During the course of the various stories of this chronicle the coterie has and will meet many characters so I'm therefore creating several profile pages for different groups within my version of kindred Los Angeles to help them keep track. I'll also amend these profiles as new information comes to light and old 'facts' turn out to be less factual than originally thought...
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Blood SommeliersPreserved Blood
Rituals for the preservation of blood have been independently developed by a number of blood sorcerers. The original purposes of these were simple convenience, maintaining ghouls in the absence of their regnants, storing sustenance for periods when feeding was inconvenient, and other similar situations.However, certain factions began to see a market in boons and favours amongst those with specific tastes in blood type and the inherent resonances of individual donors. As the most common mix for blood in these circumstances was wine, there then began a trend for matching certain vintages to the blood in order to create a complimentary taste. From there it was a only a matter of time before the Blood Sommelier became an entirely viable kindred career.
Organisations such as The Circulatory System with their extensive stock of mortals, already with their resonances and blood types logged, were amongst the first to see the potential profit to exploit in such a trade. Soon they had a lucrative side-line in both producing and supplying raw materials for Blood Sommeliers around the globe. Already having the facility to transport vessels to even the most remote of kindred, transporting a bottle or two was childsplay.
It was inevitable that others, also seeing the potential for extracting boons from the rich and powerful, soon began to create their own 'vintages' and thus a new trade in blood was born.
There are currently three primary producers of preserved blood amongst the kindred. These are the aforementioned Circulatory System, Tremere blood sorcerers and somewhat more surprisingly, the duskborn practitioners of thin-blood alchemy.
Though the ritual to bind blood into another liquid is a closely guarded secret, like most 'secrets' amongst the kindred it is far more widely spread than it's creators would like. Skilled practitioners are, however, still rare and in considerable demand. Matching blood or vitae, resonance and blood type to a wine whose taste compliments both is an ability like any other and requires experimentation, practice and, of course, talent.
Like the mortal equivalent, there are now bottles of considerable value in circulation. This may be because the donor was a kindred, ghoul or mortal of note or as with normal wines, because a particular vintage has a flavour that is considered unique. Notable vintages including Maison de Sang and Herzen Wein, are considered to be the pinnacle of the Blood Sommeliers trade though there are other variants such as Vér Sör, that are instead mixed with beer, that are popular with kindred who associate wine with the Ventrue and Toreador Elders.
Also, as with mortal vintages there are a number of fakes in circulation claiming to be anything from blood mixed with a rare vintage or those claiming to contain the vitae of significant kindred both past and present. If someone tries to sell you a bottle of Chateau Lafite 1869 mixed with the vitae of Caine himself, or one purported to contain the blood of Frank Sinatra then you'd be wise to have it checked by an expert first.
1 Dot Ritual - Preserve Blood
Ingredients:
At least one pint of blood or vitae.
Various alchemical herbs and other ingredients
A bottle or seal-able container.
A small amount of the casters own Vitae.
Process: The materials are mixed as the ritual is performed with a small amount of the casters own vitae as a catalyst. The casters own vitae is consumed and has no effect on any consumer of the mixture.
System: A win on the ritual roll binds the liquids together and allows the drink to slake Hunger equivalent to the amount of blood used, usually equivalent to a single rouse test, when the resulting mixture is drank. No resonance is stored.
2 Dot Ritual - Bind Blood
Ingredients:
At least one pint of blood or vitae.
Wine, beer or other beverage equal in quantity to the blood or vitae used.
Various alchemical herbs and other ingredients (Each Sommelier has their own preferences and opinions about the ingredients and how each effects the taste of the resulting beverage).
A bottle or seal-able container.
A small amount of the casters own Vitae.
Process: The materials are mixed as the ritual is performed with a small amount of the casters own vitae as a catalyst. The casters own vitae is consumed and has no effect on any consumer of the mixture. Each Sommelier has their own subtle variations of materials though which effect the taste and which do not is a matter of fierce debate within the Sommelier community.
System: A win on the ritual roll binds the liquids together and allows the drink to slake Hunger equivalent to the amount of blood used, usually equivalent to a single rouse test, when the resulting mixture is drank. No resonance is stored.
3 Dot Ritual - Bind Essence
The three dot version is mechanically identical to the two dot variant with the following exceptions. Mortal blood will now retain it's resonances and kindred vitae keeps any benefits it would normally bestow including maintaining a ghouls status. It will however not blood bond.
A critical success on the ritual roll will allow the mixture to also restore a single point of Willpower on consumption.
The Sommeliers of L.A.
There are three major sources of blood wines within the city of Los Angeles each offering a variety of services and levels of quality.
The Consolidated Chantry of Los Angeles
Service Availability
Like the mortal equivalent, there are now bottles of considerable value in circulation. This may be because the donor was a kindred, ghoul or mortal of note or as with normal wines, because a particular vintage has a flavour that is considered unique. Notable vintages including Maison de Sang and Herzen Wein, are considered to be the pinnacle of the Blood Sommeliers trade though there are other variants such as Vér Sör, that are instead mixed with beer, that are popular with kindred who associate wine with the Ventrue and Toreador Elders.
Also, as with mortal vintages there are a number of fakes in circulation claiming to be anything from blood mixed with a rare vintage or those claiming to contain the vitae of significant kindred both past and present. If someone tries to sell you a bottle of Chateau Lafite 1869 mixed with the vitae of Caine himself, or one purported to contain the blood of Frank Sinatra then you'd be wise to have it checked by an expert first.
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Rituals
Ingredients:
At least one pint of blood or vitae.
Various alchemical herbs and other ingredients
A bottle or seal-able container.
A small amount of the casters own Vitae.
Process: The materials are mixed as the ritual is performed with a small amount of the casters own vitae as a catalyst. The casters own vitae is consumed and has no effect on any consumer of the mixture.
System: A win on the ritual roll binds the liquids together and allows the drink to slake Hunger equivalent to the amount of blood used, usually equivalent to a single rouse test, when the resulting mixture is drank. No resonance is stored.
2 Dot Ritual - Bind Blood
Ingredients:
At least one pint of blood or vitae.
Wine, beer or other beverage equal in quantity to the blood or vitae used.
Various alchemical herbs and other ingredients (Each Sommelier has their own preferences and opinions about the ingredients and how each effects the taste of the resulting beverage).
A bottle or seal-able container.
A small amount of the casters own Vitae.
Process: The materials are mixed as the ritual is performed with a small amount of the casters own vitae as a catalyst. The casters own vitae is consumed and has no effect on any consumer of the mixture. Each Sommelier has their own subtle variations of materials though which effect the taste and which do not is a matter of fierce debate within the Sommelier community.
System: A win on the ritual roll binds the liquids together and allows the drink to slake Hunger equivalent to the amount of blood used, usually equivalent to a single rouse test, when the resulting mixture is drank. No resonance is stored.
3 Dot Ritual - Bind Essence
The three dot version is mechanically identical to the two dot variant with the following exceptions. Mortal blood will now retain it's resonances and kindred vitae keeps any benefits it would normally bestow including maintaining a ghouls status. It will however not blood bond.
A critical success on the ritual roll will allow the mixture to also restore a single point of Willpower on consumption.
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There are three major sources of blood wines within the city of Los Angeles each offering a variety of services and levels of quality.
The Consolidated Chantry of Los Angeles
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| Marie - Tremere of House Carna Blood Sommelier |
Resources 2 or above.
A somewhat unusual example of a Tremere Chantry, this particular structure houses kindred from all three of the major houses created during the recent split within the clan.
Marie of House Carna was up until recently a guest of the Gangrel 'Fixer' Marius Walker. She provided blood wine to his various clubs in exchange for protection and access to the resources she needed to conduct her rituals.
Now she is a resident of the consolidated chantry, her attentions have turned to learning all she can of the secrets of the clan that were once unavailable to her. Therefore the necessity of producing blood wines to pay her way is much reduced.
She does still produce enough for the convenience of the Tremere with which she resides as well as creating a moderate amount for her former protector, Marius. She will, however, still provide beverage for any who require them, but is no longer an exclusive supplier to the clubs of Marius.
Her wines are well regarded but given her tendency for mass production were more equivalent to a 'house wine' than expensive vintages.
The Circulatory System
Service Availability
A somewhat unusual example of a Tremere Chantry, this particular structure houses kindred from all three of the major houses created during the recent split within the clan.
Marie of House Carna was up until recently a guest of the Gangrel 'Fixer' Marius Walker. She provided blood wine to his various clubs in exchange for protection and access to the resources she needed to conduct her rituals.
Now she is a resident of the consolidated chantry, her attentions have turned to learning all she can of the secrets of the clan that were once unavailable to her. Therefore the necessity of producing blood wines to pay her way is much reduced.
She does still produce enough for the convenience of the Tremere with which she resides as well as creating a moderate amount for her former protector, Marius. She will, however, still provide beverage for any who require them, but is no longer an exclusive supplier to the clubs of Marius.
Her wines are well regarded but given her tendency for mass production were more equivalent to a 'house wine' than expensive vintages.
The Circulatory System
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| Marcelina Black - Ventrue Circulatory System - L.A. 'Farm' |
Resources 3 (L.A. only) or above (Everywhere else).
Based in the North-East corner of Los Angeles in a ranch near the San Gabriel mountain range is one of the bases of the Circulatory System. Their 'Farms', as they are generally known, are where they store their vessels and from where they deliver willing and unwilling blood dolls to those able to afford their exorbitant prices.
Though this particular branch of the System doesn't produce blood wines themselves, they still operate a distribution network so can obtain such things should a kindred with resources require them.
Given that their customer base is so exclusive, the wines they distribute tend to be amongst the most expensive of their kind and out of the price range of all but the most fabulously wealthy and influential of kindred. However, in an effort to ingratiate themselves with the Ventrue and Toreador amongst the Anarchs they have been offering their services at uncharacteristically reasonable rates.
This is considered by many to be an attempt to widen their customer base from the elite of the Camarilla to the rich and powerful of other sects. The primary driving factor behind the Circulatory System has always been profit and they are ultimately pragmatists. If an Anarch can afford their services then they are more than happy to provide them.
Leanna
Service Availability
Based in the North-East corner of Los Angeles in a ranch near the San Gabriel mountain range is one of the bases of the Circulatory System. Their 'Farms', as they are generally known, are where they store their vessels and from where they deliver willing and unwilling blood dolls to those able to afford their exorbitant prices.
Though this particular branch of the System doesn't produce blood wines themselves, they still operate a distribution network so can obtain such things should a kindred with resources require them.
Given that their customer base is so exclusive, the wines they distribute tend to be amongst the most expensive of their kind and out of the price range of all but the most fabulously wealthy and influential of kindred. However, in an effort to ingratiate themselves with the Ventrue and Toreador amongst the Anarchs they have been offering their services at uncharacteristically reasonable rates.
This is considered by many to be an attempt to widen their customer base from the elite of the Camarilla to the rich and powerful of other sects. The primary driving factor behind the Circulatory System has always been profit and they are ultimately pragmatists. If an Anarch can afford their services then they are more than happy to provide them.
Leanna
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| Leanna - Duskborn Blood Sommelier |
Resources 3 or above. 5 for personal attendance
The premier supplier of blood wine vintages within the city is the duskborn known as 'Leanna'. A former model, actress and vessel of The Circulatory System, she learned her skills when embraced, and given employment, by the same organisation who previously traded her for her own blood.
Given the extensive knowledge of blood resonances learnt during her time at the system, combined with an extensive knowledge of mortal wines and an undeniable natural talent, she is an expert in producing the most exquisite and unique vintages. Given her reputation within the Sommelier community she has steadfastly refused to mass produce wines to supplement the loss of production caused by Marius's loss of Marie as a primary source. This has, perhaps intentionally, pushed up the price of such beverages within the city and made her own business even more profitable.
She will also make herself and her extensive collection of vintages available for the most exclusive of parties though this service is beyond the financial reach of most kindred.
The premier supplier of blood wine vintages within the city is the duskborn known as 'Leanna'. A former model, actress and vessel of The Circulatory System, she learned her skills when embraced, and given employment, by the same organisation who previously traded her for her own blood.
Given the extensive knowledge of blood resonances learnt during her time at the system, combined with an extensive knowledge of mortal wines and an undeniable natural talent, she is an expert in producing the most exquisite and unique vintages. Given her reputation within the Sommelier community she has steadfastly refused to mass produce wines to supplement the loss of production caused by Marius's loss of Marie as a primary source. This has, perhaps intentionally, pushed up the price of such beverages within the city and made her own business even more profitable.
She will also make herself and her extensive collection of vintages available for the most exclusive of parties though this service is beyond the financial reach of most kindred.
Most recently she was hired by Baron Issac Abrams to serve his guests at the so called 'Gathering of Roses', a Toreador exclusive event where members of the clan of the rose competed to outshine one another with demonstrations of their artistic abilities. Though her exact fee for this event was unknown it was rumoured to be in the high six figures, along with several boons.
If you require something unique and have the resources necessary then Leanna should be your first port of call.
If you require something unique and have the resources necessary then Leanna should be your first port of call.
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Should you be interested in the chronicles and stories associated with these pages then links to them all can be found HERE.
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Acknowledgements
I've used pictures of real people to represent some of the characters and art for others so in no particular order Marcelina Black is Carrie-Anne Moss, Marie is Eva Green and Leanna is LeeAnna Vamp.
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Acknowledgements
I've used pictures of real people to represent some of the characters and art for others so in no particular order Marcelina Black is Carrie-Anne Moss, Marie is Eva Green and Leanna is LeeAnna Vamp.
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Could u use fruit punch or etc other then alcohol. Also how about moon shine for the gangrels
ReplyDeleteI don't see why not. I figured wine would be the default but if my players wanted to create blood infused fruit punch then I'd probably allow it if they had a good reason.
DeleteI'm thinking of all the fun possibilities of blood infusions
ReplyDelete