From publisher blurb:
The Blood of Caine...
Born in murder and primal blood magic, the horrific violation known euphemistically as the Embrace is neither a quick, clean, easy act, nor a darkly alluring initiation into sensuality as the Gothic imagination might hold. It instead consists of a violent divorce of the body and soul called the Katabasis, and the Becoming - a week or more of abject humiliation, suffering, and dehumanisation.
…Flows Along Many Courses
The Damned are anything but homogeneous. Even within their many extended families are found diverse strains of vampirism, with traits drawn from founders both famous and enigmatic, malevolent and (rarely) benign. These Lineages may exist to their parent Clans as vital pillars upholding the greater structure, bizarre fringe groups best kept at a distance, or outright rejects who bring only shame and disrepute.
Book One - Genesis includes:
The Katabasis, the journey to the Underworld which tests a childe’s worthiness to her Clan’s blood, and more precise rules for Embracing.
The Becoming, the gradual but traumatic change from human to vampire which follows the Embrace.
Means for existing in a state between Clans, or even changing Clans, called Imprints - which are neither simple or without cost.
Book Two - Genealogica Vampirica includes:
Over forty Lineages, additional character choices which delve into specific concepts within Clans.
Mechanical benefits and drawbacks which alter gameplay - sometimes quite radically - for Lineage members.
Lineage trees to help determine and track characters’ vampiric ancestors, which are almost entirely drawn from the Vampire canon.