Instantes

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

cider said
Would you mind putting your sheet up in the thread for accepted sheets, Instantes? It'd help me keep check.

done

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned Character Sheets

Faction Name: Camarilla Investment Group - Los Angeles Division (CIG LA)
Allegiance: Camarilla
Location: Downtown L.A., principally the 54th and 55th floor of the 777 Tower
General Information: Although the Camarilla has little central organisation as such, save for the mysterious Inner Circle, the international world of global finance and its vast potential demanded Camarilla Princes coordinate their efforts to ensure the transition of banking into the modern era remained heavily influenced by, and guided towards, Camarilla interests and needs. Those who held prominent positions in European and American Banking firms formed their own secret council, the Camarilla Investment Group, to ensure that all forms of banking and related financial activities (investment banking, venture capitalism, hedge fund management etc) benefited Camarilla assets and maintained a steady flow of wealth with which to combat the Sabbat and other forces opposed to the Camarilla.

Secondarily, the CIG also takes a more direct influence in growing the assets into which it invests, and pulling strings of both private and public companies to organise and cement Camarilla power in certain areas. Coordinating with political assets amongst the Camarilla, vampires are often placed on boards of companies and local government organisations to influence key decisions; the motives for these vary - to reassert lost power when force is a less desirable or valid option, strengthen power and influence in particular areas or make life difficult for Sabbat or even Anarch operations opposed to Camarilla interests.

Character Sheets:


Name: Vernon Grant-Bell
Generation: 8th
Clan: Ventrue
Disciplines: Fortitude, Dominate, Presence
Personality: Calm, measured and exuding a captivating gravitas, Vernon is a benchmark of Ventrue leadership, even without his mastery of the 'presence' and 'dominate' disciplines. Every sentence he speaks is carefully weighed, every stroke of his pen fore-planned to work in his favour, every action pre-aligned like a chess grandmaster. Coming from traditional Scottish aristocracy, Vernon is a highly cultured man with interests in classical music, poetry and many other rich artistic pursuits. He is engaging and prefers diplomatic solutions wherever possible, but such is his self confidence (many would say arrogance) that 'no' is something Vernon struggles to readily accept; thus "non-diplomatic" solutions are not unfamiliar to him, and he is prepared to use whatever resources he can muster, including his own prowess if necessary, to ensure things are done to benefit the Camarilla and his own interests.
Biography: Born in Edinburgh during the year 1773, Vernon was the son of a prominent Scottish Earl - the Earl of Sterling, and as such was Born to his official title: Lord Vernon Grant-Bell, The Viscount of Sterling. His upbringing was privileged, cultured and secure; his education was first rate and he possessed a particularly keen mind for mathematics, although philosophy, literature and languages both contemporary and classical were well received upon his studious mind. Following several years of study at Cambridge, Vernon returned to his inherited home to an array of options: he could join the army or navy, enjoying the fast track that a landed title brought; he could become a doctor or lawyer, although neither of these truly appealed; or he could travel to London and expose himself to a life a court, living off his family's financial wealth at least temporarily. Guided by his father's steady hand, he chose to join the army in December 1796 as a Lieutenant, taking a commission in the 71st Regiment of Foot, before quickly transferring to the 74th Highlanders in 1797 once a position to become Captain had presented itself.

For several years Vernon took posts across varying positions in the British Empire, being cited several times by officers for his intelligent, quick thinking mind and calm, assertive leadership that struck the right balance with the men he led. He was firm but fair, and when the opportunity presented itself, he demonstrated his bravery too. By 1801 he became a Major, and by 1803 he was to lead a company of men into one of the most famous battles in his regiment's history: the battle of Assaye in Western India. The battle that made the highlanders and Sir Arthur Wellesley famous also brought Major, The Lord Viscount Grant-Bell praise worthy of his grand name; stepping forward when the line was in peril, Vernon demonstrated great courage and leadership in steadying his troops and leading them on the field. Back home in England, this acclaim brought other noble eyes upon him: the country's Ventrue clan.

During the Peninsula War, fought against Napoleonic France's grand army in Portugal and Spain, Vernon transferred to be an intelligence officer although he kept his official title as an officer of the 74th Highlanders. Sharp witted, with a keen tactical mind and a flair for languages, Vernon excelled in this role and was bumped up to Colonel by Arthur Wellesley himself following a string of well executed assignments that led to significant tactical advantages over the French. On his return to England in December 1808 on brief leave, Vernon was invited to a masquerade ball held in London by an Earl well known at court for his lavish parties. It was at this party that the Ventrue took their mark; sired by the Marquess of Bath, himself a prominent member of the clan. Following this night, the world of the rich and entitled developed a whole new light: the kine didn't really rule - the Kindred did, as he was soon to learn.

Using their significant power and influence, Vernon was excused his duties in the war, only returning there for two months so as not to draw undue attention, although he maintained his official post as an intelligence Colonel in the British Army; as of now his new training and demands lay with his clan. Vernon thrived as a member of the world's elite kindred stock, taking apprenticeships under Princes of cities littered throughout the Empire. It soon became apparent, however, that his leadership and intelligence has destined him for greater things; specifically, this mathematical mind was seen to be useful in wealth creation and 1865, after many years of training, he became a founding member of HSBC, although his role was one played out in the shadows, scheming behind human figureheads. For a century and a half, Vernon has innovated and crafted modern banking and wealth creation, investing in key assets and linking them inextricably to the Ventrue and Camarilla. Although his life as a soldier and intelligence officer facilitated his interest in other roles, particularly when he was bored of desk work and number crunching, the Inner Circle always prompted his return to what he did best.

In the modern nights, the year 2006, Vernon has been sent to L.A. to sure up the Camarilla's influence within the city following the failure of the former Prince. Vernon is subtle but astute, even direct when called for, and his knowledge of intelligence operations betrays a darker purpose to his presence in the city. He only knows he cannot fail... because he cannot remember the last time he did so.


Name: Aurelia Núñez
Generation: 9th
Clan: Ventrue
Disciplines: Fortitude, Dominate, Presence
Personality: Aurelia is Vernon's childe, closest aide and one of the few people he entrusts to carry out is business in absolute faith. Whereas Vernon oozes cool confidence, Aurelia's charisma is far more gregarious and passionate. If new clients need taking for dinner and drinks to seal a contract then Aurelia will take the lead, ensuring the matter is sealed as expected whilst, in all likelihood, leaving such an impression that repeat business and recommendation is all but certain. Exerting a confident, intelligent femininity, Aurelia is a fast riser in Camarilla circles and her ambition is masked thinly behind her loyalty to Vernon.
Biography: Born in A Coruña, Spain in 1790, Aurelia Núñez was daughter to a dairy farmer and his young wife; her mother died giving birth to her and she was raised solely by her father - a kind, hard working man with a gentle spirit. Aurelia helped on the farm her whole life, and whilst her father taught her to read and write a little, not being a well educated man himself she grew up destined to work the land - milking the cattle, tending to their needs and selling their produce in A Coruña. Her life was happy enough in many ways, although as a teenager she found it rather dull.

In May 1808 events conspired to shatter her world; the uprising in Madrid against the French occupiers set off a chain of events that would lead to a full military conflict between Napoleon's France and the allied forces of Spain, Portugal and Great Britain. The flush of fresh and experienced French troops into Spain in late 1808 crushed the Spanish and by January they had pushed the British forces in Spain into a corner: that corner just so happened to be at A Coruña. The night before the battle, several French scouts entered their farm looking to steal cattle to feed their amassing forces. With a noble spirit, her father resisted but was quickly overwhelmed and murdered by a single musket ball to the skull. Aurelia remembered the screams she uttered that night; at barely over eighteen she saw her father killed, was savagely raped and left beaten within an inch of her life.

The same night, a British patrol was scouting the area when it came across the same French forces that had stolen the cattle; a brief fire fight followed in which the French were driven back, but having got their prizes, were happy to withdraw. The leader of the patrol, a young captain, saw the barn ablaze and diverted to take a brief look when he heard Aurelia's screams. Her wounds were severe, but upon his honour as a gentleman he took her back to the camp surgeon to make an attempt at saving her life. The situation looked doubtful, such was her loss of blood. It was after the captain had reported the sighting of the French patrol to his superior officer, who in turn passed it on to Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore, commander of the British forces, and his intelligence aide - Colonel Vernon Grant-Bell. Vernon wished to question the surviving girl, but upon seeing the surgeon he understood she was likely to die within the hour. He asked to see her alone. She was unable to speak, savaged with wounds yet still striking; her raven hair was matted with blood, her eyes were fierce and defiant and her lips pursed with the effort of trying to talk. He saw something in her that spoke to him - this girl had passion and fortitude - it was a miracle she was not dead already; and so Vernon decided, that although she was not a candidate of ideal bloodlines, he would not let her meet a true death, but rather an undeath. That night, privately, he sired her.

The battle itself was fought in the day, but as an intelligence officer no-one expected Vernon to be leading the line, and so his absence there was not really accounted for; neither was that of a lowly Spanish girl. In the town itself, he sheltered her whilst both sides fought themselves to a draw. Soon afterwards he led her into Portugal, before the Ventrue arranged for his transfer back to England.

When he returned to London, the presence of a new childe with him shocked the established Ventrue; although Vernon was a promising new vampire, to turn another so quickly was highly frowned upon, not to mention her low birth. A presentation was made of Vernon and Aurelia to the Prince of London, where their fate and punishment would be presided over. Death for both was strongly considered, having broken a sacred code of the Ventrue and the Camarilla. However, Vernon's promise allied with the argument that he had not yet been adequately taught by his own sire deflected much of the punishment onto the Maquess of Bath. Vernon was warned, whilst Aurelia was given an effective death sentence - sent to fight as a front-line soldier in the street wars against the Sabbat: if she died, so be it, if she survived it would prove she would be a useful addition to the clan.

It took fifteen years of fighting and scrapping, killing and nearly being killed; in all this time she was forbidden from seeing Vernon, but her uncanny survival instinct and remarkable resilience was noted. She was taken off the front lines, and as a Ventrue, was given tasks far more in line with a vampire of such a noble clan. The only issues were her struggles in reading and writing; as of yet, she was a Ventrue by blood only, lacking the intelligence, sophistication and grace to be a true member of the clan. In truth, she was more like a savage Brujah than a Ventrue, and so she was given back to Vernon to culture and educate. This year was 1825, and from this point forward Vernon never let her go. He relished in teaching his only Childe; he was firm but caring. In many ways it was a paternal love that guided him. She had never aged beyond her eighteen year old body, and her youthful beauty charmed him into protecting her in a way he would do for no other. She wasn't coddled - how could one coddle a vampire so exposed to terror and violence? But little by little, the care and attention, as well as the education, allowed her to flourish. She became his closest aide and most trusted advisor, travelling with him to many places in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

In the modern nights this relationship still holds true. Fierce, feisty and yet richly sophisticated - Aurelia Núñez is like a well aged bottle of Spanish Rioja; whilst she does not have Vernon's raw intelligence and methodical mind, she offers a passionate counterbalance which has proven equally useful in securing desirable contracts for the Camarilla's growing portfolio of wealth.


Name: Gregor McCrone
Generation: 10th
Clan: Gangrel
Disciplines: Fortitude, Protean, Animalism
Personality: Ruthless and aggressive, the beast stalks in Gregor with great potency; as a Cainite his servitude to Vernon has been reinforced by a blood bond that the Ventrue sees is well maintained. It is only this, and the occasional tutelage of his master, that enables Gregor to seamlessly fit into human society: rarely leaving Vernon's side unless by his direct instruction, he is able to stay in better control of his base urges and even pass as having at least competent social etiquette.. As both bodyguard and enforcer, however, Gregor is an extremely apt individual - violence releases the predator which lies within - something he finds highly gratifying.
Biography: Gregor was wild even as a kine; born to a small village settlement off Loch Rannoch in the highlands of Scotland in 1894, his father fished the Loch and his mother made clothing from wool to sell. Their life was simple and wild, lost amongst the sublime landscape that both cradled them and kept them in awe. Gregor was 20 when the first world war broke out and he volunteered straight away. He wasn't to know what horrors the war would bring and it all seemed like it would be a good laugh at the time. He fought bravely throughout the war, being cited for his rather fearless actions on several occasions. Eventually he became accustomed to it; the violence became normative, became expected even, so that the moments of peace were welcomed only briefly. Many soldiers beside him thought Gregor too wild to follow into battle - somehow reckless, but admirable nonetheless. During the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, this reckless luck would run out. The bullet from a sniper missed his heart but smashed a hole that nearly killed him nonetheless.

The war was over for Gregor, and as he recovered back in England, he decided he could not stay in the oppressive setting of a city such as London and that he needed to go back to his home in Scotland. He recovered there amongst the highlands' beautiful landscapes, soothed by the mountains and the loch itself. But such a peaceful life after the everyday grind of war was difficult; although the war itself contained long periods of boredom, Gregor could always volunteer for a patrol or forward posting. His friends thought him crazy, but something ineffable and violent lurked within him - where it came from he could not say, but the war, dreadful at first, had appeased it, and now it stirred restless.

Recovered, Gregor wandered the lands with a unquenchable need for something greater, and yet the call of his homelands somehow rooted him there. It was an evening spent running in the vast wilderness of the Rannoch Moor that showed him the answer he had subliminally longed for. Running amongst a patch of pine woods, he tripped in the darkness and fell. Before he could arise he was set upon by a powerful man who slammed his head into the ground and hit him with such force that his lung collapsed on first impact. Gregor wheezed and coughed, but the bloodlust in him stirred again; previously lost with the absence of war, he had found it now. Although his opponent was freakishly strong, Gregor threw as many punches as the strange man, scrapping for his life. The fight was bloody but brief; Gregor had given a good account of himself, but there was no way he could win. Even his strongest blows did little but raise a smile from the villain who attacked him, but unbeknown to him, the immortal foe was impressed with the spirit of his victim. That night he was turned, the Gangrel who fought him pleased with the outcome of his test.

Joining the Gangrel was a liberating experience for Gregor; his rage was fuelled and celebrated, but subject to control and guidance from experienced members of the clan. The highland Gangrel were equally pleased with their latest recruit, and Gregor became an experienced hunter. He quickly learned his limitations, however; the lands of the Garou were to be respected at all times - a lesson painfully learned by many new recruits.

In 1962, the Highland Gangrel joined the Camarilla as increasing urbanisation forced them into a decision between them or the Sabbat. In the early 1970s, a Ventrue vampire called Vernon Grant-Bell returned to his native Scotland to oversee the bank of Scotland's expansion into North Sea Oil and the energy sector. In actuality, he had tied portions of the Camarilla's wealth into the quickly growing industry and bought a great deal of shares on behalf of the organisation. Aware that the Sabbat would want to sabotage this process to prevent the Camarilla securing a firmer power base in Scotland, Vernon orchestrated a pre-emptive offensive to cripple certain Sabbat power structures throughout Scotland. Vernon oversaw the offensive directly and kept a close eye on individual reports fed back from commanders on the ground. Several cited one name in a ferocious assault on a Sabbat industrial complex in Glasgow - Gregor McCrone. Reports that Gregor had rallied against the Sabbat counter attack where others fell away reminded Vernon of his own role in the battle of Assaye; the more he dug into the background of Gregor and his previous career as a soldier, the more Vernon saw of the same spirit he recognised in the very best soldiers that he had worked with. He asked for him immediately.

By now Gregor had grown almost too wild to integrate well within human cities. Technology was lost upon him and he had forgotten much of civilised manners; Vernon however, saw the warrior underneath and trusted his ability to mould the clay he saw. The Gangrel did not want to let their best go, but Vernon's influence in the Camarilla made sure he batted down the objections. Gregor was assigned to Vernon's personal coterie as an enforcer. He didn't like this at first - learning culture and etiquette wasn't an interest. Vernon knew that Gregor would only respect strength, so he showed it. Vernon was an older, more experienced vampire and whilst he lacked Gregor's prowess with the Protean discipline, Vernon's knowledge of fortitude was greater, and his extra experience allowed him to beat Gregor frequently in their sparring matches. Gregor, begrudgingly, showed deference to his better and the assignments he was given appealed to his violent side - he was appeased. Still, he was unaware that Vernon had reinforced these 'normal' means of gaining respect with supplying Gregor with his own blood. Thus over time, a strong blood bond was created between Gregor and Vernon, so that now Gregor almost always seeks to please the man he works for. It is an arrangement that suits both well: Vernon leads, and Gregor sees how far he can push people's noses towards the back of their heads...

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

Kind of responded to you a little Myst, but left it open in case you didn't want to go down the direction of meeting up too early.

Hope it suffices. Please click the Chopin as you read it - I think it adds a sense of what my Ventrue is about.

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

Vernon Grant-Bell leaned forward a little in his black leather chair; his was a studious face, impressed with several lines of concentration; a pair of dark green eyes moved over the page in front of him before his hand scratched at the finely cut beard of raven black hair that sculpted round his jaw. His posture adjusted a little more, just so he could more easily rest his elbows on the smooth ebony and oak desk that sprawled out in front of him. He wanted to look carefully at the numbers. His ink-emerald eyes led his mind like a navigator through cloying fog, allowing a little upward turn at the mouth to follow: a confident certainty that he had read it right. Vernon didn't make errors of judgement in straightforward financial matters such as these. Pausing, he drew his eyes away from the last business item in his in-tray, removed a set of gold cuff-links impressed with two well cut, square black diamonds which he set aside, and rolled up the sleeves on his white shirt. A momentary gaze through the large window behind him hinted at the night's enticing secrets; he wanted to know them. He needed to get out, into the city that teased him with her fresh, bold new lights and the dark shadows they drew eyes away from. He afforded himself a small self-vow: he would know those secrets tonight, both shadow and light, he just needed to finish this final document first...

The numbers made for an interesting, rather telling read; it wasn't a traditionally volatile market, but it had faced a steep downturn in the last month or so. The old Camarilla Prince of L.A., Sebastian LaCroix, had been subsidising several local and state level courier firms in quite an unprofitable way, likely as a front for an intelligence network - his own, not the Camarilla's. His death, although behind the scenes for many kine, had caused such subsidies to dry up, affecting business operations negatively and thus the share prices. The market had levelled a little, but Vernon was curious as to what a little tinkering could do. If he was right, and he was confident that he would be having worked in the Camarilla, as a spy and as a banker both, for many years, then he knew exactly how to play it. He would target the first, second and third weakest companies to short sell on their stocks, drive the market down to the basement based on this and a little bit of rumour selling amongst old friends in the press and banking; he'd then buy up stocks across the companies and provide long term loan solutions to recapitalise them, put some expert man managers in place on their boards and push a positive news spin with aggression. The market would quickly re-establish - give it a year and he could sell shares for major profit whilst keeping the intelligence assets which proved useful. There wasn't much risk in it, and although it wouldn't have the money rolling into Camarilla coffers in any ineffably grand way, it would begin securing and making money on some important assets. He finished writing his plans and sent a quick email out to his share broker - Vernon would meet with him tomorrow.

Tonight held other plans...

What awaited him now was a pallet of his own musing, and the desirable company of his favourite co-artist:

Aurelia, come over in twenty. Paperwork done - need to see this city first hand; care to join?
PS - bring someone to eat...
Vernon x

He was hungry, but always choosy, as most Ventrue were. Blood needed to have an energising richness, vibrancy and subtle layers: it was champagne, after all, to one of Cain's lineage; why settle for products of inferior quality? Aurelia would bring someone delicious and refined though - she knew his tastes well enough, as well as the benefits of keeping her boss happy.

Twenty minutes... His mind was alert now: the prospect of heading out into a new town for the first time excited him. He rose from the chair, feeling the newly laid cream carpet absorb the weight of his tall, lithe frame. Leaving the jacket of his light grey Ozwald Boateng suit behind the chair, he slipped his hand into its left breast pocket and removed a set of uniquely rolled, medium cigars encased in a walnut box with sterling inlay to the edges. Lighting the first, he took the smoke in deeply and let the rich flavours infuse: the blood that would follow would be made all the sweeter for setting his pallet correctly. He smiled at the thought of this, although only a touch. Replacing the box, he then made his way over to the beautiful off-black Fazioli piano that stood as meekly as such a grand object might in the corner shadows, and ran his finger down the keys, listening for the perfect tuning and rich tone that he had come to expect. He bought a new piano every year: they were precious to him in a way few other things were. This one he had only played twice before, and never in L.A. He walked over to the large window that overlooked the city from his office at the very pinnacle of the 777 tower, looked into the night one last time - its brightness and activity antithetical to the pleasing docility of the starry night - before turning to sit and to play. He didn't consider what he would play, but let his fingers lead so that his mind finally caught up with the exquisite sound: Chopin

Nothing happened except music. No facts, figures, plans: music was indulgent escapism intertwined with something more sublime than he could muster to thought. It was only with the arrival of Aurelia, slipping in through the large double doors outside which Gregor, his guard and captain, stood. She held the room like an aesthetic counterpoint against the ballade's furious coda; grace and fire: a symbolic fusion: one fitting for an evening like this one.

"Hello, Victor." The simple greeting, softly spoken, was an understatement afforded by their greater-than-lifetime understanding. She stood like a dark angel of youth: her midnight hair held high into an elegant up-do complemented the complexion of her bronze skin. She wore a smart, maroon suit jacket that was empowering and yet surprisingly feminine given it's adaptation to her frame. Her smile warmed him from his musing, ponderous mood and her hazel eyes smoked wildly in the ambient lighting of the room.

"Hello, Aurelia." His reply met the genial understatement in likeness. "Care to join me for an evening stroll?"

"Yes, would you like to eat first?" She spoke tellingly, almost teasingly. The silence and slow nod from Vernon led her to click her fingers and in walked a delightful, petite red haired girl, around nineteen by his estimates; she wore... very little.

"Lovely..." The feeding was exquisite - she was compliant enough, which told him that this wasn't her first experience. That made it easier - she accepted and they took. Vernon rarely drank the blood of anything other than young, red haired girls. Through experience he found it a transcendent taste in comparison to everything else. He could afford to feed on the best, so he did.

In the action he ascended his vitality once more for the night; he stopped, took it in - let the thrill and rush surge like a river of power. When he opened his eyes the girl had already been taken away. The readiness good blood provided was like the opening of a door to glimpse the predator within; as a Ventrue he had far more mastery over the beast than the Gangrel which stood outside his door, but it didn't mean it wasn't there: it spoke now - a bass, throaty growl that lingered in foul temper against the cultured reason which subjugated it; but Vernon listen to it now.

"Quite finished?" Aurelia spoke, resting a feminine hand upon his shoulder, re-centering him. "You always were a little too obsessed with your food. So, where are we headed?"

"Only for a drive. There's much to be said for letting things come to you, Aurelia. I always told you that." He returned the compliment of a hand to the shoulder as he spoke, his touch every bit as soft as her's. "But you must be out in amongst events to experience them, it's no good staying in a place where the world can't touch you. Let's live feelingly for a night."

She always remained impressed when he spoke in abstract; Vernon held a room like no other man she had met. She would follow him to the ends of the earth on that alone. Taking his hand, she pulled him and in a twist turned herself also towards the doors. They were leaving.

"Coming Gregor?" Victor said as he left. The bullish looking Gangrel at the door flexed; he stood in a pair of washed jeans and a tight black t-shirt that contrasted the Ventrues' formal wear. "Aye, sir. Be good to get out for a change. Can I speak freely, sir?" The rough tones of his voice echoed a similar accent to Vernon's, but somehow the sounds were far less refined.

"You may..." Vernon replied curiously, still content that his best soldier had lost little of his discipline, despite his closer proximity to the beast.

"Standing at your door has made me mightily hungry." He grinned. Vernon returned it; then Aurelia.

"We've overlooked our best man," Aurelia mused. "The night is your picking my friend." Gregor grinned further - that was as good as a promise to him.

They took the elevator down from the top of the tower and into the basement. There waited a stunning, velvet coloured Rolls-Royce Wraith. It was a statement car: power, refinement, luxury, wealth. The cream leather interior greeted them like an old-friend. The two Ventrue sat in the back, getting a clear view of the city out of the blacked-out windows as Gregor drove. The streets sung with action as they ambled through the city; this place never rested - perfect territory for kindred. No wonder the Camarilla were so interested in re-securing it. Looking at a city as assets on paper was one thing - to take it in first hand, see its people, its problems, its wonders: that made you understand it. Of course, this wouldn't come in a night, but as an intelligence man Vernon knew he had to begin the process.



"Any direction?" Gregor muttered from the front. Teaching the Gangrel to drive had been hard enough; to do so well had taken an age, but he was exemplary at it now. The Wraith weaved in and out of the traffic, but they were heading nowhere in particular. Vernon was about to speak when something familiar yet striking caught his eye out of the window.

"Turn around Gregor, at the next junction. Then drive passed slowly." There was a curiosity laced with tempered excitement in Vernon's voice. Gregor complied, wheeling the grand, powerful car round with expert control.

"What is it, Vernon?" Aurelia spoke softly, her subtle Spanish accent accentuated by the whispering in his ear. She was interested in what he had seen; whatever it was, it was more than the everyday, that was certain.

"One of our own, I think... a Ventrue. I only saw her for a second, but I know our kin. She was of our blood..."

The Wraith pulled up outside an alleyway - it's blackened windows slipped down a little; there was no trace of her now, but Vernon starred into the darkness knowingly. "Blood. Poor blood, common blood, not fit for one of us. She's desperate; lost perhaps. Cut off."

He stepped out of the car. His sharp suit, tall figure and natural elegance made him stand out amongst the scruffy kine that littered the streets. Once Aurelia stepped out in all her striking, composed beauty, the effect was doubled. They drew looks, but very few looked for long.

"Gregor, watch the car. Come Aurelia, we have one of our own to locate." The certainty he spoke with somehow lent a warmth to the cool night air; a confident aura. She would follow him anywhere, down any alleyway - even in this strange, unfamiliar town called L.A.

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

Ruby said
Done!

Magic! Will likely be tomorrow now, but great to see it started.

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

Brilliant and interesting opening.

I've started writing but I'll leave it open to finish until Ruby posts hers.

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

Mine is now finished, subject to a grammar check I'll make soon.

Thanks.

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

Going to finish mine off now - sorry it's taking a while - not had time during the week due to some insane work deadlines.

Vampire: The Masquerade. Dance of the Damned

Faction Name: Camarilla Investment Group - Los Angeles Division (CIG LA)
Allegiance: Camarilla
Location: Downtown L.A., principally the 54th and 55th floor of the 777 Tower
General Information: Although the Camarilla has little central organisation as such, save for the mysterious Inner Circle, the international world of global finance and its vast potential demanded Camarilla Princes coordinate their efforts to ensure the transition of banking into the modern era remained heavily influenced by, and guided towards, Camarilla interests and needs. Those who held prominent positions in European and American Banking firms formed their own secret council, the Camarilla Investment Group, to ensure that all forms of banking and related financial activities (investment banking, venture capitalism, hedge fund management etc) benefited Camarilla assets and maintained a steady flow of wealth with which to combat the Sabbat and other forces opposed to the Camarilla.

Secondarily, the CIG also takes a more direct influence in growing the assets into which it invests, and pulling strings of both private and public companies to organise and cement Camarilla power in certain areas. Coordinating with political assets amongst the Camarilla, vampires are often placed on boards of companies and local government organisations to influence key decisions; the motives for these vary - to reassert lost power when force is a less desirable or valid option, strengthen power and influence in particular areas or make life difficult for Sabbat or even Anarch operations opposed to Camarilla interests.

Character Sheets:


Name: Vernon Grant-Bell
Generation: 8th
Clan: Ventrue
Disciplines: Fortitude, Dominate, Presence
Personality: Calm, measured and exuding a captivating gravitas, Vernon is a benchmark of Ventrue leadership, even without his mastery of the 'presence' and 'dominate' disciplines. Every sentence he speaks is carefully weighed, every stroke of his pen fore-planned to work in his favour, every action pre-aligned like a chess grandmaster. Coming from traditional Scottish aristocracy, Vernon is a highly cultured man with interests in classical music, poetry and many other rich artistic pursuits. He is engaging and prefers diplomatic solutions wherever possible, but such is his self confidence (many would say arrogance) that 'no' is something Vernon struggles to readily accept; thus "non-diplomatic" solutions are not unfamiliar to him, and he is prepared to use whatever resources he can muster, including his own prowess if necessary, to ensure things are done to benefit the Camarilla and his own interests.
Biography: Born in Edinburgh during the year 1773, Vernon was the son of a prominent Scottish Earl - the Earl of Sterling, and as such was Born to his official title: Lord Vernon Grant-Bell, The Viscount of Sterling. His upbringing was privileged, cultured and secure; his education was first rate and he possessed a particularly keen mind for mathematics, although philosophy, literature and languages both contemporary and classical were well received upon his studious mind. Following several years of study at Cambridge, Vernon returned to his inherited home to an array of options: he could join the army or navy, enjoying the fast track that a landed title brought; he could become a doctor or lawyer, although neither of these truly appealed; or he could travel to London and expose himself to a life a court, living off his family's financial wealth at least temporarily. Guided by his father's steady hand, he chose to join the army in December 1796 as a Lieutenant, taking a commission in the 71st Regiment of Foot, before quickly transferring to the 74th Highlanders in 1797 once a position to become Captain had presented itself.

For several years Vernon took posts across varying positions in the British Empire, being cited several times by officers for his intelligent, quick thinking mind and calm, assertive leadership that struck the right balance with the men he led. He was firm but fair, and when the opportunity presented itself, he demonstrated his bravery too. By 1801 he became a Major, and by 1803 he was to lead a company of men into one of the most famous battles in his regiment's history: the battle of Assaye in Western India. The battle that made the highlanders and Sir Arthur Wellesley famous also brought Major, The Lord Viscount Grant-Bell praise worthy of his grand name; stepping forward when the line was in peril, Vernon demonstrated great courage and leadership in steadying his troops and leading them on the field. Back home in England, this acclaim brought other noble eyes upon him: the country's Ventrue clan.

During the Peninsula War, fought against Napoleonic France's grand army in Portugal and Spain, Vernon transferred to be an intelligence officer although he kept his official title as an officer of the 74th Highlanders. Sharp witted, with a keen tactical mind and a flair for languages, Vernon excelled in this role and was bumped up to Colonel by Arthur Wellesley himself following a string of well executed assignments that led to significant tactical advantages over the French. On his return to England in December 1808 on brief leave, Vernon was invited to a masquerade ball held in London by an Earl well known at court for his lavish parties. It was at this party that the Ventrue took their mark; sired by the Marquess of Bath, himself a prominent member of the clan. Following this night, the world of the rich and entitled developed a whole new light: the kine didn't really rule - the Kindred did, as he was soon to learn.

Using their significant power and influence, Vernon was excused his duties in the war, only returning there for two months so as not to draw undue attention, although he maintained his official post as an intelligence Colonel in the British Army; as of now his new training and demands lay with his clan. Vernon thrived as a member of the world's elite kindred stock, taking apprenticeships under Princes of cities littered throughout the Empire. It soon became apparent, however, that his leadership and intelligence has destined him for greater things; specifically, this mathematical mind was seen to be useful in wealth creation and 1865, after many years of training, he became a founding member of HSBC, although his role was one played out in the shadows, scheming behind human figureheads. For a century and a half, Vernon has innovated and crafted modern banking and wealth creation, investing in key assets and linking them inextricably to the Ventrue and Camarilla. Although his life as a soldier and intelligence officer facilitated his interest in other roles, particularly when he was bored of desk work and number crunching, the Inner Circle always prompted his return to what he did best.

In the modern nights, the year 2006, Vernon has been sent to L.A. to sure up the Camarilla's influence within the city following the failure of the former Prince. Vernon is subtle but astute, even direct when called for, and his knowledge of intelligence operations betrays a darker purpose to his presence in the city. He only knows he cannot fail... because he cannot remember the last time he did so.


Name: Aurelia Núñez
Generation: 9th
Clan: Ventrue
Disciplines: Fortitude, Dominate, Presence
Personality: Aurelia is Vernon's childe, closest aide and one of the few people he entrusts to carry out is business in absolute faith. Whereas Vernon oozes cool confidence, Aurelia's charisma is far more gregarious and passionate. If new clients need taking for dinner and drinks to seal a contract then Aurelia will take the lead, ensuring the matter is sealed as expected whilst, in all likelihood, leaving such an impression that repeat business and recommendation is all but certain. Exerting a confident, intelligent femininity, Aurelia is a fast riser in Camarilla circles and her ambition is masked thinly behind her loyalty to Vernon.
Biography: Born in A Coruña, Spain in 1790, Aurelia Núñez was daughter to a dairy farmer and his young wife; her mother died giving birth to her and she was raised solely by her father - a kind, hard working man with a gentle spirit. Aurelia helped on the farm her whole life, and whilst her father taught her to read and write a little, not being a well educated man himself she grew up destined to work the land - milking the cattle, tending to their needs and selling their produce in A Coruña. Her life was happy enough in many ways, although as a teenager she found it rather dull.

In May 1808 events conspired to shatter her world; the uprising in Madrid against the French occupiers set off a chain of events that would lead to a full military conflict between Napoleon's France and the allied forces of Spain, Portugal and Great Britain. The flush of fresh and experienced French troops into Spain in late 1808 crushed the Spanish and by January they had pushed the British forces in Spain into a corner: that corner just so happened to be at A Coruña. The night before the battle, several French scouts entered their farm looking to steal cattle to feed their amassing forces. With a noble spirit, her father resisted but was quickly overwhelmed and murdered by a single musket ball to the skull. Aurelia remembered the screams she uttered that night; at barely over eighteen she saw her father killed, was savagely raped and left beaten within an inch of her life.

The same night, a British patrol was scouting the area when it came across the same French forces that had stolen the cattle; a brief fire fight followed in which the French were driven back, but having got their prizes, were happy to withdraw. The leader of the patrol, a young captain, saw the barn ablaze and diverted to take a brief look when he heard Aurelia's screams. Her wounds were severe, but upon his honour as a gentleman he took her back to the camp surgeon to make an attempt at saving her life. The situation looked doubtful, such was her loss of blood. It was after the captain had reported the sighting of the French patrol to his superior officer, who in turn passed it on to Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore, commander of the British forces, and his intelligence aide - Colonel Vernon Grant-Bell. Vernon wished to question the surviving girl, but upon seeing the surgeon he understood she was likely to die within the hour. He asked to see her alone. She was unable to speak, savaged with wounds yet still striking; her raven hair was matted with blood, her eyes were fierce and defiant and her lips pursed with the effort of trying to talk. He saw something in her that spoke to him - this girl had passion and fortitude - it was a miracle she was not dead already; and so Vernon decided, that although she was not a candidate of ideal bloodlines, he would not let her meet a true death, but rather an undeath. That night, privately, he sired her.

The battle itself was fought in the day, but as an intelligence officer no-one expected Vernon to be leading the line, and so his absence there was not really accounted for; neither was that of a lowly Spanish girl. In the town itself, he sheltered her whilst both sides fought themselves to a draw. Soon afterwards he led her into Portugal, before the Ventrue arranged for his transfer back to England.

When he returned to London, the presence of a new childe with him shocked the established Ventrue; although Vernon was a promising new vampire, to turn another so quickly was highly frowned upon, not to mention her low birth. A presentation was made of Vernon and Aurelia to the Prince of London, where their fate and punishment would be presided over. Death for both was strongly considered, having broken a sacred code of the Ventrue and the Camarilla. However, Vernon's promise allied with the argument that he had not yet been adequately taught by his own sire deflected much of the punishment onto the Maquess of Bath. Vernon was warned, whilst Aurelia was given an effective death sentence - sent to fight as a front-line soldier in the street wars against the Sabbat: if she died, so be it, if she survived it would prove she would be a useful addition to the clan.

It took fifteen years of fighting and scrapping, killing and nearly being killed; in all this time she was forbidden from seeing Vernon, but her uncanny survival instinct and remarkable resilience was noted. She was taken off the front lines, and as a Ventrue, was given tasks far more in line with a vampire of such a noble clan. The only issues were her struggles in reading and writing; as of yet, she was a Ventrue by blood only, lacking the intelligence, sophistication and grace to be a true member of the clan. In truth, she was more like a savage Brujah than a Ventrue, and so she was given back to Vernon to culture and educate. This year was 1825, and from this point forward Vernon never let her go. He relished in teaching his only Childe; he was firm but caring. In many ways it was a paternal love that guided him. She had never aged beyond her eighteen year old body, and her youthful beauty charmed him into protecting her in a way he would do for no other. She wasn't coddled - how could one coddle a vampire so exposed to terror and violence? But little by little, the care and attention, as well as the education, allowed her to flourish. She became his closest aide and most trusted advisor, travelling with him to many places in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

In the modern nights this relationship still holds true. Fierce, feisty and yet richly sophisticated - Aurelia Núñez is like a well aged bottle of Spanish Rioja; whilst she does not have Vernon's raw intelligence and methodical mind, she offers a passionate counterbalance which has proven equally useful in securing desirable contracts for the Camarilla's growing portfolio of wealth.


Name: Gregor McCrone
Generation: 10th
Clan: Gangrel
Disciplines: Fortitude, Protean, Animalism
Personality: Ruthless and aggressive, the beast stalks in Gregor with great potency; as a Cainite his servitude to Vernon has been reinforced by a blood bond that the Ventrue sees is well maintained. It is only this, and the occasional tutelage of his master, that enables Gregor to seamlessly fit into human society: rarely leaving Vernon's side unless by his direct instruction, he is able to stay in better control of his base urges and even pass as having at least competent social etiquette.. As both bodyguard and enforcer, however, Gregor is an extremely apt individual - violence releases the predator which lies within - something he finds highly gratifying.
Biography: Gregor was wild even as a kine; born to a small village settlement off Loch Rannoch in the highlands of Scotland in 1894, his father fished the Loch and his mother made clothing from wool to sell. Their life was simple and wild, lost amongst the sublime landscape that both cradled them and kept them in awe. Gregor was 20 when the first world war broke out and he volunteered straight away. He wasn't to know what horrors the war would bring and it all seemed like it would be a good laugh at the time. He fought bravely throughout the war, being cited for his rather fearless actions on several occasions. Eventually he became accustomed to it; the violence became normative, became expected even, so that the moments of peace were welcomed only briefly. Many soldiers beside him thought Gregor too wild to follow into battle - somehow reckless, but admirable nonetheless. During the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917, this reckless luck would run out. The bullet from a sniper missed his heart but smashed a hole that nearly killed him nonetheless.

The war was over for Gregor, and as he recovered back in England, he decided he could not stay in the oppressive setting of a city such as London and that he needed to go back to his home in Scotland. He recovered there amongst the highlands' beautiful landscapes, soothed by the mountains and the loch itself. But such a peaceful life after the everyday grind of war was difficult; although the war itself contained long periods of boredom, Gregor could always volunteer for a patrol or forward posting. His friends thought him crazy, but something ineffable and violent lurked within him - where it came from he could not say, but the war, dreadful at first, had appeased it, and now it stirred restless.

Recovered, Gregor wandered the lands with a unquenchable need for something greater, and yet the call of his homelands somehow rooted him there. It was an evening spent running in the vast wilderness of the Rannoch Moor that showed him the answer he had subliminally longed for. Running amongst a patch of pine woods, he tripped in the darkness and fell. Before he could arise he was set upon by a powerful man who slammed his head into the ground and hit him with such force that his lung collapsed on first impact. Gregor wheezed and coughed, but the bloodlust in him stirred again; previously lost with the absence of war, he had found it now. Although his opponent was freakishly strong, Gregor threw as many punches as the strange man, scrapping for his life. The fight was bloody but brief; Gregor had given a good account of himself, but there was no way he could win. Even his strongest blows did little but raise a smile from the villain who attacked him, but unbeknown to him, the immortal foe was impressed with the spirit of his victim. That night he was turned, the Gangrel who fought him pleased with the outcome of his test.

Joining the Gangrel was a liberating experience for Gregor; his rage was fuelled and celebrated, but subject to control and guidance from experienced members of the clan. The highland Gangrel were equally pleased with their latest recruit, and Gregor became an experienced hunter. He quickly learned his limitations, however; the lands of the Garou were to be respected at all times - a lesson painfully learned by many new recruits.

In 1962, the Highland Gangrel joined the Camarilla as increasing urbanisation forced them into a decision between them or the Sabbat. In the early 1970s, a Ventrue vampire called Vernon Grant-Bell returned to his native Scotland to oversee the bank of Scotland's expansion into North Sea Oil and the energy sector. In actuality, he had tied portions of the Camarilla's wealth into the quickly growing industry and bought a great deal of shares on behalf of the organisation. Aware that the Sabbat would want to sabotage this process to prevent the Camarilla securing a firmer power base in Scotland, Vernon orchestrated a pre-emptive offensive to cripple certain Sabbat power structures throughout Scotland. Vernon oversaw the offensive directly and kept a close eye on individual reports fed back from commanders on the ground. Several cited one name in a ferocious assault on a Sabbat industrial complex in Glasgow - Gregor McCrone. Reports that Gregor had rallied against the Sabbat counter attack where others fell away reminded Vernon of his own role in the battle of Assaye; the more he dug into the background of Gregor and his previous career as a soldier, the more Vernon saw of the same spirit he recognised in the very best soldiers that he had worked with. He asked for him immediately.

By now Gregor had grown almost too wild to integrate well within human cities. Technology was lost upon him and he had forgotten much of civilised manners; Vernon however, saw the warrior underneath and trusted his ability to mould the clay he saw. The Gangrel did not want to let their best go, but Vernon's influence in the Camarilla made sure he batted down the objections. Gregor was assigned to Vernon's personal coterie as an enforcer. He didn't like this at first - learning culture and etiquette wasn't an interest. Vernon knew that Gregor would only respect strength, so he showed it. Vernon was an older, more experienced vampire and whilst he lacked Gregor's prowess with the Protean discipline, Vernon's knowledge of fortitude was greater, and his extra experience allowed him to beat Gregor frequently in their sparring matches. Gregor, begrudgingly, showed deference to his better and the assignments he was given appealed to his violent side - he was appeased. Still, he was unaware that Vernon had reinforced these 'normal' means of gaining respect with supplying Gregor with his own blood. Thus over time, a strong blood bond was created between Gregor and Vernon, so that now Gregor almost always seeks to please the man he works for. It is an arrangement that suits both well: Vernon leads, and Gregor sees how far he can push people's noses towards the back of their heads...

Vampire: The Masquerade: Faction Roleplay

Faction Name: Camarilla Investment Group - Los Angeles Division (CIG LA)
Allegiance: Camarilla
Location: Downtown L.A., principally the 54th and 55th floor of the 777 Tower
General Information: Although the Camarilla has little central organisation as such, save for the mysterious Inner Circle, the international world of global finance and its vast potential demanded Camarilla Princes coordinate their efforts to ensure the transition of banking into the modern era remained heavily influenced by, and guided towards, Camarilla interests and needs. Those who held prominent positions in European and American Banking firms formed their own secret council, the Camarilla Investment Group, to ensure that all forms of banking and related financial activities (investment banking, venture capitalism, hedge fund management etc) benefited Camarilla assets and maintained a steady flow of wealth with which to combat the Sabbat and other forces opposed to the Camarilla.

Secondarily, the CIG also takes a more direct influence in growing the assets into which it invests, and pulling strings of both private and public companies to organise and cement Camarilla power in certain areas. Coordinating with political assets amongst the Camarilla, vampires are often placed on boards of companies and local government organisations to influence key decisions; the motives for these vary - to reassert lost power when force is a less desirable or valid option, strengthen power and influence in particular areas or make life difficult for Sabbat or even Anarch operations opposed to Camarilla interests.

Character Sheets (Work in progress):


Name: Vernon Grant-Bell
Generation: 8th
Clan: Ventrue
Disciplines: Fortitude, Dominate, Presence
Personality: Calm, measured and exuding a captivating gravitas, Vernon is a benchmark of Ventrue leadership, even without his mastery of the 'presence' and 'dominate' disciplines. Every sentence he speaks is carefully weighed, every stroke of his pen fore-planned to work in his favour, every action pre-aligned like a chess grandmaster. Coming from traditional Scottish aristocracy, Vernon is a highly cultured man with interests in classical music, poetry and many other rich artistic pursuits. He is engaging and prefers diplomatic solutions wherever possible, but such is his self confidence (many would say arrogance) that 'no' is something Vernon struggles to readily accept; thus "non-diplomatic" solutions are not unfamiliar to him, and he is prepared to use whatever resources he can muster, including his own prowess if necessary, to ensure things are done to benefit the Camarilla and his own interests.
Biography:


Name: Aurelia Núñez
Generation: 9th
Clan: Ventrue
Disciplines: Fortitude, Dominate, Presence
Personality: Aurelia is Vernon's childe, closest aide and one of the few people he entrusts to carry out is business in absolute faith. Whereas Vernon oozes cool confidence, Aurelia's charisma is far more gregarious and passionate. If new clients need taking for dinner and drinks to seal a contrast then Aurelia will take the lead, ensuring the matter is sealed as expected whilst, in all likelihood, leaving such an impression that repeat business and recommendation is all but certain. Exerting a confident, intelligent femininity, Aurelia is a fast riser in Camarilla circles and her ambition is masked thinly behind her loyalty to Vernon.
Biography: