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Tensions run high in the domain with the two primary hunting grounds
of the city under so much mortal scrutiny. Gone are the days when
you could grab a quick bite at one of the bars where droves of college
and university students stumble drunkenly from the dark interiors
to the secluded alleyways and parking lots scattered throughout
the racks. Many have found there time focused solely on hunting
and surviving through the nights rather then their usual activities.
The restrictions imposed by the increased police presence on hunting
for many are becoming a mounting concern. Eyes are turning to the
Dionclath coterie hoping that this group, created with the express
purpose of maintaining the racks, will prove successful in their
endeavor to return things to normal.
The sudden request of the attendance of the court this weekend
has many wondering what this Elysium might hold. Some believe that
this might be a pronouncement upon the activities of Dionclath and
possibly a change within the ranks; actually it has nothing at all
to do with Dionclath and instead is to bring the individual responsible
for the attacks in the club district that has resulted in tougher
feeding before the court for punishment; no the individual responsible
is going to be blood hunted; they’re all wrong. The Prince
is going to announce her new Seneschal. That’s got to be it.
***
Rumours leading up to
this session:
The municipal government of Toronto believes that the attacks that
occurred against police officers on Valentine’s Day is evidence
of a strong current of anger rooted in some of the smaller ethnic
communities. City hall is urging people to recognize that the actions
of a few should not be a reflection upon the entirety of the police
force – likely a reference to the troubles which has been
plaguing the police force in North Scarborough. Both the mayor and
the police chief have both asked that people within the ranks of
the police force, and the civilian populace, both practice restraint
and work together towards mending a refit that should have long
been resolved.
Located well away from the tensions in the club district, Heaven
since the police attacks has gone on a campaign to help raise awareness
concerning the plights faced by many of the kids who get involved
in gangs, and has held a charity event to help raise money to be
donated to Lovecry (a charitable organization which helps street
kids). Milan Switzer, owner and manager of Heaven, feels that increases
in violence provides evidence that society has not adequately addressed
the burdens faced by the thousands who live on the streets of Toronto,
and that to relieve such hostility the community leaders of the
city need to step forward and lead by example.
While tensions still run high in North Scarborough some common
ground is being found between community leaders and the police force.
Continuing it’s advocating of negotiation and keeping the
dialogue open the Third Path has become an outspoken proponent of
bringing a peaceful resolution to the conflict of this region. While
they agree that those officers responsible for creating the environment
in which the riot was caused should be punished; they have taken
pains to remind the media that the actual assailant responsible
for the death of Tyrone Almon need be found and punished for their
crime, but this does not mean that others should suffer the same
fate. As usual the Third Path continues to try and mediate a course
of action down the centre of the road that will bring both parties
closer together and mend the rift caused by this tragic event.
This mediation may have born some fruit. The Law Society of Upper
Canada has forwarded a statement that police officials should make
the first gesture to bring normalcy to the Scarborough communities
affected by the curfew and have it revoked immediately. What was
once declared a temporary measure; has instead been in place for
over a year and an infringement upon the rights of the citizens
there. Crown Attorneys and Judges throughout the province of Ontario
do agree that in the first instance it was a necessary measure,
and were in full support at that time for the curfew to be enacted,
but given the destabilizing affect it is having on the community
and the healing that needs to occur between Law Enforcement and
the people they are meant to serve and protect, they too are adding
their voice to the Law Society’s plea that a reversal of the
curfew be implemented immediately.
These combined pressures seem to be taking the whole Scarborough
issue towards a more positive position. Police officials within
42 Division have been holding extensive meetings with the Chief
of Police – the details, while being kept from the public,
are suggested by many inside informers are focused around bringing
normalcy back to the region.
A bench has been erected in the Old City Hall Park in contemplation
of Eliza King’s oak tree. The inscription on the bench (small
metal plate) reads "In Rest Eternal: Benjamin Flatt".
The bench was anonymously donated to the city.
***
Rumours after
Elysium:
There was no declaration of a member of the court being chosen
to fill the position of Seneschal. Dionclath remains untouched even
as the difficulties with hunting continue. Instead, for those who
had whispered the coming evening was to be a trial, they were proven
true.
Once respected, influential, and well-connected throughout the
community, Justin Fairfax at the Elysium found himself on trial
for creating the disturbances in Scarborough and the downtown rack
in a bid to bring chaos to the domain and overthrow the Prince;
executed that evening after short deliberations were made on the
cases presented. Given leave to witness the execution, nearly a
third of the kindred present for the trial, watched the enactment
of capital punishment at the hand of Cyrus Winters. It seems that
this mute member of the Invictus not only carries the honor of being
one of the Prince’s Archons, but as well has been called upon
to act as her headsman.
For those who said bloodhunt was to be called – they were
proven true. The bloodhunt was issued for his illegally created
childer – who it has been posited during the trial –
is the individual responsible for the death of Benjamin Flatt (Ventrue
of the Andersen Lineage and member of the Invictus). While hunted
throughout the domain, Carmella the vampire in question, the Prince
has expressly forbid any within the court in seeking her blood as
prize for success. It seems Prince Ingrid Jameson is capable of
the same recourse to death her sire was fond of, but she does not
share Hollinger’s view that a bloodhunt should always provide
full rights to the criminals’ blood if caught.
Of note from the evening, Karolina Hansen apparently is the one
responsible for Anastasia Marek being beaten into torpor. Or at
least that seems the case as she challenged the defendant to punish
her and not the court for the vengeance he seeks for the harm brought
against his sire. Chester Borden, in a very rare moment for such
an extremely paranoid creature that hid amongst the shadows passing
judgment on the activities of the court, publicly revealed his presence
to the domain watching over the proceedings of the trial for his
blood sibling Justin Fairfax. Giovanni d’Alessandro himself
believed the rantings and ravings of the condemned were heretical
in nature; to which, when queried, Bishop Roland Kaine indicated
was a crime punishable by death according to the teachings of the
Lancea Sanctum. Interestingly, Archbishop d’Alessandro was
one of the defense council for the accused. Carmella, now hunted
within the domain, and required by all citizens to be destroyed
should she be found within the confines of the city is apparently
in the hands of the Carthians, or more to the point as David Riley
was quick to point out that he had nothing to do with her whereabouts,
was in the hands of Akiva Koen who made a brief appearance at the
trial.
Traditionalist within the community should be pleased with the
Prince’s pronouncement that all embraces must be approved
by the office of the Prince. This clarification by Jameson is marked
by many as the official beginning of her rule. Such a public declaration
of her interpretations of the Traditions must be seen as Prince
Jameson taking her final step in assuming the full mantle of the
Toronto throne.
Near the end of the gathering the Carthians made an announcement
that they would be hosting an Elysium within a month’s time
to discuss the masquerade by a Carthian Parliament. All within the
domain have been invited to observe, and some say, participate in
this discussion. What exactly this ‘Parliament’ means
is at question at the moment. A number of the more curious members
of the court will likely be in attendance at the next gathering
even if only to see what exactly the Carthians are up to.
***
An Offer of Aid
Two evenings after the last gathering word quickly
makes the rounds that Gabriel Winchester has opened up HEAVEN so
that all kindred within the domain that are members of the court
will be given access to the club to aid them in their hunting. Apparently
a guest list has been created for those who have as yet not picked
up their access cards which will grant them access to the fifth
floor of the club and all of the lower levels. Should you choose
not to take Gabriel up on his offer and make use of his club to
help with your hunting please inform me immediately.
In an effort to assist with the recent challenges in the Racks,
I, Lord Gabriel Winchester, invite all Kindred of Her Highness Prince
Jameson's court to HEAVEN. A VIP list has been created and the staff
has been instructed to place whatever name you should wish upon
the access card.
The 71, 000 square feet entertainment complex can accommodate more
than 20,000 guests and provides a number of locations for discrete
hunting. Kindred levels have bottled "vintages" and are
also per glass for those who do not wish to hunt.
Although I am but the youngest of my siblings - all of whom have
contributed greatly to Toronto, as many of this city's Kindred have
- it is my hope that I too can assist, with what little means I
have, by providing all members of Her Highness's court with free
access to HEAVEN. May these efforts help to alleviate the pressures
caused by current restrictions in the Racks.
Every Kindred must do what she or he can to ensure the prosperity
and safety Her Highness's city. I urge all of you, who have generously
welcomed me into this city - this greater family of Kindred - to
do what you can.
Yours Truly,
Lord Gabriel Winchester
of the House of Quentin
***
An Open Letter
Dear Chester,
I'd write to Molly and ask her to spread this, but then miss an
opportunity to say hello. It was good to see you at Justin's trial.
Regarding the latest declaration from the Invictus. Please tell
the Unbound that Carthians view embracing as violation of the traditions,
and not done lightly: much like making a ghoul, or diablerie. But
serious personal choice is just that: we would rather support the
newly embraced than condemn them for the actions of their sires.
All unbound--for that matter, any kindred--may embrace and present
their childer to the Carthians, post facto, and expect our welcome.
Second, I did not have an opportunity to cross-examine Justin,
but I meant to ask if he was remorseful. My opinion, based on conversation
with him: in ways, yes, he was remorseful. Justin genuinely cared
for his childer, and was saddened perceiving we might kill her for
being associated with him: remorse there. I think Justin was filled
with a great pity, for all of us, during the trial. Perhaps as Mekhet,
or as Lancea, he saw and understood something I did not: remorse
there. Certainly he was not regretful of his actions. If you need
to know more, I am available to you. If you would like access to
the evidence collected for him, or notes for the defense, I have
both for you.
Finally, in terms of being available: We will see you at the parliament,
won't we Chester? It wouldn't seem complete if you didn't take an
opportunity to keep us a little humble.
Soraidh,
Connor Truman
Prefect, Toronto Carthians
Grandchilder of Angus Reed.
***
Another Open Letter
Dear Mr. Borden,
I thank-you with a sincere heart for your words of wisdom at the
trial of the heretic Fairfax. Your presence at a Court gathering
has been long overdue in the eyes of Longinus and our Lord, Almighty.
I hope that you will take time to carefully examine the words of
Anastasia Marek as contained in the diary pages I gave to you that
night. I hope they will show you not only how fanaticism can run
like a deep shadow beneath the veneer of dignity but how things
are not always as they would seem to unscrutinizing eyes. I would
be happy to provide you with my personal copy of the Testament of
Longinus for your review if you might permit me the opportunity
to speak to you of the true conventions of our faith. Marek's words,
though making reference to Longinus and the Sanctified, does not
speak to the truth of our church or the faithful of this Parish.
I would not want you to be mislead by the words of one so easily
lead astray by fear and heresy.
The doors of the Abbey of St. Japheth shall remain open to your
arrival.
May God Curse us and Longinus keep us,
G. d'Allesandro
Archbishop, Parish of York
(OOC -"Parish of York" would've been how Henry Lange
referred to this domain while he was Archbishop, Chester would likely
notice this) |
