Fandom Vampire: The Masquerade: Chapter 3: Setting Aside Grievances

[Dalamus Ulom]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon
(The best part is that the character uses Japanese words and traditions, but Ninjas are actually Chinese. SAMURAI are Japanese, lol.)

Fortunately for you, the Malkavian Primogen's domain is in screaming distance from the Prince's tower. The Malkavian Primogen just so happens to own an insane asylum in the very middle of the town. As far as you know, it serves as recruitment grounds for your Clan and helps you maintain strength. In-fact, your Sire told you stories that he was supposedly pulled in from that very place.

You take the cab and arrive in less than 2 minutes. Weird, it was the same cab driver from before.

Either way, you set foot on the sidewalk and proudly look forward. Before you stands St. Vitus' Mental Hospital for the Downtrodden & Deranged. Separating the building from you were tall, red brick walls with metallic spikes on them, as if to stop people from escaping or getting in. You can tell that an attempt to climb over is practically impossible. In front of you is an iron gate. You open it and walk through the main path toward the asylum.

Making your way through the door, you get the vibe that this place is obviously supernatural in some way. The night just seems to be "stronger" here. It's weird. You can't explain it.

As you enter, you are instantly welcomed by the nurse behind the reception desk. She's smiling ear-to-ear. Her name, if you recall correctly, is Patty. She's the Primogen's Ghoul and servant. "Hello, Mr. Donnely!" she waves to you, even though you stand a few meters away from her. A common symptom of becoming a ghoul is inheriting some supernatural power from the vampire providing the blood. This includes clan weaknesses. You can tell she's a bit deranged. Not as much as an average Malkavian, no, far below it, but still deranged. She seems too energetic. Too happy. It seems overall detrimental. Although the constant smiling is a bit nice, it is also creepy.

Patty has blonde hair and wears a white cap, fitting of nurses. She has a slightly pale skin color, but not as much as a vampire. It is easy to tell at first glance she's alive. Her eyes are blue, although it seems one eye has a bit of bronze color in it. It is a common feature for Malkavians. A kind of genetic shift. Most of your clan-mates can be easily recognized for heterochromia; the possession of two, differently colored irises. If you were to suck Patty's blood, she'd instantly have two, normal, blue eyes, and stop being so energetic, since she's a ghoul, not a vampire. These features are not permanent. They are with her for as long as she has Kindred blood in her veins.

"Ohaiyo," you respond, probably in Japanese. "Is Grofhurst-sama available?"

"Mhm!" Patty nods very rapidly. "He's in his office!" The girl points you in the direction of the stairs. You nod and give her a slight bow as a traditional, Japanese form of thanking someone... you think.

You proceed upstairs.

Mr. Attwell Grofhurst. The name reeks with European Renaissance. The truth is, the Prince and Primogen of the city, or at least most of them, know each other. They all used to be lowly Neonates together somewhere in Europe during the early 1700's when they were Embraced. Then, sometime after they achieved Ancillae status, they were sent to America to colonize the City of Angels for the Camarilla. Of course, the Anarchs were here first. The Sabbat activity is rampant too, they're constantly vying for supremacy over the city. Regardless, the Primogen is a 9th Generation Elder. In theory, since you are of the 12th Generation, he could be your Great Grand-Sire without either of you knowing. As in, he Embraced the one who Embraced the one who Embraced you. Vampire genetics.

You knock on the door of the office. The hallway you're standing in is very creepy. Several doors of white plastic, yet the most disturbing feature would be the windows that have bars on them. It gives you a very unpleasant, claustrophobic vibe. "Come in," a voice comes from behind the door.

You enter. Before you, in a very poorly lit room, is a man. Clearly, in his late 40's. That must have been the age when Grofhurst was embraced. Regardless, you sit down. "Good evening, Grofhurst-sama," you state right off the bat.

The man looks at you, sitting from behind his desk. The room is far less fancy when compared to that of the Prince. Still, there were a few vases and flowers there and there.

"H-How can I help? Is it about your assignment from the Prince?" he asks. His desk is very bizarre. Numerous pens sit in perfect harmony, organized properly ranging from size to color. Oh, right. The clan curse. If you recall correctly, he has OCD.

"Yes. That is why I am here. He told me to get the details from you."

The Primogen gives you a very mean, cruel look for a moment as if trying to see into your soul. Clearly, more than one derangement. Clearly, more than just OCD. "V-Very well," he stutters a bit then walks over to the file cabinet. He looks through and throws a document file toward you. "That is all I have. Burn it after you re-read it," he speaks very slowly and sits back down. You wonder what he's doing, locked up in here all day. Seems boring as hell.

You take the document and bow. "Hai." You leave.

~~~~

Now outside, on the sidewalk, you look into the file.

Interesting. Several men and women in black trenchcoats were apparently noticed by cameras, sneaking around the area. They had several black vans, but you can't exactly make out the numbers. This clears one thing up. Whoever is behind this belongs to some large, organized group.

What do you do next?

1. Go to the port to investigate while the trail is still hot.
2. Go home and watch the new Ducktales show in Japanese. And anime. Lots of anime.
3. Go home and whip yourself. You deserve it.
4. Write-in.

Vitae: 95%

No, Ninja's and Samurai are both Japanese. Technically, the people who created these "japanese" things aren't really Japanese, but really Chinese colonists of the island of Japan.

Anyway, we shall go investigate, for a ninja is duty bound to complete his quests! Besides, we brought our whip and the newest Naruto manga with us, in case we get bored.

 

[Birdsie]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon

You have no choice but to do what a ninja would. You must remain diligent and honest in your dealings. With all haste, you proceed to the docks... after getting a taxi, that is.

~~~~

You arrive at the docks. After departing from the cab, you go into a secluded location between two, large containers and change into your ninja suit in order to begin the investigation of the local environment. You sneakily walk along the sidewalk and avoid contact with any mortals and non-ninjas in the process.

Finally. You arrive at the crime scene. In the distance, you see some police tape and destroyed containers. You approach close and, ducking under the lines before you, you set foot on the scene of the crime. A feeling of eeriness takes over you as you investigate. After a brief look around, you realize there are several places to look into.

1. The containers. This is where the weapons were held and stolen from. The containers look like they were forced open with... an explosive? Weird. The people you saw on the photos didn't look like they carried explosives. Not even guns.
2. The places where you saw the vans. The camera shots in the file you saw showed several specific spots looked over by cameras where some of the men in black trench coats were. You suspect one of them might have dropped something and left a lead. Maybe you'll find tire tracks? Something?
3. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?

Vitae: 95%

 

[Dalamus Ulom]

Well, let's start with the obvious first. We should check the containers, see if they missed anything, or even purposefully left things. If they did, that could clue us in on what they wanted and what they didn't. If they took everything, we'll definitely have to check where the CCTV cameras spotted them, incase anyone dropped something. And if there are tire tracks, it could mean they made a hasty getaway, meaning they were probably nervous about getting caught. No tire tracks could mean that these were professionals, and knew they weren't in any real danger. Which would definitely narrow down the list of possibile culprits.

 

[Rin Nyx]

All three are interesting and should be investigated, and in that order I think.

The thing most curious to me, at the moment, is the containers opened with explosives. Something isn't fitting with the information given to us...and we ought to investigate why.
So, my immediate vote is 1. But if we can, I'd like to check out 2 and 3 afterward as well.

 

[Birdsie]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon



You decide to check out the broken containers first and foremost.

As you approach, you feel something very unpleasant in the air. Not a sensation in your mind, but an actual, physical thing. A stench, but also a taste. There is a very, very thick ammonia reek in the air, as if there were still some residue after the explosion. In addition, the destroyed doors of the container are extremely rusted. Rust covers them so much you can barely make out the color underneath.

You walk into the container. The smell is even worse in here. So deep that it's almost unbearable to your nose. You look around the container but find only more particles of rust and... what's this? You notice something is different on the inside.

You walk out of the container and look around. Then you walk back in.

Yes...

... That's it...

...

You're sure of it. The inside of the container is discolored. In a clearly unusual way. You're certain no one making the container intended for it to be discolored. On the inside, the dark red is a bit darker and "twisted" so to speak. You haven't noticed this when you first entered.

Interesting.

What do you do next?

1. Use Auspex to try and enhance your senses and mental faculties for a while. This might lead you to find something else. If so, which sense do you boost?
   1. Sight. (-5% vitae.)
   2. Smell. (-5% vitae.)
   3. Hearing. (-5% vitae.)
   4. Touch. (-5% vitae.)
   5. Taste. (-5% vitae.)
   6. All of them. (-25% vitae.)
   7. A combination. (which senses?)
2. Go somewhere else. And where?
   1. The places where you saw the vans. The camera shots in the file you saw showed several specific spots looked over by cameras where some of the men in black trench coats were. You suspect one of them might have dropped something and left a lead. Maybe you'll find tire tracks? Something?
   2. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?
3. Write-in.

Vitae: 95%

 

[Birdsie]

Reload the page for muzik.

 

[Rin Nyx]

1: we can probably get more info off if this.
Senses to enhance: a combo of sight and smell, maybe taste if we wanna try to lick the discoloration...

 

[Dalamus Ulom]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon



You decide to check out the broken containers first and foremost.

As you approach, you feel something very unpleasant in the air. Not a sensation in your mind, but an actual, physical thing. A stench, but also a taste. There is a very, very thick ammonia reek in the air, as if there were still some residue after the explosion. In addition, the destroyed doors of the container are extremely rusted. Rust covers them so much you can barely make out the color underneath.

You walk into the container. The smell is even worse in here. So deep that it's almost unbearable to your nose. You look around the container but find only more particles of rust and... what's this? You notice something is different on the inside.

You walk out of the container and look around. Then you walk back in.

Yes...

... That's it...

...

You're sure of it. The inside of the container is discolored. In a clearly unusual way. You're certain no one making the container intended for it to be discolored. On the inside, the dark red is a bit darker and "twisted" so to speak. You haven't noticed this when you first entered.

Interesting.

What do you do next?

1. Use Auspex to try and enhance your senses and mental faculties for a while. This might lead you to find something else. If so, which sense do you boost?
   1. Sight. (-5% vitae.)
   2. Smell. (-5% vitae.)
   3. Hearing. (-5% vitae.)
   4. Touch. (-5% vitae.)
   5. Taste. (-5% vitae.)
   6. All of them. (-25% vitae.)
   7. A combination. (which senses?)
2. Go somewhere else. And where?
   1. The places where you saw the vans. The camera shots in the file you saw showed several specific spots looked over by cameras where some of the men in black trench coats were. You suspect one of them might have dropped something and left a lead. Maybe you'll find tire tracks? Something?
   2. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?
3. Write-in.

Vitae: 95%

We need to fully broaden our minds to investigate and use all our senses. Might I add I believe our ninja sense is tingling like crazy right now.

 

[Birdsie]

We need to fully broaden our minds to investigate and use all our senses. Might I add I believe our ninja sense is tingling like crazy right now.

The Ninja Sense is a supernatural thing. It's the Gift of Insight that gives you special foreknowledge.

A normal Malkavian would hear voices whispering to him: "This guy is untrustable," and they would indeed be true. Another might have a vision of what's about to happen and use it to his advantage. Another might see a map in a pattern of sand drawn by seagull footprints, and so on.

In our case, the Ninja Sense works basically like the Spidey Sense. It gives us superior knowledge of our surroundings. In-fact, if we didn't have it, we probably wouldn't have noticed a lot of things until now. Like the Prince having many bodyguards, or the Malkavian Primogen trying to stare into our soul.

 

[Birdsie]

1: we can probably get more info off if this.
Senses to enhance: a combo of sight and smell, maybe taste if we wanna try to lick the discoloration...

We need to fully broaden our minds to investigate and use all our senses. Might I add I believe our ninja sense is tingling like crazy right now.

Either way, we'll need a third person to end the vote, since this time you guys seem a bit tied.

 

[Dalamus Ulom]

The Ninja Sense is a supernatural thing. It's the Gift of Insight that gives you special foreknowledge.

A normal Malkavian would hear voices whispering to him: "This guy is untrustable," and they would indeed be true. Another might have a vision of what's about to happen and use it to his advantage. Another might see a map in a pattern of sand drawn by seagull footprints, and so on.

In our case, the Ninja Sense works basically like the Spidey Sense. It gives us superior knowledge of our surroundings. In-fact, if we didn't have it, we probably wouldn't have noticed a lot of things until now. Like the Prince having many bodyguards, or the Malkavian Primogen trying to stare into our soul.

I know. I was thinking spidey sense, tingles when there's danger afoot. It was meant as I joke.

Either way, we'll need a third person to end the vote, since this time you guys seem a bit tied.

It does seem we have reached an impasse.

 

[Archdemon]

We need to fully broaden our minds to investigate and use all our senses. Might I add I believe our ninja sense is tingling like crazy right now.

I agree, we need to use all our senses not merely towards the object but to the area surrounding us.

 

[Birdsie]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon

You activate Auspex and stimulate all of your senses. You are repulsed immediately. The adhesive stench of ammonia becomes vivid, clear, and strong. The dim shade of the container turns much brighter and visible, as your sight allows you to clearly produce an image of what is in front of you. The sounds of rustling and cracking metal as you set foot on it become loud and discernible. The precise "taste" of the substance in the air becomes sharp and precise, to the point where you feel like you can almost tell the chemical makeup of it. And lastly, your touch becomes sensitive. When you slide your hand across a surface, you can carefully feel each and every atom pushing against your skin.

It is very hard to describe because without experiencing it, one cannot properly understand it. The feelings going through you would give a seizure to any mortal trying to use this power. Or maybe even a heart attack.

You look around the insides of the container, but find nothing more. Outside, however...

You find several, very small tire tracks and footprints in the dust. Some of them are yours, the others must belong to the police, and some, possibly to the robbers. Regardless, you have found nothing else of interest. Ultimately, turning Auspex on was pointless.

What do you do next?

1. Go somewhere else. And where?
   1. The places where you saw the vans. The camera shots in the file you saw showed several specific spots looked over by cameras where some of the men in black trench coats were. You suspect one of them might have dropped something and left a lead. Maybe you'll find tire tracks? Something?
   2. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?
2. Write-in.

Vitae: 70%

 

[Captain Gabriel]

1-1.

 

[Rin Nyx]

1 and 1, gotta investigate the rest of the scene before interrogating witnesses

 

[Archdemon]

1. 1.

 

[Birdsie]

1-1.

1 and 1, gotta investigate the rest of the scene before interrogating witnesses

1. 1.

Before the next update, I'll point out there will be some cool shit we can do in the future, like diablerizing older vampires to grow in generation and getting a shitload of power and disciplines we shouldn't have, or using occult knowledge to summon demons and sell our (or others') souls in exchange for infernal powers.

Diablerie is very powerful. It gives you all the disciplines of the person you diablerized and their experience with them, plus the person's memories, and increases generation accordingly.

 

[Captain Gabriel]

Before the next update, I'll point out there will be some cool shit we can do in the future, like diablerizing older vampires to grow in generation and getting a shitload of power and disciplines we shouldn't have, or using occult knowledge to summon demons and sell our (or others') souls in exchange for infernal powers.

Diablerie is very powerful. It gives you all the disciplines of the person you diablerized and their experience with them, plus the person's memories, and increases generation accordingly.

That's gucci.

 

[Birdsie]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon

You get out of the crime scene and go alongside a small side-road nearby. You arrive in an area densely packed with containers of red, blue, and sometimes green color. The place is like a huge maze. Like a labyrinth of metal and boxes.

With auspex still active, you look around. The ammonia stench is not present here. No discolorations or rust either. You don't see tire tracks. Completely no clues anywhere. Whoever did this was a professional. No more doubt about it.

'Awhoooo!' you hear the sound of a wolf howling not that far nearby. Not a good sign.

You hear a plethora of feet hitting metal. You look up and then look around for the source of the sign...

... All around you. Wolves.

At least seven or more of these creatures now surround you, standing on top of the metal containers. One of the wolves jumps off of the container and slowly walks up to you. As it walks, and as you step back, it turns into... a human. A tall, pale man with red eyes and black hair. Wearing a brown, leather coat and a pair of sunglasses, the man smiles at you. This is the classic look of a Gangrel.

"Welcome to our domain, little one. I believe you've ignored the traditions by not visiting us. For you see, this urban jungle. The docks. They are our hunting grounds. Our domain. You are a visitor, but for what reason?" He gestures to his friends. The pack of wolves move back and dissipate, most of them returning to where they came from.

"I work for the Prince. And you must be the Gangrel Primogen?"

"That's right. How can I, George Soros, help you on this night... uh, ninja?" George took a look at your apparel and realized who you were dressing up as.

1. Speak with Mr. Soros.
   1. "Any idea about black trucks going through here?"
   2. Write-in.
2. Say goodbye then go somewhere else. And where?
   1. The places where you saw the vans. The camera shots in the file you saw showed several specific spots looked over by cameras where some of the men in black trench coats were. You suspect one of them might have dropped something and left a lead. Maybe you'll find tire tracks? Something?
   2. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?
3. Write-in.

Vitae: 70%

 

[Captain Gabriel]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon

You get out of the crime scene and go alongside a small side-road nearby. You arrive in an area densely packed with containers of red, blue, and sometimes green color. The place is like a huge maze. Like a labyrinth of metal and boxes.

With auspex still active, you look around. The ammonia stench is not present here. No discolorations or rust either. You don't see tire tracks. Completely no clues anywhere. Whoever did this was a professional. No more doubt about it.

'Awhoooo!' you hear the sound of a wolf howling not that far nearby. Not a good sign.

You hear a plethora of feet hitting metal. You look up and then look around for the source of the sign...

... All around you. Wolves.

At least seven or more of these creatures now surround you, standing on top of the metal containers. One of the wolves jumps off of the container and slowly walks up to you. As it walks, and as you step back, it turns into... a human. A tall, pale man with red eyes and black hair. Wearing a brown, leather coat and a pair of sunglasses, the man smiles at you. This is the classic look of a Gangrel.

"Welcome to our domain, little one. I believe you've ignored the traditions by not visiting us. For you see, this urban jungle. The docks. They are our hunting grounds. Our domain. You are a visitor, but for what reason?" He gestures to his friends. The pack of wolves move back and dissipate, most of them returning to where they came from.

"I work for the Prince. And you must be the Gangrel Primogen?"

"That's right. How can I, George Soros, help you on this night... uh, ninja?" George took a look at your apparel and realized who you were dressing up as.

1. Speak with Mr. Soros.
   1. "Any idea about black trucks going through here?"
   2. Write-in.
2. Say goodbye then go somewhere else. And where?
   1. The places where you saw the vans. The camera shots in the file you saw showed several specific spots looked over by cameras where some of the men in black trench coats were. You suspect one of them might have dropped something and left a lead. Maybe you'll find tire tracks? Something?
   2. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?
3. Write-in.

Vitae: 70%

1-2. Your insanity kicks in. "OUR ENEMIES...THEY ARE HIDING IN METAL BOXES! THE COWARDS...THE FOOLS!"

 

[Birdsie]

1-2. Your insanity kicks in. "OUR ENEMIES...THEY ARE HIDING IN METAL BOXES! THE COWARDS...THE FOOLS!"

Sounds like something a Malkavian ninja would say.

 

[Rin Nyx]

1-2. Your insanity kicks in. "OUR ENEMIES...THEY ARE HIDING IN METAL BOXES! THE COWARDS...THE FOOLS!"

Damn it, I was going to say 1-1, but now.........
This works. I like it. I'm voting for this now.

 

[Dalamus Ulom]

1-2. Your insanity kicks in. "OUR ENEMIES...THEY ARE HIDING IN METAL BOXES! THE COWARDS...THE FOOLS!"

YES

 

[Birdsie]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon

"OUR ENEMIES... THEY ARE HIDING IN METAL BOXES! THE COWARDS... THE FOOLS!" you are suddenly overtaken by an impulsive urge to scream out such accusations.

"Oh. Oh. I get it, you're a Malkavian. Well, this isn't worth my time," the Primogen turned away and his body started darkening, to the point where all of it, including his clothes turned pitch-black. In less than a second after, he turned into a black mist with a red core. This mist flew away elsewhere, leaving you alone to your ramblings.

Because of your social ineptitude, you didn't ask the Primogen any questions about black trucks.

After several minutes of wailing, you finally calm down. Curled down into a fetal position in a corner of the scary labyrinth and on the watch for any enemies, the chemicals in your brain seem to have finally balanced themselves out.

What do you do next?

1. Go somewhere else. And where?
   1. Return to the area with the containers.
   2. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?
2. Write-in.

 

[Captain Gabriel]

Dalamus Ulom Captain Gabriel Kalin Scarlet Rin Nyx Archdemon

"OUR ENEMIES... THEY ARE HIDING IN METAL BOXES! THE COWARDS... THE FOOLS!" you are suddenly overtaken by an impulsive urge to scream out such accusations.

"Oh. Oh. I get it, you're a Malkavian. Well, this isn't worth my time," the Primogen turned away and his body started darkening, to the point where all of it, including his clothes turned pitch-black. In less than a second after, he turned into a black mist with a red core. This mist flew away elsewhere, leaving you alone to your ramblings.

Because of your social ineptitude, you didn't ask the Primogen any questions about black trucks.

After several minutes of wailing, you finally calm down. Curled down into a fetal position in a corner of the scary labyrinth and on the watch for any enemies, the chemicals in your brain seem to have finally balanced themselves out.

What do you do next?

1. Go somewhere else. And where?
   1. The places where you saw the vans. The camera shots in the file you saw showed several specific spots looked over by cameras where some of the men in black trench coats were. You suspect one of them might have dropped something and left a lead. Maybe you'll find tire tracks? Something?
   2. The pawn shop. There is a pawn shop only a short jog from the crime scene. Maybe you can change into your "civilian" clothing and ask one of the workers if they saw anything? Maybe buy some cool antique katana while you're at it?
2. Write-in.

1-1.