elders may also take any additional psychic powers that are appropriate, and some can even work magic while possessing a body.
The Jade court are known to use their mental powers from a great distance to draw the weak minded to their lair, often creating cults to service them.
What do you guys think? Want me to add anything?
