World of Darkness Setting Info

Vampire: The Masquerade is a Political and Personal Horror Roleplaying Game.

Here's a very very very brief summary of Vampire: The Masquerade: Vampires exist. Werewolves, Ghosts, and other things too. Vampires are categorized into 'clans' that have similar powers, strengths, and weaknesses. Each generation of vampires gets progressively weaker, so older generations tend to be more powerful, but younger generations tend to excel more at learning.

New players: You're going to almost certainly begin as a Neonate (young vampire) in the Camarilla. You'll have to navigate the politics of vampire society but you are more likely to get away with minor mistakes.

Experienced players: You have the options to be Ancilla or Elders if you wish, as well as possibly non-Cam characters. We'll talk. Some of the common clans are listed below.

Caliburn City Officers

The Camarilla is an ancient vampire society, and each city is governed by vampire officers:

Prince

Leads the city, and generally their orders are not up for debate. Prince is usually used as a gender-neutral term.

Seneschal

The second-in-command to the Prince. Might be the Prince's best friend or their worst enemy. Hard to tell, sometimes.

Sheriff

The Prince's enforcer. If you disobey the Prince expect to get smacked around by the Sheriff.

Harpy

Master of gossip and social standing. Maintains the strict Status rules that hold the Camarilla together.

Keeper of Elysium

Protects the sacred areas of the city where vampires are not allowed to fight.

Scourge

Keeps the riff-raff, like Caitiff and non-Camarilla vampires, in line.

Primogen

The head of a clan for a city. They keep their own clan in line.

Clans

Camarilla Clans

Assamite

Cunning, unseen, evil, bloodthirsty assassins for hire. Rumour persists that, if they fail to kill you on the first attempt, they will never try again, but who the hell wants to test that rumour? Diablierists and vicious, Arabian murderers of the highest caliber who demand their payment in blood.

Brujah

Rebelling against everything and everyone, Brujah are only happy when they are first deep in a torso. Blaming everyone else for their clan's decline into thuggery, they pride themselves on pushing every law to its limit. (Example: The Lost Boys)

Malkavian

Mad to a man, the Malkavians are cursed to spend eternity at the mercy of confusion and paranoia. Like many insane people, they claim to know 'the truth' and see hidden things nobody else can see. (Example: Drusilla from buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Noferatu

Secretive, sneaky, and thankfully invisible, the Nosferatu dwell in sewers, caves and waterways under cities, coming up only to repulse others with their horridly deformed visages or to trade secrets. Some people say you can go to them for any bit of information or gossip, but if you had to choose between a Toreador's 4 bedroom home with outdoor pool or following a trail of rats floating on turds to get some gossip, which would you choose? (Example: Nosferatu)

Toreador

Hedonists and artists, primarily concerned with their own beauty first and the rest of the world second. The Toreador thrive on social graces, the finest things in life and flights of fancy and passion. At any one time expect them to either be rushing around trying to one-up their fellow artists, sometimes to fatal degrees, or moping and mourning their lack of inspiration in the most conceded and attractive way they can. (Example: Interview with The vampire)

Tremere

Vampires that have learned blood magic. Mysterious and envied, their strength is in their powerful hierarchy. (Example: Dr Strange but vampires)

Ventrue

Self proclaimed lords of the night, the Ventrue consider themselves the guiding hand of Kindred and Kine and cleanly and quietly steamroll all those who disagree. Imperious, aloof, regal, charming, cold, terrifying, they come from politicians, old world money, families with world renown names and leaders. If they aren't looking down their noses at you, odds are they aren't looking at you at all. (example: House of Cards but vampires. Alternately: Comcast)

Independent Clans

Gangrel

They left the Camarilla, so they are considered independent. Most Gangrel (in our game) have adapted to the city. They can turn into animals and have nasty wolf claws. The Caliburn Gangrel have been given a seat on the Primogen Council.

Gargoyle

They used to be the servants of the Tremere. Now they're not. Best not to ask why.

Caitiff

There are also clanless vampires, called Caitiff. Caitiff are universally looked down upon. There are other clans that more experienced players will know, but this is the most common ones you'll meet.