Nobody fights like Family

April 4th is a day of remembrance for the Hecata clan. For the Giovanni families, it marks the ascension of their clan, the day when their paragon Augustus claimed the mantle of leadership. For the Cappadocians, it’s the day their noble patriarch was betrayed. Despite this contradiction, the alliance which binds the Hecata has held, and they meet each year to reflect on their history, and plan for the future.

With the governing structure of the clan established, this year, the Hecata have declared that tithes to the clan will once again resume. All family members are called upon to rebuild the clan’s resources by contributing a portion of their incomes. Traditionally, this is how Kindred within the Hecata vie for power, as those who give generously are rewarded with greater stature and influence, while those experiencing hard times are almost certain to see their stature diminished.

This year, the clan faces a new struggle from within. The Honored Dead, a group of ancestor wraiths, have united in protest. While they once enjoyed formal recognition as part of the Giovanni, they have no special designation as part of the Hecata. While the Giovanni, whose ancestors comprise the majority of the Honored Dead, are sympathetic to their cause , the Cappadocians are concerned that this will shift the balance of power that they have worked to level. As these restless spirits are fundamental to the  bureaucratic workings of the clan, the Hecata must find some means of working with them. 

Select members of the Honored Dead will be joining the Hecata families as part of the April 4th day of remembrance. There, the Hecata will formally hear their issues as they make their tithes and jockey for their own positions. Those who contribute royally will almost certainly have a greater say in how the clan resolves matters with the Honored Dead.

As the Hecata clan is once again beset by internal issues, emerging leaders have voiced strong opinions and are seeking to gather supporters. This leads others to wonder if these sorts of squabbles are to become the new norm, either for the better or for the worse. As the saying goes, nobody fights like family….