Vampire: Dark Ages - Scene 4: In the Halls of the Dead

[Sabine]

I twitch my leg on the floor, to the same beat as the scratching.

[Dante Nachtzehrer]

Dante rests his hands on the shoulders of his two ghouls. "Wolfgang, Gunter, brothers. You now are shareholders in the holiest of purposes. You know what I am, what God has made me, and what God must have me do. I am strengthened by thy presence, by followers of Christ's blood, just as you are strengthened by mine. Together, we will rid the world of Lucifer's taint, of the wretched grasp of devilry and sorcery. Come! To the Night, we must hunt! In Gods name, brothers!"

"Ah, but I do believe we are not quite alone. No, outside this castle someone was intently listening to our conversation, brothers. Let us go outside and see if he is still around. And let us discover his place in God's plan."

[Seska Karantanija]

The Red Lamb Inn
--------------------

"Bojan. It is okay. I am here now. Shhhh." She tries to comfort him, as best she can wrapped in the arms of the burly man. "You did not lose me. Shhhh."

She lets him continue for a while, unaware just how vested an interest her armsman had in her safety. "Bojan, can you loosen up, please? I can't breath anymore. Come, sit down."

[Olaf_Magnusson]

Keeping an eye upon Lady Seska, reply, "Indeed it has, Taduz. I cannot but wonder what spirit of mischief moved the Norns to spin my thread so."

[Gedeminas]

Gedeminas slowly and apparently cautiously decends the stairs, reaching out to the minds of the newly arriving humans to see who they are and what has happened before they come inside.

[ooc]Auspex 4[/ooc]

Upon finishing his swift scan, and realizing that Danukas has arrived, he contacts his mind, [ooc]Again use Auspex 4[/ooc] and, after identifying himself with some personal knowledge only he would have, implants the idea, Many strange things have happened since the dinner. I am now in a position to discover much more of the hidden secrets of the world, but I am also in a position where I will need to do so to survive. Still, there is no danger for now, and we shall discuss matters once my companions have settled themselves.

Upon finishing his swift scan [of Bojan], and realizing that Danukas has arrived, he descends the stairs and goes to the stables. Before Danukas can interrogate him, he interjects, "Many strange things have happened since the dinner. I am now in a position to discover much more of the hidden secrets of the world, but I am also in a position where I will need to do so to survive. Still, there is no danger for now, and will shall discuss matters once my companions have settled themselves."

Danukes replies, "Yes, my lord." Gedeminas returns to the dining hall.

He then walks over to join Taduz, Olaf, and Sabine, and says in Latin, "May I join you? I believe it may benefit us to discuss our plans, or at least whether or not we plan to remain together.
"Also, if we choose to remain together, it may be enlightening to discuss what we are now capable of."
He swtiches to Slavic, rubs Sabine on the head, and continues in an undertone, "...such as how this lovely little girl has transformed herself into a dog, and why doing so has not made any difference to her aura."

[ooc]Storyteller, I think you ought to know that, even though he rarely pays close enough attention to actually attempt to make out what the aura is saying about the person in question, and thus does not make rolls unless actively looking, Gedeminas never turns off Auspex 2, as it was the first way he found of seeing anything, and it is also the only source of light that he can actually see instead of sensing with other powers.[/ooc]

[Taduz Illyannovich]

In Latin for Olaf's benefit quietly for just our table "Aye, be seated. If what the pompous one said is true, shape changing isn't the least of our new....abilities. She's still the same girl, just wearing a different skin. At our taking, I was still myself, yet wore the skin of an enraged troll. You can see yet are obviously blinded. There is alot we must learn."

I continue scritching an ear.

In Slavic: "Maybe the first step would be to ask her since she seems to have mastered this trick already. She may have figured out more, clever little puppygirl that she is."

I repeat in Latin for Olaf's benefit.

Then I beep her cold puppy nose and smile.

[Goatkiller666]

Castle Giovanni
-----------------------

Dante leads Gunter and Wolfgang back out to the courtyard, in search of the mysterious stranger.

[Need Erick to post something, here.]

The Red Lamb Inn
--------------------------

Bojan allows Seska to draw away from him, and looks at Vida and Pierre in embarassment. "Countess, what happened to you all?" He looks at the other occupants of the room. "I do not see all of you here. Are Lord Claudio's other guests about? Are they safe?"

He takes a seat at the table, and Sigismund brings out plates of food for everyone. Bojan begins to eat, then jerks his head to the side to stare at Pierre. "How did you...?"

"I must be going mad. This man is upstairs, beaten near death. He cannot be sitting here now, smiling at me thus."

[Sabine]

I change back to girl shape. (Yay! I still have a tail!)

"Ask me what?"

[Taduz Illyannovich]

"Our sightless associate is curious as to how you became an adorable puppydog"

I lean forward towards her ear and whisper.

"Proper young ladies don't show their tails in public"

[Erick Shinnings]

Castle Giovanni
-----------------------

Dante leads Gunter and Wolfgang back out to the courtyard, in search of the mysterious stranger.

I keep track of the men, doing my best to stay out of sight of Gunter and Wolfgang.

[Dante Nachtzehrer]

Dante yells out into the cold, bitter night, "Hail, my friend! Come out into the courtyard proper, so that we may discuss our current predicament, and so that I may get a good look at you." Dante winks.

[Seska Karantanija]

The Red Lamb Inn
--------------------------

Seska shakes her head at Bojan's question. "It is possible some of them managed to escape, however I doubt it. Those not with us are likely gone forever. Hear, let me explain..."

Feeling some hunger, although mistaking what she craves now for the food placed at the table, she takes small bites while relating their story. She makes sure to pause when Sigismund or his son pass near.

"We arrived without incident. The castle was a small fortress with many guards. Although not aggressive, their demeanor was foreboding and did not make me feel safe. Pierre was directed elsewhere from the guests. Soon enough we met the Lord of the Castle, and his twelve hosts. It was to be a night of conversation, he explained, with carefully chosen individuals from all levels of society." She pauses to take a sip of mead. To herself she asks, "Was this left to breath too long? It tastes dull."

"My host was a Lady Amisa. She was an... interesting... woman. Very sensual. We left the main room for a small alcove and chatted. About our desires, my faith, and the circumstances behind my coming to these lands." Seska blushes a little. "It was an invigorating discussion..." She gets sheepish. "There was something about her. As if her personality was almost tangible. I very much wanted to know her better."

"This meat isn't as good as the other night, either." She puts down her knife to continue. "She took a keen interest in my faith, and led me through the halls and into the cellar. The floor was dirt, there was a coffin and small table there, and a young peasant girl playing in the corner, oblivious to us. She started pushing about what I would do for my faith, then suggested a terrible bargain." She waves her hands to emphasize her disgust, "She handed me a knife and asked that I sacrifice the girl. In return she would send many Saracens to drive the Christians from our lands."

"I was flabbergasted. And refused. I may have no love of their kind, but their influence here is little. Such actions would only bring more and hurt our people. She grew furious. And..." Seska's face shows her confusion, as if she is searching for words. "I swear her eyes turned into those of a cat... or a...," a spark of recognition flashes across her face, "or a snake." She shoots a look at Vida, but continues before the tale gets sidetracked.

"I was paralyzed. With fear, or drugs, I know not. I was sad. Amisa then lifted me, with but one arm, and laid me gently in the coffin." Seska fights back the horror of that moment. "She then covered it in dirt. While I was helpless inside it. I do not know how long I lay there, however it felt like an eternity. Eventually movement returned to my limbs and I could properly gasp for air in the stale confines. Soon after that servants dug the coffin out." She pauses again. "I was beating upon the lid, and when it finally gave ran upstairs to lay into my 'host'."

She looks down at the table, ashamed. "Yet after my rage was spent, I wanted nothing more than to surrender to her. And the entire room laughed. Laughed! As if I were a jester. I do not understand it. So I sat there, seeking solace against her shoulder and in mead..."

She clears her throat. "I did not see what the others endured up to this time. The dinner proper started then."

[Pausing to let the NPCs or PCs interject.]

[Olaf_Magnusson]

"To treat a guest in such manner is inexcusable. And to so noble a lady doubly so. And for doing..what has been done to all of us, no weregeld is possible. For your honor, I would offer this brag, to end her existence for you, as you seem...ill-suited to do such yourself. I mean no insult by this, Lady Seska."

[Erick Shinnings]

Dante yells out into the cold, bitter night, "Hail, my friend! Come out into the courtyard proper, so that we may discuss our current predicament, and so that I may get a good look at you." Dante winks.

I better not regret this I make my way out into plain view, tossing away inhibition to the night wind. I feel a strange confidence coming from inside me but I can't place why.

"Hello there! Pardon me, but I've given chase to a rotten rodent that made off with a ring of mine! Bugger thieved it while I soaked my hands in the forest. Been after him all the way back here to this magnificient castle. But I fear my chase may be hopeless." I frown, but realize that I am not trembling in the telling of this completely fabricated story. Let's hope these men are decently gullible.

Something about that monk is definitely different from the other men, but I cannot put my mind to exactly what. I pray he can indeed be trusted.

[Dante Nachtzehrer]

Dante extends a hand, "Welcome, brother. I am Brother Dante Nachtzehrer. To my right and left are Gunter and Wulfgang respectively. I trust this ring you speak of is of great import to you, for would you rather not be taking rest in an inn?" Dante looks warily at this stranger, studying his movements. (use Dementate 3 dots) "Tell me, stranger, what is your name?"

[Dante Nachtzehrer]

(OOC - Please pm me the results of my dementation)

[Erick Shinnings]

Dante extends a hand, "Welcome, brother. I am Brother Dante Nachtzehrer. To my right and left are Gunter and Wulfgang respectively. I trust this ring you speak of is of great import to you, for would you rather not be taking rest in an inn?" Dante looks warily at this stranger, studying his movements. (use Dementate 3 dots) "Tell me, stranger, what is your name?"

I take his hand and return his greeting. "Very pleased to meet you Dante. My name is Erick Shinnings, traveling here from the distant land of England." I give slight nods to the other two gentlemen before continuing to Dante, "alas, the ring was of some importance, but it is not worth my health! Do you know of any such fitting inns around?"

[Goatkiller666]

The Red Lamb Inn
-------------------------------

As he listens to Seska's story, she can see his expression changing quickly from avid interest; to deeply worried concern; to… something strange… arousal?; to visible fear… he was personally afraid for her; to hope; quickly to an evil glee; to horror; back to fear; to shock; to rage so strong he rose partially from his chair; to humiliation; back to rage; back to humiliation; and finally to sympathy.

Upon hearing Olaf's statement, Bojan stands fully, knocking his chair down in his haste. "No, warrior. That task is mine. I have failed my mistress twice already, but it is mine to repair." He draws his dagger, "I call upon the three furies to give me the strength and the will to take vengeance upon Claudio Giovanni for the insults given to the Seska Karantanija, Countess of Tótkomlós." As he finishes this statement, he slashes deeply at his left hand, drawing quite a bit of blood.

All the vampires present are instantly aware of the freshly spilled blood in the room. All eyes snap to Bojan and his bleeding hand, which he closes into a fist and holds aloft as part of his oath. Though recently fed and generally full, everyone is new to the state and not used to controlling these urges. Is not used to even having these urges. All feel their hunger rise, and all quickly suppress the urge to latch on to Bojan and suck the life from his veins, though Gedeminas and Olaf do feel their fangs grow out.

After a few moments, Sabine, Seska, and Taduz manage to quell their Beasts. [Two rounds to resist Frenzy.] Shortly thereafter, Olaf also succeeds in mastering his impulses. [Three rounds] Gedeminas, on the other hand, is not so lucky. [Botched his self-control roll in the second round. PM forthcoming with details on the derangement you'll acquire.] He enters frenzy, and is focused on Bojan and his bleeding hand.

Castle Giovanni
-------------------------

[PM sent with results of Dementation 3]

Wolfgang steps forward at Erick's question, and says "Begging your pardon, Brother, but I can answer that. There's a village not 30 minutes ride from here, sir. Zombar boasts two inn, the Red Lamb is the nicer of the two, and the Shepherdess… isn't the nicer of the two. My brother and I are staying at the Red Lamb, and had planned on returning thither once our business here was done. Unless Brother Dante has aught for us to do, we would be happy to escort you on our return."

[Sabine]

Proper young ladies don't show their tails in public

I mumble, "I ain't no lady. I'm a puppy. Puppies got tails."

Anyway, I curl up my tail. Nobody can see it under my dress.

[Dante Nachtzehrer]

Dante examines his new-found friend intently. Pacing back and forth, he addresses the lad, "The Lord God, in heaven, speaks to me Erich. He speaks to me and shows me the world in a way no other could understand." Dante sniffs the lad, muttering, "interesting."

After the inhale, and surprised look from Erich, Dante begins to pace in front of the newcomer and speaks, "My friend, God speaks to me of you now, he tells me that legions of hell are hounding you, but that you have resisted them. Answer truthfully, for these next few minutes will be very important. What does our Lord mean by this?"