In Nomine: Detroit
Tethers


The Detroit area is rife with potential and minor Tethers, but most of the potential sources of Essense don't seem to last long. They just don't seem to "stick." Some Superiors, however, have managed to gain a steady source of power in the Detroit area. And, while there may be any number of small, temporary Tethers to Heaven or Hell at any given moment, listed below are the Tethers that matter. Because of the tenuous nature of Detroit Metro area Tethers, many of the minor gateways to the celestial realms do not have Seneschal, and only a handful of Seneschals are Word-Bound to their Tether.

The Host

Assumption Grotto Catholic Church (The Sword)
Seneschal: Kendra, Seraph of The Sword
Assumption Grotto Catholic Church is the second oldest Catholic church in Detroit. The church serves as a community leader, place of worship and is Michigan's home to the Knights of Columbus. While the church is a strong Tether and a shining example for Laurence, it's actually The Sword's second major Tether that was founded in Detroit. The first, Saint Anne's Church, was corrupted by Infernal forces in the late 1800's and eventually was turned into a Hellbound Tether. Kendra, Seraph Seneschal of Assumption Grotto strives not only to make her post a beacon of light in Detroit, but also to ensure that what happened to Saint Anne's doesn't happen here.

Cranbrook Gardens (Flowers)
Seneshal: Lael, Ofanite of Flowers
In Bloomfield Hills, a northwest suburb of Detroit, resides Cranbrook Gardens, Metro Detroit's oldest surviving manor home. Cranbrook founders George Gough Booth and Ellen Scripps Booth commissioned the finest artisans, craftsmen and studios of the period to furnish the house with handcrafted furniture, tapestries, tiles, stained and leaded glass, and other works of fine and decorative art many of which can still be seen on tour today. The house itself is surrounded by 40 acres of well-kept gardens. Even at its busiest, the gardens can bring a sense of ease and peace to all but the hardest human. The tether itself isn't that strong, but its loved by Lael, Chief Gardener and Seneshal and is often used for angelic meetings.

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (Animals)
Seneschal: Rrrogh, Malakite of Animals
The first International Wildlife Refuge in North America, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge was bound in December 2001 and quickly became one of the strongest Tethers in the region. The refuge includes islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals, and riverfront lands along 48 miles of the Detroit River and western Lake Erie. The Tether itself is deep within one of the larger islands of the refuge. The refuge is protected from threats by Rrrogh--which roughly translates to "Dog who runs with wolves." He doesn't often have to deal with humans, but when he does they can call him "Charley." While the Tether provides a strong supply of Essense to Jordi, it isn't often used by any angels who don't serve the Archangel of Animals.

Detroit River Walk (Dreams)
Seneschal: Elisa, Menunite of Dreams
A young Tether, the Detroit River Walk was opened to the public in June 2007. The river walk runs five and a half miles along the river, from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle, and is decorated with park benches, piers and pavillions. Added to the city's riverfront, the river walk not only brings hopes that Detroit will host the Olympics in 2020, but also of overall revitalization. It's a symbol of bright dreams for the city and, if cared for, may have the potential to be the city's strongest Tether. The Seneschal is Elisa, one of the few Meununim to ever hold such a high position.

Guardian Building (Judgment)
Seneschal: Cochmael, Cherub of Judgment
Cochmael was originally the Seneschal of the Wayne County Building, which was established as a Tether to Dominic's own seat of Judgment in 1902. The Tether was running smoothly and fairly and Cochmael was confident in his position. Then, in 2007, it was decided that the county needed more room for its proceedings and moved to the Guardian Building. The Tether, which was thought to be stable, moved with the city and, in a sudden and nearly unprecedented case of Word-shift, Cochmael moved with it. The move crippled the Tether and put its Seneschal into a state of shock, but the Cherub believes that, with time, it will return to full strength--barring too much Infernal intervention.

The Henry Ford (Lightning)
Seneschal: Thaddeus, Mercurian of Lightning
Henry Ford, longtime friend of Thomas Edison, brought high ideals of consumerism, combining assembly-line mass production with high wages. This philosophy came to be known as Fordism. The Henry Ford museum in a western suburb of Detroit not only displays the ideals of Henry Ford, but also his collection of history and items which sparked imagination and change, often for the better. When the Tether first appeared it wavered between many domains before angels of Lightning stabilized the Locus to Jean's Cathedral. A strong Tether, it is tended to by the Mercurian, Thaddeus who, amongst his duties, also offers tours to both tourists and visiting angels alike.

Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (War)
Seneschal: August, Kyrotate of War
In the heart of downtown, situated within the traffic circle of the intersection of Woodward Avenue, Michigan Avenue, Monroe Street, Fort Street, and Cadillac Square, is the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. Established in 1865 and stabilized in 1866, the monument is one of the oldest Tethers is not only amongst the strongest, but is also the oldest Tether in Detroit's volatile and sporadic Tether history. This is, in part, due to August, a Kyriotate who helps convince the population to keep it updated and relevant. Even while Infernals seemed to own the city, the monument stood mighty--much to the chagrin of Hell's forces. There have been many attempts to destroy the Tether, but, as of yet, all have remained unsuccessful.

Michigan Theater (Creation)
Seneschal: Ea, Elohite of Creation
Commissioned as a concert hall/movie house in 1926, the massive Michigan Theater has changed hands and purposes many times in the past 82 years. It's served its original purpose, but has also been a nightclub, rock stage and even hosted a hockey game! Partially demolished in 1976, the Tether lost much of its strength, especially when converted to a parking garage. Ea, its Elohite Seneshal managed to save much of the ornate structure to inspire parkers, but also arranges clandestine youth rallys, such as raves and rap face-offs (as seen in the movie "8-Mile"), keeping the Tether intact and a haven for new types of Creation--however hindered.

Plum Street (Dead Tether to Flowers)
Ex-Seneschal: Jubal, Malakite of Flowers
In the mid-1960's, during the height of the "Flower Power" movement, school teacher Robert Cobb sought to create the Midwest's version of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury, a Mecca for the hippie movement. Purchasing property in a small neighborhood outside of downtown Detroit, Plum Street was created and, for a while, Novalis had a massively powerful Tether in Detroit proper--specifically on the corner of Fifth Street and Plum Street, the gateway to this arts-enthusiastic, peace loving community. In just a few short years, though, the Tether was taken down blow by blow, in police harassment, drug use and, finally, it was shattered on July 23, 1967 in what came to be known as the 12th Street Riot. The Malakite Seneshal, Jubal fought hard against his Tether's destruction, but was unsuccessful. Dead Tethers in Detroit, are not uncommon, but Jubal--unlike most Ex-Seneshals--still remains, trying to rebuild the Tether before he fades away and refusing to set aside his duties.

back to top

---

The Horde

152nd Street Warehouse (Theft)
Seneschal: Lucrecia, Lilim of Theft
Nestled in one of Detroit's warehouse districts is a Tether to Theft. In this particular warehouse stolen cars are brought in and "processed." As well as being a chop shop, it's a haven and hang-out for a small circle of thieves and miscreants and is one of the most secret Tethers in the area. Even the few angels of Janus who enter the place (to fence their own stolen goods) realize it leads straight into Valefor's section of Hell. This is partially due to the Lilim Seneschal, Lucrecia cashed in a number of geases and got into debt herself, to buffer its presence from celestial detection. Not even many demons know of the place and Lucrecia likes it that way. If you know about it, you can use it for shelter or to get rid of hot items. Beware, though; everything at the 152nd Street Warehouse comes at a price.

Berberen Party Store (Fire)
The tradition of Devil's Night predates the 1940s, and was a night of mischief and mild criminal behavior. Corz, Demon of Devil's Night served Kobal well, promoting humor at the expense of everything else. All until the 1970's, when Belial's strongest Tether in Detroit was brought on by an escalation of Devil's Night acts to include arson. When Devil's Night was associated more with arson than petty vandalism, the Seneschal of Berberen Party Store--a building ravaged by the fires of arson--decided that he needed to include the night itself into his being if he wanted a Word. The Calabite Maiphiat destroyed Corz, petitioned for and was granted the Word Devil's Night. Over the years, the Tether has been weakened by both human and angel-led crackdowns, but still sustains a steady supply of Essence to Belial, especially on October 30th.

Hobby Bar (Factions)
Seneschal: Della, Djinn of Factions
In the late 1960's a speakeasy was raided by vice squad offices and, due to racial and economic tensions of the time, turned into one of the most destructive riots in history. The 12th Street Riot of 1967 resulted in 483 fires, 231 incidents reported per hour, and about 1800 arrests. As well as being the turning point to the downfall of Novalis's Plum Street Tether, it also created a Tether to Factions, on the spot where a black man was shot by a white police officer in the midst of the events. These days, history of the riots keeps the tether strong and its Seneschal, Della, simply serves beer. Its all she needs to do.

Kercheval Korner Store (Drugs)
Seneschal: Sam, Balseraph of Drugs
During the 1980's the Chamber Brothers Gang heavily involved in the distribution of crack cocaine in the Detroit Metro area. One of their larger distribution facilities was at an unassuming convenience store, which, eventually, formed a weak Tether to Drugs. The eventual bust of the gang only strengthened the Tether, thanks to achieving national recognition. It was boosted again President Bill Clinton used the incident in part of his denouncement of former first lady Nancy Reagan's anti-drug policy. The store has changed ownership and management a few times over the past two decades, but, to update its relevance, crack cocaine and other drug sales have once again resumed their place in the corner store, thanks to its Balseraph Seneschal, Sam.

Michigan UFOs Organization (Fate)
Seneschal: Bagdal, Impudite of Fate
The headquarters of the Michigan UFOs Organization is in the basement of Ted Burgley. It's also where a server message board sits, a message board that gets over one hundred thousand hits per day. In some places, this wouldn't be enough to form a Tether to anything. But, in Detroit, a Tether nexus, some demons of Fate managed to help push the organization over the edge and help form a Tether, which Kronos utilizes. The Seneschal, Bagdal, has replaced Ted Burgley and manages not only monthly meetings in the house, but also a centralized network of people fascinated with the idea of aliens--so fascinated that they are kept from their Destinies and, if properly motivated, steered toward their Fate.

MotorCity Casino (Greed)
Seneschal: Joy, Habbalah of Greed
MotorCity Casino was one of the first casinos built for the purpose of revitalizing Detroit. Completed in 1999, the Tether could have stabilized in any number of places, but was steered towards Mammom's Bank, as people were offered big wins and large takes. Many of the initial casino visitors sacrificed much of their time and priorities as they went on streak after streak, and, in their greed, forgot the classic adage: in the end, the house always wins. Run by the Habbalite Seneschal, Joy, MotorCity Casino fulfills multiple purposes. Not only does it act as a Tether, fueling Greed, but it also gives Mammom a nice cut of the final winnings.

Saint Anne's Church (The Game)
Seneschal: Kafkefoni, Shedite of The Game
One of Heaven's biggest losses and Hell's best triumphs in the Midwest in the early 1900's was the corruption of Saint Anne's Church. One of the first buildings constructed in Detroit and the first house of worship, Saint Anne de Detroit was once a Tether to The Sword, slicing hard into the heartland of Ethereal Tethers. Then, about 200 years later, when the church was no longer the only Catholic church in town, a pastor began to play the game--the game of numbers. Concerned with a dwindling audience, and, therefore, dwindling cashflow (due in part to seeds of thought planted by a young Shedite by the name of Kafkefoni), he began focusing on the large Italian immigrant population. And, in deft manuevering by accidental human hands and purposeful demonic hands, the church was silently corrupted and its Seneschal was slain. Now, Saint Anne's Church focuses on the Hispanic demographic, but it still plays the numbers gain. And the Shedite that helped start it all is still around, rewarded with a position of Seneschal.

back to top

---

The Marches

Belle Isle
Seneschal: The Snake Goddess of Belle Isle
Northeast of downtown Detroit, at the edge of the Detroit River Walk lies Belle Isle. Unbeknownst to most celestials, it is home of the Snake Goddess of Belle Isle and the last Ethereal Tether in Detroit. The island itself is well-cultivated and includes a botanical garden, zoo and wide-ranging park space. Sometimes picnickers on the island will encounter a beautiful white doe, they report the doe shyly observes them from behind trees and brush, but when approached bounds off. It's said that just as the doe disappears from sight, she transforms into a beautiful Native American maiden. Deep in the heart of this island, far from prying eyes, worship of the Snake Goddess still occurs by ancestors of Chippewa and Ottawa Native American tribes. Tribute is payed to all their gods and, for the Snake Goddess, and those that were not purged by Uriel's Crusade, Essence is received.

back to top