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Dark Ages Vampire - Bloodlines (Inactive)

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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Gunther Thesing and Katriana Volkov::
"Not unless you have been to Russia, sir. I am afraid I get that alot, I am told I have a friendly face... As I said we have just arrived here and this morning we learned we will are being told to leave. The problem is, there isn't a finer place in all of Venice, so we would like to continue to stay here" Katriana smiles.

Shadow's Status

Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue:
You enjoy a fine day of drinking and socializing with your brother. For a while you are able to actually enjoy yourself and forget about your troubles. As the day comes to an end and night falls though nagging thoughts distract you from fully enjoying the time with your sister's family. Men do not simply turn to dust, something is very wrong and that crate may be the key! You excuse yourself early and head home for a good nights sleep.

Would you like to wait for your brother to arrange a meeting the next day or do something else with your morning? Let me know what time you wiah to begin as other events may intrude upon your day...

Shadow's Status

Michele Querini Prologue:
After a night of gambling but considerably less drinking you find yourself with a pocket full of other people's money. Certainly a good way to start the week.
When you arrive home your good feelings are ruined by the sight of broken glass in your kitchen. It looks like someone attempted to break into your house while you were gone.
Percaption + Alertness to examine the area.

5th Generation Cappadocian | Bloodpool: 23/40 | Willpower: 8/8

Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue:
After returning home, Lorenzo descends down into his lab intent on studying the dust gathered the night before.

Outside of continuing his "work", Lorenzo is a bit too involved in his work to do much other than wait for word from Dominic about the meeting with Michele Querini...intrude away.

Gunther Thesing and Katriana Volkov:

:

“No, I have not had the privilege to visit Russia, unfortunately. I imagine it is quite beautiful there.”

“Please, have a seat, Miss Volkov.”, he says as he gestures towards the table he was previously seated at a moment ago.

“To the matter at hand, however, I do apologize but there is nothing I can do. I deeply regret having to cut your stay short so abruptly, but something unexpected and of great importance had developed.”

His face saddens a little as he continues.

“I do appreciate your kind words about my establishment, but my hands are tied I am afraid. I will, of course, give you full compensation for the inconvenience.”

Shadow's Status

Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue:
Let's make some rolls! Intelligence + Medicine - Difficulty 8 & Intelligence + Occult - Difficulty 10 as you examine the dust.

5th Generation Cappadocian | Bloodpool: 23/40 | Willpower: 8/8

Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue:

Assuming Anlytical Specialty for Intelligence applies:

Intelligence + Medicine - Difficulty 8:7d10 ⇒ (3, 7, 5, 1, 3, 2, 4) = 25 Bloody Hell..a botch

Intelligence + Occult - Difficulty 10:6d10 ⇒ (2, 2, 10, 4, 1, 5) = 24 10 counts as two success (assuming specialty applies), subtract the one, leaving me with a single success

Shadow's Status

Lorenzo Cappelli:
You examine the powder for hours. Despite your best efforts you are confounded and simply cannot postulate a rational or even an irrational reason for the phenomena.

Based on what the "disappearing" man said whoever this mysterious Prince Narses is may know but you don't know how to find him. Giuseppe did say the man was part of the Doge's secret security force so reaching out to them may be a possibility. That is a dangerous route of course as the man who spilled the beans is dead and thoroughly gone.

This leaves the mystery of the religious wares but at least for that you have a lead that Dominic will work on tomorrow.

Gunther Thesing and Katriana Volkov :
"Why are you sad, Master Thesing? Do you not like whats going on?" Katriana is now also visibly saddened.

5th Generation Setite| Bloodpool 40/19|

Storyteller Shadow:
4d10 ⇒ (5, 5, 7, 2) = 19

Michael Santos + Storyteller:
Michael continues to tour the City with Anya showing her all the Historic places and giving her a rundown of its rich history. Michael steers her to a port that is closest to her home. I will setup an interview so to speak with Gunther to see if he can use an extra hand. While you get accustomed to the rowing business show you the ropes during the mornings while you aid him during the busy hours of the day. I will leave you here for the time being while I get some answers to the fate of your Brother. I will contact you once again at your home in a day time when I have everything arranged and a resolution to this mystery.Michael waves her off as he steers clear of port and makes his way towards Guthers Inn to set up a meeting for his new found interest. .oO(I wonder how that autopsy is going. I sure hope we can find some answers. I will stop by and see him after I visit Gunther) I would like to arrange that meeting with Guther if possible for the following day to meet with Anya and I.
Shadow's Status

Katriana Volkov and Gunther Thesing:
Howie had connectivity problems last night but should be back up and running today.

Shadow's Status

Michele Querini Prologue:
As you look around the house rapier drawn nothing appears amiss and no one is waiting for you in the shadows of your home. You spend a restless night sleeping with one eye open and head to the docks even earlier than you had previously planned to ensure no one us following you.

After an hour and a half of waiting a gondola of all things slides up next to the pier. The man whispers into the fog Lord Querini?

You step out and he gestures for you to quickly board. "Good morning. We are heading out to the vessel now. We will meet the delivery ship at sea. Master Sadir says you will then commandeer the ship and lead it back to Venice. You will assure customs all is well. At night you will deliver the cargo our honored guests to a tavern known as Greetings. Know that this process will take nine full days. You will be well compensated for your troubles".

The man has a strange accent and is moorish in complexion, his hair us unkempt and he does not dress in the traditional Muslim style.

Shadow's Status

Michael Santo:
The "autopsy" if it can be called that won't happen until the next day. No one works on Sunday (though you can get food at certain places and gondola's will still operate) wrath of God and all of that. Once Gunther and Katriana resolve their scene I will have you visit Gunther, with lack of connectivity today and last night things had ground to a halt.

Gunther Thesing and Katriana Volkov:

:
"Oh no, nothing like that. I just do not like to turn anyone away, especially fine people such as yourself, Miss Volkov. Unforseen circumstances, is all. I certainly hope you understand and do not hold this against me or my establishment. You are welcome, of course, any time."

Gunther Thesing and Katriana Volkov :
"very well then, thank you for your honesty, it was refreshing! Do you have a recommendation for a place we can stay?"
5th Generation Setite| Bloodpool 40/19|

Storyteller Shadow:
[ooc] This is a strange request correct? Especially taking 9 full days? Is ther someone at the docks that
I can have leave word with my cousins that I will be gone for 9 days on business? [/occ]
Shadow's Status

Michele Querini:
You see no one else there. What would you like to do?

Gunther Thesing and Katriana Volkov:

:
"Yes, there is a place just down the road.

Gunther reaches into his pocket and pulls out a red chip with his initials carved into it.

"Give this to the innkeeper there, tell him I sent you and you will be well taken care of."

Gunther then reaches for his coin purse.

"Also, true to my word, here is full compensation for the inconvenience. Again, I humbly apologize."
5th Generation Setite| Bloodpool 40/19|

Storyteller Shadow:
I will look at the man while keeping my wits about me saying "That seems like a very long time for some cargo...what is Master Sadir's payment for this unusual request?"

Shadow's Status

Katriana Volkov, Gunther Thesing, and Michael Santo:
Michael you dock your gondola and head to Gunthers front door to inquire about opportunities at Greetings. You knock firmly on the door and his daughter answers the door. She is several years older than your children. "Good evening Mr. Santo, are you here to see my father?"
As Katriana finishes her query, she and Gunther hear the knock. The voice of a young girl can be heard asking the above of Mr Santo, Gunther you of course recognize your daughters voice.

Shadow's Status

Michele Querini Prologue:
"Triple the usual rate", the man growls in response. He narrows his eyes at you and spits agitated at your question.

5th Generation Setite| Bloodpool 40/19|

Storyteller Shadow:
"You must wait for me because I must leave word of my absence. If I do not it will cause an uproar that neither I or Master Sadir would appreciate."

Shadow's Status

Michele Querini:
"You best hurry dandy, I'll not dawdle forever".

5th Generation Setite| Bloodpool 40/19|

Storyteller Shadow:
I look at him with a steely gaze "You will wait as long as it takes for me to return....if you do not I would love to be a fly on the wall when you tell your master that you decided not to wait for me."
Then I turn to walk away to head towards my cousin Marco's house.

Katriana Volkov, Gunther Thesing, and Michael Santo :
"Thank you very much, I hope that my brother and I will see more of you. We may end up staying a while. "

There's a knock at the door, followed by "Good evening Mr. Santo, are you here to see my father?"

"Ah, Mr. Santo is here, perhaps he can help us to our new destination.

Michael Santos + Katriana Volkov, Gunther Thesing:
Michael pats the little girl on top of her head. " I stopped by to see if you were being a good little girl but since I'm here I might as well see your father " Michael jokes " Can you let him know I am here please? " Michael waits at the door.

Michael Santo, Katriana Volkov, Gunther Thesing:

:

As Gunther and Katriana continue their conversation, he hears the knock at the door and excuses himself.

Jordan turns to shout out to her father that someone else has arrived to see him, but just as she does she sees him walking towards the door.

Gunther raises his hand to halt her from shouting as he approaches.

"Yes, Michael, good to see you again. What can I do for you?"
Shadow's Status

Gunther Thesing:
Remember you know Curt's character, you have a business arrangement together, if you can't edit the post, just revise your next post.

Shadow's Status

Michael Santo:
FYI the girl is several years older than your kid, probably 17 or 18.

Sergei Volkov :
Sergei starts to grow impatient, and angry. He gets up and goes to check on Katriana.

Shadow's Status

Sergei Volkov:
As Sergei stalks down the hall he sees Francois coming up the stairs toward him. "Ah Sergei, I was just coming to see you. I have news or lackthereof to discuss with you".

Shadow's Status

Michele Querini Prologue:
You knock upon Marco's door a number of times before he finally answers groggily, "Cousin, are you playing a joke waking me this early?" The sound of a woman's voice can be heard from inside, "Marco, is something wrong?" You shake your head as Marco has brought yet another prositute home.

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing Shi:

Xing Shi waits...

5th Generation Setite| Bloodpool 40/19|

Storyteller Shadow:
"Sorry for the early hour but I wanted to make somewhere aware that I will be gone for about 9 or 10 days on an unexpected business trip. I am laving now. Can you please check up on my dwelling as someone had tried to break in the previous night. As soon as I am back I will come see you. Enjoy the rest of the morning."

Shadow's Status

Xing Shi Prologue:
With so little sleep for the previous few days as night begins to fall sleep takes you in the tiny tenament that you have rented. You set a trap at the front door in case any drunken fool decides to wander in, though it will not injure them too severely it will cause them to cry out in pain which will in turn wake you wherein you will show them the true meaning of pain.

You wake with the uncomfortable feeling of someone watching you. As your eyes adjust to the light you see a figure sitting across the room from you. "Finally awake? Good, I was beginning to worry I would run out of time to wait for you. Tell me, what do you have for me?" Your contact sits before you waiting for your response.

You look around the room bewildered, how in the hell did he get in here?

Michael + Gunther Thesing:
Michael approaches Gunther and reaches to shake his friends hand "How's it going Gunther, sorry to bother you this evening just stopping by to bring some news and inquire about an employment opportunity in a unusual circumstance. Do you have a minute to speak?" I

Sergei Volkov:
Sergei looks even more angered now

"You never were one with the timing Francois. Let me guess, you found nothing? I swear, sometimes I wish my sister would just be done with you.....
He seems to calm down a bit.

"Anyway, what did you want?"

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing Shi:

Xing Shi gets up quickly out of bed and looks to see if anyone else is in the room startled. She turns back to her contact and glares at him and then relaxes a bit.

She speaks to him in his native language with her own accent on top of it "I have found the one you look for although I believe you could of found him yourself. He travels with careless fools but seems to be an important man. I know where his friends live and where he does as well. I was not able to investigate his household but can always go back if need be."

"There may be a man bleeding to death that attempted your friends life and am down a few stars. she motions to her pouch next to her bed.

She sits down after informing him of what she had found.

Shadow's Status

Sergei Volkov Prologue:
"A good evening to you as well Sergei. You are correct I have not found anything unusual in my initial investigations. One thing I did find interesting, most unknown causes of death are due to drowning. Sound familiar? Perhaps "strange occurences" are simply covered up by drownings. The question becomes, how do we know if this is the case".

Shadow's Status

Xing Shi Prologue:
The man chuckles at your foul mood. Responding in your native language without a hint of accent, "Perhaps you need more sleep no? It is good that you have located him. Now you must make contact with him. My associate wants to see him in person but not here. Make the man an offer be vague but assure him that it will involve a great deal of many, Venetians worship it as God so he will be intrigued. The meeting will be in Vicenza. I would like to have it by March 17, this is a key date and the meeting must take place by then. If he asks who your associate is, you may tell him it is a Princess from the East who wishes to be discreet, Venetians are sneaky so he will appreciate someone's attampts to be discreet. Once the meeting is set up I will give you further instructions. Is this clear?"

Michael Santo, Katriana Volkov, Gunther Thesing:

:

Gunther firmly grasps his friend's hand.

"Actually, my friend, I was just concluding business with Miss Volkov here. We can discuss your news and employment opportunities in a few moments. Have a seat.

As Michael takes a seat joining Katriana at the table, Gunther rubs his hands together as he addresses them.

"Anyone thirsty? Can I get either of you something to drink?"

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing Shi:

Xing nods to the man and goes back to bed nudging toward the door for him to make himself out.

Once fully rested she will get dressed, this time in her finest clothing and conceal her weapons and make her way out to the marks house and wait.

Shadow's Status

Xing Shi Prologue:
The man smiles again, "Yes. I will let myself out once I am ready". You glare at him but he does not seem perturbed by it.

You wake up, not sure when the man left but your trap is still in place. What time in the morning do you get up to check in on your mark?

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing Shi:

Sunrise

Shadow's Status

Lorenzo Cappelli, Xing Shi, and Michele Querini let's pause and let the Volkov's, Santo, and Theshing complete their scene as you are all getting far ahead of them timing wise. Once that is done we will resume with all players, I am hoping the scene will resolve itself by Saturday evening.

Sergei Volkov :
"Well we can find that Santo person that took us here in the odd boat. Find out what happened with his associates body." Sergei says. "First, let us find Katriana."

The two men head down the hallway.

Michael Santo, Katriana Volkov, Gunther Thesing:
"Mr. Santo, How are you? We actually may need your services again. But lets talk about that later, I will have a drink Master Thesing!"

Michael Santos + Gunther + Katriana:
Michael makes a friendly gesture towards Katriana" It is a pleasure to be in your presence again, all is well" Michael smiles at Katriana then looks at Gunther "Yes I would like to have a glass of water if you do not mind." Michael positions himself to be able to address everyone in the room. Its interesting that you are here Katriana being that the news I bring relates when we first met. It's about that mysterious death my my employee."

Michael Santo, Katriana Volkov, Gunther Thesing, and Sergei Volkov:
"What a coincidence, I was going to come ask you about that" A voice calls from the stairs.

Enter Sergei Volkov

Sergei Volkov looks to be in his late twenties, and very muscular. Long, black hair back in a ponytail. Eyes green, just like his sister, only with a bit more fire behind them. He is dressed very nicely.

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