Furores

Arrayed by Sect -DAV- Eastern Europe

Introduction

This sect's members have a reputation for being the outlaws of the Cainites. Condemned by most princes as thieves and troublemakers, they exist on the fringes of vampire society, scratching out a meager existence like their mortal counterparts.

Overview

The Furores are considered chaotic, disorganize and ignorant of even the base rules that govern all Cainites. Such talk comes from those not familiar with the sect's internal workings. Many Furores are quite familiar with the Six Traditions, but have chosen to throw their lots in with those who walk on the shadow's edge. They are frequently second or third childer, unable to compete with their elder siblings for their sires' attention, and so they set out to make their own ways. In Furores, vampires may shine based on their own merits, not those of their sires, and they need not worry about elder siblings crowding them out.

Furores may be found among cathedral-builders and city burghers, as well as merchant caravans. Most city-based coteries are considered by default to be Furores, unless one or more of them has some standing with the local prince. Indeed, the Furores tend to Embrace those who function outside the rigid structure of the Church or feudal state: thieves, merchants, artisans, performers and laborers. Though few would admit it, there are some coteries of Furores who pay tithes to local princes in exchange for autonomy.

Though they shun the hierarchy of princes and vassals, the Furores have a certain structure to their society. They have arranged themselves much like a guild, and any who pass their initiation rites are welcomed, regardless of clan. Most of the cities currently emerging into prominence are, for all intents and purposes, their Domains. The Toreador and Brujah among them often view merchants, scholars and guildsman as the promise of a brighter future, a time when learning and knowledge will again reign supreme.

Granted, the Furors do have few scruples about theft - the Ravnos among them have taught them some of their worse habits. Many of them spend as much time practicing sleight of hand and stealth as they do collecting "rent" from their merchant vassals.

The Furores generally have heavily shuttered meeting places, where they discuss issues of mutual concern (attacks by the Lupines, political maneuverings of foreign princes). Violence thee is generally frowned upon as a distraction. The cities they govern tend to have more artisans and merchants than most, and they eagerly accept new ideas, rather than shun them as the work of Satan. Their rule is not one of fear, but of subtlety, and they take pride in their ablitity to get things done quietly. They insinuate themselves into the ranks of burghers, guildmasters and merchants, as a means of exerting tighter control over growing cities.