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Dark Ages Vampire - Bloodlines

Game Master Dennis Harry

Bloodlines is a continuation of the now defunct table top Dark Ages Vampire game wherein the PC's have created lineal descendants throughout the ages.

Attendees seeking a seat or have a seat in the Inner Circle:

Assamite - Lord Bajazet al Nasir.

Brujah – Lady Meridie de Chancie, Lord Criatas, “Dark”Selena, Robin Leeland.

Cappadocian – Lord Benne.

Gangrel – Milov Petrankov.

Lasombra - Prince Narses the Archbishop of Nod

Malkavian – Antione le Fanu, Lutz von Hohenzollern.

Nosferatu – Cristo Petradon, Simon.

Salubri – Brian Stack.

Setites – Sadir.

Toreador – Rafael de Corazon, Francois Villon, Helene la Jouste.

Tremere - Radek, Mistress Fanchon.

Tzimisce – Myca Vykos.

Ventrue – Alyssa Gilbert, Lady Jadviga Almanov, Lanzo von Saschen, Prince Alexander.

Remember - only those listed get votes. Of course influencing their Childer can go a long way to getting a vote.

Social Combat:

Let me first thank Sir Dunstan and his excellent Game of Thrones campaign as the inspiration for this rules tweak. A shout out to Vitaliano who also does an excellent job as a player in that campaign.

Game of Thrones has a Social Combat system that, while not translatable directly, I used as inspiration for this campaign.

This is a proposed rules set and I am more than happy to hear feedback from Players before I implement it in full.

Roleplaying is still required to get your point across. However, I think a mechanical system could be beneficial for this scenario, a scenario quite unlike anything I have ever done in a Vampire game before.

Making My Case

To convince a “voter” to side with your Sire, you may roll the following set of Attributes and Abilities:

1. Against someone who is clearly NOT in your favor --- Manipulation+Subterfuge+Politics
2. Against someone who is NEUTRAL – Charisma+Expression+Politics

The difficulty of all rolls is that Cainites Willpower. You will need to score as many successes as they have Willpower to win the contest. Once you engage the voter, you will only have three rounds to make your case and can only attempt do so one time per night.

If you have Presence – Awe or Enrancement, you may attempt to use these powers in conjunction with the above roll. Each success utilizing that Discipline gives you one more success on your total roll.

Beware, failing in using Presence in Elysium can lead to Sanctions by Thomas Brexiano.

Also beware, Cainites may try to turn this system around on you…

But What if Someone Else Tries This on a Voter I just Brought to my Side?

Amount of successes is a key factor here, you will want to score as many success as you can to ensure that a rival does not try to take that vote from you!

Certain NPC’s already believe that others are in their favor and would never change their votes. Those will be the toughest cookies to break.

Note this system cannot be used on:

Your In-Clan rivals, no amount of sweet talking or bribes will change their minds they all want this position badly.

Prince Narses, he simply will not entertain such discourse. Of course, this does not mean you cannot try to get into the ears of one of his Childer to have them speak with him…

Discerning My Quarry’s Intent

How can I tell if someone is for or against me despite what they are saying?

Make a Perception+Empathy+Politics roll.

The difficulty is 10, less that Cainites Humanity score. Those closer to the Beast are much harder to read. For every Century over 300 years that Cainite has lived, the DC will be increased by 1, topping out at 10, as these Cainites have well and truly mastered this game to have existed for so long in the first place.

Once you engage the voter, you will only have three rounds to ferret out their intent and can only attempt do so one time per night. You will need to score as many successes as they have Willpower to ascertain their intent.

If you have Auspex – Read the Soul or Invade the Mind, you may attempt to use these powers in conjunction with the above roll. Each success utilizing that Discipline gives you one more success on your total roll.

How else can I make my case?

The use of Presence, while frowned upon, is much less cause for censure than using Dominate. Dominate does not work on a Cainite whose blood is closer to Caine than your own. If you seek to use Dominate to convince a voter (or perhaps one of the Childer?) to vote for your Sire, it would be best used elsewhere in the city.

Boons – the boon system of quid pro quo can also be used to gain votes. You will need to offer something of course that that voter does not have or cannot get from another candidate.

Eliminate my rivals. This one is obvious though failure to do so without detection may subject YOU to the Final Death!


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Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

The Road to Venice -

Geoffroi de Clairvaux:
The man frowns, "This is the proper place indeed". He charges you the equivalent of two ducats, a steep price! He then provides you with a writ to sell your wares. It takes time for the writ to be written out and dried. By the time your transactions are completed, the Knights and their mounts have already gotten on boats and gone to the mainland.

By mid-afternoon a boat is sent that is large enough to accommodate your wagon and horse team.

Make either a: Charisma+Carouse roll DC 7 to try and learn whether any Templars have been seen here in the city OR Intelligence+Investigation roll DC 7 to try and discern where they might have a secret location here. If you took any Expert Knowledges you believe to be relevant to the rolls, go ahead and make a case for them.

Shadow's Status

Nice Michele, stepping into plot points from like 3 years ago :-)

Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309

Narses Court - Narses Shadow Parlor

int+Pol DC 7: 4d10 + 1d10 ⇒ (10, 5, 2, 8) + (3) = 28 +1 auto success (from willpower)

DM:
Well since you don't mind i'll keep them for the time being for two reasons. First: if i am the one to hand them back over to kratos or some would be thieves then none of them will be the wiser as who else i might have then read, and therefore that would protect you partially and maybe some advantage. Second: If i can not pass this test of safekeeping documents without them be stolen from kindred how can i be entrusted with anything serious in the future ? he replied with a smile I thank you for the offer and will gladly have the Seneshal escort me back. Is there any less obvious entrance i can use when coming to court or to see you ?

Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309

Narses Court - Narses Shadow Parlor

Finn/Bagrat:
Narses frowns. There is indeed another way. I will have Brexiano show you tomorrow. Meet him at the Cornish Hedonist, a Tavern of ill repute. It is a place that he secretly controls".[/b]

The Politics Roll 5 successes (10 counts twice)!

1. The Nosferatu vying for a seat names himself Petradon Cristo. This document seems to indicate they are two separate people.

2. If this is the same Cristo that is here in attendance he may be able to confirm whether some of the activities attributed to the Cainites listed actually took place.

3. Criatas the Elder is the Childe of a Meneleus. Could this be the same one referred to in the writing?

4. The name Beshter seems like one you have heard in passing while here but you cannot remember in what context.

5. Mithras, if it is the same one in this writing, has a representative here named Alyssa. Whether a direct descendent or not is not clear but this Mithrs rules in Londinium and the scrolls did state that Mithras would be journeying west...

Bonus for the 5 successes. 6. Helen mentioned here may well be the Sire of Francois Villon. You remember someone mentioning that Francois and Criatas' Sires were enemies. If that is so then something went wrong between them after Alexander's March.

Any questions? If not, we can assume that Brexiano safely escorts you to the alley enxt to your "Haven" which is also your second objective for the day...
Shadow's Status

Hope you found that scroll more interesting than Xing did Finn :-)

DM:
sooo much points of interest.... more than 13 clans ? the actions of Saulot, the existance of a true brujah Antedelivian, the Ravenos , Fight between younger and older vampire, The one called lilith, the possible location of the one called tiamat... so much information... Right now i can't make much connection but in du time and with more information / research... Right now i really have no question as finn (and myself) lack any substantial knowledge, so it looks like i am going to rely on a Benevolent DM :)

Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309

Narses Court - Narses Shadow Parlor

DM:
Prefect i will get the detail and procedures with him then and use it only in time of need. also Bargrat will ask the Seneshal if there is a servitor's entrance he could use to the Elysium during daylight ?

DM:
yes moving on. All please assume that Bagrat will make a special satchel so as to hid the document under his cloth so that they avoid common means of perception

Shadow's Status

Finn:
Brexiano shakes his head, "To enter by day would be your doom. Do not attempt it".

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Greetings Inn

Finn:
OK we can handwave that. Do you want to attempt to infiltrate Greetings Inn by day?
Shadow's Status

Signore Querini made an excellent point to to me on the phone today. Willpower points.

Right now, everyone gain 1 back for solid RP the prior night.

If you believe you deserve more than 1 point back please list your Nature and Demeanor and explain why one or both were played correctly.

Thanks!
Storyteller Shadow wrote:

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

The Road to Venice -

** spoiler omitted **

GM intel

Spoiler:
The man frowns, "This is the proper place indeed". He charges you the equivalent of two ducats, a steep price! He then provides you with a writ to sell your wares. It takes time for the writ to be written out and dried. By the time your transactions are completed, the Knights and their mounts have already gotten on boats and gone to the mainland.

By mid-afternoon a boat is sent that is large enough to accommodate your wagon and horse team.

Make either a: Charisma+Carouse roll DC 7 to try and learn whether any Templars have been seen here in the city OR Intelligence+Investigation roll DC 7 to try and discern where they might have a secret location here. If you took any Expert Knowledges you believe to be relevant to the rolls, go ahead and make a case for them.

Geoffroi:

Spoiler:
Geoffroi puts the writ in his purse and observes the approaching sight of Venice from the boat's prow. When he gets out he sees to his team's stabling and finding suitable lodgings for both himself and his wares. Once that is settled he hits the streets, using the pretext of selling his goods to try and find his long-lost mentor, Andre de Beaulieu

Intelligence+Investigation: 4d10 ⇒ (8, 7, 1, 2) = 18

I'm not sure if either Perception (at a 4), or Knowledge (Occult/3) would have any bearing. I would assume Geoffroi would be familliar with any secret signs the order would leave in the city to show their presence

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Greetings Inn - Bagrat

DM:
oh, yes going on forward with that according to the plan outlined us the use of skilled and powers detailed in previous pm

Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Greetings Inn -

Bagrat:
Sorry, I have had a billion PM's lately so it'll be ab+#%* to track that one down. I know you were going to take the appearance of someone and enter the Tavern Owners home, which form were you going to take again? We can skip the roll on the fleshcrafting assuming you take your time and get the appearance right here. Normally I would not take this approach but here I will allow it.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice -

Geoffroi de Clairvaux:
You begin walking the streets of the city looking for any signs of the Order. Your first few hours turn up no good leads. As you take lunch at a Cafe' near a small canal, you see a Holy Warrior strolling the waters. He looks somewhat dejected. He is definitely not one that you saw with the large group outside of the city. In fact you believe that he is a Teuton.
Clan Malkavian Blood Pool 19/30

....Really! Thanks dice ^_^
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Greetings Inn -

Bagrat:
The home is actually a hotbed of activity by day. Seamstresses, restauranteurs, and other service members come to and fro. The most striking person to leave is a young beautiful redhead. The name Jordan is called out, she is accompanied by several young ladies. It appears from the snipets of conversation you catch she will be gone for a good deal of time. You have yet to see the proprietor.

What do you do?
Storyteller Shadow wrote:

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice - ** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:
Geoffroi moves towards the dejected looking Teutonic warrior. He addresses him in his flawless German

"Greetings sir! Please excuse my forwardness, but I am new to this city, and I couldn't help but notice you seem a stranger here as well. Could I buy you a meal and perhaps hear your thoughts on this place? I find fellow travelers good sources of information "

Manipulation(persuasive): 4d10 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 8) = 17

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Greetings Inn -

DM:
Joran would then be according to the intel, the inkeepers' daughter.Bargrat will take on the appearance of one of the restauranteurs who just departed and will have a first look inside the house
Male Italian (Toreador)

Ranerius is now in full paranoia mode. *eek*
Male Nosferatu 6th Generation; BP 28/30, xp saved: 0, spent 155

I am two points down so here my justification goes: competitor and Bon Vivant. Need I say more? Live like there is no tomorrow and compete like a mofo!
Shadow's Status

I'll try to update tomorrow at work, if not will have to be Saturday night.
Shadow's Status

I will continue further updates tomorrow night folks.
Shadow's Status

Sorry guys, I will get to this at lunch tomorrow!
Gangrel Blood Pool 13/10

Posting to all my games

Just wanted to inform you all that I am currently wading through a veritable swamp of work, obligations, and schooling. As such, for the next two weeks of I do not guarantee my usual posting rate but will attempt to update games when I am able.

Happy Holidays.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice -

Geoffroi:
Then man starts as you interrupt his reverie. "Stranger? I am no stranger here".

He pauses and narrows his eyes scrutinizing you, "Still, I could use a meal and a good chat. I am Baldemar de Frisia of the Teutonic Order, whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home -

Finn:
You step through the door to the Innkeeper's home. You find it neat despite the whirlwind that appears to be taking place. There are still a few vendors here discussing floral arrangements with what you assume to be Jordan's mother.

You do not see the Innkeep from your vantage point. Do you stay on the first floor or head up to the second?

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home -

DM:
Have a careful quick look around on the first floor before heading up (using stealth if possible), listening first trough door for any female voice Burn a BP for two turns to raise each time Dex by 1 for the moment / scene

Storyteller Shadow wrote:

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice - ** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:
Geoffroi bows

"Greetings, sirrah! I am Geoffroi De Marseilles, a Norman merchant from that port. I have come to your city on business, and to see the fabled sights of La Serenissima for myself. Please, let me buy you a meal."

Once they get settled and after a few minutes on trivial talk (and hopefully a bit Geoffroi begins his inquiries.

"So you say you are not a stranger here, sir. How did you end up here? That must be an interesting story. I have always found knights of the various orders fascinating. I served as a soldier in the Holy Land, though not a knight cough cough"
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

Finn:
You head up the stairs as the wife is clearly distracted by other vendors and you hear two people speaking behind a closed door.

Perception+Alertness DC 6 - 2 Successes to hear clearly:
The voices are speaking in Greek Female "a few more weeks. Then all should be safe".
Male "So by then these creatures will be out of my Inn and all will be well?"
Female "Yes, then I can move on with my life".
Male sighs, "Very well. Stay up here then no noise we will keep your secret till then". The sound of footsteps heading towards the door.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice -

Geoffroi:
Baldemar responds, "I have been stationed here for some time. My Order has a stronghold here. I have long considered heading back to my homeland. At least I did until some strange events recently have kept me here. Best not to burden you with such concerns though, tell me, what do you trade in Geoffroi?"
Storyteller Shadow wrote:

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice - ** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:
"I deal in salt, cloth and I have a specialty in old books. I am actually meeting a few private collectors while in the city."

Geoffroi leans closer

"You have intrigued my curiosity sir! What strange events occured?"

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

Perception+Alertness DC 6: 5d10 ⇒ (6, 8, 7, 9, 6) = 36

At the sounds of foot step Bargrat quickly moves away (for a place to hide or back donw to the other floor if needed but will try to have a look at the male i suspect it is the innkeeper coming out the door if possible)
Shadow's Status

Updates Saturday. Between work, a wake and table top D&D tonight so there is no time to post today.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice -

Geoffroi:
Baldemar frowns, "I should not troubl you with the tale but since the disappearance of Sir Martin I have no one else to talk to.

There are three nights over the past month, all in succession that I simply cannot remember. These nights coincide with a note form my dearest friend Sir Martin's recall to the Teutonic stronghold as well as the arrival of a guest and his coteries form the GrandMaster of my Order. Since this guest arrived the other Knight of my Order stationed here has been acting... strange.

I remember smoke and fire and pain. And perhaps here is the oddest part, that same stretch of days a ship burned in the harbor. Perhaps I took ill and had fanciful dreams? I wish I could explain it but I cannot..."
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home -

Finn:

You step into another room as Gunthar heads down the stairs sighing and muttering to himself. It appears to be his bedroom. You are now alone up here with whoever he was speaking with...

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home -

DM:
Wait for a few short minutes (looking around the bedroom [accounting papers, hidden correspondence in a secret drawer) Then go out and polity knock on the woman's door assuming i hear a "yes ?" from the occupant inside, or even if there is no answer I will open up the door and quickly say to the person inside: Excuse me but Have you seen Gunthar, he is needed ? [/ooc] and of course have a look at the room, the furtunure, the windows, the person inside
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

Finn:
The paperwork on the dresser in the bedroom includes invitations to the wedding. No other accounting or secret papers are anywhere to be seen. You find no secret drawers. These people are truly, mundane.

You open the door and see a woman sitting on a small bed crammed into the room. She frowns at you, "He is not here and you should not be up here!"

The room has two beds, a dresser, and a window overlooking the back of the home. The woman seated on the bed matches the description that Moses gave to you!

Perception + Alertness DC 7:
She is reaching for something at the side of the bed...
Storyteller Shadow wrote:

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice - ** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:
Geoffroi looks astounded. "That is quite a tale, sirrah! Who is this guest if you don't mind me asking? It seems quite odd you would lose three days of memory " Could I roll to try and guess at what has afflicted him?

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

Perception DC 7: 5d10 ⇒ (10, 1, 5, 9, 6) = 31

DM:
Well then i thank you and will keep looking for him he says he is about to retreat and close slowly the door

Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice

Geoffroi:
Baldemar nods, "Odd indeed. I am glad you think it so, I was beginning to think myself mad. The name of the guest is Lord Jurgen von Verdun".

Make a Intelligence + Medicine roll DC 7 and an Intelligence + Occult roll DC 10 3 successes to attempt to discern what could have effected him. Make an Intelligence+Politics roll DC 10 3 successes to have any idea who Jurgen is.

Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

Finn:
You close the door and now what? You can hear her footsteps approaching...

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

DM:
Carry on and head back down like i am still on the search from gunter and didn't care about the lady in the room
Storyteller Shadow wrote:

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:
INT+Medicine: 7d10 ⇒ (7, 8, 6, 2, 10, 1, 3) = 37

INT+Occult: 7d10 ⇒ (8, 3, 2, 7, 2, 1, 3) = 26 I also have Expert knowledge 3 (occult) if that would apply here's another 3 dice 3d10 ⇒ (6, 2, 3) = 11
INT+politics: 4d10 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 6) = 22

Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

Finn:
She heads down the stairs as well wearing a long overcoat and eyeing you down.

You hear Gunther's voice from another room, "Spare no expense as I am not the one footing the bill".
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Ahhh Venice

Geoffroi:
He appears to be experiencing the effects from a bad blow to the head.

If there is a supernatural malady, you are not remembering what it could be.

The name Jurgen rings no bells for you.

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars Home

DM:
Bagrat will head over to the room where Gunther is Gunther i am in a little bit of a conumdrum, it is about the wedding you see, it appears that my bills are getting quite high and would like to make sure that these new extras that were ordered will be covered. I know it is for your daughters's wedding but i just want to know that these extra's will be paid by the one who is footing the bill. I am just looking for some reassurance that is all he says taping the inkeeper in a friendly manner in the back

Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars' Home

Finn:
Gunther slaps you on the back, despite his age he is still a strong man, "Worry not, I am good for it!"

The woman hisses at him to get his attention, he frowns and points up the stairs walking up them with her.

What do you do?

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars' Home

DM:
are there any other people in the room ? then Leave right now and go meet "moses" and tell him that right now the person he is looking for is indeed staying in the first floor of Gunthar's home in the guest bedroom altough i don't know for how long still

Male Italian (Toreador)

Starting tomorrow I will be on a car trip and then visiting family for a week. I SHOULD have internet while visiting, but you never know when something will go wrong and I'll be posting slow regardless.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas
Shadow's Status
Ranerius Bernerius wrote:

Starting tomorrow I will be on a car trip and then visiting family for a week. I SHOULD have internet while visiting, but you never know when something will go wrong and I'll be posting slow regardless.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas

No worries.

And you as well!
Shadow's Status

Venice by Day – Wednesday March 26, 1309

Gunthars' Home

Bagrat:
Your meeting time each night at the Way of Kings Inn is 3 am which means you would not be able to meet with Moses until much later tonight. Post Conclave even that is so late.

Spoiler:
Geoffroi frowns thoughtfully. "Sir, if I may, I would like to examine you. I worked as a chirugeon in the Levant while with the forces of Amalric, Lord of Tyre. Perhaps there was a blow to your head? Or there might be several maladies that could account for your memory loss. Perhaps I can find some surcease for you."
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