Kingbeast's Lair

[ Author’s Note: This is the log for the 10th session. Instead of posting your standard log of everything that happened during the session I will post “Then” and “Now” sections that summarize the story. The players will need to recall the details as to how it unfolded. This means that the players will be responsible for remembering any loose ends that may come back to haunt them in a later Episode. ]

Then

Outside Of St Louis Cemetery #1, New Orleans, USA – July 6th, 2015 – Like most things that happened lately the call from the janitor at St Louis Cemetery #1 seemed a bit “odd”. The elderly worker claimed to have heard ghostly drum beats and seen several strange black men without shirts and face paint entering from one of the gates. Acting quickly the Detective Kazahiro Takashi grabbed his lightweight police windbreaker and headed out. When he got into his unmarked brown Crown Victoria a chill went down his back. Shaking his head and smiling Kaz revved the engine and headed towards the incident.

About a block away from the cemetery the New Orleans detective spotted 2 strange panel vans. Parking about a block away he shut down the engine and radioed in his position. After unbuckling his seat belt and checking his sidearm the Detective felt uneasy. Steadying his nerves Kazahiro wondered if he should ring MD. “Probably just some college kids with some alcohol,” he muttered. With a jolting crash the front windshield of his car shattered into a thousand tiny glass cubes! Covering his face Detective Takashi pulled his Glock releasing the safety. Standing on the roof of his car was a huge bare chested black man with his face painted like a skull. Acting on instinct the crackshot Detective fired four shots into the center of mass on the man. After bucking slightly the man turned with a smile and in a booming voice responded with, “HA! HA! HA! Such violence from such a little man!” With that the large Haitian man grabbed the small Japanese officer from the front of his jacket lapels and yanked him through the open front windshield as if he was a rag doll. The last thing the Kazahiro considered before blacking out was that maybe he should have called MD…

Now

A Plush Study, New Orleans, USA – July 7th, 2015 – The morning sun peeked through the red velvet curtains bathing the wood paneled study in a soft warm glow. As the door slowly opens a female form wearing a plush bathrobe walks across room to a large wing-backed chair and takes a seat setting down a glass of tea on a nearby antique end-table. As she tucks up her feet a strong male voice comes from a large desk on the opposite side of the room, “So how did he do? I assume he failed miserably?” After taking a small sip the woman replies, “You were right. D’Arcy was short sighted. He did not setup his dolls before enacting his plan of summoning Marie Laveau. It was foolish to underestimate them. With each challenge they seem to become more of a team and less a collection of individual talent. It’s a shame because D’Arcy had potential and support to back it up.” The man continues but not before considering his words carefully, “The only encouraging news is that at least there is no fallout and apparently no connection back to us…at least for time being it appears that way.” She nods and continues in a lilting tone, “That true but your son and his friends will not stay quiet for long. Tenacity has proven to be one of their annoying strength…but we will not take their talents for granted as D’Arcy did. Planning will win this war for us my friend…just you wait and see…”

[ Author’s Note: This is the log for the 9th session. Instead of posting your standard log of everything that happened during the session I will post “Then” and “Now” sections that summarize the story. The players will need to recall the details as to how it unfolded. This means that the players will be responsible for remembering any loose ends that may come back to haunt them in a later Episode. ]

Then

Juarez Grounds, University Of New Orleans, New Orleans, USA – August 10th, 1973 – The summer breeze caressed Yordani and Francisco’s skins with a warm embrace. After playing in the moist August afternoon sun the boys sat in the shade of the garden gazebo to rest. Inside they could hear their Mother yelling at their Father in her latest drug induced state. Speaking softly Francisco pulls out a lucha libre trading card for his favorite wrestler, El Tigre, and addresses his Brother, “Yord…I wish El Tigre were here. He would show ALL Mother’s that is not right to be so mean to their families.” Yordani looked at his Brother with a solemn gaze then with a smile says, “Don’t worry Francisco…I’ll protect you…El Tigre isn’t going to visit New Orleans anytime soon…”

Now

Dr Stone’s Office, University Of New Orleans, New Orleans, USA – June 29th, 2015 – Dr Stone breathes a sigh of release as his office hours are almost over. Looking out of his office window he notes that a light rain has started falling. With a knock he turns to face his office door. To Dr Stone’s surprise he sees the large voodoo mambo Madame Astryd Trudeau standing in the portal with one hand on her curvaceous hip, “May I come in cheri?” Dr Stone stands and asks her to please take a seat. After closing the door and taking a seat she continues, “I’m sorry that this is not a simple social call. The loa of Baron Semedi is restless. I have been communicating with the Baron for many years but I have never seen him this agitated. Now…I have reason to believe that you and your amies are somehow involved.” Holding up her hands and looking away she continues, “I’m not sure what happened…but I’m darned sure that I do NOT want to know the details.” After a short pause the rotund woman shifts her weight and looks into the eyes of the young Dr of Occult Studies with a stern stare, “I have sensed that your ti bon ange is strong…strong is what is needed to face what will be coming. Please try and…how shall I put this cheri…get your house in order.” With that she stands, straightens her skirt, and leaves the office.

[ Author’s Note: This is the log for the 8th session. Instead of posting your standard log of everything that happened during the session I will post “Then” and “Now” sections that summarize the story. The players will need to recall the details as to how it unfolded. This means that the players will be responsible for remembering any loose ends that may come back to haunt them in a later Episode. ]

[ Note Regarding The Picture: I found the Boston picture when I was searching for a “female vampire” image on Google. Turns out it is from a book that sells on Amazon. I loved the East Indian feel so I turned to Google again. Of course there are vampires in India! 😉 ]

Then

Willow Gate Estate, New Orleans, USA – June 19th, 2015 – Vanessa throws open the small door the pantry then quickly heads down the tiny concealed stairway. Her thoughts race. Sounds like a large caliber pistol and an M16. Most likely it is the professional team that Barnes described. Vanessa muses that Barnes is the only Vampire of their brood with any long term potential. Barnes is a trained soldier who is used to taking order but is not dumb enough to march into his own demise. As Vanessa reaches the bottom of the stone stairway her nose is assaulted with the fragrant smell of stale blood. At the far side of the chamber a writhing mass of thralls crawl under the crossed legs of Boston forming a makeshift throne of flesh. For a moment Vanessa takes in the beautiful example of her lovers immense power. Realizing the importance of the moment Vanessa speaks out, “My love…the group of hunters that Barnes mentioned is at our very doorstep!” Boston turns and stands atop the thralls, as she walks to the ground they form stairs under her feet, “Prepare to meet our foes Vanessa. I must be given time to complete the ritual. With it my legacy will be complete.” With that Vanessa pulls the silver blade that was given to her as a gift from her lover and opens the steel door leading to the gazebo, “I’ll lead.” As the two race down the narrow stone corridor Vanessa feels a twinge of doubt. Even though she had killed many hunters over the years somehow this time felt different.

Now

Willow Gate Estate, New Orleans, USA – June 25th, 2015 – Jacob Morley always made Sutherland’s skin crawl. The ancient mortician with his gaunt appearance and tall thin frame seemed to only be kept alive by some unseen force. Gathering his tablet Sutherland follows Morley towards the office of the Adeptus Exemptus of his grand Hermetic Order Of The Golden Dawn. After knocking at the door Morley opens the portal and ushers him into the room. Taking a seat at the large oak desk Doctor Sutherland waits to be addressed. As the chair turns the Doctor sits up straight, “Adeptus.” “Doctor Sutherland. We have received word that the group of hunters that you encountered in New Orleans have kicked over a proverbial bees nest of spirits and souls. The amount of arcane and historical knowledge that could potentially be harnessed from the event and the released spirits is immense. You have a colleague within the group of hunters and experience with the history leading up to the event so I want you to lead the mission. Please have a mission statement and resource allocation outline in my inbox within the next 3 hours. Don’t let me down Doctor.” With a nod Jason Sutherland stands and walks back to his office with a smile on his face. This could be his chance for a promotion to the Inner Circle!