Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Simon gestures to Andrew, "The other night you did witness Andrew draw the sword of God from his scabbard. One wonders where said sword has come from but regardless in that item there is the power of God personified. So you have indeed, "seen it with your own eyes".
Brian interrupts, "Surely Simon these Fledglings have seen other wondrous powers, how are they to believe that one is the power bestowed by God while the others are not?"
Simon nods in response, "That is the measure of Faith, belief. The powers of the dark father, any of us can wield. It takes one who walks along the righteous path to wield a weapon or power solely forged or granted from the father of light".
Simon approaches Andrew a draws the sword. He then walks towards Dark Selina, "For you me dear".
She grins and grasps the handle. A moment later her flesh begins to blacken, the sword winks and she drops it screeching and hissing at Simon. Simon nods to Brian who approaches Selina. "Milady, may I look at your hand?"
Selina stares daggers at the two Cainites and nods. Upon Brian's forehead, a third eye opens bathing her hand in a healing light removing some of the sting though not all of the burns from her.
Simon picks up thew sword yet again, "Have any of you the Faith to grasp the blade? Is this proof enough for your eyes Vitaliano of Clan Malkavian?"
As he awaits a response Brian begins to walk an speak, "At the heart of our Road is embodied one core universal truth - that the Creator of All, be it called God, Allah, Yahweh, Jehovah, or any other of the host of names that pagans might use - has a purpose and a place for Cainites in It's grand design. Thus, be welcome here all of you who would follow a God that is my God but yet is not my God". He nods to Alessandro.
"The Faithful often disagree with the details. What I wish to explore with those who will begin to walk this Road are those things we have in common. Often a Supplicant wishes to find his way on this Road but many Sponsors are loathe to take on a Supplicant for fear that their own sins may drag the Sponsor with them.
My newest Supplicant will speak to you all soon enough for now I wished to read to you from those tenets of our Faith. First, do any of you wish to take on Simon's challenge?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
I do, even if only to learn more about... my own nature and judgement. Besides, someone needs to keep Lady Selina company. Alessandro offers a sympathetic smile to Dark Selina.
Sparing Alyssa a glance, Alessandro advances, his hands and would-be heart open.
May I ask, does the blade have a name? I would like to greet it properly.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
May I ask, does the blade have a name? I would like to greet it properly.
"Nay tha blade is not just tha it is a cross an I do kneel usin it tah take a knee an bow afor tha Lord, tha sword is naught without tha faith o tha man an tha hand o God upon it. It is no holy relic it is a blade meant fer defense an offense an tah brandish gainst evil."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
Xing looks at her Grandsire with indifference and looks around the area to see where they are.
"My knowledge is limited as to what is really going on, you probably know more than I do. One day I'm working for my sire tracking down Michele Querini and then he tries to kill me once I provide what he's looking for I suppose but that did not go well for his hirelings. Next thing I know he's draining my blood and makes me what I am today. I still don't even know his real name just that he is your child and you tossed him out like trash." she glares at him for a few moments before continuing.
"I'm not judging you for what you did in the past. Maybe he deserved to be given up as food, maybe not but the fact of the matter is you failed in whatever you attempted to do to him and here I am the creation of that mistake."
on a gondola
Storyteller:
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
El Cid smiles, "Very well then woman, very well. Let us step out into the night and find prey more suitable to your arrogance".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
A talisman then, a holy symbol.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Michele Querini
Looking towards the slug then back to Sadir
" how very useful. "
Well besides not knowing who the mystery mans mistress is my only assumption is that you agreed to side with them to understand their plan. Then you will do what is best for you and presumably me?
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor - Andrew, Vitaliano, Lorenzo, Ranerius, Alessandro, Dunstan, and Michael Santo
Vitaliano opened his mouth as he raised a finger but stopped. He looked a bit perplexed and was making a rather annoyed looking face. He started to speak several times before he scratched his head in a rather unrefined way. He finally sighed "Forgive me for not having a scientific reasoning behind this event. I only just learned recently that there are Vampires in the world with the ability much like magic...Tremere, I believe they are called. Trust me, I do plan to take the time to try to best understand these abilities...and events I have seen in the past few days but to call it an ability of God without any research." he said before making his way to the shadows. He felt somewhat humiliated by the Elder Vampire calling him out on the spot. He did his best to stay out of the conversation and limelight for the time to come.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor - Andrew, Vitaliano, Lorenzo, Ranerius, Alessandro, Dunstan, and Michael Santo
Hearing De Riva's apology, and feeling sympathy for him being put on the spot "It is mind boggling no matter the faith." I must be careful lest my own declaration of faith spurn those who might be allies.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Simon smiles at Alessandro, "A Talisman which is also a weapon, the most powerful kind". He presents the blade to Alessandro and turns to Lorenzo.
"Your thoughts Dr. Cappelli. I know you to be a man of great thought and I am curious as to your impressions now after what you have beheld. Certainly, Vitaliano has a strongly held belief, one which the Church would most certainly burn a mortal, much less a Cainite, at the stake for".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
On a Gondola -
Alexander smiles, "Yes, yes indeed that is correct. I am certain that I can aid you in this endeavor. Though of course, there are some things I will want in exchange..."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
He softens the hard look on his face after your comments. "I suppose then these are the unintended consequences of my actions. At the time I was a Neonate given a choice to be food or create food for this powerful Methuselah, It seemed the wiser choice to create another rather than become what he has now become. It never occurred to any of us that it would have reverberations so many centuries later.
I never knew the man's real name either. Tell me, why do you believe your "patron" wishes to secure and kept Kratos?"
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
Soon enough you stand side by side with the moor stalking the streets of Venice. He brings you to an area of the city you would never have dared entering at night even an hour ago.
On the corner a group of thugs stand together speaking in low whispers. El Cid stops in the shadows of an alley down the street and points to them and whispers to you, "There, those three are the types of ruffians you seem to wish to encounter. Eliminate them, all of them".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano –
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
Sadir smiles at you, "It is as if you were born a Setite, yes that is exactly what we will do. If I can use this to get close to Fahdi so much the better. I suspect that this is somehow tied to the curse that the Elder spoke of to you earlier this evening. We must know more first to make an informed decision. There is so much a Sire does not tell their Childe. I suppose when one has lived s many lifetimes it is hard to remember it all but this is something...".
He turns to you, "There is much I have not told you. Mostly to spare you from having to hold deadly secrets, now I wonder of the wisdom of doing so if I wish my Bloodline to flourish..."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
"My only guess is for the knowledge he posses. Do you know where he stored the objects he had on him? Those may be key to finding out all the answers."
in a gondola, on a dark night, for a dark purpose...
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Michele Querini
" what you say makes sense and with this turn of events perhaps me knowing more will be helpful for both of us. In such a short time I have already learned some things happen as a matter of fate but I do want all the tools at your disposal to make us both flourish. What makes most sense for you to tell or teach me?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
The blade nearly unreal, yet existing on so many levels... yet utterly unknowable.
Alessandro clears his mind of his current state, his physical state... just a vessel. He considers his values, his essence. Facilitating leadership, servant leadership. The Universe, this world, humanity, people, friends, family, himself... he is Love.
He reaches for the blade, first with his senses and finally with his hand.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor - Andrew, Vitaliano, Lorenzo, Ranerius, Alessandro
"As I had previously mentioned, I had been raised under the tenants of the Catholic faith, but my own faith has crumbled since the death of my wife and child and I imagine I would find myself burning next to Vitaliano."
Pausing a moment he continues, "I do not deny neither the existence nor the power of God. What I do question is the nature of said deity. All one need do is look around to see that he is disinterested in his creation at best, perhaps even as far as cruel and callous. Simply put, yes, I believe in God as a concept, but is not something that I can venerate."
"Does that satisfy your curiosity, Simon?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
"They are indeed, if my hunch is correct. Although, I'm not sure if I can have hunches in this new....life."
"Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor" -
"I was born and raised catholic. Fought for God in the crusades as a knight, if all of it is a lie then I deserve to burn. Let me test my faith and if I'm a knight worthy of Christ." Dunstan approaches the sword "I wish to hold the sword" now that he is cainite Dunstan doubts his faith. Are they so damned that all the blood he spilled in the name of God is not enough? Was his service and devotion to God and church a lie? Perhaps it is his faith that wavers, now that he is not human?
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor" -
As Alessandro reaches for the blade Dunstan steps next to him and grasps the hilt from Simon's hand and.... nothing happens. The blade's weight is heavy in Dunstan's hand but not unlike any other large blade he has wielded on any number of battlefields.
As Dunstan holds onto the blade, Simon smiles and turns to Lorenzo. "Indeed I am satisfied by your answer. I was born into the Jewish faith. My conversion came early on in the time of Christ. I certainly had my doubts as I saw him hanging there on that cross. His resurrection restored my faith. What can restore yours?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Your Sire smiles, "Indeed you can. Certain powers granted to us will give you more than that. Over time you may learn these abilities as well. For your survival though, you must master those powers that make us Gangrel.
I have taught you all that I shall teach you this night. Feast upon your kill and revel in the blood that will nourish you as I consider what to do about these Mortals".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
On a Gondola -
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
"You heard the same story I did my dear, he has many more such scrolls who knows what would be listed on those scrolls. Who he gave them to is a question, no doubt a member of my own Clan for who else could he trust in a building full of Cainites?
What if I told you that I can assist you in getting away from these wretches? What hold over you have they?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Michele Querini
Sadir stares at you considering his next words, the intensity surprises you, "Just having this knowledge could make you a target of many of those present who would kill you for it. Are you prepared for that risk Michele Querini?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor" - Andrew, Vitaliano, Lorenzo, Ranerius, Alessandro, Dunstan, and Michael Santo
"Lorenzo, if I'm allowed to call you that. The things a crusader does and see shakes one's faith and wonder why God a loving father, and merciful as he is commands us to kill. In truth I find solace in my services as a knight, I had faith in my brothers and myself. Now I'm not even human, do we even have a soul still?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor" -
"Honestly I could not say, Simon. I truly do not know if such a thing exists."
Turning his attention to Sir Dunstan, he says, "Yes, Lorenzo is perfectly fine. The question of the soul is an interesting one, but one I do not have an answer for. It is a fine thing that you have been able to rationalize the deed you have done and seen in his name and still retain your faith. Beyond my personal experiences, in my previous life as a physician, I have simply seen too much misery to retain my faith in such a being."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor" - Andrew, Vitaliano, Lorenzo, Ranerius, Alessandro, Dunstan, and Michael Santo
"Misery for some is justice for others Lorenzo, it all depends on perspective" looking at the sword in his hand "Why did it burn someone else, but not me. I'm not the most pious man, specially now that I'm not even human"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
Xing looks at him curiously.
"They have no hold over me other than bringing me into this world of the night. They have taught me much since then though. What are you offering?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Michele
Pondering his statement for a moment...
"Yes because either way I will be a target. Knowing things will allow me to see the options or steps of any as decisions are made. Ultimately stronger together then apart. Especially with Kay'tal laying in wait. When do I begin?"
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
Soon enough you stand side by side with the moor stalking the streets of Venice. He brings you to an area of the city you would never have dared entering at night even an hour ago.
On the corner a group of thugs stand together speaking in low whispers. El Cid stops in the shadows of an alley down the street and points to them and whispers to you, "There, those three are the types of ruffians you seem to wish to encounter. Eliminate them, all of them".
Durdona inspects the ruffians. She had back-talked to the monster to bring her to this point. She doubted she could push any more this soon. Still....
Right. So how do I go about baking a gingerbread house to lure them into? I've never really learned to bake anything so-- so ostentatious. Or should I wait until they go home and then blow their own homes in? Is there a hard and fast rule about masonry? Are all our kind vulnerable to it? Is that why we may only pass thresholds made of sticks and straw? Perhaps we should start with the masons. If only you'd explain-"
on a gondola
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Luca hesitates at first, but then drinks in sips, before drinking deeply. There's something inside him, some craving that makes him want to draw more of this nectar inside of himself.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor - Andrew, Vitaliano, Lorenzo, Ranerius, Alessandro
"I would like to believe I am a good man," He says at the challenge, "But I know there was darkness in my heart even before the mark of caine fell upon me. While I strive to be better despite my condition, I've no doubt that god might admonish me for presuming to touch an object of true faith with hubris." Ranerius declines.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
As Dunstan replies to Lorenzo and Ranerius declines to touch the weapon, Alessandro steps up and grasps it from Dunstan's hand. No flash of light or yelp of pain exits his lips.
Simon smiles, "You see, God it seems favors many followers of the book. And perhaps some who are not".
Brian speaks, "Do we have a soul? This is a question many of our kind have asked through the ages. I believe the answer is yes. There are reasons of darkness and light for my beliefs of their existence. Suffice to say, those explanations do not belong in this discussion as it would take us away from the topic at hand".
Simon nods, "Yes, the topic at hand in the Road of Heaven. To follow the Road of Heaven is to love and serve God by following and obeying the rules already laid out by Him. Moreover, one must pledge not to act in ways that empower the Devil".
Brian picks up, "Our tenets are simple:
First, the existence of a higher power and its dominion over all things is irrefutable.
Second, God laid his mark upon Caine and his Childe as Vampiric existence is part of His great plan.
Third, the Embrace is a call to direct service of the divine.
Fourth, the word of God is law. Defiance of God is sin that leads to damnation.
Fifth, serving the divine will takes precedence over individual will.
Sixth, no one is above God’s law.
Seventh, Love and serve God in all things.
Eighth, deny the Devil through denial of the Beast and all creatures of Hell.
Ninth, following divine law and rejecting evil is the only way to shackle the beast".
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
"You have not been subject to the Blood Oath then?"
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice -
Sadir nods, "Very well. This will be an ongoing process. Start with a question and I will answer it truthfully from there dialogue will flow more freely as the conversation will be directed to things you will find important about your own circumstances".
Venice by Night - Tuesday March 25, 1309
Durdona Checheg –
El Cid raises his eyebrows at you, "Do you think this a game? I have given you an opportunity to rise above your station to become something more than a piece to be married off for the benefit of another. If you wish to live your life as the pawn of another by all means I shall leave you to fend for yourself in your new existence..."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
On a Gondola -
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano –
on the longest gondola ride ever...
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Luca Marano – Mainland Italy
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
The Streets of Venice - Xing Shi
Xing shakes her head.
"I will never be slave to anyone. I have seen slavery and will not become one of them."
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Lorenzo raises a skeptical eyebrow, listening to what amounted to a recruitment speech by Simon and Brian, but listening none-the-less.
Venice by Night – Tuesday March 25, 1309
Narses Court - Second Floor -
Dunstan steps down and joins the crowd "Similar speech to kill and fight for God. They also twist the story of Cain, and if it's true, he wasn't marked by God to make him special, or why can't we bathe in the light anymore