By Tim Coram (shdwwlkr01@aol.com)
After their victory over the forces led by Troile, the Romans felt invulnerable, and so, in the mold of Alexander, began conquering this new and bizarre world and bringing the light of Roman civilization across Mediterranean, forgettng that a few short centuries before, they were the peasants and the barbarians. When the republic and the empire finally fell, the close affiliations and coteries of Kindred that grew up there continued to exist. Dubbed the "Inconnu" or Unknown, by an 8th century Frankish Brujah, the name was initially (and to a certain degree still is) rejected by them, but became accepted for simplicity's sake to mean all ancient Roman Kindred.
Younger vampires saw this as the first and most deadly sect. Some came and asked permission to join; others came to do battle. Those who joined were shown a political world more Byzantine, corrupt, and idealistic than any known to the medieval world.
"The light of Saulot's teachings will not die with him, this we must assure."
These are the students of the Salubri. In the mid-eighth century, several Kindred took instruction from Saulot. Among them were some Inconnu, and so was this order born. The diablerie of Saulot frightened and confused them; they were unused to immediate assaults and so wasted valuable time in dispatching thir counter strike against Tremere. Nearly a millenium later, it has not come. Some have forgiven, others simply wait for a more auspicious moment, but the Tremere are not currently the subjects of their wrath.
On the other hand, Salubri are protected fanatically and they have destroyed many chantries in retaliation. They also destroy the power of the Baali wherever it is found. They often have alliances with the local Garou, Wraiths, Mages, and Changelings which ask for simple non-aggression. Some few have formed more active aliances. They accept membrs of any Clan but have mostly Toreador and Malkavians. Two ancient Salubri elders are rumored to exist in their protection, and in Torpor. They will accept members from the Camrilla, Sabbat, and anarchs, (though afterwords they are Autarkis) as well as other supernaturals.
Their primary goal is making Golconda known and available. This brings them into frequent conflict with Baali and Setites. Despite this they are pacifistic in most cases. Those few (20 percent or so) who have achieved Golconda grant Suspire to any they deem worthy and ready, often using Auspex to locate them. Many were slain by the True Hand for the other Inconnu's actions. This is the Inconnu that presents itself to the outside world truthfully.
Reactions
Pax Romana: They strive for a dead dream of temporal power while their souls wither. It is pitiable.
Scions of Shalkamense: All of their wars are for naught. They battle like children in a war they cannot understand.
The Camarilla: They are as we once were. Ah, the arrogance of youth. I hope they make better of it than we.
The Sabbat: They are monsters, but they possess a truth we have forgotten; protect the Canaille from them, but learn when you can.
The True Hand: Fools, fanatics, and madmen all. If you become caught in their webs, you shall never untangle yourself.
"The glory of Rome shall not pass so easily into the dusts of history."
Some Inconnu never departed with the Machiavellian scheming and clever misdirections and intrigues of Politics. Of these are born the Pax Romana. Contrary to their name, violence is well within their range of considered options. They seek to Restore the "Roman Peace" (a peace resulting from the removal of all opposing governments) to all corners of the Earth. They, of course, are not intending on moving the capital to Rome and running about in togas. They intend on making the Camarilla the New World Order and controlling it. The Camarilla was the development of several of the Ventrue (who make up most of this Fratria), in conjunction with the Tremere. Much like the Hand does within the Sabbat, they carefully adavance members of the Camarilla to their ranks with a series of semi-mystical initiations.
These Kindred live myriad lives directng activities across the globe and seeking careful elimenation of their foes. Currently on the roster for removal are the Sabbat, the Setites, and the Anarchs. They do not care by what means, but are careful to maintain an illusion of disinterest and uninvolvement. They tend to demand grand production for all formal occasions and great secrecy for all informal ones. They currently back the most vicious of the Justicars and Princes.
This Fratria conflicts with the True Hand through multiple pawns. They seek to destroy the Sabbat and gain absolute control of the Camarilla, goals the Hand violently resists. They placed a member into the order, but he was revealed by an agent who served the Scions (see below) and was destroyed.
Reactions
Latiafatu: Let them play their silly games. We have the true power of the Kindred.
Scions of Shalkamense: Fools whose actions will attract the attention of the anarchs and elders alike. Were conditions less . . . restraining, we would slay them with their beloved Sabbat.
The Camarilla: Our project and prize; it will rule the world and we shall rule it.
The Sabbat: A pitiful attempt at rebellion being led around by the nose by any elder with enough intellect to recognize their triggers. They ought be exterminated.
The True Hand: Though we do not know why, they meddle in our affairs. They must be stopped.
"The Antediluvians murdered the Brood of Caine, and they shall try to slay us. Let us place them in their tombs once and for all!"
As the third century came to pass, many of the Inconnu turned to scholarship and learning. To some it was a passtime; to others it was a way of life. To a Constantinian Malkavian, it was an obsession, especially eschatological studies. After having gathered several fragments of the Book of Nod, he began to become very, very afraid of the future. He gathered up as many other Kindred as would listen, and prepared for war: a war against the third generation, a war against Gehenna itself.
At first, few were interested, but now more and more are beginning to agree with the Scions. Those who show the proper attitude are recruited from the Camarilla, Gehenna cults, and the Sabbat itself. This is the only branch of the Inconnu to have a significant minority of Brujah in its ranks, especially Sabbat Brujah. They follow the Path of Caine or Humanity. They are aware of the Path of Lilith and the Guarded Rubrics but consider them to be fraudulent and blasphemous.
This is the smallest of the three major Fratria, containing only two dozen Kindred at the most, and likely fewer. The Scions always train Caitiff, seeing it as a way of indirectly slowing the enslaught of Gehenna. They consider themselves servants of Caine and rigorously obey all of Caine's Code. The levels of paranoia in the group are amazing at times.
They also engage in a shadow war, destroying what they can of the Black Hand's forces. The sole exception is the Shadow Crusade. They do not know of the Souleaters, but they are trying to determine the motivations behind the Hand's "Silent Agenda." They have placed several members amongst the Hand, but only for short periods. They know of Enoch but do not realize it is in the Shadowlands and so seek it diligently on Earth. They destroy the Hand's forces as quietly as possible and wait for the day they can lay sword and flame to the sleeping Ancients the Hand worships. They are highly mystical and extremely secretive.
Reactions
Latiafatu: Save yourself, but the world's death will claim you as well.
Pax Romana: Beneath comment and beneath contempt.
The Camarilla: Fools.
The Sabbat: They have seen much of the truth.... If we can only give the Inquisition and Loyalists power to reveal the Hand, then the true battle can begin.
The True Hand: That which you desire to serve will devour you and all you hope for. If we fail it shall be due to their efforts.