[CHAR] World of Darkness: City of Angels

[Ruby]

Name: Eva
Age: 300+ (Appears late 20s.)
Clan: Toreador
Generation: 5th through diablerie.
Title: Officially none. Unofficially ruler of the Free States.

Biography:

A descendant of the lost Mayan tribes, daughter to a tribal shaman father who dabbled in tranditional magic and healing arts. Eva has never gone into detail about what happened, but to those closest to her she has mentioned that she watched her childhood home burn as the sun set on her childhood. It wasn't long after that the Spanish took her from a field of fruit trees. They demanded navigation and translation, to say nothing of what else men demand of young women. But after her family's demise in shadow and fire, the child Eva was at the time just could do nothing else but play along with the Spanish.

By the time she snapped out of it, she was on a ship at sea. Eva rallied others taken from the lands around her home, and eventually they escaped even as the Spanish ship burnt and sank. The details of the story remain fuzzy to her, but she remembers being the only one to make it to land. She remembers watching three others she escaped with drown in the black warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. She wound up on what would become Galveston Island, where she stayed at a local coastal fort of earth and timber. The men were little kinder there than the Spanish had been, and Eva moved on quickly.

Eva falls in with several local tribes, and it's through them she learns of other Spanish moving through the territory only but a year after leaving Galveston Island, headed North. The Spanish are shocked to meet a woman who can speak local tongues, foreign tongues, and enough of their own Spanish to understand. Though the Spanish notes that the "native woman" was initially shy and hesitant, she presented a unique boon to ther expedition, and the leaders of the Portola expedition decided they were better off with her. After swearing that no one would be allowed to hurt her, Eva began her role as the go-between for the Spanish with the natives they encountered on their way to California.

In California Eva has a direct hand in establishing Spanish mission communities all over southern California, but most notably San Diego and Los Angeles. This fact plays an immense role in Eva's control over the Free States, as her influence can literally be traced back to the origins of many cities. Her first meeting with the Kindred of the area was a trick of fate, more than a planned and plotted event. She was traveling with a Spanish friar when a wind storm forced them to the nearest settlement: the rancho of Don Sebastian Juan Dominguez, unaware of 5th Generation Toreador on the run Christopher Houghton.

As was his custom, Houghton would develop a crush. Both from Eva's power of presence and personality, from her charm, but of the stories she told--of her escape, of her survival, of her helping the Spanish to setup so much of California already. As the night went long the two talked of what could be made of the valleys they overlooked in moonlight now. Of what could be; it was there, that night, that the original idea of Los Angeles was conceived. Before the sun rose, Houghton embraced Eva, convinced she was his missing piece. While others close to Christopher would come and go, Eva would stay with him, the mother figure he never had, and never had to fear.

Los Angeles grew into a major city, and before long the Kindred duo were looking for other outlets. Neither is sure who was first, Christopher or Eva, but they both agree that once the other introduced them to motion pictures...that was it. They had found their new calling. Los Angeles and it's surrounding areas they would leave to lieutenants and mortal pawns, stepping in when needed, but from then on the majority of their attention was on this new artform. It was on "Hollywoodland"--or Hollywood, as Eva famously shortened it one evening. What followed was the Golden Age of Hollywood.

In the mid-1900s the Anarchs came. Christopher fell for some of the Anarchs, had soured on his childe, the Camarilla Prince Don Sebastian. So the Don fell, and the Anarchs set up a Free State--completely unaware of the Kindred powers that were already supporting them from the shadows. Of a sort, anyway; quite frankly at the time Eva didn't care. The Anarchs, the Free State? That nonsense belonged to Christopher, as far as Eva was concerned. Where he became distracted from Hollywood, Eva only doubled her efforts, becoming hyperactive in her involvement with the day to day, and long term, operations of Hollywood. Her only distraction was in the early 70s--and that was thanks to the exploding porn film industry in Van Nuys, well within her LA domain.

Eventually Christopher's paranoia and aggression got the better of him. When Los Angeles turned to war after lupine and kindred alike went after Don Sebastian, Christopher came dangerously close to exposing himself--and by extension Eva. It created the first squabble between the two since the earliest days of Hollywood. Instead of heal and move on, the divisions only deepened. After the incident elder Kindred in LA began to die, and a new series of violence errupted. This time Christopher went public, and declared himself Baron of Los Angeles.

It was betrayal and violation to Eva. Their secrecy was their bond, and he had finally violated it due to no reason other than his own paranoia and madness. When Christopher attacked her own Coterie and friends, Eva was forced to act. The Kindred Civil War of the Free States began, and ended only when Eva diablerized Christopher Houghton. Famous for her own humanity despite all her long years as a Kindred, Eva quickly descended to torpor as a means to preserve herself as much as possible after diablerie. In her place she left Los Angeles, and the Free States, into the hands of her Coterie. There Henry and Yanci were given their current roles, and Eva slipped into sleep.

Most believe Eva has passed a threshold of power in the Kindred community: that now she is truly the elder, and influencing the nights of the Free States even from her resting state.

[Ezekiel]

Name: Henry Locke
Age: Mid-Thirties/Presumed at least as old as the continental US
Title: Previous owner of the Sunset Lounge. Now fulfills some unestablished role in the running of the Free State
Biography:

Henry Locke was neither a particularly new, nor prominent name in the goings on of Los Angeles' 'night' life until very recent times. Most Kindred who knew the city for any great length of time might have encountered him, in some new minor project or the next, but he was usually gone before long, staying away from the city for greater stints than he remained. There seemed to be no real pattern to this, no riding in on the winds of change or storm of fury, simply a transient, something a little uncommon, but not unheard of, in the machinations of the Kindred.

This all changed in the early 90s. After a spate of local gang activity, forest fires and the like left a particularly fancy new apartment overlooking Downtown LA stuck on the market, Henry Locke purchased the property that would become the Sunset Lounge. It remained his personal private sanctuary for some years while he ingratiated himself with the local kine and kindred forces that be, never enough to step near the rungs of influence, but enough to make sure he wasn't treading on toes. It was the late 90s before he set upon the idea of a bar, but after that it was swiftly designed and opened. Modern chic that was somewhat cutting edge for its time, it was a quick draw for Kindred seeking something a little more refined and calm than the usual Anarch haunts and dive bars. Henry never looked to be exclusive, and his manner of a fairly down-to-Earth British migrant never changed, but soon the Sunset Lounge became one of the more popular destinations for those in power, and those seeking to rub shoulders with them.

The importance of the Lounge to the Kindred society of LA only increased as the Elder murders began. In a night of bloody violence, many of the cities most established Kindred were slain, or driven into hiding. Their factions crumbled around them, and retaliatory violence began. The Last Round, previous unofficial Elysium of the Anarch movement in the city was firebombed, along with many other 'safe zones' of the Kindred nights. But among all this, the Sunset Lounge stood. An oasis of calm in stormy seas, for whatever reason, Locke seemed able to keep the situation in hand. This did not sit well with some, looking for a figure to blame.

During Christopher Houghton's brief and bloody period as the declared Baron of LA, one of his most dramatic acts was to pin much of the violence of that night, and which had followed, on Henry Locke, calling for a Blood Hunt. More than this, he accused Henry of working with the Sabbat and Camarilla to weaken the Free State, to leave LA open to outside take over. Whatever their true thoughts on Houghton's ability to rule, or evidence, most of LA's Kindred through their weight behind the Kid, if temporarily, he was a moth to the flame for all those looking the leadership following the deaths of their previous Elders and sanctuaries, and the hammer came down hard on Henry. The same night the Hunt was called for, the Sunset Lounge was destroyed in yet another devastating bombing. Brujah leader, Catlin Monroe, was said to be among those consumed in the blast, doing much to weaken their support for the Kid, early in his reign.

Despite this, Henry survived, or previously escaped the blast, along with Catlin (now known to be Yanci). Through the mysterious Toreador in disguise, he was able to plan something of a reprisal against the Kid, with his errant Childe, Eva. While the Kindred Civil War began in earnest, Christopher never gave up on his search for Henry, committing resources that would have been best securing his rule, to hunting down his latest paranoid haunch. Eventually he got what he desired, Henry Locke brought to him in chains.

Whatever happened that fateful night, the Kid came out the worse, a pincer movement, based on the false victory of capturing Henry, fully exposed him to Eva's gambit and sudden attack. Childe defeated Sire. Those limited few who were there recall a brief, but intense conversation between Henry and Eva, the last she would have before entering Torpor. One of Eva's Coterie, Nathaniel, a Nostferatu, took badly to her apparent abandonment of them, striking back at those he held responsible, namely the rest of Eva's Coteria, Yanci in particular.

Henry's vengeance was swift, before the night was over, Nathaniel was dead, and Henry had joined Yanci in their current roles of running the Free State. Yanci is the obvious Baron for the Kindred to flock to, but Henry's role at large remains a mystery, simply that he is present, and watching. Some might call him a Sheriff to Yanci's Prince, enforcing her law, but those are not words heard from either party.

[Kingfisher]

Name:

Lothaire Loyonia

Age:

Actual 67. Appears late 20’s/Early 30’s.

Species:

Kindred

Clan:

Baali

Generation:

8th Generation

Personality:

Lothaire is a calm, composed individual, who rarely raises his voice, and carries himself with an air of cool sophistication. Whilst he is no stranger to violence, Lothaire does not engage in needless sadism, and outwardly appears to be a reasonably cordial individual, with the exception of extremely tense situations.

The vampire’s gracious demeanor hides a merciless and calculating killer, who will stop and nothing to further his understand of forbidden occult secrets. In a manner more typical of a Tzimisce than most Baali, Lothaire prides himself on his eloquence, and takes great personal offence at displays of impoliteness.

Lothaire views both Kindred and Kine as his own personal playthings, and enjoys studying the intricacies of their respective societies. The vampire delights in his own analysis of the world around him, and is fascinated by that which brings both pleasure and pain to those who cross his path.

Biography:

Lothaire was born in the tiny village of Yerimiheh, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. A small and impoverished community, the people of Yerimiheh lived in an underdeveloped and ill-supplied village, rampant with poverty.

Lothaire himself lived a childhood that was fairly unremarkable for a young man hailing from Yerimiheh, struggling with famine and illiteracy.

When Lothaire reached young adulthood, a man calling himself “Zavala” came to Yerimiheh, who styled himself as a prophet of the Aztec gods; bringing with him a cohort of zealous followers. Zavala had little trouble swaying the natives of Yerimiheh into joining his dark cult, and those who refused him soon found themselves sacrificed in the gruesome rituals that Zavala and his followers performed in the caves outside of Yerimiheh.

Zavala’s cult quickly assumed full control of Yerimiheh, and began using the townspeople as lab rats in their dark experiments. When Lothaire’s little sister was whisked away in the night to be used in one such experiment, the young man brazenly confronted Zavala in a display of defiance that had otherwise gone unseen.

Zavala found Lothaire’s rebellion amusing, and had his followers drag the young man into the caves outside of Yerimiheh, to take part in what he described as a “very special ritual”. Lothaire was brought before a pit of rotting corpses, including that of his sister, before Zavala revealed his true monstrous nature to his hapless prey, and drained him of all but the faintest speck of life. Lothaire was then cast into the pit, near death, and buried beneath a mound of necrotic flesh.

Believing these to be his final moments, Lothaire used the last of his strength to rummage through the pit of corpses in search of his sisters, but when he happened upon the young girl’s body, Lothaire felt something dark and primal calling to him from within her. Clawing through the remains of his sister, Lothaire drank the portion of Zavala’s vampiric blood that the dark one had hidden inside her, and found himself reborn as a member of clan Baali.

Zavala greeted Lothaire with open arms, taking him under his wing as his newest childe, and spent the next few decades teaching him the ways of the occult, as well as affording him the education that he had missed during his childhood.

Lothaire fed off of Zavala’s knowledge, but never forgave him for what he had done to Yerimiheh. Although the vampire became increasingly inhuman as the years went by, he secretly vowed revenge against his sire, and Zavala was far too arrogant to suspect him. Once he was certain that he was starting to surpass Zavala's own dark knowledge, Lothaire trapped his sire, and his followers, in the caves outside of Yerimiheh; lighting a fire which was spread to consume them, and the rest of the village.

After that fateful night, Lothaire began traveling the world in search of greater knowledge of the occult; expanding his understanding of hellish magics, and furthering his own dark plans.

[Rawk]

“Raven of Blackriver”

Name: Nicolaus Strøm
Apparent Age: Thirty-Eight
Actual Age: In the upper three-hundreds if memory serves…

Species: Vampire of clan Ventrue | 7th Generation (reduced by one through diablerie of a Black Hand (Sabbat) Elder)

Disciplines: Dominate / Fortitude / Presence / Auspex / Obfuscate

Misc Ref Info

Clan Feeding Restriction: Romani of Eastern European descent.
Storytelling Note: Among many Ventrue, it was considered a bad omen to associate with the gypsy people, who they considered thieves and murderers. Regardless, Nicolaus keeps this hidden as best he can.

Appearance:
A man of above-average height, Nico stands at six-foot-one, lean muscle, short dark hair with streaks of graying along the sides, and light facial hair which is generally kept short. A series of articulate tattoos of animals, mythos, and symbolic eastern European imagery cover most of his upper body and arms, depicting exploits of centuries past. He carries himself with confidence, tall and proud, a friendly smile to friend and stranger, and a wardrobe designed to accentuate a no nonsense man of integrity and strength of character and will.

Personality:
Pure alpha, dominant, even-tempered, mentally tough, and competitive, Nicolaus gleans with a genuine confidence that very few seem to have in this current age, especially among the younger Kindred. Whereas his demeanor may come off as arrogant, it couldn't be further from the truth. His rough exterior is balanced by a charismatic approach to others and generally friendly disposition.

As a creature struggling with a dark past of unforgivable actions and consequences, he is quite determined to right many wrongs and while he strives for perfection in everything, he rarely achieves it according to his own standards and those imposed by the Ventrue. Yet still he persists.

And a quirk, some would consider “bad form” for a Ventrue (let alone a vampire in general), is that Nicolaus holds onto certain humanistic qualities, such as having food set out during meal times but -as expected- not actually eating, smoking cigars, or simply leaving a pair of glasses in his shirt pocket. Many of his peers consider it a negative reflection on him, but it does little to dissuade the gestures.

Biography

Prague | Blackriver Citadel | circa 1785

“You've been found guilty of treason against your Sabbat brethren, sharing secrets that jeopardize the interests and security of this Sect, and conspiring with the Camarilla!” The thin, pale, dark-haired Lasombra read from an unfurled scroll, eying the caged vampire across from him with much gile and suspicion. “In turn, you have been stripped of your title as ‘Inquisitor’ amongst the Black Hand and are hereby subject to summary judgement by way of a thousand blade cuts and incineration until Final Death has destroyed your existence.” A wry grin formed across the creature’s dried lips. “And mark my words, your confederates will be found and destroyed and you will therefore be stricken from the manuscripts, never to be remembered again.”

“Remembered for what exactly?” The other scoffed, clearly unimpressed with the series of charges that, while true, were still overly exaggerated.

The Lasombra tilted his head slightly as his face contorted into the epitome of anger and disgust. “You Ventrue lackeys are all the same, stubborn to the last, and yet you insult my intelligence by assuming I am not aware of the prestige, the Dignitas, that you’ve managed to acquire for the past one hundred years as a member of the Sabbat?”

He stepped closer to the thick steel bars of the small cell holding the prisoner.

“And if it wasn't for your Sire advocating on your behalf, the Black Hand would have had considerably less tolerance for your continued insolence. In fact, many of us within the Circle are convinced she is just as guilty as her half-wit childe.”

“Kivaria has no part in this I assure you. Keep her out of your little ’witch hunts’.”

“Perhaps.” He paused, steepling his hands. “Regardless, your betrayal has ended here, and will prove fruitless as countermeasures are in place to ensure our secrets are kept well hidden from the outside clans.” The Lasombra smirked, his yellowed teeth peeking through the small slit between his lips. “You know nothing Nicolaus, and you will die a most horrible death with nothing.”

The prisoner stood for a moment as though he were contemplating the words of his accuser. “You may be right, but I am aware of one important fact...”

The Lasombra arched a single eyebrow. “Humor me Ventrue.”

“That you, and you alone, were responsible for the rape, sodomy, decapitation, and burning of the only woman I ever loved. And rather than owning up to such an ’accomplishment’ against a defenseless mortal, you pinned it on my Sire, causing decades of tension and mistrust in the wave of your deceit.”

The Lasombra cackled in a most horrific manner at the other's words. “So this was the catalyst of your treason? A mortal woman? Oh Nicolaus...you are a weaker fool than I thought- ”

“No!” He interrupted, leaning closer to the cage bars as he stared deeper into the darkened eyes of the Sabbat Inquisitor. “You, my friend, are a disgrace to your kind and an insult to all those who follow your skewed perceptions. You are a sack of sludge unworthy of the unlife Caine has granted.”

The Inquisitor snorted as he took a half-step closer to the cage, whispering to the condemned only inches from him. “You will die in the most painful way imaginable, Nicolaus Strøm. Your body will be divided and sent to the four corners of the world as a warning to all who would even consider betraying the Sabbat. You will-”

The Lasombra’s vile speech was suddenly cut short by a long silent dagger jabbed under his chin, and forced up through his skull, penetrating the gray matter within and causing a low guttural sound of blood and bile as it forced its way through his severed vocals. His expression, once full of smugness, had transformed into petrified fear, as streams of thick blood ran down the assailant's weapon hand and his target’s ceremonial black cloak.

“I will live...” Nicolaus hissed through clenched teeth as he twisted the steel dagger, causing the low squishing and popping sounds of cartilage and brain tissue. “And I will see that the Sabbat pay in blood, even it takes me until my last nights.” He pulled the dagger quickly from the vampire’s bloodied head, and immediately pierced his heart, which caused the Lasombra to instantly go rigid as the very source of the creature’s unlife was struck the final debilitating blow. And with the blade embedded firmly in place, Nicolaus grabbed the keys to free himself from the cell, allowing the stiff body to fall hard against the stone floor, before kneeling down next to the dying Sabbat Elder.

“And by the way.” He said, pushing the vampire’s head to one side and exposing his long, veiny neck. “Kivaria gives her regards...”

And with that, the Ventrue sank his fangs deep, draining every last bit of the creature’s vitae, his essence, his soul, and with it a renewal of strength surged through Nicolaus as the stroke of Final Death took the withered and rotting corpse of the Sabbat.

------------------------------------------------------

Countless decades ticked away on the great clock of immortality, as time was trivial to one who lived forever. Nicolaus was on the run, embedding himself into the Underground realms of Europe, Asia, and eventually, the Americas, building up what he had lost when he severed his ties to the Black Hand of the Sabbat, and much of the Kindred world for that matter. For over two centuries he kept hidden among the mortals, gaining vital contacts, amassing wealth from various business deals, investments, and black market transactions. If living amongst the Ventrue had done anything, it increased a sense of resourcefulness and survival, and his various professional backgrounds and a solid business acumen allowed access into the upper echelons of society where he could keep tabs on both kindred and kine from a safe distance. However, as with any influential individual with a network spanning multiple continents, the shadow that once covered him was slowly fading away as the light of truth and Kindred interests crept back into his life.

Among the handful of Camarilla clans, Garou within the Glasswalker tribe, and mortal business partners who had dealings with him, his Ventrue brethren had the most interest (and gain) from his influence, and as trust developed over many decades, his acceptance into their Sect had become a natural occurrence. The Elder Ventrue of Los Angeles invited him to join their ranks and enter into a pact with the Camarilla, hoping his vast network would allow their clan to continue greatness and stability in an otherwise Anarch-driven society. Even as much, Nicolaus not only had to prove himself to the Inner Circle -and those leaders within control of the Free State-but to his own clan, gaining sought after Dignitas that was lost to the ages, which would again place him amongst the elite of his kind.

Eventually he was appointed the “Servire” position, assisting the Archons of that time with intel and just about any other duties required. Near the tail-end of the Twentieth Century, as Lucinde was selected as Justicar representing clan Ventrue, one of her first tasks was to hunt and capture the notorious Samedi diablerist, Genina, which she did, increasing her prestige amongst much of the kindred population. For Nicolaus and his part in assisting Lucinde and her coterie, he was appointed position of Archon, allowing virtually unhindered freedoms in order to bring those kindred who are in severe violation of the Traditions to justice, whether by trial or fire.

Nicolaus knew, however, that the exploits of his life leading up to present would come full circle, and that two events were inevitable: His sire would resurface and come for him as either friend or otherwise, and the Sabbat would track him down to exact their own twisted brand of judgement…

Notable NPC retainers & contacts (WIP)

Aside from several Servire at his disposal, below are key NPCs utilized to better solidify the information gathering network:

Jack: (Nosferatu) contact and friend. Works as a jazz pianist. Was quite a handsome man before being embraced by the singer, who'd use Obfuscate to mask her true image. Nico saved his life during a Sabbat attack on his lair. Jack keeps tabs on the comings and goings of those kindred and kine who may frequent establishments he plays at and also uses what pull he has to lend any Underground intel. He also acts as a guide to Nico if the need arises to traverse vast networks of sewers and tunnels.

Detective Marcus Elliot: (Mortal retainer) Works out of LA precinct

Samuel Hunt: (Mortal retainer) High-powered Corporate Lawyer working out of LA

[Briza]

Esther Puniceus

𝓔sther 𝓟uniceus

☨

Kindred │ Ventrue │ 8^th Generation │ 800+

𝓟ersonality

Cradled with the pompous peasantry of the Dream and clothed with the woven tapestry's of the truth's beautiful antiquities, Esther aligns her instrumental tune to the otherworldly harmonies with a gracefully pensive and distant ease of derision. Esther is steadfast in her beliefs and passive amongst conversations that try to sway her objective thoughts from her own knowledge of seeking. She prefers filling herself with the golden riches of history, and the past becomes ever more favorable in Esther's eyes as the secular lenses of modern society continuously kaleidoscopes into a crumbling entropy of foul smells and post-modern chaos.

She has little use for the workings of society and has given-up caring for coherence since the Romantic period, which was not as highly as elaborate or decadent as the lovely Baroque period. The intelligence of the World had dimmed its path in the likeness of the Enlightenment, and here she was, too pristine in her reflection to make small gossip about the dying world that the Camarilla was trying to preserve. However, it was true, this life was precious, each with its very own internal universe. Unfortunately, Esther can barely read the map of her own universal existence, lost to the soulless winds of the Embrace.

The Kindred's own journey has trained Esther to keep her nose nobly where it belongs, proven to be a much more efficient time spent of immortality, and thus, her dismissive, uninterested state could also be described as carelessly snobby, which is not too terribly far from the truth. In fact, it has been very well proven, she will not hesitate to bite when duty calls, as is tradition of her nature. For such reasons, she is seen with respect as an eloquently trusted keeper of secrets in certain parts of the Camarilla. However, playing puppeteer has never fancied this Ventrue. She prefers to be the one who purchased tickets to the show, sitting quietly in the shadows of the audience with her evening purse and date — judging the act.

𝓑iography

During the wake of the Long Night, the Sun was gleaming behind the triumphal arch of New Rome, offering a warm entrance of refuge from the setting Sun of the West as the Dream prospered in the haven of the smokey incense and reflective grandiose splendor like a golden halo in the midst of the Dark Ages. It was the end of the 11th Century when the illuminating manuscriptured Monastery of Studius was sliding from the centre of Byzantine religious poetry. However, despite the disposition, during this ending era of glorious hymnography, Esther Poniceus was born to a noble family, graced with prosperous wealth and an abundance of lavish privileges. Her parents raised her with great strictness through private tutors for education and the arts, grooming her in hopes of a more prominent future than the one they inherited from their ancestors. The same treatment was granted to her other siblings, dressed in the same vestments of honor and truth. Above all, the Poniceus family was taught the importance of upholding the beautiful, and in such a time, it was hard to miss the ancient beauty that embellished their furnishings and lifestyle.

The crude of their living was received as a merciful gift of Confession and the ever-flowing miracle of the Eucharist. There were threads of hope, sewn into silk garments that held true to Esther's heart that one day she might be chosen to be Empress if her prayerful life could be magnified. However, as time seemed to pass, fleetingly in perspective amongst aristocrats, there seemed to be no significant worth in holding her material riches so close to her heart. The fine scents and soft weaves were illusions of what was yet to come, as taught by the scholars of the Roman Empire. The only warmth she could find was from the burning flames that flickered on the Holy Table and the skip in her heartbeat when the taper-bearer Rodericus Terzi illumned the Divine Litrugy on the path walked by the hypodeacon. No riches in the world could express the burn of her rosy emotions flushed inside the embroidery of her head covering when she watched him light the candles.

Esther's prayers were not unnoticed by Rodericus. Perhaps it was her patterned attire, richly dyed and fitted for regalia, binding her to the costumes of the mosaic saints depicted on the walls of the Church. While mutual matrimonial love existed during he Dream, Esther's privileged lifestyle condoned any sort of romance between the two neighboring parties involved. For the Poniceus' family, Rodercius was not as wealthy of afamily and sharing Holy Matrimony with him was the antithesis of how Esther was raised. For the Terzi family, a covenant had been made that Rodercius would denounce the world and wear the monastic vows of a new name while abiding his remaining time inside the teachings of the Monastery of Studius. The two disciples were adamant not to part from each other but also determined not to be disobedient to the will of their parents, most often associated with that of the Divine Will. Both conjured a plan for Esther to cross-dress and join the Monastery. And that is what they did. At the age of sixteen, Esther disappeared from her home to took up living as a monk, side-by-side former Robericus for three years.

In 1204, the Crusaders destroyed the Monastery. She watched as the murals and pillars holding the city together were pillaged, alongside many of her brothers and elders that dwelled in the monastic family. The Esther was not spared during the Lasombra attack. She tried to find Rodericus before making her way to the Cathedral for protection. However, she failed broken-heartedly in both attempts and was capture, and for the first time during her monastic struggle, it was discovered that there was a female living abreast the monks, untouched and unsoiled.

She was miraculously saved by an Elder Monk who having gone to protect the Library of Saint Jean Studius, Elder Name, a Ventrue, bestowed some sort of mercy upon her as a young virgin, attempting to fend off the hungry Crusaders who had maimed and heavily wounded the nun before attempting to deflower her. Elder Name was willing to die protecting the Library, but it must have been Esther's astonishing rendition of expose that turned his attention to save the rarity from perishing. The obedient Kindred, having willed her mortal life as a nun for a romantic relationship that would never blossom in the likeness of Marriage was righteous in purity and blood. There was no doubt in his mind that she would make a worthy Ventrue, full of dignitas and noble respect for the etiquette of the Clan:

Elder Name instilled in her the knowledge that she had saved him the night of her Embrace; yet he had also died that night in Face for having withdrawn his aid from the Library of Saint Jean Studius. She was not to disrespect him in any way, shape, or form. He was her Sire even after Final Death. Thus, her training was founded on the obedient hierarchy of which granted her First Death. He taught her the Truth and opened her eyes to the powers of the Undead. Elder Name thickened her knowledge and skin with trials and tribulations, all to be expected of him as a Ventrue Sire. He unveiled the lies she had been living as a human and stripped her cassock for more worldly beauties that resounded trinklets of delicate lace and frou-frou intricacies of the historical ordination that was paving the carpets in the World of Darkness. However, underneath her feminine assuage, a masculine boldness was pressed under her thumb: For the love of Rodericus, under the dearest Obedience of Elder Name, she would honor the Dark Father, through Enoch the Wise.

After her acceptance as a Ventrue, Esther made her way to the Empire of Nicea to live under Anna Comnena and made herself useful with the calligraphic education from the Monastery of Studius, by corresponding and helping transcribe the traditional manuscripts sought forth by John III. This skill later resurrected itself for her after the shattering death of the Marble Emperor John Paleologus Constantine in 1453 and the awakening from the Dream, when Esther continued pursuing the dead Cainite Dream, theorized as a Third Rome gloriously under Moscow’s gold, shining forth like the halos of New Rome during the Darkness Ages and helped the Kindred against the Lupine. The Ventrue traced her works with the literary genre of hagiography in pleasure to the Toreador (as her secret honor to Mi-ka-il's desertion of Western Rome) and preserved the art through the Enlightenment and sacredly scribing her political career eventually with the Russian's new found love of ballet and then as the Russian-American Company recorder who covered the details of the Camarilla's workings in North America on Kodiak Island (infamously known for Abbot Symeon Ivanovich Yanovsky's misinterpretation of the hagiography of Saint Herman of Alaska spread by of Valaam Monastery).

A year after the War of 1812 fueled between The United States of America and the British Empire and the end of the Russo-Persian War, she was captured by the Society of Leopold, under the guise of Inquisition of the Jesuit Order, imposing themselves on the heretics of the Russian Orthodox Church — as Esther reported incorrectly. There were many others taken captive and imprisoned Mission Dolores, California and eventually martyred. Esther escaped with several others by an acquaintance of her sire. The Kindred's alternate identity was "Ivan Kiglay." The Ventrue is still unsure of what his real name is, but there was something unquestionably stern about the Malkavian's presence that made inquiring further on his truth would be disrespectful and thus a strike against Elder Name.

Ivan and Esther took refuse in Fort Ross for some years. Ivan claimed that there would be a Rebellion that would oust the Kindred Princes in Russia; the golden opportunity would be snuffed by an iron shadow. His presence was needed in the conducting of political affairs in Fort Ross as the Russian presence became more influential. When Don Sebastian became Prince in 1870 of San Pedro, Los Angeles, Esther parted ways with Ivan, finding more dignity in the artistic developments conspiring south of For Ross. It was in Los Angeles that Esther resided under the Camarilla with anthological literacy and helped flourish the City of Angel's poetry scene through her Ancient hymnography skills. She has weaved herself through the music culture, keeping strictly to the fundamental classics that have helped pave the foundation for several celebrities in the pop light. Esther also has a strong hold in connecting the past to the present and operates several museums in Los Angeles. Despite the Civil Wars and political upheavals, Esther has kept to the shadows as opposed to exercising her Ventrue lust for power. There is a time and a place for everything, and as an Kindred, Esther has found that doing everything at once takes way too much time for such a short immortality.

𝓝𝓟𝓒s

➺ Grigoriev, Alexandra - Esther's Retainer, Ghoul, and daylight operator of her Domain. She is carrying on Yuri Grigoriev School of Ballet (see below) legacy.

➺ Grigoriev, Yuri - Esther's Childe. Esther embraced him several years ago. His whereabouts are currently off the scene of the Yuri Grigoriev School of Ballet. He is in communication with the Federation of Russia through the Russian Orthodox Church, holding ties with Patriarch Kirill.

➺Hanks, Tom - Esther's Ally. He is a famous American actor and filmmaker and is known for his comedic and dramatic roles. He attends the same church that Chester Charles Bennington and Chris Cornell attended.

➺ Kiglay, Ivan - Kindred friend to Major Russell Bell, the Malkavian Clan Whip and also, Sire of Peter Lapin (see below).

➺ Lapin, Peter - A Malkavian she has been bound with duty to protect in respect to "Ivan Kiglay."

➺ Miracle Mile - After the opening of Disneyland, Esther acquired the Neighborhood. Miracle Mile offers Esther a hand in shadowing her Ventrue powers as part of her domain.

➺Yuri Grigoriev School of Ballet - The Domain operated by her Retainer and Ghouls who teach. (see above).

[Ruby]

Name: Yanci Carolina
Age: 218 (Appears early 20s.)
Clan: Toreador
Generation: 7th
Title: Baron of Los Angeles and San Diego.

Biography:

In the early 1800s Spain's colonies in the region now called the Americas began fighting for independence, one by one. Even prior to the spirit of independence reaching Mexico, Spain's hard-pressed navy could not spare ships to bring supplies to the missions, presidios, and pueblos north of San Diego. Thus, in the dozen years that followed, local authorities relaxed restrictions on trading with non-Spanish merchants so that the colony could survive, and Californians became accustomed to contact with sailors, traders, hunters, and trappers from England, France, Russia, and, of course, the United States.

In 1821, Mexico achieved her independence, and word of this event reached Alta California the following year. The colonial policies of the republic were to be quite different from those of the Spanish monarchy. Not only were Californians allowed to trade with foreigners, but foreigners could also now hold land in the province once they had been naturalized and converted to Catholicism. Under Spain, land grants to individuals were few in number, and title to these lands remained in the hands of the crown. Under Mexican rule, however, governors were encouraged to make more grants for individual ranchos, and these grants were to be outright. Most important, the new Mexican republic was determined to move to "secularize" the missions, to remove the natives and the mission property from the control of the Franciscan missionaries.

It was the process of removing the natives and the mission property from the Franciscans that led the Kindred Eva to the remote mission in which Yanci lived. Eva's mortal eyes and ears reported signs of abuse and trauma of many of the women and girls at the mission; that very night Eva appeared at the mission. There she stalked and lurked, eventually finding her way to the singing of a young Yanci in a locked tiny bedroom, creating a night's sky on pieces of scrap with little more than charcoal and shading. The mysterious woman asked Yanci through the door's cast iron covered small window (the only window of any kind for the locked room) why she was locked in. What she had done.

Yanci replied she was born a woman, and pretty, and the Franciscans accused her of sin. The woman asked what sins, and Yanci confessed Satan had created her to tempt the Franciscans. So they locked her away, until they visited her at night, when no one saw. There they "blessed" her. Eva closed the window without a word. Soon after that Yanci began to hear the screaming. When Yanci heard the key entered into the door's keyhole, she quickly stood next to the bed, as ordered when the Franciscans entered. Instead of the cruel monks, it was a beautiful woman resplendent in the kind of clothing Yanci had never seen before. The woman offered Yanci her hand, and though she hesitated, something deep inside told Yanci to take it. She did, and never looked back.

Yanci was taken to a rancho near the sea, in what would in modern nights be Malibu. There Eva would embrace her, and teach her. Though other Kindred in the area seemed cruel or blunt, there was a true artfulness to Eva, both in demeanor and spirit. Where the beast within seemed to dominate most others Yanci ran into, there was always more to Eva. Through Eva she met Christopher, a child to Yanci, but yet Eva's sire. In Eva the Kid found the mother he never knew, and in Eva Yanci found a friend, a sister. While Christopher toyed with cruel men, Eva focused him on the surrounding area, on what could be. Once Christopher the Kid saw the surrounding land as a blank canvas, inspiration and motivation came. Their work truly then began.

Over the years Don Sebestian was named Prince, a Camarilla Prince, though as isolated and far as they were...it was Camarilla in name only. His rule was simple, but civil enough. It lasted as long as he held the Kid's favor. When famed Anarch Jeremy MacNeil arrived in Los Angeles, the Kid found a new favorite. In desperation Don Sebestian came to Eva, who immediately asked him to leave. With no ally in Eva, Sebestian turned to force MacNeil out of California by force. His actions did nothing but polarize the Kindred community against him. MacNeil did his best Braveheart impression, and the Anarch Revolution in California was on, secretly supported by Christopher the Kid; picking his new favorite over his old favorite.

Nearly all would believe Jeremy MacNeil the new Anarch leader of this new "Free State." That was no accident, by then Christopher and Eva had started their newest project after Los Angeles had finally begun to become what they had envisioned. Hollywood, by 1944, was already established...but there the Kid and Eva clashed. Christopher was happy to leave Hollywood at where is tood in 1944. To him, the painting was complete. Eva disagreed. Christopher's departure from Hollywood left a void; a void Eva used Yanci to fill. Yanci became instrumental in forming Hollywood unions for everything from stunt pilots to studio hands. Meanwhile Eva worked with Hollywood to assist in World War II, aware of the Kindred politics at play behind it.

Once WWII ended, the status quo returned. The Anarchs began enacting their grand plan, all but MacNeil unaware of the true powers of the area. While Yanci and MacNeil became relatively friendly, Eva and MacNeil were icecold: a result of MacNeil slandering Hollywood and it's role in the city. To MacNeil, the city would be better off without "the types" that Hollywood brought. To Eva the Scot was stuck in the past with no vision for the future outside his fanatical drive for Anarch freedom. Eva couldn't relate: she had never, ever, known the real reach and strength of the Camarilla or the Sabbat. Aware of the changing nature of the LA streets, Eva asked Yanci for a favor:

Go undercover, allow Eva to make Yanci's prescence be that of an 11th Generation Brujah Anarch.

When the Camarilla made a new push into the city behind Sebastian LaCroix. It did not end well for LaCroix, and the fallout created a political tinderbox in the Kindred world. Though the Anarchs would once again regain control, they once again did so simply because Christopher the Kid supported MacNeil, and Eva was too preoccupied with Hollywood to care, so long as Los Angeles itself (her first work of art) wasn't in true danger. Again the status quo returned, and time marched on. (The first WoD game on the Guild events.)

The Kid became unstable just years later, and publically announced himself to the Kindred world. The move forced Eva public, as she claimed the title of Baron of Los Angeles. While Eva had helped keep the Kid stable, not even she could help him anymore. At this point, Eva realized there was no saving Christopher. It had come to conflict between them. In the Rants that followed the 11th Generation Brujah Anarch Catlin Monroe that seemed to be friends with everyone revealed herself to be the 7th Generation Toreador, Yanci. She spoke on Eva's behalf, explained her task to make sure Eva never lost touch with the Anarchs on the LA streets. That she never lost sight of her city from any ivory tower.

The voluntary honesty helped, Yanci will tell you. Others will say Yanci's honesty and passion in the Rants won the Anarchs over enough to keep Christopher from dominating them, and turned her into a true Kindred leader. Where many young Anarchs were uneasy about Eva, they at least trusted Yanci not to screw them over to the Camarilla. They all knew she hated the Sabbat, in large part thanks to their religious zeal. Yet none of them knew much Eva, so Yanci told them. Christopher turned to Eva in his crazed paranoia, having lost all touch with reality, accusing relative unknown Henry Locke of being villain and spy.

Before the larger battle of Christopher and his vs the Kindred who saw Christopher for what he was, the real battle begun. In the basement of a Malibu mansion burnt out from a recent wildfire, Eva finally turned on Christopher with Yanci, and Henry, by her side. The events that followed have never been made clear, or public, but the result was clear: Christopher the Kid was no more. Eva went into torpor, many assuming she diablerized the Kid, though everyone seems to have their own opinion on her motives. In her place Yanci was named Baron of Los Angeles and San Diego, just in time for the widespread fighting to break out. (2nd game events.)

The fighting cost Eva and Yanci dearly: all of their coterie but Gwendalyn Vance met Final Death. After the betrayal of the Anarch Baron of San Diego switching sides to the Camarilla was met with violence so quick, so sudden, other Kindred assume that the Kindred who helped created California had secret allies in San Diego that were playing the newly minted San Diego Prince. Whatever the process, Prince Tara met her final death, and Yanci returned to Los Angeles as the Baron of Los Angeles and San Diego.

[EvenGODSfall]

Name: Syn De Rais
Age: Resembling the age of twenty-six years of age by humanities standards, Syn’s actual age is long forgotten having been turned at the turn of the 13th century.
Species: Seventh Generation Cainite of Clan Lasombra.
Disciplines: Obtenebration, Dominate and Potence

Personality:

Beneath the façade of even temperament and intellectual resides the inner workings of a Machiavellian with sadistic desires. A firm belief in the theory of social Darwinism, Syn views himself as the apex of evolution and all creatures are beneath the feet of kindred, thus deserve to die – Horribly – and for his pleasure. Considered an Alpha personality, he conducts himself with a supernatural dominance and control. Considerable in his lifespan, He cared little for other clans often only caring to protect his own clan and bring glory to the Camarilla by any means necessary.

However, Syn has shown a softer countenance to those he would allow close enough to be considered friends and not food. Often providing advice through cryptic or intellectual puzzles and entering frays to protect them should he have too.
Syn’s bloodlust has ascended above those of the socially accepted norm. As such he has conducted acts of diablerie multiple times without remorse or care for the rules. Kindred, Human and Garou alike were all food sources.

Considering his dominant, sadistic and malicious personality traits, oddities have formed over his life in the form of obsessions. For kindred unable to bestow a cursory glance upon his own reflection, Syn spends considerable time and wealth to ensure that he is presentable to all audiences of Kindred and human populace at all moments of the day. His shirts must always be pressed, coat’s always neat and ties square with bronze pin and cuffs. Pedantic in the way he dresses reveals his biggest flaw – vanity.

Biography:

Turned one undesirable night, the kiss was intoxicating as much as the woman that relinquished his morality. Syn took her last name – De Rais. Under the cold, manipulative touch of Lady Vanessa, Syn, a humble vintner from the southern landscapes of France shed the radiance of humanity only to consume and be consumed by the loving caress of darkness. Lady Vanessa would be the first to show him a world of delight, desire of the macabre kind but would certainly not be the last.

Moving from estate to estate, Syn studied the lore of his new family. The histories of the kindred and their beliefs, it consumed him as much as the hunger did. At first, he hated it, the idea of kill or be killed remained steadfast in his core beliefs resulting in him often falling into ravenous starvation before he would begin to feed. Over time however he would begin to relish in the hunt – hand picking his victims like he would the grapes to make his wines.

The consummation of sanguine delicacies consumed him, the hunger controlled him and held its vice grip strong. A master of his silver tongue, manipulation and vanity his allure. His brand of intoxicating lust allowed him to sate his addiction, first with human women, then men, then children before it turned to the supernatural. Spiralling, he plummeted towards ground zero in which all addicts found themselves except when a helping hand reached out to save him from his personal hell he didn’t take it, instead he sunk his teeth in and drank it dry.
Lady Vanessa was the first, his first taste of kindred blood and its orgasmic taste bringing euphoria and for the first time in a long-time satisfaction to his desires. Faced with the repercussions of his actions Syn left France and circumnavigated his way across various countries. Settling only briefly, leaving destruction in his wake.

At current, Syn has settled into Los Angeles where he has returned to his youthful occupation after centuries except for making boutique small batch scotch instead of wine, which has bought him some form of fame and fortune for his skills. With a small bar called Gallery 66 which is where he conducts his business and sales of his small batches of scotch. On occasion he opens Gallery 66 to the larger populace for parties and upper-class raves in which he can conduct his empire’s expansion.

Markus 'Battlepaw' Matthews

Name: Markus ‘Battlepaw’ Matthews
Age: Appears Twenty Three, Recorded Age is Fourty-One.
Species: Garou – Black Spiral Dancer
Appearance: Standing Six foot, nine inches tall Markus is of imposing height matched with a large rugged physique matched with extensive muscular growth bringing with it a hulking upper. Markus’ form is best described as a professional powerlifter at peak performance. Coupled with dark mahogany eyes, short cut beard and moustache and silver slithers of various scars that riddle neck and right side of his face. He exuded an aura best described as ‘fuck off.’
Personality: Markus is Cunning, Manipulative, Loyal, Blunt and very Hostile.
Biography: Markus is tied to Syn via a deal made in his weakest hour. Syn helped cover his breach of the veil during a frenzy – even black spiral dancers followed that Litany rule. Prior to this event Syn knows nothing of Markus’ history which is out of mutual respect. Markus has been a spy for Syn in the workings of the Sabbat, having formed a connection with the Hive in San Francisco which is a current warzone. Markus comes to Gallery 66 often to inform Syn of Sabbat movements and possible dealings in Los Angeles.
Markus also does Syn’s ‘dirty work’ on occasion finding Syn those he requires to kill, maim or simply intimidate in order to expand business by corrupting or conducting smear campaigns on other breweries and companies often ran by the Sabbat.

[Ruby]

Name: Gwendalyn Nicole Vance
Age: 93 (Appears early 20s)
Clan: Toreador
Generation: 7th
Sire: Eva

Bio:

A pretty mid-western farm girl that never lacked in charm or talent. Arriving in Hollywood in the mid 1940s, Gwendalyn was certain she would be a big star. It was just a matter of time. Where some girls get lucky with their Hollywood dreams, Gwendalyn Vance was not one of those lucky girls. The victim of a crooked Hollywood pretender and a mob boss, Gwendalyn very quickly found herself the victim of a system set up to use and abuse naive young girls who came to Hollywood with no more than dreams and talent. One night she was sobbing into her cup of coffee (the only thing she could afford in all the world) in the back of a LA 24 hour diner when a voice appeared at the edge of the table:

"What ever is the matter lovely girl?

When Gwendalyn looked up she saw Eva for the first time, smiling and warm. Gwendalyn told the woman everything, instantly, even though Gwendalyn hadn't told anyone anything before; she was still lying to her family back home. Eva offered Gwendalyn her hand without another word...it was a leap of faith that this mysterious seemed to want from Gwendalyn. Desperate and tired of being hurt, Gwendalyn lept. Gwendalyn would watch as Eva and Yanci destroyed the Hollywood wanna-be in every fashion imaginable. All three women would watch as the wanna-be shot himself in the head...that ending Eva's mercy for the man.

Gwendalyn was there years later when Eva and Yanci, literally, burned down the mobster's little crime empire. Just when then actual Hollywood actress Gwendalyn thought the two women would end him, Eva took her. There was pain, Gwendalyn recalls faintly, but in the moment and even in memory what Gwendalyn was overcame with was...pleasure. When she woke up, the Beast wanted blood. The mobster that had beat her into submission as his personal arm candy play thing was shoved into the room with only the just awoken Gwendalyn. She has never forgotten the sound of his screaming, the futile flailing of his body.

Her acting career short but memorable, Gwendalyn felt sated on every possible level. All she wanted at that point was to stay with Eva and Yanci forever. Over time Gwendalyn learned just what Eva was, not in vampirism, but in function: Eva was behind not just Hollywood, not just Los Angeles, but much of California. Eva was certain Gwendalyn could help her in this impossibly large task. So Gwendalyn went to work behind the scenes, instead of in front of the camera.

She fell in love when she met a Kindred LA thug named Andre, the man who fought his way to Eva's side, in the 80s. She lost Andre in the fighting that resulted when the Kid went mad, just as she lost most of her coterie mates. Though she did not technically lose Eva, her sire's physical absence due to torpor has hit Gwendalyn especially hard. Before Andre the only person who Gwendalyn felt truly safe around was Eva. After Andre, even Eva was taken from her. Though she loves Yanci, though the two are lovers, they both know that Gwendalyn clings to Yanci out of need.

Recently Gwendalyn has begun to find her footing. While Yanci was left as the Baron, Eva left Hollywood with Gwendalyn. The mid-west farm girl with stars in her eyes now runs Hollywood from behind the scenes. It's the thrill of any lifetime for Gwendalyn, and though Yanci had fears Gwendalyn would be too emotionally shaken to do well, Gwendalyn has done better than anyone but Eva imagined she would. Now Gwendalyn has a strength and confidence all her own, and she remains lovers with Yanci out of affection, not need.

[Letter Bee]

Gwen Strong

Name: Gwen Strong

Age: 35 but appears 25

Species: Mage.

Appearance:



Personality: Gwen is a protective person towards those under her care, as well as those she finds innocent, mostly Sleepers. Although adverse to Vampires and their machinations, the Mage is pragmatic enough to know that if her new organization is to survive, she needs whatever help she can get. Once a believer in the cause of the Technocracy, Gwen's disillusionment with both it and the Traditions' programmes has led her to believe that all major Mage organizations were in error to keep the Sleepers controlled, misinformed, and miseducated. Despite the good intentions of all of them, Gwen has come to the conclusion that most Magi are (unintentionally at best) preying on the Sleepers.

And that must be stopped.

Biography: Gwen's first memories were living a life in the streets, before being taken in by a charity in San Francisco, which later turned out to be a front for the New World Order, one of the Technocracy's Conventions. She then remembers being taken care of, and observed for the potential to Awaken; this potential was fulfilled in late adolescence. She thus became an agent for the Technocracy itself as soon as she reached legal adulthood. Stationed in San Francisco, she participated in several missions against 'Reality Deviants', clearing out several Traditions Cabals in the aftermath of the Avatar Storm. Many Mages were killed, others were captured, some to vanish from Technocracy records.

Gwen, on a whim, decided to investigate the fate of those who had vanished; instead of being subjected to gilgul, the act of severing one's Magi soul, the vanished Traditions Magi instead had their brains used to power a new class of HITMark. This, in turn, was allowed because the project in question was ran by a secret cell of Nephandi that had infiltrated the Technocracy and were using the latter's hatred of 'Reality Deviants' to encourage corrupt and sadistic tendencies within the organization. And Gwen didn't know if her superiors had been subverted, nor was she stupid enough to act alone.

So, she sought out the Harbingers of Avalon and the Friends of Courage, as well as information on the Technocracy's past as the Order of Reason. Not just that, but she also acquired and persued all the information on the Traditions and other, smaller organizations of Magi that can be accessed. This time, Gwen parsed over the information with a clear mind, trying to be as objective as possible. And it was then that she realized something about the Technocracy: It had lost its way. No, all major Mage organizations have lost their way, or never walked it in the first place. By neglecting or abusing the Sleepers, by not valuing how they and their beliefs propped up Magi, the Awakened have denied themselves Ascension.

This had to stop, even if it meant committing treason to do it. But not even the Harbingers of Avalon or Friends of Courage would help her, except for a few.who were radical even for them. And so, using what contacts she can, Gwen arranged for the transfer of herself and her new 'friends' to LA, where an opportunity had appeared to form a new amalgalm (a Technocracy cell whose members were drawn from multiple sub-organizations). There, she sought out the local Vampires, and swallowed her distaste long enough to negotiate for protection from them in exchange for what services the Awakened can provide.

Then, with her back covered by protection from Eva's coteire, Gwen announced her betrayal in the most blatant way possible: She and a few other Magi snuck into a secret Technocracy prison using a Correspondence portal/gate, and freed several Traditions prisoners; some which she had put in there in the first place. Barely making it back to Los Angeles with their freed captives, Gwen then released a video message proclaiming the formation of the Reborn Craftmasons, and inviting people from both the Technocracy and Traditions to flock to her banner. Surprisingly, some did, enough to encourage her in her road to war...

Gwen Strong's Spheres are Prime (Level 4), Forces and Correspondence (Level 3), Life (Level 2), Entropy (Level 1).

NPCs:

Edwin Carter - A former Iteration X engineer who was disillusioned with the Transhumanist ethos of the Convention, and decided to side with Gwen; he also has the ability to create Primium, a material that negates supernatural attacks and defenses and which can harm Werecreatures like Silver can. Has Prime (Level 3), Matter (Level 4), and Forces (Level 3).

Meredith Ann Mae - A former Syndicate member who joined the Reborn Craftmasons because of disillusionment with the corporate structure and monopolies taking control of everything. She believes that if there is an 'Invisible Hand' of rational self-interest driving the global economy, then it must be freed from large organizations taking advantage of it - not just governments, but corporations. Has sided with Priscilla in founding the Reborn Craftmasons' 'New Coin Initiative'. Has Entropy (Level 3), Prime (Level 3), and Mind (Level 3).

Lance Joyous - A member of the Traditions' Celestial Chorus who has been won to the Reborn Craftmasons' views; God sides with the poor and oppressed, does he not? Acting as the 'Knight' of the R. Craftmasons, Lance is a bruiser who qualifies as a Special Forces soldier even before using Magic. Has Prime (Level 3), Forces (Level 3), Life (Level 3), Mind and Time (Level 1).

Craftmasons Reborn/Reborn Craftmasons

Organization: The Craftmasons Reborn

Origins: Several Local Traditions and Technocracy Cabals in the LA Area decided to give both organizations a big 'fuck you' and restore the Craftmasons instead.

Beliefs: Where the Traditions and Technocracy went wrong was that they decided to tell the Sleepers what to think, instead of teaching them how to think. Their methods involve the stronger dictating what the weaker believed; whether it was Faith or Reason, not allowing the common people to choose for themselves, for good or for ill. After all, aren't they better? Aren't they more 'Enlightened' and 'Awakened'?

Well, guess what? The common people are the ones that provide you with food, shelter, roads, and believers. They are the backbone that provides you with the necessary needs for survival so that you can 'lead and theorize' from your ivory towers. We have had enough of you putting them down as 'muscle power' or worse.

And so our ideology is this: The Sleepers must be allowed to choose what shape reality takes. We can argue with them, present the facts to them, teach them how to think clearly and recognize their biases, but we can no longer coerce them. Reality belongs to the Sleepers; Meaning and Identity are as important as Knowledge. Believe it.

[YungTweak]

Smarts

Name: Daisy 'Smarts' Jett

Age: 21/35

Species: Kindred

Clan: Malkavian

Generation: 10th

Appearance: Looks much like in the picture shown above. She couldn't have stood taller than 5'6" and weighed a little over 120 pounds. Her frame was lithe and her build was barely athletic. Long, matted dreadlocks flow from her mess of hair, adorned with crushed bottle caps and twine. A single bell is tied to one of her dreads, jingling as she moves. A pair of thick framed glasses rest on her face, above piercing blue eyes. Her clothes were simple and filthy and she wore heavy rubber boots. The woman carried a backpack that was equipped with a sleeping bag and other assorted gear.

Personality: The seemingly young girl is childish in nature, giving the impression that she is even more youthful than her apparent age. She would be oddly cheerful in most circumstances, trying to make the best out of most situations. It was clear that she saw things differently than other people however. Smarts would often treat people as if they were someone else completely, sometimes not even able to recognize whom she had previously encountered. It also seems that her flow of time is not consistent, as she would act confused by any mention of it. Still, her actions were oddly meticulous, able to take care of herself, avoiding sunlight, and properly intertwining into situations she saw fit. Although she has no need for the glasses, Smarts wears them because she claims that they help her see past obstructions. The young woman acts as if this gives her some foresight into future events, though these are hard for her to decode as they seem to have both already happened and currently be happening as well.

Generally, she could be seen as fairly kind, perhaps gentle in nature, hardly seeing any potential danger in the world around her... at least from an outsider's perspective. Though she could be hard or even impossible to understand and was prone to making questionable decisions. One who was aware of her situation might even take some pity upon her, as from time to time she seemed flustered by her inability to express herself to others.

Biography: Unlike many of her peers, Smarts only knew the relatively modern world. She had a fairly average existence for most of her life in Dayton, Ohio. Through her teenage years she had started to fall to drug addiction however and was soon kicked out of her home. Dropping out of school and living on the streets, Smarts was seemingly destined for a life of destitution and struggle. Everything changed one night when she met a stranger passing through the city, whom introduced her into the world of Darkness.

His name was Thaddeus, a traveler whom seemed lost and confused, though willing to share a meal and a bottle of booze with the young woman one night. He claimed that an otherworldly force had guided him there, calling for him to meet Smarts. Although she just chalked it up to the man being mentally unstable. Later in the night, he performed the embrace upon Smarts, changing her into a Kindred. When the young woman came to, she had found herself feeding upon a nearby homeless man, overseen by Thaddeus.

Thaddeus told her that she had been gifted and was now to exist for a greater purpose. Of course, she didn't believe this at first, and even shunned her sire, departing from him. She soon found herself struggling with her new identity however. Smarts discovered an aversion for the sun, a need for blood, and strange things starting to happen around her. Scared and confused, she began to accept her fate when Thaddeus returned to her.

It was from this point that Thaddeus began to explain the greater world. What he knew of their existence, their politics, their abilities. He promised her that she would find her purpose in this new existence and the two of them would simply wait for their calling. It was around this time that Smarts' mind began to 'deteriorate'. The way she viewed the world began to change along with her personality. Next thing Smarts knew, people faded in and out of existence around her, strange beings made contact in her dreams, inanimate objects had souls. The confusion completely warped who she was, though Thaddeus kept her safe and in check.

The two began travelling together, living on the streets, and moving city to city by hitchhiking and stowing away on freight trains. They would often feed on others in the homeless community and hid in abandoned buildings or under bridges during the day. They wandered without purpose, simply existing, keeping one another company, and waiting for their calling as Thaddeus had suggested.

One night that calling seemed to have come to Smarts. Thaddeus had disappeared, vanishing without a trace. The young Kindred was first confused to exist without her sire, though things soon became clear when voices began to beckon in her head. They called for the two to reunite, in a place where they may serve some purpose, where things were vastly changing. The voices called for Smarts to find the intricate world of California.