Evil mages reviled by every mage group. They are rumored to have rejected Ascension in favor of its opposite: Descension. Believed by some to be fundamentally linked to the forces of Entropy.
Nephandi Groups
Nephandi Terms
Ranks of Nephandi
Are said to use Qlippothic Spheres
Sources:
Revised Edition suggest Nephandi actually serve the “true” Malfeans that sleep in the Labyrinth in the Low Umbra. This mixes info from Wraith: the Oblivion into Mage. This has the Nephandi losing power at the end of World War II because their link with the true Malfeans was disrupted. This also says the Reckoning & Avatar Storm at the start of Revised Edition weakened the Nephandi. Later Revised Edition introduces hives and hive dwellers (pg. 193 Ascension). They are said to be new powers that are either alien or a new face for powers from the Low Umbra.
The first 2 editions of Mage say any mage who has gone through a Caul (& survived) is recognized as a nephandus. Revised Edition states in Book of Madness Revised that Malfean Nephandi use the Black Spiral instead of the Cauls.
Pg. 122 Book of Madness - Some see Ialdabaoth as the Wyrm (Werewolf:tA) while others say the Wyrm is Ialdabaoth’s bestial or emotional aspect. Ial is a being that represents cunning & intellect.
Early 1st Edition hinted the mighty beings in the Deep Umbra were the Nephandi. It soon changed to Nephandi being humans who served alien beings in the Deep Umbra. Some White Wolf writers looked down on Nephandi simply because they didn’t serve themselves. Mage20 states Nephandi are trying to become gods and sometimes pretend to serve alien beings in the Deep Umbra to gain a temporary advantage (Book of the Fallen).
Ascension pg. 170 offers the idea that al-Aswad was the first nephandus. He made 5 other Nephandi Oracles and from there created the nephandi.
Book of the Fallen has the new idea that Nephandus’ real goal is to become gods. If rumors go out that the Nephandi have produced more gods over the centuries than other factions, mages will be tempted to seek out the Nephandi to learn their secrets.
Perhaps the Nephandi are quite knowledgeable about the Null Zone passages that connect so many place in the Umbra/Zones/Earth.
Putting the 4 editions of Mage together, the Nephandi goal of Descent (anti Ascension) could be:
Possible goals of Nephandi:
Nephandi leaders may keep access to the Deep Umbra away from younger members to motivate them. These less powerful Nephandi are more likely to attack Horizon Realms to gain access to the Deep Umbra. Less powerful but younger, these Nephandi are more willing to risk assaults on Horizon Realms.
Al-Aswad (anti Oracle, very old) lives in Dark Cathedral of Uzhuvrath in the Qlippoth of Entropy. Pg. 33 Book of Madness
1st Edition claimed Nephandi were susceptible to Paradox and many suffered permanent Paradox flaws.
An Awakened Revenent is an interesting idea for a villain.
Iron Circle is Hitler’s band of Odinist diabolists. May be connected to Nephandi.
Infernalism pg. 20 states Bhat was an ancient city of infernalists in early Mesopotamian times. The city was surrounded by a huge wall of black marble. They made war on neighboring cities for slaves & human sacrifices. Finally the city of Assur destroyed Bhat. Great temple of Ereskigal was built from menacing black stones said have human sacrifices forged into them. Did they learn the art of soul forging from wraiths?