Whispers of the Dead

The Whispers of the Dead is proof of not every Hecata is born to privilege, wealth, and an understanding of their new blood Lineage.

The Hecata is both a new and a very old clan. It is at once monolithic and dysfunctional, just like any powerful family. It is among the new Blood of the Hecata that the Whispers of the Dead spread. They are a secret face of the Hecata’s triple mask born of fire, loyalty, and a knowledge that they belong.

The Whispers know the rumored Capuchin is real and can perform wonders. They’ve heard his voice. They’ve seen the Capuchin work through his herald, performing necromantic miracles they believed impossible. They’ve been told they are special, secret, and chosen. And how could they not be when the Blood itself agrees? All of the Whispers are Hecata, no matter what bloodline their sire was.

The Whispers of the Dead know things. They know that the head of the Hecata chose them, found them, and charged them with keeping the family safe from all threats, especially itself. The Whispers of the Dead are the true Hecata, the generation the Blood chose from so many bloodlines. The ones changed or Embraced directly into the clan proper.

These fledglings and neonates of the Clan of Death believe deeply, truly, and passionately.

And it’s all a lie.

Overview

The Whispers of the Dead carry with them the knowledge that they aren’t like other Hecata. They are the best among them. The new generation of the Clan of the Dead. The renewal so many Necromancers preach.

All of them believe in what the Hecata is and stands for: family. They are passionate members trying to find their place in the world, but through circumstance, misfortune, or lax upbringing, they found themselves on the outskirts of the family. But, as the Speaker says, one must be alone to hear and join the Susurrus.

The Whispers of the Dead see themselves as the true Hecata, the inner circle of the Capuchin himself, with a direct line to him through the Wearer of the Whisper Mask. Through the Speaker, they give to the cause, because the Speaker told them the truth.

The Capuchin, that mystical and legendary rumor, is real and sees them. The Capuchin needs them. The Capuchin, having listened to the council of the dead, charged the Speaker with finding the fledglings—those who believe in and are true to the family, but whom the family might have failed.

The Wearer of the Whisper Mask shows these lost souls the miracles of death and the dead, miracles that only those chosen by the Capuchin could hope to perform. He bids the children to stay silent, even to others in the Hecata, for they would not understand. He instructs the children to prepare, for the renewal isn’t yet complete.

He aids the young with blood, money, necromantic instruction, and guidance, all as they require. The Speaker bids the fledglings that in return for these gifts, these teachings, this pride, and sanctity of knowledge, that they freely give anything the Speaker asks.

The Capuchin, of course, has no need of these things, but the other Whispers do. Give to them, so they may be ready when the Capuchin calls.

History

Leonardo Boella, the Speaker, is a Harbinger with a chip on his shoulder and the soul of a con artist.

When his fellow Harbingers broached the subject of a Family Reunion with him following the various torments he’d endured as part of a cannibalizing sect and a war with the Giovanni, Boella paid little attention.

The Hecata was the name whispered on the lips of those who commanded death, and so many of Leonardo’s bloodline heeded the call. Even the name of the mythic Capuchin was bandied about, rumored to have had some hand in this new formation.

Leonardo Boella really couldn’t give a shit.

Leonardo bristled at the thought of a new generation of Harbingers who did not share in his curse and his hate. He missed his face, having been handsome once. The Harbingers of Skulls had turned him after a grift gone wrong as a punishment, using his skills to attack the mortal holdings of their enemies.

It turned out Leonardo was even something of a necromantic prodigy. He made the best of his situation, gathering more resources and experiencing every pleasure his sect promised, always taking a little off the top.

Leonardo declined to attend the Family Reunion. He did, however, listen to others of his lineage through ghostly messengers, which passed on words of cooperation and a new direction.

Leonardo overheard them speak passionately about councils and Capuchins. Exasperated and disgusted, Leonardo nevertheless recognized that he wasn’t sure how to proceed in the modern nights without pledging his fealty to this new, nauseating endeavor.

Eureka: the switch flipped when one of his broodmates introduced him to her new childe, face hale and whole, eyes bright, having only recently been welcomed into this dark family.

Leonardo hated them instantly, since the childe had to endure none of the debilitating outward bane that afflicted his bloodline.

If the members of his bloodline with whom he had fought and bled wanted to march to the tune of this new clan, then fine. He’d march to the beat of his own drum. At least then he could warm himself at the fire of young passion, and perhaps bring a few to ruin along the way.

Many of them were so new, so naïve, they would believe almost anything, and they were impressed by nearly any display of necromantic power.

It was time for a new grift.

Culture

Leonardo soon realized that the fledglings’ enthusiasm that caused him to target them was getting out of hand. To direct some of that energy, Leonardo hastily fabricated some edicts, fearing what the Whispers would do without direction.

The Whispers believe that the Speaker has commanded them to prepare, so that the Susurrus will be ready when it comes time to speak. As membership in the cult grows within a domain, crime tends to increase. These are usually incidents of burglary and petty theft, as those Whispers without income or digital means try to contribute to the Speaker financially.

Some Whispers form coteries to grab or steal artifacts or tomes to lay at the Speaker’s feet, in the hopes of proving that they can be of use to the Capuchin. Sadly, many of these fledglings don’t know an artifact from a regular museum piece. As a result, the Speaker has found himself in possession of quite a collection of valuable junk.

Those outside the Hecata are welcome to join in the Susurrus, or so the outsiders are told. The Speaker has instructed his Whispers to string along those outside of the Hecata with an interest in necromancy, either to form ties with them or to drain these prospects of their resources. Get them to believe, and they will do anything.

Convictions of the Whispers

• Always seek new Whispers. The Whispers always seek those who may have been cast off or abandoned by the Hecata at large. They also reel in thin-bloods or Caitiff whom they might take advantage of. Seek new members or new rubes to support the true Whispers.
• Never turn your back on new information, no matter the danger. The Susurrus see it as their duty to collect information to serve the Speaker, and therefore, the Capuchin. Knowledge is power. Whispers see it as a sacred duty to provide as much information about their domains as possible.
• Brook no disrespect toward the Capuchin. At the Speaker’s behest, members of the Susurrus are expected to give blood, financial resources, or anything else asked of them in return for the place the Capuchin has given them in the coming nights. These tithes are used to build the Capuchin’s coffers for the glorious day when those chosen will come to lead the Clan of Death.
• Never Speak, Always Whisper. There will come a time when the Susurrus becomes a roil to wash over the Clan of Death. Be ready to stand and reveal yourself when the decree arrives. Gain as much power as you can while remaining hidden. When the time comes, the Capuchin will reach out his hand and expect you to take it.

Organization

In the short time since the cult’s founding, the Speaker has had to do very little to lead the cult. In fact, the Whispers’ zeal has grown the cult faster than Leonardo anticipated.

While the Speaker gathered the initial few to him with theatrics, displays of necromantic power, and promises of a future of belonging, his followers took his words and ran with them. The first three members of the Whispers, all from Madrid, sought others who might benefit from such wisdom. No one with proper ties to the family, but nevertheless those who were unfortunate or cast aside.

Heading online and using many of the same channels the younger members of the Hecata did during its founding, the Whispers started to spread slowly and carefully, without the knowledge of the Speaker.

It was only when these tech-savvy believers proudly brought their work to the Speaker—having set up bank accounts, Venmo accounts, and encrypted forums—that the Speaker realized what was happening, and how quickly it could get out of hand. It’s all he can do to try to contain the monster he’s created before the Hecata proper realize what he has done.

Now, Leonardo’s looking for a way out.

References

VTM: Forbidden Religions, p. 52-57