MMe) RUM Ru caaT a #Sfcrec Are Or mer Ta — William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence”Na Umea Contec Seta ene eet Ree en cma tm encom cree me uke time ee Sec mcm ee Ce meses Hand. Deen ernie ene naan ett and instrument of justice, the Hand plays a CeCe Cn ay eem em ect Sect ener skill an ancient society can muster.By vy i N ‘ Chapter One: You Are One of Us Now! Chapter Two: Unlife Within the Black Hand Chapter Three: The Blood of Our Own Chapter Four: Building Better Bastards Chapter Five: Enoch, The City Caine Built Chapter Six: Templates Appendix One: Those You Should Fear Appendix Two: The Hidden Agenda Contents 27 43 53 91 7 119ET rs me tos e One of * Ay | The fs white wolf veeth “I forbid you nothing bus animal — the f Nothing,” ute cfu mt, Bu do accept filled with must be prep 5 Peter Straub, Shadouland For most vampires, the Black Hand exists as an unseen bogeyman, ahorrid monster used to terrify childer as they lay down in their coffins. Most vampires believe they will never encounter one of these mad shadow warriors, assuming that they do nothing to upset the Sabbat, the Black Hand will have no incerest in ther (Older vampires believe otherwise. They know the Black Handhas interests —and spies — everywhere. Any vampire ould be one of these Sabbat leaders, and the Hand's exis nce is ust one mote reason to be paranoid of everyt the world Truly old vampires know that tofear. When they were but childer, their own sires looked red legends of the Hand secretsare deep and dark. They cover theit shoulders and whisp. They know that the H know that the F nl believes itself to have a special plc en these ancient vampites, however, ca only guess at what the Hand's secrets may be The Black Hand does not share its secrets willingly Should you read further, you willbe tinted by what youread, and yout view of the World of Darkness may never be the samme. You wil belong tothe Black Hand, Once you uncover its corruption, i¢ wll forever mar your neonate idealism and This isa book of dark secrets revealed. You will come to secrets ofthe Black I icf, twas, spritualisa, motiv Disciplines, Thaumarurgy, Me grounds and even its vile metho Beware know the dark, di ind is polities, clans, bloodlines, ts & Flaws, Abilities, Back ‘You have been warne Chapter One: You AreWhat You Need Foul deed will ise Thoughallthe earth's o'erwhelm them, tomen's eyes. — William Shakespeare, Hamlet Aside from Vampire: The Masquerade, Storytell- ersand players will find it helpful to have The Players Guide to the Sabbat. Also, Storytellers may want to have The Storytellers Handbook to the Sabbat. Wraith The Oblivion, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, and Mage: The Ascension have minortie-inswith thissourcebook. However, these titles are not necessary to use this book Mysterious Advent ‘Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show Is nor substance — English proverb ‘The Black Handispart of the most vicious and loyal vampires in existence. The Black Hand, referred to simply as the Hand, serves as the powerful army in the Sabbat’sjyhad against the Camarilla, anarchs, Inconnu and its many other enemies. The Hand brands its members’ right palms with a black erescent moon, to forever remind them of their responsibilities. ‘the Sabbat, which iscomposed Created during the first hundred years of the Sabbat, the Hand has remained strong. It was the only part of the Sabb to stay intact throughout the civil war that tore the sect in two. Despite this, or perhaps because of t, Sabbat leaders do not trust the Black Hand, and many in the sect fea its power. In fact, some believe the Hand subtly works against the Sabbat's in those who consort with demons. house Inquisition, originally formed to ferret out Much like itsparentsect, the Hand issteepedin political thetoric, millenaranism, and militarism. Like the S itself it was designed for the destruction of all who would ‘oppose it. Is rich in legend, doctrine, and tradition, and so abbat 1 know litdle ofits ways. Of the thousands of Sabbat in the world, only around 300 are members of the Hand, and even low-level members know only what is necessary to get the job done. Additionally, members do not devote themselves solely to Hand business. Its leaders summon units, composed of three to seven members specially trained todeal with threats to the Sabbat: Positions within the Hand include raider, ert agent, assassin, high-tech weapons and demo- tions expert, Thaumaturgist and mission leader. The top level of the Hand consists of four powerful warrior politician-yenerals collectively called che seraphim All lower leaders are cferted to.as dominions. These leaders keep the Hand operating in an orderly, Dirty Secrets of the Black HandUtter Coniusion Dube grows with knowledge. — Johanne Wolfgang von Goethe, Spriche nx Prosa This book answers many questions... bt not nec- sarily with the right answers. Infact, readers who helieve that any of the vam published contain “the teuth” are mistaken. Almost all isspeculation, based upon the best evidence avaiable ‘The purpose ofthis book stopresentthe viewsand beliefs ofthe Black Hand. While the beliefs may contradict what many would consider facts con A views cetning vampire legends, no one knows the truth —or atleast admits to knowing it. Some clues are out there, but the mystery only deepens, So for those who want to know the truth, make it up yourselves. Some facts presented here may conta: stablished” facts, so you'll have to decide ourself where the truth lies, Asashole, the Black Hand supports the Status Quo, the political faction within the Sabbat that wants to keep the power structure ofthe Sabbat the same a it has always been, Slowly, some of the most influential leaders of the Hand are shifting toward supporting the tion chat wants stabilisation and central ‘Conservatives, the fac- tion ofleadership, This is what is commonly believed about the Black Hand. Ie'sall true, buta lie is hest hidden between two truths Sabbat Paranoia Do not believe hasty: what harm quick belief can do. — Ovid Many of the Sobbat have begun to suspect treachery within the Black Hand. There is poof that the newest sraph, Djuhah, ordered the creation of seven permanent units within the Hand. These units behave as ifthey are Sabbat packs, but in fact are not. Each is composed of five of the Hane!’s most fanatical members and serves only the Black Hand. Because of the Black Hand's opposition of the Sabbat Inquisition, most leaders believe it has something to hide This is only compounded by the strict code of secrecy maintained by the Hand. Even within the onder, knowledge concerning the Black Hand is given on aneed-to-know bass Many members ofthe Black Hand keep their membership a secret from their fellow Sabbat. No one knows how many Sabbat in positions of power actually serve the Black Hand. Finally, the Black Hand was the only pat of th tosurvive the Sabbat Civil Warintact. Rumorhas that the Hand itself instigated the internal conflict in hopes of dem- cnstrating its loyalty for the benefit of those who were ory shows that had it not bloat suspicious. Thus, Sabbat for the Black Hand, the sect would have probably crumbled inthe face of its enemies, However, were itnot forthe Hand, the Sabbat may wellhave taken over North America by now.The Back Ha Which Hand Are They Talking Eri enn About © The Black Hand is secretly allied to a gr Niseytiou yhaltseaeete re ae In addi While mentioning thefals wn super there are many Abominations (Lupine-va Han = The Black Hi ty of the Sabbat's ould the Black purpose? Just at weakens vampiric vitw loodof Antediluviansto What if thece is truth to the paranoia? Hand be sing the Sabbat? so, for what sini ead rumors about the Sabbat,s rs about the Black Hand. Herea arch he Hand can enter the spiri beautiful cit f the Hand who can no longer s secretly des worhip. The Sabbat leaders know this, but a work continue, fe and seapableof starting anothercivil The Black Hand has many s nnections, not war oy thesect. Conversely, some say the only tothe Assamites, but alsoto the Followersof Set. Infact ned that te Sabbat’s leaders are Internal avel tothe Middle East, where they stay fo but the Hand is afraid to challenge them. nturies studying the ways of Serpentis and living by the Path of Typhor * Allshedominion: Inconnu. Little does the working fora faction within the Inconnu, eliminating the Europe and rules over many cities ders The Black Hand is Black Hand is far larget than ita point it will declare itself indeps ‘many ofits members are actually in the Camacilla. In addi tion, many Sabbat keep their membership secret # The Black Hand has infiltrated the Camarilla of the guise oftharsect. an eventual takeos attack the parent sect Dicty Secrets of the Black HandThe Black Hand Revealed! The Forces of Darkness are always among us, child. And cries out ever for vengeance. There is Light and there is Darkness: and I cannot est until the De he Light shines ineo the hearts of al. [fell from grace. Now I am condemned to walk the Shadow Worl. Once, it was Lavo ness is destroyed and The Spectre, Books of Magic #2 The dirtiest secret of the Black Hand is thac the Black s not just a part of the Sabbat. Indeed, it isa separate ntirely. jortly after the creation of the Sabbat, vam. nt sect called the nder the alins manus ues secretly belonging to an anci Tal'mah m,or “Black Hans of murder, destruction and chaos and rained hell dawn upon Ra allied with the Sabbat ‘che Tal’mahe’Ra served asan age the Sabbar’s enemies. Since that ims lation “Black Hand still prefer the old term. The members of the Tal'mahe’Ra und the “False” "True" Hand the Tal'mahe'Ra hasadopted the trans as ts own name, though many elders have come co call members of the Saba Hand while they themselves remain in the The Sabbat, or False, Hand continues to serve as front forthe True Hand. Only about 60 ofthe vampires within the False Hand belong tothe True Hand. The younger members the False Han 3, and serve not know of the True Hi in addition to the Sabbat members of the True Hand, there are around 40 influential and powerful Kindred within fhe Camarilla who have swom their allegiance to the True Hand. They use many younger members of the Camarilla as their pawns. Another 50 land members nake their havens in the Middle Enscamong the Serites, Asamites and Eastern vampires. Despite the True Hand's limited size, its members are everywhere (even among the Inconnu, some say). However, the sec is not composed solely of vampires. It also claims a Mummy, an. Abomination and a small number of mages andl wraiths 28 members. The Black Hand has less than 200 mem bers, but its power lies notin its own raw strength, but in those zits pawns are members of Gehenna cults, primogen and the Inconnu, as well as individual Archons, frinces, archbishops, pris ancl even a rare Justicar. The True Hand has four ghoul families and several mages in its service, along with countess neonates and ancillae under is sway. The Black Hand, despite its great power, is limited ‘controls, Amc because it divides its attention between thee worlds —che ‘World of Darkness, the Underworld of the wraiths and the Deep Umbra of the mages. Additionally, while the members ofthe Hand appear dedicated to the same causes, even they donot deny that individual me das, agendas which sometimes conflict with the sect’s goals, shave their own agen: Chapter One: You Are One of Us Nowfew who wealize thar the Black Hand what thesectisupto. Mostspec w thatthe Black Hand wants 1 aggresively purse this goal act, the Black Hand believes that it serves the Antediluvians and has been chosen to lead the Army f the Hand insist that they will be red death atthe hand nwledgeable in the workin throats so they will or see thatthe Flan e The vampires of the Black Hand are not necessarily more evil than the vampitesof the Camaril should nor prey upon mortals survival. To use the kine men we to change at a 1 a member of the isiucle can warp and eventually tke over both the ose infected, be they mortal orundead, Now the Black Hand as embarked upon the Shadow awar ypon the Vicisituinal life forts they call the Souleates, The Origins of th Black Hand of che grave. The cult,By aiding those willingto trade the secrets of vampirism, members of the Tal'mahe’Ra learned all they could. The mages were startled to learn that the Kindred knew even les about death than themselves, as the undead trafficked litle withthe Restless. The cule provided Kindred with victims, safe havens, weapons and ghouls, asking little in retutn Eventually, vampires were admitted into the cult. (Over the centuries, the Tal’mahe’Ra gained extensive information about vampirismby using dissection, tortureand magickal analysis. The mages used the blood of many Kin- ded, nixed together, tosustainthemselvesas ghoulswithout developing Blood Bonds. Rumor has it that a member ofthe True Hand taught young Teimisce conspirators how to break the Blood Bond! using a similar method. “Theimagestriedtoteachtheirvampirealliesthe Euthanatos belies and ways of magick. The vampires leamed their ideol- ogy, but were unable to benefit from their magickal teachings. ‘There were said tobe few who did lear the magickal ways, but they were a very special lot. Avery few ofthe mages sought out the Embrace, but they then lost their powers to work magick. Throughout most ofits eatliest years che Tal'mahe’Ra remained extremely small, rarely having more than 20 mem- bersspreadaround the world. Atfirs, the majority ofthese were rages, who were far more interested in obtaining knowledge than power. As more vampires joined, however, this changed, and the sec’s emphasis on the Antediluvians grew. Whether the Euthanatos mages were betrayed or will ingly accepted the shift in power is not known, but around 500 B.C. the Kindred gnined control over the Tal'mahe’Ra. Even before this, the vampires were using the cult to secure themselves power in the mortal world. After they took control, the Tal'mahe'Ra spread to Europe. Cult members whosetledin Europe losttheirconnectionstothe Euthanatos Tradition. However, the Kindred of the Middle East main- tained ties to the Euthanatos Tradition, In Europe, the Tal'mahe'Ra grew in size, It formed connections with the witches calling themselves Verbena ‘hating relationship similar to the one the Kindred shared with the Euthanatos, the Verbena studied the secrets of vampitevitee, The Verbena attempted to teach the Kindred thie ways of magick, but the undead proved incapable of learning anything more than the philosophy. ‘A schism known as the War of the Betrayers occurred around A.D. 450 and split the sect into two halves, East and West. While most members of the Black Hand believe the «question ofthe seet’stole in the Underworld sparked the war, others say the Inconnu ot Setites instigated the conflict. The war occurred mostly within the area of the Underworld known as the Shadowlands. While hoth Bast and West finally agreed to a truce, neither showed much interest in restoring theie former ties of peace, kinship and fidelity. During the period of separation, the Bast and West ded apart in theie methods, practices, beliefs and politic. ‘The Eastern faction remained tre tothe original waysof the Tal!mabe'Ra, though it was heavily influenced by the ‘Assamites and Series. The West began developing its own ways, though the ocher Kindred of Burope and the Verbena ‘had a great deal of influence over it. Both halves remained primarily mystical in orientation, though the Wester half became more and more involved in ‘mortal politics. Following the War ofthe Betrayers the sect began to take less and less interest in the Underworld, focusing is attention on its own Citadel ‘The Anarch Revoltchanged this. Membersofthe West- cen Tal'mahe'Ra instigated troubles among the Tsimisce, Brujah and Lasombea because the clans had grown too great instructute and influence among the mortals. By rousing the church, the greatest mortal institution of Europe, the Tal'mahe Ra thought it would weaken the vampires enough thar the return of the Antediluvians would be easier. How eve, this scheme backfired. Instead of losing their hold on mortal society, the elder Kindred began to increase it in fear for their unlives. Al- though young vampires were being destroyed, they were wweakand meantlitdle tothe Tal'mahe'Ra.Itwasthe ancients they wanted dead, When the youngones arose as the Anarch Revolt, che Tal'mahe'Ra joined them as the manus nigrum and helped them destroy their elder. The connection with the Verbena diminished during thistime. Moceand more ofthe Verbenabroke theirconnec- tions to the Hand, fearing the Inquisition and the engthsthe ‘vampires of the sect would goto in orderto destroy their own kind. More than one Verbena had become a Blood Bound scapegoat, burned atthe stake to save her Kindred master The Tal'mahe'Ra played only a litsited roe in forming the Camarilla, which has ed many within the Black Hand to wonder if the Inconnu or some other group was involved. Members of the Tal'mahe’Ra did join the Camatilla, plan- ning to bring about its downfall, but they soon realized the sect was necessary to counterbalance the atrocities of the younger Kindred in the Sabbat. The Black Hand discovered it could use the Camarilla to cause continual discord, creat- ing chaos among the Kindred as never before The Black Hand remained with the Sabbat after the Convention of Thorns, when the “civilized” Kindred ac cepted mest of the anarchs back. Since t Hand has manipulated bh the Camarila suit its needs Allduringthe Anarch Revolt the Easter portion ofthe Black Hand, continuing to call itself the Tal'maheRa, re mained strong. However, it began a policy of conscious isolation from the West, further sundering its ties to the European branch During the Sabbar-Camarilla Wars, True Hand leaders ‘within the Sabbat’s False Hand saw rhe chance to develop their own collection of pawns. They formed an elie fighting force composed of the most powerful and deadly of the Sabbat. In their service to the Sabbat, but under the direct authority ofthe seraphim, these Kindred unknowingly serve the Black Hand. time, the True ind the Sabbar to Chapter One: You Are One of Us Now!when che Subbat’sPs be revealed. The Black H: During the J Enlightenment were beginning to flourish, members ofthe Camarilla leaders who: of Camarilla Hand True Hand promulgated the Path of Death and the Soul. The members. Once these ol were removed, Camearilla who leamed thesecretsofdeath Hand members would fll the leadership voids thus ereate on well and inducted those who that the East and West ally, some were inducted into the True Hand, but only Ra pleaded before t sevice in the False Hand. In adit the p retake Enoch from th eldest members of the True Hand inthe False Hand, instead climbing srmembers. While there has never been aR Areaheaedeu eae iin Trea SEG pel tothe Te Hand, th which che eldest and m ful ancl wise ofall the K the cardinals, arch-bishops and prsc. ofthe sect would select the DeRoh, the supreme leader of the 6 the Tal/mahe’Ra ofthe Fast wassufferingits Hand, This vampite would oversee the entire se own problems. Iecontrolled Enoch, the Shadowlandomeland Serie ceca tian see yeaat ER bee Eh of the Taf'mahe’R hs ished, The mied contol during the Anarch Revolt Aisin if barring Western sect members from selves an edge should cheir conflict retween East and West le to their fellows, During the late tengoged in rebuilding Enoch, further strengt tb rd, relation: he Tal! mahe'Ra e. However, the Eastern sect ward, the ies. From this p stant attles with of Set. Wraithlon due to its focus on the Underworld cotnenonly knee as fire the Assamites and then the F members, the T Jack Handof the Sabbat claims itwasnot resp hat Civil War, and that itwas barely able to hold e Hand together. Only the effoxs of the Camarilla Han. the True Hand manipulated the Sabbat —yembs res foreingittoactagainst theCamarilla within the Dark Umbra knew of the sect Enoch fell ordered an attack on the hol the more ambitious and CCamarilla from its collapsing foe an ake Hand slowly manage at from ru A sorganized enough that Dirty Secrets of the Black HanSaving the Sabbat had an adverse affect On the False abbat leaders realized the power of their own subsect and became paranoid. Strong new leaders «emerged within the Sabbat, replacing the weak Po sible forthe sect’s breakdown. These new leaders wanted the Black Hand weakened, if not disbanded outright. Using its removers, the True Hand eliminated the strongest voices against them, saving the False Hand from disbandment. Still, thedamaze wasdone, and the Black Hand would neveragain have the free rein it had enjoyed. Hand. For the first time Inaddition tthe dangers imposed by the Sabbat, there came ‘threat from within the fake Black Hand. A dominion named oan, who was nox a member of the Tiue Hand, suspected a onspmcy within the Black Han, pesibyeven the enireSabbet alin reformed the Sabba's own intermal-policing Inquisition, Iulievingthe conspirators were Inferal diabolss. Thenew Ingui ston took up the hun for conspirators The True Hand knew Julian's personal suspicions would lead him back co the Black Hand. The seraphim secretly dered Julian removed by elite members of the Hand. After they succeeded, the seraphim destroyed them in turn. The knowledge of the conspiracy was believed to have died with ‘ome leaders of the Hand four thathe wrotedovmall he knew ina journal, red few within the Sabhat n'sdemise, some claimed he was assassinated by Infernal Julian, but recend idence iow inthe hands ofaclose Jul diabolsts, but others recognized the work ofthe Black Hand ind are now even more suspicious quisition. After The Black Hand of Mythic Europe Wake, awalke, for night is fying — Philip Nicol ithe Middle Ages the manus nigrum (asthe Black Hand was called atthe time) of Europe integrated itself into both the church and the nobility, as did many other Kindred whosurvived the collapse of Rome. The resulting dichotomy nded only with the onset of the Eatly Modern Age, caused by the Reformation... and the Anarch Revolt sho hid themselves among many hardships imposed upon the freemen and villeins, but che ether Kindred were even worse. Kindred providedsome ofthestability amidst the chaos of the collapse of Roman civilization in the West, but most cared solely for their own needs Mest ‘noble enjoyed full auth Iyindependent. They Kindredbecamehi ity over their own domains. Many openly the mag fe threats, They supported the Order of Hermes, sei useful in from c Blood Bound many of their best (and often most cruel) chany protecting their great teritor vassals, giving them manors in ‘Those wh legends of the va for protection many horrific om: Chapter One: You Are One of Us Now‘The Kindred who lurked within che church had little trouble doing so, as True Faith was still very hard to find, ‘Many found that the church placed exceptional limits upon their freedoms, but the church also held the writings of the reat thinkers, In fact, many Kindred actually provided the church with books and letters. ‘While politics among the vampire church officals were still creacherous, many learned to settle conflits peacefully = the mans nigron, Cappodacians, Lasombra, Brujah, ‘Toreador, Malkaviansand even Teimisce shared theirknowl- edge. While the world around developed at a much slower pace, their own knowledge of theirorigins grew asthey pieced together their letters and tablet fragments. ‘There was much supernatural activity during this time but few grave threats. Since there was no Camatilla ot Sabbat, the manus nigrum seldom gathered except when Baal, Setites or other dangerous creatures tried toslink theit way into Europe. Even then, the vampiric feudal lords within the particular areas handled most of the problems, Most clans claim to have influenced Charlemagne, but the Black Hand believes it wasa powerful Brujah behind the throne. Scholars say the Merovingians who preceded Charlemagne were under the dominance of the Ventrue, but that the Carolingians overthrew the weak dynasty without supernatural aid. This astounding proposal means that a family of mortals could unice Europe as the Holy Roraan Empire under its own rule, and thar the Kindred are certainly not responsible for every historical event of impor jome Carolingian kings were said to have Tre Faith, including Pippin the Short, Chaslemagne and Louis the Pious. Perhaps the legends of the kings’ and emperors “thaumaturgical powers” arose from this. Certainly Charlemagne's piety was not questioned when he executed 4,500 pagan Saxon after one uprising ‘The tans négnem may have had some influence with Aleuin, the great scholar and churchman who taught Charlemagne. Certain marids of the sect did have contact with the mortal. True Brujah may have aided both him and Charlemagne in the Carolingian Renaissance, especially in the re-emphasis of learning, The True Brujah grew weary of the world in its ignorant, superstitious state and longed for the days when many freemen could read and think for themselves. During this period, however, the Ventrue became more influential. The Brujah, Toreador and Lasombra also contin- vued to hold great power. This tenuous halance of power certainly added tothe gloom and violence thatsocharacterized the times. Many mortals were caught up in these struggles and the manus njgram did what it could to prevent sparks in one region from carrying over into others — with limited succes. Despite continued effortson the par of True Bruja and other leamed Kindred, widespread education did not take place until the 18ch century. Even during the spread of Humanism and the Italian and Northern Renaissances,learn- ing was the province of a particular class of mortals ‘The Black Death proved to be the greatest equalizer, afflicting both mortals and Kindred. With close ta third of the population killed by the terrible plagues and entire rowns and villages wiped out, Kindred found the world crumbling aroundthem, Some actuallybecame infected with the dreaded disease, and since Kindred knew nothing of the causes, they were as in the dark as the mortals. While they realised the pee-sniffersand flagellates were insane, they could notderive any better ways of avoiding the contagion. Not even the Methuselah of the manus nigrum othe Inconn could help the people despite all cheir incredible power. The illustrious Onder of Hermes was also humbled by the Black Death, and i too suffered, From the depths ofa true “Dark Age” the mortals sought ‘out God, and deep piety developed. During this time, many Kindred within the church found themselves facing, as they did in various periods throughout the Middle Ages, church officials with True Faith. The Inquisition was only the most famous manifestation of this. For short times, other mystical sects formed which also drew in those with True Faith. The Kindred tried their best to do away with these sects. As a result, they only further oppressed the mortals, enforced the will of the church and made the situation more hopeless The Black Hand Today Ex ungue leonem. (Brom his claw one can tell lion.) — Latin saying ‘The “Silent Agenda’ is the name given to the prepara tions the Black Hand makes for the awakening of the Antediluvians.Ieis never openly discussed except in Enoch, Hand leaders from both the Camarillaand Sabbae occasion- ally meetin secret to discuss future manipulations. Together theykeep the animosity herween the Sabbar andthe Camarilla at a maximum, preventing both sects from looking toward their real enemy. The Eastern half ofthe sect does the same, keeping the conflicts between the Setites, Assamites and other Kindred of the region at a maximum, ‘The Camarilla's Hand has recently begun takinga more active role in the sect’saffairs, believing itis timo forthe clan sires to return. Almost a dozen princes are also members of the True Hand, as well asat least 40 primogen and a Justicar. ‘The Hand is very tight-knit, and each member helps hee fellow conspirators attain power: ‘Some claim that certain rogue members of the True Hand are teaching anarchs many of the secrets of the Black Hand. Thisallegation isonly speculation at thispoint and, if it is tue, the betrayers' intentions remain a mystery. Cer- tainly the guiley sect members risk a fate worse than Final Death, Dirty Secrets of the Black Hand