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IPlayVideoGames
Nov 28, 2004

I unironically like Anders as a character.

kaynorr posted:

While it's annoyingly inconvenient to make, it's very easy to bring silver ammunition if you know that you might end up having a problem with a werewolf. One shot of dragonsbreath is all a shotgun is good for, but it's a little easier to put a mass of silver on a target. Thea would probably survive (garou form werewolves are one of the most unkillable things in the Chroncles of Darkness) but Rosa and her family are much more fragile, and then you'd have an entirely different set of problems.

I don’t know how different nwod werewolves are from owod ones, but if Thea was raging in her full form then Rosa and company were probably screwed anyway.

IPlayVideoGames fucked around with this message at 04:51 on Sep 6, 2018

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Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Expounding on my aspirations

Aspirations
Get Muscle
already with two academic retainers who know not to ask stupid questions Knight has reflected on inwardly and realized he is lacking in superior firepower in most interactions with other kindred. So the goal is to get muscle but that muscle must be malleable, loyal and not ask stupid questions. Althea is a great example of this being young, impressionable, socially inexperienced, and with known weaknesses. But as in business your people don’t take care of you unless you take care of your people. Althea’s family is now of importance to me and I must use my network to keep track of them and investigate potential threats to them. Once they are more than safe, actually comfortable, then Althea can start being a happy lady and I can start taking care of her more base needs to keep her retained.

Get Secrets
I need to get secrets to use those secrets to find out who squealed on Catalina Island so I can complete my contract to my sire to allow me to finally sire vampires of my own. First in line is Jane Park if she passes the ‘freak out’ test. Gio is not a candidate.

Live in Peace
Retaining muscle, businesses, childes, securing my sleeping quarters, and maintaining a safe position with soft power in the vampire culture of ANYWHERE is the ultimate end goal. Having a nice unlife for the rest of the millennium is noble, no?

relating to how the play style was last session and the two ways the exchange could of gone down: I am very happy that it is initially seeming fine. But the project over all is not done. I will work on follow through and pull in other members and assets as needed.

Sunday I can post/respond more.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

So pynladfysh is away travelling this week, which brings up what to do when folks are missing. The nature of the game is such that I don't think it works to have someone else driving a character - it's one thing to cast Magic Missile in someone's place, the choices involved in the night to night lives of vampires tend to have longer consequences. So the next major event in the timeline won't happen during this week's chapter.

However, what we can do is have the denouement to the current story and do follow-up scenes with smaller groups as people pursue individual agendas. This probably won't fill the normal three hours of a session - east coasters can bail early and get some sleep, for those who want to stay up I'd be down for some non-Vampire video games if people are so inclined.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
I am very down for this plan

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

Tonight's experiment in vignettes, "Stories At The Border" is tonight, Tuesday, September 11th. Once all hanging threads have been dealt with, we'll adjorn for Fortnite/Heroes of the Storm/Dota/LoL/Smite/whatever-the-gently caress.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

kaynorr posted:

Tonight's experiment in vignettes, "Stories At The Border" is tonight, Tuesday, September 11th. Once all hanging threads have been dealt with, we'll adjorn for Fortnite/Heroes of the Storm/Dota/LoL/Smite/whatever-the-gently caress.

A brief timeline of the scenes that occurred in yesterday's chapter:

  • January 10th - Steven Knight meets with the Sheriff to provide an update on the assignment he was given. Steven communicates that the situation is handled, albeit with some long-term concerns about the interactions between the werewolves and vampires. Steven cuts a deal with the Sheriff to receive the dossier that was prepared in the aftermath of the Catalina Casino attack back in 1972, in exchange for information that Hector Andronicus is conducting an investigation of his own into his sire's death, and the Circle is trying to draw him closer in - also that the werewolves have been ruled out as suspects. Don Coronado is poo poo on at literally every possible turn in the conversation.
  • January 11th - the Whaley House coterie receives an compulsory invitation to meet with the senior leadership of San Diego. They are taken to a secluded oceanside luxury home where....things happen (scene to be completed next time). The Sheriff delivers the Catalina Casino dossier to Steven, and reminds him of the terms of his investigation - no action is to be taken based on the results of this investigation, and the Sheriff needs to be the first to know what Steven's conclusions are. Steven agrees that the Sheriff will be among the first to know, but cannot promise confidentiality due to the terms of his pre-existing arrangement with his sire.
  • January 14th - Tony and Adrian go for a night out on the town, like the good old days. (scene to be completed next time)
  • January 16th - Johann meets up with an acquaintance of his within the Carthian Movement, a Nosferatu named Tommy Corzo. Johann was part of Tommy's initiation, and the two have bonded over the fact that they are both persona non grata to their sires as result of choices they made after being Embraced. Tony wants to move out of the haven his sire provided now that he's turned his back on the Ordo Dracul, and wants some advice from Johann if it's a good idea to accept a loan from a fellow Carthian so he can establish an independent haven. Johann advises against such an arrangement, as just be moving from being under one person's thumb to slightly less under another's. Johann counsels that Tommy needs to cultivate patience, as they now have centuries to build power and it's better to do so without strings attached. Tommy sees the wisdom in what Johann says and both part ways, (re)affirming that if either needs help, they'll do what they can.
  • January 17th - Hector delivers $50,000 in cash to Darcy Davenport, his sponsor in the Society of the Turning Sky, as an act of autosacrifice and affirmation of his loyalty to the Society. Darcy remarks that he kept his composure during his first ritual sacrifice, and she would recommend his elevation to the next Wheel.
  • January 19th - Angelica Sawyer makes good on her promise to take Don Coronado down a peg. A story circulates on the Cacophony that a pair of revenants broke out of a hearse while Coronado was haulting what he thought were corpses on an unknown errand for the Ordo Dracul. No damage was done to the Masquerade, but it took almost until dawn to hunt down both the creatures and destroy them - Don was forced to enlist the aid of a local Acolyte to keep a lid on things at a corresponding loss of face. The rumor is circulating that Don's license to operate in the Mount Hope neighborhood might be in jeopardy, as that district is formally controlled by the Circle of the Crone.

IPlayVideoGames, you have the option of making Tommy a one-dot Ally if you wish as a consequence of your interactions with him. If you want to spend Experience on it that's great, otherwise it won't be governed by the Sanctity of Merits and thus could vanish if the story takes that turn.

kaynorr fucked around with this message at 15:23 on Sep 13, 2018

IPlayVideoGames
Nov 28, 2004

I unironically like Anders as a character.
I’ll live dangerously and take him without the experience cost.

IPlayVideoGames
Nov 28, 2004

I unironically like Anders as a character.
I’m not going to be able to make it next Tuesday. Would any other day of the week work to reschedule to temporarily?

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer

IPlayVideoGames posted:

I’m not going to be able to make it next Tuesday. Would any other day of the week work to reschedule to temporarily?

I'm going to look into this today

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer

Herr Tog posted:

I'm going to look into this today

monday or friday night next week is the only other night that could work.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

While next week has been thrown into doubt, we're definitely meeting tonight. The next chapter in a new story, "Timbers Cut From A Family Tree", begins tonight, Tuesday, September 18th at 7 PM PST. See you there!

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
You San Diego podcast for the session http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/Blogs/Cityfiles/Winter-2017/San-Diego-Happy-Half-Hour-Podcast-Episode-28/

pynladfysh
Jul 9, 2018

*establishes eye contact*
Here are the Khaibit powers that Ethan has for reference (I spent the blood for Udjat last session):

Udjat

This most basic gift of Khaibit heritage gives them perfect sight in even the utmost darkness. Khaibit never suffer penalties from darkness, and see subtle shifts in heat and movement where others would be blind. They are unaffected by blindness induced by injury or supernatural forces.

By focusing her attention and spending a point of Vitae, a Khaibit can attune her senses to the unseen. This allows her to see spirits, Strix, angels, and other immaterial beings for the scene. This includes beings in Twilight. While she has her senses so enhanced, she’s immune to the Strix’s possession.


Pseshkf

This signature gift of the Khaibit allows her to draw the shadows into a palpable form with the expenditure of one or more Vitae and an instant action. She can use this to coat simple tools or weapons. Weapons so coated cause 1 additional lethal damage to physical targets (including Kindred), but cause her Blood Potency in lethal damage to noncorporeal entities, including spirits and Strix. Coated objects add her Blood Potency as Durability, and the number of Vitae spent as Structure. If she possesses Tyet as well, she can manipulate the item coated with Pseshkf as if she were touching it with her hands.


Iteru

With this gift, the Khaibit can travel rapidly through shadows. She dissolves into one part of the shadow, and emerges anywhere along the same patch of shade. This can be shadow created by the Tyet. Spend a Vitae reflexively, and the character fades into and out of the shadow instantly. If using this as part of a Dodge action, roll her Dodge with the rote quality once per scene.

Barbed Tongues
Mar 16, 2012





Synopsis: Timbers Cut From A Family Tree

The group is brought to the Prince's mansion, where the Prince intends to meet with Tony on the back patio. A suspicious amount of bells are scattered across the house. While they wait, Johann rings one, which summons a servant who offers refreshment.

Tony heads out back, only a glass sconce lighting the area in a low blue flame. The Prince sits in a chair looking over the ocean, he turns and gestures for Tony to join him. The Prince thanks him for recent services done on the city's behalf. Tony is coy and humble (maybe not even entirely understanding who he was talking with). The Prince seems to think Thea made a bad deal. Tony becomes briefly concerned the Prince meant her deal with the crew, but relaxes when the Prince's ire is focused on her temper tantrum at Elysium.

During further discussion, the Prince reveals he tolerates both Felix and Mesa, though understands the potential threat they pose in different ways. He asks for Tony's perception on the Packs, then speaks on the lasting value of the werewolves to the city's history. He speaks of a symbiosis between the Pack's physicality and the Kindred political machinations.

He then switches back to Tony's performance, saying his acumen might even warrant a city position. They talk of Tony's bloodline, the Dead Wolves. The Prince mentions this position might normally go to the Invictus, and he offers Tony membership in the Covenant, though the offer at first goes over his head. When Tony does realize the situation, he asks for some time to think about things. The Prince decides to set up a more formal introduction to the Covenant, and then offers Tony the position of what was once known as Houndmaster to the Prince, though he is retiring the old trappings of the position.

He summons an assistant, Ms Kanell, who begins to take his dictation.

"I Diego Gains, Prince of San Francisco, hereby name Antonio Desanda, blood of the Gangrel, our Envoy. His portfolio shall be maintenance of satisfactory relations with the werewolves that reside within the borders of our Domain. The envoy shall also be responsible for the review of any contracts signed by the werewolves singularly or jointly. We invest in him the authority to keep these contracts confidential."

"Do you understand these responsibilities as I have described them?"

Tony: "Uhhh. Yes?"

Ms. Kanell offers the transcription for him to sign. Tony hedges again, eliciting some annoyance at the delay. He presses Tony on the value of accepting. Of how he would make a good Invictus. Another hedge, and the Prince gives him three nights to decide. Tony takes the portfolio while he thinks.

The Prince comes in to greet everyone politely, then pulls Hector aside to express condolences for the death of his Sire. He mentions that Tremaine was a good friend of his, and could not possibly be replaced. Hector thanks him for the sentiment, and expresses appreciation for the political moves at the previous Elysium. Hector expresses doubt that the Sanctified will try to find the true culprit, and tells the prince that should political expedience require a scapegoat, he still intended to pursue justice - but would do his best to do it in the shadows.

The crew then retire back to Whaley House, where Tony discusses the offer with the group, but ultimately decides it isn't for him and asks Knight to write a polite refusal response. It is delivered to a third party (Edward Vonn) to give to the Prince under seal. Steven attempts to surreptitiously investigate Vonn's office but is busted.

Later, Steven is invited to a cafe where he meets with the Prince's assistant. She informs him as he sits down to take a phone call. It's from an unknown number, Knight answers. It's clearly an encrypted call. The Prince speaks, "I've received Tony's message." Knight apologizes for the ultimate result. The Prince expresses his disappointment in Tony's shortsightedness. Knight attempts to smooth things out, referencing the tightness of the group as a reason for Tony's hesitance.

The Prince asks for a recommendation on who might fill the role, would Knight? Knight presses for some clarification on what recourse he has for enforcement. The Prince explains he doesn't want any more bad deals like Thea's. Knight wonders what kind of justice there is with Don still walking around unpunished. The Prince is skeptical of keeping Kindred to an honorable standard, and puts more blame on Thea. He expresses that he expects the Envoy to side with whoever is being overly taken advantage of in the dealmaking.

The Prince expresses his wish that the Envoy help the werewolves navigate Kindred politics, while also helping the Kindred understand just how dangerous the packs could be. Should a deal be particularly egregious, the Prince stats he could see his way to accepting some judicial activism, as it were. Referencing that Vonn doesn't trust Knight, the Prince urges him to work with Ms. Kanell instead. He urges Knight to contact both the Steel Hounds and Bloody Will packs aka Animal Control.

Tony spends a night with his old friend Adrian at a house party. He asks about the old times and people they used to have in mutual acquaintance. Unfortunately, Tony keeps asking about people that turn out to be either dead or on hard times, making him look bad at the House party. The group eventually moves to a waterfront strip club, where Adrian throws some cash around and treats his friends as a peace offering of sorts.

Tony is treated to a personal dance, but afterwards someone walks right into their VIP room. Adrien seems to know him, and Tony eventually recognizes him as the head of the Latin Kings, aka Skinny. Adrien assures everyone that things are cool, initial pleasantries are exchanged. Skinny knows that Tony was responsible for the hit on the Black Top gang, says he is going to keep the heroin and Tony can keep the cash.

Skinny says there's still a place in the Kings for Tony if he wanted. Tony, as before with the Prince, is reluctant, but mulls things over. He mentions he has too many responsibilities during the day. Skinny presses him a little about his new crew. Tony is coy, but Skinny mentions there is going to be an uptick in territorial moves, starting with the Kings claiming credit for the hit by selling the horse with the Blacktop tags still attached. A final push from Skinny gets a hard no out of him, so Skinny pivots to pushing Tony as a possible muscle connection. That too gets a thumbs down. Skinny says he intends to find a way they can come together, but takes his leave.

Thea shows up to Whaley House, ready to investigate the paranormal. She says that her people are safe in Arizona. Knight reminds her about the babysitting duties, making sure she's available in a week or so. She will be, but wants to concentrate on the house for a time. Hector asks if he can shadow her during some of her work, and she allows Hector and Ethan to do so. Later, she asks to address the crew with her preliminary report.

"poo poo's hosed. This whole situation is not great." She says Whaley House is built on a graveyard. Old town is full of buildings that have been picked up from other places and plopped down, screwing up the natural local essences and energies. Whaley House in particular has been hosed with - and she can show everyone how. She grabs a number of fetishes, and begins some kind of ritual in the basement. A bad smell precedes some lightheadedness as the ritual continues.

She warns about a bright moment, then flicks a lighter on, which erupts into a purple flame unlike anything normally seen - it agitates everyone's beasts before it dies down to normal. There is now a new source of illumination in the room - a blue glow coming from scrollwork and writing on the foundations of the timbers. The languages seem to be a combination of Greek, Arabic and Latin. Thea says she has talked to the House, and it is traumatized and depressed.

Built in the 1850s by Thomas Whaley, then renovated in the 1900s by Francis Whaley, who Thea thinks is responsible for the occult markings. Everyone then notices they can smell old, burnt blood. Most think it is coming from upstairs. Thea, not smelling it, changes into a wolf to investigate further. Knights heads upstairs, and finds a crude circle drawn in blood on the floor of the pantry. It seems older and burnt on first approach, but as he gets closer and closer, the blood turns fresher and fresher. Knight begins to sketch it.

Hector finds a part of the writing which is written in blood red. The Latin portion of the writing talks about making the house strong. Thea talks about some of the effects: An invocation to bring strength to the house itself. The Arabic is a request for the family name to be made prosperous. The third part speaks of being fruitful and making the bloodline successful for many generations.

Ethan heads upstairs, wandering into one of the smaller bedrooms on the second floor. He encounters a similar circle. Ethan can see some incredibly feint outlines of some kind of spiritual phenomena, but he has trouble keeping it in his vision. He takes a chance and tastes the blood. It explodes his awareness and he sees a woman in her twenties on the bed - blood and gunpowder mix, a pistol lays on the floor. She has a chest wound, and blood soaks her and the bed - as if something had been cut out of her. Another woman is present, with a family resemblance to the woman on the bed, who is being comforted by a man drenched in blood but unharmed. Ethan sees that the man cradles a bundled baby.

John Dyne
Jul 3, 2005

Well, fuck. Really?
So I forgot I had Sublunario, and I'm just gonna make a post to remind myself what it does. The first two are more of Dead Wolf specific things, though.

-On nights of the full moon and new moon, additional vitae must be spent to stay awake and active; the first vitae is spent as normal to awaken, and an additional vitae must be spent a number of hours equal to twice his stamina dots.

-Silver weapons deal an additional point of damage. This is an automatic success after the roll, and does not add to the dice pool.

-May contribute dots in Sublunario to the Steel Wolves' totem, and share in any benefits that are not werewolf specific; each dot counts as one dot in the Totem merit. (once properly connected) This connection is permanent, unless the totem spirit is destroyed or driven from the pack, and as such if Tony falls out of favor with the pack, he loses this bonus.

-Sublunario dots can be used as bonus die to ride the wave during the full moon.

-May roll Sublunario once per scene to gain bonus dice on Empathy, Persuade, Intimidate, and Socialize pools made with or against werewolves; each success adds one die. This is not any sort of mystical coercion against the werewolf.

-May split dots in Sublunario to as bonus dice between the two Insight skills linked with the phase of the moon. All of the dots may go to one skill if desired; to reallocate the bonus dice, a vitae must be spent. The list is as follows:

Full Moon: Intimidate, Survival
Gibbous Moon: Expression, Persuasion
Half Moon: Empathy, Investigation
Crescent Moon: Animal Ken, Occult
New Moon: Stealth, Subterfuge

John Dyne fucked around with this message at 15:43 on Sep 19, 2018

pynladfysh
Jul 9, 2018

*establishes eye contact*

Barbed Tongues posted:

She grabs a number of fetishes, and begins some kind of ritual in the basement. A bad smell precedes some lightheadedness as the ritual continues.

So...what kind of fetishes is she into?

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

Although IPlayVideoGames cannot join us tonight, the story moves forward. "The Estate of Violet Whaley", the next chapter, takes place tonight, Tuesday, September 25th at 7 PM PST.

John Dyne
Jul 3, 2005

Well, fuck. Really?
Finally going to spend some of my XP. All of it is in-clan poo poo, but I'll say part of it was from simply taking pointers from Thea and Barrett during the hours we hung out and got drunk, especially for Animalism and Animal Ken; I hadn't bought any Animalism yet and Animal Ken was at 1.

Animalism - Feral Whispers, 3 XP (First Dot)

Protean - Predatory Aspect, 6 XP (Second Dot)
-Claws (1L Weapon using Brawl)
-Feral Senses (Smell blood as if blood potency were two dots higher)
-Quadripedal (+4 speed while running on all fours, double all jump distances)

Animal Ken - 2 XP (Second Dot)
Animal Ken Specialty (Animalism) - 1XP

That's 12/12 XP.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Barbed baby, hit me with that synopsis please and thank you.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
I'm very down for tomorrow but next week, the 9th, I will be unavailable.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

Herr Tog posted:

Barbed baby, hit me with that synopsis please and thank you.

It's certainly not BT++ quality, but here is my hasty timeline of last session:

January 24th (con't) - The coterie continues to investigate the bloodstains illuminated by Thea's ritual. The suicide/birth on the 2nd floor, the cursing circle in the pantry, and the working carved into the house's foundations all provide glimpses into the past of Whaley House and its inhabitants. Thea proffers the "shitwater dam" theory of what is going on, and eventually the group adjourns to pursue multiple lines of investigation.

January 26th - Dina (of the Mormon Sanctified sect) provides old church records which seem to indicate that Violet's daughter was adopted by the Whaley Family physician, Dr. Louis Gregg, as Briar Gregg.

January 27th - Public records searches reconstruct the family tree of Violet Whaley. Briar had two children of her own, Larkspur (1903-1941) and Rose (1905-1957). Rose, in turn, had Garland in 1948, who gave birth to Flora in 1986. Flora would appear to be the only living descendant of Violet.

January 30th - While socializing with a few members of the Circle of the Crone, Hector asks Angelica Sawyer for her opinion on the occult implications of Whaley House. She validates that a powerful curse or working can certainly inhabit a bloodline, in many different permutations. She is particularly impressed with the sketch of the cursing circle that Violet drew in her own blood, presumably against her con-man husband George Bertolacci - she has respect for a woman willing to do the sorcerous equivalent of sticking her finger in a light-bulb socket for vengeance. She agrees to offer assistance in learning the nature of this curse, in exchange for anything pertaining to the small black book seen in Ethan's visions of both the cursing circle and the foundation blessing.

February 1st - Meeting between Steelhounds and Steven Knight (Tony comes along to vouch for Steven in his own way). Steelhounds agree to consider Steven a resource in the event that a contract with Kindred goes south, and promise to not retaliate for any future slights without consulting with Steven first. Tony talks with Barrett afterwards about the pack helping him understand his wolf side. Tony says he will bring it to the pack to consider letting Steven participate in some pack activities. Barrett also volunteers that the Sangrienta Lucha, senior pack to the Steelhounds and their counterpart south of the border, might not be amenable to Steven injecting himself in their business. However, they also go way back with Prince Diego (including directly putting him on the throne, depending upon how you look at it), so the fact that Steven answers to the Prince might help. Barrett also suggests that Tony seek out the Bloody Struggle's shaman, as he is a lot older and may be knowledgeable about Tony's unique condition.

January 27th through February 3rd - P.I. Keith Murray draws up a dossier on Flora Bennett. Flora is 31 years old, and works as a hospice nurse in La Jolla not far from the main UCSD campus. She has a boyfriend, Carl, who recently completed training to join the SDFD. She seems to have a small circle of friends but mostly seems to be on her own. She is also an aspiring artist, and recently has started hitting up galleries in the area to try and find a venue for her works - a mixture of charcoal and watercolor, some of which have a blood-spatter like theme.



We pick back up again tonight with a new chapter, "Violet Bennet Gets Discovered!". The San Diego art community will be taken by storm tonight, October 2nd, at 7 PM PST.

kaynorr fucked around with this message at 22:17 on Oct 2, 2018

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
thank you kaynorr

Barbed Tongues
Mar 16, 2012





Synopsis: Violet Bennet Gets Discovered!

The previous few days have caught up to the coterie in terms of vitae. They disperse to hunt separately. Knight hits a strip club, while Hector joins the general nightclub scene in the downtown Rack. Johann heads to a late night coffee shot, and Ethan assaults lone wanderers in the neighborhood.

Hector brings Johann up to speed on the nature of the curse, the Whaley family, and the intentions for Flora. Knight wonders why they don't just break into her place and check out the art and look for the book themselves. Hector doesn't want to rule that completely out, but pushes for the more conspiratorial effort to bring her into their orbit.

Johann volunteers to act as first contact, setting up a serendipitous meeting with Flora at a coffee shop 'coincidentally' ordering the same drink, starting up a conversation, making a good impression. Over the next few nights, he continues to earn her trust, getting a few samples of her portfolio. Using those, Johann is able to get her set up at a street gallery, sharing spacer with another four artists in an old set of converted warehouses.

Hector gets a call from Angelica Sawyer. She needs a few components to trigger her ritual to help divine the nature of the magics. A body of one of the bloodline, some bio-castoff of one of the living descendants, and at least one member of the coterie's participation in the ritual itself. Hector asks Johann to take lead in getting the hair/blood from Flora's place.

Johann uses the return of Flora's portfolio as the opportunity to go to her place. Shortly after he arrives, however, Carl - Flora's firefighter boyfriend - comes home. Flora excitedly shares the news of her showing, thanking Johann for setting up the opportunity. Carl seems less than impressed, clearly mistrustful of Johann's out-of-the-blue largess. Johann excuses himself to use the bathroom, successfully finding some hair which he pockets. Soon after, he makes himself scarce, leaving things as calm as possible.

Angelica and Marcus - two members of the Circle - invite the coterie to the ritual at Hope cemetery. Leading the group deep into the graeyard, it's clear they have already run off any homeless or other wandering mortals who might interrupt. They are led to a grave that has been carefully cut open, sitting on top of it is a female head, one that has been dead quite a while. "Garland Bennett" is the name on the grave. Angelica mentions that they normally use the heart, but this particular heart is in an unusual state of decay - oddly aged and decomposing compared to the rest of the body. Angelica is pleased by that, noting it means some kind of supernatural interference is going on.

Marcus begins unpacking his bag, much more seemingly organized and systematic than Thea's recent example of wolf magic. The centerpiece is a large stone bowl. He sets it on the ground, lighting candles on either side of it. Angelica reminds everyone that nothing tonight is secret, just be thankful to the Crone for her wisdom. She begins:

Under the moon which is the Crone's light we make a demand of the world of the earth of the sky of the starts. We demand knowledge., And armed with the teaching of the Crone we prove our worthiness of this knowledge and reap the benefits of this knowledge. We ask the Crone to bless these tools as we search for this truth, the tools of bone, blood and fire by which we will search, quest and take that which we seek. these are the teachings of the Crone and by her example we act.

She tells the group that she will be crafting a blood concoction that one of them will need to drink. Hector indicates his willingness. She takes the hair from Johann, setting them in the bowl on top of the head.

Bone of the skull for knowledge, blood of the head for truth, fire that we may read the writing scribed within.

Marcus opens a container of chemicals, sprinkling it on the head, then touches the candles to it, generating a white flame which engulfs the skull, triggering the beast in each of the Kindred present. The coterie maintains control, watching the flames devour the head to ashes. Marcus slips free a slender branch, which he uses to stir some kind of blood mixture with the ashes, collecting it in a ritualized tincture. Hector downs it.

It has an unnatural and odd taste, reminiscent of but at the same time nothing like blood. Hector feels a strange humming sensation across his entire body, as he attunes to energies he never knew existed. He feels simultaneously here in the cemetery, but also standing in the basement of Whaley house. He can smell the familiar smells of the havens just as much as the dirt and rot and smoke of the cemetery. A pulsing beat, like a heartbeat, infuses his senses like an earthquake tremor.

As the effects take a full hold of him, his willpower snaps, a strange voice emanating from whim.

Why. Are. You. Here?
Why. Am. I. Speaking?


Ethan is quick to use his second sight, informing the group that Hector has been possessed. Sensing an opportunity, they begin to ask the entity questions.

"Who are you?"

Strength to the house. Prosperity to the name. Prosperity to the family. Longevity to the name. That is what I am. I am strong. The timbers are firm. The roof is sound. I am powerful, as I was written to be. Is. This. A. Sacrifice? Do you wish... to add to my greatness?

"Do you need a sacrifice?"

I have all that I need. But more is more. Blood from the past can join the blood from the now. More blood. More blood.

"Who created you?"

The maker carved my words. My name. My self upon my timbers. He who was the builder, Thomas. Greatest of the name. Oldest of the name. Departed of the name. Thomas, brother to Violet, son of Francis. The names. The names must go forever. The names must not be severed. The names must continue.

"Who was the last sacrifice?"

Violet was the last sacrifice. Before. Blood spills before. Fueled the beginning. Wood to start the fire. Deathbirth. Words of revenge. They were the spark before there was the fire. Do you offer this blood to strengthen this work? Blood for the timbers, blood for the walls. Is this an offering?

"Um, ah - no offer tonight, sir house. Sorry."

Then what. Have you done? The work continues, the house is strong. the line is strong,. the family is strong.

"Who of the line still remains?"

Just one. But one is not none. The line will continue. There will be more. She who is named Flora receives all out power. The power is great, the power is mighty.

"What happens to you when she dies?"

I wait, the power waits for the next to come of age. This is how it has always been. There will always be another to receive a gift. The working must continue I make it so.

"So what if she dies with no child?"

Hector's body kind of contort at that, his fangs pop out: No it will not be, I see to it. She is protected. She will have a child. It must be. We protect the name. That is the duty. No harm will come to her. Only the power will come to her. Until it is too much.

"What happens when it's too much?"

The power overwhelms. There is always a point at which they drown. But not before the seed is spread. Not before the line continues.

"How do you end?"

I never end. I am eternal. My bones go into the earth.

Ethan starts to put together his theory on how this thing is working, and he sees it falls in line with what Thea is saying. That the energy was generated by sacrifice, and flows out to the remaining member of the line. But as there are so few living members, it is too much power for one person, and eventually consumes them.

"Were you responsible for violet dying?"

I did not. Exists. When she died. I hear her screams in the walls. Feel her pain in the floors. She was there always. Her rage, her pain, is always there. It is the wellspring.

"Are you going to be responsible for the last of the line dying?"

There will not be a last of the line. The line will always continue unbroken. This is what I am.

"What happens if she doesn't have a kid?"

She is blessed. She is protected. I am her protector and her guardian.

"So she'll never die?"

The line will continue.

"How will you make sure?"

I have been invested. I have power. I am power. Accidents changed. Dangers averted. These are the gifts that are carved into my timbers.

"If Carl tried to kill her, would you stop him?"

He would not succeed. There have been risks and dangers to the line. I have destroyed them all. The line must continue.

"Do you have any impact or affect on Carl?"

He may be of use. The line must continue. Why have you brought me here if not to offer a sacrifice? If not to spill more blood and reap more power. ]I . Know. You. You dwell within my walls. I know your footsteps. I know your touch. Why are there corpses inside me? I am not a graveyard.

"Would you imbue us with power if we help Flora?"

I am all that I am made and nothing else.

"So, just blood - or does marriage work?"

Blood was spilt for the birth of the child. Blood must always be spilled for the birth of the child. There is no other family but that by blood.

Ethan: "Wanna know why we brought you here? To destroy you."

All hell breaks loose.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

As mentioned last night, Herr Tog cannot join us next Tuesday. If everyone can agree on a different night for next week, I'm free whenever (as long as it's not Monday). If not, the next chapter will be on Tuesday as per normal, with Steven mysteriously fading in the background while Tony comes howling in.

IPlayVideoGames
Nov 28, 2004

I unironically like Anders as a character.
As long as it’s before next Friday, I’m free. Otherwise I’m out all next weekend and the week after.

Barbed Tongues
Mar 16, 2012





Mon-Thur availability for me.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

Discord has gotten the job done, it appears we have a replacement date. Our next chapter, "Possession is Nine-Tenths of the Law", will happen this Thursday, October 11th, at 7 PM PST.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
humble bundle vampire book bundle

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/vampire-the-masquerade-rpg-books?hmb_source=navbar&hmb_medium=product_tile&hmb_campaign=tile_index_7

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

Assuming either John Dyne or Herr Tog can make it, "Possession is Nine-Tenths of the Law", will happen tonight Thursday, October 11th, at 7 PM PST.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Game called due to World Mental Health day. So sayeth I as I cuppa ya Bawls

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

While normally I would be fine doing tonight's chapter with four, Flora's gallery opening shouldn't happen without Johann. Given that IPlayVideoGames cannot make it, everyone take another mental health day and I'll see you all in a week.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer

kaynorr posted:

While normally I would be fine doing tonight's chapter with four, Flora's gallery opening shouldn't happen without Johann. Given that IPlayVideoGames cannot make it, everyone take another mental health day and I'll see you all in a week.

so sayeth I as I cuppa yo bawls

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

This is absolutely goddamn happening. The chapter that has waited too long, "Possession is Nine-Tenths of Everything", starts tonight Tuesday, October 23rd at 7 PM PST.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer
was good session

John, I hope you are okay since you had to dip at the end.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

I agree, that was possibly my favorite chapter thus far. Nice to see some surprising (and not surprising) reactions out of our coterie. And we had our first Humanity loss, always a major milestone in a Vampire chronicle.

IPlayVideoGames
Nov 28, 2004

I unironically like Anders as a character.
It was great. I didn’t expect the self destruction to start so early into the game.

kaynorr
Dec 31, 2003

IPlayVideoGames posted:

It was great. I didn’t expect the self destruction to start so early into the game.

We're five chapters in now; the comfortable normal has been established with some light crime and ghostbusting, so it's time to begin the downward spiral.

I did not expect Angelica's ritual to be such a catalyst, but that's Cruac for you. Savage blood magic doesn't gently caress around.

John Dyne
Jul 3, 2005

Well, fuck. Really?
Tony expects Hector to make sure he gets his daily login bonus on six of the twelve phone games he plays; he can get the other six. He's not a cruel taskmaster, after all.

Herr Tog
Jun 18, 2011

Grimey Drawer

John Dyne posted:

Tony expects Hector to make sure he gets his daily login bonus on six of the twelve phone games he plays; he can get the other six. He's not a cruel taskmaster, after all.

clash of clans,
puzzle and dragons,
fire emblem heroes
Final Fantasy Record Keeper
Food Fantasy
Summoners War
CHRONO MA:GIA
Fate Grand Order
Dungeon Hunter
and three others that are only in spanish

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John Dyne
Jul 3, 2005

Well, fuck. Really?

Herr Tog posted:

clash of clans,
puzzle and dragons,
fire emblem heroes
Final Fantasy Record Keeper
Food Fantasy
Summoners War
CHRONO MA:GIA
Fate Grand Order
Dungeon Hunter
and three others that are only in spanish

Marvel Strike Force
Age of Magic
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
TMNT Legends
Dragonball Legends


Duh.

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