Clans

Despite the common belief perpetuated by pop culture, vampires are far from solitary, antisocial monsters. In reality, the society of the Kindred- though shrouded in secrecy- is highly organized and intricate. Kindred are, by nature, suspicious creatures, and this very suspicion is what makes their society a complex web of laws, customs, stereotypes, intrigue, and a myriad of conflicting beliefs.

From the moment of their Embrace, a Kindred is marked by an identity that, for most, will shape their entire existence. Each one belongs to a specific clan, an ancient bloodline that brands them with a legacy that dictates their strengths, weaknesses, and often charts the course of their future. Every clan has its own distinct history, carrying the weight of centuries of tradition and expectations for what its members must become.

Thirteen of these clans are considered the cornerstones of Kindred society. Each represents a unique path, a distinct philosophy on what it means to exist as a vampire. These clans do not just offer different perspectives on vampiric existence; they also embody ancient rivalries, alliances, and ideologies that continue to shape the politics of the undead.

Here, we attempt to explore the histories, powers, and curses of the 13 major clans. Through their stories, we will unravel the mysteries of the Kindred and their eternal dance of intrigue, power, and survival in a world that remains forever on the edge of darkness.

Clans are more than just tribes; they’re political machines, each one with its own agenda, its own way of surviving. They carve up power, create alliances, and wage wars- all while the rest of us are left to fend for ourselves, stuck playing by rules written ages ago. We’re supposed to honor our clan, to fight for its goals, but what happens when those goals no longer align with who we are or what we want? The clan system thrives on control, not just over us but over the future of the Kindred.
At the end of the night, we’re all vampires, bound by the same curse, forced to feed on the living to survive. Our differences shouldn’t be chains; they should be choices. But the clan system doesn’t give us that luxury. We’re either born into power or into servitude, and too many of us spend eternity chasing a way out.

-Violette Jackson