NOLA with a twist

Please do not take the below to be the only thing available, these are just the basics of what I have established. This is very much a work in progress, because there's really no way to list every single thing.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Based on bits from all over.

Hierarchy
Ruling council- based in New Orleans each line/family has a member who sits on council and are considered the heads of their families.

City ruler- most go by master, but some have chosen things such as prince, lord, lady etc of the area name. They will usually have their own hierarchy set up within their territory.

Lore- The very first vampire created her children, each of those have created their own line/family that usually share some characteristics, and always share the same base of power. I leave how your character can use that base open, each one can easily branch off in many ways. For the sake of clarity I'll list the base of power and add a few suggestions for each.

Basic powers
long lives- vampires wont simply naturally die of old age. They also aren't truly immortal.
shadows- most vampires can use shadows to at least blend and conceal
pathways- able to open a path from one place to another, not the most pleasant journey, but can take travel time across town down to a quick walk. It is also referred to as entering the shadows.
compulsion/mind control - this does not mean every vampire can simply make someone do anything. Limits, essentially has to work with something the target would do on his or her own, or is wiling to believe. A young vampire may only be able to make someone forget something like being fed from. Older, strong vampires can obviously do a lot more. This is enhanced if the vampire feeds from the target first.
Speed- vampires can move anywhere from almost unable to track with the human eye up to all a human processes is they were there and are now across the room.
strength - they are extremely strong, perhaps not the strongest of beings, but they are way more than just human strong.
Vampire blood heals , but it can also be addictive. It will create at least a temporary type of bond where the one receiving it feels closer to the vampire. That effect ranges greatly unless used in combination of mind control.
regeneration- vampires heal almost everything quickly. Fire damage is very hard to heal, it will leave scars that could take a very long time to fade. Removing the heart and head and destroying both is the only sure way to kill a vampire. Although younger ones, a stake through the heart may be enough. Silver takes longer to heal as well, but they are not a sensitive to it as say a lycanthrope. It does still hurt, and obviously a silver bullet in the heart is very very likely to stop a vampire for a time. Wounds from lycanthrope claws and teeth may also take longer to heal.
power sensing a vampire can usually tell what you are if they are near you. There are limitations, such as they have to have some knowledge beforehand. Can usually sense how strong of a power is held, even with no knowledge of what it is exactly. The more advanced the vampire becomes the more skilled they will become in this. i.e. a young vampire may only be able to tell that a werewolf is a lycanthrope an older master could tell what kind of lycanthope and where they rank with others of their kind.
charisma most all vampires seem to be alluring in some way or another, a bit more charming, a bit more beautiful etc. Most can control to some extent how alluring they seem.
minor shape shifting along with the charisma,



Not all basic powers are natural abilities the moment the vampire is made, it takes time to develop.

**NOT A FULL LIST** Im leaving room here as I do in everything I am much more interested in giving you a taste of each than in covering every single detail.

Advanced powers- vampires of a certain age and power may develop some of the following
levitation of themselves- might be a few inches off the ground allowing them to glide instead of walk, and could actually be able to fly.
the ability to bond others- this is not a can bond fifty people, its one human (magical based or not), and one were/lycan. Its very rare to be able to do more than one of each, possible just not probable. The vampire would have to be very old or have a specialized power, and then its usually just one side or the other. Meaning just humans, or just weres.
telekinesis - ranging from simply moving objects around to being able to cause physical harm in various ways.
remote viewing/control- can take over another that they have made a connection with, from just watching whats going on through their eyes to being able to fully take over the body of the other.
enviromental kinesis - can range from being able to stir up a bit of wind, to being able to create a very localized storm.
minor shape shifting - the ability to form claws, or make other minor changes to themselves.

**NOT A FULL LIST** Im leaving room here as I do in everything I am much more interested in giving you a taste of each than in covering every single detail.
(pause)

Power bases
I fully intend for you to take the below and tweak it for your character.
artistic
this can manifest as a way with music that goes well above and beyond simply playing, such as being able to make others feel exactly as you wish. Works of art that seem alive, tattoos that can actually move. Obviously these are the artists, writers, musicians of the vampire world. However remember artistic talent can come in forms that dont seem obvious at first glance.
sensuality, desire
most vampires are sensual, but this family takes it to the next level. It can manifest in ways such as their bite always being orgasmic, the ability to create desire in others (keep in mind, characters still have the choice of what to do with that feeling, and may realize whats happening and fight it), the ability to feed on desire.
shadows
all vampires can use a bit of shadows, as long as they have been taught, but this again goes far beyond the basics, such as being able to make a creature out of shadow and control it for a time. They could make it seem as if a room was dark, even with bright lights shining.
magic
The only vampires that can use actual spells on their own, although they do have limits. They typically are amazing at any kind of glamour based spell, to the point of being able to change all or part of their appearance at will. Think fae based magic in a way, but limited to one type. Keep in mind, a natural born witch will usually be able to out spell a vampire.
shape shifting
Kind of self explanatory, and as with all others how far it can be taken will depend on age and experience of the vampire. But this also extends to a bit more of an affinity to other shapeshifters.

Basics- all wereanimals shift with the full moon, all can shift at other times. All are stronger, faster and have sharper senses in any form. Silver can kill a lycanthrope, they are highly allergic to it. The longer the exposure the more damage. Wounds made by another lycanthrope while shifted (including just teeth or claws being shifted) heal almost human slow. They are not immortal, but do age slower and have a longer life span. One who was infected at 20 may only appear to be 35 by the time they are 100.
Alphas have added abilities that vary, but can include things such as being able to partially shift, having three forms instead of just human or animal they are also able to shift to something in between. Being able to heal others. Knowing where others in their group are (normally reserved for leader, but sometimes others will have this as well). Telepathy, mostly with those in their group, but with some it can include anyone.


Wolves-
Pack hierarchy - Ulferic - male leader Lupa- female leader usually the Ulferics mate then descending down based on strength. Packs are usually run by a male. Pack also tends to have a few enforcers. Pack hierarchy is totally strength based, and challenges must be fought and won to move up. A wolf must have moved to second before allowed to challenge the leader. Wolves do have the option to simply say the one challenging is stronger and avoid the fight. However leadership challenge is to the death.
Normally can not have born children, but in New Orleans, as other groups have figured out how to do it and shared the information, it has become possible.
Allied with the cats & rats
Territory- Bywater & part of Marginy (to Elysian Fields Ave)

Cats
Pard hierarchy - Nimir-Raj- male leader Nimir-Ra - female leader
Cats are not as strength based as some of the other groups, although the leader does have to be strong enough to hold it. Either male or female can lead and his or her mate will hold corresponding title . Cats do fight to move up, but it is not as serious. They are much more concerned with what is best for the group as a whole. Challenges are usually fought till one gives up.
Most in New Orleans are able to carry a child to term now, but born cats outside of New Orleans are rare.
Allied to wolves, rats, hyenas, bears and foxes.
Territory- The Quarter, they do allow others to work and play there

Tigers
Seperate from other cats, usually lead by a female queen. Tigers tend to see things more like a royal court type of setting with everyone in their place, and titles passed down through bloodlines.
Tigers are almost always born, unlike most other groups. Infected tigers are seen as weak and at the bottom of everything.
Allied to no one, they live on the outskirts of the territory and do not often interact. They will now and then seem allied with the cats.
Territory- Outskirts of the area

Hyenas
Clan hierarchy female leader Oba, her mate is second. Downward is based on strength. Hyenas will fight, about almost anything, although it is rarely a serious fight. Challenges must be issued and fought for rank, no challenge has to be to the death.
Can carry a child to term, there is a balance of infected and born and the hyenas dont care too much which you are if you are strong.
Territory - The Treme
Allies- Rats, cats, foxes , bears

Foxes
Family hierarchy - female leader and her mate. Second and third are chosen based on what abilities they bring that is needed for the family. Challenges are rare, as they tend to want to work together for the good of the family. Bickering however happens as with any kind of family. Until a family of foxes moved to New Orleans, they stayed out of cities, and tried to live in more remote areas.
Foxes are able to carry children to term, without taking extra steps to ensure it. It is rare to be infected, but they will take care of and accept those who are.
Territory- Outside of the city itself, in an area which once held Plantations.
allies- hyenas, rats, cats for now

Bears
Not as much is known about the bears, the bears in New Orleans have a family group that is blood family. With momma bear and papa bear being the matriarch and patriarch. There are no challenges unless a bear comes into the territory and attempts to take it over.
Bears do carry children, and are one of the least infectious of the groups.
Territory- Algiers
allies- wolves, cats, hyenas

Rats
Rodero hierarchy- King and his mate. There are no females leading rats. Rats are purely strength based, challenges are more likely to be to the death with rats. They tend to choose to infect those with backgrounds that have made them strong.
They do not carry children to term, mainly because of the violence of their lifestyle.
Territory- Center City
allies- all, although the relationship built with the hyenas of New Orleans makes them a bit closer allies to them than the other groups.

***These are just a sampling, you can bring your character and not be one of the above**

It is Nola, and there are all kinds of different witches here. I wont even try to go into everything possible here. The main thing you need to know is there is a coven of all witches in New Orleans, the leaders, or the one they elected meet with others to try and keep peace ,and come together in times of trouble to fight back.

We do the usual seelie, and unseelie here as well as a court called The Court of Seasons, which has four kingdoms one for each of the seasons of the year. All fae are welcome, and the usual fae powers will be accepted.
Fae are not that common in New Orleans. None of the courts are located near enough for many to want to settle there. Also, the area feels strange to fae, at least those who are in tune with the earth.

Disclaimer- I dont want a bunch of overpowered deities running around who are able to solve all problems, kill everyone on a whim, or anything that will end up with this not being fun for everyone else.

There are two types here, the first is what many are already familiar with. Those of mythology, those who belong in polytheism (religions that worship more than one god). In saying that, remember that for these types to thrive they must have worshipers. So most of them are very much weakened from what they once were. These deities are not just one partheon, but belong to many in an attempt to keep their power. Now mostly relegated to the background.
The second is something Ive developed over many many years of playing. These are the primal gods of the universe, that are not tied to just one world like those listed here first. The goddess who 'owns' New Orleans is one of this type. There is a hierarchy with them, that essentially falls in line with who was first. Although these ones could essentially do anything, as stated above, gameplay should be fun for everyone so I am kind of tying their hands, but allowing those who follow me from before to continue with their characters.