She also was able to control the shadows, similar to the Lasombra's ability. Ramano, content with the explanation but weary, ordered Santiago to keep her under close observation. A relationship began between the two that would become more serious with time.

It was close to this time that forces external to the domain, angry and jealous with the amount of control the Lasombra possessed in the region, plotted against Ramano. Doug Clark, part of a new catorie in Suburban Maryland known as the NWO conceived a plan with which to disgrace Ramano's standing within the Camarilla and to destabilize his power. Kidnapping an operative from the hunter group known as “The Inquisition” he ghouled him and game his knowledge of individuals within North Virginia and Ramano in particular. He told this ghoul to get close to Ramano and attempt to get him to divulge as much information as he could.

While the ghoul's initial attempts to do such failed, Clark used the popular hatred and distrust that many had for Ramano against him and made claims that he had given the Ghoul a wealth of information, knowing fully his background as a hunter, thereby breaching the masquerade. With no facts in evidence, nor anything to back up these accusations, he brought this information to several Justicars, known to be publicly against any kindred not of the founding 7 clans of the Camarilla.

Despite the fact that they knew of Clark's lie, and that Ramano had done no wrong, they opted to convict him of the charges (ironically in Ramano's absence) during a conclave held in Chicago and declared a global blood hunt upon him.

With obvious dissatisfaction from the majority of Kindred citizens over this ruling, Other, more ranking members of the Justicars ordered an investigation to be undertaken in which the true guilt of Ramano del Armago would be established. Justicar Cztarinov of Nosferatu was sent out to question Ramano himself.

Unable to find any hint of deception on Ramano's part, nor able to accept the truth that Ramano was indeed innocent, Cztarinov opted to have him placed under his direct ordeal. He was stripped of all but 1 status and placed under a 3-month ordeal to Justicar Cztarinov.

20

History of the Del Armago Family in America

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