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For San Diego, Tijuana is a place of unfettered freedom, hedonism, crime and license. For Tijuana, San Diego is where the money is, where the rich houses and golf courses and boardrooms are situated. Each wants what the other has, and is persuaded that the best of it is hidden away and should really be taken by force. | For San Diego, Tijuana is a place of unfettered freedom, hedonism, crime and license. For Tijuana, San Diego is where the money is, where the rich houses and golf courses and boardrooms are situated. Each wants what the other has, and is persuaded that the best of it is hidden away and should really be taken by force. | ||
− | The main | + | The main thing is that nothing is free. Effort, willpower, even ruthlessness are all necessary to get what you want. It can be hidden or protected or just forgotten, but in any case, if you want it, you'll have to work for it. |
=Inspirations= | =Inspirations= | ||
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==The Arcadio Legacy== | ==The Arcadio Legacy== | ||
− | Recent history of the area (read: since colonial times) has, for Leviathans, been dominated by the actions of Miguel Angel Arcadio. He was a Spanish nobleman in the late 18th century, and an exceptionally powerful | + | Recent history of the area (read: since colonial times) has, for Leviathans, been dominated by the actions of Miguel Angel Arcadio. He was a Spanish nobleman in the late 18th century, and an exceptionally powerful Taninim. Having exhausted his options for power in the motherland, he arrived in 1750 in what was then New Spain. In Havana, he met and allied with Fray Agusto Buendias, a half-indian Jesuit scholar with a reputation for oratory skills, and an experienced Dagonite. |
Together, they were part of the 1769 expedition that founded the Mission San Diego de Alcalà, the first European settlement in the region. At first, Arcadio and Buendias worked together to carve their little empire in the region. Then, suddenly, the friendship turned sour. Oral history has it that a local Kumeyaay woman came to see them one night, bringing with her "something from the mountains". After that night, Arcadio took to searching the area regularly, while Fray Buendias sent bands of indians he had subjugated to do similar work for him. | Together, they were part of the 1769 expedition that founded the Mission San Diego de Alcalà, the first European settlement in the region. At first, Arcadio and Buendias worked together to carve their little empire in the region. Then, suddenly, the friendship turned sour. Oral history has it that a local Kumeyaay woman came to see them one night, bringing with her "something from the mountains". After that night, Arcadio took to searching the area regularly, while Fray Buendias sent bands of indians he had subjugated to do similar work for him. | ||
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It was inevitable that they clashed, and after a while it became open war. Finally, one night, Fray Buendias was found decapitated. There was little justice in the land to be visited upon Arcadio, even though local history always held that he had done the deed himself. Arcadio became secluded in his ranch in the mountains, but soon he had a son, who took over the exploitation and the regular expeditions to search the mountains for something that we never quite explicited. | It was inevitable that they clashed, and after a while it became open war. Finally, one night, Fray Buendias was found decapitated. There was little justice in the land to be visited upon Arcadio, even though local history always held that he had done the deed himself. Arcadio became secluded in his ranch in the mountains, but soon he had a son, who took over the exploitation and the regular expeditions to search the mountains for something that we never quite explicited. | ||
− | For centuries, the Arcadio family line dominated the region. Its influence was little to the mundane world, but they | + | For centuries, the Arcadio family line dominated the region. Its influence was little to the mundane world, but they hed tight control over any occult manifestations. They did fairly well when Mexico became independent. "El Señor Arcadio", at the time José Maria Arcadio, was one of the innumerable warlords who ruled the little province with an iron fist during the revolution. |
==The Refuge Church== | ==The Refuge Church== | ||
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The American conquest spelled the doom of the domination of the Arcadio family. Retreating more and more in the countryside, they were totally blindsided by the urban expansion of San Diego (later Tijuana), which made them and their exploited Indian workforce obsolete. | The American conquest spelled the doom of the domination of the Arcadio family. Retreating more and more in the countryside, they were totally blindsided by the urban expansion of San Diego (later Tijuana), which made them and their exploited Indian workforce obsolete. | ||
− | It was a time of freedom for | + | It was a time of freedom for leviathans, who flocked more than ever to the region, but it was also the beginning of dominance for the Marduk Society. Many say that the first sons of Marduk to arrive in the region came with the Mormon battalion, settling by force of arms the conflicts within the Wicked Tribe. For sure, for a couple of decades there are no records of any Leviathans in town, apart from the few descendents of Miguel Arcadio still roaming the hills from their estate. San Diego was deathly quiet on the Leviathan front. |
This is simply because many of the Tribe had fled south, along with the Mexicans who refused American rule. They laid low, and mingled with the refugee population who would soon found Tijuana on the other side of the border. It was also the beginning of the end for the domination of the School of the Sun. For a while, it looked like those of the Clay would succeed the priests in their utter dominance. With the help of some Leviathans who wanted to break the Arcadio stranglehold, the system of ranchos started to break down, soon replaced by farming and livestock grazing by small independent owners. An alliance of local pioneers and bourgeoisie, themselves suspiciously reminiscent of Arcadio and Fray Buendias, entered into a compact to formall found the town of Tijuana. The heart's blood of the region was now flowing in two separate streams. | This is simply because many of the Tribe had fled south, along with the Mexicans who refused American rule. They laid low, and mingled with the refugee population who would soon found Tijuana on the other side of the border. It was also the beginning of the end for the domination of the School of the Sun. For a while, it looked like those of the Clay would succeed the priests in their utter dominance. With the help of some Leviathans who wanted to break the Arcadio stranglehold, the system of ranchos started to break down, soon replaced by farming and livestock grazing by small independent owners. An alliance of local pioneers and bourgeoisie, themselves suspiciously reminiscent of Arcadio and Fray Buendias, entered into a compact to formall found the town of Tijuana. The heart's blood of the region was now flowing in two separate streams. | ||
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==Dark Days and Illuminated Nights== | ==Dark Days and Illuminated Nights== | ||
− | Tijuana's expansion was, on the surface, a wild, anarchic thing, fueled by tourism, gambling, nightlife and a cheap | + | Tijuana's expansion was, on the surface, a wild, anarchic thing, fueled by tourism, gambling, nightlife and a cheap folklorictheme-park version of Mexican culture for foreign consumption. In reality, it was carefully harnessed for maximum profit by various interests: local crime lords, Mafia families, and of course, underneath those, many Leviathans. Federal troops and militia sent the few local revolutionaries packing during the Civil War, because nothing could be allowed to endanger the profits. Free from Marduk's gaze, free from the crime-busting efforts that would culminate in the Prohibition north of the border, Tijuana grew and so did the Wicked Tribe. Unavoidably, this constant proximity along with the temptation of greater power and masses brought heavy conflict. The Hatfield rainmaker flood, a collateral effect of a conflict between two prominent Cults, destroyed a large swath of the city, and was only the most visible sign of the seething underground war. Ultimately, the city crashed when the leader of the local School of Fog, Tomaso Montés, convinced the federal government to ban gambling in the state in order to impose some calm. |
Many Leviathans crossed north again just in time to benefit from the boom in activity that World War II created in San Diego. A heavy influx in population came to work in the shipyards, and some of them brought their family gods with them. A new equilibrium of power finally settled in, one that continues to this day. The old families have lost much of their power, but they are still listened to enough that conflict does not break out too visibly, too often. From time to time, however, tensions flare up for territory or family, and atrocities are committed that are either buried by the cities' good citizens or swept under the rug - namely, thrown out to the other side of the border. Occasionnally a more direct approach is need and a natural disaster will come along to sweep clean the slate. But sooner or later, the vacuum in power calls for another godling-king who will test his mettler against the iron border. | Many Leviathans crossed north again just in time to benefit from the boom in activity that World War II created in San Diego. A heavy influx in population came to work in the shipyards, and some of them brought their family gods with them. A new equilibrium of power finally settled in, one that continues to this day. The old families have lost much of their power, but they are still listened to enough that conflict does not break out too visibly, too often. From time to time, however, tensions flare up for territory or family, and atrocities are committed that are either buried by the cities' good citizens or swept under the rug - namely, thrown out to the other side of the border. Occasionnally a more direct approach is need and a natural disaster will come along to sweep clean the slate. But sooner or later, the vacuum in power calls for another godling-king who will test his mettler against the iron border. | ||
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==University Heights== | ==University Heights== | ||
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==City Heights== | ==City Heights== | ||
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''Dagonite, School of the Sun'' | ''Dagonite, School of the Sun'' | ||
Tia Ramona ("Aunt Ramona") is one of the strongest and most ruthless Leviathans south of the Border. In fact, she's served as Hetman for Tijuana for a long time, although she's been known to let younger members of the Tribe take the role for affairs she has no interest in. Her human appearance is that of an old woman of mixed Indian and White heritage, and she has a well-deserved reputation as a witch in the poor barrio she calls home. | Tia Ramona ("Aunt Ramona") is one of the strongest and most ruthless Leviathans south of the Border. In fact, she's served as Hetman for Tijuana for a long time, although she's been known to let younger members of the Tribe take the role for affairs she has no interest in. Her human appearance is that of an old woman of mixed Indian and White heritage, and she has a well-deserved reputation as a witch in the poor barrio she calls home. | ||
− | Tia Ramona claims to have been the inspiration for the main character in the 1884 book Ramona, which brought the first influx of tourists into Tijuana, but in reality she arrived in the 1960s in the city. Her cult is a fanatical splinter of gangbangers who pretty much run the area. She is known to have "pet projects", a number of women and their matrilineal families which are under her discreet protection, for | + | Tia Ramona claims to have been the inspiration for the main character in the 1884 book Ramona, which brought the first influx of tourists into Tijuana, but in reality she arrived in the 1960s in the city. Her cult is a fanatical splinter of gangbangers who pretty much run the area. She is known to have "pet projects", a number of women and their matrilineal families which are under her discreet protection, for rasons she won't divulge. Hurting them is a death sentence, especially if drugs are involved. |
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==Alonso Lopez== | ==Alonso Lopez== | ||
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==Maria Tarres Serrana== | ==Maria Tarres Serrana== | ||
− | '' | + | ''Taninim, no School'' |
Maria is a young Leviathan, freshly emerged from her first transformations. She hasn't had the time to join a School yet and is largely ignorant of Tribe culture or protocols. Maria was a party girl at University San Diego, and the revelation of her heritage has done two things for her: instantly cured her of her cocaine addiction, and induce terrible dreams. Maria suffers from prophetic dreams that foreshadow the destruction of the two cities by a dark, sentient tsunami wave, and she is terrified. She has started to gather a small Cult largely made up of ex-boyfriends, but they can't provide much comfort. | Maria is a young Leviathan, freshly emerged from her first transformations. She hasn't had the time to join a School yet and is largely ignorant of Tribe culture or protocols. Maria was a party girl at University San Diego, and the revelation of her heritage has done two things for her: instantly cured her of her cocaine addiction, and induce terrible dreams. Maria suffers from prophetic dreams that foreshadow the destruction of the two cities by a dark, sentient tsunami wave, and she is terrified. She has started to gather a small Cult largely made up of ex-boyfriends, but they can't provide much comfort. | ||
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==Maxwell Stirling== | ==Maxwell Stirling== | ||
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Maxwell is a US Navy Chief Petty Officer based in the offices of the Navy in downtown San Diego. He is quiet and responsive, and has always received positive evaluations, largely on his own merit rather than the effect of the Wake. He is enamored of the sea and would like an opportunity to sail again, but is starting to be bogged down in administrative duties. Since his childhood, Maxwell has followed a rigid moral code which served him well in service. | Maxwell is a US Navy Chief Petty Officer based in the offices of the Navy in downtown San Diego. He is quiet and responsive, and has always received positive evaluations, largely on his own merit rather than the effect of the Wake. He is enamored of the sea and would like an opportunity to sail again, but is starting to be bogged down in administrative duties. Since his childhood, Maxwell has followed a rigid moral code which served him well in service. | ||
Unassuming though he is, Maxwell is a formidable combatant and has taken leaves of absence in the past to go hunting for Typhoons. He is a compulsive follower of sightings forums and cryptozoology. He trains and drills his Cult of sailors and marines to change them into monster-hunters, and is slowly warming to the idea of using them against the criminal or dangerous Leviathans in the city. | Unassuming though he is, Maxwell is a formidable combatant and has taken leaves of absence in the past to go hunting for Typhoons. He is a compulsive follower of sightings forums and cryptozoology. He trains and drills his Cult of sailors and marines to change them into monster-hunters, and is slowly warming to the idea of using them against the criminal or dangerous Leviathans in the city. | ||
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==Myriam Bales== | ==Myriam Bales== | ||
''Oceanite, School of Fog'' | ''Oceanite, School of Fog'' | ||
Myriam has decided to become the Hetman for San Diego and, if she can, Tijuana as well. Born in a wealthy family, she attended college just long enough to snag a rich husband and retire to suburbia. She has organised parties, supported charities, and raised three children. But that was always a front for her real objective: organising the Leviathans of the city into a unified force, to establish entire control over the human population. | Myriam has decided to become the Hetman for San Diego and, if she can, Tijuana as well. Born in a wealthy family, she attended college just long enough to snag a rich husband and retire to suburbia. She has organised parties, supported charities, and raised three children. But that was always a front for her real objective: organising the Leviathans of the city into a unified force, to establish entire control over the human population. | ||
− | From a human point of view, Myriam is completely deranged. But she's not human, and she has shed most of her affiliation with humanity in exchange for the very real possibility of absolute power. She is unfailingly honest in her dealings with other Leviathans, however, and does her utmost to see that those who work with her (under her, most likely) are richly rewarded | + | From a human point of view, Myriam is completely deranged. But she's not human, and she has shed most of her affiliation with humanity in exchange for the very real possibility of absolute power. She is unfailingly honest in her dealings with other Leviathans, however, and does her utmost to see that those who work with her (under her, most likely) are richly rewarded. |
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==The Wave Gurus== | ==The Wave Gurus== | ||
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The so-called Wave Gurus are a Cohort of four Leviathans living on or around the beaches of San Diego. They are led by Old Man Trouble, a powerfully built old man who barely talks above a mumble, and sometimes stops moving entirely for days at a time. | The so-called Wave Gurus are a Cohort of four Leviathans living on or around the beaches of San Diego. They are led by Old Man Trouble, a powerfully built old man who barely talks above a mumble, and sometimes stops moving entirely for days at a time. | ||
In truth, the Wave Gurus are bums. They have nothing but an old Volkswagen bus and their surfboards, and spend all day either on the waves or on the beach spouting wisdom to the small following of surfers and New Age aficionados they have attracted. The Wave Gurus never show up to Leviathan Taxon meetings, except when it relates to the ocean in some way. That said, they are remarkably open to discussion and partying when cousins show up on the beach. | In truth, the Wave Gurus are bums. They have nothing but an old Volkswagen bus and their surfboards, and spend all day either on the waves or on the beach spouting wisdom to the small following of surfers and New Age aficionados they have attracted. The Wave Gurus never show up to Leviathan Taxon meetings, except when it relates to the ocean in some way. That said, they are remarkably open to discussion and partying when cousins show up on the beach. | ||
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==Davvi Jones== | ==Davvi Jones== | ||
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Dafydd (or Davvi, as he's called most of the time) is a forty-something Welshman expatriated in Tijuana for the past twenty years. He runs a maritime supply shop, selling everything from canned food to fishing tackle to motor oil. He also runs the Border Cove - an informal port of harbor for Leviathan-crewed ships- pretty much single-handedly. The Leviathan ships coming in usually receive a visit from either Davvi or one of his sons as soon as they arrive, and can get assistance and guidance in exchange for some money and the latest rumours. | Dafydd (or Davvi, as he's called most of the time) is a forty-something Welshman expatriated in Tijuana for the past twenty years. He runs a maritime supply shop, selling everything from canned food to fishing tackle to motor oil. He also runs the Border Cove - an informal port of harbor for Leviathan-crewed ships- pretty much single-handedly. The Leviathan ships coming in usually receive a visit from either Davvi or one of his sons as soon as they arrive, and can get assistance and guidance in exchange for some money and the latest rumours. | ||
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