Clan Status - Independent
The Followers of Set, or Setites as they often call themselves, make up
one of the most widely loathed clans in the world. The Camarilla decision to ask the Setites to join came only after weeks
of divisive debate, and the fact that few Setites responded to the call was met with a wave of relief from the young sect.
The explanation for this reaction lies with the very nature of the Setites.
They are the masters of moral and spiritual corruption. They seem to have an uncanny ability to find the weakness in any organization
or individual, and the uncommon urge to exploit it. Drugs, sex, money and power are their weapons of corruption, and they
take great delight in using them against Kindred and kine alike. The Setites believe that the power of decay and corruption
is absolute; no one is immune.
Although few Setites have become members of the Camarilla, this has not
stopped factions within the sect from making use of their special talents. In the world of Kindred politics, the Followers
of Set have the distinction of being regarded as a necessary evil The Followers claim to be able to trace their clan's lineage
back to the Egyptian Dark God himself. The truth of this statement, however, remains unrevealed. In any event, they are darkly
powerful beings with unclear interests beyond the assumption of mortal and supernatural power.
According to legend, the clan originated in ancient Egypt. About 5000 B.C.,
a group of powerful Kindred gathered around the Nile River delta. There they are said to have established a thriving civilization
and enthroned themselves as the ruling gods. Among these Kindred was one named Sutekh. Sutekh, renowned as a warrior and hunter,
stalked the darkness like a great beast; by 3300 B.C. he was being worshipped by some mortals as the God of Night and Darkness.
He was more than likely a member of the third generation, an Antediluvian.
For the next two millennia, Sutekh, now calling himself Set, enjoyed the
worship of mortals and the respect of his fellow Kindred. However, a power struggle began when a vampire known as Osiris,
along with several of his progeny, began to claim absolute kingship over the rest of the Kindred. Set opposed Osiris, and
for several hundred years the two waged a savage war. By 900 B.C., the tide had fumed against Set and his followers. A being
known as Heru-Behutet, and his warriors, defeated Set and his allies in a great battle. Set was exiled and his followers slaughtered.
In his anguish, Set vowed that if he were to be exiled into the darkness, then that darkness would become all-powerful.
In the centuries that followed, Set recruited new followers. Most came
from Egypt but there were others as well. Greeks, Romans, Persians and Semites all fell under the influence of Set, god of
darkness. His message spread to the far corners of the known world. From the mountains of Spain to the shores of the Black
Sea, the seeds of darkness were planted. Finally, in A.D. 33, Set himself vanished from the world ( likely to escape being
a casualty of the Jyhad). Before he disappeared, Set promised his followers that he would eventually return in all his dark
glory.
Even after his disappearance, this clan grew in power. Always small in
number, it exerted an influence that belied its size. Some say that its members were partially responsible for the birth of
the Inquisition, though there is no proof to substantiate this allegation. Empires have come and gone and still the Followers
of Set carry on their master's dark traditions.
In modem times, the Setites found a new home in the Western Hemisphere.
Both Jamaica and Haiti became fertile recruiting grounds for the clan. Using the sophisticated science of modern times, the
Setites became druglords extraordinaire. Several Haitian secret societies and Jamaican posses are rumored to be under their
control, along with at least one Middle Eastern terrorist group.
The first Follower into an area establishes a temple and prepares the way
for others. Once a newcomer arrives, she stays at the temple until she has enough power to found her own. Each temple is at
the center of a web of corruption, and is always led by a single vampire.
Nickname - Sand-Snakes
Appearance - The vast majority of the Followers of Set have very
distinct Middle Eastern features; however, increasing numbers are taken from all races. Red hair is especially prized because
it is considered a mark of Set. When the Followers are seen, they are usually garbed in deepest ebony robes of an ancient
quasi-Egyptian style. Ritual disfigurement is also common, though the nature seems to vary from member to member.
Haven - The Setites prefer to reside in caverns or bunkers deep underground. Often,
the walls of these havens are decorated with Egyptian hieroglyphics telling the story of Set. These havens are known as temples,
and they are always under or near the headquarters of the Setites' criminal activities.
Background
- Typically, the Followers of Set choose neonates from their own human Retainers. Originally,
only those of Egyptian descent were chosen as Retainers. Within the last century, however, a number of Europeans and Americans
have been recruited.
Character Creation - Most Setites have outsider
concepts, although there are a small number of dilettantes, criminals and politicians among them. They are often Curmudgeons
or Deviants by Nature and will adopt whatever Demeanor is appropriate at the time. Social Attributes are primary, as are Talents.
Most have the Background of Retainers and many have Contacts and Allies throughout various criminal organizations.
Clan Disciplines - Obfuscate, Presence, Serpentis
Weaknesses
- Setites are extremely susceptible to sunlight. Double the dice for damage from any exposure
to it. They are also susceptible to bright lights and subtract one from all Dice Pools while in bright light (i.e., spotlights,
nightclub strobe lights, searchlights, magnesium flares, etc.).
Organization - Each city with a Setite presence has its own local Temple of Set, overseen by a Kindred priest or priestess.
There may be one or more subpriests depending on the size of the domain. There are usually three to five human Retainers per
priest. The Grand Temple of Set is rumored to be some where in southern Sudan near the Ugandan border. Monthly gatherings
are held in each temple at the dark of the moon. It is rumored that once every century there is a great gathering held at
the Grand Temple. It is also said that there once was a group known as the Children of Osiris, whose members opposed the Followers
of Set. Nothing is known of them, and the Setites claim to have literally consumed them.
Prestige
- Clan Prestige within the Followers of Set is gained by enslaving others through their
own weaknesses. The more followers a Setite has, the more respect she garners among her peers. Setites can also gain Prestige
by corrupting people and Kindred in high positions.
Example of a Setite Mentality"We are the small voice that whispers to you in the lonely hours of the night.
We call to the darkness within all of you. We came from the dark and to the dark we shall all return."