I'm currently running a Vampire the Masquerade chronicle using the 5th Edition rule-set for a small group of fellow role-players. These are the chronicles of their adventures.
Our chronicle is set in Los Angeles and features a small group of Camarilla agents sent into the 'Free States' to bring them back under Camarilla control. Over a year of plotting allowed the coterie to gain control of two North-Eastern Baronies and a large part of a third. Now they are moving on to the final stage of their campaign and have their eyes on taking over the entire city, either directly or by proxy.
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The now obligatory warning bit - Unlike my other RPG write-ups this one will contain swearing, sexual references and other references that might offend. If you can't tell the difference between real peoples opinions and grown-ups role-playing predators who crave blood then this probably won't be for you. There are however a list of potential triggers listed before the introduction. I've also used actual photographs to represent some characters which I'll give acknowledgements to at the end if I've any idea who they are.
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The introduction to this campaign, the first story and all the other parts can be found at the following links and are in chronological order. If you'd prefer a summary of each session rather than read everything then there's a more detailed link page HERE as well as links to the first episode of each story in the blog sidebar.
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Chronicle One - 'Infiltrate L.A.'
Welcome to L.A. - Introductory Session
Story One - 'Three Murders' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Interlude Session - One
Story Two - 'The Pasadena Problem' - Part One, Two, Three, and Four
Solo Session - 'The Neillson Library'
Story Two Continued- 'The Pasadena Problem' - Part Five, Six, Seven and Eight
Story Three - 'Becoming Baron' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Solo Session - 'The Gather'
Story Three Continued - 'Becoming Baron' - Part Six, Seven and Eight
The now obligatory warning bit - Unlike my other RPG write-ups this one will contain swearing, sexual references and other references that might offend. If you can't tell the difference between real peoples opinions and grown-ups role-playing predators who crave blood then this probably won't be for you. There are however a list of potential triggers listed before the introduction. I've also used actual photographs to represent some characters which I'll give acknowledgements to at the end if I've any idea who they are.
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The introduction to this campaign, the first story and all the other parts can be found at the following links and are in chronological order. If you'd prefer a summary of each session rather than read everything then there's a more detailed link page HERE as well as links to the first episode of each story in the blog sidebar.
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Chronicle One - 'Infiltrate L.A.'
Story One - 'Three Murders' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Interlude Session - One
Story Two - 'The Pasadena Problem' - Part One, Two, Three, and Four
Solo Session - 'The Neillson Library'
Story Two Continued- 'The Pasadena Problem' - Part Five, Six, Seven and Eight
Story Three - 'Becoming Baron' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Solo Session - 'The Gather'
Story Three Continued - 'Becoming Baron' - Part Six, Seven and Eight
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Chronicle Two - 'Foothold L.A.'
Solo Session - 'Hostile Takeover'
Story Four - 'Countdown' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Five - 'The Missing Chantry' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Solo Session - 'The Anaheim Assassination'
Story Six - 'A Meeting of Barons' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Seven - 'The Carmelita Situation' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Eight - 'The Blount Sisters' - Part One and Two
Story Nine - 'Blood Money' - Part One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six
Story Ten - 'Anathema' - Part One and Two
Story Eleven - 'Predators and Prey' aka 'The Blount Sisters' - Part Three
Story Twelve - 'Aftermath' - Part One and Two
Story Thirteen - 'The Messiah Complex' - Part One, Two, Three and Four
Chronicle Two - 'Foothold L.A.'
Story Four - 'Countdown' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Five - 'The Missing Chantry' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Solo Session - 'The Anaheim Assassination'
Story Six - 'A Meeting of Barons' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Seven - 'The Carmelita Situation' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Eight - 'The Blount Sisters' - Part One and Two
Story Nine - 'Blood Money' - Part One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six
Story Ten - 'Anathema' - Part One and Two
Story Eleven - 'Predators and Prey' aka 'The Blount Sisters' - Part Three
Story Twelve - 'Aftermath' - Part One and Two
Story Thirteen - 'The Messiah Complex' - Part One, Two, Three and Four
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Chronicle Three - 'Incursion L.A.'
Chronicle Three - 'Incursion L.A.'
Solo Session - 'A Gathering of Roses'
Story Sixteen - 'The Southern Solution' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Seventeen - 'The Baker Disappearance' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Seventeen - 'The Baker Disappearance' - Part One, Two and Three
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Interlude Session One - After Griffith Park
Interlude Session Two - Divide and Conquer
Interlude Session Three - On the Brink of War
--------------------Chronicle Four - 'Conquest L.A.'
Interlude Session - Recon
Interlude Session - Damage Limitation
Interlude Session - The Killing Spree
Story Twenty Eight - 'Hunters Hunted' - Epilogue
Solo Session - 'The Barony of the Angels'
Solo Session - 'The Salubri Tome'
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Michael Tomassio - Toreador, 'Baron of the North East'
Vincent 'Vin' Ghast - Brujah, 'Constable'
Dr Daniel Matthews - Banu Haqim, 'Fixer'
Hope Romero - Gangrel, 'Census Taker'
Sofia Rivera - Toreador, 'Hollywood Scourge'
The Storyteller
Garreth - Everyone else...
The player characters stats and backgrounds can be found HERE should any-one be interested, but be warned that the page is usually several stories ahead of the most recent write-up and may contain some spoilers.
There's also some minor 'house-rules' HERE that have occurred as we went along.
If I think something needs a bit of out of character explanation then those will get a storytellers note that will helpfully be in red. Introductory pieces that I read to the group are in Blue. Where particular NPC's have a mention in a faction profile you will be able to reach it by clicking on their name or faction beneath their picture.
Trigger Warnings for This Session: Blood (Obviously), Child Murder.
Introduction
The event that Michael has been anticipating and fearing in equal measure has finally occurred as he has been invited by Baron Isaac Abrams to a meeting with the Toreador Methuselah Sir Matthew Lubbock. Michael's premonition indicated that three of the kindred at this meeting would meet their final deaths and that if one of those destroyed was not Lubbock then the Anarch Free States themselves would fall...
Storytellers Note - This was a long session so get some snacks and/or a blood doll ready before you start reading...
Scene Fifty Seven - Into the Unknown
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| Eleanor Moreno - Chauffeur Agent of Fiorenza Savona |
Michael beckoned Vin over to him. "Take care of Sofia." Vin nodded.
As the group approached the vehicle, Eleanor addressed them all. "Baron Abrams ordered me to collect you and your entourage and bring you to his mansion."
"I would have thought Isaac could afford his own driver..." quipped Hope.
Daniel's concerns were more in the matter of what security they might have to deal with when they got there. Unfortunately this had been pre-empted. Eleanor did a passable impression of Victoria. "Security precautions are none of their business, specifically they are none of Daniels, I trust you understand..."
Daniel shrugged. It had been worth a try.
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| Fiorenza Savona - Ventrue Camarilla Power Broker |
'Mansion' barely did the structure justice, though fortress would also have been inadequate. A gatehouse at the entrance was heavily guarded and there were both internal and external patrols. The single-minded and uniform nature of the patrols was unnaturally precise even for military men and both Vin and Daniel concluded that these had been mentally conditioned in some way. All were handsome, most were blonde and a few seemed a little too young for the duties they were performing.
An expressionless guard with a monotone voice requested that they exited the vehicle.
After they did so Eleanor parked the vehicle next to several similar vehicles near the side of the vast structure. Dozens of expensive vehicles filled the parking spaces to it's front.
"Any weapons need to be left here..." said the guard.
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| Vin's Cleaver - A Gift from Desdemona Moore |
Storytellers Note - Vin's player rolls so many dice for Intimidation that 'taking half' is pretty much a guarantee of success against mortals.
"Next." stated the guard though conspicuously avoided making eye contact with Vin who stood nearby.
Daniel handed over one of his colts and a spare magazine. He had a dozen other weapons of various types concealed around his person but the guard didn't even pat him down. He still seemed rattled from his initial confrontation with Vin.
Both Sofia and Hope appeared to be unarmed, though only in Hope's case this was actually true. An unfortunate Frenzy had granted her razor sharp talons and her hands had never returned to their normal state and so she found handling normal weapons to be difficult. Not that she needed them.
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| Sofia's Ornamental Kusarigama |
Daniel made a mental note to ensure that any security organised by himself was less reliant on the perceived invulnerability of their masters. Experience had taught him that almost any kindred could be destroyed with enough time and planning.
They found themselves with an escort of four handsome men, all of which Daniel was sure were kindred, who took them through an elaborate entrance way to a reception area up an elaborate double staircase. There was a selection of expensive, though somewhat ostentatious seats for guests to use.
The two primary bodyguards from their encounter with Lubbock's childe at the gallery were standing guard preventing further passage down the corridor.
One of the seats was currently occupied by Marius's ghoul and blood doll Heather who was drinking a glass of what looked like champagne presumably obtained from the nearby bar. She was barefooted, wearing a short skirt, blouse and a spiked collar and had spread herself out enough to take up the entire sofa on which she was seated.
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| Heather Taylor - Ghoul of Marius Blood Doll |
Daniel spent a moment considering this and concluded that her confidence was usually a front to conceal her massive insecurities about the dangerous environments in which she spent her time. Her confidence this evening did however seem to be genuine. She probably should be nervous but apparently wasn't. Though he was suspicious about the reason there wasn't much he could do about it now.
The four escorts dropped into place at the corners of the room and loosened coats and jackets to give them easy access to their own weapons. A newcomer, unknown to them all, advanced from the guarded corridor and beckoned to Michael. "Isaac has requested your presence at a gathering. Your minions can wait here.." It didn't sound like a question.
A fifth kindred replaced this newcomer in the corridor leaving them with a guard each. Though it was obvious that they didn't see Heather as a threat, she nonetheless apparently warranted a guard to watch over her.
Daniel's senses were slightly more acute than the rest of the coterie, having been honed by constant use. It was therefore only he who could hear the distant sounds of crying, specifically the sobs of children. Or perhaps it was just in his imagination?
Scene Fifty Eight - Alone (Part One)
The escort diverted any attempt by Michael to ask about himself. "Who I am is only important. If you survive this meeting, perhaps then I'll deign to introduce myself..."
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| Joaquín Murietta - Toreador Childe of Christopher |
Reality and memory overlapped with only the most minor of differences. The kindred he expected to see were all present as were thirty or so toadying sycophants, apparently audience to the act of revenge being played out in front of them.
Marius was bloodier than he remembered and Joaquín Murietta didn't even stir, his broken body discarded in one corner. Christopher was prostrate, not kneeling, and so he couldn't see the look of fear upon his face. Isaac had the weapon from the premonition within his hand though he noted a look of discomfort that his recent vision had not revealed
Sir Matthew Lubbock addressed Isaac Abrams.
"So this is the kindred you wish to use as a figurehead for our rule? I fail to see the necessity but I'll indulge you for a moment. I have waited centuries for my revenge so a few more moments will make little difference." He finally turned in Michael's direction. "Explain to me why I should allow your continued existence?"
Interlude - From Below
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| Jean 'Jax' Thomas - Ghoul of Baron Fortier Personal Bodyguard and Assassin |
Though their own forces were smaller in number, they would have the element of surprise as well as superior firepower. Sir Matthew Lubbock's childe had assured them that this was so and he had no doubts.
As the observer removed his phone from his pocket he felt a sharp pain in his wrist. He looked in surprise at the phone on the ground, still held firmly in his severed hand. As shock set in he bent down to retrieve it with his one remaining appendage. As he did so a razor sharp blade removed his head from his shoulders and it's wielder crushed the communication device to powder with a booted heel.
Yukio Hayashi, ghoul of Marius, Onna-bugeisha and assassin then sent a message of her own.
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The unit was cramped. Thirty mattresses crowded every inch of floorspace and the stink of too many individuals living in too close a proximity filled the air. At least their discomfort was soon to be over. The Anarchs were gathering their forces and once their lookout informed them that Fortier was on the move, they'd move to their ambush point. Rocket and grenade launchers, high calibre rifles and machine guns had been distributed to his men and would make short-work of Louis's armoured convoy.
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| Quinn - Gangrel Eldest Childe of the Mistress of the Swarm |
Quinn had ensured that the swarm of kindred, ghouls and blood-bound cattle had followed the directions of the Malkavian architect Dillan Fitzgerald exactly as they undermined the basement. His horde fell upon the surprised raiders and tore them to pieces. The one kindred amongst the enemy was a different matter. Strong and fast, he tore through all those who faced him.
Eden Whyte, Brujah mercenary and veteran of three centuries of warfare knew when a cause was lost. He fought his way through the cannon fodder to a fallen girder that should enable him to clamber back to the surface to the fall-back position he'd prepared in case of just such an emergency. Only an emaciated girl in tattered clothing stood in his way and she was clearly no threat.
The Swarm waited patiently as their mistress slowly and systematically dismembered the unfortunate Brujah before draining him of his vitae and then his soul. The ease with which she destroyed a foe that he himself had feared to face convinced Quinn once more that second in command was the best he could hope for.
Quinn waited until she was finished and then stepped in to organise the chaos and beat the rest of the herd into line before they did something stupid. Of course their were some casualties but they were expendable assets and he gave them no more thought. The army of the Baron of West L.A. would make it to the rendezvous point unmolested and that was all that mattered.
Scene Fifty Eight - Alone (Part Two)
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| Sir Matthew Lubbock - Toreador Methuselah |
"Like you I came to L.A. as a representative of one of the high clans and was unimpressed with the chaotic nature of the Anarchs. It was clear that they lacked leadership. Despite their suspicions I elevated myself to the rank of Baron and from there to the position as Arbiter of a Council that I myself manipulated them to create. In spite of these schemes they still see me as one of them, a true Anarch, and that is what you need. My voice carries weight with them and I can be a mouthpiece for you that speaks both our language and theirs, and with all due respect that is much more efficient than destroying them all. It only requires a single Anarch to survive and others will come to join them. With me as your agent you can rule without he tedium that comes from having to deal with...the rabble..."
Storytellers Note - I didn't make the player roll for this as this was a pretty epic speech and I wouldn't have wanted a shitty bad luck dice roll to screw it up. It was also kind of the truth so wouldn't have been detected as a lie, lol.
As Michael spoke, Sir Matthew Lubbock rose from his throne, kicking Christopher aside as he did so and moved towards Michael, seemingly fascinated. The Baron noticed Marius had produced a stake from somewhere, his intention was obvious but ultimately futile. Without appearing to even travel from one place to another, Lubbock grabbed the Gangrel 'Fixer' by throat and wrist.
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| Marius's Aura via Auspex 'Scry the Soul' |
"Do you think I ever really turned my back on you? I could smell your taint, see the blackness of your soul so clearly. Nothing can be hidden from me once I cast my sight towards it. Your sire was as arrogant as you but it seems he at least was capable of subtlety."
Inexplicably, Marius was smiling as he attempted to speak. Lubbock loosened his grip ever so slightly. "Last words, perhaps?"
Marius spat dark blood into Lubbock's face. Anger turned to surprise as the Methuselah looked down at the dark blade protruding from his chest, driven through ancient flesh by the hand of Isaac Abrams. The dark red blade began to turn black as Sir Matthew's scream resonated both from his voice and mind. As he fell forward he hurled Marius with crushing force into a stone pillar where he slumped in a heap next to Christopher's defeated bodyguard Joaquín.
Baron Abrams had seemingly received the full brunt of the ancient ones death cry as blood flowed from his eyes, ears and nose and he too slumped to the ground. As the Methuselah fell forward the blade stayed embedded in his body, the supernaturally sharp blade penetrated deep into the floor as millennia caught up upon the destroyed ones body.
Michael and Sir Matthews childe were the only ones left standing, he surveyed the crowd, some of which had produced firearms and bladed weapons, then turned to Michael and was about to speak. He knew he had only moments in which to act.
Interlude - Bang You're Dead
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| 'The Last Round' - Downtown |
The mortal explosive expert had got the job through the usual channels and the fee was five times his usual price. He had explosives placed below The Last Round and along both walls. He'd been warned not to attempt to sneak inside so had been forced to place devices in the neighbouring buildings and had used extra C-4 to ensure the transmission of force was sufficient to reduce the structure and everyone in it to powder.
As requested he'd made sure that his identified targets, the leader, the commie girl and the black guy were all in the bar. The others were just collateral damage. Ensuring he was out of the blast radius he pressed the button on the detonator. At these prices he needed to make sure the job went off without a hitch so he wanted to see the explosion. In truth he probably didn't, but he liked to watch them anyway.
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| Eleanor 'The Sorceress' Braun - Gangrel Childe of Marius |
The explosion that occurred was far from the one he was expecting as rapidly boiling blood caused his body to explode leaving steaming fluids and pieces of flesh along the floor and walls of the alleyway in which he'd been standing. Super-heated droplets of blood fell like rain and sizzled as they landed.
Eleanor Braun, childe of Marius, also known as 'The Sorceress', smiled to herself as the foolish mortals existence was ended in spectacular fashion. Her coterie and childer, The Oracles of the Crone, stood behind her. Maisey Burke, youngest of them in both appearance and chronologically tapped the eldest, Luella Gilmour, on the shoulder. "When are you going to teach me how to do that?"
"When..." stated Luella. "...I can trust you to use it only when necessary and not simply because you're a bit bored..."
Eleanor turned to her brood. "Enough talk. We still have a lot to do tonight..."
Scene Fifty Nine - Three (Final) Deaths
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| Childe of Lubbock - Toreador Destroyed |
He then pointed at Lubbock's childe. "He is your enemy, not I. See how he will not deign to lift a finger to help those who need it. He would sacrifice you just the same. Save yourselves, join me and destroy him..."
The childe of Lubbock, whose name he never even learned was torn apart by gunfire and frenzied close combat attacks. Though young he had power and managed to take a significant number of his assaulters with him, Ultimately however, his lack of experience at using his powers made all the difference and he joined his sire in experiencing his Final Death far sooner than he was expecting. All through the violence Michael's mask of innocence never slipped for a moment.
Fourteen survived, though two were wounded, one seriously.
The survivors approached Michael with a deference bordering on worship. Some prostrated themselves, the rest knelt Those closest to him began to cut themselves and offer the bloody wounds to him. Whatever was left of their damaged minds had apparently latched onto Michael as the new subject of their worship.
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| Christopher Houghton - Toreador 5th Generation Kindred |
The relationship between Isaac and Christopher became all so clear to Him. Though Christopher was the sire, it is clear that Isaac saw himself as father to this immortal boy. He had risked so many lives and unlives, simply to remove a threat to one he loved, though as a son, not a possession. His hatred for the one who caused his charge such misery must have been overwhelming.
Marius too is stirring. His recovery made at the cost of Joaquín Murietta's unlife, the last of his vitae drained by the pragmatic Gangrel. Yet it is obvious that little lifeblood remained in the body, judging by the innumerable wounds that Marius has yet to heal.
"You took your fucking time." spat out Marius, obviously addressing Isaac. He then turned to Michael. "Please tell me you've been using all that charm and influence to gather some allies, because my brood are currently wiping out all that cunts killteams around the city so are no use to us whatsofucking ever and I have bits of my ribs in my fucking lungs..."
Michael could see the reason beginning to leave Marius's eyes. His suspicions confirmed by the Gangrel's next statement. "...I'm also about to fucking frenzy so I might as well cover your fucking retreat..."
Isaac tilted forward a book on a nearby shelf and a secret passage opened leading downwards. Michael noticed that the book was called The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco. "Help me with Christopher..." said Isaac though it was clearly a request, not an order, and had no unnatural gifts fuelling it. As the doorway closed, Michael could see reinforcements flood the room. As Marius allowed the beast to take control he disappeared under the sheer weight of incoming foes. Then the screaming began, before being cut short as the sound-proofed door sealed shut behind them.
Interlude - A Shot in the Dark
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| Baron Karen Anatos - Gangrel AKA Ophelia Vine |
"What about the hit on this Ophelia Vine bitch?" asked his colleague. "We've got her schedule worked out, she'll be feeding at this 'audition' so won't be expecting an attack, it's the best opportunity we'll ever bloody get..."
The first kindred who spoke, clearly had no patience for opposing viewpoints. "Get the fuck out and tell the others that there's a change of plan, then get back here on the fucking double. We need to leave NOW!"
Two shots, a fraction of a second between them, hit both vehicles. Whatever had fired the shells was of a ridiculously high calibre as it obliterated both vehicles engines with ease.
"Ambush!" yelled an occupant of the second van, somewhat unnecessarily, as an armour-piercing round punched through the side of the lead vehicle and exited the other side without effort.
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| Emmanuella Booth - Gangrel 'The Pale Lady', Childe of Marius |
Rebecca left her pack 'The Mollies', to dismantle the 20mm cannon she'd used to disable the vehicles engines and moved to a position from where she could observe her sire.
Emmanuella needed no spotters or technological assistance to hunt her prey. Preternatural senses detected even the most minute changes in environmental conditions and their cover was meaningless as she perceived the auras of her targets through the intervening obstacles.
All her targets were kindred which required a little more care with the placing of shots, but the .50 calibre rounds she used created such an impact that a hit anywhere in the upper body was enough. Two kindred who had helpfully aligned themselves saved her a round.
"Eight, with seven rounds. Not bad..." observed Rebecca as her sire returned her Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle to it's case.
"Send some of your pack down there just to make sure." replied Emmanuella ."Then leave one you trust to make sure the clean-up teams do their jobs properly." Rebecca nodded and beckoned over Violet, the only other Gangrel in her pack and sent her to see to any 'mopping up'. If any had survived the onslaught then Violet 'Violent' Hodges would deal with them.
Scene Sixty - Surprise (Part One)
All those gifted with preternatural senses, heard a scream though even those who do not, somehow feel it resonate within them. The Archon they knew as William was the first to draw his weapon as Vin crashed into him putting off his aim and sending them both rolling down the stairs. Vin could take care of himself, the rest however now had five other guards to face.
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| Scoped Smith and Wesson 500 |
Before any could retaliate against her, she promptly vanished before everyone's very eyes.
Daniel caught the high calibre revolver in his left hand hand, his right had already drawn one of the weapons that the guard had failed to relinquish him of. Not wishing to take any chances against such potent enemies, he emptied the magazine of his 10mm Colt into the head of the crumpled Archon, removing most of their skull.
Almost simultaneously, Sofia drew a pair of short swords from concealed scabbards beneath her jacket. As shadows began to coalesce around the kindred in front of her, she swung the weapons around and removed her foes head as if she was using a giant pair of shears. Within a second or two, three of their guards had been decapitated and a fourth was engaged with Vin in the hallway below.
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| Glock 18 - Full Auto Pistol |
The rounds flattened against flesh as hard as stone, as Hope lamented the destruction of another jacket and blouse. Before she could retaliate, Daniel dropped his pistol and newly gifted revolver and switched to his karambit's. Their final opponent bled vitae from a dozen cuts, unprepared for the speed of the assault, and the ease with which his allies had been despatched. As he turned to retreat, Daniel's last few attacks claimed his unlife.
Once more Daniel could hear the sound of children sobbing becoming louder and he gained some sense of the direction from which it was coming. This time Hope heard it too. They could also hear the approach of dozens of enemies approaching, presumably eager to avenge the final death of their master.
"We can handle them..." said Hope to Daniel. "...Go be a hero..."
Interlude - Mother
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| Myranda Maria - Gangrel Pack Leader of The Wilds Pack |
"In hindsight..." she thought. "...I should probably have paid more attention to granddaddies warnings about the 'army' amassing in The Wilds.."
"A Methuselah of his age will surely know of another..." he had lectured her. "...so get Nicodemus to relocate, fortify your own bases and keep your heads down til we cut the heart out of the bastard..." he had also said something about awaiting reinforcements, warned her that this was a force of sufficient size to take out El Hermandad and the Liberated and therefore too large to take head on, and several other retrospectively good pieces of advice which in her arrogance she'd also ignored.
They enemy had hit Nicodemus first. Incendiary grenades, flamethrowers and Raufoss rounds had decimated his vitae fuelled arachnid swarm and anti-tank weapons had punched a myriad of holes in his armoured carapace.
The damage he'd inflicted in return was still impressive, though eventually he was forced to retreat, a situation she'd never before even contemplated as a possibility. Just like that her most potent weapon had been removed from the battlefield and the enemy still had over half of his forces remaining.
Lezabel had escaped with barely a handful of her precious animals. The rest had died protecting her and had done little damage to an enemy equipped to deal with kindred. Similarly Lola, had sacrificed her avian allies to buy herself time to retreat. Unlike Lezabel, Myranda doubted that Lola would mourn the loss of the creatures she commanded, and then there was Samael. She had always had her doubts about his loyalty, yet he had taken the stake that had been aimed at her heart, right in his guts, then covered her retreat. The forces who closed in on him had carried nets of chain and heavy shackles so she hoped that their intention was capture not destruction. At least that made rescue an option, if she survived that is.
Then, the shooting stopped, and the shouts of alarm began.
A dark cloud appeared overhead and was inexplicably moving in direct opposition to the direction of the wind. It seemed as if every flying creature in the wilds had gathered together. They dove downwards, pecking out eyes, and clawing at weapons, insects burrowed into clothing as the frantic enemy attempted to swat them away. Then the ground erupted too.
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| Aviana Maria - Gangrel Eldest Childe of Marius |
Within minutes the only noise from the opposing force was the low moans of the blinded and crippled. The creatures of the air dispersed, dismissed by a will capable of summoning a domains worth of creatures with a mere thought.
Despite the coating of dirt and blood, her red-headed saviour was still eerily beautiful, a force of nature made manifest. Myranda rose from her knees and stared in disbelief as Aviana, her mother and sire, supposedly destroyed at Marius's hand centuries ago to appease the Bahari cult he'd infiltrated, stood before her. "Marius destroyed you..." she managed to utter, still unable to process the fact that her mother still existed.
Myranda heard the voice mentally as well as aurally, as if the speaker was unused to verbal communication. "The spider king is licking his wounds deep below and your pack lies torpid and shackled in the enemies base. Come with me and I will show you how a true servant of Lilith deals with unbelievers...then we can discuss a necessary deception that I and your grandesire have nonetheless regretted many, many times..."
Scene Sixty - Surprise (Part Two)
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| Desdemona Moore - Brujah Sire of Vin, Red Alastor, Praetor |
Vin had met the Archon when he had been a ghoul and had never forgotten the way he had been treated, or the scorn that Justinian had shown Desdemona. Vin knew his sire wasn't perfect, but she had been good to him in her own way. He had hated William for a decade, never having a chance to do anything about it due to the Gangrel's rank of Archon. He also had knowledge passed to him by Desdemona that he had kept to himself, now was the right time to share it with William.
"...I know. That's why she had him destroyed..."
The statement struck the Archon like a physical blow. As Vin drew his blade he continued. "...ever wonder why Marius is still doing favours for Desdemona? Your precious Justicar came to L.A. to take out the Anathema, Karen Anatos, to use her final death to regain his position and rank. My sire leaked the information to a certain notorious diablerist, and then blackmailed the bastard in exchange for keeping the information to herself when Marius ate his soul. She's been keeping Marius off the Red List for five years and he's been keeping her happy in return. I just thought you might want to know that before I eat your fucking heart..."
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| Vin's Revenge on William |
Vin eviscerated the enraged Archon with a one handed slash, grabbed them with the other and hurled them into a solid wall with such force that even the vaunted resilience of their clan was insufficient to prevent bones from shattering.
Vin kept his promise as he hacked out their heart and tore into it with his fangs. Then he drained the rest of their vitae in brutal fashion, and kept on until he took their soul too. Desdemona had sanctioned the diablerie, though Vin doubted that Michael would approve which was fine as he had already decided to just not tell him.
As Williams body turned to dust, Vin heard the incoming footfalls of a dozen enemies. As he turned he saw Daniel heading in the opposite direction. As he too heard the sounds of the children's cries, he knew exactly where Doctor Matthews was heading. He therefore moved to intercept the incoming foes who might have hampered Daniel's progress.
Scene Sixty One - The Tlacique
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| Not...Fast...Enough... |
Daniel covered the distance between himself and the mortal guards in an instant. Neither had a chance to retaliate as the Banu Haqim shot each one through the forehead at point blank range. Unsure of what he might face beyond, he quickly quenched some of his thirst on the two bodies now at his feet, then kicked the door at the lock with all his might. The door splintered and swung open.
Storytellers Note - One of the dead guards had the key in his pocket...never mind...
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| Kindred of the Tlacique Bloodline |
"I was promised nine sacrifices in return for the tormenting of Christopher, but a tenth will make no difference." He raised a wavy-bladed dagger to Daniel in a mocking salute and tossed the now silent heart away as if it was nothing of importance. "Should I introduce myself before we begin?"
"I can assure you..." replied Daniel. "...that your name is irrelevant to me..."
The murderous kindred began to laugh and held out his other hand. As Daniel watched in disbelief, flames began to form in their palm and flowed up their forearm. A voice within his mind screamed at him to escape the fire and he found his body obeying the irresistible impulse. The Beast feared the fire and fled, taking Daniel with him. As he turned to run, the murderer of children gripped his shoulder with a limb engulfed in flame and drove the dagger through Daniel's back.
This, as it turned out, was a tactical error on the blood sorcerers behalf.
Sacrificial Blade
Daniel had spent many months with the Bahari, learning how to use pain and self mutilation as a tool to increase his will and how it could give one the power to resist the impulses of the beast. The sudden burst of pain gave him something on which to focus and he turned the pain of physical damage into mental strength. As he turned towards his attacker he drew his blade and lashed out, severing the Aztec warriors hand at the wrist. The flames flickered and disappeared.
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| Daniel's Karambit's |
As his enemy stepped back, the assassin struck again, this time slitting the foes throat from ear to ear. His rage faded, replaced by a cold hatred. He ducked a clumsy blow and drove his blade deep into their left leg, then repeated the action with their right after avoiding a telegraphed feint. They raised their remaining hand, perhaps in a request for mercy. Instead Daniel removed this limb also, before pushing his knife into their heart, twisting it and ripping it out sideways with vitae enhanced force. Tiring of the game, he removed their head with an almost casual backhanded strike and turned his attention to the children.
Concerned about what his need to feed might mean when surrounded by the vulnerable, Daniel fed upon the destroyed kindred. He usually avoided feeding on vampires as Vitae was like a drug to his clan and he himself was no less susceptible. In fact he had spent much of the last few months being taught to resist such urges.
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| Prisoners of Lubbock - In Chains |
He then put on his best 'Dr' voice and spoke to the sobbing children. "I need you all to be brave for me. The bad man is gone. I'm going to free you one at a time. Pick a friend and hold their hand. We're going to walk out of here in pairs. Stay behind me. I'll protect you from any other bad men who try and stop us..."
Something about certainty of his tone, and the comforting words inspired the children to trust him. Though still terrified, they willingly obeyed him as he picked those locks he could, and tore the rest of the chains apart with his bare hands.
With all the confidence of a teacher merely taking his charges on a pleasant field trip, Daniel left the room and looked for the most direct route out of this death-trap.
Interlude - The Lunatics
"Where the fuck are they?" asked the impatient neonate for what seemed like the hundredth time.
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| Talon 'The Berserker' - Gangrel Childe of Marius |
Milo, a Toreador with similar tastes to Lubbock, who had also insisted that the childe be bought along, decided to reply. "They had a lot to do, so delays were inevitable. They had the old spider king to eliminate, then the rest of the pack to hunt down, then get from there to the border of Gloria's domain ready to take out Garcia's whores. A force of a hundred is difficult to move stealthily. So just shut up and wait like the rest of us. When they get here we'll guide them to..."
He was about to continue when he heard a vehicle approaching. He looked around for headlights but saw none.
"Is that them?" asked the hopeful boy.
The eleven tonne Paramount Marauder armoured vehicle struck the waiting car in the side at ninety miles per hour caving in the side and crushing two of the six kindred within and ended the unlife of Milo almost instantly. As the survivors attempted to clamber from the wreckage the Gangrel pack known as 'The Lunatics' fell upon them and hacked them to pieces, sparing only one.
Talon, also known by those who knew of him as 'The Berserker', hoisted the blonde childe from his hiding place and slammed him against a convenient tree. "I need to know exactly where the staging points throughout this domain are. You will tell me now."
The fear was evident on the boys face. "...and then you'll spare me?" he spluttered.
"Of course..." lied Talon
Scene Sixty Two - Abomination
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| Isaac Abrams - Toreador Baron of Hollywood |
Michael's newly acquired band of worshippers had refused to leave his presence and he had decided that given their circumstances, attrition might well rid him of them for him. As they were former followers of Lubbock's childe, Michael was unwilling to give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they might come in useful at some point, if only as a meat shield.
"If you need a weapon, grab one. Then we need to get out of here before Lubbock's extremely disgruntled allies start tearing down the walls to find us...his latest pet is..."
A sudden crash from below them interrupted Isaac's statement, and dust rose up the stairs as someone or something destroyed the wall leading to the lower chamber. "Too late..." muttered Isaac as something...heavy advanced up the stairs causing each step to audibly strain under the weight of whatever was coming... "We need to head back the way we came...now..." the fear in Isaac's voice was clear to Michael...
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| Abomination Childe of Sir Matthew Lubbock |
The creature appeared to be werewolf in their war form. It stood some nine feet tall, heavily muscled with long fangs and claws. It's fur was a blue grey and it's eyes glowed in a manner eerily similar to that of a Gangrel using their preternatural gifts of sight. Michael was also sure that it was dead, or to be more specific, undead.
It seemed that Sir Matthew Lubbock had created for himself an Abomination, an embraced werewolf with the gifts and powers of both. This one seemed to have been driven insane by the experience and without it's creators mental powers keeping it under control his intent only on destruction. Perhaps the Methuselah's final directives drove it even now, but the knowledge of what they were had died with Lubbock.
Knowing that this foe was beyond their capabilities to manipulate or destroy they headed back through the secret door that had led them there and shut it firmly behind them The room they had left mere minutes ago was a charnel house. Exsanguinated corpses, or what's left of them were scattered around the room, though most were unrecognisable as anything other than bloody smears across floor walls and ceiling.
Judging from the screams and howls echoing throughout the mansion, Marius's frenzy was far from over. The door behind them then cracked as it was struck with crushing force. They doubted it would withstand many more such blows.
Marius's 'Warform' - Hunger Frenzy
"I've got an idea..." shouted Michael before, in what seemed an inexplicable move to Isaac, headed directly towards the screams.
Michael had heard tales of the carnage wrought when Marius went fully on the offensive but the reality did the tales little justice. He had heard how he had massacred the creations of the Tzimisce that had flooded the Nosferatu warrens in the Sabbat invasion of two thousand and four, feasting on their tainted blood before instantly utilising it to further enhance his abilities. 'Binge and purge' was how Gary Golden had described it.
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| Protean - 'Shape of the Beasts Wrath' |
As they discovered the source of the screams, they arrived just in time to see the monstrosity that Marius's beast had used his hosts abilities to assume, tearing a kindred in half and pouring the vitae from both halves into his fanged maw. Two others were attempting futilely to penetrate the creatures armoured hide with close range automatic weapon fire. A single strike with claws like swords, sliced the first into two bloody halves. The second simply had his head ripped off before being tossed aside.
"This is going to be the tricky part..." commented Michael. He turned his supernatural presence upon Marius, and as the monstrous creature turned towards him, focussed his abilities to attract the frenzied Gangrel's attention while also given the impression of one of complete innocence. Marius hesitated, as Michael had hoped he would, and this gave the Abomination time to catch up with it's prey...
Their plan needed no fine-tuning or subtlety. As soon as both were aware of each others presence they launched at one another. Marius's winged form was taller, though the Abomination was far more heavily muscled. Though this didn't however seem to translate into a significant difference in strength or speed for either monstrosity. Getting the fuck out of their way did however seem to be the most sensible strategy.
Interlude - Tapping the Vein
The kindred given responsibility for this particular group of infiltrators were overseeing the distribution of weapons and armour to the brainwashed fools under their leadership. They had been instructed to wait for the main battlegroup that were currently making their way through The Wilds before acting.
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Gloria Martinez, Baron of El Hermandad - Allison Maller, Baron of Anaheim
Allison Maller was apparently an experienced fighter and had survived against the odds in previous wars. It therefore made sense to ensure that the precision strikes planned for Baron Martinez wouldn't be used against Baron Maller. Her they would soften up with cannon-fodder, then the true warriors would finish off whoever remained.
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| 'Vein' - Gangrel "A Sneaky Bastard" |
The newcomer was examining the map pinned to the wall. "So this is every one of our staging points in Anaheim?" he asked.
"Those are the ones we'll coordinate with, yes." Cory replied. "The Brotherhood focussed assault teams will be organised by Milo. Those we don't have information on for security reasons. That way one mistake won't effect any other operation."
The newcomer had another question. "That seems a bit military for Sir Matthew. Is this plan all his?"
The remaining kindred answered this latest query. "No. He bought in a guy to organise that side of things. Verus, I think he called him. He's the planner for the takeover. Sir Matthew provides the resources and the manpower, Verus directs them in his name."
"I guess we'll get to him later then." said Vein as he drew his revolver and calmly put a round through the foreheads of each of his fellow kindred. As the mortals turned to see where the shots had come from, Vein addressed them directly. His tone sincere, with just the right amount of emotion.
"Our master deemed these two unworthy to act in his name. I'm your leader now..."
Scene Sixty Three - Riot Grrrls
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| Hope Romero - Gangrel 'A Hand Grenade' |
Someone had once described the abilities of Daniel, Vin and Hope as comparable to "...a scalpel, an ice-pick and a hand grenade..." Hope certainly lived up to her description as she propelled herself into the midst of the horde, slashing left and right with raven claws propelled by inhuman strength. Though she received some minor wounds in return, these were mostly mitigated by her nearly unmatched resistance to damage.
As some of the more tactically minded foes attempted to circle behind her, Sofia entered the fray.
The polar opposite to Hope, Sofia was precision personified. Every strike of her blades killed, crippled, or severed the attacking limb. The chain of her Kusarigama disarmed enemies or rendered their own weapons useless as she finished them off with the scythe like blade on the other end. A dagger, produced seemingly from nowhere, penetrated the throat of a kindred who was readying himself to remove Hopes head from her shoulders with what appeared to be a fire axe.
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| Sofia Rivera - Toreador Dancer and Assassin |
Sofia had also heard tales of the combat abilities of the former pupil of Marius, but had to admit she was impressed by the sheer amount of carnage Hope managed to generate. She wasn't sure that 'hand grenade' did it justice. Hope's enjoyment in what she did was somehow contagious and Sofia found herself laughing as she despatched foe after foe alongside her. Even the wounds they themselves received in return seemed unimportant as long as the damage was returned tenfold.
As they advanced there was a brief lull in the attacks as less sure opponents witnessed what was occurring to those in the vanguard of the assault and became less willing to commit suicide on behalf of a master already destroyed. What they observed in the next room caused many of the remnants to flee and caused Hope and Sofia themselves to pause.
What appeared to be a nine foot tall albino werewolf, was engaged with a kindred war-form on steroids. Hope had seen the form Marius adopted when engaging the most powerful opponents and so recognised him, just. This was different though and Hope knew a frenzied creature when she saw one. Sofia on the other hand had never witnessed such a sight and was edging backwards from the room. Hope had to admit that this wasn't a bad idea.
"Fuck that..." said Hope, to which Sofia nodded in agreement. Both turned to seek another fight.
Interlude - Harvest
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| Mary 'Mother' - Gangrel Bahari |
"Death normally teaches nothing..." began Mary as her gathered followers formed a circle around the mutilated kindred. "...however there are exceptions. Tonight you will learn the exact limits that a kindred, ghoul or mortal can be pushed to. How much mutilation, pain, suffering and abuse the body can take and then we will learn what happens when one goes too far. It is a rare opportunity that you are being gifted tonight. Savour every moment, make each last and learn all you can from every ending..."
Those victims with the strength to do so began to struggle futilely against their bonds, their ultimate fate having been clearly stated by Mary, 'Mother' of the Bahari of Los Angeles.
'Vein', most notorious childe of Talon, stood at the side of Mary's childe and High Priestess Esther and observed as the rituals began. "Your sire did well to extract the locations of all the infiltrators within Gloria and Allison's domain." congratulated Esther. "...and I understand that you yourself played an important part?"
Vein smiled. "Betrayal is what I do best." he replied. Esther gave him a sideways look. "Though I make an exception for family." he clarified.
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Blanche Johnson - Gangrel, Pack Leader of 'The Butchers'
"I hear that Blanche Johnson sees it differently." Interrupted Lia, Priestess to the neonate followers of Lilith within the temple. Vein turned towards the newcomer and inclined his head slightly in greeting. "Actually, it was Blanche who drew first blood when it came to betrayal. I'm just better at it than she is..." The two priestesses made no comment, then left Vein where he stood and moved into the crowd to pass on the knowledge of their Dark Mother Lilith onto those who might require it.
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Esther and Lia - High Priestess and Priestess of the Bahari Temple
The neonates barely kept their charges alive for an hour, some of the more amateurish not even that long. The experienced amongst them kept their victims at the edge of death and destruction for hours before finishing them off. Mary's was the last to reach final death, as befitted the talents of the most devoted follower of Lilith within Los Angeles.
Vein had left almost immediately. There were pleasures to be had within the city that could be had without the need for pain first and he intended to sample as many of them as he could before moving on once more.
Scene Sixty Four - Reinforcements
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| Armando 'Nines' Rodriguez - Brujah |
As they and Christopher exited the building, this theory was confirmed.
The disciplined military tactics of Baron Fortier's ghouls were a far cry from the barely organised rabble led by Nines. However in their own way, both groups were equally effective. Casualties on both sides were becoming significant, and the tide of battle could still go either way.
Appearing as they did from behind the defenders, they caused many to turn around. As they did so, Michaels commanding presence turned from one designed to promote awe, to one that generated feelings of sheer terror. Isaac added his also considerable powers to this onslaught and many of Lubbocks allies fled. Unfortunately for them they fled straight into the waiting arms of a well organised army of ghouls and the Brujah who followed Nines Rodriguez.
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| Louis Fortier - Ventrue Baron of West L.A. |
If he was surprised to see Daniel with a horde of children in tow, he hid it well. "Been busy?" asked Louis Fortier.
"The Methuselah's 'toys'." explained Daniel as Fortier's expression hardened. "I need them looked after so I can return to the fighting. I still have friends inside..." The Baron understood completely and summoned an admonished looking Catherine DuBois. Daniel was unused to seeing Fortier's usually most favoured childe looking anything other than filled with arrogance and confidence. Evidently the rumours of her actions taken without her sire's approval had not gone down well with Louis.
"See to the care of these children. Be clear that I hold you responsible for their welfare, don't delegate the task to another and then consider it done..."
Catherine gathered the children and took them to the rear of the combat. Fortier didn't even turn around. It was clear that Catherine was no longer the most favoured of Louis's mistresses.
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Hope and Sofia were both possessed of excellent senses, though Hopes were mundane, Sofia's were supernaturally enhanced. She gave Hope her own assessment of the current situation.
"It's quietened down outside, but they're regrouping within. The bastards will be digging in and we've lost the element of surprise. I think we might have to approach this a bit more tactically than we did before. There's still a lot of assholes loyal to that bastard Lubbock inside. We're going to need some help..."
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| 'Too much Firepower' |
Having bullets bounce off you was a useful skill that unfortunately the Gangrel he'd recently devoured the soul of hadn't possessed, much to Vin's annoyance. The skills he had picked up during the diablerie were useful, just not in this situation.
Despite it being something he hated doing, it looked like he'd need to fall back and find some allies to help.
Interlude - Guess Who?
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| 'Verus' - Clan Unknown |
"Is that you Verus?" called a voice from behind the barrier.
"Who the fuck else did you expect?" was the reply. "I'm reviewing the defensive positions in preparation for a counter-attack. The outside forces are doing their jobs. It's just here that we're finding unexpected resistance. Lower your weapons while I come down there and brief you all."
The defenders did as they were asked as the kindred tasked by Sir Matthew to organise the takeover of L.A. approached them with the self assured stride of an individual completely confident in their abilities. So sure were they of the identity of the one approaching them, that none noticed that their right arm was slightly behind their back.
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| Jane Doe 'Mannequin' - Gangrel Infiltrator, Childe of Marius |
The five defenders had died quickly and silently which was how it should be. Her appearance once more as ordinary and forgettable as a person could possibly be, she slipped through the mansion to the basement and headed to the tunnels below.
She left two more guards with their throats slit at the entrance to the warrens below the structure. She had needed no tricks this time, their backs had been turned and she had punished them for their lack of attention. She paid little heed to them once dead. It was unlikely she'd need to duplicate either of them so making any notes on them would be time-consuming and unnecessary.
This 'Verus' fellow was a different matter. Marius had been wary of him and had warned her against any attempt at assassination. In fact he'd been quite specific. "Observe from a distance so you can copy him if necessary, but don't even think of trying to replace him. Why? For three reasons childe. Firstly he has nearly two millennia more experience than you, secondly his clan can be as tough as any Gangrel if they focus on that particular aspect of their powers, which this bastard has and thirdly he is part of an organisation that it is wise to avoid the attention of. Understand?"
Though naturally curious she had a rendezvous to make for which she was already several minutes late and distracting thoughts such as this weren't helping. She filed the memory away and quickened her pace, leaving no trace of her passing.
Scene Sixty Five - Into the Breach
Michael gathered the kindred outside the mansion who still in a fit state for a second assault.
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| 'Damsel' - Brujah 'Den Mother' of Nines Crew |
Michael's charismatic powers were at their peak, supplemented as they were by his supernatural powers and as he spoke, all paid attention.
"We need to cleanse the taint of this ancient corrupter and enemy of the Anarch Free States once and for all. Other of our allies are assaulting the bases of the Methuselah all over the city in order to protect each of our baronies from that worse of fates...a place under the heel of the Camarilla...but it is us who have the most important duty. All those who bowed before Sir Matthew Lubbock must be bought to account for their crimes..."
He paused for dramatic effect.
"...who of you is ready to go down in history? Who is ready to add their names to those of our kind who once did the same against Don Sebastian and bought about the creation of the Anarch Free States themselves? If need be I will do this alone..."
Michael could already see that this would ne unnecessary. The crowd was at a fever pitch. Right now they'd follow him anywhere. "...but together...as Anarchs of the Free Sates of Los Angeles we will be unstoppable. Who is with me?" As the crowd surged forward it was clear that the answer was 'everyone'.
Storytellers Note - Fourteen successes on his persuasion roll also helped a bit...
In less than an hour not a single agent of Sir Matthew Lubbock's was left within. Nor were there were any prisoners taken.
Scene Sixty Six - Victory?
With the battle now won, the leaders of each faction gathered in one of the mansions meeting rooms that had survived relatively intact. Nines was accompanied by Skelter and Damsel, Baron Fortier had Catherine DuBois at his side, but so were Elena and Mariel.
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Isaac was there too. Those who had heard rumours of his alliance with their enemy were surprised to see Michael still treat him with some deference and so waited on him before acting. Isaac had spirited Christopher away to a place of safety before joining them.
Marius has also arrived and had made no attempt to change from the monstrous form he wore or for that matter clean himself up. Clutched in one clawed hand was the skull of the abomination he'd slew, a necklace of sinew, claws and fangs hung from his neck, hastily crafted from the body of his defeated foe.
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| Catherine DuBois - Ventrue Mistress and Childe of Baron Fortier |
"Matthew was a childe of Arikel, amongst the first Toreador of the fourth generation and unfortunately embodied the very worst depths that both my clan, and all kindred can sink to. Isaac was aware of what he was and realised that he could not hope to destroy one of this ancients power in a direct confrontation. His entire scheme required that a situation be manufactured whereby the Methuselah could be caught unawares and it fell to me to provide that distraction."
He once more had the crowd in the palm of his hand and he had to admit that he was beginning to enjoy the sensation.
"While I engaged Matthews attention with a speech that focused him entirely upon myself, Isaac seized the opportunity that I had provided and struck the blow that ended them. The weapon was provided by Marius who, like Isaac, realised that a direct attack was doomed to failure. The remainder of his followers turned upon Lubbock's childe and destroyed them...with a little encouragement, that is..."
This last comment raised a few smiles as the crowd made their own conclusions about how this had been accomplished. Michael was sure that their own imagined version was far more dramatic than what had actually occurred so he left them to fill in the gaps. This was, after all, the way legends were created.
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| Anarch Symbol |
"We have removed a significant threat to the Free States and have also sent a clear message to the Camarilla that we will never bow to their rule. Not in this place at least. However much of this is thanks to Michael, and as he has a tendency to allow modesty to prevent him accepting any reward for his actions I have a proposition for you all...if you'll indulge me?"
"The position of Arbiter needs a vote, and should have one regardless of how many Barons are present. Secondly that he should have free reign to investigate matters that might become a threat to the Free States, regardless of which Barons domain they might occur in."
"He has had many opportunities to gain both territory and power and has consistently turned them down. This should be enough to convince you all that his motives are noble. In fact, that he is far more noble than any other on the council. Myself included, though perhaps excepting Baron Fortier."
Some present were unsure if this was a joke or not, but Fortier seemed to take it as one.
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| Marius Walker - Gangrel Baron of Downtown |
"In the event of all out war, the Council needs a single voice to guide our forces. In particular, this should be a kindred with a sense of honour, though not necessarily trusted by all, certainly having their respect. I therefore believe that the Council should vote to make Baron Fortier, warleader of the council and that the role should no longer be a shared one..."
Michael noted that Marius seems to be surprisingly unconcerned about effectively being removed as co-warleader of the Council. His features began to flow to a more normal appearance and as he shed the extra bulk, the plated of bony armour, wings and other unnatural additions to his form also melted back into his body. To all concerned he seemed to have assumed his normal appearance. Daniel, one of the few who had actually seen his true form, new that this too was a disguise of sorts.
His reply was however surprisingly reasonable.
"If that's what the Council votes for then I'll agree to it. I am, of course, available should a second opinion be required...we'll schedule a meeting for tomorrow night. Tell any Barons that don't feel they can make it that evening that my policy of not destroying Barons will be withdrawn from any who are too busy to turn up." With that he left the room without another word.
"That seemed too easy..." commented Baron Fortier.
Storytellers Conclusions
Well I hope that was worth the wait.
I wanted to give the players a taste of a bigger more dangerous World of Darkness than existed in the Anarch Free States but at the same time give them a chance to guide the narrative in some way.
However I was sure that I wanted the pivotal moments to have to be accomplished by tactical acumen and politics rather than in a straight fight. Hence the chance for Michael's player to talk his way into distracting Sir Matthew, the chance to out charisma Lubbock's childe and the need to lead one scary killing machine to another scary killing machine...
Incidentally I did the fight between Marius and the Abomination with actual dice but using older edition stat limits. Marius won, which was better for me plot-wise, but had he lost I'd probably have gone with it, lol.
Then I let the rest of the players fight some challenging foes tailor-made for them so they didn't feel left out.
Most of the plot-lines from the last four years of playing are wrapped up now so I'll have to come up with a lot of new stuff for Chronicle five. There will be an epilogue first though...there's still some dramatic plot twists to come...
Acknowledgements“Portions of the materials are the copyrights and trademarks of White Wolf Entertainment AB, and are used with permission. All rights reserved.”
I've used pictures of real people to represent some of the characters and art for others so in no particular order Michael Tomassio is represented by Matt Bomer, Vincent Ghast is Scott Adkins, Dr Matthews is Mads Mikkelsen, Hope Romero is Deborah Ann Woll, Sofia Rivera is Eliza Dushku, Fiorenza Savona is Jamie Lee Curtis, Heather Taylor is Liz Vicious, Joaquin Murietta is Danny Trejo, Jean 'Jax' Thomas is Jean-Claude Van Damme, Quinn is Oliver Parker, Tilly Kelly is Anna Paquin, Sir Matthew Lubbock is Michael Douglas, Eleanor 'The Sorceress' Braun is Polly Jean Harvey, The Childe of Sir Matthew Lubbock is Lucas Till, Karen Anatos is Christina Hendricks, Emmanuella Booth is Anastasia E.G., Myranda Maria is Shannyn Visceral, Aviana Maria is Famke Jannsen, Desdemona Moore is Amanda Donohoe, Tlacique Kindred is Martin Sensmeirer, Talon 'The Berserker' is Michael Sheen, Isaac Abrams is Gary Oldman, Marius Walker is Tony Curran, Gloria Martinez is Ariadne Artiles, Allison Maller is Chloe Grace Moretz, 'Vein' is Paul Wesley, Blanche Johnson is Kathy Bates, Esther is Cristina Scabbia, Lia is Shelly D'Inferno, Armando 'Nines' Rodriguez is Luis Carazo, Louis Fortier is Eduardo Verastegui, 'Verus' is Armand Assante, Damsel is Irina Delnova, Elena Gutierrez is Emmanuelle Vaugier, Mariel St. John is Kate Moss and Catherine DuBois is Margot Robbie.
Everything else is from vampire related folders and searches and is as far as I know is all of the 'fair use' variety. If there's something that you feel should be attributed to some-one then feel free to let me know and I'll happily add an acknowledgement.