Topics

1

Ouroboros / Seeing a Snake about a Sword

« on: January 13, 2020, 01:42:02 AM »

For Apep

Alistair flicked the hood of his open sweatshirt over his head as the rain began to come down, picking up speed and intensity with every moment. Scanning his eyes across the deserted street, he stuck a cigarette in his mouth and muttered a few words under his breath. A small flame erupted, like a match being struck, from the tip of the cigarette, extinguishing itself once lit. He drew his messenger bag close to his chest and began to walk quicker to his destination. Soon, the rain was in a downpour and Alistair took a moment to stand underneath an awning, hoping that he could wait out the worst of it.

While waiting, he unzipped his bag and examined its contents, confirming that he brought everything he wanted. Inside was a large white paper bound book with the words "Abjuration for Dummies", written clumsily in Alistair's handwriting, a small wood case containing various herbs and liquids, a morter and pestle set made of dark black rock, and a small black book, bound with odd looking leather. Alistair reached in and took out the smaller book and opened it, flipping through the pages until he found what he wanted. On the left hand page was a crude drawing of a humanoid figure with snake eyes and large pronounced fangs. Scrawled on the right hand side was all the knowledge Alistair had been able to scrounge up regarding the individual he was going to meet tonight, which wasn't much. "Snake Demon. Sly. Old? Venomous (underlined multiple times). Possible second sub species?" Alistair read over his meager findings and swore. He was vastly unprepared to fight a demon like this one and while he hoped it wouldn't come to that, he needed the sword. The witch needed to be taken care of and this was the only thing strong enough.

By this point, the rain had returned to a light drizzle and Alistair jogged the last few blocks to his destination. The building was more derelict than Alistair would have assumed, having never visited before and only speaking to his contact by phone. Alistair considered for a moment whether to take a look inside before physically entering the building, but thought better of it. While he knew the shop and the bar needed magical protection, he wouldn't put it past the snake demon to already have magical sensors in his shop. Or any kind of magical item that could do that for him. Taking a deep breath, Alistair stepped through the door and entered the pawn shop.

2

Ouroboros / Ouroboros NPCs

« on: October 08, 2019, 04:12:23 AM »

As all bars need workers and regular patrons, the Ouroboros has a small cast of characters that one would typically interact with if they were to visit the establishment. Below there is a list of rules for using NPCs and then brief descriptions of each of the Ouroboros' supporting cast. If you want to make one of them into a PC please do! Just let me know that you're doing it so I can take them off the NPC page.

What NPCs will do:



What NPCS wont do:



NPC:

3

Detour Motel / A Lovers Intervention

« on: October 05, 2019, 05:23:16 AM »

Continued from D.A.R.E. to Dream
Reserved for Ari/Black Phillip

The two lovers rode in silence the entire trip, neither looking at the other for fear of what might be said. Royce rolled down the window, took out a cigarette, blowing the smoke out the window. The last thing he needed was Ari to get mad about him smoking up the car, but the sick anticipation of what was to come required nicotine. And Royce had never been good at going without. He stared out at the City moving past them, enjoying the breeze born from the car's speed. The weather had shifted, the previous rain giving way to a crisp fall night. Other lovers walked the streets, holding hands and embracing one other, sharing words that Royce could not hear. When was the last time he and Ari had done something like this? Even with his banishment, it had been nearly a decade since they'd shared such closeness.

And Royce knew it was all on him. It was his fear that continually stopped them from truly admitting what they were to each other. From admitting how much they meant to each other... Royce felt tears start to build at the corners of his eyes but he fought them off. Now wasn't the time. And he didn't want Ari thinking he was just crying to get out of what happened. Why was he so stupid as to think he could go and buy Venom without any repercussions? Why did he even want to get involved in that shit anyway?

"I need to purge this memory"... Royce wondered how many times Ari had already done this to him... How much of his memory, his life was missing? But as soon as he questioned this idea, he brushed it aside. While he didn't like the idea of having moments of his life stolen from him, Ari would never take anything unless there was no other option. He knew this to be true, all tied to the singular truth he had known since the moment he'd met Ari; that Ari loved him, wholly and completely. And how had Royce repaid him? With four centuries of cleaning up after him, treating him more as a misbehaved puppy than the lover he wanted. Royce had won the lottery and found the perfect man who loved him despite all of his many faults and yet he could never reciprocate. In a moment of fear and despair he realized he'd never even told Ari that he loved him. He was sure Ari had felt it through the bond before, but it still meant something to say the words out loud. What a fucking mistake of a person he was...

As Ari pulled into the motel, Royce flicked his cigarette out of the car and waited for the car to roll to a stop. He waited patiently for Ari's direction, not wanting to cause him any more trouble at this point.

4

Ouroboros / Ouroboros

« on: October 01, 2019, 02:10:29 AM »

Origins: The Ouroboros speakeasy was an idea by Sinister Serpent member Butler. Apep and the other serpents warmed to the prospect, and all agreed that they needed a headquarters and money laundering front inside city limits. Apep’s initial success with Venom and souls allowed him to save up for a down payment on the building, with Butler providing the rest of the cash through mysterious and unknown means. With a bank loan earned by Apep’s various skills, the serpents have transformed a rundown two story building into a home and place of business. The serpents are all part owners, and each keep a private flat on the second floor.

Interior: Apep runs a pawn shop on the first floor, while the Speakeasy lies in the basement. The bar is managed by Butler, who has a high standard for quality. Zeus has been extended a permanent VIP status, as well as other demons who work for the west. The serpents hope to use this establishment as a front for their various criminal activities, including selling Venom.

Exterior:  The building is a perfect rectangle, with a flat roof. Exposed brick, graffiti dotting the walls, concert posters from five years ago stay glued to the side of the building. In the otherwise beautiful and historic West district, this building looks fairly rundown.   

Exotic Imports and Everyday Treasures (Apep’s Shop): An old, beat-up glass door, filled with stickers of various promotions and warnings cover it, making it feel like an old fashioned pawn shop. A large, dirty window displays a modicum of cheap-looking items and is so covered in filth so that it is hard to see into the shop from the outside.

A bell announces new customers. The floor is black and white linoleum squares, recently restored, waxed and polished. Apep can normally be found sitting behind a glass counter. An old fashioned cash register is used to ring up customers. Within the glass case is a slew of items: jewellery of silver and gold, watches, old video game systems. DVD’s and tons of other junk. Many full plastic shelves house all sorts of oddities, including everything from baseball gloves, typewriters, bladed weapons, clothes, books, nicknacks, dry food, and pet supplies. Cheap fluorescent bulbs light the place, sort of, and Apep’s boombox normally plays Arabic Maqam music.

For Venom, you must go downstairs, and if Apep himself is doing the biting then the pawnshop entrance is closed. For Apep’s black market items, one must speak to Apep directly. Only he can bring out the private stock.

There is a door in the back, made of metal, with a cheap, broken looking handle that reads, BOILER ROOM. However, this door actually leads down into the speakeasy. Apep will grant access to those in the know, or those who know the password. The password changes but is currently I was wondering if you had a watch. Apep answers, Of course. Downstairs. There is a button underneath the surface of the glass counter that unlocks the door into the bar, a loud bang signaling that it is now open. From there, customers descend a series of wooden steps through a narrow hallway, ending up in the speakeasy. 

Apartments: To the left of the door to Apep’s shop, there’s an old rusted metal door with a single concrete step connecting it to the street. Next to the door is a doorbell, halfway falling out of its holster. Pressing this button alerts all Sinister Serpent members that someone is downstairs. There’s also a hidden security cam that displays who is ringing the bell. Sinister Serpent members who live here have key fobs that unlock the door remotely. The door immediately leads to a small metal staircase.

The staircase ends in a long, dimly lit corridor with the same brick walls as outside, although much cleaner. On each side are four metal doors that reach from the floor to the ceiling, attached by wheels running across steel rods on the wall. To open the door of one of the apartments, you need to pull the door to the side and do the same to close. The doors can be locked by their respective owners. Each apartment has a large living space that also acts as a kitchen. The only two doors in the apartment lead to a small bedroom and a bathroom. Large windows dot the brick walls at variable intervals. Each apartment has its own heating and cooling unit, however, this level of the building is typically very warm and humid, the prefered climate for Scaeri.

The Ouroboros: There are two separate entrances to the club. The first is the one located in Apep’s pawn shop. The other is located on the opposite side of the building, far down an alleyway concealed by dumpsters. A pair of storm cellar doors appears welded shut up against the building. However, if a patron performs the secret knock, the doors swing up, revealing a polished stone staircase. The staircase leads to a small entryway with a maitre manning a coat check.

A curtain is pulled back to reveal a large open space with a long bar stretching from one side of the room to the other. On the opposite wall is a raised stage where various musical and comedic performers entertain the audience. In the middle is a large open dance floor which can be filled with removable tables depending on the function. There are a series of red leather booths on the other two walls. Scantily clad waiters and waitresses of various demon races walk between the bar and the booths, running drink orders and soliciting tips.

Den of the Venemous Serpent: A doorway across the room from the entrance leads to the restrooms. But on the way, there is a floor to ceiling painting of snakes playing cards, reminiscent of the famous 'Dogs Playing Cards'. If a specific password, which rotates every fortnight, is said in front of the painting, the painting moves aside and a small, dark passageway can be seen within. Through the short passage, patrons enter the Venom den. Red lights glow from the ceiling, shining on the sheer gold curtains that hang over various mattresses. Scaeri Di men and women mainly work this area of the club, providing a “full venom experience”, which consists of seduction, the venomous bite, and sexual gratification, if the patron desires. Two Scaeri Tu bouncers stand at the exit, back into the bar, keeping unruly patrons in line. Music is played in the Venom Den to provide ambience and cover the patron’s pleasurable cries.

5

Old Roleplays / The Devil Came Back from "Georgia"

« on: September 30, 2019, 09:04:49 AM »

Johnny walked casually through the mid-day sun, flicking peanuts into his mouth as he scanned the crowd around him He was clad in a black silk suit with a dark maroon color undershirt and his fiddle strapped to his back. His hair was neatly pulled back and his facial hair had been washed and combed. 40 years trapped in hell and the thing he'd missed the most was being clean and well dressed. He shuddered at the mere thought of Beleth and her Symphony of Pain. Pushing aside those thoughts for the moment, Johnny turned his attention back to the street.

People milled about, citizens of the City and those from the neighboring city blended together this close to the border. Most seemed content, the weather being a pleasant fall day with no rain or bad weather insight and the weekend on the horizon. Johnny became bored of this rather quickly and decided to spice things up. He began to whistle a incoherent tune of variable pitches, that spread out from him in a large circle. While no one would have been able to pinpoint the person producing the sound, all began to feel frustrated and anxious as the annoying tune bore into their ears. Some began to bicker with one another, others tried to pass those in front of them by shoving them aside. From a couple feet behind him, Johnny heard the delightful sounds of a scuffle breaking out between two men. A dark twisted smile crossed his face as the sounds of the fight intensified, with a few onlookers screaming their support for either fighter. God I missed humans...

Leaving the fight behind, Johnny strolled for a few more blocks before arriving at his destination. The large concrete walls, iron spikes, and intense surveillance remained him of the military compounds he had visited during his ASO tours. It didn't strike fear in him, but he did feel a little apprehensive about the idea of entering such a confined space. Johnny had only just gotten back his freedom and the last thing he wanted was to be trapped in another demon's prison. But Beleth had made his job and the consequences for failing to complete it crystal clear. He had no choice but to enter. Stepping in front of the lens of the security camera, Johnny cocked his eye to the unseen viewer and waited for the door to open.

After a few moments a buzzer sounded and the gate unlocked. Johnny shot the camera a semi-mocking salute and stepped through. Entering the foyer, Johnny reverted to his demonic form, his hair burning away and his skin becoming dark maroon, the same shade as his undershirt. He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a worn red painted pipe already filled with tobacco. Pulling out a thing of matches and lighting the pipe, Johnny strolled over to the front desk. A young female shadow demon sat behind the desk, continuing to type on her keyboard as she met Johnny's eye. "Do you have an appointment, sir?" Johnny shot her a toothy grin and replied "Of course darlin. Here to see the big boss. Name's Johnny." The demon turned back to her computer and spent a few moments searching through the calendar. She turned back to him, regarding him suspiciously. "Doesn't look like you're on the calendar, sir." Fucking bitch... Johnny thought to himself. "Try Beleth..." Turning back to the computer, the demon scrolled one last time and exclaimed "Oh! Yes, "emissary of Beleth" right here. Sorry love, they didn't leave your name." "I'm aware" Johnny replied coldly.

A bit taken aback by Johnny's curt tone, she gestured toward the seating area. "Please have a seat sir. You'll be seen in a moment." Johnny nodded his thanks and moseyed on over to an empty armchair, collapsing with a humpf on the cushions. Johnny chomped the end of his pipe and waited, mulling over the different ways to further cuss out Beleth in his mind.

6

Approved Characters / Alistair Cromwell

« on: September 26, 2019, 01:12:09 AM »

Name: Alistair Cromwell, Al to his friends
Age [Appearance]: 25
[Age [Actual]: 55
Gender: Male
Species: Human - Demonologist/Warlock
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Sexuality: Bisexual
Quote: "Never seen a demon I didn't want to either study, fuck, or kill... Or all of the above."

Hair: Medium length black hair, loosely pushed back from his face. Dark brown facial hair, mainly mustache and soul patch
Eyes:Alistair's eyes are a dark grey with flecks of bright red scattered across the iris.
Frame: 5'9", athletic build. The small areas of skin not covered in tattoos is a soft peach.
Tattoos/Distinguishing Features: Alistair has a variety of tattoos covering his body. Some are normal human tattoos while others are laced with magic powers. Those that are magic will be explained below. The most distinguishing tattoo is of a large sigil of his beloved Naamah on his back.
Outfit (Unless stated otherwise): Ripped black jeans, red and blue converse high tops, no undershirt, and a long pale white trench-coat.

Personality: Alistair is a nihilist who's only goal is to bring his love to this realm. Everything else to him is of secondary consideration. This does not mean he doesn't have close friends and relationships with others, but he would be willing to sell them out at a moment's notice if it meant getting closer to Naamah. He rarely performs acts out of the kindness of his heart, always expecting payment for any services he provides.

History: Alistair was born in White Haven, Connecticut in the winter of 1994. He had a normal childhood, spent with loving family and caring friends. When he was 15, however, he found an old leather bound book in the school library and his whole world fell apart. He'd taken the book home to look it over and when he had opened it, the first page sliced his finger open, splattering blood across the page. As the blood struck the page, a fiery portal opened below Alistair and he fell into terrifying darkness, the small window to his room growing smaller and smaller until it disappeared.

When Alistair awoke, he realized he had been transported to a desolate wasteland of fire and broken earth. Next to him was the book with the words "Hello Alistair... We've been waiting for you..." scrawled across the blood stained page. Unsure of what exactly to do next, he picked up the book and found shelter in a nearby cave. Once inside, he was attacked by a female demon, although Alistair was easily able to fight her off and demanded answers to who she was and where he had found himself. The demon, known as Nammah, explained that they were in an alternate plane of existence, one that she had previously ruled. Nammah revealed to Alistair that she was once a powerful succubus, one of the first born on this plane. She and her sisters had ruled this land and birthed the lesser demons that filled it. But a century ago, her sisters' betrayed her and stole her power, leaving her for dead. Nammah had managed to survive thanks to the occasional lost soul, but she was nearing her end. Both in desperate need of help, they agreed to work together, with Alistair tending to her emaciated body and Nammah showing Alistair the ways of this land.

Over the next 30 years, Alistair and Nammah traveled the alternate plane, with the former desperately searching for a way to return home. During this time, the book that had sent him here began to reveal spells and the location of low-level magical items, slowly teaching Alistair the ways of magic. Yet he received no more messages mentioning him specifically. Alistair took to referring to the entity providing this information as the "First", believing that this book was a record of the spells constructed by some of the first people in the universe. Despite spending decades training, Alistair was never capable of casting incredibly grand spells, but he excelled in knowing the exact spell or item he needed to turn a situation to his advantage. He and Nammah also entered a relationship, finding companionship and love in the unlikeliest of places. While life was by no means easy, they made the best of what they could.

One day, a new spell appeared in Alistair's book, detailing how he could return to the mortal plane. Alistair was ecstatic, but quickly realized the spell only allowed for one entity to travel between realms, meaning Nammah would be left behind. While heartbroken at the idea, Nammah encouraged him to go and rejoin the life he'd lost so many years ago. Knowing that she was right, but unwilling to abandon her, he promised her that he'd spend every moment he had back on the mortal plane finding a way to bring her there as well. With a final kiss goodbye, Alistair cast the spell and left the alternate plane.

To Alistair's surprise, he arrived back on the mortal plane only five minutes after he originally left, returned to his 15 year old self. He tried to return home and begin his life again, but all he could think about was Nammah all on her own. At 16 he left home and traveled to the City. Since then, he has mainly worked as a fortune teller and stage magician, using some of the magic he learned to make ends meets. The rest of his time was spent ingratiating himself into various supernatural groups and societies, trying to find a way to bring Nammah back. During this time he learned more spells from the book, as well as amassing a few more magic items. He currently works in the Southern District as books salesmen with a side job as a magical scholar, primarily in the study of demons. He's also known to perform odd jobs of a magical nature for groups of demons in the West district.

Awareness of Supernaturals:Alistair has detailed knowledge on most demon races from his time on the alternate plane and his extensive studies once returning to Earth. He has a decent understanding of vampires, but knows little about the fae or werewolves/shifters.

Occupation/Job:Bookshop owner and magical scholar

Interesting Facts/Quirks: Having spent 30 years away from humans, he prefers the company of demons and can usually be found in various demon watering holes. He's also 30 years older mentally than he is physically so he is constantly treated as a naive by others who are technically younger than him.

Domicile: Studio apartment in the Southern District over his small bookshop (to be created later)

Hobby/Hobbies: Rare book and magical item collecting

Likes: Gin, magic items, Salem cigarettes

Dislikes: Authority, children (biggest risk to books), mixed drinks

Strengths: Alistair has a great natural intuition and strategic mind, augmented by various magical affects. He's a "jack of all trades" kind of warlock, knowing the complex details of many different kinds of spell casting. All of this helps him suss out the weaknesses of his opponent and use them to his advantage.

Weaknesses: Though he is able to understand them, Alistair has immense difficulty in casting most complex/adept spells. This is due to a mix of being untrained as well as having portions of his magic power siphoned off to fuel his magic items. When Alistair does try to cast one of these spells, the affect can be successful, but he cannot perform a spell of such power for some time.

Magical Abilities and Items:
Note: some of these items are use based and have a finite amount of power before needing to be refilled or are empty. I will be keeping track of these different amounts here. If you notice a discrepancy in RP and what I have here, please let me know.

Magical Abilities: While Alistair does not have immensely strong innate magical power, he can perform minor spells from various schools of arcane magic.

School of Abjuration: Alistair is able to create small shields out of thin air, blocking minor magical and physical attacks. These shields are weak though and are broken after a few hits. He can also weave a basic protection spell over a medium sized dwelling, but he is left weakened by the spell.

School of Divination: Alistair cannot cast divination spells, but is able to imbue fortune telling items, such as tarot cards or animal entrails, with divination magic, allowing him to gain a rough outline of what is to come. These readings are not 100% accurate and can sometimes have multiple meetings. But are always of some kind of importance.

School of Enchantment: Alistair is able to create a series of magical lights from his palms which hypnotizes it's viewers for roughly a minute. This spell works best on humans or very weak supernatural creatures. Most vampires, demons, and powerful magic users can brush off the spell without being hypnotized.

School of Evocation: Alistair is able to create a ball of fire in his hand. This ball is able to set fire to flammable material and hurt creatures like vampires that are susceptible to it. But the spell will only singe things like metal that do not burn easily. It can also be used as a light source.

School of Illusion: Alistair can create a minor illusion to change his appearance slightly. He cannot change his race, species, or gender. This only allows him to change the general features of his face. Those with the ability to see through magic can see past the illusion.

Magic Items:

Eyes of Solomon: Alistair has two large eye tattoos on the palms of both hands done with magical ink. When he places them over his eyes and mutters the incantation, they allow him to see anyone or anything across the plane of existence he is currently on. The spell does not allow him to use any of his other senses on the area he can see or communicate with anyone he's observing. Magicians and vampires with powerful enough divination or sensory abilities can detect Alistair's presence. Powerful enough invisibility or obfuscate abilities can be used to hide from this spell.
Usage/Cost: The spell can only be used for an hour, but Alistair can stop casting whenever he likes. However, due to the power of the spell, he is struck blind for the same amount of time he used the spell for.

Ring of Holding: On his right middle finger, Alistair has a large brass ring with a string of sigils written across its surface. This ring allows him to reach into a small pocket dimension where he can store various items. This space is roughly as large as a trunk with all items fitting "neatly". If he exceeds this limit, he simply cannot "fit" anything more in there. Taking out an item takes only a few seconds, but placing something inside takes a few minutes of concentrated casting.

Pearl of Wisdom: Deep in the Pacific Ocean, where darkness reigns and unknown creatures slither along, there is a rare species of oyster that takes over a century to create a pearl. These pearl's are known as "Pearls of Wisdom" because they can grant the user heightened intelligence, intuition, and cunning. Alistair purchased one from a sea witch living on Vashon Island in Washington sate. The pearl enters the user through the ear canal, attaching itself to the user's brain. The pearl can only be removed by the caster or an extremely skilled magician if the caster is to stay alive. Once the caster dies, the pearl dislodges and leaves the body.
Usage/Cost: The pearl constantly siphons off 10% of the user's total magical power, meaning that the caster must trade his ability to cast more powerful spells to use the pearl. The pearl cannot be "turned off" and the only way to stop the siphon is to dislodge the pearl entirely.

The Wings of Gabriel Five years ago, Alistair won a feather from the archangel Gabriel in a card game. The feather allows the user to grow a set of angel wings from their back and fly with ease and agility.
Usage/Cost: The spell only lasts for a minute, meaning that Alistair needs to be careful about where he flies and how he goes, as the wings will vanish once the minute is up, sending him plummeting back to earth. Once the feather has been used, it must be blessed by an angel to be used again.

7

Club Zero / The Butler Is Out

« on: September 24, 2019, 10:56:21 AM »

Open to anyone looking for a fight!!

Butler sat on the stool closest to the entrance of the back area, sipping on a scotch on the rocks and smoking a thick cigar. His eyes followed the ass of the scantily clad bartender as he sauntered back and forth filling out orders. Their eyes met occasionally and the bartender shot him a cheeky smile and then turned back to his duties. Butler chuckled to himself and turned his attention to the rest of the bar.

It wasn’t overly crowded, from what he could see in the dim lighting. The other waitstaff walked between booths and tables, shouting over the music to various patrons. Butler flicked his forked tongue out and tasted the air. The sweet taste of sweat and sexual desire wafted all around him and he drank it up in huge gulps. He fought best when he was riled up and like always, he wanted to win. Shooting the last of the whiskey down his throat, he raised his hand to get the bartender’s attention. The young man smiled and slowly walked over. His skin was a dark olive like Butler’s, but his body was lithe and short, with long black hair tied back in a ponytail. He was dressed in black lace panties, combat boots, and a black dog collar. His dark green eyes were glued to Butler’s hazel pair.

“What do you want snake boy?” The bartender asked, leaning forward on the bar, deftly avoiding the various pools of spilled liquor. Butler slipped his finger underneath the collar and pulled him closer, speaking directly into the bartender’s ear so his forked tongue flicked against his skin, “You know what I want Ludo…”. Ludo reached up and grabbed Butler’s outstretched wrist, replying “Tip me well enough and we’ll see.” He gingerly pried Butler’s hand off the collar and moved back, but not before lightly kissing him on the cheek. With a final wink, Ludo poured him another drink and then walked off to return to his duties, leaving Butler alone. He smiled to himself and took a sip of the whiskey as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“You’re on, Butler.” The hand’s owner stated, revealing himself to be one of the club’s back area staff. Butler grunted in acknowledgement and rose from his stool, downing his drink in one gulp. He slowly took off his suit jacket, folded it in half and handed it to Ludo. Ludo shot him a confident smile and walked into the backroom to hang up his jacket. Butler rolled up the sleeves of his white button down and followed the staff member. They walked through the entrance to the back area, Butler being prompted to pay the fee which he handed over with no fuss.

The back area was as full as the front with a few handfuls of people milling around and placing bets. A few looked towards Butler and let out a yell of encouragement which he accepted with a nod. He knew a few people made money off his fights and he didn’t want to let them down. Butler looked up at the VIP section, its eternal darkness a constant question. One day he'd like to be accepted up there, just to see how it would feel to look down on people who couldn't see you. The staff member left Butler near the edge of the ring, telling him to wait there until he was called. Butler leaned against the ring and chomped down on his cigar, gazing at the room around him, trying to guess his next opponent.

8

Approved Characters / Butler

« on: September 24, 2019, 05:02:38 AM »

Name: Francesco Ricci
Nickname: Butler
Age [Apperance]: 35
Age [Actual]: 175
Gender: Male
Species: Scaeri - Snake Demon
Subspecies: Scaeri Tu (The Crushing Grip)
Concept: Butler from Artemis Fowl, but as a snake
Demon Gang: The Sinister Serpents
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Sexuality: Homosexual
Quote: ”Move… Or you will be moved.”

Human Form
Hair: Black, cut extremely short, military style
Eyes: Hazel. Striking, firm gaze
Frame: 6’ 7”, 250lbs. Stocky and muscular from years of lifting weights
Tattoos/Distinguishing Marks: Tattoo of his Scaeri gang. He also has a tattoo of a large yellow python coiled around his right arm from his shoulder down to his wrist.

Snake Form: Butler’s demon form is twice as long as he is tall and is roughly a foot in diameter. His scales are a sickly banana yellow flecked with black spots. He loses his fangs in this form, but his bite is still crushing (due to his overwhelming strength).

Personality: Despite his large and imposing appearance, Butler is incredibly refined and polite. He exclusively wears well-tailored suits and rarely allows anyone to see him anything less. He believes that being a criminal is no excuse for a loss of manners or tact and is happy to reprimand fellow gang members who mistreat him or other members. While able to stay composed most of the time, once provoked to anger, Butler loses all pretense of decorum. He becomes a berserker, maiming indiscriminately with his inhuman strength. There’s nothing he loves more than hearing the sickening crack of someone’s bones shattering.

History: Francesco was born in Sicily, into an insulated commune of Scaeri. The power structure was that all Scaeri Tu served as servants and warriors for their Scaeri Di masters. Francesco was instructed from an early age on etiquette, house management, and other butlering skills while also being trained in various hand to hand fighting styles. Among the Scaeri Tu, the Ricci were the highest on the social ladder, serving as butlers and maids for the Scaeri Di high priest since the creation of the commune.

Around the time Francesco was 75, a gang of Scaeri Tu from Greece came through and “liberated” their enslaved brethren. All of the Scaeri Di masters were killed, as well as some Scaeri Tu servants, including Francesco’s parents. Having no where else to go, Francesco joined up with the Scaeri Tu gang and moved to Greece. Over the next decade he traveled across Europe, doing work for various gangs and groups and making a name for himself. By the time he arrived in London, he was known exclusively as “Butler”, with few people now knowing his birth name. He became a sought after enforcer, with many gangs petitioning him to join their ranks. While he did jobs for a few organizations here and there, Butler always tried to keep himself separate. His ultimate goal was to create a gang of his own and he worried if joining up with an existing one would hurt his chances of branching out.

However, once the Inquisition began in London, Butler had to escape, leaving behind all ties and relationships he’d had there. After arriving in the City, Butler made the difficult decision to join the Sinister Serpents gang, as he needed a way to ingratiate himself into the underworld of this new city. While he initially felt wary of joining, he now enjoys most of his fellow comrades, although he still plans to start his own gang eventually.

Awareness of Supernatural: Has a working knowledge of most demons, vampires, fae, and shifter species. Most of this knowledge is based around tactical strengths and weaknesses of each group.

Occupation/Job: Butler acts as one of the main enforcers for the Sinister Serpents gang. He’s sent out to collect protection money, “convince” people to stay quiet about the gangs dealings, and perform any hits that the gang leader requests. He does not perform mercenary work however, only taking the order to kill from the head of the organization.

Domicile: Butler shares a home with Apep and some other Scaeri outside of town.

Interesting Facts/Quirks: Butler prefers to ingest souls by rendering his human or supernatural victims unconscious, changing into his demon form, and slowly swallowing them whole. He will then spend the next few days “hibernating” and digesting the meal. While not powerless during this time, he is even slower than usual and has limited strength.

Hobby/Hobbies: Butler is obsessed with tea, originating from his century in London. He grows his own strains of tea, producing all kinds of different effects. He drinks little else. While he keeps it under wraps, Butler can also be found in supernatural fighting clubs across the City, enjoying the feel of skin on skin in combat.

Likes: Tea, Mozart, humid warm weather, itilian suits
Dislikes: Rudeness, impoliteness, cold, “gawdy” style

Strengths: Butler’s strength rivals that of some of the oldest, strongest vampires. He can tear a man in two without much of a thought. He also knows how to conduct himself professionally and charismatically.
Weaknesses/Flaw:Due to his size, Butler is cartoonishly slow at times and is fairly clumsy. He also has a strong bloodlust once he’s finally provoked to violence.

Demonic Powers:

Strength of the Tu - Their strength is equal to that of a 1,000 year old vampire
SnakeSkin - Controlling and seeing through serpents
Shapeshifting - Returns the snake demon to it’s demonic form, a large constrictor snake
Snake Speech - Scaeri can speak to snakes, communicating messages back and forth
Unhinged Jaw - In their demon form, Tu can swallow human sized creatures whole, ingesting both their physical matter and their souls.

9

The White Rabbit / The Viper Awakens

« on: September 20, 2019, 07:47:17 AM »

The sickly green light of the alarm clock shone brightly through Eva’s eyelids as her brain slowly returned to consciousness. The first feeling to reach her thinking self was the incessant aching pain that had become her companion over these past few months. Every cell in her body screamed and begged for the poison it now needed to sustain itself.

Eva was tempted to give in immediately. It was always easier to go right back out on the street and find someone to drink from. Never a shortage of drunk idiots at this time of night, too far gone to notice until it was too late. Anything to numb the pain… Anything to quiet the voices… But maybe it was finally time to step off this path of reckless self-destruction she’d become so addicted to. Maybe it was time to finally come to terms with what happened and move forward…

Still wallowing in indecision, Eva reached out and grabbed a pack of cigarettes from her night stand as she flipped onto her back. The cheap sheets scratched lightly against her bare skin, causing goosebumps to rise across her body. The room was sealed tight from the outside world, leaving humid, warm air clinging to every bizarre contour of her lithe form. Despite the stunted and broken nature of her limbs, Eva moved gracefully upright against the wall and into a seated position, crossing her deformed legs underneath her. Taking the last of the Malboro Blacks out and tossing the pack off the bed, she stuck the butt into her sucker-like mouth and kept it firmly in place as she searched for her lighter. After some time, she found it and raised it towards her lips as she lit it.

As the flame erupted from the device, Eva was able to see her hands clearly for the first time. They were caked with dried blood, covering nearly every inch of her flesh slightly up past her wrist. She closed the lid of the lighter and raised her finger to her face. The same dried ichor covered the entirety of her face around and below her mouth. A deep sigh of regret escaped from around the cigarette as she swung her legs off the side of the bed. She rubbed the sides of her temples, feeling flakes of blood drift down onto her thighs, as she tried to piece together the night before. Vague images of blood spraying through the air and the overwhelming smell of alcohol were all she could discover. Two things that had become a consistent aspect of every single night for the past few months. Irritated at her inability to remember the finer details, Eva lit her cigarette, stood, and walked into the bathroom.

Walking into the middle of the room, Eva reached above her and pulled on a thin rusted metal chain. A sharp click was heard as a solitary lightbulb flickered back to life. Eva, taking the cigarette from her mouth and releasing a long stream of grey smoke, gazed distastefully at the image reflected back at her. Her face was even more covered in blood than she’d thought, with nearly every inch of skin beneath her elongated nose now a dark, rusted red. The color was darkest around her lips and the small teeth that circled the inside of her mouth were stained as well. Her milky white eyes looked even more haggard and miserable than usual and the skin that was not stained red appeared more grey than the porcelain white it had been a few months ago. Several months of nearly draining drug addicts and alcoholics on a nightly basis had clearly taken its toll. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had blood that was not tainted with other chemicals.

The longer she stared at this sad visage, the more angry Eva felt. How long would she keep doing this to herself? How long until she finally couldn’t control herself and drained someone dry? Honestly she was surprised it hadn’t happened already. She had long since lost the ability to remember most evenings and this wasn’t the first “morning” she had woken up covered in blood, although never to this amount. How long until she proved to be too much of a nuisance to be kept alive? Her whole body began to tremble and shake until she could no longer stand. She fell to her knees as a series of sobs erupted from her.

“Oh Bogrov… what you would think of me if you could see me now…” Eva whispered to herself between sobs. “But how am I supposed to move on? How am I supposed to know what to do without you here to guide me?” An ocean of memories and emotions came crashing down upon her in that moment, everything she had tried to hold back for so long. Everything she had refused to let herself feel since arriving in the City and learning of Bogrov’s death.

For over an hour she lay on her knees, her crying never ceasing. But eventually she ran out of tears and silence returned to the small bathroom. Eva rose shakily to her feet and gazed at herself in the mirror again. She reached out and grabbed the old bar of soap next to the sink and ran it under some water. Bringing the bar to her face, she began to scrub away the dried blood, moving onto her hands once her face was clean. As a final act of cleaning herself, she applied her mask, the terrifying nature of her true face replaced with the naive innocence of a young woman. The girl she’d always wanted to be…

With a grunt of annoyance Eva turned from the mirror and returned to her bedroom. She spent some time scanning the room and eventually located a suitable outfit and dressed herself. Eva exited her apartment adorned in an entirely black ensemble of leather combat boots, stockings, short pencil skirt, sports bra, and vintage leather biker’s jacket, with a small backpack strung across one of her shoulders.

Wind whipped her hair behind her and caused her skirt to flap softly as she stepped out into the night. Despite the breeze, the evening was warm. A desperate last gasp of summer before autumn finally arrived and killed it for good. Eva walked a block before entering the small bodega she routinely visited. The older Indian man who owned the shop greeted her with a polite grunt from behind the counter. He reached behind him and brought out a carton of Marborlo Blacks. Eva shot him a soft smile and placed cash on the counter for the cigarettes, with a small bit extra on top for the owner. The man smiled back, handing her the carton as he took the cash from the counter. She tore open the carton, taking out a pack and putting the rest into her backpack. Placing one in her mouth and sticking the pack into her jacket pocket, Eva waved behind her as she exited the shop.

She leaned up against the wall of the bodega and lit the cigarette, wondering where she should go. If possible, she wanted to refrain from hunting. She also knew she couldn’t go without feeding however. But most of all, she wanted information. She had been out of the loop for months and it was time to get back to work. The White Rabbit seemed like as good a place as any, although it might prove to be too full of temptation to handle.

“Can’t know until you try.” Eva said to herself as she blew out a cloud of smoke. Peeling herself from the wall, she began making her way to the White Rabbit.

10

Approved Characters / Johnny

« on: June 15, 2019, 12:51:18 AM »

Name: Johnny
Age (Appearance): 28
Age (Actual): 169
Gender: Male
Species: Demon - Bard of the Nine Hells
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Status: Unknown by most of the Demons in the City. Has grown a small group of human followers who worship him
Sexuality: Pansexual
Quote: “Come sit down over here you pretty little thing and let me play this song for ya. I think you’re gonna love it.”

Human Form
Hair: Long light ginger hair, usually tied behind him in a loose ponytail. Short, but thick ginger beard.
Eyes: Grey blue
Skin color: Tanned, yet fair skin with freckles across his body
Tattoos/Distinguishing Features: [/b]Large dark red scar across his left forearm
Frame: 6' 200lbs, muscular

Demon Form:
Hair: Completely hairless
Eyes: Grey blue, but with cat like slits
Skin color: Dark maroon red
Tattoos/Distinguishing Features: Large dark red scar across his left forearm. Intricate black carvings across his face
Frame: 6' 200lbs, muscular

Personality: Johnny believes he is the smartest, most talented creature to ever walk across the face of the Earth. He feels entitled to the things he wants, even if they are already owned by someone else. He refuses to accept responsibility for any of his actions, placing the blame back on anyone who tries to accuse him. He enjoys manipulating humans more than anything, making them perform indecent acts of sex, violence, and cruelty for his own amusement. He despises Beleth, although will always follow her commands, as he is terrified of returning to her realm of Hell and suffering her torment. He is terrified of death and is more than willing to sacrifice others for his own survival.

History: Johnny was born to a farmer's daughter and a miner in the winter of 1850, just outside a small mining town in Montana. His father was a drinker and routinely beat his mother and Johnny, blaming them for his lack of success in life. During the day while his dad was away, Johnny would play songs of the fiddle for his mother, the only time he ever got to see her smile.

When he was 16 years old, his father finally struck his mother too hard and she was fell into a coma and died shortly after. Enraged by what his father had done, Johnny beat him to death with his fiddle and left the town for good. He traveled between the various mining and farming towns of Montana, Idaho and the Dakotas, making a name for himself through entertaining the drunken and depressed masses. These men were on the bottom rung of society and routinely committed acts of heinous violence simply to feel alive and seen. Johnny developed a sick fascination with these men and their violent tendencies, finding pleasure in orchestrating events to produce the most gruesome battles.

12 years after his mother passed and he had left the town of his birth, Johnny found himself deep in the swamps of Louisiana, making his way to New Orleans. He'd heard it was a city fat with musical genius and Johnny wanted to pick up a few new tricks, while also spreading a little bit of mischief. The politics and animosity of the South were the perfect fuel for large-scale conflict, something Johnny had yet to try his hand at. Black, white, yellow, it didn't matter to Johnny. All were the same twisted ball of desires beneath the skin they were all so fond of obsessing over.

However, he became lost and found himself at a crossroads in the middle of nowhere. From behind him, he heard a woman approach, a fiery red demon in a sparkling red dress. She named herself Beleth, a powerful demon of Hell who would had a proposal for Johnny. Beleth had been watching him for some time and taken great delight in observing his various acts of mischief. If he was willing, she said she could provide him immortality and magical abilities to spread his delightful madness further. All that he had to give her was his soul and act as her vassal on earth. Johnny laughed at the mention of his soul, already knowing it was worth less than the dirt they stood on. "You're more than welcome to have it little lady". That night, Johnny became a Demon of the Nine Hells, a servant of the demon Beleth on Earth.

Johnny spent the next century fucking, killing, mischief making, and drinking his way across America. Despite having the whole world available to him, he refused to leave America. Beleth rarely got in contact with him, occasionally giving him various tasks, none of which he had any problem complying with. In 1976, Johnny challenged a vampire known to him as "The Traveler" to a musical battle for his soul, which he lost, as determined by Beleth herself. For losing the competition, Beleth banished Johnny to Hell to spend 40 years as the first chair in her symphony of pain.

Only recently did Beleth allow Johnny to return to Earth, dropping him unceremoniously into the City. He'd been told to meet up with the demon leader "Zeus" and act as Beleth's emissary on Earth, serving at her eternal behest. 

Awareness of Supernaturals: Johnny is familiar with all forms of demons and has a general knowledge of the different vampire clans.

Occupation/Job: Traveling Musician. Johnny travels from town to town growing a mortal following to feed his need for praise and admiration. He gains most of his money from extorting his followers and charming them into giving him anything he desires.

Interesting Facts/Quirks: Johnny dresses in outlandish western gear, routinely wearing garish cowboy boots with spurs, a long grey trench coat, acid washed jeans, and flannel shirts. He always carries his fiddle in an old wooden case slung across his back. Because he gains no physical strength or magical defense as a demon, Johnny chooses to defend himself using a large Colt pistol, which he keeps in his jacket pocket.

Hobby/Hobbies: Tormenting mortals, writing new music, practicing at the shooting range.

Likes: Old West vibes, whiskey, chewing tobacco

Dislikes: Modern aesthetics, opinionated women, being disrespected

Strengths: Ability to charm humans and sway the opinions of supernatural creatures

Weakness: Easily killed and can be charmed by his own music

11

The White Rabbit / The Viper Goes Hunting

« on: June 01, 2019, 01:23:56 AM »

Reserved for Suneater

Eva walked casually out of the dark alleyway, wiping away the blood around her lips with her fingers and sucked on them softly, not wanting to waste a drop. She heard the echo of the drunk's soft moaning reverberating behind her, a kind confirmation that she had not gone to far. It had been a hell of a last few days and the universe had seen fit to provide her with the sleeping drunk as a consolation prize. Four fucking nights of stalking the streets for that fucking human and Eva had nothing to show for it. She hadn't failed this badly since Budapest and just the mere thought of that mission made her wince. There's no use feeling sorry for yourself, you crusty old bitch. Eva thought bitterly to herself. Still, she decided she had had enough for tonight and needed to unwind. She checked her phone, finding that she was closer to the White Rabbit than she'd initially thought. Eva knew the human occasionally visited the spot, due to his ties with the Black Prince, so perhaps she'd get lucky and find him there. And if not, she could still enjoy the atmosphere of the place and perhaps meet someone who had more information.

As she walked towards the White Rabbit, cigarette planted firmly between her teeth and her hands stuffed deeply into her maroon leather jacket, Eva's mind turned once again to the man she was hunting. Benny had only given her his first name, Luke, and told her he'd been a human victim of the Project Twilight. The Rat had not explained further, but Eva could imagine what horrors the man had gone through and wondered how different he was now, not just physically, but mentally. Though she loved her line of work, it had opened her eyes to the worst of humanity. Project Twilight was not the first pseudo-science horror factory she'd come across, and she'd met her fair share of their victims. The body can heal, but the mind sometimes simply cannot. If Luke was trying to take down the facility than he was not truly gone. But that didn't mean his scars were healed.

Eva's train of thought came to a halt as she arrived at the White Rabbit. The Bruja bouncers gave her a scathing, apprehensive look, as they had continued to do since her first encounter with them. She winked to them as she walked in, enjoying their small flinch backwards. As she entered the club, Eva removed her maroon jacket and handed it to the coat check, revealing her slightly scandalous, but mainly lazily put together look. She wore a black sports bra and baggy black sweatpants tucked into her black combat boots. Her abnormally pale skin seemed to reflect the lights of the bar, giving her skin different hues as various spotlights swung past her. Over the past week since her arrival in the city Eva had begun to make a few acquaintances  at the bar and spent her first hour at the bar moving around, speaking to each in turn. Eventually she became a bit tired and slid into an unoccupied booth. While the bar wasn't dead by any means, it was quieter than other nights she'd been there. Eva tossed her packet of Marlboro blacks onto the table and began to chain smoke, savoring in the sour air of the smoke as she watched the various supernatural and mortal creatures roaming through the bar.

Perhaps tonight would be the night she found her prey. But at this point, her belly still full of boozed soaked blood and the smoke cloud hanging around her, Eva was content to simply let the night pass if that was how it must go.

12

Penbrook Church & Estate / Coming Home

« on: May 31, 2019, 06:48:04 AM »

Reserved for Billiam

"God that felt fucking good." Royce muttered to himself as he flicked his dying cigarette into the overflowing ashtray and lit another. He looked over at the couch in front of him, taking in the sight of the two lovers slowly drifting off to blissful sleep. The man and woman, their skin a light olive, their hair thick, black, and curly, and their bodies covered with tight, bulging muscles, were naked and lay spooning one another, the man softly stroking the woman's thigh. Small puncture wounds dotted their neck, arms, and legs, where thin threads of blood had begun to slowly dry. They were nice people, a young couple from Italy visiting America on their honeymoon who he just happened to run into as he arrived at the airport. While they spoke little English, they had been very happy to accept Royce's offer of giving them a ride on his jet, especially once he had hinted at what he desired in compensation. He couldn't say for certain, but it seemed likely that they were fang bangers, even if they would not refer to themselves as such. They happily offered their blood to him, going as far to beg him to drink from them as their passionate love making became hotter and hotter.

Royce reclined in his chair, feeling the cold recycled air of the jet's AC against his naked body and savored in his first feeling of drunkenness in nearly five years. The Giovanni had forbid him to drink from any inebriated humans and had given him little room to try and circumvent that rule. He desperately wanted to get fully trashed, since it had been FAR too long, but he had felt bad pressuring the couple to drink to such an amount and also knew that Ari would not be happy if he showed up drunk as a skunk.

At the thought of Ari, Royce's chest ached with longing, guilt, and just a hint of betrayal. He had gone over that night a thousand times over the past few years, but still could not say with certainty that he thought Ari had approved of his punishment. While the crime itself hadn't been much, the clear message from Charon and the rest of the family was that Royce had become an annoyance that needed to be sorted out. And in his heart, Royce feared Ari felt the same. He'd received no communication from his sire during his time in LA, although he did not know if it was by Ari's choice or Charon. Royce wouldn't put it past the old geezer to decree that Royce was to be kept at arms length while he was away. But he feared that it had been Ari's choice to cut off contact with his fledge, desiring a few years of peace and quiet before Royce came back to cause more trouble.

A soft chime echoed through the cabin as the stewardess left the cockpit and walked over to Royce. If she was bothered by the state of the jet or the nakedness of its passengers, she gave no notice. She gave Royce a polite smile and said "Sorry to bother you Master Royce, but the pilot wanted to inform you we'd be landing in a few minutes. Is there anything more I can do for you before then?". Royce smiled back and replied "Nah, I'm good love. Seeing your pretty smile's enough." The woman lightly giggled and returned to the cockpit. After the door closed behind her, Royce stood and began to dress himself, feeling the plane begin to descend gradually toward the ground. His wardrobe consisted of black leather pants, a tight dark maroon dress shirt, unbuttoned down to his chest, alligator leather shoes, and a large black overcoat with a fox fur collar. He walked over to the couch, preparing to shake the couple awake, but saw that they had both fallen fast asleep. Deciding to leave them be, Royce sat back down and waited for the thump of the plane landing.

Fifteen minutes later, the jet's door opened, allowing the cool, moist air of the City flow into the cabin. Royce took a deep breath of it and slowly descended the staircase. The pilot and stewardess were waiting at the bottom, chatting with the limousine driver which had been waiting for him. He walked over to the group and took out a large wad of cash. He handed some to the pilot, some to the stewardess, and gave a little more to the latter, telling her to give it to the couple once they'd awaken and asked her to help them arrange flights to wherever they liked. She happily agreed and the pilot gave a thankful nod, both quickly turning back to the aircraft to finish their respective jobs. Royce greeted the driver warmly and slipped through the open door and into the dark confines of the limo.

Neither Royce or the driver spoke as the limo drove on towards the Penbrook Estate. Royce felt his buzz slowly drifting away as the nervous thoughts about what awaited him grew louder and louder in his mind. He knew that his punishment was still not truly over and the true test would come when the family would assess if he had truly changed his ways. Royce knew he had not, holding onto his hedonistic desires and rebellious attitude with a vice like grip in his soul. While he knew his personality had gotten him into more troubles than he could remember, he was loathe to change who he was simply because Charon and the rest of his family demanded it. Royce hoped Ari was not of that opinion as the limo entered the Penbrook Estate grounds and he exited the limo, gazing up at the mansion and wondering where Ari was waiting for him.

13

Approved Characters / Royce Ambrose

« on: May 29, 2019, 06:42:08 AM »

Name: Royce Ambrose
Age (Appearance): 26
Age (Actual): 351
Gender: Male
Clan: Sacramentum Et Res
Sire: Ari Hrafn
Childer: None
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Status: Black Sheep of the Sacrament Family
Sexuality: Pansexual, homoromantic
Quote: “Oi, get off my back Ari. What’s the point of immortality if you ain’t gonna enjoy yourself??”

Hair: Thick, curly brown, medium length hair falling slightly past his ears and into his eyes. While it looks messy and unkempt, closer inspection shows it’s meticulously styled to look uncared for. He has a light dusting of dark brown facial hair across his chin and upper lip.
Eyes: Bright hazel eyes always conveying a cheerful, yet mischievous demeanor
Frame: 5’ 10”. Royce has a lithe build with defined muscles, but very thin. Besides the small amount of hair on his face, Royce’s body is devoid of all hair
Tattoos/Distinguishing Marks: Royce’s body is covered in scars due to his years of living on the street and the numerous scraps he got into in his human life. There is one gruesome cut across his chest where a merchant slashed him with a knife for trying to steal some bread.

Personality: Royce is best described as a good-natured hedonist, constantly searching for new and old pleasures to be experienced in his undead life. He enjoys getting into trouble, both with mortal laws and those set down by Charon and the rest of the Sacrament. This mainly manifests as public intoxication, torrid romances with married individuals, good-natured scuffles, and a complete disrespect for tradition. However, Royce is loathed to commit harmful violence against a mortal or supernatural creature unless in self-defense. While he claims otherwise, Royce struggles with various addictions, mainly sex and alcohol (through blood). Since the Incident, Royce has tried to limit his intake of tainted blood, but has found it difficult. Despite greatly enjoying his immortality, Royce routinely laments about how much he misses being human. The only member of the family he likes is Ari, mainly because he knows how much stress he puts on Ari and hopes to one day make it up to him.

History: Royce never knew his parents, his earliest memories already burdened with loneliness. He grew up with a small gang of orphans on the streets of Liverpool in the mid-1600s. While most of the orphans left the gang once they were old enough to work, Royce stayed to look after the younger members and unsure they were well taken care of. This desire to protect his adopted brothers and sisters usually caused him to take the fall for any misdeeds committed by the gang. This left him with scars and bruises covering his body from his "punishments" by the hands of the towns adults.

By the time he turned 20, Royce was still living on the streets of Liverpool, but was now a drunk beggar, pick-pocketing the occasional traveler for more booze money. One day he made the mistake of pick-pocketing a handsome looking man named Ari. The two men took an instant shining to one another, with Ari showing concern for Royce's current situation. Over time, they became lovers and Ari told Royce about what he was. Scared at first, Royce was intrigued by the idea of immortality and asked Ari if he could sire him. Ari explained that things weren't that simple and told him of the Sacrament's rules regarding siring. Royce took an immediate dislike to these  "rule abiding" vampires, but was still too enamored with the idea of immorality. Without thinking, he begged Ari to allow him to try and earn his siring. Ari reluctantly agreed.

Royce spent the next six years studying and training to become a part of the Sacrament. During this time he met his fellow initiate Hugh who he took an instant dislike to. Cops had been the bane of Royce's existence, inflicting most of the wounds that still covered his body. They butted heads and every time, each trying to undermine the other and stop them from being sired. But they were unsuccessful in their efforts to thwart one another and both were sired into the family.

Many members of the Sacrament had been apprehensive to admit Royce into the family from the start and these feelings did not improve as Royce tested the bounds of his new immortal life. Over the next few centuries, Royce spent his time mainly drinking and fucking his way across the globe, following wherever Ari went. He occasionally got himself embroiled in resistance movements in various countries, leading Ari to have to come and yank him out before he was either discovered or killed. The two had an on and off relationship with Royce routinely breaking it off when he felt that things were getting a bit boring. However, he never stopped loving Ari and would go out of his way to help him when he could. On his sire’s 1200th birthday, Royce gave him a ornate gold ring, symbolizing the bond they shared as sire and fledge. While he eventually built connections with the rest of the members of the family, it was only Ari that Royce truly considered his true kin.

Five years ago, Royce went too far and drained a human woman, killing her in the middle of a club. The Sacrament was able to cover it up, but Charon was furious. He sent Royce away to LA to a member of the Giovanni family who instructed Royce on various business practices, as well as necromancy. Royce returned to the City a few months ago and has spent most of his time doing drugs and fucking his brains out, trying to forget the past five years of boredom and loneliness.

Awareness of Supernatural: “I know what I gotta know about who I want to know about”

Occupation/Job: Trust-fund Kid

Domicile: Penbrook Estate

Interesting Facts/Quirks: Routinely ventres out to vampire night clubs with a small harem of Sacrament mortal followers. He pays for their drinks and drugs at the cost of him drinking their intoxicated blood. He encourages rich young mortals to join his table, recruiting followers for the Sacrament through paying for their lavish parties in exchange for their loyalty.

Hobby/Hobbies: Party planning, running, sex

Likes: Humans, brandy, American Spirits, animal skin clothing

Dislikes: Traditions, rules, LA

Strengths: Royce had an innate talent for celerity and after spending over three centuries practicing, can perform acts of celerity some centuries older vampires cannot achieve. He is able to read, scan for, and look at memories in people’s minds, but develops a massive migraine if the ability is used too often or for too long. His love for humans has made him incredibly popular among the Sacrament’s human followers.
Weaknesses: Heavy alcohol and drug dependency. Unable to use telekinesis or domination due to a massive lack of study on both subjects. His tendency to get himself into trouble has made him the black sheep of the family, although not necessarily disliked by all.

Vampiric Disciplines:

Celerity

Cat's Grace: The vampire gains a balance and grace equal to and surpassing world-class trapeze artists. They can walk and even run across ledges and wires effortlessly and can keep their balance on the slimmest of supports.

Rapid Reflexes: While their bodies still can't defy the laws of nature, vampires with this power perceive events instantly and can react to them with superhuman alacrity. They can observe incoming projectiles to the extent that they can attempt to dodge arrows and even bullets without available cover.

Fleetness: Their mastery of Celerity now allows the vampire to move and react with dizzying speed.

Blink: The vampire swiftly closes in on a foe, engaging or escaping in the blink of an eye. To an unprepared observer the user almost appears to teleport, a rush of wind the only sign of their passing.

Traversal: With blurring speed the vampire can run or climb along any surface, including vertical and even liquid mediums. While Traversal does not grant insect-like supernatural traction, running up or along walls present little problem. Walking on water remains impossible, but the vampire can run on water for a limited distance given a run-up.

Auspex

Heightened Senses: The vampire's senses sharpen to a preternatural degree, giving them the ability to see in pitch darkness, hear ultrasonic frequencies and smell the fear of cowering prey.

Sense the Unseen: The senses of the vampire become attuned to dimensions beyond the mundane, allowing them to sense the presences otherwise hidden from the naked eye. This can be anything from another vampire using Obfuscate to someone using Auspex to spy upon the character to a ghost in the middle of the room.

Necromancy (Taught by Giovanni)

Bone Path
Tremenes: Make the flesh of a corpse shift once

Apprentice's Brooms: Allows the vampire to raise a corpse to perform simple functions like lifting a heavy box.

14

Species Information / Demons - Bards of the Nine Hells

« on: May 23, 2019, 02:58:19 AM »

Demon - Bard of the 9 Hells

Classification: Demon

Origin: All Bards of the 9 Hells are “children” of the Grand Maestro and one of the Kings of Hell, Beleth. Occult historians argue the exact time frame, but many agree Beleth was one of the first angels to join Lucifer’s side after the Fall. Thousands of occult accounts detail appearances of Beleth at various points in human history, usually appearing during era’s of great artistic expression. All accounts describe the demon’s human form differently, some saying they are a man, others arguing they are a woman. The prevailing theory is that Beleth appears as a mirror of the mortal they are attempting to entice, showing the mortal as they would be if they took Beleth’s deal. Beleth has two demon forms, one of a male big band musician dressed in a large garish suit which routinely changes color, and the other is of a female crooner dressed in a long red sequin dress and a fedora. Both forms have dark red skin, are bald, and have a pointed chin and ears. 

Creation: Throughout history, Beleth has courted the great “underappreciated” musicians of their day. They are always musicians who valued the fame and fortune their music would bring them over the pure creation of music. Beleth promises them fame and glory in exchange for their immortal soul. Occult historians note that most of these musicians die in the span of a year or two after the deal is made, with many believing that Beleth orchestrates their deaths so as to have them as servants sooner than they expected. Upon their death, these musicians are sent to hell and become Bards of the 9 Hells. The music they loved in life becomes their curse and they are eternally compelled to spread their music by enslaving and tormenting mortals, usually those who despise music.

Appearance:

Demon Form:  Leathery skin, ranging in color from bright pink to dark red. No hair anywhere on their body. Their ears and chin are comically pointed like an old style cartoon of the Devil. Mouth full of bright white, fang-like teeth. Face is covered in intricate design of black scars and gem like protrusions. Long manicured claw-like nails, regardless of gender.

Human Form: Appears as the same age they signed the contract with Beleth. Only hints at demonic essence are flushed skin and unbelievably sharp bone structure, mainly around the chin and cheeks.

Life-Span: Immortal* (see Weaknesses). Bards don’t need to ingest food or drink (although they can do so) to survive. Their vitality comes from the admiration and obsessive love given to them by mortals and supernatural creatures alike. While a Bard can survive without their “fans”, they will waste away and have less success when using their demonic abilities and become incapable of taking on their human form.

Strengths:

• Bards of the 9 Hells are incredibly charismatic, with even older, more powerful supernatural creatures feeling compelled to hear what the Bard has to say.
• By channeling their demonic power into their chosen instrument, Bards can manipulate mortals easily, compelling them to obey any command issued by the Bard, unless it would cause them direct harm. Supernatural creatures cannot be compelled through this magic, but can have their emotions manipulated, depending on the type of song the Bard plays (sad songs evoking sorrow, happy songs evoking unbridled joy).
• Due to their own powers of charm, Bards are immune (or resistant depending on the charmers power level) to being charmed by supernatural means and, unless expertly hidden, can detect when a charm has been used.
• While each Bard has a specific instrument and genre of music that they prefer, they can play any instrument, including singing or dancing, with unparalleled proficiency. However, they can only cast charms using their chosen instrument.

Weaknesses:

• As creatures of music, Bards are susceptible to their own musical charm. If a recording of them using their ability is played for them, the Bard will become entranced by the music, unable to move, and overall compelled to respond to any requests asked of it, unless it would cause them direct harm. Once the recording finishes, the Bard regains control and can no longer be entranced by that recording. However, another recording made of a different instance of them using their ability will produce an effect.
• *While Bards are immortal and cannot die from old age or sickness, their bodies are not much more resilient than a mortal’s. If killed, their soul returns to Beleth and is unable to reform as a Bard.
• Since their soul is owned by Beleth, they must obey any and all commands given to them, else they be stripped of their status as a Bard and be sent back to Hell to be tormented. This does not mean that they are always compelled to follow the task, but few would refuse a direct order from Beleth, even if it meant harm to them.

Life Style: Bards are beings of vanity and as such, they desire a mortal following wherever they exist on the mortal plane. This is usually done by playing their music in bars and nightclubs until they gain enough of a “fanbase” to feed off the collective admiration. They spend most of their time abusing their power over their mortal fans or tormenting mortals who despise music, especially the genre that the demon is proficient in.

Common Personality: All Bards are “born” of a chaotic evil nature due to both their twisted desires in life and the effects of being reborn as a demon. Some occult accounts make reference to Bards achieving a more neutral disposition, and there are even rumors of Bards who became good, although there is no hard evidence to support it. But all Bards tend toward the chaotic end of the spectrum. They are incredibly excessive and garish, dressing themselves in over-the-top outfits reflecting their genre of choice. They have a very high opinion of themselves, rarely admitting personal fault and almost always laying the blame at someone else’s feet. They are prone to debauchery of all kinds and have very little respect for the “rules” of modern society. Bards despise anything they find “unattractive”, although the exact definition is different for every Bard.

Affiliation: Bards hold allegiance only to themselves and their patron Beleth. Two or more Bards in one city is a rare sight since they are very territorial over their “fans”. If they are forced to coexist with others of their kind, they typically will do whatever they can to undermine their brothers and sisters.

Vampire Interaction: Vampires cannot draw blood out of them and if they manage to acquire their blood somehow, it won't sustain them but it will give them auditory hallucinations of music for the next 24 hours.

15

Herring Point Cliffs & Lighthouse / A Rat and a Viper Walk Into a Lighthouse

« on: May 11, 2019, 08:34:03 AM »

An arc of lightening cut across the pitch black sky with a deafening boom of thunder arriving in its wake. The sea far below churned and rose with terrifying might, constantly sending wave after wave to beat against the impassive black stone of the cliffs. The lighthouse, though appearing feeble and derelict during the day, stood as an impassive observer of the battle between land and sea raging beyond it. Through the wind and rain, a minuscule light could be seen at the top of the lighthouse, trying desperately to stay alive through the apocalyptic weather.

Eva finished lighting her Marlboro Black, tucking her neon pink zippo lighter deep into the folds of her black cloak, and continued staring out at the water as she smoked. The rain pelted her face and drenched her clothing, while the wind ripped at her cloak and threatened to send her flying off the lighthouse and into the sea she was transfixed by. In her head, Eva scoffed at this idea. While this storm was a mighty one, she had seen worse in her many years traveling the globe.

Absentmindedly, Eva thought of Ireland and the Cliffs of Moher. She could remember neither the assignment nor the year, but she remembered the storm clear as day. She had been hiding in a small cave near the cliffs, waiting for someone or something to happen, when she had been blinded by a flash of light outside and soon after felt the cave shake so violently she assumed the Earth itself was breaking apart. When her sight returned and the cave resumed its stillness, she peeked outside toward the water and became dumbstruck. A mile or so off the cliffs, a huge funnel of water had arisen all the way to the sky as lightening shot around it. Eva swore she could see the waves from below licking the tops of the cliffs, seemingly teasing the land of the immediate attack from the sea. She had tried to run from the cave, but the wind that night truly lifted her up and threw her back into the cave. As if the invisible hand of God were telling her to stay put. The land, the sea, and the sky were fighting and no creature, supernatural or otherwise, had any right to interfere. For the first time in a long time Eva thought she would die there, either killed by the storm or trapped until the sun rose and burned her alive.

Another booming of thunder snapped Eva out of her trance and her attention turned to the movement under her clothes. She sighed and made her way back into the lighthouse. She sat at the wooden table and placed her right hand gingerly on the table. “It’s ok. You can come out now.” A small black snake slithered out from the sleeve of Eva’s coat and curled itself in front of her. It’s blood red eyes stared at her blankly, occasionally flicking its tongue out at her in a questioning manner. “He’ll be here soon Balthazar. He’s a rat, but a reliable one. He wouldn’t have set up this meeting if he wasn’t going to be here.” With that, Eva leaned back in her chair and listened to the symphony of the storm as she waited.