Vampire the Masquerade – V5 – Session Zero – Galerie Sanguine: San Francisco

Establishing a gallery, effectively from scratch, was certainly a challenge.

The two kindred each approached the accumulation of the necessary resources and contacts in their own unique manner. Thomas Caldwell, a Ventrue business man through and through, utilised his skills of persuasion and negotiation. Though admittedly these natural talents were also supplemented by his supernaturally enhanced presence. Francis Maranzano, a Lasombra whose criminal talents complemented Thomas's more diplomatic approach, had instead intimidated a number of individuals into giving them very favourable terms for a variety of necessary services. Much of their stock was to be shipped to them from Michael Tomassio's original Galerie Sanguine in Los Angeles so they only had to put minimal effort into this part of the operation.

Combining both their efforts, they managed to acquire both funding for their gallery and the cooperation of several businesses that provided them with luxurious decoration, a simple but effective security system and some staff. Francis also managed to 'convince' a local construction firm to add an escape route in the basement without bothering to obtain planning permission or keep any records of the job.

Both of the kindred had contacts within the city, but each had one that was significant to them individually.

Thomas had developed a close working relationship with a local businessman who had a genuine appreciation for art. Caldwell only really saw artwork as a way of making money, so had become fascinated with Toby Forster's desire to keep such works for reasons other than making a quick profit.

Toby Forster's Art Collection

Mr Forster had also invested heavily in the newly expanding artistic community and so was, in his own way, part of the community they were attempting to infiltrate. Thomas had decided to keep a close eye on this mortal and ensure that no other kindred interfered with him.

Thomas had another interest in the community, but this one was far more selfish. As one of Clan Ventrue he had far more rarefied tastes in blood than the other clans. Like many of his kind, the first taste of blood had become his preference.

Unfortunately for Thomas, his tastes were quite specific, though luckily there was no shortage of these within the artistic community. Caldwell only truly enjoyed the taste of blood from recovering drug addicts and gained little sustenance from any other kind without considerable acts of concentration.

It was for this reason that Thomas never preyed upon drug dealers. Without them there would be no addicts in the first place and so he refrained from feeding upon them.

The Church of Francis Maranzano's Priest

Francis Maranzano had always been a religious man and had a great respect for the church. Despite the beast within, or perhaps because of it, Francis made frequent visits to a local church and still went to confession. 

One secret that Francis never shared was the fact that he had killed several members of what was once his mortal mob family. Though he had been a 'Made Man' so were some of those he had killed, and this went fundamentally against the codes he had sworn to live by.

Though he was careful to phrase his sins in a way that never revealed what he truly was, he nonetheless appreciated the priests commitment to the sanctity of the confessional booth. Concerned with how close he was to breaking the masquerade, Maranzano had vowed to protect the priest from danger and hopefully also protect himself from the consequences of his own actions.

Both Thomas and Francis had their own codes of honour of sorts but fundamentally they both demanded respect, though were also more than willing to respect others if they had earned it.

Ventrue Feeding Restriction - Recovering Addicts

Vera Vignes, formally of Los Angeles, controls the San Francisco docks and the majority of the logistics companies that are based within. Her Anarch roots have long been abandoned and she is a wholehearted supporter of the Camarilla, and perhaps always was.

These enterprises give her considerable power within the city and she has accumulated influence in both kindred and mortal circles. Any kindred who enters or leaves the city is likely to need either her help, or at the very least, her permission to do so. She is considered to be one of Prince Winder's closest allies and is known to donate generously to causes and organisations that the Prince deems important.

She is assisted by a handsome and muscular Ventrue called Henry Waters whose loyalty to his mistress is absolute. When necessary he enforces her will when diplomacy is insufficient and violence becomes necessary. Rumours of his destruction in Los Angeles were seemingly incorrect.

Though not considered to be an Elysium, the docks are however, Vera's feeding ground.

The pair had learned from their sponsors in Los Angeles that there was some doubt about whether this Henry Waters was the original Henry Waters as they had compelling reasons to believe that Henry had met his Final Death in L.A. two years ago. As far as they are concerned Henry Waters was destroyed, and whatever currently wears his face, is someone or something else.

The only notable Anarch operating within the city is Maximus, a very unusual Nosferatu. His flesh shows none of the overt signs of deformity that usually plague those of his clan. His grey flesh is pallid and pulled tightly over his bones and he smells of decomposition that aftershave and deodorant can merely reduce, not eliminate but in spite of these limitations he can still pass more freely in society than one of his clan can normally manage.

He has a haven beneath Chinatown and is currently competing with the remnants of a independent group of kindred originally from Hong Kong who are, albeit nominally, supporters of the Camarilla.

The relationship between these Chinatown kindred and the Camarilla is somewhat tenuous given the problems San Francisco has had with previous 'eastern' Kindred inhabitants, but currently they are keeping to the Traditions and making all the right noises when it comes to loyalty to the cities Prince.

Lilliana Swann - Gangrel 'The Oratory'

The Circulatory System, Pony Express and The Oratory all have representatives within the city but they are somewhat beyond your financial reach at the moment. Of these you know very little other than the names of their representatives.

Zander Whitehouse represents the interests of The Circulatory System and can be contacted via Patrick Hodge who will, if you are considered suitable, arrange a meeting with Zander. They offer all the expected services and have access to a variety of vessels with particular resonances or ancestries. What they don't have in 'stock' can be shipped in from other farms within a reasonable timeframe.

Douglas Gage, of the delivery service known as 'The Pony Express' can deliver anything to anywhere for the right price. You need not reveal what you are shipping, indeed Douglas guarantees discretion, but nonetheless the added security and precautions required by the activities of the Second Inquisition mean that prices for their services are at an all-time high.

Lilliana Swann is the first contact for anyone requiring the variety of services offered by Aegis and The Oratory. Lilliana is a surprisingly polite and well dressed Gangrel who fits the image of a so-called 'Boardroom Gangrel' almost perfectly. Though given her Clan's preference for a hierarchy based on physical prowess it is unlikely that she is lacking in that area.

Maximus believes that Sara Winder pays a considerable retainer to all three of these organisations to ensure that her own needs are prioritized. Though he has no actual evidence, it is not an unreasonable theory.

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