The Gentleman's Guide to Vampires: Clan Salubri

In which the gentleman in question provides a cutting exposé on the diabolical clan known as the Salubri. Discover the truth behind these soul-devouring manipulators, and why the Tremere were right to instigate a purge upon their foul kind.

[@thomasbunting8268]

I truly see Clan Salubri as being the greatest good among the children of Caine... at least before they were betrayed and hunted because of the vile words of Clan Tremere. Clan Salubri were vampires who could have been the light and hope for salvation, having wished only good and receiving harm for instead. Now are the Salubri still alive still good? Perhaps not, even likely not... not after what was done to them. They are betrayed and hunted by those they had once trusted, their name blackened by those seeking take their place... left without allies or protection. This, I feel, is the great tragedy of the Cainites. Those that sought Golconda, the path of redemption first offered to Caine by Gabriel, Lord of Mercy are now perhaps left in madness and hate for their kin. Once the light and hope of Cainites, now a mere shadow long since lost... all because of the dark actions of Clan Tremere, those that had committed the gravest sin to get where they are now. . With that my brothers and sisters, I leave you. ------------------------------------- John de Valerce, Toreador Noddist of the Path of Heaven.

[@Thomas-der-Zweite]

Even after 10 years, the quality of the information and presentation still holds up

[@iron666221666221]

THE FIRES OF GOLCONDA WILL PURGE THE BLOOD WITCHES OF TREMERE

[@whowantsabighug]

Does ANYBODY like the Tremere?

[@dimiaraujo90]

I believe that Ventrue, Toreador and Malkavian are the ones that tolerate them the most, or hate the less.

[@ItCameFromTheSkyBeLo]

@@dimiaraujo90 Camarilla Ventrue. Crusaders have other opinions.

[@christophermartin1315]

Absolutely not, they're the worst.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

The third eye isn't their weakness. It's symptomatic of Obeah / Valeren level three.

[@HeirophantCarneus]

Saulot's evolution from the "good guy" vampire to inscrutable master of the Jyhad is a prime example of the excellent job they did transitioning from 1st edition to revised.

[@Muykle]

One common theme of World of darkness are the concepts of the aspects of the tapestry are Stasis(the Weaver, Ying), Dynamism( the Wylde, Yang), Entropy( the Wyrm, Po), and Questing( possibly the All or God, Hun). There are 4 apocalypses possible that may apply to individuals or the world that match these natures as well. It seems likely that Saulot was seeking enlightenment in the east and somehow was given the secrets to the Dharma (path) of Resplendent Crane or some other Hun path. He did this to improve the Hun (divine/ questing) aspect of his soul in order to control his Po (beast/entropic) nature of his soul. The curse of a vampire is for the most part entropic and static in nature (Po and Ying). Some clans have a touch of the Wylde in them (Yang), like the Malkavians and the Gangrel. Nearly all of the most powerful Kaininite political organizations are Static and Entropic in nature. For these reasons, almost no Western vampire can understand Saulot's motivations. They saw him and his bloodlines get powers deemed impossible. They were trying to rid themselves of Kain's curse and keep the blessings. To do so, however, they must act to be pure in thought, spirit, and action. They may have not been a threat to the other vampire clans, but the clans knew one thing about them, they were getting powerful in ways deemed impossible. In their fear and misunderstanding, they worked to eradicate Saulot's bloodlines. Saulot may not be dead but ascended to some sort of godhood beyond the mortal realm. He may have reached some sort of redemption from God's curse on his blood. He may have volunteered to give his curse to Tremere in order for him to ascend. The will of the All is mysterious and cryptic and likely does not care for the well being of all of the inhabitants. The same may be said for Saulot.

[@ReadingDave]

I always thought that the seven salubri would make up in numbers of bodies during the gehenna by the number of souls they had. If the Salubri would use their eye to remove their sire's soul and then embrace them, the sire might be able to live on asterally, or inside their child and this would compound with each new diablry. So, theoretically, the Salubri would have access to more vampire souls, than any other clan because they didn't require all the blood the other clans would need to support that many souls. Any Tremere who succesfully diablrizes one of these salubri is in for a rude awakening of fighting for control amoungst hundreds if not thousands of souls.

[@t.va.6611]

This reminds of Fullmetal Alchemist

[@mysmartphonechannel]

Kwisatz Haderach confirmed.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

If you ever decide to play a "last member of the clan" style role, do so with caution. Bear in mind that they become targets for nearly everyone.

[@PinkieImpaled]

I had a 2 year long campaign where my Ravnos became obsessed with Golcanda and was a peaceful pacififistic monk. My epilogue included him attaining Golcanda. Ever since Salubri has became my favorite clan

[@dimiaraujo90]

Probably my favorite clan, and one I wish really wish was more common in modern/contemporary nights.

[@randombencounter263]

The Salubri are interesting because their mode of behaviour and the nature of their Beast is so very different from all other kindred. Cainites in general are predators. Some of us are stalkers, some of us are ambushers, some of us have even gone civilised and taken up herding livestock. But the Salubri aren't hunters at all, or even herders, they're parasites. Maybe that is why they have such remarkable control over their Beast, with them there's no posturing and fighting for dominance all the time, whatever force drives them is much more subtle. And much more sinister.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I find the Salubri akin to the Setites in the way they build their willing cults of blood donors.

[@pikewerfer]

The Gentleman Gamer Having played several Setites, I would like to differ: Setites indeed built cults to have access to willing blood donors, but these cults always had a religious foundation that was above and beyond the cainite who controlled the cult - and even he had to adhere to it. The blood donors of the Salubri were mortals bound to the individual vampire - which was the weakness of this set-up. Even if a mortal thought his Setite priest to be a corrupt being, this did not negate the authority beyond - Set himself. However, if a mortal started to doubt the integrity and the moral goodness of his beloved Salubri, then there was nothing to reassure him.

[@00BillPaxton]

It's interesting to consider the implications of the nature of The Beast in relation to the Salubri. They are still predators but ones dependent on mutualism or at least commensialism and very in control of their instincts, yet as soon as a bloodline is created that reverts to normal predatory relationships they become just as wild as any other vampire could be. Maybe they aren't in control of their Beasts at all and they merely indulge it to the point of complacency and they can portray an over-stuffed, decadent predator as a peaceful one, like how a tiger grown lazy from being fed while inside a cage is not necessarily a nice tiger.

[@chrisherrick2397]

If that were the case the Salubri would not be able to maintain Humanity well.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I think the Salubri would just shut up and hide.

[@bloodcheese2845]

the salubri warriors of the final nights are the child of Adonai a 7th or 9th generation vampire/not sure on generation

[@MrStrigori]

Poor, poor Salubri. The most interesting aspect is their duality. The noble healers and the fearsome warriors. But there is always a cause to their ambitions, that's what fascinates me about these betrayed childs of the biggest mystery in the WoD. And when we think of the Baali, who (at least some heretics claim) were founded by Saulot himself...what motivation was in their founding? I wonder...just to create an enemy? Or the embodiment of Saulots own ambivalence? Truly mysterious, isn't it?

[@NodDisciple1]

4:15 How can Saulot be more of a Pilgrim than the other wandering types such as the founder of the Gangrel and Ravnos? Staying in one spot is anathema to them.

[@jextra1313]

If I were embraced and not bound to my sire, I would search for the Salubri and have them teach me the ways of Golconda

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

The true mysteries of the Salubri are yet to be revealed. Wait for Tremere himself to awaken with his third eye!

[@ThornUvDaath777]

Isn't it canon that the Tremere did a smear campaign against the Salubri, and if so are you just playing a role? Either way, no one's going to win since this whole thing is over, until the new MMO comes out, and who know if that'll be a continuance or a total revision.

[@Venneroth]

In theory, clans have a surviving Antediluvian, while bloodlines stem from a weaker Kindred. In practice, it's just politics. Ventrue, Tzimisce and Lasombra are all feared and respected, so they are called clans, even with a founder (they claim) is dead and gone. The Salubri, Samedi, Harbingers etc, lack the numbers and clout to be a clan, so they're just bloodlines. The Salubri, of course, would say "Nonsense! We are, and have always been, one of the original 13 clans."

[@Ravager4561]

I always thought the salubri were victims is this purporsuly in favor of the tremere propaganda anyway pity the clan is near extinction they would been so many opportunity to hire ones services

[@christopherteems3587]

I have to say that I am very attracted to the Salubri antitribu. They are single-mindedly focused on destroying the Tremere and the Camarilla as a whole to the exclusion of other Sabbat objectives. This could provide some interesting interactions between them and their pack should they be faced with choosing between a main Sabbat objective and chasing down a Tremere they became aware of instead.

[@ffanatic13]

The clan weakness pretty much screws you. You have a 3rd eye on your head which is a walking masquerade violation.

[@Silphenix]

It's not usually open, only when you use obeah/valeren above level 3.

[@PhryneMnesarete]

The Tremere shall reap the fruits of their deeds and they shall be foul to the taste. Long and bitterly shall they suffer. Saulot lives!

[@DangerplanetBrandon]

I made a comment about doing a salubri video a few times in response to some of your other clan videos, and you have no idea how excited I am. Cheers.

[@irishfeline4094]

I used to play as Assamite, but my favorite clan is the Salubri. I guess is easy to guess my opinion about the Tremere. In your place I would make any video as this one as neutral since is just RPG. And I must say the Salubri have a very different personality compared to ANY other clan, and I find them artistically inspiring.

[@spica2501]

Considering how absolutely vile the Tremere are, I have never for an instant believed their lies about the Salubri.

[@justthompson]

The Gentleman Gamer4 weeks agoin reply to ffanatic13 The third eye isn't their weakness. It's symptomatic of Obeah / Valeren level three. Obeah lvl 3: Corpore Sano The Salubri can heal wounds with a laying-on of hands. I thought their weakness had something to do with feed only from willing prey.

[@Silphenix]

That's their last days weakness. The original healer weakness is to share the pain they inflict, while the warriors cannot easily refuse necessary help.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

It can be hard. My honest opinion is that Saulot was no better or worse than any other vampire, but perhaps had more clarity.

[@andromeda7147]

finally ending a long campaign I GM next month with the salubri as the main enemy, thanks to this video!

[@HeirophantCarneus]

Possibly my favorite character in the World of Darkness mythos...with Zapathasura close in the running too.

[@AngelusMortis1000]

I hought the Black hand was from the World of darkness, but nope, it's a thing, taken into the World of darkness.

[@hikarinile]

I remember playing as Tremere way back because they were akin to mages and that was my preferred RP-archetype next to healer, and then I found out about the Salubri. Hm... you've certainly given good food for thought when it comes to Saulot's possible machinitions, but I can't help but feel the members of his clan didn't deserve what they got. And while the Brujah betrayal may have been the worst, it surprised me the Malkavs turned on them as well, insane or not. Still, a great vid. :)

[@Gendhil69]

For Salubri fans out there who want to show their love for the clan, here's a simple pendant I made today : www.shapeways.com/model/2861146/third-eye-salubri-pendant.html?materialId=23

[@sylburn01]

Nice work mate

[@Risingkiwi]

I think it made the plight of the remaining ones , the actual "good guys" all the more tragic upon seeing that not only was he not this saintly figure ( or he fell out of golconda) but everything he did was a sick experiment, from making the baali, to copying a shintai of a kuei jin, to letting himself get diablerized even. Zao lot the betrayer , truly was a chessmaster.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

It's from the Vampire: The Masquerade RPG. Look it up!

[@Perinthius]

Is it implied that the Salubri and the Baali actually are a myth and never existed? If they do exist, could it be that the Salubri are actually evil and the Baali actually good? Maybe the actions of the Baali have the ultimate motive of keeping the Children asleep instead of wakening them up.

[@anotherboredperson]

Ιωάννης Αναστάσιος Κατσάφαρος no one is claiming the Baali are good- especially not themselves. The Salubri are less clear cut, but there is some truth to the great Tremere propaganda machine.

[@GohnwithaG]

Salubri are like the Jews of Kindred, hatred and rumors everywhere they go and they just want to help :(

[@flosunshine123]

Haha this is awesome I know it happened two years ago.. but my favorite clan uploaded on my birthday.. too awesome xD

[@teecefamilykent]

Down with the tremere....pointless worm led clan....

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

That's a dick with 5,525 views on this video, and only one recorded dislike at the time of this posting. I'm sure that'll shortly change, but hey, it looks like the Tremere are winning.

[@AndusDominae]

Golconda was the name of the city where Saulot was said to have achieved it, so I hear.

[@HeirophantCarneus]

...yeah that was supposed to go on the Giovanni video. Oops lol. Also, I'm pretty sure that I post something on every clan vid claiming that particular clan is my favorite. ...it's because they all are :)

[@inventedthenight]

And the video received one dislike. Some theorize that it came from within youtube's Tremere chantry, others claim it was a stray Giovanni. Others yet wonder if it was the agent of some darker purpose...

[@gwenaverr]

What is you take on Cain ,I know he was in the final night book even though they dont out rite name him,He is diffently more powerful then the rest but seems good to me

[@collindouglas8188]

So Salubri are not, to my knowledge, the most humane clan. Humanity does not correlate to morality after all and the Salubri are definitely not moral. They were the herders of Kine in ages past and many were willing to commit atrocities to achieve Golconda. Often the Salubri would attempt to feed their Beast in equal amount to their humanity which means in response to a miracle the beast demands a sacrifice.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

On one hand you're correct, but they actually stole the blood from a Tzimisce and then went on to diablerise Saulot.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I will have to get on their forum! I don't know this Maven person. You'll have to let Spoony know. We'll collaborate ;)

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Ventrue say their founder was Caine's favourite. So do the Assamites. So do the Tzimisce. And so it goes.

[@spica2501]

The truth it may be, but until I hear it from a more credible source I am inclined to believe otherwise.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

He's the first murderer and never understood why what he did was wrong, nor how he was guilty.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

You can't have them! Unless you offer me a lot of money. In which case you can.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Tremere will always win. This is known.

[@williamscott3008]

The Gentleman Gamer I'm going to agree to disagree but then again I have no use for house tremere there is no honor among them

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Indeed. All the vampires are preparing for the apocalypse to the extent where they'll cause it.

[@sethspagnolo4514]

For crying out loud, plz oh plz, don't leave us hanging - well at least me who feels woefully under-informed. If you or anyone else who knows happen to come across this post, who or what is the "third caste" of the Salubri composed of? Who are the members of the third bloodline? You've covered the healers of course, and the warriors, but you leave off with only a mention of the third caste w/ that evil smile . . . has enough time passed that you or someone else can shed some light on who belongs the third caste? Ah, the suspense.

[@S0L1nv1ctus]

the third caste are the watchers also known as wu- zao , they are a mix of thieves and scholars .

[@sethspagnolo4514]

Ah, okay understood - I had read of the Wu Zao as a bloodline but thought that Matthew was referring to another caste within the European "mainstream" clan of Salubri. Thanks for putting in a good word though. :)

[@chrisherrick2397]

Saulot was quite promiscuous, making multiple bloodlines and not particularly taking care of any of them.

[@ReadingDave]

I would suggest diplomats or the third caste is an open door to try different things which various 4th and 5th gens May have taken varied directions. A fun thought exercise is to ask what caste would Salot make? Are there other roles that appeal to the higher self? Bali might be the divisions that appeal to the contrary, evil side of the self. What about salubri dedicated to a balance? Or perhaps a caste for each darma.

[@Demolitiondude]

Forgot to ask. How did you like Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter?

[@gwenaverr]

from what I read tremere used salubris blood to make them selves vampires

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Obeah is an interesting discipline. There's nothing quite like it.

[@hellsing507]

(Speaking in character) I am tremere and independent. No bond with my clan. I can tell you that the salubri are not the good guys. I was mentored by a human mage when I was embraced and his ancestors had been victimized by the salubri. They killed his ancestors because they had consorted with a demon in Japan. This demon was not evil and did not bring harm. But the salubri used this as an excuse to kill them. They aren't good guys they are monsters like all of us.

[@NoHeadsProduction]

But as our resident Gentleman Gamer has said, the Tremere would have you believe that you can never trust a Salubri, but who would trust a Tremere?

[@hellsing507]

NoHeadsProduction {in character] Well you have a good point no one really trusts my clan and they have the right to not trust us.But this is really just my personal experience with the salubri. You see i fought a war against the sabbat in aspen and i saw the disgusting things the salubri anntiribu do to their enemies. i saw them kill a small innocent garou child with a blunted saw. Tell me how can something so evil come from something so good?

[@NoHeadsProduction]

hellsing507 I suppose they just had to put the pup down, or they did it for fun. I'm an independent Tzimisce, I care little for the lives of Garou, or Sabbat. It is interesting though how you managed to find more than one Salubri at a time, Sabbat no less. They're very rare.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

There will be a video on the Samedi, of that you can be certain.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Indeed. They are often better as NPCs, but not always.

[@Demolitiondude]

Go watch it as some point. Doesn't matter when.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

You may be right! Different sources say different things.

[@安土竜]

The lore around clan Salubri suffers greatly from what was thought up first and what was printed first being massively more emphasized than what ultimately became the common thing that people would emphasize. Clan Salubri consisting of only 7 members was silly. But if True Clan Salubri consisted only of 7 members, they are outnumbered 1000:1 by the "Salubri Antitribu" and the "Wu Zao". And so THEY ought to be seen as the actual clan. Either the "Antitribu" shouldn't be seen as "Antitribu" but in fact the clan itself like with Tzimisce and Lasombra. And "Old Clan Salubri" ought to be seen as a weird relic. Or, alternatively, like the Capadocians are now called "Giovani" instead of even talking about a "Clan Salubri", one should be talking about "Clan Wu Zao" and saying that they USED to be called "Salubri".

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

The Baali shall hopefully be covered at some point soon.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Ah, well, quite ;o) Keep a third eye out for the Baali video.

[@Demolitiondude]

You got a bit of a following on Spoony Experiment. This from The Waffle Man. This guy has a great voice. Listening to him talk about Vampires is like listening to the most demented History Channel special ever. It's ridiculous. Also I proposed you crossing over with Maven of the Eventide if she reviews Kindred: The Embraced.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Toreador and Brujah are the easiest to imitate.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

We shall see what the end will be for the Salubri.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Quite possible. Saulot was very powerful indeed.

[@gwenaverr]

i heard the same but I heard there were 8 not 7

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I like to shed some light on some of the more obscure clans.

[@TheZenman2009]

Have you done a video about the Kuei-Jin yet?

[@Demolitiondude]

I'll send you a link to her series.

[@ThornUvDaath777]

Yeah, because, like I said, most kindred are in the dark about them, thinking them nothing more than "creepy mages".

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I like that mystery though. It makes the clan so interesting.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Why would George Osbourne be proud of me?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I do not believe this was the case.

[@RedCometofJupiter]

Hum, who is the Third I wonder

[@warelf97]

What about kindred of the ebony kingdom

[@Ravager4561]

why are you so closed minded ? don't you see the potential ? granted there will most certainly be some problems that would occur when a Tremere would intervene in one affairs with such a rare clan but still how can you deny the potential within such a desperate clan ?

[@Contevent]

Damn, nearly every vampire clan has a plot to end/dominate the world oO Exept for the Malk, Gangrel and nossies, it seems like every one has a doomsday device hidden somewhere and is ready to let it out. As Beckett said "Self made Gehena is much more fightening than some divine punishement"

[@Backfromthedeadguy]

It's been a long time since I read any of this, but for some reason I recall Tremere as having been a group of mortal mages (led by Tremere) who used Salubri's blood to become vampires, which is one of the reason the other clans hated the Tremere so much. Was there a revision or am I remembering something else entirely?

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I aim to enlighten and entertain.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

I haven't. I doubt that I will.

[@Atrahasis7]

Vampire Buddhists? Pretty awesome.

[@HeirophantCarneus]

My 1st character was a Giovanni. Since we were all Bostonians our storyteller decided it'd be easiest to run our first game in our home town. Whenever I play a new game I've always played a necromancer, or the nearest equivalent, because it's what I know (and love :), and having primarily Italian ancestry myself, the Giovanni were the perfect fit. Great vid!

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Nothing wrong with the Tremere!

[@DruidicMender]

As a person with an experience in VTM if I chose to play a Salubri in the Modern Nights, disguising as another Clan, what would you suggest one could disguise himself as? I like the idea of the undying healer. I just find them fascinating.

[@PhryneMnesarete]

You wish me to dishonour my sire and grandsires, going back to the Second City? I will not. You want me to abandon my humanity and live in a pit like a savage? I shall not. Not in a thousand years. Not if you perform all your arts of torment and coercion upon me, not if you threaten me with fire and sunlight. I am a Salubri, a childe of Saulot, and whether he has kept the faith or no, I shall do as we were commanded from the beginning: to heal and bring calm to the horrors of the world.

[@Dobyk]

Hello, I was just wondering if you could give me any advice on whether it is realistic to play Japanese Wu Zao Salubri, which are one of the strongest Salubri bloodline survivors, as inquisitive Eastern Kindred who want to learn more about the Camarilla and their Wester cousins by travelling to the USA/Europe??? I really love the fact that they are a scholastic version of the clan, and that they are relatively preserved in the modern nights, but I was wondering about your opinion on roleplay

[@jimbob3332]

I thought there were 10 Salubri in mordern nights, according to V20. Either way, I think the Salubri are the innocent victims of slander, seems more fitting to have idealism be crushed than none at all in the World of Darkness. Then again, I always try to play nice characters in WoD games...

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

You're very kind to say so. Thank you.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Many folk tell different tales.

[@ffanatic13]

Indeed he does and he requires no use for you anymore. Young Salubri, your leader has abandoned you and perhaps never even wanted you. He was behind the slaughter of your grand sire in the Bali wars and the purge you now seek refuge from. He hangs around warlocks and demons. Now join commit your life to the Sabbat and we might be able to protect you!

[@PhryneMnesarete]

I have lasted this long without you, old relic. I will go my own way, and do not be surprised if I fight your depravities at every turn. The blighted Tremere betrayed Clan Salubri to its death but once, and we have not forgotten. And now those who call themselves Salubri and join the Sabbat betray their clan over and over each night they howl and gibber and spill blood beneath its banner, and we will never forget. They have betrayed their name and disgraced their Blood, whom you call the Furies.

[@TheGentlemanGamer]

Maybe they're coming up next...

[@ffanatic13]

"Forgive me Alexander for I have tried. He is just as stubborn as you were back then. Lets hope he doesn't meet the same end." He mutters. I bid you fare well. You have until next sundown to pack your things and leave. After that the less savory members of this organization probably will be interested in your blood.

[@GothicHookaH]

in 2ed salubri are a blood line fond on page 10 of the storytellers companion but will all my books are 2ed so that is more or less all i can till you