I dream of the first times the longest memory. I speak of the first times the oldest Father. I sing of the first time and the dawn of Darkness. In Nod, where the light of Paradise lit up the night sky and the tears of our parents we the ground. Each of us, in our way, set about to live, and take our sustenance from the land. And I, first-born Caine, I, with sharp things, planted the dark seeds wet them in the earth tended them, watched them, watched them grow. And Abel, second-born Abel tended the animals aided their bloody births, fed them, watched them grow. I loved him, my Brother. He was the brightest, the sweetest, the strongest, he was the first part of all my joy.

Then one day our Father said to us, Caine, Abel to Him Above you must make a sacrifice a gift of the first part of all that you have. And I, first-born Caine, I gathered the tendered shoots the brightest fruits, the sweetest grass. And Abel, second-born, Abel slaughtered the youngest, the strongest, the sweetest of his animals. On the altar of our Father we laid our sacrifices and lit fire under them and watched the smoke carry them up to the One Above. The sacrifice of Abel, second-born, smelled sweet to the One Above and Abel was blessed. And, I, first-born Caine, I was struck from beyond by a harsh word and a curse, for my sacrifice was unworthy. I did not bring my youngest, my sweetest, for I knew the One Above would not want them. And my brother, beloved Abel said to me "Caine, you did not bring a sacrifice, a gift of the first part of your joy, to burn on the altar of the One Above." I looked at Abel's sacrifice, still smoking, the flesh, the blood. I cried, I held my eyes, I prayed in night and day. And when Father said the time for sacrifice has come again. And Abel led his youngest, his sweetest, his most beloved to the sacrificial fire. I cried tears of love as I, with sharp things, sacrificed that which was the first part of my joy, my brother. And the Blood of Abel covered the altar and smelled sweet as it burned. But my Father said "Cursed are you, Caine, who killed your brother. As I was cast out so shall you be." And he exiled me to wander in Darkness, the land of Nod. I flew into the Darkness, I saw no source of light and I was afraid, and alone.

The Coming of Lilith

I was alone in the Darkness and I grew hungry. I was alone in the Darkness and I grew cold. I was alone in the Darkness and I cried. Then there came to me a sweet voice, a honey voice, words of succor, words of surcease. A woman, dark and lovely, with eyes that peirced the Darkness came to me. "I know your story, Caine of Nod." She said, smiling. "You are hungry. Come! I have food. You are cold. Come! I have clothes. You are sad. Come! I have comfort." "Who would comfort one so Cursed as I? Who would clothe me? Who would feed me?" "I am your Father's first wife, who disagreed with the One Above and gained Freedom in the Darkness, I am Lilith. Once, I was cold, and ther was no warmth for me. Once, I was hungry, and there was no food for me. Once, I was sad, and there was no comfort for me." She took me in, she fed me, she clothed me. In her arms, I found comfort. I cried until blood trickled from my eyes and she kissed them away.

Lilith's Magick

And I dwelt for a time in the House of Lilith and asked her "Out of Darkness, how did you build this place? How did you make clothes? How did you grow food?" And Lilith smiled and said, "Unlike you, I am Awake, I see the Threads that spin around you. I make that which I need out of Power." "Awaken me, then, Lilith," I said. "I have need for this Power. Then, I can make my own clothes, make my own food, make my own House." Worry creased Lilith's brow. "I do not know what the Awakening will do for you, for you are truly Cursed by your Father. You could die. You could be forever changed." Caine said, "Even so, a life without Power will not be worth living, I would die without your gifts. I will not live as your Thrall." Lilith loved me, and I knew this. Lilith would do what I asked, though she did not wish it. And so, Lilith, bright-eyed Lilith, Awakened me. She cut herself with a knife, bled for me into a bowl. I drank deep. It was sweet. And then I fell into the Abyss. I fell forever, falling into the deepest darkness.

The Temptation of Caine

And from the Darkness came a bright shining light, fire in in the night. And the archangel Michael revealed himself to me. I was unafraid. I asked his business. Michael, General of Heaven, wielder of the holy Flame, said unto me, "Son of Adam, Son of Eve, thy crime is great, and yet they mercy of my Father is also great. Will you not repent the evil that you have, and let his mercy wash you clean?" And I said to Michael, "Not by the One Above's grace, but mine own will I live, in pride." Michael cursed me, saying "Then, for as long as you walk this earth, you and your children will fear my living flame, and it will bite deep and savor your flesh."

And on the morning, Raphael came on lambeant wings, light over the horizon, the driver of the Sun, ward of the East. Raphael spoke, saying "Caine, son of Adam, son of Eve, your brother Abel forgives you your sin will you not repent, and accept the mercy of the Almighty?" And I said to Raphael "Not by Abel's forgiveness, but mine own, will I be forgiven." Raphael cursed me, saying "Then, for as long as you walk this earth, you and your children will fear the dawn, and the sun's rays will seek to burn you like fire where ever you hide always. Hide now for the Sun arises to take it's wrath on you." But I found a secret place in the earth and hid from the burning light of the Sun. Deep in the earth, I slept until the Light of the World was hidden behind the mountain of Night. When I awoke from my day of sleep, I heard the sound of gentle rushing wings and I saw the black wings of Uriel draped around me, Uriel, reaper, angel of Death, dark Uriel who dwells in darkness. Uriel spoke to me quietly, saying "Son of Adam, Son of Eve, God Almighty has forgiven you your sin. Will you accept his mercy and let me take you to your reward, no longer cursed?" And I said to dark-winged Uriel, "Not by God's mercy, by mine own, will I live. I am what I am, I did what I did, and that will never change." And then, through dread Uriel, God Almighty cursed me, saying "Then, for as long as you walk this earth, you and your children will cling to Darkness, You will drink only blood, You will eat only ashes, You will be always as you were at death, Never dying, living on. You will walk forever in Darkness, all you touch will crumble into nothing, until the last days." I gave a cry of anguish at this terrible curse and tore my flesh. I wept blood. I caught the tears in a cup and drank them.

When I looked up from my drink of sorrow the archangel Gabriel, gentle Gabriel, Gabriel, Lord of Mercy appeared to me. The archangel Gabriel said unto me, "Son of Adam, Son of Eve, Behold, the mercy of the Father is greater then you can ever know for even now there is a path opened, a road of Mercy and you shall call this road "Golconda". And tell your children of it, for by that road may they come once again to dwell in the Light." And with that, the darkness was lifted like a veil and the only light was Lilith's bright eyes. Looking around me, I knew that I had Awakened. When my energies first surged through me I discovered how to move like lightning [Celerity], how to borrow the strength of the earth [Potence], how to be as stone [Fortitude], these were like breathing once was to me. Lilith the showed me how she hides herself from hunters [Obfuscate], how she commands obedience [Dominate], and how she demands respect [Presence].

Then, Awakening myself further I found the way to alter forms [Protean], the way to have domination over animals [Animalism], the way to make eyes see past sight [Auspex]. Then Lilith commanded that I stop, saying that I had over-reached my bounds, that I had gone too far, that I threatened my very essence. She used her powers and commanded me to stop. Because of her power, I heeded her, but deep within me a seed was planted, a seed of rebellion and when she turned her face from me, I opened myself up once more, to the Night, and saw the infinite possibilities in the stars and knew that a path of power, a path of Blood was mine for the taking, and so I awakened in me this Final Path, from which all other paths would grow. With this newest power, I broke the bonds that the Lady of the Night put on me, I left the Damned Queen that evening, cloaking myself in shadows, I fled the lands of Nod and came at last to a place where not even her demons could find me.

Zillah's Tale

Let me tell the tale of Zillah first loved of Caine, first wife, of Caine, the sweetest blood, the softest skin, the clearest eyes. Alone of Caine's newest Childer, did Caine desire Her, and she was not mindful of his desire, turning away from Him. Not gifts, not sacrifices, not perfumes, not doves, not beautiful dancers, not singers, not oxen, not sculpture, not beautiful clothes, nothing would turn Zillah's heart from stone to sweet fruit. So Caine pulled at his beard and tore at his hair and took to roaming the wilderness at night, thinking of her, burning of her, and one night Caine cae upon an old Crone singing to the moon. Caine said to the Crone, "Why do you sing so?" And the Crone replied, "Because I yearn for what I cannot have..." Caine said to the Crone, "I yearn also. What can one do?" The Crone smiled and said "Drink of my blood this night, Caine, Father of Kindred, and return tomorrow night. Then, will I tell you the wisdom of the Moon." Caine drank at the Crone's bare neck, and departed. The next night, Caine found the Crone sleeping on a rock. "Wake up, Crone," Caine said, "I have returned." The Crone opened one eye and said, "I dream of the solution for you this night. Drink once more of me, and then return tomorrow night. Bring a bowl of clay. Bring a sharp knife. I will have your answer then."

Once again, Caine took blood from the Crone, who immediately fell back into a deep slumber. When Caine returned the next night, the Crone looked up at him and smiled, "Greetings, Lord of the Beast," the Crone said, "I have the wisdom you seek, take some of my blood into the bowl you have, and mix in these berries and these herbs, and drink deep of the elixir. You will be irresistible. You will be potent. You will be masterful. You will be ardent. You will be glowing. The heart of Zillah will melt like the snows in spring." And so, Caine drank from the Crone's elixer, because he was in love with Zillah, and he so desired her love in return. And the Crone laughed. The Crone laughed aloud. She had tricked him! She had trapped him! Caine was angry beyond compare. Caine reached out with his power, to rend this Crone apart with his strength. The Crone cackled and said, "Do not." And Caine could do nothing against her. The Crone chuckled and said, "Love me." And Caine could do nothing but stare into her ancient eyes, desire her leathery skin. The Crone laughed and said, "Make me immortal." And Caine embraced her. She cackled again, laughed with the pure ecstasy of the Embrace, for it did not pain her. "I have made you powerful Caine of Enoch, Caine of Nod, but you will forever be bound to me. I have made you master of all, but you will never forget me! Your blood, potent as it is now, will bond those who drink it, as you did, once a night for three nights. You will be the master. They will be your thrall, as you are mine. For though Zillah will love you, as you wanted, you will love me, forever. Go now, and claim your lovely bride. I will wait for you in the darkest places, while I brew more potions for your health." And so, heavy hearted, Caine returned to Enoch. And each night, for three nights, Zillah drank from her Sire, though she did not know it. And, on the third night, Caine announced he would marry Zillah, his sweetest Childe, and she agreed.

The Tale of the Crone

For a year and a day Caine labored in service to a Crone, who with blood-wisdom, bound him as surely as any prisoner. She would visit him at night force him to give up his blood for her secret elixirs and potent formulas. She would take his Childer's Childer, and they would never be heard from again. But Caine was wise. He did not drink from her again. And she did not ask him to, thinking that he was ever in her Thrall. One night, Caine went to the Crone in the forest and told her of terrible dreams that he had during sleep. "I fear my life, Crone, I fear the prophecy of Uriel, and my Children's lust for my blood. Tell me secret knowledge, that I might be powerful against my own." And the Crone went to a tree made of gopher wood, and broke off a limb. She took a knife and sharpened the limb. "Take this piece of living wood, sharp, strong, pierce the heart of your wayward childe. It will render him still, and yours to command. Instead of feasting of your heart's blood, he will feel the weight of your justice." Caine said, "Thank you, Mother," and with that, moving in quick movements, Caine took the stake of gopher wood, seized it and drove it deep within the Crone's heart. Because Caine, wise Caine had fed not upon her for a year and a day and because he forced his Will through his hands, he broke the Bond she held on him, and turned his fortune. She laughed again, as blood welled up and poured out her mouh. Her eyes poured out hate. Caine kissed her once, kissed her cold, withered lips, and left her there to Raphael's gentle smile; the sun that rises.

The Tale of the First City

In the beginning there was only Caine, Caine who sacrificed his brother out of love. Caine who was cast out. Caine who was cursed forever with immortality. Caine who was cursed with the lust for blood, it is Caine from whom we all come, Our Sire's Sire. For the passing of an age he lived in the land of Nod. In loneliness and suffering, for an eon he remained alone, but the passing of memory drowned his sorrow. And so he returned to the world of mortals, to the world of his brother Seth, third-born of Eve, and Seth's children had created. He returned and was made welcome. For none world turn against him, due to the Mark that was laid upon him. The people saw his power and worshipped him, he grew powerful, and his power was strong, his ways of awe and command were great. And the Children of Seth made him King of their great City, The First City. But Caine grew lonely in his Power. Deep within him, the seed of loneliness blossomed, and grew a dark flower, he saw within his blood the potence of fertility, by calling up demons and listening to whispered wisdom, he learned the way to make a child for his own. He came to know its power, and, doing so, decided to embrace one of those near him. And lo, Uriel, dread Uriel, revealed himself to Caine that very night and said to him, "Caine, though powerful you are, and marked of God, know you this, that any Childe you make will bear your curse, that any of your Progeny will forever walk in the Land of Nod, and fear flame and sun, drinking blood only and easting ashes only. And since they will carry their father's jealous seed, the will forever plot and fight amongst themselves. Doom not those of Adam's grandchildren who seen to walk in righteousness, Caine! Stay your dreaded Embrace!"

Still, Caine knew what he must do, and a young man named Enosh, who was the most beloved of Seth's kin, begged to be made Son of the dark Father. And Caine, mindful though he was of Uriel's words, seized Enosh, and wrapped him in the dark Embrace. And so, it came to pass that Caine beget Enoch and, so doing, named the First City Enoch. And, so doing, did Enosh beg for a brother, a sister, and Caine, indulgent Father, gave these to him, and their names were Zillah, whose blood was most-favored of Caine, and Irad, whose strength served Caine's arm. And these Kindred of Caine learned the ways of making Progeny of their own, and they Embraced more of Seth's kin, unthinking. And then wise Caine said, "An end to this crime. There shall be no more." And as Caine's word was the law his Brood obeyed him. The city stood for many ages, and became the center of a mighty Empire. Caine grew close to those not like him. The children of Seth knew him and he, in turn, knew them. But the world grew dark with sin. Caine's children wandered here and there, indulging their dark ways. Caine felt anger when his children fought, he discovered deceit when he saw them make word-war, he knew sadness when he saw them abuse the children of Seth. Caine read the signs in the darkening sky, but said nothing. Then came the great Deluge, a great flood that wshed over the world. The City was destroyed, the children of Seth with it. Again, Caine fell into great sorrow and went into solitude, and he left us, his Progeny, to our own ends.

We found him, after much searching, deep in the earth, and he bade us go, saying that the Flood was a punishment, for his having returned to the world of life and subverting the true law. He asked us to go, so that he might sleep. So we returned alone to find the children of Noah, and announced that we were the new rulers. Each created a Brood, in order to claim the glory of Caine, yet we did not have his wisdom or restraint. A great war was waged, Elders against their Children, just as Uriel had said, and the Children slew their parents. They rose up used fire and wood, swords and claws, to destroy those who had created them. The rebels then built a new city. Out of the Fallen Empire, they collected the Thirteen clans that had been scattered by the Great War, and brought them all together, They brought in the Kingship Clan [Ventrue], the Clan of the Beast [Gangrel], the Moon Clan [Malkavian], the Clan of the Hidden [Nosferatu], the Wanderer Clan [Ravnos], the Clan of the Rose [Toreador], the Night Clan [Lasombra], the Clan of Shapers [Tzmisces], the Snake Clan [Setites], the Clan of Death [Giovanni], the Healer's Clan [Saulot], the Clan of the Hunt [Assamites], and the Learned Clan [Brujah]. They made a beautiful city, and the people worshipped them as gods. They created new Progeny of their own, the Fourth Generation of Cainites. But they feared the Jyhad, the Prophecy of Uriel, and it was forbidden for those Children to create others of their kind. This power their Elders kept for themselves. When a Childe was created, it was hunted down and killed, and its Sire with it. Although Caine was away from us, we did feel his careful eye watching us, and we knew that he marked our movements and our ways. He cursed Malkav, when that one defamed his image and doomed him to insanity, forever.

When Nosferat was found indulging his tastes in foul ways with his own Children, Caine laid his hand on Nosferat and told him that he would forever wear his evil and twisted his visage. He cursed us all, for killing the first part of his Children, the Second Generation, as we had hunted them down one by one, Zillah the Beautiful, Irad the Strong, and Enosh First-Ruler. And we mourned them all, as we were all of a kind, and all of the families of Caine's childer. Though this city was as great as Caine's, eventually it grew old. As do all living things it slowly began to die. The gods at first did not see the truth, and when they at last looked about them it was too late. For, as Uriel has said, the seen of Evil planted blossomed as a blood-red rose, and Troile, the Child of his Child's Child rose up, and slew his Father, Brujah. And ate of his flesh. Then war wracked the city and nothing could ever be as it was. The Thirteen saw their city destroyed and their power extinguished, and they were forced to flee, their Progeny along with them. But many were killed in the flight, for they had grown weak. With their authority gone, all were free to create their own Broods, and soon there were many new Kindred, who ruled across the face of the Earth. But this could not last. Over time, there came to be too many of the Kindred and then there was war once again, the Elders were already deep in hiding, for they learned caution, but their Children had founded their own cities and Broods, and it is they who were killed in the great wave of war. There was war so total, that there are none of that Generation, to speak of themselves any longer. Waves of mortal flesh were sent across continents, in order to crush and burn the cities of the Kindred. Mortals thought they were fighting their blood. Once this war was over, all of the Kindred hid from one another and from the humans that surrounded them. In hiding we remain today, for the Jyhad continues still. And none will say when Caine will arise again, from his sleep in the earth, and call for the city Gehenna, the Last City, the City of Judgement. The Jyhad continues still.