Calliope Marchette |
"Fantastic," Calliope grimaces, frowning as they make their way back outside. "I didn't really get the feel that we were being played, though..." She peeks around to Edwin, raising her eyebrows in query - did he agree?
"Should chat about our next move, but perhaps it should wait until we're back home."
Edwin Wagner |
Edwin remains silent as they exit the college and head back to the meet up with Ladislav, he text messages his Ghoul for pick up and then turns to his companions, "Well, that was rather interesting.
I understood that this Brujah was old, but Carthage? That makes him at least 2,200 years old, if not even older. That said, I do not believe he was playing us, if his loyalty was to the current regime, he needed no help from the powers that be to wipe us off of the map. We three together are insignificant compared to the power he wields.
The real question is whether the others are with him.
If they are, then that would be significant.
The real question for us is, are we simply setting the wheels in motion or do we wish to become more involved?"
Calliope Marchette |
"I don't think we can avoid getting more involved at this point," Calliope replies dryly. "But I would like to get more involved. I'm interested in seeing how this goes." Calliope checks her phone to see if Mateo (or anyone) has texted before heaving a sigh.
"Do we have any pit stops we need to make on the way back? I'd prefer to just head straight back to the haven, but that's only because I have nothing in particular to do."
ST Talomyr |
Jack - did you see the PM I sent you?
You are continuing your conversation about the evening's discussion with the ancient Brujah, when Ladislav arrives with the car.
"I trust all went well?" he asks dryly.
Edwin Wagner |
Edwin nods, "Indeed my friend, indeed. Back to the HQ please".
Edwin enters the car and then responds to his coterie mates, "Is it that you now have aspirations of political ambitions or do you simply seek some emotion versus the void that is our cold dead hearts? A failure and a whisper in the wrong ears can end us, we may well have to do more than speak if we seek to become more involved".
Calliope Marchette |
Calliope shifts in her seat in the car to face Edwin and Jack, a contemplative expression on her face. "Well, truthfully, up until the past couple of days I couldn't have given two s&%~s about any of the political mess of our kind, but there's something about the power that I do find enticing." She grins slowly, shrugging a little bit. "I enjoy what we are. I love being Kindred. So perhaps, right now, I seek power and something to fill the void?" She sits up after she finishes speaking, suddenly looking serious.
"We three have our strengths. I'm in it either way. Mateo is all in for KJ's demise, so if it weren't Maxwell, it would be my Sire pulling me this way and that." She huffs with mild indignance. "Another reason to grab for power. Autonomy."
They call him Jack |
"It has been a long time since I demonstrated my particular form of mastery. Too long have I labored playing their game while those like Bret Stryker laugh at us. Let them try my game for a time, see how they fair." The Ventrue looks almost like a warlord of old for a second, channeling something of the Golden Horde. Then it passes. "Hold on, did the Primogen imply that my great grandsire is still amongst the undead? I had been lead to believe that Capone had died. At the hands of our current Prince."
Calliope Marchette |
Calliope raises her eyebrows at Jack's revelation. "He did say he was out of the public eye...not truly dead. Interesting. I don't know enough about your Great-Grandsire to know the implications," She pauses a moment, smiling wryly. "Rather, I don't know the implications as far as with the Kindred. I'm well aware of his other legacies."
ST Talomyr |
Ladislav continues to drive while you continue your thoughts on your meeting with the ancient Brujah.
Some twenty minutes later, you arrive back at you communal haven.
It is now 11:30pm. What would you like to do the remainder of the evening?
Calliope Marchette |
Chaperoned prom this weekend. Teenagers be crazy.
"It's interesting information to sit on, at least..." Calliope trails off, taking her usual seat on the couch, stretching languidly. "What shall we do while we wait?"
Edwin Wagner |
Edwin motions for K and Alexander to join the group, "It appears that Maxwell's instincts were correct. Criatias would indeed favor Maxwell's Praxis, as the Elder termed it. He also agreed to do the legwork so to speak to contact Khalid and Nicolai. He asked us to return to him two nights from tonight.
Either he will be seeing what he can arrange or we will be staked and left for the sun. I doubt the latter as he likely could have slain us there and then. He claims to have seen Carthage with his own eyes, the Elder is more Methuselah it seems.
The question before us now is, what do we do in the meantime?"
"K, can you find a better way for us to return to Gary? Last time seemed a bit harrowing with that chase upon our exit".
Edwin turns to Alexander, "Alex, do you know anything about Capone possibly being still among the dead?
If not, could you find out more?"
Finally he addresses Jack, "I find the idea that an Italian Mobster of a century ago would turn into a stuffy Ventrue incredulous, a power hungry sadist, that makes more sense to me. If nothing else, he would be foe against KJ.
If both of you wish to pursue this line of action and KJ finds out, he will not censure us with some sort of verbal berating, he will deliver unto us the Final Death. He was quite explicit in this at the gathering a few nights ago".
They call him Jack |
Jack shrugs. "Jackson, Capone, they're the same at their core really. I don't favor either being in a position of power really. I expect we've already done enough to be worthy of a staking in our new Prince's eyes." Jack spreads his hands helplessly. "You may have noticed I don't talk about my sire very often. We did not part on good terms. I'm not sure that I'd be on good terms with another family member going back another 3 generations. We tend to be stuffy about these things." He sighs, an impressive feat for someone who has to sometimes remind himself to breathe. "Still, if it's a useful line to pursue, I won't put my own desires over the need of the coterie."
They call him Jack |
"You do make a compelling argument," Jack admits. "Perhaps it would be of some use. And if I'm very lucky, I might get to flex my muscles a little bit." He glances around the room. "What do you all think?"
I know VTM isn't a combat system, and I'm very happy to avoid fighting for as long as possible, ideally forever. Jack on the other hand, has a 9 pool when it comes to hand to hand with other kindred. He knows what he's good at.
Calliope Marchette |
The Toreador shifts in her seat, not having much to add to the conversation regarding Capone. "I think anything that could take heat off of us would be a good thing to sit on, but for now, we don't even know what kind of heat we possibly have on us. We just need to tread carefully until we can suss out more information."
"In terms of 'flexing muscles,' Calliope uses air quotes around the phrase, "I have none to speak of. I prefer to convince others to do the fighting for me. Or, if I can help it, avoid any violence at all." She shudders. "There are more fun ways to solve a problem."
"What business do we have otherwise? Everything that we've been dealing with these past few days has given me a little bit of a creative block." She frowns, pulling out her sketchbook and flipping through some of the pages she's filled since the coronation. "I have a few ideas that could ingratiate us with KJ and provide some misdirection."
They call him Jack |
"I was always under the impression that was why you wanted me for the cotarie at all," Jack says, somewhat surprised. "In case some shovelhead, second inquisition, or other Camarilla f*~%wits tried to give your head and neck a permanent vacation from each other, you'd have some brute to back you up. If I misjudged, I'm touched."
Calliope Marchette |
"I agree with Edwin. You're more than just a pretty meatshield, Jack," Calliope adds, also chuckling a bit.
ST Talomyr |
K shrugs, "I can try. Carjacking is kinda my thing, so if you're lookin' for more than a fancier ride there's not a lot I can do."
Alexander chimes in, "And traveling off of the main thoroughfares is dangerous at best, perhaps even foolish given the rumors of Lupine activity."
"Capone among the unliving still?" Alexander rasps. "Nothing I have heard of, but I suppose I could reach out to my Sire to see what Grimm may know of the situation. If Grimm knows nothing, perhaps his Sire Wauneka will."
Calliope Marchette |
I was waiting to see if anyone else was going to chime in and then the days got away from me and the game Hades II went into early release (I'm in love with it!)--sorry for the long silence.
"Do we need to go back to Gary anytime soon anyway?" Calliope wrinkles her nose as she recalls their conversation with Maxwell. "We're to touch base with a local contact here when we find things out."
"Alexander, I think that would be helpful..." She trails off, glancing at her phone and her texts with Mateo. "Think I should ask 'Teo if he has heard anything about it? I can easily make it seem like simple curiosity."
Calliope Marchette |
"Maxwell seems to trust the local contact, and if we're going to commit to doing this thing for-slash-with Maxwell, I don't see why we shouldn't follow his instructions," Calliope responds with a shrug. "A little bit of paranoia is healthy, but I don't think making our own rules with these folks is a good idea when we have no leverage to demand such."
ST Talomyr |
Alexander shuffles out of the room, off to see what he can find out about the status of Capone.
What's the plan? What would you like to do?
Edwin Wagner |
Edwin nods in agreement with Calliope, "I suppose you are right. Wy take a another risk when a framework has been created for us to make contact.
If we have no other shared plans, I say we split up and reconvene in two nights time to visit with the Elder once more, agreed?"
Tonight, he really must find a vessel to fully drain as his Hunger is gnawing at him in a disagreeable manner. Once that is done, I'd like to his my library and start researching a new Ritual, Deflection of Wooden Doom.
At the beginning of tomorrow night, before his late night date, he will visit his "flock" in the Church of Scientology and provide a private sermon on the impact that a sudden chance encounter can have on a person and how that person can be brought into the fold.
ST Talomyr |
You send a text message to Statia to see about her availability for tomorrow night, much to your delight, she is only all too eager to join you for another late-night stroll through another one of Chicago's many museums.
A quick call to Mr. Russo arranges the deal, but the servant of the Toreador warns that while making the arrangement isn't terribly difficult, it may be advisable to seek out Annabelle before trying to make arrangements for a third night.
With tomorrow night's plans in place, you settle in for the remainder of the night researching methods of foiling attempts of others trying to stake you.
Calliope Marchette |
Sorry about my silence. End of the school year and got sick. I'm back around.
"Sounds like a plan," Calliope says, standing. "I'm going to head back to my place. I have things to do. Text me if you need me." She offers a little wave to the others and heads out. She seems intent on accomplishing a few things on her own.
If he wants her to swing by, she will. If not, she will head back to her apartment to paint a scene from KJ's coronation ceremony.
Are there rolls or anything to make during downtime for this kind of thing? I'm not sure how 'downtime' really works in VTM!
ST Talomyr |
Nah, nothing tonight. the text from Mateo replies.
Give me a pair of rolls, Intelligence + Academics (+1 die for Fine Arts specialty) for the additional inspiration for your work, followed by Dexterity + Craft (+1 die for Painting specialty) for the actual physical work.
Jack anything for you, or are we moving on to Rouse rolls associated with waking the next night?
Calliope Marchette |
Intelligence 2 + Academics 3 + Fine Arts Specialty 1: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 2, 4) = 14
Hunger 2: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
Dexterity 3 + Craft 4 + Painting Specialty 1: 6d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 5, 2, 1) = 19
Hunger 2: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9
Woof, some terrible rolls. Ah well, I'll take it in stride! Calliope might experience some artist rage, though.
ST Talomyr |
Despite her best intentions and a bit of an inspirational block, Calliope powers on through her latest work. Upon completion, she looks at the work and finds it to be satisfactory for an amateur's work, but not up to the standards she would set for herself.
It also comes to mind that given his reasoning for embracing her in the first place, Mateo may be less than pleased should the work see the outside of Calliope's studio.
Calliope Marchette |
"Perhaps my source of inspiration just isn't right," She says out loud, glancing at her sketches of the scenery. Since that night, too much had happened. Her mind was all over the place. "Something else will come up..." She mutters, not sure if she believes it herself.
Ah, well. Time for sleep. She cleans up her space of anything that might tempt her resident house-ghost to spill, and then goes to rest through the daylight.
ST Talomyr |
Gary, Indiana - Two Nights Ago
Having found Prince Kevin Jackson of Chicago - not to mention Jason Newberry, the ranking member of Clan Malkavian in the city, less than amenable to your requested support, you have left Chicago proper as so many have before.
You had thought that Gary was still nominally a Camarilla domain and that you would petition Prince Modius for the support you sought, only to find that for all of its previous troubles, Gary had devolved further into nothing more than various bands of Anarchs without a unifying Baron - or at least that was the case until you met up with Evelyn and her crew. Evelyn always had some clout in Gary, being the Childe of the infamous Juggler, but in recent nights that power had begun to coalesce - she had a sponsor, and all would be revealed soon enough.
Evelyn requested that you hide up in the cheap seats of what was left of the Palace theater to observe a meeting and provide your opinion on what you observed. As the meeting was to begin, Hawk, Cody, Brian, and Hakima wait on the stage when a group of outsiders enter the theater.
Please read the events of the meeting as detailed in the link above through the post timestamped Oct 25, 2023, 03:25 pm. You are free to begin your interaction with those that remain in the theater at that point.
Dr. Matthew Baker |
Sadly for Dr. Baker, the Anarchs had taken over the city. In general Matthew had little time for the Anarchs; they had always struck him as a rather short sighted movement, focused more on outrage than the long term planning so essential to making their existence anything approaching bearable.
But the good doctor was a man who valued evidence, and he happily reconsidered his assessment of the movement when he met with Evelyn. She possessed a certain drive so many of her contemporaries lacked, and an ambition to do more with Gary. All entirely logical impulses, and Dr. Baker believed he'd be able to get her to see reason.He even humored her, playing the cloak and dagger game of hiding and observing the meeting.
It proved to be enlightening. A meeting between Anarchs and Camarilla was somewhat rarer in these nights. Tensions were high; he hoped it would not end in a fight. So many of their kind were hare trigger. But the truce held, and his mind was soon distracted by the arrival of Maxwell and his proposal. A coup against the current Chicago leadership in order to place the old back into power... Normally Dr. Baker would have cared little. Politics were not a concern of his. But this offered an opportunity. It was easy to see the former prince was desperate for aid, and therein lied a way he could leverage some of the support he required. It would have the added bonus if allowing him to do his business within Chicago, which was more convenient anyway.
The Camarilla agents begin to leave, wanting time to consider the offer. When they do, Dr. Baker makes his way down. He of course first introduces himself to Maxwell.
"Good evening. I'm a guest of Evelyn's. She felt I could be of some use attending this meeting. Ah where are my manners." He holds out a hand. "Dr. Matthew Baker. I'm a psychologist in Chicago. It's truly a pleasure to meet something of a celebrity among our kind. How should I address you? Prince Maxwell?
"If you'll forgive the eavesdropping, I could not help but to overhear your plan. Ambitious. Dangerous. But frankly overdo. Neither Lodin or his spawn possess the forwardthinkingness that would serve us so well in these nights. I would be most willing to join your conspiracy to regain your rightful position, should you in turn be willing to provide me political and financial support. I will spare you the tedious details for now, but suffice it to say I am very interested in learning all I can about our particular condition for the benefit of our kind. I trust you can see the wisdom in such an endeavor, even if your successors cannot."
ST Talomyr |
Earlier Tonight - South Side of Chicago
You find yourself face to face with Rosa Hernandez, Primogen Councilor of Clan Gangrel within the city of Chicago. Rosa is a tall, muscular Latina woman. She has the air of someone to be reckoned with and respected. Her long, black hair is pulled back into a ponytail with an exquisitely carved silver clasp. She dresses in a dark-brown flannel shirt, dark blue jeans, and mountain-hiking boots.
"Ollie, I know you have sympathies for the Anarchs, but you gotta play that s!~~ closer to vest now...Jackson ain't havin' any of it." Rosa tells you, as she drops to a knee to scratch buttons behind the ear.
"I'm not sayin' you can't have your opinions or even act on 'em but just lay low for a bit...I mean the only reason I accepted that Primogen gig is to keep a closer eye on that guy...well that and because Critias asked me too. He's f%@~in' ancient, but by all accounts, he means well for our kind."
"I guess Critias is kinda why I'm here. Seems there's some like-minded folk about, lookin' for change, and seeking to make it happen. Problem is outside of an over-confident Ventrue - I know, redundant - their little group is awful shy on on muscle. An artist, a warlock, a sewer-rat, and a thin-blood. The old man would like you to help them out if you're willing."
Ollivor Myles |
Just because Ollie leans Anarch, doesn't mean he's stupid enough to disrespect a primogen of his own clan, especially since Rosa's reasons for sticking with the system are cynical and there fore practical.
Also, she treats Buttons nice, and that wins points with Ollie too.
"Rosa, I respect you, and not just because you could rip me apart with one set of claws tied behind your back, but I'm not sure I'm the best guy for this I..." Then part of what she said processes through "Their toughest guy is a cocky Ventrue? That IS sad." He ponders this, "Is this something Buttons and I won't be able to back out of if it's a bad fit or goes south? I got to tell you, while I won't be screaming 'fight the power' to Jackson's face, he strikes me as the sort who wouldn't be above looking for scapegoats in the form of relatively new bloods. Holding the bag is how I 'died' the first time." Not quite the story, but close enough "Exactly what threats are facing them already? Do you know?"
ST Talomyr |
Last night - North Side of Chicago
It's both comforting and disturbing at the same time, at least that is what Francis and Natalya say. He's gone, your Sire, Jacob is gone...or at least he has chosen to leave you alone for now.
How will you survive the nights without him? Can you? You've made some in-roads with others among Kindred society, in particular those always on the the lookout for someone who is capable of maneuvering the intricacies of today's financial systems to hide and grow wealth accumulated through the ages - thus how you have found your most recent client, Ballard Industries, or more importantly its founder, Horatio Ballard. Ballard seeks to corner another market within Kindred society, communication. Something that is far riskier these nights than in the past with everyone having a camera with them at all time and all that.
In funneling this wealth to a new interest, Ballard has instructed you work with an associate of his, a Nosferatu called Grimm.
Looking at a clock on the wall, you realize it is nearly time for you to meet with this Grimm when you hear a knock on the door.
ST Talomyr |
The elder eyes you suspiciously, then equally suspiciously glares at Evelyn. "What is the meaning of this?" Maxwell asks with a low growl.
"I assure you, Maxwell, Dr. Baker was there more to observe those we met this evening than you." Evelyn says, trying to soothe the underlying rage of the Brujah elder.
Running his hand through his hair to straighten it, the elder says, "Maxwell will suffice for now."
"While allies are always valuable, what do you bring to the table, Dr. Baker? What do I get for my influence and resources? You obviously aren't in Chicago proper, so there's that complication. Those that just left are there and are unknown enough to gather the intelligence I seek and grease the wheels for my return while staying off of the radar. Can you add to that?"
ST Talomyr |
"If they're smart, they're laying low and not trying to attract too much attention off the bat." Rosa says.
"The old man must see something to their plan, whatever that is...he didn't go into a bunch of details but thought that having someone that could handle a fight would be a good idea. Just go talk to them, tell 'em who sent you and go from there. No one's saying you have to stay, just look into it, that's all that I've promised Critias. You good with that?"
"There's a Church of Scientology in mid-town. That's where you're most likely to find them."
Ollivor Myles |
"Scientology is still a thing? Ugh. Rosa, I'll check it out. I'm not sure I'd be much more than a speed bump to a severe threat, though thanks for the praise. If you and Critias think this group is onto something, well, I'd be an idiot to dismiss it. I don't like the tit for tat games, but if I end up on the run I hope you'll help smuggle me out of Chicago."
Buttons wags.
"Yeah, Buttons, we may have a place to hang our hat. If they have us." HIS turn to grant a skritch.
Then to Rosa he adds, "We'll check out the place tonight. It's still early after all."
And he readies to go if she has no further advice or pointers.
Dr. Matthew Baker |
"Maxwell, then. I have to admit I expected more formality from one of your age and power, but its a good sign if you're not so beholden to ceremony. I can't imagine the current prince would be so lackadaisical with such things." he offers.
He straightens his posture as he is asked the question, looking very thoughtful for a moment. "I've never cared much for politics it is true, but I'm not a newcomer to Chicago. I've spent my entire 40 or so years among the kindred there, and I've frequently attended Elysium; its fair to say most socially connected among our kind have at least heard of me within Chicago, and aside from those within my own clan I have a positive reputation. My lack of instability and reasoned state of mind is why so many within my own clan are not fond of me, but aside from the Malkavians I get along with most and have earned a respectable reputation among our kind in the few decades I have been in the city. Being honest with you, I do not know if I would sway any elders to your cause; but I believe there's something to be said for having a voice advocating for you among the younger of our kind-- those who may be more willing to shake up the status quo, as it were. Whatever the merits of the others you have invited, I'm not sure any of them have spent the time cultivating the relationships at court that I have.
"As to your other point, I've only left Chicago as it were two nights ago, given the short shortsightedness of its present leadership. I had hoped to make arrangements in Gary, but the political scene here has shifted more than I expected. I can easily return to Chicago and intend to at any rate; my practice is there, you understand."
Savanna Douglas |
Now, a Nosferatu. Grimm was his name. Probably ugly as hell in body.
Yeah, but you shall see my spirit.. Not that pretty either.
Savanna chuckles, and opens the door, doing her best to be punctual, and to welcome Ballard's envoy with curtesy.
"Time is money", the saying loses some of its worth when you're immortal
ST Talomyr |
"Check out the place and the surrounding area. Get a good lay of the land and anyone else who might be watching before you engage the coterie. Better safe than sorry." Rosa says, turning to take her leave.
"Good luck. Keep me in the loop, I like the old man, but you can never be too careful when dealing with the games one as old as he is play."
ST Talomyr |
Earlier tonight - Joey's Apartment
"Good Evening, my Childe." Milena says in her thick Armenian accent.
"You were not at Prince Jackson's Elysium a few nights ago, and that is my fault. We should rectify that as soon as we can. Are you available tonight?"
Ollivor Myles |
"Hopefully the game won't be too rough." He says dryly, he clearly thinks it would be foolish to rely on hope alone, "I'll watch my back as best I can. And keep you in the loop." Then he and his dog head on out. Wondering if they picked up a tail ,and not the sort on a German Shepherd, he takes a slightly curvy path.
Perception Plus Alertness? 5d10 ⇒ (5, 8, 5, 3, 4) = 25
plus any other rolls you need. Not sure what his dogs stats are, but probably better senses on Buttons than Ollie