court of shadoes, departure party of two
Onfroi stands in response and nods and will step out with the malkavian for the evening still having time and when they are in a gondola Onfroi will say I have an appointment later which I do not wish to miss so I have some time this night but not unlimited
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Outside Elysium -
Durdona continues to stand in the shadows and listen. Interesting. Why try to recruit someone like Leeland? From what I've seen he's not one to be controlled.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
"There is a saying in Latin. Divide et impera. Divide and conquer. It is a military and political tactic that works because the parts are significantly weaker than the whole. Standing alone, without the Camarilla, and split among yourselves - would leave the Tremere in a signficantly weakened state. Considering the war with the Tzimisce and the current political landscape, a situation in which allys would be direly needed to first survive, then regain interior stability and leadership. That support could come at a significant cost, since the negotiations are not backed by a position of power, but instead made urgent by great need.", Franz stops his analysis, then bows to Mistress Fanchon:"Pure speculation, of course, but theoretically, one could stand to gain more from the split Radek would cause. Of course, that is a gamble, with a lot of unknown factors. An alternative course of action that offers a smaller benefit with less risk may be more advisable."
Venice by Night - Friday March 28, 1309
Greetings Inn -
As you charge towards the door a handful of people turn the corner and point and stare at your naked ass running back to the Inn. With the chaos of this city, it does not seem unusual you surmise as none try to enter.
As you head up the stairs, the Szlachta begins shoving table and chairs against the doors and sits in front of them, likely its dim witted way of ensuring no one enters as the front door guard who performed that role has his life's blood now sitting comfortably within your stomach.
The rest of these poor souls present barely even acknowledge what takes place around them.
As you return to the third floor Dragan nods, "Come, I will show you your room".
He walks in the opposite direction from Vykos' room and opens a door to a room that has been fairly well maintained compared to the rest of this house of horrors. The windows are all boarded up and covered by shades. In the middle of the room sits a tub with several blankets over it.
"Sleep in that, it will hide you from daylight even if somehow the windows are smashed in.
Tomorrow when we wake I shall take you by boat to Padua, there you will meet whoever the Master wishes you to meet with. Is this all clear?"
Venice by Night - Saturday March 29, 1309
the City of Padua -
You rise from the ground on the outskirts of the city. Nearby you hear a soft whistling, you know that whistle, it is a Hound of Prince Nicollo but why would he be here so close to where you are resting?
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Criatas smiles at you, "Ah Veronica, certainly, let us go upstairs to where others are meeting not so clandestinely".
You follow him up the stairs and he leads you into a room. He sits and he gestures for you to do the same, "I would thank you for my vote but I cannot know if you and your Sire did indeed vote for me.
I take it this is what you here for? Seeking my own vote for your Mistress?"
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
You are dragged through the shadows experiencing that disconcerting feeling all over again and find yourself at the front of the room on the dais between two gorgeous statues. Your Sire materializes on his own throne as the shadows recede then deepen once more, truly his powers over the shadow are remarkable in some ways it is almost as if he has the power of light and dark with how much he can effect the mood in a given location or perhaps it is just here in his seat of power he does so.
In the back of your mind your Sire's last statement, Xing Shi, rings in your mind. The name of your new project. As you turn to the Lasombra table though Alejandro and his exotic Childe are nowhere to be found!
The room is still full though, Ventrue meet with Tremere. The Toreador meet with each other as do what you believe are the Brujah. The room has emptied out significantly perhaps some have gone upstairs to the private rooms? The doors to Elysium are wide open and at least a few bodies hover in that hallway also speaking. All here are strangers to you with the exception of your Sire.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
the Streets of Venice -
A Saracen man, Amin, is the only customer you have ever had that has a name that sounds anything like this "Haji". You need to hit the streets though to find out where he lives as there are not many Saracens that dwell within Venice, most are simply visitors.
Soon enough you find that such a search will not be easy, while the city is no longer alight, the places where you would normally walk to find such people are still dangerous. The Doge's men are not here those who would see him fall are. You must skirt around such problems as best you can, you have not the tie for foolish altercations!
Soon enough you come upon three men speaking, so engrossed in a conversation are they that they do not notice you, yet. Two appear to hold themselves as men of distinction, their body language and large blades speak to their bearing. The third is dressed head to toe, mask included, in all black...
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Selina continues to smile, "Ah I see, you are quite experienced in life then, perhaps the Elder just instinctively knew these things about you. He is certainly a fascinating individual himself.
If my gambit is correct, then we shall be working together, closely, starting quite soon. You are destined to stay here I predict. You should also meet your contemporaries who you will spend a great deal of time with, shall I point them out to you?"
"Great!" He vanishes right before your eyes! You hear his voice right behind you, "Then you saw me, now you don't. That's what we need to do to survive, we need to disappear form these humans else they will keep finding us, I'm for keeping us all alive so the magic can continue, do you see? Hah, see what I did there?"
Fanchon lips pull tight, "Individually we may have more to gain, collectively we do not. Staying within the framework of this group is best for my Clan. I will not be able to achieve it splintered.
The Camarilla seeks an end to our conflict, vote for Radek and the conflict will not cease, it will intensify.
I know this to be the case for the very same thing happened with the Tzimisce. We have migrated to the west away from our traditional eastern strongholds. Due more to those of my Clan who saw opportunity in working with those of the Blood than fighting against them. The Tzimisce are here to retain authority in their own territory, I am here to enmesh. But I digress, talk of the Tzimisce always pushes me to remember dark times.
Radek's purpose is unclear to me but it is likely to simply save his own miserable hide, is that a go reason to vote someone to such a lofty position?"
Hounds hunting in Padua
Bernardo dusts himself and makes his way out toward the whistling ready really for anything saying you must have some pressing business to seek me here.
Maria pauses. "Really?"
Then she shakes her head. "Regardless, I would appreciate it if you could--let me know who my contemporaries are, that is."
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Outside Elysium -
"You think this is about Narses? It is about Elders versus Childer! They will sacrifice us to save their own skin, you have been warned..."
Leeland steps on a Gondola and motions to one of the drivers at the otehr end of dock, he walks around you, unconsciously. Giovanni does not see that but Leland does, he grins but does not hop back off of the Gondola to challenge you.
Behind you, you hear another two sets of footsteps and voices...
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Outside Elysium -
Antoine steps outside with you as you walk briskly to the docks, you see the Assamite Childe Giovanni standing on the docks glaring at Robin Leeland who is about to leave the city.
Antoine's face changes, "A meeting? With who? For what purpose!"
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Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
She points to the Ventrue Table, "The one sitting there with a tall man with a somewhat lithe build, lively brown eyes that match his shoulder-long brown hair, is Franz Albert Capsali of Clan Ventrue. He is the Childe of Lanzo von Saschen, a servant of the Ventrue Inner Circle member Hardestadt the Elder".
She points to the Cappadocian table, "The one with the extremely pale, death;y pallor, and dark hair dressed in utilitarian dark garb is Doctor Lorenzo Cappelli of Clan Cappadocian. He is a Childe of an influential Elder Lord Benne.
I see no others in the room at the moment", she states looking at the rest who are still present. As you turn you see Prince Narses staring at you both.
Selina speaks again, "Apologies, I spoke too soon, there is another here, the one with the kilt and long brown hair tied back, wearing the clothing of a diplomat but with the bearing of a warrior is Andrew Lord of Moray Clan Salubri and Childe of Brian Stack", she points to the Salubri table where the one she described sits with two other male Cainites.
Venice by Night - Saturday March 29, 1309
the City of Padua -
The Hound turns, grotesque as he is there is still somewhat of a good shape to this Nosferatu's head, his twisted legs move rather well as well. You imagine that he has some werewolf blood in his veins for his deformity to shift so but you've never asked.
He grins showing a few rows of razor sharp teeth atop his upper jaw, "Yesssth Bernardo. The Princcsee wantshee me to ssshheek out a few Caintesssthh who've decssided to stop in the cssithy without announcsthement. I want you to tag along, OK?"
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court
Veronica gives him a smile,'Of course I and My Mistress would be thrilled to have your vote. But I have a feeling you will want more than our good will."
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
"You have guessed correctly my dear. I am aware that your Clan can provide many services that the others are incapable of handling.
What I seek from you will be I am sure not much of a bother at all.
I wish to know a way to track the movements of another Cainite through mystical means. If I cannot be taught, I wish someone to perform this service for me".
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
the Streets of Venice –
Il Corvo nods and continues, "I know a powerful sorceress who can aid you but it will take me a night to contact her and arrange a meeting. Is this acceptable to you?"
Baldemar turns you you Geoffroi, "What do you think? I do not trust it".
“I say it might be our only path to finding a way to recover your memory “
Geoffroi sighs
“My friend, I understand your reticence. But, I fear we face forces arrayed against us that we are not equipped to face alone. If you are satisfied with remaining in your present state, then by all means, let us call off this quest and leave this ghoul-haunted City! But, if you wish to recover your memory, I fear we will have to take some leaps of faith”
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
"I think something like that can be arranged...who do you want tracked?"
a meeting that is private my dear Antoine Onfroi says with a smile and a nod to Leeland and the assamite as well.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
"While I agree with the requirement for discretion on the part of our kind, Lutz, the thought is hardly unique...in fact it is practically commonplace." Lorenzo tries to reason with the unreasonable. "Perhaps there is something more than might warrant your claim beyond a common thought and the use of a discipline the Nosferatu have mastered?"
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court Another Room on the Second Floor -
Valdemar leads you up the stairs to a room across from where the Serpent and the Monster take a room. He closes the door and the gloom of the room seems almost enhanced by the flickering candle within the presence of this dour Cainite.
"It seems you have some sort of proposal you wish to make to the Prince, tell me and I shall determine whether I wish to know more or whether the conversation should cease in this room tonight".
"Venice stands at a dangerous time in history, even if one sees the kine as merely cattle, and we cainites as predators... a stampede may crush a predator. If one sees them as vassals to be guided by their betters, than no lord worth his salt would welcome a riot. I believe I have a plan to soothe my fellow venetians and increase stability among them. In fact, I have an idea how to mitigate the stigma of the excommunication or at least make it more bearable among them. Does that proposal sound of worth and interest to the Prince?
“People who shout so loud, my lords, do nothing; the only men I fear are silent men” The Duchess of Padua, Oscar Wilde
Bernardo nods saying nothing and steps to the hound following him where he will lead (activating protean 1 to enhance his senses.)
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
the Streets of Venice -
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
the Streets of Venice –
Baldemar sighs, "Very well, what would you bid us to do Il Corvo?"
Il Corvo nods, "I will make contact with the Sorceress that can assist you. Tonight I can set a meeting for either very late at your place of choosing or early tomorrow night for my place of choosing".
Baldemar scowls, "At night again eh? What is wrong with such magicks in the light of God's rays?"
Il Corvo shrugs, "The Sorceress is a practitioner of Moon Magic not of Sun Magic"
Per+Emp
Baldemar scowls further, "A lie..." he begins to draw his blade.
Il Corvo sighs, "A misrepresentation. How much truth can you handle to find your own truth?"
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
"Robin Leeland the Brujah that left earlier in the night after his altercation with his Childe".
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Outside Elysium -
You sense that your response has raised his paranoia, which may well be the source of his madness.
He pauses struggling to speak further but he does not move...
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Lutz cocks his head as if listening to something, "Hmmmm.... an uncommon thought. An uncommon thought.
Aha, ok I got it!
I think we should form a second tier group of advisors that can check the power of this first group of advisors, you know, make sure that their positions are not being used for personal gain. I mean we're a bunch of selfish, self-serving bloodsuckers right? We should not be trusted to wield ultimate power should we?"
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court Another Room on the Second Floor -
Lord Valdemar nods, "Indeed it does, I am intrigued. Proceed, tell me what you believe can be done with respect to this very grave matter".
Venice by Night - Saturday March 29, 1309
the City of Padua -
"Ssshorry never met thossshh Wilde character. Issthh that mean you'll tag along?"
" Man is a political animal. A man who lives alone is either a Beast or a God".... I choose God. Narses knows I care not for this game but for now I must play it. Where to start?
Savio scans the room. He then heads to the Lasombra table and takes a seat watching the room intently, looking for a pattern of cliques and social groups.
Vitaliano does not overhear them btu pushes back into the Darkness to see how this unfolds for now. He was not a fighter so he doubted even as a Childe of the Night, he'd somehow be suddenly able to deal with three armed men.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Lorenzo slowly says, "That...is...actually an idea that has some merit, granted one that will be difficult to implement." His curiosity getting the better of him, Lorenzo asks, "How do you see this secondary group of advisers functioning? How would they be selected? Surely not another long, drawn out assembly like we have now. The idea itself has some merit, but it is merely a skeleton at the moment. Put a bit of flesh on those bones, if you will."
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
"I do not see a problem with this...but I do have to double check with Mistress Fanchon. Is there anything else we night be able help you with? Just in case it is not possible."
Bernardo say yes to tagging along and files in behind the hound.
paranoia in Venice
Onfroi looks at Antoine and says I have business with mortal contacts which will I hope being opportunity Onfroi says and then let us take a boat ride and talk to one another Antoine?
Maria takes in the other vampires Selina points out, then feels an uncomfortable twisting in her gut as Prince Narses returns to his post.
"Thank you." She gives Selina a nod. "I take it you and Lord Criatas know each other well enough?"
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
The patterns are unclear as of yet, certainly each of the Tables is arranged for an intended Clan but the groups are mixed, no doubt some are thieves other beggars. Who is who is not discernible, yet.
As you sit an old crone of a woman approaches, "Greetings, I understand you are a Childe of Narses recently arrived from afar. I am Durga Syn, mind you if I sit and take pressure from my weary bones?"
Lutz' eyes go wide with delight, "A secondary group of advisors!? That's brilliant. I wish I'd have thought of it myself. Truly your Sire made a wise decision in bringing you across to the Long Night. I'd say that such a group should be selected by those who are not present for this Conclave. Each Clan should select them to be a liason to this group. I mean Rome had a Senate to offset the powers of the elected Consuls, though look how that turned out!"
Selina smiles, "How well do any of us truly know anyone else? I have had occasions to meet with him in the past at Clan Gatherings. Most of his time is spent in the lands of the Greeks. Most of my time was spent in the land of the Gauls. He is older than any here save perhaps Prince Alexander of Clan Ventrue who was not in attendance tonight".
---
Some of the small groups break up and begin to leave. This leaves only those upstairs and your groups still here. Narses sits still on his throne observing but interacting with no one.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Outside Elysium -
The Assamite Neonate also boards a Gondola and sets out leaving only Onfroi and Antoien on the docks.
Antoine stiffens and frowns, "I will not interfere with your business then. Know that I am the one most fit of Clan Malkavian to serve with your Sire, the obvious choice for your Clan".
He gets on his own Gondola and has the boatman set out.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Outside Elysium -
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Criatas considers you response, "Frankly, I am not entirely sure what your Clan is capable of to its fullest potential. I have had little interaction with your ilk. There are many that distrust your origins and blame your band for the disappearances of the Ravnos but they were chaos bringers at the best of times.
My understanding is that your Clan may well have adopted the Ravnos powers. I know that you would be loathe to teach an outsider magic. Perhaps though the powers of illusion that the Ravnos possess could be a tempting offer for my vote..."
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Lorenzo begins to protest, but then stops and just shakes his head. Damnedable madmen... he thinks to himself as his previous opions of the Clan of Moon had returned .
"Y...you have given me a great deal to think on, Lutz. Perhaps you would be better served attempting to convince others of your worthiness to sit on the Council."
Venice by Night - Saturday March 29, 1309
the City of Padua -
You head into the cobblestoned streets of Padua with the Hound assuming yourself to be invisible as the residents of the city do not seem to pay either of you any mind. Soon enough you arrive near the University where the students roam about on its lawns and discuss legal theories.
The Hound pauses and turns to you, "I believe that these two are staying somewhere on the University grounds. Many transients from nearby city states and even farther. With those here not locals it is hard to see who belongs and who does not.
Keep your sense acute yes?"
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Lutz nods, "Good, I am glad I convinced you. Narses is my next target, wish me luck!"
The Madman approaches the Prince who nods and begins to listen to his rantings his face expressionless.
You did notice Dark Selina gesturing in your direction before but neither she nor the Brujah neonate moved in your direction at that time, unfortunately.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Ready to be done with the night's events, but having noticed the two Brujah gesturing in his general direction, Lorenzo will make a circuitous route through the chamber before exiting, giving others a chance to speak with him before he leaves.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
Veronica wisely decides not to ask who are the Ravnos...instead,"It might be possible...I will go and take the offer to my Mistress."
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -Michele Querini
" Well from my understanding we are not as adept as your kind but we do well enough I gather." ending with a quick smile thenquickly transforming into a more serious face and posture
"I wonder why Narses doesn't want answers- may he be involved indirectly? If so this is a treacherous path. What do you know and think and what is your offer?"
Onfroi thanks Antoine and heads to his appointment changing boats and faces several times on the way and becoming invisible as well in between changes.
Venice by Night – Saturday March 29, 1309
Prince Narses Court -
"Very well, I shall give you ten minutes to return with an answer. Thereafter, I shall claim my Childe and retire for the night. I am willing to entertain a further discussion before voting tomorrow night".