North American Afflicted (RoR)

## Overview

* **Overview:** The Blackthorne are the ruling Bloodline among the Strigoi, the prideful nobility of the american nights. More than anyone else they concern themselves with mortal desire and mortal power, being heavily involved in the more mundane affairs of the Invisible World. The Blackthorne are by far the most powerful, privileged and influencial among the American Afflicted and they have a claim to most great cities at the west and east coast. Unlike their european cousins they hold little regard for bloodlines and the right of monarchs; rather they are individualistis that follow their own personal vision for the future. What unites all Blackthorne is their desire for power and their lust for mortal pathos. Like their european relatives the Blackthorne are masters of illusions, carefully weaving and manipulating the minds of mortal and Afflicted alike. But what they most thrive in is the controll of emotion and desire. Unlike the Cousombre they do not use their powers as a caluclated means of accuring power; they passionatly engage in all the experiences the controll of mortals can bring them. The blood of an apathetic person is like poison to them, while blood rich with pathos is better than the richest wine. The Blackthorne relish in all emotions, but each of them undoubtably has a favorite.
* **History:** The Blackthorne where once a small royal line of the british Cousombre, unwillingly send to the american colonies as governors and agents; but where quickly overshadowed by other bloodlines. After the American revolution their insignificant status was what allowed them to survive, as all other Cousombre where cast out or killed. Considered disconnected from their european relatives the Blackthrone where the only one of their kind allowed to remain active among the American Undead. This negligence would allow them to spread far and carefully cultivate their power across the continent, using the ancient arts of blood sorcery and illusion. One of their preferred ways of doing this was through Crimson Contracts, binding the contractants to its tenants by their own essence. Along this way they broke with many customs of their european relatives and emerged as a distinct bloodline, now holding most powerful positions across the great american cities. It was also during this time that they developed a thirst for human emotion, a desire to share in and experience their pathos.
* **Organisation:** Where the Cousombre are obsessed with the responsabilities to their bloodlines and royal families, the Blackthorne are fiercly individualistic. They owe no one allegiance but themselves, and justify their positions through percieved merit rather than bloodright. This also makes them far more willing to openly work with other Afflicted and build coalitions. Blackthrone work only for their own power, esteem and fufillment; and they equally see their relatives as rivals and allies. Most cities are claimed by a single Blackthorne, known as a *Curator;* and while they will tolerate brethren as agents and representatives; they will allow them in positions of power. Becoming a *Curator* of a great city is the highest rank a Blackthorne can achieve, and those that do earn respect and reverence from the rest of the Bloodline. *Curators* are in contact with each other across the entire country and will often commune to exchange gifts and discuss the future path for the entire bloodline. Those below them are usually bound to the will of their elders, driven by a lust for power and caught in a web of internal intruige.
* **Personality Traits:** Confident, Charismatic, Proud, Vain, Hedonistic
* **Bane:** Sunlight
* **Familiar:** Shrikes
* **Special Rule- *Thirst for Pathos*:** When consuming Blood/Essence writhe with a strong emotion, for up to scene a Blackthorne may target anyone experiencing the same emotion with their Illusion powers simultaneously.

### Iovia- *The Spectralists*

* **Concepts:** Distortionists, Manipulators, Umbral Architects, Crime Lords
* **Overview:** Like all Strigoi, the Iovia are masters of human minds and hearts; but their ambitions have long exceeded the controll over mortals. Iovia apply all the trickery, manipulation and finess on spirits and spectres, having transitioned to distortionists and spectralists. Their power is over ghosts and the Umbra, and below the realm of the living they erect shadowy holds to house their powerful elders. The Iovia act as a united and tightly controlled family, all swearing loyalty to their ominous founder- the great Constantine.
* **History:** The Iovia first struck roots in 17th century Boston. Under the guidance of its first and current Patriarch, Constantin Iovia, the Bloodline rapidly expanded. The Influence they gained in the mortal world however, was not enough for the ambitious Patriarch. He longed for control over the living and the dead. In this effort, they quickly displaced and imprisoned most of the local Revenant population - stealing their knowledge to deepen their own grasp of Umbra and the manipulation of spirits. Now uncontested in Boston, the Iovia deepened their roots, quenching their thirst for expansion through remolding the Umbra under Boston to their liking - building superstructures in its multitude of layers. Even though Constantin and other high ranking Iovia were trapped in Umbra during the Fall, the Iovia managed to endure through it, as most of the Bloodlines operations involve the Umbra. They could keep control of their strongholds in Boston, Providence and Baltimore where they expand their umbral architecture to this day. From his shadowy fortress Constantine and his firstborn sons still controll the family, sending out their younger relatives across the east coast to gain influence and power in the modern world.
* **Organisation:** The Iovia family follows increadibly tight top-down hierachies. From Constantine and his firstborn all the way down to the freshly turned youngesters every Iovian has a clear position and purpose in the families power structures. The Iovia are patriarchical family, which does not mean they only Turn men. Rather, they have different expectations of men and women in their family; where men are the speakers and leaders and women are expected to be more silent and supportive in the backs. Marriage is hugely important in the Iovia family and follows ancient roman ideals. A marriage can be anything from a political arrangement, a supportive aggreement to an addition in prestige with a living or unliving trophy. The Iovia also hold close relations to their mortal relatives and will only turn those they are related too. However it is expected of every Iovia to have atleast a single child before being turned so that their living bloodline may continue. This all is part of their ideal of respectable presentation, and even though they are much more ruthless than other Strigoi, they place great importance on etiquette and percieved honor.
* **Personality Traits:** Respectful, Dominant, Controlling, Obsessive
* **Bane:** Sunlight
* **Familiar:** Eagles
* **Special Rule- *Umbral Architects*:** The Iovia can learn/start with Wraithcraft. When shedding your Essence a Iovia can make minor permanent changes to the Umbra around them.

### Laveille- *The Wardens*

* **Concepts:** Witch Hunters, Knights, Inquisitors, Protectors
* **Overview:** The Laveilla are hunters, inquisitors and protectors. They are the most fierce and resolute among the Strigoi, wielding blade and gun with deadly precision. Where the european Custodes are like knights; loyal, divine and bound by tradition; the Laveille are like sheriffs; individualist, mundane and liberate. Every Laveilla follows a personal code of morality they view as absolute, and themselves as the only capable enforcers. They see mortals as innocent and their lives as invaluable; and they make it their mission to protect them. This often means they end up becoming very capable hunters of other Afflicted.
* **History:** The first Laveille where french Custodes, considered knights errant, an order shunned for failure to uphold their Bloodlines strict code. When they arrived in the american colonies, they saw them as an opportunity for redemption. Quickly the Laveille became protectors of mortal and Afflicted alike; and as they begun to reforge their identity they all too often crossed paths with the covenant. In the end the Laveilla where considered enemies to the rule of european Strigoi, forcing them to persue their vocation in the shadow. During the American Revolution the Laveille where among the fiercest enemies of the covenant, and their martial prowess was invaluable to the revolutionaries victory. In the centuries to follow they where able to act as protectors more openly; figthing by their own moral code and hunting the Afflicted they saw as corrupt or monstrous. In modern nights the Laveille are well established in Afflicted soceity as protectors and inquisitors; often considered the militant arm of modern Strigoi.
* **Organisation:** The Laveille follow no internal hierachy or code of conduct. They have long aknowledged that each of them has their own convictions and will follow it no matter the cost; so they try to work alongside each other while rarely challenging their ideals. Most Laveilla subordinate to rulers from other Bloodlines. Unlike Custodes to bind themselves to their masters and are loyal to the death; Laveille will only protect and fight for a leader they consider worthy and in line with their own believes. Other Laveille prefer to stay outside the social order and follow their calling undisturbed; only interacting with other Afflicted when suitable to their goals. Some Laveille will live their entire unlives protecting a single community; other are vagrant and constantly travel the continent in search of any evil they can find.
* **Personality Traits:** Direct, Jaded, Inquisitive, Moralising
* **Bane:** Sunlight
* **Familiar:** Crows
* **Special Rule- *Taste the Sin*:** The Laveille can taste the current motives and desires within a targets blood after a contested Perception Roll

## Revenants

### Orcus- *The Scholars*

* **Concepts:** Wizards, Necromancers, Occultists, Eldritch Worshippers
* **Overview:** The Orcus emobody the archetype of the Necromancer the clostest; leaving their humanity behind to persue occult secrets and forbidden power. They are famed scholars and heartless researchers, placing their macabre studies above anything else. To further their research they are very keen to trading knowledge and artefacts with another aswell as outsiders. Many of them are worshippers of Liches and other eldritch powers, looking for a path of ascendants to become something greater than their mere unliving form.
* **History:** The Orcus trace themselves back directly to the first Afflicted of ancient Sumeria, and for most of human history they have ruled over humans and their descandants in the middle east. As their empires crumbles and more and more of their Elders left the material world to become Liches, the Orcus had to surrender their empire. Since this day they have devoted themselves to the pursuit of macabre knowledge, and in search of it they have traveled the entire globe. As soon as travels to the new world became possible the Orcus flogged to the ships in large numbers, eager to explore new parts of the world. Today they are one of the most numerous groups of Afflicted in all of America.
* **Organisation:** The Orcus have a very loose organisation and act more as individuals than a collective group. Their main interaction with each other is similar to that of mortal scholars; exchanging and scrutinizing each others discoveries. To gain rank and regard among them requires great intellect and necromantic achievements, or the ownership of powerful artefacts and tomes. A notable event for the Orcus is the Midnight Communion, occuring once every season where all local Orcus meet for a macabre symposium; during which it is custom to ask questions which must be answered truthfully, but having to give an answer in return. In contrast to that Orcus have a very close bound to their progeny. The only way to become a Orcus is to be chosen as an assisstant by another Orcus, working as a mortal necromancer for many years before being allowed to Turn. These Assistants accompany their masters almost constantly and they often share a personal bound.
* **Personality Traits:** Calculating, Cold, Curious, Unempathetic
* **Bane:** Extreme Heat
* **Familiar:** Owls
* **Special Rule- *Skulduggery Dealings*:** Once per week the Orcus may gain 4 points of Aberration to gain access to a chosen Necromantic Power. After the week has passed they will forget how to cast it.

### Auguri- *The Oracles*

* **Concepts:** Mediums, Spiritual Guides, Cultists, Eldritch Hunters
* **Overview:** The Auguri, also known as *Ashareera,* are a diverse group of Revenants. They have numerous origins and backgrounds, but all of them share a deep connection to the Underworld and its Lich Masters; often involuntairy. Every Oralce is bound the influence of one or even multiple Liches, which use their bound to transmit visions and insights into their minds; usually as a means of guiding or pupeteering them. While some Auguri are devoted cultists of their Patron Lich; most of them consider this connection a curse and try to shield themselves against this malign influence. Every Oracle, often through their means of Turning, has a very personal connection to the visions, a trigger that when activated will allow their Patron to influence them.
* **History:** The first Auguri are said to originate from the Indus Valley and where created and voices and avatars for their brethrens Ancestors and early gods. Over time, as the Veil grew stronger and the Liches more malign, this once sacred bound would slowly be tainted. Since the end of the antiquity Auguri where mostly created by Cults as often involuntairy vessels for their Masters; or forced into Undeath through eldritch influences. In the late medival age Auguri where feared by most Afflicted, and as a result shunned or hunted down. This practice continued all the way into the Victorian age, often set in contrast to their forceful rise in numbers under victorian occultism. America, as for many Afflicted, offered a safe haven from their persecution; and independant Oracle-Communities would form all across the east coast. After the Fall many Auguri where spared annihilation, and since this fateful event more and more of their kind have begun to awake- not by Ritual but by strange forces transforming recently deceased mortals.
* **Organisation:** Auguri have traditionally no organisation of their own. They are usually incorporated into other groups or cults to serve as advisors or diviners. Most Auguri live among other Afflicted and are too absorbed in their condition to seek out or form large social structures. Auguri whose Patron is worshipped by a local Lich-Cult will often be revered as its priest and speaker; if they want to or not. However there exist a couple of communities formed exclusivly by Auguri; often devoted to protecting and aiding those suffering under the Soothsayers Curse. Many of them have devoted themselves to a fight against the occult and eldritch, often persuing a central vision they wish to realise or stop. Hierarchies within these groups, if present, are based on spiritual properties and insight rather than worldy powers or merits.
* **Personality Traits:** Eccentric, Enigmatic, Paranoid, Dreamy
* **Bane:** Own Reflection
* **Familiar:** Moths
* **Special Rule- *Soothsayers Curse*:** When faced with a personalised trigger the Oracle will recieve a vision of the past, present or future. While it will be insightful it is rarely a pleseant experience.

### Harridan- *The Witches*

* **Concepts:** Hags, Healers, Wiccas, Curse Slingers
* **Overview:** The Harridan are a group of Revenant Witches that are videly renowned as spiritual healers, being able to restore both flesh and mind from plague, curse or wounds. However many Harridan are also very capable to inflicting what they can cure, having studied plague magic and curses to wield against those that would wrong them. The Harridan are a secluded and isolationist lineage that mostly sticks to their own, sceptical to outsiders due to their troubled history. Most modern Harridan covens will exclusivly turn women due to various magical and spiritual doctrines they have inhereted from their ancestors.
* **History:** The Harridan originate from central and eastern europe where they have lived as pagan priests for centurie, often involved in pre-medival germanic, slavic and celtic tribes- mostly serving as diviners and healers. With the rise of christianity and the Strigoi the Harridan would face their first wave of persecution as pagans where hunted or converted. Unwilling to move off their ancient ways the Harridan would become their main enemy, and with the rise of the inquisition the scapegoat for many of the mortals problems. Like many the Harridan fled to the american colonies to seek shelter from Witchhunts- something that would soon prove to be in vain. The Harridan preferred to move into the wilderness and seek out the naitive mortal population to learn and share their knowledge, leading to a mixing between their faiths and practices. After the American Revolution when settlers and european Afflicted would clash the Harridan where once again percieved as enemies; leading to even bloodier witch hunts than in europe. The Harridan covens retreated into the woods and in order to defend themselves, they abandoned much of their healing magic and pacifism; instead focussing on darker magic and the controll over plagues and curses. This conflict would continue onwards all the way until the Fall occured, whiping out most Afflicted on both sides. The modern Harrdian still follow much of their old doctrine and attitudes, but they are much less antagonistic towards outsiders and have begun forming covens even in urban areas and great cities. For now much of the old hate has been forgotten but the Harridan remain careful.
* **Organisation:** The Harridan will form very localised covens, often organised similar to a secret soceity or magic cult. The witches within the coven will form very close bonds and view each other like family. Within a coven there are very few hierarchies- besides the regular members there are Initiates who are not yet recognised until having proven themselves. Larger and more influencial covens will sometimes be lead by an *Elder Hag*, a particularly old and powerful Harridan. All affairs of the coven are kept secret and they often take great efforts to conceal themselves from mortals and Afflicted alike. Modern Harridan will still be religious but ancient paganism or naitive american spiritualism has grown increasingly rare. Many of them have embraced esoteric occultism or variations of WICCA or satanism, often as a form of counter culture.
* **Personality Traits:** Direct, Distrustful, Superstitious, Esoteric, Insightful
* **Bane:** Fire
* **Familiar:** Cats
* **Special Rule- *Witch Eye*:** After a successful Perception Roll the Harridan may determine what diseases and supernatural effects slumber in or currently affect a chosen target.

## Ghouls

### Wendigo- *The Monsters*

* **Concepts:** Shapeshifters, Warriors, Naturalists, Cannibals
* **Overview:** The Wendigo are among the most dreaded Ghouls in northern america, mostly stalking the Great Leakes in the shadows of ancient woods and wilderness. The Wendigo are ferocious shapeshifters, transforming into beastial shapes that can tear man, beast and Afflicted apart with fang and claw. The Wendigo consider themselves outcasts, loathing modern civilisation and the order of Strigoi. The Wendigo will only turn mortals shunned or despised by their former community; no matter if legitamitly or not. This hatred for their former lifes is what drives them into unlife, and what motivates their hunger for human flesh.
* **History:** The Wendigo emerged during a time when shapeshifters of all kinds where common across North America, most of which where peaceful and attuned with their native american communities. It is said that Wendigo emerged among exiles and outcast left to die in the cold of winter; taken over by a malign spirit that would turn only those overcome by the worst of human impulses. They remained outside of their mortal communites, stalking the shadows and looking for opportunites for a vengeful feast. To many mortals and Afflicted around the Great Lakes they where like demons, feared and loathed. This would change with the arrival of european settlers and the covenant. Soon enough a war broke out between european Strigoi and naitive Afflicted, one the settlers where winning. One after another the ancient protectors and shapeshifter strains fell until the Wendigo where the only ones to remain. In the end, the Wendigo chose to involve themselves in this conflict, as their hatred for the invaders had grown greater than that for their relatives. They where among the most dreaded fighters and hunters in the endless woods of unexplored america; and it was due to their ferocity that their people scored some of their greatest victories. The Wendigo where able to kill enemy Afflicted, but they where unable to stop the encroachment of techological process and civilisation; pushing them further back into their ancient woods. Modern Wendigo live a life in the shadows, hunting in secret and seeking out any mortal left behind or darkened by civilisation to offer them a more feral alternative.
* **Organisation:** The Wendigo organise themselves in loose circles lead by a *Miteak,* a chief hunter. Together they will make a claim to a territory of wilderness and fiercly defend it. As the winter comes closer they will grow more interested in human civilisation, stalking the outskirts of cities and villages. Through deception and human shapes they will venture inside to seek out prey or willing mortals that can serve as their agents; often engrossed in similarly dark interests as the Wendigo themselves. Should a resentful mortal, considered an outcast by community, be seen as worthy they will be approached by the Wendigos agents in a truly desperate moment; and be offered a path out of their miserable life. Should they follow it and prove themselves worthy they too can become Wendigo, joining their ranks with the first feast on human flesh.
* **Personality Traits:** Aggressive, Beastial, Deceitful, Gluttonous, Mistrustful
* **Bane:** Frost
* **Familiar:** Coyotes
* **Special Rule- *Beastial Shape*:** Each Wound caused by unarmed attacks by a Wendigo takes atleast a day to heal.

### Homunculai- *The Faceshifters*

* **Concepts:** Facechangers, Agents, Wechselbelger, Intruigants, Survivalists
* **Overview:** The Homunculai are Ghouls that use their powers of shapeshifting not to turn into monsterous beasts, but conceal or even switch their identity. They are masters of impersonation, hiding behind false faces and voices. This makes them highly sought after as agents and infiltraitors by other Afflicted, and to ensure their survival, they are most happy to oblige.
* **History:** It is unclear how far the Homunculai truly trace back. Most claim they where a seperate Strain of Ghouls created by the Aedifex to master impersonation and stealth; allowing them to serve as agents or pose as false mortal rulers. Since their emergance the Homonculi where sold like slaves and trained to loose their own identity to be more loyal and take a false one instead. This often included manipulation and torture in order to burry their own personality deep behind mirages and false copies. Many of them where sold of to european Strigoi, the Covenant or far off Afflicted in strange lands. However this conditioning was not as absolute as their masters had hoped. There where many Homunculai that managed to reclaim agency over their identity and will, banding together and conspiring against the Aedifex or their owners. Those that valued their survival chose to flee instead, gathering on ships that would take them to the new world where their masters influence stretched thin. They played little the American revolution and the historical events past that, instead focussing on their own survival and proper integration in broader Afflicted soceity.
* **Organisation:** The Homunculai are a fairly tribalistic group, valuing their own unlifes and those of their brethren higher than anyone else. They however rarely form internal communities; instead opting to join in other Afflicted Groups. Some Homunculai have put themselves in service to the american Strigoi and their intruiges; others live as independant agents for hire; while many have joined Ghoul resistances or the Ammetai. No matter which path they choose, all Homonculi agree that their morals and allegiances are secondary to their own survival. There is an unspoken code to never harm another Homunculai no matter whom they serve, and to offer support and friendship to their brethren whereever they can; although they rarely work with each other openly and beknownst to the public.
* **Common Personality Traits:** Manipulative, Paranoid, Empathetic, Two-faced
* **Bane:** Ash
* **Familiar:** Coyotes
* **Special Rule- *Skinwalkers Aspect*:** Skinwalkers do not cause footprints, fingerprints or other markings to their enviroment unless they choose to.

### Neferi- *The Fleshcrafters*

* **Concepts**: Fleshsingers, Scholars, Monsters, Sewer-dwellers
* **Overview:** The Neferi are a loose coalition of Fleshsingers, Scholars and Occultists. They have forsaken mortal soceity and the public eye, usually living secluded in pursuit of their studies and necromantic experiments. They work tirelessly to uncover the lost secrets of their parent Strain- the Aedifex. While they share their methods and disposition, they are by no means centralised or hierarchical. They have little interest in their former mortality and seek to transcend the boundaries of their flesh and mind; often growing disfigured shapes and minds. They have embraced the perception of Ghouls as sewer-dwellers and corpse-eaters and take pride in their unsavery lifestyle. Some Neferi are contempt unraveling the secrets of death and unliving flesh; others follow this path in defiance of the Strigoi ruling class for which they uphold contemt since the subjugation of their ancestors.
* **History:** The Aedifex where among the most influencial Ghoul Strains across the entire world. They where well conntected and operated in Ossuaries spread across the entire world, being revered as the greatest fleshsingers and creators of unliving constructs. They would trade these with other Afflicted for favours and artefacts; internally persuing their own occult ambitions. The Neferi would only come about after the Fall, which eradicated most Aedifex and left their ancient Ossuaries empty and their secrets forgotten. The Neferi wish to uncover this lost lore and understand the secrets of their ancestors; often oblivious to the Aedifexes true ambitions. Where their ancestors where uninvoled in the conflict between Ghouls and Strigoi, the Neferi quickly became all to engrossed in it. Many of them have joined the Ammetai and place their macabre research in service of Ghoul-kind, rather than knowledge itself. Alongside Fleshcrafting secrets they also learned alot about their kins history and the many wrongs done to them; and they seek to prevent them in the future.
* **Organisation:** The Neferi are entirely disorganised and often oppose outright hierarchies. They dwell in the sewers and mortuaries of many of americas great cities, and are generally divorced from greater Afflicted politics. Some of them have created circles devoted entirely to research and crafting; which are often centered around a dominant elder; while the more poltically involved seek to connect themselves with other Ghouls in the underground. As rogue and freedom-seeking as they can be, all Neferi are subject to an academic mindset. Fundamentally they view themselves as scholars and researchers; and when they join resistance movements they percieve themselves as an intellectual vanguard among their peers. It is often by intellect and knowedge that Neferi will distinguish and rank themselves among their kin, rather than outright authority.
* **Personality Traits:** Curious, Direct, Inhuman, Selfdeprecating, Sarcastic
* **Bane:** Silver
* **Familiar:** Jackals
* **Special Rule- *Mastery of Flesh*:** Neferi can freely sever and reattach any part of their body and move them independantly.

## Relations

### Conflicts

* **The Iovian Ascension-** In their persuit to increase their controll over Umbra and the spiritual world the Iovians captured and drained countless Revenants from all american houses aswell as stealing their lore and knowledge. This was mostly done through manipulation, false inviatations or outright witchhunts. To this day Revenants are distrustful of the Iovia and hold up the demand to return the lore that was stolen from them.
* **The Salem Hunts-** While the Salem Witchtrials only killed innocent humans, alongside them the Laveille carried out a purge of the Harrdian. Percieved to be in league with dark powers and as bringers of disease, curse and sin; the Laveile captured, tortured and burned hundreads of Harrdian in the infamous Salem Hunts. Most of them where driven out of cities and into the wild, and the Laveille made sure the Harridan where percieved as a threat by anyone else.
* **The Sacrifices of Providence-** The Oracales had long been distrustful of the Orcus and their worship of Liches. In the final nights of the 19th century in Providence, their suspicions would be confirmed. Believing the world would end upon the turn of the century, an Orcus Cult had gathered a large number of Auguri through lies and false promises to sacrifice them to one of their malign dieties. Due to their s.trong connection to the underworld the Orcus to this day consider them great fodder for sacrifice and their bodies excellent ingreants for sorcery