The Four Families

### History

The Four Families is a tight association of four aristocratic vampire clans that can trace their ancestry back to England. Initially feuding for territory in the colonial south, they converged on Eastgate to exploit the power vacuum left by the Wizard War. Attacking and driving out the weakened wizarding families, the Four Families took over the city’s upper echelons and established the reign of terror known in the supernatural community as “the Long Night”.

Though their power is somewhat diminished in recent years, the Four Families still exert tremendous influence over the city, especially members of Night. Their influence is especially useful for controlling the level of violence in the streets of Eastgate- increasing or decreasing based on whatever best suits their plans. The Families plan in decades, not years, and they have seen every other faction in Eastgate rise and fall. And after a few costly defeats in the last few centuries, they intend to play their hand cautiously and quietly.

#### The Cresswell Family

The Cresswell Family is largely considered the key to the four families- what it lacks in size and direct power, it more than makes up for in its control of the city's blood supply. Though the specifics are highly secretive, the Cresswells control most of Eastgate's covert blood market, and most vampires who want to live freely in the city are forced to kiss the ring.

#### The Livingston Family

The Livingston family is commonly regarded as the "muscle" of the Four Families. In addition to providing all manner of armed enforcement for the Families' operations, the Livingstons are also capable of sourcing all manner of arms, both mundane and magical, from their extensive network of contacts across the U.S. and Europe.

#### The Kincaid Family

The Kincaid family is a rarity among vampires, scholars whose knowledge of magic surpasses many of the best wizards in Eastgate. They also maintain a vast collection of magical artifacts in a trove hidden somewhere in the city whose existence and location are closely guarded secrets of the Family.

#### The Whitelock Family

The Whitelock family is the "face" of the Four Families, and for good reason- hardly any criminal activity occurs in the city without the Whitelocks taking their cut. In addition to their control over most of the high-level organized crime in the city, the Whitelocks operate the city's swankiest casino, No Stakes, a place where even the darkest of supernatural creatures can let loose and enjoy some vice.

### Reputation

The Four Families are slow, cautious, and meticulous. They prize stability above all, and are happy to negotiate settlements if they believe their opponents to be trustworthy. At the same time, their interest in stability makes them slow to act and respond to events in the city, often only after deliberation and consensus building. As a result, other factions, especially newer upstart groups, tend to see them as a dusty old relic of Eastgate’s past clinging on to their former glory.

### Prominent NPCs

Clement Livingston (RIP): Killed by Sekwari Blackfeather and Kade Agravaine

Temperance Cresswell

Horatio Kincaid (RIP): Killed by Sekwari Blackfeather in an attempted frame-job against the Society of Merlin

Gideon Whitelock

Zebulon Stalsworth: Butler for the Four Families who serves as a go-between and emissary.

Deliverance Sinclair (RIP): Enforcer for the Four Families who coordinates hits, kidnappings, or any other hostile action, as well as defensive measures. Rebelled and briefly led a splinter group in an attack on the Society of Merlin. Was killed by Kade Agravaine and Sam Colt in a police action to crush the rebels.

### Known Enemies

* The Carpetbaggers
* The Moral Majority