The Fall - Constantinople Winter/Spring 1204

Item from Belgrade Archive: Obertus 5

Letters concerning Subject Nilus to Subject Celsus


Most Esteemed Sire,
I cannot help but once again stress that once again my dear broodbrother Gaius has managed to fail our standards, while these standards may be somewhat exacting for mortals and immortals alike, this is but one in many such incidents that have occurred over the last few decades since his embrace. This latest incident saw not only a brawl with one of the Cappadocians of some import (even if he is but a frank), but it also saw a display of debauchery and hedonism the likes of which make his mortal days look tame. And in public no less!
Normally I would not question your wisdom sire, but it is quickly becoming clear that Gaius cannot control himself and that he is nothing but a detriment to the reputation of the Obertus. I also cannot help but further stress my worries that the debauchery of Vykos are influencing him through association and that the two appear to be planning something, just the other day, I was selected for some task that was not specified but the implications that I could gather fill me with a certain amount of dread. In light of recent events, I think it would be best that he be cast from this monastery; he is clearly unfit for the cloistered life.
Your humble childer,
Nilus Obertus

February 1st 1204


Dear Nilus,
I can understand your concern as to the state of Gaius's soul, but remember that we are all damned in the grace of God and that it is not merely through ritual and austerity that we will be able to transcend these chains of curse and sin that have been weighted upon us. Young Gaius's deeds are indeed troubling and his baser urges are often worrying, however, one has to remember that it has been some years since he suffered a lapse in his control of this severity.
Further, Nilus, you must consider that I am far from unaware of his actions. Unlike many of the Brotherhood and the Kindred in the city seem to believe, I am not some fool who is unaware of his childers actions. In fact, I was aware of them long before any others of our number.
You must remember Nilus that your fervour and faith are strong, you were born and raised within these walls and as such have not had to deal with the devils lures or adapt to this life style. Your knowledge of scripture and ritual is strong, but you often fail to understand the importance of forgiveness and redemption in the teachings. Gaius has made significant progress since his embrace, and his recent usefulness to our wise elders proves his capabilities.
As for your opinions on Vkyos, I would like to remind you of your place in this brotherhood, and that you should keep your opinions and criticisms to yourself. It is not your place to question the grand-childer of Gesu, nor is it your place to judge your brothers and superiors, especially when they plan on setting you tasks. I have been infinitely patient with your little feud with Gaius, but your continued protestations are beginning to try even the patience of one such as me. Remember this.
Your Sire,
Celsus Obertus

February 4th1204


Extract from the Journal of one Gaius Menas Pelagius

I awoke just as the sun slipped beneath the horizon this morning. I was plagued my nightmares as usual during my sleep, they have grown far more intense since my recent lapse of control. Each time I sleep I see what awaits me in the afterlife, I see the billowing flames of the pit, smell the sulphur on the air and hear the cacophony of the damned screaming. As always I am chained, imprisoned, tormented and tortured over and over again for my sins and debauchery. Before my embrace, I would never have thought that a mere night terror could be so intense, how foolish I was. When I awoke this eve, I was wearing the appearance of someone of slavic origin, after three decades this ceases to be particularly strange, however I always feel somewhat uncomfortable wearing another's appearance.
After correcting my form, I began with that evenings rites and punishments, as instructed by my sire. For my lack of control, I must wear the wounds of my flagellation for the next few weeks to remind me of the price on my soul that my debauchery places on me. It pains me to think that I managed to fall so far, after managing to keep them in check for so long. However, these are the regrets of the past, and I am locked firmly in the present.
I continue to carry out my appointed task, I have been placing mortals and animals to watch the sewer entrances to the monastery, while me and my revenant retainer attend to the business of searching the library for any other entrances. The books continue to disappear at a prestigious rate, I find this intensely worrying as it means that either our intruders are intensely familiar with our defences and methods, or that we a collaborator among our midst. I fear it may be both. Alas, only time and perseverance shall tell.

February 7th 1204



Letter 11 between Subject Ana Comnena and Subject Magnus.


Magnus this farce continues for much longer than I would appreciate. The time has come. All stands ready.

February 7th 1204



Letter 12 between Subject Magnus and Subject Ana Comnena.

They have lived.

Magnus

February 8th 1204

Letter discovered in Alexandria Archive 57 between Subject Khalidah and Subject Jaffar

My most esteemed Sire

It has not been so long since I have left our homeland, and yet it seems as if it has been much longer. My travels have granted me the time to reflect on our relationship, and the way in which you connect me to God. I thought I should therefore write down my musings and send them back to you.

I have seen the way in which others worship, and find it meaningless to sit down and idly watch as someone dictates what you must know from a book no one else can read. Only by living, suffering and surviving can one act as a testament to the strength and love of God, only by striving and attaining what others fail to see before them can one get closer to understanding that which will set us free. In His name, I hope I have not misunderstood what you have taught me. You set me free so that I may learn this truth, and I was wrong to doubt your wisdom.

My early years were troubled, and I think that I have finally put those difficulties behind, and look forwards to the next test of faith, quietly confident I shall overcome adversity slowly and effectively. I wish you would share with me the reason for sending peacock feathers; I will not believe you wish me ill luck, but their meaning is somewhat lost on me. Please write soon and enlighten me.

K.

February 18th 1204

Extract from MS Skopje

Moved by the anger at the activities of the Emperor Alexius and his father Isaac, the people of the city rose up against him. Many of his loyal Varangian guards were killed. Alexius Ducas, convincing many that they should leave the Boucoleon Palace and set up their battle lines on the Theodosian Walls captured the now empty palace and installed his own guards there. The young Emperor Alexius IV and his father were taken prisoner and held in the dungeons below the Boucoleon. Having secured the Imperial Family and the fortresses of the city, this Alexius Ducas had himself declared Emperor, and so he became Alexius V. Many citizens called him Murzulphus because of his very bushy eyebrows. The old blind Emperor and his son Alexius IV were then strangled lest they remain and become a threat as they had before. Murzulphus then began to order the city, treating the people very harshly, and began to make war on the Franks. Fire ships were once again sent against the Venetian ships. Some were burnt but a change in the wind allowed many of them to escape.



Item from Bordeaux Archive: Toreador 2

Letter from Subject Alais to Subject Esclamonde.

Dearest Grand-Sire and Prince Esclamonde,

I bring grave tidings, my dearest brood sister Blaise has been terribly injured. She has recently discovered her spiritual side which appears to have brought her a great deal of inner peace, although it has come at a cost, she is no longer the Blaise that loved to spend time at parties and dress in the latest styles. She dresses simply with no adornment, and no longer attends the parties of Constantinople. Whilst at first this concerned me, after speaking at length with her she appears to be much happier than she was, and she accepts that I do not aspire to lead the same style of life.

Alas I digress; I must explain to you the nature of her injuries. Whilst at the docks waiting for a ship to arrive with what appears to me to be a spiritual leader on board she was set upon by members of house Tremere, the leader of the house, Abertorius, and his assistant, Fletcher, a man I have known for around 10 years who worked alongside me in the medical field. I thought I had begun to know him quite well, although not well enough to call him ally, even though he was a member of the new usurper clan. I had almost begun to think that they were not all as bad as the rumours would have us believe.

Although I was not present at the time from what it Blaise has told me this so called acquaintance of mine was instructed to conjure fire to destroy the ship and those waiting for it on the dockside. Blaise was hit in the chest by one of these sorcerous fireballs and knocked into the sea. I suppose that her fall was most fortuitous as if she had not the flames would have consumed her entirely. Once she was under the water she was assaulted with more magicks, the water around her was somehow hardened so she was unable to move. Quite possible with the intention to leave her there, trapped underwater and unable to defend herself, for the rising of the sun. After this the battle continued and eventually the ship was destroyed and it's cargo taken by the Tremere. One of my other companions, a man named Xavier who had witnessed the entire attack but could do little to prevent it, dove into the docks and dragged Blaise, still trapped in this solidified water, to safety. If it was not for his actions she would either be dead or in the hands of the sorcerous Tremere, and if she had been taken I shuddered to think at what would have befallen her.

Blaise has informed the scion families of what has occurred, and they plan some form of retaliation, although what yet has not been decided. I will of course keep you informed of all events and try to encourage Blaise to write to you herself. I have suggested that my compatriots and I travel to Carcassone soon. If the Tremere is still with us then he will be traveling with us. Once we arrive you can do as you see most fitting.

Your Childe,
Alais Trencavel.

February 27th 1204



Letter from Subject Arbetorious to an unnamed person in Ceoris.

The situation becomes increasingly untenable here. The plan has unfortunately backfired. Some humiliation was suffered and a blood bond was forced upon both myself and Fletcher. I shall take matters to negate much of this. Some doors have closed, but others are most certainly now opening. So long as the Franks remain at bay, I believe the situation can still be recovered.

Arbetorious

March 1st 1204



Letter discovered in Alexandria Archive 57 between Subject Khalidah and Lucius

Lucius

It is with a sad heart that I write to you, rather than visit on this anniversary of Elsh’s demise. Unfortunately I currently reside within the city of Constantinople and with all the political tension between the Latins and the Greeks, I very much doubt I will be able to return and see you any time soon. It is my hope that I will be able to do so next year, and celebrate this prestigious event in your court.

I would inform you of the progress of my coterie, but I very much doubt you care enough about the situation to warrant a lengthy declaration of all the events that have occurred since our arrival. There is surely a great deal for you to be arranging with the imminent arrival of the Crusaders via Constantinople without concerning yourself with the affairs of neonates in other cities.

Forgive my harsh words, but I speak the truth in my heart. There are words that I dare not speak aloud, yet must be stated in order for me to feel in any way honest with you. Despite your lack of faith in what we could have been, I will always wait for you to fulfil the promise you made, in vain or otherwise. You will never be fully aware of truly how much you owe me.

K

March 3rd 204


Item from Munich Archive: Cappadocian 1

Journal of Subject Xavier

Oh, how I am so very weary.
I must wonder what I have become. I was a man, and then I was a monster. And then, barely two decades past, and my life was gone - they were all dead. But what am I now?
I am the man who must court an insane sorceress by taking a pretence of being her long-dead lover.
I am a Cappadocian necromancer - cold, calm, pragmatic.
I am the self-interested monster, who at the first silent plea from an unknown vampire, ran into fire. Before I could follow events, I was pushing a block of stone along the floor of the bay. And what now?

Fletcher just called – curse the night I gave him that ritual skull. Almost, I had come to trust him - and now he proves himself no better than that Tremere succubus, Mara. Or then again, perhaps not? I know what it is to be given impossible orders; always, we at the base of the social ladder must dance at the whims of those whose age define them as Elders, and who laughably call themselves our betters. Fletcher could easily have betrayed both mine and Blaise's presence to his Elder. But can I know that he did not? He sounded sincere, but he could simply be biding his time, along with that Albertorious. Even if such is not the case, Albertorious will consider me as part of his Salubri conspiracy, now. And I doubt the Tremere are any more forgiving than the Cappadocians.

For three nights I have sat, barely able to move. Gilliam grows worried about me, I think. Was my choice the right one? The Tremere are wrong – the Baali always deal with demons, not the Salubri. One silent call for help... I am not in the habit of diving into flaming wrecks, and yet I did. And I paused to save a Toreador – one of the arrogant Scion Family. Why? Has Alexia so unhinged me?
And Alexia. What to do with her? She entreats me to woo her, but I do so only at Constansia's behest. To protect her from Marcus – but by all appearances, he is the one who needs protecting.

My course is set. Though I doubt my limited talents will make any impact, I must attempt to cure Alexia of this malady of the mind – to free her from her chains. As to the Salubri and the Tremere, there is nothing I can do; perhaps Fredrickson is telling the truth (though I doubt it), perhaps not. Either Albertorious knows of my involvement, and plots my death, or he does not. Either way, it is currently beyond my power to know or to act.

Sarah, my love – I hope wherever you are, it is better than here.


March 9th 1204

Letter from Belgrade Archive: Obertus 5 concerning Subject Khalida

I know what I want, and that it is against everything we believe in as a clan. I know you are trying to warp me, twisting my desires so that they serve your indistinct purpose. I know your master, and how well you have been taught in the creation of lies, desires and half-truths. I know your nature well, and I will not become your whore or your assassin. I know that just like him, you will poison my mind and my body, leading my heart astray from its true purpose. I know all this, and I shall willing embrace my weakness so that they may make me stronger. I know who I want but whom I can never have; you will serve in his place. May Set grant me the wisdom and strength to meet the challenge he has sent to us.

K.

March 14th 1204


Letter 1 between Subject Jules Talbot and Subject Aliyah.

Most radant and enlightened Domina,

Since Our respective associates have quarreled I do fear for the cohesion of our clan. I do not mean to apologise or gainsay my Sire but, could you please intervene with your husband Khay'tall. The festivities though most delightful seem unwise as such a unstable juncture. The timing perhaps not right. This was what I believe my Sire to have implied to our most beloved Scion.

Jules Talbot

March 15th 1204