The World of Darkness

This section contains details on the greater world of darkness for New York City. Not everything here is considered common knowledge. If you have a question on wither your character can have the knowledge presented here In Character, please contact the staff first to get confirmation you are allowed to take such knowledge in character first before doing so.

The Black Hand

The Black Hand of New York City is known to operate a base of operation on Governor's Island. The territory is there's and those not of the Chosen are not welcome to visit. Rumors abound about this facility housing over a hundred members of the Black Hand. Though this is unlikely given the need for blood. Some suggest this is a major staging area for the Black Hand or some sort of Training facility. The information below is what is publicly known among the Sabbat about the members of the Black Hand that call New York City home. Anything labeled "Black Hand Information" is only knowable by Black Hand Characters.

Henri Lavenant

• Clan: Lasombra
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Laocoun
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Dominion
• Black Hand Information: Role: Watch Commander

Miguel Angel Ramos

• Clan: Country Gangrel
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Rock
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Dominion
• Black Hand Information: Role: Remover

The Colonel

• Clan: Malkavian Antitribu
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Boss Man
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Watch Commander

Black Horse Tanner

• Clan: Ventrue Antitribu
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Wendigo
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Dominion Second

Ermenegildo

• Clan: Lasombra
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Fixer
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Dominion Second

Dr. Morrow

• Clan: Tzimisce
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Skin Doctor
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Magi

Kestrelle Hayes

• Clan: Ventrue Amtitribu
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Virgo
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Chaplin

Gabriel de Cambrai

• Clan: Toreador Amtitribu
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Death Scythe
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Remover

Gatjil Munyarryun

• Clan: Brujah Amtitribu
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Witch Doctor
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Shakar

Lubomira Hradok

• Clan: Nosferatu Amtitribu
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Cancer
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Census Taker

Hagar Stone

• Clan: Malkavian Amtitribu
• Status: 5 (Positional), 5 (Reputational)

• Black Hand Information: Code Name: Taurus
• Black Hand Information: Rank: Agent
• Black Hand Information: Role: Emissary

Independent Vampires

New York City isn't home just Sabbat Vampires. While they are the controlling majority in the city; vampires of the independent clans also call the city home. The Giovanni in particular have an agreement with Cardinal Polonia to operate in the city itself and even control certain portions of it. In exchange, the Sabbat gains information from the Giovanni that they collect in their territory. In particular it is known the Giovanni have large sway and control over JFK Airport. In addition to this, the Giovanni are limited to no more then five members of the clan in the city in any given time. The Followers of Set in the city though have no such agreement. The Setites do often keep a low profile in the city; they are known to sell and trade with members of the Sabbat for rare blood and weapons on occasion. Lastly, there is also a delegation of Bahari that call New York City home. These vampires mostly keep to themselves and are currently petitioning the Sabbat as a whole for membership. These Bahari are quick to offer aid and support to any Sabbat member who asks.

Donatello Giovanni

• Clan: Giovanni

Bez Dunsirn

• Clan: Giovanni

Talmadge Milliner

• Clan: Giovanni

Bartolomeo Giovanni

• Clan: Giovanni

Sun Yang

• Clan: Assamite

Steven Clarke

• Clan: Followers of Set

Artakama Shiri

• Clan: Assamite

Gadreel

• Clan: Toreador
• Position: Inconnu Monitor

Camarilla Vampires

The Camarilla Vampires of New York once dominated and controlled Manhattan. In the 1990s Then, Archbishop Polonia led a crusade into Manhattan to claim the borough for the Sabbat. With the slaying of Prince Micheala the Camarilla of New York crumbled. Though some remnants yet remain. The Tremere of the city are known to have a large network of chantries. Despite the Sabbat's best efforts they have never been able to locate them to lay waste to them within the city. The Camarilla that remains in New York City keep a very low profile and remain hidden to the majority of the cities vampires.

Calebros

• Clan: Nosferatu
• Position: Nominally Prince

Aisling Sturbridge

• Clan: Tremere
• Position: High Regent

Adelaide Davis

• Clan: Malkavian
• Position: Primogen

Gerard Rafin

• Clan: Nosferatu
• Position: Primogen

Yvette

• Clan: Nosferatu
• Position: Primogen

Eugenio Esteves

• Clan: Tremere
• Position: Regent

Lord Ephraim Wainwright

• Clan: Tremere
• Position: Regent

Masika St. John

• Clan: Tremere
• Position: Regent

Valentine

• Clan: Ventrue
• Position: None

Mazz

• Clan: Ventrue
• Position: None

Thomas Arturo

• Clan: Ventrue
• Position: None

Hellene Panhard

• Clan: Ventrue
• Position: Primogen

Nicholas Chang

• Clan: Ventrue
• Position: Primogen

Anarch Vampires

The Anarch Vampires of New York have always had an understanding with the Sabbat. They largely leave each other alone. In exchange for not aiding the Camarilla within the city, the Anarchs have been granted control and territory of Cony Island. As a result the Anarchs of New York mostly keep to themselves and out of the way of the Sabbat. Though the vampires of both sects have been known to work together from time to time.

Boss Callihan

• Clan: Ventrue
• Position: Baron

Garou

The Velvet Shadow

The Umbra of New York is a blasted Hellhole. The Wyrm here has won. The last remnants of Gaia are but a corpse to be defiled. The Wyld barely has any places left. The Weaver presence is still stronger but subservant to the Wyrm. When one observes or looks across into the spirit world they see a reflection of the city that’s over run with corruption. While the Wyrm is dominate in the city, it is clear it some other force influencing the Spirit World of New York City. It is both of the Wyrm and also separate at the same time. The streets and the buildings are lined with throbbing fleshy ground and masses. A sickly blue and black mass covers the city itself. It takes the form of objects and landscape. Or rather clearly looks like them. It has trees, butwhen you look close are flesh. Massive thick red veins course through the fleshy mass of the city. While it covers most things, has not consumed all yet. Though it continues to grow and spread.

At the center of this growing mass in the spiritual reflection of Times Square grows what has been called the Qlipoth. A massive twisted tree of flesh that grows and climbs towards the sky. It seems to have roots and grows beneath the city itself. All the veins across the warped city connect to this tree; like a massive root system. They indeed even appare to carry blood. No one knows for sure the origins of the Qlipoth; as it’s a fairly recent edition to the Umbra. It however seems to be much of the source of the cities corruption. Bizzares Nightmare spirits are birthed from it and run wild in the Spirit World of the Umbra. While they are clearly of the Wyrm; even the Black Spiral Dancers are unsure of what they are and where they are coming from.

Any creature who to actually visit the Umbra of New York is in for a nightmare. It is not a safe or friendly place. It is a horror show or defilment, corruption, and violence. Only those truly aligned with the Wyrm can hope to remain untouched. The Light does not exist here. Those not aligned with the Wyrm can expect to be hunted, tempted, and attacked here. The spirits of this place only respect strength and darkness. The few Gaian Garou that remain in the city avoid the umbra completely or spend as little time as they can there.

The physical world is only one part of the caern.Hiddenin the Umbra, the force of the Wyld struggles to emerge into the physical world.Conversely, the force of the Weaver can be seen outside the park, waiting for the opportunity to rush in and impose its stasis. Garou traveling into the Penumbra can see the spiritual roots of the activity within the bawn, as well as representations of the battle between the Weaver and Wyld. Some examples are listed below.

• Turtle Pond: Anyone peering deeply into the pond will see a shifting white mass at the bottom. Further examination reveals the spirits of hundreds and hundreds of tiny white mice climbingovereach other. There is the faint stench of a mouse nest, and a frightened, childlike voice is sometimes heard singing from the depths.

• Belvedere Castle: The elements are strong here. On tempestuous days, elemental forces batter against the battle­ ments of the castle. A thread of electrical energy (a data stream) spurts from the castle, but the spirit of the Wyld can be sensed glowing warmly behind the castle walls.

• Fifth Avenue: Everything is orderly and precise. Long threads stretch along the street, struggling

To keep the traffic flowing in regular patterns. The bright green energy of the forest quickly fades into life-sapping gray. Spirits trapped in nearby stoplights shout one-word commands. About once a week, a foolish Pattern Spider will make a desperate foray into the park, only to be consumed by the Wyld.

• Zachary Ellison: This agent of the Shadow Lords {listed below) is continually surrounded by a cloud of darkness. Banes hover around him, whispering dangerous and obscene thoughts. His determination and spiritual focus hold them at bay.

• Bethesda Fountain: An aura of healing surrounds the fountain. The concrete around it ripples like water, and the whole area is more than alive: it's capricious, contempla­ tive, mysterious and rejuvenating. Waves on the nearby lake roll from the peninsula into a huge whirlpool; this watery vortex marks the spot where Moon Bridges are strongest.

• Woilman Rink: Layers of spiderwebs and dancing fields of electricity elementals hold the Pattern in place. The Weaver knits its Pattern over the Earth and yearns to spread further into the park. Naturae scream under the webbing, and Blight Children skate merrily on the surface of the ice, mocking any Garou who come nearby. Beneath the ice, in a frozen Blight, reside the Dark Trinity, the three Banes who work in concert to destroy the Garou (see Dark Trinity, pp. 272-273).This Blight can only be entered by breaking a hole in the Penumbral ice. Even then, invaders must travel icy caverns and suffer frigid temperatures to reach the actual lair deep beneath.

The Nameless Tower

Within the Spirit World, the Nameless Tower has an exact reflection within. The Nameless is a Pit in the heart of New York City, within spitting distance of Central Park and the hallowed Sept of the Green. This is not a coincidence. The Nameless sits ideally positioned for an attack on the Sept.

Formerly the site of a Glass Walker caern, most Garou do not know that its new residents are Black Spiral Dancers. Nor do they realize that Zhyzhak has taken up residency. When the sept was last concerned, the Black Spiral Dancers came at them in force, ripping Banes of trauma, misery, and horror from air of the city and launching a massive sneak attack on the Sept. However, the Spirals had underestimated the Garou, who crushed them with a vengeance. That was almost eleven years ago, and since then, the city has healed and the Wyrm’s foothold has weakened.

Then Zhyzhak came. Not good. Not good at all.

The Nameless sits on West 64th street, just down the street from Central Park. Built in A.D. 1916, a former hotel, its tall white façade stands out against the brick pile apartments and theatres that line the street. When the city moved on, the hotel couldn’t follow. Time dictated its devolution into an apartment complex, which eventually became the concern of a Glass Walker named Roth, mostly for its upper-deck view of Central Park to one side, and the city to the other. The location was a melding of visionary power, progress, and nature that appealed to his inner sense of the world.

The Glass Walker acquired the upper levels of the Tower for his own, created a caern, and led his sept for years. Hunters confronted the sept, after tracing their location through a number of purchases matching the profile of a Glass Walker who had recently frenzied in the Bronx and killed six people. The Veil remained intact as the public saw only some sort of freak car accident involving a large dog. Roth’s sept had always been viewed askance by the werewolves of the Sept of the Green, and in turn, his pack had been rather exclusive and self-interested in the past. When members started to disappear, he chalked it up to their usual roaming habits, until the hunters managed to leave a note inside his sanctum, bypassing its formidable defenses.

By then, it was almost too late, but Roth’s uncharacteristic plea for help from the Sept of the Green came early enough that, had they acted, his sept might have survived. Roth’s refusal to let them investigate his caern, and his presumption that they should be his hunting dogs rankled the Garou, who threw up their hands in frustration and left, suspecting that Roth was using them to retrieve Garou who didn’t want to be found. After all, he had no evidence that any harm had come to his people.

Thus, Roth lost his entire small sept. Consumed with vengeance, he turned to the Black Spiral Dancers, welcoming them into his abode. Since then, they have made it their own, transforming the upper floors into a Pit of profound strength.

Inside the Nameless, the elevators run all night, and if the time is right, the moon is full, and one’s eyes are open, there are more floors to the complex than the outer structure suggests. These floors form the lair of the Black Spiral Dancers. Its odd apartments are their dens, the numbers on the doors twisting into runes that haven’t been seen since the age of the Picts.

Over time, the Spirals have moved a number of their Kinfolk into the apartments on floors below the tainted caern. On these floors, reality warps. Residents sometimes hear sounds in the apartment above them — rasping sounds, clicking sounds. The pipes in the walls sometimes groan and burble as if something thicker than water was passing through them, and in the hallways, the sounds of great heaping thuds and clomping footsteps echo, but tenants leave their apartments to scenes of absolute normalcy. Indeed the Kinfolk among them are more aware of these things and their sources, but in New York City, they’re just one more sleep-deprived face among millions.

The Nameless is a platform for a new attack against the Sept of the Green. The Black Spirals have found safety and prosperity in the shadow of Roth’s caern, which still appears to the Garou to be as secretive and off-putting as it ever has. Most who sense the foreboding coming from the Tower chalk it up to Roth’s deteriorating state of mind.

Werewolves living in the Nameless find that its fire escapes are within convenient leaping-distance of those of adjacent, shorter apartment buildings, allowing them easy access to the rooftops of buildings up and down the street. Spirals of this hive hunt in the shadowed streets, haunting the square between Dante Park and the New York Philharmonic. So far, they have managed to keep their cover. But Zhyzhak’s arrival signals a certain escalation.

Qliphoth

In Jewish mysticism, the Qliphoth is the polar opposites of the holy Sefirot. In the Umbra this dark flesh tree climbs ever closer to the heavens. It expands over the city and grows. Its veins pulse and throb with blood. No one for sure knows where it comes from who is its master. Some Black Spiral Dancers and Mages have flocked to it in order to uncover its secrets. The Qlipoth seems to birth dark nightmare spirits aliens to any known standard spirit knowledge that exists. Some aquite the tree to being a Vampiric entity over the entire city.

Those few have begin to research into the Qlipoth know it is spirit in nature but also more. Some have noticed with the rise of death in the physical world the tree grows. Indeed, it seems the Qliphoth has sentience of some sort. In some branches dark apples made of flesh grow filled with blood. None have been bold enough to try one yet. Several of those researching the Qlipoth have given it another name. The Tree of Damnation. They theorize it is the opposite of the Tree of Life and grows because of the fall of the world into darkness.

The Qliphoth itself can be transversed. As a massive tree it has many hollows and paths in its trunk and branch structre. Pockets of rooms and either alcoves exist. It would be incredibly easy to become lost in the Qlipoth because of all its winding paths. However, they all seem to lead up. No one has been able to fully map the tree of flesh yet; so no clear pathway exists.

If one were to make it to the top of the Qlihoth they would reach a grand chamber that sits in the branches. Within its fleshy branches and floor sit three massive Black branched thrones. Each stands at twenty feet tall. Though none sit in them yet. The root veins from the city and Qlipoth itself all meet and connect to the three thrones. One theory is the Throne is for the Wyrm itself when it comes to the Penumbra. Regadless, none sit in the thrones yet.

The Throne area of Qlipoth is heavily protected by the nightmare spirits it births. They seem to be waiting for someone to come to claim the thrones and blood of the city. The power of the entire lifes blood of New York flowing into one point. Such power and knowledge would make one a dark god.

While the Qlipoth continues to grow and expand its ultimate purpose and who it belongs too is unknown. The Black Spirals of New York are both fascinated by it and desire its power. However, they know while it is of the wyrm it is also something else entirely. A few brave servants of the Wyrm have tried to claim the Qlipoth home. None have returned. In truth the Qlipoth is perhaps the most dangerous and deadly part of the Umbra of New York.

Wolves of Wall Street

Uthryzzxk

• Tribe: black Spiral Dancers
• Rank: 5
• Breed: Metis
• Auspice: Ahroun

The Emperor of Cats

• Tribe: Hell Cat (Fallen Qualmi)
• Rank: 5
• Breed: Homid
• Pryio: Daylight

Ivan Konietzko

• Clan: Tzimisce
• Tribe: Black Spiral Dancers
• Rank: 5
• Breed: Homid
• Auspice: Theurge
  

Tur--Glash

• Tribe: black Spiral Dancers
• Rank: 5
• Breed: Metis
• Auspice: Ahroun

Mistress Was It Good For You

• Tribe: black Spiral Dancers
• Rank: 3
• Breed: Homid
• Auspice: Ragabash

Mages

The Awakened of New York City often has very little interaction with the Vampires of the City. With their own battles to fight; the Mages often aren't involved with the affairs of the damned. However, on occasion some vampires of the city have had some interactions with the Mages. While there is likely a chantry or two of Mages within the city; what is known is the large amount of Technocratic Agents that operate in New York City. The Mages are known to control St. Patrick's Cathedral, and that a powerful Angel protects them and the church.

Kristen Sobin

• Tradition: Order of Hermes
• Position: Regent

Father Jonathan St. Peter

• Tradition: Celestial Chorus
• Position: Priest

David Holmes

• Tradition: Virtual Adepts
• Position: Hacker

Keui-Jin

The Wan Kuei of New York City have always controlled China Town for as long as anyone can remember. The Sabbat of the city know to avoid the territory claimed by the Cathayans. No too few Sabbat have dared to encroach into China Town to never be seen again. However, there are stories of some who been able to make deals with on rare occasion. Their leader appears to be an ancient eastern vampire that takes joy in the violence and death caused by the Sabbat. Those rare few vampires granted an audeicne in China Town must remember to be on their best behavior and etiquette among the Wan Kuei.

Wu Fei

• Dharma: Resplendent Crane
• Position:

Yu Sun

• Dharma: Thrasing Dragon
• Position:

Jin Shen

• Dharma: Devil Tiger
• Position:

Tae Hyun Kai

• Dharma: Thousand Whispers
• Position:

Mealea Yun

• Dharma: Song of Shadow
• Position:

Mother of the Weeping Blood

• Dharma: Devil Tiger
• Position: Ancestor