The Ravenblack Grimoire

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.

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’.

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

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.

The Grimoire has just had a little clean up with its subscription issues. This is no big deal to those who have an up to date subscription but it is a big deal to those anonymous vampires who attempt to sneak in and leave dodgy pornography advertisements in our establishment in the hopes we’ll accidentally let one slip through our rigorous security.

I for one, am sick of wading through the nonsense so I’ve essentially shut out all Anonymous Vampires from viewing the paper. What does the Grimoire want with Anonymity anyway? Nothing is the answer to that one.

The Grimoire has always prided itself on being a newspaper than any vampire can read and partake of irrespective of whether it has a subscription or not. But as in all things, this has to change to meet managerial concerns and as such all will just need to flash their subscription before being able to read our superior, if sporadic news.

Congratulations, you two!

It seems I've had the dubious honour of being granted an interview with Maverickschild, infamous flighty af Gyllenstierna. Now, those who are cognizant of my city history will be pithy to the fact that this is by no means a small feat on my part or that of the female who granted the interview. Intervening years and many a harsh word later I say now that I still have no idea who Maverickschild is. And in the end, I think that's just fine.

Please join me in discovering, just a little insight into Maverickschild.

Who is MavericksChild?

Hmmm, that s a damn good question. I think my version of who I am, and everyone else s version is very different. Personally, I think I m an extremely fun loving, sweet kinda gal. I dunno, what do you think? *waggles her brows*

Upon the streets of Ravenblack bathed in flickering lamp light the discarded body of a lone vampire litters a gutter of this fair city.

No, I’m not talking about the D’dary and the Scions. I’m not talking about Heorot and Inner Circle. I’m not even talking about RoR and their Lord Mushi carcass.

It would seem in the deepest part of the night, in a hall where the first rule of fight club seems to be ‘Shut your Gob about what happens in fight club” Yggdrasil has crawled, run, leapt and bound from their secretively kept halls to wage their own personal war against a bloodline.

There are vampires that once upon a lifetime ago riddled this city with their wit and their dubious charm. To know them was to understand how sharp their insights, how searing their opinion. I've the honour of seeking and being granted an insightful interview with Pollux, one such described.

I hope you enjoy this interview with a vampire few can say they know well, and even less whom can truly call friend. I have the honour, of believing myself both. So I think it apropos that I kick off the Introspective Perspective with this interview with Pollux, son of Lucius. High Priest of the Temple of Lies.

23 May - 30 May 2008

And there were severances all OVER the place this week. Along with the various calls for war it seems vampires thought it was a good time to walk away, run away and cut off branches of their bloodlines.

Idony severs RemipunX

-Konamie- severs RemipunX – and so Remi loses two childer. Looks like there’s a mass exodus at play…

And then RemipunX severs with her husband Andre Louvrain

AND with her Sire Andre ‘the man’ D’dary. – Now THIS one has been busy

And then RemipunX and Byren sever and Sire/Childer respectively

Inu severs Annabelle the Lady in White, Dandelion Princess as Sire. So ends another long lived union of Sire & Childer.

23 May - 30 May 2008

And not to discount the love that floats in the air of our unlives.

RemipunX binds to BaShalor as partners. Ohh this is what I call doing the D’dary - ala Sire/Childer/Lover.

ladypeacek and Decivius bind. Whoever Decivius is.

Mavericks Child and Andre Louvain do the shotgun thing. As already published. Don’t ask me. I never understood why the first time this sort of Gyllie marriage happened, this second showing is just as perplexing.

scratch and Count Tuna bind ! Anyone else think Tuna should get a buy 10 get one free card?

Amdis Brone and msmith tied the knot.

16 May - 23 May 2008

Rile - Dead and Buried – What in the hell is with all the vampires going D&B. Is there no staying power in the city anymore?

Edward the Ghetto-pire is killed for being, an loud mouth unapologetic ass.

16 May - 23 May 2008

Fenrir_Lycan weds Brandi Stewart

shyeyeloverkil binds to VengefulReaper in Unholy Matrimony

16 May - 23 May 2008

Mina Severs Spensor by his request

And then –Spensor- severs his own childer Mute; busy boy this one

Samantha Dawn Severs Sixxdawg

Demetri severs Lass as childer at her request. So ends another familial bond.

And so the women are sold too, in much the same way:

Miranda Dawn sold to Lesion – 135,000
Nnamira D’dar sold to Sartori – 110,000
BladeofRayne sold to Rodargo – 90,000
Velvet Kiss sold to Lesion – 75,000
Labyrinth sold to TooL – 75,000
Anuksunamun sold to Zadow – 70,000
Icsis of Exuma sold to Phoenixxe – 66,000
Synangel sold to Goliath – 60,000
Josephine sold to Calisto – 56,000
Vampuro sold to Xandra – 53,000
Sweetblood17 sold to Mistress Ash – 50,000
Ellora sold to Mistress Ash – 50,000
Lady darkness sold to Seth Lomax – 50,000
CG Dragonfly sold Drusilla – 45,000

And the final results for the Drip Red silent auction are as follows:

Thylantis sold to Mina – 310,000
Count Tuna sold to Morgana18 – 150,000
Goliath was sold to Tatana – 120,500
Rykoth sold to Morgana18 – 100,000
TygerNight sold to Mystic Dreams – 100,000
Scratch sold to Gypsychilde – 95,000
AcerNeros sold to Xandra – 90,000
Daly was sold to Drusilla -86,000
Deylin sold to Velvet Kiss – 65,500
Spensor sold to Ebony Moon – 51,000
Angelo was sold to Miranda Dawn – 50,000
Nesmuth sold to Miranda Dawn – 50,000
Rico was sold to Goddessred – 45,500
Torlogh O’brien sold to Mistress Thorn – 45,000