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Constantinople (WOD)

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For the city during the Modern Nights, see Istanbul

Constantinople, also known as New Rome, was the rebuilt form of the ancient city of Byzantium after 330 CE; capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (the "Byzantine Empire") until 1453; since then it has become the Turkish city of Istanbul.

Overview[]

In the Dark Ages age, few cities shine like Constantinople. For centuries it has prospered, and a mighty empire grown around its walls – a beacon of light as the fabled Roman Empire collapsed into ruin.

Yet, to the children of Caine, Constantinople is more than just another capital; and to three methuselahs the city is a bastion of hope, an accomplishment that will survive until the Last Night. From Constantinople palaces and churches, these Cainites have molded the city not just to rival Rome and Carthage, but Enoch as well.

For nearly 900 years their work has prospered, yet nothing completely escapes the grasp of darkness, and soon Constantinople will shine no longer. In the shadows of the night the children of Caine play their games and, as the Fourth Crusade approaches, Constantine's city will face its greatest peril.

During the Cebali Fire of 1660, many Kindred were destroyed and the now-popular vampire known as Phyre was forced to leave the city and venture forth into the world.

Locations[]

  • Citadel of Petrion, Gangrel family headquarters
  • Golden Horn, natural harbor
  • Hagia Sophia, home to the Patriarch Michael and his Michaelites
  • Hippodrome, the Imperial Palace
  • House of Lamps, mage chantry and Mary the Black's haven
  • Monastery of St. John Studius, Obertus home; closed off by the time of the Bitter Crusade
  • Senate Basilica, administrative building that houses the Byzantine Senate and the Brujah Lexor

Latin Quarter[]

Before the Fourth Crusade, Galata and its surrounding districts were known as the Latin Quarter, home to segregated ethnic and religious communities. Though the city has since become more Latinized, old divisions persist, especially among the long-lived Cainites (vampires). Galata is now dominated by a powerful Genoese faction led by Gabriella, while Venetian vampires control the entire district. Other groups, including Jews, Muslims, and various pagans, occupy smaller areas, each with their own vampire struggles for control. The Carrion vampires hold this district as a refuge.

Alfonzo of Venice and his Latin allies have run the corrupt underworld here for decades, profiting from vice-driven establishments like brothels, gambling dens, and black markets. This has drained the area economically, leaving non-Latin parts impoverished and rundown. The Venetian quarter is wealthier but decadent, hosting lavish vampire gatherings. Despite Alfonzo's authority, the region’s violent history makes enforcing order difficult.

Great Palace[]

The Great Palace of Constantinople, once the residence and workplace of Eastern Roman emperors, is a vast complex near the Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome. It was heavily damaged by crusaders who sold off valuable parts and left it to decay, relocating their emperor to the Blachernae Palace. The palace's chapels, which once held sacred Christian relics like the Crown of Thorns and the Rod of Moses, are now abandoned. Baldwin II has pawned most relics to foreign powers for gold, with the rest securely stored at Blachernae.

Though the empty chapels could serve as refuges for the city's many vampires, none dare enter due to rumored curses and vengeful angelic spirits protecting the sacred spaces. These supernatural threats reportedly cause blindness, muteness, unhealing wounds, brittle bones, and other horrors to trespassers. Ignoring these warnings is said to bring severe consequences to any Cainite foolhardy enough to intrude.

Grand Bazaar[]

Despite the decay of Constantinople, the Grand Bazaar remains a vibrant commercial center where diverse groups—Latin, Hellene, mortal, and Cainite—converge. The Bazaar operates day and night, with merchants selling a wide variety of goods. At night, it becomes a marketplace for strange and dark items catering to the unique desires of vampires. Unknown to most, the Bazaar also conceals a secret, ruthless order of vampire hunters. These fanatics were once ghouls loyal to the now-fallen Trinity vampire families. After their masters vanished in 1204, they turned bitter and vowed to eradicate all vampires in the city. They operate covertly, using subtle signs and working together to isolate and kill Cainites with stakes and fire. The only vampires safe from their attacks are the Malachite Nosferatu, whom they regard as true allies of the lost Dream.

Current times[]

"The mortals call it Istanbul, but we still refer to the City of the Dream as Constantinople, in honor of Michael, our savior, our dreamer, our hope to this night. It was the last city in which all clans came together, united, and dedicated to ending a way of existing without torment and enslavement to the Beast. It was glorious. Michael led the way. Trinity — of which he was apart — consisted of him, the transcendent Dracon, and the architect Antonius. They built great things. They lifted us to new heights. Even Following their destruction and torpor, we Kindred of Constantinople strive to attain them once again. It has been a long road. Few domains have been through as much tumult as ours. Leadership rises and falls. Philosophies are learned, applied, and discarded. Newcomers are welcomed as elders are banished, then elders are put in power as new comers are regarded with suspicion. We cannot help it. The Dream was a wonderful concept to expericence as a vampire. It was a time when gave themselves willingly, where built was a forgoten nightmare, and the Jyhad just stopped. We crave a return to that time. We need it. Now there is a new Trinity, the Camarilla and Ashirra leaving Constantinople to allow their rule. Michael awakes again in Mary. The Dracon takes a new form. The third… Third… Constantinople will be the beacon for all Kindred. Come, answer our call. Learn of our dreams and let them change your natures. "– AZRA, KEEPER OF ELYSIUM

Notable residents[]

Timeline[]

  • 550 BCE: the Cappadocian Byzar founds the colony of Byzantium. Beshter visits the site.
  • 309 BCE: Alexia Theusa is Embraced in Byzantium.
  • 196: Alexia Theusa helps the Romans destroy all Cappadocians. Byzar falls in torpor. The city is run by the Lasombra cult to Aphrodite.
  • 312: Constantine the Great in his bid to become Roman Emperor battles his rival Maxentius outside Rome. Michael, Antonius, and the Dracon now call themselves "the Triumvirate".
  • 324: Constantine defeats Licinius near Byzantium, cementing his claim to the imperial throne.
  • 326: Constantine founds New Rome on the site of Byzantium (later to be called "Constantinople"). The Triumvirate leaves Rome to take up residence in the new capital.
  • 329: Constantine's lieutenant Caius is Embraced by Antonius.
  • 330: the city was re-inaugurated as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine the Great.
  • 337: Constantine the Great dies. The Triumvirate holds the First Council. Magnus, a local Lasombra, pledges himself to the service of Michael when he slays his sire Ectoris and Christianize the new capital.
  • 476: Rome falls to the barbarian Odoacer and Cainites refugees begin to arrive in Constantinople. The Second Council is held, forming the Trinity system of families. The Lasombra Magnus and a group of Brujah known as Lexor are made scions of Michael. Antonius extends protection to Alexia Theusa.
  • 489: Michael invites the Setite Khay'tall to become a Scion.
  • 517: Justin I becomes the emperor under the guidance of his nephew Justinian and the Ventrue Antonius.
  • 527-55: Justinian expands the Byzantium's territories into North Africa and Italy. The Trinity system of families is spread across the empire. The monasteries overseen by the Dracon and the Obertus Tzimisce are severely regulated.
  • 537: Hagia Sophia, the world's greatest Christian temple, is completed in Constantinople. Michael takes up residence.
  • 555-65: Justinian rule ends in chaos as the outlying territories are wrested away. Plague weakens the Empire.
  • 565-600: Plagues repeatedly strike Constantinople. Rumors point to the Dracon.
  • 566: Antonius Embraced Belisarius, Justinian's leading general.
  • 579: Narses, Antonius' mortal rival, is Embraced by Galerius to be made responsible for the italian territories of the Empire.
  • 602: Phocas becomes emperor, beginning a reign of terror.
  • 604: Septima Dominica Embraces Nicepherus. Caius Embraces a magistrate named Epirus.
  • 610: Heraclitus becomes emperor and renew the power of the monasteries, bolstering the Tzimisce power base.
  • 620: the Akoimetai monks serving the Dracon begin transcribing the contents of the Great Library of Alexandria.
  • 626: the Akoimetai monk Gregory the Wonder-Maker is Embraced by an Alexandrian Ravnos.
  • 632: Gregory is adopted by the Antonian Ventrue.
  • 642: Alexandria falls to the Arabs and the Library is burnt to the ground.
  • 660: Narses cuts his ties with Constantinople to rule independently in Venezia.
  • 689: Michael presents the twins Gesu and Symeon to the Dracon and Antonius for Embrace in an attempt to mend the rift between their factions.
  • 701: The Dracon Embraces Gesu, who falls into torpor.
  • 703: Gesu rises and Embraces Symeon, enraging Antonius.
  • 704: The Third Council is held to resolve the matter of Symeon's Embrace. No resolution is reached.
  • 726: Antonius rejects the worship of icons in his war against the Dracon. His favorite childe, Septima Dominica, is angry. Byzantine society is divided.
  • 796: The Fourth Council is held. Malachite Nosferatu is made scion of Michael's Toreador. Caius and Septima propose the destruction of Antonius. Michael and the Dracon acquiesce. Later that year, Antonius is destroyed. The Dracon feels ashamed.
  • 797: Caius becomes Basileus of the Antonian Ventrue with Septima Dominica as his second.
  • 842-67: To restore order, Michael rules directly as Emperor Michael III.
  • 843: A copy of the Malleus Nefandorum is burned in Constantinople.
  • 888: Dracon leaves Constantinople.
  • 890: The Fifth Council is held and recognizes Gesu and Symeon as leaders of the Tzimisce. Michael feels the pull of madness and torpor, leaving the nightly affairs to Petronius.
  • 962: Holy Roman Emperor Otto I's conflict with the Pope.
  • 1001: Witch hunter destroy Septima Dominica, the Ventrue lieutenant of Caius.
  • 1071: the Seljuk Turks defeat the imperial army at Manzikert, striping Byzantium of most Asia Minor.
  • 1073: the Sixth Council is held and Belisarius returns to a position of power.
  • 1081: the Seventh Council is held. The family of Narses of Venice is made a scion to the Ventrue and given trading privileges. Baron Thomas Feroux becomes scion of the Tzimisce. Alexius I Comnenus becomes emperor.
  • 1090-125: Narses' childe, Alfonzo, serves as a Lasombra priest in Constantinople.
  • 1096-99: Soldiers of the First Crusade travel through Constantinople.
  • 1140: The Salubri Achmet arrives in Constantinople.
  • 1143: Emperor John II Comnenus, on campaign in Asia Minor, is killed by the Assamite Shabah.
  • 1153: Ducas Embraces former princess Anna Comnena.
  • 1147-49: Second Crusade.
  • 1170: The Plague arrives in Constantinople.
  • 1185: Riot explodes with the help of Epirus (Ventrue) and Tribonius (Brujah). All Latin Cainites are destroyed except for Gabriella of Genoa and her protégé Lillian, who are sheltered by Symeon. The Eight Council is held Epirius and Tribonius are slain. The Latin Quarter is made independent from the rule of the Trinity and Bishop Alfonzo of Venice becomes its ruler.
  • 1185-97: Cainites from across Europe arrive at Constantinople, crowding the Latin Quarter.
  • 1186: the Nosferatu Fra Raymond and his brood arrive from the Crusader States and are hidden by the Malachite Nosferatu.
  • 1187: the Ventrue Basil of Thessalonica and the mad Caitiff prophet Stanislav arrive from the West.
  • 1188: Shabah the Assamite arrives as an ambassador of Alamut.
  • 1190: Theresa Kymena, a rogue Tremere, arrives to study with Achmet.
  • 1193: Brujah, Nosferatu and Gangrel of the city unite to form the Covenant of the Three to defend the Dream.
  • 1195: Alexius III becomes Byzantine Emperor by blinding and deposing his brother Isaac II.
  • 1196: Symeon's lover Lillian is Embraced by Gesu.
  • 1197: The Assamite Shabah kidnaps the Lasombra Gabriella of Genoa.
  • 1198: Innocent III becomes Pope and calls for the Fourth Crusade.
  • 1202: Crusaders gather in Venice and are greeted by the son of Isaac II, Alexius IV, who requests their aid in becoming emperor. The Venetian supports his efforts in exchange for promises of riches.
  • 1203: the Crusaders conquer Constantinople and place Alexius IV as emperor.
  • July 1203: Crusaders hit Constantinople and Alexius III flee.
  • November 1203: After rioting in the Greek district, Alexius stops paying the Crusaders.
  • January 1204: anti-Latin coup kills Isaac and Alexius IV grants Alexius V the throne.
  • March 1204: the Crusaders sack the city, starting a fire that burns for eight days. During the sack, the Inconnu destroy Gregorius Dimities. Michael lets Peter the Humble lead Mary the Black to him, where he is finally diablerized. The Byzantine Empire is torn asunder and divided among the Crusaders.
  • April 1204: Alfonzo becomes Prince of the Latin Empire of Constantinople. He is helped by Narses and the Inconnu. The New Roman Council is composed of six Franks and six Venetians electors choosing a new Emperor.
  • 1210: Alfonzo declares Blood Hunt on Mary the Black and cuts his ties with Narses.
  • 1274: Alfonzo dies. Anna Comnena (Ventrue) of Nicea and Natalya Svyatoslav (Brujah) of Epirus may be responsible. Natalya becomes Matriarch (Prince) of Constantinople.
  • 1453: Eight of the thirteen Scrolls of Wisdom on Gehenna are smuggled outside Constantinople to protect them. Ottoman Turks led by the Sultan Mehmed II conquer Constantinople. Natalya Svyatoslav is slain. Emperor Constantine Paleologus dies. It is said that the Pope wanted to finish a rival.
  • 1453: Mustafa the Ventrue and Vashtai the Toreador kill the Emperor John Paleologus Constantine, a Tzimisce. They ally with the Dracon.[1]
  • 1935: During the World War II, Vashtai the Toreador is slain by the Setites.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ↑ WOD: A World of Darkness Second Edition, p. 83
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