Newcomers to Dystopia Rising New York may hear a number of new words - “Family,” “Fold,” “High Lord Executioner.” Requiem features a host of persistent non-player characters and unique customs that let players immerse themselves in the setting. To help you with these features, we’ve put together this primer: Requiem 101.
Sir Isaac surveys Requiem. Photo: Allana Marie. Pictured: Kc Lofold
What Is Requiem?
Requiem is the trade town in the heart of the Fold - a territory that corresponds to what was once upstate New York. The Fold was a place for people to go when they’d been run out of other places, usually for criminal activities. These expats formed small groups that controlled small territories in the Fold; because they were (mostly) a bunch of criminals, they called these groups Families.
To coexist, these Families created the town of Requiem and signed the Treaty of the Fold. This set of laws governs them, and binds them to the will of the High Lord Executioner, who has the final say on matters of life and death. Over the years, Requiem has changed locations, but its purpose remains the same: this is where the Families come to do business and settle scores.
Who Are The Families?
The Treaty of Fold recognizes two kinds of families: Patron and Ward. According to the Treaty of the Fold, there can be up to 13 Patron Families, who control territory in Requiem. In addition, Ward Families - smaller families who don’t yet qualify as Patron Families - can align themselves under the protection of Patron Families. As of October 2021, there are eight Patron Families:
The Anastasia Dynasty - Led by Anton Anastasia, the High Lord Executioner, this openly criminal family dominates the politics of Requiem.
The Boon-Helm Collective - A collection of masked maniacs, cannibals, and torture artists led by Polaris, a pure blood with advanced bad brain.
The Brokentooth Clan - The Brokentooth Clan generally dwells in Requiem proper, and thrives upon the trade driven by the town. Their family head is Salt (note: this is a PC Patron Family).
The Jones “Secular” Congregation - The laws of Requiem ban the open practice of religion, hence the “secular” nature of this family, named for their cult leader, Jones.”
The Molon Collective - Outsiders, loners, and recluses led by Keres Molon, the Collective possesses a psionic connection to the Gravemind and a drive to “protect” it.
The Volkov - Information brokers (or less charitably, spies), the Volkovs never appear in public unless fully masked, following the example of their founder, Seraphis Volkov.
The Warren Collective - “Let’s make a deal.” The fixers, brokers and smugglers of Requiem, founded and led by Jack Warren, this Family focuses on profit above all else.
The Zodiac Order - Named for its founder, Zodiac, this family’s mission is its “research.” Unfortunately, their research focuses on the creation and control of the undead.
What Are the Laws of Requiem?
The Treaty of the Fold gives the High Lord Executioner the powers of a dictator in Requiem, and so the laws are subject to change at any time. You can find a full list of the laws here, however, there’s a few well-known laws you should remember.
Preaching is outlawed in Requiem, except for a few exceptions, and then only in private.
If a citizen of Requiem is murdered, the killer shall be killed. If a Family Member is murdered, the killer and one of their closest associates will be killed.
Once a year, the laws of Requiem are suspended during a time called Honor’s Fall.
What is Honor’s Fall?
The last thing in our Requiem 101 primer is an introduction to Honor’s Fall. During the last full month of summer, there will be one night when all laws and protections of the Treaty of the Fold will be suspended. This annual bloodbath prevents vendettas and other feuds from destroying the alliance for the rest of the year. During Honor’s Fall, some Families disappear, others rise, and the social order of Requiem resets.
In the coming months, we’ll expand on the Families, Honor’s Fall, and the Treaty of the Fold in this blog. For latest updates, follow us on Facebook at Dystopia Rising New York.