Clan (World of Darkness)
Encyclopedia
In White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing game
s about vampire
s, a clan (often spelled Clan, in uppercase) is a group of vampires joined by blood relations (i.e. the vampiric equivalent of an extended family
or lineage). A clan is usually a large group, acknowledged widely in the vampiric society, and not a small offshoot (which is called a bloodline).
In each version of the World of Darkness
, it is assumed that each clan descended from a single progenitor who passed to each of his descendants, or childer, his unique gifts and flaws. In Vampire: The Masquerade
and Vampire: The Dark Ages
these individuals are called Antediluvians
. Though unnamed in Vampire: The Requiem
, each clan is still assumed to have a founder. A significant point of difference is that in the original World of Darkness, it is also assumed that each of these Antediluvians came from a single source: commonly accepted to be Caine, the first murderer of biblical notoriety. No such assumption is made in Vampire: The Requiem, and vampires are left with no unifying creation myth, adopting the Caine story, assuming to have arisen as distinct races from their clan founders, or otherwise.
Each clan is particularly gifted in three of the vampiric Disciplines. In terms of game mechanics, this translates as a reduced experience point cost to learn them. Each clan also possesses a specific weakness that is unique to them.
Each clan within a domain may provide a representative, called a Primogen
, to attend the prince's advisory council. This is usually the eldest and most powerful member of the clan. In the Masquerade game this council had significant position, though its power has been largely usurped by the Priscus Council in Requiem.
, Lamia, and the Gargoyle race (created by Clan Tremere
).
, see Clans in Vampire: the Masquerade.
For the clans that appear in the vampire game for the New World of Darkness, Vampire: the Requiem
, see Clans in Vampire: the Requiem.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s about vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
s, a clan (often spelled Clan, in uppercase) is a group of vampires joined by blood relations (i.e. the vampiric equivalent of an extended family
Extended family
The term extended family has several distinct meanings. In modern Western cultures dominated by nuclear family constructs, it has come to be used generically to refer to grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, whether they live together within the same household or not. However, it may also refer...
or lineage). A clan is usually a large group, acknowledged widely in the vampiric society, and not a small offshoot (which is called a bloodline).
In each version of the World of Darkness
World of Darkness
"World of Darkness" is the name given to three related but distinct fictional universes created as settings for supernatural horror themed role-playing games. It is also the name of roleplaying games in the second and third settings...
, it is assumed that each clan descended from a single progenitor who passed to each of his descendants, or childer, his unique gifts and flaws. In Vampire: The Masquerade
Vampire: The Masquerade
Vampire: The Masquerade is a role-playing game. Created by Mark Rein·Hagen, it was the first of White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness role-playing games, based on the Storyteller System and centered around vampires in a modern gothic-punk world....
and Vampire: The Dark Ages
Vampire: The Dark Ages
Vampire: The Dark Ages is a role-playing game originally published by White Wolf Game Studio in 1996. Later, in 2002, the gameline was replaced by Dark Ages: Vampire...
these individuals are called Antediluvians
Antediluvians (World of Darkness)
Antediluvians is a term used by White Wolf Game Studio in their fictional role-playing game, the World of Darkness.According to in-game legends, antediluvians are the vampires of the Third Generation. Supposedly they were created by Caine's first childer, Enoch, Irad & Zillah...
. Though unnamed in Vampire: The Requiem
Vampire: The Requiem
Vampire: The Requiem is a role-playing game published by White Wolf, set in the World of Darkness, and the successor to the Vampire: The Masquerade line. It was first released in August 2004, together with a new core rule book for the World of Darkness...
, each clan is still assumed to have a founder. A significant point of difference is that in the original World of Darkness, it is also assumed that each of these Antediluvians came from a single source: commonly accepted to be Caine, the first murderer of biblical notoriety. No such assumption is made in Vampire: The Requiem, and vampires are left with no unifying creation myth, adopting the Caine story, assuming to have arisen as distinct races from their clan founders, or otherwise.
Each clan is particularly gifted in three of the vampiric Disciplines. In terms of game mechanics, this translates as a reduced experience point cost to learn them. Each clan also possesses a specific weakness that is unique to them.
Each clan within a domain may provide a representative, called a Primogen
Primogen
Primogen is derived from "primogenitor", a word meaning the first or earliest ancestor. It may also be related to the word "primogeniture". The word primogen is used in fiction in various ways:...
, to attend the prince's advisory council. This is usually the eldest and most powerful member of the clan. In the Masquerade game this council had significant position, though its power has been largely usurped by the Priscus Council in Requiem.
Bloodlines
Not all vampires belong to one of the major clans or are clanless. There are also smaller familial groupings of vampires called Bloodlines. While some bloodlines are descended from the great clans, others' origins are mysterious and obscure. Some notable bloodlines: Salubri, Daughters of CacophonyDaughters of Cacophony
The Daughters of Cacophony are a fictional bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games....
, Lamia, and the Gargoyle race (created by Clan Tremere
Tremere
The Tremere are a clan of vampires in the Classic World of Darkness setting.The Tremere backstory is heavily based on Ars Magica, and the original House Tremere appeared as a Hermetic house in that game system. As the World of Darkness progressively diverged from Ars Magica's medieval Europe,...
).
Masquerade Vs. Requiem
For the clans that appear in the vampire game for the Old World of Darkness, Vampire: the MasqueradeVampire: The Masquerade
Vampire: The Masquerade is a role-playing game. Created by Mark Rein·Hagen, it was the first of White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness role-playing games, based on the Storyteller System and centered around vampires in a modern gothic-punk world....
, see Clans in Vampire: the Masquerade.
For the clans that appear in the vampire game for the New World of Darkness, Vampire: the Requiem
Vampire: The Requiem
Vampire: The Requiem is a role-playing game published by White Wolf, set in the World of Darkness, and the successor to the Vampire: The Masquerade line. It was first released in August 2004, together with a new core rule book for the World of Darkness...
, see Clans in Vampire: the Requiem.
External links
- Vampire NPC gallery NPC (non-player character) gallery with examples of characters of every clan
- White Wolf Wiki - Clan (VTM)
- White Wolf Wiki - Clan (VTR)