American Gothic

American Gothic: A Sabbat Biker Gang

Background: Motorcycles and Detroit have a long and complicated history together, beginning as far back as 1913, recreational motorcycle groups began to appear. But motorcycle gangs didn't really begin to proliferate in Detroit until the 60s and 70s with the return of tens of thousands disillusioned Vietnam vets. But the pack calling itself American Gothic originated as an Anarch biker-gang at the end of World War II. The gang's rebirth in the Sabbat came during the 12th Street riot (July of 1967), which served as a cover for the Sabbat siege of Detroit. While the Gothic held their ground against the Sabbat, they made no effort to aid the Camarilla forces and as such when the preternatural dust settled, the lone survivor Tom Pasternack was offered a merciful final death or the opportunity to join the Sword of Caine. Fortunately for Pasternack and also, perhaps for the Sabbat he chose to join the sect, bringing his own unique brand of iconoclastic individuality into the fold.

Rites and Practices: Walk of Courage: Inspired by the numerous biker gauntlet type rites of passage, the ductus and pack-priest stand about a hundred feet apart, while a third pack member pours a wide swath of gasoline between them. Once the gasoline is lit, the prospective member must remove their shoes and walk or run the hundred fiery feet from the priest to the ductus carrying a mortal. If the aspiring member manages to run or walk the one hundred feet of fire without dropping the mortal or succumbing to Rötschreck, then they are welcomed into the pack and allowed to celebrate by draining the mortal they carried through fire. The symbolic idea behind this dangerous ritae is that if need be, one pack member can and will carry an incapacitated pack-mate through fire to safety - literally.

Membership: Tom Pasternack -- Ravnos Antitribu; Sampson -- Malkavian Antitribu; Lorelei -- Ventrue Antitribu; Delacroix -- Tzimisce tattoo artist Octave Delacroix