Cainites

Cainites are a fictional lineage of vampires central to the World of Darkness role-playing game setting. According to lore, the first Cainites were cursed by the biblical figure Cain, who himself was cursed by God for murdering his brother Abel. This curse is said to have been passed down through generations, creating the first vampires. These primordial vampires are known as the Antediluvians, though their exact nature and numbers are subjects of much debate and speculation among the modern Cainite clans.

The Cainites are divided into numerous clans, each possessing unique abilities, weaknesses, and societal structures. These clans often have long-standing rivalries and alliances, forming the complex political landscape of the World of Darkness. Common themes in Cainite society include the struggle for survival, the maintenance of the Masquerade (a code of secrecy to hide their existence from humanity), and the pursuit of power. Cainites feed on blood to sustain themselves, a necessity that often puts them in conflict with mortals. They possess various supernatural powers, such as enhanced physical attributes, mind control, and the ability to transform into mist or animals. The unlife of a Cainite is often portrayed as a solitary and decadent existence, marked by eternal hunger and a constant battle against their own monstrous nature.