Vampire The Masquerade V1-Storybook

COTFRIFS group of Kindred with a common lineage may have reason to
stick together, though this is less true among the rugged indi-
At heart, the vampire is a solitary creature. No longer able vidualists of Clans Gangrel and Tzimisce.
to see the light of day or interact with otherssavewith the intent
of sucking their blood, vampires often cloister themselves, GANGCOTERIES
stealing forth at night only to claim sustenance.
Common among the streetwiseand less well-to-doKindred,
Nonetheless, loneliness takes its toll on the isolationist gang coteries are true urban terrors. Composed of a group of
Kindred. This is particularly true of younger Kindred -neo- vampires, their ghouls, and any hangers-on who somehow con-
vince the vampires not to eat them, gang coteriesare the scourge
nates and fledglings -who also band together for protection of the inner city. Their ranks includebrutal vampires, commonly
from their own elders.As such, gatheringsof Kindred,known as of the Brujah,Gangrel,Malkavian and Ravnos clans,with Caitiff
coteries,have been a staple of Kindred societyfor at least the past sometimesthrown in for good measure. Gang coteries are violent
hundred years. and ruthless, though some defend the rights of drifters and the
homeless (whousually end up as membersof the gang or its herd).
Elders deride the coteries, as they themselves exist in Gangcoteriesmaybenomadic, likebikegangsorGypsies,orstatic,
antiquated havens far from the deadly hands of mortals. Liken- like chapters of nationwide gangs or locals-only outfits. Gang
ing the groups to bands of lesser animals on the hunt or, more
derogatorily,the brutal packs of Sabbat vampires,eldervampires coteriesare often involved in localdrug scenesand almost invari-
fail to realize that younger, weaker vampires often have no ably spend as much time fighting other gangs and gang coteries
over “distributionrights”as they do police.
option other than Final Death. A solitaryneonate may eke out
ANARCCHOTERIES
a wretched existence for a while, but sooner or later, without
someone to watch his back, he will likely fall to one of the While the violent tactics,stylesof dress and clan makeups of

innumerable other predators of the city. In truth, many elders anarch coteries sometimes cause them to be mistaken for gang
coteries, the fundamental ideologies differ. Anarch coteries op-
fear the neonates’ coteries, though they would never admit it. pose elders’ scheming and stranglehold on power, arguing that
Established vampires undermine the growing power of the
coteriesat every tum, frightened asthey areby the versatilityand every vampire should have a fair, equitableclaim to domains and
modem savvy the groups possess. hunting rights.Anarch coteriestypically comprisemembersof the
Brujah,Gangrel,MalkavianandNosferatu clans,but a fewresent-
Coteries arehere to stay.Though unnatural, inconvenient, ful Ventrue and disillusionedTremere have joined the cause. If a
often inefficient and almost always tense, coteries provide the Toreador is seen amonganarch company,she’slikely slummingor
only recoursefor vampireswho wish more than subsistencefrom tryingto annoy her sire. Anarchs tend to be youngerKindred,and
their unlives. these coteries are often short-lived, as the group accomplishes
enoughtogaina prince’snotice and is then destroyed or disbanded
The main reason vampires form coteries, other than the by a city’s elders and their minions. The anarchs have proved
underlying need for security, is a common interest: blood ties,
similarideologies,gang affiliation,practical inclination or even remarkablysuccessfulonthe US. West Coast,though their power
simple convenience. Coteries are as wide and varied as the erodes nightly under an influx of Cathayans from the East.
Kindred who compose them.
WARTIMCEOTERIES
CLANCOTERIES
The Camarilla is efficient in its oppositionof the Sabbat,and
One of the most common types of coteries, the clan coterie one of its best tactics is the establishment of wartime coteries.
is composed exclusively of members of one clan. Brujah broods When a city becomes contested territory between the two sects,
are one of the best examplesof this coterie, as vampires with the the Sabbatoften sendswaves of newlyEmbracedvampiresagainst
same sireoften cling to each other long after their sirehas grown its opponents. The Camarilla, with its better organization and
bored and left them on their own. Young Ventrue sometimes greater resources, has found that an effectivemanner of repelling
form consortiums, pooling their resources to better usurp their these attacks is to create teamsof neonates and ancillae,who gain
elders’power bases. Cabals of Tremere are also known to pool the opportunityto impress their eldersby turning the tide. These
resources; these cabals often maintain close connections with coteries are often composed of diverse members - Brujah and
the clan as a whole, due to the structured nature of the Warlocks. Gangrel warriors, Malkavians and Nosferatu scouts, Tremere
Horrific nests of Nosferatu dwell under the streets of the cities, magicians and Ventrue and Toreador diplomats. Although nor-
away from the judgmental eyes of Kindred and kine. Clutches of mally of finite duration, these coteries sometimes see bonds of
Malkavians, united under the charismatic leadership of one of camaraderie form among their members, who maintain relations
their number, often resemble cults or Manson Family-esque followingthe repulsion of the Sabbat threat.
assemblies of unhealthy minds. Even the independent and
territorially catty Toreador sometimes band together to form DIPLOMACTOICTERIES
salons or “art movements” composed of a few inspired Kindred.
Family groupingsof Giovanni vampiresare sometimesclassified Sometimes a prince needs a matter of policy enforced or a
ascoteries,though these areusuallyled by claneldersor ancillae, matter of urgency attended to, but lacks the resourcesto address
as are Assamite assassin cells and Setite cults. Essentially, any it herself. In this case, she entreats the elders of her city to
recommend Kindred to handle the task. After much boon-
exchanging and promise-swearing(or the cancellation thereof),

CHAPTEORNE:A WORU)of DARKNW
49

the prince has a pool of vampires upon which to draw. These are INTFLLIGENCCOF TFRIES
often cosmopolitan coteries, assembled in much the same man- A prince cannot typically gather her own intelligence, but
ner as wartime coteries, but often with less threat of physical
violence. Diplomatic coteries often enjoy the endorsement of rather sends agents to do it for her. The prince or one of her
elders, the prince and the primogen, but this may work against ministershand-picksa groupof Kindred, then dispatchesthem to
them if offenders are predisposed against the current regime. a differentcity,or sometimesto a factionwithin the samecity,and
awaits their report. Elder Kindred thrive on this sort of espionage,
CRIMINACLOTERIES carefully moving their pawns and agents to inconvenience their
rivals. Spiesaredealtwithharshly,andKindredinsuchcoteriesare
Criminal coteries resemble Mafia families, Yakuza @mi, advised to tread lightly and make as many contacts as possible.
Seoulpa rings, drug cartels or Chinese tongs. Essentially collec-
tions of vampireswho want to make money “outsidethe system,” ENTERTAINMCEONTERIFS
criminal coteries run rackets, extortion, numbers, prostitution,
drugdistribution (oftenwith the aid of lesser criminal coteriesor Some Kindred associatewith each other in the interests of
gang coteries), “distressedgoods” liquidation, car-parts scams, performing for others. Entire bands composedof vampires move
large-scaletheft, union strikes,gambling,bookmaking and pro- through vampire society, touring across the country like mortal
tection operations. If it’s illegal,they do it; vampires’power and musicians and playing for prestigious princes and appreciative
influence allow criminal coteries to create a highly profitable Toreador patrons. Likewise,dramatic troupes of vampire actors
mixture of blue-collarand white-collar crime. Criminal coteries also band together to enact popular plays or even the works of
frequently degenerate into hotbeds of distrust as various pros- Kindred playwrights. “Movements” of performance artists and
pects atrophy or change in profitability. Clans involved with other artisans come and go, challenging social issues or working
criminal coteries tend to be more refined Brujah, Toreador, forcommissions.Obviously,Toreador vampireslend themselves
Ventrue, Giovanni and the odd Caitiff, though one of the well to this sort of coterie, but Brujah thrash bands, Malkavian
Gambino street gangs in New York is rumored to have a actors and Nosferatu shock acts are not unheard of. Even certain
Nosferatu at the head. Gangrel like the opportunity afforded by touring.

FNTRFPRENEURCIOATLERIES QUESTINCGOTFRIFS

Like criminal coteries, but legal. The Jyhad stretches back through thousands of years, and
many secretshave been hidden over the ages. Questing coteries
are mystical archaeologists, determined to uncover not only

VAMPIRTEH: EMASQUERADE
50

Kindred artifacts but the secrets of Kindred history as well. CHARACTECROTERIES
Questing coteries often form of their own volition, pursuing
their concealed knowledgeout of desire rather than edict. Some Players shouldpay particularattentionto their coterie’s
report directly to princes or patrons, while others operate inde- focus, and select a unifying cause that satisfies all of their
pendently. Questing coteriesoften have Tremere, Toreador and characters’concepts. As undying creatures, Kindred don’t
Ventrue members, though many Brujah are quick to join the just band together for the hell of it. Characters stuck in
cause, and more than one Follower of Set has been reluctantly coteries toward which they have either apathy or antago-
admitted to a questing coterie. Questing coteries are typically nismdon’t workverywell in the longterm. Duringcharacter
nomadic, traveling wherever their search leads them. creation, players should take the opportunity to make sure
their charactershave some reason to fraternize.Vampire is
SOCIACLOTERIES a game of horror, secrets and manipulation, and the mood
is easily ruined by an overabundance of petty bickering.
Birds of a feather flock together, and this is particularlytrue
with social coteries. United by ties of social prominence or Be responsible. Play a character who won’t ruin the
simple common enthusiasms, social coteries are common in game for everyone else.
Camarilla cities and Sabbat cities alike. Some social coteries
unite under gothic, club or other countercultures, sharing simi- viciousgroupsof vampires in existence.Each pack is unique,wit1
lar tastes in music and fashion. High-society coteries share its own name, membership requirements,customs, style of dres
common interests in influence, art, fashion and/or whatever else and rites. Somepacks have existedfor centuries; these packshav
takes their whim, while Sabbat social coteries often pursue “illustrious”(ordepraved)histories,legends of departed member:
grotesquepastimes indeed. Mortal societieslike the Fabians and and bitter rivalrieswith other packs.
the Algonquin Round Table are examplesof kine socialcoteries,
while the harpies are an excellent example of a Kindred social This list of coteries is by no means exhaustive -vampire
coterie. Members of any clan may join socialcoteries,as they are have any number of reasons to band together, though their caus
very rarely dependentupon skillorproductivity, inclined as they should be enough to keep them unified despite their nature:
are toward discourse and fraternity. Coteries are like the cliques of the undead, and very rarely fit
stereotype completely. After all, each vampire’s reasons fa
BLOOCDULTS joining a particular coterie are as unique as he is. As suck
A recent resurgence triggered by the coming of Gehenna, coteries are seldom unified fronts, more often being vehicles fa
individual vampires to advance their own agendas.
blood cultsare almostuniversallydespisedby princesand formally
condemnedasviolationsof the Masquerade.Blood cultsaregroups W ITCH-HUNTERS
ofKindredwho entice mortalstopartakein“re1igious”rituals,then AND OTHEMR ORTALS
feed blood to or enslave the “worshippers.”Combining the most
heinous aspects of ghouldom and cult membership, blood cults Kindred prey on the kine; this is the way of things. As th
prey upon desperate mortals who are searching for something to
give their lives value. Obviously, these cults are breaches of the eldersare painfully aware,though, they may be preyedon aswe1
Masquerade,asthe vampireopenlyrevealsher supernatural(ifnot Vampires must step lightly and be ever mindful of the Masquet
vampiric) nature to her coven, and risks exposing all of Kindred ade;were the human race as a whole ever to turn its attention t
society to the wrath of outraged mortals. the Kindred, the Children of Caine would be quickly wiped OUI
Superstition is the vampires’best weapon. By enforcing mortal:
DIARLERICSOTTERIES
disbelief, by cultivating a smug belief in reason, by dismissin
Diablerist coteries are another reaction against Gehenna’s vampires’ presence as the fancies of children and lunatics, th
imminence. Many young Kindred, frustrated by the elders’ un-
shakablegrip on power, take the short, direct route to that power, Kindred allow the mass of kine to do the work of shielding ther
and actually hunt the elders, killing them and drinking their from the few mortalswho do know that vampireswalk the nigh
essences. In addition to the thrill of patricide and the rush of
mystical power, diablerie provides these coteries with a weapon And there are, indeed, a few. Ignored or scoffed at by th
against their foes-destruction.Although not every coterieexists bulk of their fellows, these mortals choose to delve into th
for this purpose, packs of diableristsrepresent one of the reasons Kindred’s hidden world. Some do it out of curiosity, or for
elders truly fear younger Kindred and the coteriesthey form. Most forbidden thrill; others fear the Kindred and seek to exterminat
terrifying of all are the Assamitefaluqi, or war cells, who stalk and them outright. The Children of Caine take no chances; the
bring down elders in the manner of wolves dragging down game. elders remember the Inquisition of old, when the race of varr
pires was nearly extinguished in a tide of fire and blood. Thus, a
SARRPAATCKS mortals “in the know”are commonly referred to as witch-hunter
the term Kindred gave to their pious tormentors.
Exclusive to the Sabbat,thepuck is the basic socialunit of the
The Inquisition itself still exists today, though no offick
Black Hand. Composed of severalSabbat vampires,packs ensure Church records speak of it. The Inquisition of the modem worl
their members’ loyalty through a requirement that each vampire is known as the Society of Leopold. Many of its members ar
regularly drink a mixture of all the other members’blood. Thus researchersand occultists,but some are fanatic vampire-huntei
mystically bound, Sabbat packs are among the tightest and most who, in true Torquemada-esque fashion, mercilessly root OL
and destroy the “spawn of Satan.”

GIAFIEORNEA: WORLDOFDARKNESS
51

Most Inquisitors are fanatic but spottily educated and THPOTHERS
trained, seldom posing any real threat. What they know of
the Kindred tends to come from old records and poorly The Kindred are not the only monsters to stalk the stree
of the World of Darkness. Behind many a looming shadow lurE
translated manuscripts. This, of course, leads t o mistakes in a pair of eyes belonging to something.. .else. The Kindred shai
the night with many other inhuman presences. When Kindre
hunting, and it is unwise to make mistakes when dealing come into contact with these “others,” the results are rare1
with vampires. Likewise, most Inquisitors are mere mortals,
with none of the supernatural powers attributed to saints. pleasant, as the world’s supernatural denizens have vied fc
Though such a hunter might hold up a crucifix and franti-
cally wave it in a vampire’s face, the holy symbol would be supremacy for millennia.Many Kindred suspect that, not unlik
themselves, these others have societies of their own. Unforti
a mere object to be contemptuously swatted aside. A few nately, few vampires have been able to get close enough to tk
others to tell, and even fewer have escaped to warn others.
Inquisitors, though, actually manifest sufficient Faith to
repel or even wound the Damned with their holy auras. T h e fabled Book of Nod speaks of the others, warning tk

O n a secular level, the Kindred often move in the higher Kindred that as the Final Nights approach, these creatures wi
echelons of mortal power. Though they act furtively and cun- rise up in preparation for the end of the world. Certainly,recer
ningly, enough traces of their presence exist to arouse the nights have seen Kindred come into more frequent-and ofte
suspicions of certain members of the world’s intelligence agen- hostile -contact with these mysterious beings.
cies. In these nights of DNA testing and computer databases, the
Masquerade is stretched thin indeed. LUPINES

Other mortal groups find themselves on the periphery of Outside the protective streets of the city, the lar
the Damned’s world. A mystic secret society known as the belongs to the Lupines, monsters who have been the di
Arcanum seeks to uncover traces of the paranormal. Kindred enemies of the Kindred since time immemorial. Also knou
tend to dismiss the Arcanum as a comic organization of garden- as werewolves, the Lupines seem t o travel in packs, much
normal wolves do. Werewolves are universally feared 1
variety “ghostbusters” and dilettantes,but it occasionally-and vampires as ruthless, efficient killers, and more than or
vampire claims to have witnessed a single angered Lupir
increasingly -stumbles across events of interest. Additionally, bring down a n entire coterie of Kindred. Insular and xeni
various criminal organizations find themselves pawns in -or phobic, the werewolves despise the Kindred; the preci:
disrupters of -Kindred plots.

For more informationo n witch-hunters, see Chapter Nine.

VAMPIRET: HEMASQUEFADL

52

e-

reason behind this loathing is unknown, but a vampire Frightening rumors abound, however, of ghoulsgone rogue, 3
caught by a werewolf is assuredly i n dire peril. Wise Kindred rebelling against their Kindred masters, killing them, and seek-
know to keep to the cities, and that to leave their protection ingout the precious vitae from other vampires. Thesemarauding
is t o invite disaster in the form of a cloud of fur and fangs. On ghouls do not serve new masters; rather, they strikeat unwary or
nights when the full moon is high and white, Kindred can weak Kindred and take the blood by force, often destroying the
hear the howls of the Lupines and smell their ferocity o n the hapless vampire in the process. Many Kindred scoff at these
wind. rumors,but othersknow all too well the power ofghoulsand keep
their eyes on their own entourages.
Recent yearshave seen a greater aggressivenesson the part of
the Lupines.Formerlyreluctant to leavetheir wildernessdomains, THECATHAYANS
werewolf packs have in the last few yearsbegun pursuingKindred
into the cities, or even raiding the vampires’formerlyimpregnable The Children of Caine have spread throughout the world,
domains outright. Thevampires of ClanGangrel,whoknow more but they find themselves thwarted in the Far East by the
of the Lupines’ways than any other Kindred, fear that a great war mysterious Cathayans,non-Kindred vampires native to the Ori-
may be at hand, and that the first stroke of the Jyhadendgame will
be made not by a vampire, but by a werewolf. ent. The Cathayans, or “Kindred” of the East, seem to have very

MAGFS little in common with their Western brethren. Rumors of
demonic powers surround these Asian visitors, and their enig-
Practicioners of arcane arts, the mages resemble humanity matic behavior andforeign mindset leave manyWesternKindred
even more than Kindred do. In fact, the Tremere maintain that ill at ease. Making matters worse are the increasingly frequent
mages are humans themselves, though ones who know the reports of the “Hooded Mandarin,” a formidable Cathayan
secrets of ancient magic. Thoughnot overtly hostile tovampires, vampire, and his presence at disastrous Kindred events.
mages seem to prefer solitude and will not hesitate to eliminate
a bothersome Kindred. Few vampires know much about this FNIGMAS
group’s powers, but strange events tend to happen in the pres-
ence of mages.It is rumored that magesmay evoke truly fantastic As if these disturbing reports weren’t enough,someKindred
effects, but they evidently maintain a practice similar to the claim to have dealt with even stranger creatures of the night.
Masquerade, one which likewise protects them from a fearful Meetings with demons, immortal mummies,zombielike walking
populace. dead, mystical spirits, shapeshifting animals, sentient gargoyles,
angels and less definable entities have been claimed and some-
GHOSTS times documented. The only certainty to emerge from these
It would seem that some spirits linger on after death, either statements, however, is that the World of Darkness is as terrify-
ing as it is cosmopolitan.
to haunt the living or to resolve things they could not accom-
plish in life. As ghosts apparentlyexist on the “otherside,” very GFNFRATIOANNDS
few vampires have any dealings with them, though Giovanni CAINITMFYTHOLOGY
vampires are known to be able to converse with them. Some
ghosts claim to be the souls of victims killed by vampires, and According to the most widely accepted history of the
return to plague those vampires’ nights with wailing and tor- Kindred, the race of vampires issued from the progenitor vam-
ment. pire, Caine. Banished into the land of Nod after killing his
brother Abel, Caine was cursed by God and thereby became the
FAERIES first vampire. Thereafter, Caine sired three childer,who in turn
sired their own childer, and on and on.
Few vampires know anythingabout the faeries, and it would
seem that the “Good Folk” either fear vampires or otherwise An oft-referenced collection of Kindred lore known as The
avoid them as anathema. Whatever the reason, faeries are by
turns attributed with fanciful, wondrous powers or the ability to Book of Nod contains numerous illustrations of the Kindred’s
inflict terrible curses. Those who have opinions on the matter creation myth. Unfortunately for those who wish to know it all,
maintain that the “wild ones” are not to he trifled with. the hook engenders more questions than it answers, and even
formsthe basisfor one of the other theories of Kindred origin, the
GHOULS Lilith Cycle (which is decried and suppressed as heresy by the
Camarilla).
Kindred in need of powerful servitors often cultivateghouls.
Created by giving a mortal or animal a sip of vampiric vitae In the end, there are n o immediately forthcominganswers.
without first draining their blood, ghouls most commonly serve Indeed, there may be no answer to the mystery at all.
as minions of their vampiric masters, known as domitors. Al-
though not so powerful as Kindred, ghouls may use the ingested CAINF
vitae to become preternaturally strong and resilient.
Reputedly the “father of all vampires,”Caine is more myth
Most ghouls are fanatically loyal to their masters, for ghouls than reality in the modern nights. Some of the Fourth Genera-
are just as susceptible to the blood bond (p. 218) as Kindred are. tion, as well as certainmembersof the Sabbat,claimto have met
As the ghoul requires the blood of her domitor to maintain her abeing who referred tohimself asCaine,but the storyhas filtered
status, she often has cause to drink repeatedly from the same through so many individuals and layers of the Jyhad that no one
vampire. can precisely tell where truth ends and fabrication begins.

CHA~TRONEA: WORLDOFDARKNW
53

ryof the Kindred- though

tn vampiresociety.The most popular and widely

text known as The Book ofhJodchroniclesCame's e

originates in various pass:

In the beginning thsr

Caine u ho sam'fizw

(kine who was cast

Came who was curs1

(kine who was curs1

It IS Caine /rorn who

Our sire's sire.

For the passingof un

In lonzliness and suf:

For an eon hz rernaii

hi the passinguf rn,

And so he returned t

To the world of mort

To the hisuorld ,,,.,h o t r t L ,ullu IIovL4LcI crI(.KIrc.II. LICULEU.

A5 C a m returned to the Children of Seth (the name that vampires came to call the kine), many believe that kc went a h t the

constructionofagreatcity,in whichvampirescoexistdwith mcmls. SomeKindmlh i s t t a i : i n s s r n a k o f t h i s ~ ~ a siadynllict i m e o f h o n y ,

though morecynicalCLlnitessaythatthe vampiresinflicted themselves &e. It is believed that the 1.3clans

1.

But he would not come with them,
Saying the Flood had been sent as punishm

Fur hzs hawing returned to the wurld of life

And subwerangthe true law.

VAMPIRET:HEMASQUERADE
54

I And the children slew theirparents.
It was,these kinslayervampires who g a v r
Their lackof wisdom,however,prevented the
As this became obvious, the Ancients
movemen6 frornsecret havens.
Inevitably,this terriblewar result

\

C

CHA~~RONAE:W m of DARKNESS

55

d have noted a lapse in the myth of Came: FOURTAHND FIFTHGENERATIONS

e of the Second Generation, and thereby These powerful vampires are known as Methuselahs. They

Kindred younger than they. Many Methuselahs take refuge in
hidden torpor, where they may avoid attempts at diablerie by
lesser Kindred and control their own forces in the Jyhad. In

THIRDGENERATION centrated areas of influence and wield signifi-

theypredatetheGreatFld),supposedlygaverisetowh of lower generation an
clans in the modern idiom. Recently, tales of active Ant th Generation is ce

dubious,arisenightly. Although the Camarilla
of survivingAntediluvians,four Antediluvians

h u m a n creaturesomesay is the founderof the Tremerehas been

been destroyed,but none can corroboratethese statements. neonates an
The Antediluvians are the true players of the Jyha
elvesleftto their ow
ancient and terrible game predicated upon the thwarting that the wilder, you
other members of the Third Generation. The turns of the
are inscrutable, but the Antediluvians have pa meet the 1wght on their own terms. Much like mortal adoles-
comer of the Earth, carryingout the directives of cents, the Ninth and Tenth Generations are getting a taste for
masters. The rules are as unknowable as the players
are, and everythingfrom outright war to centuries-longgames o the power and influence they may soon come to possess.
espionage seems to be de r;gUeur.
t " .a* 1 3 G~EN~ERATIONS
Whether ornot the gamehas alwaysbeen one of move
young ancillae, members of these genera-
other factors at play. It is possible that some wto the curseofvampirism.Although they
involvedin theJyhadhave attained the fabled

state of transcendence. Certainly, they are count 1 4AN~D 1~ 5 G~FNF~RATIO
by foes who do not wish this to come to pass. A woeful modem development,

Antediluvians are almost divine in their scope of ability, dredhave appearedinrecent years. Th
and possess powers unimaginable by those not of their caliber.
Jyhadscholarshave hypothesizedthat the Third Generation are in them that some are rumored to be a
the last vampires to have true mastery over life and death, and sun and partake of mortal food.
may be destroyed only if they so choose or if one of equal power upon the influx of these vamp
bests them. These same Kindred wonder if perhaps the Jyhad is passages in The Book oflvod that
a contest, with the last Antediluvian left without sufferingthe Thin Blood."This time issai
Final Death named as winner.

\

THFMOJXRNIGHTS It would seem that the West Coast is relatively free (
Sabbat presence, but this is true only because an influx (

Much has come to pass recently in the World of Darkness, Cathayans from Asia has taken root. The anarch holdings (
and many Kindred are convinced that the Final Nights have
arrived. Numerous events portend the movement of the California have become battlegrounds, and the proud anarct
Antediluvians; the world has undergone significant changes, as
have the Kindred themselves. have even begged the Camarilla's Inner Circle for aid in turnin
back the Asian peril. The Kindred of the East have mad
Varying accounts of Antediluvians, most unreliably significant advances into the United States from the W e
accredited,have become common, and it would seem that as Coast, and their presence may soon shift the balance of pow6
the world spirals toward its presumed destruction, some among the Children of Caine.
subtlety has been lost in the Jyhad. Whether these sighting
are actual or not, they reveal an unsettling paranoia and a The Camarilla as a whole seems less and less dominant, i
sense of urgency previously unknown. Stories of encounters
with a being who claims to be Caine are also circulating like influence erodingby the night. Years ago, it seemed as if the sec
never before. Whereas it was once fashionable to mock such virtually owned North America. As millennia1 hysteria rise
preposterous conversation, many Kindred wonder if there more and more slipsthrough the ever-tightening gripof the sec
may be some legitimacy to the matter. leaving its members consistently losing ground. Indeed, one <
itsgreatest members,the mightyjusticarknown asPetrodon, w:
The Sabbat has recently increased its activity, actively
struck down and destroyed in Chicago by parties unknown.
vying for power in Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, DC,and
The Sabbat has suffered its own losses, however, and m:
other elder-controlled cities. Animalistic and monstrous, the hardly be said tohave the upper hand. Recently, all the Tremei
sect has swarmed like locusts over the East Coast and southern of the Sabbat were destroyed in a great conflagration in Mexic
borders of the United States. Its influence in Canada has also City. Add to this the fact that the Sabbat Malkavians ha1
increased, and it appears as if the Sabbat is realizing a grand communicated their terrible madness to their Camarilla ar
enfilade,surroundingthe United Statesand cutting off all access anarch brethren, and the Sabbat no longer has the edge it on(
except that which it grants. Many Kindred en route to Europe
from the United States or vice versa have been destroyed or did. Both sides suffer from incursions of independent Kindrec
disappeared altogether as the Sabbat exerts its influence where
it can: at the borders. particularly the Assamites, who pursue their murderous wal
anew. Even the formerlycarefreeRavnos have begun to act wit

greater purpose and malevolence, and some elderswonder if, i
dismissingthe Deceivers, they have ignoredfangslong poised a

their throats.

CHAPIERONL:A WORLDOFDARNS
51

Thus, the World of Darkness decays and crumbles mol
each night. With less and less to be sure of, and many mol
ominousportents becomingplainly visible, many Kindred woi
derwhat the immediatefutureholds, and it seemsthat immortalii
may not mean much if the end of the world is nigh.

GFHENNA

Central to Kindred myth is the ideaof Gehenna.The Kindre
believethatthis approachingapocalypsebearsdownevermore eac
night upon the world. When Gehenna arrives, the Antediluviar
shall ariseand make a wasteland of the world, consuming Kindre
and mortal alike in the culmination of their horrendous Jyhad.

Although few Camarilla Kindred would admit it, man
vampires see the world on a downward plummet and believe thz
Gehenna will occur soon -perhaps even within the next fel
years. Frantically piecing together the signs from whatevc
Cainite histories and mythological fragments they can compili
the Kindred seek to learn the true nature of Gehenna, an
possibly avert it. Elder vampires know, however, of the imp12
cablewillsof the Antediluvians. Should they sowill it, Gehenn
shall come and overwhelm the world, destroying every mort:
and vampire in a tide of blood and fire.

PROPHEOCFIDEOSOM

“The Chronicleof Secrets,”a revelatory sectionof The

Bookof Nod,speaks of the imminentGehenna. The revela-

tions are cryptic and couched in mysticism, but many
Kindred believe that the world of tonight reflects the signs
portended in the Chronicle. Indeed, a few Kindred believe
that Gehenna has already begun.

And the world will turn cold
and unckan things will boil up from the ground
and great storms wdl roll, lightning will light
fires, animals will fester and their bodies,
twisted, will fall.
So, too, our Grandsires will rise
fromthe ground
They will break theirfast on the
first part of us

They will consume us whole.. .

And you will know these lust times by the

Time of Thin Blood, which will mark vampires
that cannot Beget,

you will know them by the Clankss,

who will come to rule

you will know them b y the Wild Ones,

who will hunt us even in the strongest city

you wdl know them by the awakening
of some of the eldest...

and those who eat heart’s blood will flourish
and the Kindred will crowd each to his own,

and vitae will be as rare as diamonds.. .

Shine black the sun!
Shine blood the mom!

Gehenna is comingsoon.

VAMPIRET:HEMAsQuERADf
58

Even so,the Kindred attempt to foilor aid the Jyhad as they Diablerie: The consumption of another Kindred’s blood, to
see their roles coming to critical culmination. The millennia1 the point of the victim’sFinal Death. Vampires of high genera-
tension that plagues the planet is certainly a precursor to the tion may lowertheir generation through this practice;particularly
old Kindred have suchrarefiedtastes that mortalblood no longer
coming apocalypse, and the Final Nights are upon us. Unless.. .. sustains them, and they must consume vampire blood.

LEXICON Domain: A n areaof aparticularvampire’sinfluence.Princes
claim entire cities as their domains, sometimes allowing lesser
The Kindred have their own dialectof specializedwords and vampires to claim domain within.

phrases. Vampires have a tremendous capacity for double-talk; Elder: A vampire who has experienced three or more
what they say often means something other than its literal inter-
pretation,or somethingin additionto its simple meaning.Certain centuries of unlife. Elders are the most active participants in the
words have evolvednew connotations among the Damned,while Jyhad.
others are unique to vampires and their society. The Kindred,set
in their ways as they are, are loath to adopt new mannersof speech Elysium: A place where vampires may gather and discourse
or slang, and one can often determine a rough estimation of a
vampire’s age by listening to the individualwords she chooses. without fear of harm. Elysium is commonly established in opera
houses, theaters, museums and other locations of culture.
COMMOPNARLANCE
Embrace, The: The act of transforming a mortal into a
These words are in common use among all echelons of vampire. The Embrace requires the vampire to drain her victim
Kindred society. and then replace that victim’s blood with a bit of her own.

Anarch: A Kindred rebel who opposes the tyranny of Fledgling: A newly created vampire, still under her sire’s

elders. Anarchs wish to redistribute the wealth and resourcesof protection.
a city equitably among the vampires therein. Naturally, the
elders oppose this, having cultivated their influence for centu- Generation: The number of “steps”between a vampire and
ries. the mythical Caine; how far descended from the First Vampire
a given vampire is.
Barrens, The: The areas of a city unfit for life, including
graveyards, abandoned buildings, industrial wastelands and ar- Gehenna: The imminent Armageddon when the
eas of irreversibleurban blight. Antediluvians will rise from their torpor and devour the race of
Kindred and the world.
Becoming, The: The moment one passes from being a
fledgling into “full”vampire status. One may not Become until Ghoul: A minion created by giving a bit of vampiric vitae
her sire deems her ready and gains the prince’s approval.
to a mortal without draining her of blood first (which would
Book of Nod, The: A loose collection of Kindred legendry create a vampire instead).
and history. The Book of Nod chronicles the origin of the
Haven: A vampire’s “home”; where she finds sanctuary
Kindred, though it has never been published in its entirety.
Fragments of the document and its many partial transcriptions from the sun.
circulate among certain strata of Kindred society.
Hunger, The: The urge to feed,as with any livingcreature.
Beast, The: The inchoate drives and urges that threaten to For vampires,however, the Hunger replaces all other driveswith
turn a vampire into a mindless, ravening monster. its own powerful call.

Blood: A vampire’sheritage; that which makes a vampire Inconnu: A sect of vampires who have removed them-
a vampire. Usage: I doubt her claims tosuch esteemed Blood. selves from Kindred concerns and, largely, the Jyhad. Many

BloodBond: A mysticalpowerover anotherindividualengen- Methuselahs are rumored to exist among the Inconnu.
dered by partakingof a particularvampire’sblood thrice; accepting
blood from a vampire is an acknowledgment of her mastery. Jyhad, The: The secret, self-destructive war waged be-
tween the generations. Elder vampires manipulate their lessers,
Caitiff: A vampire of unknown clan, or of no clan at all. using them as pawns in a terrible game whose rules defy compre-
hension.
Caitiff are typically of high generation, where Caine’s blood
dilutes too greatly to pass any consistent characteristics. Kindred: The race of vampires as a whole, or a single

Camarilla, The: A sect of vampires devoted primarily to vampire. According to rumor, this term came about in the 15th

maintaining the Traditions,particularlythat of the Masquerade. or 16thcentury, afterthe Great Anarch Revolt. Sabbat vampires
scorn the term.
Childe: A vampire created through the Embrace - the
childe is the progeny of her sire. This term is often used deroga- Kiss, The: To drink blood, especially from a mortal. The
torily, indicating inexperience. Plural chifder. Kiss causes feelings of ecstasy in those who receive it.

Clan: A groupofvampireswhosharecommon characteristics Lupine: A werewolf, the natural and mortal enemy of the
passed on by the Blood. There are 13 known clans, all of which
were reputedly founded by members of the Third Generation. vampire race.

Coterie: A small group or “pack”of Kindred, united by the Lush: A vampirewho typicallyfeeds fromdruggedor drunk

need for support and sometimes common interests. mortals in order to experience their inebriation.

Life, The: A euphemism for mortal blood. Many Kindred

regard this term as affected and effete.

Man, The: The mote of humanity that a vampire main-
tains; the spark of mortality that distinguishes him from the
Beast.

CHAPTLRONEA: WORLDOFDARKNESS
59

Masquerade, The: The habit (or Tradition) of hiding the Footpad: One who feeds from derelicts and other chaff of
existence of vampires from humanity. Designed to protect the society. Footpads are frequently debased and may not maintain
Kindred fromdestruction at the hands of mankind, the Masquer- permanent havens.
ade was adopted after the Inquisition claimed many Kindred
unlives. Gentry: A Kindred who preys at nightclubs, bars and other

Prince: A vampire who has claimed a given expanse of establishments of the “redJightdistrict,” where mortals engage
in reverie.
domain as her own, particularly a city, and supports that claim
against all others. The term can refer to a Kindred of either sex. Golconda: A fabled state of vampiric transcendence; the

Rogue: A vampire who feeds upon the vitae of other true mastery of the Beast and balance of opposing urges and
Kindred, out of necessity or depravity. principles. Rumored to be similar to mortal Nirvana, Golconda
is greatly touted but rarely achieved.
Sabbat, The: A sect of vampires that rejects humanity,
Humanitas: The extent to which a Kindred stillmaintains
embracing their monstrous natures. The Sabbat is bestial and her humanity.
violent, preferring to lord over mortals rather than hide from
them. Kine: A term for mortals, largely contemptuous. The

Sect: A group of Kindred arguably united under a common phrase Kindred and kine refers to the world at large; everything.

philosophy.The three most widely known sects currently popu- Leech: A human who drinks vampire blood, yet acknowl-
lating the night are the Camarilla, the Inconnu and the Sabbat.
edges no master.
Sire: A vampire’s“parent”; the Kindred who created her. Lextalionis: The code of the Kindred and the system for
Vessel: A source of vitae for sustenance or pleasure, prima-
punishing transgression. It suggests Hammurabian or Biblical
rily mortal. justice-an eye for an eye, and punishment in keepingwith the
grievance.
OLDFORM
Lineage: A vampire’s bloodline; the Kindred’s sire, sire’s
The elders typically use these turns of phrase, which have
existed since long before the modern nights. One is advised to sire, etc.
use these words carefully-in some company, their use may be
seen as humorously anachronistic, while in the company of Methuselah: A vampire who has existed for a millennium
anarchs, for example, they may be misconstrued as the elders’ or more; an elder who no longer exists among the greater whole
propaganda.
of Kindred society. Methuselahs are rumored to hail from the
Amaranth: The act of consuming another Kindred’sblood Fourth and Fifth Generations.
(q.v. Diablerie).
Neonate: A young Kindred, recently Embraced.
Ancilla: A “proven”vampire, between the elders and the Osiris: A vampire who builds a mortal cult around himself,

neonates. in the interests of gaining sustenance. As the millennium ap-
proaches and passes, Osiris cults become increasingly common.
Antediluvian: A member of the dreaded Third Genera-
Papillon: The red-light district; the area of town punctu-
tion, one of the eldest Kindred in existence. ated by drinking establishments, brothels, gamblinghouses and
other locales of ill repute. The prime hunting grounds of a city,
Archon: Avampire in the retinue of a justicar.Archons are where the disappearanceof mortals goes hand in hand with the
generally nomadic in nature, frequently pursuing Kindred who area’s general seediness.
have fled to avoid persecution at the hands of the Camarilla.
Progeny: All of a given vampire’schilder, collectively.Less
Autarkis: A Kindred who remains outside the larger vam- formal, and less flattering, is Get.

pire society of a given city and often refuses to acknowledgethe Praxis: The right of princes to govern; the prince’sclaim to
claim of a prince. domain. This term alsorefers to the prince’smattersofpolicyand
individual edicts and motions.
Blood Oath: The blood bond (vide).
Cainite: A vampire; a member of the race of Caine. Primogen: The leaders in a given city; its ruling body of
Canaille: The bovine masses of humanity, especially the elders,typicallycomposedof one member fromeach clan present
uncultured and unsavory. The Canaille are viewed primarily as in a city.
a source of sustenance.
Cauchemar: A vampire who feeds exclusively on sleeping Regnant: A Kindred who holds a blood bond over another.
victims. Retainer: A human who serves a vampiric master. This

Consanguineous: Literally,“ofthe same blood,”especially term is almost archaic, referring to a time when vampires kept
with reference to lineage. Usage: That vampire is consanguineous vast entourages of mortal servants as part of their estates.
of Hardestadtthe Elder, his chi&.
Siren: A vampire who seduces mortals in order to drink
Cunctator: A vampire who avoids killing when delivering from them, and then only takes a small quantity of blood, so as

the Kiss; one who takes so little blood as to avoid bringing about to avoid killing them.
her prey’s death.
Suspire: The rumored epiphany experienced just prior to
Domitor: A ghoul’s master; one who feeds her blood and the attainment of Golconda.
issues her commands.
Third Mortal: Caine, who was cast out and became the
First Vampire.

VAMPIRE:THEMASQUERADE
60

Thrall: A vampireunder the effectsof a blood bond, having memory of their presence from their vessels’ minds (q.v.
drunk another Kindred’s blood thrice. Cauchemar).

Vitae: Blood. Change, The: The moment an individual ceases to be a
Whelp: A derogatory term for a young Kindred, originally mortal and becomes one of the Kindred.
used with exclusive reference to one’s own progeny.
Damned, The: The race of Kindred; all vampires.
Wight: Human; man; a mortal. Donor: A sarcastic term for a vessel, typically human.
Farmer: A term of mockery for vampires who refuse to feed
Witch-hunter: A mortal who searches out and destroys on human blood, instead taking sustenance from animals.
Fief: A sarcastic term for a vampire’s domain or claim
vampires. thereof, most commonly used in reference to a prince.
Head: A Kindred who feeds upon those who have imbibed
Whig: A contemptuous term for a vampire who possesses alcohol or drugs, so as to vicariously experience the same
sensations. Those Kindred who prefer individual drugs have
an interest in mortal trends and fashions. their “poison” prefixed to the term head (e.g., crackhead,
dopehead, smackhead).
VULGAARRGOT Headhunter: A vampire who hunts and feeds from other
Kindred (q.v. Rogue).
These terms are slang, the modern equivalents of older Juicebag: A contemptuous term for mortals, indicating
turns of phrase which have fallen out of favor due to their that their sole use is for sustenance. Even more irreverent is the
associationwith the elder ranks. Thesewords carry great conno- term Bag.
tation, as they are associatedwith the younger Kindred,who seek Lick: A vampire; one of the race of Kindred.
to establish their own vampiric cultures.
Rack, The: The hunting ground of choice, including bars,
Alleycat: A vampire who keeps no permanent haven, but nightclubs, drug dens, whorehouses and other bacchanalian
sleeps in a different location each night. This term also refers to locales, where mortals go missing all the time (q.v. Papillon).
a Kindredwho feeds exclusivelyfrom the homeless,vagrantsand
Rake: A habitual visitor to the Rack, especially in the
other elements of low society. interests of feeding (q.v. Gentry).

Banking: The practice of “withdrawing”blood from blood Sandman: A vampire who feeds upon sleepingvictimsonly.
banks and hospital reserves.This blood has little taste, though it
will sustain a vampire, and elder Kindred eschew this base Slumming: The practice of feeding from derelicts, the
homeless and other dregs of society;one who does this regularly
indulgence.A Kindred who engages in this practice is known as is known as a Slummer.

a Banker. Stalker: A mortal who hunts down and destroys Kindred

Black Hand: Another name for the sect known as the (q.v. Witch-hunter).
Sabbat.
Tease: A term for a female Casanova (vide).
Blister: A vampire “TyphoidMary”who contracts a mortal Turf: A modern affectation used in reference to a domain;
disease and spreads it to each vessel upon whom he feeds.
it may also refer to the area under a given gang’s influence.
Bloodline: A vampire’sheritage (q.v. Lineage).
Blood Doll: A mortal who freely gives her blood to a Vegetary: A term of contempt for one who drinks exclu-
vampire. Most blood dolls gain a perverse satisfaction from the
Kiss, and actively seek out vampires who will take their vitae. sively from animals (q.v. Farmer).

Butterfly: One who mingles among the mortal high-soci-
ety element and feeds exclusively from the famous and wealthy.

Casanova: A vampire who seduces mortals to take their
blood, but does not kill them. Casanovas typically erase the

CHAPTEORNE:A WORLDOFDARKNESS
61





In the first nights, so sires tell their childer, the 13 in noteworthyfashion.Most suchthingscan be simulatedthrougl
grandchilder of Caine who survived the strife of the First City simple roleplaying, or through Merits and Flaws (p. 295); fc
begot progeny in their own images, passing on their mystic arts example, while the childer of the mighty Hardestadt might a1
and magical curses. Thus were founded the 13 great clans of display the samefeedingrestrictionor obsessivelyfocusoncontro
they do not differ significantlyfrom Ventrue as a whole. In a fe\
Kindred that haunt the world to this very night. cases,bloodlines actually manifest different Disciplines or weak
nesses; these are noted in the “Bloodlines”entry under each clar
Centuryfollowedcentury, and each clandeveloped itsown
CLANASND CHARACTFRS
history, traditions and lore. As the Jyhad raged and the
Storytellersare certainlyfree to limit players’selections
Antediluvians retreated into the wastelands, the childer of the of clan. In a Camarillacity, for example, the vast majority of
clans assumed lordship of the night for themselves. Kindredhail fromone of the sevenfoundingclans. While an
Assamite or Tzimisce can be worked into such a chronicle,
Certainly, all has not been peaceful through the ages. The thisrequires someextraefforton the Storyteller’spart, andwe
clans of the Sabbat are whispered to have slain their foundersin encourage Storytellersto be as open or restrictive with clan
vile actsofpatricide. Over the courseofhistory, someclans,such selection as they feel they need to be.
as the Giovanni, have undergone considerable internecine
It is also important to dispel a popular misconception, or
turmoil, and one clan -the reclusive Salubri-was destroyed
prevent it from talung hold in the fist place. With a couple of
outright, its mystic gifts usurped by upstart mortals. exceptions, clans are simply groupings of Kindred l i e d by
commonblood-noless, andcertainlynomore.0nemayspeak
Thischapterpresents the 13clans,each chmingdescentfrom of a certain mannerismor ideal as “so very Brujah”or “typically
Ventrue,” but clan membersare vmnpsre~fust and foremost.To
a mythical Antediluvian,that comprisethe majority the Childrenof assume that “he’s Toreador, so he must love art‘ or “she’s
Assamite,so shemust be a cold-heartedkiller”is asdangerousas
Caine. Becausetheclansalignthemselvesby sect,we groupthe clans
malungassumptionsahutboutpeopleintherealworldbasedontheir
under the descriptions of the sects to which they adhere. First is e h c i t yorreligion.Nor do most clanshave unwavering “party
lines” or all-encornping agendas to which all members must
covered the Camanlla, keeper of tradition, along with thme clans dutifully adhere -one does not experience the agony of the
Embraceand the ravagesof the Beastonly to spendeternityasa
(Bxujah,Gangrel,Malkavian,NosferatuT, oreador,Tremere,Ventrue) facelessagenfiureaucrat for“theorganization”For every“typi-
who pay it real or fatuoushomage. Next is presented the Camarrlla‘s cal”clanmember,thereare many otherswhodefyconventional
archenemy, the monstrous Sabbat, along with its Lasombra and w d o m a b u t the clan. Most vampires follow the clan’steach-
ingsexactlyasfarasit suitsthem,andno M e r . Playa vampire,
Tzimiscefounders. F d y the four independentclans -Assamite, a unique character,not a “clan clone.”
FollowersofSet,Giovanni and Ravnos-stand revealed.

Players may select their characters’clans from one of these
13templates, or may choose to be Clanless (Caitiff). Each clan
has certain distinguishing powers and weaknesses, which a
member of that clan automatically adopts.

BLOODLINES

Lineage is very important to the Damned. Vampires de-
scended from particularly illustrious sires often display peculiar
characteristics,and a few vampireshave deviated from their clan

VAMPIRLT:HEMASQUERADE

64

The Camarilla came about in an atte
society together against the power

Kindred unlife. Even today, the Camarilla concern ders in the Camarilla’supper echelons find them
the enforcement of the Masquerade, maintaining
between Kindred and kine, and battling the Sabbat osition of relics. A good many are unwilling o
views as its direct opponent.
e new technology that the young ones havi
The Camarilla touts itself as the r phones, laptop computers, Kevlar, phos

the vampires in question. lamps,Dragonsbreathrounds-and in thi
modem %+odd, king barely able to use a telephone or radii
Over the years, the sect h
leaves these eiders at a distinct disadvantage. Should t h e
ence over other are sitions and find themselves outside the hall
hands roundly slapped for its i
r, they become targets as their personal might lessen
scoff at the temerity of the younglings who think
at Jyhad. In the end, the Camarilla’s influence be Camarilla behind it. A few gangs of ancillae wid
with protecting the Masquerade and ensuring
coexistence. their mindsand the latest technology in their hands
well find himself becoming obsolete in mon
The Camarilla claims to allow membership to
ested vampires, regardless of bloodline, but the vas han one. Therefore, in preemptive strikesof paranoia rui

Camarilla’sgoverning Inner Circle. Other vampires of different t, the elders kill the best and brightest who could somi
bloodlines may attend conclaves and meetings, but their voices
frequently go unheard. pose a threat. The result is an organization that is canni
zing itself, and one night it might regret the mistake.
AftertheAnarch Revolt, theCamarillaplaced itselfsquarely
againstthe Sabbat, seeingitselfas theonly means tohold the war the judges appointed b
packs at bay. The Camarilla alone upheld the Masquerade and e to be the Camarilla’s eyes, hands and, i
protected its own, while the Sabbat would as won throw away
the Traditions and everything sacred to sustain its paranoid true authority acrossthl
dreams of Gehenna. Dissent is a luxury that cannot be afforded
during times ofwar, and the Camarilla believes quite firmly that exception of the Inne
those who are not with the sect must be against it. However,for Circle. They alone have the ultimate power to adjudicatl
the frightened elders who make up the higher echelons, the
Camarilla has quite a few enemies. matters regarding the Traditions. No one is considered to bl

In these modem nights, the Camarilla is hardly the mono- above them in this. It is justicars who decide the punishment fo
lith that its proponents advertise it to be. Elders cling to their those who have violated the Traditions on a widespread level
positions,refusingto relinquish them tothose who have reached the one being judged may not expect mercy. Justicars arl
the age of consideration. Younger vampires feel left out of an supposed to call for a conclave when they wish to pass judgment
organizationthey are expected to uphold, but which offers little but over the years this lapsed as they grew in power. Justicar
to no rewardfor their effortssavethe threat ofpunishmentif they have the authority to call a conclave at any time, either ti
fail. Ancillae are trapped in the middle, unable to turn to either
the younger or older vampires; taking up with the neonates THEVIEFWROM WITHOUT

The Sabbat

Camarilla! The relic of frightened elders who prey upon
their childer and cling to dreams of glory that are long gone.

-Polonia, Archbishop of New York

The Independents
Their overwhelmingidealof “for thegood of Kindred” leads
them to sweep you alongwith their plans, and if you don‘t want
to go, then you must be the enemy. There’s a reason why we
prefer to stay on our own side of the street.

-Ambrogino Giovanni

CHApIIRTwo: CLAMAND S E ~
65

confirm a ruling or to make certain decisions that one justicar Any and all Kindred who hear the call to conclave are
alone does not wish to burden himself with. welcome to attend. These events can last anywhere from a few

A justicar serves for 13 years, and her actions may be hours to severalweeks. A city hosting a conclave may never be
challenged only by another justicar. If things grow heated, a
conclave may be calledby the combatantsor by another justicar awareof what is occurring,except that many hotels are suddenly
booked up. Naturally, conclaves are perilous undertakings; so
to resolve the dispute. When rival justicars decide to start many vampires (many ofthem potent-blooded elders)in a single
battling it out, few Kindred are safe from being used and abused location presents a tempting target for Sabbat or diablerists.
in the ensuing struggle. Many attendees might not know where the conclavewillbe held
until a few nights before the event itself.
Many vampires, elders and younglings alike, resent the
power the justicars wield, and certainly none care for the abuses O n l y justicars may call conclaves, and only when needed,
that can comewith it. However,very fewwould dream of openly due to logistical concerns. The conclave is usually held in the
geographic region most concerned with the issue at hand, or
taking them on, due to their immense age and resources. A more centrally if the problem is widespread. The vampires who
shocking exception occurred in 1997,as the mighty Nosferatu attend the conclave are referred to as the assembly, and any may
justicar Petrodon was murdered by parties unknown. What speak, provided they are supported by at least two other mem-
movement of the Jyhad lay behind this assassination,or whether bers. Each memberof the assemblyreceivesasinglevote regarding
the issue.
it is a precursor of further strikes against the justicars, is un-
known. Conclaves are typically called with regard to powerful
individuals, such as princes, or serious breaches of the Tradi-
THEARCHONS tions. Any Kindred may bring a grievance to the conclave and

Each justicar selects a number of minions, known as ar- expect to have it addressed. A prince may request more leeway
chons, to act in his name as suitshis purposes. If the justicars are regarding the Traditions to deal with Sabbat or anarchs, or to
the hands of the Inner Circle, then the archons are the fingers
on those hands. No justicar can be everywherehe might need, have a destructive quarrel between two powerful elders medi-
or wish, to be, and archons can often make certain his presence ated. The conclave may call blood hunts against individuals,
is felt if not seen. Archons, although they are part of the includingprinces,or have particularlypowerfulprincesremoved
Camarilla hierarchy of power, are not so far removed from from office. The right to depose princes is one the Camarilla
typical Kindred unlife that they cannot observe it or gain the keeps a tight leash on, and while a justicar may not remove a
trust of other Kindred outside the hierarchy; this makes them prince, she may call a conclave for the sole purpose of forcing a
ideal watchers. Some Kindred attempt to gain favorable atten- prince’s abdication.
tion from an archon, in the hope that she will mention them to
her master. Such attempts often backfire, as continued efforts to Any actions that would result in a serious breach of the
curry favor are more likely to encourage suspicion. Traditions must be discussedand agreedupon by the conclave to
avoid punishment in the future. The conclave interprets the Six
Archons are typically chosen from the upper ranks of Traditions and may add amendments or enact precedents. Many
ancillae and occasionally elders of lesser station. Such a presti- princes have come to demand that certain powers, which could
gious appointment can make or break a Kindred’s career in the be breaches of Tradition, be given them in dealing with unruly
halls ofpower.Justicarsoccasionallychoose archons to carry out Kindred.
specific missions, and sometimes prefer political savvy, insight
and skill over recognizability. A Kindred on trial at a conclave may challenge the ruling
by requesting an ordeal. These ordeals can be quite literally
An archon’s position typically lasts for as long as a justicar
wishesto retain her, or the length of the justicar’stenure. It isnot almost any exacting task or quest, with a time limit for comple-
unheard of for a new justicar to retain an archonwho served with tion. If the ordeal is not completed to satisfaction, the justicar
his predecessor, provided the archon understands to whom she may impose any penalty. Should the crime be considered too
now owes allegiance. Most times, though, a justicar prefers to heinous to allow the accused an ordeal, she may be challenged
select an entirely new staff,particularly if the last one left under
strange or bitter circumstances. to ritual combat by one of her accusers. As with the ordeal,

CONCLAVF~ almost anything can happen: ritual weapons, both opponents
blindfolded, forbiddance of Disciplines,etc.
Conclaves are the greatest events in Camarilla politics -
at least the greatest events to which every vampire can be privy. After a conclave, princes often reward those who voted in
One American Kindred described conclave to his childe as “a their favor and punish those who did not. Some vampires, in
House Committee session,the Supreme Court and a tent revival anticipation of a prince’s anger, settle their affairs and seek out
all rolled up into one.” A conclave serves as the highest court of new living arrangements at the conclave. Others take the
Camarilla Kindred, a legislative session for considering and opportunity to curry as much favor as possible,hoping that their
deciding future Camarilla policy, and a reaffirmation of the “loyalty”will be rewarded.
Camarilla as the guiding principle behind the Masquerade and
Kindred-kine relations. Not every conclave called is an emergency meeting. Some
justicars arrange for annual conclaves allowingall Kindred who
choose to attend an opportunity to meet and talk over the year’s
business. For the past decade, the Toreador justicar has called a

VAMPIRET:HEMUERADE
66

conclave on the weekend closest to Halloween, while another ted one representative, usually the eldest member of the clan,
takes place in New Orleans every three years. These are oppor- only the eldest may cast the clan’svote. Others may be broug
tunities for Camarilla vampiresto discuss business that relates to to the meeting and allowed to speak, but in the end only t
the sect as a whole, to fraternizewith others of their station and elders may vote.
clan, and simply to socializewith new faces and old acquaintan-
ces. However, with the increasing boldness of the sect’s many One of the Circle’s main purposes is the appointment
enemies, many Kindred fear that one of these conclaves will justicars, one for each of the seven Camarilla clans. Appoir
provide a perfect target for a retaliatory strike. ment is a long, drawn-out process, as each clan seeks to get
best in the plum spots. Often, when the shouting is over, t
THFINNFRCIRCLF losers end up with young or relatively weak justicars who 2
ignored for their 13-year stints. Those who are eventua
The true hub of the Camarilla, this group meets in Venice appointed are most often compromise candidates, or even c
once every 13 years to plan out the business and direction of scure Kindred who the Circle believes can be manipulatc
vampire society-as much as any group can presume to dictate These latter types sometimes display a surprising amount
the doings of a race of immortal predators. Every clan is permit- initiative, and may even bite the hand that feeds them.

CHA~ETRwo: CLANSAND Srm

61

Clan Brujah is largely composed of rebels, an punks and miscreants, but the truth of the matter is that
both with and without causes. Individualistic, enuine passion lies behind their polemics.

outspoken and turbulent, Brujah hold social Brujah Kindred adopt pet passions and causes, which they
support with volume and vitriol. Some Brujah follow charismatic
change near to their undead members of their clan, while others prefer stances of blatant, defiant
hearts, and the clan’s rank: individualism.The clan claimsa history rich with warrior-poets,and
contain some of the most
violent of the Camarilla it has adapted this concept into the modem night; many Brujah are
Kindred. Most othe glad to have an opportunity to speak their minds, then indulge in a

vampires per- bit of destruction afterward to illustrate their points.

The Rabble’s espousal of change unites them,
albeit tenuously, in their nightly crusades. Given a

commonenemy, Brujah with vastly differing ide-
alswill join side by side to oppose their foe. After
that foe is defeated, however, all bets are off and

it’sback to business as usual.A common Brujah
theme involves the foundation of a Kindred
“Utopia,” or the re-creation of a mythical one
from nights past, though each Brujah vampire
has a different idea of what said Utopia is.

Brujah rely on chaotic behavior and up-

ivaltoget their ideasacross,and the Rabble
e allowed a certainleeway that other clans
do not have. In fact, Brujah are almost

iexpected to be incoherent and bellicose;
this stereotype worksto the advantage of
many eloquent, well-spokenmembersof
the clan, who have no need to resort to

1 violence when making their arguments.

Respected for their martialry and
readiness to rally under a banner, the
lrujah are the physical strength of the
rilla. Of late, however, many Rabble neo-
e in the Camarilla as an institution unto
than a little unrest circulates among the
Ired believe that the Brujah would be the
Camarilla. The Brujah believe it, too

Rabble

ic aside, most Brujah are in the Camarilla.
I support the anarchs, arguably more so
d, the anarchs have more Brujah than
ombined.

y widelyin appearance, though many adopt
f dismissive stereotypes are to be believed,
:r jacket, tattered jeans, combat boots and
tenance hair. In truth, few Brujah fit this
Iard dress and noteworthy hairstyles are

indeed found among many Brujah, but others favor tasteful ward- C~TFRFOTY~FS
robes that encourage others to take them seriously.In the end, a Assamite: They fell too far from the tree to have a
place in our world.
Brujah‘s appearanceoften suggestshis attitudes:A skinhead bravo Followers of Set: Oily bastards. I have to wonder what
they’re hiding if what they don’t mind showing you is so
is likelyan open rebel or anarchist,while a bespectacled pedant in heinous.
a tweed suit is probably a reformationist or liberal. It should be
noted, however, that given the Brujah penchant for nonconfor- Gangrel: They fight well, and they’re willing to go to
mity, any assumption of ideals based on appearance could be the wall for what they believe in. Maybe we’ll join rhem if

tell them to leave? they leave the Camarilla. Or maybe we’ll leave first.. ..

Giovanni: I’m not sure what their an

practice of the home invasi
occupants and taking over.
invasions rarely sustain the

with them. After

bitter than hatred for tho
Character Creatio

concepts, but they are

Skillsarefavored, with Knowle r of two evils -at least they’re
Backgrounds may be appropri
many in the clan cultivateCo Sabbat: Then again, there’s something to be said for
Brujah claim Mentors.
most invariably degenerate into riots, further eroding thl
Clan Disciplines: Celerity, Po ,n,granizational base of the clan.

and curse. Though they are quick to adopt a cau Bloodlines: Brujah antitribu of the Sabbat are, ironically
almost bastions of stability. In a sect devoted to chaos an(
equally as quick to fall to frenzy. Of course, the Bruj destruction, the Brujah are the most dependable of the monster
who populate the Sabbat. They are viewed less as impassionec
deny this penchant for excitement, and become qu rebels and more as brutal shock troops. Sabbat Brujah tend to bc
when the issue is raised. Thedifficultiesof rolls to rem less intelligent and discerning than their Camarilla brothers an(
228) are two higher than normal for members of Clan Bruj sisters. Their causes fall by the wayside at the promise of nev
havoc to wreak.
Organization: Clan Brujah is far too fractious and to
internecine conflict to have true organization, and the clan Quote: Think for yourself, or you’re better off dead. Eithc
never meets formally. Two conventions the clan does support
universally are the Rant and the Rave. Rants are just that: way, I’m satisfied.
informal meetings of Brujah (andother insurgents, Kindred and
kine) at which anyone who can scream loudly enough can have
her opinions heard. Raves, named after the all-night techno
dance parties started in England, are social gatherings in the
guiseofhuge-scalemusical or entertainment events. Oneusually
leads to another, and cluesto the locationsof the eventsareoften
hidden in the mediaof the gathering in progress. These meetings

CHAPTETRWO:CLANSAND S ~ c n
69

O f all vampires, the Gangrel are perhaps closest to t
These nomadic loners spurn the constraints of society,
comfort of the wilderness.How they avoid the wrath of the were
is unknown; perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the
Gangrel are themselves shapeshifters. When a mortal speaks of a
vampire changing into a wolf or a bat, she is probably speaking of a
Gangrel.

Like the Brujah, Gangrel are fierce warriors; unlike the Brujah,
Gangrel ferocity does not stem from anarchic rage, but from
animalistic instinct. They are among the most predatory Kin-
dred, and love to lose themselves in the thrill of the
hunt. Gangrel have a keen understanding of the
Beast in their souls, and prefer to spend their
nightsincommunion with the animalswhom
they so emulate. Indeed, Gangrel are so
attuned to their Beasts that, after
losing themselves to frenzy, ani-
malistic featuresoften appear
on their bodies.

The clan itself has
little contact with, or regard
for, the rest of the Kindred.
This might be due to adesire to avoid the snaresof the Jyhad,but
is more likely tl
Gangrel are pop
reclusive. Althou
than there is to :
clan as a whole
ostentation foun

such as the To

Ventrue.

Gangrel
closely tied to
Rom, or Gyp
adopting much o
culture’s speech
patternsand 4
manner-
isms. Rumors spec
the Rom are in
scended fro1
Antediluvianwhi
the Gangrel line.
the rumors, any
harms or Embracc
the wrath of the 1

VAMPIRET:HEMA~~UERADE
70

fabled prohibition, and Gangrel and Ravnos harbor an ages-old Assamite: Jackals playing at being lions.
hatred for each other. Brujah: So much fury for so little gain.
Followers of Set: They stink of disease worse than
Nickname: Outlanders most of us do. Then again, we’re all corpses.
Sect: Clan Gangrel is nominally in the Camarilla, though
a fair number of Sabbat Gangrel exist as well. Most Gangrel care Giovanni: Who cares?What do they have to do with
little for sect, and rumblings of outright secession from the
Camarilla have made the rounds at recent Gangrel Gathers. us?
Appearance: Gangrel’sharsh unlifestyleand lack of inter- Lasombra: Honest bastards.Competent bastards. Bas-
est in fashion often make them seem r u g g e d d wtld. Couple
this with the animal tards nonetheless.
Gangrel sometimesap Malkavian: Either they know the greatest secrets, or
and Kindred find a
y’ve played us all for fools. Whichever, I keep my
intentions.
Haven: Gangrel ofte observers and useful allies. Still, I

ing wherever they can fin these honorless bitches dare to claim

though many Gangrel prefei

city’s confines.

D U l V l V C U I C C?IlULK VI LllC b 1 l d l M C . ..11,. A l.l,.-A

t’s time to leave the

S.

I and go, spare and kill as we choose,0

naers occasionally meet ingroupsknown;is“Gathers”; at thest
stivals, vampires dance, feast and tell stories o f their travels

led through ritual corn
sion; while savage, these fights rare11
eath. Gangrel commonlyhunt alone
two or more Gangrel unite in a coterie o

or feathers. Every five such features acquired permanently re- lines exist among the Sabbat: thc

duce one of the Gangrel’s Social Attributes by one. ostways to the main branch of thc
clan) and CityGangrel ( w h z e Disciplinesare Celerity, Obfus
Organization: cangehlaveno true organization to speak
cate and Protean). Both types are found only among the Sabbat
of. Vampires of great age and great deeds are typically shown
respect, though the young are by no means subservient. Out- Quote: Youprowided worthy spurt, mortal. Now, though, th,

chase is ended.

C H ~TwRo:ClANS AND S ~ c n

71

amned fear the

clan has polluted their minds, with
the result that every last Malkavian
across the world is incurably in-
sane. What’s worse, a Malkavian’s
madness can take nearly any form,
v from overpoweringhomicidal tenden-
cies to near-catatonia. In many cases,
there’s no way to tell a Malkavian apart from the “sane”members of other
clans.Thosefew whose psychosesare immediatelyobviousare among the most terrifyingvampires
to stalk the streets.
For as long as even the eldest Cainites can remember, the Malkavians have always stirred
Kindred society with their passage. Although the clan has instigated no great wars nor toppled
mortal governments (at least, to the best of their fellowvampires’knowledge),the very presence
kavian works a subtle change on a city. Chaos nips at the Lunatics’heels, and those who
e with even the most well-meaning Malkavian often find their lives or unlives altered by

Recently, the Malkavians executed their grandest “prank”of all. None can say whether it
was worked in a great Malkavian Parliament held somewhere in an isolated European village,

r on a bleak and forgotten moor somewhere far from the cities. A few stories speak of a
epidemic of contagious dementia exploding among those of Malkav’sblood. Whatever the

cause, Malkavians across the world have begun displaying a new, dangerous edge to their

madness, accompanied by bizarre events in Kindred cities around the world. A long-
standing Malkavian conceit holds the Jyhad to be a joke instigated by the founder of the

clan; some Kindred wonder if, in fact, Malkavianshave played the joke on them all along.
None can saywhat exactlymakes the Lunaticssodangerous. Certainly, their madness

often frees them from fear of pain or Final Death. More than a few demonstrate horrifying
murderous urges or a complete lack of emotion, including compassion. But most convinc-
ingly, the Malkavians are free from the confines of rationality and may do whatever they
like-and this freedomiscoupledwithanuncanny insight,astrange wisdomthatcannot

be perceived by the sane. The Malkavians possess a dark intellect that is often -and
increasingly-set to frightening purposes.

Nickname: Lunatics
Sect: The Malkavians as a clan have an.. .understanding...with the Camarilla.
They also populate the Sabbat in lesser numbers, where they frighten even their
ackmates with their psychotic displays. But when it all comes down to it, their true
oyalties likely transcend sects. When Gehenna arrives, nobody can say for sure
where the Malkavians will stand.

Appearance: Malkavians run the gamut from terrifyingly psychotic to con-
vincingly ordinary in every way -sometimesboth at once. Just like serial killers,
they could be anyone -the scrufTy bum talking to himself, the pleasant but quiet

VAMPIRTEH: EMASQUERADE
72

neighbor, the borderline-suicidal musician. These vampires are STFRFOTYPF~
capable of great subtlety, and rarely show anyone a face other
than the one they want people to see. Assamite: So. That’s done, then.

Haven: The Lunatics by and large take whatever shelter Brujah: I want to like your average Brujah, but his
they like, although more than a few find aging hospitals and
poorly funded asylums to their tastes. Many seem to enjoy the skull’s just so damned thick that he can’tcrack it open and
company of desperate mortals, and prefer slums and institutions
to more secluded havens. get at the good stuffhe doesn’teven know he’s got in there.
So forget him.
Background: Malkavianstake their childer from all walks
of life and for all number of reasons. Anyone can be chosen to Followersof Set: I can’t understand them. Aren’tthey
further a sire’s twisted purposes, although most Lunatics prefer
Embracing those already close to (or subject to) madness. mad yet? Don’t they understand what they’ve seen?
other vampires believe that the Malkavians Embrace
childer on a whim; however, virtually all Lunatics dis Goddamn. Goddamn.. ..
themselves subtly championing some barely perc
pose,”thefullextentofwhichnone-noteven the
properly fathom.

Character Creation: Malkavians co
flavors,but many have primary Mental At

anyone’s guess just what Traits a Malk
with the diversity of their con

vampires could be anyone. A

Weaknesses: Every
deemably insane in some

blessing, a gift of insi it, no matter whotries
created, the player must
he HauntingofHill House,but you
2 2 2 ) for that characterat t ing, where they wake up and realize

ment can be temporarily fou
be permanently overcome.

Organization: The hierar
exists at all, defies description
let one another do as they like

an uncanny ability to act in
apparent leadership -
apparent communicatio

indulge in any form of Dementation. The rest of the clan pays these offshoots nc
particular notice; indeed, with only a few exceptions
Dementation Discipline spread Malkavians don’t differentiate between this bloodline an(
e clan (in 1997 or so), a great the clan proper at all.
xpressed their mind-warping talents
Quote: Laugh if you like. Doesn’t matter. Assume tha
of t h e Dominate Discipline. A few you’re so much smarter than the poor, broken lunatic. Doesn’
matter. But think about this: You’re a dead thing, same as me
that swept the clan, and still possess that power in lieu of You died and were reborn.. .as this. What makes you and mc
different? Simple-I remember what I saw when I was full anc
truly dead. You’d be mad, too.

CHAPTERTwo:GANASND SECK

13

NO

Came’s childer are called “The Damned,” and no va

the wretches of Clan Nosferatu. While other vampires
mortalsociety,Nosferatu are twisted and deformed by the

speak shudderinglyof Came placing a mark upon the entire clan for the monstrous deeds of
its Antediluvian founder. As such, Nosferatu find themselves loathed and ostracized by the

other Children of Came, who consider them disgusting and interact with them only when

they must.

Following the Embrace, Nosferatu childer suffer an agonizing transformation as,

over the subsequent weeks, they warp from humans into hideous monsters. The horror

of the physical devolution often produces an accompanying psychological trauma.

Unable to walk among the kine, Nosferatu must dwell in subterranean sewers and

catacombs forever after.

Nosferatu often choose physically or emotionally twibted mortals for the

Embrace,seeing in the curse ofvampirism a possiblemeans of redemption for

the mortals. Amazingly, there seems to be some merit to this belief. Many

Nosferatuare surprisinglylevelheaded and practical, avoidingthe obsessions,

fits and rages of their fairer brethren. Not that this makes the Sewer Rats

particularlypleasant to be around; indeed, some Nosferatu come to delight in

the shock and horror their grotesque appearances inspire in others.

Nosferatu are survivors par excellence. Few creatures, mortal 01
know a city’s back alleys and dark corners like the Nosferatu do. Ad(

Nosferatu have mastered the crafts of sneaking and eavesdropping;t Y
a point of keeping up with current gossip and affairs,not merely for
?
but for survival. Information brokers without peer, they can comma
$
prices for their knowledge. Using their Obfuscate Discipline, Nosf
b
make a point of listening to others’conversations from hiding, or sitt
c
in on “secret”meetings. If a Kindred wishes to learn about the doir

and denizens of the city, she would do well to consult the Nosferati

Finally, millennia of shared deformity and abuse have fostered

strong bonds among the monsters. Nosferatu forego the squabbling

and feuds ubiquitousto the other clans, preferring to work in unison.

They treat each other with meticulouspoliteness and freely share

information among themselves. To mess with one Nosferatu is tc 1
1
mess with them all -and that can get messy indeed....

Nickname: Sewer Rats

Sect: Surprisingly,the clanas a wholebelongsto the Camarilla,

despite obvious difficulties with upholding the Masquerade. Per-

haps they valuethe safety of membership;perhaps they simplywant
the other clans within observing distance. Still, a fair number of
Nosferatu are in the Sabbat or simply consider themselves
autarkis (of no sect).

Appearance: No two Nosferatu look precisely alike, but

kall are hideous. Gaping fangfilled maws, discolorations, tu-
mors, holes in place of noses, batlike ears, slopingbald heads,

twisted spines, claws, wrinkled hides, pustulent sores and webbed fin

VAMFIRE:THEM.I
14

a few possible deformitiespossessed by Nosferatu. A n existence STEREOTYPES
in sewers and crypts tends to ensure that most Nosferatu smell
about as good as they look. Assamite: This is bad. This is straight-up, fucked-up
bad. Roll around in sewage; maybe they won’t wanna bite
Haven: Their disfigurementforces most Nosferatu to take you.
havens far from the eyes of mortals, in graveyards, abandoned
warehousesand cellars. In largecities, entire broodsof Nosferatu Brujah: They talk a lot about equalityand egalitarian-
lair in sewers and subway systems. These “kingdoms,”particu- ism and other bullshit, but they flinch like the rest.
larlythe older ones, are often much more extensive than mortals
or Kindred are aware-subterranean labyrinthsstretching deep Followers of Set: What have they got that we need?
Money? Hah. Fancy clothes? Hah. A comfortable apart-
into the darknessand guardedby monstrousghouls. Evenprinces ment?Hah. Lovers?!?Hah!!! Can’t corrupt what’s already
filthy, gardenslugs.
treat warily with the Nosferatu kingdoms.
Gangrel: They understand - more than the others
Background: Nosferatuchoosetheir progen do, at any rate. We don’t talk much, and the silence speaks
castoffs:derelicts, the mentally ill and the hopele volumes.
Occasionally, a vindictive Nosferatu chooses t
beautiful, vain mortal, then watch gleefully as t Giovanni: You know that odor that comes off my skin
hold.
er a good rain? That Giovanni I met had that coming
Character Creation: Nosferatu can have a
often come from loner, outsider or drifte .Can’t even trust the
Mental Attributes are often primary (Soci
other than tertiary!). Stealth is y, way too easily dis-
while Survival allows a Sewer
zones Nosferatu favor. Nosfer gs sure make themselves easy
the form of ghoul animals, or eve
Backgrounds are rarely predomina ly thought abracadabrasand eye of
in the deep end of theJyhad?Idiots.
Clan Disciplines: Anim
Weaknesses: As mention can appreciate their conceit of

some to look at. All No ue: Little Lord Fauntleroysat on a throne, Little
-cross the automatic d leroy died there alone.

they improve Appeara Camarilla: Come on downhere and give me that order
actions based on first imp again, Mr. Prince. Yeah, didn’t think so.
like, fail automatica
Sabbat: Do they really think that what they do is
protocols that mark cl liberating?
their shareddeformityc
and reviled by other crea
equal parts necessity and

Bloodlines: Like ma
analog in the Sabbat, th
from the ruck and run of
of certain sires somet
differ in any significa

wheezing hack] Wha
Don’t so much like bei
ain’t seen the half of it!

CHAPTETRWO:CLANSAND S m

15

TO OR

nerates, ’.artistes,” “poseurs” and

“hedonists” being but ategorization does the clan a

disservice. Depending od, Toreador are alternately

elegant andflamboyant

only truism that can be

a Toreador does, she does with passion. Whatever a Toreador is, she is with passion.

To the Toreador, eternal life is to be savored. Many Toreador were artists,

musicians or poets in life; many more have spent frustrating centuries producing

laughable attempts at art, music or poetry. Torea-

dor tout themselves as cultivators of all that is best

about humanity. Occasionally, a particularly gifted

or inspired creator is Embraced into the clan, to
preserve her talent for eternity. In this manner,

Clan Toreador has inducted some of humanity’s

greatest artists,poets and musicians into itsranks;
of course, if one thing can be said about the

Toreador, it is that no two of them agree on 3

precisely what “gifted” or “inspired))means. \

Of all clans,Toreador are the vampires most \
connectedto the mortal world. While other vam-
/
pires view the kine as
IA
Toreador glide gracefully and effortlesslythrough t h
Ir-
society of the Canaille, sampling the delights of

each age as a gourmand savors rare delicacies.

Toreador are the Kindred most likely to fall in love

with mortals, and they surround themselves with the best, mos

elegant and most luxurious things -and people -that the

world has to offer.It is, thus, acutely tragic when aToreador

succumbs to ennui and discards aesthetic pursuits in favor
nf nntntless hednnism Siirh Kindred hecnme decadent

sybarites, concerned only with indulging personal whims and

vices.

Toreador are committed to the Camarilla and share the

love of high society, though not for them the tedium of actually running

things -that’s what functionaries are for, after all. Toreador know that
their place is to captivate and inspire -through their witty speech, graceful

deeds and simple, scintillating existence.

Nickname: Degenerates

Sect: Most Toreador are in the Camarilla, as only that august organization

promotes “culture” and allows the Toreador to live among the mortals they

in the Sabbat pursue bizarre “artistic” pastimes, such as torture and blood-

the rulers of the most decadent underground movements.

Appearance: Toreador Embrace out of passion as much as any other reason;

accordingly, many Toreador are creatures of surpassingbeauty. Of all Kindred, Toreador

are the vampires most attuned to human fashiontrends; centuries-old Degenerates are

often more stylish than some 30-year-old mortals. If it’sin, chances are that at least one

Toreador will adopt it.

VAMPIRET:HEMA~~UEFADE

76

Haven: Toreador take care to ensure that their havens are STFRFOTYPF~
comfortable, convenient for socializing and - above all -
conform to their aesthetic tastes. Vampires of a more artistic Assamite: There is beauty in what they do, make no
bent might maintain spacious lofts to display their works,while mistake, but it is a beauty best observed from a distance.
their “poseur”counterparts love opulent suitesperfect for host-
ing parties. Brujah: O n the first night, their passion terrifies. On
the second night, their passion fascinates. O n the third
Background: Toreador range across a spectrum of con- night, their passion inflames. After that.. .frankly, their
cepts,from lonely,tortured artists to debauched jetsetters. Some passion begins to bore.
Toreador are Embraced for no reason other than their beauty or
personal style, as a passionate sire decides that they simply must Followers of Set: It is inevitable, of course, that
be “preserved”for eternity. persons of epicurean refinement will in the course of eter-
nity engage in dealings with those of.. .unsavory character.
Character Creation: Social Attributes and Abilities are Record well any transactions made, and repay all favors
prized among the clan, though Toreador are typicallyconcerned promptly.
less with outright control than with making a good impression.
Perception is also favored, both for creation and for critiquing. Gangrel: As charminglyuntamed as a tiger; as worthy
Artistes favor Abilities such as Expression and Performanc
often enjoying very high levels in these aesthetic Trait idly and are charmingly
poseur brethren must make do with Abilities like Subt
Etiquette. Toreador are very socialcreatures,and love s clan’salienfruitswould be

from both Kindred and kine; as such, Backgrounds 1 Ventrue: Every masterwork must have its frame;every
bust must have its pillar. This the Ventrue understand, and
Contacts, Fame, Herd, Resources and Status are common. they perform their functions admirably.
Clan Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Presence
Weaknesses: Toreador are preternaturally attuned to Caitiff: Really. Who let them in?
Camarilla: Throughits auspicesmay Kindred and kine
aesthetic and beautiful,but this sensitivitycanprov harmoniously coexist, each benefiting from the other’s
When a Toreador views, hears or even smellssome presence.
truly beautiful - a person, a painting, a song, a par
lovely sunrise-he must make a Self-controlroll (difficulty6) Sabbat: W h y would I wish to spend eternity wallowing

or become entranced by the sensation. The Toreador will stand in gore?
in rapt fascination for a scene or until the beautiful thing
minutes,”as they say, but itjust wasn’tgoingto last, and it allbecam
withdraws. Enraptured Toreador may not even defend the so very tedious,so I had to say adieu. Suicde?Really?Silly boy -h
selves if attacked, though being wounded allows them to should thank me,then, that I didn’t give him the Embrace. It woul
another Self-control roll to “break the spell.”
have made things so difficult,after all....
Organization: Toreador have little practical organiz
though their cliquishnessand socialnetw
clan meets frequently, but more as an
partiesand showingsthan to accomplishanyt

lines: Toreador put a fair degree of stock in

lavished with adoration (to her face, anyway),while childer of
a sire “on the outs” suffer social humiliation. Few of these lines
deviate from the main clan in any significantway. The Toreador
antltribu of the Sabbat are a notable exception, for they take
equal aesthetic delight in great beauty or great ugliness.

Quote: Oh, yes, isn’t she exquisite?Yes, she’s my newestfind
-I’m her muse, the sweet littk creature. Imagine! And what of-
oh, Thomas? Why, I could hardly say -after all, he had his “15

CHAPTTEWRO:CLANSAND Srcrs

11

d or reviled, the insular vampires of Clan Tremere

are typically suspicious
d reason -for the Warlocks are aptly named. Through
ave mastered a form of vampiric sorcery, complete with

if not more so -than any other power of
the Blood. Paired with the clan’s rigid hierarchy and the smoldering ambition
so commonamong Warlocks, thispower is an unsettling thing indeed to those
who know what the Tremere are capable of doing.

According to someKindred records,the Tremere came Lntobeing as aclan
very recently, at least by an immortal’s standards. Legend has it that,
A irinv Europe’sDarkAges,acabalofhumanwizards enactedagreatritual
e slumbering body of an Antediluvian and thereby wrested for

-lves the gift of vampirism. War followed soon thereafter -the

dglingclanfound itselfbesiegedby enragedKindredoneveryside.
But the Tremere are nothing if not survivors. Their human

L magicks lost, they nonetheless managed to alter their
ntuals and wardings to utilize the power of their vitae.

‘hesemagicalskills,nowpracticedastheDisciplineofThaumaturgy,
ve ensured the Tremere’s place among the Kindred ever smce.

TheWarlocks gladlyplay thegamesofdiplomacy andintrigue
their newfound brethren. However, their dealings are always
vith a touch of paranoia, for the Tremereknow that the eldersof

han three clans bear them a terrible grudge that has yet to be

fore, the Tremerework to cultivate what alliesthey can, even as
jhten their magical mastery. No lessis required for their survival.
der of Clan Tremere are among the most driven and learned of
:se undead sorcerers and escape unscarred.
ires of the Old World, but have traveled across the continents
where. The clan’s seat of power lies in Vienna, where the
council anddiscuss the clan’sfuture direction. But many larger
Tremere “chantries” -well-defended houses that are equal
and stronghold. There the Warlocks gather to exchange
vampiric witchcraft, safe from the attentions of their rivals.

more than glad to join the fledglingCamarilla when the sect was
-lethemselves invaluable there. In fact,theTremere are oneof the
ve a marked interest inkeeping the Camarilla strong,of course-
miesdirecting their SabbatminionsagainstanyTremeretheyfind,
ind with the valuable magicalpower they offer, the Tremere find
e the support they require. With the Camarilla’sprotection, the
le arcane mastery they so avidly desire.

rousTremerearetypically imposingorsinisterinmien.Somefavor
C ~ ~ ~ ~ L S U ~ W , u L ld>~lcLg~htSl~ym~orCe~anCti~quatedlook,dressingin1940s-cutsuits,Edwardian
fineryor the simpleblack turtlenecks of the Beat era. Many wear c h a m or amulets inscribed

with cabalistic or other arcane symbols, as a sign of their learning. Although individual
Warlocks may run the gamut from immaculatelyprecise to disheveled and eccentric, the
vampiric sorcerers’eyes alwaysgleam with hidden insight and frightening acuity.

VAMPIRET: HEMASQUERADE
78

Haven: While Warlocks may maintain their own indi- C~TFRFOTYPF~
vidual havens (oftencompletewith extensive libraries),the clan
maintains a chantry in every city that harbors a strong Tremere Assamite: What is there to say?If they have thwarted
presence. A chantry is open to any of Tremere’s bloodline and our sorceries,then we have no choicebut to erasethem from
absolutelyforbiddento all others. The Warlocks are infamousfor
their well-guarded havens; almost all boast mystical wards that the face of the planet as quickly as we can -or convince
even other Tremere would find difficult to circumvent. others to do it for us.

Background: Many Tremere dabbled inoccult or other schol- Brujah: Time has been cruel. When first we met, the
arly pursuits m life. However, a fascination with the unknown is Brujah were the scholars of our kind. Now they have
hardly enough to draw a Warlock‘s attention; clan members seek crumbled to a sorry state, and we have taken up the flame of
“apprentices”with aggressive natures and clear thinking, and care knowledge in their stead. It is only fitting, but it somehow
little for muddle-headedNew Agers or befuddled conspiracy theo- seems wasteful. No matter.
mts.Clan Tremere has an unspoken tradition of sexism, and most
of its elders are male. Tremere ancillae have become rather more 1
open-mmded of late, though, and draw ample numbers of suitably

Character Creation: Tremere typica

highly in demand. Alth
particular area of excel1

Organization: No ti eers of exceptional clarity.
the clans.No clan binds its a1shortcuts, and we can yet

too noisome even for us,
iate lackeys to these ends.

inuteswith one of these charlatans
rt has the true power.

mes are coming sooner than they think.

strength. With such ambitious,powerful young vampirescooperating rend our flesh from our bones. If that is the tune they prefer,
with suchcommendableclan unity, it’sno wondertheWarlockshave
we shallsee how they dancewhen their rottingmansions are
plenty of enviousand spiteful enemiesamong the Kmdred. burning down around them.

The Tremere’spyramidal hierarchy containsseveral ranks, Ventrue: These creaturesobsessover controlbut have
each divided into seven mystical “circles”that an aspirant must no sensibility for the finer points of power.
master if he desiresto advance in rank (and nearly every Tremere
desires that very thing). The lowest rank, that of apprentice, Caitiff: The other clans scorn our lineage, yet look
belongsto neonates. Above the apprentices are the regents,each how many of these bastard childer they create.
one the master of a chantry; then the lords, whose domains
include several chantries each. Forty-nine Tremere hold the Camarilla: There is strength in a tower, no matter how
title of pontifex, each bearing great responsibilities. And at the decrepit some of the bricks be.
top of the pyramid sits the Inner Council of Seven, some the
masters of entire continents, and all whispered to be in constant Sabbat: They fancy themselves free?Fools.
mental communicationwith the others.
present night. A small group of Tremere rebels once made its horn,
Bloodlines: The strict organizationof the Tremere, as well as
in the Sabbat,but recenteventshaveseento thatgroup’sdestruction
their insistence on obeying one’s elders, offers few freedoms. No
variantsoftheTremerebloodlinehavebeenallowedtosurvivetothe Quote: We are m e ehan vampires. We are the next step ir
Cain& evolution. We wiU direct the others if they allow us to do so
OT we will stand abne if we must. But we wiU survive.

CHAPTERTwo: CLANS AND SECE

19

being honorable, genteel and of
n the clan of leadership, enforcing
:eking to shape the destiny of the Kindred. In nights of old,
nobles, merchantprinces or other wieldersofpower. In modern
iom wealthy “old money” families,ruthlesscorporate climbers,
hatever their origin, Ventrue vampires preserve stability and
.the Camarilla. Other Kindred often mistake this for arrogance
the Ventrue, their shepherd’s role is more burden than honor.

pport the Masquerade wholeheartedly, feeling that under its

jt existence for all vampires may be obtained. To the Ventrue
ans are brash and impetuous. Too concerned with their short-
,other vampires gladly give up an eternity tomorrow for a bit of
It. Without the Ventrue, there would be no Masquerade;
2 Masquerade,there would be no vampires. Thus, the Ventrue
weight of Atlas upon their shoulders. They bear their burden
ffupper lip andjust a hint of noblesseoblige. No other clan could
Childrenof Caine in the nights of imminent Gehenna -or so

ntrue are apt to say. After all, their reputation rests on it.

‘entrue see themselves as nobles in the classical sense of the
, fighting to uphold the station of those below them. They are
tings, knights and barons of the modem night. Although the
ggle has moved from battlefields to boardrooms and from
sting lists to voting districts,Clan Ventrue continues the duel.
wngVentrue rally and lead the troopswith their cellularphones
id limousines, while the clan elders watch the horizons for
hreats that loom like storm clouds. Many holdings under
Camarilla control areoverseenby Ventrue, and the Blue Bloods
are loath to relax their grip over endeavors they so desperately

struggle to maintain. Reputation and achievement take a
Kindred far in the Ventrue clan, but none of that counts if the

ampire cannot maintain his influence.

Other vampires often cast aspersions on the Ventrue,
ilifyingthem as sanctimonious,pompous or even tyrannical

-and yet itistheBlueBloodstowhomthoseothervampires

turnwhen somethinggoeswrong. Ventruecultivate,influ-

ence and-when they can-controlthe h e ’ s media,

police, politics, health and medicine, organizedcrime,
industry,finance,transportationandeventheChurch.
When another vampire requires aid, the Ventrue can
often provide it -for a price.

Naturally, Ventrue gravitate to the upper crust
ofkine society,where their sophistication servesthem
in good stead. Although Ventrue move in the same
Ireador, they do not fritter away their existences in frivolityand
rue proudly wear the privileges of leadership, and stoicallybear
it always been; thus shall it always be.

e Bloods

Sect: Elegant, aristocratic and regal, the Ventrue are the ’~TFRFOTYPFS
lords of the Camarilla. It was Clan Ventrue that provided the Assamite: Nobility once belonged to this clan, but
cornerstone of the Camarilla, and it is Clan Ventrue that directs they have cast aside their honor in pursuit of wanton
and coaxes the Camarilla in its darkest hours. Even in the diablerie.
modem age, the majority of princesdescendfrom Clan Ventrue.
The Ventrue would, of course, have things no other way. Brujah: Old wounds scar the Rabble. Thesehotheads
cultivateburied hatreds better than the harpiesdo. Still,we
Appearance: Ventrue cultivate classical, traditionalappear- must be tolerant - centuries of failure must surely be
ances. Set in their ways, Ventrue vampiresoften affectthe stylesof difficult to bear.
their breathingdays, and one may frequentlyguessaVentrue’sage
by determining from which period of history her clothing dates. Followers of Set: Their association with serpents is
Young members of the clan tend toward fashions ranging from
“preppy”stylesto omnipresentsuit-and-tiewardrobes.Ventrueare eir own twisted
elegant and stylish, but rarely on the cutting edge of couture or
haberdashery trends. After all, one must stand out, not stick out. e out of mind have we dueled with

Haven: Only the best will do. Ventrue commonly make eepers. It is a small comfort to see they
their havens in mansions or valuable estates. Ventrue vampires
often come from wealthy families,and their havens may even be All the capering and blood-sports in the

ancestral homes. A n old Ventrue tradition holds that any : The price they pay for their supposed

member of the clan may take sanctuary with any other member far exceeds its benefice. Still, learn from
of the clan, and cannot be refused. This tradition is rarely
invoked, for the vampire seeking refuge subsequently owes a them what you may.
great debt to the vampire who provided succor.Nonetheless, the Nosferatu: These pitiful creatures still pay the debt
custom has saved the unlife of more than one Blue Blood.
earned by their siressomany nights ago, though through no
Background: Ventrue traditionally hail from professional fault of their own.
or high-society stock, though in modem nights the clan
claim any noteworthy person. Age, wisdom and experience Ravnos: Exercise the wisdom of the ancient kings
great parts in Ventrue Embraces, and a Blue Blood never when dealing with these vulgar deceivers.

along family lines, in a twisted progression o Toreador: Truly, their great passion must be a curse,
Other Kindred joke that the Ventrue are in for Kindred lack the ability to create what they may only
impotently observe.
Ventrue themselves maintain that only th
Tremere: It is good that they favorstability,otherwise
suitable for membership in their clan.
their depredations might outweigh their utility.
Character Creation: Social and Tzimisce: Are there any left?How quaint!
Caitiff: One can choose neither one’s parents nor
both aspects.Skillsand Know well-rounded and
the clan places great emph one’s sire, so bear them no ill will unless they earn it.
Camarilla: This is both our honor and our penance.
Blue Blood’s precedence. Sabbat: Infantile and unruly, the Sabbat abandons

taste is rarefied to the point of any hope of redemption.
ood may partake of only a certain
Bloodlines: Heritage is prized among the clan, and the
virgins, blond men, naked children or clergy. The character will childer and grandchilder of luminaries are held in esteem (or
envy) by the rest of the clan. On a darker note, the Ventrue
feed on no other type of blood, even if starving or under duress. antitribu of the Sabbat have no foes so hated as the Kindred of
their parent clan. Sabbat Ventrue are dark knights of that sect,
Ventrue may feed on vampire blood normally. swornto atone for their line’s failingsby upholding the tenets of
the Sabbat. They are most commonlyfound among the Sabbat’s
Organization: The Ventrue in a given region meet often, templars and paladins.
though their convocations resemble salons or debates and tend
to result in more talk than action. Ofcourse, this ponderous Quote: Theguidance of the Damned is my burden to bear, not
discourse is the only “civilized” way to resolve an issue, and
impulsive or rash Kindred often chafe under the clan’srigidity. yours. You would do well, however, to ask yourself whether your
Younger, impatient Ventrue have been known to mount direct
challenges to an “old boy’s’’ holdings and position, which is unlife is one ofbenefit tothe Childrenofcaine,madetriment. I haole
considered the height of treachery and rudeness -unless, of
course, the upstart wins. already mack my judgment.

TheCamarilla’sarchenemyis the monstroussectknownas quash agents of the infernal
Sabbat.Perceived as mlndlesssav
uld seem they prefer the evil
the societyof the Damned,andforgoodreason. Th so many horror storiesabout.
reasons other Kmdred claim.While the “Kindred”
espouseconcealingthemselvesamongmortals and mamtaining emain true to the Sabbat,lest their
tattered vestiges of their Humanity, the Sabbat favors a differe achinationsof the elders. Above
placed under the yoke of the
philosophy.Not content tocowerlikebeatendogsfromhu
to act as pawns ln the schemes of their elders, Sabbat va ower plays and ancient vendettas rend
instead prefer to revel in their undead nature. ver, and the Sabbat often takes two
t takes forward.The sect has no true,
As the Sabbatreasons,
are merely food or diversio a& its foes ev n as it gains in membership and influence.
than mortal blood?Don’t vampi Sabbat vampii
which to assert themselves over

blancheto behave as abom

pretend to be humans.

nst their ow1
instead of e

in the Sabbat, and
Cities held by the sect are some of the most viole
existence, challenged for this dubious honor
and Camarilla vie for supremacy. Mexico Ci
and Montreal are all
contention include

citieshave themselvesgrown toward the alien and away from the The nucleus of the Sabbat’s organization is the “pack,”a
loose confederation of vampires nominally united toward a
human, abandoned as they are to the depredations of the single goal. Sabbat packs may be nomadic, traveling from city to
city leaving death and fire in their wakes, or they may settle in
monsters who prowl their alleyways. one location on a permanent basis. Becausevampires are prima-
rily solitaV Predators, forcing themselves into each Other’s
nusth,e Sabbatthreatensevery it touches,creeping company for prolonged PeriodsoftimecertainlY takes its toll O n
the Kindred who make up the packs.
like a cancer into that remain oblivious until the

war packs tear the city down around them. n o u g h it 1sarguably

no more iLeviI)I than the degenerate eldersof the Camarillat,he

Sabbat IS almost universally more blatant, terrorizing the kine

populace with insidiousgames and premeditated destruction. RITUALS

Now more than ever before, the Sabbat has the Camarilla Sabbat vampires, upon their Embrace, are unceremoni-
on the ropes. Many C m x d a neonates, frustrated by the unat- ously buried in the ground. The subsequentrite ofhavingtoclaw

tainable power and stagnant ineffectivenessof their elders,have her way Outofthecold, blind earth after having her head dashed

joined the Sabbat in open protest. Numerous cities that were open with a shovel strips away much of a neonate’s

once bastions of Camarilla strength now exist in stalemate or

VAMPIRET:HE~IASQUERADE

82

Humanity. She is then ready to join her Sabbat sectmates as a THFVIFWFROM WITHOUT
monster rather than as a feeble, mewling kine.
The Camarilla
The Sabbat corrupts and distorts many conventions of the lheard~tthesabbatdrinkeachother’sbloodandburn their
institutions that stand against it. Many of the rituals and sires to cindersat their cowen meetings. I’we been to Sabbat cities
practices of the sect stem from the Catholic Church, including
partaking of the Vaulderie,acorruptionof the Eucharist in which before, and they’rethemost rundown, violenthellholesin the First
vampires drink from a chalice of their commingled vitae to
strengthen loyalty. World.~youknowtheyhandksnakes,practiceblackmagicand
buy eachotheraliwe?As if beinga wampire isn’t curse enough-
Thevampiresof the Sabbat alsoparticipate in numerousother these guys hawe to raise the Devil on top of it!
rituals, of which there are a seemingly endless number. The sect
-Pentangellis, Tremere neonate
regularly makesuse of fire,serpents,violenceand blood at its rituals,
which may take the form of fire dances, snake-handling, torture, The Independents
They’reinsidious,thoseSabbat. At leastwiththeCamrilla,
ceremonial killing or other debased practices. The rituals’purpose
is to create solidarity in the packmates, who lead tense, hostile you know they’regoing to stab you in the back. Thosemanims in

unlives and are prone to fractiousness and mistrust. the Subbatsell you insurance whik they’resettingyour hawen un

OFFICF~ fire and hanging your sister upside down in the basement. Don’t
giweaninch,though,becauseiftheyrespectyou, they’remorelikely
The Sabbat, for all its disorganization, maintains numerous to burn down sumeone else’s house.
positions for its members. Eachpack usuallyhas a priest, who leads
-Zander, Ravnos black marketeer
the pack in its rituals and sometimes its other affairs.The offices
to the “supreme”leader of the sect, the regent. The martial arm
ofarchbishop(the vampire who overseesSabbat activity in a given
city) and bishop (avampire who assiststhe archbishop and carries the governing body comprisesthe templarsand paladins, who sei
out her will) command great respect among vampires in a city
where these Kindred are encountered. Above these offices are as assassins and bodyguards for the regent, prisci and cardin;
Worrisome references are made to a “sect within the sect”knoi
those of the cardinal,who coordinates Sabbat influence over a as the Black Hand, but these are often simply confusedreferenc
to the sect itself, which has used that moniker before.
given region; and the prisci (singularpriscus), who act as advisors

CHAPTERTWCOL:ANSAND S E ~
83

a clan has fallenfromgrace -and its members
eously graceful and predatory, the Lasombra

, when necessary, whip -the Sabbat into a n

ce. Turning their backs upon the humans
they once were, Lasombra give themselves wholly over to
the dark majesty of the Embrace. Murder, frenzy, preda-

tion: W h y fear these things, many Lasombra ask, if one is
meant to be a vampire?In contrast to the Tzimisce,though,

Lasombra generally seek not to reject all things mortal, but to
tape them for their own pleasure.

The Lasombra have been involved with the Church since
inception, and some Kindred whisper that the clan was
trumental in the spread of the Christian faith. In modern
rhts, however, Lasombra have turned their backs on that
me institution. There are exceptions, of course, but for the
1stpart, Clan Lasombra bears only contempt for the notion of
vation. In fact, the Lasombra brought many of the Church‘s

rites and rituals into the Sabbat sect, twisting them into
mockeries of Christian doctrine. The Lasombra or-
dained many of the sect’saucton’tas and ignobhs
ria,so that the vampires of the Sabbat might
never forget who and what they are.

Lasombra are best known for their Disci-

pline of Obtenebration, a means by which

they call forth a tangible “living” darkness,
manipulating it at their whim. Clan doctrine

olds that this “darkness” is in fact the stuff of
the vampiric soul, which has been simulta-

neously strengthened and corrupted by the
Embrace. Through theCurseof Caine, some
Lasombra believe, God has cast them out,
and thus it is their duty to build a new order
on Earth via the Sabbat. More scientific
Lasombra scoff at this superstition, but even
they tend to believe that, as vampires, they
represent a new and more advanced breed of
tience, one unconcerned with petty human
notions of ethics. Let the milksops of Clan
Ventrue burn in the solar fires of martvrdom; the

5 Lasombra are happy with what they are.
Naturally,thisvillainousoutlookisnotuniversal among
the clan, but many newly Embraced Sabbat Lasombra take

igreat glee in the wanton destruction and vulgar depravity
that such a philosophy allows. In striking contrast, some
elder Lasombra still maintain their ties to the Church,
though even they seem to considerthemselves “tools of the
Devil.” The two groups do see eye to eye on one matter:

Members of Clan Lasombra, as consummate manipulators them- C~TFRFOTYPES
selves, adamantly refuse to submit to the antiquated whims of the Assamite: Usefultools,thoughabittoo.. .independent
Antediluvians. They fight the Jyhad proudly, but unlike many of late.
Kindred, they firmly believe they can win. Brujah: Their fiery passion, once harvested, makes
a wonderful means through which to use them toward
The typical Lasombra possesses a gift for manipulation, as your own ends.
well as keen leadership skills. Lasombra are the most common
leadersof Sabbat packs, as their motivational and Machiavellian Followersof Set:Hmm. ..HowbesttokeepthemmEgypt?
natures make them ideal for orchestrating the movements of the
sect. Unfortunately, pride goes hand in hand with this dark Gangrel: Easily excited; terrible, monstrousfoes. Agi-
nobility, and very few Lasombra acknowledge other vampires as tate them and turn them loose on your enemies.
equal, let alone superior.
Giovanni:The tree that doesnot branchhides rot within.
Nickname: Keepers (as in “my brother’s...’’) Malkavian: Madness sometimes offers insight, but
Sect: The Lasombra are the ruling clan of the Sabba usually simply obstructs those who would glean its benefit.
Nosferatu Useful as flies on the wall when you need
much as any clan can be said to “rule”that chaotic body. A m, but Nosferatu tend to draw too many flies themselves.

elder Lasombra hold membership in the Camarilla or Inc where else and let whoever dwells there
but such creatures lead lonely and perilous existences.
tive in their own way.
Appearance: Many Lasombra of e
from Spanish or Italian stock, and so nomous rivals, often
or Berber heritage. Lasombra n
run the gamut of cultures a hat any of these survive
are reasonably attractive, aming what they are.
blue-collar Lasombra re talking about a kine
hands or broken noses cking devil of the night,

sleepingwith the pack listenalittle better, it would

good of the sect.” 0 Organization: Clan Lasombra’sstructure is simultaneous1
formal and open. Respect and homage are afforded to the elde
though; certain elders warriors who helped found the Sabbat, but younger member
tatious havens. operate with almost no guidance from the clan as an entiti
Quarterly meetings, known as conventicles, serve to keep th
but are typically profess Lasombra informed as to each other’sstatus, and blood-drinkin
cated. Lasombra tend to rituals are performed at these meetings. While no Lasombra i
socially; the clan has littl ever to1d“Youmay not do that” (at least not publicly),almost a
hesitate to cull unworthy v
universally skilled at social dis Keepershave aprofound respect for tradition. A secretLasombr
others-coarse manners are vie coterie known as Les Amies Noir is rumored to hand down “deatl
refined monsters. sentences”on those Keepers who bring undue shame, attentioi

Character Creation: A Lasombra may have any De- or ignominy to the clan or its members.
Bloodlines: Lasombra anticribu are among the staunche5
meanor (thebetter to hide her true Nature!). Most Lasombra
favor Social Attributes, though Mental Attributes are prized supportersof the Camarilla, though the sect largelydistruststhem
almost as greatly. Many Keepers cultivate extensive Influ- Some of the eldest members of Clan Lasombra hold the Sabba
ence, Status (Sabbat) or Resources, and favor Backgrounds Lasombra in contempt. Naturally, the Sabbat Lasombra great1
more than additional Disciplines or Abilities. Lasombra fearthese powerful Kindred who opposethem, and nothing rallie
founded the Path of Night, and this Path has a number of rival Lasombra like the rumor of an antihibu in their midst.
followers in the Keepers’ clan (though many choose to
follow other Paths of Enlightenment, and some Lasombra Quote: Shadows? Hah! I wield Darkness itself, not mer
keep vestiges of Humanity). shadows! Tell me -could a shadow do this?

Clan Disciplines: Dominate, Obtenebration, Potence
Weaknesses: Lasombra vampires cast no reflections.They
cannot be seen in mirrors, bodies of water, reflective windows,
polished metals, photographs and security cameras, etc. This
curious anomaly even extends to the clothes they wear and
ob]ects they carry. Many Kindred believe that the Lasombra
have been cursed in this manner for their vanity. Additionally,
due to their penchant for darkness,Lasombratake an extra level
of damage from sunlight.

CHAPTETRwo: CLANSAND Sm

85

t, Clan Tzimisce is the soul. Even other
’s nickname of “Fiends”was

of other lines. The Tzimisce’s signature
s speak of crippling disfigure-

tly “experiments”and tortures refinedbeyond human -

This fearsome reputation often seems unwarranted at first. Many Tzimisce are

reserved and perspicacious beings, a far cry from the howling war packs that compose

,-much of the Sabbat. Most Tzimisce appear to be rational creatures, formidably

L intelligent, possessed of an inquisitive and scientific bent, and unstintingly

gracious to guests.

Kindred who treat with the Tzimisce, though, realize that the Fiends’
human traits are the merest veneer over something.. .else. For millennia
the Fiends have explored and refined their understanding of the vampiric

Icondition, bending their bodies and thoughts into new and alien patterns.
Should it prove necessary, enlightening or simply enjoyable, Tzimisce do not

hesitate to bend victims in similar fashion. While younger Fiends might be
described as merciless or sadistic, elders of the line simply fail to comprehend
mercy or suffering-or perhaps they do comprehend, but no longer consider

the emotions relevant.

In nights past, the Tzimisce was among the most powerful clans in the

world, dominating much of the region now known as Eastern Europe. Potent

sorcerers, the Fiends dominated the region’s mortals as well, in the process

inspiring many of the horror stories about vampires. Clan after clan

conspired to uproot the Tzimisce, but it was the sorcerous Tremere

who finally succeeded. Indeed, as some tell the tale, the Tremere

VI sed captured Tzimisce vitae in their experiments to become
immortal. For this, the Tzimisce hate the Tremere unrelent-

ingly, and Tremere who fall into the Sabbat’s clutches

I typically suffer a hideous end at the talons of the Fiends.

During the Great Anarch Revolt, the Tzimisceclan

turned on itself, as younger members of the clan discov-
ered mysticmeans of breaking the blood bonds ensnaring

them in the serviceof their elders.In the ensuingstrug.g~le,
the younger Fiends destroyed many of their elders and

demolished what was left of their power bases. Certain Sabbat whisper that the

:lan managed to find and destroy its own Antediluvian progenitor, though the

?ends will neither confirm nor deny this tale.

Now the Tzimisce serve the Sabbat as scholars, advisorsand priests. Many
,f the sect’s practices originated in the customs of the clan. By exploring the

possibilities and limits of vampirism, the clan hopes to discover the greater
purpose of the Kindred as a whole. If this means the wholesaledestruction of the

archaic Antediluvians, the razing of the Camarilla, and the vivisection of

millions of kine victims, well, all experiments have their consequences.

Nickname: Fiends

Sect: Most Tzimisce serve the Sabbat. A few powerful Tzimisce elders

retain their independence; these are believed to be Inconnu. Almost no

VAMPIRET:HEMASQUERADE
86

Tzimisceare in the Camarilla; even those Fiendsunsympathetic STEREOTYPES
to the Sabbat find the Camarilla’sskulking among the masses to
be distasteful. Assamite: Once again the Turks howl outside the

Appearance: As masters of the Vicissitude Discipline, gates. The Final Nights must surely be nigh.
Tzimisce often have striking appearances -whether strikingly
beautiful or strikingly grotesque depends on the whim of the Brujah: Likeourselves, theyhavebeenunjustlytoppled.
Fiend in question. Younger Tzimisce, seeking to explore their
Unlike ourselves, they have not adapted well at all.
inhuman natures, perform all manner of body modificationson
Followers of Set: A worm, some say, can be cut in two,
themselves. Their elders, though, often affect flawless, sym-
metrical forms;the body is merely a passing useful machine, after or even minced, yet each piece will wondrouslygrowwhole

all. Tzimiscefacesoften resemble masks of blank perfection, and once more. Can the Setites do likewise, I wonder?

great value on the sanctity of the ha Gangrel: Already the hunting hound paces its kennel.
Soon it shall come and lick the feet of its old master.
unlife; trespassers are pursue
punished in gruesome and idthat,Gasioivmamnnoir:taWls,hwyednoeetdhenyo obsess over states of being
Tzimiscehavens, or “mans t deign to trouble ourselves

shadowsin truth-menacing but
ill, ofttimes it is easier to accom-

of childer reflects Embrace capriciously;choice dolls! Their most
serial murder is a tr
capacity to improve the clan as
”areparticularlyprized;whether
manifest in scientific theory or

nobility, the typical ntrue embodymuch
socialinterplay;thus so, when the time to
tion of Appearance)
and Tzimisceare as like ashly; as such, few are of
p. 286) as they are to
Status (in the Sabbat),

taining aparticular haven and guar n in which the Ancients hope
a Tzimisce sleeps, she must surroun it is tipped over, the otherswill
handfuls of earth from a place imp0
perhaps the earth of her birthpla nonetheless.
underwent her creation rites. Failure to meet this requirement
Tzimisce descended from the ghoul family Bratovitch replac’
halves the Tzimisce’s dice pools every 24 hours, until all her Auspex with the Clan Discipline of Potence, but suffer +
difficultyon any roll to avoidfrenzy. CertainTzimisce are koldur
actions use only one die. This penalty remains until she rests for or sorcerers.These Kindred replace the clan Disciplineof Vicis

a full day amid her earth once more. situdewithThaumaturgy, but suffer +1difficultiesto resist magi

Organization: Despitethe Tzimisce’spride in their heritage as well.
and customs, little organizationexistsamong the clan. Sires and Quote: Welcome;a thousand welcomes! I am homed that w
childer remain closer than most Sabbat vampires do, but in
generaleach Fiend makesher own way in the world.One among couldput aside theJyhad‘sfoolishriwalriesfuranight, that yournigh
the Fiends’ number bears the ancestral title of Voiwode; the
Voiwode is nominally the clan leader, though in practice he acts come under my eaves in the spirit of -eh? You start? Ahh -tha
more as a “priest”or rite leader than a temporal ruler.
noise! A trifi! Nothing that need concern you, sweet guest!
Bloodlines: Many Tzimisceare descendedfrom specialized
“ghoul families” who have long served the clan as minions.

CHAPTERTWOC:LANSAND S E C ~
87

Since the close of the M t curse lifted again, they are proving
danced by Camarilla and Sabbatha clans as they seek to slake their

society. The bloody conflict ssamites are most feared by
and shaped the secret history of cit rmerly that of mercenaries
ne, has abruptlychanged.None can say where the Assamites’
Of course, there are some clan alty will lie in the next decade or so - or how their new
at one another’s throats in the nam actices will alter the Jyhad itself.
to have none of that, thank you The Followers of Set disdain sects for different reasons.
certainly have the pedigree o f t y claim to be heirs to a tradition far older than both
mongrel bloodlines that occasion lla and Sabhat, and scorn the idea of setting aside their
dent clans share a powerful disinclinationto “take sides”in ks for a passing fad of mere centuries or so. The
Jyhad.Ofcourse, some of the you lan’s shadowy faith allegedly date hack to the first
he found in both Camarilla and Sabbat. However, the elde pedigree takesprecedence
the independent clans plot toward their own inscrutable r matters of mere politics.
poses, purposes that would be de The “Setites,” as they also call themselves, aren’t above
allegiance.
ites’ bartering; it seems all too possible that with every deal
It would he foolish to assumethat the average member of a ck, the Clan of the Serpent takes another step to whatever
unaligned clan is somehowpossessedof an absoluteallegianc a1 its Antediluvian founder has set for it.
her clan’s ideal. Like all other
vampires first and clan members second. Most of these Ca The Giovanni are as much a family as they are a clan; the
are concerned with their personal goals first and fore ority of their neonates are Embraced from clan members’
tal descendants. The insular Necromancers avidly pursue
whether or not they coincide wi
This fact serves only to aggravate outside observers further; The Giovanni, frankly, see no need for sects. They effec-
managed to Survive the
independentvampire is often a true wild card, with neither s
politics nor clan law as a guideline for predicting her behavi Inquisition quietly, without requiring the help of other Kindred.

And yet.. . They have all the alliesthey need in the formof their family, and
can sternly enforce such aid when necessary. All they require is
And yet, rumor has it that the elders of the independ
clans are awake in greater numbers than those of any ot to be left alone to achieve their own ends-and the prospect of
bloodline. One clan has thrown off an ancient spell that kept i their success is frightening indeed.
in check, presumably due to the direct intervention of it
forebears. Another, the you Finally, the Ravnos are driven by a clanwide compulsion
enjoyed the unceasingpatro for larceny and deception, as well as a powerful wanderlust.
These masters of illusion, primarily of Indian and Gypsy stock,
sance. The terrible and merci owe allegiance to themselves first, their clan second, and to no
one else at all. Certainly the most loosely organized of the
to be throwing off the earth of the ages and summoning their unaligned clans, the nomadic Ravnos are scattered across the
world. They travel freely between Camarilla and Sabbat terri-
childer to them. And the fourth.. . tory, for princes have learned that it is more trouble to
attempt to keep a Ravnos from one’s city than to wait for the
But despite such talk, the childer of each independent clan wastrel vampire to become bored and move on.
continue their activities as if all is well, offering as much loyalty
to their clans asthey did before. If they are indeed pawns of their
Antediluviansires, they are apparently ignorant of the fact -or
worse, fully cognizant, and quite acquiescent.

THEUNALIGNCFDLANS

The four independent clans have little in common, save
their disdain for sects. Each pursues its own goals, and each
defines its role in the Jyhad differently. Diffident even to each
other, they keep their own laws amid the Camarilla’sTraditions
and the Sabhat’s chaos.

VAMPIRET:HEMASQUERADE
88

The Ravnos are flatly indifferent to sect politics, and mo:
vampireshave dismissed them as incapable of playing any grez
role in theJyhad. They seem too chaotic and undisciplined to b
of any use even to Methuselahs -and the Ravnos enjoy thz

reputation. The clan has happily lasted the past millennium c
so without responsibilityor duty, and sees no reason to changt
However, the near future may see the Ravnos working toward

common purpose after all.. ..
THEVIFWFROM WITHOUT

The Camarilla

As if we didn’t have enough to wony about, these vipers
insist on playing both sides against one another. It’s certain
they’reup to nogood; what else couldconvince them they could
survivewithout allies! They are perfectly capable ofshifting the
balance ofthejyhad, and they know thatfull well. I wouldpray

that they make the proper choice -if I believedanyone would

listen to me.
-Anne Bowesley, Prince of London

The Sabbat
They are too weak to threaten our power -but also too
strong to crush easily beneath our boots. Sometimes we lose a

pack, ormore, toidiocy; onlyafoolcries towrestaSerpentfrom
its den, or beat one of those damn Giovanni at his own game.
But we learn fromsuch things. We learn where the so-called

“freeclans” are strong, and where they are not so strong. And
they willbe not sostrong when the earthcracks openand the sun
goes red. That I guarantee.

-Cicatriz, Bishop of Tijuana

CHAFIERTWO: GANASND SECTS
89

From the desert wastes of the East come the Assamites, and they bring with them a
miasma of terror. The Assamites are known throughout vampire societyas a clan of murderous

assassins, working for whoever can pay their price. The price they charge for their work is the
vitae of other Kindred; for the Assamites, diablerie is the greatest sacrament.

Assamites tend to avoid the affairsof the Camarilla and the Sabbat, working for either or
both sidesin pursuit of their goals. They do circulate among sect-held cities;other Kindred find
them useful for slayingrivals,enforcingblood hunts, scourgingundesirablechilder, and infiltrating
vals’power bases. However, Assamitesrarely form true allianceswith other Kindred, for they consider
other Children of Caine to be of inferior stock. Unlike the other clans, the Assamitesdo not claim to
have a founder of the Third Generation. Rather, they believe their founder to be a member of the

Second Generation, making all other Cainites flawed copies of themselves.
In nights prior to the formationof the Camarillaand the Sabbat, the Assamites practiced diablerie

widely, always looking to bring themselvescloser to “theOne,” as they referred to their mythical founder.
As the Anarch Revolt ensued, and the Sabbat and Camarillarose from the ashes, many powerful elders
grewuneasyat thecannibalassassinsstalkingtheirranks.CallingupontheTremeretocursetheAssamites’
blood, the Camarillaplaced a yoke on the clan that rendered its members unable to consumethe vitae

f other Kindred. Unable to face the unified front the Camarillarepresented, the Assamites submitted
to this indignity. Those few who did not accept the curse went into hiding and joined the Sabbat.

Thosewho dealregularlywithAssamiteshave sensedgreatupheaval amongthe clan. The
greatestsign of this is the clan’srecent circumventionof the Tremereblood curse. Freedfrom
the mystic shacklespreventing it from engaging in diablerie, the clan has begun a campaign

of murder and cannibalism once again. Assamites now kill other Kindred
ithout provocation -indeed, without sanctioned Contracts.

The clan as a whole has assumed a more aggressive disposition.
Whereasoncethe Assamiteswould take nofurthercontractsonavictim

who bested their assassins,the clan may now pmue that victim, and

oftendoeswith unparalleled fervor.Similarly,Assamitesno longer honor
the age-old custom of tithing to their sires. In these nights of impending
Gehenna there is no place for lazy Assamiteswho rest on their laurels.

Preciselywhat the Assamiteswant, though, is unknown. Certainly,
Assamites have flexed their muscle in both the physical and the political
arenas, and hidden agents of the clanhave come out of cover in cities where

the ruling vampires have become lazy and fatuous. Their hold in the cities of

India and the Middle East is much stronger than other Kindred had previously
guessed. Whereas other Kindred once viewed the Assamites as honorable (i.e.,
relatively impotent), useful functionaries, they now hold the clan in dread.

Nickname: Assassins
Sect: The Assamiteshold Sabbat andCamarilla in equalcontempt.SomeAssamites
main among the Sabbat, and a scattered few exist as loners in the Camarilla.

ce: Assamites tend to dress stylishlybut practically.Aquilinenoses, dark hair and slim,
graceful builds dominate the clan’s membership, though Africanmembers obviously bear more Nubian

characteristics. Recently, a number of Westernershave been introduced into the clan, though
theyremainin the minority. Theseindividualsmay have almostany appearance,asthey are

I chosen for their skill, not their looks. Also, Assamites’ skin grows darker as they age (as
opposed to other vampires, whose skingets paler with age);particularly ancientAssamites
are almost ebony in complexion.

b VAMPIRET:HEMASQUERADE

90

Haven: Most clan elders make their homes at Alamut, the INNIGHTPSAST
clan stronghold, which is located high atop a mountain thought
to be somewhere in modern Turkey. Neonates and operatives Storytellerswho wish to set their games in nights prior
abroad typically select remote, inaccessible locations to ensure to 1998should make a few adjustments to Clan Assamite as
that they receive no unexpected guests. presented. As they have only recently shaken off the blood
curse, pre-1998 Assamites bear a different clan weakness.
Background: Many Assamitefida’i (newlyEmbraced appren- Assamites must tithe 10percent of the blood they garner in
contract payments to their sires. Additionally, they may
tices)hailfromAsiaMinorornorthern Africa. Mostmembersof the not imbibethe vitae of Kindred. Should an Assamite ingest
clan have been involved with assassination, wet work or terrorist vampire blood, each point so taken inflicts one automatic
activitiesforsomeportionoftheirmortallives,thoughthisBlesstrue health level of lethal damage to the Assamite.
among the Assamite vlzier bloodlme. Recently, the clan has Em-
braced many neonates from the Western stock among which it ~TFRFOTYPFS
moves, particularly soldiers,criminalsand street gangsters.
Brujah: Whatever godswe shared in the past, we have
Character Creation: Assamites favor Physical Attributes, nothing in common now.
with Mental Attributes a close second. The Assassins favor
Skills and Talents equally. Assamites typically have similar ould almost forsake the tainted bl
Natures and Demeanors,as subterfugeisn’ttheir style,but rarely
are they the exact same. Popular Backgrounds include Mentor,
Contacts and, of course, Generation.

omain with their de

rganization: Eldersof the clan still orchestrat eauty is luxury and, therefore,
sins’movements from the Eagle’sNest at Alamut, but more and wasteful.
more Assamites have been dispatched throughout the world,
killing Kindred with or without sanction or contracts. Many of Tremere: We shall never again bear the indignity of
the clan’s former “rulesof engagement” -such as the prohibi-
tion against hunting an opponent who’d already bested another their sorcery.The only good Tremere is the one you kill on

Assamite -have been discarded. To those outside the clan, it the road back to Haqim’s bosom.
appears as if the Assamites are running rampant.
Tzimisce: I am surprisedthat our mutual hatred for the
Assamites organize themselves into units similar to Sabbat Warlocksdoesn’t make us better bedfellows.It is irrelevant,

packs; these bands are known asfakqi. A fakqi typicallyconsists however, as these relics mean nothing to the modern night.

of two or three Kindred who infiltrate a city and gain a foothold Ventrue: Though they give us leaveto practice our rites
there. Assamites in a city engage in activities common to many incities they control,it wasneverthelessthe Blue Bloodswho
Kindred (establishing power bases, cultivating herds), but also contrived to place us under Clan Tremere’s curse.
weaken rival Kindred through selective assassinations,for they
do not see the Sixth Tradition as applying to them. Caitiff: Worthless chaff,fit only to be separated from
the wheat. They are rarely missed, though their weak blood
Bloodlines: The Assamite vizier bloodline speciallzes in the does us little long-term good.
study of Thaumaturgy and Middle Eastern magic. Viziers almost
never leave the confinesof Alamut, and certainly never engage in Camarilla: Their nights are numbered, and we shall
assassination activities. They instead refine their -and accord- never forget the shackles they placed upon us.

ingly, the clan’s - knowledge of blood magic. Assamite vlziers Sabbat: Too callous and classless, and so dead-set
againstheeding their elders’advice that they remind one of
forsakeCelerity,mstead learningThaumaturgyas a clan Disciplme, adolescent children.
but must spend an extrablood point on all Thaumaturgicalmvoca-
tions. Assamite antihibu of the Sabbat differ very little from their independent counterparts,their only variance being their nomin:
allegiance to the sect. Assamites and their antihih relate very we1
particularly since the parent clan’sbreaking of the Tremere curse

Quote: Sawe your breath, weak one -no one will hear yot
scream. Now aid me on my journey back to Haqim’s grace....

CHAPTETRWO:CLANSAND Srm

91

trustedperhapsmore than anyother clan. Theirtieswith the archetypalSerpent

of myth are well-known,and bolstered by their disturbingpowers. They are

custodiansof knowledge that, according to their claims,predates even the

First City. When they enter a city, the Cainite power structure

inevitablyerodes. But most unnerving of all, they share a dark and
faith as a clan -a faith that the blood of gods pulses in their cold veins.

Ofcourse,the clan’s very name is proof of such faith. According to most

Setites,their clanfounderwasnone other than the darkgod of ancient Egypt,

a hunter without equalln the desertnight. Othertalesstate that Set was an

Antediluvian -at kast -who enshmed himself as a god among the

Egyptians. In either case, Set’s rule went unquestioned until he was

challengedbyabelngnamedOsins-whomsomecall avampire,and

otherssomethingelse. Their war lasted for centuries,but ultimately

Set was cast out of Egypt, into the darkness.And yet, his followers

claim,it was in the darknessthat wise, ancient Setbegan his rule in

earnest.AlthoughgreatSethasvanished fromtheworld,hischilder

work to ensurethat the worldwill be in a suitablestate for his retun i””

-advancingtheir own schemes in the process, of course.

To achieve their goals, Setites master several potent tools. To

\\<fl,their thinking, the weapons of addiction,seductionand decay are the
oldest and finest of means to a n end. Setitesuse drugs, sex, money, power

-even vitae and supernatural lore -to draw others into their coils. To

date, the Followers’methods have proved terribly effective. Kindred and kine

alike succumb to the Setites’charms, gladly doingwhatever their new masters bid

in return for the Serpents’ reptilian patronage. Indeed, in some cities, entlre

subcultures and economic strata are under one or more Setites’sway.

IThe Followers of Set cryptically refer to themselves as the “eldest among c ar
whatever that phrase may mean to them. Cainite historians dismiss this as g r o h
-
braggadocio, citing Set’s rise as well past the time of the First City. However, thbsc

listen carefully to the Setites’ whispering are somewhat less fli_p_pant, as the Snhke Clan \

seems to have access to hoary lore that, some worry, might date back to the first abd longest

nights of all. A few Serpentshave even hinted that Set was thrown into the darhess before
Caine himself received his own curse -a theory that most Kindred dismiss, b b one with

frightening implications nonetheless.

Whatever the clan’sorigins,it isafact that its influence iswidespreadindeed.

are rare in “traditional“ vampiric haunting grounds such as Europe, the

many other areas of the world. They have a potent

the sub-Saharan area of the continent. They nest in India, just on

hunting grounds,pursuing the wisdomof destroyer gods and

sleep under Middle Eastern sands and rule the Caribbean

worst urban hellholes in America. Theirwebstretches

have yet to realize just how much of the world the

Nickname: Serpents

Sect: Neutrality is far too valuable for the Followers of Set to bother with gects. They find the

Camarilla pretentiously idealistic, and the Sabbatexactly the same. Setitesprefer obarter their secrets

to both sides, but reserve their truly significant finds for the clan’s exclusive us

VAMPIRET: HEMASQUERADE1

92 ~
I

Appearance: Most elder Setites are of Egyptian, North Afri- ~TFRFOTYPFS
can or Middle Eastern blood. However, the Snakes have adopted
a more egalitarian approach in recent years, and have Embraced Assamite: It seems that our brothers have forgotten all
men and women of all ethnicities. Red hair is considered a mark of their teachings at the merest taste of a drop of vitae. And what
Set’sfavor, and some neonates are not above hennaing their hair
nightly to prove their devotion. Setites usually have impeccable .implications this has.. .

ing demeanor that transfixes onlookers. Brujah: They have forgotten more lessons than they’ve
Haven: Although many younger Setitesaren’t ab0 learned. Once worth a touch of respect,now.. .nothing, really.

letting various snakes roam the interior of their lairs. Th Gangrel: Cunning in a savagesort of way, but lackingeven
the commonsenseof awild dog. They have nothingwe require,
are often decorated in ancient Egyptian fashion, but the
ject lesson in control.
vidualSetitemayadomhishavenwithGhanansculpture,Mor
rugs or Hopi kachinas -whatever suits hls tastes or background. although they balance such
theirsearchforenlightenment.
ers of Set prior to receiving the Embr
chose only those of Egyptiandescent a: Childrenoftl
to include those from all ethnicities md new-weaneci on stolen vitae.Only the eldest
select childer who prove themselv
resilient-the former to bett idea ot exactly what power they evoke.
the latter so that the childe c
the Followers. The Setites rous. They are the keepers of truths
anything less cannot

alsosubtractonefromalldice SIlike us and spread slander against us,
ights,magnesiumflares,etc.). that we are elder and of greater birth
hide a while yet, and their rule will stoppersecut-
ing us soon enough.

Caitiff: Like the others, save more easily led. Their thin
d betrays the Cainites’ essential weakness.

Camarilla: For all its skill at crafting Masquerades, it
see through its own veils.
frightful mask does not a monster make. It
tim easier to spot.

Communally, though, Serpents usually organlze themselves mto or, arid leam Potence in lieu c
templeswhere they can exchange lore and practice their rites. Thelr of Ecstasy glorifies the pleasuresof th
hierarchytendstobe organlzedby age,with the eldestandwlsestamong
flesh offered by the Serpent itself; such vampires seek to mastc
them officiating. Rumor has it that somewhere m Afr~caexists the PresenceaboveallotherDlsciplines.Fmally,the Serpentsof the LigE
GrandTempleof Set,the dwellingplaceof the clan’sDarkHierophant. are a spllnterbloodline that nests amongthe Sabbat. These Camitc
differfromother Setitesonly ln outlook,but practice a code ofconduc
Th~MethuselahssaidtobethemostpowerfulofSet’spersonalchilder that the rest of the clan considersheresypunlshable by Final Deatl
and the first vampire Embraced into the clan; if rumor IS correct,hB
knowledgehas no equal, and his authority over the clan is absolute. Quote: Pkase. I’d rhoughtyou&e such abysmalJudeo-Chnstia
fallacies. “Theserpent isnot to he mted.” “Knowkdgeis the source ofa
Bloodlines: TheSerpentshave severalo&hcmtbloodlines, most
ofwhichdenvefromalternatelnterpretationsofthedarkfaithofSet. ed.”Whydoyoudunkparents instillsuchbeliefsintheachildren-or&
The Path of the Wamor IS one of the most dramatic:these stalkers yoursirerearedyoumlikefashion?Whyevouldthey balkatsharingwisdom
Ah.YGUbegintou&st. Wouldyouliketositand*evihmem

CHAPILRTWOC: LANSAND SECTS

93



averting the genocide they surely would have otherwise met. me nervous.
Brujah: So much noise, and yet so little signal.
Takingadvantageof other vampires’lackof involvementwith Followers of Set: Although theyhail from the landsof
them, the Giovanni quietlycontinued to amasswealth and power,
practicingtheirDiscipline ofNecromancyallthe while. Few believe the dead, there is little we can glean from them wlthout
the clan is engaging in either practice for altruistic purposes, and tainting ourselves in the process.
recent global movements by the Giovanni have many Kindred
worried. With all that money and all those harvested souls, some- Gangrel: Ultimately forgettable;we rarely crosspaths.
thing is on the horizon; it is an ill wind that blows out of Venice.

Members of the Giovanni clan are also members of the

accouterments of
Giovanni invo

Backgrounds are greatly prized. Almost all Giovanni possess a Necromancy. The Giovanni Antediluvian, Augustus G i o v m
comfortable level of Resources, and many claim Retainers,
Contacts and Influence. reportedly still maintainsdirect controlover the clan, though nor

Clan Disciplines: Dominate, Necromancy, Potence outside the clan 1s known to have seen him in the past 400 years

Bloodlines: The Giovanni donot have antitibu -they ai
Weaknesses: The Giovanni Kiss all loyal to the family as a whole, not
pain member

in mortalswho receive it. In fact, the bite of a Giovanni vampire However, the clan has brought Severalother families into
fold. These include the Pisanoh (Central and southA~~~~~~
often kills its mortal victim from shock before the poor soul has witches), the Dunsim(Scottish bankers whopractice canniba

a chance to die from blood loss. The Necromancers do twice as

muchdamageas any other vampire to (and Only the Milliners (a prominent New England family datin
backto theturnof the2othcentury)and ahostofminor familie
who suffer their Kiss. Thus, if the Giovanni in question took one
blood point from a mortal vessel, that vessel would suffer two Not all Giovami are G~~~ ~ ~

health levels of damage. As such, Giovanni vampires are quite Quote: Corn& takingadifjerenttone withme. Youare, aftc
all, worth as much to the Giovanni &ad as you are undead.
likely to feed from already dead corpses or from resources like
hospital blood reserves.

Two:CLANSAND S m

95

e-

If ever a clan was renowned for a wi
senseof humor, the Ravnoswould be that clan. These
Cainitesaredeceivers of the first order,weaving
illusionand liesinto elaborateschemesto part
the foolish from whatever it is the Ravnos
might fancy -be it wealth, blood or even
their victims’freedom. Like Mephistopheles
or Old Scratch, the Ravnos ply their devil
deals with whomever they choose, be it
human or Kindred, and woe to those who
wind up unable to pay the hidden costs.

Although many Ravnos see themselves
as great tricksters, the generally benevolent
tricks of Coyote and Raven arekt so much
theirstyle. Instead, they draw on a tradition
of illusion and deceit mherited from the

rakshasas and && of the Middle and Far

QEast. A Ravnos is a highly dangerous being

with whom to suporbargain. And these devilshave
beenmakingtheirwagersandbargainsfor a longtime indeed.

The Ravnos are nomadic to the core and care little for
permanent havens or positions in a city’s established power struc-
ture. Even those who have chosen a given city for their home tend
to establish and abandon havens as the mood strikes them, taking
whatever lairs they like, doing as they please, and moving on when
bored. This habit infuriatesprinces across the world, who resent the
Ravnos’ disregard for the Tradition of Hospitality. Few punish
violators,though, for fear drawing the malice of the clan as a whole.

Although the clan has long-standing ties with the Gypsies,
few Ravnos enjoy the hospitality of their mortal kin. Perhaps the
Gypsies know these vampires’true natures too well, and are loath to
offer friendship to the undying. Perhaps the Ravnos themselvesalien-
ate their mortal families through their dangerous tricks. Whatever the
reason, a Ravnos typicallyhas no allies he can rely on regularly. His charm
may win him a few temporary companions, and clan loyalty may draw fellow
Ravnos to his side in times ofdire need, but the vampire’spath ultimately lies alone.

Naturally,theprincesofmanycitiesareleeryofallowingsuchtrickstersfreereinintheir
domains. The Ravnos’ eccentric code of honor is strong, but rarely coincides with another

Kindred’sdefinitionof the term. A Ravnos may break her word at will, unless she’s spit in her palm
and shakenon the deal. She’lldefend her “good name” for all it’s worth -depending on what she
considersslander.And she’llusuallycometo the defenseof a clanmate,and vice versa; the Ravnosmay

take advantage ofone another,but theyconsider it theirprivilege.Outsiders aren’t allowed the same.
Per~~themostwo~meth~a~uttheRavnosis~t~ac~,they~edto~vef~~n~es

in Asia, where mast Kindred are quickly hunted down and devoured by the ruthless Gthayans.No other

‘isCainitesknow exactlyhow they managedthis-but now apossible reasonisemerging.Rumorsfilterbackto

Europe and the Americas of elder things awakening,of ancientvampiresshruggng off the earthof millennia

and throwing the Cauute courts into disorder. These elder Ravnas-if rumor speaks correctly -have

VMPIRE: THEMASQUERADE
%

demonstrated temfylngmysticalpowers, includinga talent for illusions STFRFOTYPFS
sopowehl they canaffectthe physicalworld. Timecanonly tellwhat
Assamite: They’ve become even worse g h l s than ever
paa the reemergenceof these “demonlungs”will play in the Jyhad. before.Theonlyg d t h l n g aboutthemisthatnow theotherclam
hate and f a r them so much that you can easily get plenty of cold
Nickname: Deceivers bodies between yourself and one of these devourers.

Sect: TheRavnosgowhere theywillanddealwithwhomever Brujah: Go ahead and let them rattle their cages. If they
bend the bars, we’ll follow them out -and if the zookeeper
theywill, and sectsbe damned.The elders of the clan, particularly shows up, they’re the first to go.
those centered in India, scoff at the Camarilla and Sabbat as
Followers of Set: What is everyone so afraid of?Even a
temporarysocialclubs at best, hollow institutionswhere paranoid
1isn’tsobad if youread the fineprint. Snakes
vampirescan gather ~nIuImbers and reassure themselvesthat the nd I don’t have a soul to lose. Then again, if
are the apex of the foodchain. The younger ones simp1 the same as me, I wouldn’t have “preferred
tus. So let ’em cringe.
idea of giving any outsider even a fractionof authority r poor cousins, if that’s possible. They dig
Most Ravnos look at the Sabbat’spromises of freed
n the mud and drag their matted asses into
Camarilla’soffer of protection as nothing more th the Camarilla whistles ’em up. Lapdogs
for the trap, and politely (or not so politely) de
e feral, and who needs that kind of pet?
Appearance: Many younger Western Ra vanni: A family as much as a clan, same as us. Give
descent, usually of dark complexion, with darker h: e, and maybe they’ll do the same. If they don’t, pack
Slightlyrarer are thosewith Asian,AfricanorNordic1
rarer still are those without even a trace of Gypsy bb but these are some hard

The Easternhalfof is mostlyof Indianblow-, t buy lnto
members have Embrac 3t one bit.
ethnicities. Like the k4harpfor

d TO those

getting uncomfo :kets, a m y

Backgrouni afraid of my cousin’s ghost-fire than the clumsy

however, are fairly indiscriminatein sumg childer, and t rzimisce: There aresomerealimpurities in thesebitches’

7generationshaveseenRavnoskomallculturesandetk .I say Caine took ashineto a monstersometime ago,and
Those Ravnos neonates without Indian or Gyp!
typicallydemonstratedgreat facilityformidirectio zimisce are the result.
and mischief in life. The Devil has a sharp eye for Ventrue: Bow if you have to, scrape if you must, and slit
throats for the blood if you can.
Character Creation: RavnostypicallyhaveI 2aitiff:Likesuckers,thereseemstobeonebomeverymmute.
2amarilla: Everything we need, boxed up like a Christ-
3concepts,and their Demeanorscanchange as req resent.
the situation.They tend toward primarySocialAt jabbat: They claim to love their existence. Amazing,
as well as primary Talents. Many have high Rc how much their actions smack of self-loathing.
either in the form of ancestraltreasures or as accu
hoards of ill-gottenrare goods and objects of art. L1c clan structure has yet to see any real change, it may 1-
a matter of time before the Ancients’ will becomes manife
Clan Disciplines: Animalism, Chimerstry, Fortiti ough the younger Ravnos.
Bloodlines: The Ravnos are divided among family line
Weaknesses:TheRavnashaveindulgedintheirpartici mimicking the family lineages of their Gypsy kin. Among the
so long that they have become addicted to familiesare the P h i h e , who often focuson Ampex rather tha
weakness for some form of mckery, deceit Fortitude;the Urmen, Who claim their blood is more eldritch
gambling, lying, theft, blackmail or mastandfocusprimarilyonChimerstry;andthe
When the opportunity to indulgepresentsitself,a Ravnos must make who are said to mantain black Pacts with the deadly CathaYm.
a Self-controlroll (difficulty6) or succumb to her compulsion. Quote: If it’d been me stealingthe sun, I wouldn’t have give

Organization: Most Ravnos trust nobody, not even their it to the h n m t~o them~ ~ nI ’nd h. ~ d r o w n e d i t i nthe aced
own clanmates, but work together when necessaryto bilk, rob or
topple an outsider enemy.They often make grandiosepledges of and started hying the kine’s Souls by selling them fire.
family loyalty to one another, although neither party expects
very much to come of the vows.

The recently awakenedclan elders,however, are beginning
to contact Ravnos on all continents. Although the typicidly

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