Sabrina

1866

5 The Librarians Wheel goes round, landing on a twist of faith Taking your choices you’ll hawe the right answers When the final judgment begins Rush, “The Big Wheel” Following the announcement at the beginning of the 19th century that the Shepherds of Caine were sending representatives to other cities to begin a Sabbat “renaissance,” a number of Cainite scholars returned with the delegates to offer their services. The Shepherds, though unable to accept new members, were more than happy to assist in the creation of a sister coven. The Librarians formed to help in the amassing and dissemination of Sabbat history and folklore. Since its goals ran parallel with the Shepherds’, the two groups worked together, shared knowledge, debated theories, registered various genealogies and acquired new information. The coven that became known as the Librarians was first formed around a core group of three members: Beatrice L‘Angou, Donald Kaminski and Antonio Di Capelli. As time passed, Soeur Marianne (the Shepherd chronicler of the Litany of Blood) came to rely on the Librarians. The Shepherds were more interested in the pursuit of esoteric and religious phenomena, while the Librarians had a thirst for knowledge in general. It was not surprising, then, that with the departure of Soeur Marianne after Ignace’s Sainting, responsibility for the Litany of Blood was turned over to the Librarians. BCatrice L‘Angou, a Kiasyd, was chosen as leader of the coven, a decision that did not sit well with Donald Kaminski. Donald chose to air his grievances through Monomancy. Much to the surprise of all attending, she thrashed her opponent. When it came time to slay Donald, Beatrice chose a more disturbing fate for him. He became the pages for volumes one and two of the first genealogy skintomes. Since the mid-19th century, the Librarians have been the keepers of the Litany of Blood and the chroniclers of Sabbat history. The coven, not inclined toward combat, has a lower attrition rate than most. The members fight when asked to, and sometimes without being asked, but the Librarians believe that their contribution to the sect lies in the preservation and application of knowledge. Beatrice L’Angou remains at the head of the Librarians, helping its ranks swell and pursuing those promising individuals who she believes are suited to the coven. Of the other original members, Antonio Di Capelli vanished in Rome while trying to break into the Vatican (debate still rages as to whether he fell to the Giovanni or the Pope himself). Donald Kaminski remains volumes one and two of the genealogy skintomes. With the introduction of new members over the past century, the coven has grown to a respectable size. Lair Assuming the responsibility of tending to the Litany of Blood, the Librarians moved into the Alexandrium Library, an adjoining wing to the Temple of Eternal Whispers. Only the Librarians have full access to the library, though those seeking knowledge are allowed entrance under the watchful eye of the coven members and their Obertus caretakers. The entrance to the Alexandrium, the Gates of Eternity, is in Caine’s Chapel. The double gates bear a bas-relief carved in bronze that depicts naked mortals clambering over one another. The doors are mystically sealed by their interlocking arms and can only be opened by whispering “arcane” into the ears of one of the images. Otherwise, nothing short of brute force (combined Strength rating of 15) can pry the doors open. The Gates of Eternity open into a central corridor that has several work tables and dozens of adjoining catacomblike passages. The tunnels are dark and lined with row upon row of books and skintomes. The tunnels also lead to the vampires’ various lairs. These corridors, narrow enough to allow one person through at a time, are 20 feet high, which accentuates their claustrophobic grip. Of the 12 lair chambers, three are empty; five are occupied by the Librarians; and four of the larger ones are taken by Obertus ghouls and their families. Rites and Practices The Librarians are not given to elaborate rituals and observances other than the yearly Opening of the Litany. Rather, they spend their time studying and cross-referencing new information. They believe that their spiritual well-being lies in adherence to the various Paths of Enlightenment, not in rites. Muttering of the Divine: When it comes time for the mad Tremere untitriibu Jacob the Glitch (who is kept by the Librarians) to lose his memory, the members gather on the eve of the full moon to listen to him ramble. As Jacob enters his cycle, the Librarians begin their meditation and concentrate on the gibberish he spouts. Most of the time his words make no sense, but on rare occasions Jacob speaks a coherent phrase or sentence. After Jacob collapses, the coven spends the evening debating the meaning of his utterances.

Montreal by Night

6