Atlanta, Georgia: July 6, 2013

Atlanta, Georgia: July 6, 2013

On the overwhelming success of the night’s gathering:

We have all attended our fair share of grand soirees and fabulous parties.  I have lost track of how many of them were organized and hosted by the Rose.  Certainly, clan Nosferatu is not the first to come to mind when it comes to event planning, but after this month’s gathering maybe they should! 

I admit that I had my doubts, especially as the guests were guided through the twisting turns of Atlanta’s underground.  We were warned not to wander off, as the tunnels surrounding us were confusing enough to be the Minotaur’s maze!  

The space itself could only be described as hobo-chic.  The tables were all decorated with a random assortment of lost and forgotten items.  The unique arrangement was the result of a collaboration between the Nosferatu and the Toreador.  The outcome was a theme-appropriate, yet charming display!

Primogen Poppy and the rest of the clan should be applauded for the success of their shindig.  Not only did it seem that all of Atlanta turned out for the night, but we were host to several visitors as well!  Perhaps they came to witness the novelty of it, but that was not the reason they stayed.   

On our exalted (and not so exalted) guests:

Both Prince Gabriel Tavaasche of Baton Rouge and Prince Napoleon Lopez of New Orleans were in attendance!  Elder Benjamin Sharp of Lake Charles also came in from Louisiana for a visit, but they wouldn’t be the farthest travelers.  We were also pleased to welcome Elder Althea Bell-Hammon and Carolyn Butcher from Pheonix, Arizona.  A couple of Tremere even traveled all the way from San Francisco.  What a turn out!  

With so many respected members of the Ivory Tower in attendance, I was a little surprised to see how comfortable some of the Independents were.  Rather than slinking off into corners where you might expect them, they paraded around openly in a meretricious display.  Perhaps, the more appropriate behavior expressed by those privileged to live within the city will rub off.  One can only hope.

On the unexpected turn of events:

It seems that large gatherings and unexpected trouble go hand in hand; enough so that I might be pressed to call it a trend.  Unfortunately, this evening would be no exception.  Shortly after the night’s start word reached us that the Sabbat was attacking Sub Rosa, one of Atlanta’s Elysiums!  

The Stalwart Keeper, Mr. Richard of Avery, wasted no time in seeing to the matter.  Once the threat had been fully assessed the Sheriff and his deputies—as well as several volunteers—set out to neutralize and contain the problem as best they could.  Despite the circumstances, it was impressive to see all those willing to step forward to defend the Ivory Tower from the incursion. 

On those who showed exceptional service:

Several individuals rose above the challenge triumphant.

For his efforts that evening Elder Roane, Primogen of clan Brujah, wishes it to be known that Elder Hawthorne is Influential.

Elder Hawthorne wishes it to be known that Mr. Fletcher of clan Tremere has shown to be Committed.

Prince Nicola Adorno has raised Elijah Frost, Sheriff of Gainsville, up for his Resourceful actions that evening and Tobias Sinclair has been raised as Insightful.

On the unusual downfall of Veronica Lang, former Toreador Primogen:

Sadly, the conflict would not be without its toll.  Throughout the course of the night the continually erratic behavior of Veronica Lang became increasingly suspicious.  Concerned that perhaps she had been compromised over the course of the investigation, she was taken aside for evaluation.  It didn’t take long to discover the dark secret that perhaps had fueled her strange performance.  

Imagine the shock we felt upon learning that Ms. Lang had been embraced among the ranks of the enemy!

She is currently being held for further questioning.

In the meantime clan Toreador acted quickly to fill the void left by Ms. Lang who, obviously, was forcibly resigned from her position as Primogen.

I am delighted to announce that Mr. Horatio Greenwood has been named as the new Toreador Primogen!  I look forward to seeing great things from him.

Final notes:

I’d like to congratulate Mr. Hastings on the success of his play.  I believe his true love is the stage, but he has graciously forsaken that life in respect for the masquerade.  I won’t say that it was a good thing, but there is at least a silver lining.  There is no doubt that he has considerable talent as a playwright.  If you haven’t seen it yet, then I suggest you do before it’s too late!  It’s getting rave reviews, and I even hear that there is hope for it to begin touring in the near future!

Ms. Luna deCoeur made quite the impression.  Elder Sharp couldn’t stop going on about what a wonderful hostess she was!  

Maybe we should let the Nosferatu host more often?  

I just hope that next month won’t be nearly as exciting. 

Bisou, bisou

Desi

Atlanta, Georgia: June 1, 2013

Atlanta, Georgia: June 1, 2013

On southern climate and what makes it so terrible:

Don’t you just love summertime in the south?  A place where heat and humidity collaborate to leave everything in a perpetual state of damp.  It is quite awful!  

Perhaps that is why I find Richard of Avery’s choice in clothing so perplexing.  I can only imagine that velvet-like material clinging to the skin like a wetsuit!  It must be miserably uncomfortable.

Luckily, the Winward Lake House was a lovely refuge from all the dreadful mugginess.  It was exquisitely furnished and the décor was divine—the perfect setting for a celebration of our hard won peace.  Certainly, the taste of Adalina Durante has never been in question, but she chose well for the nights festivities.

On the matter of the King and the trouble it caused:

The taste of the Nosferatu, on the other hand, might be in question.  Part way through the night they discovered a rather garish Elvis statue that the seneschal had spirited away.  No offense to the King, but it clashed quite terribly with the otherwise elegant and classy style of the house.  In an effort to pull a childish prank they hid the figure so that it would reappear in the middle of the gathering.

I don’t know that anyone would have really noticed if it weren’t for Seneschal Durante’s reaction. 

Her upset was so great that one might begin to suspect some personal history between she and the King!  

I have to admit it was tacky and sloppily done—a skilled prankster would never have been caught—but I don’t think anyone expected to get so much of a rise out of the seneschal.  

The pressure of hosting can be quite stressful!

If only the Nosferatu had let matters be.  

The whole situation would hardly be noteworthy, but there was to be a finale to their little stunt.  It came in the form of a giant velvet likeness of Elvis which appeared in the main hall.  Their flagrant disregard for the seneschal’s obvious distress is a clear example of taking things too far. One might mistake the harmless attempt at humor for something more malicious.

Tsk, tsk.

Personal pleasure should never be at the expense of a court officer.

On the abandoned child and what happened to her:

There were a few new faces that evening, but the one that had everyone’s attention was a lone little Caitiff.  This unfortunate soul has found herself at the wrong end of a bite and drop!  She was left to wander the streets with no knowledge of what she was or how she had gotten there.  It became readily apparent that her mind had been tampered with, and it has left her in a fragile state.

Ultimately, the Brujah stepped up to the plate to take her under their wing.  It was with them she seemed to have the most in common.  I just hope that the traumatic events have not permanently scarred her, and that with their guidance she can come to accept the reality of her situation.

Final Notes:

We have a delightful new word to add to our vocabulary thanks to Gretta Zylka, one of our illustrious visitors from Montgomery.  A Toreadorable is a group of young Toreador gathered together.  Isn’t it brilliant?

Speaking of the Toreador, they presented Prince Adorno with a most lovely bit of jewelry to mark the occasion.  The craftsmanship was absolutely superb.  I might just have to commission a piece for myself!

And finally, Veronica Lang would like it to be known that Orenna of the Rose is Beloved in her eyes and Imogen is to be Respected.  

Until next time, dear readers.

Bisou, bisou

Desi

Atlanta, Georgia: May 4, 2013

Atlanta, Georgia: May 4, 2013

On the purpose for our gathering:

It is no secret that tensions ran high as we gathered in the basement of Sub Rosa.   The time had finally come to sign the treaty that would put the turbulent past behind us.  The space was packed, which only showed the eagerness of the city to move forward into a brighter future.  The past cannot be forgotten but it can be forgiven, and we all gathered together to show our willingness to unite for the strength of the Camarilla and the strength of Atlanta.

I doubt that every fence found itself mended by the end of the night but an important first step has been made.

On the treaty and its ghostly implications:

With the signing of the treaty well under way, it seemed that the whole affair would come to a successful and uneventful conclusion. 

If only we should be so lucky.

Surprisingly (or not), when the Anarch approached to sign her name the document responded in a most peculiar way. 

Words appeared that had not been there before, words that threatened the city and Prince Nicola! 

It seemed a dangerous prank to pull even for an Anarch, but her name would soon be cleared.

The errant writing appeared to a handful more, and it seemed the only thing that they did have in common was a connection to the spirit world.   

Ghostly threats from beyond the grave?  This is the first time I’ve ever known a praxis to be threatened by spirits, at least in a city that boasts no Necromancers.

And it would not be our only dealing with the restless dead that night!

On the biker gang:

Of all the nights for a leather-clad group of Brujah ruffians to ride into town, this was not the most choice of evenings. 

I’m not usually one to harp on stereotypes, but they were a biker gang! 

Their arrival in the city could hardly go unnoticed, as one of their first actions was to trespass on territory overseen by the Sherriff!  Not only was this group of hooligans feeding where they didn’t belong but they were also found embracing childer!

Further investigation revealed two startling facts.

The first: They had been given permission to feed in the city by the Tremere, whose territory neighbored the aforementioned. 

Perhaps the Tremere need to learn the boundaries of their land a little better?

The second: The Vipers claimed to have permission to embrace within Atlanta as well!  By whom, you ask?  The Mad Prince!

It would appear that our city is not only being plagued by ghostly threats, but by actual ghosts.  Of course, the more likely (and true) scenario is that there was an imposter running about claiming to either be the late prince or speak for him.

I suppose if there were a silver lining to this whole ado it would be in the fact that the biker gang was very apologetic for the confusion.  They took to the news of the Mad Prince’s demise quite well and even offered to sign the treaty! 

Let’s hope their eagerness to put the whole mess to bed was in earnest, though it certainly was the night for new beginnings.

On the consequences of the Tremere:

What bit of trouble didn’t lead back to the Tremere? 

It’s true they were innocent of the Treaty Debacle, but it did seem that every other incident had their fingerprints all over them.

They let the biker gang into their territory.

They brought a potentially dangerous (and magical) painting onto Elysium.

Oh!  I haven’t yet regaled you with the story?

It seems that Oliver Mayne approached clan Nosforatu in hopes that they had one among their number with artistic gifts.  That they did not seek a member of the Rose certainly raises questions as to their intent.  It was Luna deCoeur who answered their inquiry as she is known both to dance and sing.  She was asked if she would like to see a painting.

A request, in my opinion, made all the more suspicious in its simplicity.

Upon seeing the painting the strangest effect overtook Ms. Fattoria.  One witness said she seemed captured by it, in the way a Toreador becomes absorbed at the sight of a masterful work of art. 

Another said it tried to eat her soul!

Whatever the true effect—it seemed the Tremere weren’t entirely sure what it would do—it seems hardly the sort of thing to be brought onto Elysium!

And I’m sure their little powwow with the Gangrel was nothing more than catching up between old friends.

If Mr. Mayne hadn’t already been named Cowardly for his abandonment of the city at its most desperate time of need, I might be tempted to call him imprudent for his show of poor judgment.

I will give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that this was only a temporary lapse.

Final Notes:

Mr. Hawthorn has made the wise decision to return to the Ivory Tower and Prince Nicola has granted him acknowledgement.

Anyone who was not in attendance has 30 days to sign the treaty.  Please contact Thomas for arrangements.

Finally, those who wish to speak with the Prince privately should schedule a meeting time with Seneschal Adalina Durante.

The evening had its ups and downs, but we succeeded in our purpose.  The treaty has been signed, and the future laid out before us.  Atlanta is a great city and it will only grow greater.

Bisou, Bisou

Desi