Saber de lineas de sangre 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