Inconnu: History and Membership Guide
Inconnu: History and Membership Guide
By Daniel Harms
Contributions, revisions and updates by Lus Rodrigues and Rodrigo O. Perez.
Introduction
A few weeks before his untimely departure at
the hand of a deranged holy man, I was speaking
with Ryan Copeland, Baali of the Southeast Cabal.
Midnight was rapidly approaching, and we had
spent most of the evening discussing various
matters relating to vampiric history and traditions.
The subject had moved to Mithraism, the Roman
mystery religion based around a Ventrue elder who
later became prince of London.
Hes been missing since the Blitz, but I
wouldnt write him off entirely, Ryan was saying.
After all, he was a member of the Inconnu before
they were the Inconnu.
But why would a member of the Inconnu be
allowed to become prince? My attention had
begun to wander, and I was trying to keep awake.
Well, he split from the group when their
mission changed just after the Anarch Revolt. I take
it you havent heard that much about it?
No one seems to want to talk about them. Ive
read the Vlad Tepes document where the Inconnu
are only elders hiding from their childer and each
other
Ah yes. You know, some believe that your
friend Sarkov might have been responsible for that.
A source of useful information, but rather
inaccurate on that point.
I almost asked about Sarkov, but decided to
continue. And there are some Kindred Ive talked
to who say that the Inconnu are actually the guiding
forces behind the Jyhad and the servants of the
Antediluvians.
Origins
The Inconnu, as they were called later, were
originally a coalition of Ventrue, Lasombra, and
Malkavians, and a few True Brujah, who controlled
various factions among the Romans. Though
spending a good deal of their time squabbling with
one another, they were able to present a united front
for long enough to maintain their position of power.
With the secret aid of these generals and statesmen
with their millennia of experience, Rome was able
to obtain unques tioned dominance of the
Mediterranean.
One of the most important acts undertaken by
the Inconnu was the destruction of the Brujah
centre of Carthage following the Third Punic War.
Though it was hinted within the Inconnu that the
Brujah had dabbled with infernal matters and
Carthage should be destroyed to be purified, the
logic behind it was probably more economic than
anything else. Whatever the cause, the citys
destruction led to centuries of strife between the
Brujah and the Inconnu nonetheless. After the
Punic Wars, the Toreadors began to move to Rome
in force, and many of them joined the Inconnu.
It was not until the first century AD that the
Inconnu began to have true dissension within its
ranks. The exact events are lost to history, but some
time after the reign of Caesar Augustus the
Toreador, along with a few Malkavian allies,
wrested control of the Empire from the Ventrue.
The coalition who gained power lasted for quite
some time, and was able to perform such coups as
conquering the Tzimisce-controlled region of Dacia
Membership
Joining
No one can join the Inconnu by asking; when
the time comes, the Inconnu will contact the
individual and extend an invitation. To be accepted,
a candidate must have a true desire to exempt
himself or herself from the Jyhad, as well as the
wisdom and the power to make the separation and
to avoid further manipulation by ones fellows.
The closeness of the vampire to Caine is one of
the major qualifications for the order. The applicant
must be sixth generation or higher to join. If
diablerie was used to gain the rank, the members
will consider the number of years ago the act was
committed and the motivation behind it; a few
youthful indiscretions might be tolerated, while a
more recent act will probably not be (performing
diablerie just to gain entrance to the Inconnu is
considered particularly bad form.) Though age is an
important factor (the potential member must be at
least three hundred years old), closeness to Caine is
paramount.
These rules, however, are relaxed for those who
have attained Golconda. Such Kindred are
considered to have the requisite maturity and
potential, and indeed are regarded with deep respect
by other Inconnu. Usually a quester will come into
contact with a member of the Inconnu during their
search, and the organization will keep tabs on them
afterward. All who complete their Suspire
successfully are invited to join. Ryan later told me
that exceptions have been made for those who reach
Golconda through the Path of Power and the Inner
Voice, though the individual is always evaluated
beforehand. Those who fail in their quest, however,
will never receive an invitation.
There is one other possible group that can enter
the Inconnu those who have chosen at the apex
Benefits
Responsibilities
There are very few rules by which a member of
the Inconnu is exp ected to abide, and even fewer
that are enforced. Members of the Order must
remain apart from the Jyhad; this is the most
important of all of the groups rules. Even contact
with ones non-Inconnu childer should be kept brief
and impartial.
Organization
Council of Twelve
Monitors
One position often volunteered for is that of
Monitor of a given city, state, or region containing
fifty or more Kindred. Those outside the Inconnu
often think of such a person as a nearly omnipotent
individual, whose spies are everywhere. This is
true, in a few cases, but the style of each Monitor
varies widely, with many taking little or no interest
in their areas. It is possible, in fact, for the
Factions
The Inconnu, like any organization, has often
been split among its members. It differs from other
associations, however, in that it is so diverse and
decentralized that such differences cause no
schisms, merely opportunities for lively debate and]
discussion. These factions come and go, depending
on their pertinence to the situations at hand.
There are two groups, however, that have
survived the centuries and who still pursue their
separate agendas into the present age. The first are
often grouped under the label The Seekers. This
faction sees the pursuit of Golconda as the highest
task to which a Kindred may aspire. Those who
have already attained Golconda, or who do not
spend all their time in pursuit of that state, take it
upon themselves to find those not in the Inconnu
who seek it and help them upon their way. For the
Seekers, the true fulfilment of the Kindred species
will come when each member learns to accept his
or her true nature.
On the other side of the question are the
Purifiers. Despite its titles sinister overtones, the
members of this group are quite benign in their
Members
Only the Council of Twelve knows the complete
list of members of the Order. If a member wants to
be put in touch with another member, it is
customary to ask the Council, though others may
also direct them to the desired person.
Assamites
Few Assamites have joined, and none of these is
less than fifteen centuries old. All are heretics
despised by the clan.
Brujah
The memory of Carthage is still strong for many
in this clan, but many of those Sired after the citys
defeat have chosen to join the sect nonetheless,
drawn by its emphasis on freedom.
Cappadocians
It is believed that the Giovanni destroyed all the
Cappadocians. However, if any did survive, the
Inconnu might be the best place for them to hide.
Followers of Set
Two or three renegades who have (supposedly)
given up the ways of their founder have been
inducted though not without some reservations.
Gangrel
With their love of the wilderness and aloofness
from Kindred society, the Gangrel are closest to the
Inconnu spirit, and appear in greater numbers than
any other clan.
Gargoyles
It is possible that the first gargoyle has been
inducted into the Inconnu, but if so no lower-level
members have seen him for many years.
Kiasyd
Only a few of this reclusive bloodline have
joined the Inconnu.
Lasombra
Following the destruction of their clan founder,
many Lasombra felt the need to re-evaluate their
priorities. Many of the Old Guard Lasombra
joined the Inconnu, and a good number of these still
follow the Path of Heaven.
Malkavian
The Malkavians fit into the Inconnu with the
same ease (?) that they do within the Camarilla or
the Sabbat.
Nagaraja
Few of these Kindred meet the generation
requirement for the Inconnu, so only one or two at
most have joined.
Nosferatu
Both Nosferatu and Nictuku are welcomed
within the Inconnu, though they are expected to
give up their feuding upon induction.
Salubri
All Salubri who succeed in their quests for
Golconda are allowed into the group, though their
stay there is usually cut short when their Childer
diablerise them. If the Storyteller rules that any
higher-generation Salubri still exist, they will most
likely belong here (and will be regarded with some
awe by most of the rank-and-file).
Toreado r
Not as many Toreador have returned to the
Inconnu as that group might have liked, but more
and more of this Clan are finding Kindred politics
to be a distraction to their art and see joining the
group as the only way to gain true freedom.
Predictably, few Poseurs have joined the group.
True Brujah
A good number from this bloodline who are not
affiliated with the Black Hand are instead members
of the Inconnu. Such members have, of course,
given up on their feud with the childer of Troile
or so they say.
Tzimisce
Very few of these have joined the Inconnu, as
the Old Clan lobbies against their presence, and few
Ventrue
It is difficult for most Ventrue to give up the
idea of acquiring power over others, but a
surprising number have nonetheless become
members.
Paths
The Inconnu includes a wide variety of paths,
with Humanity and the Via Bestiae being especially
popular. Also common are the Paths of Harmony,
Honourable Accord, Scorched Heart, and (in more
recent years) Self-Focus. They tend to frown upon
the Path of Caine and its forerunner, the Via
Sanguinus, since they condone diablerie. Those
known to be of the Paths of Typhon or Evil
Revelations are never asked to join, as they would
have a disruptive influence on the rest of the
organization.
Locations
Though the description of Hunedoara Castle in
the World of Darkness book is accurate for the most
part, a few notes regarding its history should be
made. First of all, Vlads raid on the Turkish
garrison at Hunedoara never happened at least,
not at Hunedoara. The incident described occurred
at Giurgiu, halfway across the country and on the
Turkish border. Secondly, the timeline in the article
seems flawed, as the diablerie of Saulot occurs at
the same time as the Anarch Revolt. For the
purposes of this article, Ive taken the time closer to
Vlad the Impaler and used Cappadocius diablerie
as the reason for the groups final change in policy.
The Catacombs
Before the Council cast its spell over Hunedoara
Castle, the Inconnu usually had met within the
catacombs beneath the old Roman cities, such as
Paris and Constantinople (the organization was
forced to desert its former haunts beneath Venice
due to flooding and the presence of the Giovanni,
though the Monitor of the Giovanni is said to keep
his residence in one of the remaining tunnels). The
Roman catacombs still remain the most popular
place for meetings due to the low Kindred
population and a cordial agreement with the local
Nosferatu.
Geneva
As stated in the World of Darkness book,
Geneva serves as an unofficial meeting place for
those Inconnu unwilling or unable to make the trek
Shalkamense
The hidden archives of the Inconnu, they are
accessible only through the magic of the Council.
Shalkamense (or Shalkamain) is a great library
that exists somewhere beneath the ocean within a
magical field. Other Cainites have spoken of
Shalkamense as the resting-place of Caine; the
Inconnu smile and agree, as every piece of wisdom
recorded by Caine, Seth, or the Antediluvians may
supposedly be found there if only one knows
where to look within the labyrinthine collection.
Most of the books are quite old, dating even back to
the First and Second Cities, though sometimes quite
recent volumes have appeared wedged between
more ancient texts. It is likely that the complete text
of the Book of Nod lies within for those with the
fortitude to comb the whole library for its
fragments. Though what exactly the library
contains would take thousands of years to
determine, all those who have remained there for
any length of time will agree on one fact
something else is there. Usually it manifests itself
only as a shuffling noise a few rooms away or a
chill that passes through a room, but when items in
the collection are threatened more violent
occurrences have been noted. Many of the Inconnu
whisper that Caine himself lives in the library.
Others, who have found references to Shalkamense
in connection with a place called Zemargad, point
to rabbinical lore and state that it is Lillith herself
whose presence is felt.
The Taint
Ever since the disappearance of Hunedoara
Castle from the historical record, the taint of
diabolism has lain at the heart of the Order. At the
present time, only a few of the Council have given
in completely to the path, which they have begun
upon. Most of them regard what they have done
with self-loathing, but see no way to escape. Within
Bahoumet
It was Bahoumet to whom Cret turned for
assistance when he and the Council made
Hunedoara disappear from the world. In return for a
mass human sacrifice, Bahoumet promised to cast a
great spell around the castle to keep it isolated for
all time. One year later, however, the creature
returned, telling Cret and his fellows that it could
only maintain the ward for one year at a time. Since
then, the Council has been bound to perform the rite
of Bahoumet annually. Bahoumet can (and has)
appear as a red-skinned monster, a talking head of
stone, a youth in a white robe, an inky blackness, a
great scaled sea-monster, and many other guises.
Often, witnesses to the same sighting will describe
entirely different forms. Cret believes that if
Bahoumets true form could be discovered, it would
help the Inconnu to gain the upper hand in the pact
with him. It is unlikely that this will ever come to
pass. Surprisingly enough for a demon, Bahoumet
has taken little interest in the Inconnu other than the
annual sacrifices, and has not been seen for over
half a century. Some have said that this proves that
Bahoumet has a more ambivalent nature than had
been suspected, while others hold that the spirit is
waiting for the right moment to strike and bring the
entire order down.
Known Members
Bartholomew
6th generation Kiasyd.
Cassius
Lord of the Catacombs of Rome and one of the
oldest Inconnu still living. When his Clan was
battling the Giovanni during the 1500s, he learned
a great deal of that Clan, and only doubts regarding
his objectivity prevented him from being named
their Monitor. Monitor of Hong Kong, living near
Cret
A Ventrue who claims to have been Embraced
in the Second City. He was known as a mighty
wizard, almost as powerful as Lamech, and was
considered to be legendary by all but a few until his
arrival at Hunedoara. He is monitor of the Tremere.
Mentioned in World of Darkness 1 st Edition.
Dondinni
Elijah
5th generation Gangrel.
Guilliame
5th generation Brujah and Prince of Switzerland
who has reached Golconda. His country is a
favoured gathering place for those members who
want to meet one another but find Hunedoara to be
inaccessible or unpleasant. He has never sat on the
Council, and serves as a sort of ideological
opposition within the group. For more
information, read World of Darkness 1 st Edition.
IbnAlomar
5th generation Brujah.
Mahatma
The Monitor of Istanbul is a 4th generation
Cappadocian, and a friend of Saulot. Mahatma is
detailed in Children of the Night.
Maltheas
A 5th generation Ventrue who attended the
Convention of Thorns (1493) in disguise. He is
mentioned in Transylvania Chronicles II.
Nefer-meri-Isis
4th generation Ventrue and Monitor of the
Setites. Considered to be somewhat over-zealous by
her fellow clan mates.
Nicepherus
Ventrue of the 6th generation. Mentioned in
Constantinople by Night.
Rebekah
5th generation Ventrue and Monitor of Chicago.
She is known to have diablerised her sire. She is
described in great detail in Children of the Night.
Vlad Tepes
6th generation Tzimisce. While the infamous
prince provided the Inconnus leadership with much
aid during its inception, he refused to join them,
seeing in the Camarilla his first hopes for the
survival of the vampire species. Later, he joined the
Sabbat, but found them lacking in principle as well.
In 1848, after much debate within the Inconnu, they
inducted the Wallachian as a member. Currently he
spends much of his time at Hunedoara Castle,
though his new quest for Golconda will likely take
up much more of his time. The Council of Twelve
watches him closely, hoping for an expiation of
their own sins. He is mentioned in Children of the
Inquisition, World of Darkness 1st Edition and
Children of the Night.
Walter Homes
Stereotypes
Assamites
The warriors of the Kindred have indeed fallen
far! At least there is one reason we can be thankful
for the Tremere.
Brujah
The Punic Wars were a youthful indiscretion on
our part, but we must not forget the reasons behind
what we did. Treat them fairly but firmly.
Followers of Set
Are they still the tools of their founder? No
matter. Avoid them or kill them.
Gangrel
They are our younger brothers, and should be
treated as such.
Giovanni
They remain as isolated from us as possible -though this is more likely a way to cover up their
own plots.
Lasombra
A noble though declining people, their
association with the Anarchs and Sabbat has been
an unfortunate choice.
Malkavian
Listen to everything they say, but believe little
of it.
Nosferatu
One of the wisest clans, their internal strife is
distressing; if we were forced to choose sides, it
would be against the Nictuku. If we were forced.
Toreador
Their artistic vision has been tainted by their
rise to power within the Camarilla.
Tremere
Saulot must have had a good reason -- or so
some of my brothers say. At any rate, they bear
careful watching.
Tzimisce
These rabble have forgotten who they are;
though their fury against their elders was warranted,
their actions were not.
Ventrue
Too many of them define themselves by wealth
and rank, instead of by their true natures.
Baali
A few of us have been lost to them. When you
act against them, strike quickly and forcefully.
Gargoyles
Proof of the lengths to which the Tremere will
go. Simple creatures, yet respectable.
Kiasyd
Strange, yet trustworthy.
Salubri
Treat them as the Gangrel, but take even more
care. They are to be held in the utmost respect.
Samedi
Antediluvians
As symbols of clan unity, they are invaluable.
As actual beings, they are a great danger. We may
be forced to face them in the end. Fortunately,
many of us know them from older times.
Anarchs
They have the ideals, but not the discipline.
Camarilla
They have the discipline, but not the ideals.
Sabbat
Children. Some of us have taken to hunting
them in revenge for their little Wild Hunts, though
this is on an unstructured basis.
Blood Bond
The chains of the Antediluvians, they are
nonetheless a tool for the wise.
Kindred
We are the most powerful beings on this planet,
but we must be careful nonetheless.
Kine
Just as great a threat as our own kind, but if we
can hide from the Kindred, we should not find them
difficult.
True Brujah
Holders of great wisdom, but their wrath against
their own kind is pointless.
Lupines
Some of us are able to deal with them through
rituals, others with careful words and promises. If
you anger them, vanish.
Mages
The less you deal with them, the better. Tell
them as little as possible, but always assume they
know everything.
Mummies
Wild cards. Though useful, they are not to be
trusted.
Wraiths
A largely neglected species if we can call
them that. We will have to study them more if we
are ever to understand the Giovanni.