Zadkiel Renaron, The Abyss Mystic

Zadkiel’s history extends long beforl his birth. When Spain and Portugal expelled thei Sephardic Jewish populations, many Sephardim fled tc Brazil, where they discovered that country’s diamonc mines. Later, Portugal purged Brazil in turn. The re-exilec Jews moved to the Low Countries and New York, bringin! the diamond trade with them. This time, however, thc Portuguese missed a few Sephardim who pretended tc convert to Roman Catholicism. A few false converso stayed in the diamond trade and became very rich. Zadkie was born to a family of these “hidden Jews.” His family’ wealth enabled him to seek a first-rate education iI Holland ostensibly as a lawyer, but also as a rabbi. Another group fled Iberia along with the Sephardim At about the same time, the Sabbat Lasombra tightenec theirgriponthe1beriannight.SomeofthenascentLasombc antitribu hid among other exiles to establish lineages ir Brazil. One such lineage chose Zadkiel for his erudition. The Schichiriel lineage followed an abyssal version o le mystical Kabbalah, which was itself another exDor CMPTERTHRLE: 55 with the Sephardim. Kabbalism speaks of 10 “emanations” that manifest aspects of the otherwise unknowable Godhead. Forevery light, however, there is a shadow. One school of kabbalism posits that each positive emanation from God creates a corresponding negative emanation of sin, evil and unbeing. The Schichiriel, the Black Ones of God, pursued mystic comprehension of divinity through these negative emanations or qlippoth, for they believed that God contained all evil as well as all good. The Sabbat found South America difficult to invade, in part because of the Lasombra unticribu. In 1803, however, a Lasombra came to Brazil who could match the untiwibu in cunning and exceed them at lies. Charles Delmare, sixth Cainite to attempt the cardinalcy of South America, deceived the Schichiriel and destroyed them. Zadkiel alone survived by selling himself to Charles. The grim rabbi served the Sabbat cardinal throughout his tenure as faithfully as Montan0 served the Lasombra Antediluvian, some said. When Charles’ junta broke up in the aftermath of the third Sabbat civil war, Charles left his advisor in Brazil. Several years later, however, Zadkiel came to Mexico City on his own. In the ensuing decades, Charles found no reason to suppose that his former advisor resented being cast aside. Zadkiel became Mexico City’s leading teacher of abyss mysticism, andaspiritual advisor to youngandoldlasombra. Zadkiel rarely involves himself in Sabbat politics and eschews Jyhad. He speaks only to defend the interests of other Cainites who prefer mysticism to fighting the Camarilla. Other Lasombra awarded him a bishop’s recognition simply because they thought a Keeper of his age and power should own a title. Zadkiel himself uses no title except “rabbi.” He and Ehin Sortano feel a cool, distant solidarity because of their teaching roles and neutrality in sect politics. The abyss mystic is not an easy Cainite to find as he stalks the city as a shadow. The persistent seeker finds Zadkiel ready to counsel any Cainite (Sabbat or otherwise) who suffers under the burden of undeath. Zadkiel explains the Shadow Side of God. He teaches the Path of Night in all its forms, and knows enough about other Paths to counsel their followers as well.