Albrecht von Wulfhard, "Főnixkarom"

[RedDrake]

*As a garou I was born to be savage at times. After the bloodbaths produced by frenzies the method of leaving dried-out, yet intact corpses seems elegant and gentle. We can call this a successful hunt. Thank you, for the refreshing essence, dear Gaia.*

- /Ger/ - I'll visit this smith tonight.
*My decision is done. I'll be curious to see him. But now, for bath. I trust Tristan's judgement on this field. I don't mind where the water is coming from. After the bath I can look like a human again and that's important.

It seems L'argent was polite enough to let me finish it. I reply without hesitation.*
<Thank you my loyal friend. It seems that our battle has taken its toll on them too. Please, continue your hunt. We'll face merciless battles, we need every little of spiritual essence we can collect>

*But now I must focus my thoughts for the Komtur. I greet him with utmost respect*
/Ger/ - God bless our evening, my friend. The last night was night of chaos itself. I never have thought that our first night in the Kingdom of Hungary would be that eventful.

*After he offers I take a seat and sit down. I still have some unhealed wounds*
/Ger/ - Yes, you should know everything about the last night and I do hope that your wisdom for the fae-folk is much greater than mine. We got involved, or I should say manipulated into their politics.

After following their trail we've found an entrance to their domain, our spy has escaped into there. We weren't cautious enough, and the lord-protector of their realm became aware of our existence, and forced us into their territory. We had summer not winter inside that enchanted forest.

We came to know, that this protector has hired three goons, our spy, a dwarf, and a fox-girl to spy on us, and he wasn't satisfied with their results, so he threatened the trio that he'll destroy them.

But first, he decided to attack us, alone and direclty. He was called Telaron Fireheart from the Summer Court. I will not lie to you, I've never fought anyone who was stronger than him. He was the avator of the burning summer heat itself! He must have honed his swordsmanship over centuries or even a milennia.

Even four versus one he was overwhelming.

The three midgets betrayed their lord, and after his defeat they were quick to turn coat, and wanted to make an oath, a pact with us to guarantee their safety and they claimed that the Summer Court, and its Queen will come after us.

They are serving the Mist Court but refused to give any details. They were not to be trusted, lying, betraying turncoats. The sunrise was near so I rode back, but I couldn't convice the two werewolves, nor Lady Sophia to abandon their mad scheme and not to form that oath.

My armor is in ruins and we were all near the final death. I hope they made it back too, but these little traitorous faeris should be executed immediately after questioning them properly.
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

*His ghouls try their best not to show any disgust as Albrecht brutally drains four adult human beings into desiccated, dried-out mummies and orders them in with his second set of bound clothes, as well as to take the female away. Yet, these are the things in life you just need to face and accept - especially when the blood coursing through your veins commands so.*

-/Ger/ Sire!

*Erik replies.*

-/Ger/ We haven't seen him work yet, sire, but all the town seems to agree he's the best smith in the whole realm! It's a long shot, but it might be our only chance. He resides in the inner town near the royal castle.

*And when he returns after "putting away" the girl for "future use", Tristan also gives his five florins on the bathing options.*

-/Ger/ I'm afraid that would be the river Danube. Perhaps it'd be best if we fetched some for you from the camp's supplies for now.

*It happens so. While having a bath - a waterbath this time - and then dressing up, Albrecht yet again receives the message of his spiritual companion who sounds as strange and perplexed as ever.
Nevertheless, he channels over the Gauntlet what little spiritual essence he could manage to collect.*

<Yes. Wyld. Chaos. Magic. Battle. Rage. Despair. Fire. Fear. Hope. Faith. Bless their young hearts...>

*When Albrecht leaves to consult the Komtur, he finds that he's already risen, having left the commander's tent and retreated to the iron-clad carriage. Inside, there's a small table now, and he's penning a letter on it by the light of a tiny candle, all alone.
Gazing up, he receives his comrade with a concise nod, but resumes his writing all the same.*

-/Ger/ Good evening, Albrecht. I regret we haven't had the time that chaotic last night, but I've heard this and that from gossiping ghouls already. Please; take a seat somewhere and tell me what happened.

+1 Gnosis.
_________________

[Freiherr von Rosen]

*The beggar almost seems surprised at the generousity shown.*

-/Ger/ Thank you, thank you, most generous sir!...

*However, when he notices the amount received in relation to the apparent wealth of the traveler, even though he retreats bowing and thanking heavily, his eyes say something akin to "You cheapass bastard!".
Sometimes, there is just no pleasing the dogs.
It doesn't take much of an asking-around on the part of Erik to find out the location of Magdeburg's finest inn, which is where the carriage is heading. Located in the city centre, with excellent view on the grand cathedral, the Inn To The Golden Sceptre is a large, old, partly stone building with three floors and rich decoration. In fact, its facade is a practical brazier masterpiece, displaying the coronation ceremony of Otto I.
Its general area is also free of the many construction sites found all over the city; in the spring of last year, a huge conflagration burned down many wooden buildings in the city, also conveniently destroying Cedric the Brujah, former Prince of Magdeburg, allowing Jürgen, Childe of Hardestadt to move in and claim the city and its lands for the Fiefs of the Black Cross. Such a move swiftly turned this town into the de facto capital of eastbound Ventrue ambitions, but the events that transpired since then have not yet reached Albrecht's ears.
His ghouls quickly see to placing the horses and the carriage in and outside the stables, while their lord moves in with Erik and Tristan on his sides. The main hall of the inn is an impressive achievement of woodwork and fine taste; the many tables and chairs are placed in neat order, leaving a wide walkway to the innkeeper's counter. There is also an entertainer's stage by the left wall and a good number of beer barrels by the right.
The Sceptre is particularly crowded tonight, with most guests being of noble origin, some of them make a lot of noise, but all of them seem to behave themselves. Dice, cards, gambling and tale-telling are the chief attractions, but there are also musicians and singers to entertain the esteemed audience. For some reason, possibly due to the intenseness of the crowd, Albrecht is still unable to see any auras. He will have to remember to clear his head after he's done in this beehive.
The landlord is a silver-haired, well-off man of simpler origins - judged by his clothes and basic manners -, but his words resonate the finest German and Latin dialects and phrases. Seeing the new arrivers, he doesn't wait for them to reach the counter, but rushes to their reception immediately.*

-/Ger/ Good evening and welcome to the Golden Sceptre Inn! The name is Karl, Master of the House. How may I help our noble guests?

Ambience

Continued

[RedDrake]

<The predators are hiding.>
*A well-organized army is not a thing with which a usual undead troublemaker can deal. They hide in the shadow, how typical.
Caution as his sire would say.*
- /Ger/ - Take that coin and pray for the glory our Lord!
*Only a copper coin of small value. As a lord, being generous to the poor sometimes is a well-practiced side of him.
No real care or emotions for this matter, it's a routine. He beggar can leave in peace, but he'd better start moving.
For Albrecht, it's high time to find the proper accommodation.
He does not plan any special for this night.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

*The messenger is sent on his way, freeing up the remainder of the arrivers to explore the city and its current inhabitants.
Magdeburg, like most cities, is built around a spectacular main square holding a large cathedral founded by none other than Otto I, first Holy Roman Emperor. Also on the main square is a mighty imperial palace, overlooking the Elbe river currently on the verge of being frozen.
The lanes leading there are packed tightly with buildings; domiciles and workshops alike, with advertising plates hanging from nearly every wall, inviting passers-by into a wonderful smithery, tannery, pottery, or shoemaker's hall. Magdeburg also has several inns currently highly occupied, as most soldiers tend to head towards there to get some rest now.
And their numbers... are in the thousands. Local garrison, various Imperial troops from all over the provinces, mercenaries under a multitude of banners and finally, a small band of Templars. Even now, in the evening, their faith-filled, crusading aura is astonishing; they cannot wait to spill blood in the name of Christ. Naturally, the usual scum, vagrants, bandits, doomsayers and good-for-nothing cutthroats are also found in their wake and shadows, but at the casual glance, Albrecht can spot no Kindred among either groups.
This can be good, or bad, for several reasons.
Finally, after half an hour of wandering, the usual, unescapable situation finds them in the person of a beggar dressed in rags as tightly as possible. Seeing the apparent wealth of the newcomers, he rushes to the slowly-moving carriage, shouting in from the outside before being surrounded by ghoul-soldiers.*

-/Ger/ Spare a coin, good sir! Spare a coin for an old, faithful fool and ye shall collect treasure in Heaven!

[RedDrake]

*There is no need to rush. A well-prepared messenger with a letter with proper introduction and a request for seeking audience is sent to the host's court right after their arrival. It's the proper way to have the audience in proper time for both sides. Until it is arranged, the rest of his army, including himself, can accommodate them and have a good look on the army forces stationed here, preparing for the holy crusade. Hiding in the flock, the presence of many other kindred is expected. For winning a war, to know your army from top-to-toe is prerequirement.*

//For Auspex 2

Dobás:

Eredeti dobás sorozat: 5d10 10-Sided Dice Results: 7, 4, 10, 5, 1 (Total = 27)

_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

*Hecate just keeps smiling at his words and reactions, probably knowing all too well the thoughts going through her Childe’s mind. Finally, she utters but a single sentence.*

-/Gre/ Give my regards to Mi-ka-il of Constantinople.

*With their farewells said, Albrecht resumes his preparations, for there is still much work to be done. He and his ghouls are organizing the entire night; their spirit is such in potency and enthusiasm that they are heading out already by next eve.
A sturdy, reinforced, almost fortified carriage is prepared, decorated by the family crest of the castle's lord. A dozen or so select ghouls will accompany him on his journey, all of them armed and well-equipped with the mundane mortal necessities of such a voyage. Food, drinks, clothes, armour, weapons, ropes, extra horses, stakes, crosses and various other items of utility. Most important of all, however, is the crusading spirit their master keeps burning strong.
When the time to leave to the East finally arrives, the orderly little mission is surrounded by various servants, womanfolk, villagers and family members saying their tearful farewells. Albrecht's Sire, however, remains locked-up in her room above, not even gracing him with one final appearance. They set out... and they do not look back.
In the biting cold of early 1189, the party progresses as swiftly through the snow-covered roads of the Holy Roman Empire as it is humanly possible. The sheer power of a six-horse carriage and a dozen armed horsemen escorting it keeps the majority of bandits away, while those foolish enough to try their luck - mainly at daytime camp sites - meet their merciless fates. Other than two such pathetic ambushes, the eleven-day journey passes eventlessly. The "army" of Albrecht von Wulfhard reaches the majestic city gates.
Magdeburg.
Founded four hundred years ago by the great Charlemagne himself, the massive walls of this town weathered and withstood assaults of Slav, Magyar and rival German alike. Right now, they are decorated richly by Imperial and local banners, and garrisoned heavily by armoured archers. Thanks to the forward vanguard of Albrecht, the gates open immediately, accompanied by majestic fanfares and columns of armoured knights on the other side. Somebody was making good on his expectations.
Inside, they are greeted in a fashion of militaristic respect; the troops marching up and down the narrow streets are a testament to the massive preparations Magdeburg is going through right now. There is a large wooden cross erected just on the opposite side of the entry square, where a priest stands on a pulpit, blessing a group of soldiers. At least half a dozen different lanes and streets lead to the interior of the city.
There are several options before the arrivers now. The time being early evening, there might be a chance to seek audience with their hosts right away, or they can just as well find accommodation first after an admittedly tiring journey.*

Ambience

[RedDrake]

*A brief moment of silence falls to the two kindred. Than the brief moment becomes a long moment, a long mourning moment for the past. For that he once was and for what he has become. He remembers sharply for his sire's words: "In time, you'll regain your freedom when you'll be ready for it. Final death is not the salvation for you, you'll understand it someday. Now, drink..."
A century has passed and now... he is ready for it.
Ready for being an individual vampire, his childhood is over.
Looking to the eyes of an ancient goddess, an undead goddess, but his goddess.
Such is fate.
Has he really gained something to replace his lost soul?
Hardly but the lips of his sire would never lie.
Albrecht is also staring long to his sire's eyes.
This is a moment of both joy and sorrow.
They're no longer what they were at the past.
From today they are friends and much more, his sire is her muse, something similar to a lover in an platoic way.*
- /Gre/ Your precious words are gifts more than I'd deserve. They are praise from a goddess. I'll try to live fullest to them. I'll try to live for your expectations and make your faith in me a real experience.
*With this said, no other words are needed. A long glorious moment where mere words are more than unnecessary.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

-/Gre/ Ghouldom is for servile souls. You are the type of man who takes it all, or loses it all. No mediates, no moderation between the extremes.

*Despite her half-scolding words, her faint, yet adoring smile still lingers.*

-/Gre/ That is why I foresaw your decision. You have reached a milestone for some time now, Albrecht, and you are ready to go alone, to crusade in the East full, yet, at the same time, free of care. I am no longer needed to instill patience into your passionate heart, to remind you of the teachings and lessons of Ilyes. You may have lost your soul, but you also gained something equally valuable to replace it with. Your opportunity to fully discover and experience it has come.

*Hecate falls silent now, just staring into Albrecht's eyes, like two distant stars gazing down upon the poor mortals who walk the Earth. She may be a monster who made him a monster, but she is a monster who understands him more than anyone else in this world, living or undead.*

[RedDrake]

-/Gre/ That is a paradox itself.
*Albrecht looks up to the moony sky.*
-/Gre/ I was nothing but a fool. I was arrogant; I was filled with rage and false self-confidence. I stroked first and I thought I was invincible.
*The sky looks like the unreachable heaven to him now. The territory of Gaia, the spirit world, this tribal homeland.*
-/Gre/ For my arrogance I paid with my soul and not only with mine but the lives of my former pack mates. I endured this unliving hell that no ordinary kindred could even image. I’m lost, I’m forsaken, and I’m beyond redemption.
*He is turning his head so see the face of his sire. Albrecht spent decades in blood bonded frenzies because of this feeling*
-/Gre/ Yet, I’ve the knowledge how to avoid this damnation. If I simply turn back time, I’ll make the same mistake. I’d repeat my errors. However I cannot forget that I’m indebted to you…
*A moment pause of grief.*
-/Gre/ Sometimes I wonder whether spending years as a ghoul, not a noble kindred would’ve altered my perception enough?
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

-/Gre/ There are signs and omens in all things, Albrecht. One simply has to look... and see.

*Keeping that mysterious smile, she eyes him up and down again inquisitively. With that certain stare that dissects flesh, bone and soul.*

-/Gre/ Maybe you are right. Maybe you are re-enecting the events of the past. But tell me, my dear.

*She pauses. Her eyes snap up into her knight's gaze.*

-Gre/ When the time comes and you finally succeed, when the mysteries will lie before you exposed and submitted, when you finally triumph against the very forces holding our world in its current shape and form... what will you do? How will you change the course of your long past, that particular journey that brought you to my... embrace?

*She stops. She listens. A meaningful question.*

[RedDrake]

-/Gre/ What once was will return again eventually someday
*His eyes are now staring into the past*
-/Gre/ Time is not linear… I’ve read this once in a tome.
*His voice has become soft and quiet.*
-/Gre/ As if my whole voyage would be repeated again.
*A few long-forgotten memories arise.*
-/Gre/ Can this be a sign, my beautiful lady? You see, I feel myself as I’m fighting the time itself.
*A brief pause.*
-/Gre/ No, my enemies will be always be the servants of corruption and the betrayers of the Moon! The cause of the Ventrue is only a trifling matter.
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

*Hecate utters a silent, sophisticated chuckle, no louder and no more describable than the soft whispering of summer breeze.*

-/Gre/ I have this feeling of great nostalgia, my dear Albrecht. "Rooting out the evil that infests the uncivilized lands". As far as I know... incidentally, your Crusaders too will be traversing Anatolē...

*She's right. In certain ways, this voyage will be parallel to the faithful expedition of so many years ago. The journey that made him become what he is.
But she continues, leaving only a brief pause.*

-/Gre/ What is this evil you're chasing this time? Hmm? Is it truly the children of Ismaēl, like our gracious hosts would have us believe?

*The smirk still plays on her sensual lips, letting her words echo timelessly. She keeps giving the vibes she already knows the answer to all her questions, but that's just... regular conversation with Albrecht's Sire.
A joyful game of puzzle every time.*

[RedDrake]

*A spark of passion that never fades in his heart. *
/Gre/ - Your beauty never fails to impress me
*He rises from his knees, reminding him as being christened to a knight.*
/Gre/ - Yes.
*After a brief pause, he begins to explain it.*
/Gre/ - Your beauty and my own duties keep me alive. It’s my main duty to root out the evil that infests the uncivilized lands. This will be a golden opportunity to cleanse these lands. Hopefully our own clan can benefit from it as well.
*He suddenly stops. Déja vu as the wretched French people would say.*
/Gre/- Unless, of course, as many times before, you warn me not to follow my instincts so hastily.
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

*Albrecht wastes no time, the appearance of his Sire is like a thundering lightning on the night sky.
Illuminates everything and commands immediate attention.
Leaving the courtyard and his squires, he re-enters the endless corridors and stairhalls of his castle now; taking several minutes before arriving at the door of divine Hecate's room.
It is left slightly open; almost as if she foresaw the upcoming entrance of her Childe.
There is the same dark, mystical beauty to the room beyond as any other time, with the leftover scent of some exotic eastern incense. On the balcony attached to it, Hecate stands already turned around in a majestic black gown, listening to the enthusiastic words of the kneeling man with a faint, all-knowing smirk.
When she finally graces him with her real voice, it sounds like honey and milk poured into a silken vase. On the moon.*

-/Gre/ Homer himself could envy your compliments, Albrecht. You may stand up, my dear. I've seen you kneel enough.

*Her smirk turns just a tad more amused. Yet, there is no mockery in her timeless voice, only gentleness.*

-/Gre/ Your mind is set, then. You wish to accompany the Ventrue to their journey.

*As so often before, she says nothing but a few sentences, awaiting his explanations, patiently placing a hand on her hip.
Like Selene herself.*
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