Chicago by Night (V:tM - 20th Anniversary Edition)

Game Master Talomyr

Careful, ungainly exit from car. Slow walk down pier. So different when you’re somewhere in person. Photocopied pages come out, clutched tight. That matches… here? Beady eyes peer out and back to pages. No. Ah, I see now. Yes. Papers refolded into pocket.

Waits while doorman flips through photos. Small cough, a hopeful rattle: ”Is there a program for tonight’s event?”

Inside, trails behind the coterie, young bodies walking fast. A tortoise to their hare. Memo pad, golf pencil from pants pocket. Observations noted in shorthand.

Alexander makes general notes on auditorium layout. Exits, interior doors, stairs, that sort of thing. Especially anything that may not match with his research.

At Alexander's question, the ghoul asked response with a simple, "No, sir."

Jack notices a few individuals glancing in the general direction of K with a sneer, but no one seems to be acting on their distaste.

K sticks close to Edwin and tries to play it cool, but can't keep a smile off his face. Punch bowls of blood? Now this is full on, legit vampire action! His eyes pass over Grimm and Cedrick Calhoun. Those must be Mr. A's buddies. I wonder if one of them is his sire? After the Nosferatu each vampire's prettier than the next, and he puts his brain on cruise control to just bask in the scene.

Finally - the big time!

He vaguely hears Calliope and Jack quietly discussing someone they don't recognize and chimes in.

"Yeah, totally, me neither. Maybe we should mingle, y'know, as a group, and try to find out, right?"

As the evening gets later more and more Kindred file into to the auditorium. The ancient by any standard, but especially by the standards of these nights, Critias. The infamous Wolf Pack and their leader, Gengis among those entering along with a number far less famous/infamous among vampire society. Conspicuous by her absence is the owner of the Succubus Club, Portia.

Finally, Damien, the Sheriff takes the stage. " Alright ya'll, quiet down. It's time to get this evening's festivities under way."

Most of the room quiets from a cacophonous roar to mostly subtle conversations, a few of the Brujah in the room withstanding.

Prince Jackson approaches the podium. "It is this simple, Lodin is gone, and so are hus failures. The Traditions will be upheld in my Domain without exception. Violations will be dealt with swiftly and harshly." the Prince proclaims somewhat formally.
A bit of his former life on the streets of the Southside of Chicago slips into his speach, "I'm feeling merciful right now, any ya'll can't deal with that, get f@+@in' steppin'. If you stay in my Domain, you bend the knee tonight."

I'll take Composure + Awareness rolls from each of you. If there is another roll you would like to try/think is appropriate for what you are trying to do, make the roll and sell me on it. Don't forget your Hunger in the rolls.

Composure 3 + Awareness 0: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7 Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 6

Calliope stands with her coterie, working hard to school her face into an expressionless stare. Despite having been a vampire for a few years, the Toreador wasn't incredibly in touch with local vampire politics and history. She was too focused on her art more often than not to pay too much attention to such things. She supposed that now she probably should pay attention, given that she was "living" during a pivotal moment in vampiric history, or so she assumed.

Composure 3 + Awareness 3: 5d10 ⇒ (3, 10, 2, 4, 4) = 23 Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 2 oof!

Edwin is in no way surprised by the Prince's aims here, of course, his vulgar display is somewhat offputting, but he is an American after all.

Composure 3 +Awareness 3 5d10 ⇒ (5, 1, 9, 6, 6) = 27 Hunger 1d10 ⇒ 10

Sticking by Edwin’s side and doing his best to play it cool, K can’t help but ogle the veritable throng of vampires present.

Composure 2 + Awareness 1: 1d10 ⇒ 4 Hunger: 2d10 ⇒ (7, 9) = 16

” I'm feeling merciful right now, any ya'll can't deal with that, get f*+&in' steppin'. If you stay in my Domain, you bend the knee tonight."

K peers around the crowd over the top of his sunglasses to see if there are any takers. Uh, yeah, like ’anyone else want to drop out’ amirite?

Jack Composure 2 + Awarness 1 (Hunger 1): 2d10 + 1d10 ⇒ (6, 9) + (6) = 21

Successes: Calliope & Alexander - 1, K - 2, Jack - 3, Edwin - 4

You scan the room, looking for the reactions of others following the Prince's proclamation.

1 success+
It is easy to notice a pair leave the room in a hurry, taking Jackson up on his offer, although none of you recognize the vampires in question.

ST, is the rest of the room speaking so that I can relay what I have seen to everyone in the hopes they may recognize that individual?

ST, is the rest of the room speaking so that I can relay what I have seen to everyone in the hopes they may recognize that individual?

Yes, you can talk, as there are a number of hushed conversations going throughout the room currently.

For the unknown individuals, once you have seen them or had them pointed out to you, I will take Intelligence + Politics rolls for each individual you would like to try an identify. Difficulties (i.e. number of successes required for these rolls will be fairly high.

Edwin will whisper to his companions to get eyeballs on faces, even if he does not know who all of the players in this drama are, his companions may.

Intelligence 2 + Politics 3

Unknown Pair - 4d10 ⇒ (1, 2, 10, 6) = 19 - Hunger 1d10 ⇒ 4 - 2 Successes

Woman Near the Prince? - 4d10 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 7) = 18 - Hunger 1d10 ⇒ 8 - 3 Successes

Man Lurking on the Stage - 4d10 ⇒ (8, 1, 10, 8) = 27 - Hunger 1d10 ⇒ 4 - 3 Successes

Badly Scarred Man - 4d10 ⇒ (10, 5, 3, 6) = 24 - Hunger 1d10 ⇒ 8 - 3 Successes

Calliope half-listens to Edwin's request, caught up in observing the room and how to immortalize this moment. Her artist's mind is in overdrive--she is already in the throes of planning a painting, so much so that she draws a sketchbook out of her bag - a small one - and begins to take sketches of some of the scenes, primarily the ones surrounding Prince Jackson. She pays special attention to the details of his facial expressions and the Kindred surrounding him.

Calliope's pretty useless at Politics.

Unknown Pair Intelligence 3 + Politics 1: 3d10 ⇒ (2, 2, 7) = 11 (Hunger): 1d10 ⇒ 2
1 success

Woman near Prince: 3d10 ⇒ (3, 5, 4) = 12 (Hunger): 1d10 ⇒ 2
0 successes

Man Lurking on the Stage: 3d10 ⇒ (8, 6, 8) = 22 (Hunger): 1d10 ⇒ 8
4 successes

Badly Scarred Man: 3d10 ⇒ (4, 5, 6) = 15 (Hunger): 1d10 ⇒ 8
2 successes

Calliope's pretty useless at Politics.

K is similarly politically impaired.

K checks out the folks Edwin mentions, but none of the faces are familiar to him. ”Sorry, Mr. Wagner; not really my crowd. Yet.”

Jack, you still around?

Intelligence + Politics: 5d10 ⇒ (3, 1, 4, 5, 3) = 16 Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Jack simply shrugs, not recognizing any of the unknown kindred pointed out by Edwin.

For the most part, the mysterious folks pointed out remain mysterious with the exception of the man lurking near the stage, occasionally speaking to the mysterious woman. Alexander is shocked to recognize the man known as Talley the Hound - a member of the Lasombra clan, and known to be a fierce warrior of the dreaded Sabbat!

"A short speech. I appreciate that. We bend the knee, and then do we leave Edwin?"

Alexander rejoins his coterie mates. ”The man on stage,” crinkling of parchment ”is Talley the Hound of the Lasombra. It seems Prince Jackson makes unlikely allies.”

Alexander rejoins his coterie mates. ”The man on stage,” crinkling of parchment ”is Talley the Hound of the Lasombra. It seems Prince Jackson makes unlikely allies.”

”No kidding?” K looks over at the man indicated. ”So, why’s he unlikely?” K squints, scrolling through the Camarilla clans in his head. ”And who are the Lasombra? Never heard of ‘em.”

Edwin raises his eyebrows, "Lasombra are the one of the two clans that control the Sabbat.

Still, I agree jack, bend the knee and exit gracefully, and then we can find out what the hell is going on later".

"Alright, alright...I hear ya all chirpin' out there."[/b] Prince Jackson says. "You're wondering what in the Hell this man is doing here" he adds, gesturing toward the man identified as Talley the Hound.

"It's a fair question, I'll give you that."

"The powers above me, above the Justicars, have made a deal with a significant portion of Clan Lasombra. Members of their clan can join the Camarilla in exchange for the death of an elder of their clan on a one for one basis. They cannot hold any official titles within the Camarilla for at least a decade, and if there is even a sniff of any of these f$#*ers breaking any of the Traditions, the punishment is final death, no matter how minor the infraction." He says, seemingly directly to the woman on stage with him and the man known as Talley.

"Now I know some of you don't like this, I'm not sure I do either, but the Camarilla has entrusted me...no the city of Chicago with this project to strengthen the Camarilla as a whole."

"Questions?"

Edwin certainly had questions, but he was not stupid enough to air them out loud. The truth of course ultimately is that Edwin doesn't give a damn who stays or leaves as long as he, and his Coterie, are left alone.

K nods in agreement to the Prince’s declaration with cautious enthusiasm but otherwise remains quiet. The big C letting in Sabbat members? If this works out, it can strengthen the case for letting in thin-bloods. If it works out.

Lasombra. At least they were physically strong. A bit like the Nosferatu, at least in terms of skill set, but less physically repulsive. Jack was unsure if he'd ever met a Lasombra before today, but he didn't much care either way. Times change, and old enemies become new allies. He was more concerned about leaving before the Prince decided to pick on his motley crew.

"Now I know some of you don't like this, I'm not sure I do either, but the Camarilla has entrusted me...no the city of Chicago with this project to strengthen the Camarilla as a whole."

"Questions?"

Any Lasombra seeking asylum after murdering an elder is going to be sent here? New bullet point in notepad. Chicago as refugee camp. Makes them easier for us to monitor. And easier for Lasombra loyalists to target.

Like Edwin, Alexander keeps his thoughts to himself. He has other, more appropriate channels for his inquiries.

ST do you want us to continue to act or skip to our interaction with the Prince?

Entirely up to you. If any of you have other things you would like to do in reaction to this news or anything else, feel free. Otherwise we can move along to your audience with the Prince.

Edwin scans the crowd to gauge reactions to this news, especially the reaction of his Regent.

Calliope pauses her sketching for a moment when the Prince speaks again, filing away the interesting news about the Lasombra. She is no fool--the "Questions?" is bait, a way to see who would prolong things or publicly air their distaste with the way the Camarilla saw fit to run things at the moment. Calliope shifts with mild discomfort, glancing down the line at her Coterie, and then to Mateo to gauge their reactions as well.

I'm good to move on to our audience.

Edwin scans the crowd, focusing on DuSable to judge reactions. Try as he might, DuSable is unable to hide his surprise at the introduction of the Lasombra as allies, let alone full-fledged members of the Camarilla.

Similar reactions are seen throughout the room, particularly among the older kindred who have participated the wars with the Sabbat - previously led by the Lasombra.

"No questions?" Jackson asks incredulously. "Ya'll scared I'm gonna fly off the handle like Lodin would have? Alright, I'm sure I'll hear more later..."

Turning to Annabelle of Clan Toreador, Jackson says, "Alright start sending rank and file my way."

A few groups and individuals go before you, each seemingly bending the knee and acknowledging Kevin Jackson as the one true Prince of Chicago.

Annabelle looks your direction and waves you forward.

[b]"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he says as you approach, his gaze falling on K.

Jack waits for Edwin to speak, but tenses. They wouldn't win a fight here, but if they tried to take K away, he'd do what he could to make sure that his coterie at least lived on through scars.

Edwin bows to Prince Jackson, "I am Edwin Wagner, Childe of Hans Schmidt. Clan Tremere".

Edwin motions to K, "This is Krzysztof Sobczak, my thrall. I thought it proper to bring him as a formal invitation by the Prince should not be ignored.

I wish to once again extend my thanks to you for allowing me to remain after my displacement from my prior domain. I am glad to see that you have brought order to the city and I shall endeavor to do what I can to make sure that I, nor my thrall, do anything to upset that order".

Calliope nods politely to Anabelle in acknowledgement of their Clan connection as she moves forward with her Coterie. At the Prince's words - predictable, she thought - she flicks her eyes to Edwin. The Tremere is older, their de-facto leader by way of their cult...and the one with the plan for K.

The Toreador listens to Edwin speak and studies their new Prince, taking in all the shadows and angles of his face for detail work later on the new painting that was floating around in her mind. She let her gaze linger for an unnerving - perhaps, impolite - amount of time, her gaunt features expressionless. In addition to the artistic details, the vampiress tried to gauge his mood - and that of the vampires surrounding them - in regards to K's presence and introduction.

Keeping an eye out for any roll you need for getting the mood.

Alexander puts away his notepad, shuffles forward. Shows physical deference, however the majority of those before them had - nod, bow, literal kneel.

”Alexander Armarius.” Voice uncharacteristic; raw, loud, clear. ”Grimm’s childe.”

K follows the rest up to the prince, staying slightly behind and to the side of Edwin. When introduced, he hurriedly removes his sunglasses and awkwardly bows, obviously flustered.

Smooth move, Ex-Lax.

Calliope, give me a Wits + Insight

"Your thrall?" Prince Jackson asks in confirmation of Edwin's declaration of K's status. "As such, surely you know that his missteps are yours, correct?" he says, still eyeing K.

Turning his attention to Alexander, the Prince comments, "Childe of Grimm, who is Childe of Wauneka, Childe of Calhoun, Childe of Khalid. Certainly a mixed bag of lineage there. Here's to hoping you are more like your grandsire and great-great grandsire than the other two."

Prince Jackson's gaze dispassionately drifts to Jack and Calliope. "And the two of you?"

Edwins nods to the Prince, "Yes my Prince, I am confident that Krzysztof, under my watchful eye, shall be a model citizen of the New Chicago guided by your steady hand".

Wits 2 + Insight 2: 3d10 ⇒ (1, 5, 2) = 8
Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 1
Insight Specialty - Emotions: 1d10 ⇒ 10 if applicable

When the Prince turns his gaze to her, Calliope curtsies to Prince Jackson, putting all her effort into grace to make the motion smooth and respectful.

"Calliope Marchette. Childe of Mateo," she replies with a pleasant smile, hoping that her Sire's reputation didn't color the Prince's attitude toward her.

"Just Jack my prince. Of clan Ventrue. Distant descendant of Lodin." He braces himself emotionally for what he has to say next, as he bows to Prince Jackson. "Only other notable grandsire being Capone. My loyalty lies with my prince, my coterie, and myself."

I'm not entirely sure if we ever decided exactly who Jack's sire was? I think I'm at least 2 generations separated from Capone

Capone was a 9th generation vampire, so Jack is his great-grandchilde. As far as who Jack's sire is/was, we haven't really defined it, although Capone typically embraced from his gangs throughout the years.

Prince Jackson raises an eyebrow, "Mateo you say? You don't share his Brujah-like temperament, do you?"

Turning his attention to Jack, the Prince smiles a predatory grin, [b]"Well welcome then, cousin...distant as you may be. I trust there are no hard feelings about Capone? It's rather hard to maintain a Masquerade if there are pictures of you in every f@#%ing book about Chicago written since the 1920's. Add to that his less than careful nature and I'm sure you understand why I had to put him down.

Wits+Awareness = 2d10 + 2d10 ⇒ (10, 4) + (5, 9) = 28 Hunger - 1d10 ⇒ 9

Edwin shifts his vision to include the movement, but for the moment, takes no action.

Wits 3 + Awareness 1: 3d10 ⇒ (6, 8, 4) = 18 Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 9

K steps back behind Edwin and puts his shades back on, noticing the scarred man’s advance in the process.

Jeez, did that guy look like that before he got bit?

He tracks the man out of the corner of his eye, figuring it would be rude to stare.

Literally can't make that check.

"Stake him, leave him alone, I don't care my Prince. He meant nothing to me. I know Ventrue stake much on their lineage, but there is merit in cutting your own path, free from the shadow of your ancestors." He decides to make a risky gamble, drawing a connection between him and Capone, and the Prince and Lodin. "As I'm sure your highness is aware, the shadows of our sires cast deep shadows over us. I'd just as soon cast a shadow of my own. Jack, at your service." He continues to bend the knee.

"As long as you all follow the Traditions to the letter, you are welcome within my Domain and will be afforded the protections of all those loyal to the Camarilla." the Prince says and then adds more quietly, "And help me keep an eye on our newest members...I don't f%@#in' trust the shadowy bastards..."

Will wait on Wits + Awarness rolls from Alexander and Calliope before resolving that issue.

Edwin nods to the Prince and whispers back, "I was considering asking if this was something that we should be contemplating my Prince. While we are certainly in a brave new world, stories of sieges from they and their ilk were relayed to me as a Fledgling by my Sire and my subsequent Regent".

I fell asleep in the afternoon yesterday and was out for like 12 hours D: lol

Calliope grimaces at the mention of Mateo's temper and shakes her head. "No, I'm a milder sort." She replies with a smile, curtseying again politely. "I save my passions for my art."

Wits 2 + Awareness 3: 4d10 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 6) = 23
Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 7

While the others say their piece, Calliope glances about the room and notices the furious, scarred man's approach. The Toreador makes a small motion to the Prince to catch his attention and jerks her chin towards the angry fellow. "It seems we have competition for your attention, Prince."

Wits+Awareness 2: 1d10 ⇒ 9 Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 10
Close but not enough.

A turn of the head at Calliope’s motion.

I can't add and just realized Calliope wouldn't have noticed the anger. But she would have noticed him Approaching. She didn't say anything about the anger at least, lol.

"Good." is the Prince's response, seemingly to both Edwin and Calliope.

Prince Jackson looks up when the interloper is pointed out.

Calliope, your specialty in Emotions will apply to this roll.

Wits 3 + Insight 0: 2d10 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5 Hunger: 1d10 ⇒ 8

Wits + Insight 2d10 + 1d10 ⇒ (7, 1) + (4) = 12 Hunger 1d10 ⇒ 10