Genrepacket Giovanni

7/30/2019 Genrepacket Giovanni

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OWbN Giovanni Genre

Writer:Daniel L. Gill, Jr.

Editor: Christina C. Peterson & Michael Yesenofski

Backgrounds byJohn Mann, Thicker than Blood OWbN Chronicle, &taken from World of Darkness: Mafia

Wraith byAdam LAZ Lazaroff

Etiquette byDavid Hutton

Special thanks to Greg Stolze and John Chambers who wrote & developedClanbook: Giovanni "I give you both a major boon."

Special thanks also to Thicker than Blood OWbN Chronicle, Chris Sauter, Ed

Nabors, and Rojir McCrady for making, playing and Storytelling Giovanni;

for so much fun over the years.

I would also like to thank the writers of the (OWbN) ST Guide to Giovanni.


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Table of Contents:

1) Introduction........................................................................................................3

2) Administrative By-laws .....................................................................................4

3) What it is to be a Giovanni in OWbN................................................................7

4) The Families of the Giovanni...........................................................................12

a) Major, minor, lesser families .....................................................................13

b) Population .................................................................................................16

c) Family Feuds .............................................................................................16

5) Ghouls of the Family........................................................................................18

a) Embrace Dates of the Family.....................................................................20

6) The Advantages of Being Family ....................................................................21

a) Merits & Flaws ..........................................................................................21b) Abilities .....................................................................................................23

c) Backgrounds ..............................................................................................24

d) Lore............................................................................................................27

7) Those Not Our Own.........................................................................................29

a) Marrying in the Family..............................................................................29

b) Adoption into Clan Giovanni ....................................................................31

8) Clan Organization ............................................................................................31

a) Offices within the Family ..........................................................................31

b) Additional Positions within the Clan.........................................................34

c) Prestige/Pull...............................................................................................35

d) A Note on Anziani.....................................................................................36

9) Paying Your Dues Tithe................................................................................3610) Etiquette .........................................................................................................37

a) Security ......................................................................................................38

b) Public relations ..........................................................................................39

11) Sect Relations.................................................................................................40

12) Stereotypes.....................................................................................................41

13) The Social Clubs ............................................................................................42

14) Giovanni/Wraith Relationships......................................................................45

a) The Wonderful World of Wraiths..............................................................45

b) The Honored Dead.....................................................................................46

c) Dis Pater.....................................................................................................46

15) The Path of Bones..........................................................................................48

16) Necromancy ...................................................................................................5017) History Update ...............................................................................................51

18) Q & A.............................................................................................................5319) Bibliography ..............................................................................................................57


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1. INTRODUCTION

"Embraced by a fallen Clan during nights long past, the Giovanni have always had ambition.

Now they bring that ambition to bear on a world they would claim for themselves. With vast wealth, the

ability to command the spirits of the dead, and a strict familial hierarchy, the greatest enemy to stand

against Clan Giovanni is itself." - Unknown

In these Final Nights, the Giovanni Clan is an Enigma. The only Clan to have

truly stood outside Kindred politics since its inception, Clan Giovanni has a reputation

that causes most fellow kindred to avoid them at all costs. The Clans taste for the

morbid is something that even the stuffy Ventrue and the wild Brujah can agree is not

natural. They are the only clan that knows the joy of life, the dark twilight of unlife and

the bitter ashes of true death. Founded during the Dark Ages and coming to ascendance

in the Renaissance, the Family of Giovanni has since grown to include several other

families. They are now stronger than they have ever been, while all around them

disintegrate into dust. Still, suspicion of this Clan has continued to the present day. By

staying neutral in quaint battles, the Giovanni have had free rein to build its merchantempire. Now the Clan's wealth is undeniable, but no one knows the exact purpose for

which it employs this wealth. Few outsiders have ever taken part in the Clan's

necromantic rituals, so the purpose of these is likewise a mystery. Instead, suspicions

and innuendoes have taken the places of facts and truths. Clan Giovanni is one of the

more rigidly controlled Clans and contact is constantly maintained between members of

the Clan. As has been foretold, if the Final Nights are upon all Kindred then be glad that

you are a member of the one Clan truly prepared to see these times and survive This

genre packet is a good start, for it contains information that every young Don-to-be needs

(all Giovanni for that matter) to know & to take to his/her no-longer beating heart. The

Clan is more widely spread and in more positions of power than all the other Clans

know. The Clan will complete their objectives - and they are not what the other Kindredthink they are. We must all understand the OWbN genre differs from White Wolf genre.

Since OWbNs conception, it has developed its own genre through role-playing.

Although we must strive to stick as close as possible to what White Wolf has lain down,

some concessions must be made. For instance, the Giovanni have taken on the role in

OWbN that mirrors the role of the Tremere in White Wolf. To be quite blunt, in White

Wolf the Tremere is the hated-necessity, but everyone has to deal with them because

they are the providers of magical errata. In OWbN, things just dont happen that way.

Instead, the Giovanni play this role. Everyone hates us, but were the people they come

to when services or items are required that stray from the Camarillas preferred course

of business. This is due to our neutrality. When the Gangrel left the Camarilla as a

whole, they became independent. They hadnt been an independent clan in a long time.The Giovanni were some of the first to help them transit into a fully functioning,

independent clan again. Therefore, the Giovanni and the Gangrel share a close working

relationship in many instances.

Important Note:

The Giovanni Coordinators office does not recognize the usage ofTime of Judgmentor

Orpheus in any way, shape or form. Any articles that use this for source material are to


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be considered invalid by the Giovanni Coordinators office when applying to Clan

Giovanni. We are on the verge of Gehenna but not there yet. Until a resolution is

passed by OWbN that rules the Gehenna plot will be run across the board, this office willnot run any Gehenna plot period. This Genre packet shall supercede any and all

Giovanni Genre packets before it, as well as Storytelling aids that deal with Clan

Giovanni.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE BYLAWS

Giovanni Coordinator:

This current Giovanni clan packet is to be considered policy for OWbN. It is the

responsibility of the Giovanni Coordinator to keep the rules and guidelines for GiovanniGenre available for OWbN as a whole.

The Giovanni Coordinator shall have the following Sub-Coordinators (see below

listing). During their period as Sub-Coordinator and 3 months beyond their active date,

these Sub-Coordinators may not have an active PC that is Giovanni or that has a

Giovanni as a mentor.

Harbingers of Skulls are monitored directly by the Giovanni Coordinator.

Interregional Sub-Coordinators:

3 East Coast, 3 Midwest, 1 West Coast, 1 Southern within the US, 1 Brazil, 1

New Zealand, and 1 Europe. Each of these Sub-Coordinators is responsible for the

Family structure of their area. They are responsible for operating and portraying thearea's Family Elders, keeping in regular communication with the Storytellers in their

area, and report to the Giovanni Coordinator. Giovanni Sub-Coordinators shall be chosen

by the Giovanni Coordinator, but may be removed by a majority decision of the

Chronicles in the area in which that Sub-Coordinator is working. The Giovanni

Coordinator shall have the minimum Sub-Coordinators of the above listing. Additional

Sub-Coordinators may be assigned as needed for those regions by the Giovanni

Coordinator. The appearance of The Venetian Senate or The Voice of Venice is strictly

forbidden without the Giovanni Coordinators approval. (A Sub-Cord is not sufficient for

approval.) Characters may not have or receive direct contact, private missives, gifts,

telepathic contact, psychic projections or the like from The Venetian Senate or The Voice

of Venice unless approval from the characters STs and the Giovanni Coordinator office

and/or OWbN council is given. The appearance of any NPC Daggers of the Giovanni is

strictly forbidden without the Giovanni Coordinators approval or that of the Daggers

Sub-Coordinator.


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Specialty Sub-Coords:

There shall be Sub-Coordinators for each of the Following: Necromancer National,

Daggers of the Giovanni, Social Clubs, Minor/Lesser Family, Enforcer National,

Rending of the Shroud/Tithe, and Samedi.

The Necromancer-National Sub-Coord regulates Giovanni Necromancy. They are

responsible for approving or disallowing related materials. They also monitor the

proliferation of Necromancy and run Necromancy specific plot.

The Daggers Sub-Coord monitors the use of the Daggers as an organizational unit and

their use in Chronicles. They are responsible for collecting and monitoring PC Dagger

actions. They approve or disapprove official Dagger use in chronicles. They must also

collect status reports given by the Daggers in regards to their actions. They must also

approve or disapprove requests from chronicles for their use.

The Social Clubs Sub-Coord runs plot for the members of the social clubs (with St

Approval). They keep membership tallies as well. They also keep track of social club

rankings.

The Lesser Families Sub-Coord runs lesser family tailored plot for each of the families

(with St Approval) and keeps the population tally.

The National Enforcer Sub-Coord runs plot for the Enforcers (with St Approval). They

coordinate Giovanni martial activity.

The Shroud Rending/Tithe Sub-Coord oversees all Giovanni-Wraith connectivity

matters. They regulate dispensations of the Honored Dead and Dis-Pater Shrines.

The Samedi Sub-Coord is responsible for monitoring the actions of NPC and PC Samedi

as well as making available Samedi genre information and the portrayal of Samedi NPCs.

They also handle Samedi specific plot (with St Approval).

Character Regulation

No PC may elevate to the rank of The Venetian Senate/The Voice of Venice. In addition

to the R&U policy, any character that has a Giovanni Mentor that is considered regional

or higher must be approved by the OWbN Council and/or the Giovanni Coordinator.

Social Clubs within the Family

Becoming a member of the Social Clubs need both ST approval and approval from the

Social Club Sub-Coordinator.


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Clan Giovanni Structure for OWbN:The Venetian SenateGiovanni Coordinator/Sub-Coordinators

The Voice of VeniceGiovanni Coordinator

Daggers of the GiovanniDaggers of the Giovanni Sub-Coordinator/PC's that hold the title.PrefectVenice (There is no Prefect)

North America - (Sub-Coordinator) East Coast PC (1 North east/1 Mid Atlantic)

South / Caribbean PC1

Midwest PC 4

West Coast PC 1

Canada - (Sub-Coordinator)

Brazil - (Sub-Coordinator)

New Zealand - (Sub-Coordinator)Europe (Sub-Coordinator)

Dons/Donas - PC (NPC's where needed)

Enforcer National - (Sub-Coordinator)

East Coast PC

South / Caribbean - PC

Midwest - PC

West Coast - PC

Necromancer National (Sub-Coordinator)

East Coast PC

South / Caribbean - PC

Midwest - PC West Coast - PC

Notes on Prefects: PC Giovanni Prefects are appointed by the Giovanni Coordinator

with their Chronicle Storytellers approval. Due to the Regional nature of this position,

the Giovanni Coordinator may remove a PC Prefect at anytime without that characters

home chronicle Storytellers approval. All PC's portraying Dons and Donas within the

Family Organization must report to their Prefect no less then once every 2 months.

Prefects must fill out a report once every 2 months to the Giovanni Coordinator

representing their reports to Venice. They must include at the very least, the following

information: The total number of PC Giovanni within their area, Giovanni public

relations with the local kindred population with special mention of any non-GiovanniNecromancers uncovered in their domains. Failure to file these reports will result in their

removal from said office by the Venetian Senate. Prefects may not make national policy

without the approval of the Giovanni Coordinator (a Sub-Coord is not sufficient). Nor

may they take actions within their office that would result in the death or non-playable

position of any Giovanni PC with out first obtaining written permission of the Giovanni

Coordinators office & the ST staff of that game. (Proof of permission may be asked for

by both sides before any scenes will be approved to be run).


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Security of the Family & Necromancy

While it is possible for Giovanni Havens, or Loggia, to be invaded by those not of Clan

Giovanni, no Necromancy materials (i.e. Books, Tomes, Rituals, etc) can be removed

from said Haven. This is to reduce the spread of Necromancy outside of Clan Giovanni.

Rituals can be learned from books. Paths are Disciplines, however, and cannot belearned from books. Paths require teaching from one whom already possesses them in

clan, just like other Disciplines. (A similar rule to the one above is in the Tremere

bylaws). The Mausoleum in Venice cannot be attacked in anyway, nor any powers used

on/within it without Giovanni Coordinator approval. Poaching and/or Killing the NPC

mortal members (non- ghouled) of the Giovanni Clan, the clan's only embrace pool,

requires approval of the Families Sub-Coordinator. All scenes taking place in Venice

must be approved by the Giovanni Coordinators office & the ST staff of that game.

(Proof of permission may be asked for by both sides before any scenes will be approved

to be run). All scenes taking place in Venice are under the jurisdiction of the Giovanni

Coordinator.

3. WHAT IT IS TO BE GIOVANNI IN OWbN

Death runs in my Family. Bone powder is the blood in our veins.

The stench of death is the air in our lungs. Whispers of Specters are the sweat music in our ears and you

threaten me with Death? - Madeleine Giovanni, Dagger of the Clan

First and foremost: you will always be out-numbered and hated. To be of the Giovanni

requires a certain amount of "fortitude." Beset upon all sides by competitors and would-

be assassins, you must work towards the clans ultimate objective--the rending of theshroud--while also increasing your own power base. Those that do not wish to out-and-

out kill you will try all kinds of ways to con you out of your birthright as one of the last

true Clans of merchant princes. They will try to get you to teach them Necromancy, and

then try to kill you after.

You must rely on the following things: A good relationship with the storyteller staff of

your game is the height of importance. Many chronicles do not allow Giovanni for many

reasons. One of the most popular of reasons is that the Giovanni sometimes need a

storyteller all to himself or herself for the entire game night. Giovanni players need

attentive narrators and storytellers. This is true due to the nature of the clan being

involved with internal matters. Most of the Giovanni's time should be spent with otherGiovanni or acquiring resources. Giovanni should not spend every game hanging out in

the Camarilla or at other sects gatherings, though it is always nice to pay them a visit

and improve Giovanni relationships (of course if you are the only Giovanni in the game

then thats the exception).

So why play a Giovanni? No matter how frustrating it can be at times, you get to

interact with some of the best Roleplayers ever. We have Family dinners in- and out-of-


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character. Giovanni players go to the height of costuming and props. Because we all

share the same experiences in regards to other clanly discriminations, we have bonded

like no other Clan. By playing a Giovanni, you are being inducted into not only a game

family, but also an out of character family. For example, we have gotten together and

made spaghetti dinners and sat around talking in- and out-of-character about all things in

game and out. Even if you are the only Giovanni in a hundred mile radius, even if youare playing with a small troupe that gets together in a wooden shack in the Saskatchewan

tundra with nothing but timber wolves to provide the soundtrack, you can pick up a cell

phone or get on the Internet (provided such things exist up there) and thousands of

Giovanni players will send you aid. Well, maybe not thousands. At the very least, one

will. Also the Giovanni Clan is rich, loaded with money. Careful management of banks

and world trade has given them a huge amount of funds. They are so rich and powerful

that they have their own area code and all family members have a number in the area

code for ease of contact (Venice Area Code 040). Worldwide, the wealth of the family

rivals - if not surpasses - that of the Ventrue.

Many people bash Necromancy paths and rituals; some of these naysayers go so far as toclaim that Giovanni are not true blood magic users nor are they truly playable characters.

None of this is true, however. The Giovanni are a legitimate Clan to play in any

chronicle. Also they are a true blood sorcerer Clan. They do get their magic from the

same source as every other Clan. Everyone always complains about Necromancy (read

Soul Steal) when they need to realize that other blood sorcerers have over 160 pages of

blood magic that they have access to (OWbN Blood Sorcerer Packet) whereas the

Giovanni have access to a mere nine pages. So yeah, the average Giovanni may be

slightly stronger at the start than many base level characters; however, they simply do not

have the numbers that other clans can boast. What this means is that, in a properly

balanced game, the handful of Giovanni should be outnumbered four-to-one by the other

clans. The Giovanni are not in a race with the other Clans anyway.

The Giovanni clan also stands out in that it is widely believed that they are all related.

Not only are they a clan and share the blood of Caine, but they are all also related by their

mortal blood. While somewhat untrue, this has proven most useful. After all, someone

who would refuse to deal with a Giovanni might have no problem dealing with a

Milliner. Lastly, of all the Clans of Caine, the Giovanni Clan is the only one to have next

to no Antitribu. The Tremere make that claim now, but the Family has been able to do so

for almost a thousand years.

So, you have a clan with wealth, magic, and power over the dead, and an almost fanatical

loyalty. What are they up to? Why have they built this huge power base? How do theyenforce such loyalty? Why are they not using their power? Now you see why the other

clans are very worried about the Giovanni.

Fortunately the esteemed Clan head, Augustus, lets the Clan do anything that the

Giovanni think may further the Clan. Each member could spend their entire unlife in

study of the intricacies of death... or they could be a corporate raider, a seeker of lore or

even a simple Enforcer. It is immaterial - all that matters is that the Clan's work is the


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betterment of the Family. We are the Giovanni and no other Clan has the control over

death, ghosts or money quite like we do. The cultivation of control is the whole point of

our unlife. We were and are the rich merchants, speculators, investors, and

businessmen/women. We are also the sorcerers and seekers of mysteries that pale other

kindred. On the outside we are polite and courteous to all we meet, but we keep our true

purpose well-hidden. It is essential that others do not know what dark secrets we keep inour basements. The Giovanni are generally respectful, genteel and well-mannered. They

are affluent beyond imagination...and depraved beyond measure.

The Giovanni are sometimes creepy, Necromancer-businessmen. The Giovanni family

oozes culture from its pores. Playing a Giovanni can be loads of fun, and unlike most

Clans, the more Giovanni there are, the more fun it usually is. While Giovanni

individually hail from a wide variety of interests and backgrounds, together they make an

unmistakable tapestry of unique kindred existence.

Many in the U.S. play the Mob aspect and the "Goomba" roles that have developed from

bad TV and the real life exploits from the 1940's. The Mob for the most part comes fromSicily whereas the Giovanni are from Venice. ThereISa difference. (There is no problem

playing the Mob aspect however. Its just one of the many stereotypes and stereotypes

are just what they say they are). The Giovanni are a merchant family. In OWbN the

Giovanni have settled in as the contact men/women for hard to find items, finding

teachers for disciplines for others, finance backers, and influence contacts just to name a

few.

When playing a Giovanni, the feeling is often like that of a whore. Everyone casts the

clan in a bad light but privately they still seek the Clan's services for magical favors, raw

capital, influence and even the occasional spy. In a buyers market the Giovanni can

cash in a variety of chips. Keep this always in mind when playing & running Giovanni.

In General:Giovanni are very typically creepy, weird, or off-center. Whether from Clan legends or

just a funny vibe, most people clearly get the impression that it would be very bad for

their fragile humanities to glimpse what the upstanding family does behind closed doors.

Giovanni hail from strong ethnic cultures--very often the line between their mortal

origins and their kindred lives blur. Whether the traditional Italian or one of the offshoot

families named in the Clanbooks, all Giovanni hail from strong family bases in clear (and

foreign) culture bases.

Giovanni have strong family loyalties. Giovanni are very Clan-oriented. The Family has

always had zero tolerance toward Necromancers who are not of the family.Necromancy isnever taught outside the Family for any reason!Needless to say, there are NO Giovanni traitors. (R&U exceptions)

Giovanni Embrace only those from their own mortal family lines.Giovanni are members of chosen elite. They were bred and trained since birth to carry on

the honor of the Family Giovanni. As such, Family members refrain from random,

promiscuous relationships and sire their mortal descendants with the honor or the Family

in mind. In all things, the Clan comes first.


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If the Giovanni find a rogue Necromancer, its nights have become numbered. Giovanni

do not overlook rogue Necromancers.Giovanni DO NOT sell out other Family members to non-family, this is just not done. It

should be a rare thing for Family to kill other Family. Fighting happens all the time (after

all, you are mostly Italians). But when it comes down to it, Family does not have

outsiders whack other Family.If a character goes missing, the characters (or STs after a time reflecting their reports to

the Prefects stopping) need to report this to a Prefect. The reason for this is that the

Giovanni are one of the smallest clans. When one goes missing, an investigation willoccur. There are no exceptions. A missing Giovanni could mean that he or she was drugoff into the wilderness and forced to teach Necromancy. It should be made very

clearGiovanni just dont go missing.

Giovanni tend to hang around other family members and/or around anarchs, or

independents. When dealing with the major sects they are careful beyond measure.Giovanni care more about mortal bloodlines of genealogy then kindered ones, unlike the

venture. They place great pride in tracing their mortal lines.Giovanni of the major/minor or lesser Family never takes on the Giovanni sir name norshould they want to.

The Giovanni are the (if not one of the) most wide spread Clans in the world. As such

they can tap a large amount of resources, contacts, and lores.The Promise (see the OWBN definition of the Promise) is flexible. Adhere to it

whenever they do. Mirror the Camarillas respect of it, or lack thereof. When being

confronted with a situation that may cause you to break the Promise, exhaust all other

options! Inform your Prefect of the problem and ask for advice or assistance.Giovanni should never be allowed to embrace their own children (mortal). However this

has happened before do to matters beyond their control. If this happens, they are

separated immediate and are dispatched to cities far apart.Members of the Major Families enjoy only slightly less accord and respect than onewhose blood is fully Giovanni. The distinction is often unnoticeable until circumstances

dictate that the Giovanni gather to set policy. Often, the words of those from the Major

Families do not carry quite as much influence as those of the Double-Blooded Giovanni.

However they are Dons and Donas and hold many other offices within the Clan.

Nickname: Devil Kindred Necromancers, Masters of the Dark Soul. These are

nothing more than names and epithets falling fearfully from the tongues of vampires who

truly fear the clan. They pretend that the clan is of no consequence and that the family is

weak and have no influence. Tell me, then, oh great lords of the night: How is it that a

clan of independents, hated by every other child of Caine, has managed to survivethrough the years, regardless of your fervor and persecution? Take heed, princes and

priests- were you ever to see the truth, you would blind yourselves in order never to look

upon it again and in your blindness, we would consume you.

Appearance: The Giovanni always tries to maintain a dignified appearance Giovanni

vampires typically maintain airs of respectability. Most Giovanni, hailing as they do from

the Italian branch of the clan, bear European features, including fair-to-dark complexions,


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dark hair and solid statures. Giovanni tend to dress well but not lavishly, preferring subtle

accouterments of affluence to ostentatious displays. The women usually have a maternal

aspect, whereas many men have the white hair and beard; they look themselves like

favorite uncles. But that is just a few of the many possible looks for those within the

Giovanni.

Havens: Giovanni Havens are better known as Loggia. Mansions, palatial homes and

well-appointed apartments suit the Giovanni best, though uncommon is the Necromancer

who doesn't keep a backup haven in a graveyard. They keep strong group havens as well.

Giovanni favor havens befitting their wealth. Some Giovanni involve themselves in

medical power structures and make their havens in hospitals, where plenty of cadavers

exist and precious blood may be taken at a whim.

Character Creation: The Giovanni almost always have professional Concepts.

Necromancers, Medical Student, Morticians, Priests, Nuns, Financial Wizards,

Spiritualist, Psychics, Coroners, Bartenders, Stockbrokers, Spoilt Brats, Rich Heirs,

Mafia Dons, Corporate Lick, Politicians just to name a few. Their Natures andDemeanors tend toward the crafty and selfish, though perversity festers in the incestuous

family, and many are Deviants. Almost all Giovanni possess a comfortable level of

Resources, and many claim Retainers, Contacts and Influence.

Organization: Giovanni clan affairs are handled in Venice, in a vast loggia colloquially

known as the Mausoleum. As is to be expected, the clan has a familial structure. Incest,

necrophilia, favor-currying, ancestor worship and carefully cultivated guilt riddle the

family; by the time most Giovanni Kindred are embraced, they've seen more than enough

to inure them to the vagaries of undead existence. The clan's nonintervention in the Jyhad

allows members to focus on their own vendettas and better their knowledge of

Necromancy. On a notational and international level, the clan is a strange mix ofcommunistic and a true republic hybrid. Where did we get this new clan setup? All of

the published White Wolf books shed a ton of light on many aspects of this wonderful

clan, with one exception: Clan Hierarchy. Time and time again it only refers the Clan to

have a Familial setup. In the Clanbooks, it was the writers intent to have the clan run by

its founder, and a group of Elders when he was asleep. However, this will not work in

OWbN. Players and STs alike had to make up their own meaning behind this and in so

doing created multiple levels of inconsistency. While it is not our intent to make this

Clan into the Ventrue or Tremere, we do feel that it needed some order to it. Therefore,

we built this clan structure out of the past OWbN events and the real life exploits of

Venetian history. After all, the Clan came out of Venice. Now we can get a feel of what

that might truly mean.

4. THE FAMILIES OF THE GIOVANNI

"You call it inbreeding, I call it genetic engineering" Francis Milliner


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The following are the only approved bloodlines for Clan Giovanni. Storytellers shouldencourage players who wish to play Giovanni to play members of the major, minor or

even lesser families. A good rule of thumb is for every one Giovanni based in a

chronicle, you should have one or two major or minor family members. This cuts down

on every Giovanni that you run into being a member of the Family Giovanni (giving

double-blooded meaning). The Giovanni are not the only Family that makes up the Clan

Giovanni. Over the years, many have contributed to the Giovanni Clan's endeavors in

one way or another, and those that have proven especially helpful or loyal have been

inducted into the Family and Clan Giovanni. Each family member lives out mortal life as

the Giovanni do, but within there own separate kinships. Only when one is selected for

the Proxy Kiss (and possibly, the Embrace later on)do they become further indoctrinated

into the Clan as a whole. ** WE STRONGLY encourage PCs of the bloodlines with in

the clan to email and communicate with others on semi-regular bases.

The Major Families, the Minor Families, and the Lesser Families.

Each of these should have a modified clan advantage where non-discipline traits are

concerned. Below each are the recommended ones if the ST of your game wishes togive added incentive to play a major/minor/lesser family. Bear in mind that these areoptional rules and subject to the approval of each Chronicle's ST.

Double-Blooded Giovanni and members of Major Families chafe under the direction of

one from the Minor Families, and often find ways to remove them from power. The

Giovanni clan also harbors a number of Lesser Families related to the clan through

marriage to one Giovanni or another. Members of Lesser Families do not have say in

ANYTHING and may not hold a title aboveConsigliore (advisor) orEnforcer.


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The Major Families: Dunsirn, Machiavelli, Milliner, and Pisanob.

Dunsirn - A Scottish branch of the Giovanni, these savvy bankers have a nasty fetish for

cannibalism. Augustus appreciated their ability to keep a secret and brought them into

the fold. The Dunsirn are steeped in the supernatural landscape of their Scottish

homelands and are rumored to have ties to both the savage Lupines and an enigmatic sectof nature mages. As part and parcel of their heritage, Dunsirn may swap their Giovanni

Clan Advantage of an Influence level of either Finance or Heath with a level of the

Ability: Lupine Lore at character creation. As per WW canon, this group does have ties

with the lupines.

Machiavelli - This Family enjoys the greatest degree of respect from Augustus and the

rest of the Giovanni Family, for their assistance in the Cappadocian purge. Nothing more

than a mere mortal at the time, Edon Machiavelli was an associate of many of the

Giovanni Elders who continued to practice the ways of mercantilism. When the Giovanni

rose up to extinguish the Cappadocians, Edon and his family used their prodigious

influence to ferret out information regarding the havens of the Cappadocians, thusmaking it easier for the Giovanni to hunt their parent Clan down and slay them. For such

service, Augustus himself Embraced Edon and honored his descendants by bringing them

into the fold.

The Machiavelli Family: Embraced for services to us during our ascension to a Clan, the

Machiavelli are indeed the descendants of Niccolo Machiavelli who himself joined us in

1527. At character creation, Machiavelli may swap out their Giovanni Clan Advantage of

an Influence level in either Finance or Heath with a Level of Giovanni Clan Lore.

Milliner - The1950's induction of the Milliners into the Giovanni Clan began with a

family feud between Francis Milliner and Joe Kennedy after a Boston business deal cut

out Milliner and set up Kennedy. Using Giovanni monies, Milliner set up circumstancesto destroy the Kennedy legacy, resulting in, if you believe the rumors, the assassination

of John F. Kennedy. The Milliners are extraordinary industrialists and have close ties to

the Mafia. Though extremely young compared to the rest of the Giovanni, they are still

considered a Major Family for efforts that proved instrumental in providing the Giovanni

Clan with a foothold in North America. NOTE: Due to their recent induction, Millinercharacter may not start at better than 10th Generation. At character creation, Millinermay swap out their Giovanni Clan Advantage of an Influence level in either Finance or

Heath with a Level of the Resources Background or the Politics Ability.

Pisanob - Though they did not originate as a true Family, the Pisanob have, throughout

the centuries of breeding and Embrace, become one nonetheless. The Pisanob wereinducted into the ranks of the Giovanni from a loose-knit cabal of Aztec priests in South

America, led by their high priest, Pochtli. Masters of Necromancy even before they

became Kindred, the Pisanob are atypical in that they've maintained the trappings of the

Necromancy they used during their mortal existence. Pisanob Necromancy is extremely

ritualized and utilizes props and iconography from the ancient Aztec religions. Their

influence, as one would expect, is mainly relegated to the Latin American countries of

Mexico, Central and South America as well as the European countries of Spain and


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Portugal. At character creation, Pisanob may swap out their Giovanni Clan Advantage of

an Influence level in either Finance or Heath with a Level of Giovanni Clan Lore or

History Ability.

The Minor Families: della Passaglia, Ghiberti, Rosselini, Putanesca

The Giovanni, both of the Family and of the Major Families often look down on the

Minor Families with a degree of contempt. However, their usefulness precludes any

treatment harsher than jibes and taunts from their betters. Most significantly, the Minor

Families have little say in what policies Clan Giovanni implement and it is extremely rare

for one of their kind to climb higher than the station of Don or Dona of a city.

della Passaglia - The della Passaglia are the Giovanni's agents in the Far East, and are

specialists in dealing with the mysterious Kindred of Japan, China, India, and Southeast

Asia. Before being brought into the Giovanni, they originated as traders to the East,

following the roads set up by Marco Polo. As such, they have opened new vistas for the

Giovanni with their knowledge of Asian Necromancy and Thanatology. As our Far Eastspecialists, they provide valuable links with Asian Vampire, which call themselves Kue-

Jin. The della Passaglia has recently risen in power. At character creation, della

Passaglia may swap out their Giovanni Clan Advantage of an Influence level in either

Finance or Heath with a Level of Cathayan Lore. The della Passaglia do not teach there

unique take on sorcery to others.No exceptions!

Ghiberti - As the della Passaglia are specialist in Asia, so the Ghiberti have made

significant in-roads for the Clan into Africa and the Middle East. Though they are

grudgingly respected for their efforts to establish trade routes in the Dark Continent, and

procuring valuable information regarding Nubian aspects of Necromancy and the

Abombo (African Wraiths), they are still mistrusted and discriminated against byDouble-Blooded Giovanni for their Negro heritage. They are responsible for involving

the Giovanni in the United States, West Africa, and West Indies trade triangle. They are

also responsible for inventing the Cenotaph path of Necromancy. At character creation,

Ghiberti may swap out their Giovanni Clan Advantage of an Influence level in either

Finance or Heath with a Level of either Shadowlands Lore or Laibon Lore. Ghiberti do

not freely teach their Necromancy to other Family.

Rosselini - The Rosselini are sadistic individuals who enjoy mutilating their victims as

part of their Necromantic Rituals. They become involved in the Giovanni clan when a

cadre of their members ran afoul of Claudius Giovanni, who separated their souls from

their bodies until they swore an oath of fealty to the Giovanni. Since then, they havealmost entirely interbred with the Giovanni Family, though there are few true Rosselini

still walking about. At character creation, Rosselini may swap out their Giovanni Clan

Advantage of an Influence level in either Finance or Heath with a Level of the Torture

Ability.

Putanesca - The Putanesca are the servitors of the Giovanni, as well as their agents in the

world of blue-collar crime, such as prostitution, numbers running, and the drug trade.


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Considered little more than whore mongers and crack dealers, they are reviled by all

others of the Giovanni Clan. However, their aptitude in dealing with the seedy underbelly

of modern society makes them especially useful nonetheless. At character creation,Putanesca may swap out their Giovanni Clan Advantage of an Influence level in either

Finance or Heath with a Level of the Intimidation Ability.

The Lesser Families: St. John, Rothstein, Li Weng, Koenig, Beryn.

Most of the Retainers of the Core Family and Major families should come from thesefamilies. NOTE: ALL LESSER FAMILIES SHOULD START OUT NO BETTER

THAN 10TH GEN AND WITH A TOTAL AGE OFLESS THAN 75 YEARS.

St. John - The first of the five Families Augustus looked to acquire in whole was the St.

John. They are a cabal of English Masons who have been breeding into the family. Their

ties with the occult are very strong. Many Dons/Donas have them as top aids.

Rothstein - The Rothstein are Jewish-American Kabbalists with ties to Las Vegas. In the

early 1900's, Shlomo Rothstein was embraced by Lady Putanesca (yes, that's got to suck)

and became the first and formal 'head' of this line. Their ties in the diamond industry

cannot be denied.

Li Weng - The Li Weng, originating from San Francisco's Chinatown, are a group of

geomancers who are attempting to gain favor with the Giovanni Clan so that they might

be the next Major or Minor Family.

Koenig - These German death cultists may have never come to the attention of the

Giovanni had it not been for World War II when the Giovanni saw an entire nation rise

up under a dark leader. His band of cultists had the sickest and most twisted ideas of

death that the Family had seen since the induction of the Rosselini. They are also German

arms manufacturers. I wouldn't try putting a Koenig and a Rothstein in the same room, it

normally resolves in the death of both parties!

Beryn - The Beryn are a family of Flemish merchants operating from Luxembourg with

African influence like that of the Ghiberti. They have many holdings in South Africa

mines. Beryn seem to be unskilled in the realms of Necromancy having virtually no

knack for it. It would seem they where brought in only for genetic purposes. Their tallstances and wide shoulders are desirable traits after all. Only seven are know to be in line

for the embrace. Most are ghouls or still mortal. Many whisper that when the Rosselini

are gone, the Beryn are to replace them purely as breeding stock.


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Population

"We prefer quality over quantity"

This isnot a population countfor the clan. This section is an idea of how many family

members are of each bloodline. This includes the amount for both mortal members of theFamily as well as the Kindred ones. The exception to this is the last category listed as

"other".

Giovanni - 30%

Major Families

Dunsirn 10%

Machiavelli 2%

Milliner 5%

Pisanob 3%

The Minor Families

della Passaglia 4%

Ghiberti 5%

Rosselini - 4%

Putanesca 10%

The Lesser Families

St. John 5%

Rothstein 3%

Li Weng 5%

Koenig 3%Beryn 2%

Other

Giovanni Cappadocian- 4%

(Almost all Kindered, there are a few ghouls within this group.)

The Honored Dead - 5%

(Giovanni Family who are Wraiths.)

Family FeudsWhy cant we all just get along?- Famous last words of Joseph Koenig to Schlomo Rothstein

Each family does not necessarily get along with other members. Particular families get

along better or worse than others. Here is a list of the allies and enemies of each family

within the greater whole.


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Giovanni:

Generally the Giovanni stay out of in-clan fighting as best as possible. They play the

other families against each other to keep their attention off of the Giovanni. They

encourage lesser families to fight amongst themselves to prevent them from consolidating

and being an issue.

Beryn:

The Beryn have an understanding with the Dunsirn. Both are the financial backing of the

Clan and, as such, share similar methods and enemies. Because of this they get along

fairly well, though there is a healthy does of competion between the two as well. The

Ghiberti, on the other hand, have a longstanding grudge with the Beryn. With the

Beryns reputation as slave traders, wouldnt you too if you were from Africa? The

Rosselini also resent the Beryn because the Beryn seem to be replacing them within the

Clan.

Dunsirn:

As stated above, the Dunsirn and Beryn generally get along. The Dunsirn are alsoblessed with surprisingly few enemies within the Clan, either due to their isolation in

Scotland or their reputation as cannibals.

della Passaglia:

Sharing a similar heritage to the Li Weng, this clan generally gets along well with them,

being the only other members of the Clan that understands their culture. Because the

Milliners usurped the della Passaglias major family status these two families are usually

at odds. Most other families also regard the della Passaglia with slight disdain.

Koenig:

The Koenig have precious few allies, as few wish to involve themselves in the feudbetween the Koenig and the Rothstein. And of course, as a bunch of death cultists from

Nazi Germany, their hatred for the Rothstein is the stuff of legends.

Li Weng:

As mentioned above, their isolation means that the only family they regularly interact

with is the della Passaglia.

Machiavelli:

Like the Giovanni themselves, the Machiavelli have been with the Family since before

day one. As such the two get along well. They are the political powerhouse of the Clan,

and as such, they have few noteworthy enemies.

Milliner:

The St. John family shares the wealthy Caucasian male background of the Milliner, and

the two are often buddy-buddy. The Putanesca, on the other hand, resent the fact that the

Milliners were given their position and standing within the Clan rather then earning it.

Other families also share some of this resentment, having a slight irritation with the

Milliners.


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Pisanob:

The Pisanob share the magical tradition of the Ghiberti, and as such the two relate. They

are generally looked down upon because of their grotesque methods and appearance.

Their lineage is also questionable.

Putanesca:

Most people dont want to associate too much with the help. See Milliner for the

Putanescas feelings about them.

Rosselini:

The Rosselini are lacking in allies in these times, and as such their time is ending. The

Giovanni once favored them for their skill with Necromancy. However, this time has

passed, and they are being bred out of existence because of their inefficiency.

Rothstein:

The Rothstein are generally lacking in allies because of their bloody feud with theKoenig. No one wants to be anywhere near that. The Dunsirn also provide a bit of

healthy competition to keep this family in shape.

St. John:

As the best of the lesser family, they often accompany the Milliners. Their shared

heritage links them together. They also have no direct rivalries, and are coveted as

assistants to Consigliore.

5. GHOULS OF THE FAMILY

"Some people have so much respect for their superiors they have none left for themselves."

Hopefully this will clear up some misconceptions on ghouls and Clan Giovanni with the

OWBN game. So without further ado, let us begin.

Members of the Giovanni Family begin their lives as all Kindred do, as mortals. While

many believe that all Giovanni know the dark truths about their Family and Clan, this is

far from the truth. Most of the mortal Giovanni grow up knowing almost nothing of the

true nature of their Family. There is always suspicion of mysterious doings behind closed

doors, but otherwise, they live out their lives in some semblance of normality. There are arare few amongst the mortal Giovanni who are indoctrinated from early childhood into

the inner mysteries. This is mostly due to some circumstance that prevents these

individuals from interacting with the mortal populace (such as inbred deformities).

Once a Giovanni begins to evidence traits that the Elders find desirable, or abilities they

find useful, the mortal Family member is given what is known as the Proxy Kiss. This is

where they take the blood of one of the Kindred Giovanni, and become a Ghoul. At this


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time, they are shown the truth about the Family as a Clan, and life takes on a duality. By

day, they attend to typical Family business, while at night they assume their roles as the

servitors of the Kindred. Many Giovanni vampires start out as Ghouls, for it is this way

that the Elders can determine who deserves the gift of the Embrace and who shall live out

their years in Ghoulish purgatory, or worse, be extinguished.

Ghouls in the Giovanni, unlike most other clans, are always brought up from the family

proper. They also tend to have a bit more leeway compared to a ghoul from another clan,

as they are considered Family first and foremost. This however does not mean they aren't

beneath other kindred. This just means that some of the neonates might not care too much

if he's a ghoul or not, so long as he holds his own. With elders, they are little more than

mortals who know an inkling of what the family is all about. If they show enough

promise to give them the proxy kiss, so be it. If not, screw 'em. But because Giovanni

ghouls walk a sort of gray area within the family, they can sometimes get away with

acting independently when acting in the family's best interest. Two solid examples of this

are Victor Giovanni and Genevieve Pendleton-Milliner from the Clan Novel: Giovanni.Both had a certain skill or knack for what it was that they did, which made them more

valuable to the Clan and Family. Their demise isn't whats important when compared to

how they were used. Certain liberties were given and they did not pass them up. This is

because the Giovanni often employ them for menial jobs they themselves might not want

to do.

This isn't to say that Giovanni ghouls have free reign and independence. This is quite the

contrary. Because the Giovanni work on a merit system, if a ghoul doesn't show enough

merit to warrant an embrace, he or she could be a ghoul forever. However, when a mortal

is labeled for ghouling, it's often because he has shown a certain amount of potential and

skill.

Much like the outside kindred society, the Giovanni have their favorites and those who

are considered "higher" on the ladder of status just because of who they know or to

whom they are related. This especially holds true to ghouls looking to become full

members of the Family. If a ghoul has the right connections, he might not need the

necessary skills. Whereas some ghouls have to work their fingers to the bone with shit

work just to get noticed. No clan is perfect. Ghouls are considered lesser, but they're not

treated as property. After all they are family. It should be noted that methods of giving

the Proxy Kiss range from the mundane to the depraved, as befits the individual Kindred

who gives their blood to the new Ghoul.

Finally, after proving themselves as Ghouls, sometime over the course of many years, the

Giovanni is finally given the Embrace. In spite of rumors to the contrary, the Giovanni do

not Embrace only three from each mortal generation. This is a falsehood that the Clan

perpetuates in order to keep its true numbers secret. While as indicated above, rivalries

often develop between members of the Clan, outright hostilities, disobedience and

disrespect to the higher offices is forbidden. Such things are antithetical to the Family

and those who disobey are punished in ways only the sick minds of the Prefects can


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devise. The fear of retribution from Venice is usually enough to keep the majority in

check. Giovanni Embrace only those from their own mortal family lines.

From the point of the Embrace on, the Giovanni are expected to strive to further the Clan

and respect their Elders. The term Elder means something far different within ClanGiovanni. The term does not mean an Elder by generation! Elders are those that havebeen in game play for years and have shown themselves to be positive forces not only for

their own end but also for the ends of the Family. This Clan and Family truly is a "What

have you done for me lately?"group. Age is not respected as much, or at all in fact, like

it is in the other clans. The family respects a higher understanding of death, order, and

progress in the clan, power, and money. You might be a 300-year-old Giovanni but if you

have not done anything noteworthy within the clan in the past few (10) years, then expect

to have a Milliner telling you what to do if you still try and remain in the drivers seat.

Note: The Anziani, however, are Elders in both age and generation, which the other clans

follow and respect.

Embrace Dates for Clan Giovanni

April 4th is not the only date on which the Giovanni embrace, although it is the most

common. Giovanni can be embraced any time, but those embraced on any date other then

the listed ones are looked down upon. While Giovanni may be embraced on any day of

the year, most are held until the following nights happen. Embracing a ghoul should be a

grand affair with many PC and NPC Giovanni present. Many are run like a mock nativity

scene, with gifts being given to the new embrace.

Other dates are as follows:

April 4th Most important embrace day.

(All double-blooded should be embraced on this day)

All Saints day 2nd most important embrace day.

(Important to all members of the Clan).

June 27th important to the South American members of the Clan.

(Coincides with important date with the Aztec calendar).

September 15th Important to Machiavelli for reasons unclear.

(Rumored to have been the day they were brought into the Family fold).

Ash Wednesday The clan has many faiths but is mostly Roman Catholic.


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6. THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING FAMILY

Merits & Flaws"See we are not all the samewe are better then them!"

Merits and Flaws with an asterisk (*) next to them are taken from the World of Darkness:

Mafia book. STs may feel free to use or disallow any of them. Remember, according to

canon, the Giovanni are the least involved with the mob. Statistically the Ventrue have

the most influence in it and the Giovanni have the least. These traits are provided for

flavor only. Some of the Merits & Flaws have been reworded to fit with OwbN genre.

*"Made man" (5 pt. Merit.)

This merit represents one of the predominant expressions of the Mafia's esteem for an

individual. It means you will always have a powerful and violent institution behind you

ready to protect you in return for your service to it.

*Dead Man Walking (2-5 Pt. Flaw)

An open contract has been taken on your life. The greater the number of points devoted

to the flaw, the greater the reward offered for the contract's successful completion.

"Proxy Kiss".(1 to 7ptsM) Ghouls who do spend a lot of time as a ghoul servant to

some kindred tend to develop this merit. It's not to be confused with the term "proxy

kiss," which is used to describe the embrace of someone into the Clan Giovanni. The

proxy kiss merit affords the former ghoul-now-kindred some extra punch to their nowformidable supernatural powers. Buying this merit once offers an added level of Potence.

Buying this merit twice (for a total of eight points) gives the former ghoul the added level

in Potence but also an additional two levels of Fortitude They may only take PhysicalDisciplines with this merit. This doesn't affect the normal discipline points a beginning

Giovanni receives at character creation. However, with the first step the former ghoul is

that much closer to a blood bond. This can be a grueling experience, should the ghoul's

dominator be a slave driver. The second step takes the bond over the edge. The former

ghoul is not only blood bonded to his former dominator but partial bonded to someone

else as well. No one said the cost of (un)living was cheap. Note: Though the name is the

same as the usual Giovanni ghouling custom, this merit implies an extended time under

the Proxy Kiss. The bonuses granted are in addition to those in normal character

creation, not instead of. This merit is intended for those that will not walk the path of

Necromancy for some time. Like the Enforcers or advisors, this lets them take disciplines

they would otherwise not have access to for some time, i.e. Celerity, Fortitude, etc.

Family Values (1ptM) -new You are committed to what must be done and find

strength in that commitment, be it either through your belief in the goal of the endless

night, placing the welfare of the family above all other values, or simply faith in the

Clans Elders. You may make an additional free retest for conscience challenges for

deeds you do to take part in for the Family. However, engaging in acts of betrayal of the

family may require a self-control test lest you act immediately in its defense.


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Double Blooded (2ptsM) - This merit means you are aDouble-Blooded Giovanni. You

have the last name Giovanni and you can trace your family on both sides back to the

merchant prince days of old. Although you may have some major bloodlines mixed in,

you have none of the minor or lesser lines within your family branch. Most players that

play Giovanni portray Double-Blooded Giovanni with the last name & every thing. This

merit reflects this. You are always 2 Social traits up when dealing with minor or lesser

family members only.Many with this is merit should also take inbred flaws.

Inbred Flaws (1 to 4ptsF) - There are a veritably of things wrong with Clan Giovanni to

begin with.... This only compounds the problem. This flaw can rage from a misshapen

hand or a Downs Syndrome looking face, to a host of mental or social flaws. One caneven have added derangements with this flaw that can never be bought off.

Those out side of Family & Clan

Clan Friendship (2pt to 4M *must be bought at 2 or 4pts) - Better know as "Friend

of the Family," this merit is awarded to those who have showed on multiple occasions to

be a Clan ally. The Dons and Donnas can only award this merit in an area and only

affects said area. This merit works on both Kindred and mortals of the Family/Clan. This

merit is not an open gateway to learn Necromancy. In fact those with this merit are

looked at even closer

(By the Giovanni in the region & Venice) to ensure they do not have Necromancy. Allplayers should buy this merit with XP. Taking this merit beyond the normal 2pt merit

shows that your name is know to more then the local Giovanni. At 4pts, Venice knows

who you are. Other then the above, this merit works the same as described in the book.

The Giovanni can ignore this (which is plus 2 social traits) although ignoring it will have

repercussions later. Giovanni PCs or NPCs will come to your aid with this merit. This

merit requires Giovanni Coordinator approval as well as the Prefect of the area to be

notified. STs who decide one of their PCs needs this merit should discuss it with the

Coordinator first to get approval if the Coordinator finds it to be a reasonable request.

You MAY NOT but this merit at PC creation. It may only be giving after substantial

game play. All PCs and NPCs, both prior to and after this packets approval, MUST

notify both the Giovanni Coordinator area Prefect. This merit is not recommended fornew players.


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Poached (5ptF) - I am going to address the matter of playing poached Giovanni family

members here. There have been, on numerous occasions, people playing poached family

members. First and foremost this is a flaw not a merit. This flaw should be taken at noless than 5pts. This flaw will mean no matter what, (when you are found out) you willbe hunted. The Giovanni draw from a very limited embrace pool. The clan has manyeyes, both on the skinlands and shadowlands, on their bloodlines while they are mortal. It

would be almost impossible to successfully poach a family member. If by some chance

that did happen, the childwould be killed and the Sire would be found and made to pay!

No expense would be spared to have this happen. No exceptions, no reprieve for any ofthem. (The only benefit to this Flaw is that you may take the Medium Merit for free orthe Ghoul Merit: Shivers) Daggers of the Clans other job is dealing with this very

matter. Having this Flaw DOES NOT mean you have Necromancy of any type/path/

shape or form or Clan Lore above one dot, nor access to Clan mentors that will teach you

any of the above.

This flaw does not include the lesser family members due to their recent induction into

the clan. Their family bloodlines are still being rounded up and a few might have gotten

though the cracks (this is the reason we are still talking about this topic). To take this

flaw you must have your ST's and Giovanni Families Sub-Coordinators approval. All

PCs & NPCs, both before and after this packets approval, must notify both parties above.

Poaching & Killing Family Giovanni Bloodlines

Not every Giovanni in the phone book is related to the bloodlines of Clan Giovanni. The

same can be said about all the other surnames of the Clan. However if PCs go around

killing them off, then they will gain the attention of Clan Giovanni. If any members of

the real bloodlines are killed, there should be an immediate investigation and

consequences to those who have done the whacking. The Clan makes it a point to

monitor the false bloodlines for this very reason. It should also be noted that many of the

real bloodlines take the alternate identity background while mortal. Suggested

consequences for the Dons/Donas is to inform the Prefects and/or the Daggers of the clan

before taking swift action if poaching/killing happens.

Abilities

Thanatology - Thanatology is the study of everything that has to do with dying, death,

and grief. This includes: Aging, Art, Children's and Parents' Problems, Counseling,Euthanasia, Funerals, Grief, History, Hospice, Life-Threatening Disease, Medical Ethics,

Pain, Poetry, Pharmacology, Stress, Suicide, Urban Violence, Widows & Widowers, etc.,

etc., etc., and of course, Gravestone Studies and Wraiths. It is a retest for anything

dealing with Necromancy just like Occult. Thanatology is in many ways more

appropriate for Necromancers then Occult.


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Venetian - The language is derived from the locals of Venice and is a combination of old

Roman/Venice sea tongues and hand gestures developed from the gondoliers. This ability

is limited to major family members and double-blooded only. Non-Giovanni should not

have this ability. Period.

Lore: Clan Giovanni See below requirements.

Lore: Wraith Use what works in your game.

Lore: Shadow Lands - Use what works in your game.

Lore: Harbingers of Skulls Giovanni Elders (NPCs) should be the only ones to have

this ability, and even then only at 1 or 2 levels.

BackgroundsBackgrounds with an asterisk (*) next to them are taken from the World of Darkness:Mafia book.

*Family Status (Mob)

This denotes your standing in La Cosa Nostra. This has nothing to do with Giovanni Clan

or Family status.

* Piciotto: Low ranking soldier.

** Sgarrista: You're a wiseguy or respected family man.

*** Caporegime: Lieutenant or Crew Leader

**** Capo Bastone: An underboss or 2nd in command.

***** Capo: Don or one of the infamous mob bosses.

*Favors (Mob)

These favors come from one or more individuals who actually owe the character

something, thus distinguishing them from allies or contacts. STs should keep track of

Favors. Once they are spent, they are gone. The ST determines what each Favor can

accomplish.

* One favor.

** Two Favors.

*** Four Favors.

**** Seven Favors.

***** Ten Favors.

Family Ties (New)

The secret strength of the Giovanni is the connection to the family itself. The paid

lackeys are reluctant servants that riddle the business and influences of other Clans pale

in comparison to the loyalty and drive that exists within the larger Family that aid the

Clans efforts. This background represents several of those dedicated kin who work with

you to grow and maintain the family affairs. Though their understanding of the true

nature of the Clan is limited, often believe it a family corporation or a nepotistic old


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boys network, their drive and loyalty provide agility and endurance not found in most

employees. In an influence jihads system, these should be represented as action traits

for growth, attack, and investigation for any activities chosen.

* One family member in your employ

** Two family members in your employ

*** Three family members in your employ**** Ten family members in your employ

***** Fifteen family members in your employ

*Wraith Reputation

Your character has made a favorable impression on the local inhabitants of the lands of

the dead. Perhaps he uses the soft approach when dealing with wraiths, making deals

rather then commanding their obedience. Maybe he helps them out with their troubles out

of genuine concern. Regardless, he has a good name and the dead tend to react favorably

to him. Each level represents phantom status on a social level with local ghosts. It does

not give your character any biddable traits. Being seen as someone the dead can call on

all the time for help isnt all wine and roses. "I'm Henry the 8th I am..."* A few of the local spooks know you are good for a favor or two.** Your name gets passed around at a few of the local Haunts. Some gossip may find its

way to you.

*** The dead come to you often to seek your assistance; you get a lot of info from the

locals.

**** Specters know better then to mess with your friends. You guard your flock

jealously and they appreciate your patronage.

***** Youre something of a local name. You've probably set up a few Memorials to

keep some of the locals warm. When in trouble they will bail you out.

*Wraith NotorietyIf they weren't losers, they wouldn't be dead. Some people just deserve to get kicked

around and as far as you are concerned every wraith is your footstool. You have

developed a terrible rapport with the local wraith population and those that know of you

actively dislike, fear and even despise you. You might take the hard road when dealing

with wraiths using threats, Necromantic Commands or flat out terror tactics to get what

you want. Eventually this sort of treatment could come back to bite you in the ass. You

can only kick someone for so long and the dead doesnt often have much to lose.

* You routinely take relic candy from young wraiths.

** You have made a name as a thug. Many wraiths grumble about you but so far you're

just an annoyance.

*** You have made it to the shitlist of several of the restless dead. Maybe you're a slavemaster or just a very cruel Necromancer. Either way they dont like you. You might get

some grief if you happen to cross the wrong wraith's path.

**** The restless dead picketed your embrace. You're a real bastard and some wraiths

will go out of their way to show you just how deep their anger goes.

***** Your treatment of the dead has earned you a spot on the most wanted list of the

local Necropolis. There may be a bounty on your head or just a lot of angry souls looking

to take you out. When you stumble, they will be there.


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The Honored Dead

This is an optional take on the one free trait in retainer given to Giovanni at character

creation. The Wraith Retainer background, as mentioned in the Giovanni section of

LotN:R, is different than this section. Those retainers act as slaves, meaning they work

for you because they have to, for you have something on them or force them at almostevery turn. The Honored Dead want to help the Family out because they ARE Family and

therefore need very little to no coaching from the Giovanni. You must pick to which

Family line they belong.

Major Families: Dunsirn, Machiavelli, Milliner, and Pisanob

The Minor Families: della Passaglia, Ghiberti, Rosselini, Putanesca

Lesser Family lines have not been around to develop into Honored Dead.

They may NOT be Double Blooded Giovanni, for those stay only in Venice and are some

of the oldest Honored Dead. As such, they are not suitable for PCs. Kindred you have

wraithed are not suitable for PCs use as well.

These retainers progress in the same manner as the standard Wraith Retainer, as

dictated by the Chronicle house rules governing them.

To take this you must have the Rending of the Shroud / Tithe Sub-Coordapproval. For more information about the Honored Dead, please refer to section 16:Giovanni/Wraith Relationships.

Pull

In a family so isolated from the rest of kindred society, ones reputation is of paramount

importance. The weight that your words hold determine not only whose attention you

can garner with you concerns, but also how quickly the Family will act upon those

words.

The background is a combination of fame, allies and contacts within the structure of the

Family. It can be used as a last resort for aid from the Family in a time of need. It will

determine the reaction of Family NPCs to you in regards to whether or not they heed

your request, and if they do, the speed in which the act upon said request.

In addition, in the even a dispute arises between two family members, your reputation

will surely affect the manner in which the Family as a whole looks upon both aggrieved

parties. The pursuit of pull advancement is largely the byproduct of the efforts of

claiming and securing influence, necromantic knowledge, and the levels of ones yearly

tithe to the Family. The amount expected to be tithed, either in cash or other resources, isa progressive scale based upon how much pull an individual holds within the Family. It

also should be noted that those with notable amounts of pull will be called upon by other

Family members from time to time.

The loss of Pull follows the decline of ones reputation within the Family. While this can

have any number of causes, some examples include: continually falling short of

expectation for tithe, general failure, embarrassing the Family, calling upon your relatives


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for aid without true need too often, or as punishment for violations of Family customs orsacred laws.

It should be noted that some positions should give you faux pull. Your faux pull will

not affect your expected amount of tithe. This pull related directly to the role assigned

and it works as follows:

Don/Dona 3 additional pull for the purpose of dealing with citywide issues.

City Enforcer 1 additional pull for the purpose of dealing with city security

issues.

Family Head 1 additional pull for issues directly related to your Family within

the city

Other Circumstances The ST may determine an increase or decrease of pull

Note: All signature NPCs are at level 6. Only NPCs may obtain level 6.

Giovanni Lore

"You ever read the bible? We win."

All Giovanni PCs should start out with one free trait of Clan Lore. Listed below is an

overview of what each level of lore should teach the holder of the lore. Clan Lore 4 & 5

for this clan or any other should be DAMN hard to get. Just learning it from an item

card that some guy gave you does not cut it.

Giovanni Lore 1: What a Giovanni ghoul or anyone who has been around a

Giovanni is likely to know.

Show respect to everyone, even those of other clans.

The Family is EVERYTHING.

The Giovanni clan is better than any other clan.

Some Giovanni seem to be better than others.

The Giovanni do not seem to be very trusted by other clans.

The Giovanni are independent, belonging to no sect of any kind.

The Giovanni pursue Necromancy, money and the means to obtain both.

Giovanni DO NOT teach Necromancy to ANYONE.


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Giovanni Lore 2: What a Giovanni neonate would know.

Has heard about the Promise. Knows that is means the Clan stays neutral from the other

Sects, but doesnt know exactly what it says.

Knows that the Giovanni is made up of others that do not have the Giovanni surname-

has heard of the Major Families.

You have heard of the Path of Bones and may be on this path yourself.If you receive an invite to an April 4th party, you go period. If you cant, you had

better have a damn good reason as to why. You dont know the significance of the date;

just that it is important.

You know of the existence of the Spiriti.

Giovanni Lore 3: What your average Giovanni Ancillae would know.

You know that the Mausoleum is the family headquarters that it is located in Venice and

that it is a BAD IDEA to go there without an invite and sometimes WITH an invite.

You know that Augustus Giovanni is the head of the family and that he is not spoken

about with impunity.

You have heard rumors that not only are there other Necromantic Paths out there, but thatsome Necromancers can create their own Rituals.

You are quite familiar with Clan structure- Don/ Donas, Consigliore, Primo Consigliore.

You know the ins and outs of the Promise of 1528.

You have heard rumors about the family plan to Rend the Shroud.

You have heard rumors of non-Giovanni that practice Necromancy.

You have heard rumors about the founding of the Clan and that the Clan the Giovanni

eliminated long ago was called Cappadocians.

It has been observed that Wraiths stick together in sects, like Haunters, similar to

Vampires.

You know better than to try to contact Venice without following the proper chain of

command- Don, etc

Giovanni Lore 4: What an Elder/Ancillae Giovanni would know - this involves

much self-discipline and hard, diligent study for anyone under 7th gen.

You know that April 4th commemorates Augustus Giovannis diablerie of Cappadocious.

You know some family history such as the roots of the mortal family- this means the

merchant princes part of the Clanbook history.

You have heard rumors of something related in some way to the family called

Premascines.

You have some familiarity with all in-clan Necromantic paths and have discovered that

the rumors of other Necromantic paths seem to be true.

You have some very basic knowledge of the Harbingers of Skulls, have heard thatwraiths seem to fear them and have heard rumors of the Nagaraja.

You have a basic understanding of the Family goal to Rend the Shroud.

You are familiar enough with the Family history to know that originally the Family name

was Jovian.

Giovanni Lore 5: What only an Elder of the Giovanni clan would know.


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Has confident knowledge and opinions of the Nagaraja and the Premascines.

May have actually met and spoken with Augustus a time or two.

Has been to the Mausoleum and knows its halls intimately or you think you do.

Has heard suspicions of what the Harbingers of Skulls REALLY are.

Has worked on the plan to rend the Shroud in your own right.

May have been below Venice to see the great library.

Has confident knowledge of what happened to Venice when the 6th storm hit.

Knows all of the History updates in this packet.

Knowing just one of the dots in the level of lore does not mean you have that level oflore. One should know all the dots of that level IC before obtaining said level. Over all,

do what works for your game. The above should act as guidelines to what the Clan Lore

Ability grants. Those outside of the Giovanni should have a very hard time obtaining

ANY of this lore.

7. THOSE NOT OUR OWN

Marrying into the familyFor Love or Necromancy?

Love, true love.... Its what brings us here together today.

Mortals outside of the family do not, for any reason, get married into the family. Thismeans that in your background, your mother or father was Giovanni and the other parent

was not a member of any of the offical Families. Thisdoes not happen. You now haveother family lines listed here as new options, please pick one.

Kindred DO NOT married into the Clan / family. Thisdoes not happen.


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Families play a major role in arranging marriages, especially if land and other wealthaccompany the union. In cases where the marriage was part of the family's economic and

social strategy, careful planning by the whole unit was needed, for a good marriage

could bring considerable economic benefits. The prospective bride and groom also had

an economic stake in a marriage contract. It would determine not only who their life

partner would be, but also how well they could expect to live. To marry for love without

land or chattels could assure nothing but a life of penury. Marriage contracts involved

detailed planning, both for the mortal side and kindred ones. Marriage was easy to

contract, but yet, even some people remained celibate and unmarried their entire lives.

This serves to explain why patrician marriage in sixteenth-century Venice was such a

complex event. It was a many-staged procedure that took place over time, required

several months and involved, beyond the particular families, the entire community.

Formal procedure began with a contract of engagement, which in Venetian terms seems

to have been called le nozze. This not only established the relationship but more

importantly included dowry arrangements, that is the total sum and what parts would be

paid in cash, in goods, in jewelry, in real estate, etc. Then it progressed through several

stages: the announcement of the engagement in the presence of the two families and

officials (fare or fermare il parentado), the ritual showing forth of the bride led around

by a dancing master, visits to the houses of bride and groom, and the publicly declared

consent of bride and groom through the declaration of matrimonial vows (fattesi parole

ceremoniali dello sponsalitio). After this ceremony, there was a feast during which the

sponsor or sponsors (compari) made gifts of candy and comestibles to the couple. Thefinal acts were the groom taking his bride to live with him in his family's house (menare

a casa) and the consummation. At various points in this process, other rituals occurred.

There was the mutual giving of the hand (dar la man), usually in the later stages of the

wedding procedure.

Venetian patrician marriages in this period exemplified the blending of familial and civic

concerns, the case and the terra as the family clans and the city-state were called.

"Public" and "private" did not find their way into Venetian contemporary vocabulary

except that the first qualified the rest of the state as a "public thing," a respublica. The

second signified an absence and deprivation of the civic sphere, rather than a tangible

property or intangible negotiation outside it. Venetian patrician marriages took placewithin, not without, the community. The bonding of two patrician families strengthened

political and economic alliances through their matrimonial arrangements.


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Adoption into Clan Giovanni

We are all as one

The following shall be the genre standers for adoption into the family:

NO one is adopted into the family or clan.Not for any reason ever.

Any PC or NPC that would ever make such a clam should be punished in the extreme by

regional NPCs or PCs.

8. CLAN ORGANIZATION

Offices within the family"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. Plan more than you can do, then do it."

The Clans overall organizationNot every Giovanni makes the great race for power within the offices of the Clan. Indeed

only about half of the Clan does. This is due to the isolation of many of the family in far-

off lands. They are islands unto themselves. The Clan's overall organization is broken up

into the three branches of the family tree. Once a PC takes a path they may hop the fence.

However, this is normally looked down upon. Doubling up on offices is forbidden. The

Giovanni have their whole ghoul existence to think of what way they will serve the clan.

Any city that the Giovanni have any hold in normally has three family offices within it.

This is a step-by-step run down of each office. These offices are presented in order of

most importance and power starting at the top. NPCs may fill in any position until a PC

is available. There should be at least one of each of the following in every city:

Don/Dona, Necromancer, and Enforcer.

The Venetian Senate (NPC only)The Senate is comprised of various members of Clan Giovanni and Family Giovanni,

such as the Rosselini, Dunsirn, Pisanob, and Machiavelli. There are 12 members of the

Senate. The Senate serves as the organizers and distributors of Augustus' will. The

number of twelve may reference the 12 Apostles, following the false Christ that isAugustus. Perhaps it is in reverence to the twelve members of a jury. No one within the

clan is certain, and those who do know are not talking. There is a large ornate throne in

the center, which is always vacant.... well almost always. It should be noted that one of

the members is among the "Honored Dead. The Venetian Senate is rumored to convene

far beneath the ground floor of the Mausoleum in a great cathedral dedicated to Dis Pater.

The veracity of this rumor has yet to be determined.


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The Voice of Venice (NPC only)The Voice of Venice (aka the Voice or the Doge di Venezia) is a single individual who is

the sole authority of the Clan. He speaks the will of the Senate and of Augustus Giovanni

himself! His word is beyond reproach and thus Law. Few outside of Venice ever hear his

words but all feel their effect.

PrefectsThe word praefectus means the one who stands in front (of others). The Prefect was an

official who was appointed by a magistrate for a fixed period and a special task

(mandatum). Originally, this was a military task; for example, the auxiliary troops were

commanded by a Prefect, and the praefectus castrorum was the garrison commander.

Under the empire, the Emperor was the only one who was allowed to appoint Prefects.

From now on, civil Prefects became popular. Prefects are responsible for mediating

disputes within the Clan usually, between Dons and Donas. A Prefect is more of a first-

among-equals position than anything else. A Council of a minimum of five Dons or

Donas from their appropriate regions can choose Prefects. Prefects can claim the office

for themselves assuming there is no opposition, such as other candidates. The Venetian

Senate may also elect Prefects as they see fit but generally choose to remain aloof from

such regional matters. Prefects are exclusively a PC position unless otherwise stated.

They direct the function of family members, of mortal and kindred within their respective

regions. Their powers and responsibilities are comparable to that of the Camarilla's

Archons. Prefects serve the Senate.

NOTE: All Prefect PCs must have approval from the Giovanni Coordinator before

making any national decisions or proclamations. This is more a title position than

anything else, much like the Queen of England. There is no real power here other then

the dot of pull you gain from this office. Prefects may of course, with ST approval from

the appropriate game, have others take action when needed. This idea of PCs keepingtabs on other PCs does work so long as the Giovann

Genrepacket Giovanni

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