Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Turning attention to Christian, Lorenzo comments. "I can assure you, Lord Kestral has not returned to Rome. Are you sure you know nothing more about that?"
Following Christian's comment that Isaac may know more, the former doctor turns to the conspirator, "Anything to add to Christian's commentary, Isaac?"
Lorenzo regards Giulia again, "I do know Casutra. The first time I met him was before my embrace. I must say that was more than just a bit harrowing at the time. Please tell me more of your interactions with the Nosferatu, thus far I have found most of their kind to be quite reasonable."
While waiting for responses, Lorenzo glances over toward Lydia to see how she is fairing with her new charges.
Alexandre shrugs.
Sirus states, "I think that Lorenzo can speak best to this".
He makes a note of the responses. How well the fellows work with or around each other.
Lorenzo nods at Sirus, "Correct. In my role, it was my job to have the pulse of Mortal world. The Doge is in a much more firm position than he even was a few weeks ago, coups have a way of galvanizing those who were luke warm in support before.The Doge's most trusted advisors see you as one of the hero's of the night. Of course one believes that slaying men in their sleep is heroic only when those slain oppose them. With the exception of the Knights that seek to slay you for what you are not who you are, all is well.
We shall all be vigilant for any Knights that enter your establishment.
If there is nothing else for us Master, I believe that we will head back to Venice and execute your will".
If Lorenzo was observing HIS reactions to the commentary about slaying men in their sleep, he'll find the Toreador does not blink at all. A part of his humanity was lost and perhaps it was the part that feels regret for doing what he had to for his wife and his own survival at the time when it was forced on him in his own dwelling.
Instead he simply answers "That does appear to be it. Gentlemen, do right by me, and I will endeavor to do right by you. Godspeed and good luck."
My blood is in them. I should be able to spy on them when and if I need without too much challenge. We'll see.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Christian frowns, "I am beginning to suspect that you know something that I do not Master, I have told you all that I know regarding Lord Kestral".
Isaac nods yes, "I certainly can provide more details, but the commentary would be long and boring. I'll sum it up.
The Crusade that sacked Constantinople was verily directed by both the Eternal Senate and Narses to vex the Cainite rulers of Constantinople. It did more than vex them, it slew many and threw their kingdom into ruins both in the Mortal and Immortal world.
Also, Christian got his Ventrue a bit mixed up, Constantius was the head of the Roman Senate until a century ago, when he died in an earthquake, his haven fell and he was exposed to the sun and destroyed, Camilla was roused from torpor and took his duties on once more. Oddly Constantius was the Childe of Camilla who took over when Camilla voluntarily went into torpor. This was 1208.
Regardless, by then the Crusade had already happened, 1204, and Narses and the rest of the Romans had their revenge against whatever slights the leaders of East Rome had perpetrated upon them".
Giulia speaks, "Yeah, my first time was pretty scary too, especially when I learned the guy before me lost his job cause Casutra ate him! That's part of why I took the Nossie blood, I felt like he could smell it and it made him more receptive to my visits.
I interact with them mainly by gossip. When Narses wants to send a message, I went to the snake. When the Nosferatu wanted to send a message, they found me.
Like I said, they all called themselves Niccolo all the time so I'm never sure who I was dealing with. I've heard them reference a few names - Ferdinand; Alexander Danov - the only one with a last name mind you; and Valerio. Pretty sure there's more. Those I would wager are the names that Narses allowed to stay in the city, this way they could have as many as they could hide! I mean, he wasn't gonna go down into the warrens and count em'!
Simon I interacted with quite a bit the last few years. Narses was a Christian as a Mortal and he retuned to his roots so to say the last few years.
Jeez, now these blabberers have me talkin' too much. Hate ta' say it, but this Simon subject is also one that Isaac knows more about than I do.... ugh, he's gonna talk again now isn't he?"
Isaac grins, "Only if the Master would like to know more..."
---
Lydia is smiling sweetly as the Ghouls speak with her but you can see she would rather be doing just about anything else right now. She smiles at them as the cat smiles at the mouse.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Your Ghouls exit.
As you look around you see everyone else interacting with their new Retainers, except Querini, he's no longer in the room. You walk about a bit and find two of his three Ghouls staring at an open doorway waiting. These stairs appear to lead down.
One of them nods to you, his name is Edoardo, the one that greeted you all when you arrived on the island, "Dispatches have begun already eh Lord Bernerius?"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
"Indeed, I do more on the subject of Lord Kestral." Lorenzo flatly states to Christian.
As Giulia goes on about her relationship with the Nosferatu, Lorenzo nods. "I have heard of Danov and have met Ferdinand. Who exactly is this Valerio? I do not believe I have heard of that one."
Turning his attention back to Isaac, Lorenzo bids, "Please enlighten me, Isaac."
Glancing back over to Lydia and seeing her discomfort, Lorenzo waves her and her charges over.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -Michele Querini
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Giulia shrugs, "If these Nossies have distinctive personalities, I've never seen em' outside of Simon. They were pleasant enough but I am only Human so it's not as if we spent any significant time together, maybe a bit of lingering where a blood donation was made to me, but there was no standing on ceremony, is that how the phrase goes?"
---
---
Lydia heads over with her two charges in tow, "Yes Master?" she states matter of factly, but you can see by her body language she is relieved to not have to speak with these Mortals alone any longer.
She, and they, listen as Issac speaks, "As we have touched upon in earlier conversations, Prince Narses was once the head of a, let's call it a Cainite Cult. That Cult infiltrated and subverted the Catholic priesthood and was a ready source for wealth, influence and herds. The beliefs of the Heresy I think are unimportant as despite the threat that Narses saw from it, even recently, I believe it is being stamped out by the very same fanatics that hunt you and yours Doctor. After all, the Church does not like Heresy, a century ago, many of the foot soldiers of the Heresy were cleansed, shall we say, as part of the Cathar Crusade.
In fact, within that exact time frame, is when the walls began to crumble for Narses.
My position with the Prince for centuries was to be an ambassador for this Cainite Heresy, to coordinate clandestine meetings with Priests who could be influenced, ensure that gatherings had protection both within and outside of Venice, and to maintain correspondence with other leaders of this Cult.
With Venice's participation in the fall of Constantinople, the leaders of the faction saw potential trouble brewing. If Elders and Methuselahs friendly or at least kindly disposed towards those who once ruled Constantinople blamed Narses that guilt might fall upon the Heresy. Thus, he was excommunicated from the Cult and lost a great deal of his influence outside of Venice.
They were not wrong in many respects for the fall of the city led to the War of Princes and the destabilization of many cities and fiefdoms which had been perpetual for centuries or even millennia.
Seeing Narses downfall as nigh, another Lasombra, a Cardinal Moncada an actual pious Catholic Cainite, conspired with Narses Childe and Moncada's own Sire, to rule in judgment against Narses in the Lasombra Courts of Blood, known among the Clan as the Amici Noctis.
Narses of course was able to gain knowledge of this plan and invited his would be assassin, a member of his Court to become his Seneschal and substantially expanded his duties, I believe that you had met Tommaso Brexiano? He then turned to the Giovanni to spy upon Brexiano relentlessly. All the while as I informed you, I was the Ghoul in charge of "handling" the relationship with the Giovanni as my duties with the Heresy were now moot.
Narses had long had a friendship with Simon and had allowed his brood to populate the warrens of Venice for quite some time. Narses found Simon and his claims amusing though the Nosferatu had not visited since I believe before the Embrace of the Giovanni. Nearly ten years ago, Simon reappeared in the city and at one of those meetings Narses claimed to have been "converted" by Simon back to his Christian roots.
He utilized Simon's goodwill and his own contacts with Princes of the West, and of the East to end the bloodshed in a newly formed Sect. Narses saw this Sect as a way to unshackle himself from his dependency on the Giovanni. Minimize the influence of the Amici Noctis, after all, he was a Christian again! And most probably, use this new Sect to hunt down those of the Cainite Heresy that remained. These acts would eliminate, or at least minimize the threat of Narses foes.
Exactly what Simon said to him I do not know but I know that it was his reappearance that energized the Prince these last several years before he suffered the Final Death only a few nights ago".
enice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo - Michele Querini
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Your Ghouls exit.
As you look around you see everyone else interacting with their new Retainers, except Querini, he's no longer in the room. You walk about a bit and find two of his three Ghouls staring at an open doorway waiting. These stairs appear to lead down.
One of them nods to you, his name is Edoardo, the one that greeted you all when you arrived on the island, "Dispatches have begun already eh Lord Bernerius?"
"Edoardo, things began a long time ago, we're merely in the bridge of a very intense musical piece. I don't presume to know how well it will play out when I don't know who will and won't be following the score. It seems to me that ghouls have their own minds, even when bonded, their own ambitions, and might get so caught up in schemes they neglect the importance of harmony as badly as any of my fellow Cainites . That said? Let the band play on."
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Of course, they would likely not be spotted, after all, they are professional security men, but the risk is too great for you and now for me.
They will send Isaac or Lorenzo Bianco to pass messages to me as both of them have the gift of being unseen. While we are being separately Ghouled now, for the time being, the network will function as it always has. Such is the way of Mortals, to default to what is normal and familiar. Once this crisis is past? We shall see...
I shall of course continue to hold meetings with those who are blooded in this location but it is not a suitable long-term home without someone overseeing it directly like Narses did". [/b]
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Edoardo nods, "You are not entirely wrong, even the slave has dreams that the master would not approve of. That said, a wise master treats his subordinates softly, we all saw the Prince as a Mentor rather than a Tyrant though a Tyrant he could be.
I believe that once we place in the head of the Doge that these Knights are a menace and threaten him they shall be banished or attacked by the Doge's men, some of those men of course are some of us.
That should resolve your problems or at least if they try to return to the city clandestinely, hamper their ability to operate as openly as they have the past several days. Even the most skillful Knight would stand little chance against one of your kind with no armor and no weapon".
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo - Michele Querini
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
It appeared to me that all of the Procurers flocked to the Ventrue. Truth told, he needs them more than you do. But if it is your wish to acquire a Ghoul with that specialty, that shall be my first task.
Indeed let us return as now that I have a task, I would like to get settled in and pursue it".
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Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
This Isaac is both valuable and dangerous... Lorenzo thinks to himself, listening to the ghoul's lengthy exposition on the relationship between Narses and Simon. I would do well to finish binding him to me as quickly as possible...
Turning his attention to Lydia's ghouls, Lorenzo asks, "And in what did you serve Narses before his demise?"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Edoardo nods, "You are not entirely wrong, even the slave has dreams that the master would not approve of. That said, a wise master treats his subordinates softly, we all saw the Prince as a Mentor rather than a Tyrant though a Tyrant he could be.
I believe that once we place in the head of the Doge that these Knights are a menace and threaten him they shall be banished or attacked by the Doge's men, some of those men of course are some of us.
That should resolve your problems or at least if they try to return to the city clandestinely, hamper their ability to operate as openly as they have the past several days. Even the most skillful Knight would stand little chance against one of your kind with no armor and no weapon".
An amused look, at the advice of a wise master "The Prince and I shared a few viewpoints. A gentler approach was one of them," His amusement dims growing more serious, ' Your words are comforting, and whatever your thoughts, I thank you for your own 'softness' in those words." A sigh "Venice is, herself, a work of art. And no member of the rose clan enjoys seeing art defiled by the ignorant."
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
The man bows and speaks, he appears to be Turkish, "As I was telling Master Lydia, I am Adeel Ahmad. My function was as diplomat to the Turks and the world of Islam if you will, in general".
The woman smiles sweetly, by her fair complexion you would suppose she is Norse, "I am Ella Anderson. I am, was the diplomat to the English Courts of Avalon and the French Grand Court and the Courts of Love".
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
"It seems we have a number of diplomats amongst us." Lorenzo says, glancing toward Christian.
"Adeel, Ella, please tell me of specifics in your duties. Who are your counterparts you have interacted with?"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
Isaac speaks first, "Indeed, Venice is uniquely positioned to have been a long time maritime power. Trade east and west requires good relations between parties. In a domain such as Narses, almost without exception, half of the Cainites present in any given time are merely passing through.
The best way to ensure tight control over such travelers is to alert them ahead of time to the rules of the realm and especially the consequences for breaking such rules. It behooves Narses to communicate in such a manner and it also allows, excuse me, allowed him to offer hospitality and protection to said travelers".
Adeel nods in agreement, "Yes, my role was to ensure open lines of communication with Cairo through Prince Antonius' Ghoul Ashraf, Damascus through Amir Abd al-Hadi slayer of darkness through his Ghoul Sobhy, Jerusalem through Amir Al-Malik Al-Aziz Uthman ibn Salah Ad-Din Yusufand through his Ghoul Abū al-Ḥusayn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Jubayr, and Tyre through Lord Nagat ad his Ghoul Zerach".
Ella presents, "The Barony of Avalon, the realm of the Legendary Mithras is represented even in formal letters to me via his Seneschal, Lord Roger de Camden, a member of your Clan Master.
The Grand Court is now ruled by Geoffrey du Temple, though Prince Narses did inform me that the former head of that Court was here in the city recently, Prince Alexander of Paris. Correspondence was generally handled by Ghouls though within the last handful of years, correspondence was drafted directly by someone that called themselves Talisman. This strained relations the last several months though as I get the sense that this figure was intercepting legitimate correspondence and replacing it with portions that made no sense.
Finally, the Courts of Love ruled by Matriarch Salianna. Correspondence through that Court has always shifted as Ghouls were constantly being rotated and shifted to new duties".
Isaac interjects once more, "Any city or Kingdom ruled by one of his own Clan, the Prince handled directly.
Those ruled by the Low Clans, a turn of phrase that was his not mine, he rarely held correspondence with at all".
"Jerusalem through Amir Al-Malik Al-Aziz Uthman ibn Salah Ad-Din Yusufand through his Ghoul Abū al-Ḥusayn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn Jubayr".
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo -
"Excellent." Lorenzo comments. "As Lydia works alongside me, I hope the two of you shall too. We are glad to have you."
"That aside, we do have other work to be done. You are all free to go about your business as those of us of the Blood have plans that need to be discussed."
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
As Michele returns to the ground floor, Lorenzo is politely escorting the assembled Ghouls out of the first floor of the haven. None grumble or are disagreeable, and why should they be, the Coterie just saved many if not all from certain doom!
Once the hall is cleared, Onfroi gathers the seats spread around the circular room closer together for a "conclave" of sorts.
Andrew speaks first, "Well, tha' was interestin'. Now ah' understan' why Narses was so well informed, a veritable small army o' Retainers. Ah've no been a member o' Cainite society longer th'n any o' tha' rest o' ya' but... his organizational skills t'wer impeccable".
Onfroi nods, "In my time as a Retainer for the Toreador, I have certainly seen that many Ghouls before, but being handled by several Cainites, not just one. His Beast must have been under the heaviest of lock and key".
Lydia nods as well in appreciation of the sheer size of the former Prince's organization, "And there were several missing".
Onfroi pushes forward in a different direction, "It appears that Querini through these Ghouls may well be able to neutralize these Knights. While they can certainly fight the Doge's men or leave and sneak back into Venice, either way subjects them to scrutiny and keeps them having to hide in the shadows in a way that would be disadvantageous.
That said, we should try and locate Dunstan as soon as possible. In believe that we were supposed to meet with Vitaliano and Xing tomorrow night to see if the Nosferatu had an idea as to where Dunstan is, but if the Knights are forced to flee and they take Dunstan with them, such proof of our existence brought before the Pope would be perhaps the greatest catastrophe to the Silence of Blood ever perpetrated".
Lydia looks at Querini, "So, what was downstairs anyway?"
Andrew chuckles, "Ah'd wager t'wasn't Sir Dunstan!"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
"With our new ghoul allies, then yes, we can focus beyond the knights."
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
Michele pauses a moment and begins, “Arcadius led me down the intial stairs and unlocks a door. The door opened to a metal ladder that leads down perhaps 20'.
A single flickering candle alights on a round table as I set foot in the underground room, which the stairs deposits you in the center of this room. Around the circular table are four seats, their design quite old.
Around the circular room which is about 15' are what appears to be doors but are actually “portals” that Narses used the shadows to transport himself to other parts of the city that were not know to Arcadius.
There were statues in the spaces between the portals that were very old from antiquity and range from Greek and Persian and Egyptian to styles that I didn't recognize.
There were seven such portals and seven such statues.”
Michele pauses then continues, “Yes we need to find a way to track Dunstan down but I can think of no easy way. I had not met him so I cant even try to summon us to him. I am sure the knights do not know where he lay at night. Perhaps some of these ghouls can help us during the day but time is fleeing to fast. Does anyone have any ideas?
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
"Sadly, no." Lorenzo comments. "I suppose I could summon another wraith to search out the city and report back, but that would be inefficient at best."
Glancing towards Ranerius, he adds, "I have heard that those more proficient with the gifts Auspex provides than I am enable our kind to travel almost as if they were one of the wraiths I could summon. Are there any among us that are capable of such feats?"
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
Ranerius shrugs "There is something I could try, but... I have only met Sir Dunstan a few times. The odds are slim and certain mystical defenses beyond my ken might render it moot. It may not be safe for me, but then, these are not safe times. I admit, I had thought of keeping some secrets of what skills I have , but then those skills may prove to be exaggerated regardless."
His eyes grow distant.
Apparently this works on people as well as places so he can try with just Dunstan
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
"...betrayed you. You have nothing left to lose my friend. If you join me, I can assure you, that with my help, you will wrest control of the Querini household from him.
I have allies, I do not stand alone.
We shall destroy him and his band, but you are critical. For with you, we can also drive out these Mortals who would hunt my kind. They have certainly proven useful, but I play a dangerous game with them. There is another that may also be useful to me, but not as useful as you.
Well Marco, what do you choose..."
Ranerius's brows knit.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Dunstan smiles and nods, "And so you shall". He kneels down and bites, drinking deeply. It appears he intends to Embrace this man!
You recognize him, he is Michele Querini's cousin and is, or at least should be, in the main Venetian prison for his role in attempting to orchestrate a coup against the Doge.
The Toreador snaps back to reality...
The Toreador falls back looking spent, "Marco?" A shake of his head, "Michele, Dunstan is embracing your cousin... I believe they are in the Venitian prison where he was put for coup attempt against the Doge" Were he in need of breathing he would take one now, a deep one.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
"Well this is certainly not good..." His face grimaced "We certainly need to deal with this immediately before all is lost. we should call Isaac and Arcadius back as their 2 ghouls have access to the Doge and to that prison I am sure.
"Mayhaps the loyal subject of the Doge that I am might help?" It seems almost comical but he realizes his 'loyalty' to the Doge, born as much by need as anything else might pay off.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
Andrew pauses at looks to you Ranerius, "So we sally forth an ya' go ta' tha' Doge's palace an warn o' a plot ta' free this Marco? Or do we go ta' tha' prison an do tha' same? Mayhap it'd be too late if'n we make any stop but tha' prison 'tself".
Onfroi nods, "The rest of us should travel under cloak and head in with you, if we can confront Dunstan right now and subdue him, we can leave forthwith and merely wipe the minds of the prison guards should they happen to see the altercation?"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
Although he has been increasing reluctant to agree with Onfroi on most subjects, as something about the Nosferatu did not sit well with the former doctor, in this case he agrees.
"I think Onfroi has the right of it." Lorenzo begins. "There have been more than enough threats to the Masquerade in recent times, and regardless of how much more powerful any one of us may be than a mortal, they so greatly outnumber us that difference would mean little if they all knew of our existence. We should go to this prison, assuming we actually know where it is and do what we can to save Michele's cousin and deal with Dunstan once and for all."
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
"Being on the Great Council does have some privileges. I know where it is." Michele stands up and heading towards the door that the Ghouls left to get Arcadius or Isaac.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
As you get up to fetch Issac or Arcadius, you realize that the correct Ghouls to handle these matters are your Ghouls, Leonardo Mancini and Edoardo Amato.
Edoardo is likely headed there to night anyway to petition the Doge to expel the Knights from the City. There in this case is the Doge's Palace itself as the prisons are located within the basement floors within.
Note that the Palace is within Saint Mark's Square, the same location as the Basilica which is the headquarters for the Knights and the Way of King's Inn. Both such locations will be infested with Knights either IN armor or out of armor scouting at the Inn. You know this because Andrew and Geoffroi were spotted leaving the Way of Kings with the chest that housed the Baali. That could be a disaster! However, hopefully one of the Ghouls may know if there is a secret way in, if there is, they will certainly know it being members of the Doge's guard.
Geoffroi is well pleased with his new retainers and he sends them out with his thanks. he stands at the ready, listening to the war plans as they are discussed
"I would think that the minute the Magisterium gets incontrovertible proof of creatures such as ourselves, there will be a holy crusade called such that will make what was done to the Cathars, Albigensians, or my Order look like child's play."
Geoffroi looks grave
"We must prevent Dunstan at all costs from increasing his coterie."
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
The Coterie catches Edoardo as he is handing out "assignments" for the Ghouls, nothing over-riding any of your wishes, just general business as usual for their organization to maintain cohesion (at least i the short-term).
He grins at you all, "Signores'! I expected your meeting to be longer than a handful of minutes". His grin fades when he sees the grim demeanor on each of your faces, "My apologies, it appears that there is some genuine concern that has arisen, tell me, how can I be of service?"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
"Grim indeed Edoardo. My Brother, even as we speak, is being rescued and embraced by or arch nemesis.
As one of the Doge's personal security guards, you do know a back way into the prison yes? If so, we need to get there with urgency. It also requires that we not pass through St Mark's as the Hunters have many forces and spies in that vicinity. I hesitate to ask, but I must, can one of Narses portals take us there?"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Narses Haven on Sant'Erasmo
Edoardo blanches at the mention of the portals, but he nods, "Yes. Yes I know which one would take us close to that location, but that does not mean that I know how to do so.
On occasion I have walked, or perhaps it is better said, dragged along such paths, but with the Prince as my guide. Without him, we could be lost forever or come out some place else entirely.
I can get you to the Doge's Palace and near to the back door, but I cannot hide you. The Doge has men there guarding it. If your foe has entered, he either used some of your extraordinary powers to do so or was able to turn invisible.
If he is acting now, we must be quick about it. Your only hope is that he is taking his time as if he wished to grab your cousin and merely leave, we could never catch him in time from here on Sant'Erasmo".
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Race to the Doge's Palace & Arrival - ENDGAME
Edoardo speed walks you to the pier and the original boat you came over on with Isaac. The boatman nods to Edoardo and begins to untie the ropes from the mooring. Edoardo motions you all aboard and speaks, "The Doge's Palace indeed does face Saint Mark's Square. But the rear faces Saint Mark's Basin and the Grand Canal. Thus, the travel shall all be by boat.
Once we land at the pier, we can enter through one of the areas of the palace under construction to reach the prisons beneath. This is of course a few minutes to walk and nothing more".
You board the boat and as expertly as before, the man pilots the boat. Your nerves begin to grow as you recollect how fast, or slow, it took for each of you to be Embraced, after all, it was only several short weeks ago that the event that ended your Mortal lives and began your short "un" lives took place.
Soon enough, or perhaps not, you exit the boat, Edoardo leads you all up the small gangplank to the city proper. Standing at the entrance of the pier at the south of the palace are two of the Doge's guards. They nod to Edoardo as they obviously do not see the rest of you.
He leads you though fencing on the east side of the building where some of the construction on the water is taking place. Scaffolds hold up some of the area and construction materials and tools are strewn about. There is plenty of dust, in the gloom of this part of the not quite constructed side of the building, Edoardo points to a door and speaks, "There. Through a door to the right, which is locked and down the stairs is a door that leads to the prisons. It will be a secret door but as we are under construction..." He trails off as that exact door he is pointing to opens!
From it step forth Sir Dunstan Fuller and Marco Querini, he looks, famished. Your excitement builds as you realize he has no idea all of you are here though Edoardo does appear to be talking to himself.
Another familiar voice in the gloom rings out, "Ware Sir Dunstan, our foes have somehow arrived". You are certain that was the voice of the Toreador Childe of Rafael de Corazon, Bassanio! However, you do not see him.
Marco growls unintelligibly.
Sir Dunstan chuckles, "Impressive. The lap dogs of the Elders must have finally convinced their Masters to use their powers of the sight beyond sight to locate me".
His head swivels back and forth, "You must be using the Cloak of Onfroi to hide yourselves from me eh? But Bassiano can see you all".
Laughter comes from around you, it seems there are several here besides just yourselves...
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Race to the Doge's Palace & Arrival - ENDGAME
You board the boat and as expertly as before, the man pilots the boat. Your nerves begin to grow as you recollect how fast, or slow, it took for each of you to be Embraced, after all, it was only several short weeks ago that the event that ended your Mortal lives and began your short "un" lives took place.
was it so recently? It feels another life time. Then again. I did die. The embrace may already be done, but the fledge will be ravenous if he is done becoming. He hopes to make haste.
He leads you though fencing on the east side of the building where some of the construction on the water is taking place. Scaffolds hold up some of the area and construction materials and tools are strewn about. There is plenty of dust, in the gloom of this part of the not quite constructed side of the building, Edoardo points to a door and speaks, "There. Through a door to the right, which is locked and down the stairs is a door that leads to the prisons. It will be a secret door but as we are under construction..." He trails off as that exact door he is pointing to opens!
From it step forth Sir Dunstan Fuller and Marco Querini, he looks, famished. Your excitement builds as you realize he has no idea all of you are here though Edoardo does appear to be talking to himself.
Another familiar voice in the gloom rings out, "Ware Sir Dunstan, our foes have somehow arrived". You are certain that was the voice of the Toreador Childe of Rafael de Corazon, Bassanio! However, you do not see him.
Rafael! I never did like Rafael. They were on opposing sides of the Clan, and arguably, Ranerius' side lost.. all that politicing for naught it seemed. But he never did get much fonder of Rafael despite attempts to build bridges.
Marco growls unintelligibly.Sir Dunstan chuckles, "Impressive. The lap dogs of the Elders must have finally convinced their Masters to use their powers of the sight beyond sight to locate me".
His head swivels back and forth, "You must be using the Cloak of Onfroi to hide yourselves from me eh? But Bassiano can see you all".
Laughter comes from around you, it seems there are several here besides just yourselves...
Ranerius extends his own senses, looking to find Rafael in turn, and perhaps break the obfuscation of others.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Race to the Doge's Palace & Arrival - ENDGAME
You reach out with your Auspex to attempt to breach the veil of those hiding. Interestingly enough, there are layered cloaks! That means that this group has two Cainites with the mighty Cloak the Gathering power.
However, your sight beyond sight goes beyond Mastery! These foes cannot hide from your eyes. Gathered around the room, they are slowly circling out now that they realize they are not alone are the following Cainites:
The Assamite Giovanni Dal'este, Childe of Bajazet al Nasir.
The Gangrel Cantor, Childe of Milov Petrankov.
The Toreador Bassiano, Childe of Rafael de Corazon.
The Tremere Veronica Acqua, Childe of Mistress Fanchon.
A Nosferatu though truthfully it's hard to know which one he might be as you rarely utilized your Auspex to peek beyond the Mask of a Thousand Faces they generally wear in public.
Finally, a man you do not recognize, but he is a rather large man standing 6'2" with chestnut brown hair a full mustache & beard, his most distinguishing feature is a scar across left eye from forehead to cheek.
With Sir Dunstan and his newest Childe Marco Querini, that makes eight. The exact number in your Coterie.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Race to the Doge's Palace & Arrival - ENDGAME
Geoffroi whirls and draws his sword reflexively
AMBUSCADE! His mind shrieks, as unwonted visions of screaming Saracen warriors boiling out of hidden spots momentarily fill his vision. He looks around for these new foe
Geoffroi feels the pale fire of battle madness settle upon his senses, somewhat different in his new state - somehow paler yet harder- as if his furies had been crystallized into sharp razors of diamond. He feels no hormonal surge, rather a cold predatory fury to kill
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Race to the Doge's Palace & Arrival - ENDGAME
At each one he names he gives a slight bow to show their general locations, Signores Giovanni Dal'este, Cantor, Clan Brother Bassiano; we meet again, and you as well Signorina Veronica Acqua.. a long way off from our first attempts to fashion the Camarilla no?" A look at the Noseferatu "Pardon, Signore Nosferatu, I forget your name. And this gent..." A look at the scarred man "I don't think we've met before. I'm Signore Ranerius Bernrius. And while i can admire showmanship, the theatricality of the laughter when you ARE spotted is a bit over done."
He tries to give the impression that he's not the only one who sees each and everyone of them, "Shall we, for once in our dark existences, drop the facades then? Sir Dunstan, you loathe the elders it seems? I bear them little love myself, at least the ones that fled or went into hiding, but your methods..." A frown "You endanger Venice herself. What did you hope to gain from it all. Did you think the fires you started would be so easy to put out that they might not fly back at you?"
Another glance at Bassiano, "Clan Brother, while I did not like your sire, you and I never seemed hostile to each other... why not step down from this. The world loses an artist when one of we Toreador faces the final death. Stay out of this, better yet join us, and perhaps you can help me shape Venice's future art and songs?"
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
Race to the Doge's Palace & Arrival - ENDGAME
With his own talents with Auspex not a match for his Toreador companion's, Lorenzo looks in the same directions as Ranerius in attempt to provide the illusion that he too can see the gathered Cainites the Toreador names.
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
the Doge's Palace - ENDGAME
The Nosferatu and the man you do not know nor do any of the others respond to your speech Ranerius, but Sir Dunstan does, "So you wish to Parley then Ranerius? We'll drop our Cloak when you drop yours. The rest of your lot cannot see my group just as we cannot see all of you, but I appreciate your attempt to bluff.
What is there to speak of? You all have thrown in your lot with the very Elders who threw us to these Mortal Wolves, I was given no choice and frankly, I believe that half of your group believes as I do that our kind are a blight upon Humanity. Perhaps not Onfroi, no, that one long ago lost his Humanity in the service of your Sire Ranerius.
So I am doing what I can to direct these Mortals at the very Elders that cast us aside after they spent days if not weeks telling us that we were their children! Imagine a parent casting their newborn off to save their own skins? The very nomenclature of Childer to describe how we spawn is abhorrent.
However, after a few days, I realized, these Mortals will never be suitable to hunt down the Elders, they had their shot, they blew it. I decided on a new course of action instead, well with some help from my new Coterie of course..."
Bassanio emerges from the Cloak, "Sir Dunstan, the words of Ranerius are genuine. I believe he is sincere in what he says. I then must give him the chance to join us.
Turn away from your servitude my brother, my cousins, while I never got to know any of you as closely as I would have wished, we are all victims of the same circumstances. Our Sires wished to increase their own political power. Their ambitions nearly got them all slain, to protect themselves they betrayed us.
Perhaps this seems a natural reaction to an attempt to destroy them by of all things, Mortals. What hubris these Mortals thinking that they should be allowed to slay superior beings that counted their experiences in centuries if not millennia?
Consider though that our Sires placed within us the hope of the future, or so they claimed. We were the turning of the corner, the example to all Cainites younger than they that the Elders were not just world weary narcissists, but a concerned group of Patriarchs and Matriarchs that sought harmony among our kind. A better way forward.
Robin Leeland tried to warn us that their words were just that words, with no substance or meaning behind them. More manipulation, the introduction of a framework to allow them to hold down their childer and their childers childer for all time is all the Camarilla ever was.
Join us Ranerius, all of you! Together we can bring low these gods and demi-gods. In fact, we need you. You have their trust not us. You know their hiding spots, not us.
Once we have our vengeance, Sir Dunstan, or any of you can walk in the sunlight if you so choose and return your soul to the bosom of our Lord".
Sir Dunstan cocks his head, "An interesting offer my friend.
I believe you are indeed correct cousin, perhaps it is the fiery hot rage of my Brujah blood that has blinded me to this very notion. Together we are powerful, together, we can defeat the Elders. What say you? Will this night see peace between us or bloodshed?"
the Doge's Palace - ENDGAME
The Toreador does not look offended, indeed, he looks thoughful, as he considers the offer in apparent earnestness, "Contrary to what you've heard, I am not, nor never have been, a member of the Furores.. that was a political move to slander my sire and it worked. That said," He looks at Bassanio "You're right. You, and to some degree Sir Dunstan. TOO many of the Elders are ungrateful, hidebound, and far more interested in preserving their own skin, then their own power, well above their offspring. They deny us a seat at the table, the very table they flee when things get rough. YET, not all are like that. And we can make our demands known though other means beyond risking the very city in which we exist and feed. I have never wanted control, not even for my Sire, nearly as much as I have striven for harmony and unity between all Cainites. A fool's dream, I suppose, each clan seeking to help ALL sons and daughters of Caine? I preached it like a Bishop over and over, and for this I was, at best, humored."
The Toreador looks at Bassanio, "Don't you see? Half the elders are out of Venice, more really. They fled. Some with better reason than others but all of them have given up their right to claims here. We stayed, and we've held. And the new Prince, for all his traditionalism, is at least also staying in Venice. WE are his strength now, who he relies on, and that means we may petition with more leverage than ever before and be heard. But not if we cut straight to war, not if we tear down the city in some vain attempt to claim it. I love Venice, that's why I'm not willing to carve the baby in half in some power grab of violence. Even if we joined you, even if we won, how long before other elders sought to wipe us out by proxy or themselves? A war that could last decades, if not centuries? When instead we have a chance to make the Camarilla, OUR Camarilla, not just theirs, in the course of a week, at least in Venice. We can start it here. Compromise is not cowardice, and even the Damned have the right to dream. Join my dream, work with us. Let us negotiate with Lord Bion, throw our support behind him in exchange for recognition. It is a small step but we have forever to learn the steps to the new dance that could be the Camarilla."
Venice by Night - Sunday - April 6, 1309
the Doge's Palace - ENDGAME
Do you even wonder why... you are so certain? All those things that came to be or fell into place at just the right moment. I know not what they were but... you do.
Could it be that you are merely allowed to believe you are free? That instead you are but stalking horse and cat's paw to some unknown and most definitely Elder force?
You were allowed to clear the way, ensuring the elimination of any resistance, mortal, elder and now... any Cainite.
A power that moves closer with every moment. A power that unopposed will rule with an iron fist unlike any we've thus far witnessed.
And, your all too new Coterie, do they realize how they are being used... except the one or two that may be agents of this unseen threat, placed so close to you as handlers?
Think Dunstan, exactly when were you put into motion... who tipped the balance to put you on your current course?