#her coterie is made up of a tzimisce and a giovanni

[kavalyera]

"butchfailure" crying. i love v

she did not survive her first lesbian relationship

[swoomoo]

I usually am not one to get anxious about TTRPG games because I feel they are an outlet for me but have been feeling so with us coming back to our VTM game. It isn't the game itself that is causing it but the circumstances that others find themselves in. We have Vesper and Niccolo on the chopping block. Usually this would just be business as usual since the world is basically ending in our game but Amare is in a position that feels like her actions will be directly impact if either of them make it out.

Obviously she will do everything in her power to help Vesper, who is in a much, much trickier situation than Niccolo. She is, at this point, Cammie through and through, but helping Vesper is causing her to work increasingly with the Anarchs and basically break the rules of her working with a Scourge (in hopes to become one). This is a lot of fun though because she gets to hang out with characters and make connections she normally wouldn't. She is even starting to, dare I say like the girl who likely has a thing for Vesper (she is hot and I'm punching the air that I made Amare probably straight). On the other side of things is Niccolo. I know the Giovanni are very popular on here and I am sure they are usually lovely, but I've come to hate everything they touch in our game. We ended our first season with Amare and Niccolo, once again, getting into an argument. They have done this several times but this one was different. Usually Niccolo has issues with Amare questioning his judgement but this time they got into an argument about his family. Niccolo's (embrace) sister is his enemy. He has refused to accept this until very recently. Niccolo and Amare were together when he had a premonition uncovering a plot where she is teaming up with a Tzimisce to create possessed szlachta that have a fun gimmick of rapid regeneration. In the vision this "army" was marching through the streets, while seemingly obfuscated attacking those that needed to be dealt with. They marched into the court and no matter how many times these things were destroyed, they kept coming back.

The Camarilla was basically going to crumble and the Giovanni's would replace them. Niccolo told Amare of his vision and she questioned if the family would support his sister going rogue. He said they would only if she succeeded and would cut her out if she failed as to save their own ass. Amare then asks Niccolo two questions, "Would you do the same thing as her for the family?" and "Are we (your coterie) expendable to you". His answers were "Only if I knew I would succeed" and "No, those who are close to me deserve not to suffer" (said with a bit less spark). Remember, Amare has a daughter in the city and shutters to imagine a large-scale attack of any type happening in the city. She said the Hecata were no better than the Sabbat and were practically the same but with an Italian mobster flair and were equally if not worse when dealing with humanity. She said she fled from the Sabbat for that reason yet he stays and talks about how "Peace is profitable" when it goes against everything the clan of death stands for.

At his point he had to leave to pick up a Lamia to judge if he is guilty or not. Upon leaving Amare was just screaming at the door. Now go to last session. Niccolo has already contradicted himself multiple times and was caught lying to the Gorgon. He is definitely going to be executed unless he is helped. Vesper is sadly getting mind fucked by the biggest creep in London and Owen literally so new, the Camarilla doesn't even truly know who or what they are.

Imagine this now, when Niccolo was giving a tour to the Gorgon of his museum she stepped away to view some artwork. Niccolo grabs Amare's hand and starts shaking and looks to her with fear in his eyes knowing what is happening to him. He doesn't want to outright ask for help, but has shown that he wants it. He expects his coterie to run behind the Gorgon's back and fix all of his necromancy issues when, none of us are necromancers.

This being said, Amare is going to speak to him next session when Vesper talks to the Lamia privately. Amare is going to cut him a deal, his entire, extensive knowledge on necromancy for her help in dealing with his family issue. It is a big ask, I know and would get a lot of people pissed but frankly Amare doesn't care. He may say no but if he does she is going to wipe her hands from his mess and not lift a finger to help him from the pit he willingly jumped into it.

I have made a plan on how to deal with his business already but that might go in trash after next session. We shall see.

[y-rhywbeth2]

Continuing to obsess over the idea: the villains (and more 'how the hell do I make the Dead Three and Bhaal and Durge work anyway').

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I'm thinking Durge's sire/Bhaal through use of high level dominate has been possessing his mortal children and their descendants (the eldest of those still alive are ghouled, so they last through the centuries) to use their bodies to conceive children to raise from birth as his pawns, which he will embrace if they're 'good enough.' He considers himself their father, rather than grandfather (or great-grandfather, in some cases).

He might've been the previous puppet/flesh suit for the still torpored 'Baal-the-Destroyer' perhaps? Which could pass on to Durge, maybe through the good old fashioned tradition of vampire soul cannibalism? I don't know how one could pull this off but handwaving for storytelling reasons is an ancient tradition. I blame Antediluvian shenanigans. I believe Moloch was the prolific 'breeder' of the three Baali ancients too, what with the legion of vampires and the revenants. There is an issue where Moloch is on the 'keep the nightmarish demons at the heart of the earth asleep with human blood' is not quite in-line with 'unleash Bhaal upon the world once more,' but I suppose the Endless Night can pick up the slack on the apocalypse plans. Assuming the Sleepers and the Neverborn aren't the same things.

Durge in particular has been subject to a lot of the various applications of Dominate growing up and it's done wonders for their mental health. Most recently somebody has taken out the vast majority of their memories (it's some kind of test, according to Sceleritas). Durge is probably the only pretender in the coterie, although Shadowheart's generation is probably also low (8th generation maybe). She might be a pretender too, idk.

I don't know whether Durge should just be low humanity or on the Path of Bones. I do love my warped vampiric morality systems...

Durge is 'pure' Giovanni but born and raised in the UK so has exposure to their Dunsirn cousins from whence they learned the joys of cannibalism. I'm giving them the merit that lets them eat and gain sustenance from human flesh as a vampire I think.

Sceleritas is either a spectre, 'loyal' to them and their sire for whatever extremely concerning reason, or just a ghoul. The latter is probably the least convoluted one to go with, honestly. Unlike most, he has absolutely no aspirations of vampirism and simply lives to serve the Family.

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Orin somehow has vicissitude; either she learnt it from a Tzimisce/ate one, or else lean into the heritage angle and give her a revenant grandmother who has the discipline innately and passed it on to Helena and Orin. As a woman, mixed-race, quite possibly neurodivergent, and maybe illegitimate, she would have to fight tooth and goddamn nail to get respect from the Family she was born to and trapped in. She did well enough to gain the attention of her ancestor/grandfather/father/Durge's sire, although she may have been stuck with the proxy kiss - having worked and waited for ages for her chance to be embraced, only for Durge to just swan in and get made a full vampire basically immediately (she's thrilled).

Considering Durge's pedantic 'little sister' thing, I'd maybe make her Rossellini.

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Gortash: 'Toreador' (maybe Baali passing for Torie, or else actually a Toreador and he joined the demon club further down the line). Same goes for Raphael, who he basically learned from (I don't think Raphael is necessarily his sire, but it was through him that he ended up in this messy social circle). Engineering is an art form, even if the average socialite and traditional artist Torries would think you nuts for the suggestion; not that the other clans aren't capable of charming and sleeping their way into the halls of power to get their start, but it is considered their tactic for a reason; Raphael is a self-absorbed hedonistic art collector...

Probably more Nergal linked for the Bane side.

The Flymms, ordinary but terrible people who sold their child for desperately needed cash and had no idea the supernatural existed until recently, are now ghouls and they adore their son and they're all playing happy family now, aside from the fact that they have enough self-awareness to know that they hate this.

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What do I even do with the Absolute. Is it vampire-related? Or something much worse? With all the tentacles, metamorphosis and body horror it's got a Tzimisce air to it, but hmm...

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Ketheric, while aligned with Myrkul's interests, is not a Harbinger himself: he was first embraced into the Serpents (after being 'comforted' by the cult after the death of his daughter and falling into the downward spiral). While Akhu can give you some insight into the Shadowlands, you're not going to touch the level Hecata bloodlines are on and eventually the Harbingers can simply do him one better for getting Isobel back. I haven't decided what happens in the interim or how far back in time I should push to get the war shenanigans that went on in canon, but now there's a whole village/town that's managed to get recreated beyond the Shroud in a horrible shadow-eaten parody of itself that he rules over. The Styigian Hierarchy are not impressed, but worryingly for the local wraiths they're also looking the other way.

He has mastered the Corpse in the Monster Path.

I don't know what to do with Isobel. Maybe she's also kindred, brought back by the ferryman's recall? And hating every moment of it.

I have no idea what to do with Aylin, but I strongly doubt she'd be a vampire. With Selûne's lycanthropic connection (plus Luna/Seline) a garou could work, although that would go tragically...

Ohhh, maybe the Thorms were kinfolk - also adds to the Shadowheart parallels. I wonder how Ketheric would do as an abomination?

You know how we can make the Act 2 equivalent even worse? Black Spiral Dancers.

I suppose the Unnamed could go here as the Myrkul equivalent for the other side of the Dead Three Baali-Hecata symbiosis.

My trip to Baldur's Gate: Vampire the Masquerade AUs has haunted me all day.

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The Dead Three aren't going to translate neatly and should probably be split into different characters covering different aspects of the originals. The Clan of Death is the neatest fit for them overall, but they don't all fit. The Giovanni fit Bhaal best (the Endless Night is basically his ideal, then there's the family money, the fucked up family shit). The scholarly bent of the Cappadocians with the aesthetic of the Harbingers of Skull is Myrkul and followers. Myrkul and Bhaal are too tied to death and undeath, if you take them out of here you lose something. Bane, frankly, is Ventrue with a splash of Lasombra; which does take us out of the box and the succession thing. Luckily their antediluvian is dead as hell as far as anyone can tell, so that's free real estate.

Withers is a fragment of Cappadocius; 'retired' and his one church/clan split in three (they might be pawns though god knows who of); mostly forgotten in the modern nights; seems benign on the surface and then you look closer and he's the world's least trustworthy motherfucker. Jergal has never schemed to eat Ao's soul as far as I know, but I sure wouldn't put anything past him.

Failing that he's the Capuchin... assuming those two are so unrelated, although I'm pretty sure the Capuchin is Lazarus.

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Haarlep is hosting the succubus club. I will overlook how much it annoys be that 5e stopped the succubus being strictly tanar'ri for the bit.

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Durge: Extremely low generation Giovanni neonate... or Baali, if you want to go ultimate edgelord. Enjoys the principle of Taboo in their necromancy work too much.

Gale: Has an Oblivion-tainted chunk of Mr 'I Can Totally Eat God's Soul and Replace Him' in his chest, so Cappadocian, I guess. Formerly awakened, but he ignored his avatar when it warned him not to touch The Thing and here we are.

Astarion: World's Worst Tremere Wants Dark Thaumaturgy. So he doesn't have to actually study hermetic mysticism to get the rewards of blood sorcery. And also to be free of the pyramid. Cazador should not be a regent, but alas, he won his certamen against Velioth. And also diablerised him. And made a pact with an Archduke of Hell.

Shadowheart: Setite by faith, Lasombra Abyss Mystic by lineage. Is actually kinfolk to the Children of Gaia, but she neither knows that nor would it help her to know that in any way.

Karlach: Abandoned Gangrel fledgling is taken in by Kind Older Vampire who is Going to Show Her the Ropes and Definitely Not Scheming; This is heart-warming and definitely not going to be tragic. (The horns and tail are permanent frenzy mutations).

Wyll: I got Toreador vibes over here. He's got an insanely high humanity rating, but Mizora's a diabolist and Wyll's caught in the net. Haven't decided whether Mizora or, if I stretch, Ulder is his sire. It's probably Mizora.

Lae'zel: Still thinking on that one, but I do get Sabbat crusader vibes. Ventrue antitribu? I think that fits. She's had heavy modification from a deceased Tzimisce pack mate.

[manycoloredkingdom]

I thought about it and decided to go with factions. Don't worry. I'm not going to get into the multifaceted web of how the technocrats and certain subsidiaries of Pentex might work together given that the Technocratic Union had been heavily infiltrated by Nephandi.

That would get difficult and complicated and I'd need diagrams to illustrate it. Then afterwards, I'd have to show a counselor where the metaplot touched me, using a doll.

By and large I don't meta plot anymore. It's fun but I like doing my own thing.

So what do I mean?

The best way to put it is that I'm looking at the micro level. I'll refer primarily to my own Vampire game for examples of how politics can work (and be grateful my players don't read this) and refer to the bad Storyteller's game as a counterpoint.

When I say that I am going to focus on factions... It's a bit misleading. Because, it isn't really factions. You'll see.

So, I primarily run a Camarilla game. It's fairly standard s far as power structure goes. Elders on top, all others are servants who think they're free.

The story began with a different power structure in place. The Prince was old, but surprisingly fair and lenient. His Sheriff enforced the Traditions but never really got heavy handed as long as Kindred were willing to provide the cover up and didn't repeat too often.

Then hunters somehow figured out where Elysium was happening and firebombed it.

Now my players were originally tasked with finding out why dismembered bodies were turning up around town...in particular around areas frequented by Kindred.

Sounds easy right?

Well...

Nah.

A Sabbat Inquisitor, masquerading as an Autarkis, has offered assistance to one of the Primogen in exchange for hunting privelges in town.

But Primogen can't grant that kind of permission, I hear you gasping.

No... They can't. But a Prince may do as they like.

So, that Primogen traded the hunting rights in exchange for the Prince's unlife,took the throne and supported the hunt for the hunters utilizing the coterie to uphold the charade that his city is under attack.

Meanwhile, the Inquisitor militarized and funded the hunters, going so far as to ghoul the leaders and install its own people in the group to give nudges.

Then the Prince hired another group of hunters through a catspaw to gunk up the works and now the two groups are working at cross purposes.

Meanwhile, the Infernalist the Inquisitor is hunting is hiding in plain sight as the coterie's nerdy Tremere friend...with no one the wiser.

So... How do factions work in this convoluted scenario.

First of all, welcome to the Great Game (I refuse to call it the Jyhad, for reference.).

An analysis of the actions is going to get a little involved but bear with me.

NEW PRINCE: GARRICK JENNER

Jenner is very much a creation of the Camarilla. He has spent entries in the shadows of his elders and grown impatient. He was ready to launch a coup and merely waiting for a chance. His new sheriff, a low Humanity Gangrel named Reynolds, simply enjoys the bloodshed he gets to inflict now that he is Sheriff and Scourge. Plus, he owes Jenner one. This is a great way to pay him back. Additionally, all of the high status vampires killed were those who. Might have provided a challenge to the new Prince. Was it an accident?

Hell no.

Like all good Camarilla, Jenner utilizes the independent clans to great effect. Using the local Giovanni PC (who is trying really hard to be an antitribu in a clan that simply doesn't allow such things), he hired an Assamite (Banu Haqim from here on) to take out his political foes once the fire was started. Payment in blood, of course.

The fun part? The coterie has been openly praised by Jenner for their service during the Conflagration, granted territory in the city, and deputized to serve the new sheriff.

Making it impossible to turn on him without losing what they have gotten for upholding a traitor.

THE INQUISITOR: The Sorrow, as it is known, has been on the trail of an ancient Baali for quite some time, tracing the corruption from Europe and into the new world. It has taken part in a ritual freeing it of its Vinculi, on the oath that it will return once its duty is discharged to receive absolution for using... Unorthodox methodology.

Namely? It has lobotomized an Infernalist, blood bound them and now uses them as its muscle.

Another, it has tortured into deeper madness (prophetic Malkavian antitribu), mutilating him to the point that he resembles nothing so much as his namesake: "Lump".

It has also captured and bound a member of the D'Habi line of revenants... Who seems to serve of his own free will. Though with their weakness, who is to say?

With a seemingly blank check on orthodoxy, the Sorrow has broken a few rules in its execution of its duty.

The true joy is that the Sorrow may sow discord and chaos in Camarilla territory (serving the Sabbat) while also hunting the Infernal (serving the Inquisition) and exercising its own sadism (serving itself).

And... the coterie have made contact with the Sorrow, believe that it is Autarkis, and that it wants to help them. They have even received some assistance and protection as it frankly enjoys a good show. However, they cannot come out and admit to receiving help from a former Sabbat and diablerist without risking everything.

Okay... That was a lot of typing.

Local Sabbat presence consists of one pack (The Mongrels) who are held back by a legitimate former-Sabbag-gone-Anarch who is more than willing to kill them. He is allowed to remain so long as the Sabbat persist in the bad part of town.

Thereby guaranteeing that he never kills them off completely.

He knows the Sorrow and is providing cover and a place to stay in his area.

And finally....

THE BAALI: Morak-Sehk is a dangerous creature. It has, after centuries of work and Caine only. Knows how much sacrifice, created a plague capable of infecting Kindred. Its hope is to infect as many as possible so that the disease can bring their hunger to the fore. When this happens, they will frenzy and spill blood.

Essentially, they will become walking sacrificial altars and waken his dark lord.

Why ally with the party? Well...

They have the Prince's favor and openly trust their nerdy, socially awkward buddy. So... Why not ally with the party?

Plus, they provided a blood sample. For his Tremere identity to analyze, allowing him to "axcidentally" pass it along to the acting Regent of Clan Tremere...who then encouraged a blood hunt against the Sabbat (Not knowing, of course, that the disease is blood borne and highly contagious) and thereby playing into Morak-Sehk's plans, endangering the entire Camarilla power source, nearly wiping out the local Sabbat (where the plague began), and creating insane amounts of chaos in the mix.

Now, that leaves out the Salubri the party just discovered their midst, who cured one of them of the Baali's Curse Plague...but that's okay. The takeaway is that there is a lot going on. No one knows everything or even much of anything because this is how elders work.

They're kind of sects unto themselves, though they will try to uphold whatever framework gives them power.

This isn't a friendly setting. This is extremely politically charged and very dangerous to the PCs.

If the "Tremere" finds out that they are hiding a Salubri, they figure he will insist on capturing her and taking her to his elders (if he were really Tremere that would be a fair bet). They are convinced that the Sorrow would kill her out of hand (if they were to research its Sire's Sire, they would know that it was rumored to be friends with a Souleater and to have learned some of its ways... But they made a list of the Sorrow's forebears and kinda just moved on). They believe the Prince's story, and expect to benefit from his pleasure at their success.

So, do you see how the factions provide more of a barrier and less of a hard barrier? Could the Sorrow pass for Camarilla (without being Tzimisce)? No. Not at all. Could the Baali happily skip into town and set up shop. Without getting kinda very dead? HELL NO.

After reading all that incredible slab of text, you're probably thinking "Is he insane?"

Jury is out. But my players wanted politics. So... I am providing.

You may also be saying: Okay, but where is my feast of groaning at awful storytelling?

Don't worry. That's next. I just forgot how complicated this chronicle is.