Good evening, fellow Kindred,

In this dev diary, we're excited to shed light on some of the factions vying for control in Vampire: Blood & Vice. Since Vampire the Masquerade is a setting where the political landscape is really important we plan to add a faction system that reflects the byzantine nuances of vampiric politics. The biggest ones are, of course, vampiric Sects. One of the eldest ones like Camarilla and Sabbat, but also quite young at the time of the game Anarchs from their Free State down in California. 

Of course, as a Kindred, we all know what the Jyhad is and that there are no domains where it isn’t fought, as this war has been active from the very beginning when Caine became a vampire as it is a part of the curse bestowed on him by God himself. This being said Sects are just groups of Kindred with similar interests.

We are also fully aware that Sects are not the only faction within a vampiric society. With this in mind, we plan on adding smaller ones that may represent a different approach than any of the Sects may offer. They will not be as influential, but they will be there, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a good opportunity to take a piece of cake for themselves.

Let’s start with the overview of the biggest factions - the vampiric Sects.

The Camarilla: The ruling faction of Las Vegas proper, upholding the Traditions and maintaining the Masquerade. The current prince of Las Vegas is Samantha Douglas, the former Ventrue Primogen after the former Prince Benedic who was killed by a Sabbat incursion in 1970. She is seen as a reformist within the Camarilla giving a seat at the table to the rising Thin-blood population and more influence to younger Kindred. Her reforms are causing pushback from higher up in the Camarilla, especially Elders. Gossips say that the same Elders are plotting against the Prince and preparing to overthrow her just to go back again to the status quo when Benedic reigned over the city. The other influential part of the Sect in the city are the Tremere with their Regent, named Morgan Reynolds. Rumors say that she isn’t too happy with the direction Prince is going.

The Anarchs: A rebellious faction advocating for freedom and challenging the Camarilla's authority. Their ideals resonate with those who yearn for change, but their methods can be unpredictable. Henderson is currently a Barony under Vaughn Rutledge, but he effectively functions as a dictator in a constant cold war with the Camarilla. A battalion sent from the larger Anarch movement in Los Angeles led by Baron Kintaro Yoshima seeks to upend Rutledge’s autocratic rule over the domain while keeping it under Anarch control. There is also another, hidden faction that has reign over the sewers and tunnels of Clark County, an underground collective of disaffected Kindred known as the Drifters preach a pacifist and collectivist approach to Kindred life led by an enigmatic Nosferatu guru only known as “Myrmidon.” They are mostly considered insane and the local term “to go adrift” means that someone joined them.

The Sabbat: A brutal and violent sect, embracing their monstrous nature in a war against the ancient progenitors of the Kindred clans, the Antediluvians. Their presence in the city was neutered following the execution of the Archbishop by Samantha Douglas after Benedic’s assassination, but splintered remnants clandestine plot their next attack. The Ultra-Conservatives, led by Sera Petit, prioritize achieving independence from the Elders by enhancing the Sabbat's physical capabilities. The Loyalists, led by the Bishop of the Jyhad, focus on individual freedom and responsibility within the Sabbat, aiming to destabilize the Camarilla. The Orthodoxy, led by the enigmatic Bishop of the Occult, is a religious movement that views Caine as the divine progenitor and savior, seeking to investigate supernatural phenomena within the region.

We can't wait to see how you navigate the intricate world of Kindred politics. Your decisions will shape the destiny of Las Vegas, and the consequences will be yours to bear. These are only some of the factions that you'll have the opportunity to not only join one of these factions but also influence their internal dynamics through a subfactions system, shaping their future and your role within them We look forward to revealing those factions at a later date. 

With blood-stained regards,

Sunset Chronicles Studios