The Vampire IC Thread
The Vampire OOC Thread
Vampric society within Chicago is best understood in the context of Tremere vs Giovanni - a cold war transported from Italy to the New World almost completely in tact. Other bloodlines move within the city, of course; the Brujah for instance have a presence near the Waterfront, a number of Ventrue have homes in the higher end districts, and it's all but impossible to keep Malkavians out of anywhere - but the Tremere and Giovanni are the largest, and the most visible (at least, by Vampiric standards).
It's a delicate balance of power. The Tremere, for their part, seem to represent the Camarilla within the city. They have their support, but must also follow their rules. The Giovanni, on the other hand, can play somewhat fast and loose with the Camarilla and the Masquerade. A number of high-ranking Mafioso are aware that the Giovanni are pulling their strings (and those of Law Enforcement) for example, and the clan often freely embraces from them. But as long as the Giovanni continue to honor their centuries-old pact not to engage in Jyhad, the Camarilla (and, by extention, the Tremere) honor their promise not to exterminate them - barring, of course, any serious breach of Masquerade, but the Giovanni always seem to stop just short of that. It's in this fashion that Chicago finds itself the dueling grounds of two of the most magically gifted Clans.
It's no surprise then, given this state of affairs, that the Prince the Camarilla choose to recognize is from the Tremere clan. Her name is Lady Vanessa Wellington and she rules much as any other Vampire might - through secret alliances, back ally dealings and the occasional show of brute force. Within her own clan she carries the rank of Pontifex, meaning that she answers only to the Elders (and, of course, to any Camarilla strong enough to force her to answer).
Julia has been led to believe that Lady Wellington is her Great-Grand-Sire, or perhaps Great-Great-Grand-Sire. The details are muddled and her own sire, having been ordered to Embrace her rather than selecting it for himself, has made his displeasure with the act known by actively neglecting her education. No member of the clan has moved to "correct" his deviance - it seems having plucked Julia from the Giovanni's grasp, they are content to let her dangle.
It's good, then, that Julia had Doug. The elder (though not by much) vampire felt responsible for her, in an odd sort of way. After all, it was he who brought the Giovanni's plan to the Tremere's attention, and while the latter may have not been entirely sure why the Giovanni wanted Julia, they seized the opportunity to strike a blow against them.
So Doug taught Julia what little he knew about Vampric society. It seems to have been sufficient, for the younger vampire is still alive (or whatever semblance of life she can muster) and has even managed to pry some of the secrets of the Magical Arts from her elders' cold, dead hands.
Perhaps having known how it feels to be introduced into the Masquerade without guidance, and perhaps investing in a future power base from which to wrest power from her own Grand-Sire, Julia has taken careful note whenever new kindred are embraced and has stepped in where their sires fail, offering knowledge and comfort in exchange for small favors.
Tonight is a Friday in late Autumn. The cold of the Windy City no longer bothers you, and the longer nights are welcome. It's nearing midnight, where are Julia and Doug?