The Ravenblack Grimoire

The Ravenblack Grimoire (sporadically) brings all the latest news from Ravenblacks city, winning critical acclaim for it's (not so) fast paced news coverage.

If you consider any of the News pieces in the Grimoire to be factually inaccurate, please email the editor. If you would like to contribute, let us know.

.... is that it is just that. The past.

There are those who say it was a golden age, and proclaim that if only we went back to "the way things were", everything would be ticketty-boo again. They are wrong. The past was made by people, and many of the people fromt he past are gone and unlikely to return. Their place has been taken by people with new ideas, new ways of doing things, and new dreams of personal power or glory. Trying to go back to "the past" (whatever that means) is neither possible nor desirable.

There are others who say that the past is gone, and the future is what counts. They too are wrong. The past is the foundation of the present, and those two together will be the foundation of the future. The past has valuable lessons to teach. It tells stories of what worked and what didn't, and more importantly it gives us legends to live up (or in some cases, down) to. Without those legends and that history, the city is nothing.

Virgo contacted me a week ago for an interview about The Temple of Lies. I told her then that I don’t do interviews. Never could abide them and do not see the need in them especially since I have my own paper to spout on in and had, when I was ready, planned to write about this myself.

The Temple of Lies is topical for sure. You’d have to be deaf and stupid not to see der Tote regurgitating his measly mouthed truisms in bastardised Lucius styles and wonder what this new Temple incarnation is going to take.

Ars Gratis artis right? Or whatever was the last catch phrase Lucius coined in the dying embers of the original Temple.

It’s funny what you pick up, the things that stand out and make you go hhrmmm… I was cruising the siring threads, albeit irregularly (and reluctantly) but in my esteemed position, it’s always important to have at least a half assed eye on who is swapping who for whom.

And our darling Sartori caught my eye. So recently returned from his six feet under foray he was always going to be one to watch to see what he’ll get up to and lets face it, he’s been a very busy boy hasn’t he?

Let us take a look at the siring frenzy that’s been going on shall we?

Well, we’ll mention the stayers first. The Mia’s and the Rena’s and the Lekky makes three. His little trio of confidants, lovers and avant garde. I’m ignoring the two little Sarty & Duckman for now, cause all bloodlines, like my Orphius are cannon fodder we care little for.

Scroll of Summoning

Being a Sire is a full time occupation. Not only is it for an eternity (well, unless you count the revolving Hall of Severance door), but you’re rather stuck with creatures who live forever. It’s a large decision to gather the dearies under your banner and it takes just as much work to nurture them, protect them, induce them to give you things, as it does to make the decision to kill them, or maim them.

Lets be honest, there are more reasons than love or adoration to Sire a vampire. More often these days it is a purely tactical decision and the weight of respect is balanced by the fact you can use the Scroll of Succour in battle to minimise resources, pare back the need for Teleportation Scroll use and all round good sense.

There are vampires in this city you want to hug, because they're huggable sorts. Those who impress you with their honour and their integrity. There are vampires who you don't know but observe from afar and envy in your ignorance and flagrant hero worship.

I think this is one of those moments.

I've already gone on about Awards ceremonies, that's not what this is about. But I was rather amused that I managed to win yet another award for being nothing more than who I am. You can call my opinion inflated, egocentric self flagellating bids for attention but it hasn't done me a damned bit of harm.

It is hard to imagine how sentient trees with little to no self motivation can cause such a furor. I remember clearly a couple years ago when I took a long hard yank on Lord Galamushi’s intention and aired his tired undies out for the city to see. Holding up his duplicity for everyone with half a brain to add one and one and conclude that the vampire was the epitome of dodgy. I stood my ground then and even now, as look at what the present holds, I stand it once again.

That was nearly two years ago. Since then Lord Galamushi and his wonderfully soft spoken bride have both taken to Neutral pink and eschewed a life of warring and mayhem. Or have they?

It is interesting I think to see the different newspapers that have popped up in the last few years. They’re pale creatures with gaudy trappings, that flap around touting a desire to be bastions of free flowing ideas. When in reality there is very little ideal logy in evidence.

It’s also interesting to note that very little investigative articles are written.

They don’t express opinion or give view point. They’re more like, social rags where the masses go to see and be seen, but in a newspaper with words and quips rather than physical presence.

It seems to me that the city has changed. We are challenged not by physical intimidation but by a more visceral form of emotional warfare. Where we used to banter and parry in antiquated meetings houses they are now run in anonymous fashion on forums where you’ve erased any requirement to meet toe to toe with those you oppose.

Lets face it, there are vampires in this city you’d rather not talk to. Hell, if I were to list the little bastards I'd rather not converse with I'd be a lonely little wippet writing alone in her own newspaper with no one reading. Ohh hold on ...

Anyway, we don’t live in a utopian society (and lets face it, if we did I probably wouldn’t exist) and that means we aren’t sitting around loving one another singing Kumbaya and you expect that because we live our unlives with an eternal time clock. But there are the few, those little few that want to make living nightmares of themselves. They telepath you, they stalk you, they sit on the corner outside your cafe with a banjo playing horrendous renditions of Dueling Banjos.

Bite Awards

Reminiscent of the Nitty Gritty Awards I admit having another awards show bandied about initially brought a sharp distaste to my mouth, like sneaky morning bile you wake up to, spit out and gag on.

That said, I have to admit. This one, for all my protestations, is not so bad. I like Coquette. Unlike the choccyy cocks who coward behind confectionary coated cowardice, Coqqy (as I like to call her – and apropos to my current alliteration) plays a pretty even game. High praise from me indeed.

I won’t go to the event by any means and the idea of it still gags like swallowed vomit when I think about it. But it’s not so bad. You have the same cliques with different faces doing the same voting pad bullshit but what came out in this wash was an interesting eclectic mix of new and old.

Dead and Buried is the new black. Or the old black or like the sad ass grey black everyone wears because some sick rick told them it was the new black. The sheep.

It’s not the new black at all. It’s just sad and yet another sad ass has raised his head up from the depths of buried-dom to announce his burgeoning presence to the city. Again. Again.

But lets face it. We’ve all missed this particular brand of sad ass. The city was a depressing, more common place place without the pert gentlemen we all fondly remember with his wise cracks, his duelling supremacy and grandiose plans that never came to anything.

It’s no mean feat to piss off a vampire so badly that they’re willing to come off some serious amounts of dosh to see you dead. These ones, apparently did.

What is wrong with the city anyway. Why can’t you just kill your own freaking vampires. Weak ass, that’s what I say.

Yes, there is a birth, deaths, marriages section to this rag. But I’m not interested enough to try and post them all. HOWEVER, if you want to post one you feel requires honourable mention, then by all means feel free.

I’m only going to post the ones I feel are interesting enough to comment on. The rest are just filler fodder for other rags bored bastards to stare at while drool dribbles out of their mouths.

So Ravenblack has been introduced of a penal system. Funny the word itself should evoke such phallic imagery and it is little wonder God Raven in his infinite (if odd times quirky) wisdom thought it appropriate to introduce this form of incarceration.

Being that God Raven gets to arbitrarily decide who does and does not get themselves thrown into the locker it is hardly likely that a burgeoning system of formal government, a policing of laws hereto unknown is suddenly going to sprout out of this new repercussion.

But it does pose a rather pointed question to our city. What happens when he throws you in the locker? What is the penalty involved? How the hell do you avoid the embarrassment of, god forbid, the black and white striped PJ's you're forced to wear?

I was reminded I used to own this rag. And then I was similarly reminded that hell I still held the keys to the printing press, the building, the editing software and being the opportunistic bitch that I am I’ve decided to take it back over.

Yes, take it back over. I’m bored.

I’m bored of nothing happening and I’m bored of no one reporting what is going on in the city that can write worth a shit. I can write. I have an opinion and I realise that I have the keys to a newspaper I can use to spam the city with my errant opinion.

Well, and hopefully convince some people to write as well. But that isn’t really high on my ‘to do’.

What’s ‘news’ and what isn’t? Do the vampires of this fair city only consider items newsworthy if Holy Waters are involved? We’ve had a small rash of ‘news’ items come around lately, yet none really went reported in detail, if at all.

Sartori. Smited by Lord Ravenblack himself. I’ve seen the obituaries. ~yawns~ How does his wife feel? How do his childer and close friends feel? Will he be back? Is he in contact from the other realm with those who might channel his voice to us? Is he too embarrassed to come back?

Damari creates a faux Shadow Court. This didn’t seem to go over well with ex-SCers, but she also brought to light that Amaranthe is keyholder to the Church of Blood. Why hasn’t she rebuilt? Does she plan on trying to resurrect the old Church? Will Moirai ever learn to shut his mouth and quit being a poser? One publication took a stab at an ‘interview’, but well, it falls short when its only one figurehead speaking and no bru ha ha from the ‘other side’.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) Sag
I wrote yer forecast last this moon, usually I write Cancer or Capricorn last. But Aquarius has an interestin' chart (say that like ye mean 't an' ye, too, can be a prognosticator) fer Octobree an' Novembree. Maybe 'tis on accoun' o' me own family be comin' t' visit (I’m still clistin' th' coffins an' th' pokers an' ordered in a feather collector fer me lassie how scary be 't t' be havin' yer sire visit fer hork sake), but ya`ll will be havin' family either in yer hair, on yer mind, or in yer house fer some or part o' this time an' they will teeter between drivin' ye insane an' makin' ye insanely happy (let me be seein' happy be bilge water lily livered shitless) t' be havin' them. A turnin' point will happen on (go one guess th' date bet its easier than ye think ) 31 Octobree(hope th' family be nay still here then damn) after this turnin' point, an' ye be off an' set fer a REALLY REALLY good rest o' th' voyage (snickers apart from Novembree 'ere let’s face 't nay one’s goin' t' be happy). 't be in so many ways what ye`ve been lookin' toward fer all these long moons, th' slow poisonin' o' an enemy perhaps or th' sudden sunlight Davy Jones' locker o' yer old girl/ boyfriend dirty cheatin' Hoes). I feel really excited about Aquarius in `09. Davy Jones' locker mayhem an' blood cant beat itl.

I started with a joke more below really there is

An elderly couple, who were both widowed, had been going out with each other for a long time. Urged on by their friends, they decided it was finally time to get married. Before the wedding, they went out to
dinner and had a long conversation regarding how their marriage might work. They discussed finances, living arrangements, and so on. Finally, the old gentleman decided it was time to broach the subject of their physical relationship. 'How do you feel about sex?' he asked, rather tentatively.
'I would like it infrequently' she replied. The old gentleman sat quietly for a moment, adjusted his glasses, then leaned over towards her and whispered:

Many congratulations to this wonderful couple! Here's to an eternity!

August 2008
Is it really August already?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
For those Dark dwellers of the night who just cant seem to get a bite i guess you need to hear “Never say never”? Your performance anxiety will vanish in August, and you’ll be sucking the life of party goers the city wide. It wont take much just a visit to a beauty therapy boutique yes the mono tone hair and black lip gloss is so passé and last year you will have to put yourself on display instead of sinking into the globby little pit of your inner life.. So -- in August, risk failure. Risk rejection. Just get out there shake your bootie and be the life (or un-life of the party). Even if you find it uncomfortable out in the open with others, the stars say you’ll look good doing it.

Latest Update - July 26 2008 - Safety Deposit Boxes

You can now purchase a safety deposit box key for 11000 coins, from the Cloister of Secrets at Gloom and 1st. If you possess a key, you can put your other objects in a magical safety deposit box in any bank, and withdraw the objects from any other bank. There are few advantages to this; flowers will not decay while in storage, and you're safe from accidentally giving items away or using them if they're in storage.

Well, it looks like God Ravenblack has finally got off his large duff and given the city something new to play with. Not that he hasn’t from time to time thrown us a bone but those moments have been rare and far between.

NEW SEVERANCES
CG Dragonfly severs Goliath
Count Tuna severs his partner
Lady B severs long time childer Michiru

SIRINGS
ladypeacek sires Lord Azrael
Horrer sires Aubrey Beth
Scythian sires TheVoness
Asmia sires Phrixus
Katastrophe sires Mordia
Seyda sires Lass

BINDINGS
BlackBlank weds Draughlin

Greetings!

We here at the Grimoire are looking for a few no-nonsense reporter types to join our staff. As many of you know, this paper is not run as most papers in our fair City. Instead of the run of the mill gossip and bickering we strive for excellence through solid reporting. Currently we are seeking news hounds to do bindings, severances, obits and the occasional Editorial.

Those interested in a job are encouraged to inquire at the Grimoire Staff contact page located at:

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/2L53FYKMQPT2C2X7AOKFK3KFYM

Only serious applicants need leave a note. Thank

And you probably thought I'd forgotten about my interview series didn't you? No, I hadn't and I've had this one up my sleeve for a while. That's what happens when you plan ahead. I'd like to welcome Andre D'dary to the ranks of those who have honoured us with an insight into their minds for this Introspective Perspective series. He's well known for his biting wit and in a city where wit and biting are not always mutually inclusive it is hardly a small thing that he's known for both.

Like him or not, and many have held the 'or not' belief, you can't help but wonder sometimes what makes him tick. We hope you enjoy reading this glimpse into the unlife of Andre D'dary the vampire I lost my only girl childe over and who also wears my T-Shirt to bed.

Reaver858
TangibleDeath
LadyGray
And again Lady Gray
Ace
Kali
Samantha Dawn
Lord Galamushi
Gakjah
Maelthras
Vharcan
Bloody Hell

VengefulReaper severs RinascitaFire
Doncey severs the Fronk
Miranda Dawn and Shaarinya part ways
Samantha Dawn severs the juggalofreak

Sapphira and Wolfsidhe Sever too
Doncey also severs Demetri
TangibleDeath severs Lord Galamushi – and who wouldn’t if you ask me.
King Lestat severs Katastrophe

Doncey then severs BlueVamp – dude, he’s weeding out the tree aint he?
Dark Mooncalf lets the Matriarch go and Senaiya leaves the Xeneri line

Ayla myst and Malacai sever
Dark Mooncalf also severs Hessian the sharp toothed one
Archontohs severs Daly – And at this point, who hasn’t?

I thought about writing an article about the Republic, Yggdrasil vs IDC, POE, ES, Dawn debacle and then I thought to myself. What better illustration of the whole action than to post the end result.

IDC, POE,ES, Dawn Lineage Fatalities

Malicous
Lady Gray x 2
Altania x 2
Kali
sorla
limelight x 2
Velvet Kiss
Samantha Dawn
Lass
IceAngel
Lathered_up
Matej – 2-3 times
Scarlet Dawn
Crisdawn
Lesion
Cwolffire
master219
deadpaparick
shyeyeloverkil
Miranda Dawn
doncey
shaarinya
Jycea
Sabrene
TygerNight
MidntTigr
Spellbyne
BlueVamp
LilRaver
BlackBlank

Thalialeu and nightrampage bind in unholy matrimony
Maddy DeCartha and slow death do the same
Femme fatale binds herself toe Brujah … again? Obviously they’re not firm believers in once bitten twice shy huh?

Lady Senaiya binds herself to kraven a match made in The Republic and beyond.
Emerald_Summer binds to Starscream
Vamp_Melissa binds to a Machine? Don’t ask me. I don’t know. I just report the news.
Lanfear and Thylantis bind again. I wonder if she’s aware of his nefarious nature and just doesn’t care? Who knows.
Saikeria ties the knot to JulianMoore
Whitefang bings to RICO – saaaaaaaaauve! Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

You always make me smile when we meet. If my heart would beat, it beat for you. I'd walk into the sun so many times just to be with you. You are my eternity and I can't wait to see you again. I love you my darling Trig.

Aveline.