“You ask how I have held on to my domain despite so many others falling around us? Why, it is a simple matter. In these modern nights fear and tyranny no longer hold sway as they once did as so many elders fall to torpor and others see weakness laid bare. No, now you must persuade others to follow you out of respect or love, else you simply fuel the anarchs’ hatred and hasten your fall. Rule with wisdom, honor, and charity, and you may be surprised at the strength of those that answer when you call.” 

– Prince Angelo d’Silva 

There is nothing more absolute in the world than a Lasombra’s belief in their own superiority. Theirs is a clan built on obtaining power and wielding it ruthlessly. For centuries, the Shadows were among the rulers of the Sabbat, but, with its downfall, most have switched sides and now vie for

positions of power within the Camarilla. However, the switch came at great cost: many Princes required that any Lasombra aspiring to join their Sect put an older Lasombra or a powerful member of the Sabbat to the torch as proof of their new allegiance. 

The Shadows are exacting and callous in selecting candidates for the Embrace. Members of the clan are attracted to people who have shed weak notions like sympathy and morality to pursue power. Some Lasombra excelled throughout their mortal lives within institutions of organized religion. These childer were not chosen because of any particular level of faith or cruelty. Rather, they were selected because they rose to prominence by acting on their desire: to control their associated congregations through spirituality and using that control as a way to advance their own interests. Also, people who have been exposed to the worst of humanity and emerged victorious, such as crooked cops, crime bosses, pit fighters, and sociopaths, are common Embraces among the Lasombra. 

Disciplines 

Dominate: Shadows do not hesitate to use Dominate to crush wills and compel obedience in others. Dominate allows them to force their prey into safe spaces for feeding, then wipe away the memory of their presence. To some Lasombra, Dominate is a reflection of their birthright of power. 

Oblivion: Said to stem from the end beyond death, this ability yields power to harness and weaponize shadows and the dead. However, wise Shadows remember that Oblivion is a corruptive influence that comes at a cost to their Humanity. 

Potence: Ruthlessness is a characteristic that most Lasombra share, and sheer supernatural strength is a vicious and effective way to demonstrate it. Potence may not be subtle, but, when a final point must be made, tearing an opponent limb from limb can be a very effective way to make it. 

Archetypes 

Bruiser: Among those who excel at winning, there is always room for people who win through sheer brute force. As mortals, these Lasombra were likely prize fighters, bullies, or boxers. The clan’s culture of respect for the ruthless acquisition of power has not given them any reason to change old habits. 

Perfectionist: Seeking perfection in all they do, these Shadows tend to focus on one thing, until they master it so completely there is nothing left for them to learn. Their pursuit of perfection is often at the expense of those around them, sometimes fatally. 

Power Junkie: A self-serving politician, a police officer on a power trip, and an overbearing fast food manager all have one thing in common: the love of power. They tasted it when they were Embraced,

and they dedicate their existence to getting more. The Shadows whisper of gains without limit, if only they would reach out and grasp it. These Manipulators do whatever they can to gain power, and hold onto it no matter the cost. 

Bane 

Any reflective surface or recording device renders the Lasombra’s image as faded or distorted in some way. The distortion is clearly unnatural to the observer and betrays the Lasombra’s undead state. To those ignorant to the existence of vampires, the reflection appears unnatural and upsetting. This effect will not hide the identity of a vampire, nor will it allow Lasombra to be less difficult to catch on surveillance. 

Similarly, modern communication technology has a more difficult time obeying the presence and actions of a Lasombra. Any time physical interaction based solely on touch is required to operate a modern communication device, the Lasombra must make a test using their Technology Skill vs. a Difficulty of 2 + Bane Severity. If this test fails the device refuses to respond in some way, such as the touch screen not working. This includes the use of touch screen phones, voice activated sensors, and similar technology. More archaic communication devices, such as rotary phones, phones with physical buttons to push, or devices such as BlackBerrys will work until used for a call or voice recording. Then if a Technology test fails, the call fails to transmit the Lasombra’s voice. Technology such as machinery or cars that rely on turning a key, pulling a lever, or depressing a physical button is unaffected by this Bane. However, a car that has seat sensors to make sure someone is in the driver seat might fail to recognize the Lasombra and then fail to start. 

This Bane can never benefit the Lasombra. A Lasombra can’t simply grab someone’s phone to erase video taken of her or touch the car of escaping prey to turn it off. This Bane also makes her easier to detect. A Lasombra also gains a penalty to any pool used to avoid electronic detection systems equal to her Bane Severity. 

Compulsion: Ruthlessness 

Failure is a sin among the Lasombra, and their Blood drives them to increasingly vicious actions when they suffer this Compulsion. The next test they fail after suffering this Compulsion causes a -2 penalty to all tests until they succeed at another attempt at the same action or until the end of the scene.