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| Welcome To The Night You find yourself in London - but not as a mortal as something entirely different. Welcome to the world of Vampire The Masquerade. The game uses the cursed and immortal Vampiric condition as a backdrop to explore themes of morality, depravity, the Human condition, salvation, and personal horror. Your fate is your own - Join The Camarilla or The Sabbat, rise and become powerful or scheme from the sewers. Anything is possible in our World of Darkness. Create Your Account! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| "Introduce Yourself, Be Polite, Then Bugger Off." | |
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| Topic Started: Monday, 23. July 2012, 11:50 (181 Views) | |
| Garrett O'Connell | Monday, 23. July 2012, 11:50 Post #1 |
Superbly Sociopathic
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A single bat dashed through the air, mere inches over Garrett O'Connell's head as he gazed upon the full moon. The wind ruffled his short black hair, inciting a feeling of refreshing chilliness. Taking yet another brief look around the area, Garrett scratched his beard and muttered to himself "A bit overkill, isn't it...? Compensating for something, little Prince?" Preparing himself for the dubious pleasure that was cainite politics, he buried his hands in the pockets of his black coat before taking the final steps into the impressive building that was 30 St Mary Axe. Inside was fairly quiet, though the occasional white-collar worker scurried by. Garrett didn't really pay them any heed as he headed towards the desk where the Prince's receptionist ghoul sat. "Evening. Here to introduce myself to the boss man." His Irish accent had slowly worn off during the decades, until only but a hint of it remained. Leaning casually on the desk, Garrett's emerald green eyes studied the hall with great curiosity hidden behind a straight face, as he awaited a response from the young woman next to him. "Mr. O'Connell, I presume." She studied his face thoroughly, noting his somewhat square-shaped face, the dark eyes that looked much older than their owner, the ruffled state of his black hair and beard and the way he looked at her. He had charisma, that much was certain. "Go on up." she said, a bit flustered. Garrett waved his hand vaguely as a gesture of thanks as he proceeded to the elevator that would take him to the Prince's office. "Introduce myself, be polite, then bugger off." Garrett recited in his mind, not quite knowing what to expect from this particular Prince. A bell sounded off a high-pitched "ding!" as the door slid open and Garrett stepped out into the penthouse office. "Evening, Prince." he said and bowed his head ever so slightly. "Garrett O'Connell, pleasure to meet you and all that. So, to get this over with; what favor do you want done so we can both go back to our own business?" It was direct, but there was no rudeness in the way he said it. It was sincere, a way to save two busy men's time as tradition dictated they waste it on polite gestures. |
| "Every time I yank a jawbone from a skull and ram it into an eyesocket, I know I'm building a better future." | |
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| Lucien Chambers | Tuesday, 24. July 2012, 08:07 Post #2 |
Former Prince
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Flickers of crimson, shades of red and the world was falling. Steel grating smashed the side of his face, the cool breeze of a summers evening licked his fair hair as he lay motionless in the gutters of the west. No voices were heard, no exclamations of terror or fear, only the distant murmur of a restless city. Slowly the gentleman rose to his feet and wiped the slithers of blood from the sides of his mouth with an embroidered handkerchief. He was pale and withered but it did not hinder his performance when it came to the replenishment of vitae. "Delightful" He muttered before straightening his tie and adjusting his tailored suit. "Lucien you are quite the host". Another figure appeared in the alleyway, the light from the street lamps projecting a huge shadow. "Well if you had been more patient Malloy we would have prepared something at The Axe for you" He was taller than the other but equally well dressed. They advanced down the pavements of Holland Park Avenue, once again sliding into the facade of the mortal public. The streets were busy this evening, it was a Friday night and the warm weather always brought the mortals out in their packs. Traders reviled in their stock purchases, Sales man ordered shots and screamed about the fees they had just achieved or the cars that they had acquired. Not a single person took attention to the two older well dressed gentlemen that walked the streets that fateful evening. “London’s Sabbat problem is all but over” Lucien’s voice had grown youthful; he was positive and felt on top of the world. “I assume Paris will follow in our stead?” “Our problem is much different Lucien. I have too many Anarchs conversing within my ranks. I have killed many of my own, thinking it would serve as a message. As of yet no one has heard the call” “The Anarchs are never your greatest threat old friend, the truth threat lies within your own ranks. Keep a watchful eye on your closest advisors – there will always be a Brutus” Lucien knew that more than anyone. He had been the shadow in the dark; he had received his pieces of silver. “Indante has not been in touch in some time, last I heard he was in Rome trying to subdue cultists for breaching The Masquerade. Strange that he would take such a task into his own hands, seems more like the work of a Sheriff” They continued until finally they reached Notting Hill Gate. A black car awaited their arrival attended by a young ghoul. “Good evening to you sirs” He nodded politely and held the door open for both the ancient creatures as they slipped inside. It did not take long for them to reach their destination, The Axe. The vehicle arrived in the basement parking garage surrounded by the security that Lucien had requested. He would be prepared for the worst situations until he saw that green light of domination. The two elders made their way to the elevator and ascended slowly to the penthouse. “What an office you have here Lucien, nothing like my club back in Paris. You really are spoiling yourself” Roman gazed at the glass that formed around them, taking in the sights of London by moonlight. “I imagine you feel like you’re on Olympus up here” He laughed before finally sitting on a leather sofa to the far right of the room. “But in all seriousness – we do need to discuss our endgame here Lucien. We are all disposable in this game of chess they play; we require a trump card, an ace in our sleeve. I wish to continue into this unlife” Lucien sat behind his desk as usual, his fingers stroking majestically from key to key. He was at one moment updating client contacts in guise of his acquisitions firm, the next he was issuing death warrants to unsuspecting Kindred who had broken a tradition. He finally came to a halt, retrieving a hip flask from his top door and poring two glasses of fine red liquid. “Perhaps this is a discussion for another time you paranoid fool” He passed a glass to Roman. “We are the masters of this fate; I am no puppet to some unforeseen puppeteer. I created this, I was the vermin in the street – now I am the falcon in the dive” He winked and slowly drank the beautiful and refreshing blood. There was a sudden buzz at the intercom. “Sir, a gentleman is here to meet with you, it was in your diary but I forgot to menti-” the ghoul’s voice echoed from machine. “You do realise I have company this evening” The pure tonality in his voice could engrave words into stone at this point. “Very well we will meet with this Neonate” Finally the kindred arrived, sauntered into his office and declared his presence. “Mr O’Connell” Lucien eyed him up and down, reading his every fibre. “Your accent betrays you. It is not very easy to hide from the green isle, it will always find you again – your regent did not inform me of your arrival. But it is very good to see you hear abiding by our traditions... forced as they are” “This one looks like a Brutus” Roman echoed from the corner of the penthouse. “Or maybe he is more of a Cassius” He chuckled to himself whilst sipping loudly from his glass. “Now Roman, you know we do not simply judge a book by its cover. This gentleman appears to be honest enough, although it appears we have caught him on a tight schedule” The final two words were clipped as if to emphasise his disapproval of Garrett’s tone. “At all events, welcome to London Neonate, the gentleman in the corner of the room is Roman Malloy – Prince of Paris, you are quite fortunate to meet two prices in one evening. I do not require favour from you at this time; I only use those I trust. You have yet to earn my trust so therefore – I am watching” His face could have been made of stone and no one would have noticed the difference. He personified authority and he would make everyone aware who was the true ruler of this city. “Please escort yourself o...” A glass smashed in the corner of the room, Lucien turned sharply. Roman Malloy was staggering to the floor, his hands to his throat as if he had been given oxygen again only to have it taken way. “Malloy what the hell is up with you?!” Lucien bellowed whilst striding over to him. “Perhaps it is time that we booked you a flight” Flickers of crimson, shades of red and the world was falling. Chambers tumbled through glass and steel as he was projected through the air and into his desk. The Axe began to rumble, as if some monstrous earthquake had found them and settled underneath. Chambers grasped the sides of frame and hoisted himself slowly to his feet, he could feel the whole building moving and shaking under his very feet and then it happened. Malloy’s eyes were now red as a dying star, blood began to pour from his eye sockets, he began to scream uncontrollably and then slowly began to levitate from the ground. For the first time in a long while Lucien was in a state of panic, he glanced over at the Neonate “WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE!”? His voice was now nearly impossible to hear over the roar of the building, the glass above them began to crack and the vibrations became more intense” Roman Malloy was now suspended in the air; blood trickled slowly from his eyes, down his fine suit and to the floor – where a pool of vitae had formed. Kindred burst through the doors behind them, calling for Lucien and the Neonate to get out now before the whole building collapsed but they were suddenly ash, destroyed as soon as they walked through the door. It must have been around six in all – the chaos that ensnared them was unreal. Chambers began to edge backwards, keeping his distance as chaos reigned all around them. He could try and destroy him, but it appeared that this was no longer Roman Malloy. “WE ARE DROWNING” The voice that came from within the Prince of Paris was not his own, it was huge and deep – as if some demonic force had penetrated his very being. “WATER. WATER ALL AROUND US. THE SKY ABOVE. THE SEA BELOW” Every word that came forth creating further cracks in the glass that surrounded them. “SIN. I AM COMING. I AM SIN ITSELF. I AM DARKNESS. I AM THE JUDGEMENT OF ALL. I WILL DROWN YOU IN A SEA OF YOUR SINS. KNOW ME.” The glass dome shattered around them, the winds were so strong now as glass reined fire down on them. A large chunk sliced through Lucien’s side and he collapsed to the floor bleeding rapidly. There was a huge clap of thunder and all at once Roman Malloy was on fire, convulsing in the air – as if released from his mental prison. He was screaming, but it was not the voice of some demonic force, it was his own. Ash slowly descended from the sky as Malloy became nothing and was given to the harsh winds. All that remained now was the battering of the winds and the world felt silent again, there was now nothing surrounding them except the night sky, omnipresent and ever watchful. He searched the room and managed to spot the Neonate... still alive... it can’t be. “This is your service Mr O’Connell” He spat the words slowly and painfully, panting from the huge wound in his side. “Get me the fuck out of here” |
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| Garrett O'Connell | Tuesday, 24. July 2012, 11:44 Post #3 |
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Superbly Sociopathic
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Garrett made his way to what remained of the elevator, cursing when it would not react as he pushed the button repeatedly. With considerable effort he jammed his fingers into the small crack between the two sturdy metal doors. Grunting and growling, he forced them open, only to almost fall into the gaping empty shaft. The lift had slid down at least three floors. "I don't suppose you have any rope..." he mumbled, sarcasm running through every word. "You feel okay enough to jump?" An annoyed grunt answered his question. "Right, I'll find you a ladder or something." he said, and jumped before any arguments could be made. His feet landed hard on the rickety remains of the lift, causing it to shake violently. Garrett could feel the construct break down under him and, by pure reflex, he jumped up and grabbed on to a bundle of wires, hanging from some dark corner. A split second later, the lift crashed towards the ground, causing the very walls of the shaft to tremble. Swearing, Garrett gazed around for a ventialtion shaft or an opening of some kind. He didn't have to look long; one of the wires snapped, causing him to fall in a sharp arc, into another door. The hit was hard enough to slightly slide open the already battered doors. With a smile, Garrett squeezed through. While the floor seemed empty, Garrett was nonetheless in luck; a wooden door, slightly torn off its frame, read "MAINTENANCE". Inside he found a metal ladder, seemingly long enough to reach the Prince's floor. "He better appreciate this..." Jamming the ladder between opposing walls in the shaft, Garrett effectively made a makeshift stairway. Upon reaching the top floor again, he remarked: "I believe this earns me an explanation of just what the fuck is going on here." |
| "Every time I yank a jawbone from a skull and ram it into an eyesocket, I know I'm building a better future." | |
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| Lucien Chambers | Monday, 6. August 2012, 05:37 Post #4 |
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Former Prince
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He sat there for a moment or two, feeling the wind on his face as it swept through the destroyed penthouse. Too many thoughts spun through his mind, what the hell had just happened? Drowning… water… the words made him terrified. He had heard them before. Lucien surveyed his surroundings and finally noted his desk, or what remained of it. He slowly pulled himself to his feet and staggered to the remains. The top draw slid open easily as he produced the hip flask that contained his redemption. Lucien drank heavily, excess blood pattered down his face as he felt his strength returning to him and the wound in his side slowly began to heal. Was this a Sabbat attack? No… something more sinister was happening here. But it couldn’t be true, it was all myth – some fabricated tale for fools to tell through the centuries. Yet he had witnessed it with his own eyes, the words, the voice and for the first time in a long while he knew fear. Chambers turned his head slowly to the kindred who was making his way up the elevator shaft – why was he alive? The Tremere who had only appeared in the city today and yet he had survived this ordeal whilst his better had not. He finally arrived back into the destroyed penthouse asking for an explanation. Lucien noted that half his suit jacket was ruined; he removed it and threw it to the floor whilst pacing over to the kindred. “Your guess is as good as mine Neonate” he rubbed the blood from the side of his mouth. “However it does concern me that these issues only appear as you do” The Prince’s eyes glazed over as he stood close to Garrett. “Et tu brute?” He viciously grabbed the kindred by his neck and lifted him into the air. “I have always distrusted your clan – why are you here? Is this some plan by your regent to remove me from my seat!?” . He had listened to enough lies, but if this was not some Tremere trick it was sure to happen again. The Masquerade needed to be protected, but there were more important things at stake. “I will give you the benefit of the doubt this time” He snarled, his rage was overwhelming. “I never want to see your face again and If I do” He held him over the empty elevator shaft “I will kill you” Lucien released his hand, sending the neonate falling into darkness. |
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| Garrett O'Connell | Monday, 6. August 2012, 07:20 Post #5 |
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Superbly Sociopathic
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The Elder vampire gobbled down the liquid in such a ravenous fashion that Garrett would have felt sick, had he still been able to, watching the old corpse restore his vigour to nearly full capacity. There was something going on behind those ancient eyes, and Garrett instinctively expected trouble, but he did not expect to get hoisted up into the air by the throat. Spouting some nonsensical gibberish about some plan to overthrow him, the crazed old man walked up to the gaping chasm that had up until recently been the elevator shaft. "I will give you the benefit of the doubt this time. I never want to see your face again and If I do, I will kill you." he said, and let go. The air swirling around Garrett deafened him as he fell helplessly through the dark void, desperately trying to concentrate despite the panic that rushed through his mind, trying to find a way to stop his sudden and rapid fall. Then he saw it; the wiring that had held up the elevator was still hanging down through the shaft, and Garrett did not stop to think for a second before he reached out for it. The burning pain as he slid along the cable was indescribable; his flesh being torn off to the bone, which in turn began to splinter. The blood and ripped flesh caused Garrett's grip to slip, sending him falling once again, though this time he hit the crashed elevator before he had time to try anything else. Feeling his spine cringe under the pressure, his side pierced by a sharp piece of metal and his left arm being dislocated by the tremendous crash, he blacked out. Regaining full consciousness after a couple of minutes, Garrett slowly sat up. "Well..." he managed to cough up. "That was a great first impression..." Slowly crawling, he made his way into a nearby opening, which seemed to lead into the air filtration system. About half an hour later, he had managed to make his way through the ventilation shafts, and eventually down into the sewers, limping through one of the older tunnels. As he slowly made his way forward, he was muttering to himself, repeating the haunting words "Drowning... Water all around us... Sky above, sea below... I am coming... I am sin... I am darkness... I am judgement..." trying to make sense of it all. What exactly had happened? Why was he still in one piece when all others had burned to cinders? No, not all... Not the Prince. Was he somehow behind it? No, only the most convoluted plot would involve blowing up your own office like that, in front of mortal eyes... But he was clearly connected to it all. Garrett had to get to the bottom of all this. His mind set on his new target, he finally reached the tunnel that would take him to the Chantry on 15 Millbank Street. Passing through the hex wards that would keep all outsiders at bay, he began to crawl up the ladder to the surface. |
| "Every time I yank a jawbone from a skull and ram it into an eyesocket, I know I'm building a better future." | |
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