The Adze

***The Adze***are a strigoic faction within the novel *Dark Blaze*. They are led by Grandmistress Kira Kalenga, who does not concern herself with being Vlad Drăculești's successor, but Belquis Drăculești's successor.

The Adze are one of the largest strigoic factions alongside the Thule, Vetala, Jiangshi and the various American factions.

## **Background:**

Whilst their father, Vlad Drăculești, was alive, the Adze spearheaded the conquest of Africa on the commands of their brood-strigoi, Belquis.

The Adze cared little for Vlad's defeat, only that Belquis was safe. During the fracture of Vlad's global empire, the Adze focused more on securing their territory, which forced them to do battle with the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii, the Italian Families and the Thule. They also had to fight the various creatures of African lore that spread across the continent.

Throughout the centuries, the Adze were indulged in a three-way war with the Osmanlı-Strigoilerii and the Vetala over the safe keeping of Belquis. The Adze were victorious in this, with Belquis forcing her Turkey-based children to not venture past the Sahara, and in return she remained giving Emre Yilmaz her favour.

In the centuries leading up to the Great War, the Adze focused more on securing their own borders and internal affairs, desiring to rid Africa of their colonial overlords.

## **Society & Structure:**

### **Society:**

The Adze have levels, however, they see themselves as one large family. Years and experience aid their members in prestige. The Adze have a policy to only turn black people, those who break this rule are executed.

### **Structure:**

Like all large families, there are various circles, with the heads of the family being at the top, with that being Kira Kalenga and Vincent Dossevi.

## **Territory:**

Below is a list of countries which the Vetala hold territory:

* Kenya.
* Belgium.
* The Netherlands.
* England.
* France.
* Spain.
* Italy.
* Algeria.
* United States Of America.
* Brazil.
* South Africa.
* Jamaica.
* Abyssinia.
* Nigeria.
* Uganda.
* French Equatorial Africa.
* Darven State.
* British Somaliland.
* Italian Somaliland.
* British East Africa.
* Libya.
* Egypt.
* Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
* Belgian Congo.
* Spanish North Africa.
* French Morocco.
* Liberia.
* Sierra Leone.
* South-West Africa.
* Mozambique.
* Madagascar.
* Northern Rhodesia.
* Southern Rhodesia.
* Swaziland.
* Basutoland.
* Bechuanaland.
* Tunisia.
* Gold Coast.
* French West Africa.
* Canary Islands.
* Palestine.

## **Members:**

### **Major:**

 Vincent Dossevi
 Belquis Drăculești

### **Minor:**

As of yet, there are no known minor strigoii within the Adze.

## **Affiliates:**

As of yet, there are no known affiliates to the Adze.

## **Equipment:**

Below is a list of weaponry that has been seen used by the Adze:

* Various silver bladed weaponry.
* Webley Revolver Mk. V - pistol.
* Short Magazine Lee-Enfield - bolt-action rifle.

## **Sub-Factions:**

As of yet, there are no known sub-factions within the Adze.

## **Appearances:**

The Adze appear in Hadrian Voivode's 1915-1916 Marele Consiliu chapters.

## **Trivia:**

* The Adze were named after the vampiric creatures of Ewe Folklore, from the Togo and Ghana regions of Africa.
* Kira's surname is named after a small village called Kalenga in Tanzania.
* Vincent Dossevi's name would suggest that he is from one of the French controlled colonies in Africa.
* Their brood-strigoi, Bilquis, is based on the Queen of Sheba from the Hebrew Bible. She was seen as a Goddess of Love in African lore, and a djinn in Arabian lore. It is unknown what origin Darryl M. Finch-Ellis has chosen, as of yet.