ST Gloaming's page

I apologize to all, but I'm shutting this down. Thanks for sticking with it as long as you did.

"Zip ties? No. We have chains and ropes somewhere" Milton answers , then at the question of if anyone else is here "Sabbat and Anarchs maybe fighting upstairs. I'm not sure. I figured I'd avoid the former and turn myself over to the latter."

Meanwhile, Natalie looks around, still using her keen senses, and then says "That new girl, Sue? She's gone. I think she went back out."

Samantha shrugs "I guess she didn't trust us."

Mei , however , is more caught up in reporter mode now, "This is fantastic, a secret conspiracy of vampires is one thing, but Ex Wizards? And I can't report on any of it? How did this evade us for so long?"

Jasper stays riveted. Dylan's sister frowns, seeing her brother's point.

Milton answers , "Sister? Wow. Families are rarer, unless you're Giovanni or maybe Ventrue." He looks about, clearly observant "More than one of you looks related to the other. Man, this is a new switch for anarchs. Oh right right, the question: Jasper took to the bloodbond like a hooker to blow. Honestly even if you detoxed him off vampire vitae, that's.. the blood of you guys, he'd probably stay their patsy. I'm a patsy too, but I handle the bond better I guess. To answer your question more simply. Vampire blood aka 'vitae' has of power in it. In addition to turning the recently dead and drained into vampires in what they call the 'embrace'...if you feed it to a living being, it stops aging as long as they get it regularly, it makes them a bit stronger. And... three different drinks of a Kindred... that's the camarilla term for vampire.. 3 doses at three different times , make a mortal bond to you. It's anything from from what feels like love to worship ... and I got to tell you, it feels fantastic. Useful for keeping the masquerade going."

"I th-think th-that was a m-meta-ph-phor." Lawrence winds towards the lizard-mages, amulet in hand. "P-probably shouldn't k-kill the s-sage-scales. Y-yet." Lawrence waves about the amulet, and addresses the less-brainwashed one. "What is this?"

Milton looks at it, "Huh, that's a Nazar'an amulet of Middle eastern origin. They date all the way back to Mesopotamia in tradition. They're used to ward off the Evil Eye. This one might be an actual talisman of sorts , that is, it might work. I don't know. I thought the Tremere had taken all the remotely worthwhile things out of here."

It's all right. Sorry I didn't get it more regular for folks

"Well, some of us were literally born yesterday, so out with it."

"If legends are true, Clan Tremere weren't always vampires, they were once wizards, actual spell casting wizards... but they saw magic fading, and decided instead to seek out a way to become vampires. They managed it, and in trying to ape the magic they once hand, turned to thaumaturgy.. which mostly runs on blood but is.. highly versatile. THAT is quite real. The Tremere are feared and distrusted by most other clans, but they are a pillar of the camarilla. They hide their secrets well though. In fact, they value their magical secrets more than they do the gargoyles or their ghouls. They left me and Jasper here as expendable . It's like your drug dealer leaving you high and dry for the incoming swat team."

The gun... drops

"It's about keeping that Beast thing at bay, brother," Dylan's sister says "Fewer folks we kill the better our souls would be and.." She glances at the guy who died by being over feeding "Some of us are overstepping as it is. We're supposed to kill Sabbat. This guy? Not sure what a 'Tree Mere' is but that aint' them"

Milton feels a bit drawsn but manages "You don't know who the Tremere are? How.. new are you all?"

He does feel warm. He struggles still "I will never betray the masters!"

Milton says "jasper does not speak for me. Look, we're both ghouls, it's just he's a bit more..brainwashed than I am."

This time, his tongue does not pierce.

"Dylan" His sister puts a hand on his shoulder, "We can't go killing everyone. It costs us, remember? We staked that stone looking guy. We can put this one on ice. Maybe in the trunk where that Tiffany girl was?"

"Salem, my name is.. I mean, that's what I call myself" The guy answers, still holding onto his leg "Let me out of this place, okay?"

Dylan doesn't give Jasper a chance, moving on with the metaphorical (And appropriate) speed and accuracy of a cobra. Jasper doesn't even get his gun's shot off before Dylan has him in a full nelson and a tongue against him.

That said, the guy IS strong, despite the heat from his body that proves he is not ordinary. "No, no!" Jasper squirms "Anarch trash! No one crosses the Tremere, no one!"

Dylan's sister helps him, taking the gun away, "We're making friends along the way" She says wryly.

Milton, the bald fellow, still clutches the notes to his chest "Thank you. My name is Milton, and I'm happy to sell out if it means I continue to get a steady supply of vitae." Straight and to the point.

Lawrence admires the jewelry, this means something... no, too tear drop shaped to involve crop circles. Illuminati, the tear from the all seeing eye? Rarely depicted. Not likely... mmmm

Sue isn't sure what the amulet represents. No doubt her sister would.

Then she sees the skulking figure, and leg sweeps him or her before they can make a move!

The scrawny goth guy is a better hider than a fighter and crumbles to the floor clutching at his leg "oh #$#$, oh #$#$#. I'm dead. I'm dead."

The grand entrance area is wide so please feel free to pick for yourself if you are hugging to the left side, the right side, or dead center as you move.

The grand entrance seems mostly empty as you slip into it, at least at first, but a side door can be seen open and you all approach it with varying degrees of caution.

You hear voices in there

"you traitorous son of a @#$##" A harsh whisper "You're actually going to surrender and offer your services? We are still bound to our masters"

Another voice speaks up, "Jasper, YOU maybe bound, but my master got destroyed in a Sabbat attack. Our other 'masters' " One can almost hear the air quotes before seeing them, "Ran, leaving a handful of gargoyles and US to fight to defend what's left. Not all of us are fighters. Anarchs maybe Lawless, but I'll take my chance with them over the Sabbat anyday, thanks. Now put the gun down, and let me be..."

"Screw you, Milton." Jasper snarls.

Those peeking in from the hallway through that spot see two other people, dressed much like the man that got dropped off to be drained. However, they're not as big as that bruiser was. That said, the gun in 'Jasper's hand is locked and loaded. Jasper is a fit enough fellow with a wild look in his eyes bordering on religious outrage. He's green eyed and blonde headed... and about to shoot the other guy.

Milton looks almost as nerdy as his name. Bald, large glasses that make hsi eyes even more owl like, and he's clutching notes to his chest as if they were liquid gold.

For others on the right side of hallway, there's a different prize. A corpse in a corner, already quite dead by violence. He fell face first but the very perceptive might notice there's some neckware on him that has fallen to the side. It was if he was drawing it out to ward someone off like a cross being used against vampires in a movie (Ironic that) but it is no crucifix. Rather it is an amulet with teardrop shapes in dark blue, white, light blue and black, with a yellow/gold edge.

Apologies for my slow response. I'll try to get something up tomorrow.

The others drinking revive

Mei looks appalled, "Who drank it all? We didn't have to kill him!" Aghast.

the hunger pulls at him, but Michael can't bring himself to follow it--he watches everyone else descend on the fallen man.

"...oh, what the actual f~@$ing f&@*?!" He growls in a mix of anger and disgust, backing away.

Natalie looks ashamed, "Not that it helps, but I only took a little and... sorry, baby."

Tiffany says "What's it matter? We're all monsters now right?" Clearly the Sabbat killing her and burying her have ..done a number on her.

Lawrence turns to his sister to state matter-o-factly. "In-ter-ior Croc-odile All-i-ga-tor. I drive a Chev-ro-let mo-vie thea-tre.""

His sister arches a brow, "I'd argue, but one of us has been shooting out a snake tongue into people so what do I know?" dark humor, but at least it's humor.

He turns to Kelly, "Let's go in".

"Sure." Kelly says "Lock and load yee frickin haw."

Dylan opens the door and sees signs of rather exquisite interior... that's been something of a warzone. Fine marble cracked with blood stains adorning it, pedestals with busts of founders or whoever of this 'lodge' toppled over. Some sort of entry hall

As for Sue... she hears a voice in her head "... proving you are on our side will go a long way. Just saying."

Okay. Waited for Micheal's roll but I'll move on with others

Dylan reigns in his thirst with calculated focus. The blood in this fellow is EXTRA good. If other mortals are commercial beer, this guy would be the result of some kind of high class microbrewery.

Tiffany forgets her father's loss, and the resentment she bore in life. Her humanity already diminished by her ordeal of burial, she moves to the downed man and begins to join Dylan...far more greedy than he.

"Well, I need a top off," Natalie moves in, and with control takes a spare wrist and sups just a bit. Enough to heal a wound.

Mei is all in, her delicate nose flaring with interest and her eyes growing predatory as she joins them.

Samantha watches Mei's shift in attitude and says to Lawrence, "Sure we're lizard people, brother? Seems more feline to me." She does not partake. Maybe proving her own control for pride reasons.

With so many on him, the man shudders and expires. The last drops drained out of him.

Natalie reminds every one "Lick the damned holes so the bite marks vanish" She demonstrates.

Just as they think things have settled down, a voice calls out "Hey Rookies.. here.. something for you to finish off... "

Self control rolls. If you are at full , DC 4. If you're only one or two bloodpoints short... DC 5. Lower than that, DC 6

Dylan heads towards the door, the sounds within are going quieter actually...

Tiffany mutters "A part of me hates him... hates him for being an A$$hole. Hates him for being weak and dying."

As I'm moving embarrassingly slow again, sorry about that. Let's give it to you without a roll.
The stake does not at first want to go through but Dylan's sister help holds it in place, and even the stony hide must eventually give way.

"You're a bit crazy, Brother mine, this thing is is fugly and wants us dead.. deader. But I'll support your play."

With FRIGHTENING skills honed by a life time (And unlife time) of training, Sue shoots the gargoyle in the head wounding it further.
That stoney hide of it takes the brunt of the first shot... the second, not so much. And Lawrence's sister shoots it as well, though not in the head, it does stagger it.

It is a mess, as good as dead, yet it crawls towards them moaning "Chantry.. outsiders.. forbidden..."

Dylan may go if he wishes. This thing is all but incapacitated.

Tiffany is let out of her trunk. .. and for a moment it seems she might frenzy again but she clambers out into the open night with relief.

"I don't.. understand everything, but being a vampire is not nearly as cool as the stupid movies make it out to be."

Sue is up

Tiffany leaps out, half crazed. "Where am I?"

As soon as Lawrence draws bead on the gargoyle, it flies towards him fast.

And he can fire!

Slowly we go. Hopefully somethings in my personal life are calmer

Go ahead and roll initiative

Each of you exits the vehicle, and each immediately takes some action.
Dylan puts his blood to use, ready for battle again. Despite the heavy shadows of the Freemason Lodge, Dylan's keen eyes make out a batwinged figure on a ledge, a roughly human shape that he might at first assume is just part of the architecture. However, it is definitely MOVING! It appears to be going towards one of the buildings windows. Why is unknown.

He also hears sounds of , hissing, roaring, and screams from within what he assumes is the entry hall of the lodge, the doors there wide open.
Sue moves closer still, quiet, and gets an even better look, her keen senses offsetting the shadows. The horrid looking creature appears to be crafted from dark gray stone, at least at first, but this is no statue. She has closed and can see figures in the window. A woman dressed in black, with shadows dancing along her. Some sort of biker, she has lifted another vampire, this one shaved head in street clothes up by his neck. They're clearly fighting to her eyes.
She can't make out what they're saying though as the hissing and screaming from the entry make it difficult. From that ground floor she hears:
"Where's Azerrad? We need help!"
"She's upstairs..."
"The traitor Keeper can't save you now, the secrets of this Chantry belong to the Sabbat"
Samantha tilts her head at one of the voices, "That's my so called Sire saying she's upstairs. I recognize the slavic accent."

A scream and more sounds of battle.
Near Sue, Lawrence also extends his senses, and sees the woman above through the window in full detail as well. That IS Azerrad, Black's sire. The lizardperson masquerading as a winged statue outside doesn't fool him!
That's when his foot sets stones to scattering...
And the gargoyle turns to see them! Eyes locked on Lawrence!
For Michael, calling out to Tiffany gets a snarl from the trunk, "Stop burying me! People keep burying me!! Out, get me out!" Did she get free from her gag? She's banging around in there!

Natalie moves next to him "You want to let that crazy #$## out? You sure about this?"

And on the way you go, the city of Phoenix feels oppressive, the heat of it even extra heavy at night, at least on THIS night. The Freemason Lodge is cloaked in more shadows than usual, for the ledge work of the design lends itself to creating such, and it seems the streetlights here are in poor condition.

There is a wrought iron fence with elaborate designs keeping most of the populace out save through the main gate. A gate that is broken as if something impossibly ripped said gate off it's hinges.

"I'll park. Get out" Writhe advises.

Thanks for keeping us posted. We have a cat that decides cups, full or not, were meant for her sticking her head in and knocking over so I know how you feel there.

As for me, some family stress this summer, and it's slowing me down even if it shouldn't.

Writhe says "If the stone angels are weeping and angry, you may have a three way bloodbowl." A sigh "Chains are hard to break, you know? Particularly when you feel safer in them than out"

And on they go, loading up into some of the same vehicles that brought them there.

There's no telling what the police will make of the slaughter they left behind... but one thing is sure. They won't think it's vampires.

Writhe, seemingly on a whim, has tut tutted and duct taped Tiffany and thrown her in a trunk

Natalie's wounds heal as she focuses, then she says "Great, now I'm feeling thristy. Micheal, baby, we'll find him. He's got to be out there somewhere" As they ride.

Mei seems to take comfort from Lawrence's support even now, as if she could count on his stability. Then again, he wasn't the one who went beast mode.

"I've o-only known o-one sibling. I've n-never kn-nown some-one who sees the t-truth. If c-condemn-nation is re-required, b-best the t-truth is seen."

"EXACTLY." Writhe nods.

Sue is less amused now. “Take care of your own stuff!“ she says bluntly.

Writhe tuts, "But a firehouse sale like this will never come again." a look "And a little knowledge remains a dangerous thing. Still..." She says as the shotgun is claimed...

Yes. She gave directions

"Wonderful, we lost the one guy with actual military experience.

I guess they will be similar to the types we just engaged with?"

Dylan looks around for weapons to collect.

Weapons there are. A shotgun looks promising. There are also knives, a slightly bent poker, two handgun pistols. Alas, no flame thrower.

Writhe tuts, "Yes, Azerrad is going to be mad her pick took his shadows with him and left. Clans aren't supposed to matter to Anarchs but let's be honest, we all have our favorite patterns and we really needed the muscle. We may have to find new blood to appease her and TC. Though some of us COULD double up and.. ooo" a look to Lawrence, "Want a new sibling? Another one of us who sees what no one else can... or wants to?"

Natalie mutters "Please tell me we get a shower first."

Kelly smirks at her brother "Well, I AM better looking."

Writhe is humming to herself.

Then she blinks as Dylan addresses her, "Oh, we've dealt with two but there are always three. Or is it five? I forget. Lawrence knows. Yes." A proud look at Lawrence, "Lawrence knows our numbers are irregualr. We lost our Shadowspawn and our Kitty tiff. Sad. Very sad. Why don't we question this new one here." A look at Tiffany, "I think I can help. Shhhh..." She moves to Tiffany and seems to focus.

To Lawrence, it seems her lizard eyes are lifting yet another scaled lid. To others, the malkavian is just given an off kilter stare.

Tiffany's fury fades a bit, "Oh my god. What am I? My dad became a monster... I guess he always was. My mom...dead I... "

"Passions cooled, cold goes the blood," Writhe says, then glances over to Sue and smiles, "I noticed you sent words. Are your sisters nearby? Always nice to meet friends to be."

Natalie eyes Tiffany "We lost Kevin because we were busy with you. So talk."

Mei tries a gentler interview on the shovelhead, "Did those who embrace you, who did this to you, mention anything BEFORE they buried you, about their plans?"

Tiffany focuses, "Some ..some split to go to another house nearby. I think..where the explosion was?"

"Good to know." Mei says "Now focus, the others?"

"Uhm.. some wanted to check out a chant tree?" Tiffany says.

"Warlocks are gone. Mmm pieces. " Writhe says then looks to Dylan, "Looks like you're going towards the Usurpaporium. We have some there already so you have help. " She gives directions.

Useful thing about Mei is she's so darn nice I have no problem she is happy to help make introductions even while there's a bit of throat in her teeth.:)

"The g-gene-tic s-sorc-cery of the Dragon flows th-through us all n-now." Lawrence turns his head sharply to the explosion."And n-now, it breathes. B-b-be vigilant, Mei."

Mei nods "You're right, Lawrence. We've got to hold onto what good is left in us. "

Michael barely has time to ponder everything when Natalie asks after Kevin.

"Kevin?!" Michael looks around, yelling.

They got seperated for ONE second, and Kevin is gone! Natalie curses, "##$#. Why would he run?"

"Ehhh ... hi, I am Sue." she says.
Lawrence sizes up the new arrival with a cocked head and a piercing gaze. "A-n-nother of the L-Lizard Kings misbe-g-gotten gr-grandchildren attempts to b-balance the scales of his injustice. W-was it you who in-voked his fire?"
Dylan raises an eyebrow as Sue approaches, "Well Sue, you make one hell of an entrance..."

Sue looks to her back to be sure they mean her.

"I ... I did not really do that. It was her. I ... I just came over here ... I really do not know why. So who are you guys? You kind of look like you were in a fight?" she says a little confused and points at Writhe.

"Oh.

Well then, I'm Dylan. I'm going to guess you're not a uh.. shovelhead like these now decapitated poor souls.

Well except this f+@!er", Dylan kicks Brandon's corpse. "This f%*+er has had it coming for a while now".
"No idea what a shovelhead to be honest." she explains and shrugs.

Writhe , Lawrence's sire beams at them "Oh it was magnificient, Sue's sneakers where non squeeky, and helped bring the fires of Hailing frequencies upon another rotted garden and their gardeners." She chuckles, "And she carried my luggage. She's not Sabbat, no no no. She's a lost lamb... I wonder why she doesn't have more flock mates? Anyway... make nice. We need all the organized anarchy we can in these timely tries."

Writhe does a head count, "Where's the man in black with the shadow attack?"

"Bailed on us maybe," Natalie says not trusting herself to say what she THINKS should be done with Tiffany while she's still fresh wounded from her, "Took his sister I think."

(Sue)
Writhe seems to shift, her garments blurring as she talks to Sue, "For a little while in LA, Astrolite was all the rage. Nostalgia I guess. Mind you, this isn't big enough to blow the top off a skyscraper but ..."

The explosion behind them is like thunder! Sending the yard's dirt and spewing even as it engulfs all still there, in flames. Sue doubts most vampires could survive that.

"It'll do the trick. This one wasn't as big, but extra flames." Writhe says, "Now that you're a recruit in the great war for liberation against diabolism and poor fashion choices, I'd like to show you to the other new kids. I hope that's okay?"

She's leading Sue along to another block nearby

***
(Everyone else)
About a BLOCK away, maybe less, there is a great thunderous BOOM...
and a pillar of flame!

Two figures, one of them Writhe, can be seen Micheal Baying it briefly as the false dawn glows behind them.

Tweaking things a bit to get everyone together :)

"Qu-quick draw, qu-quick thinking sister." Lawrence moves to Mei and holds her gaze. "Un-t-tainted for now." His face turns as a screw when he remembers what's become of them. "Less t-tainted, anyway."

Lawrence looks for Writhe. "C-come then El-dest Chamel-eon. What heated b-basking rock do we p-perch upon?"

Writhe doesn't appear to be there.

His sister however, nods calmly, "Normally I'd ask if anyone was injured but..." Some of her injuries lessen like a timelapse, "Blood seems to speed up healing just like our mentors said."

Mei looks ashamed at Lawrence's gaze "Less tainted." Shes' not sure how to admit how good it felt, how good it all felt. Mei feels at her hair, "I think I need a shower."

Okay. Sue, Bones, and Lawrence are up so to speak

Kelly sighs and with the many tools about here, begins severing necks of the fallen and defeated. She looks a bit troubled about how easily she's doing it.

Lawrence curbs the rise of his own lizard man to join Mei.
Mei keeps feeding and feeding and there's a BLAM
and Mei is covered in gore, as her 'prey' just had it's head shattered by Samantha's bullet.
The Gangrel gives a low growl, cheated of.. something, then snaps out of it "oh god I just..."

"You're welcome" Samantha remarks, "No drinking souls.. at least that's what my 'sire' told me"

Well, already full, Dylan feels positively bloated.
The bride shudders... and the vampire becomes.. merely a corpse.

"Geezus, Bro." Kelly observes, "I know we got to clean house, but do you need to use that freaky tongue everytime?"

Dylan plunges his tongue into the bride. He tastes no sickness, no disease.

Malks, they never let it stay boring!

Lawrence reaches out to Mei, with both his hand, and the power of his madness. He touches her inner beast to sooth it, only to find his attempt entices his own.

Self Control Roll for Lawrence. WP maybe spent if you wish. Dif 5.

Very sorry about the slowness, folks. I did not manage that combat as well as I should have. That said, it's pretty much done for you (Though Sue has her own side bit which if she is unlucky might lead to some more).

Mind you, the 'post battle' has it's own challenges. Do you want to try to salvage Tiffany and whoever 'the bride' is? (No kill bill reference). Do you pull Mei off before she risks more humanity, etc.

As the blood and carnage settles down, Dylan, Lawrence, Bones and the others realize the Sabbat are finally defeated. It is not like the others on their side did nothing.

Tiffany has to be wrestled to the ground, and it is NOT easy...but she seems to be hissing back to some sense of sanity as Bones helps her recover.

Natalie is badly hurt, and looks about, "@###, where is Kevin?"

Lawrence sees his sweet angel (albeit Lizard Person) Mei is latched onto one of the Sabbat, drinking deep like a wild beast. Whether one finds her gloriously lovely in her feasting, utterly monstrous, or both is up to the individual. Her wounds are healing rapidly, but Lawrence hears voices whispering 'She'll take too much' 'no no no soul food is bad for vampires'. Ghosts, spirits? His own inner madness?

Out of all the Sabbat, only Tiffany and the 'bride' out of the newlywed couple that had the misfortune of being at the Dipship seem intact. The Bride downed, unable to move, but not dead. She could be destroyed easily now, or spared. Though ALL of the Sabbat shovelheads seem to be crazed.

Battle Over! But obviously still a lot going on.

Bones catches Tiffany off guard!

And Natalie, who seemed to be almost inhumanly angry... backs away with effort, and mutters "I lost my damned mine for a second there..."
While Tiffany strains and struggles but Micheal has her pinned.

Sorry for delay on the fight. I have lost my notes on who is who in the shovelheads...