LORE
For the vast majority of kindred history, the thin-bloods do not exist. Only a few enlightened scholars or crazed noddists would speak of finding a thin-blood. Occasionally the word would creep out of the mouths of older sires, warning their young childer to never embrace; or it would be used to mock a feeble Elder.
Fear of the word stems from the Book of Nod. This collection of passages describes how they are one of several portents to the end of all vampires. Some speculate Caine, the supposed forefather to all kindred, will rise again and call all his children to be judged and devoured. Some speculate a bright Red Star will mercilessly burn through mortals, kindred, and all other supernatural creatures to ash. Some think it is all bullshit.
Most thin-bloods don’t get the chance to learn of their bloody history and why they are so feared. Many are unaware of their transformation or in complete denial until something monstrous happens. A large portion have no concept of the masquerade and the last thing they see is a Scourge. Survivors travel from city to city, pretending to be something they are not. Some disguise themselves as mortals and ghouls, some blend as another clan. While these tactics are useful, they do not last. They must keep moving and start the ruse over again.
The Camarilla vehemently opposes any superstition surrounding Gehenna and the Antediluvians. Such talk is indicative of unwanted Sabbat associations. However, when thinbloods began popping up at an alarming rate, this placed the sect in a precarious situation. To effectively dismiss any omen, the Camarilla claims that thin-bloods are threats to the masquerade with their odd disciplines, unstable populations, and illegitimate creation, and therefore should be eradicated. There are a few cities that will follow their sect’s policies to the fullest and will accept any kindred who will uphold the Traditions and obey the local Prince. Whether or not the thin-blood’s life is illegitimate and therefore forfeit is determined by the Prince. Those allowed to live are usually branded with a half-moon mark. They are expected to have this mark on display at all times.
There are a few stories of Thin-bloods gaining status and titles within the Ivory Tower. There are cases of Thin-blood primogen, though this would usually require enough known thin-bloods in a city to warrant a clan leader. More common are dayguard coteries: thin-bloods who stay awake during the day to protect a sleeping kindred, or guard a specific ward. Others are appointed alchemists. Others are presented task after grueling task to finally be awarded a chance to join a clan.
To young Sabbat, the arrival of the thin-blooded proved their war is real. To the longer surviving members, if these thin-bloods exist and are the end of the curse, then time is running out. They have a march to continue- but some doubt their boasts and teachings. With the eve of Gehenna upon them- and their past failures, there is no more room for error. Either the thin-bloods must be brought into the fold- or be killed. Especially the ones dubbed “seers.”
Thin-bloods often find pack life too harsh for their vitae. Most don’t live very long, especially on the front lines of the Gehenna War. Additionally, their very ability to blend with humanity opposes Sabbat ideology. The entire philosophy is built around the concept that vampires are a step above humanity, and to behave like a human is to admit to being inferior. The Sabbat have no intention of relinquishing this delusion when their calling is so near, and believe they are totally in reason to destroy anything that offends their reality.
However- that does not mean there are no thinbloods in the Sword of Caine. There are new radical ideas clawing from within the Sabbat. A new path, dubbed The Path of the Sun, has emerged in modern nights. These followers claim that thinbloods are the only vampires that are freed from the taint of the Antediluvians. They believe that it is their duty to walk in the sunlight, to turn a bane into an advantage. Some thinbloods will even turn down diablerie so they will never be marked by the Third Generation.
One may believe that the Anarchs and the Duskborn are natural allies- especially since so many are sired by them. This isn’t true. Many Anarchs consider their local Duskborn to be disaster magnets, harbingers, and impending visits from the Scourge. In some cities, Duskborn are not welcomed into the Camarilla, and are Anarchs by default. This enrages some of the rebels, but they ignore the actual pleas of the thin-blooded kindred. Additionally, in the cities where every kindred is equal, the thin-bloods are definitely not. But, that does not mean they aren’t useful. In modern nights, the Anarchs are discovering how incredibly versatile the thin-blooded can be, and how out-of-the-loop their enemies are. Older thin-bloods are seeing through the sudden conciliatory rhetoric, new ones are overjoyed to be welcomed in and protected.
The most extensive research about thin-bloods is recorded by Dr. Douglas Netchurch, a Malkavian. His experiments and data revealed a great deal of truth to the biological phenomenon that are the Duskborn. He writes about thin-blooded seers- kindred with innate insight to the plots and connections between older vampires. Netchurch argues there is no scientific consistency or discipline use to explain the seer’s insight- but only because he cannot explain the accuracy of the vision his now torpored subjects shared with him. A few of his subjects demonstrated prowess with new or long forgotten disciplines. Even stranger, Netchurch describes the thin-bloods being able to reproduce- not via the embrace. The offspring of mortals and vampires are dhampirs, the name derived from Balkan folklore. The ability to bear a child and the curse certainly surprised the entire kindred community- and caught the attention of mystics and cult leaders.
A large portion of these doomsday cults disappear within a decade of their founding either at the hands of the Camarilla or the Sabbat’s Inquisition. However, a resilient few remain out of sight and have been studying for centuries. They truly believe their years of plotting will allow them to act decisively while the rest of vampiric society sits stunned. Some are interested in the thin-blooded gifted with insight, a powerful few seek the thin-blood who will carry a prophesied child. These groups seek and gather the thin-blooded, hoping to find proof to put their plans in motion. Some are eager to uncover the secrets of their messy street alchemy, and aim to manipulate the techniques into a usable medium for mortals. An even smaller handful are built to seek and destroy- praying the blood they shed is a necessary sacrifice to placate what is to come.
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