The Ravenblack Grimoire

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.

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*

Loyalty. The undead of this city like to use this word a great deal. However, what do they mean by loyalty? Usually, loyalty means unwavering allegiance to a person, state, cause, or organization. Without it, some would argue leaders would not make history and would have never achieved greatness because they needed the loyalty of their soldiers. Therefore, many assume that the soldier is loyal to his leader. Throughout my lifetime, I have maintained a loyalty and faithfulness to two generals and a partner-bound, unquestioningly. I had been promised riches and power beyond my wildest dreams, especially from my partner-bound and former general. Is this a sufficient reason to remain loyal to them? Of course not; material wealth is meaningless unless you have the intellectual capability to achieve, strive, succeed… and kill, pillage, and destroy when necessary.

What keeps me loyal? Simple, their loyalty to me.

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.

Throughout history assassins have always existed. Let’s discount the fact that the word assassin derives from Hashshashin between the 8th and 14th centuries. People were assassinated long before then. The Caesars (Julius, Caligula, Tiberius, Domitian, etc.) were assassinated. Going back earlier, the attempted assassination of Qin Shi Huang might be the earliest recorded. Julius Caesar, of course, was infamously assassinated by a group of traitorous Senators in an adjoining hall next to the Theatre of Pompey. Later, the aforementioned Hashshashin formed and carried out various acts of political assassination, notably against the Caliphate. As long as there is killing and murder, there will always be assassination.

The ghettos have been flooded....with elders! That's right folks the elder's of the city have been slumming lately. Could it be that the ghettos have gotten a make over? Or has it finally sunk to the level of so many other fine establishments in this city.

Personally this author believes that the ghettos hold a new attraction to the aging creatures. What is that you might ask? Simple, a chance to relive their youth with the age of wisdom behind them. Or is it that they leave wisdom behind them and begin to take on characteristics of the younger generation in an attempt to better understand the fledglings of our fair city. Only time will tell.

Though we of the immortal kind have centuries to live, much like us,some habits just won't seem to die. One of them is the love for football. Yes, you heard me right, I said FOOTBALL.

From the freshly turned to the almost dust, there are scores of football fans residing right here in Ravenblack City. Though it is not an often discussed topic in public, during that special season, they find themselves sitting in shadowy pubs or hunkered down in front of their own television sets at home with a beer in one hand a blood-lust in their eye and hopes of their team winning all the way through.

Well, as the last conflict has wrapped itself up and all the vamps and vampiresses in the city are relatively quiet handling their own business, I felt this would be the perfect time to run what I’ve been calling the Most Influential Campaign. Okay, don’t glaze over yet. Basically, what will happen is for the next two weeks, I will be accepting nominations from the city’s population on which vampires you think are the most influential in the city. There will be two categories for nominations to be made: vampires whom shaped the city back when it had no identity of its own, and vampires who are currently reshaping it today. For those of you who don’t understand…past peeps and present peeps.

Blood Sweat and Tears...
Spinning Wheel by David Clayton-Thomas

What goes up
Must come down
Spinning wheel
Got to go around
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
It's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the spinning wheel spin

You got no money
You got no home
Spinning wheel
All alone
Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you
You never learn
Ride a painted pony
Let the spinning wheel turn

Did you find
Your directing sign
On the straight and narrow highway

Would you mind a reflecting sign
Just let it shine
Within your mind
And show you, the colors
That are real

Ok so the verdict is in, the most annoying thing in the city is

*drum roll*

Cheaters with 34% of the vote with Drama Queens coming in at 21%... Liars came in at 11% and it gets fairly even from there.

Being that this is the general FEEL of the city, we have decided to run a contest. There will be three winners (as long as at least 10 vampires actually enter the contest)

The contest entails, picking one of the subjects Cheaters, Liars or Drama Queens and writing a true story about your experience with such. The story need only be 2-5 paragraphs, but it must contain real names and actual situations.

You are cordially invited to a Masquerade Ball starting on October 22nd in the Phoenix Haven.

Costumes are optional, masks are mandatory.

A coin prize will be awarded to the person wearing the best mask.

All are welcome regardless of clan or alignment.

So leave your weapons, vials, and grudges at home and come and dance and drink the night away.

Please see Dessiree (YIM: dhorner1948) or Sapphira (YIM: abber3218) if you have any questions.

Ravenblack’s City is known for many things. The streets are overflowing with decadence and sensuality, crime and debauchery. There are as many different reasons as to why we have chosen to call this place home as there are souls here. This city is a living, breathing thing. It holds us enraptured with its drama and emotion. We have found our own kind here, gathered in one place, living among and above humanity. The humanity is necessary, as it feeds our thirst and gives us camouflage.

But after the hunt, after the necessary things, we the Undead like our leisure time. This town is teeming with establishments to meet our entertainment needs. It has over 100 bars, taverns, and private social clubs. These range from dingy pubs in the low-rent neighborhoods to up-scale socialite establishments. We all have our favorite nightly stops, but there are times, perhaps, when we would like to try something new. This column is here to help with that.

The Demon: the squeal of tires, the curse words, Hesu in the passenger seat practicing bitch slapping bartenders for the next stop, the smell of perfume in the air and only two women in RBC that could wear conflicting perfumes in the same room and not fight -
yes, Demon and Deek were on full alert now, twylyte and Hesu were on the shop run, terrorizing the bars for information.

Deek:*reminds self to stay off the sidewalks*

Hesu: You drink the Vintage Wine.
The barman says "The closest shop to here is Ace Pawn, right by Walrus and 3rd. I do wish those damn magic shops would stay still

In keeping with twylyte's curiousity of city events that abound in our fair city, the illustrious, or is that infamous?, sangfroid has very graciously agreed to answer my questions from time to time. The following is a recording of our most recent conversation we felt would enlighten others who may have questions as well.
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twylyte: sangfroid,I'm a bit confused and obviously suffering from deja vu.

Why are the events occuring in Serpahim reminding me of old times in AA?

The fires, destruction of files, general chaos and mayhem. Where is yankees suck in all this? Is this a new arising of yankees suck or something simply mirrored?