I'm currently running a Vampire the Masquerade chronicle using the 5th Edition rule-set for a small group of fellow role-players.
Our primary 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. This however will be the first one of several planned interludes which will centre on the expansion of Baron Michael Tomassio's 'Galerie Sanguine' franchise to other domains.
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The now obligatory warning bit - These session write-ups will contain swearing, sexual references and other references that might offend. 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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Links to our main campaign, with a summary of each session can be found HERE.
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The now obligatory warning bit - These session write-ups will contain swearing, sexual references and other references that might offend. 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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Links to our main campaign, with a summary of each session can be found HERE.
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The PC's
Thomas Caldwell, Ventrue
Francis Maranzano, Lasombra
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The Storyteller
As everyone else...
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), Scarification.
Introduction
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| Sara Anne Winder - Ventrue Prince of San Francisco |
The example of Michael's work was graciously received by Prince Sara Winder and you have discovered that it was subsequently gifted to her Seneschal Suzanne Rochelle.
The rumourmongers are already implying that Suzanne requested the painting as it was the work of her paramour Baron Tomassio, though the official line is that the Prince gifted it to her loyal follower due to the roses within the design.
Another less savoury rumour you have heard is that the painting contains a secret message from Michael to Suzanne. Though, as far as you know, this is complete bollocks, some kindred seem to be using it to undermine the Seneschal.
You have been granted temporary access to the feeding ground promised you when you resolve the 'Malaki' issue, though Miriam Caravaggio, the cities Sheriff has made it clear that for this situation to continue, progress will need to be made sooner rather than later.
Scene Eight - Malaki
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| Malaki - Mortal Artist Cult Leader |
Malaki, real name Malcolm King, had moved away from his more controversial early religious work into bright, yet disturbing works in mainly reds, blacks and yellows. Though somewhat simplistic in style, they had to admit that they had a power about them that drew the eye and held the attention.
The feeling was not unlike that exhibited by kindred using the disciplines of Dominate and Presence, though slightly less focussed. They were both experienced enough with such powers to be reasonably sure that though the effect was similar, it was not the same, but was almost certainly unnatural, of that they were sure.
What was also certain was that the paintings contained a considerable quantity of blood within them, enough for them to, if not necessarily awaken the beast, certainly get it's attention.
Malaki himself played the role of tortured soul to perfection and was apparently never alone. By day he was surrounded by toadying sycophants and by night accompanied by the most beautiful and interesting of his male and female fans, giving equal attention to both genders.
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| Malaki's Cult of Blood |
Like themselves, Malaki had a grand opening planned to exhibit what he was referring to as 'Wave Two' of his new direction. This opening was to be held in three evenings time and the guestlist was exclusive in the extreme. Getting an invite wasn't going to be easy at this late time and security was sure to be tight. This would however be their best chance to both meet the man himself and do some reconnaissance of his gallery, and apparent home.
Though they needed to act upon this intelligence as soon as possible, they also had their own exhibition to plan.
Scene Nine - Artistic Integrity
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| Sophia Bartholomew - Toreador Los Angeles Artist |
These included a small quantity of his own works as well as those of other notable Los Angeles kindred artists such as Sophia Bartholomew, Marianne Palmer, and Michaels protégé Cai Arias, as well as a number of sculptures crafted by other members of the Bartholomew Family. There was also a large statue crafted from twisted metal by a sculptor called William Butler.
They had also received a package via messenger containing several works by Sarina Harrington, one of Anya Blooms harpies, together with a handwritten note addressed FAO Thomas Caldwell.
It said...
"Here is a small sample of my work for your consideration, if you wish to discuss featuring it in your upcoming opening I would be happy to meet at your convenience." The note contained a rose coloured business card featuring the name Sarina and a phone number embossed in dark red.
Thomas decided to cast his professional eye over them. This was a good opportunity to ingratiate them with one of the cities harpies, but he had no intention of damaging the galleries reputation if they turned out to be substandard.
Marianne Palmer and Cai Arias - Toreador Artists from L.A.
Fortunately she was actually fairly talented. The paintings were abstract, and though perhaps not particularly original, certainly showed a knowledge of light and colour which elevated them to a higher standard than might be considered average. But most importantly to Thomas, they were sellable, and that meant that he'd be happy to give them a place in the galleries grand opening.
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| Michael Tomassio - Toreador Kindred Influencer and Art Patron |
Thomas seemed to think it was a good idea. "If anyone can get us tickets to Malaki's show it's going to be one of the Harpies. Worse case we'll trade off of Michael's reputation as a power player when it comes to publicising kindred works of art, though knowing this lot she already has taken that into account."
A single phone call was all it took for a meeting to be arranged. The location was a club called 'Hammers' that neither of them had ever heard of. Fortunately in the modern age, information was only a button press away. Though In Francis's case it was his ghoul who pressed the buttons as Clan Lasombra often had an unfortunate effect upon technology.
Storytellers Note - I tend to let players design their ghouls very loosely and allocate abilities to them on the fly. Though obviously once they've used an ability in session then it's cast in stone. This also has the benefit of tying ghouls more closely to the player characters and the story.
Scene Nine - Hammers
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| South of Market - San Francisco |
Hammer’s was best described as a fetish nightclub, but not in the traditional sense, if tradition and fetish were ever mutually exclusive that is. The dress code ran from suit and-tie to PVC, but the entertainment was certainly 'unique' and not for the prudish or those with refined sensibilities. Hammer’s hosted various interest groups and clubs nightly, offering them free admission and three complimentary drinks if they "do their thing" in the nightclub’s spectacle cages. Most of these groups were exhibitionist by default and always looking for new members, so they had few reservations about being on display.
On any given night, Hammer's patrons may find modern primitives in the bar conducting scarification and brandings on one another, or a local chapter of Baccae, which caters to large hedonistic men, women and their fans, who paraded around naked, cavorted and even lap danced for admirers.
On the specified evening the dress code was to be 'suit and tie' and the entertainment was described as 'modern primitives'.
Francis Maranzano's Personal Armoury
One of Francis's ghouls acted as driver and Thomas's vehicle was expensive enough to not stand out amongst the cities movers and shakers. One of Francis's ghouls had a talent for forgery and had faked permits for an M1911 handgun and a snub-nosed .38 that the Lasombra carried in an ankle holster. They weren't the ghouls best work however as the curse of Francis's Clan kept messing up the camera that he used to take the appropriate pictures. Still, they were good enough to pass a casual inspection.
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| 'The Hammer' Nightclub Security |
"Do you have an invitation, or are you here as someone's guest?" he asked as they approached.
Thomas managed to look suitably offended that anyone would imply that he'd turn up somewhere without an invite. "We and my acquaintance are here as guests of Miss Sabrina Harrington."
The head doorman ran his finger down a list of names handed to him by one of the larger doormen. "Miss Harrington? Yes, she has you both listed as her guests. I feel I should mention that tonight's entertainment is neither for the squeamish or prudish."
He then handed them each a laminated card with the clubs name and logo on it and a membership number.
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| Extreme Scarification - 'The Hammer' |
"I'm sure the experience will be suitably interesting..." replied Thomas somewhat noncommittedly.
The music playing was loud but not excessively so and this evening appeared to alternate between hard electronic sounds and industrial metal. Cages along each side of the club and above the bar contained men and women conducting scarification and brandings upon one another, observed with varying degrees of interest by the well dressed patrons. It was an unusual mix, but they could see why the venue would be popular with kindred.
The gentlemen at the front entrance informed you that Sarina can normally be found in the upstairs VIP area towards the rear and that your names will be on that list also. He also lets you know that your membership doesn't cover that area so you would have to ensure that anyone you meet there has added your name to the list.
Scene Ten - Sarina Harrington
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| Sarina Harrington - Toreador Harpy and Artist |
It's obvious that despite her protestations, and casual attitude to being the focus of so many, that it is this attention that she existed for. Playing second fiddle to Anya Bloom must be something that was constantly eating away at her.
A kindred capable of such a balancing act would be a great ally, and a deadly opponent if wronged. This meeting would be critical if they were to gain the approval of those who really decided who was on the inside and who remained on the fringes of society, living on the scraps.
Unsurprisingly she had a booth reserved.
"I'm so glad you could make the time to join me. What did you think of my work?" Francis decided to remain silent and let Thomas reply.
"You're clearly very talented. My employer Michael Tomassio, an artist and patron of artists that you may have heard of, is always on the lookout for new talents amongst the kindred artistic community. I'm sure he will be as impressed as myself when he sees your work..."
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| Anya Bloom - Toreador Keeper of Elysium |
"Forgive my directness..." replied Thomas "...but I have a feeling that other interested parties may have attempted to gain some influence over what we discuss tonight. Anya perhaps?"
"And I appreciate your candour. " said Sabrina. "Anya is certainly interested in how you intend to resolve the issue of Malaki. She's a big fan of his work and so how you deal with him will certainly illicit a response from her, one way or another. His little cult has been an issue for some time but no-one wanted to risk the social backlash that might occur should the solution be not to her liking."
"As Anarchs I'm sure you find these games of status to be an unusual path to power but I assure you that the Camarilla take these social conflicts very seriously. Though Anya wouldn't attack you physically, as might happen within an Anarch domain, she can certainly make it impossible for you to conduct business within this city."
Francis had suspected that this would be the case, though if the Camarilla thought that Anarchs were unable to fight in the social arena as well as the physical one, they were going to be in for a rude awakening.
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| Suzanne Rochelle - Toreador Seneschal to Prince Winder |
As Thomas was being 'good cop', Francis decided to play the other role. "She struck me as being a bit of a bitch." he interjected. "But despite what you may have heard about us Anarchs, we're more than aware that a well placed word can be as effective as a well placed bullet. Even if, speaking for myself of course, I find a bullet to be preferable."
Sabrina began to smile then caught herself. Both Thomas and Francis saw it though. Sabrina switched effortlessly back into her role as a loyal follower of Sabrina as she replied. Neither anarch believed it for a second. "Anya has a way of doing things which antagonizes certain of the cities kindred. Some have said that the role of Keeper of Elysium might be better served with a more delicate and reasonable hand behind it. I, of course, wholeheartedly support Anya, nonetheless many hold the opinion that for a Toreador she lacks...nuance..."
"The current target of her ire is the Seneschal, Suzanne Rochelle."
"Some bad blood exists between them from the nights when Vannevar Thomas held the title of Prince and of course, Anya dared not act against one who was so close to the cities ruler. Now, in my opinion at least, she feels more comfortable taking her on. Her position being more tenuous under Prince Winder..."
"I suppose..." theorized Thomas. "...that not being the Princes lover has weakened her position considerably." Sabrina merely nodded before continuing. "Sara is a fair leader, something the city needed after the ego driven mistakes of her predecessor, but it's unlikely that she entirely trusts an advisor who served her predecessor so closely."
Scene Eleven - Status
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| Tjun Tjun Afiff - Tzimisce Kindred of the East |
"Even in a place such as this, an Elysium where all kindred are supposedly welcome, and membership is trivial to obtain, there exists a division between those with power and those without."
She gestured below to several groups in turn.
"See the athletic looking Indonesian woman in latex down there, the one with the chrome jewellery and the body piercings?" That's Tjun Tjun Afiff. A monster amongst the Eastern kindred. She's both whore and madam and gains her pleasures from the infliction of pain. Fortunately there are many mortals within the city willing to pay for such personal attention. I'd stay away from her if I was you. Even Patrick Hodge leaves the sex trade of Chinatown to her though he has resisted her attempts to expand outwards...in fact he donates generously to this club in order to ensure that none of Chinatowns kindred get access to this area...her included..."
She moved on.
"Kodi, The pretty boy Toreador holding court with that group of suspiciously young ladies, sees himself as important but he's a no-one. A single block feeding ground in the slums and zero influence. I could destroy him with a single sentence in the correct ear, Anya could do it with a single word. We might do it just to remind our rivals that we're to be feared, respected or both, it might even happen on the merest of whims and there's exactly nothing he could do to prevent it.
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| Caspian Smith - Brujah Warrior and Philosopher |
Both Thomas and Francis got the feeling that she was building to a point of some kind.
She turned from the crowd below and addressed them both directly.
"You two are something different. You can break rules and be forgiven because you're Anarchs who don't know any better. It won't be a surprise, it will almost be expected."
"The fact that you navigated your introduction to the city so skilfully surprised many, Anya included. She lost a boon or two betting you'd fuck up and that's made you interesting, for better or worse. Many now see you as a threat to the balance, others see you as a potential weapon, the strong amongst the influential see you as a pair whose destruction would elevate their reputation as...dangerous..."
"I'm more pragmatic than most and I'd like to think, less short-sighted. I'd like you to consider me an ally, and I'll be happy to reciprocate. You're going to need friends, and I'd like some too. Specifically I'd like friends willing to bend a rule or two...and perhaps break one once in a while...and I, in turn, can spin the narrative in your favour..."
Thomas smiled. This sort of politics he understood perfectly. Get someone else to do your dirty work and your hands are clean if it goes wrong, yet you still gain if they succeed.
"Were not here to cause any problems." replied Thomas. "But we can be creative..."
Scene Twelve - Reciprocity
Francis decided to add something of his own to the conversation.
"Those who rule have to have a different perspective. They need a mix of fear and respect but they also need to be right often enough so that their orders cease to be questioned. Anya seems to rely entirely on fear, and that can only last so long before someone tests them. If, hypothetically of course, some 'other kindred' decided to do just that then they'd need to be sure that whoever we, sorry they, did such a thing for, understood the value of a reciprocal arrangement."
Thomas then took over the conversation.
"On an entirely different note. We were wondering how difficult it would be for you to get us tickets to Malaki's grand opening of his new exhibition? For research purposes of course, relating to the task trusted to us by Prince Winder."
As expected, Sabrina was happy to cooperate.
"You can be my 'plus one' as I already have an invitation. I can probably stretch that to two companions, if we call Francis our bodyguard or something along those lines." She then made a scathing visually assessment of Francis's suit. "Perhaps before that we can consider updating your associates wardrobe to something more befitting the occasion?"
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| Francis Maranzano - Lasombra "What's wrong with my suit?" |
Sabrina interrupted. "I'll provide something for him and, meaning no disrespect to your present transport, I'll send a limousine to pick you up so as to create the right impression. There is one other small matter." Sabrina gestured towards Francis's left side and ankle. "Any outfit I provide will need to be less aggressively accessorised..."
Francis had to admit that Sabrina was observant. He wasn't sure how she had noticed his armament as as far as he was concerned they were very well concealed. Perhaps she was just particularly well informed.
"I have another minor issue..." added Francis. "My Clan has an issue with technology, that might cause us problems in an area filled with camera wielding newsmen covering Malaki's exhibit..."
"No press will be present inside and cameras are forbidden, plus we'll all be in the limousine as we drive past any who might turn up. Malaki apparently wants word of his genius to be spread via those he has invited. The press will get their own viewing in a few days time. Though make sure you've fed beforehand. There will be no kindred friendly beverages there. The wine will be quite normal."
After a little more diplomatic small-talk, the Anarchs made their goodbyes and left.
"Did we learn anything other than the fact that the Camarilla are all plotting against each other all the fucking time? Which isn't really a surprise now is it?" asked Francis as they left.
Thomas considered the question before replying. "We get to choose who we betray to who. Do you prefer Sabrina or Anya?"
It was an excellent question.
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Storytellers Conclusions
I sometimes like to do a round-up of how the session went in these features but if you couldn't give a shit what I think then feel free to skip this bit....
The players are diving into the local politics now and they're navigating them rather well. It'll be interesting to see if they betray Sabrina to Anya or aid Sabrina in her own schemes. They also have the small matter of completing a task given to them personally by the Prince.
Now it's going to get interesting...
Song Lyrics
Also, The quote in the header is from the following song on the off-chance any-one is interested.
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Further 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 Thomas Caldwell is Oscar Isaac, Francis Maranzano is a young Al Pacino, Sara Anne Winder is Saoirse Ronan, Malaki is Adam Driver, Sophia Bartholomew is Sophia Myles, Marianne Palmer is Jemima Kirk, Cai Arias is Brian Molko, Michael Tomassio is Matt Bomer, Sarina Harrington is Joan Smalls, Anya Bloom is Zendaya, Suzanne Rochelle is Amelia Rose Blaire, Tjun Tjun Afiff is Kelly Tandiono and Caspian Smith is Chad Michael Murray.
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.