The Book of the Grave-War (titled Das Buch vom Grabkrieg in the original German) is an eschatological text supposedly written by a German Malkavian in the 12th or 13th century concerning Gehenna and diablerie[1]. However, one source says that the book was penned by the ancient Jacob under the guidance of a vampire "more adept in manipulation and control than any other"[2]. The book also contains clues to the breaking of blood bonds and clan ties[3].
It was translated and studied by Dr. Mortius[1] and later ended up in the hands of Carna[4], due to the manipulations of Jacob's alternate personality Esau[2]. Carna found the book "in a locked chamber in the magical void of the Marquette University"[4]. Beckett eventually locates a damaged version of it in Berlin[3].
According to Beckett, the original is "a prize [his] rivals would kill to find", but "copies and translations float around", and he himself holds one in his Oxford library[5]. Nonetheless, the Tremere have tried to restrict access to the text[1].
The book is written in German but occasionally the author switches to "an archaic Greek dialect that disappeared from use 3,000 years ago"[1]. Some parts are written in an apparent dialect of Linear A, which neither Kindred nor kine has ever been able to translate[6].
Physically, it is an unremarkable book, appearing to be an illuminated manuscript of poor quality, and was probably made in a monastery. The cover bears no title but the first page displays it in the scribbling German hand that can be found throughout the work. The style of the hand does not change, which has convinced many that the book is the product of one author and not several (as the poor organization would suggest)[6].
The author often speaks of a voice that tells him how to write and what to say. He uses a variety of invented symbols to denote the various clans; certain symbols do not seem to relate to any particular clan extant today. It is possible that they refer to minor bloodlines. For the word Kindred or vampire, the author consistently uses the symbol of an ankh.
The book is divided into seven cantos. Each canto varies wildly in length and structure, and some are entirely in verse form. Other cantos are part poem and part prose, while others are entirely prose. Each canto covers an age in the history of the world and describes the jyhad during that period . The author places himself in the fourth age of history, with only three ages to follow[6]. The third canto is almost unintelligible (much of it is written in Linear A).
Dr. Mortius's essay on the Book of the Grave-War is often the only source for information on it. The essay has been translated into English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and several Slavic tongues[7].
Characters who take the 5th level of the Carna Loresheet gain access to the book, which grants them an automatic success on Occult rolls related to the Gehenna and breaking one's Blood Bonds. The character becomes unbondable so long as they follow its arcane teachings, but become hunted by clan Tremere and also become increasingly paranoid.
Quotes from the book[]
- "When Athens falls, the depths shall rise."[8]
Jacob (the book's secret author) claims that Athens mentioned in this quote is a reference to Milwaukee, the "German Athens"[9].
- "Hunt the shadow-sleepers
- Think not on fear or hate
- Hunt them for blood
- For Kindred's sake"
Beckett claims that Mortius believed the "shadow-sleepers" to be torpid vampires of great age[10].
- "When love and hate turn strange
- And magpies filch the hours
- And Judas limbs betray
- Know you are a figment
- A shadow-sleeper's dream
- Remember, remember
- Dreams die when sleepers wake
- Remember, remember
- for Kindred's sake"[11]
- Another passage is from the epilogue of the Book of the Grave-War:
- "They must not awaken Slay the one and there shall not be a one when the sun sets"[7]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 VTM: Bloody Hearts: Diablerie Britain, p. 57
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 17
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 12
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 4
- ↑ VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 5
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 VTM: Bloody Hearts: Diablerie Britain, p. 58
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 VTM: Bloody Hearts: Diablerie Britain, p. 60
- ↑ VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 9
- ↑ VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 15
- ↑ VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 6
- ↑ VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 23
- VTM: Milwaukee by Night, p. 52
- VTM: Vampire: the Masquerade 5th edition corebook, p. 385
- VTM: Becket's Jyhad Diary, p. 19
- VTM: Bloody Hearts: Diablerie Britain, p. 57-60