an Immortal and Broken Machine (IC)

[Anti-Eagle]

"Exalted vs WoD"
an Immortal and Broken Machine

http://scp-wiki.wdfiles.com/local--files/church-of-the-broken-god-hub/SPMax.png

"Patience is a virtue best left to God." - the Knights of Saint Adrian

I want you to imagine a world not that unlike our own.

Now think back to '73. We're just out of the swinging 60s, the atom is under control but the cold war is not. Vietnam is on fire and we're threatening to torch the rest of the world in nuclear fire. Perhaps less like our world are the forces boiling below our surface. Rumours and myth have always persisted, but most no longer believe in monsters and the supernatural, or atleast do so openly for fear of being laughed at. They however exist. Not all myths are truth though they do share a kernel with reality, and quite a few are correct to begin with even if they don't have the right details. If you can think it and you live long enough you might see the real thing. Never ending... Never silent... Never alone...

The unnatural and dead walk the streets amongst us, making of us prey, but we are not completely without hope in these times. Fairies, Demons, Spirits, Magi, Walking Dead, Vampires, Lycans, Horrors, Mutants, Angels, Post-Modern Prometheans, etc. You get the idea. ; Monsters and creatures of all stripes. Known to man in one time or another, recognizably human at their core or otherwise. Though the far monstrous, divorced from us long ago, exist in multitudes (as do the gods and ancient primordials). The world is straining under the vast supernatural energy and myth boiling under the surface and the dam is about to break loose if things continue as they are. And then the Exalted came back, between the Wyld Hunt of old and government kill squads it was only a matter of time before that erupted. Thankfully most of them were already proficient in silence and deception.

So, when did this all start? Was it the mages and hunter cell that broadcasted the execution of the Horror Queens in Argentina on s hacked broadcast? Maybe it was the Solars who tried to take over LA and the Valkyries executing supernaturals in the street? The Vampire revolt in Louisiana? The Antediluvian waking up in Egypt? The Russian Abyssals that declared war on the Soviets? Operation Unconquered, when Karotechia tried to turn Iran into a Shadowland to drag an army of dead from the underworld and turn the tide in the war three decades ago?

So. Where do you come into this, and where is the hope of better times? Exaltations of the old world, lycans, and orders of hunters continue to stalk the world pushing back the darkness and as the darkness is forced into the open so are they. Champions of Man and God, breakers of the primordials and lawbringers of the world. Not that you need be one of them, just that you're so far beyond the common man that law no longer applies to you and you might as well make the same claims they once held. You hold the sledgehammer before the mirrored glass of the masquerade, even if you're not the one breaking it. You have that power, and you will be the one to pick up the pieces when someone eventually does break it. Whether ancient or newly born into this mess, you are uniquely powerful and in a position to rebuild when it does happen. What are you, why are you here, and what would you reforge us as?

The end is soon, but Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night. The world is what you make of it, and the optimism behind us can propel us through these dark times.


GiantITP recruitment: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?633290
OOC Thread: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?633672
IC Thread: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?633675

Ascendancy Forum: https://www.myth-weavers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=44233
Mythweavers interest: https://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=521712
Mythweavers ad: https://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=522789
Mythweavers character list: https://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=522787
Mythweavers rules: https://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=522597
Mythweavers IC1: https://www.myth-weavers.com/showthread.php?t=522266

Old Ascendancy Rules: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?603859
Rewritten Ascendancy Rules: https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?633908
My Discord: https://discord.gg/EeHvCUk

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b0/ca/3a/b0ca3adb38a5e273ac15026bf36a6cf2.jpg
April 3rd, 1973.

Tick, Tick, Tick.

The many clocks of the centuries old home ticked on as the centennial Aldrich Palmer sat over his desk, slowly and carefully writing letter after letter. Three hundred possible guests, three hundred tailored lingua and dict. Each written in fine inks upon thick paper, packaged in red envelopes, and sealed with candle wax with a seal passed down to him by his predecessor. Though few would truly recognize the seal, or his name, they would be passed by the proper contacts to the proper recipients. He doubted all or even half would come but he had his ways. What he was suggesting, a meeting of the old and supernatural on the closest to neutral ground he could organize, would be laughable to most of his recipients. He was sure of that, though he would see representatives from each intended groups. He may not understand all of them, or even most of them, but he knew enough to ensure that.

The world would end if something wasn't done soon, if not by man then by the elder kinds and their gods spoiling the pot for the rest of them.

May 27th, 1973.

The small town of Barrow, Alaska was quietly softballed and paid off over the past several decades to ignore the oddity surrounding the Palmer estate. The life of the Oroboroi is a long and storied one; Aldrich was not the oldest of his kind, certainly not, but his resources passed on by his predecessors were extensive and widespread. Those who came to the town found it a relatively plain place, though cold, and a rudimentary airport and a regularly stimulated economy kept things going. On the western face of the town was a series of colonial complexes, building off the rest of the town like a cancer. In the centre of this was the estate of the Palmer family and an artificial lake dug out over decades and tended to by the locals. Of recent developments were the construction of gatehouses in each of the eight directions, a hospital in the centre of town, and the expansion of the local fisheries.

Gradually responses to the letters were received. Quite a few were returned without response. Some came with threats. The council of 300 became the council of 100.

They seemed to have better things to do than broker a solution to the coming crises... a pity that they could have saved the world together.

July 5th, 1973.

A man named Aldrich Palmer not only knows who you are, what you are, and how to contact you, he also expects you to appear at his estate to discuss the matters of the world. The matters of modern society and the crises before it gradually becoming apparent if one were to pay attention to the news. He claims the masquerade will be broken at the rate things are going and if something isn't done, the world will be spoiled. If the masquerade breaks new lands will need to be carved if the countries surrounding you disintegrate, new law drafted, a new order to the lands. That's assuming you have the chance. Do you want this?

How would you respond to your letter? Who delivered it? How would you arrive? Who would you bring with you? You will inevitably arrive by first of August.

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate, Quirk]I can't make up my mind when it's made up for me...

Days passed, weeks passed, months, years, decades, centuries, millennia... Nothing changes. Broken Thorn awoke with a start from another night in the hunger, his life had been long and that had been a constant. Though his understanding of modern pseudoscience was vague at best, conceptually he was still there. He had been consumed by and put back together in Metagaos. He had been alive for far too long, and he feared that one day he wouldn't wake up. Perhaps he had always been there and this was the dream? He had escaped, but... he felt as though he was constantly one foot into the grave. He was Exalted, surely it was possibly to escape that possible fate but it always burned in the back of his mind. A quiet anxiety that the world would fall apart around him or he would be dragged back.

Though to his understanding hell and the Primordials had changed somewhat since he had left last. All as one, a fleshy bone-plated place of suffering overrun with the essences of mortals stolen over the millenia and pushed into service as new forms of daemon. The Primordials had lost most of their stolen children and even fewer were trusted to track those such as him down, they needed to be more creative and turned further to humans to break the mold. He hoped they had the same realizations as him though he always feared reaching out to another, especially those such as him. On that note it had come as somewhat of a shock to receive the draconic's letter. He was certainly not without connections, nor was his nature wholly unknown, it was that someone had tracked him down without an invitation.

One of the couriers in his employ came with a truck of electronic equipment, film, tape, and a series of letters. One of them addressed to Hierophant Mark Ritter. Perhaps they didn't know what he was, but if they'd gone to the effort to locate him surely they must know more than that. It had been some time since he had ventured beyond his domain, a decade perhaps, some preparation would be needed. His fomorians would need to be renewed, drawn back to the throne while he was gone. His people would need direction, he would never be far no matter his distance.

Domasi would be retrieved with Vietnam, his regular reports worried Thorn. America was going to lose, it was just a question of how many would die before they decided.

He spent the day practicing his sorceries and forcing his brands to recede back into his form. He found a nice grey longcoat and a hat. Barrow was not far, and he had suspicions of why it was chosen. Alaska was relatively neutral ground by the standards of the elder and supernatural kinds. He did not know what they would be expecting, but this seemed necessary from what he was claiming. The world seemed tense at best as of these days. America was a different entity now, as were the religions of the world. He held nothing against the cults that had overtaken the soviet republic, they certainly believed in what they were doing during the war. He had nothing but respect for their infantrymen. Their commissioned... another story. But that wasn't the point.

He had hope that the clock the dragon spoke of could be pushed back, and so with a flourish reached across the world. He opened a hole in some unknown alley and emerged. Small town America, a superstitious lot though no more than anyone else. He began looking for a coffee shop, and somewhere he could find a map. It was colder here than the conditioned valley he had constructed his new home within. The first step was learning the people, after that he would learn of the others that came.


1cp Void - Scars of Metagaos - The lingering influence of Metagaos on Broken Thorn.
1cp Water - Mark Ritter - The primary disguise of Broken Thorn. Painter, Businessman, and Hierophant of the Grand Lodge of Ketchikan.
1cp Water - Ketchikan - The outgrowth of Thorn's throneworld, Ketchikan is a city in Alaska built on the fishing and chemical industries.
1cp Water - Throneworld of Broken Thorn - The inward expression of Thorn's primordialism, a physical world hiding in his essence accessible through Thorn and Ketchikan.
1cp Water - Grand Lodge of Ketchikan - The local Mason's lodge in Ketchikan, which has exerted influence over the rest of Alaska, and been used to softball the secrets of the masquerade.
1cp Water - Fomorians of Broken Thorn - Broken Thorn's demonic circles integrated with humanity.
1cp Fire - Domasi - A third-circle Fomorian of Broken Thorn, his Horseman of War, involved in the wars of the world since the American Revolution.
1cp Void - Electric Images - A library of supernatural and mundane recordings set aside for the perusal of the community.
1cp Void - Essential Machinery - The connection to Agartha and Autochthon in the throneworld.
1cp Water - Conditioned Weather - The weather in Ketchikan has been altered and made mild for the benefits of its people, though still cold it could be alot colder considering how far North it is.

[greenpotato]

Hedonism has a different meaning here. The sleepers have dreamed rules to this reality that bind and constrict.
True freedom is boring, its so much more exquisite to extract pleasure by skirting the rules of reality.
Tormenting and manipulating within the rules, within the boundaries of the masquerades.
The joy that could be found here is so much more fulfilling because of the challenge in finding it.
The Duchess is getting a taste for challenge.
She is occupying her time trying to talk trees into dancing.

The Duchess is not a creature that should exist on this side of the hedge. It shouldn't be possible, so most mages dismiss rumors and whispers of her existence as an impossibility.
Those few that do best show respect.
A few such creatures flit around her like flies. Enthralled or enslaved, there is little difference.The Duchess pays them little mind once they are broken.
She is deep in the forest when one of them delivers to her a letter.

In a way the rules that have been drempt here free her from the few rules on the other side of the hedge. She does not have to answer the letter.
Nonetheless it is polite and respectful. It is playing by the rules.
She gives a small smile.

"Dearest,

I accept your charming invitation.
I relish the taste of your company.

Duchess K."

She wordlessly gives it to one of the broken things. They will deliver it.
Now.. what to wear?

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]

Broken Thorn, or rather Mark Ritter, wandered Barrow for a few days before making his approach. He had a few cups of not bad coffee, the waitress was nice enough to add cinnamon, neat idea. He left somewhat of an impression on the folks there, had a nice long chat while he was there. Mortals liked him, it was his nature for them to trust him, and he repayed them with truth. Of course he lied, he was a liar, but the simpler truths were fine and when they trusted him he could teach them the complex stuff. The true natures of the world. But that wasn't for today.

Those few days he wandered the businesses of the town, looked for places to invest more than he already had over the centuries. He had an overcoat fitted, filled his pouch of tobacco, and bought some of the local gin. He'd be back.

He arrived three weeks early, though as he was able to gather beforehand this would be fine. He needed to learn of his draconic host and what he knew if they were to begin.


2cp Void - Common Poisons - Caffeine, Nicotine, all manner of things. All quite capable of supporting Broken Thorn.
2cp Water - Common Connections - Associations with people, grounding yourself amongst the common man.
2cp Water - Business Connections - The slow growth of Ritter Chemical, both through himself and his workers.
2cp Water - True Natures - Seeing through the veil through more common manners, breaching the masquerade through common means for the common people.
2cp Water - Draconic Connections - Connections between Broken Thorn and Oroboroi in the world.

[Rhyvurg]

Jackson leaves the collapsing warehouse, shaking dust off his jacket. The vampires hadn't been willing to talk, he'd tried to be civil, but they refused to tell him anything about this so-called sun god vampire he'd heard about, and as usual when you ask vampires to aggressively about powerful elders they get...volatile, and now the warehouse was full of ash remains and the roof was caving in. Frustrating sometimes, but the supernatural community was so insular it was difficult to get them to actually talk about anything unless they thought they were manipulating you or had some power over you, and the more things like this happened, the more his name and description spread and the harder his search became. He returned to the small room he was renting during his stay in the city, tossing the wallets he'd taken from the vampires onto the small pile on the nightstand. Soon enough he would have to leave and try his luck in another city, maybe Europe this time, there had to be more ancient beings in places humans have lived longer, right? What caught him by surprise however, was the letter on the floor, like someone had slipped it under his door. He didn't get mail here, he had no idea how someone might try to find him, but then again the limits of his stay off the grid tactics were to use cash and stay in shady motels that don't care about real names. It wasn't the first time he'd been greeted by something unexpected, hit squad, beautiful woman, bomb, a letter was new.

Picking it up, he read the contents and for a second his blood ran cold. That someone he'd never heard of knew so much about him was a little chilling, and this could easily be a trap, but at the same time, could this person be the lead he's been looking for? He almost started writing a reply, but it would be faster to simply go there anyway. He gathered what few things he had, emptied the wallets he'd taken, burned all forms of ID inside, and departed for Alaska. He wasn't...fully sure what direction it was, but he'd get there easily enough, how hard could north west be to follow? Walking to the roof, he lifted off and made his way to the edge of the city, and when he was clear of dense buildings and traffic, set back down and started to run, setting off a sonic boom as his smoking tennis shoes ate up the miles.

[Kail_Traeganni]

July 5th, 1973, 6:21 am
Langley, Virginia

"Sir, an SCI brief for your desk"

Section Chief Alfred Anderson unlocked the briefcase from Special Agent Lawson with his personal key, accepted the file with a nod, then took a long sip of coffee. The special agent closed the door upon leaving, and Al looked at the package with annoyance. He was trying to direct assets and resources to put out fires, but there were more not only more fires than assets at any given time, but the new fires each morning were outpacing the rate of resolution... and every day, there was news of an asset going unresponsive.

When he opened the brief and saw a letter addressed to Aaron Aanenson, he immediately forgot about the coffee. No, he'd be awake for a day or two without needing it now. Nobody outside his inner circle should've known which guise he was wearing on any given day, there was a security breach of significant proportions going on here... though sufficiently advanced Reality Deviance could pierce any protection short of life inside Primium walls. This office was equipped for rapid file disposal, of course, and the letter went straight into the incinerator.

Leaving his office, he pressed a button on his watch, and made his excuses as he left the building at the quickest walk acceptable. While showing any sort of reaction like this was less than optimal... matters like this deserved to be addressed with haste.

July 5th, 1973, 6:51 am EST
Side road, under overpass

Stepping out of his civilian vehicle, Aaron passed a sheaf of notes to the Operative now wearing the SC Alfred Anderson guise. Jon Black was a middling talent overall, but had his head screwed on tight- he could be trusted to reliably perform a passable job under any pressure. Right now, that was better than brillance with any instabilities. There was no need to exchange words as he stepped into the Omnicar, the Rieper HITMARK already behind the wheel.

"Surprised you're taking me, sir. Expecting trouble?"

"I'm certain that our host can guarantee the safety of his guests... though perhaps only within his walls, and with majority RD attendees, I imagine any of the new EDE's may pick up on the conflict between us and them- or be swayed before the meeting even starts. As I've told you, you can drop the 'sir' business anytime you wish."

"Very good sir."

Aaron very nearly smiled.

July 5th, 1973, 2:00pm AKST
3000 feet up, approaching Barrow

"Any notable activity?"

"No sir- satellites show a few yeti tracks, but only in the areas they naturally roam."

"Anything noticing us?"

"No sir- but we're certainly expected. The estate you mentioned has seen a small field converted into parking area, and there's a plaque indicating a spot reserved for us. It seems our means of transit was anticipated."

"Hm. He's good."

"Quite."

Aaron raised an eyebrow. Tiberius winked.

They admired Alaska's frosty beauty as the car's autopilot took them in for their landing.

Technocrat-speak:
RD: Reality Deviant. Mages, Vampires (preferred terminology: hemophages), Werewolves... anyone who believes in something other than the rational-technological paradigm.
EDE: ExtraDimensional Entity. Not a vampire or werewolf that was born a human and converted into something else, no, this is reserved for Angels, Demons, Djinni, Faeries, Eldritch Abominations from beyond the Gauntlet, Ghosts (even if they beleive themselves the spirits of departed humans, their new existence makes them EDE native to the Shadowlands), and invading Exalts.

[Batcathat]

The ruin, Boston, June 9th 2084

Being your own worst enemy took on a unusually literal meaning when you regularly interacted with other versions of yourself. Though "enemy" was probably overstating it, the drifter thought as he fled into their stairwell of the rundown apartment building. It was more along the lines of being your own most annoying roommate. Most versions of the drifter used the ruin as a base of sorts and whatever moment he picked to go there, there were usually more of him there already. The downside of being the same person as lots of other people.

He opened a door at random, two floors up from the apartment he'd grown up in over a hundred years earlier (in linear time, that is. He had lost track of how long it had been subjectively). Spiderwebs kept sticking to him as he walked through the apartment (whatever had killed the humans in this timeline had spared the spiders), it seemed that he – any of him – hadn't been in this particular apartment before.

Which made the letter especially hard to explain. It was lying in the middle of the kitchen table, covered in decades of dirt and spiderwebs, his (former?) name written on the envelope.

1973, he noted after reading the message. He had spent a lot of time in that era recently, for reasons he was barely able to explain to himself. This meeting might provide some actual answers.

"I suppose I should get going", he said to himself. "I'm already a century late."

[Kaworu]

Yumi was working in her office, bend over numerous forms, documents and petitions she, as the head and leader of Venus’ Sidereals, was supposed to work on.

It was tedious task, maintaining and operating the Celestial Bureaucracy, but somebody had to do it. It turned out this “somebody” was always one of the Chosen of Maidens. The Bureaucracy was hard to operate, full of tricks, traps and endless exchanges of information and various codes of conduct and legal paragraphs.

Still, Yumi liked her job. It was sometimes hard to see rhyme and reason in what she did, but other times, she saw her actions reflected in Creation and gods of Yu-Shan. At moments like those, she was really happy. What she did could be boring and exhaustive, but it was also a very important thing to do. At times when she was not overworked, she was truly happy with her efforts.

It was during her numerous works, when she was writing and singing a letter to some god, that an unexpected message arrived.

- Eto-eto… Ishida-sama…? - asked one of the Chosen of Venus under her command. She raised her gaze at him. Young lad, one of the newly Exalted, was kicking his heels, seemingly not sure at what to do.

- Yes? - she asked kindly, cause seemingly something was happening.

- Um… a letter came… - he begun, avoiding her eyes.

- A letter…? - she asked. She was one of the highest ranking Sidereals, correspondence with various departments was her bread and butter.

- Yes. One from… the Creation… - the boy continued.

- From god of the Earth? - she raised her brow, feeling that she is still missing something.

- No, not… em… from some mortal, it seems… - his hand went to a pocket of his uniform and produced aforementioned letter. It was put in a white, plain envelope, with nicely calligraphed address and recipient:


Ishida Yumi-san,
The Celurean Lute of Harmony Division, Exalted Head of,
Yu-Shan

- Hm… - this was… unexpected. Yu-Shan nowadays was a mystery to mortals of Creation, and even bigger should be Sidereal Exalted, vanishing from the memories by the rules of Arcane Fate. But this… this was just like the Mask was never broken. It was clear that, whoever did this, was very knowledgeable… and what more important, not a subject to standard rules.

Yumi opened the letter and read it a few times. She was looking for something off, subtle double meaning, message behind the message, and when did not find it, sat deep in thought, forgetting about duties she was overseeing just a moment ago.

- There are more… - the lad was still there – Letters like that, I mean. A lot of high-ranking Sidereals got them – he explained. Yumi raised her brow even further.

- Do they… want to respond? - she asked.

- Some of them, but everybody super busy here and… - she raised a hand, making him silent before he could continue.

- Then I will go. It will demand some effort and a big chaos in my schedule, but I can put it off. If no other Sidereal will go, I will be happy to represent the whole of Fivescore Fellowship. You can tell them that from me. This way we could investigate and minimalize our delays at work.

The boy nodded and went out of her office, probably going to share the news with everybody concerned. Ishida put the letter in one of her drawer and started filling her documents again, only a little bit distracted and unfocused.


~*~

Yumi appeared in the place that the mysterious note mentioned. She was wearing a blue-and-silver kimono and a fur of white foxes over that – it was cold, after all – and walking slowly through the snow, looking for the right building. After some brief moments she finally got it right. With one fluid, nonchalant movement of her hand, she brushed her fringe off her forehead and went in. The questions she had in long time of waiting were finally to be answered.

[Esprit15]

The man slumps to the ground, arcane energy dispersing from the bloody cavity where his heart had once been. A necklace with a representation of a snake coiling around a staff falls to the ground, essence of life flowing back into it before it shatters on impact. In life, he would have resembled an old art or science teacher. Maybe a dad at a junior high football match, cheering on his son. With a mechanical flourish, the young looking woman clears his blood from her long scythe. Now, he was a slowly cooling body. ”Heretic successfully eliminated, my Lord,” she says, seemingly to nobody.

But not nobody answered. His voice reached out to her, silent but resonant, gentle but powerful, understanding but cold. She knew them to be external, yet they were as seemless as her own thoughts. Search the study, purge all research, notes, and loose ends. Rest until further ordered, came her Lord’s commands, silent to everyone but the bio-mechanical brain. Her brown-red eyes turned to the two lab assistants who had been cowering by the wall as the fight with Dr. Chambers went on. One was pressed against the wall, hands up, while the other cowered behind an overturned table. “Please, ma’am, we’re just grad students. We knew the professor was kglk-“ stammers one, going silent as with terrifying speed the woman grabs him by the throat. Her face remains a porcelain mask. As the other takes the chance to run, Samael swings the scythe with her free hand, sending the weapon flying through several computers, desks, and finally the other student, before lodging itself in one of the concrete walls of the lab. The not-yet-dead student tries to gag out something, perhaps a name, or just a pained howl of sympathy, but all that makes it out is another “Kglk!” as his face turns purple, then blue. Soon, the struggling ends, and the flailing limbs go limp.

Samael blinks as she drops the body. “All present loose ends accounted for. Destroying data,” she says aloud. She calmly unplugs every computer in the room, places them in the center of the lab, and begins smashing them with the back of the heavy scythe. She then begins collecting every stray scrap of paper in the room and places them in a pile atop the crushed remains of computers and monitors. Fishing in the pockets of one of the murdered students, she finds a lighter, and lights the last scrap aflame before dropping it on the pile. As she watches the flames slowly spread among the paper and plastic heap, she asks a question to the aether. ”Shall I eliminate any family or friends as well?”

No. All other necessary targets will be eliminated shortly.

The woman thinks quietly to herself, much quieter than she thinks normally. It’s just so strange. How did a medical school professor come into contact with the Ophiuchan Amulet? He could not have acquired it himself. Someone would have had to have handed it off to him. But that he so quickly began to work on an Elixir of Life right after. Was this man even in control or aware of his own actions? Was he just a puppet being manipu-

New mission, Venom of God Samael. This one falls beyond your standard parameters. You will not fail. Head to following location and meet with… Samael listens intently, like a soldier at attention. As the fire continued to spread, she walked calmly out of the lab and taps the elevator call button at the end of the hallway. By the time the fire alarms in the other rooms detect the smoke, her Lord had estimated there was only a 9.5% chance that immediate action would get the fire under control. The elevator would not be shut off for another thirty seconds, and she could leave unnoticed as people calmly filed out with the alarm.

As she flies to the northern state, the last part of her Lord’s command sat uncomfortably with her.


This is important.

All of her work was important. Her Lord never spoke with that kind of language. For the first time in 324 years, she felt nervous.

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]
July 5th, 1973.

Gradually the select few who had decided to take Aldrich up on his offer began to appear. In his short two centuries upon the Earth he had learned much, he acknowledged he was ignorant though his wealth monetary and in grafted memory was exceptional. All inherited from his predecessor, one of the movers and shakers in the world, who'd long grown tired with a changing and decaying world. Though he had missed great light, he had missed great darkness. Darkness he had seen coming and tried to warn of, and grown tired of trying to warn of. Aldrich had been left to pick up the pieces after consuming the heart, and now was burning resources to actually accomplish something.

Alone he would accomplish nothing, together, a great alliance perhaps could do something. In the west of the town of Barrow sat an ill-fitting building in the center of the complex, southern sensibilities mixed with concrete brutalism. Past the doors and servants was a group of nine people, sitting around the parlour, drinking as they discussed the matters of the world. Most of them seemed regular folk though rippling through the aether was corruption and power. All seemed welcome once names were given.

Sitting amongst the gathered was a gaunt man of a darker complexion, perhaps middle eastern, spanish, or aboriginal. It was very unclear. He looked upon the group with his amber eyes making light conversation and arguing theology with the present elders. Cainites were certainly an interesting bunch, though he found this with just about any religion that wasn't his. So many views and beliefs in how things SHOULD work. Some were even compatible with his own, the two filling in the gaps of one another even if they weren't to admit it. He gradually took up a place behind the bar, offering drinks as new folks entered.

The host was absent for now, though he would soon return.

[Rhyvurg]

Jackson stops when he hits a coastline. Not cold enough to be Alaska, so he needed to go north, which meant he had to keep the ocean on his left... Nodding, he sets off again, wondering if his shoes will survive the trip.

[Kaworu]

At the party

- If I may have your attention, please? - Yumi stood from her chair and tapped her champagne-glass – As you all know, we were gathered there by some mysterious letters. And, as you all know, we all represent the supernatural factions of this world, some of them better, some lesser known. We are, too, I presume, very powerful and very capable. Still, some introductions should take place, I believe.

- My name is Yumi Ishida and I am a Chosen of Venus. We are a secretive organization serving the Celestial Bureaucracy of Yu-Shan and each one of us was Chosen by one of the Five Maidens, for which powers we share an affinity. By the way, in due time you can forgot my face, and if this will happen, please, do not bother, it’s natural and I am not offended – she said.

- It just happens that I am one and only of the Sidereals present there. You need to understand that my brethren are extremely busy with work. This means that I am, in some way, representing the whole of my faction, even if we have our… differences – she admitted, after a moment of looking for a diplomatic word.

- I believe we should explain what our powers and their nature is, as a part of our introductions. As per me, I trained hard to be an expert in martial arts. This is a path taken by many Sidereals, serving us both in our pursuit of power and of enlightenment. Of course, not many of my brothers and sisters achieve my level, but martial arts are popular with them.

- Not to brag, but I mastered the Elemental Dragon Forms of Wood, Earth and Air and I could teach it all. I also learned fully the Perfect Lotus of Martial Arts and even know some Sidereal ones. If it will come to battle – and I am afraid it might – I will be able to stand my ground. I also know some Charms, but this is my secondary suit.

- Okay, I believe I had broken the ice. Now, who wanna make an introduction? Don’t be shy, knowing our strong and weak sides is very important, I would thought.

[Esprit15]

A tall woman with red fringed black hair steps forward, a glass of some type of wine in her hand. Over her shoulder is a large scythe, the blade of which emanates a powerful and destructive energy. She takes a sip of the drink before introducing herself.

”Samael, the Venom of God, current Archangel of Death. Normally We would be uninvolved in this sort of matter, but my Lord has specifically instructed me to meet the individuals here, and assist in all ways that I am capable. I am also under instruction to ignore transgressions against the Order of Life and Death by those assembled here.

“My Mission is to enforce the aforementioned Order of Life and Death - that mortal beings do not live longer than is natural. To meet this purpose, I am able to… the easiest way to explain it would be ‘cleanse the life force from outside factors,’ making even the immortal, mortal. Outside of my Mission, I am skilled at information gathering, espionage, and restraining corporeal beings.”

The woman mechanically sits back down, and takes another sip of her wine.

[Batcathat]

The drifter looked around, hoping for someone else to speak. When that didn't seem to happen, he emptied his glass and stepped into the middle of the room.

"Uhm, hi everyone. It's a little awkward to go right after the literal angel, huh?" He started to chuckle but the lack of smiles turned it into a cough. "So, anyway... people call me the drifter. Well, I call me that. I don't talk to a lot of other people." He took a deep breath and wished he'd sent a version of himself who'd already done this and knew what to say. "I don't really represent anyone. I'm just some guy with a broken soul who can travel in time. Oh, and I'm a detective. Sort of."

Was it too late to go back in time and shoot himself before he started talking?

[Rhyvurg]

Jackson finally passes some useful road signs and is in Alaska a second later, from there finding the town of Barrow is easy, and the old estate he had been invited to very clearly advertised itself by all the expensive cars parked outside. They even had a space reserved for him. Considerate, but unnecessary, he hadn't needed a vehicle since he learned how to block gravity. Heading inside, there was quite the cast of colorful individuals present, and they seemed to be taking turns introducing themselves. After the self-professed time traveler finished, he raised his hand.

"My name is Jackson Wales, I don't represent anyone but myself. While I was in Vietnam I was...chosen, I guess you could say, by a fragmented personality split off from a nonhuman being that added it's memories to mine, so in a way I suppose I'm two different people. I'm just here to do whatever I can to help people." Jackson is wearing combat boots (now very worn from running all over North America at over five hundred miles a second), faded olive drab pants, and a black bomber jacket over a white tank top, like a GI that took minimum effort to change out of his uniform. A chain for what can be assumed to be dog tags is tucked under his shirt. He had close cropped hair, bleached near white, and what looks like three days of beard stubble.

[Kail_Traeganni]

Aaron made an easy show of listening attentively and showing interest in the various braggings and revelations among the attendees, and suppressed the frown that nearly twitched onto his face at being lumped in as a representative of some 'supernatural' faction.

One man EDE-shard possessed, another temporally broken, both individuals. One EDE artifice of some jumped-up elemental. And one of the EDE invaders.

Shall these be the allies who restore a balance humankind may live stably within? Will the 'angel' object to Progenitor life-extension? Will the 'sidereal' attempt to bring this reality under the protection of some alternate dimension's bureaucracy?

Aaron's put those thoughts aside, as the first eyes turned his way. He stood, hands clasped behind him. If this was a show, well then, his was to show that humanity had a seat at the table.

"Well, speaking as the only mortal man in the room, I suppose I should welcome our... interdimensional guest." He nodded toward Yumi. "I am Aaron Aanenson, here with my associate, Mr. Tiberius Rieper. We represent a group called Bastion, struggling to reunify the Technocracy under a direction more... diplomatic than the efforts of Control. I suspect the angel and time traveller know what that means, but I'll introduce our purposes for at least the benefit of Mr. Wales and the sidereal."

"I am Aaron Aanenson, here with my associate, Mr. Tiberius Rieper. We represent a group called Bastion, struggling to reunify the Technocracy under a direction more... diplomatic than the efforts of Control. I suspect the angel, and perhaps our time traveller, knows what that means- I'll introduce our purposes for at least the benefit of Mr. Wales and the sidereal."

"Nearly 650 years ago, the founders of what would become my organization declared 'that the World must be a place of Order and Reason, that the governor of Mankind should be Mankind itself.' They declared war on all manner of demons, sorcerers, witches, werebeasts, the undead, and others, Fae tricksters and all such grumpkins. That war has continued in the ever deepening shadows of the Masquerade.

In the shadows, war can be played as cat and mouse, as counting coup more than counting lives. But today we face an overabundance of harsh light, of war before the eyes of innocents, of chaos coming unbound.

Some will simply continue fighting for what they stand for, even as the world shatters and sunders for the force of the effort. I am not among them. Unlike some former colleagues, I am convinced that any disagreements between factions of such power must be settled by means other than open war, which risks annihilation of all that is.

Therefore, I will call friend any who stand with me for the repair of the world, the restoration of the Masquerade, and the preservation of all that is."

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]
There is something said for subtlety it seemed it was not that time, he would need to watch the angel. In an altogether shattered inhuman voice speaking the original tongues, Broken Thorn introduced himself. "My name is Mark, I am the Hierophant of the Alaskan lodges. I am here for the prevention of the harsh light that has been mentioned, I have been witness to three detonations and I fear if we continue at the rate we are going we will be dealing with more. If the world is spoiled by one of any kind, it will be spoiled for the others, we have a need to cooperate as has been said."

He took another drag and cleared his throat, his voices a bit more consistent with one another. "I suppose that I have a less fanciful position here, I speak for no gods or persons save myself and I would suppose those in my 'diocese.' My abilities lie in the sorcery of the old arts, and those of the hells, though I've seen them change quite a bit since my time among them."

One by one those in the room introduced themselves, though there were more deeper in the building. Amongst the group were a cadre of kindred of the camarillas across America, a human looking creature that introduces itself as a kindred of the Tzimisce, a cheerful arabic man who introduces himself as an Osirion, and a Demon that looks upon the angel with skepticism. No one was really sure what to expect here, it had so far been a quiet affair and there was a somewhat of a unfamiliarity of the capabilities between those brought to this place.

[Rhyvurg]

Jackson leans back in his seat. "So, what is it exactly you feel is a threat to humanity? I assume you mean besides the predatory creatures living among them and feeding on them in one way or another." He doesn't look at the various vampires in attendance when he says it. "Because I would prefer to help humanity protect itself, rather than assign babysitters."

[Esprit15]

Samael mirrors the demon’s look. Traitor. Aberration, they think to their self. Something to destroy as soon as this mission is complete.

“And what is the cause of these detonations? If we are all assembled, I would hope that means you have some special knowledge that you wish to share. Otherwise this is a waste of everyone’s time.”

[Kaworu]

Yumi sat quietly, sipping her champagne. She put herself on spot before, so now she wanted to be silent, to observe and analyze. Some people out there could be really dangerous – she did not want to think of them as her enemies, but would this situation arise, there would be problems. And looking at how diverse was this group, clashes could happen – sooner or later, more or less often.

Could she do something about this? She thought not, but would if it was in her power.

Time will tell how this alliance will form and last.

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]"Well, we could of course bind everyone into service for this. I'm quite capable of doing so given time, my exaltation is quite similar to that of an Eclipse. Though would you rather not leave our free wills intact? Do any of you disagree with preventing the downfall of civilization and coming to an agreement before we need kill one another?"

Mark turned and looked down the hall, "I'll retrieve Aldrich. I'm not in charge of these meetings by any means, though as far as I know I was the first arrival. He's quite eager to meet those who saw the importance of cooperation in these times."

Mark left the room, walking down the hall, a bit jittery. Roughly five minutes passed before he returned, an elderly gent with a well cut suit beside him. The man was Aldrich Palmer and he spoke in a plain tone if a bit southern in twang. The complex sort of resembled this, though they were far North, the man and his building didn't quite fit in. He half-bowed as he approached, gesticulating slightly, "Welcome ladies and gentleman to my humble home. I am told you all have questions for me, as to the nature of this meeting and what I wish to accomplish here. All questions are welcome, as are all opinions. I'm sure we can all see where things are headed, and if you have come here I am sure we all wish to avoid this."


I ACCIDENTALLY EDITED THE NEW POST ONTO THIS ONE, PLEASE IGNORE

[Rhyvurg]

"So are they coming to meet us, or are we to go to them?"

[Batcathat]

After however long it had been since his Divergence, the drifter would have thought he had gotten used to the oddities of the universe but the barbarian horde of butterflies in his stomach told him he was wrong. Knowing there were vampires, angels, mages and whatever else in the world was one thing, sharing a drink with them to discuss the potential end of the world was quite another.

[Kaworu]

- Well… - Yumi wanted to summarize – I believe we all came here in good faith. I do understand and even expect some clashes between us, different perspectives and inter-cultural difficulties, but we can all agree that we want to save the world first and foremost, right? I wanna get that clear, because at least for some of us, cooperating in this given team could be… unorthodox. And if we will focus on our internal differences, it would be extremely hard to achieve anything. Not in spite of our tremendous power, but because of it. So I would like for us all to get this straight.

- By the way, there’s no Eclipse Caste which could make us swear we will not break this alliance? This would make things easier, but I suppose you cannot expect everything… - she admitted, with a note of defeat in her voice.

[Esprit15]

”As I stated, I am under orders to suspend hostile actions that I would normally take against any individuals involved in this undertaking,” Samael says to Yumi, her eyes drifting to the demon again before continuing around the room. She takes another sip of wine. “And besides, anyone who acts against the team, no matter how powerful, could not stand against the rest of us. Breaking this alliance is a death sentence as sure as my blade is sharp.”

[Rhyvurg]

"So, as an angel, I assume this means you have existed for...a fair bit longer than most beings here, indeed longer than most beings in existence, correct?" Michael did his best to restrain his eagerness, this might be the oldest person he's ever encountered, and likely to be more talkative than a vampire elder trying to kill him.

[Esprit15]

”No, we replace predecessors. I succeeded the previous one after-“ she pauses for a moment. “Well, that’s beyond the scope of our cooperation together at this point, and is unnecessary. But no, many of us are quite young. I am older than some and younger than others, at a few hundred years old.”

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]"Well, we could of course bind everyone into service for this. I'm quite capable of doing so given time, my exaltation is quite similar to that of an Eclipse. Though would you rather not leave our free wills intact? Do any of you disagree with preventing the downfall of civilization and coming to an agreement before we need kill one another?"

Mark turned and looked down the hall, "I'll retrieve Aldrich. I'm not in charge of these meetings by any means, though as far as I know I was the first arrival. He's quite eager to meet those who saw the importance of cooperation in these times."

Mark left the room, walking down the hall, a bit jittery. Roughly five minutes passed before he returned, an elderly gent with a well cut suit beside him. The man was Aldrich Palmer and he spoke in a plain tone if a bit southern in twang. The complex sort of resembled this, though they were far North, the man and his building didn't quite fit in. He half-bowed as he approached, gesticulating slightly, "Welcome ladies and gentleman to my humble home. I am told you all have questions for me, as to the nature of this meeting and what I wish to accomplish here. All questions are welcome, as are all opinions. I'm sure we can all see where things are headed, and if you have come here I am sure we all wish to avoid this."

[Rhyvurg]

”No, we replace predecessors. I succeeded the previous one after-“ she pauses for a moment. “Well, that’s beyond the scope of our cooperation together at this point, and is unnecessary. But no, many of us are quite young. I am older than some and younger than others, at a few hundred years old.”

"Unfortunate." Inwardly, he's groaning in frustration, he thought he finally had a real lead. Well, at least there hadn't been time to get his hopes up.


https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]"Well, we could of course bind everyone into service for this. I'm quite capable of doing so given time, my exaltation is quite similar to that of an Eclipse. Though would you rather not leave our free wills intact? Do any of you disagree with preventing the downfall of civilization and coming to an agreement before we need kill one another?"

Mark turned and looked down the hall, "I'll retrieve Aldrich. I'm not in charge of these meetings by any means, though as far as I know I was the first arrival. He's quite eager to meet those who saw the importance of cooperation in these times."

Mark left the room, walking down the hall, a bit jittery. Roughly five minutes passed before he returned, an elderly gent with a well cut suit beside him. The man was Aldrich Palmer and he spoke in a plain tone if a bit southern in twang. The complex sort of resembled this, though they were far North, the man and his building didn't quite fit in. He half-bowed as he approached, gesticulating slightly, "Welcome ladies and gentleman to my humble home. I am told you all have questions for me, as to the nature of this meeting and what I wish to accomplish here. All questions are welcome, as are all opinions. I'm sure we can all see where things are headed, and if you have come here I am sure we all wish to avoid this."


Jackson takes this in, trying to remember if he or his other self had any memories connected to what the man said about castes and eclipses, and he felt a twinge in...what he could only describe as a fifth arm inside his chest, but that made no sense at all. "I will do whatever is needed to save the world, and it's people."

[Kaworu]

- I also wish to help the mortals - admitted Yumi - We, the Sidereals, spent countless centuries working for the good of Man from behind the scenes. If one of us needs to step up and leave the shadows, so be it.

[Rhyvurg]

The word 'Sidereal' triggers memories, something about sage advice, sorcerous, power, and betrayal. Jackson didn't understand what this woman and her group represented, not yet at least, but he decided to be cautious around her.

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]"Alright, if no one would like to step forward aside from the starchild. Does anyone here have any particular experience with the neverborn? Or their children? The cainites can attest to the threat they pose. There are certain... I had a presentation for this, I have been made aware of awakenings of things best left dreaming. Beyond that there are all manners of events; the louisiana uprising for one. How about you, starchild? I'm sure you're aware of the happenings of the world. What have you all seen in your lives that needs adjudicating?"

[Kaworu]

- Well - Yumi begun - Neverborn are outside of the scope of things that the Loom of Fate - to which we have direct access as servants of the Maidens - can predict, so, alongside with the Yozis, it was always tricky for us to respond to and control them. Plus many of our powers are related to the Loom, so responding was always hard, as we could not use all our Charms. If need be, I can access our reports and search for clues and other information in them, as we have spies even in the realms ourside of Creation. But... - she stopped for a moment - I do not think that this is something at which we are particularly good. I hope other people gathered here - she looked at her companions - could fill the gaps in our knowledge and abilities.

[Batcathat]

The drifter cleared his throat. "I don't know much about the neverborn, I don't really know much about any of y'all either but..." He paused, making a vague gesture with the hand that wasn't desperatly clinging to his drink. "But whatever happened in this time... is happening now, I mean... it leads to a lot of bad futures where we're not really... around anymore."

[Rhyvurg]

Jackson has brief flashes of memory at the mention of Neverborn and Yozi, but they're filled with anger and betrayal. He doesn't know what they are, but his other self seemed fully aware of them, and hated them. But he does see one thing clearly, a horde of horrors that defy imagination. An endless flesh-scouring desert, a sea of acid, a galaxy of crystal and fire, a brass city of rage, and behind it all, a coiled darkness, pulling strings. And against them was a single being of light, something they had created, but were terrified of. "Ever since...whatever this is, happened to me, I've met a lot of what I would used to call monsters, but they haven't been in the habit of giving me their names."

[Kail_Traeganni]

With a subvocalized query through his ADEI, Aaron called up the few Technocracy briefs regarding "Hypothesized Primary Entropic Agents," beings understood by the supernaturalists as the Neverborn. The files were short and mostly speculative, with some fragments of mage writings on the subject. With a slight frown, his eyes almost-flicking about with a far-off gaze, he reviewed some Void Engineer accounts of actual combat encounters with the powerful entropic EDE's.

"Unfortunately, we have little understanding of extradimensional entities that have not directly touched our reality within the past six hundred years. Are you suggesting that these Neverborn are connected to the detonations, or warning that these detonations are waking previously inactive threats?"

[Esprit15]

”I do not recall them off the top of my head. I believe they fell out of my purview as a whole.” Samael says simply. She wracks her brain for any information, but her Lord evidently saw no need to impart such information to her. “As of late, I have seen a small spike in immortality seekers. A professor in Boston briefly got his hands on an artifact that granted him the powers of the legendary Greek healer Asclepius. He had revived two students of his who were mortally wounded in a shuttle accident, and sought to replicate the artifact. Elsewhere a human sought to escape death via occult ritual and blood sacrifice, before their ritual was interrupted. A tech startup is currently operating in Silicon Valley that is researching nanomachines in the blood that repair all cellular damage, and will have to be crushed if this pipe dream ever appears close to bearing fruit. Then there are the mortal non-humans, but most of them are long lived enough that they understand and accept their place.

“I don’t recall anything that feels instantly relevant to the terrorist activities you mentioned, with the possible exception being that startup, if they wind up having interesting connections. I am concerned though that this may indicate some shifting interest in the global zeitgeist, and whether that indirectly or directly ties with the crumbling of the Masquerade. A symptom, but not the disease, if you will.”

[Rhyvurg]

Jackson regards Mr. Aanenson. "So you are a man of science, and see everything that's happening through that paradigm, even if something seems like magic. Interesting, maybe there's hope for the world yet."

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]"The detonations are related, though not for the reason I bring forth. There are three main issues at play that I wish to reach consensus and a solution to. The most obvious problem is that humanity is collectively preparing for war, against itself. The detonations, nuclear or otherwise, would render gaia uninhabitable for the most of us and may not recover at all. I would put forth a solution but this ties into our second problem."

"Our second issue is the fall of the masquerade, I am sure you have seen the events of late in the public eye. This is going to grow worse, whether or not we prevent nuclear war, we are going to be turned on if we cannot gain control of our own communities. It won't simply be the governments, imagine the time you were humans. I assume we all were once, or felt their weakness. We will be hunted and burned out of our homes to restore order."

"The third issue is our own... baggage? Such as the Neverborn, I lack experience of them though I have been warned. Any outcome we wish to pursue will be held back by them, even if they don't become involved directly. Though their children are. I have a map, and a presentation for this. Simply, there are events unfolding across the united states, and beyond it in world. Even if we stop the world from being burned, and society turning on us if the masquerades fall, we'll still be living with our own demons."

"The Neverborn wish to end the world forever and start again, as the Yozis wish to escape and remake us. The Antideluvians born of the ancient blood wish to wake, as the Wyrm wishes to unravel the world. As hope itself flees us, and the dead suffer. There are myriad sicknesses upon us. What I need is insight on the threats that face us, so I summoned representatives of every kind I could find. Even if we stop one or two, we have dozens of situations capable of ruining the world."

[Rhyvurg]

"Then it seems our course is clear. Slow down the march to war, by whatever means we possess, and also deal with rogue elements in the nonhuman community, by keeping them in line or eliminating those who refuse to cannot curb their hungers. We can either take on one at a time and bring all our might to bear, or we can divide our forces and deal with them all at once."

[Esprit15]

Samael shrugs. ”If they cannot coexist with others then they can coexist with dirt.” The angle thinks for a moment. “Humans only threaten nuclear weapons and the like when they either think they will survive, are bluffing, or believe it to be part of some greater cause than their self. They’re selfish but basically rational. If different factions are saber rattling, it might be best to see what their contingency plans are when the radiation spreads, and move from there. Bunkers can be destroyed, zealots can be purged, and the bluffs can be called.”

[Kaworu]

- Because we have a lot of problems, we also need a lot of approaches - concluded the Sidereal - We could influence the mortal population to not use the nuclear weaponry, maybe even try to make an everlasting peace. It would be hard in itself, but not impossible. We just need globally politicians with a vision... a vision we could shape, if need be - she admitted - As to the Masquerade, it is not my specialty, we, the Chosen of Maidens, are cut from the mortals on a very basic, spiritual way. No matter what will happen, we are safe. Thus, I cannot offer much input in that matter. Sorry.

- As to other, supernatural dangers, we could try to overcome them with bare strength. There are 300 Chosen of the Moon, around 150 of Sun, Sidereals... and this only when we talk about the Exalted. There are also Vampires, Mages, Werewolfs and other powerful beings, we could align ourselves with them, at least with some of them. Together, we could stand against any foe that might wanna strike us. Making an all-encompassing alliance against our enemies seems like a good point of start, don't you think?- she asked her companions, looking at every single one of them.

[Esprit15]

Samael shakes her head. ”Every politician with a vision is just a target for every power seeker with a goal. As the idea of people choosing their own leader every couple of years becomes more widespread, the promises and plans they make match that cycle. They used to work for a century on building a single church. Now they broker deals that only last as long as the same person is in office. You can’t fix things by just having a good leader in charge for a while. The only everlasting peace is a desert.”

[Kaworu]

- I would not like to argue, but at the same time I cannot agree - admitted Yumi, not without a kind tone in her voice - Either way, in this case it's more about the ever-lasting nature of the... behind the curtain actors. Politicians can change, but as long as it is we who control them from the shadows, the... circural nature of their leadership should not be a problem.

[Esprit15]

”I’m sure I could find individuals to contribute to such an endeavor.”

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]"I've seen the desert of everlasting peace, it wasn't worth its price. There are certainly better ways than rebuilding from a wasteland if we even wanted to get there."

"I agree that a change, of leadership, would be necessary or atleast the development of new strings. Things are becoming more chaotic with each year, there are limits to my tolerance. All it would take is a spark and poof."

"I have strings I can pull if we can gain control of the political situation, and those rising from the masquerade. Industrial sectors could be born overnight."

"The situation with the Arctic will only grow unfortunately while that is dealt with."

[Rhyvurg]

When their host mentioned a desert, the phrase 'three days' passes though Jackson's mind, but with no context. "Then I will go to the Arctic and do what I can to solve the problem."

[Kail_Traeganni]

Inclining his head toward Jackson, Aaron smiled softly. "Some would call 'magic' shorthand for insufficiently understood phenomena."

Turning back to the host, he continued. "I expect most at the table have their own private levers for the mortal governments, and something as clear as 'don't launch' should be simple enough to maintain, though there may be unintended consequences if we all start pulling strings at once.

Regarding panic, and baggage... we'll surely lose if we run about fighting the fires which have already started. I have a proposal. Our organization, especially those formerly of the Syndicate, are especially skilled in the work of resource-deprivation and isolation. Many problematic groups and individuals active now would meet violence with escalation, and will grow into violence if left unchecked. However, the carrots and sticks of the mundane world- prosecutions, liens, suits, fines, and profitable distractions- can pick apart their members, consuming totally the attention and time of any still connected with mundane society.

If any should wish to tell of the sparks who they'd like to see distracted rather than snuffed out, we would be at your service in such matters, and my associate can work with you to establish contact protocols and dead drop locations. In the meantime, we need to hunt one layer deeper. I've come to suspect the work of Virtual Adept cells in certain hacked broadcasts showing the supernatural. The methodology fits their paradigm, and many among them share a dangerously silly ideology about free access to information. We are working to identify these, but have almost no internal links with the VAs. If any here could help us in gaining inside sources, we might be able to isolate some of the firestarters."

[Rhyvurg]

"The most prevalent and directly harmful faction I know of are the vampires, I have not met any of their so-called godlike elders, or if I have they fell far short of the mark, but if even half the boasts I've heard have some truth to them, there is a whole cadre of apocalyptic beings waiting in the wings for their chance to strike."

[Kaworu]

- I am also worried about the vampires - admitted Yumi - But the stronger they are, the fever of them exist. Plus, we got a lot of powerful Solar Ealted to deal with them, if need be. What I am worried about is the sheer number of the less powerful of them. And their political influence on the world of mortals. Maybe we should focus on them from that perspective? - she asked, keen to know the point of view of her companions.

[Anti-Eagle]

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ed/46/4e/ed464e1683786601cedac618e3760dc1.jpg"Mark Ritter"
(Broken Thorn) (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fMKwYr6-hc9wfW06hUKNBgYGc4MJz9IvMpZL7OIe_eA/edit?usp=sharing)

| Damage 0 |
| Dodge +0 |
| Parry +0 |
| Fortitude +10 |
| Toughness +10 |
| Will +10 |
| Awareness +10 |

Void: 180
Wind: 76
Water: 20
Earth: 60
Fire: 12

Senses 34 [Analytical 4 (Hearing 2, Vision 2), Awareness 2 (Essence, Programs), Counters Concealment 5, Counters Illusion 2, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 4, Radio, Rapid 8 (Hearing 4, Vision 4), Time Sense, Tracking 2, Ultra-Hearing, Ultravision), Unreliable (Perception), Innate Quirk]"That is part of the arctic situation, there is an elder(?) and its servitors that are showing signs of awakening... but, we likely have more chance of controlling the situation if we deal with the mortals first."

"As I mentioned I have strings I can pull, though it appears, the... technologically adept fellow has a better view of the situation. I can provide certain contacts that may be able to help with this. My industry has eyes across the country and beyond, if it involves magic I should be able to get the right words in the rights ears, if it would help."

"Though I have spoken with the kindred in the room of their kind, do any of you have insights into the vampiric condition, I would be fascinated to learn why the rogues take the actions they have as of late, or why they would seek to awaken their elders."

[Kaworu]

- This is something, I am afraid, is beyond my jurisdiction. However, there is a chance that the Chosen of Saturn could know something more. I can pull some strings in the Celestial Bureaucracy and see how it works. Maybe even bring some Sidereals with the right skills and knowledge - said Yumi - What's good is that they are a part of the Creation and as such, they are covered by the Loom.

[Rhyvurg]

"From the boasts, threats, and pleadings I have heard from vampires, they believe their ancient forefathers are going to wake soon and consume the world, and the most openly brutal of them seem to be preparing to fight these elders, while others deny their existence."

[Esprit15]

Samael remains silent. She'd slain vampires, but she had no great insight into them as a people.

[Batcathat]

Between sips of his much too small drink, the drifter looked around the room. He still hadn't gotten over the impression of being so very far out of his depth and a conversation that was about half incomprehensible and half terrifying didn't really help.

[Kail_Traeganni]

Aaron gently arched an eyebrow. "Many elder hemophages are calculating, order-seeking, and cautious. Hence, their invitations here." He inclined his martini (shaken of course, never stirred) toward the various camarilla leaders across the great table.

"For my part, my bias is to view the Arctic matter as a factional issue, separate from physiology. Those who seek to disrupt the world order are either those who can benefit from disruption, or zealots of some form. Those who can succeed in locating and waking hidden powers are very lucky- or highly resourced and knowledgeable. This could be no more than a lucky group of opportunists. But this could well be a highly resourced conspiracy of zealots, and the Arctic may be one visible 'success' among many disruptive efforts. Verifying what we're dealing with prior to Arctic intervention should magnify our impact- a conspiracy should be studied and then attacked around the world simultaneously, a mere splinter group simply surrounded and neutralized.

Do we have any intelligence on the group's members, whether unafilliated Anarchs or recent departures from various camarillas? Any commonalities of clan or region? Are we dealing with Sabbat diablerists?"

[Anti-Eagle]

The host spoke. "I do not know, though they are zealots."

Mark spoke. "According to the Cainites I've spoken to- their plan is to wake their progenitors, at any cost, and die. I'm not the most familiar with their kind or scripture, but according to their apocryphal religion waking them will result in their end, and they want that. There isn't a lot of negotiation there, and killing them is only an incentive to move faster. Though we may need that. As they are right now they're needle searching for a vein, or a scalpel carefully cutting away. If we could make them act as a hammer perhaps we could see the hand guiding them."

The host spoke. "I'm not sure that's a good idea from what I've been told of the Arctic situation. If even one of them awaken we'll be dealing with things beyond our ken.1"

Mark spoke. "Beyond your ken, though not all of us. There are beings here that as you saw were necessary to stopping this, and they are here. If not all of us."

One of the vampires spoke up, "Do we have a plan?"

The host spoke. "Not exactly, though I do have a presentation on what I knew of as the most pressing situation. There may be others though I am unaware of, which is why I asked."

[Rhyvurg]

"Then it seems our best option might be to gather as much information as possible, as quickly as possible. We find the greatest repository of knowledge about vampire history, and take it for ourselves. Though..." He looks at the drifter. "For some of us, time is not as daunting a barrier. If we can directly observe events at the right places and times, we can learn where these ancient elders are now, and deal with them directly."

[Kaworu]

Yumi sipped her champagne, listening to everybody in silence. Still, one thing was bothering her - Maybe I am not an expert on vampires - she started - but why do they want to die? Especially in such a... big movement? Sorry, I feel like I am missing a few details here - the Sidereal explained.

[Rhyvurg]

"Immortality can erode a man's humanity, replace it with something else."

[Esprit15]

"Immortality can erode a man's humanity, replace it with something else."

“As they say, ‘Only the good die,’ or something like that.”

Samael sighs and in one motions swallows the rest of her drink. “Look, I’m happy to sip drinks until the heat death of the universe, but I have duties that I am at some point expected to return to. We have a whole shirt’s worth of threads, and discussing the interesting and lovely colors of each one doesn’t bring us closer to pulling one. If our host would perhaps be so kind as to begin the presentation he previously mentioned? Perhaps that would give us some more direction.”

[Anti-Eagle]

The host spoke. "Of course..."

He motioned for the group to follow him, stopping briefly by one of his attendants telling her to gather the rest.

About ten minutes passed, dozens of people being led into a theater with comfortable red seats.

The lights were shut off in the room, and a light was projected onto a screen before them. A film began.

At first there was no sound, black and white images of ships with captions below and a stamp with the word Dresden prominent.

An expedition to the North. Maps of the world with arcane markings over certain locations.

Footage of men gliding through the snow on dog sleds. Slight burns upon the film as it progressed.

A voice played unfamiliar to most of the audience, oddly familiar to some though, as the image of a mountain appeared.

"Containment of a servitor has failed, and Wormwood is now inevitable."

Footage of the mountain animated, and the party approached. Photographs were displayed of ancient ruins in the ice.

"This is not Atlantis, but it was born of the transgressions that led to its fall. Within the ice are things buried by things even the gods cannot deny,"

Effigies of the primordials were displayed.

"We do not know what the things are, only that they were intended to be forgotten. With their loosing, endings have begun, perhaps uncontrollable."

Documents were displayed, symbols of the wars, and oddly modern office equipment amongst the ice.

Another voice this one female, "Today we are here. The servitors of the old gods, the real gods, have been awoken and with them what they were here to contain."

"We do not know what the antedeluvians are capable of, we merely know that this one was contained at great cost for fear of turning the world forever bitter to life."

"Once it is awake, its brothers will awake. The servitors will go wild to contain them and fail."

"Brotherhoods long suppressed will seek to further destabilize and sacrifice themselves. They believe a new world may be forged from the remains of this one."

"As their progenitors awaken this will only accelerate."

The image of the map returned. One hundred individual sigils over locations across the globe.

"Nuclear exchange will ruin what is left."

The first voice returned, "We need volunteers. If we do not stave this off, there will be nothing left for the rest of us. The world will be cracked like an egg,"

The second voice continued, "if not by this then another unknown put in motion by these events. Our eyes are not omniscient."

"If the wormwood is prevented, another will come. We need agents capable of standing at the doors that are opening and close them. Our resources are not infinite."

"But, we must first prevent the rivers from being turned bitter and life withering from the earth so something else can take its place."

[Batcathat]

The drifter had found a seat at the very back of the theater. As the film played, he couldn't escape the feeling that he was in an ordinary movie theater, watching some sort of experimental horror film. Something along the lines of a found footage movie. Maybe internet creepypasta with an actual budget.

Just not... reality. Or whatever passed for it these days.

[Rhyvurg]

"So, whomever made this believes these ancient elders to be an inevitable cascade, and he may be right, but nothing exists that cannot be slain, if there are those with the will to oppose it. But what is a servitor, and what is wormwood?"

[Kaworu]

Yumi sat down and watched the whole movie carefully. It was... interesting, even if not so informational.

- This still raises some questions - she said to her companions - But at least the urgency of our actions and problems are clear. I will gladly help to "close the door" like the people in this movie said. Maybe we should analize it together using our separate perspectives and knowledges to get a clear view?

[Kail_Traeganni]

Aaron massaged his temple briefly. There was no sense hiding frustration with mumbo-jumbo given the stakes.

"I'm sure this would be very meaningful to anyone already steeped in the right, conspiracy theories, mythologies, and so-called prophecies... but I know nothing of which myths the speakers follow about Atlantis, who they hold as 'true' gods, or what Wormwood is a coded name for. Perhaps you can elaborate on the affiliations of the speakers and what all this means?"