Followers of Set Ghouls

Setite ghouls are believed to be less relied upon than the many cultists serving the Clan, and to some extent this is correct. The Followers of Set do tend to focus primarily on maintaining their cults, and they occasionally create Bound ghouls as a way of rewarding cult leaders and keeping the other cultists in line. However, Setites do not waste precious vitae on just anyone, especially since the Blood carries the Clan weakness. Over time, all Setite ghouls develop light sensitivity, which defeats the purpose of having servants who can walk in the daylight.

Most Setite domitors will spend time observing their cultists, and then promise those individuals a way of connecting with their god, Set. It is commonly believed that, at this point, the truth about the Setite’s nature is then revealed. The fact that the Followers of Set are vampires may or may not be a revelation to young ghouls. However, further indoctrination into the cult, while it comes with a price, is often welcomed by young Setite ghouls eager to prove themselves to their domitors. Setite ghouls who persevere are further indoctrinated into the Clan, and are often observed to see if they are faithful, capable, cunning, or deadly. Those who are simply faithful and loyal are kept as ghouls, likely to be forever denied the Embrace, but serve believing one day it will be granted to them.

Common tasks assigned to Setite ghouls are related to the maintenance of the cult. Setite ghouls might recruit a fresh group of cultists and lead ceremonies, or could police its members from within. These ghouls are almost always as charming and seductive as their domitors, even though they have little to no knowledge of what the Setite Clan is truly about. Other ghouls are involved with assassinations, guard duty, forging contacts in the underworld, or finding contractors and small businesses to hire. These Setite ghouls are tough but canny, and seem less like mindless followers than those ghouls chosen from the throngs of cultists.

Additionally, the Followers of Set are also opportunists who understand the need to replenish their cultists and ensure they have the necessary resources to survive. To this end, they tend to recruit ghoul candidates who operate during the night, so they suffer less limitations due to the Clan’s weakness. Setite domitors will recruit outside of their cults for this purpose. They might select criminals and vagrants, or focus on finding candidates from third shift workers such as janitors, bodyguards, watchmen, police officers, and drivers.

Many vampires outside the Setite Clan believe that all Setite ghouls are mercenaries and thugs. However, Setites consider their blood holy. The feeding of vitae to a mortal is not a gift given lightly. Even if a candidate was physically impressive, Setite domitors select ghouls who they feel are worthy of handling revelations of their god. This does not mean Setites avoid feeding vitae to their bodyguards, for some do. But, the typical Setite ghoul is more often a smiling supplicant than a sneering villain. The Setite Clan thrives by defying expectations, and their ghouls are no different.

Though some vampires tend to think that all Setites are fanatics and seducers, the Warrior Setite line is more militant and focused on fighting in the name of Set. Thus, Warrior Setites tend be more reliant on ghouls than other members of their Clan, because they need new soldiers that are well-trained and willing to sacrifice themselves for their domitors. Candidates might be chosen from a cult’s members, but the Warrior Setites value physical traits and abilities over loyalty at the onset. To the Warrior line, a whimpering, eager cultist may be useful, but that ghoul isn’t as valuable as a strong, fierce soldier who can protect his domitor. For this reason, it’s often suspected that the Warrior line grooms only the most promising candidates for the Embrace.

Other Setite domitors include the Daitya and Tlacique bloodlines, as well as the heretic Serpents of the Light. Since the Daitya bloodline tends to operate similarly to Set’s followers and cultists, they also tend to be selective about their ghouls. The Tlacique, on the other hand, are more pragmatic because their numbers are so few. They tend to find guards, scouts, spies, and guardians to protect themselves while they rebuild and replenish their bloodline.

The Serpents of the Light, however, tend to be more aggressive with their use of ghouls than the rest of the Clan. Their ghouls are often used as pawns in the war against the Followers of Set, and might be found infiltrating Setite cults, battling warrior ghouls, or remaining inactive as sleeper agents until needed. The Serpents of the Light also trains spies, guards, and couriers picked from the general populace.

**Appearance:** Setite ghouls are found throughout the world alongside their masters, and are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds, classes, and cultures. Most Setite ghouls, however, do not wear culturally-or-religious appropriate clothing for the same reasons other mortals might, for they worship Set. For this reason, some Setite ghouls either tattoo or adorn themselves with a reptilian symbol of their god, while others are prohibited from showing their loyalty to avoid detection by authorities or rival Clans.

**Character Creation:** Setite ghouls are selected for different reasons. Those who are chosen from their throngs of cultists tend to have strong Social Attributes and Skills that reflect their charismatic leadership and ability to recruit new members. These ghouls also make excellent spies and propaganda machines, too. Physically-talented ghouls, on the other hand, are often assigned to security. They may also be recruited to become soldiers who fight in Set’s name.

**Weaknesses:** Ghouls who subsist primarily on Setite vitae gradually develop an aversion to daylight. They suffer from the Light Sensitive Flaw found on page 135.

**Quote:** “You stumble blindly, friend. Come, let us speak of the One True God.”