source: http://lord-nosferatu.planetaclix.pt/Clas/Clas.htm (author: Vampire Clans)
(Review and essential corrections, Sílvio Lôbo)
Vampires exist, and they walk among us. At night, at least – because the sun is deadly to them. And yes, they survive by drinking blood. But myths go no further than this to tell the truth. Crosses, garlic, running water? They have no effect. Vampires as they truly exist are creatures of contradictions. They are immortal, yet remain bound to what is still human. Powerful, but always cautious to keep their existence hidden from human society.
This is their story.
For many, vampires are a creation of Cain, the first vampire. He created several vampires, who in turn gave rise to other vampires, and so on. Each generation born, moves further away from Cain's blood, consequently losing powers. But vampires who remain active for long periods of time tend to become more powerful, gaining experience, knowledge, political influence – and a strong sense of paranoia.
The clan to which each vampire belongs affects their personality, powers, physical appearance, and mentality.
Vampires with similar characteristics are nicknamed "kindred." But times have changed for them. In the Middle Ages, they could move more freely among the human population, sometimes reaching positions of governors through their influence. But with the arrival of the Inquisition, everything changed again. It became necessary to adopt a law of absolute silence about their own existence – the "Masquerade." Killing was the least they did to preserve their existence in absolute secrecy.
Nowadays, vampire society is much more structured. Most "Kindred" belong to the Camarilla, who protect the law of silence (Masquerade) and maintain a social hierarchy. Others, however, belong to the Sabbat, who reject their human nature and only see humans as their source of sustenance. Only their instinct for self-preservation of the species prevents them from destroying the "Masquerade."
There are 13 different clans in modern times. Other clans are no more than stories. One such clan was the Cappadocians. Deriving from an order of medieval monks, these vampires made death their primary object of study.
The Clans are,
[[Nosferatu]], [[Brujah]], [[Gangrel]], [[Malkavian]], [[Ventrue]], [[Tremere]], [[Assamite]], [[Ravnos]], [[Tzimisce]], [[Toreador]], [[Setites]], [[Lasombra]], [[Giovanni]]
Factions
[[Camarilla]], [[Sabbat]], [[Independents]], [[Brujah]], [[Gangrel]], [[Malkavian]], [[Nosferatu]], [[Toreador]], [[Tremere]], [[Ventrue]], [[Lasombra]], [[Tzimisce]], [[Assamite]], [[Giovanni]], [[Ravnos]], [[Setites]]
