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Brujah

In the ancient days of the First City, the foremost among the Brujah endeavored to fathom the enigmatic essence of the Cainite condition, pursuing understanding from myriad perspectives. However, his fervent zeal for existence clashed with the somber demeanor of his brethren, stirring discord among them. Following the Deluge, he sought to temper his own passionate fervor by siring Troile, a progeny of contrasting disposition. While Brujah was prone to tumultuous fits of rage, stirring the primal Beast within, Troile embodied logic, method, and calculation. Yet, their conflicting natures led to frequent disagreement and eventually to a violent confrontation. In a frenzied outburst, Brujah attacked Troile, prompting Troile to bite into his sire's flesh, attempting to drain the fury from his blood. However, this only served to further enrage Brujah, and in a grievous turn, Troile continued to drink even after his sire's veins ran dry, consuming Brujah's very soul. When called to account for his actions, Troile presented a rational justification, persuading other Antediluvians that murder was the necessary course to maintain peace among Cain's descendants and the children of Seth. Some whisper that this rebellion sowed the seeds of the Second City's downfall. However, upon his return, Caine remained unconvinced, cursing Troile and his line with the fiery passions of their progenitor, magnified threefold.

Troile, yearning for the glory of bygone eras, journeyed to Carthage, where he gathered Cainites in an attempt to recreate those golden times, achieving success for a time. Yet, envy and fear instigated a fifty-year war incited by the Ventrue and Malkavians of Rome, resulting in the destruction of the Brujah utopia and deepening the enmity between the Brujah and the Ventrue for centuries to come. Troile's fate remains shrouded in mystery, with many presuming his demise during Carthage's fall.

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Hi folks. So I am presently STing a V20 Dark Ages Vampire game and my players have suggested doing a “modern nights” 2010s game using V20. (We won’t be using V5.) They want the game to be set during the present (2018) and so, since today was my day off, I came up with an alternate version of the metaplot, bringing it from the late 1990s to today.

Thoughts, comments, feedback welcome!

January 1998-October 1999: The Kue-jin courts of China direct the Great Leap Outward, a highly coordinated offensive by Asia’s native vampires to seize control of U.S. domains from Western vampires as revenge for colonialism (and the Cainites’ profit from it). The Anarch Free State in southern California suffers heavy losses in the first year, but with Camarilla assistance fights the invaders to a stalemate in Los Angeles. The Kuei-jin take San Francisco from the Camarilla in 1999 but by the end of the year suspend their offensives to focus on domestic concerns. The Anarchs rally to San Diego while the Camarilla focuses on Sabbat attacks across the East Coast and the southern U.S.

April 1998: Giangaleazzo, the Sabbat Archbishop of Milan, defects to the Camarilla and openly burns the original version of the Code of Milan, the code of conduct for the sect.

November 1998: The Tremere antitribu of the Sabbat are annihilated in a single night, bursting into flames instantly and crumbling to ash wherever they are. Shortly after diaberlizing Saulot to steal the Antediluvian’s power, Tremere loses a spiritual battle with the far more powerful entity. Saulot ends up possessing Tremere, while Tremere’s soul is placed in that of his former lover and disciple, Goratrix. As part of a desperate effort to achieve the strength necessary to retake his body, Tremere (as Goratrix) resorts to a ritual that sacrifices the Tremere who followed “Goratrix” in his Sabbat defection. Intended to magically steal Saulot’’s power and give it to Tremere, the ritual fails, but does succeed in forcing Saulot into a deeper torpor, limiting his manipulations.

May 1999: Xaviar, the Justicar of Clan Gangrel, concludes that the Antediluvians may not be a myth as the Camarilla claims. After unsuccessfully trying to persuade the sect’s warlord, Karsh, to lead the clan out of the Camarilla, Xaviar decides to publicly maintain the Camarilla position while secretly investigating the Antediluvians’ existence with the clandestine assistance of the Noddist scholar and fellow Gangrel known as Beckett.

June 1999: The Ravnos Antediluvian rises from torpor in northern India, consuming the souls of almost all its descendants in the area. Three Kuei-jin Bodhisattvas, some of the most potent of their kind, manage to weaken the ancient creature enough so that it slips back into hibernation beneath the earth. A historically destructive monsoon covers up the supernatural nature of the incident from mortal eyes, but many vampires witness several days of insanity and instability in all Ravnos vampires. Vampires in the Western Hemisphere are mostly unaffected long-term, but the elimination of so many Ravnos Kindred in Asia leads to a resurgence of Kuei-jin control across southern Asia.

June-August 1999: The Sabbat initiates a “Black Crusade” against the Camarilla, fueled by an overpopulation of sect members as well as religious fervor brought on by the millennium. Fabrizia Conteraz, the Archbishop of Miami, leads the conquest of St. Louis, Memphis, and Atlanta from the Camarilla. The East Coast offensive under Archbishop Francisco Domingo de Polonia stalls, however, locked into a war of attrition in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. Even worse, New York City – long the base of the Sabbat in the northeastern United States – falls to the Camarilla, although Polonia kills the Ventrue Prince, Michaela, before retreating to the Sabbat stronghold of Baltimore.

December 1999: It is discovered that the Sabbat Regent, Melinda Galbraith, is dead, after “she” is revealed to be impostor by Sascha Vykos. After calling in numerous boons, Vykos is appointed the new Regent of the sect. They have Polonia destroyed for his failures, while Conteraz is promoted to Cardinal of the Southeastern U.S. They also declare that the “Black Crusade” will continue as Gehenna is close at hand.

The 2000s

There is no vampire involvement in the September 11 attacks, but the Camarilla invests a large amount of its resources in arms-manufacturing and military contractors, making huge profits. The sect takes an even more authoritarian turn, taking advantage of the enhancement of state power in the wake of the War on Terror. The Inner Circle conducts a covert purge of known individuals associated with study of Caine and the Antediluvians, sending Beckett further underground. New York City becomes consolidated Camarilla territory, the Kindred resuming control of global finance.

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 has the unintended consequence of waking ur-Shugli, a childe of Haqim, the founder of the Assamites. Soon after waking, he breaks the Tremere curse placed on the clan that prevented them from drinking the blood of other vampires. As the new Eldest of the Assamites, ur-Shugli preaches a fundamentalist return to worshipping Haqim and acting as isolationist assassins once more, as before the Treaty of Tyre. Around a quarter of the main clan (mostly its younger members) refuse to renounce Islam and become “the Dispossessed.” A sizable portion of the warrior caste under Fatima al-Faqadi travels to Mexico and joins the Sabbat. The Camarilla responds to the breaking of the curse and the assassination of several of its leading princes at Assamite hands by declaring itself at war with the clan and its agents.

Huge advances in technology such as search engines, social media, and other digital innovations puts the Masquerade at heightened risk. With the kine armed with high-definition camera phones, violations of the First Tradition become frequent, and the Camarilla becomes even harsher in its practices, to the extent that just having a MySpace page is grounds for calling a Blood Hunt. The Nosferatu-controlled SchreckNet, a private Internet network, is opened to other Camarilla clans. Anarchs are also able to access it without too much difficulty, although the Sabbat is actively prevented from using it. Attempts to reveal and spread the existence of vampires online are instantly met by smear campaigns by Nosferatu “trolls” who poke holes in the accounts and evidence that manage to leak on to the Internet. They cannot catch everything, however, and vampire hunters are an increasingly common problem.

The rising importance of Silicon Valley as a place of innovation and global economic importance leads the Camarilla to redouble its efforts to retake San Francisco, which it does by 2006. Around the same time, the Anarchs strike north from San Diego and succeed in reclaiming Los Angeles for the Free States. The Kuei-jin retains presences in the many Chinatowns across the West Coast, but nevertheless the Quincunx is humbled by the failure of the Great Leap Outward, leading to the rise of more isolationist leadership more concerned with the increasing power of the Yama Kings.

The Camarilla is caught unprepared for the Great Recession of 2008, and as fortunes disappear overnight, elders and even princes find themselves exposed to challenges from enemies and upstarts. The inability of the sect to anticipate or prevent the crisis does much to damage its credibility, and the seeds of almost a decade of intense repression produce the fruit of rebellion. The Third Anarch Revolt erupts across North America and even the Camarilla bulwark of Europe, with several notable cities – Athens, Berlin, Liverpool – falling under Anarch control. Simultaneously, the Sabbat takes advantage of the chaos in the close of the decade by destroying Lasombra and Tzimisce “traitors” in Eastern Europe, Italy, and Spain, including Giangaleazzo in Milan. The sect uses already existing xenophobia and strong anti-globalization populism to instigate violent outbursts against immigrants and leftists to mask its own bloody assaults.

In 2010, it is revealed that ur-Shugli serves the Baali after an operation ostensibly meant to excavate the Second City instead unearths a reliquary containing an incredibly powerful and ancient demon. Before ur-Shugli can finish releasing the entity, the Methuselahs of Clan Assamite come together to interrupt the ritual at the cost of their own lives. The Third Baali War erupts across the Middle East and North Africa against the backdrop of the Arab Spring. Many of the Dispossessed Assamites return to the main clan to wipe out the Baali and salvage assorted supernatural relics looted amidst the riots and insurgencies now common in the region. By 2013 the Assamites can claim a tactical victory in limiting infernal incursions and sending the Baali back into the shadows, but with the main Assamite clan much reduced in strength, its oldest elders all but gone. Most of the Dispossessed Assamites return to Alamut; as a sign of younger and more progressive attitudes, Fatima al-Faqadi becomes the first woman caliph. The Camarilla and the Assamites remain at war.

During the Third Baali War, demon-worshipping cults are uncovered across the world. The Sabbat Inquisition culls virtually all the packs in Montreal after a bishop is found responsible for a series of murders believed to be Satanic in nature. Camarilla cities are not immune either, with several European cities rotten with secret and blasphemous orders from the past. Yet again, the sect tends to execute those suspected of corruption without evidence, only worsening accusations that is little more a society for tyrants.

The Giovanni and the Followers of Set, never trusted by any of the sects, are often casualties in the purges that follow the war, their activities linked to dark magic and licentious behavior. In response, the two clans form an alliance in 2011, stating that their domains will be shared, save for the respective clan headquarters in Venice and Egypt. The union has served each clan, as their combined influence in organized crime as well as the mystical arts has proven mutually beneficial. Elder vampires call it the “Independent Alliance” while neonates refer to the “Snakes and Skulls, Inc.”

Modern Nights

The Camarilla continues to decline into the 2010s, strongest in Western Europe and the Northeastern United States. While materially strong as an institution, there has never been a greater divide between the powerful and the powerless, the old and the young. The talk of a “meritocracy of vampires” rings hollow, and not just in traditional Anarch-leaning cities. Consequently, the Camarilla has responded by gradually removing the velvet glove from around the iron fist. This has led to the rise of two factions, the Traditionalists, who favor the status quo, and Modernizers, who want to introduce liberal reforms to save the Camarilla from becoming totally archaic and irrelevant.

The Sabbat under Regent Vykos is once more resurgent, with Cardinal Conteraz taking Little Rock, Cleveland, and Kansas City for the sect in the U.S. Vykos, however, has proved a polarizing figure, as their scholarly and autocratic bent has upset those members who feel the Sabbat has become too centralized in its authority. The revelation of infernalism among the sect’s higher ranks has also provoked a desire for new, younger leaders. Joseph Pander, the leader of the Sabbat’s clanless vampires, has become the leading spokesperson against Vykos, prompting some to speculate of a new civil war.

Of the three major sects, the Anarchs have prospered the most. Unrest and anger in mortal society has led to greater popularity for anti-establishment values, and it is easy to describe Camarilla elders as “the Kindred’s 1%.” Within the Movement itself, however, ideologies range from the far left to the far right, and vampires welcome in one Anarch city might be driven out of another. Berlin has become something of the latest Kindred experiments at creating a new democratic order for vampires, although what exactly such an order will ultimately look like is not something that is agreed upon.

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Assamites

In Cainite circles, many remain unaware of the true nature and intentions of the Assamites. To most, they appear as a new clan emerging from the East, bold in their stance amidst the nightly struggles of our kind. Only the elders and learned scholars among Cainites can recall a time when the Assamites were active members of our society, before they withdrew into their studies within Alamut, their sanctuary nestled in the Anatolian mountains.

Among European vampires, rare are those who interact with anyone beyond the Assamite envoys, the viziers, and a handful of sorcerers. The clan presents a united front, possessing an uncanny ability to communicate across vast distances and maintain ties with their brethren in Alamut.

Though many Assamites hail from the lands now known as Persia, birthplace of their founder, their members come from across the Middle East. In recent times, a growing number of younger Assamites have embraced Islamic beliefs. Yet, their elders often regard this with disdain, seeing mortal religion as a distraction from their true purpose.

However, to the wider Cainite society, it is the younger Assamites they mostly encounter, and the name Assamite has become synonymous with Muslim, earning them the epithet Saracens. Yet, many elder Assamites are content to let others believe what they will, so long as it serves their own ends.

The Assamites themselves shun the label of Saracens, preferring instead to be known as the Children of Haqim, in honor of their progenitor. Haqim laid down a strict code for his descendants to follow. Cainites are perilous creatures who meddle too freely in mortal affairs. The Children of Haqim are tasked with honoring their elders, shielding mortals from the excesses of other Cainites, and meting out judgment (and punishment) upon their kindred.

Furthermore, the Children of Haqim are entrusted with reclaiming the blood of profligate Cainites, those who abuse mortals and ought not possess such gifts. This often leads the clan to engage in diablerie as a matter of principle, though few adhere strictly to this doctrine.

The clan of the Children of Haqim operates as a cohesive unit, divided into three distinct sects that collaborate closely in pursuit of their shared goal of judgment. The sorcerers serve as the clan's backbone, facilitating communication among members and providing essential support from Alamut, the clan's stronghold. Warriors, on the other hand, wield the authority to pass judgment upon vampires and deliver punishment when deemed necessary. Meanwhile, the viziers assume the role of the clan's public representatives, gathering intelligence on political matters and current events to keep their brethren informed. Most Assamites residing within Cainite-controlled territories function as viziers, supported by a handful of sorcerers.

Dubbed as the Children of Haqim or Saracens, the appearance of Assamites is predominantly Middle Eastern, although some neonates have been embraced as far west as the Iberian Peninsula. Regardless of origin, all Assamites are obliged to spend time in Alamut following their embrace, adopting traditional Middle Eastern attire. Dress codes within the three sects vary based on functionality; sorcerers adhere strictly to traditional attire, warriors opt for comfort during extended travels, and viziers often adopt the garb of their current city of residence.

When selecting a haven, Assamites prioritize security over luxury, favoring easily defended dwellings secluded from mortal eyes, particularly in European domains. Many opt for residences located on the outskirts of cities, enabling them to monitor the activities of both vampires and mortals. However, practicality may sometimes yield to necessity; certain Assamite viziers may adorn their dwellings impressively to curry favor with mortal and Cainite courts when hosting visitors.

In terms of character creation, Assamite viziers typically possess a blend of Social and Mental Attributes and Abilities, reflecting their roles as scholars and diplomats. Most Children of Haqim boast at least one dot in Mentor, often their sire, and some may possess dots in Generation acquired through the practice of diablerie upon those deemed unworthy. The majority adhere to the Road of Heaven or Humanity, with a select few following the Road of Kings. However, older warriors and traditionalists often align with the Road of Blood.

Clan Assamite possesses a distinctive set of Disciplines, including Auspex, Presence, and Quietus (Hematus). However, their rigorous nature is both a strength and a weakness. Assamite viziers are known for their unwavering dedication, yet each harbors an obsession with their highest intellectual or creative Ability, which manifests as a derangement. This obsession is visible through their glowing aura, offering clues to their true nature and the object of their fixation, discernible to users of Auspex. Additionally, as Assamites age, their skin gradually darkens to a matte onyx, a slow but unmistakable transformation.

Organization within Clan Assamite is intricate, owing to the adeptness of their sorcerers. The clan defers to the Eldest, typically the eldest of Haqim's progeny not in torpor. Each of the three sects within the clan has its own internal leader, collectively overseeing the night-to-night operations. The viziers perceive themselves as judges, tasked with evaluating Cainites and identifying those deemed unworthy of Caine's blood. Sorcerers dedicate themselves to research aimed at enhancing interactions with mortals and maintaining communication among the sects. Meanwhile, warriors act as enforcers, executing judgments and leading nomadic lives directed by their brethren.

Regarding stereotypes of other clans, Assamites hold varying views. They view Tremere with caution, wary of their meddling in unknown realms. Brujah are seen as passionate but lacking in true philosophical depth. Cappadocians are generally tolerated as long as their studies into death remain separate from mortal affairs. Gangrel are respected for their honor, with few deemed unworthy. However, Followers of Set are considered heretics, condemned for their debauchery and perceived evil.

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Verily, the Lasombra stand as chieftains and seers, monarchs and sages, warriors and holy men. They weigh with care who merits the Embrace, yet show no mercy to those of their ilk who prove unworthy. Indeed, the sole menace to the dominion of clan Lasombra may well be clan Lasombra itself. Montano, eldest childe of Lasombra, now governs from the distant Castle of Shadows in Sicily, his rule extending as a shadow over his Sire's troubled repose, haunted by visions of darkness and the Abyss.

Deep-rooted in religious fervor, perchance due to their profound affinity with shadows, many among the Clan tread the Path of Heaven. This fervent piety kindles strife within the Clan, turning their gaze inward. In Iberia, the Shadow Reconquista rages—a clash between Christian and Muslim Cainites, dividing the Clan. Its echoes reverberate far beyond Iberia, ensnaring distant allies. Christian Lasombra within the Church rally resources for Christian forces, whilst Muslim brethren seek alliances, especially with the Assamites. They implore their Jewish kin to join their cause, for fear of dire reprisal should Christians seize power in Iberia.

Yet, the schism without mirrors the schism within. The Cainite Heresy festers within the Church, a heretical cult dominated by Lasombra priests and bishops. These apostates claim Cainites, marked by God, akin to angelic beings, with the Curse of Caine sanctifying them. Naturally, even non-Christian Lasombra decry this doctrine as blasphemy, striving to expunge such heresy wherever it takes root.

Moniker: Magisters Visage: The Clan of Shadows boasts a diverse assembly, with members hailing from Spanish, Italian, Jewish, North African, or Arabian lineages. Most Lasombra garb themselves in opulent attire, bedecked in silks from the Orient, sumptuous French brocades, or the resplendent fabrics of Arabia. Even those within the Church, though it eschews worldly riches, often don regal vestments befitting their high station.

Refuge and Quarry: Some affluent Lasombra opt to dwell amidst their familial estates, masking their true nature to retain control over their holdings. Here, they find ample sustenance amidst kin, servants, and retainers. Others, averse to the complications of concealment amongst throngs of mortals, establish solitary abodes of opulence, sacrificing convenience for secrecy and security. Some adherents of the Cainite Heresy feed upon their congregants, veiling their actions as sacred rites. Nonetheless, such practices demand utmost discretion, lest they incur the wrath of more orthodox Christian Lasombra.

The Embrace: Lasombra often select their progeny from among the affluent, powerful, or politically astute. Yet, Magisters may equally embrace those of humble origins, whose ambition and intellect shine bright. Birth alone cannot gauge one's mettle or capacity for leadership.

Clan Disciplines: Dominate, Obtenebration, Potence Weaknesses: Lasombra cast no reflection in reflective surfaces, rendering it arduous to conceal their supernatural essence from mortals. Moreover, they recoil from bright light, suffering additional harm from sunlight.

Organization: Within the Clan exists the Amici Noctis, the Friends of Night—an exclusive fraternity admitting only those who have proven their worth to the Clan. Presiding over the Courts of Blood, the Amici Noctis grants leave for Amaranth, serving as the final arbiter of its application. Unsanctioned Amaranth invites swift retribution, as decreed by the Amici Noctis. Predominant in central Europe, Montano staunchly opposes the Friends of Night, forbidding their presence in Sicily and the Castle of Shadows. In Iberia, the Shadow Reconquista impedes the Amici Noctis's authority, rendering it powerless to quell the discord.

Stereotypes: High Clans: A meaningless distinction, espoused by the equally pointless. Our ascendancy stems from merit, not lineage. Their classification as High or Low speaks volumes of their discernment. Low Clans: Let other High Clans spurn them. Only a fool rejects a valuable asset or indispensable ally. Assamites: More akin are we to the Children of Haqim than to most others. Let prejudice blind others. They are honorable and worthy allies. Ventrue: The Scions misconstrue power and position, to their detriment. Let them pursue lofty ambitions; it renders them pliable. Followers of Set: Let them strive to revive worship of their defunct deity. Time marches on, and those who resist progress are trampled beneath its stride. Tzimisce: Godless pagans, one and all. They spurned the chance to forsake their heathen ways. While we acknowledge their might, we cannot place our trust in them.

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Originally announced in 2019 and once slated for release in 2021, the sequel to the cult classic 2004 RPG Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines has long been silent. In a new blog post, publisher Paradox Interactive recognized the lack of updates on the game’s development. The post also indicated that the various editions in which the game finally becomes available may evolve from the original offerings, and that therefore anyone who wishes to may refund their existing preorder.

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I just published Detroit by Night, a city setting supplement for V20, on the Storytellers Vault! It's $5 and 15 pages of original content (except for the art provided by STV).

The violence and urban decay of Detroit is the subject of much embellishment, but there is some truth in the stories. A city of skyscrapers and major industry, the best days and nights of the Motor City are seemingly behind it. But mortal Detroit is a paradise compared to the nightly carnage of the Sabbat. With no archbishop to govern them, surviving to sunrise sometimes depends on a pack’s collective courage, cleverness, and a little bit of chance. Most unenviable of all are the peacekeepers, the enforcers, who do what they can to control the chaos in a city of anarchy.

Storytellers using Vampire: the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition can use this book to craft Sabbat chronicles set in modern Detroit, with a special emphasis on episodic procedural-style stories. Whether they serve an ambitious bishop, a Black Hand commander, or a visiting Inquisitor, player characters can be the agents of order and justice (or injustice), with advice on this format and its advantages and disadvantages. This supplement is best used for an action-oriented game.

Detroit by Night includes: • A list of notable NPCs in Detroit, including from the Black Hand and Inquisition; • A thorough but concise history of the Sabbat in Detroit; • An outline of the major neighborhoods of Detroit, with Cainite domains; and • Storytelling suggestions for running an episodic procedural-style game.

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Anarch: Not a good time to lose one's "head."

Prince: Indeed.

Anarch: That's not the way to get "ahead" in unlife.

Prince: No.

Anarch: It's a shame she wasn't more "headstrong."

Prince: Hmm.

Anarch: She'll never be the "head" of a major corporation.

Prince: Okay, that'll do.

Anarch: Okay.

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“Vampire: The Masquerade has moved forward, setting an example for other games as a meaningful way to address racism. Rather than restating Rule Zero, the writers have reconstructed these clans from the ground up. By distilling what makes the clans interesting, V5 has managed not only to shed these dark stereotypes, but open up the creative freedom of its world to allow for a much broader cast of characters within the established lore.”

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