| Sects |
| Sects are groups of vampires and clans that supposedly share a common ideology.They are a modern contrivance, but an important one. Sects as they are known in these nights first surfaced after the Great Anarch Revolt, a continent-wide upheaval which took place in Europe during the 15th century.Many elders accept sect membership grudgingly, deriding sects as "foolishness---the Blood is all that matters." In nights before the Great Anarch Revolt and the Inquisition, these elders claim, there were no sects at all. Other vampires argue that this is still true---a vampire in a sizable city may go a decade or more without ever seeing another Kindred, so of what use is a sect? Reguardless, most vampires belong to one sect or another; others claim independance, no preference, or that they are affiliated with their clan, not a sect. The sext known as the Camerilla is arguably the largest and most prevalent, though its rival the Sabbat has recently made conciderable inroads against it and still opposes the Camerilla at every turn.The secretive Inconnu, when it may be reached for comment, maintains that it is not a sect, although it seems to be organized and manages to steer clear of the other sects.On the opposite side of the coin, the anarchs make much show of pretending to be a sect, though they are the first to enlist Camerilla aid when the Sabbat appears at a city's borders.Thus, the Camerilla conciders the anarchs to be under its purview. |
| The Camerilla- The largest sect of vampires in exsistence, the Camerilla concerns itself with the Masquerade, thereby hoping to maintain a place for Kindred in the modern nights.The Camerilla is an open society; it claims all vampires as members (whether they want to belong or not), and any vampire may claim membership, reguardless of lineage. According to the often-contradictory history of the Kindred, the Camerilla came to be at the end of the Anarch Revolt, sometime in the 15th century. The Kindred of Clan Ventrue loudly claim to have been instrumental in the sect's formation, to which many Kindred owe their unlives. With the enforcement of the Masquerade, Kindred had a means of foiling the 'Inquisition', a Church office sworn to the destruction of supernatural creatures. Though the Camerilla is the largest sect, just over half of the 13 known vampire clans actively participate in its affairs. The sect holds meetings attended by active clans' representatives; these gatherings are known as convocations. It also calls periodic conclaves, which are open to any and all members of the sect, to discuss matters of imminent sect importance. Only 'justicars', officers elected by the Inner Circle to attend matters of the Traditions, may call conclaves.Justicars are always of great age, and rightfully feared; as such, their interpretations of the Traditions are heeded out of self-preservation. Coteries of vampires known as 'archons' attend the justicars; meeting an archon is usually a portentious event. Officially, the Camerilla does not recognize the exsistence of the Antediluvians or Caine. It reasons that these vampires, if they ever exsisted at all, have long since suffered the Final Death, and those who allude to them are publicly derided. |
| The Sabbat- Rumored to have its origins in a medievil death cult, the Sabbat is greatly feared by Kindred who do not belong to it. The sect is monstrous and violent, and no longer clings to any trappings of human philosophy or mortality.Members instead revel in their vampiric unlives. Sometimes referred to as the Black Hand, the Sabbat actively seeks the overthrow of the Traditions, and destruction of the Camerilla, and the subjugation of human kind. |