THE GENERATIONS _______________________________________________________________
A breif listing of the
power and influence of each generation. from Cain to the
very newest generations.
_______________________________________________________________
Caine
Tradition holds that
Caine, the Biblical slayer of his brother Abel, is the
Sire of all Kindred. There is much controversy over this
within the kindred community, as there are none still
existing who can claim with utter certainty to have met
Caine. Certainly,
those of the second generation would know, but they're
not talking. Some of the third generation who yet exist
claim to have me
t a being who may have been Caine, or simply a powerful
Kindred of the second generation.
It is an unresolved
question- a mystery of heritage.
Second Generation
The existing translations
of the Book of Nod place the number of second generation
Kindred at three. Caine in his sorrow
created them to live with him in his great city of Enoch.
Nothing is know of these three.
One can assume, based on
the Book of Nod, that they were slain either during the
Deluge or in the First War following the
Flood. As one might expect, all those of age are
reluctant to speak of their sires and great strife that
overcame them all.
Undoubtedly, some know more than they are revealing.
Were any of the second
generation still in existence today, they would be
powerful beings akin to demigods... perhaps.
Third Generation
It is believed that seven
members of the third generation exist, though the names
of only two, Lucian and Mehet, are widely
know. In common argot, they are referred to as the
Antediluvians, and they are the founders of the 13
vampire clans. All remain
hidden, lost in the workings of the Jyhad., the war that
has lasted nearly as long as recorded history. They
continue their struggle,
but now instead of openly warring on the battlefield,
they use subterfuge, guile and outright deceit. Their
primary activities seem
to be tracing the activities of each other and thwarting
whatever moves their opponents make.
These moves seem to range
from something as petty as the acquisition of a piece of
artwork or property, to grand schemes
involving nations. Those of the third Generation see
themselves as manipulators and dominators, split between
those who would
live within the mortal world and those who would live
without. It is unclear if this reflects the origins of
the Jyhad., or is just what
it has degenerated into. There are others suspicions,
based on the origins of the word Jyhad. Some among the
third generation
may indeed have reached Golconda and are attempting to
assist others of their kind attain this state. They must
war with the
others Ancients who do not wish this to come to pass.
Those of the third
generation are powerful beings, with abilities and powers
only guessed at by their lesser. Some say they are
the last generation to have true mastery over the powers
of life and death, and can only die the Final Death if
they choose
or are slain by one of equal power. Is this, perhaps, the
Jyhad.? A maneuvering to see who shall be the last of
their kind?
Fourth and Fifth
Generation
These vampires are know as
the Methuselahs, for they are nearly as powerful and
secretive as the Antediluvians. Those of
fourth and fifth generation are most often the pawns of
choice in the Jyhad., as they may have political power
among the other
Kindred. As a result, their numbers have dwindled
significantly with the actions of the Antediluvians. Few
of this generation
remains active, and many have become Inconnu out of fear
of the Jyhad. and diablerie. The Inner Circle of the
Camarilla is said
to be composed of members of the fourth generation. There
are even rumors that the true purpose of the Camarilla is
to blunt
the efforts of the third generation to manipulate the
younger generations.
Though the blood of Caine
begins to dilute somewhat at this distance, those of
fourth generation are still extremely powerful. It
can be assumed they have reached their maximum potential
in two or three Disciplines.
Sixth and Seventh and
Eigth Generation
Vampires of these
generations are powerful enough to think they can resist
the workings of their elders, and so remain deeply
involved in Kindred society. They control the Camarilla
(at least they think so), comprise the majority of the
princes, and are the
Primogen of many cities. Those that remain in positions
of visibility tend to be important figures: leaders of
clans or bloodlines, or
princes of great cities. Most of the princes of European
cities tend to be of the sixth generation. Princes of
American cities tend
to be of the seventh or eighth generations.
Members of these
generations have most commonly reached their maximum
potential in one or two Disciplines.
Interestingly, the members
of the eighth generation seem to be the last Kindred
viewed as "elders". Perhaps it is because the
majority of them were created before the modern age, and
that is evident in their manner and bearing.
Ninth and Tenth Generation
Though they are somethime called elders,
these Kindred often associate them selves with members of
younger generations.
Members of these generations are frequently called
ancillae, though of course this is based on age more than
generation. Most
were created in the modern era, and thus are somewhat
alien in temperment to the old Kindred. In more wayes
than one, they
bridge the gap between anarchs.
Eleventh, Twelfth,
Thirteenth and Higher Generations
The most recent
generations of kindred are often called neonates. Most
character will belong to these generations. They are
still
powerful creatures, but the special gifts of Caine's
blood are rarely found here with much power.Born within
recent memory, the
kindred of these generations are products of societies
that have recived the denifits of, and been victims of...
rapid change.
Thes kindred are the most rebellious yet malleable of
vampiric society.
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