The One True Way

A pamphlet occasionally appears in haven letterboxes, trampled on the street outside Elysium, or folded between two books in a Tremere chantry. This pamphlet, printed like a flyer for a Christian group meeting that invites its readers to “join and share over drinks and honesty to discuss Golconda,” is titled The One True Way, and has been banned in domains far and wide for what Princes perceive as a Masquerade risk, and others consider an obvious trap designed to lure vampires into a cult. In this respect, the word “cult” is used with all negative connotations.

Perhaps due to its negative reputation, vampires seek it out. If it’s caused such a stir, there must be some validity to its words, right? Kindred track down the community centers, scout huts, and church halls advertised in the pamphlets and find themselves in the company of other interested vampires, creating a sense of camaraderie. After a brief wait, a speaker emerges and talks at length about the one true way to Golconda, the steps one must take to reach the enlightened state, and after the speech — sometimes accompanied by PowerPoint presentations and team-building activities — attendees are invited to share, without judgment, activities they’ve pursued that cause them shame or horror. The speaker then gives guidance from the certified one true way, which promises to help them in the future. The group disperses and most Kindred never return. Some, however, do. They buy in. They take the first step on the one true way to Golconda.

Overview

The One True Way is a Golconda cult established by a mysterious vampire going by the title “Master of Ravens,” not that many of the cult’s adherents ever encounter him. He might show up to impart wisdom directly if a powerful cult member experiences second thoughts, or to rally followers against an enemy that wishes to destroy the cult, but for the most part, he works in the background.

The vampires who give themselves fully to this cult eventually find the group meetings are just the first step on a program. They then lead their own sessions, gathering secrets from confessing, troubled Kindred, and use them to pursue the cult’s ends. The Master of Ravens expects the cult leaders to use these disclosures to elevate their own status too, however, as he uses the cult’s accumulated knowledge against his own ancient enemies, including at least one Antediluvian.

Meanwhile, the One True Way’s veracity is debatable. Long-term cultists exhibit a changed persona, but this could be learned behavior as easily as it might be a radical change based on Golconda. These upper-level cultists, commonly titled “Ones,” appear to gain impressive control over their Beasts, extending to their direct communion with the internal, hungry voice, but some Kindred report the cultists allow their Beasts to take over in unmatched displays of violence and sadism. The Ones explain the Beast cannot be snuffed, only silenced for a time, and that they have learned how to release it at opportune moments. It so happens these opportune times always occur around the cult’s most vehement enemies.

Description

Led by the “Master of Ravens,” the One True Way encourages vampires to seek Golconda by mastering the Beast and becoming the ultimate predator. Followers gather in meetings and encourage everyone, including curious newcomers, to openly discuss the lowest, darkest moments in their unlife. This is for two reasons: to advise the Kindred on how to overcome their inhuman natures, and to gather secrets the cult can use to gain followers and power. The One True Way is banned in many domains across the world, but this has only seemed to increase its popularity.

As a traveler on the One True Way, you know that Golconda isn’t about redemption, but about progression and mastery. You’ve learned much about the darkness within yourself and others. Taming the Beast is agonizing, and it resists at every turn, but you work at it the best you can. You know there are times when the Beast must run free, but you take heart in knowing even this is under your control. You know the benefits of confession, which soothes the spirit and gives you secrets to hold over your friends and enemies. You hope you can fully understand your place as a human predator, and that one night your higher instincts and your Hunger will work in tandem.

Loresheet

• Trust Me: Showing vulnerability is dangerous among Kindred, but it’s necessary for the One True Way. You know how to sidestep a vampire’s hesitance and get them to say things they’d never tell their closest friends. When you speak to a vampire with genuine empathy, the Difficulty of any roll to get them to tell the truth is lowered by one.
• Secret Keeper: Attending or running meetings lets you in on so many secrets that the Nosferatu consider you a trusted source. Once per story, when you act on a secret, a single roll concerning that secret gains two extra dice.
• Beast Communion: You see your Beast as a separate persona. When it comes to the surface, it finds details you’ve missed. Whenever you roll a Messy Critical or a Bestial Failure, you may ask one question about the situation to your character’s Beast. Your Storyteller gives you a truthful answer in the voice of the Beast.
• Calling the Wave: You see your Beast as a companion. It’d be wrong to keep a companion locked away forever, and so you release it on your own terms. Once per story, you spend a point of Willpower to immediately enter frenzy and Ride the Wave.
• The Road from Hunedoara: When the Master of Ravens himself invited you to journey to Hunedoara, Romania, to meet him, you accepted. He taught you much, and you have returned a near apex predator. No matter what heinous acts you commit in frenzy, you never suffer more than 1 Stain. This can only be applied once per story, and Convictions cannot further reduce these Stains.

References

VTM: Children of the Blood