"I've o-only known o-one sibling. I've n-never kn-nown some-one who sees the t-truth. If c-condemn-nation is re-required, b-best the t-truth is seen."
"EXACTLY." Writhe nods.
Sue is less amused now. “Take care of your own stuff!“ she says bluntly.
Writhe tuts, "But a firehouse sale like this will never come again." a look "And a little knowledge remains a dangerous thing. Still..." She says as the shotgun is claimed...
"The secret order of the stonecutters awaits..." Writhe says, naming the FreeMasons lodge that was the Tremere chantry.
"I guess we are as ready as we're going to get, might as well go".
Sue just nods but she’s clearly not really understanding everything that is being said.
”Let us move then!“ she says and follows.
Michael blinks, finally registering that there's someone else here.
And more importantly, that they're giving him orders.
He glares and opens his mouth to object, but notices that everyone else is already following.
"...g++!~!mit..." He grumbles as he falls in line.
And on they go, loading up into some of the same vehicles that brought them there.
There's no telling what the police will make of the slaughter they left behind... but one thing is sure. They won't think it's vampires.
Writhe, seemingly on a whim, has tut tutted and duct taped Tiffany and thrown her in a trunk
Natalie's wounds heal as she focuses, then she says "Great, now I'm feeling thristy. Micheal, baby, we'll find him. He's got to be out there somewhere" As they ride.
Mei seems to take comfort from Lawrence's support even now, as if she could count on his stability. Then again, he wasn't the one who went beast mode.
"The tactics the same here, sneak up, element of surprise?
What can we expect at this place?"
As they drive on Sue glances at each of vampires and her mind is whirling with thoughts.
She's silent for a while before she finally speaks.
"I think... you're all just trying to make sense of the chaos, right? I mean how long are you ... ehh ... vampires? And as for what we can expect, I suppose I can expect anything? I mean are we dealing with predictable forces?" she asks.
"In my 36 hours as a... Vampire... Hmmm ok sure, a Vampire. All I can say for sure, is that nothing is for sure".
Writhe says "If the stone angels are weeping and angry, you may have a three way bloodbowl." A sigh "Chains are hard to break, you know? Particularly when you feel safer in them than out"
Michael grinds his teeth.
"...not long enough to have any real clue just what we've gotten ourselves into, really." He grumbles.
Sue just nods and waits for the action to unfold.
"What we-we've gotten in-to, i-is no-thing sh-ort of a b-bio-log-gica-al nightm-mare of revo-lutions. Wh-what st-strain of en-c-coded DNA al-gorithms will suc-ceed and reign un-test-ed in this l-land rain re-jected."
Lawrence babbles with a rising intonation, having dropped a speech quite worthy of a cigarette, he draws one from his breast pocket.
"T-time we be on o-our way?"
And on the way you go, the city of Phoenix feels oppressive, the heat of it even extra heavy at night, at least on THIS night. The Freemason Lodge is cloaked in more shadows than usual, for the ledge work of the design lends itself to creating such, and it seems the streetlights here are in poor condition.
There is a wrought iron fence with elaborate designs keeping most of the populace out save through the main gate. A gate that is broken as if something impossibly ripped said gate off it's hinges.
"I'll park. Get out" Writhe advises.
Dylan opens the door and waits for the others to exit, he peers at the house as he does so seeking signs of movement within.
Perception+Alertness
Sue nodded and quietly unbuckled her seat belt. She steps out into the sweltering Phoenix night.
Her eyes rove over the damaged gate and the building beyond.
"Alright. Let's proceed with caution." She motions towards the building. "There could be more of them inside." she says quietly.
She takes one more deep breath and steps forward, leading the way towards the lodge with stealth.
Sue tries to note all around her with her senses.
"The M-masons find them-s-selves the c-center of a ba-t-tle for the s-souls of m-man. Bus-in-ess as us-ual."
Lawrence takes in the surroundings as he exits the vehicle and stalks traipse over bits of metal and loose stones on his way up to the broken gate.
Michael gets out of the car, but stops and moves to the trunk instead of following the others. His expression is a mix of angry and regretful.
"...hey, Tiffany?" He starts to say as he approaches the trunk.
Each of you exits the vehicle, and each immediately takes some action.
Dylan puts his blood to use, ready for battle again. Despite the heavy shadows of the Freemason Lodge, Dylan's keen eyes make out a batwinged figure on a ledge, a roughly human shape that he might at first assume is just part of the architecture. However, it is definitely MOVING! It appears to be going towards one of the buildings windows. Why is unknown.
He also hears sounds of , hissing, roaring, and screams from within what he assumes is the entry hall of the lodge, the doors there wide open.
Sue moves closer still, quiet, and gets an even better look, her keen senses offsetting the shadows. The horrid looking creature appears to be crafted from dark gray stone, at least at first, but this is no statue. She has closed and can see figures in the window. A woman dressed in black, with shadows dancing along her. Some sort of biker, she has lifted another vampire, this one shaved head in street clothes up by his neck. They're clearly fighting to her eyes.
She can't make out what they're saying though as the hissing and screaming from the entry make it difficult. From that ground floor she hears:
"Where's Azerrad? We need help!"
"She's upstairs..."
"The traitor Keeper can't save you now, the secrets of this Chantry belong to the Sabbat"
Samantha tilts her head at one of the voices, "That's my so called Sire saying she's upstairs. I recognize the slavic accent."
A scream and more sounds of battle.
Near Sue, Lawrence also extends his senses, and sees the woman above through the window in full detail as well. That IS Azerrad, Black's sire. The lizardperson masquerading as a winged statue outside doesn't fool him!
That's when his foot sets stones to scattering...
And the gargoyle turns to see them! Eyes locked on Lawrence!
For Michael, calling out to Tiffany gets a snarl from the trunk, "Stop burying me! People keep burying me!! Out, get me out!" Did she get free from her gag? She's banging around in there!
Natalie moves next to him "You want to let that crazy #$## out? You sure about this?"
"Crap, we stepped into a full on battle..."
A surge of awareness courses through Lawrence's senses.
Lawrence takes aim at the gargoyle that locked it's gaze upon him.
"S-stone liz-zards. Great."
"Alright," she says quietly, turning to face the others. "Let's proceed with caution." She motions towards the noise.
She's ready to tackle whatever lies ahead with the rest of her newfound allies.
Initiative
Michael starts opening the trunk. "She never asked for any of this, and I'm not going to let her suffer in there."
Tiffany leaps out, half crazed. "Where am I?"
As soon as Lawrence draws bead on the gargoyle, it flies towards him fast.
And he can fire!
Lawrence fires as soon as the gargoyle makes it's move.
+1 from aim. (1 Total)
Lawrence's shot is true, but the stone hide plus vampire nature keeps what should be a kill shot of the gargoye to a wounding shot! It does slow it down but it swoops and lands before Lawrence ready to tear him assunder!
Tiffany is let out of her trunk. .. and for a moment it seems she might frenzy again but she clambers out into the open night with relief.
"I don't.. understand everything, but being a vampire is not nearly as cool as the stupid movies make it out to be."
Sue takes out her revolver and shoots the Gargoyle in the head!
3 successes
2 lethal damage to soak (as first 1 ignored because of trait)
There are three damage types in Vampire. Bashing
damage includes all forms of temporary injury — from
punches, clubs, and other blunt trauma. Vampires, and
only vampires, consider firearms attacks to be bashing
damage as well — unless the bullets are aimed at the
head (difficulty 8), in which case they are considered
lethal.re, sunlight, and the teeth and
claws of their own kind.
3 successes
3 lethal damage to soak (as first 1 ignored because of trait)
With FRIGHTENING skills honed by a life time (And unlife time) of training, Sue shoots the gargoyle in the head wounding it further.
That stoney hide of it takes the brunt of the first shot... the second, not so much. And Lawrence's sister shoots it as well, though not in the head, it does stagger it.
It is a mess, as good as dead, yet it crawls towards them moaning "Chantry.. outsiders.. forbidden..."
Dylan drives a stake into it's heart, "This thing, whatever it is, isn't Sabbat if it's trying to protect a place that belonged to another group.
Maybe we can use it later..."
The stake does not at first want to go through but Dylan's sister help holds it in place, and even the stony hide must eventually give way.
"You're a bit crazy, Brother mine, this thing is is fugly and wants us dead.. deader. But I'll support your play."
"Well, if it's defending this place then it's not Sabbat right? Or our friends can finish it off later if need be.
I guess let's get into a fight eh?"
Dylan heads to the front door grimacing about this frontal assault.
Michael nods. "...yeah..." He sighs in sympathy.
"Listen, Tiffany... I'm... I'm sorry about your dad." He shakes his head.
Dylan heads towards the door, the sounds within are going quieter actually...
Tiffany mutters "A part of me hates him... hates him for being an A$$hole. Hates him for being weak and dying."
Dylan grimaces, I wonder if that means the battle is already won.... He tries to find a window to peer in, not looking to be some sort of hero...
Sue is still shocked because of the violence and she just shuts up and observes what’s going on.
Just as they think things have settled down, a voice calls out "Hey Rookies.. here.. something for you to finish off... "
A figure falls out the windows and lands almost at their feet. It's a hard fall but the man, a big bruiser, somehow doesn't have every a single bone break. He already came wounded though... and that wound has the sweet scent of mortal blood.
Dylan is right next to the unfortunate Mortal, having spent blood in anticipation of a fight, his Beast is aroused.
Self Control -
He holds onto his senses, but does seek a drink....
Dylan strolls over and bites the man - Dexterity+Brawl DC 5
vs 4
Lawrence isn't driven to feed but does watch with rapt attention.
Sue is a little shocked but then just watches her new companion drink.
Dylan reigns in his thirst with calculated focus. The blood in this fellow is EXTRA good. If other mortals are commercial beer, this guy would be the result of some kind of high class microbrewery.
Tiffany forgets her father's loss, and the resentment she bore in life. Her humanity already diminished by her ordeal of burial, she moves to the downed man and begins to join Dylan...far more greedy than he.
"Well, I need a top off," Natalie moves in, and with control takes a spare wrist and sups just a bit. Enough to heal a wound.
Mei is all in, her delicate nose flaring with interest and her eyes growing predatory as she joins them.
Samantha watches Mei's shift in attitude and says to Lawrence, "Sure we're lizard people, brother? Seems more feline to me." She does not partake. Maybe proving her own control for pride reasons.
With so many on him, the man shudders and expires. The last drops drained out of him.
Natalie reminds every one "Lick the damned holes so the bite marks vanish" She demonstrates.
As the man just dies, Sue is even more shocked at the clear lack of any conscience or compassion.
“Can someone drop me off near the explosion? I … I need to get back to my haven. Here are my contact details so that we can meet again?“
she asks.
Dylan's eyebrow raises at Sue's request, "An odd sensation of blood that one had.
You should explore this place with us first Sue. After, we can retreat and regroup tomorrow".
He turns back to the door, "I get from the call out the window, it is the Anarchs within and not the Sabbat, but we will not know until we enter".
The Setite opens the door to investigate.
Sue is shocked.
“After this … you still want to go in? I … I can come with you but you have to bring me back afterwards please!“
Dylan shrugs at Sue, "We can take you back sure, you positive you want to be on your own though with packs of roving Vampires who make us look like good guys?"
He turns to Kelly, "Let's go in".
The hunger pulls at him, but Michael can't bring himself to follow it--he watches everyone else descend on the fallen man.
"...oh, what the actual f&+%ing f!%&?!" He growls in a mix of anger and disgust, backing away.
Dylan shrugs at Sue, "We can take you back sure, you positive you want to be on your own though with packs of roving Vampires who make us look like good guys?"
He turns to Kelly, "Let's go in".
She nods.
“Yes. I have my haven in that area!“
Lawrence turns to his sister to state matter-o-factly. "In-ter-ior Croc-odile All-i-ga-tor. I drive a Chev-ro-let mo-vie thea-tre.""