Clan Giovanni g

Written by Michael Dascenzo

Contributions by Heather Harrelson, Terry Maahs, Patrick Haughton, Michael Rudick,
James Potter, Brian Emiro, Sutton Moore, Bill Keyes, Bill Sherman, and Corey Smith.

Warning!
While much of this information is derived from the
Clanbook: Giovanni, it is presented here in a
manner that will hopefully provide for richer, more
detailed creation and role-play of Giovanni
Some of the concepts presented herein may characters.
offend some readers. Please understand that an

What are the Giovanni

attempt was made to describe the Giovanni Clan in
a manner that was as faithful as possible to the
material as published in Clanbook: Giovanni. The

really like?
Giovanni are vile, despicable creatures, and
therefore, it is understandable that we will not
agree with many of their viewpoints. However, to
remove these concepts would subvert what makes
the Giovanni unique. It is asked that you keep this The Giovanni are one of the most dichotomous
in mind as you read, and remember that the views clans in Kindred society. Urbane and genteel on the
expressed herein are those of the Giovanni Clan, surface, this facade conceals a depraved and twisted
and do not reflect the views or inclinations of the reality that many can only guess at. Like the
author. Furthermore, players should be conscious Toreador and the Ventrue, the Giovanni are masters
of their fellow players’ comfort levels, with regards of the dangerous art of manipulating the kine, and
to the sensitive nature of much of the Giovanni their business savvy is unparalleled, as would befit
material, including the inherent chauvinism of the a family of Venetian merchant princes. While their
Giovanni mind-set. It’s very easy to allow in Camarilla rivals often maintain more conventional
character elements to bleed into the Out of and legitimate fronts, the Giovanni are known to
Character realm. Needless to say, this should deal more with the criminal elements, especially
NEVER happen. those emanating from the seedy and undesirable
underbelly of mortal society. Their interests range
Remember, it’s just a game, folks. from the merely illegal, such as drug trafficking and
extortion, to the truly vile, such as snuff films,
— Michael J. Dascenzo, Jr. contract killing, and organ harvesting. Progressive
Giovanni Specialist Storyteller with regards to business practices, the interests of
the Giovanni reach even as far as the Internet,
where it is said that they control several interests in
The history of the Giovanni is detailed in techno-porn.
Clanbook: Giovanni, and, to a lesser extent, Though they may seem to hold a finger on the
Clanbook: Cappadocian, and no attempt will be pulse of modern society and its trends, the Giovanni
made to retell said history here. If you want to are surprisingly archaic in their attitudes. The
know, buy the Clanbooks. Giovanni family originated in Italy, and therefore,
What you will find here is information their viewpoint reflects this. Giovanni men are
regarding what it means to be a member of the expected to portray an air of respectability,
Giovanni Clan: attitudes, intra-clan relations, major although some of the Elders choose to adopt a more
and minor families, interactions with Wraiths, etc. ominous demeanour. Men dominate the Giovanni
 Family Organization
family, typically assigning the Giovanni women to
a more subservient, though protected, cherished,
and pampered role. However, one should not
mistake the Giovanni women as powerless window-
dressing. It is not unheard of for women to ascend Members of the Giovanni Family begin their
through the ranks of the Clan, though it is only lives as all Kindred do, as mortals. While many
through the most ruthless and devious means. To believe that all Giovanni know the dark truths about
look upon a Giovanni woman of power is to their Family and Clan, the truth is actually far
encounter a vicious, cruel being to whom the petty different. Most of the mortal Giovanni grow up
machinations of Machiavelli and the Borgia are knowing almost nothing of the true nature of their
mere child’s play. Family. There is always suspicion of mysterious
Behind the closed doors of their loggia, the truth doings behind closed doors, but otherwise, they live
of the Giovanni is even more disturbing. The Clan out their lives in some semblance of normality.
often uses the opportunities presented by their There are a rare few amongst the mortal Giovanni
unsavoury business contacts to further their who are indoctrinated from early childhood into the
experimentation and research into the dark inner mysteries, most often due to some
mysteries of Necromancy. Capturing the souls of circumstance that prevents these individuals from
the dearly departed often requires the mortal shell, interacting with the mortal populace (such as inbred
and many Giovanni mansions double as morgues. deformities.)
The Giovanni are not kind masters. They delight in Once a Giovanni begins to evidence traits that
the torture and subjugation of the restless dead the Elders find desirable, or abilities they find
through the use of Necromancy and the defilement useful, the mortal Family member is given what is
of corpses. One night, they hope that they may be known as the Proxy Kiss, in which they take the
able to rend the Shroud asunder, bringing the blood of one of the Kindred Giovanni, and become
Skinlands and Shadowlands together as one. a Ghoul. At this time, they are shown the truth
Just as their interactions with spirits are tainted about the Family as a Clan, and life takes on a
with corruption, so are their dealings with one duality, as by day, they attend to typical Family
another. Though not encouraged, inner rivalries business, while at night, they assume their roles as
abound, as the Giovanni place a great deal of the servitors of the Kindred. All Giovanni vampires
importance on Clan standing. Without it, one might start out as Ghouls, for it is this way that the Elders
not receive the Proxy Kiss, or be chosen for the can determine who deserves the gift of the
Embrace (see Family Organization). Though Embrace, and who shall live out their years in
outright hostilities are forbidden, and acting against Ghoulish purgatory, or worse, be extinguished.
the will of the Elders is not tolerated at all, many Ghouls are considered lesser, and insolence or
jockey for position, hoping to outdo one another, or disrespect is never tolerated and always punished
even preside over the deaths of their brethren, at the severely. Methods of giving the Proxy Kiss range
behest of their Elders. However, the Giovanni as a from the mundane to the depraved, as befits the
whole follow a particular code of conduct that individual Kindred who gives their blood to the
dictates their actions, and regardless of what new Ghoul.
rivalries might exist, it is unknown for two Finally, after proving themselves as Ghouls,
Giovanni to argue, or even disagree, with one sometimes over many years, the Giovanni is finally
another in public. given the Embrace. Rumours to the contrary, the
Some Giovanni have been known to question Giovanni do not Embrace only three from each
the policies of their Elders, offering mo re modern mortal generation, though this is a falsehood that
viewpoints. While tolerated, for even the wisdom of t h e Clan perpetuates, in order to keep its true
youth must, at times, be recognized, it is the unwise numbers secret. From the point of the Embrace on,
Neonate or Ancilla that pushes this too far. Those the Giovanni are expected to strive to further the
that would question the authority of their Elders Clan, respect their Elders, and do what they can to
walk a razor thin wire, where a misstep can mean advance progress in the Plan (the rending of the
an eternity of unimaginable agony. Shroud). While as indicated above, rivalries often
Incest is also a common occurrence among the develop between members of the Clan, outright
Giovanni families, though this is also discouraged, hostilities and disobedience and disrespect to the
albeit not as strongly as open hostilities among Elders is forbidden. Such things are antithetical to
family members. Incest is somewhat disgusting and the Plan, and those who disobey are punished in
inconvenient in the case of children borne, but ways only the sick minds of the Elders can devise.
intra-clan fighting can prove to be counter- Needless to say, there are NO Giovanni traitors.
productive, and thus is not normally tolerated by Few outside the Clan would consort with the
the Elders. Giovanni anyway, and the fear of retribution from
the Elders is usually enough to keep the majority in
check.
The Giovanni Code of v A weapon is never brandished in public unless
you are using dire force and dire force cannot be
avoided.
Conduct v Decent language will be maintained in public at
all times.
This exacting code of behaviour may seem
ridiculous to the uninitiated, but amongst the v Pay for all information even if you already have
Giovanni, who hold to an Italian mindset, these it. Keep all sources happy.
rules of etiquette and behaviour are what set them
apart from the other, “lesser” kindred. v Never accept anything handed to you. Have one
of the ghouls — or a lesser — take it.
v Gentlemen will rise when a lady sits, stands, or
joins a group. All chairs are pulled out. If a lady v Everyone is addressed with respect. No
joins a conversation and declines to sit, all will exceptions. A Lupine or Caitiff who thinks you
remain standing. Ladies need not rise if another are a nice and honourable person could be
joins a group. useful later.

v Greet all family with kisses. These are what are v Arguments take place in private only. Never
commonly referred to as “air kisses”. One contradict your elders in public. This is basic
touches their cheek briefly to that of the person Rispetto.
they are kissing and a kissy noise is made in the
air. If you want to smooch each other and you v Questioning of one’s Elders can be excused;
both agree to it, go for it. Just make sure the disobedience cannot. Remember your place, and
other person has agreed to it so you don’t find always show proper deference to those above
yourself smooched on the floor. One on each you in station.
cheek for well respected family, 3 kisses for
those respected and close to you (i.e. one on v No matter what is said, be certain in private that
each cheek and a repeat of the first) or those you what took place really did. What is said is not
happy to meet. Please discuss this with your always what is.
fellow players. If anyone is uncomfortable with
it, exempt him or her from the rule and maybe v Dress appropriately for the occasion. Always.
give him or her a warm handshake. Brujah wear jeans, not Giovanni.

v Nobody goes anywhere alone. No exceptions. It v Remember at all times that you are a member of
doesn’t matter how much Potence you have or the Soldati. Yo u were bred and trained since
how intimidating you look. At the very least you birth to carry on the honour of the family and
have someone else to draw the fire while you clan Giovanni. In all things the clan comes first.
make your escape if needed, not to mention the

Hierarchy
benefits of always having at least one witness
with you.

v Ladies are never without at least one male

The Giovanni are organized according to titles.
escort for every 2 women.
Though some of these are shared with La Cosa
Nostra (the Mafia), the actual words themselves are
v Ladies will act like ladies at all times, especially
Italian in origin, and do not reflect a mirroring of
in public. All etiquette applies.
the organization of the Mafia. Such a connection is
extremely offensive to the Giovanni, as they are
v When sitting for official business, seating is
Italians, and far predate the Sicilian thugs. Each
done hierarchically. He who is most important
level in the hierarchy may expect obedience and
at the head of the table, second most important
deference from those below them, though a degree
to his right, third to his left and so on
of respect is expected amongst all members of
alternating. For example:
respect within the Clan (otherwise known as
Soldati.) After all, they are all Giovanni at heart.
1 Note that there is no system for Giovanni Clan
2 3 Status. This is, quite simply, because the Giovanni
are of such a stratified hierarchy that those of less
4 5
than one’s station are always considered to have
6 7 less Status than oneself, and those of higher station
are always considered to have more Status. Those Pisanob. They collect reports from the Bruglione of
of equal station are considered just that, equals. each continent, and hand down edicts from
One’s standing is a result of their actions, which tell Augustus.
far more about one than any Status trait could.
The following chart shows the structure of the
Giovanni Clan: Bruglione
A single Bruglione oversees the Giovanni
efforts on each continent. Far more visible than the
Capo di Capo, these Giovanni are charged with
Capo di tutti Capi furthering the Clan’s goals in each of their
| protectorates, as well as dealing with internal Clan
Capo di Capo problems. For many Giovanni, the Bruglione are as
/|\ far up the Giovanni ladder of power as they are
likely to see.
Bruglione
|
Prima Consigliere Prima Consigliere
(First Counselor and head Each Bruglione has a single assistant, who
of the Mensa de Consigliere) heads the Mensa de Consigliere (Council of
/|\ Consigliere.) The Prima acts as the Bruglione’s
Consigliere right hand, and organizes the various Consigliere
for maximum efficiency and solidarity. They hand
/|\ down the dictates of the Bruglione to the
Dons (and Donas ) of the cities Consigliere, and are ultimately responsible for
/|\ seeing that these policies are carried out.
Soldati
(respected members of the family) Consigliere
Munianes These powerful Giovanni are placed in charge
of specific provinces or regions with each
(Those who have fallen out of respect) Bruglione’s protectorate. They organize the efforts
of the various Dons and Dona, and ensure that the
Plan is being advanced suitably. As they are often
the first to feel the wrath that comes with failure,
Capo di tutti Capi they are often very strict, and harshly punish those
Dons and Dona who do not toe the line.

Augustus, the Antediluvian founder of the

Giovanni Clan is the undisputed head of the Clan’s Dons and Donas
organization. He rules with an iron first from the
seat of Giovanni power, Venice, Italy, through his Each city with a substantial Giovanni presence
Capo and Bruglione. Rarely seen or heard from, it is led by a Don (or, if female, Dona). The Don is
is unheard of for any lower than Bruglione to have responsible for overseeing the business practices of
even the most remote contact with Augustus. In the Giovanni within the city, and stifling conflict.
fact, many of the younger Giovanni do not The Dons/Donas report directly to the Consigliere,
necessarily believe that Augustus exists, and have and are the chief ambassadors to the Kindred of
relegated him to mythical status. other sects and clans.
Note: Being the only Giovanni in a city does

Capo di Capo not confer Don/Dona status automatically. One

must petition the Consigliere of the region or
province in which the city is located before
These individuals are the direct agents of assuming such a title (and responsibility).
Augustus, and together form the head of the Mensa A note about the title of Don/Dona: Don or
de Bruglione (Council of Bruglione.) This group is Dona is also a means of address amongst Italians, in
made up of Ambrogino Giovanni, Augustus’ right a manner similar to Mr. or Mrs./Ms. It conveys a
hand; Edon Machiavelli, Patriarch of the degree of respect for the individual, and is mostly
Machiavelli Family; and Pochtli, father of the used in formal conversation and occasion.
However, though any Giovanni may be referred to exist beneath the watery canals of Venice. Old and
as Don or Dona such and such, that does not equate powerful, these Methuselah Giovanni are rumoured
to being the Don/Dona of a city. to exist apart from the Family, picking off stray
mortals from the water’s surface, and working their

Soldati insidious Necromantic rituals, many of which

involve water and the sea to various extents. None
below the Capo di Capo level are known to have
The Soldati are the respected members of the ever heard from the Premascines, though rumour
Giovanni Clan. Though this title often refers to the persists that they speak to Augustus on occasion.
rank and file Giovanni that make up the contingent

The Promise of 1528

under a Don or Dona, the term is also used in
reference to all Giovanni of respect, regardless of
station or title (to be referred to as such is not an
insult).
Note that not all Giovanni are necessarily The cornerstone of the Giovanni Clan’s
considered “of respect.” Giovanni must be interactions with the rest of Kindred society is the
constantly on guard to maintain their place amongst Promise of 1528. After the Cappadocian purge, and
the Clan, and those that become complacent, or subsequent discoveries of others regarding the
indulge in their own petty rivalries to the detriment Giovanni plans to rend the Shroud, the Giovanni
of the Plan, risk falling from grace, and no longer found themselves at odds with the Camarilla.
being worthy of respect. Those that do suffer this Augustus Giovanni decided to withdraw from the
fate are doomed to be treated as second-class Jyhad, and take his Family with him. In the winter
citizens of the Clan, and strive constantly to regain of 1528, a selection of Elders, headed by Camarilla
their place amongst their brethren. No Giovanni founder Rafael de Corazon, met with Claudius
may hold station or title if they are not considered Giovanni, Augustus’ childe, so that the hostilities
Soldati. between the Camarilla and the Giovanni could be
put to rest. The conference lasted 10 nights, at the

Munianes
end of which Claudius Giovanni signed a formal
agreement that would keep the Giovanni out of all
Kindred affairs. The Giovanni could go about their
These are the Giovanni who have fallen from business unmolested, so long as they kept to
grace, and are no longer considered Soldati. It is a themselves, and did not involve themselves in the
grievous dishonour, and a Muniane’s main focus at concerns of other Kindred. Furthermore, every 13
all times is reinstatement of their Soldati status. years, a coalition of Elders from the Camarilla
Unlike the other Clans, this is not comparable to Clans would visit Venice, in order to ensure
being declared Caitiff. On the contrary, a Munianes adherence to the Promise.
is expected to maintain the Code of Conduct, and

The Families of the

work towards the fulfilment of the Plan, just as any
other Giovanni would. Indeed, they are held to an
even higher standard, as they have something to
prove, lest they never regain their vaunted place
amongst the Soldati. Note that this is not a term to
be bandied about lightly, as some minor slight
Giovanni
against another. To declare another Giovanni
The Giovanni are not the only Family that
Munianes unjustifiably is the worst insult
makes up the Clan Giovanni. Over the years, many
imaginable, and many a kindred has found their
have contributed to the Giovanni Clan’s endeavours
soul torn from their body for merely making an
in one way or another, and those that have proven
allusion to another being Munianes when it wasn’t
especially helpful or loyal have been inducted onto
warranted. When it comes to personal honour, the
the Family and Clan Giovanni. Each Family’s
Giovanni don’t mess around.
members live out mortal life as the Giovanni do,
As indicated under Soldati, Munianes may not
but within their own separate kinships. Only when
hold any station or title in the Giovanni hierarchy.
one is selected for the Proxy Kiss (and possibly, the
Embrace later on) do they become further
The Premascines indoctrinated into the Clan as a whole.
The outsiders are divided into two groups, the
Major Families, and the Minor Families. Members
No treatment of the Giovanni hierarchy would
of the Major Families enjoy only slightly less
be complete without a word about the Premascines.
accord and respect than one whose blood is fully
Legends amongst the Giovanni persist of
Giovanni. The distinction is often unnoticeable,
Cappadocians who became Giovanni, who still
until circumstances dictate that the Giovanni gather
to set policy. Often, the words of those from the
Major Families do not carry quite so much Dunsirn
influence as those of the true Giovanni.
The Minor Families are often looked down upon A true Family line, like the Giovanni,
with a degree of contempt by the Giovanni, both of Machiavelli, and Milliners, the Dunsirn hail from
the Family, and of the Major Families. However, Scotland, and to a lesser extent, the rest of Great
their usefulness precludes any treatment harsher Britain. Consummate bankers, profiteers, and
than jibes and taunts from their betters. Most mercenaries, they hold a slightly lesser station in
significantly, the Minor Families have little say in the eyes of the Giovanni than the Machiavelli and
what policies Clan Giovanni sets, and it is rare in the Pisanob, mostly due to their vile practice of
the extreme for one of their kind to climb higher cannibalism, which many of the true Giovanni find
than the station of Don or Dona of a city. True somewhat revolting.
Giovanni, and members of Major Families, often
chafe under the direction of one from the Minor
Families, and often find ways to remove them from Milliners
power.
The 1950’s induction of the Milliners into the

The Major Families Giovanni Clan began with a family feud between
Francis Milliner, and Joe Kennedy, after a Boston
business deal cut out Milliner and set up Kennedy.
Using Giovanni monies, Milliner set up
Machiavelli circumstances to destroy the Kennedy legacy,
resulting in, if you believe the rumours, the
This Family enjoys the greatest degree of assassination of John F. Kennedy. The Milliners are
respect from Augustus and the rest of the Giovanni industrialists extraordinaire, and have close ties to
Family, for their assistance in the Cappadocian the Mafia. Though extremely young compared to
purge. Nothing more than a mere mortal at the time, the rest of the Giovanni, they are still considered a
Edon Machiavelli was an associate of many of the Major Family for efforts that proved instrumental in
Giovanni Elders, who continued to practice the providing the Giovanni Clan with a foothold in
ways of mercantilism. When the Giovanni rose up North America.
to extinguish the Cappadocians, Edon and his Note: Due to their recent induction, there are no
family used their prodigious influence to ferret out Milliners below 10th Generation.
information regarding the havens of the
Cappadocians, thus making it easier for the
Giovanni to hunt their parent Clan down and slay The Minor Families
them. For such service, Augustus himself Embraced
Edon, and honoured his descendants by bringing
them into the fold. della Passaglia
Pisanob The della Passaglia are the Giovanni’s agents in
the Far east, and are specialists in dealing with the
mysterious Kindred of Japan, China, India, and
Though they did not originate as a true Family, Southeast Asia. They originated as traders in the
the Pisanob have, throughout the centuries of East, following the roads set up by Marco Polo
breeding and Embrace, become one nonetheless. before being taken over by the Giovanni, and have
The Pisanob were inducted into the ranks of the opened new vistas for the Giovanni with their
Giovanni from a loose-knit cabal of Aztec priests in knowledge of Asian Necromancy and thanatology.
South America, led by their high priest, Pochtli.
Masters of Necromancy even before they became
Kindred, the Pisanob are atypical in that they’ve Ghiberti
maintained the trappings of their Necromancy that
they used during their mortal existence. As the della Passaglia are specialist in Asia, so
Pisanob Necromancy is very ritualised, and the Ghiberti have made significant in-roads for the
utilizes props and iconography from the ancient Clan into Africa and the Middle East. Though they
Aztec religions. Their influence, as one would are grudgingly respected for their efforts to
expect, is mainly relegated to the Latin American establish trade routes in the Dark Continent, and are
countries. procuring valuable information regarding Nubian
aspects of Necromancy and the Abombo (African
Wraiths), they are still mistrusted and discriminated staunch enemies, as each works against the other
against by true Giovanni for their Negro heritage. regarding the Giovanni Plan. n

Rosselini
The Rosselini are sadistic individuals who enjoy
mutilating their victims as part of their Necromantic
rituals . They became involved in the Giovanni Clan
when a cadre of their members ran afoul of
Claudius Giovanni, who separated their souls from
their bodies until they swore an oath of fealty to the
Giovanni. Since then, they have almost entirely
inter-bred with the Giovanni Family, though there
are a few true Rosselini still walking about.

Putanesca
With all the breeding and ghouling that the
Giovanni do, it was only a matter of time before a
Revenant family developed. The Putanesca are the
servitors of the Giovanni, as well as their agents in
the world of blue-collar crime, such as prostitution,
numbers running, and the drug trade. Considered
little more than whoremongers and crack dealers,
they are reviled by all others of the Giovanni Clan.
However, their aptitude in dealing with the seamy
underbelly of modern society makes them
especially useful nonetheless.
Disciplines: Dominate, Potence, Presence.
Advantage: Due to their dealings with the less
savoury aspects of society, the Putanesca receive
one free Underworld influence upon character
creation.
Disadvantage: The Putanesca have almost no
aptitude for learning Necromancy, and must pay
double the experience costs to learn Necromancy
disciplines. Furthermore, the Putanesca are
particularly reviled by the Giovanni Clan and may
never hold a station within the Clan.

Giovanni and Wraiths

As one would expect from their mastery of
Necromancy, the Giovanni have close associations
with the Restless Dead of the Shadowlands. The
Giovanni use wraiths as informants, servitors, spies,
and other, even darker purposes. However, none are
more utilized than the Guild known as Haunters.
Haunters practice a power, or Arcanos, called
Pandemonium, which causes strange effects in the
Skinlands (like bleeding walls, plagues of insects,
moving furniture, etc.) Haunters are often used by
young Giovanni in their rivalries with one another,
and those with a particular mastery over
Necromancy often induce Haunters to foil their
enemies’ efforts, both within the clan, and without.
Elder Giovanni and Old Haunters, however, are