The Gentleman's Guide to Vampires: Clan Baali

[@Last-Outrider]

Ahhh the Baali they are fun at parties. As a Black Spiral Dancer, I meet a elder Baali who mistakenly thought I was going to eat her. Spilling most of her blood she called a "greater demon", actually an incarna of Abhorra my urgewyrm. The look on her face when instead of smiting it greeted me was priceless.

[@renanjardim86]

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn't exist."

[@Welther47]

The greatest mistake god made was not being present

[@ryuprimeus3719]

GOD is OMNIPOTENT so yes he is always Present.

[@Lifezpoison]

Is he present in Etheopia?

[@ryuprimeus3719]

Yep every thing happens for a reason people do what they do for reasons that we all do not know.

[@readsomebooks666]

Yes and sometimes the reason is that shit just happens.

[@christopherteems3587]

"The Baali do not exist now, if they ever existed." *Mary the Black has entered the chat*

[@mekaelbayati8040]

I’m currently playing a caitiff who just discovered that his sire was one of the baali. So I’m reading up on all the lore I could find on them and I’m having a giggle of a time lol! Partly because I realized I made a textbook baali character. One who fights with his words and poisons the minds of his enemies with ideology alone. And I’m just astounded at how I stumbled into this lololol

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

That's very kind of you! If you enjoy my work, please check out my current Kickstarter for They Came from Beyond the Grave!, an RPG of 1970s horror! kck.st/2OGbDvU

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

It is said that some vampires go to places such as Alaska for just this reason. The extended periods of night-time allow them to live almost normal lives.

[@Chann223]

Sounds like 30 days of Night.

[@randombencounter263]

The bloodline known as the Baali are as of our current state of knowledge in no way affiliated or blood-related to the dead clan Salubri, the dead clan Capadocian, or any factions or bloodlines within these clans. For evidence examine the disciplines they are reported to have: Presence, Obfuscation and a freak aberation of thaumaturgy, all of which they share with the Followers of Set. Furthermore, common characteristics of the bloodline are attraction to individuals lacking morality and absolute devotion to the bloodline's chief religion which they are indoctrinated into upon embrace, also strongly reminiscent of the Followers of Set. The Baali are an errant heretical branch of the Followers of Set AND NOTHING MORE. This message has been a public education service sponsored by clan Tremere. Good night.

[@christiancristof491]

Ugh, Tremere.

[@mysmartphonechannel]

As a Salubri I confirm. I mean uhhh ... oh, look there's a Toreador woman.

[@Backfromthedeadguy]

The Clan: Bali source book is the only book that has ever induced a gag reflex in me. Whomever wrote that book was in a disturbed state of mind.

[@DarthBigBen]

I hate that I know exactly what you’re talking about.

[@marymauney3453]

Don't know if you're still around but I'm glad you made these videos, I find them really useful and also enjoyable!

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

That's very kind of you! If you enjoy my work, please check out my current Kickstarter for They Came from Beyond the Grave!, an RPG of 1970s horror!

[@marymauney3235]

@@TheGentlemanGamer Awesome, I will!

[@dominus070]

. . . I think you're a Baali

[@Burori1]

I love how the more you dabble into the Guide to Vampires, the more you act like you're a Kindred yourself and like everything is happening as you speak BD Very intriguing.

[@Ravager4561]

"why don't they bring forth the great demons " NOOOO DON'T JINX IT

[@dreamcatcherben8214]

Id say its because thats not how demons work, at least acording to DtF

[@RoyalMudcrab]

@@dreamcatcherben8214 and because apart from Nergal, the Molochim and perhaps the third founder actually made their atrocities to lull the Children back to sleep. NOT to awaken them. I'm unfamiliar with DTF lore. Care to explain, even if simplified?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I've done a few Requiem videos.. Once I've played with it some more I will no doubt do even more!

[@jamescollins2068]

The Baali do exist. Why don't they do what you said that can do? Why don't vampires outrun trains or juggle cars in front of mortals? Why don't Lupines lord their power over mortals, shifting to their war forms and raging at the slightest hint of rebellion? Why don't Mages snap their fingers and send the unbelieving technocrats to the farthest reaches of some forgotten realm? Why? Because, like all of the various kinds of super powerful creatures with their abilities far beyond what mortals could even imagine, the Baali still have their weaknesses, weaknesses that even mortals, as limited as they are, can still exploit. After all, there is only one God, one ultimate power that fears nothing and no one, and that God only favors those who follow his way, rejecting all other paths. None are so acutely aware of this as the Baali, for they are the most rejected, even among already unholy creatures such as the children of Caine. The Baali are so vile, so inhuman, that if they were to openly evoke their terrible power, the essence of the very earth would rise up against them as has happened before. In response to this they found a different way. A way that disregards overt dominance in favor of deception. Instead of crushing their enemies with weapons, they sneak into their social circles, they pretend to be friendly and helpful and when the time is right they whisper into the prince's ear or the seneshal's ear ,"that salubri is a liar", or how bad could daemons really be", and then leave them to stew in their own doubt. I mean, isn't it so much easier to have someone else do all the work for you. The truth is the Baali understand that, because of God's rejection, subtle manipulation is the best way, sometimes the only way. And trust me they're are none as well versed in pretending to be good then those that are truly, purely evil. We, the children of Shaitan, of Nergal and of the unnamed one, understand this better than anyone.

[@ParanormalEncyclopedia]

Im actually preparing to play one but with a twist. A good moral man embraced by a baali as a sick joke. The whole idea is a good man trying to hold onto his humanity as his corrupted blood and the demonic voices in his head try to damn his soul. I think it has potential as a very tragic hero kind of character.

[@Froggy711]

MrFantocan, What makes you think TGG isn't roleplaying a Baali in the video? "The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world that he did not exist." -Charles Baudelaire

[@richardvaldes3959]

I love how even the vampire's hate them

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

If they even exist.

[@richardvaldes3959]

@TheGentlemanGamer love your content sir!

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

​@@richardvaldes3959 Thank you! Do check out The World Below on BackerKit, if you haven't!

[@violet9082]

Not gonna lie, the Baali give me the creeps for real. >.

[@kuririn1975]

I played a Gangrel who converted into the Baali clan. That character I retired because he was scary. he was actually a Gangrel Antribu. member of the black hand. was over a 1000 years old (background Age) 7th Gen. Had Protean 6 (Flesh to Marble), Daimnion 6 (Ignore the eternal Flame). Had 5 Fortitude and 5 Stamina. Flesh to Marble halves all damage except Fire. Daimnion 6 IEF negates all fire damage. He also had the level 6 daimion power to show the hell void. He was a sick character. In the game he was the true power behind the rise of LeVays Satanic church.

[@Emperor_Atlantis]

@@kuririn1975 sounds like a stat out monster and not a fun experience. My playgroup has 450exp accumilated over the amount of sessions we played. They are able to kill 5thgen vampires in 1turn. That isn't roleplaying, that is just D&D. And D&D sucks (if i want to play combat I choose videogames)

[@Emperor_Atlantis]

@@kuririn1975 yea but that was my point. If you play 1time each week you acummulate about 150to200exp in a year (and that is a generous upper limit). Still if the only plusside to a character is combat stats it reduces the dialog options for the PCs. I know everyone plays different, but personally I dont see a lot of intrugue happening when one is able to just shrug off any offensive and punch a hole in any threat. Chronicles spiral out of control, your characters end up on the Red List and then its a constant cat and mouse game between Archeons and You (and worse rival Redlisters). A overburdening amount of combat is unavoidable at that point. You might enjoy that and thats fine. But I don't feel VTM is balanced enough to have that happen.

[@Emperor_Atlantis]

@@kuririn1975 Intense. A aproperiate quote from one of my favorite games applies here very well: "Real power is never given, it's Taken"

[@Gangrel442003]

@GM Steelhaven Which is why they need to be driven to extinction...

[@eggmansizzle]

I am so glad you are doing Clan Baali. I'm about to run a Baali only game (well, also that black angel losambra bloodline). Going to be super evil, even for a VtM game.

[@DeviantSaintify]

I can say this , I have enjoyed these vidoes you have done . It gets a presepctive on each clan and what makes it the most amusing is how you do your take on them is how I normally do . Though i would enjoy seeing a Nagaraja , Samedi and Tru-jah video .

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Maybe Lasombra was the antediluvian in question...

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

The Baali can indeed be multi-faceted.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Baali just use the words we know because it makes the horror more real to us.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Thank you for watching!

[@medallionvaliance5349]

You're Baali. Aren't you?

[@tonynapier7095]

No. He is Cappadocian. One of the few to not be taken down by the Giovani.

[@ScottyJ1994]

In my game I made the leader of one of the citys of europe lead a smear campaign by claiming the players were demon worshipers and slowly they became so famous that the Baali formed around them and they hid amongst the other groups and rose up to overthrow the other clans in the final nights to defeat cain and save the day...

[@joonatuominen7844]

Love the baali because of the Vtes card game, love playing baalis, The Unnamed, Nergal, Cybele, Huitzilopochtli. All awesome vampires in the card game

[@JamesBrowningII]

I love these vampire clan videos! Great job!

[@christopherz4955]

Someone should make animated history videos.

[@thorar.3031]

There was a Bali ad at the end of the video..

[@HavenRaven]

Baali were translated in NWoD into Belial's Brood. (Personally I like them more). Both clan/covenant are meant to be non-playable because they fly in the face of the Traditions (especially the Masquerade). And their unlife expectancy is not particularly long or healthy. Still, GTA with fangs surely doesn't sound bad to me.

[@joetheheretic]

so when shall the gentleman rise from torpor to tell us of the kindred consisting the ebony kingdom?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Maybe one day, when I run out of writing work or feel particularly inspired to record ;)

[@krispalermo8133]

Ebony Kingdom ? Surely the Egyptian Gangrel mutated chimera jackal, that begot the wild dog, the leopard, the lion and many others. No doubt the Lasomabra since they even more than the Ventrue were involve in the slave trade. Also the Assamites go where ever Islam goes.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

They should be puppet masters behind the scenes.

[@HatiChantheWolfHog]

All this talk of demons has got me thinking are you ever going to review Demon: The Fallen?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Exactly. Well put, Mr Brooks.

[@shadowlost1976]

Still love Baali. Got to play them twice before.

[@unintentionallydramatic]

"Sanctified bastards that they are" makes me laugh every single time.

[@DiehardMechWarrior]

Damn. You look so dapper in each of these videos. I only wish I could pull off a suit as good as you do.

[@elderjuniormaster]

I readed a bit of mage, and seams to me that the vampire's idea that they have the power over the world , its nothing but a pale illusion, take for example the baali trying to contact their outer gods, the fallen mages nephandi (K'llasshaa), already contact them. and while the lasombra have power over darkness (void), but still trying to understand it the mages already know well about it and travel through it.

[@lohfert86]

When you mention Nurgel, I was wondering if there also are references to Khorne, Tzeentch and Slaanesh in WoD?

[@Nihil1990]

It's Nergal in WoD not Nurgle ^^

[@RudeAlert]

This was an awesome review, I didn't know much about the Baali before, except for their role as token bad guys, but this makes them so much more interesting. Also, the badass look really works for you. Have you ever considered selling your soul to Satan? I think you could really pull off the look ;)

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Well they could hardly exist now, could they?... ;o)

[@verfluched8578]

Aahh, I buy your third explanation the best. That the "Lords" are an illuminati-style multi-clan vampire secret society. Plus shrouded in some myth. Makes sense since there Has to be one such group out there!

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I don't own it, but should I ever purchase it I'll be happy to do so.

[@fitz7231]

I actually find the idea that Saulot had something to do with the creation of the Baali compelling. The Gentleman's excellent video on the Salubri highlights the many rumours, mysteries and contradictions about their founder - high among which is his voluntary diablerie in order to gain control of the Tremere in order to test or wipe out his own clan. It is interesting therefore to interpret the Baali as a rhyming stanza - Saulot creating the greatest enemy of his own clan - which ends up decimating the warrior caste of Salubri. At present I can't determine his precise motive - but that's the brilliance of vampire's lore - there's so much ambiguity, uncertainty - and the antediluvians are now so divorced from what we understand as humans that we probably can't understand them than they remember what it is to be us. Regarding the Baali, this video is still brilliant. On the one hand, there's a wonderful little tongue in cheek resonance with 'the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he doesn't exist' - trying to manipulate us by scoffing at the possible motive of an antediluvian for creating the Baali, when there are a hundred different things the antediluvians do that we don't understand for example. Nonetheless, Cainites blaming the 'mythical Baali' for their own failings is hugely thematically resonant with the cursed Childer of Caine. Like Orderic Vitalis wrote of the Normans: "though they conquer others, they defeat themselves", e.g: the Cainites allow the destruction of the clan Caine saw as the hope of the others - the Salubri, the clan that tried to remove itself from politics was destroyed by it - the Cappadocians. Either way - fascinating stuff.

[@thepurpletrace]

"...least of all in the echelons of the TBH." - signed, Sahar Hannibaal

[@willneeley9504]

I was under the impression the baali caught a bad case of genocide back in the early dark age which is why they are no longer around. At least the way I handled in a Dark Age story i ran, I had the vampires of Europe to call an armistice to stop the Baali from summoning forth one of the Outer Gods.

[@MrStrigori]

Nurgle comes from Nergal, a babylonian god of the underworld and decay. he was often used for the image of a disease bringing monster or something like that. the baali and the chaos god originate from the same source (as often)

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

They do! The Baali have many origins.

[@teecefamilykent]

The Baali where created by Saulot before he travelled east and gained his third eye....he then regretted it and when the Salubri warrior caste came to prominence they fought to destroy the Baali as Saulot saw them as a mistake he sought to destroy.

[@Beriorn]

One particular subgroup of Baali is called the Order of Moloch. They have made it their mission to keep the Sleepers, ancient creatures of immense power, asleep. This put them into frequent conflict with the other members of the Baali. Eventually the head of the Order, Sahar-Hanibaal, was captured by the Tal'mahe'Ra. Sahar wanted to be brought before the True Black Hand's leadership, where he begged them to investigate the dark powers in the newly risen city of Ashur. He even agreed to join the Tal'mahe'Ra and be bound by a variety of ways, alongside his entire order. Now, what would these Sleepers be? Ancient beings from before creation that are stuck somewhere as if they were, well, _earth bound_? Well, I've got a good idea. But then who created the Baali, and why? Well, who would care to stop these ancient demons from rising up and destroy the world? Who would be, well, human enough to care? Saulot. But then why create these monsters that he himself fights? Because they have taken it too far. And yet he created them because Saulot knows what the Earthbound are. How? Because Lucifer Morningstar convinced Saulot that they need to be stopped. Now, of course I have no conclusive evidence that the Adversary teamed up with Saulot to create a force to keep the Abyss closed forever through horrific means that are just like what the Earthbound would do but on a larger scale. But then... why does the Baali symbol resemble an inverted version of Lucifer's personal sigil?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Quite. The Baali cannot afford to reveal their presence, thus ultimately neutering them.

[@Gigantic1000]

Namtaru? Where have I heard that before? Oh, Beast, right.

[@willneeley9504]

As a funny aside i had one of my older characters mention there were three left. All hiding in Madagascar and so horribly crippled with PTSD that they refuse to leave. that and their compound is surrounded by Nagahs (Weresnakes).

[@franzritzel8410]

Keep up the good work mate, you make really interesting videos and the wikis don't provide as much info.

[@arnoldtabor3767]

I could imagine playing a Baali that was made by accident ,who was a genuinely a nice person ,and has now no clue what is happening ,never mind the fact he's the bad guy of the bad guys.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Everyone's entitled to their own, diabolic, opinion!

[@Maskikon]

Earthbounds doing their chaos again ^^.

[@RobCrowley85]

That damn Saulot just can't keep his fangs to himself

[@johnblurryz]

Thanks for the review! I believe everything you said makes a lot of sense, except that WW itself said they did exist, and since they are the authors, I don't know how we can say otherwise.

[@mestregaules1245]

Hail Gentleman! I am a pretty new viewer of you. I Start to acompany your channel in April. A noticed that You doesn`t have a lot of videos about Vampire The Requiem, a great game which I am fan. I would really like, as the hole new genaration of RPG players, if you do a "Gentleman Guide To Th Requiem" analising not only the clans but the coteries and others things of the game. Thanks and good game!

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Glad you think so!

[@spica2501]

I find that hard to believe. Even a rank 6 Fera is no match for a demigod. It took, if I recall correctly, a werewolf warpack, three kuei-jin Bodhisattvas (equivalent to a 4th generation vampire), a magical neutron bomb, and reflected sunlight from orbital mirrors (those last two courtesy of the Technocracy) to destroy the Ravnos Antediluvian.

[@Demolitiondude]

Cool. Started reading through the players guide and liking the Samedi.

[@Demolitiondude]

I found two Clans in a players guide that I didn't know of. Daughters of Cacophony and Samedi.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Let me know how it goes!

[@Tengoshi]

It's certainly the conclusion for any group that could be considered a clan. Anything following will be a bloodline.

[@galruchin6463]

I am conflicted about the Baali. On one hand: they are a really cool concept. On the other, this sort of "BBEG clan" doesn't really feel right to me in a game like VtM where one of the main themes is that everyone has the potential to be evil.

[@ParanormalEncyclopedia]

It's all how they are used I think. As cackling villains they are all wrong but as the darkest point vampires can fall to... worse then the Sabbat who try for at least some sense of morality from their paths, worse then 0 humanity vampires because they choose evil instead of their beast taking over they are the abyss you fear to stare into what you could become if you gave up your sense of morality for true power. And remember some baali choose it abandoning their clan rather then being embraced.

[@baronvonkek8467]

WoD, especially VtM to me has always been about how there's no real "good guys" in a world ruled by undead, bloodsucking monsters, there's only bad guys and worse guys. The Baali seem to be the absolute worst a vampire can be, and in being so they stand as an excuse for every other Kindred with even a hint of ethics or mercy, no matter how terrible they turly are, to point to and say, "Well hey, at least we aren't *that* bad."

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Possibly. Entirely up to you to decide.

[@Demolitiondude]

So does the White Howlers, they're now called the Black Spiral Dancers.

[@mrct592]

Did he hint that there are baali in the True Black Hand at the end?

[@98whistler]

is this supposed to be done like you are a member of clan baali describing the clan to others...hmm makes you think

[@MrStrigori]

yeah, you're right...i guess. but still, i can't get rid of the feeling, that they are kind of...useless. I mean i don't know if there is any use of the Baali in a chronic (even as npc's).

[@cockroach2]

Not related to the clan, but I thought since you were knowledgeable in regards to V:tM you could answer this In V:tM, vampires are said to go into torpor during the daytime regardless of where they are, that is, hiding from the sun itself does nothing to quell the need for torpor. With that in mind, how do vampires deal with the changing seasons? Do some of them migrate like birds, flying between hemispheres to whichever one it's currently winter in?

[@Emperor_Atlantis]

"Real Power is never given. It is Taken"

[@TheDemeted]

Man I wish someone did a video on the Panders they seem interesting!

[@teecefamilykent]

As an aside according to the revised Brujah clanbook they believe that the Baali are an assamite bloodline / faction?

[@anotherboredperson]

they are not closely related to the Assamites. The tremere propaganda that they are a bloodline of Saulot is not without some ground to it. Others say it was Ventru's brood

[@BrookeDakota]

please do a nagaraja clan video

[@lillydollaghan5204]

It's allways something with the Worm or lower-Umbra touched "Bad-Guy" members of the various super natural groups. A reputation carefully crafted to suit there target - Fear of the Nephandi seeps so deep into mage culture that they are the true boogy men. The Technocracy refuses to see themselves in them, so they end up falling into Nephandic behaviour because they themselves couldn't be as bad as them. Meanwhile, the traditions are so scared of them they wrote the Sebel-el-Mafough Whash, which became an excelent vehicle to pass on there corruption. For the Black Spiral dancers, well, the pure rage they inspire on just reputation alone in the Gharu leads to some less then well thought out decisions. For the infernalists, well, they're just a false hood to most kindred. Something to argue over, point fingers over - I bet you the tremere get a kick out of pointing at Saulot as the theoretical head. All in all though, it givers a genuine Balli an easier time of it, they don't exist so of-course no ones going to be looking for there corruption.

[@scottpayne1091]

you know your stuff!! thanks for helping me get back in to WoD : D

[@MrFantocan]

When boogiman comes grab your foot at the night you will regreat calling the lords a myth.

[@SaudiLindsey4]

Is this the last clan? Have you reviewed them all? I have to say this clan seems like one of the least playable of the clans. At least in my opinion. But the review is wonderfully detailed as always!

[@Bane422]

Well played, ghoul of a Baali ... well played.

[@MrStrigori]

i always thought that the baalis are kind of dull in their very idea. why do i need a 'clan' of devilworshipers? Every Malkavian, Lasombra etc. can worship deamons and sort and scare the shit out of me. But you made them sound kinda interessting. never thought about the fact, that they are actually not a clan in the definition of the word. and the idea that they might be the dirty secret of an antediluvian...makes me shiver. Great Video as always.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Thank you!

[@vatroslavmorbidovic4105]

I just noticed that there is no video about Ishtari and Osebo. Nice work, BTW.

[@BombshockStudios]

Nurgle? Bringer of Disease? Like Warhammer 40K?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Indeed. Now let's get back to the chantry.

[@DamienSnipe]

Great review, really brings the world of the undead to life

[@ulexite]

It is so refreshing to finally see someone putting this Baali myth to bed, they were a thin bloodied offshoot that in desperation threw there lot in with minor dark beings, they have been gone for almost a thousand years, the idea of them still operating in dark secret temples wrestling power from unimaginable forces is pure hogwash.

[@cesarvlogs6146]

Baali is a God.He provides food and things for those who serve him

[@Tengoshi]

Great conclusion to the series.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

There may be more...

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

It takes practice.

[@warelf97]

Are they not bloodlines? Samedi of Cappadocian and the Daughters of Cacophony of Toreador or Malkavian (not sure which)

[@handbanana5888]

Papa Nergle is in VtM too?

[@Tharsix36]

Dear sir , were you by any chance informed of your indistinguishable similarity to a stereotypical ventrue ?

[@verticalflats2816]

Is this where I get the choice of blue or red blood 😁

[@AsheandCinders]

Might I ask if you are more supportive of the Camarilla, The Sabbat, The Anarchs, or some other gathering of immortals?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Yep, there is not one Baali left. Or is there?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Maybe at some point, in with a Caitiff video.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

One day. You do keep on!