The Benandanti (singular Benandante) are a secret society of mortals in the Classic World of Darkness who have developed sorcerous means of crossing over into the Underworld.
Overview[]
Each Benandante, upon initiation into the group, forges a unique fennel sword that allows them to reach across the Shroud. The Benandanti are known to, and feared by, many wraiths. They are known to a few other groups that are familiar with the Underworld, such as the Tal'mahe'Ra. The Benandanti are based in a compound called L'Ospedale dei Viaggiatori Perduti in Lombardy, Italy.
Membership in the Benandanti is open only to those who were born with a caul over their face (a rare but natural phenomenon occurring in roughly 1 in 80,000 childbirths), which is removed by a Benandante who then becomes the infant's mentor. At the student's 20th birthday, they become a full member of the society. Each Benandante keeps their caul with them at all times; when placed over their eyes, it allows them to see into the Shadowlands and perceive ghosts. A piece of their caul is also forged into each Benandante's fennel sword. With the ritual of Ekstasis, Benandanti can spiritually project themselves into the Underworld, allowing them to interact with ghosts directly.
The Benandanti are divided into several factions. The three largest are the Dannati, who believe all ghosts are damned and must be destroyed; the Redentori, who believe ghosts can be guided to salvation in the next life; and the Isolatori, who wish to keep the Underworld and the world of the living separate.
References[]
"Some older Hand members speak of mortals known as the Benandanti. They are humans capable of leaving their bodies and traveling into the Underworld. It is said that once, long ago, some of them walked the streets of Enoch in disguise and secretly studied in the libraries of the Tal'mahe'Ra.
Most Kindred have never heard of them, and most of those who have do not believe in their existence. They claim no living soul can enter the Underworld. Still, some fear valuable secrets were stolen by the Benandanti, which might be traded to others in the Underworld, leading to an attack on Enoch, or at least ending its peace."
- VTM: Dirty Secrets of the Black Hand, p. 51
- HTR: Hunter: First Contact, p. 118-132
- WTO: Wraith: The Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 407