Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the country's 16 states. With a population of 3.5 million people, it is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union.
Overview[]
Vampire: The Masquerade[]
Berlin has been a city under Ventrue dominance for most of its history. The first known Cainite to take residence in what is tonight the modern Berlin area was Erik Eigermann. After his disappearance, however, one of his brood named Ilse Reinegger moved into those lands with a childe of her own, known as Gustav Breidenstein. Hungry for control, Gustav diablerized his own sire and set out to rule the city unchallenged, strictly monitoring the population of Kindred within his domain by sending any unannounced visitor to his Final Death without much question. [1] His vendettas against the Toreador and Tremere throughout the centuries eventually lead him to support the Great War[2], which lead to a disastrous defeat and a severe diminishing of Breidenstein’s power, who was forced to assemble a Primogen council for the first time of his praxis[2]. Enraged, Breidenstein involved himself in the rise of the Nazi Party to dissolve the Primogen again, and, through an agent, made contact with Hitler himself. Modern Ventrue blame Breidenstein for the Second World War as well[3], although he never actually controlled the Nazi leader and regime[4].
In the aftermath of the war, Berlin was divided in two separate districts by the victorious forces, and after the construction of the Berlin Wall (which was later thaumaturgical enforced), the city was ruled by two princes. The East was continued to be ruled by Breidenstein and a dependant and sycophantic Primogen council in an alliance with the Brujah Council, while the West was ruled by Breidenstein’s childe Wilhelm Waldburg, who had previously worked to make alliances with other Clans to raise its standing within the Camarilla. When the wall came down, both sides were confronted with each other, each with different Elysia and customs, as well as expectations who should rule over the city.
The city was mainly populated by Ventrue and Malkavians (called Fledermaus by the inhabitants) [5], with Gangrel and Brujah having the lowest number of inhabitants[6]. The Nosferatu gained respect like in no other European city during the Cold War for their information networks[7], while the Toreador of Berlin were notorious for rumor-mongering and gossip. [8] The Tremere had only a token presence within the city, with one of the chantries being the source of the Path of the Focused Mind.[9] Individual city districts were ruled by Bürgermeisters, who enforced the Prince’s edicts. These were usually Elders of some degree. [10] Assamites and Setites made their Havens in the then unclaimed district of Kreuzberg, while Ravnos caravans visiting the city would set up shop near the district of Neukölln. [11]
The last official census, which dates to the early 1990s, placed the permanent Kindred population of the city at 49 [12]. The numbers of vampiric residents had experienced a recent drop then due to the disappearance of some Kindred, and because of a mysterious “Blood Curse”, which claimed the unlives of multiple Kindred, including that of Prince Breidenstein. Hence, in the late 1990s, Berlin was ruled solely by Prince Waldburg, [13] His policy was mainly marked by liberality, even freely inviting foreign Kindred into his domain. His jurisdiction favored either the Blood Bond or banishment, contrasting to the harsh methods of his predecessor. [12] However, any Caitiff within the city were put down immediately, since even Waldburg shared the sentiment that the lax attitude of American princes regarding Caitiff was the source of much of their woes.[6]
The Sabbat used to maintain a single pack, sent to diablerize the native Elders in preparation of an invasion[14], within the city, where they also influenced a neo-nazi Anarch gang called the Final Reich. After the destruction of their leader, Frederick Werther, the Final Reich dissolved and moved into the east. The sole remaining other representation of Anarch interests was the Black Rose, an Anarch gang whose presence within Berlin proper was approved by Waldburg as long as they did not offend any titled Kindred of the city and their efforts reach tangible profits for the city as a whole. [15] There was also a surprisingly large number of independent ghouls, among them the Unmastered.[16] Other groups, including cults, included the Sacrament of Caine, who hunted those vampires who did not trace their lineage from one of the original thirteen Antediluvians, and the Disciples of Set, a small group of ghouls that acted as independent servants of the Followers of Set.[17]
Beneath the city, three Methuselahs rested, unknown to the greater Kindred population: the Ventrue Erik Eigermann, the Nosferatu Melitta Wallenberg, and the Setite Nefertiti. Every one of them had their own agenda and worked slowly through proxies to manipulate the city’s inhabitants after their design. [18] During the 1990s, as a move within the Methusalahs' struggle, a Gehenna cult centered around a figure calling itself “Caine” appeared in Berlin.
As late as 2005, the Camarilla decided to have a more active hand in the rule of the city. A Justicar deposed Waldburg and both Gustav Breidenstein's and his primogen, officially for his handling of the Blood Curse and the False Caine affair. His replacement was an English Malkavian ex-antitribu named Abraham Wolff. Many of the local vampires saw this as an insult against their sovereignty and only through a quick alliance with Ellison could he stay in power.[19] In the meantime, the Sabbat has built its strength in East Berlin, using the enchantments still lingering on the Berlin Wall to their own advantage. An ambitious Nosferatu antitribu named Strohmann has declared himself Archbishop and has stretched out his hand to the Anathema to secure their aid.[20]
After the Conclave of Prague, a reignited Anarch Movement arose in Berlin. Mostly ignored by the Camarilla until that point, the Anarchs had been bolstered by a considerable migratory movement of Kindred residents from other cities to Berlin, attracted by dreams of a better life, a migration the Camarilla hadn't bothered to keep under control. This underestimation of the Anarchs, ultimately caused Abraham's destruction in the middle of the street by an Anarch crowd, and the fall of Berlin as a whole to the Anarchs.[21]
Werewolf: The Apocalypse[]
Traditionally, the Garou of Berlin have been part of the Get of Fenris. The Tribe has recently decimated itself after a brutal purge against those who sympathized with the Third Reich, especially the Swords of Heimdall Camp. [22] A group of Fenrir under the thrall of a former Kinfolk-turned-Leech, Daryl Lutz, occupy the Grunewald district of the city. [23] Several Elders of the local Sept, convinced of Lutz’ loyalty, have accepted to be Blood Bonded by him[24]. The official stance of the Tribe on this happenings is unknown.
Within the Umbra, the Berlin Wall still stands, invested with Wyrmish energies fueled by the dislike and symbolic weight of the structure. [25]
Mage: The Ascension[]
Berlin was once the stronghold of a Verbena faction of rune mages called the Iron Circle, who later began to support the Third Reich, using its influence to persecute rival mages while encouraging occult groups like the Asatru Futhark. [26] In the waning days of the Second World War, a coven of Nephandic archmages gathered before Berlin in an event referred to as the Sundering of Berlin, using one of the greatest displays of Qlippothic magic in history for a ritual to summon their masters into this world. A joint group of Traditionalists and Technocrats managed to defeat them, as the magic of the Nephandi failed in the last moment, allowing both groups to banish the Archmages into the hellish realms of the entities they revered. [27] And Situation Six killed several Nephandi in the ruins of the Reichstag.[28] The Iron Circle was hunted to near-extinction by other Verbena and survives only in small covens. [29]
Modern Berlin houses a chantry of the Virtual Adepts[30] The Verbena still have Circles within the city that practice their art, and are the source of occasional outbreaks of strange “blood diseases” that solely affect vampires, in order to safeguard their “flocks” [31]. The Technocracy entertains a base that oversaw the Red Operations, missions conducted during the Pogrom and the Cold War. [32]
Wraith: The Oblivion[]
Berlin is city under Stygian control. Its Anacreon is no other than Otto von Bismarck, fettered by his fear for the fate of the nation he helped to create. [33] Part of the Iron Legion, his regime is greatly appreciated by the local Wraiths. Under his leadership, the Necropolis of Berlin has become one of the most well-fortificated on the whole continent. [33] Every Wraith that accepts his authority is granted regular access to Pardoners, protection of their Fetters, as well as consolation and counsel after being overtaken by their Shadow. [33] In exchange, every wraith citizen is subject to compulsory military service, divided in corpses dedicated to one of the Legions. Each Legion, apart from the Legion of Fate, oversees one-seventh of city’s forces. Each military corps can elect on representative to act as a counselor to decision-making in the higher ranks. Civil issues are represented by neighborhood unions, who oversee civic disputes and bring issues before the military branches. [33]
During the Night of Short Chains, the Grim Legion was unable to even marginally affect Bismarck’s rule. Any form of Guild representation is quickly destroyed and every Wraith that is caught in a public act of violence while not under control of their Shadow is sentenced to soulforging. [34]Furthermore, the Necropolis is well defended by several animated Relics called the “Iron Champions”, formed from statues of General von Hindenburg that were erected during World War I and often destroyed in the riots following the defeat. [34]
A regional branch office of the Seven Sisters is housed by one of its members in this city. [35]
Changeling: The Dreaming[]
The Kithain maintain a Freehold near the Botanical Gardens. The Trod they guard has a calming power, making people more relaxed and reducing the risk of falling into a supernatural rage. The Changelings usually stick to their domain and expect the same from other supernaturals, so most avoid the area. [36] The territory is divided into several sub-baronies, with the Barony of Charlottenburg being one example, who offer protection to the Changelings in their domain in exchange for services.[37]
Kindred of the East[]
Groups of Kuei-jin Running Monkeys occasionally travel to Berlin, attracted by the tales of a wu that has managed the feat. What these young Kuei-jin not know is that they are being manipulated by Prince Waldburg, who hopes to learn more about the Cathayans by capturing and studying them, then alters their memory via Dominate and sends them back home to spread the news of their “adventures”. [38]
Hunters[]
During the Third Reich, the Gestapo captured several supernatural creatures, among them Kindred, Garou and Changelings, for Project: Werewolf. These creatures were experimented on in a secret facility within the city and after the war, multiple of the surviving test subjects that could be found were put down and the facility was buried under rubble that forms the Teufelsberg within the city. Still, some of captured creatures are rumored to remain, as well as documents about the tests.[23] The Arcanum had a chapterhouse within the city that was raided by the Thule Society, who took much of the chapter-house's lore for themselves. As of yet, the Arcanum has not returned.[39]
The Imbued have a presence here, and a safehouse in the form of the gunsmith Erich Gunterheim, who is willing to provide Imbued that reach the city with weapons specifically customized to kill a monster whose weaknesses are known by him. Naturally, he demands a high fee for his products. [40] A prominent feature is the so called "Angel of Berlin", an anonymous Martyr that is known to aid the Imbued in their endeavours with considerable knowledge of the area, contacts to the police and abilities as a hacker. The Angel is known to support Hunters regardless of their creed, even lending aid to Waywards.[41]
Demon: The Fallen[]
Several Fallen have taken up residence in Berlin, forming a Court of their own [42]. The court is under the control of the Devourer Lassakine, whose main supporters are a group of militant Reconcilers.[43] The most famous, perhaps, is the Fiend Ahrimal, who inhabits the body of detective Gerhard Liebner of the Kriminalpolizei, and works to track down malignant demonic activities. [44]
References[]
- A World of Darkness Second Edition, p. 75
- Encyclopaedia Vampirica, p. 30-31
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night
, p. 13
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 16
- ↑ VTM: V20 Lore of the Clans
, p. 251
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 17
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 48
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 47
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 51
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 55
- ↑ VTM: Rites of the Blood , p. 139
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 23
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 33
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 43
- ↑ VTM: Guide to the Anarchs , p. 105
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 80
- ↑ VTM: Guide to the Anarchs , p. 106
- ↑ VTM: Ghouls: Fatal Addiction , p. 95
- ↑ VTM: Ghouls & Revenants , p. 81
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 84
- ↑ VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 420
- ↑ VTM: Beckett's Jyhad Diary, p. 432
- ↑ VTM: Camarilla, p. 111-112
- ↑ WTA: Tribebook: Get of Fenris , p. 39
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 18
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 85
- ↑ WTA: Book of the City , p. 109
- ↑ MTAs: Tradition Book: Verbena , p. 28
- ↑ MTAs: Tradition Book: Order of Hermes , p. 32
- ↑ MTAs: Manifesto: Transmissions from the Rogue Council, p. 73
- ↑ MTAs: Tradition Book: Verbena , p. 39
- ↑ MTAs: Tradition Book: Virtual Adepts , p. 32
- ↑ VTM: The Red Sign , p. 38
- ↑ VTM: The Red Sign , p. 32
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 WTGW: Wraith: The Great War Rulebook , p. 216
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 WTGW: Wraith: The Great War Rulebook , p. 217
- ↑ WTO: The Quick & the Dead, p. 36
- ↑ VTM: Berlin by Night , p. 34
- ↑ CTD: Book of Freeholds , p. 21
- ↑ KOTE: Shadow War (book) , p. 95
- ↑ MTAs: Halls of the Arcanum , p. 30
- ↑ HTR: Hunter Survival Guide , p.86
- ↑ HTR: Hunter Book: Martyr , p.95
- ↑ DTF: Demon: The Fallen Rulebook , p. 87
- ↑ DTF: Houses of the Fallen , p. 155
- ↑ DTF: Demon: The Fallen Rulebook , p. 78
