Session 17 - Strained Loyalties

Session 17 - Strained Loyalties Nov 7, 2023 15:48:47 GMT -6

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Post by Cassian on Nov 7, 2023 15:48:47 GMT -6

Desires for the Night:
- Jack: To prove he remains in service to the Duke
- Harri: To continue investigating VII
- Cassian: To secure firearms capable of damaging kindred

December 26, 2004

Duke Almengore’s Penthouse, Hoyt Cross District
11:48 p.m.

Papagenno is not dead. Standing next to Jack and Jack Sr., he looks remarkably hearty and hale for a man who has been in a coma for weeks.
Masuko stands beside the Duke with her katana.
On the desk in front of the Duke is a huge pistol and strange bullets with bright red shell casings.
As Jack takes a step toward the desk, Masuko reaches for her sword and stops him midstep. “That is far enough,” she warns.
The Duke raises his hand and calmly orders Masuko to accompany Papagenno and Jack Sr. outside to the balcony, which she does begrudgingly.
Alone now with Jack, the Duke calmly loads the pistol and says, “Do you know who the Invictus are, Jack? Long ago, we were known as the Camarilla in ancient Rome. Our purpose is: To rule and to preserve The Masquerade. To rule means to have power. Power begets responsibility. Responsibility begets purpose.”
The Duke explains that the weapon he is holding contains rounds known as Dragon’s Breath — a chemically-modified bullet designed by Hunters [scoffs] and lethal to kindred. He finishes loading the pistol, sets it on the desk and looks at Jack. “Tell me why you should not greet the dawn? Give me… a reason.”
Jack responds, “Papagenno has purpose. He is under my control now and is, therefore, effectively silenced. Keeping him alive provides leverage to Invictus. Leverage that can be used against my Duke’s enemies.”
“What is your purpose, Jack?” asks the Duke.
“I am here only to serve you, my Duke,” responds Jack.
“You wish to serve me… over your sire, over the Invictus?”
Jack responds, “I do.”
The Duke says, “Kneel. Prove it.” And he cuts his own wrist and orders Jack, “Drink this night, and every night henceforth until the new year.”
Jack kneels and drinks! [Jack now has a Blood Bond 1.]
The Duke glances at the balcony and asks Jack, “What would you do with this ghoul?”
Jack proposes a detailed plan to use Papagenno in the Duke’s legal designs to protect the Ardelino family.
The Duke seems pleased and says this is exactly what he was thinking. He presents a letter from the Prince’s Herald that reads:

Kindred of Newcastle —

By Order of Prince Astrago,

Due to the recent unfortunate and monstrous Final Death of our beloved Harpy and Host by - currently - unknown assailants, all scheduled and future meetings of Elysium are hereby suspended until further notice.

Chanelle Haeron
Herald and Mouth of the Prince
Jack and the Duke discuss the implications of the letter. “Without Elysium,” he says, “there will be chaos. And chaos is a threat to the Masquerade, to the very existence of every Kindred in Newcastle.” Jack proposes that a member of Invictus should become the next Host.
The Duke considers the idea and says he agrees. He orders Jack, “You will find a way to do this, and you will not fail. It will dog you until you do.”

December 27, 2004
Sacred Heart Seminary, Wicker Village
12:17 a.m.

Cassian and Harri arrive at the seminary. A Jesuit priest answers the main door and Cassian orders him to stand aside and let them pass. He complies without question.
The vampires enter Papagenno’s room and find the bed empty and no sign of Papagenno.
Viktor’s green eyes appear in the shadows and he says, “He is gone. What transpired here tonight was in the service of the Lancea Sanctum.”
Cassian resists a fury frenzy and, composing himself, cooly responds to Viktor, “I thank you for your service, Viktor. The Faith is strong.”
Outside on the street, in front of Harri’s car, Cassian dials Jack’s mobile number. The call goes to voice mail and Cassian receives a text response: A moment

December 27, 2004
Marshall Manor, Marshall Campus District
12:28 a.m.

Jack leaves the Duke’s apartment with Papagenno and Jack Sr. They all get in Jack’s car and head toward the Haven.
Papagenno’s mouth is bloody. Jack checks to make sure his tongue is intact. It is.
From the car, Jack calls Cassian and tells him he is bringing Papagenno — alive — back to the haven. Cassian says, “Harri and I will meet you there.”
On the ride to the haven, Jack Sr. tries to convince his son that he is not under Balthazar’s control. Jack explains the concept of a thrall to his father. To illustrate his point, he orders Papagenno to slap himself in the face. Jack Sr. seems shocked and confused and stares out the window in silence.
Jack arrives at the Haven and finds Harri and Cassian in the sitting room. Cassian has Bones in his lap.
Papagenno sees Cassian and says, “Cassian! Son, you’re here!” Cassian doesn’t respond; instead, he looks directly at Jack while petting the dog. “What have you done, Jack?”
Jack and Cassian have an emotional exchange…
Jack claims he was out of options and time, and that he saved Papagenno’s life.
Cassian declares that Jack has violated the law of the coterie and broken the trust.
Jack says that he was protecting Papagenno from enemies who would have surely ended him.
Cassian says that Papagenno’s protection was his responsibility — not Jack’s — and that family has always been off limits. “I'm afraid you have rung a bell that cannot be unrung, Jack. I have lost my sire and my father in the span of 48 hours. You have taken the last of my family from me. What are you willing to lose, Jack?” Cassian continues petting Bones.
“Choose your next words carefully, Cassian…” Jack says, loosening his sword.
“As carefully as you did, Jack?” responds Cassian. He glances at Papagenno.
“I saved his life!” Jack roars.
“You’ve condemned him to our unlife. He was not yours to save!” shouts Cassian.
The Beast rises within, threatening to overtake both vampires! Fangs emerge. Kindred and ghoul, alike, recoil. Mercifully, Jack and Cass both pass a frenzy test.
“What would you have me do?” asks Jack.
“You claim your allegiance is still to the coterie,” answers Cassian. “Prove it: Declare war on the Invictus.”
Jack agrees to do so. He then leaves to drive Papagenno to Allison Shaw’s apartment and then to head to The Purple Rose.
Harri receives an email from Sheriff Fakkir summoning him to the freeway underpass… alone. He makes his leave.
Alone in the haven with Jack Sr., Cassian pets Bones and feeds him. He turns to Jack Sr. and grills him about his relationship with Balthazar. “Where does he sleep? Have you fed from him?”
Jack Sr. says he doesn’t know where Balthazar’s haven is and that he has only been fed bagged blood. He says that, since his embrace, Balthazar drove him around a lot at night.
Cassian says, “Think carefully, old man... What do you remember about those drives? Buildings, bridges, landmarks… Any detail could be useful.”
Jack Sr. thinks for a moment and says Balthazar often stopped outside a shop with antique clocks in the window. Balthazar would tell him to wait while he went in for sometimes up to an hour.
Cass tells Jack Sr., “Let’s go for a ride.”

December 27, 2004
Marshall Manor, Marshall Campus District | Newcastle Freeway Underpass
1:39 a.m.

As he leaves the haven, Harri feeds on a vagrant (slakes 1 Hunger) and then drives alone to the freeway underpass to meet Fakkir.
Upon arriving, Harri dons the rubber clown mask he took from Shenanigans. He uses Obfuscate and surprises Fakkir by emerging from the shadows in his disguise.
When he sees Harri, the sheriff draws his sword and attacks with blinding speed. Harri rips the mask off his head just as Fakkir’s blade reaches his neck. “It’s me! It’s me!”
Fakkir is confused and angry. “Explain yourself! Is this some kind of a joke?”
Harri explains that his ruse is part of his continuing investigation into VII. He assures the sheriff that his methods, while unconventional, are designed to test the reactions of other kindred.
The sheriff seems satisfied with the explanation. He tells Harri that he is the only one he can trust because, unlike the other members of Harri’s coterie, Harri remains “unaligned”.
Fakkir tells Harri that the letter he received from the Prince is legitimate, but it makes no sense to him. And Harri’s portents about the Prince being in torpor have him concerned — something he was unwilling to reveal the previous night when Cass and Jack were present.
Harri suggests that they summon the Herald for more information.
The sheriff says such a request is highly unusual. He explains that the Herald is one of the most secretive kindred in Newcastle. She is, purportedly, the only one who knows who the Prince actually is, and keeps her own haven’s location a closely guarded secret. It will be very difficult to get in touch with her without an Elysium in effect.
Harri then asks to drink from the sheriff to bond himself willingly to him!
Harri gains Celerity 1: Rapid Reflexes for the night and a Blood Bond 1.
Harri feeds on a bum and slakes 2 Hunger.

December 27, 2004
The Purple Rose, Ashton Park District
2:21 a.m.

Jack arrives at the Rose and finds Alanna on the dance floor. He asks to speak with her in private and they both head to Alanna’s back room.
Alanna is in a good mood. She tells Jack that she wants a war. She threatens the bishop saying, “Let’s get rid of that old Nosferatu once and for all!”
Jack proposes they target the Duke instead. Alanna is intrigued. But when Jack says that he has drunk from Almengore, Alanna’s mood turns serious. “Three drinks and you’re out.”
Jack nods and outlines a plan: To burn the Duke in his penthouse and pin it on Balthazar and Masuko. Then, to step in and lead Invictus himself.
Alanna, seemingly uncertain of the efficacy or wisdom of Jack’s “plan”, agrees to help and offers to burn down Ryokai Art Gallery as a distraction to call away Masuko from the Duke’s side. [This is a Major Boon.]
Jack explains that the plan has to go down within the next two nights… before his third drink from the Duke.
Alanna opens her safe and pulls out two burner phones.
Jack sees something sparkly inside the safe — like glass dust. And he catches a glimpse of a red rubber mask!

December 27, 2004
Odds & Ends, University District
3:49 a.m.

Cassian drives his black Suburban to Odds & Ends with Jack Sr. He parks a block away and asks Jack Sr. if the neighborhood looks like the place where Balthazar drove him. Jack Sr. doesn’t recognize it.
Cassian calls Roger and asks him to stand near the parked car to keep an eye on Jack Sr. while he visits with Ivan.
As he enters Odds & Ends, Cassian checks for antique clocks in Ivan’s window, but sees none.
Cass proposes to Ivan that, in return for discovering and reporting on the whereabouts of Cassius Vulpa’s body, he wishes to learn how to make Dragon’s Breath rounds.
Ivan agrees and says he will be in touch when he has all the information that Cassian will need.

December 27, 2004
Graves Island District
4:50 a.m.

Cassian drives to Graves Island with Jack Sr. His memory and sense of direction allow him to find the grate where he has encountered The Beast before.
He tells Jack Sr. to walk with him to the grate and to keep his mouth shut.
Cassian shouts into the grate, “I am Cassian Bartolomeo. I wish to speak with the Elder.” [elder... elder... elder…] His voice echoes into the blackness.
Some moments later, a foul wind stirs and snakes begin pouring out of the grate and every nook and crevice around the area.
Jack Sr. begins to panic. “Cassian! What is this? What’s happening?”
“Be still, old man,” says Cassian. “Have faith.”
The snakes writhe and crawl on each other and speak in one voice. The voice is a hideous whisper. What do you seek?
Cassian responds, “I come with information. The Spear of Longinus is in Newcastle. What is your bidding?”
The Beast responds: Retrieve.
Cassian says, “The spear is in the possession of the Tzimisce. Where can I find them, Elder?”
What have you brought me?
Cassian looks at Jack Sr., who has dropped to his knees and is utterly terrified. Cassian says, “In two nights, I will bring you what you require.”
Bring me a woman. She must be battered… and with child.
The writhing snakes slither away into the shadows.
Cassian gently takes Jack Sr. by the hands, helps him to his feet and gazes into his eyes. Tears of blood are streaming down Jack Sr.’s face. “Wh-what…was that, Cassian?”
“That, old man,… is what we are. You are one of us now. A part of our coterie. Best you see us as the monsters we have become.”

December 27, 2004
Marshall Manor, Marshall Campus District
6:02 a.m.

As the horizon begins to lighten, the vampires regroup back at their haven.
Jack shares his plan of attack on the Duke. He reveals that he saw a rubber mask in Alanna’s safe. He states that he has no designs on serving Invictus or anyone else.
Jack offers Cassian a boon. Cassian is impressed with Jack’s actions.
Jack then states that the coterie should offer to host the next Elysium. Harri and Cass agree that Jack is the one best suited to be the Host.
Harri states that they can likely enlist the sheriff to provide security for attendees by appealing to his sense of duty and principles.
Cassian points out that the sheriff remains very much a servant of the Prince’s law; and he will enforce that law despite any other factors.
Jack Sr. enters the room holding up his cell phone. He says, “I didn’t tell him, son… I didn’t tell Balthazar anything.”
Jack crushes the phone.
Jack Sr. looks at each of the vampires in the room and says, “I’m a part of your coterie. That’s what you said, isn’t it, Cassian? That I’m one of you now…”

The vampires earn +2 Experience.