The Nephilim are a hedonistic cult, worshipping the legacy and descendants of the Toreador Methuselah, Michael.
Overview[]
The Nephilim are a society that wishes to embody perfect beauty in all things. From art and architecture, to the honing of the body, to refining and improving in whatever task they pursue. The Nephilim seek to be angelic and divine in every outward respect. Many shun them and curse them as hedonists and degenerates, but for each Kindred who turns away from their promise of perfection and pleasure, there is always one who turns back, curious and allured by the orgies and the lavish lifestyles the members of the cult pursue, as they are one of the most open and popular of the Kindred religions. However, the draw goes far deeper for some and the rewards can be far more life changing.
As the Nephilim don’t just offer perfection; those who have served the cult the longest embody it without exception. Kindred whisper of cultists whose appearances alter as they make more and more trips to their local temple, becoming more beautiful with each one. Abandoning worldly pursuits, they turn to more aesthetic, artistic, and spiritual endeavors, often turning over their businesses and properties to the use of the society and to fund the spectacular parties their new siblings host to celebrate their great becoming.
Hierarchy[]
Knowns as the Basilica, represented by a segmented drawing of a cathedral’s façade:
- True Nephilim themselves, direct descendants of the Archangel separated from him by no more than three Embraces, whose blood still carries Michael's power;
- Descendants of the True Nephilim, who do not carry the blessing of Michael in their Vitae;
- Converts, both Toreador and other clans, save for the Nosferatu;
- Ghouls and mortal servants;
- The Nosferatu, as their Blood prevents them from ever attaining the true beauty demanded by the Nephilim;
- Mortals who have attended a temple, but have not been inducted fully into the faith.
All of those mentioned are in a far loftier position than that in which those outside the grasp of the Nephilim are viewed. While they treat others with a form of kindness and attempt to attract them into the Temple, if they show no interest in improving themselves, then they are not even worth sneering at.
Laws of Angels[]
Known usually in short form as the Lex Angelorum, the Law of the Angels is the only code that matters to the Nephilim:
- Thou shalt obey the Children of the Angel in all things
- Thou shalt not sow discord among thyselves
- Thou shalt tolerate not the ugly nor the wicked in the sight of the Nephilim
- Thou shalt seek to bring all into the light of the Angel
- Thou shalt not compromise the perfection of a Tabernacle or Temple
- Thy Angel is thy savior, revere above all the one who brought you into the light
- Thou shalt not expose the nature of Angels to the mortal world, lest thee be purged by the fires of day
Many of the followers of the cult revere these laws even above the Traditions, though their overseers in the faith do well to keep such talk within their own temples and domains and Elysia.
Michael's Blessing[]
The Vitae of direct descendants of the Michael separated from him by no more than three Embraces (his lineage up to the 7th generation), has magical properties. At the price of submitting to a Blood Bond, the Blood beautify the drinker, subtly altering their physical appearance to an angelic form. Their skin softens and takes on a glow, their eyes glisten and imperfections and blemishes fade. Their teeth become the purest white and gleam in the light, and their bodies become toned and lean. It is even rumored to be able to make the Nosferatu appear more like they did as mortals.
References[]
- VTM: Cults of the Blood Gods, p. 105-114, 229
