During the course of the various stories of this chronicle the coterie has and will meet many characters so I'm therefore creating several profile pages for different groups within my version of kindred Los Angeles to help them keep track. I'll also amend these profiles as new information comes to light and old 'facts' turn out to be less factual than originally thought...
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The Wilds Pack
This is due to the fact that they hunted down and destroyed the three Wyrm tainted Skull Pigs that had believed themselves to be its most dangerous hunters, and that had claimed the unlives of the previous occupants, as well as a number of other tainted monstrosities that roamed the hills. What exactly these monstrosities were protecting is unknown to any but the members of The Wilds Pack who destroyed them. Whatever it was is a closely guarded secret and the pack reacts poorly to uninvited guests.
Since then they have kept to themselves, though defend the borders of their territory with little mercy. They have a standard policy of issuing a single warning, followed by a swift and permanent solution to the transgression should their warnings be ignored. Several accusations of diablerie have been levelled at them as well. These they haven't even bothered to deny, after all what exactly are the accusers going to do about it anyway?
Within their own domain, their control is absolute.
Myranda - 'Baron', Pack Leader
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8th Generation Gangrel
Haven
Haven
Hilltop Estate, Ridgemoor (Haven 3: Library 1, Location, Luxury, Security System 3, Shrine 1)
Backgrounds
Allies (Revenant Allies: Effectiveness 4, Reliability 3), Influence 3 (The Wilds), Mawla 4 (Marius Walker), Resources 4, Status 4 (The Wilds), Status 2 (Gangrel), Status 1 (Los Angeles)
Merits
Beautiful, Dark Mother's Song, Gardener 4, Pack Diablerie
Flaws
Infamy 3 (Obsessively Territorial)
LoreDescendent of Xavier (1: Martyred Ancestor, 2: Where the Bodies Are Buried, 4: Monstrous Bat), Kindred Dueling (3: Stake Fighter, 4: Fire Eater), Goblin Roads (Los Angeles/San/Jose/San Francisco - 1: Night Rider), Low Clan (4: Trade Amongst Equals - Potence), Lupine Expert (1: Huntsman, 2: Tactician, 3: Soldier), The Bahari (1: Dangerous Reputation, 2: Ritual Scarification, 4: The Womb’s Blood,), The Circulatory System (1: Tap Into the System, 3: Farm Upstate).
Though the most recent member of the pack, she showed the others that working together would make securing their feeding grounds much simpler and reduce internecine disputes that threatened to weaken them all.
Though not the physically strongest of the pack she is certainly the most politically minded and is generally the face of the group at 'Rants' and important meetings of any kind. She also has a force of will and personal magnetism that's difficult to deny even for the pragmatic members of the Gangrel clan..
Some of this political mindedness and influence over other Gangrel stems from her claims of being a descendent of the legendary Gangrel Xavier, though those few who have bothered to investigate seem to verify her claims in the matter. Since her arrival she has cultivated a relationship with Marius Walker and he has spoken both on their behalf, and in their defence on a number of issues. What benefits 'The Fixer' has gained from this relationship are difficult to quantify but many of his enemies are spreading the rumour that the normally independent Autarkis is building himself an army in anticipation of claiming a barony of his own.
Though not the physically strongest of the pack she is certainly the most politically minded and is generally the face of the group at 'Rants' and important meetings of any kind. She also has a force of will and personal magnetism that's difficult to deny even for the pragmatic members of the Gangrel clan..
Some of this political mindedness and influence over other Gangrel stems from her claims of being a descendent of the legendary Gangrel Xavier, though those few who have bothered to investigate seem to verify her claims in the matter. Since her arrival she has cultivated a relationship with Marius Walker and he has spoken both on their behalf, and in their defence on a number of issues. What benefits 'The Fixer' has gained from this relationship are difficult to quantify but many of his enemies are spreading the rumour that the normally independent Autarkis is building himself an army in anticipation of claiming a barony of his own.
Uncharacteristically, this is one rumour about himself that he has bothered to deny. His answer was simply that if that's what he wanted he'd already have done so. His reasoning is difficult to dispute. In truth Marius is the sire of Myranda's sire and mother, a fact revealed at a recent rant in Los Angeles.
The location of Myranda's sire is unknown, as are the circumstances of her embrace.
Samael
Clan
Bloodthirsty even as a mortal, Samael was a fearsome warrior and hunter until one fateful day he picked the wrong prey and fell beneath tooth and claw.
As is the way with Gangrel his sire left him to his own devices, occasionally observing his progress from afar, before revealing himself to his childe and beginning to teach him the warrior disciplines and powers of transformation. Never comfortable in civilisation the transition to a wilderness predator was a simple one and he quickly grasped the new survival techniques he was being taught before they parted company.
Journeying across the Americas he eventually reached the mountains of Santa Monica where an unfortunate disagreement while negotiating his passage through lupine territory left him starved of blood and near torpor. In a state of frenzy and desperately hungry he attacked the first creature he came across. He was fortunate enough that the far more powerful Gangrel he assaulted was understanding enough to spare his life and revive him with their own blood. Had he gotten a clear view of the creature before attacking it's unlikely that even in his state he would have dared make the attempt as Nicodemus's status as an apex predator is difficult to deny.
Samael's animal form is that of a young bear and it is in this form that he normally hunts animal prey though when facing human or kindred opponents he favours melee combat with a variety of improvised weapons including a spiked baseball bat, claw hammer and when the mood takes him a modified chainsaw he has named 'Shirley'.
Lola McDonald
Clan
Lore
A former zoo-keeper and academic who was targeted by a blood-bound Gangrel scourge on behalf of a Toreador Primogen who wished her collection of exotic avian creatures looked after. She wished for somewhere where she could enjoy viewing them privately without putting in any of the actual effort required to look after them.
Though initially bitter about the fate inflicted upon her the ability to communicate and bond with the creatures under her care was some compensation, and she soon began to enjoy the role that had been forced upon her. As her abilities matured and her mastery of the disciplines of her clan become more complete, her greatest joys were seeing through the eyes of the various birds of prey as they hunted and later copying their methods while in avian form herself.
After several decades the Toreador in question grew weary of her hobby and her interests moved to works of unliving stone rather than feather and flesh. She then tasked her Gangrel henchman with slaughtering the menagerie and disposing of their guardian. Unfortunately for him his overconfidence in his own powers had left them stagnated, whereas those of Lola had grown at an impressive rate, a fact demonstrated as her flock pecked out his eyes. She then tore out his throat while in the shape of an eagle before transforming into humanoid form and draining him dry. Before she left town with her newly ghouled flock she paid a visit to her former patron and relieved her of both her blood and her soul as well. Eventually finding her way to Los Angeles she made her home in the wilds where she encountered others of her kind who appreciated her gifts.
Lezabel was embraced by a Gangrel who hunted amongst the destitute and homeless of the urban wastelands rather than the wilderness. This solitary hunter had grown lonely over the centuries and had become enamoured of a pretty homeless girl, first as a willing blood doll, then as ghoul and finally as childe.
What started as a caring if somewhat dysfunctional relationship soon became obsessive to an incredible degree as her sire slaughtered any who he even imagined looked upon her with desire or even interest. Seeking protection from the insanity of her sire she escaped into forests that were unfamiliar to the urban predator, and innately using abilities she never knew she possessed, summoned a pack of creatures to defend her.
Her call went out to creatures who, like her, desired freedom from abuse and it was answered by starving mongrels, domestic animals from abusive homes and a pack of wolves from a local underfunded zoo. Guided by her will they threw themselves at the deranged kindred who pursued her. Though no match for the elder creature they nonetheless kept its attention long enough for Lezabel to drive a jagged splintered branch through it's back, piercing it's heart.
Samael
8th Generation Gangrel
Haven
Haven
Abandoned Mine (Haven 3: Armoury 1, Cell 2, Creepy, Hidden Armoury 5, Postern 2, Shrine 2)
Backgrounds
Resources 1
Merits
Merits
Bloodhound, Gardener 1, Pack Diablerie
Flaws
Infamy 3 (Obsessively Territorial)
LoreLow Clan (4: Trade Amongst Equals - Potence), Kindred Dueling (3: Stake Fighter, 4: Fire Eater), Lupine Expert (1: Huntsman, 2: Tactician, 3: Soldier), The Bahari (1: Dangerous Reputation, 2: Ritual Scarification, 3: Sacrifice the Children)
Derangements
Empathy Deficit Disorder
Bloodthirsty even as a mortal, Samael was a fearsome warrior and hunter until one fateful day he picked the wrong prey and fell beneath tooth and claw.
As is the way with Gangrel his sire left him to his own devices, occasionally observing his progress from afar, before revealing himself to his childe and beginning to teach him the warrior disciplines and powers of transformation. Never comfortable in civilisation the transition to a wilderness predator was a simple one and he quickly grasped the new survival techniques he was being taught before they parted company.
Journeying across the Americas he eventually reached the mountains of Santa Monica where an unfortunate disagreement while negotiating his passage through lupine territory left him starved of blood and near torpor. In a state of frenzy and desperately hungry he attacked the first creature he came across. He was fortunate enough that the far more powerful Gangrel he assaulted was understanding enough to spare his life and revive him with their own blood. Had he gotten a clear view of the creature before attacking it's unlikely that even in his state he would have dared make the attempt as Nicodemus's status as an apex predator is difficult to deny.
Samael's animal form is that of a young bear and it is in this form that he normally hunts animal prey though when facing human or kindred opponents he favours melee combat with a variety of improvised weapons including a spiked baseball bat, claw hammer and when the mood takes him a modified chainsaw he has named 'Shirley'.
Lola McDonald
9th Generation Gangrel
Haven
Haven
Petting Zoo (Haven 3: Cell 1, Laboratory, Resources 2, Shrine 2, Surgery)
Backgrounds
Backgrounds
Allies (Birds of Prey: Effectiveness 4, Reliability 3), Resources 1
Merits
Gardener 1, Pack Diablerie
Flaws
Infamy 3 (Obsessively Territorial), Infamy 2 (with Toreador)
Low Clan (4: Trade Amongst Equals - Celerity), Lupine Expert (1: Huntsman, 2: Tactician, 3: Soldier), Kindred Dueling (4: Fire Eater), The Bahari (1: Dangerous Reputation, 2: Ritual Scarification)
Derangements
Empathy Deficit Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder
A former zoo-keeper and academic who was targeted by a blood-bound Gangrel scourge on behalf of a Toreador Primogen who wished her collection of exotic avian creatures looked after. She wished for somewhere where she could enjoy viewing them privately without putting in any of the actual effort required to look after them.
Though initially bitter about the fate inflicted upon her the ability to communicate and bond with the creatures under her care was some compensation, and she soon began to enjoy the role that had been forced upon her. As her abilities matured and her mastery of the disciplines of her clan become more complete, her greatest joys were seeing through the eyes of the various birds of prey as they hunted and later copying their methods while in avian form herself.
After several decades the Toreador in question grew weary of her hobby and her interests moved to works of unliving stone rather than feather and flesh. She then tasked her Gangrel henchman with slaughtering the menagerie and disposing of their guardian. Unfortunately for him his overconfidence in his own powers had left them stagnated, whereas those of Lola had grown at an impressive rate, a fact demonstrated as her flock pecked out his eyes. She then tore out his throat while in the shape of an eagle before transforming into humanoid form and draining him dry. Before she left town with her newly ghouled flock she paid a visit to her former patron and relieved her of both her blood and her soul as well. Eventually finding her way to Los Angeles she made her home in the wilds where she encountered others of her kind who appreciated her gifts.
Along with Lezabel her creatures are the packs eyes and ears. While Lola's birds of prey search from the sky, Lezabel's canine pack-mates patrol the ground.
She has recently spent time with the Baron of Pasadena's scourge, Hope Romero, passing on some of her skills at metamorphosis to the young Gangrel. Given her own experiences of other kindred she is somewhat dubious about Hope serving a Toreador Baron but has nonetheless enjoyed passing on her gifts to another and is now considering embracing a childe of her own.
Lezabel
Clan
She has recently spent time with the Baron of Pasadena's scourge, Hope Romero, passing on some of her skills at metamorphosis to the young Gangrel. Given her own experiences of other kindred she is somewhat dubious about Hope serving a Toreador Baron but has nonetheless enjoyed passing on her gifts to another and is now considering embracing a childe of her own.
Lezabel
9th Generation Gangrel
Haven
Haven
Homeless Shelter (Haven 1: Herd 4)
Famulus
Famulus
'Snow', Albino Wolf
Backgrounds
Backgrounds
Allies (Wolf/Canine Pack: Effectiveness 4, Reliability 3), Resources 1
Merits
Merits
Iron Gullet, Pack Diablerie
Lore
Lore
Kindred Iconography (1: Iconographer, 2: The Writing on the Wall), Low Clan (4: Trade Amongst Equals - Potence), Lupine Expert (1: Huntsman), The Bahari (1: Dangerous Reputation, 2: Ritual Scarification)
Derangements
Dependent Personality Disorder (The Wilds Pack)
Lezabel was embraced by a Gangrel who hunted amongst the destitute and homeless of the urban wastelands rather than the wilderness. This solitary hunter had grown lonely over the centuries and had become enamoured of a pretty homeless girl, first as a willing blood doll, then as ghoul and finally as childe.
What started as a caring if somewhat dysfunctional relationship soon became obsessive to an incredible degree as her sire slaughtered any who he even imagined looked upon her with desire or even interest. Seeking protection from the insanity of her sire she escaped into forests that were unfamiliar to the urban predator, and innately using abilities she never knew she possessed, summoned a pack of creatures to defend her.
Her call went out to creatures who, like her, desired freedom from abuse and it was answered by starving mongrels, domestic animals from abusive homes and a pack of wolves from a local underfunded zoo. Guided by her will they threw themselves at the deranged kindred who pursued her. Though no match for the elder creature they nonetheless kept its attention long enough for Lezabel to drive a jagged splintered branch through it's back, piercing it's heart.
Knowing only about kindred from films and literature she hoped that the fantasy was in some way reflected in the reality of her situation. So, after staking the creature, she decapitated it then incinerated the remains. It was many years later that she finally found her way to the wilds of Los Angeles and became the fourth member of the wilds pack. The rest of the pack are incredibly protective of her and will go to extreme lengths to protect her from harm should it become necessary.
She, in turn, thinks of Samael and Lola as her brother and sister, and Myranda as a replacement for the mother who abandoned her. Even the notoriously single-minded predator Nicodemus, is considered by her to be a grandfather of sorts, though if the feeling is reciprocated is difficult to ascertain.
Nicodemus
Clan
Nicodemus
Unknown Generation Gangrel (Theorised as anything from as high as 7th to as low as 4th)
Haven
Haven
Underground Cavern (Haven 3: Cell 6, Creepy, Postern 5, Shrine 3, Watchmen* 5+)
Backgrounds
Backgrounds
Allies (Insect Swarms*: Effectiveness 5, Reliability 3), Fame 3 (Kindred Only),
Merits
Bloodhound, Pack Diablerie
Flaws
Flaws
Archaic, Infamy 3 (Lupines), Obvious Predator, Organovore, Repulsive.
Animal Features
Annelid Setae, Carapace, Enhanced Senses (Sight, Touch), Exoskeleton, Extra Limbs (6), Maw (Venomous Fangs, Corrosive Venom), Multiple Eyes (Spider), Nematocyte (Venomous Quills), Spinnerets, Talons (Feral Claws).
Lore
Lore
Goblin Roads (Los Angeles/San/Jose/San Francisco - 1: Night Rider), Kindred Dueling (5: Trials of Death), Low Clan (4: Trade Amongst Equals - Obfuscate), Lupine Expert (1: Huntsman, 2: Tactician, 3: Soldier, 4: Trophy, 5: Ambassador), Sect War Veteran (1: Survivor, Active Participant, 3: Trophy Kill), The Bahari (1: Dangerous Reputation), The First Inquisition (1: Mistakes of the Past, 2: Names of the Guilty), The Labyrinth (1: Tunnel Access)
Derangements
Alien Hand Syndrome (Extra Limbs), Dysphasia
The origins of the hideously mutated Gangrel who calls himself Nicodemus are unknown. He has hunted in the area that was to later become known as Los Angeles since before even the arrival of the Spanish and was known by many names over the centuries by the native peoples who lived their lives there.
The origins of the hideously mutated Gangrel who calls himself Nicodemus are unknown. He has hunted in the area that was to later become known as Los Angeles since before even the arrival of the Spanish and was known by many names over the centuries by the native peoples who lived their lives there.
Though visible changes involving animal traits are common amongst Gangrel who frenzy these usually fade within a day or two. It has been theorised that those of the clan with more potent blood, and therefore more severely affected by their clans bane, can be cursed with these changes indefinitely and Nicodemus would seem to be proof of this.
Though generally such animalistic features are random in the species they resemble those received by Nicodemus have been consistently arachnid in form. Now even his animal form is that of a gigantic spider matching no species ever recorded but instead being a vile parody of them all. Some have attributed this to his haven being located over a ancient Caern desecrated by the werewolf tribe known as The Black Spiral Dancers, that they themselves took from another tribe of shapeshifters known as the 'Ananasi', or Werespiders.
Though generally such animalistic features are random in the species they resemble those received by Nicodemus have been consistently arachnid in form. Now even his animal form is that of a gigantic spider matching no species ever recorded but instead being a vile parody of them all. Some have attributed this to his haven being located over a ancient Caern desecrated by the werewolf tribe known as The Black Spiral Dancers, that they themselves took from another tribe of shapeshifters known as the 'Ananasi', or Werespiders.
Nicodemus's lair is an underground cavern with several concealed entrances surrounded by swarms of insects and arachnids. Many of these have been sustained by his vitae for centuries and are monstrous in size and appetite and even members of his own pack prefer to meet him elsewhere than his haven.
Conscious of the fact that the eight foot tall monstrosity is effectively a walking breach of the masquerade, but loyal to him as an elder of their clan, his pack and their allies have called in and promised several significant boons. There were in order to have him taught enough of the discipline known as Obfuscate to pass as a human if necessary.
His power and ferocity are even feared by the werewolves within and without the city and he is capable of negotiating with them should he so desire. Though it has been many decades since he has been required to destroy one, the tribes still speak of him as a deadly foe and tend to respect his territorial boundaries. In exceptional circumstances the tribes may send an ambassador to negotiate terms, but only if there is no other option for them.
His power and ferocity are even feared by the werewolves within and without the city and he is capable of negotiating with them should he so desire. Though it has been many decades since he has been required to destroy one, the tribes still speak of him as a deadly foe and tend to respect his territorial boundaries. In exceptional circumstances the tribes may send an ambassador to negotiate terms, but only if there is no other option for them.
Despite his predatory appearance he always keeps his promises and respects his debts though his response to those who don't return the courtesy is terrifying to behold. The venom held within his vampiric fangs is capable of liquefying organs and this fluid is then sucked back into his body as sustenance. The empty skins of his victims are all that remains to show of their foolishness.
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Should you be interested in the chronicles and stories associated with these pages then links to them all can be found HERE.
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Acknowledgements
I've used pictures of real people to represent some of the characters and art for others so Myranda Marie is Shannyn Visceral.
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