All vampires have their own special words or phrases that they like to say.
Vampires have a huge capacity for double-talk; what they say often means something
other than its literal interpretation, or something in addition to its simple meaning.
Different types of connotations have evolved from the Damned. Below is a list of
definitions to some of these words to help you understand better.
A Kindred rebel who opposes the tyranny of elders. Anarchs
wish to redistribute the wealth and resources of a city equitably among the vampires therein.
Naturally, the elders oppose this, having cultivated their influence for centuries.
Barrens, The
The areas of a city unfit for life, including graveyards, abandoned buildings,
industrial wastelands, and areas of irreversible urban blight.
Becoming, The
The moment one passes from being a fledgling into "full" vampire status.
One may not Become until his sire deems him ready and gains the prince's approval.
Book of Nod, The
A loose collection of Kindred legendry and history. The Book of Nod
chronicles the origin of the Kindred, though it has never been published in its entirety. Fragments
of the document and its many partial transcriptions circulate among certain strata of Kindred
society.
Beast, The
The inchoate drives and urges that threaten to turn a vampire into a mindless,
ravening monster.
Blood
A vampire's heritage; that which makes a vampire a vampire. Usage: I doubt his claims
to such esteemed Blood.
Blood Bond
A mystical power over another individual engendered by partaking of a particular
vampire's blood thrice; accepting blood from a vampire is an acknowledgment of his mastery.
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 any consistent characteristics.
Camarilla, The
A sect of vampires devoted primarily to maintaining the Traditions,
particularly that of the Masquerade.
Childe
A vampire created through the Embrace - the childe is the progeny of his sire.
This term is often used derogatorily, indicating inexperience. Plural childer.
Clan
A group of vampires who share common characteristics passed on by the Blood. There
are 13 known clans, all of which were reputedly founded by members of the Third Generation.
Coterie
A small group or "pack" of Kindred, united by the need for support and sometimes
common interests.
Diablerie
The consumption of another Kindred's blood, to the point of the victim's Final
Death. Vampires of high generation may lower their generation through this practice; particularly
old Kindred have such rarefied tastes that mortal blood no longer sustains them, and they must
consume vampire blood.
Domain
An area of a particular vampire's influence. Princes claim entire cities as their
domains, sometimes allowing lesser vampires to claim domain within.
A vampire who has experienced three or more centuries of unlife. Elders are the most
active participants in the Jyhad.
Elysium
A place where vampires may gather and discourse without fear of harm. Elysium is
commonly established in opera houses, theaters, museums, and other locations of culture.
Embrace, The
The act of transforming a mortal into a vampire. The Embrace requires the
vampire to drain his victim and then replace that victim's blood with a bit of his own.
Fledgling
A newly created vampire, still under his sire's protection.
Generation
The number of "steps" between a vampire and the mythical Caine; how far descended
from the First Vampire a given vampire is.
Gehenna
Armageddon when the Antediluvians will rise from their torpor and devour the race of
Kindred and the world.
Ghoul
A minion created by giving a bit of vampiric vitae to a mortal without draining him of
blood first (which would create a vampire instead).
A vampire's "home"; where he finds sanctuary from the sun.
Hunger, The
The urge to feed, as with any living creature. For vampires, however, the Hunger
replaces all other drives with its own powerful call.
Inconnu
A sect of vampires who have removed themselves from Kindred concerns and, largely,
the Jyhad. Many Methuselahs are rumored to exist among the Inconnu.
Jyhad, The
The secret, self-destructive war waged between the generations. Elder vampires
manipulate their lessers, using them as pawns in a terrible game whose rules defy comprehension.
Kindred
The race of vampires as a whole, or a single vampire. According to rumor, this term
came about in the 15th or 16th century, after the Great Anarch Revolt. Sabbat vampires scorn the term.
Kiss, The
To drink blood, especially from a mortal. The Kiss causes feelings of ecstasy in those
who receive it.
Lupine
A werewolf, the natural and mortal enemy of the vampire race.
Lush
A vampire who typically feeds from drugged or drunk mortals in order to experience their
inebriation.
Life, The
A euphemism for mortal blood. Many Kindred regard this term as affected and effete.
The mote of humanity that a vampire maintains; the spark of morality that distinguishes
him from the Beast.
Masquerade, The
The habit (or Tradition) of hiding the existence of vampires from humanity.
Designed to protect the Kindred from destruction at the hands of mankind, the Masquerade was adopted
after the Inquisition claimed many Kindred unlives.
Prince
A vampire who has claimed a given expanse of domain as his own, particularly a city, and
supports that claim against all others. The term can refer to a Kindred of either sex.
Rogue
A vampire who feeds upon the vitae of other Kindred, out of necessity or depravity.
Sabbat, The
A sect of vampires that rejects humanity, embracing their monstrous natures. The
Sabbat is bestial and violent, preferring to lord over mortals rather than hide from them.
Sect
A group of Kindred arguably united under a common philosophy. The three most widely known
sects currently populating the night are the Camarilla, the Inconnu, and the Sabbat.
Sire
A vampire's "parent"; the Kindred who created him.
Vessel
A source of vitae for sustenance or pleasure, primarily mortal.
