erzulie
cheers for spring; for life; for a growing soul
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LORE
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JUST IN, MONSTERS WALK AMONGST US!
Newspapers across the United States showcased this title in bold print, drawing the attention of all who wished to read the truth for themselves. It seems as though The Great Migration had brought in a wave of not only humans who sought better opportunities. It had all been thought of as nonsense and wild stories, newspapers who were willing to do anything to sell their merchandise. That was until the president himself shook hands with one of these creatures. Onlookers couldnโt help but gaze in wonder at the towering figure, all green skin and intimidating tusk. An orc was what he had been called. Americans saw an influx of the supernatural after that meeting. Supernaturals were no longer required to stay in the shadows.
Of course there is always pushback when it comes to change. There are those who believe that the โfreaksโ should have continued on in the dark. No matter how unfair there are often consequences when one decides not to hide their true selves. Prejudice runs deep in the veins on this land of supposed freedom. The city hides its true feelings well, they hold the supernatural back in many ways, from barring them from jobs to withholding adequate living spaces. The life of a supernatural being is rarely an easy one so many prefer to hide what they are.
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โ Ah, New York City, a place where individuals come in hope of better things. The glitz and glamor of the bright lights has ensnared many in its grasp. It is known for a place of culture and high end living, where celebrities of all kinds walk the street. The city beckons the bold and the brave to come and try their luck.
With the introduction of supernatural creatures New York has seen a boom in their technological and medical fields. Though often restricted by the government, it is not uncommon to see officers or even gangsters wielding weapons embedded with magic. Many hospitals have taken full advantage of these new developments, seeking the help of โwhiteโ witches and other pure creatures to heal the sick. The love of the arts has hit an all time high and fashion houses seek to create high quality goods with this magic. It would be a lie to say that some good has not come out of these supernaturals.
Though for all of the advancements that have formed in the city, crime still runs rampant. Crooked cops and crime families still hold the weight within New York. Their power has not been swayed in the slightest. In fact with these beings they are able to keep a firm hold on their empires. Supernaturals seek out these families in hope of gaining a better life or as a way to hold power over those who oppressed them.
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โ A precious resource that has given birth to many technological advances, Magic is an element heavily regulated by the government. There are many laws surrounding different types of magic and their uses. High grade weapons are reserved only in the hands of officers and military personnel while civilians are given access to lower grade items. There is definitely a certain bias against the types of magic used as well. Light or โpureโ magic is seen as acceptable whereas โdarkโ magic is looked down on and feared. Itโs quite the same with appearances too. Supernaturals who are able to blend in with humanity are more likely to go unnoticed and live a relatively normal life. Some even go as far as to have certain parts of themselves removed, fairies without wings and werewolves with claws are not an uncommon sight to see.
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โ It seemed to appear out of nowhere. By some miracle construction was done during the night, drawing curious eyes when it was suddenly up and running. The Fox Hole is a lavish building that speaks of hedonism and money. Though it has only been running for about two years now the place has quickly gained popularity. People are drawn to The Fox Hole because of its extravagance and more importantly, the alcohol that it has to offer.
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โ Whatโs a business without loyal employees to help keep the place in order? Miss Coco has picked each of her employees for one reason or another. Sometimes they make things easy and come to her. Each staff member helps The Fox Hole in some way. To the outside world they are regular people but they could not be farther from the truth. The staff are all a part of the criminal organization known as The Skulk. These criminals carry out Miss Cocoโs wishes and keep the clubโs best interest in mind. In return they are given endless opportunities and riches. Itโs said that the staff are no mere humans, at least some of them. Whispers of security and a safe place to lay oneโs head draws the attention of many supernaturals who donโt wish to turn to the gangs that would treat them as bugs under their feet.
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โ House Mariani holds the title of the oldest crime family in NYC. The Mariani family is a fierce group of Italians-Americans and Italians, or the majority of them are at least. Their Don is simply known as Papa Mariani or Papa. He rules his family with a cruel, iron fist. There is nothing sacred when it comes to this family. They are not people of honor and are willing to go to the extreme to keep their place at the top. It is said that House Mariani caused the downfall of House Buchmann and others that came before it. House Mariani values strength and power above all else: They run a number of (rigged) casinos as well as having dealings in drug trafficking and illegal arms dealing. Thereโs a rather dark past to this powerful house. They were once a league of ruthless monster hunters who secured their place at the top through bounties and trading valuable supernatural parts, thus creating a black market that centers around the illegal trading of supernatural based goods.
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โ The underbelly of New York City has always been a hungry thing. With twinkling lights and sweet whispers of opportunity, it beckons the downtrodden, the greedy, and the desperate to settle within its clutches. They never see the trap laid out in front of them, not until theyโre consumed by the city. The Musas were a prime example of this. Having come to the US for better opportunities, the Buchmanns quickly began to secure their spot amongst the best of them. It all began with a little bar that they owned. But like Icarus they soared too high and could only watch their wings melted. Betrayal tainted the family and it soon cannibalized itself until it was seemingly no more. It is important to remember that the Musas were no mere gang, they were a family of water spirits who had quickly risen to power due to their gift of insight and the treasures that they seemed to produce out of nowhere.
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America is not kind to new faces. Itโs a feeding frenzy down by the New York Harbor, where ships press in daily from all the ports of the world. Most will only be able to afford the multi-family rooms that smell of desperation and lives worse than poverty - though some will find success in the economic boom, holding out their plates for a slice of the dream they came here for. House Tโang rejected both. They found themselves as strangers in a stranger land, and they quickly adopted the bloodlust that they saw in sharp-suit businessmen. Forging dock documents, pumping new drugs into the streets, arms-dealing under the pretense of legitimate trade - and brutal executions of whoever crosses them. That is what makes up the Tโang family.
The public heir is Tโang Li Jie, the only son of the late family head. Crafty, elusive, and quite willing to sell anyone out to save his own skin, Li Jie is a fox that you can respect for digging a hole whenever the heat comes too closeโฆ and that you hate for his sheer cowardice. Though, there are rumors that he has a secret half-sister, one that is much more capable than him. After all, the family has been shaky as of late; one could almost think there is a struggle behind the mansion walls.
code by @leviathan.
