Zalim

## Introduction

The Zalim are the oldest of the 5 great Bloodlines of the Strigoi. Unlike their christian counterparts they are deeply conntected to Islam and the Ottoman Empire. They are renowned for their blood cults, mostly rooted in Islam itself while their inner secrets worship older gods. The Zalim are the protectors of the ancient ruins of mesopotamia, acting as the frightful guardians of what may slumber in the dark below the forgotten stones.

## History

### Ancient Times

The Zalim where the first children of Apolleonious after he seeked shelter in the caves of cappadocia. The Great Progenitor had only preyed on the countless bats that inhabited these ancient caves while working wicked spells of necromancy upon his own flesh to avoid falling apart. These spells he had learned in the far east and this unconventional susteneance transformed his Essence and when he passed it onto mortals they turned into a new form of undead. These creatures where different from the Lemures that had sired Apolleonious and where the first of the Strigoi race. Their Great Progenitor raised them as a cult to learn his adapted forms of blood magic and ancient necromancy. He knew the roman armies where still after him and for that reason he and his childer stayed in the shadows of the cappadocian mountains.

His reign over this desolate realm would not last long however. An entire legion of roman soldiers was lead into his secret hideout by a shepherd whose daughter was turned in his absence. This act of revenge cost Apolleonious greatly however. Their caves where lit on fire and any childer that fled where directly captured by the legionaries. The Great Progenitor managed to escape by turning himself into a swarm of bats. His Progeny was less lucky however. Those that werent burned to death where enchained and dragged to rome to extract intel from them.

However a single childe of Apolleonious had escaped the flames. In the darkest depts of the cappadocian mountains he had hid himself and feasted only on the small animals he could find in the dark.

## Lineages

### Oraldi

Heavily associated with mongol heritage, the Oraldi rule the eastern sphere of muslim influence. They arose with the Kazakh Khanate until the russian empire took over their homelands. The Oraldi are deeply torn between their old heritage and their new alignment.

## Believes

In the central goal of the Zalim Bloodline is apotheosis through wisdom and personal growth. From their once mortal form they desire to grow into beings of divine nature, yet it is the journey that concerns them the most. The Zalim seek potential in every sentient creature and unlike other Strigoi they do not look down on humans as cattle or mere prey. Zalim are very aware of their human origins and critically analyse humans to seek out worthy progeny to their bloodline. According to the Zalim teaching is as much part of ones journey to completion as is being teached. For that reason they engage in the role of priests, lectors and parently figures for both the members of their cult and their childer.

### Pillars of Ascendency

According to Zalim believe in order to achieve aptheosis one must master and thus overcome the key elements that make them human. In their eyes humanity is the heart of the world and for that reason the pillars of the human nature are also the pillars of the world. They know of 6, (Pillars of Islam)

Traditionally follows the journey of First Zalim (1. Hunger, being left alone