The Matter of Los Angeles: July 2013

July 2013

How Los Angeles went through two harpies in as many days

Or

The curious case of Raylan Carlyle:

If Raylan Carlyle isn’t a household name yet, it will be! He and Los Angeles have gained the attention of harpies everywhere his ever-unfolding saga of outrageous scandal.

It all began simply enough.  The harpy, Lilly Belle Stafford, released her report following the city’s last gathering.  In it she named Mr. Carlyle, Primogen of the Toreador, Uncouth for his misbehavior in the court of the City of Angels.  No specifics were given, but certainly she acted well within the rights granted by her position.

This is where things start to unravel.

Attached to her report was an addendum where in she explained that Mr. Carlyle was displeased by her decision to award him negative status.  Instead of accepting the judgment of the harpy like any self-respecting Elder of the Camarilla, he decided to abuse his position as her Primogen and returned the favor of negative status, naming her Lacking. 

We won’t even touch on the fact that by giving him negative status she effectively gave herself (and the rest of the clan) negative status.  Why?  Because, dear readers, it only gets worse from here.

Not only did Mr. Carlyle give his clanmate, the harpy, negative status, but he also threatened her in the most poorly written message I think I have ever had to read. 

"Should i contuine to see more protection of ones own and less of the city, this will not be the first action i take." 

I assume he meant last action, because after receiving this message the haven Ms. Stafford shared with her sire, THE PRINCE, was attacked!

In response to this attack, the prince removed Mr. Carlyle’s acknowledgement.  This upset the Nosferatu Primogen, Harvey, whose response was to call in a major boon he held over the Prince in hopes of seeing Mr. Carlyle’s acknowledgement returned.

I personally think asking a Prince to violate the Traditions—particularly the one which allows him to rule his own Domain—constitutes more than a major favor, but it was not my decision to make. 

In fulfillment of the boon the Prince returned Mr. Carlyle’s acknowledgment, but immediately bloodhunted him!  This caused the Prince and the Nosferatu Primogen to once again butt heads, as the Primogen claimed this was in violation of the boon. 

Whatever your interpretation might be, the Prince decided to appease Mr. Harvey and rescinded the bloodhunt.

That little scenario amounts to quite a bit of scandal on it’s own, though it seems to be the result of a comedy of errors on the part of everyone involved.  And we are not yet done with Mr. Carlyle!

In hopes (I imagine) to see Mr. Carlyle removed as Primogen, the Prince announced a call of the seasons.  In that regard it would be successful, but in an unexpected and disastrous turn of events Mr. Carlyle found himself elected as harpy!

There is some dispute as to how this happened; the former Harpy Stafford claimed that it was through a number of well-spent boons that he managed to buy his way into the position.  Mr. Carlyle claimed—and, dear readers, he claimed many things over the course of this debacle—that is was completely by the desire of the Primogen council that he found himself elevated.

From Bloodhunted to Influential in a single night!  How utterly unconscionable.

I could hardly see how it could be done without considerable payoffs. 

Needless to say this transition did not sit well with the social conscious of the Ivory Tower.

How will such a scandalous individual do as Harpy?  We shall never know, dear readers, for only three days later the same council that elected him saw fit to remove him from his post.  There was no more explanation than that it was “following the revelations of his many scandals and crimes against our society.”

Who will be the new harpy of Los Angeles?  Will Ms. Stafford reclaim her former position?  Is the Villainous Mr. Carlyle still welcome in the city of Los Angeles?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

Bisou, bisou

Desi

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

Elevation in Standing

I am pleased to announce that Prince Alexander Konrad sees our Keeper of Elysium as a Trusted advisor to the court of Washington, DC.

Congratulations.

Bisou, bisou

Desi

Elevation in Standing

Mr. Jackson of clan Brujah is seen as Refined by Prince Clarence Charles Merrick of Richmond, Virginia.  A worthy moniker indeed. 

 

Congratulations.

 Bisou, bisou

Desi