dark tides rising Part One: The Making of Princes

[Erico]

Assamites. They were seen and treated with multiple labels. They were the law-keepers. The Justice-Givers. The War-Hunters. Less widely known, compared to the Warrior and Vizier Castes was that of the Sorcerors, who were not known to often tread away from the hallowed halls of Alamut.

That made their presence when they did that much more noticeable to those who knew to pay attention. They feared the Warrior Assamites for their strange powers in service of blood vengeance or justice, the strange silence and way that the world bent around them beyond mere shadows to hide their passing.

You feared the Mystics of Clan Assamite for what you could not see, and what might happen.

 

With some relief, Nezira Al Sarrazin walked up to her Sire and teacher, Akkesh Al-Muala; Childe of Al-Ashrad, Childe of Ur-Shulgi, Childe of Haqim, Childe of Zillah, Childe of Khayyin. The Elder Sorceror was dressed in fine, but not outstanding robes and garments, likely laced with wards of protection given the uncertain nights they now lived in. Her Retainer Umar stood back at a respectful distance. Nezira gave the serious dark-skinned man a small smile before nodding and reverting to the Saracen tongue. "And here I was beginning to wonder if you had gone missing, Teacher. The Moon shines brightly on our meeting." She bowed respectfully for three seconds before raising her shawl-draped head up and reverting to a serious expression herself. "You were circumspect in your letter, despite our usual precautions. What need do you have of me, Teacher? What have you summoned me here for? What have..." And here she chanced a look around the small gathering of Neonates and Elders before looking back at him. "What have all of us of such varied backgrounds come here for?"

Nezira Al Sarrazin

Current Conditions:

Blood Pool: 20/20

Willpower: 9/9

Health: Perfect

 

[Makkiu]

Vasile of House Iliescu

---

Character Sheet Click here | Health Perfect | Blood Pool 20/20 | Willpower 5/5

---

The figure of his sire there, in a courtyard, suggested talks would be brief and they would be expected to move, leave, soon enough. That much was no surprise. Someone capable of asking favors of a kindred such Ilie should easily deal with domestic trouble. Everyone approached their elders and Vasile did the same, bowing his head before the Voivode.  

“My lord.” He said with no warmth in his voice. Words and action told the keen observer that they were no two friends meeting. There was mutual respect, sure. Formality even. But they were a lord and his sworn warrior. “I hope the travel here was not too terribly inconvenient.”

Vasile wanted to ask more than a few questions, but he knew Ilie would point that is the master of the castle that should answer them. The man was that prone to formalities. It shouldn’t take long, the younger Fiend thought noticing the guide leaving them. He’s going to call the patron. It was the only logical conclusion. Alas, if the prophet at the entrance was something to go by, maybe he shouldn’t expect much logic in whatever was bound to happen. He looked as his travelling companions and their sires for but a moment. Enough time to ponder if they were as old as his ancestor.

---

 

[Enkhoffer]

  

  

Grigor Karov - Lawbringer and Headsman --- Lamiae --- --- Blood: 13/13 - Willpower: 4/4 - Health: Unhurt

---

 

Here at the castle, Grigor is faced with the blank, youthful face of his Sire for the first time in some time.

She appears as usual, the form of a girl no more than ten years of age - but with a cold air of experience cast on her face, and with skin as pale and white as the full moon.

Grigor has never been within the castle walls, but despite the notorious White Child's ragged clothes she seems quite at home in these surroundings.

 

He approaches and bows his head to her in respect.

 

"Have you been keeping busy?"

 

Her thin voice has the directness to which he is accustomed. He nods.

"As busy as I am able. If this is what you've prepared me for, then I'm packed and ready to depart."

 

[NickNameless]

Thyra of Uppsala

Clan: Lasombra — Road of the Einherjarn — Willpower : 5/5 — Blood Pool: 11/11 — Health: Perfect.

---

 

"Hey old timer," Thyra said, giving Grimwald a generous slap on his shoulder more appropriate for an older brother in arms than to some father figure or suzerain.

"I was really starting to wonder if we'd meet tonight."

After all the exasperation of the beginning of the night, she was indeed feeling an actual sense of relief.

"And by the way, if this is a trap and I have to prepare for helping you killing everyone, now would be a good time to let me know," she whispered, before adding louder again: "I didn't peg you for the 'castle' type, is this were you've spend all your time lately??"

[TiffanyKorta]

Scene 4: The Patron's Request

---

You don't have much time to share with your Sire as a servant beckons you all to follow. Those a little more reluctant around you are encouraged to go by your Sire, obviously whoever you are meeting is much more important (and powerful) than even your own Sires.

The servant leads you down a series of stairs winding down into the darkness, so deep it seems like your descending to hell itself! At the bottom of the stairs are a series of narrow corridors apparently made when mankind was shorter than now, no firey pit awaits at the end of this maze but instead a plain solid door. He knocks twice then opens the door gesturing for you all to enter.

Inside is a massive table surrounded by high-back chairs, enough for you all on one side and a single chair on the other. You can pick out a few other shapes in the flickering darkness, except what may be a sarchogahous in one corner of the room.

Sat in the other chair is a female vampire watching impassively as you enter, she says nothing but gestures for you all to sit, waiting until you are all seated before introducing herself.

“My name is Lucretia of Hardtz. I have asked that you join me here in order to offer you a great opportunity. Your sires have assured me you will be happy to assist me and thereby secure for yourselves a comfortable future. I wish for you to travel to the eastern border of Hungary, to the region known as Transylvania. High in the Carpathian Mountains beyond the city of Bistritz lies a natural mountain gateway called the Tihuta Pass. As the main access to Transylvania from the East, it holds strategic importance. My request to you is this: Travel to the Tihuta Pass and erect a fortress there to guard this important trade route.”
 

[NickNameless]

Thyra of Uppsala

Clan: Lasombra — Road of the Einherjarn — Willpower : 5/5 — Blood Pool: 11/11 — Health: Perfect.

---

 

Thyra blinked, taken aback.

"I'm sorry, — what?" she spluttered in utter disbelief.

She took a quick look at her newfound companions to see if they shared her sentiment.

"Do we look like masons, carpenters or foremen to you?"

The Einherjarn's glance dwelled on her Sire particularly.

"What the hel is this about??"

There had to be more to it... surely?!...

[paladinred]

• Nefertiti is a sight to behold.
   

 

Name: Nefertiti Khalia	Nature:	Clan: Setite
Sect:	Demeanour: Deviant	Generation: 8th
Concept: Dancer of Forbidden Rites	Path: The Path of Cathari	Sire: Fatima Khalia

Sheet: Nefertiti - Dancer of the Faith - Coterie - Myth-Weavers

 

This was a little creepy, with poky stairs and even pokier passages.

Nefertiti walked alongside her sire and they chatted about this and that, nothing that she wanted kept secret was mentioned. When they finally arrived at the predictable door she slipped inside and took in the sights, taking the proffered chair she sat and listened to Lucretia.

When told that they were to be employed as castle constructors she was a little taken aback, surely she was going to give them some money and have the castle built. She looked at Thyra and said "I am assuming that Lucretia wants us to hire people to do the actual work, but otherwise we will have the say on how it is to be constructed.

Is that right Lucretia" she asked her host?

[Enkhoffer]

  

  

  

Grigor Karov - Lawbringer and Headsman --- Lamiae --- --- Blood: 13/13 - Willpower: 4/4 - Health: Unhurt

---

 

"More likely than not there'll be enemies in the mountains, that we'll have to deal with. No?"

 

The prospect of overseeing construction appeals to Grigor no more than it apparently does the norsewoman.

Though, he counts several killers present, including - when he is not being modest - himself. And they've been selected for their proven abilities.

 

If they are sent to the Carpathians, it is because their strength and weapons are needed.

[Erico]

Her Sire was...remarkably reluctant to speak to her, which left Nezira feeling somewhat off-guard. And Lucrezia's opening gambit seemed less of a request and more of a command. The Assamite would have been the first to admit she felt a little off-guard about the situation, and she calmed her thoughts and reached out with her nascent, but growing sixth sense to try and determine if there was a threat inherent in this proposition. It gave some of the others time to speak while Nezira reached out with her feelings, processed what she got in return, and then listened as the others spoke. It gave her time to collect her thoughts.

 

"What you ask us to do is not something that will be done overnight, Lucretia." Nezira began, curbing her doubts in a tone of caution and thoughtfulness. "To create a Fortress requires significant expense, in time, in money, in planning, and in logistics. And all of these must be addressed. That isn't to say it cannot be done, it CAN, but we must be methodical and careful in the planning and execution if you want the Tihuta Pass to stand as a defensive bulwark in the short and the long term." She looked to the others. "It will take all of us, I suspect, but it can be done."

 

Then she held up a hand and began counting off the points on her fingers. "First; we must learn the lay of the land. What available resources are nearby that we can call on? This includes not only quarry stones for the structure itself, but skilled artisans to be in charge of its construction. We need to know the nearby towns and countryside, so military plans can be considered and contingencies developed. As Grigor has said, we will need to be aware of what threats we will need to deal with to make this construction possible, what forces might harry or threaten it."

 

"Second: Recruiting. I would imagine that you have funds set aside for this endeavor, and wish the money to be spent frugally as possible. In that, I can be of more assistance than in military endeavors, and perhaps Vasile would be skilled in public outreach also. We will need to create a sense of goodwill among the nearby towns and communities, for it will be them who we employ in the roles of construction, maintenance, and supply. The farmers must know that the protection this fortress will bring will keep them safe, that their crops and cattle will be put to good purposes. We must deal with them fairly, pay well for their efforts, and ensure that gossip and word of mouth will lend in our favor."

 

"Third: Garrisoning. Even before the Fortress is finished, it will need to be protected. I believe that Thyra and my own Retainer are well-suited to training up soldiers to their exacting standards. We will need strong and sturdy defenders, able to keep the Pass guarded and watched both in day and night."

 

"Fourth and last; Logistics and Information gathering. Just as no Trader endures long without knowing what routes are safe to travel and what goods are in demand, so too must we manage that the goods purchased for use at this proposed Fortress are done so at good prices and within our means. We must build a network of informants, information gatherers...spies, even...individuals who will keep us apprised of matters on this side of the border and on the other side as well. Perhaps Nefertiti would be well suited for this role. It is a simple matter to erect some taverns and ale houses along well traveled roads and to staff them with men and women who can be trained to listen for rumors and gossip while they are serving bowls of soup and cuts of bread, meats, and cheese...or are providing other 'refreshments' to paying clients. Whose eyes can be trained to notice small details a normal tired traveler might overlook. It need not be done maliciously, no. Half of spycraft is merely paying attention and being a willing listener."

 

Her points given, Nezira leaned back in her chair and glanced to the others. "It is not impossible, merely hard. So we break down a difficult problem into harder steps, and then we break those down into smaller steps of moderate difficulty. But we must bring our talents to bear for this to work."

 

(Can Nezira get a DM Auspex read on this situation for “Funny Feelings” on how disastrous this might turn out?)

Nezira Al Sarrazin

Current Conditions:

Blood Pool: 20/20

Willpower: 9/9

Health: Perfect

 

Edited March 3 by Erico (see edit history)

[paladinred]

• Nefertiti is a sight to behold.
   

 

Name: Nefertiti Khalia	Nature:	Clan: Setite
Sect:	Demeanour: Deviant	Generation: 8th
Concept: Dancer of Forbidden Rites	Path: The Path of Cathari	Sire: Fatima Khalia

Sheet: Nefertiti - Dancer of the Faith - Coterie - Myth-Weavers

 

Listening to Nezira and the suggestions she made Nefertiti found that Nezira had gotten the measure of her capabilities and where she would be most useful, information was her thing as well as "company". This was not going to be a quick thing as Nezira had pointed out, the logistics were going to be a nightmare. A steady supply of essential items and a large workforce to feed, not to mention the worker's families.

"Nezira has correctly pointed out many of the issues that will be faced, others will be the families of the workforce will most likely accompany their men folk and they will need watching and feeding. Then there will be cutpurses and general vagabonds that will be attracted by the workforce, but before all that you will need blueprints of the fort and the accompanying buildings. The surveyors might have some "off the shelf" but I suspect that they will not be of use.

 

I am happy to assist where my skills will be the most useful, gathering information and the like, I should also be good at scouting and perhaps managing food for us" she says in her flat monotone voice.

[Makkiu]

Vasile of House Iliescu

---

Character Sheet Click here | Health Perfect | Blood Pool 20/20 | Willpower 5/5

---

The eyes of the old Dragon spoke to him of approval. As always, Ilie was satisfied to see proper manners followed. It was not goodness, Vasile knew. If anything it was akin to a kennel master watching one of his beasts following its training. When the servant arrived childe looked to sire and was told in the silence of a nod to go.

Iliescu didn’t question the oldest of his forefathers, but his mind could not help asking why the Voivode was there if he was not meant to accompany them to the meeting. A show of power from the lord of the castle? If that was the case then this patron to be was not simply capable to move kindred of the sixth generation, it was more powerful than them. Maybe stronger than older generations even, he pondered looking at his companions. At that point he wouldn’t be surprised if their blood was more potent than his.

“The Carpathians are Tzimisce land so at some point we are likely to deal with Garou, Power Mongers and Usurpers.” He started after his traveling companions. There was disdain and familiarity in his voice. “Things I would have fought one way or another, but without the reward milady offers.” The reward he always wanted and that he was sure would ultimately benefit Lucretia mora than himself. A price he was willing to pay for his wishes. “Things that make me want to know how much time we would to rising defenses and how long would it take to reach the closest allies.” He then turned to Nezira. “On regards to ability I can only say the opposite of what you did. I would be of more assistance in military endeavors than logistics.” Specially if such endeavors involved having he take to the field.  “I could deal with anyone disturbing the order.” Body Crafts and Vicissitude would make it easy to get confessions and make examples, but that much he thought better left unsaid. “My family name is likely to make for a believable tale for the kine - a Transylvanian noble sent to develop land given to his House and I can play this role. My subordinate is both merchant and information gatherer, a good point to start rumors and attract trade. Besides that I echo every single one of your points.”

---

[TiffanyKorta]

Scene 4: The Patron's Request

---

“I am willing to advance you certain sums of money to cover the cost of hiring guards and skilled workmen, but your sires assure me that you have enough resourcefulness to complete the work yourselves.

The previous owners of the nearby domains are absent so you will be able to get control of the Kine villages. And since you will be taking charge of the lands and nearby villages, you may tax the peasantry and use their labour in your building as well. Luckily, the foundation is already there, as an old wooden tower once stood on the spot."

 

"You should be able to utilize the stone foundation and build upward from there. I shall expect you to have the first floor, at least, completed by winter. Complete this and those domains are yours to do with as you wish!”
 

[paladinred]

• Nefertiti is a sight to behold.
   

 

Name: Nefertiti Khalia	Nature:	Clan: Setite
Sect:	Demeanour: Deviant	Generation: 8th
Concept: Dancer of Forbidden Rites	Path: The Path of Cathari	Sire: Fatima Khalia

Sheet: Nefertiti - Dancer of the Faith - Coterie - Myth-Weavers

 

Nefertiti ponders this offer, on the one hand, it looks like they are expected to pick up a tab that should be paid for by their prince, on the other hand, it is a fantastic opportunity to build a whole future that will guarantee her future. To her, it is a no-brainer, the gain outweighs the loss. Which domain will she be granted? whichever it is it should be built into a powerbase that she can meld into a haven for her clan.

"Lucretia, I find this offer very acceptable. Will we get a choice of domain or will one be selected for us?

Either way, it will be down to us to make it a success. I am sure we can work together to build a suitable castle that will stand for centuries" she says with some confidence.

Edited April 24 by paladinred (see edit history)

[paladinred]

• Nefertiti is a sight to behold.
   

 

Name: Nefertiti Khalia	Nature:	Clan: Setite
Sect:	Demeanour: Deviant	Generation: 8th
Concept: Dancer of Forbidden Rites	Path: The Path of Cathari	Sire: Fatima Khalia

Sheet: Nefertiti - Dancer of the Faith - Coterie - Myth-Weavers

 

Nefertiti had work to do so once the issues were sorted out she set off with her sire to pack and head out with the others once they were ready, it took a day or two to make her preparations and then get a carriage to take them there. The trip was like any other, the driver was awake to drive them during the day and they hunted for food at night, once they had arrived the site looked as it was, abandoned. The nearest village was going to be their refuge, for the time being, they travelled to it and found the Inn. Securing rooms for the coterie she took time to rest until the sun had gone down, at this time she set off to look around the village. If the previous prince/lord had their own property then she would look it over to see what its state was in, and she would then find a soul to feed upon. The next night if it had not been done she would call a meeting to find out what skills were available, a list of people and their skills would be made and then the other villages would need to be spoken to so we could find out where the best source of skills are.

[TiffanyKorta]

Scene 5: On the Road

---

After three weeks on the road you arrive at the town of Klausenburg, the journey has been quiet with few towns and villages along the route. Crossing the border you quickly notice a difference among the peasants, treating you as fearful lords to be avoided as unlike the nobles you meet they seem aware of your Kindred nature.

 

Compared to others Klausenburg seems a minor problem, those servants you sent ahead to arrange lodgings had been told by the local tavern that they have no rooms, or stabling to handle your travelling group. Whilst your servants are tired you could probably easily travel for a few hours to the next village.