[actual play] Vampire the Requiem- Manchester - The Two Thrones

Story 4: Seed

It had been around two weeks since the mass destruction of Kindred of the Lancea Sanctum and the Circle of the Crone. Emergeny meetings had been called by the Chairman, and the Constable and his bailiffs had been working over time to quell disputes over territory. This had left the resources of the Constable stretched, and considering that Galen owed him, he had drafted in the Mekhet vampire to do some spying on certain more volatile anarch vampires in the city.

Galen of course had been conducting is own research into Persian Jinn, and the demon he was certain was now haunting him. Galen was going through a change of heart, a moment of self realization, that his pursuit of nothingness, of being empty of emotion and care, to be free of his mortality, was the very thing that had brought him to this moment and opened him up to the corruption of this demon. But he now had a name for the monster - Hyaninai. Or was it Hilyaish. He was not sure but the demon names fitted what he had experienced so far.

Galen was now looking for a way to reconnect with his humanity and the world, and so had recently ghouled a university student, a biology student who would be of some use. As for the Mithraeum, Galen never returned, instead choosing to block it up once more.

Tristan was of course more preoccupied with the club. There was a need to have the club up and running again soon as it would once more provide a distraction for the younger kindred of the city, and in turn diffuse the tension between the Carthians and the Invictus. Of course the club was almost finished in the renovations, thanks to the funding provided by the Invictus Judex, Lord Peter Hawkins, Viscount of the North of Manchester.

Tristan's ghoul, Carl, was of course fully recovered, and so together the two were involved in the running of Elysium as the Constable and his men were preccupied with more violent problems.

Given the current problems with the unrest in the city the Constable met with Galen and Tristan. He needed their aid to deal with a potential masquerade breach in the south of the city, in Longsight. A group of anarchs seem to be the same group that are behind a mounting number of disappearances in the area. Worse still is that their territory bordered that of Natalia Kerkoft, the Invictus Viscountess of the south of Manchester.

Galen and Tristan made their way to the haven of these anarchs, and it was a place Galen already knew of, and had noted that in the recent nights had only seen the one vampires coming and going. It was a strange moment to do so, but Galen confessed to Tristan that months earlier he had stolen some money from the club. Tristan brushed it off, that it did not matter, especially now.

Together Galen and Tristan headed to the abandoned office block, a building only 4 stories high, and on the street side hosted boarded up shops at the ground level. The two made their way to the read of the building and made their way in. The place was clearly a place for junkies to hangout, and there was litter, decaying food, the smell of rat piss and the vague hint of old blood. The pair of vampires headed down into the basement, and found the boiler room. Within were over a dozen bodies, all in a range of states of decomposition. They were all brutally mauled and covered in bites. Vampire bites. There were also three vampires among their number, their skin stretch and crumbling over their bones. They had also been drained.

Tristan felt something slick under his foot, and lifted it. The bloody membrane stretched up of the floor. It was partly translucent and smelt of bile. A streak of yellow-brown mucus led to the plumbing room, and within they found a uncovered manhole and the body of a further vampire. His mouth had been wrenched open, and his neck had a huge bite upon it, made up of concentric circles of teeth marks.

Rather go into the tunnels without support or some sort of information on the area, Galen called the Constable to arrange a cleanup, and together with Tristan they headed to the canals and to take their normal route through undercity to the meeting chamber, and to the Nosferatu mayor of the undercity, Nails.

Within the chamber, illuminated by drums filled with burning wood, numerous outcast vampire were gambling, bartering and chatting. Some were feeding on some homeless person they had dragged into the darkness. While waiting for Nails to finish his business, Tristan had a tap on the shoulder. He turned to find before him, the ragged goth, and ex-coterie member, Thessaly. She was not alone. With her was her grand-sire and master, the almost goblinoid looking Nosferatu, the master of the Cult of Cernnunos, Magus Gregor. The vile ancient being conversed with Tristan and Galen, listening to their issues, and explaining that he was worried that there those among the Carthians seeking to see the Chairman ousted. While he has no love for the Chairman, he would like to see the Carthians remain in power as any collapse would see the Lancea make a run for power. Tristan and Galen were happy to hear this support from one of the oldest vampires in the city.

Speaking with Nails revealed that similar vampires had been spotted in the sewers, and that one area they had made their haven stank of death and decay. He had so far asked others to keep away from those vampires until he had figured out what they were doing. But  Nails had noticed their auras were different, something Galen had spotted some few nights back with the other coterie. It was that they were confused, and desperately hungry.

[actual play] Vampire the Requiem - Manchester - The Two Thrones

Episode 3: The Fire Rises

Part 5

Galen waited in the car he had taken from the now dead Rachel Witten. There was a tap on the window, and the familiar, black robed figure of Constable Ihrem stood there. His eyes blazed a in human blue, and his beard was long and wiry. The Constable sat in the passenger seat and discussed the events of the night with Galen. He explained that he and his men were now severely overworked as they would be now fighting to keep the peace between the Lancea Sanctum and the Circle of the Crone. Galen was asked to hand over any evidence that might help in diffusing the situation, but considering the heresies that circle the Cult of Mithras it would be difficult for either side to back down. The Constable also warned that Galen was making a habit of Amaranth, and that he would now be watching him even closer. Especially given the taint that was in his aura.
The next day Galen arrived at the apartment block where Tristan had made his haven. Tristan had been busy. Using his ghouls he had staked out the location of the hunters, the same place the Ordo Dracul had given him. The ghouls had gone one better, and taken the opportunity to kidnap one of the hunters who was now in the basement of the apartment block.
In the dark and damp basement, on a wooden chair, bloody and beaten, was tied the hunter. The ghouls had already made a mess of him. But these were superficial injuries. The long night of pain was about to begin. Tristan took his time, pulling the man’s finger nails out, and after each kissed and licked the blood from the ragged stumps. Once those were gone, Tristan’s friend, the Gangrel, Chuck, took to punching the man, trying to get every bit of information from him. But he did not give in. Galen could hardly watch as the man was battered, and the chamber echoed with each wet slap of flesh on flesh.
Galen took charge of the questioning, seeking to try calm the man and act his confessor. As calm as possible he spoke to the man, offering a cigarette and water. But the questioning only got so far. The hunter looked on horrified. To his eyes Galen was a noseless, snarling, hellion. The man screamed as he looked on, crying for God’s forgiveness. Chuck, not wanting to take risks, knocked the man out.

Over the course of the questioning it became clear that the hunters had been sent by another vampire, and Tristan guessed it must be one of the Invictus. But things had already spiralled out of control. On the news the police had surrounded the house that the hunters were occupying. The news reported that it was a raid on terrorists, a paramilitary ultra-nationalist Irish group. It seemed to Tristan that someone was cleaning up the mess before anyone could get too close.

Galen was in Tristan’s apartment, shocked by the hunter’s reaction, and so he began to do some research. The strange events, visions, and things he had heard, all started in the Mithraeum. And so he began to research the demons and Jinn of Persia.

[actual play] Vampire the Requiem - The Two Thrones

Episode 3: The Fire Rises

 

 

Part 4

 
Galen and the Constable did not stay long, knowing the police and fire crews would arrive. They would have to wait and have the Chamberlain pull whatever strings were required for a cover up.

The next evening Tristan headed off to follow up a clue. It had come to his attention that one of the cleaners hired to work at the club had not been in, yet they had checked in via the swipe card back entrance. Tristan headed off into the suburbs to figure out what had happened.
Arriving at the council apartment block Tristan was not surprised to see how run down it was. Barely any of the street lights worked, there were the sounds of sirens from whatever gang related violence was taking place, and there was a gang of youths in the main plaza of the block. As Tristan approach the gang, kids no older than 15, dressed in sports gear, hoodies, knockoff trainers and obviously they had been smoking weed, got up off the benches and wall where they were gathered and as a group blocked Tristan.
‘’ere what we got ‘ere? We got some flash poofter, innit? What you want round here mister? You gotta answer to us? We rulez this place?’ The leader of the group got in Tristan’s face. People in the flats watched from above, wondering if they will have the call the police or an ambulance.
Tristan snarled, the Beast itching for a fight, channeling the Blood, his eyes dilating and wild, his vampiric aura igniting. ‘Why don’t you lot just get the fuck out of here!’
The group of kids looked at each other, laughter dying, and as a group backed away and walked quickly from Tristan, never once looking back.
Tristan made his way up the stairwell, choosing not to use the dilapidated lift. There was the stench of rotting food, crisp packets littering the stairs, and of course the sound of rats and the stink of piss. He made his way down the balcony to the apartment and knocked. There was no sound from within and no reply. His knocked again and then tried the bell. Concerned Tristan felt vitae course through his veins and he kicked at the door, and once again, causing it to break open. Once inside he found nothing special. A typical flat with no decoration, peeling wallpaper, and a tiny TV. The kitchen stank of days old food, and then in the bedroom he found the cleaner. They had been tied up like a pig for slaughter. Wary of some trap Tristan ungaged the man. The man pleaded to be let go, and as he was freed he quickly made his way to the bathroom, before returning to speak to Tristan. It turned out to be as they had all feared. Hunters.
 
Galen return that night to the scene of the fire, and headed into the basement. It was clear that any bodies that were there had been cleared away, and the news had just reported this as an instance of arson by youths. Galen searched around, and lifting up a sheet of metal, beneath he found a symbol written in blood. It was the the chi rho of the Lancea Sanctum. But as Galen went to take a picture he found that it was now the greek symbol to the star sign Taurus.

Galen returned to his haven and headed to his basement where he tried to make sense of it all and emailed his findings to the Chamberlain. It was while do some research on Mithras, and putting together his police scanner, that a gust of wind blew over somethings, causing a candle to land on a map of the city. It scorched a mark, a point on the map where Galen knew there was a church, and a Lancea Sanctum meeting place. As he held the map up the mark continued to burn, burning a Taurus symbol. But in the back of his mind he heard the words of his spirit guide, Kaiman, saying ‘Do not trust the shadows cast by false flames’.
Galen raced to the church. It was a Sunday, and he knew that the Sanctified would be holding mass. When he arrived things were already spiralling out of control. He got out of his car and approached. As he got to the wall of the churchyard he peered over and watched as Rachel Witten sealed the door with a plank of wood. At her feet were two decapitated figures. She then stepped back and lit a match. A circle of flames rose up around the church, and as she approach it, the flames turned green before grow higher, hotter, and more fierce. And as she stepped back the flames returned yellow. Galen tried to get closer, but made a noise. Witten turned, and scooped up a ball of flame and hurled it at Galen. He ran, leaping over the church wall and over the hood of his car. His jacked caught fire as the green flames licked around the vehicle. Galen ran for cover away from the car as another ball of balefire slammed into it, causing the car to ignite.
Rachel returned to the church, and the fire, and once more the flames turned green and grew in intensity. Inside there were screams, and the sounds of glass shattering. With the fire now high enough and strong enough Rachel stepped back and watched the fire return to a yellow orange as it began to consume the church.
Rachel however had not noticed that Galen was still alive. Galen had sneaked up, and taken a wooden cross from a new grave, and went to impale her. The stake pierced into her back, but did not go all the way through. Rachel, in pain, turned around and brandished her sword, a replica of a Roman short sword, and struck back, slicing into Galen’s side and leg. But Galen was now lost to t
he Beast, and his urge to feed and kill her was overwhelming. He lunged forward, knocking Rachel to the ground, and repeatedly stabbing her in the chest with the stake, before ramming it through her heart. With her now in torpor Galen drank in her blood and her soul. He looked up, his face red with blood, and he watched as the flames about the church flared and the building collapsed.
Hearing the police sirens Galen escaped, taking the sword and rooting through Rachel’s pockets to find her car keys.

[actual play] Vampire the Requiem - The Two Thrones

Episode 2: Bloody Mary

 

Part 4

 

The next day, and the ghost had not haunted them, so Tristan assumed the ghost was bound to the apartments and to the shard of the mirror he had taken to the club (and where he had left it). Tristan decided that the best place to get everything sorted out was Elysium, as there might be someone there who knew the best way to get rid of a ghost.

At Elysium Tristan and Galen met up and tried to ignore the politics and rumours of the gathering, and sat and chatted with Tristan’s sire, Spokesman Rain. Rain to them to a private booth and they discussed the issue of the killer and the ghost. Rain was not too knowledgable on the subject, but found the issue of the blood sorcerer important and would see what he could find out.

The two also got a chance to speak with Constable Ihram, who made use of his skills of Obfuscate to speak with the privately.

 

Later at Tristan’s club, Galen and Tristan met the Constable out in the back alleyway, where Ihram produced a iron box. He asked for them to put the mirror shard inside. Once done, he had them drive him to a old house in Rusholme, and there in the dingy, damp basement he had some sort of ritual space prepared. All around there were jars of various foul liquids and items. Galen was sure he saw one containing what looked like thumbs. The table at the centre of the room was prepared and had a circle of salt about it. Ihram took the box and from it took the mirror shard. He look at it, using his command of Auspex and noted the name Mary, and the hedge of thorns. He then used a prepared incense and holy water to cleanse the shard.

Ihram suggested that while the ghost was indeed angry, it was lashing out at random, and that they should find the reason for the man’s death in order to set his soul free. Tristan mentioned the mirror and the bloodline, and Ihram suggested that they find out who the next victims could be and put an end to this.

Tristan returned to the apartment and quickly looked around, hoping to not provoke the ghost. It was as he was looking through some family albums that he found a family tree and also a picture of the dead man with his two cousins. The photo was of their home, and on the back was the address. It was some sort of large family home outside of Manchester towards the north.

Tristan and Galen decided it would be best to go the next night, with more hours of darkness to use. They did not know if they were in fact too late. They drove as soon as they could to the manor house, going from the suburbs and the well lit streets to the dark of the woods and winding roads of gravel. They could see the house as they drove closer, and that there were lights on.

Parking outside they approached and knocked on the front door but got no reply. They knocked again, and then rang the bell. There was still no reply. They then  walked about the house and to the conservatory, which the door to was unlocked. They entered, and there in the doorway from the conservatory to the living room was a body. Again his eyes were gone and a pool of blood was about him. Tristan and Galen looked about but then heard a car approach. They went and hid in the amongst the plants in the conservatory and waited.

The door was opened and they saw a man in a long coat and with shoulder length hair come into the house. The beast stirred and Tristan and Galen struggled to stay came and ignore their Beast’s fear. The man saw the body and seemed upset to see the man dead. He then called out for the other brother and walked about the house and then upstairs.

From the direction of the kitchen another figure walked into the living room. They had a tattered coat on, and long claw like finger nails. They looked up, listening for the footsteps of the vampire. There then came another knock on the door. The strange being hid in the living room.

There was a crash of glass as the the front door was broken into and unlocked. Three men, wearing hats and all weather coats came in. One brandished a machete, another a shotgun, and the other a stake. They stalked about and found the body. They seemed confused and split up. As one headed upstairs and the other to the other side of the house, one was left in the living room. He stooped down to look at the body, only to have his neck broken by the hidden being. Galen and Tristan watched as the killer set off to the other side of the house.

There was a crash and bang from upstairs, and then some moments later the vampire returned. He was clearly shaken and had a gun shot injury to his arm. He came into the living room and could see the second body. He was confused and turned to see the last remaining hunter in the doorway. The man’s body fell and behind him the killer stood. Their long hair covering their features.

The vampire rushed at the long hair figure, and they crashed around, grappling, only for him to be pinned up against the wall. The stranger snarled and bit down into the neck of the vampire, blood jetting onto the clean walls, and in a short amount of time he too was dead.

The raggedy looking being came over to the two bodies and knelt down and put a palm to the sticky blood. Getting it up they then approached the mirror over the fireplace and smeared the blood upon it while saying ‘Blood Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloo...’

The mirror shattered. The ritual was cut short and Galen stood having thrown the rock at the mirror. The being screamed, scrambling at the mirror shards, and then, looked at Galen and growled.

Galen fled, as fast as his legs would take him, and as fast as his preternatural speed would allow. But Tristan looked on as the being moved like a black brush stroke of oil paint, and sped after Galen. Tristan got up, grabbed a nearby shovel, and gave chase.

Part 5

Galen stopped dead as the strange figure stood before him. It was so fast! It lashed out, and Galen stumbled back. A jagged stake of gnarled wood ripped through Galen's chest, tearing flesh apart. Whincing in pain Galen balled his fists and fought back. His punches did little to rattle the snarling monster, who replied with puncturing stabs, the feeling as if the weapon was literally rending his soul apart.

Tristan ran towards the fight, levelled the spade he had picked up, and like a spear, he rammed it into the shadowy attacker from the mirrors. There was a wet sucking sound as Tristan pulled the shovel from the guts of the creature, followed with what had to be some of its guts and entrails. In retaliation, the figure spun about with the bloody stake, looking to impale Tristan in the chest.

Galen now saw his chance. Tristan had ducked the attack, and now Galen grabbed the figure, pinning their arms to their sides. They struggled against Galens vitae enfused strength, but the hold would not break, and Galen let the Beast rid his senses, and his teeth extended. Tristan saw and opening, and flicking the shovel about, hacked down at the creature's leg, severing it just below the knee. Blood jetterd out in thickspurts and the night was filled with the roar of pain. For Galen, his Beast joined in, and he clamped his teeth down around it's neck, drinking in the vitae and chewing ragged chunks from the nape of the neck.

The hideously injured being from the mirrors broke free and stumbled, falling on the gravel of the drive of the house. Galen pounced on it's back, pinning the figure down, and Tristan stood back, watching, not wanting to get in Galen's way. Galen drank, and drank, the figure squirming as he wasted away to nothing. It was in those last moments that something caught Galen's attention.

Before Galen he could see the figure of an old friend from his mortal days. They had died due to cancer, and now, in this vision they stood before him, their skin covered in lesions and sores. And they spoke, but it was like they were talking in the wind. 'All die, and sinners must burn'. Galen grinned and drank dead. His Beast took into the victim's soul, his powers of Auspex blossoming. Tristan felt sick, as part of own wretched soul scratched at the cage of his body. He knew what he saw, no matter the reason, was wrong. He dry heaved.

Galen had used the spade and broken the body up into pieces and placed it in the kitchen furnace. Constable Ihram arrived with his Bailiffs, and together the house was cleaned up. Stories were fabricated and bodies moved. Ihram listened and questioned them, and accepted their version of the events, but warned Galen of repeating such a vile crime. But Galen kept one thing from the events - the gnarled thorn. And now with his new eyes he could see that some sort of mystical mask hid it's try form, that is was some dagger or silvery wood.

Episode 3: The Fire Rises

A month had passed. In that time Galen had taken it upon himself to take a ghoul. Tristan and Galen were also pondering how to gain the support of Judex Peter Hawkin's of the Invictus, seeing it as an opportunity to finally take down the Ventrue Priscus, Vicountess Natalia Kerkoft.

It was a full moon, and that Friday many of the Carthian's and the Ordo Dracul had been invited to a gathering in the UMIST main building. The old Victorian university building was to play host to a showcase of Kindred physiology.

The way into the univeristy and to the lecture hall was guarded by ghouls, and up in the high halls of the university they wore their official garb. The ghouls of the Dragons wore the dark blue robes of their order, while the ghouls of the Night Doctors wore full enclosing leather masks, with polished surgical steel eye pieces and mouth grills.

In the lecture hall were many of the high ranking and respected Carthians, along with some old and new faces from the Ordo Dracul. However it was still difficult to know if they were not just Carthians. Such was the secrecy they maintained.

One familiar face was Chuck Taylor. And American Gangrel who was once part of a coterie with Tristan. He was a figure head amongst the more violent Carthians, running a sort of dojo-come-fight club, under auspices of the Night Doctors.

The head of the Dragons,  Zahred Zilber, announced that tonight was a chance to learn what the Carthians and Ordo Dracul had in common, and t
o showcase some of their research.

The first display was by Doctor S. He wore a similar mask as his ghouls, and thick black gloves with his white lab coat. They wheeled in a stretcher with a body bag. On the lab bench they placed the bag, and unzipped it to reveal the emaciated figure of a naked vampire in a state of torpor. It was bound in chains. The doctor explain that the vampire was a mindless drauger, and that they would being showing the regenerative properties of Homonous Lupine blood - Werewolf blood. His work had shown, that if such blood was delivered to the required areas, by slow injection, that regeneration of the body parts was possible, without inducing a state of frenzy. Once the experiment was complete the drauger was beheaded and questions began.

The second display, similar in nature to the first. A dragon perform a form of organ replacement on a ghoul. The ghoul, strapped to a table, had their kidney removed, and replaced with one that was dessicated. It was then shown that the application of a vitae derived alchemical salve initiated the regenerative properties of the vitae within them, in such a way that made dessicated organs a viable method of replacement.

For all it was an enlightening and gruesome evening.

[actual play] Vampire the Requiem - The Two Thrones

 

Episode 2: Bloody Mary

 

Part 1

 

Tristan dreamt. He was in Manchester, and in the cold alleyway blood dripped, a pitter patter of claret, onto the cobbled street. His mouth was slick with blood and there on the ground was his latest kill. The body was like a broken doll in the street lights. It was then it heard it. A disembodied voice from in the gloom of the alley way, calling for him, needing him.

Tristan followed the voice, down the twisting, Escher like street, and barely noticed how the street gave way to thick vines of tearing thorns. The whisper beckoned to him, wanted him, and led him to a graveyard. The moon was high in the sky, and from a mausoleum. Tristan walked up to the gate of the tomb, and went into the darkness.

Tristan awoke in his bed in a sweat, the sheen of blood staining the bed sheets. He needed to feed and have a walk.

Galen was awake and preparing for the meeting at Elysium. Once more it was held at the Circle Club, and it was a chance for Galen to find out more about the blood sorcerer that Constable Ihram was looking for. It was in Galen's bathroom, of his grotty haven, that his mentor (if you can call an aspiration that), had left him a message. The mirror was steamed up and written in the condensation was 'The Thorns, they Tear'.

Galen and Tristan were at the Circle Club. There was still much talk about the death of Fiona, and that Galen was something of a hero amongst the younger Carthians. There was also talk of renewed fights and postering between the Invictus and the Carthians, and that the Constable, and certain elder Carthians and Invictus had been working to prevent these fights.

The entire Elysium was abruptly interrupted as a man burst down the stairway from the entrance. He immediately made his way to Bishop Michael Kenner. The bearded, stern looking priest, and leader of the Lancea Sanctum in the city, looked down on the cowering man. The younger vampire begged for forgiveness, crying that all his friends were dead, that they had been punished by the mother of Longinus.

The young vampire was taken aside by the Bishop and the Elysium was rife with gossip. Ihram took Tristan and Galen to the store room and, following his earlier deal with Galen, but now also offering Tristan an incentive, asked for them to go and take their Ruth along with them and investigate the haven of the dead vampires. Ihram knew where they made their haven as he had been watching them like many of the coteries of young Kindred and Anarchs.

The coterie took Ruth's van and made their way to haven, which was an abandoned apartment block in Longsight. They made their way in through the damaged fence and into the dank and filth ridden building. There were signs of fire damage and the place was littered with all manner of foul things. Needles from addicts and discarded condoms and spray paint cans were scattered around, and the coterie that Tristan and Galen were looking for were in a pair of apartments. There were bodies all around in the apartments. There were mortals and there were decapitated vampires. There were even bodies of Kindred who had had their hearts removed.

Tristan picked about and found a pile of notes that look like some sort of instructions for a ritual, while Galen took photos. In the bathroom Galen found a grotty and foul room, and in the basin was sticky blood. On the cracked mirror was a bloody hand smear, and weirdly there was a foot print. The bloody print was on the basin, and somehow was halfway in the mirror, or would be if the mirror was not there.

Ruth looked at the notes and explained to the others that this was some sort of initiation ritual, but with no special meaning. It was some sort of petty mimicry of a Lancea Sanctum ritual, but with the added nonsense of calling upon the Bloody Mary myth, and of course this has perhaps some relation to the tales of Longinus’ mother, the ‘Bloody Mary’.

 

[actual play] Vampire the Requiem - The Two Thrones

 

 

Vampire the Requiem - Manchester
 
Season 2 - The Two Thrones
 
Episode 1 - Ashen Cross
 

Part 2

 

Tristan left the club and found Patrick Falken sat waiting on the hood of his car.The sharp suited businessman was smoking and flicking the ash onto the hood of the car. Tristan tersely asked what Patrick wanted. Patrick had learnt of the missing Invictus vampire, and that there were now a number of issues to deal with. In particular he wanted Tristan to investigate the missing vampire. He suggests that they meet the next evening to sort out the details as they need to move fast.

The next evening Galen awoke in the hotel room he used for the night. He had holed up in the bathroom to ensure he was not hit by any sunlight. He checked his emails and made his way back to his haven, checking that he wasn’t followed.

Tristan met at Ship Canal House, where Patrick Falken kept his offices. The offices reflected the art nouveau design of the building, and Partick’s office was painted in dark greens with dark stained wood furnishings. He was sat before his computer and explained to Tristan that there were a number of people investigating the missing vampire. There was of course the lover, who had now drawn in a Lancea Sanctum Bailiff. He also suggested that Natalia Kerkoft’s own personal Hound would more than likely be involved. Patrick suggested to Tristan to find out why the hell any of this happened as the last thing he needed was a murder of an Invictus vampire on Carthian territory.

At Elysium, at the Circle Club, Galen sat waiting at the bar for Tristan to arrive. While at the bar he was approached by an unknown man who simply warned Galen not to speak to anyone. He gave the name of Dillinger.

Later on Tristan arrived, and together with Galen they privately spoke with Matthew Rain. Matthew suggested they speak to Rebecca Castle to find out more about the dead vampire’s lover and the Bailiff. He did mention that while the gossip was about how Fiona had died, the real issue was more to do with why, or why this was more important.

Galen headed off to go and see the Chamberlain in order to get an audience with the Constable, while Tristan headed off to the church where Rebecca held her practice.

Galen got the sense of being followed. Just as he spotted his shadow she was already in his face. She led him down an alleyway and threatened him. She knew what he did and was expecting a deal. He told her he didn’t know what she was talking about. She then said that when Galen was ready to make a deal she would meet him at the gas station. With that she slinked back off into the crowd of the busy night.

 

Arriving at the museum, Galen was told to wait, but was eventually taken to the Chamberlain. Galen was led through some of the exhibits to an older part of the museum and then downstairs. In an office which resembled a dusty library, the Chamberlain sat with an overspilling ash tray. Odans was rather anachronistic, wearing a suit more Victorian in style. Odans explained that he was happy that Galen had come seeking his advice and that of the Constable, but there are limits to what the Carthians can help with.

Tristan arrived at the gloomy church and headed around the back to the vicar’s chambers. He rapped on the door and was greeted by two ghouls. Rebecca recognised his voice and allowed him in, but briefly as she had a study group arriving. Tristan was welcome to join them.

She explain to Tris
tan on questioning that she does not favour Hoyle due to his romantic involvement with an Invictus, and it has begun to show in his growing thirst for power. She also explains that she did not know that the Bailiff was working on the case, and she finds it odd as it is outside of the Bailiff’s jurisdiction.

 

Galen had time to kill and needed to be sure of threat and so drove to the gas station he visited the other night. He went into the shop to pay for a chocolate bar and was joined by the girl. In the light it was clear that she lived on the streets, her hair lank and hair coat caked in filth. Together they drove for a bit in the direction of the grounds where Galen disposed of the body, but Galen pulled over, ending any deal the girl thought she could get out of him.

Tristan was at his club. It was busy, as expected for a Friday night. As he stood watching he got the sense of being watched, and someone kept whispering to him. It came from all directions. He then spotted at the fire exit a man with a face covered in red veins. Tristan followed him outside into the alleyway. The vile looking vampire presented himself as Dillinger and that he works for Kerkoft and wants Galen for questioning.

As the club night wrapped up, Tristan went to leave and headed to the carpark when he felt the Beast stir and was confronted by Fiona’s lover, Scott Hoyle. Scott swung for Tristan, not satisfied with the answers he was getting. But Tristan proved the faster and stronger fighter, slamming the vampire against a brick wall, leaving the man dazed, and crying tears of blood, sobbing for his missing lover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[actual play] Vampire: the Requiem - Manchester - The Endless Waltz

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Bluebooking: Post-Chaos (Dimitri)

I'm never throwing another party again.

...That may be a slight exaggeration.
I've been holed up at home for the past few days, waiting for some other shit to go down. It hasn't happened. Not yet, anyway...

A few - carefully vetted - herd members are in the living room with Karl, watching a movie. No drugs tonight; I just haven't felt like it. In fact, I haven't felt much like doing anything since the weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not feeling sorry for myself. There's people I ran into at the party who have good reason to hate me; Patrick, Annabel. That's all a given. But having Matthew tear me a new one just because he thinks he can? Bastard. I thought we were getting along right now... we were at the party, but the minute something went wrong - well, he's proven he still thinks of me as a kid. Fucking ridiculous. Sire or not, I thought he had more respect for me than that. At least by now.

It's not like I don't realise I'm walking a fine line sometimes, with my 'gatherings' (even though they usually don't go wrong) and admittedly bad decisions. Maybe I shouldn't have drugged Annabel, taken advantage of her like that, but the bitch was asking for it. And still asking for it, it seems. Does she know what happened between us? Does anyone else? Is that why Natalia told her to piss off? If that's the case, Annabel's clearly waiting for her moment. Not that I can't deal with her, but it's another problem I just don't need right now. As for Patrick... he'll get what's coming to him. Am I the only person around here who knows that he's a manipulative cunt?

And the stabbing. I can heal a wound, but I can't heal my motherfucking coat. Versace. Fuck my life.
Speaking of, I'll think twice before offering Lee something nice to wear again. Luckily it came out of Karl's wage, and he hasn't asked me to pay him back yet.

I don't know what to think about the coterie yet. I paid them off, granted they did excellent work, and it isn't like I'm ungrateful. Exactly the opposite. When people get me out of hot water, I tend to like them. I'll probably invite them here next time I have a party. They won't fit in at all, but what can you do?

***

Player note: I like to make regular or semi-regular bluebooking posts, usually just additional thoughts from Dimi's perspective, as above. Occasionally they will be more like self-contained drabbles or cutscenes, to create an idea of what Dimitri's daily lifestyle is like. I'd be interested to read similar posts from the other characters, if anyone is ever bored and has the motivation.

xxSam

 

A note, finding its way into Kindred hands across Manchester

Dear Citizens,

It will of course have come to all our attentions that a virile threat to the resilience and integrity of the movement has recently been averted. An external threat, hoped to sully and pollute what is both necessary and dear to us, to take advantage of our particular circumstances to do us ill.

This threat was profligate. It is true that it was targeted at one of our own, but the threat was not neat, or careful, but sloppy and wanton. It threatened us all, and could have torn through this city and its populations like wildfire.

Of course there should be questions as to how this threat entered our nights. Of course we should attend to the divisions that let something like this pass our borders. Of course if any within the city had intentionally invited this danger amongst us, then there should be swift and direct consequences.

But that is not the purpose here.

This threat was averted because of the contribution of members of the movement - acting in unity, with little need for heavy handed instruction, and with little concern to their own exposure. This is the sort of behaviour that can make this city strong. We extend our hand to the other covenants and offer these efforts as an example.

Solidarity

 

- R.

Vampire: the Requiem - Return to Manchester

Vampire: the Requiem

The Endless Waltz 

 

            In light of the fact that there are some new players to join the group and thus player pool (plus a new ST in the form of David) I plan to run a short Vampire: the Requiem story. The plan is to allow David and Kat to take part within the group. I am also aware that Chris also wants to play Vampire. So this post will be the start of preparation for the game.

 

            First up what characters can you play? The concept is that the group will be part of a relatively new coterie formed by the recent political mover-shaker Dimitri (Sam’s character) This means it makes sense for all new characters to be members of the Carthians, forming part of a team that works for Dimitri (and their own) interests. As for other details there are no restriction on Clan, but if you want to play a Bloodline then tell me first and I will see if it is OK. As for experience points I think it is fair for everyone to start with 60 xp points to spend.

 

            Now for character concepts I think it is clear nothing too one trick, Mary Sue like. Think human first then vampire second. So remember a Vampire still has a personal life.

 

            Right now with that done I will give a brief description of a number of key NPCs that are worth knowing.

 

First the

Carthians

 

Chairman Jonathan Williams - Ventrue - Carthian

            The Chairman is the ‘Prince’ of the city. However, he is elected to this post, and has been so since the Carthian uprising on the 24^th of May 1839 . This gives the sense of him being some form of elected King or tyrant. It was Williams who led the uprising against his own sire, the then Cardinal of the Salford and Manchester diocese.

            In more recent years the Chairman has been losing ground and support amongst his own Covenant, and for this reason he has been exercising more of his executive powers. It is these powers, his direct command over the Lictor of the city, the 4^th tradition (to break all traditions to defend them) and the Constable, that have been removed since the election of the new Carthian Prefect. Thus the Chairman is simple a figure head and called upon to break deadlocks in elections amongst the Board of Representatives.

            The Chairman is also well known for his investment into cutting edge biotech research, something that Dimitri and his old coterie have learnt a little about.

 

Chamberlain David Odans - Ventrue - Carthian and Circle of the Crone

            The Chamberlain is the Chairman’s right hand man and deals with executing the orders of the Board of Representatives. The Chamberlain is also a member of both of the Circle of the Crone and the Carthians, and so is a member of the Cult of Hathor.

 

Spokesman Mathew Rain -Daeva - Carthian

            The Spokesman is both Herald and Head of Elysium and also the sire of Dimitri. Spokesman Rain was critical in the election of Prefect Falken, Rain also being a member of the Carthians. However, this is all part of his plan to elevate Dimitri and have more direct influence. In addition he now hates the Prefect for almost causing the final death of Dimitri by setting him and his old coterie up for the fixing of the Carthian election.

Constable Ihram -Gangrel - Circle of the Crone

            The Constable is a Crone, yet is not of either of the main cults of the city, following his own faith. The Constable used to be directly commanded by the Chairman but now reports to the Board. He is currently looking into potential Brood infiltrators and Anarchs breaking the laws of the Board.

Prefect Patrick Falken - Ventrue - Carthian

            The Prefect was only recently elected to his position after a long campaign against his rival Julian Reinhart. Julia stood for a new proportional representation system, while Patrick wanted to maintain the status quo and reduce the powers of the Chairman.

The election campaign was long and led to Dimitri being elevated in power, while fighting against the actions of the Invictus, in particular Natalia Kerkoft, who wished to make use of the ensuing chaos to lead a coup. This has led to Patrick, through Dimitri, uncovering Natalia’s espionage against the Chairman, in particular his biotech research.

Patrick ended his election campaign by trying (so far unproven) of setting up Dimitri and his coterie for the fixing of the election. This ended in the election being rerun and Patrick winning, as fear led the election to favour the current system. However, he did not count on the representative of the Ordo Dracul saving Dimitri and the others and proving that they were framed.

Myrmidon Estabelle Duncanson -Mekhet - Carthian

The Myrmidon acts as adjudicator in Carthian rivalries and was involved in the investigation of the assassination of the
old Prefect. This almost led to the coterie being found to be involved in the illegal final death of one of the Invictus. Rumours suggest that she may be planning to remove the entire Board and Chairman and put in place a new system.

 

Nails -Nosferatu - Carthian

Nails is the Carthian head of the Nosferatu and the self claimed Mayor of the Undercity. He has helped the coterie in their investigations and campaign. Others question his motives as he sees the board as being as bad as the Invictus.

 

The Carthians also claim Priscus Max Neils of the Daeva, Priscus Kollins of the Gangrel and Priscus Stewart of the Mekhet, giving them a total of 4 seats on the board.

Ok so enough of the Carthians, so on with a few others;

Magus Gregor -Nosferatu - Circle of the Crone

Gregor is the cult leader of the Cult of Cernunnos and is considered the oldest Kindred of the city. He apparently was there when the Romans invaded and tool Mamicum, and engaged in battle with the Cult of Mithras brought by the Romans, and the Legio Mortuum of the old Camarilla. Gregor now has awoken after what has been some 300 years, have leap frogged down through the ages. He is feared for his knowledge and he has a representative who attends in his place at the Primogen Board of Representatives.

 The Advisor, the Good Alder Lady, Natalia Kerkoft, Viscountess of the South of Manchester - Ventrue - Invictus

Natalia is from Russian heritage and also spent time in the presence of the last French kings. She is the part of a Dynastic house, and is the current active elder, having joined when she arrived during the reign of the Cardinal over Manchester and Salford. She is the head of the Invictus and so holds the seat on the Board. She is antagonistic thorn in the side of the Carthians, and she was believed to be behind the use of the Ordo Dracul to kill the previous Carthian Prefect. Her domain covers the area of Stockport, the south of Manchester, and she hold court as head of the Invictus as Viscountess, in the Georgian manor house of Fletcher Moss.

The Advisor, the Good Alder Lord, Judex Peter Hawkins, Viscount of the North of Manchester - Ventrue - Invictus

Peter was born around the time of the Reformation. He was offered a place in the dynastic house of Moore, and came to Manchester. Natalia was already present. Peter has risen to the position of Judex, the one who oversees arguments within the Covenant within the city. Partly for this reason he has gained the post of Ventrue Priscus and holds a seat on the Board. His domain covers Salford and he holds court at the Tudor house of Ordsall House.

Thus the Invictus hold 2 seats on the Board.

Archbishop Michael Kenner - Ventrue - Lancea Sanctum

Michael Kenner came to power in the aftermath of the Carthian uprising. He is a constant enemy of the Chairman, and so sides with the Invictus on nearly all votes. However, he knows that attacking the Carthians directly just ensures more power to the likes of the Ordo and the Crone. So Michael has had to exercise patience.He practices the Westminster Creed of the Lancea Sanctum Faith. He holds mass out of the basement of an old electronics factory, a place known as the Abbey of the Fallen.

Zahred Zilber a.k.a. The Grand Wyrm Zacharius Silverman - Gangrel - Invictus

Zahred first infiltrated Manchester as a Carthian neonate, but unknown to others he was in fact a high ranking Dragon from the city of York. Since then he was involved in clearing Dimitri and his coterie of fixing the Carthian election, and bringing the Ordo back to the city and taking their rightful place on the Board. Otherwise little more is known.

 

Vampire: the Requiem - The Endless Waltz - Dimitri

So here I'll let Sam explain her character for Vampire.

OK, this is the DEFINITIVE, Wiki-style guide to my Vampire character, Dimitri. He's a Daeva Carthian. I wanted to post this prior to any future games we do, because a) the character has had some adjustments made to his backstory, and b) you guys just have to know how COOL he is. It has pictures (courtesy of the lovely Ben Barnes, who basically is the doppelganger of Dimitri in real form, and also the guy I would choose to play Dimitri any day of the week). Enjoy. This bitch is HOTTTTT.

???

Vampire

Vampire: The Endless Waltz

Episode 7: Knight of the Long Knives ??? Part 1

Following the events of the previous night, Kane awoke to find himself in the bathtub. His clothes were still ruined from where he had been staked and he was hungry. Very hungry. There was a knock at the bathroom door and he heard Karl, Dimitri???s ghoul, ask if it was OK to come in. Kane get his Beast in check, and allowed Karl to come in, who told Kane that Dimitri had asked him to feed Kane so that he would be sated until the herd they had called arrived.

Meanwhile Thessaly was once more at her desk in the icy cold of her run down house in Salford. She was trying to make some sense of the documents she had recovered from the asylum. Just what the hell were they researching? What were they testing on the patient there? And why the hell were the Ordo Dracul there? She had many questions.

There was a knock at the door, and Thessaly felt her Beast squirm. Whoever was there was powerful. And right now was not the best time to be spotted with stolen documents. It could even be the Ordo Dracul. Thessaly quickly moved to hide in one of the cupboards and listen out. There was another rapping at the door and she heard a familiar voice as the door open. It was Dr Auldwyn. The one person she really didn???t want to see.

She headed up stairs and greeted the Dr. He was dressed in his typical tweed suit and bow tie, and took out a pocket handkerchief and dusted a chair off before sitting. He asked Thessaly what happened at the asylum, asking why she had left and who had broken in. He also asked about the missing documents. Thessaly lied, saying that she didn???t know where the documents were, and that they more than likely were with those who broke in. She told him of the Ordo Dracul and of Lauren Esten, who Hugo remembered was in fact being hunted for by the Myrmidon. In light of all this he asked Thessaly to keep quiet about the break in, and that he would call on her services again considering she had left her post at the asylum.

Kane, now having fed and healed a little, took a call from the Constable, Ihram. They needed his presence at a house in the suburbs. The address was the same one he had in the message from his sister.

Arriving at the house, with Dimitri who had driven them there in his Porsche, they saw that the house was in fact a police crime scene. At the front door was Ihram, and it was simple to presume that the officers working the case were ghouls.

Going into the house with Ihram, Kane and Dimitri were hit by the stench of blood. The house was a squat. It was filled with junk and rubbish. But worse yet was the kitchen. Sat in a chair, bloodied and bruised and pale and gagged, was the body of Kane???s sister. She had been drained of blood from multiple cuts. But no bite marks. It was a shocking scene to see her like this in such a terrible place. Even Dimitri was disturbed by the scene.

But there was more. Ihram gave Kane a portable DVD player and four tarot cards. The cards were ???The Final Judgement???, ???The Four of Cups???, ???The Devil??? and ???Temperance???. They then watched the DVD. On it they saw Kane???s sister, alive, struggling with her bonds as a knife could be seen in shot. There was a voice and it said;

???You???ve gambled with life now twice. First you gamble as mortals. You were born. Then you gambled again and were reborn. And now you keep on gambling. Every day the world has the odds stacked against you. And now you have gambled against the odds and lost. Give up. Give up your crusade, give up on the election, pull the plug on it, stop gambling with more that you can afford. Admit to all that you have lost. That, or next time you come to the table make sure you have a full house or a royal flush. Or maybe play with a different deck.???

??It was Ihram who was also able to answer Kane???s mystery regarding the vampire who he rescued from the hunters. Apparently she is the first vampire in some time to bear a symbol that has only been seen on members of the Brood. Ihram suggested that the coterie be careful and on the look out for these vampires, as the Brood is an even greater threat to the city and had only just been eliminated from city 5 years ago. Taking the cards, the DVD and one of the knives used to kill his sister, Kane left, shifting form and flew to Thessaly???s house. Dimitri left with little else to left to follow up clues on Zahred Zilber at his Ascension Club. Dimitri was hoping that he may get a chance to speak to Zahred Zilber; however, this did not happen. But in the heaving club Dimitri did spot someone go into the VIP area with a mortal. It was Lauren Esten. Rather than alert her Dimitri called his sire, Spokesman Rain.

??

Almost two weeks pass, and on Friday the 17^th of December the coterie is gathered again by Patrick Falken. In the last two weeks Thessaly had made some progress with researching the history of the Kitab Si???lat. Kane had been looking for more clues to the death of his sister.

Patrick Falken thanked the coterie for their service, and that he only one more thing to ask of them. He asked them all of their opinion of the election and if they believed that he would win the election. He then asked if there is anything that they truly wish to have. Kane of course wanted more influence within the Carthians and a chance to find his sister???s killer. Dimitri asked for more influence within the Carthians and control of the Ascension Club (which had been taken by the Myrmidon) while Thessaly wanted more guarantees for the Circle of the Crone and access to any texts that may be of use to her grandsire.

Patrick Falken explained the election process. He told them of the Rite of the Puppet King. This ritual of blood magic tied would bind the election ballot box to all those who were taking part in the election. If the ballot box is tampered after the ritual and before the count then all of those taking part in the election would feel it. However, there is another lesser known ritual that can be used on the ballot papers, called the Rite of the Thousand Fangs. This ritual would be able to alter the vote on the ballot papers. It would be this ritual that Patrick Falken would have used on the ballot papers. But for this to work he needs the help of Thessaly, and also the entire coteries cooperation.

The coterie deliberated and concluded that they would help fix the election for Patrick, in exchange for the things he promised.

Patrick gave them the
location of the printers where the ballot papers were being prepared. The election would take place on the 21^st of December, the longest night. So the coterie had only 4 days to act. However, that night would not be one as they had a prior engagement with the Circle of the Crone. That night was the night of the Winnowing ritual.

Driving up to a farm on the hills about Manchester the coterie could see the flames from numerous torches and a bonfire that illuminated the gathering. The nearby field was filled with vehicles, while the farm yard had been taken over by the Acolytes and turned into a small market. There were numerous wares on sale, animals, herbs and those Acolytes who are selling their services.

Thessaly???s sire, Adam, greets the coterie, and thanks Dimitri and Kane for coming and they are honoured guests. He asks that they wait, and perhaps try the blood that has been provided, while he and Thessaly speak to Magus Gregor.

In the warm of the kitchen of the farm house Magus Gregor spoke to Thessaly with regard to her sacrifice to the gods in penitence for her act of diableri. Thessaly had agreed to embrace another, so that she could understand the cycle of life and death better and bring another into the fold. For this Thessaly had chosen someone to embrace, a young man called Eric who was part of her mortal coven. Thessaly had chosen him as he wasn???t that knowledgeable of actual magic, making him the perfect student and easy to manipulate. Eric had been brought to the farm with the coterie, but under the pretention that it was some form of Wiccan festival.

The main event of the Winnowing was the Four Seasons, a play that demonstrated to the Acolytes the cycle of life and the roles of the Acolytes within it and within the covenant. On stage masked Acolytes performed the play and human sacrifices were brought out. There was blood and fire and screams, and Thessaly had to restrain Eric.

??

Vampire

Vampire:??The Endless Waltz

??

Episode 6: Dancers in the Shadows???????Part 2

??

???? ?? ??Following the issue with missing ghoul Kane headed down to the loading bay of the shopping centre while Dimitri informed Patrick Falken of the issue and that he will try and and get everybody to leave before there are any more problems. Meanwhile Thessaly was still at the hospital for the insane and was breaking into filing cabinets.
???? ?? In the loading bay Kane and the other vampires and ghouls on security discovered the missing ghoul. He had been burnt to death. Splitting up they went looking for the reason why. But things just got worse as the other vampire soon went missing. Kane and a ghoul found blood stains and then his body, hidden away. He had been staked and beheaded. There was also a van that looked suspicious and Kane was certain he could see containers in there that looked like it was a bomb. Kane then watched as the ghoul on look out was consumed in flames. Kane hid and watched the hunters kill the ghoul with the flamethrower. Kane could barely keep the fear in him down, taking the shape of a raven and flew away before regaining his composure.
???? ?? ??Dimitri had just got the guests to leave, and the drugged up Annabel Barbican taken to a taxi. But he was confronted in the club and before the other Kindred still present. Patrick's rival, Julia Reinhart, demanded to know what was going on. However, Dimitri was not taking any crap, and knowing he had the support of those guests still present, just said it was his party and would do what the hell he liked. Julia, seeing how she had no command of the situation, stormed off, leaving Dimitri to go and find Kane.
???? ?? ??Thessaly opened the cabinets and found files on medical blood experiments, Astra Zenca drug trials, autopsy reports on Kindred, and also files stolen from the Ordo Dracul, and information taken from the Sanctified and Acolytes. She read through some and grabbed what she could, noting a CD that bore the same code as the piece of arabic manuscript they found in Dr Tobin's abandoned car. It was just in time as she spotted issues with the security cameras. Some one was burning them out with flares. And that some one was Lauren Esten and her Ordo Dracul friends. Thessaly acted quickly and made an escape, knowing the main entrance to the wing was blocked off, she found an old laundry chute and escaped through the boiler room of the hospital.
???? ?? ??In the loading bay of the Great Northern shopping centre, Dimitri and his ghoul Karl, watched as the hunters made their escape, they took the vans with them, knowing that the party above was over and they had lost their opportunity. Dimitri then noticed the other ghoul security come out of hiding as the vans left, and a strange raven that flew over their heads, Dimitri's and then went flying off following the ??van.
???? ?? ??Kane arrived at an old metal working factory near the canals and so he approached, his form offering him the element of surprise. Inside the hunters were removing the explosives from the van. But also the leader of the hunters mentioned that their contact had better have some more information on when to hit the bloodsuckers next. Within the factory there was also a cage which held a bloody and battered woman. She was clearly a vampire who had been captured and the leader of the hunters was questioning her, before beating her again.
???? ?? ??Kane landed down on the factory floor and shifted back to human form, before shifting to his cat form. Playfully he tried to get the attention of the hunters, before making such a distraction by which he could steal the key to the cage off the table. With the key in his mouth he once more made his way to cover and shifted back to his human form. He had a plan. Kane had earlier contacted the Constable about the hunters, and that a police strike team would be there to apprehend the men on grounds of terrorism. Kane waited.
???? ?? There was then a commotion as the police stormed the factory. Gas grenades were fired in, giving Kane the cover needed to get to the cage and release the female vampire. But as he did so Kane was shot in the back by one of the hunters. Undeterred by the shotgun slug Kane opened the cage and released the woman he launched herself at the hunter and tore his throat out. Kane Grabbed her and they fled, just in time as the entire factory went up in flames.
???? ?? ??On the streets Kane and the woman hid in an alleyway, the police helicopters had not been able to track them. Kane called Dimitri to get picked up as it was an hour before dawn. But as Kane put the phone down he felt the pain of a piece of wood being rammed through his chest. The woman turned on him and sneered. "Thanks for the help". Dimitri arrived to find the body of Kane left behind some rubbish bags. Dimitri removed the stake and fed Kane some of his blood.
???? ?? ??Meanwhile Thessaly tried to put the clues together. She was researching in her haven, the cold of winter not affecting her. There she learnt more about the daemon Si'lat, about the book the Kitab Si'lat, the myths of the Tremere, and wondered how all this linked to the Ordo Dracul, the Coil of Blood, stigmata and the Lancea Sanctum.

??

Vampire

Vampire:??The Endless Waltz

Episode 6: Dancers in the Shadows???????Part 1

Following the events at the labs and the junk yard the coterie had revealed what they had discovered to Patrick Falken and Chamberlain Odans, who both advised that with respect to the issues with the Ordo Dracul that they should continue as if they were not aware of them. Instead they should lure them out and their Invictus allies. As for the traitors to the Carthians, Lauren Esten had gone to ground and was currently being sort out by the Myrmidon so that she could be questioned over the events of the Prefect???s death. As for the final death of Jacob Lewis as Kane???s hands, the issue was to be brushed under the carpet by Patrick Falken, Kane having previously revealed this issue to him.

It was December now and the nights were getting very long, the perfect time for any real chaos to occur within the ranks of the Kindred. Kane awoke and met with Constable Ihram in a church grave yard to discuss the issue of the Ordo Dracul and Lauren Esten. Lauren had still not been found and Kane was ordered to keep an eye out. Kane then received a call from an old work college who said that he had just met Kane???s sister and that she was in the city and she had been looking for him as it had been some time since they had last spoken or seen him.

Following this meeting Kane headed to the Great Northern centre where Club Hangman???s was located, and where he would meet Thessaly, Dimitri, Patrick, Spokesman Rain and a few others to discuss last minute preparations for the following night???s party. Happy with the arrangements Patrick congratulated Dimitri and the others before they were interrupted by Dr Hugo Emris Auldwyn. He wanted to meet with Thessaly, and in a curtained off area he asked if she, being a member of the Crone and so with not real ties to the party tomorrow, would go to the asylum and keep watch over a patient and observe him. He needs someone to watch and she will be compensated by the Chairman. But he also wishes for Thessaly to give her insight on the man, her knowledge and skills being of use.

The next evening Thessaly arrived at the Cheadle Hulme Hospital, a psychiatric centre and the former Manchester Asylum. It was a dark and imposing red brick Victorian building, and the rain only made it seem more sinister. She had been given by a ghoul of Hugo???s a uniform and access cards, and a map, that would lead her to the hidden research wing maintained by him. She walked through corridors that at this time of evening were now fairly empty. The odd orderly wheeled a patient to their room, another patient would be walking about, barely noticing her presence. As she got nearer to the west wing she noticed an empty recreation room. It was dark and then the TV blinked on. The screen was just static. It blinked off. Then on again, and from down the corridor Thessaly could hear someone moaning. She went to look, and on a bed, almost forced into the mattress, was a man, his eye wide open looking straight up. He turned to look at Thessaly and spoke.

???One who stands in the helm of shadows and the cloak of nightmares. He is seeking his name, the fallen angel, the bringer of pandemonium, he shall take your souls and lay them bare to the beast. The crows circle and blood will seep from the land and he shall rise!???

The man then went quiet and Thessaly watched as shadows cast by the tress outside, like fingers, fell across his body and then, by some manner, began to creep closer to her. She stepped back and cast a circle of protection. The shadows backed off and all went quiet once more. Thessaly hurried on to the dining hall.

Back at Club Hangman???s the party was just getting started. Dimitri had got there early and was dressed up in a smart McQueen suit and a Venetian mask. The other Kindred present were also smartly dressed, some more than others, and they too wore masks for Dimitri had said the party was also a masquerade party and also his death day party.

Eventually the club was filled up, and Kane and Dimitri conversed with Priscus Neils of the Daeva, the Myrmidon, Chamberlain Odans, Spokesman Rain, some of the neonates and ancillea of the Carthians. A few punkish Kindred turned up at the doors, but were soon turned away by security. They were anarchs, those Carthians willing to go to extreme measures for a change in power. But then one person arrived who caught the attention of Dimitri, Annabel Barbican. It seems that the Invictus had taken his bait and accepted his invitation. He proceed to talk to her and to the Chamberlain, exchanging biting remarks until the Chamberlain reminded Annabel to be more courteous in the presence of their host. Kane then received a voice message from his sister. She said that she needed to see him and gave him an address that was located in the suburbs. Kane ignored it and continued with the party.

It was now that Dimitri hatched his plan, and offered her one of the nicest of the herd to feed on that night. Unknown to her, Dimitri had drugged the man with morphine. He took Annabel to one of the curtained areas and privately watched as she fed on the drugged man. Soon she too was feeling the effects. But before Dimitri could carry out his insidious plan, Patrick Falken had arrived and Dimitri had to present him to the gathered Carthians.

Meanwhile Thessaly had made her way to the secret underground hospital rooms. Accessed from a false freezer door the underground hospital wing was a dim and dark place. It was damp and cold, and deadly quiet. Gone were the mad ramblings of the patients from above. As she made her way down the corridor Thessaly passed a number of empty rooms and then came to the office from which Dr Hugo worked, his laboratory and a room with a large steel door. Within Thessaly could see a padded room, stained with damp and blood and bile. On the walls were things written in blood. Dr A, Dr R, Dr H, and tallies next to them. There was also the name Williamson, and one word that was new to Thessaly. Tremere.

Suddenly at the view hatch her eyes met those of another. His eyes were yellow, his pupils fully dilated. She could see little of his face and so a conversation began. The man spoke of strange things, of experiments, elixirs, his father (who he did not name), and of the things waiting in the shadows. Thessaly could see from his aura that he was quite mad, but also truthful.

Back at the party Dimitri introduced Patrick, first thanking everyone for coming and attending the party, his death day party, and of for showing their support for Patrick. With the pleasantries over Dimitri return to the curtained booth to find Annabel still intoxicated. It was now that he committed his perverse act.

Meanwhile Kane was in the club and over the radio he had heard that one of the ghouls on security in the loading bay below was not responding. Something was not going to plan.