The Lost Angels

Sabbat -- Montreal

Background

The Lost Angels have come a long way since their creation several decades ago in Mexico City. In the 1980s, their pack was among the few sent into the Anarch Free States to reestablish a Sabbat foothold in California, which was lost in the 1960s. Unfortunately, the Sabbat effort was plagued by internal problems. Archbishop Fuller, who was responsible for the operation, was inept and refused to grant his subordinates any freedom. His methods were narrow-minded, resulting in a number of futile confrontations between the Sabbat and the anarchs of Los Angeles.

The Lost Angels suffered under Fuller's command, losing three pack-mates during their first six months in the city. They then disassociated themselves from their commander and infiltrated the Mexican, Latino and vampire gangs in California, establishing a power base. It was this manipulation that eventually saved the Sabbat effort in L.A. The pack's contacts with the Mexican community and local law enforcement officers prevented all-out war in L.A. and saved the Sabbat mission from absolute failure.

Following these events, tensions ran high in the Sabbat. Archbishop Fuller accused the Lost Angels of treachery; the Angels accused him of incompetence. Cardinal Strathcona was forced to intercede and settle the dispute. Strathcona found Fuller guilty of gross incompetence and put Caroline Valez in charge of the L.A. Sabbat.

In the years that followed, the Sabbat, hidden among Los Angeles' vampire gangs, grew in number. Archbishop Valez recognized that her sect didn't rule the city, and would have to work in secret until it did. Carolina's reputation as a fair leader spread, though she wasn't afraid to enforce discipline and mete out punishment.

As the Sabbat in L.A. continued to increase in number and quietly gained power, Carolina restricted pack activities and use of rites to avoid attracting attention. Perhaps she was too restrictive, though. In the 1990s, she refused to call a crusade during the Rodney King riots, even though her bishops pleaded with her to do so. Had the Sabbat attacked the anarchs at that point, the city might have fallen. In retrospect, Carolina acknowledged her excessive conservatism. Later that month, the Lost Angels were recalled to Mexico, where they spent the following year. The L.A. mission was abandoned for the time being.

The Lost Angels were admonished and branded to remind them of their "failure." But, once again, Cardinal Strathcona intervened. Sangris' trial was nearing its end and Montreal was in need of an archbishop. Strathcona had always been impressed with Carolina; he recognized qualities of his own in the Mexican beauty. The cardinal convened with the Sabbat Regent and other cardinals. They agreed to give Carolina the archdiocese of Montreal as long as Strathcona agreed to assume personal responsibility for her actions.

The Lost Angels greeted the news with enthusiasm, but Carolina was apprehensive. Going from disgrace to leadership of the oldest Sabbat enclave in North America would earn her coven the enmity of many. Yet, she also saw it as a chance to redeem herself in the eyes of the Sabbat.

The Lost Angels made a smooth transition into Montreal. Their accomplishments quickly won over a number of the city's Sabbat. The Shepherds were initially wary of Carolina, but the Angels made efforts to attend a number of Shepherd rites and to consult with the Shepherds on important matters. Ezekiel's pack was the only group that openly showed resentment of Carolina and the Lost Angels; on several occasions, the pack leaders came close to open confrontation.

The turn of the millennium brought mixed results for the Sabbat of North America. On the one hand, New York was unexpectedly lost to the Camarilla, but the following decade saw a chain of crusades down the East Coast of the United States that netted the Sabbat the gilded jewel of Washington D.C. The first decade of the twenty-first century saw the first break in the political tensions of Montreal, as the Black Hand pack 25:17 volunteered as crusaders in the worst East Coast battles. During 25:17s absence, Carolina and the Lost Angels made considerable headway with the more conservative elements of Montreal's Sabbat. But the return of the Black Hand pack signaled a whole new round of political turmoil, for the city and the Archbishop. Still the second decade proved that Carolina could handle the challenge of administering such an august archdiocese.

But, just when the complex politics of Montreal began to gel for Carolina Valez, an assassin ended her tenure as Archbishop and plunged Montreal into a new power struggle for the archbishopric. Carolina's death also devastated and divided the Lost Angels, but Tobias Smith stepped forward to lead the Angels by focusing them on the goal of revenge for their fallen leader.

Unfortunately, the list of suspects consisted of the three bishops of Montreal who had the most to gain from Carolina's death. The investigation into Carolina's assassination did considerable damage to Sabbat political cohesion in Montreal, but it did ultimately lead to the discovery and capture of a Tremere mole, who had been lurking in West Mount for decades. While the warlock spy, Valois Sang died under the tender ministrations of the Tzimisce Molly 8 and Maciej Zarnovich, his chantry revealed just how much the Tremere of Quebec knew about "The City of Black Miracles." What it did not contain, was the identity of the turncoat who had been feeding the warlocks sensitive information on the Sabbat of Montreal for decades.

Once again, Cardinal Strathcona has intervened by placing his support behind Tobias Smith as Carolina Valez's second in command and the likely choice to replace her as Archbishop of Montreal. Smith is well respected by the Shepherds and seen as a father figure to the Black Hand pack 25:17. Publicly, Strathcona charged Smith with restoring Sabbat unity in Montreal and privately, with finding and terminating the Camarilla leak. Politically, the last year has been a fruitful one for the Sabbat of Montreal, unfortunately, the turncoat has seeming gone deep underground and so far, none of Smith's ploys have even come close to smoking the traitor out. However, Smith is a patient and steady tactician, with a long term strategy that will likely net him his prey.

Lair

The coven maintains a lair in Cardinal Strathcona's old quarters, which is connected to the central hall of the communal haven. This subterranean mansion is reminiscent of an 18th century home, with two indoor black-rose gardens, a lavish meeting hall, and opulent rooms, all adorned with paintings of events in Sabbat history and portraits of Strathcona. Each pack member has a room that is decorated to her personal tastes.

Rites and Practices

The Toast of Midnight: The Lost Angels hold an open Vaulderie in Caine's Chapel every night at midnight. It is common knowledge that any unofficial business with the archbishop or coven can be discussed after the ceremony. Smith uses this time to converse freely with those in his charge. The rite begins with the Sermon of Caine. It is led by Tobias, who uses Obtenebration for added emphasis and effect.

Membership

Tobias Smith - The New Archbishop of Montreal and the Ductus of the Lost Angels Coven (active)

Gharston Roland - Ravnos antitribu of the Lost Angels Pack of Montreal (currently in torpor)

Ludovico Tamboia - Ravnos antitribu childe of Gharston Roland and a member of the Lost Angels Pack of Montreal (killed by Karsh during the Camarilla conquest of Montreal in the late summer of 2022)

Josefina Valez - Lasombra childe of Tobias Smith and member of the Lost Angels Pack of Montreal (active)

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