V
Chicago by Night
ST Toolkit
  • Dashboard
  • Characters
  • Facts
  • Relationships
  • Map
  • Chronicles
  • Reference
  • Tools
VTM 5e · Chicago by Night
DashboardCharactersFactsRelationshipsMap
Chicago by Night
Characters/SIERRA VAN BURRACE
LasombraCamarilla
Portrait of SIERRA VAN BURRACE

SIERRA VAN BURRACE

Ruthless Negotiator

“So let's get down to brass tacks, shall we? I have money and your business is failing. Drop your posturing masculinity and let's discuss how you are going to help me profit.”

Facts at a Glance

View in browser

Secret(1)

Vulnerability(1)

Knowledge(1)

Sierra suspects Alan Sovereign is the true author of Prince Jackson's correspondence.

Asset(2)

She owns the Diamond Yama Hotel and several Japanese business interests.

Sierra employs two ghouls, Mr. Beazley and Mr. Warde, with Sabbat experience.

Threat(1)

She is known for swift, violent retaliation against sexism.

Alliance(1)

Sierra is the childe of Talley and remains deeply loyal to him.

Conflict(2)

She shares a bitter rivalry with her 'brother-in-vitae,' Malenkov.

Sierra deplores the Yoshitomi Group Yakuza ring in Chicago.

Goal(3)

Sierra is the official Lasombra delegate negotiating the clan's entry into the Chicago Camarilla.

She aims to expand her hotel chain into havens for Camarilla Kindred.

Sierra is actively digging for dirt on Jason Newberry to use as leverage.

Quirk(1)

Sierra struggles with 'uncanny valley' behaviors like forgetting to breathe.

13 of 13 facts shown

Chosen Delegate

Sierra has been sent to Chicago by her elders as a point of contact with the Camarilla. She is to continue negotiations with those in Chicago who would be integral to the transition of Clan Lasombra to the sect. She fully intends to deliver on the Amici Noctis' will, no matter the cost.

Rooms Without a View

Sierra has a personal goal within the city of Chicago as well. She wants to expand her hotel chain, which her pack-mates never rated as an investment of value. If she can successfully integrate into the Camarilla it will open up multiple doors for her business, as hotel rooms doubling as temporary vampire havens could earn her a fortune. The Ventrue and Toreador have a tight grip on the service industry in Chicago, but she is confident she can work out an agreement.

Gathering Dirt

Sierra knows there are several Chicago Camarilla with questionable loyalties. She has been looking for any information she might be able to use to gain leverage for her clan. She does not hesitate to use her connections to gather this information, and is close to pinpointing a few of these Kindred. She has been careful to cover her tracks, knowing she could easily disappear. She currently seeks incriminating information on Jason Newberry, if any is available, and he has grown wise to her probing, positioning the Malkavian Primogen completely against Lasombra admission to the city, let alone the sect.

TalleyMawla 4, Respect

Sierra's closest relationship is with her sire, Talley. While he lurks on Chicago's periphery, she doesn't believe he'll be entering the negotiations. She respects his cool pragmatism and ability to adapt when survival is at stake, and while unbound, would still act to defend his life if it were at risk.

MalenkovRivalry

Sierra cannot stand Talley's other childe, Malenkov. He brags about his "singlehanded" assault on New York that left the Camarilla in pieces, and his subsequent defense of the domain that would have succeeded had "Polonia not gotten cold feet." She mockingly refers to him as Leonidas due to his pomposity, and seriously worries his ego might cost the Lasombra their chance with the Ivory Tower.

Jason NewberryTarget

In her attempts to put hooks in Chicago ahead of her arrival, Sierra's been digging in to some of Jason Newberry's crimes. His activities appall even her, but she requires evidence before presenting her findings to Prince Jackson.

Kevin JacksonFormal

Sierra reached out to Prince Jackson before traveling to Chicago and was met with a cordial, curious response she believes Alan Sovereign penned. She believes she knows how to win Jackson's favor, but doubts she'll get more than a single shot.

Quick Stats

Sire
Talley
Embraced
1998 (Born 1970)
Generation
8th
Blood Potency
2
Humanity
4

Attributes

Physical

Strength
2
Dexterity
2
Stamina
2

Social

Charisma
3
Manipulation
4
Composure
2

Mental

Intelligence
4
Wits
3
Resolve
4
Health5
Willpower6

Skills

Physical

Firearms
Larceny
Melee

Social

Etiquette (Boardroom)
Insight
Intimidation
Leadership
Persuasion (Negotiation)
Subterfuge

Mental

Awareness
Finance (Hotel Operation)
Occult

Disciplines

Dominate
▶1Compel

Issue a single command.

No rolls are needed when the target is an unprepared mortal. However, mortals who have been Dominated in this scene already or this goes against their nature may roll to resist.

Pool: Charisma + Dominate

Duration: No more than one scene

As a ruthless negotiator and corporate leader, Sierra likely uses single-word commands to maintain her authority and efficiency in the boardroom.

▶2Mesmerize

Issue complex commands.

No rolls are needed when the target is an unprepared mortal. However, if this goes against their nature they may roll to resist.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Pool: Manipulation + Dominate

Duration: Until command is carried out or the scene ends

Sierra is described as gathering influence and pulling strings, which requires the ability to implant complex instructions into the minds of her mortal business associates.

Fortitude
▶1Unswayable Mind

Add Fortitude rating to rolls to resist methods to sway the character's mind against their will including supernatural.

Her narrative emphasizes her refusal to let anyone diminish her self-worth and her sire's encouragement of a 'mind unclouded' and self-control.

▶2Toughness

Subtract the Fortitude rating from all superficial damage taken before halving, it cannot be rounded down below one.

This occurs before halving the damage but cannot reduce it below one.

Cost: One Rouse Check

Duration: One scene

As a former member of the Sabbat who survived the 'bloodlust and carnage' of the sect, she possesses the standard physical resilience expected of a survivor.

▶3Fortify the Inner Façade

Increasing the Difficulty of mental powers to read or pierce the mind by half of the Fortitude Rating.

If the rules allow them to resist, they add their Fortitude rating to their pool instead.

Duration: One scene

Sierra is a 'walking Mask' who is careful to cover her tracks and gather dirt on others while keeping her own secrets hidden from supernatural probing.

Oblivion
▶1Shadow Cloak

+2 bonus to stealth rolls and intimidation against mortals.

This power provides a bonus to intimidation, fitting her reputation for 'quick retribution' and her preference for conducting operations from the shadows.

▶2Shadow Cast

Conjure shadows from the user's body.

The shadow can be extended up to twice the user's Oblivion rating in yards/meters. Those standing in the shadow take more Willpower damage from social conflict

Cost: One Rouse Check

Duration: One scene

As she lacks the Potence required for Arms of Ahriman, this power allows her to manipulate the environment and maintain the unsettling Lasombra presence.

Presence
▶1Awe

Add Presence rating to any Skill roll involving Persuasion, Performance, or Charisma related rolls as per ST discretion.

Once the power wears off the victim reverts to their original opinions.

Duration: One scene or until ended by the user

Sierra intends to 'always look striking' and believes first impressions matter, using her supernatural allure to command respect in elite social circles.

▶2Lingering Kiss

Usable during feedings, the victim gains a bonus to Social attribute for one night.

A withdrawal follows where the victim takes a penalty equal to the original bonus when not actively working towards the next fix. It cannot be used on those under a Blood Bond. Unbondable cannot take this discipline power.

Duration: Number of nights equal to the user's Presence rating

This fits the rumors that she manipulates Prince Jackson through more than just words and her habit of enthralling men who underestimate her.

Ambition

Have the Lasombra accepted within the Camarilla of Chicago

Convictions

  • I will never show weakness

Touchstones

  • Asako Aiko — beloved grandmother residing in the Autumn Health Retirement Community

Locations

Japanese Business InterestsHaven