But many Lasombra have never dabbled in mortal politics. They find taming a savage animal or manipulating the feuds of a group of peasants to be just as challenging and intriguing as the chessboards of kine society. Some have restricted themselves to gaining power within undead society, and others have even experimented with Infernalism, tried to master the Lupines or had truck with the Fair Folk. Regrettably, the other denizens of the Dark Medieval world have proved very resistant to such attempts.

The Lasombra are spread around the Mediterranean, particularly enjoying the convoluted politics of the warring Italian cities. Lasombra princes rule most of the great cities of Italy and Sicily (Venice, Rome, Pisa, Naples, Palermo), and most of the clan elders can be found around this area. Younger members, eager to win power away from overbearing elders, have moved further afield - to the growing ports of Spain, to Cyprus and the Holy Land, to northern France and into the Alps toward Germany.

Wherever the Lasombra settle, they quickly accumulate influence both in local government and in the Church. They use this influence, their typically considerable wealth and hand-picked Retainers to defend themselves from physical assault. It is a rare Lasombra who can be forced into a corner, and even there they are dangerous. The weakness in their defenses is their reputation - few Cainites will freely aid one of the manipulative Magisters without hefty coercion.

The Lasombra actually have two levels of organization. Their first, most obvious hierarchy is patterned after that of the Church. Each member seems completely subservient to her betters. However, the real stratification lies with interpersonal influence politicking, and it is entirely possible for a mere "bishop" to garner more respect and obedience than the Lasombra "pontiff". Although each Lasombra knows his place in this invisible web, all constantly scheme to better their station.

Lasombra elders control their juniors through trickery and deceit, threats, blackmail, promises and disinformation. Gifted neonates sometimes gain some converse over elders the same way. (And yet, some neonates believe that they have influence, but are actually under the thumb of their "supporter"...)

Many Lasombra traditions would draw a shudder from outsiders. The Lasombra, in their own "noble" way, are fond of many courtly pastimes. Hunts are a favorite; some hunt game at night, some hunt humans, and some foolhardy Magisters even try to bring down Lupines. Some also enjoy "human chess", played on life-size boards with living pieces. What happens to a piece that is "taken" depends entirely on the Lasombra's whim.

Even more unsettling (to Cainites) is the Lasombra approach to diablerie. If a Lasombra can prove, in a court of her elders, that an elder is incompetent and unfit to rule, then she is granted right to his blood. The defendant need not be present for such a hearing, or even indeed aware that his competence is in question. If the court finds fault with the accuser's points, she may be dismissed without a word - or the court may send word of her claim to the elder in question. It all depends on how the game could best be played...

The Lasombras' power-games have made them many enemies. Their interference at the Pope's court in Rome has come to the attention of some mortal churchmen and is stirring up investigations. Some perceptive witches and magi have been angered by the Lasombra's attempts to manipulate them. Rumors of their dealings with demons have caused widespread concern and distrust amongst the other Cainites - and attracted the attention of the Baali. The Lasombra are also encouraging some mixed Malkavian and Ravnos attention, which they find quite unsettling.

The Brujah and Ventrue are currently the two clans with the most malice for the Lasombra, and the Magisters spend much of their time fending off their plots. And as the Assamites settle into the Iberian Peninsula, the Lasombra now have a new threat near their Castillean strongholds... 

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