As Saulot entered Torpor, to escape a world in which he had seen only Evil, and Good overcome by Evil, the Blood of His Blood were left to fend for themselves. A few of the Elders followed Saulot to safeguard him, some entered Torpor tired of this world and hoping to awaken to better times, but most were left in a hostile world. The Philosophy of Ascension, the Philosophy of Golconda, and the Philosophy of Purification (and the two sects based on that particular belief) developed very quickly, giving the lost Childer of Saulot a focus which they gravely needed in a world filled with beings who desired only their destruction. Many of those who entered the "Flames of Serenity" and the "Swords of Saulot" faked their own deaths, sometimes even masking as the Cainites who had attempted to kill them, making the Ba'ali and the Clans believe that they had almost wiped the Salubri from the face of the Earth. This is the Masquerade of these Salubri, which they call The Way of Shadows. Their enemies did not see farther into the shadows in which they themselves did stand, they saw only the Salubri who followed the Philosophy of Ascension _ Cainites who had clearly gone as mad as any Malkavian, and now followed a belief which would destroy them all sooner or later. They did not see the three eyes which watched from the shadows and learned who the true enemy was. They did not see the Cainites in their midst who wore false names and faces. But they felt the force of the sects when they lashed out from the shadows. Blows which made them run around like ants who just had their nest destroyed, ants who screamed "The Nictuku", "The Secret Masters", "The Damned Blue-Bloods" and "The Setites." But there were also those _ immortal and mortal alike _ who felt the gentle kiss of the Salubri, as it had once been given to their Father by Gabriel, and found their way into the Light, who trod firmly on the Path of Golconda.

A few Salubri Elders chose more direct roles in the Jyhad, masking as Gods and Elders of other Clans, rather than manipulating events from afar. As the practise of posing as Gods was widespread amongst all supernatural creatures, it is hard to tell who are legends, who are Salubri and who are other Cainites, Mages or Daemons. The Salubri who posed as Gods were concentrated in Sumer, India, Egypt, Greece, and Scandinavia.

Egypt
The Egyptian mythology have at least two Gods which have been positively identified as Salubri.

The Moon-god Khons from Theben, had several aspects, one of which depicted him as a man with a falcon's head crowned with the new moon and the full moon. A fairly clear reference to the closed and opened third eye of the Salubri, and the head of the falcon also tells of the clarity of vision which is attributed to many Salubri. Khons was invoked in matters of disease and healing, and was then known as Khons Who Gives Advise.

His close association with the falcon and the moon draws a clear picture of a ancient Salubri named Xalmakhar the Wanderer, who walked with Saulot when he returned to the lands of Kala-At- Shergat. That particular Cainite was said to be able to call upon the Moon for help, supposedly causing the Sickness of the Moon (i.e. insanity) in his enemies. He was also said to be able to change himself into a falcon and rip out the eyes of his enemies.

Selket was one of the four Goddesses who protected Osiris, and all the dead. Originally her name was Serket- Hetu which meant "the one who lets the throats breathe", a name which identified her as a Goddess who protects all living. She was said to have an eye which was both healing and lethal, therefore she was closely associated with scorpions and wore one on her head as a crown.

If she was able to kill with her eyes, that would make her another Salubri Ancient, namely Vistherathrica. She developed a special Power of Obeah, which allowed her to reverse the healing effects of the Discipline when the gaze of the third eye was turned upon someone completely corrupt and evil.

India
Several Salubri are believed to have involved hemselves in the events which took place in pre-historic India, and several Gods and Goddesses have characteristics which points towards Salubri powers. The area which was to become India and the surrounding countries of Pakistan and Nepal, was long in an iron grip of terror and the suffering attracted the Salubri. Mysterious Cainites who all descended from the Destroyer-Goddess Kali, ruled the area with terror and blood-letting on a scale which rivalled the deeds of Shaitan in Kala-At-Shergat. The Salubri manipulated the Brujah, Tzimisce and Gangrels to attack the foul daemonic Cainites which were known as the Children of Kali.

Such creatures as Vishnu and Hanumat are identical to powerful Tzimisce, who could create ever new forms for himself, and a Gangrel Cainite who ruled the Giant Apes who lived in the area at that pre- historic time and he had a strength which was unrivalled.

The Salubri apparently took upon them guises of love, compassion and eroticism. In such forms they could more easily spread their philosophy, as well as influence the other Cainites in the area.

The wife of Vishnu the Maintainer of the Universe, who was named Shri, a Goddess of Happiness and Fertility who could heal damage done to man, beast and crops.

A Salubri named Lakshimithia had special powers over the plants of the earth, and is thought to have known a special Path of Thaumaturgy which dealt with the growth of all plants and the development of new ones. Lakshimithia is also known to have been active in Greece, where she was known as Demeter the Goddess of Fertility.

Parvati, the wife of Shiva the Destroyer in both his aspects as a fierce destroyer, a healer of souls and an amorist, is also thought to be a Salubri. She influenced the different aspects of Shiva, and held in herself both aspects of compassion and hate.

This particular personality-blend existed in the Salubri Sathiumarkha, whom Cainite legends hold was the most passionate undead ever, a being who knew only love and forgave those who did her wrong. When the Salubri was Blood Hunted and driven from the Second City, that all changed. Sathiumarkha developed a dark side, which was hate and destruction incarnate _ a dark side she was able to transfer to others by means of altering their minds and souls. But she also had a side which was love, compassion and desire, the very nature of the Salubri made flesh. Sathiumarkha invoked these sides in her husband (who is believed to have been a Brujah who was driven mad with grief when the First City was destroyed in the Great Deluge), and made him a God both feared and respected.

Sumer
From Ancient Sumer, only one Salubri is known to have played a part as a Goddess. This was some time before the fall of the Second City, and thus at least one Salubri have played a part in the beginning War of the Ages, well before Saulot and his Childer were driven from the city in Kala-At-Shergat.

Inanna was the Supreme Goddess of Sexual Love and Fertility. She was also said to hold power over life and death, capable of restoring the pure and the innocent back to life, which strongly hints at her real identity. She ventured into the Underworld where she attempted to dethrone Ereshkigal, the Goddess of Death. She was, however, defeated, killed and nailed to a wall fashioned from bones and the souls of rebellious humans. Her vizier Ninshubur divined a catastrophe, and created two mighty companions of clay who accompanied him into the Underworld in a daring attempt to rescue Inanna. Here the vizier and the clay people resurrected Inanna, tricked Ereshkigal and her minions into taking an evil man named Dumuniz in Inanna's place and returned with her to the world again.

The Salubri Methuselah Nahstradia, constantly battled a daemonic entity named Ereshkigal, and was known to have converted many Evil Men with her special abilities. She was rumored to have mastered a special Obeah Power, which allowed her to resurrect those pure and innocent people who had been wrongly killed _ either by accident or by evil deed. Nahstradia was a very sensuous woman who richly deserved her aspect as the Supreme Goddess of Sexual Love, and was supposedly able to seduce both men and women _ mortal and immortal alike _ with but a glance.

It is uncertain exactly who the Ereshkigal she battled was, as several options present themselves when guessing at her identity, as she had the powers of several legendary creatures. The most likely explanation is that Ereshkigal is fact a "compound entity'"_ meaning several beings who possess similar abilities and personality traits, are crystallised into a single being. The two most prominent (an likely) beings are Eresharr and Kish'ghal'rss.

A daemonic Cainite named Eresharr haunted Sumer, and constantly threatened the safety of the Sumerian cities. She was supposedly able to call upon the Fire of the Underworld, make the sky black with flying Daemons and turn the rivers into blood. Whether this Cainite was a Ba'ali, or just one of the many undead who bartered with Daemons in those Days Before Time, is not known.

However, another creature named Kish'ghal'rss displayed much the same abilities, but was said to rule her own private Domain in the Underworld, from whence she could send forth legions of Daemons and other minions. Kish'ghal'rss was not, however, one of the Damned. The few intact references to her, which have been found on ancient clay tablets, have words describing her which can be interpreted as Awakened or Enlightened. This, of course, suggests that Kish'ghal'rss may have been a Mage, quite possibly a Nephandi.

In Nahstradia's most famous strike against her daemonic adversary(ies), she ventured into her foe's Domain in the Netherworld, and attempted to reverse her Evil nature. She failed, and after she had been defeated in battle, she was staked and hung on a wall in her enemy's throne room where Ereshkigal could gloat over her foolish opponent. Nahstradia had foreseen this event, and had asked her closets friend how to rescue her. Ninshubur was himself of prominent magickal power, and created two powerful clay entities to help him on his dangerous mission. He also staked and abducted an evil Brujah named Dumuniz, whom he brought along with him _ knowing very well that Ereshkigal would not be happy when she discovered that her favorite decoration had vanished.

The powers displayed by the clay people, are very violent and seemingly more like a force of nature, than a work of magick. Most likely the clay people are references to the Paradox Spirit Terra Firma, who manifests as a huge golem-like creature made from earth. Since both Ninshubur and Ereshkigal have natures and powers which point at possible Mages, a Paradox Spirit is very likely to appear at some point, when incredible powerful creatures battle.

Ninshubur did manage to enter Ereshkigal's throne room, where he removed the stake from Nahstradia's chest, reworked the physical appearance of Dumuniz and hung him in her place. Thereupon the Methuselah and the Sorcerer escaped from Domain of Ereshkigal, who was said to have crushed entire legions of Daemons in a furious rage when she discovered that she had been cheated.

Nahstradia is also known to have operated in India, and also in the Middle Eastern area where she had at least some part in the downfall of the Ba'ali Diabolo, who was responsible for the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Greece
In Greece two Salubri are known to have been active. One posed as Demeter the Goddess of Fertility (see India: Lakshimithia), and the other Athenae the Goddess of Wisdom.

Demeter was both the Goddess of the Corn, but was also known as Mother Earth, as she was a Goddess of the fertility of both the earth and the women. She was capable of creating abundance and famine, barrenness and fertility. Demeter was identical to the Salubri Lakshimithia.

Athenae was one of the most powerful Goddesses in the Greek pantheon, and in her aspect as the Goddess of Wisdom she was worshipped all over Greece. Her wisdom and ability to see with clarity where others could not was legendary, as was her wily intelligence. She was reknown for sending military advice in the dreams of the great warlords, advice which would lead to a glorious, but bloodless, victory. Athenae was beautiful as the dawning day, but she remained the Virgin Goddess. This may have more to do with the standards of patriarchate society in which she was Goddess _ sharp, intelligent women were seen as a threat to the potence and power of the men _ and thus Athenae remained forever the inapproachable.

Athauzanna was one of the most (if not the most) intelligent and wise Salubri who has ever existed, and her wisdom and intelligence rivalled even that of Saulot. She hated violence and war, and constantly intervened with her wisdom to settle things peacefully. Athauzanna was a gentle creature who desired only peace, and she was loved dearly by her Brothers and Sisters. The Ba'ali hated her with a venom because of her ability to settle wars and struggles peacefully, and were constantly trying to kill her. She disappeared some 1500 years B.C. and since she was never again heard from, the Ba'ali are thought to have succeeded with their foul schemes. All Salubri wept blood for her, and the world is a much colder place without her presence.

Scandinavia
The Salubri even came as far away from their original tropical homelands, as Scandinavia. A single member of the Clan sneaked her way into the otherwise warlike and savage religion of the Vikings. Here, as in all the religions in which the Salubri have played a part, it is a Goddess of Fertility. =09 Freya was the Goddess of Fertility, Love and also associated with the more dark Prophetic Magick, which is not entirely in keeping with her aspect as one of the Goddesses of Light. The cult which surrounded Freya had two sides, one was as the one who brings fertility to the land, the seas and the mortals, guards marriage and protects young lovers, and the other associating her with unrestrained sexuality and dark magick. In keeping with this special aspect, it seems appropriate that she had two giant black cats pulling her cart. Perhaps this is why the black cat has been so widely associated with the familiars of witches. The magick which Freya wielded was mostly rituals which revolved around predicting the future, but she was also capable of summoning forth terrible creatures who would hunt those who betrayed their love, and laying terrible curses upon those who angered her. But as well as having this darker aspect, Freya was also a compassionate and passionate being. She cried tears of gold when she saw the cruelty of the world, yet she also gained the souls of those who died because of love. Legends state that she took many mortal warlords as her lovers, sometimes solidifying their reign until the point of their death, sometimes pitting them against each other but always bidding them welcome to Valhall. Being a Goddess of Love, Freya combines both sides of love and passion. The good feelings associated with infatuation, mature relationships and solid marriages, feelings which makes those who have them more human. And the dark feelings associated with unfulfilled love, unrestrained desire and hate, feelings which strengthen the evil in all creatures and feeds Those Who Wait.

A Salubri named Gefion was a priestess before she was Embraced, and she believed in love and hate as the prime forces of the universe. As much as she worshipped love, she also claimed that love without hate was an unbalanced thing which could only lead to corruption _ without its counterpart, the other feeling could not exist. Therefore she embraced both love and hate, making her a very powerful being, as she fought her enemies with pure emotions and understood the hearts of mortals and immortals like no other. Gefion was a very capable sorcerers, and inducing both love and hate, she also had the ability of shapeshifting and could change into any type of bird if she so desired.

The battle which the members of the Flames of Serenity and the Swords of Saulot fought, was nor restrained to the activities of those who posed as Gods. The Divine Salubri (as these Ancients have been nicknamed) are merely the most visible members of sects enshrouded in mystery and shadows. What exactly the Salubri (meaning those following the Philosophy of Purification) have been responsible for, is very hard to discern _ especially since they are not very visible, and leave no record behind for other Cainites to find. They battled both the Setites, the Ba'ali and numerous Cainites from all the Clans, mortals, Nephandi and Lupus Garou _ all who came to close to the edge of the Abyss and became champions of Darkness and Evil. But if they have fought evil and corruption since the Dawn of Time, why is the world still going to hell? One might ask such a question, and the answer lies in the very nature of the Cainites and humanity: Power corrupts! The Cainites who have held absolute power for millennia know nothing else and would rather loose their immortal soul than give away an ounce of power. They manipulate and corrupt as do humans, but since the vampire is the last link in the food-chain and the predator of all other species, they have taken the power-games and corruption to new depths. As time gnaws away at the soul of the Cainites, so does noble purpose tarnish and pure thought muddle up and far too many Elders have but an thin shell of humanity covering their Beast. The Elders effect both their Progeny and the Kine, who in turn work back on the Elders. Thus the corrupt Elders extend their corrupting hand against the world to wield their influence, but as their power corrupts the hearts and societies of men, so does the world corrupt them back. This evil cycle has been going for centuries, and the Salubri is but a faint flame in the great darkness which envelops the World of Darkness. They fight unfathomable Dark Powers. However, even if their fight is a seemingly doomed one, what would happen if they did not fight it?

But the Childer of Saulot does not stand alone as the Champions of Light; the Mummies, the Children of Osiris, the Tradition Mages, those Garou who have not lost sight of their real fight in intra-tribal warfare, and unfortunately very few of the Cainites, stand at their side. Sometimes by chance, and sometimes as knowing allies. The Champions of Light are few of number, but strong of will and determination. That is a very small comfort for those who stand in the front of the battle, and knows the true number and nature of the enemy.

The Purification Sects maintains lines of communication to the Mummies and the Children of Osiris, as these two groups hold dear many of the Salubri's own ideals. Both groups fight the Followers of Set relentlessly, and it is a well-known fact to the Salubri, that Evil attracts Evil. The Ba'ali are often to be found around places of suffering and corruption, and are as drawn to such places and emotions as are the Setites, and vice versa. When one begins to turn the rocks, all the slimy insects will eventually crawl out, and there are so many sorts of insects! When the fighting starts, the Salubri will hasten to the scene, often to participate _ but they also believe in observing, and often they remain in an abandoned area of battle to see who comes out when the storm settles; very often the powerful beings let their minions fight their dirty battles, and only come out when they believe that all is safe.

Disaster Strikes