Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Bassanio Strozzi
As you sit for a drink at the bar you learn that a fantastic fire raged out on the water earlier in the evening, it is believed that the ship belonged to a shipping company of a local Saracen family. The details as yo hat caused the fire are yet to be discovered.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Andrew you continue to drink oblivious to the question asked by Xing. You feel a tingle in the back of your mind, as if a small voice rejoices in the back of your consciousness.
The Knight frowns at you Xing, "Your Sire should teach you better manners Fledgling. I see that you hailf rom the east, is that too the place of origin for your Sire?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Yanos
You follow Dragan up the stairs but trail behind him lest you incur his wrath. You stop in the room where Lindsay and Jodi rest for the evening, their duties by day keeping them exhausted at night. Both are well, as well as they can be considering the circumstances.
You drift off to sleep...
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Lord Jurgen grimaces at you chastisement, "I am not permitting you to sit Sir Baldemar, simply attempting to ensure your comfort despite the terrible conundrum you find yourself trapped in. I mean no offense by it".
He pauses again to hear the full story, "The rumors I have heard related to this creature it would seem are true. He could have simply made you forget why you had come or altered your memory to make you believe he and his were mere corpses. Instead he chose to terrorize mortals for his own sadistic pleasure.
He may not be a worshiper of Satan but he is certainly one of his minions that much is evidenced by what he did do instead of what he could have done.
Sir Heinrich made a choice, one that may well led to his own final death for saving Sir Martin. I will need to ponder on that situation on the morrow".
Jurgen pauses as the door opens and one of his men brings you food and drink, placing the tray in front of you. He leaves saying nothing.
"Eat, you will need your strength. You will find that you are very much alive Sir Baldemar. Sir Martin was turned because had he not been, he would have passed on in that fiery inferno of a ship. Your assessment is correct, Sir martin has become a Cainite, dead and yet alive.
You spoke of another on the ship, a Saracen, what was his name and why was he there?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
Lord Benne pauses as you open the door to the Giovanni's room.
As you enter, you see that the room has no windows at all. As if the room was built without them entirely. His bed is covered in the finest silk sheets. The drawers are all empty and left open as if the prior occupant had just left.
Sconces on the wall hold candles which flicker with an eerie light, the tapers back as night.
Sitting in the far corner of the room is a desk. As with the dressers, all of the drawers have been emptied out, the contents gone in their entirety.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michele Querini & Finn Garrety
Before Hans can inquire further, Dragan barges in the door. "Lord Vykos, Milov Petrankov is here and wishes you to attend him!"
Vykos scowls at Dragan, "Very well. Come my friend, let us see what Petrankov has to say", he motions to the hooded figure in the corner to attend to him.
Hans grabs Michele by the elbow, "Come, let us discuss what our friends from the east have gotten themselves into".
Hans pulls Michele out past Dragan and to his own quarters.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Absently picking at the food, Baldemar seems to struggling to remember some details, "I honestly do not recall if he said his name. He seemed to know the ship's captain. He kept yelling something about 'succor' and being a crusader. All I can think is that he chases the tourney circuit."
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Xing looks at Brian curiously and smiles bowing slightly.
"When he returns we can talk about all that you wish. I would not want to speak for my master and I do believe that is proper etiquette."
Head still bowed down the figure will slowly rise to his feet and around inside on an other will follow
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Andrew feels the man's life essence flowing away, he knows that certainly the man will last little longer. He decides that he will drain this man and grant him absolution....
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Bassanio Strozzi
vs DC 6
Gio grimaces at the stranger when he reveals his fangs. "It will take more than teeth to frighten me, stranger."
He gasps as the man easily breaks through his defenses and slices into his stomach. "You're going to regret taking this further, I don't care how fast you are!" Gio takes the fight to the murderous stranger.
Storyteller Shadow
"I was kidnapped by the woman but managed to escape briefly in the area where my cousins and some friends were drinking. They ended up accompanying us to her masters. My cousin offered one of his workers to go to Venice in my stead. The man with no name agreed. I came looking for Sadir to let him know and to speak about arrangements.
Michael steps into the room with a perplexed look on his face as all eyes stare at him. In a quiet room michael answers.
"I was at work going over records of my employees, taking count of gondolas. Checking to make sure they are in great shape because presentation is important. When I finished my inventory and pay calculations I went for a short stroll and found my self here.... What are you discussing ?!! It seemed as you were having an intense discussion"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Jurgen looks thoughtful for a second then shrugs, "Too much of a coincidence for it to be him. Regardless Sir Baldemar, the good news is that you are alive. While this night has been one of pure horror, I can only assure you that I will do my best to make sure that the Giovanni pay for what they did to those men.
The Hochmeister has spoken highly of you. He tells me that you have been considering leaving the Order. Would you discuss with me the reason for doing so?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Andrew finishes off the predator
He stands and turns toward Xing as if about to speak.
Brian gestures towards the second thug. "This one is your as well my Childe".
He scowls at Xing's response, "And I shall".
He steps to the lifeless body of the Thug raising his hands, "Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust," he intones.
The body begins to disintegrate before you very eyes!
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Finn Garrety
You head down the stairs with Vykos and Dragan. Standing in the common room all but ignoring everything around him is a short man who is eastern european in ancestry.
"Greetings, welcome to, Milov Petrankov", Vykos offers smiling.
"I seek a Cainite known as Talisman, I was led to believe he would be staying here. Have you seen him Myca? Have you also dissuaded Dragan from searching for him?"
Vykos pauses he smile on his face disappearing, "I have not seen him. My understanding is that he is a madmen serving a usurper. Why would I even wish to interact with such a being, under either circumstance? Dragan is useless enough without having his mind scrambled by one such as he. What is your interest in him?"
"My business not your Myca. Very well then, I will find him myself. Good to know that I can rely on you. Before I leave, I would have one of your humans".
Vykos gestures around the room,"Take your pick".
Petrankov shakes his head, "It is none of these. He I believe works here".
Vykos shakes his head, "Those are not mine to give. The idea is that they should be left alone. The Prince implied as much quite emphatically".
Petrankov stares at Vykos practically looking through him, "I want what I want Myca". Petrankov describes the servant who entered the room with Michele Querini earlier.
"Very well then, do not say I did not warn you Petrankov", Vykos retorts. "Dragan, go get him".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
A slip of parchment has fallen behind one of the drawers something perhaps only your keen eyes could have discerned.
Lord Benne sates,"All seems safe for now Childe. I shall take my leave in search of my own quarters". He begins to turn to head into the hallway.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Bassanio Strozzi
You notice two men at the other end of the bar dressed in Scottish garb. Perhaps one of them is the Scottish diplomat who is the patron of young Federico?
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Andrew finishes off the First thuggee, stands up moving slowly, he uses the blood in his system to fully heal himself and walks to the second one on the verge of life and the precipice of death...
Andrew gestures over the second thuggee, making the sign of the cross.....
"Tis best tah finish".
As Brian changes the first corpse to nothing more than dust in the wind Andrew remembers this is part of his clans abilities...his clan? Yes indeed it all fit this transition to purgatory...
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
The knight grimaces, "Before tonight? It no longer matters."
Xing just watches showing no emotion but inside she is amused.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Giovanni Dal'este
The Saracen shifts out of the way of your sword but you make some contact.
He swings back at you but misses wide.
The man shifts farther back and draws a second sword.
"I do not regret mortal. You are worthy or you are not. So far, your foolish bravado has impressed me."
He moves in again twirling both blades.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Andrew you fall upon the other body.
Xing you watch as Andrew feeds on the other fallen Thug. The first victim is shriveling up and rapidly turning to dust![/ooc]
Vitaliano as you view the alleyway through the crack in your front door, the fight seems over. A man, the Knight stands over one of the bodies. A woman, an exotic Asian one of all things!, stands next to him. The third man lays on the last one, perhaps looting his wallet?
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Cristiano Lintini
Simon once again motions for you to join him in the back room.
Renaldo shakes his head in disagreement.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michele Querini
Hans seems amused by your statement, "Sadir has no interest. I would not inform him of that altercation whatsoever. This development pleases me Signore Querini. I do know where Sadir stays, should I tell you? Will he think you are resourceful or will he think you are a danger to him I wonder. I shall let you make the choice".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michael Santo
"You should hand the reigns of that business over, it shall be the death of you yet", Francois comments.
Sergei ignores your statement, "I sent Brice and Wilhelm to find our Church Knights from the previous graveyard altercation. They encountered a man combating more of these mindless dead he defeated them himself in combat! The man informed Claudio, Brice and Wilhelm that he had a lead on one or perhaps two of the denizens of the night operating in the city! He believes a group needs to leave tonight to set a trap for the beast on the mainland. I do not think we can leave or split the group at this time, especially with my sister still missing".
Brice retorts, "We should all go. Katriana is a big girl. She will turn up hell she may be watching us and seeing u leave may prompt her to stop this game".
Wilhelm nods in agreement with Brice.
Francois interjects, "What about this solution? I stay behind looking for signs of Katriana while the three of you journey to the mainland with this Claudio. It is the best lead we have had since we arrived".
Sergei stares daggers at Francois, "You would like that wouldn't you!"
Wilhelm sighs, "Sergei we are here to hunt and we have the trail of prey. It is time to move".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Yanos
As you drift off to sleep near the young women whom you have come to befriend, you are dragged out of bed roughly.As you eyes flicker open you are being held up face to face by Dragan!
"Someone would have words with you peasant", he shoves you back roughly and motions for you to follow him out the door.
Of course, no one else even looks up or stirs at the interaction.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Jurgen nods in understanding.
"What if I told you that I could give you the opportunity to strike back at the Giovanni. Is that a opportunity that interests you?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
"Rest well, Lord Benne." Lorenzo says, reasoning that if the slip is something important he can inform his sire later.
Lorenzo retrieves the slip of parchment and looks for any sign of significance.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Andrew gains enough blood for the first time he feels actually full!
For the first time Andrew approachs Xing and Brian
"How now is this?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Vitaliano had strapped the man down so he wouldn't hurt himself should he wake after setting him up to drain. He would be mindful to keep an eye on him and make sure he did not bleed out.
He made his way back to the doorway and peered through curious to see how the fight had progressed and to see if his services might be able to be rendered this evening and a bit of coin could be earned.
Michael chimes in with a few questions
"What is the name of the man combating these monsters and how do we know we can trust his lead? If we find these dwellers of the dark how do we capture and or kill them? And whats that tension you have with francios that look was enough to melt steel?"
Michael steps up to the group grabbing his dagger.
"If we are going to fight anything this time I am going to need a bigger knife..."
Storyteller Shadow
"It could benefit me knowing where he is. I may not seek him there but the knowledge of where may be important in time.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Baldemar shakes his head, "What would it matter? I live in a house built on sand."
|
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Yanos
As you eyes flicker open you are being held up face to face by Dragan!
"Someone would have words with you peasant", he shoves you back roughly and motions for you to follow him out the door.
Hoping against hope that this "someone" was the man at the end of the hall he had been sent to fetch and spoken to briefly rather than this new Milov Petrankov individual. Being awoken from such a poor sleep, my mind is still groggy, to the point I forget completely to keep up the charade, though hopefully being truly exhausted and half awake will makeup for that somewhat.
"Yes, m'lord. . .", as I get up and make myself decent enough to follow.
It only begins to dawn on him as he follows a few steps behind Dragan that meeting this other unknown individual, another "outlander" with promises of getting out alive might not actually be any less dangerous or damning than the alternative.
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Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
The parchment is papyrus and a bit crumpled at the edges, it seems as if in his haste the previous resident of the room had this one slip of paper fall behind in the back of the drawer it begins:
"still no word from Markus or Angelo. It has been six months since the Crusaders looted and burned the Queen of Cities. There is every chance that my two brethren perished in those fires, a pity, I had great hopes for Angelo. I wonder if Alexia has perished as well, if so the secrets of the Byzar may never be uncovered. Perhaps I should send another emissary".
The Year of Our Lord 1207
"Another agent lost to the City. I would have suspected that with things settled down, this should not have happened again. Prince Gareth claims that the emissary never arrived. I should wonder how true that is".
The Year of Our Lord 1210
"Augustus has reprimanded me for wasting time with this defunct rumor. He wishes me to continue my search for the Sargon Fragment. It seems impossible to explain to him that locating Byzar may well enable me to do just that. This time, my agent was sent with a spirit and this time that spirit has returned. A Bloodline has cropped up in the city, the Samedi they call themselves. Whoever this Samedi is, his Childer have formidable powers of Necromancy at their disposal, my latest agent was easily dispatched by this Cainite that calls himself the Capuchin. Is this Byzar awakened? Alexia in diguise? Or worse yet, one of my agents I thought destroyed turned on the Family? This secret is mine to hold until I unravel the mystery further".
The Year of Our Lord 1225
"My questioning of the Samedi who claims his name is Yeti, is this some sort of joke? perhaps this Bloodline has some Malkavian strains, has told me unequivocally that his Sire is named Baron Samedi and that he hails from the Dark Continent. Preposterous. Still, his Blood is quite powerful indeed, stronger than mine. I wonder, do I hold him prisoner or claim his Blood as mine own..."
End of Document, there are further pages but only this page seems to have been left behind.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Brian looks to you Andrew, "This woman is a Cainite, how do you know her my Childe?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michael Santo
Brice looks to you, "He fought off four of those, things, on his own. Andrew knows him and he is trusted by the Churchmen. He has given us real locations to follow up with in Vincenza. If those leads amount to nothing no harm no foul just a week or so lost".
Wilhelm chimes in, "Wooden shafts through the heart immobilizes them. Removing their heads kill them as do fire and sunlight. They are tough but they can be killed".
Francois does not answer your query nor does Sergei about the venomous look.
"We need this one alive to question it", states Sergei. "It is a risk worth taking. Francois, you stay here and guard Michael's back. The three of us will go with Claudio and his men. Use this as home base. If you spot my sister don't approach her till I get back. He behavior has caused a real problem this time. Don't hunt till we return. Understand?"
Francois nods in assent.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Michele Querini
"Your benefactor stays in luxury at the San Cassiano Residenza d'Epoca Ca' Favretto. It overlooks the Grand Canal itself and is quite lovely.
Run along now, you have set motions in place that may prove very entertaining. I am quite interested in what information this meeting will reveal. When these errand boys and girls return, you will see me and tell me everything. For the time being I shall be staying here completing my work.
My sources tell me that you and Santo will be quite busy starting tomorrow as the rest of the "shipments" will arrive".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Sir Baldemar de Frisia
Jurgen frowns, "I understand. I too had my spirit broken when I learned the truths of the horrors which stalked the night but quickly I came to know that the curse also comes with many blessings.
This is the time for you to stand up and take destiny in your own hands. I offer you a gift, the gift of serving the Lord past the time in which you would be but dust in a grave.
Creatures like Augustus Giovanni and his brood can only be defeated if men like yourself take the mantle of this curse to stand against him. Fight fire with fire Sir Baldemar!
I have promised another that they would have an opportunity to meet with you, she is a woman of great beauty with a sharp mind.
However, say the word and I shall remove your memories of this night and allow you to retire from the order and fade away into obscurity. My Clan is not one to Embrace those who do not truly want to cross over, except in extreme circumstances of course. This woman is not of my Clan and would take you against your wishes. I seek an alliance with her and such an alliance may aid you as well.
Though it may injure me politically, I shall respect your wishes either way. Do you need a night to sleep on this choice?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Lorenzo Cappelli
Lorenzo, not sure of what to make of the parchment, heads out into the hallway intent on finding Lord Benne.
"Lord Benne!" Lorenzo calls out, hoping for a response. "It seems something has been left behind, I believe you should have a look at this." he says slowly making his way down the hall in hope of finding his sire.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 11, 1309
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
"Tha woman is Xing, she has been in a bit o trouble now an then, I met her at tha way o kings Inn. When some men accosted her, we went to a fancy ball on a date tha once!"
Andrew smiles at Xing....
"Wha did I fail tah recall, Xing?"
Andrew the Hardy & Xing Shi & Vitaliano da Riva
Vitaliano opens the door slowly and waves for them to enter. "Quick, get in out of the street " he said first in Italian then in Chinese in case the woman didn't understand him.
Xing smiles at Andrew as if she was being bashful of his statement.
"Oh dear Andrew I think we both brought trouble to each others doors in those few days we were together."
She turns sharply to the man who just spoke to them from the door.
"Who do we have here?" she walks slowly toward him with her hand on the hilt of her blade just in case.
Yanos & Finn Garrety
Yanos makes his way down the stairs and to his chagrin the man waiting for him is the one that arrived just prior to him going up to bed, the one who most certainly recognized him.
,
Vykos shakes his head and turns to the hooded figure ,
Vykos turns to Dragan, "See I am not disturbed again this night for anyone". He beckons for the hooded figure to accompany him up the stairs.