Spanning from the Pacific Ocean to Eastern Europe , the Mongol Empire remains one of the most expansive in history. Under the leadership of Genghis Khan, the Mongols rose in the 13th century to become the most feared army of their time. With the Great Horde rode the Anda, outmaneuvering their enemies with cunning and ferocity and laying waste to defiant cities ruled by elders who refused to bend a knee. Their rapid conquest brought terror to the courts of Europe, as decadent vampires cowered in fear.

Popular accounts maintain that the Anda disappeared with the Mongol Empire. As Genghis’s descendants struggled to keep his empire together, so too did the Anda struggle as their founder, Dobrul the Brave, fell into torpor. By the late 15th century, there were no known active Anda. For several centuries vampire society believed the bloodline had faded away into history. That belief was dispelled in 1974 when, in a field outside the city of Samarkand, the elder known as Kuthulun awoke from a centuries-long sleep.

A powerful warrior in her time, as a mortal Kuthulun demanded her suitors bet her 100 horses and defeat her at wrestling to win her hand. At the time of her embrace, she owned a herd of 10,000 horses. As her success and holdings grew, so did the jealousy of her court who betrayed her. Kuthulun was ambushed and severely wounded. After barely escaping, she took refuge in the earth. Her intention was to sleep only for as long as needed for her wounds to heal, but instead she awoke 650 years later. Though she scarcely understood the era in which she woke, her ambition remained sharp. She soon set out on a journey to learn more about the world and to lay claim to the rulership of the Anda.

Decades later, she has succeeded in reviving her bloodline and returned to Samarkand to rule. Like her, her childer are cunning, sharp, and strong. They are unbound by convention, and readily embrace innovation. Kuthulun and her city are formally independent, but her lineage stretches all over the world and in each of the great sects. They are her eyes and ears, monitoring the strength of each region. Some close to her believe that when the time is right she will join a sect and assume a leadership role; others believe she will prey upon the weakest sect and grow her ranks with their numbers as she had centuries past.

Meanwhile, the Gangrel clan as a whole has accepted the return of the Anda and acknowledged their legitimacy. While they often bring a dissenting opinion to clan politics, the Anda have proven their loyalty through their strong support and formidable skills. Karsh himself is believed to have a trio of Anda among his elite warriors, and the first Anda was recently admitted to the Black Hand. But while their heritage affords the Anda a great deal of clout, they are eager to establish a new legacy for themselves. Whether this will be done through conquest and strategy or through diplomacy and alliances remains to be seen.

Roleplaying Notes:

Unlike most Gangrel, the Anda are perfectly fine with hierarchy. They see how their listless cousins cling to their individuality and note how they lack the power that comes with organization. The Anda understand the power of collective action and seek to build or be a part of a strong coalition. They appreciate luxury and the trappings of wealth but avoid decadence for its own sake. Further, Anda do not abandon their childer as many Gangrel do; instead, they mentor them closely and adhere to ancient tradition that dictates that childer are not to be released until they have learned the Protean power Earth Meld. And yet, similar to other Gangrel, they enjoy the wilds and never forget their origins as a warrior bloodline.

Rarity: Your setting's Gangrel Rarity Cost + 2 merit points