lordleather / john walleman (1800308)

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48 Year Old · Male · From Center Line, MI · Invited by: Nimue · Joined on April 27, 2008 · Relationship status: Single · Born on November 2nd · 1 referrals joined! · I have a crush on someone!

Interests

Coven I Am Involved With

Our Coven's Theme Songs

Lacuna Coil - Swamped

HIM "JOIN ME IN DEATH"

Clan Lasombra

Photobucket

Description of Lasombra

The Lasombra are the traditional leaders of the Sabbat, a position they have held since the leaders of the Brujah betrayed the Anarchs. Most of the modern custom and organization of the Sabbat is the direct result of Lasombra policies. The Lasombra are celebrated in the Sabbat as the clan, which completely purged itself of all its non-Sabbat elders, including the destruction of its own antediluvian founder.

Ages before the origin of the Sabbat, the Lasombra flourished along the Mediterranean seaboard. Even then they were masters of intrigue, with a spy network the equal of any found among Kindred or kine. After the Anarch revolt and the purge of the Elders, the Lasombra fled north under pressure from the Camarilla, and established a new base of operations in Scandinavia. It was there that the Sabbat in its modern incarnation was forged. As the Camarilla continued to press and harass the Sabbat in Europe, the Lasombra initiated a policy of aggressive migration to the Americas.

The Lasombra are both warriors and plotters. Unlike the Ventrue, they have no pretensions of gentility - they are openly competitive and combative, both with outsiders and among themselves. They will fight ruthlessly among themselves for positions of dominance, but all inter-clan rivalries will be forgotten in a moment if there’s any serious threat that the coveted position might fall to a non-Lasombra, or if the rivalry begins to threaten the security of the Sabbat. Lasombra are equally prepared to enforce their will through force, sabotage, or manipulations - Lasombra are not concerned with methods, only results.

The Lasombra view their dominant position in the Sabbat as merely a reflection of the natural order. The clan represents itself, not as the rulers of the freedom-loving Sabbat, but as selfless servants of the sect, taking on the responsibilities of leadership in order to preserve the perfect freedom of the other clans from such mundane concerns. The truth, of course, is that the other clans often have perfect freedom in all those pursuits, which don’t interfere with the plans or policies of the Lasombra. The Lasombra do not, however, casually or habitually impinge on the Sabbat ideal of freedom - partially because the clan is not completely devoid of idealism, but mostly because the success of the Lasombra is due, in large measure, to always knowing exactly how far the other clans can be pushed.

Another reason for Lasombra dominance is that among all the clans of the Sabbat they are the most adept and willing at the manipulation of kine. It is the Lasombra, above all others, who insure the sect’s wealth and security among the mortals. This affinity may be a fortuitous side effect of the Lasombra disadvantage, which has given the clan reason for centuries to find and control human thralls.

There are those who say that the Lasombra’s account of the purge of its elders is inflated - that non-Sabbat Lasombra methuselahs still survive in hiding among the Inconnu or the old-country Tzimisce. The Lasombra hotly decry such suggestions. There are known to be a scattered few non-Sabbat Lasombra living in hiding, mostly in Southern Europe and North Africa. This remnant is sometimes referred to (not without irony) as the Lasombra antitribu. Although the Sabbat will take steps to eliminate any such fugitive who comes to light, they represent no real threat to the Lasombra or the Sabbat, and there is no concerted effort to hunt them to extinction. A handful of Lasombra antitribu has even joined the Camarilla.

Nickname

Keepers

Appearance

Older Lasombra are predominantly of Italian and Spanish descent, but they have no racial prejudice, and younger clan members can be of any race. They tend to have handsome, imposing features (often achieved with the help of some cooperative Tzimisce). As a rule, Lasombra dress stylishly, expensively and somewhat ostentatiously. Jewelry is often worn.

Haven

Younger Lasombra are actively encouraged to line in the communal haven of the pack, the better to represent the interests of the clan and promote their own rise to power. Lasombra elders will often have private havens (usually comfortable homes or apartments) but still spend a good deal of time in the communal haven of their pack.

Lasombra, as a group, are known for their passionate love of fast and expensive automobiles.

Background

Lasombra seek those who are intelligent and ruthless, with a proven ability to lead, organize and manipulate others. Gifted young executives and politicians are prime material for the Lasombra. Sometimes a promising gang leader or Mafioso will be embraced, if they demonstrate original thinking and seem to have a willingness to better themselves through education.

Character Creation

Lasombra value IQ above all other factors. They tend to have Charisma and high social skills. They are well educated and often master scientific and professional skills. They do not emphasize physical combat skills, but most Lasombra will have a few. They often study Thief/Spy skills to maximize their powers of Obtenebration (or just because the like to spy on others). The ideal Lasombra is a generalist, ready to meet any challenge fate throws at him, in business, combat, politics or the supernatural.

Clan Disciplines

Dominate, Obtenebration, Potence

Weaknesses

All Lasombra have the Casts No Reflection disadvantage. This is believed to be a side effect of the Obtenebration Discipline, but it affects even Lasombra who have not mastered any powers of Obtenebration.

Organization

The Lasombra are not close to one another, but in clan affairs, as with everything else, they are organized. Four times a year each Sabbat archdiocese will have a convocation of its Lasombra, called a conventicle. At these gatherings news is exchanged, alliances are made and clan policy (which, to the Lasombra, is the same thing as sect policy) is set. Each conventicle culminates with a Vaulderie of all Lasombra present - this Vaulderie is both a ritual of solidarity and a test of loyalty and will, as the Lasombra will actively seek to week out traitors and enemies through the bond of the Vinculum.

Gaining Clan Prestige

The path to clan prestige among the Lasombra is clear-cut. To gain prestige you must rise in power within the Sabbat, or materially increase your power or influence of the Sabbat. Lasombra who win their positions of authority from non-clan members are particularly favored.

Quote

"To say that we lead the Sabbat is only to say that we are the servants of the Sabbat. If we seek to strengthen our position, it is only because in doing so, we also strengthen the Sabbat."

Lasombra Theme Song

Clã Lasombra - Prey (Seraphim Shock)