marks. If you manage to work your way into the good graces of a Ventrue Prince, little neonate, I should think my heart might beat for the first time in over a millennium. You could, perhaps, even be forgiven for joining the Ivory Tower.
Healers of the Soul
As muttered by Abraham, Wearer of the Gatto Mask
I truly have little time for your bemused questioning, so allow me to be germane.
Clearly, we would strengthen our line through the Embrace of mortals. Yet the disciples of Lazarus make it clear we’ re not to Embrace until every last Lazarene is rescued from the Shadowlands. It’ s an ongoing ordeal, and frankly, I see no end in sight.
Do not interrupt me, pest! I am getting to you. Yes, your existence proves not every Harbinger follows Lazarus. Some indeed have Embraced since our reappearance. Hells, I know of Harbingers Embraced in the 18th century, as some escaped earlier than most, through use of experimental rituals I personally developed. The numbers have always been low, with such progeny treated poorly by Lazarus’ disciples.
By my reckoning, all newly created Harbingers ought spend a duration within the Shadowlands to gain a flavor of our struggle. Those who do fly their sire’ s cloying coop and visit the Underworld are more highly regarded, returning with skulls permanently scored of flesh.
I anticipate a change in our line’ s attitude towards childer in coming years. We are few, and most suffer a violent form of what the kine call post-traumatic stress disorder, among other diseases of the mind. Centuries locked in the land of the dead produce such symptoms. Children are said to be healers of the soul, however, and the positive behavior of Harbingers who have Embraced is notable, when compared to those who still struggle to leave sepulchers for fear of being consumed by the Tempest.
Now, get out of my library, and touch nothing as you leave. Wretched fledgling.
A Delightful Hiding Place for Weary Men
As whispered by Erebus, Wearer of the Pantalone Mask
Everything you’ ve been told is a lie. I don’ t recognize one of these Cainites as kin. Let me tell you why.
I’ m a wraith.
You think me mad, but in truth I am just one who knows the truth. When a vampire spends masses of time in the Shadowlands, they lose segments of their soul. They live a half-life. They can never return in full unless a wraith takes possession of their body. You see where this is going?
Yes, many Cainites journeyed to the Shadowlands. Cappadocian, Nagaraja, Lamiae, Erinyes... Scores have made the Descent of Orpheus, but by the time they return, the Styx has rearranged their souls. It convinces them of a past that never happened. It’ s all subterfuge to put Puppeteers such as myself into Cainite society as sleeper agents. When the time is right, the Lady of Fate will activate hundreds of wraiths riding their hosts.
We’ ll ferry the entire desolate civilization of vampires to its rightful place. These creatures have cheated Charon for too long. It’ s time to be delivered. Lazarus knows, and he would keep you all ignorant for his own purposes. This can’ t be permitted.
Why am I telling you? Well, my friend; the time has come.
Wake up. Your flesh is a vessel. Take the reins and cast off the lie.
He Who Controls the Past, Controls the Future
As decreed by the Wearer of the Capuchin Mask
You’ ve suffered greatly for centuries, but now your suffering ends. You’ ve rejoined your kin, the Harbingers of Skulls, and you’ re to live up to your name. The suffering you felt will be repaid to our enemies a thousand fold.
I’ m proud to call you disciple. You always were, before you descended. You do not remember. I forgive your confusion. You will remember. You were ever my disciple.
Our Father would see himself made God. You know his sadism. You know we cannot allow this to happen. The Sabbat is the best vehicle for our virtuous fury. We shall strike down his Giovanni pawns, the Clans of the Camarilla who serve their own Fathers, and the childer of Lazarus who would subvert our bloodline for their own aims.
Everything shall be rendered unto nothing, so we may rebuild. Trust only in the Capuchin. Trust only in Japheth Cappadocius, as you have always trusted.
You will always by my disciple.
46 HARBINGERS OF SKULLS