I'll finalize my new character tomorrow, could not remember all the build stats and the boards were down, im mostly done.
Search Posts
Moving this to ooc! I thought the story was completed literally 10 years ago. I guess he started a new storyline at some point?
OK folks, short break, spend XP if you like. This story will move more rapidly than the first 13 years did. The intent is not for it to be railroady but NPCs here are looking to impose their will and consolidate. How that plays out versus what you all choose to do remains to be seen, but your decisions will have an impact on who ultimately will be Prince. I am hoping within the next several months, no later than March (our Anniversary date going on 14 years) we can begin the next Century and new PCs.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Michele Your Brother drinks in celebration and is excited at the prospect, more excited as the bottle goes down. BY the end he is positively buzzing with excitement. Michele:
Leonardo and Edoardo both nod and ask no further questions. Based upon how long they worked for Narses, you expect competence in the matter.
Arcadius appears surprised by the request but acquiesces nonetheless. By the end of the day, difficult as it was, you are more the master than the student. In fact, through teaching he furthers his own abilities an can summon blackout darkness! He grins proud of himself and you. He advises, "Watch your use of the power in or near any of Narses Haven's, whatever lurks in those places is drawn to the power". As the sun sets and night falls, your weariness disappears and you ready yourself for the day.
Ready to move forward.
Michele said he would be checking in today/tonight and that will probably be his last post for the night as well. Based on my current work load and the impending temporary site shutdown for 2 to 4 days next week, let's go on hiatus so when we start the next night there hopefully isn't a RL created on top of Paizo created long interruption. The PCs will all start apart (except for Alessandro and Michele).
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Alessandro Alessandro decides that discretion is the better part of valor this night and as he is full from earlier consumption, stays in to await what comes next, the early evening should indeed prove to be interesting...
Rest and get up early (early riser) to top up, if possible. Easy enough, you will only be down 1 BP and all your Herd is present at the Querini compound so you'll be good to go!
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Temporary Haven on Sant'Erasmo
The Mortal that Valdemar assigned as your Retainer, Chiara, agrees to recon the area with a report for the next night. You head to your temporary quarters wondering just how many more Cainites will set their hungry fangs upon the open neck of Venice before this is all over...
Michele is almost done, Leo is almost done. Not sure what Alessandro is going to do with the rest of his night. Hopefully we can settle this night before the shut down on Monday and start with a fresh night after things come back online later next week.
Now it's not going down till next week.... so I'll update now.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Michele While your powers uncharacteristically fail, it matters not as your Brother takes to the news well, "You believe that I should lead, but you are still so young Michele! Though I suppose if I am to lead one day then travel is a must. Though with the Pope's excommunication, it could be a harrowing trip..." He seems unconvinced but excited at the prospect.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Temporary Haven on Sant'Erasmo Leopold: "Indeed, Khay'tall has aligned himself with me. He has led me to believe that a Setite Methuselah that he himself awoke is traveling here to set her lair within Venice. I believe his, and her, original plan was to entice Narses into allowing her to secretly operate here. Now though, with Narses dead, Khay'tall believed that perhaps, she, should rule as Prince. I was reserving my own judgment on that matter until her arrival. A secret I held and that I now share with you as Alexander's "claim" complicates things even further. In addition, Bernardo, the Gangrel who committed amaranth upon Narses has also aligned himself with me. It is not clear whether that act will cause Bernardo to act erratically, but he must be kept under close watch that's certain. I shall indeed meet with my siblings and gauge their reaction to the development of the claim of Alexander. While I don't wish to commit to him, I also want to avoid my siblings committing to him first. And here I believed the political intrigue of Venice was dangerous when my Sire rules..." He pauses to consider all you have told him and then continues, "Tomorrow evening, would you be so kind as to visit the Artiste? Getting her on our side may well ensure that we get Ranerius to support us. Perhaps if she can "adopt" him, I can give him Domain here in the city which is what he desires retaining both of them as allies. I would expect this Geoffroi to remain loyal as he is a Knight and they are generally trustworthy after having so given their word. He is young though so I suspect that he would have given his support to whoever approached him first. I cannot expect the Ventrue to side with me, they are generally ones that stick to their own kind. Indeed, both the Cappadocian and the Setite, among others not aligned with that Coterie feel betrayed by their Sires who sought to sacrifice them to escape from the Mortal Hunters by day. If Lorenzo controls the old Giovanni haven, that place itself is worthy of plumbing for its secrets so getting him to aid us could be critical in the immediate and long term. After all Narses used the powers of that Clan to great effect to spy on his enemies. Lord Bion wishes to remain unaligned to tend to his work. He'll not fight for or against anyone, but yes, who he endorses may hold great weight considering he is the cities oldest citizen. Have you any last thoughts before we bed down to the day?"
My Vampire game runs much more smoothly on PbP than D&D/Pathfinder do, except for combat mechanics which are atrocious for PbP, but there are so few combats that I'm able to avoid that as a stumbling block. I don't have the time or the inclination to create or a learn a new system to run or play in PbP. I am just happy to run/play at all truth be told. That said, I do agree with your premise.
FYI, boards will be down for 3 days starting tomorrow.Why They moved it to next week. Online store changes...
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Alessandro Michele swiftly departs after showing you your quarters for the night.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Michele Michele heads down to his Brother's room to pay him a visit, you knock on the door and he swiftly answers, he brings you in, checks around and swiftly shuts the door behind you. "That man earlier this evening is an oddball indeed. You're eclectic mix of trading partners is bizarre, but may bring us trouble someday Brother. If you are to lead the Family, there must be others to take up your nightly dealing. But that is something that can be discussed later. Now I know to throw our cousin and uncle to the wolves to save us was discuss, but his gruesome death must have some answer no? We must find out who was behind attempting to break him out any why. Tis said it was the Church and their Knightly organizations, but Marco was never involved with such folk!"
don't get any ideas....If Khay'tall wanted you dead he would have had Michele stake you and leave you out on the roof during the day, he's not the confrontational type... :-)Just didn't know if that was a plot hook/opening to have Alessandro chased and parkour'd thru Venice to final death as he raced to warn the Ventrue. Could be entertaining... in some light. Just not sun... light.And, personally... is this something Alessandro should risk his existence to warn Alexander of? LOL, don't worry, Ryan Verniere isn't running this game.
Just didn't know if that was a plot hook/opening to have Alessandro chased and parkour'd thru Venice to final death as he raced to warn the Ventrue. Could be entertaining... in some light. Just not sun... light.And, personally... is this something Alessandro should risk his existence to warn Alexander of? If Khay'tall wanted you dead he would have had Michele stake you and leave you out on the roof during the day, he's not the confrontational type... :-)
Has anyone tried the new Vampire game out of curiosity? Nope, I haven't had time for video games since 2001. I had to choose either video or table top/PbP, I chose the latter :-)
Definately NOT Lantla, she's Ventrue, Khay'tall claimed this was a Setite Methuselah. That you won't know until you meet her. Probably less but he's certainly more confident than Alexander as he doesn't feel the need to overtly bully the same way that Alexander does. That's up to YOU! :-)
OK Lorenzo, Ranerius, and Geoffroi have ended their nights. That leaves Leo, Michel and Alessandro. We will see what we can fit in tomorrow, if not, we will pick up end of the nights wen the boards are operational again on Wednesday hopefully the latest on Thursday night. Friday night I am running table top Werewolf and will not be posting.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 La Serenata Notturna - Ranerius Exhausted, she murmurs, "Come to bed my Love", and she falls fast asleep once more. As do you, holding her in your arms once more.
FYI, boards will be down for 3 days starting tomorrow.
If there are, Alessandro doesn't sense any. Though the Elder Setites Obfuscate could likely hide him from either of your senses if he so chose.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Temporary Haven on Sant'Erasmo Leopold: He nods, "From what I understand of his history, I fear you are correct.
There were several Elders in Paris that forced him to flee, his own Childe - a battle hardened Crusader, several Toreador Elders, and the Tremere Inner Circle Member Goratrix. A not insignificant number of Cainites even for him to stand up to. Here, there are far fewer of us and even fewer with the power to resist his will, save this Lord Bion I suppose. I will be forced to consult with Magdalena and Alejandro. There is a possibility that in Narses Elysium we could defeat him, or we could all be taken to the damned Abyss in the trying. Most recently he was a guest in Constantinople, perhaps he hopes that his allies there and whatever favors he can obtain as Prince of Venice will allow him to return to Paris. But I fear you are correct, considering his ability to alienate those around him or slay them if they displease him, such a gathering may take a longer time than I or my siblings would care for... Alejandro I think has himself, Savio and likely the Tremere Inner Circle member Radek on his side, Magdalena has her Abyss Mysticism to defeat Alexander we would need her, giving her quite the advantage to lead if that were to be how we would defeat the ancient Ventrue. What of this young Coterie, any idea where there loyalties lay?"
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 La Serenata Notturna - Ranerius "Very well Master Ranerius, I shall inform Elio that they are to be told there are no current rooms at the Inn". He takes his leave and you slip into your bedroom. There you do indeed find Zuana, fast asleep.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Michele & Alessandro Khay'tall chuckles, "Come now young one, do I seem the sort to retain all the benefits for myself alone? I shall collect you both tomorrow evening for the trip. Sleep well". That said, he exists the room leaving you two alone.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 the Mausoleum - Lorenzo All three take you up on the offer to sleep in your quarters. Moses takes to rest rather quickly after getting his eardrums scrambled quite badly. Lydia takes a crouching position guarding the door and closes her eyes, leaving you with Isaac. He sighs, "I cannot help having been compelled by Augustus Giovanni himself My Lord. I arrived here an hour before you did and I was questioned as to what took place in the Giovanni Family's absence. I further informed them that you were disinterested in whatever deal it was they wished to extend to you. Pietro said that was "quite the pity" and said no more. I believe he was going to let me go, or perhaps kill me, one can never be too sure with the Giovanni, and well... then you arrived".
I'll bot Cole by tomorrow or Monday if he doesn't chime in.
In my table top game set in Chicago in 1994 I am running Under a Blood Red Moon and the PCs are playing a Camarilla Coterie, a Sabbat Pack, and a Werewolf Pack. The Sabbat PCs just captured Anita Wainwright! :-)
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Temporary Haven on Sant'Erasmo Uwe: Valdemar's smile vanishes, "So, not only did Alexander survive he elected not to flee the city". He sighs.
"I am familiar with this Xing Shi, she was present during the Camarilla Conclave. Her Lasombra bloodline is of our ilk, the Grandchilde of Alejandro. Narses didn't quite know what to make of her and neither do I. Vitaliano is of Clan Malkavian, but seems to be more possessed of sanity than most others of his Clan. Those two and the rest of the Coterie are all Neonates, but powerful Neonates, all childer of Scions of the Camarilla Inner Circle or those who were seeking to be members of that Inner Circle". He stills and ponders further, "I know what not to make of this Lantla and Gottsdam you claim are traveling here. Alexander being here is bad enough though perhaps we could leverage them against Alexander if needs be. Until they arrive, whoever they are, we must deal with what lies before us. The only way to defeat Alexander is for my brethren and I to ally ourselves still. Splintered he would crush us. Then again... I am the current Seneschal, perhaps aligning myself with Alexander will place me in line to succeed Alexander when he leaves. Of course, how long that may take is the problem. If he grows comfortable here, he may not wish to ever return to Paris. Tell me Childe, I have had little interaction with Alexander, how did you find him when you before him?"
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Michele & Alessandro Khay'tall grins wider, "I shall meet you, both of you here and shall guide you to the docks myself. Young Alessandro is of course invited, the first outside of our Clan to introduce himself to the new Prince of Venice, or Princess if she so deems it. I assure you, it was no easy task bringing her from the shadows and into the light, but it shall be worth my trouble".
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 the Mausoleum - Lorenzo Pietro nods, "You shall be given time to reconsider. Take the room that Lord Bene assigned to you and rest, the hour grows late. Tomorrow you and I shall speak, and if what I have to say interests you, I shall coordinate an audience with Claudius, after all, it was he who wished to extend you the offer in the first place. Your bodyguard shall have her chambers as well". Isaac drinks of your blood, brining him 2/3rds to your sway. He appears to wish to speak but does not, "What shall you have me do my Lord?" Moses sits, his back against the wall in the hall, still a bit dazed. Lydia still has her blade unsheathed. If that fact perturbs Pietro, he doesn't show it.
I need to decide what to do to these hunters. Sorry for delay. I have a friend who has medical problems and we're helping her this week out so I'm a bit unfocused. No worries! Everyone is getting end of the night curveballs.... or in Uwe's case, throwing a curveball :-)
I'll try to get my new PC up and running by next week.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 the Mausoleum - Lorenzo Yeti nods, "I sure was, I'm a heavy sleeper. When I woke up in the evening I heard odd voices and realized what happened and just stayed in my crypt under Ambrogino's bed, well, my former prison I guess you could call it. I was too afraid to exit until I was found tonight by one of the Giovanni spirits". He nods to Pietro, "I am off now M'Lord..." He heads out through the front doors to the outside. Pietro watches him go impassively. Isaac continues to look down, "Oh don't blame Isaac Doctor, I asked Grandfather to summon him to ascertain if he delivered our message to you. I am happy to give him back to you or Signore' Querini as you wish. With Narses dead he is of little use to us any longer. You suspected correctly, when one can walk the Shadowlands it makes a return quite easy, especially when you know how to follow the correct beacons. I am mildly surprised that you have rejected my Cousins offer Doctor, after all, we were under the impression that Lord Bene was unable to provide you your hearts desire whereas we certainly can". He pauses, "How unfortunate for Alexander that Grandfather has already claimed Praxis in the city, I suppose he will have to shuffle back to the city of s$#~, or is it lights? No matter, so long as he shuffles off".
As the night is about to draw to a close, 3 XP for everyone.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Querini Compound - Michele & Alessandro Khay'tall grins, "Why the Priestess of Isis herself, Keminitri has arrived, she has asked that we attend to her on her ship. It is in the sea. Of course, that shall happen tomorrow evening, it is quite late to row out now, no?"
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 La Serenata Notturna - Ranerius He walks with you to your bedroom door, he grins, "I believe they are contemplating renting rooms and using your Inn as a base of operations... However, I am not certain leadership would be willing to return to the city as they were threatened with death if they were caught returning until the reign of the current Doge ceases." Extending your senses, you can hear your Wife's rhythmic breathing from inside the room, she is indeed asleep.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 the Mausoleum - Lorenzo Moses moans softly as you heal his wounds, he stands nodding gratefully. Yeti's eyes go wide as he watches your third eye open and Moses is healed, "Impressive, I have heard of that power but never seen it before. Why Amborgino's Sire is Augustus Giovanni...". Yeti is interrupted by the appearance of Pietro Giovanni from down the hall, next to him walking sullenly, eyes downcast is Isaac. "Incorrect, Yeti. Amborgino's Sire is Japheth Cappadocious, but you are indeed correct that Grandfather and I have returned to Venice. Yeti, have you packed your belongings yet? You are free to go now that we have liberated you from your hiding spot". He turns to you Lorenzo, "I am surprised to see you here Doctor, Isaac informed me that you were not interested in our offer". Lydia holds her blade in hand though the tip is on the floor.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 the Mausoleum - Lorenzo As you close the door behind you, the Banshee's shriek comes to an end.
Lydia draws her blades, "Perhaps we should leave..." As she completes her sentence you see appearing from the top of the stairs, Yeti Samedi, "Oh, its' you! Welcome back. It's uh, it's not Amborgino who has returned... it's his Grandsire. I would imagine he and Pietro will wish to see you as you have returned... ah home".
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Outside of Lord Bion's Lair to the Querini Compound
The two Cainites, who perhaps know this city better than the rest of their Coterie make it to the Compound without seeing or being detected by anyone at all. Traveling in silence, each reflects upon the changes that the past several weeks have had on their families and dependents. It remains to be seen if fortune or folly shall result. Once inside as Michele is about to lead Alessandro to his quarters for the day, Michele feels a summoning pulling him from within his own home! Before he can resist, he races down the hallway to his Father's, no, no, it's Michele's study now. Alessandro stays close on his heels, hand on his blade in case whatever compels Querini leads to danger. As Querini flings open the door, there is danger alright, though perhaps it isn't immediate. Seated at Michele's desk is his brother Giuseppe, seated across from him, is Khay'tall. The ancient serpent smiles at Michele, the summoning fades and it's not a surprise who activated the summoning. "Ah Michele, your Brother was keeping me company but as good a company as he is, I got impatient waiting for you. News rarely gets me excited, but we live in exciting times these nights... ah young Alessandro, I almost didn't see you there". Giuseppe frowns at Khay'tall, as he seems to snap out of some sort of trance. "Brother, can we discuss events that have unfolded tomorrow if not tonight? Our Cousin has been murdered by the Doge, we must act!"
I'll get a post up for Alessandro and Michele later tonight.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 La Serenata Notturna - Ranerius Elio raises an eyebrow, "No Signore', business is good, look how late we are opened". Olivia groans a bit but smiles weakly, clearly these patrons have decided to take advantage of this place being "open all hours" to a new length in the night! As you walk through the taproom, they watch you go nodding politely and pick the conversation back up when you hit the stairs. Alexandre follows you up the stairs, "It is good to see you Signore' Bernerius but before you take to your stanza da letto I must warn you that those hooded gentlemen in your taproom are Hunters. In an amusing twist of fate, they are here because they believe this is one Tavern that houses no activity of the creatures of the night. So it seems that from their perspective, this is a safe place. They have confirmed that the Knightly Orders operating in the city have been given a dire warning to leave else they be prosecuted and likely hanged for collaborating with Marco Querini, but none were arrested, simply allowed to vacate the city. These two were ordered to sneak back in to find a safe haven for re-entry".
Just waiting for Alessandro and Michele to chime in and I will update them.
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 Geoffroi In the Sea You find a rowboat to take you to the small outcropping that Andrew showed you. A haven that, often by day is covered by the sea but dry due to the nature of the hole that covers this odd haven. You crawl into the hole, and decide to wait out the sun of the day there. As you contemplate how your life took an unexpected twist you wonder if being captured and jailed with your former Knights may not have been a better fate... Then your hand slides down and into your satchel, it rests on a book, a tome you find in the ancient Lord Bion's haven and pilfered. You open it, somehow, your vampiric eyes can read in this darkness or perhaps the book was written in away that allows the eyes of the dead to read it more clearly. At first you realize that despite some familiar words, it is written in a cipher than you will need a library to assist in deciphering. As you close the book, a parchment falls out, this is written in Latin. The letter reads: "Saturday, October 13, 1308. Dear Cousin, My Love, I hope I find you well. I have delivered this book through the usual method. I pray it is the first thing you find upon awakening. My Sire, Lazarus, has been wandering as usual, giving me leave to explore the City of All Cities. It is on one of those expeditions that I ran across, of all things an Infernal Baali! I was able to bring the wretched thing down into torpor and was contemplating dragging it before Prince Antinous. As I searched its belongings, I found this very book you are holding now. I awoke it and questioned it instead, he stole the book from a Cainite Templar who was being hounded by the Prince of Paris's minions. Once I realized it knew what I had discovered, I staked it and left it out for the sun to finish. Quite the read, if it is true, and I believe that it may be, it appears that the Salubri and others of their ilk, do indeed control the Knights Templar. More importantly, they have in their possession, the Cup of the Nailed God! There may be no more important find for the Apotheosis. My Love, I am trapped here, but you, you are free. Free to explore. You Sire has no contacted you in centuries, it is time to act. My own Sire seeks the Apotheosis the same as the Founder. Perhaps together, we can find it in that cup, of course I will, I must share this with my Sire, but while the bonds are frayed, I have the will to send you this book first. Go find the Cup, find freedom for you, for me, for eternity... Yours In Darkness, Angelique"
Venice by Night - Monday April 7, 1309 To the Cappelli Residence and Back Again... to the Mausoleum You and Lydia take to the streets as the hour grows late and retrieve Moses, hoping that he is indeed at your home. The number of Mortals on the street are few, it is after all, quite late indeed! You are in luck as Moses was indeed, awaiting your arrival, cutting short any small talk, you retrieve him and head directly to the Mausoleum. You wait a few blocks away as Moses and Lydia scout for danger. Reporting seeing none, you all head back through the front doors of the former Giovanni business and residence. All looks in disarray still, business will need to be put back together to make this place a front once more, or perhaps you'll not bother. You move swiftly through the "front" that the Giovanni created and to the main house. The doors are locked! Odd. You retrieve a key that your Sire handed to you to unlock the door and fling them open. Sitting in the middle of the hallway is an apparition! It stares at you, then Lydia, then Moses for a short time and then Screeches a deathly groan! ST ONLY:
Moses - Fortitude Moses takes 3 aggravated damage. Moses clutches his ears and falls to his knees gasping in pain, blood exiting from his ears. Both you are Lydia are unaffected by whatever this is... The sound is QUITE loud.... Intelligence + Occult DC 8 - 1 Success: This appears to be some sort of banshee wail, not harmful to the dead but quite harmful to the living!
|