Extract 65-42,
Note that here in are contained the letters of the individual
who addresses himself as ‘Gaius Menas Pelagius’, who during this period has
left the Obertus order of Monks and instead appears to be mostly wandering the
world according to his own whims, this collection of letters was found hidden
in a sepulchre beneath the Monastery of St.Giles in Cordova, alongside a large
amount of documents pertaining to the so called Order of St.Gesu that ‘Gaius’
currently travels as a member of. Contained within are a series of official and
personal correspondences between the subject and various other subjects.
M.S. < >
Dearest Mara,
As I write this missive I am in something of a grim mood. It has
only been a scant few days since I was practically dragged across the desert,
my form weak and feeble, robbed of all strength by the hungry grounds in which
I had slept. In the distance the smoke still rose from Baghdad, sacked because
of its Mu-sharkis rulers were paralysed by inactivity and bound by honour. I
believe many of them have faced the sword and fangs of the mongul who ride with
them, the greatest upset for myself was the fact that the entirety of the House
of Wisdom was cast into the bay, causing the river to run black with ink for
several days. This is the second time that I’ve watched a city physically fall
while standing within it, a second time a supposedly unbreakable and
undefeatable city was put to the sword by invaders. This time at least it was
not fellow children of God, those accursed children who turned their swords on
their own and the opportunistic venetians who swept in to pick at the bloated
corpse of an empire. The words of Darius the Parthian remain with me, he
spoke of Entropy being the true downfall of all of the plans to build cities
where men and kindred lived among themselves, he believes that to be the true
weakness. I also believe it has something to do with calcification, becoming
too set in our ways, too unyielding. In this aspect I think the Followers of
Set at least have something right, embracing change is perhaps the only way to
avoid the possibility of becoming locked in your old ways, living without truly
living, truly experiencing anything new or being moved by what passes around
you. Perhaps that’s why the ancients are so terrifying, those monolithic
remains of times past, unable to move on or change, merely walking statues of
flesh stranded outside their times.
Anyway, enough of this macabre musing. I write to inform you
that I will be travelling to my home Constantinople for a spell, from there I’m
unsure of where I will go, but I’ve found in that dreadful symmetry a new fire
has been struck within me. While before I felt the beast closer than anything
before, and I felt that my faith had become cooled. I know feel its fires
stirring me again, I and
once I have put some matters to rest I will likely take my time travelling
again, I feel that I will most likely tour the places that I have visited in
the last couple of decades, to see how things have changed and progressed since
I was last there and to see how much I have changed and progressed with them.
There is one thing that I will most likely do in these thirty something
decades, I intend to visit Tunice, where there is supposed to be an elder who
remembers the time of Carthage and other such cities, I intend to ask her about
those times and what caused the great cities of those times to fall. Perhaps I
will be able to dig up something on cainite history in the progress, or
something that will give me a small shard of enlightenment or understanding
that might allow me to one day carve the dream anew.
I shall think of you and the time we spent together in my coming
travels, and I look forward to seeing you next time I visit Egypt,
Yours,
Gaius Menas Pelagius,
Knight of the Obertus
February 20th 1258
To her Ladyship Natayla Svyatoslav, I am unsure if you will
remember me given the span of years since our last meeting. My name is Gaius
Menas Pelagius of the Obertus Tzimisce, when I last truly walked the streets of
Constantinople I was but a neonate some 30 years since my embrace and while I
have returned in the decades since that tragic night that saw the destruction
of the dream it has not been for more than a small span of weeks partially due
to the blood hunt that was placed upon my head due to my hand in the death of
Bishop Alfonso. I am now intending to return to my home for a small span of
years before travelling elsewhere to meet with my clan mates, given your hand
in saving what you could of the Dream and the Library of the Forgotten I would
like to meet for the sake of old times and to thank you for your role in it. I
look forward to hearing your reply,
Gaius Menas Pelagius, Knight of St.Gesu
15th of
March 1258
To her Ladyship Anna Comnena,
This one, Gaius Menas Pelagius of the Obertus Order of St.Gesu,
for the sake of old times and glories now lost would like to beg an audience
with your personage concerning the matters of the return of Obertus presence
within the city, I am aware that you must be busy ruling a city so great as to
have once borne the dream of Michael the Patriarch, especially in the wake of
the Venetian interests and given my less than sterling reputation. Our families
as we are both aware have not always seen eye to eye, but I feel that given the
passing of many of our forebears that the blood feud between our two great
houses should rest now with them, times are changing and I believe that what
remains of the Triumvirate needs to change with them, lest we become like the
Brujah beating our breasts in mourning.
Gaius Menas Pelagius, Knight of St.Gesu
20th of
March 1258
Most Honoured Malachite, Rock of Constantinople,
I write hoping that this missive will find your hands. It has
been some nine decades since I last walked on the streets of Constantinople, in
doing so I feel a strange sense of symmetry, for the last great city that I had
walked in had burned some few weeks hence. It seems that the city has grown in
the absence of myself and my clan, but it saddens me to see that it is not
anywhere near its former greatness and beauty. You might not remember me too
well, for when I walked these streets I was merely a neonate, young in the blood
and with little of the wisdom that comes with age. I have walked a long and
winding road since then, and I believe that it is approaching the time for my
clan to come home and us to attempt to rebuild at least a small fraction of the
dream that the Patriarch, Dracon and Antoninus left us. I would like to beg
your assistance in this matter; it was thanks to your help that we were able to
save as much of the dream as we did, and I believe that it will be through your
hands and those of likeminded individuals that we might make this city great
again.
Gaius Menas Pelagius,
Knight of St.Gesu
20th of
March 1258
To his Lordship Baron Feroux,
I would like to request an audience with you in the coming
months over the matter of Constantinople, and the return of my family to these
lands, I would also like to thank you for your role in saving what you could of
the dream during this dark days, and with your help I’m convinced that we might
be able to return a measure of that greatness. If there is anything that I can
do to return the kindness that you and your kin have shown mine during those
years, I will do my best.
Gaius Menas Pelagius
Knight of St.Gesu
20th of
March 1258
Most Esteemed and Honoured Symeon,
Childe and Brother of Saint Gesu, Lord of the Obertus, Keeper of
the Faith
This one, you’re great great Grandchilder and knight of the
blood would like to ask your permission to give the gift of the embrace to one
of our most dedicated and deserving: Brother Cyricus Obertus. He was gifted to
me upon my embrace some twelve decades ago, and has in that time served me with
dedication beyond all expected of him, he has kept me safe in times of danger
and despite how many times that I have failed to meet his and my sires
expectations he has stood by me and helped keep me strong in my faith in the
lord. I believe that such faith and dedication should be rewarded with the gift
of immortality. I ask further that once he has spent the requisite time under
mine and the clans tutelage that be allowed to travel to Cyprus and lend his
assistance to the abbey that I founded there. I believe that given his skill
sets and expertise in operating various abbeys across Europe that he would
prove to be an excellent addition to our interests in that land.
Yours Sincerely,
Gaius Menas Pelagius,
Knight of the Order of St.Gesu
Childe of Celsus Obertus, Grandchilde of Antony Obertus, Great
Grand Childe of Myca Vykos
January 12th 1260
Xavier Hugo,
Contained within is a missive from my sire that was marked for
you. I received this message earlier this evening and thought to pass it along
to you as soon as possible by the way of retainer.
God bless you and keep you safe,
Anna Hyphatia Ksiros of the Obertus
Xavier,
I hope that this letter finds you well and that you’re studies
have continued to be fruitful, though I imagine that Irenie continues to be as
cryptic and creepy as always so I hope that she has not been keeping you too
busy. As of the time I’m writing I’m currently in Magdeburg suffering from the
dreary Saxon weather and their somewhat austere humourless attitude remains
apparently unchanged, I imagine it’s probably due to the climate, which doesn’t
really explain why on earth they choose to continue conquering to the east. The
reason for this missive is that I intend to be returning to Carcassone for a
short period of time during the longer nights of autumn, not the safest time to
travel, but I am well protected and accompanied so god willing we should return
unscathed. During this visit I intend to be introducing my newest childer, whom
you may already know from your short stay within the Abbey, its none other than
my dedicated companion Cyricus, I will be staying for a small span of years to
attend to my interests here and assist my childer however she requires, before
travelling onwards to Cordova, and I would hope for us to meet again now that
we are under less perilous circumstances.
Gaius Menas Pelagius of the Obertus,
Knight of St.Gesu
7th of
April 1267
Ossias,
I hope this missive has made its way safely to you, I am
currently writing from the austere surroundings of my holdings in Cordova, it
appears that the Abbey has continued
to be prosperous in my absence and that the fighting within the city has calmed
significantly. It appears that despite my relatively poor teaching have proved
to be excellent childer, and I’m happy to say that I’m proud of them all. My
reasons for writing is that as you may no doubt have heard from Xavier I’m
intending to travel to Cyprus for a short span of years to keep an eye on my
interests and introduce my new childer, though you may already be familiar with
him from whenever you have visited the abbey. My intention is to place him in
the care and quite likely control of the abbey in Cyprus, I feel that it should
prove a challenging enough job for him in the coming years.
I will inform you when I have arrived safely, and I suggest we
meet up for old times’ sake, as far as I’m aware the others have no intentions
of travelling there during this time, so it most likely won’t be destroyed by
fire and plague. Which I’ll take as a good omen for my visit. Did you ever get
around to forming that mercenary company in the end? How is life in calm Cyprus
treating a warrior of the Brujah? I hope it’s not too boring, one of the
reasons I decided to travel was to keep myself active, though I find myself
longing a quiet decade or so somewhere, I’m thinking some time contemplating on
Mount Sinai might do my old soul good. Speaking of soul, have you decided to
follow the rightful path of God and embrace the teachings of the Byzantine?
Probably not, but well, one can always hope.
God bless you and keep you safe,
Gaius Menas Pelagius
Knight of St.Gesu
20th of
January 1271
From the memoires of Xavier Hugo, of Clan
Cappadocian...
The Mongol
invasion of Baghdad put pay to many of my plans. I had intended to remain and
study with my clanmates there for some years, improving my expertise in the
arts of medicine and surgery. Ultimately, however, it was far too hazardous;
even my journals from that brief time did not survive, but were destroyed by
fire and water in the course of our escape.
But. no
matter.
From Baghdad,
I returned to my old home at Carcassonne. What followed was a peaceful time of
study and revelation; Irenie was as patient yet cryptic as ever, and I was
allowed a handful of decades to work on some theories I had been honing - some
of which, I must admit, I had been working on since our little visit to Tinnis.
Chief among these was what
I came to call the Principle of Anima Saturation. In Tinnis, it seemed very
much as if they had conjured the soul of my dear Sarah back from the
Underworld, and infused some form of fleshly body with that vital essence.
This, as an idea, was fascinating, and in time I began to wonder: by what
process does a mortal soul become attacked to a fleshly vessel? And by what
antipodal process is that soul set free? It is well established that the
immortal soul is freed by the death of the mortal body - but by what exact
mechanic?
The Principle of Anima
Saturation, a theory of my own design, likened the process to a storms effect
upon the air: while the storm lives and moves, it draws the air with it. But
when the storm is no more, when it dissipates into its constituent components,
the air is free to go where it will. Likewise, a living body is attached to a
soul, and while it continues to live, the soul remains bound; but when the body
ceases to function, the force entrapping the soul ceases, and the essence is
free.
Note also the dichotomy:
the storm draws the air, and yet is only possible because of the air. Likewise,
mortal life entraps the immortal soul, and yet true life is impossible without
the soul. They are separate, and yet interdependent.
Working on this principle,
I theorised it would be possible, by sorcery, to enact the process of joining
or separating soul and body artificially. I note these details here only out of
completeness, for it was within these years that I first gained the opportunity
to test these theories first hand.
Perhaps a decade or so
after my return to Carcassonne, I received a missive from Gaius of the Oubertus
- my inevitable travelling companion. He informed me that he would be visiting,
and that he looked forward to meeting with me. However, I could not have
guessed his deeper reason for our 'cordial gathering'.
Zozymous was dying.
Perhaps it was wrong of me
to perpetuate Gaius' irrational affection for that raptor of his. It was the
size of a vulture, by this time - and was not much more pleasant in
temperament. When he asked me to help him keep the creature alive beyond its
time, however, the chance to put my theories to the test was too good to pass
up.
That was my first
successful transference: I cut the immortal essence out of Zozymous, and
another out of a falcon that Gaius had brought with him. Then, I implanted
Zozymous' soul into the second creature. A successful night - and I doubt Gaius
ever knew the greater implication of what we had achieved.
That, if you like, is the
story of my first major contribution to the great work of the clan: the ability
to manipulate, albeit in a limited fashion, a still living soul.
And speaking of living
souls, Zozymous the Hell-Falcon was not the only loyal servant to be showing
the weight of age. After over a hundred years in my service - and perhaps
another two or three decades' in servitude to my Sire, Gregorius - my loyal
friend and servant, Gilliam, was suffering. By that time, I was being forced to
feed him every day or two - quite unacceptable. And so, I found for him a replacement.
Young Gaston, a street urchin doomed by fate to die on the cold winter streets,
found himself a strange new home, and a stranger new master, with us.
Gilliam trained him for
those early years. I let the boy be, where possible - although I tested his
mind now and again. He was bright enough, although poorly educated - his
parents had been a potter and a washerwoman before poverty, starvation, and
sickness had done them in. By day, Gilliam taught him the rope of indentured
servitude; in the early evening, I taught him his letters, and numbers, and
some basics of history and theology. Then, the boy would sleep while I worked.
It was a good arrangement. It was... a good time.
When the boy reached full
adulthood (he had lost count of the years, but I suspect he was a little over
twenty), I gave him his first blood, binding him to my service. Another year,
and he was fully trained, and I sought permission from the Carcassonne Prince
to embrace.
Gilliam died on a cold winter’s
night, and awoke anew in a sealed sarcophagus, as is the tradition among the
clan. He took it well, but then it was not entirely unexpected: I had told him
there were certain traditions to observe in such matters, and I heavily suspect
he had had a hand in my own rebirth.
Gaston became a servant to
both of us. We had to expand the house, of course - Gilliam was a Cainite now,
and deserving of his own space, at the least. In time, he purchased for himself
(I had a large store of money laid by, bearing in mind my meagre needs; and he
had certainly earned for himself a sizeable starting-out stipend) a house in
the town, and then we of the Clan were three.
Time continued to pass. As
was my wont in those years, I reached a point where I found I could no longer
concentrate on my studies. The success of my theories had buoyed me; and
training Gaston was an interesting chore. But dreaded habit and pattern settled
in.
And so, I decided that I
had one final chore, long overdue: a due to be paid, a debt to be settled. I
packed up, left my house in the care of Gilliam (a favour now, no longer a
service) and headed for home: Jerusalem, holy city of my birth, my death, and
my sire, Gregorius.
Extract from MS Palermo
So the Sultan of Babylon
did gather all of his forces and did come against the city of Acre intent upon
destroying it and all of its inhabitants in revenge for those Muslims who had
been killed in the riots. A force of over XLM was gathered and took camp before
the double walled city. Inside all the Christians gathered seeking safety from
the army outside. Great siege weapons were built and daily threw stones and
fire against the city’s walls. Masses for God’s intervention and relief were daily
heard across the city even as the infidel hurled countless numbers of men to be
broken on the walls. Some began to escape by ship to Cyprus, and others from
that fair island were brought in to help bolster the defence.
Letter between Subject Timur and Subject Kothar
Kothar,It seems as though
that mad knight has been seen raving and wailing about the city again. Surely
such a thing has not passed you by. It would be greatly appreciated by the
administration of this city if you were to give forth any information concerning
his whereabouts or other activities. Steps are being taken to deal with this nuisance.
An Assamite warrior by the name of Rashid has recently arrived in the city. You
are to assist him where necessary.
Timur
April 10th 1291
Letter between subject Kothar and subject Timur
I have had Epraim and
Hannah keep an eye on the matters, he appears regularly about the full moon,
undoubtedly some matter of lunacy. He was last seen crying out against the
Christian God at the place of their Messiah’s last supper. He has also been
seen in and about Gethsemane. He causes quite a disturbance and this has
unsettled the Kine but he has yet to cause any real trouble. I for one would be
more concerned over the spate of grave robbing that has occurred in the
Cappadocian’s graveyards, though they have tried to cover that matter up.
Kothar April 13th
1291
Letter between Subject Lefruy and Subject Pacifico
Pacifico, I hope that this
missive makes its way through the infidel’s lines to you. Xavier of clan Cappadocian
and Gaius the Tzimisce have arrived in the city of Jerusalem. This can only mean
that the withc, responsible for the death of my Sire is not far behind,
skulking in the shadows like her kind always do. She shall not quickly reveal
herself and I must take precautions to ensure my safety. It would be greatly
appreciated if you could despatch some of your Manus Nigrum to deal with them.
Afterall if I were to fall who would be left to watch for your interests.
Lefruy, Prince of Jerusalem
April 20th 1291
Letter from Subject Rashid to Subject Timur
I fear the matter for
dealing with the raving frank is greater than before, there are most definitely
others, a brood of them no less, lurking below the city and the one I
dispatched the other night was but one of many. I shall with Kothar’s
assistance delve the warren of tunnels and passageways below the city in search
of the others. This would have been already accomplished but I have been
waylaid by the presence of another of my clanmates here, a vizier a pleasant fellow
if somewhat long winded. I shall endeavour to slay the beasts another night.
Rashid,
April 24th 1291
Letter from Subject Jared to Subject Etienne
Sire, I fear that greater
security for the city will have to be undertaken. I know the times are trying
given the current circumstances of the city, I for one do not trust the fervour
of the King of Cyprus. The fire in the Accursed Tower would appear to be the
result of sabotage. Investigation has revealed that some were murdered before
the fire and that the various jars of Greek Fire and oil had been misplaced or
lost. Likewise some of the doors in the tower were locked, trapping those
inside to a Hellish death. This confirms my suspicions that Assamites have been
active in the city. The Accursed Tower still stands though some repairs will
have to be done quickly if it is to have any hope of withstanding any further
assaults.
Jared,
April 30th 1291
MS Palermo
So unhappy was the Lord God
with the Christians of the land, whose sins were to be punished for their transgressions,
the hand of the Lord was felt in the lands of Israel. The ground shook and the
rivers did flow with blood, noxious gasses spewed forth from the ground and
many a person died in the city of Jerusalem in those days and nights. The
Monastery of Mt. Zion burnt to the ground in a great inferno, heralding the
doom of the Christians in that land. They were fighting most desperately ar the
city of Acre on the coast, XIVM defenders were trapped inside.
Letter between Subject Jared and Subject Etienne.
My Lord, I do not believe
that we may commit any further sallies out against the enemy. Our numbers are too
few and we lack sufficient horses to make an effect against their ranks. We
must focus on defending our walls now. The Hospital will be cleared of all those
who are incapable of adding to the city’s defence, they shall be sent on the
last ships to Cyprus. The Templars I understand are looking to their own
auberge, no doubt Pacifico will keep you informed of progress there.
Jared,
May 4th 1291
Letter from Subject Nasir to Subject Timur.
Most noble Lord,
I must confess that I and
my companions have been seriously perturbed by the most recent shakes and groaning’s
of the earth. One of my ghouls was crushed by falling masonry outside the Damascus
Gate. Another’s arm was broken near Hezekiah’s Well, which he reported to me
flowed red as though with blood. Not only this, but I have heard most
disturbing rumours concerning the actions of the children of Maklav. Of all
they seem to have been the ones most affected by the shaking of the earth in
recent nights. They were seen rolling and screaming about the streets of the
city and did great damage and harm to many passers-by. I ask you what is to be
done, what will you do?
Nasser
May 7th 1291
Letter between Subject Timur and Subject Nasir.
Fear no brother, I have had
words with Prince Lefruy in the Tower of David in recent nights. All that can
be done to alleviate the problems of the city will be done. All is being taken
care, all matters are in hand. You have nothing to fear. It is common with
these swellings of the earth to expect a few more in the following days. Steel
yourself, and make sure your retainers and ghouls are prepared lest such events
strike within the hours of daylight.
Timur
May 10th 1291
Letter between Subject Timur and Subject Kothar.
There have been a few
issues, Prince Lefruy has decided to step down from his office and bend to the inevitable.
As such I shall now be taking up the office of Prince of Jerusalem.
Timur, Prince of Jerusalem.
May 12th 1291
Letter from Subject Conrad of Swabia to unknown recipient.
Acre has fallen, thousands
were killed or taken into slavery by the infidel. The Templars are still
holding out in their auberge, but I do not know for how long, their master has
been killed apparently. Those damnable Assamites have been wandering the city.
I believe that Pacifico and Haakon have fallen. As for Prince Etienne, I know
not. I shall return to Tyre and see to its defence.
Conrad of Swabia, Prince of
Tyre.
May 19th 1291.
