Deimos_Masque:The current Prince is Nicole de Lancrét...
Nomah:So lets hear 'em - major players, power structures, areas of influence, factions, ongoing power struggles...
Here's a short overview for my setting: Amsterdam
Theme: The Masked City
Amsterdam is feudal; every Kindred that legally resides within the city has a place on the ladder. Everyone serves a lord above him. The Elder Regents grow fat on their bloodtaxes and their Vassal Lords manipulate their lessers in exchange for scraps.
You are nothing without land. For without land, you have no right to the Blood.
Mood: Suffocation
Bound by traditions and laws, the Kindred of Amsterdam have little room to maneuvre, and their Requiems are under constant threat: Cross one canal too far and you travel into the domain of a Lord who does not permit trespasser, feed in the wrong place and you will be put to the death or worse, use the wrong form of greeting with an Elder, and you can kiss your Requiem good night.
The Netherlands has always had Vampires, near as anyone can tell. When the Camarilla extended its reach to the modern day Netherlands, the border of the Roman Empire with the bulk of Germania, there were already Vampires feeding off of the local tribes. The fall of the Camarilla was not the end of the Kindred; Europe fractured into a thousand disjointed domains and covenants, and the Netherlands was no exception in this trend. Legends abound in mortal and kindred society alike regarding events in those nights, but none as important (and factually supported) as the rise of the Invictus Empire and Clan Ventrue.
A Clan of Kindred known as the Ven, had been ruling barbarian kingdoms throughout the Germany, the Netherlands, and Great Brittain since the days of the Camarilla; ignored and marginalized by the Camarilla, these Kindred wanted nothing more than that level of power for themselves; a desire they managed to eventually fulfill through the Frankish kings. The Netherlands had been an integral part of the Frankish culture and kingdoms, whom feuded amongst each other near constantly. Behind their thrones, stood the Ven; dominating the minds of Kings and generals, bending their wills to their own. Claiming lineage and affiliation to noble institutions of the past, such as the Invictus of the Camarilla Senex, these Ven started maneuvring these kings as part of their grand strategy; from the ashes of the Merovingian Dynasty, was born out of Dutch lands, the Carolingian one. The Dynasty of Charlemagne, who would build his Holy Roman Empire…the empire of the Ven. The Ventrue.
The 'Invictus', and the Lancea et Sanctum, ruled the night side by side; the Invictus as the politicians, the Sanctified as the clergy. But they were still a fractitious lot, until one amongst the Invictus declared the need for unity; through agressive lobbying and politicking, she managed to call Princes from across the Holy Roman Empire, and brought them together to form Das Heiligen Reich Der Nacht; the Holy Empire of the Night. Known tonight simply as, the Invictus Empire. For a century, this Empire stood, and solidified the culture of Invictus and Sanctified alike. And it was in this time, that Amsterdam would come to the attention of the Kindred; attracting the first Prince of the City, Haco van Amsterdam, of the Invictus.
But the Empire shattered; the Emperor of the Night, whose name is erased from history, could not prevent infighting from leading to the collapse of the Empire. Forever broken was the dream of a unified Kindred governance. But a greater unity existed now than before, regardless; the thousand covenants that once ruled Europe had been reduced to but a few; and though they were nowhere near as unified as many might have liked, they would nonetheless survive into the modern nights.
For centuries, the Pagan Acolytes battled the Sanctified Crusaders in the dark forests of Europe, but the Acolytes, as fractured as they were, could not prevent the rise of a strong centralized Sanctified authority in the Netherlands. Saint Willibrord, the Methusaleh of Utrecht, came to power as the Cardinal of that city, forging a stronghold of Sanctified power in the Netherlands which remains until the modern nights. A bastion for Sanctified and their allies.
But alliances and the trust within them, shatter.
The Thirty Years' War raged across Europe both during Day, and Night. It was the time of the Anarch Revolt in the Holy Roman Empire, which the Netherlands was no longer a part of. It was the time of Protestant Sanctified starting to question their Elders. Of Invictus domains waging war upon each other in an effort to secure power. Kindred used mortal battles and armies to strike at their enemies. For three decades, the Danse Macabre of Europe was defined by total war. When the dust settled, a third of Europe's Kindred and three quarters of Germany and Austria lay in ashes.
No longer were the Invictus and Sanctified two sides of the same coin; though remaining allies (for the most part), they were no longer one culture, one society…but instead two Covenants. Acolytes and the new 'Ordo Dracul' had not been idle either; securing their positions as best they could.
While the rest of Europe's Kindred licked their wounds, the Dutch were quick to get back on their feet; at least those amongst the Invictus: It was the Dutch Golden Age, and mortals were building the first corporations, founding colonies and trade around the world. Why should the First Estate not profit? Amsterdam became the wealthiest city the world had ever known, and for a century, the Kindred of that city, under their Prince, Haco, were ecstatic.
It wasn't all glory and wealth however; the Plague struck the city, and with it came accusations and civil war amongst the Damned; the 'Decade of Black Blood', as it became known.
When the growth of the city began to stagnate, so too did the Kindred; until they were shaken up, violently, by a coterie of five Invictus Ancillae. It was 1805, and the Domain collapsed in its entirety. The Prince and his most ardent supporters were slain, and a 'Kerzian' Council was formed. The beginnings of the Carthian Movement. Though the First Estate ousted them from their short reign, the damage had been done. These 'New' Anarchs, heretical 'Dragons', and the ever-present threat of the Acolytes, all of them chipped at the power of the Invictus for the coming centuries.
Fast forward to 1945: The city remains under Nazi occupation, and the infamous 'Hunger Winter' strikes. Famine grips the city, and chaos reigns amongst the Kindred as the Invictus leadership disappears. No one knows what happened, but the Sanctified step in, and under the rule of Antonius Severijn, begin rebuilding the society of the Damned.
Having to deal with Invictus resentment over the loss of the City, Carthian fervor over their birthplace, Differences of theology with his fellow Sanctified, the known but hidden presence of the Dragons, and the pagan wrath of the Acolytes, will Severijn be able to keep the peace and rule his city? Or will the Carthians destroy the feudal structure, the Invictus retake their prize, the Hardliners drive things to a full scale war, or the Acolytes corrupt the city?
In 1987, the Prince, having been approached by various members of the Movement from time to time, finally gave in, and allowed the Carthians full citizenship and entry into the domain, so long as they abide by the Traditions and rule of the domain. While the Carthians might ultimately want to change the restrictive feudal nature and laws of the city, they are comfortable, at the moment, to keep the status quo. Their position is still very weak, they realize, and besides; despite their religious fervor, many of the Sanctified, including the Prince, aren’t all that bad; and to act too aggressively against the Prince that was gracious enough to allow them entry after all of the past’s events between the Invictus and Movement, well it wouldn’t look particularly good.
And so the Movement debates in Elysium. Holds rallies. Writes up and spreads manifestos. And attempts to expand it’s influence so it can curtail Invictus power, who are sure to try something to put the city back into their hands sooner or later…something the Carthians are not going to let happen.
World War 1 passed the Netherlands by, preventing the rapid rise of the Carthian domains as occurred elsewhere in Europe. But while the rest of Europe’s Kindred were more prepared for WW2, the Dutch Kindred were still taken by surprise by the sheer brutality of it all. A brutality not even they could match. It started with the destruction of Rotterdam. In less than an hour, virtually the entire First Estate of Rotterdam had been wiped out by bombs and fire, allowing the Carthians to step in and take control. Elsewhere, Kindred simply disappeared, either going into voluntary torpor to escape the horror, or being taken out by the Nazi’s for reasons unknown. In Amsterdam, during the hunger winter of 1945, the Prince and the Inner Council disappeared, and were replaced by the Sanctified.
And so the First Estate of the Netherlands knows shame. Shame for having lost the two biggest cities in the country, though they would never act as if they should be ashamed. Indeed, they act as if they still control Amsterdam. Sure, the Prince is a Sanctified, but they’re still Unconquered, they still hold all the *real* power, they’ll argue. And it’s true, to an extent; they do still hold a frightening amount of power in the capital.
Other cities in the country were not as affected by the war. Nijmegen remains the strong Invictus domain it has been since the nights of the Invictus Empire. And the Hague too, remained firmly Unconquered. With the loss of Amsterdam and Rotterdam however, the Covenant has lost much of its influence with the mortal world, much to the dismay of the ‘new’ Invictus (Which includes plenty of Elders), which seeks to return to the time of grand conspiracies and involvements with mortal politics. These Kindred have not let their assets go to waste; and have their fingers in everything in the Hague. And considering the international position of that city, that’s a frightening prospect. As the International City of Peace and Justice, the Hague knows a staggering number of international organizations; Headquarters of everything from charity organizations, to Europol and the International Crime and War tribunals are centered in the city, and many (particularly amongst the Carthians), fear what the Invictus might do with such influence.
Meanwhile, the Covenant operates on a more unified basis in the western Netherlands than is the norm; the Invictus of the cities in the Randstad, a conurbation that includes the 4 biggest cities in the country, communicate closely together, coordinating their efforts.
The presence of an involved and strongly conservative Monachal archbishop in Utrecht, central to the country, has ensured a surprisingly centralized organization of the covenant in the Netherlands, though the occasional ‘heresy’ or divergent creed does show up. The only real challenge to the Monachal Creed is the Westminster Creed, which was formed in the 18th century and which was more in line with mortal expectations of religion at the time. It has slowly worked it’s way into the hearts of many Sanctified, though the Monachal Creed remains by far the most common and influential.
Prince Severijn, an anointed Priest, is the most prestigious and well known Dutch Kindred who considers himself a part of the Westminster Creed, and in this matter he is opposed by the Bishop of the city, Cato Wesp, who holds to the traditional Monachal interpretation of the Testament. The theological conflict between the two is unlikely to result in any overt action between the two camps, but should it ever come to that, there is no doubt that Bishop Wesp has the numbers.
Cardinal Willibrord, meanwhile, remains feared as the presumably oldest (and most powerful) Kindred in the country, yet no one has reportedly seen him in over a century. He continues to communicate with the covenant however, giving directions, but some are beginning to wonder if he’s still around, and whether or not the directives are being sent by someone else whilst Wilibrord is in Torpor, or worse…
The Ordo Dracul in the Netherlands is seemingly split in the middle between adherents of the Palatine Rite and the Wallachian Rite, with the latter most commonly found in citys in the south and west, while the Palatine Dragons are dominant in the north and east.
In Amsterdam, the Palatine Rite is the dominant force, and colors the local academy. Some conflict exists between the two rites, though this is rarely if ever violent in nature, focusing more on philosophical discussions and the like. Their presence in the country remains officially a secret, though all but the youngest of Kindred have at least heard rumors about the Dragons. Most such rumors are wildly inaccurate of course, but the fact is that the other Covenants are, by and large, aware of the Ordo Dracul, they are simply unaware of how far they stretch, and what precisely they do.
The City of Santaria (L.A.)
Santaria is a city built on broken dreams. It is located on the coast of California with water to the west that wraps around to the south. Mountainous national parks are to the north, wild forested land dominates and all but the meanest Gangrel stay out, for many things go bump in the night in these woods. To the east is a mountain range, and highway 10 is the only way out: after that miles and miles of desert. The place is locked in by mountains and water on all sides.
But who would want to leave Santaria? It is a major metropolitan area, and people move here all the time with big dreams of becoming a writer, actress, journalist, or movie maker.
The Players/Covenants:
The Prince: Danika Tyranus
She is a bitch. Dressed in the latest punk gear, hair died and cut short she looks like every girl you have ever seen at that concert you went to. She is Bipolar, and has a horrid temper, she rules with an iron first. Her vice is Wrath and her Virtue is Charity: if you are on her good side you will live nice, if you on her bad side you won't stick around.
She hit this town only a couple years ago, and she quickly made her way up the social ladder. She was the previous Prince's, a Deava Invictus, plaything: they seemed inseperable and they looked like a true love story for the Kindred. She decided to throw a big party and everyone was invited(made to come) byt the current Prince. But when everyone arrived the current Prince wasn't around and everyone was locked in. Danika decided to take over, she declared that she killed the current Prince and had taken his spot. There was an uproar, but she was ready with her army of Paper Dolls. They were mostly Carthian and they were simply too powerful all together for anyone to say anything. Anyone that did object was killed viscously as an example: the Prince removed their head with a wicked Silver Sword. Over the course of one night the previous Prince fell and she took his place. But it was good, for the last Prince was a totalitarian Invictus, and she was a charitable Unaligned Ventrue.
The power had shifted. Her Sherrif and Leader of the Paperdolls and the Carthians is a large Hispanic Deava male that simply goes by the name Wrench. He is named as such for his tool and weapon: a 18 inch monkey wrench which is covered in stains of oil and blood.
He is in direct opposition of a Gangrel Invictus, the King, a black chunk of a man who believes in family ties and strict territory. The two covenants are in an open war, using human gangs to do most of their fighting: each have their fingers strongly in the gang culture. He runs a major portion of the Invictus, although he doesn't have the respect of many of the Elders. Kindred say that if the Invictus wasn't split this way, and if they could coalesce as one order, that they could take this city as their own again: but with this fictionalization of new Invictus versus old they are stuck.
The Lancea Sanctum used to be the only Covenant in the city, they founded the area and Santaria was largely under Lancea Sanctum rule: the strong Hispanic Catholicism helped to bring together the vampires from all across the area. But slowly Santaria's landscape changed to a place of new hope. Santaria became increasingly bureaucratic and in the 1880's the First Estate slowly took control. The Lancea Sanctum thinks they are still the real rulers of the area, but they are only a portion of their former glory and their ways of thinking are too old, outdated and nostalgic. The leader of this organization goes by the name The Bishop and he is a nice old Mekhet with an extremely high humanity for someone of his order.
The Ordo Dracul is very small. For some reason they will only ever allow 13 members into their organization. They don't openly recruit and instead seek out those that they think might be interested, but only if they have a position to fill. They own some territory across different religious and scholarly institutions. The highest ranking member, not necessarily the leader, of the Ordo Dracul is a truly fearsome Nosferatu who is known to treat his many ghouls in very torturous ways. He is master of Masquerade, and a cleaner of sorts, making sure that the Masquerade stays solid.
The Circle of the Crone all follow a central dogma around the Greek Goddess Artemis. Their base of power lies within the City park and the Greek theater that is in this park. In the park they have a ghouled plant garden and they do most of their rituals here by night. Since they venerate the goddess Artemis they also have a strong belief in “the hunt” as not just being modernized but many actually hunt with rifles or bows and arrows in large hunting parties. This practice is on the brink of breaking the masquerade, but for some reason the Prince turns a blind eye to this vulgar practice. The Circle of the Crone is very Cultish and largely governs itself: they are a mean bunch who are too organized and if they wanted political power they could get it: but for now they are content with their rituals of mass bloodshed. The leader of this organization is a truly old Nosferatu female. She is slender and black, with white orbs for eyes: she is blind. She has a scar from the top of her shaved head running down the left side of her body, through her breast, and down her left thigh all the way to her big toe. Some say this scar is from a bolt of lighting that hit her many years ago. If anyone asks about it she immediately goes into frenzy.
Now. The Prince said she killed the previous Prince, but secretly he is locked up in a room in the tallest building in the city. She keeps him barely alive and has been getting info from him about the city for a while. Also she is making him teach her the discipline Majesty. She already wields dominate like a pro, and with these newfound powers she is becoming more manipulative and controlling every night.
Also, she owns a truly fearsome sword. It is a silver sword with an unintelligible runes that seem to be written in an ancient Asian lettering system. The sword is a blessed holy item and does one lethal damage a turn to a vampire that holds it, and deals aggravated damage to vampires that feel its blade.