Gehenna: The End Times

Lore & Background

According to ancient Kindred legend, the three original vampires created by Caine sleep to avoid destruction by their own children. When Gehenna arrives, they are destined to wake and purge their bloodlines in a final act of consumption. This prophecy drives much of the political tension between vampire sects throughout history. The Camarilla often denies its existence publicly to maintain order and prevent panic among neonates. In contrast, the Sabbat prepares for the coming fire, believing they are the chosen survivors who will inherit the earth after the purge. Both sides manipulate information regarding the awakening of elders to secure their own power bases.

In Their Own Story

Rain slicked the cobblestones as Julian watched the cathedral spire crack without sound. He felt it then, a heartbeat in the deep earth that wasn't his own. The Prince whispered into the phone about evacuation, but he knew some things could not flee. Shadows lengthened toward the crypts where the First Sleepers waited to claim their due. The air tasted of copper and old blood. Julian realized too late that the night was ending, not with a whimper, but with the roar of ancient hunger rising from below.

Reader's Guide

The narrative centers on survival as the world shifts from political intrigue to existential dread. Players discover signs of an Antediluvian awakening, forcing them to choose between fighting for their clan or seeking redemption before the end. Key turning points involve the breach of the Masquerade and the sudden disappearance of elders who were thought safe. Major casualties include high-ranking Princes and Elders consumed by their sire's reawakening. The conflict escalates as sects turn on one another, blaming rivals for summoning the apocalypse prematurely. Some factions attempt to kill the sleeping ancestors before they rise, risking divine wrath upon failure. Ultimately, the story concludes with either the total destruction of Kindred society or a desperate transformation into new beings capable of surviving the sun. The outcome depends on whether the players embrace their nature as monsters or seek a way to break Caine's curse entirely. This framework allows for tragic heroism amidst inevitable ruin.

Did You Know?

• Gehenna is derived from biblical concepts of hellfire adapted specifically for vampire lore.
• The Sabbat believes they are the chosen survivors of this apocalyptic event.
• Some chronicles suggest Antediluvians can be killed before they wake up.
• It serves as a major backdrop for many Vampire: The Masquerade storylines.