Etead ants he ce a 4Crepis Written by: Jess Heinig Developed bys Justin chil Editor: Cynthia Sumaers Ant Director: Ric Layout & Type Interior Art Eni He het Shy, Drew Tucker Front Cover An: John Van Fleet Front 8 Back Cover Designs Becky Jollensten, ing: Becky Jollensten Leif Jones, Alex Shickman, Christo- Gime Studio © 2000 White Wolf Publishing, Inc, All rights reserved Reoraluction without the written permission of the pub + is eapcealy forbidden, except for the purposes of wand for blank character sheets, which may berepro- dliced for personal use only, White Wolf, Varnpiee the Musauetade. Vane the Dark Avex. Mage the Asrensin lrkness and Aberrant are registered trademarks of /o¥ Publishing, Inc. All nghts reserved. Werewolf the Apucalypse, Wrath the Oblivion, Changelingshe Dream: Hunterthe Reckoning, Werewolf the Wik West. Maze the Sorceress Crusade, Wraith the Great War, Trinity lanbook Tremere are trademarks Inc. All rights reserved. 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Spectar Tianns, HeiivisEpriion Chad "Patsy's Patsy” Brown, for serenade Richard "Let's Share This Dra standing the Smells ‘Thomas, for finding him taeda “Honorary Redneck” Boulle, for learning what pases down here nthe States 10 crush the compas foom bi gil The bathroom on the day after the whole debacleCONTENTS INTRODUCTION: ENLIGHTENED BY THE DARKNESS Crapter One: THe Drice of IMMORTALITY Cuapter Two: INsmpe THE PYRAMID CHapTer THREE: STONES OFTHE PYRAMIDENLIGHTENED By THE DARKNESS Sometimes | feel caught between trop distinct worlds — the one that we all see and agree to acknowhedge, and the one that some lizarblike primordial portion of our brains understinds only subconsciously, We move bout through the common world and accepr it as normal because peeling back the layers underneath mould be too much to bear. | spent much of my life reinforcing the common morid: stage magic, sleight-of-hand, debunking paranor- mal phenomena and the like, Rational explanations exist for everything, | used te say, and I'd go to great lengths vo find them. Of sourse, suctyan explanation may net be plausible, bur we're ol)-s0-sure of our ability to define our little world that we'll gladly throw out sensibility in the interests of turning the unexplained into something that we can rationalize as “scientific” and “logical.” Occam’s Razor dvesn't support that notion, but people would rather beliene anything far-fetched ac long ac it prones that they're not ineame and that the mold. works in terms they understand: Let me give an example: People don't believe in oampires. Albuge body of literanure surrounds them: stories; movies and television shows regale us with their exploits; tales of the undead go back as fir ag ancient Africa and Sumeria; and they bape roots in the folktales of just abour enery culture in the world. But enecy= body knows that pampires aren't real. The notion of something that comes back ftom the Dead and drinks blood to survive — ludicrous! The idea that a monstrous beast might live forever in a cursed existenice devoid of sunlight oe hope absurd! The very thought thar something out there might werk in ways that humans don't understand, might defy the very order of existence that people take for granted, might prey upon bu- ‘mans, influence them, prow! among them, surpass them — no, humans are the pinnacle of creation. We certainly can't upset that notion, If humans are just cattle, if they can die meaninalessly just to satiate the permerse whims of malevolent monstrosities, well, that's enough to upset anyone's notion that we're in charge of our omn destinies. _ Vo done a show circuit and associated ork for a couple of years. 1'9 tour throngh big tomons and give Performances of stage magic, {Huston and prestidigitation. /also made tt a policy To alays debunk one thick [pet show. Other professionals hated that, but audiences enjoyed it, so it guaranteed that} could put asses in ‘eats. On the side, 19 teach to curious kids, investigate odd stories, sometimes ¢oen show up on a television spot to debunk a claim of psychic powers or supernatural phenomena. 13 see a report about come freak ‘occurrence; and immediately my mind would go inte overdrive figuring out how it worked, ho it happened, how it could be made to look teil and horw I could duplicate it. In some mays I loved the consolutions, but bucamen one Dimes aevent mote, | think 1 enjoyed bending these phenomena to my understanding. 1°d couch them in simple, easily explainable teems, shore how they. were all heaxes, and leave with the satisfaction that the world still fic my perceptual box. Charlatans, liars and bucksters mere the people | left bebind. | suppose in a may | felt better than them — the world worked the may | sAi0, and f they wanted to hang on ridiculous notions like “faith” And “parapsychology” and “magic,” then they obviously meren’tas smart and educated as I tas. Anyway, my tour took me inevitably to New York, the third bastion of trashy show antics right after Vegas and Sellyweed, Broatmay'e locking od theas Says, and when you'ce vff-vfJ-Brvabway, in the slums and ghettoes and crack-houses of late-night entertainment television, you know it. Everybody there has to gimmicks and an agent. (Dy latest job: Rum a quick show circuit, then hook up with a camera crew and debunk a “haunted” house for Bard Copy or ASE. The show wasn't so much the important part, It went as I'D expected: levitate an assistant, create silk Scaroes from nombere, walk through a brick wall and so on. The usual prestidigitation gare may to a tired old evening: | gotmy makeup squared again and headed out with the camera ctem ina van to the “manor of ghosts,” Ooh, spooky. | fett like some ridiculous extea from Che Stxth Sense, for Chrissakes, The house itself was suburban, maybe ‘50s style, probably builtin the economic boom after World War Il. Hada bit of surrounding yard; stood by itself in the midst of an otherwise boarded-up, apartment= and package ctors-vidden neighborbord It didn't lock haunted, just tired, I quipped ae much to de saumeea, witty Ime, The house's interior was much the same: dusty, creaky, deserted, with the occasional bit of odd rubble, a flapping sheet ot a weird mater stain. Nothing out of the ordinary, but certainly the sort of things that could be taken by superstitious or theill-hungry tteighborhood kids as “evidence” of haunting. J spent two days going over that damn house. Not a single spook ever reared its head, either in person or on infrared camera. The camera crew mostly filmed a lot of my smarmy commentary about gullible people. } Watters gor weitd after the job. 1 packed ip the last of my investigative gear — heat sensors, com- passes, flelo detectors, all in compact, neat litle gray metal cases without exteancous flashing lights or the like — When we receined a visitor. The sun had already set; 1'd hoped to go home earlier, but the camera ctew had inlsted on a couple of spooky night-time shoots. I was heading out the font door to put the remainder of my things in the nan mben x moman’e woice ctavtled me from behind. “Excuse me.” Simple words, but they sared the hell out of me, I'D just debunked a tired old house that didn’t have a single bit of real strangeness about it, and some voice from behind me managed to chill my skin and make my. neck baie stand on end. | turned rather too quickly and noted a tall woman in a severe business suit standing ‘on the porch, right next to the mall, just where my eye would've misecd her as } came out the front dove. 1 managed to calm my newes. “Can | help you! We're just leaving.” I commented off-hand. The moman took two steps toward me, Sor Some reason, my stomach knotted up and my mouth dried. Cy skin still felt. a tittle chilled, even under my casual “make the audience feel comfortable” seater. _ She woman adjuetsd bee mastuw ylasoe> ant yor me an coen took before she sontnuco, “19 just lke the hance to talk with you for a moment.” © Fsightd, “If it’s about the permits, the guy in the van’s got them. The house is abandoned and the network. everything. If it's about the magic show. you can talk to my agent. I'm afeaid I'm really tired tonight. Rei canrs (hawectetecs des —__ Therwoman raised an eyebrow, andidadjusted my stance a litte. | felt uncomfortable but | couldn't plaice Why — like she was a cop oF A tax auditor ot someone who'd caught me in the middle of a mischievous act, And she was going to enjoy raking me over the coals. She took another step up and added in.a slightly softervoice, “No, I was follotoing your work and your investigation. 1 manted to discuss your methods — ene professional magician to another, you could say.” Under the man porch light, bnoted that she seemed alittle older than she'd first appeared. The yellow light made her lock gaunt and sallow, and the severity of hee hale and clothing style just added to the effect of a skeletal schoolteacher. “I'm sure you could spare a fero mitutes for me,” she added. | put my tool case on the ancient mooden chair that decorated the patio without even realizing that 1'D done so, “A fer minutes, I suppose,” | said, somewhat bemused. Che womam'bad piqued my interest in a morbid sort of may. “Good,” she siniled at me, Steangely, her eday suile didn't set mie amy move at nse.“ cascvoer0 tha ter’s absolutely nothing special aboat hs house — bat thar'a Be expec. 1 found the same thet I first looked into it to years ago. I'm more interested, actually, in the one in Austin — the one rmhere you got those hazy images on camera.” “What about it?” I crossed my arms. “Just like this place — old, decrepit, nothing spectacular. Che heat images came ftom the improper insulation and Ducting, Any conteactor could take you from ‘haunted! to. habitable in about a month.” ‘She shook ber head as if1'9 made s mistake. “A good theory. | thought. but you didn't follow mp om it. You should've checked the insulation instead of just dismissing it out of hand. J snorted. “Did you miss the bit where we ment over the ducting? Wind shear across the roof and into the ducting made a pressure differential in the large rooms; that means movement of hot and cold Air bodies. Simple.” The woman took a more casual stance and answered, “Of course, but hot ait moves upmard. Chat third image you caught moved sidemays.” “Wind motion,” | countered, starting to enjey the debate, Chis was just the sort of argument hat] oficn, bad with so-called psychics and sorcerers. It's not s0 much in the data. as in how you interpret it. “Besides, you know as well as} that glass doors heat and cool at a different rate than the rest of the malls. Thar means Different radiant properties.” “Good, good,” she murmured, again reminding me strangely of a teacher. “Still, you didn't check. You assumed, and you know what they sty about that.” Somerohat annoyed at the presumption, | picked up my toolbox. “Look, I've got to be going, Cake my card, and toe can continue this discussion by e-mail.” With my free hand I managed to fumble in my pocket for my mallet and then stupidly dropped it on the ground. I sighed, stuck the toolbox back on the chair and bent dorm to pick it up, but the moman had already beaten me to tt: She offered ie back to me mithout com- ment, and | managed to dig out a business card. | tumed to look back atthe nai but it wasn't in the Scincway. “T think your friends left without you,” the momtan commented wryly from behind, “I'can give you a ride, though.” I turned back to protest but she simply said, “Come on.” She eyed me knowingly and then brushed right past. | shruaaed and followed to her car. The woman deove an older jaguar — classy, tasteful, a little out of the league of what you'd expect from... what? She'd never actually come out and said what she 019. Certainly not a stage magician, mith that © expensive car and off-putting appearance. | sidled into the car as the night became abruptly steanger, and gare the woman directions to my hotel. “So how much do you really disbelieve?” the woman asked as she Stove. “Do you suspect that there may ‘actually be things out there that you can’t explain rationally?” 1 started to snort impaticntly, but stepped and thought for a moment, “l suppuse it’s possible,” | said, “Reason accounts for plenty, though.”are The woman grinned — for a moment, it seemed a hideous sight in the man light of the mlight’s cars and street lamps. “What about things outside of reason’ Even modem science accepts that it can’t explain coeeything.” J made a dismissive moug but ansmered, “Sure, but I just haren‘t seen anything like that yet. 1 suppose you could say that when I manage to figure out these amateur psychics and the lke, } come up mith onte ‘explanation? It might not be right, but it's certainly —" “QDuich more likely,” the moman finished for me. A Dir startteo, 1 ler orop. “ ‘Wheit me made it to the hotel, the woman asked 10 come up to: my roont to. continue’ the discussion. 1'> deflected enough groupie come-ons to know that this wasn’t one. By this time } wanted to pin doron what exactly this moman mae up to. If che tas come gort of fraud, she was consistent, at the very Least; if not, then. what d19 she want? So upstaies we went. ‘Once inside, }.shut the door, shoved my toolbox next fo the nightstand and turned to Discuss the heart of ‘the matter. The woman had just folded and put amay ber glasses, and in the light she seemed to have an Almost ghosily allure. 1 put on my angry face — trained actor and all — and batked, “All tight, you've bad ‘your fun. Want to come out with it now!” ‘The moman simply nodded at me. She pirined me with her gaze, and suddenly I felt that terror again as My stomach Knerieo, Dut I mas pinned to the spot — partly due to that fear, partly because some insanely tational part of my mind needed to kriom, “You've looked for explanations in the morld atound you, and that’s good,” she stated, taking a slow step formard. “Unlike a scientist, you look at the problems that people dismiss or deride. You're willing to'place ‘yourself om the line to get to the bottom of mysteries that people don't credit. Bar you almays fall back — you never want to realize the truth. You're stuck on the edge, trying to find something out there but pulling back \ at the last minute.” 1 couldn't speak: Douth dry, rooted to the spot, 1 had no rwords left. Somewhere it the back of my head, ty ofOn Doice’ whispered, She's going to kill you, *V'm going to de you a favor,” she coved, taking another step formard. “I'm going to pall back that veil, ‘Hid You Of those OoudEs. Fm going to take you Actos the threshold, and when You'oe done that, you will never 5), shy from the precipice again.” She stepped right up, looking unblinkingly into my eyes and made'a slight nod ‘of bee bead in the direction of the hotel room's tiny wet bar. “In there,” she commanded, and mbile my mind : NS Ly a eh aie ama cer igen ier en ce alge ‘onto the tile, ‘The woman followed briskly and stepped around in front of me. She froumed once, still looking slightly up, then said again; “On your knees.” (Dy body trembled. “No.” Tsaid, The montan smirked, “A Last act of defiance, I see. You havea strong will and an inguisitive mind, Let's bope that your desperate search for the truth does not take them into places here you should not go... Though | suppose one could say that it is too Late for that.” Her face hardened. “On your knees!” she repeated, | ANd T collapsed, “Don't worry the woman sid, stoking my haie i a motherly fshion ashe Ont beeself next to me, TEveeybody whe gore through this comes out dead, one way.or another,” She kissed my neck, amd a brief ressute gave may to a burning ecstasy; I was suddenty amare of every thuding beat of my bear, my pulse in my temples, of the rush of blood through veins like silk moving across my skin, Geom the corer of my eye 1 ;‘sate blood coursing th Fioulets doen my shirt and spartering on the clean, white carpet. The reflected Night of the bright hotel bulbs illuminated the floce with a glare, against which the blood — my blood — Your blood! She's drinking your blood, and you're going to die! — made deep crimson patterns and puddies, writhing across the thick fibers with every Drip. Gasping mith a dromning man's desperation, I fele and tasted salty blood coursing across my own lips. With a desperate need I choked and sucked doron the blood, which seared racvexbyed pain Down my thepat aud ints my gullet. Dy cyce celled up toward the impeccably dean ceiling a5} died, | amoke beaped in a fanerary shroud 1aid oft a cold slab. The darkness around me slowly gave may to shapes, huddled an arm’s length away. Susureations reverberated through the chamber. | could see no light. bulbs, ne familiar walls otly a dim flicker from an cil Lamp that bung from « high, eaulted ceiling. (Dy clothes swere gorie. Only the white robe covered my body, but the coldmess of the stone didn'tbother me. In a Detached fashion, | realized that J masn’t breathing, that the room seemed t0 echo a bit more loudly as if some back~ ground sound had been temoped ftom me, and that } mas thirsty. “Arise,” a granelly voice intoned, Again, the host of whispers rose in olume, then faded. 1/sat up, keenly ‘aware that svineibling wae mizzing, frasful and Scaivous at the game time — almost an ateusing scnaation, but more of an intellectual lust, like the hunger for knowledge or vengeance. | wanted, but} ad no idea what. “So rise from the dead, postulant,” the poice intoned, followed by the whispers. | cauight fragments of Latin: syllables that bounced through the pault as a tobed figure approached me bearing a chalice. 1 felt weak sud= denly and dizzy. | steadied myself mith my hands and then pushed myself off the slab. “Will you vest forever, of search forever!” the figure asked. Wy voice croaked out harshly, “want to live.” Che voice in the corner of my mind pleaded, shouted, gibbered, You're dead and they'll kill. you again, You'll Sie over and over and over. It trailed off meakly asl straightened my posture. £ “Speak with me," the figure stated. Se held the chalice towaxd me. A scent wafted from the clalice, atonce | inpuing ano repulstre, I reached for it, bur the figure pulled back, repeating, “Speak with we.” ‘A Latin semtence rolled out of the figure’s mouth, Stom the othee figures about the room, a subtle hiss of whispered words followed. | stumbled over the words myself, through sentences and Latin conjugarions while the mold seemed unstable about me At last. the man gane me the chalice amd bade me drink. and with an unfamiliar desire rising, I swallowed from the cup. The sluggish taste of bracken blood flovded my senses and washed down ary throat, washing atay unger, desite and uncertainty. | felt the dead coldness of the liquid, its sour and rotten taste bringing forth 3 perceived stench of decay. About me, the robed figures waited statuclike, but} sam about them a terrible = maleoolence, as if they somehow mirrored the ancient potency of the blood I swallotved, 1 felt a sudden heat And pain, then nothing. The chalice, empty, dropped from my lips and was quickly snatched up in the long Angers of the figuee before ow. “You have drunk from the chalice and been reborn in our saccament,” the figure intoned mith a hint of: impatience. 5 Where... toharie thie?” } managed In the dim Lamplight, one of the figures stepped forward, The montan 1’ met before pushed back her hood ‘and smiled at me, again fn x may that put me at unease. This time, my stomach 29 not tighten and my back | D1D not tingle; instead, 1 felt a slow suspicion, a creeping paranoia as she spoke. “Welcome to out circle, chile. You've erossed the threshold. Now you have much te learn.” Buommen or ne Danes Seas oe Seat me lls alltion, Tremeredon't ha own history, carviny Nught, We becan f and develiped the survive the withering of the mapic we'd left behind, : Dyinc Macic ancient cites and th Tohearsome of the oldonestellit, we Tremere tra 1 ones become lost in the memories plovie roots to living ruagictans an't keep up with the modern age. Phenomenal undead [t's said that ance we hud presi diahe ih dr op sstpene (Gaus One: Th Pra cr eon "us believe that we were the only true the era, while others my that we were just one small part ofa larger that the houses of our current structure recall ions from our origin. Ri the othersdidn': magic was dying Our leader Toresaw the death so turned his talents to true immortality. Back in our earbest nights as Kindred, Tremere and his contemporatis realized thar ther magic couldn't sustain therm forever, but they discovered the alternative, We know that vampires bave been around pact sally forever 90 Tremere deduced thar the undead had survived for wo long eu they had outlasted the mythic ages that bore {tym Over the better part of acentury, right around the tum he millennium (that’s AD 1000), he and his assistants gathered the knowledge necessiry to tum themselves into undead. Wisrds from our order consorted with Kindted and ‘uncovered the power inherent t0 the ood, as well as the clansand societiesfound in Europe in those brutal ‘Gangre in particular aided such stualies though i's sid that the Tsimisee, jealous of our own prowess, turned against les, they couldn't mere’s ast level potion thar simulated the other Kinds itis whispered, using p sumting instruments), Goratrix brought the potion 10 Tremere and the remaining leaders. Etrius, Tremete's right-hand sorcerer, cbjected ta the idea f undeath, burin the end preservition wonout. Tremere and his followers became Kindred, and slowly spread to convert the remainder of their order of sorcerers ‘What happened her sorcerets isn't clear; certainly 'o pony hat-w tonight, and they've become nothing more thi history’sconcered, ‘Tue Eaverur Potion * potion did indeed induce vampitsin, pitsforthebestthatapprenticeslikethisoie | ont know that such wasa't is initial goal Had the | functioned as intended, we would have becorie | ‘mnmortal through the power ofblood, but emiinedlike~ | humans in our physi capabilities. | The fact that the Gangrel and Tsimbce were not |, cxacly willing parinentin the affair can, of ecu he | chalked up to the wal vagaries of Kindred dealings: | For my part, [think chat the lows of daylight is a small price to pay for the phenomenal power atid resil-- | tence we have euinadMentevAL WARFARE Asnewcomersto the Kindredscene, the fledgling Tremere occupied a pre carious postion. The original potions pyfted Tremere and his circle with / extremely potent vitae, ut not the skill wo we it. Other Tremere, fess forrunate, had only the limited equiva- lents of weaker Kindred generations to sustain them. Withouta thorough know! eige of Kindred potential, 10 exiquette or mysticism, the founders faced a dificult bate. Other Kindred saw easy targets in these newcomers Vampitesof House Tremere face preju dice and scorn among established Kindred, who reviled the converts 2s supers and blasphemers who did ot possess the true gifts of Caine (a if the tage of crazed and murderous farmer womething of which to be prox) step could easily spell doom f tion quickly spiraled out of control, with Trimisce inv Eastem Europe encroaching spon Tremere charrieg Venrprotest ing the upset of the balance of power, med CangelorLupinestiagrobiondy. (2 shreds any Tremere who accidentally set foot upon their wild expanses To make matters wore, some mugi- cians dida't rake well to the conversion to undeath. A few actually hunted us and t to destroy any vampires that they found. Thissort of rivalry only added to the fact that the old forms of medieval magic (if they had any real longevity én the first place) seem to work well for converted Tremere 10 perform more research tounder: blood and the Cuns, tobend them to our own advantage The founder didn't hesitate. With the formidable minds of his council, Tremere uncarthed ways to apply old snagical theoriesto the new blood. From theserootshe developed Thaumaruny, veans to shape blood and other ments by manipulating the very une that animates Kindred. Knowl- edge of Thaumaturey spread throughout Gurm Oa: Ti Prcror bncry B the clan, « replacement for the mystic a ‘memaber of the house had lefebehiod 0 they became undead, This Thaumaty ~ the ability to work miracles — gave ¢ Tremere a means to defend them: ifan elder focused sore incredible power against the Tremere, a inumatungcal countercould be constructed with enough re h. This adapeability hae since become something of a hallnerk within the clan Tremere den’tlanyush about bemoaning the old nights when they ean develop new In addition Thaumatutgy, the pel othe allegiances wid vidual Kindred gnizdourpoxentialand ere co abut exchange for our knowledge or later oped the Gargoyles, servants wl soul ara the rigor ost other Kins inst the shaped minion a. Webrengh fold a small family of ghouls that left its unstable Trimisce masters. Our forays into the we of yhoub and n federates excelled; Tremere hadlonghad experience in "ad: visinng” mortalcourts.as sigacion selon OF mpmeriows bane factors, Our already heavily defended chantries took some lowes, but managed to repel the seswuliset enh Kindred and mag cians alike, From the Carpathian Mountains westward, th Tremere spread, under the cover cof shares ured beneath veils Over several hundred years, we managed to bold our asets undTHe BURNING Times As the foruneSauLorAND Kin Of course, what few neonates in this modern age realize that Tremere tainaged not simply 10 discover Saulot, one of the fabled Antedilaviang, but also'to. doblerse that eminent Kindked. True, many ab the Solubsl seemed to have slipped into persecution come plexes or the punuit of past gloties. Emadicaring them proved boon to all Kindred. Rumon thar Sailor somehow surimoned Treen, or that the demonic Ancient arranged. the: circum» stancesof the diublerie, are ofcourse misguided. Kindred ‘who spread uch wildly inaccurate propaganda should be dale with most harshly, | Jetcunknown Aiea and Kota, to the perils of long journeys and the inconveni nocturnal habits, but slow means little to beings with centu ries to watch their plans come to fruition, wee mortal populations swelled, though, the more they accelerated their own violence. Controversy 1 gious orthodoxy spurred clashes berween Arab ing to a series of Crusades. Europe's Dbutthe fortunes of war drove both sides back and forth withou ally, echauctad, the two aide settle: pattern. The Christian Church, unsatisfied by it prosecute unbelievers, tumed its attentions in ohegan theIng indeed 5 re, particu: jon, the mortal Inquisitor started their careers secking out signs of unorthodoxy. Priests and secular witch-hunters watched their peers for any signs of deviation from the tenets of the Church, and ruthlessly amped out heretics: Anyone w questioned the Church, or who seemed different or strange, could be a target; ruthlets peasanes and nobles alike betrayed theitneighborsto the Inquisition with tales of devily Litle did the mortal know ofthe monsters wl their midst. Once the first unfortunate undead found their the Inquisition’sflames, though, therest were notlong allow. wi o Inquisition’ fondness for bur aaled from the general populace. Formerly inconvenient diffi culties such as nocturnal existence or eadaverous appearance sauklenly loomed a beacons that sex Kindred apart remainder of humaniy, nd thus became grave dangers, Even | cldem, formerly the uncontested rulers of their « mains, found themselves staked upon the pyres. Induisitors feared w recugnie Kindred through set esouance he (Gurr Ove Ta Prof bor 5anu! slowty hed the clausical weaknesses of fire and wnlight. The Tremere, as both Kindred and warlocks, had Rethaps the most to lose: Not only did Inquisitors flush sot ts undead, but our chantries were seized and burned, valuable books were destrened, and ge tha ecge lone. A few hunters, specially sank inp by their faith in God, even proved resistant 0 haomaurgy and other Disciplines, making them dangerous indeed. Kin « Eutope scurried for cover; elders who coukd not adpe to the timesandwho continues to see the kine solely as slaves n social order of inated was upset, For the first time we truly realised that ry could indeed rise up and destroy us ll, And the blow tour pride was grave, indeed TreCamannia As Kinuked after Kindred perished in flames, panicked duals across Europe conversed hurried gatherings or et cities, hoping to learn how sition beiened its way across all 4 Europe, leaving no place to hide and destroying entire sdlines. The many chins concluded thar only secrecy eration could insure survival. Just asthe mortals buanded together in masses and drew their strength from the fact that no line Kindred could asaule them all, the Kindred needed to set aside theit age-old differences and me together for mutual protection An invitation went out to Kindred act Elders would attend a convocation where th the union that Kindred hoped to avoid the eyes of the Inquisition. False rues, aand dupes drew away attention, while the Kindked met to decide upon a means of survival. So long as the Inquisition nay nerense ite efforts tojoin the fay in search of more monsters Only by convincing ‘mortals that their job was finisbed — that no more monsters remained. that vampires were gone from she woeld as if they'd never been — could the Inquisition be satisfied, es were terrible indeed. Elders unused to they had no choice but to all. Everly in declaration, for thie wecret society hs iepresaive evidence — elders around the continent, rooted out and destroyed: childer bringing downentire brood of vampires seth a single misteps lords who'd held sway over theit Lands for centuries, deposed: rampart inblerats, he reskdown of Kin ded society, the destruction of sresat the fangs thei childer. Kindred knew that their entire existence teetered on a preci pice. Naysayers found themselves ejected or tumed overto the Case00e Tame 16n, while those who supported the now ni —=-allowed nthe vied becetbe sao secrets, which we could sparingly we ns other Kindred: 5 ANARCHY AND THE SABBAT ‘Asthe Dark Ages gave way tothe Middle Agesand then to the Renaissance, Kindred struggled with their own trans- formation from potent lords to hidden predators. Stripped of the means to coexist as masters of mortal realms, Kindred fumed their atteation to «me armaher. The Camarila pro- valeda means for Kindred to ect safely andro measure their standing against their peers. While solitary feudal lords remained in some isolated parts of Europe — largely in the scsi loo de Une be Tatts tno cours Brew toaccommmodate Kindred of varying clans, who had only one another's approval to preen thei egos. Camanilla Kindred ‘wed political influence, blood bonds, moral intermediaries sand blackesi to humilis emis garner prestige. Early on we recognized the folly of becoming targets in such sgames, so while other Kindred vied for positions of power and influence, we fortified ourselves with the careful brokerage of cour specialized ill Ventre princes and Toreador harples fought bitterly over matters of status and prestation, Brujah and Gangrel strugled against Camarilla oppression, and Malkavians and Nosferatu skulked unaccepted in polite seinen bat we gave dem al be wot oo full chet petty ambitions, to rum their enemies and to defend theirdomains. Beyond the domains of the Camarilla, expatriates and sanarchsestablished their own social order oftorts Some truly Uslieved chat she Camanila’s structure toded il, while others simply proved incapable of existing in civilized society. Regardless, these malcontents provoked the Anarch Revolt, a hidden conflict as foolsh neonates or diablerist Kindred seal wo make their fortunes ouside the auspices of the ‘Camanilla. For the better part of a century these anarchs clashed with theCamarilla, while foreign clans — Assamites, Raynoy, Settes — pled their trades or even struck atthe ‘Camnanita before fading back into obscurity Naturally, the tenvous security of the new-founded ‘Camarilla precipitated danger. The Trimisce and Lasoebra ‘clansset themselvesin opposition to the Camarilla asanarchs claimed credit for the destruction of those clans’ progenitors; the unaffiliated clans and anarchs wantonly violated the Camarilla's Traditions butstilclaimed protection ofCamarilla sires. The situation became nigh untenable as the combina- tion of anarch sensibilities and Tsimisce sorcery brought forth an even greater threat — the Sabbat. Somehow, using Trimisce witchery the anarchs earned to break the Blood bond and form feral packs of mutual defense. From the Iberian Peninsula tothe cragsof Romania, disenfranchised or hunted Kindred threw in theirlot withthe rebels, Discarding the secrecy of the Camrillaas weak, ‘Sabbat undertook vicious rituals and rte to strengthen their ‘own inhuman nature. Even our own clan was not unscathed: Goratrix, long the most ambitious supporter of Tremere, ‘openly defected, Hetook tothe Sabbatseveral annrentices as well a his own knowledge of Thaumiturgy, casting havoc ‘over the entire clan and laying our own best weapons atthe feetofthe enemy, who would havethe Inquisition burn usall. Pethaps sensing the blood alreadvawash. the Assamites of the Midile East redoubled their assaults upors Camanilla Kindred. Princes fell to the thirsty fangsof the asausins, who dlablerised any elder they could find. Sabbat packs, too, roaredintocitiesand made their own grisly festivals. bringing war tothe Camarilla with ever-increasing warms of crased, fanatical neonates, Presure built for the Camarila to do something, but the justicars were spread thin and unable to ‘counter the innumerable sites of battle. The only chance lav ina massive tum of events, Bonpsor THAUMATURGY ‘Once again. our clan rescued the elders of the Camarilla from their inability to react to change. Recognising the dangers ofa subtle war on multiple fonts, the Council of Seven undertook to develop seme of the most potent ‘Thaumaturgy ever considered. Asthe Camarilla's spies infil. trated Assamite havens, and the followers of Goratrix ensconced themselves in the Sabbat as maniacal mirror to ‘our own clan, the council made its will manifest in ritual. Using ori les of Contagian and fueling the massive affects with their own potent sorceries, the council managed to cast vet of rituals that affected entire bloed lineages. Camaritla spies had already penetrated the Asstmites! stronghold when the concerted weight of the sect brought the asassins to heel. Toenforce matter, the council cast mighty ‘curse over the Assamutes that attended the signing of the Treaty of Tyre. Asa result all Asamites were barred frm the ability todrink Kindred blond — a safeguand that no other ean could have insured, save but in empty politics and fragile promises Against the followers of Goratrix, a similar ritual pre- vailed. The Sabbat’sturgid members shared vitae in aparody cf inal designed te prevent the Howd boil ad mo lie Coveoo: TroeAS P—— $x is usceprtible tour own bloo ex's line forever matk rites, so that all Tremere dsce the individual asa betrayer. With such success, we could easly root our traitors and spot the few Warlocks who thought to hide among the Sabbat, thus countering their and keeping} ading. Fethaps daunted by such effects, the anarch movement collapsed; anatchs eventually returns tection of the Camarilla, affirm remained defiantly rebellious, but its few Tr mnatch out prowe ould its numbers app Camarilla The Camuilla, backed by our skills, prevailed. THe New WorLD Handin hand with turmoil in Europe came the discovery and exploration of the New World — the Americas. Elder Kindred may have derided the colonization of the fron (Why bother, when all of the conveniences o remain here?"), but the council quickly ap Worlt's settleme' re thew reources Spanish, English, once populations reached a level capable Naturally, we were nit entirely the colonies from European rule. Opi et whether the Sabbath lonial Ld alo mean separation from European mand de d the spread of retellion. Regatle ped that ‘oe whether Camarills efforts t nd the the CHEAp PROPAGANDA Yes, yes; all well and good to about the treachery, be sure thu th A wise Tremete tc sgtengths. And, pert (Que Ove: Te Preto binary 9oved beneficent for clan and skirmishes provided an excellent neonates. Bombed ports and bumed cities also destroyed enemyhavens. Inthe meantime, we carefully collected much heed toa library, andthe defenses ofchantries boch helped to disuade attackers and nided in guarding the cities wherein they resided bby the time the colonial war died down, we'd managed tospread our influence actos the American conti ‘ent and ini Canada as well. Opportunitiesallowed our clan toexpand and give positions to young, promising members, ‘hus cementing further loyalty and extending the chain of the pyramid. The Sabbat was pushed back into Mexico, where theirchaotic influence helped to steer that country to Poverty and wreckage, or confined to colder northern climes. Crvit WAR The post-revolutionsry era allowed the Americas to stabilize. Battle lines with the Sabbat changed little in this 1 European Kindred came more and more to of unopened territory. Assetilers headed west, Kindred followed, especially in boomtownstlike Dodge, Tombstoneand San Francisco. In some places, Kindred who could not even be considered ancillae, such as the fledgling. prince of Fort Worth, established their own broad domains and courts as princes! The new prosperity enriched Kindred and kine alike For our part, we spread just like the rest of the Camarilla ‘When major cities erew. we placed chanities to lend our support to the sect. Experienced political bosses played an important role in the development of front As new states came into the union, w 0 open up ‘opportunities for education, communication, trade and the like. Our careful influence helped to insure that the United ‘States supported libraries and universities where we could ie toamass specialized knowledge, and we aided other Camarilla Kindred in promoting patronage of art culture and politics, further indebeing them to us. The pontifices recog- nized the emerging power of the United States and made certain that our agents were in place to take ad benefits. We encouraged strone trade with Eutone and even with the East; we pushed for further land development; and we extolled the virtues of aggressive military posture so that rmilitary elements could eventually serve in conflicts cont nnentally ot even overseas The Cwvil War of the 19th century slowed matters but did no z ceouldn't bring its full economic might tobear yer arena. More importantly. though, the Civ oftheMassivear dt even brothers at would clan millions. Total war pea hs 10 every civilian facility inthe way (and Sabbat who Wor.Lp WAR The Conrnita sspcsttion hd comcfll ccle: The word hain it no longer needed the night-prowles to keep its and now it steamrollered on an ever clas in check, Traping by Lies claptrap-— someone's been feeding apprentice well. OF course the Civil War cleansed and anarehs frm the teitses. It abe neighbor | wapect tt wore ieee lg pened under cover of the Civil We Ban conflict. Slave-holdine Tremens estates i (oh, the plantations provided excellest herds el necessities of fueling the North's economy. The tru irjalzing North, setting a porter that the States would continue to hold. devided tw place tha Sew tncemfoxtable ceonomic position aod ther show thie authority with force. Make'no mistake, chis wor wasn't over policy, it was about money. Almost like the Cru: sexes all over nein. Lasspeer that quite afew regents died at the hands of ambitious apprentices while munonand estates bumedl Fiendw afew, myself Astheworld’s nations expanded theis in hererofore-unexploited continent their military cong » Covpm One: Te Pace or wort ato auvive, and so too a colony in Africa; only by addressing theseneed could the indus J nations keep their inter ‘ts from collapsingto the natives they suppressed. The wave 4 improving transportation proved beneficial, as we could atch scolytes and Kindred all about the globe in safety. Kindred who would never risk sleepin 2 cteaky wooden ship could survive tn relative comfort ahoard the staterooms of un ironclad steamer. Mes ges that would take months to arrive by horseback nove spanned the ocean in seconds thanks to telegraph and, lter, telephone. We'd always excelled in communications and coordination more thanaany other clan; now the technology of the era enhanced our natural advantages nice the expanding nations of the world igh, something would have to give. That some gave in two World Wars — brut lustrial world. The World Ware spurred even further development through, wat bringing forth advancersents in fight, coordination, Factories purnped out material, realized chat only in granting full and equal rig their citizenseouldthey maintain anecesanly srongeconomy and equally strong military, New warsand new timesrequited new ways of thinking Our part inthe World Wars was small — although some Kindted lay blame for the Third Reich's manic occultism at cur feet, we had no part in such cred fantasies, Madmen and mortal desites drove the war that inflamed the world, not Kindred. That’ not to say that we didn’ tke advantage the sitution: the World Wars were perferr opportunities scores, to pick up recruits from abroad and to sliem at ofthe top ofthe giant military machines in order -ceven greater expansion ofthe clan's assets. What surprised Kindeed moa akout the wars was the toral destructiveness and bewality involved. Gases, arilery, d finally the split atom proved once and fr all the might of Kindred could not match the sheer destruc tive power available to moral innowarors Never could we Tika new Inquisition; one mortal with a flanethrower or machine gun could tear down even a thousand year-old cider. Should the might of humanity ever tar a level cities with their tools, then we would need todvise the moreals with such capabil ties. The weapons thar could destroy 18 also bacime our Provenance, Such was the most recent shift in Tremere ology — inthe modem nights, we whisper in the same ears «do the Brujah, Ventrue and Toreador. Obviously, we are rarely the generals on the field of hatele or the officials shaking hands with foreign heads of state, but more than one bit of espionage fas had chaumaturgical assistance in its Journey tothe right handsAND GeHEnNAT i Hmm. Indeed, we encourngeour neoriate to dete sneer | taking the effort ela sire, when a simple telephone’ of ourrelation wo oneanother—t singular advantage over other Seine uni heen eee they were predatory monsters legends. Tonight we are mach ‘upon blood, Scene el tual, unaging state — butas we absorb this iew world: the changes thar it reflects in the kine come to reflect in thew a We ee ec boojums who stalk the shodows betwéen thatched hu. ‘Our own call to power, the adaprability that Tremere needed in onder t0 make the leap fom mortal to Kin dred, causes us to accept change perhags more readily than many other clans, yetat the same tine we cannot tell where that change leads. ‘Thendpopheeleswhegr ‘of the Antediluvians and the destruction ofthe Kindred | jofGehenna,of the rise | race. When vampires themiclvesareno longer creatures | from the legends, though, what of the legends? Will Cloheena sep Ketch IY din eet ts changed? Has Gehenna, pethaps already come, but taken a form that we havenot recognised? Do we walk in its aftermath already? The prophets who wrote the legends se long age would hanily recognize this world. Pethaps the Gehenna thar they described was only in | the words that they could undertand, not a picture of thisnew millennium. Tue Monern NicHts As the wars that gripped the world ended, humanity itself recoiled. Here at last they had proven (ard realized...) their ability to wipe al hfe from the face ofthe planet. Ever carol wich dangerer prey. we poten during the Atomic Age and Cold War. We could not allow: the mortal world to destroy iiself and us in the process; our ‘own mystic faculties helped to insure that cooker heads kept annihilation constantly at hay. It was» close thi many ‘times, agents went their own way of themselves came under the influence of rivals, as made passile by the tremendous spreadof communicationsand travel. A general blackmailed invone nation could he replaced with a call fro another. ‘wipingaway years of careful work. We watched, wehusbanded cour strength, and we continued to suppor the Camarilla, hoping thai no moral wouldever bringthe forceofthe work evolved to fit this modem age. Wizardry isall about inven: tivene and adapesbiliey: The magi mene who's ready to grapple with uncommon ideas or unaccepted theories. We've transformed into the modern magi While our elders may remain ensconced in stone walls with Gargoylocand Moody "eel" e'se ar Internet incantations fueled by JavaScript and immortality. “The world’s advances become our playthings, because we're the ones who understand most the v awebaf silicon. We know thesecrets that numbers can't tell, and we know how to make the numbers dance in intricate shapes. While ather Kindred scrahb m their own pieces of the emerging globe, we've already plotted out pieces, divided up the territory and invested in the futute ‘Whenotherstely ontheir age-old Disciplines, we forge anew path with the flexibility of Thaumaturgy and the foresight of ambition. We made ourselves Kindred, and we're a newer, better reed — the old ones will the way ofthe Long Night ‘Garis Ont: Tee Pact oF bowcrsaur *‘Regimentation and hierarchy go hand in hand with the Tremere clin — oF s0 outsiders believe. Qther vampires uspiciously pal ied lockstep chain of command with harsh rules, punishmes hori dogma, Given their apparent unity, the ‘Tremere cer scern like just such a monolithic pyran the Tremere xs. d and they do have: chy, bur t i neitherw rigid nor so dictatorial as many would believe. Formedoriginally ftom the social impetus of numer sof Hes like-minded wizards gathered 4 protect their respective talents, the Tremere pyramid” isa social construct —and perhaps a little The ancient tmdition of master-to-apprentice still holds much weight, and elders cement loyalty through the psycho- logical power of communal rituals and the blood bond, ly ust after the Erabrace when an inductee latcheson, structure to grapple with hisnew condition. However, despite th self-serving claims sure elders, the Tremere hive no great and terrible rials to enforce unendirys subset rmutntin no sectet squad of asaasiins whore sole purpose is to hunt down rague Tremere. None but the most neurotic patrons have established dictums and pledges of allegiance binding their entire broods into lockstep behavior over “Tremere inues.” Mostly In short, the pyramid is a tool for survival. Young jonsothattheyknow who's succesful, what's expected and how to survive. Elders tana lise subordinates with the promise of rewards — extra neonates gain asense of orga authority, esoteric trining, political support faithful service, and punish the neonates who do t their expectations. Similar stick-and-carnot schemes drive As pea ambitious Kindred of other clans, but in the Tremere, the elders holda monopoly on their secrets, and they present at least the appearance of cooperation, A neonate Brujah could learn the mysteries of Disciplines or Nadist he anyone. A neonate Tremere can't very well tun outside hiyclan to improve his Thaw 1 promotes collabor k within the strictures of the clan und provides authority for those who latch onto it fanatical me, it'sa backtabbin w of treacherous, es from Atthe same powerhungry individuals who'll break betray any colleague for a chance at prom. inflexible, agee-old structure THe Pyramin’s of the niles of im the aspractic atthe top of most ofthec |. Treme 1 of leadership. In practice, swe from the councilors, seven elders whe the world. C arrange matterswithin their cont theit orders on to seven londs each, who in tu regents, who overses unseen and unheard of by directs the clan from ths ipreentices OF course, simple mathematics suggest that the clan hardly claims enough members 10 fill each post seven officers. Often, positions remain vacant. the (Gurnee: heat ne Pro &fulfilled by careful collaboration — or one-pennship among lesser parties; a pair of regents might divide the monitoring ofa realm that would normally be adjudicated « alord, while still performing their usual duties. Indeed, few cities can host so many vampires as to have a regent with seven apprentices. The pyramid always has a vacancy, and this ciBbie ie jint ome of the vonnnd for wtlal RANKS i ne of make within the pyramid, both asa convenience of authority and iit tanta Teingpeemise of power. Thisttso rich a ditect inflaen ower other Tremere as itis recognition of service, cpabil no Thales’ la pckelaad of tank cee their influence on their een’ behalf with the expectat reciprocation. They eam the hidden seeretsof the chin, then dole out sch tidbits mightencourage thei subordinates to Tremere; : ¢ lowmnking Tremere don't even bother with the clan’s structure, instead taking persceul interests in other aspects of Kindred oF mortal society. Ho ever, rank isthe best way to advance in the clan's special knowledge, to gain the assistance of powerful Tremere Kin- dec, andl ta gain sway over Tremere clan resources While political positions like princes or scouges vary consistentacross the globe. An appn re city imme diately knows his position with respectto aregent in another. hs seven (hopefully) progresses through the seventh. Each circle de notes a degree of mystic understanding sind. personal responsibility. Thus, an apprentice of the fifth circle presurn- Tenolis mora cole pecite dad Welds gets ul than an apprentice of the third circle. In practice, of course zation come into play: The sume appren tice of thefifth circle may hold his postion siply by virtue f descent frvtm the lineage of an ienpureant lord, while the apprentice of the third circle could he a frighteningly tal entedthaumaturge with few political ambitions. Nevertheless, ¢ higher-cirele Tremere outranks the lower-circle ones would naturally fa outstripa simple apprentice. Those nks of a given titk's circles of and above) are sometimes known 3k. Although songe vailce—fow such awkwand parlance as “high apprentice” serve the pride (and vanity) thot often goes hand in han with Tremere accomplishment Generally, a new Embrace receives the rank of appeen tice ofthe irs circle. Exceptions have happened— long-term ul, especially competent mortal magicians and favorite childer of high-ranking Tremere have ll claimed positions of Creo: Tio 6authority eatly in theit “careers” — but for most the journey starts at the bottom. it’s along, slow road up. Most Tremere don’t pass the junior rank of apprentice; fierce infighting, blocks advancement, and some Warlocks simply give in to. frustration or ennui without ever rising through the ranks. A few eschew the hierarchy altogether to exist as anarchs, unarkis oF rogues. Kindred outside the Tremere clan rarelyhave any famil- ‘arity with the rank structure. The average person doesn’t know the hieraichy of the Rosicrucians from the 1500s; neither do non-Tremere Kindred study the intemal policies ofthe clan. Occasionally anosy Kindred triesto figure out the ‘rank structure, but the fact that ranks have more to do with political jockeying and knowledge than with actual com- ‘mand sometimes makes itdiffcul to discern the undeelying pattern — askilled apprentice may wield far more influence than a figurehead regent. For their part, Tremere are ex- hhorted to keep the ranking structure private; only the most retellious or absent-minded Tremere discusses apprentices and regents in Elysium, FLenoiinos ‘A imme Besbrnced Tremere Ande herielf tn a cecwioe position. Not only must she balance the demands ofthe Beast and the sudden transformation from human to monster, but she's inundated with her sire or regent’s admonitions, Like other Kindred, she must lenen the Traditions (perticuladly the Masquerade), dicover means to feed, hone her new Disciplines and grapple with the morality of her new exist- ence. Thus, Clan Tremere has one ofthe highest failure rates ‘of all the Kindved fniline — som 0. gieewies ty hellish new existence proves to0 much for most new Em- braces, and they either go mad or end their unlivesby greeting the next sunset. ‘A Trcimre's sine ay play part in her nccepeance of her ste, but the clan's hierarchy may doso.s well —often,abigh- rankingapprentice oegent abo actsas mentor tothe fledging Kindred if nly forashort ime. Thisisn't much brainwash tnynit oa*wckemne tolicconnpiray.” The rntorsire Ives the Tremere Oath as. skilled thaumarurge uses the Transub- sentation of Seven tual Ase from that, is unlfe a ual thesire or asigned mentor makes introduetions into Kindred seaicey,winales ou for probe aa help the ew recruit £0 axhust. The momentous weight of the change from life to undeath entices many young Kindred wo grasp for whatever authority they can, simply to give their unives some sort of sei. The prem fall chee neal. When deperice neonates look for explanations of their condition or help in «oping with their new vampirim, the softer fill in dhe role cf mentor. With the Tremere, though, the pyramid spare and pace wthicpachage- long with the Traitors and the duties of chile wo sire come admonitions to pay heed tothe pyramid and lesons in its structure ‘Of course, the above assumes that one’s site i a dutiful ‘Tremere —thatis, one who sno above using the pyramidas another tool to influence her childe’s loyalties. The clan's insular structure makes “rogue” Embraces less common than among other Kindred, but not totally unknown. Sometimes fn ignorant neonate Embraces an old love, of a regent Embraces a family member, or an impassioned Tremere Embraces alover or infatuated paramour. Officially, ranking ‘Tremere frown upon this practice. [t wouldn't doto have too ‘many “accidental” Tremere running loose with a few clin secrets, handful of misinformed opinions and no safeguards in place, after all. In practice, such fledglings tend to be assimilated once they're discovered; better to use a resource: than to waste it. Naturally, they must undergo the oath and ‘the Transubstantiation, and many suffer from a social stigma: among more conservative Tremere. Among liberal regents and apprentices though, such fledglingscan interact witht much prejudice — so long asthe “teal” Tremere don't care about the supposed pedigree of the fledgling, she's just an other unfortunate (and potential servant) in need of instruction. Indeed, a Tremere Embraced without the usual ritual can be quite ignorant of usual clan policies or even Kindred society, and thus makes aperfect “protégé.” ‘As with any Kindred, the level of freedom affoed a fledgling varies from site to sie. Some sites require their childerto attend them atalltimesunti released, the tion being that the sire will properly educate the childe in the mystic arts and prevent her from making any esresious mistakes. Othersiresgivetheirchiller widerberth toleamon their own and lear through experience, reasoning that the childe must acclimate to the Embeace seconling to her own predilections. Still, very few regents would acer a Caitiffor a childe who hasn't gone through the oath and the Transub- ‘stantiation; clan secrets remain secret, after all. A Tremere would no more trust an undereducated fledgling with ‘Thaummaturgy than » Maton would tell his society's secret historyto semeone who'dnever been initiated orlearned the special offices, keywords and philosophies. Apprentices ‘The balk of neonates rk wo appresuices. The appren- tice serves several duties to the clan. Presumably, the apprentice brings specific abilities wo the table. Most appre tices work to hone their specialty. By working with the sills Adee hin bet icy nee ave preateay cape of promouton through success. Young apprentices study the basics of ‘Thaumaturgy and the Kindred condition with their ses and superiors older onesmostoften work accordingtotheit tastes and ean. A diploath, aycanive, (or nstanec, may be tasked with maintenance of good relations with local Kin- dred of importance — it would be foolish to rely.on bim asa geologist ot Kabbalistic scholar when his talents make him more valuable in other diceahot and the clan can imply go toa different specialist fr such skill Foremost among an apprentice's characteristics is duty No vampire would care to spend unlife as a servant to anothers whims, but an apprentice who bothers 10 fy (Guorn Tho: bene ne Pranan Urespect to clan ideals ultimately hopes to improve in the ranks. That means that the apprentice needs to at least appear to haws hic master’s goals in mind. Degrees of duty vary, of «course. Some Tremere hope to advance through the ranks by mastering Thaumatutgy,by making unprecedented new break: throughs or by sycophantically supporting a higher-ranking “Tremere: Oukiey weosharously cock opportunities to die «credit or depose their peers and seniors. Still others serve the clan in other capacities — more than one Tremere funds his ‘colleagues’ experiments with money drawn from venture- capital returns, and the Tremere who meintnine on A-list nighlife spot likely wields a frightening array of Kindred sexsip. Because the apprentice improves in rank only at the ‘whim of his regent (or higher authority), he avast serve that Aumninary's case if he's 1 rn ciel ‘Typical duties for an apprentice vary widely with the individual and location. An apprentice who works directly with a regent in a strongly Camarilla city will find himself po tr meso es yorum nl fr sarrypenile only h other Kindred (i{ he’s sociable enough) and to complete regular progress reports. Cities with a more chaotic temperament, of fewer Tremete, give apprentices more lt tude: Obviowsly apprentices contin to fodubge in dvcie ersonal predilections, but the less Tremere influence in a city, the les that an apprentice is expected to do. Ifthere'sno regent to ive omders and no chantry to collect eps, after all chen the apprentice works on his owe sengnisanne. Osea sionally apprentices do wind up in areas where thei superiors night have interests — say, apolitico moved toastatecapital to observe the legislature, while his regent remains in croc sey el emp dw Lniafins ts wnds wove ce ems= ‘oted partes often request regular correspondence so that they can sft out choice bits of information. The apprentice's ‘overall workload really depends upon how much value he laces on hie functions and upon Bl cogent’ atictnen. Ace apprentice with a conservative, draconian regent may find himself required to toe the line of the Tremere Oath, to submit weekly progress reports and to account for his time sway fromthe chantry: More moderate egentaevoysie that this level of oversight stiles creativity and incites rebellion, so most apprentices find their duties fuely light. Natural the apprentice fulfill his role admirably, he's tantalized with th ewsrmede wf ete ata romamthini AF Ie olen, be simply doesn't advance in the hierarchy, and he may acquire 2 poor reputation among other Tremere. It only if an apprentice horribly botches a project, deliberately ruins a ‘Tremere undertaking, proves intctable serves a scape- soat for someone else that he'l find himeelf taken to task. Probably the most important distinction, though, isthat in apprentice accepts uch treatment. Those who decide not wo wrk within dhe clan’ serktures, or whorejet the author- ityofhigher-ranking members often find themselvesstripped ‘of rank. Irs posible to be ananarch apprentice, but it's rate; such loose cannons are often seen as threats to the clan's legacy, and the elders have little love for unpredictable or fractious subordinates, Ranked apprentices generally include spectrum, from nominally loyal neonates who me their duties as an acceptable chore to enthusiastic followers who look to theclan’s agendas mach astheirown. consistently lfficult apprentice probably won't make it past the early irc seo Und Unc a the come if ‘egent and may well break with the