Vampire: Dark Ages (Vienna) - Chapter 2: The Colony

[Goatkiller666]

After the battle on East Gate, Kaldrenzi is in the maze of tunnels below the gate.

[Kaldrenzi Culls-The-Chaff]

Coming through the rat sized tunnels, again, I sniff my kinfolk, and the other Brothers and Sisters who I pass on the way. Eventually I make my way toward the Champion and Mother's nests.

Upon entering, and waiting to be acknowledged by the Champion. "I have returned to report on the Curs at the East Gate, and their loses at the gates. Plus what the humans on top of the walls did to them."

A feral and almost joyous gleam mirrors in my red eyes at the last part of the statement

[Goatkiller666]

The Champion waves Kaldrenzi over to the Mother's nest, then rises to follow behind. He rumbles, "Mother. He is back already, with more tales."

A nose sticks out of the Mother's nest, sniffing the air. "I can smell the pride on you, cousin. Tell me of your accomplishments. And tell us of Wendell? If his pack is harmed, what of the boy?"

Other ratkin gather around the Mother's nest, eager to hear the tale.

[Kaldrenzi Culls-The-Chaff]

Shift to Crinos, seeing myself the center of the assembled Kin, Siblings, Champion and Mother...



"The Curs were at the gate, seeking admittance, Wendell was with them dutifully escorting the 2 women before the rest of the pack arrived. At the gate they were denied entrance, during the talks of ravishing the women, two of the watchmen loosed arrows. While the curs were in disarray from such an overwhelming attack by the mortals, I stalked from the darkness, using the power of shadows to imbue my thrown weapon, attacked the one known as Majid with our kind's blade, which was recently returned to the Ratkin. Grandmother smiled upon me, as the blade struck him from behind, the one called Mauricio was chosen to be wounded by the spirit of the Packslayer. Majid fled cowering in pain to the Spirit World, while the mortals tossed down more arrows. Some bore silver heads. "

Warming to the talk of the demise of the Garou I continue heatedly

"More of the Curs fell in the drizzle of arrows, Mauricio was felled but gave into his anger. Sadly, the deragned dog forgot his armor was not bound to him, and began rending the armor with his sudden growth. The one called Gotzon was dropped also by the silver tipped shafts. One unbelievably stupid one actually invoked the Raven to make the arrows go for him. The others still in a daze from mere mortals attacking them, milled about stupidly snarling at the guardsmen. Gotzon harnessed his rage and regained his feet."

Continuing further

"Grandmother's blessings with me, darting into the fray, low to avoid notice, I sprinted through them while they were distracted, retrieved my blade from where it had fallen when the coward Majid fled, and saw Mauricio, having freed himself from the armor about to charge the gates, intent on slaughtering the humans. Those whom it is Our job to limit and protect. The Packslayer in my grip, I darted towards and past him, laying him open and down, even in his berserk fit."

Eyes gleaming brightly

"Once again, the blade invoked it's power, and Gotzon too was felled by the same stroke that slew Mauricio. For good. Wendell had bolted for the gates, which the confused woman opened with the spirits assistance, and made it safely inside. The mannish woman escorting the confused one fled inside also. Seeing Wendell safely inside the city, the leadership of the Whelps in ruins, and them cowering as they fled, I sought passage back to the colony to report on the events."

Seeing that a simple report has wound into a tale, I take a moment to compose myself, take a deep breath, and concisely sum up the events rather than continue to aggrandize myself anymore.

"Denied entrance, the dogs suffered loses of valuable packmates, were split into smaller, more manageable groups, while our Wendell was safe inside the walls. If more went on, I know not. I sought a quick escape before one of the dogs sought to release me into Grandmother's embrace."

"The men on the wall seemed well prepared for Gaia's so-called chosen, one was deferred to by the men, I was unable to see his face. Ill things are afoot for the dogs, which may or may not bode well for us."

"No one made mention of the Nexus Crawler, nor of the Caine Spawn being aroused in the city."

[Infamy: Slaying a rank 5 and a rank 3 (The Killing Blow was Mine), and causing another rank 5 to flee in terror. Without being attacked, touched or even noticed. That the rank 5 slain was of nobility among the humans, one who oppresses the masses. Those who the ratkin help.]

[Cunning: Driving the full group in half, breaking their ranks, one half to flee in reduced numbers due to my mad skillz (See above, second sentence), the other half to seek shelter inside the city, where they are in more manageable clusters and easier to follow. Doing so under the humans attack to ensure my actions would go smoothly.]

[Obligation: Wendell is safe inside the city, per Mother's orders. I have returned with news of the pack. I fulfilled my role as a Knife Skulker, to Grandmother and Gaea, slaying the traitors to their Gaea given purpose, and avenging the death of countless of my kin who've been killed by the garou.]

[Goatkiller666]

[I have nothing more to say for the story for the rest of the day. If you want to do anything before sundown, let me know. Otherwise, we'll pick up back at your haven the next evening.]

[Kaldrenzi Culls-The-Chaff]

During the day, sleep. Early to mid afternoon, scout around, look around known ghoul houses.

Then hit the taverns, for gossip, word of mouth, and seeing if any of the ghouls dally here. Try to talk up travellers, ask about the battlefield. Making no mention of Garou, Nexus Crawlers, or anything beyond "people fighting".

I make sure anything drink placed before me, ends up subtley sloppily sloshed out, or ends up sneakily poured out. I can't afford to be a drunken rat.

Return in the evening/night, seek the elders wisdom about the events recently, unless the Mothers have other plans. Restock Rage/Gnosis at the caern as applicable. Hope I have a trip sitter if I Rapture out.

And try to keep an eye on Wendell. Make sure he's fed. He did well.

[Goatkiller666]

During the day, sleep. Early to mid afternoon, scout around, look around known ghoul houses.

How do you have knowledge of ghoul houses?

Then hit the taverns, for gossip, word of mouth, and seeing if any of the ghouls dally here. Try to talk up travellers, ask about the battlefield. Making no mention of Garou, Nexus Crawlers, or anything beyond "people fighting".

How would you recognize ghouls at these taverns, if you saw one? Are these higher-end taverns, or commoner taverns?

I make sure anything drink placed before me, ends up subtley sloppily sloshed out, or ends up sneakily poured out. I can't afford to be a drunken rat.

Noted.

Return in the evening/night, seek the elders wisdom about the events recently, unless the Mothers have other plans. Restock Rage/Gnosis at the caern as applicable. Hope I have a trip sitter if I Rapture out.

Mother of the Ravaging is out. As is The Vengeance. There are lesser Shadow Seers there, managing the affairs of the Caern.

Mother of the Warren is in. She has no great wisdom to share with you now.

Mother of the Swarm is in. She has an errand for you. She knows that Mauricio's pack normally made their homes in the estate of Mauricio's cousin, who lived outside of town. Go there. See what has become of the rest of them. If anything can be learned of what THEY learned from the original battlefield, find that out as well. "Be careful, young one. You have injured them, yes. For now, only strike if you are sure none will see you. They may realize that it was not only silver arrows which killed some of them. Do not bring their attention to other foes."

And try to keep an eye on Wendell. Make sure he's fed. He did well.

You receive word from Mother of the Swarm that Wendell is back with his family. They are beggars who live near the Beggars Gate (a narrow foot bridge to the northeast of the city. Too small to carry horses or wagons, it allows commoners to enter and leave the city during the day. The gate is still closed at night, to avoid spies. Beggars frequent the area because it's where the cheapest things can be bought. The actual begging is done by the other gates, where the more wealthy travel.

[You can go take a look at him. Let me know what time you do it, though.]

[Kaldrenzi Culls-The-Chaff]

[I was going to ask upon arising. With how pervasive rats are in dark age cities, one of them has seen something, and reported it back to a Mother in the daily news blip they do. Even if they don't recognize it as a ghoul, enough small things put together by the Mothers or others in the Colony could put it together, where Ghouls live if not with their masters]

[Common Taverns]

[Goatkiller666]

[Other stuff happens here. See PM.]