LOS ANGELES EPILOGUES

THURSDAY NIGHT

The evening began as Barons Nelli G and Victor Temple greeted the assembled guests. They introduced the visiting diplomats, Renato Cristoval of Clan Lasombra, speaking on behalf of the Camarilla, and two delegates from the Mountain of Alamut on behalf of the Banu Haqim. The pair further explained that Los Angeles had seen a rise of Hunter activity, and that Barons Therese Voerman and Nines Rodriguez were both missing.

The gathering was then interrupted as two confused looking mortals wheeled a large, waterlogged chest into the center of the room. The pair said they were marine salvagers who received a very specific set of instructions from Jeanette Voerman. She had given them a set of coordinates to search for the box, and strict orders not to open it until they arrived at the Biltmore. Unaware of what it might contain, the pair then proceeded to open the box as the guests gathered around.

As they pried open the lid, a hand reached out. X, having spent the last few years underwater, stood bewildered and in the throes of his beast. He stared hungrily and unable to speak.

In 2021, X suffered a near-fatal encounter with a former bishop and powerful true faith wielder as he sought to escape from a SI facility. It left him unable to derive sustenance from vitae, leaving him in a state of perpetual hunger, and at risk of losing control to an increasingly ravenous beast. Among kindred, true faith is a terrifying and scarcely understood force, and X’s seemingly incurable condition defied all understanding of the kindred condition. Fearing what he might become, he asked a favor of Jasper to seal him in a container and drop him into the ocean off of Santa Monica.

Fortunately, Jasper had spent the past two years researching a treatment, and entrusted it with Nelli. Acting quickly, she poured a vial down X’s throat which managed to stabilize his condition. Nelli then informed the guests that Jasper would join just as soon as he was able, but for now, there was work to be done.

On his way out, one of the mortals revealed he had a letter for X from Therese. In it, she formally appointed X the Baron of Santa Monica. X was delighted at his appointment, but realized he needed a longer-term solution to his hunger issues.

THE LAST ROUND

No one had heard from Armando “Nines” Rodriguez in some time, which left his fellow Anarchs very concerned. Taking advantage of visiting parties, Baron Victor Temple dispatched helpful individuals to investigate The Last Round for any sign of Nines.

Upon arrival, everything was quiet at the bar. The intrepid investigators quickly scattered. Some patrolled the outside, some entered the front door, a few leapt through the windows of the second floor, and the remainder searched the abandoned building across the street. It quickly became evident that hunters attacked and killed at least some of Nines’s gang, but Nines likely got away. It also quickly became evident that the hunters left some surprises behind.

As the team in a nearby abandoned building discovered surveillance systems aimed at The Last Round, the team inside the bar triggered a trap, a sprinkler system filled with gasoline. Fire engulfed everything. While many fled for their lives, others sought to preserve some of the bar’s memorabilia. Although the vintage Queen’s “News of the World Tour” poster went up in smoke, one of the team managed to save the signed headshot of Jeremy MacNeil.

Once everyone regrouped on the street, the assembled vampires watched the iconic bar, a landmark for Anarchs that stood for over twenty years, burn towards nothing, leaving only when the sirens of fire trucks began echoing in the distance. Elsewhere, images of many of those vampires were received by computers, their identities sorted into databases with other blank bodies.

THE VOERMAN HOUSE

The Voerman Sisters had gone missing, leaving many wondering if they had succumbed to hunters. A group of visitors were asked to check out the Voreman sisters' last known haven,

After studying the exterior, the kindred walked into a trap. A group of Hunters were waiting to ambush them, striking with a combination of explosives and munitions, and leaving the investigators bruised and wounded. However, through the use of mental prodding and a lot of cash, the investigators bought off the Hunters, sending them on their merry way.

Before leaving, the Hunters provided the investigators with the location of the traps around the house. The group made it through the building, finding Therese's personal computer. After a quick hack and some data mining, the group found information on Victor Temple's special accounts fund, which appeared to be leaking money to charities under unknown affiliations. A strange, cryptic message told them to look for an angel. Some of the Malkavians present reached out into the cobweb, a Makavian hive mind, and realized there was more to this, and that the Voermans had left town for a good reason.

A CURE FOR X

With X sealed beneath the waves, years passed as Jasper searched for a cure for his condition. Jasper scoured tomes and records dating back to the first Inquisition, searching for any historical accounts which might lead to a treatment. After two years of searching, he obtained a parchment allegedly scavenged from the remnants of the Prime Chantry which offered a potential solution. When Jasper learned that a truck carrying a mysterious box excavated from the ocean was headed to the Biltmore Hotel, he sent his cure to Nelli. While the concoction managed to stabilize X’s condition for the evening, its effects were only temporary. A longer-term cure would require additional research.

Jasper asked Nelli to send a group to the Forever Young New Age Medspa. There they met Blythe Ülavere, a Tremere expert in regenerative medicine who operated a clinic catering to wealthy kindred and kine. Her hematological expertise was the missing component of the cure, a scientific approach to complement the magical research Jasper had assembled. The group retrieved the doctor, who administered a treatment to stabilize X, and agreed to monitor him for 72 hours to ensure its efficacy.

NELI G's SALON

Nelli G had a problem. Searching for potential solutions, she sought to better understand the social landscape of the city and all the new visitors, some hailing from as far as Europe and the Mountain of Alamut. Having gathered a group for the evening’s first salon, she led them through a series of activities to get to know one another. What on the surface seemed a simple series of speed dates and interesting questions were a means for the Baron to identify the more interesting, unique, and capable among the visitors who took the time to sit down with her.

These select few were chosen to help with Nelli G’s passion project. Her Nosferatu Fashion Show, the culmination of years of work with Imalia, was in jeopardy. Someone had seen fit to sabotage the event at all levels, stealing signature pieces, makeup, and even the contracts; exclusive distribution rights, and the paperwork for the venue rental itself. The entire production was in jeopardy, Nelli needed help. Those who caught the Baron’s attention received a blue rose, a sign of both her favor, and her trust.

Unbeknownst to the guests that evening, a Camarilla Herald known only as ‘Herald B’ was behind this sabotage. The Herald spent much of the weekend mocking the Baron and throwing aspersions and questions as to the legitimacy of the fashion show, and toward Nelli G’s leadership. But as with most things, she kept her affairs quiet, found those who were worthy of her trust and favor, and set them off to take back what was stolen from her.

Within a mere few hours, everything for the show had been recovered, and Nelli’s allies went even further, taking steps to promote the show, broadcasting it far and wide within Kindred society to bring it the prestige it deserved, setting the stage for a night that nobody would soon forget.

X's SALON

The appointment of a new Baron is a significant event in the Anarch Movement, even more so given the significance of the Santa Monica territory to the Anarchs of Los Angeles. A group of curious kindred gather together to learn more about X, the newly made Baron of Santa Monica, and to learn more about what sort of Baron he would be.

X made it clear from the start he was no despot, challenging the hierarchical thinking of the group. He began by asking his guests to contemplate the role of the most underappreciated of revolutionary tools: the humble brick. A provider of structure and a barrier to invaders, the brick is often a tool of the oppressors, yet when dislodged and propelled, it is a tool for equality. The Anarch Movement, he explained, must not sit idly as a wall, but should fly freely, striking out at all oppressors.

X then sought to test everyone with a group task, arranging a series of playing cards into a predetermined pattern as quickly as possible. With their minds partially freed, many in the group took to disobedience of the rules of the exercise, but X explained this was not the intent. While the Camarilla seeks to stack the deck against the Anarchs, there are some tasks which must be adhered to, such as the Masquerade. Others in the salon found ways to accomplish the goal while taking steps beyond the implied rules, such as working together between teams, or moving their table. This according to X was the true path, subverting the limitations of the status quo in order to accomplish one’s goal.

VICTOR TEMPLE's SALON

Always looking forward, Victor took advantage of the influx of visitors to ask the gathered kindred who had the talent, resources, and drive to help him create a new future for Los Angeles. After explaining what he sought in potential partners, he then instructed them to prepare their best offers to aid the effort, creating a format vaguely similar to an episode of Shark Tank.

The many kindred who heeded the call made their offers: an ambitious Brujah offered to take care of downtown until Nines returned to them, two members of the Executive Board offered some the seats they were targeting on the board of Ducheski & Associates, and an enterprising kindred with transportation influence in Vegas worked with a representative of the Iron Horsemen to offer seamless transport throughout the country. Two representatives of the Limelit Circle made intriguing offers for promotion of Temple of Boom’s artists on the music streaming platform Songify, and for the creation of an online video series called “The Hustle Diaries” that detailed the rise of an up-and-coming star.

After the deals had been struck, or tabled for further consideration, a nervous young man in a suit approached Baron Temple with a message from Fiona, much to everyone’s surprise. Her recording explained that some of the offers had secretly been made on her behalf, and that she looked forward to showing Victor what they can accomplish together if they can put aside their pride. Victor took this news in good humour and sent the young man back to his employer with a message, a greeting, and a little surprise for Fiona.

JASPER'S SALON

Among the residents of Los Angeles, Jasper is known for his independence and need for privacy. Yet on Saturday, he asked for help from the assembled kindred to unlock the secrets of a collection of artifact fragments. A curious group of occultists from among the guests came together to learn what the Nosferatru had been studying.

Begrudgingly accepting the help of his fellow scholars and academics, Jasper brought forth his findings: He showed them pieces of an artifact, found scattered in the most neglected drains, the least inviting tunnels, and every dark and decrepit crevice in between. Together, this inquisitive group of like-minded intellectuals poured over the remnants of an all too-familiar story, stitching the pieces back into something resembling normal chronology.

Together, they uncovered the echo of an Elder’s lasting presence, her simple life haunted by inescapable grief, the Embrace, or both. And as the fragments of the artifact knit themselves together, her story crumbled apart. The cycle of unlife bends to no will, and for a fleeting moment the gathered kindred were reminded of their own looming futures. Of the Labyrinth’s many mysteries, a new one can be put to rest.

THE ARSENE SOCIETY: THE GOLDEN FANGS

The Arsene Society are known as the top dogs of the crime world. Normally accustomed to acts of theft, instead, they were tasked with guarding Victor Temple's “Golden Fang Award” from a group of rival thieves who sought to establish themselves. The society’s intel suggested there were three members working together, each with their own specialty. However, the identities of the thieves were unknown, leaving the Arsene Society to find them among the guests while defending the award.

The Arsene captured the enemy thieves' hacker, but seemed unable to find the cat burglar or the mole. A few clever moves by the rival thieves kept the Arsene society busy pursuing red herrings and curve balls, but they managed to keep the award under guard. Eventually, as the remaining rivals’ desperation grew as the final hour closed down, leading to a series of risky moves and their eventual capture. The hacker and the cat burglar were brought to Baron Temple to be dealt with, but the Arsene Society dealt with the Mole themselves. The mole explained to the Arsene society that this was all a test and was allowed to join as a genuine member.

The hacker was brought to Victor Temple later that evening and given a grim choice: he could either work for Victor or watch as his friend would be shot through the head. Not one to give in to scare tactics, the hacker figured cutting one more loose end was fine. Victor made good on his threat and shot the cat burglar, explaining that the hacker would be next unless he took his offer. The hacker, after some prodding, decided working for Victor would be a fine option and walked away employed.

Seeking to make good on their pledge to join the Arsene society, the mole offered to help facilitate a deal to benefit Los Angeles. Engaging with the Epicureans and the city’s Barons, they gained approval to open a supplier of vitae, called the Velvet Vein. In a few months’ time, the facilities are slated to be up and running, servicing the kindred community of LA.

THE AURORAL SHIELD: "COP" -OGANDA

The Auroral Shields had a mission far outside their normal operating procedures: an exercise in diplomacy. Over the past two years, they had fallen into policing roles for unstable magical artifacts. While San Antonio, Chicago, and Las Vegas were grateful for their efforts, they faced suspicion in other cities, and needed support from the other factions to avoid resistance in carrying out their mission.

Throughout the course of the weekend, the members of the Auroral Shield divided and engaged with the other factions, attempting to get the most support they could. A piece of art from the Wilting Lilies opened the minds of kindred to how life might be like without the Auroral Shield protecting them. As a goodwill gesture, the Limelit Circle produced a kindred-exclusive film about the dangers the Arsene Society deals with, finished in astounding time, with reshoots and top-quality editing. The Shield secured an alliance with the Arsene Society, supporting their protection of the Golden Fang with wards throughout the evening. In return, the Arsene offered help with security consulting for the Yucca Mountain facility.

Through a challenging debate, union agreements and possibly a disturbing lack of lawyers, the Haymarketers and the Auroral Shield drafted documents to help ensure the Auroral Shield's full-time employees were provided fair wages and reasonable work hours. The Executive Board was given a sublease for space in the Yucca Mountain facility, giving them a secure space for their valuables. The Auroral Shield may not have gotten every faction on their side, but the goodwill generated that day was a step towards future co-operative engagements.

THE CHIMERA GROUP: CODENAME: YELLOWBOOK

Managing competing interests and conflict with those on the other side of the job is nothing new to the Chimera Group. However, for the first time in the group’s history, someone was actively hunting them. Two agents were killed and a transmission was intercepted and scrambled, lost throughout the city in various forms - a phlebotomy report, a documentary series, and others. While other kindred might have found interest in these esoteric items, the Chimera Group were the only ones who possessed the necessary keys and decryptions protocols to unscramble the transmission and pursue the truth: what was CODENAME: YELLOWBOOK and who killed Agents Manticore and Jabberwock?

While the specifics were only known to a select few, CODENAME: YELLOWBOOK was a vial of blood extracted at significant cost from a suspected Methuselah Kindred with incredibly potent biological properties. In the wrong hands, it’s a potent bioweapon that could bring a city to its knees. In addition, a clandestine organization opposing the Chimera Group was intent on burying anything associated with the operation and the vial of blood.

The Garrote Vil is an organization that has only been rumored and whispered in dark corners of Elysium. Their agents took possession of the package, leading to a confrontation where the Garotte Vil were skilled, prepared, and comfortable with bringing Final Death to those in their way. It was a brutal, bloody affair that ultimately saw the Chimera Group victorious but at a heavy cost. At the end of the evening, the vial’s buyer, responsible for initiating this chain of events, met them at the end of the evening, thanking them for their discretion and a job well done.

However, the Garrote Vil has taken measure of the Chimaera’s strength and organization. Their members remain at large, and won’t soon forget the weekend’s events.

THE DIGITAL COLLECTIVE: ELDER PASSWORD SUPPORT

In the IT realm, password support is considered an unsophisticated task, typically relegated to the lowest entry levels of tech support. However, when one of the former ghouls of the late Chaz Price offered the Digital Collective a trove of Fang Coin to fund their operations, the entire faction took note. Years ago, the infamous Toreador disappeared during a visit to Los Angeles, leaving his former servants unable to access his accounts. Their only hope to carry on his artistic foundation was to answer a series of security questions to regain access. The Digital Collective agreed to help.

The questions themselves were relatively standard: “what is your favorite food”, “what is the name of the street you grew up on”, “what is your favorite pet”, etc. For your average mortal, these could be identified with a bit of social engineering, but finding the history of an elder vampire was a much more challenging task. The Digital Collective worked patiently, and investigated some LA area businesses that catered to kindred clients, and found many of them held clues to the questions.

By Sunday, the Digital Collective had secured answers to enough of the security questions to grant entry. Their client reported they were successfully able to access Chaz’s systems, but they found something unexpected: an old recorded message for Chaz’s childe, Nelli G. The group played the video for Nelli with some trepidation, and watched as she narrowly maintained her composure as another one of her sire’s lectures played from beyond the grave. The Baron curtly thanked the faction for their efforts, and has since pledged to maintain Chaz’s charitable works.

THE EPICUREANS: THE SIX SCENTS

During the second formal gathering of this new faction, the Epicureans continued with their promotion of the finer things in unlife. As they were again exploring the freedoms allowed by an Anarch city, the Epicureans were tasked with assessing and researching six unique scents.The catch? They were in possession of proprietary blends made specifically for a supernatural audience. These scents included notes designed with kindred in mind, ranging from sanguine tree bark to limonene essence, all to enhance and entice the kindred experience.

The owners pulling the strings behind two of the most well known luxury brands were more than displeased to find the other had produced a nearly identical product. Being kindred themselves, they sought out to resolve this discretely and amongst kin. Relying on the Epicureans sense of judgment and varied experience as connoisseurs of luxury products, they made an agreement: whatever the verdict decided upon by this faction would stand in for the legal proceedings which could never occur. As part of the process, they sought to enlighten and elevate the gathering for all kindred in attendance, bringing another welcome indulgence to the city of Los Angeles.

After surveying kindred from every faction and as many clans and sects as possible, the results were submitted, along with the final verdict. Coordinating with an esteemed kindred lawyer, the Epicureans delivered their findings and ended the feud, earning another boost to their reputation as a faction (and of course, a generous compensation).

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD: DUCHESKI SPINCO

In the business world, spinning off a divergent business unit (or SpinCo) from its larger parent company (or ParentCo) is a common practice. Often employed by private equity firms, it is intended to free up a faster moving business from the tethers of a slower, more established one. The Ducheskis were a revenant family who had served Clan Tremere since the Dark Ages. Recently, the family had turned toward the business world, establishing themselves as consultants to various domains in Europe and North America. Having helped the newly reformed city of Las Vegas, the Ducheski family’s patriarch, Gregor Ducheski, enlisted the Executive Board’s help in negotiating an amicable separation from Clan Tremere to further expand his family business.

Working together, the Executive Board proved capable mediators. They worked out a settlement which required the Ducheskis to change the name of their consultancy to allow the Tremere to save face, an extended period of research assistance, and the right of first refusal of the embrace of any Ducheski. In addition, skilled blood sorcerers within Clan Tremere offered to work to restore the Ducheski’s blood quantum, which had grown thin over the centuries and now only rarely contained the revenant trait.

As thanks for their efforts, Gregor Ducheski offered the Executive Board and Clan Tremere 5 seats on his board of directors, which were split evenly with a Tremere member of the Executive board taking the fifth. Gregor was reportedly delighted with the results that guaranteed a future for his family. He is reportedly seeking the assistance of a marketing firm for the rebranding of his consultancy.

THE HAYMARKETERS: CATCH AND RELEASE

The Haymarketers confronted a new aspect of their stance against inequity: understanding the place of ghouls in kindred society. They were tasked with finding and returning four escaped ghouls to their domitors, but struggled with the morality of the act. After all, is that itself not an injustice? This topic divided the Haymarketers, some deeming it beneath them while others ventured forward with the task.

Three different stories unfolded through their quest. The first ghoul was conventional in his perspective, eager and willing to return to his domitor, and who sought the safety and routine of his bargain immortality. The path diverged when the Haymarketers encountered a set of ghouled twins, new to the kindred world, and as eager to leave as they were to enter. The Haymarketers coordinated their escape, standing by their actions in opposition to the twins’ domitor. Last, though anything but least, there was a ghoul older than some of the faction members themselves. Hardened by her century of servitude, she was eager to be put out of her misery. The Haymarketers instead decided to enact their own form of justice, to take this ghoul and give her back her power. For most the Embrace is the end, but for her it was a new beginning.

The question of a ghoul's rights still begs to be answered, if it’s dignified with any response at all. Perhaps seeking justice for non-kindred falls under the purview of grunt work, of undesirable labour. Then again, change doesn’t start from a cushy chair, it starts from the ground up. The Haymarketers may stand in a house divided, but what comes next will require the faction to contemplate just what exactly they are willing to fight for. When it comes to equality, where is the line?

THE IRON HORSEMEN: A PIT OF VIPERS

Negotiations between the Iron Horsemen leadership and the Gold Vipers broke down after the light skirmishes in Las Vegas. It was perhaps no surprise that the nomads of the southwest struck out violently against Iron Horsemen clients in a demonstration of who holds power over LA. This led the Circulatory System to withhold all further support from the Iron Horsemen until they remedied the situation.

The Iron Horsemen rode into town looking for an information broker to learn the fate of the boxcar buffet. Resources, allies, skullduggery, and charm were leveraged to gather three items desired by the broker, which led the nomads to LA’s worst hotel. Most of the Golden Vipers were long gone, and most of the product was dead. Worse, one of them was boobytrapped with an explosion loud enough to actually attract the police, even to that dive. Fortunately, they were able to “persuade” one of the Golden Viper prospects on site to help them out.

Between the Iron Horsemen asset on the ground and the faction’s leadership, information about known Golden Vipers and possible havens. Using this, they were able to coordinate daytime strikes to eliminate six Golden Vipers, including their tail gunner and one of their enforcers.

When night again fell, the persuaded prospect prisoner procured the position the Golden Vipers were meeting at. The Iron Horsemen gathered forty-five, no fifty-six kindred to do battle with the recalcitrant Vipers; even Baron Victor Temple provided support. Splitting into four teams, the attackers quickly discovered that the Golden Vipers were waiting for them, as all animals, even the dogs and rats of skid row, had disappeared. Prescient scouts were able to warn the attackers of cached explosives, allowing them to evade the traps, but leaving each team to face a squad of decloaking Gold Vipers individually. Fortunately, the number of attackers was overwhelming; although they suffered injuries, there were no casualties.

In the aftermath, the Circulatory System accepted torpored Golden Vipers as replacement product and lifted their sanctions against the Iron Horsemen. The Iron Horsemen themselves met with one of their own, a non-descript man from the faction's days of hobos riding the rails. Complimentary to their congratulations, pins of snakeskin boots were given to commemorate all who participated in the final combat, and new iron horses were presented to the faction’s members.

With the Golden Viper hold over the American southwest broken, The Iron Horsemen and other nearby gangs started grabbing territory; though, the lion’s share went to the victor. Other nomadic groups watch the dissection of the Viper’s corpse with trepidation. How they react remains to be seen. Until then, CCMF.

THE LIMELIT CIRCLE: THE FAME GAME

Victor Temple had a problem. Faced with two exceptionally talented fresh-faced singers, he knew he could only award a single recording contract as part of his Temple of Boom label. Rather than deal with the unenviable task of choosing between them, he reached out to the Limelit Circle to determine which of them should receive an offer.

The Limelit Circle was tasked to engage in a friendly competition of The Fame Game. This contest pits teams against each other to bolster the rise of a pet celebrity while sabotaging the rise of a rival. However, the Limelighters decided they'd rather eschew the challenge than compete amongst themselves, even if it meant that their pet celebrities would not be accepted in the Temple of Boom's talent roster.

Instead they worked to gain fame for a celebrity together. They skillfully gathered resources and brokered deals. They even created a promotional video for the Auroral Shield to win back special resources given for The Fame Game.

THE MIDNIGHT CONGREGATION: CAUSTIC CATHARS

The Midnight Congregation formed under the notion that there is a genuine need for spiritual guidance among kindred. However, they have struggled to find balance and unity in their goals as ideologies among the different kindred faiths clash. On those occasions where they’re able to work together, they find the world often seeks to move on from matters of spirituality while simultaneously needing the guidance these cults and religions have to offer.

Thus did leaders from the major kindred cults and religions offer to come together, bringing relics of great import and spiritual depth, to try and guide the Midnight Congregation toward a new direction to overcome its recent struggles. Unfortunately, the dignitaries and leaders never made it to the gathering. As they each journeyed to Los Angeles, one by one they were intercepted and tortured - slowly - by an individual that would become known as The Iconoclast. A ruthless individual of unknown origins, it was clear that they wished to insult the Midnight Congregation deeply and publicly. Many Kindred in Los Angeles rallied together to assist with deciphering the cryptic games The Iconoclast laid out, only to be met with a deep list of ransom demands if the Congregation wanted the relics and the remains of their leaders returned.

The Midnight Congregation took up a collection and produced the necessary payment for the return of the relics. These objects, a set of ancient scales, a painting that shows different things to each viewer, a wooden dowsing rod with runes, a partially intact wax tablet, and a piece of papyrus, were put into the hands of various Kindred (of note, Baron Temple ended the evening in possession of the scales). But what this means for the Congregation going forward is anyone’s guess. Given that the Iconoclast is still at large, it’s likely that society has not seen the last of this elusive - and vengeful soul.

THE PROMETHEAN CONCLAVE: THE FUTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

An absent member of the Conclave sent a letter with details of many experimental human technologies that were progressing quickly in ways that could threaten kindred existence. He implored the present members of the Promethean Conclave to host a symposium gathering perspectives from many different kindred to discuss if impeding the developments of these technologies was the right thing to do. And, if it was determined to be the right course of action, if it should fall to the Promethean Conclave to curb the development of human technology, or if it ran counter to their ethos.

The Promethean Conclave determined that their ranks consisted of many varied perspectives and backgrounds, so efficiently held the symposium among themselves and determined that they should curb the development of these technologies through the use of influence and misinformation. They decided that shaping a future for kindred and humanity was their true purpose and so human experimentation must be directed to preserve the common good.

After the discussion had concluded the Conclave separated to make inroads with other factions and gain boons to bolster their efforts to create counters to existing hunter technologies through their own experimentation.

THE WILTING LILY: PAINTING THE BEAST

A host of devils put color to canvas in the city of angels as part of the latest marvel of The Wilting Lily. Where in previous events they were the performers, over the weekend, the Lilies were the pundits and pedagogues stoking the creative fires in others. These scholars of the Beast set out to teach others through art, directing the imaginations of kindred to give birth to their Beast through the medium of canvas, baring their true souls for all to see, and ultimately helping others to safely explore the darkest recesses of their psyche.

Advance news of this event spread among creative circles, and even Jaromír Černý of Las Vegas demonstrated his patronage, providing the Lilies with unique petals, perhaps from a lily, to use as prizes, bribes, or inspiration as they saw fit. Prizes? Yes! For what would be an art show without the public voting for the art they thought was best or without properly bribed judges putting their thumbs upon the scales?

Armed with the least messy art tools that weren’t crayons (for fear of what some kindred might do), the Wilting Lilies spread forth paper thirsting for tint and hue. Politics and gossip traded as readily as boons and ballots, as kindred if all clans and ages tried their hand at illustrating their inner struggle. For some it was a joke, for some a journey, but in all it invoked reflection. When a curse propelled a kindred to destroy someone’s art, the original creator, recognizing the impact of a struggling soul, simply dubbed it greater than before. Then when all eyes were distracted by the spectacle of the fashion show, a final swapping of votes ensured that the nine winners were what “society” demanded. Those nine were allowed the opportunity to partake of the petals of the sacred flower and expand their senses. What did they see?

ETHICS OF THE HUNT

Can kindred live an ethical unlife? Should they? This was the driving question behind a curtain of provocative, baiting queries poised to the gathering’s attendees. The kindred of Los Angeles did not fail to answer. Some answered with questions in turn, others with indignance and offense. Some staved off confrontation of the self, turning it outwards instead. Those who looked beyond found something else staring them down - furious to be asked but unable to respond.

Maybe there is an ugly, silent truth behind the kiss, as much a weapon as it is a tool, that the only ethical option would be to abstain to the detriment of the self. That the blood of the even most insignificant organism, or the cruelest, is of better use fueling the living than the dead. That the most necessary evils are, in fact, not necessary at all.

But behind this ugly, silent truth, a roar takes centre stage. It drowns out guilt with fury, shame with fear, and doubt with ravenous, unrelenting hunger. And it rages: “Never.”

GO FUND MY BECKONING

The Beckoning is a scarcely understood by powerful force compelling elders to abandon their lives to travel to the Middle East. Griff, a childe of Jeremy MacNeil, started to fell its siren call, and put himself into torpor out of fear. Before going under, he bloodbound his childe and charged them to watch over his sleeping form. In the intervening years, that blood bond diminished, leaving the childe with uncertain feelings about his torpid sire. Hearing that a gathering was to take place in LA, Griff’s childe hatched a plan to rid themselves of their problem sire once and for all.

Wanting to distance themselves from things and just not sure how to approach it, they contracted Robbie Carmine, a local information broker and purveyor of questionable goods. Carmine agreed to help for a cut of whatever the sales are.

The sale began simply. Under the guise of funding Griff’s Beckoning journey to the Mideast, Carmine tried to sell a collection of Jimmy Hendrix memorabilia, comic books, a car stolen from an eastern vampire, and even a collection of cold iron weapons. Having found sufficiently shady buyers through previous sales, Carmine offered one final item: Griff’s haven with Griff staked in the basement. The offer of MacNeil’s childe proved too much for one coterie, but it wasn’t the temptation of Diablerie that drove them, it was the acquisition of a political token for later use.

GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL

Strange posters appeared on the beef board early Saturday evening, depicting the Barons of LA as the silhouettes used in a game of “Who's that Pokémon?” Were these simple jokes? Signs of disrespect? Or subtle threats? Little thought was given to them as the night became more and more eventful until, just before the gathering was set to come to an end, a body of a young man was found in a corner. The crown of his head ripped brutally from his skull and his entire brain was neatly removed. No personal effects were left on the body, only a foil Pokémon card emblazoned with the Salubri clan symbol.

This naturally drew a group of concerned and curious kindred to ask, why had this Salubri been killed? Why has the body not yet degraded? and who had committed such a heinous act? The group disbanded to take care of other business before retiring for the day, but when kindred reconvened for Sunday night's festivities, more bodies were found - their brain and personal effects were removed and a Pokémon card with the symbol of the victim's clan left on each one.

Many determined groups of sleuths came together to investigate the bodies. One kindred in particular used their gifts to recognize which of the souls present were not kindred. The hours wore on and 7 bodies were found, each of a different clan, when finally they determined that the strange Malkavian researcher questioning others about the culture, weaknesses, and strengths of their clans was in fact a werewolf.

This werewolf had recently uncovered the ancient rituals of The Eaters of the Dead, a subgroup of his tribe who took on the strength and power of their foes by consuming the brains of their enemies. Determined to empower himself with each vampiric clan's specific abilities, while eliminating many of those vampires in the process, this Silent Strider had been passing among the kindred all evening.

All investigating groups came together to face the werewolf in a battle, but before it could begin in earnest, Jasper stepped up to speak with the interloper and determine his larger aims. The wily wolf grabbed Jasper and stepped into the Umbra through a mirror on the wall, escaping into the spirit world. Jasper returned seconds later, injured and scarred by the journey. When asked what the werewolf had said, he replied simply “Gotta Catch ‘em All”.

MILDRED THE CRAZY CAT LADY

Taking in the LA nightlife can be fun, but ultimately expensive. That’s why one visiting Nosferatu replied to an ad seeking a cat sitter for the week. The cats’ owner, Mildred, needed someone to look after her prized beauties while attending to some business.

Unfortunately, the moment Mama Mildred was gone, the cats went crazy, escaped, and became lost all over LA. Luckily, with the help of some friendly kindred, the cats were recovered… most of them. Two of them, Gato #5 and Kat (who was actually just a rat named Kat) were still missing. Gato #5 is rumored to be prowling around with a thief out in the underworld, getting up to all sorts of Shenanigans, and Kat was last spotted living it up with some pretty neat Nosferatu.

Mildred was understandably furious, though why she left a relative stranger in charge of her cats, no one knows. The poor cat sitter had a few of their bones broken and was paid half the cat sitting wages they were promised, but otherwise was fine. Mildred, however, is confused as to why she keeps getting emails from a Nigerian Prince asking if her cat, Louie le Chonk is ready to invest in his coronation yet.

'TAG, YOU'RE IT'

Sometimes the simplest of intentions can have drastic and damaging consequences. A neonate Brujah not quite released from Accounting wanted to see what the high and mighty were doing in LA. To fund her trip, she decided to sell off something from her sire’s extensive collection, a bona fide gold bar. While old and valuable, gold is a fungible commodity, and would scarcely be missed. It was also conventional enough to get into the building without too many questions being asked. However, it wasn’t an ordinary gold bar that the neonate brought in. Something very old and very, very angry resided within. For how long? Nobody really knows. But as Kindred throughout the evening found it, and touched it, they were compelled against their will to act in entirely opposite and harmful ways. Declaring loyalty for another sect. Destroying art. Even almost walking off the top of the building to their Final Death. Eventually many became aware that something malicious was within this piece of gold, and sought to better understand.

Some sought to understand the gold bar’s nature, but all they discerned was that even the depths and darkness of Oblivion recoiled from it, and that Oblivion’s gifts were lessened around it. Finally, a group came together to try and pull the corrupting spirit from the gold, and to put it in a mortal body to give this evil form, and ideally, a means to kill it. But not all went according to plan. Although the spirit was removed from the gold, where it ended up is anyone’s guess.

What started as a mere cursed object has produced a spirit that is very old, very angry, and has a fresh, young human body. The spirit is now out, and it remembers in vivid detail everyone it met that night….

THE FATE OF A HUMBLE SOLICITOR

It wasn’t until Saturday when the Banu Haqim delegation noted that a typically reliable member of their group had failed to arrive in Los Angeles. Among the many entreaties, incentives, and bargaining chips prepared to entice the Anarchs, the Banu Haqim had among them a legendary solicitor, known and respected among kindred for his writings on kindred legal proceedings and ethics. In advance of the meeting, he had prepared a body of legal research to help the Anarchs in their future dealings with the Camarilla, amassed from reading centuries of conclave decisions, justiciarial edicts, and treaties.

The Solicitor’s arrival, unfortunately, was unexpectedly harried, leaving him to take shelter from the sun at an unfamiliar temporary haven operated by the Eclipse Sky Lounge. As he settled in for the night, he began to review his briefs, counting among them challenges to the Treaty of Tyre, a collection of challenges to the terms of the Convention of Thorns, and an unorthodox yet potentially convincing defense for the upcoming trial of Germaine.

The evening after his stay, a cleaner entered his sunproof chamber only to find a murder had occurred. The remains of the solicitor were found among a chaotic mess of papers, a shredded briefcase, and a mysterious foil card from a trading card game with the symbol for the Banu Haqim.

ANGELS IN LA

A rumor had spread through a variety of sources that Archangel, a conspiracy-centric radio broadcaster who disappeared in the past several years, had returned, and had recorded a series of podcasts. Unknown to all but his closest confidants, Archangel was Jasper's old flame from his mortal days who delved into the supernatural world in search of what happened to him. As part of these new recordings, Archangel had found evidence of a growing conspiracy in Los Angeles, but had taken great care to hide her discoveries.

A group of guests stumbled upon her first broadcast, finding the start of a trail which documented the discovery of a series of suspicious transactions. Following her clues and transcripts, the truthseekers found there was a conspiracy to help instill someone back into power in the city of Angels.

By draining Victor Temple's special accounts fund through an account in Victor's employ, Suzzane Rochelle was discovered trying to weasel her way back into LA. Despite the reappearance of a former nemesis, Jasper couldn't have cared less and only wanted to know what happened to Archangel. After all the other transcripts were found, an accountant caught up in the conspiracy sent Jasper an email asking to get him someplace safe in exchange for Archangel's final Audio file. Jasper, having a vested interest in getting the final recording, and knowing he would likely have killed the accountant in a fit of rage, looked to the truthseekers for help. They agreed, and true to their word, they helped the accountant escape. The accountant revealed he was just a money man caught up in too many moving parts and wasn't worth killing.

The group returned with the final file, an audio recording, back to Jasper. Archangel once again told Jasper not to follow her, causing him to grow agitated. Ultimately, he said it was about what he expected. He thanked the truth seekers, sent them on their way, and went off his own. The revelation of Suzanne's entanglement in the LA scene, however, may have more profound consequences down the road.

MOUNTAIN TALKS

“How did the negotiations go?” “I think… I think we got played.” The unintended tightening of skin around Baron Temple’s eyes gave insight to his rage. “Boston? Let’s see, the Camarilla agreed to release an Anarch delegation that is probably already dead and to send an Archon to review the Sheriff. That will certainly stymie Prince Iverson’s plans.”

The review of signed agreements was a simple series of lessons for their newest childe, a thin-blood shepherded to unlife as a full vampire. The trio were speeding out of Los Angeles to their extraction point with all possible haste given the ire of the Anarch Movement. Fortunately, traffic was surprisingly cooperative.

“The Anarchs weren’t as quick to sell out their influencers, agreeing to judge each of the cases themselves, using Anarch authorities to sentence the guilty, but at least a Camarilla delegation would be allowed to observe and be granted safe passage for such. I’m sure I don’t need to explain the importance of guaranteeing the safety of diplomats.” The reborn fledgling nodded as the car took a particularly sharp corner and her grip tightened on the door’s handle.

“Then there was this one. The Camarilla agreed to condemn religious violence generally and to require its members in Johannesburg to only engage in politically motivated violence against the Anarchs there. Toothless. For many, these nights especially, religion is politics; their agreement will not last.

“The Camarilla shall provide a list of members of the Red Question to the Anarch Movement. The Anarchs shall investigate and internally address the allegations. Within six months of receipt of the list of accused the Anarch Movement shall provide a status report of their investigation of the matter to the Camarilla.”

“What’s a Red Question?” “Anarch cyberterrorists, like those mortals in Anonymous. I didn’t think any survived the purge, but here we are. The real question is what they did that so inflamed the Camarilla. “Let’s see, what’s next? Ah, the parties shall denounce Diablerie.” The teacher looked over at the reborn fledgling with a smirk, “both the Anarch Movement and the Camarilla agree to denounce Diablerie outside of judicial executions such as a bloodhunt or similar circumstances within the Anarch Movement. Clearly, none of that applies to us. “Now for my favorite, The Banu Haqim of the Mountain —that’s us— will refrain from alliance with the Anarch Movement for 25 years in exchange for major boons from, well, I’ll just say from Camarilla vampires of particular interest to us, and all four subject artifacts requested.” “Why didn’t we ally with the Anarch Movement, and what is so important about the artifacts?” “The delegates showed little appetite for the inevitable horizon they pitch towards. Unlike you, they are content with the scraps the Camarilla leaves them while burying their heads in the sand. In twenty-five years, they may be ready. “As for the objects, Badr’s Puzzle Chest and Thetmes’s Lament are simply touchstones of our clan, the cultural works of ancients, but the Foundation Nail of Ur and the Heartsblood Tome? Those hold real power. Truly, we should thank the Separatists for saving them, but thievery cannot be rewarded.” “To give up so much, the Camarilla must not be as strong as everyone thinks.” “Sharp eye, but they’re not weak either. As for the rest of the issues,” interjected the driver for the first time, “the Tower and the Rabble will just have to figure out their problems with the Anarch Star Chambers and the Sabbat-like Prince of Richmond for themselves.”

THE NOSFERATU FASHION SHOW

It’s been talked about for so long, it’s a running joke. There’s been whispers for months. Hopeful anticipation tempered by practicality. A fashion show. Imalia’s fashion show. It’s finally happening after all this time. Even though she was pulled in many directions throughout the weekend, Baron Nelli G put considerable resources and effort into giving Imalia, and to a lesser extent, Clan Nosferatu itself, a chance to walk the stage and stand in the spotlight so regularly reserved for (or stolen) by the likes of roses and kings.

But not everyone was excited for this event. A Camarilla Herald with the credentials to back up their position and the resources to obscure their identity began circulating through social media various barbs and jabs at Nelli G and the Fashion Show. This critic, who only went by the moniker ‘Herald B’, made a series of scathing remarks and doubted the ability of the fashion show to deliver. It was later revealed that sabotage had befallen the production; theft of documents, signature pieces were taken and discarded like garbage, and the necessary technical pieces needed for such an event all had been stolen. In her salon, Nelli G identified Kindred that were of interest to her for a variety of reasons, and charged them with recovering these stolen goods, all while Herald B continued to taunt her through the Saturday.

However, Nelli’s allies managed to come through, and everything was recovered for the show to launch on Sunday. But as the sun set and the night began, Nelli G’s signature accessory, her crown, had been stolen by supporters of Herald B. Nelli refused to allow the show to go on without it, and as she openly demanded its return, many openly pledged to see it secured.

As the production’s start time approached, and all seemed lost, the crown was produced and given to Jasper, who gave it to Nelli in exchange for a promise she wouldn’t make him walk. The lights dimmed as the music began, and over 30 kindred of different Clans, walks of life, and social standing paraded through under the banner of ‘The Elegance of Waste’. In the final walk, Baron Nelli G herself slayed in a daring piece expertly crafted by Imalia consisting of newspapers. Her long-awaited triumph continues to be the talk in salons throughout the country and the world.

So all’s well that ends well - but who is Herald B, and will we see them again? Only time will tell…

PEARLS OF WISDOM

The extraction of X from his watery confinement was only the first stage in a series of contingency plans set in motion by the Voerman sisters to secure the future of Santa Monica. As a new Baron, the sisters knew X would require guidance on how to administer the territory. In anticipation of the transition, they pooled their resources. Therese had carefully maintained ledgers with years of boons and favors owed, along with a network of informants. Jeanette had a string of ex-boyfriends, hopeful admirers, and incriminating material. Together, they devised a plan to prepare X for his new role.

Early Saturday night, one of Jeanette’s ghouls told X that a series of trials awaited him. Completing each trial would award him a “pearl of wisdom”, each containing a message and a special piece of advice from Jeanette. To complete these, X reached out to his supporters who eagerly gathered in support of his goal.

The trials were facilitated by seemingly ordinary guests of the event wearing venetian masks, each of them contacted to repay a boon. They were tasked with testing X and his supporters on various abilities, awarding a pearl at the conclusion of each exercise. The trials themselves were bizarre, clearly the product of a fractured mind, and perhaps disproportionately influenced by Jeanette.

At the start of each trial, X’s supporters gathered. The first trial taught X to be careful who he trusts as his supporters had to discern who among the facilitators was lying. The second was a memory exercise where the facilitators cheated, and earned a message from Jeanette telling X to never forget a favor. A test of industriousness followed, where X’s supporters each had to rush to turn a few FangCoins into as large a fortune as possible in 30 minutes. As a reward for their hard work, the highest earning group had their fortune seized and given to the second highest group. As the message from Jeanette explained, the early bird gets the worm, but the second rat gets the cheese. X’s supporters then pursued what they sought was a straightforward request: simply hit the next facilitator in the nose to earn their next pearl. However, the facilitator hired a group of goons to protect him. Always bring a gun to a knife fight, Jeanette cautioned. X’s confidence was growing. The final trial was a test of morality instituted by a Salubri Priest and Baron of the Anarch Movement. Even with their collective brainpower, X’s supporters struggled to comprehend the morality behind Jeanette’s decisions, as they sought to grasp who she would choose to save in a series of trolley problems. Relying largely on their powers of Auspex and reaching deep into the cobweb, they managed to find the correct answers. This unlocked the final piece of advice, never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.

With the trials completed, X has realized the immense gravity of the decisions a Baron is faced with. Bolstered by Jeanette’s advice and the support of his supporters and cousins, he is ready to face the challenges of his new position with wisdom and confidence.

HUNT OR BE HUNTED

Having wrestled with the Society of Leopold and the Second Inquisition offensive only four years prior, the kindred of Los Angeles are no strangers to the looming threat of hunters. Since their last conflict, there had been a lull… until now.

The Hunters learned from their last operation that a city this formidable would never succumb to overwhelming force. Instead, covert operations were set in motion, aiming to pick at the weak spots and cause kindred society to collapse from within. Everything was going according to plan, until someone beat them to the (possibly literal) punch.

A local information broker arrived at the gathering with a truly unique opportunity. While he neglected to reveal his source, he indicated a willingness to sell what he had to anyone asking. What he was selling? Access to a FIRSTLIGHT forum that the hunters had yet to realise was compromised. The broker had the ability to add not just one but multiple accounts onto their server, as long as the price was right.

Those curious few who bought in found that the server was real, and that FIRSTLIGHT was up to something. At first, the kindred were disadvantaged by their own agendas and territorial habits; some were unable to relinquish control even if it meant risking their fellow Anarchs. One sought to level the playing field, allowing others access to the server. From there, Kindred discovered plans for covert operations, an internal structure, and current agendas of a FIRSTLIGHT group just two hours south.

As some explored further into the server, something else was uncovered: the hunters knew quite a bit about Baron Victor Temple. Though no public accusation of collaboration was made, word spread quickly of the potential association (some which came from Baron Nelli G herself). However, it was soon learned that it wasn’t Victor who was in their sights, but one of his lieutenants. A series of plans was identified which planned to eliminate one of his staffers before the month was up.

Digging deeper still, some unearthed vital information about the Barons of Santa Monica and downtown LA, Therese and Nines. Both were considered missing in action, and their statuses on a hunter registry confirmed that, at the very least, they had not met Final Death at the hands of the Inquisition. In reaction to what they had learned, dozens of kindred worked to set up surveillance to ensure the safety of the mass gatherings, and to plan for a potential assault.

In the end, the kindred lurkers adopted a methodology of stealth and collaboration. The waiting game paid off, and the FIRSTLIGHT operatives were none the wiser that kindred were reading each and every message. Through their manipulation of the mortal world and fast response, LA’s baronies were secured in spite of an attempt to compromise them all. For now, the city has held on to their upper hand. Now they need to deal with the rats.

UNDER THE SHIFTING SANDS

After a rash of celebrity deaths and disappearances, a young Toreador, a broodmate to Nelly G's lieutenant, went missing. Nelli’s lieutenant felt eyes upon her everywhere she went, and asked anyone who would listen to help her find her stalker.

A strange kindred named Sleep wandered Saturday's gathering asking kindred about their deepest desires and passing out small coins as thanks to those who indulged his questioning.

Meanwhile, a mortal mage was called by a mysterious poem, and searched the ether for a sign of what it could mean. Her visions showed her a woman with vibrant red hair being hunted from the shadows, and a shining coin whispering to all who held it. Knowing she must help, she searched for clues to uncover the identity of the stalker, and the mysteries of the poem. Late in the evening she found one of the coins from her vision, and an aged diary on a bookshelf.

She spent the next day pouring over the diary and, when her allies in the Auroral Shield awoke the next evening, she showed them all she had found and they decided to work together and end the looming threat.

They read the diary together and found it belonged to the mortal director Cecil B. DeMille. He kept it during the production of The Ten Commandments (1923), and told a story of how he was called to the dunes of Santa Barbara to build a temple to a mysterious voice. They found that DeMille had made a deal with the voice under the sands and the voice required a sacrifice. Some members of the group saw visions of Cecil B. DeMille kneeling and stowing his diary in a small compartment.

The coin started to whisper in the mind of those holding them calling them into the sands. The mage began to lead her compatriots into the desert following the whispering coin. They were met by another kindred who was following their own coin who joined them on their quest. As they reached the desert, a piece of litter flew into the group, carried on a breeze. They realized it was a map.

Following the urges of the coin, the group made their way to an obelisk in the dunes near a small town. They found a small compartment at the bottom of the obelisk filled with sand. Those who obeyed a call to kneel began to hear the sound of the voice that the holders of the coins could hear as well. When they knelt before the obelisk another compartment opened, revealing two scrolls.

The group set to work decoding the riddles on the scrolls and found the solutions to the riddles among the points marked on the map. After triangulating the solutions to the riddles with the location of the obelisk, the group decided to venture to the location indicated.

Once there, they found the Lost City of DeMille, once the set of The Ten Commandments, and now a temple to the voice beneath the sands, now thundering to all who could hear. There they found the remains of the young Toreador who had gone missing, recently sacrificed upon an altar by the cult of the voice.

They questioned the voice and its followers, and determined that the voice was a serpent of corruption. It laid claim to all present, aside from the mage, and manifested as large and unknowable a thing as any had ever encountered. This power under the sand was merely an aspect of its greater glory. It called itself Apophis and offered the group their greatest desire for the sacrifice of the thing most important to them.

The group decided this god could not be allowed to continue to call for sacrifice and manipulate its mortal following. They determined that they would collapse the gate that DeMille had built to welcome Apophis, thus sealing it beneath the sands.

The team scaled the 110 foot high gates, destroying the sigils that welcomed the aspect of Apophis. As the gates collapsed the sands around them rose, but with swift thinking and magical prowess, the team managed to escape the swirling sands and falling stone. The booming voice of Apophis became only a whisper in the minds of those still holding the coins.

Congratulating themselves on a job well done, they left the aspect of the god buried in the sand and hoped they had prevented its further incursion into the world. However, one among their number returned and accepted Apophis's deal, constructing a small shrine in the process.