Peru is a country in western South America. Peru is a megadiverse country with habitats ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coastal region in the west to the peaks of the Andes mountains extending from the north to the southeast of the country to the tropical Amazon basin rainforest in the east with the Amazon River.
Overview[]
Peruvian territory was home to several cultures during the ancient and medieval periods, and has one of the longest histories of civilization of any country, tracing its heritage back to the 10th millennium BCE. Notable pre-colonial cultures and civilizations include the Caral-Supe civilization, the Nazca culture, the Wari and Tiwanaku empires, the Kingdom of Cusco, and the Inca Empire, the largest known state in the pre-Columbian Americas. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and Charles V established a viceroyalty with the official name of the Kingdom of Peru that encompassed most of its South American territories, with its capital in Lima.
Peru formally proclaimed independence in 1821, and following the foreign military campaigns of José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar, and the decisive battle of Ayacucho, Peru completed its independence in 1824. In the ensuing years, the country first suffered from political instability until a period of relative economic and political stability began due to the exploitation of guano that ended with the War of the Pacific (1879–1884).
The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechuan languages, Aymara, or other Indigenous languages. This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.
Vampire: the Masquerade[]
Peru is held by the Sabbat, but is used more as a place to conduct business than as a major source of revenue or power. The mostly undeveloped lands in Peru are considered far too dangerous as a result of the Lupines and Bastet in the area. Most vampires stay away from Peru's expansive jungles, though a number of powerful Gangrel Autarkis are known to wander there.
Peru has been beset by a vicious guerrilla movement, a Marxist organization called the Shining Path. A few Sabbat Brujah run with this group, whether from idealism or (more likely) for fun. The other Sabbat overlook their sectmates' indulgences; the deaths of kine mean little to them, and the fall of the Peruvian government would mean even less to the country's undead.
The only place fully developed enough for the Sabbat to use as asource of food and protection is Lima, the capital city, which houses over four million people. Lima is a vast and heavily industrialized city, but one that poses dreadful risks to the Kindred. Rumors of a Dreamspeaker mage chantry near the prehistoric Nazca Line Monuments have recently been confirmed, and even the boldest Sabbat are cautious when moving about.
Overall, Peru is simply too raw for the Kindred. Most prefer to avoid the dangers presented by Lupine and sorcerer alike. A small handful of Sabbat Tzimisce have made it their mission to infiltrate the Dreamspeaker covens and to learn their secrets. For the most part they have had little success, though the Tzimisce have learned that the mages periodically gather at both the Nazca Lines and the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu.
In recent nights, a Gehenna cult known as Los Hijos de Si, or “The Children of Si” has gained prominence in the country. Los Hijos de Si is a Kindred cult operating throughout Peru and Bolivia, with a history dating back nearly 1,500 years to its founding by Illari, a Moche priestess of the moon goddess “Si.” Los Hijos have been active lately, quietly recruiting new members and expanding their influence. They rarely participate in the War of Gehenna or the senseless contests between the Camarilla and the Anarchs, their gaze firmly fixed on the moon above as they await the comforting darkness of salvation.
Wraith: the Oblivion[]
The greatest Dark Kingdom in South America was Tawantinsuyu, the Inka Empire. The Inka under the leadership of Sapa Inka Manqu Chapaq (“Son of the Sun”) with the aid of his fellow Sapa Inka carved a vast empire of four provinces out of the Shadowlands and the surrounding Tempest with the Necropolis Cuzco at its heart. Rapidly outgrowing Cuzco, they created a new capital high in the Tempest, Hanan Pacha. There Manqu Chapaq absolutely ruled Tawantinsuyu, from his golden stool, for centuries until the outsiders came. The conquest of Tawantinsuyu was the work of the Renegade general Theudhar. After a devastating war Cusi Yupanki, who was the general and High Priest of the Sun under Sapa Inka Atawallpa, led Cuzco through the storm and welcomed the Hierarchy upon their arrival. Cusi negotiated a treaty with the Hierarchy to retain dominion over his realm in exchange for transforming Tawantinsuyu into a client of the empire. The Viceroyalty of Cuzco was born.
Hunter: the Reckoning[]
The Arcanum's chief Chapter House in South America is in Lima. This House sponsors countless expeditions to Macchu Picchu. The lost sacred mysteries of the Incas have attracted many an Arcanist since the House's establishment in the 1960s. Due to its relative proximity, the Lima Chapter House also coordinates research trips to Easter Island.
References[]
- WOD: A World of Darkness Second Edition, p. 38
- WTO: The Book of Oblivion, p. 99-101
- WOD: Halls of the Arcanum, p. 45
- VTM : Cults of the Blood Gods, p. 118