SEE YOUR TRUE MASTER

Blood Secrets

Guevara
A Bloodline Sourcebook for Vampire the Requiem

Blood Secrets

Guevara
A Bloodline Sourcebook for Vampire the Requiem
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You are Nothing Not Flesh Nor Blood But the Undying Spirit of Sin
Hakim

A brief History of House Guevara & the Arts of Sanguinus

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Written and Created by: Rma Nim World of Darkness by: White Wolf Cover and Rear Artwork by: Christopher Shy With special thanks to: Argo, Daramulum, Mithras, Yig and Vlad Spellbinder Rma Nim: roma_naim@hotmail.com White Wolf: www.whitewolf.com Christopher Shy: www.studioronin.com

Well, its taken some time for this project of mine to reach some sort of conclusion, though I still consider it a work in progress. This book has been something Ive wanted to do for quite some time since White Wolf brought out Vampire the Requiem, and I first saw the Bloodline creation rules. My apologies for yet another Mexican Bloodline by the way, but at the time of Santinos character generation only the Brujah existed and their back history started allot later than our chronicle did. This isnt a professional publication of any kind, though if anyone is reading, especially from White Wolf, Id love to have some feedback. My one biggest apology goes out to all the people that Ive used artwork from, taken from the net and used without permission or to a large extent credit. I havent created this work in order to take advantage of people or breach world copyright laws, their images make this project so much more than it would have been without them, Im just a penniless student with a few good ideas and real respect for good art. If there are bits in here you like and want to use, thats what this project is about. Equally if there are things you hate or dislike, then use the Golden Rule, these are just a few ideas to get your juices flowing. Read and enjoy. Omz. xx

 You may think that those who serve under you are loyal, but I know which of them diablerised your grandchilde. Now, shall we discuss my families sole rights to the control of the drug trade through your city my dear Prince?
The Guevara Bloodline is an offshoot of the Mekhet clan and is drawn exclusively from the mortal stock of the criminal Family that gives the bloodline its name. Kindred records differ as to the precise nature and date of the bloodlines first inception. Some scholars have noted the families mortal lineage stretches back to Mexicos first nights, with the coming of the Conquistadors, other say that the lines true creation as a proper bloodline came about much later than this, at the turn of the nineteenth century. As to the nature of the Bloodline, it is identified by strong connections to blood and lineage. These points are enforced by the bloodlines mystical power over blood, known as Sanguinus, and their close and almost exclusive family network of crime, trade and politics. Indeed the close connection that members of the Guevara line have to their own has led to members of the Bloodline referring to themselves as The Family, and think of it as an entity almost unto itself. From their heartland in Mexico, the Family has built its fortune throughout most of Latin Americas cartels and crime syndicates, and it is said that anywhere crime and corruption prosper in these countries, a network of Family members can be found growing fat from the misery of others. Although many South and Central American countries have Family broods, it is known that they have sometimes run foul of some Lancea Sanctum strong cities where their dark influence and criminal business practices have led some to call them Corruptors. The South and West Coast United States have seen an expansion in Family activity over the years, and anywhere that Hispanics can be found in any numbers in the US could be a nexus for Family activity. The other well-known commonality that runs throughout all Family members is a strict, almost overbearing adherence to the Traditions. These rules of the night are thought to be passed down under the guidance of the Families elders who suffer few misdemeanors of these laws to go unchallenged, even if that means an outright show of violence or even Final Death if such is needed to bring offenders to bare. This has ingratiated more than a few Dons into prime positions within some Princes domains, and equally has led to jealousy among others who feel outdone by the guile of an Unaligned Kindred. Many though are wary of the Guevara, as their powers over blood have led some to label them as dangerous wild cards in the eternal struggles of Kindred society. Many, especially some vocal members of the Lancea Sanctum have called for an outright Blood Hunt upon the Family. Parent Clan: Mekhet Nickname: The Family, Dons, Corruptors 2 Covenant: Any hierarchy or set of beliefs outside of the Family means very little to Family members unless it is a means for gaining power and wealth, and as such they are considered to be staunch independents, universally falling under the banner of the Unaligned. There are several internal factions that move within the Family however, and these factions have vied for power over the politics of the Families past and present. Appearance: Suave elder members of the Family like to fashion themselves as Latin nobles, a trait that has followed the line down from Mexicos earliest nights, and correspondingly Dons prefer the well tailored suit of fine cloth with subtle hints of Latin flare. Younger members of both sexes similarly like the sharp lines of black Latin cut suits and Cuban heels, though the broad spectrum of Family members means that anything from five thousand dollar suits to hematology lab coats or bikers leathers and tattoos can be found adorning any individual member of the Family. Dons are of Hispanic or part Hispanic origin and generally the classic shoulder length black hair, olive skin, dark eyes and stocky frame are more common than not. Haven: Dons have an innate taste for good living, and wellconnected and successful members live in some of the finest mansions that Latin America has to offer. Those who are starting out though may be restricted to Haven in converted warehouses or the holds of smuggling ships along with their stock of guns and drugs. Other members of the Family do not look down too much on such temporary Havens though, as many in the Family have raised themselves up from such humble beginnings to gain complete power over a city. Background: All Dons must have sired a healthy number of mortal offspring before the embrace, and will therefore be somewhere between their twenties and forties. They must have shown unyielding loyalty to the Family and also exhibited a distinct capability in an area of business that can aid the growth of the family. The mortal children of an embraced family member are cared for by a ghoul family line of retainers that has been part of the family for centuries. When these Family offspring come of age they are considered for the embrace if they show favorable qualities as dictated by the Families inscrutable elders. All Family members are inducted into Kindred society and instilled with a healthy respect for the Traditions whilst they are still mortal. Members chosen for the embrace are Ghouled for a time in which they are taught the ways of the Disciplines and uses of the blood. This practice also assures devotion to the Family as the Kindred to be is thoroughly blood bound to his sire through the act of Ghouling. This practice has meant that

Guevara

no few members of the Guevara lineage have gained a palate for vitae as a side effect. After this trial period is over and the candidate passes the scrutiny of the Family Elders, they are embraced and allowed to join the honored ranks of the Families immortal line. Character Creation: The Dons are pragmatists, and therefore practical in their choice of embracing a member into the ranks of the Family proper. If the candidate shows a healthy leaning towards the occult, scholarly or medical end of the Families spectrum then mental abilities are favored. Whereas if a candidate shows a leaning towards political corruption or negotiating trade deals then their Social abilities are scrutinized. Of course the Family always has room for out and out brute strength, and many a newly embraced Don has literally fought his way to the top of a criminal organization to rule it with an iron fist. In general Wits is good in order to spot danger in the cutthroat nightto-night dealings of the underworld, Presence and Manipulation in equal measure for negotiating deals or manipulating politics, Intelligence comes in handy when utilizing some of the powers of Sanguinus, and those of a more combative persuasion may favor any of the Physical attributes. Physical skills are usually primary for Dons simply because anyone of them could be found useful in their line of business, where as both Mental and Social Skills come a close second. Most notable in these categories are Medicine and Empathy that are often used when implementing Sanguinus. Resources, Family Contacts, Criminal and even Political Allies are widely possessed by many Dons, as are dots in Haven and Retainers. Those lucky enough to have interested a Family Elder may even be afforded dots in the Mentor Merit. A Characters must purchase a dot in Blood Potence to become a member of the line. Bloodline Disciplines: Auspex, Celerity, Obfuscate, Sanguinus Weakness: There is something dark within the heart of the Guevara bloodline. Their propensity for vice and the corruption is something intrinsic to the line. In addition to the Mekhet susceptibility to vampiric banes such as Fire and Sunlight this dark inheritance means that all Dons suffer an inability to gain any Willpower from acting upon their Virtues. Characters may gain a single Willpower point back if they act according to their Vice during a scene as normal however, and this dark legacy drives all Dons to dark acts sooner or later as the need for self confirmation is only achieved through acting out their Vices, no doubt at the cost of their Humanity. Organization: The Guevara Bloodline has a strict hierarchy watched over by the Elders in Mexico City. Family members may call upon the Family connections when they need it, such as aid with Contacts or Allies through their criminal networks. Such help is given freely, though much like the Invictus, members may ask for a reciprocal favor in the future. Also the use of common Family assets like the Ghoul Families that take care of new members of the line are high on many Family members list of importance. The Family obligation is ground into them from birth, almost to a fanatical degree, Without the Family you are nothing. Though thats not to say that some members of the Family haven't gone rogue in the past. Few if any have left the organization amicably, and those that have are thought to be spies in service of the Family. For the most part a Family member is left to forge their own territory once they are embraced, giving a tithe of respect to the main household in Mexico City each year during the festivities of the Day of the Dead. Other than that, as long as their business does not interfere with already established Family assets they are free to do as they please. Concepts: Assassins, Thieves, Gangbangers, Pimps, Drug Barons, Black-market Dealers, Weapons Brokers, Smugglers, Hematologists, Doctors, Blood Cultist, Lawyers, Corrupt Police Officials and Politicians.

this night, made up of men and women of dark ambition and a lust for power and wealth no matter the costs. Many elders remember early halcyon nights of their expansion throughout Mexico, like an octopus the Families tentacles coiled throughout Mexicos underworld, and later this would come to symbolize the Families power.

Nights of Vendetta
The Guevara line stems from a family lineage that stretches back into history from when Mexico was first discovered by the Conquistadors, and, it is said, originated from an embraced child of Cortez himself. The story goes, that when the Spanish first came to the shores of what would become Mexico, an outcast Kindred was aboard ship with them. This shadowy figure that some name Hakim or respectfully The Founder, was of the line of the Mekhet, an ancient Saracen who it is said was once a wealthy Merchant Prince from Cordoba. How or why he came to be on board this voyage none can tell save that he was an outcast from his homeland, and had made the long and perilous trip on board feeding from crewmen as they slept. After months of travel they finally came to anchor off of a new coast unknown to his eyes, where natives were both fearsome yet vulnerable to Spanish blade and gunpowder. So it was that he crept ashore and first tasted the blood of the natives and from the shadows observed Cortez and his men begin the foundation of their colony. Many years passed and he watched the flourishing civilization wash over the native population in waves of war, disease and pestilence. The Conquistadors for such is what they called themselves, grew wealthy and fat from the plundered gold and ruined civilizations that they had steadily destroyed. Slowly more and more Kindred came over with the promise of gold, the young at first, outcasts and visionaries who sought domains of there own. Then with the stability of rule and government, Elders with dreams of expanding their power bases from the Old World into the New. Meanwhile Hakim too had plans of power, and during the long nights of his banishment he had formulated a plan written in blood, blood that would be worthy of his lineage. A family that would carry his line and bring him power and wealth beyond measure. All that was needed was the mortal stock suitable for the embrace. It was then that he chanced upon Catalina Cortez, beautiful, wealthy and recently married to a man of native dissent who was said to have come from a line of Pirates. She like him had been made an outcast, she like him was forced far from her home and family, but more than this, he sensed the fire in her blood that she would survive anything that life (or death) could throw at her and her family. He waited until she had grown into full womanhood and had given birth to a large family before he awoke her to immortality as one of our kind. She took with her, her husband and his name, and with the guidance of her shadowy sire watched over the Family line from beyond the shadow of death. So was the lineage of House Guevara founded, and throughout Mexico the Family grew strong and powerful to

A History of Blood

Then through centuries of age came the night that Catalina went into torpor and left control over the Family in the hands of an eight strong council of elders, and for a time they ruled the Family with wisdom and foresight. They arranged trade agreements and enforced the Families will, but soon they became corrupted by their new found power, the Families rule of expansion turned to stagnation, and the Families concerns became of holding territory rather than expanding it. The Family turned inward, and the young vied for power with the Elders. Small slights and differences of opinion became blown out of proportion, and the word Vendetta was branded on the tongues of neonates and elders from differing family lines. Internal strife wracked the Family for decades as events quickly began to escalate out of control. Some feared a total destruction of the Families power base as the young and disenfranchised railed against the dictates of the elders and the elders in turn grasped ever harder for what order they could gain through draconian laws and overblown punishments. Then everything changed. It came to the elders of Mexico City, the heart of the Families seat of power. For countless generations they had watched over the family assets, secure in the knowledge that they were doing the bidding of the Families dark mother. But events were about to change when one night Catalina awoke from her long years of torpor and found the Family wanting in her eyes. No one knows if it was she though that laid waste to the Family estates in Mexico City, obliterating the great Family mansion, but it was definitely her, and only her that was left standing when the dust cleared. Catalina then took up the reins of power once more, soon to be joined by the dark father of the Family, Pai Guevara. Between them they returned order where once was only chaos. Many whispers about the events that surrounded the Families purge, and dark rumors surround La Noche del Lgrima, The Night of Tears. Though it is safe to say that few have risked angering Catalina by bringing such rumors directly to her attention. The years passed once more, and the Family had to claw back Family interests lost during the dark nights before the purge, but under the steady and ruthless efficiency of Catalina, Mexicos underworld was once again brought under the control of the Family. Unlike the short sighted goals of the destroyed council of elders though, Catalina along with Pai Guevara resumed an aggressive campaign to extend the Families interests both north and south of Mexicos borders. Through a mixture of political corruption and military attacks on rival organizations, many of South Americas syndicates were brought down or infiltrated giving control to the Family over assets including major areas of Columbias drug plantations, prostitution, and South American smuggling and gun running operations. With these potent assets under their control, the Family began to look north, to Americas lucrative southern states and west coast, people smuggling, drug trafficking and supplying guns to anyone with the money to pay.

The Crafting of the Blood

Then a childe was born into the Family who came to change the very nature of the Blood. His name was Santino Guevara, and he was embraced into the night, to set out from Mexico to New Orleans were he planned to forge an empire of his own. Through scheming and manipulation he finally came to be the Don of the Latin Quarter, watching over the mortal herd and extending his reach far into Americas lucrative and developing West Coast. He came to realize that the true power of his family came from Blood. And that to have the ability to control it could empower him to create something possibly greater than even the Family had achieved. His experiences in Mexico combined with New Orleans vibrant mystical cultures and his various globe-spanning travels to the Old World of Europe and Egypt gave him insight into methods for strengthening the blood within him. It is thought that he was able to hear the very voices of the blood that he had taken from his mortal victims and after a time of fighting these voices he began instead to listen to their whispers. Feeling the strength within him, he forged the potence of his blood and began to prepare for the day when he would be able to create a mystical art of controlling the very thing that tied all Kindred together. Soon he would come to teach his gift to his brood of mortal children when they came into the night, then to any in the Family who wished to learn, and with its secrets would bring all who opposed the Family to their knees. Some within the Family are distrustful of such change and whisper that it is Hakim himself who is controlling this evolution within the Family, and many think that soon his dark plans will come to light. Others fear it is in fact not to the elders that they should be looking to for answers, but that it is a conspiracy by a secret conclave of neonates in the Family who are trying to make a bid to take over the power base that the elders of the Family have built up over the centuries. Perhaps no one, not even Santino himself knows the full truth of the matter. The Family has come through many trials and tribulations but now they are, for a time at least, united in their newfound focus, destroying opposition or infiltrating more established organizations in order to take them over. Though some elders see Santinos development of Sanguinus as a threat, many others feel that this is an advantage that should be exploited, and possibly could mean the next step to the Families complete control of criminal activity throughout America. How ever you view it, none can deny the potent appeal of Santinos gift, and needles to say some of those who have heard of the Bloodline now see it as a threat to their own interests. A fact not lost on the machinations of the Dark Mother and Father of the line.

Blood they say is thicker than water, and nowhere is this truer than in the Family. Whether its in the plush estates of Mexico City, on the Coca plantations of Columbia, or on the streets of the City of Angels. Their reach is far and their unity is strong at least thats what the elders would have you believe. In reality the twisted webs of deceit and power plays that exist throughout Kindred society are found all the more telling within the walls of the Families structure. Within the ranks of the Elders, mistrust, often-justified mistrust, is placed upon the young and newly embraced. Those Elders who experienced the nights prior to the Families purge who give in to the erratic nature of this fear, or the mental erosion of age are not protected if they make waves that they are unable to weather. Equally, the young and overtly disrespectful elements that can occasionally stir within the lower ranks of the Family may find their hot blood tempered. The Family line of Strength through unity does not mean that weak links in the chain are not replaced should the need arise. That said the united front that overshadows all members of the Family belies the differences of opinion that stir beneath the political structure of the Family. There are a number of groups within the Family, each with their own beliefs, structure and motivations, and what follows is a brief description of the major factions to be found within the Family. Members of these factions often overlap with each other, as members from one faction are sometimes part of other factions making the ties that bind the true power structure of the Family

Blood Factions

a tangled web of intrigue. These factions for the most part can co-exist relatively amicably with each other, as even with these differences of opinion, all of the Guevara owe allegiance to no other cause above one. The Family. For what ties could possibly be stronger than the bonds of familial blood that courses through their veins. Devils: There is a school of thinking within the ranks of the Family that places Kindred in general and the Family in particular as dark seducers of mankind, testing the beliefs and convictions of others by temptation and corruption. Many of Los Diablos consider the dark legacy of the Bloodlines weakness to show their true place in the night, and to them business is not simply a matter of accumulating vast wealth for its own sake, but to play the devils advocate over the moral balance of those that they come into contact with. Most Devils would say that they only show their victims what they desire, and it is the weakness of the individual that makes them fall from grace. That said, they tempt and corrupt with any vice at their disposal in the name of fulfilling their place in the night. Many of these Devils have been the target of Lancea Sanctum Blood Hunts and have been noted for their interest in the occult or are of a religious bent prior to the embrace. Though it is true that some of these corruptors have given the Family a bad name in Kindred society, it is said that as long as their interests do not interfere with the main Family business, no action would be taken against these self professed devils unless they were to break one of the over-riding tenets of the Traditions.

Apostles: There are those who have somewhat of an animistic belief in Blood itself. These are the blood touched, believers in the theory of a great blood Over Spirit or Essence of the First Vampire. In many ways these have sprung from the teachings of Santino and could be seen to having leanings more towards that of the Circle of the Crone in that they believe in a singular source of the Kindred race. Through the use of Sanguinus they wish to reach the unanswerable questions of all Kindred. What are we? Where do we come from? Where did it all begin? Those with acutely refined senses who have used Sanguinus have spoken of a sentience within their blood, something that watches over all Kindred, the same force that animates their dead flesh, which has gifted them with power and protects them from the ravages of time. To those who search for the progenitor, the act of the embrace is the most sacred act that can be made, and though this factions numbers are small its membership is growing steadily in a relationship that mirrors the expansion of Sanguinus use throughout the Family. Ziggurat: Thought to be the oldest of the major factions, members of this faction are what could be termed the conservative element in the Family, and unsurprisingly make up the majority of the Family. They are true to the dictates of the newly risen Mother of the Family Catalina Cortez, the seemingly indestructible guiding light of the Family and have a hierarchical structure not dissimilar to the Invictus. The majority of the Elders and Family power fall under this factions control, and their primary goal is the amassing of wealth and power thereby securing the Families future. This group was most affected by La Noche del Lgrima and its effects still reverberate around this factions members. Many simply want to know what happened, others want recompense and other still want outright revenge. The indomitable Catalina however is staying remarkable silent on the matter, which has led some to quietly whisper that the ancient has fallen to dementia. Judges: Controlled and directed by Pai Guevara this small ostensibly independent group consists predominantly of elders and constitutes the Families internal security force. Formed to track down Tradition breakers and bring them to light, as well as officiate internal disputes between Family members and hunt down rogue Family members who have become Wights. Their position is finely balanced however and remains undeniably linked with the Ziggurat faction. Officially they are seen as an attempt at securing the peace and smoothing over difficulties, but are seen very much more in the light of the Families Inquisition. Members of the Judges are thought to be some of the fiercest and most fanatical Family members known to exist, and woe betide anyone who gets on the wrong side of them. Bloods: Rooted throughout both North and South Americas Hispanic gang neighborhoods this secretive yet quickly growing gathering of disenfranchised members of the Family, who due to a mixture of bad luck, divisive elders or their own outright failure have found themselves at the bottom of the Families power structure. They have begun to question the need for the Families hierarchy at all, and have even shown tendencies of going so far as attempting a formal withdrawal from the Family. Many elders see this group as trouble makers who lack respect for the old ways and who havent the wits to see the benefits of the protection they are afforded within the Family structure. Young and impetuous as they no doubt are, the self styled Gangstas are beginning to mobilize with greater numbers than

even the elders would think possible. They are always aware of avoiding the attention of the Judges however and have resorted to playing a waiting game, for now

Many in the Family do not outwardly mourn the loss of their Humanity, sometimes it is in everyones best interests to do questionable things from time to time, but they do not actively attempt to strip away their humanity by committing heinous acts of disregard for mortals unless the situation demands it. Many see it as a benefit given the Families predilection to vice and corruption, though elders who have survived long enough to recognize the Family weakness for what it is keep such thoughts to themselves. The phrase By any means necessary is an often-quoted saying in Family circles, and the degeneration of morality which follows those of the blood is unquestionably the main reason that allows younger members of the Family to move up in rank, as those who have fallen to madness or who have become Wights are ruthlessly hunted and put to rest without a second thought by the Judges.

The Weakness of the Blood

The one thing that all in house Guevara learn about and enforce above all else is the importance of the Traditions. They are considered to be the singularly most important set of rules that protect our kind, and none in the Family may break them without the expectation of dire if not terminal repercussions. Laws can be bent of course, and some are as you might expect looked upon more leniently than others. As long as the Family sees that ghouls are kept on a tight leash and Masquerade breaches are actively suppressed they will forgive minor incidents, but only from the young and inexperienced. Masquerade: Possibly the most important law to be upheld by the Family. The Masquerade is the device which enables Kindred existence to continue from night to night. Because of their origins as a Blood Family this Tradition means more to most members of the Family, as breaches of the first Law could arise so easily. The Family have been around a long time, and through their regime of selective breeding and the hierarchical structure of the Family, there are those individuals in the Family who are more 'in the know' about the true nature of the Family than others. Those for instance who have been married into the Family to strengthen Political ties or to provide a stronger lineage due to adding their new genes to the Family pool are

The Traditions

kept in the dark about the supernatural matters of the Family and only over a long period of time are they brought into fold provided they have shown they can be trusted. This raises the risk to exposure of the Masquerade and is one of the defining reasons that the Family find themselves bound to the Traditions. Any areas of Family business that is considered dangerous to the Masquerade are monitored extremely closely by members of the Family who's sole task it is to rectify such matters should they arise and bring any incompetence to light, and who are duly feared and hated in equal measure. Progeny: All Family members must fulfill the obligation of teaching progressive generations of mortal family members about the Traditions before they are reborn into the Blood. All members of the Family who are to be considered for the embrace must have sired a mortal lineage of children and shown their capabilities to the continuation of the Family line before they are Ghouled for between six months and a year, through which they are introduced slowly to the powers that their line possesses. Finally when their Sire considers them ready, they are embraced, and left to forge there own path in the world and bring power and wealth to the Family. The choice of who is to be Embraced is made by the Elders who in turn listen to petitions from individual sires and judge each candidate on their merits, history and familial lineage. After the member is admitted past the first level of consideration they are judged on their activities during the ghouling process and their character and reaction to vitae are taken into account. If after this they are still deemed worthy and none can find fault or dissention amongst the elders, then the candidate is embraced with the Family blessing. Amaranth: Taking the hearts blood of anyone, even from those outside of the Family is looked upon as a heinous crime to the Family. For one it is known to infect the Kindreds soul and can be seen using the Families expertise with Auspex for the taint that it leaves. Second it goes against the fundamental ethics of the Family to steal supernatural power. Some outside of the Family see this as an odd dichotomy for the Family to uphold, as when it comes to the acquisition of power in the mortal arena Family members are willing to do what ever it takes to gain power, be it theft, blackmail or murder. Blood though is a very different matter and the ability for a member who has forged their own power through perseverance and rigorous training are looked upon with respect by neonates and elders alike, and the guiding light of Santino is a prominent figure in this debate.

Sanguinus is the mystical art of focusing, altering and affecting blood. It was crafted with the view towards creating and managing large extended blood Families and its servants, as well as altering the blood properties of the user, other kindred, and the kine. To those of House Guevara, Blood is the essence of life, and has a mystically imbued sentience complete with a memory and character of its very own. Through this animistic belief the practitioner of Sanguinus opens their senses to the Blood and takes command of it to wield it as they wish. Those gifted in the blood however have noticed that this Discipline is more than it appears. Some have said that there is a sentience behind the power that they wield; something dark that watches them. Some say it is Hakim, others whisper that it is the spirit of the First Vampire.

Sanguinus

The most basic level of Sanguinus enables the character to reach out with his preternatural senses and feel the properties of blood around them. A character must be within visual range of the target for this power to work. The character gains a distinct sense of the properties of the blood through visual, sensual and even whispered communication as they cast their senses over a target and connect with it on a mystical level. This power can be used on any blood specimen whether within an animate character or on inanimate blood such as blood spilled during a fight. Cost: Dice Pool: Wits + Empathy + Sanguinus Action: Instant Roll Results: Dramatic Failure: The character gleans utterly misleading and wholly inaccurate information. Failure: The character can distinguish no information on the target at all. Success: The Amount of information gathered on a target depends on the number of successes gained on the roll: Successes Information 1 Success Fundamental Description: Blood is Mortal, Vampiric, or Ghoul. 2 Successes Base Properties: Current Health, Total Health, Current Blood Pool, Total Blood Pool, Blood Potence, Blood Type, If the targeted blood is from a Werewolf. 3 Successes Distinct Properties: Age, Sex, Drugs, Disease, Blood Abnormalities, Menstruating, Pregnancy, Diablerie, Blood Addiction, Strong Emotions such as Excitement or Fear, Use of Blood for Boosting Physical Actions or the Blush of Life, If the targeted blood is from a Mage. 4 Successes Detailed History: If the Blood was ever affected with any of the above, how long for. If the target is Blood Bound and to what level

Crimson Whispers

Exceptional Success: The character is imbued with the knowledge of the targets name and face. An Intelligence + Medicine Roll may be required to gain specific information on diseases or drugs that are in the targeted blood at storytellers discretion. Suggested Modifiers: Modifier Situation +3 Subject has a third level vinculum to the character +2 Character has a blood tie to the targeted blood. +2 Subject has a second level vinculum to the character +1 Subject has a first level vinculum to the character +1 Character has successfully used Crimson Whispers on the subject +1 Character has only tasted the blood of the subject 2 Targeted blood is old or dry. If a character attempts to sense throughout a scene, all actions during that scene incur a 2 Dice penalty due to the characters concentration on the blood.

This level of Sanguinus has two fundamental effects; the first is the preservation of blood so that it cannot be altered, grow stale or decay. The second is to purify it so that it is free from disease or blood borne abnormalities. With this power herds normally unfit for vampiric consumption can be fed upon without the possibility of further infecting the herd. Blood affected by Sanguine Preservation keeps all mundane and supernatural properties of the blood preserved, after which it returns to its natural state. It is said this power is used to safeguard vitae being sent around the world to ghoul servitors of the blood family thus giving it scope to expand its network around the globe swiftly and efficiently without fear of falling prey to blood borne disease. Cost: 1 Willpower Dice Pool: Intelligence + Medicine + Sanguinus Action: Instant Roll Results: Dramatic Failure: The Blood that the character tries to preserve instantly turns to dust, or if the targeted blood was within a person, the target and character each gain a blood borne disease or abnormality of the storyteller s choice. Alternatively the storyteller could impose a blood-based derangement upon the character and target. Failure: The character is unable to affect the targeted blood with this power. Success: The character successfully preserves the targeted blood for a period of time dependant on the successes made on the roll: Successes Duration 1 Success One Day 2 Successes One Week 3 Successes One Month 4 Successes One Year

Sanguine Preservation

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The amount of blood that can be targeted with each use of this power is limited to the characters Blood pool. If the targeted blood is within a mortal sufferer of a genetic disorder then the blood remains protected for only as long as the effect lasts. So a Haemophilia or Anaemia sufferer would be cured temporarily of their illness but after a matter of time they would return to their normal state unless the character gains an exceptional success on the roll. Blood borne diseases which are non-genetic like Malaria, Plague and HIV can be cured with a single success on the roll, but more than this, the blood is now unable to be re-infected by any other form of blood borne virus or disease for as long as it is under the protection of this power. If a character is attempting to cure a Kindred carrier of a blood disease then the character must be of sufficient Blood Potency to completely affect the targets Blood pool or the purifying effects will automatically fail. Exceptional Success: As a normal success but the effect of the power is now made permanent.

Suggested Modifiers: Modifier Situation +3 Subject has a third level vinculum to the character +2 Character has a blood tie to the targeted blood. +2 Subject has a second level vinculum to the character +1 Subject has a first level vinculum to the character +1 Character has successfully used Crimson Whispers on the subject +1 Character uses only one of the effects, purification OR preservation on targeted blood. 2 Targeted blood is old or dry. Purification has no affect on the mystical chains of vampiric blood such as the Blood Bond or the effects of Blood Addiction, Blood Derangements or Diablery.

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It is whispered that the users of Sanguinus can steal your immortal souls through the power of their blood. Though this is an exaggeration this power is thought to be the root cause to these accusations, as with this level of Sanguinus a character can Give, Take or Exchange blood with a touch. This power could be used to give blood to a Ghoul, or feed from a mortal in public by a mere handshake. Alternatively it could be used to surreptitiously blood bond another kindred or transfuse blood from one person to another. Cost: Dice Pool: Intelligence + Medicine + Sanguinus versus subjects Stamina + Blood Potency Action: Contested; resistance is reflexive Roll Results: Dramatic Failure: The character fails the transfusion and automatically alerts the subject making them immune to further uses of this power for the rest of the night. Also if the character was attempting to transfuse blood into the subject that blood is lost. Failure: The character is unable to affect the subject with this power but may try again. Success: The character manages to transfuse a number of Vitae too or from a subject equalling the number of successes on the roll. The subject has a chance to notice that something has happened if this power was used surreptitiously on an unconsenting subject by making a contested Wits + Occult roll versus the characters Manipulation + Subterfuge + Successes gained on the initial roll. Because of the intense connection between Vampires and their blood the character is at a 2 Dice penalty on this roll for Kindred subjects. Also if the subject Kindred had the Auspex power of Heightened Senses up at the time then they are at a +2 dice pool on this roll. If the subject gains more successes on the contested roll, they know that the character has affected their blood, though the specifics of this power will be unknown to them unless the subject has come across this power before. If the subject gains an exceptional success then they instinctively know what the character has done and may react accordingly. If the character gains more successes on this roll this power goes completely unnoticed by the subject. Exceptional Success: The character can transfuse as much blood too or from the subject as they wish, and the subject remains completely oblivious to the use of this power.

Transfusion

Suggested Modifiers: Modifier Situation +3 Target is a willing subject. +3 Subject has a third level vinculum to the character +2 Character has a blood tie to the targeted blood. +2 Subject has a second level vinculum to the character +2 Character attempts to transfuse blood from one subject to another directly +1 Subject has a first level vinculum to the character +1 Character has successfully used Crimson Whispers on the subject +1 Character has only tasted the blood of the subject Whatever the number of successes on the initial roll, this power cannot be used to Diablerise a Kindred subject though it could be used to exsanguinate a mortal.

All Vampires were mortal once. This potent power allows the character to call upon the power of that blood to gain the benefits of that state for a limited time. With this power the character gains a greatly extended Blush of Life effect. They gain any and all physical aspects of mortality, from breathing, warm skin, a heartbeat, being active during the daytime (not daylight) and the ability to perform sexual activities, though the latter will never sire offspring. The added benefit of this power is that all dice pool limitations when dealing with Mortals or acting during the day due to low Humanity are negated completely for the duration of the power. Cost: 1 Vitae Dice Pool: Stamina + Empathy + Sanguinus Action: Instant Roll Results: Dramatic Failure: The character is overwhelmed by the Mortal blood and may not use any Vampiric powers or Vitae for the remainder of the scene. Failure: The character fails to awaken the Blood. Success: The character gains all the benefits of this power for an amount of time dependant on the successes made on the activation roll: Successes Duration 1 Success Three Turns 2 Successes One Minute 3 Successes One Hour /One Scene 4 Successes One Night /Until next Dawn Exceptional Success: The character gains the benefits of this power for a number of nights equal to their Stamina, ending at Dawn of the last night. The only prerequisite is that the vampire must have mortal blood in his system when initiating the power.

Awaken the Mortal Blood

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The pinnacle of most vampires control over Blood, this power allows the character to transform into the very embodiment of a Blood God, an undefined swirling form of sentient blood devoid of any physical characteristic but with all the advantages of a non-corpulent body. Whilst in Bloodform the character may creep through the smallest cracks or even drip up walls and surfaces in a torrent of blood. The character can move as fast as normal and mystically retains all their senses even though they lack the physical organs to do so. Cost: 1 Vitae Dice Pool: This power involves no roll to invoke. The full change takes one action to compete. A character in Bloodform is immune to any physical attacks made upon them, which merely pass through its fluid state. Only fire, sunlight or mystical attacks affect a character in Bloodform, even mystical attacks that use mundane methods of delivery are similarly ineffective (such as claws or enchanted physical weapons) although if all of its blood is imbibed or otherwise destroyed the character meets Final Death. Disciplines that do not require a physical body may be effective, though, and similarly a character in Bloodform can use any discipline they know apart from Theban Sorcery, Crac and Dominate. Only a completely sealed air tight room has any chance of keeping a character in Bloodform imprisoned. Characters low on Blood or who are addicted to Vitae may need to make Resolve + Composure rolls when encountering a character in Bloodform, in order to maintain self-control and not fly into a hunger Frenzy. Though attempting to imbibe the Bloodform is near impossible, as a Vampire has nothing to bite or suck on. A character in Bloodform may attempt to wash over a target in order to use other Sanguinus powers upon them and is considered to be making a Touch or Brawl attack as normal. In fact because of the fluid state of the Bloodform, dislodging a Bloodform character that is grappling a target is also near impossible, with the defender at a 5 dice penalty to throw it off its bloody assailant, while parrying and blocking manoeuvres are completely ineffectual. The character can maintain the Bloodform as long as they wish and may rest in it during the day, spending blood to wake with a fresh night as normal. Action: Instant

Bloodform

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Through the years, some members of the Family have managed to hone their skills over the Blood to create personal powers instinctive to them alone. These Devotions are their very own prized creations, and are jealously guarded. What follows is a brief selection of powers that may be learned from these Kindred.

Sanguinus Devotions

Exceptional Success: For a number of days equal to the characters Intelligence score the character gains a Sympathetic Blood Tie to the Target with all the benefits that come with it; conversely this Blood Tie does not count if the Target attempts to affect the character. This power Costs 15 Experience points to learn. Suggested Modifiers: Modifier +3 +2 +2 +1 +1 +1 Situation Subject has a third level vinculum to the character Character has a blood tie to the targeted blood. Subject has a second level vinculum to the character Subject has a first level vinculum to the character Character has successfully used Crimson Whispers on the subject Character has only tasted the blood of the subject Targeted blood is old or dry.

Blood Judgment

(Auspex Sanguinus)
This impressive extension of the power of Crimson Whispers is almost exclusively kept by members of the Judges to gather information on law breakers in the Family, and enables the character to gain a formidable sense of the supernatural properties of a targets Blood. It is considered one of the factions greatest secrets and any Kindred outside of the Judges known to posses this Devotion had better have a very good reason for having it. This power needs physical contact with the target for it to work and like Crimson Whispers can be used on any blood specimen whether within an animate character or on inanimate blood such as blood spilled during a fight. Cost: 1 Vitae + 1 Willpower Dice Pool: Wits + Empathy + Sanguinus Action: Instant Roll Results: Dramatic Failure: The character gleans utterly misleading and wholly inaccurate information. Failure: The character can distinguish no information on the target at all. Success: The Amount of information gathered on a target depends on the number of successes gained on the roll: Successes 1 Success 2 Successes Information The base Clan and Blood Potence of a Vampire. The number of times the subject has committed Diablerie and the faces, Clan and Blood Potence of their victims. The relative supernatural power of a Werewolf. A sense of the targets Physical Attributes, If the target belongs to a Bloodline, The relative supernatural power of Mage. A sense of the targets Physical Disciplines, Vampires Humanity.

Blood Cocoon

(Sanguinus Fortitude)
Sunlight and fire are death to all Kindred. The Family stems from the lineage of the Mekhet, and know better than most to hide themselves away from these anathemas. This Devotion was created by Santino himself when he was often forced to travel great disstances through dangerous territory during the day. Through focusing the blood, those members of the Family who know this Devotion are able to forge a stone chrysalis of blood around them to escape the effects of sunlight and fire. Blood ripples around the character in a thick layer of viscous Vitae, coating the vampire and any personal items that the character is carrying. This layer then darkens and hardens within moments, encasing the vampire in a statue like casing of blood that is as hard as stone and impervious to sunlight and all but the most extreme fire. Cost: 3 Vitae Dice Pool: This power involves no roll to invoke. The full change takes one action to compete. The character can remain protected against sunlight and moderate fire within their chrysalis for as long as they wish. The Blood Cocoon may be damaged though through exposure to Acid, Explosives, Extreme Heat such as a Chemical Fire or Molten Metal, or by other physical attacks and has Durability 4, Size 6, Structure 10 and Damage 4. Unless characters have encountered a Blood Cocoon before, they are unlikely to suspect that it is anything other than a statue of dark red stone, and only a successful Intelligence + Science roll can determine that it is not what it appears to be. When the character emerges from their chrysalis it cracks and dissolves, fading away to ash in a matter of seconds. This power Costs 18 Experience points to learn. Action: Instant

3 Successes

4 Successes

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Crimson Rage

(Sanguinus Animalism)
The need for blood is the most potent driving force in a Kindreds existence, and this power awakens this hunger to freighting levels, so that a subject is blind to the needs of anything or anyone else but blood. Rumours persist that Devils wishing to discredit prominent members of a Domain unleash this power on rivals when at court to de-stabilise their credibility at upholding the Masquerade. With a glance the Character can awaken a Kindreds Beast and bring it screaming to the fore, in a terrifying display of power to all those who fall out of favour with the Family. Cost: 1 Vitae + 1 Willpower Dice Pool: Manipulation + Persuasion + Sanguinus versus Composure + Blood Potency Action: Contested; resistance is reflexive Roll Results: Dramatic Failure: The character is plunged into a hunger Frenzy for the rest of the night and cannot control it in anyway, with all of the possible repercussions that may come with such an outburst i.e. breaching the Masquerade. Failure: The character fails to incite the hunger Frenzy in the subject. Success: The subject is taken over by a hunger Frenzy for the rest of the scene, and no matter how much blood is in their system will never be sated until the effects of this power have worn off. They will feed from who ever is closest whether friend or foe, and will drain anyone they can, disregarding anything else in their search for blood, even the Masquerade. Exceptional Success: The same as a normal success, but now the effect lasts until dawn. This power Costs 18 Experience points to learn. Suggested Modifiers: Modifier +3 +3 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 Situation Subject has a third level vinculum to the Character Subject is Starving Subject has a blood tie to the targeted blood. Subject is Hungry Subject has a second level vinculum to the Character Subject is a Blood Addict Subject has a first level vinculum to the Character Subject can see or smell blood Subject is using Hightened Senses Character has successfully used Crimson Whispers on the Subject Character has only tasted the blood of the subject

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Blood Monsters

The Families reach extends throughout Latin America, and even now seeks to wrap its coils around Americas lucrative underworld. Their numbers are growing with each passing night, but although success may have swelled their numbers and finances, few of that number are considered to have attained a controlling interest in the Families future. The following characters are members of note within the Family; along with a brief account of their history and goals, these are the movers and shakers who have made the Family what it is to this night, a dark lineage of blood monsters. Storytellers are encouraged to take these characters and apply whatever stats they feel necessary to them given their age, potence as well as the power level of the game your running.

This enigmatic character was one of the first Family members to make a move into America, steadily making a name for himself in the heady mystically charged nights of New Orleans, and acquiring the title of Don of the Latino Quarter. Using this as his base of operations for his weapons and drug smuggling business and avoiding any unnecessary clashes with the fiercely religious Prince of the city, he used his position and wealth to create the Inferno nightclub, a haven of Latin sights and sounds as well as a warren of dark alcoves and secret passages that lead down into a ziggurat pyramid complex. This complex contains a vast extended labyrinth of prostitution dens, weapons warehouse, drug development labs, gambling dens, and private apartments, all guarded by loyal bodyguards. These bodyguards are members of Haven Securities, a group of Bodyguards, Assassins and Tactical Assault Teams that Santino himself has created. After some time of expansion Santino began to foresee that the Family power over lineage and mortal underworld affairs could be greatly increased by developing control over blood. Many who hear this tale do not trust this myth of the creation of Sanguinus however, and many see it as something more insidious. How much so, no one but Santino knows, for Sanguinus holds a dark secret. Many elders have looked to Catalina to show her dissatisfaction with the path that Santino is treading, but Catalina has been strangely unwilling to act against him, merely watching and waiting the development of her precious Family. Needless to say if Catalina were ever to suspect disloyalty from Santino, things would quickly change for him. But as it stands, he has taught many in the Family, including his own brood, the secrets of Sanguinus and seems strangely unconcerned about keeping such knowledge secret. The way forward in his eyes is to embrace the powers he has created, and those who have witnessed some of his powers cannot refuse to see the application of such power in their expansion.

The Secret of Sanguinus

The least known and most important property of this Discipline is the indelible link between it and its creator. Unknown to all is the fact that upon learning this Discipline, the erstwhile student becomes bound to the disciplines creator, who managed to distil a part of his undying soul into his creation and thereby cause a sympathetic blood bond with all those who learn its secrets. This was done by forging part of himself into his creation upon the first awakening of the discipline as if creating a childe, so committing the resonance of his personal essence to the act of creation. Thus this discipline could be thought of as having a sentience of its very own spawned and controlled by its megalomaniacal creator. However there is a growing doubt now in his mind that the knowledge of Sanguinus did not come from Santino himself, but rather from some other source. Santino now tries to discover what its origins are and suspects some other force that wishes to control both him and the Family. Should his investigations prove true the consequences could be dark indeed. A recent rumor circulating amongst the ranks of the Family however has spoken of a possible source of information, and he is currently investigating this matter with all the resources at his disposal.

Santino Guevara

Santino Guevara is possibly one of the most mysterious members of the Guevara Family, not only has he managed to focus his Blood Potency to levels far greater than his age would suggest, but he has also created and mastered the art of Sanguinus.

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Pai Guevara the Judge

The Families Dark Father is a shadowy figure that few know much about other than his unswerving loyalty to his brood and his support of Catalina his immortal wife. He controls the Judges, the Families self appointed internal security which watches over the Family and stamps out Tradition breaches with ruthless force. He is a stocky broad shouldered man with long raven black hair and his native origins are clearly seen in his features. His links with piracy and love affair with the sea are some of his defining qualities, and it is said that the Families expansion in the early nights would have been impossible if it were not due to his ability to move family members around Central America and the Islands in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. It is said that his wild and hot tempered blood still surfaces in the bloodlines makeup, and its predilection to vice and criminal activity is his greatest gift to his brood.

Haquim the Founder

The Secret of the Dark Father

Pai Guevara is very much not what he seems. In fact the only thing that anyone says about him with any accuracy is his love of the Sea. Long before the coming of the men with steel skin to the shores of Mexico, it was prophesied that one of the last children of the Aztec empire would outlive all his kin into the shadow of darkness, and there reap a terrible revenge upon those who would destroy their civilization. From him would come the seed of a new Empire, an empire of blood and Power beyond anything that the Aztecs could have dreamed. But to do this, he would have to take a wife from those that had corrupted his lands, this he did, enchanting the much admired Catalina Cortez away from the more suitable propositions of her own kin. His plans against her are coming to fruition, though Santinos arrival on the scene has been as much a shock to him as anyone. He will eventually tear the Family apart from within, and his narrow escape from being discovered as La Noche del Lgrimas mastermind is safe for now.

No one in the Family has such a shroud of shadow cast over their history, as does the Founder of the line of Guevara. How or why Hakim also known as Haquim was aboard the ship, if indeed he was, is unknown. For the most part he is thought to have been of Moorish descent, a well-connected merchant from Cordoba and a man of devout Faith that was ancient even before the time of the Conquistadors. His exile from his homeland remains the topic of much discussion even to this night amongst Elders, though many of the younger members of the Family have openly said that he is nothing more than a work of fiction created by the warped imaginings of the Family Elders, a point reinforced by the fact that none have heard tell of Hakims whereabouts for the last three centuries since just after Catalina entered her long torpor. Elders though state that this is simply because of the Ancients legendary prowess with the discipline of Obfuscate, and look upon the quiet shadow of Hakims disappearance as testament to the validity of their own arguments. What ever, where ever and if ever he was, Haquim would almost certainly have entered the long Sleep of Ages by now and has faded in power and influence over the Family until tonight where he remains nothing more than a passing memory and a relic of nights long past Such is the thinking of many in the Family. Anything else would be too alarming to consider. Members of the Devils are said to secretly revere him in a light uncomfortably like that of a deity. Needless to say, if this loyalty ever outweighed that shown to the Family then the Judges could well be called in to intercede in matters.

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The True Secret of Sanguinus

Yes, Haquim exists. Yes, he was an ancient by the reckoning of the Conquistadors. Yes, he was a merchant Prince, though not from Cordoba, but from an even older trading house from Damascus. No he was not on Cortezs ship when they reached the New World, though he was in Mexico soon after this event and witnessed for himself the destruction of the Aztec Empire. He was not so much banished, as fleeing for his unlife from religious persecution. Yes he was most definitely a man of great faith, and that faith was Infernalism. Upon coming to the Aztec lands he bore witness to not only the massacre of Aztecs cities but also the bloody rights of the Aztecs themselves. He saw the power of their ritual and ceremony and the living heart of prisoners ripped from their chests. He also saw in the shadows, the machinations of the undead, though they were like no Kindred that he had seen before. They walked openly as gods amongst the people and were not forced to hide their natures from their devout followers. Unfortunately the blood sorcerers had felt his presence and he was unable to escape their maledictions and narrowly avoided meeting final death but succumbed to Torpor just after embracing a woman of Spanish dissent who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Catalina Cortez. When he next awoke the world had moved on, the Family had grown strong and powerful without him, but now he decided to use what fate had thrown his way to his utmost advantage, he bided his time and watched and guided the actions of certain members of the Family, praying in the blackness of the shadows for his infernal patrons to hear his requests and gift him with their dark powers. Some how, somewhere, something was listening, and before long Haquim had grown powerful in this stolen art of Blood. He wanted to share this knowledge with what he considers his Family, but was thwarted by Catalina who sensed her sire was close by. She left word for the family to be watched over by a select council of eight elders, whilst she managed to track her sire down to repay him in kind by destroying him for what he had done to her and her family. It was only by luck that she managed to put the Ancient devil worshiper into torpor when she was set upon by his ghoul minions, weakened and outnumbered she fell into torpor as they proceeded to secret their masters body away to safety until he would wake from his long sleep. Ages passed and Haquim woke once again determined to work subtly to bring his brood under his own control until he learned of Santino Guevara, young impetuous and most importantly, hungry for power. He tracked him down to New Orleans; a city of dark power that seemed to emanate from the very earth, and spoke subtle whispers in his mind, dreams of power and wealth beyond anything that he could conceive of. Slowly the seed grew, and Sanguinus was born out of his unholy desire and Santinos lust for power. Now though he has sensed yet another strand to this game that he could manipulate, as the repercussions of La Noche del Lgrima and its instigator reveal themselves. The board is set, with many pieces in place. Soon the Dark Lord shall reveal himself to the night

Catalina the Dark Mother

From the vast Family estates in Mexico city the mighty Catalina Guevara, formerly Catalina Cortez, watches over her Family with an iron fist. She does not tolerate her laws to be broken, and has the power to enforce her will throughout Latin America. She is undeniably the heart of Family power since she reclaimed her role as the Family guardian after the events surrounding La Noche del Lgrima. Her main goal is to keep her Family together at all costs, and recognizes the dark nature inherent in her blood is borne from her insatiable sire. She is ever watchful of his machinations to take over what she has spent her unlife creating and has resorted to an aggressive expansion as a means to stop the constant infighting and distract the blood vendettas for the time being. Though she recognizes that is not a long term answer to the problem, she is unwilling to do anything more to erode the power base of the Family.

The Secrets of Catalina

Age and battle have taken their toll on Catalina, she is not what she once was. More and more she is finding the need for freedom from the intrigues of the Family. Her mental frailty is concealed by draconian laws in an attempt to cover her insecurities. Though she loves and cares for her Family, the weight of its problems are growing an ever greater burden, and she knows that she will have to make a choice soon as to her future. The specter of her sire has returned to haunt her steps and she feels his presence like an ever tightening noose around her. She will not relinquish control of her Family to that infernal monster, but has failed in bringing him down before. Now Catalina sees Santino as a potential ally and will give him her blessing in return for his aid, leaving Pai her beloved husband to watch over the Family interests in her absence.

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v Of Blood I Dream And am made Whole When in the Quiet Heart of All I Stir And Awaken to Unfolding Night When from Heaven Stars shall Fall Once more I shall Return
Santino Guevara: The Book of Blood