Session IV: The Traitor

General Summary

Tonight is 5th of December 1952, the witching hour. You've been escorted out of the Mithraeum by the Queen's attendants, left to your own devices for the rest of the evening. You have had answers, posed questions, and received rewards. You've been tugging at the frays of this mystery for three nights, and now you're close enough to grasp it... but not quite close enough to unravel what left of it. Standing in the thick atmosphere of a London choked by smog, what are you going to do for the rest of the evening?

Making Time for Thyme

  The Story continues on the night of Elysium. Ava Brooks and Konstantin Daarst exit the Elysium and discuss what they plan to do next, now that the Queen allowed them the freedom to investigate as they please. The Seneschal approaches the two investigators and shares his appreciation for Daarst's willingness to work with the Camarilla in spite of his clan loyalties, while also suggesting a promotion is awaiting Ava after the case is closed. Afterwards, Ava agrees to join Konstantin for his meeting with the Regent of the Chantry not only for his safety, but also to question the man in person.   Daarst takes her through a confusing set of stairs, rooms, and hallways that seem to have their own mind. Mr. Thyme welcomes them into his office. During the conversation, he reveals to the two investigators that he believes a French Tremere by the name of Barnabas Calvez is responsible for the spell cursing the Kindred of London. He explains that Barnabas was demoted here from Brittany after a scandalous incident (which nobody seems to know the story of Mr. Thyme also explains he was tracking the traces of magic around London which he uses as an explanation for his exhaustion and for how he found a piece of cursed material outside Thea's tailor shop. He also informs the two that he gave Barnabas another piece of the material to "study" to distract him.   After Ava finishes interrogating Mr. Thyme, he suggests to the two to track Barnabas and the cursed material instead of interrogating him since an investigation might make him run away.   Ava and Konstantin thank Mr. Thyme for his time and expertise and leave to seek out Barnabas.  

A Study in Tremere

  The two investigators, already suspecting Mr. Thyme since the meeting with the Queen, are reluctant to follow his suggestion to track Barnabas which leads them to the decision to check on Barnabas while also tracking him. Konstantin takes Ava through the convoluted hallways of the Chantry and the two arrive at the seemingly abandoned office of Barnabas Calvez. The door seems to have been forgotten unlocked which Konstantin does not find suspicious, but the office seems to be in a bit of chaos. As the Tremere starts his ritual to track their suspect, Ava inspects the rest of the office. She finds a bookshelf full of Barnabas' journals, which he seemed to have kept religiously. She confiscates them as Konstantin finishes his spell and points out the raven feathers on the window still.   It seems like Barnabas has left the office in a hurry, following something, or someone.   The two decide to follow in his footsteps.  

Way Down We Go

  The tracking ritual brings the two to a manhole. After a displeased look between Ava and Konstantin, they go down in the sewers. They immediately notice the dirt and the absence of the Nosferatu.   Although the situation seems dire from the start, they continue to follow the tracks against their better judgment. Barnabas' footsteps take them to a strange wall which Konstantin insists they need to go through, even as Ava tries to explain she is going into possibly enemy territory unarmed. They pass through the wall and continue on the magical path created by the ritual, which almost makes them face a couple of Tzimisce creations such as a creature of flesh and human bodies with blade for hands, or a servant with no guts and an open rib-cage. They are able to avoid both through sheer luck and find Barnabas.   Contrary to what Mr. Thyme suggested, the Tremere seems as confused as Konstantin and Ava are. The three of them try to make their way back to the wall but are intercepted by the FleshThing.   They hide in a sitting room that seems to have been used by the Mistress of the place: there's a half-finished glass of blood, perfumed objects, and a painting with the Mistress, who seems to be Sybell Çelik. Ava finds a decorative sword on the wall, which she takes as a weapon. As Konstantin coats into magical poison, the FleshThing penetrates the wall with its blades and breaks Barnabas's head like a ripe tomato.   The Story ends as the two investigators lose their only witness and are stuck in a room while being hunted for trespassing by the murderous creation of their true suspect, the Tzimisce who started all of this.

Rewards Granted

The players each gain 3 experience points.
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Missions/Quests Completed

They have found the lair of the Tzimisce. This must count for a victory, right?  If they make it out alive, that is.