Blood cults are an institution that some vampires found in order to have a constant herd. The concept of blood cults dates back to the First City; they seem to have always been around.
Overview[]
A Kindred demonstrates some of his or her powers to mortals or lets them partake in (usually false) mythic knowledge that makes the mortals something like "chosen ones" in their own eyes. The Kindred acts as a god, guru or the like in this, but always functions as a spiritual mentor and gives his blood to the chosen ones. The reasons to do so are as simple as the idea itself.
Blood cults are a convenient method by which a Kindred can attain vitae and gather loyal followers, not to mention the material wealth and possibilities to influence mortal society through servile and trusting mortals. This has also resulted in a fair amount of overlap between blood cults and ritual circles: Mortal acolytes make for an easy way to avoid the many rather tedious parts of the sorcerer's lifestyle.[1]
Some revenant families have started as a blood cult, and numerous gods of antiquity were represented by Cainites in the first cities, such as Mithras or — the most famous — Set.
Modern Practices[]
The Inquisition and the Masquerade largely put a stop to this line of action — which is not to say that these nights, there are no blood cults. They simply operate clandestinely.
The Camarilla has made it clear that the patronage of a blood cult equals an effort to violate the Masquerade, and it is forbidden to interact with mortals in such a manner.
The Followers of Set and even some Toreador, on the other hand, often gather massive blood cults in order to corrupt their subjects to the service of their Antediluvian.
References[]
- HTR: The Nocturnal, p. 75-87, 105
- VTM: Cults of the Blood Gods
- VTM: Children of the Blood
- VTM: Trails of Ash and Bone
- VTM: Clanbook: Toreador, p. 30-31
- VTM: Clanbook: Setites, p. 38
- VTM: Clanbook: Followers of Set Revised
- VTM: Encyclopaedia Vampirica, p. 35
- ↑ VTM: Blood Sigils, p. 31
| Vampire: The Masquerade blood cults | |
|---|---|
| Major | Ashfinders · Bahari · Church of Caine · Church of Set · Cult of Mithras · Cult of Shalim · Hecata · Nephilim · Sabbat |
| Minor | Amaranthans · Bloodless Pilgrims · Butterflies · Children of Salvation · Cleopatrans · Cult of Isis · Eremites · Eyes of Malakai · Gorgo's Nest · Meneleans · One True Way · Orphans of Enoch · Praesidium · Servitors of Irad · Shattered Spear · Shepherds of Ur-Shulgi · Sons and Daughters of Helena · Whispers of the Dead · Withered Ones |
| Regional | Children of the Devourer (Canada) · Cultivars (Chicago) · Hunters of the Golden Cicada (Chongqing) · Los Hijos de Si (Peru/Bolivia) · Mga Hari ng Ilog ni Magwayen (Philippines) · Penny Dining Club (England) · Third Day (Germany) · Throne's Keepers (Pristina) · Soldiers of the Adversary (Texas) · Wellspring (Denmark) |
| Defunct | Brotherhood of the Ninth Circle · Cainite Heresy |