VEKN Prince of Minsk
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Infernal Plague: The Return of Nergal
Prologue
Alan Sovereign could follow a paper trail like no other. Of course, his ability to obscure financial transactions was also
unparalleled. However, Alan's new responsibilities in Rome pushed even his limits and he struggled to secure the Camarilla's
remaining financial resources and to fund the coming war.
As he reviewed the wire transfers that had wiped out Camarilla investment accounts around the world, Alan could trace most
of the transactions back to specific turncoats—identifying by name each traitor and recording their transgressions on a
legal pad. All of the names were at least familiar to him but he was genuinely shocked by a few that made his list. Alan
figured that at least a couple were not willful in their treachery, either brainwashed Manchurians carefully placed within
the Camarilla's ranks or possibly even unwitting accomplices. In addition, Alan reasoned that at least a few others were
probably not turncoats at all. Up until this point, everyone had assumed that anyone who went missing that night had
defected. He realized that some could have been tortured for their information and killed afterward. At least he hoped this
was true since it would mean that the infernal infiltration was not as pervasive as they had initially feared.
Alan also suspected that a handful of traitors probably remained within their ranks. Whether or not this was actually the
case, there was now so much latent suspicion and fear that few princes were cooperating outside of their own ranks of
trusted advisors. The infernalist threat would require a unified response from the Camarilla—a prospect that was becoming
increasingly unlikely.
Alan rose from his high-backed leather chair and turned to face an ill-fitting area of brick that had once been a window
when the building was first constructed.
A knock on the office door went unacknowledged, as one of Alan's new associates entered.
"Mister Sovereign?" said Stephen. "Sir?"
"Yes," responded Alan paying only partial attention.
Stephen moved forward cautiously. The gravity of Alan's new responsibilities created a remarkable transformation in his
demeanor and in the way others related to him. Nothing remained of the bookish accountant and now even his former peers were
reluctant to meet his gaze.
"Sir, we have a report that Barbaro has left Rome and has traveled to Amman. It would seem more than a coincidence
considering the Vatican's reports of a break-in and theft of what they are calling 'documents of historical significance'."
"Leave me," said Alan quietly and without turning around. Alan still didn't completely trust his new staff and even
though Hardestadt had hand-picked them all, one just couldn't be careful enough these nights.
Once the office door closed, Alan moved back to his desk and retrieved a report that had once seemed unimportant yet now
took on new meaning. The report described minor raids by infernalists in Damascus and Chorazin but it concluded that the
targeted locations were merely symbolic and wouldn't provide any strategic advantages.
Alan quickly modified an order for 500 Austrian Steyrs, and redirected the weapons shipment to the port of Aqaba.
"I don't know what they're up to," Alan conceded, "but I'll be damned if we won't be there to meet them."
* * *
Beneath towering sheer cliffs Barbaro, Sela and Helena walked through the narrow and twisting path that would lead to
Petra. Working their way deeper into the heart of the mountain, they proceeded through the ravine and only occasionally
glimpsed moonlight as it entered from between the tall peaks. The seemingly endless trek eventually opened into a view of
magnificent buildings, carved directly into the red, pink, and orange cliffs. The ruins of Petra were still impressive and
retained architectural traces of their Roman heritage. As their elevation increased, the three passed countless tombs cut
directly into the mountain. While traversing a narrow path up the rocky face, Barbaro was awash in memories and reflected on
his role in the centuries of planning that were about to come to fruition.
Barbaro remembered with regret the exact moment the teachings of his mentor and fellow priest had taken an odd turn, and
how his split-second decision to not end the lesson had paved the way into curiosity and eventually, interest in occult
rituals. He recalled his own Embrace and rebirth within the walls of the Vatican and his struggle to reconcile his new
nature with his old God. He would also never forget the night he realized that he too was just a tool—nothing more than a
minor player on a grand stage. In a larger sense, he recognized that his story was not much different than that of Helena or
Sela—all three had been sought out specifically for the task at-hand. Helena's hatred of Menele and her willingness to pay
any cost for even a weak and convoluted form of revenge made her an easy mark for Barbaro's manipulations, while Sela's
naked ambition was even easier to mold. Barbaro wondered what his own flaw was that allowed him to be so easily manipulated
those centuries ago—though that mattered little to him anymore. Warmed by the knowledge that he was about to earn his
damnation rather than having it thrust upon him, Barbaro clutched the ancient text describing the Lasombra's ritual.
The flattened top of the peak revealed an ancient holy place. Centuries of wind and rain had served to smooth every sharp
stone surface while deepening and refining every crevice. Barbaro was pleased to find the altar basically intact. In times
passed death cultists, and the Nabateans before them, would slaughter their sacrifices
upon the altar while the blood flowed through carved channels into smaller reservoirs. Additional canals would handle
heavier run-off and distribute the blood to the furthest reaches of the plateau.
As the three stood near the altar, Barbaro produced the ancient text. He had rehearsed with Helena many times and was
confident that she'd perform perfectly. Sela, however, would be able to play her part without rehearsal.
Helena stood silent and motionless for a moment and soon after, a single black tentacle reached out from her hands and
danced before them. While Barbaro's outstretched arms held the ancient text for Helena to read from, the moon's light
transformed the scene around them—covering everything in an ever-deepening shade of purple.
As Helena began to read aloud from the text, the tentacle leapt into her mouth and acted as a tongue while she mouthed the
powerful words. Barbaro displayed an almost fatherly smile as he witnessed the power of Helena's potent blood.
Helena ceased speaking and she and Barbaro turned toward Sela. As Sela began to speak, the tentacle retreated from Helena
and jumped into Sela's mouth. However, the words she spoke were unintelligible and seemed to be directed by the black tongue
itself. Though her ears couldn't understand the words she spoke, Sela knew that she spoke of an Abyssal prison, and of
doors...and keys...and sacrifice. Sela's eyes widened with understanding. Fear enveloped her as the ebony tongue rapidly
sprouted offshoots that sprung forward and wrapped themselves completely around her. Sela let loose a garbled scream before
her pitch-black body burst into a lightless flame which whirled around and displaced the moon's remaining light. Barbaro and
Helena observed their sacrifice as the remnants of Sela formed a black pool upon the altar. The black sludge quickly filled
the shallow reservoirs to capacity and the excess moved throughout the canals across the entire plateau.
The earth trembled as a sea of grey rats poured from an expanding pit in the center of the plateau. Helena advanced toward
the opening and the fleeing rats parted for her. With each step Helena's confidence grew and she descended the chasm without
fear. In a flash of darkness she stepped into the void.
Barbaro's warnings had been accurate, for the attacks came almost immediately. Helena steadied herself as she sensed the
Abyssal creatures' attempts to possess her. She could feel their desire for such a powerful host and she steeled her will
against them. The gift of Lasombra flowed from her and Helena repelled each attack with ease.
Helena moved with blinding speed within the Abyss and searched out the darkest places in creation. She peered into the
physical world and witnessed a murder in a darkened alley and a secret conceived in a motel room. She sped past earthly
prison cells, lightless caves and inner chambers, until she came to a place as dark as the sun is light—the blackness of an
impossible midnight. From this place Helena called out, "Come forth Nergal, Prince of Hell. You have been freed from your
shadow prison so that you may sate your thirst on the blood of Menele."
*********************************
Between October 1st and December 18th, 2005 results of special Vampire: The Eternal Struggle tournaments from around the
world will create the final chapter of this story.
Each player attending a designated storyline tournament will receive a special promo-only card of Nergal, Alan Sovereign
(Advanced) and Helena (Advanced). These promo-only cards will remain in limited circulation for at least one year before
being released into general support packages.
THE RULES
=========
Except as noted in these instructions, the tournament will follow the Standard Constructed Tournament format and current
V:EKN rules.
* At least 75% (e.g., 9 out of 12) of the vampires in a player's crypt must be the same clan.
* Each player will receive one Nergal, Alan Sovereign (Advanced) and Helena (Advanced) promo-only card. Players may add one
Alan Sovereign (Advanced) and one Helena (Advanced) promo-only card to his or her crypt before play begins. Only one Alan
Sovereign (Advanced) and one Helena (Advanced) may be used in each crypt. For purposes of this event only, the group number
of these two promo-only cards is ignored, and may be mixed with any otherwise legal crypt. The resulting crypt must still
meet the 75% rule above.
* Recalled to the Founder and True Faith are banned.
* The final round will be played using a specially designed Nergal, Prince of Hell deck. All cards in this deck are illegal
for play outside of this event and are clearly identified as such. The operation of this deck and rules for the final round
are presented in detail below.
FINAL ROUND SETUP
==============
Before seating and order of play is determined for the Final Round, one finalist will be selected to play a specially
designed Nergal, Prince of Hell deck. The option to play the Nergal deck will be offered first to the top seeded player. If
the top seeded player refuses the opportunity to play the Nergal deck, the option passes to the second seeded player and so
on through the fourth seeded finalist. If none of the first four seeded finalists choose to play the Nergal deck, the fifth
seeded player must play the deck instead of the deck they began the event with.
Only the players NOT playing the Nergal deck will choose their seats and determine the order of play in the normal fashion.
The Nergal deck player will play last in the turn order.
PREDATOR AND PREY
===============
The Nergal deck is the predator and prey of every other player. To make this easier to visualize, the Nergal deck can place
its controlled cards in the center of the table. We'll refer to the Nergal deck as the virtual prey and virtual predator
while we'll refer to the prey and predator who sit to the left and right of each player as each player's natural prey and
natural predator.
Seating Example:
Aaron, Brian, Chad, Darby and Eric are our five finalists. Eric, the top seed has accepted the Nergal deck and will play
fifth in the turn order. The remaining four players choose seating as normal. Darby ends up preying on Aaron who preys on
Brian who preys on Chad who preys on Darby. Darby is randomly selected to go first in the turn order. Eric, the Nergal deck
player, sits between Chad and Darby and takes his turn fifth in the turn order (after Chad and before Darby).
Darby Aaron
Eric
Chad Brian
Each player has two prey and two predators (save for Eric who has four prey and predators). Brian preys on Chad and on
Eric. Darby preys on Aaron and on Eric. Chad's predators are Brian and also Eric.
TARGETS
=======
Since all players now have multiple predators and prey, the Methuselah **playing a card** or **taking an action** may need
to clarify which prey or predator their action or effect is targetting. Other effects are resolved using turn order to
temporarily determine prey and predator.
Examples:
Aaron wishes to bleed with one of his vampires. The default bleeds action is directed at Aaron's prey. Since Aaron has two
prey, a natural prey (Brian) and a virtual prey (Eric), he may choose to bleed either Brian or Eric with his bleed.
Chad plays a Night Moves action card and one of his vampires may now bleed his predator or prey. Chad may choose to target
his prey Darby, his predator Brian, or his virtual predator and prey, Eric.
Brian controls Afifa, The Herald and puts a Gehenna card in play. His prey burns 1 pool. Since Afifa's effect is not a
card play or cardless action, her controller cannot choose who to target with the damage. Brian's natural prey, Chad, burns
the 1 pool.
Darby is being bled by one of Chad's minions. Darby plays My Enemy's Enemy and may choose to send the bleed to Brian or
Eric.
Darby is bled by Eric. Darby plays My Enemy's Enemy, and may choose to send the bleed to Aaron, Eric, Chad, or himself
(since all are Eric's predators).
Reins of Power - The player who plays before the Nergal deck in the turn order is considered the Nergal deck's predator.
The player following the Nergal deck in the turn order is considered its prey.
Millicent Smith, Puritan Vampire Hunter - Millicent moves to the natural predator.
WHO MAY BLOCK
==============
When any non-Nergal deck player takes an undirected action, the option to attempt to block is first given to their natural
prey and then their natural predator. The acting player's virtual prey and predator—the Nergal deck player—has the next
option to block.
When the Nergal deck player takes an undirected action, any player may block the action. The first opportunity is given to
the player following the Nergal deck in the turn order and then the next player in the turn order and so on.
Who may normally block a directed action is not changed—the player being targetted by the directed action may attempt to
block. Other players using cards such as Eagle's Sight may make block attempts beginning with the player following the
acting player in the turn order.
NERGAL VICTORY CONDITIONS
========================
The Nergal deck wins if it is the last player standing. If the Nergal deck wins, its player may keep the Nergal deck. If
the Nergal deck loses, the event's winner keeps the deck.
THE NERGAL, PRINCE OF HELL DECK
=========================
All of the library cards in this deck are variations of existing library cards and have been modified in various ways to
represent Nergal's power. Read the card texts carefully and don't assume the cards work the same way as legal-for-play
version. The crypt consists of only one vampire which is also illegal outside of this event.
THE WINNING CLAN
==============
We will keep a tally of the winning clans from each event. The clan that obtains the most storyline victories will be
rewarded with a special reward card in the next available expansion. |
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Infernal Plague: The Return of Nergal, storyline
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Воскресенье, 4-oe Сентября 2005, 12:23
