Long before the blood magics of the Tremere appeared,
the Tzimisce wielded the mystical art of Koldunic Sorcery. Unlike the arcane
paths of Thaumaturgy, Koldunic Sorcery is a spiritual magic that manipulates
the elements in nature. From the magically rich and diseased soil of their
ancestral demesnes, the Tzimisce drew demonic power. Now, through the proper
rites of contrition and binding, a koldun can summon forth the elemental
correspondences that shape natural forces. The specific ways of this spiritual
magic were often taught to novice koldun based on their regional settings.
For example, though the Ways of Spirit and Fire were universal, the Way of Wind was known only among koldun residing in the Carpathian Mountains. The Way of Water was predominantly practiced by koldun who made their havens near bodies of water like the Black Sea, the Plain Lakes and rivers of the Danube, Somes and Arges. The Way of Earth was common among koldun residing in the flatlands and plateaus of Eastern Europe. During the time of Clan Tremere's birth, Koldunic Sorcery
was at its height in practice. With the threat of the Tremere and their
blood magic, this sorcery became the weapon of choice for the koldun fighting
to protect their lands. Bloody feuds between these two camps of sorcerers
stained the Danube crimson and powerful magic defiled the land. As the
Dark Ages passed, Koldunic Sorcery faded as well, unpracticed and spoken
of only in passing and half-truths.
In tonight's world, only a few, very ancient Tzimisce
practice Koldunic Sorcery. These surviving koldun are extremely territorial,
rarely surfacing long enough to make their presence known, and prefer to
keep to themselves, surrounded by ruins of once-mighty castles and manses.
With the mysterious disappearance of the Tremere antitribu, knowledge and
philosophy of Koldunism is more frequently shared with anyone willing to
learn of its existence, and has begun to spread among the ranks of the
Sabbat's youth. Some suspect that enterprising Fiends have leaked a bit
of their wisdom to the sect in order to keep the old ways in practice.
More cynical Sabbat, though, believe that a clever Cainite or pack managed
to steal a few secrets from a lax Tzimisce and passed them on to whoever
wanted to learn.
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