Ulthima By Night

Ulthima by Night is a Nazareth: World of Darkness campaign set in Ulthima, the largest city state in the Julian Dominion and the ancient "Patriae" of the Radilus or the "Clan of the Crown" that follows the unlives of 2 of 6 optional player characters in the nights of Ulthima starting in 868 AU, 5 years before the Modern Nights and the events of Nazareth by Night and Nazareth: Shades of Black. It begins on January 1st 868 AU, the night of a Purple Moon above Ulthima. There is a common superstition originating in the Julian Empire's supernatural courts that the purple moon is due to the Ancients bestowing favour meaning that all childer embraced under a purple moon are "destined or preconditioned" to a great destiny or great power and although superstition is banned by the Tower many powerful, older, demons and vampires tend to embrace the night of a Purple Moon while playing it off to Tower authorities that they were embraced some nights before. This is how 2 of the 6 Player Characters were embraced the same night and ultimately forced to be "partners" of sorts.

Ulthima By Night is a sandbox story of treachery, ambition, politics and dark magic as two "Violets" as born in the purple childer are referred to navigate their way into a place in the Tower stronghold of Ulthima forced to tangle with their sires, rival supernaturals, secretive plots and brutal violence as they emerge into unlife. All information besides the background stories is free to customize and their is no linear plotline.

## Main Characters

### Herodotus

Herodotus was an Ulthiman actor rising in the ranks of the Riverfront's theatre scene. As a mortal, Herodotus was slowly working towards his dream to be a famous actor and playing the part of the celebrity he was an avid clubber, drinker, and consumer of Lotus. His fondness for these simple sins lead him to an elite, exclusive, and delightfully hedonistic club on the Riverfront known as Hedonas. Herodotus spent his night drinking, smoking, and chatting to celebrate his latest successful gig at the Masters Theatre. As the hours go by Herodotus ends up enraptured in the gaze of Spiro Manolis. He is soon embraced into the Clan of the Rose under Violet Moonlight.

### Adonis

Adonis was an Ulthiman political aide working in the office of the moderately relevant Senator Porchlorios hoping to one day after his years of tedious and boring political office work become a Senator, or at the very least, an Authority Head or Deputy Senator. He was a dutiful, ambitious young Ulthiman and that young career brought him to a classy party in a nice Kentro apartment. He was making the rounds with his Senator when he met Leonardo DiGrazi, a successful businessman in the shipping industry with an odd aura around him. Eventually, things got odd, and DiGrazi murdered Polchlorios and took Adonis as his newest childe. He is soon embraced into the Clan of the Shadow under Violet Moonlight.

## Season 1

#### *Chapter 1 - Under Violet Moonlight*

In the daylight of Ulthima, it is a city of technological and magical marvel comparable to other great cities of the Earth. "The Gateway to Julia" as it is known is a major trade and shipping hub, receiving goods from Varasia going to Moris and goods from Moris going to Varasia and other Dominion cities. It's also a hub of art and culture, with famed Philosophers, Actors, Politicians, Painters and Sculptors. Under the watchful eye of the 6 monolithic statues of the Great Masters that dot on either side of the Riverfront Ulthima has grown incredibly since Morisan Unity, growing from a Julian colony in the North to the capital of the Julian Dominion and it's strongest city state. In this city of incredible human engineering and intelligence, like all cities perhaps, there is a secret world of inhuman darkness. Two young and ambitious Ulthiman mortals, Herodotus and Adonis, simply trying to make their way to the next level of their careers, find themselves embraced into the Lilin and Valdevichi clans. They are taken to the Prefect's court at the Hephaestian Gallery in Kentro where they are forced to socialize with the large court briefly until the court is separated leaving only the two young demons to individually introduce themselves to the Prefect. The Prefect, Demetrius, seems to see through Spiro and DiGrazi's attempt to pass them off as non-violets, but grants them citizenship on the condition the two children work together to learn the ways of the Tower and report to one of the Bailiff's Deputies, a Judan named Ignatios, to do their initation via three missions. They complete the first one with ease, heading briefly down into Katopoli to get some due rent from a rogue fight pit owner who warns them that the Tower has no authority beneath the city. The Council of Elders meets where they learn of the death of Rufio the Younger and theorize on it.

#### *Chapter 2 - Omens & Actions*

New to the night of Ulthima but quickly learning, Herodotus and Adonis rush to finish their initiation missions so they can work for their sires and escape the moral dilemmas haunting them. They do a mission for Ignatios securing the safe transport of a woman known as Moxie who arrives at Ulthima by boat and they fend off an attack by the Gypsies who warn this odd woman "the Gypsies won't forget Nazareth". They then do their final mission which leads them to a skyscraper in construction in Kentro that the Prefect was intending to buy but was outbid at the last minute, enraging him. Herodotus and Adonis are sent to find out whats happening and then murder the people who are in charge there. They meet and clumsily yet fairly effectively get up the Foreman who is a demon of unknown origin who mocks the Prefect's authority. A battle ensues and the duo defeat the Cimerian Foreman and discover an odd sigil in his office alongside the property deeds. He takes it back to the Prefecture. The Prefect reports it back to the Ulthiman Council of Elders who grow very alarmed, knowing the sigil to be the symbol of the Unbound. They theorize on what all this means and begin to think Antoinetta killed Rufio. The theorizing continues and just as the Diabol begins to piece it together via Lucien's visions Vanessa and Polybius realize that Sabehrt used a Godspawn to kill Rufio, they believe fearing that he was about to do something foolish. Leaving the Unbound as an unknown factor, it seems major information has reached all the wrong ears.

#### *Interlude - To Know The Unknown*

Throughout the supernatural world it seems tensions rise as Lucien's warpath in Anzenia forces the Ulthiman Council to make tough choices. Vanessa Delcroix and Polybius Midylos form a hesitant alliance as Delcroix admits to the Malthusian Elder that she fears for the lives of herself and Lauretta Fiorensi, fearing Sabehrt will lose control over the Godspawn. Through this alliance Delcroix and Midylos with aid from other Elders manage to officially "abandon Anzenia" by moving the treasury against the wishes of Kargul and Fiorensi, who believe the city can be held for the Tower.

As the nights go on voices that call to far lands begin to reach the dead ears of many elders throughout Ulthima and the Valdevichi Elder, Ludovico Arcimboldo, announces to his prodigy that he must leave urgently and the Clan is sending a replacement for his seat on Ulthima's Council of Elders in Velmira Torbica, a longtime Diabol Valdevichi of Volgogradi origin that Ludovico does not trust, tasking Leonardo with overseeing her time in Ulthima. As all these questions rise and a stalemate forms in Anzenia all the World of Darkness anticipates the next move. And Abraham met Antoietta.

#### *Chapter 3 - A City Of Secrets*

As the city winds down from the weeks of drama following a Violet Moon over the City the local Lilin Elder Lauretta Fiorensi borrows Herodotus from his soon to be Baron Sire for the good of the clan. Fiorensi sends Herodotus alongside her enforcer Petronias to rescue a Mining Company CEO from a Radilus backed assassination attempt to get the company on Fiorensi's side. After this, DiGrazi sends Adonis on two intricate heists, both succeeding relatively with ease as the young Valdevichi masters the shadow. However, DiGrazi's ambitions outran themselves as Adonis arrives back to the Judan Elder, Quinten, mocking DiGrazi's scheme to blackmail him by Adonis's photographs of his Diabol Shipping operation, however, he was impressed with the Childe's ability to find out at all, and so Quintus grants Adonis a favour, Adonis cashes in and forces his sire to give him 25 percent of his Shipping Companies profits. Internationally, Kargul and his War Court in Anzenia continue plans to save the city from Diabol onslaught. Lauretta uses her new funds to more than generously back Kargul's forces. Kargul finds the palace to be haunted and seeks further advice from Helene, who divulges that many Elders are being called by an unknown force to random locations across the world and in addition to that reveals that Lucien Cousteau's march on Anzenia will be temporarily halted by an important meeting of the Convocation that will take place for 2 weeks starting 1 week after Kargul and Helene's meeting. As the web of intrigue grows at home and abroad, the young Violets begin to learn of their skills and begin to ponder their future in the World of Darkness.

#### *Chapter 4 - Et Mors Mortuis*

After managing to repay what they lost on their failed voyage to the Coast of Anzenia the violets deliver key news of Sabehrt Godwin's Godspawn use to Kargul who after consulting with Helene eventually decides to rally with other Elders against Sabehrt, this comes to a violent head as he discovers that Octavius is trapped and starving to death in Rufio's Palace as Basilius constructed a grand plan to kill him via possessing Sabehrt and using the Godspawn to kill his supporter's in Tower Leadership and trap him in Rufio's palace. Sabehrt is killed and Polybius decides to use the Godspawn to kill both Basilius and Octavius, enraging Vanessa and destroying the two most Famous members of the Third Generation. In Ulthima Adonis performs a few odd jobs for DiGrazi and locals at the Club Dionysus and Herodotus tests his morals performing a favour for the Lilin Baron of Technipoli, Alexandria Onassis. He is sent to kill a young mortal Author she had been having a relationship with as he had written his lifes work, a novel about the World of Darkness sumplemented by "stories" Onassis told the author. Once there, Herodotus opts against violence and finds a peaceful solution forcing the author out of town and burning the manuscript of his novel. After this, Adonis and Herodotus navigate the Ascension to Baronhood party of Spiro Manolis, Herodotus's sire, who was recently named Baron of the Riverfront. This party goes awry as shipped-in Diabol interrupt and although Herodotus (at the enraged will of Spiro) successfully deals with the initial threat, the Bailiff realizes that Spiro lied about there only being one threat. He discovers an Asmodai Agent who attempts to disguise himself as a Prefect, this is easily vanquished by the Bailiff. The Prefect orders Spiro and Herodotus into his secret fighting pit for his and local supernatural leaders entertainment. They survive and are freed to unlive another night in Ulthima.

#### *Chapter 5 - Roses to Ashes*

Herodotus explores Katopoli finding that The Towers iron hand over Ulthima is not as tight over the Under City. He explores the city, meets a criminal demon known as Jethro who appears to be the most powerful non-Tower demon politically in the city and hears rumours in the bars. Eventually, Herodotus and Adonis meet up to perform a task for one of the Bailiff's Deputies Ignatio (the same one that helped them with their initation) who sends them to capture a young and rogue Christomore known as Salvatore who stole an important artifact from an unnamed Tower Elder and ran off with his demon Girlfriend (fun adventures). Adonis and Herodotus track the Christomore through the streets of Katopoli and ultimately find him and his lady going through an odd circle of runes on the wall, the two follow and discover it is a portal to The Underworld. They don't stay there long as the two duel their targets and kill them both. Time briefly freezes as the artifact; a scroll; breaks and a beautiful being exposes herself to Herodotus. As Ulthima becomes an epicentre for the interests of Elders and Youth alike one can only hope the two Violets find their place in a dark and evercomplicated night.

#### *Chapter 6 - Hearts of Darkness*

Approached by his Sire, influential Valdevichi Leonardo DiGrazi, Adonis is ordered by the Elder Judan of Ulthima Quintus to find out why Katopoli based Crime Lord Jethros was failing to pay his cut of the profits of Pans Labyrinth (Katopoli's largest leisure palace operated by Jethros). To this end Adonis scopes out the business, assesses the guards, gathers information and eventually steals keys and mechanisms necessary to reach the top level of Pans Labyrinth from a Lieutenant who Adonis stalked home, although drew attention to himself and was repelled from the home of the lieutenant at first by a protective ward. The night after, Adonis and a Haden hireling of Quintus's break in, kill the guards, trace Jethros to a safe room and interrogate him after intimidating him with the corpses of his mortal mobster guards. The two realize however that Jethros was ghouled and possessed by a demon, most likely a Sarsuka of not insignificant magical power. Adonis presents all this information to Quintus and is paid. Meanwhile, Herodotus explores the supernatural city primarily the Outer Ring and Riverfront despite his heavy rift with his sire while he waits to fulfill the desire of the lady he saw in the Underworld to talk to Lilin Elder Lauretta Fiorensi at Court the following night. At this Court Session, Spiro attempts to humiliate his Childe but is outhumiliated by Quintus. Herodotus is welcomed into the Lilin Clan proper by Fiorensi and made an associate of the Rose Garden. To prove his allegiance he is ordered to kill two Valdevichi and retrive an artifact for Lauretta. herodotus complies, flawlessly deceiving the demons with his natural aptitude at Sensusfigura into giving him the artifact and attacking eachother. Eventually, Herodotus defeats them both and is granted the artifact- a Succubine Heart that allows Herodotus to hear secrets and information about an individual when pointed at a target. After this, the duo accept a contract clearing out a Golumn from a now deceased Malthusians local laboratory. Herodotus uses mind magic on weak willed homeless people and uses them as cannon fodder (and eventually himself fodder as he needs to feed on souls after expending much EP) and Adonis aids with striking the golumn with shadow and blade. After being paid for this mercenary work, the duo head to their respective sanctuaries within the night of Ulthima and rest to wake from the dead once more as undead predators; hearts of darkness that live in shadow and moonlight.

#### *Chapter 7 - Colosseum Games*

Herodotus, now a wealthy local Tower Member and Rose Garden Associate, spends some time consulting with the Radilus Baron of the Outer Steamworks on using their combined wealth and business knowledge to start an unusual business attraction for Ulthima; a fighting pit. (Inspired by Herodotus's experience using a meat shield of many poverty victims against an errant Golumn). Ultimately, Herodotus and Adonis open this fighting pit; a warehouse housing bum-on-bum and demon-on-bums violence in the Outer Steamworks, sanctioned by the Baron called The Colosseum. on it's first two Friday nights it is a great popular attraction for young demons. Herodotus also deals with the falling out of accidentally ghouling a Friend from his past after they reunite at a nightclub and she overdoses on Blue Lotus. Ultimately after rising tensions with the confused friend Herodotus gets a local Malthusian to perform a blood bond severance ritual, ending her time as a Ghoul. Adonis and DiGrazi discuss their shipping business as well.

#### *Chapter 8 - Wealth & Loyalty*

The first and second nights of Ulthima's 6 day long Unity Festival celebrations go by with Adonis initially admiring the sights of the Parade before being signaled to meet DiGrazi where his Sire gives his Childe orders to assassinate an Anzenian Radilus known as Luca with political ambitions to expand Tower interest and power in The New World; the assassination was to be entirely discreet and ultimately Adonis failed to perform a stealthy kill but did manage to murder his target at a Hotel he was giving a speech to Investors at a fairly upscale Hotel in Kentro after a conflict where Adonis got heavily assailed by bullets. (and three guards, as well as starting a fire to torch the evidence). In his off time, Adonis asks questions about Valdevichi politics and investigates Katopoli where he found the streets heavily derelict and almost abandoned as Jethros gang had fallen out of power and the economy of the Undercity was greatly weakened. He ultimately confronted one strange individual and they had a conversation about life in Katopoli. Ultimately, Adonis invites the strange man to live in his apartment above the ground in Kentro. Herodotus also spends his 1st Night simply people watching and wishing he had a way to be mortal again; missing social company and humanity. He uses the Succubine Heart as well. He is ultmately verbally assaulted by some demonic thugs who he intimidates but later returns to where he batters them; killing two; in a rage at his new predicament. The duo have some personal time off as the cities politics quiet briefly although the Elders feel an ever-strengthening pull to the East.

#### ***Chapter 9 - Devilish Powers***

In the first couple days following the end of the Unity Festival and the attack on the Violets fighting pit the city reignites as rumours of magical fire based murder across The Riverfront, Elder Lauretta Fiorensi enlists her favorite new Rose Garden Agent, Herodotus, newly equipped with new powers of Rose Sorcery, to solve the murders before it becomes an issue of the Masquerade that concerns both The Tower and Ulthima's Magic Authority. It seems that Baron Spiro Manolis was unable to address the muders in his Barony as Fiorensi angrily sends Herodotus to commandeer the investigation from Spiro's uninformed Ghoul Security Captain Kallistos. Kallistos provides Herodotus with the information he needs, 2 dead important local Financiers and 2 dead local influential Lilins, Ellanora and Vellanora. After investigating at the mortal murder scenes where he found an additional hidden mortal body Herodotus begins to notice the ties to the Riverfront's former foremost Judan powerplayer Ignisar; a one time rival of Spiro's for the Barony who disappeared. At Ellanora and Vellanora's he takes samples and learns their death was natural fire but not destruction magic despiet its targeted nature. Leaving the last Financiers apartment he was attacked in an elevator by the naberian hired blade Codrey who he realizes has been following him with his demonic senses and the Succubine Heart. Herodotus defeats Codrey and enlists his aid in spotting other tails. This all leads him to a place not on Kallisto's map of locations of interest: The Phantasium, once the haven of Ignisar now a shadow of its former self and ran by a thinblood former ghoul of Ignisar's named Kassandra. After a brief, effective interrogation of Kassandra she reveals that Spiro diablerized Ignisar and intended to diablerize more in a bid to quickly gain power. She is also bloodbound by Spiro illegally. She intends to let Herodotus go but Codrey attacks oncemore fearing the wrath of Spiro only to be defeated again and sent away humiliated by the powerful Violet.

Herodotus confronts his Sire kinetically at Hedonas where he uses a grand display of Sensusfigura to awe the whole crowd into attacking Spiro after using Rose Sorcery to make Codrey flee town and send whispers to Spiro, greatly weakening him. Once he is near death herodotus forces him to free Kassandra and sends the man who made him undead to the Final Death. This greatly impresses Elder Fiorensi who grants Herodotus more magical energy as a reward and offers to let him diablerize his sire but Herodotus declines, something that Fiorensi respected and did not expect.

Adonis was sent on a mission from his sire, Tower Member DiGrazi, to investigate a strange happening in the demonic-lead criminal world after Adonis inquires further about the scavenging of Katopoli. One of his fellow Crime Lords, a Valdevichi named Thalia, appears to be trafficking some unknown goods; presenting a possible advantage DiGrazi does not wish to remain. Adonis sneaks aboard a shipping steamboat and successfully stealthily moves through the ship, destroying security systems with his abyssal tentacles and confusing guards and engineers onboard. He sneaks through a broken porthole and steals a heavy, cursed box. He shepherds it back with him to DiGrazi who is thoroughly impressed but needs the object identified. He sends his skilled Childe to a local Malthusian of considerable reputation and power for identifying artifacts and performing rituals and he does find out what the box's content glass Revolver but the price is very very steep for the ritual and Adonis could not pay for it. After a failed attempt to intimidate the Sorcerer Adonis is sent on a quest to kill the Leader of 5 Tower Member Marchrosians based in The Foundry that had earned the Malthusians eire; Adonis, seeking to have no chance of being implicated in a crime against the Tower opts instead to terrorize and slowly murder them all over a period of 3 nights. The brutish makings of a less sophisticated demon; a good cover up for an egregious crime. He assassinates the first 3 quietly and on the 3rd night enlists the aid of Herodotus to destroy the Leader and the last 2. He returns successful to the Sorcerer who fulfills his end of the bargain, revealing the Revolver to be a devilish artifact that fired powerful arcane bullets, 2 of which that refill over the day after used with other such artifact bullets existing other places. DiGrazi is impressed once again with his ever-innovative Childe and lets him keep the Revolver (alongside his infamous Ghost Ring) while pledging to seek where Thalia obtained such a rare and deadly artifact.

The night reignites in the "Crown City" of the Demons as many plots unfold amidst the violence and power-seeking of Ulthima. If anything is certain in the World of Darkness, you can always believe and assume there are devilish powers among you and us all, haunting and stalking in the night.

#### ***Chapter 10 - Cast Long Shadows***

The long fought, eternal politics of demonic society weaves through the important city-state of Ulthima as Adonis and Herodotus provide over yet another profitable, if not tragic, business night at The Colloseum (mike tyson got fucking killed.) Their revelry is interrupted as Decrier of the Tower in Ulthima, Chrystiana Gallanos, arrives at the business, ignoring the indiscretions, to deliver the news she had been delivering all over town. A large party to introduce a new Baron of the Riverfront and a new Elder for the Shadow Clan. Adonis attends alongside DiGrazi who thoroughly briefs him on the intense politics of the night and who and who not to speak to. Herodotus attends the event as the plus one of Lauretta Fiorensi, a scary but immeasurably charming Lilin Elder who has taken a favour to Herodotus; something that impresses many demons at Court. The party is intense, political and ultimately scary. Scarlett, the former free demon and hand picked new Baron of The Riverfront has a successful introduction and additionaly owns a new club named after Capriani's "House of Sin" It is DiGrazi that notices the new and impressive amount of new Valdevichi, mainly from the now Diabol controlled Anzenia. The cause is revealed as the legendary Juana Vejedor introduces herself as the new Valdevichi Elder of Ulthima. Amusing Quintus, Appalling Polybius, Vanessa, Kargul, and Lauretta. Between the Elders it is incredibly tense with only Quintus seeming to fully accept and even enjoy the new Elder. The meeting is as it is though, as Juana is accepted into her new role having saved many Anzenian tower refugees and gained approval of Prefects. Juana meets DiGrazi and other local Valdevichi and promises to aid the clan in rising to prominence. In the nights following Herodotus instructs a minor how to buy some decent Lotus after a sketchy kid was stalking him from a dealer he used to know, Adonis became enthralled in the illusionary maze in Katopoli that seemed tremendously signifigant. It leads to violence, when Adonis confronts a Cimerian figure of considerable power in a fierce battle with Adonis narrowly avoiding some attacks but being damaged, the Cimerian channeled illusions and his devil magic overwhelmed the weaker demon, Adonis retreated but reported to a Justicar of the Tower and he hopes to gain favour in the tower and root out the strange anomaly in Katopoli; if such a thing is possible.

A few nights later in the burgeoning cosmopolitan centre known as The Riverfront Herodotus is summoned very p;olitely to the new Baron's club, a small but upscale joint known as the "House of Sin". Herodotus rides a signature aquarium elevator up to meet Baron Scarlett and she recruits him and by association Adonis to root out a suprisingly nefarious presence in the districts Sewer Systems. Although Scarlett portrayed it lightly, the duo were sent to kill a Nymph. Notorious, strange, heavenly yet wretched fairy beings; manifested through the overwhelming sentiment of an area. They arrived and after some brief negotiation they met the Nymph in question. It appeared initially in a false form as a Lesser Fairy in cute tinkerbell fashion but Herodotus saw through the illusion during the negotiation. It was a large, stalking and vultureish being with a human head, multi-colour almost flashing eyes and large, strangely damaged butterly fly wings of vibrant red and green. Talks proved unfruitful and the duo entered combat, finding a monstrously underestimated foe as the relatively weakly and sick creatue used intense magic to rapidly heal itself, consume it's existing demon followers and in a shock it charmed Adonis, making him at risk of being a full follower of the nymph and thus consumable for the creatures health. Herodotus rapidly fled out and called for help on a payphone and DiGrazi; infuriated at his Childe being almost sacrifcied to a Nymph on a quest by a Baron who underestimated the monsters threat, arrives and after a brief combat (during which Adonis passed a wisdom check to be free of the charm) DiGrazi obliterated the nymph with shadow magic, it burned and died slowly, softly screaming. This lead to a hostile conversation at Scarlett's club where the important Leonardo DiGrazi reprimanded her for her indiscretion. The harsh words lead to the Baron banning DiGrazi and Adonis from her district and DiGrazi was unimpressed by the minor display of power. Dark nights have always hung heavy over Ulthima; since Octavius and the 3rd Generation settled from the ruins of Julia Ulthima has been fraught with conflict, treachery, and dark evil magics all within the secure and armoured institution of The Tower. In modernity it seems a violet duo continue to gain power with a natural aptitude for their clans and the politics shakes as Juana Vejedor, the Twice-Betrayer and Spider Queen of the New World, seeks to increase the influence of the Tower Valdevichi in Ulthima. With endless strings to be pulled a sort of mantra for Demonkind and it's darkness comes to mind. If you must be within the darkness, cast long shadows, for without the struggle there is just The Void.

#### *Chapter 11 - Dancing Macabre*

During the quiet, tense nights after DiGrazi's ban from The Riverfront, Herodotus and Adonis go about their respective business in the city with Herodotus disturbing and charming his way throughout the Diabol's Ulthiman headquarters at the Karnavali in Exopoli and even confronting, successfully, a Blackblood Diabol Leader of some sort. Baron Scarlett relieves DiGrazis ban on the order of an annoyed Lauretta Fiorensi, Adonis investigates Katopoli further but finds no new information. After the quiet nights of intrigue and machinations Juana Vejedors hosts a neutral party at her lounge, The Spiral, and tense meetings between rival Demons of all factions quickly turns hostile when Antoinetta's Unbound, defying the ancient tradition of Neutral Ground, viciously attacks the party sending its guests into a frenzy. Juana and most Valdevichi quickly hide in the vast cavernous shadow beneath The Spiral while above ground Elders and Youth alike flee, it is the visiting Presbyter of West Volgograd however that causes the largest stir as he uses the chaos to transform into a draconic form, chase down, and burn the long-reigning Prefect of Ulthima, Demetrius, into ash. As the ash from this dark dance settles into the Ulthiman night, it can only be assumed that bloodier times lie ahead.

#### *Chapter 12 - A Citywide Standoff*

In the week following the disastrous free-for-all attack on The Spiral instigated by the Unbound of Antoinetta, Herodotus spends his time awaiting action by partying and minglings with Ulthima's foremost artistic elite at "The Trojan Horse", an upscale lounge frequented by Politicians, Actors, Poets, Playwrights, Directors, Artists and more. He mainly befriends personally the esteemed Director Yanis Pappas and the bombshell theatre Star Leonora Direllis, alongside many other bookies and actresses. These mortals hang on the powerful Lilins every word. Adonis spends the week with DiGrazi surveying the tense political disorder that followed the disaster at The Spiral. Each Barony is more independent than usual as there is no Prefect and no full Elder Council to appoint one, or an Archon. Only the barebones of The Towers proper institution is manned and well powerful lacks reach. Each Baron decides who is at war with who in their District, with some allowing Unbound like Scarlett's Riverfront or allowing only Tower. In the richest, most important district; Kentro, its mysterious Radilus Baron has shut down the district to ALL supernaturals who arent sworn as Residents of his Barony, including other Tower citizenry. After the week ends, Herodotus acts on the advice of a fellow Rose Garden agent and seeks out a strange and allegedly Unbound operation looking to wheel in on The Towers heavy control of the cities entertainment district. Herodotus investigates, drawing the eye and promptly intimidating two Tower grunts who ultimately lead him to the knowledge that the base of this Anti-Tower business expansion is the "Georgine Theatre", an upcoming and hip underground theatre in The Bayfront. Adonis acts on DiGrazis suggestion to challenge the Business of one of the lesser Crime Lords he associates with and to this end Adonis, singlehandedly due to arrogance, attacks a convoy carrying some of this Crime Lords smuggled goods. The attack is fairly long and winded as Adonis takes all 5 of these Drivers and Gunmen, having learned that they would be returning from Vajarhad, but nearly dies at the very end after being clubbed with a thermos by the last surviving driver, only to be saved suddenly and near impossibly for a favour by what he learns to be a Reaper. He returns the artifact, and the tale of his peril, to his Sire who oncemore admonishes his Violet Childes recklessness. Following these escapades the night ends; with future confrontations ahead for both of the Violets as they walk now, through a citywide standoff.

#### *Chapter 13 - Crowns and Shadows*

The mighty City State of Ulthima, capital of the Julian Dominion, is as prosperous as ever, For the mortals anyway. In the world of the Undead things are quite different. The Towers foremost stronghold, Ulthima, is in the midst of a precarious lack of stability as each Barony fully dictates itself. The chapter begins within a dream, a purple floor and a violet atmosphere invades the minds of both Herodotus and Adonis, inevitably they meet, seeing eachother and understanding the importance of their relationship as Violets. The comfort of this scene is intruded quickly, as a third Violet reveals herself. The Blackblood Diabol Pack Leader known as Vivanda, based out of the Karnavali in Exopoli, emerges through the mist, eyeing the two men. One of which has slighted her. After they awaken from this dream Adonis calls Herodotus, they confer that they both had this dream and go on to discuss the anarchic state of the Ulthiman supernatural scene. With Herodotus banned from Kentro by the mysterious Radilus Barons decree and Adonis banned from The Riverfront due to Baron Scarletts rivalry with her rival in Kentro it becomes clear the duo has to tread carefully. Adonis speaks to DiGrazi about the Clan of Shadow, learning more from his sire.

Meanwhile, Herodotus loses himself in mortal passions as the Rose Clans children tend to do. He spends time at Hedonas, the vacant club of his Sire and the Trojan Horse, a mortal hotspot for celebrities from Directors and Actors to Senators and Poets. He spends his time with his mortal friend, Yanis Pappas, and the many actors and entertainers that surround him. After a night of revelry and Yanis's insane (as usual) stories Herodotus sells Hedonas to the accomplished Director, who vows to rename it Atlantis and make it a successful mortal nightclub after some stern bargaining. Both the Violets find missions to accomplish, from Scarlett asking Herodotus to clean up a Thinblood problem in her district brought on by Spiro Manolis's arrogance. The duo acknowledge that this citywide Cold War has negatively impacted their business as it seems in the West Steamworks both Unbound and Diabol Demons have caught onto The Colosseums game and have been poaching or disappearing the homeless population to prevent the fight club from having a good stock of cattle.

The night changes, gravely, as the duo receive a call from three rival Elders. Sheile Locke of the Blood Clan, Juana Vejedor of the Shadow Clan, and Lauretta Fiorensi of the Rose Clan. The trio seek to resolve the problem that has been preventing The Council of Elders from meeting and governing Ulthima. A flashback reveals the half-council discussing options to resolve the rule of Baronies, as the Kentro Baron strictly regulates, the Riverfront Baron allows Unbound, and the free spirited Baron of Kardatoli allows a neutral free for all. The three Elders order the Violet Duo to infiltrate Vanessa Delcroix's estate to see if the woman still lives or if she has fled east as another victim of The Beckoning, the fate that both Ludovico Arcimboldo and Polybius Midylos met. They have help in this daunting task, the promising young Curator Courtney Kensington and his Werewolf companion Marland are sent to aide the duo. The infiltration is difficult.

After making it into the estate through the Skylight, thanks to the Psychicfigura of Courtney they sneak their way past 2 levels of the mansion. The first, a sort of parlour chamber guarded by 2 Pikemen was relatively easy to get through. The second, a floor of guest rooms so to speak guarded by 2 separate guards was far harder as Courtney and Adonis make a bit of noise, luckily, the predatory stalking of Marland and the careful delicate movement of Herodotus was enough to sneak them all through. The ground floor was not a place to sneak, a vastly open entryroom guarded by 8 Ghoul Guards, 4 Pikemen and 4 Crossbowman patrol the whole area. The 4 of them decide that violence is the only option and violent it was. The 8 guards were woefully unprepared for the vicious attacks of Marland, nor the brutal sorcery of Courtney, nor the surgical strikes of Adonis. Herodotus watched on as the 8 of them were slaughtered, one by one, despite a strong resistance by 2 demons and 1 werewolf. Once all guards were lifeless and the beautiful entryway was splattered with blood, bones, and gore they investigate the place. Discovering through Courtney a switch hidden on the side of a painting of Vanessa (each floor had at least one) a switch revealing a hidden switch. They descend, for 5 minutes, down this rickety elevator into a deep cavern beneath the city. Once reaching its floor they walk up a staircase, flanked on either side by clay statues of knights and archers, to a massive and monumental stone statue of Delcroix, on the throne sat a few feet by its base a brutally aged, near skeletal Vanessa Delcroix clutching a violently vibrating Soul Crystal. They realize it holds the soul of the Radilus Elder and quickly intend to bring the crystal to the Elders.

That is, before the Reaper that saved Adonis's unlife, an entity known as Oliver, appears. It seems Adonis is mad, as he speaks to the vast nothing above him. For the violet Valdevichi he hears from Oliver. The favour is called in, Vanessa must suffer a fatal defeat from a mere youngling. Adonis shatters the crystal, spreading the gem fragments of what was the most important and powerful Radilus since Rufio The Younger across the dark stone of her shrine.

Adonis answers to the council, and after lengthy discussion he is sentenced to death for his fundamental violation of Tower Law, in destroying an Elder. The vote is 3 to 2 as Kargul, Lauretta, and Quintus vote for death while Juana and Sheile vote for forgiveness. He is summarily executed in front of Ulthimas entire supernatural community by the Headsmans axe.

That is how it appeared. Quintus smuggles the talented Adonis into Katopoli, revealing this only to Juana and DiGrazi to act as a hidden assassin. A ghoul was molded into Adonis by a powerful Asmodai and the real Adonis is hidden, a true shadow.

Meanwhile Herodotus mourns the loss of his friend and partner, despite his clear and valid breaking of Tower Law. Meanwhile the Council discusses the coming war and its grave implications, the Unbound attacking from beneath and the Diabol attacking from Exopoli and an additional naval force. Opinions differ, new Elders Sterling Collins of the Radilus, Caligula of the Valefari, and Salaar of the Marbatians offer input. What is ultimately decided is Kargul and Caligula will coordinate the defence of Tower Ulthima while Juana Vejedor, the Spider Queen herself, will meet the Diabol Navy in combat on the open seas to weaken their numbers.

As always, in any city from Zira to Nazareth to Ulthima, the World of Darkness is a place of war. A place of deceptions, plots, intrigue, violence and turmoil. The damnation of perpetual undead strife.

A damnation of Crowns. A damnation of Shadows.