Vampire Culture

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Vampire Culture

The First Tradition: The Masquerade
Thou shalt not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so shall renounce thy claims of Blood.
The Second Tradition: The Domain
Thy Domain is thy concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word in thy Domain.
The Third Tradition: The Progeny
Thou shalt sire another only with permission of thine Elder.If thou createst another without thine Elder's leave, both thou and thy progeny shalt be slain.
The Fourth Tradition: The Accounting
Those thou create are thine own childer. Until thy progeny shall be released, thou shalt command them in all things. Their sins are thine to endure.
The Fifth Tradition: Hospitality
Honor one another's Domain. When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shalt present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou art Nothing.
The Sixth Tradition: Destruction
Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind. The right of Destruction belongeth only to thine Elder. Only the Eldest among thee shall call the Blood Hunt.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Vampire Clans:

Assamite
No other clan has earned such a deserved reputation for diablerie(cannibalism among vampires). They also sell their murderous services to other Kindred, acting as contract killers. According to the Assamites own teachings, they drink the blood of other Kindred on the command of their founder, in an attempt to purify their own taint. So dreaded were the Assamites that, during the nights of clan wars, the Tremere cursed them, making them unable to drink the blood of other Kindred. However, the Assamites have recently thrown off this curse, and so they hunt other Kindred for their blood once more. Kindred who regularly deal with this clan have noticed an increased bloodthirstiness on the part of the Assamites, as well as a disregard for their former codes of honor.
Famous Assamite: Galahad Coleridge, Jane Parish

Brujah
Once philosopher kings of Mesopotamia, Persia and Babylon, they controlled an empire that spanned from the cradle of civilization to northern Africa, and collected lore and knowledge from around the world. In their pursuit of freedom, however, they killed their founder and were cast out. They have since suffered inescapable decline. Now they are perceived as little more than spoiled childer who have no sense of pride or history. The clan as a whole resents the Elders, and are firebrands and agitators, testing the Traditions and rebelling in the name of whatever causes they hold dear. Many Brujah are outright anarchs, defying authority and serving no Prince.
Famous Brujah: Rani of Persia, Soverign of Afrika, Tsar of the Far East

Gangrel
The night-prowling Gangrel are feral vampires and posses disturbing animalistic tendencies. Rarely staying in one place, Gangrel are nomadic wanderers, satisfied only when running alone under the night sky. Their founder is whispered to have been a barbarian, unlike other clan progenitors, and for this reason, Gangrel often Embrace outsiders. Distant, aloof and savage, Gangrel are often tragic individuals, though many hate the cities' crowds and constrictions, the presence of hostile werewolves prevents most Gangrels from living outside their confines. Some members of the clan Gangrel think that independence would be better than their nominal involvement with the Prince, and their continued membership in loyalty to the Princes is uncertain.
Famous Gangre: Jack (The Ripper), Endymion Bourignon, Phoebe Bourignon

Giovanni
Clan Giovanni is a clan of financiers and necromancers. Trafficking in the commodity of souls has given this clan a disproportionate amount of power, while trafficking in world finance has given them almost sickening wealth. Other Kindred are loath to trust the mercenary Giovanni, who seem to be using their influence toward some unknown end. Part of their unhealthy reputation stems from the fact that it is a very insular clan, drawing almost all its members from its incestuous mortal family. Further damaging their reputation is the pervasive rumor that its members usurped their vampiric status from the vampire who originally Embraced them. Soon after becoming a vampire, the Giovanni clan leader destroyed his sire and the bloodline, creating the clan in his own image.
Famous Giovanni: Sara Fry, Eve Nicolai, Damian Le Mort

Lasombra
Masters of darkness and shadow, and possess a knack for leadership as keen as that of Clan Ventrue. Indeed, many see the Ventrue and Lasombra as twisted reflections of one another. Once, the Lasombra were nobles, but the chaos of Kindred history and the formation of the Sabbat have caused most of them to turn their backs upon their origins. Now,they give themselves wholly over to the damnation of being vampires. The Sabbat has affected this clan as profoundly as the Lasombra have affected the Sabbat, and without the rulership of these fallen aristocrats, the Sabbat would likely disintegrate.
Famous Lasombra: Luna Le Roi, Zachariah Merelli

Malkavian
This clan has suffered throughout history, and continues to do so to this night. Every member of this clan is afflicted with madness, and all are slaves to their debilitating lunacy. The Malkavian founder is rumored to have been one of the most important vampires of old, but in committing some grievous crime, was cursed, as were his descendants, with insanity. Throughout history, Malkavians have been alternately feared for their bizarre behavior and sought out for their even more bizarre insight. Those who have regular dealings with this clan report that they are more morbidly unstable than ever, spreading madness in their wake like a contagious disease. Though they have historically been fragmented and disorganized, recent migratory waves and inexplicable gatherings have many elders questioning-and fearing- the possible future of the lunatic clan.
Famous Malkavian: Cornelius Blacke, Isiah Cane, Violet Borges, Elizabeth Bathory

Nosferatu
The members of clan Nosferatu suffer the most visible curse of all. The Embrace hideously deforms them, twisting them into literal monsters. Legends say the Nosferatu were blighted as punishment for their founder's degeneracy and his childer's wicked behaviour, but in the modern nights, Nosferatu is known for levelheadedness and calm in the face of adversity. Nosferatu have reputations as information brokers and harvesters of secrets, as their horrid appearances have forced them to perfect their mystical ability to hide, sometimes in plain sight. At present, the clan claims that it has distanced itself from its founder and no longer serves him. Some Kindred whisper that the clan is on terrible terms with its progenitor, and that he actively seeks their destruction.
Famous Nosferatu: Vlad Tepes, Moleli Phaga, Enama Lesali

Ravnos
Descendants of the gypsy Rom and their forebears in India, the Ravnos vampires lead nomadic unlives. Like the gypsies of history, the Ravnos are spurned due to their reputations as thieves and vagrants. Many Princes persecute the Ravnos because of the chaos that follows them. The Ravnos return their scorn manyfold, holding them in equal contempt. The Ravnos are also known for their ability to create amazing illusions, the better with which to trick their marks. Recently the movements of the Ravnos have become even more erratic than usual;whispers have begun to circulate among other clans that ancients of the clan have risen to direct their youngling's games.
Famous Ravnos: Luke Frost, Cassandra Church

Setites
Originally hailing from Egypt, the serpentine Setites are said to worship the undead vampire-deity Set, serving him in all their efforts. The Setites seem intent on 'corrupting' others, enslaving victims in snares of their own weakness, but for what inscrutable purpose, none can guess. Other Kindred despise the Followers of Set, and the clan claims no allies. Nonetheless,many vampires seek out the Setites, as the clan is whispered to possess arcane gifts and secrets from elder nights. Inevitably, sin and debasement follow in their wake, and many princes refuse to allow them in their cities. Some sinister purpose unites the Followers of Set, and they are one of the few clans rumored to have constant contact with their founder. Many Kindred rightly fear these fork-tongued vampires, for their very presence is often enough to set a Kindred down the road to ruin.
Famous Setites: Azaneth Bast, Djeserit Eshe, Het-Heru, Kahkra Met


Toreador
Prodigals of the Kindred, this clan indulges in excess and degeneracy, all while claiming to preserve patronage of the arts. To a great degree, this patronage is true, as the clan claims many talented artists, musicians, writers, poets and other gifted creators. On the other hand, the clan possesses just as many 'poseurs', those who fancy themselves great aesthetes but lack the ability to create it at all. According to legend, Toreador support of the arts dates back to the clan founder's Embrace of a pair of twins. The twins pursued unlives of beauty and indolence while their sire, Arikel, doted on them, protecting them from the ravages of plague, famine and parricide that swallowed the city. Further, darker rumors circulate that one of the twins eventually grew depraved in her immortality and slew her brother and sire. Clan Toreador vehemently denies this, and those who bring up the subject suffer the clan's wrath.
Toreador: Tam Fey, Raphael Spenser, Ariel de Pompadour, Giselle Darling

Tremere
No clan is so shrouded in deliberate mystery as the Tremere. The inventors and practitioners of terrible blood magicks, the secretive Tremere have a tightly knit political structure based on the acquisition of power, as well as a fanatical clan loyalty, practically unknown to any other clan. Because of the veil of secrecy that surrounds the clan, disturbing stories have surfaced as to the nature of their vampirism. Some Kindred claim that the Tremere are not really vampires at all, but rather mortal wizards that cursed themselves for eternity while studying the secret of immortality. One of the most rampant rumors, spread by a gypsy visitor to their chantry house in Vienna, is that the clan founder, Tremere himself, is undergoing a horrid metamorphosis into 'something' else. Clan Tremere is silent on the matter, and looks askance upon those who would presume to know it's secrets.
Famous Tremere: Armand le Boursier

Tzimisce
Formerly the tyrants of Eastern Europe, this clan has been uprooted from their Old Country manses and relocated into the clutches of the Sabbat. Possessed of a peculiar nobility, coupled with an evil that transcends mortal perception, this clan leads the Sabbat in its rejection of all things human. Certain Kindred apocrypha claims that the Tzimisce was once the most powerful clan in the world, but that history and other Kindred conspired to bring it down to its current state. Moreso than any other vampires, they revel in their monstrousness. they practice a 'fleshcrafting' Discipline that they use to disfigure their foes and sculpt themselves into beings of terrible beauty.
Famous Tzimisce: Uriel Papillon, Constance Brown 'The demon of Raven's Wings', Lord of The Ghastly

Ventrue
Nominal leaders, they claim to have created and have supported the organization of vampires as a whole since the idea's inception. The clan suspects that its founder was slain by a member of the Brujah clan, which is a great blow to its members pride. In any event, the clan almost certifiably has no founder any longer, and has thereby achieved untold independence from its elders. Nonetheless, Ventrue actively involve themselves in every aspect of vampiric society, in which they exercise their considerable influence over the doings of humans as well. Much curiosity exists among the Kindred as to the inner workings of this well-organized clan, as rumors of dark mysteries and slumbering ancients sometimes slip out from under the Ventrue's austere facade.
Famous Ventrue: Persephone Mare, Louis Choiseul

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Vampire Types:

Intentional Psychic Vampires
Intentional Psychic Vampires are humans whom possess great telepathic abilities. They use these abilities to knowingly draw the life force from others.

These vampires seek out victims whom they can interact with in order to create strong emotions in these victims, sexual intercourse usually being the biggest. At the peak of climax, the vampire will then absorb mental energy from the victims' aura. Some other vampires usually try a more subtle approach. They will attack the victim whilst they sleep. This often causes vivid dreams in which the victim will awake feeling drained and tired. A death from a Psychic Vampire is rare however.

The appearance of an Intentional Psychic Vampire is that of the usual human physic. They tend to pretend to be mortal blood drinkers. They are not immortal and they do not have a fatal reaction to sunlight. Whilst in their psychic state, they cannot be destroyed by any physical means.

Surveys prove that one out of every five is attacked by one of these vampires at least once in their lifetime. They usually start off practicing on others in groups or under group guidance. When they have mastered the dark art sufficiently enough, they move on to astral projecting themselves and commence feeding. After their death, they become something like wraights, earthbound entities, and continue to feed in this manner in order to keep their astral forms from breaking down.

Unintentional Psychic Vampires
Unintentional Psychic Vampires feed in exactly the same way as Intentional Psychic Vampires but are unaware that they are doing it. They feel refreshed after sexual intercourse while their partner is often left tired and drained of energy. Usually they are morning people due to their unintentional feeding on others during the night.

The reasons vary between occurrences but most often it is because they a re compensating lost energy from some illness that they have. Most of the time, these vampires are older then their victims for the main reason of with age there's often more sickness. It is rare for the victim to be older, but it does happen. The fact that these vampires feed unknowingly can make them very dangerous.

Mortal Vampires
Since the beginning of time, there have always existed mortals whom have had an obsession with blood drinking for whatever reasons. Some portray themselves as real vampires, some use blood drinking as an excitement or as a sexual enhancement. Some may even be from a particular disease which often causes insanity. This disease is often referred to as "Renfield's Syndrome" which is also as you guessed, a character from Dracula who is a Zoophagous, meaning a "life-eater."

Mortal blood drinking is quite a big occurrence now. There has become quite a big community for this sort of thing. Most blood drinkers advertise for blood donors while some purchase the blood from blood banks. Blood bank purchasing is only allowed in some states however and as an added benefit, the blood is thoroughly tested to ensure safety from any sort of known impurities.

Immortal Vampires a.k.a. Homo Wampyrus
Immortal Blood Drinkers is a rather large classification because not all receive the dark gift the same. There are roughly around thirty-six different recorded types well documented. I will be listing the four most common however which is also more then the rest all added together.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Common Species

Homo Wampyrus Chiroptera
These vampires are the rarest of the vampires because they are the "bat" vampires. They are largely found Africa, New Zealand and South America. Most of there population are concentrated in China and India.

These vampires appear to be very human other then a slightly pointy pair of ears and sometimes with a lantern jaw. They socially mix well with humans but hate to be around crowds. These are the most sensitive to sunlight, they experience blisters and pain after some time in the sun. They are the only vampires capable of the shape shifting feature. They are able to do this by certain factors such as racial origin, length of time as a vampire and even the right food.

Homo Wampyrus Draco
This is the most well known of the types. Made famous by Bram Stroker, they are more like Counts. They are well documented world wide. They are everywhere with the majority in places like North America, Britain and Western Europe.

They are extremely human in appearance except for their retractable canine teeth in their upper jaws that are hardly noticeable. They have medium to poor tolerance to sunlight and will perish in a couple of hours of direct sunlight. They are very social with humans and often take jobs as night watchmen and club bouncers.

They often gain there blood through willing donors who think that they are mortal blood drinkers. Some do pleasure in taking blood by force due to the fear factor and the release of adrenaline. It is these vicious vampires that have made movies like "The Lost Boys," "Blade 1 and Blade 2," and many others. They have also put into the heads of humans that it is "cool" to be a vampire.

Homo Wampyrus Nosferatu
They are often referred to as the "deformed" vampires. They were given their name after the 1922 movie "Nosferatu." They are less common then the Wampyrus Draco but are surprisingly numerous.

Their change into a vampire is not an easy one. The individuals' immune system has fought the virus and the virus is forced to mutate in order to survive. The end result is a twisted and disfigured vampire. Usually it is a high domed head that is bald with a visible network of livid veins; the face is long, thin, drawn, has deep creases; has sunken eyes; the ears are large and pointy or membranous; nose is upwards and revealing the nostrils; the hands have long tapered fingers often with an extra joint with sharp, discolored nails; stands with a hunch because to straighten their back causes extreme pain to their twisted spines and can cause a slipped disc or worse. All of these abnormalities are the reason why they are so anti-social with both humans and vampires a like.

They obtain blood through stealth from sleeping humans, small children or even from farm animals. They are everywhere with large concentrations in Africa, South Africa, The Caribbean and Japan. It has been speculated that the Puerto Rican Chupacabras, Goat Suckers, are excessively deformed Nosferatu vampires.

They are moderately sensitive to sunlight and can tolerate it for hours at a time on a dull day. They can perform certain shape changes but they vary from case to case.

Homo Wampyrus Sauria
They are often known as the "reptile" and/or "lizard" vampire. They get these names because they possess teeth that are all sharply pointed and resemble those of large lizards.

They are the most social of the four main types and are able to withstand extended periods of sunlight or indefinitely with the aid of sunglasses and sunscreen. With the exception of their teeth they are very human in appearance. They tend to be very outgoing and are often business men who have amassed a great deal of wealth through their long lifetime. However they are extremely susceptible to depression and most commonly the victims of suicide.

They are rare in Europe but are common in North America, Central America, South America and Australia with a great concentration in China, Japan and certain parts of the former USSR.

Due to their extreme social abilities, you might think that they are the most considerate feeders, wrong. They are the most brutal of all. They will often rip large pieces of flesh from the victim, usually from the thigh, upper arm or throat. They will devour the flesh and drink the blood from the gaping wound until the victim perishes. This rarely happens now. They take more often to buying blood or obtaining it from willing donors whom are cut with razors rather then teeth.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Glossary Of Terms

Casanova- A vampire who seduces mortals to feed from them,but does not kill them.

Cauchemar- A vampire who feeds exclusively on sleeping victims.

Kine- The Kindred term for all mortals

Diablerie- The consumption of another Kindred's blood to the point of Final Death.

Primogen- The assembled elders of each clan in a city.

Praxis- The right of the Prince's to govern,the Prince's claim to domain.

Regnant- A vampire who holds blood-bond over another.

Neonates- Vary from newly released fledgelings to indolent Kindred of a hundred years or more.

Methuselahs- If the Antediluvians are the Kindred's gods, the terrible Methuselahs are their demigods and avatars.At a point between the vampire's thousandth and two thousandth year,a grave change overtakes the Kindred.Sometimes the change is physical,other times it is mental or emotional.Whatever the change,the result is that the vampire no longer bears any semblance of humanity.

Lush- A vampire who feeds from drugged or inebriated mortals in order to become so himself.

Leech- A human who drinks vampire blood,but acknowledges no master.

Retainer- A human who serves a vampiric master.

Lupine- A werewolf,the natural and mortal enemy of the vampire race.

Siren- A vampire who seduces humans in order to drink from them.

Domain- An area of a particular vampire's influence.Princes claim entire cities as their Domain,sometimes allowing other Kindred to claim domain within.

The Scourge- In charge of what goes on in Elysium, a Toreador wishing to display her latest work,A Tremere wanting to give a lecture, or a Brujah scheduling an open debate on Princely policies-all must clear things with the keeper, who can cancel or approve an event on the grounds of preserving the Masquerade.Most keepers are appointed by the Prince.

Donor- Sarcastic term for a vessel,typically human.

Lust murder- The sexual act after the murder. .

The Barrens- (See: The Becoming)

The Becoming- The areas of a city unfit for life,including graveyards,abandoned buildings, industrial wastelands and areas of irreversible urban blight.

Elders- Kindred who have existed for hundreds of years, and typically range from sixth to eighth generation.

The Inner Circle- The true hub of the Camarilla, they meet every 13 years in Venice to plan out the business and direction of vampire society.

The Kiss- To drink blood,especially from a mortal.The Kiss causes feelings of ecstasy in those who receive it.

The Inner Circle- The true hub of the Camarilla, they meet every 13 years in Venice to plan out the business and direction of vampire society.

The Man- The mote of humanity that a vampire maintains,the spark of morality that distinguishes him from the Beast.

The Beast- The inchoate drives and urges that threaten to turn a vampire into a mindless, ravening monster.

Elysium- A place,usually declared by the Prince, where violence of any kind is forbidden,under penalty of Final Death. Rules of Elysium: 1)No violence is permitted on the premises. 2)No art is to be destroyed on pain of Final Death. 3)Elysium is neutral ground. 4)Remember the Masquerade at all times.

Fledgelings- Also known more loosely as 'childer',they are newly reborn vampires still under the tutelage and protection of their sires,the vampires that made them.They are not considered full members of the Kindred community,and are often treated disrespectfully or as the sire's property.When the sire decides their childe is ready,the fledgeling may become a neonate,subject to the Prince's approval.

Farmer- Term of mockery for vampires who refuse to take human blood,and instead feed upon animals.

Porphyria- A genetic disorder characterized by a disturbance in porphyrin metabolism with resultant increase in the formation and excretion of porphyrins or their precursors.

Blood Fetish- The need or want to drink, taste, or "bathe" in blood. Usually conducted in a sexual situation. People who drink blood may or may not call themselves "vampires."

Footpad- One who feeds from derelicts and other chaff of society.

Blood Lust- The overwhelming desire to feed. A vampire in blood lust knows no bounds. The vampire will act as if possessed and cannot restrain him or herself until their appetite is sated, even if it means killing where they would not normally. Blood lust is often characterized by a reddening or glowing of the eyes, possible showing or elongation of fangs, drooling, growling, or any other animal-like behavior. Also simply called "the lust."

Child(e)- The offspring of a vampire. Pl., Childer.

Embrace- To make one a vampire; siring.

Embracee- One who is being made into, or who has become embraced; childe.

Folkloric/ Historical Vampire- Specifically an animated corpse that has risen from its grave to drain the blood from animals or humans.

Fictional/ Literary Vampire- This vampire, unlike the folkloric vampire, has less limitations on it. Again, it may be an animated corpse feeding on blood, but "vampire" in literature is also used to refer to other creatures of the dark who are predators, such as ghouls or incubi, and it often does not feed solely on blood. Fictional vampires may act as psychic vampires, feeding on energy or emotional states, or may feed on other things, such as sex or flesh.

Ghoul- An animated corpse that sustains its own life by eating, most usually, the flesh of other corpses, but which can also eat humans.

Archon- A vampire in the retinue of a Justicar.Archons are generally nomadic in nature,frequently pursuing Kindred who have fled to avoid persecution at the hands of the Camarilla.

Incubus/Succubus- This creature is something akin to a spirit or demonic entity, and sexually predates on men and women while they are asleep in their bed. Though it is not clear if the incubus prolongs its life by feeding from these sexual energies-- making it a type of vampire-- the victim does die from the incubus's attentions. It is linked to vampires, often confused as one, but because it is not an animated corpse, it is not wholly a vampire, at least historically. Pl., Incubi, Succubi.

Kindred- Vampires.

Banking- The practice of taking blood from blood banks and hospital reserves.

Living Vampires- This term refers to those people who are very much alive, but who practice vampiric acts, such as blood drinking, to satisfy an emotional need. Some claim, however, they do need to drink blood to sustain their health. People who choose a vampiric lifestlye often also opt to dress in black clothing or formal attire, sleep in coffins, and advoid the sunlight. "Living vampire" is usually applied only to those who wish to call themselves such- people who have only a blood fetish may take offense at being labeled a vampire. Being a living vampire may be labeled as a "club or weekend hobby," a "lifestyle," "occultism," or a "religion."

Blister- Another name for the Sabbat.

Black Hand- Another name for the Sabbat.

Psychic Vampire- Specifically a living being that sustains its life, way of life, or own emotional state by draining or feeding from the energy, emotions or life of another being, almost always a human.

Sire- The vampire who embraces another person; the maker of another vampire; parent vampire. (Female vampires can also be called "sires.")

Blood Bond- A mystical power over another individual which is initiated by partaking of a particular vampire's blood three times,accepting blood from a vampire is acknowledging their mastery. Other versions of this magic exist and may be initiated by demons and other unholy beings and usually they all have the same general aspect, therefor they are called Blood Bonds as well.

Siring- The act of turning one into a vampire; embracing.

Vampire- 1. An animated corpse that drinks blood to sustain itself indefinitely. 2. A human, creature, spirit or other entity that drains any manner of thing-- blood, energy, etc.-- from humans or animals to sustain its way of life; psychic vampire.

Vampire Demi-god- I use this term to refer to entities who are neither a demon nor a spirit. Demi-gods, or lesser gods, are often god hybrids or low ranking gods. Unlike demons and spirits, they traditionally do not interact with the mortal population, unless it is in legend. (Hercules and the Titans are commonly known demi-gods.) A vampire demi-god is a figure in religion/ mythology that acts in a manner consistent with folkloric vampires. These lesser gods are, I believe, the beginnings of the figure of the vampire, who eventually de-evolved from a god-- splitting then, perhaps, into the other related forms of spirits and demons-- to a very tangible, and formally mortal, corpse.

Vampiress- A female vampire. (Though a "vampire" may refer to either sex.)

Justicars- 7 total.Appointed by the Inner Circle to be the Camarilla's eyes,hands and if necessary,fists.Justicars have the only true authority across the Camarilla and all Kindred,with the exception of the Inner Circle.They alone have the power to adjudicate matters regarding the Traditions.

Blood Doll- A human who freely gives her blood to Kindred, and seems to gain a perverse satisfaction from doing so.

Antediluvians- These ancient vampires, if they exist at all, are likely the most powerful creatures in the world. Members of the Third Generation, the Antediluvians are only two steps removed from the first vampire, Caine.

Headhunter- A vampire who feeds exclusively on other vampires.

Keeper of Elysium- In charge of what goes on in Elysium, a Toreador wishing to display her latest work,A Tremere wanting to give a lecture, or a Brujah scheduling an open debate on Princely policies-all must clear things with the keeper, who can cancel or approve an event on the grounds of preserving the Masquerade.Most keepers are appointed by the Prince.

Witch/Warlock/Wizard- Accroding to popular belief during the middle ages, witches are the human servants of the Devil. They are either under his direct control, with no will power of their own, or they have entered into a pact with the Devil to do his bidding in return for personal favors. Unlike popular notions of witches (such as at Halloween), witches were not necessarily believed to be ugly or otherwise obvious. The most obvious sign of a witch nearby was a continual string of bad luck in a village, or to a particular family, disease-- especially among livestock-- and unusal events or certain individuals acting strangely. Originally "witch" could refer to either males or females, although most who were burned at the stake were women. Later, it became more common to refer to male witches as warlocks or wizards. (Note, this is a medieval definition of a witch. This is in no way related to the modern definition of a witch as a practitioner of pagan or earth-related rituals, like the Wiccans.)

Butterfly- One who mingles among the mortal high-society element and feeds exclusively from the famous and wealthy.

Haven- A vampire's home,where they sleep away from the sun.

Zombie- Like a ghoul, this being is an animated corpse, but unlike a ghoul, it is controlled by a witch or witch doctor. It is used as a slave or made to suffer out of revenge by the person controlling it. Traditionally, a zombie does not attack others-- unless ordered to-- and it does not drink blood or eat flesh. It, especially in horror movies, is often confused with a ghoul. The ghoul, zombie and vampire are closely linked, and are often interchanged with each other in folklore.

Alleycat- Term for a Kindred with no permanent haven,who sleeps somewhere new every day.

Harpies- They pride themselves on being the social managers of Elysium.They traffic in gossip and social maneuvering, and status is their coin.With the right or wrong word to the Prince,they can make or break a vampire's place in the city.

Wight- Human,man,a mortal.

Gehenna- The Kindred believe that this approaching Apocalypse bears down ever more each night upon the world.When Gehenna arrives,the Antediluvians shall arise and make a wasteland of the world,consuming Kindred and mortal alike in the culmination of their horrendous Jyhad.

Caitiff- A vampire of unknown clan, or of no clan at all.Caitiff are typically of high generation,where Caine's blood dilutes too greatly to pass on any consistent characteristics.A Kindred can also be declared Caitiff by their clan, for committing some crime against them.

Anarch- A kindred rebel who oppose the tyranny of elders.

Gentry- One who preys at nightclubs,bars and other establishments.

Ancillae- Relatively young vampires(between one and two-hundred years of unlife) who have proved themselves valuable members of Kindred society.

Whelp- Derogatory term toward young Kindred.

Golconda- The fabled state of vampiric transcendence,the true mastery of the Beast and balance of opposing urges and principles.

Thrall- A vampire under the influence of a blood-bond,having drunk thrice from another vampire.

The Sherriff- Appointed by the Prince and approved by the Primogen. Their prime job is to be the Prince's 'enforcer',the vampire who hauls offenders into court, keeps order on the streets, and generally stands ready to assist with the 'muscle' aspects of ruling.