Open Stories 03/25/15

1) "...like Dresden"  - The vampires have asked to hire the Wizards to help them discover who is trying to sabotage the opening of Vendetta

2) "Crystal Thingie" - The Cabal must determine what the Crystal truly is and why it's so important.  They must experiment on it, research using resources available, and possibly request the help of other mages, possibly even those outside the Concillium.

3) "Cartographer" - The Cabal assists a Geomancer named "Magellan" in mapping downtown Tampa.  He leaves it up to them the order in which they visit, but many of them are dangerous, including:

• College of Tampa
• Curtis Hixon Park
• The Castle
• Central Avenue (site of Summer 1967 riots)
• Davis Island Yacht Club
• Circulo Cubano de Tampa (Smokers Sanctum) 
• Old Lutz Elementary School
• S. H. Kress and Co. Building
• Tampa Theatre
• Ybor Factory Building

4) "Manacles of Silence" - The Cabal must decode the grimoire and determine why it was in Count Tanzler's collection.

5) "Payment Due" - The Cabal (specifically Cerberus) still owe EWF for his little 'intrusion'.

6) "The Omens" - Are the omens prophetic signs or a cabal of Seers?

7) "Pennies from Heaven" - Roc's lawsuit against Pasco County could be very lucrative (since they have a $1.3B annual budget), especially if the Cabal enlisted the help of their friendly neighborhood vampire lawyer...

World of Darkness 3/01/15

TAMPA - A recent crime statistics report made public shows a significant decrease in drug-related arrests year over year.  Per Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, "The programs we began a few years ago and continued pressure we put on the importers and wholesalers of illegal substances is finally bearing fruit." .  A year over year decrease of 5% "...may not seem like much," says Chief Castor, "but those arrests are no longer street level dealers but instead individuals at the higher levels of local drug cartels."  In related news, the increasing scarcity of black market drugs is pushing many former addicts to seek substance abuse support from Tampa charities and government agencies.  Chief Castor comments, "We are doing all that we can to enforce the law, but we also need our citizens to help those in need and shrink the demand for these substances as well."

World of Darkness 2/26/15

ST PETERSBURG, FL - Daggers, swords and antique guns worth about $100,000 were stolen from a home in St Petersburg last week.  St Pete Police detectives said that the burglary took place between Feb.18-20 at a home on the 4600 block of Neptune Drive when the residents were out of town.  According to SPPD, the stolen antique guns were single-shot flintlock variety from 17th-18th century. The total value of the stolen guns, swords and daggers is estimated at more than $100,000.  If you have any information on this case, please call the St. Petersburg Police at (727)893-7780 or use the anonymous Tip-411, text "SPPD" and your tip to 847-411 (Tip-411).

After Action Report

This report is for Adamant Arrow distribution only.  
Date: TBD
Arrow: Cerberus
Area: Tampa Bay
Awakened Deaths: 0
Sleeper Deaths: 0

Report:
While consoling my cabal member over the loss of his mundane job there was a loud noise heard coming from the ward’s (sleeper) bedroom. Upon opening the door I saw her being dragged out the hole where the window was (window was destroyed in a previous incident on the property). I followed the girl out the window, but could not make out the manner of creature that was taking her. I activated night vision, and immediately recognized the assailant as the mentally deficient neighbor boy. At this time the ghost-guards on the property became involved. I attempted to Control the first to prevent it from harming the boy. Unfortunately this is when everything got out of control. The owner of the property, possibly reliving the way he lost his wife and daughter many years before, lost his composure. He ordered his guardians to “Kill him” and was able to overpower my control. I attempted to knock some sense into him, so he could get his emotions under control. When that failed I attempted to threaten him with my weapon (9mm semi-auto). Unfortunately there was no reasoning with him. The guardians were beginning to harm the boy and I had to make it perfectly clear that I was serious. I am not proud of this choice, but at this point I, carefully, fired on my friend aiming for his shoulder so as not to harm him seriously. This use of deadly force got the message across and he called off the ghosts.
This is where things became odd. He chose to “play dead” at this point, leaving me to deal with the impending police arrival. Left with no easy way to explain why I shot my friend I decayed my weapon, tried to calm the retard, removed any evidence that I had fired a gun, and try to come up with a good explanation for what happened. 3 out of 4 isn’t bad… the police did not believe my story. I strongly believe that was due in part to me not being able to remove my holster before they arrived. I got to spend a night in jail…yay. With no physical evidence linking me to the shot, no reliable witnesses, and nothing to hold me on, I was free to go. Cabal mate extricated himself from the morgue at about the same time I was being released.
In the end no one was hurt, permanently, and the lie is still in place. I need to have a more urgent conversation with my friend about the use of vulgar magic very soon. I also need to replace my lost weapon.

On Awakening

While my soul was asleep, the world was my dream. Nothing was real, everything was ephemeral. Colors were dull, joy edged with sadness, my place uncertain. Now I am Awake; and though I had to die, I have never been so alive. I have Awakened to a world that I hardly understand. Yet it is the same world I used to sleep in. I now understand that the uncertainty I once felt was my soul longing to break free from the dream world I was trapped in and experience the world as it truly is. I don’t know what caused me to trip that night in the cemetery, but I strongly suspect a ghost was involved. The doctors said I was clinically dead for 5 minutes. They had ceased resuscitation, knowing that after that length of time permanent brain damage was guaranteed. But then my heart started to beat on its own. I was in a coma for 3 days after that. They told my parents that it was unlikely that I would ever wake up, and even if I did they said I would be a vegetable for the rest of my life. If only the doctors knew just how wrong they were.

What I experienced in those 5 minutes; or 3 days, depending on who you believe more (quack mystic, priests, or neurologists), can only be described as Rebirth. Not the fake rebirth of modern religions, but a true remaking of my soul. I saw a great tower made of lead on the horizon. For days I traveled across a field of marble accompanied only by the shades of the deceased that call that place home. When I finally reached the tower I had to climb the endless steps to the top. Days I climbed, never needing food or rest. At the top sat a throne of bone and gold, empty and waiting. Along the walls there were statues that looked almost alive in their realism. A name I could not read carved in to the base of each. At the end of the hall a blank block of stone waited, and I felt that it was waiting for me. I picked up chisel and hammer and began to carve a likeness of myself into that rock. As the days passed I realized that I didn’t need any tools; that my will and hands were all I needed to shape the stone. After a week of working, my offering to the tower was complete, and I carved my name into the base. The trip to the base of the tower took only moments now that I understood that the size of the tower was a projection of my will. I exited the tower and Awoke in a hospital bed. The doctors were confused and elated by my miraculous recovery. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I met someone that could explain the truth behind my strange dream.   

Journal Entry 2/21/15

Tonight we met with the vampires.

Griff and I are to meet for dinner at Stonewood Grill.
I try out a new thing - quite distracting in a busy place, but useful also.

Joseph and Rosie arrived 10 minutes late.  (using my new talent - Joseph shows as light blue, quite pale, and Rosie red, vermillion and violet swirls-also pale.) They mentioned hearing something about a break-in to the Fed Ex in TIA.  I fear this may be what the boys were attempting to avoid.

They reason we were invited to meet was due to some recent break-ins and possible sabotage to their new venture, Vendetta.  Seems that there have been some electrical tools stolen one night, then some AV equipment a week later, then, more recently, a fire in the DJ booth during a sound test.

We are asked to study their head of security - Robbie.  He is human, or at least appears so, and is violet, dark red (quite constantly) with a dark green shock. This seems to mean he is exited, has very high libdo, and a strong jealous streak, quickly quashed,  Griff sees him as loyal and proud.   We "pass" whatever that was to see.

Joseph is forwarding information for a security supply place, where we can gear up.  We are asked, and will be paid nicely for, watching the location overnights for 5 days.
We have agreed.

Lets see how this plays out...

Journal Entry 2/18/15

Griff and I are invited to a dinner on Thursday with Joseph.  This letter comes to Romeo's home, with his name, which begs the question, why him?  Perhaps Rosie's friendship with Maria?
.
I am responding to a meeting request with EWF.  Monday evening, after work, I head to USF, Morsani College of Medical building, room 513 to meet Libra.  She is using a master glove of some kind to control the monitor and office walls when I arrive.   She has pictures, glossy color photos, of Cerberus walking around campus.
1) He is not supposed to be on campus
2) there are to be new security methods put in place shortly, another threat of some kind - and he may be hurt.

Since EWF does not have any Moros or Obrimos they are asking for a permanent enchantment on a laptop, that they will send to our P.O. Box.  Libra has asked for Cerberus to call her once he is prepared to own up to his mistake,  Perhaps they will allow his graduation?  I have her office card.   She has Cerberus' transcript, and all that it shows.    This triggered a mass message to the cabal - we need to meet and discuss this.

Journal Entry - 2/16/15

Last Saturday morning we went looking for some stones to use for mana gathering.
Romeo, Cerberus and I head to Soul Mirror, where we find no stones of use, but meet a strange mage - very powerful (lit up like the sun was mentioned).  He was tattooed and preppy and headed out after a quick hello.
The boys and I then head to Enchanted Spirit, near Enchanted Garden (where we located two stones), where tattoo-prep "is".  He invites us back for tea, discusses a stone or two that seem to be on their way to a possible Throne agent.  He invites us to look at the tea in our cups, after which we find ourselves several moments ago and in the front of the store.   We meet Junior, at Ceberus's suggestion,   He offers weapons, and wishes us luck, but not assistance.

I head back to the Hallow and the boys head off to get the stone.  I understand they may have found another of Kosmos' hideouts.  There is some hacking or something in which they attempt to redirect the stone to us.  Let's see how this works - we are to expect something by Tuesday.

Once their return, we make arrangements to check out Harmony Metaphysical Church.  The vibes are desperation and belonging - a cult of some sort?  They gift shop is full of idols, Bal, Kali, all sorts of stuff, just none of what one might consider commonplace in a church.  Some of the books are directed at children, but strangely, like 5 year olds have sexual urges.  There is a floor mosaic outside, that is surrounded by glyphs of some sort. They are NOT high speech.   Nearby there is a bit of wall art - kabbalistic and referring to power over sin.    We attend a service led by Brother Greaves, on sin and weakness.  He is not human and is not alive.  We decide to do a bit of research - missing persons, any weird dangerous stuff nearby?

Great quotes from play

Cerberus: "Make a distraction."

minutes later...

Griffin: "Yo darkie. How about you shut your cockholster before someone gets hurt."

...obligatory fight ensures.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

World of Darkness 2/18/15

TAMPA – Tampa Electric is working to restore power to some customers in the area of University of South Florida in Tampa.  Almost 6,000 customers near I-275 and Fowler Avenue reported outages around 5 p.m. Since then, almost half have been restored.  TECO did not give a reason for the power outage. The company expects to have the rest of the power back up sometime tomorrow evening.

TAMPA – A burglary was reported at the FedEx distribution center located at TIA Monday night (February 16th).  A task force of agencies including the Tampa Police Department, Transportation Security Administration, and other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security has been created to investigate the crime.  No injuries were reported, and FedEx has indicated that there was minimal property damage, which will not impact its continuing operations.  No items of a dangerous nature or threats to national security were stolen.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tampa Police Determent at 813-231-6130.

The Ark and its Protocols

Written in Callipoe's hand, a large leather bound book rests prominently on a stand within the bookshelf.

Protocols

Our Creed

The Ark exists to save the mysteries from the threats of the fallen world and the tainting touch of the abyss.  It will tread those dangerous waters, providing a way for its crew of gods, myths, and legends to weather the flood of Quiescence and storms of disbelief.  Within its walls our members will empower each other and improve their lives.  We will offer passage to all sleepers, protecting them from the threats of the fallen world and supernatural forces within it.  Where there is ignorance, we will enlighten; and where there is nothingness, we will provide genesis.

We recognize, as one body, the Great Rights of Crossing, Emeritus, and Sanctuary.  We hope to work productively with other Cabals of the Atlantean Orders we may encounter, but respectfully decline to offer Hospitality in the interest of our security and safety.  All members will meet Sunday mornings to prove their continued safety, update each other on the progress of mystical projects, and assist in necessary rituals. 

Any items, mundane or magical, which are brought near the Sanctum will first be loaned to the Eye and the Head who will determine if the items poses any threat to our vessel.  All members are expected to hand over any weapons which could bring mundane authorities or supernatural risks near the cabal to the Fist who will secure them.

The Heart [Calliope] shall become the spiritual center of the Sanctum.  They will be coach and cheerleader for the Ark and its mission.  They will maintain the organization and cleanliness of the Sanctum.  They will maintain a positive relationship with the sleepers who own the grounds and arrange for their rental compensation.  They will arrange for the payment of any services or items deemed necessary or acquired by the Hand.  They will maintain regular contact with all members and a general knowledge of their schedules.  They will speak for and represent the Ark during Council interactions.  No modifications, enchantments, or affects will be placed on or near the Sanctum without direct permission of the Heart.

The Head [Calliope] shall become the extended mind of our union, assuring that the Cabal continues on to learn and protect long us.  They will catalog, study, and research any item or mystery discovered by the cabal after the Eye has vetted its mystical safety and the Fist its physical.  They will maintain a history of the Cabal and its membership, minutes of all meetings, and results of any group rituals.  They will also study, research, and investigate any item or subject per the request of a member, with recompense provided as is customary.  They will maintain a positive relationship with the local Mysterium Caucus so that more expert capabilities are available should the need arise.

The Hand [Roc] will sow and reap to assure the Cabal has the resources to pursue the supernal.  They are responsible for any business dealings or ventures the Cabal undertakes.  The will manage any ongoing interests and provide monthly reports to the Cabal with written copies to be kept by the Head.  They will develop relationships and contacts necessary to supply the cabal with any materials or services needed.  They will vet out any vendors to assure they present no threat to the cabal and are trustworthy in word and deed.

The Eye [Griffin] will maintain a gaze on those worlds beyond worlds and the realms invisible.  They will be our connection to those reflections of the supernal realms among the fallen.  They will assure the health of the Hallow is maintained and that all members receive their fair share of mana.  They will manage the mystical resources and objects of the Cabal to assure appropriate usage.  They will serve as the loyal dissenter, tasked with assuring the Ark's mission of pursuing the mysteries does not trample its need to protect sleepers from the supernatural.

The Fist [Cerberus] shall be the determined defense and righteous retaliation of the Ark.  They will protect their brothers and sisters from all threats, physical and magical, standing beside them during all dangerous endeavors.  They shall secure and maintain all weapons within the Sanctum.  They will develop security measures to protect the Sanctum and confine any member who becomes a threat to the Cabal or themselves.  Should a member break these protocols, the Fist will bring the offender to the judgment of the assembled cabal.

Should another of the Awakened wish to board the Ark, they must be welcomed to serve it and its ideals for three turns of the moon.  The pledge shall be assigned a mentor from their own Order or as desired should they be Apostate.  After loyal service for a period not less than one season and with unanimous approval of the Cabal, they may take the Oath of Membership and alter the theme of their soul to align with the Ark’s mystical resonance.  Once a year the cabal shall renew their Oath of Membership, with any needed alterations of duties discussed and made at that time.

All members shall refrain from these actions, with willful negligence or malevolence considered a rebellion against their siblings and a sin against the Ark.

·        No member shall overtax the Hallow without the express permission of the Eye

·        No member shall reveal that the Sanctum contains a Hallow

·        No member shall bring a visitor or pledge to the Sanctum grounds with prior agreement from the cabal and acceptance by Countess Elena

May the inheritors of the Oracle’s wisdom adhere to these words.  Only in complete unity of the members may they be directly altered.  As an entity, the Ark will grow and change, and thus so to will it’s Protocols.  By three quarters agreement they may be amended with Addendums, to assure that new knowledge and additional needs are encoded in the truth that is our bond. 

Member’s Oath

I, (real name), known as (shadow name) among the awakened, pledge my friendship and fealty to the mages of the Ark.  I promise to protect them when they are threatened and mend them when they are broken.  I promise to reveal nothing of them to anyone, even if granted permission, reserving the right for the same.  As a member of the Ark I will pay an equal portion its monetary expenses, treat with respect and protect the entity known as Countess Elena Tanzler, and by extension anyone she deems to be her ‘family’.  I will uphold any of the great rights adhered to by a majority vote of its members.  I will accept a position and its associated functional duties as dictated by a majority of its members.  I will respect the Brasero de la Bahia, Concillium of Tampa Bay, and obey the orders of its councilors, in so far as those orders do not endanger the Ark or its brethren.  I will be granted an equally divisible measure of mana to be harvested from the hallow and leave any remainder to congeal as tass.  Should my world be torn asunder and I have no other option, I may find succor with the walls of our Sanctum.  Should I betray my brethren may I be stripped of all mystical possessions acquired during my tenure, release their members from any debts or boons, and be banished from their sight.  On my honor, and with the supernal as witness, I seal this pledge.

Concillium News - 02/18/15

Calliope brings back news from her colleagues that a member of her Order called Magellan will be visiting within the next few weeks to map the mystical ley lines of this area.  He is apparently a Geomancer of some note and part of a legacy called the 'Tellurians".  Although the few colleagues she spoke to did not know much about the legacy itself, they have heard that they are very close in soul and resonance to Ley Lines and Nodes and are sometimes willing to help Cabals improve their sanctums using natural energies to provide mundane power to them.

Ironically, Cerberus notes that he has been assigned as a 'security detail' for this visiting mage.  The Mysterium formally requested a guard for him from the Arrow and all other Arrow in the area are otherwise engaged. 

Calliope also brings back info on her colleague John Cooke.  Apparently he is part of a legacy called "Namers".  From what she could gather they study the names of things as a way to decipher their mystical properties and natures.  They inscribe things true names onto stones as part of their practices.  John is a somewhat noted member of this legacy apparently for being the only Thrysus to become one of them, which is rare because they become closer to death somehow...Lauren never got any details on that as John started his lecture at that point.

The next Council meeting is the last Thursday of February.  Any mage of the pentacle is welcome to attend to address issues or file grievances.  The next full Concillium meeting is in March (there's 1 per quarter).

World of Darkness 02/17/15

TAMPA -- Authorities have released information regarding a 31-year-old Tampa woman named Diana Marks who has been missing since last Friday.  Ms. Marks was last seen Friday evening patronizing an ATM at 1700 East 9th Avenue according to police.  Police Chief Jane Castor has indicated that Tampa Police received the case just this morning and are reaching out early in light of the disappearance of Apryl Foster only a few weeks earlier.  Detectives say Ms. Marks, like Ms. Foster, is typically in contact with family members weekly, although Ms. Forster's family hails from New England unlike Ms. Foster.  Ms. Marks is a dancer at the well known adult club '2001 a space odyssey' on U.S. 41.  Detectives are also looking for her car, a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria with tag No. D3D GU4.  Anyone with information is asked to call police at 813-231-6130.

World of Darkness 2/16/15

TAMPA -- Authorities are ramping up their search for a 33-year-old Tampa woman who has been missing since late last week.  Apryl Foster was last seen Thursday signing Karaoke at the Double Decker bar in Ybor City. Surveillance video shows her walking away alone, police said.  The Tampa Police Department received the case Saturday night. Detectives say while they have not discovered any evidence of foul play, they're concerned for Foster's safety.  Police Chief Jane Castor on Monday called Foster's disappearance "very suspicious."  Detectives say Foster is typically in contact with family members - she talks to her mother every day - and they have not heard from her. Her parents arrived from Texas on Monday morning.  Foster is a server at the popular Tampa riverfront restaurant Ulele, where she is reliable and doesn't miss work, detectives said.  Detectives are also looking for her car, a 2009 Chevy Aveo with tag No. K125YC.  Anyone with information is asked to call police at 813-231-6130.

DADE CITY -- The 68th annual Pasco County Fair kicked off Monday in Dade City.  "Country Roots & Cowboy Boots" is this year's theme for the agricultural-based fair, which is a showcase for exhibits, daily entertainment, midway rides, and food.  The fair started with a parade through the streets of Downtown Dade City on Monday afternoon. The fairground are located at 37622 State Road 52.  The daily entertainment, free with paid gate admission will include Sea Lion Splash, Kachunga and The Alligator Shows, Ron Diamond's magic and illusion show and Mama Lou - the Strong Woman.  Gates open daily at 3 p.m., Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at noon.Parking is free for the event, which runs from today until Feb. 22.

TAMPA BAY -- Communities around the Tampa Bay area and their governing boards have a new resource in the local chapter of the National Association of Neighborhood Watches. "We provide training, support, and ideas to home owner's associations on how to be more efficient and connect with the governmental offices and programs that can help them.  We want to make sure they're watching the methods and success of their neighboring communities so that they can improve themselves," said Bob Luthris, founder and current President of the Tampa Bay Chapter.  Chartered in April of 2014, over fifties communities have already joined as members of this national network.  Any interested parties can visit the chapter at their Tampa offices Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New Player Primer

The world around it is a lie.   You feel it deep inside.   The Truth is so much more than all this.

We like storytelling and playing pretend so we started playing this storytelling game.  Imagine sitting around the campfire, but instead of only one person telling the story, each person plays a character in the story as the Storyteller guides them along in 'choose your own adventure' style.

The setting is White Wolf's 'World of Darkness'.  It's a gritter, darker version of our world where things really do go bump in the night and all of human history has been influenced by great powers hiding behind a veil of shadows and enigmas.  Think movies like Underworld, the original Batman from the 80s, Sin City, The Watchmen, and Dark City for imagery.  It's a style trademarked by White Wolf called 'Gothic-Punk'.

This chronicle was designed by myself for players totally new to Storytelling games and has been active since June 2014.  To make the transition as simple as possible, and to make it as realistic for people who aren't used to acting, your first character is yourself...and who you would become if you woke up one day with powers beyond comprehension.  To quote a popular movie "'Yer a wizard, [insert your name here]!"

This blog is used to communicate everyday event and common knowledge to your characters.  It represents many things:

• Common news going on in the mundane world
• Rumors and hearsay passed around in the supernatural community
• Unusual events which happen to all the characters

As Lord Acton said first in 1887, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."  So...when granted immense magical ability, will you maintain your morality, or fall before the weight of precedent?

Interested?  Great!  We do have a few player requirements, though.

1. Only individuals in their mid-twenties to late 40s.
2. Must have a career.  We're salaried work-week people, and we want our schedules and lifestyles to mesh.
3. Full disclosure regarding children:  We don't care if you have kids, but joining a troupe is a time commitment and given how preciously limited our free time is, we refuse to contribute to others bad parenting.