Q & A in the War Room (Tues. 3/27/07)

[Detritus]

Feel free to pick up the discussion exactly where it left off in the last thread, but I'm going to go ahead and turn the crank forward to Tuesday night.

Administrative details -- when the PCs wake up on the 27th:

Jack and Jocelin are at (Max Pool - 1)
Leo is at (Max Pool - 2)
Menachem is at (Max Pool - 3)

You wake up a bit before 8 pm. The meeting with Mr. Johnson, Demetrious, and the rest is scheduled to start in two hours.

[Detritus]

OK, we'll assume we have a tentative plan, or at least an outline of an agenda for the interview/meeting. Shifting back to IC mode...

As you waken with evening's freshness, you recall to your minds the only partially-fulfilling events of the previous night. Realizing that you have a lot left to do, and that under a swiftly approaching deadline, you spend your waking moments training your mental focus to the tasks at hand.

As you emerge from your room, you notice the bustle of activity around the Tremere's lodgings. It's readily apparent that Thomas and Merill are planning on heading back to shore tonight. As Rebekka approaches you in greeting, you notice that all traces of cautery have vanished from her left hand, and a smooth, rounded bump now shows just above her outermost knuckle. Sarah, standing to Rebekka's right in all her purple-haired glory, holds what appears to be a Crown Royal cloth bag by its drawstring.

"Good evening," says Rebekka cheerily, "I trust you all rested well last night. There is much to discuss, ja?"

[Detritus]

"Cat got your tongues?" asks Sarah. "Just don't be late to the meeting, or you'll miss out on all the fun," she says, shaking her Crown Royal bag.

[Kalzazz]

"Well . . . what are we discussing, didnt we determine everything last night . . . . and are those dice?" Jocelin asks looking at the shaking purple bag. "It goes really well with your hair"

[SD Anderson]

OK, we'll assume we have a tentative plan, or at least an outline of an agenda for the interview/meeting. Shifting back to IC mode...

As you waken with evening's freshness, you recall to your minds the only partially-fulfilling events of the previous night. Realizing that you have a lot left to do, and that under a swiftly approaching deadline, you spend your waking moments training your mental focus to the tasks at hand.

As you emerge from your room, you notice the bustle of activity around the Tremere's lodgings. It's readily apparent that Thomas and Merill are planning on heading back to shore tonight. As Rebekka approaches you in greeting, you notice that all traces of cautery have vanished from her left hand, and a smooth, rounded bump now shows just above her outermost knuckle. Sarah, standing to Rebekka's right in all her purple-haired glory, holds what appears to be a Crown Royal cloth bag by its drawstring.

"Good evening," says Rebekka cheerily, "I trust you all rested well last night. There is much to discuss, ja?"


"I would hope so." Jack says. "Unfortunately a lot of what should have been done in the day time..." he shrugs.

[Huxley]

Leo walks out of his room, picking a scab from his hand. He flicks it onto the floor, then walks up to the group.

"Cat got your tongues? Just don't be late to the meeting, or you'll miss out on all the fun,"

"Well . . . what are we discussing, didnt we determine everything last night . . . . and are those dice? It goes really well with your hair"

"Fun. . .?" Leo points at the bag, "What is in that bag?", he responds nonplussed.

[Detritus]

"I would hope so." Jack says. "Unfortunately a lot of what should have been done in the day time..." he shrugs.
"Well, we could hardly expect Mr. Slater to give his testimony during the day, could we?" replies Rebekka. "No doubt many of the administrative details attendant to the successful completion of your mission were addressed during the daylight hours, but it will be important to coordinate, yes?"

"Well . . . what are we discussing, didnt we determine everything last night . . . . and are those dice?" Jocelin asks looking at the shaking purple bag. "It goes really well with your hair"
"Thanks," Sarah replies with a smile.

"Fun. . .?" Leo points at the bag, "What is in that bag?", he responds nonplussed.
"Dice, of course," Sarah answers. She opens the bag to reveal dice that run the gamut from little d4 pyramids to icosahedral d20s. "A few of them might be loaded," she says with an enigmatic waggle of her eyebrows.

[Parzival]

Merrill, if you have a moment, I'd like to discuss something with you privately.

[Detritus]

Merrill, if you have a moment, I'd like to discuss something with you privately.
Merill approaches Menachem and the two start to move away from everyone else.

"Yes?"

[Detritus]

OOC -- I'm assuming there is going to be a brief PM interlude for this conversation... Yes/no?

[SD Anderson]

"Well, we could hardly expect Mr. Slater to give his testimony during the day, could we?" replies Rebekka. "No doubt many of the administrative details attendant to the successful completion of your mission were addressed during the daylight hours, but it will be important to coordinate, yes?"


"Thanks," Sarah replies with a smile.


"Dice, of course," Sarah answers. She opens the bag to reveal dice that run the gamut from little d4 pyramids to icosahedral d20s. "A few of them might be loaded," she says with an enigmatic waggle of her eyebrows.

"There are other concens besides that interview." Jack says. "We need someone to scout out possible sites for the meeting with the Justicar. We need a rundown on the activity of local anarchs. If they have been recruited sudden movement or activity could be a sign they were recruited. I have to assume, since Mr. Walsh pretty much assigned us the belief, that Drake is the killer, and that this meeting is the assassination attempt at least for the next couple of days. That means I have to take every possible step to keeping him safe."

"For that I'll probably need a lot of firepower and a lot of vehicles."

[Huxley]

Leo nods, not quite understanding what Sarah is getting at, but figuring it must be a Tremere thing.

"Your concern is well placed, Jack... still, the Justicar did ask for information, as well. I still propose that we split into two groups -- one for information gathering, one for battle preperation -- after we all listen to Demetrious' side of the story. I could look into the anarch activity of this city while poking around. In this time before the meeting, Jocelin, would you mind filling me in on some kindred you know, where they might be located, and what you know of the goings on of the anarchs in this city?"

[SD Anderson]

"Seems good. 'Sides, the Prince might know of a few good places around here for the meeting."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin fills Leo in on what she knows on the local vampire populace (see the thread about her)

Jocelin pauses and looks about. "Say. How do we know the Prince wont just use this for his own stuff? Not everyone entirely liked the Prince and all, he might be like 'oh yes, these guys are evil conspirators' and let us be his holy wrath upon them when they arent actually doing anything against the Justicar?"

[Huxley]

Jocelin pauses and looks about. "Say. How do we know the Prince wont just use this for his own stuff? Not everyone entirely liked the Prince and all, he might be like 'oh yes, these guys are evil conspirators' and let us be his holy wrath upon them when they arent actually doing anything against the Justicar?"

"That is exactly what I'm trying to prevent. Either way, the Prince will be unpleasantly suprised when some checks are put on his control of this city"

[Detritus]

Rebekka watches Merill's gaze drop to the floor for several seconds before he begins to give Menachem a subdued monologue in response to his query. She then returns her attention to the main group, wearing a rather crafty look as she does.

"This action you propose, it will not be easy. If you exile or even destroy part of his brood, who will come to take their place? Will you or your patron give the Tremere permission not merely to search the wreckage of the old Chantry, but to found a new one? Will you remove Mr. Johnson from rule altogether? Deny him the ability to sire replacement childer? Sire a brood of your own?"

Rebekka pauses for a bit to let the import of her words sink in.

"It would not do to replace a potential mortal enemy with an all too real one."

[Huxley]

"No, neither he nor his brood deserve destruction at the moment"

Leo pauses, considering the questions posed by Rebekka.

"A Primogen should be established. One which he can not go around -- composed of personel from outside of the Prince's influence -- which may or may not be easy enough to establish depending on what more we find out from the city, Jocelin's friends, and Demetrious".

[Parzival]

After Menachem finishes talking to Merril, you see him turn aside and make a call on his cell phone.

[SD Anderson]

"There are certain matters that the Elders should initiate. Right now, you don't even have someone asking 'Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?'. And that was a solution that proved more meddlesome than the problem."

"The powers that be have their own ways of dealing with a wannabe Giovanni. Let's catch us a serial killer, shall we?"

[Kalzazz]

"Well, if the prince, or the killer makes a move against us it shall be easy enough to handle them. So, what we need to do is find a way to make her come at us, rather than biding her time for a sunny day"

"Uhmm. Not a literal sunny day"

"If you literally call up an Army Jack, don't you think she'll notice and decide to take a break? Its not like shes going to worry about dieing of old age. Meanwhile, somebody has pay the army."

"I think we should go around and try to look Really Noticeable, thus motivating her to decide to come against us. And then we deliver her unto his judgement. Either the Justicar's or the Man Aboves"

"If she thinks she can take the Justicar she must think she can take the four of us, so we turn her esprit de corps into esprit de corpse"

[SD Anderson]

"Well, if the prince, or the killer makes a move against us it shall be easy enough to handle them. So, what we need to do is find a way to make her come at us, rather than biding her time for a sunny day"

"Uhmm. Not a literal sunny day"

"If you literally call up an Army Jack, don't you think she'll notice and decide to take a break? Its not like shes going to worry about dieing of old age. Meanwhile, somebody has pay the army."

"I think we should go around and try to look Really Noticeable, thus motivating her to decide to come against us. And then we deliver her unto his judgement. Either the Justicar's or the Man Aboves"

"If she thinks she can take the Justicar she must think she can take the four of us, so we turn her esprit de corps into esprit de corpse"

Jack shakes his head. "I don't think she's working in tandem with Prince Johnson. The last thing he wants is to be tied to patricidal diablerie. He thinks he can turn New Orleans into his private preserve, ah pushing all his envelope in that direction. Any change from that effort costs him. Whatever can be gained by killing the Justicar can't be that useful to him. Despite the lust a recent acquaintance of ours has for it."

"She has no reason to go after any of us. Killing you or me doesn't substantially improve her odds of getting to her target. It could chase off the Justicar, make all her plans be for nought."

"My gut tells me this slaying-your-elders-to-become-human bit is an insane idea, and insanity fits with the clan of the victims."

"But, if she's our principle here and killing up HER ancestral line, she's worked out a method to kill and escape. It may not really be as foolproof as she thinks it is, but she's insanely sure of it working. She expects heavy opposition. I'd like heavier than she does expect that works better than she can credit it doing."

Jack takes a coin out of his pocket and flips it in an arc that takes it away from him, so that it hits the floor. "What I want is to be able out the pack of anarchs I think she has with her in that amount of time." Pointing to the coin.

"Throw her timing off, be able to bring defenders against those anarchs to bear on her. And understand this. Mission one is not stopping her. Mission one is keeping the Justicar safe. If that means letting her get away, that's what happens. She'll get another chance at the Justicar, but WE'LL get a shots at her. If we identify her as a diablierest, she'll face blood hunts anywhere the Camarilla holds sway."

[Parzival]

Menachem rejoins the group, and says, "We might wish to seek more information before committing ourselves to conclusions. There remain a great many loose ends, and large gaps in our knowledge."

[Kalzazz]

"Oh! Right, Innocent until Proven Guilty. It would be really bad to kill someone whose innocent. Though then she goes onto her eternal reward, so its not to bad, but she surely has stuff shes meant to accomplish here"

"And more information, capische. Right, I needed to ask Merrill and Thomas something"

Jocelin goes to find them, preferably togethor

[Detritus]

"Oh! Right, Innocent until Proven Guilty. It would be really bad to kill someone whose innocent. Though then she goes onto her eternal reward, so its not to bad, but she surely has stuff shes meant to accomplish here"

"And more information, capische. Right, I needed to ask Merrill and Thomas something"

Jocelin goes to find them, preferably togethor
You can draw them aside at some point before the interview. Ask away...

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin cheerilly goes to draw Thomas and Merrill aside at some point to ask stuff

[SD Anderson]

Menachem rejoins the group, and says, "We might wish to seek more information before committing ourselves to conclusions. There remain a great many loose ends, and large gaps in our knowledge."

"I'm not planning to kill her on sight." Jack says. "I am however going to see the Justicar is protected at that meeting. If all she does is give testimony against this Demetrious, that's the Justicar's buisness and we get to start at square one looking for our killer. Right now protecting the Justicar outweighs searching for the killer. I'm treating her as the killer because The Justicar believes it exists to assassinate him, and in the little time we've had, nothing's exonorated her. She could be being framed. If she is, I hope I can do something to right what was done to her."

"But this meeting is going to be secure."

[Detritus]

OOC - We probably won't get very far into the interview before I leave the country, but I'll go ahead and set the scene.

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

The conversation between Jocelin and the male Tremere didn't last as long as the chat between Menachem and Merill. After Merill turns away from Jocelin, he opens his eyes widely for an instant. The Tremere retreat to their room for a time after this.

As the appointed meeting hour approaches, you head to Mr. Johnson's conference room, finding that the Tremere have arrived a bit earlier than you. Mr. Johnson is seated at the head of a long rectangular table. A pensive Demetrious sits to Johnson's right; to his left sits Rebekka, engaged in idle chatter with the prince.

The room is divided by side along clan lines, with those seats furthest from the prince reserved for the Dallas Kindred. All the Toreador present last night are here again tonight, and those not on the hot seat this evening affect airs of a studied insouciance to varying degrees, broken only by the traces of disgust that cross their faces as they eye Leo. You also detect an edge of impatience from the male Tremere as Sarah begins to dig into her dice bag at your arrival.

"Very well, now that everyone is here, we should get started. I am informed that there are some concerns about eavesdropping. That's a nice trick by Sammy, I didn't realize she had it in her," he says a touch ruefully.

[SD Anderson]

OOC - We probably won't get very far into the interview before I leave the country, but I'll go ahead and set the scene.

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

The conversation between Jocelin and the male Tremere didn't last as long as the chat between Menachem and Merill. After Merill turns away from Jocelin, he opens his eyes widely for an instant. The Tremere retreat to their room for a time after this.

As the appointed meeting hour approaches, you head to Mr. Johnson's conference room, finding that the Tremere have arrived a bit earlier than you. Mr. Johnson is seated at the head of a long rectangular table. A pensive Demetrious sits to Johnson's right; to his left sits Rebekka, engaged in idle chatter with the prince.

The room is divided by side along clan lines, with those seats furthest from the prince reserved for the Dallas Kindred. All the Toreador present last night are here again tonight, and those not on the hot seat this evening affect airs of a studied insouciance to varying degrees, broken only by the traces of disgust that cross their faces as they eye Leo. You also detect an edge of impatience from the male Tremere as Sarah begins to dig into her dice bag at your arrival.

"Very well, now that everyone is here, we should get started. I am informed that there are some concerns about eavesdropping. That's a nice trick by Sammy, I didn't realize she had it in her," he says a touch ruefully.

"You're familiar with Ms. Drake's laundry list of disciplines?" Jack asks.

<Reply>

"Based on our trip here, I have reason to suspect hired anarchs may be part of an assassination attempt on Justicar Walsh. This Hearing is a rather convenient opportunity to set up the Justicar, if it's anything other than what Drake claims it is."

"Where would this normally take place?"

<Reply>

"I'd like a different place, suited to handle a firefight if need be. Could you locate one for us?"

<Reply>

Looking reasonably satisfied, Jack turns to Demetrious. "What's your side of things?"

(GM's EDIT -- These questions will occur after the warding, natch...)

[Detritus]

Evidently having found what she sought, Sarah sets down her bag and places eight cubic dice with faces approximately the size of her thumb's cuticle before her. There are two sets of four -- white dice with black pips arranged in a square surrounded by black dice with golden pips that nearly touch at the corners.

Sarah draws a breath and then traces out a 'Z' pattern as she touches each face of the white dice. She names them as she goes: "Prime, Seconde, Tierce, Quarte." Each die exhibits an internal, milk-white luminence as she names them.

Then follows a similar pattern for the outer dice. "Quinte, Sexte, Septime, Octave," they are named, a dull black-green glow contained within each as they are activated. You have never before seen Sarah so intent in the time you have spent with her.

Returning to the 'Z' pattern, Sarah names "Primus, Secundus, Tertius, Quartus." Each pair melds into a silver-gray rectanguloid, a faint but unmistakable click sounding whenever two dice join, the intensity on Sarah's face increasing the further she progresses into this working.

Sarah then takes the oblong ward components and places one at each corner of the conference room. Having so distributed things, she holds her hands with palms turned outwards at midriff height. Raising them in outward semicircles until they meet over her head, she declaims, "[i]Primus, Secundus, Tertius, et Quarus, fiat lux!" A faint yet opaque sheen of light covers floor, walls, and ceiling at this last invocation.

Sarah's face softens after the completion of her work, and it is apparent that the meeting may now begin in earnest.

"Would you like to begin questioning immediately, or take a statement from Demetrious first?" asks Mr. Johnson.

(OOC - I guess we know which... ;))

[Parzival]

I believe it would be best for us to his statement before peppering him with scattershot questions.

[Detritus]

OOC - We'll wait for Jack's questions until after Demetrious's opening statement.

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

Demetrious self-consciously clears his throat before proceeding with his testimony.

"There really isn't that much to tell. I admit, after Sammy left town, I started to hunt in her feeding territory," he says, with a nervous glance at the prince.

"But I didn't even know she was back in town until she made these charges against me. I swear it is so. I didn't hunt around the Port Authority all that often, and if she'd been back for a while, we must have missed each other in that part of town."

[Parzival]

Demetrious, it doesn't help your case when you lie. It only makes your situation more precarious. I advise you to correct your last statement, and henceforth stick to the facts as you know them.

[SD Anderson]

Bad move, Jack thinks. Don't start antagonistically unless you absolutely have to. Time to be Good Cop to Menachem's Bad Cop.

"Let's start from the beginning. Can you account for your whereabouts at the time Ms. Drake alleges you attacked her? If you can prove you weren't there, it tends to make your accuser look like a liar."

[Huxley]

Leo sits in the chamber, conscious and pleased by the Toreador's disgust. He pulls his hoody off and picks a puss ridden scab from his cheek. Flicking it to the ground, he stoicly watches Demetrious' eyes. Leo moves only once, looking in the direction of The Prince when Demetrious does, then his eyes immediately flick back to the suspect.

((OOC: Is it allright if I roll Intimidate vs. Demetrious?))

Leo patiently waits and listens. If an opportunity arises where he feels the need to speak, he will, but Jack and Menachem are proving to be a good dynamic for the interrogation.

[Detritus]

((OOC: Is it allright if I roll Intimidate vs. Demetrious?))
Sure, roll it up and send it to me.

[Detritus]

Well, Leo knocked that check out of the park. I'll have to figure out a suitable response for Demetrious.

[Detritus]

Demetrious blanches as he watches Leo pick at his scabs, disgusted yet unable to tear his gaze away for many seconds. Mr. Johnson notices this, and anger flares briefly across his face.

"I understand that, based on Sammy's complaint, you must officially treat Demetrious as a suspect, but that is no call for such uncivilized behavior," he says, looking first at Leo, and then Menachem. "Agents of the Justicar or not, I will not tolerate such disrespect while you conduct your interview."

Drawing a steadying breath, Mr. Johnson turns to Demetrious. "Now, son, this'll work best if we cooperate with each other. Tell them what you know," he says, indicating the PCs with an outward gesture of his left arm.

"But, I did not have any contact with Sammy, my Prince," replies Demetrious with some vehemence. "I swear I did not."

"I can't protect you if you're lying, son."

"But I'm not lying!"

[SD Anderson]

"As I said a moment ago, one way to show this would be to account for your whereabouts at the time Ms. Drake alleges you were attacked. Where were you and what were you doing?"

[Huxley]

Leo smiles.

[Detritus]

Leo smiles.
With a weary sigh, the Prince states, "Very well, if you want gamesmanship, I can do that, too. Demetrious, you will not answer another question unless it is posed by the Justicar himself. Adrianne, please make arrangements to contact Gwynnis about circumstances here."

Turning to the PCs, he says, "You will be off this boat in one hour's time, not to return unless you are in the company of your patron. I hope y'all like sleeping in the sewers, such as they are here."

Mr. Johnson rises slowly, the beginnings of a dismissal of his court evident in his motion...

[Detritus]

OOC - Before we go too far in this direction, it should be noted that Sarah hasn't released the wards she raised earlier in the evening, so no one can leave just yet, nor has the Prince actually dismissed his court, although it will happen pretty quickly if you don't do anything about it. Apologies if that wasn't clear...

[Detritus]

OOC - I've "soft deleted" the original replies 40-43 to the thread for the moment. We can certainly proceed with an early dismissal, but we don't have to.

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

Sarah looks uncertainly at Rebekka, a wordless query as to whether she should drop her ward plain on her face. Rebekka gives a swift nod "no" and speaks.

"My Prince, as you say, we should cooperate. There is much at stake here -- Arcadian's well-being, Demetrious's existence, your rule..."

She pauses for a moment as her last statement sinks in. "Yes, should harm befall Arcadian, your position would become uncertain, even if you were to contact Gwynnis and one of her agents arrived in time to be a factor in the investigation."

Turning to the PCs, she continues, "And should Arcadian fall, I should not need to remind you how precarious your position becomes. I cannot guarantee what Prince Strauss's reaction would be, but I suspect he would be... displeased."

Crossing her right arm across her body, Rebekka rests her left elbow on the back of her right hand, the tips of the three remaining fingers on her left hand resting on her chin. "A good deal of effort has already gone into this investigation. A little civility during the interview would not be amiss, ja?"

[SD Anderson]

OOC - I've "soft deleted" the original replies 40-43 to the thread for the moment. We can certainly proceed with an early dismissal, but we don't have to.

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

Sarah looks uncertainly at Rebekka, a wordless query as to whether she should drop her ward plain on her face. Rebekka gives a swift nod "no" and speaks.

"My Prince, as you say, we should cooperate. There is much at stake here -- Arcadian's well-being, Demetrious's existence, your rule..."

She pauses for a moment as her last statement sinks in. "Yes, should harm befall Arcadian, your position would become uncertain, even if you were to contact Gwynnis and one of her agents arrived in time to be a factor in the investigation."

Turning to the PCs, she continues, "And should Arcadian fall, I should not need to remind you how precarious your position becomes. I cannot guarantee what Prince Strauss's reaction would be, but I suspect he would be... displeased."

Crossing her right arm across her body, Rebekka rests her left elbow on the back of her right hand, the tips of the three remaining fingers on her left hand resting on her chin. "A good deal of effort has already gone into this investigation. A little civility during the interview would not be amiss, ja?"

"As things stand now, I'm going to have to report to my Prince that I cannot guarantee the safety of the Justicar and to ask him to do everying in his power to relocate the hearing to some other domain, where his safety can be provided. This will not do me much good. It certainly won't do the Domain of New Orleans much good. But I'm employed by the Prince of Dallas, who wants to keep good relations with the Toreador Justicar. I have two main jobs. Keep the Justicar safe and find and possibly stop a serial killer. In that order of priority."

"I don't give a damn about a clan's sore feelings towards a Prince. I don't give a damn about a Prince who has put his position into peril. I don't give a damn about what the Elders may think about in regards to fixing things here, while we're at it."

"ANYTHNG that hinders, anyone who hinders my primary job here is going to regret it."

"Demetrious, twice now I gave you an opportunity to shoot holes in Drake's accusation. If you tell us now, maybe we can find something corroborating what you say. If you wait until the Justicar is available, that's time we can't spend looking into what you said. Speak or don't speak. Your choice."

"Menachem, if you think he's lying, or somehow know he's lying, please introduce your upper lip to your lower lip until after he's finished his testimony. I want to hear what he has to say. As he wants to say it."

"Prince Johnson, someone hired a band of Anarchs in Texas to stop us. They ah... didn't. I would not be surprised if Lousiana based anarchs perhaps supplimented by what remains of the Texans, make an appearance when the Justicar shows himself. I'd like a facility that can handle a full onslaught firefight, with several methods of escape the Justicar can use. Based on the opposition thrown at us last time, I won't object to a couple of Blackhawk helicopters flying overhead. You know your resources better than I do, but the threat to the Justicar is very real."

"Tremere. Any spells or hoodoo you have that can keep Drake's Hoodoo under control would be highly appreciated."

"And speaking of that, anyone familiar with Samanta Drake. Do the abilities Menachem saw her use seem consistent with abilities she's used here? If that description makes her look like she shed a couple of generations in the last year or so, that's significant."

"We have about 20 hours of night time left before the Justicar arrives here and whatever is supposed to happen is going to try damned hard to happen. Anyone have some suggestions?"

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin blinks and looks up as the meeting is suddenly seeming so much more exciting

"For my part, I think were here to put an end to an unholy abomination who feeds on her own kind, and that He shall guide us to her. If it really is a her, we have been getting a bad rap ever since Eve and the serpent."

"If she comes at us with an army of Anarchs, then with his guidance our victory shall be all that more glorious. And if, by some chance we do not prevail, then our martyrdom equally so. If we know and accept Death, we cannot die, for only Immortality awaits"

"But, we should cooperate . . . we are Kindred, not say Not Kindred, elevated far beyond mere squabbling beasts"

"Oh, and I am seriously getting tired of this, sitting around chattering and accomplishing naught, we need a direction to hurl ourselves in, and everything in that direction shall know Fear and Death, Sayonara Infidels"

Jocelin draws her sword with a flourish, whirls it and puts it away

"Oh! Uh, you do get this right? And say, did everyone see 300?"

((Defaulting on a Katana Art roll for whether or not Jocelin looks cool, stupid, fumbles things or even provokes Toreador Ooh Pwetty Syndrome))

[Detritus]

Merill eyes Jocelin's swordwork appreciatively, but most of the Toreador eye her somewhat askance after she whips out her katana. Rebekka gives Jack a "suit yourself" look and shrug and turns her attention back towards the head of the table.

Mr. Johnson considers Rebekka's words briefly before responding, "You do right to remind us all what's at stake here."

Turning back to Demetrious, he says, "Come on, son, tell them what you told me."

Demetrious opens his mouth, but makes no sound as he begins to tremble, a strange look on his face.

"What are you waiting for, son, answer them!" snaps the Prince.

[Detritus]

At Mr. Johnson's last command, Demetrious's mouth snaps shut, and his shaking redoubles. He moves his hands up to his head, plainly in distress, and then to the consternation of both the Toreador and Tremere, he goes limp and slips forward out of his chair.

"What the hell?!" cries Mr. Johnson, moving toward the supine form of Demetrious.

"Come on, son, snap out of it!"

Try as he may, the prince cannot get any sort of response from Demetrious. "I think he's in torpor," he says in horrified agitation.

[Kalzazz]

"What . . . torpor? How can someone hit him with something to cause that from not here . . . "

Jocelin turns to Sarah. "Your uh, whatever it is, its still working right?"

[Detritus]

"What . . . torpor? How can someone hit him with something to cause that from not here . . . "

Jocelin turns to Sarah. "Your uh, whatever it is, its still working right?"
"It is still operative," replies Sarah.

"Then what happened to him?!" a plaintive Kallista asks to the room.

Rebekka moves to where the Prince and Demetrious are while her underlings look wordlessly amongst themselves.

"He must have reacted to something that happened to him earlier, some sort of trigger."

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin nods at Rebekka's statement, "Oh! I know . . . . its like a repressed memory! Whatever happened was so horrible, so utterly utterly horrible, that he repressed it, didnt remember it"

"Poor guy . . . know you this Demetrious Slater, when we come upon that which did this to you, swift shall they meet with there eternal reward . . . well . . or slow maybe . . "

"Though. This raises the suspicion that the mazoku responsible for this is making both Demetrious and Samantha victims, and there both right"

"But if it didn't come through Sarah's ward, maybe he has something on him . . . why don't we check and make sure theres no Horrors disguised as a tarantula in his pockets or the like?"

Jocelin moves closer at that, trying to be alert to any micro monster that crawls out of Demetrious's attire to escape

((Im not entirely certain if WW even has things that can do that, but fortunately Im not playing a character who knows about such things. But her woefully inadequate Tactics Skill came from somewhere))

[SD Anderson]

"More like a post hypnotic command" Jack says. "Prince Johnson, this is not a formal inquiry. Rules of evidence and legal proceedings aren't in effect. I'll accept hearsay under circumstances. What did Demetrious tell you?"

[Detritus]

"More like a post hypnotic command" Jack says. "Prince Johnson, this is not a formal inquiry. Rules of evidence and legal proceedings aren't in effect. I'll accept hearsay under circumstances. What did Demetrious tell you?"
"Not too much, but he did say that he did see Sammy that night. Went to a couple of dance clubs... let's see, the City Lights and the Hurricane Dance Club. Nothing happened, though, or so he claimed. He was as surprised as anyone at Sammy's accusation."

A few of the Toreador have moved Demetrious to the table at this point.

"I think your friend is right, Jocelin, it's not a repressed memory. A repressed memory wouldn't have made him lie, anyways. It's that I don't get, why would he do that, or why would anyone else want him to tell such an obvious lie?"

The prince looks back towards the PCs. "This band of Texas Anarchs you mentioned, they've not shown their faces around here, so far as I know. Is there something more I should know about them? Just what exactly are we up against here?"

[Huxley]

Leo nods after Rebekka's call for civility. Repressing his prejudices, he resumes appearing stoic.

He listens to the meeting, and appears unprovoked until Demetrious falls into torpor. Leo watches The Prince for a moment, then walks over to Menachem, and whispers something into his ear.

"This band of Texas Anarchs you mentioned, they've not shown their faces around here, so far as I know. Is there something more I should know about them? Just what exactly are we up against here?"

Leo turns towards The Prince, ear facing Menachem. "They're a small, but well armed, group of highway bandits", he wheezes out.

[SD Anderson]

"Not too much, but he did say that he did see Sammy that night. Went to a couple of dance clubs... let's see, the City Lights and the Hurricane Dance Club. Nothing happened, though, or so he claimed. He was as surprised as anyone at Sammy's accusation."

A few of the Toreador have moved Demetrious to the table at this point.

"I think your friend is right, Jocelin, it's not a repressed memory. A repressed memory wouldn't have made him lie, anyways. It's that I don't get, why would he do that, or why would anyone else want him to tell such an obvious lie?"

The prince looks back towards the PCs. "This band of Texas Anarchs you mentioned, they've not shown their faces around here, so far as I know. Is there something more I should know about them? Just what exactly are we up against here?"


"I'd say 20 something heavily armed vamps and/or ghouls with probably another six to ten somewhere in reserves unless their leader is a total nit wit, and... the organization that group leads me to think their leader isn't one.. And possibly one or two more acting as his guards. They occupied territory Dallas and Houston both consider theirs that is thus essentially no man's land. Their spokesman definately spoke with a Texas accent and they had a tow truck operation available, which makes me think they put roots down in that part of the country."

"Our travel route was compromised, which allowed us to be attacked. The leak may have been from Dallas, Houston or the Justicar's staff, all of whom were notified of our trip. I don't know where the leak is so I'm giving minimal information to any one of those sources. Which probably got me in real deep shit with the Houston Prince." Jack says and shrugs.

"The biggest piece of information I'm trying to keep from our enemy is someinthing I'd like kept quiet."

At that Jack takes out a pen and notebook and writes something, tears out the paper and hands it to Prince Johnson. (ooc: I'll PM it and you can pass it along to any telepathic or pencil reading PCs.)

[Detritus]

The Prince reads Jack's note and gives a "Hmmm..." when he finishes.

Nodding toward Sarah, he asks Rebekka, "Can she open a hole in... whatever this is, and then close it again?"

"No, that will not be possible, but we are safe from being overheard, even astrally."

Mr. Johnson engages in a moment of silent consideration. "Adrianne, looks like we need to get into contact with Gwynnis or one of her agents after all, as soon as we're done here. It's possible we might need reinforcements."

Rebekka gestures toward the still form of Demetrious. "The Piercing Gaze?" she asks.

"That, or Thaumaturgy, would be my thought. Maybe Auspex, if you're really good at it. Those are all Tremere disciplines, you know," he says to Rebekka.

"When was the last time you saw Lazarus?"

"It's been nearly two years. Several months before Katrina. Could he have done this?"

Rebekka momentarily averts her gaze before her reply. "I think so. I would still guess Dominate before the other Disciplines, but he is a very capable magus. One of my teachers," she finishes with a reluctant whisper. The other Tremere look more pale than usual after this revelation.

"You sound afraid of him. Hell, I think I've been afraid of him, once or twice..."

"We must all of us master our fears," Rebekka replies with a stern glance at her wayward underlings.

"This makes exploring the Chantry ruins even more urgent than it already was," she says to an affirmative shake of Mr. Johnson's head.

Another pause, and then: "Besides Lazarus, could anyone else in the city have done it?"

"Etienne is the only other possibility, at least that I know of, but his position in the city is secure. He wouldn't have any reason to do it."

"This Samantha..."

"Sammy? I don't think the math works out with her, although there's still something fishy about her claim. What is she up to?"

With a start, the Prince once again becomes aware of the PCs.

"What is she up to?" he asks of you. "Do you have any idea? She usually keeps a pretty low profile while she's in town, but maybe that has changed, or is about to change."

[SD Anderson]

"Samantha Drake is under every other radar the Camarilla has. She is known to a friend of the latest victim of our serial killer. What does she say about her lineage?" Jack says.

[Detritus]

"Samantha Drake is under every other radar the Camarilla has. She is known to a friend of the latest victim of our serial killer. What does she say about her lineage?" Jack says.
"She's always said that her sire abandoned her. In Chicago. She's been Kindred about as long as I have been.

"Came to New Orleans, oh, a solid 50 years ago, maybe a little more. She was a little shy at first, and the prince at the time had to turn up the heat on her a little to get her to come play nice with the others.

"That was when she went to Felicia. I'm not too sure on the details of how she was accepted into her clan. Felicia said something about her being able to tell time like a Malkavian. It was good enough for the prince then," the Prince finishes with a shrug.

"Am I to understand that nobody knows who Sammy's sire is?"

[SD Anderson]

"Possibly Lucille, but that communication with her broke up before we could get that far." Jack adds.

"However, as it stands she's about as genuine an orphan as I've ever heard of. Unfortunately some kind of undead DNA test doesn't exist." Jack says then stops and turns to the Tremere. "or does it?"

[Detritus]

"However, as it stands she's about as genuine an orphan as I've ever heard of. Unfortunately some kind of undead DNA test doesn't exist." Jack says then stops and turns to the Tremere. "or does it?"
"Sure," says Thomas, his right eyebrow raised slightly, "you just need a sample of Samantha's blood, and a sample of her sire's blood for comparison."

[Kalzazz]

"Is there anyway we can talk to Felicia and ask her?"

[SD Anderson]

"If we're making the right assumptions about her, both her sire and her sire's sire are truly dead. We'd need to use the Justicar's blood, if the test will pass through generational differences."

Jack stops and thinks a moment then looks at Leo. "Or perhaps we don't need to wait for the Justicar and bother him with this. One reason I'm willing to free lance is that the Archons have to blood bond to their Justicars."

"I don't know if this is too diluted to be used in that test, but if it's good enough, we can get started on it now. If possible, and I admit it could be very much impossible, I'd like that blood sample worked into some fetish or dohickey that reacts in the presence of anyone bearing the Justicar's blood. I'm thinking like that salt shaker thing Bones used on the real Star Trek."

"If it can't be done, a simple "Are you out of your mind?" will suffice."

[Detritus]

A look of concentration comes over Sarah's face as Rebekka answers, "Thaumaturgy is a discipline of remarkable flexibility and utility, but it often requires detailed research to use to its fullest effect. Without Miss Drake's blood, it will take some time to work out a more indirect method of divination. I could not guarantee its readiness in the time frame we have to work with, but I think we could make a fair try at coming up with something.

"We'll all have to leave soon and go ashore to set about to our respective tasks," Rebekka continues, indicating herself and her clan mates. "Are there any other topics you need to discuss under guard of ward?" she asks of the PCs.

[SD Anderson]

"Well this is not necessarily needed in ward but before we leave the ship, I'd like some sort of details on a place the Justicar can use for the meeting as well as set up emergency evacuation proceedures etc. Whoever is behind this is very resourceful and dangerous and anything we can do to hinder and prohibit his or her actions is to our benefit."

"Leo? Any thoughts?"

[Detritus]

As Leo thinks, Mr. Johnson asks Rebekka, "What about the Tremere Justicar? Is Javier Montoya still in that position? He might like to know about what's going on with Lazarus, if it's really him."

"Ulugh Beg is now Justicar for the Tremere. Javier now rules Barcelona. The Justicar is a formidable Cainite, but I am unsure just how extensive his network of agents is at this time. I shall have to make inquiries."

After a moment's thought, she continues, "If I did have to go to Marseilles, I would first stop in Barcelona, if I did not have to go to Vienna or Munich beforehand. Perhaps Prince Montoya still has some contacts in Marseilles who could check on this Felicia. I do not think the Council need be bothered with this particular detail...

"Do you have any contacts in Marseilles, or even Paris?" she asks Mr. Johnson.

"No, not really, but I'm sure that Gwynnis does," answers the Prince. "Bonnie is probably somewhere in France if she isn't on the East Coast. I'll have Adrianne ask about any agents in France as well as stateside."

[Huxley]

After listening to Menachem, Leo becomes less tense and quietly listens.

"Am I to understand that nobody knows who Sammy's sire is?"
"If we're making the right assumptions about her, both her sire and her sire's sire are truly dead. We'd need to use the Justicar's blood, if the test will pass through generational differences."

Jack stops and thinks a moment then looks at Leo. "Or perhaps we don't need to wait for the Justicar and bother him with this. One reason I'm willing to free lance is that the Archons have to blood bond to their Justicars."


"That is correct. We do not have enough evidence to determine who her sire is at the moment. And I am more than willing to give my blood for such a device"

"Leo? Any thoughts?"

Leo contemplates a moment.

"I still believe something outside the city limits would be best. Something that has a large, open clearing around it so we can see anything that approaches. Escape can be vehicular -- a jeep, or something. And this location should preserve the Masquerade should all out war be waged".

[SD Anderson]

"Vehicles." Jack says.

"I think the best way to work this is at the cafeteria or gym of a school that's been non-functed by the hurricane. Preferably in a neighborhood that isn't close to being rebuilt."

"I wouldn't object to a sewer connection as another way out, but I'm thinking Helicopter as primary decoy and an armored limo with motorcycle escort - If the Justicar can operate a bike we have him wear cutaway formal clothes so he can blend in with the security detail. We let him and an escort of two bikes slip away from the armored limo the back up decoy."

[Detritus]

"That is correct. We do not have enough evidence to determine who her sire is at the moment. And I am more than willing to give my blood for such a device"
"When did you last partake of the Justicar's vitae?" asks Rebekka.

(OOC Note - The last time could be anywhere between two nights after the first time up to the night before the meeting with Justicar Walsh and Prince Strauss. It won't matter very much for purposes of the story, just pick a date that seems reasonable to you.)

"Vehicles." Jack says.

"I think the best way to work this is at the cafeteria or gym of a school that's been non-functed by the hurricane. Preferably in a neighborhood that isn't close to being rebuilt."

"I wouldn't object to a sewer connection as another way out, but I'm thinking Helicopter as primary decoy and an armored limo with motorcycle escort - If the Justicar can operate a bike we have him wear cutaway formal clothes so he can blend in with the security detail. We let him and an escort of two bikes slip away from the armored limo the back up decoy."
"Given these conditions, we're talking about the Lower 9th Ward for the meeting site. Still a lot of damage. The Jackson Barracks are nearby, and it's a pretty violent part of town. I can probably get more specific locales by tomorrow night," says Mr. Johnson.

[SD Anderson]

"Given these conditions, we're talking about the Lower 9th Ward for the meeting site. Still a lot of damage. The Jackson Barracks are nearby, and it's a pretty violent part of town. I can probably get more specific locales by tomorrow night," says Mr. Johnson.

"Excellent." Jack nods.

[Huxley]

"When did you last partake of the Justicar's vitae?" asks Rebekka.


Leo's face twitches, then he regains his composure.

"January first, nineteen-ninety eight"

[Detritus]

Leo's face twitches, then he regains his composure.

"January first, nineteen-ninety eight"
"So long ago?" murmurs Sarah as Rebekka raises an eyebrow in surprise.

"We should be able to come up with something, even if it has been nearly 10 years since your last swallow of the Justicar's vitae," says Rebekka.

"I don't suppose there is anyone else here either descended from the Justicar's line, or who has also partaken of his vitae?" she asks.

(OOC - At your discretion, Parz, you have the option of making Menachem a descendant of Arcadian's line, although it's not necessary. And even if you do choose such a lineage, you needn't volunteer that info at this time, of course...

It seems rather unlikely that Jocelin or Jack would have had any swallows of Arcadian's blood, at least at this point. If you really wish it to be the case, we can hash something out, however...)

[Detritus]

"I take it that silence means the answer to Rebekka's question 'no' on all accounts," says Mr. Johnson.

"Is there any other business that we need to take care of here before going about our respective tasks in preparation for the Justicar's arrival?"

[Kalzazz]

"Other than the question at hand, is there any other achievement oppurtunities we should be alert for as we set forth boldly forth?" Jocelin asks the prince.

[Huxley]

"I take it that silence means the answer to Rebekka's question 'no' on all accounts," says Mr. Johnson.

"Is there any other business that we need to take care of here before going about our respective tasks in preparation for the Justicar's arrival?"

"One thing. Jack, do you still need time to find a good location for the meeting, or will you be coming with Menachem and I?"

[SD Anderson]

"One thing. Jack, do you still need time to find a good location for the meeting, or will you be coming with Menachem and I?"

"Is there a school in the 9th ward that we can use?" Jack asks the Prince. "If so, I'll want to take a look at it first, a couple of defenses I may be able to give it if it has the right architectural features."

<Reply>
"I'll have to stick here and do prep work. Finding a meeting place is just the first step. I have to get it ready as well."

"I should also check routes to the airport. If trouble DOES happen I want the Justicar out of the city first and foremost." turning to Leo Jack adds "Does he know how to operate a motorcycle? If so, I have a lot more options in getting him to safety."

[Detritus]

...turning to Leo Jack adds "Does he know how to operate a motorcycle? If so, I have a lot more options in getting him to safety."
I sent this reply to Huxley via PM's, but no real reason for it not to be directly posted here:

Does the Justicar know how to use a motorcycle?
He knows how to ride a bicycle, but you've never seen or heard of him riding a motorcycle.

(Mechanically, Motorcycle defaults to Bicycle-5. He could probably hop on a motorcycle and ride it, but if he had to do any tricky manuevering under duress, it would be chancy.)

[Parzival]

It might be a bit obvious, but Lucian may well be in the area, and has the background that he may be able to locate the Chantry. I realize that this is strictly Tremere business, but if you wish our aid, you have but to ask.

[SD Anderson]

He knows how to ride a bicycle, but you've never seen or heard of him riding a motorcycle.

(Mechanically, Motorcycle defaults to Bicycle-5. He could probably hop on a motorcycle and ride it, but if he had to do any tricky manuevering under duress, it would be chancy.)

"Damn." Jack shrugs his shoulders. "Best way out is speed and camoflauge. You're gone before they know who to look for, let alone where. In a potential combat situation, I wouldn't want a newbie trying to do that. We can still do the camoflauge however. He wears judges robes for the inquiry and under them the same uniform as the security detail. Put a hemet on him and he's just another security goon and the presumed assailants are trying to get past them."

"We'll have a copter an armored limo with motorcycle escort if I can get them. Copter's faster but too easy to take out in my opinion. Walsh is your responsiblity and he's got reason to trust you while he barely knows me. You decide which one you feel is safest for his exit from New Orleans. And you get him the hell out of here at the first sign of danger."

"In the meantime, I assume you and Menachem are going to go over Drake's house?"

<Reply>

"Sounds good, but I have one suggestion for you when you've finished there."

"Hunt down some of the local Ghouls of New Orleans. Kindred have a habit of thinking of them like they're a slave class we own and subsequently they get thought of as stupid servitors. In truth they pay close attention to things we do. Some of them might know things about Samantha Drake that the Prince and his court aren't aware of."

"

[Parzival]

I, for one, intend to avoid Miss Drake's house. It would be a very dangerous place to visit, with little or nothing to be gained from the search.

We have other leads we may follow without knowingly walking into a death trap. I suggest we do so.

[Parzival]

Your grace, I do not mean to impose upon your hospitality, but may we make arrangements for sustanence? I fear the events of last night have left me with a cruel thirst.

Jocelin, do you plan on going with Jack, or will you be giving Leo and I a lift? In either case, we're going to have to make some arrangements.

Leo, I'm fairly sure that the archons keep files that are somewhat more complete than the standard Carmilla files, especially pertaining to local persons and issues. Would you be so kind as to confirm or deny this?

[Kalzazz]

"Id go with you and Leo, as He wills I think tis least likely that Jack will need a sword with him. But if Leo has other ideas then that would be fine"

[Detritus]

"Other than the question at hand, is there any other achievement oppurtunities we should be alert for as we set forth boldly forth?" Jocelin asks the prince.
"I don't know about achievement opportunities, but you might try to find some of your old friends. See if they're all right, see what they know."

It might be a bit obvious, but Lucian may well be in the area, and has the background that he may be able to locate the Chantry. I realize that this is strictly Tremere business, but if you wish our aid, you have but to ask.
"Let us see what Thomas and Merill find tonight," Rebekka replies, "and let their findings guide our actions."

Your grace, I do not mean to impose upon your hospitality, but may we make arrangements for sustanence? I fear the events of last night have left me with a cruel thirst.
"I will also require permission to feed once we are ashore, my Prince," Rebekka says, giving a three-finger waggle with her left hand to emphasize her need. "Probably both tonight and tomorrow night. I can be discreet," she finishes with an enigmatic half-smile.

Rebekka turns towards Sarah, and the two female Tremere rise as one and approach Leo.

"If we may," says Rebekka, "before we begin our research, it will be necessary for Sarah and I to do a quick... thaumaturgical survey of your blood, Leo. No mental contact will be necessary, and we won't even need any of your blood so long as we make skin-to-skin contact."

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

As the Tremeresses approach Leo, Mr. Johnson turns to Kallista and Radeyah, and directs them to take any thirsty Kindred on a hunt tonight. Ramiel will stay behind to help Jack and the Prince plan the meeting. Adrianne makes ready to leave on her errands as soon as the ward is dropped.

[SD Anderson]

Jack taps the bottle he carries. "Maybe if I get time tonight," he tells those leading the hunting party. "But I think I can hold out a while if I have to. Fact is, we have WAY too much that has to be done and nowhere near the time to do it." And pantomimes rolling up his sleeves.

[Detritus]

Leo, I'm fairly sure that the archons keep files that are somewhat more complete than the standard Carmilla files, especially pertaining to local persons and issues. Would you be so kind as to confirm or deny this?
OOC - One funny thing about Archons, most Camarilla Kindred do their best to attract as little attention as possible from them. I'm just sayin'...

[Huxley]

"In the meantime, I assume you and Menachem are going to go over Drake's house?"

I, for one, intend to avoid Miss Drake's house. It would be a very dangerous place to visit, with little or nothing to be gained from the search.

"It's likely to be dangerous, but... I still feel a need to at least visit. I won't take long. And we should stick together."

"Hunt down some of the local Ghouls of New Orleans. Kindred have a habit of thinking of them like they're a slave class we own and subsequently they get thought of as stupid servitors. In truth they pay close attention to things we do. Some of them might know things about Samantha Drake that the Prince and his court aren't aware of."


"Yes. I intended on investigating our other leads."

"Leo, I'm fairly sure that the archons keep files that are somewhat more complete than the standard Carmilla files, especially pertaining to local persons and issues. Would you be so kind as to confirm or deny this?

Leo looks at Menachem quizzically.

"Uhm. . . no. They don't."

"Id go with you and Leo, as He wills I think tis least likely that Jack will need a sword with him. But if Leo has other ideas then that would be fine"

"No, I do not. You know the city better than any of us, and have friends here that I would like to talk to. Do you need a sword, Jack?"

". . .before we begin our research, it will be necessary for Sarah and I to do a quick... thaumaturgical survey of your blood, Leo. No mental contact will be necessary, and we won't even need any of your blood so long as we make skin-to-skin contact."

Leo nods. As Rebekka and Sarah approach, Leo shoves his hoodie's right sleeve up to his elbow and holds his arm forward.

[Detritus]

Rebekka places a hand underneath Leo's forearm while Sarah makes contact closer to Leo's elbow. Neither Tremere evinces any trepidation whatsoever with this contact, but most of the Toreador in the room show unease with the manuever. Each woman closes her eyes in apparent concentration a couple seconds of seconds after making contact. A few short seconds after that the procedure is finished.

Sarah squints slightly, her brow still furrowed in concentration, as she says, "Well, there was definitely something there... a faint echo of ancient blood, perhaps, mingled with the stronger, more vital impression of Leo's vitae."

Rebekka gives her reply with a confirmatory nod. "Yes, I believe we will be able to work with this information when the time comes, it only remains to be see how we can best meet our needs.

"With your permission, my Prince, Sarah will now lower the ward. Jack is correct, there is much work to be done before the Justicar's arrival," Rebekka says to Mr. Johnson as he nods assent.

Sarah raises her arms above her head and then lowers her downturned palms as she intones the phrase of dismissal -- "Ex tenebris te vocavi, et lucem dedisti. Nunc dimittis in pace."

With that, the sheen that had surrounded the interior of the conference room vanishes, and an ordinary-looking black die sits atop an equally mundane white die in each corner of the room.

[SD Anderson]

"No, I do not. You know the city better than any of us, and have friends here that I would like to talk to. Do you need a sword, Jack?"




"Probably no. Gun usually beats a sword after all. And the Gangrel aren't exactly unarmed even when we're without weapons, if you catch my drift. I wouldn't mind having Jocelin look at the site with Brujah view to attacking and defense weak points, but the Big Easy can be the Big Dangerous from time to time and you might need that sword more than I do."

(OOC: Prepping for the hearing and the presumed big confrontation with a Diablerising assassin the Justicar expects is something the PCs HAVE to take care of. However, that aside, no reason to pull half the party off of the investigation side of things.)

[Kalzazz]

Jocelin grins, "'Usually' being the operative word in this instance"

[Parzival]

Well, Leo, if you feel you *have* to search Miss Drake's house, I won't stop you.

But I'm not going in, either.

I've already searched it astrally with augmented senses.
I reported to you that she doesn't live there, that there is very little actually in the house, that I searched it and found nothing of interest, that Mrs. Drake somehow knows when people enter the house, and that the house is a death-trap.
I feel no desire to test those conclusions with my body.

If there is something you would like passed on to the Justicar or your descendants after your final death, I would encourage you to entrust it to me prior to entering that house.

[SD Anderson]

Well, Leo, if you feel you *have* to search Miss Drake's house, I won't stop you.

But I'm not going in, either.

I've already searched it astrally with augmented senses.
I reported to you that she doesn't live there, that there is very little actually in the house, that I searched it and found nothing of interest, that Mrs. Drake somehow knows when people enter the house, and that the house is a death-trap.
I feel no desire to test those conclusions with my body.

If there is something you would like passed on to the Justicar or your descendants after your final death, I would encourage you to entrust it to me prior to entering that house.

"Depends on what you're looking for." Jack says. "Magical senses work great for finding some things. Others are recognizable by experience."

"As a for instance. Augmented Senses won't tell you who was the last person called on the phone in the house. Star 69 will. A diary, a notepad you can rub a pencil lead against, physical evidence still has to be found with a physical search."

"Are there risks? Yeah. But consider this. If a death trap she sets off so much as scratches the Justicar's investigators, the hearing she wants goes bye bye. Whether she's our killer or not, she wants this meeting to occur. She'd be utterly foolish not to disarm those traps and let the search proceed."

"Mind you, this doesn't mean she WON'T prove to be utterly foolish."

[Huxley]

"There is nothing to pass on. . . and while there are dangers, perhaps unnecessary, I would be neglecting my duties would I not at least look at the place myself. After we check her house, I would like to meet whichever of your friends might be in New Orleans."

Leo pauses.

"Are we all ready, then?"

[Detritus]

OOC - Just to make sure, we have Jack staying on the boat, and all the other PCs going ashore at this point?

[SD Anderson]

OOC - Just to make sure, we have Jack staying on the boat, and all the other PCs going ashore at this point?

Well Jack will be staying with the Prince or the Prince's people to find a suitable location, then look it over etc etc. AFAIK everyone else is going serial killer hunting.

[Parzival]

OOC:
Sounds good.

Forward the light brigade!

[Huxley]

OOC: Yupperoo.

[Kalzazz]

OOC Im not really sure what it is were planning to do, but Im all for setting boldly forth to accomplish it

[Detritus]

OOC Im not really sure what it is were planning to do, but Im all for setting boldly forth to accomplish it
There's a lot of stuff going on. A brief recap:

Hunting - Rebekka and Menachem for sure, maybe Leo and Sarah (and Jocelin?) are part of this as well, all guided by Kallista.

Scouting the Chantry - Thomas and Merill

Research - Rebekka and Sarah

Meeting site planning - Jack, Mr. Johnson, Ramiel, Adrianne

Pounding the pavement - All PCs but Jack, perhaps with Kallista (?)

[Kalzazz]

Hunting sounds cool to Jocelin, as long as properly sinful targets are found

[Huxley]

OOC: No hunting for Leo. Perhaps I could look at Drake's house while they hunt?

[SD Anderson]

OOC: Yeah and there might even be a trip to the local blood bank if hunting sucks. ;)

[Detritus]

OK, we'll move towards the end of this thread in bullet-point narrative recap/exposition mode before folks head back ashore:

Kallista will take Menachem, Jocelin, and Rebekka to feed. Mr. Johnson gives leave for the guests to hunt in The Rack, Samantha's normal feeding area in and around the Port Authority, and in Jocelin's old hunting grounds (the details of which we can work out later).

Adrianne will escort Leo to Samantha's primary haven after she gets in touch with one of Gwynnis's agents. At the Prince's request, Rebekka assigns Sarah to accompany Leo and Adrianne to keep an eye out for any magical shenanigans.

Jack will do some on-board planning with Mr. Johnson and Ramiel before going ashore. Ramiel and Jack will personally reconnoiter a choice area or two for a meeting.

Rebekka leaves the meeting room to attempt contacting one of the Tremere Justicar's agents and Prince Montoya in Barcelona, and Mr. Johnson summons a boat to bring everyone ashore who's going.

Boarding will start at 1130 pm, and the boat will reach shore at around midnight. Sunlight will start to become menacing a bit after 5 am Wed. morning. You've got a bit over an hour to work out details of regrouping before the boat makes shore...

[SD Anderson]

Jack goes over to Leo. "We can't leave that home unexplored, I know, but Meanachem might well be right about the dangers of that place. Buy a lot of minutes for that cell phone ($0.25 per minute ouch!) call me and leave the line open to my cell. If you get into any trouble let me know and I'll drop what I'm doing to get over there."

[Huxley]

Jack goes over to Leo. "We can't leave that home unexplored, I know, but Meanachem might well be right about the dangers of that place. Buy a lot of minutes for that cell phone ($0.25 per minute ouch!) call me and leave the line open to my cell. If you get into any trouble let me know and I'll drop what I'm doing to get over there."

Leo nods, "Thank you for your concern. I will do as you suggest. Honestly, I think the best way to approach the situation is to simply knock", he says with a half-smile.

[SD Anderson]

"I agree, but when dealing with potential murderesses, I recommend a little caution anyway." (At some point, Jack will reluctantly dig out his credit card (disadvantageous wealth sucks at times) and put $40 into his cell phone to cover an extra 160 minutes of air time. If Leo's not done in 3 hours, there's a LOT in that house.)

[Detritus]

OK, we'll call this a thread. There are 12 passengers on the boat headed ashore, the 9 who came from Texas (PCs, Tremere, and Dieter -- Gunther and Werner remained ashore) and three of the Prince's Get (Ramiel, Kallista, and Adrianne). Rebekka is going to want to have one of Houston ghouls accompany each group with at least one Tremere. Gunther will go with Rebekka's group, Werner will go with Thomas and Merill, and Dieter will go with Sarah. You make it to shore just before midnight.