[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 3

 

Galen sat in the dark, trying to focus his own senses and mind on the Mithraeum, to tap into the voice that spoke to him. He sat there in the dark, his mind open to the shadows, and yet he heard nothing. But a part of him nagged at his mind. Jealousy and envy. He wanted things, and part of him whispered his desires.

The next night Tristan awoke, again his dreams disturbed. But later the dreams would seem even more real. Dressed and ready to go out to his club, Tristan, and his ghoul, Carl, heard the screams of a woman. The screams came from with in the building, from the floor below of the apartment block. Tristan, with some hesitation, went out to see what was wrong. The apartments all opened out onto the atrium, and from here all floors could be seen. Two floors down a woman was screaming. She was screaming for her dead husband, and for her daughter.

Others were out of their apartments and also listening, and so with them, Tristan headed down to the woman. Some tried to console her, and others tried to ask what had happened. All Tristan could see was the large amounts of blood - not her blood - on her hands and clothes.

Tristan went inside, looking to find the daughter who should have been inside. It seemed the mother had been working late at the theater and so her husband and daughter were at home. Tristan could see that there was blood, red stains across the plastered walls and the door handle. Hardly fresh though.

Tristan crept into the apartment, noting the expensive furniture, the type of thing his parents liked. There on the floor was the dead husband, and as Tristan stepped forward there was the unsettling squelch of blood as it seeped up from the carpet. Blood had pooled all about the man. But there was something strange. He was face down before a large mirror, and the blood - it had some how flowed up to the mirror. The mirror it self was old, and the frame was ornate with pealing gold leaf. And it was cracked.

Tristan went forward and crouched down, and found that the man had lost his eyes. They were torn from the sockets and he was left with a grimace of pain. Tristan could hear the police sirens getting close. Someone had called the police. It was then that he also heard a frightened panting. From the bedroom door he could see crouched in the wardrobe, peering through the crack of the door, was the daughter. Tristan beckoned her to him in his most sympathetic voice, and lifted her up, taking her quickly from the apartment and the body of her father.

At the club, Tristan and Galen met and spoke to each other about what had happened and what they had learnt. Tristan explained how he would later go back and into the apartment once the police were done with the crime scene. Galen of course obtained the written invitations from Tristan, and was planning on going back with the gift for Nails. But Galen was also planning on going down to the Mithraeum again to see if he could determine the source of that voice.

In the darkness of the canals and tunnels Galen walked, trying not to fall in the water, dodging rats and trying to ensure he did not get lost. As he shone the torch around, he saw in walking towards him a figure, walking tall in a long overcoat and top hat. As the figure got closer Galen stood still. The Beast in him did not stir, but he was scared of this strange being. Galen stood still, and simply said 'Good Evening'. The figure did not reply, except to tilt his hat in respect. As they walked past, Galen for a moment though he could see the true form of the being. That the hat was long ears, the face was fanged and with a bat like snout, and the the coat was in fact wings through which his torch shone.

Galen's first stop was with Nails, back in the Undercity gathering spot. The chamber was not empty, and again there were fires lit, laughter, whispers and the exchange of goods. Nails was unfortunately not present, but some of the others did say that he would be along in short time.

Galen was approached by a bald, gaunt looking vampire, who introduced himself as Ralf. Ralf listened to Galen and confirmed for him the rumours of the blood sorcerer employed by Natalia Kerkfot. Ralf then went on to offer his aid in future and that he would see Galen around.

Galen finally got to see Nails and  gave him the invitation to Elysium for which Nails was greatful. Galen then left the gathering in the sewers and headed back to the Mithraeum in the hopes of communing with the entity he thought lurked there.

The club was strange that night, and Tristan felt constantly on edge. Always as if he was being watched. In the crowded club no-one ever noticed his blurred reflection, but he began to get the feeling that something was off with the mirrors. He then spotted it, the dead husband, his eyes missing, and somehow reaching for him in the mirror.

Tristan made a quick exit from the club and head back to his apartment haven, only to be haunted by the apparition future. Both he and his ghoul, Carl, saw the eyeless man reaching out for them, blood pouring forth from his empty eye sockets and mouth.

Tristan and Carl left the apartment and decided that until the haunting ceased then
they would stay  in a hotel. It was while they were leaving the apartment that they realized they were being followed. Choosing to confront the person, they were met by a small, lanky man. There was something strange about him. He called himself Mikey, and said he knew that they were being haunted, and knew what was killing people. But he would only help if they would promise his own safety until the killer was stopped. Mikey then reached out with his hand to shake on it. Tristan was wary of this stranger and had learnt the simply touching other vampires could cause trouble. Who knew what he was dealing with here. He told the man to leave them and that there was no deal, but Mikey, as he left, suggested they look at the bloodline.

Darker Days Radio Episode #40

Dave "Death and Arcana" Brookshaw

Mike and Chris are joined again by Dave Brookshaw, a writer for Mage's recent Left-Hand Path sourcebook. In the Secret Frequency, the hosts explore Fengdu, the Chinese City of the Dead, and also discuss the legend of a slumbering dragon beneath Beijing. Following that is a lengthy Q&A with Dave Brookshaw, looking at Requiem's Blood Sorcery, the God Machine Chronicles, and the upcoming NWoD game, Mummy: the Curse.

Don't worry, we have some CWoD discussion in this episode too! And get pumped for our upcoming NWO Conventionbook review.

Darker Days Contest Information:

Send us some feedback, questions, or Forgotten Lore material and you'll have a chance to win a White Wolf novel or anthology.

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[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 - The Two Thrones

Vampire the Requiem - Manchester

Season 2 - The Two Thrones

Episode 1 - Ashen Cross

Galen awoke on the floor, face down. It was cold and concrete, and filthy. And sticky. Galen sat up and looked at his hands as his eyes adjusted to the gloom. The dirt filtered light shone down from the flickering lights above. It reflected off the blood that was caked over his hands. And there was more. It covered his face, his clothes, and his mouth tasted of it. And then there was the body. Galen brushed his lank dark hair to the side to see better. There on the stairs with him has body. A vampire. He knew this because he could sense the blood in his mouth was vitae. Galen’s eyes widen at the realization.

Where the hell am I?

Galen reached out with his senses.The rat piss stench intensified. The light from above became an stark orange. And now he could hear the sounds of cars above. He was in a carpark, in the stairwell, and he was below ground. He hurried search the body, looking for some clue to give him an idea of who they were, who she was. He skin was sunken, like stretched vellum. And her fangs were exposed.

Galen  rushed up the steps and out into the carpark. He checked the cars there, and choose an older model that was less likely to have an alarm. With his elbow he shattered the passenger window, popped the trunk and rooted about. He found and overcoat and a bag of recently worn sportswear. He then went back and quickly dragged the body to the car and bundled the corpse into the trunk. Galen then put on some of the clothes in the sports bag, as at least they were cleaner than what he was currently wearing. With that done all that was left was to drive and find somewhere to get rid of the body.

In Fallowfield, Tristan had arrived at the Lancea Sanctum mass that he had been invited to. It was a typical red brick church that was common to Manchester. There we some ghouls as guards on the gate to the grounds and at the front doors. But they were dressed like normal parishioners. Tristen stepped out of the car and smoothed his suit down and idly check himself in the mirror, for what it was worth.
At the front door of the church waiting was Sister Rebecca Castle. She was dressed in her stern suit, but also wore the muted robes of the Westminster Creed. No regal reds and purples here. Just blacks and whites and silver Chi-Rho on each breast. She greeted Tristan, thanking him for his time and for representing the Carthians, and how that she hoped that they could reaffirm the alliance between church and government as she fears that return of the Ordo Dracul to the city is just the start of darker times.
Tristan took a seat in the church, which plain, as is standard with a Protestant church. Once the front doors were shut and locked the curtains were drawn across all windows and the nights rites began.
First Castle read out notices which were all rather mundane and uninteresting. Tristan just sat at the back of the church checking his phone. But once those had all been read out the real business began. Castle had chosen to read from the Rule of Golgotha.

‘Incline your ears, O my children of the night, and let these humble words

fly to your hearts. Know that the teachings of our father Longinus are a

great burden upon us, and that the judgment of God is most justly severe.

Recognize that these words are written not at the bidding of any man, nor

any demon, but for and through the purpose of our God.’

Galen drove from the carpark, in Ancoats, near the train station, to an abandoned factory. Along the way he stopped off to buy some petrol, which he was using to soak the body and the wood piled on top of it. To make sure there would be no other evidence Galen had also smashed out the fangs from the corpse for later disposal. He looked on as the fire blazed, and it was then he got a call. It was Ruth, and she was pissed. She berated Galen for being late, and that she had heard from the dealer he didn’t show. Galen said he could meet them in 2 hours time.

Tristan watched the Lancea Sanctum rites continue, and as 3 mortals we brought before the altar. Their thoughts were slit and from the collected blood was then used as a sacrament. New members of the Covenant were anointed with blood and then the Mass was over. The gathered vampires split up into small groups to chat, and Tristan was joined by another of the Lancea Sanctum, the androgynous Nosferatu Priscus, Amanda Heath. She asked Tristan about the mass and how it work to their benefit to ensure the close relations with between the Lancea Sanctum and the Carthians.

Tristan left the church and checked his phone, noting that there was a message from Ruth. He listened to her complaint about Galen, and she said she would meet him and Galen at the Ascension club.

At the Ascension Club, Tristan was pleased to see it busy, ripe for h
unting. He made his way towards the vip area where the ghouled security kept watch. Past the curtains and into the secluded room were two other Kindred. One was the known to Tristan, Lauren Esten. She was dressed in her typically seductive attire and with her platinum hair. She had one of her herd with her and he was drowsy from being fed upon. Another man was present, dressed in a suit and with cropped curly hair. He introduced himself as Scott Hoyle and that he was looking for a missing friend and was wondering if she had come by the club. He explain that he had thought he had seen her with Galen.

Ruth arrived and showed Tristan to the store room of the club, where they waited for Galen who had picked up the goods from the dealers. Galen brought in a large sports bag and inside were parcels wrapped in brown paper and then in clingfilm. Ruth pulled out a flick knife and punctured one to show them that it was what she needed to continue manufacturing the next batch of speed. This material was just what she was cutting the speed with.

Tristan explained that there was someone in the club looking for Galen. Galen, concerned, went to see who this person was, even though they were both sure that this man was hiding something.

In the vip area Galen met Scott, and Scott explained that he was looking for Fiona Redditch, and that he had seen Galen with her. Galen dismissed it and that the woman that Scott described had not been with him at any point in the night. Scott got increasingly annoyed with Galen, and threatened that both he and Tristan would get what they deserved if Fiona was not found.

Galen, in need of more information, went to Elysium, held in the Circle Club, located under St Ann’s arcade. Galen awaited outside the black door, emblazoned upon which was a gold circle. He went inside and showed his ID and proceeded down into the club. The club was a dark and sombre place, with black slate and under lighting giving the cool glow to the venue. Galen waited for a chance to speak to the Myrmidon, Estabelle Duncanson. She wore her typical Victorian style garb. Estabelle took the time to listen to Galen’s questions, and informed him that the real Scott Hoyle had been in looking for Fiona, and that Fiona was a Invictus lacky while Scott Hoyle was of a Lancea Sanctum and believed to be romantically involved.

Galen returned to his haven, the old house back in Chorlton, and prepared to sleep for the evening. It was as he entered his ‘coffin’ that he noted something was wrong. The fangs of Fiona he had left there earlier were gone.

Darker Days Podcast » Blog Archive » Darker Days Radio: Darkling #26 - Iron Kingdoms

Mike and Chris are joined by Simon Berman, Community Coordinator and Staff Writer for Privateer Press.

In this Darkling we discuss the recent release from Privateer Press, the new edition of the Iron Kingdoms RPG. We look at what the setting has to offer, the similarity the game rules have with the wargames Warmachine and Hordes, and briefly discuss what we can look forward to in the future for this exciting new edition.

Send any feedback or questions send us an email at darkerdaysradio@gmail.com

For more information on all the products discussed in the show go to http://privateerpress.com/

Alternatively you can get more news and information by searching for Privateer Press on Google +, Facebook and Twitter, and you can also go looking for Simon Berman on there if you are interested in all his other work.

Be sure to check us out at http://www.facebook.com/DarkerDaysRadio or our Posterous forum at http://darkerdaysradio.posterous.com/#!/. Be sure to subscribe through iTunes!

Our new domain name is http://darker-days.org

Interested in the console game for Warmachine being developed by White Moon Games? Check out the fantastic trailer from E3

Interested in getting hold of Iron Kingdoms products digitally (D20 material but hey still a great read) follow the links Drivethrurpg.

Interested in painting lessons for your new Iron Kingdoms, Warmachine and Hordes minis and you're in the UK, check out http://www.golempaintingstudio.co.uk/

Below are some examples of their excellent Warmachine figures they have painted.

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