Dresden Files Las Vegas- Devil On Your Back, I Can Never Die

It's been a week or so since I posted the hiatus/what happened in the meantime post and it's time to get onto the night's session. I am liking the longer breaks in the game  It gives me a chance to really think about what I post and to make sure I get everything written down.


The first session back in play went very, very well. The time seemed to fly by and we wasted no time getting back into the thick of Vegas problems. Of course if we didn't, it wouldn't be much fun. Some bad and nasty's have come to visit and we are once again in the wrong place at the right time!


It being a Wednesday, Shade got up and headed out to work. Her new tattoo artist, Lars, was already there and handed her the mail. It was the usual stuff until she got to a plain white envelope. Opening it, she pulled out an Ace of Spades. The only writing on it was an address.  Since the existence of the Spades is only rumor, Shade isn't really too concerned. After taking care of a few work details, Shade made her way to the address on the card. It was in a bad part of town and seemed to be nothing but an old, rundown house. She walked up to the front door and knocked. She thought she felt...something but, being a practical person and taking note of the thugs watching her from across the street, she decided not to investigate inside. She did write her own message (Next time don't be so cryptic. Thank you for the note) and slipped it under the door.


Brandon had been at work for awhile when he noticed that Skip was late. With the tension between them, it wasn't too surprising. Having had enough, Brandon called Skip. A very distraught Skip answered and replied to Brandon's questions with a "Fuck Off!" and slammed the phone down. That got Brandon's attention and he drove over to Skip's. There he was greeted by the sight of cop cars and flashing lights. Going up to the actual apartment, Brandon saw that the door was open and cops were milling about. Brandon asked one of the cops just what in the hell happened. The cop asked him about his relationship to Skip and if he knew an Elizabeth Dandridge. Just then a cop led Skip into the hallway. He had blood on his hands and looked in shock. Brandon asked if he needed anything and received a look of death as answer. Having much practice ignoring death glares, Brandon told Skip that he would find out what was going on and that, if needed, a lawyer would be provided. Not being able to get anything more from the police, Brandon went back to his store and called Neil. Before he left he was able to detect the ward Skip had set and tell that it was intact.


Neil, after doing his usual morning routine (running and the daily minion check), was having lunch when he received Brandon's call. Brandon explained the situation as well as he knew it and asked Neil if he would use his contacts to check things out. Neil agreed to do so and after eating started making calls. A well placed officer was able to tell Neil that Skip was a person of interest in a possible suicide/possible murder. Other then that, he was only able to learn that Skip would be released after his questioning. Neil called Brandon back and let him know what he had learned.


After being released, Skip made his way to the Sleight of Hand and Brandon. Brandon only asked one thing of Skip- to tell him that he had not killed her. That set Skip into hysterics as he denied having anything to do with her death. Taking Skip downstairs, Brandon poured a couple of drinks into him and got the whole story. Liz had been fine as far as Skip knew. A little down and sad but nothing that would explain what happened. Skip told Brandon how he had woken up that morning and found her in the bathtub with her wrists slit. As he talked, Brandon "checked" him out just be sure he was telling the truth. He was. Brandon then asked if Skip had accidentally summoned anything or pissed anybody off. Again, Skip answered in the negative. After getting what happened sorted out, Brandon offered his spare room to Skip, who accepted. They stopped off to grab some of Skip's personal items and while there Brandon saw the bathroom. The word bloodbath best described it.


Figuring that enough time had passed to make a call again, Neil phoned his police contact and was told that Skip had been released and that the case would be filed as a suicide. The only fingerprints on the weapon were hers and no other footprints had been found at the scene. Covering the bases, Neil called around to ask about any new White Court Vampires in town. He learned that there was more then a few new in town but none that seemed to be dangerous or loose cannons. Neil's last call was to inform Mason what had happened.


After dark, Neil was out and about when he felt a shadow appear behind him. It was Mason himself (with the coolest entrance routine ever). Mason first asked if Neil's friend Shade had received his message. Neil answered that he didn't. The talk then turned to Skip and that situation. Mason told Neil to keep his eye on things and to keep him informed.


After the card incident, Shade's day was uneventful. With the work day over, she headed to meet max for dinner. They talked about the day's events. Max asked her if she had heard about some sort of gruesome murder and if so, should he be concerned. Shade replied that she hadn't heard anything and that she would keep an ear out for anything going on. They had a nice dinner and a nice evening- even if Max did rather subtlety bring up children (Thank god Max is very, very rich and doesn't ask Shade to cook. The child issue is going to have to be dealt with Shade explaining to him about why she doesn't want them right now, if ever. That conversation is going to be interesting!).


Brandon spent his night babysitting a grieving Skip.


The next morning the death of Elizabeth was on the news. Shade, after watching it, called Brandon and asked if it was okay if she came over. Arriving there with coffee and breakfast, Shade went right over to Skip with an "Oh sweetie" and lots of hugs. It took some doing but she managed to convince Skip that he needed to eat and get cleaned up. While he was doing so, Brandon and Shade talked the situation over. Realizing that something magical could be the problem and needing to get at the apartment or body, they called Neil. If anyone had the contacts to get them access to either, it would be him. There was some talking back and forth about the best way to go about things and they eventually agreed to meet at the city morgue later that night.

In preparation for that night, Neil got together a semi-realistic badge and some made up files of currently open investigations to which he had made a few minor but critical changes. Brandon called around to the newspapers asking if they had any knowledge of upswings in the number of suicides for the city. It took a bit of work but he did find out that there had been four or five just in the past couple of weeks. Shade spent her day preparing for the Divination ritual she would be using on the body.


Not wanting to deal with a great number of people, Brandon, Shade, and Neil met up later that night and went to the morgue. Knowing that looking like you belong is half the battle, they all walked in with confidence. They were able to get to the autopsy room without incident and then it was time for Neil to take over. Walking directly to the medical examiner, Neil pulled out his files and started interrogating him about the "discrepancies" in his examination notes. At the words internal investigation, Fred turned pale and caved into Neil's request that he step out of the room to answer questions.


With those two out of the room and Brandon acting as a shield, Shade walked over to the drawers, pulled open the one containing Elizabeth's body, and activated the spell. Right away she could tell that the wounds were self inflicted. She saw what looked like a magical sooty hand print on the girl's arm. Her emotional state at the time of her death was pure pain and anguish. She also saw a dark looking ghost that was feeding on the corpse. It only took a second for Shade to see the specter... and for the specter to see her. It let out a horrible scream and reached for her. The shock of what she saw caused Shade to lose control of her magic and lights, computers, and outlets all started sparking and going out. In the chaos the ghost managed to attack Shade and it seemed to pull energy out of her, leaving her feeling a bit sad (Listening to the Cure bummed, not listening to Morrissey angst. Had to get that clarified). While Neil was sending Fred away (at a run!), Brandon turned and attacked the ghost with a spell, pushing it out of the room. Shade moved back to where Brandon was and the two of them managed to combine their wills to destroy the ghost. It shrieked and crumbled into dust when the spell hit it. Deciding that there was nothing else to do there and not wanting to answer any inconvenient questions, the three left. In a very controlled hurry.


Still feeling the effects of the ghost touch, Shade told the two men what she had seen and then told them she was going to her shop to be alone. That wasn't any good, so she called Max and asked him to meet her there. He did and she told him all that had happened- Skip, the body, the ghost, everything. Afterwards, she felt a bit better and they spent the night upstairs.


Brandon and Neil left the morgue for Brandon's house. To their not so happy surprise, they found that Skip was not there and they left to go looking for him. Once again, with his excellent contacts, Neil put out the word for everyone to be on the lookout for Skip. They stopped first at Skip's apartment and talked to the cop guarding the door. The cop told Neil and Brandon that Skip had been there but had left when he couldn't get inside. Brandon asked if he could leave a note, just in case Skip came back. The cop agreed. Their second stop was to the Sleight of Hand where they found the shop lit up and the door unlocked. They found Skip downstairs frantically looking through the books, hoping to get some sort of answer to what happened. It took a bit of social combat but Brandon was able to get Skip calmed down enough to tell him of the night's events. With a starting point, Skip spent the rest of the night looking for information on the feeding ghosts.


The next morning Shade woke up and went downstairs to her tattoo parlor. She noticed the message light on her machine was blinking and hit play. It was a call from Tess, sounding sad and lonely, asking if Shade wanted to get together because she was feeling a bit down. Shade called her back immediately. Tess seemed even more sad and upset then in call from the night before but told Shade not to bother with coming over since she was so busy with work, her husband, and stuff. Shade hung up and raced over to Tess's apartment. Shade let herself in and, using the Sight, saw the same type of ghost feeding from her best friend. Knowing she couldn't handle it there and by herself, Shade called Max and asked him to come over to help her get Tess to Brandon's. Shade then called Brandon and let him know what was going on. She also asked him to call Neil and have him there. It took a bit of manhandling but they managed to get Tess to Brandon's shop, where they were able to dispel the ghost.


Thus ended the game for the night and what a night it was! It looks like we have a new bad thing in Vegas. Now we just have to figure out if they are being sent by a person or group or if they are a side effect from the generally darker Vegas. The next gaming night is set for the 23rd, so I will be updating after that exciting session. I cannot wait!

Dresden Files Las Vegas- Be My Mirror, My Sword, My Shield, My Missionaries In A Foreign Field

I have always found that a sign of a great gaming session is how quickly time passes and this last Sunday, the time just flew! After a break we once again stepped into Vegas and it's cast of characters.




Due to the break, the game picked up a year from the last session. To get back into character, Lana sent out emails asking what our characters would have done in that time, what aspects we would want to change, and what skills and stunts we would like. She also sent out a general "state of the city' email. So, that is where I will begin.

In the last year, the political climate and situations in Vegas changed dramatically. Uriel has held onto his position as Chairman of the Board by his teeth, through some protests of the different factions from time to time. It sometimes seems like he doesn't want the position, but Locke has declined to retake the position and no one else seems to want it. He more or less has been able to negotiate truces/peace treaties with different factions of the supernatural world, cementing Vegas' "neutral spot" reputation and enforced by written treaties. However, infighting within Vegas has reached an all new high, especially between Skavis and the faerie courts.

Instead of being satisfied with the point system (though that is still in place and used), occasionally "accidents" will happen to a few people. The faerie courts have not been quiet, especially as their population has expanded almost exponentially as changelings have either flocked to the city or been discovered to have been in the city. Literally overnight both faerie courts have become major powers, and seem reinvigorated. As mentioned above, they are locked in conflict with the Skavis branch of the White Court vampires, as they are expanding into Skavis' territory to the north... again, almost at an exponential rate. Over the summer, Skavis seemed to be holding his own, but when Halloween hit, there was a massive influx of faeries as many, if not all, of the changelings in the city made their Choice and became fae.

The pixies formed their own kingdom, more or less, with King Jenks calling it the "Court of All Seasons". They do tasks for people for a price, and the King seems pretty canny on what jobs to take, and what ones not to take. They've kept a low profile, but it's not uncommon to see them flitting back and forth.

During the summer, The Call of the Wild hotel & casino finished construction, which is a jungle/wilds theme adult amusement park. For those in the know, it's owned by the shifters in general and has an additional add-on underneath, which is rumored to be a gladiatorial arena where people fight to the death.

With Max and Shade marrying, Max seemed to calm down quite a bit and grow into his role as a liaison between Marcone's freehold in Chicago and the freehold of Vegas. He and Uriel hate each other, but put aside their differences to work on business first. The drug trade has also increased in Vegas, mostly likely due to the Red Court's absence. However, there are still rumors of a 'red club' or 'red chess court' and sometimes even 'red court' going on, and investigative reporter Mitch Mitchell has been to Vegas many times, reporting on the mysterious organization, which he believes is responsible for underground slave trading.

That's rather unusual as there has been a massive influx of supernaturals into town, of all types, most of which feed on humans (of course). While they have been informed of the rules, the strong arm of the Board has been busy keeping order. Missing persons cases have been being closed at a record rate, with many children and young adults being found safe and returned to their parents.

Two factions have kept their own in relative order, though, those being Skavis and Malvora. All new Malvora vampires simply go to the Academy and stay, or don't find the lifestyle to their choosing and leave. All new Skavis family members--not that many of them migrate to Vegas being busy elsewhere--end up staying, quite contentedly. There were rumors that Frederick was going to marry Melinda Raith, but in late September, it was announced that Frederick Skavis and Penelope Malvora were engaged (and threw an immensely huge and more than a bit gothic engagement party). More rumors say that Drusilla is ready to step down as the head of the Malvora clan and Penny is due to take her place, but those are unsubstantiated. The Malvoras have been trying to treat with the fae courts to back off of Skavis, but so far little headway has been made. The Raiths seem to be staying out of any conflicts, and the head of the House Melinda simply watches.

With alliances between factions, the board members have been arguing both for and against melding different factions and shrinking the governing body of Vegas. Nothing has been done about that yet though. They seem to be busy trying to keep the White Council out of Vegas, though it's impossible. A few White Council wizards have been spotted here and there throughout, but they mind their manners and don't go out of their way to cause trouble. Trouble finds them though, as many of the sorcerers resent their presence and go out of their way to make any stay uncomfortable for the wizards. Most of the sorcerers, no matter what cabal they belong to, are downright hostile to the wizards, and they've been refused service in many places, some wizards being banned from the strip entirely.

The Spades have been kept busy putting Vegas' collective foot down for troublemakers. Generally, Robert only asks the Spades keep order subtly, at their own discretion. Only when a bigger problem arrives does he ask them directly to do something. Although nothing "big" has happened, there are plenty of smaller disputes and problems to keep their hands full simply diffusing situations.

With all those new arrivals, the Nevernever has taken on some flavors which were not there before, seeming to take a darker turn. The faerie courts are brighter than ever though, but inbetween them in the Vegas Nevernever lays a dark mist. The massive ley line along the strip is, of course, noticeable and used for navigation, but if one steps off the path, they have only their own luck and skill to get them through to get out alive and unscathed. The corollary here is that Vegas is slightly darker as well, as one side of the veil reflects the other, and vice versa. A cloud of tension hangs over the city.

Wyatt has kept a low profile, and somehow manages to continue to be undetected. He's adopted a dog, a mutt, and just works, when he's not out in the desert tracing exactly where his boundaries are, physically. He's easy to get ahold of, and is generally more than willing to help out in what ways he can. Every once in a while, he says he sees or feels something watching him, but he can never pinpoint where or who.

The city is not the only thing in a state of flux. Each of our cabal has also been busy, in one way or another.


Brandon spent most of his year pissing people off, which wasn't too surprising. His apprentice Skip found a girlfriend and found out what happens when your girlfriend and your mentor dislike each other. Things became even more tense when Skip decided to tell Elizabeth about his being a wizard. Brandon objected strenuously and physically. Things are still very unsettled between the two men.


Brandon had even less luck with women. After a successful insemination (at least as far as she was concerned), Helena proposed to Brandon that he continue his stud duties. Brandon found that idea not to his liking. When telling her so in true Brandon fashion, he was less then diplomatic. In fact, he was rather insulting. Whatever Autumn favor he had rapidly declined at that point.


Apprentices and female Fey were not the only people Brandon had to contend with during the year. He received offers of affiliation from both the Vegas sorcerer factions and the White Council. Already being a Spade he declined both, the White Council a bit more forcefully then the city magic users.


Neil (Jay didn't give out much information about how Neil spent his year, so most of what I am putting here is a bit speculative. I have a vague idea of what he did but nothing too concrete. If I am way off base and either Jay or Lana reads this, please let me know!) spent a good part of the year traveling about playing poker. When in Vegas, he spent much of his time setting up his new office and making his rounds. He seemed to make some sort of deal involving the Pixies and the sewers. He also set up a new version of the "Red Court" (this is blatant OC knowledge but I am putting it in because I am sure it will be big in game). Right now, the existence of the group is only rumor.


Shade's year was very busy. She shocked more then a few people when she stepped down as Phillip's Autumn Lady. Phillip was NOT happy about it but with some fast talking, Shade managed to keep any bad feelings at bay. She maintained contact with the Freemont Experience liaison Marissa. With Freemont rapidly expanding, she also brought in another tattoo artist/piercer for her shop.


Shade kept in touch with Neil, Brandon, Skip, and Wyatt. She also started to spend more time at the Historical Society talking with Patience. King Jenks of the Pixies tried to extort more money and goods from Shade but she managed to keep the deal between them as first started.


On a more personal note, Shade and Max did get married. For awhile it seemed like Shade would be a runaway bride due to a few issues. Max being a mortal would have a normal lifespan. Shade being a wizard would live for hundreds of years. She wasn't sure if she could stand the pain of watching him grow old, die, and then spend the rest of her years missing him. However, true love trumped whatever fears she had about a mortal and a wizard being together. The wedding was perfect. The bride was beautiful. The groom was nervous and handsome. The reception was classy, elegant, unique and fun was had by all who attended. They have been married for about six months and are very happy.


That pretty much brings everything up to date and the second part of this post will deal with game session proper.