Sabbat Clans

Assamites

Daughters of Cacophony

Followers of Set

Giovanni

Assamites Vampires are killers of the night, and none moreso than the Assamites, slayers of both Kindred and kine. No clan is feared more by the Kindred. They are best known for their skills as hired killers, hence their nickname "The Assassins." Assamites are secretive and tactiturn, and will travel anywhere in search of their targets, accepting as payment the blood of their employers. They do not accept every petition for aid, but if they accept a "contract," then they feel honorbound to carry out the exact word of the agreement. This clan was founded in the hinterlands of the Turkish mountains more than a millennium ago, and have always fiercely protected its privacy. The Assamites believe that the only way for vampires to reach heaven is to become closer to Caine. The only way to accomplish this is by Diablerie. During the late Middle Ages, the Assamites found it easy to hunt their prey. So many elders were killed, that the Camarilla declared a Blood Hunt against the entire Assamite clan. After seven years, Alamut, the clan's ancient fortress sanctuary, was close to being discovered. For the first time in the clan's history, the clan sued for peace, and negotiated a complicated treaty. In the treaty, the Assamites agreed never again to hunt other Kindred for their blood and, in return, the Blood Hunt against them was called off. The clan was forced to allow the Tremere Council of Seven to cast a great ritual upon all its members. This ritual made it impossible for Assamites to drink the blood of other Kindred.

While not Blood Bound or Dominated into following clan traditions, individual Assamites are usually fanatically loyal to the clan. Most Assamites are of Middle Eastern heritage. They have swarthy skin, aquiline features, and black hair. Additionally, Assamites become darker as the years pass by, instead of becoming paler like most other vampires. There skin will continue to darken until it reaches a dark ebony. Assamite elders live at Alamut, while neonates have private locations as their havens. Before Assamites will embrace, they generally watch the given human for a long time before allowing a member to initiate the subject. If permission is granted, the mortal must serve the sire-to-be for seven years. If she serves very well, then she is Embraced, else, she is killed. Afer the Embrace she is apprenticed for another seven years, during which she is introduced to the mysteries of the clan and taught the techniques of assassination. Through this whole ordeal, she is expected to remain fanatically loyal to the clan. The Clan Disciplines are Celerity, Obfuscate, and Quietus. Assamites are usually former soldiers, explorers, investigators, or criminals. Their Natures and Demeanors are usually similar, but almost never the same. Any Attributes may be primary, but Skills are usually the primary Abilities. Popular Backgrounds include Mentor (the sire), and Clan Prestige (to get plum contracts).

Daughters of Cacophony The Daughters area distinctly modern phenomena despite their Classical name. No Kindred claims to have heard of them before the 1700s, and if they had existed, vampires feel sure they would have known. They are believed to be an offshoot of the Toreador, and then some believe that the Malkavians had more influence. The Daughters of Cacophony are singers without peer, but their harmonies are not their main claims to fame. It is the damage their songs can do to the mind that causes their Kindred concern. This is why they are nicknamed the "Sirens." The Toreador are of two minds in their dealings with this bloodline. While they cannot deny that the Daughters have incredible skill in their chosen art, more than one Toreador has been permanently twisted by their harmonies.

The Daughters are a small bloodline, and Embrace only those who show "real" singing talent. Most of them create no more than one or two childer. The childer are taught for years by their sires before being released into the world. While the Daughters seem to abide by the Masquerade, they can be found in both the Camarilla and the Sabbat. The Daughters of Cacophony usually live in trendy apartments, lofts, and nightclubs. The Daughters of Cacophony most always have entertainer concepts. They split their Natures between Visionary and Praise-Seeker, though they may take any Demeanor. Social Attributes and Talent Abilities are always primary. They always have at least some Fame, but can have other Backgrounds. Many of the Daughters have developed the Baby Face Merit. Their Disciplines are Fortitude, Melpominee, and Presence. Their major weakness is that they have very low Perception ratings.

Followers of Set The Followers of Set, or Setites as they often call themselves, make up one of the most widely loathed clans in the world. The Camarilla decision to ask the Setites to join came only after a few weeks of divisive debate, and the fact that few Setites responded to the call was met with a wave of relief from the young sect. The Setites are the masters of moral and spiritual corruption. They seem to have an uncanny ability to find the weakness in any organization or individual, and the uncommon urge to exploit it. Drugs, sex, money, and power are their weapons of corruption, and they take great delight in using them against Kindred and Kine alike. They believe that no one is immune to the power of corruption. Their nickname is the "Sand-Snakes." The vast majority of the Followers of Set have very distinct Middle Eastern features; however, increasing numbers are taken from all races. Red hair is especially prized because it is considered a mark of Set. When seen in public, the Followers of Set are usually garbed in deepest ebony robes of ancient quasi-Egyptian style.

Ritual disfigurement is not uncommon, though it seems to vary from member to member. The Setites prefer to live in caverns or bunkers deep underground. Their havens are usually decorated with Egyptian hieroglyphics. The Followers of Set usually Embrace humans from their own Retainers. Most Setites have outsider concepts, but there's a small number of dilettantes, criminals, and politicians among them. They are often Curmudgeons or Deviants by Nature and will adopt whatever Demeanor is appropriate at the time. Social Attributes and Talents are primary. Most have Backgrounds of Retainers, Contacts, and Allies (through criminal organizations). Their Clan Disciplines are Obfuscate, Presence, and Serpentis. The Setites are extremely susceptible to sunlight. Clan Prestige is within the Followers of Set by enslaving others through their own weaknesses. The more followers a Setite has, the more respect she garners among her peers. Setites can also gain Prestige by corrupting people and Kindred in high positions.

Giovanni No other clan is more intent on maintaining a front of respectability than the Giovanni, and none is more repulsive at heart. Giovanni vampires are rich merchants, speculators, and investors who spend most of their nights manipulating their vast assets from skyscraper offices. They spend the rest of their nights in crypts and mausoleums carrying out their dark and morbid rites. The Giovanni are nicknamed the "Necromancers." Few outsiders have ever taken part in the clan's necromantic rituals, so the purpose of these is likewise a mystery. Instead, suspicions and innuendoes have taken the places of facts and truths. Every member of this clan is also a member of the Giovanni family. By longstanding tradition, Giovanni only Embrace those of their own family, and most of their Retainers and ghouls are also of the family.

The Giovanni are extremely loyal to each other, and betrayal of one of them is unthinkable. Clan Giovanni is one of the more rigidly controlled clans, and contact is constantly maintained between members of the clan. Giovanni generally dwell in mansions and condominiums in the finer parts of town; most also maintain at least one hideaway in a sewer or graveyard. Their most common Natures are Deviant and Architect, and they may assume any Demeanor. Mental Attributes and Knowledge Abilities are alwasy primary. They always have at least some Resources, but can have any other Backgrounds they desire. Most will have Retainers. Their Clan Disciplines are Dominate, Necromancy, and Potence. The easiest way to gain Clan Prestige among the Giovanni is by accumulating vast amounts of wealth. A more difficult way is by discovering new understandings of death, either through art or magic.

Lasombra Just as vampires are nobility among mortals, Lasombra are nobility among the Kindred. None can compare to the Lasombra. Each of the other clans can be seen to reflect but one aspect of their glory. The Lasombra have brought down the founder of the clan Lasombra. It has for some time been their duty and pleasure to observe those of their blood in hopes of finding some revelations of self-discovery, for both the clan as a whole and for themselves. The Lasombra are very picky as to who they Embrace. They tend to Embrace humans with "proven leadership qualities, a history of financial success, and a capacity for ruthelessness." Those who Embrace without the consult of sociologists prefer to say they look for grace, wit, and determination.

They prefer a sharp mind to dull strength, and ruthless persistence to a pretty face. Lasombra generally live in Laboratories or areas of the like. They are generally of the Cadiz and Barcelona areas, but have changed over the years. They usually pick professional concepts. Mental Attributes and Knowledge Abilities are primary. Most do have at least some Resource Background, but may choose others at will. Their Clan Disciplines are Dominate, Obtenebration, and Potence. The Lasombra's main weakness is that they cannot see their reflections in a mirror. Some say that their inability to cast reflections is caused by their association with shadows, a.k.a. their talent of Obtenebration. Some Giovanni think that their inability to have a reflection may be something spiritual. Lasombra usually dress according to their profession and concepts.

Ravnos The Ravnos clan, nicknamed the "Gypsies", shares many characteristics with the Gangrel, but there is no other clan with which it more differs. The Gangrel are loners, combative, honest, and forthright; the Ravnos love companionship, avoid direct physical confrontations, and are masters of lies and deceit. The most obvious similarity between the Ravnos and Gangrel is the nomadic lifestyle. Few Ravnos would ever consider staying in one city for an extended amount of time. The other prominent similarity between the Ravnos and Gangrel is both clan's connection with Gypsies. While Gangrel are widely accepted among the Gypies, the Ravnos are accepted only within their own family group (if they are of Gypsy bood). Most say that it's because of the Ravnos' compulsion to lie and steal from those around them, but some others say that the very auras of the Ravnos repulse the sensitive Gypsy mystics.

Theft and con games are the most common aspects of the Ravnos lifestyle. The constant traveling makes it harder for the Ravnos to be caught engaging in their favorite pastimes. Ravnos find no greater pleasure than taking advantage of other Kindred, and a vampire is advised to watch his wallet, gun, and pants while these Licks are around. The Ravnos move freely back and forth between cities controlled by the Camarilla and those controlled by the Sabbat. Those who attempt to prevent Ravnos from entering a city is given the "treatment"--large groups of the clan will enter the city and give it a thorough scouring. Few princes have the courage to rish such and do not prevent Ravnos from entering their city. Ravnos take their personal and clan honor very seriously, and it is one of their most prized possessions. However, the code of honor by which they live by is quite different from the rules most folks follow.

They don't place much pride in keeping their word unless they do a spit shake, with blood of course. They are honor-bound to avenge themselves if anyone besmirches their honor or "good name." They don't cheat or steal from others of the clan, but feel no guilt about stealing from outsiders. Friendship is valued highly, and they will always come to the aid of those whom they consider "brothers." Ravnos are almost always of Gypsy descent, and are often swarthy in complexion, with dark hair and black eyes. However, these traits are not universal. Ravnos have been known to Embrace gorgio (non-Gypsies). Ravnos generally sire few childer, and those that they do Embrace are generally the most promising members of their own families. Ravnos generally have drifter and outsider concepts. They usually have Jester-type Natures, but are willing to change their Demeanors at a moment's notice.

Social Abilities and Talents are generally primary, and they almost always have a number of family members as Retainers. Some also have high Resources in the form of gold and jewels they accumulated throught the years. Their Clan Disciplines are Animalism, Chimerstry, and Fortitude. There is no organization to this clan, for no Ravnos would trust another to keep his word. However, when two or more Ravnos meet somewhere, they will likely put on a show of great camaraderie, pledging each other their undying loyalty--a vow that is quickly forgotten. The best way to gain the respect of other Ravnos is to pull off wonderful cons, the tales of which are then retold for years to come. The more souvenirs a character can collect from his exploits, the better; it is considered bad taste to talk about oneself unless one has something to show (the idea is to talk about the object, not oneself).

Salubri This wildely hated bloodline has far more enemies than it deserves. Only seven of these Cainites exist at a time, for after a Salubri attains Golconda, she ends her existence and passes her blood to the individual she has chosen to take her place. Almost none survive for more than a few hundred years, for the Salubri consider vampiric existence to be agony. These vampires can usually pass as humans until someone notices that they possess a third eye, hence why they are nickname the "Cyclops." Other clans perceive Salubri as murderers and diabolists of the worst kind. Princes have been known to call a Blood Hunt at the merest suggestion that a Salubri might be in their domains; the Tremere are especially known to hate them.

When a Salubri sires, she takes great effort to teach her childe the ways of the lineage and how best to protect himself. She also prepares the neonate's path to Golconda, and then commits suicide by forcing the childe to drink her blood. Salubri believe the spirit of a vampire to be tortured, and to have no hope for peace unless Golconda is attained. The sole goal of the Salubri is to pass from this existence and thus be free. Once a Salubri reaches Golconda, he finds life easier in many ways. Golconda lets Kindred open themselves to Disciplines with ease. Instead of having to lower ones generation to learn Disciplines higher than five, a vampire in Golconda can learn new powers with but the expenditure of experience.

The Salubri only Embrace those who have proved themselves to be of the highest Humanity. Healers, holy men, women, and true philanthropists have all been chosen at one time or another. Salubri can have any concept, but it is exceptionally rare for them to come from a criminal or soldier concept. Almost all have a Caregiver Nature, but they can have any Demeanor. Mental Attributes and Mental Abilities are usually primary, but this is not always the case. All Salubri must take five dots in the Generation Background to represent their sires' sacrifice for them. Many have Herds of faithful followers. Their Clan Disciplines are Auspex, Fortitude, and Obeah. Whenever one of the Salubri takes blood from someone who resists the Kiss, the Salubri loses one Health Level for every Blood Point taken. It must be healed normally (with blood). There is no organization, but will do anything in their powers to help others of their line.

Samedi The Samedi bloodline may be an offshoot of the Nosferatu, or possibly a branch of the Giovanni. Neithe clan will take the credit (or the blame?) for these Kindred. The Samedi bloodline has only been around for a few hundred years. The line appeared in Italy and the Caribbean. Only a very few of these Kindred have come to the United States. The Samedi are easily identified by the shreds of rotting flesh constantly falling from their bodies, and are often confused for zombies by those unfamiliar with them, hence their nickname of "Stiffs or Zombies." Those who have battled with the Samedi never forget the experience, for the Samedi have the power to rob other Kindred of their immortality--at least temporarily. The Samedi are generally seen as too disgusting to be allowed to survive; only the fact that they can be powerful allies has kept the bloodline from meeting obliteration at the hands of the Camarilla.

The Samedi are known to be competent assassins and bodyguards, and can often be found serving anyone who can meet their price. The Nosferatu and Giovanni both seem to have an affinity with these twisted Kindred, and most Samedi will refuse to attack either of these clans unless paid a subdstantial amount of money. The Samedi prefer to maintain their havens in or near graveyards, digging concealed tunnels into mausoleums or under the basement levels of funeral homes. Mental Attributes and Knowledges are primary. Their Clan Disciplines are Necromancy, Obfuscate, and Thanatosis. The Samedi appear to have no true organization.

Tzimisce Tzimisce are the quintessential vampires. While other vampires desperately tried to retain their human nature, Tzimisce actively seek to divorce themselves from it. This attitude has colored Tzimisce culture and society. Given that the clan as a whole holds the Tradition of Progeny in contempt, Tzimisce are notoriously selective about whom the Embrace. Tzimisce are not human, do not want to be human, and seek to Embrace people who have in some way deviated from their species--socially, mentally, or emotionally. This deviation must not preclude adherence to the clan's precepts or the capacity for wit, honor, and charm. Tzimisce would prefer a Hannibal Lecter to a Jeffrey Dahmer.

Tzimisce prize intelligence and insight, but intelligence of a particular variety--the ability to perceive new ways of looking at things rather than the conventional problem-solving or logical sort. One of the Tzimisce's most notorious traits is its members' penchant for pain. While other vampires often commit cruel acts out of anger, hate, or simple sadistic pleasure, the Tzimisce obsession with pain seems reflexive--a need rather than a desire. Tzimisce frequently study and practice the craft of torture, and many among the clan act as full-time torturers for their sect, hence why they are nicknamed the "Fiends." Their Clan Disciplines are Animalism, Auspex, and Vicissitude. They generally have Director, Bravo, or Bon Vivant Natures. They can choose any Demeanor they find suitable. Their concepts are usually Professional.