Where in the world is Sylvester Simms? (Thread 3 - François, pre-dawn Mon. 4/2/07)

[Detritus]

Francois turns to Bonnie. "I will contact Charles forthwith, and ask him to dedicate resources on the continent."
"Thank you," Bonnie replies, and when the meeting breaks up, she says, "We should make sure that Charles understands everything that we might require of him. Would you please come with me so we can make arrangements?"

The two of you will end up in another bedroom on the third floor, a couple doors down from where Jack is recuperating.

"Charles will be as well-positioned as anyone to coordinate a search in France. He should certainly consult with the Malkavian Primogen, and any other Malkavian elders or ancillae that might know of Sylvester's whereabouts. If he has any connections in Marseilles, Lyon, or Toulouse, that would help to cover southern France. But it must be done fast, as you heard earlier."

[Brother Brian]

Francois glances at his watch. "It will be close," he says taking out a blackberry looking device and dialing. It is nearly dawn in Paris, if it is not already." Francois turns on speaker phone as the call connects, and a ringing is heard.

[Detritus]

Francois glances at his watch. "It will be close," he says taking out a blackberry looking device and dialing. It is nearly dawn in Paris, if it is not already." Francois turns on speaker phone as the call connects, and a ringing is heard.
The phone rings once, twice, three times. In the middle of the fourth ring, you hear your call finally answered.

"Ah, François, it's you," you hear in Charles's voice. He sounds like he might be a bit sleepy, but otherwise none the worse for wear. "I hadn't expected to hear back from you quite this soon. How is your search progressing?"

[Brother Brian]

The phone rings once, twice, three times. In the middle of the fourth ring, you hear your call finally answered.

"Ah, François, it's you," you hear in Charles's voice. He sounds like he might be a bit sleepy, but otherwise none the worse for wear. "I hadn't expected to hear back from you quite this soon. How is your search progressing?"

"Better than I would have expected my friend, but it appears that I may need to put it aside for the moment. I'm here with Bonnie, and we have a favor of some urgency to ask of you. We are attempting to locate one Sylvester Simms, Sire to the recently deceased Malkavian Justicar. His last known location is London, but he may have moved onto the Contenent.

Could I impose on you to spare some resources on locating Mr. Simms?"

[Detritus]

((Roxanne is the Malkavian Primogen in Paris. Both Bonnie and François would know this, although François probably has not interacted with her all that much in his time in Paris.))

"Better than I would have expected my friend, but it appears that I may need to put it aside for the moment. I'm here with Bonnie, and we have a favor of some urgency to ask of you. We are attempting to locate one Sylvester Simms, Sire to the recently deceased Malkavian Justicar. His last known location is London, but he may have moved onto the Contenent.

Could I impose on you to spare some resources on locating Mr. Simms?"
"I see," says Charles. "I am to infer that the directive comes from Gwynnis herself?"

"Hello, Charles," says Bonnie. "We have just come from the council in which Gwynnis gave the directive to find Simms and send for him to come to New Orleans."

"Bonnie, hello, it is good to hear from you again," says Charles. "I shall certainly bring everything I can to bear on the search."

"Thank you, Charles," says Bonnie. "Gwynnis will Summon Sylvester just before sunrise on Wednesday regardless of whether we have found him by then or not, but we are all agreed that it would be better if he were forewarned before embarking on his journey here."

"That certainly is prudent," Charles says in agreement. "Wednesday morning, that doesn't leave much time to conduct the search. I shall put out word to Prince Villón's agents, and to Roxanne's, before laying to rest for the day."

"If you have agents in southern France, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse," says Bonnie, "it would be helpful if you could contact them today as well."

"I will see what I can do there," replies Charles. "I shall also impress upon Roxanne that she should put word out amongst her contacts in her clan."

"Thank you again, Charles," says Bonnie. "There is one other thing you should know. Mr. Johnson no longer rules New Orleans. The new Prince is Rebekka, of clan Tremere."

"Is she? I had not realized that she was in that part of the US."

"Apparently she was Regent of the Chantry in Houston, and Tremere Primogen of the city."

"Did the Council approve this move?" asks Charles.

"I cannot say, but I think they will not disapprove of her seizing the reins of power here. I must confess, despite Mr. Johnson being of our clan, I feel better knowing that Rebekka will be directing Kindred affairs here in place of him."

"Since our youngest days as Kindred, I have always found her to be formidable both as ally and opponent," agrees Charles. "Ah, but there is no time to spare for nostalgia. Is there aught else you need of me?"

"Nothing that I can think of," says Bonnie. "François?"

[Brother Brian]

((Roxanne is the Malkavian Primogen in Paris. Both Bonnie and François would know this, although François probably has not interacted with her all that much in his time in Paris.))


"I see," says Charles. "I am to infer that the directive comes from Gwynnis herself?"

"Hello, Charles," says Bonnie. "We have just come from the council in which Gwynnis gave the directive to find Simms and send for him to come to New Orleans."

"Bonnie, hello, it is good to hear from you again," says Charles. "I shall certainly bring everything I can to bear on the search."

"Thank you, Charles," says Bonnie. "Gwynnis will Summon Sylvester just before sunrise on Wednesday regardless of whether we have found him by then or not, but we are all agreed that it would be better if he were forewarned before embarking on his journey here."

"That certainly is prudent," Charles says in agreement. "Wednesday morning, that doesn't leave much time to conduct the search. I shall put out word to Prince Villón's agents, and to Roxanne's, before laying to rest for the day."

"If you have agents in southern France, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse," says Bonnie, "it would be helpful if you could contact them today as well."

"I will see what I can do there," replies Charles. "I shall also impress upon Roxanne that she should put word out amongst her contacts in her clan."

"Thank you again, Charles," says Bonnie. "There is one other thing you should know. Mr. Johnson no longer rules New Orleans. The new Prince is Rebekka, of clan Tremere."

"Is she? I had not realized that she was in that part of the US."

"Apparently she was Regent of the Chantry in Houston, and Tremere Primogen of the city."

"Did the Council approve this move?" asks Charles.

"I cannot say, but I think they will not disapprove of her seizing the reins of power here. I must confess, despite Mr. Johnson being of our clan, I feel better knowing that Rebekka will be directing Kindred affairs here in place of him."

"Since our youngest days as Kindred, I have always found her to be formidable both as ally and opponent," agrees Charles. "Ah, but there is no time to spare for nostalgia. Is there aught else you need of me?"

"Nothing that I can think of," says Bonnie. "François?"

"Nay my friend, we have imposed far enough at such a late hour for you. Thank you, I am again in your debt."

[Detritus]

"Nay my friend, we have imposed far enough at such a late hour for you. Thank you, I am again in your debt."
"Not at all," says Charles. "It is my pleasure to serve. I shall call you at 8 pm New Orleans time with an update. François, Bonnie, good morning to you both."

"Au revoir, Charles," Bonnie says.

"That went well," she says to you. "And Charles's return call will give us reason to be seen together."

She looks at you in silence for a few seconds and then says, "I seem to recall that you had a question for me during the interview portion of tonight's meeting."

[Brother Brian]

Francois smiles. "I was taken aback by the Justicar's rather extreme display. Is she prone to such dramatics?"

[Detritus]

Francois smiles. "I was taken aback by the Justicar's rather extreme display. Is she prone to such dramatics?"
"'Prone' may be overstating the case somewhat," Bonnie says returning your smile, "but she is used to having the interviews she conducts proceed without such distractions as prompted her outburst tonight. I have never seen it take more than one reminder to keep everyone focused. I am not sure what would happen in that case, should a second be required."

After a bit of a pause, she says, "Come to think of it, it is rare that the four of us have been in the same room together since Dee Dee's Embrace. Such outbursts as I can recall do seem to happen when we are all together. Perhaps she is, as they say, a drama queen."

[Brother Brian]

"Don't worry I'll be discreet", Francois laughs.

After a moment he says, "What can you tell me of those who have appeared to have taken point in this affair? I gather that they are to be considered loyal, but what of their...competence?"

[Detritus]

"Don't worry I'll be discreet", Francois laughs.
Bonnie gives a :grin: at this.

After a moment he says, "What can you tell me of those who have appeared to have taken point in this affair? I gather that they are to be considered loyal, but what of their...competence?"
"Anneke has a great deal of experience in the field. Dee Dee is young, but has seen a lot of fire. Is there any particular reason for you to question their competence?"

[Brother Brian]

Bonnie gives a :grin: at this.


"Anneke has a great deal of experience in the field. Dee Dee is young, but has seen a lot of fire. Is there any particular reason for you to question their competence?"

"Not at all. I was referring to those who I was speaking with after the interview. I got the impression that they were the vanguard...the leading field troops. I assume that Anneke is more the Marshall than the footman."

[Detritus]

"Not at all. I was referring to those who I was speaking with after the interview. I got the impression that they were the vanguard...the leading field troops. I assume that Anneke is more the Marshall than the footman."
"Forgive me, I misunderstood the question," says Bonnie.

"Based on what I've heard in recent nights, the preparation of the investigators from Dallas was adequate. Their approach did lack finesse at times," she admits. "In theory, an archon has the authority to order other Kindred around, but in practice, if the patron Justicar is not there, her agents have as much difficulty in eliciting cooperation as does any other Kindred."

"Would you have handled the investigation any differently?" she asks.

[Brother Brian]

"Forgive me, I misunderstood the question," says Bonnie.

"Based on what I've heard in recent nights, the preparation of the investigators from Dallas was adequate. Their approach did lack finesse at times," she admits. "In theory, an archon has the authority to order other Kindred around, but in practice, if the patron Justicar is not there, her agents have as much difficulty in eliciting cooperation as does any other Kindred."

"Would you have handled the investigation any differently?" she asks.

"That question is somewhat perilous to answer. The fool sits back and divorced from the moment can find the flaws in the actions of the wise. Certainly the results were less than ideal, and opportunities were missed. Based on one night of interviews it's impossible to know how apparent those opportunities should have been.

The one critique I would have is that there appears to be a general lack of unity between them. During the interview, each answered as best served them. This concerns me a bit, especially if I am to wade into battle at their side. I have heard tell that our enemy has a ritual wherein those in a coterie all bond to each other through blood. That makes them strong together. If we are naught by individuals, it may make them too strong."

[Detritus]

"That question is somewhat perilous to answer. The fool sits back and divorced from the moment can find the flaws in the actions of the wise. Certainly the results were less than ideal, and opportunities were missed. Based on one night of interviews it's impossible to know how apparent those opportunities should have been.

The one critique I would have is that there appears to be a general lack of unity between them. During the interview, each answered as best served them. This concerns me a bit, especially if I am to wade into battle at their side. I have heard tell that our enemy has a ritual wherein those in a coterie all bond to each other through blood. That makes them strong together. If we are naught by individuals, it may make them too strong."
"Ah, yes, esprit de corps. 'All for one and one for all'," she says with a smile. "It is a rare and precious thing to find amidst a group of predators. How would you foster such a trait, if it were your responsibility to do so?"

[Brother Brian]

"Ah, yes, esprit de corps. 'All for one and one for all'," she says with a smile. "It is a rare and precious thing to find amidst a group of predators. How would you foster such a trait, if it were your responsibility to do so?"

Francois looks at Bonnie squarely. "Tell me my lady, why do I suddenly feel as if I'm being led by the hand? But to answer your question, people come together for a number of reasons. Some have no bearing on the kindred, but a few are universal. First is to give them a common enemy. We have that now, but I don't see that any take it seriously enough. They seem overconfident in their immortality.

There can also be a cause, I would find a way to make them believe that they are at risk from Ms. Drake. It is easy to dismiss failure that doesn't ultimate lead to ramifications. It can hardly be called failure. But if they believe that not coming together can result in their own end, suddenly they are motivated.

Finally, it may not be inappropriate to steal a tactical advantage from our enemy. A spiritual connection shared by an army a watered down blood bond, would be an incalculable asset."

[Detritus]

Bonnie assays another brief smile before her reply.

"Am I leading you by the hand? Perhaps. It can be a failing of mine in my dealings with those unfamiliar to me. You may not realize it, but you come to New Orleans highly recommended. I had to see for myself. You have not yet disappointed, if you are curious," she says, with yet another little smile.

"They do not yet fear enough for their existence. I wonder about that. Surely the Gangrel, Jack, realizes how close his brush with Final Death was. There are few things that can leave one of the Kindred alert yet bedridden for multiple days. It may be true that that lesson has not sunk in for anyone else, I suppose.

"There is one here who has extensive experience in battling the Sabbat. Dee Dee will run the briefing later tonight, but I am sure that Anneke will speak of her time in Detroit, when she was on the losing side of a war against the Sabbat. That speech is quite sobering, and effective."

Bonnie idly fingers one of the numerous strings of pearls she is wearing, and then continues in an even more serious tone.

"Anneke will not take the field, at least not at the outset, yet she will be in command of the military efforts in New Orleans. I suspect it will be an extremely hard sell to convince her that her soldiers should adopt the... The Vinculum, I believe she calls it. There is still one in this city who outranks all others," she says, and trails off with an expectant look on her face.

[Brother Brian]

Bonnie assays another brief smile before her reply.

"Am I leading you by the hand? Perhaps. It can be a failing of mine in my dealings with those unfamiliar to me. You may not realize it, but you come to New Orleans highly recommended. I had to see for myself. You have not yet disappointed, if you are curious," she says, with yet another little smile.

"They do not yet fear enough for their existence. I wonder about that. Surely the Gangrel, Jack, realizes how close his brush with Final Death was. There are few things that can leave one of the Kindred alert yet bedridden for multiple days. It may be true that that lesson has not sunk in for anyone else, I suppose.

"There is one here who has extensive experience in battling the Sabbat. Dee Dee will run the briefing later tonight, but I am sure that Anneke will speak of her time in Detroit, when she was on the losing side of a war against the Sabbat. That speech is quite sobering, and effective."

Bonnie idly fingers one of the numerous strings of pearls she is wearing, and then continues in an even more serious tone.

"Anneke will not take the field, at least not at the outset, yet she will be in command of the military efforts in New Orleans. I suspect it will be an extremely hard sell to convince her that her soldiers should adopt the... The Vinculum, I believe she calls it. There is still one in this city who outranks all others," she says, and trails off with an expectant look on her face.

Francois rotates his head left, and then right, as if his neck muscles had tightened up.

"Two, actually. While Gwinnis weilds greater power, our laws limit her scope. Rebekka, as prince, may not have the vastness of power that Gwinnis does, but can extend it's scope throughout the city."

Francois cranks his neck again.

"My question is this; let us say that I had not come highly recommended, and you don't know me from Caine. I come in and suggest that we use a Sabbat ritual to our own advantage. Would you trust me? Would you dismiss my thoughts? Or would you consider me a traitor, an infiltrator, and a spy for your enemy?

Should I do this, I will need for you to vouch for me, which intwines our fates. Are you willing to do that?

[Detritus]

Francois rotates his head left, and then right, as if his neck muscles had tightened up.

"Two, actually. While Gwynnis weilds greater power, our laws limit her scope. Rebekka, as prince, may not have the vastness of power that Gwinnis does, but can extend its scope throughout the city."
"I believe it would be even more difficult to convince Gwynnis to endorse this action. I suspect she would offer a counterproposal, the same she offers to all of her archons. I cannot say how Rebekka would react to such a proposal, but Anneke does have a great deal of influence with her, perhaps as much as is possible for an outsider to have over one of the Tremere."

Francois cranks his neck again.

"My question is this; let us say that I had not come highly recommended, and you don't know me from Caine. I come in and suggest that we use a Sabbat ritual to our own advantage. Would you trust me? Would you dismiss my thoughts? Or would you consider me a traitor, an infiltrator, and a spy for your enemy?

Should I do this, I will need for you to vouch for me, which intwines our fates. Are you willing to do that?
"Since you have brought it up, I will admit that thoughts of sedition occurred to me even with your recommendation. I can only assume that similar thoughts will occur to others that hear your proposal. There is a strong, almost overpowering culture of Anti-Sabbat sentiment within the Camarilla.

"Suppose we anticipate an unfavorable response to your proposal, even with my endorsement. Would you then be willing to bind yourself to one of the elders now in New Orleans?"

[Brother Brian]

"I believe it would be even more difficult to convince Gwynnis to endorse this action. I suspect she would offer a counterproposal, the same she offers to all of her archons. I cannot say how Rebekka would react to such a proposal, but Anneke does have a great deal of influence with her, perhaps as much as is possible for an outsider to have over one of the Tremere."


"Since you have brought it up, I will admit that thoughts of sedition occurred to me even with your recommendation. I can only assume that similar thoughts will occur to others that hear your proposal. There is a strong, almost overpowering culture of Anti-Sabbat sentiment within the Camarilla.

"Suppose we anticipate an unfavorable response to your proposal, even with my endorsement. Would you then be willing to bind yourself to one of the elders now in New Orleans?"

"To do so would be foolish. I barely know of the players in this game. To tie my fortune to thiers is to cast my future to blind chance." Francois pauses for a moment. "To be honest, my loyalty to the Camarilla and desire to crush the Sabbat is insufficient to compell me, as is my desire to reach my sire. Were I to bond myself to someone, I would need some insurance that they would not abuse that trust."

[Detritus]

"To do so would be foolish. I barely know of the players in this game. To tie my fortune to thiers is to cast my future to blind chance." Francois pauses for a moment. "To be honest, my loyalty to the Camarilla and desire to crush the Sabbat is insufficient to compell me, as is my desire to reach my sire. Were I to bond myself to someone, I would need some insurance that they would not abuse that trust."
"Undoubtedly your personal ambitions would be stultified under such an arrangement. I cannot blame anyone for refusing that bargain. I would be amazed if it did not come up in some form as a counterproposal to your idea, however."

Bonnie lapses into silence for a bit, deep in thought.

"Based on testimony we have heard earlier tonight, the two girls, Jocelin and Antoinette, may already be under the influence of some form of this diffuse blood bond. If it is possible to override this influence with a new bond, it may be prudent to do so. And I believe it is also the case that the Tremere practice a version of this with their neonates, although the clan elders merely provide the vitae, they do not partake of it themselves.

"That, ultimately, may be a defensible compromise -- a shared bond between our warriors in the street, seasoned with elder vitae. If it came down to that, would you participate in such a bonding?"

[Brother Brian]

"Undoubtedly your personal ambitions would be stultified under such an arrangement. I cannot blame anyone for refusing that bargain. I would be amazed if it did not come up in some form as a counterproposal to your idea, however."

Bonnie lapses into silence for a bit, deep in thought.

"Based on testimony we have heard earlier tonight, the two girls, Jocelin and Antoinette, may already be under the influence of some form of this diffuse blood bond. If it is possible to override this influence with a new bond, it may be prudent to do so. And I believe it is also the case that the Tremere practice a version of this with their neonates, although the clan elders merely provide the vitae, they do not partake of it themselves.

"That, ultimately, may be a defensible compromise -- a shared bond between our warriors in the street, seasoned with elder vitae. If it came down to that, would you participate in such a bonding?"

"Not intending offense to our revered elders, but I will not bond myself to anyone who is not likewise bonded to me."

[Detritus]

"Not intending offense to our revered elders, but I will not bond myself to anyone who is not likewise bonded to me."
"In that case, there is no need to mention any Tremere practices. The state of the girls is still worth mentioning, although if it were me, I would argue the proposal first strictly on its merits. I shall state that it is a proposal at least worth considering. I cannot promise any stronger support than that. Is that sufficient for your needs?"

[Brother Brian]

"In that case, there is no need to mention any Tremere practices. The state of the girls is still worth mentioning, although if it were me, I would argue the proposal first strictly on its merits. I shall state that it is a proposal at least worth considering. I cannot promise any stronger support than that. Is that sufficient for your needs?"

"It will have to suffice. I can think of no other option that will allow us to build and esprit de corps quickly enough."

Francois' serious demeanor lightens for a moment. "I should warn you that the debate may turn heated if others question my loyalty."

[Detritus]

"It will have to suffice. I can think of no other option that will allow us to build and esprit de corps quickly enough."

Francois' serious demeanor lightens for a moment. "I should warn you that the debate may turn heated if others question my loyalty."
"Perhaps I should state my support for the consideration of your proposal first, then," Bonnie says with similar levity. "At the very least, that will decrease the likelihood that it will be dismissed out of hand. Shall we find one of our superiors now?"

[Brother Brian]

"Perhaps I should state my support for the consideration of your proposal first, then," Bonnie says with similar levity. "At the very least, that will decrease the likelihood that it will be dismissed out of hand. Shall we find one of our superiors now?"

"Indeed, let us not delay, as we might think about it so much that action becomes impossible."

[Detritus]

Bonnie leads you to the room where Prince Casimir lies. She is still unresponsive. Gwynnis, Dee, and Tatiana are all in the room. The Justicar sends Tatiana to bring Rebekka to the room to see if she can aid in reviving Helena. Bonnie speaks once Tatiana has made her exit.

"Sire, François has a proposal worth your consideration," she says carefully. The Justicar considers her childe for a moment before replying.

"You speak as if you already know what my answer will be, and that it will not be favorable for whatever it is to be proposed."

"It is not an idea you would have thought of yourself," Bonnie says in a neutral tone, "yet I do not see that it is to be dismissed out of hand."

"Very well," Gwynnis says to you, "what do you propose?"

[Brother Brian]

Any nervousness Francois feels is well hidden as he speaks.

"As Bonnie has said", Francois begins, "this idea is not one that you may have come to on your own. I am not a politician, I am a general. I concern myself with effectiveness and function rather than appearance and the feelings of those who would risk defeat to maintain a certain status quo.

In my life, I was called to start a military unit for the king of France. You may have heard of us; we are known now as the musketeers. In creating this unit, I broke, quite willingly, many of the days conventions. I did not seperate the nobles from the common, instead all fought together, and worked, fought, lived, and died for one another.

Our greatest strength lied not in our skill, our equipment, or our tactics. It lay in our esprit d' corps, which came down to, as Dumas so wonderfully put it, "All for one, and one for all."

Normally I would be quite happy to know that this lesson had been learned, but I can not be. For it was better learned by our enemy. This evening I witnessed that again, as people served their own needs rather than focusing on the larger picture.

I was asked how to build such an esprit d'corps in the Kindred of New Orleans." Francois pauses here, and shakes his head. "I can think only of one way."

"Our enemy, which does not believing in binding one of our kind to another as master and thrall, does utilize our vitae's special properties another way. By combining a group's blood in a chalace, and having all sip from this mixture, they create a loyalty towards each other. This gives them strength in unity of purpose."

"I propose that we utilize this tactic for our own gain. Let us pledge our loyalty to each other, to the Camarilla, and in doing so strip our enemy of a potent advantage."

Having finished his monologue, Francois politely bows to the Prince first, and then Justicar Gwinnis.

[Detritus]

((Note, Prince Casimir is actually unconscious right now, but the Sheriff is in the room along with the Justicar, so that can be the second person that François bows to.))

Bonnie shifts her gaze between François, Dee Dee, and the Justicar, resting on each of you for only a few seconds at a time. Dee Dee looks at you like you're sprouting a third eye as you proceed further and further into your speech. Gwynnis barely reacts, although you're almost sure that you feel the room cool around you as her impassive, unflinching gaze rests squarely upon you.

"I see," she says in a voice quiet enough that you have to strain to hear it clearly. "You propose that we adopt Sabbat tactics to save New Orleans from the Sabbat." A pregnant pause of several seconds ensues as the Justicar keeps her gaze trained on yours. "What, exactly, would be the scope of this arrangement, were we to implement it?"

[Brother Brian]

How do I read the question from Gwinnis? Do her manerisms indicate she's toying with me, or is she really interested in what I have to say?

[Detritus]

At face value, she seems dubious, but willing to hear you out. Also, in the only significant interaction in which both of you were present, she did seem willing to hear both sides of the argument about whether or not to send for Sylvester Simms.

((As an OOC note, there is going to be input from all of "big three" at some point in the discussion. Rebekka and Anneke will both show up starting after the next round of replies, and will have something to say one way or the other.))

[Brother Brian]

Francois sensing a more open response than he would have expected, presses forward.

"Why is it a Sabbat Tactic? They use guns, does that make firearms a Sabbat tactic? Or is it a battle tactic to be used by any warrior fighting? Where is there dishonor in using it, how does it violate a single tenet of what we hold true? Had I brought this idea to you for the first time, had it never been done by our enemy, how would you feel about it?

As for who would take part, I would invite all who would stand up and say that will stand with the Camarilla of New Orleans. From Prince to neonate, any who would fight with us.

I would require it of none, but I would have concerns about any who are unwilling to thus display their loyalty, and would give them neither authority nor responsibility.”

[Detritus]

Francois sensing a more open response than he would have expected, presses forward.

"Why is it a Sabbat Tactic? They use guns, does that make firearms a Sabbat tactic? Or is it a battle tactic to be used by any warrior fighting? Where is there dishonor in using it, how does it violate a single tenet of what we hold true? Had I brought this idea to you for the first time, had it never been done by our enemy, how would you feel about it?

As for who would take part, I would invite all who would stand up and say that will stand with the Camarilla of New Orleans. From Prince to neonate, any who would fight with us.

I would require it of none, but I would have concerns about any who are unwilling to thus display their loyalty," and would give them neither authority nor responsibility.”
"That's retarded!" blurts Dee Dee. "You're going to question the loyalty of anyone who doesn't take part in a group blood bond!"

Gwynnis raises her hand, and Dee falls silent.

"Thank you, Sheriff. Will you please find Anneke and tell she is wanted here?"

After Dee Dee exits the room, Gwynnis rises from her crouch next to Prince Casimir's bed, turns to Bonnie, and says, "I would be very surprised to learn that you counseled this particular line of attack as a means of persuasion."

"I'm surprised to hear it," replies Bonnie, "especially in light of the conversation we just had," she says, turning to you in mid-sentence.

"Leaving aside the matter of loyalty for the moment," ((EDIT -- says Gwynnis,)) "I am curious as to what other tactics that just happen to be used by the Sabbat you would also propose we emulate? Shall we indiscriminantly create mass numbers of Kindred for battle? Shall we dispense with the Masquerade as inconvenient? Shall we extinguish the flame of humanitas that burns, however dimly, within each of our breasts?"

[Brother Brian]

"That's retarded!" blurts Dee Dee. "You're going to question the loyalty of anyone who doesn't take part in a group blood bond!"

Gwynnis raises her hand, and Dee falls silent.

"Thank you, Sheriff. Will you please find Anneke and tell she is wanted here?"

After Dee Dee exits the room, Gwynnis rises from her crouch next to Prince Casimir's bed, turns to Bonnie, and says, "I would be very surprised to learn that you counseled this particular line of attack as a means of persuasion."

"I'm surprised to hear it," replies Bonnie, "especially in light of the conversation we just had," she says, turning to you in mid-sentence.

"Leaving aside the matter of loyalty for the moment, I am curious as to what other tactics that just happen to be used by the Sabbat you would also propose we emulate? Shall we indiscriminantly create mass numbers of Kindred for battle? Shall we dispense with the Masquerade as inconvenient? Shall we extinguish the flame of humanitas that burns, however dimly, within each of our breasts?"

(Which one says that to me? Bonnie or Gwinnis.)

[Detritus]

(Which one says that to me? Bonnie or Gwinnis.)
That would be Gwynnis speaking in the final paragraph. Apologies for the ambiguity.

[Brother Brian]

I just made a temper roll, with my loyalty being questioned at all. I'll reply after my meetings. (Couple of hours.)

[Detritus]

I just made a temper roll, with my loyalty being questioned at all. I'll reply after my meetings. (Couple of hours.)
OK, you missed by 2. Fire away. :grin:

[Brother Brian]

A look of physical stress comes across Francois face. His hands are open wide, as if a shock was running through his body. When he speaks his tone is very quiet, with a slight uplift that shows only scorn.

"Better yet, we can blindly object to that which makes us uncomfortable, like a child hiding under her bedsheet, hoping that the monster under her bed doesn't attack!

Or we could make comparisons so devoid of relevance as to be embarassing for both the speaker and the listener. Of course, a communal bond of loyalty is much the same as wholesale abandonment of our traditions! Tell me, have you crushed out the flame of humanity in every vassal you have bonded to you through the centuries my lady? Or is it only different when you're asked to sit at the same table as those you would send to die?"

Francois turns to Bonnie. "What I said to you was that I would bond myself to no one that would not in turn bond themselves to me. I remain true to that statement."

[Detritus]

For the moment, Gwynnis remains impassive as Bonnie makes her reply.

Francois turns to Bonnie. "What I said to you was that I would bond myself to no one that would not in turn bond themselves to me. I remain true to that statement."
"Yes, you did, but I also seem to recall that you said things would become heated if your loyalty is questioned. You have certainly kept your word about that. It therefore surprises me a great deal that you would call into question the loyalty of those who might not choose to participate in a bonding that, relevant or not, is very strongly associated with the Sabbat."

Bonnie looks at Gwynnis for a moment, but the Justicar does not take her eyes off of you.

"Regardless of the eventual decision," she continues, "I assure you that I will not partake of the extended bond. By your own words, you would question the loyalty of anyone who did participate in the bonding. Do you so question my motives, now that you have heard my explicit rejection of the bond?"

[Brother Brian]

"Do I question your motives? No. Do I question your dedication to the cause? Indeed. Because for all the hand wringing about snuffing the flame of humanity, there is no moral difference between a communal bond to each other and bonding another to you. Such and individual bond has long been used by the Camarilla with no evidence that it let's lose the beast inside.

So I would ask you Bonnie, you who said this was worth considering, why do you reject taking part out of hand?

[Detritus]

((Dee Dee, Tatiana, Rebekka, Leo, and Anneke all enter the room.))
"Do I question your motives? No. Do I question your dedication to the cause? Indeed. Because for all the hand wringing about snuffing the flame of humanity, there is no moral difference between a communal bond to each other and bonding another to you. Such and individual bond has long been used by the Camarilla with no evidence that it let's lose the beast inside.

So I would ask you Bonnie, you who said this was worth considering, why do you reject taking part out of hand?
"She refuses on the grounds that it would... violate the terms and conditions of her employment with me," says Gwynnis. "When you question her commitment to this cause, you question mine as well.

"Since you seem to be ignorant of this fact, I shall now inform you that a Justicar and her agents have a vast array of responsibilities that span at least two continents. And yet, here we are, in person, and here we shall remain while the outcome is in doubt. I have already removed the former ruler of the domain, who comes from my clan, with one whom I expect will be more effective, who does not come from the Toreador."

Gwynnis shifts her weight slightly to a more balanced distribution across both her feet, and the shift makes a glint of... something appear in her eyes.

"You speak with remarkable assuredness about the equivalency between the individual bond and the group bond. It seems obvious to me that the Sabbat are the more warlike, bestial sect, however. How do you reconcile this?"

[Brother Brian]

(Missed temper roll two...the Jusitcar pushes my buttons well it seems.)

Francois whips his head around fast enough that the bones pop and glares at Gwinnis. He starts clapping his hands mockingly.

"To be quite clear here, I am aware of what your duties are as Justicar, and I am happy to hear that you fufill them. "

"The gendarme carry guns, as do the criminals. How do you resolve that? Perhaps blaming the tool remains a poor excuse for reasoned thought.

As for my knowledge of equivelance, if you have evidence otherwise, present it. I have been bonded by blood to nobody, either individually or as a unit. It has never been advantageous to the cause to do so.

I am pointing out a weakness in your army, and suggesting the only solution that is available in the timeframe we have. I do this because I would crush the Sabbat under my heel and drive them from this city.

Historically, the Sabbat attacks only when they have the tactical advantages. Are you going to lead the army into the field, outnumbered and out gunned? Do you really think, that in the darkest hours, when all that keeps us standing is our commitment to the cause and each other, that your army won't flee? That their own concerns and machinations won't be of higher precidence to them than this town?

I loathe the Sabbat and what they stand for. I loathe their willingness to ignore history, their hubris in thinking that we are the masters of the humans. I find much of their tactics to be morally repugnant.

But none of that is in question here.

Had the Sabbat never done a group bond, and I suggested it here for the first time in the history of our kind, what would you say? Is your fear that we will turn bloodthirsty, or is it that you will be somehow reduced?

[Detritus]

Leo and all the NPCs he's with would have seen the last round of replies. I'm probably going to wait until I get home until posting the reply here. There are a number of NPC reactions that I need to work out in terms of who does/says what when.

[Detritus]

OK, I'm going to split things up...

=====================

You hear the sound of a sword being unsheathed, and those of you looking at Gwynnis's face at the time the sound is made see her eyes widen in obvious surprise for an instant. You turn to see Dee Dee make a lunging swing at Francois. One instant, the sword is in her hands, and the next it's gone. The arc of sword would have obviously relieved Francois of his head. Dee stumbles in her follow through without the weight of the sword in her hand.

The next instant you are surrounded by the light and warmth of the noonday Sun. Gwynnis holds the sword, now motionless, in her hand, which glows with a brilliant white-hot luminescence that illuminates her face in a harsh way. The glow lasts for several seconds, not long enough to injure you, but plenty to trigger your fear of sunlight.

((I'll need Courage rolls at -10 and HT rolls for both Francois and Leo.))

[Brother Brian]

OK, I'm going to split things up...

=====================

You hear the sound of a sword being unsheathed, and those of you looking at Gwynnis's face at the time the sound is made see her eyes widen in obvious surprise for an instant. You turn to see Dee Dee make a lunging swing at Francois. One instant, the sword is in her hands, and the next it's gone. The arc of sword would have obviously relieved Francois of his head. Dee stumbles in her follow through without the weight of the sword in her hand.

The next instant you are surrounded by the light and warmth of the noonday Sun. Gwynnis holds the sword, now motionless, in her hand, which glows with a brilliant white-hot luminescence that illuminates her face in a harsh way. The glow lasts for several seconds, not long enough to injure you, but plenty to trigger your fear of sunlight.

((I'll need Courage rolls at -10 and HT rolls for both Francois and Leo.))

That would be be a fail.

[Huxley]

((made them both. HT right on, and Courage by 6))

[Detritus]

((made them both. HT right on, and Courage by 6))
The Courage roll was at -10 for being caused by exposure to the equivalent of full sunlight, so you missed that one by four in the end.

You'll both be at +4 to Self-Control rolls for the remainder of this scene. Francois will also have the afterimage of the glowing sword burned into his vision for a minute. Then it will become half-sized for a minute, then half-sized again for a minute before his vision returns completely to normal.

Dee Dee flinches when the Sun turns on, and because she was still off-balance, she ends up dropping to the floor and curling into a ball. Bonnie looks at her Sire like she's never seen her before. Only Rebekka and Anneke seem completely unfazed by the episode, at least by outward appearances.

"The scabbard," Gwynnis says quietly to Anneke. She removes it from Dee Dee, who somehow seems both listless and on the verge of hysterical weeping. Anneke brings the scabbard to the Justicar, and girds her with it before taking her place at Gwynnis's right. Gwynnis does not sheathe the sword, but has grounded its point to the floor of the bedroom. Both Francois and Leo watch this exchange in a daze before your faculties fully return to you.

"We do not behead those who disagree with us, no matter how strongly that disagreement is voiced," Gwynnis says to her childe in a rather patronizing voice, the point of her sword still grounded on the floor.

((I got bidness to attend to, so I need to stop here. I also want to roll on the Fright Check table to see what that says after the failed Courage rolls, and that won't happen for a few hours yet, as I'm still at work.))

[Detritus]

François and Leo are both down 4 Fatigue in addition to the momentary stunning.

I also forgot about Tatiana, so I'll say she sits down on Prince Casimir's bed and presses the heels of her palms into her eye sockets for a while. After that, she begins to sidle away from Gwynnis as unobtrusively as possible.

Anneke leans over to Gwynnis, and it looks like she's retracing the arc of Dee Dee's swing.

"Technically, that is a Life Boon, I believe," she says to the Justicar with a quick glance to the sword.

"Well, I suppose," replies Gwynnis, although a distinct undertone of distaste flavors her words, "but there was no call to play lumberjack during a simple, if heated, argument. Dee Dee has incurred her own debt, and quite a serious one."

Rebekka walks by François and takes position to Gwynnis's left.

"I would prefer it if my new Sheriff were not under the weight of a debt of such magnitude so early in her tenure," she says to Gwynnis. "Can we not work out an arrangement here?" Anneke makes a thumbing motion from Gwynnis to Dee Dee. The Justicar thinks for a bit and then nods and turns to François.

"I shall produce testimony from one who has undergone The Vinculum shortly, but there are matters of Prestation that require our immediate attention. Dee Dee's attack was unjustified, yet had the potential for lethal force in the absence of my intervention. Shall we... call it even?"

[Brother Brian]

She's got to be kidding, Francois thinks as he regains his wits.

"My lady, as you say, she is your sherrif; you have saved me from your own agent. I owe you no boon for staying your agent's hand."

Having said that, Francois turns and looks through rapidly blinking eyes at Dee Dee. "That said, for her to respond as she did may display a significant number of regretable traits, but it does in turn display a tremendous loyalty to her master. I can respect her motives in not her action. As such, Dee Dee, I release thee from any debt you may owe me."

[Detritus]

Dee Dee rises unsteadily to her feet while François speaks, and makes a quick nod of acknowledgment when he finishes speaking. Anneke begins to say something but Gwynnis cuts her off, removing her right hand from the sword hilt to lay it upon her childe's arm.

"It is a generous concession," the Justicar says to Anneke, "and frees us to proceed with the business at hand. Assuming, of course, we are all of us finished with our intemperate outbursts," a statement Gwynnis punctuates with an arched eyebrow for Dee Dee.

"I am secure in the continuance of my own brilliance undiminished," Gwynnis says to François with a not-quite-unarched eyebrow and a trace of a wry smile on her lips. "My office, on the other hand," and all traces of mirth leave the Justicar's face, "would indeed be diminished if I were to send my agents into a group blood bond."

"Is that what this argument is about?" asks Anneke. "That is absolutely out of the question."

"Agreed without reservation," replies Gwynnis, "but there is more than that. The proposal we consider is to have all Camarilla Kindred in New Orleans joined into the same Vinculum." A strangled sound escapes Anneke's mouth.

"I thought you might have an opinion about that," Gwynnis says. "Your time in Detroit would be most approriate, I believe. Before you relay that experience, however, I think it might be worthwhile if you were to list the places where you have engaged the Sabbat."

"Of course," replies Anneke. "Detroit was in the 1980s. Before that, Berlin in the 60s, and DC in the 70s. After that, Chicago and Berlin again in the 90s, and New York... earlier this decade."

"And before then?"

"In the 19th century, let me think... Chicago again, in the first part of the 1870s. And Texas in the 1830s. That ended in San Antonio in 1836. And then Paris twice, once in the 1790s, and once in the 1640s, in the first years of Jules Cardinal Mazarin's tenure as Chief Minister to Louis XIII." Rebekka closes her eyes and bows her head for a moment at this last item from Anneke's litany of her engagements with the Sabbat.

"Thank you," Gwynnis says in a near-whisper. "Let it be stated for the record," she says in a normal tone, "that of those cities, Detroit is the only one that has been lost to the Camarilla, and the former Sabbat stronghold of New York remains hotly contested between our sects during these past few years. Berlin was once divided but has been reunited under Camarilla rule for the last decade or so. Yet it is in failure that we learned the most, as so often happens for both Kindred and kine."

[Detritus]

Having finally assured herself that everyone has calmed down, Gwynnis finally sheathes her sword and directs Anneke to continue.

"By the time of my deployment to Detroit, I had already taken part in battles with the Sabbat in Washington and Berlin. I served as primogen in West Berlin, and also as a War Cabinet primogen in DC, although that was not widely announced. Berlin had two princes from the time of the end of the war until the wall went up, when the Sabbat took over the eastern portion of the city. Baltimore was part of Sabbat territory, and attacks against Washington originated there.

"In both cases, we managed to learn a little about the other sect, but there was still so much we did not know. When Gwynnis first became the Toreador Justicar, there were rumors of a Sabbat incursion in Detroit. My first assignment as Archon was to infiltrate a Sabbat pack -- the term they use for a coterie -- and try to learn things that were impossible to glean during a full-blown shooting war.

"I started in Baltimore, with a small and somewhat restless pack, and pushed them towards Detroit with the very rumors that had come to our ears months earlier. They were few enough in number to make manipulation through the Piercing Gaze possible, although it was very difficult, the thorniest such problem I have ever encountered by far. It was there, actually, and not Detroit, when I learned that The Vinculum is applied only at the pack level, and not throughout a Sabbat-held city."

Anneke removes her shades, and seems to use the gesture as a way to collect her thoughts. A green eye of flesh and blue eye of glass both catch a glimmer in the room lights when she continues.

"It took me until I was several months in Detroit to realize why The Vinculum was not applied to all the Kindred in a city at once. Loyalty it creates amongst those who share it, that is certain, yet it does not submerge or otherwise remove The Beast. But how shall it find an outlet for expression, if all Kindred in a city are made loyal to each other through ties of blood?

"The answer is that the urges of The Beast must be turned outwards. The Vinculum may quell internecine strife, yet we are still predators. And as our predations turns wholly outward, there is a terrible fate potentially in store for all who are part of the bond.

"No doubt you have heard the expression that a rising tide lifts all boats. The reverse is just as surely true. An ebbing tide lowers all boats. And in such a bond, you have not only the transgressions of your own Beast to come to terms with, but those of all who share in your bond. And with loyalty enforced by blood comes an ever steeper barrier to overcome before you are able to rebuke those who misbehave. And without rebuke, rationalization and even acceptance are not that far behind. This I have seen, and felt, in operation, even within the small pack with whom I shared a bond.

"Can you see, now, how fraught with peril this burden is? Have your conscience and self-control mastered your Beast? Will they be equal to mastering two dozen more? Threescore more? One gross more?

"Conclave will convene in New Orleans within one week's time. Shall we require all those who attend to be part of the bond? Or even those who stay behind to fight with those who now hold the city? Madness will not be far behind if we do."

[Brother Brian]

Francois steps forward, holding his hand up, palms forward.

"You have responded well to my suggestion, and through rational discourse have provided me new insights. I thank you for this knowledge, and with it formally withdraw my proposal."

Francois bows first to Anneke, and then to Gwinnis before taking a step backwards.


Having finally assured herself that everyone has calmed down, Gwynnis finally sheathes her sword and directs Anneke to continue.

"By the time of my deployment to Detroit, I had already taken part in battles with the Sabbat in Washington and Berlin. I served as primogen in West Berlin, and also as a War Cabinet primogen in DC, although that was not widely announced. Berlin had two princes from the time of the end of the war until the wall went up, when the Sabbat took over the eastern portion of the city. Baltimore was part of Sabbat territory, and attacks against Washington originated there.

"In both cases, we managed to learn a little about the other sect, but there was still so much we did not know. When Gwynnis first became the Toreador Justicar, there were rumors of a Sabbat incursion in Detroit. My first assignment as Archon was to infiltrate a Sabbat pack -- the term they use for a coterie -- and try to learn things that were impossible to glean during a full-blown shooting war.

"I started in Baltimore, with a small and somewhat restless pack, and pushed them towards Detroit with the very rumors that had come to our ears months earlier. They were few enough in number to make manipulation through the Piercing Gaze possible, although it was very difficult, the thorniest such problem I have ever encountered by far. It was there, actually, and not Detroit, when I learned that The Vinculum is applied only at the pack level, and not throughout a Sabbat-held city."

Anneke removes her shades, and seems to use the gesture as a way to collect her thoughts. A green eye of flesh and blue eye of glass both catch a glimmer in the room lights when she continues.

"It took me until I was several months in Detroit to realize why The Vinculum was not applied to all the Kindred in a city at once. Loyalty it creates amongst those who share it, that is certain, yet it does not submerge or otherwise remove The Beast. But how shall it find an outlet for expression, if all Kindred in a city are made loyal to each other through ties of blood?

"The answer is that the urges of The Beast must be turned outwards. The Vinculum may quell internecine strife, yet we are still predators. And as our predations turns wholly outward, there is a terrible fate potentially in store for all who are part of the bond.

"No doubt you have heard the expression that a rising tide lifts all boats. The reverse is just as surely true. An ebbing tide lowers all boats. And in such a bond, you have not only the transgressions of your own Beast to come to terms with, but those of all who share in your bond. And with loyalty enforced by blood comes an ever steeper barrier to overcome before you are able to rebuke those who misbehave. And without rebuke, rationalization and even acceptance are not that far behind. This I have seen, and felt, in operation, even within the small pack with whom I shared a bond.

"Can you see, now, how fraught with peril this burden is? Have your conscience and self-control mastered your Beast? Will they be equal to mastering two dozen more? Threescore more? One gross more?

"Conclave will convene in New Orleans within one week's time. Shall we require all those who attend to be part of the bond? Or even those who stay behind to fight with those who now hold the city? Madness will not be far behind if we do."

[Detritus]

Anneke gives a slight bow in return, replaces her shades, and steps back to Gwynnis's right.

"If that matter is settled, there are others still that require attention," says Gwynnis. "There will still be a briefing at 2 am?" she asks Rebekka.

"Yes, and I would like for my Sheriff to run that briefing," Rebekka replies, a slight question in her voice.

"She will be ready," says Gwynnis. "I shall see to it. Would you please help me in my attempt to revive Prince Casimir?" she asks of Rebekka. "I have not managed it yet on my own."

"I do not know if I can be of any help, but I will try," replies Rebekka.

"Thank you. Tatiana may stay, and Dee Dee, I think. The rest of you may depart." Gwynnis gestures vaguely towards the door, but the dismissal is apparent.

Once outside Prince Casimir's room, Bonnie says, "I have never seen that before."

"I have," says Anneke. "Rare is the occasion that all who witness it walk away intact. Caledfwich is a fine weapon, but it can be an instrument of terrible power when Gwynnis wields it.

"You will be all right?" Anneke asks both of you.

[Huxley]

Leo nods, "I will be fine, thank you. I think I will try contacting my friends before the meeting begins"

[Brother Brian]

"Indeed. I will be fine. Thank you."