Everything World of Darkness Ever - Vampire: Blood Dawn

Rosanna - Meeting Annabelle

Kathy nods, "Yeah. Let's get you guys cleaned up and presentable. Annabelle's old fashioned...really old fashioned. She'd have all of us in corsets and waistcoats if it weren't for the Masquerade. She's from the 18th century so...mind your manners."

Kathy leads the small group of women out of the club, giving a brief nod to the lead singer as they pass him and a young man who appears to have been newly embraced this night as well.

Kathy's car is parked in the back and Rosanna sees the rest of the band, the young black man, kid really, and the crazy looking bass guitarist, packing their gear into a van, being helped by a 20-something woman dressed in black leather. Rosanna's vampiric senses reveal to her that the woman is a mortal, though she speaks to the others with a familiarity that suggests she knows what the others are.

The crazy one yells to Kathy, "Hey, Kat! Karla finally got here! Surprise! Surprise!"

Kathy rolls her eyes as she opens the driver's side door to her car, yelling back, "I have to report in to Annabelle. Try not to break anything."

The mortal woman pokes her head out of the van, "Oh hey, Kat, the record label called, that's where I was by the way," she shoots a dirty look at the bassist, "Despite what Raymond would have you think, I was, in fact working. They want us to record another demo for their people in L.A."

Kathy nods, then turns her attention to her little brood as they get in the car, "You guys want to watch me deal with several hours of boredom tomorrow night while we record?"

Bloodnymph, in the front passenger seat, chuckles, "How about you let me take the new girls out hunting, instead?"

Kathy looks at Felicia and Rosanna in the rear view mirror as she starts the car, "Your choice."

Rhett - Who is Lodin?

Capone answers, "Lodin is the Prince of Chicago. The true boss around here, at least as far as the Kindred are concerned. That's us, by the way, just a fancy name for vampires some dirt-sucker in Europe came up with a thousand years ago."

Clara and Chloe take Rhett outside, Clara answering Rhett's other question along the way, "What you felt was the beast. The primal, predatory instinct to kill. Give in too much and you become something less than human. But, you must feed it to keep it at bay."

Chloe nods, "We are of the Gangrel clan of vampires and we have a special relationship with the beast. You see, the more we give into it, the more it overtakes us physically."

She points to her feet, which Rhett hadn't really noticed before. The reason she isn't wearing shoes is that her feet are almost cat-like, with thin claws in place of toe-nails. She walks as if she's in high heels, on the balls of her feet, but their slightly odd shape makes it look more like her actual heel is a second, backward facing knee.

As if to emphasize the point, Clara takes off the sunglasses she's been wearing this whole time. Her eyes are cat-like, yellow with slitted pupils. Unlike Chloe and himself, Clara's fangs haven't retracted. They still feature prominently in her mouth and Rhett notices that her other teeth are more pointed than normal as well, giving her a feral and unsettling smile.

Clara hops on a massive Harley parked out front, pulling Chloe up to sit in front of her. She motions to a smaller bike behind, "That's on loan. Don't wreck it or I wreck you. We're going to see Inyanga, the leader of our clan. Crusty old biddy. You'll like her."

Li - Meeting DuSable

As they leave, Li notices the lead guitarist of the band leading a group of three other women out of the club. Two of them appear to be teenagers and one seems to have been embraced tonight just like him. He doesn't have time contemplate it further though as Garwood drags him out, barely acknowledging the nod from the lead guitarist.

Garwood gets into a 1978 black mustang in pristine condition and waits for Li to get in the passenger seat, "Watch the leather."

He starts the car and drives toward the suburbs, "DuSable is my sire. He's an old academic, embraced during World War II. He's been watching you for months. But, he couldn't get permission from the Prince, Lodin, to embrace you, so he had me do it. Kathy and I earned a boon from the Prince a while back and DuSable forced me to use it to bring you into the fold."

He pulls the car up to the curb next to an old Victorian house with elaborate balconies and a widow's walk, "You're DuSable's problem now. Get out."

Ira - The Lessons Begin

Kevin's tone softens a bit, "Yeah. I was embraced by Lodin in 1984. Look, there's a lot you need to learn and not much time to do it. Lodin wants me to teach you and if you screw it up, its my head. And yours. First lesson. Lodin is an imperialistic tyrant. He uses people. To him, you and me and everyone else are nothing more than minions. Second lesson. Learn the game. I'm sure you won't have a problem with that. We live in a constant game of one-ups-manship. We're a room full of predators ready to pounce, just waiting for someone to slip up. Power and prestige are the name of the game. But, always remember that at the end of the night, blood is all that really matters. You take whatever blood you can to keep the beast at bay because if you give in to your blood lust, no amount of power in the world will save you."

The party goers and their garish costumes are a cacophony of background noise, their voices and laughter drowned out by the sound of the blood pulsing through their veins.

Rhett climbs onto the bike and starts it up, listening to the roar of the engine. He flashes Chloe and Clara a smile,

"I like your style."

He takes the keys to his SUV and tosses them to a nearby chronie,

"I'll be back for that. Don't scratch the paint."

OOC: [MENTION=6762758]TillForPie[/MENTION], [MENTION=6782771]LunaticLucas[/MENTION], and [MENTION=23298]industrygothica[/MENTION] are you still with us?

OOC: In an effort to move things along, a bit, we'll be forging ahead with a "training montage" style fast forward. If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please don't hesitate to ask.

Lessons

The next month is different for each of the new vampires, yet there are commonalities. All save one.

Rhett meets Inyanga, an ancient African woman both in appearance and actual age - she appears to be about 60 and, according to Clara, is over 1500 years old. Clara and Chloe take Rhett out, several hours away from Chicago, into the Lake County Forest Preserves, where they teach him what it is to be a Gangrel and a vampire.

Ira spends his time with Kevin, not seeing Lodin again at all. Kevin's facade of the friendly and helpful dealer when Ira was mortal is entirely gone, replaced by a harsh but sometimes sympathetic master manipulator. Ira learns of the history of the Ventrue and Lodin's absolute dominance among the Chicago vampires. He also learns that there are secrets, lies, and intrigues everywhere - webs within webs. Kevin, for example, plays the part of loyal soldier, but has several members of his brood secretly and strategically placed among the anarchs of Los Angeles.

Rosanna learns from Annabelle and Kathy. Annabelle is a beautiful, charming, and ruthless debutante whose eyes can shift from welcoming and empathetic to vicious and cruel in a moment. Rosanna learns that Felicia was embraced only two weeks before Rosanna herself was, meaning that she and Felicia are learning everything together. Felicia is an eager student, trying to ingratiate herself to Annabelle every chance she gets. Kathy is more laid back, more interested in Baby Chorus and her music career.

Li meets DuSable, a black lawyer embraced during World War II, who was a dignified older gentleman in his 60s when he became a vampire. Part of Li's induction into the Tremere involves a trip to Venice, Italy. DuSable accompanies him and guides him through meeting the elders of the clan, mysterious, enigmatic, and terrifyingly powerful. In an elaborate ritual, Li is forced to drink the combined blood of the clan elders from a goblet, bringing him a step closer to being blood bound to the clan itself. DuSable, for his part, is a patient and scholarly type, though with a ruthless streak when it comes to vampire politics. Li learns that DuSable, with the support of the clan elders, has plans to depose Lodin and become Prince of Chicago.

Angelina is alone, with nothing to guide her but stolen memories. She knows, from those memories, that she needs to stay alone for a while, until the taint of diablerie fades from her aura. There is a word that repeats itself in her dreams during the day, over and over again...

Golconda.

OOC: I had a post up, but you beat me to the punch. My fault for taking so long; I've been distracted with much less important things... my apologies, and I'll try to stay on pot of things better.

Rosanna tries to soak up as much information as she can from all sides. She enjoys Annabelle's old fashioned flair, but is more than a little intimidated. She can also appreciate Kathy's care-free attitude, and is perhaps a bit jealous of the ease with which copes with her vampiric life.

Movie nights are more and more frequent with Kenneth, Nicole, and Beth. Of course Kenneth thinks he's getting the best end of the deal, hanging out with three attractive girls almost every evening. They're all happy to see Rosanna coming out of her shell a bit. Mercifully, the topic of her being missing from school during the day just never seems to come up.

She longs to tell Bytemark the truth, but can't yet bring herself to do it. Perhaps one day when she can meet him in person? For now, she tried to carry on their online friendship as if nothing has changed.

Rhett revels in his new found power, and listens intently to what Chloe and Clara have to offer. He doesn't care much of the clans history but he puts on a show like he does simply to please his teachers. He has all of this power, but he needs them to figure out how best to use it.

When not on the reserve Rhett still stays just outside of Chicago. The property hidden in the country side was once used by the family during the prohibition era. Here they distilled moonshine and it was used also as a safe house for the "runners" that distributed to Chicago and other cities. The property no longer needed by the family for business, went untouched and began to decay. It was eventually passed onto Rhett upon his request and he spent many months repairing it. Rhett preferred to live outside the city, out of the clutches of rivals. The past month Rhett's free time had been dedicated to fortifying the basement of the single story ranch house. The small windows were sealed in with concrete and the only door leading down fastened with deadbolts and sliding chain locks. The concrete floor had been completely removed allowing Rhett the freedom to meld with the earth anywhere in the basement. During the day Rhett literally disappeared.

Rhett found himself getting more and more attached to Chloe and Clara, more so to Chloe. Both were extremely attractive, but the facade of innocence that Chloe portrayed was alluring. His relationship with Capone didn't change much. Capone was his boss, and so his word and demands were law. As such Rhett enforced them and those who disobeyed were dealt with harshly. This of course is why Rhett was chosen for the job.

After Li comes to terms with what he is and what he's done, Li has decided that nothing can be done to go back to normal. Li looks at his new found immortality as a way to expand his understanding of what he considers reality. Almost immediately after becoming a vampire Li and his new mentor DuSable took a trip Venice, Italy. Li was able to talk to his teacher into postponing any test until his return thanks to his well standing at the University.

Venice was a completely new experience for Li. Between meeting the Clan leaders and the rituals Li took part in he had little time to explore the city. He spent most of his time learning about about his Clan and the power that comes with being apart of it. Li's thirst for knowledge only seemed to amuse his mentor DuSable, who Li regard as without a doubt the smartest person Li has ever met. Li has finally found someone who he felt completely inferior to, and someone to strive to match.

After the Initiation Ritual, where Li drank blood of all the Elder clan members, out of a goblet. Li was finally being taught the staple of his clan's power, Magic. Li took to magic like few have seen in over a hundred years. After almost mastering Blood Magic in no time, Li has found a new goal for his existence. He wants to Master all kinds of magic maybe invent a new kind of his own.

Upon Li's return to the University he caught up in classes in just a few days. Li had told his family that he had gone to Italy on a Internship that he had earned. The only one from his past life that Li felt should know about what has happened to him was his older brother, Sato, who was extremely close to him growing up. Li is currently staying in one of Sato's spare rooms in his luxury condo.

Now Li is learning all he can and trying his best to be useful to his mentor DuSable and his plans.

OOC: The following are the basics of what you've learned about being a vampire, about your individual clans, and, most importantly, the Traditions. For those who know the game, this is old hat, but, it is presented from the perspective of your character's mentors so...

The Basics

You are immortal - you do not age, you are immune to mortal diseases, and you can use blood to heal most wounds almost instantly. Only fire, sunlight, and the claws and teeth of other vampires and other supernatural creatures can do lasting harm.

Blood is life - Drinking blood sustains you, allows you to heal and boost your physical attributes, and powers your Disciplines. Without blood, you will descend into a mindless frenzy in order to get it. If you somehow cannot feed you will enter a death-like sleep known as Torpor.

Superstitions are just that, for the most part - Garlic and running water doesn't affect you, and holy symbols and water only work if the wielder has true faith (a rare thing in these modern nights). A wooden stake through the heart will not kill you, but it will immobilize you, so be careful.

Factions

Chicago is firmly in the hands of the Camarilla, a very loose organization of kindred that promote the Traditions and enforce the Masquerade, believing that vampires must remain hidden, lest the inquisition be repeated to greater effect.

The Sabbat are spoken of by the Camarilla as near-literal demons, rampaging gangs of vampires who disregard the Traditions and just barely pay attention to the Masquerade, generally covering their tracks by killing all the witnesses.

Anarchs are usually younger vampires, idealists who feel that the middle ages inspired system of governance Camarilla vampires use is horribly outdated. Most Anarchs seek a more democratic and/or egalitarian system, though some are just in it for the violence.

There are also several independent clans that belong to no faction.

The Jyhad

Despite the loose alliance that is the Camarilla, most vampires are solitary predators. The Jyhad is an ancient, ongoing shadow-hidden game of one-upsmanship and prestation, manipulation and deceit. Mortal institutions, governments, religions, and corporations are the pawns as the kindred maneuver to secure power for themselves. Those who do not play the game inevitably end up becoming pawns in it.


Myths and Legends

According to legend, the first Vampire was the biblical Caine, punished with eternal life for the murder of his brother. The third generation of vampires are generally acknowledged as the founders of the various vampire clans and are generally referred to as Antediluvians.

Some elder vampires whisper of Golconda, a state of being where-in the vampire's bloodlust, the Beast, is tamed. This transcendent state is scoffed at by most as an impossible dream.

Gehenna...the end of the kindred, when the antediluvians will rise up and consume their childer in an orgy of fire and blood. Most believe this too is a myth, though a few secretly believe that Gehenna is upon us already.

The Clans

Rhett learns of the ways of the Gangrel from Clara and Chloe - the Gangrel are barely members of the Camarilla, preferring the wilderness to the cities other clans favor. Chicago's Gangrel are led by Inyanga, though there is also a semi-independent motorcyle gang of Gangrel calling themselves The Wolf Pack that roam the Great Lakes region led by Tyrus. Chloe and Clara were once members of the gang but entered the service of the Ventrue, Capone, when they grew bored with Tyrus and his antics. According to the two women, Tyrus has contacts among both the sabbat and the werewolves and may have been responsible for inciting the werewolf attack on the city's vampires in 1993.

Rosanna learns mostly from Kathy and Annabelle about the Toreador - The Toreador have a weakness for art and beauty and can become enthralled by moments of beauty, whether a painting, patterns of light through the trees, or the beauty of a mortal. Annabelle is aloof and, according to Kathy, has become a bit paranoid recently, with the disappearance of her sire, Maria. Annabelle is secretly an ally of Modius, the Prince of Gary, Indiana. Though generally ignored by Lodin, Chicago's Prince forced Modius to swear fealty to him many years ago and Modius chafes at this constantly. Annabelle throws regular parties, which all Toreador in the city are expected to attend. Kathy manages to beg out most of the time, citing her responsibilities to Baby Chorus.

Li and DuSable have become inseparable as the older vampire seems to consider Li a true protege, something Marshall never was - There are only a few Tremere in Chicago, led by Nicolai, DuSable's sire, who was embraced when he was only 10 mortal years old, in the 1300s. Though Nicolai leads the Tremere, DuSable generally acts as the Clan's spokesman as many don't take Nicolai seriously due to his child-like appearance, despite his great age and experience. Besides Nicolai, DuSable, Marshall (who spends most of his time with Baby Chorus and is a severe disappointment to DuSable) and Li, himself, there is only one other Tremere in Chicago - Erichtho. According to DuSable, Nicolai embraced her during the 1800s out of a misguided belief that he was in love with her, having never experienced romantic love. She has always been fiercely independent and is a wild card, not adhering to the structures and rituals of the Tremere.

Ira learns much about the Ventrue both from Kevin and his own investigations; Angelina must rely on her stolen memories for the most part, though she does slowly manage to meet others of her clan one or two at a time as she prepares to reveal her existence to the Prince - Lodin has maintained a fierce grip on Chicago for decades, first coming to power in 1871, during the infamous Devil's Night fires. He has faced threats from anarchs led by the caitiff known as Maldavis; from the Toreador Prince of Gary, Modius; and from roaming packs of werewolves from Canada and defeated them all. His main means of maintaining power are through his numerous childer. Thomas Hinds was Lodin's first childe and was pivotal in gaining Lodin control of Chicago's mortal political leaders; however Hinds has recently turned rogue, joining the Anarchs, much to Lodin's fury. Edgar Drummond is loyal...and obsolete; he was instrumental in spreading Lodin's influence via his connections to the railroad as tracks were being laid across the country; now Drummond rots away with his railways, unable to adapt to a world of instant communication and air travel. Horatio Ballard holds sway over Chicago's banks and financial power, making him one of the most powerful vampires in the city; he is also the most disgusting - obese as a mortal, Ballard has managed to retain the ability to eat mortal food and he does so with great enthusiasm and excess. Al Capone, one of the most infamous gangsters in life, still influences the city's mafia after his death and rise as a vampire; it is no secret that Capone harbors a seething hatred for Ballard, though he dares not act against him directly...although recently Capone's demeanor has changed; the ruthless gangster has gone soft according to rumor and the word Golconda has crept in to conversations about him. Edward Neally was an up and coming political maverick in the 1890s until scandals caused a fall from grace; Lodin embraced Neally and molded him in to the perfect servant; Neally is now Lodin's right hand, managing clan affairs in the city while Lodin focuses on his duties as Prince. Jacob Schumpeter was embraced to give Lodin a more modern perspective on the financial world, meant to replace Ballard; Schumpeter is instead a disgrace and embarrassment, one Lodin would like to be rid of. Kevin Jackson was embraced to give Lodin influence among the rising gangs of the modern nights; one thing Lodin cannot overcome however, is his racism; Jackson knows this and is biding his time, quietly spreading his own influence. Joseph Peterson is Lodin's toady in the world of the media; Peterson uses his influence as a former journalist to quietly bury any news that might endanger the Masquerade. Bobby Weatherbottom is a recent addition to Lodin's brood, a teenage computer genius and hacker, embraced because Lodin and most of the other older vampires in the city cannot even begin to fathom concepts like the internet; unfortunately for Lodin, Bobby's embrace was the last straw for the other clans who had long felt that Lodin's creation of childer had gotten out of control; they threw in their support for an Anarch uprising and Lodin, in turn, had to call in favors from them to quell the Anarchs and their leader, Maldavis; Bobby, meanwhile, is the epitome of the reluctant vampire, spending his time with his mortal lover, Amanda. After the dust settled from the Anarch uprising, Lodin was back to his old ways, embracing the owner of the Succubus Club, Brennon Thornhill, in order to keep an eye on the popular vampire hangout and the Anarchs who often frequented the club. After a subtle reminder from the leaders of the other clans, Lodin wisely decided to court their favor by allowing several new vampires to be created on Halloween night by the other clans in exchange for permission to create one more childer of his own, Ira.

December 19th, 1999

Lodin has sent out invitations to a Christmas party and expects the city's newest vampires to be presented by their sires during the event. The party is to be held on the 81st floor of the Sears Tower.

OOC: For your next post, if you have any questions about anything posted above, you can post them in character and your mentors will try to answer them. Also, include any preparations you want to make for the party.

“But… what do I do?” Rosanna asks after finding out she’s to be presented the Prince in less than a week. “Do you think I’m ready? I’m not sure I am. Kathy, did you go through this too? How did you do it? What did he say? What about Felicia, will she be there too?” She finally stops, growing agitated with herself.

“I know I’m full of questions. I can’t help it. It’s just… I’m scared.”

After receiving his invitation he feels like he should inquire more about the event with his sires. He does so with a broad question, hoping to get as much detail as possible.

"What should I expect at this event? What is to be expected of me?"