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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

MODERN TIMES 4 Changing Allegiance 44

An Explosive Entrance 44
INTRODUCTION 9
Flames Spread 45
Chronicle Rewards 9 Boyce’s Advice 46
Entering the City 9 An Anarch May Look at the Prince 46
CHAPTER ONE: Mendoza is Dead 47
THE CAMARILLA RECORD 13 Murder Mystery 47
The Once and Future King 13 Mixing It Up 49
Bottom Rung 14 The List of Ten 50
I Live With Bread, Like You 14 Who Made the Deal? 50
Tortoise and O’Hare 15 What Would Tyler Do? 51
Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf? 16 Revenge is Sweet 52
In and Out 17 The Plan 52
Iron Fist: Velvet Glove 17 The Attack 53
Fountain of Knowledge 18 The Traditions — A Feminist Perspective 54
Long Live the Prince 18 At the Rant 55
From the Ground Up 19 About the Data Stick 55
Grindstone 19 CHAPTER THREE:
Impresario 20 INDEPENDENT AND
Good Evening, Nightwalkers 21 MORTAL PERSPECTIVES 57
Nightwalking 23 Bad Medicine 57
Bar-Room Brawl 25 Light Up the Night 58
Handling Gengis 25 Surgical Strike 59
The Unfortunate Embrace 26 Unholy Autopsy 60
More Complicated than it Seems 27 Factory Farmed Fangs 60
Incendiary Information 28 Captured! 61
Shut it Down 28 Oh Brother 62
Gabriella 29 An Errant Childe? 62
Chance Encounters with Hunters 29 Fighting Back 63
Beware the Huntsmen 29 Severed Ties 64
“Is this one of yours…?” 31 Whizzkid 65
Clear as Day 32 Opportunity Knocks 65
Dearest Club Member 33 Waking Nightmares 66
Exclusive Invitation 34 Haunted House 67
Help for Hire — Warehouse Rebuild 36
CHAPTER FOUR:
Seeking Employment 37
HERETICAL THREATS
CHAPTER TWO: AND OBSERVATIONS 69
THE ANARCH ACCOUNTS 39
The Church of Caine 69
Beckoning Whispers 39 Divine Intervention 70
Reopening a Cold Case 40 Our Brother’s Keeper 71
Private Investigator 40 Rebuilding the Church 71
Outrunning the Past 40 The Church of Set 72
A Desperate Rescue 41 Eating its own Tail 73
Flowers in the Garden 42 The Black Water 74
The Lilies 42 Auguries 74
Words from the Blood 43 Snatch and Slash 75
The Fury 43 The Ashfinders 76

2
 The Most Dangerous Game 76 Eustace Lancaster 125
The Little Village Inferno 77 Clan Malkavian 128
Reign of Ashe 77 Andrea Harvey-Staboli 128
The Sabbat 78 Clan Nosferatu 131
The Seven Fires 78 Martin 131
A Letter 79 Salt 133
Only the Offal Remains 80 Clan Toreador 136
The Bahari 82 James Royston “Dr. Benway” 136
Strange Entreaty 84 Mateo García 138
The Cult of Mithras 84 Clan Tremere 141
The Mithraeum 85 Arden Canty 141
Auspicious Clarence Bartleby 143
Meetings 86 Clan Ventrue 146
The Cult of Shalim 87 Alphonse Gabriel Capone 146
The Little Black Amelia Locke 148
Book of Basaras 89 Milena Aronyan 150
Baptism by Nothing 89 Tatyana Makarova 153
Other Oddities 90
LORESHEETS 157
Cult of the Crawling Tongue 90
The Purgatory of Gus 91 CHAPTER SIX 157
The Music of Zal 92 Archons 158
CHAPTER FIVE: The Convention of Chicago 159
CHARACTERFOLIOS 95 Descendant of Menele (Brujah Characters Only) 160
Goblin Roads 161
The Banu Haqim 96
Justicar Lucinde 162
Arjun Shah 96
Khalid al-Rashid 163
Clan Brujah 99
Kindred Dueling 164
Jennifer MacKay 99
Malkavian Family (Malkavian Characters Only) 165
Lianne Miller 101
Occult Artifacts (Tremere and Banu Haqim Only) 166
The Caitiff 104
The Pony Express 167
Devin Boyce 104
Sheriff Damien 168
Shejana 106
The Wolf Pack 169
Zal 109
Clan Gangrel 112 CHAPTER SEVEN:
Anthius “Dread” 112 BLOOD SORCERY RITUALS 171
Lewis “Lulu” Sheng 114 The Rituals of Chicago 171
Max “Blooper” Hagen 116 Level 2 171
Nadine “Nitro” Lewandowski 118 Level 3 172
Tyrus 120 Level 4 172
Clan Lasombra 123 Rituals from the Milwaukee Chantry 174
Braden White 123 Level 3 174

3
 Modern
Times
On the side of a dirt road attempted to collect his ashes the end.”
just outside of Chicago, three on the return trip, but by then Dread nodded. “We’ve lost a
dead people staked a bright white it had mixed into the soil of the lot of good people. A-Rod. Sledge.
cross into the ground. From afar, cornfield where he was murdered. Inyanga.”
it looked no different than any His killer disposed of most of his “Inyanga isn’t dead,” Tyrus
other roadside memorial, both a clothing and his personal items, said, “Just in some desert.”
sign of mourning and a warning but they found his comb and “From what I hear about
to others. On closer inspection, belt. Ramrod’s packmate, Dread, what’s going on there? She might
perhaps they would realize that placed them in front of the cross. as well be.”
the name on the cross, Randy Zel- Nadine threw the soil and ash “I’m done,” Nadine said. She
ley, belonged to a man that died mixture above the cross. A cold turned and started to walk back
in the middle of the last century. wind blew most of it away. She to her motorcycle. “I can’t do
In truth, he had only died a made the sign of the cross, the this.”
week ago, at the hands of an An- first time since her brother died
“What do you mean you’re
arch enforcer. He sacrificed him- six months ago.
done?” Tyrus asked.
self so the Wolf Pack could escape Tyrus smoked the last of his
Nadine stopped. “I’m quit-
and safely deliver the Prince’s cigarette and flicked it away. “I
ting. I’m leaving. I mean, why am
childe to the Seattle Camarilla. should say something, right?”
I even here now? Mom and Dad?
In doing so, he saved Tyrus and Dread answered, “By all They’re gone. Ray’s gone. Now it’s
thwarted a vision of the future. means.” Ramrod. It’s just me now, and I’m
A vampire worth their salt “Ramrod was a good guy. Al- going to live forever and it’s al-
has no body to bury, and this was ways talked big, but that’s what I ways going to be like this. I’ll have
true for Randy, or Ramrod, as the liked about him. Most of the time, to kill people and eat them. I have
Wolfpack knew him. The Pack he really could pull it off, even to to watch them die. It was fine

4
when I was with someone close, it She said, “You don’t have to “Ok.” She nodded her head.
was even fun
fun.. But now it’s just me! make me feel better.” “I’ll give it another shot.”
I have to live with this!” “I’m telling the truth. Ram- “All right,” Tyrus said. “If
Dread said, “It’s not just you, rod had many ghouls, but he only we’re all good, it’s time to see the
Nadine. There’s me, and there’s sired you. That’s because you’re Prince.”
Tyrus. We’re the Wolf Pack, and a survivor, and he could see that.
we will pull through this together.” You belong here, Nadine.”

Prince Jackson asked the en- Tyrus shrugged. “You needed “Call a Justicar.” Dread’s voice
tire Wolf Pack to give the report us out of the city while you broke was quiet but tinged with fury.
in a private room in the Succu- bread with the Lasombra.” Jackson narrowed his eyes.
bus Club, which was the first “I wanted to see if Chica- Dread wasn’t sure if the Prince
sign something was wrong. If he go’s Archons could do something was offended that he spoke out
couldn’t use secured cell phones without drawing trouble.” Jackson of turn, or surprised that the Gan-
or coded messages to communi- stood up and circled the table. “As grel spoke up at all.
cate, he’d settle for one-on-one you completed your mission, you Dread locked his gaze with
meetings in public places, under were seen speaking with agents the Prince. “It’s proper procedure.
a bodyguard’s watch. A group de- of Indianapolis’ Ministry, one A Justicar liquidates us, chooses
briefing in a building too-large to of which is rumored to be your a successor, and life goes on. But
easily escape from meant that he childe, Tyrus. You all sparked a which one? Geoffrey walked out
was either about to give the gang conflict with Gary’s Anarchs, with Theo years ago. Once the city
a lavish reward or harsh punish- which ended in a fake bomb knows we’re ash, everyone will
ment. Dread expected the latter. threat and a casualty. One of your wonder which clan you chose to
Jackson insisted that only own, in fact.” replace us, and why. So you either
Tyrus could tell the full story. He He stood at the head of the have to take it further upstairs to
explained everything as the Prince table once more. “We are the van- keep the peace, or you do some-
sat stone-faced across from them guard of the Camarilla’s future. thing right here, right now.”
at the table. Dread and Nadine We’re the example the entire After a moment of uncom-
watched with a nervous silence. world looks to. Do you think fortable silence, Prince Jackson
When Tyrus finished, the you’re living up to that?” stood up and crossed his arms.
Prince clasped his hands and “Darius got to Seattle,” Tyrus “Fine,” he said. “I won’t do
leaned forward. said. “Job’s done. That’s what anything now. But you’ll need to
He said, “I gave you all a very matters.” prove to me that I should keep you
simple task. I could have sent an- The Prince slammed his hands around. Now, get out of my sight.”
yone to do it, but I chose you all. on the table. “No! Maybe that was As the Wolf Pack rose to
Do you know why?” good enough for Lodin, but not leave, he added, “If you keep going
Nadine started to speak, but for me! If you can’t do it cleanly, I loud, somebody’s going to hear
Jackson said, “I want to hear this have no use for you.” you. Remember that.”
from Tyrus.”

Within the Rock Island ed to hunker down if the Cold “You never told me about this
Public Library, the entrance to a War went hot. These days, it was place, Dread,” Nadine said. She
secret passageway hid between the Dread’s home away from the road. turned on the lights and saw drab,
media center and the front desk. Tonight, it was going to be the stone walls and some crates.
It led to a bomb shelter, where Wolf Pack’s refuge. “I try not to come here too
the town’s citizens were expect-

5
often.” Dread opened a crate and “Inquisition?” Dread asked. to blind fire a few rounds into the
pulled out three old sleeping bags. “Maybe.” Tyrus closed the library with the soldier’s gun. She
“It’s still a library. When people passageway. He smiled. “Might leapt from the passageway and
see a hidden door, they get curi- just be another ‘bomb threat.’” rushed the closest living soldier.
ous. But I can’t think of a safer “So, what’s the plan?” Nadine The fight ended in a few
place.” asked. minutes. The Special Forces team
Tyrus took a sleeping bag and Tyrus put a finger to his lips had superior training and the
lay on top of it. “It’s only for a and pointed upward. They heard best weapons money could buy.
while. I know a threat when I hear footsteps approaching the pas- The Wolf Pack had a trap door, a
one, and Jackson’ll make good sageway. He pointed to himself, dead soldier’s armaments, and an
on it. Might be tomorrow night, then Dread, then the door. endless hunger for blood. Just this
might be in six months…” Dread understood the ges- once, that was enough.
They heard a short, muffled tures. Open the door, yank him in.
in. As he picked through the
explosion above them. A group of He nodded and took position. drained corpses’ belongings, Tyrus
deep, indistinct voices called to The soldier’s scream turned said, “You know what? I think I’m
each other. into a weak, pleasured gasp as okay with ‘being heard.’”
“Might be right now.” Tyrus they pulled him into the passage- Nadine wiped her mouth on
growled. “Assholes must have way, ripped away the protective her sleeve, smearing it with blood.
trailed us.” clothing around his neck, and fed “Just imagine if there were more
He went upstairs and opened on him. Tyrus tore out his half of of us.”
the passageway just enough to the man’s throat and spat it on “If there were more of us,”
see the first floor. The others the ground. Dread repeated. “That’s it!”
followed. Six men, decked out in Nadine reached into the He walked to the front desk,
body armor and wielding la- soldier’s belt and lobbed the first in front of a map of the tri-state
ser-sighted rifles, swept through grenade she found. It was a flash- area. His eyes went wide. “There
the library. An acrid smoke filled bang, buying her just enough time can be more of us.”
the air.

6
 KJ— “Don’t kill me.” The fledgling “You mean it?” she asked.
I still don’t know if you sicced the sobbed. “I don’t know what hap- “I do, just let me go, please!”
dogs on us. You wouldn’t tell me anyway. pened to me.” “Okay.”
If you did, you’re a piece of shit, but I “I’m not going to kill you.” The fledgling stumbled back.
can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same Nitro patted his shoulder. He
if I were in your shoes. He rubbed his neck, keeping an
flinched. “We’re offering you a eye on the other two vampires.
The news called him the choice.”
“South Side Dracula,” but Dread “So,” he said, “What do I do
But I know me, and I know my now?”
knew he was just a fledgling. gang. We’re not quiet, like you want us to
Draining a person in full, public Tyrus walked into the alley.
be. Lucky for you, we found a solution.
view was the kind of boldness His coat’s rattling chains echoed
“We could burn you,” Dread off the walls, and the fledgling
that only came from inexperience, said. “You’d go up in flames real
which made him very easy to track. turned to face him. When he was
easy.” close to the new recruit, he lit a
He was fast but no match for The fledgling made a break
the Gangrel’s speed. He cornered cigarette. The fledgling jumped
for it, but Nitro put him in a away from the open flame.
the fledgling in the alley. headlock.
The fledgling fell to his knees. The leader of the Wolf Pack
“Or,” she said, “you join us. took a long drag and blew the
“I was just hungry, man!” We teach you the ropes, we get smoke into the air. He tossed the
“I know,” Dread said. “That’s you a bike, and you get to live the cigarette down and cracked his
no excuse.” good life. We’ve got some very knuckles.
We’re still on the same side. The powerful friends that’ll make
fights are just too good. Give me a law
“Now,” he said, “I get to initi-
your nights a lot smoother. They ate you.”
breaker, and I’ll show them my fire and can make the ‘South Side Drac-
fury, guaranteed. You wanted a reason to keep us
ula’ a distant memory. What’ll it around. Here it is: We’ve got an army,
Nitro — the name Nadine be?” one you can add to your legions. This
went by nowadays — stepped out If we’ve got a noise problem, we’ll hasn’t been done before, but you did say
from the shadows. pile up enough people on us to dampen the that Chicago’s the vanguard.
“I was like you,” she said to the sound. We’re expecting quite an expansion. If you want to talk about it, you
fledgling. “Scared and starving. But The fledgling struggled know where to find me.
when I was turned, I learned the against Nitro’s hold. “I’ll join! I —T
rules. Now, I enforce them.” swear!”

7
 Introduction

“Camarilla is just a word. But as long as everyone believes it means something, we’re all good and safe. Do you want to be some-
thing in this town? Then you have to decide what you want people to believe about you.”

— Alan Sovereign, in conversation with his childe Milena Aronyan

A domain as vast as Chicago can feel intimidating to its Backgrounds, Advantages, and occasionally Flaws. The
resident vampires. It’s easy to get lost in the city’s many awarding of these dots should be temporary, ending when
streets, alleys, underground passages, and great Elysia. the session or chronicle ends depending on the dots’
The domain might also intimidate a Storyteller. nature. However, the Storyteller should give the players
When presented with a book like Chicago by Night, the the option of making these dots permanent through the
scope of the geography, politics, plots, and characters expenditure of experience points.
might seem overwhelming.

Entering the City

A Storyteller doesn’t have to utilize every character,
chronicle thread, or corner of the city. For the Storyteller
running their first chronicle or wanting to introduce a
handful of tightly-knit, interesting characters, this book, The Chicago Folios are a deep selection of chronicle
The Chicago Folios, is an excellent place to start. hooks, illustrative pieces of in-game fiction, character
You will find seeds and hooks here to fuel your stories biographies and stat blocks, and new powers for you to
for dozens of chronicles, with characters who can drop in play with in Vampire: The Masquerade. Any of this infor-
and out of the plot as you see fit. They can be merged with mation can be altered or transposed to any other domain,
the ideas in Chicago by Night and Let the Streets Run so please use a character in your city or a plot for your
Red or stand alone. While there are crossover elements coterie. Change place names, character ambitions, and
between all three books, each works as a sole volume. clans: This book encourages you to use it as you wish for
Vampire: The Masquerade.
Chronicle Rewards • Introduction — It’s good to see you here.

• Modern Times — Follow the dangerous path of the

Many of the chronicles seeded throughout this
Wolf Pack, Gangrel members of the Camarilla Archons
book describe how certain actions might yield dots in
and personal dogs of war for Prince Jackson of Chicago.

9
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

• Chapter One: The Camarilla Record — Chronicle and which characters from this book (or any of its fellow
hooks and characters focusing on the politicking of sourcebooks) fit the task ahead.
the Camarilla and what happens when Traditions get The following examples provide advice for setting
broken. stories in Chicago without drowning in its depth of
content.
• Chapter Two: The Anarch Accounts — Multiple sto-
ry seeds for Anarch-themed chronicles, ranging from
sabotage and assassination to liberation and freedom
Intimate Stories
from Camarilla rule.
Are you aiming to participate in an intimate game of
• Chapter Three: Independent and Mortal Perspectives personal horror, mainly focusing on the player characters
— Chronicles involving mortal investigations into the and their mortal contacts? In that case, select one of the
city’s Kindred problem, and activities concerning the non-political stories in this book, such as Oh Brother
few Hecata and Caitiff of the domain. (p. XX), and populate the supporting cast with kine the
characters know and one or two other vampires, such as
• Chapter Four: Heretical Threats and Observations Claudi Aymerich (p. XX) and Shejana (p. XX) as detailed
— Plentiful chronicle hooks encompassing Kindred in that section of The Chicago Folios. You do not need
religions of all stripes and banners, from the Church to familiarize yourself with every Elysium in the city,
of Caine and Bahari to the Cult of Mithras and the the movers and shakers on the Primogen Council, or the
thin-blooded Ashfinders. aspirations of Prince Jackson. Such a story will be entirely
confined to areas the characters know and affect SPCs in
• Chapter Five: Character Folios — Over 20 individual
their immediate orbit, to make any threat seem pressing.
vampires with their own stories of life and undeath,
each with their own plots and intrigues, and every If you intend to create a story wholesale but use a
one of them with a unique stat block. These charac- character from this book to help flesh it out, select some-
ters are perfect for inclusion as supporting characters one like Mateo Garcia (p. XX) or Amelia Locke (p. XX) as
and antagonists in your games. they’re both apolitical and can add flavor to any story, the
former showing the horrifying lows vampires sink to and
• Chapter Six: Loresheets — Several fresh Loresheets the latter offering a form of hope and love in their behavior
connecting to characters, events, organizations, and and activities. Do not feel you need to have player charac-
esoterica from Chicago and the surrounding area, all ters attending the Succubus Club and rubbing shoulders
usable from character creation onward. with every Toreador in the domain if the intimate story you
have in mind is about the fear of losing Touchstones or the
• Chapter Seven: Blood Sorcery Rituals — New Blood drama and terror of sating your Hunger.
Sorcery Rituals to expand the range of those intro-
duced in Vampire: The Masquerade. Though created Thrilling Stories
by the vampires of Clan Tremere, any vampire with a
Mawla who practices Blood Sorcery might find some
The Chicago Folios is filled with threats, whether
new toys with which to play in this chapter.
they’re aimed at player character areas of concern or
the entire city. Stories surrounding the hunt for a killer
Setting your Stories in Chicago or flight from the same, the urgent protection of loved
ones or a mystery in need of solving can energize players.
Reopening a Cold Case (p. XX) and Bad Medicine (p.
Chicago is an iconic city for Vampire: The Masquer- XX) each deal with a different kind of mystery that can
ade, and may therefore feel daunting to the prospective be played as time sensitive. When a mortal is snooping
Storyteller. Chicago by Night provides dozens of charac- around Kindred affairs or hunters target vampire havens,
ters and story hooks, and this book expands the content the pressure to handle the situation escalates.
even further. A Storyteller might look at all these options When running tales involving thrills and suspense,
and feel paralyzed with indecisiveness or overwhelmed a Storyteller should consider expanding the roster of
with options. characters from the intimate one or two to provide
There is, however, no need for such concern. background detail. They would also benefit from noting
This book is a toolbox, and just as when you need down the key points of a handful of locations around the
to build or mend a machine, you only require the tools city, perhaps because bodies are going to be found at those
for the job. Everything else can stay in the box until it’s sites, or those are the places an illicit handover is destined
needed. Consider the type of story you’re hoping to run to take place.

10
 INTRODUCTION

Characters such as Eustace Lancaster (p. XX) and Zal Political Stories
(p. XX) make for interesting characters to throw into a
story where the PCs need to be on edge. Both are characters
Stories requiring the greatest amount of research
teetering on the brink of alien or monstrous behavior. En-
are likely the political ones, as it benefits the Storyteller
suring the player characters can’t trust the word or motives
to acquaint themselves with the Prince and Primogen of
of those around them is a good way to ratchet up suspense.
the city, along with other titled vampires. However, these
stories don’t have to play out with PCs entering Elysi-
Stories of Faith um, meeting every Primogen, and being chastised by the
Prince. Instead, consider making a political story about
Chicago is not a center of worship for any major one clan’s struggle to achieve greater territory for its
religion, Kindred or otherwise, making any stories of members, the story of how the Gangrel are being pushed
introspection, searches for enlightenment, and encounters out of the Primogen Council since their clan joined the
with the miraculous all the more special and inviting. Anarchs, or of how the Caitiff feel they deserve rep-
Stories where a Golconda-seeker appears in Elysium or a resentation in Chicago.
wise elder claims to know the best method by which one This book contains a host of Camarilla and Anarch
can chain up the Beast appeal to many vampires in a city stories, with Changing Allegiance (p. XX) and The List
as dense and jaded as Chicago. of Ten (p. XX) as prime examples of chronicle hooks that
If your story focuses on faith, again, there’s no neces- can cover a local level of politics or an expansive plot that
sity to use this entire book or the whole roster of Kindred might concern all the Anarchs in the city. Characters such
from Chicago by Night. Research the city, find three or as Jennifer MacKay (p. XX) bring an explosive fire to any
four places or worship — churches, synagogues, mosques, political plot while Alphonse Gabriel Capone (p. XX)
or even community centers — so you can adequately de- introduces a subtle, behind-the-scenes look at political
scribe the appearance and feel of such a place, along with stories.
their proximity to other amenities. Then, select Kindred Never feel you need to utilize everything in this book
such as Salt (p. XX) or Arden Canty (p. XX) to act as or any other sourcebook to be an excellent Storyteller.
counsel or adversary to the player characters. Only incorporate the elements you need. Doing so makes
Religious stories have a solid place in Chicago your task simpler and prevents players from floundering
because there are so many Kindred passing through the in lists of names, places, and events that may not concern
domain with different beliefs, most of whom are keen to them.
spread their word. Stories in this book such as Divine In-
tervention (see p. XX) and Eating its own Tail (p. XX) are
excellent ways of introducing characters to tales of faith.

11
 chapter one

“You can beg and grovel and plead, but if you can’t even uphold six simple laws, what’s the point of you?”

— Prince Kevin Jackson, before ordering the decapitation of Anarch Raymond Wallace

The Once
If Chicago is a crown jewel, the Camarilla is the crown
upon which it sits. The sect that claims ownership over
the elite Kindred souls is certainly powerful and rightly
feared by their most hated enemies. Kindred in Chicago
would benefit from being doubly cautious as the goings and Future King
on there are seen to be a reflection of the health of the
sect as a whole in the United States. What once was a The abandoned building stood as a once-great employer
torrid battleground between their stalwart cities and the in Riverdale. A factory, from back when industry was
predations of the Sabbat has now settled into an uneasy something to invest in. Olaf couldn’t help but feel it
peace. was quite like himself: disused, broken down, irrelevant
With the guns of war silent, the whispers of pow- to those of a modern mind. But, even as they moved on
er-hungry and ambitious Kindred who make up the without him, anyone could see they now lacked some-
Camarilla’s body spring into action. It is in organization thing he provided: stability, strength, gravitas.
that preaches an important lesson: Kindred wishing to As the lights from a passing car flickered across the
continue to survive in the modern nights must practice a exposed, red brick of his new palace, the man known to
form of civility. Sadly, the Camarilla is also home to the his gathered lieutenants as the One-Eyed King slumped
old-school attitude of under-the-table deals, backhanded heavily into an opened dumpster that had been crudely
remarks, and advancement based on who has the more reshaped with sledgehammers into a mock throne — the
powerful friends. inside of which also served as his daily bed. His one good
Whatever one’s opinion of them, they are the true eye scanned the room, darting to each broken window in
gatekeepers of vampire life in Chicago. To survive here, a flicker of paranoia as the car’s lights passed by. Expect-
a Kindred must somehow deal with their princely court ing at any moment the burst of gunfire and the arrival of
and ride the tides of its savage political intrigues. his former protégé’s goon squad.

13
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

“Let there be darkness! This

mocking glare offends mine sight, let Bottom Rung • Swallowing their morality,
the Kindred succumb to their
it be no more!” darker nature and kill Michelle,
The lieutenants shifted uneasily Cast: Terry “T-Bone” Jenkins — satisfying their agreement with
in their places. Sure, the old man had Street Pimp, Michelle Jacobs — Escaped T-Bone. He makes the arrange-
guided them faithfully to lucrative Sex Worker ments, but the coterie is forced
lives of crime so far, but his ridic- to jump through further hoops
WHAT HAPPENED:
ulous demands and sermons were for one of Olaf’s lieutenants
still, at best, difficult to understand The coterie has been operating before he will allow an audience.
and, at worst, life threatening. Some in Riverdale for a while, trying to In Olaf’s mind, violent Kindred
of them moved to the windows and get some purchase in low level crime. who kill without mercy are likely
pulled cardboard and corrugated iron They have made the acquaintance of to be Prince Jackson’s assassins,
over the openings. a street thug and pimp, known to the rather than mere fledglings look-
locals as “T-Bone” for his penchant ing for allies. These actions will
“What do you have for me, my
for using brass knuckles with a single also test the Humanity of all but
childer?” enquired Olaf, casting his
spike on them to kill people interfer- the most depraved Kindred.
gleaming eye over the young men be-
ing with his girls. He runs his small-
fore him. Each one a reflection of his
time operation out of a seedy motel • Through cunning and judicious
former progeny in some manner, be it
called the Top Rung, and the Kindred use of their undead abilities, the
physical or something he had seen in
are hoping to secure a piece of it. Kindred convince Michelle to
them. “What news from my domain?”
Unfortunately, they have discovered return to the Top Rung and her
“T-Bone said some kids have T-Bone is part of the network of the life in T-Bone’s operation. They
been snoopin’ around our patch minor crime boss known as 1IK. are met back at the motel by a
lately. Said they ain’t from down here. large group of men, protecting
While trying to muscle in on
Sumbitches got nerve, for true.” an incredibly scarred and filthy
T-Bone’s racket seems simple enough
The One-Eyed King observed the a task, gaining access to 1IK would be homeless man with a bizarre
speaker with a tilt of his head, caus- considerably more valuable. crown on his head. They gain
ing a tattered hat to slide somewhat Olaf as a three-dot Mawla and
T-Bone promises the coterie that
to the left, perching on a scar above when dealing with Riverdale
he can arrange a meeting between
his left eye. gangs are considered to have one
them and the boss, but they have to
“Tell me Mr. J. What manner of scratch his rather massive back first. dot of Influence.
men are these? And do they travel by One of his girls has run out on him
night or by day? For when the eye of Attribute Focus: Physical /
and he can’t have word of that getting Social
heaven is hid behind the globe that out. The coterie is asked to bring her
lights this lower world, then thieves
I Live With Bread,
back in line or take her out of the
and robbers range abroad unseen.” picture. In return, T-Bone will put
A chuckle rose nervously from
Like You
the word out to the king that he’s got
the small group of street-thugs. guests.
“Silence!”
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
And ended abruptly. Olaf turned Cast: Olaf, the One-Eyed King
once again to the now startled look- • The coterie point-blank refuses (Chicago by Night, p. 221)
ing lieutenant. to harm this innocent woman
“You were saying…?” who is simply trying to escape WHAT HAPPENED:
“Uh… they was here at night, for the dreadful life T-Bone and his Now inducted into the outer
sure. And they’ve been back a coupla crew dragged her into. Upon reaches of Olaf’s circle of trust, the
times, always at night, like you say. refusal, they are forced to fight former Prince quickly ascertains that
Should we fuck these suckers up?” T-Bone and his three accom- these new charges are Kindred. For
plices. If successful, the coterie that reason, they are capable of per-
After a long, pregnant pause for
gains the Enemy Flaw with forming tasks his other lieutenants
consideration, and to the dismay of
Olaf and will be attacked by simply are not.
the more violent of Olaf’s henchmen,
any street-level criminals they The coterie’s attempts to influ-
the hideous monarch spoke. “No. Ex-
encounter when trying to pass ence him all seem to fail against his
tend them an invitation to the court.”
through or operate in Riverdale iron will, and he laughs at their at-
and its surrounding environs. tempts to control him. He asks them

14
 Tortoise and O’Hare
to monitor certain persons of interest to him and report
back. His knowledge of Kindred politics in the city, while
perhaps a little rusty, is too well-developed to be mortal,
and they are easily able to identify him as a vampire.
***TELEPHONE RECORD – ROSA HERNANDEZ
How will they respond to the eccentric former 2235 HOURS***
Prince’s demands? Will they turn informer for him, hop-
ROSA HERNANDEZ (RH): Darren, it’s
ing to elevate him to a loftier position, and them along-
Sofia. I need an update on the
side? Will they seek to turn him in for their own gain?
airport situation.
Will they simply murder him on sight? Of course, doing
DARREN O’NEIL (DON): It’s been a
so will lead to no benefit for them, and the killing of a
hellish week, boss. The CIA are onto
broken-down homeless man — even if he was an unde-
something there I just don’t know
clared Kindred — will not win much praise at court.
what it is, and they’re not telling.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: RH: Would you describe their
• The coterie works on the tasks Olaf gives them for position on this problem as…
long enough to earn his trust. Over time, he has them unusually discreet? Or is it just
kill former lieutenants and take their place, always the usual level of G-Man bullshit?
beginning to refer to them as one of his former DON: Who can say?
childer. The coterie is now considered to have four RH: I was hoping you, that’s why I
dots of Influence in Riverdale and gain Olaf as a pay you so well, right?
three-dot Mawla. Their work with the One-Eyed DON: Oh yeah, I figured there had to
King’s gangs also earns them a communal two dots of be a reason.
Resources to share, up to a maximum of Resources 3. *O’Neil chuckles, a brief pause
indicates that Hernandez has not
• The coterie humor the madman long enough to
found the joke amusing*
garner more information about who he is. Once they
DON: Right… sorry boss. I’d say it’s
do so, they inform Prince Jackson of his survival and
unusual insofar as they won’t even
presence in the city. Discerning his true identity as
give us a reason for their presence
Lodin is not an easy task for a group of people who
there at all. Normally we’d get
likely haven’t even heard his name before, but it
at least a hint of a crime. Maybe
is rewarded by gaining one dot of Status with the
they’re moving something through the
Camarilla in Chicago and the opportunity to seize
airport.
control of Olaf’s former network for themselves. Of
course, if Olaf somehow survives Prince Jackson’s RH: Maybe. Maybe they’re watching
purge, he becomes their mortal enemy and will stop for something. Or someone.
at nothing to destroy them. DON: Well, if they are, they’re
keeping quiet about the name.
• The coterie is only interested in taking what 1IK RH: Take a break, Darren. I’ll call
has, not who he is. They cannot influence him, but you tomorrow night. You’re the best
they are more than a match for the heavily wounded investigator I know from our line, so
Kindred. Though he, no doubt, severely wounds at if you can’t find out what’s up, I’ll
least one of the coterie members. They also need to look into this myself.
contend with whichever of his lieutenants remain ***CALL ENDS***
loyal to him when they attack. Of course, some may
***TELEPHONE RECORD –
be happy to see the back of the old fool and new
ROSA HERNANDEZ – 2240 HOURS***
blood taking his place. Unfortunately, no benefit is
*The call beeps through to an
gained as the enterprise relied on Olaf’s knowledge
voicemail*
and will need rebuilding. Also, without knowledge of
his identity, Olaf is just another dead vagrant to the RH: Looks like you were right to be
Camarilla. worried. Our new buddies are keeping
watch. Not sure what Flyboy is up
Attribute Focus: Physical / Social to in there but it’s starting to
attract attention. I’m going to have
to step up my plans.

15
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

***CALL ENDS*** away from all of that because some spooky old vampire
told him a scary story. Plus, the mortal authorities are
Who’s Afraid of interested in the airport.
If she finds out why they’re interested, it could be a
the Big, Bad Wolf? problem. He identifies a coterie of young Kindred trying
to make a name for themselves as useful people he could
take under his aircraft wing.
Cast: Noah “Flyboy” Grewal (Chicago by Night, p. 117),
Flyboy approaches the coterie, seeming agitated but
Rosa Hernandez (Chicago by Night, p. 118)
cordial. He offers them refreshment and comfort in a private
WHAT HAPPENED: lounge in the airport. He tells them a tale of how he came
For Noah, there’s always been risk in trying to hold on to from nowhere and started with nothing, now all this belongs
O’Hare Airport. So far, he’s been willing to face up to them in to him. He’s a success story. He asks the coterie to investigate
whatever way he could, but things are starting to heat up. the doings of Rosa Hernandez in relation to the airport:
He’s not sure if Rosa Hernandez is coming for the airport frustrate her efforts, hinder her investigations and, if possible,
or for him. But, she is coming, slowly and surely. He’s already discover the location of her haven. This would be rewarded
picked up on her clanmate and PI, Darren O’Neil, snooping with exclusive access to the fruits his domain has to offer.
around. He sometimes wakes up from demented dreams of her WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
claws around his throat. Is she on to him? Is she aware that he’s
been passing information to the CIA all this time? Or is it just • Rosa exposes the coterie’s attempts to hinder her and
greed bringing her to his door? Whatever the case, this won’t be it drives her to step up her investigation of the air-
as simple as last time. He’ll need some help finding out what he port and Flyboy. This failure severs their relationship
needs to know to take out someone as powerful as Hernandez. with Flyboy and grants them the Enemy Flaw, with
Rosa Hernandez as a two-dot Adversary.
When Rosa finally comes to meet him, their conversa-
tion is unusual. She talks to him of an imminent danger. The • A number of Rosa’s contacts and leads are covered
mortal authorities are monitoring the airport more closely up and silenced without drawing too much attention
than usual; they’re looking for something, or someone. May- to themselves, however they do little to distract Rosa
be they’ve picked up on his peculiar feeding habits. Either from continuing her investigation. Flyboy informs
way, he should get the hell out of there until things die down. them that he cannot have them lurking around the
Sounds reasonable, right? Wrong. Flyboy built this airport while she’s watching so closely.
little empire by taking risks and he’s not about to walk

16
 The Camarilla Record

• The coterie succeeds in deflecting Rosa’s attention • The coterie successfully helps Walter expose Paula
from Flyboy’s activities and convinces the Gangrel but not the gang to which she is connected. Rosa
Primogen that the CIA presence in the airport is thanks the group for their assistance but indicates
not linked to the presence of Flyboy, all the while that there’s not enough evidence to pursue the DoA
keeping their involvement a secret. Flyboy awards for being linked to the corruption. However, Walter
them his permanent hospitality, saying that he now gains a commendation for his work and becomes a
sleeps easier. The coterie each gain him as a one-dot two-dot Contact for the group.
Mawla and will find themselves strangely passed over
by any Second Inquisition investigations through the • The coterie takes their time and investigates Paula’s
city, at least for a time. If they manage to track down movements thoroughly. They successfully identify her
Rosa’s haven, they later hear she was torched during accomplice, Catherine — a ghoul to one of the city’s
the day, sparking a contest for Gangrel leadership. Nosferatu — who is an important player in drug run-
ning within the city. Following her, they later find
Attribute Focus: Mental her having a secret meeting with a DoA executive.
Rosa is elated as she closes in on seizing the airport
In and Out from under Flyboy’s nose. Walter, taking credit for
the investigation, is promoted and becomes a two-
dot Ally for the coterie. Rosa’s friendship, alongside
Cast: Catherine Maia — High-End Cocaine Smuggler, Walter’s, grants them one dot of Influence over the
Paula Lange — Crooked Customs Official, Walter Kravic — airport.
Down on his luck DEA Agent, Rosa Hernandez (Chicago by
Night, p. 118) Attribute Focus: Mental

Iron Fist: Velvet Glove

WHAT HAPPENED:
The airport isn’t just a place where people fly in and out
of the city, it also handles a great deal of the goods traded,
legally and otherwise. One of the people assigned to monitor
the traffic in the airport is Agent Walter Kravic; however, I can never stand the heat in places like this.
he’s been struggling to deal with the machinations of one of I mean, not places like this, but you know, places like
the local crime kingpins for some time, and it has hurt his this. That’s why I always come to the Blue Velvet, dear.
reputation. Space, fine décor, and the smell. Do you smell it, Darling?
Rosa approaches the coterie with this sad tale of a No, of course you don’t. And that’s the point, isn’t it?
mortal down on his luck. She describes Walter as a decent What you’re not smelling is a tangled mass of bodies
family man who deserves a break, and she’s going to give thrashing around, burning out their ear drums, and soak-
it to him. If they can help her expose the methods of the ing each other with who-knows-what to prove they’re alive,
gang smuggling cocaine through the airport, she’ll have the or just to feel alive again. It’s so small, so childish, don’t you
pretext she needs to mount a full-scale investigation of the think? This act of chasing what one can never have back.
involvement of the Department of Aviation management’s You’ll find those chasers can be quite… attractive, in
role in the scandal. Plus, the coterie will have potentially their sordid way. All that passion, all that zeal. If only they
gained a valuable contact who can keep an eye on the com- had a single thought in those desperate heads as to what to
ings and goings of the city’s major airport for them. do with it all. And of course, that’s where we come in, Dear.
Catherine’s drugs are being shipped in sealed con- You’re not with them, you’re with me. And we’re in Blue
tainers, supposedly full of refined petroleum. Rosa sus- Velvet, where more civilized Kindred come to be ourselves.
pects Paula may be handwaving these shipments through. The selves we can’t be elsewhere.
See that man over there? That’s one of the Prince’s
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
closest associates. That lady there recently started work-
• While investigating Paula, the coterie foolishly ing for the Sheriff. And him… hmm… I’m not sure who
brings themselves to the attention of airport security. that is, but the man he’s talking to is the Seneschal. That’s
Paula accuses them of stalking her and calls for them what coming here is about. Finding your way is simpler
to be arrested. The coterie narrowly escapes and are with the right companions, and this is where you’ll meet
considered wanted by the police, requiring them to them.
lay low. When they emerge, they will find that Rosa Of course, the most important lesson you learn about
is unwilling to entertain their incompetence any survival these nights is what you don’t see. I know it sounds
further. pretentious, even monstrous, but all those beating hearts

17
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

on a dancefloor can only drag you down. It’s just a risk not efforts, but they can tell she isn’t fully satisfied with
worth taking. the results.
As for the exertion… Ha! Exercise? Not like we’re get-
ting fatter, are we? • Seeing this interaction as an opportunity, the coterie
discovers more about Alan. It turns out he’s quite the
up and coming name in the jazz world. Bringing him
Fountain of Knowledge into their service as a ghoul — or by other means of
persuasion — the coterie not only secure Dominic’s
latest and finest work for their service, but they
Cast: Bronwyn (Chicago by Night, p. 141), Dominic
ask if Bronwyn needs entertainment for her event.
Le Salle — Reclusive Jeweler, Alan Smythe-Winters — Jazz
She gleefully accepts and is pleased with the group’s
Pianist, Dominic’s Ex
initiative. The exquisite jewelry becomes the center-
WHAT HAPPENED: piece of the event as a grotesque and beautiful blood
Bronwyn is hosting an event she plans to call “A fountain lined with rubies. The active participants
Taster for a Taster”. She has already drawn up the gain an invite to a future event at the Blue Velvet
Kindred invitation list, selected the appropriate vessels and a two-dot Retainer in Alan, whose performances
for their tastes, and hand-picked the new childer for at the Blue Velvet earn him or his domitor two dots
introduction at the event. Of course, only the established in Resources.
membership will be partaking of the prime herd, so she Attribute Focus: Social
needs something for the newcomers. Something exquisite

Long Live the Prince

to whet their appetite and enthrall their senses at the
same time.
She tells of a prodigious jeweler who she became
aware of through some mutual acquaintances. However, Cast: Prince Kevin Jackson (Chicago by Night, p. 209),
he always spends his time socializing in loud, obnoxious Alan Sovereign (Chicago by Night, p. 216)
spaces, despite his own timid nature. That simply won’t
do. If someone could go and secure from him a piece of WHAT HAPPENED:
his to act as the centerpiece of her latest extravaganza, There’s nothing quite like an audience with the
perhaps they themselves could earn an invite to an exclu- Prince to help a Kindred get ahead in Chicago. Although,
sive soirée later. Not to mention they’d have Bronwyn’s opportunities to enjoy such an event don’t come around
gratitude. all that often. For those who frequent the Blue Velvet, it
Dominic is not a difficult man to track down at a is far more likely.
lavish studio event, but he insists that his works are not The coterie, planningfor their evening in the high-
for sale to anyone at this time, as he is still mourning the class establishment’s lounge, happen to spot the Prince
end of his last relationship. His “prior” is simply obsessed and his Seneschal entering and being shown to a table.
with him and won’t leave him alone. If they could do After a short while, they are approached by one of the
something about that, perhaps he’d do business. waiters and asked to join their conversation.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: The Prince and Seneschal question these young
bloods on their plans and ambitions, their loyalties and
• The coterie sees this as a simple task. They beat Alan their views on various aspects of politics.
to within an inch of his life and tell him never to An audience with the Prince can help a Kindred get
go near Dominic again. Upon returning to speak ahead in Chicago, but the wrong words can be death, or
with Dominic about their reward, they find he has worse, a total shunning.
gone into hiding after hearing about what they did
to Alan, afraid that they are some sort of gangland WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
thugs. Bronwyn is not pleased and banishes them • One or more of the coterie’s members takes the
from Blue Velvet in disgust. opportunity to get all their beefs with how things are
run in this city off their chest. Jackson seems almost
• The coterie speaks to Alan, and he agrees to stay
amused by their candor while Sovereign simply
away from Dominic for the sum of $5000. The price
stares and continues to invite them to dig themselves
seems worth it to secure the jewels for Bronwyn.
deeper in the hole. The relatively brief encounter
Dominic is, however, offended at how little a price
ends with the Prince promising to take their com-
he was worth to Alan. He gives the coterie one of
plaints “very, very seriously indeed”. He uses a level
his drabber works; Bronwyn thanks them for their
of sarcasm not requiring a check to detect. The active

18
 The Camarilla Record

participants lose one dot of Status. If they have no The Camarilla moves slowly, it improves by degrees, that’s
Status, they simply gain the apathy of the Prince. why it needs people like us, cleaning up the shit so that it stays
clean and doesn’t fall into shambles and ruin.
• A member of the coterie nervously let slip sympa-
Prince Jackson is a visionary, Friend. He has a plan for us.
thy for the Anarch Movement and their goals of
I don’t know if God does, or whatever you might believe in, but
democracy and total Kindred freedom. The Prince
he certainly does. Are you going to work hard to help him, or
abruptly calls the conversation to a close and leaves.
are you just another television-watching nothing?” — Milena
The active participants in this event are subject to a
Aronyan, Clan Ventrue
shunning by Camarilla Kindred for a period of the
Storyteller’s choosing — at least one chapter of game
time. Grindstone
• The coterie’s loyalty and witty repartee impresses
and entertains Prince Jackson and Alan Sovereign. Cast: Milena Aronyan (p. XX)
He spends a good amount of time enjoying their WHAT HAPPENED:
company and, before he departs, asks each in turn
From small beginnings, great things are built. Like
for their names once again. Sovereign hands them
the Camarilla, or so Milena believes. She takes an interest
each a business card. All active participants in this
in new Kindred, looking to see if any of them have what
event gain one dot of Status in Chicago and gain
she believes it takes to be a player in the kingdom that
Alan Sovereign as a three-dot Mawla.
Prince Jackson is trying to build. She’s willing to invest in
Attribute Focus: Social that talent to bring them into the meritocracy the Prince
is ostensibly cultivating. Through proving themselves, any

From the Ground Up

Kindred or coterie can improve their lot and reap their
just rewards.
Milena recently came into the ownership of a logis-
tics warehouse in the docks. The previous owners were lax
“Look out at it, our city. Every shining light is another
in getting new business in and the place had fallen into
life, another story being told. And what does that story tell
disrepair. The coterie is given a stipend to refurbish the
you? Are those people sitting down in front of a television set,
place and get it operational, bringing goods and supplies
enjoying an evening of mind-numbing entertainment? Are they
in and out of the city as a front for moving items — and
consuming a candlelit meal with a special someone? Or better
even boxed up Kindred — to whatever destination the
yet, taking it to the bedroom? Are they using their time or
Camarilla deems fit. If they can accomplish this simple
wasting it?
task, it’ll be a first step on the big ladder.
I suppose those mortals deserve a break after a hard day’s
work, if they’ve done one at all. But it’s night now and our work WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
has just begun. I was like you once; I came here with nothing. • The coterie laughs at Milena’s rose-tinted view. They
Not even a dream to sustain me or really any hopes or ambitions turn the warehouse into a communal haven for
beyond surviving day to day. My mother taught me that time themselves and secure it against intrusion. While
was the only gift any of us are ever truly given by God and how this grants them a two-dot Haven, their laziness irks
we spend it is the most important thing there is. So, I spent mine the rising Ventrue and she whispers to the Prince of
working. Working to make something enduring and bigger than their unwillingness to contribute to his reign.
me, that would be here after I was gone and would provide what
was left of my family with the rest they needed. • The business proves more difficult than the Kindred
The Camarilla isn’t so different. You look at it and you expected, with customs officials monitoring their
see the building, like that tower there. Huge, impressive, imports and exports, as well as other companies
almost garish, indeed. It almost seems like there is no need for being unwilling to deal with this new start-up with
something that big. But it has been working hard, every night no history in the business. Milena appreciates their
for longer than any of us have been alive. It has been grinding efforts but shakes her head at their failings.
away at the threats to our existence that would put an end to
• Through a combination of resourcefulness, commit-
us given the chance.
ment, and hard work, the coterie works together to
I don’t believe there’s a plan for us, like my mother did. turn the fledgling business into a successful start-up.
I believe that each one of us has a duty to those who not only Clients request their services and they take several
come after us but who came before. We have to guide them, truckers and delivery drivers into their employ. The
teach them and show them a better way.

19
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

business gains two dots of Influence (Logistics), and all Kindred secretly want to buy into: the idea that they
the coterie gains Milena as a one-dot Mawla. are all part of some super-secret boy’s club in control of
the world, which keeps its members safe.
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social
Sovereign knows the Camarilla only keeps itself safe,

Impresario
often at the expense of its weaker vampires.
Sovereign is introduced to the coterie while attend-
ing a gathering at the Succubus Club. Among the crowds
Cast: Alan Sovereign (Chicago by Night, p. 216) on that temple-to-decadence’s dancefloor, Alan stands
out like a sore thumb. He tells the coterie that how one
WHAT HAPPENED: presents themselves is important in this city. He decides
Business is a veneer, pull it back and you often find very to give them a chance, similar to the one his dear sire gave
little or even nothing beneath it. The financial world found him. He gives them a healthy sum of $10,000 and instructs
that out to their cost in 2008. Alan Sovereign knows more them to double it within a week, or he will convert the
than most the value of confidence, both in markets and in debt into a major boon upon each member.
Kindred. To anyone who he chooses (or is handsomely paid)
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
to advise, Sovereign talks about the art of winning people’s
trust. He rose to Seneschal by being seen as dependable but • The coterie laughs at Sovereign’s foolishness at being
relatively harmless. He’s a man interested in accumulating parted with such a large sum of money so easily.
power without necessarily breaking anyone’s bones. However, when they do not return a single cent,
Sure, many of his schemes leave people destitute and he simply smiles and informs them that the major
homeless, but then those people are a new opportunity, boons will now be due at the time of his calling.
ripe for investment. Those boons will naturally be called in at the most
Alan understands that the Camarilla is one big con- inopportune times for the players and require sac-
fidence trick. It’s a gold standard brand. It’s the big prize rifices far greater than a week’s worth of work for
 The Camarilla Record

$10,000. The coterie also finds that owing a boon to anything too physically demanding. Also, I want some-
the city’s Seneschal is a debt all serious Camarilla thing fairly nearby, since I don’t have a car and public
Kindred take very seriously. transport is a fucking pain. Other than that, you can put
me in a factory and have me slap labels on cans of tomato
• The coterie hits the streets with the money and soup for all I care — I just need the money. Naturally,
through various foul means manages to double it. some of my demands limit my choices, and on top of this
Alan is amused but snorts that he was hoping for I live in the middle of nowhere which doesn’t exactly help
Kindred who could exceed expectations. He will my situation. But after a couple of weeks searching for
call upon them in the future for other errands as something suitable, I stumbled upon a newspaper ad (yes,
required. I was so desperate I went twenty years back in time and
resorted to newspaper ads) and some elderly guy, living
• In a show of entrepreneurial spirit, the coterie plan
just two blocks from me, was searching for someone to
to invest the money Sovereign has given them care-
clean his basement. The pay was good, and I could basi-
fully, using it to cultivate not just repeated returns,
cally walk there and back in a matter of fifteen minutes.
that over time will add up to far greater than the
So, I called the guy up with the number provided, but a
initial investment, but which also gain a great deal of
younger guy answered the phone and presented himself
goodwill or influence for Sovereign in the meantime.
as his grandson. We discussed the details, the payment,
Ideas include: using it to bribe one of Alan’s compet-
and so on. He did ask me about my living situation and
itors in business and expose them as corrupt or se-
whether I was living alone, which I thought was a little
curing a retainer on an up-and-coming artist whose
odd, but I suppose it was nice for him to know what kind
works are known to sell for hundreds of thousands.
of stranger he’d allow access to his grandfather’s house,
Whatever the solution, creative use of the money
which was situated around Ashburn. He even offered to
bringing great long-term benefits impresses Sover-
pick me up every day as he worked nearby! I agreed to be
eign. He tries to remain coy, but the coterie can see
ready at 6 PM the next day.
that he has identified them as Kindred worth doing
business with. They gain Alan as a three-dot Mawla,
and he will begin inviting them into high society An Odd Job
events as his protégés. They also keep whatever skim
they can muster from their investment return. He picked me up in a white SUV on the dot, and just
like I suspected, the driver didn’t look a day older than
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social
me. I found my seat and he shook my hand, presenting
himself as “Patrick Addison”. The car-ride was painfully

Good Evening, quiet from there. I tried to spark conversation, but he just
smiled at me or answered with short comments like “fun”

Nightwalkers
or “interesting”. I wasn’t there to make friends anyway, so
I just stopped trying, and by that time we were already at
the house.
Thinking about it, “house” is a rather big word to
What?! He isn’t dead? No. I am indeed still alive, or some- use, as it was leaning more toward “shack”. It was a tiny
thing along those lines. To be honest with you, I am not wooden box of a trailer-park home, and frankly, it looked
entirely sure what I am anymore. Throughout my years as abandoned. I was surprised he would let his grandfather
a paranormal blogger, I have never experienced anything live in something like that, and my astonishment didn’t
like what I am about to tell you. Frankly, I am not really lessen as I entered the home, as it was practically empty
sure what to do. If you are a regular Nightwalker, you know aside from a few pieces of plastic-covered furniture and a
I post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and I have TV set from the ‘90s. I was confused as to where the old
done so ever since 2008 without missing a single day. So man was, which I guess the grandson noticed, because he
why does a week suddenly pass by without any sign of my announced his grandfather was asleep on the second floor
existence? Let’s try and turn back time for a brief moment. and asked me not to wake him. I thought to myself that
So, as you know, running a blog doesn’t pay enough wouldn’t be a problem since I am mainly working in the
for me to cover rent, food, and do something social and basement. After showing me the cleaning tools, Patrick
fun once in a while. This is why I’ve actively been search- left, and I got to work. The basement really wasn’t that
ing for a part-time gig to cover some of the costs. I’ve had bad, and it absolutely wouldn’t take me a week to clean
a few unsuccessful jobs in the past, ones I just couldn’t it. Only a couple of boxes, a bit of dust here and there,
keep up with because of my back-injury, so I try to avoid some expired beers were scattered around, and a chair

21
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

needed repairing, but that was it. son acting weird, the empty house, Exploring the House
What stood out to me was the boxes the grandfather I worked for but had
didn’t contain much. For a guy in his yet to greet… It just seemed off. So, I
As I climbed up from the base-
70s I expected him to own a lot more. took some time to snoop around. As
ment, I was surprised it was already
But there was nothing remarkable, you know, since you are on my blog
dark outside. I figured I had spent
not even any heirlooms or pictures. I about paranormal activities, I see
more time in the basement than
quickly finished the job for the day, myself as quite the investigator, and I
initially calculated. This only meant
but Patrick wouldn’t return before already had a plan in mind: I needed
I had to hurry my investigation. I
later that evening. The entire situa- to check every room of the house to
needed to see this mysterious grandpa
tion seemed a little odd. The grand- figure out what the hell was going on.
myself. I figured he would be happy

22
 THE CAMARILLA RECORD

and as I flicked the light-switch I re- So now I am here, back in

alized, admittedly not to my surprise, my apartment, everything back to
the lamps were not working. The lack normal, right? Wrong. My body has
of windows made it hard for me to undergone a transformation I don’t
see any details, but I did distinguish a even know what to do about. I vomit
couple of closed doors in the dimness, every time I eat food; I can’t stay
and one door slightly cracked open outside anymore because the sun feels
at the very end of the hallway. I auto- like it’s burning through my fucking
matically stepped towards it, my arm skin. I can’t even see my friends or
stretched out in front of me, reaching family because I… want to attack
for the doorknob. What happened them. The only possible lead I have is
next is difficult for me to understand a note from someone called “Tatyana”
and even put into text. All I remem- who apparently “knows what I am
ber is my chest pushed so hard every and wants to help me”. The note just
single ounce of air disappeared from appeared out of fucking nothing in
my lungs, my back hitting a wall, and my jacket pocket. I guess I am writing
the face of Mr. Addison right in front this partly because I need to vent but
of me. The world turned dark. also in the hopes someone out there
has experienced the same thing as me.
Important Changes Or maybe one of you Nightwalkers
are a doctor or something. What am I
To this day I am not sure how supposed to do? Please, help me.
long I was out. All I remember is — Varnas, Vitas
the hunger. The intense, gnawing,
psychosis-inducing hunger. I’ve been
in major surgeries before because of
Nightwalking
my back, and been fasting for days on
end, but this hunger was unlike an- Cast: Mr. Addison — frenzying
ything else. Oddly, I woke up in the wight (see Vampire: The Masquerade
backyard of the house, and although I p. 375), Tatyana Makarova (p. XX),
was only in my shorts and a short- Vitas Varnas — paranormal investigator
sleeve t-shirt, I wasn’t cold at all. I turned fledgling (p. XX)
couldn’t feel the temperature shifting WHAT HAPPENED:
from day to night, but I didn’t think
The Embrace is a traumatic expe-
about it for long. I had to find food
rience for anyone, whether it comes
urgently, and in my desperation, I
as a gift or as a curse. The moment
ran back into the house. As I opened
one passes from life to undeath, all
the back door, I realized the house
perspective changes. Hunger shifts
was completely empty. Not even the
from food and drink to nothing but
TV or couch was there. I flung open
blood. The Beast growls constantly in
the kitchen cabinets, searched the
one’s heart. Many fledglings last little
fridge and freezer, checking every
more than a handful of nights before
to actually know who roamed his single shelve and drawer — nothing.
they lose control.
home, and my interest was so piqued The empty house didn’t faze me, and
I couldn’t stop myself. I had to dig The blogger known as Vitas
I didn’t even consider the possi-
deeper. Climbing the stairs, I made Varnas responded to a want ad inno-
bility my attacker might still be in
sure to be as loud as I could without cently enough, only to find himself
the house. My body was out of my
seeming too obvious, mostly because Embraced by a reclusive Tremere
control, and it eventually brought me
I wanted him to wake up as naturally named Mr. Addison, unknown to the
to the basement where I, in a matter
as possible. My purpose was to meet majority of Kindred in the city. Vitas
of seconds, and I honestly don’t
the guy, not give him a heart attack. is now asking about his new vampiric
remember how it happened, had my
The corridor on the second floor was condition, which in turn might raise
teeth plunged into a screaming rat. I
just as empty as the rest of the house the attention of the Second Inquisi-
shit you not. I drank its blood.
tion or the Sheriff. Whichever one

23
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

notices first, the outcome for Varnas pire involved in the ploy one dot manity. Perhaps using his mortal
is unlikely to be good. of Status (Chicago), if it doesn’t retainer, Patrick, as a mouth-
This is where Tatyana Makarova raise them above three dots. piece might placate the wight,
comes in. She intended to visit her but it’s no sure thing. Addison is
associate, Mr. Addison, and instead • The coterie leaks word of the likely to attack any vampire who
found the freshly Embraced Varnas. blog to Second Inquisition comes close. Providing evidence
His new sire, out of his mind, stood contacts. The result is not the in- of Addison’s destruction to the
over the body. After harrying the ferno they might expect. FIRST- Sheriff earns the coterie a minor
frenzying Addison from his haven, LIGHT reach out to Varnas and boon from Damien or one of his
Tatyana left a note with Varnas make him a stalking horse for Hounds.
offering assistance if he needed it. their various plots in the city, for
as long as he’s useful. They have Attribute Focus: Physical /
She then pursued Addison into the Social
nearby park and never returned to no luck tracking Addison and
cannot find Tatyana under her
check on Varnas.
various identities. The Inquisi- VITAS VARNAS
A Masquerade breach is waiting
tion may reward the coterie for
to happen. There could be three casu- Clan: Thin-Blood
their dubious loyalties with one
alties, or, if the coterie is conscien-
dot of Contacts among one of Sire: Mr. Addison
tious and smart enough, there could
the fringe agencies aware of vam-
be none. Depending on who they aid Embraced: 2019 (Born 1992)
pires, though this will only last
(if anyone) the coterie may gain some
the duration of the chronicle. Ambition: Survive another night
new allies or enemies. The first the
coterie hear of the Varnas problem Convictions: None
• If the coterie assists Tatyana
is when word of his blog reaches in trying to clean up this mess, Touchstones: None
Elysium, or when Tatyana — if the they’ll need to track Varnas and Humanity: 8
coterie know her — approach them bring him to Tatyana so she
for assistance. can act as an adopted sire. She Generation: 14th
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: has no desire to see the fool de- Blood Potency: 0
stroyed, even if he is risking the Attributes: Strength 2, Dexter-
• The coterie reports the Masquer- Masquerade. Tatyana becomes a
ade breach directly to the Prince ity 3, Stamina 3; Charisma 3,
one-dot Mawla in exchange for Manipulation 2, Composure 2;
or the Sheriff, attempting to gain aiding her, with Varnas reach-
favor with the hierarchy. The Intelligence 4, Wits 3, Resolve 3
able for his online knowhow.
gambit works, in part. Varnas’ The coterie will want to purge Secondary Attributes: Health
blog is explicit enough for the all records of his blog from the 6, Willpower 5
Sheriff to call his Hounds on internet, however, and this is no Skills: Athletics 1, Brawl 1, Drive
the wight once known as Mr. easy feat. 2, Stealth 2; Insight 2, Intimida-
Addison, and the immediate de-
tion 1, Persuasion (Begging) 3;
struction of Varnas, if he can be • The coterie may identify the real Academics (Research) 3, Aware-
found. Tatyana receives a stern threat as Mr. Addison. In truth, ness 1, Finance 1, Investigation
warning and a massive boon debt the Tremere is quietly stalking 3,, Technology (Internet) 5
to the Prince. The coterie earns through the Chicago suburbs,
Tatyana as a two-dot Adversary, committing grisly murders and Disciplines: Thin-Blood Alche-
but the Sheriff grants each vam- showing no sign of return to Hu- my 1

24
 THE CAMARILLA RECORD

Bar-Room Brawl Handling Gengis

CASE NO: 1273 Cast: Damien (Chicago by
Night, p. 88), Gengis (Chicago by
Reporting Hound / Sheriff: Alexa and Damien Night, p. 96), Lewis “Lulu” Sheng (p.
XX)
INCIDENT: Anarch brawl in Succubus Club
WHAT HAPPENED:
DETAIL OF EVENT: At 22:47 I was dispatched to Gengis and a bunch of his
the Succubus Club because of reports of an Anarch Anarch buddies got hopped up on
group destroying bar inventory and threatening some cocaine-infused blood and
guests and bartenders. I arrived with Hound Alexa decided to smash up the Succubus
Club for the thrill of it. They didn’t
at 23:10. As we parked, a chair broke through the think of the consequences at the
ground floor window and yelling was heard from time, feeling unstoppable until
within the bar. Entering the bar, the perpetrator Damien, Alexa, and Sheng removed
was identified as Gengis. He was located on top of Gengis from the premises. The only
a corner table and surrounded by barguests and reason they didn’t eliminate him
then and there was because of how
the Kindred “Lulu” Sheng, yelling and throwing much attention was on him at that
cocktail glasses into the wall, making several moment in time, and how Dami-
people duck in order not to be hit by glass. en knows about Gengis’ turncoat
service to Prince Jackson.
ACTIONS TAKEN: I ordered Alexa to guide guests Now, however, enough of the
and Kindred away from Gengis in order to keep city knows about Gengis’ behavior
them safe. Meanwhile, I told Gengis to step down and expects a public punishment.
The coterie may seek to smuggle
from the table and leave the bar immediately. He
Gengis out of the city before his
was actively disrespecting the Second Tradition. trial, may aim to defend him before
He openly yelled, “The rules of the Camarilla the rest of the court, or could jump
do not apply to me, old man,” thereby actively on the bandwagon to see the end of
breaking the First Tradition. As he disobeyed, this troublesome Anarch.
I saw no other choice but to restrain him and WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
ensure he could not cause more damage. With the • The coterie offers Gengis a way
help of Hound Alexa and Lulu, we managed, in out of the city, and if they’re
joint effort, to restrain Gengis and drag him wise, they extract a sizeable fee
out of the bar, while he still yelled profanities from him for doing so, either
in the way of Resources or a
against the Camarilla and Prince Jackson. As boon to be paid in the future.
previous attempts at “detaining” him have failed, Doing so earns them Gengis as
we dropped him off at his penthouse to cool off. a two-dot Mawla, but if their
actions can be traced, Damien
SUMMARY: I will follow up on the case come 3rd calls for them to answer to the
of January. Gengis stands accused of breaking court. If they somehow evade
the First and Second Tradition of the Camarilla punishment for assisting an
enemy of the Camarilla, they
and this case will be discussed come the next
gain Damien as a two-dot Ad-
Primogen Council meeting, since this is the third versary. Prince Jackson shows
time in a month that we have responded to a crime
committed by Gengis.

25
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

The Unfortunate Embrace

subtle appreciation for their
assisting a longtime resource.

• Anarch PCs might stand up for

Gengis. If they speak with him CASE NO: 1274
before the trial, he is morose Reporting Hound / Sheriff: Alexa
over having drank such intoxi- INCIDENT: Sireless Fledgling
cating blood and having played
the fool in front of so many of DETAIL OF EVENT: Call received at 9:32 PM regarding a
his peers. It’s a challenge, but suspicious figure attacking doves and blackbirds in Blackhawk
the coterie may elicit some Park. This figure had mostly been noticed by mortals and
already reported to the Chicago PD; however, its behavior caught
sympathy from other vampires
the attention of several Kindred — especially the Nosferatu
for pointing out Gengis’ con-
with feeding grounds near the park — for its bestial behavior. I
trition. This action gains them
decided to prioritize the task first and foremost to hopefully
Gengis as a two-dot Mawla.
get to the individual before mortal police.
• The coterie may use this op- I arrived at Blackhawk Park at 9:55 PM and began search-
portunity to point out all of ing for anyone matching the received description. My search
Gengis’ other crimes and join carried on for ten minutes before I heard an animal wailing
in on bringing the Anarch low. in the corner of the park, right next to a 7/11 and a local
Damien is reluctant to exe- kindergarten. A woman in her mid-twenties, described as small
cute Gengis due to the aid he’s in frame and with long, black, unkempt hair half up in a
given the Camarilla over recent ponytail, wearing an open flannel shirt, a white tank-top
years, but if the coterie is per- and khaki pants was seen hunched over a cat. Her fangs were
suasive enough, he may see no deeply set into the creature, which was still screaming in
choice. If any members of the pain. On her arms and chest were several lacerations, however
the only blood seems to be coming from the creature she is
coterie are Anarchs, Damien
attacking.
then pushes the responsibility
for Jackson and Gengis’ list on ACTIONS TAKEN: Upon seeing me, she acted with immediate
to them. fear, threw the half-dead cat to her side and pressed her back
against the wall of the 7/11. Although her pupils were small,
• If the coterie really pushes to she did not seem to be intoxicated. Regardless, I approached
find information regarding her with utmost care, in order to not to create an immediate
Gengis’ behavior, they’ll find violent reaction. As I neared her enough to grab her wrist, it
the Kindred who supplied him became clear, this person no longer lives. Her skin was ice-cold
with the drug-infused blood and I was close enough to observe the stillness of her chest.
was Lulu, who subsequently Although she acted with violence against creatures in the park,
assisted in his ejection from she willingly followed me back to my vehicle and I took her to
the club and public reprimand. the safe house.
Sheng actually dosed the Upon questioning and a medical check-up, it was discovered
Brujah with vessels spiked with the girl was Embraced by what she described as a “businessman”
cocaine and wanted him to she met over the app Tinder and arranged a date. She proceeded
make a fool of himself. Sheng’s to describe the attacker as around 6’2’, wearing a tailored
boss, Capone, was driven out Italian suit, combed back black hair, constantly checking his
of power based on information phone. The bitemark on her chest, previously assumed to be from
Gengis provided to Jackson. He the cat, was confirmed vampiric. She is currently placed in
feels it’s high time the Brujah custody at the safe house.
fell far from grace. SUMMARY: Due to the nature of the case, it is clear three
laws of the Camarilla have been broken: Masquerade, Progeny,
Attribute Focus: Social
and Accounting. This is seen as a major break of the Traditions
in Prince Jackson’s city. The fledgling will be presented before
Kevin Jackson and her fate bestowed upon her. Furthermore, an
intense hunt will be set in to identify the alleged sire to the
child.

26
 The Camarilla Record

More Complicated • Alexa and Damien have seen and fatally dealt with many
unclaimed fledglings, but there is hope if the coterie sug-

than it Seems gests Critias’ school for mentorship or resolve to bring her
errant sire to justice. Alexa, despite their lack of Human-
ity, believes the sins of the sire should not reflect on the
Cast: Alexa Santos (Chicago by Night, p. 144), Enzo childe. If Enzo can be brought before the court — which
Tovani — nomadic vampire (p. XX), Seraphine de Winter — would require knowing he was involved in this crime —
unfortunate fledgling (p. XX), Talley (Chicago by Night, p. 134) Alexa will speak up for preserving the fledgling’s life.
WHAT HAPPENED: Attribute Focus: Physical / Social
Enzo Tovani, a traveling vampire with no designs
on remaining in Chicago, was hunting for prey using a ENZO TOVANI
dating app while passing through the city. As he swiped
through the app, he recognized the ghoul of a Lasombra Clan: Unknown
who wronged him once upon a time in Washington D.C. Sire: Lucafont
This woman, Seraphine, was a favored servant of Marcus
Embraced: 1921 (Born 1898)
Vitel, the so-called Emperor of D.C.
Overcome with the desire to taste powerful vitae, Ambition: Destroy Marcus Vitel’s regime and status
Enzo arranged to meet Seraphine in Blackhawk Park, Convictions: Never follow orders blindly
where he drained the ghoul. With a taste of Vitel’s vitae
Touchstones: Jillian Rudgley — driver and attendant
on his tongue, he then Embraced the aristocratic lady
and abandoned her in the park, in the curious hope of Humanity: 6
irritating Vitel with a little bit of “Treatment” — an old Generation: 9th
practice of Tovani’s fallen clan.
Seraphine wasn’t in Chicago on an idle trip. Her reg- Blood Potency: 3
nant had sent her to the Windy City to deliver a message Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 2, Stamina 4; Cha-
to Talley, but Enzo got to her first. Talley therefore never risma 4, Manipulation 2, Composure 3; Intelligence
received the message and is currently looking for the 2, Wits 4, Resolve 2
messenger he believes should have arrived. Alexa discov- Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 5
ered the fledgling Seraphine, who has been shocked into
silence by the sudden and brutal Embrace. Skills: Athletics 1, Brawl 2, Craft (Carpentry) 2, Drive 1,
All manner of secrets stand to come out as a result Survival (Underground) 4; Animal Ken 3, Etiquette 1, Insight
of this conglomeration of problems. Seraphine’s message 2, Intimidation 2, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 1; Awareness 2,
could end up in the hands of Alexa or Prince Jackson. Finance 2, Investigation 3, Occult 2, Politics (D.C.) 3
Talley could lose valuable contact with one of his reliable Disciplines: Dominate 3, Obfuscate 2, Presence 2
sponsors. Vitel might find one of his favored ghouls exe-
cuted and wish to visit retribution on the city responsi- SERAPHINE DE WINTER
ble. Tovani might send the domain into a tailspin.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: Clan: Caitiff
• If a vampire comes forward to adopt Seraphine, they Sire: Enzo Tovani
stand to gain a great deal. However, she will not speak Embraced: 2019 (Born 1968)
in her defense when questioned by the Hounds or
Ambition: Maintain my vow of silence
Sheriff. Her fear of Vitel is so great, she would rather
meet final death than betray him. At least initially. Convictions: None
Taking her on as a ward brings benefits, but in the Touchstones: None
long-term might lead to the acquisition of a powerful
Adversary Flaw, in the form of the Emperor of D.C. Humanity: 7
Generation:10th
• Through contact with Talley, the coterie discovers
Seraphine possesses something of importance to him. Blood Potency: 1
If they can secure her and bring her to the Magister, Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4; Cha-
he rewards them with a major boon to be paid in the risma 2, Manipulation 4, Composure 4; Intelligence
future, then makes the young vampire disappear. 3, Wits 3, Resolve 5

27
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Shut it Down
Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 9
Skills: Craft (Calligraphy) 2, Drive 3, Stealth 1; Eti-
quette (Ghouls) 3, Insight 4, Intimidation 1, Subterfuge
(Playing Dumb) 3; Awareness 1, Finance 3, Investiga- Cast: Gabriella (p. XX and see Let the Streets Run Red),
tion 1, Occult 1, Politics (D.C.) 2, Technology 1 the Administrator — a hunter using the internet as a weapon
Disciplines: Fortitude 3 WHAT HAPPENED:
The verumdetenebris website looks lazy and ill-de-

Incendiary Information
fined to the casual observer, discussing common myths
surrounding fabled creatures, but behind it is the mind
of a hunter obsessed with discovering and capturing a
Case No: 1275 vampire, werewolf, or other creature of the night. Certain
subtle points on the site provide evidence of Masquerade
Reporting Hound / Sheriff: Gabriella breaches, so the Hounds must take it seriously.
Incident: Website with potentially The issue is, nobody can tell who set the website up. Gabriella
dangerous material. is one of Damien’s favorite Hounds, but even with her technolog-
Detail of Event: 08:56 I receive an ical expertise she cannot find the website’s source. The Adminis-
email from our web technician currently trator (as she calls him) has buried the lead in so many layers of the
situated in Louisiana with his monthly dark web that the most she can determine is the Administrator’s
record of suspicious websites. He has been probably based in Chicago, but that’s the sum of her findings.
following a specific site: verumdetenebris.
She is faced with outsourcing to other Kindred,
sun for three months ever since it shared
severely blurred pictures of a member of enlisting mortal hackers and cybercrime specialists, or
Clan Gangrel feeding on public ground. taking the action Damien suggests of “just shut it down”.
Recently, blog posts regarding Kindred ac- Gabriella fears that if she does shut the site down, which
tivities have exploded, and several of our is well within her capabilities, it only lends credence to
kind have referred to its potential danger. the rumors the website is fueling.
Several pictures, shared blog posts, videos, Gabriella speaks to the coterie— ideally they will
audio-clips, and even a podcast regarding have a decent reputation in the city — and asks for advice
Kindred activities are now public. on how to act or whether they might be able to handle
Actions Taken: I discussed this in- this issue.
cident with Damien, and we agree we
have to look further into who runs this WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
website and what can be done to put out • Gabriella shuts the website down. This short-term fix
a potential fire. As for now, pictures redoubles the Administrator’s efforts, however, as he
and audio-files are so obscure whoever re-opens the site elsewhere, now with evidence of the cy-
owns the domain to this website does not
bercafé from which Gabriella was operating. If any of the
have any important proof of vampiric
activities. However, the amount of effort coterie are skilled in Technology, they might see this as
put into the research behind the page is the opportunity they need to entrap the Administrator.
enough to take the page down before it
becomes a danger. I will remain in con- • The coterie studies the website for all clues leading
tact with other members of my clan and to the Administrator’s identity, being led on a merry
discuss what measures can be utilized chase around the city. The Administrator is effective
and our web tech will keep an hourly eye at concealing his tracks and sending his pursuers
on the page until we know more. after his enemies before they can reach him.
Summary: Constant surveillance of
• The coterie add fuel to the verumdetenebris website
verumdetenebris.sun and involvement of
Ambrus Maropis to trace the source of fire, but as a way of making the urban legends of
this site. Jackson has given the express its focus more opaque and grandiose. By concealing
order to eliminate this level of record the truth in further rumor and innuendo regarding
keeping. It’s my fault for suggesting it. vampires, the coterie help discredit the Adminis-
Ensure all your reports are communicated trator and gain Gabriella as a one-dot Mawla. If the
verbally from now on and destroy any- Administrator detects the intent of their actions,
thing you’ve typed to date. however, he becomes a two-dot Enemy.
Attribute Focus: Mental

28
 The Camarilla Record

was, but it was clear the conversation’s nature was an

GABRIELLA interrogation. The largest member of the group, and the
person leading the conversation, was a woman around
Clan: Nosferatu 6’3” with red curly hair in a ponytail. She was wearing a
Sire: “Snakeman” Capo bulletproof vest. She asked the clerk several times if she
Embraced: 2008 (Born 1985) had seen any unusual activities displayed by guests en-
tering at night and if they ever look ‘exhausted’ or ‘sick’.
Ambition: Prove her worth as a young Hound The person standing right behind her had one hand
Convictions: Never let my friends down planted on the stock of his gun and the other on the
surface of the desk. He seemed to be listening intensely
Touchstones: Ali Knapp — best friend since child-
to an earpiece in his left ear. He was around the same
hood
height as the red-haired woman but was much larger in
Humanity: 9 stature. He wore a black cap and fingerless gloves. The
Generation: 11th two others seemed to be in training, or at least of lower
rank, as they kept fidgeting around nervously and asking
Blood Potency: 1 questions to the larger male of the group.
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha- I waited until they left the store and immediately
risma 2, Manipulation 3, Composure 4; Intelligence followed them from a distance (after paying). As I followed
5, Wits 4, Resolve 4 them around the perimeter of the south end of the city, it
Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 8 became obvious they were patrolling the area. I watched
them enter the haven of Gabriel Marcus — that new arrival
Skills: Athletics 1, Brawl 1, Craft (Repair) 3, Firearms Critias values so highly for his knowledge of Mayan history
2, Larceny 2, Stealth 1; Etiquette 1, Insight (Text and connections to Mictlantechutli (remember my tales
Speak) 3, Intimidation 1, Subterfuge 1; Academics about that monster?) — but they didn’t emerge before I
(Computer Science) 3, Awareness 1, Investigation 4, had to move on.
Science 3, Technology (Hacking) 5
As Gabriel hasn’t appeared in Elysium since then,
Disciplines: Obfuscate 3, Potence 2 and I fear the intent of these heavily armed mortals, I sus-
pect we may have a cabal of well-informed and equipped

Chance Encounters
hunters in our midst. Maybe a new paramilitary group
affiliated with a fringe political group or religious order? I
suppose that’s for you to find out.

with Hunters
— Khalid

Wauneka,
Beware the Huntsmen
Far be it for a Kindred as influential as I to ask for a
Hound’s assistance, but due to our close connection, I felt Cast: Cedrick Calhoun (Chicago by Night, p. 157),
you may wish to know of an encounter I had last night. Night’s Cross — paramilitary hunter group, Wauneka
(Chicago by Night, p. 160)
As I was traveling from Evergreen Park to Burnham,
I stopped at the 7/11 outside Fountain Hills Golf Club to WHAT HAPPENED:
buy gasoline. I noticed two black SUVs of the same model A hunter cell known as Night’s Cross sprung up in
and year parked outside the store before walking in, Aurora three months ago. Its membership comprises of
and upon entering observed a group of four at the front mortals — mainly ex-military in background — with the
desk, speaking to the clerk who was looking nervously group of largely far-right leaning vampire killers spon-
around the store. I decided to stand closer and listen in sored by a local megachurch and a retired head of the
on the conversation in order to get a sense of why she was Special Activities Division (SAD) of the CIA. It’s a small
alarmed. Upon placing myself about three yards from the group right now but stands to grow and threaten Kindred
group, I noticed they were all unusually heavily armed in Chicago and beyond if left unchecked. Wauneka and
with military grade automatic rifles. Studying the rifles Calhoun (as Khalid) want all eyes open for this group of
further, I soon saw a sword and skull marked on their tooled-up killers. They need to be dealt with quickly and
handles. quietly.
As I entered the conversation halfway through, I Cedrick Calhoun, while disguising himself appropriate-
was not able to pick up exactly what their intention ly, stumbled upon one of the Night’s Cross patrols starting to

29
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

edge into Chicago itself. Tracking the Gabriel was a paranoid vampire, them. The megachurch does lead
group through the city, he found them and thankfully, cameras in his to the former head of SAD for
entering the home of the newly arrived home record the entire interro- the CIA and a potential scandal if
Gabriel Marcus, a vampire new to the gation pointing Night’s Cross to his sponsorship of a paramilitary
city, where unknown to Calhoun, they the university for Critias, and group was made public.
interrogated and then murdered the the Succubus Club for the rest of
Attribute Focus: Mental /
Kindred scholar. the city’s vampires.
Physical
Night’s Cross hoped to find out
• The coterie sits this one out, allow-
more about Kindred society from
ing a major sea change to occur. NIGHT’S CROSS
Gabriel, but being a new arrival,
he only knew of his sponsor Critias If they do this, they can expect to HUNTER
and the Succubus Club. That may be earn enemies from the Nosferatu
who attempted to recruit them, Standard Dice Pools: Physical
enough, however, to blow the domain
and potential positions of power 5, Social 3, Mental 4
of Chicago wide open.
if influential Kindred fall to the Secondary Attributes: Health
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: Night’s Cross guns. The risk, 8, Willpower 7
• The coterie visits Gabriel’s haven however, is the hunters will cling
to power once they have it. Exceptional Dice Pools:
to find streaks of bloody ash Athletics 6, Brawl 6, Firearms 7,
everywhere from his night-long Melee 6; Intimidation 4; Aware-
• Tracking Night’s Cross to their
torture. They also discover the ness 5, Occult 5, Science 5
base — a megachurch in Aurora
deceased vampire’s scholarly
— may lead to a siege involving all Special: Night’s Cross hunt-
works on Mayan religion and
manner of heavy arms and explo- ers are always equipped with
South American vampires
sives. This cell is equipped to sur- bulletproof vests and automatic
vandalized, though a trained
vive an attack or, at the very least, weapons. They do not possess
Kindred may be able to recover
take their enemies down with True Faith.
valuable pieces of information.

30
 THE CAMARILLA RECORD

“Is this one of yours…?”

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Hello, dearest Kevin.
I thought this little transcript of a video I found while searching around for something to do on a
Saturday evening might be of interest to you. Isn’t it funny what’s readily available on the world wide
web for everyone to see — even what we feed from?
Anyhow, I found this surveillance footage from the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Blood Bank
uploaded to a very popular website, where a small crew of Baggers appear to be raiding a blood van.
As I know this is certainly not one of ours, since we have both interest and control over where even
our youngest plunge their fangs, I am sure this one must belong to you. I added the comment section
for you to enjoy as well, so you can truly see how the world perceives a Masquerade breach.
Enjoy.

The Exchange
WOMAN
“Hey buddy, you got a light?”
Woman approaches the van driver with determined steps and the man follows.
MAN
“Yeah, sorry to bother you, Dude. We’ve been outside the hospital all day because of a sick relative,
you know?”
The driver gets out of the driver’s seat and the three of them stand in front of the open side of
the van.
DRIVER
“Yeah sure, I think my lighter’s in this pocket…”
Driver laughs embarrassed.
DRIVER
“I normally keep it right in the inner-pocket of my jacket. I swear, I never lose it. This is the
first time.”
The couple moves closer and the male pulls out a knife out of sight from the driver behind his
back. The girl moves closer to the man, reaching into her front pocket.
GIRL
“Oh look, I had a light all along.”
Male steps forward in front of the girl and grabs the driver’s shoulders, pushing him into the
back of the van. The driver falls with a yell and both the girl and the young man jump in after
him. The side door slides closed and muffled screams are heard from 2:34 - 5:56. The van moves once
in a while with the additional hollow sounds of flesh meeting metal. The last minute before the
couple reappears the muffled screams and the movement of the van stops. The door slides open and
the couple steps out. The girl is adjusting a man’s watch on her wrist and sliding a wallet into
her backpack. With a slow movement of his arm, the male closes the van door, but the foot of what
can only be assumed to be the driver, prevents the door from closing completely. The foot twitches
a couple of times before it lies completely still. Blood oozes from the van onto the concrete its
parked on.
The couple has a short conversation too low-spoken to be audible on camera, and right before
leaving the frame, they grab bags of blood from the crates still left on the forklift, stuffing the
girl’s backpack full.
The clip cuts to four hours after, where an ambulance and police car arrive at the scene, and the
lifeless body of the driver is transported away.

31
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

The Comments Section While the Circulatory System

is more concerned with trafficking
upright, walking blood bags, Bron-
UNSTABLE_GABLE34 wyn is concerned these “Natural Born
Okay, so am I the only one noticing how the couple’s breath isn’t Killer” types will disrupt the less lu-
visible? Like, you can clearly see the driver’s breath in the video. Are they crative but still profitable Bagger side
even breathing at all? of her enterprise. She wants them
dealt with promptly.
CEED76CS
First! WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
LAURIALYLOVE • The coterie lets the Meyers do
Can we talk about how fucking ‘00s that jacket is? their thing, trusting them to
move on to another domain
LUCIFERWASHERE as they’ve always done before.
This is literally just outside my house. It’s super fucking creepy, and I’m However, the Meyers realize
pretty sure I’ve seen that couple roaming around here before. Remind me they’re on to a good thing in
not to be in that area alone, yikes! Chicago. Their activities draw
THESE7IOR64ANTALIO the attention of the Inquisition,
the Sheriff, and the ire of the
This is clearly fake.
Circulatory System, sending the
BIEBERCONNERY city into a fit of chaos while the
Why the hell are they stealing blood bags? How much do those things couple roam free. Additionally,
sell on the black market? It doesn’t seem worth it to be honest. bagged blood becomes much
harder to find as mortal security
EYKERMIT4EVER
around blood banks increases.
Nice watch tho.
• The coterie resolves to drive the
MEMELORD100
Meyers out of town. The Meyers do
Lol, are they pretending to be vampires or something? They should not respond well to intimidation
read up on their stuff, because vampires can’t walk in sunlight. FAKE. and fight back against any coercion
SALLYSYCOB with aggression. They identify any
Can we just agree that its super scary those two meth-heads are walk- interfering vampires with their ne-
ing around Chicago and attacking innocents. Like wtf. Why isn’t the police glectful sire and won’t stop until their
doing something? I saw this trending the other day and they are apparently tormentors are stains of greasy ash.
STILL not found. Come the fuck on.
• The Meyers are met with force.
NEWMOONRISING If the coterie goes after them
Pause at 4:34. You can clearly see fangs on the girl. Could just be aggressively, Violet Meyer fights
fakes tho, i dunno. Looks pretty scary to me like a berserker, while her hus-
band crumples and bemoans their
tragic creation and desperate
Clear as Day uncaring about the city’s stringent
Masquerade policy.
states. Violet would rather fall to
the Beast than subject herself to
Hugo and Violet Meyer were, another vampire’s control, but it’s
Cast: Bronwyn (Chicago by frankly, fucked up by their Embraces. possible the PCs sympathize with
Night, p. 141), Hugo and Violet Meyer — A married couple before they were Hugo and try to make his exist-
thin-blooded Baggers (p. XX) given the “gift” of undeath by their sire ence more peaceful. Ultimately,
WHAT HAPPENED: and abandoned to devour their family, he is inclined to meet final death
Hugo and Violet became traveling if his wife is destroyed. On the
A couple of young thin-bloods horror shows, leaving a trail of carnage positive side, the coterie gains a
from out of town have arrived in Chi- wherever they hang their hats. They grateful Bronwyn as a three-dot
cago and immediately set to claiming try not to tackle mortals unless they Mawla if they destroy the Meyers.
the blood bag trafficking business, get in their way, but for the Meyers,
unaware of the Circulatory System’s Attribute Focus: Physical /
most people are in their way.
interest in the field, and certainly Social

32
 THE CAMARILLA RECORD

THE MEYERS Blood Potency: 0

Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4; Cha-
Clan: Thin-Blood risma 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 1; Intelligence
Sire: Arachne Silverlock 3, Wits 2, Resolve 4

Embraced: 2015 (Born 1981) Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 5

Ambition: Take control over the blood trafficking Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Drive 3, Firearms 2,
trade Melee 2, Stealth 2, Survival (The Streets) 3; Animal
Ken 1, Intimidation 2, Persuasion 1, Streetwise 1,
Convictions: None Subterfuge (Underestimation) 4; Academics (Biology)
Touchstones: None 2, Awareness 1, Finance 2, Investigation 2, Medicine
3, Science 2
Humanity: 3
Disciplines: Thin-Blood Alchemy 2
Generation: 14th

Dearest Club Member

We would be delighted to see you at the annual Evening of the Flesh this
coming month. We, the Black Roses, will be arranging the meet-up this year,
and can truly say, it will be even bigger, even better, and even more interest-
ing than in years prior. We have special playtoys we cannot wait for you to
get your hands on, and I am sure they will happily oblige your every desire. If
not, we will make them — like we always do.
Per our code, this event must stay strictly confidential. We wouldn’t want
any disturbances to ruin our night (no one could forget last year’s near slip-
up). This year’s theme will be “The Blood”, so please dress accordingly —
think of something that reminds you of what gives you life. Perhaps, a red
dress? Maybe a burgundy tie? Even shoes count! As long as your appearance
channels that which we all burn for.
The guests this year will be young, so please be on your best behavior. We
don’t want to scare the poor things, at least not until reach the end of our little
ordeal. After all, they are not used to the ways of our club. Still, they did not
earn their blood, and make better meals than anything else.
Remember, you can always bring a plus one. But make sure this individual
is ready for all the fun controversies we will be embarking on. Most impor-
tantly, they will have to keep quiet. We don’t want a certain royalty to hear
about our games.
We look forward to seeing you,
The Black Roses

33
Exclusive Invitation Though rumors of the Black Roses have extended
beyond Chicago’s boundaries, few know the identities
of vampires within the club. The Toreador Black Rose
Cast: Annabelle (Chicago by Night, p. 183), Karyn Stanislava known as Karyn Stanislava is only known because she
(p. XX), The Black Roses — a secret society within a secret society often organizes the more palatable entertainments and has
to coordinate with other vampires to hire gifted retainers
WHAT HAPPENED:
and Kindred-aware security. Karyn is sworn to silence on
Every year for the past decade, a group known as the matter of the remaining names on the guest list, and
the Black Roses assembles in Chicago for a debauched it’s possible she doesn’t even know them. The club insists
party in which they enjoy every pleasure flesh and blood its members wear masks and are forbidden from uses of
can give. Though many such parties take place across their vampiric Disciplines (at least from using them on
the States, the Black Roses’ events are a special kind of each other) when the Black Roses come together.
depravity, as the members of the secret group test each The group name implies a largely Toreador society,
other’s Humanity and attempt to tease the Beast to the but Annabelle has voiced her displeasure with the vulgar
surface with every sinful act. club for its acceptance of diablerie. An invitation found

34
 The Camarilla Record

the Sabbat and the Church of Caine, and any vampire

experiencing these “pleasures” runs the risk of falling
to their Beast.

• Annabelle recruits the coterie to infiltrate the Black

Roses’ next party, reasoning that if everyone remains
masked, they should find doing so no trouble at all.
The party is horrific in every way, compelling vampires
with higher Humanity ratings to burn the whole thing
down before leaving. During the party, it’s possible
one of the members of the coterie might discover a
known (and ostensibly humane) Kindred is one of the
other guests. Keeping their identity a secret is enough
to command a boon or gain a Contact, though that
vampire might subsequently become an antagonist.

• One of the coterie’s thin-blooded associates dis-

appears, with rumors abounding that the Black
Roses are snatching up thin-bloods for party food.
Annabelle tips the coterie off to Karyn Stanislava’s
location, giving them the opportunity to get even or
gain information.
Attribute Focus: Social

KARYN STANISLAVA
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Hathaway, “The Menshevik”
Embraced: 1930 (Born 1907)
Ambition: Make the Black Roses more impressive
year after year
Convictions: Never let them know your true power
Touchstones: Arturo — loyal, long-time retainer
Humanity: 2
Generation: 9th
Blood Potency: 2
from the last session discusses feeding from the young,
which turned out to be thin-bloods imported into the Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2; Cha-
city, one of whom escaped. risma 4, Manipulation 4, Composure 2; Intelligence
2, Wits 4, Resolve 3
The Prince would like this group shut-down com-
pletely; while a secret society for now, the longer the Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 5
festering debauchery remains contained, the worse the Skills: Athletics 3, Melee 2, Stealth 1; Animal Ken 2,
explosion when someone finally penetrates its shell. Etiquette 4, Insight 2, Intimidation 1, Performance 3,
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: Persuasion (Seduction) 4, Subterfuge (Innocence) 5;
Awareness 1, Finance (Investments) 3, Medicine 1,
• A member of the coterie receives an invitation Politics 1
to attend a party with the Black Roses and finds
themselves in an exclusive soiree where no sins are Disciplines: Auspex 2, Celerity 2, Obfuscate 1,
off-limits. Thoughts fly to the debased practices of Presence 2

35
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Help for Hire — Warehouse Rebuild

Several able-bodied and robust younger people are needed for a
complete rebuild of my warehouse in Lincoln Park. The warehouse
was previously used to store auto-parts but has been empty since
2001. It is now needed for a new project, and therefore, I seek
help to spark life into the old halls once again. The warehouse
refurbishment needs to be ready in a very short span of time.
In order to be a part of the project, you need to meet certain
requirements:
• You will need to be available sixteen hours a day every day for
two weeks. This may seem intense, but I need this job done as
soon as possible. You will be paid very well for your time and
effort. Therefore, I seek individuals who do not have immediate
family to attend to and are currently unemployed.
• You will need to be between the ages of 18 and 40.
• You will need to be in a physically good condition to perform
the job. My only requirement is you are not currently sick.
• You cannot bring any cellular devices or means of communication.
This is simply because I need your full attention while you are
here, and I do not tolerate sloppiness or distractions.
These requirements must be met for you to seek this position. In
return you will get:
• Full housing and accommodations during your two weeks. A trailer
with everything you need, including kitchen and bath will be
available to you.
• $50/hour + an additional $10/hour during night and weekend
shifts.
• A starting bonus of $1,000 with a signed work contract.
If this catches your interest, please contact me on the enclosed
cellphone number or send a letter to my PO Box. My personal
assistant will be answering your calls during daytime since I am
often busy or out of the office. I will be available for brief
questions or any other inquiries typically from 9 PM - 11 PM, as I
will be in office.
Kind Regards,
Amelia Locke

36
 The Camarilla Record

Seeking Employment
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
• The coterie provides Amelia with financial backing
for whichever venture she decides to undertake.
Cast: Amelia Locke (p. XX) Doing so earns them Amelia as a one-dot Mawla, but
WHAT HAPPENED: the investment takes a long time to yield results as
It’s a simple enough sounding ambition: Amelia the Ventrue’s many advisors suggest everything from
Locke, childe of Joseph Peterson, wants to create a new a theatre to a board game café.
Elysium. • The coterie attempts to directly influence Amelia’s
She has the property, which was an old warehouse decision, living their fantasies through her. Unless
near Lincoln Park gifted to her by her exiled sire. Now, they’re subtle, she rebukes any attempts at control
she just needs to figure out what to turn it into. Her lover, and becomes a one-dot Adversary for each member
Tatyana, suggested a club, but there are already plenty of the coterie. She’s not interested in being someone’s
of those in the city. She’s reached out to Annabelle and puppet. If they are subtle, they may convince her to
Kathy Glens, who suggested a gallery or an auditorium, invest in a business that matches their interests.
respectively, but neither prospect appeals.
This vampire journalist is hard-nosed but willing to • The one idea Amelia hasn’t considered but would
listen to ideas. All she needs is a good one. Something that gain the backing of the Hellenes and the Tremere of
might leave a new mark on the Chicago map. It’s the kind the city, is a new city library. It would appeal to her
of enterprise any aspiring Camarilla vampire might get journalistic desires, and if other vampires get their
behind. way, could even provide a secret study and reading
room for Kindred texts. It wouldn’t make a massive
splash on the social scene but would provide a place
of quiet contemplation for vampires of the city.
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social

37
 The Anarch
chapter two

Accounts
“No more compromise. No more deals. We hide from the light because it serves us, not because we serve them!”

— Anita Wainwright, in a speech to her fellow Anarchs

Beckoning Whispers
If the Camarilla are the CEOs gazing down on the city,
the Anarchs may be likened to the homeless — hated
by the big man for just wanting to survive. Just like city
councils spend thousands on trying to rid themselves of
the homeless population, the Camarilla would prefer if Dear Sir/Madam,
the Anarchs stopped existing. In truth, many Anarchs
We at Worden’s Bureau have aided
just want to spend their unlife free from the shackles of
those who, for no reason, have determined that they are in missing person cases since 1996.
superior. Each investigation is handled profes-
When large groups of Anarchs congregate, it makes sionally and tailored to match the needs
the Camarilla nervous about another uprising. They are,
at most, tolerated by the Ivory Tower, especially if they
of our clients. We believe cooperating
all follow the Traditions. Since they are not part of the with our customers increases our chance
Camarilla in these nights, Anarchs don’t fall under the of success, so you need not worry about
protection of their laws. Killing Anarchs is an accept- your privacy or methods of payment.
able thing, especially thin-bloods, as long as the murder
doesn’t cause too much of a stir. To avoid annoying the Our rates are dependent on the depth
big man, free Kindred form their own circles and hunting of work and the time we estimate it will
grounds. take us to complete the job. If you pre-
Chicago is a big city, so most Anarchs manage
to hunt without stepping on the toes of the elite sect.
fer, we can meet at a specified location
However, some go looking for trouble. Anarchs can’t let or here in our office.
the Camarilla think their silence is compliance with their Hope to hear from you soon,
laws and rulings.
Ian Rasmussen

39
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Reopening a Cold Case Europe, from Paris to Sofia. This information could be
valuable to retain or sell to Anarch supporters or Ca-
marilla enemies of the notorious vampire revolutionary.
Cast: Ian Rasmussen — mortal private investigator
• Discovering the truth of Kindred society, Rasmus-
WHAT HAPPENED: sen approaches one of the PCs knowing they’re a
The Beckoning affects Kindred all around the world, vampire and requests the Embrace. He doesn’t know
with elders of all domains disappearing over the last decade. about the rule of 10 Anarchs in Chicago.
One Anarch — a young vampire named Jasper who was sub-
Attribute Focus: Social
sequently purged when Gengis was ordered to make this list
of 10 “agreeable” Anarch — even hired a private investigator
named Ian Rasmussen to track down the location of Tyler, a
PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR
former Brujah of prominence in the domain.
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 4, Social 4, Men-
Not only is Ian Rasmussen on the trail of Tyler,
tal 6
it’s possible he could be called upon to investigate the
whereabouts of other vampires, exposing him further to Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 5
Kindred secrets. Rasmussen is a popular P.I. with a late- Exceptional Dice Pools: Drive 5, Firearms 5,
night talk radio show many Kindred listen to, due to the Stealth 5; Persuasion 6; Investigation 7
number of times he’s profiled their victims.
Special: Private investigators have a habit of seeing
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: things at their most rational, meaning even if they do
• Ian Rasmussen locates a Kindred reported missing, find evidence of vampire activity, they will attempt to
and this vampire divulges many secrets before fleeing ascribe it to mundane causes.
the P.I.’s company. This leaves a mortal in a position
where he knows a lot about the wrong side of the
Masquerade. The player characters may have to find a Outrunning the Past
way to silence him.
Cast: Andrea Harvey-Staboli (p. XX), Lianne Miller (p.
• On behalf of the Anarchs, Rasmussen locates Tyler’s last XX), Gengis (Chicago by Night, p. 96), Maldavis (Chicago
known whereabouts — one month ago one of her mortal by Night, p. 102)
aliases secured a berth on a train heading east across

40
 The Anarch Accounts

WHAT HAPPENED: • Maldavis would dearly love Andrea to formally

Andrea Harvey-Staboli, an independent Kindred adopt the Anarchs as her sect so she could offer the
said to be a Masquerade breaker, is infamous for her Movement’s full protection and, in turn, benefit
premonitions regarding the Beckoning. She fled Chicago from Andrea’s counsel. If the coterie is involved in
about two years ago, and during her absence from the seeking Tyler (as in Reopening a Cold Case on p.
city, traveled around South America with her long- XX), Andrea could assist in knowing the legendary
time companion Lianne Miller, hoping to find ancient Anarch’s motivations. Maldavis would owe a minor
knowledge there to help her to understand the Kindred boon to the vampires who deliver Andrea to her
nature. Visions of a growing darkness and whispers door.
compelled Andrea to travel so whatever entity and pow-
er was there would not fall into the wrong hands. While • Old and powerful vampires in Chicago want a
they didn’t find anything of physical value, Andrea Malkavian like Andrea in their thrall or destroyed.
heard a whisper she never thought she would hear again: On one hand, she may hold the key to circumvent-
the voice of her sire. It was weak, but she was sure that ing their own Beckoning. On the other, she could
it was him. Her head was spinning; had he not met his become a valuable weapon for an opponent. Vam-
final death? pires such as Helena and Critias see her value but
“It speaks to me in my voice, summoning me to a also realize the benefit of eliminating such a source
place I do not know. Images flood my mind of a place I’ve of information.
never seen but its familiarity is like an old memory.” • If the coterie provides Andrea sanctuary as she
She returned to Chicago trying to learn more about researches the Beckoning, her friend Lianne Miller
the place of which her sire spoke. She had gained visions willingly becomes their bodyguard or aide, acting as
of places she’s never seen: a city with foreign buildings, a two-dot Ally or Retainer. Any friend of Andrea’s is
ancient ruins in a sea of sand, a dirt road next to the a friend of Lianne’s.
water that seems to stretch for infinity. After considering
what meaning those places could have had to Federico, Attribute Focus: Social
Andrea determined it must be the Beckoning commu-
nicated via flashes of images. She vowed to learn more
about this affliction to save her sire and in turn explained
A Desperate Rescue
everything she’d seen to Gengis and Maldavis — who
both offered her shelter — before going into hiding again. Cast: Damien (Chicago by Night, p. 88), Lianne Miller
Unfortunately for Andrea, Gengis leaked word of these (p. XX)
conversations to the Camarilla court. WHAT HAPPENED:
Both Anarchs and the Camarilla are trying to seize If Andrea is captured by the Camarilla court of the
the opportunity of her return to learn everything she Chicago in Outrunning the Past (p. XX), her closest
knows of the supernatural affliction affecting the elder friend seeks to rescue her. Sadly, she’s not prone to spend-
Kindred. ing time strategizing.
“Why are they leaving, and where are they going Those who know Lianne know her impulse levels are
exactly? Can we somehow control the urge, or cause it in that of a teenager. While she says she’s only investigating
others?” Andrea’s capture, her friends know she’s going to try to
These are questions asked on either side of Kindred rescue Andrea without a plan.
politics. Those who have the answers to those questions Why risk doing this? For Lianne, Andrea is not
— or a clue leading to the truth — could possibly cure or only a good friend, she is also the one who holds secrets
weaponize the Beckoning. of the Beckoning and the Beast. For her, her fascination
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: with this supernatural affliction is like a mortal’s morbid
curiosity of death. It comes to us all, but only those who
• Locating and handing Andrea over to the Camarilla go through it know what it’s like on the other side. Time
is a morally dubious act, especially due to her suscep- almost stands still for the Kindred, but how can one not
tibility to the blood bond. However, doing so takes be curious about where their journey’s going to possibly
her off the board and keeps her information secure end? With so much potential of weaponizing this condi-
in one place. The risk comes with what the Prince tion, how could a young and ambitious neonate not want
might do, once he knows a little more about the to follow up on the clues they have?
Beckoning’s power and how Andrea believes it can
Lianne will rant and rave, snarl and seethe to the
be tamed.
player characters about how she intends to rescue Andrea

41
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Flowers in
from anyone who might bond her Adam rules the mortal world, there
and force answers out of her. Aiding will never be equality, and the Tradi-
Lianne could lead to making a useful, tions set down by the Camarilla were
albeit temperamental new friend.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
the Garden all constructed by two male vampires
of legend: Raphael and Hardestadt.
This cult has a restrictive
• A prison breakout takes place, We believe in autonomy. We be- membership requirement. First, you
with the coterie needing to lieve in free speech. We only believe must be an Anarch. Then one must
navigate the security put in place in whichever Traditions enable us prove their eyes are open to the truth
by Damien, his Hounds, and any without restriction. by undertaking a series of trials set
mortal servants used to guard Do not be mistaken into think- by members of the Lilies, usually
Andrea’s hiding place. Mean- ing we are mere Anarchs. We are a involving the mockery of Camarilla
while, someone important to the faith. We are a philosophy. We are institutions, the sabotage of high-sta-
court (possibly Damien) is inter- the future for all Kindred who desire tus Camarilla Kindred influence, or
rogating Andrea for information an eternity of expression without the destruction of bigoted vampires.
relating to the Beckoning and punishment. Harmony can never be accomplished
its secrets. The player characters We Lilies are but buds growing as long as one assumes that one
may wish to plan this in depth, from the soil, but soon, we will be should be either dominant or subser-
but Lianne will force their hand more than that. vient because of one’s characteristics.
due to her impulsiveness. Freedom belongs to everyone.
The Dark Mother beckons us
east, but it is not physical transit When a member is accepted into
• The Sheriff discovers Lianne
she demands of us. It is mindset. She the cult, they become “Flowerbuds”
and subsequently deals with the
wants us to think as our ancestors and eventually, after performing several
upstart, perhaps because the PCs
thought, fight as they fought, and acts to impress Lilith, they are named
turn her over. The punishment
reclaim our heritage. “Flowers”. There are no higher ranks, as
enacted on the young Anarch de-
The Lilies shall grow and be the Lilith is believed to lead the cult.
pends on how and when Lianne
is discovered. The enforcers of brightest flowers in the garden. In truth, the Lilies appeared
Camarilla law will act according Her garden. when Edith Beaubien — the member
to protocol, and either reward of another Lilith cult in Chicago

The Lilies
the player characters with one — lost one of her ghouls, who was
dot of Status or declare them en- subsequently Embraced and re-
emies of the domain for assisting worked Edith’s beliefs into this new
in this foolhardy rescue attempt. Cast: Edith Beaubien (Chicago by cult. Maldavis wants to find out what
Night, p. 162), Maldavis (Chicago by the cult knows about the Beckoning,
• Lianne rescues Andrea from Night, p. 102) while Edith wants to find out if this
the safehouse in which Damien cult has answers that can help the
stashed her for questioning. If WHAT HAPPENED: Cultivars with their questions.
the PCs assisted in this attempt Recently, Maldavis saw a piece
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
and failed to cover their tracks, of graffiti in the background of a
Damien becomes a 2-dot Enemy. newspaper photo, which read: “The • The Lilies typically operate in
In either case, Lianne becomes Dark Mother Beckons to Go East — small coteries, usually consisting
a two-dot Ally and Andrea Lilies Assemble!” It’s a long stretch, of a mixture of three individuals,
becomes a one-dot Mawla, not but the style matches the graffiti used typically a mortal, a ghoul, and a
useful for gaining status but full by some Anarch Kindred in Chicago. vampire. If the PCs decide against
of information relating to the Maldavis pushes to investigate as she infiltrating the cult, or if they
Beckoning. thinks the “go east” part might be in wish to observe them from afar,
relation to the Beckoning. they spy these coteries running
Attribute Focus: Mental /
What awaits the PCs if they errands. The Flowers rarely leave
Physical
follow up on this clue is a cult the co- their havens, but Flowerbuds go
terie has never heard of before — the and practice acts of sabotage and
Lilies. The Lilies are an Anarch-spir- disruption on their behalf.
ited Lilith cult. The center of the
• The PCs may attempt to infil-
cult’s belief is that while the image of
trate the cult. Being affiliated

42
 The Anarch Accounts

with the city’s Anarchs is a good start, though the • Dr. Benway offers any Kindred prepared to join the
Lilies expect their members to then start some Lilies a generous introduction to Annabelle, his
well-timed fires — figurative and literal — to prove Mawla, and to act as a friend within Clan Toreador.
loyalty to Lilith’s ideals. Any vampire who locates the amphora gains Benway
as a one-dot Contact. Additionally, recovering the
• The graffiti message “The Dark Mother Beckons to amphora with the vitae still inside makes him a two-
Go East” is in part a reference to the Beckoning, dot Mawla.
which a couple of older members of the cult have
experienced. The Lilies believe Lilith is summoning • The Lilies are an aspirational group for many
them once they’re strong enough to fight in an up- Anarchs, as they represent a spiritual route for
coming battle, but it is a spiritual journey the must throwing off the Camarilla’s shackles. The possi-
undertake, rather than a physical one. Some “Flow- bility that the cult’s founder is blood bonding its
ers” report experiencing the Beckoning as a smooth members while also relieving them of their vitae for
female voice telling them to return to the bosom of reasons unknown, severely undermines many Anarch
their mother and rest before their fight. principles. The Ministry especially takes umbrage at
the Lilies’ activities. Eliminating the Fury grants a
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social
vampire favor within Chicago’s Ministry, represented
by two dots of Status within the clan.
Words from the Blood Attribute Focus: Mental / Social

Cast: Dr. Benway (p. XX) THE FURY

WHAT HAPPENED:
Clan: Tremere
The coterie continues to learn of the Lilies, hearing
the cult’s founder — who just goes by the name “the Fury” Sire: Victor
— is in disagreement with some of the other Flowers on Embraced: 1999 (Born 1957)
the subject of drinking each other’s blood. As the Fury
Ambition: Expand the cult’s power
was a ghoul before she became Kindred, one might expect
her to be averse to the tradition of blood bonding. How- Convictions: Never refuse the vitae of another
ever, she believes the drinking of vitae is the best way to Touchstones: Alexandra Mason — ghoul and loyal
make one strong and loyal. adjutant within the Lilies
The Fury has had a premonition she will soon have to
Humanity: 5
leave the city to travel far away. Therefore, she has filled
an amphora with her vitae for the other cultists to drink Generation: 10th
when they too hear Lilith’s voice, so they can find other Blood Potency: 2
departed Lilies. Word has escaped the cult of this great
quantity of magically preserved vitae, which the vampire Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 4;
named Dr. Benway wishes to obtain so he can study it. Charisma 2, Manipulation 5, Composure 3; Intelli-
gence 2, Wits 4, Resolve 3
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 6
• The location of the amphora is a closely kept secret.
Skills: Athletics 1, Craft (Sewing) 2, Drive 2, Fire-
Only the Flowers know where the vitae is stored. As
arms 1, Melee 2; Animal Ken 1, Etiquette 3, Insight
elder members of the cult are disappearing due to
4, Intimidation 2, Leadership (Lilies) 4, Performance
the Beckoning, the cult is presently seeking a new
2, Persuasion (Love Bombing) 3; Academics 1,
location to store the Fury’s blood. Whenever a new
Awareness 1, Medicine (Hematology) 2, Occult 3,
member is initiated into the cult, the Flowers take a
Politics 1
vitae sample from them and store it elsewhere. This
presents the coterie an opportunity to learn of Fury’s Disciplines: Auspex 1, Blood Sorcery 3, Fortitude 1
vitae cache.

43
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Changing Allegiance
blackmailing him. If Mateo can pull
off this plan, he can get himself a new
identity and eliminate one of the
most hated Camarilla Kindred in the
FROM: 4-6-DEATH-9 city. He could even join the Anarchs
TO: SquatLift98 as a member in good standing.
(We’ve detected profanity in this message. To comply He can’t wait to watch it all go
with the community rules, we’ve automatically censored it up in flames and is willing to pay any
using our profanity filter. Kindred who assist him very well in-
deed. Maybe then he’ll finally be able
Remember you can block and report members for harass- to feel happy again — true bliss.
ment or other illegal activities that violates our Terms of
Service.) WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
hey *** • Mateo kills Kyra but doesn’t
your post got deleted before it could be downvoted to make it out in time. Engulfed in
oblivion. you ***** ree or what lol. you planning to flames, he meets his final death.
burn down your work because some normie called you a While the fire is searing his flesh
******* unvaccinated *****. asking for a friend. I got and numbing his brain, Mateo
a screencap of your post and can easily send it to your welcomes the end. While Kyra’s
boss m8 but I’ll help a *** out. belongings may be contested,
get a VPN and a new setup as the one you’re using is Mateo’s haven is available for
probably maggot infested. get a browser like Tor. your PCs to “inherit”.
first test is then to order me some drugs lmao. that’s
all the help you’ll get from me for now. if you manage to • Mateo escapes without killing Kyra,
get that far without inviting the police into your *** his pride more injured than his
then there might be some hope for you as my servant. your body. Sure, he lived to see another
payment will be learning how to find the stuff you’re night, but he failed in his primary
looking for. objective. Kyra understands her
don’t bother replying to this throwaway account. go to the childe’s motive and must deal with
police and I’ll let everyone know what you posted online. doubt him. If Mateo was obsessed before,
they will then let you jack off to ******* burn victims in he’s now possessed by the idea of
prison. killing her. The PCs are on a dan-
gerous ledge if they aided Kyra, as
she has many boons to cash in with

An Explosive and while her gothic bar in Arlington Chicago’s Toreador.

Heights is far from Chicago’s center,

Entrance she courts favor with her fellow Tor- • The club goes up in flames. Kyra’s
eador whenever she visits the clubs status isn’t guaranteed, so Mateo
in the city’s center and is one of the must lay low while trying to
Cast: Kyra Ripa — abusive, founding members of the Circulatory confirm her final death. He may
hardline Camarilla sire (p. XX), Mateo System. Somehow, she’s always been withhold any promised reward
García (p. XX) able to carry off the richest in enter- until her status is confirmed.
tainments while never breaching the Raking through the ashes and
WHAT HAPPENED: determining which are hers may
Masquerade. Many of these entertain-
Mateo had a plan. Not a good ments have been at the expense of require a vampire skilled in Blood
one, but a plan nonetheless. He was Anarchs, who she treats like toys to Sorcery or Oblivion rituals.
going to burn down the club his sire break and throw away.
Kyra ran as the front for her hunting • The hacker trying to blackmail
Mateo had a mishap online while Mateo signed their first mes-
grounds: Bliss. The club has been his searching for information, openly
personal hell for years. It’s there he sage with 4-6-4-9, a Japanese
asking on a forum about how to best wordplay on numbers spelling
met Kyra, and it’s there he was subse- get away with arson. Learning about
quently Embraced. out “Nice to meet you.” Since
the dark web has taught him much, they have not given Mateo any
Kyra has been an ultra-conserv- even if he now has an internet stalker other name to call them by, the
ative Camarilla agent for decades,

44
 The Anarch Accounts

nickname for the hacker is “4-6-4-9”. This individ- If Mateo was not immediately caught in An Ex-
ual could be Bobby Weatherbottom (see Chicago plosive Entrance (p. XX), vampires in the know look to
by Night, p. 226) if the Storyteller wishes to use an Crook as the likely party responsible. For his part, he
Anarch blackmailer, Gabriella (see p. XX) if one of doesn’t attempt to defend himself. Instead, Crook goes
the Camarilla Hounds is watching Mateo, or another to ground as he hunts the real party with the intention of
tech savvy individual should the Storyteller opt for a making him pay.
different route. Mateo will look to his new allies for defense in this
Attribute Focus: Physical / Social situation, while Crook will discreetly reach out for infor-
mation regarding the burning down of Bliss. Meanwhile,
KYRA RIPA the Hounds are dispatched to bring Crook in once and
for all. As far as the Sheriff is concerned, the Nosferatu
arsonist has lit his last fire.
Clan: Toreador
Sire: Hansen WHAT COULD HAPPEN:

Embraced: 1865 (Born 1838) • If the Hounds discover Crook or the PCs turn him
over to the Camarilla, the Sheriff will speak for
Ambition: Put an Anarch in their lowly place when- burning the Nosferatu as punishment for the de-
ever possible struction of Bliss. The act may take a toll on the PCs’
Convictions: Preserve the Masquerade at all costs Humanity; Charles Dawson definitely deserves some
Touchstones: Georgia Stein — mortal owner of form of punishment, but he isn’t guilty of the crime
the Bliss Club, and only mortal who knows of Kyra’s ascribed to him.
undead state • If the Anarch Center find out about Mateo, they
Humanity: 3 wish to safeguard him. At least for a time. A Kindred
Generation: 11th prepared to attack Camarilla hardliners such as Kyra
Ripa is welcome in their ranks, even if they have
Blood Potency: 3 to send Mateo to another domain to carry out his
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3; attacks. Mateo resents the Camarilla but is being
Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 4; Intelli- mistaken for a freedom fighter, when he just wanted
gence 3, Wits 2, Resolve 4 to murder his sire. He doesn’t want to be in any sect’s
clutches and wants the PCs to get him away from
Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 8
this asylum.
Skills: Athletics 2, Craft (Cocktails) 3, Drive 1, Me-
lee 1; Etiquette 4, Insight 1, Intimidation (Powerplay) • If Kyra survived the previous hook, she warily seeks
5, Leadership 2, Performance (Dance) 3, Persua- aid to neutralize her unruly childe — careful to not
sion 2, Subterfuge 2; Academics (Transit Routes) 2, enlist the help of anyone who may leak the news to
Awareness 2, Finance (Nightclubs) 3, Medicine 1, those above her station. Her pride is at stake, and
Politics 2 she dreads the fall from grace awaiting her if Mateo
is revealed to be her childe. Better to kill him and
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Dominate 2, Potence 3,
blame some Anarchs or claim he succumbed to his
Presence 4
final death due to an unfortunate accident. Should
she find someone suitable to help her, Kyra attempts
Flames Spread to coerce them with the seductive promise of wealth
and decadence, becoming their three-dot Mawla.

Cast: Charles “Crook” Dawson (Chicago by Night, p. • 4-6-4-9 plays a mysterious role in this chronicle.
167), Mateo García (p. XX) They may pass Mateo’s location on to Crook if they
have not been compensated following the blackmail
WHAT HAPPENED: attempt or could assist Mateo if payments have been
Immediately following the arson attempt on the Bliss club forthcoming. This hidden Kindred keeps an eye on
in Arlington Heights, the attack draws the attention of Kin- all the activities in this story and reaches out to any-
dred miscreant, Charles “Crook” Dawson. Crook loves starting one involved with more threats or potential praise, if
fires, and while he’s fairly indiscriminate in his targets, he’s hit they work to 4-6-4-9’s benefit.
more Camarilla havens and nightspots than anything else.
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social

45
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Boyce’s Advice
As the Anarchs go through the motions of bowing and
groveling, praising Jackson’s accomplishments and speaking
nothing but well of his domain, Boyce attempts to up the
stakes by pledging unconditional loyalty for greater favors.
So, how does a lowly Anarch get by in Chicago?
Well, if you take my advice, you go underground. Work This gambit may go many ways, but Boyce is a gam-
the system from within. We’re safe enough if we stay in bler, and it’s the loyalty of his companions — likely the
Elysium and we’re safe enough if we don’t announce our player characters — he’s pledging, rather than his own.
affiliation. It’s not as if anyone can tell what sect you are WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
by looking at you, not even by tasting your blood.
• The characters turn up at a convenient Elysium and
I know about the Anarch Center but, look at them!
Boyce arranges introductions. It is clear the Kindred
They’re nearly as establishment as Prince Jackson’s gang.
here do not have a high opinion of Boyce, but Boyce
They have the right idea about laying low, but I don’t
bears it out and encourages the PCs to do the same.
trust them. Too many of them just want to be in Jackson’s
The characters go along with Boyce’s scheme and im-
shoes, or his pants, or whatever. Then there’s the Nihil-
press Jackson (or his representative), who grants them
ists who are frankly past it, stuck in the last century and
territory. It will not be good or extensive territory,
they’re not recruiting either.
but it gives them a toehold in Chicago where they can
So, if you’re an Anarch in this city, what do you do? operate reasonably freely (if they stick to the rules).
You go the Prince and tell him you’re here. You tell him
you support him, and you don’t want to make any kind of • The characters go along with Boyce’s scheme but fail in
waves. You don’t tell him you identify as an Anarch, and their bid for territory; instead, they enter into dispute
you don’t tell him you’re part of his exclusive club. They with the Government. Boyce does his best to smooth over
tend to assume you are, unless you say different. That’s the the situation but is unable to make a significant differ-
extent of their arrogance. You hope he will give you just ence. He slinks off, leaving the PCs to handle the fallout.
a tiny bit of territory in the city and, if he doesn’t, you go
somewhere on the outskirts no one else is claiming and just • The characters refuse to go along with Boyce’s scheme
take it for your own. You don’t want to go begging. Then and find another way to establish themselves in the city.
you find your niche and you build it. You build your own Declining the wily Anarch’s offer earns the coterie a one-
thing. Your own businesses. Your own influence with the dot Adversary, as he’s not used to being turned down.
mortals. And you do it your way, not their way. Keep your However, going it alone means not having to deal with
head down. the negative impressions the city court has of Boyce.
You want to get yourselves some plausible deniabil-
• Seeing the coterie establishing themselves within
ity, I can introduce you to my little coterie of Duskborn
the domain, Boyce pushes farther than they’d like,
and fledglings. They’re useful, but like fighting dogs, don’t
explaining to Jackson or one of his servants that the
think you can count on controlling them once they get
coterie is willing to go “above and beyond” in service
the smell of blood in their nostrils.
to the Prince. As a result, the coterie is enlisted to
One day though, when there’s enough of us, when disrupt Anarch meetings, claim Anarch resources,
we’ve built ourselves enough influence, we will rise up in and capture one of Illinois’ more dangerous new ar-
the streets and reclaim Chicago. I think we could use the rivals, J. Sebastian Hart, the so-called Duke of Cook
Anarch Center as a front. County and rival to Anarch interests in the region.

An Anarch May Look at the Prince

Attribute Focus: Social

J. SEBASTIAN HART
Cast: Devin Boyce (p. XX), J. Sebastian Hart — the Duke
of Cook County and independent tyrant (p. XX), Prince Kevin Clan: Hecata
Jackson (Chicago by Night, p. 209) or a representative from Sire: Sergio Rossellini
the Government Coterie (Chicago by Night, p. 250)
Embraced: 1914 (Born 1870)
What Happened:
Undercover Anarch Devin Boyce arranges for a Ambition: Wrest Cook County from the Anarchs
group of his sectmates to introduce themselves to Prince and make it independent of all Traditions
Jackson and ask for territory. He is deferent and poses Convictions: Always respect the dead
convincingly as a lowly member of the Camarilla.

46
 The Anarch Accounts

Touchstones: Charles Cornelius Black — business the gutter. No fucking dignity. Couldn’t even challenge
partner and prospective childe him to a decent fight. Just hit him from behind and left a
Humanity: 4 note in his pocket.”
Boyce holds out his hand for the note.
Generation: 12th
“No, I can’t show you the note. I hid it. Couldn’t bear
Blood Potency: 3 to look at it. It just said ‘Anarchs, get out of town’ and it
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 1, Stamina 5; was signed by the Sheriff.”
Charisma 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 2; Intelli- “I don’t believe Damien did it,” Boyce says. “I just
gence 4, Wits 4, Resolve 3 don’t believe it. Who’s PFJ?”
Secondary Attributes: Health 8, Willpower 5 “Prince Fucking Jackson,” Babs spits out the words.
The whole coterie is on the edge of frenzy.
Skills: Brawl (Body Weight) 3, Drive 2, Firearms 1,
Larceny 2, Melee 1, Stealth 1, Survival (Starvation)
3; Etiquette 2, Insight 1, Intimidation 3, Leadership
(Hecata) 4, Persuasion 1, Subterfuge 1; Academics
Murder Mystery
2, Awareness 3, Finance 2, Investigation 1, Medi-
Cast: Devin Boyce (p. XX), Eustace Lancaster (p. XX), the
cine 1, Occult 3, Politics (Independent Domains) 4,
Parkie Mob — a coterie of local gangsters (p. XX)
Technology 1
Disciplines: Dominate 2, Fortitude 2, Oblivion 3 WHAT HAPPENED:
Coded tags appear, spray-painted around Patty’s Cyber Café
in Gage Park. Whoever put them there claims to have murdered

Mendoza is Dead Joseph Mendoza, one of Devin Boyce’s sometimes-coterie, the

Parkie Mob. Boyce is incensed. As someone who has always at
least pretended to follow the rules, he rankles at the prospect
“Mendoza was murdered.” Tim tells Boyce, his Beast someone might be trying to push his buttons and cause him social
barely under control. “Far as we can make out, some embarrassment. He already knows about the letter claiming
Camarilla bastard killed him for no better reason than he responsibility for the murder, but this? This is just crude.
happened to be Duskborn. Or in Chicago without PFJ’s Reaching out to the player characters’ coterie, Boyce
permission. We found him, or what remained of him, in wants them to look within his own coterie to see if there’s a

47
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

traitor in their midst, before spreading the search wide to look The Parkie Mob
for outside attackers. Boyce is paranoid, and first wants to rule
out whether someone close to Mendoza was responsible for
The Parkie Mob are an Anarch coterie who love to
his death and is trying to play it off as an assassination.
make trouble. They work with Boyce regularly, with him
Boyce emphasizes that any investigation must take place often taking the leadership role. The coterie meets in a games
on the downlow. He’s instructed his own coterie to look into arcade and named themselves after one of the gangs in a
the killing, but they are unaware a third party is coming in to favorite video game. They are all capable thieves and drivers,
offer some discreet oversight. Currently, only Boyce knows spending much of their time holding up bars, gas stations,
about the PCs’ involvement, and only Tim Roche of the Park- and small stores. The coterie takes a particular thrill in hav-
ie Mob knows of the letter found in Mendoza’s pocket. ing a shopkeeper unload a gun on them only to get back up
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN: to their feet and freak the mortal witnesses out.
• The characters investigate the murder. The note Tim
Roche found in Mendoza’s pocket is as Tim described,
TIM ROCHE
but it is not in Damien’s handwriting. Assisting with
Clan: Caitiff
the investigation gets the characters appreciation
and a minor possible boon from Boyce but ruling out Sire: Unknown
Damien doesn’t confirm who is responsible. Embraced: 2007 (Born 1989)
• The characters make a mess of the investigation and Ambition: Turn over a bank some night
Boyce will not provide back-up under any circum- Convictions: Make every night more fun than the last
stances as it would blow his cover. The Parkie Mob
take action against the PCs, at best mocking them Touchstones: Eli Roche — mortal husband, still in
and beating them up for such a ham-fisted investi- Tim’s life
gation, at worst swearing death on them for their Humanity: 5
espionage. In both cases, Devin Boyce denies all
Generation: 13th
knowledge of being involved with the characters and
the Parkie Mob’s immediate instinct is to trust him. Blood Potency: 1
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3;
• Successful investigation of this crime is tricky. The
Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 4; Intelli-
handwriting is unlikely to match any the characters
gence 2, Wits 4, Resolve 2
recognize, and even if they have contacts among the
Hounds, the Camarilla hitmen don’t admit to the Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 6
killing. Rather, the murder of Mendoza was an act of Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 2, Drive (Getaway Vehicle)
passion committed by the struggling Eustace Lancaster, 4, Firearms 2, Larceny (Stick-ups) 4, Melee 1, Stealth
who after he regained his sense of self hastily scrawled a 1; Intimidation 2, Leadership 2, Persuasion 1, Street-
note placing blame on Damien before fleeing the scene. wise (Fences) 3, Subterfuge 1; Awareness 1, Finance
1, Politics 1, Technology 2
• The graffiti claiming responsibility for Mendoza’s
death is another issue. Lancaster is not responsible Disciplines: Fortitude 2, Potence 2
for tagging the walls. Instead, the artist responsible is
Tim Roche, who wants to make a play for leadership PARKIE MOBSTERS
of the coterie. He believes Boyce has had his time (OTHER MEMBERS)
and needs a public embarrassment to force the issue.

• The characters may wonder how this issue fits in with the Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2;
Sixth Tradition. It should not be too difficult to discover Charisma 2, Manipulation 1, Composure 3; Intelli-
Prince Jackson has declared Anarchs and Duskborn fair gence 2, Wits 3, Resolve 2
game, but if the PCs are Anarchs, it’s unlikely they’re Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 5
sympathetic to the rules. If they believe the Sheriff was Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Drive 3, Firearms (Hand-
responsible, however, and don’t believe Mendoza was gun) 2, Larceny 3, Melee 2, Stealth 2; Intimidation
given the option to leave town before his murder, they 3, Streetwise (Fences) 3, Subterfuge 1; Awareness 1,
may have a legitimate cause to complain to the Prince. Technology 1
Attribute Focus: Mental Disciplines: Celerity 1, Fortitude 2

48
 The Anarch Accounts

Mixing It Up and they do not trust the Nihilists, who they regard as
a bunch of sad, old men. The Parkie Mob prepare for a
night of mayhem.
Cast: The Parkie Mob (p. XX) WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
WHAT HAPPENED: • The characters go along with the idea of direct action.
Tim has an idea… They come up with a scheme to fuck things up. This is
“What I don’t understand about Chicago is this: a chance for the player characters to get creative but,
Why is it still under the thumb of the Camarilla? Look if they don’t come up with anything, there is the idea
at Paris, Berlin, London. Look at the Free States on the of running through the loop with crow bars, stealing
West Coast. So, what is different about us? How come and/or vandalizing cars at random… Whatever they do
the Movement remains a fringe thing, crushed under the is almost bound to attract the attention of mortal au-
heel of Jackson? Maybe it’s something to do with Midwest thorities and certainly risks a breach of the Masquer-
mentality, like Big Boss Boyce says, but that’s a load of ade. The consequences of which will impact the group
problematic bullshit just as an idea and, come to think of at some point in the future.
it, not all the licks here come from the area.
Fact is, we are not organized. We don’t have a plan. Or • The characters decline to take part in such ill-thought
maybe some of us do but those plans aren’t moving fast. out direct action and start to scheme in colder blood.
We’re losing momentum. Half those Anarchs who’ve been They have a chance here to recruit this motley crew
around more than 10 years or so are nearly as bad as the as allies or even thralls, if they can impress an Anarch
Cam, what with their fixed ideas about how to do things. coterie as disorganized as the Parkie Mob.
I reckon we need to go mix things up a bit. I reckon • The characters report this stupid scheme to someone
it’s time for a bit of direct action.” they believe to be in authority — this could be Boyce,
The Parkie Mob are bored. And frustrated. Frustrat- Damien, or even the Anarch Center. This could
ed that what passes for the Anarch leadership in Chicago lead to the acquisition of an influential vampire as
moves so slowly. They know Boyce advises them to play a Mawla, if they consider the Parkie Mob worthy of
like good kids, biding their time but, sometimes, this gets the fuss.
too much for them. This group does not want to wait for
the Anarch Centre to get the movement off the ground Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical

49
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

The List of Ten

WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
• The characters start investigating
who made the deal with Jackson.
This could lead them into all
It ain’t easy being an Anarch in Chicago. kinds of trouble, as in order
That’s because Jacko is determined for the to investigate they are almost
certainly going to have to reveal
place to be the jewel in the elite club crown. that there is a list. Most Anarchs
His dog is forever on our backs, or at least in Chicago will not believe them
on the backs of everyone he thinks is like us. and Gengis will want to shut this
Except there are some Anarchs he’s promised investigation down.
not to touch and who knows who they are? • MacTavish believes this ‘fiction
I don’t know, I don’t even know if they know of a list’ is a Camarilla ‘divide
themselves. Only two licks know for certain. and rule’ ploy to split the An-
archs by setting them against
That’s Jackson and whoever supplied him with each other. The refusal of the
the list. Anarch Center to believe in the
I’d like to know which sell-out bastard list at all indicates they may not
gave him the list. I’d like to know who’s on it be the people who set it up. The
Anarch Center are not inter-
and whose ass they had to tongue to get on ested in helping and attempts
it. I’d like to know how he stops his Hounds to pressure them into doing so
from ‘dealing with’ the privileged licks on that could lead to the acquisition of
list. Because half of those Hounds are not powerful enemies. MacTavish be-
lieves this kind of tactic should
really under Damien’s control. I understand spur the Anarchs into action,
the Sheriff is trying to turn that situation though whether his compatriots
around but, honestly, I’m not sure whether feel the same is another matter.
that’s a good thing for us. He will act as a two-dot Mawla
to anyone who launches an as-
Anita sault on a Camarilla stronghold.

• Gengis is still pondering what

Who Made the Deal? Anita Wainwright suspects a
deal exists and, while she doesn’t
conditions he will set for An-
archs who hope to get on the
know who made it or any of the list. If approached he will deny
Cast: Devin Boyce (p. XX), Anita details, she’s angry. Not as angry all knowledge at first but, under
Wainwright (Chicago by Night, p. as the members of the Parkie Mob pressure, will start to bargain —
93), Duncan MacTavish (Chicago by following Mendoza’s death, given probably by offering places on
Night, p. 123), Gengis (Chicago by they’ve incorrectly made connections the list.
Night, p. 96), the Parkie Mob (p. XX) between Joseph’s murder and the list,
but still angry. Anita wants to keep • The Parkie Mob jump to their
WHAT HAPPENED:
her own hands clean but is keen to own conclusions and declare
Gengis made a deal with Kevin find out who the sellout is, and who Maldavis or Anita Wainwright
Jackson. He offered to prevent the (if anyone) is on the list. as the person responsible for
Anarchs from attacking Camarilla Anita reaches out to a reliable the list, completely missing
Kindred if the Prince would allow 10 coterie to investigate on her behalf. Gengis. He doesn’t correct them.
named Anarchs to remain in Chica- She does not trust the Parkie Mob to Sure enough, this causes a civil
go. Gengis has not told the Anarchs handle this investigation, but unfor- conflict between the Anarchs,
about the deal, but a successful tunately, Devin Boyce is mobilizing from which the player characters
investigation into Mendoza’s death in them without her authority. might benefit or lose powerful
Murder Mystery (p. XX) might reveal
allies.
that some kind of deal is in place.

50
 The Anarch Accounts

• If the PCs direct Anita to Gengis as the responsible support or oppose him in this? If they support him,
party, she decides “enough is enough” and hires the they could gain his friendship, but lose the respect of
coterie to eliminate the traitor Brujah once and for the Anarch Center in general. If they oppose him or
all. She takes no pleasure in the death of another placate him, he is unlikely to become an enemy (he
vampire but believes his execution will serve as a is impulsive and will get over it), but they could gain
valuable message. She becomes a three-dot Mawla to themselves respect within the Center for reining him
anyone who works with her in this way. in.
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social • Babs is being manipulated in this action by Adze,
who wishes to shake the dead wood loose from the
What Would Tyler Do? Anarch Center. He has no immediate plans for
Chicago but set-in-their-ways Anarchs are liable
to oppose any claim he makes on the throne. Babs
Cast: Adze (Chicago by Night, p. 172), Babs — a doesn’t know she’s destabilizing the Anarchs on
Duskborn from the Blood Disco (p. XX), Anita Wainwright Adze’s behalf, as his instructions came to her via a
(Chicago by Night, p.93), Gérard (Chicago by Night, p. 99) Caitiff in the coterie, who happened to just suggest
WHAT HAPPENED: this action as a good idea.
Babs (a thin-blood of the Blood Disco) has gone to Attribute Focus: Social
the Anarch Center on her own initiative. The rest of her
coterie don’t know where she is. She is trying to persuade BABS
Gérard that Anita is not being true to the pure principles
Babs believes Tyler would uphold. Gérard is conflicted; Clan: Thin-Blood
on the one hand he supports Anita and on the other hand
Sire: Fortune
he is very much in favor of direct action.
“Whatever happened to Tyler and why did she Embraced: 2017 (Born 1981)
abandon us? The movement has fallen on such hard times. Ambition: Leave a mark on the city
Well, maybe not in Europe where they are so much more
Convictions: Make the Anarchs a force to be
faithful to her teachings. I think we must have lost our
respected
way somewhere down the track. Because here we are,
under PFJ’s heel and no one wants to lead us out. Touchstones: Les McQueen — former rhythm gui-
I think we must have failed her somehow, or why tarist in Babs’ band, and close friend
would she have given up the fight? I’m sure she exists Humanity: 7
somewhere, working behind the scenes. I’m sure she’s
Generation: 15th
been busy on the West Coast so, why doesn’t she send her
armies here? Why does she let Jackson get away with it?” Blood Potency: 0
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3;
Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 1; Intelli-
• Conflicting emotions could drive Gérard to fren- gence 2, Wits 3, Resolve 3
zy, risking the security of the Anarch Center. Babs
doesn’t know how to handle this, so it is up to the Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 4
visiting PCs to calm him down, or not. A frenzying Skills: Athletics 1, Brawl 2, Craft 3, Drive 2; Animal
Furore out on the streets of Chicago has consequenc- Ken (Dogs) 2, Etiquette 1, Insight 2, Intimidation 1,
es for the Masquerade and for the careful build-up Performance (Drums) 4, Persuasion 2, Streetwise
Anita is attempting to achieve. (Music Scene) 3; Awareness 2, Finance 1, Technol-
ogy 2
• Gérard decides he will do what he can to push Anita
toward more direct action. Will the characters Disciplines: Thin-Blood Alchemy 1

51
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Revenge is Sweet P O SS I B L E TA R G E T S
• The Halls of the Chicago
Mes frères et sœurs, Symphony Orchestra:
Easy enough to set a fire
We found out some things about this list of here. Security is not tight.
untouchable Anarchs. Part of the deal the traitor Gengis • Succubus Club: Security
too tight and… Well, I’ve
made was he would prevent us Anarchs from attacking heard on the grapevine that
the Camarilla. How do you think he proposes to do it? there’s some powerful Kin-
He will never be the boss of me, nor will he be the boss of dred pulling the strings here.
Have you seen the diary?
you! • Blue Velvet: A bit easier
This is what I think we should do to disrupt than the Suck but much the
same issues.
Gengis’ stupid scheme: We launch an attack. • Garfield Park Conser-
Nothing too big, nothing too flash. We destroy vatory: Too damned big.
something the Camarilla values. Maybe one of their Who’s going to notice? Apart
from RH.
Elysia? From the mortals’ point of view, we make • The Neo-Futurist Theatre:
it look like an accident or as they say… an electrical Best prospect.
fire. But we tag it. We make it 100% clear we are • Backtrack Club: BS’s
real Anarchs and we don’t do deals. Nor will we abide place. Don’t like his damned
clan — worst of the lot of them
by his ridiculous betrayal. really. Need to find out more
about security.
Are you with me?
• Hyde Park Armory:
Gérard Word is the Tremere keep a
secret library in this place.
Easy prospect, but who gives
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: a damn about the Tremere
The Plan • The player characters decide
gang now? PFJ would prob-
ably give us a medal.
they want nothing more to do • Ballard Industries Head
Cast: Devin Boyce (p. XX), Gérard with the Parkie Mob. If he’s Office: Place is open to pub-
(Chicago by Night, p. 99), the Parkie still around, they may decide to lic, at least by day, and we
Mob (p. XX) betray the Parkie Mob to Gengis, can deal with that. We can
hoping to get themselves on make it look like a robbery
WHAT HAPPENED:
the list. If he’s not, it’s possible gone wrong so it’s less of a
Gérard is an Anarch not prone to send word up to Damien, Masquerade risk than the
to caution. If he sees an injustice, he Jackson or another Kindred of other options. And we get to
goes about correcting it as swiftly and their choice, really forcing the strike a blow against capital-
as explosively as he can. He cares less ism… win/win.
Camarilla screws down onto the
for the betrayer who created the “list Chicago Anarchs. This will earn
of 10” as much as he does the princi- them the enmity of the entire
ple of the Anarchs being treated like target chosen or the proposed
Chicago Anarch Movement, but
scum yet again. He wants to act. methodology. They can argue
possibly get them an ally or, at
Not recognizing the Camaril- this through. Gérard is not
the very least, a boon, from the
la’s authority and bucking at Anita beyond listening to reasoned
Kindred to whom they take their
Wainwright’s leash, he enlists the arguments, if they’re proposed
information.
Parkie Mob to bomb an Elysia and tag in a way that emphasizes how
it, so that no one can pretend it wasn’t • The player characters do not an alternative target might be a
Anarchs. The saboteurs want to enlist have a major problem with better symbol.
the aid of the player characters. the plan but disagree with the

52
 The Anarch Accounts

• The player characters go along Maldavis knows that on the is not there; though, being in the
with Parkie Mob’s preferred upcoming night of the attack, financial district, the mortal security
target, which is likely to either Annabelle and Nero are preparing employed are top caliber. Any attack
be the Neo-Futurist Theatre or auditions at the orchestra. The mortal here is going to attract the enmity
Ballard Industries. The Mob will attendance will be low, meaning the of Horatio Ballard, which delights
assist the PCs for the remainder attack will come with a lower likeli- Gérard but runs the risk of future
of the chronicle and Gérard hood of inadvertent deaths. The sym- reprisals.
becomes a 2-dot Mawla. bol, however, would be significant.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
The halls are Elysium, and that is the
Attribute Focus: Mental
only drawback to setting a fire here. • The ramifications of an assault on
Security is light — just a mortal night any Camarilla target are many.
The Attack watchman whose schedule is easy to
determine with a little research.
Crucially, characters who go
through with this earn support
Gérard is unhappy if Maldavis from the city’s Anarchs, earning a
Cast: Annabelle (Chicago by
suddenly finds her Anarch spark again dot of Status each, and the hatred
Night, p. 183), Devin Boyce (p. XX), Dr.
just as he’s about to launch an attack of the city’s Camarilla Kindred
Benway (p. XX), Gérard (Chicago by
on Camarilla holdings. He takes some — especially among the targeted
Night, p. 99), Maldavis (Chicago by
convincing to alter his preferred clans (the Toreador, Hellenes, or
Night, p. 102), the Parkie Mob (p. XX),
targets. His argument is that the specifically, Horatio Ballard) if
Nero (Chicago by Night, p. 189)
Neo-Futurist Theatre is also Elysi- their involvement becomes known.
WHAT HAPPENED: um, very popular with the Toreador
• Mortal security at the orchestra
The two prime targets Gérard and Hellenes of Chicago, and open
and theatre is minimal, but
proposes are the Neo-Futurist to the public until very late at night.
at Ballard Industries it’s high.
Theatre and Ballard Industries Head Therefore, any attack will create quite
Characters may have to use their
Office, but if Maldavis is looped into the show. In the early pre-dawn hours,
Disciplines to subdue innocents
the plotting, she proposes an alter- the only security is the metal shutters
who would otherwise stand in
native that will strike directly at the covering the doors and windows.
their way. Some of these mortals
city’s almost exclusively Camarilla Ballard Industries Head Office
may resist attempts at hypno-
Toreador: The Halls of the Chicago is one of Horatio Ballard’s havens.
tism and being cowed, requiring
Symphony Orchestra. Research reveals a time when Ballard

53
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

lethal force to silence them. As a result, PCs risk On the computer screen, Jennifer’s rant plays on.
losing Humanity. “As you are aware, the Camarilla bases itself around
six Traditions. The seventh, of course, is the one you don’t
• An attack on the orchestra sends one of the present hear about too often, though many believe it to be the
Toreador fleeing into the night, but the other re- most important. Not all the Traditions are bad in and of
sponds violently. How dare some upstart Anarchs in- themselves and not all of them are based on the patriar-
terfere with art? Whether Nero or Annabelle responds chy. I’ll say it again, not all the Traditions demand to be
is up to the Storyteller based on the challenge they read from a patriarchal perspective. The problem, from
want to provide to the players, though both are capa- our point of view — that’s the point of view of feminist
ble of swift reprisals and summoning their clanmates. licks — is the patriarchy have ruthlessly appropriated the
• The theatre should have no Kindred present on this Traditions and enacted them in a manner oppressive not
night, but a raid here runs into Dr. Benway who just to those of us who identify as female but to all of us.
has a key to the theatre for private practice and is Let us not forget how white male mortals and licks are
using the stage to run through his Shakespearian hamstrung by their damned privilege.
monologues. He is incensed to have his private time “So, let’s get to the meat of this. The First Tradition,
interrupted and needs to be talked down from going when you strip it of its fancy language, makes sense. More
straight to the Sheriff. sense these nights than, perhaps, it has for some time. We
have the Second Inquisition on our backs and any one of
• Though Horatio isn’t present at the Ballard In- us could bring them crashing down on all of us. It’s not
dustries offices, he has many mortal staff working the Masquerade itself, because we all respect that, it’s the
overtime at night, along with cleaning, maintenance, way the remaining authorities enforce it. They use their
and security staff. This attack deals a severe blow to privilege to set up areas packed with ‘blood dolls’ for
the Ventrue face of the city, but risks Humanity loss their own use and deny entrance to those of us who fail to
as peoples’ lives are endangered. meet with their arbitrary standards.
“The Second Tradition also makes sense. Each of us
• If a bomb is planted and its explosion observed, or has her territory, whether it’s as big as a city or as small as
a fire started, characters involved must risk a terror a studio apartment, but it’s the patriarchal feudal system
frenzy (see Vampire: The Masquerade p. 220). that makes it a problem. ‘My roof, my rules’ is an excel-
• If the PCs retain their anonymity, instead placing lent principle, but I don’t want my roof coming under
the responsibility for any attacks on the nebulous the bigger roof of some jumped up lick. If you look at the
Anarch Movement, Kevin Jackson invites represent- workings of the Camarilla, they are constantly in breach
atives to Elysium to discuss new terms as Gengis’ list of the Second Tradition when they say their word trumps
is clearly not working. Whether this invitation leads my word… under my own roof.
to an ambush or genuine diplomatic talks is up to “The Third Tradition is no more than a blatant
the Storyteller. attempt to control the reproductive organs of the Kin-
dred, which, as we all know, is a typical patriarchal trick.
Attribute Focus: Physical Making it one of the Traditions is dressing it up as some
kind of moral mandate, just like they do with the bodies

The Traditions —
of womb-containing mortals.
“Do I even have to explain why the Fourth Tradition

A Feminist Perspective
is oppressive? It puts a young lick entirely in the power of
their sire. How many of us here suffered abuse from our
sires? There is no recourse to any higher power, no access
to mediation or any form of justice. Your sire can destroy
Jennifer rams the data stick into the USB port. you if you fail to please them because until they release
There’s some flashing and some camera shake. you, you don’t count as an individual. It legitimizes power
On the monitor is Jennifer MacKay preparing to over the weak, wielded by the strong.
speak at what appears to be a Brujah rant. The flesh-and- “Hospitality? Don’t make me laugh. The day the
blood Jennifer stands next to the monitor, clearly angry. Prince honors my territory, I’ll consider honoring his.
Scanning the on-screen audience, Naomi Stewart “Destruction? Well, it might make more sense if there
of Clan Ventrue is easily spotted. MacKay points at the wasn’t a long list of licks to which it doesn’t apply. Do I
screen so her fellow Anarchs can see. “That, my friends, is need the Prince’s permission to destroy a bunch of Sabbat
an upstanding member of the Camarilla. At my rant!” who are nosing ‘round my haven? Do Damien’s lackeys

54
 The Anarch Accounts

need an excuse to destroy one of the Duskborn? It’s just Attribute Focus: Social
another ploy to make the Prince the one in charge.
“So, you could argue this is not a feminist issue
because a whole load of Princes are female identifying. About the Data Stick
I call bullshit. Those Princes have sucked up the lies the
patriarchy promotes.” Cast: Jennifer MacKay (p. XX), Naomi Stewart (Chicago
The screen goes blank and Jennifer retrieves her data by Night, p. 219), the anonymous blackmailer
stick. “I want whoever recorded this found and strung up WHAT HAPPENED:
as an example. I want that Ventrue intruder found and
Someone recorded the Brujah rant on their cell
punished for being the traitor to her gender that she is.
phone. Jennifer was sent a USB stick containing the
Spy on me for the Camarilla? That earns you a ticket to
footage along with a message reading “Word to the
the bottom of Lake Michigan.”
wise: Don’t let Ventrue in your rants. Leave a briefcase
containing $20k in room 1206 of the Motel 46 if you don’t
At the Rant want this released”. Around a dozen Kindred are filmed
in the audience, including Naomi Stewart, and of course
Jennifer addressing the crowd. Jennifer will approach the
Cast: Jennifer MacKay (p. XX), Naomi Stewart (Chicago
PCs via an intermediary if they’ve had no contact before,
by Night, p. 219), a dozen or so Anarchs from Chicago and
or directly, if they attended the rant, to ask for assistance
nearby domains
in identifying the blackmailer.
WHAT HAPPENED: Jennifer is clearly angry because what she deems to
Naomi Stewart is curious when she hears tell of Jen- be “a Camarilla dog” snuck into her rant. She also wants
nifer MacKay, Brujah radical feminist du jour, holding a to confront Naomi and find out what she was doing.
rant in Chicago. Being a stalwart feminist herself, Naomi From Jennifer’s point of view, the ideal outcome here is
decides to attend the rant. Not being an Anarch like the for Naomi to dedicate herself and her resources to the
majority of Jennifer’s audience, she claims to be a Dusk- Anarch Movement, but her Brujah rage is liable to see
born from Racine. her take Naomi’s head off before coming to terms with
None of the Anarchs present recognize Naomi, but the Ventrue. Naomi is unlikely to change sides though she
if any of the player characters attend the lecture and have could agree to assist Jennifer in some ways.
encountered her before, they may know Naomi Stewart WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
is a Ventrue considered of elite caliber in the domain of
Chicago. • One or more characters undertake investigation of
the data stick. It is easy to establish the recording is
Naomi is genuinely interested in what Jennifer has to
not readily available on the internet. If it is available
say and finds some of the material attractive. She is un-
anywhere, the publisher has taken steps to ensure it
likely to turn Anarch, but she could take ideas away with
does not breach the Masquerade. At least, not yet.
her to use in her work to make Camarilla and mortal
society less oppressive for women and minorities. Howev- • MacKay decides to appease the blackmailer by drop-
er, the characters may turn her over to the Anarchs as an ping the cash at the designated location, but naturally,
intruder and spy. nobody comes to collect. The blackmailer is watching
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: to see if she’s amenable before sending further de-
mands — who the blackmailer is, is up to the Story-
• If the characters recognize Naomi, they could teller. It could be 4-6-4-9 from An Explosive Entrance
confront her directly about her presence at the rant. (p. XX) or any vampire the characters have an existing
They could try to persuade her to support the move- relationship with, to muddy the waters.
ment, or blackmail her, revealing they have digital
evidence of her participation in an Anarch event. • Introducing Jennifer to Naomi may lead to the forg-
This could lead to acquiring Naomi as a Mawla, Ally, ing of a new alliance, or a violent showdown as the
or Enemy, depending on what the characters do. justly insecure MacKay attacks the Ventrue. PCs may
stand back and handle the remains, side with the
• One of the vampires in attendance is surreptitiously vampire they prefer, or attempt to mollify the raging
recording the rant. If the PCs are perceptive, they Brujah.
notice the Kindred with a phone sticking out of their
bag. They could report this surveillance to Jennifer or Attribute Focus: Mental
Naomi, if this activity concerns them.

55
 chapter three

“I usually find a bolt through the heart is good enough to slow one down.
No, you don’t need to wrap it in a rosary or carve a cross into its tip. Are you stupid or something?”

— FIRSTLIGHT Commander Blue Serpent

Bad Medicine
In the middle of the constant games and struggles
between Anarch and Camarilla forces sits a city full of
mortals, some unwitting, others less so. They try as best
they can to make sense of the actions in a cold war most
of them are totally unaware is happening and none fully STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE: SECTOR
understand. The Masquerade keeps most of them igno- D-12K **OPERATION PHOSPHOR SUN**
rant to the presence of Kindred in their midst. HQ has made a breakthrough in work with the city’s
When they do find themselves embroiled in the nightlife. Following the introduction of the tracer isotope
games of the Kindred, they take the limited knowledge into the bloodstreams of handpicked subjects, we are now
they have to try to justify the things they have seen. able to track the blood of the subjects for up to five days.
Meanwhile, modern day inquisitors compile reports, Side effects for a single exposure are minimal,
fill notebooks and post on hidden websites the various but dosing a subject twice in a period of one month is
bits of information, true and false, they have gleaned on deemed hazardous. Only attempt such if it is imperative
vampire society. to the operation.
Alongside this, the independent clans and groups BBs target subjects who catch their eye or draw their
of Kindred keep their own counsel on the nightlife of attention most, therefore, select subjects of high physical
Chicago. attractiveness and gregariousness. The bolder the better,
someone who would not object to being isolated with an
interesting individual.

57
 Once the isotope is confirmed to have been trans- Thankfully, with the knowledge of how to track the
ferred via ingestion to a BB we are not sure how long it isotope, the PCs can identify the mortals who have been
will remain in their system but it should allow more long injected using a version of the same tracking technology.
distance tracking of movement and possibly daytime nest They must trace this effort back to its source and perhaps
sites. they can put a stick in the wheels of FIRSTLIGHT activi-
Await instruction on scale of operation before com- ties in the city for now. But will the shutting down of this
mencement of Operation Phosphor Sun. HQ wants this operation just alert SI agents that the problem in Chicago
infestation cleared before it gets out of hand. is worse than first thought?
Report back with list of subjects for isotope inges- WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
tion, HQ has given us the green light to commence.
• Procuring the appropriate equipment to detect the

Light Up the Night

isotope, the coterie identifies Elisa in one of the usu-
al Kindred feeding spots. By winning her trust, they
are able to use her to identify Dr. Howard Quinn as
Cast: Elisa Keller — Social Queen, Dr. Howard Quinn — the man who is injecting the mortals with the tracer
FIRSTLIGHT Operative serum. They are left with a dilemma, do they kill
him, try to question him, or investigate his activities
WHAT HAPPENED: further? Furthermore, what to do with Elisa? If an
The coterie uncovers a document in the home of enemy of the coterie were to feed from her, they
a man suspected of being one of the cell organizers for would be lit up like a Christmas tree for the Second
FIRSTLIGHT in Chicago. It indicates they have de- Inquisition.
veloped a new way of tracking Kindred through their
feeding on mortals who have been injected with a blood • Elisa, as it turns out, is not an unwitting dupe. She
tracing isotope, allowing satellite surveillance to monitor volunteered for the assignment after a Kindred
their movements for up to five days. murdered her sister in a feeding frenzy. It turns out
the whole operation was a hoax to entrap Kindred

58
 independent and Mortal Perspectives

investigators and the SI cell is closing the trap on WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
them, they must fight their way out. • Resolving to obey the orders of the Prince, the cote-
• While investigating Elisa, the coterie are spotted rie proceed to eliminate the doctor and her research.
by one of the FIRSTLIGHT operatives monitoring The local news runs with banner headlines on her
her. The active participants in the discussion with disappearance/murder for at least a week and images
Elisa become the targets of the cell who try to locate of the children haunt the Humanity of the protag-
their haven and identify the Kindred and mortals onists. The police and FIRSTLIGHT pursue them
with whom they associate. A couple of nights after with all of the resources at their disposal.
a conversation with one of their Touchstones, the • Choosing to retain their connection to their Human-
mortal goes missing. It is made clear FIRSTLIGHT ity, the coterie resolves to disobey the Prince. The
intend to kill the hostage unless they give up another Prince will simply send other agents to do the deed
Kindred or themselves. They have a choice to make. in their stead. They are approached by the mysteri-
• Dr. Howard Quinn knows very little of the reasoning ous Gangrel, Duncan MacTavish, who offers to assist
behind the injections he’s been ordered to adminis- them in protecting what’s important to them. It’s
ter. He is a government agent working for a mission unclear why the Anarch enforcer has an interest in
named Operation Phosphor Sun, and he collects his Dr. Steele.
drugs from a facility near North Avenue Beach. • The coterie decides not to destroy the research but
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social to bring Dr. Steele into their service by either forcing
her into thralldom or service through use of their

Surgical Strike
Disciplines. They find her an intelligent and re-
sourceful retainer; however, the demands on her time
as the sole caregiver for two young children becomes
Cast: Dr. Wanda Steele — Isotope Expert, Commander difficult, especially as FIRSTLIGHT operatives are
Jacob Truman — FIRSTLIGHT Cell Commander, Duncan seeking to gain access to the research. The coterie is
MacTavish (Chicago by Night, p. 123) faced with going into debt with other Kindred in or-
der to try to hide this woman without totally ruining
WHAT HAPPENED: the lives of her family.
In investigating the aptly named “Operation Phos-
phor Sun”, which intends to scorch multiple Kindred Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical
havens by day, the PCs learn from Quinn that the tracer
isotope is produced at Magadon Labs, near North Avenue MAGADON SCIENTIST
Beach.
The isotope is only produced in small quantities by Standard Dice Pools: Physical 3, Social 4, Mental 6
an expert in the field, Dr. Wanda Steele. She occasionally Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 6
attends the laboratory near North Avenue Beach, thus Exceptional Dice Pools: Subterfuge 6; Medicine
allowing the coterie to plan a strike to destroy the isotope 7, Science 7
and the research around it, as well as Dr. Steele herself if
they wish. Special: Magadon scientists run the risk of bear-
In stalking the gifted scientist, the coterie discover ing addictions to their own drugs and performance
she is also the single parent of her two children, since her boosters, which when taken add three dice to
husband was killed in a traffic collision. Without her, the Physical dice pools and reduce Social and Mental
children will be placed in care and their futures irrevo- dice pools by two. The long-term effect of these
cably damaged. Furthermore, the isotope itself is not a drugs reduces Social and Mental Attributes by one
FIRSTLIGHT plot but a vital component in a revolution- die permanently, for each chronicle in which they’re
ary new cancer treatment. used. Most Magadon scientists are unaware of the
negative effects of these drugs, and many do not take
As the Kindred ponder this, word of their little
them. The Magadon company is particularly unethi-
investigation has spread. It is made clear to the coterie
cal and keen to lay waste to anyone who attempts to
the eyes of the Camarilla court are upon them. The Prince
steal company secrets or harm their interests.
expects this threat to the Masquerade to be eliminated
with all due expediency.

59
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Unholy Autopsy
Kindred and researching them like
lab rats. A group of sterile cells is
seen, where a number of newly Em-
braced Kindred are housed. Each are
File notes on Subject V11PB2 — Jane Smith 2, Dr.
cut open like the man they encoun-
Henry Rostov overseeing.
tered previously.
This is the second female subject we have created In the final cell, they discov-
thus far using the blankbody material as directed er the chained and crazed form of
by the prime specimen. Initial testing shows very a Malkavian who it seems is the
little difference in the effect of the material in specimen mentioned in the report.
Jane 2 as compared to Jane 1 or, indeed with either Sneaking back out, the coterie must
of the Johns. Race- and Age-related experiments are decide what to do with this informa-
to be conducted in the coming days once appropriate tion. Will they put this entire facility
subjects can be identified. to the torch or could it be used to
Jane shows a similar physical alteration to the feed misinformation to the enemies
others. Her physical strength appears to have been of all Kindred?
remarkably increased, along with a strange “allure”, WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
as described by my assistant, Dr. Goldstein. These
abilities appear to be largely innate and triggered • The coterie seize the initiative
by reflex just like in the previous subjects, rather and end the experiment with
than a learned skillset, though none of these sub- fire and sword, the compro-
jects have demonstrated some of the more advanced mised Arachne included. While
pathologies reported among those infected by the this certainly puts a stop to any
standard means in the field. Blue Serpent believes research that had been going on
there may be some kind of training facility or there, Second Inquisition forces
“school” hidden somewhere near or in the city. are placed on high alert as the
scale of the Kindred threat in the
Subject will be put through the final round of
area is greater than once suspect-
tests before we open her up as per standard proce-
ed.
dure for this operation. Unfortunately, the subjects
remain resistant to any sedative we’ve tried and • The coterie patiently waits and
somehow seem to remain alive even when vital organs monitors the building until
are removed for inspection. a convoy arrives bringing the
I hope we get something worthwhile from this, I’ll enigmatic Blue Serpent, leader
remember that screaming for a long time. of this operation, to inspect the
work being done there. They
Will report back when the next Janes and Johns
now have an opportunity to
are brought in by Ground Team Alpha.
strike a severe blow to the organ-
Report ends. ization or perhaps even follow
him higher up the tree.

Factory Farmed surgical wounds, missing several

organs. After overpowering him, the
• The coterie attacks in a surgical
raid and captures all of the staff
Fangs man confesses that he doesn’t know
who or where he is and that he es-
and materials, including the elu-
sive Blue Serpent. Each member
caped from a facility nearby that was
of the coterie who participates
Cast: Arachne Silverlock — Gangrel experimenting on him and others.
gains 1 dot of Status within the
specimen, Codename Blue Serpent — Investigating the facility, they Camarilla and gains 3 dots of
FIRSTLIGHT Area Commander uncover a hidden but surprising- Contacts within the Second
WHAT HAPPENED: ly well-resourced clinic, as well as Inquisition, if they blackmail or
a team of six soldiers armed with supernaturally influence them to
A confused and vitae starved military grade equipment guarding it.
transient attacks a member of the serve. These individuals will, for
In the search, they discover the file, a time, keep the PCs informed of
coterie while they are out hunting above. It seems that the organization
one night. He is weakened and bears the laboratory’s plans. They also
based there are somehow producing

60
 independent and Mortal Perspectives

gain the Gangrel, Arachne, as a 1-dot Mawla, if they Over a number of nights, the coterie’s abilities and
rescued her, though her Willpower is dangerously bodies are tested. They are subjected to staking, UV light,
reduced. garlic and all sorts of things associated with vampire leg-
ends. All the while, Dr. Rostov seems clinically detached,
Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical
but his assistant is more sympathetic to the plight of the
ARACHNE SILVERLOCK poor people she sees being, essentially, tortured in the
name of science.
The Kindred protagonists have a choice to make.
Clan: Gangrel
Will they try to find a way to escape this hellish labora-
Sire: Peck tory? Will they try to seize control of it from within? Or
Embraced: 1175 (Born 1138) perhaps they are truly tempted by Dr. Rostov’s enigmatic
promises of a cure for their condition?
Ambition: Escape this glass cage
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
Convictions: I will not be someone’s victim
Touchstones: Emanuela — centuries-old ghoul, • Taking advantage of Dr. Goldstein’s sympathy, a
looking for her mistress member of the coterie is able to kill her and use her
keycard to free the others. Together they subdue the
Humanity: 2 guards and destroy Dr. Rostov and his research.
Generation: 13th
• One or more members of the coterie decide they
Blood Potency: 3 want to stay and go along with the experiments in
Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4; Cha- the hope of finding a cure for the plague of vam-
risma 4, Manipulation 4, Composure 1; Intelligence pirism. This leaves the others with a choice to aban-
5, Wits 2, Resolve 1 don their own friend(s) or free them against their
wishes. Storytellers may decide that Rostov does
Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 2
truly wish to help the hapless vampires, or if he is
Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Craft (Weaving) 3, simply stringing them along at his discretion. Either
Larceny 1, Melee 3, Stealth (Hunting) 4, Survival 2; way, no scientific cure for the Embrace of a Kindred
Animal Ken (Spiders) 4, Etiquette 2, Insight 3, Intimi- can be found and so any attempt to go along with
dation 1, Persuasion 3, Subterfuge 2; Academics 4, the research should prove futile and painful.
Awareness 2, Finance 1, Investigation 1, Medicine 2,
Occult (Hedge Magic) 4, Politics 1, Science 2 • Dr. Rostov and his team seriously underestimated
the resourcefulness of the coterie and the powers of
Disciplines: Auspex 3, Celerity 2, Fortitude 5,
the Blood. Over the course of the story, the cote-
Protean 3
rie’s members bring the researchers, starting with
Dr. Goldstein, and the guards under their sway and
Captured! begin running the operation from within. Doors
are opened to the higher echelons of FIRSTLIGHT,
and critically, the coterie now have a secure military
Cast: Dr Henry Rostov — FIRSTLIGHT Research facility from which to operate. The coterie collec-
Leader, Dr Myra Goldstein — FIRSTLIGHT Research tively gains the warehouse base as a four-dot Haven
Assistant and its staff as two dots of Retainers and two dots
WHAT HAPPENED: of Herd. This can be further developed into a fuller
investigation of the enigmatic “Blue Serpent” and the
This chronicle hook requires that the coterie are
commanders running the operation from afar.
staked or otherwise captured during the day, likely fol-
lowing events involving the Second Inquisition. Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical
The PCs awaken in one of a number of clear plas-
tic walled cells. They are met by a small delegation of FIRSTLIGHT RESEARCHER
soldiers and scientists, their leader introducing himself
as Dr. Rostov and informing them that they will be used Standard Dice Pools: Physical 2, Social 5, Mental 6
in upcoming experiments to determine more about what Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 7
happened to them and, potentially, discover a cure for
their condition. Exceptional Dice Pools: Firearms 4; Leadership 6;
Occult 7, Science 8

61
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

of the girls in the bar. And how into

it they were when he smiled at them
S TA N DA R D A N D E XC E P T I O N A L D I C E P O O LS
and bought them drinks. When he
When a character is listed as having a standard dice pool, it is the total
took her outside, the others left her
number of dice used for the majority of actions that fall under the Attribute
type listed. If they have an exceptional dice pool, it states the total num- behind, storming off down the street.
ber of dice rolled by the Storyteller for the Skills named. For instance, if And she never came home. Why
a FIRSTLIGHT Researcher is punching a vampire, the Storyteller rolls two didn’t she come home, Claudi?
dice because this character has Physical 2. However, if the FIRSTLIGHT He’s attacked a few girls now,
Researcher is using one of the flamethrowers in their laboratory, they roll leaving them behind in alleyways.
a total of four dice, due to their exceptional dice pool of 4 in Firearms. Two of them have died, I found the
Condensed stat blocks do not require the standard dice pools and excep- second body, she was chalk white. So
tional dice pools to be added to each other to form an overall dice pool. cold. What did you do to her, Claudi?
Characters with such brief information just roll the number of dice listed What is it you’re doing to those girls?
next to the trait in question. What did that creep do to you? I
know you can walk again, but it’s not
worth it, for this.
I watched you for a week Claudi.
Special: FIRSTLIGHT Research- of life they could give him. To be Every night it’s the same thing. You
ers possess a basic knowledge honest, it wasn’t much. Mom and can’t be my brother, you’re just some
of blankbody vulnerabilities. Dad aren’t exactly big cheeses around demon wearing his face. That’s what
Most of their laboratories are here, but they loved him and they Reverend Stevens told me. They did
equipped with flamethrowers. did what they could. Still, it wasn’t something to you and took you away
enough for Claudi. He wasn’t inter- from us; they’re using your body to

Oh Brother
ested in moving on, only in going kill these girls.
back to the way things were.
I can’t let it go on.
He wasted away in that chair, on
I’m sorry Claudi, wherever you
that bed. He stopped looking like the
I had been watching him for are. I’m sorry.
big quarterback in the photos Mom
about a week. I suppose it took kept of him. But more than his body,
that long to order my thoughts. The
first time I saw him I could scarcely
his face changed. He never smiled any
more, just stared into space or cried
An Errant Childe?
believe it. There he was, all handsome or screamed in the night. Look at him
and tall, not at all like I remembered Cast: Claudi Aymerich — thin-
now, he’s ordering a drink for all of
him. So quick to smile, so confident blood fledgling, Melissa Aymerich —
those girls and not one for himself.
with those college girls. I guess the grieving sister, Society of St. Leopold,
Smooth, just like last night. And the
reason I recognized him was that, in Reverend Roger Stevens — cell patron,
night before.
a way, I knew him better than anyone Society of St. Leopold (use Faith Hunter
Smooth like that guy who came stats on Vampire: The Masquerade,
else. Or maybe nobody else was still
about the “miracle treatment”. Some- p. 371)
looking to find him.
thing about stem cells or whatever.
My brother, Claudi. He was They said the procedure was risky, WHAT HAPPENED:
disabled after falling down the stairs but Claudi didn’t care. God, Mom A small string of nightclub
at college last year. I know it was hard and Dad blame themselves for him murders occurred in the city and the
for him, big sports star suddenly can’t dying but how could they pass up M.O. of the killer has raised red flags
move from the neck down. He had that chance, seeing what was happen- with Kindred monitoring the police.
to come, or rather, be carried, all the ing to our Claudi? It’s what he would Each victim was drained of blood and
way back home from Oklahoma. He have wanted. And, well, how can he left for dead. A rookie mistake.
wasn’t the same boy that went away be dead? He’s not dead. But that girl The PCs are given the task of
or came back for Christmas. He was is. tracking down the errant childe per-
bitter, angry. You could understand
I couldn’t believe it was him forming these killings and bringing
it.
when I saw him, I almost ran right up it to an end, one way or another — as
The doctors told us it was a to him, but I convinced myself I was a test from the court to prove their
phase, that he would learn to accept hallucinating. So, I watched him and worth. Claudi isn’t difficult to track
what had happened to him and move kept watching him. Sweet talking half down; indeed, he seems to have little
on with the best possible quality

62
 independent and Mortal Perspectives

knowledge of what he is. He is a wayward vampire reve-

ling in his own condition. He doesn’t want to go back to CLAUDI AYMERICH
the way he was, he likes being this way. The coterie must
decide what to do with him. Clan: Thin-Blood
Of course, matters are complicated by the fact that Sire: Blue Serpent Operative 45
he has been compromised. His sister has spotted his
Embraced: 2019 (Born 1978)
nightly activities and while he seems quite ignorant of
her, she has been talking all about him to her local parish Ambition: Make meaning of this new condition
priest, a man who happens to be a member of a certain Convictions: I will never harm my family
secret society.
Touchstones: Melissa Aymerich — beloved, con-
Claudi is being hunted by both Kindred and kine,
flicted sister
both seek his demise. How should the coterie handle this?
Can they use the situation to gain more insight into the Humanity: 6
secretive religious group? Should they just wrap this up Generation: 15th
quickly? Could Claudi’s killing lead the hunters back to
the coterie’s members? Blood Potency: 0
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2; Cha-
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
risma 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 2; Intelligence
• Claudi flees and escapes the coterie, drawing the 4, Wits 3, Resolve 2
attention of his watching sister to the fact that he
Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 4
is being chased. She confronts the coterie, warning
them about what he is and what he might do. They Skills: Athletics (Football) 4, Brawl 3, Drive 2, Fire-
could resolve to quickly kill this mortal who seems to arms 1, Melee 1; Insight 1, Intimidation 3, Leader-
know too much, but doing so brings them to the no- ship 1, Streetwise 1; Academics (Sports Theory) 2,
tice of the Society of St. Leopold. They do not care to Awareness 3, Medicine (Physiotherapy) 2, Science 1
discern between Claudi’s crimes and their existence. Disciplines: Thin-Blood Alchemy 1
• Without mercy, the coterie execute Claudi for his
violations of the Masquerade. Melissa reveals herself
to them and bitterly expresses sympathy with them
Fighting Back
for destroying the killer her brother had become,
but states that they too are abominations and must Cast: Shejana (p. XX)
be destroyed. They face off against her and a small WHAT HAPPENED:
group of hunters, led by Reverend Stevens, there to
Shejana, a vampire of a fallen clan, has been observ-
deal with Claudi.
ing the activities of FIRSTLIGHT and the Society of
• The party decides to bring Claudi before the Prince. St. Leopold in Chicago. Without interfering, she’s been
As they leave the club with their quarry, they are watching when they’ve been plucking innocents from the
confronted by hunters from the Society of St. Leop- streets for experiments or persecution, noting when they
old. It is possible to successfully convince them that offer the “miracle of immortality” to down-on-their-luck
they are undercover cops investigating the murders. mortals, and keeping track of the hunters’ tactics for tak-
If they do so, Melissa and Claudi share a moment of ing down solo and coterie-bound vampires alike.
recognition before she tearfully departs and Rever- Shejana is, at heart, a dreamer and hedonist. She’s
end Stevens asks the “police” to give him a cell with not a grand political player and definitely not interested
an east facing window. The coterie is intrigued by in using the information she’s acquired for status within
this request and the Prince notes their cleverness in the Camarilla or Anarchs. She is historically familiar with
exposing these hunters. If the PCs successfully dupe being from a persecuted people — hunted, and routinely
the hunters, the active participants gain one dot of murdered. Though she’s apolitical, she’s not content to be
Status with the Camarilla and one vampire in the a victim to yet another purge, which is why she reaches
coterie gains the fourth dot in the First Inquisition out with tentative feelers to a coterie who she thinks
Loresheet (Vampire: The Masquerade p. 388). might aid her fight against these forces.
Developing a relationship with Shejana and her
Attribute Focus: Mental / Social
trove of intelligence is highly lucrative to the PCs, but she
doesn’t give anything up quickly. She promises informa-

63
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

tion regarding hunter movements, behaviors, and mo- • The PCs turn Shejana over to the Prince so he can
tives, but needs to trust the player characters first. Only grill her on information regarding the Inquisition.
when they’ve performed a number of tasks for her, will Shejana in turn denies all knowledge of the city’s
she then work with them in driving these vampire killers hunters, claims to have been dreaming, and aims to
out of Chicago. irritate Jackson into releasing her. She becomes a
two-dot Adversary for the coterie, and starts point-
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
ing hunters in their direction out of spite.
• The PCs decide not to play Shejana’s game and track
her to a haven, where they hope to steal the infor- • If the PCs earn Shejana’s favor she lays out
mation she possesses. Shejana has no fixed haven, everything she knows about the FIRSTLIGHT facil-
however, and stores what little written record she ities, the Society of St. Leopold’s targets, and where
has on the hunters in secluded spots all around the the two hunter groups operate. She’s no tactician
domain. She resists with everything she has before herself, so she has no issue with the PCs using this
directing the coterie to a “treasure trove” in a broken information as they see fit provided it helps save
old newspaper box in Little Village, which actually some lives from bloodthirsty hunters. Her one, final
contains a bomb set to explode in the PCs’ faces. condition for giving up her accumulated information
Shejana attempts to escape and becomes a two-dot is that the coterie agrees to assist her in becoming an
Adversary. endless nightmare for these inquisitors.
Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical

Severed Ties
From: “Adam”<[email protected]>
To: “A. Sovereign inbox”<[email protected]>
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your continued interest in an investment relationship with Synergy
International Group. We note your many items of correspondence that have been received
by our relocations team who are currently liquidating the Chicago-based operation of our
predecessor, Hatmakers Incorporated.
In settlement of your account and the business you were conducting with Mr. Milliner of
the same, and as a gesture of good faith in any future relationship, I have had the full value
of your initial outlay rewired to your account. Sadly, as a consequence of bankruptcy laws,
I have been unable to continue to provide the service previously offered while a full review
of our business transactions in your area is underway. For that reason, your account’s
balance has been placed on the creditor list for Hatmakers’ liquidation at the headquarters
of their liquidators at Canary Wharf, London and anything therein derived will be used to
attempt to repay the debt owed to you by the former company.
It is regrettable that this situation arose but I am sure it is some comfort to you to know
that the careers of those who have promised returns and not delivered are now at an end.
Going forward, Synergy International may consider reopening a Chicago operation at
another time.
Until such a time, allow me to extend my best wishes and those of Messrs. Dunsirn and
St. John for your future investments.
Kind Regards,
Adam K Wright
Chief Executive

64
 independent and Mortal Perspectives

Whizzkid Opportunity Knocks

Cast: Alan Sovereign (Chicago by Night, p. 216), Bobby Cast: Aloysius Slate — Hecata Ghoul (see Cults of the
Weatherbottom (Chicago by Night, p. 226) Blood Gods), Ching He Gray — Fence
WHAT HAPPENED: WHAT HAPPENED:
Alan Sovereign has long been known for his record The old Giovanni have moved out of Chicago and
of shrewd investments and is widely respected as the closed up shop behind them. The tower in South Loop
Seneschal of the city. When he put money into an insur- where Hatmakers Incorporated made their headquarters
ance start-up belonging to the wealthy Milliner family, it is currently lying partially vacant, save for a lumbering
seemed a low-risk option with a good rate of return. He grunt-like, nearly seven feet tall security guard who wan-
hadn’t anticipated the Giovanni families to go through ders the corridors at night with a flashlight.
their big disappearing act. Now, he’s let a few million van- The coterie stumbles upon an opportunity when they
ish down a bankruptcy hole, and his reputation (and ego) learn of the Seneschal’s lost investment with the company.
won’t allow him to let it go. He approaches a tech-savvy One of their friends, a street-level fence named Ching He,
Kindred with an offer to help him repatriate those funds always on watch for a big score that could change her life, has
from London to the good old U.S. of A. But, with word of learned that a good number of valuables and old antiques are
his misfortune reaching the Anarch movement, some of still stored in the Hatmakers office, just waiting to be shipped
their brightest minds are trying to beat him to it. out. If the coterie could find a way to relieve them of these
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: items, they would make money for themselves and perhaps
the Seneschal. Of particular value is a collection of colonial
• Loyal to the Camarilla, the coterie sets about investi- era furniture and artifacts said to have belonged to Ulysses S.
gating the accounts where Sovereign’s money is being Grant, though some of these are large, unwieldy items.
held, and actively thwarts the efforts of the Anarch’s The items are due to be shipped out the following
mysterious hackers to hijack their operation. Sover- morning and so the coterie have only one night to act.
eign bends the ear of the Prince with a tale of their Unfortunately, the man left guarding the items is a trust-
deeds (active participants gain one dot of Status with ed Milliner ghoul.
the Camarilla) and rewards them with a trifling sum
of $50,000 to compensate their time. He will likely WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
have more work for them in the future. • After successfully overcoming Mr. Slate and stealing the
items, the coterie gains around $200,000 for the whole
• This provides an opportunity for budding Anarchs
job lot. They may choose to disburse some of this to Alan
to shine or those on the fence of loyalty to announce
Sovereign as recompense for the losses he has suffered
their arrival in the movement with a bang. The coterie
and will gain him as a three-dot Mawla if they do so.
retains the illusion of seeking Sovereign’s misplaced
wealth just long enough to gain the vital informa- • The coterie struggle to overcome the powerful and relent-
tion that Bobby Weatherbottom needs to hijack the less Slate in time and the police arrive, forcing them to
payment. The city Anarchs are impressed with their flee into the night empty-handed. Ching He is outraged
acquisition of Sovereign’s ill-gotten wealth (active at their incompetence and she is lost as a Contact or Ally,
participants gain one dot of Status with the Anarchs) or if she wasn’t one of these before the chronicle, she has a
and promises them the money will go to a good cause. familiar gang of thieves target the PCs.
If the coterie maintains their secrecy with Sovereign
they may even remain as spies within the camp. • The coterie keeps the furniture and artifacts,
thinking perhaps that they can get a better price for
• In searching for the lost money, the coterie are exposed it themselves than Ching He is prepared to offer.
to both the security operatives working for Synergy and However, it soon becomes clear the Giovanni did
to either Alan Sovereign or Bobby Weatherbottom as not simply leave one man guarding it and the items
working against them. The coterie loses all status with are thoroughly haunted. The coterie suffers from un-
the offended party, and gains the Adversary Flaw with bearable nightmares and screams by day, urging them
either Sovereign or Weatherbottom. Synergy, a front to return the items. This reduces their dice pools by
company for the Hecata, may also seek recompense for one die each night until they return the items to the
anything the coterie managed to take, in their own way. Hatmakers offices.
Attribute Focus: Mental Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical

65
Waking Nightmares
to identify a clan or bloodline so physically distressed in
appearance. “At a guess… You’re one of those vampires
calling themselves ‘Hecata’ these nights, or a Tzimisce
who made himself look like one.”
“There are more creatures on and underneath this Earth
than even the most skilled scientist or learned occultist The gaunt man spat out a chuckle. “It wouldn’t be
might believe.” The gaunt man, his head covered with long, beyond a Fiend, would it? No, your first guess was cor-
thin, grey hair and eyes deeply sunken within his skull, rect. There are so few of us in this domain, or in America,
pointed a long, slender finger at the Rakshasa in his com- but now the family has come to an accord we will soon be
pany. “After all, they believe you are dead, do they not?” ready for a grand diaspora again.”
Shejana nodded slowly. “And now you get to why you
Shejana wasn’t at all comfortable in the presence of
wanted my company, I’m guessing?”
this emaciated freak, but he seemed to know a lot about
her and could hardly decline his invitation to spend time The Cappadocian smiled, showing two rows of sharp
with him in the Rosehill Cemetery (of all places) tonight. teeth. “Yes. Our return to this domain must be kept
“Not me specifically, but yeah. My clan. My family. It’s not secret, but someone needs to lay the groundwork and run
that they think we’re dead, though. Most Kindred around distraction while we organize ourselves. We are looking
tonight haven’t even heard the word ‘Ravnos’, so I suppose for someone, or some discreet someones, to act nightmar-
considering us forgotten is a better way to think of it.” ish around our preferred territory. A haunting, if you will.
Something to move the current Kindred out, have them
“Forgotten. I know how that feels.” Sitting on a
swatting at shadows, and when the shadows disperse they
gravestone and crossing his mottled legs, the man ges-
find us there. We will pay you very, very well.”
tured at the dark emptiness around them. “You know
what I am, don’t you?” Shejana jumped down from the roof of the mauso-
leum upon which she’d been sitting, looking down at the
Shejana shrugged, smiling a little. She didn’t care for
Stiff. “Luckily, nightmares are something I excel at.”
the inner workings of Kindred society but knew enough

66
 independent and Mortal Perspectives

Haunted House • The player characters may opt for subtlety over blunt
force, in which case Tim Roche is an easy target;
Bartleby and MacKay are slightly harder to shake.
Cast: Clarence Bartleby (p. XX), Jennifer MacKay (p. XX), The slow game of wearing these three Kindred down
Shejana (p. XX), the Gaunt Man — a Cappadocian emissary earns Shejana as a two-dot Mawla and ultimately,
for the Hecata (p. XX), Tim Roche (p. XX) two dots of Resources to be split between the cote-
rie, representing stolen, imported jewels.
WHAT HAPPENED:
As one of the few truly independent Kindred in • When the Hecata do arrive in Chicago, the Gaunt
Chicago, Shejana has been enlisted by the Hecata to Man remembers the PCs’ aid and seeks to hire them
lay the groundwork for the Hecata’s claim on territory again in the future. This may lead to them discover-
in the city. Not interested in courting the Camarilla or ing exactly how much Shejana was paid (compared
affiliating with Anarch rabble, the Hecata have selected to how much they received) but also provides them
a mercenary like Shejana to clear some land into which with a ready stream of mercenary work.
they can move.
Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical
Shejana is not about to perform this act out of altru-
ism. She has been promised a small fortune from the Clan THE GAUNT MAN
of Death, and frankly, spreading nightmares is a forte of
her fallen clan. It’s been a while since she’s been hired to
Clan: Hecata
do anything of the sort.
However, this task isn’t something Shejana can Sire: Anikó
accomplish alone. The Hecata have requested everything Embraced: 1422 (Born 1362)
from the Illinois Medical District down to the Lower
Ambition: Establish territory in Chicago
West Side for themselves. Shejana therefore seeks accom-
plices in driving the Kindred claimants on this territory Convictions: I will make my clan feared and re-
away from their havens, and is prepared to pay such spected
individuals for doing so. Touchstones: Grace Dunsirn-Lynch — mortal being
There are three Kindred who make their havens groomed for a perpetually delayed Embrace
in this part of the city: Tim Roche, a thin-blood of the
Humanity: 4
Parkie Mob; Clarence Bartleby of Clan Tremere; and
Jennifer MacKay of Clan Brujah. Shejana recommends Generation: 7th
making the havens of the specified vampires inhospitable Blood Potency: 5
through fake hauntings, sending warning messages that
say “I know what you did”, getting into the heads of these Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 2, Stamina 5; Cha-
Kindred through the use of subtle Disciplines, and turn- risma 1, Manipulation 4, Composure 4; Intelligence
ing the local mortal residents against them. They should 4, Wits 3, Resolve 4
not be able to sleep during the day, wearing their mental Secondary Attributes: Health 8, Willpower 8
stamina down until forced to flee. Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Craft (Musical Instruments)
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: 3, Melee 3, Stealth 3, Survival 2; Animal Ken (Rats)
3, Etiquette 3, Insight 1, Intimidation (Unnerving) 4,
• If the PCs conspicuously intimidate Roche, Bartleby, Leadership 1, Persuasion 1; Academics (Research) 3,
and MacKay out of the territory the Hecata designat- Awareness 3, Finance 2, Investigation 3, Medicine
ed, they earn the three Kindred (and their affiliates (Humours) 4, Occult 3, Politics 1, Science 1
among the Parkie Mob, the Cult of the Crawling
Tongue, and the Anarchs) as enemies. Discretion is Disciplines: Auspex 3, Fortitude 4, Oblivion 4,
definitely the best course in this chronicle. Potence 2

67
Heretical Threats
chapter four

and Observations
“I kneel only to Set now, and you ain’t him.”

— Salt, newly joined member of the Church of Set, to her fellow Nosferatu

Within vampiric society, outsiders are dangerous to the

overall wellbeing of the community.  These outliers are
A FRESH HELL
often shunned for their values and beliefs, or lack thereof.
These Cainites are those who rage against the norms and The heresies of Chicago occupy the darkest corners
of the city. Many of these pieces of fiction are nebu-
work in the dark to carve a place for their convictions.
lous and inappropriate for some players. As a Sto-
Too extreme for society’s communal table, heretics range ryteller, it is your responsibility to use these storylines
in doctrine from underground religious institutions to only if your players are happy to grapple with them.
monstrous, inhumane apocalypse cults. Their popula- Please remember to have open lines of communi-
tion consists of those who refused to adapt, and those cation, reflection and debriefing, and check in with
who believe they are forcing themselves to evolve above your players before using these groups.
damnation. Whatever the cause, Kindred society deems
them heretics, either in purpose or practicality. These

The Church of Caine

groups, with their dogmas and traditions, are too radical
or devastating to the predominant culture. 
What is most concerning to Kindred within the Ca-
marilla and Anarch Movements is the grim resilience of The rumble of bass echoed across a slim courtyard
the groups in question. These heresies are making inroads between the two buildings. The dead potted plants had
and building networks of defenders within city confines, transitioned into ashtrays for reveling dancers. A broken
and possibly extending their reach globally. There are tent sat crushed, left by transients who occupied the
always gaps these types of institutions tend to fill. There space as a site to crash during nights when it wasn’t a full-
will always be someone who feels resentment, drawn to blown club banger. It was easy to get around most laws in
an antithetical and charismatic leader, or craves a com- Chicago, but the smoking bans really brought down cops’
munity of like-minded people. attention. It was easy to pay off cops as an illegal rave

69
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

thumped away, but Caine forbid if there was someone “Caine, Dark Father, beseech us in hearing our
ingesting burning organic plant matter in tubular form. lowly prayers of need. May we cast off our weaknesses
How things have changed, yet such is the way of this night. Lo, and do I see the usurper who forged my
the kine. Though that was more reason for the existence lineage and stole power from you. Though his sins have
of the Church of Caine. Our purpose is to guide our passed down to me I now use this magic of the blood, a
fellow Cainites and, through the blessing of transference, gift you have given me. Lo, do I see my sister’s maker, and
guide the humans under their control. their maker, for their fearsome line shows the horrors
Nevertheless, the sound check seemed to be go- that exist only underneath. This blessing assists us in
ing well. That damned “Kiss-a-belle” song echoed around knowing the movements of our enemies, for my sister
the darkening windows. The DJ, some new ghoul, had is brave! Such is the curse of rebellion and the blessings
potential and was throwing down a remix of the record. of power. We know our sacrifices are true as they run
We poached them from right under the Degenerates’ nos- through or vitae as they have the nights before and the
es. I’m sure Annabelle would hate to know we were the nights to come! For you are the true gift, Father Caine,
ones who broke him from her control. You can say what for your gifts transcend our petty follies! Such is our gift,
you want about religion, but when it works, it is useful. to know your gospel, to use our truth, to believe and act
Not allowing the poseur Bennett to have another tool was in our sanctimonious unity and be your dark angels! Dark
useful to the Church’s plan, though he is on the list for Father, I implore you, lend my sister your strength. For as
accessible targets for conversion. We need more draws to you wander, as do we! Praise Caine!
the “house” we are building. “Praise Caine, Brother!” I hollered, my voice com-
The backdoor opened, startling me from my musing. manding, given fortification by our prayer.
A man consumed by the dark gown of a cassock pulled “Now, Sister, are you ready for tonight’s sacrament?”
out a cigarette and lit it, old habits dying hard. His eyes burned holes into my soul.
“Ruminating upon this squalid garden, dear Tasha?” “I am, Brother, Oh, I absolutely am. Amen, Amen,
The red-haired man looked down at me. Caine cometh, Amen”.
“Praying before sacrament, Deacon. I enjoy watching
the night grow pregnant,” I lied. He knew I was nervous,
but I needed to try to cover it. The Rite of Compunction
Divine Intervention
always gave me shivers. I knew it was necessary, but I
always feared someone breaking the covenant of it all. {This is from their fucking blog. They are trying to rebrand
The courtyard silenced as the last echoes of the themselves, the little shits. I mean everyone else is so why
sound check fell deeper into the night. The newly rebuilt wouldn’t our friendly local psychopaths. This is huge, like I/C
Warehouse Club sat squat as a backdrop to the reverend’s huge. They got someone up there, I’m telling you. Most likely, the
glare. The serious moment was suddenly shattered by a culprits are Ventrue or something worse, this smells like a whole
howl of laughter. His fangs flashed and glittered beneath ton of money. It’s not Ballard, but it’s someone. With that kind of
the lamplight as he chuckled, his broken smile reveling in backing, they can get away with anything. I keep seeing the name
the odd joy he found in her turmoil. Lancaster, whatever the fuck that means. This is the only possible
way we haven’t had some Archons busting down our city gates.
“Dear Sister, really you must not always get yourself
I mean, the Tower isn’t seriously considering taking on official
so worked up. I know it is difficult, but all things worth
religion. Especially one we tried to annihilate for centuries!
their merit are. It is a testament of our faith to one
Right? Hit me up, we’ll go out for a snack. — Salt}
another. Do you wish to pray together? I always find it
helpful.” He walked briskly down the steps; the shimmer- Revelation 3:18. I counsel you to buy from me gold
ing sound of cloth dragged across the stone steps as he refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white gar-
flicked the smoke into the potter. ments, so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of
your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your
“Yes, please Deacon. Help me find my faith once
eyes, so you may see.
more.” I whispered, desperate for his strange abilities to
always calm my roiling mind. Gospel has shown we are to give to ourselves. Yet
more prominently, our faith demands we give for others.
“Let us pray,” he said grasping his cold hands in mine,
We give to the kine that we herd. We give to our clan-
the strange mixture of faith and blood magic tingling into
mates. Never-the-less our purpose is undeniable, we
my palms. The heavy stones of his rosary weighed into my
use our blessings to better those around us. Even if this
hand as he pressed the sharp edges of our symbol into the
means using those gifts to better those who act against
flesh of my palm. The razor-edged pendant cut into our
better judgment. We have been given the gifts of eternal
hands, mingling our vitae and commencing the rite. The
life to witness to our neighbors the mantel of greatness.
shame flushed red on my face as I winced in pain. 

70
 Heretical Threats and Observations

As an angel of Caine, you are the ever-living word, you

are the embodiment of providence. Nor can they die Rebuilding the Church
anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of
God, being sons of the resurrection. Luke 20:36. Cast: Deacon Arden Canty (p. XX), Joshua Tarnopolski —
It is our divine right to show our brothers and sisters Brujah Baron of Joliet and Naperville (p. XX)
of eternity, to create heaven on earth. Whom else could WHAT HAPPENED:
create the wealth of ages? Whom else could guide the
Ivory Tower to paradise? We are the angels of the Lord. Until recent years, the Sabbat held sway in Joliet,
We are to make life and unlife as painless as possible, be with some rumors holding that the Cainite murder cult
the divine guidance your fellow Cainite needs. Be the maintained a temple to Caine beneath the city’s aban-
helping hands. Sacrifice for others and collect the boons doned prison. The last of the Joliet Sabbat packs aban-
which follow.  doned the city due to Joshua “Blackjack” Tarnopolski’s
systematic, effective attacks. He and his coterie of old-
school Anarchs, supposedly including the infamous Tyler,
Our Brother’s Keeper routed the weakened Sabbat and claimed the domain for
the Movement.
In most domains Gnostic, but in Chicago leaning Tarnopolski behaves strangely in these nights. Since
into Protestant reform, the Church of Caine has recently claiming Joliet, his domain has been militantly libertari-
re-emerged from the depths of the past. The atrocities an, but now he’s started urging Kindred from Chicago to
of the Gehenna War weigh heavily upon their hierarchy attend the newly reformed Church of Caine for spiritual
and through this tribulation comes much reflection and guidance, recognizing a void in many vampires where
revelation. faith should be. Several Anarchs are concerned he’s being
Recently, the Church has transitioned toward a new manipulated by Deacon Arden Canty, who leads the
form of doctrine. With the perverse call to revel in the church in Joliet, while other vampires wonder if Tar-
delights created by the powers of the Blood, Cainites nopolski lost an important mortal and now clutches for
are bound to provide knowledge to neonates to curb reasons to go on.
disastrous outcomes. Cainites are to drink deeply in the With the domain of Joliet in the balance, the PCs are
wisdom of the Cainite condition and their history to dispatched to investigate.
forego repeating the errors of the past. They are angels WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
in this world, and it is their duty to uplift others from
squalid hell to the heaven Caine and his faithful followers • The PCs cannot find Blackjack anywhere within his
occupy. This united with denying participating within domain, as he has undertaken a pilgrimage on behalf
the Jyhad and providing “compassionate reconciliation” of the Church of Caine, leaving stewardship of Joliet
to their fellow Damned, can elevate Cainites to a higher to Deacon Arden. Or at least, that’s what Arden
sense of being. claims. Whether the coterie believe him is up to
them. They may attempt to seize Joliet for them-
This new dogma has driven members to become
selves, as it lacks its Anarch Baron.
Mawlas and even beneficiaries to younger Kindred. How
could the Church be evil if it could help new Kindred • The characters find Tarnopolski on the edge of
onto the paths to greatness? Their prosperity gospel has frenzy, split between the whispers of the Church of
gathered many allies, even if they may not vocally show Caine and his desperation to never be a slave to gov-
their support. With the Camarilla trending toward al- ernment or religion. He needs urgent assistance in
lowing new forms of religious institutions to finally come liberating his spirit from this tug of war, and offers
out of the shadows, the Church of The Dark Father is all aid (and his eventual role as a three-dot Mawla)
readying itself to witness its fruits. should a coterie come to his rescue.
This has also emboldened their enemies. Critias has
perceived their sanctuary to new Kindred as a threat • Tarnopolski is a willing adherent of the Church of
to his control. Jason Newberry is also agitated by their Caine. Having claimed Joliet for the Anarchs, he now
renewed presence in the city and is actively looking to sees vampires require more than the hunt and petty
destroy any and all their members he comes across. Then politics. Finding himself in agreement with Father
there is the Sabbat defector Edward Neally, who sees Arden’s sermons, he not only permits but encourages
them as more of the same. He plans to garner favor the growth of this faith in his domain.
within the Camarilla by giving up information about the Attribute Focus: Mental
Church of Caine and make himself whole.

71
 The Church of Set
JOSHUA “BLACKJACK”
TARNOPOLSKI
Clan: Brujah Sermon by Reverend Sarah P. Donnadieu on the night of
Sire: Tyler Sunday, February 7, 2019, at the Everlasting Sacrament church.
Meeting of the church council follows.
Embraced: 1913 (Born 1870)
A snake doesn’t carry around its skin after it sheds
Ambition: Find freedom from the political games of it. The clan of our mothers and fathers has undergone a
the Kindred change we are no stranger to. Our ways teach of the per-
Convictions: Never again become a slave to the severance change causes to our kind. Yet, we would have
Camarilla never guessed or questioned that our elders would have
left us, their own children, behind for this new heresy.
Touchstones: Rollo Carl — mortal socialist poet and This abomination shows its face as a new broken path, a
resident of Chicago road that bows to a lesser form of “rebellion”. Set damn
Humanity: 6 them, the “Movement” are nothing more than childish
Generation: 8th games played to waste our time. They are nothing and
will become nothing. Time is better used to serve our god
Blood Potency: 3 and strive toward enlightenment.
Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4; Cha- No matter, I believe we have been given a gift during this
risma 2, Manipulation 4, Composure 1; Intelligence time. Set is testing our resolve, our willpower, my children.
3, Wits 5, Resolve 2 This tribulation is our new covenant. The Aeons have seen it
Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 3 fit to question our abilities, to provide clarity and question
everything around us. This even means enlightening our own
Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl (Dirty Fighting) 4, Drive 1, back into the fold, back to the truth. The divine lives quite
Firearms 2, Melee 2; Insight 1, Intimidation 2, Leader- separate from us and is guiding us on this very night.
ship 2, Persuasion 2, Streetwise 3; Academics (Linguis- To see this new pathetic Ministry is to see we have lied
tics) 2, Awareness 2, Occult 1, Politics (Socialism) 4 and corrupted even ourselves. They have bought into the lie
Disciplines: Celerity 3, Obfuscate 1, Potence 3, that they hold Set within their bodies, and we know this
Presence 2 heresy is impossible. Our god would never debase itself to

72
 Heretical Threats and Observations

inhabit these lesser forms. These pathetic meat suits hold it clear this was the will of the Church of Set. For acting
only the greater power of our god-like selves. on her behalf, Twosret awards the coterie a communal
Our task is multi-faceted. We must liberate the Min- three dots of Resources in the form of bonds, assignable
istry from itself. We must make them understand the error to their names. Each character in the coterie may only
of their ways. By hook or by crook. The Ministry must fall, take a maximum of one dot of these Resources, and they
just like we have crushed every false idol before and those may not take a character above Resources 4.
who will come. This is just one more test of our abilities.
• Marcel is aware of the plot against him and rather than go
Liberation flows through the vitae of our ancestors and
to his childe or Aluc, two of the other Ministers in the do-
through us this very night, as it shall do in perpetuity! A
main, he seeks outside help. He doesn’t know who within
snake may never carry forth its mistakes into the future, but a
his clan he can trust. The PCs are a good, neutral option,
snake threatened shall and will bite. Therefore, my people, go
and he is prepared to satisfy whichever vice they p if they
forth into this “Ministry” and show them who we really are.  
act as his bodyguards and identify the would-be assassins.

Eating its own Tail • Thea approaches the coterie after a failed attempt on
Marcel, with an eye to getting in touch with his intended
killer. She doesn’t know if this is a broad attack on the
Cast: Marcel (Chicago by Night, p. 149), Salt (p. XX), Ministry or just her sire, so she won’t approach Twosret
Thea Noel-MacCrain (Chicago by Night, p. 151), Reverend or one of the priest’s servants directly, but she will enlist
“Twosret” Sarah P. Donnadieu — priest of the Church of Set, the PCs to do so on her behalf. Thea first wishes to scope
Chicago (p. XX) out which side she benefits from aiding, before either
WHAT HAPPENED: passing on the intelligence to Marcel or giving up her
sire’s details to Twosret or Salt. She offers the PCs tickets
To the outside observer, the schism within the
to many of the city’s most exclusive mortal and Kindred
Followers of Set that created the Ministry was a simple
events as payment, valuing little more highly.
rebrand to make the Setites more palatable in Camarilla
and Anarch domains. The truth is more nuanced. While Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical
the majority of the clan sided with the Anarch Movement
following the aborted Camarilla petition in Paris, the REVEREND TWOSRET
orthodox Church of Set continued on, and its most loyal
adherents look dimly on the Ministry, while adopting Clan: Ministry
outcasts from other clans who might share their faith.
Sire: Nitocris
Reverend Twosret is one such orthodox Setite. Orig-
inally a southern preacher named Sarah P. Donnadieu, she Embraced: 2009 (Born 1974)
was Embraced into the clan before the rebrand and balked Ambition: Murder the worst heretics of the Ministry
at the idea of multi-faith worship under the Ministry
Convictions: Always maintain faith in Set
banner. Domain by domain, she aims to right the course
of clan, even if the clan’s body rejects her fanaticism. Her Touchstones: Bruno Madison — church attendant
target in Chicago is Marcel, as spokesperson for the Minis- and loyal mortal follower
try and apparent politico. She despises his activities in the Humanity: 4
Primogen Council, his rejection of the orthodoxy, and the
Generation: 10th
lack of influence he has over his wastrel childe.
Reverend Twosret intends to use her fellow Setite, Blood Potency: 2
Salt, to murder Marcel, or have her recruit someone to do Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3; Cha-
it for the clan, and make Marcel’s death a clear message to risma 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 3; Intelligence
the other Serpents: heresy will not be forgiven. 2, Wits 3, Resolve 4
WHAT COULD HAPPEN: Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 7
• As a sympathetic Sarah P. Donnadieu, Twosret hires Skills: Athletics 1, Drive 2, Firearms 2; Animal Ken
the coterie to eliminate Marcel. She weaves a tale of his 1, Etiquette 2, Insight 3, Intimidation 3, Leadership 2,
corruption, his decadence, and his trafficking of young Performance (Oratory) 4, Persuasion (Religious) 3,
mortals to incense the PCs, weaving a believable web of Subterfuge (Acting) 3; Awareness 1, Investigation 2,
lies surrounding Marcel’s interest in their Touchstones if Occult 2, Politics 1, Technology 1
they won’t take the bait. She intends to prime them and Disciplines: Oblivion 2, Presence 2
then fire them at Marcel, before going in herself to make

73
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

The Black Water Auguries

It was raining again. The wind
[Transcript of a Growth Session. Location: 42.548186, -86.914123. Day 26. 13:57
was howling over Michigami, driving
Subject # 5.]
her waves into crescendo upon the
large stones reinforcing the shoreline.
Subject #5: [Weeping] Why, why won’t she see me. Why? Why The ever-present rumble of Lake
am I not seeing her? I can’t see it. Shore Drive blended together with
the deafening soundscapes, which was
B: Focus my child, focus, ready yourself. a perfect cover for the two Cultivars
standing in the shadows of the beach-
S5: I [screaming] I can’t, Sister. The light, oh no, the light. The sky, front park district field house. The
the stars are there. The stars are there. They hear me. They see woman spoke first, apprehensively.
me. Right into my soul. The weeds they are choking my heart. “Do you believe it’s true? Do
The fire is coming back. It’s coming back for us. They see us too. you think we can carry out such a
They want us destroyed; they want to destroy the garden. monumental task under the auspices
of the jewel?”
B: [silence] What else do you witness? Show us with your words. “It doesn’t matter if we can or
cannot. Mother demands what she
S5: As once before, it shall rise again. The fire and gallows work
demands. You saw it as well. It is not
through all of us. The wonder of the stars shines down upon an option. We must begin our work.
Father’s children, but it is a cold light only causing chaos. Mother We have the tools and we have the
is here. Mother is coming. Mother is coming. Mother is coming. knowledge of the Ancestor behind us
[screaming] The halls of bedlam work throughout the six corners. working through Nerissa.” His dread-
The garden in the city flows forth but is stopped by the cannibals. locks dripped water as he looked
The snakes flow through the underbrush and the fire burns down at the ground. The blood
through the sky once again. The second great fire is coming. Its flowing from inside was starting to
wake makes mountains crumble into the sea. It’s coming! Mother mix in with the rain and ran down
needs help! the sidewalk toward the lake.
She sighed in recognition, looking
B: Where is Mother? Who stands defiantly against our garden in back over her shoulder into the dark-
the city? ened space only lit by construction
lamps. The crisp LED lights illuminat-
S5: [crying, indecipherable] It flows through the seeds. The
ed the wooden roof and the impromp-
seeds planted on salt and ground of brick and bone. The charnel tu divinatory space they had created.
houses burn bright as Mother’s garden dies. Why, Mother? Why
“Grandfather demands one of
do you do this to me? Why won’t your face show me love? It the cannibal clans with pure blood.
has scared her away! The beast, the beast is here! [screaming Some have gone missing. We need
intensifies]. to find them and feed them to the
waters.” The bright tattoos on her
B: Focus damn you. Where is the Mother? Tell me where the
neck showed strain as she took in the
Mother is.
task at hand and searched for how to
S5: You can’t hide anymore. It goes beyond the highest star and speak next. “And her, the ancient ene-
past the deepest part of hell. Upon the lunar equinox, it rides my has blood pure enough to water
once more. The rounded configuration of the moon’s garden. The the garden.”
shadow breaker. I can’t stop it. You let it go. Our memories are “Exactly.” He walked back into
feeding the admission to the gates. It is the breaking water of the the building from the patio towards
the staked, bound, and disembow-
sky. Help me, please, stop, please stop!
eled Duskborn, the gentle rapping
[Silence. Weeping] Your bones shall make good kindling for the of vitae mixed into the cacophony of
balefire. You’re going to burn just like the rest of them. the storm. The man reached into the
cracked open abdominal cavity, his

74
 Heretical Threats and Observations

dark skin contrasting against the white intestinal tract WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
and let his eyes glaze over. “There is more as well.”   • Lester approaches the coterie and begs for the PCs’
“Blessings of the stars abound” She swiftly moved assistance in placating these blood gods beneath
across from the man, digging her arms into the entrails. Chicago. He tells them exactly what is being asked of
“A match for each. A mirror for each. Thirteen Cainites of him time and again, and he feels the toll it takes on
pure blood and thirteen clanless scum. Combined and his Humanity. The PCs may relieve him of his task,
sacrificed, each an equilibrium to one another.” try and contact these powerful vampires beneath the
“Twenty-seven unlives to build a perfect garden and surface, or cause a little havoc by slaying or staking
destroy all of the cannibals of the fake jewel. Quite a fit- their servant and waiting to see what happens.
ting sacrifice.” The man smiled. “Hail Mother’s guidance”.
• If Lester has no contacts among the PCs, he snatch-

Snatch and Slash

es a new fledgling from their haven one night after
introduction in Elysium. Having followed the vam-
pire back to their place of rest, he waited until the
Cast: Lester Knife (Chicago by Night, p. 121), any freshly following sunset and struck swiftly, now bringing the
created fledgling body back to the place of sacrifice. The PCs might
have spotted Lester staring at the new Embrace, or
WHAT HAPPENED: have made acquaintance with the fledgling before
The urge Lester Knife feels to continue sacrifices their disappearance.
to the monsters beneath Chicago and Lake Michigan
drones with increased volume inside his head and heart. • The monsters beneath Lake Michigan wish to wake
His Beast hums with approval at the shedding of blood, from their slumber. If they do, Chicago will either
but roars in frustration as none of the spilled life is for unite under the banner of a strong Kindred, and see
Lester’s jaws. the city’s vampires fend off a shambling Methuselah
The Gangrel attempts to lead a simple and moral before the Inquisition take notice, or split into fac-
existence, but as the demands grow greater, now re- tions and try to claim glory for themselves. The PCs
questing the sacrifice of vitae as well as mortal blood, he may be the deciding factor on how the city acts.
must decide how to act. If he has counsel, he will use it. Attribute Focus: Physical
Otherwise, he may be forced to make a difficult decision
for himself.

75
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

The Ashfinders
A new threat has risen to the
fore because of these creatures. A
branch of Anarch-leaning thin-
bloods recently stole the fragments of
DISTRICT: 12 a necromantic ritual. Somehow using
BEAT: 1233 their thin-blood alchemy to con-
vert the remains of a dead vampire,
CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT the Duskborn can create a highly
BUREAU OF DETECTIVEs — Area Central addictive paste. This drug known
locally as “Ashe” can be worn by the
ARMED ROBBERY ALERT
user to gain shards of the deceased’s
WANTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND HOUSE INVASION Disciplines. The concoction is said to
12TH DISTRICT provide euphoric highs and glimpses
of memories into the past through
ABOUT THIS CRIME: the eyes of the dead.
Neighborhood watch contacted the police, This threat to Kindred has only
witnessing masked assailants vandalizing the recently become known to parts of
area, tagging neighborhood property, and a the Chicago vampiric community.
possible home invasion. When police arrived on This band of thin-bloods has been
the scene, the assailants fled on foot. Giving traveling, bringing the material
chase, the officers were unable to apprehend the to raves in Ibiza and Hong Kong.
three suspects, two of which carried property The threat most prevalent within
from the home which they burglarized. One suspect Camarilla courts is the possibility
did brandish a firearm before getting away. these Duskborn are acting as vultures,
poaching ashes from Gehenna War
INCIDENT DATES & LOCATIONS:
battlegrounds and bringing them
The incident occurred at the 800 blocks of S. back to share shards of Methuselah
Laflin Street. The home of one Dr. Oliver Genet powers among themselves.
was broken into at approximately 3:36 P.M. on Like many drugs though, there
the 18th of October. Police found the personal are incredible drawbacks. The most
archive vandalized along with items of great hazardous symptom renders users
value stolen out of the home. Thankfully, no unable to differentiate between the
citizens or members of the CPD reported injuries past and reality. It is also surmised
in the resulting gunfight. users may become “hunted” by the
ABOUT THE OFFENDER(S): Beasts of those they ingest. These
spiritual creatures are only theorized
Please consider these offenders armed and to manifest in or around the Kindred
dangerous. The offenders could not be recognized using the drug, but even the likeli-
due to their disguises but were all covered in hood of this occurring is petrifying to
blue paint. Please be on the lookout for this most Cainites.
feature. Gangrel Primogen Rosa Her-
SAFETY TIPS: nandez has recently been investigat-
ing this phenomenon closely along
If you have any knowledge about this crime,
with Sheriff Damien. They have also
please contact the CPD non-emergency tip line.
reached out to Joshua Tarnopol-
ski, Baron of Joliet, to explore the
understanding of the threat within
The Most Dangerous Game the Anarch Movement. Damien has
sent his Hounds to patrol the Rack
and other party scenes to try to find a
The Camarilla has hunted and destroyed Duskborn since they started ap- source of this dangerous concoction.
pearing in these modern nights. Not only are they a huge risk to the Masquer- They have all fallen short of capturing
ade, they also endanger the pillars of vampiric society. anyone connected to the cult. They

76
 Heretical Threats and Observations

have found information indicating the drug is most likely shipped from up

north, possibly Canada. At Union Station, train cars possessing traces of the A F LY E R L E F T I N T H E
foul substance were found, but no individuals were caught possessing the drug.  S O U T H LO O P
Are you sick and tired of being left

The Little Village Inferno out in the cold?

Does the dusk feel like a trap?
Feel like you’re rejected by The
By Amelia Locke Ivory Tower?
Chicago Tribune
Does the Night feel so lonely?
At least six people are dead following a fire at a home Feel like the Party has left you
in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood early Friday. The wanting?
blaze spread to another two houses, authorities said at a press You have a place with us. Please
conference. call our Doctor at 1-414-555-
6666
The fire started about 1:00 a.m. at a house in the 2600 block
The Cinder Institute has late night
of South Sawyer Avenue, police stated. The fire spread from the meetings every first and third
three-story abandoned house to a nearby home, according to Wednesday
Chicago police and the Chicago Fire Department. The building
You are whole.
was purportedly used as a de facto community center and
organizing hub for the notorious “Bloods” street gang, known The Cinder Institute LLC
for their growing street activism against racial inequality.   You are worth your weight
in gold™
Neighbors reported hearing a confrontation before the blaze
and saw a Caucasian male with brown hair covered in blue

Reign of Ashe
markings and wearing a dark suit leaving the scene around
12:45 a.m. Police are looking for any other witnesses who may
know about the subject in question. The offender was carrying a
large bag covered in what witnesses say may have been powdered Cast: Adze (Chicago by Night,
drugs. The DEA and Homeland Security have been contacted to p. 172), Amelia Locke (p. XX), Erzulie
the scene to make sure no weapons, such as anthrax, have been (Chicago by Night, p. 194), Prince Kevin
left at the scene. Neighbors fleeing with their children from the Jackson (Chicago by Night, p. 209)
second home sustained injuries, according to a tweet from the
Fire Department. The cause of the fire was under investigation. WHAT HAPPENED:
Freelance journalist and childe
Sources close to the Tribune are reporting the suspected
of Joseph Peterson, Amelia Locke,
arson may have been some sort of act of retribution from a
found the story of the Little Village
new local gang known only as the “Ashfinders”. This violent
Inferno dropped in her lap and,
and nefarious group has been known in the past to supply
despite attempts to distance herself
a new drug overtaking the city’s nightclub and party scene.
from this potential Masquerade
Comparable to PCP or heroin, this blue colored “Ashe” allegedly
breach, received direct orders from
creates hallucinations. There have been multiple overdoses
Prince Jackson to write the story as
linked to the drug in recent months, adding to the crippling
truthfully as she could, without any
opioid crisis gripping the city.
direct allusions to vampire society.
There are six confirmed casualties, with 10 other Jackson’s intent is to alarm the
people displaced, according to the CPD. The residents did city’s Kindred into acting with more
not request help seeking temporary shelter, police said. care. Amelia is, however, concerned
Resident Magdalena Diaz told WGN-Ch. 9 how the large about the mortal Inquisition’s
flames seemingly came from nowhere. response to a story such as this one.
Both parties seek out the PCs to look
“It was scary, it was life-changing, actually,” Diaz told WGN. into this story and plant enough
“Because now all the children are gone, our neighbors are evidence to turn the mortal investi-
inconsolable. The things can be replaced but the babies, the gators away from Kindred activity,
memories we had, they are gone.” find the truth behind this drug called
Ashe, and locate the perpetrators.

77
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

The Sabbat
Jackson and Locke both individually
feel that were word of Ashe’s potential
“benefits” to reach Kindred society at large,
a spate of murders may follow. Therefore,
TO: WATCH COMMANDER
they each request that this investigation
takes place with the utmost secrecy. FROM: OFFICER MILLER, FREDRICK — BADGE NO.
6363
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
SUBJECT: 720 ILCS 5.0/10-2-A-
• If the PCs serve the Prince or Ame- 3: AGG KIDNAPPING-INFLICT HARM
lia and look into the perpetrators
of the Little Village attack, they dis- DATE: 25-MAR-19
cover a cabal of thin-bloods. Though This statement is being given under duress.
they lack formal affiliation with any I am only giving this statement at this time
group, a couple of the members can because I am being given a direct order to
be seen to attend the Red Noº 5. report and would lose my job if I refuse. This
Adze and Erzulie deny knowledge “TO/FROM” report should not be used in the court
of the Ashfinders, but thorough in- of law as it is not an exact account of the
terrogation of one of the thin-bloods situation in question but only a summary of the
reveals they occasionally get pointed requested information. Please refer any further
in the direction of a haven by other questioning of the night in question to my
members of the Blood Disco. attorney or department appointed psychologist. 
• If the PCs follow the lead deep IN SUMMARY: On the night of March 8th,
into the Blood Disco, Adze or- 2019, R.O. Miller responded to an ATL at the
ders the troublesome Duskborn East block of 45th Street on a missing woman
destroyed to cover his tracks. 19, African-American. Upon arrival, officer
This act may compel some of swept the basement floor. Officer witnessed
the thin-bloods to turn to the perp violating the young woman’s body. The perp
coterie for assistance. was then ordered to freeze and R.O attempted
to arrest the suspect. Perp then fed on the
• The vampire directly responsible flesh of the woman and laughed. R.O. repeated
for the burning destroyed himself to the perp to freeze and put his hands up.
while undergoing a hallucinogenic Perp charged the R.O. with a knife. The R.O.
trance, staying awake for the dawn discharged his firearm fearing for his life.
while feeling dangerously invulner- R.O. connected multiple shots on the perp. Perp
able. Witnesses to the act describe did not stop after contact and was on drugs
how the sunlight peeled layers off (possibly PCP or heroin). Perp then fled through
the vampire’s skin slowly, as if he the basement area. R.O. did not give chase on
possessed an alarming resilience to foot due to the acute trauma of witnessing the
the dawn before it destroyed him. act. At this time CPD and CFD arrived on the
scene. R.O. then conducted crowd control. No
• Amelia has no desire to be con-
further information to report.
nected to this story, and rewards
the PCs with a major boon if they
snuff out the Ashfinders before they
become a major issue. Jackson, on the
other hand, wants to understand the
The Seven Fires the dread nights of 1993. Little is
known about the fringe and alien
sect. What is known, is the Sabbat
workings of this necromantic ritual,
Chicago, for all its corruption relinquished control over its holdings
potentially claiming it for future use.
and horrors, understands though it and threw itself into a purported
For their discretion, Jackson rewards
may wallow in degradation it has “Gehenna War”.
the PCs with feeding territory any-
nothing on the empire of perturba- With the advent of the Las-
where in Chicago that doesn’t con-
tion that is the Sabbat. The city has ombra defection, there have been
flict with one of his favored Kindred.
had many horrific encounters with whispers of concern about what the
Attribute Focus: Mental the fanatical sect, most recent being Sabbat will do in retaliation. To help

78
 Heretical Threats and Observations

the Lasombra in their quest to join the Camarilla is to or something to do with their number of operatives or
potentially put a target for the Sabbat on your back. groups known as packs. 
The Chicago Sabbat have become a cell organi- The Seven Fires leave nothing but carnage and
zation, perpetrating atrocities by some byzantine de- perplexing propaganda in their wake. In their graffiti,
sign. These cells have been known in the past as “The their trail of mutilated bodies, and arcane scrawl, they
Seven Fires”, the surviving cells not called off to the reference the story of Peter Pan, possibly an allusion to
Gehenna War, destroyed by Edward Neally, or any of the Lasombra defection and “losing their shadow”. These
the defecting Lasombra. This is likely a name given to Cainites are appearing closer and closer to the Chicago
them due to their ferocity, related to their brutal “ri- border, emerging in more run down or economically
tae” often connected to fire, their appalling “games”, impoverished suburbs.

A Letter
Firstly, I’d like to apologize. To you who found this and to whoever finds my sorry
ass. I truthfully did not think I would have gone out like this, but I really don’t see
any reason to continue further. I can tell you after losing my job as an officer, I
thought the F.O.P. was going to fucking fight for me to get my job back. I was just
another liability, especially after they popped Van Dyke. I fully admit I wasn’t within
the confines of the law. I know breaking into that flop without a warrant was wrong,
but I was on to those things. I was a detective after all, and everything pointed to that
awful place in Joliet. No one would listen to me. Not after the Taylor Homes incident.
Which is why Christina left me, why the sarge put me on desk leave, why I eventually
got “asked” to leave the force. Thin blue line my ass.
It’s not really like I could have said: “Hey Chief, I think there are murderous
vampires eviscerating young women in the city,” because I did, and we saw what
happened. I see it every night before I go to sleep. Why would I make something up like
that? I’m a cop, goddamnit. Or I was. The basement is always the same. I’m walking
down the crumbling steps into the washing room. It was this huge room filled with rows
of washing machines. It was like 100 degrees in the room, it was like walking into a
fucking sauna. Just row after row of white machines all in a cinderblock football field.
Prisons were nicer than this pit. The walls wept from the humidity and space reeked
with a noxious mixture of mold and bleach.
Then I heard it, it sounded weird, like static and then giggling. Static, giggling, over
and over. I thought it was someone turning a radio on and off for fun or something. I
tried to find the source and kept low and rounded the corner towards the back, towards
these huge exhaust fans. They heated the building or some shit. There he was, or it
was, I should say. Naked and bent impossibly. I remember he wasn’t sweating. I was
sweating bullets down there, but he wasn’t, and it wasn’t static. It was sizzling.
Giggling, as he pressed the girl’s body or what was left of it, to the exhaust pipe. She
was gutted like a fish from her throat all the way down. Like a cow made ready in a
meat-packing plant. We found all her insides in a garbage bin a few feet away, along
with her clothing and belongings. He had her hung up and he was just laughing about
it, pressing her to the pipe, sizzle, giggle, and then he would let her off a little, then
press again. He was laughing about the skin of a girl rendering away. Her ID confirmed
her age, after digging it out of her intestines.
I really don’t remember what happened after that. I remember seeing the guy’s
face, seeing his body contort. It was all wrong. All bent out of proportion in ways
that make me not want to sleep. And his canines, they were huge. I know there

79
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

were people screaming my name. I know I shot my gun through the entire magazine.
I just remember coming to, crying, looking at the young woman torn almost in
two from her neck all the way down. Holding my gun up still, and just crying and
crying and crying. This was when they gave me the first desk leave. Then another for
insubordination. And another for paperwork. Then I started popping those fucking
sleeping pills too. Made the dreams go away but made everything feel like one.
I found out I wasn’t the only one to have run-ins with these fucking monsters.
Coppers all have one or two stories of something completely insane they have seen. Or
at least they let on like they have. But by then it was too late. People started asking
questions. A receipt found on the scene pointed to a small motel off Rt. 30. As a damn
desk jockey, I couldn’t get a warrant. The room though, it smelled like death and the
weird symbols written in blood on the walls were what got me. The upside down cross,
but with a circle on the bottom. The machine parts shoved through mouths of rotting
corpses. The barbed wire wrapped around bloody rags. It was a lot, to say the least,
then I got arrested for trespassing. Those guys had weird credentials though. Some weird
acronym starting with an F. They wouldn’t tell me who they worked for before dropping
me into lockup. 
It was like they were covering it up. I know there were. But why? Why? 
I haven’t slept in ten days. I just can’t see it again.
Fuck it, it doesn’t matter now.
I know what I saw.
Don’t forget me. 
Fritz

Only the Offal Remains he seeks to be the terror. It’s all he knows now. He seeks
the thrill of the kill and the congratulations of his Beast.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
Cast: Samson — lone Sabbat marauder (p. XX)
• The PCs may find one of their Touchstones or mortal
WHAT HAPPENED: associates butchered by Samson, with deranged
What befell the Sabbat in the United States is still messages laid out using guts and blood. The brazen
broadly a mystery. Packs disappeared, the hierarchy nature of the attack may provoke a frenzy, Hunger,
dissolved, and many of the Cainites remaining in place or even a crisis of Humanity.
lost their grip on reality and stability as their purpose
disappeared. • If the coterie members don’t act to stop Samson,
One such vampire was Samson, a Cainite formerly FIRSTLIGHT may start associating these murders
of Chicago, assigned to sabotage the Camarilla build- less with a mortal serial killer, and more with an
ing blocks of the city with his pack. When his Ductus undead monstrosity. All it will take is for them to
vanished and the rest of his pack were slain or stopped find Fredrick Miller’s suicide note and the mortal
showing up at the communal haven, Samson snapped. He organization will have what they need to declare all
saw patterns in the blood, he saw messages in the ashes, Kindred as bad as this monster.
and his Beast spoke to him with more clarity than ever
before. It said: be the terror. • Samson cannot be reasoned with if caught, but he
might spill secrets regarding the anemic state of the
Since that time, Samson has acted as bogeyman
Sabbat in America. He does not want to be stabi-
around Chicago and the cities surrounding it, carving up
lized, preferring to fight to the final death instead of
kine in grotesque ways, horrifying other vampires, and in-
embracing any form of lucidity.
creasing the state of fear throughout Illinois. In all things,

80
• Eliminating Samson is difficult, as he’s primed for a Touchstones: None
fight, but would see the PCs held in high esteem in Humanity: 1
the Chicago domain. Members of the coterie each
gain two dots of Status in Chicago, remaining for the Generation: 13th
duration of the chronicle. This Status may not take Blood Potency: 2
them above Status 4. Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3; Cha-
Attribute Focus: Mental / Physical risma 2, Manipulation 1, Composure 1; Intelligence
2, Wits 1, Resolve 3
SAMSON Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 4
Skills: Athletics 1, Brawl 4, Craft (Torture) 1, Drive 2,
Clan: Ventrue
Firearms 3, Melee 2, Stealth 2, Survival 2; Intimi-
Sire: Jerry Jagged dation (Growling) 4, Subterfuge 3; Awareness 1,
Embraced: 1989 (Born 1965) Finance 1, Investigation 2, Occult (Sabbat) 3, Politics
2, Science (Biology) 1
Ambition: Be the terror
Disciplines: Dominate 1, Fortitude 4, Potence 2
Convictions: None

81
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

The Bahari
[SOUND OF LEATHER STRETCHING]
BAHARI SPEAKER: Ted fucking Bundy. Let me tell you what pisses me off about
Ted Bundy.
[SOUND OF A HARD SLAP]
BAHARI SPEAKER: You with me, Chad? Hard to tell with that slat of wood in your
chest. Oh… Your eyes just dilated. Good.
[SOUND OF CHAINS PULLED THROUGH A METAL RING]
BAHARI SPEAKER: Truth to tell, I don’t remember your name, but you look like
a Chad. I know. The night didn’t pan out the way you planned. Poor little neonate
Church of Caine newb with everything to prove. You thought you’d claim bragging
rights with your brothers by sauntering into a den of Lilith, all alone, and
preach the good word of Nod. The Big Bad Chad. You huffed and you puffed and now
look at you, strung up in my soundproof room. Note the layers of foam. I record
down here.
[SOUND OF OBJECT DRAGGED ACROSS FLOOR]
BAHARI SPEAKER: I want you to look into this mirror while I talk, not that you
have much choice. Really look at yourself. Where was I? Oh yeah. Ted Bundy, the
brilliant, irresistible killer. Fuck that noise, Chad. Fuck it with a bandsaw!
[SOUND OF A POWER TOOL]
BAHARI SPEAKER: Bundy is a male murderer whose reputation was fabricated by
male police to cover up their incompetence. They called him an “escape artist.” Do
you know how Bundy broke out of prison, Chad? He was left alone, uncuffed in a
room with a window.
[SOUND OF BOILING WATER]
BAHARI SPEAKER: The sentencing judge praised Bundy for his eloquence, intelli-
gence, and potential, but Teddy failed his way through life. And let’s be honest,
Chad, he wasn’t that hot. Witnesses described Bundy as “unassuming.” Translation:
he was a well-groomed white dude, and thus not a threat. He didn’t lure victims
with preternatural sex appeal, but by playing injured. Women are conditioned
to help others at their own expense. Useful behavior to us predators, but still
infuriating.
[SOUND OF METAL IMPLEMENTS BEING LAID ONTO A TRAY]
BAHARI SPEAKER: These days, a whole Teddy cult of so-called serial killer
enthusiasts masturbate to the misogynistic mythos of the complex, ingenious mur-
derer. This is how white male serial killers achieve godhead, Chad. This is how
aggressive mediocrity gets deified. Which brings us to Caine.
[AMBIENT MUSIC]
BAHARI SPEAKER: The Caine myth is a construct erected by a stagnating patri-
archal society of undead. Caine is not complex, Chad. He’s a prehistoric dude who
got confused and caved in his brother’s head with a rock. End of story. He didn’t
challenge creation. He didn’t even see fucking Eden.

82
 Heretical Threats and Observations

[AMBIENT MUSIC, RABBITS SCREAMING]

BAHARI SPEAKER: Lilith was there from the beginning. She challenged God di-
rectly. She subverted her curse, transformed it into power. She’s the primal way.
The progenitor. The divine bitch. The mother who births the vitae. When Caine came
weeping to her, she took him in, and he stole her story. She teaches us to use adver-
sity to transmute and flip the curse. Caine just teaches you to grow into a fat tick
and avoid all challenge. All you peddle are altar boy hang-ups. Your priests just
take what the bovine mortals do on Sunday and throw fangs on it. We transcend!
[AMBIENT MUSIC, INFANT WAILING]
BAHARI SPEAKER: And what did you do, Chad? You came into the holy House of
Mamuwalde and profaned it with your limp-dick Cainite rigmarole. Now I have to
deal with that!
[laughter]
BAHARI SPEAKER: Oh! Your eye moved. That takes effort. Oh, sweet little lamb.
I’m not going to kill you. This wasn’t a capital offense. Death is static. Pain is
dynamic. What we have here, Chad, is a teachable moment, and my Dark Mother com-
mands me to seize it.
[AMBIENT MUSIC, HYENAS LAUGHING]
BAHARI SPEAKER: You’ve been looking into the mirror a while now. Ever gaze
into your reflection so long your face becomes a stranger? Like saying a word so
many times it turns alien in the mouth. That’s what we call a dissociative state.
[ambient music, panicking crowd]
BAHARI SPEAKER: Can I be open with you, Chad? You’re like the perfect listen-
er. Back when I had a heartbeat, I had a big problem with dissociation. It was
nasty. Felt like my body wasn’t mine. My emotions were someone else’s. I watched
my life from a low-res security cam up above. Constant anxiety that the gravity
holding my molecules together would fail at any moment. It was an ailment, or so I
thought. Then I found Lilith. Before I had fangs, I had Lilith. She showed me that
my dissociation gave me a tool to take myself apart and rebuild.
[SOUND OF SHARPENING BLADES]
BAHARI SPEAKER: I want to give you that gift, Chad. Identity is fragile. It’s
amazing what a change in weight, a scar, even a zit can do to someone’s self-percep-
tion. But we’re not settling for the mundane, Chad. We’re reaching for the supernal.
[music stops]
BAHARI SPEAKER: I’m going to skin you, Chad. You’re going to stare at yourself in the
mirror, totally exposed, for a long while. Then I’m going to slowly feed you blood, and
you’re going to watch your skin come gradually back. And all the while, I’m going to play
you some special audio. I’ve made ASMR recordings with passages from the Revelations of
the Dark Mother that will raise the hairs right on the back of your neck. First, I’ll
make an incision here and here. Then I’ll just reach in and deglove your head.
[CHUCKLING]
Oh that is a verb that’s gonna stick with you a while. De-glove. Eh, Chad?
[WET, PEELING SOUNDS]

83
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Strange Entreaty looking into Braden White. To

reach this far into the House’s
they fail to present him with any
goods. His paranoia is such that
activities will require drinking the he may even believe the protag-
Cast: Braden White (p. XX), vitae of some of its members in onists are working for his sire,
Francois Mamuwalde (Chicago by bonding ceremony, but does earn making him a two-dot Adversary
Night, p. 107) any vampires who partake a two- to the coterie.
dot Mawla in the form of Francois
WHAT HAPPENED: • In truth, Braden’s sire is keeping
Mamuwalde.
Braden White is about as far an eye on him, but it’s via the
from a Bahari vampire as one could • Braden White can’t accept that Blackwater cult and far subtler
be. Moneyed, entitled, arrogant, and his sire isn’t operating via the means than the Blood Disco’s
obnoxiously male, he has little time most obvious Lilith cult in the revelers.
or interest in the worship of Lilith or city and refuses to pay the PCs if
Attribute Focus: Social
indeed anyone but himself. However,
he is intensely paranoid about the

The Cult of Mithras

attentions of his sire, and his daytime
dreams lead him to believe she has
allies among Lilith worshipers.
Unprepared to delve into meet-
ings or rites with the Bahari himself, Arjun Shah,
he seeks a coterie of vampires willing
The spread of the cult continues in the wake
to engage with the cult and funnel
him information on their activities. of London’s fall, but then diaspora has always
His interest is restricted to wheth- been our default state. I see you have chosen the
er they know of his sire, or rather, United States’ Midwest. I see rather than planting
whether they have any interest in yourself upon the Camarilla’s crown jewel of
him. He can’t recall his sire’s name Chicago, you have instead landed just adjacent, in
or appearance, so he’s looking for battle-torn Milwaukee. That is a move of which I
whatever clues he can find out of am certain my Prince would have approved.
desperation.
We should talk of these things in person.
It’s very much a shot in the dark,
Yes, I say in person. A visit is in order. I
but he has found out some of the
city’s Bahari meet at the House of agree to your proposal to tutor your neonates
Mamuwalde, and offers to pay well on the finer points, and proper pedagogy
for a discreet investigation into the requires a personal touch. Young Kindred would
vampires who frequent such a place. benefit from a perspective less compromised
than the unfortunately biased Eternal Academy
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
of Critias.
• The PCs attend the House of
Mamuwalde and meet with As to your other question — what of Mithras?
Francois and many of the — we have seen this before. He has gone off to
House’s Caitiff childer. A surface die in glorious battle only to return again.
look reveals no connection to He is a sacrifice of himself, by himself, to
Braden White whatsoever, but himself. He lives on in every cult member,
Francois invites any clanless or mortal and immortal. He lives on in our
thin-bloods from the coterie to iconography and customs. He lives on in the
stay for the next few nights and vials we wear around our necks (I trust yours
days to see what the House of still pulses as does mine). Is Mithras, the god
Mamuwalde truly has to offer. emperor, the unconquered sun, gone? I know my
• A deeper delve into the House of Prince far better than that.
Mamuwalde reveals the interests United by the handshake,
of many interested older Kindred,
but none of them are specifically De Camden

84
 Heretical Threats and Observations

Prince Decker,
The reputation of you and your Anubi precedes you. A cabal of
warriors united under the likeness of an ancient god, fighting until
the bitter end. I do believe you and my old master would have gotten
along famously. It is an honor to receive acceptance into your
domain. I know my choice to move here surprises you. I should like to
have an audience so that I might tell you what I bring to this city.
Honor and respect,
Arjun Shah

The Mithraeum on the balls of his feet, at the ready, like us. I felt un-
der-dressed just looking at him. I kept my hand in my
pocket, holding my lucky coin. If I go too long without
We were all tired, bone tired, ready to slip into the touching silver, I get the shakes. No one ever talks about
soil and never come back up, but the big dog said we vampire PTSD.
were going out. I may be the newest in the crew, but even Shah showed us around Syndexioi, and Decker asked
I know that where Mark Decker goes, we follow. about some particulars, but I could tell this was all just
That night, we didn’t dive into a nest of gibbering preamble.
Sabbat freaks or hunt moon-drunk wolf monsters. We “I would like to show you the Mithraeum,” Shah said.
took a fancy elevator up to the 41st floor of the U.S. Bank “I shall meet you downstairs.”
Center. That’s the floor with the nesting boxes for the He whispered some instructions to a ghoul who took
peregrine falcons, some conservation program from the us to a different, smaller elevator. This took us to the
‘80s. The whole floor belonged to Syndexioi Ltd., a slick, basement, and three more code and handprint-protected
international cyber and physical security firm. doors took us to this Mithraeum.
Arjun Shah greeted us, all hospitality. He’s a Kindred Overpowering incense hung in the dim light.
and a suit, but he didn’t stand like a suit. He balanced Everything was a mix of ancient and new. It felt like being
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

at church, that weighty air. Arjun There was a small stone altar WHAT HAPPENED:
met us, no longer dressed in his suit, with a bowl made from pound- Arjun Shah, Mithraist and Pater
but colorful silk robes and a gleaming ed gold. Arjun stood behind altar of the cult in Milwaukee, has given
ruby ring on his finger. He held a and bowl and said, “Thank you for up on his attempts to find sympa-
wooden rod carved like a miniature coming. It is my joy and privilege thetic Ventrue in Chicago. He doesn’t
shepherd’s staff and wore an ornate to welcome you into this room. I believe any of Chicago’s Blue Bloods
sword at his side. The blade was have studied the Anubi. I know your capable or worthy of entry into the
broad, double edged, with a square, allies left you. I know the treacherous cult. Certainly, they lack the spiritual
blunted point. Later, Decker told me warlocks abandoned you at the hour and combative nature his god favors.
it’s called a khanda. of need. Still you stayed. Still you Perhaps that’s why Shah has
The first room had a statue of a fought. If I knew nothing else about been seen so often in the company
naked, lion-headed man, with wings you, that would be enough.” of Martin, the spiritual counselor to
and a snake wrapped about him. Sev- Arjun unsheathed his sword and many of Chicago’s vampires. Martin
en circles of inlaid gold were worked held it up, saying, “I shall sacrifice is a mysterious Nosferatu at the best
into the marble floor. Arjun told us to his sword, well-aimed against the of times, but seeing him associate
there were seven degrees of initiation, skulls of the Daevas.” with the visiting vampire from Mil-
seven mysteries of Mithras. Arjun beckoned us closer, and waukee disconcerts some, and angers
“The first degree is Corax,” said we unconsciously formed a semicircle others. Has his spiritual balm all been
Arjun, “aligned with Mercury.” around the altar. Then he said, “You in service to the Cult of Mithras?
Our host asked for an oath of are warriors, but you are battle-fa- Is the cult courting him, or is he
secrecy before we went further. We tigued, soul-weary. You continue on perhaps reaching out to them for an
all looked to Decker. He swore, so we as those who consider death a forgone alliance, and if so, to what end?
swore. conclusion and perhaps welcome it. I This entire chronicle hook could
The next room had a stone have come to tell you that this is not be everything from a storm in a
bas-relief showing Mithras birthing the end, but a beginning. You have teacup to the witnessing of a revolu-
from a rock. The room after depicted been made to expect betrayal and tionary plot. When two apparently
Mithras slaying a bull. In the follow- negligence. I have come to tell you unassociated Kindred meet up and
ing room, Mithras shared a banquet that you deserve more. You are no speak in hushed voices the tongues of
with the god Sol. longer abandoned! I wish to quicken other vampires start wagging.
In this room, Arjun stopped your spirit and nourish your soul.”
WHAT COULD HAPPEN:
us and said, “A meal ought to be a Here Arjun took out a glass vial
communal rite.” he wore on a leather thong around his • The meetings between Shah and
neck. He lifted it up, saying, “Whose Martin are simple friendly asso-
Several mortals were brought in,
Word is True, who is of the Assembly, ciations, based on their mutual
all willing and lucid. Arjun prayed
Who has a Thousand Ears, the Well- love of history and sculpture.
over our supper saying, “Mithras
Shaped One, Who has Ten Thousand When Shah heard of Martin,
preserve us, our domain, and what
Eyes, the Exalted One, Who has Wide he sought the Nosferatu out for
has been built by us.” There are few
Knowledge, the Helpful One, Who friendly conversations that are
people who can get away with saying
Sleeps Not, the Ever Wakeful.” now being blown completely out
stuff like that without sounding
Arjun opened the vial and of proportion.
cringe-worthy. Arjun is one of them.
We all fed. No one over-drank. poured it into the golden bowl. Every
• Martin meets with Arjun Shah
Let it not be said the Anubi lack last one of us straightened up, nos-
because he plots to expand
manners. Arjun carefully made sure trils flaring, smelling the tremendous
his territory, and desires the
we were all full before taking us power that now held dominion in the
backing of the Cult of Mithras to
into the next room. That room had a room.
facilitate this. Shah is reluctant,
bas-relief still in progress. but Martin offers to divert his
“What’s this one?” asked Decker,
pointing to the two figures in stone.
Auspicious therapeutic sessions with other
vampires into the worship of
“Here we see Mithras and Haqim
himself conversing over philosophical
Meetings Mithras. Shah needs to consider
whether it’s worth the risk.
conundrums and the truths of the
Cast: Arjun Shah (p. XX), Martin • Arjun Shah is in Chicago be-
soul,” said Arjun.
(p. XX) cause he wants an introduction

86
 Heretical Threats and Observations

to Kevin Jackson, and to date, • If the PCs spy on the two Shah and the disappointment of
has been unable to arrange one. vampires, their surveillance Martin, both of whom go out of
He knows Martin by reputation, may reveal a plot or could just their way to avoid the PCs from
and meets with the Sewer Rat expose mundane conversations. that point on.
in order to enlist him for the Either way, if they’re not subtle
Attribute Focus: Mental
purposes of support at Elysium. they could earn the ire of Arjun

The Cult of Shalim

Extract removed from FIRSTLIGHT Chicago Report #45L

The recordings have been reviewed. The location is a support group for the loved ones and caretak-
ers of terminal cancer patients, held during evenings at a community center in Skokie. This is definitely
the Rabbi. However, while all the rest of the audio is clean, his voice is distorted beyond recognition
throughout. Have you ever encountered this phenomenon with blankbodies? A partial transcript follows.
The full audio has been sent to Blacksite 24 to see if the distortions can be enhanced.
As to the agent who recorded this, he failed to check in, and we considered him dead. A recent
sighting confirms him living. Consider him compromised.

SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER: And the day she died, I uh, I felt sad, yeah, torn apart.
But the first thing I felt… God. I felt relief. After all the months, the deteriora-
tion, the meds, the bedside sitting, changing her. Every day I had to make peace
with losing her, but no, uh, no closure. And it wasn’t really her anymore, not in
the last months. So when she died, I felt a huge wave of relief wash over me. I
hated myself for it. Oh god. I’m relieved my Marcy is dead.
[sobbing]
SUPPORT GROUP LEADER: Thank you for sharing, Gerald.
GROUP (IN UNISON): Thank you, Gerald.
SUPPORT GROUP LEADER: You were under the water a long time, Gerald. That relief
was just you taking a breath of air. No one can fault you for needing air.
[sobbing quiets]
SUPPORT GROUP LEADER: Our guest speaker has returned again tonight to generously
donate his time. I know he needs no introduction. I’ll just close the door so we
aren’t disturbed and let him get to it.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): Shin-lamed-mem.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice, talking at length]
GROUP (IN UNISON): Reality is suffering.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): Reality is suffering.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]

87
GROUP (IN UNISON): I renounce the suffering of hope.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): I renounce the pain of dreams.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): I renounce the barbed chains of ego that fetter me.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): I renounce reality.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): Paradise can only exist when all that is, is not.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): There is a voice in the void.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): Shalim! Shalim! He will obliterate the cancer that mars the
perfect dark.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): We let go of ourselves. All will be one in the infinite nothing.
All will be God.
THE RABBI: [distorted voice]
GROUP (IN UNISON): Nothing exists, save empty space and me, and I am but a thought.
SUPPORT GROUP LEADER: Thank you, everyone. Coffee and snacks are in the back of
the room.

88
 Heretical Threats and Observations

The Little Black looks more than a little nefarious. He says it is a sensory
deprivation tank.

Book of Basaras “The Bahari believe pain brings wisdom,” Michalis

says. “Through torture and holy agony, they break down
their identity in order to remake themselves. This misses
– Critias (disillusioned) the point. It profanes the miracle they’ve already per-
formed. We do not dissolve the selfishness of identity
– Nero (reaches for the precipice) only to coalesce into a new abomination. We do not break
our shackles only to seek out more intricate shackles. We
– Patricia Montgomery (she is lost, but she let go in order to rejoin the nothing that is Shalim.”
will be found) Michalis tells me he meditates in the tank often,
practices excising his existence. On some nights, he
– Gérard (broken down, burnt out) says, he receives visions of the Mediterranean Sea and
communes with the Traveler. I take off my clothes and
– Edward Neally (there is a perfect, hungry
get into the tank. The water is cold. Michalis seals the
hole in his chest) chamber.
All is dark and silence. I meditate as I was taught,
– Nathaniel Bordruff (self-hate)
visualizing my body in minute detail, then making it van-
– Ben Galura (ridiculed by all) ish, one thoroughly visualized a piece at a time. Darkness.
Silence. Then I hallucinate. I see Senator Logan’s kindly
– Sun Che (something terrible hides within) face, and I let him fade away. I see Jefferson, and I hesitate
before gently nudging him away.
The day I lost myself to the Beast plays out in lurid
detail. I kill so many people. I murder sweet Emily with
my bare hands and teeth. It is a long while before I can

Baptism by Nothing
banish the image.
One by one, the leering faces of my old Sabbat pack
rear up. I burn every last bastard one them with my
I’ve hit rock bottom so many times. I no longer have mind’s eye, until they are ash and nothing. Then, at the
that comforting illusion, the relief that you’ve gone as low last, Lodin surges up like a fairytale bogeyman. I nearly
as you can go. There is always lower. Taking your twelve scream, but with great effort I cast him back into the
steps just builds another staircase to fall down. void.
Then Rabbi Basaras tells me that all of those times Darkness. Silence. Then, it visits me. It unfurls its
when I messed up — destroyed myself, shattered into totality. It looks gigantically down, crushing me with its
a million pieces — those moments serve a greater plan, notice. It speaks.
something divine. In his presence, I believe him. When A thousand years later — perhaps ten minutes — I
I’m alone, comfortably cloaked in cynicism, I still want to hear Michalis open the chamber. Everything is still and
believe. black as pitch. The lights don’t come back on so much as
We have late night conversations. I’m initially dis- the darkness leaves, and whether I see the Rabbi swallow
turbed by how quickly Basaras feels out my frayed edges, the oily gloom or it crawls into his throat is a point of
but he’s congenial company, even if he never blinks. I semantics.
share more than I should, a dangerous amount. I open Michalis looks at me knowingly and says, “The Trave-
up all the ugly things. I guess we both have our Sab- ler spoke to you.” He’s almost human in his excitement.
bat-shaped scars and shames. Through it all, the Rabbi “Yes,” I say. “It spoke to me.”
looks kindly at me, as though what I share pleases him. I wanted to please him. It wasn’t exactly a lie. I did
It’s been so long since I pleased someone. He tells me of not tell Michalis that it wasn’t the Mediterranean I saw,
Apolleon, the Abyss, and the oneness of Oblivion. but Lake Michigan’s murky depths. I don’t think it was
Eventually, Michalis — we’ve reached first names the Traveler who spoke to me.
— tells me it is time for my baptism. The contraption

89
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Other Oddities one of their ancient saints. The Bahari

say it’s the Tongue of the Crone. And some
sedate nihilist sect calls it the Voice
I HAVE SEEN GOD AND IT IS TERRIBLE of Oblivion. Rubbish! Repulsive! I feel
— graffiti spreading through the Chicago area greasy with all their snake oil.
I’ve accelerated our timetable and met
Cult of the Crawling Tongue with the mortal cult. I know, you wanted
to do your research and due diligence
first, but fortune favors the bold. They
Erichtho,
seem amiable, even naive. Curiously,
It is good to leave they know about Kindred, even said they
Indianapolis behind me. The require vitae for their rituals. Former
Ministry holds total sway, and ghouls looking for a handout? That would
I was drowning in the tedium of make acquiring the tongue easier than my
religions and idiot cultists. So days snatching rare books for a song from
what do I do in the very next the estates of the gullible.
city? I go chasing a cult. Tut-
They meet in the basement under a
tut! If this is what I must do to
British-style pub in Lincoln Park. I am
get into Du Sable’s good graces,
heading there momentarily.
so be it.
Regards,
Shall we call it the Cult of
the Crawling Tongue? Pulpy tripe, Bartleby
but accurate. The artifact itself:
a mummified tongue in an ornate Erichtho,
box, said to bring revelation and
I have seen.
terrible magic. I poked around the
usual sources. Some think it’s an Up above, in the pub, the
ancient reliquary brought back patrons conducted an open-mic with
from the Gehenna Crusade. Others purple prose. The basement was
suspect it’s an artifact, one utterly mundane. No lit candles.
among many, recently pilfered from No robes. None of the usual
the Milwaukee Chantry. cultish kitsch and claptrap. These
unassuming people let me into
It seems to have fallen into
their circle and initiated their
the hands of unscrubbed kine,
communal ritual. They called for
though perhaps there is Kindred
the “devoted one,” and one among
involvement there. I have a line
their number stepped forth holding
on their whereabouts and shall
a knife, and, with frightful good
proceed with requisite caution.
humor and perfect suavity, cut out
Regards, his own tongue. Not a scream. He
Bartleby smiled red with religious ecstasy.
They opened the little,
ornamented box. There was the
tongue, desiccated yet pliable.
Erichtho, They asked that I anoint the organ
with vitae. I did so. It moved.
Deliver me from these cults! I have to
It crawled into the devoted one’s
quicken my pace. I don’t know how, but
bloody mouth, fusing and becoming
it seems any Kindred who’s ever mouthed
his tongue. No. He became its
an impressively archaic invocation knows
body. Then, it spoke.
about the tongue. The Church of Caine
seems to think it’s an organ belonging to

90
 Heretical Threats and Observations

My name is Emanuel. This is my last blog.

It spoke in, well, tongues. Gus is a kind of urban legend in our part of Gary.
Such ululations! Space ran Babbling Gus. Slurping Gus. Gus the Meat Ghost. Some
like melted wax. I saw things, THING slopping through the sewers saying, “Gus, gus,
Erichtho. Such things. Miracles gus.” It will eat you if it catches you. Pets would vanish.
happened in that basement, People swore they spotted it. He’s the reason you dare a
miracles I cannot illumine with friend to go into the storm drains. Scary fun.
words.
Then Gus got Ritchie, and it wasn’t fun.
I wept until my eyes clotted Me and the gang, we never had a name for our group.
over. We’re all losers. We ride bikes. We play nerdy games. The
Regards, books and TV shows say we could fight and kill Gus. We
believed.
Bartleby
We had a hideout. That’s where we stashed supplies
and the money we saved. We had this big plan to run
Erichtho, away together, get out of Gary. We all had our reasons. I
have my addict mom and her boyfriend Ian. Saachi’s fos-
I have not written to you in
ter parents adopt more and more kids for the money and
months. My apologies. I have been
cram them in the basement. Kiara just asked her parents
with the Cult of the Tongue. We
to change their pronouns and they flipped and threatened
move about. The Tongue has moved
to send her to a place where people would electrocute her
too. I have witnessed it crawl into
until she was “better” (fucking Indiana). Jason never said
the mouths of several hosts. I have
what bothered him. He didn’t seem to have problems. He
played midwife at each rebirth.
didn’t seem like a loser. I think he was holding something
I have never known this joy. back.
I have never known this purpose. Ritchie had so many disabilities. That’s why he
What the Pyramid always promises, couldn’t run fast enough. None of us got a good look at
the Tongue delivers. The Tongue Gus except for Jason, and then he never slept good again.
knows. The Tongue has a plan. We all decided to hunt Gus and avenge Ritchie. We got or
Do not try and find me. we made weapons. Jason got his dad’s pistol.
It all went bad fast. We all saw Gus. He sort of
Regards, poured in. All huge! All kinds of bits. There were so
Bartleby many faces and mouths and arms and eyes and teeth and
private parts and things I don’t know what to call. We
screamed and screamed. Then we saw faces and parts we
The Purgatory of Gus recognized.
We saw Ritchie. His face was in Gus. He was smiling.
He said, “It’s okay guys! Don’t run. I’m all better now. We
To: [email protected]
can be together always. We’re all Gus!” Or something like
From: [email protected] that.
Attached, you’ll find the blog post. Rather than I think I saw my first grade teacher, Mrs. Clemens.
take it down, we’ve posted several similar stories She retired because of early onset dementia. She said, “We
(with slight variations) on creepy pasta websites. remember everything in Gus!”
Like you said, cover-ups these days aren’t about I dropped my spear (made it from a stick and a silver
hiding but inundation. The missing children case knife I ordered on Etsy with a credit card I stole from
is ongoing, but we have someone primed to take Ian, yeah it was stupid). We all ran. I was the only one fast
the fall. There might be something in the sewers enough. I heard Gus get them. Kiara, Saachi, Jason, it got
of Gary, Indiana. A leftover Frankenstein? Some them all. I heard the wet, ripping sounds. The exploding
long-gone Fiend’s flesh puppet? watermelon sounds.
Should we leave this problem to the so- It’s dark now. The library’s closing soon.
called Baron, or should I move in? Awaiting I can’t go home. Ian will have noticed the missing
orders. credit card. The bruises and cigarette burns will just keep
happening. I thought about going to the hideout, getting
Damien

91
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

all our saved money and gear, and running away. But it collect it all. Carved onyx skeletons and plastic-molded
won’t work. I’ll never get out of Gary. Tim Burton puke. I don a ten-dollar latex skull mask as
I’m going back to the storm drain. I heard Heaven is though it were the holiest of holies.
being with your loved ones forever. Everyone I love is in Gus. I fill my apartment with this stuff. I wear it. My
new compulsive fashion sense pairs well with my skin.

The Music of Zal I’m even paler than my fellows, chalk white nearly. Try
though I might, I can never keep a healthy tone. And
these Kindred, they laugh at me, the tragically hip, dar-
He said his name was Giovanni as though that should ky-dark living-dead girl. I try to tell them that it’s not on
mean something. Then he’s gone, solidly gone. Guess his purpose. I’m not trying to be so meta-macabre. I didn’t
whole family left Chicago. Later, they tell me I’m Caitiff, even go through a goth phase when I was a teenager.
say the Blood didn’t take. To them, that makes me some- It’s like that alien abduction movie. Richard Dreyfuss
thing between an abortion and a curiosity floating in a is sculpting a mountain out of mashed potatoes, and his
cloudy sideshow jar. family thinks he’s nuts, but he has to keep doing it. He
The House of Mamuwalde took me in, showed me has to communicate something even though he doesn’t
how to use my fangs. They did right by me, and the Blood know what it is. He misses a place he’s never been.
Disco is a wild scene, but in the end they’re dedicated to What am I trying to communicate?
some Dark Mother. I’m dedicated to… something else. My legs take me through cemeteries most nights. I
The compulsion came soon after the change. I go out, make rubbings from the gravestones. I paste them up as
and I buy everything that has anything to do with death. wallpaper. It took me weeks to cover all my walls, and I
Anything memento mori, I eat that shit up. Anything couldn’t sleep soundly during the day until it was done.
with skulls — jewelry, art, bones, grimreaper bobble My hands have a habit of carving “dearly departed” into
heads, discount Halloween decor. I buy Day of the Dead things if I don’t keep an eye on them. Why do I keep the
paraphernalia. I make batches and batches of sugar skulls marble fingers I broke off an angel statue in a mausole-
I’ll never eat. Expensive and tasteful, cheap and gaudy, I um?

92
 Heretical Threats and Observations

The licks all laugh at me, but this cat Nero, he’s all momentarily filled with intense significance that I can’t
right. He’s a rose-blood. Plays a fiddle, no lie. He almost explain. I feel like a haunted house. There are things lurk-
gets me. He understands the mania. I think he’s also ing in my attic and basement, and they are rattling their
reaching for something just past the music. chains. Then the pressure builds in my head and I have to
Music is the other compulsion. I was never dedicated go out and play my music.
to it when I breathed. I wasn’t dedicated to anything. But I never know where I’m going. I can’t hear my foot-
here I am, every night, furiously writing music at a desk steps anymore. No one can. I just walk until the pulsing
covered with Styrofoam tombstones, while wearing a hat in my head is excruciating. One time it was a neighbor-
festooned with teeny goth pins. The sequence of notes hood in the old meatpacking district, now turned trendy
doesn’t always make sense, but I have to scrawl it out. restaurants. Another time it was at the site that H.H.
It’s not just music. I devour books. I mainline all Holmes’s murder mansion used to stand. Sometimes it’s
sorts of subjects: mathematics, old languages, Latin, dangerous intersections with an unlikely number of cross-
Ancient Greek, and others. I learn it too fast. It makes no es and wreathes on the roadside.
sense. I was never a good student. Now I’m ravenous, and I take out my electric upright bass. It’s reasonably
it’s never enough books, never enough new words, never portable, all neck terminating in a spike that I plant in
old enough, never dead enough. The last time a bicyclist the ground. I switch on my battery-powered amp, and I
almost ran me over, I yelled, “Balle eis korakas!” without play. It’s music, more or less, but it’s also like an equation.
thinking. I drag the bow across the strings, and it’s the metallic
And there’s the thanatology. It started with anatomy groan of undead whales mating in Jupiter gravity, the
books, leading into some hobbyist taxidermy. Now I feed a sound two event horizons might make while passionately
little blood to a graveyard-shift forensic pathologist at the eating each other. I hear whispers, feel clawing move-
Cook County morgue. He gets me in as an intern and teach- ments. The periphery turns into a wriggling menagerie.
es me how to perform autopsies. Everything in the universe All the angles bend. I see cityscape superimposed over
feels right when the bone shears say, “Snip-crunch, snip- cityscape and impossible geometries. I play like a lunatic.
crunch,” and the ribcage opens like hands after a prayer. I don’t know if I’m keeping something out or helping
I drink cold blood. Not all my kind can. Living blood something get in, but I keep playing.
flows too hot, too noisy, like screaming contexts in the mouth. Then it stops. The pressure releases. Silence. I feel
Gives me anxiety. No, I’ll take the quieter, subtler nuances of good. I feel high, at least for a while, until the next time
the dead. I can suss out emotions from the congealed. the pressure builds.
I see random things — a bird flock’s flight pattern, I am devoted. I’m a fanatic to something, and I don’t
cracks in the sidewalk, slithering graffiti — and it’s even know what it is. One is the loneliest cult.

93
 Character
chapter five

Folios
“Believe me, I’m no fan of needing Hounds to police fellow Kindred.
But since the Wolf Pack rode off into the sunrise? I need an army to keep track of all these assholes.”

— Damien, Sheriff of Chicago

As one of the three most densely populated cities in the or make alliances with — no matter how temporary — to
United States, Chicago has no lack of Kindred inhab- better their unlives in the Windy City.
itants. These players on Chicago’s stage range from the Of the Kindred in this chapter, the Storyteller
politically dangerous to the religiously fanatical, and the should choose carefully the personages they want ap-
desperately humane to the horribly depraved. This motley pearing in chronicles ahead. Some represent threats to
assembly of vampires will never find themselves working a coterie’s Humanity, might provoke Beasts from their
in concert together. The nights of Camarilla versus Sab- leashes, or target player character Touchstones just for
bat are over. They are creatures prone to self-interest and fun. Others might offer stories of relatable moral strug-
elevation of their own schemes above those of the city. gles, tempt characters with the possibility of ascension
With some characters emerging from the city’s dark into the city hierarchy, or even provide status within the
memories, such as the legendary Al Capone, and other broader Camarilla or Anarch Movements.
new faces on the scene, wanting to alter the city to fit Every character has a story to tell. It’s up the Story-
their image, there are few limits to the number of inter- teller and players to discover it.
esting Kindred player characters might encounter, cross,

95
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

“It is a mistake to believe we all follow the same path.”

— Khadija Al-Kindi, warning Prince Jackson about the Banu Haqim

The Children of Haqim do not exist in Chicago in KINDRED NIGHTS: DIASPORA OF THE CULT
large numbers, but those few who do make their havens Arjun blossomed as a Cainite under the tutelage of
within Prince Jackson’s domain and in neighboring cities his sire and Mithras-Coven. He helped Syndexioi prosper
such as Milwaukee and Indianapolis are far from united. and served his god-emperor from the shadows, as Mithras
systematically eliminated the Sabbat packs of London
ARJUN SHAH while consolidating power.
One night, the Prince’s Seneschal, Roger de Camden,
Epitaph: Vizier and Priest of Mithras visited Arjun. The old Cappadocian said their master
Quote: “Syndexioi to you, my friend. Let us discuss experienced a vision of a great war approaching, one that
this in the chambers below.” would wipe out all the Kindred of London. Mithras com-
manded each of his priests and followers to flee the city
Clan: Banu Haqim and spread the cult across the world. Mithras would stay
to face the coming calamity alone.
MORTAL DAYS: THE FAMILY RELIGION
Arjun did not fully understand his orders, but he
As a British Indian growing up in London, Arjun’s
obeyed. He took his parents; he took a portion of the cult
parents instilled the importance of family in him. Even
and of Syndexioi, and he left London. By all accounts,
more important was the family religion. Arjun had
Mithras fell in glorious carnage, taking many of his ene-
friends of various faiths, but his was better. His was
mies with him. The Second Inquisition had truly begun.
secret. “You must not tell,” said his parents to him again
and again. They needn’t have worried. Arjun enjoyed With horrific stories of a blood god rousing in the
keeping of the secret. Middle East and of Banu Haqim seeking shelter within
the Camarilla, Arjun thought to find refuge in a city
Every year, his parents told him a little bit more of
of that sect in the New World. At first, he considered
their mystery religion, widening the circle of his under-
Chicago, but Milwaukee fell within his notice. He studied
standing. They trained young Arjun’s mind, body, and so-
Mark Decker and the Anubi, and in them he saw true
cial graces, for battlegrounds both physical and abstract.
kindred spirits to his god-emperor — warriors holding
They found the cult as adults, but their son was born to
their ground in their city, fighting impossible odds, even
it, groomed for it. He would surpass them in every way.
as their allies abandon them.
He did not disappoint.
Arjun established a branch of Syndexioi Ltd. in
The day Arjun was officially inducted into the
Milwaukee. He contacted Mark Decker, asking for formal
Mithraic Cult of London was the proudest day of his
admittance into his city, offering aid in the form of high
parents’ lives. “Mithras will return and smile upon you,”
tech surveillance equipment, weaponry, and a hoard of
they told Arjun. In this, they did not disappoint, for they
silver that only the wealthy can amass. The surprised Prince
all witnessed the second coming of their god-emperor,
agreed. Now Arjun courts Decker and his warrior cadre,
enshrined in the body of Monty Coven.
grooming them for induction into his mystery religion. The
Arjun rose in the ranks of both the cult and Syndex- needs of the Anubi and the needs of the Mithraic cult fit
ioi Ltd., the security firm run by Mithras-Coven. Arjun together like the interlocking fingers of a secret handshake.
became the youngest of the firm’s top executives. When
an old friend and follower of Mithras, a vampire of the PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
Banu Haqim, came to London looking for a worthy can- • A Strong Foundation: Arjun seeks to plant deep and
didate to gift the Embrace, Arjun was given that honor. lasting roots for the Cult of Mithras. His first step is
His parents wept with joy.

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shelters for peregrine falcons, from a conservation

program started decades ago. Arjun has considered
encouraging his new Gangrel allies to make use of
these noble birds. Arjun maintains a secret, under-
ground temple to Mithras in the building’s basement.
He calls this mystery cult sanctum the Mithraeum.

THRALLS AND TOOLS:

• Cult of Mithras (Herd 3, Retainers 3) For Arjun,
everything springs from the cult. The mortal cultists
give him followers and food. At the moment, the
trusted cult members are those Arjun brought with
him from London. He plans to induct locals of power,
prestige, and potential as a means of solidifying his in-
fluence in the area. The mortal face of the cult shall lay
the hidden groundwork for Arjun’s entry into Chicago.

• Parents (Allies 3) Arjun’s parents are still an im-

portant part of his life. They still look at their son
with pride. They serve as upstanding members of
the Mithraic cult in their own right and now live in
Milwaukee. They have achieved the highest rank of
initiation a mortal can obtain and help Arjun man-
age the secret society.
to induct Mark Decker and the Anubi. This will give
him the solid foothold he needs before he can look KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
to Chicago. However, Arjun does not view Decker’s
• Mark Decker (Mutual Respect) Decker and Shah
crew as mere pawns. He deeply respects them and
have taken each other’s measure, and each likes what
genuinely desires to rejuvenate these battle-fatigued
they see. Arjun hopes this respect will grow into true
warriors. They are rough around the edges, but Arjun
brotherhood under Mithras.
knows how to hone such raw potential.
• Roger de Camden (Mawla 4, Teacher) Mithras’s Sen-
• A Better Class of Cultist: Arjun desires something
eschal served as an occasional tutor to Arjun. He still
more than thugs to induct as his brothers and sisters
contacts the elder Cainite for advice and informa-
under Mithras. A neonate’s mind must be cultivated.
tion. Arjun suspects Camden knows more about the
To that end, he has petitioned Roger de Camden to
final fate of Mithras than he lets on.
visit the Midwest and tutor promising neonates.
• The Anubi (Potential) Arjun sees potential in the
• Woe to Warlocks: The Mithraic priest wishes to poi-
Anubi. They are frayed beings, but he believes he can
son the well for the Tremere before they can return
mend them and refine them into something truly
to Milwaukee, leaving himself as the go-to blood
awesome.
sorcerer in the city. This should not prove difficult,
as Prince Decker and all the remaining Kindred have • Chicago’s Ventrue (Disappointment) Shah would
every reason to hate the warlocks who abandoned like to get more Ventrue blood into the Cult of
them. Arjun intends to squeeze this wound often. Mithras. However, everything he has learned about
Lodin’s brood repulses him. Still, adversity is the fire
DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
in which redeeming qualities gleam.
• Syndexioi Ltd. Milwaukee (Contacts 3, Haven 3,
Influence 3, Resources 4, Retainers 3) The Milwaukee WHISPERS:
branch of the firm takes up the entire 41st floor of • The God’s Blood: Leaving London, Arjun took with
the U.S. Bank Center, the tallest building in Wiscon- him a vial of Mithras’s puissant blood, as did all
sin. As both a cyber and physical security company, trusted Mithraic priests. What does he plan to do
it affords Arjun competent muscle and information with it?
useful for blackmailing. The 41st floor also contains

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• That is Not Dead: The zealous blood sorcerer is a more solid identity and second life — a fictional
researching a way to resurrect his fallen blood god. relative who will inherit his assets (Mask 2).
What’s more, he’s getting help from a Cappadocian. Sire: Damurah
• Buried Secret: The cult priest keeps more than just Embraced: 1999 (Born 1968)
a temple in the basement of the U.S. Bank Center. Ambition: Establish the Mithraic cult in North Amer-
What are they doing down there? ica
• Mask of the Blood God: Mithras never died in Convictions: I must honor the cult and my parents
London. Arjun is a deeply developed Mask, complete Touchstones: Parents — members of the Mithraic
with conditioned mortal “parents.” cult
MASK AND MIEN: Humanity: 6
• Arjun Shah is a British Indian man standing 5’10”. He Generation: 10th
has a lithe build and a practiced, regal bearing. His Blood Potency: 2
hair is well groomed and his beard well oiled. The
Blush of Life darkens his skin to a healthy sheen. Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3; Cha-
risma 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 3; Intelligence
• Arjun usually dresses in immaculate suits accen- 3, Wits 3, Resolve 3
tuated with a piece or two of jewelry. When in the Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 6
Mithraeum or conducting Mithraic rituals, he wears
silken robes, and his khanda sword. As the Pater Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 2, Firearms 2, Larceny
(leader) of his cell of the cult, his symbols of office 1, Melee (Khanda sword) 3, Stealth 3; Etiquette
are a ruby ring and a wooden rod carved like a min- (Corporate) 3, Insight 3, Intimidation 1, Leadership 4,
iature shepherd’s staff. Persuasion 3, Streetwise 1, Subterfuge 3; Academics
3, Awareness 2, Finance 3, Investigation 2, Occult 4,
• Arjun Shah still uses his mortal name. However, his Politics 2, Science 2, Technology (Surveillance) 2
security firm affords him experts who craft identi- Disciplines: Blood Sorcery 3, Celerity 1, Dominate
ties as he requires them. He has begun to construct 1, Obfuscate 1

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“Chicago had a Brujah Prince once before. As far as I’m concerned, we should aim to never have one again.”

— Jennifer MacKay, winding up for a rousing speech to her fellow Anarchs

The Brujah of Chicago are already firmly divided be-

tween Hellene and Furore lines, though the Furores grow
in number night by night. As the clan embraces its role
as one of the Anarch Movement’s three faces, remaining
tightly bound to the Camarilla is a good way for a Brujah
to declare oneself an enemy to the Blood.

JENNIFER MACKAY
Epitaph: Kickboxing Feminist
Quote: “Time for crooked heads to fall from crook-
ed necks.”
Clan: Brujah

MORTAL DAYS:
JUST A GIRL UP FROM THE COUNTRY
Jennifer’s life has been one fight after another.
Jennifer’s first love as a rebellious youth was kick-
boxing. When her parents wouldn’t listen to her, she
kicked the bag. When she grew frustrated at her dusty
city of Fulton, Illinois, she sparred. When she had had
enough of always being treated as less than her fellow
students due to her gender, she went out of her way to
break her opponents’ bones. The man who ran her local to Chicago when she was 16 and went to live in a women’s
dojo was prominent in Fulton politics and exerted his collective run by a feminist group. Jennifer was an activist
influence over Jennifer’s family. She didn’t realize at the and gradually, with plenty of encouragement, gained a
time, but the creep was trying to grow closer to her. grasp on the academic theory and history of feminism.
When her sensei made his move, Jennifer lashed out, At the women’s collective Jennifer met Catrinel, a
left the dojo, and joined up with other “bad girls”. Her young woman with a heroin habit. They became friends,
all-girl street gang did a lot of skateboarding, a bit of then they fell in love and have been together ever since.
fighting, and committed some petty crime. It wasn’t the Jennifer knows she will always play second fiddle to
Mafia, but they were nuisance enough to see her punished heroin in Catrinel’s affections but, despite this, she will
with juvenile detention more than once. do anything to protect Catrinel and Catrinel does love
When she was 15, she came out to her family as bisexu- Jennifer, in her own way.
al. They were horrified and refused to accept it. In an effort Despite the instability of Catrinel’s addiction, the
to escape the suffocating family atmosphere, she ran away stability of a relationship and supportive friends allowed
Jennifer the confidence to join a new dojo. She progressed

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well there and her new sensei, Brad Hollins, took to her not sure how to do this. She is as keen to be out from
immediately. He entered her into interstate competitions under Anita’s wing as Anita is to get rid of her.
and encouraged her in her ambition to become an Olym-
pic athlete. It was at one of those out-of-state compe- • Feminist Analysis: Jennifer is trying to propagate a
titions she met Roz Kaufmann, the woman who was to feminist analysis of what is wrong with the Camaril-
become her sire. la. She understands that, to win others over to the
cause, it’s necessary to do more than just kick against
KINDRED NIGHTS: FINDING A DIRECTION the pricks.
Jennifer was an accidental Embrace. Roz was a
Brujah who found inner peace watching mortals fight in a • Gang Diplomacy: The Diamonds and the Cannons
controlled environment, but something of Jennifer’s poise are rival gangs who have been contesting territo-
caught her eye. She followed Jennifer back to the chang- ry near Jennifer’s communal haven near Harrison
ing rooms after the competition and confronted her, at Park. She needs to stay in with both gangs and has
first with compliments, then with a misguided attempt at brokered a temporary deal between them whereby
seduction. the block containing her haven is neutral territory
She did not mean to drink so deep of the young kick- for one month. She seeks to leverage this to unite or
boxing champion and, fearing the anger of her Prince, reconcile the two gangs and increase her influence
seriously considered leaving her for dead. It did, how- over them.
ever, seem like a waste. Roz kept Jennifer in hiding for
DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
a few weeks, allowing her to feed from her own herd of
students while she tried to work out what to do with her • Harrison Park Apartment (Contacts 2, Haven 1) A
unwanted childe. Jennifer solved the problem for her. She cheap apartment in the Lower West Side. Surrounded
received a panicked phone call from a friend, telling her by gang members and sex workers, Jennifer’s noctur-
Catrinel had overdosed and, fearing for her lover’s life, nal comings and goings arouse little comment. Her
insisted on returning to Chicago immediately. Roz passed girlfriend, Catrinel, lives a couple of blocks away, still
Jennifer on to Anita Wainwright who, while not wanting in the care of the Greek Cathedral Women’s Com-
the responsibility, owed Roz a major boon and accepted mune. Jennifer feeds by mugging people, which brings
the ward. her into contact with the gangs in the area.
Anita tries to be patient with her new protégé but
finds her bluntness frustrating. She has taken to using • Tobukan Dojo (Allies 1, Contacts 2, Influence 1) A
Jennifer as a bodyguard and occasionally takes advantage well reputed dojo in Pilsen. Jennifer spends a lot of
of Jennifer’s street and criminal connections, unaware her time here, training and giving free self-defense
Jennifer is building up her own following as a ferocious lessons to women. Many of her contacts live in wom-
Anarch speaker. en’s shelters.
Jennifer’s need to procure safe heroin for her lover THRALLS AND TOOLS:
brings her into contact with local gang members. She
poses as just another customer and while most of the • Catrinel Serban (Touchstone) Jennifer’s long-time
dealers know her story ‘I’m not doing this myself, I’m girlfriend and a heroin addict, Catrinel hates to be a
buying for a friend,’ she knows several powerful Kindred burden on her partner, but the two of them believe
dabble in the drugs trade and worries about coming to they would do anything to protect each other.
their attention.
• Brad Hollins (Ally 1, Touchstone) Jennifer’s sensei at
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: the Tobukan Dojo, Brad is a refreshingly controlled,
• When they find out I am dead: Jennifer is still a polite, and kind man in whom Jennifer places a lot of
fledgling. She’s not yet come to terms with her con- trust. It would hurt her severely to lose him.
dition or its implications. She knows she has a great • The Diamonds and the Cannons (Contacts 2, Po-
deal to learn. To date she has managed to pass herself tential Allies 2, Potential Herd 2) These gangs have
off as mortal, but she knows this will not always be learned to respect Jennifer and leave her alone when
possible and she worries about it a lot. she hunts. She has fed from some of them and they
• Supporting the Movement: Jennifer was always the assist her in procuring heroin for Catrinel. The two
rebel without a clue. She is Anarch to the bone but, gangs are historical rivals, but Jennifer has managed
as yet, she has not really found her place in the city. to set up a temporary peace deal whereby her block
She wants to carve out a niche for herself, but she is counts as neutral territory.

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KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: Convictions: True love never dies; Women need to

learn to defend themselves against men
• Anita Wainwright (Ambivalence) Anita acts as Jennif-
er’s surrogate sire and Jennifer is of two minds about Touchstones: Catrinel Serban — girlfriend for
her. Anita has spent too much time sucking up to the whom she’d do anything; Brad Hollins — sensei and
man, but her Anarch connections are admirable. confidante
Humanity: 7
• Balthazar (Wary) Jennifer has never met him but
is aware that her dealings in street crime, and as Generation: 13th
a member of Clan Brujah, might bring her to his Blood Potency: 1
attention. She despises his racism and sexism and is
secretly frightened of his power. Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3; Cha-
risma 2, Manipulation 2, Composure 1; Intelligence
• Gengis (Admiration) If Gengis were female-iden- 2, Wits 3, Resolve 2
tifying, Jennifer’s admiration might well segue into Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 3
hero-worship. She wishes her sire had put her into
Gengis’ care rather than Anita’s. Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl (Kickboxing) 4, Larceny
2, Melee 2, Stealth 2; Etiquette (Dojo) 2, Insight 1,
WHISPERS: Intimidation 3, Performance 3 (Stage Fights), Street-
wise 3, Subterfuge 2; Awareness 4
• Heroin: Jennifer is addicted to heroin. She was prior
to her Embrace and now she will only feed from Disciplines: Celerity 3, Potence 2
mortal junkies.
LIANNE MILLER
• False Identity: Anita Wainwright is Jennifer’s sire. The ‘Em-
braced out of town’ story is something they invented so Anita
Epitaph: A drifter returning home
doesn’t appear to have violated the Tradition of Progeny.
Quote: “It’s not the first time I left Chicago. Keep
• Gang Boss: Jennifer is grooming the street gangs on getting fed up with the political bullshit, but I keep
the Lower West Side in order to strengthen them and coming back. You’d think I’d stop underestimating all
expand her territory. It’s small beginnings, but it’s only my unfinished business.”
a matter of time before she treads on someone’s toes.
Clan: Brujah
MASK AND MIEN:
MORTAL DAYS: COUCH-SURFING SPIRITUALIST
• Jennifer is an African-American woman of impres- Growing up, Lianne’s family were always on the
sive height and dark clay-colored skinned. She wears move on the West Side of Chicago. She never had enough
her hair cropped short. Since childhood she bore a time to settle and call a place home. As a teenager, she
slight overbite she’s never had corrected. lived at friend’s places by exaggerating her family circum-
stances to invoke a sense of pity in their parents.
• Jennifer is not officially dead. Even before her
It was during her couch surfing days where she met
Embrace she knew how to live off the radar. She has
Geoffrey Carver, the elder brother of her then-boyfriend,
a passport and a driver’s license in her own name.
Robert. Nicknamed ‘Geo,’ he frequently tipped Lianne on
With a minimal amount of stage make up she can
where she could stay with his new-age friends. Even when
pass for a mortal, in poor light.
Lianne broke up with Robert, she kept contact with Geo
• In the dojo Jennifer wears a gi. On the street she typi- and soon moved into the collective where he was living.
cally dresses in black jeans and a singlet, with a hoodie Lianne took an interest in how Geo could manipulate
over the top when it’s cold. When she’s hanging out others with seemingly little effort. Her bond with Geo
with the gangs, she wears their colors. Jennifer refuses was so tight that nobody in their friend-circle batted an
to wear dresses. If she has to go formal, she will wear a eye when newcomers suddenly vanished.
man’s suit that would be suitable for the occasion. When Geo brought in a supposed spirit guide,
named Andrea, the woman took a strong interest in
Sire: Roz Kaufmann
Lianne and her supposed future. She told Lianne that
Embraced: 2015 (Born 1992) she saw an untamed voice within her — a primal energy,
Ambition: Break the nose of the next man who tells waiting to be unleashed so that it could command others.
you what to do Curious, though wary of what Andrea meant, Lianne
asked her how and what would happen if this voice was

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cure to the lure of the voice within,” came out of the blue.
Curious about learning more, Lianne traveled with her
to South America in search of answers. She mysteriously
vanished after muttering “the voice is growing louder.”
Lianne continued to search for her. She wandered for
months alone before giving up.
Alone, Lianne developed a large cult of new-age
followers who supported her teachings of body cleansing
via the purging of one’s ill humours. When her old friends
showed up at her spiritual retreat, Lianne grew nervous.
After they concluded their teasing on how she still looked
like a teenager, they dropped a bombshell telling her how
a confused Andrea suddenly showed up in Chicago asking
for her.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
• Power and self-sufficiency: Lianne wants power
over a commune, similar to how she could leech
from anyone when she was young. Having a haven
full of people willingly giving their blood is her idea
of self-sufficiency. She’s had a few run-ins with the
Camarilla in other cities while looking for a place to
stay and doesn’t agree with their ideology at all.
allowed to speak. Deadpan, she was told that it would • Weaponizing the Beckoning: She wants to learn how
lead to great power while she can control the voice, but to control her Kindred urges, especially the Beast.
the moment she succumbs to its orders will be the death While still a neonate, she suspects the Beckoning will
of Lianne Miller. draw her as well, but her curiosity about this super-
After countless sleepless nights, Lianne decided to natural phenomenon stems from wanting to weapon-
track Andrea down. She offered Lianne the answers she ize it. If she is to gain more power, the Kindred more
sought along with a stern warning that those who hear powerful than her must leave. Her gut is telling her
this voice succumb to it eventually. Though Andrea never Andrea learned something during their travels and
said directly what Lianne was at risk of succumbing to, she has to find her.
when she learned of the Beckoning, Lianne was certain
she was on the right track. • Prove her independence to her sire: Geo resorted to
tough love to teach Lianne independence. Though it
KINDRED NIGHTS: LOST WANDERER had its intended effect, Lianne felt it was unjust, see-
The time around Lianne’s Embrace is a hazy blur — ing as she was only 15 years old. Her early Embrace
she can’t accurately pinpoint where she stopped being hu- means she will always have a young appearance,
man and where she became a vampire, though she knows something she believes will be an impediment to
Geo Embraced her. Lianne struggled to let her mortal life gaining respect within the Kindred community.
go, further aggravated by Geo still hanging out with their
shared friends. Lianne’s pathological lying only continued DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
to spiral, to the point where she felt guilt over making
• Geo’s New-Age Collective & Healing (Haven 1, Herd
up lies over small things. Geoffrey expressed his concern
1, Influence 1, Resources 2) The collective where she’s
that Lianne seemed lost in a depressive state and that
lived for years always welcomes Lianne with open
the fledgling required too much counseling in the unlife.
arms. Most of the people she knew from her mortal
Without a word, Geo abandoned Lianne the next night.
days have moved on but occasionally visit as friends
Losing her sire was a surprising boon, as Lianne fi- or customers.
nally cut mortal ties to those who didn’t benefit her with
shelter, money, or blood. She left Chicago on occasions THRALLS AND TOOLS:
but would always return as she had a stable supply of
• Rebecca “Quartz” Hart (Contacts 2) Geo’s ghoul
both clients and friends to feed from. Her reunion with
girlfriend who manages the collective in his absence.
Andrea and her request to come with her to search for “a
Lianne feeds her vitae in Geo’s absence, which not

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only keeps her loyal but also prevents her aging. MASK AND MIEN:
Rebecca fusses over Lianne like an overprotective • Lianne has the appearance of a 15-year-old white teen
sister. She doesn’t fully understand their need to be with braided dirty blonde hair. She has a silver nose
out of the sunlight, but thinks it’s tied to humours ring and dresses in loose clothes and flannel. She
and wanting to look young. Rebecca has thus also doesn’t have a Mask as she’s not known to be dead.
begun to stay out of the sun as much as possible and
is wearing sunscreen lotion daily. • At Geo’s New-Age Collective & Healing, she’s
known as a spiritual guru, specialized in humour
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: balancing. A few new-age healing circles in Chicago
• Andrea Harvey-Staboli (Admiration) Lianne holds have heard of her, and since she’s open about her
immense respect for Andrea as she seems to be more practice, many educated people take issue with the
harmonious with her inner demons than anyone bloodletting aspect.
else she’s met. She views her as a socially awkward
aunt, as she can’t make out what the majority of her • Lianne is aware her young appearance causes many
riddles mean. Lianne feels as if Andrea can commu- problems. She knows she must create herself a Mask,
nicate with, or at least hear, her Beast, which makes but it will not be one she can keep for long, so for
it quieter whenever she’s around. now, Lianne gives different names depending on the
circumstances.
• Anita Wainwright (Opportunity) Holding no love Sire: Geoffrey “Geo” Carver
for the Camarilla, Lianne is tempted to throw in
wholeheartedly with the Anarchs, and recognizes a Embraced: 2004 (Born 1989)
charismatic leader in Anita. She feels she could be a Ambition: Obtain Kindred relics or clues on the
more than adequate lieutenant at her side, possibly Beckoning
putting her in conflict with Levesque. Convictions: Never harm those who care about you
• Dr. Benway (Reluctant Student) Lianne can sense Touchstones: Rebecca “Quartz” Hart — ghoul and
the elder Kindred views her as a student of vam- surrogate sister
pire mysticism. As she wants to learn the cause of Humanity: 7
the Beckoning, seeing it affect someone firsthand
is invaluable information. Though Lianne struggles Generation: 13th
with Benway’s patronizing attitude, she feels as if the Blood Potency: 1
benefits outweigh the costs.
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3; Cha-
WHISPERS: risma 3, Manipulation 4, Composure 2;

• Bled her sire: Some think that Lianne is holding Geo Intelligence 1, Wits 2, Resolve 3
hostage, perhaps in South America, while other be- Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 5
lieves she killed Geo. They suspect it was for revenge Skills: Athletics 2, Survival 2; Insight 1, Leadership
as the teenage-looking Brujah suffered for being (Spiritual Healing Scene) 2, Occult 3, Performance
Embraced at such a young age. (Spiritual Ceremony) 1, Persuasion 3, Streetwise 3,
• Young Amaranth: Lianne is known to drink all types Subterfuge (Instilling Pity) 4; Investigation 1, Medi-
of blood she comes across — animal, mortal, and cine 1
even Kindred. It doesn’t seem like a far reach that Disciplines: Fortitude 1, Potence 1, Presence 2
if she did kill her sire, then she probably consumed
him as well.

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“In amidst the constant drone, can you not hear the song of struggle? We just want to be free.”

— Zal, trying to convince Devin Boyce there’s more to unlife than this

The Caitiff of Chicago tend toward the Anarch

Movement in allegiance, but secretly, the House of
Mamuwalde and the Blood Disco collect a flock of clan-
less vampires to their banner. Together, they are more
than a meandering mass of a vampires lacking identity.
Together, they’re an undeniable force.

DEVIN BOYCE
Epitaph: Card sharp
Quote: “No one has to play the hand they got dealt.
You just have to learn how to bluff.”
Clan: Caitiff

MORTAL DAYS: FIVE CARD STUD

Devin was able to take care of himself physically on
the playground (when he actually went to school) and
in the streets, but he didn’t like violence. He’d seen too
many injured and dead. He wasn’t interested in drugs.
Drugs made adults act unpredictably and drugs killed his
sister. What interested Devin was poker. The guys who
hung out in the apartment played all the time and he
persuaded them to teach him. Soon, they wouldn’t play
with him because it was embarrassing to lose all the time detic memory and is just damned good at the game. He is
to the young teen. also a good-looking lad with a certain undeniable charm.
Devin found his poker skills were a great way to KINDRED NIGHTS: CHECK, CALL, RAISE, FOLD
supplement the family income. Poker was his obsession Some vampire watching Devin in the Mob-run “exec-
and his family supported him as it was a good earner. It utive game” couldn’t resist taking a drink. Devin isn’t sure
became increasingly difficult for him to find opponents what happened next. He’s never seen the Embrace since.
in the neighborhood, but Chicago has plenty of secret He guesses the lick got overexcited and didn’t know when
bars where a poker player can make a living. Devin famil- to stop. He doesn’t know why they didn’t leave him for
iarized himself with these and learned their etiquette. dead instead of feeding him and then running off. Waking
Using fake IDs and capital supplied by one of his in the bathroom of an upstairs restaurant, Devin drained
mother’s boyfriends, Devin accessed the more exclusive the next guy to walk in and ran home.
tables. Playing naïve, he was able to win substantial Since becoming immortal. Devin’s life has not changed
sums from rich white guys, so full of privilege they were a great deal. He sleeps by day and plays poker by night.
convinced no street punk could possibly beat them. The He has made some strange new friends, including a group
house investigated, but Boyce doesn’t cheat. He has an ei- of thin-bloods called the Parkie Mob. Sheriff Damien,

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investigating some Masquerade breaches tracked him THRALLS AND TOOLS:

down, thought about killing him but, maybe recognizing a • Tyrone Senior (Retainer 1) Tyrone is the man Devin
kindred spirit, took to him and introduced him to Prince appointed as manager of the Big Boss Poker Room
Jackson. The Sherriff taught him what he needed to know and he sees to the day to day running of the place.
to survive in Kindred society. Devin is supposed to study He has proven himself competent and reliable, and
with Critias, but he tends to jump class and play poker. Devin is coming to trust him. Tyrone used to work
Devin feels he kind of owes Damien and Critias, but at the Majestic Star Casino Hotel in Vegas, where he
the idea of the Camarilla’s laws and authority appalls him. had good relationships with many rich and influ-
He respects the Hellenes but believes their sect needs to ential citizens. Devin is hoping to cultivate these
be brought down a peg or two. He has a horrible feeling contacts further.
Critias might be his sire, but Damien has explained his
blood is not strong enough. Damien decided it’s safest to • Betty Boyce (Ally 2, Touchstone) Devin’s young-
believe it was some lick just passing through. est sister, the baby of the family and a real beauty.
Devin has always been very protective of Betty and is
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
determined she should not fall into the traps of drug
• True Identity: Devin is keen to find out who sired abuse and sex work that have wrecked the lives of so
him. He was never so curious about the identity of many of his family.
his mortal father, but from Critias’ lessons he has
concluded that clan and generation are important • Vice Cobras (Contacts 1) Remnants of a once-large
considerations in lick society. He needs to know gang in Cabrini Green, the gang broke into small-
where he stands. er fragments when the projects came down. Devin
never really ran with any gang, but you needed some
• Making my Fortune: Money motivates Boyce. He affiliation to avoid getting stabbed in a back alley.
never had enough of it as a mortal, and he can’t get Devin keeps up with a couple of old school friends
enough of it now. He frequents several poker rooms, from his days in the projects.
and his new-found powers have helped him to play
even better than he did before. He’s barred from a • The Parkie Mob (Allies 2) This Anarch coterie are
couple of places now. They can’t find out how he true to the term and Devin thinks they need to learn
cheats (because he doesn’t), but he’s wiped too many some discipline if they are to get anywhere. He is
paying customers clean. gradually winning them around to his agenda, but
they are natural rebels, and it’s been a slow process.
• Becoming a big shot: Having weighed up the polit- Nominally, he’s their leader just because he has more
ical factions Devin has noted that, in Chicago, the raw power in his Blood.
Camarilla have the power. His natural sympathies
are with the Anarchs because he likes to support KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
the underdog and because he loathes authority. He • Damien (Kinship) Devin is aware of similarities
believes he can play the sects against each other, but between Damien’s background and his own. It was
he’s currently moving slowly. Damien who rescued Devin from his dangerous
ignorance of how to survive as Kindred and Damien
DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
who made things right between the fledgling and the
• Big Boss Poker Room (Influence 1, Resources 2, Prince. Despite this, Devin is mistrustful of Damien’s
Retainer 1) Devin has been running this illegal busi- apparent devotion to the Camarilla.
ness for a few years and it makes a profit. He hopes
to increase this further in the coming years. He • Critias (Dislike) Having been engaged as one of
has managed to attract a wealthy clientele, some of Critias’ students, Devin decided he dislikes Critias’
whom are well-placed in mortal society. He hopes to appearance, nature, and personality almost as much
branch out and open similar businesses, but he needs as he dislikes his teaching methods. Devin would
to find more trustworthy employees. like to take Critias down but recognizes he is not
sufficiently powerful to do so.
• Basement in Roseland (Allies 1, Haven 2, Herd 1)
Devin sleeps in the basement of his family home in • Mateo García (Fellow Traveler) Devin likes Ma-
Roseland. At times of need he feeds from members teo and is helping him free himself from the more
of his family and the men who continue to visit. He oppressive aspects of Camarilla membership. Maybe
continues to support his family financially. Mateo would like to be free of them entirely, so

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Devin is trying to bring him round to the ‘wait till Touchstone: Betty Boyce — youngest sister
the time is right’ agenda. If push comes to shove, Humanity: 7
though, Devin will help Mateo if he can.
Generation: 12th
• Alphonse Gabriel Capone (Rivalry) Devin is aware Blood Potency: 1
Capone controls much of the numbers game in
Chicago and that his own interests might be seen as Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha-
a challenge to the Ventrue’s control. This is another risma 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 3; Intelligence
reason Devin moves cautiously as he expands. He 3, Wits 5, Resolve 3
is not yet ready to come to Capone’s attention but, Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 6
when the time comes, he believes he can beat the old Skills: Athletics 2, Craft (Card Games) 4, Brawl 2,
mobster at his own game, even if it takes turning his Larceny 3, Stealth 3, Survival (Urban) 3; Etiquette 3
location over to Damien. (Poker), Insight 3, Intimidation 1, Leadership 2, Per-
WHISPERS: formance 2, Persuasion 3, Streetwise 4, Subterfuge
(Poker) 5; Awareness 3, Finance 2, Politics 1
• His sire’s childe: Since Damien introduced Devin to
Disciplines: Auspex 1, Dominate 1, Presence 2
Kindred society, speculation about the Caitiff’s ori-
gin has been rife. Many believe he is Damien’s childe,
since the Sheriff seems protective of him. SHEJANA
• Low down cheat: Devin cheats at poker. No one Epitaph: Survivor of Nightmares
could be so good without the use of Disciplines. Few
Quote: “I have seen so many things that you
vampires will play with him, even when they are
wouldn’t believe, things I shouldn’t have survived.
demonstrably more powerful members of Kindred
How can you deny me my little pleasures?”
society.
Clan: Caitiff?
• Sabbat patsy: The Sabbat planted Devin in Chicago
so he could infiltrate the Camarilla and destroy it MORTAL DAYS: WHATEVER IT TAKES
from within. That the Sheriff would so readily vouch Shejana grew up in many places. Her family travelled
for a sireless Caitiff implies there is a powerful hand all over Europe during the 1930s, moving when it pleased
pulling someone’s strings. them or when the people near their encampments became
too hostile to their presence to tolerate. For that reason,
• Secret Anarch: He plays nicely, but he’s really an she developed both a transient nature, never wanting to
Anarch. Believe me, he’s just biding his time. settle for too long in one place, but also a sense of the
MASK AND MIEN: wider disquiet and the problems rising in Europe at the
time. When those problems exploded into the horror of
• Devin is not known to be dead. He does not need a Nazi Germany, Shejana was seized along with many of
Mask. her kin and taken to Buchenwald concentration camp.
A description of what “life at the camp” was like
• Devin looks like a young man of mixed race. He has
does not do justice to what Shejana experienced. And
skin the color of a flat latte and wears his hair in
certainly, the word “life” is quite the opposite of what
corn rows his little sister braids for him. His friendly
she found within the barbed wire and mesh fences. The
smile and charming manner complement his undeni-
sights she witnessed defy description, but each one filled
able good looks.
her starving body with a primal desire to survive it, at
• Devin likes to dress smartly and expensively. His any cost. As a young, disease-free woman, she was the
taste in fashion has become noticeably more refined target of advances from many of the guards and even the
over the past year or so. camp commander. They did not see her or her people as
humans, merely as objects, toys, items to be disposed of at
Sire: Unknown their wish. She would make herself the one item they did
Embraced: 2013 (Born 1985) not want to do without.
Ambition: Find out who my sire is While her entire family was murdered, Shejana lived
on. Sickened, she wept herself to sleep every night but
Convictions: Never turn down a chance to make refused to consign herself to a terrible fate. Her liberator,
some money in the end, was not the Allied assault that took the camp,

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a rabbit hole of drug-infused blood and fantasy before

re-emerging weeks, even months, later at court.
Perhaps it was this detachment from reality that
preserved her from the great summoning that called
many of her clan away, or perhaps she was just too fried
on whatever designer drug the vessels she fed from had
been engorged with. Whatever the case, it was during
one of her returns to lucidity that she discovered all of
her clanmates had apparently vanished without a trace.
No Kindred in the city could answer her questions as to
what had happened. For all intents and purposes, she is
considered clanless.
Shejana finds herself in a horrific position in these
nights. Once again, she has been stripped of her family
by evil forces she cannot comprehend. Will she return to
her fantasy world as she always has or will she step into
the harsh light of her new reality at last? She finds herself
motivated to find other outsiders such as herself and
those might value someone mercenary, without affilia-
tion, in an increasingly segregated world.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
• Last Woman Standing: Shejana is a curiosity to
Kindred both young and old, due to the dilapidation
but a vampire who had been watching her for some time.
of her clan. She is focused on using this situation
He commended her for her resourcefulness. In her barely
to gain knowledge of what may have become of the
lucid state, she laughed at him and accepted the praise as
others and, once again, to survive it as she always has.
she would the attempts at seduction from the soldiers.
He Embraced her at her invitation, one that she barely • Cult Target: Shejana is a target of at least two of the
understood and was certainly in no right mind to accept. cults in Chicago’s modern nights, with both the Ba-
KINDRED NIGHTS: hari and the Cult of Shalim very interested in adding
LAND OF MILK AND HONEY? her to their collection of Kindred members.
Shejana found herself thrust into a Europe almost as • Expand Your Mind: Ever the dreamer, Shejana has
scarred as she was. The sights she beheld discomfited her a special place in her unbeating heart for those who
to the point that she would utilize the gifts of her clan can provide her with new experiences and exciting
just to entertain herself, in vain attempts to alter the re- things to see, do, or feed from. Not only does she
ality around her and create something more innocent and have an immense appetite (some would say, addic-
carefree where she could live free of the pain and guilt tion) for drug addled mortals, she also enjoys fantas-
she constantly carried. She would also find joy in crafting tical, impressionistic imagery that she can weave into
nightmares for persecutors, from mortal hate groups to her personal illusions.
tyrannical Princes. Sadly, her abilities could never reach
a sufficient level to transport her fully away from herself, DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
but in the United States, which had been relatively
untouched by the ravages of Nazi terror, she thought she • Basement Surfer (Herd 2) Shejana retains her tran-
might find a clean slate. sient spirit and often finds new squat houses to bed
down in when she isn’t basement surfing with her
Shejana arrived in a new world, which was almost
latest enthralled marks.
the exact opposite of where she had come from. Full of
bright lights and bright personalities, she reveled in the THRALLS AND TOOLS:
artistic scene of her newfound home. It wasn’t so differ-
ent to the illusions she conjured and dreams she held in • Dealers of all Kinds (Allies 1, Contacts 3) Shejana
her mind. It was the perfect veneer with which to cover maintains numerous contacts in the illicit drug trade
the agony of her past and she threw herself into her new and also maintains a relationship with a local art
existence wholesale. Many times, she disappeared down dealer who traffics drugs in the frames of paintings
and the insides of antiques.

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KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: MASK AND MEIN:

• Adze (Soul of the Party) Shejana sees Adze as one • Shejana, at her best, is strikingly beautiful with
of the only Kindred in the city worth knowing and alabaster skin and high cheekbones framed with-
loves to be wherever he is. She can often be found at in straight, short, bobbed black hair that speaks
the Red Noº 5. of 1920s, art-deco decadence. At other times, she
appears unkempt, her makeup smeared and sloppily
• Martin (Awful Memories) As a fellow Holocaust renewed, if at all. She likes to adorn herself with
survivor, some might think Martin and Shejana share piercings upon waking each night.
common cause. The truth is, Shejana does not enjoy
reliving her past, and lashes out whenever Kindred • She speaks in heavily German / Eastern European
suggest she spends time with the purportedly kind accented English, which many patrons of Chicago’s
Nosferatu. clubs find intoxicating. Her voice is relatively deep
and husky.
• Rabbi Michalis Basaras (Unsure) Shejana has been
approached by the enigmatic Lasombra who has • Shejana’s wardrobe is almost entirely garish, brightly
made overtures about helping her locate her lost colored and sequined. She jangles and shimmers as
clanmates. She is unsure of his motivations, but he she spins on the dancefloor or strides under neon
seems friendly enough. lights. Her jewelry is cheap but ostentatious and is
regularly updated with even more disposable acces-
• The Gaunt Man (Nightmare Fuel) By no means does sories when others are lost from her months-long
Shejana enjoy associating with members of the Heca- debauches.
ta, but the Kindred she calls “the gaunt man” offers
her paid work and patronage, where few Camarilla • When out and about in town, Shejana often simply
Kindred have done the same. She has daymares about refers to herself as “She” and, under that guise, she
this vampire but turns her fears into fuel for her is a local legend. However, she does maintain an al-
Disciplines. ternate identity as Marla Kruger, a foreign exchange
student and socialite with a knack for spending
WHISPERS: other people’s money (Mask 1).
• Lost Bloodline: Shejana is not of the Camarilla but Sire: Vladislav Krivokapic
is tolerated at court and is certainly not an Anarch.
Embraced: 1944 (Born 1924)
Young Kindred often guess at which of their clans
she belongs to while the older Kindred seem to treat Ambition: Erase the horrors of the past
her with a certain, distant suspicion. Convictions: Never settle for a single, defining
course
• Blood Traitor: There are those among the court who
whisper that the only reason Shejana has survived is Touchstones: Perry “Pez” Martinez — high-end art
that she betrayed the others of her clan, possibly to dealer
the hands of the Second Inquisition. For this reason, Humanity: 5
she remains under the Sheriff’s surveillance.
Generation: 9th
• Masochistic Bent: Many rumors fly around night- Blood Potency: 3
clubs of Shejana. Young mortals talk of a beautiful
young woman who wears a cilice around each of her Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3; Cha-
thighs, inflicting constant pain upon her, even as she risma 4, Manipulation 4, Composure 3; Intelligence
dances and gyrates among the throng of writhing, 2, Wits 4, Resolve 4
dancing bodies. Some think this is cool as hell, others Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 7
are fearful of what such a woman may be like in a Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Firearms 1, Melee 2,
more private setting. Stealth 2; Animal Ken (Horses) 2, Etiquette (Red Noº
5) 2, Insight 3, Performance (Dancing) 4, Persuasion
3, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 2; Awareness 2, Investi-
gation 1, Occult 1, Politics 2, Science (Recreational
Drugs) 2, Technology 2
Disciplines: Dominate 3, Fortitude 2, Obfuscate 3,
Presence 1

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ZAL
Epitaph: The Haunted Musician
Quote: “I’m a haunted house. There are things
lurking in my basement, lurking in my attic, and they
rattle their chains.”
Clan: Caitiff

MORTAL DAYS: THE LAZY DAYS

As a young girl, Christal hated her name. Hated it.
Seeing holiday cards with the religious-neutral “Xmas”
written on them would send Christal’s parents into apo-
plexies of “war on Christmas!” As a joke and as revenge,
Christal made an affectation of signing her name “Xal,”
but no one ever got the joke. People just pronounced it
“Zal” and that seemed good enough.
Zal coasted her way through a reasonably privileged
life. She was just smart enough to get through school
without much effort. Her parents were just wealthy
enough that financial worries were never a motivator.
Her music teacher said she possessed talent, if only she
would apply herself.
After college, Zal moved into a downtown apart- Macabre decor, clothing, plastic goth memorabilia,
ment with her parents’ help. Still she coasted and drifted. rictus-grinning calaveras, Baron Samedi symbols, and dis-
She wasn’t depressed, merely content to just get by. Her count Halloween junk. She purchases whatever she finds.
music was the closest thing she had to devotion, and even Zal has even tried getting skull and graveyard-themed
that she failed to practice as much as she ought to. tattoos, but the ink always bleeds out of her undead skin
One night, a fellow musician and a friend asked Zal while she sleeps during the day. She has recently heard
for a favor. He was sick and could not attend a music gig. interesting rumors about this place called The Painted
Reluctantly, Zal left her cozy apartment to play on her Lady, and she’s determined to visit it when she’s saved up
friend’s behalf. The gig was for some rich dude. “Dress enough cash.
to the nines!” the text message from her friend read. The Zal does not know why she does these things. She
mansion was opulent, the party decadent, and the guests never had such interests while alive, never even owned
few and eccentric. At the end of the night, she followed much black clothing. The compulsions don’t end there.
her patron upstairs to get paid. That is when he bit her, She devours books, learning dead languages at an alarm-
and God how it hurt. ing pace. She took up taxidermy and then forensic pa-
thology. There are times when cutting into a corpse is the
KINDRED NIGHTS:
only thing that sets her mind at ease. She has momentary
GOTTA COLLECT ALL THE SKULLS
flashes of alien insight — signs and portents in the most
Zal does not know why her sire Embraced her. He unlikely things. She wanders cemeteries, checking each
said his name was Giovanni, but she doesn’t know the sig- stone as though the right date or name would explain it
nificance of that. She only saw him the one night. He, and all to her.
it would seem his entire family, vanished from Chicago.
What’s more, Zal is finally dedicated to her music
The city’s Kindred quickly pointed out to Zal that — obsessively so. When not collecting macabre symbols,
she was Caitiff, that her blood never imprinted a clan. Zal feverishly scribbles out music on paper. She loses
They were even quicker to treat her horribly for this fact. time, later to find sheet after sheet scratched with musical
Zal might not have made it through her first nights as a scrawl. Some of it isn’t exactly music. It’s a little like an
vampire if not for the House of Mamuwalde. The Bahari esoteric equation. Where does it come from?
vampires took her in and showed her the ropes. Though
The nights go on. Zal learns. She writes music. She
profusely thankful, she never actually joined their cult.
collects skulls. It is all building to something. It all means
Odd compulsions echo in Zal’s blood. Most nights, something. She plays her music and feels the invisible
she goes out and impulse buys anything related to death. locks between worlds groan and turn.

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PLOTS AND SCHEMES: KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:

• She Who Controls the Corpses: Zal made a ghoul of • The House of Mamuwalde (Gratitude) Zal is forever
a forensic pathologist so she could get into the city thankful to these Bahari vampires. Francois Mamuwal-
morgue and accelerate her autopsy studies. It was an de acted as a surrogate mother, and the other members
impulse to fill an immediate need, but now Zal con- of the house were like siblings. She still keeps in touch.
siders the possibility of taking more active control
of the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. She • Nero (The Music Binds Us) Many Kindred mistreat
might be good at it, and it would lead to influence, Zal, but Nero has always shown kindness. Both vam-
at least in the way these ambitious Kindred define pires understand obsession with one’s craft, and both
it. This line of thought is more proactive than Zal is are vaguely seeking something from the occult side of
used to. things. They have jam sessions and trade lore.

• More Lore: In passing, Zal has heard Kindred men- • Baby Chorus (Nervous) They are Zal’s favorite un-
tion things like Noddist lore, Enochian, and the like. dead band. She’s seen their shows. She’s seen them at
Every time, her cold guts quiver and say, “Yeah, we Kindred gatherings. Next time, she’ll get up the guts
need more of that!” to talk to them. Yes. Next time.

• A Clan of Death by Any Other Name: Zal does not • Alexa Santos (What?) Every so often, Zal and Alexa
know what the Giovanni are, other than the family pass each other at Kindred gatherings. Every time,
of her sire. She does not yet know about the Clan of they stopped and stared at each other for a solid min-
Death, but would be thankful to anyone who can fill ute. Neither vampire understands why they did so.
those gaps in her knowledge.
WHISPERS:
DOMAIN AND HAVEN: • Wraithly Music: Zal takes her electric upright bass,
• Armour Square Apartment (Haven 1, Resources bow, and battery-powered amp, and wanders the
2) Zal has a reasonably nice apartment in Armour streets. Her preternatural instincts lead her to places
Square and receives a generous allowance from her of specific spiritual resonance. In these places, she
parents who have yet to even notice a change in their plays her esoteric music. She plays until otherworldly
daughter (“At least she’s keeping busy.”). phenomenon manifests. She does not know if she is
hindering or helping something from crossing over.
• The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office (Herd She knows only that she must play.
2) Zal has no official domain over the city’s morgues,
but she does feed here. Unlike her Kindred acquaint- • Noddist Tutoring: Word has it that Zal is looking for
ances, she does not mind cold blood. In fact, hot someone who can teach her Noddist lore.
blood is too “loud” for her, screaming with too many
• Death to the Clan of Death: Zal is not what she
emotions. Her sensitive pallet prefers the subtler
claims to be. She is the reason the Giovanni are now
nuances of the dead.
missing. She masquerades as a confused neonate.
THRALLS AND TOOLS:
• The Giovanni Candidate: Zal is a Hecata whose memo-
• Jack Fallow (Retainer 2, Influence 1) Jack is a foren- ry was wiped clean to protect her from whatever befell
sic pathologist who works the graveyard shift at the Chicago’s other Necromancers. Only the proper phrase
city morgue. Zal gave him her vitae in order to gain or circumstance will reactivate her to her clan’s purpose.
access to the morgue and his tutelage in autopsies.
A surprising friendship has grown from the arrange- MASK AND MIEN:
ment, though Zal does not yet understand how blood • Zal appears as a twenty-something woman. She has a
bonds complicate such emotions. slight build and dark brown hair.
• Parents (Allies 1) Interacting with her humdrum • Zal is even paler than the average Kindred. The Blush
parents helps keep Zal’s undead brain grounded. She of Life does little. At first, Zal resisted wearing the
checks in with her parents almost weekly and occa- macabre things her compulsion compels her to col-
sionally asks for favors. lect. Now she leans into the goth look hard, to better
mask her chalk-white skin.

• Zal still uses her mortal identity and has no Mask.

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Sire: Unknown Blood Potency: 2

Embraced: 2017 (Born 1991) Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha-
Ambition: Discover the mysteries hidden in my risma 2, Manipulation 2, Composure 3; Intelligence
blood 4, Wits 2, Resolve 3

Convictions: Make sense of these morbid compul- Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 6
sions and visions through my music; Obtain more Skills: Craft (Taxidermy) 1, Drive 1, Stealth 2;
knowledge at all costs Insight 1, Performance (Upright Bass) 4; Academics
Touchstones: Jack Fallow — ghoul and forensic (Dead Languages) 3, Awareness 2, Investigation 2,
pathologist; Zal’s parents — living in the suburbs Medicine (Forensic Pathology) 2, Occult 2, Science
(Thanatology) 1, Technology 1
Humanity: 7
Disciplines: Auspex 2, Fortitude 1, Obfuscate 1
Generation: 9

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“The joy of being of our clan is you have the freedom to choose: Camarilla or Anarch.
The only wrong answer is when you try to play both sides.”

— Tyrus, to a new member of the Wolf Pack

Chicago’s Gangrel significantly reduced in number

when the Wolf Pack — a coterie of vampires in part acting
as Hounds for the Prince and in part acting with greater
Camarilla authority, as Archons against Sabbat and Lupine
activity — departed for reasons unknown. Now, the biker
gang is making its return. Where they’ll fall in allegiance is
a source of much debate among the city’s vampires.

ANTHIUS “DREAD”
Epitaph: Wounded Wolf
Quote: “Sometimes you have to not fight to survive.”
Clan: Gangrel

MORTAL DAYS: REBUILDING A NATION

Anthius emigrated to America from Greece follow-
ing the American Civil War and set up a farm on the
outskirts of Seattle. With so many having been killed in
the conflict, there was an opportunity for a young man
to make his fortune. He reared cattle and sheep on his
land and became a respected member of his community
despite keeping largely to himself. While the tide of times
passed him by, he quietly prospered.
After a few years on the farm, he noticed his animals rest from the road. Against his better judgement, Anthius
were getting sickly. He couldn’t explain it until he spotted opened his door and let the strange man inside.
a lone wolf on the outskirts of his farm one night. He The strange traveler told him tales of the wilder-
grabbed his rifle and rushed out to defend his flock, only ness, about wandering the forests through the eyes of an
for the wolf to calmly turn and move back into the woods animal. Anthius had heard tales of the so-called medicine
from whence it came. Every night for several months, the men of the old west and wondered if this was some snake
wolf came again, and every night Anthius came out to oil salesman here to sell him native trinkets or drugs.
confront it, it departed. Instead he fell upon him and Embraced him.
Then came the first night when the wolf didn’t
KINDRED NIGHTS: HIS OWN MAN
appear. Anthius hoped the mad creature had been killed
in the woods, or maybe died of old age. The wolf never Anthius was not interested in his sire’s offer of
returned, however, that very night, an older man came to companionship. He stayed with him as far as D.C. before
visit. He introduced himself as a weary traveler seeking a striking out on his own again. With only the very basics

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of his Kindred existence explained to him. Anthius hoped • Betty Boop’s Garage (Allies 1) Betty Boop’s is a small
to live out eternity in seclusion, but the news coming motorcycle repair business based in South Chicago. The
from his homeland during World War II called him back owner and chief mechanic, Thera, is a Greek immigrant
to defend Greece from the Nazi invasion. and Anthius enjoys talking to her in his native tongue.
Following the war, he was drawn into the ensuing
Greek Civil War, fighting on the side of the Democratic THRALLS AND TOOLS:
Army of Greece under the banner of the Greek Peo- • Perry “Como” Santori (Retainers 3) Perry is an old school
ple’s Liberation Army. Following their defeat, Anthius biker and one of Anthius’ ghouls. He isn’t the sharpest tool
returned, despondent, to America. He vowed never to in the box, but as blunt instruments go, he is very effective.
return to Greece. While travelling across the country,
intending to return to Washington, he encountered Tyrus •  Thera Astoris (Allies 1, Resources 1) Anthius does
and became his travelling companion. Once they reached odd jobs for Thera and finds her excellent company.
Washington, the two decided to keep moving together Her political idealism reminds him of himself when
and have been friends ever since. he was younger, and he regularly tries to measure her
The nomadic lifestyle suited the man who had just firebrand nature.
abandoned the idea of a homeland and so he was wary when
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
he and Tyrus became bogged down in the affairs of Chicago
but, nevertheless, fought to aid his friend in his struggles. • The Wolf Pack (Suicide Pact?) Recent events have
The wounds he suffered at the claws and teeth of led Anthius to believe that the Wolf Pack needs to be
Lupines during their attack put him in torpor and, since more careful or they could end up dead. Their recent
recovering, Anthius has become far more circumspect. battles have not gone well and Anthius worries the
This change in his attitude has put some strain on his reckless nature of his companions is going to get
relationship with the other members of the Wolf Pack. them all killed. That said, he would rather die beside
However, their vast history and shared experience runs them than survive their death.
deep, and it would take a great wedge indeed to separate
him from his coterie. • Sergeant Duncan MacTavish (Fear) Their recent
encounter with Sergeant MacTavish has spooked
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: Anthius. It is obvious to him that, although he is
• Calm the Beast: Anthius believes Tyrus is veering too younger, the bogeyman of Chicago has training and
far towards a bestial nature. He fears not only that equipment that equalizes his disadvantages. Max’s
his oldest friend might fall into madness, but that he prediction that he would kill Tyrus hasn’t helped.
may simply get himself killed in the process.
• Prince Kevin Jackson (Disappointment) Anthius’
• Not Our Fight: Having bled for the Camarilla and hopes for Prince Jackson were for someone that
received scant reward, Anthius sees their continued would really try to change things. All he sees from
loyalty as misplaced, seeing the Anarchs as more the new Prince is more of the same.
sympathetic to the needs of the Kindred of the world
• Milena Aronyan (Decent) Milena might be a Blue
than the Camarilla, which is merely an analogue of
Blood, but she knows what it means to get your hands
the kingdom he fought to replace in Greece.
dirty. She has tried to convince him of the worthiness
DOMAIN AND HAVEN: of Prince Jackson but Anthius remains unconvinced.

• Life on the Road (Haven 0) The Wolf Pack don’t WHISPERS:

keep a settled haven and stay on the move around
• Schism in the Pack: Tyrus has seemingly been asked to
the city and its outskirts. They can regularly be found
leave the city alone. Anthius fears a plot to kill him is
frequenting biker bars and garages owned by their
afoot, especially following the warnings of what would
contacts.
happen if the Wolf Pack leader leaves the city.
• Doc Holliday’s (Allies 2, Contacts 2, Influence 3)
• Defanged Wolf: Some voices in Elysium say that
Doc’s is a prominent feature on the I-90 and a fa-
Anthius has lost his taste for battle and no longer
vored haunt of the Wolf Pack. Its owner and several
has the heart to do what needs to be done to protect
of the patrons are friends of theirs, and they have
the Camarilla. His position of Archon is in question
found useful information and ghouls within its walls
and opportunists jockey to be first in line should he
over the years.
require to be replaced.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

MASK AND MIEN:

LEWIS “LULU” SHENG
• Anthius lives completely off the grid. Only Thera is aware
of his hiding places and she is happy to pay him cash in Epitaph: The Fixer
hand for the odd jobs he does. This situation suits Anthi-
us just fine. He did set up a false identity as a mechanic in Quote: “You best stay the fuck out my way.”
the 1970s under the name of George Papagiannopoulos, Clan: Gangrel
but hasn’t maintained it since then (Mask 1).
MORTAL DAYS: JUST ANOTHER JOB
• Despite his nickname of “Dread”, Anthius is decid- Lewis was born and raised in Grand Crossing, Chi-
edly more measured and thoughtful than the other cago — one of the roughest parts of the city. Since he was
members of the Wolf Pack. When roused, however, a child, he was involved in the local street gang called the
he is nearly as formidable as Tyrus himself and some “C-O Young Ones”, a small-time group of hoodlums who
older Kindred warn licks not to underestimate him. quickly became known troublemakers. When he was eight
years old, he learned how to unlock cars without the key,
• Anthius is a handsome, tall man who often wears
at eleven he was hotwiring said cars, and by the ripe age
a padded jacket and jeans. He styles his hair with
of thirteen he was driving those cars.
healthy doses of pomade and can often be seen slid-
ing a slick comb through his backcombed mane. He However, one day a carjacking did not go as planned
carries a shotgun which he keeps in a side compart- for Lewis and his lookout. They broke in and were getting
ment built into his motorcycle. the car out of the driveway when they were forced to stop
by a car pulling in. The man behind the wheel jumped out
• Regardless of the Wolf Pack’s somewhat diminished in a frenzy, phone already to his head calling the police.
status, Anthius is still an Archon and is treated with Lewis’ partner bailed, leaving him to fend for himself.
deference by most at court. While whispers take The police arrived and he was charged with motor vehicle
place behind his back, most wise Kindred are careful theft. He served a five-year sentence in a juvenile deten-
not to insult him to his face. tion center due to his young age.
Sire: Keegan When Lewis was released as an 18-year-old, he went
right back to his old neighborhood and saw how little it
Embraced: 1872 (Born 1845) had changed throughout the years. His time in prison had
Ambition: Freedom for all, at any cost not changed his troubled mind, only provided him with
more contacts and rep. A part of him was ashamed the
Convictions: Keep his friends safe, even from them-
neighborhood had stagnated in his five-year absence, but
selves
this gave him an opportunity finish what he started. If
Touchstones: Thera Astoris — Employer and friend nothing else, the five years in prison earned him respect,
Humanity: 6 especially among the younger gangsters.
Through the next year, Lewis rose the ranks in the
Generation: 8th
gang very quickly, garnering more and more respect as he
Blood Potency: 3 completed each task better than the last. Long gone were
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4; Cha- the days of Lewis the carjacking hoodlum. He had taken on
risma 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 4; Intelligence a new identity: Lulu. In spite of his new alias being laugh-
4, Wits 4, Resolve 3 able to some other gang members, Lulu made damn sure
to show everyone he completed his work no matter what.
Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 7 Need muscle? Call Lulu. Need backup? Call Lulu. Need to
Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 2, Drive (Motorcycles) 4, ice a fool? Call Lulu. If there was a task that needed doing,
Firearms (Shotgun) 4, Larceny 2, Melee (Knives) 2, and done quickly, you call Lulu. From that point on, Lulu
Stealth 4, Survival (Wilderness) 3; Animal Ken (Cat- always referred to himself in the third person.
tle) 3, Etiquette (Camarilla) 3, Insight 1, Intimidation KINDRED NIGHTS:
2, Leadership 2, Persuasion 3, Streetwise 4; Aca- TIME FOR THE REAL BUSINESS
demics 2, Awareness 3, Investigation 3, Medicine
With a new name, Lulu felt bulletproof. He could
(First Aid) 2, Occult 1, Politics 2, Science (Fuel) 2,
not help but feel as if the world was his to take with every
Technology (Motorcycles) 3
successful hijack, robbery, theft, and, eventually, murder
Disciplines: Animalism 2, Fortitude 4, Obfuscate 1, he performed. This newfound attitude brought him to the
Protean 4 interest of the gang-leader going by the name “Diligence”.
The leader was a Gangrel in the employ of Walter Nash, a

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 Character Folios

spark of life taken away from him with the Embrace.

Performing illegal deeds does not give him the same
rush it once did but destroying the competition does.
He will not let anyone, no matter age, clan, or name,
stand in the way of doing his business.

• Lulu is My Name: Being left to his own devices as a

newly Embraced vampire and feeling as if the whole
world turned its back on him gave Lulu enough will-
power to withstand anything the world has to throw
at him. His ambition reaches above that of most
young vampires, at least that is what he thinks, and he
wants to climb the social ladder to stand on the top of
the criminal underground pyramid in Chicago.

DOMAIN AND HAVEN:

• Chatham Garages (Allies 3, Haven 2) Lulu runs his
business out of a series of garages and car mechanics’
in Chatham, each of which is set up for “detailing”
stolen vehicles that he then has driven to their new
owners. Lulu ensures the operation remains well-run
and efficient, and chases off any overt signs of illegal-
ity taking place around his properties.

career criminal of Clan Ventrue, and the spark the young • Grand Crossing Rowhouses (Contacts 3, Haven 2)
mortal portrayed was nothing but fascinating to him. On Although not directly affiliated with the gang since
that night, he became a ghoul and got his first taste of the running his own business, he is still welcome in his
Kindred world. He wanted more. He could not get enough. gang’s old headquarters located in Grand Crossing,
It only took two months for Diligence to Embrace Lulu. in an abandoned rowhouse. He still has a couple of
One night after his Embrace, Diligence was shot in the good friends from his time hanging around, although
head and burned to death by an opposing gang. Lulu was left many of them are dead or now have families.
to his own devices, divided between the world of kine and the
world of Kindred. He did not know how to utilize his new • The Hood (Allies 2, Herd 2): The area between
abilities and did not know where to seek more knowledge. Chatham and Grand Crossing is unpleasant to many
That night, he went to a strip club and almost drained Kindred, but to Lulu, it is his Heaven on earth. He
a dancer dry. He went to the bar to get a shot, and vomited knows every single neighbor, the grocery store own-
all the blood back up. Ever since, Lulu could never find er, the kids playing on the street, even the police in
that spark he had before his Embrace. He wandered the the area who he bribes to stay out of his business.
world like a zombie desperately trying to find someone THRALLS AND TOOLS:
like him. It was months later he spotted a woman plunging
her fangs into a homeless man’s neck not too far from his • Jody Wrangler (Retainer 2): Lulu first met Jody a
haven. He chatted her up and after her initial defenses couple of weeks after his Embrace, as the newest
lowered, he explained his situation to her. The two Kindred prospect of the gang. As a prospect, he was treated
have since formed a strong, friendly relationship. harshly by the rest of the gang, as a way to toughen
Lulu runs a car procurement “business” where he him up and also show status. Lulu could not help but
successfully provides the Kindred in the city with vehicles feel sorry for the kid and took him under his wing. In
on demand. Her earns a substantial amount on his illegal exchange, Jody brought back some lost confidence to
business and has made a name for himself in the under- Lulu, as he looked up to him more than anyone else.
ground society but fears he’s just sunk back down to his
• Albert Ingmann (Contact 2): Albert was Lulu’s
Lewis Pitts status as a hijacker and nothing more.
prison pastor, the two forming a close bond that
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: extended beyond Lulu’s time inside. The pastor still
writes to Lulu, who is scared to meet up with the
• Destroy the Competition: Although Lulu’s drive will
priest again following his Embrace.
never be the same, he yearns to once again feel that

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: Sire: Diligence

• Alphonse Gabriel Capone (Employer): Lulu is Embraced: 2012 (Born 1983)
constantly looking to expand his business. Recently, Ambition: Rise to more than just the role of carjacker
this led him to contact one of Capone’s henchpeople,
who promised protection and security, if only he Convictions: I’ll never let the law take me alive
provided Capone with percentages of the business. Touchstones: Albert Ingmann — prison pastor Lulu
Lulu agreed and the two are now in a dangerous met while incarcerated.
working relationship. Lulu has no idea how danger- Humanity: 5
ous Capone is, or indeed the legendary gangster’s
true identity. Generation: 13th
Blood Potency: 1
• Nadine “Nitro” Lewandowski (Ally): In Lulu’s days
as a mortal, just as he entered the crime environment Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha-
of Chicago, he met Nitro, a young girl who, much risma 4, Manipulation 2, Composure 3; Intelligence
like himself, was a troublemaker. Although they 2, Wits 3, Resolve 5
never grew close, Nitro did pull Lulu out of trouble Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 8
more than once, and Lulu sees her as a valuable ally.
Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl (Street Fighting) 3, Drive 3,
• Tatyana Makarova (Kin): On the face of it, a low-lev- Firearms 2, Larceny (Car Theft) 4, Stealth 2; Intim-
el gangster and a former Soviet fighter pilot should idation 2, Leadership 2, Persuasion 2, Streetwise
have little in common. Surprisingly, the two feel (Chicago Underworld) 3, Subterfuge 1; Awareness
kinship over the status as outsiders and underdogs. 1, Finance 2
Tatyana was the first vampire to really give a shit Disciplines: Celerity 1, Fortitude 2, Protean 2
about Lulu, so he watches her back.

WHISPERS: MAX “BLOOPER” HAGEN

• Dark Past: Several Kindred in the city claim to have Epitaph: The Beast of the Backroads
seen Lulu feeding from minors hanging around
Chatham. He calls them “prospects”. Some rumors Quote: “You call that evil? Oh, little pup, you ain’t
go as far as saying he uses his position of influence to seen the things that’ll tickle your cold innards and put
feed from young women especially. writhing eels in them.”
Clan: Gangrel
• Charity Loss: Shortly following a well-publicized
homeless charity run from Grand Crossing to MORTAL DAYS: OUT OF THE FRYING PAN
Chatham, the sizeable amount collected suddenly Growing up just outside of nowhere, Illinois, Max’s
disappeared from the safe in which it was held. A slow-flowing days bled into one another. In the lazy
month after, Lulu established his new business and haze of hunting, fishing, and camping, he dreamed of
started driving around in a sports car he holds in his anywhere that wasn’t the sleepy town of Carmi. When
own name. allowed at school, Max excelled at sports and learned
about the wide world, but times were lean, and his family
MASK AND MIEN: required him to toil on the farm most days. Max stared
• Lulu is a 6’2”, physically-toned Chinese-American. with lust at the open roads, hungry to devour the miles
He knows the way to success is in how you present and find a more lucrative vocation.
yourself, therefore he always makes sure to wear Prohibition was two decades gone, but moonshiners
shirts and tops showcasing his gang tattoos. He also still managed a tidy sum throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s.
has a couple of prison tattoos on his knuckles and By the time he stood 17 summers high, Max knew every
around his neck. He often wears a cap or a beanie backroad, byway, and bolt hole with intimacy. With his
covering his buzzed hair. foot on the gas pedal, no law dog could catch him. Such
careers, however, are always one day away from a bad end.
• “Lulu” is the Mask Lewis wears, and he does so effec- Shortly after his eighteenth birthday, Max stood in front
tively on the street. Were the police to arrest him, or of a grim judge who gave him a choice: serve his country
if he drew the attention of more malignant forces, or serve time in Southern Illinois Penitentiary. With little
such as FIRSTLIGHT, his street identity would thought, Max enlisted in the U.S. Army.
swiftly crumble (Mask 1).

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The daytime attack came without warning, and the

groggy vampires could not properly respond or regroup.
Some fell to ash and Final Death. Others, Blooper included,
found themselves processed and imprisoned in Blacksite 24.
The years limped by as eternities in hideous fluorescent light.
Max endured experiment after agonizing experiment. Time
and torture eroded the bonds of blood, and Blooper resented
the pact and sect that used him. Hunkered down in a hell
of introspection, Max saw how debased he had become. He
saw, painfully so, why a Masquerade was necessary.
In 2017, Blooper escaped the FIRSTLIGHT facility.
He fled into the country and the night, but remains in the
Illinois area. There is much work to do. The Sabbat has
all but vanished into their Gehenna Crusades. He’ll have
to settle that score later. In the meantime, Max uses his
violent talents to help the innocent and atone for years of
monstrous atrocities. He also stalks FIRSTLIGHT, biding
his time.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
• Reconnoiter: Blooper does not remember the exact
location of the FIRSTLIGHT base, but lopes about
central Illinois, ever-searching, ever-securing a wider
territory. He knows those desolate backroads. He
Max took quickly to the military and served his first tails FIRSTLIGHT agents. He gathers a small group
tour in Pleiku, Vietnam in 1962. His country boy naiveté of Anarchs he calls the Railroad Dogs. Someday
and a penchant for the M-79 grenade launcher earned Max soon, they will take the fight to FIRSTLIGHT.
the nickname “Blooper.” His first tour concluded, Max re-
upped for another, staying in Pleiku. This second tour took • Haunted by the Past: Memories of his monstrous
an abrupt end on February 7th, 1965. He never saw a third deeds torment Blooper. A recovering former member
tour, never went home to see his father before he died, of the Sabbat, he recognizes that one slip could send
never took another breath in the warmth of the sun. him spiraling back into the belly of the Beast. For
KINDRED NIGHTS: INTO THE FIRE this reason, Max maintains a hard definition of right
and wrong and is willing to risk his own neck to
Max was Embraced in the hot jungle night, as the
maintain it. Crossing the lines of this raggedy code of
shells rained down. There were fangs and screams in the
conduct is not something Blooper tolerates in those
dark. When Max’s heart stopped, the staccato explo-
around him, which often causes tension between him
sions became the heartbeat of his new existence. The
and his fellow Kindred.
Sabbat pack had slipped into the camp, seeking cover.
The Cainites had no plans to turn Blooper, but the pack • Tinfoil Hats: Torturous years as a captive of FIRST-
Ductus saw something in the soldier worth preserving. LIGHT frayed Blooper’s nerves more than he cares
Max awoke with a mouthful of swampy soil and to admit. His desire for revenge only barely outpaces
tore his way from his earthen womb. When the red fever his fear of being recaptured. These two drives fight
dream of his first frenzy faded, Max found the fang- like feral cats in his guts. The paranoia is strong. Max
gnawed corpse of his squad’s NCO in his arms. The man distrusts anything electronic and compulsively covers
had saved Max’s life on more than one occasion. The his tracks.
memory of that night haunted the rest of his unlife and
began his first slide towards the Beast. DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
The vinculum bound Blooper’s will to the Sabbat • The Historic Lincoln Hotel (Fame 1, Haven 4) Built
cause. Where his pack went, he followed — through Vi- in 1923, the abandoned and historic Lincoln Hotel
etnam, to New York, and eventually the Midwest. After a is the centerpiece of the failing Urbana downtown.
Chicago raid, Blooper and his pack fled south to Danville, Shut down and condemned in 2016, Blooper and the
Illinois. The pack had used the small city as a staging Railroad Dogs use it as a haven. They maintain the
ground for years, unaware they were being watched. rumors of its haunting to keep the public away.

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THRALLS AND TOOLS: MASK AND MIEN:

• Red Adams (Contacts 2) Red is the president of a • Blooper is a large man who appears to be in his late
local motorcycle club that raises money for local 30s to early 40s. For a man of the streets, he keeps
charities, supporting such causes as the Cunningham his red beard and long, brown hair well groomed. He
Children’s Home and the Rantoul Special Olympics. likes to keep the sides of his head shaved. A perpetu-
Blooper met Red at local bike nights and recognized al scowl adorns his face. Even with the Blush of Life,
his worth in keeping tabs on gang and police activity there is something preternaturally savage about him.
in the area. Blooper refuses to feed Red his vitae even
though it would make the sometime-unpredictable • Blooper dresses the part of the biker — faded jeans,
biker more reliable. leather chaps, leather vest with the colors of his
crew, and a network of patches containing symbols
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: recognizable only to Kindred in the know. When the
weather demands, he dons a leather jacket, wearing
• Railroad Dogs (Family) Consisting of the only
his vest over it in the biker culture fashion.
Kindred Blooper trusts, this coterie maintains a
working relationship as tight as any Sabbat pack, but • Blooper’s mortal identity is that of a local biker
without the forced fellowship of ritual vaulderie. In named Larry Mincher, a Gulf War veteran with few
this ragtag group of Anarchs, Max finally found the holdings. His reluctance to use electronic technology
family he needed. However, his willingness to trust leaves only a faint information trail (Mask 2).
his comrades could leave him vulnerable.
Sire: The Hilton Pack
• Edward Neally (Odd Solidarity) Every once in Embraced: 1967 (Born 1944)
a while, these two become the most unlikely of
drinking buddies. They both have Sabbat sorrows to Ambition: Find and kill my former pack
drown. Under the influence of inebriated blood, they Convictions: Help the innocent
make a game of gleefully coming up with ever more Touchstones: Red Adams — contact within the biker
elaborate forms of revenge to enact on their former world
pack mates.
Humanity: 5
WHISPERS: Generation: 8th
• Traitor: There’s no way Blooper escaped that hunter Blood Potency: 2
facility without being let out. He’s a double agent!
Hell, maybe he’s a programed sleeper agent and Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5; Cha-
doesn’t even know. Can we trust anyone he’s “res- risma 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 1; Intelligence
cued?” 2, Wits 3, Resolve 3
Secondary Attributes: Health 8, Willpower 4
• That’s no Gangrel: He might shape-shift, but he talks
a lot like a Brujah. Hell, he moves a lot like a Brujah. Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 2, Drive 3, Firearms (Au-
tomatics) 3, Larceny 1, Melee 1, Stealth (Tailing) 2,
• Driven: There’s something screwy about his FIRST- Survival 2; Insight 1, Intimidation 1, Leadership 1,
LIGHT story. He rants like a conspiracy theorist, Streetwise (Biker Gangs) 2; Awareness 2, Investiga-
avoids all useful technology — extreme paranoia. tion 1, Medicine 1 
Yet he continues to pursue the bastards. Just doesn’t Disciplines: Celerity 3, Obfuscate 2, Protean 3
make sense. Why isn’t he long gone?

• Dark Past: For someone so young, his blood seems NADINE “NITRO”
awfully thick. It doesn’t matter whom he serves now LEWANDOWSKI
— once diablerist, always a diablerist.
Epitaph: The Face of the Pack
• Omega Wolf: Why hasn’t the Wolf Pack approached
this obvious potential addition to their coterie? If Quote: “We can’t let Ramrod’s sacrifice be in vain.”
the Archons don’t trust him, there must be some- Clan: Gangrel
thing fishy about this Gangrel.

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MORTAL DAYS: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Nadine grew up in a tight-knit, and poor, family in
New York. As the youngest child, she was doted on by
her father and older sister, Raya, who always looked to
protect her from the harsh realities of life. She never truly
knew what her father’s business was or what it was that
her sister wasn’t telling her. She only knew that it put
food on the table and kept a leaky roof over their heads.
They didn’t have much and relied on each other.
One night, their apartment was visited by a group of
men who said they were associates of her father. Nadine
was curious about them, but her mother insisted that she
stay in her room while the men talked business. A few
moments later, her sister burst in carrying a backpack she
seemed to already have packed. Without explanation, she
began stuffing items of Nadine’s clothing into a second
bag, ignoring her pleas for explanation. Raya thrust the
bag into her hands and told Nadine to follow her as she
climbed out of the window and onto the fire escape. They
were no more than halfway down when the gunshots rang
out. Raya would not even allow Nadine to scream as they
departed, not wanting to give themselves away to anyone
that might be pursuing them.
Consigned to life on the road, Raya and Nadine KINDRED NIGHTS: FREEDOM AND VENGEANCE
embarked on a life of petty theft to survive, finding shel- Nadine adapted well to Kindred life, since not much
ter in abandoned garages and houses. Occasionally, they changed for her. The burning desire for revenge remained
would slip in through the windows of families on vaca- at the back of her mind, however hard Ramrod and the
tion and spend a week living like royalty on the contents others tried to suppress it. Taking the name of “Nitro”,
of their refrigerator before quickly moving on. Nadine became an integral member of their group.
Spending only what they could steal and quickly Whenever the opportunity arose to take a pot shot
growing out of the clothes they had scrounged in their at the Anarchs, Nadine would grab it with both hands in
hasty exit from their parents’ house, they fell in with vari- the hope of drawing out her nemesis, the man who killed
ous gangs on their travels. Eventually they joined up with her sister. Despite many attempts to find MacTavish,
a group of bikers offering them family and belonging on however, it seemed she was beneath his notice.
the open road. It was this that brought them into contact
That was until the fateful night when MacTavish took
with the Wolf Pack and Ramrod.
the only family she had left, her sire. Ramrod sacrificed
The charismatic Gangrel kept the two young guns himself so she could escape. Another family member giving
in his sights for a while before bringing them into his her life so she could live on. She fell into a depression for a
service as two more ghouls in his burgeoning collection. while, but Dread talked her into remaining with the Wolf
For a while, the two had meaning and family. The vitae Pack. Ultimately, she had nowhere else to go.
blinding them to the revolving door Ramrod’s ghouls
Returning to Chicago, Nadine has had enough of
seemed to flit through as they were lost in the many fights
being the one who is saved. She will take out this Anarch
into which he threw his soldiers. Through it all, though,
bogeyman or die trying.
Nadine and Raya remained alive and continued to serve
their domitor. PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
That all changed on the night they met Maldavis. • Attack the Flock: Searching for MacTavish is like
Ramrod thought their presence would minimize the trying to find a needle in 500 haystacks in the
chance of conflict. He had not bargained upon the pres- dark. However, Nadine knows how to get his at-
ence of Duncan MacTavish in the rafters, and he gunned tention. She constantly lobbies both Tyrus and the
Raya down in front of her sister. Prince to take action against the Anarchs, hoping
Heartbroken at her loss and in scant reward for her to draw the murderous Kindred’s attention back
unflinching service over a number of years, Ramrod em- to them.
braced Nadine and offered her a place in the Wolf Pack.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

• Uncover the Past: Raya never told Nadine why the looked for by law enforcement other than as a sus-
men who killed her family did so. She is unaware pect in numerous thefts across the country.
of who they are. She has no idea what shady deals
her father made with them. She would give almost • Nadine is a pale, skinny woman who appears to be
anything to find out, though. in her late teens or early 20s. She has blond hair cut
short to fit inside motorcycle helmets. Nadine wears
DOMAIN AND HAVEN: oversized clothing that often seems to hang off of her
and make her look smaller than she is, but serves as
• Life on the Road (Haven 0) The Wolf Pack are
hiding places for an arsenal of weapons.
constantly moving around the city and its outskirts,
making temporary havens in garages and biker bars. • Nadine is known around the city by the name
“Nitro” and she keeps her true identity to herself.
THRALLS AND TOOLS:
Only other members of the Wolf Pack refer to her
• Nadine hasn’t yet taken anyone into her service. In- as Nadine but never in public. She earned her name
stead, she is often installed as the leader of the forces for her choice of motorcycle, eschewing the usual
rallied by Tyrus and Anthius. In keeping with the chopper style for a high-powered superbike.
tutelage of her sire, in time, she intends to raise an Sire: Ramrod
army of ghouls to defend Chicago from the Anarch
menace and Second Inquisition alike. Embraced: 2018 (Born 1999)
Ambition: Free herself from the ghosts of her past
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
Convictions: Gain vengeance on all who have
• The Wolf Pack (Family) Nadine is the acceptable face wronged me; Build a new family
of the Wolf Pack. Her gregarious demeanor makes
her more suited to talking than the psychotic Tyrus Touchstones: Herb “Trashcan” Taczan — Blue
or aloof and withdrawn Anthius. She regards the two Knights soldier and potential ghoul; Erin Logan —
men as the only real family she has left to her in the Riverdale schoolgirl and potential ghoul
world and treats them accordingly. Humanity: 7

• Sergeant Duncan MacTavish (Pure Hatred) He killed Generation: 9th

her sister right before her eyes. What more needs to Blood Potency: 2
be said? Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2; Cha-
• Prince Kevin Jackson (Backstabber) Nadine suspects risma 4, Manipulation 3, Composure 2; Intelligence
Jackson may be secretly trying to do away with the 2, Wits 3, Resolve 3
Wolf Pack. For this reason, she wants to gather forces Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 5
loyal to the Pack rather than the Camarilla, not Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Drive (Motorcycles) 3,
trusting any aid the Prince offers them or personnel Firearms (Pistols) 3, Larceny 1, Melee (Baseball Bat)
whose loyalty is to him. 2, Stealth 2, Survival (Urban) 1; Etiquette (Camarilla)
WHISPERS: 3, Intimidation 1, Persuasion 3, Streetwise 4; Aware-
ness 3, Investigation 2, Technology (Computers) 2
• Divided Attentions: While Nadine maintains her
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Fortitude 2, Protean 1
first loyalty to the Wolf Pack, many have noted her
inquisitive nature toward New York and the organ-
ized crime scene there. TYRUS
• Voice of the Wolves: While she does not command Epitaph: Madcap Biker
the instant respect her elder peers do; all Kindred
Quote: “Fuck ‘em up, lads.”
know that she speaks with the voice of the Wolf
Pack. Threatening her is akin to threatening them all. Clan: Gangrel

MASK AND MIEN: MORTAL DAYS: A NEW FRONTIER

• Nadine lives completely off the grid and has done Tyrus came to America when it was still called “the
since she was a child. Having been declared dead New World” and that is what he wanted. A new world,
by the State of New York, she is not actively being untamed by human progress. He longed to find a lawless
frontier where he could find himself and live by his own

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code for his own reasons. America didn’t disappoint him

and he wandered far and wide, drawing the gaze of some
of the first Kindred to arrive in America.
Tyrus often rented himself out as a guide or tracker
for people wanting to leave the safety of the old port
towns behind and make their way into the real wilder-
ness. He took his charges to places unseen by human eyes
in hundreds of years. He hunted and cooked the freshest
wild game on the trail. Life was good.
Of course, as all mortal life is fleeting, so are its
pleasures. Tyrus feared the day when he became too old
to savor the smell of clean air after a day’s hike across the
prairie or taste the clean water that flowed from inacces-
sible mountain streams. One evening, drunk in a tavern
in Maryland, a vampire approached Tyrus and discussed
this condition with him. He offered to make him forever
young and ensure that his voyage through this wild coun-
try could go on forever.
KINDRED NIGHTS: MODERN-DAY OUTLAW
Although his sire kept his promise, the price to be
paid was steep. Tyrus would never again watch the sun
rise over the lakes or draw nourishment from the wilds.
Instead, he was a predator and humanity was his prey. He
tried to take to this new life, assured by the eternal youth regarding the Lasombra may be such an opportunity
it promised him. However, the doubts of what he had and Tyrus has redoubled his efforts to keep the Pack
become constantly gnawed at the corners of his mind. at the forefront of security for the event.
Tyrus descended into a life of transient violence, • Hit the Road: In reality, all Tyrus truly wants is to
going from place to place, getting involved in brawl return to his transient life. Travelling from place to
after brawl. The advent of automobiles and motorcycles place and never settling down for too long holds the
breathed new life into him and allowed him to cross great greatest appeal. He appreciates the security the Wolf
distances at speed. Pack’s position in the city gives, but fears they have
He realized that he took no comfort in his solitude already outstayed their welcome in this town. Only
and followed the trend of the times, trying and failing on his younger charges’ desires to continue to perform
multiple occasions to put together the perfect biker gang their duties to the city, and his desire to fulfil what
to roam the country as modern-day outlaws and vigilan- he sees as his duty to them, keeps him from leaving.
tes.
He Embraced many, slaughtering almost all of them • Kill the Bogeyman: Tyrus has been on the receiving
as they proved feral and unworthy in his eyes. Finally, he end of a bullet from Duncan MacTavish and he fears
gathered the group to himself known as the Wolf Pack. the deadly Scotsman may be the end of him. At the
Together, they not only found friendship of sorts, but same time, he may be the battle that Tyrus needs to
purpose. They proudly worked together as Archons for bring him back to himself. After all, nothing gets his
the Chicago Camarilla. blood flowing like a good scrap.
While his name has been tarnished by the death of
DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
a Prince on his watch, Tyrus is still feared and respect-
ed throughout the city. He continues to tread the line • Life on the Road (Haven 0) The Wolf Pack are
between loyalty and insanity, while secretly hoping to be always on the move and Tyrus especially eschews the
ordered out onto the road once again. idea of making a haven.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: • Doc Holliday’s (Allies 2, Contacts 2, Influence 3)
• Name Restored: Tyrus wishes to restore the reputa- Doc’s is Tyrus’ favorite bar, filled with mortals he
tion of the Wolf Pack in the city after the blows it likes, trusts, and uses for information on the road
has taken over the past years. The upcoming summit ahead.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

THRALLS AND TOOLS: • Walking the Line: Tyrus is seen by some as a defend-
• “Blazin’” Buzz Baroni (Allies 2) Buzz is a hoary old er of the Camarilla, but some fear he is one bad night
biker who has seen it all. His stories of the people away from completely losing his mind in a killing
who have come and gone from his bar could fill a spree.
very entertaining novel and he knows the score with MASK AND MIEN:
all of the biker gangs in Chicago. He earned his name
for the vast quantities of marijuana that he’s sold at • Tyrus lives completely off the grid. He is mostly
Doc Holliday’s. He often points Tyrus in the direc- spoken of in stories by biker gangs but rarely, if ever,
tion of people he needs to talk to, and he’s the first do those telling the stories know his face.
opinion Tyrus looks for when he’s considering taking
a new ghoul. • The old Gangrel has a terrible habit of self-harm
and often burns himself with lit cigarettes or stabs
•  Gang Members (Retainers 2, Herd 2) The Wolf through his flesh with safety pins or even nails. He
Pack have always maintained a group of ghouls to very seldom heals damage taken in combat and seems
watch their backs during the day and in dangerous to enjoy being hurt.
situations. Tyrus also maintains some regular gang
members in his service for feeding purposes. • Tyrus almost exclusively wears biker gear, with a
worn looking bandana atop his head with a shock
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: of black hair sticking out of the top. His arms are
adorned with robust looking, spiked chains and a set
• Olaf, the One-Eyed King (Wary) Tyrus is nervous of brass knuckles are never far from his fingers.
about this new figure on the streets. If it is, as he
fears, a broken minded Lodin, there’s no telling • Regardless of the Wolf Pack’s somewhat diminished
what he might have in store for the Archons. Tyrus status, Tyrus is well known as a terrifying combatant
shields the others from this rumor, fearing they may and is treated with due respect by all who encounter
underestimate their former Prince and try to silence him. He has never desired a Mask and will likely
him with force. He does not believe Lodin could be never adopt one.
so easily dealt with, given what he has survived.
Sire: Gareth Strong
• The Wolf Pack (Surrogate Children) Tyrus sees him- Embraced: 1635 (Born 1604)
self as the leader of the pack and so it’s up to him to
Ambition: Ride to eternal freedom
make sure that they are strong enough to survive. He
is often tough on them, but his purpose is always to Convictions: Protect the pack
keep them sharp. He worries that Dread is no longer Touchstones: Buzz Baroni — Biker Bar Owner
the same Kindred who was put into torpor by the
Lupine attack on the city. Humanity: 5
Generation: 7th
• Sergeant Duncan MacTavish (Bitter Respect) This
upstart Anarch has become a name the Camarilla Blood Potency: 4
licks speak with fear. Tyrus originally thought he Attributes: Strength 5, Dexterity 4, Stamina 5; Cha-
was little more than a ghost story, and then the risma 3, Manipulation 2, Composure 3; Intelligence
ghost shot him in the face. He is concerned by recent 2, Wits 4, Resolve 4
prophecies that MacTavish’s eyes will be the last Secondary Attributes: Health 8, Willpower 7
thing he sees.
Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 4, Craft (Motorcycle Parts)
• Prince Kevin Jackson (Disappointment) While he 3, Drive (Motorcycles) 4, Firearms 2, Larceny 4, Me-
had hoped to form a bond with the young Prince, lee (Improvised Weaponry) 4, Survival (Wilderness)
Tyrus has found him to be disdainful of his record 3; Animal Ken 3, Intimidation 4, Leadership (Gangs)
and his methods. 4, Streetwise 2; Awareness 3, Politics 1, Technology
(Engines) 3
WHISPERS:
Disciplines: Animalism 3, Celerity 2, Fortitude 3,
• Heading Out: Word on the street is that Tyrus is be- Potence 2, Protean 5
ing sent out of the city. Some speculate this is to get
him out of the way for the Lasombra negotiations.

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“It amuses me to no end that Chicago, the place of the grand sacrifice, draws Lasombra to it like flies. What does that say of our
clan, hm? Morbid curiosity, or an innate desire for self-destruction, maybe.”

— Zahra Yusef, in a conversation with the ashes of her sire

Chicago proves quite the staging area for Lasombra

in these modern nights. Following the sacrifice (Chicago
by Night, p. 313), the fate of at least a section of the Clan
of Night has been decided in this domain.

BRADEN WHITE
Epitaph: Bold Entrepreneur
Quote: “Being good isn’t as important as being
first.”
Clan: Lasombra

MORTAL DAYS: BORN TO GREATNESS

Braden White is the scion of a wealthy family in
the United Kingdom, groomed from his earliest days to
succeed. Whatever advantages in life could be bought, his
parents afforded him. Trips abroad, tutors in all manner
of instruments, games, sciences, martial arts, athletics. All
were made available to him. It seemed that Braden couldn’t
fail in life. He attended the finest private academies that
Europe had to offer. From his native Britain, to France,
Switzerland, Austria and, finally, Italy. It was there his
inexorable march to the high-life came to an abrupt halt.
Marked out by several well-placed contacts of his sire healers his parents hired couldn’t place.
in the elite boarding schools and Universities in Tuscany, His sire wanted him to crawl back to her, and she
Braden was invited to enjoy a skiing trip in the Dolo- was immensely gratified when he did. Abandoning his
mites with several hand chosen students. Being whisked family and faking his own suicide, he desperately sought
away to a secluded mountain retreat was not particularly more of the vitae he craved and the answers to the truth
alien to these men of class and distinction, and so they of his past. His sire instructed him that it didn’t matter
went, full of their own self-importance, into the lair of who he was, what mattered was that he was to become
a monster. What followed was officially described as a Lasombra.
terrible accident when a mechanical failure on one of the
KINDRED NIGHTS: A NEW MAN
lifts carrying groups up the mountains caused a carriage
to drop. In truth, Braden was the only one his sire and Stripped of much of his advantages, Braden faced life
her retainers left alive. At first, it was hailed as a miracle without the endless wealth and trappings it brought. He
and his parents were elated to find their son as the only was given a new identity, a small stipend and assigned as
survivor of the ordeal, but they found him changed. His a minor functionary in one of his sire’s business ventures
memory was seemingly erased by amnesia and he had in Florence. Braden cannot remember exactly what it was
become addicted to something the consultants and faith he did for her, or even her name. What he does remem-

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

ber is the hardening cruelty of her tutelage. She stripped He believes his long, faithful service in Boston should
away any memories she deemed weakening or soft. She stand him in good stead. In truth, he is a relative
stringently eradicated any compulsion toward behaviors unknown in the city and must prove himself to the
not useful to her purposes. In Braden, she would culti- Prince before his plan can come to fruition.
vate the perfect childe to make her the envy of her peers.
However, it was the envy of her peers that was to change • Vengeance or Self-Defense: Braden is certain that his sire
Braden’s Kindred existence for the better. is trying to kill him. The very thought of it seems etched
He was her star pupil and her contemporaries in the in his mind and he has been known to wake in the day
area grew weary of her endless sermonizing about her screaming, “She’s coming!” For this reason, he is very sus-
plans for him. They ensured that not only would he forget picious, particularly of anyone hailing from Italy or who
her, but he would defect to her clan’s great enemy. has even visited there in the past as being an agent of hers.
Forever the pawn, Braden was finally free to be his DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
own man. Under the conditioning his sire’s enemies set
down, he resolved to join the Camarilla in America. • Evanston Townhouse (Haven 3) The city’s Seneschal
Braden constantly felt something was missing in his was kind enough to assist Braden in purchasing a sand-
existence, though he could only place it within flashes stone townhouse in Evanston. It may not be as grand as
of memory. He began to keep a journal of his experi- his property in Boston, but it will suffice for now.
ences and began his new life in Boston. It was a difficult
• Blacksmith Family (Allies 3, Contacts 3, Herd 2, Re-
existence, maintaining his standing with so many enemies
sources 4, Retainers 3) Braden’s most trusted servants
arrayed against him, but Braden was equal to the task. He
have accompanied him on his journey while he leaves
learned lessons from fellow outcasts such as the Giovan-
his loyal ghoul, Errol, in Boston to maintain the main
ni, whose habit of keeping strong familial ties appealed
part of the family business.
to the perpetual loner. To that end, he brought Errol
Blacksmith, one of the city’s leading financiers, into his THRALLS AND TOOLS:
service and proceeded to extend his tendrils throughout
members of the extended family. • Errol Blacksmith (Retainers 2) A ghoul of some ten
Under Braden’s influence, the Blacksmith family became years, Errol’s time at the head of the business may be
an echo of the family he had lost. He molded each new genera- ending soon. Braden is considering the idea of Em-
tion to fulfil their great destiny and hoped that one day one of bracing the old man but fears making such a request
them would show enough merit to warrant the Embrace and of Prince Jackson so soon may hinder negotiations
become a new branch of loyal Camarilla Lasombra. and his position.
Braden’s move to Chicago was both a necessity and an •  Arlene Blacksmith (Allies 1, Herd 1) Errol’s daughter
opportunity. He has been aware for some time of his mysteri- is one of Braden’s most promising pet projects. He
ous sire’s desire to have him destroyed. He hopes that hiding brought her to Chicago to finish her medical studies,
his operations behind the Blacksmith family is enough to where she is working on hematology.
throw her off the scent, but he remains paranoid of her reap-
pearance. Learning through sources at court that his clan were KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
sending a delegation to Chicago, Braden uproots, intending to
• Rabbi Michalis Basaras (Distrust) Braden was livid
be the first on the scene to make his mark with the new clan
when he found that another Lasombra was already in
hierarchy. After all, he was here before them. They need him as
the city before him. And a preacher to boot. Though
much as he needs their protection. Or so he hopes.
the Rabbi seems friendly, Braden worries that Ba-
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: saras is an agent of his sire.
• Searching for Himself: Braden’s memory is a Swiss • Alan Sovereign (Helpful?) Sovereign has been noth-
cheese of black spots created by his sire’s endless ing but welcoming of Braden since his arrival. He
tampering with his mind, and her enemies’ subse- hoped the Seneschal was simply rolling out the red
quent reprogramming. While he tries to keep one carpet, but Braden suspects Sovereign may see him as
eye on the businesses operated by the Blacksmiths, a useful billfold for his enterprises.
he finds himself turning more and more toward
researching his past. WHISPERS:

• A Bridge to the Darkness: Sensing an opportunity, • Nos-fear-atu: Braden is fascinated by the Nosferatu.
Braden hopes to earn a place as a go-between for the Some say he has an innate fear of them, but he is
Lasombra arriving in Chicago and the court there. more interested in aiding the clan for some reason.

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 Character Folios

• Loud and Proud: Unlike the quiet presence of other

Lasombra, Braden seems keen to make his mark at EUSTACE LANCASTER
court. He has already made an appearance at several
high-class establishments. Epitaph: Beckoned elder Lasombra desperate for
retribution
MASK AND MIEN:
Quote: “The Jyhad is all-encompassing. It is the impe-
• Braden is a tall, stern faced man who appears older tus to wake, our every movement perfectly calculated
than he likely should after his sire’s cruel tutelage. and motivated, and the last fleeting moments before
Small streaks of grey fleck the sides of his hair at the the weight of the sun reclaims us. We are molded by
temples and throughout his eyebrows. Worry lines our environment; such is the toil of damnation.
punctuate a face that could be considered handsome,
Clan: Lasombra
were it not so serious.
MORTAL NIGHTS: THE CROWN’S SHADOW
• Braden has adopted the alias of Clifton Walker to
attempt to throw his sire off his scent. He has gone Eustace Lancaster remembers little of his mortal day
to great lengths, including a minor boon with the as the centuries past have become nothing more than a
Seneschal, to secure official documentation of his faded tapestry. His personal memories only have a scat-
new identity (Mask 2). tered amount of terrors and delights. Eustace remembers
the courts of Henry VI, the glory of the kingdom of
• One of Braden’s key interests is in contributing to England. He recounts the feelings of love for his moth-
the Chicago nightlife. While this may seem to be an er Mary, forced into a convent by her own family. He
oversubscribed area of influence in the city, Braden recounts houses warring over lands and titles, crowns
feels that Lasombra coming to the city may feel safer drenched in the blood of devastated royal armies. What
in an establishment controlled by their own. He most stands out in his mind was the young love of a noble
operates such businesses behind the names of Black- maiden and her suicide by throwing herself from the ram-
smith family members. parts of a castle due to petty politics between houses. This
memory by far is his most solidifying, forging the hatred
Sire: Amelia di Carlo
that has driven him forward in modern nights. Her del-
Embraced: 2002 (Born 1978) icate face still haunts his dreams from time to time, her
Ambition: Be the first to welcome the new clan name long-lost to his labyrinthine mind.
Left nothing but his own machinations for power,
Convictions: Uncover the truth of my past; Become
he turned toward the courts as solace. The royal families
a Lasombra lynchpin
warred with words as sharp as daggers all around him
Touchstones: Arlene Blacksmith — prodigious med- and he reveled in the violence. His aptitude within the
ical student; Errol Blacksmith — successful financier courts was only matched by his contempt for the houses
and strange father figure and their trivial bickering. Driven by his enmity, Eustace
Humanity: 5 forged alliances with ease and broke them just as easily
when the need arose. He instigated calamity after calam-
Generation: 11th ity between these royal lines for purposes of observation.
Blood Potency: 1 This malice and skill garnered the attention and growing
Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3; Cha- respect of his soon-to-be Lasombra sire.
risma 3, Manipulation 4, Composure 4; Intelligence Kindred Nights: The Knight’s Fear
3, Wits 4, Resolve 3 Eustace was apt to use his knowledge of monarchial
matters to wage into the Jyhad. He found sick gratifica-
Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 7
tion destroying his enemies in the Cainite courts. When
Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Drive 2, Firearms 1, given the order to orchestrate a war between the noble
Stealth 1; Etiquette (Elysium) 3, Insight 3, Leadership houses, a design mirroring interclan conflicts, Eustace
4, Performance (Singing) 2, Persuasion 3, Street- began questioning his allegiance to his sire. Rebuked as a
wise 1, Subterfuge (Impeccable Lies) 4; Academics pathetic upstart and given the choice to either be erased
(Literature) 2, Awareness 2, Finance (Inheritance) 3, from memory or follow through with his sire’s command,
Investigation 3, Politics (Camarilla) 3 he set the plan into action. Eustace came to grips with his
Disciplines: Dominate 3, Oblivion 1, Potence 2 placement as a pawn in a larger game. This was his first
lesson in the Jyhad, one he never forgot.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Kindred easier to manipulate, Eustace built a formida-

ble network of spies as he travelled city to city, never
settling anywhere too long. This provided him the ability
to always be a few steps ahead of any Sabbat pursuing
him and allowed him a job as a traveling diplomat for the
Camarilla.
At the turn of the 21st century, Eustace began hear-
ing voices, but he dismissed them. The moving shadows
he saw from the side of his vision were just figments of
his overactive imagination. One evening as he gathered
his things in his hotel room to travel north to Washing-
ton D.C. he swayed and stumbled. Unable to control his
body, Eustace bashed his face against the mirror hanging
in his room. Within the shattered reflection he saw a void
pulling him in. Eustace screamed in terror as his armed
detail rushed into the room. Eustace, shaken but reso-
lute, realized the vision had left him. The need to travel
east possessed his mind. Later that night, after meeting
with one of his network contacts, he found that Talley
was moving toward Chicago with the goal to cement the
Lasombra induction to the Camarilla.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
•  No Quarter: Eustace Lancaster’s obsession to destroy
Pushing King Edward IV of England into marrying Talley has taken him to Chicago. He is searching for
Elizabeth Woodville, a woman of no great title, Eustace’s ways to annihilate the Lasombra contingent vying
subtle actions helped motivate a new phase of the Wars for admittance to the Camarilla. He sees this as val-
of the Roses. The young Lasombra used the chaos as a idation of his leadership from years before and will
front to put his own machinations in motion. He began do everything in his power to prove he was right.
meeting with fellow neonates conspiring to wage a war of
their own. This war would free them and raise them into •  No Peace: Lancaster has learned of the Church of
the leadership of Cainite society. Rebellions swept the Caine “reformation”. While he cares little of their
continent, throwing centuries-old alliances into disarray. dogma, he has also heard of their feared ritae. He
This was when Eustace claims to have found a red flower will gladly work in tandem with the Church if one of
growing in the moonlight outside his haven. Upon its their ritae can rid him of this affliction plaguing his
consumption, he felt the blood bond to his sire snap. mind.
Bolstered by a new sense of purpose, Eustace con-
sumed his sire. With the Anarch Revolt raging around •  No Rest: Once finished with Talley, Eustace plans to
him, once again, he waded into the panic-stricken courts unify the remaining Lasombra once and for all. He
rallying those to the war effort. Though wherever he sees his clan as above the political foolishness and
went, one vampire stood in his way. Eustace’s anathema only through independence can they finally be rid
went by the name of Talley, a fellow Lasombra. Talley of the traps of the Jyhad. Knowing of the stories of
showed open disdain for Lancaster, seeing him as a poseur the past, he fears that the Sabbat were correct in the
and questioned his allegiances. The knight spoke of Lan- eradication of the Antediluvians. The debauchery of
caster’s past loyalties, ones he was so quick to destroy as the Sabbat hindered their goals. Only by his steady
he saw fit. Politically crushed and discarded as a betrayer hand could their destruction definitively begin.   
to the revolution, Eustace watched as the movement he
DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
helped create moved on without him, eventually becom-
ing the Sabbat. He vowed to destroy Talley, as Talley had •  The Drake Hotel (Haven 2, Herd 1) Opulently placed
destroyed his place in the Sabbat’s foundation. off the shore of Lake Michigan, Eustace has taken
As the years flew by, Eustace observed the rise and residence within the Drake Hotel. When he has
fall of a plethora of Cainite leaders. Finding American control over himself, he peruses the members of high
society for feeding.

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 Character Folios

THRALLS AND TOOLS: MASK AND MIEN:

•  Lancaster Holdings LLC (Allies 4, Retainers 3) Eus- • Eustace Lancaster’s mortal guise, a British ambassado-
tace has a significant security detail and around the rial assistant named Owen Tudor, has diplomatic im-
clock service from people he keeps on retainer. He munity. This Mask allows him to move freely back and
quickly transitions through these kine to not create forth to the United Kingdom as he pleases, though he
suspicion or resentment. He keeps relationships has not returned since the destruction of the Second
strictly business professional and will keep them on Inquisition’s purge of Kindred in London (Mask 2).
contract for three to six months at a time.
• Believing himself entitled to the finer things in life,
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: Eustace dresses the part. He has butlers, his security
detail, agents of his information network, and his
•  Talley (Enemy) His age-old enemy, Eustace is search-
chauffeurs at his call.
ing the city for the whereabouts of Talley so he can
finally have his revenge. • Eustace has never been traditionally handsome, his
nose a fraction too long, his eyes small studs in his
•  Sierra Van Burrace (Torture and Kill) Eustace knows
face. However, his regal bearing is often enough to
Sierra is leading the transition of the Lasombra into
impress onlookers.
the Camarilla. Craving the respect she has, he has be-
gun planning her demise. To Eustace, she is nothing Sire: Henry of Castile
more than a new Talley waiting to thwart his plans. Embraced: 1461 (Born 1422)
•  Father Arden Canty (Salvation) This Noddist Ambition: Unify the modern Lasombra clan in my
priest offers hope to a vampire as old and twisted as image
Lancaster. If Eustace believes embracing the Cainite Convictions: None
faith will help him maintain control, he will sacrifice
everything for them. Touchstones: None
Humanity: 2
WHISPERS:
Generation: 9th
•  Lost it: Eustace has completely lost his mind. He gives
Blood Potency: 4
out random orders to people he doesn’t even know
anymore due to the condition of his Beckoning. It is Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2; Cha-
only a matter of time until he gives in to the call. risma 4, Manipulation 5, Composure 2; Intelligence
3, Wits 4, Resolve 2
•  Desperate Measures: The only reason why Eustace
Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 4
gives lip service to the Church of Caine is to keep up
with the ritae that puts the Beckoning at bay in his Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Drive 1, Firearms 2, Me-
mind. He has come up with the ritae with the help of lee (Swords) 4, Stealth 1, Survival 2; Etiquette (Court)
Arden Canty and refuses to give his secret to anyone. 5, Insight 4, Intimidation 4, Leadership 3, Persuasion
4, Subterfuge 3; Academics (History) 4, Awareness
•  Cold and Alone: Eustace Lancaster has no friends or 2, Finance 3, Investigation 1, Politics (Royalty) 3
allies that he could consider Touchstones to human-
Disciplines: Dominate 5, Fortitude 2, Oblivion 4,
ity. Because of this, he is barreling toward losing his
Potence 4
battle with his inner beast.

127
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

“We’re just one big happy family.”

— Jason Newberry, explaining why there’s no in-fighting within Chicago’s Malkavians

Jason Newberry, Malkavian Primogen, likes to think

he knows everything the rest of his Chicago clanmates are
up to. After all, who would dare go behind the back of a
figure as terrifying as Son? As it happens, the Malkavians
are slipping through his fingers like sand, each one pur-
suing their own ambitions. Soon, they may even see fit to
replace their homicidal Primogen with a more respectable
representative.

ANDREA HARVEY-STABOLI
Epitaph: Beast Whisperer
Quote: “You mustn’t succumb to the voice within.”
Clan: Malkavian

MORTAL DAYS: WHISPERS OF THE DEAD

It was in the years following the Second World War,
in Padua, when Andrea started work us a mental health
nurse. She believed it was her duty as a Catholic to help
her country’s soldiers heal their mental scars. During
her time at the hospital, she became great friends with a
doctor, Federico di Moze.
Andrea tried to ignore Federico’s flirtatious ad-
vances as she knew he was already in a relationship and to downplay it as mental exhaustion. The doctor told her
in any case, Andrea had feelings for one of the patients. to take some time off and prescribed her medicine so she
Since she knew that her feelings were inappropriate, could recover faster. She agreed and took the red vial as
Andrea kept her secret close to her heart. Her depression described.
worsened after discovering the dead body of her love, an Though she felt healthier than before, the voices in
obvious case of suicide. It was after his death Andrea first her mind grew louder. She was now convinced she could
began hearing voices. hear the inner thoughts of people she treated.
Convinced it was him whispering to her during When Andrea entered Federico’s office, she felt as if
the dead of night, she struggled with sleeping. Not sure she was gazing upon one of God’s angels. Compelled to do
whether he was haunting her or if he was an angel, anything God’s trusted messenger said, Andrea became
Andrea decided to tell Dr. di Moze about these whis- his faithful ghoul. He took her with him whenever he was
pers. Worried she was now going to be a patient at the to meet a person he couldn’t read, relying on Andrea’s
ward, she reluctantly obliged the doctor’s request and abilities to hear the mind of others. Federico believed she
entered his office. He conducted an interview and tried could hone her skills further by Embracing her.

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KINDRED NIGHTS: PUNISHED BY GOD at different hours — no routine allowed — as they

While some of the whispers were hauntingly accu- never know who might be watching.
rate, others were off the mark. Federico called the other
voices “static,” and tried to train Andrea to filter the THRALLS AND TOOLS:
falsehoods out. When the local Camarilla caught wind • Lee Boot (Contacts 3) A paranoid conspiracy
of the unsanctioned Embrace, they decided this was theorist who possesses as many far-fetched ideas as
Federico’s last breach. A bounty was set on the Malkavian he does hallucinogens. He’s convinced Andrea is a
doctor and his fledgling. Andrea and Federico fled Italy, time-traveler seeking information and resources so
splitting up to increase their chances of survival. She she can change the past and future. Lee helps Andrea
never saw him again, and the voice of her Mawla quieted with any matters requiring technological knowledge,
in her head. such as searching for information on the internet
Andrea fled to South America, where she met Amer- while using a VPN. He makes snide comments about
ican backpacker, Kevin Harvey. They fell in love, and re- how religion is all just a tool for mind control. She
mained in each other’s minds long after Kevin returned to tolerates his blasphemous comments as she finds his
the States. Believing it was true love, he returned to South skills useful and his delusions mildly entertaining.
America to search for Andrea. In the spur of a moment
forgetting what she was, she accepted the proposal and • Benjamin Cooper (Retainer 2) Benjamin is like a
told him she would meet him in Washington. She married son to Andrea and the relationship goes both ways.
Kevin and subsequently Embraced him. They met when Andrea was working at a shelter for
Andrea would not know marital bliss for long. An vulnerable teenagers. Having lost his parents after
Archon found the two, and while Kevin met his final being kicked out from their home for coming out,
death, Andrea managed to defeat their assailants. Feeling Andrea quickly filled that role. Benjamin frequently
responsible for her husband’s death, she fled from Wash- argues with Lee as he hates his “mightier-than-thou”
ington and settled in Chicago. She remains convinced attitude. He desperately wants Andrea to Embrace
until this day that it was God who sent the Archon and him, but he keeps getting told that he’s too young.
took her love away. Hoping to atone for her sinful exist- Because of the constant rejections, the toxic seeds
ence, Andrea aims to spend the rest of her immortal life of jealousy have started to take root in his heart and
helping mortals in need. Benjamin tries even harder to gain Andrea’s favor.

PLOTS AND SCHEMES: KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:

• Shake the Camarilla off her trail: The Camarilla • Lianne Miller (Friend and Cautionary Tale) Andrea
in Padua disapproved of her Embrace and chased views Lianne as a friend, even if she can sense Lianne
her from Europe. She’s terrified of the organization has ulterior motives behind their friendship. She also
and doubts any honeyed words they may say to her. views Lianne as a cautionary tale of what happens
Realizing it might be time to change her identity and when one Embraces a mortal while they are still
flee the city, Andrea is trying to find Lianne Miller, children. Andrea believes no matter how long their
as her sire whispered in her mind that she can help unlife is, the mentality of the Kindred will always
her escape. remain the same as when they were Embraced —
meaning children will forever remain childlike. If
• Locate her sire: Andrea’s fascination with the there are exceptions, then Lianne is not one of them.
Beckoning comes from the whispers of her sire. She
thought her sire met his end when she could no • Jason “Son” Newberry (Absolute Monster) His infamy
longer hear his voice after her departure to South has not escaped Andrea, and her divination has unfor-
America. His voice started to whisper to her again, tunately provided her with the vivid images of many of
and what she can hear is his struggling resistance his victims’ last seconds. She fears him so much that she
against this supernatural affliction. refuses to interact with any Kindred of her own clan.

DOMAIN AND HAVEN: WHISPERS:

• Lee’s House (Haven 2) The house of a conspiracy • Blood Junkie: Those who know her past suspect that
theorist in Wicker Park shelters Andrea and her it’s due to her being a ghoul prior to the Embrace
retainer, Dawn. There are multiple locks to the front that makes Andrea particularly vulnerable to the
door, and to enter the house, one must perform a blood bond. Those looking to capture her believe a
secret series of knocks on the windows. The people blood bond would be the best option of taming her.
staying at the home make sure they come and leave

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• Masquerade Breach: Few things in both Andrea’s practice means Andrea can speak English without an
life and unlife are more important to her than being Italian dialect. The voices in her head are predomi-
a faithful servant to God. Her commitment to the nantly speaking to her in Italian, and she writes in
Christian faith is among the first things one learns her mother tongue. It offers a level of privacy from
about the Malkavian. Whispers indicate how Andrea the wandering eyes. She also includes some cryptic
refuses to feed off non-consenting mortals. messages to ward off the prying ones, like Lee or the
Camarilla.
• Camarilla Deserter: A point of both ire and admira-
tion is the number of years she’s successfully evaded Sire: Federico di Moze
capture by the Camarilla’s Archons, though whether Embraced: 1949 (Born 1917)
they’re even looking for her is a subject of some Ambition: Learn of her sire’s whereabouts
debate. The reasons for her wanted arrest compounds
and warps as time goes on, but the most prominent Convictions: Never kill or injure a mortal unless in
whisper is that she stole secrets and valuables from self-defense; Never lie to those who love you
the Paduan Camarilla. Touchstones: Benjamin Cooper — adopted son; Lee
Boot — housemate
MASK AND MIEN:
Humanity: 7
• Still a devout Christian, Andrea’s goes an extra mile
to practice good Christian values. She volunteers at Generation: 11th
different shelters or soup kitchens under the guise of Blood Potency: 2
Donatella Lorenzo (Mask 2) so she can aid those in Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2; Cha-
need. Though her thirst is spurred by those who seek risma 2, Manipulation 2, Composure 4; Intelligence
medical aid, Andrea refuses to feed off the vulnerable 3, Wits 3, Resolve 4
who come to her for help.
Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 8
• Andrea has dark wavy hair, often putting it up in Skills: Athletics 1, Melee 1, Stealth 2; Insight (The
styles common in Italy during the 1940s. Andrea still Beast, Mental Illness) 4, Subterfuge 1; Awareness
wears the wedding band from her marriage with 5, Investigation 2, Medicine (Nursing) 3, Occult
Kevin. It’s one of her prized possessions and she’ll (Divination) 4
never consider parting with it.
Disciplines: Auspex 4, Dominate 2
• She finds it difficult to understand today’s fashion
and is therefore drawn to older people. Years of

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“It is an easy thing to hide one’s true nature behind a monstrous face.”

— Edith Beaubien, repeating a phrase Nathaniel Bordruff once said to her

Often underestimated, Chicago’s Nosferatu work plots spent the war hiding from the enemy, looking over his
within plots, currying favor with one Kindred and planning shoulder, and occasionally starving — yet he survived.
the downfall of another. As information dealers and counsel- The joy of the Allied victory did not last. Poland
lors to the rest of Chicago’s vampire population, the Sewer traded the occupation of fascism for the occupation of
Rats have access to a deep quantity of the city’s secrets. communism. Martin did not have the strength for anoth-
er fight, so he traveled to the United States of America, to
MARTIN Chicago, and joined the largest Polish community outside
of Poland.
Epitaph: The Unassuming Lord of Avondale
KINDRED NIGHTS:
Quote: “Be at ease, you are welcome here. Perhaps THE EMPATHETIC CONFIDANT
your troubles might lessen if you shared them with me. The Embrace was a blur. Martin cannot say how long
Please, it is truly no bother.” he was down there. He never saw his sire, not really. His
Clan: Nosferatu creator existed only as a voice and figure of indistinct
outline in the dark. The voice tutored Martin in the par-
MORTAL DAYS: BETWEEN THE GREAT WARS ticulars of undeath. The voice summoned food for Martin
In the small, Polish-Jewish town of Będzin, Poland, until he too could perform the trick. The voice too came
Martin was born a few days before the end of the First to this country from faraway lands. The voice could be
World War, a mere few days before his country regained frightful, but admired Martin’s desire to help others.
independence after over a century of captivity. These Eventually, the voice vanished, melting into mystery, and
were hard times, full of violence, corruption, and mutu- Martin emerged.
al animosity between different peoples. Martin grew up Martin continues much as he had in life. He knows
between two cultures. Early on, he learned to read people, how to read people, be they kine or Kindred, to take on
to take on their viewpoint and, in turn, shift theirs. In their point of view and perhaps sway it. He offers his help
1936, Martin began his studies in Jagiellonian University in when he can. Martin has a knack for easing the troubled
Cracow. There he pursued his fascination with history and hearts of the living and soothing the Beast in the still
medicine. A new fascination surprised Martin, sculpting. chests of the hungry dead. His empathy is not completely
More surprising still, he discovered he had some talent for altruistic. Every soul he helps unburden is another piece
it. Blissfully, he remained unaware of the tragedies to come. of information, another grateful individual. Over decades,
Martin would have surely completed his studies had he the links of this web gradually form. Martin knows how
not been born in the breath between two great wars. In 1939, to do things indirectly, from the underground.
the Nazi Germans invaded Poland. The fascist occupants This is how Martin has built his modest kingdom
quickly dealt with Polish intelligentsia by taking most of the — gradually, brick by brick. Rejected Kindred can find
professors from the University to the Sachsenhausen concen- sanctuary here. If you have a problem, they say to go to
tration camp. Martin joined the Union of Armed Struggle, Avondale. Find Martin, they say. He can help you.
an underground army formed by the Polish resistance.
It became quickly apparent Martin was not a good PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
soldier, so he found a more indirect way to fight. He taught • Everybody Loves Martin: Martin’s power base grows,
secret lessons in the Polish language and in history. Martin never with a sudden, ruthless maneuver or daring

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

• Peter Podolski (Contacts 2) A businessman with

strong ties to the community, Peter fills Martin in on
the doings and local politics of the neighborhood.

• Barta Olchuck (Allies 2) Barta is the owner of a local

restaurant that serves traditional Polish food. Martin
maintains his own backroom in the establishment, to
conduct meetings. The restaurant is one of the hubs
of Polish society of Chicago.

• Karol Kontek (Retainer 2) An operative of Context

Detective Agency, Karol is an odd individual who
fancies himself a connoisseur of jazz and vintage
movies. The man is always dressed in a stained
raincoat and fedora. He peers into the odd cases and
underthings of Chicago, and Martin finds him always
entertaining and occasionally useful.

KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
• Cedrick Calhoun (Friendly Competition) It is said
that on the first Sunday of every month, Cedrick
enters the backroom of a Polish restaurant to play
Martin in a game of chess.

gambit, but slow and methodical. His domain in • Joshua Tarnopolski (Common Ancestry) Though
Avondale began humble, but his roots in the com- Martin has no known ties to the Anarchs (other than
munity are strong and deep, and his sway expands his open door policy in helping others) he does occa-
with an almost geological inevitability. No Kindred sionally meet with the so-called Baron of Joliet and
actively despises Martin. No vampire sees him as a Naperville to discuss matters concerning the Polish
threat. Perhaps this is by design. community.

DOMAIN AND HAVEN: • Critias (Therapy Sessions) Rumor has it the Brujah
elder suffers from recent rage problems. Critias visit-
• Avondale (Allies 3, Contacts 3, Influence 4, Re- ed Martin on a couple of occasions to have his Beast
sources 3, Retainers 2) Chicago’s “Polish Village” soothed before the worst could happen.
and the seat of Martin’s domain. He spent decades
meticulously building his ties to the community. The • Arjun Shah (Secret Meetings) Martin has an existing
network of those he has helped hatches and cross- relationship with the Banu Haqim of Milwaukee,
hatches over and over again. Martin is something of based on Arjun’s interest in history and sculpture
an urban legend in the Polish community, mysterious and Martin’s interest in the Cult of Mithras. They’ve
yet kindly. had several meetings that might blossom into some-
thing conspiratorial.
• The Basilica of St. Hyacinth (Haven 3) Martin makes his
haven beneath this historic church. Martin continued WHISPERS:
with his love of sculpting even into undeath. His under-
ground living space is filled with the stony faces, busts, • Too Friendly: You can’t trust this Sewer Rat. He’s
and figures of his creation. They stare silently in the dark. too nice, too willing to help others. It’s just not right.

THRALLS AND TOOLS: • Nosferatu In the Know: Martin knows why Khalid is
acting so odd lately. Someone ought to ask him.
• Father Przemyslaw Mattock (Retainer 2) Faith is im-
portant to Martin. Father Przemyslaw is a priest in • Sanctuary or Larder: The reason Martin abides so
the Basilica of St. Hyacinth. The man has performed many disenfranchised Kindred in his domain is no
the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation thou- one misses them after he devours their souls.
sands of times. Martin knows every secret shared in
the confessional booth.

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MASK AND MIEN:

• Martin is a lean man, apparently 31 years of age, with
black hair and gray eyes. His clan’s curse stretched
and distorted his face and hands. He looks like the
product of a mad impressionist painter, the painting
having been left out in the rain to warp with water
damage.

• Martin always goes smartly dressed in a variety of

three-piece suits. His hands are hidden in leather
gloves. High collars and wide hat brims obscure his
face.

• Martin has a number of mortal aliases under which

he operates. Within the Polish community, everyone
seems to know these men are somehow connected to
the mysterious, frightening, but generous phantom
of Avondale (Mask 2).
Sire: Unknown
Embraced: 1949 (Born 1918)
Ambition: To be a fair judge in Kindred society
Convictions: Courage is the highest virtue
Touchstones: Paul and Paul Jr. — friends from Mar- MORTAL DAYS: RUNNING FROM PROBLEMS
tin’s mortal life, father and son (kept alive with vitae) When Steph Cooper was 12 years old, she woke
one night to her parents fighting with her older brother
Humanity: 6
Benjamin. They were screaming about how they “did not
Generation: 9th raise a queer son” and “his choices would lead him to an
Blood Potency: 2 eternity in hellfire”. Steph tried to stop the fight, but her
brother ran out, grabbing nothing but a school bag. Steph
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 3; Cha-
chased after him, but her father grabbed her before she
risma 3, Manipulation 3, Composure 2; Intelligence
could leave the house. She never forgave him for stopping
4, Wits 3, Resolve 3
her.
Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 5 The tension of the situation drove Steph to dive
Skills: Athletics 1, Brawl 1, Craft (Sculpting) 2, Drive into her school work. She joined clubs about science
1, Melee 2, Stealth 2, Survival 2; Animal Ken 3, and chess, desperate to just be invisible to the world and
Insight (Empathy) 2, Intimidation 2, Persuasion 3, her parents. She wanted to find her brother, but being a
Streetwise 1, Subterfuge 1; Academics (History) 3, young teenager made this goal impossible. Terrified she
Awareness 2, Medicine 3, Occult 2, Politics (Diplo- would be driven out of her home, Steph began smoking
macy) 1 weed with some of the older girls at school. The haze of
numbness provided Steph with an oasis from the fear and
Disciplines: Animalism 5, Obfuscate 3
suffering growing in her heart. 
Even with everything going on in her life, Steph
SALT eventually enrolled in the prestigious Jones College Prep
high school. She was a good student but kept to herself
Epitaph: Church of Set Fixer until she realized her razor-sharp wit could make people
Quote: “I didn’t know wearing a suit like that gave laugh and boys look her way. Steph used her new-found
you the right to front on my friend here. Let me tell you powers to try to make friends, especially in her school’s
all about this jag-off.” STEM and hacking program. Still attempting to stay
away from home as much as she could, she would work
Clan: Nosferatu, Church of Set Convert late hours into the night with her new friends. She most
excelled at network programming and disseminating mu-

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

sic and movies illegally to her pals. Her program was even PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
given a grant from a Mr. Calhoun, a big shot philanthro- •  Bogey Man: Salt remembers clearly the face of her
pist and non-profit organization builder. Mr. Calhoun brother leaving home forever. She never wants any-
was a snappy dresser when he showed up to late night one to ever go through the pain of not being able to
school events. Steph was sick and tired of being afraid of be themselves ever again. She actively searches out
going home. She often expressed this to her friends over homophobes in her spare time and feeds off them
social media and even a few times to Mr. Calhoun, who after putting them through some sort of psychologi-
acted as a mentor to the young woman when he visited cal ordeal. She intends to do the same to her parents
the school lab. when she feels ready.
After dodging another parental conflict, Steph
grabbed the nearest bus to the Golden Nugget, a late- •  Party Girl: Free to be herself, Salt routinely hits up
night diner she knew about up on the North Side. While the Rack for blood infused with late-night revelry.
going through her homework routine over a cup of coffee She wants the area to become her domain eventually
and texting her friends, Steph glimpsed Mr. Calhoun and uses the space to gather mortal members for the
walk down the street towards the Redline. Desperate for Church of Set.
some guidance, she ran into the night and right into an
unfamiliar world. •  Fuck the Ministry: Knowing only what the Church
of Set has told her, she fully intends on destroying
KINDRED NIGHTS: WILD, WILD UNLIFE Marcel and any of his followers with blackmail or
After the Embrace, Steph’s body slowly fell into worse. They have turned their backs on the freedom
itself, looking as if mummified or preserved by salt, a the clan used to represent. They must pay for their
manifestation of the emotions she bottled up. Calhoun transgressions as anyone who exerts bondage via
explained a young woman so bright needed a way out and faith.
he needed someone of her capabilities as an agent. He
offered her employment despite her young age, explain- DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
ing her technological knowhow would make her valuable •  Maryland Pig Iron of Illinois (Haven 2, Herd 1) Us-
to any number of Kindred and their sects. Specifically, ing the combined resources of both Cedrick and
he wanted someone — ideally an outsider like her — to Twosret, Salt has procured a forgotten basement in a
infiltrate a fringe group and report back to him on their smelting factory on the East Side. The 24-hour sched-
activities. Seeing a way out of her life, Salt accepted. ule of the plant provides workers for feeding, and
After providing months of training and a political she maintains a small bank of servers and computer’s
rundown of the city, Calhoun explained his childe would in her underground haven, dedicated to mining the
be working as an agent within the Church of Set. She remains of SchreckNET.
would not succumb to their temptations, and would
accumulate intelligence on the clan’s activities for the THRALLS AND TOOLS:
Nosferatu and Camarilla. He dropped Salt off outside a
•  Jones Academy STEM Club (Allies 2) Still in contact
set of storefront churches on the city’s South Side, and
with her mortal friends, Salt has made up a lie about
she entered to meet a dark and intense woman known as
how she tested out of high school and is now en-
Reverend Twosret, or Sarah, to her mortal associates.
rolled at Columbia College Chicago within their vid-
Salt explained to Twosret her story of mortal eo game department on a full ride. She only speaks
abandonment without mentioning Cedrick Calhoun’s tu- with her pals online, since the grotesque change in
telage. Twosret asked candidly whether she was prepared her appearance.
for a hard but spiritually fulfilling existence, and acting
reluctant, Salt explained her nervousness. Sympathetical- • Marissa Cooper (Retainer 1) During one of her par-
ly, Twosret took her under her wing and offered guidance ents’ many arguments, Salt quickly poured some of
in the faith of Set. Discovering Salt was also adept at her vitae into her mother’s liquor. She doesn’t really
defending the Church of Set on the digital front was an understand how ghouls work, but she’s trying to help
added bonus. her mother get some help for her drinking.
Salt now ostensibly serves the Church of Set while
feeding information on the Setites and what they know KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
of the Ministry’s activities to the Nosferatu Primogen. As •  Cedrick Calhoun (Doting Sire) Cedrick truly cares
she spends time in Twosret’s company, however, Salt feels about Salt but still needs her to get the job done.
worryingly comfortable with the Serpents’ dogma. Gathering the intel of the Church of Set’s activities

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 Character Folios

is her primary purpose. Therefore, Salt is tasked with casual scrutiny. Salt plays up the college student vibe
this mission as a caveat for her accounting. around the city and can easily pass through many
of the academic hot spots with fake university IDs
•  Reverend Twosret (Apprehensive Mawla)  Salt is around downtown (Mask 2).
beginning to get results for the church as she uses
information acquired online to further Twosret’s • Donning dark hoodies and cardigans, headphones,
schemes. She recently received some information on and a backpack, Salt could be any college student
some of the holdings of the Lasombra contingent, a on any campus in Chicago. Her favorite sweater is a
useful bargaining chip for the cult. If she continues long black one with two large white X’s screen-print-
to deliver, Twosret is considering initiating Salt into ed up the side. 
the mysteries of the Followers of Set. Sire: Cedrick Calhoun
WHISPERS: Embraced: 2017 (Born 1991)
•  Wheels within Wheels: Salt is Masquerading as both Ambition: Impress my sire and Mawla
Calhoun and Khalid, using the power of both masks Convictions: Freedom for all people, regardless of
to bring down Marcel for the Church of Set. beliefs
•  Addict: Salt is quickly becoming addicted to the Touchstones: Benjamin Cooper — lost brother
lifestyle the Church of Set has provided her. She is Humanity: 7
starting to slip up and it’s only a matter of time until
she gets her ass staked and destroyed. Generation: 9th
Blood Potency: 1
•  Brothers: Salt knows exactly what she is doing. She
plays around the Kindred and even puts on a show Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha-
for Twosret and Cedrick, just like she did with Ben risma 3, Manipulation 3, Composure 2; Intelligence
when they were young and desperate to get out of 4, Wits 2, Resolve 3
their house. A master manipulator, she knows her Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 5
new “parents” are just using her as a pawn. So, she’s Skills: Athletics 2, Drive 1, Larceny 1, Stealth 2;
using the technology they gave her to find out about Etiquette 4, Insight 2, Persuasion 1, Streetwise (The
their dirty secrets, as well as trying to track down her Rack) 3, Subterfuge 2; Academics 2, Awareness 2,
missing brother. Investigation 3, Politics 1, Science (Engineering) 3,
MASK AND MIEN: Technology (Hacking) 4
Disciplines: Animalism 1, Obfuscate 4
• Salt usually goes by Benjamin or Stephanie Coop-
er. She knows her name is common and can pass

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“I wore the face of the last ghoul to call us a clan of degenerates.”

— Mateo García, artiste of Clan Toreador

Too often assumed to be a clan of decadent poseurs,

Chicago’s Toreador encompass some of the canniest
thinkers and most cutting wits in the city. To cross them
isn’t just to earn a bad reputation in Elysium, but to earn
permanent disgrace throughout Kindred society.

JAMES ROYSTON
“DR. BENWAY”
Epitaph: A dealer in antiquities
Quote: “There are mysteries in the desert. We have
only caught a glimpse of them. But if you study hard
enough… Would you like me to find you that book?”
Clan: Toreador

MORTAL DAYS:
A DISAPPOINTMENT TO HIS FAMILY
The Roystons made their fortune from spices in the
East and rum in the West. As good navy men they indulged
in a fair dose of privateering on the side. James’s father made
a good marriage, adding respectability to the Royston’s
wealth. James was the fifth son, and his mother, who longed
for a daughter, never got over her disappointment. Her next
pregnancy resulted in twin girls who quickly absorbed the his father planned for him. James wrote regularly to his
maternal affection James never experienced. great aunt and became Cynthia’s window to the carefree
James followed his older brothers to the famous school life she had always desired but never dared to live. When
in Rugby town where he hated every minute. When he news of her death reached him, James decided never to
complained about the bullies to his brothers, they told him return to England. The trust fund she set up for him was
to learn to stand up for himself. His family did not expect more than adequate to his needs.
him to amount to anything and disapproved strongly of his Adopting the pseudonym Dr. Benway to avoid
passion for acting. In the Upper Sixth, his Mercutio and alerting his family to his whereabouts, James left Europe
Rudolph received favorable reviews in the Evening Standard and travelled to North Africa. There, among the bazars
and James went as far as to audition for repertory theater, and chaotic mix of old and new civilizations, he met and
but his father forced him to withdraw, finding him a low fell in love with the beautiful Sophia Agriolas. She had
level, but respectable, job in the Royston business. been in Africa for years, tracking down ancient sites of
Great Aunt Cynthia proposed and funded a tour the earliest desert settlements and shared James’ passion
of Europe to get James away from the life of mediocrity for antiquity and adventure. Together they sought ancient

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manuscripts in the seedy underbelly of Tripoli and • Promote the Theater: James is a keen patron of all
travelled the desert at night with a company of Tuareg forms of theatre. He would like to see every theatre in
nomads, avoiding encounters with the authorities, seek- Chicago from the Auditorium down to the meanest of
ing out forgotten ruins. backstreet alternative venues declared as Elysium.
KINDRED NIGHTS: A DEALER IN ANTIQUITIES, • The Beckoning: James occasionally wakes with an
BOOKS AND OTHER CURIOSITIES inexplicable desire to return to Tunisia, or some-
In the desert, beneath the stars, Sophia revealed her where in the area. He doesn’t understand it. Clarke
true nature to James. Shocked at first, he thought for a invariably talks him out of it.
while, linking this to what he had learned from the texts
she had given him to study. He begged to join her, and she DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
Embraced him, locking him into his early middle years • Benway Books and Antiquities (Contacts 1, Haven 3,
forever… The subsequent inevitable slaughter of their Herd 1, Resources 2) James purchased this property on
bodyguards? It is easy to hide bodies in the desert. the Loop during the depression. Since moving to Chi-
Over the next decade Sophia taught James what he cago, he developed it into a well-respected antiquities
needed to know about Kindred society: how to exist as store, specializing in books. At night he occasionally
a nomad, how to avoid arousing the ire of the elders and entertains other Kindred — particularly the Toreador
the laws of the Masquerade. She taught him not to feed and Tremere who rely on James to supply the artworks
from the Tuareg, from whom they both learned the lore and tomes they crave. James spends his days in the
of the desert. Sophia would only feed consensually, and, secure basement vaults. James feeds from some of his
in the desert, they relied upon the draft beasts to slake business contacts, although he does provide substan-
their thirst. tial discounts in return to the confused associates.
Their idyll ended with the Turco-Italian war. James Clarke manages the daylight business.
was away on an errand when Tripoli suffered Italian
bombardment. On seeing the city on fire, he fled, never • The Auditorium Theatre (Influence 3) James does
discovering his sire’s fate. His shame at his own cowardice not control this theatre; it is one of the city’s Elysia
left him unable to return to Tripoli. and he has taken it upon himself to guard it. He will,
He soon met up with Jonathan Clarke, a ghoul occasionally, give performances, acting out mon-
without a master, who offered his service. Clarke was not ologues from plays and reciting poetry. He always
a complete stranger as he had helped Sophia with various invites the Kindred of Chicago, but they only come
enterprises in the past. They pooled resources and set when Annabelle promotes him.
up an import/export business specializing in antiquities.
THRALLS AND TOOLS:
They remained in Africa and southern Spain through
both wars until the ‘70s when they made the journey • Jonathan Clarke (Retainer 4) Clarke will never say
to Chicago. There Benway concentrated on his research who he was working for before he took up with James
whilst Clarke legitimized and expanded their business. Benway. A British adventurer, he had been running
Having introduced himself to Lodin, Benway ingrati- contraband around Africa for years, maybe centuries.
ated himself with Annabelle, who encouraged him to take He obtained items for Sophia and Benway on several
up acting once more. He was fascinated with the new occasions. He originally took up with Benway as a
Elysia and, while not so much of a mover and shaker, did meal ticket, but the two have formed a relationship of
what he could to assist in their establishment. mutual respect and financial interdependence.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: • Sammy Poole (Contacts 1) Sammy is the doorman
• Support for Annabelle: Benway has supported at the Auditorium Theatre and is happy to chat with
Annabelle since his arrival in Chicago. He is aware, James and relate all the gossip he learns from his po-
on some level, that he is her pawn, but he always has sition. Sammy turns a blind eye when James and his
been the pawn of some woman or other. friends use the stage late at night when the mortal
actors and audience have left.
• The Trade in Antiquities: Benway continues to trade
in antiquities and rare books, using Clarke as his KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
daytime associate. He spends a lot of time and effort • Annabelle (Admiration) James is happy to promote
acquiring rare artifacts and tomes. This brings him Annabelle’s agenda. She does not tell him everything
into contact with many of the Kindred who have an and he accepts this. He hopes, in return, she will help
interest in such things. to promote his stalled acting career.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

• Lianne Miller (Paternal Interest) Benway would like to Touchstones: Jonathan Clarke — ghoul and busi-
become a mentor for the young Brujah who seems rath- ness partner
er lost. Both, after all, are interested in matters mystical. Humanity: 8
• Bobby Weatherbottom (Suspicion) Bobby frequently Generation: 10th
comes to James for rare tomes and other artifacts. Blood Potency: 3
Bobby is a good customer and owes James several
favors. James is concerned Bobby is exploring for- Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha-
bidden knowledge and wonders whether he should risma 4, Manipulation 2, Composure 4 Intelligence
speak to someone about this. 4, Wits 4, Resolve 2
Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 6
WHISPERS:
Skills: Athletics 1, Craft (Restoration) 3, Firearms
• Cursed: James brought a cursed item to Chicago 1, Survival (Desert) 4; Etiquette 4, Insight 5, Per-
from Africa and intends to foist it off on any who formance (Acting) 2, Persuasion 2, Subterfuge 1;
oppose his schemes. Academics (Archaeology) 4, Awareness 3, Finance
3, Investigation (Antiquities) 4, Occult 2
• In league with the Sabbat: James doesn’t care who he
deals with and is providing rare tomes to the Sabbat Disciplines: Auspex 3, Celerity 3, Dominate 1,
in exchange for a promise he will be passed over Presence 2
when they invade the city.
MATEO GARCÍA
• The Arachnid: Benway is not fully in control of
Jonathan Clarke. Indeed, on occasional nights Epitaph: The vengeful artiste
Clarke commits murders and sex crimes and has
been dubbed “the Arachnid” by some members of Quote: “We all love pretty things, but Kyra says
the press for the spiders found nesting in one of his it’s boring to only see perfection. That’s why she’s
victims long after death. By all accounts, Clarke is trying to break me — to make me more beautiful and
an ancient being with origins shrouded in mystery. human. I’m tired and wish to be whole.”
Clan: Toreador
MASK AND MIEN:
• Benway is tall and stringy-thin. He looks unfit and MORTAL DAYS: SOCIOPATH IN THE MAKING
weak. He dresses conservatively, always hoping to be Mateo’s upbringing was far from abusive, but to hear
inconspicuous, but can never resist a touch of bright Mateo tell it, growing up in Chicago with his aunt was
color. This may be a silk handkerchief in a jacket worse than hell. When his father passed, he took out his
pocket or a colorful scarf setting off a dark t-shirt in grief and resentment on his mother, verbally abusing and
a rock club. blaming her for the cancer that took her husband. Mateo
used his grades as leverage to get what he wanted from
• When using Blush of Life, Benway’s hair appears his mother and aunt, purposefully getting bad results and
fuller, his chest rises frequently as if he’s breathing then blaming his mom, never able to accept responsibility
rapidly, and his eyes sparkle with excitement. for his own failings.
Even when he tried, Mateo’s academic talents weren’t
• James Royston is long dead. Dr. James Benway (Mask
enough to obtain the scholarship at the college he wanted
2) is alive and well and runs a successful business.
to attend. He went to his mother screaming it was all her
Clarke, who has excellent underworld connections,
fault for taking away his opportunities. When she made
provides James with valid ID. Including a certificate
it clear she couldn’t afford to pay for his tuition and rent,
showing a doctorate awarded for studies in Archae-
Mateo’s abuse became physical for the first time. His aunt
ology at Carthage University in Tunis.
was finally fed up with watching her sister being harmed
Sire: Sophia Agriolas by her son, and called the police. Mateo was subsequently
Embraced: 1901 (Born 1874) forced out of his aunt’s house.
Mateo fell into a life of parties and excess. At one
Ambition: To understand what Sophia was looking
event, a ravishing brunette was the center of everyone’s
for in the desert
attention. Spurred on by his friends, he approached her,
Convictions: Always strive to unlock the mysteries of fully confident she would fall for his charm. It was the
vampirism start of Mateo and Kyra’s whirlwind romance. He adored

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 Character Folios

showed a different side of herself as Mateo expressed

his disgust at the rules. She quickly resorted to violence
and humiliation to control his bad behavior. This in turn
strengthened Mateo’s inherent need for control and drove
him to episodes where he performs vile acts on mortals.
He feels little sympathy during these moments of excess
as he derives pleasure from causing others misery.
His good looks make it easy for him to find willing
victims to drink from, however this causes Kyra to fly
into a murderous rage. She knows Mateo can’t fight back
against her elder abilities. She enjoys making games out
of her abuse, stalking him as he goes to find victim. She
then jumps him and tells him how he risked breaching
the Masquerade before enacting her physical punishment.
The beatings would sometimes be so bad, he would use
most of his vitae in recovery and need to hunt again the
same night.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
• Officially leave the Camarilla: Mateo wants to leave
the Camarilla with a bang — no sneaking out quietly
during the night, everyone has to know. He despises
the Camarilla both for allowing his sire to abuse him
for years, but also for being too strict and dictating
Kyra and her effect on others made him feel as if he were
how Kindred should act. Mateo mentally lists build-
dating a celebrity. Their sense of entitlement was similar
ings tied to the Camarilla he could destroy to strike
and they often embarked on expensive trips. He would
a blow at the Kindred organization. His ambition
often tease Kyra for having low alcohol tolerance, as she
to kill his sire is more important, however, and he
would always sleep in after late nights. With her, he was a
will not execute his exit plan until he has a strategy
rock star.
involving her murder as well.
After their initial honeymoon phase, the intense
romance turned to a dramatic on-and-off-again rela- • Worshipped by mortals: Mateo has always thrived on
tionship. They would always try to out-do each other by attention and adoration from others. As he is now a
making the other jealous. Kyra would tell him all about Toreador, he believes it’s his right to be worshipped
the celebrities and crazy parties she went to, while Mateo like a vampire from fiction. He wants a herd of
had his arms around a different girl every night. beautiful women. In his head, he justifies it by com-
KINDRED NIGHTS: TICKING TIMEBOMB paring to how some hardcore fans show their level of
dedication to people Mateo finds mundane. After all,
One night, Kyra called him, asking for a meeting. He
countless people themselves throw themselves will-
felt inexplicably compelled to do so and was greeted by a
ingly against celebrities, so why shouldn’t vampires
gruesome scene. One of Kyra’s boyfriends was tied up in
be allowed to have adoring fans?
the chair and surrounded by numerous henchpeople. She
handed him a loaded gun. Before he had any chance to • Kill his sire: Mateo suffers regular beatings from his
speak up, Kyra told him that if he was willing to do any- sire. The reasoning varies, from punishment for po-
thing for her, including murder, then she would share her tentially breaking the Masquerade, to feeding from
power with him and give him anything he could possibly mortal women. She also like to “remind” him she’s
dream of. All he had to do was to prove his loyalty and stronger and more powerful than him. Those times
dedication. He grabbed the gun, took five steps forward, he reaffirms his want to leave the Camarilla and end
and planted the muzzle against the man’s forehead. his sire.
“This way I won’t miss,” he said, and fired three shots
in succession. DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
Mateo’s introduction to the unlife was filled with • A basement on the South Side (Haven 1) Though
decadence, as promised. He didn’t like the rules of the he has a haven granted to him by Kyra, he hates
Masquerade and Camarilla. His previously doting sire staying there. Though he cannot change his physique

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

by exercising anymore, he has some training equip- MASK AND MIEN:

ment littering in his haven. He keeps them out of • Mateo doesn’t have a Mask as his Embrace was re-
sentimental ties and sometimes tries to train to calm cent. Though initially quite boisterous and self-confi-
down. dent, Mateo has now retreated, usually only speaking
THRALLS AND TOOLS: when addressed or when he’s trying to seduce his
victims. His once athletic body had started failing in
• His gang (Allies 2) Dean Greenstock, and Greivin the months leading up to his Embrace, resulting in
Ferreira are Mateo’s oldest friends who’re starting to his growing quite thick around the middle.
leave the partying life behind. Though their behavior
is stereotypical frat house masculinity, they do care • Many can’t tell he’s biracial until they hear his name.
about each other’s wellbeing. Mateo has requested his Mateo looks predominantly ethnically Caucasian,
friends keep some of the equipment he’s gathered for his dark eyes and slight tan indicating his Latino
creating makeshift bombs. The both of them disap- heritage. On a good night he wears knock-offs of the
prove of his relationship with Kyra. expensive brands, always perfectly ironed and clean.
Mateo believes with his charisma, he would make a
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: great supermodel.
• Kyra Ripa (Abusive Sire) Those who have seen them • One can tell when Kyra has seen him, as the signs
together say there are few Kindred couples more of violence are apparent in his disheveled look. She
toxic than them. Though no one is sure if they view often tells him he is far too pretty for his own good
themselves as a romantic couple, Kyra sometimes so her rough handling of him is justified. She’s often
calls herself his girlfriend. Their mistreatment of telling him, “no one is interested in the strong,
each other started during Mateo’s mortal days, but handsome guy if he’s all beat up, especially if it was
escalated after his Embrace. Matteo harbors no warm his girlfriend who did it.” He’s been scolded multiple
feelings for her and refuses to talk about her. times whenever he refuses to allow others to take
• Jason Newberry (Admiration) Mateo’s heard the photos of him.
rumors of Son’s nightly activities and has a twisted Sire: Kyra Ripa
form of admiration for the Malkavian. Mateo always Embraced: 2012 (Born 1986)
took a sick enjoyment out of harming others during
his mortal days, and this lust has grown since his Ambition: Kill his sire
undeath commenced. Convictions: Those who’ve laid their hands on me
deserves to die
• Devin Boyce (Potential Ally?) Mateo wants Boyce to
join him in formally declaring for the Anarchs, but Touchstones: Greivin Ferreira — buddy from back
isn’t sure how he can convince him. He doesn’t know in school
the political circumstances preventing Boyce from Humanity: 3
leaving in the same matter as him. Though wary of
Generation: 12th
any Kindred in the Camarilla, Mateo hopes that he
can trust Boyce when the time for his exit comes. Blood Potency: 1
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3; Cha-
WHISPERS:
risma 5, Manipulation 3, Composure 2; Intelligence
• Wants to move up in the Camarilla: Mateo’s been 1, Wits 2, Resolve 3
compliant and polite for a long time now. What that Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 5
means for a person of his disposition is that he wants
something. Some Kindred suspect he wants to move Skills: Athletics 3, Brawl 1, Drive 1, Firearms 1,
up so he’s not working underneath his sire. Melee (Knives) 2, Stealth 1; Etiquette 2, Intimidation
(Cold) 4, Leadership 2, Performance 3, Persuasion
• Definitely up to something: Someone acting so (Seduction) 4, Subterfuge 3; Academics (Gymnas-
secretly and reclusive is definitely up to something. tics) 1, Politics 2
Could the torture of his victims be something he Disciplines: Celerity 2, Presence 2
plans to do to his sire?

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“Despite all advice to the contrary, we have lost sight of who we are.”

— Abraham DuSable, in a recent speech to his fellow Warlocks

As in other domains around the world, the Tremere

of Chicago are fractured. The only saving grace is the frac-
tures have yet to turn on each other. While some mem-
bers of the clan attempt to unify the disparate shards,
most are delighted at the prospect of pursuing self-inter-
ested schemes.

ARDEN CANTY
Epitaph: Deacon of the Church of Caine
Quote: “We are the hope, the truth, and the night.”
Clan: Tremere
Mortal Days: The Hand of the Lord
Born in 1843 on a coffin ship fleeing the “Great
Starvation” of Ireland, Arden never knew the love of his
family. His mother died in childbirth over the Atlantic,
her body tossed overboard with nothing but a shawl and
a prayer. As he was nameless and abandoned, the presid-
ing priest baptized him with the name “Arden”, meaning
“solitude” in some languages. The resilient boy grew, as
many did, at the St. Patrick’s Boys Asylum, fighting for
food and recognition. He was an intelligent child, one
who enjoyed reading the bible and learning about the shadow poured over Arden. Thinking this was an angel
mysteries of the world. This drive pushed him toward the of death, he beckoned it with open arms. Given the curse
priesthood of the Catholic Church. He eventually took of unlife, Arden was left to fend for himself once again.
his vows and presided over a congregation rapidly falling
KINDRED NIGHTS: THE HAND OF THE ANGELS
into turmoil. While the American Civil War raged, draft
riots over religious bigotry ignited in the summer of 1863. Not receiving formal training on his new condition
Arden, in his arrogance, attempted to quell a mob read- was overbearing but not unendurable. He studied his
ying themselves to cause trouble. Someone, perhaps his new-found powers, joining a Sabbat pack and becoming
unknown sire, shot off a pistol and the situation became a Noddist. He preached like before, but now his darkened
an outright panic with screams of spies. The resulting riot liturgy told of the end times and the truth of Caine.
lasted overnight, generating a tragic amount of fatalities: The wiles of the Sabbat did not fall upon Arden’s
84 rioters and 10 police officers. Father Arden Canty was psyche kindly. Witnessing the atrocities and partaking
confirmed as one of the fallen. The newly minted martyr’s in them occasionally drove him deeper into Noddist lit-
body was never found, and it was rumored local Protes- erature and his own twisted thaumaturgical designs. He
tants absconded with it for their malicious rites. began exploration of a thaumaturgical branch supposedly
The act of Embrace happened quickly in the ensuing capable of starting a divine fire in the heart of an undead
panic. Shot defending a young woman with her child, a being. After poring over tomes he borrowed or stole from
other blood sorcerers, he hypothesized such heat could

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

become so intense it could resemble a flame. His research reach out to the Camarilla’s lost and faithless.
brought him to places of great immolation, wander-
ing through cities desperate to find the key to unlock • I Will: There are still enemies among the city cracks
his blood’s potential. in need of annihilation if the reformation can ever be
Close to losing himself to the Beast and desperate for successful. Arden aims to cut down the Bahari cults
some sort of respite, Arden looked to the only stone un- blossoming in the city.
turned, the Catholic Church. Arden commanded the pre- • The First Archbishop of the Camarilla: The waves
siding priest to entomb him into the walls of his church. of time have left Arden with knowledge of the long
He secretly prayed that upon waking, his shattered soul game. His goals align with bringing the fledgling
would find some sort of solace. church into the limelight by providing solace to
Arden awoke to a dream of great calamity. He those tread upon within the city. This ends only with
dreamt of the Pyramid breaking into multiple sections the Church becoming the official religion of the
and one becoming a shadow of its former self. In a stupor Camarilla.
only a hundred or more years could create, Arden rushed
into the sanctuary desperate for blood. Finding and kill- DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
ing a family of three, he realized a small child sat huddled,
• The Holy Family Church Rectory (Haven 3, Influ-
terrified by witnessing the violence. Realizing he created
ence 2) The Holy Family Rectory provides close con-
a lifetime much like his own, Arden commanded the
tact with his ghoul Father Raul Gonzales, financial
child to forget all she had seen. Disposing of the bodies
backing of the congregation, and a significant library.
in a local graveyard, he wove memories into the residing
priest, Father Raul Gonzalez, and used his newfound THRALLS AND TOOLS:
resources to help the small child.
Grief-stricken and desperate for knowledge, he real- • Father Raul Gonzales (Retainer 2) The good father
ized the year was 2009. He secretly wandered Chicago for has been successfully forced into thralldom after
any Cainite who could possibly help his plight. By a pure much difficulty. Conditioned to respect Arden as a
stroke of luck, he located two Cainites, Abraham DuSa- visiting monsignor, he helps him acclimate to mod-
ble and Simon, the now-deceased leader of the Church of ern technology and society.
Caine of Joliet. • Holy Family Parish (Herd 1) The “caring” Monsignor
Simon told him of the Gehenna War, the destruction uses the parish to procure blood from the congrega-
of his branch of the Tremere, and how the war left the tion. This gives him a sense of control over his flock
Sabbat devastated. Arden wandered the United States and he is learning Spanish to earn their trust.
a while, looking for evidence of Simon’s words and new
meaning for his existence, before eventually returning KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
to Joliet depressed. He found Simon’s haven burned
• Abraham Dusable (The Way In) Arden is circling
out, and in the wreckage a leather-bound book of newly
Abraham to find his weakness. He realizes the
formed rites. His depression turned to motivation, as he
Regent is looking to rebuild the Pyramid and unify
realized this was a sign for him to carry the torch for his
the clan. Arden has been dropping hints his goals are
House and the Church of Caine.
very similar to the magus. Arden knows the Cainite
Single-handedly, Arden organized the reformation doesn’t trust him but will use him to ease his “reha-
of his branch of the Church, taking guidance from the bilitation” into the Camarilla.
Gnostics beyond Chicago and reviving his congregation
with increasingly Protestant practice. He’s still uncertain • Edward Neally (Redemption) After hearing rum-
as to whether he accepts the Gnostic view of Caine as an ors of a Cainite walking away from the Sabbat and
angel and as life on Earth as a form of hell, or whether surviving, Arden began searching for the vampire
he can bring himself to once again adopt his childhood known as Edward Neally. He senses a void could be
Catholicism. For now, preaching the Cainite gospels as filled with the redeeming message of the new Church
a form of evangelism will do, at least until the flock is of Caine.
strong.
• Joshua Tarnopolski (Symbol) Arden is working on
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
converting the Brujah Baron of Joliet to the Church
• The Great Reformation: Arden participates in the of Caine, as he believes such a prominent Kindred
rebranding and rebuilding the Church of Caine. His member of the flock will ease the transition of other
main goal is to recruit disillusioned Anarchs, but also vampires.

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 Character Folios

WHISPERS: Etiquette 2, Insight 1, Intimidation 3, Leadership 4,

Performance 1, Persuasion (Confession) 4, Streetwise
• The Keeper of The Kingdom: By some stroke of
1; Academics (Theology) 4, Finance 1, Occult (Thau-
good fortune, someone very high in the ranks of the
maturgical Theory) 4, Politics 2
Camarilla likes Arden and believes in his work in
Chicago. Supposedly this may even be a member of Disciplines: Auspex 2, Blood Sorcery 4, Dominate
the Inner Council. 4, Presence 1

• Money in the Bank: Arden possesses significant

boons and backing from the Ventrue empire of the
CLARENCE BARTLEBY
city of Chicago. Hedging their bets, they are allowing
Epitaph: Herald of the Crawling Tongue
this heresy into their city to undermine the Sabbat
war machine. Quote: “Listen. Listen! The Tongue, it will tell you
such things...”
• The Lure of Flame: A thaumaturgical prodigy, Arden
Clan: Tremere
succeeded to bend his blood in mastering the thau-
maturgical branch focused on fire. He can cause his MORTAL DAYS: FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT
hands to engulf in flame and cause frenzy-inducing
Clarence Bartleby found out early in life that most
attacks.
problems could be solved with a copious amount of B.S.
• A Man of The Book: The tome Arden recovered from (though he prefers to call it chicanery, legerdemain, or jig-
Simon’s haven holds countless rites of the newly gery-pokery). He had a knack for getting out of homework,
reformed Church of Caine. These rites assist any out of responsibilities, out of citations, out of paying the bill.
Cainite daring enough to use them. Coated in a slick sheen of lies, Bartleby became as slippery
as a fish, and without the skeletal structure of conviction
Mask and Mien: to hold up his morality, he could slip through openings and
• Arden’s Mask is weak, and he knows it. He is at- opportunities the scrupulous could not manage.
tempting to gain falsified documents with the help Though Bartleby genuinely loved books, he cheated
of his retainer. He has used the name Father Martin his way through most of his education, purely out of habit.
O’Connell since he began holding night masses at the After a series of minor grifts, Bartleby decided he ought
Holy Family parish (Mask 1). to put his academic degrees to a better line of work. He
added a few fake credentials, affected a false British accent
• Arden prefers the Roman cassock as his nightly wear. to impress the rubes, and used his knowledge of rare books
He is a thin, bald man, lanky and awkward with the to con the elderly or their beneficiaries out of their rare
body of an academic, but still tall at 6’2”. What he collections, paying a fraction of their worth. Rare book
lacks in appearance, he makes up in bravado, walk- collections have a way of being bequeathed to those who
ing straight-backed with commanding airs. know nothing about them, and Bartleby perched like a
Sire: Frondator carrion bird to pick each carcass clean.
Embraced: 1863 (Born 1823) Along the way, Bartleby became quite knowledgea-
ble of odd antiquities and esoteric tomes, which fetched
Ambition: Rebuild the Church of Caine a fine price from certain, eccentric buyers. He slipped
Convictions: Bow only to the divine further and further into the occulted corners of the black
market. During a lean year, Bartleby broke into the wrong
Touchstones: Father Raul Gonzales — retainer and
house to steal a forbidden book. This led to a defensive
confidante
ward going off and fangs piercing his throat.
Humanity: 3
KINDRED NIGHTS: IN SEARCH OF THE TONGUE
Generation: 10th The Tremere put Bartleby’s tenacity for ferreting
Blood Potency: 3 out arcane texts and curios to use. The vagabond happi-
Attributes: Strength 1, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2; Cha- ly served the Pyramid doing what he had always done,
risma 2, Manipulation 3, Composure 3; Intelligence though on a higher pay grade. He honed his particular
4, Wits 3, Resolve 4 investigative skills for such oddities, as well as his magpie
hands for the acquisition of them. He had a greasy sort of
Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 7 essence that allowed him to wriggle his way into places
Skills: Craft (Sermons) 3, Melee 2, Survival 2; and situations more upstanding warlocks would not
deign to venture.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Crusades. Apparently, the relic had found its way into the
hands of a small cult of mortals.
Bartleby swooped in. Sacrificing a little shoe leather,
he tracked down the mundane-seeming cultists. With
perfect friendliness, they invited him into the ritual
circle. One among their smiling number cut out his own
tongue during the rite. When Bartleby sprinkled a few
drops of vitae on the relic, it animated, slithering into the
maimed man’s mouth, fusing to and possessing the body.
The Crawling Tongue’s vessel then spoke, and its gibber-
ing words warped space and opened the odious Tremere’s
mind to new vistas of reality.
That was the night Bartleby found religion.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
• In the Tongue We Trust: Bartleby’s life never had
purpose beyond momentary avarice. Now it brims
with writhing meaning! The Tongue has such things
to share. The Tongue has plans. Bartleby helps guide
this new cult. Whenever the Tongue wishes to inhab-
it a new vessel, he helps perform the ritual.

• Avoid the Tremere: Bartleby has one master now,

and it is not the Pyramid. The Cult of the Crawling
While the work was good, the wayfaring lifestyle Tongue is on the move, and Bartleby takes pains to
did little to cultivate any long-term gains or standing. make sure his clan does not track him. Luckily for
Bartleby decided to establish himself at a chantry, settling Bartleby, the Pyramid is not so organized and power-
in Indianapolis. Oh, the rotten luck! Soon thereafter, the ful as it once was. Through his guile and the power of
city fell to the Anarch Movement. It became a haven for the Tongue, he has eluded them thus far.
the Ministry of Set and its cults. Bartleby dealt in the ac-
couterment of the cultist, but found such people pitiable, • Strange Research: The Tongue urges Bartleby to
worse than a sucker. He slipped out of that city as quickly research into weird and disturbing avenues of occult
as he entered. study. He does not know its ultimate plan, but he
As they say: one door closes, and another presents obeys. The Tongue speaks in languages Bartleby
itself to be lock-picked. Bartleby called in a favor. Tracy has yet to even identify, but he trusts utterly in its
Graves, known as Erichtho, of the Chicago chantry, found cadence.
Bartleby mildly repugnant, but he had been useful to her
in the past, most recently in helping her acquire a Hand DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
of Glory. She owed him. She put in a good word with • On the Run (Contacts 2, Haven 1, Influence 1)
DuSable, and while the latter despised Bartleby, there Bartleby keeps moving, with the cult, about the
was perhaps a way to shore up good will with Chicago’s greater Chicagoland area. He sleeps in whatever
Regent. accommodations they can provide him (Basements
A band of Bahari cultists had recently looted the and motel rooms). He calls in favors from his street
abandoned Milwaukee Chantry. If word was to be be- contacts to help his life on the run. It is not the most
lieved, they liberated a number of occult artifacts from secure existence, but an agile one.
the Tremere coffers. Bartleby put his nose to the grind-
stone and sniffed out any and all pertinent rumors. THRALLS AND TOOLS:
That’s how Bartleby heard of the Crawling Tongue. • Cult of the Crawling Tongue (Herd 3, Retainers 1)
The relic was described as a mummified tongue in an an- The cult serves the Tongue, and since the Tongue
cient, ornate box. Murmurs in the shadows suggested the favors Bartleby, they aid him as well. Though con-
withered organ brought revelations and terrible miracles. stantly on the move, the vampire has no shortage of
Some rumors said the tongue was one of the items taken willing meals. They also serve as mediocre retainers.
from the Milwaukee Chantry. Other rumors claimed the How did such unremarkable people end up with this
tongue was a reliquary brought back from the Gehenna powerful relic?

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KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: its ultimate goals. He does not dare such things any
• The Crawling Tongue (Mawla 3, Complete Wor- longer.
ship) Though it is not a Kindred, the Tongue does • It Came From Beneath the Lake: The tongue crawled
offer Bartleby arcane and ritual knowledge. Bartleby out of Lake Michigan. It is the fleshy herald for what
assumes the sentient relic has grand plans in store for is to come. The rest is still down in the depths.
him.
MASK AND MIEN:
• Erichtho (Avoidance) Tracy Graves searches for the
younger Tremere. Thus far, Bartleby eludes her. The • Bartleby appears as a man in his mid-forties. He
more she learns about this tongue relic, the more stands 6’2” and is shaped like a ball. His shoulders
desperate her search grows. All warnings she sends are narrow but his chest puffs out like that of a bird.
go unheeded. Clearly it is all propaganda to tempt He moves with the awkward dexterity of a stork. His
Bartleby to betray the Tongue. hands are always in motion. Even with the Blush of
Life, his complexion is quite waxy.
• Marcel (Suspicion) The priest of the Ministry of Set
put out word that he can help Bartleby. Secretly, • Even in his breathing days, Bartleby amassed a collec-
Marcel has aided the Tremere in their search, hoping tion of guises and fake identification. No one iden-
if the heat is turned up, Bartleby will accept the offer tity holds up long under careful scrutiny, but he has
for aid. so many. He drops them as freely as a gecko detaches
from its twitching tail in order to confuse a pursuer
• Erzulie (Wary) The Mother-Above-All among Chi- (Mask 1).
cago’s Bahari offers Bartleby and his cultists shelter
Sire: Olivia Fairchild
from the Tremere. She wants a look at that tongue.
Embraced: 1995 (Born 1951)
WHISPERS:
Ambition: Obey and exalt in the presence of the
• The Tongue of a Thousand Rumors: It is the Tongue Crawling Tongue
of the Crone and it speaks the lost revelations of Convictions: None
Lilith. No! It is the Tongue of Enoch and its utter-
ances will guide a pilgrim right to the Dark Father Touchstones: None
Caine himself. No! It is the Voice of Oblivion and Humanity: 5
the priests of Shalim know its nihilistic utterances
Generation: 13th
will reduce reality to liquid blackness. No! It is Set’s
tongue! No! It is a corrupted mummy’s organ. No! It Blood Potency: 1
is a powerful wraith’s fetter. No! It is a demon bound Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha-
to withered flesh. No! It is an alien parasite from the risma 1, Manipulation 4, Composure 2; Intelligence
deep planes. No! It is... 3, Wits 3, Resolve 2
• The Long Con: The relic is just some badly preserved Secondary Attributes: Health 5, Willpower 4
piece of meat. The cult is a collection of mundane Skills: Brawl (Dirty Fighting) 1, Drive 1, Firearms 1,
mortals duped by Bartleby. All of this is the opening Larceny 4, Melee 1, Stealth 3; Etiquette 1, Insight 3,
gambit to a con he’s been planning for years. Every- Persuasion 3, Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 4; Academics
one is reacting just as he hoped. (Rare Books) 2, Awareness 1, Investigation 3, Occult
(Arcane Objects) 3
• The Jigsaw Puzzle: The Tongue guides Bartleby to
the sites of other mummified body parts. At first, Disciplines: Auspex 1, Blood Sorcery 2, Dominate
Bartleby dared to question the Tongue regarding 1

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

“This fucking city is mine.”

— Capone, seething to Alexa Santos

The Ventrue like to claim they’re the foundation of enterprises, which he did with efficiency and efficacy.
the Camarilla, the mouthpiece for the Camarilla, and the Lodin was highly impressed with his new childe and
body of the Camarilla. In Chicago, perhaps that’s why lavished affection upon him, aiding him in taking control
there have always been so many Blue Bloods. of crime once again. The difference now was Capone
wouldn’t be the figurehead. He would rule from behind
ALPHONSE GABRIEL CAPONE the scenes and direct the mob as a puppet master. Though
at first he resented his disappearance from the public eye,
Epitaph: Chicago’s Kingpin it became a position Capone relished.
Quote: “Most folks ain’t looking for dead guys, so There was only one fly in the ointment of his new
being a dead-dead guy is even better.” life. A bulbous, grotesque fly named Ballard. Horatio
had wanted to put a stop to Capone as a mortal, and as a
Clan: Ventrue Kindred he found him insufferable. When Capone made
MORTAL DAYS: MOB LEGEND moves into areas of legitimate business to launder his
dirty fortune, Ballard took it as a personal slight. What
As one of the most notorious names in the history of
followed was a secret war lasting half a century.
organized crime, Capone was always a figure Kindred kept
The conflict between the two Kindred threatened to
a close eye on. Under his leadership, the syndicate known
tear the city apart and create a situation far worse than
as the Chicago Outfit achieved unprecedented dominance
the one Lodin feared in Capone’s mortal days. With jour-
as the premiere criminal organization in America. During
nalists digging for the story behind the situation, Lodin
prohibition, the Outfit made a fortune selling contraband
was forced to act. His decree was designed so both sides
alcohol to speakeasies across the country. This made Capone
lost a vital weapon. Capone was ordered to turn over
not just a very wealthy and powerful man, but a folk hero.
control of the police and Ballard to surrender influence
Newspapers ran stories on him. Even the police turned a
over the city’s government. The compromise irked both
blind eye to his activities while allegedly investigating him.
men. In attempting to maintain the loyalty of his proge-
Within just a few years, Capone established an em-
ny, Lodin lost them both. When the Prince’s fall occurred,
pire many Kindred in Chicago desired. However, fearing
Capone shed no tears of blood.
it could be used against him by rivals, Prince Lodin
The experience taught Capone a valuable lesson:
shielded Capone from influence. When the Outfit’s ac-
even as a vampire, there’s always a higher authority who
tivities began to destabilize the city and cause escalating
wants in on your action. Capone wasn’t interested in
violence on the streets, Lodin finally acted and ensured
sharing with the Camarilla and their distant, Euro-cen-
Capone’s fall from grace, pushing the mortal authorities
tric leadership. He certainly wasn’t interested in throwing
to jail him for tax evasion in 1931.
in his lot with Anarchs who would expect him to burn
When Capone emerged from prison, his old organ-
up everything he had earned in some bullshit crusade for
ization had diminished. New bosses vied for scraps of
freedom. The only person who mattered was him, and his
power. It looked like he would have to start from scratch,
goal was to get outside of the game. To become a player,
but he then received a visitor. The Prince of Chicago ex-
not a piece on the board. He seized the role of Ventrue
tended a hand to the man who was once its mortal over-
Primogen, but it was only a brief clutch at power before
lord and invited him to taste real power. As the phrase
the fires of the Inquisition reignited.
goes: it was an offer Capone couldn’t refuse.
Rumors of his demise surprised some and relieved
KINDRED NIGHTS: NEW HEIGHTS many. Most Kindred of Chicago didn’t believe the stories
Capone was a natural in Lodin’s court. He was put of his demise at first, but they eventually realized he was
to work organizing and administering several complex exactly the kind of vampire the Second Inquisition were

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 Character Folios

himself as the leading Ventrue in Chicago and make

sure whoever has the title is firmly in his debt.

• The Old Country: Capone maintains his feeding

preference for Italian women. In order to fully re-es-
tablish his supply, he requires access to the docks and
the airport. For now, he secretly funds an exchange
program with several Universities in Italy, making
sure the preferred vessels always win the nomina-
tions, regardless of their qualifications.

DOMAIN AND HAVEN:

• Evanston Manor (Haven 4) Capone operates his
enterprises from within a manor house near North-
western University in Evanston. This keeps him close
to his source of nourishment while also keeping him
near the haven of Alan Sovereign, who he intends to
place under his thumb.

• Lake Michigan Imports Inc. (Allies 3, Contacts 2, In-

fluence 3, Resources 3, Retainers 5) LMI is the façade
incorporating what’s left of Capone’s holdings. A for-
midable, citywide employer, not only does it grease
the palms of the mobster, it allows him a measure of
gunning for in their initial wave of purges. In actuality, influence over city government functionaries who
Capone laid low and waited, staying patient while keep- compete to have them open new enterprises in their
ing his eye on developments via the individual believed areas to impress voters.
to have destroyed him, Alexa Santos. A few years of quiet
were nothing to a man who’d done eleven years in the • Soup Kitchens, Citywide (Contacts 2, Influence 3,
can. Retainers 2) Poverty brings opportunity to those
Now, with Jackson on the throne, the time has come who know how to benefit from it. Just like during
for Capone to flex his muscles again. All eyes, both living the great depression, Capone knows by feeding the
and dead, are on Chicago now. Whatever happens in the poor, he places them in his debt. He has overseen
coming nights, Capone desires to be the prime mover be- the opening of various food banks and soup kitchens
hind the crown dynasty. Whoever is Prince, they will pay across the city, not only for the recruitment of new
the piper, and the piper will be playing Capone’s tune. blood, but also the rumors and whispers heard inside
and the contact it gives with street level informers in
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: his organization.
• Old Grudges Die Hard: Capone has not and will
THRALLS AND TOOLS:
not forgive or forget the interference of Ballard in
his machinations. Without him, Capone believes he • Francis “Tin Can Fran” Ambrosini (Retainers 2)
would reign now as his sire’s true heir. Anything he Francis is a middle manager in LMI. In his spare
tries to take in Chicago needs to be grasped from time, he runs a podcast called “Old Family Recipes”,
Ballard’s cold, dead hands. Of course, if those hands in which he gives recipes that can be made with
were reduced to ash… Capone has moles in Ballard’s cheap, tinned ingredients. Capone uses his popular
organization and once he understands the true ex- broadcasts to send coded messages to his associates.
tent of that network, he’ll move to take it all.
•  Teresa Halstone (Retainers 1, Herd 2) Teresa is a
• King of Princes: What your title is doesn’t matter, large, formidable woman and the manager of Ca-
it’s all about who owes. Capone understands this pone’s trust fund who work with Italian Universities
more than most. Let someone else sit the throne and to secure scholarships for specially selected students.
deal with the assassination attempts, the Camarilla’s He treats her similarly to a mother as she shares his
distant demands and the damned Anarchs. Capone mother’s name and resembles her.
will be the man behind it all. He intends to establish

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: Generation: 8th

• Alexa Santos (Lieutenant) One of the city’s Hounds, Blood Potency: 3
it’s not as if Alexa’s disloyal to Jackson so much as Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3; Cha-
keeping their options open. They reported Capone’s risma 4, Manipulation 5, Composure 4; Intelligence
final death a few years ago after Capone made an 3, Wits 4, Resolve 3
offer that keeps Santos and their partner Aluc per-
manently taken care of financially. Alexa is Capone’s Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 8
closest ally, but considers the arrangement strictly Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 4, Drive 2, Firearms
business. (Tommy Gun) 3, Larceny (Racketeering) 5, Melee
3, Stealth 3, Survival (Urban) 3; Etiquette (Elysium)
• Nickolas “Sweetie Pepper” White (Time Bomb) 2, Insight 2, Intimidation 4, Leadership (Organized
Nickolas isn’t aware of it, but he is Capone’s secret Crime) 5, Persuasion 3, Streetwise 4, Subterfuge 4;
weapon. The chaos he creates will be certain to frac- Awareness 2, Finance 3, Investigation 3, Politics 2,
ture the old school hierarchy of Ballard’s, as soon as Technology 1
Capone can identify where to strike.
Disciplines: Dominate 4, Fortitude 4, Presence 3,
WHISPERS: Potence 2
• Alive or Dead: Some Kindred still refuse to accept
Capone is dead. Ballard always keeps an eye out for AMELIA LOCKE
his former rival’s return.
Epitaph: Seeker of Stories
• Anarch Grudge: Though he has moved on to bigger
Quote: “Go on thinking the way you do and I’ll
fish, the Anarch Movement has not forgotten the
walk all over you.”
suffering they endured at Capone’s hands.
Clan: Ventrue
• Mortal Following: The few who know of Capone
believe he has more mortal employees, retainers, and MORTAL DAYS:
hired muscle than any other Kindred in Chicago. FROM BEHIND THE DESK TO BEHIND ENEMY LINES
By the end of her first week as a secretary at the
MASK AND MIEN: Chicago Sun, Amelia outed a corporate spy by rummag-
• Capone has not established a new alias or public ing through the garbage and piecing together discarded
persona for himself. This is his key weakness and notes. She compiled her evidence, followed him under the
strength all at once. He keeps his activities off the cover of night to his secret meet-ups, discovered all of his
record and restricts his own movements, lest the drops and contacts, and wrapped it all up in a neat little
Second Inquisition catch sight of his famous face. exposé slid under the editor in chief’s door. Although it
never made it to print, she made her mark and gained a
• Capone is a stout, balding man with a scar upon his reputation at the paper as “the secretary who thinks she’s
left cheek he received during his time as a bouncer a journalist”. Within the first year, she was promoted to
in Brooklyn. He appears to be in his late 40s. He is the chief’s personal assistant and given her own office.
prone to loud outbursts when threatened or in- Amelia was a hero among the working women in the
formed of failure by his employees. building. Her edits were sought after almost as much as
the stories themselves. Over the years, the courting of her
• An old-fashioned man, Capone dresses himself male colleagues faded due to countless rejections and was
almost constantly in fine Italian suits. He is always replaced with respect. Yet, Amelia still felt unfulfilled.
on the lookout for talented tailors who will work off
The chief rolled in every night about an hour after
book.
sundown. She admired him. He had never made a pass at
Sire: Lodin her and always yelled at her with the same intensity and
Embraced: 1947 (Born 1899) expectations he held for any of the men in the office. Al-
though she did not know it, he had grown fond of her mox-
Ambition: Climb past the top ie. She was fierce, yet could paint with her written word.
Convictions: No debt should ever go unpaid A night finally came where both she and Joseph
Touchstones: Teresa Halstone — Mother Figure Peterson were in the office alone. She took a deep breath
and marched into his office without a knock. As she
Humanity: 5 demanded to be treated as a real journalist, Joseph did

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 Character Folios

Embrace. Writing and Tatyana were her two loves, and

she often wrote reviews of Kindred entertainments for
the enjoyment of the court. High society gossip wasn’t in
her sphere of interest, but she adjusted her writing to suit
the audience. For mortal eyes, she continued to report on
mortal political affairs.
Amelia’s unlife existed quietly until Peterson claimed
the throne of Chicago. He never consulted her, never
warned her, and never prepared her for what might happen
if his coup failed, which it did. Joseph Peterson’s exile had
a ripple effect, where the new Prince Jackson cancelled all
boons owed to his descendants, and stripped them of all
prestige they might hold in Elysium. Though she held little,
Amelia still smarted from this unnecessary punishment.
With her sponsor gone from the paper, the new
editor fired her due to her perceived age making her “out
of touch” with current affairs. With the help of Tatyana,
Amelia started a career in online journalism for a handful
of companies, but without the tangible benefit of words
in a real-life newspaper, her interest wanes.
PLOTS AND SCHEMES:
• Moving On: Amelia was contemplating faking her
own death when Peterson was exiled, but her new
not look down at her or ridicule her for her gender, but
online enterprise has made her reconsider. The issue
applauded her tenacity. He offered her a new position as
she finds with online journalism, beyond the obvious
correspondent in Russia during the last years of the Cold
lack of fact-checking and verified sources, is how
War. He also offered her a glass of red wine — actually his
anybody can do it. Her name is being drowned out,
vitae — thus bonding her to him.
on one hand alleviating the need for her mortal self
KINDRED NIGHTS: to die, and on the other rendering any identity she
MINING THE GREATEST STORIES chooses to take on redundant. Amelia is developing a
In Moscow, Amelia mastered her craft. She wrote sense of ennui, only lessened through company with
cutting biographies, true stories of human hardship, her lover, Tatyana. She would be lost without her.
scathing critiques of corrupt governments and their
warlike actions, and became known widely for her skill. • Rebuilding: Amelia’s sire recently transferred to her
In 1988 she was considered for a Pulitzer Prize, but fell the deeds to a large warehouse near Lincoln Park.
short. Nevertheless, she made a reputation and earned She hasn’t heard directly from Joseph, only knowing
respect on both sides of the Iron Curtain. he wants her to have the building. Unsure of whether
it’s because there’s something of worth within it, or
It was in Moscow that she encountered the eventual
if he just wants her to own some property, Amelia is
love of her life: Tatyana. This woman, hard-bitten and
currently unsure of how to act. For now, she’s hiring
sharp-edged, had served as a pilot of the famous Soviet
mortals to empty the place out before considering
Night Witches during the Second World War, and was
whether to turn it into something like a business
exiting her fifties when she met the younger, energetic
front, large haven, or even a small-press publisher.
Amelia. The two found each other fascinating, fell for
each other, and when the Cold War ended travelled to the DOMAIN AND HAVEN:
United States together.
By the time Amelia returned, her bond to Peterson • The Office (Allies 1, Haven 2, Resources 2) Amelia’s
had disappeared. Seeing him for the first time in a decade office in Old Town is her place to truly be herself.
and realizing he hadn’t aged, she asked him to make her as She pays for it monthly and can freely spend her
he was. Peterson obliged after a short conversation with time however she wants within its four walls. She has
his sire. Amelia didn’t hesitate in giving the same “gift” to befriended a few other renters in the building who
her lover that night. are also journalists. She never sleeps there during the
day, seeing it more as a way for her to connect with
Amelia continued to work at the paper following her
her Humanity.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

• Love Nest (Haven 2) When Tatyana originally moved MASK AND MIEN:
from Russia to the United States, Amelia took it • Although Amelia likes to think of herself as a
upon herself to keep her and her girlfriend protected modern woman, she often takes inspirations from
from a potentially dangerous world. She does not ‘50s haute couture with form-fitting jackets and
earn much on her freelance journalist gig, but it is high-waisted skirts cinched in tightly and creating a
enough to pay the rent for a small two-bedroom perfect hourglass silhouette. Her strawberry blond
apartment near Soldier Field. hair is always styled in a short and lightly curled
THRALLS AND TOOLS: hairdo, held up by copious amounts of hair spray.

• Jimmy Ballinger (Retainer 2) Jimmy used to deliver • Amelia always carries a confident smile and deter-
newspapers to her old apartment, and he soon fell in mined walk when getting from A to B. Her piercing
love with Amelia’s infectious charm and confidence. green-eyed gaze can make the will of a weaker vam-
When Amelia told him she was not interested, he pire crumble.
begged her to at least befriend him. He has since
been her devoted ghoul for the last two years. • During her time in both America and Russia, Amelia
established a well-known name both as a photogra-
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS: pher and journalist. Her self-employment means
she can work at night without anyone raising an
• Joseph Peterson (Respect, Trust) Peterson and Ame- eyebrow. To date, she has not established a Mask.
lia always had a good eye for each other in a profes-
sional manner. Peterson admires how Amelia went Sire: Joseph Peterson
against all odds in a man’s world and landed herself a Embraced: 1992 (Born 1960)
prominent position at his newspaper. Amelia likes to
Ambition: Win a prize for my journalism
push her sire’s buttons and loved nothing more than
challenging him. She misses him horribly. Convictions: I will prove the strength of my gender
time and time again
• Tatyana Makarova (Love) If it was up to Amelia,
Touchstones: Roe Locke — Amelia’s niece, who
she would write a book about Tatyana and the love
hero-worships her vampire aunt
they have for each other. She will do anything for the
childe she calls “Yana”, and Amelia has on several oc- Humanity: 8
casions blocked incoming physical and verbal attacks Generation: 9th
aimed at Tatyana. She sees nothing but beauty in her
lover. Blood Potency: 2
Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 3, Stamina 2; Cha-
WHISPERS: risma 3, Manipulation 3, Composure 4; Intelligence
• Man-hater: It is no secret Amelia wants to fight for 4, Wits 3, Resolve 4
equal rights, even in Kindred society. This has led Secondary Attributes: Health 4, Willpower 8
some ignorant Kindred to believe she has a genuine
Skills: Athletics 1, Craft (Photography) 2, Drive 1,
hatred for the opposite sex, and cannot be trusted to
Stealth 2, Survival 2; Etiquette 3, Insight 2, Lead-
work alongside male vampires.
ership 1, Persuasion (Open Up) 3, Streetwise 2;
• Mightier than the Sword: Amelia’s reviews of Ely- Academics (English Literature) 2, Awareness 2,
sium entertainments concluded when her sire was Investigation (Journalism) 4, Politics (Cold War) 4,
exiled. Rumors hold that she now writes scathing Technology 1
biopics of the city’s most influential Kindred, and Disciplines: Celerity 1, Fortitude 2, Presence 3
intends to send them to Camarilla domains across
the States.
MILENA ARONYAN
• Virtues: Because Amelia is an attractive female and
she gained ground so quickly in a male-dominated Epitaph: Blue Collar Blue Blood
industry, it is rumored she only got to the top so Quote: “Someone prepared to sweat will always
quickly because she slept with her boss and sire lose out to someone prepared to bleed.”
pre-Embrace. She despises few rumors as much as
Clan: Ventrue
this one.

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 Character Folios

accompanied Maurice and his sons on jobs to learn the

trade and later they were simply there so that a man was
present to ease the guilt of the stuffed shirts who hired
them to fix their broken toilets and sinks.
She worked so hard, and did so well, that the small
family business began to grow and become one of the
leading plumbers in the city. However, when Maurice
died and left the company to Milena rather than his
two sons, the disinherited family members sued her to
prevent her using the family name and accused her of
manipulating their father.
It was at this moment that Alan Sovereign decid-
ed to make his investment. He had been following the
business, thinking of putting money into it, but what he
found was a dedicated potential childe who could take
this fledgling business under her wing. He offered to fund
her legal defense and ensure that she won. In return, she
would now answer to him. Milena’s path from retainer to
ghoul to Kindred was swift.
KINDRED NIGHTS: FANGS TO THE GRINDSTONE
Milena’s Embrace was not without problems. Learn-
ing that she would have to sever her ties to her mother
was a difficult choice for her to make, but Sovereign
MORTAL DAYS: DARK PAST; HOPEFUL FUTURE made it clear that it was a choice between that and des-
Milena Aronyan arrived in Chicago with her mother, titution for the now elderly woman. Milena reluctantly
fleeing the Armenian Genocide, along with many other agreed and took the Embrace.
families. Her earliest memories are of her mother’s Her main regret about this was that she could no
determination to get her daughter to safety and the longer work during the day. She felt that she had less
sacrifices her father made to make it possible. Though time than she would like, but she continued to work and
she missed out on ever truly knowing the man, Milena’s grow her plumbing business, taking a keen interest in the
mother ensured that she grew up instilled with his values apprentices and tradespeople she hired. Following her
of self-sacrifice, dedication, and hard work. She reminded mother’s death, she opened a trust in her name for hiring
her that as outsiders in this strange land, they would have women interested in taking a trade. Much to her sire’s
to work twice as hard as others to get anywhere. delight, she continued to grow and diversify her port-
Milena’s mother lacked the formal qualifications folio, acquiring interests in sanitation, janitorial duties
to get anything but very basic cleaning and service jobs and buying up land on which she constructed multi-level
and she took on as many as she could. Opportunities for parking lots and waste disposal sites.
Milena to access the education and support needed to While many of the Ventrue look down on Milena as
climb out of their predicament in the ghetto were rare at a woman interested in low ranking business, the wisest
best. However, the young woman was more determined among them realize her true clout. Milena’s staff have
than any to succeed and give her mother the new life she access to some of the most heavily guarded and secure
deserved, that her father had died for. facilities in the city. Many of them are people to whom
With access to the upper echelons of medicine, law cracking someone over the head with a wrench or dispos-
or finance difficult and expensive to acquire, Milena ing of a body bag without asking questions is no issue.
sought employment as an apprentice tradesman. In 1960s Furthermore, to them, Milena is more than a boss, she is
Chicago, such pursuits for a woman were frowned upon a leader and a mentor. She rewards hard work with good
greatly, however, she finally found a plumber willing to wages and fair terms, though she is quick to dismiss those
take her as an apprentice, Maurice Plinkton. she feels aren’t carrying their weight.
Working for Plinkton and Sons wasn’t easy. Many Milena may not be the textbook Ventrue, but already
householders weren’t comfortable with a foreign woman large parts of the low-end businesses in Chicago are in
coming into their house and doing a task traditional- her hands. Her actions attract the eyes of Camarilla peers
ly performed by men, but still Milena persisted. She and Anarch rivals alike.

151
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

PLOTS AND SCHEMES: sions to Anarchs with his rule of 10. She is one of his
• Improve the Camarilla: Milena believes she can staunchest supporters.
change the Camarilla from within. She admires WHISPERS:
Prince Jackson’s rise to power and sees him as a
young Kindred who had everything going against • Vicious Streak: While a very positive and helpful in-
him. She believes she can convince him to pursue a fluence for good in her community, many of Milena’s
more egalitarian rule than his predecessors. competitors and rivals have been known to have met
grizzly fates inside trash compactors.
• Low Hanging Fruit: While her rivals pursue their
own personal skyscraper, Milena understands they • Anarch Diplomat: Rumor has it that when the
are just eye-catching monuments staffed by janitors Prince wants to get word to the Anarchs of Gary, he
and cleaners who have access to every room inside. sends it through Milena.

• Open Negotiations: War destroys. It can do nothing MASK AND MIEN:

else. The Anarchs are simply a bunch of kids who • Milena is a short, wiry woman with wild brown hair
want to do things differently. Milena is interested in that explodes from her head when not tied down
maintaining good relations with them, leading some in a tight ponytail. Her face is lined and careworn
to see her as somewhat of a sympathizer. and she appears to be in her late 40s or early 50s to
DOMAIN AND HAVEN: the casual observer. Her Middle Eastern appearance
often draws unwelcome remarks from passersby, but
• South Loop Penthouse (Haven 4) Some criticize those who know her are very careful to avoid dispar-
Milena for keeping such an ostentatious haven, but aging her heritage. Milena speaks several languages
she would argue that she has damn well earned it. including Armenian, Turkish, and Farsi.
• Ani Aronyan Trust Inc. (Allies 3, Contacts 4, Re- • When feeding, Milena targets men who have done
sources 4, Retainers 4) Milena’s group of companies a full day’s manual labor. She claims that the efforts
was renamed as part of the legal transfer. It remains they have exerted sweeten the blood and quickens
the only concession she was forced to make. Through her with vigor at each feeding. She finds the lazy and
this firm, her tendrils run deep into the city. the unmotivated to be physically repulsive.
THRALLS AND TOOLS: • Milena often makes friends of those who she iden-
• Martine Laclerc (Retainers 2) A French girl who was tifies as outcasts or ostracized, unless they have
working as a stripper when Milena found her, Milena expressed disloyalty to the Prince. Milena tries to
offered her a job in her offices and now she operates mediate and bring such Kindred back into the fold.
as her PA. Milena admires her dedication and her • Milena regularly goes on-site for jobs at night and
forthright, honest demeanor. is sometimes seen in overalls. However, she tends to
•  Walter Plinkton (Herd 1) Only one of Maurice favor casual trouser suits when at court.
Plinkton’s sons remains in the plumbing business. Sire: Alan Sovereign
While Milena does not speak to him, she does feed Embraced: 2009
from him regularly as, unlike his brother, he still does
an honest day’s work. Ambition: Work to unite all Kindred
Convictions: Unite Kindred for the betterment of all
KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
Touchstones: Martine Laclerc — personal assistant
• Alan Sovereign (Mentor) Milena is eternally grateful and confidante
for the opportunities her sire provided her. That
said, Milena recognizes Sovereign is no friend of the Humanity: 7
working man and hopes to forge her own path with- Generation: 10th
out him. Blood Potency: 2
• Prince Kevin Jackson (Great Hope) In the Prince, Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3; Cha-
Milena sees hope for the immortal future: a young risma 2, Manipulation 3, Composure 4; Intelligence
Prince trying to bring even lifelong enemies around 3, Wits 3, Resolve 4
the table in peace, who is prepared to make conces-

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 Character Folios

Secondary Attributes: Health 6, Willpower 8 expressed itself through her fascination of flying beings.
Skills: Athletics 1, Brawl 2, Craft (Plumbing) 4, Drive Everything from birds to the rare airplane passing by
(Trucks) 3, Firearms 2, Larceny 1, Survival (Urban) once in a while caught her full attention.
2; Etiquette 1, Insight 3, Leadership 3, Persuasion 2, When the Second World War broke out, she saw
Streetwise 3, Subterfuge 2; Academics 1, Awareness her chance to escape her rural existence. She enrolled
3, Finance 3, Investigation 2, Politics 2, Technology as a volunteer in the Russian military on her sixteenth
(Sanitation Systems) 3 birthday. It took little time for her to become one of the
first female aviators in Russia, a part of the 588th Night
Disciplines: Dominate 2, Fortitude 2, Presence 1
Bomber Regiment.
Tatyana never felt comfortable with the propagan-
TATYANA MAKAROVA dist side of her military role. She ducked out of inter-
views, insulted journalists, and avoided fame for many
Epitaph: The soaring Soviet decades after her stunning career in flight. She focused
Clan: Ventrue on, and some would even say was largely in love with, her
machine. It took her until the 1980s, well after the war’s
Quote: “Don’t worry about what is below you, wor-
conclusion to finally meet a reporter who was interested
ry about what is above and beyond, that is where
not just in the Soviet message, but the true story of the
you should be looking”
Night Witches. This reporter was Amelia Locke, working
MORTAL DAYS: for an American paper. Being in the Russian military
INTERVIEW WITH AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST as a woman was often lonely, and she was fascinated by
other women brave enough to break their societal mold.
Tatyana never knew she would spend her 20s in the
This interview laid the foundation for the relationship
military. Her enrollment came as a surprise to her, just as
between Tatyana and Amelia.
the war did. She grew up on a remote farm on the outer
edges of Siberia, where she lived a simple and predeter- Tatyana and Amelia fell deeply in love during the
mined life with her five sisters. Tatyana was the most interview and created a rare bond of trust and care. Their
stubborn of her sisters, and used to run away from her age difference, respective nationalities, and political alle-
chores to catch dragonflies in the field and chase doves giances didn’t matter. All there was, was them. The world
in the yard of the farm. Her desire for something more, could be in flames for all they cared. When the Cold War
something else than living and dying in the same place, ended, Tatyana left Russia with Amelia and returned to
the journalist’s home city of Chicago.
KINDRED NIGHTS: THE STRANGER
Tatyana felt strange and alone in an American city.
The only life she’d ever known was in Russia, either as
part of the military complex or in the expanse of Sibe-
ria. The sheer volume of people, distractions, excess, and
waste in Chicago appalled and terrified her. When Ame-
lia returned to their rented house one night, after meeting
with her boss at the newspaper, Tatyana accepted her
lover’s Embrace with confusion and fear. She had no idea
what was going on, and to this night is still unsure wheth-
er she consented.
Acclimating to existence as a vampire has been hard
for Tatyana. No longer can she feel the sun on her face
as she soars through the clouds, and compounding her
difficulties are her struggles with the English language
— which only after two decades in the United States has
she learned to write. She loves Amelia dearly, but where
once Tatyana was a fierce, proud woman, she is now shy
and reclusive. She wants to return home, but knows deep
down that nothing waits for her in Russia.
Surprising to Tatyana is her attachment to com-
munist ideals. She never cared for the politics of her
motherland when she lived there, but the startling dis-

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

parity in wealth and power between mortals and Kindred While ill-suited for guests, the two women love their
alike, shocks her. She loathes the concept of a Prince one small home.
cannot contest, finds the Anarch attempts at revolution
petty and childish, and identifies more and more with her THRALLS AND TOOLS:
struggles as a young woman in a male-dominated world. • Nimarra (Retainer 1) A young Nigerian woman who
Tatyana rarely leaves Amelia’s side in public, but in illegally emigrated to America to seek another life
private, she broods and plans. She’s growing tired of her away from her abusive family and husband, Tat-
role as a recluse, limited to advising Amelia on her jour- yana took Nimarra under her wing, and gave her a
nalistic subjects. She wants to help fledglings who do not part-time job at the shelter, mainly babysitting and
understand the cruel world of which they’re a part. She cleaning. Tatyana refuses to feed from women at the
wants to enact actual change in this domain of Chicago. shelter, preferring to hunt than keep a herd.
Most importantly, she wants to take to the skies again,
and is contemplating how feasible a private night flight KINDRED RELATIONSHIPS:
company might be, and how valuable such a resource • Amelia Locke (Adoration) Despite her discomfort
could become for Kindred interested in smuggling goods with her surroundings, Tatyana would not change
and themselves to other domains with private airfields. her place beside Amelia for the world. Something
PLOTS AND SCHEMES: about the fiery journalist keeps her spark of life
burning. The two would never betray each other.
• Taking Flight: Tatyana is attempting to convince
Amelia to support her venture of purchasing a • Gérard (Potential) In Tatyana’s distant hope of re-
couple of light aircraft, a hangar, and a strip of land volt in the domain, she surveys the few Kindred she’s
from which to fly. The outlay will be considerable, encountered and views Gérard as the best possible
but flying is a dream Tatyana wishes she could live general for a revolutionary force. He may not be
again. It’s been nearly 30 years since she last sat in the smartest or most rational Kindred, but he has a
the cockpit of a plane. Amelia is reticent, as she certain charisma and a willingness to throw himself
doesn’t know what the logistics and risk would be into battle.
to a vampire pilot, but her partner is slowly wearing
down her resolve. • Lewis “Lulu” Sheng (Care) Lulu is one of the fledg-
lings Tatyana has found and offered assistance to in
• True Revolution: Tatyana’s had enough of the feudal their first nights as a vampire. She doesn’t formally
nonsense in this prominent Camarilla domain. If adopt her wards, but acts as a temporary Mawla to
they won’t embrace an alternative form of govern- any Kindred trying to find their feet. Her pragmatic
ment, maybe a good revolution is what’s needed. She side counts on a long-lasting loyalty from these fledg-
wasn’t alive to see the Romanovs fall, but she believes lings assisting her in the future.
all archaic systems need burning down if they won’t
change with the times. It’s early nights yet, but Tat- WHISPERS:
yana Makarova may start looking for co-conspirators
• Communist: Among the old guard of Kindred
to lead a rebellion against the corrupt institution
society, Tatyana’s political beliefs are not welcomed.
of the Camarilla and what she sees as their Anarch
Although she claims herself as a socialist and will
lapdogs.
not hear of the word communist, it is rumored much
DOMAIN AND HAVEN: of the donations her shelter receives still go to her
family in Russia instead of the women in need.
• Full Heart Family Shelter (Contacts 2, Haven 2) De-
spite her stern demeanor, Tatyana has a caring heart. • Russian spy: Many of the Kindred in Chicago were
She invested what little money she had in helping to alive during the Cold War, and some paranoia of
establish a shelter in Englewood for battered women Russian spies has been carried through since that
and their children. She does not have the funds to time. If she’s not working for the Russians, maybe
pay the taxes related to running the establishment, she’s working for the Prince of another domain.
however, and is seeking aid in that regard.
MASK AND MIEN:
• Love Nest (Haven 2) Tatyana and Amelia share a
• Tatyana always looks like she’s just stepped out from
two-bedroom apartment near Soldier Field. The
a cockpit or from underneath an engine. Her tangled
haven is filled with memorabilia from her time in the
brown hair, a few light burn scars on her slender
military, and set up mostly for writing and studying.
face, and weary eyes bely an acute mind and resilient

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 Character Folios

nature. She wears aviator jackets and combat boots, Convictions: Always help women in need.
as well as jeans or army cargo pants. She is a stubby Touchstones: Nimarra — a fellow migrant and loyal
woman with broad shoulders, and it is clear she does worker at the family shelter.
not care much for how she carries herself.
Humanity: 6
• When she uses Blush of Life, Tatyana’s eyes become Generation: 10th
alive, she radiates warmth and compassion, and
naturally puts others at ease. Without it, she appears Blood Potency: 2
cold and aloof. Attributes: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4; Cha-
risma 1, Manipulation 2, Composure 4; Intelligence
• Tatyana adopted a fake identity when she first 4, Wits 3, Resolve 4
moved to the States, as Russian immigrants travelled
in high numbers and weren’t checked nearly as dili- Secondary Attributes: Health 7, Willpower 8
gently as they are today. She goes by the name Vera Skills: Athletics 2, Brawl 1, Craft 3, Drive (Light
Romanenko, and claims to be Ukrainian (Mask 2). Aircraft) 5, Firearms 3, Melee 1, Stealth 3, Survival
Sire: Amelia Locke (Industrial) 3; Intimidation 2, Leadership 2, Subter-
fuge 1; Awareness 3, Finance 1, Investigation 1,
Embraced: 1992 (Born 1924) Politics (Communism) 3, Science 3, Technology 4
Ambition: To take to the skies at least once more. Disciplines: Dominate 1, Fortitude 4

155
 Loresheets
chapter six

“Chicago’s a cesspool, but interesting things have a habit of growing in the thick of sewage.”

— Milena Aronyan, explaining her business interests to Horatio Ballard

These Loresheets present prominent personages, places, that if a character has already taken a Loresheet named
and events located in and around the Greater Chicago “Descendant of…” a Kindred, and somehow exhausts its
and neighboring Milwaukee metropolitan areas. The benefits, they cannot take a new “Descendant of…” Lore-
organizations and Kindred below have a long history, and sheet unless the vampire in question is within the same
even longer reach, making them useable in your chronicle lineage. For example, a descendant of Critias could also
no matter the location. be a descendant of Menele, as Menele is Critias’ sire.
As per the rules of Loresheets in Vampire: The Storytellers are advised to pay close attention to
Masquerade, each character may only take a single Loresheets their players acquire. Choosing to invest in a
Loresheet at a time. However, if a player character ex- Loresheet is an indication that a player is interested in
hausts or expends a Loresheet acquired at character crea- the game involving their Loresheet character, organiza-
tion and has formed the bonds, earned the boons, or rol- tion, event, or similar. Always attempt to incorporate
eplayed the forging of alliances with characters or groups Loresheets in play, wherever it might improve the story
in these Loresheets, experience spent on the extinguished and personalize it for the players.
Loresheeet can be used on a new one. Note however

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

A RCHONS
Archons are the bogeymen of the Camarilla, the
unliving extension of their Justicar’s will. They are the
watchful eye at the Anarch gathering, the fly on the
Prince’s wall, and blade in the dark to all who violate the
Traditions.
Archons are the Camarilla’s elite guardians, inquis-
itors, and spies. They relentlessly prosecute all violations
of the Traditions uncovered during their nightly vigil
and have the authority to destroy all Kindred who stand
in their way. So fearsome is their reputation that entire
domains tremble at word of their passage. And tremble
they should, for even the greatest Prince bends the knee
in their presence.
Life is hard, if not lethal, for most Archons, but the
authority they wield and rewards they reap can be great.
A vampire with this Loresheet is not automatically an Ar-
chon, but through narrative, is more likely to be recruited
as one.
LORE
• Undercover: You perform test concerning the subject of sit in, and pronounce formal
your work undercover, assuming your investigation. judgement over, any Camaril-
a false identity to get close to ••• Red Phone: You have a la Kindred without retaliation
your prey. You maintain a false reliable way of contacting your from your fellow sect members.
identity as a minor member of patron Justicar. This can be You hold the equivalent of four
the faction you are investigating via sorcerous means, trusted dots of Status in most Camaril-
and gain one bonus die to all messenger, or almost any la domains, but stand the risk
rolls related to maintaining your covert method that matches your of earning Adversaries if you
cover. Additional work is needed Justicar’s particular preference. judge other Kindred arbitrarily.
to make your cover foolproof Their response to your message Note that Archons who abuse
against intense scrutiny, but varies depending on their current their authority often fall victim to
Undercover will buy you the workload and can range from unfortunate “accidents.”
time necessary to get your foot silence, to providing valuable ••••• Justicar’s Blood: You
in the door without being killed information, exerting political have access to the potent vitae
on sight. This advantage may be influence, or even deployment of the Justicar you serve and
purchased multiple times to rep- of further Archons. The precise are authorized to use it in the
resent a range of false identities. game effects of Red Phone are line of duty. This vitae may be
•• Watcher in the Dark: Like up to the Storyteller and overuse derived from a blood bond with
many Archons, you are just as or abuse of this ability may cause your Justicar or be an award for
formidable a scholar and inves- your Justicar to reconsider their meritorious service. Either way,
tigator as you are a warrior. You choice to make you an Archon. you gain three bonus dice for
have access to a vast repository •••• Color of Authority: Your rolls related to one of the three
of Camarilla contacts, records, Status as a duly appointed clan Disciplines (player’s choice)
and informants when prosecuting Archon of the Camarilla gives of your patron Justicar for the
your duties. Once per game, you you sweeping powers, including remainder of the night. You may
gain two automatic successes on the right of destruction. You may use this once per chronicle.
any Investigation or Academics

158
 Lore Sheets

T H E CON V E N T ION OF C H IC AG O
The Convention of Chicago was the first large-scale
gathering of the Camarilla in almost a century. Born of
the fires of the Second Inquisition, the Convention gath-
ered representatives of Princes and Primogen the world
over to discuss the Camarilla’s path forward in its time of
crisis. Publically, the Convention was a resounding suc-
cess, a show of unity, and sterling example of everything
the Camarilla has to offer. Privately, the Convention suc-
ceeded by the narrowest of margins. Intrigue between the
delegates and interference by Anarchs nearly derailed the
entire event, but swift action by the Archons and Anarch
disunity saved the convention from an ignominious end.
You attended the convention as a Chicago native or were
a representative from afar. Camarilla, Anarch, or independent,
you took this rare opportunity to gather information, make
new allies, and further your schemes. Many profited from the
convention, and you are not the least of them.

LORE
• Rabble Rouser: Prince Jackson piece of information related to the Retainers, and Resources related
and his allies were extremely convention. This information can be to the convention. You also have
efficient at thwarting Anarch plots part of the public record or a juicy a standing invitation to Elysium
to disrupt the convention, except behind the scenes detail (Storytell- events in Chicago or your home
in your case. You managed to er’s discretion). domain.
disrupt one of the convention’s ••• Troubleshooter: Conventions ••••• Mover and Shaker: You
important after parties, embar- have a way of bringing out the played an active role in the Con-
rassing the host, humiliating their rabble, and Chicago was no ex- vention of Chicago’s success. Your
security detail, and damaging the ception. You are an agent of Prince rhetoric purchased many a vote
status of multiple Kindred. Success Jackson, the Archons, or some oth- during the formal sessions, and
breeds success, and once per er group whose best interests were your whispers purchased many
story, you can assemble a small served by the convention’s success. more during the after parties. These
group of fledgling Anarchs to your You gain two-dots of Status among votes are a byproduct of your love
cause. They count as a three-dot the Kindred of Chicago and a affair with uncovering your fellow
Ally group that will perform one “get out of jail free” card from the delegate’s secrets. You know who
dangerous action for you once per Prince. Once per chronicle, you sleeps with who, which closets hide
story. They respect your rep, but can use your service at the conven- skeletons, and why the trunk of that
will not sell their lives needlessly. tion to have the authorities of your BMW sounds like its moaning. You
•• Convention Attendee: You domain turn a blind eye toward a use this information and the power
attended the convention and minor violation of the Traditions out it provides to enlist the (grudging)
participated in its formal sessions, of respect for services rendered. aid of your betters. Once per story,
working groups, and more impor- •••• Formal Delegate: You were you can collect a Major Boon
tantly, after parties. You navigated one of the formal delegates to the from a convention attendee in your
this web of intrigue successfully convention and successfully prose- debt. Work with the Storyteller
and gain two-dots to distribute cuted the objectives of your patron to determine the identity of the
between Allies and Contacts in Prince or Primogen. Your wild Kindred in question and nature of
addition to being able to ask the success grants you four-dots to their aid.
Storyteller once per story for a distribute among Allies, Contacts,

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

DE SC E N DA N T OF M E N E L E
(BRU JA H CH A R ACT E R S ON LY )
Menele has walked the Earth since his breathing days
as a philosopher-king in ancient Greece. His insatiable
lust for enlightenment led him first to India, then to
Carthage, a utopia purportedly built on the ideal of
peaceful coexistence between Kindred and kine. A utopia
reduced to ash by the treachery of Helena.
Apoplectic with rage, Menele razed Helena’s beloved
Pompeii to a cinder, lighting the spark of their unending
rivalry. Helena and Menele fought across the ages until
they beat themselves into mutual torpor near present-day
Chicago. Menele was on the verge of renewing his ancient
grudge with Helena when he was called east by the Beck-
oning, freeing his childer from his vice-like mental grip.
Many of Menele’s descendants inherited his passion
for philosophy, enlightenment, and greater ideals, while
others became fearsome warriors selected for their ability to
defend Menele from Helena’s agents. Both were needed to
realize Menele’s weary dream of founding a new Carthage
based on ancient Brujah ideals. Now, Menele’s descendants
are free to choose their destiny for the first time in millen-
nia. The question is: What will they do with it?

LORE
• Symposium: Menele always return to their roots as thinkers ••••• The Greater Mysteries:
liked a good argument and sired and positive agents of change. Menele spent years learning the
many childer after debating the You are trained to resist the pull meditative practices necessary to
mysteries of life for evenings on end. of your Brujah fury. Once per perceive the astral plane in his quest
All of your Persuasion rolls have session, you can spend a Will- for spiritual perfection. You inherited
their difficulty reduced by one. power point to re-roll a frenzy a portion of his ability and remain
•• Carthago Delenda Est: brought about by your Brujah fully cognizant of your surroundings
Menele maintained an elaborate clan bane. during your daily slumber. Reduce
network of spies, informants, and •••• Knowledge is Power: the difficulty of all Rouse checks to
retainers. His network fragment- Menele was impossibly old and awaken during the day by two.
ed upon his destruction, but you held many secrets about the You also have the ability to
managed to claim a portion of it Kindred of Chicago and beyond. perceive fractured glimpses of
for your own. You have three dots You were steward of those secrets events to come that may affect
to split between Retainers, Influ- before. The Beckoning drew your character while you slum-
ence, Allies, and Resources, with him away. Once per story, you ber. Once per session, you may
the absolute certainty that Helena may request a single secret from roll Resolve + Occult to interpret
and her agents will attempt to the Storyteller about a clan or your nightly visions. Each success
take them from you. Kindred in Chicago or similar do- brings the vision into greater
••• Know Thyself: Menele main that felt Menele’s influence focus and the Storyteller may
believed the Brujah needed to (Storyteller’s discretion). offer you one cryptic hint or fact
relevant to your character.

160
 Lore Sheets

G OBL I N ROA DS
Travelling between Chicago and Milwaukee is perilous in
the extreme. Lupines infest the roads and towns that con-
nect the great cities and far stranger things inhabit the eerie
wetlands, forests, and quiet spots between. The safest way to
avoid these perils is to navigate the “Weird,” a collection of
lonely roads, switchbacks, and roadside alters that tortuously
thread their way between “oasis” of spiritually unnerving
ground repulsive to Lupines. Dubbed “Goblin Roads” by local
Kindred, Prince Decker of Milwaukee and Elder Inyanga of
Chicago organized a group of intrepid Gangrel known as the
“Psychopomps” to ferry Kindred between their cities.
Unusual on the best of nights, the Psychopomps know
the secrets of the Goblin Roads and have a unique sense of
the Weird that surrounds and infuses them. They perceive
the Weird’s presence constantly, always feeling its eyes in
the darkness, never deviating from their well-marked paths.
Passage along the Goblin Roads is a lonely and terrifying
experience as the Psychopomp leapfrogs from oasis to oasis,
offering sacrifices of blood, alcohol, or prayer to forces un-
known. Many Psychopomps go mad, wandering off the road
and vanishing forever. Others simply disappear. But none Kindred seeking passage between the two great cities
have abandoned their charges mid-journey, always dropping have only to call upon Prince Decker or his newly-minted
their passengers off at their destination before vanishing counterpart Rosa Hernandez. Survival is never guaranteed,
back into the Weird to begin their journey anew. but few things truly are.

LORE
• Night Rider: You are a ••• Psychopomp: You are 376 and p. 377 or the Storyteller
frequent passenger on the a Psychopomp and travel the creates the monster). Once per
Goblin Roads and have become Goblin Roads at will. This journey game, your Ally will come to
accustomed to their nature. Your requires 24 hours preparation to your aid within 10 hours of your
knowledge grants you an ad- attune yourself to the proper rites summons.
ditional two dice to all Survival and sacrifices necessary for safe ••••• One with the Weird: You
tests related to surviving the Gob- passage and you gain two-dots of spent many nights looking into
lin Roads if you become isolated Status reflecting your occupation. the Weird, and one evening, it
in the Weird. •••• Weird Ally: You led an looked back. You have unraveled
•• Summon the Ferryman: expedition into the Weird or one of the deeper mysteries of
You have arranged passage on were separated from your Psy- the Weird. It might be the hidden
the Goblin Roads with Prince chopomp for a protracted period nature of the Goblin Roads oasis,
Decker, Rosa Hernandez, or one of time. During that time, you en- the true name of a powerful spirit,
of their Psychopomps. The price countered and formed a pact or a potent ritual, the dark secret
of this arrangement can take the alliance with a supernatural den- of a mist-shrouded town, or the
form of cash, a minor boon, or izen of the Weird. This creature is location of an artifact of great
something else entirely (Storytell- unusual at the best of times, but power. Work with the Storyteller
er’s discretion). Once per story, will come when called. You gain to define the exact nature of your
you can enlist a Psychopomp to a four-dot Ally that is a were- secret, but remember, the Weird
ferry yourself and your coterie wolf, mage, wraith, changeling, does not reveal its secrets casually
between Chicago and Milwau- or something stranger still (see and there will be a price.
kee. Vampire: The Masquerade p.

161
THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

JUSTICA R LUCINDE
Lucinde is one of the most formidable members of
Clan Ventrue, advancing from Archon, to Alastor, to Jus-
ticar. Her role as the first Alastor, or hunter of Kindred
declared Anathema by the Camarilla, led to the creation
of the Camarilla’s infamous “Red List” of most wanted
Kindred. As Alastor, Lucinde and her fellow Archon’s
routinely went deep undercover to stalk their prey, a
practice she maintains in her present role as Justicar.
Named “Justicar for Unlife” in recent years, Lucinde and
her agents have vanished once again into the dark under-
belly of vampire society to stalk all who would challenge
the Camarilla.
Lucinde’s Archons and other agents frequently visit
Chicago while prosecuting their duties. You might have
worked directly with these agents, or even Lucinde herself
at some point in her long career. You may even be an Ar-
chon or Alastor in Lucinde’s employ. Whatever the case,
you stood in Lucinde’s shadow and were transformed by
the experience.

LORE
• Snake Charmer: Lucinde and allows you to automatically ••••• Alastor: You have joined
bears a unique ire for members succeed on one test per chron- Lucinde as an Alastor and hunt
of the Ministry and knows them icle, where the tale of this event Kindred on the “Red List.” You
well. You gain one additional die might be of assistance. operate under deep cover and
for all Investigation rolls related •••• Lucinde’s Revenge: enjoy immunity from prosecution
to the Ministers. Lucinde has astonishing re- by any Prince. You report solely
•• Patient Hunter: Lucinde’s sistance to the effects of Pres- to the Camarilla’s Inner Circle
investigation skills are legendary, ence. Formerly exclusive to her and have a mystical mark on
skills she imparted to you. Once descendants, Lucinde has begun your right palm identifying you
per story, you automatically to instruct other Kindred in this as an Alastor when revealing
succeed on one Investigation supernatural resistance. Once your rank and station becomes
check related to a member of the per chronicle, Lucinde’s Revenge necessary.
Anathema or other Kindred who renders you immune to a single You have a two-dot Mask and
poses a threat to the day-to- use of Presence wielded against have been Zeroed. Additionally,
day existence of the Camarilla. you as long as the vampire you receive three additional dice
This success will not necessarily assailing you is of equal-to or to resist all attempts to uncover
reveal the immediate location of lower generation. Vampires of a your identity. Should you reveal
said Kindred, but it will definitely higher generation than you are your identity, you gain the equiv-
point you in the right direction unaffected by Lucinde’s Revenge alent of four-dots of Status. You
(Storyteller’s discretion). and can assail you regularly. have also earned the undying
••• Legend Killer: You have Lucinde only teaches this ability enmity of all who oppose the
destroyed, or participated in the to her Archons, Alastors, and Camarilla and are in turn hunted
destruction, of a member of the chosen allies who have assisted by an Anathema the Storyteller
Red List. This fame (or notoriety) in one of her hunts, or who have designates as your Adversary.
precedes you wherever you go been of great service to the
Camarilla.

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 Lore Sheets

KHA LID A L-R ASHID

Ancient and powerful, Khalid was a well-respected
member of Chicago’s Primogen, and still is to those who
believe Cedrick Calhoun’s subterfuge. Khalid walked
the earth for nearly a thousand years in continual battle
against his Beast, always seeking, yet never achieving,
Golconda. Khalid’s quests led him to Chicago in search of
a legendary Inconnu. What he found was a city firmly in
the grip of an unending Jyhad between Helena and Me-
nele. Taking to the shadows, Khalid managed to remain
unbeholden to either Methuselah and managed to iden-
tify a circle of Kindred equally free from their influence.
Digging deeper, he found something else entirely, and
may well be in hiding, met the final death, or worse.
Khalid is your Primogen, Mawla, or even sire. You
pity his inability to attain Golconda, but admire the fact
that Khalid never, ever, quits.

LORE
• Safe Haven: Khalid’s tutelage secreted them about Chicago involving Nerissa Blackwater
provides two dots to divide and beyond. You have acquired or the being she serves by four.
between the Haven Merits of pages from this book and the Total Failure means Nerissa be-
Postern and Security System. secrets they contain. Once per comes aware of your inquiry.
•• Deadly Stroke: Khalid was story, you may ask the Storyteller ••••• Unbeholden: Khalid knew
a master swordsman in life, and for one secret Khalid would have about Helena and Menele and
more so in death. You may have access to about Helena, Menele, assembled a coterie of “wild
fought beside him during the or the identity of one Kindred card” Kindred free from their
War of Chicago, or studied at under (or formerly under, in the influence. You are not presently
his feet as your Mawla. Either case of Menele) their control. under the control or dominion of
way, you learned well. Once per •••• Wicked Garden: You Helena, Menele, or a similar-
chronicle, you gain three dice to learned from Khalid or discov- ly ancient vampire. Once per
a single Melee test while using a er notes he left behind about chronicle, you automatically
sword. strange entities living in Lake escape one attempt by an
••• Khalid’s Notebook: Khalid Michigan with oblique references ancient to ensnare you in their
recorded his suspicions about to his sightings and suspicions Jyhad. Work with the Storyteller
the eternal war between Helena about the creature known as to determine exactly how this feat
and Menele in a notebook filled Nerissa Blackwater. Once per occurs, but you manage to retain
with coded pages. He tore out story, this knowledge reduces the your freedom, for now.
many pages of this notebook and difficulty of all Investigation tests

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

K INDRED DUELING
Formal duels between Kindred have taken many
forms over the ages, halting only with the rise of the
Camarilla and its formal proscriptions against them.
Since that time, duels have gone underground were largely
confined to the domains of Anarchs, the Sabbat, secretive
dueling societies, and cities with permissive princes like
Milwaukee. Ancient duels known as “Trials of Death”
were fought with strength and fang, two Kindred draining
one another until one succumbs to desiccation or destruc-
tion. Contemporary duels employ swords, guns, stakes, or
even flaming brands. Whatever the form, these turbulent
nights have seen a resurgence in Kindred dueling — one
that is unlikely to abate anytime soon.

LORE
• Honorable Combatant: razor’s edge through years of frenzy provided by a bonfire.
You are familiar with the rules, Camarilla honor duels or Anarch The difficulty to resist terror frenzy
strictures, and customs of Kindred street fights. You ignore the ‒2 induced by being burned is also
Dueling. You gain +2 dice to all penalty for called shots when reduced by one for the scene.
Etiquette tests related to Kindred attempting to stake another ••••• Trials of Death: You are
Dueling. vampire. a veteran of countless Trials of
•• Fight Club: You have es- •••• Fire Eater: Duels with torch- Death or learned at the feet of a
tablished a flourishing Kindred es and flaming brands are in- true master. You only remove one
dueling society in your domain. creasingly popular among young die from your pool when making
This society is a lucrative venture Kindred out to demonstrate their a bite attack. Opponents direct-
and excellent way for Kindred courage. They have even be- ing bite attacks against you re-
to settle their differences but is come a rite of passage for many move three dice from their pools.
frowned upon by the Prince and/ Anarchs. These duels are fought The Beast is particularly strong in
or Primogen of your domain. with one or two torches around you during these trials and slakes
Gain three dots to distribute a blazing bonfire, each partici- its thirst with wild abandon. After
between Resources, Allies, or pant fighting until one succumbs a successful bite attack, your
Contacts reflecting the profits and to their wounds or the terrors of opponent increases their Hunger
connections made through your Rötschreck. Once per game, by two instead of one.
society. you can call upon your expe-
••• Stake Fighter: You honed rience with fire duels, ignoring
your stake fighting skills to a the regular provocation to terror

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 Lore Sheets

M A L K AV I A N F A M I L Y
( M A L K AV I A N C H A R A C T E R S O N L Y )

Being Embraced as a Malkavian in Chicago brings

with it an almost instantaneous new family. Many of their
number look upon one another as kin: Jason Newberry’s
sire considered him like her own son; Bronwyn and Corb-
in grew up like sisters in their mortal days.
While other clans allow their members their autono-
my, Son wields his authority as Primogen to micromanage
his clanmates’ lives. He hosts mandatory group counselling
sessions, which he leads. Attendees bare their souls at his
behest, providing information the others could use against
them. Son also requires the Malkavians under his control to
share territories and havens, giving them little respite from
one another. They know one another’s weaknesses the way
only a close-knit family can, and Jason Newberry positions
himself as their domineering patriarch.
These ties have also caused some Malkavians in
Chicago to form close bonds. Having many members of
the clan in the same territory makes guarding it easier,
and when one of their number puts out a call via the
Web, chances are someone is close by to answer. Though
Son has duped outsiders into thinking he’s an upstanding
member of Kindred society, his abuse of power within the
clan gives its members someone to unite against, should
the time come to get rid of him.

LORE
• Family Secrets: Attending ••• Tangled Web: Your frequent Dominate, or Obfuscate power
Son’s therapy sessions gives you contact with other Oracles has you haven’t yet learned (at your
glimpses into your clanmates’ heightened your ability to sense current level or below) to hide in
schemes and goals. As careful as and use the Cobweb. Once plain sight, escape a crowded
most attendees are not to spill ev- per story, you may extend your area, or avoid detection.
erything, over time the shapes of perceptions along it to locate a ••••• Favorite Childe: A re-
their plans come clear. Gain two specific clan member in the city. spected elder member of the clan
dice on an Awareness or Insight You may either catch a short has taken a shine to you and
roll involving another Malkavian. glimpse of where they are and appointed themselves your sur-
•• Sibling Bond: You’ve grown who they’re with, or deliver one rogate parent, your favorite aunt
extremely close to another short sentence (“Meet me at the or uncle, or doting grandparent.
member of your clan, someone Blue Velvet,” “A Hound came They’re intensely interested in
who is like a favorite sibling to looking for you.”) into their mind. helping you achieve your goals,
you. You share a two-dot Haven •••• A Little Peace and Quiet: possibly cloyingly so. Gain them
and a one-dot Herd, and once With Son constantly forcing you as a five-dot Mawla. Once per
per story can call on this person to share space and secrets with story, this person will act as a
for a significant favor. However, other Malkavians, you’ve had buffer between you and Son,
they will ask for your assistance to carve out creative ways to relieving you of whatever obliga-
in turn and may lay their burdens get some alone time. Once per tion the Primogen was attempting
at your door. story, you may use an Auspex, to impose.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

O C C U LT A R T I FAC T S
(T R E M E R E A N D BA N U H AQI M ON LY )

The 21st century saw a great decline in the use of occult

artifacts among the Kindred outside the chantries of Clan
Tremere. As the Age of Reason flowered, the Age of Magic
withered, and occult objects once prized among the Kindred
were cast aside in favor of modern innovation.
The destruction wrought by the Second Inquisition, the
Beckoning, and Tremere schism, combined with the Camaril-
la’s edicts against technology have begun to reverse this trend.
Many elders’ havens are now abandoned, or in the hands of
“trusted” ancillae. Entire Tremere chantries lay fallow, and
prized artifacts from an older time lay forgotten in slumbering
elders’ collections, ripe for the taking.
You have gained access to, or knowledge of, one or more
precious occult artifacts. These were likely entrusted to Nicolai
for safekeeping in the Chicago Chantry or may be located
elsewhere. Note that all are powerful in their own way and are
likely sought by others, which can make them more trouble
than they are worth. It is unlikely that more than one of these
will be available to any given coterie.
LORE
• Rowan Ring: Rowan Rings the cloak only works on one target Failure pierces the veil between this
are feared tools of assassination at a time, and there is seldom more world and the next, exposing the
employed by elder members of than one cloak per Tremere Chantry. user to “things” best left unseen,
the Banu Haqim or their trusted inflicting one point of superficial
••• Powder of Rigidity: This
neonates. They appear to be simple Willpower damage.
uncommon mixture of rare herbs,
wooden rings, though they are Gangrel blood, and wolfsbane ••••• Tapestry of Blood: A rare
detectable as magical with Auspex is increasingly sought after in the and powerful artifact highly sought
or other occult means. After making wake of the War in Chicago and after by all. The Tapestry of Blood
a Rouse Check, the ring mystical- Clan Gangrel’s defection from the is a massive medieval tapestry
ly sharpens and elongates into a Camarilla. Coming in long tubes, the said to have graced the halls of the
wooden stake that can be used to concoction is hurled on the target Vienna Chantry before its transfer
make a stake attack (Vampire: in an opposed Dexterity + Athletics to Chicago. The user must make
The Masquerade, p. 221). The test. If the thrower succeeds, the five Rouse Checks and spend a full
stake detaches after use and the ring tube shatters on the target and coats evening contemplating the weave
falls off its wielder’s finger. A simple them in a viscous purple dust. As the of the tapestry. As the first rays of
thought transforms the stake back magical effects take hold, the target, dawn strike, the user makes a Wits
into a ring when not in use. whether they be a user of Protean, or Resolve + Occult check with each
•• Cloak of Abalone: Woven by Lupine, or other shape changer, success granting them greater clarity
the Tremere as a powerful weapon loses all ability to change shape for of vision. This vision can take almost
against Toreador, the Cloak of Ab- the next four hours. any form, from glimpses of ancient
alone is dull black, brown, or gray civilizations to glimpses of the future.
•••• Monocle of Clarity: Designed
on the outside, but opens to reveal a The only certainty is that the subject
by the Tremere to detect Obfuscat-
lining that forms a scintillating shower of each vision will directly relate
ed spies, the Monocle of Clarity is
of mesmerizing color. The wearer to the fate of the user. Total Failure
a beautifully etched monocle set
must make a Rouse Check to activate indicates the user saw something
into a delicately filigreed gold and
the cloak, after which the targeted truly unsettling about their fate and
silver frame. The user makes a Rouse
Toreador is immediately treated as if immediately triggers a compulsion
Check to activate and rolls Wits
they rolled a Bestial Failure and are as detailed in the Vampire: The
or Resolve + five dice against the
afflicted as if their Toreador Obses- Masquerade core book.
Targets Wits + Obfuscate. Success
sion was in effect (Vampire: The pierces the targets Obfuscate. Total
Masquerade, p. 210). Note that

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 Lore Sheets

THE PON Y EXPRESS

The Pony Express was founded by an enterprising
group of Ventrue ancillae in response to the Camarilla’s
abandonment of electronic communications in the after-
math of the Second Inquisition. Recognizing the need for
a method of coordinating intercity communication across
the sect, the group’s founder, Elliot Praxton, assembled
a group of like-minded Ventrue to found what Praxton
deemed “The Pony Express.”
The Express is a system of physical couriers that criss-
cross the nation using various modes of transportation
ranging from muscle cars and unremarkable sedans, to
boats, planes, and helicopters. Agents of the express in each
city include Kindred and their ghouls who may be perma-
nent fixtures of that domain, or move from city-to-city in a
circuit. They operate a dizzying array of blind-letter drops,
secret meets, and other anonymous forms of communica-
tion that they use to “collect the mail” in each domain. This
mail ranges from heavily-encrypted flash drives to old-fash-
ioned physical correspondence.
Express drivers are culled from the ranks of Gan-
grel loyal to the Camarilla and an ever-increasing pool
of young Ventrue and other ambitious Kindred. Drivers
brave the perils of the open road, handing off their pack-
ages to other drivers at pre-arranged drops or occasionally
making long-hauls with particularly sensitive informa-
tion. Anarchs, Lupines, and the Inquisition stand in their for the Express is dangerous on the best of nights, but
way, but they get the mail through, never taking the same it is vital to the Camarilla’s survival and Praxton pays
route twice, and always covering their tracks. Working extremely well.

LORE
• Access to the Network: You ••• Driver: You are a driver for the and you are at the forefront of this
have access to the Express and can Express, granting you access to a new initiative. Once per story, your
send or receive a secure message wide array of vehicles and bolt holes gain access to an international
or packet to or from any domain the across the nation. You can acquire a mode of travel specifically tailored
Express operates in. The delivery will vehicle appropriate to your journey’s to accommodate the unique needs
arrive within three nights to a week needs (Storytellers discretion) once of Kindred. This transportation is
(Storytellers discretion). per story. This is typically a car, truck, likely something fast and maneu-
boat, small aircraft, or even motorcy- verable like a Lear jet, or slow and
•• Station Agent: You collect the
cle suitable to reach your destination. clandestine like a birth on a faceless
mail in your domain and facilitate the
You also have access to the full Pony freighter. Two-dot Havens in the form
handoff to a driver. You have two-
Express station network, representing of Express stations anchor each end
dots in Mask and are Zeroed. You
a collection of two-dot Havens within of your journey.
also have access to the local Express
one night’s travel of each other. They
station, a two-dot Haven with a one- ••••• Passenger Service: Always
are owned by Praxton, but available
dot Postern. It is owned by Paxton, the innovator, Praxton operates a
to all his agents and drivers in time
but available to you while on official clandestine passenger service for
of need.
Express business. The obligation “special” clients. Once per story,
that comes with this Loresheet sees •••• World Tour: Praxton recently you and your coterie obtain passage
the vampire often chased or held took the Pony Express international, from your domain to any destination
accountable if expected deliveries arranging secure stations at many of the Express operates in. (Storyteller’s
do not make it to their recipients. the world’s major air and seaports discretion).

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

SH E R I F F DA M I E N
Damien never wanted to be Sheriff of Chicago, but
now that he’s accepted the position he takes it damned
seriously. The Brujah was at his most content onstage as
the lead singer of the punk band Baby Chorus. The War
of Chicago tore that away from him, shattering his found
family, sending the surviving band members on a long
hiatus, and leaving him adrift. Damien’s lack of allegiance
to the likes of Annabelle, Ballard, and DuSable drew
Prince Jackson to him. Who better to serve as Sheriff than
someone who knew the city and its power players, but
was beholden to none of them?
Before he assumed the mantle, Damien traveled the
United States on an unofficial solo tour, playing Baby
Chorus’ music and his own in cities across the country.
Doing so, he’s made contacts from coast to coast in both
Camarilla- and Anarch-controlled cities.
Tonight, Damien’s loyalties lie with Prince Jackson
and the recently reunited Baby Chorus. He keeps dossiers
on Chicago’s Kindred, and sends his Hounds after those
who threaten the Prince’s agenda. In addition to those
enforcers he inherited when he took the job, Damien
continues to build up the Hound roster with fierce fight-
ers, should the Lasombra prove a problem or his former together out of those he trusted. He did the same after his
Anarch associates make a move. Embrace, running with the Nihilists. Tonight, he fiercely
Damien is canny and self-reliant. He carved out protects the people he’s closest to. He’s lost enough family
a living for himself as a teenager and cobbled a family over the years. Now that he’s Sheriff, he intends to use
that power to keep the ones who remain safe.
LORE
• Fan Club: You’ve been a Baby grants you some authority, others had his back in a particularly
Chorus fan for decades. You’ve col- consider you a snitch. ugly brawl. You have his respect,
lected their albums and have boxes and Damien acts as your four-dot
full of bootlegged tapes and CDs ••• Guest Artist: Though its
current roster is fairly solid, Dam- Mawla. Once per story, you may
from their shows. Damien recognizes
you as a frequent face in the front ien spent several years trying to also ask him to put you in touch
row, and other fans see you as an resurrect Baby Chorus without with one of his varying contacts
authority on the band, giving you Kathy Glens and the other surviv- around the country.
two dots of Influence among other ing members. You played with the ••••• Loyal Hound: Prince Jack-
Baby Chorus devotees. band in one or several of those son handed Damien a crew full
•• Patroller: Damien frequently taps interim incarnations, and Damien of wannabe diplomat Hounds,
you for patrol duty, sending you out occasionally invites you to open but the Sheriff wants fighters and
among Chicago’s feeding grounds for them, or play a set. Once per you’ve got a reputation for solv-
to keep an eye on Kindred activity.
story, you may use Damien as a ing problems with your fists. Gain
Your reports are clear and concise,
alerting the Sheriff to potential trou-
three-dot Contact in the enter- Contacts: Sheriff Damien (••••),
ble well before it lands on his — or tainment world. Status: Camarilla (••). You may
worse, Prince Jackson’s — plate. •••• Postcards From the act with the Sheriff’s authority
Once per story, add three dice Road: You’ve made a deep on Kindred matters, and must
to an Insight, Intimidation, or connection with Damien. Perhaps respond when Damien requires
Streetwise roll. While this position you’ve bonded over music, or your assistance.

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T H E WOL F PAC K
Wind whips through their hair as the Wolf Pack
stalks the lonely roads and cities of southern Illinois. They
strike quickly, their presence marked by the roar of en-
gines and wild laughter, leaving only vanishing pavement
and broken Anarchs in their wake. The Wolf Pack has
served the Camarilla for decades, rebels for a cause that
reject their clan’s abandonment of the Ivory Tower to
bend rules and crack heads in service of the Traditions.
The Wolf Pack roams far and wide in their role as
roving Archons, but are short a few members after the
brutal War of Chicago against the Lupines. Maybe you
met them on the open highway and rode with them a
spell? Maybe they saw something in you and decided
to make you a prospect? Whatever your interaction, it
probably made you a little bit stronger, and a whole lot
meaner.

LORE
• Prospect: Surviving Tyrus’ access to a custom motorcycle. ••••• Gives no…: Tyrus infus-
“initiation” into the Wolf Pack •••• Dread Riders: Your asso- es you with a measure of his
requires a certain degree of ciation with Anthius gives you hard-headed, hard-hearted,
resilience. Reduce the difficulty of access to a veritable army of and hard-riding personality.
all Survival rolls related to travel Midwestern motorcycle gangs. You never take anything from
and outdoorsmanship by one. Once per chronicle, you can anybody and are willing to stare
•• Member: Rule one of joining call on Anthius’ influence to down Caine himself if he has the
the Wolf Pack is that you have to assemble hundreds of Hell’s balls to challenge you. Once per
be able to ride. Your association Angels anywhere in the conti- session, you can ignore even the
with the Pack grants you a two- nental United States within three most formidable attempt to intimi-
die bonus to all Drive tests while nights (although the first groups date you. You become immune to
riding a motorcycle. arrive within hours). These bikers any single attempt to intimidate,
provide you with a five-dot Ally cow, or make you back down or
••• White Line Nightmare: retreat (mundane or supernatu-
The Wolf Pack lives frugally, but group that can be roughly direct-
ed toward a single objective of ral). This ability disappears at the
spares no expense on its bikes. start of the next scene.
Once per game, you can call on your choosing. Be forewarned
the Wolf Pack’s contacts in the the potential for massive collat-
motorcycle community across eral damage and government
the country to obtain immediate involvement are high.

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 Blood Sorcery
chapter seven

Rituals
“You can study much better in blissful solitude than with an entire chantry
of apprentices whining about how you haven’t fed them in a week.”

— Abraham DuSable justifies the Tremere clan split to himself

The Tremere, Tzimisce, and Banu Haqim are always these rituals at character creation or during the chronicle
experimenting, always crafting, and always creating new at the Storyteller’s discretion.
rites of Blood Sorcery. Some are developed for unleashing
on their enemies, others are designed for protection of
the self or haven. Rituals might even find greater utilitar- Level 2
ian use, for investigation, transportation of messages via
discreet means, or swift transit of the body or blood of
the practitioner. Calling the Aura’s Remnants

The Rituals of Chicago

This ritual allows the caster to speak with the residu-
al psychic aura of someone who has died.
• Ingredients: A human corpse or the corpse of a de-
The Tremere have been refining their sorcerous craft stroyed vampire.
for centuries and the Chicago chantry is no exception.
Always the innovator, Nicolai and his chantry perfected • Process: The ritual must be cast within ten feet of a
a number of potent new Blood Sorcery rituals prior to human corpse or the corpse of a destroyed vampire.
his disappearance. These rituals are still available to the
• System: A successful Ritual test allows the caster to
Tremere of Chicago and their chosen allies. They may
speak with the animate reflection of the deceased
also be available to Kindred who received instruction
for one scene as if they were still alive. This com-
from Nicolai in the past, provided valuable services to the
munication is not with the deceased spirit and only
chantry, or took the liberty of “acquiring” them during
has access to the memories of the deceased up to the
the chaos of the recent Tremere schism. Players may select
time of death. A Critical Win extends the duration
of the speech to an entire evening.

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

Level 3 • System: The caster must share a glass of blood with

their target. A successful Ritual test grants the target
a four-die bonus to resist frenzy for one scene. A
EYES OF THE PAST Critical Win extends this duration to an evening.
The caster must share blood with another and cannot
This ritual shows what happened in the caster’s
cast this ritual upon themselves.
present location at a specific time in the past up to five
years ago. THE UNSEEN CHANGE
• Ingredients: One drop of blood for each year the This ritual forces Lupines into their wolf form.
caster is trying to look backward in time (three or
• Ingredients: Wolf blood, Kindred vitae, a silver jug.
more drops requires a Rouse Check).
• Process: The caster mixes Kindred vitae with wolf’s
• Process: The caster selects the location for their
blood and pours the mixture from a silver jug around
ritual, cuts their hand, and allows the drops of blood
a specific area. This can be as small as a meter or
to spill on the earth.
large enough to encircle a house.
• System: A successful Ritual test allows the caster
• System: The caster makes three Rouse checks to
to see what happened in their present location at a
summon the blood necessary for the ritual and marks
specific time of their selection, up to five years ago.
out a closed area with a mixture of Kindred vitae
The caster can see what happened in the past as if
and wolf’s blood. A successful Ritual test forces all
they had been standing where they are now. Duration
Lupines crossing the threshold defined by the caster
is one scene with clarity of vision determined by the
to automatically transform into their Lupus form,
number of successes scored. The vampire cannot recall
unless they succeed on a contested Willpower test
the vision with any clarity after the scene elapses,
against the casters Intelligence + Blood Sorcery or the
meaning the Storyteller is not obligated to answer any
number of successes scored on the initial ritual roll
questions about the vision after that time. A Critical
(if year-long). The ritual dissipates at dawn unless the
Win permanently fixes the scene in their memory.
initial ritual roll is made at +2 to difficulty. If success-
ILLUSION OF PEACEFUL DEATH ful, the ritual lasts a year and a day. A Critical Win
doubles the number of successes the Lupine needs
This ritual heals obvious wounds on a corpse, causing
on its roll to defeat the ritual. The Unseen Change
a body to appear as though it died a natural death.
forces the target Lupine into their form as a normal
• Ingredients: A white feather. wolf, denying them the raw power of their dreaded
half-wolf form.
• Process: The caster must symbolically “dust” the body
with a white feather.

• System: A successful Ritual test causes a corpse Level 4

to appear as if it died a natural death. This ritual
does not add blood to the corpse, but does reduce INNOCENCE OF THE CHILD’S HEART
the chance that this blood loss will be discovered Developed by Nicolai himself, this ritual allows
(increase difficulty of all rolls to determine cause of the caster to conceal their Kindred aura from users of
death by three). The body must have at least half its Auspex.
original blood for this ritual to succeed. A Critical
Win increases the difficulty of all rolls to determine • Ingredients: A toy belonging to a mortal child.
cause of death by five.
• Process: The caster must acquire the toy of an
GENTLE MIND innocent mortal child and use the ritual to mysti-
This ritual fortifies the target’s mind against frenzy. cally infuse it with the power of their Kindred vitae,
drawing the child’s innocence into their aura. The
• Ingredients: Crystal glass, Kindred vitae. caster must then carry the toy on their person to
mask themselves from the powers of Auspex.
• Process: The caster shares blood with the target of
the ritual while the caster whispers quietly into the • System: The caster makes a Rouse Check and makes
target’s ear, weaving a temporary cage around the their Ritual test. Upon success, the caster’s aura is
target’s beast. altered to a brilliant white, untainted by vampirism.

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 Blood Sorcery Rituals

Auspex users employing Scry the Soul on the caster • System: The caster makes a Rouse Check and a ritual
will perceive their aura as white until the effects of test. Upon success, a 10-foot by 10-foot chasm opens,
the ritual dissipate, unless they make a contested leading to the subterranean resting place of a vam-
roll between their Intelligence + Auspex versus the pire in an Earth Melded state. The ritual automati-
caster’s Intelligence + Blood Sorcery + four dice. The cally awakens the target vampire if they are asleep,
ritual lasts one night unless the ritual test is made at but will not do so if they are in torpor. A Critical
+2 to difficulty which extends it to a year and a day. Win opens the chasm without waking the target.
A Critical Win doubles the ritual’s duration. Note
that there is no recorded instance of Nicolai sharing PROTEAN CURSE
this ritual with his fellow Tremere and can only be This ritual transforms the target into a bat similar to
learned by capturing Nicolai’s notes or via other the level four Protean ability. Metamorphosis.
method of the Storyteller’s determination. • Ingredients: A vial of rabid vampire bat blood, Kin-
RENDING THE SWEET EARTH dred vitae.
This ritual rends the earth to reveal a vampire con- • Process: The target must drink a vial of blood from a
cealed by Protean. rabid vampire bat, mixed with Kindred vitae.
• Ingredients: A leather whip, Kindred vitae.
• System: The caster makes a Rouse Check and mixes
• Process: The caster locates the exact spot a user of one Hunger worth of their blood with the blood of a
Protean sank into the earth using Earth Meld. They rabid vampire bat and gives it to the target to drink.
then slit their palm, smearing vitae on the point of The ritual is cast, and upon a successful ritual roll
entry and repeatedly strike the ground with a leather vs. the target’s Stamina + Occult roll, the target is
whip. transformed into a bat per the Metamorphosis abil-
ity of the Protean Discipline. The target may elect

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THE CHICAGO FOLIOS

to resist this transformation. If the target rolls more BLADED HANDS

successes than the ritual’s practitioner, they prevent This ritual sharpens the caster’s hands to a razor’s edge.
the transformation, while their Dramatic Failure can
• Ingredients: A pair of razor blades, two drops of
leave them in a horrifically deformed, half-human,
Kindred vitae.
half-bat state. The ritual can be cast on both Kindred
and humans and lasts for a full evening or until the • Process: The caster places a razor blade in each palm,
caster dispels the ritual via a successful ritual test. gripping them tightly as the ritual is cast. At the end
The duration of Protean Curse can be extended by of the ritual, they vanish into the caster’s person,
making a Rouse Check and a successful ritual roll at leaving a pair of supernaturally sharp hands in their
the beginning of each night the caster wants to main- wake.
tain the ritual. A Critical Win for the practitioner
doubles the duration of Protean Curse. • System: The caster must make a successful Ritu-
al test and two Rouse Checks. Success grants the
caster +2 damage on all Brawl attacks made with the

Rituals from the caster’s hands. The caster must be very careful about
what they touch while employing Bladed Hands (+1

Milwaukee Chantry
difficulty to all rolls to handle delicate objects). A
Critical Win increases the damage to +3. The ritual
lasts for a single evening.
The Tremere of Milwaukee were carefully selected for ILLUSION OF PERFECTION
their sorcerous might and potential to penetrate the mys- This ritual shrouds the caster in the illusion of a non-
teries of the enigmatic “Null-Zone” surrounding Marque- descript person that blends easily into crowds.
tte University. Carna’s schism and the disappearance of
Victor and Dr. Mortius shortly thereafter left the chantry • Ingredients: A plain white mask.
empty, but their rituals endure.
• Process: The caster performs an hour-long ritual that
concludes when they don a featureless white mask.
Level 3 A sweat of blood forms under the mask, spreading
across the caster’s body until they are coated in a
ruby crust that mystically conceals their true iden-
SANGUINE WATCHER tity. The mask itself slowly turns crimson until the
This ritual forms a small rat out of Kindred vitae that ritual wears off.
goes wherever the caster instructs and observes whatever
the caster desires. • System: A successful Ritual test is required to acti-
vate this ritual. Upon success, the caster is cloaked in
• Ingredients: Kindred vitae, small quantities of alco- the illusion that they are an ordinary person in their
hol, silver bowl. mid-20s, with a nondescript face and average body
similar to the Obfuscate ability Mask of a Thousand
• Process: The ritual is cast over the course of 20
Faces. Illusion of Perfection can be pierced by the
minutes while the caster fills a silver bowl with vitae
Auspex ability Sense the Unseen, with a contested
and measured doses of alcohol. A rat made of blood
Wits + Auspex vs. the successes scored on the ritual
slowly forms as the caster stirs the mixture, becom-
roll. Illusion of Perfection lasts one scene, but a Crit-
ing ever more solid until it scampers out of the bowl
ical Win extends its duration to an entire evening.
to serve its master.
HAUNTED HOUSE
• System: A successful Ritual test summons a rodent
made of Kindred blood from the bowl that is bound This ritual creates the illusion that a vampire’s haven
to the caster and allows them to see through its eyes. is haunted.
The rat will go wherever the caster instructs it to go • Ingredients: Kindred vitae.
and observe whatever the caster tells it to look for. The
rat can be instructed to steal small items, but the cast- • Process: The caster places a drop of Kindred blood
er must be very explicit as to what they want stolen on all entrances and exits to the haven in addition
and where it is located. The rat remains in service until to all exterior walls and the roof over the course of a
sunrise. A Critical Win allows the caster to provide three-hour ritual.
the creature with extremely precise instructions.

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 Blood Sorcery Rituals

• System: The caster makes three Rouse Checks in bars their passage (although they can spend Will-
addition to a Ritual test. Upon success, the hav- power to enter temporarily). The effects of Haunted
en assumes an ominous cast and rumors begin to House last for 10 years, after which the haven appears
circulate that the house in haunted. Casual passersby strange and run down, but not “haunted.” Dr. Mor-
will avoid the house at all cost and even the most tius spent decades crafting this ritual with vampires
courageous mortals will think twice before entering. of Clan Ravnos, inspiring Clan Tremere to forbid its
Mortals attempting to enter the haven must make use as a threat to the Masquerade (and their power),
a successful Composure + Resolve test against the but knowledgeable Kindred may be willing to share
number of successes the caster made on their ritual it with others for a price.
roll. Success indicates they can enter while failure

175