Clans and Bloodlines in Vampire: The Masquerade
Encyclopedia
In White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing game Vampire: the Masquerade
, a clan (often spelled Clan, with capitalization) is a group of vampires "related" by blood; 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 game mechanics terms, the clans in Vampire: the Masquerade act not only as character classes, but form the basic structure of the world's back story. Each clan has its strengths and weaknesses (as set by each clan's founder in storyline) and often the clans do not always get along with certain clans such as the Brujah
and the Ventrue
actually hating one another. This leads to developing plot between players and creates the political intrigue many games of Vampire: the Masquerade are known for. Social ranks, such as the primogen, create further political tension as players vie for status and antitribu who have turned their back on their own clans bring in the possibility of players being hunted or having a turncoat in their midst.
The lore of the game states that Book of Nod names certain clans as the original thirteen descended from Caine, the first vampire; 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 (Tzimisce
), the Snake Clan (Followers of Set
), the Clan of Death (Cappadocian
), the Healer's Clan (Salubri), the Clan of the Hunt (Assamite
) and the Learned Clan (Brujah
). There also are assorted bloodlines as well as an extinct clan or two. Another clan is the Clan of Usurpers (Tremere
).
Each clan within a given area has a representative, called a Primogen
, who is usually the eldest and most powerful member of the clan, who attends the leader or prince's advisory council. This status also grants the character social advantages and greater power than being a normal member of their clan. Generally each sect in an area has its own clans and its own Primogen and different clans tend to be associated with different sects more often than not with the antitribu being the exceptions to the rule.
, most vampire
clans belong to a sect, either the Camarilla or Sabbat (some vampires and clans are independent). Vampires who belong to a sect other than that of their parent clan are generally called antitribu, though this term is occasionally reserved specifically for offshoot bloodlines belonging to a different sect than their parent clan.
For example, a Lasombra
who joins the Camarilla would be referred to as a Lasombra antitribu, as his parent clan claims allegiance to the Sabbat (however, no Lasombra uses the term for their own clan). Likewise, a Brujah
in the Sabbat would be considered a Brujah antitribu. However, there are certain offshoot bloodlines of Brujah, specifically True Brujah, that claim allegiance to another sect without being considered antitribu.
Members of independent clans who join one of the sects are treated differently with regards to diplomatic status and title. Independent vampires who live in or commute regularly to Camarilla territory do not have special names. Others, who break away from their parent clans, especially those that choose to side with the Sabbat, could be considered antitribu.
The Assamite
s and Setites both have divergent bloodlines affiliated with the Sabbat, who could be called antitribu (though the Setites more often go by the name "Serpents of the Light"). Members of the Ravnos
clan allied with the Sabbat are also often called antitribu, though they are not a separate bloodline.
A large portion of the Assamite
clan (from several bloodlines) has also broken away from their parent clan and permanently sworn allegiance to the Camarilla. Rather than being called antitribu, however, they are called "schismatics", named for the schism between them and their home in Alamut. Others have fled to the Sabbat, to join their antitribu brethren.
Recently a group of Salubri have joined the Sabbat, claiming antitribu status and expressing a hatred of the Camarilla, especially the Tremere
, who they claim destroyed their Antediluvian
. These Salubri antitribu exhibit powers of combat, once attributed to the extinct Salunri warrior caste.
The Malkavian antitribu of the Sabbat used to be unique in wielding the Dementation discipline, with the Malkavian Camarilla wielding the Dominate discipline instead. With the revised 3rd edition rules all Malkavians wield the same three disciplines: Auspex, Obfuscate, and Dementation. Although, it is still possible to create a Camarilla or Anarch Malkavian with Dominate; up to the Storyteller's discretion.
In many cases, the antitribu of a certain clan may have unique disciplines or weaknesses, similar to playing a full-fledged bloodline.
Clan Giovanni has no official antitribu; loyalty in Clan Giovanni is too strong (and the consequences for betraying the clan too severe). The closest sect to Tzimisce antitribu would be Old Clan Tzimisce, however they do not see themselves as antitribu, but rather a bloodline. The Tremere antitribu are extinct by the last version of the game. Finally, the Cappadocian Clan is extinct by the formation of the Camarilla and the Sabbat, however the Harbingers of Skulls bloodline is similar to Salubri antitribu; e.g. remnants of a mostly extinct clan joining the Sabbat.
.
; e.g. all three received official clanbooks by White Wolf
and played a significant role in the history of the meta-plot (most notably during the Dark Ages). Two of them, Cappadocian and Salubri, were considered major clans in the Dark Ages: Vampire however were usurped in modern times by the Giovanni and Tremere bloodlines respectively. The Baali have a mixed history, at times being considered a clan and at other times a bloodline (and the varying source books give conflicting information), showing just how tenuous the distinction between the two can be. They are descended from at least the 4th generation and possibly share a history with the Cappadocian, Salubri or Gangrel (one story in Gehenna treats Saulot's creation of the Baali as fact), however other sources claim a 3rd generation founder (not to mention Nergal being the name of one of the Alura). Nevertheless, they posed such a significant threat during the Antediluvian and Dark Age periods, and were alien enough, that most other vampires viewed them as a clan during those times. In modern nights, their number and threat are significantly reduced and considered to be a bloodline by those still aware of them.
, all the bloodlines and clans technically carry over into the modern setting. The bloodlines are listed here due to either being at the height of their power during the Dark Ages, first introduced in that setting, or no longer playing a significant role in modern times. It should be noted that most of the major Dark Ages bloodlines are considered extinct in the overall meta-plot by the time of Masquerade. Other bloodlines that originated in the Dark Ages, such as the Gargoyles
, are listed in the "Final Nights" section as they are still a significant bloodline by that time period.
, all the bloodlines and clans technically carry over into the modern setting. Often, it is up to the storyteller's discretion whether to include "extinct" bloodlines in games set in the modern times.
, yet were never updated into either Vampire: The Masquerade Revised Edition
, Dark Ages: Vampire, Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom
, or Kindred of the East
. Oftentimes, their presented history conflicted with established canon so they were retconned out of the setting.
redefining East Asian Vampires, the Bushi were ret-conned into House Bishamon of the Kuei-jin and "Gaki" was ret-conned into a pejorative term for Japanese Kuei-jin and are no longer considered a bloodline of Caine.
. The old Laibon tribe was "replaced" by the Akunanse tribe (alternatively, you can view the "Laibon" as a bloodline of the Akunanse Legacy that came to Europe during the Dark Ages). It is still considered canon to play with the Laibon bloodline in Dark Ages: Vampire games, if you so choose.
. The term is a portmanteau word consisting of the Mandarin word for ghost (kuei) and the Japanese word for person (jin). It is a relatively recent construction designed to indicate the commonality of the undead condition throughout the Middle Kingdom.
They are called "Cathayans" by western Kindred and are not descended from Caine, and thus a separate type of supernatural creature than the vampires referenced above.
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....
, a clan (often spelled Clan, with capitalization) is a group of vampires "related" by blood; 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 game mechanics terms, the clans in Vampire: the Masquerade act not only as character classes, but form the basic structure of the world's back story. Each clan has its strengths and weaknesses (as set by each clan's founder in storyline) and often the clans do not always get along with certain clans such as the Brujah
Brujah
The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch....
and the Ventrue
Ventrue
The Ventrue are a clan of vampires, associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games. Their symbol is a scepter....
actually hating one another. This leads to developing plot between players and creates the political intrigue many games of Vampire: the Masquerade are known for. Social ranks, such as the primogen, create further political tension as players vie for status and antitribu who have turned their back on their own clans bring in the possibility of players being hunted or having a turncoat in their midst.
The lore of the game states that Book of Nod names certain clans as the original thirteen descended from Caine, the first vampire; the Kingship Clan (Ventrue
Ventrue
The Ventrue are a clan of vampires, associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games. Their symbol is a scepter....
), the Clan of the Beast (Gangrel
Gangrel (World of Darkness)
The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games....
), the Moon Clan (Malkavian
Malkavian
The Malkavians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books, role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and, Vampire: The Dark Ages. In modern times, they are associated with the Camarilla. Their symbol is a broken mirror...
), the Clan of the Hidden (Nosferatu
Nosferatu (World of Darkness)
The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games....
), the Wanderer Clan (Ravnos
Ravnos
The Ravnos are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages role-playing games....
), the Clan of the Rose (Toreador
Toreador (World of Darkness)
The Toreador are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games. Their symbol is the thorned rose.The Toreador are some of the most beautiful and glamorous of the Kindred...
), the Night Clan (Lasombra
Lasombra
The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan...
), the Clan of Shapers (Tzimisce
Tzimisce
The Tzimisce are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages....
), the Snake Clan (Followers of Set
Followers of Set
The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god...
), the Clan of Death (Cappadocian
Cappadocian (World of Darkness)
The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade....
), the Healer's Clan (Salubri), the Clan of the Hunt (Assamite
Assamite
The Assamites are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.In the original version of this clan the Assamites are a group of skilled, select assassins who often commit contract killings in exchange for the blood of other vampires...
) and the Learned Clan (Brujah
Brujah
The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch....
). There also are assorted bloodlines as well as an extinct clan or two. Another clan is the Clan of Usurpers (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,...
).
Each clan within a given area has 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:...
, who is usually the eldest and most powerful member of the clan, who attends the leader or prince's advisory council. This status also grants the character social advantages and greater power than being a normal member of their clan. Generally each sect in an area has its own clans and its own Primogen and different clans tend to be associated with different sects more often than not with the antitribu being the exceptions to the rule.
Major clans
In Vampire: The Masquerade, typically clans belong to one of the three major sects. To reflect this, the clans have been split into their most commonly-identified sects.Camarilla
| Clan | Progenitor | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brujah Brujah The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch.... |
Troile | Celerity, Potence, Presence | Rabble, Zealots | All difficulties to resist frenzy increase by two for Brujah characters, to a maximum of 10. |
| Malkavian Malkavian The Malkavians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books, role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and, Vampire: The Dark Ages. In modern times, they are associated with the Camarilla. Their symbol is a broken mirror... |
Malkav | Auspex, Obfuscate, Dementation | Kooks, Lunatics | Every last vampire of Malkav's blood is irredeemably insane in some form or another. Some attribute this to a curse of the blood, while other Lunatics actually call it a special blessing, a gift of insight. When a Malkavian character is created, the player must choose at least one derangement for that character at the time of the Embrace; this derangement can be temporarily fought with Willpower, but can never be permanently overcome. They are also pranksters, with their "jokes" ranging from benign to sadistic. |
| Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... |
Possibly Baba Yaga (or The Matriarch) | Animalism, Obfuscate, Potence | Sewer-Rats, Lepers | All Nosferatu have Appearance ratings of zero. They may not improve Appearance with experience points. Most Social actions based on first impressions, except intimidation and the like, fail automatically. |
| Toreador Toreador (World of Darkness) The Toreador are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games. Their symbol is the thorned rose.The Toreador are some of the most beautiful and glamorous of the Kindred... |
Arikel | Auspex, Celerity, Presence | Artisans, Degenerates | Although lovely and seductive, the members of this clan are as much prisoners of their artistic vision and sensitivity as they are its beneficiaries. They are often overcome by the beauty they see around them, and become immobilized with fascination. Such things as paintings, neon signs, or even sunrises can captivate them. It requires a successful Willpower roll to break the fascination quickly; otherwise, the Toreador will stand, awed and helpless, for minutes or even hours. This trait explains why Toreador so often fall in love with mortals. |
| 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,... |
Tremere | Auspex, Dominate, Thaumaturgy | Warlocks, Usurpers | Tremere neonates must all drink from the blood of the seven elders of the clan when they are created. This means that all Tremere are at least one step toward being Blood Bound to the clan, and therefore must watch their step very carefully when around their leaders. |
| Ventrue Ventrue The Ventrue are a clan of vampires, associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games. Their symbol is a scepter.... |
Veddhartha | Dominate, Fortitude, Presence | Blue-Bloods, Patricians, Warlords | Ventrue have exacting and rarefied tastes, even when it comes to blood. The player must pick a restriction on the type of blood their character can feed upon, e.g. only young men, no animals, only virgins, etc. The character will feed on no other type of blood, not even if she is starving or under duress. |
Sabbat
| Clan | Progenitor | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasombra Lasombra The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan... |
[Lasombra] (Possibly named: Laza Omri Bara) | Obtenebration, Dominate, Potence | Keepers | Lasombra vampires cast no reflections. They cannot be seen in mirrors, bodies of water, reflective windows, polished metals, photographs and security cameras, etc. This curious anomaly even extends to the clothes they wear and objects they carry. Many Kindred believe that the Lasombra have been cursed in this manner for their vanity. Additionally, due to their penchant for darkness, Lasombra take an extra level of damage from sunlight. |
| Tzimisce Tzimisce The Tzimisce are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages.... |
[Tzimisce] (Possibly named: Mekhet) | Vicissitude, Animalism, Auspex | Fiends | Whenever a Tzimisce sleeps, they must surround themselves with at least two handfuls of Earth from a place important to them as a mortal. Failure to meet this requirement halves the Tzimisce's dice pools every 24 hours, until all their actions use only one die. This penalty remains until they rest for a full day amid their earth once more. |
Independent
| Clan | Progenitor | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assamite Assamite The Assamites are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.In the original version of this clan the Assamites are a group of skilled, select assassins who often commit contract killings in exchange for the blood of other vampires... |
Haqim | Quietus, (Warrior Caste: Obfuscate, Celerity), (Sorceror Caste: Obfuscate, Dur-An-Ki), (Vizier Caste: Celerity, Auspex) | Assassins, Saracens | Assamites grow darker with age. (Warrior Caste: The Warrior Caste suffers from an addiction to vampire vitae and an aura stained by diablerie. Even if they have never actually engaged in diablerie, their aura shows their blood lust clearly). (Sorceror Caste: Any use of Aura Perception on the Sorcerer Caste reveals that he practices blood magic, even if the character has no knowledge of Thaumaturgy or Assamite Sorcery and even if the observer fails on the static mental challenge required to read the sorcerer's emotional state). (Vizier Caste: The Vizier Caste has an Obsessive/Compulsive derangement that is related to the creative or intellectual ability in which he has the most Ability traits). |
| Followers of Set Followers of Set The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god... |
Set/Sutekh | Obfuscate, Presence, Serpentis | Serpents, Sand-Snakes, Vipers | Extremely susceptible to sunlight (double damage). Subtract one from all dice pools while in bright light (spotlights, strobes, etc.). |
| Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... |
Ennoia | Animalism, Fortitude, Protean | Animals, Outlanders | Gangrel are very close to the Beast within; as they succumb to it, it leaves its mark on their bodies. Every time a Gangrel frenzies, they gain an animalistic feature. This feature is determined by the player and Storyteller; it might be tufted ears, a pelt, a tail, catlike eyes, a snarling voice, tusks, even scales or feathers. Every five such features acquired permanently reduce one of the Gangrel's Social Attributes by one. |
| Giovanni Giovanni (World of Darkness) The Giovanni are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games. In the newest version of White Wolf's Vampire: The Requiem role-playing game they are a bloodline of the Mekhet Clan called the San Giovanni .The usurpers of clan Cappadocian and... |
Augustus Giovanni | Potence, Dominate, Necromancy | Necromancers | When a Giovanni bites a living being, they deal more damage than normal making it difficult to keep people alive after feeding from them. |
| Ravnos Ravnos The Ravnos are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages role-playing games.... |
Zapathasura | Animalism, Fortitude, Chimerstry | Charlatans, Deceivers | The Ravnos clan are all criminals; each Ravnos has a specific vice ranging from plagiarism to mass murder. When the opportunity to indulge that vice is present, Ravnos must succeed in a self-control check to avoid indulging it. |
Antitribu
In 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....
, most 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...
clans belong to a sect, either the Camarilla or Sabbat (some vampires and clans are independent). Vampires who belong to a sect other than that of their parent clan are generally called antitribu, though this term is occasionally reserved specifically for offshoot bloodlines belonging to a different sect than their parent clan.
For example, a Lasombra
Lasombra
The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan...
who joins the Camarilla would be referred to as a Lasombra antitribu, as his parent clan claims allegiance to the Sabbat (however, no Lasombra uses the term for their own clan). Likewise, a Brujah
Brujah
The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch....
in the Sabbat would be considered a Brujah antitribu. However, there are certain offshoot bloodlines of Brujah, specifically True Brujah, that claim allegiance to another sect without being considered antitribu.
Members of independent clans who join one of the sects are treated differently with regards to diplomatic status and title. Independent vampires who live in or commute regularly to Camarilla territory do not have special names. Others, who break away from their parent clans, especially those that choose to side with the Sabbat, could be considered antitribu.
The Assamite
Assamite
The Assamites are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.In the original version of this clan the Assamites are a group of skilled, select assassins who often commit contract killings in exchange for the blood of other vampires...
s and Setites both have divergent bloodlines affiliated with the Sabbat, who could be called antitribu (though the Setites more often go by the name "Serpents of the Light"). Members of the Ravnos
Ravnos
The Ravnos are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages role-playing games....
clan allied with the Sabbat are also often called antitribu, though they are not a separate bloodline.
A large portion of the Assamite
Assamite
The Assamites are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.In the original version of this clan the Assamites are a group of skilled, select assassins who often commit contract killings in exchange for the blood of other vampires...
clan (from several bloodlines) has also broken away from their parent clan and permanently sworn allegiance to the Camarilla. Rather than being called antitribu, however, they are called "schismatics", named for the schism between them and their home in Alamut. Others have fled to the Sabbat, to join their antitribu brethren.
Recently a group of Salubri have joined the Sabbat, claiming antitribu status and expressing a hatred of the Camarilla, especially the 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,...
, who they claim destroyed their Antediluvian
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...
. These Salubri antitribu exhibit powers of combat, once attributed to the extinct Salunri warrior caste.
The Malkavian antitribu of the Sabbat used to be unique in wielding the Dementation discipline, with the Malkavian Camarilla wielding the Dominate discipline instead. With the revised 3rd edition rules all Malkavians wield the same three disciplines: Auspex, Obfuscate, and Dementation. Although, it is still possible to create a Camarilla or Anarch Malkavian with Dominate; up to the Storyteller's discretion.
In many cases, the antitribu of a certain clan may have unique disciplines or weaknesses, similar to playing a full-fledged bloodline.
Clan Giovanni has no official antitribu; loyalty in Clan Giovanni is too strong (and the consequences for betraying the clan too severe). The closest sect to Tzimisce antitribu would be Old Clan Tzimisce, however they do not see themselves as antitribu, but rather a bloodline. The Tremere antitribu are extinct by the last version of the game. Finally, the Cappadocian Clan is extinct by the formation of the Camarilla and the Sabbat, however the Harbingers of Skulls bloodline is similar to Salubri antitribu; e.g. remnants of a mostly extinct clan joining the Sabbat.
| Bloodline | Founder | Parent Clan | Faction | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assamite antitribu | Izhim abd'Azrael ur-Baal | Assamite Assamite The Assamites are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.In the original version of this clan the Assamites are a group of skilled, select assassins who often commit contract killings in exchange for the blood of other vampires... |
Sabbat | Celerity, Obfuscate, Quietus | Angels of Caine | The Assamite antitribu never suffered the curse the Camarilla put on the Assamite clan. They become addicted to Cainite vitae easily. Whenever an Assamite antitribu drinks the blood of another vampire, he may become addicted. Once addicted, the vampire may frenzy, taking as much blood as he can every time he partakes of that blood. |
| Brujah antitribu | Unknown | Brujah Brujah The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch.... |
Sabbat | Celerity, Potence, Presence | Brutes | All difficulties to resist frenzy increase by two for Brujah antitribu characters, to a maximum of 10. Brujah antitribu tend to be less offended about their radical moods than Camarilla Brujah, and many take perverse pleasure in their boiling tempers. |
| Gangrel antitribu | Unknown | (Country Gangrel: Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... ), (City Gangrel: Greek Gangrel) |
Sabbat | Protean, (Country Gangrel: Animalism, Fortitude), (City Gangrel: Celerity, Obfuscate) | Hunters | Become more animal-like each frenzy. Every 5 frenzies, remove 1 point from a Social Attribute. |
| Lasombra antitribu | Montano | Lasombra Lasombra The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan... |
Camarilla | Obtenebration, Dominate, Potence | None (Lasombra antitribu don't go for that sort of thing) | Lasombra antitribu do not have reflections. Such a handicap makes Lasombra antitribu easy to identify for those who are looking for such. In addition, since Lasombra are so heavily attuned to shadow, they take an extra level of damage from exposure to sunlight. The final handicap facing Lasombra antitribu (beside the vestigial distrust of the rest of the Camarilla) is the intense hatred that Sabbat Lasombra bear for their straying brethren. A Lasombra antitribu is always the first target of a Sabbat pack, and supposedly entire Camarilla cities have been besieged just to get a particularly durable straggler. |
| Malkavian antitribu | Vasantasena | Malkavian Malkavian The Malkavians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books, role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and, Vampire: The Dark Ages. In modern times, they are associated with the Camarilla. Their symbol is a broken mirror... |
Sabbat | Auspex, Dementation, Obfuscate | Freaks | When a Malkavian character is created, the player must choose at least one derangement for that character at the time of the Embrace; this derangement can be temporarily fought with Willpower, but can never be permanently overcome. Additionally, Sabbat Malkavians are often too undisciplined (or too indulgent in their own monstrousness) to resist frenzy. A Sabbat Malkavians player may never spend a Willpower point to avoid her characters frenzy. |
| Nosferatu antitribu | Unknown | Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... |
Sabbat | Animalism, Obfuscate, Potence | Creeps, Critters | Nosferatu are absolutely loathsome to look at. All Nosferatu have Appearance ratings of zero. They may not improve Appearance with experience points. Most Social actions based on first impressions, except intimidation and the like, fail automatically. |
| Ravnos antitribu | Unknown | Ravnos Ravnos The Ravnos are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages role-playing games.... |
Sabbat | Animalism, Chimerstry, Fortitude. | Rogues | The Ravnos clan are all criminals; each Ravnos has a specific vice ranging from plagiarism to mass murder. When the opportunity to indulge that vice is present, Ravnos must succeed in a self-control check to avoid indulging it. |
| Salubri antitribu | Adonai | Salubri | Sabbat | Auspex, Fortitude, Valeren | Furies | Can only obtain sustenance from blood taken unwillingly and by force (though they can also drink from victims they've recently killed). |
| Serpents of the Light | Haitian Setites | Followers of Set Followers of Set The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god... |
Sabbat | Obfuscate, Presence, Serpentis | Cobras | Extremely susceptible to sunlight (double damage). Subtract one from all dice pools while in bright light (spotlights, strobes, etc.). |
| Toreador antitribu | Unknown | Toreador Toreador (World of Darkness) The Toreador are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games. Their symbol is the thorned rose.The Toreador are some of the most beautiful and glamorous of the Kindred... |
Sabbat | Auspex, Celerity, Presence | Perverts, Pervs | The Toreador antitribu once possessed the same flaw as their non-Sabbat counterparts, though their indulgence in blood-games and twisted passions has warped this failing somewhat. While they once found beauty even in extreme violence or sadism, they have since become needlessly cruel, inflicting their own viciousness on those around them. If presented with an ample opportunity (feeding, a rival embarrassing herself, torturing a captive Cainite), a Toreador antitribu will inflict physical or emotional pain on her subject more often than not. |
| Tremere antritribu | Goratrix | 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,... |
Sabbat | Auspex, Dominate, Thaumaturgy | Traitors, Spellbinders | Upon their first Vaulderie, a Tremere antitribu receives a very painful mark on their forehead, marking them forever as a traitor to the clan. |
| Ventrue antitribu | Unknown | Ventrue Ventrue The Ventrue are a clan of vampires, associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games. Their symbol is a scepter.... |
Sabbat | Dominate, Fortitude, Presence | Crusaders | Sabbat Ventrue suffer the same rarefaction of tastes as Camarilla Ventrue, and they may feed only from certain vessels (as decided at the time of character creation). For example, the Crusader may be able to derive sustenance from only Christians, of the blind, or perhaps might be able to drink only cold blood from crystal flutes. The character will feed on no other vessels, even if frenzied or starving. Ventrue antitribu may feed on vampiric vitae normally. |
Caitiff / Pander
Caitiff / Pander are clanless vampires in 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....
.
| Group | Founder | Parent Clan | Faction | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caitiff Caitiff (World of Darkness) Caitiff are a group of clanless vampires in Vampire: The Masquerade, a role-playing game by White Wolf, Inc.Lacking patrons or allies, holding no real power as a group, Caitiff are held in contempt by the Camarilla... |
NA | Various | Camarilla | Any (Default to Fortitude, Potence, and Presence) | Trash | Caitiff can purchase any Discipline at character creation, but thereafter have to pay six times current rating for any and all powers purchased with experience points. On a more basic level Caitiff suffer a social stigma from not being a part of an accepted clan. As a result, more established Kindred feel free to snub or denigrate Caitiff freely. |
| Pander | Joseph Pander | Various | Sabbat | Any (Default to Fortitude, Potence, and Presence) | Mutts | Panders have no inherent, blood-bestowed weakness. Note, however, that the Panders are given only grudging respect, and they generally get stuck with the worst jobs in the Sabbat. Also, no Pander may begin the game at better than ninth generation (though they may increase this via diablerie or other means during the game). |
Bloodlines
A few clans are extinct in-game and no longer a part of any sect. It is also worth noting that not all vampires belong to one of the major clans, some belong to smaller familial groupings of vampires, called bloodlines. While some bloodlines are descended from the great clans, others' origins are more mysterious and obscure. Additionally, the exact distinction between clan and bloodline is often a matter of debate. The Salubri were one of the original clans, but due to their low numbers are now considered a bloodline. Particularly during the Dark Ages, the Baali population and threat were so great that they too were once referred to as a clan. Also, the modern clans of Tremere and Giovanni can technically be considered bloodlines of Tzimisce and Cappadocian respectively, as they either directly or indirectly descend from them.Minor clans
There are three "Minor Clans" in 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....
; e.g. all three received official clanbooks by White Wolf
White Wolf
White Wolf is a publisher of role-playing games, notably the World of Darkness.White Wolf may also refer to:*White Wolf , a location in Yosemite National Park*White Wolf , a Canadian heavy metal band...
and played a significant role in the history of the meta-plot (most notably during the Dark Ages). Two of them, Cappadocian and Salubri, were considered major clans in the Dark Ages: Vampire however were usurped in modern times by the Giovanni and Tremere bloodlines respectively. The Baali have a mixed history, at times being considered a clan and at other times a bloodline (and the varying source books give conflicting information), showing just how tenuous the distinction between the two can be. They are descended from at least the 4th generation and possibly share a history with the Cappadocian, Salubri or Gangrel (one story in Gehenna treats Saulot's creation of the Baali as fact), however other sources claim a 3rd generation founder (not to mention Nergal being the name of one of the Alura). Nevertheless, they posed such a significant threat during the Antediluvian and Dark Age periods, and were alien enough, that most other vampires viewed them as a clan during those times. In modern nights, their number and threat are significantly reduced and considered to be a bloodline by those still aware of them.
| Bloodline | Founder | Parent Clan | Faction | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baali Baali (World of Darkness) The Baali are a bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Baali were a bloodline of vampires associated with demon worship. Much of the Baali in-game symbolism is inspired by real-world Mesopotamian and Phoenician sources. The very... |
Nergal, Moloch, (The Crone), Shaitan, and / or Saulot | Possibly Salubri, Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... , or None |
Independent | Daimoinon, Obfuscate, Presence | Demons, Shaitan | Affected by religious symbols. Double damage from faith. |
| Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... |
Cappadocius | None | Extinct | Auspex, Fortitude, (Mortis) | Graverobbers | All Cappadocians have a corpse-like complexion, resembling death. Difficulties of social rolls for Cappadocians - any rolls involving a social attribute - increase by one. |
| Salubri | Saulot | None | Independent | Auspex, Fortitude, Obeah | Unicorns, Soulsuckers, Cyclops | The Salubri lose one health level for each Blood Point drunk from an unwilling victim. |
Dark ages
As Dark Ages: Vampire is a historical setting of 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....
, all the bloodlines and clans technically carry over into the modern setting. The bloodlines are listed here due to either being at the height of their power during the Dark Ages, first introduced in that setting, or no longer playing a significant role in modern times. It should be noted that most of the major Dark Ages bloodlines are considered extinct in the overall meta-plot by the time of Masquerade. Other bloodlines that originated in the Dark Ages, such as the Gargoyles
Gargoyles (World of Darkness)
The Gargoyles are a bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Gargoyles are a bloodline created by the Tremere as servitors. Although technically not a Tremere bloodline, the bloodline is largely under their control...
, are listed in the "Final Nights" section as they are still a significant bloodline by that time period.
| Bloodline | Founder | Parent Clan | Faction | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anda | Dobrul the Brave | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... |
Extinct | Animalism, Fortitude, Protean, (Ma) | Tartars | May not sleep more than three days within the same one-mile area (die-pool halved after three days). Become more animal-like each frenzy; every 10 frenzies, remove 1 point from a Social Attribute. |
| Azaneali | Azaneal | Baali Baali (World of Darkness) The Baali are a bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Baali were a bloodline of vampires associated with demon worship. Much of the Baali in-game symbolism is inspired by real-world Mesopotamian and Phoenician sources. The very... and Lasombra Lasombra The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan... |
Presumed Extinct | Obfuscate, Obtenebration, Daimoinon | Husks, Puppets | Affected by religious symbols. Double damage from faith. May not embrace. |
| Greek Gangrel | Unknown | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... |
Extinct | Animalism, Obfuscate, Protean | Dogs | Become more animal-like each frenzy. Every 5 frenzies, remove 1 point from a Social Attribute. |
| Jati | Various | Ravnos Ravnos The Ravnos are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages role-playing games.... |
Independent, (Enemies of the Kuei-jin) | Chimerstry, Animalism, (Brahman Caste: Auspex), (Other Jati: Fortitude) | (Brahman Caste: Prophets) | When an opportunity to indulge a vice is present, Jati must succeed in a self-control check to avoid indulging it |
| Laibon | Fakir Al Sidi | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... , (Possibly through the Akunanse legacy) |
Independent, (Defunct in specific games) | Abombwe, Animalism, Fortitude | Sphinxes, Watchers | If a Laibon expends or ingests Blood Points, the "Beast" automatically consumes a point, or two points for an ingestion / expenditure of five or greater in a scene. Laibon grow hungry much quicker than other Kindred. |
| Lamia | Lamia | Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... |
Extinct, (Loyal to Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... ) |
Fortitude, Potence, (Mortis), Deimos | Gorgons | As worshippers of death in the form of the Dark Mother, the Lamia carry a curse they call "The Seed of Lilith". This is a virulent disease that can infect those from whom they feed, especially men, and is invariably fatal; other Kindred who feed from Lamia are also infected, but they become carriers only. |
| Lhiannan | The Crone | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... |
Extinct | Animalism, Ogham, Presence | Druids | Obvious inhuman aura discernible by humans. Increased difficulty in resisting "Faith" based magic. Bound to their sacred groves. |
| Noiad | Unknown | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... |
Presumed Extinct | Animalism, Auspex, Protean | Wanderers | Cannot gain sustenance from the blood of animals. |
| Telyavs | Unknown | 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,... |
Extinct | Auspex, Presence, Thaumaturgy | Shepherds | Repulsed by Christian iconography. Difficulties to resist frenzy are two higher than usual when confronted by an enemy who uses "True Faith" as a defense. |
| Wu Zao | Zao-xue and Zao-zei | Salubri | Independent, (Enemies of the Kuei-jin) | Auspex, Fortitude, Valeren (Scholars: Healer Path), (Thieves: Warrior Path) | Orphans | Wu Zao must compulsively seek out and research dark or arcane lore, requiring a successful willpower roll to resist. |
Final nights
As stated above, since Dark Ages: Vampire is a historical setting of 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....
, all the bloodlines and clans technically carry over into the modern setting. Often, it is up to the storyteller's discretion whether to include "extinct" bloodlines in games set in the modern times.
| Bloodline | Founder | Parent Clan | Faction | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahrimanes | Muricia | Country Gangrel antritribu | Sabbat | Animalism, Presence, Spiritus | Cats | Ahrimanes cannot create offspring and cannot use their blood to bond others, however they can still be bound to others. If Merits and Flaws are used in the Chronicle, they can still take the flaw "Thin Blooded" but it is only a one-point Flaw. |
| Blood Brothers Blood Brothers (World of Darkness) The Blood Brothers are a fictional bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studios Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.... |
None, (Artificially created via Thaumaturgy and Vicissitude) | Created by Tremere antritribu and Tzimisce Tzimisce The Tzimisce are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages.... |
Sabbat | Fortitude, Potence, Sanguinus | Frankensteins | May not embrace; all Blood Brothers of the same circle feel each other's pain. |
| Children of Osiris Children of Osiris The Children of Osiris are a fictional group of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade.The Children of Osiris are the closest the game has to a "good guy" vampire bloodline... |
Osiris or Khetamon | Various, (Osiris possibly from Lasombra Lasombra The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan... or Followers of Set Followers of Set The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god... ) |
Extinct, (Enemies of Followers of Set Followers of Set The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god... ) |
Bardo, (Default of parent clan) | Osirians | (Default of parent clan) |
| Daitya | Indian Setites | Followers of Set Followers of Set The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god... |
Independent, (Enemies of the Kuei-jin) | Obfuscate, Presence, Serpentis | Devil Brahmin | Extremely susceptible to sunlight (double damage). Subtract one from all dice pools while in bright light (spotlights, strobes, etc.). |
| Daughters of Cacophony Daughters 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.... |
Melusine | Toreador Toreador (World of Darkness) The Toreador are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games. Their symbol is the thorned rose.The Toreador are some of the most beautiful and glamorous of the Kindred... and / or Malkavian Malkavian The Malkavians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books, role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and, Vampire: The Dark Ages. In modern times, they are associated with the Camarilla. Their symbol is a broken mirror... |
Independent | Fortitude, Melpominee, Presence | Sirens | The Daughters of Cacophony are so caught up in their music that they hear it constantly. As a result of this distraction, the difficulties of all a Daughters Perception rolls are increased by one. Additionally, a Daughters Alertness can never exceed three. |
| Gargoyles Gargoyles (World of Darkness) The Gargoyles are a bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Gargoyles are a bloodline created by the Tremere as servitors. Although technically not a Tremere bloodline, the bloodline is largely under their control... |
None, (Artificially created via Thaumaturgy) | Created by 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,... with Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... , Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... , and Tzimisce Tzimisce The Tzimisce are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages.... blood |
Camarilla, (Indentured to 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,... ) |
Fortitude, Potence, Visceratika, (Flight) | Slaves, Guardians | Appearance trait of 0, -2 Willpower to resist Dominate and other mind-controlling effects. No Gargoyle can take the mentor background. |
| Hajj | Tarique | Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... |
Ashirra | Animalism, Obfuscate, Potence | None | Nosferatu are absolutely loathsome to look at. All Nosferatu have Appearance ratings of zero. They may not improve Appearance with experience points. Most Social actions based on first impressions, except intimidation and the like, fail automatically. The Hajj are proud of their Islamic status as protectors and rarely hide their terrible visages. |
| Harbingers of Skulls | Unknown, (Possibly Lazurus) | Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... |
Sabbat | Auspex, Fortitude, Necromancy | Lazarenes | Regardless of the quantity of blood a Harbinger of Skulls consumes, her skin maintains a deathly pallor. Additionally, the Harbingers' skin shrinks to make these Cainites appear skeletal, with bony limbs and faces frozen into an immortal death's grin. Because of this decidedly unwholesome and morbid visage, Harbingers of Skulls have Appearance Traits of zero. All Social rolls involving the Appearance Trait automatically fail for Harbingers of Skulls. |
| Kiasyd | Marconius | Lasombra Lasombra The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan... |
Sabbat | Dominate, Mytherceria, Obtenebration | Weirdlings, Scarlets | Wounds caused by iron weapons inflict aggravated damage, being in the presence of iron (within a number of yards equal to the Kiasyd's Stamina) raises the frenzy's difficulties by one, and touching iron causes an immediate frenzy roll. |
| Mariners | Unknown | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... |
Independent | Animalism, Fortitude, Protean | Beasts | Become more animal-like each frenzy. Every 3 frenzies, remove 1 point from a Social Attribute. |
| Nagaraja Nagaraja (World of Darkness) The Nagaraja are a fictional bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.Mages of the Euthanatos Tradition that experimented with the blood of the Kindred, the Nagaraja are among the most feared of bloodlines... |
Unknown | Created via magical ritual possibly with Salubri or Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... blood |
Independent, (Formerly True Black Hand) | Auspex, Dominate, Necromancy | Flesh Eaters | Must eat raw flesh in addition to drinking blood to survive. |
| Nictuku | Absimiliard | Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... , (The Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... are actually descended from the Nictuku) |
Independent, (Enemies of Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... ) |
Obfuscate, Quietus, Grotequous | Grendel | Like the Nosferatu, the Nictuku have an appearance of 0 and automatically fail any rolls having to do with appearance. Due to their horrible aura they cannot interract with humans at all. |
| Old Clan Tzimisce | [Tzimisce] (Possibly named: Mekhet) | Tzimisce Tzimisce The Tzimisce are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages.... , (The Tzimisce Tzimisce The Tzimisce are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages.... may actually be descended from the Old Clan Tzimisce) |
Independent, (Formerly True Black Hand) | Animalism, Auspex, Dominate | Fiends | Whenever a Tzimisce sleeps, they must surround themselves with at least two handfuls of Earth from a place important to them as a mortal. Failure to meet this requirement halves the Tzimisce's dice pools every 24 hours, until all their actions use only one die. This penalty remains until they rests for a full day amid their earth once more. |
| Premascine | Augustus Giovanni | Giovanni Giovanni (World of Darkness) The Giovanni are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games. In the newest version of White Wolf's Vampire: The Requiem role-playing game they are a bloodline of the Mekhet Clan called the San Giovanni .The usurpers of clan Cappadocian and... and Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... |
Independent, (Loyal to Giovanni Giovanni (World of Darkness) The Giovanni are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games. In the newest version of White Wolf's Vampire: The Requiem role-playing game they are a bloodline of the Mekhet Clan called the San Giovanni .The usurpers of clan Cappadocian and... ) |
Potence, Dominate, Necromancy | Relics | All Premascine have a corpse-like complexion, resembling death. Difficulties of social rolls for Premascine - any rolls involving a social attribute - increase by one. |
| Samedi Samedi (World of Darkness) The Samedi are a minor independent bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games, native to the Caribbean.... |
Baron Samedi | Possibly Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... , Nagaraja Nagaraja (World of Darkness) The Nagaraja are a fictional bloodline of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.Mages of the Euthanatos Tradition that experimented with the blood of the Kindred, the Nagaraja are among the most feared of bloodlines... , or Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... |
Independent | Fortitude, Obfuscate, Thanatosis | Stiffs, Zombies | The Samedi resemble corpses undergoing the advanced stages of decomposition (appearance 0, repels all creatures due to smell). |
| Tlacique | Tezcatlipoca | Followers of Set Followers of Set The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god... |
Independent | Obfuscate, Presence, Protean (their default animal shape is a jaguar rather than a wolf) | None (most other vampires believe they are extinct) | Extremely susceptible to sunlight (double damage). Subtract one from all dice pools while in bright light (spotlights, strobes, etc.). |
| True Brujah | Ilyes, (Possibly Troile) | Brujah Brujah The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch.... , (The Brujah Brujah The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch.... may actually be descended from the True Brujah) |
Independent, (Formerly True Black Hand) | Potence, Presence, Temporis | Elois, Sages | Double the experience points necessary to regain Humanity or Path of Enlightenment ratings. Conscious and Conviction rolls always made with 2 additional difficulty (at a maximum of 10). |
Defunct bloodlines
Some bloodlines were mentioned in earlier editions of VampireVampire: 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....
, yet were never updated into either Vampire: The Masquerade Revised Edition
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....
, Dark Ages: Vampire, Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom
Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom
Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom is a source-book, alternative setting, and stand-alone pen-and-paper RPG designed for Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and other games set in the Old World of Darkness developed by White Wolf Game Studios...
, or Kindred of the East
Kindred of the East
Kindred of the East is a role-playing supplement by White Wolf Game Studio to their Vampire: The Masquerade line. The vanguard of White Wolf's "Year of the Lotus" theme , this rich sourcebook is a stand-alone setting, requiring only secondary rules to be fully playable...
. Oftentimes, their presented history conflicted with established canon so they were retconned out of the setting.
Bushi and Gaki
The Bushi were a Japanese bloodline presented in Dark Alliance: Vancouver, while the Gaki were another Japanese lineage presented in the first edition of the rule book. With Kindred of the EastKindred of the East
Kindred of the East is a role-playing supplement by White Wolf Game Studio to their Vampire: The Masquerade line. The vanguard of White Wolf's "Year of the Lotus" theme , this rich sourcebook is a stand-alone setting, requiring only secondary rules to be fully playable...
redefining East Asian Vampires, the Bushi were ret-conned into House Bishamon of the Kuei-jin and "Gaki" was ret-conned into a pejorative term for Japanese Kuei-jin and are no longer considered a bloodline of Caine.
Pasdoranitas, Vhrujunka, and Zhulukall
All three bloodlines were only mentioned in passing in the first edition rule book. The Pasdoranitas were mentioned as a Colombian bloodline, the Vhrujunka as being Australian, and the Zhulukall as being African. None were ever mentioned again, so they were likely retconned out of the setting.Bloodline
The Laibon were, during the Dark Ages, viewed as a single bloodline by European vampires. The vampires of Africa nearly all referred to themselves as Laibon and presented a distinct history and discipline when compared to the traditional clans. In actuality, the term "Laibon" is the name African Kindred give to themselves. The Laibon which the European Kindred knew were actually just one of the many Legacies of African kindred. However, it is still considered canon to play with the Laibon bloodline in Dark Ages: Vampire games, if you so choose (as you can view the "Laibon" as a bloodline of the Akunanse Legacy that came to Europe during the Dark Ages).| Bloodline | Founder | Parent Clan | Faction | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laibon | Fakir Al Sidi | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... , (Possibly through the Akunanse legacy) |
Independent | Abombwe, Animalism, Fortitude | Sphinxes, Watchers | If a Laibon expends or ingests Blood Points, the "Beast" automatically consumes a point, or two points for an ingestion / expenditure of five or greater in a scene. Laibon grow hungry much quicker than other Kindred. |
Laibon legacies
The Laibon were split into several tribes with Kindred of the Ebony KingdomKindred of the Ebony Kingdom
Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom is a source-book, alternative setting, and stand-alone pen-and-paper RPG designed for Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and other games set in the Old World of Darkness developed by White Wolf Game Studios...
. The old Laibon tribe was "replaced" by the Akunanse tribe (alternatively, you can view the "Laibon" as a bloodline of the Akunanse Legacy that came to Europe during the Dark Ages). It is still considered canon to play with the Laibon bloodline in Dark Ages: Vampire games, if you so choose.
| Legacy | Parent Clan | Disciplines | Nicknames | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akunanse | Gangrel Gangrel (World of Darkness) The Gangrel are a clan of vampires, often associated with the Camarilla, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages, and books and role-playing games.... |
Abombwe, Animalism, Fortitude | Weavers | For every 20 experience points an Akhunanse acquires, he also gains one animal characteristic. Every five features adopted permanently reduces one social attribute by one. |
| Children of Damballah | Followers of Set Followers of Set The Followers of Set or Setites are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games set in the Old World of Darkness .The mythic-historical origins of the Followers of Set are in ancient Egypt, as they claim to be descended from the dark god... |
Obfuscate, Presence, Serpentis | Vipers | Extremely susceptible to sunlight (double damage). Subtract one from all dice pools while in bright light (spotlights, strobes, etc.). |
| Guruhi | Nosferatu Nosferatu (World of Darkness) The Nosferatu are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade, Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games.... |
Animalism, Potence, Presence | Kings | The appearance of a Guruhi changes based on their moods, reflected by their Orun and Aye. Anytime the character's Orun or Aye changes, the player must roll Appearance + Subterfuge of 8. |
| Ishtarri | Toreador Toreador (World of Darkness) The Toreador are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages books and role-playing games. Their symbol is the thorned rose.The Toreador are some of the most beautiful and glamorous of the Kindred... |
Celerity, Fortitude, Presence | Gluttons | The Iahtarri are easily addicted to excess (which also manifests physically) as their all-consuming needs drive them to fulfill those desires at the cost of everything else. |
| Kinyonyi | Ravnos Ravnos The Ravnos are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages role-playing games.... |
Animalism, Chimerstry, Fortitude | Nomads | For every two weeks a Kinyonyi stays in a given domain, she must make a check of Self-Control + Subterfuge (difficulty 8) to avoid mentioning or otherwise revealing some unpleasant fact - true or false, on purpose or by accident - about someone important in that domain. For each month, the Kinyonyi receives an additional one-die penalty to this roll. |
| Mla Watu | Cappadocian Cappadocian (World of Darkness) The Cappadocians are a clan of vampires from White Wolf Game Studio's role-playing games Vampire: The Dark Ages and Vampire: The Masquerade.... |
Auspex, Fortitude, Necromancy | Ghost-Eaters | Difficulties of social rolls for Mla Watu - any rolls involving a social attribute - increase by one. |
| Nagloper | Tzimisce Tzimisce The Tzimisce are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's books and role-playing games Vampire: The Masquerade and Vampire: The Dark Ages.... |
Animalism, Auspex, Vicissitude | Horrors | For each day a Nagloper does not bury himself in the earth completely before resting, his dice pools are halved (cumulative down to a minimum of one die). |
| Nkulu Zao | Salubri | Auspex, Fortitude, Obeah | Soulsuckers | Loses one health level for each Blood Point drunk from an unwilling victim. Unlike Western vampires, the Nkulu do not necessarily gain a third eye by reaching the second and third levels of Obeah. |
| Osebo | Brujah Brujah The Brujah are a clan of vampires in White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness books and role-playing settings. Their name is derived from Bruja, the Spanish word for witch.... |
Auspex, Celerity, Potence | The Pride | All difficulties to resist frenzy increase by two for Osebo characters, to a maximum of 10. |
| Shango | Assamite Assamite The Assamites are a clan of vampires, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.In the original version of this clan the Assamites are a group of skilled, select assassins who often commit contract killings in exchange for the blood of other vampires... |
Celerity, Dur-An-Ki, Obfuscate | Judges | All Shango are addicted to vampiric blood. Any time a Shango tastes to blood of another Laibon or Kindred, he must make a Self-Control roll (difficulty equal to the number of blood points ingested +3). If he fails, the Shango becomes addicted to that vampire's blood and must make a frenzy roll the next time they meet. |
| Xi Dundu | Lasombra Lasombra The Lasombra are a clan of vampires, associated with the Sabbat, from White Wolf Game Studio's Vampire: The Masquerade books and role-playing games.The Lasombra are in many ways the Sabbat's answer to the Ventrue Clan... |
Dominate, Obtenebration, Potence | Shadows | Xi Dundu vampires cast no shadows. When the Xi Dundu rest, they must not be touched by their native soil or their strength is halved for 24 hours. |
Kuei-jin
The Kuei-Jin are the vampires of the Kindred of the EastKindred of the East
Kindred of the East is a role-playing supplement by White Wolf Game Studio to their Vampire: The Masquerade line. The vanguard of White Wolf's "Year of the Lotus" theme , this rich sourcebook is a stand-alone setting, requiring only secondary rules to be fully playable...
. The term is a portmanteau word consisting of the Mandarin word for ghost (kuei) and the Japanese word for person (jin). It is a relatively recent construction designed to indicate the commonality of the undead condition throughout the Middle Kingdom.
They are called "Cathayans" by western Kindred and are not descended from Caine, and thus a separate type of supernatural creature than the vampires referenced above.
Further reading
- Achilli, Justin, et al., Vampire: The Masquerade (Revised Edition), White Wolf Inc., 1998
- Achilli, Justin, et al., Kindred of the East, White Wolf Inc., 1997
- Achilli, Justin, et al., Kindred of the Ebony Kingdom, White Wolf Inc., 2003
- Hartshorn, Jennifer , et al., Vampire: The Dark Ages, White Wolf Inc., 1995
- Oliver, Clayton, et al., Vampire: The Masquerade Storytellers Companion, White Wolf Publishing; Package edition, December 1981