Vampire the Masquerade V5 - Session Thirty Eight - Blood Money (Part One)

I'm currently running a Vampire the Masquerade chronicle using the 5th Edition rule-set for a small group of fellow role-players. These are the chronicles of their adventures.

Our campaign is set in Los Angeles and features a small group of Camarilla agents sent into the 'Free States' to search for ways to once again bring the Ivory Tower to dominance under the pretence of being disillusioned neonates looking for the freedom of the Anarch way of life. Now with a barony of their own it's time to consolidate their position and then plan their next move.

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The now obligatory warning bit - Unlike my other RPG write-ups this one will contain swearing, sexual references and other references that might offend. If you can't tell the difference between real peoples opinions and grown-ups role-playing predators who crave blood then this probably won't be for you. I've also used actual photographs to represent some characters which I'll give acknowledgements to at the end if I've any idea who they are.
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The introduction to this campaign, the first story and all the other parts can be found at the following links and are in chronological order. If you'd prefer a summary of each session rather than read everything then there's a more detailed link page HERE as well as links to the first episode of each story in the blog sidebar.
'Infiltrate LA' Chronicle
Welcome to L.A. - Introductory Session
Story One - 'Three Murders' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Interlude Session - One
Story Two - 'The Pasadena Problem' - Part One, Two, Three, and Four
Solo Session - 'The Neillson Library'
Story Two Continued- 'The Pasadena Problem' - Part Five, Six, Seven and Eight
Story Three - 'Becoming Baron' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Solo Session - 'The Gather'
Story Three Continued - 'Becoming Baron' - Part Six, Seven and Eight
'Foothold LA' Chronicle
Solo Session - 'Hostile Takeover'
Story Four - 'Countdown' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Five - 'The Missing Chantry' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five
Solo Session - 'The Anaheim Assassination'
Story Six - 'A Meeting of Barons' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Seven - 'The Carmelita Situation' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Eight - 'The Blount Sisters' - Part One and Two

The PC's
Player controlled characters
Michael Tomassio - Toreador, Baron of Pasadena
Vincent 'Vin' Ghast - Brujah, Sheriff
Dr Daniel Matthews - Banu Haqim, 'Fixer'
Hope Romero - Gangrel, Scourge
Mr Hertz - Nosferatu, Mob Accountant
The SPC's
Storyteller controlled player allies
Johnny 'Roach' West - Malkavian, Seneschal
Marie - Clan Carna, Occult Advisor

The player characters stats and backgrounds can be found HERE should any-one be interested. There's also some minor 'house-rules' HERE that have occurred as we went along.

As I have written out introductions and dialogue for certain NPC's and some location descriptions I'll post these more or less as I wrote them so they'll be in a 'reading to the group' style and they'll also be in blue so you can tell them apart from the more traditional write-up sections and occasionally an obscure Malkavian premonition will turn up in purple. If I think something needs a bit of out of character explanation then those will get a storytellers note that will helpfully be in red. Anything covered via player handouts will also be in blue as they're written in the same style as introductions and the like. Where particular NPC's have a mention in a faction profile you will be able to reach it by clicking on their name beneath their picture.

Pre-Session Player Handouts
At the start of certain sessions I distribute local news reports and information relevant to certain individuals. Some relate to previous sessions, others are things going on that the players may or may not wish to investigate or involve themselves in. Others of course are complete bollocks...

Introduction

With Roach increasingly involved in maintaining your burgeoning drug empire and combining the various gangs rendered leaderless by Daniel into your own gang you are seeing less and less of him.

On the bright side this has meant that his gang 'The Apostles' are now exceptionally well organised and the drug trade is burgeoning giving you a considerable supply of cash for your business concerns. The downside if it can be called one is that you now have far more unexplained cash than you can launder through your few existing business ventures.

Vin meanwhile has shown a surprising flair for the prostitution business and both your 'gentlemen's clubs' are doing well. The street girls are being 'protected' by the Apostles and Vin's own recruited group of enforcers and the almost complete elimination of the competition has given you a virtual monopoly on the sex trade across Pasadena. Now he has established his own haven, most of your dealings with him are via his ghoul Sarah though he always makes himself available if there's a chance that someone might need punching repeatedly or dismembering.

Scene One - Dion

'Dion' - Retainer of Fiorenza Savona
Current Assignment - Michael Tomassio

Dion appears at your office door that once again Heather has breezed through and forgot to close. "Do you have a moment? I have had a 'request' relayed to me via Miss Ross."

Michael was well aware that a message from Miss Ross was effectively an order from Fiorenza Savona as she was seemingly one of her most trusted operatives and quite ruthless too. At their last meeting she had effectively had one of her own people executed for what as far as the coterie could tell was for the crime of making a minor error of judgement.

Storytellers Note - It was a bit more complicated than that but the characters don't know that for sure though their players do. If you want more details than are included in the summary that follows then you'll need to read scene twelve of this story HERE and the 'Plans Within Plans' interlude after it.

"It seems that Fiorenza has sent an agent of hers to investigate the embezzlement of a quantity of cash from an ambitious minor Camarilla accountant. They have reached the limits of what they can accomplish remotely, but being of Clan Nosferatu are unable to continue with the now necessary 'personal interactions'. She would like you to assist them if they require it."

Miss Myra Ross - Malkavian
Fiorenza's 'Special Projects' Liaison

He pauses a little as if not particularly happy about what he has to say next. "She would consider your assistance to be proof of your continued commitment to the Camarilla...and her..."

Michael didn't like the implied threat and he and his coterie had already informed Miss Ross in person during a previous meeting that they didn't appreciate the interference in their mission when they had been doing just fine without any help whatsoever up to that point.

It was at that meeting that Dion had been transferred from Marius's service to theirs to effectively spy on their progress after he had been compromised within Marius's organisation. Marius's personal assistant Victoria had made it clear to Dion that reporting anything without checking with her first would result in his family being skinned alive so he had ceased to be effective in the role.

Though it was difficult to trust a person whose job it was to spy on your progress, Dion had proven to be a useful asset so the coterie now tolerated his presence. "So Dion, what do we know of this fellow other than that he is of the Nosferatu clan?" was Michael's not unreasonable next question. "His name is Mr Hertz, he's currently based in Chinatown along with his own liaison 'Zhi'. I'm told he's very good at what he does for what it's worth." Realising that this news was going to go down like the proverbial lead balloon, Michael summoned the rest of the coterie members who were aware of just exactly why they were in LA.

"You're not going to like this...But..."

Nobody could locate Roach so the discussion was one member short but Michael presumed the information would filter back to him at some point.

Vin whose sire was very well connected within the Camarilla rarely raised objections to any task issued them direct from their sponsors so merely took it as just another job to get done. He did however query if the return condition of the embezzler had been specified, Michael promised to ask as he knew 'Vin' tended to get bored with 'cause no harm' jobs.

Daniel was still attempting to keep a low profile but figured that having a friend in high places might come in useful later so offered his services as well.

All that remained now was to await their guests arrival and is this could happen at any time the coterie members returned to their own business.

Scene Two - Mr Hertz

Fiorenza Savona - Ventrue
Power Broker

Storytellers Note - At lot of this had already been discussed and decided with the new player before the session. Introducing someone new in a plausible manner can be trickier in a vampire campaign due to the politics and inherent distrust within vampire culture. It's not like DnD when you can just bump into them in a tavern and decided to go on an adventure together...

You have been tasked by your current 'employer', Fiorenza Savona to locate several million dollars that a minor retainer of hers has embezzled from a 'venture capital' account that he was under the impression had been forgotten about. His accomplice, a Ventrue named Jaidon Delaney, realised that there was activity on the account and that their chance of discovery was higher than expected and chose to betray his fellow thief in order to gain himself some time to get away. Unfortunately for him his accomplice had the same idea and had implemented his plan first, betraying Jaidon before the same could be done to him.

After some intensive interrogation, Jaidon revealed the name of his fellow conspirator, several account numbers he'd used to move the money through and his destination of Los Angeles. Given that the Free States are currently without the benefit of Camarilla rule it was initially decided to attempt the trace of this traitor using more mundane means but the trail has gone 'cold' in a number of areas. It has therefore now been decided to send an operative to the Free States to attempt to pick up the trail directly.

Mr Hertz - Nosferatu

You have been informed that you are the best kindred for the job and have been relieved of your duties in Chicago assisting several Camarilla supported Ventrue to hide their ill-gotten gains and have been snuck into Los Angeles with an initial contact in Chinatown to set you up with a small haven and a plausible cover. Though many of your clan are hideously deformed you are fortunate to be able to just about pass for mortal with the aid of a large coat, hat, scarf and glasses. You do however still give mortals who meet you the 'creeps' but most locals attribute it to you being a weird old man who lives above a slaughterhouse...

You have a serviceable haven above a Chinatown slaughterhouse whose accounts you do in exchange for a small cash stipend and a regular supply of animal blood. Perhaps surprisingly the blood payment didn't even raise an eyebrow and you have observed from your abode that a significant number of neonates, caitiff and thin-bloods are regular visitors with the same purpose. You have helped out some of these visitors who found themselves short of funds in order to make a few 'friends' and now are owed several trivial but potentially useful future boons.

Chinatown Slaughterhouse - Mr Hertz's Haven

Storytellers Note - No background really exists for this so I invented one I simply called Boons. 1 Dot being several Trivial Boons owed, 2 and 3 Dots being a single Minor or Major Boon respectively. I decided not to include Life Boons as they're difficult to give a value to. Though I would allow the backgrounds to be taken as Flaws if it's the PC who is in debt.

Edit - There is one in the Chicago by Night pdf that Kickstarter backers have just received so I may change my one to their version.

You are aware that the slaughterhouse is one of a number of businesses owned by a company called Aegis Acquisitions which is the legitimate business empire of the kindred 'Fixer' Marius Walker, specifically he uses it's blood supplies to gain trivial boons from desperate younger kindred. He also has a large number of cheap but serviceable places that serve as Havens for more or less the same clientele. You have been informed by Fiorenza that your accommodation is in one of these locations and that Marius has been informed that you are on a job for her, but not what it is as though he's a valuable contact she doesn't trust him one iota believing he'll attempt to use the information to his advantage.

You have a driver and assistant provided by Fiorenza. A Chinese woman called Zhi Baxter who you are aware reports on your progress to Fiorenza but is in all other regards a loyal and useful retainer.

Scene Three - A Promising Start

'Zhi' - Retainer of Fiorenza Savona
Current Assignment - Mr Hertz

Mr Hertz's creative book-keeping skills came to the attention of the local triads with whom he has now negotiated an arrangement. In return for assisting them with their money laundering activities they ensure that his home is undisturbed, local businesses are cooperative to his needs and also are compensating him  financially for the services he provides.

One of these 'cooperative' businesses is a small taxi firm. Though he rarely need to utilise it as he has his own driver and assistant provided by Fiorenza. It does however come in useful on the one night per month that Zhi is always unavailable, presumably this is when she makes her reports and receives the vitae she requires to maintain her status as ghoul. Mr Hertz is of course savvy enough not to ask.

While sorting through the transcripts of the interrogations, provided files and other information the Nosferatu financial expert gained some basic information with which to start his own enquiries. Jaidon named the embezzler who got away as being named Marcel Emery. According to the sources provided to him he is a tenth generation Ventrue embraced soon after the Second World War, around about the year nineteen forty seven.

Marcel Emery - Ventrue
Embezzler of Camarilla Funds

Though technically nearly a hundred years old he appears to be in his early twenties, of average height, athletically built, with curly blonde hair. Though embraced with the beginnings of a beard he is usually clean shaven and short-haired when seen out as he is said to be quite vain. After some prompting Fiorenza revealed that she is dubious about the plan being entirely the work of Marcel and Jaidon as in her opinion "They lack the nerve to cross me unless they believed they would find protection afterwards, which they lacked the contacts to do."

Unfortunately the location of the bulk of the money is currently unknown but using forensic accounting techniques he had traced purchases and possible investments using parts of the cash using several account numbers revealed during Jaidon's interrogation to a number of businesses around LA.

Storytellers Note - I had warned the other players that they wouldn't have a lot to do during the scenes establishing Mr Hertz and what he'd been up to before contacting the coterie.

Hertz has traced a payment of fifty thousand dollars to a shipping company called Geduld Logistics based in the Port of Los Angeles mere days after the money disappeared, A Hollywood sex shop and strip club collectively called the Sin Bin had received several payments in the region of several hundred dollars from one of the accounts created with the money, The Glaze nightclub here in Chinatown had a credit card used there though it has now unfortunately been cancelled and the account closed however there may be some trace of the user there, possibly a sighting or description.

Additionally forty thousand dollars in cash was withdrawn from an account at a bank branch in Beverly Hills after being transferred from another account under the name of Aleena Armstrong, the new account still has a balance of ten thousand dollars remaining but as far as Mr Hertz can ascertain Aleena Armstrong doesn't exist.

You are enough of a realist to know that even disguised you have little chance of infiltrating these places and getting a straight answer to your questions without potentially breaching the masquerade or worse, open yourself up to a preemptive strike by your adversary.

You have however been informed that the current Baron of Pasadena and his coterie may be able to assist if you mention Fiorenza's name and remind them of their commitments. You have been given the address of a gallery in Pasadena where they may be located. You have been informed that despite them being broadly in line with the Camarilla's aims that they are independent in nature and resistant to outside influence so you might have to tread carefully in order to get their best efforts.

Scene Four - Introductions and Plans

The Galerie Sanguine - Main Entrance

Well aware that he was unlikely to be welcomed with open arms at the front of the building, Mr Hertz instead made his way to the rear of the gallery. Noting that someone had left a slightly battered looking chair on a small balcony are at the top of the fire escape he presumed that this must sometimes be used as access so decided to see if he could get some-ones attention without drawing too much of it himself.

Vin was somewhat surprised to hear knocking on the door to what he now generally considered to be Roach's 'office'. Deciding that the chance of this being prelude to an attack was somewhat unlikely given that assault teams rarely knocked first and definitely never politely enquired if there was "...any-one within?" or announced "I have an appointment..." he answered the polite rapping at the fire escape exit door. He was even more surprised to see a man there in a hat, scarf and dark glasses wearing a heavy overcoat over a pin-stripe suit. "Greetings my good fellow, I'm Mr Hertz..." He then tipped his hat "...I'm here to see a Mr Tomassio. I believe he's expecting me?"

The Galerie Sanguine - Private Viewing Area

Vin asked the politely spoken yet slightly creepy fellow to wait a moment before making his way to Michael's office. "Baron?" Michael looked up as the towering form of Vin filled his office doorway "I think the guy we were told about is here. You want me to show him to the meeting room?" Michael confirmed that this would be fine though reminded him to take the route avoiding the occult wards as many allowed only them access and were quite dangerous to any other kindred. As Vin escorted their guest, Michael rang Daniel to request his presence at the meeting though had to leave a message for Roach as he once again wasn't answering his phone.

Michael noted that for a Nosferatu this Mr Hertz wasn't as hideous in appearance as he was expecting though he was disturbing in a way the Toreador couldn't quite explain. "Am I okay to set myself up here in the corner with my helpers?" Vin and Michael exchanged a look as they were the only people present. "Helpers? We understood you were to be our only guest?"

Mr Hertz - Rat Famulus - Unliving Hive

As explanation Mr Hertz reached into his coat and pulled out a surprisingly well groomed rodent which sat obediently in the palm of his hand before scurrying back along his arm and then seemed to disappear into the Nosferatu's clothing. "The corner will be fine. So just how can we be of assistance?"

Storytellers Note - Travel times in Los Angeles can be surprisingly quick when I don't feel like explaining things in character twice over as Daniel's sudden appearance in the next paragraph illustrates.

Daniel arrived at the meeting room just in time to be introduced to Mr Hertz and to hear the run down of the problems he had and the clues he'd discovered so far. The fifty thousand paid to Geduld Logistics was of particular interest as it was common knowledge amongst kindred that David Geduld who ran the Port of Los Angeles would arrange all of the details of a trip from any port in the Continental U.S. and see to the safe unloading of the passenger at the Port of Los Angeles.

The Port of Los Angeles - Barony of Torrance

This service was popular amongst those elders who feared or distrusted air travel or those who wished to enter Los Angeles quietly and without need for things like paperwork. What was particularly telling about this transaction was that David Geduld's fee for such a service was normally twenty five thousand, not fifty.

As for the other locations mentioned, Daniel suggested seeing if they could obtain any security camera footage from nearby so they could gain some idea of who exactly had made the purchases and transactions. The Banu Haqim had two skilled investigators in his service and Michael had access to a cooperative police lieutenant who might be able to get them the bank footage if a suitable cover story could be came up with. In fact security footage from all four locations identified by Mr Hertz would be ideal so as to cross reference names and faces though obtaining this from some locations might require Daniel to acquire it directly.

'Glaze' - Chinatown

Several phone-calls later and Daniel and Michael's police 'friend' had arranged appropriate documentation to allow them access to the bank records as long as they didn't get examined too closely. Michael had made some enquiries about the nightclub in Chinatown known as 'Glaze' and had discovered that the exclusive establishment had a somewhat unorthodox method of gaining entry.

It seemed that the main entrance could only be accessed by a coded keypad for which the code was changed daily. Only those who were currently considered as 'in' were given access though they were free to bring any entourages with them that they wished. The Toreador decided that this might be a good time to pay a visit to Club Zombie where one of the doorman was a useful contact of Michael's who kept his finger on the pulse of local trends. If any-one could get access it would be him.

David Geduld - Baron of Torrance

Investigating Geduld Logistics was going to be a bit more complicated as the Port of Los Angeles was within the Barony of Torrance of which David Geduld himself was the Baron. As the coterie currently had an arrangement with his rival in Long Beach to facilitate the shipping of the drugs required to maintain Roach's operations it was unlikely that he was going to be cooperative. There was also the added complication that if they wanted to keep the operation a secret it would require sneaking around another kindred's barony without permission, tantamount to an act of war if misinterpreted.

Vin pointed out that he had access to plenty of bums and street people who could be used as unobtrusive eyes and ears but that if they needed to gain access to anywhere of significance it would have to be a job for Daniel. The Banu Haqim was the only coterie member with the abilities to stand a chance of success in such an infiltration job. Daniel agreed that it was doable but that it couldn't be a 'cowboy' job and that he'd need time to come up with a plan. "Well then..." said Mr Hertz as the coteries ideas began to take form "...if these things are going to require some planning then I'd like to be of some use in return in the meantie. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Michael remembered the pile of safety deposit boxes they'd inherited from the former baron of Pasadena that were still sitting in one of their storage rooms. They'd extracted what they could from the information within but perhaps some-one with the Nosferatu's financial skills might be able to have more success at unravelling what was left. "Funny you should ask that..." said Michael.

The coterie watched fascinated as dozens of rodents of various sizes and colours emerged from Mr Hertz clothing and began to pick through the various paperwork and bring selected items to their master who began to organise the documentation into various piles. More of the creatures retrieved post-it notes, paper clips and dragged folders from his briefcase as the security boxes contents began to find their contents matched with items from the others. Michael meanwhile made a mental note to have the table and chairs burnt after their guest was finished in the room. As well behaved and trained as they seemed to be there were still rats crawling everywhere after all.

Storytellers Note - Not going to lie...this was my favourite mental image of the session, lol.

Scene Five - Glaze

Approaching Glaze Nightclub

Acquiring the code for the exclusive club known as 'Glaze' was a simple matter for Michael. Having minor fame in the mortal world and a growing reputation in the kindred one his stated intention to visit was all it took to obtain the entry code from his contact at the infamous Club Zombie.

It was decided that Michael and Daniel would go to the club with a sizeable group of sycophants gathered from the artists fans and hopefully there would be an opportunity for Daniel to slip away and obtain the information they needed from any security office the club might have.

Michael meanwhile would see what he could find out from the staff with a combination of his natural charisma and the large quantity of cash he intended to throw around. Having spent possibly too long selecting the most attractive gallery patrons to form his entourage, Michael promised the group that mainly consisted of students that the drinks would be on him for the evening which was more or less all the motivation they needed. As the gaggle of manly female followers piled into the two vehicles Daniel noticed with some amusement that the priority system for who went with Michael and who was relegated to the second car was entirely based on attractiveness. For all Michael's pretensions about being a deeper thinker than others of his clan he was quite capable of embracing the stereotype when necessary.

Raven in Flight - Gangrel Metamorphosis

In order to ensure the safety of the group within Chinatown, Mr Hertz phoned his triad contact and explained that a dozen or so of his friends were visiting club Glaze and that he'd appreciate them being left alone while they did. He also made some enquiries of his own and discovered that the owner of Glaze and some other local businesses that they also controlled paid a nominal percentage of their profits to the triads in protection money. Vin meanwhile had dispatched a number of his herd of street people to some of the locations mentioned by the visiting Nosferatu in order to see if they could pick up any helpful rumours.

None of those heading to Glaze noticed that a raven was following them and observing their progress from the air and even if they did would have been unlikely to suspect that it was their scourge Hope trying out a practical application of a new talent. After dealing with the creature known as a Bloodworm plaguing their neighbouring barony with the help of the Gangrel known as the 'Wilds Pack' Hope had returned to them seeking their help in pushing her abilities further. The one known as Lola had been more than happy to help seemingly enjoying passing on her talents to another of her clan.

Storytellers Note - Yes I know Protean is the signature discipline for Gangrel but I'd still like some vague justification for how a character can suddenly learn how to turn into a bird, lol.

The Blood Dragons - Triad Gang

As they headed from the parking are to the door to the club, Daniel was on the lookout for any security cameras that might have had a view of their suspected embezzler as they visited the club. Several were worthy of note. One overlooked the clubs car-park, another was mounted on a nearby warehouse and overlooked the alleyway to the club and there was of course one pointed at the club entrance itself.

He could also see a number of gang members patrolling the area sporting the obvious tattoo's of the triads. A blood-red dragon in various forms seemed to be the signature ink of this particular group.

The location of the Glaze Nightclub is a large warehouse whose entrance is down a dark and twisting alleyway. The entrance itself is a heavy duty door with a digital keypad off to one side. There appears to be no exterior security personnel though there is a security camera above the door covering the entrance. Evidently knowledge of the code is sufficient to indicate you are allowed to enter.

Club Glaze - Security Guard

Michael punched in the six digit code he'd been given and there was a click as the heavy duty door double doors unlocked. The doors lead to a long corridor. The musical theme for the evening was definitely electronica though the volume wasn't quite as deafening as favoured by many modern nightclubs. Two security guards were inside the door but made no attempt to waylay them as they walked past. It seemed that Michael's information that knowledge of the code was sufficient was quite correct.

Daniel's attention was drawn to the security guards as they weren't what he considered to be typical doorman. Both had the posture and look of former military personnel and the Banu Haqim was reasonably sure that the one had a handgun in an ankle holster.

Though the other had no obvious signs of carrying a weapon, something about his hand position made Daniel immediately think of a man readying to draw a weapon from the small of his back. Though both were large men they moved fluidly as if capable of significant speed if necessary and it was also apparent that despite their casual manner they were carefully observing all who entered and left. Neither sported the tattoos that indicated Triad membership indicating that the club was likely not in Triad hands.

Michael Tomassio - Toreador - Mingling

The club itself had a large square bar in it's centre and four triangle shaped ones in the corners with the gaps between being dance-floor. There were some seats around the outside but the real areas of comfort seemed to be spread around the balcony on the upper floor accessed by a stairway flanked by security guards.

Daniel observed the security cameras inside and could see they were mounted on the upper floor pointing downwards. Whoever had installed them had done an excellent job as from his current position he couldn't detect a single blind-spot and an aray in the centre of the ceiling meant that most areas were covered twice. He could also tell that if there was a security office that it wasn't on the ground floor.

Club Glaze - VIP Area

Michael meanwhile had bought a massive round of drinks for his entourage, most of the bar staff and several attractive ladies who happened to be nearby at the time and was succeeding at his goal of drawing as much attention as possible so the Banu Haqim could peel off undetected.

Daniel approached Michael at the bar and leaned in to inform him that they needed to get to the VIP area on the second floor as the security office must be up there somewhere. Michael indicated that this was easily solved.

Summoning the bartender with a beckoning gesture Michael enquired about his party moving to the VIP area, sliding over a significant quantity of cash as he did so. The man nodded and after calling another member of staff to cover him headed over to a large fellow who seemed to be a manager of sorts. Within moments he and his group found themselves escorted past the velvet rope and up to the upper floor where they were given a large booth to themselves.

Club Glaze - VIP Waitress

Once settled he called over the waitress and told her to keep the drinks coming as those in the VIP area had service to their tables though there was still a bar in one corner. Daniel was also observing the bar but for different reasons to his Baron.

There was an observant security guard in each corner of this floor though the bar location had forced the guard stationed in that area to choose to focus on either the VIP guests or the nearby door. Evidently he believed the door to be of lesser importance than the patrons as he largely ignored it. Daniel reasoned that this was therefore probably the security office and that it had people stationed inside making it a low priority for an outside protector. It wasn't a great opportunity but it was the best chance to penetrate deeper into the club that he could see. He then let Michael know that he needed that distraction. "I have an announcement to make..." Shouted Michael at the top of his voice and with his supernatural presence turned up to it's maximum "...Drinks for everyone..."

While most of the crowd where focused upon the generous artist, Daniel slipped into the toilets and disappeared from view. Taking care to leave only when another patron entered so the doors movement was natural he skilfully liberated a security fob from the belt of a guard intent on the crowd and then opened the door and quickly slipped inside. He found himself in a long corridor that followed the outer edge of the room he'd just left though it was free of any security cameras. Suddenly tense for reasons he couldn't explain he began to move as silently as he could manage along the corridor. Despite being effectively invisible he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to move as quietly and stealthily as possible.

As he rounded the corner he saw a glint of metal from the corner of his eye and realised he'd made a terrible error of judgement.

To be Continued in 'Blood Money' - Part Two

In Conclusion

I like to do a round-up of how the session went in these features but if you couldn't give a shit what I think then feel free to skip this bit...

It was getting late, the new player had to go home and I felt like being cruel so...cliffhanger ending, lol.

Introducing the new player went quite well. Including Nosferatu characters has it's own unique challenge's though this one can kinda pass for human when using his abilities so he's not totally out of the picture during none kindred social occasions. Him being a character with financial skills opens up many new possibilities for plots which is useful and I can finally dig back out the pile of sub-plots relating to that pile of safe deposit boxes from way back in session fourteen, lol.

Acknowledgements
I've used pictures of real people to represent some of the characters and art for others so in no particular order Michael Tomassio is represented by the actor Matt Bomer, Johnny 'Roach' West is quite obviously Kurt Cobain, 'Vin' is the actor Scott Adkins, Dr Matthews is Mads Mikkelsen, Hope is Deborah Ann Woll, Marie is Eva Greene, Charles Dance is Mr Hertz, Clark Gregg is 'Dion'. Everything else is from vampire related folders and searches and is as far as I know is all of the 'fair use' variety. If there's something that you feel should be attributed to some-one then feel free to let me know and I'll happily add an acknowledgement...

Thoughts and comments are (as usual) most welcome.