From MST

Contents 1 Blagoveshchensk 2 Real World Blagoveshchensk History 3 Blagoveshchensk in the World of Darkness 3.1 Who's Who 3.2 Customs and Rules 3.3 Prehistory & Roman Rule, to approx 600 c.e. 3.4 Medieval Era, 600 c.e. to 1500 c.e. 3.5 The Renaissance, 1500 c.e. to 1700 c.e. 3.6 Age of Enlightenment, 1700 c.e. to 1915 c.e. 3.7 The Great War and World War II, 1915 c.e. to 1945 c.e. 3.8 Modern Day, 1945 c.e. to Present 3.9 Rumors

Blagoveshchensk

Real World Blagoveshchensk History

Please be careful when adding real-world information to this wiki page. The Dark Places Wiki is designed mostly as a resource for IC information. The brief history below is included primarily to give players inspiration for their characters.

Blagoveshchensk is a unique city in that it has been owned by both Chinese and Russians during different periods of time. It is only 110 km away from the Russia/China border. It was first settled by Russians in 1644, and turned into a military outpost in 1856, when it was called Ust-Zeya.

During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, the city was shelled for two weeks straight. It was eventually saved - ostensibly by miraculous forces. After the victory of the Cossacks and local police over the Boxers, ethnic Chinese living in the city were rounded up and forced to return over the Amur River to China. Many were forced into the river at gunpoint, and it's estimated approximately 3,000 people drowned on that day.

Later, during the Cultural Revolution, the city was subjected to Maoist propaganda being blasted at them from loudspeakers across the river. Blagoveshchensk and it's sister-city across the river, Heihe, eventually formed a free trade agreement. Russians and Chinese pass easily through the borders.

Currently, Blagoveshchensk is also home to the Amur State University.

Blagoveshchensk in the World of Darkness

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3,000 people - already terrified and near starvation - were driven by equally terrified and angry people into the Amur River and drowned on one day. Such a mark on the landscape does not easily fade, and most of the 3,000 ghosts created on that day still persist in the area. Those supernaturals who are especially attuned to spirits claim these river-ghosts are in constant conflict with another spirit, much more powerful.

Who's Who

(Include in this section a list of notable supernatural residents, past and present. For particular populous cities, this section may be divided by venue.)

Customs and Rules

(Include in this section a list of customs and rules which would be known to supernaturals. I.E., if the Prince has strict feeding laws or if the Summer King of the Freehold demands tribute from each visitor).

Prehistory & Roman Rule, to approx 600 c.e.

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(Feel free to customize this section according to the specific history of the city in question. This section is primarily intended to chart how PCs have interacted with the city)

Medieval Era, 600 c.e. to 1500 c.e.

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The Renaissance, 1500 c.e. to 1700 c.e.

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Age of Enlightenment, 1700 c.e. to 1915 c.e.

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• 1864: Afanasii, a potent Kindred, decides to haven in a cave on a mountain overlooking the city. [R]

The Great War and World War II, 1915 c.e. to 1945 c.e.

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Modern Day, 1945 c.e. to Present

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• 2008: (March) Circle of the Crone missionaries representing a cult to Hecate begin using the Vinculum to rapidly convert locals. Soon aware of this, but not understanding the matter fully, Orthodox priests & paritioners begin attempting exorcisms of the cult's new converts. Henri des Monte approaches a few of these priests, hoping to negotiate a peace. For his trouble, he is sent away doused in holy water. Issues with the local Orthodox Priests later calm due to the efforts of mortal cult members. After using Cruac to identify the monster locals claim is living in the woods overlooking the city, Grigori decides not to provoke Afanasii, letting the powerful Kindred keep the mountain as a personal Domain. [R]
• 2008: (April) Grigori can be said to have become Kindred Prince of Blagoveshchensk. Rhinehart Dragolescu performs in-depth studies of possible local Wyrm's Nests, particularly the vast region of ghosts anchored under the river. Grigori, Rhinehart Dragolescu, Henri desMonte, & Prytania have solidly established control over the local air-shipping industry. [R]

Rumors

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• The Church of the Aununciation in the city contains a relic to which is anchored a powerful spirit. This spirit, the city's protector, is responsible for the defeat of the Boxers in 1900. If the relic is ever removed and the spirit's power broken, the 3,000 ghosts anchored to the Amur River will overwhelm the city, turning it into a hotspot for Claimed and other Ridden.