Beat Still, My Great American Heart (V5 Quest)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
There are a couple of approaches Artie can take once they've got Sterry on the metaphorical phone, ranging from "I'm sorry for your loss" to "Your death will be less painful if you spare me the trouble of busting down your gate."
EDIT: Sterry's house is a reflection of its owner: a tech mogul overcompensating for his high school days of getting shoved into lockers. Finding out that there are actual supernatural monsters out there makes him feel small and weak in a way that he really doesn't want to experience again.
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- Location
- USA
Hmmmm….I'm liking this option more now. Artie is up there with Naruto in Talk no Jutsu feats. He has a solid track record and we may be able to get Nick out of danger before something bad happens.
I can totally see that ascetic in his house. The statues and pillars would be cool but with that style of house wall…ehh.
This reminds of a Edmund Burke's descriptIon of the Sublime. The Sublime is the feeling of experiencing oneself as infinitesimally small in the face of vast forces beyond one's control. Or to phrase it differently: the Sublime is that which suspends or even destroys egocentricity through a display of power of grandeur that complete overwhelms one's own capabilities. Examples of this include the feeling you might get looking at a mountain range, sailing a ship in a thunderstorm or staring into deep space. It's essentially a mental health theory that deflates our Ego's by living through challenging scenario that remind us we aren't the center of the universe.
Sorry…I just really like the idea of this theory. Half of me, can empathize with Sterry and how's he's feeling. The other half is Texan and an Older Brother…enough said.
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
@Kebarton
In Paul Sterry's case, experiencing the "Sublime" didn't deflate his ego so much as cause it to go out of control. Rather than accept his place as a tiny and insignificant part of the World of Darkness, Sterry intends to cut the universe down to size, starting with the bloodsucking monsters thatmade him feel small and weak killed his daughter.
I'm taking a page from the book of CTPhipps over on the Onyx Path forums and having Paul "Redwood" Sterry take after Walter "Heisenberg" White. Both are intelligent family men who claim their evil actions are for their loved ones' security. In reality, their families come second to maintaining their oversized egos.
In Paul Sterry's case, experiencing the "Sublime" didn't deflate his ego so much as cause it to go out of control. Rather than accept his place as a tiny and insignificant part of the World of Darkness, Sterry intends to cut the universe down to size, starting with the bloodsucking monsters that
I'm taking a page from the book of CTPhipps over on the Onyx Path forums and having Paul "Redwood" Sterry take after Walter "Heisenberg" White. Both are intelligent family men who claim their evil actions are for their loved ones' security. In reality, their families come second to maintaining their oversized egos.
- Location
- USA
@Rogue Attican
Funny enough, that's not an uncommon reaction before or after the Sublime. It's hard to think of real life examples but there's a few characters in media that followed this trend. The video where I first learned about and have paraphrased this theory used an anime called 'Mob Psycho 100' as their primary example. The video is called, The Philosophy of Mob Psycho 100-Wisecrack Edition.
The antagonist in that anime are drunk on their psychic powers and all think that they are special and the main characters of the universe. The protagonists usually tear down their egos and bring them back to reality. Usually by shattering their delusions and telling them that their powers don't make them special. This doesn't work for all of them and when told that they aren't significant they usually fly into a psychotic rage as they reject the Protagonists philosophy.
Another character that had a similar reaction is DJ Subatomic Supernova from 'NSR: No Straight Roads'. He had an existential crisis and panicked about his life meaning nothing when compared to the vastness of the universe. He began writing songs as a way of coping and was 'sublimed'. He found peace in his existence and wrote his music as an appreciation and tribute to the vastness universe. However, he became famous and he forgot the lesson he learned and became single minded focus on spread his music to the entire universe so he would never be forgotten. This mindset made him disregard anyone and anything that didn't spread his legacy. Ex. He's been having the same 'One night Only! DJ Sub. Super. Concert' at the Observatory for the last 5+ years. He didn't even bother taking down the signs.
That is very worrying, I have only seen the first two seasons of Breaking Bad, but even I caught on to that trait too. This will be difficult for sure…but not impossible. I'm seeing this situation, as if we are trying to talk someone down from a ledge by convincing them their view of the world isn't the full picture and things aren't as bad for them as it might appear to be. I apologize if this is a little dark, it's hard for me to think of a compelling argument for such a mindset.
Funny enough, that's not an uncommon reaction before or after the Sublime. It's hard to think of real life examples but there's a few characters in media that followed this trend. The video where I first learned about and have paraphrased this theory used an anime called 'Mob Psycho 100' as their primary example. The video is called, The Philosophy of Mob Psycho 100-Wisecrack Edition.
The antagonist in that anime are drunk on their psychic powers and all think that they are special and the main characters of the universe. The protagonists usually tear down their egos and bring them back to reality. Usually by shattering their delusions and telling them that their powers don't make them special. This doesn't work for all of them and when told that they aren't significant they usually fly into a psychotic rage as they reject the Protagonists philosophy.
Another character that had a similar reaction is DJ Subatomic Supernova from 'NSR: No Straight Roads'. He had an existential crisis and panicked about his life meaning nothing when compared to the vastness of the universe. He began writing songs as a way of coping and was 'sublimed'. He found peace in his existence and wrote his music as an appreciation and tribute to the vastness universe. However, he became famous and he forgot the lesson he learned and became single minded focus on spread his music to the entire universe so he would never be forgotten. This mindset made him disregard anyone and anything that didn't spread his legacy. Ex. He's been having the same 'One night Only! DJ Sub. Super. Concert' at the Observatory for the last 5+ years. He didn't even bother taking down the signs.
That is very worrying, I have only seen the first two seasons of Breaking Bad, but even I caught on to that trait too. This will be difficult for sure…but not impossible. I'm seeing this situation, as if we are trying to talk someone down from a ledge by convincing them their view of the world isn't the full picture and things aren't as bad for them as it might appear to be. I apologize if this is a little dark, it's hard for me to think of a compelling argument for such a mindset.
Power Prey 8.09
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] Let's see if I can't talk Sterry into rolling out the red carpet for us.
"Let me try and talk to the guy first."
Valerie nods. Her expressive face betrays her doubt, but she doesn't argue as you get out of her car. You carefully press the button on the speaker system outside the gate, alerting the owner. You half-expect the thing to explode in your face, but all the speaker does is whine to life, awaiting your voice. "Hello? I'm looking for Paul Sterry."
"I'm here," a voice replies. The audio distortion gives off a sense of manufactured depth and danger. However, if Sterry thinks he can scare you after years of fighting in the sandbox, he's got another thing coming. "You came here looking for someone, I suppose?"
The vitae in your veins freezes as you hear an agonized wail from the other end of the line. Moments later, an all-too-familiar voice breaks your undead heart with one word full of desperate hope. "Artie?"
"Nicky?" You ask.
"Some bastards jumped me after work and brought me here. I tried to fight back, but there were just too many." The words come out fast, but your big brother sounds weaker than you've ever heard him before. His voice is worryingly hoarse. "I'm sorry I couldn't-"
"That's enough out of you!" A disgusting crack echoes from the other end of the line, followed by an audible whimper from your brother. The sound causes the Beast to tremble within you.
"I'll gladly let you in for a drink," Sterry says as if nothing happened. "All you need to do is answer one simple question. Tell me this, you bloodsucking bastard: How many pints can a fifteen-year-old girl weighing 110 pounds lose before she becomes irrevocably brain damaged?"
Your tone of voice is:
[] One of carefully-maintained neutrality: "Three to five."
[] Genuinely sympathetic: "I'm sorry about Michelle. What happened to her was wrong."
[] Full of righteous indignation: "You think torturing my brother will bring your daughter back?"
[] Ice-cold, seething rage: "If you let my brother go, your death will be quick."
[] Hopeful for a deal: "I can help you take revenge against the vampire who killed Michelle."
[] Write-in.
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[X] Write-in. Sympathetic but Firm: "I'm sorry about Michelle. What happened to her was wrong. But condolences asides you want revenge don't you? I can get you information about the vampire who killed Michelle in exchange for giving me my brother and leaving us the fuck alone."
- Location
- USA
I think you might be on to something here. Artie is a Consensualist, as such he would have to know that to limit the harm he does to those that let him feed on them. Now this information would be geared more towards adults buts it's not a hard guess to make for a teenager.
Plus logical next question, "How do you know that?" "Because I have to make sure I never take enough to harm them."
Edit:
Good lord, I'm feeling it for Nick and Artie. Thank the lord, Nick is still alive, but we just got confirmation that Sterry might have hired thugs inside. Typically 3-4 mean are used for a kidnapping operation. So the number of hostiles in the house are potentially, 4-6 adults, depending on if Sterry's wife is involved, two normal but large dogs, and Sterry's children who might be armed for self-defense reasons.
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Power Prey 8.10
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] One of carefully-maintained neutrality: "Three to five."
You've dealt with people like Paul Sterry - clients who'd fly into a rant about some minor imperfection in their commission if allowed to pick up steam. Thus, you resolve to shock Sterry out of his rhythm so that you can have an actual conversation. You keep your voice even as you reply to his question at face value. "Three to five."
The average adult has approximately ten pints of blood in their system. Most can donate a pint without any major side effects. However, losing more than two pints of blood risks death unless there's a medic on standby. It's a calculation you've become intimately familiar with during your time as a Kindred.
If Sterry is curious about how you know that, he doesn't say. The outer gate slides open with a loud rattling sound and a distorted sound of contempt from the speaker. You get the sense Sterry is in no mood to negotiate over a tinny speaker. However, you're not stupid enough to walk across a hunter's front lawn as if stopping for afternoon tea. Thus, you hurry back to Valerie's car to prepare yourself.
"Okay, the gate's open. Now what?" Valerie asks as you both stare at the contents of her car's trunk. Next to you sits Courage, patiently waiting for your next command.
"I'll take point," you decide after a moment. "My vampire powers make it less risky for me to do so."
"What about guns?"
[] [Weapon] "I'll go with my assault rifle. Every bullet counts."
Adds three damage to successful Firearms attack rolls. Two attacks per reload.
[] [Weapon] "I'll need to borrow one of your shotguns. I'm going to need all the stopping power I can get."
Adds four damage to successful Firearms attack rolls. One attack per reload.
-
After deciding on your loadout, you approach the front door of what happens when the Acropolis has godawful sex with American suburbia. Now more than ever, you're grateful for Sierra's lessons in the shadowy arts of Oblivion. Some distance behind you at the front gate is Valerie and Courage.
As you crouch behind the marble base of the Hercules statue, the front door bursts open. Two German Shepherds barrel towards Valerie and Courage with bared canines and froth around their mouths. To her credit, your famulus restrains herself to a growl as she takes a protective step in front of Valerie. Sterry's Alsatians miss you entirely with the shadows concealing you, but now you're faced with a choice on how to proceed.
One option would be to go back and flank the dogs in close quarters. The monstrous strength of Clan Nosferatu combined with your marksmanship with a pistol makes for a potent combination. However, you know from firsthand experience that Alsatians bite hard. If you fail to kill the dogs in one go, their attention will be entirely on you.
Another option would be to stay where you are and fire at the dogs from behind cover with your longarm. While your aim isn't as good as it used to be, staying behind cover is much safer than getting within biting distance of an angry guard dog. However, it would mean Sterry's dogs would have no other targets but Valerie and Courage. Are you willing to risk it?
A third option would be to use your recently-acquired ability to speak with animals. However, Sterry's dogs seem intent on committing violence on behalf of their master, so it'd be a tough sell. Still, if it works, you'll get to avoid having (animal) blood on your hands.
Finally, you could take this opportunity to break in through a first-floor window. Valerie and Courage are big girls - they can handle themselves while you go and rescue Nick. Who knows what Sterry might do to him in the meantime? However, if you need backup while inside the house, Valerie and Courage might not be able to arrive in time.
You must decide quickly. What will you do?
[] [Yard] I'll get into close quarters with my Glock, even if it means becoming a chew toy for Sterry's dogs.
-[] I'll roll a Rouse check to add two dice to my attack roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Strength + Firearms (Difficulty: 1)
[] [Yard] I'll stay behind cover where it's safe and open fire on the dogs from behind with my primary weapon.
-[] I'll roll a Rouse check to add two dice. I've got to make my shots count.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Composure + Firearms (Difficulty: 1)
[] [Yard] Could I not talk the dogs down with Feral Whispers?
-[] I'll roll a Rouse check to increase my odds of neutralizing the dogs without killing them.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Manipulation + Animalism (Difficulty: 5)
[] [Yard] Valerie can look after herself. I'll break in through one of the windows while Sterry's dogs are distracted.
-[] I'll tempt the Beast for an automatic win.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Dexterity + Larceny (Difficulty: 3)
- Location
- USA
Nice a new chapter, your writing quick Rogue!
I'm no expert on the combat rules, but if I understand them correctly. Courage has a high chance of impairing one of the dogs in a single attack. If she rolls a really high result it could be a one hit kill. That being said, the Alsatians are just as likely to do that to us and Valerie.
Our Lethal Body discipline mean physical attacks deal aggravated damage which can potentially kill one of the dogs. This is a bit of a long shot though. It seems likely that the dogs will get a chance to attack some one.
I'm no expert on the combat rules, but if I understand them correctly. Courage has a high chance of impairing one of the dogs in a single attack. If she rolls a really high result it could be a one hit kill. That being said, the Alsatians are just as likely to do that to us and Valerie.
Our Lethal Body discipline mean physical attacks deal aggravated damage which can potentially kill one of the dogs. This is a bit of a long shot though. It seems likely that the dogs will get a chance to attack some one.
- Location
- Australia
If we want to kill the dogs, we can simply shoot them with our gun, which does more damage.
Lethal Body would be good if we want to nonlethally subdue them - a called shot to the legs would knock them out just as good as that vampire we shotgunned in the Fledgling story.
I'm not really up to using Feral Whispers on them. Besides the fact that it'd need a Rouse Check since they aren't our famulus, it's unlikely to succeed even with Blood Surge and Willpower. Even if we succeed, Feral Whispers isn't control over animals, just communication, so we can't use them as our own attack dogs and they may attack us if we enter the house.
[X] [Yard] I'll use my supernatural strength to disable them painfully but nonlethally.
-[X] I'll roll a Rouse check to add two dice to my attack roll.
-[X] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Strength + Brawl (Difficulty: 3)
We don't want to kill the dogs. The dog houses imply these are family pets rather than simple attack dogs, so if we want to be nice, at least Sterry's family will still have their dogs after this is all done. If we want to be pragmatic, then we can instead drink them to lower Hunger, which'll help us the rest of the way.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
You only need to roll a Rouse Check for Feral Whispers if you want to summon a type of animal to your location with a Charisma + Animalism roll. You could even try and summon an orca to assist you, but it's unlikely to work so far inland.
Succeeding means that Sterry's dogs won't help you attack their owner. However, they also won't come back to bite you in the ass (literally).
"Look, that vampire just broke our pets' legs instead of killing them on the spot! I guess he isn't so bad after all!"
- Location
- Australia
The intent isn't to help us with diplomacy or anything, it's purely to spare the lives of their pets. I know I'd prefer it if my dog merely got a broken leg rather than died.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Somehow, I doubt Sterry (or any dog owner without a borderline-irrational hatred of vampires, TBH) will look back at this and appreciate what you've done.
- Location
- USA
But a failure regardless of the number of success would mean combat and the likely injuring of two of our numbers, correct?
- Pronouns
- He/Him
That is correct.
- Location
- USA
[X] [Yard] Could I not talk the dogs down with Feral Whispers?
-[X] I'll roll a Rouse check to increase my odds of neutralizing the dogs without killing them.
-[X] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Manipulation + Animalism (Difficulty: 5)
How about all or nothing? If we succeed we end this specific encounter, the dogs won't be killed, and none of us will be injured. But if we fail we lost our turn, Courage and Valerie will be attacked and attack in turn. As I said before it's unlikely for us to end this conflict in one round, regardless if we choose violence.
-[X] I'll roll a Rouse check to increase my odds of neutralizing the dogs without killing them.
-[X] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Manipulation + Animalism (Difficulty: 5)
How about all or nothing? If we succeed we end this specific encounter, the dogs won't be killed, and none of us will be injured. But if we fail we lost our turn, Courage and Valerie will be attacked and attack in turn. As I said before it's unlikely for us to end this conflict in one round, regardless if we choose violence.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I should probably mention that if Valerie (and Nick, for that matter) takes damage, that'll put stains on Artie's Humanity tracker. Just something to consider. 
- Location
- USA
I wish I new that sooner. 😱I should probably mention that if Valerie (and Nick, for that matter) takes damage, that'll put stains on Artie's Humanity tracker. Just something to consider.
I'll change my vote, I don't want to risk it.
[X] [Yard] I'll use my supernatural strength to disable them painfully but nonlethally.
-[X] I'll roll a Rouse check to add two dice to my attack roll.
-[X] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Strength + Brawl (Difficulty: 3)
If this is a valid option I'll vote for it. If not this would be my second choice.
[] [Yard] I'll get into close quarters with my Glock, even if it means becoming a chew toy for Sterry's dogs.
-[] I'll roll a Rouse check to add two dice to my attack roll.
-[] I'll spend a point of Willpower to reroll up to three regular dice.
Strength + Firearms (Difficulty: 1)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
The nonlethal route is riskier but ends the fight instantly. However, going straight for the kill deals more reliable damage.