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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, True Faith, and Seeds
of Corruption are banned.
* During his or her untap phase, Nergal's controller the player
playing the Nergal deck may burn a card
played by any other Methuselah on Nergal. * 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. Because
there are additional predator/prey relationships over and above those
found in a normal 5-player game, we'll call the extra
predator/prey relationships "virtual predators (or prey)" and the
original/normal predator/prey relationships "natural predators (or
prey)". 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).
Given this turn order, these are the normal
predator/prey relationships in a five-player game and hence will be
termed "natural predators (or prey)".
In addition, because Nergal is all of the other players' predator and
all of the other players' prey and because all four of the other players
will prey on each other in the normal cycle, some additional
predator/prey relationships are added.
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.
Darby's natural prey is Aaron but his virtual prey
is Eric (playing Nergal).
Aaron's natural prey is Brian but his virtual prey is Eric (playing
Nergal).
Brian's natural prey is Chad but his virtual prey is Eric (playing
Nergal).
Chad's natural prey is Eric (playing Nergal) but his virtual prey is
Darby.
Eric's (Nergal's) natural prey is Darby but his virtual prey are Aaron,
Brian and Chad.
All non-Nergal players have one natural predator and one virtual
predator.
All non-Nergal players have one natural prey and one virtual prey.
Nergal has one natural predator and three virtual predators.
Nergal has one natural prey and three virtual prey.
If the Nergal player is ousted, play continues as
normal with each player's natural prey to their left.
If Darby, Aaron, or Brian are ousted, their predator's new natural prey
is the player to their left (as normal) and their virtual prey relation
to Nergal remains intact.
However, if Chad is ousted (see graphic below) Brian's new virtual prey
becomes Darby while Brian's natural prey becomes Eric. (it's always
Nergal's natural predator who skips Nergal to get a virtual prey.)
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 targeting.
Other effects are resolved using turn
order to temporarily determine prey and predator the natural
prey/predator relationships.
Examples:
Aaron wishes to bleed with one of his vampires. 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.
natural prey Eric, his virtual prey Darby, his natural predator Brian,
or his virtual predator (again) 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,
Brian cannot choose who to target with the damage. Brian's
natural prey, Chad, burns the 1 pool.
Darby is bled by Eric. Darby plays My Enemy's Enemy, and may choose to
send the bleed to Aaron, Brian, Chad, or
himself (since all are Eric's predators).
Reins of Power - Each Methuselah also burns an amount of pool equal to
the capacity of his or her natural predator's chosen vampire.
Millicent Smith, Puritan Vampire Hunter - Millicent moves to the natural
predator.
During Chad's untap phase, he sees that his natural prey, Eric has
more pool than he does. Chad passes control of Uriah Winter to his
natural prey, Eric. Later, during Eric's untap phase he sees that his
prey Darby has more pool than he has and so passes control or Uriah to
Darby.
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.
When any player takes an
undirected action, the option to attempt to block is first given to
their natural prey, and then to their natural predator and then to their
virtual prey and finally to their virtual predator. As always, once a
Methuselah declines to make any more block attempts, that decision is
final (even if they would have received another block opportunity).
Who may normally block a directed action is not changed--the player being
targeted by the directed action may attempt to block. Next, 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
acting player's natural prey and then going
clockwise around the table. OUSTING AND NERGAL
VICTORY CONDITIONS
Whenever a player is ousted, both their natural
and virtual predator(s) receive a VP and 6 pool. While the Nergal deck's
player receives victory points, he or she doesn't use them. The Nergal deck
can only win if they are 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. For the purposes of
this tally, the Nergal deck will be considered part of its own clan.
REPORTING
After your event, please complete the
INFERNAL PLAGUE: RETURN OF NERGAL STORYLINE QUESTIONNAIRE and email
it to vtesstory@white-wolf.com.
For your event to count in the official tally, we must receive a
Storyline Questionnaire that contains at least the name of your event's
winning clan. A fully completed Storyline Questionnaire gives your event
the opportunity to have additional impact on the developing storyline.
NERGAL DECK
SPOILER
The spoiler for the
Nergal Deck is linked here, but you may wish to avoid reading it to
save the surprise.
QUESTIONS
Contact Robert Goudie at vtesstory@white-wolf.com
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