Barring any issues Orphan will make his way out to the rest of the gang and reappear right in front of Thom. "Easier to leave a bar unseen than enter one. Dane is at a corner table and he knew we where here. Quite a few kine in there and I am sure there are enough guns to make any vamps night difficult. Tread careful and when you come in ask the guys if someone dropped off a little kid, your meth addicted ex dropped your son out here that b!%~!. I will yell out daddy at the top of my lungs when you come in, do try to look relieved when you see me." With that Orphan will give general number and disposition of mortals and what munitions they seemed to have strapped. Afterwards he will fade out and wander back in to the bar and head back to Ben.
Thom is not pleased. Have you lost your mind? Wait... did I just ask a Malkavian if they lost their mind? Well, I haven't lost mine.
Why are we all going into a final death trap? Why not just get Ben and Rick out of there?
"Because it is no trap. I do believe the man is serious about his offer. Which is scarier, the hunter that can wipe out a coterie of kindred or the thing that makes him run to kindred that he hates for aid. I think we are at the point where one must do what the think is crazy just to manage to keep their sanity."
Thom wonders if the fade out thing is mainly visual. He focuses on hearing and listens for tiny breaking twigs, crunched dry leaves, disturbed pebbles... disturbed, that makes him chuckle, inwardly.
, 4 successes.
Trusting Erik is still there. What do you think?
Erik re-appears as he steps out of the shadows, dropping the shotgun down to his side to make it less obvious, "I say we burn this place to the ground and kill Kane as he runs for his life, then worry about whatever he claims is around here."
Solomon Kane's not real... But, they could have been more creative with Dane's name. The kid is sorta right.
We can always burn the place down later, right?
"Whatever his name is he should die, we have no reason to trust a hunter."
Prince and Anarch ran, we need info if we're to survive. I don't like it, either.
You got my back? Just stay cool and we'll be fine.. Thom start to slowly walk towards the bar.
And walk into a biker bar with a shotgun? I for one do not wish to get shot this night, preserving the masquerade after such an event would also be tedious. No, I will stay outside and make sure we have a clear exit strategy.'
Erik will fade back into the shadows.
Noticing that the others had not followed him in after several minutes, Rick finishes his drink and heads out.
Three successes, the power is not opposed unless I do something that does call attention to me at which point it all comes crashing down.
Orphan pops back up on to the table and strikes a heroes pose while laughing. "Unca Ben, I think daddy will be here soon." Says the miniscule vampire in his sweetest little boy voice as if proud of his foreknowledge.
OK, Erik... No problem. Thanks.. Rolling his shoulders, Thom approaches the door.
Erik is still obfuscating in the shadows outside the bar.
"You came sooner than I expected...You decided to trust me on my word alone?" says Dane as you sit down.
What ever my "status" in life, death before dishonor. You could have caused some damage back at the theatre. Earned you some trust.
You had access to the scene, could have set it up any which way. The Tremere freaked out and bugged out. Spend time with a pile of ash... or see you. You're more interesting. What's up?
"All my actions are guided by god. Were it me I would grant you all a merciful end right now but he has told me that this beast must be destroyed by a vampire and so I was forced to find you and to send you after it. The creature takes the form of a man called Lazlo Varga, he leads a cult of men who worship him. I know little else at this time."
He gives you a card with a phone number.
"I will investigate this matter further if I learn any new relevant information I will contact you, I ask only that you do the same on your end."
Why one of us?
"I do not know the reason, the vision I get do not tell me everything only what I need to know. Do you have a number were I can contact you if I discover anything?" he responds.
Thom explains it changes from time to time, but offers his mobile number.
"That will do, for now you can consider me and ally but if you kill any innocent humans that will quickly change. Unless you have anything else to add I will take my leave."
There's one of us out front. He's not particularly fond of hunters in general. If you would walk with me, so he's not tempted to do anything... stupid, I'd appreciate it.
I'm certain you can handle yourself, but I'd rather avoid the attention and I need him to help with our mutual issue. And for the record, I have no sway over any Kindred in Gary, save for being Sheriff for two nights. I'll see what I can do, though.
Thom stands.
Oh... You know anything about Jester, the Anarch? He's gonna be coming for me or us, and if he takes us out... I don't think he's into mutual arrangements. Touch o' chaos, there.
"If you say so. Just know that when you inevitable betrayal comes I will be prepared." he replies
I may be ordered to attack you, defend myself or those under my charge. No betrayal here. You are a deadly and worthy adversary doing the Lord's work.
You have my respect. You may be prepared as you wish, as is your right. Safe travels, Sullivan Dane.
"Your humanity seems mostly intact for the moment so there might still be hope for your soul. However you will find that the longer you stay as you are the more difficult it will become to keep the monster at bay and sooner or later you will give in to evil completely. I will pray that you decide to meet the sun before then." with that he takes his leave.
Thom walks out with Dane, escorting him beyond where Erik would presumably be.
Thom heads back to the car and waits for the others to... "appear".
Once regrouped:
If we're to believe what the man says, he's sitting this one out... He's been told that there is some greater evil afoot. And, that it will take Kindred to deal with it.
Let's give him a wide berth, unless he comes gunning for us in Gary. And, no killing sprees... respect the Masquerade. Feed, but do not gorge. Be discrete, don't draw attention. And, for now let's go see about the old Tremere chantry. Pruffi was a bit cagey about the whole thing.
Thom is not into railroading folks, so he pauses giving everyone a chance to voice their concerns.
I suggest we operate as a Tac Team, that's tactical... and team. Work together as there is strength in numbers. We remain loyal to Prince Modius. We keep an eye out for Jester and the Sabbat.
Something is going on here, and the frightening part is we have no clue what it is or who is in on it. We... Ben, Rick, Erik, Orphan and Thom are all we've got. As far as I'm concerned, Vince has gone rogue. He's so endoctrinated in Tremere what-not, it would be hard for him to develop other loyalties, allies, friends.
We're all we can trust, cause we're all in the same damn frying pan about to get tossed into the fire. We can break up this little boy band, later.
Now, officially I'm the Sheriff in Gary... that doesn't' make me the leader of this here posse, unless you want me to be. Whatever you decide... You've got my loyalty and I've got your back. How you feel about that and what you do, is entirely up to you.
Ben crosses his arms, leaning against the car.
"I can't say I'm a fan of Modius. He's more interested in feeling like a big-shot than doing anything to build up his city. Juggler hasn't done much to endear himself either, even if I'd rather swing for the Anarchs if I have to pick a side at all. And that Giovanni chick... classic s%!$-stirrer, if you ask me."
The Gangrel shrugs.
"But whatever. I agree that as it stands we have to help each other out until things settle. So we got Varga and we got the Tremere chantry. We got this zombie thing. And two Elders at each others' throat with the Black Hand at the door. Can't make this s#!* up."
"Perhaps while we are together we should look for the shovelhead hideout? I doubt they are just going to cut their loses and run. If this creature is as scary as Dane claims we don't want to get blindsided by a sabbat attack in the middle of dealing with it.
Or we can at least bang up some gangbanger skulls to keep them in line, as I said, we don't want to have distractions when the time comes."
"An interesting idea would be to get the 'shovelheads' on Dane's radar. Might take care of them or send them to the tall grass. I'm down for whatever we are gonna do."
I fear no free lunch... both good and bad. Good, in that he's basically letting us run the show. Bad, in that he's keeping back.
We're gonna have to earn our keep.
As everyone piles into the car and Rick gets on his bike... OK, guys. Where to?
"Wherever we must we will m'lord"
Anyone know the best way to get to the abandoned chantry? Let's check in on Vince. Thom drives in the general direction.
Thom thinks back to sifting through files his sire had on the Tremere. Specifically, the local chantries.
"Why not just give His Emminence a call? The Prince has to know where the place would be."
Eminence Front, it's a put on... Always liked something about that beat.
Nah, I remember now... Lodin had files. He'd have me study them from time to time. Never said why.
Thom drives to within a couple of blocks of the old chantry. It's understood it is best to proceed on foot.
That's fine. You locate the old chantry the area seems deserted and the front door is open.
Thom indicates Orphan should take point and scout.
Erik double checks his shotgun then follows the child inside.
Rick pulls his heavy pistol and draws back the slide to ensure it is loaded.
"Right then, give me a bit of a head start and I will see what can be seen." Orphan will get a little ahead and fade into the shadows while looking out for anything interesting.
Ben looks over the street to see if the building is being observed.
Perception + Alertness: = 3 successes, difficulty 7
You go into the chantry and do not find anyone.
You can smell blood however and you quickly find that there is lots of blood scattered in several rooms upstairs with a trail going from upstairs to the basement were bodies were dragged. Mortals died here, several of them. However the bodies seems to be gone from the basement.
You see no sign of Vincce or an ash monster.
Roof?
There is nothing on the roof.
Is there any furniture in the building? Any signs of someone entering, exiting or living here? Any trash, torn clothing? I'll look for anything material besides the blood streaks all over the place.
Perception 3: