Sects, Lies and Vitae-O-Taste
Over the years a number of various bloodlines have crept into the Vampire: The Masquerade mix like some sort of "Monster Manual" additions or something. Having tried to pass that particular way station and continue onward, a number of changes have revealed themselves as virtually self-evident to the Krewe of Richmond and the builders of the H-R Paradigm. If you don't like the ideas we espouse, then by all means use your own or the official, canon, versions. If, however, you see something that enhances your group's enjoyment of the game, then please consider adoption of our suggestions for your personal use only.
Sect vs Bloodline
The bloodlines are for the most part so similar to the potential function of suspected or evident branches of the normal thirteen clans that I have begun to search for roles that they could fulfill as sects within those clans rather than as specifically rules-different bloodlines. What difference does this make to you? Well, a bloodline in our games spends out-of-clan experience points for out of clan disciplines, but still has potential to learn a non-core discipline set. A sect is a body that follows a teacher or leader or shares a set of tenets. A clan designation is one of the 14 (including caitiff) rules designations within Vampire: The Masquerade, descending from one of the 13 members of the 3rd generation to successfully propagate widespread or from a bizarre circumstance that prevents pure breeding in a vampire sense.
A sect is a belief/socio-political structure that may suggest certain access to additional teachings or resources, but which does not over-ride the mystical properties of inheritance due to the Blood. Being Catholic does not mandate certain overarching magical powers, but being a member of the Anglo-Saxon race does suggest certain physical characteristics. Similarly being of the Camarilla does not mandate particular abilities, but being a native of France does suggest the speaking of French as being likely and being a Tzimisce does mean a natural talent for Vicissitude exists as potential at least.
As one additional note, many of these sects are entirely theoretical in our own campaigns. By this I mean that most of them have never actually had "on-camera" appearance, and thus have not factored in any of our stories or chronicles. Thus many of these concepts are merely ideas of how they would appear if they ever should do so.
The Baali
Baali as presented officially are by nature infernalists. Their disciplines include Presence and Obfuscate, making them 2/3rds similar to Setites already. As the Followers of Set are following an "evil god" who has alliances with an infernal face of the Wyrm known as Apophis, the Baali do not really have that much different about which to boast. In the H-R Paradigm, the Baali are a religious sect, not a clan or "bloodline". Baali are often Setites who have fallen to the worship of a power they see as greater even than their god Set, but there are also Brujah hailing from the dark times of Carthage, twisted Malkavians and fallen Assamites who belong to the cult. Certain members have experimented and know a discipline tied with demonic influences, however it is purchased at out-of-clan experience expense. The cult members remain Setite, Brujah, Assamite or Malkavian by blood, they simply act as horrific individuals furthering the diabolic plans of their dark masters. It is suspected by the Disciple, who remains loyal to Set, that the infernal branch of the Setite line is descended mostly from the treacherous Methuselah, Ahmet. Whichever Setite came to be called Baal was apparently a 4th generation kindred destroyed in his attempt to war upon the 2nd City. Ahmet may have embraced the worship of Apophis secretly in order to survive his sire, Set, and accepted the remnants of the Baali sect into his service.
The Samedi and the Harbingers of Skulls
Okay, I relent. Chris and I have redone this section a bit. The Harbingers of Skulls and the Samedi are both remnants of the Cappadocians, left from the attempts by the Giovanni to destroy their founder and elders. The Harbingers and Samedi, however, have sought refuge within the ranks of the dead. The Harbingers originally fled into the Shadowlands, but have returned, driven to the material realm again by the onslaught of the Maelstrom. It is presumed that their long stay in the realm created their monstrous appearance, and is unknown whether their embrace would create true Cappadocian blood or whether they can even embrace anymore at all. It does seem odd that they have not chosen to do so given their recent moves for power within the Sabbat. In modern times, the Cappadocian remnants possess Auspex, Fortitude and Necromancy, though they specialize in the Mortis path.
The Samedi descend from Lazarus, through an individual who has styled himself The Baron. The Baron chose not to flee into the Shadowlands. Instead he forged a relationship with the African loa that would come to be called Baron Samedi. The power gained from this kept him alive during the Giovanni purge, though it has arguably made him the favorite horse for an ancient being and deprived him of much of his free will. The Baron remains able to sire, as he has proved. Outsiders are not sure if the child is actually already twisted by the embrace, though, or if the face of death is impressed upon them during the first loa possession by Samedi. Samedi vampires still possess the Auspex, Fortitude, Necromancy as in-clan disciplines, but they continue to learn other, out-of-clan powers, including Obfuscation and Thanatosis.
Another theory about the further twisting of the Cappadocian remnants is told in whispers by some ancient Nosferatu. They claim that one of their kind once belonged to something called the Order of Bitter Ashes and had drunk of the Holy Grail. More incredibly they say that Lazarus grew interested in the Grail and, unable to find it, struck upon a different plan. Managing to capture a member of the Order of Bitter Ashes, he thought to grow closer to the divine through the principle of Transubstantiation. Apparently, something went wrong and the Lazarene attempt to eat of the blood of Christ twisted him and corrupted his body and blood. Every subsequent child of his has been similarly corrupted. Whether true or not, it is an interesting theory.
The Ahrimanes
This Gangrel sect was destroyed in the last few years. Political difference not only does not guarantee survival, it often ends that state by encouraging opponents to attack.
The Kiasyd
The faerie-kind generally avoid vampires or perish beneath their fang. The only clan to show any mystical tolerance in this arena has been the Ravnos. Their inclination towards illusion and glamour has led to the attempted embrace of a few fair folk. It is said that a Sidhe of the great House Daoine has survived the newest fall and that his dreams have not fallen to the hungry Antediluvian. Supposedly this ancient already walked in the night and drank blood even before the embrace, and the embrace merely denied it return to the Dreaming. There are so few Ravnos left that it is unlikely that there is much membership, but the Kiasyd would seem to be a tiny little European sect of Ravnos, following a path different from the plans of their Antediluvian.
The Daughters of Cacophony
To be continued, but basically these kindred are Toreador who collect music as art.
Copyright © Conrad Hubbard
