Symposium of the
Southwest: January 31, 2014
On
the Symposium:
By all accounts the Symposium of the Southwest was an exceptional event. Princes flew in, it seemed, from every
corner of the US to attend! Even those who could not be there in person
made sure that they wouldn’t be left out, their voices being carried by
proxies. The results of those
votes has already been shared with you by our generous host, Prince Cayhill of Santa Fe, so I won’t waste any
time rehashing old news.
On
a Harpy and her Talons:
Of course, I was honored
to be chosen to serve as the Royal Harpy for the event, but I would be entirely
remiss if I didn’t mention my
assistants. After all, a Harpy is
only as good as her Talons!
Alonso Gutierrez, Toreador Primogen of Richmond, not only brought me juicy tidbits all
night, but also served as excellent counsel when it came to upholding the
Protocols. Not to mention he was
just the most spirited conversationalist! I would not be at all upset
for the opportunity to do so again.
His *Discerning* wisdom was invaluable.
I have never found one so *Tireless* in his pursuit of
information as Archibald Phillips of Clan Tremere. If only I could have two gentlemen of such a caliber! Needless to say, I am ever so grateful to have received his aid that
evening. I cannot thank Prince Jarl Alrekr Vargrson enough for letting me borrow him for the
evening.
I couldn’t have been happier when Elder Reginald Preston of House
Von Daun agreed to support me in my task that evening! His efforts later served to aid the city
in a much more solid way, but his help cannot
go unmentioned.
Last (but certainly not
least) I had the pleasure and the
privilege of having Claire St. John, grand-childe of Prince Occam—and the
finest gossip in Santa Fe—working at my side! It is a rare gift to find someone so *Gracious*. Her genial nature makes her an absolute delight to be around, and I do not think I saw a single soul who
did not smile in her company!
On
the Measure of a Prince:
It is not often that a Royal Harpy is in a position to comment on
the conduct of Princes during a Symposium. While they’re locked in deliberation
we are given the task of overseeing the gathering large. However, not twenty
minutes into the Symposium, Prince Winchester of Honolulu left the voting in a
huff! He was complaining loudly and publicly about the Humanity
proposal passing over his objection. And this despite being exempt—as a Prince is naturally held to different
standards—from the proposal’s effects!
A similar motion was passed in the South Central, and I don’t
recall it being met with such *Childish* display.
Certainly, not all of
the motions were met with unanimous approval but none of the other Princes
found it appropriate to throw a tantrum. And then,
to return home and appoint every Acknowledged member of his city to the
position of Scourge? Oh, the Humanity indeed! I think he missed the point of that
proposal entirely despite my and Talon Gutierrez’s best efforts to placate him.
It can’t be helped that
his actions were also thrown in such sharp contrast by Lily Belle Stafford’s *Dignified*
manner. Even in the face of adversity (she was very close to the
late Victoria Ash), she remained the true
reflection of decorum. She bore
Prince Occam’s vote faithfully and departed when her task was done.
On
the Nature of the Event:
Even with the evening’s extensive
VIP list—including the ever-radiant
Viveka Von Daun of House Von Daun and the
unparalleled Izar San Martin of House Constantinian—the night felt more
like a private soirée than your general gathering of kindred. The best and the brightest rising stars were there that night! None seem to burn quite so bright as my favorite little ingénue, Raina Star Von
Daun!
Even Prince Cayhill was impressed with her *Insightful*
contributions to the evening’s investigations, and announced as much at the
gathering, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
On
Strangers:
The beginning of the evening was slow, allowing individuals the
luxury of quiet conversation. In the midst of this lull a strange
Japanese man was seen making his way around the room. His manners were unusual and when he approached our table
we were surprised by his swiftness in identifying as Caitiff! His request
to take a seat was met with a stunned silence. How lucky we were that Claudia Grant was also sitting with us!
She recovered her wits and ensured the peculiar intruder that the empty
seats accounted for.
It is rare to come across someone with such *Refined*
social acumen, but I was glad to find it in her!
On
the Incivility of Anarchs:
Perhaps it was the quiet that incited the Anarchs to act up.
It’s as though they have some strange aversion
to quiet and propriety.
It began with a loud
exchange of profanities. The so claimed “Baron” Sebastian of Long Beach rudely incited Seneschal Teller
to stay out of his business. His
choice of words were jarring enough
to turn more than a few heads.
Harpy Chapel of Montgomery swooped
in to attempt to smooth over the situation, politely
asking Mr. Sebastian to curb his language. Did he not realize ladies were present? When he refused, Harpy Chapel asked a
little more forcefully.
Clearly he is someone who cannot let things lie, because rather
than acquiesce he responded by calling Harpy Chapel the most vulgur of names!
You’ll pardon me, dear
readers, for not regaling you verbatim. I’m afraid the Anarch’s language
is a little too unsophisticated for
this Harpy’s pen.
The only thing more surreal than Anarchs deigning to shout at
Camarilla Elders in the middle of a
Camarilla party (in other words, being Anarchs) was that an Elder Prince of the
Camarilla publically defended them!
Peter Verus, Prince of Monterey, California, was resplendent in his chain shirt and chain
coif. No one can make an impression quite
like he can—you have to admit the
stick horse was a bold choice in
scepters. He made quite of show of
valiantly defending the “rights” of the mohawk-sporting Anarch “Baron” to curse
and insult his fellow Camarilla Elders (personally, I don’t think anyone’s
political affiliation gives them a license to be rude).
Perhaps in some domains this is acceptable, but in Santa Fe the words
and desires of Anarchs are not to be held above those belonging
to upstanding members of the Camarilla, forever
may it stand. Prince Verus (perhaps unintentionally) put all other
Acknowledged attendants in the unenviable
position to either uphold protocol or openly contradict an Elder of the
sect. How terribly *Awkward*!
On the heels of this outrageous
display it was discovered that the Japanese visitor was not who—or rather what—he
claimed to be. It is rumored that his true identity is one of the
mysterious “Kindred of the East.” I mention this here because it was also
revealed that “Baron” Sebastian was the individual who vouchsafed his entrance into the gathering!
I have had my trouble with Anarchs in the past, but never have
strikes so quickly mounted against one as did with “Baron” Sebastian that
evening.
I suppose it should be of no surprise considering his behavior in
the domain of Prince Powers just three months past.
When confronted our curious friend took his leave, though it would
not be the last we would hear of him that evening.
On
Other Rumors and Oddities:
Early in the evening rumors began to circulate that there were
dangerous creatures in our midst. Whispers of both sabbat and demons quickly made their way around
the gathering. It is always
hard to tell in situations like these, what may hold bits of truth and which
are simply boredom taking wing. But fret not, Prince Cayhill does not take the safety of his guests
lightly!
He quickly dispatched several
teams to investigate, and when witnesses were identified, he asked Harpy
Benjamin Chapel of Montgomery, Alabama to interview them. His results were so successful that Prince Cayhill could
not help but name Harpy Chapel *Ominous*
for his impressive skills.
Imagine our surprise to discover that a fiendish Tzimisce had been
impersonating our guest of honor, Dr. Ambrose Lovelace!
Luckily, we weren’t left completely unguarded. Heeding sweet Raina’s insight that
there might be further threat among us—she has quite a gift—Monsieur Guibert Murmure, Elder Nosferatu Primogen of
Seattle, kept vigilant watch over the party’s attendants. His *Observant* efforts did
not go unnoticed by Prince Cayhill.
Also instrumental in the investigation of those oddities was
Micah, Elder Malkavian visitor from Honolulu, Hawaii. He was originally in attendance as the
representative of Prince Garibaldie of Kaneohe, but he diligently applied
himself to those tasks and opportunities that presented themselves. His interest in serving the Ivory Tower
in any way he could was such that Prince Cayhill publicly praised him *Versatile* that night. He is truly a treasure.
Not all of the problems that evening could be solved with words,
though Torrance Fairallen, Scourge of Boston and member of House Von Daun,
proved to be *Diplomatic* in her ability to lead a charge. Her negotiations with less friendly
elements may have shown to be a little more aggressive,
but one does not take defense of the Tower lightly,
In the ensuing fisticuffs two Kindred stood out above the
rest. Prince Cayhill singled out
Reginald Preston, Elder of House Von Daun, as a *Champion* of the
Camarilla for his swift actions to
subdue the threat. At his side, Elder Cuthbert, Revered Malkavian of
Sanoma County, revealed in his pursuit of the menace that he is *Fearless*
when it comes to the continued safety and well-being of the Camarilla and it’s
members.
It was during these proceedings this part of the evening’s
excitement that Prince Verus made another grave
error. When Harpy Chapel went to
question the particular individual who had been detained, he was doing so at
the direct request of Prince Cayhill.
However, when he arrived Prince Verus refused to relinquish custody! It wasn’t until Elder Preston, Champion and Talon,
threatened to expose his behavior that he relented and allowed the investigations
to continue. Prince Cayhill was
notably unhappy to find his right of Domain threatened in such a *Seditious*
fashion.
On
Unfortunate Incidents and Grave Threats:
During the conflict an unnamed Anarch—notably not the “Baron” Sebastian—was caught committing a grave sin indeed. Had it not been for the
intervention of Myrmidon Equinox, Torrance Fairfallen, and Asthon Chance it is
likely that he would have succeeded in his dastardly attempt.
Rumor followed that this Anarch appeared once more among the
living, but I think it was nothing more than a thoughtless prank.
The visitor from the East returned and spoke with “Baron”
Sebastian about his treatment that night.
The “Baron” made wildly untrue
accusations against the Camarilla about how he had been treated once the
strange visitor left. Unhappy with
what he had heard, the stranger decried the Camarilla dishonorable and vowed to
return with more of his kind.
It is hard to place value on the threats on such an unknown, but
should his words prove to be true, I wish to ensure that Baron Sebastian’s name
is known to all. He has not only
placed the sect at risk, but all
Kindred with his petty foolishness.
Final
notes:
I am flattered to say Prince Cayhill announced that he found me to
be *Poised*
in my efforts as Royal Harpy.
In the end it was a night filled with peril and opportunity. Dangers were overcome and crises
averted. I definitely had my work cut
out for me.
Bisou, bisou
Desi
OOC:
Desdemona granted the following status:
-
Discerning
to Alonso Gutierrez
- Tireless
to Archibald Philips
- Gracious
to Claire St. John
- Refined to
Claudia Grant
- Childish
to Prince Winchester (negative)
- Awkward
to Prince Verus (negative)
Prince Cayhill granted the
following status:
-
Dignified
to Lilly Belle Stafford
-
Insightful
to Raina Starr
-
Ominous to
Benjamin Chapel
-
Observant
to Guibert Murmure
-
Versatile to
Micah
-
Diplomatic
to Torrance Fairfallen
-
Champion to
Reginald Preston
-
Fearless
to Cuthbert
-
Poised to
Desdemona Gonzaga
-
Seditious to
Prince Verus (negative)
