Session 7

RECAP:

"The shadows lengthen over Seattle as night falls. The city's gleaming towers stand oblivious to the ancient struggle unfolding in their depths. Kindred factions, once content with uneasy truces, now bare their fangs as alliances shift like quicksand. In the corridors of power, whispers of the Inquisition's return send chills through undead hearts. The streets have become a chessboard, each move calculated, each pawn expendable. Anarchs rally in abandoned warehouses while Camarilla elders scheme in high-rise havens. But beneath the surface war, an older, darker power stirs. Its tendrils reach through the centuries, promising destruction or salvation to those brave or foolish enough to listen. As the Emerald City teeters on the brink, the stage is set for a battle that will reshape the night. The pieces are in motion, the players take their positions, and the final moves of a deadly game begin."

The CAST

Elias, Elder of Clan Tremere A figure of power and intrigue, Elias stands at the center of Seattle's vampire politics. As an Elder of the Tremere, he commands respect and fear through his mastery of blood magic. His position as Primogen on the Camarilla Council has long made him a key player in the city's night-to-night governance. However, recent events have cast a shadow over Elias's loyalty. Despite his vows to the Camarilla, he appears to have formed an alliance with the Anarchs, a move that has sent shockwaves through kindred society. His ultimate goal seems clear: to claim the title of Prince of Seattle for himself. Elias's machinations run deep. A vision granted to Levine revealed Elias and his childe, Fariha, in the catacombs beneath the city. This clandestine meeting hints at secret plans and hidden agendas that may go beyond mere political ambition. With centuries of experience and the formidable magical abilities of the Tremere at his disposal, Elias is a dangerous and unpredictable force. His betrayal of the Camarilla and his underground activities suggest a vampire willing to risk everything in his bid for ultimate power over Seattle."

Victor Ambrose, the elder of Clan Ventrue, currently holds the reins of power in Seattle as its acting Prince and leader of the Primogen Council. His rise to this position is a testament to his ambition, the very quality that caught the eye of his sire, Lyman Cornelius Smith. Whispers among the Kindred suggest Victor's involvement in Lyman's mysterious disappearance, a rumor that has both bolstered his reputation for ruthlessness and cast a shadow over his rule. However, the truth is far more complex. While Victor relishes his new position of authority, the unexplained absence of his sire gnaws at him, filling him with a nervousness that manifests as heightened paranoia and aggression. Victor's suspicion falls heavily on Elias, the Tremere elder. Whether driven by political rivalry, genuine belief, or a need to deflect attention from himself, Victor is convinced that Elias played a role in Lyman's disappearance. This conviction has become an obsession, pushing Victor to extremes in his quest for the truth. As acting Prince, Victor walks a tightrope between consolidating his power and unraveling the mystery of his sire. His Ventrue business acumen serves him well in navigating Kindred politics, but his growing fixation on Elias threatens to destabilize the delicate balance of power in Seattle. Victor Ambrose is a dangerous player in the night's games, his ambition tempered by fear of the unknown. He's determined to uncover the truth about Lyman's fate, no matter the cost, and has set his sights on ending Elias's unlife in the process. In Victor's mind, this would solve two problems at once: eliminating a suspect and removing a powerful rival."

Scarlett Ruvan, the Elder of Clan Nosferatu and Primogen of Seattle, stands as a master of secrets and shadowy machinations. Her extensive information network has positioned her at the center of the city's intricate web of vampiric politics. Key information in Scarlett's possession includes:
The clandestine communications between Elias (Tremere Elder) and Casius (Anarch leader). Midas, the Toreador Keeper of Elysium, is plotting to usurp the Primogen seat from his own sire. A mysterious bargain has been struck between various factions, notably excluding the player's coterie.
Perhaps most intriguing is Scarlett's apparent protection of Vivienne Rhodell, the Toreador Elder. This alliance is particularly puzzling given the historical enmity between them—Vivienne harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Nosferatu, blaming them for her sire's final death. Scarlett's motivations for this protection remain obscure, adding another layer of complexity to Seattle's already convoluted Kindred relations. Despite her clan's typically reclusive nature, Scarlett, along with her childe Lennox, has been actively engaging with the player's coterie. They've been offering assistance and guidance through the labyrinthine intrigues of Seattle's nights, suggesting that Scarlett sees potential value or alliance in the coterie's actions. Scarlett Ruvan embodies the Nosferatu's reputation for being information brokers and puppet masters. Her actions suggest a long game in play, with moves and countermoves planned several steps ahead. While her ultimate goals remain unclear, it's evident that she's a crucial player in the unfolding drama of Seattle's Kindred society."

Violet, Malkavian Primogen and Elder.The Malkavian presence in Seattle is characterized by mystery and prophetic visions. Violet and Robert share apocalyptic visions of Seattle in flames and a masked figure leading the old Prince. For reasons not disclosed, they believe that Levine can play a crucial role in finding and rescuing the missing Prince Lyman. The recent revelation about Robert's true nature and power adds another layer of intrigue to the Malkavian influence in the city. Their keen interest in Levine and the search for Prince Lyman suggests that significant events are unfolding in Seattle's Kindred society. The Malkavians' motivations remain enigmatic, and their true goals are yet to be revealed. As with all things related to Clan Malkavian, distinguishing truth from madness remains a challenge for those who interact with them."
"Other Key Players and Threats in Seattle These elements add layers of danger and intrigue to the already volatile situation in Seattle. The Inquisition's arrival threatens to expose the Masquerade, while the enigmatic siblings and their connection to Elias hint at hidden agendas. Meanwhile, Cassius and the Anarchs represent a more overt threat, challenging the established order and directly confronting the coterie. As the nights progress, the coterie must navigate these various factions and dangers, each with their own motivations and methods. The complex interplay between these forces promises to keep Seattle's Kindred society in a state of constant tension and upheaval."

AND THE NIGHT BEGINS

As the coterie prepares for the night a call is coming through. Mickey's voice come over the intercomm, Madame the call is for you. (Levy) Jasmine, the young mage who runs the Cunning Crow Apothecary. Levine's touchstone rarely calls at this hour, and her voice trembles with fear as she speaks.

'Levy, I found something about that tome you asked about - the Book of Bazeroth. It's... it's worse than we thought.' Jasmine's words tumble out, a mix of arcane lore and mounting dread. One of my old prefessors has a journal from a man named Gordon Weaver. the Journal includes an account of an ancient evil, Bazeroth, an incarnation of suffering said to have birthed the Black Plague. Destroyed centuries ago by a coalition of human and vampire mages, its defeat required a blood ritual of immense power - among other things it required the vitae of Troile and Arikel or their descendants. Does that mean something? The manuscript says the ritual must be performed in pure darkness in a place of power. The books owner seemed to think this was the site of a new building. It was owned by a typewriter and firearm entrepreneur. They list the intiials LCS.

But it's not just history that has Jasmine spooked. Her voice drops to a whisper as she recounts a strange visitor to her shop - an albino man with piercing eyes, asking pointed questions about demonology texts. The implications hang unspoken. The man introduced himself as Dex Freeman. He said he was a writer and he was working on a story about the history of the occult in Seattle. But there was something off about him. Somehow I could sense that what he really was looking for was my reaction to his questions. I sensed something threatening so I did my best to answer as I would for the average customer. I am not sure he bought it. Whatever you are looking into you are not alone. Please be careful.

'If you need me, I'll be at the cottage,' Jasmine says finally, invoking the code for Levy's safehouse in Everett. The line goes dead, leaving Levine alone with this dangerous knowledge.
With the rain pattering against the windows and the city's lights casting long shadows, the coterie must decide their next move in this deadly game of power and prophecy."

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

1) At some point in the night the coterie receives a visit from Zakira (Sheriff). The Sheriff, usually a cold and imposing figure is haggerd. Blood stains her collared shirt and suit jacket. The tower was ambushed and the young Tremere has escaped and disappeared. Victor is calling all of his allies to Elysium. This is not an invitation Levine. Your family needs you now.
2) The Door below the Tower. If the players decide to pursue the young Tremere they may find that in the basement of the Smith Tower there is a storgae room. (Auspex 2 will allow the player to detect a stange resonance, infernal, arcane) There is some sort of infernal magic at work in this room. (Investigatiion could reveal the following: one of the walls has runic glyphs on it like those you saw on the bodies in Discover Park. The runes are code and the Boo of Bazeroth is the cipher. Occult knowledge will help in this search. Succesful investigation rolls will reveal that at least two indivuals past this point recently. In the last few hours. (Auspex may reveal that these were Elias and Fariha.

3) Vist Jasmine Blane at the Cunning Crow Apothecary and she if she knows anything about the Cult of Bazeroth

4) Seek out the Malkavian Elder, Violet and get her take on what has been happening.

5) Investigate potential ties between Elais and the Anarchs. (Could check for any business transactions or potentially phone records)

6)