Zoroaster lived approximately 2,500 years ago in Persia. Born a common shepherd, he abandoned his people and wandered for 10 years until the god Ahura Mazda spoke to him. God told the prophet that he was the spirit of goodness, but that he had an opponent: Angra Mainyu, the god of darkness. Humanity, the only species capable of free choice, is crucial in this divine battle and must choose between the two gods.
Tehmina – this Path’s founder – lived 1,000 years after Zoroaster, and was a devoted follower and scholar of Zoroastrianism, dispensing food in times of hunger and founding a free hospital. She was far from perfect, but her efforts were sincere. It was this sincerity that attracted her sire, who Embraced her into the Banu Haqim either as an anchor for his own humanity, or as a cruel experiment. From here Tehmina’s fate becomes murky, fading from history, until she ran afoul of Ur-Shulgi (the ancient childe of Haqim), who saw her faith as sacrilege against his sire. Disposing of Tehmina was small work for a creature of Ur-Shulgi’s sorcerous prowess, but he underestimated the impact his actions would have. Her violent death elevated Tehmina to a martyr amongst Zoroastrian Cainites, inspiring other Banu Haqim to adopt her beliefs.
Zoroastrian Cainites believe that they — beholden to the Beast, Hunger, and eternal night — are cursed by Angra Mainyu. They must explore this state of being and, once they fully understand evil, choose to be good and return to Ahura Mazda’s grace. Of course, not all make it there.
Every Zoroastrian starts their path on the Path of Angra Mainyu. They must fully experience the evil of Angra Mainyu, recognising his hold over them and, finally, reject him. When the Zoroastrian feels ready, they switch to the Path of Ahura Mazda (part of the Road of Light) without penalty. They can now begin their path to redemption and Ahura Mazda. This switch is free only once. The Zoroastrian can revert back to the Road of Angra Mainyu at any time (and many do as they chafe against the burden of doing good amidst damnation), but returning to the Road of Ahura Mazda later suffers all the difficulties of a normal Road change.
Sobriquet
Zoroastrians, Corruptors
Initiation
The initiate of the Path of Angra Mainyu buries themselves in infertile dirt, where they remain for five days and nights — a mockery of Zoroastrian funerary rites that last the same amount of time. They spend this time contemplating the evil of Angra Mainyu and exploring the darkness in their own heart (which is easily done after five nights without sustenance).
| Beast Traits Gained | Description |
| 1* | Committing any act of kindness; delaying gratification |
| 1 | Refusing an opportunity to corrupt a mortal |
| 2 | Refusing an opportunity to corrupt a vampire; refusing an opportunity to corrupt a holy figure |
| 3 | Failing to undermine Cainite structures of power; failing to undermine the prevailing mortal environment |
| 4 | Placing another’s wishes above your own |
| 5 | Feeding on evil mortals; fearing Frenzy |
*: only for someone with Road rating of 6