Terminology

VTM Terminology Map: A Lexicon for the Damned

To the Kindred, language is power. The words they use separate them from the mortal world, enforce their traditions, and subtly assert their dominance. This lexicon is your guide to speaking the language of the night. To fail to learn it is to mark yourself as an outsider and, worse, as prey.

### The Basics: Identity & Existence

* Vampire = Kindred or Cainite. (The term "vampire" is considered crude or is used by younger, rebellious Kindred.)

* Human = Mortal or Kine. (The latter is a derogatory term, akin to "cattle.")

* Blood = Vitae. (The mystical essence within the blood that sustains and empowers the Kindred.)

* Drinking Blood = The Kiss or Feeding. (The Kiss refers to the ecstatic sensation a mortal feels when a vampire feeds from them.)

* My Morality = Humanity or Path of Enlightenment. (The internal code that keeps The Beast at bay.)

* Losing Control = Frenzy (for rage/hunger) or Rötschreck (for fear, typically of fire or sunlight).

* My Safehouse = Haven.

* My Territory = Domain.

* A Group of Vampires = Coterie.

* The State of Being a Vampire = The Condition.

### Society & Politics

* Vampire Law = The Six Traditions. (The foundational laws of the Camarilla.)

* The Rule of Hiding = The Masquerade.

* Vampire City Leader (Camarilla) = Prince. (A gender-neutral title.)

* Council of City Elders = Primogen.

* Law Enforcer = Sheriff or Scourge (the latter specifically hunts and destroys unwanted vampires.)

* Social Arbiters/Gossip-Mongers = The Harpies.

* Formal Vampire Gathering = Elysium. (A declared neutral ground, typically in a place of high culture like a museum or opera house.)

* Favor/Debt System = Boons or Prestation.

* The Act of Creating a New Vampire = The Embrace.

* My Creator = Sire.

* My Progeny/Offspring = Childe (plural: Childer).

* My Family/Bloodline = Clan (major lineages) or Bloodline (minor offshoots).

* An Outsider/Clanless Vampire = @Caitiff.

* A Vampire Excommunicated from their Clan = Outcast.

### The Blood & The Curse

* Power Level/Purity of Blood = Generation. (The distance in lineage from the mythical Caine. A lower number is better.)

* Vampire Powers = Disciplines.

* Blood Magic = Thaumaturgy or Blood Sorcery.

* Enslaving Someone with Your Blood = Blood Bond.

* Mutual Blood Bond (Sabbat) = The Vinculum.

* Stealing a Vampire's Soul by Drinking Their Blood = Diablerie or The Amaranth.

* The Animalistic Hunger/Rage = The Beast.

* The Period of Daytime Sleep/Inactivity = Daysleep.

* Long-term Hibernation = Torpor.

### Age, Status & Time

* A Newly Created Vampire = Fledgling.

* A Young Vampire (under 100 years) = Neonate.

* An Established Vampire (100-300 years) = Ancilla.

* An Old & Powerful Vampire (300+ years) = Elder.

* An Ancient, Almost Mythical Vampire = Methuselah.

* A Legendary Clan Founder = Antediluvian.

* The First Vampire = Caine.

* Weak-blooded, Modern Vampires = @Thin-Bloods or Duskborn.

### Major Sects & Factions

* The "Ivory Tower" of Vampire Society = @The Camarilla.

* The Vampire Rebels/Freedom Fighters = The @Anarchs/The Anarch Movement.

* The Apocalyptic Vampire Zealots = @The Sabbat.

* The Unified Clan of Death = The @Hecata/@Hecata.

* The Secretive, Ancient Observers = @The Inconnu.

* Independent, Unaligned Kindred = @Autarkis.

### Slang & Other Beings

* Human Food Source = Vessel, Stock, or (crudely) Juicebag.

* A Human Bound by Vampire Blood = Ghoul.

* A Mortal Who Knows of Kindred = Witness.

* To Kill a Vampire Permanently = To cause the Final Death.

* The Great, Ancient War = The Jyhad.

* The Vampire Apocalypse = Gehenna.

* Werewolf = Lupine.

* Mage/Wizard = Mage.

* Fae/Fairy = Changeling or Fae.

* Ghost/Spirit = Wraith.

Learn this language. Use it. In the world of the night, your survival depends not just on the strength of your blood, but on the sharpness of your tongue.