Vampire the Masquerade - V5 - Session Eighty Four - 'The Unbound' (Part Three)

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 chronicle is set in Los Angeles and features a small group of Camarilla agents sent into the 'Free States' to bring them back under Camarilla control. Over a year of plotting allowed the coterie to gain control of two North-Eastern Baronies and a large part of a third. Now they are moving on to the final stage of their campaign and have their eyes on taking over the entire city, either directly or by proxy.

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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.
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Chronicle One - 'Infiltrate L.A.' 

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

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Chronicle Two - 'Foothold L.A.' 

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
Story Nine - 'Blood Money' - Part One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six
Story Ten - 'Anathema' - Part One and Two
Story Eleven - 'Predators and Prey' aka 'The Blount Sisters' - Part Three
Story Twelve - 'Aftermath' - Part One and Two
Story Thirteen - 'The Messiah Complex' - Part One, Two, Three and Four

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Chronicle Three - 'Incursion L.A.'

Story Fourteen - 'The Rant'
Story Fifteen - 'Ties of Blood' - Part One and Two

Solo Session - 'A Gathering of Roses'

Story Sixteen - 'The Southern Solution' - Part One, Two and Three
Story Seventeen - 'The Baker Disappearance' - Part One, Two and Three

Story Eighteen - 'Inevitable Betrayals' - Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five

Story Nineteen - 'The Marius Contracts' - Part One and Two

Story Twenty - 'The MacNeil Protocols' - Part One, Two, Three, Four, Five, 

Story Twenty - 'The MacNeil Protocols' - Part Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten

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Interlude Session One - After Griffith Park

Interlude Session Two - Divide and Conquer

Interlude Session Three - On the Brink of War

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Chronicle Four - 'Conquest L.A.'

Story Twenty One - 'Veni, Vidi, Victor' - Part One, Two, Three, Four, Five

Story Twenty One - 'Veni, Vidi, Victor' - Part Six, and Epilogue

Story Twenty Two - 'The Unbound' - Part One and Two

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The PC's

Michael Tomassio - Toreador, 'Baron of the North East'
Vincent 'Vin' Ghast - Brujah, 'Constable'
Dr Daniel Matthews - Banu Haqim, 'Fixer'
Hope Romero - Gangrel, 'Census Taker'
Mr Hertz - Nosferatu, 'Seneschal'

The player characters stats and backgrounds can be found HERE should any-one be interested, but be warned that the page is usually several stories ahead of the most recent write-up and may contain some spoilers. 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 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 or faction beneath their picture.

Introduction

The coteries investigations into the unbound ghoul biker gang known as The YoungBloods led them to a Toreador arts patron called Kingsley Barker whose own childe may well have been the gangs first kindred kidnap victim. They now have several more leads, and detailed information on the gangs methods. However their investigation is about to be put on hold as more troubling news has reached the Anarchs of Los Angeles.

Scene Five - An Invasion Begun

Vannevar Thomas - Ventrue
Prince of San Francisco

Prince Vannevar Thomas of San Francisco has taken San Jose. 

He struck in a two-pronged attack using specially trained teams of ghouls during the day and kindred as a second wave to mop up. His victory however was not quite absolute, as the de facto leader of San Jose's coterie of kindred was not numbered among the destroyed. Several of the more informal kindred inhabitants of the city may also have escaped as they were unlikely to be priority targets.

Before Michael can begin to evaluate this new development he is interrupted.

Michael's phone rings, it's Victoria's number.

"Is it possible that you could meet Marius in Griffith Park in an hour or so? He has someone he'd like you to meet. You might want to bring your acquaintances as I'm sure this will eventually concern them too..." 

Victoria - Ghoul of Marius
Psychotic Personal Assistant

Michael immediately phoned Daniel and briefed him on Victoria's rather vague meeting request, he also rather unusually, told Daniel to make sure he came armed. Daniel was always armed, but actually been told to be by Michael was a rarity. Obviously his Baron was erring on the side of caution.

Vin was then contacted and asked to make some of his people available to keep the coteries main base of operations secure. Once Vin, his assistant and followers arrived at the gallery, the rest of the coterie prepared themselves to pick up Hope on the way to the scheduled meeting. 

Vin had his usual compliment of effective but unsubtle weapons with him, though his own men were more covertly armed. He deployed them to strategic locations both inside and outside the gallery though before they left he patrolling the area briefly to ensure that his street people spies were also on the alert. Michael was sure that any kindred who tried to take advantage of their absence were in for a nasty surprise.

Before they left, Michael had a quiet word with Daniel. "If this meeting should do anything to test Vin's loyalty to our cause and he wants to walk away, let him go. Problems with him are likely to draw his sire into the situation and that is something we need to avoid. Especially considering how close she is to Fiorenza..." Daniel agreed that this was going to be the best approach.

Scene Six - Survivors

Marius Walker - Gangrel
Baron of Downtown

Marius, several groups of kindred you don't recognise and a few individuals who are also strangers to you are gathered in a clearing in Griffith Park. The only individuals you recognise, other than Marius, are Victoria and Yukio. An eclectic selection of vehicles are arranged in a semi-circle around them.

Daniel noted that the strangers were gathered in two groups. one of seven and another of nine. Vin was carrying his shotgun casually on a shoulder strap and making no effort to conceal it. Hope of course was permanently ready for action as after a particularly nasty frenzy, her claws had never withdrawn. Though occasionally inconvenient, at least she was never caught by surprise. Daniel had loosened his jacket to gain easy access to his pistol, but looked at ease to any casual observer.

"Michael. Glad you could join us." he gestures to a group of four kindred consisting of an imposing looking woman and a miserable looking, more slightly built man at her side. Slightly apart are two women who seem to have similar facial features and may be siblings. "This is what's left of the seventeen kindred who once called San Jose home."

Michael nodded in greeting but remained silent. He could sense that Marius had much to say and had no desire to irritate him with unnecessary interruptions.

Blanche Johnson - Gangrel, Pack Leader of 'The Butchers'

Marius then introduces the other kindred. "The others are 'The Butchers' and 'Ennoia's Hunters', two packs who have answered my call." It's easy to tell which are The Butchers. They look like something from a horror film, their clothing is blood-splattered and they are armed with a variety of brutal looking heavy bladed weapons. Cleavers, axes and the like. Their leader is an older looking woman, about five foot three, perhaps in her sixties when embraced. Some of her followers appear to be mortal, possibly ghouls, several are obviously wounded, one quite badly.

Meredith Lang - Gangrel
Pack Leader of Ennoia's Hunters

The others are polar opposite. Well dressed, equipped with modern, well maintained weaponry and led by a beautiful, dark-haired woman.

Daniel noted that they were mainly armed with Heckler & Koch MP7's, a weapon that Yukio favoured for Marius's security teams. Daniel therefore concluded that they had been armed by 'The Fixer' before this meeting. Their handguns were mostly manufactured by Glock, another common trait amongst Marius's security personnel.

Vin was more concerned that one was carrying a long military transport bag, he'd seen similar cases used to transport light machine guns in the past.

"The one sitting over there..." he waves roughly in the direction of a woman sitting on a tree stump, with a well maintained bolt-action rifle cradled in one arm. "...is Rebecca. A grande-childe of mine who only answers my summons when she thinks there's no way to avoid it...then sneaks off as soon as I stop paying attention...usually leaving me a mess to clean-up..." The woman introduced as Rebecca stands up, curtsey's mockingly and then sits down again as Marius scowls at her.

Rebecca - Autarkis Gangrel
Grandechilde of Marius

It was clear to Michael that Marius's indignation was entirely faked, he actually seemed to find her amusing. It was these sort of reactions that made Marius so difficult for Michael to predict. He'd quite literally allowed threats to the entire cities population, himself included, to wander around the city simply because they made things less boring. Of course he wasn't above exterminating them later on a whim if they stopped being interesting or seemingly forgetting about them entirely.

Vin nudged Daniel and pointed at the weapon in her hand. "Nice rifle..." he commentated. Vin rarely made idle conversation so Daniel had a closer look. He immediately realised why Vin was so interested. The rifle was a Mauser 98 Magnum, chambered for .450 rigby rounds. As there was certainly no 'big game' nearby, the weapon was almost certainly kept for hunting different prey. They both suspected that the prey in question was other kindred.

He then gestures once more to the apparent leader of the remnants of San Jose's kindred and then to yourselves. "Elspeth...this is Michael Tomassio, Baron of Pasadena, Glendale and a large chunk of San Fernando...and his coterie. Be nice because he is the kindred whose domain I told you to retreat to before you got most of your people destroyed by ignoring me..."

The exceptionally empathetic Michael could tell that the barb hit Elspeth hard though she seemed to react with anger, rather than shame. He got the impression that she blamed Marius for her fate, in some way.

Elspeth - Brujah
Former San Jose Anarch Leader

Hope meanwhile had been carefully watching the Pack Leaders of these new Gangrel arrivals to the city. Blanche seemed to be the most likely to engage in a full frontal assault, which suited Hope as there were few kindred of her own generation in the city who it concerned her to go 'toe to toe' with. Meredith on the other hand seemed like the sort of kindred who you wouldn't know you were in a fight with until you'd been shot in the back, probably from some distance away. This made her exponentially more dangerous to someone as direct as Hope was. She doubted that Meredith would engage in anything even approaching a 'fair' fight.

"You are welcome to make yourself a haven in my domain..." began Michael "...as long as you are willing to keep to the few rules that apply to all who reside there. None are too prohibitive I assure you. I simply require that the masquerade is upheld and that your feeding habits result in no preventable mortal deaths. My advisor Mr Hertz has a number of properties around the city that are used for...a variety of purposes...I'm sure several would make perfect havens for you."

Elspeth seems to be genuinely grateful "I appreciate the offer. If only other kindred would have been as generous with their assistance perhaps I wouldn't be in this position at all..." She looks pointedly in Marius's direction.

You've all seen Marius's various moods both faked and actual, it's easy to tell that he is genuinely angry at the insult. He steps forward, his eyes glow red, then turn black, claws extend on both hands. "Generous? I warned you that your havens had been located, scouted and their defences analysed. You did nothing, only the Gangrel were sensible enough to change where they slept. I warned you that Vannevar had teams of military trained ghouls, and Archon trained kindred ready to move, you told me you'd repelled his assaults before...."

Ghoul Military Units - Archon Trained

The rest of the coterie tensed. They knew it was very likely that Michael was going to interfere as they could all see that Elspeth was a hairs breadth away from destruction. As expected, Michael stepped between the advancing Marius and Elspeth, who had nowhere to retreat to, surrounded as she was by Marius's own followers.

"I thought that Vannevar was our enemy currently? I'm sure he'd be overjoyed to see us killing each other so he was spared the task." Marius paused for a moment and Michael knew that his use of Vannevars name had got him the Gangrel's attention. Marius's dislike for anyone with the title of Prince was well known to him. "One of these nights you're going to get between me and the subject of my ire..." stated Marius, an edge to his voice. "...and I'll tear your heart out on general principle, however..." he continued. "...not on this occasion. You make a valid point. Just be careful you don't push your luck once too often."

Marius then turned to Elspeth and addressed her once more. "Blanche lost one of her own childer buying enough time for Meredith's hunters to get you and your own childe to safety. One of her ghouls is also dead, two are wounded and another will probably never see dawn. Much as I'd love to finish what Vannevar started I would not make those sacrifices meaningless. Now get the fuck out of my sight before I change my mind."

The Butchers leader seemed relieved at this outcome, the Hunters leader however, was obviously slightly disappointed. Rebecca looked completely indifferent.

Daniel decided to offer his medical expertise to Blanche after hearing of the condition of her ghouls. Though initially reticent she allowed  him to approach after Marius vouched for his abilities.

Daniel Matthews - Banu Haqim
Surgeon and Assassin

One of the ghouls was severely injured and would certainly die soon if not treated. One of the others who at first glance appeared to be only lightly injured was actually in far worse condition than it initially appeared. Using the medical gear he kept in the coteries vehicles he was sure he could save them both. Daniel began to treat them while Marius finalised his dealings with Michael.

Marius holds his hand out to Victoria who hands him an envelope which he then passes to Michael. "This contains a false identity for Elspeth, and another for Jaskaran, spurious jobs at one of my companies which will keep her and him comfortably financed and the deed to a property in Sierra Madre on the Northern Border of Pasadena that I used to use to spy on your coterie. It's quite empty now. Use them to provide a haven for these pair, or burn them and shoot them in the fucking head instead...I'm done with her...The sisters have expressed their desire to join me instead of her, and I have accepted..." Elspeth looks unhappy at this last part but not surprised.

Lola and Layla Mae - Gangrel, Survivors of the San Jose Invasion

One of the two similar looking women steps forward and speaks to Elspeth "If you seek revenge against Vannevar then we'll join you in any plan of attack that has any chance of success, but for the sake of vengeance, not your leadership...." the other sister finishes the sentence. "...you got our friends and our sire killed, that we can never forgive..."

Marius and his people disperse, leaving you with Elspeth, and her childe whose name is apparently Jaskaren. It seems that their fate is now in your hands.

Scene Seven - Elspeth

Thomas Johnson - Gangrel
'The Butchers' Pack

"I presume your domains rules wont prohibit me from attempting to recruit sufficient kindred to take back my home?" asked Elspeth. Michael stated that he had no objections as long as she didn't plan on using his domain as a staging point. Should he decided to act against Vannevar he would do so on his own terms, not be forced to act based on the actions of another.

As they walked away, Vin noticed one of the Butchers Pack hadn't left with the others, he noted that he seemed to be focussed upon Daniel. "I think someone wants your attention..." pointed out Vin. "I saw..." replied Daniel. "...you keep an eye on our new recruit while I see what they want." Vin simply nodded in agreement.

"Thanks for your help with our wounded..." they began as Daniel drew near. "...you've been looking into the ghouls who call themselves the Young Bloods?" Daniel could tell it wasn't really a question. Enough kindred had been aware of his enquiries by now for rumours to have spread. Regardless, he confirmed that he was. The 'Butcher', who introduced himself as Thomas then shared some information with him.

The Young Bloods - Unbound Ghoul Gang

During Vannevar's assault on San Jose, the Young Bloods had also made an incursion into that domain. Taking advantage of the confusion they had grabbed a Brujah neonate from the outskirts of the area. "The timing was suspiciously lucky..." stated Thomas. "...considering Vannevars forces were conspicuously absent from that part of San Jose. It's almost like they knew the attack was coming and that there would be no-one to get in their way..." Daniel thanked them for the information. It confirmed a suspicion of his that the Young Bloods were being given support and assistance by a kindred patron. Whether they knew that this guiding hand was kindred was still debateable, but either way this made them even more dangerous. "One of the ghouls you saved was mine..." added Thomas. "...so I figured that the least I could do was pass this on to you." Thomas then left. Daniel watched for a moment as the figure quickly and quietly disappeared into the tree line. Despite their appearance, it seemed that 'The Butchers' were also capable of great stealth when necessary.

Some of Vin's 'Spare' weapons...

As he returned to the coterie and their guests, Michael was asking Elspeth if there was anything else they could do to help. "A couple of guns might come in handy." replied Jaskaran. Michael then turned to Vin. If anyone had spare guns with him then it would be him.

Vin reached into his bag and removed a pair of Sig Sauer p210's. One was an older but well maintained model, the other was newer with wider grips. Elspeth took both and hander the newer model to Jaskaran. Of the two, Elspeth was obviously the most familiar with firearms. This was apparent due to the ease with which she handled the gifted weapon. Jaskaran simply tucked his into his belt without checking it at all.

Michael then continued to brief the kindred on his domain. "I mainly operate out of this bar..." he handed them a card with the address on it. "...or you may contact me at the gallery if you prefer. Though it may be unfamiliar for you to have a 'Baron' to answer to I assure you that the dispossessed and downtrodden will always have a place within my domain. As long as they respect both it and me, of course." 

North-Eastern Baronies (Glendale and Pasadena)

He then asked Daniel to take them to the haven that Marius had specified. Vin, he sent to ensure that the gallery was still secure.

Michael was sure that Vin was still having doubts about the political direction the coterie was currently heading in and had no desire for him to know the location of potential enemies of Vannevar, and by extension, the Camarilla. Vin was currently going along with Michael's assertion that an invasion of L.A. would fail and that political manipulation was the most effective way to neutralise the Anarch Free States as a threat. Michael was, however, still not taking any chances.

Storytellers Note - Most of the coterie has 'gone native' to a certain extent. Vin has not.

The house that Marius had apparently been using to spy on the coterie until recently was well located and secure. The windows were shuttered and could only be opened from within the property. A suitable haven for kindred had been set up in the basement, beyond a heavy security door. The rest of the house was completely empty. Whoever or whatever had been based there previously had removed all traces of themselves before vacating the property.

"I'll leave you to settle in." said Daniel, then left. he needed to return to the gallery and confer with the others as they had much to discuss.

Scene Eight - Matters of Trust

Desdemona Moore - Brujah, Sire of Vin
Praetor and Red Alastor

Once united at the gallery, the coterie adjourned to a secure meeting room to discuss their next move. Firstly though, Michael needed to tackle the issue of Vin potentially opposing their plans. Michael needed his strength but couldn't afford to have him as an enemy. Vin's close relationship with his sire, who was a devout Camarilla loyalist, meant that any action against the Camarilla, even to further their overall goal, could inspire him to oppose the rest of the coteries actions. 

"Vannevars invasion of San Jose wasn't unexpected, but the timeframe was certainly quicker than anyone suspected." Began Michael. "Even Marius thought it would be several weeks away." Interrupted Daniel.

"He was still ready and waiting to rescue the kindred he wanted out, though." pointed out Vin. "Maybe had more of an idea of Vannevar's timeframe than he cared to fucking share."

"Given how he apparently feels about Elspeth, I'm surprised he bothered to rescue her at all. It seems like a lot of effort just to recruit a couple more Gangrel. I mean, he could have just liberated them and let the rest meet their final deaths if he just wanted those sisters on side." added Daniel.

Lacroix - Former Prince of L.A..
Destroyed

"L.A. will be next..." continued Michael. "...and we all know that every previous attempt at Praxis by the Camarilla has failed. If the Anarch Free States are to truly be bought to heel then they need to be taken from within and guided by someone they trust, not hate." It was clear that he was addressing Vin. "Despite Vannevar being Camarilla, we need to oppose him. Both to ensure that the Anarchs believe us to be one with them and to prevent another embarrassing failure to take this city."

"So you're saying we aren't opposing the Camarilla, we're opposing a poorly thought out plan of Vannevar's that, based on recent history, is going to fail anyway so as to ensure that our own more subtle plan is more likely to succeed?" queried Vin.

"Exactly." replied Michael. He could see that Vin was almost convinced, despite not liking the idea that he could be forced to destroy kindred of the Camarilla in order to ensure the plan succeeded.

"I need an hour or so to consider what we've discussed." said Vin. It was a statement, not a request and then he promptly left. "What do we do now?" asked Hope.

Fiorenza Savona - Ventrue
Camarilla Power Broker

"We wait..." replied Michael. "...and prepare ourselves in case I wasn't as convincing as I hoped." he concluded.

Vin returned just over an hour later. "I have communicated with my sire. " he said, matter of factly, as he sat down.

"It seems that Desdemona was responsible for destroying Vannevars kindred sponsors on the directive of Fiorenza Savona. Neither of them believe that Vannevar's expenditure of Camarilla resources to repeat a strategy that has previously failed is a good idea. It looks like you were correct about the best way to continue."

"So, if Vannevar's Camarilla sponsors are destroyed. Does that mean that he will have to make do with the resources he currently has?" asked Daniel. Vin confirmed that this was the case though the resources funnelled to him had apparently been quite considerable.

"Then I have somewhat of a confession." Said Daniel. The others were obviously quite intrigued.

Daniel then proceeded to relay to them the circumstances by which he had destroyed a group of Vannevar's agents that had been mapping the San Gabriel mountains.

Storytellers Note - This was a solo session for Daniel's player and is detailed HERE.

"So where does that leave us now?" asked Hope. It was an excellent question.

To Be Continued in 'The Unbound' (Part Four)

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...

So the potential conflict between player characters has been temporarily averted and they're all now focussed on making sure that their own plans aren't eclipsed by others.

We've also moved into the more dangerous side of Camarilla politics with several notable power-brokers sticking their noses in. Ironically the coterie now has more Anarch allies than Camarilla ones and has to juggle the politics of two very different sects.

It'll be interesting to see if the players can keep all these balls in the air....especially if I was to suddenly make everything even more complicated...

Acknowledgements
“Portions of the materials are the copyrights and trademarks of White Wolf Entertainment AB, and are used with permission. All rights reserved.”

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 Matt Bomer, 'Vin' is Scott Adkins, Dr Matthews is Mads Mikkelsen, Hope is Deborah Ann Woll, Mr Hertz is Charles Dance, Vannevar Thomas is Bryan Dechart, Victoria is Lilith May, Marius Walker is Tony Curran, Blanche Johnson is Kathy Bates, Meredith Lang is Jaime Murray, Rebecca is Amy Acker, Elspeth is Karen Sheperd, Lola Mae is Leighton Meester, Layla Mae is Minka Kelly, Thomas Johnson is Henry Rollins, Desdemona Moore is Amanda Donohoe and Fiorenza Savona is Jamie Lee Curtis.

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.