Shadows over York

Game Master Rogar Valertis

Bertrand's smile vanishes as he removes Benny and Jeny from his pockets knowing that he simply will not be articulate amongst these August Cainites.

Benny begins, "Who is aiding this Serpent? It seems odd to Bertrand that he should be acting alone. Are any amongst your population sympathetic to his kind? If not Cainites, then humans likely would be where he seeks succor. Are there any known cults in the area? Also, perhaps this is an obvious question, but from where did you gain your information related to the Serpents name and do we know it is indeed he who kidnapped the maiden?"

Jeny interrupts in a huff, "I find it shameful that you would manipulate low born clans in such a manner. Had you simply asked I am sure Bertrand would have done what he could to aid in the fight against such a cur. To hold destruction over someone's head in exchange for favors is an affront to your position. Even Bertrand's former Patron Prince Alexander of Paris would not have acted in such a base manner!"

Bertrand turns Jeny around and looks at her in horror, he puts her back in his pocket and sputters, "What, what, what she is saying My Prince. I mean uh, um My Baron and you other um Cainites of uh, uh Prestige, is um. Thank you for the opportunity..."

waiting for everyone to post

Sorry, I am here, and reading, just trying to think of a good response. Still trying to get a good grasp on Vito's personality.

The baron nods at Lachlan:"Yes, ser, I understand your feelings perfectly and I would not be asking you to stay away from the fight against the lupines if Lady Brach had not asked for you specifically to join this quest on the behest of young lady Eleanor here." then the Ventrue turns towards Edward and again, nods:"I knew you dealt with them, and indeed that's a huge part of thereason I thought of you ser. I'm sure your... expertise will prove most useful in the days to come!"

As Bertand puts his little show up Lady Eleanor giggles and immediately catches herself as Lady Sian gives her a disapproving stare. The baron looks at the Malkavian puzzled, and this time it's the Lasombra, Edward de Guignac, who speaks instead:"That milord is what might be expected by trusting a madman" - he sighs - "No matter, I'm sure he has some hidden talents as well as this talent for puppetry. I wonder why Alexander decided to get rid of such a funny little jester... As for your questions, scion of the Moon clan... We don't know if someone is helping this Ahmed. Indeed we know of his name only because he wrote it in the missives he sent to Lady Brach asking for ransom and threatening revenge, the missives are the source of our knowledge of these misdeeds, along with the fact the ghouls escorting Lady Juliet where found dead. I would like to believe no one in the Barony to be so foolish to help a setite, yet we have never been short on fools, so I can't deny there's a good chance someone might be helping the lout. Maybe some of those furore rebels, although I can't be sure of it. So... what else would you like to know. Speak quickly because both you and us have grave matters to attend to" as he finishes Edward points his eyes on Vito:"And... clanmate... I believe I know of your sire. When this unfortunate matter is resolved I would like to have a word with you..."

The baron nods at Lachlan:"Yes, ser, I understand your feelings perfectly and I would not be asking you to stay away from the fight against the lupines if Lady Brach had not asked for you specifically to join this quest on the behest of young lady Eleanor here."

The Toreador knight lowers his head in submission. "I am overwhelmed bah the forces arrayed on mah b'half. I go whither thou sends me, yoor Grace."

Bringing out the rosary, Lachlan slowly loops it around his wrist.

The lights flicker and dim as Vito enters the room, and he listens intently to the information given on their task, as well as the various back and forths. When Edward of Clan Lasombra speaks, he nods "It shall be as you say"

He then turns to the Baron "Gladly will I assist you in putting down such a vile creature as a loathsome Serpent. That any still walk is an affront to we more civilized Kindred."

"Yes" - the baron says - "There's still the matter of your lineage to be cleared up, ser Vito. Yet service to me and the Barony will do a great deal to ensure everyone of your good intentions...

As it seems the meeting has concluded Edward says, "By your leave my Lord Baron, we shall begin this very night."

On being signaled to do so Edward turns and leaves the room.

The shadowy man arches an eyebrow "My lineage? I am uncertain what you mean"

Edouard is wondering what lineages there are as well as what makes each one different. Similarities and differences.

almost inaudibly he hums to himself....
"Sorry...sometimes my body still does things as if it were alive..."

He then blushes slightly....

Bertrand nods to the Lasombra Primogen, the sound of Jeny mumbling incoherently in his pocket and fighting to get out is completely ignored by Bertrand.

"Well, I uh, um, that is, I sure bet I can uh, help..."

Benny shkes his little puppet head, "Thank you Master de Guignac, I assure you Bertrand will prove his worth to you all".

Benny gestures Bertrand towards Edward who is leaving, "Follow him kid!"

Bertrand smiles broadly at lady Eleanor and leaves the room behind Edward.

Are you finished with your questions?

The baron raises an eyebrow at Vito's direct question:"Your lineage, of course, you don't really think I can let a cainite of uncertain lineage walk without question in my domain, don't you? No matter what Vittoria Giovanni may write, you are still unknown to me, and I don't trust what I do not know"

Eleanor smiles at Lachlan and if possible she seems to blush, something very difficult for a cainite, then she whispers:"I wish you luck, ser, I'm sure you will save Juliet!"

Then is the turn of Lucien Arbaud to raise from his seat and speak:"I believe this cause to be worthy and I shall join you. The lupines are certainly formidable opponents, bestial in nature, sometimes even twisted. But this creature you speak of... the things it writes, the things it wants... I completely believe this kind of menace cannot be left unchecked, its challange unanswered. No, I will raide with you my friends. Togheter we shall pull the fangs from this serpent, and save lady Juliet's from its debased urges"

Lachlan replies to Lady Eleanor's words with a nod of his head and then turns to depart.

Any other questions?

Vito bows, ever so slightly, and begins to leave. Nope

"My Lord Baron, I admit I have much confusion of what is correct and I am in need of someone to teach and admonish me in the proper ways."

DM

There was a reason I asked. Anyway no matter now. Let's move on

The baron looks at Edouard and the nods:"But of course. When you come back with Lady Juliet I will be more than willing to ask someone to tutor you about your proper place at court. That's a small enough boon I can grant easily". Then the baron adresses the rest of you:"It seems you have asked what you wanted to ask. I would order you to depart this very night but dawn draws near and you are not ready. I suggest you sleep here in the crypt and I'll have my servants provide you with trained horses and whatever else you think you might need... within reason, of course"

Now is the time for asking a little extra for your trip, things you might not have here on the ready

As the baron finishes he waves his hand dismissing you. De Guignac raises and walks out of the solar without another word while Lady Sian and Eleanor smile and wish you success. Ser Arbaud bows to the baron and the ladies and joins you:"I thank you for your generosity but I don't require anything, my lord, I have everything a knight needs" - he pats on his sword - "And as for the steed, I already have my charger and I would not ride any other beast"

"My lord is too generous. Nay, my Lord, I have all that I would need to serve thee. I would only seek thy blessing my Lord, that we may triumph over this evil and serve well. says Edward bowing as he finishes speaking.

"Thank you, milord. Ah will need the services o' a courier to deliver a missive to mah seneschal. He can 'ave my horse an' armour brought here."

Bertrand stops behind Edward shrugging as if not sure what he wants.

Jeny ceases straggling in Bertrand's pocket resigned to the fact that she is not getting out.

Benny speaks up, "Baron John, perhaps a contingent of ghoul guards may be of use. Especially if this Serpent does have a large mortal cult following. By Night our brave Knights will certainly make short work of such fodder but by day we will be vulnerable".

Edward smiles once at the Baron remembering his kindness and adds to Bertrand.....

"Yes an audience for puppet shows, that is well."

The baron accepts the two knights choice with approval:"Again you show everyone why you are the finest among York's knights. Bold and selfless! I could ask for nothing more!" then he seems ready to retreat to his heaven when bertand asks his request and he turns to answer him:"Unfortunately we are a little short on manpower, Malkavian. The reason I ordered you to do this is we cannot spare any morre than you for this vital mission. The lupine threat is most concerning and needs our immediate attention. Besides that we already sent Godfrey with a sizable contingent to root out the serpent and we lost contact with them completely. A small but resourceful group might suceed where bigger numbers failed"

perception+emphaty

Perception + Empathy 8d10 ⇒ (9, 4, 5, 8, 9, 1, 3, 6) = 45Botch is ignored.

When the baron asks if there is anything extra they require, Vito shakes his head "No. The shadows provide all I need. Thank you for the offer, however."

Edward tilts his head to the side listening as an animal might....

Perception + empathy
4d10 ⇒ (4, 6, 7, 4) = 21

Ok, you have enough information (well some information) to get a first impression of how things work in York. Now we move on, this part will be a little more action oriented.[ooc]

As dawn approaches the cainite guests of the Baron take their leave and you are shown the crypts where you will sleep during the day. No one but the servants approaches you and in the end your sleep is uneventful.

At dusk you raise and are greeted by 5 servants bearing the livery of York Castle, the oldest looking one advances and bows deeply:"My lords, the Baron sent us to you so you can drink of us. His lordship also wants us to show you to the horses in the courtyard. Fear not, they have been saddled and fed. All the things you sent for were delivered in time by your servants and await you with the horses"

[ooc]You can drink and recover the lost blood for the daysleep

Edward leads one of the younger females to the side sips from her neck, nearly overwhelmed by the by the beast, but beating it back as he has grown accustomed to. he licks the the spot where her fangs pierced her skin as he was taught so long ago leaving the spot unblemished.

He drinks until from 11 to 15 if permitted otherwise from 11 to 12.

You can drink as deeply as you like... the outcomes are going to be different, of course

Sir Wemyss heads over to the heartiest looking of the vessels and politely sips from their wrist, licking the wound closed when he finishes.

drinking one blood point worth of blood.

Vito takes one into his embrace, and feeds for a time, before cleaning up after himself. I forgot if I rolled starting Blood Pool or not

Edward drinks 3 blood points worth from 11 to 14

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Assuming I started at 10 and went down to 9 overnight, Bertrand will drink 3 and leave it at that so he will be at 12.

Bertrand looks a bit ashamed of what he has done and does not look the servant in the eyes. Turning to the others, with no hand puppets on display "My new friends. Before we go I will need to retrieve my assistants. I am sure they are worried about me based on the ill treatment I received having been dragged away the way I was. The rest of you know this place better than I, where do we go to locate the Nosferatu of York? I would like to speak with them prior to setting out on our journey to Whitby".

Edward being most abscent minded, could not recall when last he fed, so of course he filled hiumself using more than one of the herd.

"That's better, I should remember when I do that and track it some way...."

Edward shrugs his shoulders as if somehow blood was not the very essence of his existance....

"I might know of a nesferatu here in York, I met one way deep in the catacombs below the city. Not sure if you can get there, your a bit big to get there the way I know, but maybe I could see if he could come up and speak with us."

Bertand let's assume your assistants are with the horses at the moment, the Baron had them delivered there with the rest of your things. As for the Nosferatu of York all of you but Bertand may choose between one of the following: you may roll Perception + Occult or Hearth Wisdom (in order to recall what the most common places the Nosferatus usually haunt, one is based on formal studies, the other on heresay and legends) or you might choose to roll Perception + Politics (if you wish to remember what happened to the Nosferatus of York). Otherwise you all might choose to spend the night investigating the matter with a Perception+Investigation roll

Would it be alright if I rolled my starting blood now? I can't seem to find a prior roll for that

Sir Lachlan looks perplexed at the puppeteer's words. "I dinnae ken the lepers o' York."

Perception + hearthwisdom/occult
6d10 ⇒ (4, 9, 1, 1, 9, 7) = 31

DM

"You may not have any association with them Lachlan and you don't have to if you don't want to but I will".

Everyone: you may do whatever you want. If you want to chase the Nosferatu it can be done, of course you'll have to explain to the Baron and his agents why this is relevant in the context of your current "quest", or you may also decide not to obey his orders and do something else instead. YOU decide what to do. Just remember every choice has consequences.

"Why are we seeking one of the Lepers? I am unsure how one shall I assist us on our quest."

"His grace has made our intentions clear. We are to ride oot to Whitby, find the serpents and bring back the damsel. Your loyalty to your fellows is admirable, but you should have addressed it with the baron last eve, no' go haring off on yoor oon at the first chance."

Bertrand grins, "All of your prejudice against the lesser clans makes you forget what abilities they have. The lepers move unseen amongst us. They may well have information on the whereabouts of this Serpent. So in visiting them, we are doing as the Baron asked".

Edouard applies his hearth wisdom to assist Bertrands cause.

"Indeed it is said among my people that the rat sees the serpent, and the serpent sees the rat as both live in the same circle."

DM

Feel free to roleplay until you reach a decision (you could use the discussion thread for the OOC talk on what you'd liek to do more

"You mean aside from him being in Whitby? Do you hope to find his exact location from this rat, as you are unwilling to search on your own. Come, little hides from the shadows that I do not know. We shall find this serpent, cut of its head, and rid our good Baron of his infestation problem"

"I am sure the last group the Baron sent was as confident as you Master Lasombra. Let us not follow in their footsteps. If you do not wish to come Edouard and I will go to the Nosferatu and meet you in Whitby thereafter".

To clarify: I don't like railroading. York, as I intend it, is a sandbox where you can make the choices and the choices have consequences. I don't want to force you to "hunt down the evil setite", then wait for the next quest and so on. The NPCs all have a background and an agenda, there's more going on than it meets the eye at first, of course, but you need to make the choices. Some of those are smarter than others, of course, or need more effort to make them work, but I want to stress how nothing is absolutely impossible (it could really be difficult though). Also, I said this before but it bears repeating: you need to work togheter, please use the discussion thread for this and then reflect your common choices in the gameplay thread. Also let me know what you think.

Edward brings his hand to Bertand face with significant force, slapping him back handed. "Do not forget your place." he chastises and then suddenly says. "He does speak wisely. The low clans are low and the nosferatu the lowest. It is easier for them to keep their ear to the ground and hear things we perhaps do not. Let us find this cainite and see what he says. The Baron has trusted us with the task and we may chose to go about it as we please."

"Gentlemen." he says turning to Vito and Lachlan. Our blades shall be required soon enough. Let us first find the place to strike." he adds giving the group something to think about.