Session 33

During this session, we discussed the events of the next century. A lot of exposition, not much actual play.

This session also marked the end of this campaign, at least for the time being. I hope you enjoyed reading about our adventures... :)

Session 32

The meeting with the king does not go that well. The nobles are irked by Wat's poor manners, and the situation escalates in a fight. Wat is wounded, and brought to an hospital.

The PCs take advantage of this opportunity to embrace Wat, and declare him dead. As instructed by the Tremere, they travel to Sunderland, where they put Wat on a boat leaving England.

Having completed their task for the Tremere, the PCs go their separate ways, as the century turns to an end.

Session 31

The PCs continue their search for Wat Tyler, interviewing more commoners fitting the needed profile. In the meanwhile, they acquire weapons to arm the burgeoning rebellion.

 

When they're satisfied with one of the several Wat Tylers, they manipulate events in order to ignite the spark of insurrection, also helped by a radical priest by the name of John Ball.

 

During the local festival at the town of Blackheath, the PCs push things just enough to cause a riot: the rebellion begins in earnest.

 

In the next few weeks, armed commoners attack nobles in the countryside, eventuall reaching London. The 14-years old king Richard II agrees to meet the leaders of the rebellion to discuss terms. The meeting is set to take place in an open space and under daylight.

 

Eager to participate at the meeting, Matheus finds the king's hiding place, and sneaks into his chambers, dominating him into moving the meeting to the evening.

Session 30

The PCs leave Aramas' corpse in his rooms, and flee the castle before any alarm is raised.

 

The night after, Halfdan is summoned by the Lady of Kent on official matters. The whole coterie follows the Icelander to the castle, but only Halfdan is allowed to proceed past the main courtyard and into the keep.

 

He's met by the local bishop, a man of True Faith wielding miracolous powers. When he realises that the bishop and his knights have discovered his true nature, Halfdan transforms into a monstrous beast and begins slaughtering anyone barring his escape.

 

In the meanwhile, Bernard and Corso have guessed that something is out of place, when a servant comes to escort Bernard to the keep, accompanied by two armed guards. The two kindred kill the guards, and subdue the servant, using their powers to enslave his mind. With his help they also escape the castle.

 

The party regroups later in the night, avoiding their usual hideout. They plan to lay low for some time, to better gauge the strength of their adversaries.

Session 29

The PCs are approached by a few desperate ghouls; it seems that their masters have been disappearing suddenly, without leaving any word of their whereabouts. The party investigates the rooms of one of the missing kindred; their supernatural senses detect the presence of necromantic magic.

Corso decides to leave for a couple of nights to check on the sorcerer Aramas, who had showed a keen interest in kindred society. When he returns, he has unsettling news for the others. He tells them that Aramas has taken at least one of the missing vampires to use in his "studies". Corso has persuaded him to let him go, with the promise to bring him more kindred.

Obviously unwilling to sacrifice themselves, the party decides to take care of Aramas once and for all. They infiltrate the castle during a party, and manage to assault Aramas in front of his own chambers. Bernard hits the old man with a couple of powerful blows, and Corso stabs him repeatedly. Blood begins to spread in a pool under the corpse of the sorcerer.

Session 28

A.D. 1381

The PCs are in Kent, England, to perform a service for clanTremere. They need to find a man called Wat Tyler, a mortal who will play an important role in a commoners' rebellion soon to begin. They need to ensure that the man fulfills his role, then they need to Embrace him, and finally send him to a safe place chosen by the Tremere.

Investigation leads Corso to a man called Aramas, the keepers of the tax ledgers at the local castle. The man is more than meets the eye, a mortal sorcerer of considerable power. Aramas turns Corso's powers against the kindred, and forces him to disclose several details regarding kindred's society. Eventually Corso leaves the clutches of the sorcerer, plotting revenge.

The PCs' look for Wat in the nearby villages, where they experience the malcontent of the population as new taxes are levied against the common people. During the next few weeks, Halfdan creates a new ghoul, a man called Walter, whose former profession was as a roof-tiler. Inspired by this coincidence, Corso begins working on forming a rebel group around Walter. He goes so far as to attack a constable while using his vampiric powers to ignite the spark of rebellion. 

In the meanwhile, Berenguer has heard of a priest preaching against the iniquity of far-away Rome, and against the heavy taxes. Clearly, he could be an interesting pawn to use in their future plans.

Session 27

The Tremere uphold their part of the deal, and make sure Prince Alfonzo is assassinated. During one of his blood feasts, he angers a visiting Bulgarian sorceress, resulting in his discorporation. With no more ties to Constaninople, the PCs say their goodbyes and part ways once more.

During the next 50 years, the three kindred pursue their own plots, while performing different services for House Tremere, as promised.

Bernard travels back to Europe to meets with his sire, while Halfdan travels north to consolidate the power of his fledging cult.

Corso, afflicted by ennui, joins the Amber Rose, a militant group affiliated with the House of Valois during the Hundred Years' War against the House of Plantagenet.

Session 26

The PCs renew their efforts to bring down Prince Alonzo. They visit one more influencial member of the Prince' Court, Sarah the Chaste, and one of the leaders of the Mortal Court, Anna Komnene, securing their support in exchange for favours.

Their next step is to secure the support of Abetorius of clan Tremere; when they visit the sorcerers, they're surprised by their boldness. Abetorius proposes that the Tremere will assassinate the prince in three months time, in exchange for 50 years of support from each of the PCs. They will also put in power whomever the PCs choose. Even though the price is high, the opportunity is too good to pass on, and the PCs accept. With the support of the Tremere, the PCs plan to have Anna Komnena become the new Prince of Constantinople.

As a precaution they also visit Galisin, the Toreador enabler of the prince and his most trusted "ally". Galisin quickly admits of being the cause of the prince's deteriorating mental sanity, something he has planned for a couple of centuries "just for fun". He wants the prince to become consumed by his beast, and die a terrible death. Seeing a chance to obtain what they want without any payment, the PCs warn him that he needs to speed up his plans to ruin the prince, since "other forces" are at work to depose the prince.

Galisin does not seem worried about their warnings. The PCs leave his presence, and retire to a safe place as the events unfold.

Session 25

The PCs remain in Constantinople to despose prince Alfonzo, and put an end to the Bloodhunt currently on their heads. With the help and protection of Gabriella of Genoa, they obtain a list of kindred with influence in court of the prince, but possibly useful to depose him.

Halfdan meets with Basil of Thessalonika, a former Ventrue general of great repute, now fallen to a deep abyss of self-pity. 

Bernard investigates the past of Sarah de Chaste, a Lasombra confined to the court by her shady past.

Corso gets nearer to Nerea of Spain, a Brujah with still-living family members in the city, seeking protection for herself and her relatives.

Session 24

After the assault at the Giovanni's mansion, the PCs lay low for a few days, until the day of the ritual comes. They reach Blacharnae Palace where a big crowd is gathered, while Maria makes preparations for the rituals.

The PCs investigate the area, eventually going to the catacombs beneath the palace. There they find one more temple of Artemis, where they surprise Alfonso (kindred prince of the city) and Ambrogino Giovanni plotting their next move.

Corso manages to send the prince running with his Dread Gaze, and everyone piles up on Ambrogino, killing him for good. Ambrogino's ghostly guardians are gathering for revenge, so the PCs decide to go back upstairs where the ritual is about to take place.

Maria begins the ritual, calling for the gathered crowd to unleash their fury in a frenzy of murder. While the gathered mortals and kindred slaughter each other, the PCs make a move to attack Maria, but they soon understand they don't stand a chance in a fight with an Elder vampire.

Bernard uses his powers to envelop the altar in a zone of silence, while Halfdan steals the ritual book Maria was using. Corso creates an illusion of an angel to manipulate the crowd into leaving the palace. All together, their actions manage to disrupt the ritual, frustrating Maria's attempt to complete her summoning.

The PCs leave the palace, and run to their hideout. In the days to follow, they find out that the prince has called for a Bloodhunt against them. At the same time, with the death of the Giovanni's, his power is much diminished. The PCs turn to the princes' enemies to find some measure of protection.

Session 23

The PCs contact the Martyrs, a vampire faction belonging to Mikael's cult. They believe tha tspreading the plague will cleanse the world of infidels, and please Mikael, favouring his return.

Through them, they come in contact with Lady Maria at the House of Lamps. She is the one that will perform the ritual to bring Mikael back. The ritual will be performed at Blachernae Palace, where Mikael died.

The PCs go to the Palace, where Halfdan tries to contact Mikael, to make sure of his intentions. He's answered by Israfel, herald of Armageddon, who informs them that the time is not yet right.

Fearing that the Giovanni's will try to somehow use the ritual to their advantage, the PCs persuade the Martyrs to assault the Giovanni's residence. Marcus Giovanni dies in the attack, but the necromancer Ambrogino is nowhere to be found.

Session 22

Black ships bearing diseased sailors arrive in Constantinople. The PCs do what they can to stop the sailors from leaving the ship and spreading their plague, eventually resorting to burning the ship. Alas, it seems several sailors have already left the vessel before their intervention.

The PCs recover some journals from the vessel; a man by the name of Luca Grimaldi has been gathering reports of an "angel" going by the name of Mikael. The individual has been spotted in Cafa and in Constantinople, and a cult has risen around his myth as a saviour of sorts.

Among the papers are also writings n Accadian, a long-lost language, apparently some sort of ritual summoning. The PCs deliver the papers to their Tremere contacts for translation.

In the next few days, disease spreads in the city, and several quarters are quarantined. The PCs take measures to keep safe those they care about.

Session 21

The PCs meet with an ancient kindred, the Mistress of Death, hoping to get some answers about their dreams of an incoming doom. They're directed to the Academia, where they find kindred with more experience in the interpretation of dreams.

At the Academia they meet with a few erudite vampires. They begin to believe their dreams may be  a warning about a plague about to spread in Europe. At the same time, they learn of a hidden shrine to Artemis in the catacombs of the city.

Not sure if the shrine is just a red herring, they decide to explore the catacombs. They do find the shrine, and receive a vision of the vampire Prince of Constantinople praying to the goddess. Before they can find out more, they're attacked by a creature of shadows, and decide to leave.

Still angered by the way the Giovanni cursed him more than a century back, Corso has Marcus Giovanni followed by a mercenary. He plots to assassinate the Giovanni family member when he's more vulnerable.

Session 20

The PCs spend the next six months in Constantinople, where they settle down and mingle with kindred society.

They pay a visit to the local Giovanni enclave, hoping to receive some insight regarding the dreams that brought them to the city. They meet with Amborgino Giovanni, an expert necromancer, but his answers only bring forth more questions. He directs them to seek Teresa, the Priestess of Dreams; when they visit her, they receive more cryptic foretellings.

Corso doesn't trust the Giovanni, and he turns to clan Tremere to obtain protection for whatever magical event is about to pass. He performs a few services for the clan, and is rewarded with an amulet of protection.

Session 19

In an attempt to look for the local Prince, a notorious party-goer, the PCs visit several dens of ill-repute. In the process Corso gets entwined in the local hashish scene.

 

Eventually the PCs find the Prince in an underground feast-hall, where the kindred can find whatever decadent pleasure their black hearts desire. The PCs make their introductions, and they're educated by the Prince on his (very loose) set of rules.

Session 18

Year 1347 A.D.

A century has gone by since the PCs met each other. Recently they've all been plagued by strange dreams, pushing them to travel to Costantinople. One by one, they all reach the ancient capital of the Roman Empire. Upon arrival to the Latin quarter, they seek audience with the local kindred Prince to announce their arrival.

Session 17

The PCs abandon the caves, and lay low for some time, waiting for the dust to settle. They deliver the jawbone to Lady Dimitra for safekeeping, and she rewards them with a very special gift: the knowledge and components to perform a ritual that will allow them to "change" their kindred clan. They also report to Alexander, who makes it clear they are somehow "bound" to him, for his mercy in letting them live.

A few weeks go by, during which the PCs say their goodbyes to their mentors and to each other, pledging to meet every 10 years back at the Red Lion Inn. Corso spends a few weeks at the court of Queen Esclarmonde, where he joins the Toreador clan and paints a portrait of the Queen. As a token of her appreciation, she presents Francesca, a beautiful dancer of the Black Rose tavern. Corso accepts the girl as a servant, and upon her own request, he makes her a ghoul.

Each PC goes his own way, some returning home, others travelling through Europe or to far away lands. A century will go by before Fate calls upon them again.

Session 16

Halfdan has been causing troubles in Anduze, killing innocents and destroying property in order to attract the Templars' attention. He's abducted by the servants of queen Escalmonde, and let go with a warning to not break any other laws, on penalty of death.

Corso has completed his painting, with the hope it will give him and his companions a chance to disrupt Ioveanus' ritual. The day of the meeting arrives, and the PCs meet with the Conspiracy, and together they travel to the caves of St Timothy.

Ioveanus and Anpeth meet, while the others witness their short exchange of words. Claudius eventually attacks Anpeth, who does not show any will to defend himself. Claudius bites Anpeth, and drains him of his blood and soul.

The Founders arrive at that moment, fighting off Ioveanus' fellow conspirators to get to him. A chaotic battle ensues, with the PCs uncertain on what to do.

The storm of souls begins, a powerful wind of tormented spirits gathered around the two elder vampires. Protected by the tokens received a few weeks back by lady Violetta, the PCs approach the scene, ready to stop Ioveanus from taking control fo the storm.

Two more powerful vampires arrive: Augustus (Claudius' father) and Ankou (Anpeth's father). Augustus wields the jawbone that killed Abel, and attacks Ankou with it. Ankou is subdued, and Augustus begins sucking his blood. Corso unfolds his painting, which contains the holy waters of the caves, and the blood of both Ankou's and Augustus' bloodline. The painting is also charged with symbolism taken from the very first murder, that of Abel at the hands of Cain.

Somehow the painting seems to have an effect, as Augustus is thwarted in his attempt to take Ankou's soul by the arrival of the ghost of Abel. Suprised, he lets go of the jawbone, which the PCs rapidly pick up. Summoning his powers of celerity, Corso runs away with the jawbone.

Session 15

Corso begins preparations for a painting he wishes to create to thwart Ioveanus' plans. The PCs travel to the Caves of St Timothy to recover a few drops of the famed healing waters to be found in the caves, to be used in the painting.

While they're there, they also convince Anpeth to give them a drop of his own blood, also to be used for the painting. Anpeth also informs them that the meeting with Ioveanus has been delayed one week, due to a small setback. It seems someone has alerted the Templars of the gathering, and things need to cool down for awhile.

Seeking help where they can, Matheus teaches Corso a ritual to summon friendly nature spirits; he hopes the spirit can share some information about how to better survive the Storm of Souls. Something goes wrong, and when Corso completes the ritual, a horned gentleman smelling of brimstone appears!

The apparition seems to be aquainted with Matheus, a fact that raises Corso's suspicions. Luckily the devil disappeares without requesting any payment or striking any deals.

The PCs now seek to aquire a drop of blood from Ioveanus himself. When they realise this is out of their capabilities, they settle for someone of his bloodline. Corso challenges Ruben (a knight embraced by Ioveanus himself the same night the PCs were embraced) to a friendly duel to first blood. Thanks to his vampiric powers, Corso manages to wound Ruben with his knife, and gather a few drops of blood.

Session 14

The PCs travel to the nearby town, where Halfdan has secured private lodgings. On behalf of Lord Raphael de Corazon, Corso contacts Esclarmonde, the Black Queen, to spur her to action. Mortals are getting too bold in their fight against the Kindred, and Raphael hopes the Queen will come out of hiding and make her influence matter.

Corso's words have partial success, and the PCs enter the graces of the Queen, which provides them with a few advantages in Kindred's society.