How to play... A Brujah

Nobody asks about the Brujah

The Malkavian clan will be the last of the Camarilla How tos, so they're next up ! Then I'll tackle independent and Sabbat clans

Brujah are a bit like the bastard child between the Gangrel and the Ventrue.

Think about it, they have the "inner rage", but they also have this general sense of responsibility towards "a cause". Brujah have a cause. That's their main thing, you ignorant asshole.

In truth most Kindred have a cause, but the Brujah are generally less inclined to change their mind about their own cause. Stubborn bitches ! They will change tools, they will change their approach of the problem, but they won't change the general aim of it. The Ventrue will change if it suits their benefits, but the Brujah will openly act against himself or herself for their cause.

As such, any character, even if they're not physical at all, can be embraced Brujah, providing they have that little "fire within". Sometimes it's not so present, sometimes it's even a secret crusade, but it's there.

What Brujah don't have in instincts, they have in temper. But it's not always the break everything, kick ass and act temper.

The Gangrel are more impatient ; hold that thought. Think about it this way : most Brujah want shit be done, like everyone, but they weight options about as much as a Ventrue if they can, and they'll be more strategic in their approach. Their ultimate goal will remain unchanged however (unless the Brujah is ready to have an existential crisis, and mostly a Brujah is not ready to break their thick skull to look inside ). 

Your regular syndicalist loud mouth is fine, but many interesting Brujah concepts can be totally -not- criminal / opposition in nature.

What you need to do to make a good Brujah (at least in my book) is to have a set of what is okay and what isn't, what is honor, what isn't, and what is important. Create your core morality, place yourself on the political spectrum, and make sure to have an opinion on many subjects that you will not change.  Except if the Brujah is ready and confident enough to survive that existential crisis I mentionned above ; great plot hooks for the ST here, personal growth and horror, all good

The Brujah's Presence discipline is a clear enhancement of their Charisma, be it to seduce or to impress (in a more blunt way than the Ventrue), while Celerity and Potence clearly indicate and push the physical side of the characters. Brujah are swift and efficient, they aim at the throat and don't fight clean.

Be sure to nail down the "fire within" aspect of the Brujah clan so a Brujah sees something of interest. That does not mean what the Brujah saw was actually true ! The Brujah are not the most aware, and a Sire being wrong on their Childe is fairly common. This can lead to characters so very much interesting it's mindblowing.

Of course, once embraced, maybe your character will end up saying "screw it, this is awesome" and just let themselves live the good life. Who cares about clan prestige when you can just be happy and enjoy yourself ? Of course, then, your "cause" consists in kicking your fellow Brujah because they want you to embrace a good cause.

I really get the rant, pissed off, angry at all times, but it grows a bit old. Like the Toreador (two disciplines in common !) the Brujah have an issue with Passion and controlling themselves. It just shows in a different way. Surprise your fellow players and STs with a Brujah art critique who hisses at modern art because "that shit ain't art !" And he'd burn it all.