Apollinaire
I have witnessed things that would drive most to the brink of madness. Here, let me show you.
Members of the Apollinaire bloodline are champions of death. They are the favored children of Ghede, the loa of death and keeper of the eternal crossroads. Members of the bloodline have unique abilities bestowed upon them by Ghede, allowing them to open and close the gateways to the land of the dead. They are loyal servants of the Baron and are granted dominion over the dead by the loa.
For one night a year, Ghede gives up his charge as Lord of the Dead to members of the Apollinaire bloodline. On that night, the Gatekeepers take up his burden and patrol the shadowy borders between life and death, fighting back the dead who attempt to cross into the world of the living while their lord is absent. In exchange, for the remainder of the year, members of the Apollinaire bloodline enjoy the abilities granted to them by the Ghede.
For one night a year, Ghede gives up his charge as Lord of the Dead to members of the Apollinaire bloodline. On that night, the Gatekeepers take up his burden and patrol the shadowy borders between life and death, fighting back the dead who attempt to cross into the world of the living while their lord is absent. In exchange, for the remainder of the year, members of the Apollinaire bloodline enjoy the abilities granted to them by the Ghede.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
History and Culture: Before the Haitian revolution, a vampire known only as Bokor Apollinaire grew to become one of the most influential Kindred of the first wave in St. Domingue. Apollinaire was a powerful houngan; it is said that he was favored by Ghede and that the vampire and loa came to an agreement that could benefit them both.
To hear the Apollinaire speak of it, Ghede was the first man who ever died. Since the dawn of Humanity, he has ruled over the dead and has controlled the gateways between the world of the living and the dead. As centuries passed, Ghede grew exhausted from constantly maintaining the barriers between worlds. One night, he appeared before one of his most devoted and loyal servants, Bokor Apollinaire, with an offer.
“I grow weary of my charge,” the loa said. “You have shown your loyalty to me, and are among the most powerful of my houngan. If you agree to carry my burden for one night out of a year, I shall bestow upon you and those of your blood great power.”
Bokor Apollinaire was honored to have been chosen by Ghede, and accepted the proposal. Ghede plucked out Apollinaire’s left eye, and planted magic in the empty socket, granting him the ability to see the dead. Then, Ghede bestowed upon his loyal servant the power to rule over the dead and maintain the gateways of this world and the next. For one night a year, Ghede relinquishes his charge and duties as Lord of the Dead to the Apollinaire bloodline. Ghede then walks the streets in the guise of a human, drinking, feasting, dancing and reveling flamboyantly in mortal pleasures. While Ghede is absent, the Apollinaire bloodline patrols the borders between life and death, fighting back the ghosts who attempt to cross into the world of the living while their master is absent.
The night of Ghede’s absence is not fixed. He may choose to leave at any time, delegating his duties to the Apollinaire bloodline. As such, Gatekeepers must constantly be prepared for his signal. To alert the Gatekeepers, Ghede causes a glowing vévé to emerge with a slight prickling upon the forehead of those who carry Apollinaire’s blood. The mark signifies the authority granted to the bloodline by Ghede, and is visible only to those of Apollinaire’s bloodline and to ghosts. Vampires who fail to answer the call of Ghede are punished by the loa by being thrown into Twilight and left to fend for themselves, often leading to the Final Death of the Gatekeeper.
Some believe that Bokor Apollinaire met his Final Death during the Haitian Revolution, though members of his bloodline believe Apollinaire could never have died, having been the favorite of the loa of death.
A Ventrue is recognized as a member of the Apollinaire bloodline once he has sworn to honor the agreement between the founder of the bloodline and the loa. A ritual is performed, during which the initiate’s left eye is removed and Ghede possesses the body of the vampire. The character gains the ability Eye of Ghede (see below), making him a true Gatekeeper.
Although the Apollinaire are sworn to uphold the agreement between Bokor Apollinaire and Ghede, they are not required to take Ghede as their patron loa (see Kindred Vodoun on p. 73.), or, indeed, to become practitioners of Vodoun at all. While many choose to practice Vodoun, and the Apollinaire encourage new members to take Ghede as a patron, it is not mandatory. Once a Gatekeeper is acknowledged by Ghede as an Apollinaire, and he has sworn to take up the burden of Ghede for one night per year, he is free to lead his unlife as he pleases.
To hear the Apollinaire speak of it, Ghede was the first man who ever died. Since the dawn of Humanity, he has ruled over the dead and has controlled the gateways between the world of the living and the dead. As centuries passed, Ghede grew exhausted from constantly maintaining the barriers between worlds. One night, he appeared before one of his most devoted and loyal servants, Bokor Apollinaire, with an offer.
“I grow weary of my charge,” the loa said. “You have shown your loyalty to me, and are among the most powerful of my houngan. If you agree to carry my burden for one night out of a year, I shall bestow upon you and those of your blood great power.”
Bokor Apollinaire was honored to have been chosen by Ghede, and accepted the proposal. Ghede plucked out Apollinaire’s left eye, and planted magic in the empty socket, granting him the ability to see the dead. Then, Ghede bestowed upon his loyal servant the power to rule over the dead and maintain the gateways of this world and the next. For one night a year, Ghede relinquishes his charge and duties as Lord of the Dead to the Apollinaire bloodline. Ghede then walks the streets in the guise of a human, drinking, feasting, dancing and reveling flamboyantly in mortal pleasures. While Ghede is absent, the Apollinaire bloodline patrols the borders between life and death, fighting back the ghosts who attempt to cross into the world of the living while their master is absent.
The night of Ghede’s absence is not fixed. He may choose to leave at any time, delegating his duties to the Apollinaire bloodline. As such, Gatekeepers must constantly be prepared for his signal. To alert the Gatekeepers, Ghede causes a glowing vévé to emerge with a slight prickling upon the forehead of those who carry Apollinaire’s blood. The mark signifies the authority granted to the bloodline by Ghede, and is visible only to those of Apollinaire’s bloodline and to ghosts. Vampires who fail to answer the call of Ghede are punished by the loa by being thrown into Twilight and left to fend for themselves, often leading to the Final Death of the Gatekeeper.
Some believe that Bokor Apollinaire met his Final Death during the Haitian Revolution, though members of his bloodline believe Apollinaire could never have died, having been the favorite of the loa of death.
A Ventrue is recognized as a member of the Apollinaire bloodline once he has sworn to honor the agreement between the founder of the bloodline and the loa. A ritual is performed, during which the initiate’s left eye is removed and Ghede possesses the body of the vampire. The character gains the ability Eye of Ghede (see below), making him a true Gatekeeper.
Although the Apollinaire are sworn to uphold the agreement between Bokor Apollinaire and Ghede, they are not required to take Ghede as their patron loa (see Kindred Vodoun on p. 73.), or, indeed, to become practitioners of Vodoun at all. While many choose to practice Vodoun, and the Apollinaire encourage new members to take Ghede as a patron, it is not mandatory. Once a Gatekeeper is acknowledged by Ghede as an Apollinaire, and he has sworn to take up the burden of Ghede for one night per year, he is free to lead his unlife as he pleases.
Major organizations
Reputation: Because of the Gatekeeper’s connection to Vodoun (despite the fact that members of the bloodline may or may not actually practice Vodoun), the bloodline has a negative stigma for vampires who adhere to traditional European values. As such, the bloodline is often looked upon with disdain, or even tense apprehension, by The Invictus and Lancea Sanctum.
The Ordo Dracul is particularly interested in the Apollinaire, as the bloodline’s connection to Ghede has clearly shown that Vodoun can be an effective means of altering the vampiric condition. Gatekeepers do not appreciate being looked upon as the result of some demonic experiment meant to be studied, however, and do not typically offer assistance to The Ordo Dracul without good reason.
The Ordo Dracul is particularly interested in the Apollinaire, as the bloodline’s connection to Ghede has clearly shown that Vodoun can be an effective means of altering the vampiric condition. Gatekeepers do not appreciate being looked upon as the result of some demonic experiment meant to be studied, however, and do not typically offer assistance to The Ordo Dracul without good reason.
Nickname: Gatekeepers of Ghede
Bloodline Disciplines: Animalism, Dominate, Resilience, Carrefour
Weakness: Like their parent clan, the Apollinaire are susceptible to Paranoia and other Derangements (see p. 113 of Vampire: The Requiem). Additionally, Ghede claims the left eye of every member of the bloodline. Gatekeepers, therefore, must all take the flaw One Eye (p. 219 of the World of Darkness Rulebook). The character does not gain experiences point when hindered by the Flaw during a game session, however.
Concepts: Vodoun priestess, prison guard, wealthy traveler, vigilant guardian, eccentric magician, homeless vagrant, clairvoyant medium consultant, contraband runner, reclusive occultist, escape artist
Ghede is often portrayed wearing dark sunglasses with One Eye out, to symbolize his power in the worlds of the seen and the unseen. During the initiation to become a member of the bloodline, the initiate’s eye is removed from the socket, and the empty hole is filled with the magic of Ghede during possession. The Eye of Ghede looks like a constantly swirling, white mist contained within the Gatekeeper’s eye-socket. Once the “eye” is in place, the new Gatekeeper is able to see, hear and speak with ghosts (but not spirits). Additionally, the Apollinaire can detect their unseen presence, even if they are hiding or have chosen not to reveal themselves. Finding an unseen ghost is a contested action, pitting the vampire’s Wits + Composure against the ghost’s Finesse + Resistance.
Parent ethnicities
Weakness: Like their parent clan, the Apollinaire are susceptible to Paranoia and other Derangements (see p. 113 of Vampire: The Requiem). Additionally, Ghede claims the left eye of every member of the bloodline. Gatekeepers, therefore, must all take the flaw One Eye (p. 219 of the World of Darkness Rulebook). The character does not gain experiences point when hindered by the Flaw during a game session, however.
Concepts: Vodoun priestess, prison guard, wealthy traveler, vigilant guardian, eccentric magician, homeless vagrant, clairvoyant medium consultant, contraband runner, reclusive occultist, escape artist
Eye of Ghede
Ghede is often portrayed wearing dark sunglasses with One Eye out, to symbolize his power in the worlds of the seen and the unseen. During the initiation to become a member of the bloodline, the initiate’s eye is removed from the socket, and the empty hole is filled with the magic of Ghede during possession. The Eye of Ghede looks like a constantly swirling, white mist contained within the Gatekeeper’s eye-socket. Once the “eye” is in place, the new Gatekeeper is able to see, hear and speak with ghosts (but not spirits). Additionally, the Apollinaire can detect their unseen presence, even if they are hiding or have chosen not to reveal themselves. Finding an unseen ghost is a contested action, pitting the vampire’s Wits + Composure against the ghost’s Finesse + Resistance.
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