Lasombra
“I know that you fear me. You also love me, in the secret place between the darkness and the soul. You hide in the light, but remember: every candle casts a shadow.” — Romero de la Salle
Nickname: Magisters
Disciplines: Dominate, Potence, Obtenebration
Spawned in darkness, their spirits merged with the depths of the Abyss, the vampires of the Lasombra clan are regal, elegant, and consumed with the flawless exercise of power. Few vampires have such will and control as the Lasombra, or maintain such a deep interest in excellence, nobility, and ambition. The clan’s ranks are filled with priests who would be Pope, and counselors who steer the fates of nations. They enjoy the “sports” of the nobility (namely, duels, poisoning, assassination, and ambition), and rule the night with elegance and dark desire.
Where other vampires seek meaning, looking to blood or their internal hierarchies to motivate them throughout an immortal existence, Lasombra seek nothing less than complete supremacy. Their influence in the church is unmatched. Throughout the ages, the Lasombra have invested themselves with the trappings of faith, seizing both wealth and power behind the scenes.
Even though faith is crucial to the Lasombra, most of them do not believe that vampires can be forgiven or redeemed. They believe that vampirism is a curse levied upon a few in order to drive mortals toward God’s light or to punish and destroy those who will not turn from darkness. Certainly, the clan has long abandoned the hope for an afterlife or salvation. What pleasures a Lasombra finds, she finds in the mortal world; what glory she earns comes from seeing enemies and upstarts crushed beneath her boot.
Arrogance seems native to the Lasombra vitae. Even the clan’s youngest fellows radiate a dark sense of command, and true elders can use their clan’s power over shadow to enforce their will on the night itself. They feel that no other vampire is their equal, and that the Lasombra clan is of quantifiably superior blood.
Organization: The Lasombra prefer regal courts, dark masses, and the trappings and titles of aristocracy. Ceremony, as well as power, is integral to the clan’s internal structure. The Lasombra are devious and murderous, to say the least. Lineage provides a great deal of prestige, and some familial lines are more revered than others. A complex system of patronage and mentorship provides further station, as does one’s position within the hierarchy of her sect. A small group within the clan, known as the Amici Noctis (Friends of the Night), meet in secret and set policy for the rest of the clan. This body exerts its will over all members of Clan Lasombra, regardless of sect or personal alliance. When a Lasombra must be judged, she is brought before a Court of Blood, which sits in judgment on her worthiness, and can condemn her to death if she is found wanting.
Clan Weakness: Lasombra vampires cast no reflections. Whether in a mirror, in a body of water, on a polished surface, or in the rear-view of a taxicab, the Lasombra’s image does not reflect. Her reflection cannot be captured by devices that use mirrors (like old-style cameras), but can be recorded by modern digital devices.
Clan Merits: Lasombra may purchase any of the following Lasombra-only merits.
- Angelic Visage (1 point merit): You gain the Charisma Social attribute focus.
- Born in Shadow (2 point merit): You don’t need to spend Blood to activate the first 2 dots of Obtenebration.
- Walk the Abyss (3 point merit): You are trained in one of the rare arts of Abyss Mysticism. Through the use of this ritual, you can travel long distances by walking within the depths of the Abyss.
