2021-02-09

INVOLVED PARTIES

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INCIDENT REPORT

You've Got Mail...

Rasmodius' charm is imbued with a simple ward, which helps to deter violence from mortals.

• Aradia receives a cylindrical case, inside which is a tightly rolled scroll, complete with magically warded wax seal. It is from Aisling Sturbridge, at the Barnard College Chantry. It contains the requested information concerning the technomancy study group, which masquerades as a computer club on campus. The letter also extends an invitation for Aradia to attend the chantry's ritual veneration of Halley's Comet, as it passes nearest to Earth in April.

• Aradia is inspired by the ward on the scroll, and tries to work a similar ritual on a charm for Rasmodius. He's appreciative, and thinks that it's super cool. She also begins tutoring Rasmodius to utilize Scorpion's Touch.

• Leah receives a dossier from Prince Cortés' person assistant, Dolores Hathaway. It contains a rundown of Emilio Mendez's career as Station Captain with the NYPD's 50th Precinct in the Bronx. As far as the Camarilla's intel is concerned, he is not under the influence of any known Kindred.

• Josi is delivered the requested police reports from the night of the Rant. Of particular interest are the coroner's report, as well as that of Detective James Clarkston. Clarkston's partner, Michael Talbott, was murdered that night — mauled by what appeared to be a burned corpse. Most of the details are redacted however.

In the Heat of the Night...

• Josi goes to the Bronx's 50th Precinct. She is told that Detective Clarkston is on leave, and that nothing else can be discussed without prior authorization. She decides to instead look Clarkston up in the phone book, making contact that way. The detective agrees to meet at a local Zum Zum's to discuss the case.

• An obviously intoxicated Detective Clarkston brings a file box with him. He claims that inside are dozens of unexplained cases — like Alan Millan's disappearance — which detail events similar to what happened to his partner. He suggests that these events are related to the "obviously widespread" Satanic ritual abuse recently uncovered by exposés like "Michelle Remembers". He thinks that someone in the precinct is stonewalling him though, as evident by his forced psychiatric leave after requesting related cases through ViCAP.

• When asked about the events leading up to the night of the Rant, he explains that police were mobilized outside of Van Cortlandt Park based on DEA intelligence that multiple criminal gangs were meeting there. The police intended to kettle participants as they left. But when a volley of shots rang out — seemingly from a large caliber weapon — commands were issued to breach the park, and call down the circling helicopter.

• Leah heads to Avalon, making sure to stay out of sight as she uses her powers of Obfuscate to spy on the Pendragons within. Moving unseen into the loft of the bar, she finds Baron Callahan and his childe, Nero. The two are sitting together on the sofa, and are getting pretty handsy as they seem to turn talk of business — like drug trafficking — into ironic pillow talk. Before things get to heavy, they part with a kiss. Callahan exits the bar, with Nero following after a very deliberate ten minutes.

• Leah calls Josi to inform her of Nero and Baron Callahan's coupling. Leah proposes a "Pride Night" at the Mosh Pit, but Josi suggests that they need to speak with Nero and Callahan sooner rather than later. To see exactly what they know about Rudi's would-be assassination.

• Leah calls Prince Cortés, whose assistant puts on speakerphone. Leah gives a vague warning that her Sheriff (Leah herself) might be about to run afoul of some other vampires. If she doesn't check in for a couple of nights, then perhaps a Blood Hunt should be called on Leonard Callahan.

Bones of Contention...

• Everyone meets at the Center for Thanatology. Rasmodius reintroduces himself to the coterie, and eventually starts asking what "class and level" everyone is, and how many "spell slots" he can eventually learn. He makes brief mention of his first edition copy of "Deities & Demigods" and the supposed truenames within. Josi gives him a thorough examination, making notes on what has or has not changed since his Embrace.

• Aradia speaks with Pius Augustus, specifically in regards to his contact, Ishmæl Zamora. She asks about the Vinculum, and of her vision of Ishmæl. Pius states that he has known Ishmæl for almost one thousand years. He would — and has — trusted him with his unlife. As for the vision, Pius believes what Aradia saw is par for the course for an Inquisitor like Ishmæl. His station exists to root out heresies, such as infernalists like Bahari.

• On the Vinculum, Pius affirms that it is simply a subtle Blood Bond made between three or more Cainites. It acts more so to reward loyalty to one's pack, than it does to crush wills. When asked, Pius informs Aradia that the Vinculum could also help to strengthen her own resolve — especially in the face of abilities like Dominate or Presence. Using her pack's combined resolve may even help to enable safer diablerie of Elders.

• After speaking with Pius, Aradia apprises her coterie of the ultimatum that Ishmæl gave her — submit to the Vinculum or be tried as an infernalist. After hearing the facts, both Josi and Leah agree to join Aradia for the Vinculum.

• The coterie, and Rasmodius, make their way back to Avalon — this time in full view. They flag Nero down to have a word, putting all of their evidence in regards to Rudi's case on the table. Nero denies that Callahan had anything to do with it, and seems ready to take full responsibility if need be. He denies that his relationship with Callahan is anything more than that of a loyal childe.

• When Baron Callahan himself enters, he too is presented the evidence. He flatly states that he was, in fact, behind it. He gave Nero the order to take out Rudi. But why? He thinks that Rudi is little more than a "red commie" but that's not the true reason. The reality is he covets Baron Bruck's domain in the Bronx, and thought that unifying those sympathetic to Rudi would best accomplish his goal. After all, he says, Rudi may be a popular idealist, but is historically unable to actually affect change — he's much more effective as a martyr.

• Callahan compliments the coterie, impressed that they made it as far as they did with the investigation, and reminds them that they do still owe him a boon. The coterie agrees to support the frame job on Bruck, promising to show supporting — if not selective — evidence at the upcoming Anarch armistice.

• The coterie immediately go to the Red Star bar after ward. They speak with Rudi and Sage, telling them the whole of the truth. Rudi is intrigued by what has shaken out, and why, but agrees to work with the coterie to properly expose everything at the Anarch armistice.

• The coterie meet with Baron Bruck at this antebellum-styled manor in the Bronx. He's taken aback that Callahan would enact such a bold move, but is ultimately unworried. He's keen to see how the armistice will unfold.

• Josi calls Tiffany to inquire about the kind of weapon needed to do what was done to Rudi. After some back and forth, Tiffany freely admits that she was the one who procured the .50 caliber rifle for Nero. In fact, she's keen to show Josi what she got in return some time. Josi mentions the upcoming "Pride Night" at the Mosh Pit, suggesting that plenty of drag queens will be interested in Tiffany's other wares. She's super excited...

THE CONCLAVE

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