Septemi
The scales have fallen from my eyes. What is beautiful is not good. What is hideous is not evil. The Lance has lied to me, and I shall shatter it so that all may know the truth.
While the Sanctified have long claimed to be the most faithful and godly possible vampires, the Septemi exist as a relatively modern phenomenon set to challenge the covenant’s presumptions. Where the Sanctified attest that the Kindred were personally Damned by God to act as his lash against the back of a sinful mortal populace (thus driving them towards divinity), the Septemi spare the rod, declaring that vampires have no exalted place in the Lord’s creation. They work from the shadows to counter the influence of the Sanctified, driven by their higher soul to undo the work of evil men and lead Humanity to salvation through charity and education. Such altruism dooms a Kindred to a difficult Requiem (often made more difficult yet by the fact that the Septimi’s altruism does not necessarily extend to their fellow vampires).
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
History and Culture: The genesis of the Septemi is a matter of some confusion. The ostensible founder of the lineage, Robert le Tuteur, served as a soldier in the army of none other than Jeanne d’Arc (known to English speakers as Joan of Arc) during the Hundred Years’ War (and in fact, some claim, received the Embrace on the third night after her martyrdom). He has since claimed that his introduction to the Requiem came at the hands of a Daeva elder who gave only the name Septima and that she told him of her legacy, a long line of Kindred who served God’s true will in the face of great Perfidy. She set him on the path he would follow before vanishing into the night, intimating that she was the last surviving member of a bloodline that had existed since before the rise of Rome. No record of such a lineage can be found prior to Robert, however, and the fact that no record remains of any Kindred in France by Septima’s name or description at the time of Robert’s Embrace further muddies the waters (though, as many scholars point out, were Septima a Sanctified heretic she may have given a false name for her own protection).
Most Passionate accept Robert’s story, but also claim that whether Robert inherited an older legacy or created the lineage remains immaterial to its overarching goals and beliefs. There can be no doubt that Robert serves as the single most important figure in the bloodline’s modern history, acting as a catalyst for the growth of a small movement of Christian Daeva unwilling to accept the teachings of The Lancea Sanctum. Robert taught his followers that Christianity applied to the Kindred as it did to mortals, and that their fallen state gave vampires no inherent dominion over the living. He rejected the terms Canaille and Kine, refusing to see the mortals as mere feeding stock, and ruffled feathers by denying many of “the pretty euphemisms” (as he put it) of the Damned. He drew to him numerous young vampires, many of whom he initiated into his own bloodline, though he purportedly sired no childer of his own. These schismatic Kindred drew negative attention from The Lancea Sanctum, but the covenant was too distracted by the mortal inquisition during the bloodline’s initial growth to effectively move against it. Misguided vampire heretics seemed a lesser problem than torch-wielding priests. Instead, they largely dismissed the heretics, branding them with the sobriquet “Maidens” due to the founder’s supposed association with Joan of Arc, the Maiden of Orleans.
The French Lancea Sanctum immediately became incensed, naming the entire line anathema and destroying all members of the group who surfaced within their parishes. Though some German Sanctified followed suit, the Septemi remained in Central Europe, working to undo the horrors of the civil wars both among vampires and the living. Yet, for all their work, the blood-borne selfrighteousness of the Septemi garnered the line few Allies, and members quickly migrated. The line grew, spreading into Eastern Europe, Russia and Great Britain.
During the late 18th century, nomadic Sanctified began spreading a message within each domain they traveled to: the Septemi, they claimed, were an infernal threat that must be cleansed from the world. What followed were numerous bloody witch-hunts as suspected Kindred were dragged from their havens and rendered torpid. On occasion, the accused even stood trial before being left for the sun. The onus of proof, however, rested with the accused, and proving that one’s lineage does not include the taint of an obscure bloodline can be incredibly difficult.
The hunts were not terribly effective, however, and in most cases, trials simply served as an excuse for one elder to strike against a Daeva rival. Later Sanctified would call the Septemi “Roaches” for their ability to survive everything the covenant threw at them; the reality, however, is that the Sanctified largely undercut their own initiatives.
Tonight the Septemi still exist, often hiding in the folds of The Carthian Movement and keeping the truth of their lineage hidden. Few among the Sanctified still remember that they exist, though within those parishes perennially plagued by the Passionate, especially in Central Europe, the feud continues to simmer to this night. On those rare occasions that the Septemi openly display their presence in a city with any Sanctified influence, the church attempts to have them banished, destroyed or tried for treason against Kindred society. The wise Passionate never grants them that chance.
The second division, the Pacifists, strives to undo the horrors that the Sanctified inflict on the living by helping those who such vampires harm. If a Sanctified places a Vinculum on a mortal, a Pacifist attempts to break it. When a Sanctified Priest keeps a city block under his rotting thumb, the Pacifist disseminates literature of hope and faith. Kindred of the bloodline consider the Pacifists the oldest philosophy within the line, and Robert le Tuteur, the founder of the lineage, has expressed personal beliefs in line with this faction on the rare occasions he has made his presence known to his descendents.
Unlike the other two divisions, the Custodians often content themselves with minimizing their own impact on the living rather than acting to undo that of other Kindred. They hope to lead by example, demonstrating that the Kindred can survive without causing undue harm to the mortal Herd. These Kindred can easily fall into an ascetic style of existence, but they tend to be the Passionate most likely to rise to positions of prominence within Kindred society (mostly by dint of stepping on fewer toes than the Justiciars and Pacifists). From there they guide their chosen covenant in a way consistent with the bloodline’s philosophy.
A member’s sire has nothing to do with which of the three groups she falls into. Instead, her curse draws her to one group at the exclusion of the others. In game terms, a character’s Virtue determines which of the three philosophies she is most inclined towards. Characters with Justice and Fortitude usually join the Justiciars, allowing nothing (sometimes including their Humanity) to stand between them and their quest to end the evils of The Lancea Sanctum. Characters who uphold Charity and Hope typically join the Pacifists, believing that they cannot heal the world through harm. Temperate or Prudent characters, on the other hand, often join the Custodians, striving to curb their own excesses. Finally, the Faithful among the Passionate find themselves drawn to all three divisions, always choosing a path based on the nature of their faith but often acting as intermediaries between the groups. Exceptions do occur, of course, and a Maiden might pursue Justice through public works and government manipulation while another might Prudently plot out every aspect of her plan to destroy the local Archbishop.
Yet the Septemi have little in the way of bloodline organization. The three paths are less factions of the line than they are personal decisions made by the Kindred in question. Most Septemi teach their childer a series of closely guarded pass phrases designed to help Septemi differentiate one another from the rest of Kindred society. These phrases usually resemble riddles, biblical passages, koans or sutras, but cannot be traced back to a written source.
Sires choose childer they feel will strive to improve the lot of mortals and vampires alike, but remain vigilant against Embracing those who lack the reserves of willpower necessary to survive the Requiem. As a result, Septemi come from many different walks of life, but tend to be those who possessed some interest in philanthropy or vigilantism in life (sometimes both, and the line boasts more than one self-styled modern-night Robin Hood). Thus a Passionate may be a former night-shift emergency room nurse, a disgruntled police officer or a gangster trying to clean up his neighborhood.
Septemi never inform a newly Embraced childe of her lineage. Instead they do what they can to raise the member in a manner consistent with the bloodline’s beliefs. These teachings tend to begin privately, but are of a largely secular philosophical nature. If the neophyte shows acceptance and interest in the bloodline’s principles, the instruction sessions slowly transform, becoming steeped in religion and baroque mysticism. If (and only if) the childe seems willing to take on the lineage’s mission at the risk of her unlife will the sire adopt her into the line (a similar initiation awaits outsiders who the line deems promising). After all, a failed indoctrination could doom the sire.
Most Passionate accept Robert’s story, but also claim that whether Robert inherited an older legacy or created the lineage remains immaterial to its overarching goals and beliefs. There can be no doubt that Robert serves as the single most important figure in the bloodline’s modern history, acting as a catalyst for the growth of a small movement of Christian Daeva unwilling to accept the teachings of The Lancea Sanctum. Robert taught his followers that Christianity applied to the Kindred as it did to mortals, and that their fallen state gave vampires no inherent dominion over the living. He rejected the terms Canaille and Kine, refusing to see the mortals as mere feeding stock, and ruffled feathers by denying many of “the pretty euphemisms” (as he put it) of the Damned. He drew to him numerous young vampires, many of whom he initiated into his own bloodline, though he purportedly sired no childer of his own. These schismatic Kindred drew negative attention from The Lancea Sanctum, but the covenant was too distracted by the mortal inquisition during the bloodline’s initial growth to effectively move against it. Misguided vampire heretics seemed a lesser problem than torch-wielding priests. Instead, they largely dismissed the heretics, branding them with the sobriquet “Maidens” due to the founder’s supposed association with Joan of Arc, the Maiden of Orleans.
Children of the Revolution
The lineage truly came into its own during the waning years of the anarchs’ revolution. Among the mortals, the Catholic French backed the Protestant revolutionaries, initially through grants of wealth and eventually with martial assistance. The elders of the French Lancea Sanctum, eager to see the Holy Roman Empire fall into decline, followed suit, providing aide from their own coffers and stables of blood-bound servants. Yet their plan made slow progress. The Septemi had already entered the Empire, making every attempt to stop infighting among the Austrian and German Kindred and descending on destroyed mortal villages to assist in the rebuilding efforts. While the Sanctified would normally have dismissed the Septemi as minor thorns at worst, the Septemi began openly employing the signature mutation of their blood, a mystical ability that interferes with the supernatural, including the sacred dark miracles of Theban Sorcery.The French Lancea Sanctum immediately became incensed, naming the entire line anathema and destroying all members of the group who surfaced within their parishes. Though some German Sanctified followed suit, the Septemi remained in Central Europe, working to undo the horrors of the civil wars both among vampires and the living. Yet, for all their work, the blood-borne selfrighteousness of the Septemi garnered the line few Allies, and members quickly migrated. The line grew, spreading into Eastern Europe, Russia and Great Britain.
The Septemi Tonight
In the centuries since their abortive Crusade against the French Sanctified, the Septemi have made enemies almost everywhere they travel. Far from being heroes, their blood addicts them to the rush of martyrdom, the pleasure inherent in giving of themselves for an apparent greater good. The fact that many use less than noble tactics in their quests has done nothing for the lineage, and those Kindred familiar with the line label them hypocrites (and, more recently, terrorists).During the late 18th century, nomadic Sanctified began spreading a message within each domain they traveled to: the Septemi, they claimed, were an infernal threat that must be cleansed from the world. What followed were numerous bloody witch-hunts as suspected Kindred were dragged from their havens and rendered torpid. On occasion, the accused even stood trial before being left for the sun. The onus of proof, however, rested with the accused, and proving that one’s lineage does not include the taint of an obscure bloodline can be incredibly difficult.
The hunts were not terribly effective, however, and in most cases, trials simply served as an excuse for one elder to strike against a Daeva rival. Later Sanctified would call the Septemi “Roaches” for their ability to survive everything the covenant threw at them; the reality, however, is that the Sanctified largely undercut their own initiatives.
Tonight the Septemi still exist, often hiding in the folds of The Carthian Movement and keeping the truth of their lineage hidden. Few among the Sanctified still remember that they exist, though within those parishes perennially plagued by the Passionate, especially in Central Europe, the feud continues to simmer to this night. On those rare occasions that the Septemi openly display their presence in a city with any Sanctified influence, the church attempts to have them banished, destroyed or tried for treason against Kindred society. The wise Passionate never grants them that chance.
The Three Roads
The Septemi lineage splits into three rough divisions, each corresponding to a member’s approach to the bloodline’s mission. The most active and aggressive division, the Justiciars, works to remove the tools that The Lancea Sanctum uses to keep Humanity frightened and submissive. They observe local Sanctified, destroying connections with mortals through physical abuse and scare tactics (a gangster once loyal to a Lancea Sanctum Bishop may be considerably less so after a visit from one of the Septemi) and directly physically assaulting the Sanctified only if all else fails. They usually veil their genuine objectives behind typical covenant and Kindred politics, so as to avoid giving away their true identities.The second division, the Pacifists, strives to undo the horrors that the Sanctified inflict on the living by helping those who such vampires harm. If a Sanctified places a Vinculum on a mortal, a Pacifist attempts to break it. When a Sanctified Priest keeps a city block under his rotting thumb, the Pacifist disseminates literature of hope and faith. Kindred of the bloodline consider the Pacifists the oldest philosophy within the line, and Robert le Tuteur, the founder of the lineage, has expressed personal beliefs in line with this faction on the rare occasions he has made his presence known to his descendents.
Unlike the other two divisions, the Custodians often content themselves with minimizing their own impact on the living rather than acting to undo that of other Kindred. They hope to lead by example, demonstrating that the Kindred can survive without causing undue harm to the mortal Herd. These Kindred can easily fall into an ascetic style of existence, but they tend to be the Passionate most likely to rise to positions of prominence within Kindred society (mostly by dint of stepping on fewer toes than the Justiciars and Pacifists). From there they guide their chosen covenant in a way consistent with the bloodline’s philosophy.
A member’s sire has nothing to do with which of the three groups she falls into. Instead, her curse draws her to one group at the exclusion of the others. In game terms, a character’s Virtue determines which of the three philosophies she is most inclined towards. Characters with Justice and Fortitude usually join the Justiciars, allowing nothing (sometimes including their Humanity) to stand between them and their quest to end the evils of The Lancea Sanctum. Characters who uphold Charity and Hope typically join the Pacifists, believing that they cannot heal the world through harm. Temperate or Prudent characters, on the other hand, often join the Custodians, striving to curb their own excesses. Finally, the Faithful among the Passionate find themselves drawn to all three divisions, always choosing a path based on the nature of their faith but often acting as intermediaries between the groups. Exceptions do occur, of course, and a Maiden might pursue Justice through public works and government manipulation while another might Prudently plot out every aspect of her plan to destroy the local Archbishop.
Yet the Septemi have little in the way of bloodline organization. The three paths are less factions of the line than they are personal decisions made by the Kindred in question. Most Septemi teach their childer a series of closely guarded pass phrases designed to help Septemi differentiate one another from the rest of Kindred society. These phrases usually resemble riddles, biblical passages, koans or sutras, but cannot be traced back to a written source.
Sires choose childer they feel will strive to improve the lot of mortals and vampires alike, but remain vigilant against Embracing those who lack the reserves of willpower necessary to survive the Requiem. As a result, Septemi come from many different walks of life, but tend to be those who possessed some interest in philanthropy or vigilantism in life (sometimes both, and the line boasts more than one self-styled modern-night Robin Hood). Thus a Passionate may be a former night-shift emergency room nurse, a disgruntled police officer or a gangster trying to clean up his neighborhood.
Septemi never inform a newly Embraced childe of her lineage. Instead they do what they can to raise the member in a manner consistent with the bloodline’s beliefs. These teachings tend to begin privately, but are of a largely secular philosophical nature. If the neophyte shows acceptance and interest in the bloodline’s principles, the instruction sessions slowly transform, becoming steeped in religion and baroque mysticism. If (and only if) the childe seems willing to take on the lineage’s mission at the risk of her unlife will the sire adopt her into the line (a similar initiation awaits outsiders who the line deems promising). After all, a failed indoctrination could doom the sire.
Major organizations
Reputation: The Kindred consider the Septemi misguided and naïve at best and dangerous and maladjusted at worst. Neither The Invictus nor the Sanctified would knowingly shelter or admit a member of the bloodline except under the most unusual of circumstances. While The Invictus stops short of branding the entire lineage a heresy to be wiped out, the bloodline’s beliefs and tactics tend to directly counter those of the First Estate more often than not. The Sanctified, on the other hand, would see the Septemi wiped from creation. Their actions, sins in the eyes of Longinus, disrupt Kindred society and endanger all vampires, they claim. Some go so far as to declare that the abilities of the Septemi display an almost certain link to infernal practices, but few other Kindred take such accusations seriously.
While The Circle of the Crone would be unlikely to admit a Passionate into its ranks (and the Passionate even less likely to apply for admission), the faith as a whole appreciates the Septemi. The lineage’s tendency to draw heat away from the Acolytes is welcome, though the Circle frowns upon the line’s adherence to mortal religion. Worse yet, in domains where the Sanctified don’t pose a problem to the mortal populace, the Septemi tend to turn their attention towards the blood witches, a group hardly known for its altruistic attitude towards Humanity.
The Ordo Dracul rarely crosses paths with the Septemi. Each group has quite a bit to offer the other, however, and alliances do occasionally form. The Septemi, for their part, dearly covet the advantages the Coils grant (especially those that minimize impact on the mortal populace, such as the Coil of Blood they do not, however, appreciate the grisly studies that many Dragons embark on in order to unearth their eldritch powers. The Dragons, on the other hand, find the Abjurism Discipline and its capacity for overcoming the various threats in the World of Darkness fascinating. As a result, short-term relationships between single Dragons and Passionate occasionally occur, but usually collapse when each finds the other’s approach reprehensible.
The Septemi assisted the anarchs during the troubles of the 17th century and aided the nascent Carthian Movement when it began to spread across Europe. While the line hardly has a position of importance within the covenant as a whole, its philosophies mesh with those of the Carthians more often than they do other groups. As a result, the Movement attracts more Septemi than any other covenant. While the average Carthian finds the Passionate’s dedication to Christianity unusual, few actively work against members of the lineage so long as they pull their weight. Given the bloodline’s weakness, members often rise above the call of duty.
The Septemi do possess one major claim to Fame (and to the efficacy of their philosophies): The lineage’s founder, Robert le Tuteur, remains active to this night and is rumored to have achieved the much-debated state of Golconda. He leads a nomadic unlife, typically hiding his true nature (and masquerading as a neonate) unless forces conspire to inspire him to intercede in a situation. While detractors point to his supposed achievement of enlightenment as an obvious lie and bit of propaganda spread by the line to further its heresy, those who have met Robert report that there’s something about his pale blue eyes, long sandy hair and beardless face forever frozen at two decades of age that inspires belief. Others point out that a Succubus of his age certainly possesses a stunning mastery of Majesty. Whether tales of Robert’s spiritual puissance will be authenticated or disproved as a hoax remains to be seen.
While The Circle of the Crone would be unlikely to admit a Passionate into its ranks (and the Passionate even less likely to apply for admission), the faith as a whole appreciates the Septemi. The lineage’s tendency to draw heat away from the Acolytes is welcome, though the Circle frowns upon the line’s adherence to mortal religion. Worse yet, in domains where the Sanctified don’t pose a problem to the mortal populace, the Septemi tend to turn their attention towards the blood witches, a group hardly known for its altruistic attitude towards Humanity.
The Ordo Dracul rarely crosses paths with the Septemi. Each group has quite a bit to offer the other, however, and alliances do occasionally form. The Septemi, for their part, dearly covet the advantages the Coils grant (especially those that minimize impact on the mortal populace, such as the Coil of Blood they do not, however, appreciate the grisly studies that many Dragons embark on in order to unearth their eldritch powers. The Dragons, on the other hand, find the Abjurism Discipline and its capacity for overcoming the various threats in the World of Darkness fascinating. As a result, short-term relationships between single Dragons and Passionate occasionally occur, but usually collapse when each finds the other’s approach reprehensible.
The Septemi assisted the anarchs during the troubles of the 17th century and aided the nascent Carthian Movement when it began to spread across Europe. While the line hardly has a position of importance within the covenant as a whole, its philosophies mesh with those of the Carthians more often than they do other groups. As a result, the Movement attracts more Septemi than any other covenant. While the average Carthian finds the Passionate’s dedication to Christianity unusual, few actively work against members of the lineage so long as they pull their weight. Given the bloodline’s weakness, members often rise above the call of duty.
The Septemi do possess one major claim to Fame (and to the efficacy of their philosophies): The lineage’s founder, Robert le Tuteur, remains active to this night and is rumored to have achieved the much-debated state of Golconda. He leads a nomadic unlife, typically hiding his true nature (and masquerading as a neonate) unless forces conspire to inspire him to intercede in a situation. While detractors point to his supposed achievement of enlightenment as an obvious lie and bit of propaganda spread by the line to further its heresy, those who have met Robert report that there’s something about his pale blue eyes, long sandy hair and beardless face forever frozen at two decades of age that inspires belief. Others point out that a Succubus of his age certainly possesses a stunning mastery of Majesty. Whether tales of Robert’s spiritual puissance will be authenticated or disproved as a hoax remains to be seen.
Nickname: Passionate (among themselves), Maidens or Roaches (among the Sanctified — both derogatory terms)
Bloodline Disciplines: Abjurism, Celerity, Majesty, Vigor
Weakness: Members of the Septemi bloodline suffer the curse of the Daeva (see p. 105 of Vampire: The Requiem). Unlike the majority of their brethren, however, the Septemi find that their higher soul pulls on them with the same strength, addicting them to works of grace. Maidens must spend two Willpower points to avoid engaging in their Virtue when granted the opportunity. The opportunity must be one in which the character would regain all of her Willpower for acting in accord with her Virtue, and thus usually poses some danger to the character. If the character indulges her Virtue, she regains her full Willpower pool.
While a character can only regain her full Willpower once per chapter, by indulging in her Virtue, Septemi may be tempted to perform their Virtue multiple times in a single session. After the first time a vampire fulfills her Virtue during a session, thus refilling Willpower, subsequently indulging in her Virtue only spares the Maiden the two Willpower points she would have lost for not doing so — and confers no other benefits.
Concepts: Ascetic martial artist, Carthian investigator, ghetto Robin Hood, law in a lawless neighborhood, mob instigator, monstrous monster hunter, political activist, protest singer, suicide hotline operator, wealthy charity chairperson
Parent ethnicities
Weakness: Members of the Septemi bloodline suffer the curse of the Daeva (see p. 105 of Vampire: The Requiem). Unlike the majority of their brethren, however, the Septemi find that their higher soul pulls on them with the same strength, addicting them to works of grace. Maidens must spend two Willpower points to avoid engaging in their Virtue when granted the opportunity. The opportunity must be one in which the character would regain all of her Willpower for acting in accord with her Virtue, and thus usually poses some danger to the character. If the character indulges her Virtue, she regains her full Willpower pool.
While a character can only regain her full Willpower once per chapter, by indulging in her Virtue, Septemi may be tempted to perform their Virtue multiple times in a single session. After the first time a vampire fulfills her Virtue during a session, thus refilling Willpower, subsequently indulging in her Virtue only spares the Maiden the two Willpower points she would have lost for not doing so — and confers no other benefits.
Concepts: Ascetic martial artist, Carthian investigator, ghetto Robin Hood, law in a lawless neighborhood, mob instigator, monstrous monster hunter, political activist, protest singer, suicide hotline operator, wealthy charity chairperson
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