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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 Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michael Santo

Note you are alone with Pietro in this room during this conversation.

"Right down to business, I like that. Very well. You have delivered packages of living cargo to an Inn within the past week correct?"

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Andrew the Hardy

You step outside with everyone.

You are stuck on the landing of the building until a Gondola passes by.

Federico shivers, "That was a tense meeting Signore' Andrew. It is best if we stay away from them for certain".

Baldemar speaks with Sir Martin in soft whispers. Martin turns to you Andrew, "Either they know nothing or they are hiding something, I cannot determine which one. In another city, I would request a writ from a Bishop to search the house, such is the power of the Vhurch in most civilized places, here we do not have that luxury".

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

wits+alert: 6d10 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 10, 4, 10) = 37

stamina: 3d10 ⇒ (10, 6, 7) = 23

Storyteller Shadow

What is my compulsion to tell him?

"Yes, that is correct. I have transported cargo of various nature to many locations, but I do recall the order that you are speaking of quite well. Is that something that you are interest in?"

sorry I didn't see that we were alone. Also going to make that courage check

4d10 ⇒ (6, 4, 10, 6) = 26 dc 6
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

ST ONLY:
No Name Wits+Alertness 7d10 ⇒ (3, 6, 5, 3, 4, 1, 5) = 27 Thug 1 Wits+Alertness 4d10 ⇒ (8, 2, 6, 2) = 18 Thug 2 Wits+Alertness 4d10 ⇒ (4, 10, 2, 9) = 25

Initiative:
Xing
Thug 2
Thug 1
No Name

You land on your feet with a hard thud. Miraculously, you feel no pain from that fall, a leap you would call it, and are ready to engage the foes!
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michele Querini

All that you know.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michael Santo

You keep your cool.

Pietro smiles warmly, though you feel a bit uneasy, something about him makes him seem trustworthy to you.

"Yes. I will pay you double your rate for the transport if you tell me where these shipments are ultimately destined for starting with the cargo already delivered. That and nothing more will be required of you".

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing lashes out at one of the men with her blade growling ferociously upset that she fell like that and the new blood flowing through her taking over.
dex+melee: 7d10 ⇒ (2, 10, 1, 7, 2, 6, 10) = 38

Damage str+3+3: 9d10 ⇒ (5, 10, 6, 3, 4, 7, 3, 5, 9) = 52

let me know if i did the damage wrong. Str+3 is 6 + 3 extra for extra successes vs diff 6? If i have to many dice just take off that last ones from roll.
Shadow's Status
Xing Shi wrote:

Xing lashes out at one of the men with her blade growling ferociously upset that she fell like that and the new blood flowing through her taking over.

[dice=dex+melee]7d10

[dice=Damage str+3+3]9d10

let me know if i did the damage wrong. Str+3 is 6 + 3 extra for extra successes vs diff 6? If i have to many dice just take off that last ones from roll.

You had 4 successes (10's only count 1x as you do not have Melee specialty yet) so the extra damage from the successes is 0 because one success was negated by a botch. The last die was a success on damage that you lost though ;-( while the other two were not successes anyway.

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

Your strike on the man is solid.

ST Shadow ONLY:
Soak 2d10 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

His clothing seems to soften the blow a bit but he is certainly wounded.

He lunges at you.

ST Shadow ONLY:
Attack Dagger 5d10 ⇒ (8, 5, 4, 3, 3) = 23 Damage 3d10 ⇒ (7, 3, 6) = 16

His strike grazes your shoulder. Soak one damage with Stamina.

The other lowlife lunges through No Name again, his hands shake as he seems to be unnerved by the effects. Courage 3d10 ⇒ (9, 4, 8) = 21

The man with No Name walks to the two lifeless bodies and a stream of dark energy lashes out from his mouth over one of them.

You are up again!

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

is it 3 successes to get his and then everything beyond that is extra correct?

soak stamina: 3d10 ⇒ (8, 5, 10) = 23
Her body absorbs the damage easily and lunges back at the man. She finds herself starting to growl as she attacks almost like a beast.

dex+melee: 7d10 ⇒ (6, 7, 8, 3, 9, 10, 8) = 51
damage str+3+3: 9d10 ⇒ (1, 10, 6, 7, 8, 2, 1, 10, 2) = 47

I need you both equally... You must come to an agreement. What troubles you, Mario? Squabbles will ruin your relationship and jeopardize my business. Please, speak openly.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

ST Shadow ONLY:
Thug 1 Soak 2d10 ⇒ (7, 6) = 13

You nearly eviscerate your foe, he staggers backwards and attempts to stagger away in his ruined condition.

The other foe takes the opportunity to backstab the man with No Name.

ST Shadow ONLY:
Attack Dagger 5d10 ⇒ (9, 4, 9, 7, 8) = 37 Damage 6d10 ⇒ (9, 3, 3, 9, 2, 5) = 31 No Name Soak if necessary 6d10 ⇒ (10, 10, 4, 9, 7, 2) = 42

The dagger penetrates deep into the man with No Name but to the Thugs horror, no blood comes out with the knife. The man with No Name does not even flinch. He merely shifts the energy released from his mouth to the other fallen combatant. Courage 3d10 ⇒ (10, 9, 10) = 29

Xing, there are two foes, one very wounded and one fresh. What do you do?

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Alessandro Khadaji

Mario nearly snarls, "Who are you to speak to me in this manner? We have recently received a wind fall. If you must know I feel this type of activity may endanger the respectability we have so recently gained".

You know these guys were low down on the respectability ladder when pimping is considered respectable...
Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Gonna make self control due to the amount of blood probably coming out of the guy I just hit.

self control: 4d10 ⇒ (6, 8, 7, 4) = 25

She grins and looks to her master seeing the man stab him decides to lunge at him knowing her prey won't get far away with his current wounds.

dex+melee: 7d10 ⇒ (2, 5, 3, 5, 2, 5, 10) = 32
Miss correct?
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

That is fine and you retain control. You passed two or three, long enough to maintain control which was the point of the exercise.

You swing your blade and it goes wide of the mark.

The Thug not even noticing you once again stabs at No Name.

ST Shadow ONLY:
Attack Dagger 5d10 ⇒ (3, 3, 10, 5, 7) = 28 Damage 4d10 ⇒ (9, 9, 9, 1) = 28 No Name Soak if necessary 6d10 ⇒ (7, 4, 3, 2, 9, 1) = 26

This time the dagger finds a home in No Name's shoulder.

Having finally gained the attention he sought after, the darkness coming from No Name's mouth vanishes and he turns on the overeager thug.

ST Shadow ONLY:
No Name Backhand 7d10 ⇒ (8, 1, 6, 8, 1, 4, 9) = 37 Damage 3d10 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) + 2 = 8 Thug Soak 3d10 ⇒ (6, 5, 7) = 18

To No Name's surprise the Thug ducks the swipe!

Xing you are up, the first thug is about 15' from the end of the alley. By the end of next round he may even be able to reach the street beyond the dark alley. Or you can continue to attack the Thug who has his back, foolishly, to you.

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Realizing the man may actually escape she turns her attention back to the first victim.

Xing Shi will run after the man leaving her master to deal with the other one as he does not seem to really be able to hurt him (much).

How much does your new found respect cost per night... The women?

My thinks back to his previous transaction.

"I have only had one shipment of such nature. When I am hired I only ask what is required to make the delivery and nothing more. I care not the nature of the cargo or who its for. Just when and where it must go. That was a special order since it involved transportation of living people. The rules of engagement changed I got involved further than I should have and saw an inn packed with people working and shuffling about.... "

Michael briefly recollect the night it all took place.

" I nearly lost vital business partnership, and client due to an inquisitive nature. I never found out who it was for nor tbe reason of the cargo. Last I seen they were all piled into the inn
I frequently do business with. Once the last shipment was done I collected my fare and went on my way.

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Andrew the Hardy

"Gentleman I believe tha you now know tha path, though will be a safer sojourn perchance in tha day?"

Andrew looks to Federico...
"Let us in tha morrow visit tha bank an hire a senchal."
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

Xing you catch him as he is about to hit the street, success brings him down, failure allows him to escape.

You do not know what is taking place behind you...

Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing attempts to finish the mortal off.
dex+melee: 7d10 ⇒ (9, 10, 6, 7, 5, 6, 5) = 48
damage: 8d10 ⇒ (4, 6, 3, 10, 8, 1, 3, 3) = 38
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Alessandro Khadaji

"For all of them or just one?" is the response.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michael Santo

I will assume you gave the name of the Inn as part of your response.

Pietro smiles, "Excellent. How the proceedings went is less interesting to me than the final destinations. Provide me with those for each shipment and I will double your fee, now what was your fee?"

All of them. How many do you have?
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Andrew the Hardy

"Best we discuss such things once we return to our humble abode Andrew", replies Sir Martin.

Federico nods in response to your statement.

Within ten minutes a Gondola comes by to pick up your band and bring you back to the streets of the city. You all walk in silence...

Where do you head?

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

Your blade makes short work of your fleeing foe.

From behind you hear the voice of No Name, [b] "Drag him back here while he still has life left". [/b[

As you turn you see No Name has the other man in a choke hold the man squirms clearly about ready to lose consciousness.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Alessandro Khadaji

"Four at the moment", Mario grins.
Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing does as her new master asks and drags the near dead body back to him.

Michael thinks for a moment my fee.

"I can try to find the answers you seek but my employer will not give them willingly. I would have to find another solution to find out but it may require a bit of time. If it is at all possible.

As for a fee money is not what I seek more but a service. My nocturnal business is very important to me. Not only does it provide a great deal of wealth but I have acquired a greater deal of secrets that keep me in the inner circles of influential people here in this city.

My business has become more trouble some due to a gentleman by the name of Sergei Volkov. I cannot is ove such 'cargo' or inquire with him about but I cannot outright remove him for he has something most precious to me. He hunts 'being' shrouded by night and he seems pretty efficient. His sister was lost to him and he has been on a rage ever since. He step up his aggression to find her and remove all who he believe pose a threat. If you could use your resources to find her then business for everyone can return back to normal, you can get some answers sergei will give me what is mine and business can resume comfortably for everyone. Her name is Katriana Volkov. Do you think you can locate her. All our efforts have failed"

Sure, all four. How much do they bring in a night?

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Andrew the Hardy

"I suggest tha Way o Kings Inn an my room fer further discourse, Federico as well since he an I will be goin to tha bank an hirin a senchal in tha morrow."

Once back to the rooms...

"Sir Martin, it seems likely iffen tha Senior Petrio is indeed in league wit tha dark forces, it might be best tah find out where it is he is going, an why if yah ken. He mentioned leavin."

Storyteller Shadow

We had a confrontation with a man with no name tonight who wants Sadir to convince his father Fadhi to go to Vicenza instead of the Egyptian courts. Sadir refused and wants to figure out who this man is. Sadir also is meeting a client that arrived tonight. We have 3 more shipments of cargo coming in the next day or so for me to ensure delivery. That is all that matters to him and success will grant me power beyond my imagination.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

No Name smiles, "Sup lightly from the one on the ground, your first kill. Well in your new life anyway" he adds.

DRINK!

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michael Santo

"Knowledge after the fact is sufficient for my purposes".

Pietro contemplates what you say for a moment, "Volkov eh? I have heard this name before. This is not a small feat you would ask of myself and my resources. Indeed, it is worth more than the information you would be supplying to me. For reasons I will not discuss further, I must say no to your proposal. I can guarantee you more business if such an arrangement is sufficient payment..."

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Alessandro Khadaji

They give you an amount which seems reasonable though at the same time quite small for what these women may have to endure.

"Agreed?" queries Maurizio.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Andrew the Hardy

All agree to the proposal.

Federico lounges in your common area between rooms as you speak freely with the two Knights.

Before either can respond to you, Luag steps out of the room that you share.

"Well met! How fare you Andrew and Federico?"

Andrew:
Remember you have a meeting with the Templar this evening as well.

The last piece of information Hans is the following, the man with No Name stated, "My Master is not interested in Signore' Querini but is instead interested in your father so to speak, Fahdi Mohammad. You may not be aware that prior to your, arrival, Fahdi had another childe who serves alongside me. Well, my Master wishes to reach Fahdi and offer him a bargain. We believe that you know where he is and more importantly, we believe that you know how to reach him".

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michele Querini

Hans is silent for a moment. "This is dangerous news the likes of which was not understood by Sadir".

Hans is silent for some time...

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Andrew the Hardy

"Luag! I am in fine spirits, though I have missed both yer an Donnach countances an wise counsel."

"Have you had any headway in our mission?"

"Oh wait my manners, Luag this is Baldemar and Sir Martin."

Alessandro is all business.

Agreed. I'll have them for a week. I will pay you your cut, with a bonus and pay them directly when I'm done with them. Have them dress down, I don't want them to look like working girls. No one is to know. Discretion is part of the contract.

Everyone wins. And, now that you do not need to worry about their production... you can focus on getting me the information I've asked for.

Alessandro gives the men the name of an inn and has them send the girls there. The inn is out of this district and in a decent area. Not lavish, but clean and secure. He pays for the week and for reasonable food delivered for breakfast, lunch and dinner with fresh fruit.
Max Blood Pool/Current = 20/10

Xing Shi looks down at the body and lets the lust consume her as she bites down onto the mans necks gulps hard as the warm blood goes down her throat fueling her new form.

self control: 4d10 ⇒ (10, 3, 7, 1) = 21

She only takes some as commanded and looks back to her master wiping the blood from her face.

Storyteller Shadow

I wait with baited breath.

" ok just to be clear you want me to keep you informed of these special type of caro deliveries and in return you will use my gondola services correct?

do you know of anyone that would assist me with the information I seek?"

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michele Querini

"You will send an emissary to this city to meet with the contact. You must have some fop you can utilize".

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Andrew the Hardy

Luag nods to the Teutons and shakes his head. "We have no further news for you. Donnach sleeps off spirits in the room you share, I just dragged the oaf in there before you arrived. I will go out and return, our diplomat meets with the French now".

He leaves, "How many of you are there?" asks Baldemar.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Alessandro Khadaji

"Very well, what do you seek my new friend?" asks Maurizio.
Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Xing Shi

You gain 4 blood points.

"Very good my dear. Now this one, he still lives so your self-control must be iron. Do not kill him".

Self Control roll and DRINK!

Shadow's Status

Venice by Night – Monday March 10, 1309

Michael Santo

"Yes, we shall use your services as needed. Your contact with this Volkov has me concerned. I know of someone who would be willing to assist you but his price is quite high..."

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