By S.M. Agle (agles@mindnet.org)
Whether or not this ritual is genuine is unknown, as Justicar Reynard of the Clan Nosferatu has forbidden furthur research into this matter until an elder steps forward to verify the validity of this ritual. If a single elder would confess to being a transformed Caitiff, as several were supposed to have been after the Convention then he would ease his restriction. The fact that not one has done so is disturbing, and raises questions regarding long-term effects of the ritual. Of course, many Tremere dispute this, and claim that unrestricted research is the only way to determine the validity and saftey of the process, and at least four score Caitiff have volunteered to test it.
(Note: The ritual is meant to be an unknown, a possibility to dangle before Tremere and Caitiff PCs alike. Several stories could be built around it, ranging from searching out the formula itself, locating either transformed Caitiff or their patrons, all elders dating at least as far back as the Convention of Thorns, or even harrowing forays into Lupine country to obtain components for the ritual. Have fun with it. Also, several Anarchs would oppose the resurrection of such a ritual, as they would lose supporters by the droves.)
System: I'll leave this vague, so individual STs can have as much leeway as possible, but some things are essential. Two things are required: a Caitiff (not necessarily a willing one) and a Patron. Generation is not a factor here. During the ritual, the Patron, a kindred of any of the 13 clans but not a member of a minor bloodline, will drain the Caitiff dry. The ritemaster, who may also be the Patron, will then do something to the now-torporous Caitiff. This could be a bath in a vat of mysterious substance, a ritual tattooing, exposure to light from a specially-treated crystal or lantern, a vigorous massage that works a mystic oil into the recipient's skin, anything. The process may have to reflect some aspect of the clan of the Patron, meaning that it will vary each time the ritual is used! Use whatever method will work best in your story, the more exotic and difficult the better. Once the Caitiff has been purified and prepared, the patron will give him blood, in a process that will duplicate and override the Caitiff's previous embrace. The power of the ritual will revive the Caitiff, who is Caitiff no longer. The Generation of the recipient will not change, even if he is ninth Gen and his Patron is eleventh. What has changed is that the Patron is now his Sire (Rituals used to determine lineage will indicate the Patron, etc.), and from this point on he will benefit from the Clan Disciplines and Weakness of his Patron. Any mystical means used to determine Clan will indicate the recipient's new Clan, etc.
The ramifications here are astounding. This is a secret that some will kill for, and others will kill to keep it secret. Characters working to unearth this secret may run across mad Anarchs, desperate Caitiff, indignant Panders and Archons of the Justicar out to enforce the ban. Certain Tremere elements will of course interfere, as will whatever faction caused the secret to be lost in the first place (Black Hand? Inconnu?).
And of course there is the question of side-effects. Why has nobody stepped forward to say "I have benefited from this ritual! I, Toreador Primogen of (insert campaign city here) was once Caitiff!" Why has nobody revealed themselves as a Patron, or taken credit for the invention of the ritual? Where are they now? In short, what else does the ritual do? All of this is for individual STs to decide. Who knows? It may be a rumor...or the precursor to Gehenna, the match to light a global kindred war! Have fun!