Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - (NPCs) Lydia, Onfroi, Xing Shi, Andrew the Hardy, Vitaliano da Riva, and Savio Ingannatore
"We need to know who else knew of which inns held our kind. Or other places Sadir asked him to move the mortals to. Also who made his workers forget everything? Was that Sadir?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Alejandro shakes his head in annoyance at Alessandro, "Then I suggest you take her to the Courts of Avalon and stand in the shadow of Mithras then. Here and now, we are quite vulnerable to Gottsdam's whims. He is a Masquerader, he could be any Mortal, anywhere and utilize much of his powers through that proxy.
What is it you seek from me Xing? Advice? I advise you to go somewhere that your Sire cannot find you. Forget that you learned these things. I can assist with that".
Xing shakes her head, "No, I wish to have those scrolls and share them so there can be preparation against this foe".
Alejandro chuckles, "What makes you believe that I have not already destroyed them?"
Radek nods. He begins the ritual, after several minutes, the apparition of Michael Santo appears.
He is startled, "This is not a good time Radek..."
Radek brushes off the curt greeting, "Are you in an unsafe location?"
Santo shrugs, "Let me be clear, no time is a good time. I must address my emergency before I will speak on anything further".
Radek narrows his eyes, "There is a concern back here in Venice that much of the troubles caused, were caused by you!"
Santo pauses, "What do you mean?"
Radek continues, "Your peers believe you may have some knowledge of what took place with the Hunters. You are one of the few who knew where all of the delegates of the Conclave were staying".
Santo shakes his head insisting vociferously, "I had nothing to do with that, my leaving the city had nothing to do with that!"
Radek continues, "Good my Childe, I believe you, but there are some things only you may know, answer these and I shall trouble you no further, agreed?"
Santo pauses for a time, "Very well".
Radek smiles ever so slightly, "Excellent.
Who else knew of the Inns which were to be utilized for the Herds? Were there any other Inns to which Mortals were brought? Who made the workers at these places have memory lapses and tranquilized the Herds? Sadir?"
Santo shakes his head, "Myself. Querini. I presume the Prince and his Seneschal. Lord Kestral.
I smuggled no Mortal anywhere else, the whole job seemed bizarre to me.
It was Lord Kestral that handled the domination of all involved, including my employees".
Radek continues, "There is no one else, are you certain?"
Santo pauses, "I don't recall...but I get the sense there is another that may have known, but I remember no one else directly involved".
Radek pauses, his eyes go wide, "Wait, did Pietro Giovanni not ask you to keep tabs on these deliveries?"
Santo shakes his head in agreement, "Yep, you're right Sire. He did, I thought it was an odd ask at the time, but then I was a Mortal unwise to the darker world beneath the world and in its shadows".
"So he was not involved but questioned you about the events?" Radek states.
Santo nods, "I would agree with that statement, maybe that's why I didn't remember, they were not involved at all.
Before he was forced out, I also ran into one of his minions looking for Katriana Volkov. He was a ghoul, his name was Moses. The Giovanni were awfully active before the Prince forced them out I guess".
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
NPCs - Alejandro, Xing, Vitaliano & Andrew. PCs - Alessandro, Geoffroi
Xing shakes her head, "No, I wish to have those scrolls and share them so there can be preparation against this foe".
Alejandro chuckles, "What makes you believe that I have not already destroyed them?"
Geoffroi frowns at Alejandro
“Do you think erasing those scrolls will somehow erase the danger they represent? Knowledge once learned is like a weed. You can pull it free from the earth, burn a field of it, salt the soil, and it will still grow back. All you do is deprive us of tactical knowledge by doing so.”
He nods to Xing
“I agree with the lady Xing. We need to know what we face. Everyone keeps talking about how we need to discover root causes and the puppet masters. Fine and good. Then why destroy such an ancient and valuable resource as these scrolls? How else are we to determine who exactly pulls the strings from the shadows? “
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Andrew speaks, "Ah've naught te say as mah friend 'n Brother in blood spoke fr me perfect".
Alejandro cocks his head at the two nights, ready to retort. He opens his mouth once, then twice, then he is silent for a moment. "Radek was present as well, he has a stake in the game. Perhaps I shall also have him confer with our other two Coterie mates. Once he is done with his little ritual, I shall confer with him, if he agrees then I shall share with you the scrolls. If he does not, well... we shall see"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Lorenzo cocks his head. "Moses does not belong to the Giovanni. He was in the service of Brexiano before the latter was slain. Moses now serves me. The time you speak of may have been at my behest as the Volkovs were both proving to be bothersome at the time."
Does Moses betray me? He doesn't seem the type, but perhaps he has been among our kind too long to know loyalty any longer... Lorenzo thinks to himself.
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
This was several weeks ago, while the Giovanni were still in the city. I know this because I spoke to this Moses directly. Perhaps he was working for Brexiano and the Giovanni at the time".
Savio speaks, "It could well be the case that he was working for both. At one point in time, my Sire had quite good relations with the Giovanni. As I understand it, he had them excommunicated because he began to distrust them once he realized how easily their spirits could spy on him while he was unaware".
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
NPCs - Radek, Savio, & Lydia. PCs - Michele, Ranerius, and Lorenzo:
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
I suppose if you found them you cleaned my mess instead of it creating a headache for the Elders, more's the pity there. The Prince owes you one. As I shall never return I have no care as to the criminality or lack thereof of my actions.
As far as why I slew them, they were becoming non-functioning. Only stopping to pick up Cainites they recognized as fares. Even on days off they felt compelled to come in and board their gondolas and search. I could not help them, as far as I was concerned it was a mercy killing".
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
"Did Lord Kestrel speak of Talisman or vice versa in your presence? If so, what was said?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Michael shakes his head i the negative, "No. When I interacted with Lord Kestral it was when I was a Mortal. He was certainly intimidating but I had no idea of his true nature.
After my Embrace I never had any conversations with him. I also had no interactions with Talisman either except for what I witnessed in Elysium when present.
My most significant interactions as a... whatever we are, were with Fahdi while I was a Mortal and with Radek when he saved my life by ending it".
Inside The Blue Mongoose
NPCs - Radek, Savio, & Lydia. PCs - Michele, Ranerius, and Lorenzo:
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Michael pauses, "Radek also knew of the locations of the slaves delivered as Herd, but I presume that he is no traitor".
Radek shrugs, "Certainly not else why would I still be here".
Santos continues, "I initially knew Fahdi as Hans, he had stolen the identity of one of my Gondola drivers that he had murdered. He convinced me that he would usher me into a world of great power and influence. Ambitious and seeking to give my family the good life, he asked me to keep tabs on the Volkovs.
What his ultimate aim for that was I do not know, but he was the Cainite that was leaving bodies about the city in violation of Narses Laws. As if he wanted the locals to discover our existence. What I do know is that he was also an agent of the Giovanni. They sheltered him in exchange for the ability to utilize him for his incredibly powerful Obfuscate skills. What tasks he performed for them I do not know.
Along with the Giovanni, he too asked what Inns I delivered the Herds to... Perhaps that is why he sought to kill me? I was the last link to who knew what. He did tell me directly that my death would tie up loose ends and that the noose around his neck was tightening. If Radek had not Embraced me, this knowledge would have been lost".
Radek speaks, "My old coterie mate was always cut throat, he knew enough to know when to cut and run as he has been running from his own Clan for some time.
Remember that Prince Narses in the Conclave declared a blood hunt on him for his violation of the Silence of the Blood due to the conspicuous deaths.
His working for the Giovanni makes more sense now as murdered bodies with no blood would rouse the suspicion of Hunters that they were on the right track here in Venice.
What I do not understand is why he would care at all about the Volkov's, perhaps knowing they were Hunters he wanted to assist in pointing them in the right direction towards us?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Lorenzo nods. "I can confirm the part about Fahdi being sheltered by the Giovanni. Records my Sire and I found at the mausoleum confirmed as much."
"Leave it to those that still cling to the mortal business world to leave a paper trail..." he adds sardonically.
"Seems that there are questions I need to ask Moses in the near future. If there is time I would to do just that, unless one of you can summon him here."
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Radek turns to Lorenzo, "Do you wish to speak with this Moses right now and bring him to the Mongoose?"
Santos interrupts, "If there are no more questions, I am still traveling and wish to dally no longer".
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
NPCs - Radek, Savio, & Lydia. PCs - Michele, Ranerius, and Lorenzo:
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Santos shakes his head, "No. I saw nor heard anything about such a man. It seems Fahdi saw me as a useful tool and not a confidant. If I can make him pay for that, I will. Something tells me that this is naught but a revenge fantasy for me, but some fantasies come true".
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose
Radek nods to his Childe, "That is all Michael, I wish you well in your endeavors. Know that if you need allies, Goratrix's seat of power is in Paris".
"Noted", is Michael's flat response as the Ritual is cut off by the Tremere.
"Let us return to the others".
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
As Alessandro and Geoffroi exit their meeting with Alejandro, they see Onfroi sitting and quietly speaking with Cristiano. Once your group exits, Onfroi gets up and sits away from the strange Cainite owner. Bernardo sits at the bar silently, in contemplation of... something. The bartender still stands there glaring at everyone but not speaking a word.
The rest of the coterie file out as well, all remain silent until the rest of your Cainite allies exit their meeting.
Michele, Lorenzo, and Ranerius look thoughtful, before anyone can speak, Alejandro addresses Radek, "My friend. Do you remember Her?"
Radek sighs, "I do, what of her?"
Alejandro replies, "It seems that she does indeed still exist and may be ready to meddle in the affairs of the Cainite world once more".
Radek's eyebrows raise, "Would it not be better to assume nothing until we see something? Are there not enough irons in the fire already without adding one more?"
Alejandro shrugs, "What if she is the one that Khay'tall speaks of".
Radek perks up at the notion, "Could it be?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Who is this she you speak of? I know secrets are part and parcel of being of our kind, but now is not the time for such things." Lorenzo says, somewhat annoyed, likely as much about the revelation about Moses as anything else.
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Geoffroi stands quietly, ears tuned to the conversation. He assumes that this is part of the discussion about the scrolls, but is glad Lorenzo asks for qualification. Is this She the Elder Canite Lantla Xing had mentioned in her long exposition?
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Ranerius agrees with Lorenzo, "Indeed, if 'she' is this important, then better we all know of whom we speak, and why."
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Alejandro turns to Lorenzo, "I do not know. My Brother told me that the Serpent was bringing an ancient to the city and that She may well be powerful enough to stake a claim to rule by force of will alone. She would come from the East. Thus, I am now wondering, did Khay'tall encounter Lantla? Or does he speak of another powerful female Methuselah".
Radek lowers himself from his hovering and into a chair, "I suppose it does not matter either way. If such a being arrives now it will add to the chaos of the situation, but it could make it better".
Alejandro frowns, "Ancients arriving unwanted or unbidden is rarely good.
Regardless, my Grandchilde is pushing for me to reveal all that which we know, including scrolls assembled by Kratos which indicate the facts of her existence. I believe that I should simply wipe the minds of these neonates and save them the potential danger this knowledge poses to all who possess it".
Radek nods, "So you wish for me to agree with you and assist or disagree and provide you with cover to reveal that which we know.
I have little conscience left and so I disagree. If this Methuselah may arrive imminently, we may need these neonates for assistance to combat her or assist her as we see fit".
Alejandro raises his eyebrows at Radek's statement, "The latter part of your statement is absurd. Regardless, your line of thinking is in line with that of the neonates".
He narrows his eyes at Xing, "Very well then, what do you wish to know?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Geoffroi looks interested
“It seems that the identity of this Canite ancient is shrouded in mystery. In my days as an assistant librarian at the Occultabula, I found that when researching a subject it is best to list what facts we do know and proceed from there”
He raises a mailed hand and spreads his fingers. He then curls one down for each point
“Imprimus: This Khay’tall was bringing an ancient Canite out of the East “
“Secundus: The identity of this ancient is not known, but could possibly be the fabled Lantla.”
“Tertius: This ancient is reputed to have enough power to control the city by force of will alone, despite no coterie or minions.”
“Quartus: There exists a scroll that if deciphered could perhaps name this elder, or at least help to understand her origins.”
“Quintus: The intention and goals of this elder are unknown, and quite possibly opposed to our own.”
Geoffroi looks at his hand, devoid of raised fingers
“Have I missed any other information? “
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Alessandro considered. Tertius... She has one minion or perhaps harbinger is a more accurate term... though their name escapes me.
Her Childer...Gottsdam, a Masquerader.
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Alessandro considered. Tertius... She has one minion or perhaps harbinger is a more accurate term... though their name escapes me.
Her Childer...Gottsdam, a Masquerader.
Geoffroi nods
“A good place to start. Who is this harbinger? What is known of him? What powers does he possess? I have heard tell that her childer Gottsdam literally possesses mortals? Is this correct? If so, how do you counter such a power? How do you even detect him?”
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Xing responds, "I do not know what other powers he has though he was introduced to me as Gottsdam. This Gottsdam has command of the Dominate power so thoroughly that it allowed him to possess a Mortal by both day and night. So certain was he in his control that he accompanied me with this Mortal and sent my Sire to find Kratos and slay him before his arrival in Venice. To his surprise, Kratos had already arrived in Venice and my Sire was sent on a goose chase.
I met Gottsdam in the flesh, I think. In Vincenza a few weeks ago., mid-March.
We, meaning myself, my Sire and one of Querini's bodyguards. The intent was for Sadir to join our ranks but he refused and thus he bade Querini to send one of his guardsmen with us.
When we arrived the city was in pandemonium as the Inquisition arrived in town the day before and started detaining people accusing them of witchcraft, sorcery and of being “devil spawn”. These are perhaps the same Mortals that may vex us here in Venice currently? There though they were seizing Mortals. Due to this unforseen circumstance, we met in a small cabin outside of the city limits.
When I arrived he was delighted that we had a Mortal with us but disappointed that Sadir refused his invitation. I learned a few things from him. The first, that he had three Cainite assistants, The Man with No Name, my Sire, The Woman with No Name, and That Which Should not be Beholden.
The second is that the group believes that the Cainites of the 13 Clans have veered from the Path of the Progenitors which Gottsdam claims numbers 27 and not 13.
The third, the group seeks to gain allies from the west to bring the 13 back in line with the original will of the Progenitors lest they rise to slay all of society and in the process create a great mortal tragedy. I am not entirely certain I believe this. If this is the case, why are they so secretive? Would this not be something that should be proposed at the Conclave? Why slay Kratos and attempt to burn evidence of these truths?
The fourth, that a tome they referred to as the Book of Nod was all lies.
I was told to claim Erwin the Black as my Sire. My specific task was to locate Uriel or Sebastian, both Salubri Cainites. Now I know that this Sebastian was the Cainite known as Talisman, I still am not ware of who Uriel is as I did not see or hear of this one at the Conclave".
Andrew chimes in, "Uriel is mah 'n Geoffroi's Grandsire, he went by a diff'rt name when he Embraced Sebastian but I am no aware o' it".
Alejandro adds to Xing's statement, "It is difficult to detect a Masquerader, I suppose through the Auspex power but I am no master in it. That is the essence of the problem as I stated before. He could be any Mortal anywhere anytime.
I suspect that he wished to gather myself, Fahdi, and Radek and any of our Childer to their cause before revealing themselves to a wider audience. If the progenitors of our Clans are indeed at some sort of shadow war with these un named un known Ancients, keeping their continued existence a secret make sense.
Perhaps the best way to get an answer as to just who the ancient that Khay'tall references is would be to question him directly. However, if he refuses to answer what recourse do we have? Do we slay him? I have been told he is notoriously difficult to slay.
As Radek sees things your way Neonates, I shall share the scrolls with you. If this knowledge dooms you, then damned you shall become and it is through no fault of mine".
The Ancillae Cainite reaches into his coat and draws out a few ancient scrolls. Before he can unfurl them, Bernardo speaks.
"The serpent will not reveal who he has summoned, but I believe it to be a member of his own Clan based on what he told me. Is this Queen as he refers to her as powerful as he says? I suppose if she arrives we may find out.
I was present for the end of Prince Narses, I can end speculation on this event if such is your wish, if not, I shall take my leave as I have things I wish to accomplish this night before your Coterie attacks the Hunters. I believe your plan is bold and will either work, or bring the Hunters more aid than they even have now".
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
" I for one would like to hear about his demise. As for Khay'tall I was told he is very old- perhaps 1,000years and does not have his heart within his body so he can't be staked."
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Bernardo nods, "I first encountered the foes of Prince Narses in Padua. It is there that I am formally welcomed and a resident. In exchange for limited Domain on the outskirts of the city, the Prince asked me to assist his Hound from time to time with matters that violate the Laws of the Night.
What I did not know that the time was that I was being asked to bring Belisarius and Shabah before the Prince for introduction. I found another instead, a Viking, one whose purpose it was to smuggle them into the city. I do not believe I ever got his true name. He introduced himself to my Prince in secret and was allowed to remain, provided that he brought the intruders to my Prince for introduction. I now believe that this Viking was a very recent Childe of Vykos.
Regardless, this Viking and I searched for the intruders and found them. The Ventrue was powerful enough to clear the street and prevent Mortals from coming near thereafter as were in a foot traffic intensive part of the city near the University. He made it clear that he had no intention of introducing himself, the Assamite in the blink of an eye had her stake at my back to prove his ah... point.
However, I have my own resources and was able to place a tracer upon the Viking before I left without further incident. Upon reporting to the Prince, he promised me great favor for simply following these three, something I contemplated doing anyway.
They left the mainland and traveled here. Their ultimate destination was a place called Greetings Inn.
In attempting to spy upon the Inn, a moment of clumsiness struck me and I was discovered by Lydia and Lorenzo who escorted me to Elysium to introduce myself to Narses. Perhaps, had I not been forced to leave, the outcome for the Prince may have been different..."
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
"The next night, only a handful of days ago on March 31, I introduced myself to the Prince. I informed him that an Elder and his paramour had sought to enter and did successfully enter Venice, when given their descriptions he stated:
"Belisarius lives and so does his wench. And they went to Greetings Tavern...Indeed a plot is afoot".
Bernardo pauses, a snarl crosses his face and the lights of the Mongoose dim for a moment. He continues.
"Narses anger was such that the shadows of the audience chamber roiled and the building even shook slightly.
Until now, you thought nothing else of it other than it was odd. Other took notice as well but no explanation was given for the sudden "power failure".
"He next asked me what else I was present in the city to do, he then stated:
"I suspect that my old foe is here to cause problems for me. If they have visited Greetings Inn than they are in league with the Tzimisce Myca Vykos and I have sent one of my own agents into a trap. By now, she is with one of Vykos' own servants. Are you willing to follow my own ally and lie in wait for a time when I can spring mine own trap upon them?"
Of course, I was wiling to do so! Was I not already under the authority of the Prince's Childe? After agreeing to be his Hound, he sent me through the shadows to begin the shadowing of his agent, an Assamite Fledgling named Durdona.
Unfortunately, skilled at stealth I am not, not against one of my own clan older in the Blood and the Gangrel lackey of Vykos spotted me straightaway. I bluffed and stated I had information for Durdona, that was enough for her to allow me to accompany them though my clanmate was wary..."
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
"They were on a quest to find a Ghoul important to the Prince, which he believed would lead to a traitor in his midst. Of course, with the Gangrel present I could not tell this Durdona that she was a sheep among wolves!
The search as difficult as the battle between Mortals raged on that rain soaked night.
The first Inn we set foot was the Gangrel Inn wherein the elder Petrankov had slain all of the Mortals! He stated that their minds were shattered and their fate was to all die anyway.
We then sought to head to the Alla Vigna Inn, where the Malkavians resided. However, the Mortals wars threw us off of our path and we instead searched the Inn of the Nosferatu, Ca Formosa.
Finally as the hour grew late, we arrived at Alla Vigna, where the beginning of the end of the Prince was set in motion.
As we entered, what I now know to be Vitaliano's Sire was staked. Around that Cainite were the ones I sought! Balisarius, his paramour I now know as Shabah was initially nowhere to be seen, the Viking, and another I did not know. The other was a serene figure, dressed in white, the face of an Angel. He was pretty, likely enhanced by Tzimisce fleshcrafting. Behind the bar was a man wearing a cowl, Durdona named him as this Ghoul Bagrat that she was seeking.
Belisarius, recognizing me, stated that I was in grave danger having followed him. I sought to lie and make it seems a coincidence I was there, he uh... was not fooled, he stated:
"I served one of the greatest Emperors ever to live. My Grandsire was a Childe of a Legend. They were skilled at subterfuge, you are not".
Seconds later, he ignored me and began speaking to Durdona, or better put, the stuff of shadow within her cloak!"
Bernardo continues to describe the scene in vivid detail....
-------
As it turns out, it was a personal matter.
He who summoned me has been put on notice and will be duly punished if necessary.
The good news is that this entire Mortal conspiracy to overthrow the Doge is man made. Thus, its inception and conclusion shall remain outside of our realm of influence. Soon enough matters shall return to normal.
Even better news, the Hunters who have been plaguing the city have been neutralized or slain.
We shall be safe to stalk the streets once more. That of course does not mean that we shall be careless in our hunting. It does mean though that the moratorium on hunting restrictions shall now be lifted for all residents, even temporary ones starting immediately.
A dark night has turned brighter.
With most of our companions gone, I call the meeting of the Camarilla, our first meeting, adjourned until tomorrow night.
If there are no further questions, I shall see you all tomorrow here at Elysium".
-------
This Belisarius told your Sire:
"He (Caias) was dead to me the day he destroyed the Dream. It was his action, not the actions of the Crusaders that caused the downfall of the City.
The city was powerful because of the three not in spite of them. Had I known what was to come instead of out of the city dealing with issues in the provinces I would have suffered the Final Death myself to put a stop to it. My Sire became enamored with Michael, he thought he could replace Antonius in his eyes. He could not, there was only one Antonius the Gaul.
You know that, don't you?"
Sadir swallowed and did not respond.
K'hatall laughed while the female stayed silent.
"Stop chasing. Live for yourself or you will be lost again in the dreamworld that Michael creates around himself.
There is one who deserves even greater blame of course. Narses. It was he that sent Dimities to Michael and fed into the ancient ones delusions.
When Antonius was destroyed Michael went mad. His passions ruled him while Antonius had no passions, the flip side of the same coin with the Dracon arbitrating between them. With Antonius gone even the Dracon could not control Michael. Thiu, the Dracon left leaving Gesu, who cared naught for anything but enlightenment to rule in his stead.... yes, Narses..." and his speech trailed off to silence.
Your Sire then reprimanded you and confirmed that Belisarius was indeed:
"Belisarius is the Grandchilde of Antonius the Gaul and the Childe of Caias, the Ventrue Elder who I committed Amaranth upon as Constantinople was sacked in the Fourth Crusade. Belisarius was a Mortal General in Byzantium and a political rival of Prince Narses when Narses was a Councilor of the Emperor.
Why they are here now I do not know".
By the time you went downstairs, K'haytall was alone once more... he then moved Havens, the old bastard was paranoid and saved himself from being captured!
Before he left he stated:
"Remember, she will arrive and soon. You have a choice to make whose side you will be on Fledgling".
After he left, Haji paid you a visit! he told you to leave the city with him that night that your Sire was losing himself to the very Ventrue he had eaten. You of course, declined. Then Haji informed you:
"
Sadir seeks to climb the rungs of power and influence within Clan Setite. He works for all Courts of the Serpents and thus none.
He is the face of the Clan now to western Princes but a lackey to the powers that rule the Courts
If you wish to skip him in the hierarchy you would do well to contact the Courts of Fire in Egypt which is where your line extends from. Your Grandsire's words, not mine". He then vanished.
-------
Vitaliano approaches Michele, and whispers to him,
-------
"Michael believes you to be the reincarnation of one of his great Loves, Antonius the Gaul. Were I you, I would not disabuse him of that notion. I will teach you what I remember of that ancient one to make his delusions more believable. He is powerful and more ancient than even I. Soon enough, this body will belong to him once more".
Belisarius speaks, "I am waiting for you. Narses..."
As he speaks a shadowy figure emerges from Durdona's cloak, its body the stuff of darkness.
Through it Narses voice speaks, "Nemesis.
What brings you here? The same thing that brought the Malkavian here? You seek to stain my triumph?
The Dream is dead, it was dead before a century ago, the Mortals merely picked its carcass".
The Viking takes a step back, "What is this foul sorcery!" He draws a weapon. The Malkavian merely sits at the bar, languishing it seems in misery.
Belisarius retorts, "I am here to take from you".
He turns around and grabs at the ghoul whose eyes go wide, Belisarius pulls him over the bar and sinks his fangs into the man named Bagrat.
"NO!" screams Narses and the room gets dark quickly. Stepping through the figure, dissolving it is the Prince himself! Coming through with him are several tendrils of darkness.
There is murder in the eyes of both of these Elder Cainites.
A fight begins!
Belisarius drops Bagrat and draws his weapon hacking at the Arms which impede his way!
Belisarius' ancient Byzantine blade makes short work of four of the six tendrils of darkness. His movements a blur!
The two remaining though grapple at the Ventrue and yank his arms apart, one crushes part of his wrist.
Narses lunges forward at his now grappled opponent and sinks his teeth into the Ventrue's neck! The Prince yanks his fangs out ripping part of Belisarius' neck with him. The Ventrue's head dangles forward his eyes flickering, it seems he is at the edge of the Final Death.
Prince Narses, chin dripping with blood, grabs at the Elder Ventrue's chin and raises it looking into his eyes, "Centuries have I longed to have you in my grasp my old foe. And now, you die".
Time pauses for a moment, these two Mortal and Immortal enemies, so long to have plotted against one another, may have their rivalry ended in the blink of a Mortal eye.
Then, from the top of the staircase emerges a ruffle of clothing. The figure is slight of shape its clothing dark, but not as dark as the shadows of the room.
It charges down the stairs and attacks the Prince from behind with a blade, you can smell the toxins emanating from this wicked weapon. It strikes the shadowy cloak of the Prince. The weapon explodes in a fine green mist but so too does the shadow cloak of the Prince.
The ancient Lasombra turns and hisses, "Shabah..."
This Shabah is still a blur, with her weapon turned to dust by her own deadly powers she uses knife edged chops to attack the Prince with her fists. The speed of it is almost impossible to follow, did she strike his twice, four times, six?
Her assault bombards the Prince and he falls to one knee, likely only rage holds him up. But then it seems even rage is not enough, he slumps, face first on the floor.
His tentacles still grip Belisarius tightly.
"I then sprung into action and grabbed the downed Prince and sought to flee the Inn seeking out some earth to sink into, with the Prince in tow! Of course, the entire damned city is cobblestones..."
As Bernardo fled, Durdona holding the body of Bagrat tries to exit the building, [b"We..."[/b] she begins to speak and is cut off as Bagrat produces a stake and tries to drive it into her heart! But the Assamite is quick and drops the Ghoul trying to twist away from the strike. She does not dodge the strike but then neither does she end up prone at the end of its edge.
Bagrat it seems is quick on his feet and is up immediately. Durdona attempts to knock the stake from his hand, "I am trying to save you fool!" The stake goes clattering along the cobblestoned street.
Dragan then exits the Inn and attempts to tackle Bernardo, but fails.
Then suddenly standing before Bernardo is the female in black as if she materialized into existence right before my eyes, seeing only her eyes, she stated, "You cannot escape me young one. Hand him over to me and you shall live to see tomorrow night. Fail to do so and you shall go to his grave with him. I give you this chance but once".
Prince Narses was unmoving and unresponsive. "Casting about, I realized that I cannot outrun her to any nearby soil and sink in, this blasted city... so I cut his head off myself to prevent them the satisfaction of taking his soul!"
Durdona yells out once she realizes what Bernardo is about to do but it is too late, the die has been cast.
"Shabah then bowed to me and approached".
"The Prince was no prize to me", she stated.
From behind, a hand is placed on Bernardo's shoulder. It is the Elder Ventrue. Bernardo turned back and saw Dragan pick up the stake knocked from the Ghouls hand drive it through Durdona's back and she falls to her knees and then flat on her face. The Gangrel looked poised to diablerize her but Shabah placed a hand up and the Ventrue yelled, "Stop. She is ours".
Dragan growls but does not protest further. The Viking exits the Inn with the other man standing at the bar and the Ventrue speaks once again, "Tell your Sire it is done. The debt is paid".
The Viking emotionless turns and he motions to Dragan and the Ghoul. All three of whom stalk off into the night together. The Ghoul does not even look back. Dragan does turn back once more to look at Durdona longingly like a wild animal would if another predator took his meal.
The man with the angelic face then exited the Inn and stared at Balisarius.
The Ventrue nods to Bernardo and speaks, "Vengeance as the dead is about as satisfying as it was as the living. Once achieved, it does not take long to feel hollow.
Know that Narses' past crimes are not what I cared about, I am not a man with unclean hands. The future crimes that Bastard would have perpetrated, that is why I agreed to end him. Others judged him for his past crimes and I hope they feel a satisfaction I do not once word of his Final Death is received.
Gregor. Go. Now. I wish never to see you again for you are base and vile. In many ways no better than Narses for he at least had principles, you have none".
Gregor nods in agreement! He then fades from view. Shabah walks over to Durdona and picks her up gently, the two women also fade from view. The Ventrue turns back to Bernardo and kneels, "I admire your conviction in the face of overwhelming adversity. It serves you well but may well end up sending you to the Final Death. But it will not this night.
You owe the Prince of Padua nothing now. That was his Sire you killed.
You have made allies of Narses enemies and enemies of Narses allies".
The Elder Ventrue stood and merely walks away, the rain begins to fall a bit harder, washing away the ashes that covered Bernardo.
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
The room is silent as Bernardo finishes his tale.
The doctor studies the Gangrel as he relays his tale.
Perception+Empathy DC 7
Bernardo's aura is odd, you lose focus on the colors as you see within it black pulsating veins, around those veins are OTHER colors, that do not match the colors of Bernardo's aura, that color is a seething red rage. It is very strange, you are just learning how to read Auras but this is an oddity that Andrew has not described to you before!
Geoffroi attempts to talk to Andrew away from the others if possible
*whisper*”My friend, I am new at this aura reading we can do. I think something is not right with Bernardo. His aura almost seems … infected ”
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Geoffroi pulls Andrew to the side and whispers to him, alarmed the Salubri turns back around and cautiously approaches the Gangrel gazing at him.
"Achhh. Nah. Is no' an infection Sir Geoffroi, err friend 'ere 'as committed Diablerie!"
Bernardo snarls, "A lie!"
"Yer auura tells d'ffr'nt Bernardo", the Salubri replies calmly.
Bernardo looks shocked, "The Serpent said..."
The figure behind the bar speaks, "Serpents often tell lies. Here you are in the world yet not in the world, if you rely on another for aid, it may not be reaching you in this place".
Andrew looks at Bernardo, "Care ta' change yer tale?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Ranerius saw or heard something that ...drew him into his Toreador trance. It threw him off, and he silently curses himself.
"Pardon, have we a plan?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Geoffroi is horrified at this knowledge. He has listened about the effects of this spiritual cannibalism Canites indulge in. He saw it firsthand with the mad angel Talisman. He stares at Bernardo with thinly disguised disgust.
"Do you not know you will carry that sin for however long your ...life continues? And that you now live with whomever you ...ate? What possible benefit would that accrue you?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
Onfroi chuckles at Ranerius, "Yes, Querini will pose as himself and lead his Family in a crusade against the Hunters as agents of the church. It will have the dual impact of putting his Family into the good graces of the Doge after the disastrous failure of the coup and help us eliminate these Hunters from the city. Well, if the plan works as he believes it might".
Savio narrows his eyes at Bernardo, "Who gave you leave to claim the Blood of my Sire?"
The Gangrel responds to Andrew, Geoffroi and the Lasombra a look of anger upon his face as he sneers, "Yes, I did commit Amaranth upon the Prince of Venice.
I was under the impression that the Ventrue and his Assamite ally sought to commit Amaranth upon the Prince. I denied them their victory! Or so I thought, they claimed they wished only for his destruction.
Better to die by the hand of an ally than an enemy I say.
You are right Knight. I will live with this for as long as I shall continue in this existence. I was not thinking rationally at the moment, the decision had to be made in seconds. It may well be that I made the wrong choice, but the Elders would have slain him as surely as I had. Either way, he was to meet the Final Death. I tried to save him, as I told you, I grabbed his form and ran from the Inn, the Assamite proved too fast for me to make my escape.
As far as benefits... well, I am more powerful now that I was the moment before I consumed the Prince".
Savio shakes his head, "While it may be true that the Ventrue and the Assamite intended to kill him, it is also true that you not they, landed the final blow.
You were certainly not given leave to commit Amaranth upon the Prince. You are Narses killer. It shall be up to the Lasombra Elders to judge whether you shall live or die Gangrel!" The Lasombra begins to make his way to the door to exit the Mongoose.
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
"How do we even know if he is himself? I saw in my own sire and we have heard other tales that the consumed can influence the ones that brought upon their destruction."
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
As far as benefits... well, I am more powerful now that I was the moment before I consumed the Prince".
Geoffroi shakes his head sadly
"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?"
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
"How do we even know if he is himself? I saw in my own sire and we have heard other tales that the consumed can influence the ones that brought upon their destruction."
Lorenzo's face contorts into a contemplative frown. "That could explain the outburst earlier that Bernardo did not seem to realize he had."
Venice by Night - Friday - April 4, 1309
Inside The Blue Mongoose - All Together Now
"Indeed! He is fast losing himself to the Prince", exclaims Savio. Savio continues exiting with a glance back at Alejandro though Alejandro remains. Bernardo frowns, "Tell me Salubri, is there not a way to remove a soul from one's soul? Perhaps the Prince can be extracted from me?"
Andrew cocks his head and has a look of confusion on his face, "Ah reckon tha' c'uld be ah thing tha' c'n be done, but ah've no the power ta' do it. Ah don't think my Sire neither. Ye would need a Healer Salubri, probably a Methuselah tah unravel, tha' mystery".
Alejandro responds, "I know of on who could indeed assist, a Methuselah who should still reside in Jerusalem, or at least near it. For the record, I have no express desire to slay you Gangrel, after all, you have freed me from my Sire's yoke.
However, I believe that young Ranerius has the right of things. Before I reveal ancient mysteries to you, you should all execute Michele Querini's plan and rid this city of the Hunters.
In the meantime, Radek and I shall compare notes on what Lantla said to us and I shall gather the scrolls that Xing so desperately seeks". Radek nods in agreement. "Meet us here in three nights time with an update as to how things are proceeding. We may be able to assist you depending on your plans". The two Ancillae exit the Mongoose. Xing frowns but says nothing.
Andrew looks at Bernardo, "Can we assume tha' ye will assist us in this endeavor err will ye take a seat and watch as the Elders're choosin' ta' do?"
Bernardo shakes his head in the negative, "I shall watch from the sidelines". He too takes his leave.
For the first time the "owner" of the Mongoose speaks, "The hour grows late. It is time for you all to return to the streets of Venice. I shall allow you and yours one last visit to the Mongoose, thereafter, my establishment shall be off limits with the exception of the Clan of Madness. Your banality injures my staff verily. Your bloodlust is unwelcome and unsettles my own soul".