Verona By Night

Verona By Night

ction  Chapter One: History  Chapter Two: Geography 17 Chapter Three: Verona’s Disticts 2 Chapter Four: Other Characters 81 x 95 Credits Special Thanks Written By: Marco Calesella Developed By: Marco Calesella Edited By: Aurora Torchia

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2 Credits

ction

Su ‘l castello di Verona | batte il sole a mezzogiorno | da la Chiusa al pian rintrona | solitario un suon di corno.  Giosuè Carducci

n the borders between the Tolerated and sometimes encouraged by the city's domains under continuous siege true masters, these clashes are consummated within in Milan's shadow on one side, a few years, unlike the decades or centuries that are and the lands wrapped the norm in the surrounding domains. For this in the draining embrace reason Verona has acquired a particular reputation. of Venetian Necromancers' On the one hand, the City of Hatred is avoided, if influence on the other, the not ignored, by the plots of the Elders of the Italian socalledo city of Love could not be further from its domains because of the mortally toxic environment: reputation. While Verona finds itself divided both Camarilla's Archons and Giovanni between extremely jealous and paranoid lords, ambassadors feel a certain disquiet walking Scaliger devoted to the most unbridled competition and streets. On the other hand, due to the fast turnover, incited by the burning eyes of the city's two Barons, both for expatriation or for Final Death, of the relations between Cainites could not be more Cainites who govern the various districts, this is the venomous. Although a façade of courtesy and ideal terrain for a young enterprising Neonate who civility is maintained inside Madama Lucrezia's wants to quickly acquire influences, knowledge or Elysium or in the salons of the noble Capuleti, power. The trap, in which these arrogant upstarts unfortunate incidents incessantly take place in the inevitably fall, quickly closes around them, and soon city's illuminated streets, leading to the defeat and they find themselves devoured by the vortex of even the destruction of the Cainites perched in their destruction and resentment that surrounds the feuds, amongst ephemeral alliances imbued with domain. double and triple plays.

RONA 5 Finally they find themselves unable to escape from the city and to keep what they have earned, dragged into the deadly embrace of Verona. Themes The existence in the venetian city is full of possibilities for a Cainite, be him a Neonate ready to get ahead into the unlife or an Ancilla fed up with the immobility of the Camarilla courts. Since the Della Scala regency Verona has achieved great wealth, both economic and cultural. In this latter area, it's generally considered a second Florence, and both the numerous artists who worked here in the past and its artistic and craft traditions have created fertile ground for flourishing businesses – in the right hands. At the same time the continuous infighting and the rapid disappearanceof inadequate Cainites leave the field free for an enterprising Neonate, without these necessarily having to collect the crumbs from the tables ofthe Whenever a threat, both internal and external, Elders. occurs for one of the two, the other runs to his Some of the main themes of a chronicle set in the rescue with a timeliness unique even for a City of Love and Hatred are ambition and the risk Cainite. This fact has kept the diarchy that it entails, as well as the limits that one is willing undisputed over the centuries. There are rumors to overcome in the name of hatred and of the that the baronial enmity is just a mask to hide a will to conquer all. There are two scourges that can hidden alliance, if not alov e bond. Those who crush the imprudent and the careless. So much know the Barons better and have greater opportunity, as had already happened in the past in familiarity with them, however, suggest their the human colonies ofev ery corner of the earth, hostility has become so ingrained toborder leads to a fierce competition among allth e Cainites jealousy; only one of them has the right and duty who are accepted within the Scaliger borders: these to annihilate the other. An ironic twist of fate in Kindred have few qualms about doing everything the city of Love and Hatred. necessary to achieve supremacy. Those who emerge victorious from the fights way too often end up quickly becoming victim of other Mood competitors, and alliances break like glass in front of Neonates and Ancillae who receive investiture the temptation offered by excessive trust. The same of vassal are full of enthusiasm when they arrive dynamism recurs, in increasingly refined and elegant in their new domains.Th ey settle on their forms, the more you climb Verona's social ladder, thrones, smug for the freedom they canfinally with the most important vassals who struggle to enjoy after the submission and the bonds which wrest privileges and possessions from their they had to withstand under their Sires and their neighbors. The city does not fall intothe chaos of rotting courts becauseof court gamesand reciprocal cannibalism thanks to two factors of customs. Of course, they must still obeythe extreme importance: first of all, the city Elders are Traditions, but for the most partTrad itions are authentic masters of divide-et-impera tactics, and principles that have been inculcated in them since nip in the bud every possible alliance to oust them their Embrace: having to follow these rules for a with a subtle advise or a vague promise in the right practical reason rather than because they've been ear; but above all, despite the mutualh atred they forced on them has a different flavor.Shortly, display, the two Barons have always demonstrated however, they realize that even the most fragrant their will to maintain their rule at all costs. flower has thorns.

RONA 6 The first thing that the new vassals realize is that a system of thought in which the Cainites could they are truly alone in Verona: certainly, inevery see in their neighbor not only competition, but Cainite court nothing is done out ofgood heart or also a possible collaborator, if not a blood brother. generosity, but even so bonds of collaboration given At the end of the blood orgy of those years, in by a commonality of intent, Clan orMentor-Pupil fact, on one hand the old structure remained, relationship exist. In Verona none of thisapplies. although reformed in the Camarilla; on the Each Cainite is fiercely tied tohis fief, anda other, the rebels gathered in the Sabbat, request for help is interpreted only as aweakness continuing the fight against the Antediluvians, or ready to be exploited for material, diplomatic or remained on the margins, where the law of the political advantages. Since there is no fittest and the iron fist of the Inquisition was in institutionalized figure such as the Harpies to take force. Finally, the more idealistic ones gave life, into account the pactsand the favors granted, where possible, to their Anarch utopias: in a short alternative methods are necessary to make sure one time, however, those regressed to ugly copies of keeps his word: the intercession of a Lord, Blood medieval feudalism or to shaky communes held Bonds, hostages and so on. Therefore, in the together only by the efforts of their leaders. Verona Veronese Cainites the predominant emotion is represents the most obscure side of the Anarch paranoia. Even duringsocial events held in the ideal, a society where individual freedom is the salons of the Barons, the atmosphere appears tense: first precept. The most unrestrained every word is weighed and measured. Behind every individualism and the pursuit of power at any agreement and every promise are hidden double cost are simply the natural consequence of this plays and betrayals, planned beforehand: for this chimera. In a society born with these values, there reason, the wise Cainite prepares countermeasures are no constraints in one's personal growth that of every kind, both of mundane and supernatural cannot be overridden by will and determination, but nature. A visitor from the outside feels perpetually neither trust nor brotherhood exist as concepts. Just threatened: the attitude of Veronese Kindred a basic infrastructure is kept in order to prevent appears to him particularly treacherous and Scaliger Cainites from self-destructing, but aggressive. Because of this, Verona'scourts receive everything is free outside of it. The Beast reigns visits only when necessary. supreme within Verona and every night that The only instances in which there is a true form of passes is more and more satiated. collaboration is when a Lord requires an Investiture A chronicle set in Verona is focused on the to be celebrated or when arediscovered threats extreme limits of Anarch values, but it can easily from the outside. In this case, allthe hostility that intertwine with other themes expressed outside the Veronese normally reserve for their kindred is the city borders. For example, a Cainite who begins poured against the enemy, annihilating the threat to have doubts about the validity of the customs of without any pity or qualm.Once the danger is the Camarilla courts can look at Verona as an thwarted, however, the atmosphere returns to example of what happens outside of them; on the normality, and only hatred flows between contrary, an Anarch coterie could see its ideals the Cainites. brought to their darkest limit, and question the How to use this book: values for which it has always struggled. The Anarch Revolt began because of the immobility of the Cainite society and the steel grip of the Elders on their progeny – an unbearable situation. On the other hand, however, this kind of society was comparable to a family. The ancients, in spite of their rigidity and their centralization of power, had nevertheless given a structure to predators physiologically led to bite one another:

VERONA BY NIGHT 7

Chapter One History

”There is no world for me outside the walls of Verona, except purgatory, torture, and hell itself. So to be banished from Verona is like being banished from the world, and being banished from the world is death. Banishment is death by the wrong name. Calling death banishment is like cutting off my head with a golden ax and smiling while I’m being murdered.” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

veryone knows why Verona worst of all, it went against the will of their has taken the name of the families. However, the city of Verona wanted to city of love. In the late 1500s preserve the romantic soul of Shakespeare's drama a young English writer and and the aura of mystery that hovers around the playwright decided to tell a true story of the young couple. Montecchi and story. A Tale about the Capuleti families really existed – also Dante love between Giulietta mentions them in the Divine Comedy – as we can Capuletie and Romeo Montecchi. see by their homes, which can still be visited today. This playwright was called William Shakespeare and Unlike the legend, however, the story went very was having some success at home with his plays. differently: it was the spark igniting the flames of Today his works are known all over the world, the already heated events that led Verona to be studied in schools and universities, represented in known by Cainites as the City of Hatred. theaters and cinemas, indelibly impressed in people's minds and elevated to masterpieces. With his sole The Dark Ages artistic and stylistic strength, William Shakespeare In accordance to the collective memory of the has succeeded in making people dream, and has Kindred, Verona entered into Cainite history moved and excited millions of menand women when the Ventrue and Malkavian of the century after century, up to the present day. Roman Republic managed to drive out the The work of Shakespeare, although is remembered by Lupins who lived between the Venetians and everyone for its romantic and passionate side (which the Euganeans. Since then, until the fall of the fuels the idea of romantic getaway), is actually a Roman empire, the city was of fluctuating tragedy that sees as protagonists two young lovers importance, given its subordination to Rome. hampered by family and society. Their love could not Things radically changed with the barbarian exist in the Verona of that time, because it went invasions; against the canons of behavior of the period and,

VERONA BY NIGHT 9 after the papacy seized power in Rome, in fact, a diaspora of the Roman Cainites began towards the The Anarch Revolt other cities of the peninsula. The Lasombra mingled Immediately after Gratiano betrayed his Sire and with the settlers who laid the foundations for committed Amaranthum on him, the tide of revolt Venice, and the Ventrue infiltrated the courts of the poured from Sicily to the northern regions. Goths, the Lombards and the Franks, settling in Distracted by the Giovanni of Venice, who had Pavia, Mediolanum and Verona. A legend dating attracted the Italian elders' wrath for having usurped back to the time tells that the last Longobard king, the ancient High Clan of the Cappadocians, the Desiderio, had been Embraced and had then ruled Italian domains' Princes did not expect an aggression his people using his son Adelchi as a spokesman: coming from within. according to this story, he received Final Death in The sumptuous palaces that served as shelters for Verona from Joyeuse, the blessed sword of Elders from Milan, Florence, Bologna and other Charlemagne when the emperor conquered Italy. cities became battlefields, while the Inquisition's eyes Publicly, the monarch was locked up in a monastery peered the night in search of those they saw as the in France. No witness of such an ancient time Adversary. In Verona, the rebels managed to remains in the modern age, as all the Cainites who penetrate into the could have met him have disappeared over the fortifications thanks to the intel provided by centuries. Nosferatu clan. In fact, their Primogen, intolerant to For the entire Dark Ages Verona remained a fief the treatment that High Clans gave to his own, firmly in the hands of Ventrue Princes, who opposed agreed with the Anarchs to let them exploit the the growing power of the Venetian Lasombra. A conduits under the walls to be able to directly enter noteworthy event of the time was the disappearance from beneath the fortifications. In return, their new of the scholar Savio, a Ventrue who became obsessed allies would have left to the Lepers priority with the Road of Humanity: famous for having concerning the Prince and his subordinates, in amassed a great quantity of tomes and writings addition to a guaranteed seat in the domain's future concerning the Road, he suddenly vanished for government. Despite the surprise, defenders still several decades, without leaving a trace. He managed to resist the invasion and drove the rebels reappeared suddenly in the twelfth century in the back, favored in this also by the disappearance, grip of a frenzy from which he could not get out, during the clashes, of the invaders' leader, the although he had not regressed to Wightdom. It was Lasombra Tebaldo. He was seen the last time in the destroyed as a result of a Blood Hunt. According to conduits of the Nosferatu, and his inexplicable the gossips, he found a cardinal defect in the Road absence provoked several disagreements among the that led him to madness. Anarch forces, which accused the informers of playing both sides. However, there were many losses among the Cainites of the court, including that of the Prince Orso. Irremediably wounded by the Nosferatu Primogen Maramacoea, rather than succumbing, he activated a trap in his throne room that poured on the contending boiling pitches, condemning both to Final Death. After the failed assault the nights of the city of Verona sank into civil war. The surviving Cainites split up between the two remaining members of Verona's old court: the Toreador Primogen Lucrezia Montecchi and the Lasombra Primogen Giovanni Capuleti (the latter neutral in the internal fight of his own clan). Between the two there have long been a fierce feud, and the situation did nothing but fuel their hostility.

VERONA BY NIGHT 10 In fact, each of the two believed to be the most The Cainites of the court at that point assumed suitable to hold the position of Prince, now that that this was nothing but a peculiar accident and Ventrue no longer had sufficient resources to that soon the whole matter would have been maintain the supremacy. In terms of personal forgotten in the chaos of the feud, but the abilities, resources they could deploy, and support unthinkable happened instead. Lucrezia and they had gathered from the surviving Cainites, the Giovanni gathered all the Kindred in the remains two were almost equivalent. Therefore a period of the court of Orso and proclaimed that there of conflict began – a period that stained even more would be no Prince in Verona, but two Barons. with blood the city's nights. Since diplomacy wasn't From now on, the city would have known a new able to untangle this mess, and that the two would society: a structure focused exclusively on the never have accepted the intercession of a stranger individual, which would thus have broken apart third party, the only way to get out of the stalemate the segregations and discriminations that led to was through open conflict. In the years that the Anarch Revolt. With this, the new feudal followed the two sides continuously clashed in every system of Verona began, and the hostility between possible field, be it cultural, mercantile, diplomatic the two Elders subsided. But this did not mean and sometimes even physical, with Ghoul squadrons that the two made peace: on the contrary, the city fighting for control over single streets or squares. In was ideally divided in half, and the territories of the feud ended up being involved even the two the two factions were given in concession to mortal families of the Capuleti and the Montecchi, chosen Cainites in exchange for services and two rich merchant families who in the past had had support, in particular against the other Baron and disagreements over matters of business and politics. his vassals. The latter in turn did the same with other The Baronial Diarchy Kindred, thus delineating the today system. The The clashes reached an epilogue thanks to an Scaliger Traditions were codified in order to incident which, fictionalized by a passing English prevent the city from sinking into a actor who learned of the event one evening in a chaotic orgy of violence and to allow the domain tavern, made Verona famous all over the world. to nominally become part of the Camarilla. One night, in fact, a boy and a girl belonging to the However, enough room was left to allow everyone two warring families disappeared from their - especially the two Barons themselves - to clash mansions. Their parents (and the two Primogens) with others to wrest their resources, honors and blamed one another for the kidnapping, each one privileges. accusing the rival of having lost every form of While to mortals Verona began to be known as honor. Before the situation degenerated into total the City of Love, among the Cainites it earned war, the bodies of the youths were found inside a the appellation of the City of Hatred, as the catacomb, completely bled and inside what appeared incessant clashes between the various vassals to be a ritual circle. The Tremere demonstrated they for predominance over resources and people left, had nothing to do with the murder by presenting over the years, a trail of ashes unparalleled along evidence concerning the infernalist origin of the the Scaliger streets. sacrifice that had been made. In particular, they pointed to the ashes of a Cainite found on the spot: through an arcane research, they concluded they could be those of the lost Tebaldo. The suspicions then fell on the Nosferatu survivors, because of their disloyalty, but nothing conclusive was found - only suspect.

VERONA BY NIGHT 11 The Nosferatu, seeing themselves trapped, holed The Shadow Plague up in their nests, aware that no one Despite the continuous changes in thesocial would have the audacity to go and drive them out. pyramid, with Cainites falling victims ofFinal A few years later, however, the nights of Verona Death in the fights for the dominance among vassals were filled with the populace's cries of terror: and others who left the city once they couldno several Nosferatu and their mutant beasts, in the longer bear the cruel Scaliger dynamics, for a couple grip of Frenzy, had come out of their tunnels in a of centuries there were no events that substantially hurry and attacked everything in front of them. changed the structure of Verona. In the seventeenth When the Scaliger Cainites managed to stop or century, however, a remnant of theAnarch Revolt disperse them all, they understood the reason for enraged the soul of the two Barons. Despite the what turned out to have been a precipitous betrayal of the Scaliger Elders and the end of their escape: the tunnels of Verona were now infested Primogen, the Sewer Rats continued to reside in the with demonic creatures made of pure darkness, underground of the city, and although reluctantly, which dismembered and devoured anyone who attended the courts of the feudal lords, despite not went through the undergrounds. The Barons took being subject to the city's social system. the opportunity to completely erase the Clan's This situation was due to the fact that on one hand presence from Verona, declaring it Unwanted every Cainite in the city needed the information and exiling it from the city borders. As for the that the Nosferatu distributed with the dropper for creatures, which were called Anguane on the basis their conspiracies, and on the other no one was of an old popular legend, they never exited from willing to run the risk of driving them out of their the tunnels, except in specific cases. In fact, even strongholds in the conduits adjacent the Adige. today, if a Cainite within the city limits uses the Over time they became almost untouchable, much power of Obfuscate, he attracts the attention of to the dismay of the dignitaries in whose icy hearts an Anguana, which will sneak out from the first the rage forth e attack against them was still nook nearby and assail the vampire, wherever he seething. In addition to this, the ambassadors from may be. The Tremere who studied the case could the Venetian lagoon began to presentthemselves not understand the origin nor the nature of these more and more frequently, visiting every single creatures, but brought to the attention of the district with different Barons a missive found on a Giovanni Ghoul who motivations, but bringing with them a Ghouls had succumbed to Frenzy in a tavern in Borgo retinue not commensurate with their alleged duties. Roma: in it, mention was made of the Finally, in 1630, inth e city broke out a pestilence preparation of a necromantic ritual which, as the that struck down the mortal populationwith writing testifies, would have started the harvest in extreme ferocity, causing the death of more than Verona. Although not a definitive proof of any half of it. The epidemic reached such a level that it involvement of the Necromancers in the matter, it became a primaryissue for the Barons, who was nonetheless a diplomatic blow against the gathered the feudal lords of each neighborhood Venetians, which led to drawing up several times to discussh ow to support theirsole a treaty that severely restricted the freedom of source of nourishment; at this rate it wouldhave movement of their ambassadors. As for the exhausted itself, and at the same time would have Anguanes, since all in all they seemed happy to drawn the attention of theInquisition. Their remain underground if not provoked, and since investigations came to the conclusion thatthe none of the two Barons ever particularly rely on Nosferatu were about to overthrowthe city's the power of Obfuscate for his business, it was government once again by exploiting an uprising of decided to do nothing: after all, the advantages of mortals driven by pestilence. A sighting, whispered not having someone who concealed his presence by Giovanni visitors, in the city's territory,of the at court exceeded the disadvantages of losing Anathema Rabbat, which already plagued Venice in access to the Discipline. the past, certainly did not help the cause of the Lepers.

VERONA BY NIGHT 12 For this reason it was simply given a warning not to use the powers of Obfuscate within Verona's The Flood boundaries and leave the unknown creatures in the With time, due to restrictions on their presence, the tunnels: the Barons were sure that no sane person Venetians' influence on the city declined at an would ever descend to mess with them. For a while a increasingly pace, reaching the lowest point at the rumor spread, especially among the Cainites who for end of the eighteenth century when the Austrian one reason or another had to deal with the Sabbat: troops, led by Napoleon, settled in the city, ousting this rumor claimed that the Anguanes were similar the lagoon delegates - the last form of control that to the beings summoned by the powers of Lasombra, Giovanni managed to have over Scaliger society. If and for this reason Capuleti Baron could have some on one hand this allowed the Veronese feudal lords sort of link with them. But these rumors were to finally regain full sovereignty over the city, on the quickly suppressed to avoid attracting his wrath. other the absence of the Necromancers constituted the beginning of a strong diplomatic influence of the predominant sects in the neighboring domains. If in fact Verona is nominally a domain affiliated to the Camarilla, in reality the Scaliger structure is extremely different, if not conflictual, with the configuration of the sect: in particular the drafting of traditions totally divergent from the conventional ones has always been viewed with extreme suspicion. Furthermore, the decentralized nature of the Scaliger government represented since the beginning a strong problem for the Archons, who generally could not find a figure with which they could interface with (the Barons proved themselves extremely rebellious in this regard). Fortunately, the progeny of the late Prince Orso, Orsino, maintained a court as close as possible to the Camarilla structure, and made himself available to the ambassadors of the sect in order to act as intermediary for the rest of the fiefdoms of Verona. Despite this, due to the isolationist nature of the Veronese domains, the Inner Circle preferred not to interfere excessively with Verona, and supported its independence rather than seeing it become a vassal of Milan. Giovanni, for his part, always maintained a relationship of courtesy, if not friendship, with Giangaleazzo Visconti, Archbishop of Milan. The Lasombra, once obtained power over Sabbat Milan, offered several times his Clan's mate to join the sect and let him help to eliminate the other Baron, but Giovanni had always refused the offer, citing the excuse that "what he once started, he alone had to finish with his own hands, without anyone else getting in the way". Although he did not understand his friend's stubborness, Giangaleazzo respected his will, and kept his riotous subjects on a short leash to block possible offenses by the Sword of Caine.

VERONA BY NIGHT 13 End of Times The following years were relatively calm, as each feudal lord was focused both on rebuilding his base of power within his possessions and on facilitating the re-establishment of the city's wealth - which was not easy at all, due to the economic crisis that hit Verona and that pushed most of the Scaliger population to emigrate elsewhere. The isolation of the court compared to the rest of Italy did not help the Cainites to attract funds from the outside, so the process was slow and insidious. One of the few works on which everyone collaborated was the construction of the Muraglioni, with the main purpose of avoiding further risks of floods, supernatural or not. In particular, the Tremere inscribed arcane seals over the entire surface in order to try to contain the Anguane in their tunnels, given the fear that the creatures could intervene outside Unfortunately, despite all the influence of the their dens, as in the case of the slaughtered Sabbat Archbishop, it was impossible to keep all the war pack. For this reason, no one gave packs under control, and at the end of the particular importance to the events of the two nineteenth century the pack known as the decades of Fascism, since things went in the Bloodthirsty Druids infiltrated the only path that direction Cainites desired anyway. Later, during could not be guarded inside the city. Composed of World War II, each of the feudal lords was so Gangrel and Tzimisce experts of Koldun Sorcery, concentrated in the small management of their the Sabbats went up the Adige to gain access to the neighborhood that they did not pay attention to city center. On the river's shores, they began a large the constitution of the Social Republic and its ritual, fueled by the sacrifice of many mortals excesses, such as the summary execution of Ciano abducted in the streets. The Scaliger Cainites didn't and the other hierarchs that had abandoned notice what was happening until it was too late: they Mussolini. were conveniently distracted by a party held by one Precisely because of this general indifference, the of the feudal lords, to whom the Sabbats had bombings that struck the city were like a bolt promised a place of preeminence after the fall of the from the blue: they devastated many of the Scaliger government. When the ritual reached its buildings in the Scaliger city and sent several peak, the sorcerers evoked a water elemental that feudal lords into Torpor. swelled the waters of the Adige flooding the whole At the end of that period of massacre, the Barons city. The Veronese Cainites were risking being did not get overwhelmed by subsequent events exterminated in mass by the flood, when suddenly and their neutrality towards Fascism bore the waters withdraw, shortly after the waves had fruits, leaving them out of the repercussions of started to lap onto the church of San Zeneto. The the factionalism that struck other domains. citizens gave the saint's intercession credit for the Notwithstanding the quarrels between those who event, but the servants of the Cainites found the supported fascism and those who supported the remains of the Sabbats in ashes, along with traces of partisans, they reconstituted practically from zero extreme brutality and panic, perceivable through the the fiefdoms that had been annihilated by the gift of Auspex. The person responsible for this was war, inviting Cainites endowed with never identified, was it a Cainite escaped from the resourcefulness and competence from every waters, a passing werewolf or an Anguana, but his Italian domain to patch the gaps in the Scaliger intervention was providential. feudal pyramid.

VERONA BY NIGHT 14 They took advantage of the last favors they owned at the other courts to attract reconstruction funds like the Marshall plan to the city, and promoted competition among feudal lords for the creation of the most beautiful and efficient neighborhood. Over the years, Verona returned to prominence, becoming the second most important city in Veneto, and the domain returned to be flourishing and powerful. With prosperity, the competition between the districts was once again a struggle driven only by greed and personal rancor, and towards the end of the century every feudal lord returned to peer his neighbor, ready to jump to the throat – sometimes literally. Ironically, the advent of tourism, one of the main sources of wealth in the city, was also based on the Renaissance works of Shakespeare, and Verona acquired the reputation of the City of Love. Each Scaliger Cainite found it extremely ironic. Nowadays the city is in an even tenser situation, this time outwards. In fact, since Giangaleazzo has sold his city to the Camarilla, the isolationism of Verona can no longer be tolerated by the sects. Having lost its role of buffer domain against Milan, the Archons are putting more pressure on the Scaligers to re-establish a more traditional court. In particular, they are pushing for the election of a single Prince, and the Inner Circle does not hide its favor towards the Ventrue Orsino in the slightest; the Barons obviously make total obstruction on the matter, but Orso's cadet is acquiring more resources every year. The Sabbat, however, without Giangaleazzo to curb it, if it wasn't so concentrated in the reconquest of Milan, would probably have already diverted some of its war packs to Verona to begin eroding its defenses. Finally, such an overlapping of external pressures threatens to grant a useful opening to the Necromancers to wrest concessions from the Scaliger feudal lords. What's more, the relationship between the two Barons, who have always been hostile but never in a reckless way, are showing small but significant signs of degeneration: some of the older feudal lords are beginning to fear a return to the situation immediately following the Anarch Revolt...

VERONA BY NIGHT 15

Chapter Two Geography

«Verona, with its old walls that surround it, its bridges with embattled parapets, its long and wide streets, its memories of the Middle Ages, has a great air that inspires respect.»

-Paul Valéry, poet

isiting Verona, walking down Wandering freely through the streets he runs the risk its streets, crossing its squares of irritating the already precarious tolerance of the is like visiting a museum. The lord of the district. At the first suspicion of danger, city's shape, its urban layout, he will feel compelled to react to this provocation as its monuments, everything is he sees fit, in compliance with the City Traditions. designed and organized so Therefore, the first things that the traveler must learn that you can are the subdivision of the city's districts and the City enjoyv every corner of this city, perfect at any time of Traditions: he must know which routes he can safely year. travel and how to submit a request for passage or for Everything is surrounded by diversified landscapes: whatever thing he may need in his stay, trying not to mountains and hills, plains and banks of the lakes, fall victim to imaginative interpretations of the rules all in perfect synergy. Everything seems to evoke the that could put him in danger. ancient history of Verona, its romantic fragrance left by the story of Romeo and Juliet. You can feel The City Traditions Verona's past in the ancient palaces, in the bridges, By the will of the Barons, whose influence greatly in the evocative churches, in the squares. In these overshadows that of every other Cainite in the city, places you can admire the Roman remains, the the foundations were laid for an alternative system medieval ones, as well as the Venetian and Austrian to both the Sabbat and the Camarilla. If the values historical evidences. A Cainite visiting the center of of the first sect are inspired by the freedom of Veneto, especially if he plans to settle there, cannot Cainites from their elders (but not from the sect) and afford to dwell on the beauty of the city too much those of the second by the preservation of the status though. As soon as he crosses the borders, in fact, quo, the Scaliger system respects more than anything cold, hungry and jealous eyes rest on him, ready for the sovereignty of the individual regardless of blood or action at the first sign of vulnerability. age.

VERONA BY NIGHT 17 The only thing that matters is power, be it in the Hospitality: Respect the Domain which soil you form of resources, influences, and sometimes even tread. Before entering it, you need the personal skills. It is not surprising that both Barons approval of its feudal lord and the Lords above adhere to the Path of Power and the Inner Voice. him. If you don't do so, you will be considered an The Scaligere Traditions were delineated on the basis of invader, and as such treated. precise principles, essentially to provide a common Harmony: Respects the acknowledged host, ground to all the Cainites and to prevent the court of an offense to him is an offense to the Lords Verona from degenerating into absolute chaos. who have granted him protection. Some of them appear to be extremes, such as Sterility, but they are necessary to avoid the excessive Loyalty: Whoever breaks the Traditions written fragmentation of resources - a consequence of a purely therein loses the investiture of his Lord, and will be feudal system and magnified by the eternity of the at the mercy of anyone. vampiric condition. Moreover, to maintain a semblance of legitimacy towards the cainite Censure (added after the Shadow Plague): any institutions, the traditions of greater interest to the Sewer Rat who set foot in the urban confines of Camarilla such as the Masquarade and Hospitality are Verona will be destroyed on sight. The betrayal of held in high esteem. their blood will not be forgotten. The The Traditions are Necromancers will have access within the territory, but never in more than two; they may also have in Masquerade: It is forbidden to reveal your true their escorts a maximum of one Blood Slave each nature to those who are not of our blood, regardless and will be constantly escorted by a servant for of the circumstances. each Baron.

Investiture: Your Domain has been entrusted to you by your Lord, and you will have to manage it as if it belonged to you. Only your Lord has the right to revoke him, and he has total freedom in doing so.

Service: In return for the investiture, you owe your service to your Lord. You will have to help him if he needs it, and he and his delegates have full power within your territory.

Sterility: You will not have progeny and, if you already had, he or she will not receive shelter within the Domain.

Conflict: As long as the innocent and the security of the Domain will not be compromised, the vassals have full freedom in settling the issues concerning their supremacy over real estate and mortals: all is granted except Destruction, which only the Lord of the Domain can command. Violence without restraint leads only to anarchy.

Hermitage: You will not make pacts of servitude or alliance with organizations outside the Scaliger community and with entities that do not belong to the blood, directly or through a third party. Corruption of the order established therein leads to self-corruption.

VERONA BY NIGHT 18 Vassal, and in their presence the latter The Scaliger Feudalism pronounces the investiture oath, drinking the The choice of a Vassal by a Lord of a district is a blood of his sponsor from a cup and folding his decision that is weighed up with extreme caution, hands while his new master holds them. almost like the choice of a progeny. First of all,an «To such a magnificent Lord I, [Vassal's name]. Since important factor isth e purpose forwh ich a given we all know very well that I have nothing to eat, I have Lord decides to cede part of his domain. The main asked for your mercy, and your benevolence has granted reason, especially at the highest levels, is the me, to be able to entrust me and accommodate at your impossibility of directly governing the districts house, and so I did; that is, that you should help me and without some kind of delegate: even if it's possible to support me, both for food and for shelter, according to delegate to the Ghouls the micro-management of how well I will serve you and to what I will deserve; and, specific companies, foundations orcriminal gangs, as long as I exist, I will have to lend you the service and more complex infrastructures such as urban areas respect due to a wise Lord, and I will not be able to require a degree of independence and resourcefulness escape this duty towards your will, but I will have to that a Blood Slave can not physiologically possess. remain in your power and protection until the end of the Given the nature of theInv estiture of a Vassal, itis nights.» not strange for a possible candidate to step up and From that moment on, the Vassal has full faculty make himself available for a possible choice. It is not to move within his domain, and is instructed by his unusual, especially for the Barons, to have ontheir Lord on the lastd etails - the most precious and desk a stack of missives some decades old (if not a few dangerous - concerning it. As long as he has not set centuries) in which Cainitesfrom all over Italysing up his Haven, for a maximum period of "the turn of their own praise inh ope of a summon. Given the a moon", he receives hospitality at the Haven of his high competition, the Lords can afford choose to Lord or, more frequently, a temporary safe place those among the aspiring Vassals more suitable for specially arranged. The Vassal spends the following their own needs and the area they would entrust nights transferring his assets andthe in them with. They also can take take theirtime establishment of all the bonds necessary for the evaluating the petitioners' precedents in the domains good management of the fief. As a consequence of of origin. this system, Verona diverges further from the This possibility is absent in a progeny, since it is not Camarilla courts. First of all ScaligerCainites possible to predict how much the Embrace can affect are necessarily required to pay attention to one's mind and ethics. Moreover, it's not unusual for the temporal interests of their territory, as a Vassal the missives to be accompanied by donations of some that neglects the management is quickly kind, be they jewels, information, works of art, slaves overridden by his more enterprising neighbors, or or anything else (money is considered too vulgar). his investiture is revoked by his Lord. For this Sometimes even access to exotic contacts of various reason, especially for those Cainites who have kinds or, in a few cases, the teaching of rare aspirations in the field of art or research such as Disciplines are promised as gifts. When the Lord Toreador and Tremere, it is necessary to rely on finally takes his decision,an epistolary exchange intermediaries and administrators who can begins (in the case of particularly progressive Cainites facilitate, if not manage fully, the administration of by e-mail or chat) in which he instructs the future all the different realities present in their fiefdom. As Vassal on Scaliger rules in detail and describes the a result of this, the rate of Ghouls for Cainite is terrain and urban infrastructures of which he will dramatically greater in the territories of Verona become responsible (but being careful not togive than normal. confidential information before the Investiture – a lesson learned after some fake aspirants have resold this information to the Lord's rivals.) When he's satisfied with the preparation of the chosen one, he organizes with his Baron the Investiture ceremony: during a reception organized in one of the Baron's salons, the Lord presents to his peers his new

VERONA BY NIGHT 19 The relations between the various feudal Lords are constantly tense, if not of open hostility. In addition to the natural inclination of these Cainites to expand their sphere of influence, it isn't uncommon for mortal infrastructures to naturally end up in someone else's territories. Because of the profound jealousy that the feudal Lords have towards their fiefs, relations will degenerate in an instant when this happens. In the past it was not rare that exchanges of goods and favors to balance these transformations of their territories were exploited for attacks and conspiracies. For this reason there are no longer any form of trust (necessary for a long-term diplomatic relationship), and in Verona the conspiracies, temporary alliances immediately broken and sabotage are the norm. Nominally the Lords remain sovereigns of the territory of their Vassals, and in fact they mantain total freedom of movement for themselves and their Ghouls. In reality, however, the Vassals, like their mortal counterpart, do not feel the need to keep their superiors informed about what happens, and their reports are therefore vague or deliberately inaccurate. The Barons, mindful of the Anarch Revolt, loathe the use of Blood Bonds. And given the absence of the informants par excellence, the Sewer Rats, and the impossibility of employing Obfuscated spies, the Lords must rely on the inspections they perform in person or, more often, made by their servants. Generally, if the district thrives in the desired direction, the Lord is satisfied and doesn't meddle in its government. Also, in the unfortunate event he is forced to revoke his Vassal's Investiture, there is no established procedure for the removal of the former Vassal from the territory, so his Lord will be forced to use personal resources to drive him out. The only case in which the feudal lords cooperate Alternatively he may grant the neighboring feudal with each other is when an unauthorized guest or Lords permission to divide the districts or entrust a hostile supernatural creatures such as werewolves new Vassal with the task of eliminating his invade the city. In this case, every feudal lord predecessor. aware of the menace's presence must inform as Fortunately, such cases don't happen frequently. In soon as possible his Baron, who subsequently fact, the wishes of a Lord and his Vassals are unlikely summons all the feudal lords under him and to be in total opposition. Conflicting feudal lords can, announces a Purge, with the aim of eliminating however, stir up possible differences, presenting the objective or capturing it so that it could be irrefutable evidence and witnesses to show a Vassal's interrogated and studied, according to the Baron's bad faith or unforgivable behavior, such as the will. A Cainite who hides such news or does not violation of Traditions or the practice of Infernalism. work hard enough to stop the problem becomes Given its effectiveness, this is the tactic most used for guilty of breaking the tradition of the Hermitage, the elimination of one's rivals. losing the Investiture and ending up at the mercy of the other feudal Lords.

VERONA BY NIGHT 20 The river formed some secondary branches, today no The City longer existing: near the Roman Theater, the Acqua With over 250 thousand inhabitants, the city known as Morta canal – so-called because of the the little Rome is the second largest city municipality in slow flow of its waters that progressively lost size the region after the capital, Venice, and the twelfth and speed in the periods following the Roman era – nationwide. A protagonist of local history since the first branched off from Adige. it rejoined the main river settlements in the Neolithic, the city sits along the near the Navi bridge: in this way, it formed the so- banks of the river Adige, where it enters the Po Valley called Isolo, a fluvial island made up of gravelly and forms a characteristic double meander, about thirty sediments, and the Adigetto, which was instead a kilometers east of the lake Garda. It is located 59 meters large moat widened in medieval times for defensive above sea level, at the foot of Lessini mountains' purposes, which branched off from the Adige just southern appendix, the San Pietro hill. It is also before Castelvecchio and bordered the municipal located in the only point where the southern alpine walls to the south, joining the Adige just downstream arch becomes convex near the 3 large concave of today's Aleardi bridge. In addition to these two arches at Cuneo, Varese and Udine. main branches, there were also the so-called vò, more In ancient times the city was a node in all the north- than seventy canals that guaranteed the exchange eastern Italy's land and water transport systems. At between water and inhabited area. the time of Romans, in fact, it was the meeting point of Characteristic were the mills, built on a platform or four consular roads: the Via Gallica, the Via Claudia floating pontoon, so as to be able to adapt to varying Augusta, the Vicum Veronensium and the Via water levels. On the pontoon were the paddle wheel Postumia. Even today Verona is an important and a wooden shed that housed the millstone, while geographical junction – road, rail and motorway – at the a bridge called peagno connected them to the shore. crossroads between the roads connecting central and Documented since the Middle Ages, many of them north-western Italy with the Brenner pass. As far as the were controlled by the various local monasteries, seismic risk is concerned, Verona is classified in zone 3, which in ancient times had the right to exploit the that is to say it has low seismicity, although there are river's waters. Groups of mills were located in historical particular in San Zeno, San Giorgio in Braida and in reports of serious earthquakes in the Middle Ages. Sottoriva. Their number increased throught the Today the Adige flows through Verona within the centuries to over 400 units during the nineteenth mighty muraglioni, embankments built after the 1882's century, and then fell significantly due to the terrible flood, to protect the city from other similar increasing industrialization of Verona, until their floods. Now the river simply crosses the city enclosed in total disappearance at the beginning of the twentieth its muraglioni, but until relatively recently Verona was a century. city particularly linked to its river – this because of the The flood of September 16, 1882, which invaded a many commercial and industrial activities its large part of the city destroying hundreds of houses, considerable flow rate allowed to carry out. The Adige two bridges and causing several victims, forced a was a communication route of primary importance, profound change in the structure of the waterways: navigable to Trento: it was used since ancient times for many public works were constructed in the the transport of goods, and its course was therefore 1882-1895 period and they permanentely changed served by landings, tollhouses, and towers used to the city's appearance. The riverbed of the Adige was support chains stretched from one side of the river to expanded and cleaned up; the so-called Muraglioni the other to block goods (in Verona the one upstream were built all along the city while the Adigetto and still exists, while the one downstream was lost), and from the Acqua Morta branches were buried. To reduce castles and forts. the river's flow in its urban route, was built the Once Verona and the villages facing the river had industrial channel Camuzzoni (dedicated to the an economy connected directly to the presence of water: homonymous mayor in charge from 1867 to 1883) along its banks were processed blocks of marble and which, starting from Chievo (where a bridgedam timber, which were then transported by its waters; there would be built in 1923), runs 7,5 km in a south- were shipyards, numerous floating mills, water scooters, easterly direction until it flows into the Adige river cargo depots, small industries and craft businesses. valley.

VERONA BY NIGHT 21 Verona is one of the major cities of art in Italy thanks to its artistic and archaeological treasures. Economy The city has a complex urban development, but In the Verona areath ere are numerous two walls accentuate the division between manufacturing districts, a fact that highlights the the Roman part and the modern one ('modern' versatility distinguishing provincial and city meaning up to the second half of the nineteenth economy, which isequally divided between century): on one side, the Roman walls industry, commerce, crafts,servic es, agriculture surrounding the city's heart between Porta Borsari, (especially in theprov ince) and tourism. The Porta Leoni and the walls of Gallieno; on the economy of the Verona area is mainly made upof other, the so-called inner ring road with its small to medium enterprises, evenif there is no Renaissance forts (completed under the Austrians). lack of big industries, for which Verona's interport In ancient Verona the work of restoration by plays a crucial role in the sorting ofinternational Cangrande della Scala is noticeable: the strong trade. The wine branch is considered the most visual impact given by the bricks' red color of the important of the Verona agrifood sector, splendid gothic palaces is tempered by the wise use considering that, at the provincial level, as much as of the ancient Roman white marble – this work, 40.5% of farms are dedicated to the cultivation of the result of the Scaliger policy of an ideal return wine grapes. Verona's vineyards are highly to imperial splendor. Hence the new marble urbs, specialized in the quality production, so muchso shining in the white paved area of Piazza delle that Verona has ten DOC wines and three DOCG Erbe, in which center stands out the Madonna wines, well differentiated thanks to the use of Verona's fountain, composed of parts native vines. The production's value of the city of coming from the ancient Roman baths. Verona compared to the province asa whole is (source: Italian Wikipedia) about 15%. Even the fruit and vegetable sector is an important reality, involving a large number of companies in the primary sector (especially in the province) and numerous companies that are dedicated to the processing, conservation and marketingof products (especially in the city). The strength of this sector is due in particular to its organization (producers, processors, trade and markets) and infrastructure. Of remarkable fame is the classic furniture ofthe Verona area, whose production activity is characterized by the presence of small andvery small craft enterprises, highly different from each other, that resort to specialized subcontractors for the various production phases. This artisanal and artistic ability provides a strongadv antage over Venetian and Italian competition. About 5% of these companies have moved their production from the Verona area to the capital, especially those that need less skilled labor and who obtain advantages from the greater presence of infrastructures. Verona is renownedabov e all for goldsmith's workshops, metalworking and silverware production. (source: Italian Wikipedia)

VERONA BY NIGHT 22 The excavation of marble inth e Verona area has and greater investment in work organization); the very ancient origins, as shown by the Roman marble family-run nature of the companies, which monuments of the city, made of Rosso diVerona therefore have a lean organization that speeds up marble and Rosadel Garda marble. This adaptation times during construction. A last production district is distributedbetween peculiarity is the intermediate passage, in the Valpolicella, Lessinia and Valpantena, and toa distribution, through the wholesaler. lesser extent in the capital (about1 0% of the value In Verona and Verona's province there are of production). The industrial district of Verona is numerous companies producing machines and the main Italian hub for the processing ofmarble mechanical appliances, in particular: machines and granite, and is even the most important in the specialized in the production of scales, automatic world for the production of agglomerates,covering machines for sale and distribution, machines for 80% of world production. The processing of marble the chemical industries, for specific uses, for the here has a long tradition and diffusion: has it food industry, for handling and lifting, machine generated important skills andknowled ge, and tools and equipment for refrigeration and therefore a high quality of products, even if at the ventilation, machines for the plastics and rubber beginning of the 21st century competition with industry, for printing and binding, for the new realities, in particular China, India, Brazil and manufacture of molds, and finally machines for Turkey was felt. the agricultural and mining sectors. The agri-food sector in Verona represents very a The activities linked to the press have originated important economic branch, and involves many in Verona in 1472, when the first book was agricultural, artisan and (especially in the capital) printed. The start-up of the printing and paper food industries, which deal with the production, industry took place between the end of the processing, marketing and distribution of food nineteenth century and the beginning of the products, in addition to training industry and twentieth century: in particular, milestones were research workers. Particularly strong is the the foundation of the Cartiere Fedrigoni in 1888 export of meat and meat products, preparations and and the start of the activity of Arnoldo preserves of fruit and vegetables, dairy products and Mondadori in 1917, who in 1921 inaugurated a ice creams. Among the food major and large plant, which developed further in the confectionery industries there are those headed by seventies and eighties. The district, strongly Giovanni Rana and three companies that owe their concentrated in the city and its surroundings, is fortune above all to a typical Veronese dessert,the today configured as a complex system of large, pandoro, ie Bauli, Paluani and Melegatti. Zueggis medium and small enterprises, the latter excellent of great importance in thepreservation sector for in specific segments. In addition to this type of the production of fruit juices, jams andsemi- company, there are also today visual finished products based on fruit and vegetables for communication operators. The banking-insurance the industry, which has its own production plant sector is very important, with leading companies and group headquarters in Verona. at national level, such as Cattolica Assicurazioni Also important are the footwear fashion and and Banco Popolare, which has become the districts. The footwear industry, a discovery of the largest bank in Italy thanks to the merger between nineties, is mainlyconcentrated in Verona, Banco Popolare di Verona e Novara Group and Bussolengo and San Giovanni Ilarione, even though Banca Popolare Italiana. most of the major companies have now delocalized The Veronese companies in the ICT sector, that production, moving from manufacturing companies is information, communication and technology, to tertiary companies. are concentrated almost entirely in the city, and The textile-clothing sector in Verona shows some are made up of numerous small and very small peculiarities: the strong specialization, which companies and a few large companies. Most of involves the production of garments in the course these companies are service providers, and in a of the season, based on products that have already smaller part suppliers of electronic and electrical achieved some success on the national market (this equipment. choice leads to less investment in the design field

VERONA BY NIGHT 23 The complex system of logistics, transport and transport organization in general is very important Urbanism for Verona. In particular, the city's logistics district Verona's town planning bases its origins in has developed thanks to the positioning within the the Roman city, of which it preserves the urban Quadrante Europa of private railway operators and fabric. Verona develops in different periods: we to the reorganization projects by Ferrovie dello can distinguish the medieval historical center, in Stato – things that had led to the recognition of which there are also more recent palaces Verona interport's importance of in the railway and (Renaissance, eighteenth and nineteenth intermodal rail transport segment. Verona's century buildings); the neighborhoods of logistics system finds its reference entity in the Veronetta and San Zeno entirely composed of historic ZAI Consortium. The Veronese interport is buildings from the Middle Ages; some external the most important in Italy, a record derived from areas outside the walls which are the sites of villas several aspects: having the highest number of and palaces in Baroque style; employees, being at the center of all the main the industrial area of Borgo Roma, built between transport infrastructures, offering numerous the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; and services, owning customs, having 110 companies finally the modern city that arose without inside. affecting this fabric. An important exhibition district is that of the Verona can boast of having five walls built in Verona fair, founded in 1898, and now an different eras and still visible: international reality. The fair is held at the -in some places are still visible the city walls of Veronafiere complex, in the industrial area of the imperial Roman times, of which only the ruins city. The complex has a total area of 350,000 m², of remain; which 122,000 m² divided among 12 pavilions, and -from the Aleardi bridge to Piazza Bra, the 13th hosts over 1,100,000 visitors a year, many coming century wall is well preserved, with three towers, from abroad. The main trade fairs held at among which the best known is the pentagon Veronafiere are Fieragricola, the oldest fair, present tower of the Bra gates; since 1898, the Fieracavalli, Job & Orienta, -on the San Pietro hill the Scaliger walls remain, dedicated to orientation, school, training and work, with fifteen towers; Marmomac, the most important international trade -the embankments of the outermost walls raised fair in the marble sector , and Vinitaly, one of the by the Venetians, and some bastions; world's biggest wine fairs, meeting point for -the walls, the ramparts and numerous forts built winemakers and wine lovers. Finally, in Verona by the Austrians, still almost completely intact. there are two hospitals, centers of excellence for During the Roman domination in Verona were many disciplines, the "G. Rossi" University Hospital built two city walls: one of the late Republican and Ospedale period and little known, and another, more well Civile Maggiore. preserved and famous, the so-called walls of Gallienus, built on Emperor Gallienus' order in 265 to defend the city from the Alemanni. The Republican belt was more than 900 meters long, and had a segment oriented in a northwest- southeast direction and the other oriented in a north-southwest direction, where Borsari and Porta Leoni were respectively opened. Inside Verona, developed the forum, corresponding to today's Piazza delle Erbe, on the sides of which were the Campidoglio, the basilica and various public buildings.

VERONA BY NIGHT 24 In the eleventh century, the city walls of the hill towards the east were widened by Arduino d'Ivrea, to better defend Verona against the emperor Henry II. Between 1194 and 1224, the city wall south of the city was built along a natural depression, which was later used as a moat. Subsequently the Ghibelline Ezzelino da Romano restored the walls, and built a more sturdy one three meters inside the older one. Alberto I della Scala had the east and north walls widened, reinforcing them with numerous watchtowers. Shortly thereafter, Cangrande built huge military works: the northern part was fortified, with a city wall comprising twenty-four towers and four gates, and, practically at the same time, the walls to the south were widened towards the country, creating the route Verona's Austrian walls follow today. Between 1509 and 1517, Verona was subjugated by Maximillian I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and upon their return the Venetians decided to renew the walls of Verona: the first works began in 1523, with the demolition of the southern scaligere walls, in which places some bastions and washers sprang up instead. With the arrival of the Austrians in the early nineteenth century, the walls underwent maintenance works. The first works on defenses occurred from 1830 to 1840, when the ramparts were rebuilt and numerous forts were built, giving rise to a vast network of fortifications. After the first war of independence of '48-'49 the works became even more complex, especially on the western front, where the dangerous kingdom of Sardinia was growing. From 1848 to 1852 the first circle of forts was built: Chievo, Croce Bianca, San Zeno, San Massimo, Fenilone, Santa Lucia, Forte Palio, Porta Nuova, the fort Spianata, the Tombetta tower and Forte Santa Caterina. Later a second outer belt was added: Fort Ca Bellina, Parona, Lugagnano, Dossobuono, Azzano, Tomba, San Michele and Forte Cà Vecchia. In 1859 Austria lost Lombardy in favor of the future kingdom of Italy, so it decided to create an entire fortified region, the socalled quadrilateral.

VERONA BY NIGHT 25 Until the nineteenth century the city grew At Porta Vescovo was the end of the tram system within its walls, but with the arrival of the which had the main stretch in the Verona-Caldiero- new century and the industrialization, Verona San Bonifacio line and which was in operation slowly began to lose the role of fortress that had between 1881 and 1958. been given to it. The first modern quarters of Subsequently these trams were replaced by extra- Verona to be born were Borgo Trento, born in the urban trolley lines, whose service lasted until the first loop that the Adige forms in the city, and eighties. The urban and interurban mobility of Borgo Roma in the south, where the first industries Verona is carried out with car services managed by were born. The other districts instead began to the Verona Transport Company. develop after World War II, without affecting Between 1884 and 1951, the central element of the the historical urban fabric, but growing in the still Scaliger transport system consisted of the tramway free spaces. network, built by two lines that connected, in Verona is a motorway junction intersecting the A4 addition to Borgo Trento, all the city's stations. Milan-Venice, with exits to Verona Est and Verona Between 1937 and 1975 the city was served by a Sud and the A22 Brennero motorway, with exit at trolleybus network. The funicular of Castel San Verona Nord. Pietro, inaugurated in March 2017, was completed Verona is also reached by the National Road 434 by the city transport system. Transpolesana, which connects it with Rovigo, from The Municipality has a network of bike lanes, and the State Road 11 Padana Superiore connecting since 2012 a bike sharing service is active. A new Turin to Venice, from the State Road 12 of trolleybus network is planned, which after some Abetone and the Brennero connecting Pisa to the internal scandals can now satisfy the city's need for Brennero pass and the national road 62 of the Cisa greater mobility. that connects Verona to Sarzana. The city is served The main airport of the city is Valerio Catullo by a ring road system, the Tangenziale Ovest, the airport in Villafranca di Verona. To the north of Tangenziale Sud and the Tangenziale Est. the municipal area is the airport of Verona- Into Verona railway junction flow the Brennero Boscomantico, used for events and tourist flights. railway line, the Verona-Bologna line, the Milan- (source: Italian Wikipedia) Venice railway, the Verona-Mantova-Modena railway and the Verona-Rovigo regional Verona's Districts line. Administratively the municipal territory is divided The city is served by the Porta Nuova station, into eight administrative districts. For among the 13 major Italian stations, the main toponomastic and statistical purposes they are passenger facility, by Porta Vescovo station, where divided into 23 blocks, further divided into an important maintenance plant is located, and by homogeneous areas (in brackets) Cà di David smaller station. The Parona District 1: Old Town station, on the Brenner line, was suppressed. Freight 1. Città antica trains are mainly directed to the Quadrante Europa. 2. Cittadella (Pontiere, Valverde) Between 1889 and 1959 was active Verona-Caprino- 3. San Zeno (San Zeno, San Bernardino) Garda railway, which had terminus at the 4. Veronetta (San Giovanni in Valle, San Paolo, abandoned station of Porta San Giorgio. Santo Stefano, Veronetta centro) Verona was also, in the past, at the center of a vast District 2: Nord-ovest system of extra-urban tramways. From the Porta Nuova area originated the Verona-Albaredo- 10. Borgo Trento (Arsenale, Cesiolo) Coriano tramway, operational between 1898 and 11. Valdonega (San Mattia, Valdonega) 1925, which was involved in an integrated transport 18. Ponte Crencano (Ponte Crencano est, Ponte experiment concerning the construction of a large Crencano ovest) river port on the Adige, near Albaredo. 30. Avesa (Avesa centro, Avesa collina) 38. Parona (Parona, Saval di Parona) 39. Quinzano (Quinzano centro, Quinzano collina, Saval di Quinzano)

VERONA BY NIGHT 26 District 3: Ovest District 8: Nord-est 16. Borgo Milano (Borgo Milano centro, Borgo 31. Quinto (Marzana, Poiano, Quinto centro) Nuovo, Chievo, Navigatori, Porta Nuova, San 32. Santa Maria in Stelle (Novaglie, Santa Procolo, Spianà, Stadio) Maria in Stelle centro) 37. San Massimo (Basson, Croce Bianca, La Sorte, 33. Mizzole (Cancello, Mizzole centro, Moruri, San Massimo centro) Pigozzo, Trezzolano) District 4: Sud-ovest 34. Montorio (Casermette di Montorio, 15. Santa Lucia (Santa Lucia, Quadrante nord-est, Montorio centro, Olivè, Ponte Florio) Quadrante sud-est, Z.A.I. Santa Lucia) 17. Golosine (Golosine nord, Golosine sud) In addition to the historic core (district 1) and District 5: Sud modern blocks (Borgo Trento, Valdonega, Ponte 14. Borgo Roma (Genovesa-Gelmetto, La Rizza, Crencano, Borgo Milan, Santa Lucia, Golosine, Palazzina, Pestrino, Polidore, Primo Maggio, Tomba, Borgo Roma, Borgo Venezia and Porto San Tombetta, Z.A.I. Borgo Roma) Pancrazio), today Verona's city includes also 36. Cadidavid (Cadidavid centro, Marchesino) the hamlets of San Massimo and San District 6: Est Michele. The hamlets of Avesa, Parona, 12. Borgo Venezia (Biondella, Borgo Venezia Quinzano, Cadidavid, Mizzole, Montorio, Quinto centro, Fincato, San Felice Extra, Santa Croce) and Santa Maria in Stelle are still not District 7: Sud-est incorporated, as well as the minor towns of 13. Porto San Pancrazio (Porto San Pancrazio Basson, Madonna di Dossobuono, Marzana, centro, Porto San Pancrazio sud Novaglie, Nesente, Palazzina, Poiano, Ponte 35. San Michele (Casotti, Frugose, Madonna di Florio, San Felice Extra and Sezano. Campagna, Mattozze, Molini, San Michele centro)

VERONA BY NIGHT 27

Chapter Three Verona’s Districts

What a strange effect this rebelling of hills, these walls now steep, now blunt, the differences in altitude, sometimes barely perceptible. All of a subtle sensitivity completely hidden from the profane eye. The portal of a fortress, divided into three parts, amazes us with its acroterium and its grandeur. -Walter Benjamin Old Town ittà Antica, Cittadella, Over the centuries, successive and distinct Veronetta e San Zeno epochs (Roman, Romanesque, medieval- The area of Old Town of Scaliger, Renaissance-Venetian and Austrian) Verona, nominated in the year and the different forms of art and architecture 2000 World Heritage by have contributed to the development of the UNESCO, covers an area of city, giving rise to an urban and architectural 452.9 hectares. significance of universal relevance. Thisc area, enclosed within the Mura Magistrali, Substantially ignored by the Cainite society includes practically the entire fortified city to the west throughout the Roman era, during which its and to the east of the Adige. The heart of the city attention was focused on the dominance of consists of the Roman city, built in the bend of the Rome, a turning point was the alternation of river. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, this the Lombard monarchy. In the period part of the city stretched slightly to the west. immediately preceding the annexation to the Later, the Scaligers rebuilt the walls to include a Holy Roman Empire there was a particular much larger area to the west and another large area attention by the local government regarding on the eastern bank of the river, and the the pernicious influence of the Kindred: armed extension of the citycenter remained essentially guards did their best to patrol swamps, mounds the same untilth e twentieth century. and aqueducts, as well as the ancient courts of It represents a cultural heritage ofuniversal value: it the classical era - all plausible shelters for local is an exceptional place for its history, works of art, the Cainites. This situation, coupled with the universality and uniqueness of its fame. The Roman boycott by the barbarian nobility of the power period system has been preserved and enhanced bases of local vampires, forced the latter to through the centuries, since it representsa cultural move away from the kingdom, and to asset of original and unique relevance. communicate to Rome Kindred their concerns.

VERONA BY NIGHT 29 But before Roman vampires could intervene (a The state oversees all cultural buildings, very remote possibility anyway, given the monuments, museums, collections and indolence that struck them in those centuries), archives, through ad hoc institutions. These Charlemagne descended with his armies include surveillance for the protection of conquering the regions, and the Frankish Cainites places and historic buildings (Superintendence infiltrated in the armies settled in the area, of environmental and architectural heritage), without finding any trace of violation of Caine's the archaeological heritage of Veneto Sixth Tradition. Since then, the Ventrue Princes (Superintendence for the archaeological during the medieval-Scaliger era first, the two heritage of Veneto) and historic and artistic Barons later contributed to the city's growth, properties of Veneto (Superintendence for providing funds where necessary and eliminating artistic and historical heritage of the Veneto). potential obstacles that could have prevented the These institutions are firmly in the hands of realization of the various projects, especially the Baron Lucrezia through her placing her own ones coming from ecclesiastical and academic men in directors' boards. This power is powers. counterbalanced by the influence that Baron From an administrative point of view, the center is Montecchi has on the university experts to currently divided into four quarters: Città Antica, whom the superintendencies refer. The in the center, Citadella in the south, San Zeno in municipality is responsible for monitoring the the north and Veronetta in the east of the river. application of planning rules and the The area has a population of about 31,000 protection of the historic city, and is one of inhabitants out of a total of 254,000. the few places where the rules of territoriality In the north of Italy, Verona is one of the richest are not fully applied, as all the feudal lords of cities with regard to Roman remains, including Old Town (the two Barons, the Ventrue the amphitheater, the Roman Theater and the Orsino and the Brujah Tommaso da Vico) doors. It also has a large number of monuments have influence within the institution, and it's dating back to the Middle Ages and the one of the most fierce fighting sites in the Renaissance, such as the Romanesque church of district. These battles are conducted in ways San Zeno, with its brick and marble facade, its that could rival the best plots of Byzantine magnificent marble portico and a triptych by politics: since directly enslaving public officials Andrea Mantegna. The heart of Verona is made isn't advisable, due to the very short up of Piazza delle Erbe (with its picturesque duration of their assignments compared to vegetables market) and Piazza dei Signori, the influences of the feudal lords, the plots surrounded by historic buildings including the are interwoven through the actions of Town Hall, the Government Palace, Loggia del secondary and tertiary employees such as Consiglio, the Arche Scaligere and the Domus archivists, secretaries and consultants. Even if Nova. Piazza Bra is dotted with examples of they do not have a real decision-making classical and Renaissance architecture. capacity within the councils, in fact, they have a remarkable ability to facilitate or hinder every single procedure within the municipality. All this, of course, under the eye of the citizens, who consider these movements as simple powerplays between political and non-political lobbies. If necessary, in particular if the proceedings take place in the peripheral fiefdoms, the feudal lords may delegate some work to minor Vassals. This may represent a chance to ingratiate the ciry's Elders, even if the dangers are many and these favors are as ephemeral as air.

VERONA BY NIGHT 30 The city, which receives about 1.5 million tourists, Regardless of the place, however, all kinds of well distributed throughout the year, has a solid services will always be available at these events, structure for visitor management. Because of the including Vitae reserves of various kinds (always long evolution of the historic city within the walls, in glasses: drinking from the source is the social structure within the center is extremely considered bad taste on these social occasions). complex, and within it you can meet exponents of Popular practice is also providing, as all social classes in their daily activities, especially in entertainment, interlocutors on the most varied the district of San Zeno. For this reason, despite the topics, from the latest news in fashion and archaic structure of the court, there is no real finance up to philosophical considerations on demarcation between what were once called High recently designed Paths of Enlightment: such Clans and Low Clans. In particular, San Zeno hosts experts can be of any kind, from mortals numerous Malkavian feuds. mesmerized to forget everything at the end of There is no real Elisyum in Verona, but the Barons the night to Sabbat Noddists – as long as they often issue parties to which many of the Veronese follow the instructions of the landlord, they lords are invited to discuss the city's situation. The enjoy his protection, regardless of who they are. invitation to the parties is an index of the feudal The participants, for their part, attend lord's favor within the Veronese system: a with their own personal court, made up of the Cainite who discovers that he has not received one most trusted Ghouls or those who manage the will hurry, if he's wise, to check his resources and issues addressed during the party. Ironically, in contacts, because it's a first sign that he could be fact, in these parties most of the participants deauthorized are indeed Ghouls, so much that a Camarilla shortly – if not directly eliminated from guest once claimed, scandalized, that in Verona the scene. Curiously, the theme of these parties the roles were reversed: the servants rule varies continuously, depending on the period and while the masters act as mere facade. This is not the events that have emerged in the meantime. The true, but certainly the Ghouls have more only fixed point is that, despite being rather formal freedom than normal, and often find occasions, even taking into account the age of the themselves talking to the Cainites of the feuds Barons, certainly there is neither the static to establish agreements and maintain ceremoniality of the Camarillic courts, nor the relationships, even if the deference due is pomposity and excesses of the Sabbat events. maintained in every situation, even when there The closest thing to these parties is a multinational is disagreement. company's meeting: sometimes common issues that affect different sectors are addressed; sometimes some disagreements are settled (when at least a peaceful resolution is wanted – a rather rare but necessary event when the clash arrives at the point of threatening to break City Traditions); sometimes simply are presented achievements and news of public utility, such as rediscovered works of art, ancient documents restored or the introduction of tools and technologies that can facilitate the work of all (although in the latter case, in particular for the Elders, the bystanders nod with an empty look and leave the task of assimilating the concepts to their Ghouls). These parties usually take place on a monthly basis, as none of the major Lords want to look bad in front of the others, and rooms in historic buildings such as Palazzo Camozzini and Palazzo della Gran Guardia are often reserved for such occasions.

VERONA BY NIGHT 31 The Love Well Near a courtyard next to the small Church of San Marco, not far from Piazza delle Erbe, there is a small well. A well known legend is told in the city about it, which tells of a guard of the Holy Roman Empire under Maximillian I, Corrado of San Bonifazio, who fell in love with a young woman, Isabella Donati, famous for being as cold as ice. One day, in the courtyard, he accused her of being "as cold as the water of the well in that courtyard". Isabella didn't get Verona, in addition to being a historic city and rich agitated at all those harsh words and, on the contrary, in monuments, has also become an attraction for not satisfied with the numerous frustrations inflicted shopping over the years. It is in fact a natural on Corrado's heart, she wanted to throw down to him shopping center, a real open-air arcade, with one last challenge: "Corrado, try to jump in the well countless shops and activities, placed in a historic and maybe you'll find it colder than ice". She did not context of great importance. The streets of the have to repeat it twice: he immediately threw himself center are home to different realities, including into the well, towards certain death. Isabella, who historic shops, shops of the most prestigious brands until then had not shown the slightest emotion, was of clothing, souvenir shops and taverns. The stunned by the gesture and, finally realizing her historic and famous shopping and walking street is feelings for the jumper, she too threw herself down Via Mazzini, which, since it was built in the the well, following her lover. Like in many other Visconti age, connects Piazza delle Erbe with Piazza legends, there is something true. In this case, as for Bra. The street was called "Via Nuova" and kept the the story of Romeo and Juliet, the legend refers to an same name until 1907 when it was dedicated to event that really happened. Isabella in fact was a Giuseppe Mazzini. Several of these activities are in Lasombra Neonate, instructed by her Sire in the Path under management of or belonging to one or more of Night, but that despite all the education received feudal lords – in case they do not fully correspond and the privations of unlife, was starting to doubt to the territory granted to a single Vassal – and are whether or not it was really the right path. Corrado, used both as a source of influence in the city and as who was one of her Ghouls, saw her discomfort: a hunting ground, without obviously the Kine despite his status, the feeling that the Blood Bond had realizing what happen to them. In the historical infused inside him led the human to intervene for the center there are also the main city institutions' welfare of his domitor, despite the risk. The Lasombra offices: they can be public, as the prefecture or the punished her servant with cold efficiency, indignant registry office; cultural, as the university of for his boldness, but this did not stop the Ghoul, who Veronetta; financial services, such as the chamber was seriously worried about the soul of his lady: he of commerce; religious, as the seat of the Diocese of continued to present his grievances, accepting the Verona. Of particular importance are the consequences every time with a smile on his lips, in headquarters of the many different foundations: hope that his determination would touch Isabella's originally they were born exclusively for heart. One evening, finally, took place the scene humanitarian or cultural purposes but, considering described in the legend, which culminated with the the multiple links with the political, financial and ghoul who performed the ultimate gesture to show his economic realities, in addition to the considerable complete loyalty to his mistress. Isabella was extremely sums that are able to move, they soon became the traumatized by the event, and it's said she abandoned true fulcrum of power in the city, if not even on a the Path of Night to return to follow Humanity. Since regional or national level. Examples are the Arena then the Ghouls whisper the rumor that, if one of foundations, the San Zeno foundation and the G. them carry out by his own will and with extreme Toniolo foundation. It is therefore not surprising conviction the same gesture of Corrado, the miracle that multiple officials are directly or indirectly could be repeated and the domitor could regain part servants of different feudal lords of Old Town.

VERONA BY NIGHT 32 of the humanity he has lost. Over the centuries, the place has become a The Book of Command pilgrimage site by many Golconda scholars, The Arena building, due to the considerable including some Monitors of the mysterious attention it receives continuously from both a Inconnu: one of the Elders of this sect has hinted tourist and cultural point of view, has been that this place is under their protection – one of the nominated by Baron Lucrezia as an Off Limits few times that these Cainites have openly took area for all the Cainites, if not for attending action within a Domain. opera: any action taken therein, in fact, would have a ten times greater risk of breaking the Masquerade than in the rest of Old Town. The building, however, in history has always had importance for the Kindred, in particular for some of the protagonists of the Italian scene, now marginalized in Verona: the Giovanni. When they were still a family of deadly necromancers, inside the Arena in Roman times they realized some of their most important rituals in the form of venatio, a hunting performance carried out for funeral purposes, handed down to the present day by the letters of Plinio the Younger. Some Necromancers asked in these nights permission to access the basement of the building to study any clues about ancient lost Necromancy rituals, but the Baron has always denied until now. Other legends claim that inside it Charlemagne defeated the Longobard King Desiderio, burying him in the ruins of the amphitheater, but no one has ever found traces in this regard, and neither thaumaturgical rites nor the psychometry provided by the Auspex Discipline allow to watch the scene with only a minimum of clarity: the emotions and violence of the moment disturb the perception of the event. Later, the structure was used as an Inquisition's command center, from which the fires were raised on which the Cainites mixed with heretics were burned. Finally, there is rumours of a secret passage that can be accessed from an unidentified point under the stands, which crosses the Adige underground and arrives under the Castle of Montorio, on the hill of Montorio Veronese. This dungeon opens into a secret crypt, inside which, protected by arcane seals and traps of unknown provenance, there is a tome known simply as "The Book of Command". On this book there are only conjectures: it could be a set of notes in the First Language, impressed by the Antediluvian Ventrue in person, about some secret facets of the Dominate and Presence Disciplines, or a tome of Demonology including part of the True Name of different

VERONA BY NIGHT 33 demons of medium level. Of course, many would pay any price for the power that such a tome could give, Venatore or to destroy the source of such craving. Therefore Some nights, along the less frequented streets of the Baron constantly receives pressures about it. She, the city, appears a small bookshop specialized in whether they are suppliant Tremere Elders or ancient tomes and occultism. Nobody amateur thaumaturges, continues to refuse remembers if it was there before, and several investigations in this direction, and this has aroused witnesses claim to have entered it from different the suspicion of many, both among the Archons of paths, often at a great distance from each other. Josia, and the Sabbat Inquisition. His curator, a Brujah named Venatore, claims to be an expert on many occult traditions, and can provide information on legends and artifacts as Verona's Rib well as fragments of ancient documents and On the north-east side of Piazza delle Erbe, under an rituals – for the right price. If someone is in fact arch, hang a huge rib, a cause of superstition for the able to satisfy his exorbitant requests, he does citizens of Verona who avoid, wherever they can, to not hesitate to offer his direct assistance in the stay too long under it and go away as soon as possible supernatural field. Anyone who has had making warding gestures. The origin of that bone has anything to do with him can testify about his been lost in the minds of mortals, in particular indisputable arcane expertise, even though he following the disinformation work pursued by the can't confirm precisely what he did or even his Barons over the centuries. For them, in fact, now it's appearance. It seems, in fact, that anything just an old whale rib that served as a sign for a spice concerning his person, his actions and the store shop. itself remains indistinct in the memory of those Actually, it's all that remains of the protector of the who have met him. He claims to have been a Nosferatu nests in the underground, an enormous Vassal since time immemorial, even if the name two-headed nutria ghoul three-meter long. of his Lord has been forgotten: it has been When Anguane appeared, the beast went into a blind hypothesized that he probably died long ago and fury that drove it out of the sewers, and that the documents attesting the Investiture have made it attack bystanders, shredding them to pieces. been lost. The Veronese Tremere have The town garrison lost many men in an attempt to continually tried to identify Venatore, both to stop it, until a minor friar, of unknown identity, have more information about him and to confronted the monster. Holding the crucifix in his eliminate his awkward (for them) presence, but hands and uttering only "I forgive you", he they have never been able to find him, finding surrendered to its jaws, being torn apart. At that themselves every time entangled in a web of moment his remains reverberated with light, and the unconfirmed rumors and secrecy. A mercenary beast first stopped, and then collapsed to the ground occultist who isn't tied to the Warlocks is dead, enveloped in white flames. Only the rib convenient for everyone. remained, which was hoisted as a talisman to ward off Sometimes he's sighted outside the city, in other other similar monsters. Venetian domains, where he carries out commissions especially for the Anarchs, and it seems he had been also seen to speak with the legendary Cobra Rosso.

VERONA BY NIGHT 34 unsuccessful move on the part of the Cainite: for Lucrezia Montecchi every advice Lucrezia whispered in the ear of the elderly man, a whole series of contingent events Baron of Città Antica presented themselves that made the action not he Montecchi family is a only useless to the interests of the Sambonifacio, mercantile potentate since Roman but sometimes put them in a bad light, times, when it was involved in the strengthening the position of the Montecchi. The trade of large quantities of goods Toreador vented her frustration against her between the various Roman servant, but she defended herself saying that she provinces. Coming from Vicenza, had followed her domitor's instructions to the precisely from the territories of letter and implied, very covertly, that the blame for Montecchiot Precalcino, the family moved to the city of the incident was solely Biancofiore's on Verona during the Dark Ages, and immediately settled inability to understand town's politics, making her among the major citizens, influencing urban politics even more furious. Meanwhile, the Ghoul did not and entering into competition with other noble limit herself to the functions of her role, but she families, particularly the Sambonifacio. The political exploited her new vision of the world to struggle, as was customary at the time, often became understand the finesse and traditions of the violent, sometimes coming to fights in the street Cainite world, and with great caution began to between vassals and families' employees, who were cultivate relationships with other protagonists of left dead and wounded in the streets. Occasionally, the Scaliger Court, in particular those of Low these clashes took on amore subtle form instead, Clans. When Biancofiore decided to tighten the and they also influenced activities that should be noose around her ghoul's neck and end their separated from factionalism and partyism, at least relationship, she found herself victim of an in words. It was as the consequence of such an event ambush by a coterie of Malkavian whoaccused that Lucrezia entered the Jihad. At the time, Lucrezia her, with plenty of evidence, of having sold some was a woman almost thirty years old, a widow of a of them to what were the first signs of the nascent minor noble who died in the battle of Cortenuova Inquisition. against the Swabians, and mother of two children. This betrayal violated the traditions, and therefore Although still attractive, she was now considered the Court authorized the Sons of Malkav to give too old for a new marriage, and therefore she was the Final Death to the Toreador as they saw fit. entrusted with the task of looking after the primary When she was gagged and bleeding like a veal to needs of the patriarch of the family, Giuliano, who still the slaughterhouse, Biancofiore finally understood managed family's policy and business despite his the double play that her ghoul had designed from venerable age, but showed the signs ofage the beginning, especially when she appeared in the especially in daily affairs. A Cainite who supported the building where the execution was taking place cause of the Sambonifacio, the Toreador Biancofiore and was in turn bled by the Primogen from Ravenna, wanted to create disagreements within Malkavian, giving her the Embrace using the the Montecchi to weakenth eir influence, and made blood of her owndomitor. She finally realized the most of the matron's usual nocturnal prayers at the her own folly when Lucrezia,awakened like church of Santa Teuteria and Tosca. She approached Cainite, with a grim smile on her face, rushed on the woman on the journey between the chapel and the her, ripping out her very soul and taking all Montecchi mansion, andshe swindled her by that she had accumulated over the years. exploiting her pride and her resentment forthe difficulties in dealing with the desires and whims of a man with one foot inth e grave. While showing a certain resistance at the beginning, Madonna Lucrezia yielded to the flattery of the stranger, their encounters repeating each night fora month, and finally she became Biancofiore's ghoul. The enslavement of the matron, however, soon turned outto be an

VERONA BY NIGHT 35 Prince Orso, having learned of the pact between the were flanked by him and other Cainites, Cassandras and the ghoul, greatly appreciated the thwarting the forces of Lucrezia and getting to foresight and political sharpness of the Montecchi, the point to outclass them thanks to their own even going as far as to assert that if things had not war experience. After the Veronese defeat, a gone as they went he would have considered to large part of the Montecchi family was forced Embrace her within his own clan. He therefore gave into exile under the guise of an attack against her the position of Primogen of the Clan of the Roses, the Scaligers, and most of their possessions with the utmost contempt and disdain for the were assimilated by the Cappelletti. These, in remaining Aesthetes. Despite this, Lucrezia fully used fact, imposed, as part of the conditions of her ambition and her intelligence to strengthen her surrender, to the Della Scala to be accepted position within the city, and within a few decades among the city's notables, and to Prince Orso subverted or eliminated the opposition within her to accept Giovanni as the new Primogen Clan, assuming the dominance not only in name but Lasombra in his court, as the agreement also in fact. She deepened relations and gathered between the mercenary and Aliprando stated. favors with all the potentates both Cainite and mortal Lucrezia never forgave Giovanni and the within the city, and took the opportunity to guide and Cappelletti, or as they were called in the local support her family, as she had done since she received dialect, the Capuleti, and this was the the first drop of Vitae from her domitor. None of the beginning of the feud between the two future family members were aware of the influence of their Barons and their families. Despite the loss of ancestor, but many Montecchi servants and employees prestige (or perhaps thanks to this) Lucrezia were ghouls under the orders of Madonna Lucrezia, managed to survive more or less unharmed the providing information and warning their masters of Anarch Revolt, but the destruction of Prince possible dangers through random chattering or Orso presented a particularly difficult situation creating rumors. Unfortunately for her, the ruin of for the Veronese Court. His protege, Orsino, her family came from the outside. possessed neither the skill nor the support In the XIV century, the Republic of Venice, following necessary to take his place. He therefore stood the excessive expansion of the Veronese Lordship, apart from the struggle for power. The two formed the antiscaliger league along with other Italian main candidates for the role of Prince were rulers and republics, and gave battle against Verona. Lucrezia on one hand, who even though she The Montecchi, under the guidance of Lucrezia, gave had lost many resources maintained the other support to the Scaligers by wreaking havoc over their Primogens' respect, and Giovanni Capuleti, opponents. In fact, while Prince Orso made with the who gained enormous power following the surrounding domains' courts a pact of strenuous defense of the Court during the nonintervention in the troubles of kine, promising to uprising and having publicly rejected the maintain total neutrality, the Toreador did not feel decision of a good part of his Clan to rebel involved in this treaty and exploited all her resources against the established order. The local and abilities to support the war, with the goal of Cainites divided more or less equally between consequently gaining dominance over the other noble the two factions, and neither side was willing families of Verona in the aftermath of victory. The to accept a compromise or to support a third Prince Aliprando of Venice, however, did not sit on candidate. For a few decades there was a his hands. Suspecting the Veronese Primogen's trick situation of pure anarchy, with extremely to circumvent the treaty, but not being able to move violent clashes between the servants of the two directly to counterbalance the forces, he sent a letter factions, and even if nominally Verona agreed with a proposal for collaboration to one of his Clan to join the Thorns Convention, in practice it brother, a Dalmatian settled in the court of Cremona. did not accept any interference in its own He had the command and support of a regiment of internal affairs. The situation reached its peak highly experienced mercenaries, the Cappelletti. Such when the bodies of two youths belonging to Lasombra, Giovanni, accepted Aliprando's the two noble families were found. The assignment, and on one hand the Cappelletti officially following night, the rivals met personally, and joined the army of the League, on the other the troops they accused each other of the massacre.

VERONA BY NIGHT 36 Soon they came to the physical battle, but major feudal lords of Old Town are studying immediately stopped, realizing an inexplicable countermoves to avoid being excluded from the situation. Each of the two Cainites in fact perceived game. A Vassal who aspires to gain links in the city the sensations (apart from the auditory and optic can exploit this situation to earn a strong patron in ones) of the other, to the point that the wounds that Verona. one suffered had repercussions in the body of the other. In the following hours, multiple accusations of Image: A woman about thirty years old, a little witchcraft and pacts with the Devil were thrown, but shorter than one meter sixty and with rugged but at in the end the two had to agree that they could not the same time attractive features. She keeps her do anything to get out of their predicament, and that chestnut brown hair cut short, a measure against the they would have to find a way to compensate for the plague that struck the people during her life. Generally curse that had struck them. At the same time they had she does not put on makeup and wears a simple black to make sure that no other Cainite knew of this dress without decorations, even if woven in Venetian weakness, not to provide a breach that would lead to brocade and adorned with mother-of-pearl bottoms. the destruction of both, and find a way to govern the Her face always assumes a rigid and austere expression, Court, without compromises and without one's which has given her,combined with the natural pale subjection to the other. For this reasons, the rest of color of her skin, the nickname "porcelain despot". that night and of the Her eyes are penetrating and glacial, but by dwelling following nights passed drawing up the Scaliger on them one can see a repressed animosity. She Traditions, and the Anarch Barony of Verona was usually carries a ghoul animal, generally a cat or an born. The territories of the city were subdivided in iguana. the following months among all the Cainites who accepted the new rules, while those who showed Roleplaying Hints: When you were alive, everyone opposition were coldly invited to move elsewhere. To underestimated you because of your being a woman, the Camarilla Archons was offered full cooperation and nobody listened to you. When your relatives in case of need, but it was remarked that the persisted in their mistakes despite your warnings, you Veronese Cainites would not accept interference of felt a strong rage and frustration within you. Even your any kind from other Courts, be it the Inner Circle Domitor (and Sire, in a sense) saw nothing more than itself. an instrument in you, but time proved you right. Now In the following centuries, Lucrezia ruled with firm everyone must listen to you, and your word is absolute attention but giving freedom to act to its feudal lords, law. You are willing to listen to anyone's opinion, you concentrating on the patronage of the city's culture know you are not omniscient, but nevertheless the last and its works of art, a policy that paid off word is always yours. Always. over the centuries and made Verona a jewel Never lose your temper, but if you normally keep a recognized worldwide. Those times when she mask of slight emotion, when fury tightens its grip on intervened heavily in the Scaliger politics she always you, you become a cold and calculating automaton, acted swiftly and without admitting any reply, as devoid of any feeling. Reserve all your anger for for the ban on the Sewer Rats from the territory. Giovanni Capuleti, who you want to see in the dust Nowadays the Baron's rule is absolutely but that you can't harm to avoid risking your own strong, thanks both to the freedom she grants to her destruction. Vassals and to the politics of divide-et-impera concerning them. In fact, they are too busy to fight with each other to seriously plot against their Lord. At the moment she is focused on the management of the Unesco Recognition of Verona, which would give her an almost total influence within Old Town and right to speak even to external courts, including even the untouchable possessions of the Necromancers in Verona. To this end, her pawns within the Superintendencies are in fibrillation, and the other

VERONA BY NIGHT 37 Haven: She maintains a permanent apartment in the CLAN: Toreador attic of Palazzo della Gran Guardia, accessible through a special code placed in the elevator and known SIRE: Biancofiore da Ravenna exclusively by her most trusted ghouls. The entrance to the floor is guarded by automated defense systems and a NATURE: Autocrat Bengal ghoul tiger. Inside there are several artworks that she commissioned personally to artists such as Vasari CHARACTER: Architect during different eras, and an archive with all the contracts and documents concerning her fiefdom GENERATION: 8° written over the years (she does not trust to digitize them, not so much for technophobia as because EMBRACE: 1247 she considers computers too easy to violate). In her personal studio, she keeps an early twentieth century's APPARENT AGE: 29 years typewriter and an old analogue telephone: she does not use smartphones and computers because she does not PHYSICAL: Strenght 2 Dexterity 3 like for something to shoot light in her face, even if Stamina 4 it is a screen. SOCIAL: Appearance 4 Charisma 4 Influence: She controls half the city of Verona, either Manipulation 5 directly or through her retainers, and her ghouls and mortal servants are distributed throughout the MENTAL: Intelligence 5 Wits 4 Perception 3 city, ready to inform her at the first hint of something strange. She maintains contacts in various TALENTS: Leadership 4, Streetwise 1, Awareness economic and administrative entities, and holds a seat 2, Empathy 3, Expression 4, Intimidation 4, within all the board of directors of the Sixth Sense 2, Subterfuge 3 Superintendencies, as well as the Arena Foundation and other cultural realities of Verona. She generally SKILLS: Melee 2, Larceny 1, Perfomance 2, delegates a good part of the daily management to her Etiquette 5 servants, reading their reports and sending them instructions about the directions to take. KNOWLEDGES: Academics 5, Finance 3, Investigation 3, Law 3, Occult 2, Politics 5 Secrets: Lately she has begun to nurture a passion for the nuances of different smells, and she's collecting all DISCIPLINES: Presence 4, Celerity 2, Auspex 4, sorts of odorous objects or samples. She noted that, Thaumaturgy 3, Obfuscate 2, Dominate 3, unlike in the past, Giovanni did not send his usual Fortitude 3, Potence 1, Animalism 3 complaints about her passions: she then made investigations, discovering that the opposing Baron THAUMATURGICAL PATHS: Blood began to feel less and less the emotions that she feels. 3, Father's Vengeance 3, Countermagic 1 She has no absolute certainty, but the only suspicion that the curse is fading, maybe to finally extinguishing BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence in the future, has galvanized her hatred for the (culture and arts) 5, Influence (finance) 2. Lasombra. She is moving her pawns with caution Influence (public amministration) 4, Contacts 4, and in great secrecy, in preparation for a Blitzkrieg Status 5, Resources 4, Retainers 5 to Veronetta as soon as the curse has no effect, hoping to annihilate Giovanni and his servants and to PATH: Power and the Inner Voice 6 become the undisputed Lady of Verona. WILLPOWER: 8

VERONA BY NIGHT 38 SPECIAL RULES Romeo and Juliet's Curse Giovanni Capuleti Lucrezia Montecchi and Giovanni Capuleti share the same tactile sensations. If one of the two Baron of Veronetta suffers damage, goes into Torpor or is destroyed young son of a fisherman the other will suffer the same fate. The Beast is not from a small village shared, so this does not affect any Frenzy or near Zara, Giovanni Rötschreck tests. decided to abandon his quiet but repetitive life when the Venetian ships of the Fourth Crusade attacked the nearby port to conquer the city. Approaching the acamps of the Crusaders, where several preachers stirred up the people to conquer the Holy Land, he was convinced not so much by the discourses about faith as by the riches of the infidels that were mentioned in the fanciful tales of the prelates. He then introduced himself to the Venetian recruiters: he received a rusty sword and a worn armor, and was thrown into one of the ships. Months later, when he disembarked at Constantinople, he found himself lost in the chaos of battle, and almost died in the first hour after his arrival. Every single person struggled forh is life around him. Sometimes it was not even possible todistinguish who was who and who was the enemy, and arrows and darts came from every direction. While trying to understand what to do and where to go, he was attacked by a warrior armed to the teeth, determined to kill him without wasting any time. Giovanni, used to handling the heavy traps his father left in water, let go of his sword, seized the chain of an anchor nearby with both hands and gave a blow to the legs of his enemy, enveloping them. He threw him to the ground, pulling the chain to himself, and began to beat him with its other end until the adversary begged him to stop in Venetian. In fact, the man was a mercenary of the Republic named Tio, who in the crowd had mistaken him for a local sailor. Tio, impressed by the stubbornness of the young man, took him successively in his team, teaching him how to fight but above all how to survive and "recover" whatever was of value in the conquered buildings. Thanks to his guidance, Giovanni managed to become a soldier in all respects, both for good and for bad. One event in particular marked his life. In the midst of the sacking of one of the mansions of the noble neighborhoods, he and his team were attacked, inside a room concealed by a tapestry, by

 39 a woman with eyes of embers and long claws, His blows began to get much more violent and who slaughtered his companions and ignored the faster than before, as if he were playing cat-and- wounds received. Giovanni, whose spear broke mouse:in the mind of Giovanni the memory against the monster, fell to the ground in terror, of the monster in Constantinople who had almost but he had the foresight to put the stump of his torn him to pieces reappeared. In despair, he threw weapon between himself and the creature. his sword at the demon to distract him and, Charging him, she ended up impaled against the gripping a wooden pitchfork laying against a wall, stick, and collapsed as dead. Terrified, the pierced his heart. The pirate, looking surprised, fell soldier tore her apart until she was no longer to the ground, as soft as a rag doll. Victory didn't recognizable, and then ran away. That night he smile on the young man though, as something hit lost the memory in the fumes of alcohol, but in him on the back of his head, and he fell the recess of his mind the face of the beast that unconscious. When he recovered, he was on a ship was about to tear him apart was forever sealed. in the middle of the Adriatic, bound and By the end of the city's pillage, he had surrounded by pirates, including the demonic accumulated a considerable amount of experience captain who he believed he had killed. The pirate and goods. When he returned to Zara he gathered leader interrogated him for hours, curious to know several of his fellow survivors and together they how he knew what seemed to be his weakness, and formed a company of mercenary cavalrymen, called he ordered the soldier to tell the whole story of his Cappelletti for their helmets that reminded life. When Giovanni's tale ended, he gave a widebrimmed hats. The small company joined thunderous laugh, and told him that he would military campaigns throughout the Balkan have been his pupil from now on. peninsula and in Hungary, enlarging and The two spent two years in the middle of the sea, becoming famous enough to receive engagements during which the Lasombra, Iacono del Sabir, without having to abandon themselves to raids and forced the boy not only to learn to read and write, excesses to survive. Over the years, the young but also to study different classics of literature fisherman became a hardened and unresponsive ("never say my pupil is a savage as ignorant as a warrior, ready to fight, to raise a mug of beer and goat!"). He taught him the subtlety of command to solve problems around a table with the same and the arts of politics and etiquette. Finally, he skill. His life changed again, or rather ended, instructed him on the traditions of the Cainites when he decided to spend Easter with his family in and the peculiarities of the Clan of the Night so Dalmatia. Coincidentally, pirate ships assaulted that, when he would have finally met his fellow the fishing village in the middle of the night, Kindred, they would not snub him for his plebeian probably attracted by the contingent of origins. On a full moon night, on a rock in the mercenaries who they mistook for a nobleman or a middle of the Adriatic, Iacono held a long party wealthy merchant's escort. dedicated to the Sea, which lasted three days, with Giovanni quickly took up arms and moved to the games, dances and stories of ancient myths. The village square, where his fellow villagers were whole thing culminated with Giovanni's Embrace, losing their lives against savage criminals. Using performed through an ancient rite of the Corsairs. his best equipment and his greater experience, he The Neonate accompanied the pirate for another was eliminating all his adversaries one by one, year, before admitting he was tired of being in when before him appeared a man who looked like water and wanted to return permanently to the being the captain: he was dressed elegantly as mainland. Iacono teased his offspring, calling him opposed to the rags of the pirates and armed with a half Keeper (also referring to a peculiarity of his a decorated trident. The duel initially seemed to blood), but understood his decision and left him be on a par, but when the mercenary succeeded in off the coast of Zara, where they said farewell one breaking the opponent's guard and sliced all the last time never to meet again. Giovanni then way through him, he just flinched slightly and wandered through Dalmatia in search of his indulged in a roar of laughter. His eyes lit up with comrades-in-arms, to find them at a pass in Istria. a vermilion light and his fangs lengthened, The many years without leadership had left the showing a deformed and bestial face. mark on the mercenaries, and the Lasombra

VERONA BY NIGHT 40 reached the command tent without even bothering to Then, with an almost invisible movement, she hide his presence. His friends and former officiers, lashed his face with the crucifix she wore around stunned by alcohol, initially thought they were seeing a her neck, burning his face and scarring it hallucination, since they thought Giovanni was dead, forever. Only the Prince's direct intervention but a couple of slaps made them return to reality. It prevented the two Cainites from destroying each did not take long for the vampire to convince his old other. Since then, Giovanni began to deeply hate friends to give him the command, particularly when he Lucrezia Montecchi – an hatred that resurfaces showed them the strength that Caine's blood had every time he touches the scar on his face. given him. He made them his ghouls, and led the During the Anarch Revolt, he refused the company in a series of military engagements that invitation sent to him by other Keepers of his age, brought them back on the European market. In having no resentment towards the Elders and particular, they soon became one of the privileged considering the rebels incompetents who, not forces of the Republic of Venice, which used them for possessing the necessary skills for political numerous battles against the Italic Lords. intrigues, abandoned themselves to the simplicity In short, the Cappelletti accumulated a considerable of violence. He placed himself in charge of the fortune, and established a permanent encampment in defense of the Scaliger Court when the Nosferatu Cremona, where they sold their services as escort and sold them to the rebels, but failed to arrive in time watch for local merchants and nobles. In the to save the Prince Orso – one of the few regrets fourteenth century Giovanni received an invitation that the Cainite still has these days. Among other from the Prince of Venice Aliprando, who hired him things, Giovanni represented Verona at the and his company for a very special job. In fact, despite Thorns Convention, siding with the Lasombra the treaties signed by the Princes of the Venetian "Antitribu". On that occasion, he made friends and Lombard Courts, the Scaliger army of Verona, in with a then Neonate Giangaleazzo Visconti: war against Venice and its allies, was receiving despite the subsequent belonging to opposite considerable support from Cainites: therefore sides, the two kept in touch over the centuries. Aliprando needed an external Kindred to crush the Later, since the Prince's protégé backed up in the Veronese dissidents and make them become somewhat political struggle, Giovanni began a long bloody milder. Giovanni, seizing the opportunity, haggled struggle with Madonna Lucrezia for supremacy in several conditions for his help, and then set off for Verona, which ended with the establishment of Verona. Without too much trouble, the army of the the Scaliger Traditions (see Lucrezia Montecchi for Antiscaliger League managed to overwhelm the further details). Veronese troops twice, both thanks to its numerical Giovanni rules his feudal Vassals as he did at the superiority, and to the elimination of the Cainites that time of his mercenary company. In each of his strengthened the opposing troops. Giovanni therefore Vassals' courts, there is always one Ghoul entered Prince Orso's Court triumphantly, of the Lasombra, who acts as second in command exposing the conditions signed by Aliprando and other to the feudal lord, but reports every month to the Lombard and Veneto Princes. According to the Baron's administrators, who then compile a report treaty, the loser had to surrender the property of with the salient parts. If the report does not satisfy the mortals supported by Cainite dissidents and the the Keeper (perhaps due to a violation of seat of Lasombra Primogen to the mercenary. Prince Traditions or if the territorial administration is not Orso, disconsolately, accepted the conditions, but the adequate) or if the delegate is eliminated or suffers Toreador Primogen, who headed the dissidents, "tampering", Giovanni's anger falls on the Vassal, invited the Prince to ignore the treaty. Seeing her who should expect no pity or compromise. Beyond complaints rejected, she showed up several days later this, however, the feudal lords are free to behave as at court, accusing Giovanni of having gone too far they prefer: they can also eliminate each other, as with his claims and of having influenced the Scaligers long as they follow Scaliger Traditions. Giovanni to exile her family. The Keeper laughed in Lucrezia's does not mind a bit of "healthy" competition, and face, quoting calmly the motto of Brennus. The believes that the winning Vassal will prove to be a Aesthete seemed to freeze in place, better her eyes, sharp as daggers, fixed on Giovanni. governor.

VERONA BY NIGHT 41 Among other things, he has created a particular Roleplaying Hints: You has been at the peak of tradition, in which a Vassal can challenge the Baron to success for centuries: even if you started from the duel: in case of victory, the Cainite can ask the Baron a most extreme poverty, thanks to your favor of some kind, such as the annexation of a determination you managed to become one of the particular territory or infrastructure or the license for a world's rulers. You are proud of your skills, but particular action. Giovanni, despite having become an you also know that everyone is a wolf ready to administrator, continues to be an excellent fighter, and attack everyone else, the Cainites in particular. over the centuries the duel was requested only a dozen This is why you must be constantly alert and you times, of which only a couple ended with his defeat. In must cultivate your talents, both in the abstract both cases, however, the contestants did not dare to and in the physical sense, so that your domain is send the Baron in Torpor, fearing that he had some always at the peak of efficiency. Watch your kind of trick up his sleeve or instructed his servants to Vassals bite each other for a piece of bread, proud destroy the victors in the event of such an eventuality. as only a father can be with his children. In the Today Giovanni is tormented by an unexpected case you notice someone who can rise above the development of events, due to the defection of others for skill, resourcefulness and Giangaleazzo to the Camarilla. He had repeatedly determination, you throw a bait or set in front of invited the Baron to pass in the Sabbat, but he had him obstacles to put him to test, and if he's always refused. Now, the Visconti has renewed his successful you reward him with more invitation, this time asking him to accept his support to responsibilities. You have a quick temper, and eliminate Lucrezia from the scene and take full control often express your feelings with your servants, but of the city. make sure you never show signs of weakness or lay In a letter, in particular, Giangaleazzo (who had yourself open: it only takes a moment to end up in occasionally visited Verona under the guise of a mere an ambush. You hates Lucrezia with all your heart, friend and not as Archbishop of Milan) has let it be and the curse never ceases to remind you of that, understood that there is something that binds because of the sensations that uncontrollably Giovanni and Lucrezia, something that blocks the distract you every night. closing of the feud between the two Cainites: Giangaleazzo then offered to provide specialists who Haven: A wing of Palazzo Pompei, which is kept could determine such a "block" and eliminate it, closed to the public with the excuse of renovations without asking anything in return if not for him to that will never end. Inside there are shelves and consider a possible alliance. Giovanni, who didn't tell shelves occupied by weapons of all ages and anyone about his secret, fearing it would be interpreted Renaissance books, many of which are journals as a weakness and eventually lead to his destruction, is written by Giovanni himself. A room is used as an carefully reflecting on the offer, weighing its pros and arena for the duels in which the Baron trains every cons. night, while the studio is occupied by several computers, used by the most recently recruited Image: A man of medium height but athletic, of olive servant, an autistic thirteen years old boy who complexion. He wears long black hair, which he compares all the data collected in the centuries generally keeps combed in a braid, and a short beard. and draw up reports. The latter are sent to Starting from under his nose and perpendicular up to university professors on the Keeper's payroll to under his right ear opens a deep wound, caused outline individual feuds' administrative centuries before by Lucrezia Montecchi. He normally strategies – strategies that Giovanni then follows wears a Savoyard uniform from the nineteenth century according to how they inspire him. (he likes that fashion), even if when he goes around the streets he wears civilian clothes of elegant and refined Influence: Giovanni controls half of the style, generally in felt (with the passing of the centuries city of Verona, directly or through his vassals, he can no longer distinguish the increase in and his ghoul and mortal servants are temperature, so he always wears heavy clothes, even in distributed throughout the city, ready to inform summer). At his side he carries a long dueling sword, him at the first mention of something which he hardly ever abandons. strange. He has contacts in various economic

VERONA BY NIGHT 42 and administrative situations, and manages most of DISCIPLINES: Presence 4, Celerity 3, Auspex 3, the funds of the University of Verona, deciding Obtenebration 1, Dominate 5, Fortitude 4, which faculties favoring according to his needs. He Potence 5 generally delegates a good part of the daily management to his servants, reading their reports and BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence giving instructions if necessary. However, if (university) 5, Influence (finance) 2. Influence something catches his interest, he can take the (public amministration) 4, Influence trouble to personally follow the matter. (catholic church) 2, Contacts 4, Status 5, Resources 4, Retainers 5 Secrets: For unknown reasons, Giovanni's blood possesses imperfections, which his Sire teased calling PATH: Power and the Inner Voice 7 him a half Lasombra. In addition to not possessing the idiosyncrasies typical of his Clan regarding the sea, he WILLPOWER: 8 in fact shows an almost total inability to take advantage and deepen the Discipline peculiar to his Clan. His way SPECIAL RULES of acting has never been particularly affected by this Romeo and Juliet's Curse deficiency, but if someone should ever find this out, it Lucrezia Montecchi and Giovanni Capuleti share would be a shame that could lead to his defeat. Anyone the same tactile sensations. If one of the two who risks unmasking this flaw (apart from his Sire of suffers damage, goes into Torpor or is destroyed whom he has lost track centuries ago), is a danger to his the other will suffer the same fate. The Beast is survival, and must be eliminated by all means. not shared, so this does not affect any Frenzy or Rötschreck tests. CLAN: Lasombra Antitribu

SIRE: Iacono del Sabir

NATURE: Architect

CHARACTER: Capitalist

GENERATION: 8°

EMBRACE: 1210

APPARENT AGE: 33 years

PHYSICAL: Strenght 5 Dexterity 4 Stamina 5

SOCIAL: Appearance 3 Charisma 5 Manipulation 4

MENTAL: Intelligence 3 Wits 4 Perception 3

TALENTS: Athletics 3, Leadership 3, Streetwise 1, Awareness 2, Empathy 2, Expression 2, Intimidation 4, Sixth Sense 3, Subterfuge 3

SKILLS: Firearms 2, Melee 4, Larceny 1, Etiquette 3, Survival 2

KNOWLEDGES: Academics 3, Finance 4, Investigation 3, Law 3, Medicine 2, Politics 4

VERONA BY NIGHT 43 Orsino Lord of Cittadella, the Pupil ollowing the defeat of Verona in the war with the Antiscaliger league, and the continuing disagreements between the Toreador Primogen and the new Lasombra Primogen, Princef Orso began to think that he could not continue to manage the domain by himself without the various Clans tearing each other apart because of past grievances and irreconcilable disagreements. He felt the need of an assistant, of someone to whom he could delegate part of his burdens: the individual in question should not have personal purposes (or at least not goals that went against his own interests), nor influences due ties of blood, of clans or of favors. And above all, if the situation degenerated, this someone had to be able to replace him in the eventuality of his temporary or definitive departure. He therefore began to look around for someone who could become a worthy heir, and fortunately he did not have to look particularly far. Mastino II della Scala had many sons, and at his death in 1351 he left to them the weakened Lordship of Verona. They were three: Cangrande II, Cansignorio and Paolo Alboino. In reality there was also a fourth son, Adalberto, the second son, but he, since young age, showed an extreme sensitivity and kindness: therefore he was urged to take vows to not to weaken house Della Scala. In reality, behind the kindness of Adalberto was hidden a strong sense of duty, firmness and attitude to organization: thanks to these qualities, he soon came to assist the minor friars with whom he shared the table and the monastic life, until he became informally their superior in a few years. The father, who was completely absorbed in the management of the city and the chaos that his expansionist policy had provoked, never realized the qualities of his cadet son. The elder brother Cangrande II, on other hand, tyrannical and tending to paranoia, kept an eye on the rest of the family (malicious rumors claimed he had

 44 personally killed Uncle Alberto II to make sure he did When clarity replaced the fiercest impulses, the not decide to return on the political scene). When Prince explained in detail the situation to his new his father died and the burden of the government fell progeny, so that he fully understood what he had on his three sons, the eldest intimidated his relatives become. He then gave him two weeks to reflect on by using certain knowledge about the affiliation of his what he had learned and what he had become, brothers to groups that could have been considered providing him with a cell inside Citadella and heretics, in the right light. But he had to make sure several volumes about the Cainite condition that that also the forgotten brother couldn't have second Orso had asked some wise Brujah and Malkavian as thoughts, one day, and appear to claim part of what compensation for past favors. The Ventrue acted was rightfully his. In addition, Cangrande II this way because he didn't want to break Adelberto, recognized the cadet's greatest political ability, and as was the custom for many of his race. He did not feared he would be eclipsed and expropriated in the desire an instrument, but an heir, and the fallen eventuality of his return. Therefore, he concluded, friar had to keep intact the same qualities for which there was only one solution in order to obtain the Prince had chosen him. Initially the Fledling complete power in his hands: Adelberto had to die. was traumatized by what he had become and by the Killing a friar, however, was a thorny affair, and it did new impulses of which he felt the pressure, and the not make sense to simulate a robbery by a bandit. And first nights considered the possibility of if word ever got out that the Scaliger Lord was a abandoning himself to the embrace of the sun – fratricide, he would have lost a decisive slice of the after all, simply being a vampire condemned him to support necessary for his stability. He had therefore to hell anyway. At the moment of greatest despair, organize a structured plan. however, he took the decision to read the texts that First of all, he urged the ecclesiastical authorities to Orso had made available to him: one of them in organize a mission in a remote village in the Lessini particular, a text of a Brujah that called himself a mountains: he described the situation in such a way Dedicated, described a state defined as Entelechy, that the job needed a strong organizational capacity in which a Cainite reached the fullness of the to be accomplished. As a consequence, the Bishop condition that God had decided for him. This made the name of Adelberto to guide the mission of thought gave him hope that the Lord was testing Friars Minors. Then, Cangrande II made an him by letting him being Embrace, and this agreement with a group of scoundrels locked up in conclusion gave him a strength that not even his city prisons, giving them freedom as reward: in previous faith had given him. He then appeared exchange for it, they would have to wait for the friars before the Prince and explained his reflections, to pass along the steep mountain passes and provoke a agreeing to become the assistant and then the heir landslide on the caravan (afterwards the nobleman of Orso. This would have allowed him to be the would have taken care to eliminate them to ensure counterpart of Christian priests, who led their flock silence). His plan went exactly as planned, except for towards the light: he, in the darkness, would guide one detail: a carriage with windows covered with the blind lambs through the void to prevent the heavy cloths followed the caravan, staying at certain evil that surrounded them from devouring their distance to avoid attracting suspicion. On the night Humanity, that he felt as the love of God present when the friars were crushed by boulders and pushed in everyone's soul. The Prince, deep down, found into the depths of the earth, a pair of strong arms this philosophy extremely naive, but was lifted the dying friar. Before he lost consciousness, nevertheless satisfied that his offspring had found Adelberto heared only a slight whisper. "Your family the motivation to begin his training as an ideal has pushed you into oblivion. I will give you a new Cainite Lord . On that occasion Adelberto assumed family". a new name, Orsino, in honor of his Sire, who had Adelberto awoke in the grip of thirst, as Orso led him to the true destiny that God had in store Embraced him while he was still unconscious to for him. prevent him from dying. His Sire held him steady, so The years that followed were very satisfying for that he would not give in to the excesses of the Beast, Orso: his progeny assimilated Cainite notions and and he took the precaution of feeding him through traditions with considerable speed, and the his personal cup. diplomatic and command abilities he had possessed

VERONA BY NIGHT 45 during his lifetime allowed him to enter with not make the sacrifice of his Sire useless. remarkable results within the Scaligeri Court. Conscious of his nobility, Giovanni Capuleti asked Although his faith and his piety could block his Orsino to accept to manage the fief of Citadella, hand towards the innocent, on the contrary his the old domain of his Sire, and he took the sense of justice and loyalty led him to punish Investiture, trying to leave up at least in part to without hesitation both the unjust mortals and the Orso's expectations. Orsino manages his fiefdom Cainites. And above all, his instinct for trying to reconcile as much as possible the Scaliger organization and the authority of his actions Traditions with the Camarilla system, in the allowed him to be respected by the other Cainites, delusion that this can keep the harmony within the including the other Patricians. The Prince called territory between the different souls inhabiting it. him his Pupil in public, and after a few years the To several of his Vassals he has entrusted different members of the different clans stopped using the tasks corresponding to the offices of the Camarilla, nickname in an ironic and derogatory way. and has ensured that each of his feudal lords agree Unfortunately, what was missing was time. not to yield to the thirst for power and to follow a In fact, just a few decades after his Embrace, the certain discipline and civilization in their disorders that the Prince feared began, even if from expansion. Unfortunately, as it normally happens a direction and with a magnitude that he couldn't even within the normal Camarilla domains, power even imagine in his worst nightmares. The Anarch struggles led to violent clashes and conspiracies Revolt in fact was a wave of chaos and hate that several times, and despite Orsino trying to settle the hit the whole known world, overwhelming entire issues with a firm and determined hand, some domains and condemning to Final Death hundreds incidents had led him to reconsider his decisions' of Cainites, on both sides. When righteousness. Apart from this, his commitment the Anarchs penetrated the fortifications of the was noticed by the Archons, who have Court, he struggled with all his might to repel the elected him as a privileged interlocutor within the invaders, but he was not a warrior, and given his city of Verona: thanks to this, Camarilla has youth his supernatural abilities proved to be too succeeded in obtaining, through a remarkable limited. The death of his Sire was a devastating diplomatic work with Giovanni Capuleti, to form blow to the Neonate, and soon the weight of the its own permanent embassy inside expectations of the other Cainites, in particular of Citadella, under Orsino's responsibility. the Primogens, was too much for Orsino to carry. Lately, the Vassal has seen an increase in He then announced his withdrawal from diplomats and Archons' changing, in the aftermath the succession to Prince, and retired to his cell in of the defection of Giangaleazzo of Milan to the Citadella, to reflect on his future. The clashes Camarilla. Several Archons, citing the between Lucrezia and Giovanni were reflected in intensification of tensions in the territory of the soul of the young Ventrue, who took the sabbat packs, see the time as ideal for situation as a personal failure on the path to which Verona to become a true Camarilla domain: they God destined him, and wept tears of blood for this. are therefore offering their support to Orsino so When he received news of the establishment of a that he can take the mantle of Prince and bring new order among the Cainites, his spirit felt like he peace and concord in the city. The Ventrue is not had been jolted: he became the main promoter of yet certain of being ready to make his move, the Camarilla within the domain, seeing it as the but definetely in his mind has the certainty that his instrument that God had put at the disposal of the fate can't wait forever. Cainites in order to reach the ideal society that he yearned. Finally, when the two Barons codified the Image: A middle-aged man who shows signs of Scaliger Traditions, it was deeply disturbed. An time and fatigue, while maintaining a robust body. order of this kind could not bring peace to the He covers the tonsure with a hat, and generally hearts of the Cainites, but only pain for all. wears an elegant but sober suit under a dull colored Nevertheless, he realized that he had lost the overcoat. His features are conciliatory and possibility of stopping all this, and reluctantly warm, and he strives to keep a light sincere smile accepted the promulgated rules, in deference and on every occasion.

VERONA BY NIGHT 46 Roleplaying Hints: Always be conciliatory and he escaped from the territory to take refuge in diplomatic, as you are a mediator in this land of Milan, joining the Sabbat. The Ventrue has lost cutthroats, but never forget that you are right, and track of him, but fears he somewhat survived: if that anyone who diverges from the destiny God has he really made it, he would be the living symbol indicated to you is in sin and error. You are a of Orsino's failures. shepherd and a guide: therefore, even if you first The Ventrue contacted Giangaleazzo to find out must not fall prey to anger and hatred, you can't what happened to his Childe, but the Lasombra afford to forgive injustice and blind egotism. To claims not to remember if he was among those those who prove to be irredeemable, lash out all the who burst into flames in his haven, nor if he weight of the wrath of God. In particular, was in town at the time of the purge to begin you have little patience towards the Anarchs who with. Apart from the personal ignominy, the believe in concepts such as freedom and abhor the existence of this Neonate would be a great danger established order, as they are carriers of disorder for the Ventrue if the ancestry of the latter were and sedition. And you hate with a passion the discovered, as the Barons could come to the Nosferatu, that you hold responsible for the conclusion that Orsino has lost his ability to death of your Sire, and are convinced judge and is no longer trustworthy. that their abominable appearance is a reflection of the darkness of their soul. CLAN: Ventrue

Haven: His old cell in what was once Orso's SIRE: Orso Court, hidden inside Bastione della Santissima Trinità. It still retains all the protections of the NATURE: Fanatic past, updated with a system of CCTV cameras and watertight steel doors. CHARACTER: Director

Influence: Orsino, over the centuries, has GENERATION: 9° maintained a strong influence both within the public administration and the police. In particular, he has EMBRACE: 1351 several contacts in the Carabinieri and in the army, which he has always seen as the bearers of peace in APPARENT AGE: 44 years places simple words can't reach. A doubt that haunts him in this regard is the support he gave PHYSICAL: Strenght 2 Dexterity 3 Stamina 3 to the Fascists during WWII and the republic of Salò: their excesses led him to think that SOCIAL: Appearance 3 Charisma 4 Manipulation perhaps he had made an error of judgment about it. 4 Moreover, he has a certain influence on ecclesiastical authority and on various economic realities in the MENTAL: Intelligence 4 Wits 3 Perception 3 neighborhood. TALENTS: Leadership 4, Awareness 2, Empathy 4, Secrets: During the Fascist period, Orsino believed Expression 2, Intimidation 3, Sixth Sense 2, he had found a man whose respect for order and Subterfuge 3 discipline was such as to make an example of what a man should aspire to be. In violation of the Scaliger SKILLS: Crafts 2, Etiquette 3, Survival 2 Traditions, he Embraced him, in order to educate the Childe as Orso had done with him in the past. KNOWLEDGES: Academics 5, Finance 3, The Fledgling turned out to be a bitter Investigation 3, Law 4, Politics 3 disappointment. In fact, he chose to bask in the power and possibilities that the vampiric condition DISCIPLINES: Presence 5, Auspex 2, Obfuscate 2, gave him: he performed a long string of depraved Dominate 4, Fortitude 4, Potence 1 actions and, before Orsino could stop him,

VERONA BY NIGHT 47 BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence (army) 3, Influence (finance) 2. Influence (public amministration) 3, Influence (catholic church) 3, Contacts 4, Status 4, Resources 4, Retainers 4

PATH: Enthelechy 5

WILLPOWER: 7

OTHER: Orsino can drink only blood of people he thinks are sinners

VERONA BY NIGHT 48 the disorders in the blood, Thomas did not Tommaso da Vico remain impassive hearing the pleas of women and children mixed with the cries of rage and Lord of San Zeno, "il Papà del Gnoco" rancor. Against the advice of his sons, he took n the "Istoria Veronese" written his cap and stick and left the house, mixing with by Girolamo Dalla Corte it is said the crowd. He crossed the whole district, talking that, due to devastating floods of to many people and observing both the violence the Adige (1520-1531) and the and the desperation of the population. Taking raids of the Lanzichenecchi of responsibility for their pain, he made his way to Charles V who fought Francis I in the headquarters of his consortium with a Lombardy, the city of Verona was crowbar in his hand. Without giving a word to his hit byi a unprecedented famine. Given the employees, he rushed to the funds chest, breaking circumstances and the precariousness in finding raw the heavy lock that closed it, and transferred materials, the "pistori" (bakers) raised their prices for much of the contents into a bag. He then rushed the production of bread. Given population's lack of to the personal cellar of the Podestà and money for buying bread and therefore the declining overturned the treasure he carried on his interest in preparing it, the bakers decided to stop shoulders in front of the statutory bailiff; then he production and not even sell the already baked rolls. sacked the contents of the barn and the On June 18, 1531, the people rioted in San Zeno, farmstead, while the clerk just stood there, dazed assaulting the bakers and grabbing all the bread by the sight of so much money. Tommaso put it and wheat they could find. The general uprising was all inside a cart, which he covered with wood in avoided thanks to the intervention of some citizens, order to not provoke the demonstrators, and who decided to contribute at their own expense to walked towards the lawn that separated the the nourishment of the poorest inhabitants of the Basilica of San Zeno from the church of San district, in the number of twelve and on Procolo, in front of the marble slab that closed appointment. Among these there was also a wealthy the tomb of Pippin, son of Charlemagne. He and famous doctor living in the district, Tommaso gathered the bystanders in the square, placing on Vico, or Tommaso Bartolomeo da Vico. In the city the slab the goods contained in the cart and of Verona the doctor had acquired considerable inviting everyone to take what they needed, as influence in culture and urban politics: during the San Zeno lived thanks to each of them, years he had in fact published several medical works rich or poor, and no one could refrain from appreciated by many authors, both contemporary and helping if the alternative was disorder and death later; furthermore, defying the dominance from for all. In a short time also other patrons followed which the Serenissima Republic benefited thanks to Tommaso's example. The doctor was the once Signoria's subjugation, Vico had supported acclaimed by the crowd as the Dad of all the initiatives that showed his disdain for what he saw as people, who had brought them the Gnocco or, as an occupation of Della Scala's sovereignty. He was was simplified, "il Papà del Gnoco". His crowbar, then associated with Guelph personalities that which disappeared in the crowd, became the required an intervention by the State of the Church symbol of his generosity, opposed to the – the same ones that, in 1528, met the new Bishop indifference typical of the medieval social order: of the Archdiocese, Gian Matteo Giberti. In addition in the popular imagination it became the fork to his public commitment, the doctor also that served as Papà's scepter – an integral part of distinguished himself for a great instinct for the re-enactment of the event, the Bacanal del commerce, acquiring a considerable wealth thanks Gnoco, which was repeated annually afterwards. to the exchange of valuable food goods, such as A couple of years later, Tommaso received a visit chestnuts and olives, and the formation of a from a pale man dressed in a funny dress made up monopolistic consortium. of a thousand patches of different colors. When there were riots due to famine, while his The man, who simply identified himself as the peers were entrenched in their mansions and begged Harlequin of Venice, told the elderly doctor that the intervention of the guards of the mayor to quell he had been wandering the Po Valley for decades,

VERONA BY NIGHT 49 looking for a man who was intelligent and at the same ideological or political issues. The important thing time gifted with goodness, and that he had finally for him is always the well-being of the inhabitants found such a person. He then presented to Vico an of his fief, with which he likes very much to mix, offer he could not refuse: eternal life to continue to do especially during the carnival, where he assumes good forever. Far from being naive, Tommaso did not the role of Papà del Gnoco and celebrates together particularly believe in the purity of the offer, but he was with mortals. a step away from death by now, and the possibility of continuing to live was not normal everyday thing. He Image: An elderly and robust man with a thick posed, however, a condition to the Harlequin: to give white beard and numerous wrinkles He generally him time to settle his affairs and draw up his will, in wears clothes typical for a man of his age according which he forced his heirs to finance the Bacanal for to the historical period, and commits himself to years to come. At the end of this period he accepted assume also the typical speech, especially in the the Embrace by the Brujah. streets of San Zeno. He wears an antique In those years, Verona was in the chaos following the caduceus-shaped iron brooch on the collar of death of Orso and the feud between Lucrezia and his jacket, a memory of one of his daughters. Giovanni. Tommaso was just in time to be instructed on the traditions of the Cainites and his Clan before Roleplay Hints: You are always jovial and merry, the Harlequin disappeared from the scene, maybe convinced that life is worth living and that destroyed in one of the numerous battles. However, everyone has the right to enjoy it to the best of Tommaso managed to settle fairly well within the possibilities. You do not love injustice, but at the Scaliger society, making agreements and granting same time you do not see the reason for not taking favors through the contacts he possessed and which he advantage of the opportunities you see in front of maintained within the academic and medical you, even if they are due to the mistakes and environment. He earned a good reputation for his stupidity of others. You don't particularly love honesty counterbalanced by a good insight for the material goods, but at the same time you know character of people and Cainites. Given his relative that it is always worth having a lot if you want young age, he managed to maintain a certain neutrality to bring well-being, both for yourself and for during this tumultuous period. However, when the others: good intentions cannot be eaten, after all. Scaliger Traditions were finally signed, he willingly In personal business you always try to accepted the Investiture for San Zeno by Madonna surround yourself with people chosen not so Lucrezia, knowing very well the territory and its needs. much by affinity with your ideas as for pure Over the centuries, he administered this sector and simple competence. As long as they don't and its retainers in a bourgeois perspective that very step on each other's toes, it doesn't matter if few had expected from the Brujah: the most, in fact, someone has different motivations than you: had foreseen a naive and idealistic policy by the "Papa what matters is that he helps you reach the del Gnoco". Tommaso made sure instead, first, desired result. to have available a large amount of funds, which could then be redistributed through charitable works or Haven: A sober villa along Via Lega Veronese, in cultural initiatives to mortals. "Justice is in no hurry, front of Parco delle Mura. Officially the building only the blind fanaticism is" used to repeat the Brujah houses the Pietas San Zeno Foundation, which To his Vassals Tommaso simply asks not to aggravate deals with charitable works. This justifies the situation of the poor: for the rest, he allows them the continuous coming and going of Tommaso's to pursue their affairs as they see fit, accepting the servants and the presence of armed guards at the consequences, even in the event of bankruptcy and entrance. sometimes Final Death of some of them. In fact, his favorite passage of the Bible is Matthew 25, 14-30 (the Influence: The Brujah holds the right to vote in Talent parable). Nowadays, he continues to administer virtually all charitable associations in the city, to the district without excessive problems, thanks to the which it distributes a large amount of goods every huge amount of funds he has accumulated over the month. Apart from that, he has a moderate centuries, avoiding to get too deeply involved in influence both in the medical field and in the

VERONA BY NIGHT 50 financial field, in particular for the production and distribution of meds.

Secrets: In reality, the Harlequin was not destroyed during the clashes before the writing of the Scaliger Traditions. While he tidied up their common refuge, one night Tommaso accidentally found a secret hideaway with several occult objects and a series of notes detailing the ritual of summoning a demon. It required, among other things, the sacrifice of a pure-hearted Cainite who would assume the role of a vessel for the malevolent spirit. Convinced of the infernal nature of his Sire and of the danger he was running, Tommaso, a sunset, without Harlequin being aware of it, sent all the servants to perform a task that would lead them to certain death (retrieve an object from the shelter of a Werewolf without warning them of the nature of the place) and forced himself to wake up before his Sire, thereby impaling him. In spite of everything, however, he did not feel able to give him the Final Death, not even leaving him in the sun. He also refused to denounce him to the Court for fear that the other Cainites would associate him with the sins of the Venetian. Therefore he hid the lifeless body in the basement of his shelter, walling the recess personally to make sure no one ever knew of his existence. Following the earthquake that struck Emilia Romagna in 2012, however, the wall crumbled to dust: that same day the body of Harlequin disappeared, leaving no trace. Who took it away and what happened to it is a source of enormous concern for Tommaso, who fears that someone will find out what really happened in the past.

VERONA BY NIGHT 51 CLAN: Brujah Borgo Roma SIRE: Harlequin of Venice "Quartiere Roma", is written in the plaque attached to the wall, on the house that stands on the NATURE: Capitalist corner between via Centro and via Pasqualino Benedetti, "Martyr of Freedom", the same street CHARACTER: Altruist that houses the Liberty style building where the offices of the Fifth Circumscription are housed. GENERATION: 9° An entity, Borgo Roma, which is making its way into the perception of residents with some EMBRACE: 1533 resistance. In reality, the population would have more than one reason of pride in being identified APPARENT AGE: 50-60 years with the name of the capital city of Italy, as well as with the identity of the "colonizing" people PHYSICAL: Strenght 3 Dexterity 3 Stamina 3 who more than any other, in the history of Verona, has left an indelible mark of its SOCIAL: Appearance 4 Charisma 4 Manipulation 3 settlement in the city on the urban, architectural and cultural level. Older residents prefer to MENTAL: Intelligence 3 Wits 3 Perception 3 contrast this term, for many still "bureaucratic" and administrative, with their sense of belonging TALENTS: Leadership 4, Streetwise 2, Awareness 3, to the two ancient "districts" of Tomba and Empathy 4, Expression 2, Intimidation 2, Sixth Sense Tombetta. A short journey back in time helps to 2, Subterfuge 4 understand the reasons for this reluctance. Tomba was a town in its own right – indeed, it SKILLS: Larceny 1, Perfomance 2, Crafts 1, Etiquette was the first town south of the city, popular and 2, Survival 2 populated by farmers; Tombetta, on the other hand, was the outskirts of Verona that KNOWLEDGES: Academics 3, Finance 3, progressively expanded along the southern bend Investigation 2, Law 2, Politics 3, Medicine 4, Science 2 of the Adige, inhabited mainly by fishermen (before the disastrous flood of 1882 moved into DISCIPLINES: Presence 4, Auspex 3, Obfuscate 1, the city center the river bed) and artisans, Dominate 3, Fortitude 4, Potence 2, Celerity 2, forerunners of a certain petty-bourgeois class. The Valeren (Healer) 1 border, although not marked by the land, was known to all: located where now stands the BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence square of the warmemorial of the village. Between (medicine) 3, Influence (finance) 2. Influence (public the two hamlets there was a certain rivalry that, in amministration) 3, Influence (charity foundations) 5, some circumstances, gave rise to real contrasts. Contacts 4, Status 4, Resources 5, Retainers 4 The "causes" were various and curious: trespassing for going to see a certain girl, different opinions PATH: Humanity 6 on sports or, perhaps, on the Saints of Heaven and their holidays, or even different political WILLPOWER: 7 visions... All of this and more could lead to fights that could turn to be quite aggressive to say the least. A rivalry, in short, not fake at all, which had become part of manly trials, of initiation rites and of youth passage, necessary both for the "Tombaròi" and for "Quei de Tombéta". The most "heavy" misunderstanding, for both, was (and still is, since it is not uncommon to hear the reference to the Tomba and Tombetta districts as a place

VERONA BY NIGHT 52 of residence, compared to Borgo Roma) linked to the After the construction of the Lazzareto in the origin of theplace names. About the name locality of Pestrino, the sick remained in San Tomba (from which derives the diminutive Giacomo, but its importance diminished and, in Tombetta), in fact, some ideas that put the toponym the 19th century, the Public Administration in relation with the many burials present the in decided to create an "agricultural colony for subsoil must be rejected. Obviously, aroundthe mentally ill people". In 1968 the psychiatric centuries-old hospital there were large cemetery areas hospital of San Giacomo housed 600 patients, but – a theory confirmed by the fact that, when digging in 1970 it completely ceased to function, since the the foundations of a house in the area, one can easily new hospital of Marzana was available. run into poor human bones. The meaning of the Military constraints and servitude dictated by the name, however, is quite different: Tomba, infact, Austrians and new urbanization works, such as the should be understood asa hill, a short mound,a construction of the Camuzzoni canal, defined slight rise of the river to give a margin in its break at Tombetta's development lines. The first houses in its access to the plains. Close to the city, once existed, Tombetta were grouped in small courtyards like in where today the district spreads, the so-called Grande Cortile ai Quattro Rusteghi, Corticella Molinara, Campagna Veronese, an arid flood plain pertaining to Vicolo Malcontenti, in Corte Ongaro, Corte Giare; the city community on which theMunicipality of the majority, however, interweaved along Via Verona had right of property and jurisdiction. The Tombetta, forming the square, to then continue to first inhabitants of this arid environment, suitable for Campagnol. These were simple houses. Inside the modest crops and pasture, settled on Via Claudia district is also the Sanctuary of St. Teresa dei Padri Augusta, the Roman imperial road that ran fromPo Carmelitani Scalzi: it was built on land donated valley to Germany. It is therefore very probable, by Mrs Bisti and inaugurated in 1905. Further though not certain, that among these humble people south of the church of St. Teresa there was a rural (shepherds, guardians of pigs, grooms,blacksmiths area and a large parade ground used for military and innkeepers) the most ancient fathers of today's exercises and, later, for the landing of the aircrafts, borgatari of Borgo Roma should be sought. In this being the seat of military barracks: it occupied the place, near the walls of the city and not very popular, area that is now of Magazzini Generali, up to the in the Middle Ages it wasdecided to give shelter to current railway park of P. Nuova. In 1948, the area the unhealthy, or the sick, still distributed invarious of 200,000 square meters was transformed into an hospices. First there were onlylepers, then all the exhibition centre. Only in 1951 a railway line people suffering from skin diseases. Thus was born connected this area to the city. Although the the Hospice of San Giacomo della Rogna, where not neighborhood is located close to the historical only the sick were welcomed, but alsothe healthy center, it is disconnected by non-urban obstacles ones who looked after them: friars, nurses, workers of between the two areas: the industrial canal the convent. Camuzzoni and the settlements of the first factories of the late 19th century. The area of Borgo Roma consists of an urban nucleus dating back to the early post-war period but, since the 50s, it has been the subject of intense construction activity. The homonymous hospital is located in the district, and also the industrial area and the exhibition centre have a place here: such strong traffic attractors strongly penalize traffic, leaving very little space for pedestrians and cyclists. (source: Circoscrizione 5 di Verona website) Initially, the district was the fulcrum of the power of the Sewer Rats in the city of Verona, thanks to the large source of blood and information provided by the shelters for lepers and those suffering from mange.

VERONA BY NIGHT 53 The Hospital Center The main reasons of interest for the Cainites within the district are its polyclinic and the associated universities of Medicine and Surgery. In particular, the pole is dominated by the Regent Egidio Torricelli and Clan Tremere, of which he faithfully reproduced the pyramidal system by incorporating the various fiefdoms within his paramilitary infrastructure. In particular, rather than a real territory, the fiefdoms are linked to a specific area of research and department: in this way, the Regent can block any too "individualistic" research followed by his subordinates, checking the flow of grants. In addition of having an almost unlimited source of blood, which can be used as exchange goods with other local Cainites, the infrastructure is an excellent basis for the various researches that the Clan is making in Verona. The main task that the Council of Seven gave to the local Chantry concerns the study of DNA mapping. This discovery is in fact Following Clan's decline and following exile from the a focal point for the worldwide plans of the city, however, the district received a notable influx of Warlocks, but it must be refined and elaborated to not-Nosferatu, which benefited from the economic be converted into occult/mystery terms, so that it development following the flooding and from the can be used within thaumaturgical rituals. Moreover, construction of the the power plants first, and of the it represents the starting point of minor researches: exhibition centre and the industrial district second. the determination of the occult characters of a From the beginning of the twentieth century, the district specific ethnic group, or the possibility of predicting became the second territory with greater presence of the birth of certain mystical attributes in an Patricians after Old Town, creating a certain discontent individual based on genetic phenotypes. Some in the traditional population, mainly composed of Cainites, especially in the higher ranks, circumvent Gangrel and Malkavian, who over the years largely the Regent's control and create, among the folds of preferred to move elsewhere . Nevertheless, the district the departments, sub-commissions focused on topics today counts the presence of almost all the Scaliger not sanctioned by the Clan or sometimes Warlocks. prohibited: the replacement of some genetic traits The latter are responsible for maintaining social peace with others taken from supernatural or enchanted within the district. In fact, even if its decentrality with creatures with rituals forbidden by the Camarilla, or respect to Old Town gives the Cainites greater with fragments of the ritual for the creation of possibilities to resolve the disagreements that have Gargoyles, with the aim of creating new types of grown along with the economic disparity between the supernatural slave creatures; the creation of new arrivals and the long-standing inhabitants, the Revenant families, in order to break the Tzimisce Tremere prefer a climate of relative tranquility, in order monopoly on these secrets. And more. Regardless of to be able to continue their studies without problems. the more or less legal nature of the researches, This does not mean of course that there is no activity however, they are often divided into different among the various fiefdoms, and sometimes the isolated compartments, assigned both to Ghoul Warlocks themselves are responsible for this, especially servants and to mortal researchers and if at stake there is a necessary element for their undergraduates. Even a student unaware of the experiments. All of this is generally pursued in the supernatural can therefore find himself caught up, shadows, without the agents of the Barons being able to without being aware of it, in the drafting of a make accusations of their breaking the Traditions. fragment of a thaumaturgical ritual.

VERONA BY NIGHT 54 Certainly the Warlocks do not lack research material anyway, andsometimes it happens that a The Tremere Chantry patient in healing phase has a sudden worsening and is The fulcrum of the Clan's activity, as well as the declared deceased: his family is then "convinced" to refuge of its Regent, is not within the university and donate his body to research, and the poor unfortunate hospital, as would be logical to think, but in a finds himself locked in a cell inside a hidden wing of a position defiladed, closer to the historical defilated building, subject to the most disparate center. This structure in fact precedes, even if not by experiments. The Tremere, despite their intolerance much, the construction of the Hospice, at the time towards curious, have not closed the access dominated by the local Nosferatu. Around the to hospitals and universities to other Cainites - this in middle of the twelfth century, a mortal occultist fear of being suspected of breaking the Scaliger distantly linked to the Clan, Rocco degli Egidi, Traditions or of carrying out acts against the city and its made on the spot some geomancy studies, based on population. Several members of other clans, in ancient documents dating back to the 13th century. particular Brujah, Gangrel and Setites, own small He then found a quarry near the Adige, whose fiefdoms within the territory, and deal with satellite access was submerged by the waters: inside it, in realities such as hospices for relatives of the sick, which he entered with considerable difficulty, he distribution of drugs, or local activities not linked to found a strangely angled space covered with the university. Be as it may, the interest of each Cainite amethysts, which his instrumentation determined to in the area in oneway or another revolves around be one of the notorious Nodes. In the past it must the hospital, and the Warlocks take full have also been a gathering place for Lupines, but advantage of this. the remains that the geomancer found showed signs of violence, with also a minimal infernal trace, even though the quarry did not show significant contamination. Rocco related everything to his contacts, of which he did not know the true nature, and they rewarded his discovery and his skill with the Embrace and the appointment as Regent of the Chantry of Verona. His first task was the construction of the structure that would act as a laboratory and base camp for research right above the Node. Over the centuries, the building underwent continuous renovations and expansions, and its mystical seals and protections were renewed each time with greater effort, both to create an attenuation hood around the area and to eliminate any invaders. Currently, within the structure, in addition to several laboratories and archives with all the volumes and journals written in a nearly millennia, there is also a museum with several artifacts purchased or obtained in the area and an enclosure containing some supernatural creatures still under study, including a small chimera and a Szalchta dating back to the Omen War. Below, on the other hand, the Node was renovated into a proper crypt to maximize and channel the geomantic energies through a network of tunnels studied and sculpted with the help of the legendary master Zelios, the only one outside the Warlocks aware of the structure.

VERONA BY NIGHT 55 The network stretched through the undeground of a (something that only a Methuselah could trigger), large part of Borgo Roma and the Centro Storico, he could have taken absolute power over Verona at eventually covering almost the entire metropolitan area. any time, having an apparently invincible army at During the so-called Shadow Plague, the Chapel his disposal. received an unexpected attack from a direction even less taken into account. During the day, a large group of infernalist mortals penetrated into the net through holes dug into the sewage system: exploiting their greater number and employing several wolves and swarms of demonic rats, they swept both the occult and conventional defenses of the nest and took possession of it. Before the Warlocks could recover from their sudden awakening, the infernalists finished to perform a still unknown rite around the Node, causing the entire underground structure to collapse on itself. This event gave rise to the underground infestation by the Anguane, that the Usurpers supposed to be some kind of entity coming from the Deep Umbra. Tremere, however, had to hide the information from the rest of the Scaliger Court for fear of being pointed out as responsible for the fact. They breathed a sigh of relief when the Barons' past grievances caused the Clan Nosferatu's condemnation and their exile, scratching them off the suspect list. Despite all their effortst, the Warlocks failed both to find traces of the Node, of which even the exact location was lost, and to identify the rift from which Anguane escaped. The creatures, in particular, prevented access to the underground, and presented a remarkable resistance to arcane abilities, at least thaumaturgical. The only time the Warlocks managed to capture a specimen, it dissolved in the air after a few moments, as if it were only an illusion. Fortunately for them, the monsters did not seem interested in getting out from their nests. Their precise nature and their motivations, such as the reason of their aggressiveness towards the users of the Discipline of Obfuscate, remained unknown, and the Regents strained to deviate the attention of their superiors to other topics, recognizing their current incapacity to solve this riddle. Someone even tried to ask the help (albeit without specifying the precise nature of the help required) of Baron Giovanni, as belonging to the Clan that dominates the shadows, an element which, according to the Warlocks, characterizes the plane of existence of these creatures. However, he refused with disinterest. Among the Tremere, since then, there is the suspicion that the true responsible was the Baron himself, but this rumor was quickly disavowed: if indeed Giovanni had such a power

VERONA BY NIGHT 56 the latest discoveries, Egidio Torricelli especially in industrial applications such as petrol engines and electricity. Following the advice of Lord of Borgo Roma and Regent of Verona some of his companions of recreational clubs, he he late nineteenth century, began to attend conferences in Milan and following the cultural current of Switzerland on new striking theories, such as Romanism and Positivism, was a mesmerism and mathematical correspondences in flourish of alternative traditions famous Tuscan architectural works. He received and esoteric beliefs, giving the enlightenment when he witnessed, in 1879, a illusion to those who already conference in Geneva by Madame Blavatsky on a belonged to the bourgeois class to rise further above new adventurous discipline that united spirituality the t mass. The prerogative of exclusive knowledge, and science, Theosophy. which received strong clamor following the After listening over the years to various archaeological expeditions in Egypt and Greece, representatives of this futuristic discipline and even became a source of pride. Scholars of the most held an excited dialogue with Blavatsky, Egidio disparate disciplines and idealists dreamers formed a parlor in Bologna. Together with other endeavored to formulate (at least in the cases where professors of the university and belonging to the they were animated by a noble spirit and not by Bolognese high bourgeoisie, he discussed within it fraudulent interests) abstract theories, which the facets of theosophy, the latest currents of sometimes referred to a superficial knowledge of thought and new discoveries that contradicted science, other times to mere dreams and hopes, and traditional science and religion. Torricelli's life still others, to the particularly abstract elaboration of became more pleasant, even if two incidents ancient writings and works of art of every age, interrupted the peace he had finally found. containing messages and secrets of profound In 1883, a habitual guest in the parlor, a Venetian interest. It was the epoch of the secrets of the archaeologist who had followed Belzoni's example construction of the pyramids, of the ether and of and was particularly concerned with the so-called poisonous effluvia, of the Golden Dawn and of black pharaohs of the XXV dynasty, showed up one Theosophy. Although later a good part of these evening with a terribly untidy and shabby traditions was forgotten or lost in superstition, appearance. He began to interrupt the ongoing among their adherents the ones who hid in the discussions with rantings on other planes of shadows could select those who were worthy to enter existence, inhabited by creatures far superior to the true circle of the enlightened ones, even if for man and beyond morals and ethics: his less noble purposes than it would have been safe to descriptions of these creatures and their "culture" assume. One of the targets of these individuals was were abominable to the ears of bystanders, even the Physics professor Egidio Torricelli, a descendant beyond the perverse fantasies of the Marquis de of the distant student of Galileo Galilei and Sade, and the professor found himself forced to inventor of the mercury barometer. He resided in expel the archaeologist out of his parlor and Bologna and taught Applied Physics and away from him forever. He just smiled, departing Mathematics at University, living for the most part a with only this farewell: "This is not the last time we virtuos life devoid of particular stimuli. In the see each other." middle of his fourth decade, Torricelli found The other event, on the contrary, was considerably himself dissatisfied with his life, due to a particularly more pleasant. Two years after the accident with cold relationship with his wife and children, and the the Venetian, a member of the parlor invited lack of satisfaction in academic life. In fact, even if to participate a distinguished and evanescent man, every year in his lectures enrolled the very elite of who in his first appearances only listened to the students, attracted by his famous surname, their guests and organizers' speeches. Later, he began interest soon faded, as the professor was not an discussing profusely, particularly with regard to innovator in his field. He merely referred to the freemasonry, alchemy and rosicrucianism. The considerations of his colleagues, and found himself following month he returned to silence, even in difficulty when the students asked him to deepen though Egidio noticed how often he withdrew to

VERONA BY NIGHT 57 speak in private with selected members of the parlor. he would not only Embrace him, but also give him One evening the guest asked the professor himself to his place, as the Pyramid had just notified him of his speak in private: they discussed various topics for a next assignment in another position long time, even though Egidio noticed that some elsewhere. Torricelli doubled his commitment, questions seemed to be about enigmas or concealed risking twice to get sick of pneumitis due to poor verbal artifices to force the interlocutor to reason and consideration for health compared to the fervour for elaborate what was said . When the professor his studies. One particular began to worry him about interrupted him joking about this, the man replied that time: he understood well the competitive simply with a smile, and invited Egidio to visit him nature of the Pyramid, and found it hard to one evening at his mansion in Verona. believe that the other Warlocks would have accepted On the agreeded night, Egidio arrived at the address the nomination willingly. He therefore began given to him, not finding any building that to perform unsolicited tasks for them and to spoil resembled that described. While he was watching the them in the hope of appearing in a good light in Adige, offended for the bad joke, a hand touched his their eyes when they would have certainly presented shoulder: an old friar invited him, calling him by their grievances to Giuliano. He then observed the name, to take his hand and follow him. Suddenly studies of occult medicine and the experiments the professor found himself facing an imposing villa, that the Cainites performed on the patients as big as one of the wings of his university. Inside, of the hospital, and his soul felt deeply hurt Giuliano Terranova, his host, welcomed him, by the screams and imploring looks that those poor surrounded by a dozen other men and women with a souls directed towards him. A few times he found grim appearance. Giuliano guided him inside the himself sitting in a corner crying, overwhelmed by building, passing through libraries full of ancient guilt, but every time he repeated himself that it was volumes and parchments, and then to what seemed necessary, if he wanted to get to the truth. Finally, to be a cross between scientific laboratories and took place the ceremony during which Giuliano sorcerers' niches; then came an enclosure with announced his departure and appointed his monstrous animals and beings of all kinds, and successor. Egidio, who had been Embraced the night finally a museum, full of relics and legendary objects. before and felt full of energy, had prepared a long In this last room, the Tremere Regent explained to speech, in which he praised his virtues and offered him who and what he was, and offered him to his assistance for every problem of his brothers, as discover the truth behind the wall of ignorance of the well as promising the world to them. However, at mortal society. There's no need to say what Torricelli the end of Giuliano's announcement, Romolo, the decided. After simulating a fatal accident falling into group's elder Warlock, turned directly to Egidio, the Po, Egidio spent the next ten years as Giuliano's taking him by surprise: "Good. Can we go back to ghoul. But the Regent did not treat him as a mere our duties, Regent?" Egidio found himself servant: he dedicated his whole attention to instruct alone, with his new subordinates returned without him about the secrets of the Pyramid and the delay to their laboratories and Giuliano retired Chantry, about the Scaliger Traditions and the to collect his personal belongings for vampiric condition, about how to administer the the trip. Faced with the bizarre situation, the material and financial assets to the best and of course first thing the new Regent did was running to the about the arcane truth. Torricelli put his all to learn museum, opening the seal over the Anguane tome what his Sire wanted from him, even going so far as and beginning to read it. After just ten minutes, he to develop a cocaine addiction in order not to sleep appeared at the door of his Sire's study, on the edge and losing precious hours. In particular, a tome in of Frenzy: "Master, the tome of the Anguane is the museum attracted his attention: it was a grimoire practically BLANK!" that only Giuliano was allowed to access and that he Sighing, Giuliano explained to him the problem updated monthly without anyone being able to see of being Regent of the Chantry of Verona, and what he wrote, not even his closest collaborators. It why none of the other Warlocks aspired to the was a tome with the word "Anguane" written on it. rank. Technically the role would have been of During the tenth year of servitude, Giuliano confided considerable importance, just under that of the to him that at the end of that year

VERONA BY NIGHT 58 Barons of Verona, not forgetting that the Regent has Cainites to act as intermediary, but none of them available all the temporal, material and arcane means found the elusive shop of the mercenary of the Chantry and the district, as well as the sorcerer. Therefore, following the advice of his Sire, support of the members of the Pyramid. All this, he began to look for something that could satisfy however, was accompanied by a task assigned by the the appetite of the Council. When he learned of Circle of Seven itself – and which unfortunately the discovery of DNA and that other chapels in the powerful Elders had never forgotten: to find and Australia were doing research on it, he directed the recover the Node, discover all about the Anguane studies of the Clan in that direction, hoping to and subjugate them to the will of the Pyramid. The accumulate enough fame to receive a promotion. task, unfortunately, as the members of the Chantry At the stroke of the third millennium, an realized over the centuries, was absolutely impossible unexpected presence appeared in his studio, with their means, considering also the prohibition without being seen by anyone else and without imposed on the Regent to disclose the existence of triggering any of the alarms. While he was drafting the Node to outsiders. For this reason, past Regents one of several reports, the archaeologist who had had concluded that the only way to survive was banned more than a century ago appeared in front to pretend that the investigations on the Anguane of Egidio, looking exactly the same in appearance proceeded and simply took longer than expected: in and clothes since the last time he had seen him, the meantime, the Regent on duty would try to warm and breathing, and with a cruel smile on his distract the delegates from Vienna with results in face. other fields, trying to be assigned elsewhere as soon With a gesture of mockery, he placed a soft as possible. leatherbound tome on the table. "Perhaps now you Before leaving the Chantry, however, the resigning will change your mind." When Egidio looked up Regent had to find a suitable substitute among the man was gone: he had disappeared without a mortals to be sure that no Cainite outside the trace. Only the book, "Al-Azif", remained. Chantry could discover the truth. Egidio burst into tears of blood, realizing the deception in which he Image: A tall, thin man with graying hair kept in an had fallen, and Giuliano, before leaving, could only old-fashioned cut with long sideburns. It moves in a say, resting his hand on his shoulder: "As my Sire rigid and lanky manner, sometimes resembling a said to me, I hope you have more luck". penguin. His face is perpetually frozen in a grimace So the new life of the Fifth Regent of Verona began. of complacency, and his eyes are two slits gazing Lost all the enthusiasm that moved him until that upon the interlocutor in a dull manner. He dresses moment, he returned to the attitude that he used to very plainly: shirt and trousers with suspenders. On have in university during his life: he did his job important occasions, he wear a light overcoat. without hesitation but without putting more energy than necessary, becoming more interested in the Roleplaying Hints: Try to be as authoritative and administrative management of the district that on imposing as possible in order to make others the research itself. believe that you are important. Which actually is, From time to time he tried to think of some way to but you have convinced yourself of being little more get out of the impasse in which the search for the than a paper pusher and a bureaucrat, an Anguane was blocked, but every solution turned out administrator stuck with a useless task. Therefore to be useless. Because of Warlocks' reputation it was you behave exactly as such, trying to make everyone impossible for him to have access to other forms of around you feel inferior, if not for social status at Blood Sorcery, and most of the mortals he least for culture. Do not give any importance to questioned turned out to be charlatans, devoid of what others say, if not directly related to your daily any efficacy. The Lasombra in the city were not an tasks, and do not accept any solution different than option either, because they were jealous of their yours – not so much because you consider them particular Discipline or because they did not want to wrong, but rather not to appear inadequate. lower themselves to work for the Pyramid. When the first appearances of the mysterious Haven: the Tremere Chantry Venatore began, Egidio sent several servants and

VERONA BY NIGHT 59 Influence: As Regent of the Chantry, he has almost total control over the hospital infrastructure and the university connected to it. It also has at least a seat in various industrial activities in the area.

Secrets: He has never finished reading more than a few pages of Al-Azif, having understood that it describes methods of evocation and prayers to entities of other dimensions, probably Demons. Although it may be a not attempted way to address the problem of the Anguane, Egidio is still religious enough to not want to risk his own soul. He tried to contact someone in Vienna to ask what to do with the text, but shortly after that he received a call from an unknown number. An anonymus Warlock suggested to not get rid of the book, and invited him to attend a meeting of Kindred discussing the nature of other planes of existence and how to take advantage of them. Egidio, doubtful, is considering the offer.

CLAN: Tremere

SIRE: Giuliano Terranova

NATURE: Traditionalist

CHARACTER: Director

GENERATION: 10°

EMBRACE: 1895

APPARENT AGE: 37 years

PHYSICAL: Strenght 2 Dexterity 3 Stamina 4

SOCIAL: Appearance 3 Charisma 4 Manipulation 4

MENTAL: Intelligence 4 Wits 2 Perception 3

TALENTS: Leadership 4, Streetwise 1, Awareness 3, Empathy 4, Expression 3, Intimidation 2, Sixth Sense 2, Subterfuge 3

SKILLS: Larceny 2, Perfomance 2, Etiquette 4

KNOWLEDGES: Academics 4, Finance 3, Investigation 3, Law 3, Politics 3, Medicine 4, Science 4, Technology 2, Occult 4

VERONA BY NIGHT 60 DISCIPLINES: Auspex 4, Dominate 3, Fortitude 1, Thaumaturgy 5 Golosine It seems that the name derives from an THAUMATURGICAL PATHS: Blood 5, old inn run by two sisters, called Shadowcrafting 3, Focused Mind 5, Geomancy 3, "golosine". The district is located south of Countermagic 4, Spirit Manipulation 3, Curses 3 city's Old Town, on Verona's outskirts. The former Verona-Bologna railway BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence axis, now upgraded as a cycle-pedestrian (medicine) 5, Influence (finance) 3. Influence (public route, divides it lengthwise from the Santa amministration) 2, Influence (occult) 2, Contacts 4, Lucia district. Status 4, Resources 4, Retainers 5 Until 1919 the Golosine had only 83 houses; from 1919 to 1945, 233 were PATH: Humanity 4 added; from 1946 to 1960 there was a first demographic increase that continued WILLPOWER: 5 until the current development. In the heart of the old part of Golosine has been upgraded via Gaspare del Carretto, central axis on which there are many shops, the elementary and maternal school, just renovated, and the municipal library. This street, formerly very degraded, has been converted into Zone 30: the project has transformed the area, creating safe crossings and pedestrian paths. The project was completed with the upgrade of the square at the top of the street and with the upgrade of Via Ottavio Caccia, a natural continuation of the axis that connects Via Roveggia with Via Golosine and a place where the church, some shops, a school, the gardens and the war memorial are concentrated. The district of the veniali peccatrici is marked by a primary insular location generated by well-marked borders from the rest of the city: to the north the railway tangle of the Porta Nuova Station unfolds, while in the east and south the exhibition and industrial area rises. In recent years, the district has gained a bad reputation among the inhabitants of Verona, in part because of the increase of foreign population, and partly due to the crime in the area. In the Middle Ages the territory was covered with vast forests, a place of hunting – but also shelter – of brigands, but now the situation has deteriorated in the eyes of inhabitants: episodes of prostitution, drug dealing, gambling and fights during the nighthours, particularly near the stadium and the station, are commonplace.

VERONA BY NIGHT 61 For the Kindred the district is considered of little value – a factor that has considerably increased the Bertoldo animosity with the feudal lords of the surrounding territories. Despite this, the area has always boasted a Lord of Golosine, the Cunning Peasant great concentration of Clan Gangrel Cainites, who ertoldo, as everyone knows him, used to claim the predominance of the relatively wild claims to have been a fairly area until the last century. However, among the skilled peasant inhabiting the longstanding minor feudatories and the Vassals Veronese countryside in the appointed during the last decades there has been a early Middle Ages. He certain acrimony, due to the influence of the latter found himself one day to host which is degrading the social fabric of the area. While in his humble abode the the former maintain a traditional ideology and Longobardb King Alboino, traveling from Pavia to organizational structure, favoring a close relationship Verona but surprised by a violent storm. Initially with the woodland nature, the newcomers have hesitant for the presence of the noble warrior in begun to erode the equilibrium that had his court, he found himself involved in a diatribe characterized the district: on one hand, they have between the king and his consort, Queen helped the development of manufacturing in the Rosmunda, born from her complains about the southern area, on the other they had given carte total lack of respect towards her of her husband. blanche for crime's expansion, causing the symptoms Bertoldo, who followed the quarrel with interest, of the decay of the neighborhood. These younger commented on the situation by telling some nice Gangrel, most of whom had escaped from the Sabbat anecdotes in which he underlined the numerous of Milan and belong to the City Gangrel bloodline, shortcomings of females. The royal had decided that maintaining the previous state of bodyguards then surrounded the peasant affairs was counterproductive to Cainites interests – grabbing him hard, enraged by the man's both from a predatory and masterly perspective, and insolence in addressing their lords. However, taking into account the relations with the feudal Alboino, who was known for his vulgar nature lords of other districts, who generally tend to look at and his disdain for etiquette, gave a loud the Lords of the Golosine with a sense of superiority laugh and dismissed the soldiers. Later, he gave and pity. Although these differences have so far been orders to bring Bertoldo to his court, and held expressed only at a colloquial and verbal level, with him by his side to advise him, because of his only the occasional use of force, acts of sabotage and cunning and his prompt intelligence. The peasant vandalism have begun to take place against the remained at the king's side for a few years, until a objectives and interests of both parties. It is easy to Gangrel from Ravenna appreciated the simplicity imagine that this, joining the normal dynamics of and sharpness of Bertoldo and Embraced him to force and aggression among the different fiefdoms, act as his agent at the Longobard court. The will soon lead to real battles for the dominance of relationship ended when Rosmunda, in one of the two lines of thought. agreement with the Gepids, murdered her The Lord of Golosine, Bertoldo, has not yet husband. Since then, Bertoldo laid low, until commented on the situation and does not seem for Baron Giovanni made him his Vassal in the the moment to favor any faction, with considerable seventeenth century, incorporating Golosine frustration of his Vassals. countryside in the Scaliger domain. In support of this story, even today the Stranger always carries with him a unique cup obtained from a human skull, which he claims was obtained from the head of Gepid King Cunimondo. Bertoldo retrieved it before leaving. All lies.

 62 The real name of Bertoldo is Giulio Cesare the Coyote to drop from one of the trees, pin the Croce. He was a storyteller and writer from the Cainite to ground, and then tear him to pieces Emilia who lived towards the end of the sixteenth before he could react. Going through his things, century. A minor author of the time and a violin Giulio then found a bone cup of ancient player, he did not acquire or pursue his fame at a workmanship: thanks to his sensory powers, taught high level, seeking his audience among the mass to him by one of his packmates, he was able to and visiting courts, fairs and markets. Despite understand its origin and summarily its history. this, however, he became known and appreciated Therefore he decided to take advantage of it and to in the area, along with the imaginative characters use the odd object as a hinge for a cover identity, of his stories, such as Bertoldo and his so as not to hide anymore. After having readapted descendants Bertoldino and Cacasenno. Despite the story of one of his favorite characters to his having received a good education, he was a condition and having done many tests to impose convinced supporter of self-learning and street himself a certain posture and interpretative experiences, a virtue that he expressed in his imprint, the Gangrel asked an audience to Baron novels and in his writings through the mouths of Giovanni: he presented himself as ruler of the his protagonists. One day, a nomadic Sabbat pack Golosine woods and asked him to join his that carried out raids and unrest throughout protectorate as a Vassal. After a brief thought, the Europe, led by the Scandinavian City Gangrel Lasombra accepted the offer and gave him the Harald Skulldrinker, kidnapped and tortured for Investiture, with the warning that if he was going a week the storyteller, to celebrate some forgotten to impose himself on the other Gangrels of the anniversary, of Odin or Caine – Giulio never territory, he would have had to fend for himself. understood. So Harald Embraced Giulio and Fortunately for him, the Golosine was an area with introduced him in his own pack, both for having a low Cainite presence, due to the few inhabitants, a guide in Italian territory, both because his and the rare vampires present were mostly thin- personal skald had ended up destroyed during a blood outcasts. For him, who came from the blood clash in Austria. About fifty years passed, during of a terrible warrior, it was relatively easy to crush which Giulio participated in many of the actions the already weak opposition. of the Pack, even though he would always try not Over the years, he worked hard to extend his to meddle in the most inhuman and bloody control into local realities, gaining influence in matters. Finally, around the middle of the each of the farmer courts in the area. He then seventeenth century, a Coterie of Alastors invited as Vassals many Gangrel traditionalist or organized an ambush against the pack: Harald belonging to Camarilla courts, standardizing as had indeed been included in the list of much as possible his way of acting to the common Anathemas after having diablerized a Gangrel vision of the Camarilla Gangrel, in such a way as Elder in Scandinavia during the Anarch Revolt. to remove any possible suspicion. He even tried to The pack was annihilated, including the recover the Humanity he had lost in the time spent Anathema, but Giulio managed to barely escape, with the pack. His way of doing things and the folk running away from the executioners of the wisdom that he learned to feign thanks to his Camarilla while his refuge and his companions selftaught nature and folk culture learned in life were set on fire. Being a relatively recent and made him loved by his Vassals, while his little known member, the storyteller managed to aggressiveness and coldness in adversity disappear into thin air, hiding in the forests of discouraged his opponents to stand in his way. the Golosine and feeding on the bandits who With the beginning of the Fascist period, Giulio infested the area. A short time had passed when had second thoughts, trusting that by now his another Cainite infiltrated his territory, cover had stabilized and that political awakening in the Gangrel the terror that his developments would end up weakening the persecutors had not left the track and had found position of the Lords of Verona. Therefore, he him. A Nosferatu was crossing the forest in a began to sponsor, as Vassals, several Sabbat hurry, regardless of what surrounded him and members infiltrated inside the Camarilla, in such a dragging behind a heavy bag. It was child'a play for way as to extend the influence of the Caine's Sword

VERONA BY NIGHT 63 of Milan in Veneto. Haven: The official haven is at the inn that gives Unfortunately, his calculations turned out to be its name to the district, inside which Bertoldo has wrong, both because of the progress of World War a permanently rented room. The real haven is II and because of the betrayal of Giangaleazzo instead a cave dug under a small patch of trees in Now the situation of Giulio is noticeably thorny. the south, whose natural entrance has been He would like to forget the whole matter and closed with a landslide and is accessible via a pretend nothing ever happened, but the clashes of manhole whose key is owned exclusively by recent years actually hide a fracture worse than it Bertoldo. appears: while the old Strangers are not at all satisfied with recent developments in the territory, Influence: Bertoldo controls in a way or another the Sabbat infiltrators want to turn the district into all the farms and their derivative companies of the a stronghold of their Sect aimed at acting as a area. He can also boast some favors in the clubs bridgehead to reconquer Milan. The Coyote does and taverns. not know what decision to take: in both cases, he will have to betray part of his Vassals and Secrets: Giangaleazzo of Milan has never met possible allies and will create enemies who will not Bertoldo in person nor knows of his recent secret esitate to destroy him. He's entertaining the idea agreements with the Sabbat. In fact, the contacts of escaping and disappearing again, but first he were kept exclusively with a Ductus that counted must finish his preparations to delay any on reporting everything to her superiors only after investigation and Blood Hunt, if he does not want the event, but she was destroyed during the to be ambushed during his escape. betrayal of the Archbishop. Bertoldo does not know that and fears that Giangaleazzo may Image: A tall muscled man, hunched over blackmail him for some favor or sell him to the and with a good portion of his body covered with Archons. He knows that he recently sent his last hair. He has short brown hair and a thick beard, progeny to Verona, as Giovanni's guest, and fears which tries to keep as much well-groomed as that she is an observer with the task of studying possible. He wears simple clothes, in the style of him. He is considering whether to make her have the early twentieth century landowners. He always an "incident", or to buy her or distract her put on himself an excessive amount of attention elsewhere. For the rest, apart from the aftershave, in theh ope of covering the wild smell Lord-Vassal relationship, he has no authority constantly permeating him. over the Sabbat infiltrators and does not hold any official office, not even that of Ductus. Sabbat Roleplaying Hints: you weigh your every word in Vassals do not have a great opinion of the Coyote, order to make sure you always makethe right as his distance from the Sect caused him not having impression. When you have to be a diplomat, try to taken parts in the various Rites for some time. be kind and cordial; when you have show to Moreover, even if Bertoldo himself is not aware of firmness, behave aggressively and violently. You give it, the Skull of Cunimondo possesses occult great importance to direct experience, and have properties, due to its original owner who, in the little consideration both forformal education and visions of the Gangrel, always appears evanescent. for learning from teacher. If possible you have to see Anybody who drinks from the cup suffers the same everything personally, and if someone complains stun-like effects of alcohol, even if the subject about it you bring up popular slogans and anecdotes normally would not be affected – because he's dead, of daily life to support your opinion. When someone for example. insists on discussing a subject that irritates you, like your past or the situation of the Golosine, you respond in an excessively aggressive and abrupt way, hoping tod iscourage the interlocutor from continuing or simplybeing close to you.

VERONA BY NIGHT 64 CLAN: City Gangrel

SIRE: Harald Skulldrinker

NATURE: Survivalist

CHARACTER: Traditionalist

GENERATION: 10°

EMBRACE: 1581

APPARENT AGE: 31 years

PHYSICAL: Strenght 4 Dexterity 4 Stamina 3

SOCIAL: Appearance 3 Charisma 2 Manipulation 3

MENTAL: Intelligence 3 Wits 2 Perception 3

TALENTS: Athletics 2, Leadership 3, Streetwise 2, Awareness 3, Empathy 2, Expression 4, Intimidation 3, Sixth Sense 2, Subterfuge 3, Brawl 3

SKILLS: Animal Ken 2, Stealth 3, Larceny 2, Perfomance 4, Etiquette 1, Crafts 2, Survival 4

KNOWLEDGES: Academics 1, Finance 3, Investigation 2, Law 1, Politics 3

DISCIPLINES: Auspex 3, Presence 2, Protean 4, Celerity 3, Potence 2, Obfuscate 3, Fortitude 1, Animalism 1

BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence (farmers) 4, Influence (finance) 2. Influence (food service and inns) 2, Contacts 4, Status 4, Resources 3, Retainers 4

PATH: Humanity 6

WILLPOWER: 6

VERONA BY NIGHT 67 In order to improve the connection with other areas Porto San Pancrazio of the city and between districts, a new bridge over The name "Porto" derives from the fact that once, in the Adige, the Ponte del Pestrino, has been built. place of the current Ponte del Pestrino, which connects Contribute to the improvement of the life ofthe it to the area called Oltre Adige or Pestrino precisely, district and the safety in the streets the following: the and which separates the district from Borgo Roma, a new underpass (with bike lane), the establishment of small ferry used to be on duty. the "Zona 30" in Pestrino street and the upgrade of In the past, the district was inhabited mainly by workers "Buso del Gato". Great attention was given tothe who found a job in the factories of the districts in the enhancement of the environment along the banks of Northeast and by farmers who had small farms along the the Adige: in fact was estabilished Parco dell'Adige – embankment of the river Adige. The cultivated land was a protected natural area of social interest, which for and still is very good because it is very sandy (probably the southern part reaches Giarol Grande area. In this the old river bed) and easily irrigated due to the presence area, gardens for elderly people have been built, but of numerous springs and a canal called "la Morandina" also an educational farm is going tobe created. that runs through all the properties. Once the Pedestrian and bike lanes are planned which, in the land was cultivated using crop-rotation system, with future, with the creation of the Fonte delle Monache fodder for animals and cereals. Wellness Path, will allow a pedestrian linkbetween There were also beautiful orchards and vineyards. The Porto San Pancrazioand San Michele, andthen production of asparagus and strawberries was excellent. continue along the bank of the Adige towards Villa The two localities "Bosco" and "Boschetto" demonstrate Buri. In the Parco dell'Adige Suda plain wood has the existence of wooded areas that the farmers, been created – a wood representing the forest climbing down the hills, cut to begin the cultivation of formation typical of the plain areas of the past. In the land for grazing, as early as the X century. spring 2005, 1,500 plants were planted;in the In 1113 in "Saltuclo" locality there was already a church, autumn the forestation project was completed with dedicated to the Saints Mammaso, Nereo, Achilleo and the planting of 14,300 indigenous trees and Pancrazio, which still exists today. Of the four saints shrub plants, for a total of 15,800 plants on a initially venerated only the cult of San Pancrazio surface of 12.5 hectares. A cycle-pedestrian route remains. The development of the village is linked to the is already practicable and allows, along the bend of events of the Adige, as indicated by the same name the river, the connection from the bridge of "Porto", a point of docking and ferrying to the opposite Porto San Pancrazio to Via Interna Molini. bank. The first inhabitants lived on its resources (source: "quartieri in movimento" publication) (fishing, sand, gravel, driving force for the mills). The first settlement was located along the Morandina Formerly part of the Verona countryside, with the ditch and, during the Austrian domination, it was made passing of time the district began to take on an of wooden houses to facilitate demolition in case of increasingly marked residential character, until today attack. In the 16th century, the Lazzaretto was erected, of it arrived at the current demographic density. It which only the central shrine of Sanmicheli remains. became of interest to the Cainite society only starting Significant changes took place in the 19th century, with from the Shadow Plague, since the Nosferatu, who the construction of the cemetery, the Milan-Venice were already frowned upon in the city of Verona, railway line and the Porta Vescovo railway station. As a established the bases of their influence around result, the village remained closed between railway and hospices for the sick. After taking almost total Adige, with the possibility of expansion only in the control of Borgo Roma, the Sewer Rats pushed for south-east direction and with poor connections to the the construction of the Lazzaretto in Porto San city. Pancrazio, so to expand their dominion in the Heavily bombed during the last war, it experienced the district and with the intent not particularly hidden to reconstruction of the 50s and the subsequent surround Old Town. After the exile of Sewer Rats, development. Currently the central area of the district is the district became home to most of the Lunatics in completely saturated from the building point of view, the city, as at the time they appreciated the solitude the expansion areas are located on the other side of the offered by the newly erected structure – and because Adige, on the same side of the Lazzaretto Sanmicheliano. only someone not sane would have run the risk of

VERONA BY NIGHT 66 The Lazaretto According to Vasari, the Lazaretto was designed by architect Michele Sanmicheli, although according to other historians it was the work of Giangiacomo Sanguinetto, who, in June 1548, presented a model for the hospital to the city authorities. However, no definite evidence has been found about the author of the work. The new lazarette was completedonly in 1628, and in time forth e plague of 1630, brought by the German soldiers. For the city the contagion was a real tragedy, suffice it to say that in 1626 there were 53,333 inhabitants, whohad shrunk to 20,738at the end of the contagion: about 33,000 people died. In an attempt tostem the epidemic, the health authorities and citizens tried to confine the patients to the hospital: atthe height of the plague, more than 5,000 plague victims were concentrated inside. That of the 1630 was the last plague that hit the city, which therefore marked the decadence of the lazaretto, with the exception of arestructuring of the foundation carried out in 1742. At the end of thesame century, its medical use ceased, and the great complex was transformed into an explosives deposit. Also during World War II the lazarette was used as a deposit for explosives, and at the end of the war a sharing their shelter with a leper, as more than deflagration destroyed the eastern part of the someone whispered at the time. building. In April 1945, the Nazis fleeingfrom With the growth of the district, however, the Cainite Verona left it unattended, and there was new a population also increased and other Clans explosion: inside, however, there were dozens of established their refuge in the area as well. Being a people looking for something useful. The residential district, for the most part, the Kindred tried population, reduced by the war in a stateof to extend their influence in services, both public and poverty, tried to recover the brass of the private, and the struggle for power took the form of ammunition shells and then resell it. No particular market competition rather than open war or political attention was paid to the elementary safety rules, so influence. that the bullets were thrown on the stones and the The district is technically very safe, if you look at the gunpowder abandoned on the ground in large physical safety of the feudal lord, but the same can not quantities. People were so used to danger that they be said of its properties and its contacts, which can even smoke inside the deposit. The situation was evaporate in the air at any moment. All local Cainites, well known, so much so that many did not go however, tend to become obsessed, usually in things of anymore. A spark or a cigarette caused what can be little importance but obvious, such as counting coins seen today. The explosion caused at least 30 dead in their pocket at least every ten minutes or walking (including children, women and elderly), and many only on oblique tiles. This curious circumstance has injured. In this way the city lost a centuries-old made the rumor circulate that the district is construction of great importance. magnifying the Lunatic madness, making it contagious. In 1960, the central shrine was partially rebuilt, Almost no one takes it seriously, but there is always but only a few ruins survive in the entire complex. someone who actually believes it. At the moment the area of the hospital has been

VERONA BY NIGHT 67 entrusted to FAI and, despite a first job of unleashed, but a whole Cainite Clan made a cleaning from shrubs, the area is in a visible state of reputation for his prophetic abilities. Around abandonment. Giustino's end there were many rumors and, The project was commissioned by the new leader of after the Lunatics' rising in Porto San the Sewer Rats, Giustino, following the destruction of Pancrazio, many feared, in the depths of their the Primogen Maramacoea during the Anarch Revolt. hearts, they were founded. The only thing Despite the many voices rising against them in what certain is that without warning the Malkavian remained of the Scaliger Court, due to the start of the Malco, who before the Revolt had been clashes between the factions of Lucrezia and Primogen of the Lunatics and who had Giovanni, the Nosferatu managed to fade in the disappeared from the scene for several political landscape of Verona, becoming a secondary centuries, broke into the court of Giovanni and problem for the other Kindred compared to their gave the Baron several evidences, collected leader's victory. For its part, the Clan strove during the course of decades, of the Nosferatu to be noticed as little as possible by the rest of the plan to attack the entire city of Verona. When Cainites, and at the same time blew on the fire of asked about where the Sewer Rat had escaped, discord by circulating news about the movements of the Lunatic only said that his body would be both forces, to make sure that neither of the two the foundation for the shelter that Giustino contenders succeeded in gaining the upper hand. had wanted to build so much. Meanwhile, the individual Sewer Rats recovered the Struck by the reach of Malco's hand, the Keeper resources lost during the clashes and took advantage of appointed him with the Investiture the distraction of the contenders to increase their immediately, entrusting him with the Lazaretto influence in the metropolitan area. After securing his and the surrounding lands. Since then the position in Borgo Roma, Giustino developed a plan to building, finally completed, became the nerve surround all the roads leading to the center of Verona. center of the Cainites of the area, in particular In this way he could isolate the city on command and for the Clan of the Shattered Mirror. delay the influx of basic necessities to mortals, causing They took advantage of the structure both as a discontent among the people and thus damaging the hunting ground and as a contact with the mortal Cainites. Once this objective had been achieved, the world, certain that in such a place of sorrow and dominance of the Clan would have been total, and the hope their madness would not have caused as contenders would have been forced to bow their heads much damage as in other places, and indeed to the Nosferatu. The leaders of the Clan could even sometimes give relief to the commissioned the construction of the Lazzaretto in suffering. Moreover, the Malkavians benefited Porto San Pancrazio, in order to repeat the other from the influence that the sick, once treated district's already well-tested scheme. their afflictions, contributed to spread in the Something, however, did not go according to different corners of the district and the city, Giustino's plan. There were several problems forming a network that extended throughout during the construction of the building, such as the the territory of Verona. Over the centuries, the sudden change of mood of the architect, who passed district became more and more urbanized, and the project to another designer who redesigned the Cainites began to disperse among the everything from scratch and had to redo all the various blocks asking and taking possession of measurements from the beginning; or the error in the various fiefdoms. Gradually, even the mortals receipts for the transport of the concrete, which was abandoned the Lazaretto. In the end, only sent to Sicily instead of the place of construction. Malco's refuge remained, and he refused to The Nosferatu kept an eye on every single passage leave the place even though he was the only from the shadows, but each event turned out to be inhabitant. completely random and disconnected from the others, The Lunatics believe that the problem of the as if there had been the hand of fate or chaos behind neighborhood is not tied so much to them but their misfortune. Then, the Shadow Plague came. rather to the place itself, which began to release Only a seer could have predicted the events that were all the pain accumulated over the centuries in the nearby streets, poisoning and confusing the

VERONA BY NIGHT 68 Beast of the Cainites residing there. Several have asked the Lord to demolish even the last remaining Malco stump, purging the evil aura, and to find a new Lord of Porto San Pancrazio, the Hunter residence more suited to his needs, but Malco refused every time, for reasons known only to him. f the various Cainites who survived in the city of Hatred through the centuries, Malco is among those whose existence is more fragmented and mythologized, and whose form of peculiar madnesso is strongly feared by all. Despite his presence in the district is barely noticed, traces of his influence are found in every exchange and in each handshake, and the Cainites warn their servants to step aside when they hear the sound of metal being dragged on the ground, because more often than not it's the sign that the Hunter is on the track. Ironically, the legend of Malco crosses with that of another famous Cainite, the infamous Prince and former Archbishop of Milan Giangaleazzo, although this did not happen in the Final Nights but at the time when both possessed a beating heart. At the end of the fourteenth century, when the Keeper was still known as the Count of Virtue, he led his troops from the front line around the Po Valley, fighting multiple wars against the other Italian Lordships and Republics. When he camped his army near the banks of the Mincio, his personal jester, Gonnella, entertained the various soldiers that warmed up around the campfires telling a local story, concerning the nymphs that inhabited the waters of the tributary: under the moonlight, they got out the river to dance, hiding their beautiful features behind the appearance of deformed witches due to an ancient curse. Later, during the night, three monstrous beings emerged from a shelter on the banks of the Mincio, beginning to dance among the tents, among the guards struck by a sudden slumber and fallen asleep on the spot. Only the captain of one of the various regiments, Malco, who was still awake to write some missives, heard the sound of the dance and went out to look for the source. When he saw the monsters, the warrior grabbed his weapons and threw himself after them, charging the first one head on. She dodged him with a movement quicker than his eyes,

 69 and began to dance around him, while the soldier how the Malkavian Embraced the captain. Together tried in vain to hit her with plunges and sweeps of his they escaped from the camp, leaving only a knotted blade. After minutes and minutes of useless efforts, handkerchief that gave rise to the legend survived Malco felt broken, dripping with sweat and blood to the present day. The Lunatic abandoned her from the scratches that the witch had inflicted on him sisters' congregation to settle with her progeny in at every step. Despite this, he remained on his guard, the city of Verona, receiving the consent of Prince regardless of the disparity of strength. The witch Orso. After a few months, however, Silvia's grabbed him and lifted him up into the air, then madness ran its course, and the violent passion canceled the illusion that enveloped her, revealing her towards Malco became cold indifference all at once. true form of a pale and pretty virgin, and kissed him One night, treacherously, she staked the Neonate suddenly. When the warrior fell to the ground, he was in their haven and disappeared laughing in the alone again, as if the whole thing had been nothing night for an unknown destination, driven by a mad more than a dream. The following days were somehow love for another man. Malco fell prey to Frenzy for muffled, the officer's thoughts disturbed by the witch's several nights: it did not cause a sensation only face. His fellow soldiers began to worry: they tried to because the other local Lunatics chained him to a persuade him to seek treatment and even to go to a wall, waiting for him to calm down. When he priest to exorcise off the Devil's influence. Despite finally returned to reason his personality had this, Malco took refuge in the memories of those radically changed. From being jovial and carefree events, moving further and further away from the real he became grim and lonely, and began to spend the world. During the night he was sure to glimpse that nights between the forge and the shooting range, face behind every stone and on the edge of the river becoming master in the use and construction of water. One of those nights, meanwhile, the Count traps – as well as a huge crossbow of his invention, held a party for his relatives, his dignitaries, which over the centuries he continued to modify ambassadors and his officers, with banquets and and improve. He also learned to follow traces and dances. This feast was also meant to celebrate the to notice even the slightest clue, and was soon engagement between Malco and Isabella, a cousin of employed by Orso to hunt down criminals and Giangaleazzo. In spite of everything, the captain was those who violated traditions. He pursued every distracted, and barely listened to the chatter of his single bounty with a unique concentration and betrothed, nodding to everything she said with a dazed obsession, indifferent to risks and even to his own expression. Suddenly, among the celebrating crowd, survival. For his deeds Malco was raised to the man noticed a familiar face: a pale and beautiful Primogen, despite his young age. All this, however, girl with gentle features, dressed only in a white tunic. became less than dust every time he received news Moving away abruptly, Malco reached the nymph, and of Silvia, for whom he left everything behind, together the two lovers began a swirling dance, focusing only on following the trail. exchanging names and promising eternal love to each Several times he found her, but every time his Sire other. Isabella, seized by jealousy and enraged by the evaded his attacks, disappearing again like snow in humiliation, threw herself furiously on Silvia, the the sun. It is said that it was for a sighting in nymph,dragging her to the ground and scratching her Florence that the Hunter left Verona shortly before face. In response, the witch threw her away, and rose the Anarch Revolt, and was no longer seen for up into the air, assuming the appearance of a several centuries. It is not known exactly when he deformed old woman and shouting obscenity against returned to the city of Verona, but it is certainly the noble. The guards went to engage her, but Malco known that the problems that the Nosferatu had stepped in, pointing against them his weapon and with the Lazaretto were due to his influence, and shielding his beloved. The latter disappeared in the that he was the one who prepared the capture of night, like a gust of wind, while the captain was Giustino, even though he was never aware of the defeated and subdued. The Count himself ordered he origin of the Shadow Plague and the Anguane. He was imprisoned in a cell, to be executed the next day. felt only the approach of events. Since then he While he was awaiting death, Silvia returned to her settled in the Lazaretto, more precisely in a beloved, and offered him an eternity by her side. basement hidden under the central shrine. Malco renewed his vow of eternal love, and that was Generally it does not move away from the

VERONA BY NIGHT 70 place, except when hunting, but has a large network Influence: Directly, the Lunatic does not talk to of servants who always seem to know the intentions anyone so much that he can say he has of their Domitor, acting as his mouth and as his relationships with someone, but many owe him hand. In addition to managing his fiefdom, Malco favors for various jobs that he has completed. also accepts commissions to capture dangerous Moreover, through his ghouls he controls many individuals, even if only in case they are a danger to activities within the neighborhood: these men the whole city and the Scaliger Traditions: therefore and women never meet him in person, but they he informally takes up the Scourge function if the always have the feeling of knowing Malco's feudal lords fail to compensate. Given his ability wishes, and as long as they follow these instincts and his foresight, everyone in the district - and blood vials are regularly delivered to their houses perhaps throughout the city - are afraid of the every month. Hunter, who never stops until his prey is lying impaled to the ground. Secrets: In fact, during his absence from Verona Malco managed to capture Silvia, and keeps her Image: The first thing you notice in him is the chained and staked inside his haven. The crossbow: a huge siege crossbow as tall as Malco Lunatic, to be sure that she doesn't feel lonely, himself, which he always carries tied toh is back. keeps many of his victims chained and staked as Then his blue eyes, cold like ice. Then his hunched well, in a mad parody of a big happy family. It is back, with the prominent shoulder blades and his their despair and the Beast that cries in them that long arms, dangling at his side, and a muscular and provokes the collective folly of the neighborhood. stocky body, marked by endless scars and wounds. Obviously anyone who should ever discover this Finally his face, surrounded by long unkempt black inevitably would end up joining the diorama, and hair and a thick beard. A long suede jacket, covered the Hunter is willing to do anything – even with trophies, chains and bandoliers filled with ash destroy the whole Verona in the flames – in bolts completes the picture. Overall, a blue-eyed order to protect his beloved. demon devoured by obsession. CLAN: Malkavian Roleplaying Hints: Always keep your word. EVERY WORD GIVEN. Youcannot exempt SIRE: Silvia, Mincio's Nymph yourself from doing it. For the rest, nothing matters to you but to stay with your beloved Silvia and take NATURE: Martyr care of her as best as you can. Speak only the minimum necessary: let your body speak for you. CHARACTER: Monster Listen to others only if you have to, and only if this can give you the power and influence you need to GENERATION: 11° keep your loved one safe from anything. In this case, don't stop at nothing, because nothing matters more EMBRACE: 1394 than Silvia: her well-being and your love are the most important things in the world. Even if she does APPARENT AGE: 24 years not realize it. PHYSICAL: Strenght 3 Dexterity 4 Stamina 4 Haven: A basement hidden under Lazzaretto's shrine. Inside, there is a mechanical laboratory, a SOCIAL: Appearance 1 Charisma 3 small untidy apartment, a rack full of weapons and Manipulation 2 traps of all kinds and the trophy room, where all his victims are locked up. The security of the place is MENTAL: Intelligence 3 Wits 3 Perception 5 given almost exclusively byth e presence of Malco himself and his reputation. TALENTS: Athletics 3, Leadership 2, Streetwise 3, Awareness 2, Intimidation 3, Sixth Sense 5, Subterfuge 2, Brawl 2

VERONA BY NIGHT 71 SKILLS: Bow 5, Melee 3, Stealth 4, Larceny 2, Crafts DERANGEMENT: Extreme obsession with the 5, Survival 4 given word. Malco must keep his promise at all costs, and the more time passes the more the KNOWLEDGES: Academics 1, Finance 2, impulse becomes obsessive. Currently, the Investigation 5, Law 1, Politics 1, Medicine 2 promises to which Malco must keep faith are to stay with Silvia, to govern Porto San Pancrazio, to DISCIPLINES: Auspex 4, Celerity 2, Potence 3, give wellbeing to mortals and Cainites living there. Obfuscate 2, Dominate 3, Fortitude 1, Dementation 1 SPECIAL RULES: SenzaRiposo: it's the siege crossbow built, modified and perfected by BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence Malco over the course of six centuries. It is built (police) 2, Influence (finance) 2. Influence (crime) 2, with different materials, both worldly and collected Contacts 4, Status 4, Resources 4, Retainers 4 by supernatural entities, and uses a combination of pulleys, springs and tendons in order to shoot PATH: Grey Hunter 4 ash darts with an unimaginable range and with enormous precision, for the sole purpose of staking WILLPOWER: 7 at long distance Cainites . Requires Potence 2 or Strenght 6 to be used. Damage 5L, Radius 150, Difficulty -1 for Staking, Penetration 3

VERONA BY NIGHT 72 carriages – only a few wagons and peasants on foot. Borgo Milano It was in the late nineteenth and early twentieth The origin of Corso Milano is to be traced in the century that "outside Porta San Zeno" began the Roman period: in the I century. A.D., a process of transformation from rural to urban general plan for the arrangement of the northern road district, in which a new parish reality was of the peninsula was set up to facilitate the movement created and established. At the beginning of of the military troops, giving birth to the "Gallica". The the twentieth century Borgo Milano, already exact route isn't known yet. Perhaps the road undergoing buildings expansion and economic separated from the Via Postumia further west of the development, was part of the Municipality of San Gavi arch heading north, keeping behind the Basilica Massimo all'Adige. The latter was in turn of S. Zeno: this route is suggested by the presence of a independent of the Municipality of Verona, and vast late antiquity necropolis, which extends between was equipped with its administrative and Piazza Corrubbio, Piazza Pozza and via Spagna and by representative bodies, located at the White Cross two large funerary areas towards the river (those of Via on the provincial road to Brescia. The Municipality da Vico and Vicolo caserma Chiodo. The of San Massimo had a very large area (almost 2,700 route near Viale Cristoforo Colombo probably bent hectares), on which about 5,700 inhabitants lived: abruptly towards the west, towards Viale Sicilia-via it extended up to the walls of Verona and also Doria, near which, in 1962, two tombs and a funeral included the three inhabited areas of Boscomantico inscription came to light. (at that time already equipped with the airfield In the eighth century, the first church dedicated to military), Chievo and Borgo Milano. The Verona San Massimo was built, together with a small municipal administration already at the time of the inhabited area, at the intersection of Viale Cristoforo mayor Antonio Guglielmi Colombo and Corso Milano. It was destroyed by the (1896-1907) proposed to aggregate the Municipality Hungarians and rebuilt in 981 at the current of San Massimo all'Adige to that of Verona, but the "Summer Gardens". Over time, an extra-large project was not realized, especially for the suburban village developed around the church (San oncoming and urgent issues related to the Italian Massimo fuori le mura), while the church also hosted, intervention in World War I. It was only in the around 1365, a small community of Benedictine nuns early years of Fascism that this transition took (monasterium Sancti Maximi penes muros burgorum place, in 1927, when Vittorio Raffaldi was the civitatis Verone). In the era of Verona – and especially mayor of Verona. The current Borgo Milano is the during the first Venetian domination (1405-1517) – result of the continuous enlargement of three main the San Massimo settlement, although remained inhabited areas and developed immediately after outside the city walls, grew in size and, in 1409, was the excavation of the Canale Camuzzoni aggregated for tax purposes to the city district of the (1883-1885). First the cores of Tre Ponti and of the Beveraria (Beveraria cum Sancto Maximo), bordering Via Baracca – Via Manzoni area were formed; then that of San Zeno. the Villaggio Dell'Oca Bianca (1930s), the Catena In 1518, all the buildings outside the city walls were district (or the Navigatori area, since 1960), the razed to meet the defense needs of the city, thus Stadio district (since 1970), the Saval district (since giving rise to La Spianà. The small settlement moved 1975), while the actual Borgo Milano extended to the area of the current San Massimo. gradually to the south of the highway until it In some prints of the nineteenth century, beyond Porta reached the railway embankment. San Zeno, there is a small stretch indicating a road, As for Borgo Milano, at the beginning of the with a brief indication: "strada per Brescia". It was century it was still a territory consisting largely of information given probably more for the sake of agricultural areas, combined with several craft precision than for actual usefulness, given the rarity of workshops and,in the decades following World travelers in an era that was still prehistoric for tourism. War I, by other interesting economic realities. Also This is what, originally, Corso Milano really was: simply important was the production of silkworms by the the "road to Brescia", a road in the peasant families, who planted mulberries for this open countryside, between cultivated fields and purpose, whose leaves serve as nourishment for the uncultivated land, without cars and probably with rare worms: actual rows of mulberry could easily be

VERONA BY NIGHT 73 encountered in the fields between Corso Milano and Via San Marco. In 1928 the administration implemented plans for public housing, raising houses for former combatants, built by the provincial federation of Verona in various peripheral areas of the city. Among the public works carried out by the administration are then the ultra-compact houses built in 1930 for the poor: these buildings were six threestorey buildings with 104 apartments of one, two or three rooms with a bathroom, electricity and water. During World War II, the district was hit by bombs. The first bomb fell in 1943 at the corner between Corso Milano and Via Manzoni, causing only material damage. The bombing of January 4, 1945 struck the entire city hard and caused 25 dead in this sector, most of them into a shelter in Via Manzoni. In the second decade of the 21st century, constructions of buildings for residential use were started in the neighborhood, bringing the whole area to be one of the most avant-garde places (from the point of view of energy, environmental impact and so on) where to build in the city of Verona. (source: Italian Wikipedia) Although by day the district is quiet and pleasant for the mortal population, when night falls many orders to drug dealers, grassroots, moneylenders and protectors in the whole city take off from here, especially from Borgo Nuovo. Inside, in fact, there are several bases and warehouses of the Nigerian mafia sadly famous as Black Ax. This criminal organization, known both for its ferocity and for the mystical-spiritual traits that distinguish its members, has influence in many cities in Northern Italy, controlling a good portion of the trafficking of immigrants, of prostitution of any kind and of drugs and firearms, with the introduction in recent times even of scams on the net. Although originally an organization born in Nigeria, the Italian bosses seem to be concentrated in Verona, where the priest-headmasters co-opt the new "chosen" through voodoo rituals and the ingestion of blood mixed with This does not mean that the district is in the hands cocaine and poppy juice. In 2005, a joint action by of the Setites, who still represent a small minority several police forces led to an apparent eradication of of the local Cainites, but the local crime is the mafia, which however has resurfaced over and over completely in the hands of the Serpents, which in again over the years. What the police can not know is turn are supported by the Baron in an anti- that behind the organization lies a sect far worse than Giovanni role. Black Ax and his cult enjoy any mortal can imagine: the cult of Set. The real leaders considerable prestige, but they are careful not to of Black Ax, those who the police can't identify and exaggerate, knowing that Lucrezia could always arrest, are all Cainites belonging to the Followers of Set, invite someone else to take their place. Therefore and all of them are feudal lords of Black Ax, the the cult does not perform striking actions, limiting Hierophant of Verona and Vassal of Lucrezia in Borgo itself to erode the moral fabric of the local Milano. population for the glory of Set.

VERONA BY NIGHT 74 The White Goose Village financed by the great Veronese painter Dall'Oca Bianca in the thirties to give a decent home to the Calling "Borgo Nuovo" had been an ante litteram poor people who lived in the shantytowns built in marketing operation, when talking about a "Village" the ravines of the Bastioni had not gone the right evoked only misery and social degradation. Who way. In the immediate post-war period the village knows if it is true what aparishioner told to Fr. was enlarged with those that had to be "passing" Giorgio Fainelli, who has been here since 2012: houses for the displaced people housed everything would have started froma precariously in the San Felice barracks: but in Italy, misunderstanding, in the Sixties, when the wish of a as Flaiano said, nothing is more definitive than priest of that time to celebrate the memory ofa the temporary. Then, massive housing certain Borgonovo – a young man of the district interventions had begun: the "ghetto" effect could died in the concentration camps – triggered a chain be said to have been completed. When in the reaction that led to create the new name. Certainly, eighties the local underworld became welded to even then, it was evident that the social project the heroine boom, the fate of the neighborhood seemed to be doomed forever. Yet the new millennium has brought to Borgo Nuovo an unprecedented flow of money in the form of the "district contract" funded by the Ministry of Infrastructure. Actually, that money came from the coffers of the Black Ax – one of the conditions imposed by Lucrezia for Black Ax's Investiture. The neighborhood was modernized and cleaned up following the long period of indifference and mismanagement by the Necromancer Lord who occupied the district first. His domain lasted until the immigrants coming from Africa under his employ did not organize themselves to overthrow him taking advantage of his arrogance and his vainglory. However, this does not mean that everything that glitters is gold. Many reconstructed buildings contain hidden rooms connected by underground passages (disconnected from the sewers to avoid any invasion by the Anguane), using the bunkers built by the Nazis during World War II as foundations. A temple dedicated to Set was also built under the rebuilt church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This area, however, is particularly problematic, which is why the construction of the building is going slowly; during the night the dead buried in the dungeons of the church, mixed with the SS dead in the allied bombings and buried alive, continue to animate and try to escape in the streets, forcing the criminals to patrol the area and eliminate all living dead before a passerby can see something abnormal. For this reason Black Ax promulgated the order to forcibly expel all Necromancers from the district. Despite all his efforts, however, the responsible has not been identified yet.

VERONA BY NIGHT 75 Finally, he received an invitation, in which the Black Ax matron of one of the various brothels of the city invited him to her private rooms. Showing up Hierophant and Lord of Borgo Milano with his best men with great pomp, to make orn in the seventeenth century it clear that he was not a common thief but the in a village near Eko, Nigeria, new lord of the streets, the young man was Hassan Azubuike was the leader welcomed inside a temple hidden among the of local hunters. Ambitious and shacks of the poor neighborhoods, whose richness unscrupulous, when Portuguese and elegance contrasted with the simplicity of the traders came looking for slaves shacks. Sitting on silk cushions and lion furs and to be bought for the crops in the surrounded by beautiful maidens scented with Americas,b the young man offered to procure goods of sandalwood, he listened to the words of the high quality. In return, he received goods that he could matron and priestess Herzilì. She appeared as a never have accumulated while standing in the middle of little girl, but her already shapely figure was only the savannah. In order to increase his revenues, he not vaguely concealed by semitransparent veils and only delivered prisoners of war and criminals, but chains of gold and silver. The priestess offered the organized kidnappings and raids in distant villages, criminal all kinds of luxuries, and to satisfy all focusing mainly on young and handsome women and sorts of vices, if he knelt in front of the Black Ax healthy children. If necessary, each time he was discovered and her lord Damballah, one of the most or he encountered a defense far superior to what he had powerful Loas in the Voodoo mythology. His expected, he did not disdain the use of tactics without ambition was too strong and he yielded to the honor or glory, such as setting fires, provoking wild charms of the sorceress and his protecting spirit; animals' stampedes, or poisoning water supplies. Over the he replied that the only thing he wished for was years he accumulated a small fortune and, after power, and that illusions like these would not instructing his men on how to continue operations even distract him. Then the girl's mouth widened in a in his absence, he headed for Eko, renamed Lagos by the broad, perverse smile, and before falling on him, Portuguese who settled there. Intrigued by the relative she whispered that it was time to break the wealth of the great port, initially Hassan spent part of his illusion in which he lived. In this way, Hassan funds to indulge in luxury, good food and women, but became member of the Cult of the Black Ax, one soon returned to the old habits and began to outline the of the many groupings of the Sons of Damballah, power structures of the city background, namely the small a fringe of the Followers of Set who had strayed criminals who fed on the crumbs of the dignitaries of the from the Egyptian core. Benin Empire and the wealthy Portuguese traffickers. Hassan continued to coordinate the slave traders With a mixture of threats, adulation and good old- of the city, becoming responsible for this fashioned violence, in short, the slave driver gathered a particular market on behalf of the Black Ax, and good share of the misfits and the outcasts and reorganized participated diligently, though not particularly them into an organized force, creating a protection and zealously, in the rites of worship. intermediary business of considerable success with the It is not that he did not believe in the precepts of slave hunters from the hinterland. In short, foreigners the faith, but he gave his personal struggle for were looking for his goods, and not the other way around, power and greatness priority over his duties and the man was in a position to negotiate the price, towards Damballah and the spiritual quest of thanks to an agile game of competition and dissimulation ascension to divinity. This didn't make him among the different merchants. Besides the good news, particularly shine within the hierarchy, but his also came the attention of the true owners of the slums, ability proved to be fundamental to the temporal who first sent subtle "tips", then thugs, and finally curses power of the cult thus cementing his position in a and spells by houngans and priests. Hassan was not stasis situation. intimidated: each time he sent the message back to the The centuries passed, and the situation in the sender, along with the severed heads of the messengers country caused several disruptions within the and the attackers. social structure of Lagos. Despite this, the Black Ax did not find its position weakened, but it

VERONA BY NIGHT 76 spread instead, thanks to Hassan's ability to the small nucleus of the Black Ax in the district of modify and diversify the nature of the interests of Borgo Nuovo and accepted the Investiture of his fringe. Slowly it passed from the slave trade to Maurizio Micelli, the official representative of the the trafficking of illegal immigrants, that although Necromancers in city and Lord of the district at the in practice there is not a real difference in time, in exchange for the subjugation of the substance, formally allowed to circumvent the will African criminals to the local 'Ndrangheta and to of the legislators on the one hand and to present him. Starting from his tiny power base, a quartet of the traffickers in good light on the other, warehouses and apartments crammed with illegal facilitating and making more efficient the process immigrants, small drug dealers and prostitutes of collecting and transporting the "goods". abandoned to despair and indifference, Hassan The decline of Hassan in Nigeria was due to a cleaned up the area and began to make himself struggle not widely known elsewhere, namely the known, reorganizing his men in an organic way revival of the Arab Sect known as Ashirra in and expanding his influence a little at a time. Africa. It accomplished what even the Camarilla Through sabotage maneuvers and exploiting the dared not do in the previous centuries, that is to indolence in which the local feudal lords had oppose directly the powerful Laibon. At the abandoned themselves because of the arrogance of beginning of the 21st century several members of the Giovanni, who felt omnipotent thanks to the the sect, dragged by Al Qaeda and 11 September, proximity of Verona to Venice, the Black Ax infiltrated Islamic communities all over the world, succeeded in bringing the Necromancers to ruin, and in Nigeria in particular gave impetus to the making so that they were hunted or destroyed. The formation of Boko Haram. Using the actions of gaps were filled with other transfuges from the terrorist organization to attack on one side the Nigeria, thus enlarging the Setites power base in Ventrue who had settled there, on the other the the city. When he felt secure enough, Ascia then courts of the local Cainites, the Ashirra began a asked for a private audience with Baron Lucrezia, close and violent struggle for the entrenched presenting a redevelopment plan for Borgo Milano infiltration of the Sect in the African state, a clash described in detail: Hassan could have carried it going on still today with ups and downs. In the out without problems if he had replaced the meantime, however, the first victims reaped from current Vassal, who preferred to leave the the conflict were ironically the Sons of Damballah, district to rot and lazily gather the fruits. The who assumed a neutral position in the conflict: Aesthete took the hint and gave him consent to a while in fact the invaders were composed of possible resettlement of powers in the case of a ultrafanatic elements that saw as the ultimate evil unfortunate departure of Micelli, but posed some the existence of the Damballians, known necessary conditions if Hassan wanted to become corrupters and violators of the precepts of Allah, the new feudal lord: these included limitations to the Laibon, who did not trust the Clan, accused the number of Damballians inside of the city of the cult of agreeing with the Egyptian Setites to Verona and the prohibition of infiltrating their support the Ashirra in exchange for material and men in certain areas, leaving freedom to other temporal benefits. For this reason, the Black Ax Clans to act in the district without interference found itself forced to curl up in a ball, waiting for that went beyond the normal competition between a more favorable moment for them, and to Vassals. publicly sacrifice several of its medium-level In the following months, the Italian mafia in the members. They advised them to seek their fortune city suddenly found itself without elsewhere, in the outposts that mortal servants had manpower, with all their activities blocked and established in Europe and South America. Hassan their reputation ruined. Micelli was forced to was among them, and therefore found himself urgently summon a summit of all his officers to emigrating inside one of his own smugglers' ships, ask for explanations, and during the meeting an towards Italy. assault unit of the DCSA broke inside the Disembarked in Lampedusa, the Damballian building, starting a gun battle with the guards. wandered through the Italian peninsula to settle While chaos broke out in the building, the in the city of Verona, where he took command of electrical units had "unfortunately" a malfunction,

VERONA BY NIGHT 77 which began a fire that enveloped the structure and which substances and which enjoyments induce the cut off any escape route. No more was heard about most extreme and vivid emotions. Even your men, the Giovanni, and later the limitations that were and sometimes your superiors, give themselves up already in force in the city concerning the to excess. But this is not part of you. It's just a tool Necromancers were reiterated with greater force: the for your power grab. Giovanni found themselves without a way to be able to circumvent these rules as they did before. Haven: As long as the White Goose Village is not At the same time, a new Vassal took an oath to ready, Hassan still occupies his first haven, which Madame Lucrezia, a feudal lord known in the he has reinforced with CCTV cameras and gunmen neighborhood simply as a Black Ax. constantly on the doorstep. Since then Hassan has been working to stabilize and strengthen his position and that of the Damballians Influence: A good part of the Scaliger crime, and in the neighborhood, finding himself in a difficult the totality linked to the immigrants depends on the situation. The Necromancers are in fact establishing a will of the Black Ax. Some law enforcement officials ferocious boycott against him and the rest of his and city policeman are on his payroll organization in Italy, through their pawns in the southern prosecution system. Already a couple of Secrets: In reality the awakening of the dead in times the police have eliminated some of his main Borgo Nuovo is not caused by the action of the lieutenants, but the measures he had taken have Giovanni, but by something worse: one of his allowed the feudal lord to not be in danger of being lieutenants found notes from an old tome of investigated directly. Despite this, the Serpent is now witchcraft, and meddling with it he made a pact in a state of forced caution, given the danger he still with a demonic entity linked to the afterlife. Now runs. In addition to this, the temple that he recently he is following his orders to turn the temple of the built as a new base of worship is constantly invaded by White Goose Village into the receptacle that will walking corpses, a factor which he considers to be a occupy its essence. The preparations are already childish action by the Necromancers to annoy him. beginning to disturb the occult energies of the He asked his Sire if he could request the help of a Mla area, and he is struggling to divert the blame to Watu to solve the problem, but the negotiations with the Necromancers while he proceeds in his the Ghost-Eaters are lingering more than he had conversion work. He knows he can not afford to hoped. be discovered in any way: as well as for treason, Black Ax would not give him escape especially Image: A Nigerian with ebony-colored skin and because he converted to infernalism. well-defined musculature. His skin is covered with Ironically, while superficially pursuing similar ritual tattoos, representing hunting and war scenes. methodologies, the Damballians, as well as the He shaves every night his hair, which otherwise are Serpents, abhor the Infernalists with a much long and flowing. He generally wears a silk shirt with greater force even than the Camarilla and the hypnotic or purple colors and jeans, joined with Sabbat, insofar as they offend the dignity of Set. several ivory necklaces and two gold bracelets. He always wears a pair of sunglasses, even in the most CLAN: Children of Damballah complete darkness. SIRE: Herzili Roleplaying Hints: Many judge you by the color of your skin in this triangle of earth, but you know that NATURE: Autocrat the only thing that matters is power. You can procure things that satisfy the vices of the soggy pale CHARACTER: Capitalist inhabitants of this city, and they ask you continuously, more and more, without realizing to GENERATION: 11° offer you the neck in the meantime, ready only to be bitten. Everyone has a vice, even if they do not admit EMBRACE: 1672 it, but you are there ready to advise them, suggesting APPARENT AGE: 20 years

VERONA BY NIGHT 78 PHYSICAL: Strenght 4 Dexterity 3 Stamina 4

SOCIAL: Appearance 3 Charisma 3 Manipulation 3

MENTAL: Intelligence 3 Wits 3 Perception 2

TALENTS: Athletics 2, Leadership 3, Streetwise 4, Awareness 2, Intimidation 4, Sixth Sense 1, Subterfuge 2, Brawl 1

SKILLS: Firearms 2, Melee 3, Stealth 2, Larceny 5, Crafts 2, Survival 3

KNOWLEDGES: Academics 1, Finance 3, Investigation 2, Law 2, Politics 2

DISCIPLINES: Auspex 2, Presence 3, Potence 1, Serpentis 3, Dominate 3, Fortitude 2

BACKGROUND: Allies 4, Herd 4, Influence (police) 2, Influence (finance) 2. Influence (crime) 5, Influence (public amministration) 2, Contacts 4, Status 4, Resources 4, Retainers 4

PATH: Humanity 4

WILLPOWER: 6

VERONA BY NIGHT 79

Chapter Four Other Characters

“Get ready for a dance of lights, shadows, deceits and broken dreams. And probably a lot of whacks.” Venatore, Brujah Mercenary Sorcerer Desiderio The Cyclone's Eye he Longobard dynasty that ruled decided it was not right to leave such talent to Italy for two centuries from the 6th waste. He Embraced the king, instructing him to the 8th century never had a for a short time before abandoning him to his good reputation in terms destiny, to give rise to other machinations of kindness, starting from its elsewhere. In violation of the customary of the founder, King Alboino, who Cainites since Roman times, Desiderio did not became famous for his cruelty and abandon the throne to hide in the shadows: he hist fetishes. The last representative of the family used his son as a public facade, but the power managed to even surpass him, performing acts that was in his hands. To make sure not to be still reverberate throughout the Po Valley. Already disturbed, he used the new powers and energies as a mortal he relied on the infernal powers to of the Abyss to send incorporeal spies into every push his predecessor and uncle, Rachis, to corner of his kingdom, tracking down every withdraw into seclusion and abandon the crown, haven of the other Cainites and ordering his and throughout his government made sacrifices in men to destroy them, so as to remain the only the name of pagan gods forgotten and censored to power in Italian nights. The vampires of the strengthen his body and his mind. He even forced area, at the first news of the Kindred dragged his blood relatives and his closest dignitaries to out of their dungeons in broad daylight to the participate in rituals that violated every moral deadly embrace of the sun, abandoned their precept. It is said among the other things that his lands to seek shelter near the southern domains. son Adelchi was not the fruit of his wife but of one of The transfuges warned the Princes of his daughters, Desiderata. His absence of hesitation to Rome, Naples and the other cities of the satisfy his instincts and his skill in the occult massacre and of the repetition of the madness arts attracted in 759 the attention of one of the Devils of Carthage in the lands of northern Italy. that accompanied the infamous Azaneal, who But before Kindred reacted, another force put

VERONA BY NIGHT 81 an end to the cursed kingdom of the Baali. Always placing his survival as the first priority, The daughter Desiderata, whom Desiderio married to the Baali never personally contacted his victims, the King of the Franks Charlemagne, revealed to his but always made sure that they found during husband all the perversions and sins that her father their vicissitudes tomes, notes and artifacts that had forced her to do: Charlemagne, full of divine could satisfy their most secret needs, even if this indignation, gathered his paladins, returning from always came with a price. His plan proceeded clashes in Spain, and gave battle to the Lombard with successes and failures, but was interrupted kingdom. Thanks to the pure faith of the Frankish with the beginning of the Anarch Revolt, which king and his soldiers, which rendered the Cainite's ruined all the projects he had set up. Many of curses ineffective, soon the Lombard troops were his victims, deprived of the mental barriers defeated or surrendered at the mercy of the necessary to protect themselves from the executioners. The expedition ended only with a final aggressions at full strength, were destroyed and battle against Desiderio himself, who faced the King devoured, ruining the work of almost two and a dozen of his bodyguards inside the Verona centuries. The Cainite himself left the city for Amphitheater. Desiderio, strengthened by the the whole period of the riots, taking refuge in a energies of the Abyss and clutching a greatsword of village in the countryside where nobody could cursed obsidian, slaughtered the soldiers and nearly disturb him. When he came back once the dust gutted Charle himself, who at the point of death settled, he found himself in the middle of the invoked divine piety. It is not known what power feud between Lucrezia and Giovanni. Knowing heard him, but what is certain is that the wall behind that sooner or later one of them would have Desiderio gave in at that moment – perhaps because inevitably surpass the other and the order would of the violence of the blows inflicted, or by heavenly have returned, Desiderio hypothesized that if he will – and collapsed on him, burying the Baali and had managed to bring the two Primogens to total making him fall into Torpor. He awakened many madness, to break their spirit would have been centuries later, in the thirteenth century, and child's play. In this way he would have finally assumed the identity of a Brujah Neonate, laying low. completed his plan, using them as his puppets. Having lost every instrument and every resource he He then spent the following nights in contacting once had at his disposal, he began to gather the surviving infernalist cults, and organized information and rebuild his resources. He kept with them a huge ritual that would take place in himself far enough from the politics of the Scaliger the basement beneath San Zeneto. This ritual Court, limiting relations to the minimum necessary to would have brought the two affected Cainites to avoid arousing suspicion, and began to study the new share every sensation and thought, and the technologies that had been developed over the years, hatred one felt for the other would have eroded particularly in the architectural and engineering their souls to the point of burning them out fields. He no longer evoked otherworldly entities or completely. Since the presence of those directly made pacts, to avoid being tracked down like many affected would have been impossible, if not other of his Clanmates at the time. However, he counterproductive, the infernalists kidnapped arranged things to give access to selected mortals to direct descendants, two youths who have occult knowledge and to information about different just entered adolescence, in order to exploit the "external" entities, in order to create the nuclei of principle of sympathy to direct the curse those that over the decades became real cults. Some towards the desired target through their blood. of them were destroyed by the Courts and the And as the focus of the curse was sacrificed the Inquisition, but many others survived in the shadows, Lasombra Tebaldo, whom Desiderio their fruits ready to be picked. In spite of everything, kidnapped by taking advantage of the chaos in Desiderio's goal remained to gain power, even if he the last days of the revolt. In a night without could no longer afford to act openly: he therefore light, the ritual that would have summoned the planned to transform the Lords of the Courts into his full power of the Abyss was performed. At its slaves. And to do this, he had to weaken their will climax Desiderio, in the role of officiant, tore and morals, reducing them to puppets obediently out the hearts of the three sacrifices and united listening to his whispers. their juices in a consecrated vase, while around

VERONA BY NIGHT 82 him the acolytes took their lives by drinking a Through the reverberation of the Diablerie he poisoned potion. Perhaps there was a mistake in the roughly assimilated the events of the centuries summoning litany, or a smear in the circle painted spent inside his prison: he decided, therefore, with bone dust – or maybe just a wrong astral first of all to find a shelter in which no one could conjunction. Fact is that the ritual wasn't performed find him. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the fully and part of the hidden energies ended secrets of the Abyss and observing their movements up dispersing. This had two direct consequences, in from the sewage entrances on the Adige, the Baali addition to an endless succession of minor understood at least superficially the nature of the contaminations throughout the city: the curse bound Anguane: he understood just enough to be able to the two Cainites, but only for what concerned the travel the underground ducts without being sensations of smell, taste and touch and the integrity attacked, even if the Obfuscate Discipline still of the body. The scattered energies then spilled over attracted their attention. Since then, for a certain Desiderio, who found himself petrified in a marble period, he moved only in the city's underground, statue. Despite his condition, the Baali remained preparing several simple shelters under the perfectly vigilant and aware of what happened streets of the various districts and escaping only around him: he therefore saw the servants of the when necessary. future Barons identify and examine the place, without In the last century, Desiderio resumed his action understanding his true nature, and then collect as within society, even if the goals had changed much as they could and abandon him in darkness for considerably: it was no longer a question of the time being. acquiring power by any means, nor of serving the The Cainite passed the following centuries between interests of extraterrene entities. Simply, everyone periods when his conscience was crushed by the must understand the truth of the universe: Beast and others of total lucidity, during which he everything is destined for nothingness, in reflected on his own nature and on what was the particular ethics and morals. purpose of his existence. Power – he concluded over He spread throughout the city tools, writings, time – as well as material goods or abstract notions objects and even events that will challenge the such as freedom, justice and order, are in reality all conduct and motivations of anyone who comes in empty concepts. The only thing that matters is the contact with them: to these unfortunate souls he truth. And the truth is that every being, be it human, will offer solutions and show doors that will grant Cainite, demon or otherwise, is naturally led to any desire, but that will demand as a price the corruption and entropy: everything, both matter and betrayal of their principles and ideals. In his mind, spirit, returns inexorably to nothingness. Those who the others, as they gradually become aware of their base their very existence on some principles, actions and reflect on the consequences, if they're be they altruistic or selfish, elevated or hedonistic, sufficiently open minded, will begin to abandon the material or mystical, or even mere survival, do nothing hypocrisies and deceptions they have been dragging but deceive themselves. Beyond this illusion, there is around for all their life and to learn what is the only acceptance of the decadence of everything and only natural way – entropy. Desiderio now does not the awareness that, no matter what you do, you can follow a pre-established plan, but merely prepares only delay something inevitable as well as natural. In a the ground and wait for the events to unfold on sense, Desiderio abandoned the infernalism for a their own, since destiny is inevitable in the end. personal, distorted and extreme form of total nihilism. He almost never follows his plans' developments, Desiderio's stasis ended by pure chance, when the and this allows him not to be traced as the origin of waters of the flood dragged his petrified body out of the unrest – this is the caution he has developed the dungeons to the banks of the Adige, ending up over centuries of conspiracies of course. After all, inside the Koldunist circle. The elemental energies he's not really responsible for others' sins: he simply conjured broke the occult backlash that blocked the makes the power accessible to anyone. The rest is Baali. Once free and full of Abysmal energies that nothing but the normal consequence all are only then could find vent, he attacked the destined to, in one way or another. His actions are sorcerers tearing them into pieces and devouring not limited to the territory of Verona, but also their body and soul. extend to the various Venetian domains.

VERONA BY NIGHT 83 Every time he has to interact with someone he CLAN: Baali always takes one of many fictitious identities; his operations are never direct, but they are always SIRE: Giobbe the Leper elaborate intrigues that open layer by layer like an onion, so that no one can ever go back to him as NATURE: Idealist the spark at the base of his descent into corruption. CHARACTER: Eye of the Cyclone Image: A strong-bodied man, dressed in oldfashioned clothes dating back mostly to the late GENERATON: 9° nineteenth century. His brown hair perpetually messy and the unkempt beard give him a sloppy EMBRACE: 759 look, while his eyes betray a grim and arid soul, regardless of the attitude and the mask he wears at APPARENT AGE: 32 years that particular moment. He always has a haversack with him, which contains different occult PHYSICAL: Strenght 4 Dexterity 3 Stamina 4 instruments and a notebook in which he takes notes. He constantly stares people, carefully SOCIAL: Appearance 3 Charisma 3 Manipulation 5 studying their character and stealing their secrets. MENTAL: Intelligence 5 Wits 3 Perception 2 Roleplaying Hints: Everyone must accept the truth of the universe: everything decays and gets TALENTS: Athletics 2, Leadership 3, Streetwise 2, corrupted. You work hard to make the illusions Awareness 2, Empathy 5, Intimidation 3, Sixth Sense drop, but you also know that in words or deeds, 3, Subterfuge 5, Brawl 2 most of those around you will never understand. The only way to come to the truth is that they SKILLS: Firearms 1, Melee 3, Stealth 3, Larceny 2, discover it for themselves: the only thing you can Etiquette 2, Drive 1, Crafts 3, Survival 2 do is prepare the ground for them, so that they realize that, to pursue their innermost desires, KNOWLEDGES: Academics 3, Finance 1, nothing is sacred and everything is expendable. You Investigation 4, Law 2, Politics 2, Medicine 2, Occult are only a director who prepares a scene, so that the 5 protagonists learn the only true lesson. Every means is legal, every action is necessary. You no longer DISCIPLINES: Auspex 5, Presence 3, Potence 3, intend to bow your head to demonic powers, since Dominate 3, Fortitude 1, Obfuscate 3, Abyss they too are not superior to the truth. Truth is the Mysticism 5, Dark Thaumaturgy 5 only thing you feel you owe loyalty to. DARK THAUMATURGICAL PATHS: Taking of Haven: He doesn't have a real haven: in case of the Spirit 5, Video Nefas 3 danger he hides in the sewer pipes. However, he has several warehouses throughout Verona, both above BACKGROUND: Contacts 3, Resources 2 and below the ground. PATH: Night 4 Influence: He has little to do with mortals, having as primary interlocutors the Cainites, whose WILLPOWER: 10 influence will result in the spread of his truth - or rather it will corrupt the rest of society. However, SPECIAL RULES: Although he no longer performs he holds several favors accumulated over the years rituals to summon infernal spirits, Desiderio over the by his alternative identities centuries has written several tomes on how to learn the ways and rituals of Dark Taumaturgy and can Secrets: All his life repeat the effort whenever he wants, with the right components. Moreover, he learned to falsify the

VERONA BY NIGHT 84 appearance and age of the writings, to show that they are from the dark ages or earlier centuries. Altea Visconti Giangaleazzo's Eyes hen Giangaleazzo purified Milan of almost all of his Sabbat population and accepted the presence of the Archons of the Camarilla, his domain was completely emptied, especially as regards hisclosest collaborators. wFrom the others Camarilla domains in Italy came dozens of requests to be accepted within the new court, but they were all Cainites he never heard of or he didn't trust, not to mention possible infiltrates of Independent Clans as the Necromancers and the Setites, or worse still, the Sabbat. On the other hand, the ghoul servants don't have the initiative necessary for the aggressive political game the Keeper had in mind (and which represented the reason for which he had left the Archbishopric), and in any case they didn't have the necessary prestige. So the only solution the Prince could think of consisted in creating his own progeny, dependent on him both for influence and for education, as well as the emotional and psychological factor tied to the Embrace. But this put him in front of another problem. Since most of his life was spent inside the Sabbat, Giangaleazzo had begun only in recent years to form contacts within the mortal environments. First he depended on it by his ghoul servants and the Tzimisce revenants, but he had to get rid also of them. At the time he began to entertain the first relationships within the Milan high society, but even if he felt galvanized by the new challenge he had some problems, especially with having to come to terms with his Humanity. Therefore, he couldn't find a candidate who impressed him by skills, talents, ambition or way of thinking. And in the meantime his court did not intend to wait (as well as his detractors and his enemies). The conclusion to which the Prince arrived was to exhume an ancient practice of the Clan of Kings, and to find the possible candidates for the Embrace within his own mortal lineage. To the disappointment of the Keeper, his lineage proved to be another source of frustation.

 85 Apparently, in six hundred years of Italian history the in personnel training (thanks to the many servants he blood of the Visconti family had diluted strongly, and personally selected one by one) would have the house itself was little more than a surname inside straightened the Childe and shaped her into a the cauldron of the Milanese population, or had Cainite worthy of him. In addition to the not emigrated far from the Italic territory. With a lot of particularly hidden fact of not having her around. effort and a painstaking work with various genealogy Giovanni found the request particularly ironic, and heraldry experts and at the registry office, he especially after meeting the girl. Nonetheless, he reduced the number of candidates to a young woman actually needed someone who could be a liaison with who seemed to be more or less his direct descendant: the Milanese Court, following the sudden change at she was a girl who was aware of the nobility of his the city's top. Altea, if properly guided, could become family and maintained in his behavior the dignity and an excellent tool, but Giovanni would have to do a attitude that was expected in a Visconti, demonstrating huge job to teach her the right forma mentis. In the a certain intelligence and a decent integrity. Altea, in meantime, she has become a constant presence at his reality, was only a mediocre cartoons animator whose court, although she generally simply listens father lived a lively and adventurous life, and who led and nods, confused in the midst of speeches too in Milan an existence without infamy nor praise. Her complicated or too alien for her. She is family, several generations ago, had distanced itself convinced, however, that she is in the right place, the from the high circles, even though she still has a lot of true nobility of the world, and has the attitude and contacts among other ancient dynasties, even if they the necessary etiquette to prove herself worthy. But if have lapsed. Hoping that the blood still counted she really can acquire the skills to survive the something and that some of his traits had been conspiracies of the Scaliger Court is another matter. inherited through the centuries, Giangaleazzo approached her, presenting himself as a historian Image: A slightly chubby and pleasant girl, with interested in the descendants of the ancient Italian elegant facial features, long light brown hair and full families, and courted her in order to know her better. lips. She wears elegant but comfortable and sober She showed to be not indifferent to his flattery, and clothes, and always puts great attention to posture fell like a fly in the spider's web when the Keeper took and attitude. her to his haven, for a completely different purpose than she expected. Roleplaying Hints: You are a Visconti. You have It turned out to be a complete disappointment. noble blood in your veins and you must behave in a That of Altea, in fact, proved to be only a mask. She manner worthy of your station. It is not that you was a frail girl, with profound resentment towards her consider the others inferior, but you feel your separated parents, and that vented all her tension and hereditary duty to demonstrate the traits that insecurity with those around her. She acted like an distinguish your family to the rest of the world. The energetic and steady person, but in reality she did last generations may have had a moment of bad luck, not possess the willpower and abilities to bear the especially because of the decadence of society, but weight of undeath – let alone of true power. In your ancestor has been able to judge your abilities addition to this, her arrogance and her stubbornness and your dignity, elevating you to the rank you when things did not go as she expected were close to deserve. Now you have to show everyone what it immaturity and childishness. Giangaleazzo could not really means to be a Visconti and Progeny of stand her, either as a person or as an example of how Giangaleazzo, Prince of Milano, even if it's more low his blood had fallen. Nevertheless, he could not complicated than what you expected. abandon her, ignore her or destroy her: his personal prestige would be affected, as well as his pride. Haven: An apartment in Old Town, rented by With a farsighted gesture and, from a certain point of Giovanni. view, out of spite, he decided to entrust Altea with the task of being his ambassador at the Scaliger courts, Influences: None especially with his long-standing friend Giovanni Capuleti. His hope was that the Baron, as an extremely Secrets: Shyly but with the carelessness given by practical person and with considerable experience youth, Altea is beginning to enter into

VERONA BY NIGHT 86 relationships with different Cainites who have approached her and treat her with the right respect, especially Toreador and Ventrue interested, more than in her ancestry, in the graphic arts that she has learned and is still practicing. In particular, the Vassals of Lucrezia hangs arouns, hoping to find something they can take advantage of in order to gain concessions from Giovanni. She is also drawing, in her spare time, an animated film inspired by her unlife and the Scaliger court. It is impossible to predict how Giangaleazzo and Giovanni could react to this thing, and whether it can be roled as a violation of the Masquerade or on the contrary a cover as was Bram Stoker's Dracula.

CLAN: Lasombra Antitribu

SIRE: Giangaleazzo Visconti

NATURE: Child

CHARACTER: Traditionalist

GENERATON: 8°

EMBRACE: 2014

APPARENT AGE: 26 years

PHYSICAL: Strenght 1 Dexterity 2 Stamina 2

SOCIAL: Appearance 3 Charisma 2 Manipulation 3

MENTAL: Intelligence 3 Wits 2 Perception 2

TALENTS: Leadership 1, Awareness 2, Empathy 2 Expression 2, Intimidation 2, Sixth Sense 1, Subterfuge 3

SKILLS: Animal Ken 1, Stealth 1, Perfomance 3, Etiquette 4

KNOWLEDGES: Academics 4, Finance 2, Investigation 1, Law 3, Politics 2, Science 1, Technology 1

DISCIPLINES: Obtenebration 1, Dominate 2

BACKGROUND: Mentor 5, Resources 2, Status 1

PATH: Humanity 6

WILLPOWER: 4

VERONA BY NIGHT 87 prevented the use of Obfuscate, and certainly the Ragazzo spies could not exploit the conduits. He did not trust to recruit mercenaries, ghouls or Cainites of The Spy other Clans, therefore he had to adopt different he few Nosferatu who escaped tactics for the investigations. Fake scounting from the Anguane during the Sabbat packs, conventional disguises, excuses Shadow Plague and particularly elaborate to justify "serious burns" or subsequently survived the "congenital deformities from birth". Once he hired exile and the hunting of a Sewer Rat with the blood so thin that it looked Malco dispersed in the rest only ugly instead of horrible. Each time, however, of the Veneto, in particular the investigators could stay in the city only for towardst Padua. Solomon, the Primogen of the Sewer short periods of time, maximum for a few months; Rats of Padua, never agreed with Giustino, and indeed after that they were forced to leave, they were harbored a great grudge for his predecessor attacked by the Anguane because of an inevitable Maramacoea, whose plots during the Anarch Revolt use of Obfuscate or they were identified and he held to be partly responsible for the death of his destroyed by Lord Malco, who seems to enjoy Sire. Despite this, he greeted many of the transfuges hunting down the Sewer Rats. in his Rats' Court, and for decades he heard their The last of these envoys was Ragazzo, a very young reprimands concerning the Barons' hatred for them. Nosferatu from Mestre, to whom Solomon Of greater interest, however, were the stories organized a particularly elaborate and creative concerning the precipitous flight on that unfortunate cover, enough to make him stay for several years, day, and the monstrous beings that appeared from as well as give him a particularly swollen wallet. In nowhere, overwhelming everything they encountered life a young Mestre's homeless affected with on the street, and which infest the sewer pipes since psoriasis, the curse of Caine gave him a then. Rather than for helping his brethren return to particularly skeletal appearance and skin covered their havens (or to get them out of his way) or for by bubbles and pus similar to decomposition. regaining influence in the City of Hatred, the Tyrant Solomon, who met him in occasion of a visit of was worried that those beings might eventually "Prince" Ametista to the Anarch leader Veleno, expand into other domains – such as his own. There took him under his wing, and instructed him, had been no sightings elsewhere, but he did not want procuring teachers and spreading false to take the risk, not with something so dangerous for information to make Ragazzo appear as belonging his Clan. to a bloodline especially rare, but that generally is Initially he tried to send embassies to the Barons, not associated with Sewer Rats, even if horrible all asking what they discovered on the so-called Anguane. the same: the bloodline of the Zombies, the Even using Camarilla's internal intermediaries, Samedi. He made him study Creole and learn the however, the only answer he received was to mind his Haitian traditions. He used many favors with the own business: members of his Clan were not only Necromancers to make him learn the basics of unwelcome, but would be rejected by crook. His Necromancy. He sent gifts and gave many knowledge was not sufficient to allow the Camarilla concessions to the infamous "Baron Samedi" so Justicar to intervene at a higher level, and the that he and his descendants would not refute investigations already carried out concluded that the Ragazzo's claims, as long as he also sent to the beings seemed to be confined exclusively to the Corpses frequent reports about his findings. So Scaliger perimeter. There was no sign that their Ragazzo asked Baron Lucrezia to enter the city on appearance was anything more than accidental or behalf of the Haitian Clan and to stay in the unprovoked, which is why the Inner Circle, under Court until he had concluded certain business. pressure from the Barons, entrusted the Tremere with The Aesthete was intrigued by the idea of showing the task of investigating and monitoring in the event off in her parlor a member of a very rare of changes. Solomon then began to send observers bloodline, and then she gladly accepted. "undercover". The problem mostly consisted of Solomon was pleased with the success of the first masking the identity of his agents, as the Anguane part of his plan, but did not take into account a

VERONA BY NIGHT 88 a fundamental thing: Ragazzo himself. Roleplaying Hints: Everyone is a danger for your In life he abandoned the poor family who had raised him cover, and consequently for your survival. You speak because of his violent parents and lived for years of little and avoid everyone's gaze. When others people's charity. Even in undeath he did not change address you directly, end the conversation as quickly particularly, simply replacing loose change and loaves as possible, trying to exploit the mysterious and of bread with blood. Then the giant with eyes of fire enigmatic aura of your cover and reciting the part dragged him with him, telling the Neonate that he that Solomon has imposed on you. But you can't would give a purpose to his empty existence. He did not hold up too much, and you often need to get away ask the young man whether he agreed or not, but from everyone in order to throw the mask and get Ragazzo, among the infinite shortcomings that back to yourself. More than anything, however, you distinguish him, also lacked willpower: he could not fear Solomon's anger, so follow the orders you say no to any of the tyrant's orders, even the most have been given, even if your shyness is an obstacle. humiliating. Solomon, however, was too focused on his plan to realize the flaws of his new pawn. Arrived in Haven: A room in a 5-star hotel paid for by Verona, he entered a state of perpetual terror of being Solomon. He has a lift key that connects his floor discovered and destroyed. He feared that a wrong action directly to the parking lot, so he can get in and out would get suspicious the ferocious Veronese without anyone noticing him. Cainites, but at the same time even inactivity would have caused suspicion. His cover was certainly not Influences: None. In Verona he is only a guest, and helpful, as it attracted a lot of curiosity during the parties elsewhere he is only an homeless, after all. organized by Lucrezia. Fortunately, Solomon ensured he learnt his part very well, so he has managed to Secrets: When the Giovanni gave him lessons in make it so far. In particular, however, that threatening Necromancy, at request of Solomon, they have Nigerian, Black Ax, asks him too many questions bribed him to refer to them his discoveries and about the dead and their return from the underworld, occasionally do some work for them. If Solomon demanding answers that the "Samedi" is not able to discovers his treachery, he would punish him heavily provide. So far, Ragazzo has always managed to give vague and question his utility. answers, hiding behind the secrets of the bloodline. Only with the other regular guest, CLAN: Nosferatu the haughty Keeper sent from Milan, he managed to create a sort of bond, perhaps thanks to the common SIRE: Gloglio confusion and fear in the midst of that lair of wolves disguised as civilized men. NATURE: Survivor However, a little at a time and exploiting the notes of his predecessors, he managed to determine that the Tremere CHARACTER: Enigma have something to do with the Anguane, or at least hide something. Solomon has been greatly infuriated by the GENERATON: 12° news. He concluded that the Warlocks are planning to cheat their Clan as they did with the Salubri and the EMBRACE: 1998 Gargoyle issue, and has doubled the pressure on Ragazzo so that he enters somehow their Chantry APPARENT AGE: undefined and find out what they are doing. PHYSICAL: Strenght 2 Dexterity 2 Stamina 3 Image: A skinny boy with very sunken and very tight features. The skin is covered with bubbles and pus, a more SOCIAL: Appearance 0 Charisma 1 Manipulation 2 violent and virulent form of psoriasis that draws more power from the vampiric blood. He wears heavy clothes to MENTAL: Intelligence 2 Wits 3 Perception 3 cover his features: usually a hooded sweatshirt, jeans and a wool scarf to cover his face. He always puts tons of perfume on himself, to cover his smell.

VERONA BY NIGHT 89 TALENTS: Streetwise 3, Awareness 2, Empathy 2 Expression 1, Sixth Sense 2, Subterfuge 3

SKILLS: Animal Ken 1, Stealth 3, Etiquette 2, Survival 4

KNOWLEDGES: Academics 2, Finance 1, Investigation 3, Law 1, Politics 1, Occult 2, Technology 1

DISCIPLINES: Obfuscate 1, Potence 1, Animalism 2, Necromancy 1

NECROMANCY PATH: Bones 1

BACKGROUND: Mentor 5, Resources 2, Status 1, Contacts 3, Allies 1

PATH: Humanity 7

WILLPOWER: 3

VERONA BY NIGHT 90 that the time had come to do something, and that Echidna it was not possible to bearany longer the harassment of these monsters the Ethereal had The Anguana banished from the surface of the world to crawl espite the disappearance of the under the ground. Thanks to his studies and the Baali shortly after the Anarch interrogation of spirits and servants, he identified Revolt, the seeds of a Node of Power,which all together they could his influence did not cease to use to summon a creature capable of guarding the bear fruit. Over the city from enemies who hid in the shadows. After centuries, in fact, the a long process of negotiation and propaganda, the sacrilegious texts of the cults occultists gathered in a single army, andin the annihilatedd by the ritual were found by relatives, city day of spring equinox, a moment of balance in guards, tax collectors and thieves who penetrated their the arcane energies, they launched their attack. meetings place. Many were delivered to the church and Following the instructions of the sorcerer,they destroyed (or hidden), but others were studied, starting created a passage from the sewers to the cave of new independent cults that brought disorder, were the Node. Inside it there were severalpale destroyed, and their possessions recovered once again. creatures wrapped in enchanted robes, which, as The curiosity and the thirst for power of men made soon as they saw the humas, attacked them with the cycle repeat endless times. This seemed particularly spells and sent against them enslavedcreatures. true for the upright and pious men, for in them the The sorcerer had predicted that the underground temptation was a thousand times stronger than in the parasites had already infestedthe tunnel, and corrupt and ambitious. In fact, the latter are aware of invoked the help of many spirits fromthe the danger of easy routes and generally prefer safer ethereal world to support the occultists: the clash methodologies; those who think they are in the right, turned out to be bloody anddisruptiv e. In the on other hand, are disgusted by the difficulties they end, thanks to the surprise numerical and encounter on their life despite their own superiority, humans managed to prevail. In a righteousness, and in their desperation they are willing hurry they prepared the receptacles and artifacts to accept the offer made to them – but only that one that were treasures of every single cult, and the time. But then there's another time. And another. sorcerer began a long ritual of summoning: he Again, and again, and again, in a descent that intended to call a creature from the depth of the never ends. In a sense, it was for something like this abyss of his soul. Its task would be topunish that the phenomenon known by the Cainites as the and destroy all the monsters that prey by hiding Shadow Plague began. At the time, in 1630, Verona in the shadows of the soul and mind, remaining suffered from a terrible epidemic plague, brought by in the darkness in turn. The Node turned out the lansquenets that raged in the territory. At the same to be unstable, probably due to the action of time the Nosferatu aggressively expanded their the monsters that had infested it and had influence, often coming willingly to overstep the thin already done some kind of evil rite. Much more line of the Masquerade. The ignorant people united energy was released than the ritual circle could the two events and spread the voice of the demons of hold. The Node became a hole in the Abyss, the night, who anointed the doors of the houses to from which a creature of pure darkness emerged. bring the disease among men and gather souls for the Its dimensions were such as to occupy the whole Devil. Among the groups of occultists, who had space of the cave, its power so great that the accumulated a considerable amount of knowledge occultists could not control it, and it ended up thanks to the fragments and artifacts that had been devouring them all to the last. Its mastery of found on the streets of the city over the years, arose a the darkness was such thatit influenced sorcerer, whose name was lost. He told of how his soul the minds of allwith in a radius of several had reached the deepest point of the abyss that hid kilometers, in order to hide its presence: it was so beyond the veil, and demonstrated skills feared by all effective that the position of the Node was the cabalists and infernalists of Veneto. He forgotten by the Cainite Warlocks. Andeven persuaded the leaders of the various esoteric circles though it could never escape from the cave, since it constantly needed the energy of the Node to

VERONA BY NIGHT 91 sustain his existence, it was able to create short lifed Influences: None small copies of itself, so it could get through the sewer pipes into the entire city. Echidna has a considerable Secrets: Itself intelligence, which allows for example to distinguish between invaders and simple maintainers or builders NATURE: Fanatic who perform routine work on the sewers (hiding its presence in these cases). Despite this, it is not a real CHARACTER: Fanatic sentient creature, but rather an automaton that obeys the supreme directive of its summoner: "to punish and PHYSICAL: Strenght 7 Dexterity 6 Stamina 8 destroy all the monsters that prey by hiding in the shadows of the soul and mind, remaining in the SOCIAL: Appearance 0 Charisma 0 Manipulation 0 darkness in turn.". The creature and its "progeny", termed Anguane by the Cainites who survived their MENTAL: Intelligence 5 Wits 5 Perception 8 fury, interpret this command as attacking and destroying all those who invade their territory (the TALENTS: Sixth Sense 5, Brawl 5 sewers) and all creatures that use powers that conceal their presence – be they wizards, Lupines or Cainites SKILLS: Stealth 5 using Obfuscate – within the city territory. Thanks to its barrier of concealment and the relative indifference KNOWLEDGES: Occult 3 of the Barons towards it, the creature was recognized for the first time only after the flood by Desiderio, who DISCIPLINES: Auspex 8 (only against Obfuscate), thanks to his knowledge of Abyss Mysticism Potence 5, Fortitude 3 understood, at least superficially, its nature. He learned how to use this knowledge to appear in the eyes of the WILLPOWER: 10 creature, which he named Echidna, as one of its copies. Apart from this, however, he did not HEALTH: 30 Bruised, Incapacitated investigate further on it, since it held no interest to his eyes given its incorruptible nature. For this reason the SPECIAL RULES position and the real capacity of the creature still Demon of the Abyss: Echidna is a creature of remain unknown to him. Echidna still continues in pure shadow impregnated with a single intent. It the Final Nights to perform its task, and if the is immune to physical damage, but suffers damage situation does not change for some reason it will keep from the sun, faith and sunlight just like a doing so as long as the city of Verona exists. Cainite. It does not have a real anatomy and can pass in narrow sections up to 50 cm in diameter. Image: A tangle of black tentacles, jaws and eyes, It can perform three attacks with tentacles and which change shape and position according to jaws (lethal) to all creatures within 5m of it. It is necessity. immune to any attack that affects the mind and does not feel emotion. Roleplaying Hints: Attack and destroy all those who invade the underground of Verona, except if they High Demon of the Abyss: It covers a total volume work for their maintenance or expansion. Hunt all of 125m3. If it is destroyed and the Node is those who hide their presence with supernatural not purified with a special ritual, it reborns to abilities. full health the night after. It constantly requires For the rest, you're helpless. contact with the Node to maintain its presence, otherwise it suffers one Aggravated damage every 5 Haven: The cave containing the Node, under the minutes of detachment. Tremere Chantry Concealment Aura: Within a radius of three kilometers from the Node, all entities with perception can not sense the presence of Echidna

VERONA BY NIGHT 92 (but they can sense the copies), nor that of the Node in any way. This capacity requires Auspex 8 or the thaumaturgical ritual of Rank 7 "Eyes of the Ever Vigilant" to be bypassed.

Supreme perception: Echidna always knows the position of every creature that enters the vaults of Verona. A Cainite who activates Obtenebration 5 is however mistaken for an Anguane as long as it does not take hostile actions. Regardless of this, it always perceives if Obfuscate (up to 8) is used within the city and the location of the user.

Splitting: Once every 5 minutes, Echidna can detach one of its tentacles and make it a creature with its own mind but body in its own right. The Anguane has 2 points less in each characteristic and Discipline of Echidna, has a volume of 8m3, 10 Bruised, and the special rules Demon of the Abyss and Supreme Perception. An Anguane dissolves into thin air after three hours.

VERONA BY NIGHT 93

Appendix

New Dark Thaumaturgy Ritual New Abyss Mysticism Ritual Smoke and Mirrors Defile the Soul 5° Rank, requires Dominate 3 3° Rank and Path of Taking of the Spirit 5 he Cainite opens a tiny gap o perform the ritual you must through the Abyss inside of nail a young virgin to the floor himself, small enough to on a nine-pointed star. Then prevent any inhabitant of the her tongue is cut dimension to pass or interact off, her wound cauterised to but able to permeate the soul of prevent her from dying, and the the Mystic with dark energy description of the place to be fromt the plane. In this way, his aura will be so reproducedt on the whole surface of her skin is intricate as to appear in the eyes of a non-adept of inscribed with a red-hot athame. The building Abyss Mysticism as someone who has simply abused where the ritual is performed is replaced by Obtenebration, covering any black lines given by the illusion described. Any dangerous object do Amaranthum or Dark Taumaturgy. On other hand, not inflict damage, and any writings report the the abyssal creatures can use the gap to perceive all text only if known by the ritualist, otherwise it the Cainite perceives. appears blurred at the eyes of the reader, even if it appear normal in his mind. The objects contained therein, if not really present, can not be brought to the outside, and people will feel they don't have to do it, regardless of their interest. For anyone, the illusion has always been there, and the perception will remain until the end of the ritual. The illusion is not perceived by those who have True Faith or Auspex 6 and ends at dawn.

VERONA BY NIGHT 95 New Combination Discipline Keeper of the Path Animalism **, Auspex * t requires that at the corners close the border). It has value as long as in the of the delimited territory (not common opinion of Cainite citizens the territory less than one square belongs to the officiant. The Cainite perceives kilometer) the Cainite leave an when a Kindred crosses the border. He does not imprint of his hand with his know who he is or where he entered, only when. Vitae (spending 1 blood point Only one perimeter at a time can be marked. i for corner, and 1 Willpower to Requires 9 experience points to be purchased

VERONA BY NIGHT 96

Verona By Night

Verona, the one who sees you and does not love you of irresistible love, these, I believe, does not love himself, is devoid of any sense of love and hates everything beautiful. Giovanni Cotta For kine, the City of Love. For Kindred, the City of Hatred. Two Elders in a grip of destruction and preservation, whose sparks influence all the bystanders, dragging them into a struggle without constraints. And from the shadows, the Anguane watch and punish without rest and pity ... Verona By Night includes:

-- The Anarch Barony of Verona, held in the grip of the Scaliger Traditions -- A description of the districts of the city of Verona and their history -- The prominent characters within the districts described