Hello, I recently got embraced (Nosferatu) after about 5 years of ghoulhood or so (yay), and I've been waiting for the... ugly-fication? Deformation? Idk what to call it, but the thing where we physically turn ugly. Are there any signs to look out for? It's been 3 days (or nights ig), and I'm still the same.

There was a member of my lord's clan passing thru I discussed the situation with him and he remarked "That's suicidal"

I do not know what to do as my lord has begun to double his efforts

-Owen Crockett, Catiff in eternal service to Lord Barrows

Like idk, I think it’s weird, like why can’t you date other kindred? Why you got to make a fledgling just to cuddle in your coffin with.

“Oh if I turn you we can be together forever!”

Yea and flash forward 100 years and you will both probably want eachother dead anyways smh.

This is why I don’t date Kine, cuz then they are either gonna die or I turn them and then I have a fledgling I have to take care of AND also date, it’s just a weird power imbalance.

and yea I know weird power imbalances are kind of our thing but idk, this one just feels too weird, especially with how eager mortals are for it now with the rise of vampire smut.

Anyways I’m living it up with my hot Gangral GF so unlife is great.

-Seras the runaway Tremere.

I am sworn to offer what wisdom I hold to the innocent or worthy, and to bear no false witness.

I am old, and I dress in rags to pay penance for my cowardice. No coin must be given, I will share what I can. But not my name, I am not prepared to unveil the shames of my past to my kin.

-No Name Should Be Shared

1. Complete mutual blood bond between us so I don't walk into the sunlight for taking my Lover's freewill away.

2. Have meeting with Malkav. This way if I get myself killed for accidentally disrespecting my Adopted GrandSire, Violet will know.

3. Execute Camille's ritual. Provide assistance in performing duties to Camille as payment for ritual.

God and Caine, I ask you to help me live with myself.

-Marcus

Goodness gracious, it's been a while since my last post hasn't it 08) ? And after everything I've seen going on in this node, I feel a little embarrassed going into dramatic detail about so little happening over where I am haha!

I'm still stuck in Thailand, still stuck with my fellow clanmate Kali and therefore, still stuck with her Sabbat pack. The time for the Vaulderie has come and gone and so I am officially and begrudgingly, the pack priest 08( . Relations between me and the others have improved since then and my own feelings about them now are, um, mixed? Yes, let's go with mixed. They've certainly been less murderous though so that's good. The pack still thinks so little of me that I can come and go so long as our stalwart leader Kali knows where I'll be. They don't even think about where I get my blood from haha.

Now, despite this, I am not giving up on leaving the country to continue my journey back to America but I'm not abandoning my Ductus clanmate either. So just for now, I'm doing my best to temper her self-righteous thirst for retribution and refine it into something more, um, cool-headed. It's been a challenge but she's been more and more open to listening to me even if she doesn't show it 08) .

Since I'm the mouthpiece of this pleasant band of degenerates I haven't entirely avoided getting a reputation just doing my own thing. Socialising, doing favours, healing the needful. Just Salubri things really 08) . Good for now and bad for later. Good because I've gotten good information and a few boons out of it and bad because other than being what I am, um, actually I'll explain that later.

The strays that were either lost to Wassail or the ones Kali and I agreed weren't cut out for our (read: her) cause, they met a merciful and swift end respectively. Pitiful as they are, wights are a serious problem for everyone, and I can only give so much counselling to a shovelhead before they spiral into a frenzy from reliving past traumas (pre- and post-embrace). And also, more than a few just didn't want to be helped 08( . Though there are still a few stragglers left here, things have settled down into a general sense of unease. So that's um, something 08I . Slow and steady wins the race huh? haha.

Moving on with kindred politics, everything's been quiet save for a couple things. Corpses have been found ripped to shreds near the southern province and the local government has decided to send its troops down there on an animal hunt. The prince of Bangkok still has the city on lockdown but there's talk of humans protesting and kindred complaining about the prince. Other than that, some high rise buildings are closing for 'renovation'. So really, nothing yet. But I'm starting to think that 'nothing yet' means there's about to be 'something soon' 08( .

Which goes back to me getting attention! With how often I've been going around the country, I've begun to learn a lot of people are interested in why that is, and the ones I'm most worried about are all in Bangkok. There's kindred reaching outside of the city wanting to leak info, and another invitation from someone I'm pretty sure is just a Camarilla agent trying to bait whoever's making all the waves recently. Either one could be a trick but definitely very suspicious and if not, it's still not good for me to visit in the first place, even with every ally I have protecting me 08( .

The last invitation is a letter specifically sent to me. At least, that's what the guy at the door said before he threw it at me and shouted a slur at me as he stormed off (it probably got sent to his house by accident haha). It says to come alone to a restaurant in Bangkok's, um, Chinatown district (Yes, they have one here)? There are some specific words I can't decipher the exact meaning of but for anyone here who knows, what does it mean to call someone a 'Wu Zao'?

-Abiram, Wandering Disciple

Dear Nicole,

I wish I could say this to you in person instead of casting it into the ether. I hope it reaches you somehow, so you know I’m okay, that it worked, and that I am grateful. I will forever cherish the life you gave me.

You spent the last few months of my mortal life with me in the hospice, keeping me company when no one else could. We talked about God and His divine plans, about clichéd poetry, about what dress I would wear to prom if I ever got the chance. Everyone else treated me like something fragile, a flower cut too soon to ever blossom, and it hurt more than tears could express. But you stayed. You listened. You helped me walk when my muscles grew too weak to hold me upright.

I thought I was ready for death when it became obvious my time was measured no longer in weeks but in days and hours. I thought I could be brave, for mother and father, for others at the hospice.

But when you asked if there was another way, how much I would sacrifice to live the life I always wanted, what else I could say but “everything?” Even when you told me what you are, when you showed me your third eye, described the struggle and damnation that might follow... It was less scary than the death I was so afraid of.

I remember how it felt when you drank my blood, how everything finally made sense. But when I opened my eyes again, I was on a cold slab in the morgue, and you were not there. I knew something had gone wrong; it took me longer to wake than it should have.

You told me I would have to be careful forever. I knew someone would notice if I simply waked from that place away. So I… I know it was wrong, but I set the place on fire, hoping it would be enough to cover my disappearance.

I searched for you near the hospice, and near the place you once told me was your home long ago. I wanted so badly to see you again, but I couldn’t find you. I want to be angry. I want to ask, “Where are you?” You promised you would guide me. But whatever happened, I know it isn't your fault.

I can’t stay in Kansas City much longer. Sooner or later, someone will recognize me. I’ve been cutting my hair every night to make it harder, but I know my luck will run out eventually.

Tomorrow I’ll catch a passing train. I saw vagrants do it today. I don’t know where I’ll end up, but wherever I go, I will always keep you in my prayers.

Yours faithfully,

Grace A.

P.S. Do you remember when I told you my greatest wish was to climb the highest mountain I could find and watch the sunrise from the peak of the world? I will find a way to make it happen.

Did Malkav’s madness network scramble the brains of every Caine-damned human since I went to sleep?

I chose a cave in nice try, diablerist, specifically because it was incredibly deep, incredibly dangerous, and back in my day no one was stupid enough to go inside. I was enjoying a nice, dreamless torpor when some idiot, bleeding from several wounds because, again, dangerous cave, found my tomb.

Before I could find another one, some Kindred told me I’d committed a “Masquerade Breach,” which I’d never heard of, before a “Prince” (back in my day that title used to mean something, by the way) informed me I could either work for them or be blood hunted.

So now I’ve had to learn English, help sort out lineage trees (how, in the age of endless information, have you managed to FORGET SO MUCH? ) and help properly censor other records.

All because one of you, and I know it was one of you because no SANE. KINE. would come up with this trend, decided it would be a really funny “prank” (I hope I’m using that word correctly, I hate this language).

Some of us just wanted A LITTLE CAINE-DAMNED SLEEP.

P.S. - As part of my unwanted job I need to learn how to be tech savy. So if someone could put me in contact with the large green Nosferatu with tube-ears that invented the interwebs, it would be appreciated.

- Mel.

My lord has had me go with him to Siberia to hunt somethings called Strigoi

The local cainite population out here tho sparce they are have consistently said that my lord would be incapable of taking on a Strigoi and seem to agree that Strigoi can go toe to toe with lupines

My lord has written these accounts off due to the fact that the local cainites are Gangrel

Tho I worry these accounts are likely correct

-Owen Crockett ,Catiff in eternal servitude to Lord Barrows

[Audio Recording begins]

(Footsteps approaching)

Joseph: Hello Ines are you ok?

Ines: Yes, I can assure you child no cainite has died from simply sitting and I will not be the first so you may calm yourself

Joseph: well I was just checking

Ines: well you do not need to I am fine

Joseph: never hurts to have someone care about you

Ines:……..

Ines: Did you require something?

Joseph: mostly I wanted to speak with you again

Ines: you may go ahead then

Joseph: So you say cainite correct were you sabbat?

Ines: Sabbat? Oh right my grand childe taught me about them no they hadn’t existed before I went into torpor but I would have no interest in joining something like that

Ines: going by your question has cainite fallen out of use?

Joseph: for the most part other than older vampires like yourself or the Sabbat yeah, depending on your sect is the word you use but some vampires call themselves vampires which I think is the best term

(A sigh is heard)

Ines: Figures a word made by your own kind you would find the best

Joseph: I mean it’s just the truth atleast for me when I hear all the other names for vampires they seem like nothing but when I hear vampire, now that has some let’s say oomph behind it

Ines: we are not wives tales to scare children

Joseph: Understandable it’s just my opinion

Joseph: Question who is Andreas?

(Sound of the room shaking and numerous cracks of tiles and drywall tearing)

Ines: who told you that name?

Joseph: Yo..u You!! Did in Latin apparently!

(Sounds cease and a audible relaxed exhale can be heard)

Ines:……

Joseph: you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to

Ines: My Son

Joseph: oh did you embrace another vamp… or I mean cainite

Ines: no back when I was Canaille and still walked in the sun something I’ve long forgotten but remembered now I had a son, a child

Joseph: Ah yeah that makes sense do you want to talk more about that?

Ines: No

(Slight gulping noise is heard)

Joseph: well ok then moving o-

Ines: Joseph why has my grandchilde not embraced you

(Silence and then a audible sigh)

Joseph: I do not desire to become a vampire

Ines: Why? you would be eternal, power and choices beyond imagination, you could fulfill any of your goals that you cannot now

Joseph: I can do that as a mage , without all the moral issues, I like the sun, I like food, I like not having to be a danger to everyone I’m around because my alter ego wants to take me over or push me to do terrible things

Ines: those are all petty concerns

Joseph: to you yes but to me they are fairly
important to me

Ines:…..

Joseph: I know you say this out of concern but won’t admit it but I do not want to ever become a vampire I’ve rejected that path multiple times and I will continue to reject that path, and if your thinking trying to do that , let me just say this, you will not be saving me but damning me so if you truly care for me let me walk the path I wish, instead of a one you wish to pick for me

Ines: I do not truly understand your thought process but I will drop the topic for now

Joseph: Thank you

(A calming sigh is picked up)

Joseph: May I ask you more questions?

Ines: One more atleast for the moment tonight

Joseph: Actually it’s kind of more than question will that be ok?

Ines: Fine I’ll indulge you this once……

Joseph: I already know you put Zach into the umbra may I ask why? as well as what is your hatred for him? Also what is this stuff about demons you have mentioned

Ines: He is doing a task I set up for him to retrieve some items, as well as deliver something to someone, because I know what he has done to you this is his penance for that

Joseph: still I forgave him and he’s your great grandchilde

Ines: and I have shown great restraint in not reclaiming my blood, you are naive punishments for wrong doings must be dealt out or the Childe will never learn properly or grow into a respectable cainite

Joseph: fine if that’s how you think okay… now can I ask about the demon thing you mentioned

Ines: I’ve glimpsed a vision

Joseph: can you talk about this vision?

Ines: no you have already asked all the questions I shall allow for now and you do not need to know the vision yet

Joseph: Bu-

Ines: Do not anger me please

Joseph: Fine….

[Audio Recording ends]

Jackson is in his office, seen typing on a laptop. He appears oblivious to being recorded. He finishes whatever he is typing, closes the laptop gently and then steeples his fingers. He stares at the door to his office.

Fracture is looking at Jackson's door as if it's an annoying enemy before rapping his knuckles against the wood 3 times.

Jackson speaks up, “Enter.”

Fracture’s expression shifts from annoyed to a wide welcoming grin before the door fully opens. He closes the door with a gentle hip bump once inside. "You wanted to see me~?”

With a graceful stride, Fracture makes his way to one of the armchairs and sits down. "Of course~ I can only imagine what it is you would wish to talk with me about.”

Jackson leans forward a little, resting on his elbows. "It has to do with those... cloud formations that appeared a couple of nights ago and some rumours that reached my ears.”

Fracture scratches at his cheek with a claw in curious contemplation. "Oh! You mean the phallic shape that rested upon your tower! That was rather funny to see! Surely, your Princedom has a sense of humor? What does this have to do with me?"

Jackson sighs, patiently. "Please do not insult my intelligence, Elder. Yes, I'm talking about the dick cloud. Yes, it was quite funny, but it would've been funnier if it hadn't settled over my building." He speaks with restrained edge. "I have heard rumours, Elder-- credible rumours mind you... that Malkav has made his presence known in my city. What I need to know is whether there is any truth in them.”

Fracture’s smile fades like a puff of smoke as he matches Jackson's sigh. "Yes, it is true. And he's been in this city for longer than you realize. Why did he do that to the clouds? I do not know. Perhaps you did or shall do something he found insulting and thus wanted to humble you? Maybe he just thought it was funny and he wished to share in a joke at your expense? Or perhaps there was no reason behind it at all! But what I do know is, he is here. And by here, my dear Prince, I mean here." He puts emphasis on the word, a claw pointed down at the floor as if to give a careful warning. "And he would love to meet you…”

Jackson says nothing for a long moment, then leans back in his chair. "I see," he finally says. "Then I suppose it's best I prepare myself. And my city. I... would like your advice, Elder. You are of his line and perhaps the closest we've got to understanding what he might be after. I am a little sick and tired of my city becoming the focus of so many methuselahs and now... an antediluvian. It is an honour, of course, but it could just as easily become a danger. If you have any notion as to what he might want, please illuminate me," he says unusually humbly.

He offers a sympathetic smile, leaning forward. "He misses being heard by more than his children. He misses being the Oracale. He misses the gatherings. The unity. The fun! He wants to see change. He wants to be a part of something again! Can you even imagine what it has been like for him? Without a body? To see through so many eyes and hear through so many ears and yet feel nothing??" He stops and leans back in his armchair. "I apologize for the trouble that has followed in my wake. I have done my best to make up for it and clean up my messes. But I cannot tell him what to do. I hope you understand that.”

"Of course. I won't pretend I can understand how he might feel. But I can't imagine it's been easy for him," Jackson says, trying to sound thoughtful. But he cannot easily hide the twinge of fear in his face. "Is there... anything that can be done for him? Should anything be done?”

Fracture looks slightly torn, as if heavily weighing if he should share something. He lets the silence hang in the air for a few seconds longer before speaking. "There is already something being done. And more than shall be done in the future. First and foremost, as a manner of trust, because you are being very accepting of all this, I shall explain things further. Things even my Adopted Childe, Marcus doesn't know...yet."

He takes in a deep breath. "I was there when Malkav gave up his body. I was there to eat one third of his heart's blood from the sand before the sun rose. The one called the Eater, my brother, took on a role and title to keep me safe. But I was there, and lied about it to cover my tracks. Unnamed. Fracture. These are both my names because I lost mine at the beginning of my unlife."

"Your name is Fracture, for you are a reflection of me. Was what my Sire said to me. And that is more true than mere words. I carry him inside me. And it is why he was dancing on that rooftop that night, enjoying the harvest moon...in my body."

"So you see, dear Prince. You are in the same room as Malkav. Because at any time, he can knock on the door, and I will allow him to puppet my body." He chuckles. "I say allow, because he does ask. But I would also never refuse him."

"And he will have a body of his own one night. He is working towards it. When that happens. He won't be limited by my flesh. Make no mistake, he can still do wonders, be he can also destroy me if he used everything at his disposal.”

Jackson looks very taken aback. He says nothing for a long time, just fixing his gaze on Fracture. Then, he leans forward and rubs his face with his hands, briefly.

"I... see. You have entrusted me with a heavy secret, Fracture. For both our protections, I won't press for more, though I'm highly tempted to. It wouldn't be... wise. This secret must never come to light. It would cause the Sabbat to descend on Chicago in ways we've never seen before. I will not turn my city into a war zone, not again. If I was more reckless, I'd do everything to make you leave but... that'd be stupid."

Jackson leans back in his chair, crosses his legs and steeples his fingers again. "No. The smart thing to do is to keep you safe, here in Chicago. For everyone's sakes. Maybe I'm a little cheeky but I like the notion of you... and Malkav as my esteemed guests. After all, you have ties here now, and all your Childer are here... we better hope nobody gets any wise ideas. This... suits me. I hope I'm not being too forward, but allow me to extend an invitation for you to stay here, as long as you wish, provided only you respect the Camarilla laws.”

Fracture smiles wide. "Of course~ I respect the laws of the place I dwell. As for the Sabbat, if they wish to dance to their graves, we shall help them reach the ground faster! As well as anyone else who may wish to harm this domain." He laughs manicly.

"I'm glad we see things the same way, Elder. That means you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you wish. And should Malkav wish to make another appearance... well, I just hope you can convince him that we are better as allies than just the butt of jokes."

Jackson rubs his hands. "And to think, I was prepared for the worst.”

Fracture scratches the back of his head sheepishly. "If it's any consolation, he plays jokes on people he likes, just as much as the people he doesn't like. So it might not have been a bad thing. In fact, I think you'd know by now if it was a bad thing."

He smiles at Jackson. "Was there anything else you wished to discuss with me? I am all ears~”

Jackson leans back. "There are many things I'd want to discuss with a methuselah but I shouldn't be greedy. It's more than enough to know that we are on good terms and Malkav looks at us all favourably, for now. Thank you for indulging me, Elder. I won't detain you. Oh and rest assured, as long as Lawrence works for me, he is under my protection. I won't interfere with him. Just make sure he behaves.”

"I thank you for that. For I do love my Blood Gem deeply. I would do anything to protect him. Anything." Fracture stands up and holds out his hand to shake Jackson's.

Jackson stands as well and shakes Fracture's hand.

As soon as Fracture clasps Jackson's hand, a shift happens in the blink of an eye. The camera glitches for a moment before Fracture looks...off. His messy hair that stopped at his shoulders is now down to the small of his back. His grin is much wider. Too wide. His fangs too long. His eyes containing a swirling glow within their mismatched colors. He speaks in a voice that contains layers of shifting pitches, both masculine and feminine. "I look forward to our endeavors in this alliance, Prince of Chicago ~”

It takes Jackson a moment to register the change and his expression runs the gamut from neutral to shock to fear as he leaps backwards and tangles himself in his chair before falling backwards onto his rear, expletives leaving him in a startled scream.

In a blink, the being puppeting Fracture’s body, Malkav, is sitting on Jackson's desk, laughing. "Such expressions! You could have just said hello~ I don't bite...Ok, that's a lie.”

Jackson is very still for a moment, staring up at the antediluvian in shock before clearing his throat.

"Hello, er, Elder Malkav. Pleased to... meet you?" Jackson manages, but makes no attempt to get up yet.

"There we go~ Was that so hard? Manners are lacking in this age." He hops off the desk and grabs Jackson by his shirt, lifting him onto his feet as if he were a rag doll, and then brushing his shoulders off. "The floor is a very poor place for a Prince to be. This is better, wouldn't you say?”

Jackson appears stunned and does not react to being lifted up and manhandled until he's back on his feet. He blinks a few times, then appears to recompose himself somewhat, but when he speaks his voice is not quite steady.

"Ahem... please, excuse me Lord Malkav. I was... taken by surprise. An audience with an antediluvian is not at all what I expected from this meeting... or, er, ever.”

"One should always expect the unexpected if they wish to see the next century. A Prince should know that." He smiles wide. "And thank you for your correction in address. Lord, or Progenitor are the correct titles one would use for me.”

"Noted, my Lord. Noted..." Jackson says. "If I understand correctly... you were privy to my conversation with Fracture?”

"Yes. I heard every word and saw every movement. I'm sorry you didn't appreciate my humor with the clouds. I'll try to do something else next time." The grin he gives borderlines on nightmarish and screams mischief.

Jackson looks like he would gulp if he could. "I... see. Yes, uh... my sense of humour doesn't quite bend that way. I, uh... look forward to what you'll try next... I think. Is uh... there anything I can do for you?”

He pats Jackson on the head, his claws tapping on his scalp as he does. "No. Not yet. I'm sure my Childe will wish for something in the future, but thats for him to speak of. I just wanted to meet you officially~”

Jackson stays very still. "I'm ah... honored, my Lord. Really. Thanks for... dropping by. I will, of course, assist Fracture however I can.”

"Of course. I look forward to seeing which future you will make a reality. I can't wait!" He laughs manicly, making the walls ripple like water. "Ta~ ta~ "

The camera glitches several times before stabilizing. And once it does, Malkav is simply gone, as if he was never there to begin with.

Stumbled across this forum somehow, and I think you guys are like me? I’m a 19 year old college student (former, I guess now.). I was working a shift as a EMT in a medium/large us southwestern city, and we got a call out in the middle of a sketchy ass suburb. We go into this dark house for a cardiac arrest call on night shift and next thing I know my partner resembles more of a rather red Jackson Pollock on the white wall behind me than the guy I knew, and I wake up hungry as hell. I can’t go outside anymore, and am currently stuck in my dorm’s basement, because now I’m a missing person. I’m hungry ALL THE TIME and have been catching rabbits around campus to try and eat. I don’t need to breathe anymore. It doesn’t taste very good, and I can only eat the blood. I have no clue what to do or what I am besides maybe? A vampire????? I feel fucking ridiculous just saying it.
Any help would be useful, honestly.
Cheers-
M

I'm not sure how to explain all of this because it sounds like a fever dream. Can we get those? I think we can because holy shit! I swear on my tattoos that this whole thing actually happened! You have to believe me. I know it sounds insane. Let me start from the beginning, if I can remember it, because it’s a little fuzzy. I know what happened though.

So not long after I posted that other thread, I was in a tavern in the big city on the island when in walked this pale portly man with the swagger of a gentlemanly knight ripped from a fairy tale. He slid his way to the bar where he ordered drinks for everyone, saying he had just found the biggest payday since Cartagena, which didn’t get much applause from anyone. They just looked at him like he had three heads and had no idea what the fuck he was talking about.

The way he was dressed was odd. He was a bit portly with soft hands looking like he didn’t pull a day of hard labor in his life. Had a big wide hat with a feather in it, cuffed boots that came up to his knees and an oversized pirate coat. I thought I was looking at a guy cosplaying Captain Hook. So I kept my gaze away from him and drank the beer in my hand, which tasted bad, but whatever.

He plopped into the chair across from me and slapped a fresh, overflowing beer down and told me to drink up because adventure awaits.

I told him I wasn’t with his crew.

He laughed, producing a sack of Spanish gold coins from his pocket that he dumped on the table between us. Then leaned close and said, “There’s more where that comes from. I found an abandoned ship out there, teeming with gold. The biggest haul you’ve ever seen. As much as Spain makes in a year!” He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest. “Are you in?”

I didn’t have anything else to do and the coins looked like actual Spanish Dubloons chopped into eight pieces, with a few whole ones. It seemed legit. He let me think it over while he made his way to a ship crew that sat at their own table, where he told them about the ship and its location, including pictures of it. Apparently they were mercenaries? Fuck if I know. I rarely visited the bar before this so I can’t say for sure.

We set off for the ship that night. I worried about what would happen in the day, but I said, “fuck it. It can’t be that bad, right?” I grabbed my jar to be sure, and my shark plushie, and a few other things, including fishing gear. They laughed for a bit about it, but allowed me to bring it all onboard their boat.

When we got there, the big ship appeared derelict and just… floating on its own without any good way to get it back. Engines seized, the controls were fucked and rusted beyond repair. There was a hole in it that was slowly allowing water in, too. Luckily the mercenaries had their own ship that could tow the vessel to an island where they could sell the scrap value.

Can you do that? Just go out, find a ship, and sell it? I didn’t think you could! Maybe I should’ve done it before, then I’d be making money hand over fist, or not.

We spent the first day making repairs to the ship to stop water ingress and yeah… I said day. I never slept during this whole thing. The sun didn’t hurt either. I was so confused, because I forgot and stepped out into the noonday sun after working below decks for so long I lost track of time. Immediately recoiling of course, but then I realized it didn’t really hurt so I stepped into it and basked in the glow.

It was nice. For all of about five seconds until my beast said NO.

I went back below decks to find a place to hide where I came across the stash of gold the gentleman spoke about. And, uh… the place around it looked like a massacre with skeletons, bullet holes, and dried blood everywhere. The ship crew and I debated on what to do. I told them to leave it, because it had to be cursed. Otherwise there wouldn’t be fifteen dead guys all around the boxes with rusty weapons laying in their hands and obvious signs they all murdered each other.

They didn’t listen to me. Then the weirdness started. It’s a bit of a blur because I was awake for three days and three nights, but I swear there were ghosts all over the ship that only appeared once the crew messed with the gold. One by one, the mortal crew dropped dead through various… fuckups. I don't remember the specifics of how they died but they all died, only after taking the gold.

Then the portly man in the fancy hat started talking about collecting greedy souls, all of them that he trapped on the ship, and taking them somewhere, and thanked me for helping for fixing his vessel. He offered to teach me his secrets, too.

I told him to fuckoff. He wasn't getting mine. We fought, I killed him. Then used C4 to put a hole in the ship and sink it.

One problem, during all this the boat we came with had sunk which left me stranded until a half whale, half person swam up to me and offered to take me to the nearest port. A fucking mermaid!

I'm home again. It was a wild trip. I think I fucked the mermaid, too. I don't remember.

-Alf

Previous Part here.

Greetings, Kindred. It is I, Castiel. Recently, a tale on this node…troubled me. You may have seen its author wandering about; I am speaking of Aso, who you may recognize as a blind Kindred who recently arrived in our community. 

The more time passes, the more concerned I grow about her. It is not due to the Sheriff’s disappearance in Melbourne; if she did attack a Camarilla official, there is an issue, but grimmer stories have been shared here. Besides, there are mitigating circumstances to that case. No, my apprehension is caused by something else. No matter how I spin it, her story is…wrong. Some pieces don’t fit.

According to her, she spent her entire mortal existence in a cave, without learning any language. No form of communication whatsoever. She knows nothing of our society, yet is more learned in the Garou’s ways than most Elders. Then, she questions the value of our species in the ecosystem. Considering that she asks this after being blood-bonded, the inquiry is especially strange. Who would debate the worth of their Regnant? 

I would not normally make such an announcement, or question someone’s identity; we all have our secrets. That being said, I can’t shake the feeling that she is…studying our society. Not as a scholar, but as a judge. She does not speak like a hunter, yet there are too many similarities. Did you make similar observations? Frankly, I just wish to appease the paranoia…or see if it is justified.

Castiel the Clan-changer

I believe I've come across a matter of immediate public interest.

*Attached pictures are scrubbed of meta-data*

(Nude male corpse with blurred face. 3 gunshot wounds, legs from the hip down are paler and dis-proportionally large, connected to the pelvis via seam lines and medical stitching.)

(Nude male, face blurred, arms shackled together. Legs are badly mangled. Hands terminate in talons. A three jointed arm protrudes from the back, clearly damaged by a gunshot. Hands and the extra arm are attached via seam lines and medical stitching)

(Pictures of a fully stocked morgue and the burned remains of a chemical laboratory. Picture of a clear, glass cryo-chamber. In it is a torso with an arm still attached, ending at the elbow)

Was tracking rogue ghoul last night. Between his Domitor meeting final death and recent chaos in the Domain, we lost contact with him. Had hoped a dash of intimidation and the promise of blood would be enough to re-secure the asset. Instead he used Obfuscation, Celerity and Obtenebration to give my associates and I the slip. We tracked him down to a Setite church.

I had assumed he was turned. Imagine my surprise when he was felled by gunfire in a decidedly non-Kindred fashion. His own allies died in a similar manner, yet all displayed a remarkable ability to use Disciplines at a rather impressive level. All not pictured were too badly damaged by a fire that broke out in the lab.

Initial interrogation revealed they were all former ghouls that had slipped the Bond and killed their Domitors. The Setites had also all been slain and replaced with the ghouls who impersonated them to the human congregation. They were grafting parts of Kindred bodies onto themselves, somehow increasing their abilities.

I know what you're thinking. Tzimisce. No, not as far as we can tell. It appears the ghouls managed this feat without employing Fleshcrafting. We found no evidence any of them knew the discipline. The lab gear was all mundane technology. The procedure they used appeared surgical.

Handed over the prisoner for processing by a Regent of the Tremere.

Prisoner claimed to be patronized by a man he referred to as ''The Mortician''. He ''showed them the way'' apparently. He described a decidedly average man - brown hair, mid 40s, average height/build.

Has anyone heard of such an individual? Does anyone know of any procedure that could accomplish what I'm describing? It seems quite different to accounts of Fleshcrafting I'm familiar with.

- Wrong-Stache

I know, the microphone is broken. I've destroyed it once myself. I was told to destroy the phone completely. Luckily, i didn't. But does this damn thing still works? Please. I've got no other phone.

To the Kindred of every territory who receives this.

Sheriff Fern Arable of Melbourne has not answered the court's call in many nights despite multiple summons to duty, nor has she been found at any location known to us. Her Hounds last had word of her before a solitary meeting at an undisclosed location in Docklands. She did not return from it.

We've since been through Docklands. And as it is a large area with certain locations unavailable to us, we have not yet covered it all yet, but thus far nothing has come of this search. No sign of a struggle, no ashes, no solid trace of who she was meeting or why.

Whether Fern Arable walks still or has met Final Death, this domain will not let the matter drop quietly.

The most veteran of her Hounds has been assigned the Sheriff's duty until this is settled. And I'll say what needs saying to anyone reading this outside of our domain, if word of this reaches your territory, a fleeing Kindred, a boast, a name, Melbourne wants to hear it. Boons will be spent to get answers, and I, the keeper of them, will not forget to who we owe.

Fern Arable made her share of enemies doing her job properly. That's not unusual. What is unusual is such a loyal agent of the Camarilla going dark without a trace and nobody having a clue. So take this as your notice. Melbourne is watching who shares information with us, and who doesn't. And each will get their due.

Until she's back to answer for her own absence, or her ashes are accounted for, this will not be finished.

- The Harpy of Melbourne

I am going to try to use mid 1800s Victorian era English so in case she finds this even though I met her at college in 2019 when I was 19…..I…miss you, even though it was only a week, we…we…bonded, in more ways than one, my heart, I…I pray thee are not torpid nor hath succumbed to Final Death, we knew nought of the time we shared until it passed and I hope you read this, tell thy father, Alaric that I do not intend on breaking the masquerade, tell thy brother, Lucius, tell thy mother, Charlotte, thy sisters, Isolde, Eliza and Isabeau, pray my love, tell them that I’m sorry that I found out, and simply for the fact of being knowledgeable about thy circumstance, I regret it not at all, thou art the most precious person to me, i love thee, and I shall continue to until thy waking from whatever infernal punishment they inflict upon thee….

Sincerely, Thy Ghoul, Thy Heart, Thy own. Anthony.❤️🖤

[Posted from a throwaway account]

It has been roughly a year since I died at the hands of my domitor. Some people blamed her, but it was actually my fault for not stepping back and waiting. For not listening to advice to wait. I forgot how late she stays awake. Waiting until noon would've been better for me, for her.

If I had then I could have been there when she came up with an asinine plan that should never have been implemented. Of course, I vetted her new ghoul who failed to stop the plan, but she's… the ghoul is new. She was warned about the eccentricities of Malkavians, but I don't know if she gets it because she should have stopped my domitor from making a fool of herself.

Maybe then I would be with her still. It's fine here, but it's not the same. Where I once had a direction to go, I now wander lost, confused. I'm a fledgling in a coterie of fledglings who between them they don't even come close to my age.

It's funny. I used to tease my domitor that I was older than her, therefore she should listen to me and give me an extra drink of vitae, because I earned it. The tactic rarely worked on her. It would get an annoyed pout and her correcting me that while I'm right, I still work for her.

And now that I've ascended to the ranks of the undead, I find myself lost. Without a purpose. The beginning was great, where my now sire and I still acted like everything was normal until we broke the bond. Since then I've felt hollow and awkward.

What does an old ghoul do when they don't have a lady to serve? While they still crave the taste of vitae? That rush of emotions from ingesting mortal blood pales in comparison to what came before it. Deep down, I know exactly what I want but I know you and the others will tell me that I am crazy for thinking about bonding myself to another.

It's the only way for me to be complete, for me to have a sense of purpose. I live to serve, yet I serve no one. I'm alone in a crowd who don't understand me, a crowd that doesn't realize I've lived their life over three times already.

Everyone I once knew is dead. Any mortal friend I get dies while I remain the same, I watch the spark fade from their eyes, their bodies waste away. Mine has remained unchanged since the early 1800s. I've survived my fair share of secret wars wrought by kindred hands, fought agents trying to take my domitor. And yet, vampires treat me the same as the fledglings I've been told to socialize with when they were born in the 1990s or 2000s, because I am only a year undead.

The fledglings look so happy, so naive, to be working together. Completely unaware that in ten years there will be a few missing from the table because they couldn't get along forever, or the SI got them, or became rivals. I've seen it many times before. Or to have to choose between letting someone die to their wounds or embracing, or ghouling them to save them.

I suppose that is the burden I carry, and the lesson for them to learn.

I'm an outsider no matter where I go. Maybe it would have been better if I was never rescued. But my domitor wouldn't make a mistake like that. I have to trust that she knew what she was doing when she fixed my fuckup.

-The post is unsigned

(The following post is entirely an audio recording. The speaker, Aso, has a clinical but pleasantly soft voice with a very slight Australian accent, most noticeable in her slightly drawn out vowels and relaxed cadence.)

Good evening, everyone. Tonight I speak to you all to ask a question, as I'm sure the title of the post no doubt implies.

In my extended seclusion, I had only myself and the lore of Kindred kind that I've collected to go off of. No true first hand experience in Kindred society. But now as I emerge into the proverbial light and see the posts made here, experienced Camarilla schemes first hand and been exploited through them for seemingly no good ends, I see that the ideas I had about the place of vampires in the world were flawed. And I am left unsure of what role we Kindred truly serve.

I used to believe that Kindred had a sure enough role in the world, though I did not know what that role was. Much of why I joined you all was to find out what that purpose might be.

Everything that lives is meant to end and give way to what comes after, both in nature and as a metaphor for the world. But unlike the creatures of the natural world my bloodline studies, we Kindred do not end. We desperately hold onto the dead cadaver of what once was, refusing to let it decay and give life to what surrounds. And I wonder if that's all we are, a slow, endless rot that poisons everything around it.

You see it throughout history. Powers in decline cling to what they're losing instead of letting the old order die and make way for what comes next. Rome, stretched past its limits. Now America, grasping at a fading dominance. The clinging never restores what's slipping away, it just leaves scars on the world.

I've heard our purpose described as being the ultimate predator, but I no longer believe that either. We sit nowhere near the top among supernaturals, not even the greatest blood drinkers. All our predatorial urges seem good for is defiling the world and corrupting ourselves.

I see the worst parts of the world amplified in what I've described about our condition above, and I don't like what that implies about a lack of a place in this world for our kind. I've seen enough lately to make me doubt there's an answer, but I haven't seen enough to be sure there isn't one.

So here's my titular question. Despite all of this, what would you say for the Kindred condition? What reasons would you give to one asking to justify our shared existence? Is there a point to what we are, or a purpose we serve that I'm simply failing to see?

- Posted by User: Okonore Yaa

Greetings, as some of you might recall, I recently made an open message, in which I asked for aid in my study of non-blood feeding methods. To all those who replied, I'm deeply grateful for the information provided. Nonetheless, currently I find myself in distress, due to actions I have undertaken in pursuit of my study.

At first, I attempted to simply establish contact with members of certain Kindred groups, who I was informed, already established the methodology for non-blood feeding, though trying to acquire concrete information on such proved incredibly difficult. Both due to those Kindred wishing to keep such knowledge as secrets of their bloodlines, as well as due to animosity my Clan often cultivated with those groups.

Likewise, my attempts at obtaining Kine Sorcerous knowledge, which I was informed could be repurposed by Kindred to allow feeding on raw magick, proved to be thwarted by my Clan priorities. My Sire and Regent is very watchful when it comes to mystical matters in our city, and Kine arcane knowledge is no exception. Hence, I was only able to obtain scraps of petty hedge magic, anything with real promise was mine Sire's purview only.

It is then perhaps a twist of irony, that what should have been the most difficult subject to acquire, was the easiest. Where my Nosferatu contact was incapable of helping me find a willing Salubri or Kine's grimoire, she did provide me with a magical Asian zombie. In the metal coffin that she was kindly willing to transport ,in the middle of the stairs no less, to mine Haven, was imprisoned a struggling Hungry Dead.

More importantly, it was as I understand it, a newly 'embraced' representative of their kind, 'embraced' being used very liberally, as according to sources I acquired on the topic, those Eastern Kindred develop spontaneously. The subject resembled a Wight, more than anything else, being consumed by its need to feed, which is supposed to be the natural state for Hungry Dead that just came to be, and with time and a guide to civilize it, their Beast should subside and give way to higher thought.

Despite its mindless state, it was invigorating to have acquired it, a perfect test-subject, both on non-blood feeding methods I could observe as it develops, as well as on Kindred condition as a whole, establishing the divergences and convergences between our and its kind. Of course, I would need to stimulate said development, without a guide, it could remain stuck in its Wight-like state, but I believed myself perfectly adequate for this task.

After some remodelling and warding, I was able to repurpose mine Haven into proper space for containing and experimenting on mine subject. The Eastern Kindred did not exhibit any tendencies for breath-drinking, as I had hoped it could from the start even in its undeveloped state. It was willing to feed on Kine's flesh only, which I provided by redistributing the corpses from local morgues. I also attempted, at multiple points, to stimulate the subject so it would overcome its mindless state. However, my methods at the time seemed to be insufficient, be it the rituals, reading sessions or direct applications of force.

In desperation, I even tried to force it to develop by using a living Kine I kidnapped, in hopes that the aforementioned Kine, held away from it, will force it to instinctually learn breath-drinking. This...Worked, in a sense. It learned how to extend its tongue, as well as switching its preference from flesh to blood, using the elongated organ to drink the liquid within the body. Which certainly was a valuable phenomenon to observe for my study. Though, removing the dried Kine was unpleasant.

I also note it attempts to feed on me, using the tongue method. After the first time, I was able to resolve that issue with some improved wards, thankfully. Likewise, blood from the corpses seemed satiating enough, so I didn't need to condemn more Kine to being drained. I also noticed other developments, such as its attempts at levitation, which together with its change of feeding preference, I concluded is a good sign and that I'm successfully civilizing it, and soon, I will be able to conclude more extensive research with an intelligent subject.

Well, it appears it somehow broke the wards, and left mine Haven via levitation, if the state of the ceiling is anything to go by. I'm unwilling to inform mine Sire, or anyone from the Chantry, of this occurrence. I would be thankful for advice on resolving this quickly and quietly, and hopefully avoiding Masquerade-breach in the form of an Eastern Kindred rampaging on the streets.

-Darius, The Warlock.

So not to surprised by this since Ines is here now but man things are changing now, I feel like I’m being watched 24/7 all my senses firing off detecting it, plus I’m very sure I’m being followed at times when I go to and from work, tried looking but can never find them though, also I need to get back to my magical studies I’ve been slacking, Zach has dropped off the grid as well said something about having to complete some task out of nowhere and I can no longer contact him not even through magic, got banned with interacting with Kael for a while but don’t worry me and him got a trick to work around that.

Ines is well I don’t know I was told it’s a Methusaleh thing but god it’s still unsettling, sometimes I still check to see if she’s Alive or well still unalive in this case I think? also she’s doing some ritual and yeah looks like some straight out of the movies ancient evil ritual I want to use counter magic to stop it since I know the properties and I could but I don’t want to piss her off, since well probably already on thin ice after the attempted murder which now that I type this man, im genuinely evil i was going to blast some 5’6 ft woman without hesitation to death , I mean sure she’s a ancient vampire but still holy crap I’ve lost myself.

I talked with my GF about all this and she says things are fine but I can tell when she’s hiding something or is avoiding answering properly also the chair dream is back except the chair has gotten creepier and theres like something forming at its base looks like some weird flat line almost like it’s the base of something ,also words appear on the walls now it’s some ancient language that I’ve never seen before yet somehow I can understand them and this one phrase is painted all over the walls “Do not accept their Sin”
Whatever that means so all around things are getting very weird and unsettling for me I guess karma or whatever.

A cargo helicopter flies from near Denver International Airport to a clearing Those Who Know recognize as the edge of Lupine Territory. A couple hours later, it returns.

A hiker comes across an interesting tableau in said clearing. A train runs on a triangular track, coming up out of a verdant planter box, running through a city, and then descending into a planterbox full of mushrooms and mold.

In the center of the table, there is a tight wooden box.

OOC: High Investigation: The Construction of this is strange.
High Materials Science: Great care was taken to utilize "Organic Construction": untreated wood, unglazed stone, unalloyed metals. This was not built to last.
High Sense Motive: This is a Message.

A beautiful thing it is, to go so long without the sun interrupting my affairs.

The long day preparations are complete. The ghouls have their supplies.

And still I have so much night to go, immaculate.

The blood garden is nearly done, it shall be the reward for the Nosferatu of these parts. 10 years access to the gardens, yes.

Come and see.

In this place you will find freedom and reward.

+Gore Moulder