The Camarilla is the largest of vampiric sects, a loose organization which ostensibly represents and protects all vampires by enforcing and promulgating the Masquerade. It is currently composed of six clans (formerly seven), though officially it considers all Kindred under its purview and welcomes any that obey its laws.

Anarchs are vampires who reject the status quo of Cainite society. The resulting organization of anarchs is called the Anarch Movement, whose traditional strongholds are Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

The Sabbat is a loose organization of Cainites who reject the Traditions. Unlike the Camarilla, the Sabbat believes in the Antediluvians and Caine. Also known as the Sword of Caine, as they believe they will be the army Caine will use to destroy the Antediluvians once Gehenna arrives.

A term used to describe a vampire that remains outside the larger vampire society of a given city and often refuses to acknowledge the claim of a Prince, Archbishop, Baron, sect, clan, or other such entity.

The Second Inquisition (often shortened to SI) is a union of various secret services with the witch-hunters of the old Inquisition that has begun to systematically hunt vampires all around the globe.

Kine is a somewhat old-fashioned and derogatory term used by the Kindred to refer to mortals, referring specifically to the living as the herd upon which they feed.