saber de clanes 344257123-V20-Lore-of-the-Bloodlines-11056187-pdf | Page 15

evil and abominations and heathens for so long, that’s
exactly what they’ll become. It’s basic human nature, and
we still contain at least small traces of humanity, don’t we?
They call us infernalists. This is true, but I know many
Baali who wish they could be open about their demon
cavorting. The Gangrel are left to their animalistic devices
and aren’t chastised for it. The Nosferatu wear their sin
on their face, and yet some still look at them, and even
get used to them along the way. Even the Tremere have
a seat at the Kindred table, and look at some of the sick
shit they’ve done. Vampires create their own hierarchy and
worship of themselves, and yet they dare to look down on
us for our practices, calling us weak-willed or instruments
of evil. We are not weak. Consorting with demons is not
without risk, and I’ve seen more than one Baali lose the
test of bravery at a crucial time and be devoured in an
instant. Anyone who thinks what we do is without merit
and lacks strength, like it’s some coward’s path, has never
come face to face with a filth demon or a revenge devil.
They call us antichrists. It is true that we use the whole
satanic thing to great effect. Dressing in lots of black
clothing and demonic imagery evokes a strong reaction,
and it’s often how we get our kicks. I know a Baali who has
an upside-down cross tattooed on his forehead. Certain
people are drawn to that kind of acting out everyday, but
it can even just be fun for a night of rabble rousing and
painting the town red when in the mood. It also acts as
a serious “fuck you” to the establishment and the others
who hunt us down. They believe in all this Caine, curse,
God bullshit, and we like to let them know we’re not
having any of it.
They call us boogeymen, and this one is the clearest.
Remember that whole re-Embracing the Baali are capable
of doing? This is the reason why we are feared so much.
We speak the unapologetic truth of the world, of the
universe, of the death of all things, and convince others to
join our bloodline — to become one of us. Other groups
may work together for a time, but they simply become
a gang of Kindred who eventually tear each other apart
despite their blood bonds and supernatural leashes on
each other. The Baali assimilate other vampires into our
numbers and make them like we are. What most don’t
understand is this must be a voluntary choice. Accepting
Baali blood only overrides one’s original vitae if they wish
it so. So, who are the real monsters: those who offer others
the truth — and the choice to become what they see fit?
Or the ones who would keep each other blind with lies,
and rob each other of their free will?
14
Excavations
While the Nergals are out there hamming it up for
everyone to gasp at, there are a fair number of us who
have more important business to handle. Summoning
demons, especially the more powerful entities, requires
a lot of preparation. This can include collecting the right
sacrifices, obtaining magical relics, and the tracking down
the locations of several types of remains. We are swimming
in remains a lot of the time.
This sends the Baali on dangerous voyages around the
world in search of these items and places. Not only do we
find the mausoleums and artifacts we seek, but we often
find ones we never dreamed of encountering. In just the
last three years, the Baali have unearthed two separate
tombs containing ancient mummified sarcophagi of
“cursed ones.” That’s a fancy term for husks that contain
fragments of a demon’s soul. It is believed that finding
just one more will mean the summoning of a certain
demon of lies (of which I will not say the name). Just
imagine what treasures could be garnered with that kind
of power in our clutches.
Of course, I’ve been speaking of the Baali in general
terms, but not every Baali is on the same team. In fact,
each coven of Baali consists of thirteen members who all
answer to a higher lord, most likely their collective sire,
who is themselves one of thirteen, and so on and so on.
That means we don’t all work together all the time. We
are quite aggressive against other Baali, as a matter of fact.
This has led to many small civil wars that our numbers
simply can’t support. Making sure any uncovered relics do
not end up in the wrong hands is important; the wrong
hands being any hands that don’t belong to my coven
alone. If another coven nabs it, then they grow more
powerful, and even non-petty Baali have a way of taking
out the competition — often preemptively.
All of this goes to illustrate that we’re not all the monsters
other Clans make us out to be. We are archeologists and
researchers, always looking for the next prize. Of course,
the things we unearth are quite evil, but what isn’t, in
this world of vampires?
The End is Nigh
Stop squirming. We’re almost to the end.
Let’s talk about the nature of death. I’ve mentioned it a
few times, but I don’t know if you’ve truly comprehended
my words. The world is doomed. All anyone needs to do
is look around to see the depravity that dilutes the spirit of
the Earth and all its inhabitants. Some outright blame the
BAALI