- Location
- Australia
The year is 2019 in Chicago by Night, so Beat Still is somewhere between then and 2022.
Beat Still, My Great American Heart (V5 Quest)
- Location
- USA
Thank you, I haven't read the book pdf to closely because I don't want to spoil myself. So the story is pretty close to modern time, thank goodness.
Okay so potential Vtuber career choice is possible and we can use VPN businesses to help hide our internet location. Though given how most internet entertainers have channel gimmicks. Us hard core role playing a Vampire Persona wouldn't be to out of place. During streams we can take breaks to do normal human things like eating and drinking. Which might throw off suspicion of us being an actual vampire.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
In the original sourcebook, Gabriel Valdez is less a character in his own right and more of a connection bridging two of the vampires in Chicago.
While paying off the favor owed to Crook with XP was probably the smartest choice, I would discourage you from doing so again. The number of debts you have matters less than your ability to repay them. For a real-world example, Apple's Form 10-K for 2021 owes almost 288 billion dollars in liabilities, yet the ship isn't in danger of sinking.
In Artie's case, each boon owed represents a story hook that offers
Artie's art streams would do a lot in expanding interest in his work outside the high art circles Annabelle runs in. Playing games using the Technology skill could also draw in viewers and Super Chat money. However, I would recommend investing in Charisma and Performance for the best effect. YouTube channels of all kinds live and die on the personalities running them, after all.
If you want to do collaborations, your clanmate Gabriella streams on Twitch when not handling cybersecurity as one of Damien's Hounds. You'll get a chance to meet her in the upcoming arc.
On a lighter note:
"Agent Simp, I've been looking through this month's expense account and found a $500 expense for...a body pillow depicting a half-naked Blankbody #43022D. Care to explain?"
"It's for research into how to combat the blankbody threat, I swear!"
It is 202X CE. I'm deliberately being vague with the timeline for maximum Storytelling flexibility.
- Location
- USA
Okay, thanks for the clarification. I don't really like the idea of spend XP on debt, but Crook was a special case. For the long and short of it, I don't mind owing debt to the people and Mawla we have right now. But there are certainly individuals in Chicago I don't want to owe anything too.
Okay I'll keep this in mind while building the Plan. We're a Vampire role playing as our Humansona who is role playing as his Vampiresona. I'll have to find a sufficiently funny song to name the Plan after it.
"Good work Agent Simp. You put us over our monthly budget, which means I can now legitimately request an increase to that budget"
"Sir you should be congratulating him on misusing our budget."
"Shut up Steve. If we don't use that money, we lose that money. Now make sure to set aside some money in future for the acquisition of blankbody-related memorabilia for research purposes."
*Sigh* "Yes, sir."
Power Prey 8.01
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] [Gender] Your new familiar is a girl named:
[] [Name] Courage, after one of your favorite cartoon characters.
[] [Name] Courage, after one of your favorite cartoon characters.
Courage patiently waits as you unhook her collar from the leash. As you stand up and prepare to pitch the ball, Courage crouches low in preparation to break into a sprint. You then hurl the tennis ball with all the supernatural strength of Clan Nosferatu, shouting, "Go get it, girl!"
As Courage bounds after the ball, you turn your attention to Celia standing next to you. "How are you settling in with Sierra?"
"Sierra isn't exactly the nicest teacher I've had, but the Diamond Yama sure beats living on the streets," Celia replies. "She's been putting me through my paces. If it's not Disciplines, it's Kindred culture, and if it's not Kindred culture, it's self-defense. I barely have enough time to feed."
"I can imagine. Sierra was the one who taught me how to use the shadowy arts of your clan," you say as you mentally command the nearby shadows to wrap around you. After a few moments, you let the shades go, and they recede into the darkness surrounding the lights of Buckingham Fountain. As you admire the fountain, the sounds of running paws alert you to Courage, the tennis ball held triumphantly in her mouth. "Good girl!"
As you kneel to take the ball from her, Celia lowers herself too. Courage does not shy away from Celia's touch, as her attention is focused almost entirely on you. "This is nice, though. Petting a dog is exactly the kind of break I need after what happened on the way to meet the Prince. I'm just hoping it lasts a while."
"You and me both, Celia. You and me both."
-
"We're in trouble," Valerie says over the phone early the next night. "I think someone's onto you."
God-fucking-damn it, world. An hour later, both Nick and Valerie are sitting in the living room of your River North townhouse. Valerie occupies one of the armchairs while Nick sits atop the leather couch, scratching Courage behind the ears as your famulus rests her head atop his thigh. You remain on your feet, trying not to let the writhing anxiety in the pit of your stomach show as you lean against the mantle. "Alright, so what happened, Valerie?"
"It'd be better if I just showed you." Valerie quickly pulls out the laptop from her backpack and opens it. You and your brother lean in to read the email onscreen.
Below the text are photos of you feeding from your willing prey. One wears a Navy ballcap, while another's T-shirt bears the Marines' eagle, globe, and anchor. Damn it. This exact situation is the modern Kindred's worst nightmare. You have two nights until everything goes to hell. A dark part of you wonders if the Prince's execution would be an easier way to go than whatever the Second Inquisition can cook up.
Your older brother is the first to speak up and break the silence. His voice is eerily calm, but his eyes blaze with the righteous fury of a mother bear. "Mind letting me on the laptop, Val? I'll see if I can get the sender's IP address."
Valerie obliges, and Courage moves to sit next to you as your brother takes out his computer. After half an hour, Nick leans back against the couch with a sigh of frustration. "I could only track it to the US. They're here in the city, but I can't tell you much more than that. Plus, I don't think they care about the money, since they didn't give us a way to reach them. All they want is to expose you."
"Truthfully, I'm more worried about you guys than myself," you say. "Let's just worry about keeping you two safe for now."
"If you say so," Nick says with a frown. You might be a veteran of Afghanistan-turned-vampire, but in Nick's eyes, you'll always be his younger sibling. The thought is both exasperating and comforting. Nick then changes the subject. "I suppose calling the police is out of the question?"
Nick's question was probably rhetorical, but you consider it anyway. It's not as crazy as it might sound. "The CPD has a lot of issues, but I'm pretty famous. They're likely to take whatever story I come up with seriously. However, if even a single cop talks to the wrong person, I could end up on the NSA and CIA's radar."
"We could always just stick together until this thing blows over," Valerie suggests as she turns to look at your older brother. "Have you ever fired a gun before, Nick?"
Nick shakes his head. "No, plus I don't think now would be the best time to learn how. I'm not certain that a few hours of firearms training will help me fend off whoever's after Artie."
"I could ask one of my other friends to look out for you guys," you offer. "I'd owe them a small favor, but having two vampires protecting you instead of just one might be worth it."
"Are you sure about that, Artie?" Valerie asks dubiously. "I don't like the idea of you being in debt to some bloodsucker."
"The amount you owe matters less than your ability to repay it," Nick replies as he turns to you. "If you think you can handle paying your friend back, I'll go with them."
The three of you sit in silence as you ponder what to do. Your first option would be to get the police involved. However, doing so may attract the attention of FIRSTLIGHT. While you doubt they'll send a SWAT team to bust down the door of your mansion, Uncle Sam's increased scrutiny could complicate your future Kindred activities.
Your second option would be to keep things in-house and teach Nick how to shoot a gun. However, it took you weeks of dedicated instruction from experienced drill sergeants to become a competent shooter during basic training. You're unsure how much marksmanship you and Valerie can squeeze into Nick with just a few hours.
Finally, you could promise a favor to a vampire you trust. Having another Kindred watch over your loved ones would enable you to freely go after whoever's trying to blackmail you. However, that raises the question of who among Chicago's Kindred can you entrust with the lives of your loved ones.
You have 48 hours until you face a Masquerade breach of epic proportions. In the meantime, you have decisions to make. How do you wish to protect the people who matter most to you?
[] Getting the Chicago Police Department's reach and resources on our side is worth risking FIRSTLIGHT's attention.
-[] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three failures on my regular dice.
Manipulation + Persuasion (Difficulty: 5)
[] We should keep things in-house. Time for my big brother to learn how to use a real gun.
-[] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three failures on my regular dice.
Intelligence + Firearms (Difficulty: 4)
[] I'll promise a Kindred of my acquaintance a minor boon for protecting my loved ones.
-[] Write-in.
Automatic Win
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Courage, Canine Famulus
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Courage, Canine Famulus
Born and bred to become a military working dog, this female German Shepherd became your famulus after the death of her previous handler and her subsequent retirement from service. The Nosferatu vitae flowing through her system grants Courage the power to turn invisible while staying still.
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 6, Social 1, Mental 1
Secondary Attributes:
Health 6 - [ ][X][X][X][X][X]
Willpower 2 - [/][/]
Exceptional Dice Pools: Brawl 7, Animal Ken 4, Intimidation 5, Awareness 5
Disciplines: Obfuscate 1 (Cloak of Shadows)
Special: Add +2 to the damage done by bites.
Born and bred to become a military working dog, this female German Shepherd became your famulus after the death of her previous handler and her subsequent retirement from service. The Nosferatu vitae flowing through her system grants Courage the power to turn invisible while staying still.
Standard Dice Pools: Physical 6, Social 1, Mental 1
Secondary Attributes:
Health 6 - [ ][X][X][X][X][X]
Willpower 2 - [/][/]
Exceptional Dice Pools: Brawl 7, Animal Ken 4, Intimidation 5, Awareness 5
Disciplines: Obfuscate 1 (Cloak of Shadows)
Special: Add +2 to the damage done by bites.
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[x] I'll promise a Kindred of my acquaintance a minor boon for protecting my loved ones.
-[x] Rupert "Gengis" Levine
This seems like a job for an Anarch rather than a Camarilla lick.
-[x] Rupert "Gengis" Levine
This seems like a job for an Anarch rather than a Camarilla lick.
[X] We should keep things in-house. Time for my big brother to learn how to use a real gun.
-[X] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[X] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three failures on my regular dice.
Intelligence + Firearms (Difficulty: 4)
I don't think that Artie would trust another Kindred with his brother. And the police can be unreliable and that makes too much noise. And we should go all in if we are going to do it.
I agree if we gotta choose a Kindred Gengis is the best one, he probably won't screw Artie over with this.
-[X] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[X] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three failures on my regular dice.
Intelligence + Firearms (Difficulty: 4)
I don't think that Artie would trust another Kindred with his brother. And the police can be unreliable and that makes too much noise. And we should go all in if we are going to do it.
I agree if we gotta choose a Kindred Gengis is the best one, he probably won't screw Artie over with this.
- Location
- USA
HAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahahaaaaaaaa…
wait. WWWHHHAAAAT!?!
See I had the same thoughts as Nick, it doesn't seem like a blackmailing attempt. It looks more like a boastful threat from someone that doesn't like us.
@Rogue Attican, so what will the game plan be for option two? We try to train Nick in firearms than the three of use head out to hunt them down?
- Pronouns
- He/Him
No. The idea is to ensure that Nick won't be entirely defenseless against whoever's after you. If you need someone to dig through financial records for signs of fraud, he's your man, but he won't be much help in a firefight or really, any sort of physical confrontation.
- Location
- USA
Okay thank you. I think I know what I will vote for.
[X] I'll promise a Kindred of my acquaintance a minor boon for protecting my loved ones.
-[X] Rupert "Gengis" Levine
I would feel better having a Kindred watch the backs of Nick and Valerie. I'm split between Sierra and Gengis though.
The reason I specifically want it to be an Anarch is that our Herd is, as I understand it, a Masquerade violation (hence the blackmail), and as good as our relationship with Sierra is, she's still Camarilla, so we'd be handing her some blackmail material as well as a favor. Not a *big* deal, but enough to tip the balance for me.
- Location
- Australia
I don't think our blackmailer wants to expose us. If they wanted to do that, why not simply do it immediately? If they wanted to take our money and then expose us anyway, they would've told Valerie where to send the money to.
Another clue as to what's going on is that Artie was found at all. Maybe Artie got some mortal stalker or paparazzi from having Fame 2, but that doesn't fit with the above, same if it was one of Valerie's political opponents. I think whoever took the pictures already knew about Artie.
I think the blackmailer is a Kindred or ghoul who wants to keep the Masquerade up, and someone who either doesn't care about $50,000 or doesn't have confidence they can get it from us without leaving traces. Maybe someone who'll offer to make Artie's problems go away in exchange for a boon, or it could be Son setting things up to make the Camarilla see us as a threat to the Masquerade.
Another reason I think it's Kindred or ghoul is because this had to be done by someone familiar with how the Camarilla operates. They sent the threat to Valerie, not Artie. If we go to the Camarilla and say our friend Valerie's getting blackmailed, they'll know she knows about vampires, and best case scenario is the Camarilla executes her. Worst case, we both get executed.
I think the best thing to do here is minimise our footprint. Talking to the police brushes up against SI, and asking a Kindred for sanctuary lets more people know we breached the Masquerade.
[X] We should keep things in-house. Time for my big brother to learn how to use a real gun.
-[X] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
I don't think we should spend Willpower for this. It's looking like it'll be a long night and I think we'll need it later. Also, raising Nick's shooting skill by a little probably won't matter much, since we'll mostly want him running and staying behind cover if a shootout goes down.
Another clue as to what's going on is that Artie was found at all. Maybe Artie got some mortal stalker or paparazzi from having Fame 2, but that doesn't fit with the above, same if it was one of Valerie's political opponents. I think whoever took the pictures already knew about Artie.
I think the blackmailer is a Kindred or ghoul who wants to keep the Masquerade up, and someone who either doesn't care about $50,000 or doesn't have confidence they can get it from us without leaving traces. Maybe someone who'll offer to make Artie's problems go away in exchange for a boon, or it could be Son setting things up to make the Camarilla see us as a threat to the Masquerade.
Another reason I think it's Kindred or ghoul is because this had to be done by someone familiar with how the Camarilla operates. They sent the threat to Valerie, not Artie. If we go to the Camarilla and say our friend Valerie's getting blackmailed, they'll know she knows about vampires, and best case scenario is the Camarilla executes her. Worst case, we both get executed.
I think the best thing to do here is minimise our footprint. Talking to the police brushes up against SI, and asking a Kindred for sanctuary lets more people know we breached the Masquerade.
[X] We should keep things in-house. Time for my big brother to learn how to use a real gun.
-[X] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
I don't think we should spend Willpower for this. It's looking like it'll be a long night and I think we'll need it later. Also, raising Nick's shooting skill by a little probably won't matter much, since we'll mostly want him running and staying behind cover if a shootout goes down.
- Location
- USA
I was thinking along similar lines. It's possible that we won't get a drop off point until at the end of the time limit. That way the Blackmail can be sure we can't prep the location ahead of time due it being so spontaneous. Plus it gives us no room to negotiate we either give them the money or they immediately release the photos.
But I don't get the motive. If they wanted us dead they would have released the information. Which means that if that is their goal the Blackmailer is a cruel person that what's us to squirm as our death approaches ever closer.
If it's the Money they are either really desperate or have no idea how much we earn. 50k isn't a lot of money. Yes it's enough to buy a car but it's not life change money, unless they live near the poverty line.
If this is some kind of crazed fan I suppose we could use the whole 'I'm practicing my vampiresona for my future Vtuber career", as an excuse and accuse them of being a stalker.
If this is some kind of Independent Ghoul I can't imagine their line of logic. They must be suffering from severe withdraws and be really desperate for some Vitae to due this.
The reason I voted for the Kindred option is both because it lets us keep our touchstones safe and let's actively hunt down this person with impunity.
How do you think this will go?
Well that line of logic I agree with. The other option won't potentially increase his ability to defend himself.
- Location
- Australia
I mostly just want to minimise the number of Kindred who know about our Masquerade breaches. It's either implicating them in our crimes if they're sympathetic or harming our relations with them if they aren't. I'd rather avoid both outcomes.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I'll call the vote and say Nick will receive a crash course in self-defense. Let's roll some dice.
- Failure on the Rouse check means Artie's Hunger increases to 2.
- A 10 and a 1 means this could go terribly wrong or horribly right.
- Two successes. Let's spend a point of Willpower to see if we can't prevent a Bestial Failure.
- Uh oh.
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- Location
- USA
A Beastly Failure, an increase in Hunger dice, and a wasted Willpower point. I don't think this could have ended worse.
Uuuuuuuugh…welp. Let's get the bad rolls out of the way now rather than later. This is probably a sign. Some people just aren't meant to fire guns and some people just aren't meant to teach them how too.
Edit: Fun Fact, out of context, I once took a shotgun round to the face.
Uuuuuuuugh…welp. Let's get the bad rolls out of the way now rather than later. This is probably a sign. Some people just aren't meant to fire guns and some people just aren't meant to teach them how too.
Edit: Fun Fact, out of context, I once took a shotgun round to the face.
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- Location
- Australia
How do you live?
- Location
- USA
It's not quite as ridiculous as it sounds within context. It was just after Christmas and everyone in my family had received new guns as presents. We wanted to practice with them, and at the time our pond pasture was both dried up and cattle free. So we set up a shooting range at the bottom of the pond so even if we missed the target the bullet would just fly into the dirt wall.
I wanted to fire my mom's shotgun a few times before we called it a day. Unfortunately, this is when the incident occurred, either because that shotgun lacked the penetration power of the other handguns and rifles or because I was simply standing a little to close to the target (about 6 or 7 yards). When I fired the round at the target, the shotgun pellets instead of penetrating the thin plywood backboard ricochet off it. Next thing I know I feel a stinging sensation across the lower half of my face as half a dozen pellets peppering around my mouth. It didn't hurt for long but I was still surprised as heck it happened at all.
- Location
- USA
This is my current plan if we want to pursue a career in as a Vtuber. If you would like to please give your opinion and suggestion to improve it.
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (13 XP) (Part 1)
-[] Charisma 2: I made efforts to improve my social graces. (10 XP)
-[] Performance 1: I learned to be comfortable being the center of attention. (3 XP)
—[] Celia in repays her minor boon by giving us lessons on how act when he is the center of attention.(-3 XP)
-[] Friends Everywhere: You have a small following, mostly consisting of friends and close acquaintances.(Kindred Social Media Influencer Loresheet) (3 XP)
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (12 XP) (Part 2)
-[] Performance 2: I learned to be comfortable being the center of attention. (6 XP)
-[] Niche Following: Your knowledge in a specific area grants you a degree of online authority.(KSMI Loresheet) (6 XP)
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (9 XP) (Part 3)
-[] Charisma 3: I made efforts to improve my social graces. (15 XP)
—[] In exchange for a major boon, we are given lessons to improve our social interaction.(-6 XP)
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (21 XP) (Part 4)
-[] Performance 3: I learned to be comfortable being the center of attention. (9 XP)
-[] Collabs and Sponsorships: Everyone who's interested in your particular subject matter knows your name.(KSMI Loresheet) (12 XP)
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (13 XP) (Part 1)
-[] Charisma 2: I made efforts to improve my social graces. (10 XP)
-[] Performance 1: I learned to be comfortable being the center of attention. (3 XP)
—[] Celia in repays her minor boon by giving us lessons on how act when he is the center of attention.(-3 XP)
-[] Friends Everywhere: You have a small following, mostly consisting of friends and close acquaintances.(Kindred Social Media Influencer Loresheet) (3 XP)
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (12 XP) (Part 2)
-[] Performance 2: I learned to be comfortable being the center of attention. (6 XP)
-[] Niche Following: Your knowledge in a specific area grants you a degree of online authority.(KSMI Loresheet) (6 XP)
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (9 XP) (Part 3)
-[] Charisma 3: I made efforts to improve my social graces. (15 XP)
—[] In exchange for a major boon, we are given lessons to improve our social interaction.(-6 XP)
[] Plan: VTuber \/Raised By Bats\/ (21 XP) (Part 4)
-[] Performance 3: I learned to be comfortable being the center of attention. (9 XP)
-[] Collabs and Sponsorships: Everyone who's interested in your particular subject matter knows your name.(KSMI Loresheet) (12 XP)
Power Prey 8.02
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] We should keep things in-house. It's time for my big brother to learn how to use a real gun.
-[] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three failures on my regular dice.
-[] I'll make a Rouse check to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three failures on my regular dice.
Fortunately for you, Valerie knows a gun shop nearby that stays open late at night and doesn't ask too many questions. Within the hour, Nick is aiming down the sights of a Glock pistol at a paper target downrange. With every bullet fired, you feel your anxiety about the future grow worse.
Your older brother had always been better at keeping his cool than you, which serves him well in keeping his shots on target. However, his unfamiliarity with the weapon causes him to take too long to line up his shots. While striving for perfection may be admirable in an accountant, it's less than ideal in a combat situation where a split second can mean the difference between life and death. A Kindred intent on murder is a far more dangerous target than a dark silhouette on paper.
Do you honestly believe an hour or two at the firing range will make a difference? He'd be better off as blood inside your stomach, don't you agree?
You squeeze your eyes shut, trying to block out the Beast. Even as the monster within falls silent, you feel your throat burning with the everpresent Hunger felt by all Kindred. Tonight, the thirst is powerful. The stress of the situation must be getting to you and the Beast within.
You know, there's an easy way to shut me up.
No, you think to yourself. You're not going to kill someone just because you're hungry. You're better than that.
A buzzing against your thigh pulls you out of your thoughts. It's the chunky flip phone you reserve for Kindred business. "Sorry, guys. I have to take this."
As you step out onto the street, you flip open the Motorola and see that the caller ID indicates an unknown number. You can't help but feel a shiver run down your spine. Have your blackmailers finally decided to confront you over the phone? Still, you press the green button and hold the phone up to your ear. "Hello?"
"Hey, Pretty Boy. It's me, Crook." Had you still needed to breathe, you'd have sighed in relief. The situation is dire indeed when a call from Crook elicits relief rather than dread. "A Blue Blood showed up at the Steel Horse Lounge looking for you. Says he wants to talk."
You can't help but frown. What does a member of the Clan of Kings want with you? "Who's asking?"
"Walter Nash," Crook replies. The name is one you only know by reputation, and it isn't a good one. Nash was a Prohibition-era bootlegger and gun runner before his Embrace, though these nights, he now holds sway over the city's fire department. His uppity attitude, bigotry, and love for everything superficial have no appeal to most Kindred these nights. As a result, his status among the Chicago Camarilla declined. Once, he neared the top of the Chicago Ventrue's inner circle. Now, he's barely on its perimeter. What could a lick like that want with you?
For a moment, you think about refusing Nash. However, your curiosity wins out, and you find yourself saying, "Tell him I'll be there within the hour."
-
Walter Nash waits outside Crooks' Lounge, dressed like a pastiche of Edward Cullen. His long grey coat is open and adorned with silver buttons and matching tight pants. Chest hair protrudes from the low-cut black velvet V-neck. Around his neck hangs several silvery necklaces in an odd mixture of feminine bejeweled pieces, ebony figures of wolves and bears, and black leather strips. His thick red-brown hair frames his masculine face perfectly and caresses his shoulders. Around his wrists hang a few strips of black leather similar to those around his neck.
However, you can spot the Ventrue in Nash even through his ostentatious decoration. The straight-backed, prideful posture is one giveaway, as is the bejeweled scepter and gladius among the trinkets hanging from his neck. However, the image of confidence Nash doubtlessly wants to project is marred by fidgety fingers, darting eyes, and the constant shifting of the weight on his feet.
As you approach Nash, he takes a few steps away from you. However, the disconcerted, suspicious look on his face isn't the usual reaction you get because of the curse of Clan Nosferatu. After a few moments, Nash holds his hand out toward you. A New Jerseyan twang flavors his words. "Nash. How are you doing?"
"Just fine, thanks," you reply. There's no need to be uncivil just yet.
"Thanks for meeting me here. I haven't been in this part of town for years. It's nice to see what the younger ones are doing. I suppose it ain't much different than when I was a neonate."
Nash's voice trails off as he becomes lost in his memories. After a few moments, his attention returns to you. "My apologies. You must be curious as to my intentions. Let's sit down. And no, preferably not inside. I'm not welcome in most public places."
"Really? Why is that?"
"Well, I'm allowed to go where I want, but not from a social perspective, if you understand. Why go anywhere if all you're doing is getting ostracized and judged? I can't even be in my own haven with my clanmates. What kind of eternity is that?"
The fenced area outside Crooks' has some shabby wooden picnic tables. Below them on the ground are leftover bottles and cigarette butts. Nash leads you to one of the tables and wipes off his seat with a colorful handkerchief before sitting down. "Trust me, if I could change the scenery, I'd go for something classier. For now, we make do with the cards we have."
As you sit across from him, Nash intertwines his fingers and places his hands on the table. "I have a damn unfortunate quarrel, not only for myself but for the entire Kindred community as it stands. A few months ago, I found myself the victim of blackmail. To provide context, I've, uh, done some hurtful things. I'm not proud of them. Constant isolation does a socialite no good. I'm sure you understand."
You grunt, gesturing for Nash to go on. He obliges. "Regardless, a group of individuals now have solid proof of some of my errant ways, and I'm afraid I can no longer handle this situation alone. They've already taken a lot from me.
"If Prince Jackson figures out I've done something to harm the Ivory Tower's great hope again, I think he'll call a Blood Hunt me faster than I can crack a whip. What I need you to do is help me neutralize this threat. For the sake of myself, the city, you, and the Kindred community in general."
You hum in thought. So Walter Nash is in the same boat as you, huh? Still, the enemy of your enemy could always be another enemy. "What happened to make you a pariah?"
If Walter Nash is offended by your question's lack of delicacy, he doesn't show it. Instead, his hand waves around in the air in a dismissive gesture. "Oh, it's all in the past now. We've all said and done things we take shame in later on. But why dwell in times long gone when we have a serious problem at hand now?"
The corners of your lips pull downward as you narrow your eyes. If Nash thinks he can sweep things under the rug with you, he's got another thing coming. For now, you decide against pressing Nash for more information and instead change the subject. "Alright, then. What beef does Prince Jackson have with you? It's not exactly a secret that he hates you."
"Kevin Jackson wasn't always the Prince, you know. I might have worked against his territory interests in the past. He still holds it against me to this night."
While the Traditions proscribe destroying another Kindred without permission, it hardly precludes more indirect methods of sabotage. Knowing of the Prince's connection to poorer neighborhoods like Cabrini-Green, you wonder just how badly Chicago's black community got screwed over by Nash in the past. Still, that's a question to be answered at a later date. "How did you find out about the blackmailers?"
"One of my ghouls, Kelvin, was the original blackmail victim, but he's an extension of me, so I take it very personally. The blackmailers have since produced evidence of an indiscretion someone in Honored Drinks recorded."
"Honored Drinks?"
"A bar on Goose Island, not that far away," Nash replies, and you nod. "That's where I was the night I made my mistake. I think someone followed me from there."
"For what reason are they blackmailing you?"
"In my desperation for getting enough sustenance, I accidentally fed upon a child. I could sit here with excuses about how that was common back when I was a younger vampire or that I was on the brink of starvation. I could blame the victim and tell you she looked much older than I assumed. But I know all that doesn't help my case."
"You're right. It doesn't." Still, you can't help but wonder what sort of "rarefied taste" Nash has as a member of Clan Ventrue.
Nash continues. "These blackmailers know. They filmed it. Even if people don't think I'm a vampire, they'll think I'm a different kind of predator. If this comes out, it won't just have grave consequences for the Masquerade but also for my existence. I won't survive other Kindred getting wind of this. They all like to pretend they're so fucking moral."
"What do the blackmailers want from you?" You ask. The blackmailers demanded fifty grand from Valerie, but you're inclined to agree with Nick's conclusion that it's not money they want.
"A confession on behalf of Kindred society," Nash answers. "The blackmailers want me to crawl on the cross and suffer for every sin committed by Kindred since the dawning of Caine, naming names and telling everyone everything, I'm guessing online. This will be the end of us, do you understand?"
You nod. While you haven't been a vampire for very long, especially compared to the likes of Annabelle and Critias, you hardly need reminders about how vital the First Tradition is. You live in an age of smartphone cameras - fuckups aren't tolerated, especially when Uncle Sam's watching with a stake in hand. "So why approach me for help?"
"I like to think I see things in people," Nash replies. "We need young and capable Kindred like yourself to lead the way for future generations and set an example for threats like these blackmailers. Sure, an old dog like me could do it, but what use am I for the future when I ain't in touch with the world the same way you young ones are?"
"Is there anyone else who can help us?"
"The only Kindred I know who might not go straight to the Prince with this is a Sewer Rat." Nash's voice trails off upon seeing the hard stare on your face. He raises his palms in a placating gesture.
"Anyway, her name is Gabriella. I haven't approached her, though, as she's one of Damien's Hounds. She'd help you and expect a favor in return in the future. I'm not taking that risk with my reputation already on the ropes. I need help, and I'm prepared to owe you a major boon. My influence over the fire department could come in handy someday."
You consider Nash's offer for a moment. In the end, it's an easy choice to make. You don't have any other leads regarding who might be working against you, and it's not like you have other options available. "Alright. I'll help you deal with these blackmailers. However, I do have a few questions before we get started."
Nash leans back in his chair, satisfied. "Ask away."
[] [Question] Write-in.
[] [Nash] Nash hasn't told me everything. I threaten him into spilling his guts.
-[] I'll tempt the Beast to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Manipulation + Intimidation (Difficulty: 4) - Shadow Cloak's bonus to Intimidation only applies against mortals.
[] [Nash] I'll try to convince Walter that it'd be best if I knew all the details.
-[] I'll tempt the Beast to add two dice to my roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Manipulation + Persuasion (Difficulty: 5)
[] [Nash] I need Nash's help more than I need his dirty laundry aired. I'll let it slide - at least for now.
- Location
- USA
I feel the same way let's go raw. Our Hunger already high and the night only just started.
Between the stressful situation and the dubiousness of this particular character, I don't have too many questions springing to mind. I might add more as they come to me.
[X] [Question] Do you these Blackmailers are apart of the S.I. or just a independent Hunter group?
[X] [Question] Do you think if we bombard the Second Inquisition with information on all the other supernatural things in the world, they'd stop hunting us exclusively? I get why they feel like Vampires are the root of all evil, especially with Caine being our ancestor. But I highly doubt we're the worst thing in the world. There are literal demons out there in the world.
[X] [Question] When we find the people responsible, how should we handle them?
[X] [Nash] I'll try to convince Walter that it'd be best if I knew all the details.