THE OTHER VAMPIRE CLANS
According to the ancient myths, Caine's grandchilder, the Antediluvians, numbered 13. Each of these Antediluvians, the stories continue, founded a great clan of vampiric descendants, all of whom bore the gifts - and the stigmata - of their progenitors.
Eons and lies have shrouded the truth of this story, but there can be no denying that 13 clans of Kindred walk the Earth. These clans bestow distinguishing benefices and taints upon vampires Embraced into them; thus the Nosferatu are infamous for their hideousness, for example, while the Brujah are notorious for their violent tempers.
Clans act as combination families, social cliques and schools. For example, the violent Brujah disciplines its childer to become inhumanly strong, fast and fearsome, while the sorcerous Tremere instructs its disciples in the ways of ESP, mind control and magic. Some clans are insular and tightly knit, with definite social structures and worldwide agendas; others are loose and anarchic, united by little save their common blood.
There are many clans besides the ones described on the previous page. These clans do not claim membership in the Camarilla, though individual members of any such lines may do so. Some clans are members of the Sabbat, while others are truly independent of any sect. These independent clans include the feared Assamite assassins, the loathsome followers of Set, the mercenary Goivanni family and the rakish Ravnos.
THE SABBAT CLANS AND BLOODLINES
Two clans stand in open rebellion to the Masquerade. Supported by renegade antitribu from the Camarilla clans, they are collectively known as the
Sabbat. They seek freedom from the rules of the Camarilla, and they strive to reduce mankind to the status of cattle.
The centuries long-war between these two sects has escalated -- perhaps beyond control. The anthem of the Sabbat is total Kindred freedom. It is this philosophy that makes them deadly guerrilla warriors
and a shockingly disorganized sect.
One Sabbat pack is seldom aware of the agenda of another. Unlike the Camarilla kindred, they are not bound to the whims of a single sire. Sabbat vampires undergo blood rites that make them fiercely loyal to their sect. Sometimes this rabid devotion is all that keeps them together.
The Sabbat is composed of 16 clans/bloodlines. They are the Antitribu (or anti-tribe), of every Camarilla clan (with the exception of the Giovanni). They consist of parallels to the primary Camarilla clans. In addition to these Antitribu, there are also two other clans that are very rarely found outside the Sabbat: the Lasombra and the Tzimisce, as well as other lesser Bloodlines (the Ahrimanes, Kiasyd and Blood Brother and the Panders - a unifed group of Caitiff).
The clans of the sabbat are many, and they hold many secrets. Some of these are listed below:
ASSAMITE ANTITRIBU are not subject to the normal clan weakness and can drink other Kindred's blood with impunity. They are not bound in any way to their former clan. The Black Hand is growing stronger, and since most Sabbat Assamites are created to go into the Hand service, they are privy to many secrets that even the the Sabbat clergy may not know.
Assamite Antitribu can easily become addicted to the blood of other vampires.
BRUJAH ANTITRIBU blend in well with other non-Sabbat Brujah and are very persuasive. They can be extremely subtle recruiters, their genuine natures leading others to believe they are correct in opinion and philosophy. They frenzy extremely easily, and they enjoy it. Generally very nice people until you make them angry.
GANGREL ANTITRIBU are trustworthy and enjoy many privileges within the sect because of their devotion and sound instincts. Most are quite fearless, but they are rarely reckless. When missions of necessity are planned, Gangrel are often some of the first to volunteer and the most likely to return.
After a while though, these Gangrel start to look like the animals they become. Each time they frenzy, their Beast Traits grow more pronounced. This makes it hard Gangrel Antitribu to pass as anything other than what they are.
THE LASOMBRA- Masters of shadow and leaders of the Sabbat, the Lasombra are subtle manipulators that can control the stuff of night itself. Their powers over shadow make them feared, and their success in destroying their clan founder had given them the respect of the clans. There are dark rumours to the Lasombra, however. Organized infernalism in the clan is one of many dark suspicions, and no one knows which Lasombra might be one of the infernal Angelus Ater. The few Lasombra who have joined the Camarilla are considered Antitribu, but maintain strong loyalties to the old precepts of the clan and its long dead founder. Lasombras are the Kindred that lack a reflection. Mirrors, black & white photography (and video) and reflective surfaces show no trace of a Lasombra. In addition, due to their taste for the shadows, sunlight is more harmful to them than other Kindred.
MALKAVIAN ANTITRIBU are genuinely chaotic. They function primarily on the Traits dictated by their derangement's, and they are not bound by the stereotypes and quirks of other clans. They are genuinely chaotic. They are by and large not well trusted because of their unstable natures and are always watched closely by their packs.
NOSFERATU ANTITRIBU are potent information-gatherers, managing to gain access to just about everything. Their cordial ties with their Camirilla counterparts allows them more freedom than other Sabbat experience with regard to travel behind enemy lines. The Nosferatu are hideously ugly.
PANDERS are the Sabbat Caitiff. They were Clanless until a man named Joseph Pander came along in 1952 and gathered the stray vampires under his wing. Pander himself now holds the rank of priscus, which is probaly part of the reason those calling themselves panders are able to function as a clan as well as a political faction within the sect. Whatever their sire taught them. Panders have very few guidelines and therefore pocesses certain freedoms other vampires within the Sabbat do not. Most of their advantages fall into play during character creation. Also, because they are a relativly new clan, each character has a significant say in what the furture of the clan will be like.
RAVNOS ANTITRIBU function well in teams, with some members working as a distractions while their packmates commit crimes. They work hard to find ways to gain freedom by seeming harmless. Unfortunalty, most Kindred in positions of power know the truth: Ravnos Antitribu are far from harmless. They are crafty and devious, and the Sabbat needs them that way.
SERPENTS OF THE LIGHT-The Anti clan of the Setites. Hated by almost all Kindred. At least those that know of their existence. This clan shows a hatred of their original clan that rivals all else. Dedicated to the destruction of all antediluvians, including Set himself, The Serpents of the Light are practically religious in their devotion to the Sabbat cause.
TOREADOR ANTITRIBU-This clan is widely liked within the Sabbat. No one really sees the Toreador as a threat, and they have proven themselves over and over again. They are easily distracted. They are not reliable as their leaders would wish, and they tend to wander off if not constantly brought back to the subject at hand. In addition, Toreador Antitribu prefer forms of artistic expression that can be considered distasteful or even demented. Works of art produced by these vampires tend to dark excess.
TZIMISCE-The Old Clan Tzimisce are your Bela Lugosi types. The kind of Kindred that lives in Carpathian castles and descend from Eastern European nobility. They tend to be Independents, and care not for politics. The younger members, though, are drastically different. The Tzimisce of today are frightening creatures, their power to meld flesh like clay being fearsome and intriguing. Many are cunning, and all are exacting. All Tzimisce are tied to their homelands, needing to keep it with them if they are to sleep peacefully (Yes, Dracula himself will be a Tzimisce). Without it, they waste away, becoming weaker and weaker until either they are returned home, or at least two handfuls of their native soil is brought to them.
VENTRUE ANTITRIBU involve themselves with the Loyalist movement of the Sabbat, which preaches individual freedom over everything except sect loyalty. Of course, the best way to be loyal to the sect is to do whatever the hell you want. These vampires tend to disobey orders more than other clans and challenge ideas and tactics that others put forth. Sabbat Ventrue have the same weakness as their former clan. They are very picky eaters; only one kind of blood will do. Everything else is just, well...just not up to their individual needs. In addition, the rest of the Sabbat distrusts these renegade Ventrue, and as such Ventrue Antitribu must constantly prove themselves to their peers.
AHRIMANES-This fierce and independent all-female bloodline sprouted from the Sabbat Gangrel. A vampire called Muricia, exhausted from the infighting between the country and city factions of Gangrel Antitribu, abandoned her sire and ran south into the lands of the Native Americans. She studied the magic of the native shamans and found within it the ability to break her Blood Bound with her pack. The richness of the spiritual culture gave her many gifts, and she wanted to share them; thus she founded a bloodline of like-minded vampires. Today, only a handful of Ahrimanes exist. They all keep large estates in the Deep South as well as secret underground havens, and they keep out of Sabbat politics as much as possible. Though they live alone, they contact their pack sisters at least once a month.
BLOOD BROTHERS-Conceived in crumbling Old World castle by the newly vanished Tremere Antitribu and a few twisted Tzimisce sorcerers, the Blood Brothers are an artificially engineered bloodline of shocktroops and servitors. The Blood Brothers are the dubiously succesful result of the extensive experiments in blood bonding, intended to create a cell of servants that thought and acted as one. Barring a few scars here and there, Blood Brothers look exactly like other members of their circle. Blood Brothers may not embrace - they must be created via Thaumaturgy or sorecrous rituals.
TREMERE ANTITRIBU-The Tremere antitribu grew from a small group of Tremere that managed to break their clan ties for the freedom of the Sabbat in the 1700s. During this period, revolution shook the colonies, and vampires of the New World were in the middle of the action. The Camarilla's power slipped during this period and the defecting Tremere believed their sect would fall before the Sabbat. For their own safety, these Tremere turned traitor and defected to the Sabbat. They provided clan secrets and Thaumaturgic knowledge to the Sabbat.
The Camarilla Tremere made every effort to hunt down these traitors, but many managed to find safety in the Sabbat despite Tzimisce opposition. The Tremere has since developed a curse on these rogue Tremere that allows them to be instantly recognized as traitors. The curse takes the form of a special symbol appearing upon the forehead of the Tremere antitribu; only the Camarilla Tremere can see this mark.
The Tremere antitribu is the smallest clan within the Sabbat. Since the Camarilla Tremere are such bitter foes the Sabbat, the Tremere antitribu is the clan with the most to prove. However, the Sabbat leaders recognize the importance of having wizards on their side. The Tremere antitribu are given a status unlike the members of other clans. They are respected and trusted, but they are resigned to achieving only the lower positions of leadership.
INDEPENDANTS AND OTHER CLANS AND BLOODLINES
The assamites originated in the Middle East. This clan is composed primarily of assassins and scholars. They are a very tight-knit clan, independent of the sects. Assamite Vampires are the killers in the night, and none more so than the Assamites, slayers of both Kindred and kine. Called in regularly by the world's Justicars as Archons and by princes as assassins, no clan is more feared by the Kindred. Secretive and taciturn, Assamites will travel anywhere in search of their targets, accepting as payment the blood of their employers. Assamites have gained a fearsome reputation as assassins of remarkable skill. Assamites are closely bound and extremely supportive of one another; many Kindred fear the retribution of their clan. Because of this few Assamites are ever challenged outside of a contract. Additionally Assamites have a special way of lowering their generation, as detailed above. Assamites have two blood-related disadvantages. The first is the clan requirement that all its members give a 10 percent blood tithe to their sires. The second is that they are unable to imbibe the blood of other Kindred, and if it is forced into them it acts as a toxin.
GIOVANNI-No other clan is more intent on maintaining the front of respectability than the Giovanni, and none is more repulsive at heart. Giovanni vampires are rich merchants, speculators and investors. They spend most of their nights manipulating vast assets from skyscraper offices, and the rest in crypts and mausoleums performing necromatic rites. Every member of this clan is also a member of the Giovanni family. By long-standing tradition, only embrace those of their own mortal lineage, and most of their retainers and ghouls are also of the family. As children, three members of each generation are chosen to be embraced when they are ready and are carefully raised in order to prepare them for their destiny. Others in the family may be embraced later in their lives, as a reward for extraordinary service. Because all Giovanni are related in blood (in both senses), they are extremely loyal to one another, and betrayal by one of them is unthinkable. The Giovanni hold considerable sway over mortal affairs, especially finances.
THE FOLLOWERS OF SET(Or Setites)- A clan of religious fanatics devoted to the worship of the dark Egyptian God, whom is believed to be their clan founder, the Setites traffic in drugs, sex, and crime. Whatever you desire, a Setite would probably be happy to give it to you... for a favour or two. The Setites act by their own rules and ethics, which are far from morally sound to the average human. Setites, like the Lasombra, are more vulnerable to sunlight than other kindred, but take twice as much damage from it. Bright lights are known to bother Setites, and red hair is considered a "Mark of Set".
RAVNOS-Gypsies, vagabonds, scoundrels... all fit the Ravnos. Masters of illusion and sleight of hand, Ravnos are known to be thieves of all sorts. Indeed, it runs in their blood. Most of this clan come from Gypsy stock, but a few are from other races. These Georgio Ravnos are looked down upon by much of the clan's pureblooded members.
The Cappodocians- The Gravediggers tap onto the dark half of existence by communicating and controlling the aspects of the dead along with the spirits of the dead. They are the mortuary, the morgue, the businessmen, and sometimes, the simple family next door. Most Cappodocians are embraced from the same mortal social class, but other classes have been inducted into the folds to expand the clan and their knowledge. Recently, the Cappodocians have Embraced a powerful necromantic Italian Family, the Giovanni. Ruthless to the end, the Giovanni's bite does twice as much harm to a mortal that they feed from than is usually caused by vampiric feeding.
The Ahrimanes- More of a collection than their own bloodline, these female Gangrel have traded their previous clan for this new group. Through a complex ritual with Native American roots, the Ahrimanes are able to tap into the spirits of the land. They are solitary and territorial, but those who remain with the Sabbat are among some of the fiercest warriors to be found. They cannot embrace their own childer, but also no longer gain animal features as Gangrel do.
BAALI- To most kindred, simply saying their name is enough to cause fear. Baali are infernalists, one and all. Their origins sweep back clear before Mesopotamia and are still a force to be feared today. While many view themselves as servants to devils, the older ones know the truth behind the devils, and how to tap their power without bartering their souls. Religious symbols repel the Baali as if True Faith were backing them, and the powers of True Faith are twice as potent against a Baali.
The Children of Osiris- Potent enemies of the Followers of Set, the Children of Osiris are being systematically exterminated by the Setites. Those who remain spread their teachings secretly to followers of other clans, helping them regain their precious humanity, as well as strike back against the evil Setites.
The Gargoyles- Creations of the Tremere, the winged gargoyles are powerful defenders and loyal warriors. The Tremere control them rigidly, but a few escaped during the Gargoyle Revolt. These Free Gargoyles (some Independents, others Gargoyle Antitribu) fight for their own free will and the right to thought and freedom from the Tremere. Those still loyal to the Tremere live hard unlives. The are commonly treated no better than dogs, and few are with enough of a mind to think at a level much higher than one.
SALUBRI- Once a respected clan of healers, the Salubri were all but wiped from the face of the planet by the Tremere in their conquest for power. Only 8 Salubri exist at one time, and they stay well hidden to avoid their destruction. Their powers are like miracles, able to heal the sick, both of body and mind. They all seek the state of Golconda, a blessed state of being where a vampire no longer lives in fear of their beast. When they complete their quest, they find a protégé and train him/her to what must be done. When the training is complete, they pass on their lifeblood to their childe. This habit has kept the Salubri numbers down, as has their weakness of only being able to drink blood from a willing (or unaware) victim. For a Salubri to force someone to be fed from harms the drinker as much as it would heal.
The True Brujah- The childer of Brujah, not Troile. Protected primarily by the True Hand, the True Brujah are masters of time, able to dilate or contract it. They are cold-hearted scholars and have a difficult time establishing Blood Bonds. Like the Nagaraja, I rarely use them, and their secrets are a mystery to all.
Caitiff are not truly a bloodline. They are the Kindred without a clan to call their own, and are shunned by most other vampires. The few that do accept them are usually little better themselves.
THE SAMEDI bloodline may be an offshoot of the Nosferatu, or possibly a branch of the Giovanni, but neither will take the credit (or the blame?) for these Kindred. The Samedi bloodline has only been around for a few hundred years, and very few of these Kindred have come to the United States. Easily identified by the shreds of rotting flesh constantly falling from their bodies, the Samedi are often confused with zombies by those unfamiliar with them. This bloodline claims no allegiances, but is known to have members in both the Sabbat and the Camarilla. Those who have done battle with the Samedi seldom forget the experience, for the bloodline has the power to rob Kindred of their immortality - at least temporarily. Like the Nosferatu, the Samedi are hideous to look upon and suffer on all social challenges. Even in the lightest winds, the stench of decay wafts form these Kindred, and the rotted texture of the Samedi's skin is enough to turn even the strongest stomachs. When their true visage is apparent, Samedi are unable to win any social challenges unrelated to intimidation.
THE DAUGHTERS OF CACOPHONY are a distinctly modern phenomenon despite their Classical name. No Kindred claims to have heard of them before the 1700s, and had they existed, vampires feel sure they would have known. The Daughters are such masters of song that most Kindred believe them to be an offshoot of the Toreador, though those who have been on the receiving end of their powers think the Malkavians had more influence. Like the Toreador, the Daughters have a vast network of contacts in the mortal world which serve as a Herd. Every Daughter is allowed one free feeding each night, though the herd must be physically accessible in order for the Character to use this advantage. The Daughters of Cacophony are so caught up in their music that they hear constantly.
OLD CLAN TZIMISCE-Ancient beyond most Kindred standards, those Tzimisce that never embraced the Vicissitude Discipline are known as the "Old Clan." While similar to their modern Sabbat counterparts in their inhuman natures and macabre tastes, they carry a seething hatred for their Vicissitude-using childer, whom they consider to be traitors of their blood. Most of these rare vampires still maintain large estates and castles that they have lorded over for centuries. Nearly alll are unliving antiquities, often dressing and speaking in fashions outdated for centuries. The Old Clan Tzimisce are for the most part solitary, vicious indepentdants who do not acknowledge the sovereignty of either the Camarilla or the Sabbat. They rarely recive visitors to their doamians, but those who have gained admittance speak in awe of the storehouses of knowledge to be found. Old Clan Tzimisce show innate magical aptitude, such that if taught Thamaturgy they are not required to pay one extra experience point normally required for all out-of-clan Disciplines. Something deep inside the Old Clan craves stability and permanence. The Fiends share a special connection to the land they claimed as their own in life. When they slumber, these ancient Kindred must surround themselves with at least two handfuls of earth from a land important to them in life. Failure to do so results in a fitful day's rest, and no Willpower or Attributes Traits are regained from sleep.
LASOMBRA ANTITRIBU-These renegade Kindred have nearly been hunted to extinction by their Sabbat brethren. Many are relics of the Middle Ages who refused to join the Sabbat after the fall of their Antediluvian founder. While similar in many aspects to their Sabbat counterparts, Lasombra Antitribu are cunning and ruthless survivors who will stop at nothing to ensure their continued existence. Be it piracy on the high seas or controlling the stock market, they are masters of adapting to a situation to serve their needs. A few are members of the Camarilla, but most are independents who serve their own interests. Lasombra Antitribu are masters of manipulators and businessmen. Because of this, they automatically gain one additional Bureaucracy or Finance Influence Trait. In addition to the standard Lasombra disadvantage regarding mirrors, Lasombra Antitribu are distrusted within the Camarilla, and have the permanent Negative Trait of Untrustworthy as a result. In addition, the Lasombra Antitribu, be they Camarilla or Independent, are constantly hunted without remorse by the Lasombra of the Sabbat.
HARBRINGERS OF SKULLS-Who are they? Where did they come from?
These are two of the most often asked question asked in response to the mention of this rare bloodline. Just recently surfaced and joined the Sabbat, The Harbringers of Skulls are said to be out to right an ancient evil. Bent on revenge the Harbringers are an ancient bloodline. None in their number is less then the 8th generation, and none have embraced new childer.
KIASYD-In an attempt to discover more about their discipline, members of the Lasombra created the Kiasyd bloodline, which is a millennia older than than the Sabbat itself, by infusing themselves with what was supposedly fae blood. Kiasyd are all extremely tall, growing from six inches to two feet upon their embrace and taking on odd facial features. Their eyes are rounded and completely black, and their faces become thin and angular. The vampires must be locked up during their transformation period, which usually lasts two nights, because the madness that shakes them is potent. The pain also drives them into constant frenzy until the change is complete. The Kiasyd bloodline is not part of the Sabbat, nor is it associated with the Camarilla. Outside esoteric circles, the Kiasyd are rare and virtually unknown, and thus their freedom is great. They possess strange knowledge's such as Faerie lore and Wraith lore, and it has been rumored that they have been taught by ancient goblins to craft stone with their bare hands. Their unusual appearance keeps them form interacting with human society much. With a strong aversion to pure iron(steel and iron alloys do not qualify as such).
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