Vampire the Masquerade (Inactive)

Game Master DireMerc

Gary, Indiana is a dying city. Its population has halved
itself in 40 years, many of its buildings are burned husks,
its citizens are disenfranchised and out of work, and
even its predators have fled. Of the many Kindred who
once hunted this small Midwestern city, only a handful
remains.

Modius, the Prince of Gary, continues his
long rivalry with the local Anarch leader known as Juggler. But their
struggles are becoming increasingly irrelevant. If things
continue, Gary won’t have enough mortals to sustain
even a small number of vampires.

The Kindred aren't willing to let the city crumble just
yet, though. Juggler and Modius have hit upon a scheme
to revitalize the city’s importance for Kindred, though
each wishes to claim the credit (and the rewards) for this
renewal. While they snipe and strike at one another like
two starving wolves fighting for the last scrap of meat
on the carcass, other forces seizes their chance.

Rick pulled off the 90 and onto Buchanan Street, the single headlight of his motorcycle illuminating the empty street where several broken streetlights failed to do so.

"All are welcome," he thought. "I just need to find the signs, get this stupid introduction over with. Dude better not want a gift or somethin'. Gotta play it cheap until I get some more cash flow."

Rick raised the visor on his helmet and took stock of his surroundings. Looking for signs of other kindred newcomers. Looking to follow the trail to the Prince, to see what he had to offer.

"Hopefully I can find some work in this dump. People'll want the distraction, and I gotta get some steady income."

Ben ditches his latest "borrowed" car in the commuter parking lot, taking his duffel bag from the back seat before wiping down the steering wheel, ignition, dashboard and driver side door for his prints. He walks into Gary with all of his belongings on one shoulder, held by the strap with a tattooed fist.

He looks around at the depressed surroundings, feeling the first stirrings of hunger but seeing barely a soul amidst the derelict buildings, warehouses and factories.
"What a heap. Rusted machinery, factory runoff... but at least Val said there wouldn't be so many d-bags with a week of seniority trying to run me off. Or drink my blood. Or hit me with a shovel and bury me..."

The only sound on the street are his footfalls. He keeps an eye on the empty doorways and boarded up windows.
"I can see why what's-his-face wants to bring people in. Not my first choice, but maybe I can settle down for a little while and quit racing the sun. Think about something other than survival for a little while at least."

Rick North:
You head out and parked on the side of the road you notice a large expansive looking RV. A woman dressed in fancy work-clothes and chatting away on a bluetooth headset is walking around taking pictures of the nearby buildings.

Ben Forester:
The houses burned 10 years ago and were never rebuilt. The streetlights are all out: some shot, some damaged by weather, some just lost to time. The city looks, if not dead, then seriously injured. You've been in town for nearly an hour, and you haven’t seen a living soul. Finally, someone’s walking toward you. Based on his gait and the odor, he's drunk. He might be lost, or he might be homeless. He's the first person you've seen here, and somewhere in the back of your mind, your Beast says, "Kill. You won’t feed again soon." You don't have time to make that decision, though, before a hand grabs the man from an alleyway, pulling him into the dark.

Rick parks his bike nearby and gets off, feeling with his hands through his riding jacket that his knife and gun are still concealed.

Walking up to the woman, he asks "Are you from around here? I'm new in town and I was looking for a motel within walking distance of some clubs." He keeps his distance so she doesn't feel threatened.

Ben Forester:
The houses burned 10 years ago and were never rebuilt. The streetlights are all out: some shot, some damaged by weather, some just lost to time. The city looks, if not dead, then seriously injured. You've been in town for nearly an hour, and you haven’t seen a living soul. Finally, someone’s walking toward you. Based on his gait and the odor, he's drunk. He might be lost, or he might be homeless. He's the first person you've seen here, and somewhere in the back of your mind, your Beast says, "Kill. You won’t feed again soon." You don't have time to make that decision, though, before a hand grabs the man from an alleyway, pulling him into the dark.

Ben harumphs quietly in the back of his throat, then slips to the other side of the street to see inside the alleyway without giving himself away.

Rick North:
The woman turns and smiles holding up a finger. "Hmm, yes a hundred zombies should be fine...I think we can schedule it for 3 days from now....yes of course." there is a beep as she hangs up and she turns to you.

"I'm afraid I wouldn't know dear...I just arrived myself and I brought my own accommodation..." she stops and examines you a moment"Oh!...Your one of the kindred, what luck! You wouldn't happen to know if this place has a Prince or a Baron or a President or whatever?"

Ben Forrester:
You sneak up to the edge of the alley and peering down you see another member of the kindred feeding on the drunk fellow.

The kindred appears to be of average build and height and has shoulder-length black hair. He is dressed in very old looking clothing that look like they come from the Victorian era, like something Mozart would wear during a recital. He doesn't show any sign that he noticed you.

"I had heard that to be the case. I'm looking for him myself. You here from Chicago?"

Ben Forrester:

You sneak up to the edge of the alley and peering down you see another member of the kindred feeding on the drunk fellow.

The kindred appears to be of average build and height and has shoulder-length black hair. He is dressed in very old looking clothing that look like they come from the Victorian era, like something Mozart would wear during a recital. He doesn't show any sign that he noticed you.

The Beast rages in the back of his mind, an undercurrent of hungry jealousy. But Ben pushes it back, reminding himself that it's a human he's feeding on; someone with a life of their own. He resolves to watch and wait, interceding if the Lick ("Or I guess 'kindred' is the preferred nomenclature, if I had to judge by his duds...") is running the risk of killing his prey.

"Either this guy's old and important or the community theater's costume department has been robbed."

Erik wakes up and realizes that he needs to feed early this night as he uses his only blood point to rise. After checking around the house he acquired, He heads down to the bar district on his motorcycle to find a victim to feed off of. He briefly pauses on the way out to make sure that he looks somewhat presentable.

Rick North:
"Chigaco? No no no....I'm from Hollywood! I'm going to film a horror flick right here in this town. Isn't it just perfect for that? As a matter of fact there might even be a part or two for you to play in my project. I can pay quite well if your interested."

Ben Forrester:
The kindred drinks deeply and then licks the wound close and drops the man like a sac of garbage. The human is still alive but barely he may not survive if he isn't brought to a hospital.

Erik Smithson:
Roll wits+streetwise to find a suitable target.

"Well, I could use some movie star money."

Erik wanders around the bar district looking for a suitable target.

Wits 2 + streetwise 3 5d10 ⇒ (10, 2, 7, 8, 7) = 34

The kindred drinks deeply and then licks the wound close and drops the man like a sac of garbage. The human is still alive but barely he may not survive if he isn't brought to a hospital.

Ben clears his throat from the street and walks a bit forward into the alleyway.

"And I can call that guy an ambulance if you're in a hurry.", he adds, looking at the slumped form of the drunk.

Jolted awake once more, Vinccenso ('لا، انها ل فنسنت الآن، تذكر؟! الأفضل من ذلك، فينس ، لا أحد الذين ليس بعض جيرسي شور المتمني يدعو أنفسهم فينتشينزو ، أحمق!')('You know he can't understand Arabic, right?') pulls one of the too many blood stained rags he has stuffed into the corner of the abandoned & half-buried dumpster he has been using as a haven since the Chantry was declared a no-go zone to wipe the blood-sweat from himself.

Doesn't matter that these have been ongoing since I died, they never get easier...
Malachius, you really are a bastard aren't you?
Rhetorical question.

Once 'Vince' is reasonably clean, he makes his way to Juggler's 'Haven', not really a Haven, just where he holds court for the riff-raff like 'Vince'...
at least like 'Vince' is now, nobody has a whole lot of use for a Tremere who can barely cast a chant, much less perform one of the greater rites; particularly not his own Clan...
Why else would they keep him here in Gary now that Chicago is open to new Kindred once more?

On the other hand, running missives between Juggler & Modius really is more my speed. Well, at least as long as they aren't 'holding court', never did much like crowds...

Rick North:
"Well maybe not a star, the position I have in mind for you is more along the lines of security. My name is Maria, Maria DiMatto. Who are you? "

Erik Smithson:
You find a sparely populated bar go around back to find a lone man enjoying a cigarette.

Ben Forrester:
"Depends who you ask, some would say Modius. Others would say me" he smiles deeply "...New in town are you? Come lets talk, just leave the trash."

Vinccenso:
You make your way to the abandoned theater that Juggler has been using as his lair but the area seems deserted. Neither Juggler or the Anarchs seem to be around.

Perception/Alertness: 5d10 ⇒ (8, 3, 7, 6, 1) = 25, checking the area. Looks like two successes.
Intelligence or Wits/Investigation: 4d10 ⇒ (7, 8, 1, 9) = 25, to interpret what I find. Again, looks like two successes.

With an aggrieved sigh, 'Vince' examines the interior of the building in hopes of an indication where they may have decamped to & if the abandonment is permanent of temporary.

Still better than playing 'Stepin-fetchit' for the Seven in Chicago I suppose. On the other hand, I know it's just a matter of time before somebody gets reassigned, either to here or from...

"The name's Rick. Security, huh? That I can do. What's the pay like? And what are you looking to be 'secure' against?"

Alexander arises in the evening, hungry, but knowing that his existence is about to change, courtesy of a new mission from his Sire and mentor, Tiberius.

"Good evening, William." the warlock says to his ghouled servitor.

"I trust we are all packed up for the short trip to our new home?" he asks, certain of William's answer.

Picking up his phone he calls upon a few of his closest students for quick evening lesson.

utilizing 4 herd members, taking 3 blood from 3 and 2 from the last

Having slaked his thirst, Alexander knows full and well that it will be a while before he can call upon these four again. Fortunately for him, there are three more.

"William, if everything else is ready, let us head to Gary. I will trust you to see that our accommodations are ready in the Chantry while I seek an audience with Modius to let our new Prince know that we are in his city and our intentions to stay."

Would Alexander know where Modius receives visitors or is that something I will have to figure out once in Gary?

A lone child gets off the old greyhound bus as it makes its last stop for the night. Orphan had been very careful the whole ride so as not to make a single noise getting on or off. No one would have bothered to look at him, even if he hadn't been riding for free. His practice at being unseen had served him well again. Ada had taught him well.

Continuing almost habitually as an unseen presence in the night, the childlike creature of the night hurries to find his way to court. It is not polite to take from a Prince's kitchen without asking him first, it may lead to some bother.

Ben Forrester:

"Depends who you ask, some would say Modius. Others would say me" he smiles deeply "...New in town are you? Come lets talk, just leave the trash."

"Well.. please, let me at least call 911 from his cell phone. It's good to keep an eye toward, you know, conservation. Catch and release, right boss?", Ben replies. stepping over to the drunk and looking for the man's cell phone.

Charisma, to avoid rankling any feathers: 2d10 ⇒ (1, 7) = 8

"Glad I ran into you, my name's Ben Forrester. I heard your domain is looking for some new residents?", he says.

Vinccenso Pruffi:
You begin searching the area looking for clues as to were they might have gone when Joel runs in. S&!~ man! Were is Juggler? Mike got nabbed by some guys in a van! I think they were Sabbat!"

Joel and Mike are Juggler main lackey's a young brujah and a gangrel that follow his every command without question. The anarch community in Gary basically consist of them 3 and two other guys who rarely show and who you haven't met yet only heard about, it's not that unusual for this place to be empty.

Rick North:
"Rick huh? For starters Rick there is a matter of the Sabbat. I hear they are making a move to conquer Chicago and they sent a couple guys down here to see if this could make a good staging point. Kill the scouts. I cant have those lunatics coming down here now. Find help if you most I can offer a couple blood bags as payment as well as a couple hundred dollars and more work." says Maria

Alexander Scarborough:
Makes a wits+investigation check. Difficulty 6. 2 success you discover the address to his manor.

Orphan:
You arrive in town unaware of were the prince Moduis keeps his court. You heard he lives in a large manor, should stand out in this town.

Ben Forrester:
He grumbles and mutters something like "kine lover" under his breath but doesn't stop you and waits.

"It's not my domain just yet but I'm working on that. You can call me Juggler, who are you then?"

Wits + Investigation Diff 6: 5d10 ⇒ (4, 6, 6, 1, 9) = 26 - 2 Successes

Alexander leaves William to finish work, while he makes his way over to present himself to Modius.

"I'll poke around and see if i can find them. You know about where they are, or anything else about them?"

Perception 3 or Wits 3 + Streetwise 2 to try to find these two guys.

5d10 ⇒ (9, 7, 6, 1, 6) = 29

Upon seeing the target Erik tries to control the urge to just charge in and drain the man.

Frenzy Check (due to having no blood in my pool, if I fail I will have to charge at the guy and probably drain him dry) 5d10 ⇒ (6, 8, 3, 2, 2) = 21

I will use what time I bought to get close enough to grab him and start feeding.

Brawl + str to grab and begin feeding 4d10 ⇒ (6, 7, 2, 10) = 25

Ben Forrester:

He grumbles and mutters something like "kine lover" under his breath but doesn't stop you and waits.

"It's not my domain just yet but I'm working on that. You can call me Juggler, who are you then?"

"Like I said, name's Ben. My sire's Val Ruiz. Here to find a place to settle for a little while, see if I can't get established... So you and Modius are locking horns, I take it?"

Alexander:
You arrive at the manor of the prince and if you hadn't been told different you would think the place is deserted as it is in a state of disrepair and the garden is unkempt and overgrown.

Rick North:
"I wasn't told much. A small group of 3 or 4 members, lower ranking most likely as they are just scouts. Finding them will be difficult as nearly half the city is abandoned buildings." says Maria

You then take off and start searching and you figure their either somewere in the warrens (the poor part of town) or over by the docks (were the abandoned steelmill and warehouses are)

Erik Smithson:
The man is surprised at your advance and tries to struggle but you easily overpower him and begin feeding he stops fighting back as the effects kick in.

Ben Forrester:
"You could say that...It's only a matter of time until I kill him and make Gary a free state and then I'm making another move for Chicago...Yes that city will be mine! So how about you ready live free of the Camarilla's b&&&%%!$?" he says

Time to go looking for a huge manor house or a sign of Elysium. This should be interesting. the little waif scampers off looking for either in the darkness, continuing to keep his ever present cloak up less he be spotted by mortals and asked some very pointed questions.

I continue to search until i find them, but when it gets close to sunrise I make for a hotel/motel. It doesn't have to be nice, but I'm not going to spend my first night in a new town in an abandoned building.

Alexander thinks to himself, Seems Gary's Prince is keeping his home's appearance with the rest of his city...truly a shame. as he walks toward the door, keeping an eye out for Modius's guards.

Arriving at the door, he knocks.

Alexander: The door opens and an elder gentleman opens the door. His outfit and demeanor mark him as a servant, a butler...His eyes and skin tone mark him as a ghoul.

He opens the door wide letting you in. He quickly examines you and says "Prince Modius will see in his study follow me." He walks up the stairs making sure you are following and the doors close behind you by themselves. You see nobody else in the manor as you travel to the study but the building is extensive containing as many as thirty rooms.

The butler opens the door and waves for you to enter and before you is the man you assume is Modius.

Picture: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_FXJLC5PfjGd0QzUG1pcEF0M1E/edit?usp=sharin g

"Welcome to my home...I am Modius and who might you be?"

Orphan:
You spot an RV up ahead on the road and you hear the siren's of police vehicles not too far off. You can tell there are no large Manor in this city district so it's likely out in the edges of the city.

Rick:
I will get back to you shortly.

Is the RV parked or moving?

The warlock bows his head briefly to the Prince.

"Good evening, Prince Modius. I am Alexander Scarborough of House and Clan Tremere, recently of Chicago, but now seek to make my home in your city. With you blessings, of course, I intend to re-open the Chantry."

"You could say that...It's only a matter of time until I kill him and make Gary a free state and then I'm making another move for Chicago...Yes that city will be mine! So how about you ready live free of the Camarilla's b@*$#%!@?" he says

Ben strokes his beard, looking at the abandoned and burned-out buildings.

"Mostly, though, I just want to be able to mind my own business."

"What makes you think they were Sabbat?" 'Vince' counters.

Of course that would explain the bug-out...
Wait, Joel doesn't know where Juggler would be found in this circumstance?! Three possibilities I can think of off the top of my head & none of those are good...
1) Joel is lying, which leads to it's own logic tangle.
2) Joel has already checked the places he knows of & Juggler is neither there nor left contact information.
3) That isn't Joel...
Immediately upon coming to those possibilities, Vinccenso feels his ears pricking as his hearing becomes an almost tangible force, his visual acuity now noting each fold & wrinkle in Joel's shirt, his nose detecting the faint metallic tang of Joel's last meal.

Activating Auspex if it wasn't obvious.
Perception/Alertness: 5d10 ⇒ (4, 6, 9, 9, 9) = 37, signs of ambush/entrapment. So that is at least four successes.
Perception/Empathy: 8d10 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 6, 9, 8, 10, 1) = 43, is this Joel? If it is, is he telling the truth? Of course, the roll I really wanted the extra successes for, I only get two... Still haven't figured what my Specialties are in either Perception or Empathy so not going to reroll the ten.

Erik begins to drink from the man draining 2 blood points before attempting to control himself.

Self control 5d10 ⇒ (1, 5, 8, 3, 2) = 19

He drains another blood point while regaining control, licks the wound closed and makes sure the man is unconscious in a "drunken stupor" and moves him into the alley.

Orphan:
The Rv is parked. You can a woman in business attire standing outside. She is speaking to someone who drives away on a motorcycle as you approach. She turns towards the RV were you don't see anyone and says "What did you think of that one?" She seems to nod when someone unseen answers.

Alexander: "That most excellent news! I need people who can help rebuilt the greatness of this city. Succeed in rebuilding the Chantry and you may find yourself in a position of Regent and even Primogen in no time!"

Ben Forrester:
You seem to be coming up on an old abandoned theater. "This is my home and headquarters to the Anarchs here in Gary. As it stand I'm already juggling quite a few balls I'm hoping you can be in assistance with dealing with some issues for me." says Juggler.

Vinccenso:
You confirm that this in indeed Joel and with your enhance hearing you can hear Juggler's voice coming from the alley behind the theater. He seems to be talking to someone who;s voice you don't recognize.

Erik:
Your beast cries out for more but you ignore it and put the man down your thirst somewhat sated.
Could you list your current blood level under your name?

Quietly creep up on the RV. Stealth roll to not make a noise.

4d10 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 5) = 19 I am going to assume standard difficulty so two success, otherwise if higher no success and unseen ends.

Orphan carefully creeps up on the RV, and attempts to see who the woman is talking to at this time of the night. If they are both mortals and bear no marks claiming them they may end up a swift meal, if not then information may be useful.

After leaving the scene Erik makes his way to Elysium to see if anything interesting is going on.

I will add blood pool

"You know what, nevermind, I don't feel like hearing you tell it twice. Come on." 'Vince' turns for the alley exit, not waiting to determine if Joel follows or not.

Fourth possibility, Joel is an idiot...

Once out in the alley, 'Vince' calls out to Juggler. "Aye, Great White Hope, news from the front!" Hoping to conceal his disquiet at the thought of a newcomer with an insouciant demeanor, he steps to the side to allow Joel to come forward & tell his tale..

Orphan: You creep closer and as far as you can tell she is alone. She heads into her Rv.

Ben Forrester:

You seem to be coming up on an old abandoned theater. "This is my home and headquarters to the Anarchs here in Gary. As it stand I'm already juggling quite a few balls I'm hoping you can be in assistance with dealing with some issues for me." says Juggler.

Ben eyes the old theater. "I guess I should just be glad he's not literally going to juggle. Hanging with a mime isn't number one on my to-do list."

Erik: Elysium is usually held at the theater were Juggler and his anarchs hang out most of the time, it has plentiful seating and a stage after-all.

Vinccen+Ben Forrester:

Vince and Joel come out of the theater in front of Juggler and Ben.
Joel basically spews out "Boss! Boss! Mike got nabbed by the Sabbat! We gotta help him!"

Juggler swears "Like this for instance. I don't have time to deal with this crap right now I need to go meet some of my contacts from Chicago. Could you three go deal with these Sabbat pricks?"

Manipulation: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 10) = 19, Keeping a straight face in the face of this. Oh good, two successes.

You want me to what?! I'm a go-between. I run messages between you & Modius, you idiot! I don't break legs for either of you. If I had any talent for that, the Clan would have a use for me elsewhere...

Carefully maintaining as bland a demeanor as possible in the face of this...
suggestion, 'Vince' looks over at the new guy.

Brujah or Gangrel... hell, do we even know that he isn't Sabbat?

Stepping to put Joel & Juggler between himself & the new Kindred, 'Vince' replys. "We might...
if we had three bruisers & we knew that all three weren't Sabbat. This guy I don't know from Caine. He shows up the same night 'Sabbat' yank Mike & you don't think this is the least bit suspicious?"

Ben raises an eyebrow at Vince's reaction, then shrugs and smiles sarcastically.
"Relax- I'm a vegan! Or used to be, at least. And Juggler's seen for himself what a Good Samaritan I am."

He turns to the elder Anarch.
"I can help you out with your shovelhead problem. Let me drop my s+@* off here for the time being and I'll pitch in."

Erik arrives at the theatre about 10 minutes after the incident with the man. He is disturbed by the lack of guards at the front then hears sounds coming from around back. He cautiously makes his way around and sees juggler talking with some kindred he doesn't recognize. He nods respectfully to juggler and waits for him to finish talking to these men.

"Thank you, my Prince." Alexander says in response to Modius's comment. "Are there any hunting grounds that are off limits?"

Vince+Ben+Erik:
Juggler Shrugs "He hasn't tried to kill me yet so that's proof enough that he's not sabbat for me. After he kills a few of em I'll be more convinced. If you cant do then that's fine go make yourself useful and find someone who can. Plenty of new blood around lately I hear, I can pay everyone who helps to kill a sabbat prick 200 bucks."

"What about mike?" says Joel

"Hmm? Oh right try to save him too while your at it" says Juggler.

Alexander:
"Hunt as you will just do not attack politicians and police officers. There is a matter I should mention, some human have been living in the old chantry. I trust you can drive them off yourself?" replies Modius.

juggler if we are actually dealing with the sabbat we may need some heavier firepower than pistols. Can you set us up with some bigger stuff?

Juggler thinks about it for a moment. "I don't have any spare weapons right now...If the deal with my contact in Chicago goes trough I'll have plenty but it will be too late for Mike by then...Heck it might too late now"