Golconda is a mystical state of enlightenment where a vampire is no longer subject to the Beast, or alternatively the Beast and human aspects of a vampire are in balance. It is known by the Kuei-jin as the "Dah".
Overview[]
Golconda was promised to Caine by the archangel Gabriel, Lord of Mercy, while he was in exile in the Land of Nod. Although Caine never achieved Golconda, the way to Golconda was supposedly achieved by Saulot after traveling to the East, studying under Hindu gurus.
After achieving enlightenment, which resulted in a third eye in the middle of his forehead, Saulot preached Golconda and taught the path to his clan, the Salubri. From this time onward, Golconda and the Salubri were closely linked, with many Salubri (such as Mokur) becoming teachers on the path to Golconda.
After the diablerie of Saulot by Tremere, the Salubri were driven into hiding and much Golconda lore was lost in the process. Since that time, Golconda has largely been treated as a myth.
Path to Golconda[]
As a mystical state, how Golconda is achieved is somewhat vague, however a rough outline of events has been developed in the Vampire supplements (notably Chaining the Beast).
To start a quest for Golconda, a character must find out about Golconda, as the topic is not that commonly discussed in the Camarilla (and not discussed by the Sabbat). Golconda lore is rare, and like most things, can be used to trap an unwary vampire. Inconnu are generally assumed to be the experts on Golconda (as they're assumed to be on just about everything else), but Inconnu are notoriously hard to find. From this point on, the character presumably has a guru to guide him.
Following this, the vampire must regain Humanity and feel remorse. Mechanically, this is expressed by keeping Humanity above 7 and by spending Willpower to avoid frenzy under all circumstances. During this time, the vampire makes amends for their crimes as extensively as they can. Canonically, a character cannot achieve or stay in Golconda unless their humanity remains at least 7, and Paths of Enlightenment are generally assumed to not count, though exceptions may exist.
At this point, the character is guided through a suspire, which is a vision quest of some kind where the character deals with their state as a vampire. The suspire is a test, which the character may fail. If the character passes their suspire, then they achieve Golconda. If they fail, they will never achieve Golconda. Characters who fail their suspire are likely to fall into wassail and be lost forever.
Benefits[]
Golconda is only vaguely defined in the Vampire rules, and it is generally left up to Storyteller interpretation. Golconda is generally recommended as the focus or apex of a chronicle, rather than an interim goal ("one of us must reach Golconda to defeat the Tremere's evil scheme!").
The word Golconda was originally the name of an ancient city in India famed for its wealth of diamonds, and eventually the word came to be used generically as a synonym for wealth. When Danava mystics first applied the word Golconda to the transcendence beyond the feral vampiric state, they were poetically referring to the "spiritual wealth" that this transcendence brings. Golconda is not the first word that the Danava mystics used to describe this transcendent state, but due to proselytizing by Saulot and other Salubri it is the word most well-known to Western Cainite vampires.
If Golconda is achieved, several suggested benefits are outlined in the rulebooks. The most common ones are a lack of frenzy (characters in Golconda do not frenzy at all), reduced blood consumption (down to a point a week) and the ability to learn Disciplines without generation limits. Other options include returning to humanity, being free of one's clan weakness, and leaving behind vampirism entirely.
Assuming that a character is still a vampire, the benefits of Golconda are rescinded if Humanity drops below 7.
Description[]
Most vampires claim it's a mythical state of enlightenment, but some few claim to have reached the fabled state of Golconda or know of others who managed it. Supposedly discovered by an ancient vampire named Saulot, Golconda is a state of perfect equilibrium between Humanity and the Beast. A vampire walking Golconda's path can temper their Beast's outrage, subdue their Hunger, and even stand in the daylight—or so it is said. The gifts accompanying Golconda's achievement are great, and so many vampires make the pilgrimage. Few succeed on the journey.
The route to reaching the state of Golconda has never been accurately recorded. Indeed, Saulot's followers claim the journey is different for every vampire, dependent on their sins.
What Golconda does to a vampire when they reach it is also disputed. Some claim it leads to a state of perfect serenity, while others say it makes a vampire into a cold-blooded shark of a predator, no longer susceptible to mindless rage, but just as hungry for blood.
You may be a disciple of Golconda, a follower of Saulot's words, or a Kindred who wishes to remove the misleading veil of Golconda from other vampires' eyes. An elusive vampire named the Master of Ravens seeks to quash the myth of Golconda once and for all, and you may serve him in this task.
Loresheet[]
Seeds of Golconda: You have heard of Golconda and can educate others on its nature without seeming like a total amateur. Once per story, you can ask the Storyteller for guidance before taking an action, and they will tell you if that action will jeopardize the chance of pursuing Golconda.- The One True Way: You own a copy of the Master of Ravens-penned "One True Way", a treatise on the supposed realities of Golconda. This piece of work tells you that Golconda is a method to become an apex predator, rather than a spiritually redeemed monster. Once per story, this pamphlet gives you three extra dice in any Social test involving the nature of Golconda.
- Saulot's Disciple: You cling to the ideals of Saulot: the vampire who traveled to Asia and returned bearing a third eye and the enlightenment of Golconda. You believe in Saulot's teachings that Golconda is the ultimate way in which a Kindred can overcome their curse. You practice a dual existence, allowing your Beast and Hunger off the reins occasionally, so you can achieve serenity at other times. Whenever you willingly succumb to frenzy, make a note; you can automatically succeed on your next frenzy test.
- Satisfy the Hunger: You do not need to feed as often as other vampires. Your Golconda focus is to suppress your constant Hunger, potentially at the expense of other Traits. Your temperance acts as an inspiration to many other vampires. Once per session, you may lower your Hunger by one (but not below one) without feeding.
- Greet the Sun: You know Golconda's secrets. You may be incapable of walking the path forever, but for as long as you do, you can brave full daylight without suffering harm. However, the night after you walk in sunlight, you wake in a Hunger frenzy. You can do this once per story.
Revisions[]
Golconda is arguably the messiest concept in Vampire, and has gone through several large revisions as the game developed. In first edition, Golconda was portrayed as an unadulterated good, and relatively easy to achieve. Chicago by Night has at least two characters in Golconda, one of whom achieved it in less than a century. A World of Darkness had something akin to a formal Golconda training school at Huneadora Castle. The Children of Osiris' approach to enlightenment is negatively compared to Golconda.
This changes with the second and revised editions, where Golconda becomes both progressively rarer and darker. In revised, the exact state of Golconda is left up to Storyteller interpretation, with strong suggestions that a vampire in Golconda is not necessarily a nice vampire. Concurrent with this change are characters such as Rebekah falling out of Golconda, Mahatma searching for Golconda for millennia without success, and Nehemiah failing to reach Golconda when it was on his palm.
Vampires who were known to have reached Golconda[]
- Angiwar: A 5th Generation Nosferatu Methuselah and childe of The Matriarch.
- Aziz, Prince of Riddles: a 11th Generation Malkavian who reached Golconda in Cairo By Night.
- Saulot: An Antediluvian and the most controversial figure in Kindred history. He is the first vampire who reached Golconda.
- Guillaume, A 5th Generation Brujah Methuselah and Prince of Switzerland, childe of Hannibal.
- Rebekah: Monitor of Chicago. Originally gaining it until falling of it.
- Milarepa: A 5th Generation Child of Osiris, rumored to achieved it.
References[]
- VTM: Vampire: The Masquerade, p. 131-132, 196
- VTM: Vampire: The Masquerade Second Edition, p. 56, 188
- VTM: 5th Edition Corebook, p. 393
- VTM/cMET: Laws of Elysium, p. 35-37
- VTM/cMET: Laws of the Night, p. 120
- VTM: Encyclopaedia Vampirica, p. 58
- VTM: Vampire: The Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 22, 30, 34, 299-300
- VTM: Chaining the Beast
- VTM: Sins of the Blood
