by Charles Phipps (Vampire: The Requiem | Resources)
"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat "We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."
"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here."
-Alice in Wonderland
The Malkavians were a somewhat controversial addition to the Old World of Darkness. At their worst, they were the guys who walked up to the Prince of the City and smacked him with a fish. At their best, they were the misunderstood prophets of the Kindred. Somewhere in between, we had one of the more interesting clans in the setting. With the transfer into the new World of Darkness, the Malkovians have taken their place as the insane step-children of the Kindred. Some of the more interesting elements of the old clan have been lacking from their new incarnation. Other parts of the new Bloodline are in dire need of expansion. This article will attempt to add more to the Malkovians’ place in the nWoD.
While the bloodline bears the name of Anton Malkov, the actual founder of the lineage is the Doctor who treated him. James Griffin Hartleigh is one of the few elders of the Malkovian bloodline and a person that the Ventrue line would very much like to see staked for the sun. To that end, James Hartleigh has learned a great deal about obfuscating his presence from his parent clan. Dwelling under an assumed name and with all records of his face destroyed, Doctor Hartleigh is someone that the Ventrue have very little likelihood of finding. In any case, they are much more worried about his growing legacy across the Kindred world.
Background: James Griffin Hartleigh was born during the early part of the 19th century. A Doctor interested in the treatment of the insane, he was ahead of his time even if his theories were extreme even as a mortal. Part of this might have been his own fears about losing his mind due to a shameful history of mental illness in his family.
Ultimately, Doctor Hartleigh’s asylum of Broadmoor was a focus for those patients whom not only were deluded but a threat to others. It was the perfect haven for fleeing Russian Kindred Anton Malkov who had decided to rest from the troubles of the Dance Macabre. Sensing that James Hartleigh was a man who was already on the brink of what would become a nervous breakdown, the Kindred revealed the secrets of the world . Strangely, the mortal and undead became friends. While James had trouble believing he was dealing with a mystical creature, Anton was impressed with the mortal's wealth of knowledge on the human psyche. The vampire was something of an amateur himself in the field. One can't live for centuries altering minds without learning something about how they worked. Their conversations were deeply speculative and it did not take Anton very long to decide to embrace the physician.
Nevertheless, something went terribly wrong in the embrace. It is possible that Doctor Hartleigh's family had something much more wrong with it than a case of mere mental illness. Doctor Hartleigh awoke with strength that was many times that of a normal Kindred and his opening frenzy drove him utterly mad. His wife and her lover were but one of the many victims that the Doctor claimed that night.
The local Ventrue were quick to investigate this situation even as they were annoyed to discover that Hartleigh had developed a case of extreme obsession with scientific study of the Kindred form. The Kindred sent to investigate, one Sir Edmund Wellington, was distressed to discover himself driven totally insane when he attempted to force the rogue vampire under his power. Many other Kindred would be driven mad in their attempt to apprehend the mad Doctor as he spread his newly discovered power.
On the run from his fellow Kindred, Doctor Hartleigh immediately began working on finding others to help him figure out how to use this ability for the ‘benefit of mankind.’ Hartleigh’s progeny were selected from fellow alienists at first. Gradually, he began to pick medical professionals from other fields. James had quickly determined that he might need individuals who understood the biological factors of Kindred existence as much as the psychological.
The scientist has been a prolific creator of Kindred and is no longer so picky as to restrict his embracing to scientists. He's created progeny from gurus, spiritualists, and psychics in an attempt to broaden the bloodline's ability to dissect the nature of vampirism. Doctor Hartleigh hasn't stopped creating Malkovians either. James is still prone to passing on the 'gift' whenever he feels that there is something to learn from a subject's transformation.
Doctor Hartleigh has spent the past century well in learning the various disciplines and esoteric principles of being a Kindred. He has progressed abnormally quickly in mastering his clan's disciplines. Some suggest this is due to the fact that his unusual mental state is aiding him but most Kindred believe this is rubbish. Doctor Hartleigh has also assembled a tremendous amount of knowledge on medicine, the occult, and various forms of science. Were he not a lunatic then he would probably be as great a psychologist as Freud. The man has made an extensive list of supernatural contacts under his various aliases. Many willing to share information in exchange for knowledge.
Doctor Hartleigh's relationship with his fellow Malkovians is a bit tenuous. While many are similarly motivated in discovering the 'secrets of the mind', others are outraged at the curse that he's helped inflict upon them. Hartleigh is thus cautious about approaching any of his blood. Often, he does this using a possessed human body as a vessel for communication. Even subjects that he's embraced directly are not always aware of what he really looks like. Some have been educated entirely through false faces or from a distance. Hartleigh is not even above abandoning his childer to see how they react to their transformation. Nevertheless, most Malkovians feel a sort of affection for the man and are fiercely protective of their founder.
Image: Doctor Hartleigh is an unassuming looking man in his mid-fifties and still bears traces of his original English accent. He is not intimidating to most Kindred with his cropped white hair, a somewhat nebbish looking face, and habit of absently muttering to himself. Doctor Hartleigh is almost always dressed in a Doctor's coat since he rarely ever finds himself out of his medical wards. The few times that he leaves is when he dresses up in anachronistic formal wear.
Roleplaying Hints: Those who meet the Malkovian founder are unlikely to find anything that sets off the warning bells that he's an utter lunatic. It's only when he is alone with a 'patient' that his true nature as a complete obsessive becomes obvious. Doctor Hartleigh has no ethics whatsoever in testing the limits of human consciousness. Whatever is necessary from brain surgery to torture is carried out with the same dispassionate scientific interest. Nothing can prevent him from following through on his motivation to discover the secrets of the vampire mind.
Haven: Doctor Hartleigh tends to make his havens in the traditional Malkovian residences of asylums, hospitals, and medical universities. On occasion, he simply sets up his own lab in a mansion of suitable size. The current inhabitants of such luxury are often lucky if they do not become as mad as hatters by the end of his occupation.
Doctor Hartleigh's experiments with brains, electricity, chemicals, psychics, and imprisoned sorcery are said to have yielded tremendous results. Ones that have echoed down through the entire Bloodline on a spiritual level as much as physical. Others believe that Hartleigh's descendents might have attracted the attention of something beyond the understanding of Kindred. Whatever the reason, the Malkovians have developed a method to their madness. The majority of their insanity is very normal delusion and fantasy but sometimes....it's more.
The Malkovian Oversoul is the name that some Kindred have given the ability of this Ventrue offshoot to generate insights from seemingly nowhere. These insights are never clear or direct. Indeed, they are filled with metaphor and surreal phraseology that mark the madness of the Bloodline in a fairly spectacular manner. Worse, to tap into the ability is to require the Malkovian to experience their core derangement to manifest for that scene. This means that their insight is only given when they seem at their most insane. It can be taught to non-Malkovian Kindred but only if they have a derangement and all dots are permanently lost and must be re-learned if they ever recover from that condition.
Possessed by: Malkovians, Malkovian Ghouls, Those Whom Have Diablerized Malkovians, Insane Kindred
Specialities: Drug Trips, Hallucinatory imagery, Nonsensical Babble, Religious Experience, Voices in the Head
Dramatic Failure: The Kindred receives deliberately misleading information or otherwise outright dangerous false insights. For example; they are commanded to kill the Prince because he's controlled by Satan. Alternatively, the Kindred is plunged immediately into Frenzy or Rötschreck.
Failure: The Kindred receives no insights from his 'communion' but still suffers the effects of his Derangement being enacted for the rest of the scene.
Success: The Kindred receives some minor clue or useful piece of information that may be of service to them. This is probably veiled in metaphor unless it’s a silly, rather than life threatening, plot. For example; the Sheriff is working with Belial's Brood might manifest as "The Order of the Damned is Bent by Flames of a Malevolent Fist." While discovering that a player character's favorite vessel is straying might be a simple "Your girlfriend is cheating on you, dude."
Exceptional Success: The Kindred receives two pieces of information rather than one. Should a Gamemaster feel the game is stalling, they might also feel free to drop an appropriate bombshell level revelation in order to get the plot moving. This should never be allowed if the player characters aren't bored or frustrated with their current line of investigation.
The Malkovians are already blessed with the powers of insight, concealment, and the ability to twist minds. However, some of them have experimented further with their Kindred forms to develop an ability to warp perceptions to an almost absurd degree. This power has spread rapidly through the clan to the point that many believe they have far vaster powers than any Kindred could have dreamed of. The Malkovians are not eager to disabuse other vampires of this notion.
The Dementia Discipline is a severely destructive one that can cause vampires to lose hard won humanities at an incredible rate. Worse, it can be used on mortals to devastating effect in order to totally destroy a city's peace or utterly ruin lives. The power is considered grounds for a Blood Hunt in many cases if the perpetrator is caught using it against other Kindred or to disrupt the cities' peace. Most Malkovians so inclined to use it in such a manner are of the mind that they will never be caught.
This discipline is one that the Bloodline eagerly shares with others but its use comes with a price. For any non-Malkovian that learns it, they have their Discipline score applied to any Frenzy rolls as a penalty for receiving a derangement. Most Non-Malkovians end up totally mad from prolonged usage.
Id Whispers is a device for Kindred to unleash the forbidden desires of mortals. By power of voice alone, the Kindred using this ability can cause a subject to lose his inhibitions about something that he wanted to do on some level. The Id Whisperer must know what he wants and describe the action he should do, even in a joking manner, for it to be effective. This can range from something innocous about giving a man a break on a car payment to finally fulfilling their fantasy about killing their boss. Many Malkovians combine this ability with their purely social powers of persuasion to bring about the right mental state for this to discipline to work.
Cost: None
Dice Pool:Intelligence + Expression + Dementia versus Resolve plus Blood Potency.
Action:Contested, resistance is reflexive
Dramatic Failure: The subject does not act upon his urge and is immune to further attempts to use Dementia on him until the next sunset.
Failure:The subject does not become any more inclined to perform the action that the Kindred is describing.
Success:The subject decides to go about the action that has been described.
Exceptional Success:The subject becomes utterly convinced that the act was his own choice and what he would have done anyway.
+3 The subject really wants to perform the action but is constrained by fear of society or other consequences.
+2 The subject was contemplating such an action before the Kindred began to speak about it.
+2 The Kindred has given an eloquent and persuasive argument beforehand, even if it failed.
+1 The action is not one that he has any strong moral objection to.
-1 The subject has a mild moral repulsion to the action despite being tempted by it.
-2 The subject has a strong moral repulsion to the idea.
-2 The subject has no reason to listen to the Kindred.
-3 The act is personally harmful to the character in some way.
Malkovians consider it their right and privilege to explore different types of thinking. They also consider it to 'help' others do the same. Gaslighting is bestow compulsions on subjects that weaken their hold on their sanity. Any subject of the discipline is afflicted with a compulsive need of the Malkovian's choice. Their desire for it being as great as blood to a starving vampire in some cases. Most Malkovians find out what ails and troubles a subject first before exploiting it in order to drive their victims to true dementia. A Malkovian merely has to speak to a subject about the need for it to take root. Needs that are obviously suicidal do not work but can be used to put a subject in a situation of danger.
Cost: 1 Willpower per roll
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Expression + Dementia versus Resolve plus Blood Potency.
Action: Contested, resistance is reflexive
Dramatic Failure:The subject is immune to the Kindred's attempt to use Dementia on him for the rest of the night.
Failure:The subject is unaffected by the affect.
Success:The subject immediately gains a longing for a certain type of action or thing. For every success beyond the initial, the subject must make a composure check with rising difficulty in order to resist indulging his new vice.
Exceptional Success:The subject gains a derangement related to his new want. Typically, this is an Obsession or Addiction.
+3 The subject already displays obsessive interest in it (this reflects vampires and blood should the Malkovian choose to make them an even greater addict, an alcoholic, a gamer and his favorite RPG).
+2 The subject has a strong affection for it (a sexually active human, a regular drinker, a man whom is already a killer).
+1 The subject will be merely annoyed by his compulsion (constantly introducing himself to everyone he knows, being forced to babble a long answer to everything, washing ones hands a lot).
-1 The subject has a moral objection to newly bestowed desire (A compulsion to steal, a desire to deface works of art).
-2 The subject has a strong moral objection to his newly bestowed desire or compulsion (a high humanity Kindred desiring the blood of children, a compulsion to arson).
-3 The subject is personally imperilled by this newfound affliction in some way.
Malkovians have the power to sculpt the fantasies and ideas of the individuals around them. Provided they can meet their gaze, a Malkovian can freeze a subject in place long enough to describe a hallucination that they see. For the duration of the scene, the subject will hallucinate what has been described to them by the Malkovian. Any modifications to what was initially described will require another Dementia roll. The subject will hallucinate their fantasy independently of the Malkovian's control as well. This power is one of the reasons that the Malkovians are believed to possess reality altering powers by some. Unlike with illusions, recognizing something is a hallcuination doesn't dispel it.
Cost: None
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Expression + Dementia versus Resolve plus Blood Potency.
Action: Contested, resistance is reflexive
Dramatic Failure: The subject does not suffer any effect and is immune to further attempts to use Dementia on him until the next sunset.
Failure: The subject suffers no debilitating effects from the power's use.
Success: The subject immediately hallucinates the subject that the Kindred described.
Exceptional Success: The subject sees the hallucination described to him until the next sunset.
+3 The Hallucination described is one that is entirely possible to happen (someone arriving, the character pulling a gun out of his coat, police are coming).
+2 The Hallucination is not a terribly complex one (a fire has broken out, there are ghostly noises about, a room is empty when its actually full).
+2 The subject is on some sort of psycho tropic drug.
+2 The subject is insane already or otherwise prone to altered states of consciousness.
+1 The subject is in a highly agitated state.
-1 The Hallucination deals with more than one object (A half dozen people are standing around talking).
-1 The Hallucination is unlikely but not impossible ("But I just saw the Prince leave the building five minutes ago...", a believer in ghosts sees his dead father).
-2 A Hallucination is expected to effect more than one sense.
-2 The Hallucination is interactive (the dialogue being filled in by the subjects mind).
-3 The Hallucination is impossible or absurd (A talking frog, an atheist meets the Archangel Michael, one's trash starts barking at you).
-5 The Hallucination is expected to effect all five senses.
One of the most feared abilities of the Malkovians amongst the Damned. The power for them to rob a subject of his sanity. The Malkovians enjoy using this ability to cause their fellow Ventrue all manner of difficulties. Indeed, it is one of their ways that they help prepare a subject to join their clan. The consequences of this ability have the potential to be disastrous. A Malkovian must merely speak to a subject and he has the potential to rob him of all reason. The Malkovian must talk about the type of derangement that is to be inflicted though, even in an abstract manner.
Cost:1 Willpower per use, 1 Vitae Point
Dice Pool:Intelligence + Expression + Dementia versus Resolve plus Blood Potency.
Action:Contested, resistance is reflexive
Dramatic Failure: The subject does not suffer any effect and is immune to further attempts to use Dementia on him until the next sunset.
Failure:The subject suffers no debilitating effects from the power's use.
Success:The subject is immediately afflicted with a Derangement of the Kindred's choice.
Exceptional Success:The subjects are immediately afflicted with two Derangements of the Kindred's choice.
+3 The subject is already in a state of severe emotional instability (A vampire's frenzy, a person having undergone severe trauma, having just recovered from another mental illness)
+2 The subject's derangement is only an exaggeration of an existing personality trait.
+2 The subject is a Ventrue.
+1 The subject is in a similar emotional state to the kind of derangement that will be inflicted.
-1 The subject is a calm state.
-2 The derangement is utterly unrelated to anything that is normal to the subject's life.
-3 The subject has no history of mental illness or emotional instability (Vampires cannot qualify for this).
A power that has been used to ignite riots over trivial things and cause the utter destruction of large locations. A Malkovian who uses Mass Hysteria needs merely be heard by a crowd of people and their passions will be inflamed to incredible levels. What the panic will be about is anyone's guess but subjects feeling anger about a given subject will likely react violently while those in a state of fear may flee in utter terror. One doesn't even need to comment about what sort of effect this might have during a sporting event. Strangely, the subject that the Malkovian speaks of isn't one that has to be related to whatever causes them to panic.
Cost: 1 Willpower per scene, 1 Vitae point per scene
Dice Pool:Intelligence + Expression + Dementia versus Resolve plus Blood Potency.
Action:Contested, resistance is reflexive
Dramatic Failure:The subject does not suffer any effect and is immune to further attempts to use Dementia on him until the next sunset.
Failure: The subject suffers no debilitating effects from the power's use.
Success:All the subjects immediately start a hysterical panic that continues for the duration of the scene.
Exceptional Success:The subjects continue their intense reaction until the next sunset.
+3 The subjects are in a state of intense emotion to begin with.
+3 The subjects have all been drugged otherwise inebriated.
+2 The subjects are inclined to listen to the Kindred on the subject.
+1 The subjects are in a state of agitation.
-1 The subjects are calm and soothed.
-2 More than a twenty subjects are being effected.
-3 More than a hundred subjects are being effected.
-4 More than five hundred subjects are being effected.
-5 More than a thousand subjects are being effected.
"Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, will you join the dance? Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the
dance?"
-The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland
Now, you've got to be asking yourself why any person in the world would want to join a bloodline where you're permanently reduced to a mental cripple. That is what any sane person would think. That's not whom the Malkovian clan is appealing to. It's those Kindred whom undeath has become unbearable for, whom think the Malkovians have special insights, or whom are already 'around the bend' mentally that find it an appealing prospect.
The transformation into a vampire is a very traumatic experience for every Neonate. Combined with the demanding nature of the Ventrue clan, many consider the idea of becoming a Malkovian to be one that will relieve them of the burden. 'To turn on, tune in, and drop out' is one way of looking at the Malkovian infection. Others are lured by the prospect of being able to share the horror and absurdity that they feel but jaded elders can no longer stomach.
Ancilla are more often lured by the prospect of getting an edge over elders that wield unfathomable power over others. Members of the Covenants that are stalled in their position might believe that the Malkovians are crazy like a Fox rather than simply insane. Others might well crave their unique gifts and believe they can get through the experience without going completely mad. The Ordo Dracul and Circle of the Crone both have members that might see power in the Malkovian's unique insights.
Most terrifying, is the fact that the number of elders that are inclined to leave the mainstream Ventrue clan to become Malkovians is growing. This terrifies the entire clan as that believes even their most cherished members are not immune to the corruptive effects of Malkov's legacy. After ages of being an unfeeling monster, the allure of the Malkovian's different mental state is quite appealing. Others hope there is a kind of morality in the Bloodline that will ease the burden of their troubled souls. Many seem well to enjoy it. While the number of insane elders is still rather small, Hartleigh is hardly the oldest member of the clan now.
by Charles Phipps (World of Darkness | Resources)
Doctor Conrad Murphy's hands trembled. He was unable to move anything but his hands due to fear. The discovery of the existence of vampires had been a complete accident. It came from the result of trying to find out commonalities in the odd blood samples discovered in some gunshot wound patients. Conrad had made the mistake of sending too many queries around. He had been doing a little investigating of his own. The private detective had ended up in the morgue and now, the Doctor was already under investigation for mishandling hospital funds.
'But they wouldn't just settle for ruining my career, would they? I know too much,' Conrad bit his lower lip while staring across from the desk of the pale skinned executive that he'd been brought to meet.
Several tough looking men had arrived at his house, packing arms, and had shoved him into an unmarked black limousine. From there, he'd been brought to the basement levels of GenesisTech Industries. Bio-research, the perfect cover for the undead to perform all manner of perversions.
"I suppose it's obvious why you're here," The man's piercing stare was predatory in nature. The kind of look that you saw in many executives that didn't care who they stepped on. "No use in hiding it. Your little essays are too rich in information for you to be ignorant of the truth."
Conrad knew he was going to die. That provided him more courage than he would have normally possessed under the circumstances. It allowed him to speak up "You won't silence me! You can't stay hidden forever! Modern technology will reveal the world you've kept hidden for so long!"
Strangely, the man merely smiled at that proclamation "I absolutely agree."
Doctor Murphy blinked as the man handed over a large stack of papers in a manilla folder with the GenesisTech helix shaped logo on the front. Taking a second to shake off his confusion, the physician opened the folder to see a contract on the inside.
Conrad blinked a second before responding "You want to hire me?"
Vice President of Personnel Mister Shriver then said "We're not the supernatural, Doctor. We're the people interested in making use of it."
In the World of Darkness, there are countless people whom have encounters with the supernatural every day. The majority of these individuals remain unaware of what they are associating with. Others become aware of the true nature of their encounters by skill on their part, carelessness by a supernatural, deliberate revelation or some combination of the three.
Mortal reactions to the supernatural vary wildly. They range between fear, awe, horror, denial, and anger. Particularly noteworthy are those mortals whom become intensely curious… and ambitious. GenesisTech is an association of mortals whom have put their knowledge to use in hopes of making a profit from it.
The history of GenesisTech begins with a small pharmaceuticals firm in Japan. Owned by Hanabishi Hideo and his immediate relatives, it was named Hanabishi Medical Supplies. By the late 1950s, the company was neither successful nor particularly noteworthy.
Hanabishi Hideo was an ambitious man, but his heir had proved incapable of managing the firm. Having been scarred by his experiences during wartime, Hanabishi Sakaki was more interested in pursuing pleasure with young women than becoming a businessman. That changed when Sakaki disappeared and was presumed dead by his grief stricken father. Shockingly, Sakaki returned home three months later. The young man wore bloody rags and had changed completely.
Hanabishi Hideo was stunned to silence by his son's wild tales, stories of a vast society of vampires that lived in both his country and others. Sakaki had been 'Embraced' by one of the many women of loose virtue that he indulged with. However, his creator had been destroyed not long after that. Sakaki had been unable to gain control over the raging beast within him and now sought death. The younger man begged his father to kill him, to drive a wooden stake through his heart and leave him out for the sun to destroy.
This might have been the end of a tragic but common story amongst the Damned, had Sakaki not explained entirely too much to his father. Fascinated by the concept of a ghoul, Hideo did stake his son through the heart, but then fed upon the vampire's blood himself. Finding himself invigorated beyond reason, Hideo removed his son away from the coming daylight and took out the stake. Sakaki was already in deep torpor and unable to respond. Developing a strong affection for his son that he never felt in life, Hideo laid away his son's body while tackling the business world with a renewed enthusiasm.
By the mid-1980's, Hanabishi Medical Supplies had merged with many other Japanese firms and purchased several American ones. Hideo's consistent leadership may not have always been the most forward-thinking, but it always kept the corporation growing. It was then that Hideo met with Marcus Shriver, an aggressive young executive that had a reputation for making business rivals disappear. After several attempts by both Hideo and Marcus to dispose of one another, it became apparent that they both had some form of supernatural aid. Hideo was relieved to discover that Marcus was not a vampire or servant of one, but a practitioner of magic.
The ambitions of the young American were greater than Hanabishi, whom simply wished to indefinitely expand his business empire. Nevertheless, it was Marcus that suggested they put the wealth of their two businesses together in order to harness the power of the supernatural world for their own benefit. Marcus was swiftly given a place on the Board of Directors with dissenting voices quietly phased out. Over time, the renamed GenesisTech has become one of the largest concentrations of 'informed' mortals in the world.
Most of the supernatural world would scoff at the idea that such a group could exist without some secret puppet master pulling the strings. In truth, human ambition and greed are some of the most powerful motivating factors in the world. Enough that even the underbelly of the World of Darkness is capable of being rocked by it.
"Why rule the world when you can buy it?" -Marcus Shriver, Orientation Seminar
GenesisTech is an organization that may strike many as shockingly mundane in its ambitions. The primary motivation of the corporation's executives and management is to make money. Most of GenesisTech's operations, both mundane and supernatural-related, are designed around cost-to-profit projections. It's all well and good to forward the idea of a virus to wipe out all vampires on Earth, but that's expensive, and how is it going to benefit us? The idea of capturing a live werewolf and harvesting blood samples in order to synthesize cures for thousands of individual diseases sounds much more profitable.
Most telling is the fact that GenesisTech tends to run every little piece of supernatural information through analysts in order to find uses for it. It's doubtful that any Kindred in history had ever thought about the idea of ghouling cattle to manufacture more beef at a cheaper price. Many of the applications of their research are moronic or impractical, but they are researched, nevertheless. The few applications that do get approval and succeed are often sources of great revenue.
This mercenary truth about the corporation is not always apparent to its employees. GenesisTech is more interested in acquiring the services of talented and aware individuals than it is in the truth. Many members of GenesisTech erroneously believe the organization is serving a far greater cause. They are told that they are working to free the world from the control of the supernaturals, to elevate humanity to a higher state of existence, or wield their knowledge for control of the world. This placation is kept up for as long as necessary. Usually, an employee becomes ensnared by the lifestyle and ceases to care. Other times, the corporation develops a hook that forces compliance.
A rare few GenesisTech employees are those whom rise to power in the corporation yet keep their ideals. These beings quietly exploit their positions for their own personal goals, irregardless of the company's own plans. In addition to the expected whackos that get off on the prospect of supernatural power bent to their wills or those seeking to save humanity from the evils of the night, others are interested in joining one of the factions they have become aware of. Transformation into a vampire, becoming a werewolf (whether possible or not), or learning magic is a desire that drives them. These employees who wish to 'go native' often find themselves either eliminated by the company or learn that few supernatural beings take the GenesisTech corporation very seriously. Nevertheless, these rogues are distressingly common and a source of much frustration for the company.
Overall, the corporation exists to gather as much information about the supernatural as possible while figuring some way to harness the power they discover. They fail as often as they succeed, but have come a very long way.
GenesisTech is a company that employs tens of thousands. It is not yet one of the largest corporations on the planet, but it's certainly noteworthy to those with their eyes on the market. The company made its initial fortune in pharmaceuticals and has expanded its purview to include related fields of agriculture, chemistry, genetic research, and a few other fields. It specializes in developing cutting edge solutions to common industry problems.
This is where the vast majority of its wealth is generated, and they are more focused on acquiring a substantial market share in these than diversifying their control in some kind of economic pyramid scheme.
GenesisTech employees tend to be well paid, but extremely wrapped up in confidentiality agreements and red tape. The true leaders of the corporation, like most in the business world really, are aware that all bureaucracy is made to impede outsiders rather than replace actual leadership. Control of information is very important to the Board of Directors, and one would be hard pressed to comprehend the full extent of the company's holdings. This has helped repulse civil-lawsuit-pressing lawyers and the I.R.S as much as the supernatural.
This web of secrecy allows the real movers and shakers of the company to operate in almost-absolute secrecy. Numerous hidden laboratories are listed on files at the bottom of drawers, and vast amounts of funding are distributed to them without anyone recognizing where it goes. “Special Employees” carry out their experiments on captured supernatural beings in these labs. Most are mundane, but brilliant scientists in their chosen field, exposed to the amazing possibilities inherent in GenesisTech's research into the unknown. A few attempts to recruit powerful supernatural beings have been made but these have usually ended in disaster. Still, a few hedge-magicians, psychics, and disgruntled ghouls have found their way into GenesisTech service.
Slightly more glamorous are Scientific Operative Teams. Selected by Vice President Schiver, they are mostly field operatives sent to clean up likely supernatural infestations for trace clues. Newer variants are little more than mercenary teams with missions to kill, however. GenesisTech is extremely careful about employing these teams in any First World Nation. The operations are usually precise and performed with a considerable amount of planning to minimize evidence of their use. A few very bad accidents in the Third World have resulted in the company bribing military officials to reduce entire villages to ashes. Most simply assume that it is a matter of dealing with disgruntled locals. GenesisTech is not above masquerading as the United States government if it thinks that it'll get more cooperation.
In general, it is an organization that is tremendously powerful and amoral. Nevertheless, it is not one that can act too harshly or too openly. Retaliation by any major faction of the supernatural world would be devastating to its plans. A crackdown by the United States or the major countries of the United Nations could also lead to bankruptcy and dissolution. GenesisTech is eager to avoid both.
Alexander King stared at the documents with his pen light. The GenesisTech security guards passed by the Mekhet without even noticing him. It had been a three week investigation on behalf of the Prince. What he read was shocking in its implications. Unfortunately, there was a very good chance that nothing could be done about it. The Kindred of a single city couldn't even come together for one purpose. What chance did they have of plugging a Masquerade breach that spanned several nations?
The seneschal shook his head and muttered "Heh, that's assuming the majority of elders even believed it wasn't a trick by their enemies...."
The security guards turned around to flash their lights in search of the noise's source. That was the cue for the Kindred intruder to make his escape. There was much to consider and precious little time to do.
Less than 1% of GenesisTech employees truly know about the existence of the supernatural. A few thousand do regular research on materials relating to it but are never made aware of its otherworldly nature. Only a couple of hundred GenesisTech employees are actively aware that there are more than humans out there. The majority of these were brought in by GenesisTech after they'd already discovered the supernatural. It is a rare and gifted individual that GenesisTech feels will benefit them more by knowing rather than being kept in ignorance.
Sadly, information is unevenly distributed amongst employees. The corporation feels it best to limit knowledge to a 'need to know' basis in order to minimize the damage from leaks. Thus, Science Officers often have a great deal of practical knowledge about catching and trapping werewolves, but are unlikely to know a thing about their esoteric practices. Researches might know a great deal about the recuperative powers of a vampire, but next to nothing about its feeding habits.
The following information represents the accumulated knowledge of the entire corporation on the nature of the World of Darkness. Even this, as readers can see, is very incomplete.
In part because of Chairman Hanabishi's initial conversation with his son about Kindred and a few ghouls that defected to the group's service, GenesisTech knows a good deal about vampires. Vampires drink blood. They know that they are divided into tribes with some much larger than others. They know that vampires are killed by fire, sunlight, decapitation, and being blown to pieces. They also know that a wooden stake can incapacitate one along with a great deal of ammunition. Vampires are also prone to bizarre animalistic behavior. A vampire can create a ghoul, or 'demi-vampire', that possesses few of its weaknesses, but a fraction of its power by feeding it blood. The actual mechanism of the transformation process is not very clear, though. Vampires possess enhanced strength, durability, and speed, but power levels vary from vampire to vampire. There are also reports of stranger abilities that GenesisTech tends to link all to mind-control rather than the genuine capacity to perform them.
Surprisingly, the Kindred also know about GenesisTech. Or, more precisely, some vampires know about GenesisTech. Several Princes are aware that the corporation is conducting experiments into the Kindred race. Both the Ordo Dracul and Carthians have received semi-complete reports by individual agents sent to infiltrate the corporation. Rather than distribute the information, most are content to simply keep the company out of their own backyards. The corporation doesn't seem interested in exposing the Masquerade, and most Princes arrogantly assume that some other Lick is responsible for their efforts. The Ordo Dracul is interested in what GenesisTech is able to accomplish with modern technology and have taken to protecting them from retaliation. The Carthians are much more concerned, especially concerning the lack of rights given to many captives, and would like to see the group shut down and/or dismantled.
Knowledge regarding werewolves is almost uniformly second hand, from experimentation, or the result of interrogating subjects captured during raids. Given that many subjects will tell anything to avoid torture or execution, the best source of information is polluted at best. Quite a few werewolves have willingly lied, even up to their deaths, in order to protect their kind from the danger that GenesisTech represents. The company knows that werewolves travel in groups, are capable of shifting into various forms between human and wolf, with the hybrid form being the most physically formidable. They heal very quickly, but silver weaponry and fire damage affect them especially adversely and cannot be healed as quickly. Many werewolves are animists, and some hold certain locations to be holy ground. Many werewolves can cause 'hallucinations' of alien beings, and are mentally ill themselves with psychotic rage or delusions about reality being a common affliction.
Werewolves, largely, have no idea that GenesisTech exists. The Pure are largely blamed for any missing pack mates, rather than a simple group of mundane human mercenaries. A few packs have wiped out entire Science Operative teams. These events have left the victorious Uratha with a lot of questions and very few answers. Most simply chalk up the results to a few extremely well-armed and delusional humans at work. A few have paranoid theories about the government, but none have an inkling that there might be a corporation out to harvest their D.N.A for medical advancements. The Iron Wolves have, independently, stumbled onto a surreal paper trail that indicates a few of their holy places might be monitored. This is probably the Uratha's best lead to discovering there is something wrong with the human corporation.
GenesisTech thinks it knows a great deal about mages. Unfortunately, the majority of its information is inaccurate. Its views have been influenced by the psychics, hedge magicians, and parapsychologists in its service. All of whom have brought their own prejudices and theories to the table. The naturally scientific and skeptical nature of GenesisTech has led it to try to unravel the 'mysteries' of magic with as mundane an explanation as possible.
Even if the company were to find out the truth of magic, they would probably dismiss the idea of Atlantis to be utterly crackpot. This goes the same for any mage who believes in it. GenesisTech doesn't believe there is any difference between Hedge Magic, Psychic Abilities, Thaumaturgy, or the True Magic of the Awakened.
The company's official byline is that sorcery is the product of psychic abilities. These abilities are then erroneously channeled through superstitions of the wielder. These 'superstitions' might have some psychological benefit to focusing magic, but do not actually give any real benefit. They believe mages are normal human beings, though perhaps 'gifted' in some way. If there is a source for magic, it must be in the brain, but no one has yet figured out how.
Two Mage groups have expressed interest in the GenesisTech company. Agents of the Seers of the Throne have noted their scientific explanations might be able to be used to keep the Sleepers manipulated. However, at least one operative of the Silver Ladder is interested in exploiting GenesisTech's research for the greater control of the mortal world. Neither has done much more than speculate on the possibilities, at this point. GenesisTech employs several hedge magicians and a dozen psychics in its service.
GenesisTech has no real knowledge of Promethean society as a whole. They might investigate stories of Mummies, Golems, Androids, and reanimated corpses, but they're unlikely to draw any sort of commonality between them.
At this point, all GenesisTech has on them is rumors and stories that they are following up at a very slow pace. However, this may not be the case for long. At least some of the researchers of GenesisTech are interested in the concept of creating life from the dead. It is quite likely that, if they haven't already, it is only a matter of time before the Divine Fire is wielded by one of the scientists to create life to the dead.
Thus far, no Promthean has yet encountered GenesisTech. Most of them would find the idea of a corporation researching the supernatural to be simultaneously intriguing and horrifying. A few might attempt to make contact with them, before they realize that they're more likely to be treated as a lab specimen than a partner.
GenesisTech believes in the existence of ghosts and have spent a large amount of research into exploring the possibilities of using them. They also believe in aliens, UFOs, and alien experimentation. This later bit is something that many of the scientifically minded of the corporation have an easier time swallowing than most of the supernatural things that they encounter. Ironically, the corporation believes it has gathered a very large amount of evidence for the existence of extraterrestrials by uncovering the remains of spirits at work.
A few scientists also speculate on the existence of things like the Yeti, Faeries, Angels, Demons, and the like, but most GenesisTech officials give them a wide berth.
Mister Carlyle took a big puff of his inhaler as he walked up to the residence of David and Wilma Patel. A lawyer for the GenesisTech corporation, Mister Carlyle had been through a half dozen meetings with the pair of activists. They seemed to honestly have it in for the corporation. Not only had they spent most of their upper class American fortune trying to organize protests, marches, and letter writing campaigns against the company, but they'd even helped fund several class-action lawsuits against them for maleficence.
"I hate these sort of meetings," Mister Carlyle spit in his hand before rubbing it through his hair. Ringing the doorbell, he opened up his briefcase and started rifling through it.
The door opened to show Missus Patel with a typically contemptuous stare "Oh, it's you...."
Mister Carlyle removed his silencer equipped beretta and fired three bullets into her chest. The lawyer then stepped over her corpse and shot her husband in the back of the head. The fellow had just been turning from the telly. Thankfully, the couple had no kids. Those were the worst kind of missions to deal with. Nevertheless, it was now his place to rifle through their papers before calling in a clean up team. By mid-morning, this entire place would be spotless and the Patels would effectively disappear.
"Yes, I need you to take up their voice prints from their phones. We'll need to leave messages with all their friends and family about leaving town. Also, the paperwork has to be handled and a few actors will be needed to go through the motions of their life...." Carlyle paused as he pulled the wooden stake out of his briefcase, putting it to the side before taking out a mallet "I'm now going to disable the vampire in the basement. Be sure to make sure that we're clear for UV resistant transportation."
GenesisTech is an organization that could be an excellent base for mortal PCs to start from. The company is one that is morally ambiguous enough that heroic PCs can operate for it while simultaneously being confronted with its darker side on occasion. They have enough equipment and information to be able to present a credible threat to many supernatural organizations. Also, their goal of finding out more about the supernatural is one that can provide numerous adventure hooks.
Ultimately, a GenesisTech based chronicle is one that should walk a thin line between giving reasons to distrust their superiors while reinforcing their loyalty to it. While the obvious route is to have the player characters turn against GenesisTech when they discover them to be amoral and evil, a more ambitious approach might have them be viewed as the lesser of two evils. GenesisTech has the potential to save billions of lives with their supernaturally enhanced medicines, after all. Why not work to reform the organization from the inside?
A certain element of temptation should also be present. To employees 'in the know', GenesisTech offers a tremendous amount of authority and power. Their lawyers can get player characters out of most jams that don't threaten their security. The organization also encourages employees wallow in the wealth and excess that are provided them. A scientist that has been an ostracized nerd for much of his life might find it difficult to walk away from a job where he's given his pick of beautiful women and other fringe benefits.
The subtle threat that going against the company is a pointless exercise in futility might also lead many to reconsider turning against it. GenesisTech has the protection of most nations that it works in. Those who harm the company may find themselves branded as terrorists and hunted down by the authorities unless they can prove wrongdoing on a massive scale. Even then, certain governments are willing to look the other way.
The more obvious use of GenesisTech in a chronicle is that of an enemy. For supernaturals, nothing may be more terrifying than being captured and dragged off to some hidden laboratory for experimentation. The company isn't just of the mind to dissect their captured supernaturals, either. The organization has the idea of bending individual members into sleeper agents, inserting spies, and field testing their latest experiments in genetics.
While GenesisTech is primarily composed of human beings, there's nothing to prevent Storytellers from using them as the basis for other creatures as well. Their research has been going on for a very long time, and some of their more psychotic members may have taken on a very Doctor Moreau-like bent to their research. This runs the risk of making the organization too much of a comic book villain, but can help reinforce that studying the supernatural can be sanity eroding. Indeed, it may help various types of supernatural beings to see that human beings can be just as monstrous as they.
A less obvious use for GenesisTech is to utilize its purely mundane elements. Supernaturals might become concerned when they find out about any of the nasty dealings that the company is doing in their area. Genetic testing, chemical run-off, or other real world corporate excesses are all too easily inserted. When the player characters use their supernatural abilities to influence the event, they may be shocked to find that they are retaliated against by a group that is aware of their powers and are able to counter them in turn.
Here are some important movers and shakers in the GenesisTech corporation. These, by no means, represent the full number of stock holders and employees involved in the affairs of the supernatural. Instead, it is just a small sampling of individuals that have their own agendas in addition to those of the company. Were they to die or disappear, the GenesisTech corporation would likely go on without them.
Hanabishi Hideo is the ninety-seven year old Chairman of the GenesisTech corporation. Not having aged since his forties, Hanabishi must live in seclusion and employ his grandchildren to serve as his proxies for most corporate decisions. He has not yet come up with a viable solution to resolving the problem of keeping control over his corporation, while maintaining the appearance of everything being normal. He has offered vast wealth to anyone that can provide him a solution for establishing a new identity that would allow him assume control of the company once more.
Hideo is a financial genius that has a tremendous amount of experience to draw from. Most of the vast success that GenesisTech has enjoyed is due to his iron fisted leadership combined with favoring long term growth over short term success. However, Hideo has not gotten to where he is without a willingness to skirt the edges of the law when not outright breaking them. He has changed thanks to his addiction for Kindred blood and the morality eroding effects of being a ghoul. Murder comes naturally to Hanabishi now, and he is not a man who would think twice about wiping out a whole family in order to get at one man.
Despite being an untrained ghoul, Hideo has developed numerous powers on his own. These include the ability to mesmerize individuals, to read auras, and the capacity to captivate audiences with his presence. Part of this has to do with his having sampled the blood of several different Kindred, in addition to his torporous son. Hideo resists abusing these powers too frequently, lest he become overly reliant on them. Nevertheless, they have proven a decisive factor in many business dealings.
Hanabishi Hideo is only concerned about his dual loyalties to his eldest son and the growth of his company. Despite having sired nearly a dozen other children since becoming a ghoul, most of which lean towards either insanity or mental deformity, he only has eyes for his eldest. The Vinculum has resulted in him developing an idolatrous worship of Sakaki's torporous body. Oftentimes, Hanabishi Hideo will visit his son and speak to his inert form for hours. Time, mixed with the nature of his work, has eroded Hideo's sanity. Hideo truly believes that his son communicates with him telepathically and is an enlightened individual of tremendous wisdom. It is likely he'd attempt to turn all of GenesisTech over to his son, should he awaken. This would not go over very well with the other stockholders.
Hanabishi Hideo is a somewhat portly Japanese man with a thin goatee, a penchant for finely tailored suits, and slicked black hair. In his rare meetings with outsiders, he often wears prosthetics to appear ancient. Hideo has also been known to impersonate his own grandchildren.
Marcus Shriver hails from a small town in New England called Whiteport, Connecticut. Marcus was aware that the town was different from most in the world. They conducted the Black Mass, placated the old gods with sacrifices, and preserved the ancient wisdom. Indeed, Marcus always thought there was something seriously wrong with the rest of the world. Most people seemed utterly unaware of the reality of the dark forces. Marcus was an ambitious man that was aware he would become little more than a village high priest if he stayed in Whiteport. Having been educated by his father in the power of face sculpting and sympathetic magic, he murdered a young student of Yale before taking over his life. Several murders later, Marcus had inherited a substantial fortune and managed to just squeak by to graduation. Being a born sociopath, he felt no actual guilt for this action.
The young wunderkind businessman found success in the outside world to be a challenge. Marcus' magic gave him numerous benefits and, in passing his sister off as his wife, the young hedge magician gained the power of her Sight to provide insight into business deals. Nevertheless, his chemicals company was developing a bad reputation due to the amount of death that occurred to keep it afloat. Marcus decided to take over a Japanese business that was already successful, then spend the rest of his life playing golf. Hideo Hanabishi's partially inhuman nature protected him against most of the spells worked against him. Marcus also survived several mundane assassination attempts thanks to his sister's foresight. Ultimately, Marcus' talent of appearing more wise in the ways of the supernatural world than he was, convinced Hideo to take on the boy as his second in command.
Marcus is the chief party responsible for the corporation's expanded portfolio. A rather lousy businessman, Marcus is smart enough to surround himself with people who know what they're talking about. The con man can also pick out those who don't. Additional knowledge about the supernatural world is more enticing to Vice President Shriver than financial success, but he never lets this slip around the Board. While most of the recruits are individuals that cloak occult truths in scientific gobbledegook, Marcus tolerates them since he often has anything mystical brought to his personal stores after they finish analyzing it. The magician has grown greatly in power since then, though true magic eludes him.
Vice President Shriver is a pale skinned middle-aged man. Marcus looks like he might suffer albinism, a side effect of his face sculpting not being as refined as it could be. He tends to dress in finely tailored suits but his predatory nature is such that some suspect he's a vampire. Underneath his suits, Marcus' body is covered in tattoos and ritual scarification signs. While he still has a decade or two to go in this body, he's already making preparations to steal a younger, healthier executive's body in the future.
Doctor Noland Wilson was a geneticist working for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) when he began investigating strange blood samples that were brought to him by a colleague. The colleague would later reveal himself to be a werewolf that hoped a 'cure' might be found for his condition. Ultimately, the lack of success in discovering a cure resulted in his colleague going into a berserk rage that crippled the scientist for life. This would scar Noland mentally, as well as physically.
Noland Wilson was recruited by GenesisTech after four years of working on various abnormal blood samples in order to discover more about the supernatural, and has since become a driving force of the company. He is not a believer in the “supernatural”, instead believing that all the things encountered by agents are merely a hidden race of genetically divergent humans. This doesn't lessen his hatred of them or his desire for their eradication, however.
Noland has proven one of the most inspirational figures to new recruits in the corporation. The scientist has derived hundreds of insights into everything from pills to nanotechnology, thanks to his research into the “monsters”. Those who have doubts about the corporation often come to Doctor Wilson in order to receive a pep talk about the importance of the work they're doing. Even some of the mercenary employees visit the doctor for the occasional therapy session.
One thing that does rattle a few is the Doctor's fervent hatred of the supernatural. While he makes exceptions for psychics, Doctor Wilson has personally overseen the disposal of well over a dozen “specimens”. He has a particular hatred of werewolves and privately researches weapons for use against them. Education about the nature of supernatural beings has not dulled his loathing for them. Instead, each new fact only seems to harden his belief that they should all be destroyed.
While lacking supernatural abilities himself, Doctor Noland is one of the world's leading authorities on both medicine and biology. He is even capable of generating insight into projects outside of his area of expertise and personally supervises most 'special' projects. Noland is aware of the importance of keeping subjects educated about their work. To this end, he has established lectures and curriculums for new arrivals to become familiar with GenesisTech's findings. They even have their own in-house scientific magazine.
Doctor Noland is a quadriplegic man in his mid sixties with a neatly trimmed white beard. His motorized wheelchair is controlled by voice commands and a breathing tube. Noland privately hopes that there is some sort of cure for paralysis found within the supernatural, but a part of him is disgusted by the idea of merging himself with such things.
GenesisTech is an attempt to create an organization for the World of Darkness that more realistically represents the benefits and limitations of the supernatural used for business purposes. It takes some inspiration from the evil megacorporations of Shadowrun, White Wolf's own Pentex and D.N.A, Resident Evil's Umbrella Corporation, and the Centre from NBC's The Pretender. While it won't fit with everyone's conception of the NWoD, I've tried to make it a group that can be used in a variety of ways.
by Eloy Lasanta (World of Darkness | World of Darkness: Shanghai | Resources)
The city of Shanghai is ripe with stories, even more than has been presented in this book so far. This chapter will introduce Storytellers to the theme and mood of this book, along with offering story ideas if you can’t come up with any.
Kuei-jin vs. Kuei-jin: The first and foremost conflict that could happen is pitting the Quincunx against the gaki. These two sides have been battling for over a century, disregarding the interests and opinions of their neighbor shen. But even though the Five August Courts have supposedly reclaimed Shanghai, that doesn’t mean that the gaki have chosen to simply concede. In fact, after the losing the Twice Red Tiger Battle, the Bishamon have made it their duty to shove the Quincunx from its high horse. Dozens of gun and sword fights are battled every week, with the shen in the middle of this fierce contest of might. As both sides have very capable fang shih on their sides and harness the area’s Chi, it will be an interesting war indeed.
Kuei-jin vs. Kin-jin: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. In most cases, this precept is true; however, the Quincunx do not agree with the sentiment in the Kin-jin’s case. The Kin-jin are normally to be slain on sight, unless they have been allowed to stay in the city by the consent of Mo King Zhenyu or the Silent Mandarins. This consent is as rare as jade falling out of the sky. The Quincunx has pulled the western plague into the crossfire as well, causing many battles between them on a nightly basis. The only place a Cainite is actually safe is within the borders of the many neutral locations in the French Concession.
The same is not necessarily true of the gaki, however. In dire straights, the ketsuki have approached the Kin-jin for a cooperative stance against the Five August Courts. Each is planning on stabbing the other in the back, but it is a valuable alliance none the less.
Kuei-jin vs. hengeyokai: The tension between the hengeyokai and the Kuei-jin can be cut with a butter knife. This fact stands even truer during the current situations facing the Beast Court. There is a reason why these two groups have not formally had an audience to address their problems: Black Rain Falls doesn’t know if he can hold back the entire nest from destroying the Kuei-jin ambassadors. The Kuei-jin do not want to meet Final Death under false pretenses, as it is obvious that the problems with the hengeyokai nest will no doubt be blamed on them (remember that most Kuei-jin do not know the true intentions of the Glorious Shield Placement Plan).
Kuei-jin vs. hsien: Many of the hsien realize that they have been betrayed by the Kuei-jin on one level or another. The storms were created in the hsien attempt to force the Kuei-jin confess to their wrong doings. Even though their leader, Ye Haojie, believes that Mo King Zhenyu would do no such thing, it is clear in the minds of the other hsien that the Quincunx are the ones are fault and must pay, their usual fear of losing their precious Yugen pushed aside in favor of vengeance and hatred. And the Kuei-jin are not ready for such an attack, especially the gaki who really have nothing to do with the plans of the Five August Courts. However, they may very pay for the Quincunx deeds.
Hengeyokai vs. hsien: Although the hengeyokai have willingly invited the hsien to stay with at their dragon nest, the living arrangements are not always the best. The space inside is limited and has now been filled to capacity with an abundance of elemental refugees. Beings of such rage living in close quarters with those beings that hold themselves as better can, and has, caused many battle between the two, even though they are supposed to be allies. They work on the same side, with different agendas and this arrangement may not always lead to cordial feelings.
1. The Courting of shen: Quincunx characters have been sent to check on the reaction of the shen. The Glorious Shield Placement Plan has caused quite a ruckus, and the characters are responsible for smoothing things over with them, averting major disasters. This can include the hsien, Shih or even individual spirit courts.
2. Fresh from the Boat: The gaki rely heavily on the Green Courts for their importation of warriors and has asked or ordered the ketsuki characters to find the Green Court Representatives to arrange for more to be brought. Finding them is another issue, however.
3. Wraithly Relations: Quincunx: Soldiers from the Dark Kingdom of Jade have asked for assistance in bringing down several renegade factions of Japanese and western Wraiths who are working together. Will you be able to bring them down? Gaki – The ancestors of one of the characters has asked for assistance in thwarting the Yellow Emperor’s rebuilding initiative. Many spirit bombs have been collected, but they need some help fighting off the Imperial Guard.
4. The Secret Revealed: A rebel Quincunx Kuei-jin has found out the secrets of the Glorious Shield Placement Plan and has already left to inform the shen of Shanghai. Stop him from blabbing to everyone! How did he find out anyway?
1. Discussions with the Dead: The Japanese gaki have come into contact with the Kindred on several occasions as of late. These are peaceful and all performed by the same being as if they have a position just for dealing with the Kin-jin. They seek the character’s assistance and vice versa. The characters can be sent to meet with them and deliver the terms.
2. Duplicity: The Wan Xian believe their courts to harbor an immeasurable degree of betrayal and intrigue. Interloping with the Damned of the West should teach them otherwise. The characters can discover any amount of dissention between the elders and neonates. Ferret, Heike, Fukayna; all of these Kindred have the knack for lying and but can be unearthed soon enough.
3. Family: Miguel has been searching for a new member for his pack among the locals, and has several candidates. The characters are selected to investigate each candidate beforehand. What happens when the characters discover that one of the candidates has strong connections to the shen? What if they discover it after Miguel has already embraced him/her? The native shen won’t be happy with having one of their “family” cursed by the Kin-jin. The candidate could be kinfolk, kinain, a thrall, the family of a hunter or any other devious possibility that the ST can think.
4. Betrayal: Tian Wan-Jin has entered a pact with one of the other vampiric factions in the city, giving mutual support and help in the city, infested as it is with enemies of the Cainites. One night, a member of said vampiric faction that made the bargain is found dead, and all the signs point to the characters’ pack. Who is trying to disrupt this alliance? Why are the characters being framed?
1. The Feng Shui Situation: The characters are part of a Wave Sentai created to investigate the disturbing shift in the local Dragon Lines. This could lead to conflict with the (slightly) familiar Kuei-Jin or possibly with the upstart Kin-Jin Warlocks.
2. Take Back the nest: The flow of hsien to the court is becoming difficult to adapt to, and the characters are chosen to help take back the hsien nest…or perhaps to invade and take a new nest for the hsien.
3. Visitor: An unannounced visitor turns out to be sensei Mizuchi, and he has come to seek Black Rain’s council on his decision for the future of the Same-Bito, the characters are drawn into the (unsurprisingly) violent and turbulent Same-Bito politics.
4. Suspicious Alliance: A representative from the Silent Mandarins approaches the court with an offer of alliance to drive the hated gaki and Kin-Jin out. As the characters’ mentors and compatriots take sides on the decision, the characters are drawn into the murky and unstable realm of political skull-duggery.
5. Search for the Pup: Tak has approached one of the characters to help him search for Burnt Whiskers; the characters are in a position to earn substantial boons from both Tak and the young Kitsune's Grandfather, though they may find themselves in conflict with the mysterious 'Tremere'.
6. Quest for the Sickness: One of Nevermind’s mini-plagues has gotten loose and is running rampant through one of the city’s many slums. The Nezumi characters are called in to help clean up the mess. This could very well bring them into direct conflict with members of the Beast Court.
1. The Feng Shui Situation: The hsien are masters of Feng Shui themselves and with time and effort, could easily unlock the mystery. A group of characters can enlist the help of the Kithain or hengeyokai to aid in the location of the culprits and the reenergizing of the Yu Yuan dragon nest.
2. Espionage at its Best: There are many beings that the hsien must check out, to see if they had anything to do with their loss of power. The Kuei-jin, Kithain, hengeyokai, Hunters, even the Wraiths, must all pass certain test to see if they are behind this. The characters can be those hsien chosen to infiltrate and discover everyone’s role in this play.
3. Daitya: The Daitya have always been prevalent in Shanghai, but the Li Shen has never accepted them. The Mu Courts must be stomped at this time, more than any other. Any Yu characters may come to the call of the hunt.
4. The hengeyokai Concerns: Even against their wishes, the hsien have been dragged into the hengeyokai affairs. Any of the above Changer plot ideas will work to mix in the hsien as well.
1. The fang shih: The Shih have been checking with their fang shih contacts about the problems in the city. What will they say about the Feng Shui of the city and what if they work for the Kuei-jin? Will the Quincunx retaliate on the Shih for their snooping? Will the other hunters be able to fend for themselves?
2. The Foreigners: Imbued from the states have been on a constant exodus to the orient for the last few years and need more watching than the shen. Can the native Imbued keep their brethren in check?
3. Old Connections: The Zaibatsu have recently been trying to reestablish their old territories in Shanghai. Heaven’s Heavy Hand will not stand for this. Get ready for some Strike Force Zero vs. Heavy Hand action! Yet, the Heavy Hand also has the other hunters behind them as support. Who will win this battle?
1. Waiting: Even though the Namebreakers are standoffish concerning the new developments of the city, they are constantly spying on the other shen, waiting for their time to jump in.
2. Fang shih: Many of the mages of Shanghai act as the fang shih followers of Mo King Zhenyu of the Kuei-jin, but many don’t know the full effect of what they do, as the secrets are hidden from all but the closest to Zhenyu. But the Namebreakers work close enough to the old fang shih that they will eventually know his plan. How will they respond?
1. A Little Spying: The group of characters is commissioned by Wang Lien to execute a reconnaissance objective on the Quincunx. What would happen if the Wraiths found out that their only salvation from the storms, the Bridge House Prison, will result in utter chaos in the entire city? Will the treaty hold true, especially when it is the only thing saving the Dark Kingdom Jade at the moment?
2. The Rebels: Any group of Wraiths may be involved in the collection of raw materials by rounding up the ghosts of those from the Conquered Territories or western rebels. As well, any group can easily be composed of a unit of rebels, just trying to survive.
3. Moller: The former Moller Residence is an enigma to all Wraiths. It is a constant maze of mystery and at the center is Mr. Moller. He is the key to either the salvation of the revolutionaries or to the continued rule of the Dark Kingdom of Jade. Both factions are looking into this single man that holds the fate of the Shadowlands in his hands.
1. The Feng Shui Situation: Any group of Changelings can be added into the search for the source of the changes in the Feng Shui of the City, because it affects the Dreaming at the same time. The Kingdom’s Eye is the Kithain society that is currently trying to solve this puzzle.
2. The Chimera Situation: The Dreaming’s denizens have become fiercer recently. The Thoraxian Legion is responsible for capturing these creatures and making Shanghai safe for the Kithain. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the worst of their challenges. Will the characters be able to take them down?
3. The Refugees: Shanghai stands as a refuge for Kithain all around the world and is the only place in the Middle Kingdom where they are safe. Many groups of Changelings have quested out of Shanghai to save their brethren from certain death and let them know there is a better place to be.
4. Defending the Borders: As if clockwork, more soldiers from Pacifica have decided to start showing up again. Add them to the rebel Scathach nobles who are scheming against the king and everything will hit the fan soon. Will the Kingdom of Shining Waters survive after this catastrophe?
1. Chaos: The constant unrest of the Whore of the Orient has attracted more than its fair share of Wu Xian in the past years, but few stay long. To right the wrongs, a group of players can immerse themselves into the political madness and warfare. We’ll see who pulls through in the end.
2. The Cabbie: Many Mummies of the Middle Kingdom have a definite sight in mind when arriving in Shanghai: to seek out the taxi driver Wu Xian who has seen the face of the Silent Mandarins. If they can get that information before the Kuei-jin do, they could restore balance to Shanghai one day.
1. Search for Faith: The first thing the Fallen work on in the Middle Kingdom is securing a source of Faith. Pacts are easy to establish since the mortals are much more open to the supernatural. However, they are in strict competition with both the Face of the Gods Dharma and the hsien. How will they survive?
2. The Kuei-jin: there are two factions of Demons that work with the Kuei-jin (by choice or otherwise). If newcomers to Shanghai were to discover these groups of the Fallen and their affiliation with the Flesh Court, what would be the reaction? To join as well or to take down those who are controlling the Elohim against their will?
by Eloy Lasanta (World of Darkness | World of Darkness: Shanghai | Resources)
In the old days, only the wondrous hsien traversed the Xi Wang Chi (The Dreaming). They were the formidable rulers of the Middle Kingdom’s dreams and their plentiful elemental power backed their steadfast determination to stay on top. Then the first traveler from the West arrived
Beginning in the early 1800s, the foreign trade routes got closer and closer to the isolated Middle Kingdom. Along with the first traders came the amazing dreams, legends and myths of the west. This caused a huge reaction from the hsien of the area, because it suddenly caused the birth of the Native Kithain, called Zhu Jing, in Zhongguo. The vile taint their presence caused the Middle Kingdom was not well received by the Kamuii, however, which lead to various impeding laws.
The Wu Hsien, hsien commoners, vigorously rebelled against the strict laws of the Li Shen, hsien Nobles, for centuries. The use of Wu Tan outside of the exacting boundaries set forth by the laws of the Shui Fu was strictly governed. The subjugated Hirayanu of Shanghai could do little against the edicts of the Li Shen.
The Zhu Jing began appearing in the 1830s, mostly commoners with little or no Remembrance. Zhongguo, of China, was their indigenous home, as they were all Asian in descent. However, the Mists hid most of them from sight, having only recently gone through their Chrysalis. As mentioned above, in the eyes of the Kamuii, their very presence in the Middle Kingdom upset the natural order of power in Shanghai. The Zhu Jing were all seen as commoners, even the few Sidhe among them, which raised the number of lessers that needed to be governed. The Li Shen Shui Fu in turn began implementing even more strenuous restrictions on both the Kithain and Wu Hsien. The Yu courts of the Red Mandarin agreed with these laws and sent their Yu-Kuan forces to impose these regulations on the city. They allowed no use of Glamour or Yugen without permission from the Li Shen. The Wu Hsien and Zhu Jing suffered through these conditions for more than a century, but did not have the leadership or organization to oppose the Li Shen, now that they had the Yu enforcing their laws. Without this leadership, the Zhu Jing became Banality-ridden, as they often had to hide who they were to evade prosecution.
Waigoren, western strangers who were obsessed with the Xi Wang Chi even more than the Po Jen, came from the lands of America, France, Russia and Great Britain. With no Trods in the Middle Kingdom, they traveled in ways that are more conventional: boats. They came by the tens and the chimera of the local Dreaming struck them down. They came in twenties and were stomped under the foot of hsien oppression. They came by the hundreds and nothing could stop them.
Upon arriving in the Middle Kingdom, the Waigoren had seen nothing but scorn from the Li Shen and had endured battle after battle with the Yu-Kuan. Their court hearings never lived up to the prosperous dreams of peace for which they hoped. Only a small number of them survived; those that were smart enough to stay under the radar of the hsien. Until he came.
In 1959, shortly after Shanghai was evacuated of most foreigners, a Scathach warrior of an unknown past appeared in the city. This lone Sidhe, Soliad Thoraxian, stood tall and proud and did not bow to the vicious authority the Li Shen tried to oppress him with. Not only that, but he also called the commoners, Kithain and Hirayanu, of Shanghai under his banner. Many of them held fast to their surreptitious identities, but others more courageous rose to his calling. Those that came forward were not only all of the Waigoren, but also many Zhu Jing who hid themselves for so long.
The War of Correspondence had begun. With the newly formed legion under his command, and some Po Jen connections he acquired during his stay, Thoraxian marched on the hsien dragon nest in Yu Yuan Gardens and demanded to be seen. The Yu-Kuan resisted, but the army brutally defeated their first forces and even though the Kamuii’s magic was great, the army’s certain determination, courage and Glamour proved greater. They toppled many of the detailed dragon-sculpted structures in the garden, searching for the Kamuii who had hidden themselves in plain view. No matter how great their power was, they could not defeat an entire army.
The Kamuii had no choice but to show themselves. To avoid further bloodshed, the Chu-ih-yu captain of the Yu-Kuan proposed a duel. That was music to the ears of Soliad, who was a great duelist and master of the Dragon’s Ire. The eminent spirit of the metal element stared at Soliad eye to eye. During the course of the magnificent battle, the two fought with cunning and valor, but the mighty Sidhe stood victorious.
Upon losing, the Chu-ih-yu gracefully withdrew his forces, respecting the Sidhe and Kithain's right to autonomy. Soliad saw to it that all the Changelings have free reign in Shanghai and that he would establish a new kingdom, in which they could be a part of the Middle Kingdom like any other group of shen. The Kamuii had no choice but to agree, as the honorable Red Mandarin commanded an end to the conflict. After participating in various oaths of loyalty, fully backed by the Dreaming, the hsien and Changelings of Shanghai were as one entity and they signed the Treaty of Reverence.
The Red Mandarin looked at his options, considering each one carefully. Exploitation seemed the best choice of all. Thoraxian was no fool. He played in the affairs of Sidhe for too long to be taken by such obvious manipulators. His new kingdom would not fall so soon.
From all around the Middle Kingdom, Zhu Jing and Waigoren alike heard word of a newborn kingdom, one that had fought the hsien and won their respect. From the far reaches of Asia, those Changelings began their exodus to Shanghai. There was little for them hope for in the shattered world before the resurgence, but Soliad gave them that hope.
These hsien, mostly composed of Hirayanu, have been the only aids to the Kithain throughout the years. They are just as interactive with the Xi Wang Chi as the Changelings, which lead many other hsien to think they are crazy. This is seldom true and usually far from the case. They are seers, as the Dreaming somehow gives them powers close to the effects of Soothsay. They composed the few hsien who joined in the War of Correspondence to get equal rights for those that could teach them more about the Dreaming.
The first condition in the Treaty of Reverence was that the hsien and Kithain be seen as equals under the eyes of Heaven. No longer would the Changelings fear death for using their powers or harvesting Glamour. Another form of government was now visible in Shanghai, the Kingdom of Shining Waters, and the Kithain crimes could only be tried by this kingdom’s laws. This rule was equal to the hsien, as Hirayanu of the area could only be tried by the hsien judges of the Hunan Province.
The second condition was that the new kingdom would assist in rebuilding the Yu Yuan Gardens. This was the opening to the gates of understanding. Changeling and hsien working together towards a mutual goal was a truly glorious sight to see with Glamour and Yugen flying in unison. This cooperative effort was complete in 1961 and is still standing today.
The third condition was that Soliad be allowed to light new Balefires and create a Trod in Shanghai. With this he created new Freeholds, with the most important being the Shanghai Train Station. This site hosted the largest of all the Balefires in the city and was the personal home to Soliad himself until recently.
The fourth condition held the most power. It stated that the hsien and Changelings were not only equals, but brothers as well. They could call on each other for aid in battle, strategy or celebration and that the other would be bound to respond, even if it cost them their lives. This was a clause that Soliad created, hoping to pull on the support of the hsien if ever the rival kingdoms ever dared attempt to usurp his power. Clever, but would prove to backfire on him.
Shanghai is a city of refuge for all Kithain. The essential fact that the only Trod in mainland China resides in the city is obvious proof of that. The Treaty of Reverence was a contract between the Kithain and hsien of the Shanghai. These conditions are only for those Changelings who are currently within the boundaries of Shanghai. Any Kithain outside the boundaries of the city is on their own. This is something the players should be made aware of as they travel through unharmed. They should remember that if they were to step just one foot outside of the city, that they could be killed and have no repercussions come about at their deaths.
In 1969, the Sidhe of the cowardly houses returned. After staking all their claims and founding Concordia, the Kingdom of Pacifica set its sights abroad. The final condition of the Treaty of Reverence proved truly worthwhile now.
Although several Sidhe lords came honestly to serve with loyalty, others also came in an attempt to seize control of the Kingdom of Shining Kingdoms. However, the Treaty of Reverence held strong. Many common wars in the Dreaming, and in the Middle Kingdom alike, began and ended with only small casualties with the aid of their brothers, the hsien.
When conventional methods of attacks failed, assassination of the king was the next viable option. The dreaded Secret Strike Brigade was called for duty. These attempts never made it to Soliad as he went into hiding shortly after the first, surfacing only to have his protective magic recast. He did not reemerge until a certain guest requested an audience, some 25 years later.
Queen Aeron of House Fiona, Unseelie ruler of the Kingdom of Pacifica, disembarked in Shanghai, in 1995. She had never seen such a wonderfully mysterious land. She wanted it. When the time of the audience approached, the two rulers sat and discussed the world as they saw it. It is said the two views differed greatly, however the words they exchanged were never documented.
Queen Aeron left only by the grace of her gods. After piercing Soliad’s heart with a poison-tipped dagger, he lay dead and the journey to her ship to return her to her own kingdom was treacherous. Soliad's followers pelted the queen with rocks and daggers as she climbed into her ship, barely surviving.
Soliad, sadly, could not be revived, but his written will was found. In it was the crest of the kingdom and a statement that his adopted son, Zhang Bihuan, an eight-year-old Troll, would then be exalted to the King of the Kingdom of Shining Waters. Throughout the next years under his rule, many of the Waigoren left the city. They did not feel that the foreign Kithain were well represented in the first place, but now that Soliad had passed, the multiplying Zhu Jing outrageously outnumbered them. However, Bihuan proved to be an impressive ruler, even in his young age, to those who stayed, especially in recent events.
The worlds of the Dreaming have always been terrifying in Zhongguo, but they have grown increasingly worse in the recent years. The numerous chimera of the Dreaming have always been fierce, but not to such a degree as they have become in the latest months. Something is seriously wrong with the city, with its energy, with the Dreaming. The changing of the fragile Chi-scape has affected even the Kithain. They are not in tune with the energies of Yin and Yang, yet the Xi Wang Chi is becoming more perilous every day that Shanghai stays the way it is.
News has spread to the king about the Li Shen’s weakened dragon nest. The hsien ruler, Ye Haojie, has decided to enact the Treaty of Reverence this time and the Dreaming binds the Changelings of Shanghai to help. King Zhang has vowed to do everything in his power to find out the source of this loss and has created certain societies to reflect this.
The Red Mandarin wishes to be kept abreast of every advance the Kithain are making in their diligent searches. The Collective was created as a way to communicate with the hsien. They are accountable for conveying all viable information to the Kamuii, usually through their Hirayanu messengers. The disappearance of many of the Collective since the beginning of 2003 has made King Zhang Bihuan begin to worry. Who would want their messages to be deterred?
Members of the collective are essentially unknown, except by the society’s leader, Eric Sullivan, and the king himself. They wear no signature marks or any other indication that they follow the Kingdom of Shining Waters. In addition, both Kithain and Hirayanu both serve in this society.
This society is the first collection of Kithain created by Zhang Bihuan, assembled for the purpose of investigating the occurrences in the city. Many of them have trained in the arts of Feng Shui and are starting to sense something amiss in the city. The lines of power are wrongly aligned and the signs point in every direction. Any of the shen could be guilty, but whatever the case, it is their responsibility to find out who the devious culprits are.
Those that follow the Kingdom’s Eye wear a special bracelet that allows members to identify each other. The bracelet is a simple rope, but has two charms, one of an eye and the other the crest of the kingdom, attached to it. Only Kithain, mostly Zhu Jing, are members of this hidden society, as it has not been determined that the seemingly pious hsien themselves are not responsible for all the recent disasters.
After the death of the illustrious Soliad, King Zhang Bihuan, called upon the finest knights of the Kingdom of Shining Waters and created the celebrated Thoraxian Legion. In the recent months, dangerous chimera have begun running rampantly through the city, many of which have the ability to call upon the Wyrd. The king leads this faction, being brought together in an attempt to calm their chimerical foes.
All chimera are simply captured, if possible, and brought to a freehold built for chimerical containment, a dungeon of sorts. At this facility, the chimera are detained, away from those they could harm, until the problems that now plague the Middle Kingdom. If the creature cannot be detained it is either made to flee or slain on sight.
The knights who join this legion have nothing to hide. They all wear the striking crest of the Kingdom of Shining Waters proudly upon their armor as they fight each demanding battle. They are planning a strategic attack at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in the near future.
This subgroup of acrobats and magicians is at the forefront of Shanghai Tourist attractions. They have kept the ancient arts and traditions of Chinese acrobats alive and have combined them with several different styles of magic to form a new and amazing show. Before the Treaty of Reverence, many Zhu Jing wanted the chance to fulfill their dreams of performance. They saw this dream come to life with the founding of the New Shanghai Circus.
In 1959, shortly after the Kithain received equal rights in Shanghai, a number of separate prestidigitation and acrobatic clubs merged to create the Shanghai Magic and Acrobatic Group. The Zhu Jing took this opportunity to audition and slowly integrate into the circus. Later it was renamed the Shanghai Magic Troupe. Foreigners that visited were amazed by the performances, but were saddened that there was nothing like this, except in China. The New Shanghai Circus was created for this purpose. It has traveled all over the world, performing for countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Korea, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Belgium, France, and Hong Kong. The Zhu Jing and hsien became a part of the show, whether it was performing, training or even the stage crew, whatever was available. It is a plentiful source of Glamour and Yugen alike.
Rigorous training begins at the Shanghai Circus Academy, where Chinese between the ages of 11-45 audition to become part of the crew. Only 24 (mostly women for some reason) are chosen and everyone must audition again each year to claim their coveted positions. If they are accepted, they go through intense training for 3 to 4 hours a day, with needed focuses on balance, strength and grace. Everyone involved in the fantastic show become like family. Even when a performer is no longer able to participate, they likely turn to training the newcomers.
The types of performances done vary widely and at different times. All of them are marvelous to behold. The umbrella balance, aerial ballet, sword dance, group contortion, and nose balance are some of the acrobatic spectacles available. On the magic stage, there are disappearing acts, levitation and various other illusions to wow the audience. No actual Arts or Wu Tan are used in the impressive performances. The shows schedule runs for 9 months a year (April to December), with either one or two shows a day for 6 nights a week. Now, they perform all shows at the famous Shanghai Center Theatre.
The imagination of the acrobats and the hopes of the New Shanghai Circus have lead to the structure known as the Shanghai East Circus Center to begin construction. But what few mortals know in the Middle Kingdom is that this edifice already stands in the Xi Wang Chi (The Dreaming). This is the site where the Zhu Jing members of the New shanghai Circus perform for their brothers and sister and a site of peace for both the Kithain and hsien.
Eric Sullivan, foreign investor and the leader of the Collective, has spearheaded the building of the structure on the other wide of the Wall. He has received many offers for investment from all around the world and has been able to raise enough money not only for the project, but to fund the search for the reasons behind the pulsing with the Dreaming.
The largest Freehold and Trod in Shanghai both reside at the Shanghai Train Station in the north part of town. It has been the seat of power has been since the birth of the Kingdom of Shining Waters, now lead by young King Zhang Bihuan. He has resided here for the last eight years, performing all important court proceedings from his throne.
It is the site of the only Trod in or out of mainland China (the second is located in Kyoto, created in 1986). Although, the hsien were initially reluctant to allow a portal to the Xi Wang Chi in the city, it has proved helpful on more than one occasion to have access to the strange realm.
The year this wondrous structure was erected and the time of Soliad’s death both coincided with Bihuan’s rise to the crown. It became linked to the Dreaming and is a wonder to mortal and Kithain alike. Many mortals describe the tower as "two dragons playing with a pearl”, a beautiful sentiment to humans, but something much more meaningful to the beings of the Dreaming.
The Xi Wang Chi brings the dreams of humanity to life and nothing could prove that fact more than the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Two dragons, powerful chimera from the Deep Dreaming, have made the tower their personal playground. It is a striking view to behold the dragons, one as blue as a shimmering ocean and the other as red as burning flame, playing with a large pearl, struggling and fighting over it throughout the night, but it is forbidden for the Kithain to visit the Pudong during these times. More than six Changelings of the Kingdom’s Eye have gone to investigate the dragons’ arrival in Shanghai, but none have returned.
Are they here by their own accord, were they summoned by someone, or are they the outcome of the strange Feng Shui that has corrupted the city? Either way, it does not help the search to solve the problems with the Dreaming.
Background: Bihuan started his life out in dark alleys of Shanghai, but Soliad Thoraxian himself saved him from the hardened streets. As a Childling, he discovered his true nature and quickly took up the art of war, combat and the ways of the knight. There was a grand celebration when Bihuan became a full knight, which also corresponded with his ascendance into being a wilder. He fought side by side with his adopted father up until Soliad’s assassination.
For the last eight years, the young king has ruled the Kingdom of Shining Waters with shaky ground. From his inauguration, his subjects began to abscond, leaving him with a reduced amount of warriors and workers. When the Collective arrived with word that the Red Mandarin’s courts required his aid, his job turned from bad to worse. Nevertheless, he is doing well in his honorable attempt to keep his subjects happy and fulfill his sacred onus to the Treaty of Reverence.
The role of a king has not been kind to him when it comes to courtly advances. The Suijen that rules the Hunan Province treats him with disrespect simply due to his age and often disregards his station as king. He still tries to command esteem from the hsien and has gotten a strong Hirayanu following, which really does no help in court. He is the ruler of a kingdom, a small and hidden one, but a kingdom nonetheless.
Description: Being only 16 years old, he obviously has a youthful appearance in both his mortal and Fae Mien. In his mortal Mien, he is of average height and has thick brown hair, with dark eyes. Often he is seen wearing the same slightly ripped clothes day after day, as he does not have much money. In his Fae Mien, on the other hand, he stands proud, as a king should. He wears a small, golden crown, armor with the crest of his kingdom upon it and wields a large bastard sword.
Roleplaying Hints: You always present yourself with an air of naivety about you to throw everyone off their toes. However, this often backlashes on you, making you seem childish, something you have tried to live down since you were a Childling. You love being king and the respect it garners you, yet you hate being responsible for everyone and everything. You also blame yourself for death of Soliad and the weakening of the Kingdom after his passing. But none of this ever shows on the surface.
Home: The Shanghai Train Station is the location where two subways and a train line meet. Underneath the station, lie the former Freehold of Soliad Thoraxian and the current home to King Zhang.
Secrets: During the Second Resurgence, many nobles of House Scathach ran to the Kingdom of Shining Waters looking for refuge. Soliad gave them solace, but they have started to conspire against the kingdom after his passing. This is a recent event, but Bihuan has not divulged this information to anyone, but his closest followers.
Influence: As ruler of the Kingdom of Shining Waters, all the Kithain of Shanghai are bound to his words.
Court: Seelie, Legacies: Regent / Ringleader, House: Scathach, Seeming: Wilder, Kith: Troll
Attributes: Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4, Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 2, Wits 3
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 2, Athletics 2, Brawl 2, Dodge 2, Intimidation 1, Kenning 1, Leadership 2, Streetwise 1, Skills: Crafts 2, Etiquette 1, Melee 3, Security 1, Survival 2, Knowledges: Investigation 1, Linguistics 2, Law 2, Lore: hsien 3, Politics 2
Arts: Chicanery 1, Primal 4, Wayfare 2
Realms: Actor 3, Fae 4, Nature 3
Backgrounds: Chimera 3 (Items), Dreamers 2, Holdings 5, Title 6 (King), Trod 5
Glamour: 5, Banality: 2, Willpower: 6
Background: The press called her the ‘magnificent and incomparable’ Yu Wentong when she was younger. She was one of the performers in the New Shanghai Circus, doing the Barrel Contortion and Sword Dance performances and was the forerunner in her skill and leader of the circus for years. It was even her idea to create the New Shanghai Circus, mostly to quench her urge to travel. Surviving in the circus until the age of 36 took years of training and hard work. However, it ended with a simple knee fracture.
One year ago, during a routine practice session, a barrel landed on her knee with the weight of three other performers on it as well. She went through countless procedures to heal the immense damage done, but none were successful. The doctors told her never to perform again, or lose use of that leg permanently. Therefore, instead of harming herself any further, she has begun her life as a trainer at the Shanghai Circus Academy.
In Kithain affairs, King Bihuan has appointed her as the new leader of the Kingdom’s Eye. She has the colossal duty of now trying to find out what is going on in the City and was given only a small force to carry this out this duty. She has lots of free time, so why not serve her Kingdom that keeps her safe from the harm the Kithain would be under if they broke the Treaty of Reverence.
Description: Even at 37, Wentong is a very beautiful woman. She is of average height and is very flexible as well as strong. In her mortal Mien, she seldom wears more than her tights or sweatpants with T-shirt that promotes the circus. In her Fae Mien, she stands fully decked in a red, traditional Chinese acrobat suit, designed with dragon scales and silk.
Roleplaying Hints: You are very devoted, not only to your community, but also to your kingdom. You will most often put the needs of others before your own. Especially since the one thing you lived for, performing, is gone from you life. You will usually seem distant to onlookers as well, as you constantly daydream about the way things could have been.
Home: Wentong lives in a small apartment building near the Shanghai Center Theater.
Secrets: The Kithain find it easy to hide in plain sight, making the snooping that the Kingdom’s Eye does quite successful ordinarily. Wentong knows the locations of many of the obstructions in the Dragon Lines, but is not saying anything until all her facts check out. If caught by enemy shen, the information they could get out of her would be monumental.
Influence: The Kingdom’s Eye has great sway over the Changeling community, as they are his last hope to solve the disorder of the region, in the eyes of the people.
Court: Seelie, Legacies: Troubadour / Riddler, House: none, Seeming: Grump, Kith: Eshu
Attributes: Physical: Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 2, Social: Charisma 3, Manipulation 3, Appearance 3, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 2
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 4, Athletics 1, Dodge 3, Empathy 2, Kenning 2, Streetwise 2, Skills: Etiquette 2, Melee 4 (Sword Dance), Performance 3, Stealth 2, Knowledges: Computer 1, Gremayre 2, Investigation 3, Lore: hsien 1, Politics 1
Arts: Chicanery 2, Legerdemain 3, Soothsay 1, Feng Shui 1
Realms: Actor 4, Fae 2, Prop 2, Scene 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 2, Dreamers 2, Resources 2, Retinue 3
Glamour: 4, Banality: 5, Willpower: 7
Background: Mr. Sullivan has been with the Kingdom of Shining Waters since its prestigious creation. He stood with Soliad during the legendary War of Correspondence and even helped to rebuild the scenic Yu Yuan Gardens. On top of that, he has been the Know-it-all of the realm for decades. He uses his natural ability to get into others’ business quite well, mostly with his many dotcom companies that he owns.
When King Zhang called upon Eric to lead the Collective and serve as the king’s advisor, it was to no one’s surprise. He started by arranging a meeting spot at the Shanghai Center Theater (easily enough with Yu Wentong’s help) where the representatives of the Hunan Province and he could speak in private. He then read up on the Tongs of Shanghai and slowly leaked himself into their contacts. He now has much of the Old City and International Settlement in his pocket. Dealing with the French Concession presents a problem however, as it is crawling with bloodsucking cheats and thieves. That is definitely a challenge worth going for, especially for a white man.
Description: As one of the more business-like agents of the Kingdom of Shining Waters, Eric wears designer suits. He is Caucasian, with brown hair that is prematurely graying and glasses. He is a very distinguished looking man at only the age of 23, but looks older than he is. In his Fae Mien, he is a tad shorter and wears brown boots, and fatigue like clothes, brown in color, with a blue vest over them.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a ruthless investor and investigator. Not only are you heading up the project to build a Shanghai East Circus Center in the Wyrd, but you have also been appointed as King Bihuan’s personal advisor and the leader of the Collective. You have a lot of things on your plate and have very little time to mess around. Some will think you are cruel and heartless, but you are just ‘doing your job’.
Home: Mr. Sullivan stays in his penthouse apartment located in the Bund.
Secrets: Although Eric likes the king on a personal level, he always knew that as soon as Soliad was gone, a Zhu Jing would end up on the throne. He has secrets plans to get rid of the new king, but has not found a way yet. He intends to place with himself or another Waigoren on the throne. He cannot complete his plan until the problems with the Dreaming and city’s Feng Shui are complete, however. Will his plans come to the surface before then and destroy his squeaky-clean reputation in Shanghai?
Influence: Eric has both financial and community influence in the city. His links with local Tongs and his investment properties give him the edge he needs.
Court: Unseelie, Legacies: Sage / Pandora, House: none, Seeming: Wilder, Kith: Boggan
Attributes: Physical: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 3, Social: Charisma 2, Manipulation 4, Appearance 3, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Dodge 2, Empathy 2, Leadership 1, Streetwise 2, Subterfuge 4, Skills: Etiquette 2, Firearms 2, Security 2, Stealth 2, Knowledges: Computer 2, Enigmas 1, Gremayre 2, Investigation 3, Law 2, Linguistics 3, Lore: hsien 3, Politics 3
Arts: Chicanery 2, Primal 1, Soothsay 1, Sovereign 1
Realms: Actor 3, Fae 3, Prop 2, Scene 2
Backgrounds: Contacts 5, Holdings 1, Remembrance 3, Resources 4, Retinue 3
Glamour: 4, Banality: 4, Willpower: 7
by Eloy Lasanta (World of Darkness | World of Darkness: Shanghai | Resources)
The battles between mortals and the shen have existed since the dawn of time in the Orient. This tradition has not been lost to the mortals of the modern day. The shen hunt even more vigilantly in the End Times, pushing for more protection that the small forces of hunters cannot provide by themselves. The fates of the three types of hunters are intertwined, a discovery that will only come to fruition in the City of Shanghai.
The city of Shanghai has not gone untouched by the protection of the Shih, demon hunters that lurk in the nightmares of the shen. On the other hand, the city has received only the most minimal protection for the past 60 years, as many Shih who entered the battlefield were slaughtered under the weight of hundreds of warriors on both sides of the ongoing wars.
There has been one Shih that has survived every attack and battle that has commenced and has lived for over 120 years. This man is known only as Xiaodu and has become legend in the streets of Shanghai. He has single handedly trained 50+ Shih in the ways of hunting the shen and preserving the peace and has created many new and different Qiao to aid that cause. Even though it has been difficult, Xiaodu has tried his best to achieve comparable peace in Shanghai.
Many of Xiaodu’s students have gone on to become great protectors of other great cities. Wang Sying the Striking Fist and Nui Xiaocai the Pearl Chain of Kowloon are just a few examples of his impact on the Middle Kingdom, but there has been great turmoil in his temple in the past months. A mysterious coma-like sleep has overtaken the wise sage, despite the great Qiao he possessed. Many of his students have decided to return to Shanghai to be with their master in his final days; only a hand-full reside in Shanghai currently, but more will arrive soon.
Upon arriving in the city, Jun Shun the Magnificent Slaughterer of Beasts, Xiaodu’s top student, discovered many plots afoot. After prowling the abandoned factories, the red-light neighborhoods and the seemingly pristine business districts, he felt the energy of the areas uncomfortable, stagnant. Speaking with many fang shih who were loyal to Xiaodu, Shun found that the Feng Shui of Shanghai has been tampered with in a monumental way. He has made it his mission to see to it that the city is returned to a state of peace, something his teacher was unable to do.
Jun Shun waded a path through the town’s shen, making deals and threats to gain information on the events that have transpired in the recent months. He wandered until he discovered a previously unknown clique the Shih referred to as the Celestial Army, as well as a renegade faction of Strike Force Zero.
Shun has swallowed his immense pride and has reluctantly teamed up with the leaders of each of these groups in the hopes of finding more data about the catastrophe of Shanghai, and possibly the origin of his master’s illness.
The number of Imbued in the Middle Kingdom has reached an all time high in 2003, many being drawn by the stories of Asia on HunterNet. They are normally surprised to find, not only another type of hunter – the Shih – in Asia, but also many Imbued that have been chosen in the lands of the East. This is the sign of many things to come. Whether this is good or bad is unknown.
There once was a group of Shih that took the power they learned and used it without training and without planning. They also attacked all shen, evil and good alike, for no reason. They eventually turned on each other and their empire burned with the flame of their own desires. This is how the Imbued are viewed in the Middle Kingdom, untrained, puny mortals given power they have no way to control.
For the native Imbued, it is not only a question of power or destroying the wicked, but of respect as well. They must work together with the local hunters to learn. The organization of the hunters in Asia is a bit tighter than those in America. Their population is not as high, leading those of all creeds to band together, despite their differences. The leader of this group is a follower of the Redeemer Creed, Chui Puiyun. She rules with many suggestions from the wise Jun Shun of the Shih, as he teaches the Imbued better control and use for their abilities.
For those Imbued that travel to the Orient from other countries, it is quite different than with the majority of the shen’s dealing with the west. Foreign hunters are respected for their courage for coming to a land that is far more dangerous and are welcome by the native Imbued with open arms. Those who are easily suspicious or are loners by nature tend to shy away from the native Imbued’s openness about their powers and abilities. The shen know about them here. That can’t be a good thing.
The Zaibatsu, an eastern division of the Technocracy, has forever held its sway over Japan. Its grip has always faltered in the lands of China, however, commonly because of the Shih’s conviction and territoriality. Don’t forget the national enmity towards the Japanese for instigating the invasion of the World War in general, as well as the atrocities committed in Nanjing in particular. But in the city of Shanghai, this differs greatly.
Heaven’s Heavy Hand, or Heavy Hand for short, has existed in Shanghai for the last 70 years, establishing itself just before the squabbles that began WWII. Its forces were strong in the beginning, paving the way for the Japanese soldiers to easily conquer many parts of China and Korea. But today, they are seen as a rebel faction, traitors to the cause, after they teamed up with a group of Shih and fought against the depraved actions of Nanjing. This interfered with the Zaibatsu’s plans, so the Heavy Hand was cast out of fold, stripped of all their power and rank.
In modern day Shanghai, Heaven’s Heavy Hand has all but disbanded. They are small in number now and only have limited resources of money and enhancements to use against the supernatural. Over the last five years, several agents have been reported MIA, leading the Heavy Hand to seek refuge and assistance. They cannot return to their roots. Their last attempt in 1985, led to the death of their leader and much chaos within their ranks. So their current leader, Fu Xue-Ren, has instead decided to join forces with the city’s other hunter troupes. They are quite different, but help is needed in whatever form it may come. Japanese economic investment in the PRC has been increased substantially in the last 30 years, allowing SF0 proper to enter the city, but the Heavy Hand has stayed under their all-knowing radar thus far.
The juxtaposition of the 3 distinct hunter groups came into being on May 20th, 2002, dubbing themselves the United Front, and has existed as a strong force to supernatural occurrences since. On the outside, they seem to be a well-oiled machine, fighting as one and in perfect unison. From inside its doors, the conflict and inward battling is almost non-stop.
Many Imbued, especially those from other countries, do not appreciate the Shihs’ constant criticism and authoritarian glances. They side more with the views of the Heavy Hand, yet dislike the huge amounts of gadgets and implants they present. It makes them even more nervous the blade-toting Shih. The Strike Force Zero ex-agents prefer fully laid out battle plans as opposed to the guerrilla tactics used by both the other factions and the Shih dislikes anyone who isn’t as grand and trained as they are. Power in the hands of the untrained is foolhardy indeed.
Despite the differences, however, they pull together in times of trouble. But their small and fragile empire could tumble down, leaving nothing to stand against the shen of the Middle Kingdom.
Only one part of the United Front actually works well: the relationship between the factions’ leaders. It is strange, as the different hunters usually hate each other, but there some sort of metaphysical connection between them.
After seeing many fortune tellers and psychics, it has been found out that they all shared a previous life. Shun and Xue-Ren were brothers who fought for the love of the lovely Puiyun over 400 years ago. Her blood, then, had the power to give immortality to the brother who drank it. Does it still have that same power after so many lifetimes?
The leaders are beginning to, after being in each other’s presence for so long now, show similar traits as their past lives. The Shih and Heavy Hand agent both attempt to court the Imbued, while at all times they avoid the thoughts of cultivating her blood.
The teaming up of the city’s Hunters can be misinterpreted, so here is an explanation. No there is not a central headquarters for the union, where they meet together to view the problems in the city and run off as a team to conquer them. The union is simply that all hunters must not fight each other and must help another hunter if they see on in need. This is a game of survival for us, but it’s not a game for the characters.
Background: Raised since the age of 6 by one of the greatest Shih, Xiaodu, Jun Shun possesses the fury and rage of any good warrior. He has combated the forces of Yomi and the other shen who step out of line for decades of his life, leaving little for any actual emotions.
For many of the recent years, he became a monster himself, indulging in the pure joy of killing the shen, and even mortals, whether or not they actually deserved. But in the recent nights, his emotions have become inflamed. His master, teacher and ‘father’ has contracted a strange disease and his only mission is to find the culprit responsible – if there is one. But what does the now vulnerable Shun do about sudden feelings about Puiyun.
Description: A rugged looking man, hardened by a life of killing and death. He has shoulder-length, straight black hair that falls over his eye ever so slightly. In every way he is attractive, except for his personality. He is seen, mostly, wearing his black trench coat and sun glasses. These items are enchanted and he will do anything to get them back if they were stolen.
Roleplaying Hints: You are a cold bastard who has done some really outlandish shit! But you have no regrets except one: that you were not there to defend your master. Now you have 2 agendas, first to find the person behind the disease of your teacher and trying to turn the beautiful Puiyun away from you. You have a feeling that if she chooses you, then you might not be able to resist drinking her blood. Try your hardest to stay way, no matter how hard it is.
Home: Shun has no one place where he dwells. But he frequents the home of Xiaodu, just west of the Shanghai Children’s Palace, often.
Secrets: After several prophetic dreams, Jun Shun has realized one thing: Puiyun’s could save his master.
Influence: He is a legend among the Shih and leader of their faction of the United Front. If needed, he could flex his power, but that time has not come yet.
Nature/Demanor: Loner, Hunter Class: Shih
Attributes: Physical: Strength 4, Dexterity 4, Stamina 4, Social: Charisma 1, Manipulation 2, Appearance 3, Mental: Perception 3, Intelligence 3, Wits 4
Abilities: Talents: Alertness 3, Athletics 3, Dodge 4, Empathy 1, Intimidation 2, Streetwise 3, Skills: Drive 3, Firearms 3, Melee 4, Martial Arts 5 (Mo Kung Chi), Security 3, Stealth 3, Survival 3, Knowledges: Computer 2, Investigation 2, Law 1, Linguistics 1, Medicine 3, Occult 4
Qiao: Zhu Mao 4, Mo Kung 3, I Shen 2, Long Ling 2, Yu An 1, Feng 1
Backgrounds: Mentor 5, Fame 2, Favors 5, Ally 2
Virtues: Conscience 2, Self-Control/Yin 4, Courage/Yang 4
Humanity: 5, Willpower: 9, P’o: 2
Background: Fu Xue-Ren lived a normal life in Shanghai, until the Zaibatsu showed up. Even though they were of Japanese blood, the Techno-mancers entranced several of the younger Shanghainese into joining the cause against the dark forces that prey upon humanity in the night. Xue-Ren was one of these young people who enlisted in 1990. He learned the intricacies of Strike Force Zero and Heaven’s Heavy Hand in general, including the fact that they were exiled and their attempts to regain their lost status.
In 1998, at the age of 28, he was raised to the rank of General, the leader of the scattered force. He has led well in the past half decade, killing as many as 150 shen