Syktyvkar

Disclaimer: This campaign is (obviously) not accurate to reality. Unfortunately, vampires aren't real. Furthermore, this is not representative of the state of Syktyvkar at the time (or ever), it's mostly a cool name & vague setting that I am using as a backdrop for a cool story. So, let's take everything with a good doseage of imagination! Thank uu ^-^

Backstory

The russian revolution just swept over the nation, and the country is becoming as red as could be. Unfortunately for the Brujah living in the small city of Syktyvkar, there has not been an immediate takeover and replacement of the preexisting canites in power, especially not so far away from anyplace deemed important, such as Syktyvkar. It's difficult enough to shift the power balance among humans, supernatural beings are a whole other... beast.

The city is insignificant by almost all measurements - aside from personal interest and its value for the followers of Baba Yaga. For example there is the sixth generation Nosferatu (Garanin), sired by Gutka herself. He is one of few, if there even are others, who survived Gutkas hunger during her travels. According to many, the city was built up around him and to his likings. And so here he remains, with two childer of his own and a large set of ghouls helping him keep the city up to his standards.

When the Brujah came to Syktyvkar they were not given a warm welcome by Garanin and his followers. The city has a rigid system in place, and to think that it's likely to change anytime soon is to be a fool. Some Brujah were killed, but most simply decided that it was a lost cause and left. Most - but not all. Three Brujah still remain in Syktyvkar, maybe due to enormous amounts of determination, or maybe due to sheer stupidity. Medvedkova Maria (Mashka) and Bezborodov Maxim (Maks) Olegovich, twins in both birth and embrace, and Sayanovich Erik Grigorievich are doing their best to make the Nosferatu of the city accept the new order of things, to little avail. They are willing to use any means necessary, but to their great dismay there is little fighting to be done for the moment being. Diplomacy seems to be the main way to go. Boring.

Unbeknownst to the Brujah, and only vaguely known to the Nosferatu, there are five other vampires in Syktyvkar. They're brewing up a way to gain power as well. Viktor Vladislavovich, a Gangrel, has amassed a following of about 25 people who agree with him that Werewolves should be the leading forces of Russia, and who find Syktyvkar to be the perfect place to start their project.

Viktor himself is not from Syktyvkar. He came to the city with his young girlfriend, Yuliana Ivanovna, a few years back. Apparently it was due to “wanting to leave the stress of the big city”, but Yuliana (Viktor calls her Yulia) sometimes talks about how Viktor had “big plans” even before he had her embraced. The third person in their little coterie is Anisimov Vladimir Grigorievich. His interests are mainly those of power, like the Ventrue he is, and the main reason he goes along with Viktor is the promise of reign over Syktyvkar. He is not aware that Viktor has little intention of actually keeping his end of the bargain.

Lastly, Viktor has two childes of his own, Tanya Zakharovna and Angelina Innokentievna. He doesn’t think of them as much more than two incompetent, but occasionally useful, pawns. They are loyal to him, but unsure of what cause they even are fighting for. The nosferatu of the city are aware of their existence, and are keeping a wary eye on them. Viktor is rumored to be involved with the two in more ways than one, but it’s not something openly talked about, especially around Yuliana.

Syktyvkar

Syktyvkar has been a city since at least 1780, and was founded sometime in the 1500’s. We know Garanin was involved in this, in one way or another, but he refuses to tell us how.

The city has a population of about 7000 people, probably not counting a lot of the impoverished population, but since the government recently made it a place of political exile it is growing somewhat. There are rumors that Viktor was placed here against his will - rather than moving here himself - but it has little backing and is mostly spread among his followers, albeit not in a negative way as much as a “wow, aren’t we lucky”-way

The inhabitants of the city is mainly peasants and merchants. Agriculture, fishing, breeding cattle, trading and hunting makes the bulk of work, but a small industry or two is starting to pop up around the city, mostly focusing on producing wood, but some make shoes and similar animal-based products. About 350 people work in the industries already, with about a hundred of those being women and fifty children. There is not much work going on at night, but some activity is to be expected. On top of all this there is talk of an Airport being built sometime in the future, although there isn’t a known date.

There is a museum that was founded in 1911, called the National Museum.

Syktyvar has a main road going through it already. While mostly populated by horse carriages, rather than cars, it is still quite wide with storefronts surrounding it and alleyways and side streets connecting to it. Around the main street there is a notable city, but barely. Soon after you start hitting the side streets it fades out into something more akin to a farming village. That is, if you don´t go southeast. Here the factories are starting to get built, and newer housing is popping up. This is where the new, Soviet, government is making itself known, but it’s still much less noticeable here than in many other places. The road itself is very long. At first, it heads to the northeast, then it starts going north, northwest. Once that turn happens it goes from a city street to the street through the city, with fewer storefronts and more houses. In the southwest there is a smaller offshoot of the city, close to the city center though still a little bit away, where the slum is. Here the mothers feed their children what nutrient and calorie-sparse food they can scrounge up, and the fathers work twenty hours of the day, while the rest of the population work twelve, or sixteen. The ones who can’t work care for their siblings, beg or steal. These people are counting on the Communists, big time. There are many others who are poor, but a poor man who hunts is better off than a poor man who does not.

The Brujah have their reign in the southwestern parts of the city, and only there. The nosferatu have a more general grip of the city, with no actual place of “special interest”. Viktor & co are mainly located in a somewhat large and empty house in the northern part of town. It’s here a majority of the workers of the city live and move. They have a very undefined area they “rule”, but it can be safely said it mostly includes forest space.

The Nosferatu

There are five Nosferatu in total. Garanin is the leader. He has two childer, one of which has a childe on his own, and then there is “Vova”, who is unrelated to the other Nosferatu, but he is on good terms with them, and they have a set way of existing and communicating without too much friction.

Garanin

Garanin is as old as the city itself. It’s unclear if he’s actually just the name the Nosferatu of Syktyvkar gives their home, or if he’s a real person. Of course, you and I know that he’s real. He is the childe of Gutka, who accidentally left him alive when she made her way through russia. Only a handful of Vampires know of his existence, fewer yet know where he exists. It’s probably only his two childer, and even that is debated.

Feeding type: Irrelevant, really
Disciplines: Obfuscate (9), Auspex (7)
Generation: Sixth

Auspex: uncertain what his actual powers are, but he knows nearly everything that happens in Syktyvkar, on some level. Sure, he may not know what happened to one specific person yesterday, but it’s near that level.
Obfuscate: Nobody has seen him in years. It’s unknown if he knows so much because he walks the streets, invisible for anyone but Cain himself, but that might just be the case. You do not know of him unless he wants you to. Maybe you’re talking to him right now.

Honestly that’s all. He’s practically nonexistent by most measures, aside from his power and influence.

Pugin Foma

Few know that Garanin actually had a son in life. After Geranin’s death, he spent most of his time ensuring that his village was doing well, and watching over his child. One night he found that Pugin had been attacked by a wolf in the day. Pugin had been laying hurt and alone for hours, and was close to bleeding out. Garanin felt that he had no choice but to turn his son, cursing him in order to keep him "alive".

Pugin is adamant that wolves and werewolves alike have nothing to do in Syktyvkar, and views the city as the defence point for the parts of Russia to the southwest of the tundra. He sees his gift of animalism as a necessary evil, but prefers to avoid his inner… well, beast. (tries to seem as human as possible)

He is distantly aware of the communists rising in power in the rest of the world, but has decided that it’s unlikely to affect him or his kin, and that it may even help him in driving the godforsaken Garu away. Hopefully. He sees himself as more of a protector than a beast. Some would considering that ironic, considering the powers he posesses.

Feeding type: Farmer
Disciplines: Obfuscate (5), Animalism (4), visscitude (3)

I have only vaguely decided on what specific powers he has, so you can decide for now, or hmu and I'll get on it, haha

Konyakova Boriet Petrovna

Boriet grew up in a family of hunters. Like her brothers she was taught how to kill cleanly. She was a fast learner, and quite skilled. More skilled than her brothers, at least. Still, her skills weren’t appreciated. She was to be married off to some man, and so she decided to leave for the forest. There, she cared for herself, dealing well with the life of an outcast. She got the attention of Pugin, and he decided that she was well fit for being a Nosferatu, being well versed in hiding. He also thought her a useful tool against the creatures lurking in the forest. Maybe he regrets his decision, as Boriet is more akin to a beast than a man at this point, or maybe he’s happy with his decision, as she’s an incredibly effective killer. If nothing else, she's proof that not all Nosferatu are kind.

Feeding style: Alleycat or Farmer?
Disciplines: Animalism (4), Potence (5) Obfuscate (2)

Potence: Soaring leap, prowess, brutal feed, uncanny grip, Fist of caine
Animalism: Bound Famulus, Feral whispers, Animal succulence, Atavism
Obfuscate: Silence of death, unseen passage

Kurtashkin Saveliy Larionovich

More well known as Sava.

In life, Sava was actually a nobleman in Syktyvkar. He was the person who ensured that the town was accepted as a city. Now, that sounds good, but Saveliy was not a good man. He believed himself to be the rightful ruler of the city, and always ensured that he had it well, even if it meant that he pushed the people of the city deeper and deeper into poverty.

Garanin did not enjoy his antics, and decided to take his riches away. He was turned into one of the nosferatu, and blood bound by Garanin. For a hundred years he was forced to serve the poor, before Garanin decided Saveliy had learned his lesson. By now, Sava is the man who will help any human he can, and he spends a majority of his time in the slums, ensuring the safety and care of the poor.

Feeding style: Farmer
Disciplines: Animalism (3), Obfuscate (6)

Animalism: Bound Famulus, Unliving hive, Animal succulence
Obfuscate: Mind blank, Cloak the gathering, Vanish, Mask of a thousand faces, cloak of shadows, unseen passage

Vova

In life he was a poor man, only having a violin to his name. He was one of the best players in his hometown, and you could hear his music at almost any point if you were to walk through his city. How he was turned is unknown, but since then he’s traveled wide and far, finally ending up in Syktyvkar somewhat recently (a hundred years ago, or so). He’s one of few Nosferatu you can actually see out and about fairly often, but nobody seems to remember his face. He’s usually wearing a hat that has a fairly wide brim, that shadows his face, and the dirty clothes of a poor man. The only thing that sticks out with his clothing is a pair of white silk gloves, that always appear to be clean.

He usually stands on a street corner, playing his violin, with a small cup in front of him. Anyone who walks by tends to stop and listen for a little while, at least. He is able to leave his image behind, as he goes to do other things. He can make his way anywhere he wishes, if he has reason to. He dislikes fighting, and would rather make the opponent less keen on fighting or disappear completely. He’s almost impossible to find, even with very high auspex.

Feeding type: Osiris (details below)
Disciplines: Obfuscate (7), presence (2) and potence (3)

Obfuscate: Mask of a thousand faces, vanish, mind blank, soul mask, conceal, Imposters guise (usually as his living self, a fairly handsome but undernourished man), gemini’s mirror
Presence: Awe, daunt
Potence: Soaring leap, uncanny grip, prowess

Osiris may seem like a strange feeding type for a man like Vova. It is strange, yes, but the option that is closest to being accurate. His music is mesmerising, and as he's a beloved character in the city people have grown to trust him. Oftentimes, a drunken worker or such will stop for a moment to listen on his way home from a night out. Times like those are perfect for a quick feed. If need be, he can also use brute force to find food, but if there is an option, he'd rather avoid it.

The Furries

Yes, that is what they're called in all my notes.

[short blurb about themes of environmentalism, overshadowed by some werewolf obsession. Etc etc read thru notes too, so I don't repeat myself.]

Viktor Vladislavovich

Viktor is the leader of the Werewolf worshippers. He came to Syktyvkar around the time political prisoners started popping up. It is unclear whether he came to Syktyvkar as a prisoner himself.

He is an enthusiastic environmentalist, and believes that Kindred and Kine alike are hurting our world and should be… exterminated. He's very much against the Nosferatu, arguing that they come where humans go, like the rats they are. He thinks that they theoretically could've been rulers next to the Gangrel and Lynchantropes, but… well, evidently they don’t have it in them.

He himself is a tall and fairly muscular man. He's very handsome, with a beard that is well maintained, although it always looks like shaving is a little bit overdue. It's only once you look a little bit closer he seems more like a beast than a man. His eyes are a little bit yellow, his nails are long and clawlike, and there are fewer spots without hair than there are with.

[Details about powers to come]

Yuliana Ivanovna

Yuliana is a young lady, no older than twenty, and incredibly gorgeous. The very definition of 20’s beauty standards is a conservative estimate. As for her personality, she’s quiet and reserved. She usually does not even make eye contact with anyone but Viktor, yet everyone around her seems to fear her. Something about her makes them listen when she speaks, and though Viktor often overlooks her and dismisses her, he’s the only one to do so.

She’s been in a relationship with Viktor since before she became a vampire. Nobody really knows how or why they ended up together, but evidently Viktor took a liking to her at some point, and they’ve been together since. Unbeknownst to Yuliana, it was Victor who “commissioned” her to be turned by a Toreador who owed him a boon. He then ensured she was well versed in the ways of vampires, and the ones of the Toreador. When he did that he wasn’t completely aware that that meant she’d learn the powers of her teacher too, and he still doesn’t know the full extent of Yulianas abilities.

The relationship with Victor is great if you ask Yuliana, but to anyone besides her (and maybe Victor) it’s really an awful situation. She’s got so much worth outside of him that she simply has not realized is there, and it’s quite sad to see. Viktor is also quite keen to practice infidelity, to the common knowledge of anyone but Yuliana. Overall the relationship is very unhealthy, bordering on (if not straight up) abusive. Thinking about how it must’ve started is almost creepy, although it’s worse to see it go on in front of you.

[Details about powers to come]

Anisimov Vladimir Grigorievich

Vladimir is the only venture in all of Syktyvkar, which means that he's obviously the one who should rule once those pesky Nosferatu have been driven out. He's a newly turned vampire, who doesn't really know what he's doing, if you ask some. He's fairly gullible, nay, naïve, and has a hunger for power (as any ventrue has). He came to Syktyvkar at the same time as Victor and Yuliana.

He looks quite young, an older teen or lower twenties at most, and has only been a canite for approximately five years. His demeanor is very much that of an insecure young man who likes to prove himself powerful. He obviously looks to Viktor as a mentor and parental figure, although Viktor mostly views him as some kid he picked off the street.

Feeds on: middle aged men with moustaches (reminds him of his father.)

Disciplines: Dominate (2) and fortitude (2) presence (1)

Dominate: cloud memory, mesmerize
Fortitude: resilience, toughness
Presence: Daunt

Tanya Zakharovna

Angelina Innokentievna

The Werewolves

The werewolves in this story are an offshoot of the Siberakh, who decided that they reasonably should have the reins around these parts, since they are like the royals but better. Their goal is to drive away the wyrm bringers of the area, potentially inspired by the wendigo.

There are only about seven of them, a tiny group [do I want specifics? Could be left unspecified...], which is why they accept the help of the Canites with this city. Their thought process is that they might be able to convince the rest of the Siberakh, if they only can reclaim this one part of the lands.

The Communists

Disclaimer, again. I have been part of communist organisations in the past. If this seems like a charicature in any way (which is not my goal by any means) it's most likely for storytelling purposes, like everything else here, haha.