Overview:
The Toreador have long known Georgetown as a home. Since the Revolutionary War (and the wider night war being waged in tandem), Prince George has maintained his precious Georgetown as Washington, D.C. was built and grew up around it. Thus, the Toreador empire expanded. The Toreador-controlled Smithsonian Institution is world renowned, but the Prince’s plundered private collection is the envy of the Parisian Elysium. The Arts Council of the Toreador, Malkavians and many elder Brujah maintained stability in the city for over a century, despite the hostile and implacable neighbor to the north, Sabbat Baltimore. George had become increasingly disconnected and hedonistic as the ages passed, however, and many murmured that he had become quite mad (perhaps with the whispers of the little girl Malkavian at his shoulder). The Toreador threw epic Elysia, and the night of December 7, 1994 was certainly no exception. At the Smithsonian National Zoo Elysium that evening, George was overthrown in a coup by the Ventrue as the Gangrel watched. But even as the Prince was being dragged away, having lost a Presence battle with the Ventrue elder Jordan in full view of the gathered Kindred elite, the city went into actual chaos with a bombing at the International Monetary Fund across town. With the city in disarray, the mortal police were none the wiser when a horde of Sabbat fighters streamed out of vans and SUVs surrounding the Smithsonian Zoo to slaughter the horrified Toreador. It is unclear at this time how many of the Clan survived, but it is undeniable that many are now but dust.
The Clan in the south fare better, but are a minor player in the nightly politics of Alexandria, though tended (perhaps until recently) to side with the Crown.
Meanwhile the Toreador antitribu of the north are reveling in painting the town red with the blood of their heretic cousins. They are as much a part of the onslaught as any of the Sabbat.
The Smithsonian Castle
Kindred and Cainites
Aslin, Brandon
Toreador of Alexandria. Brandon is a fine sculptor and a Toreador of Alexandria. He attended the Guild Salon below Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Va. on February 14, 1983 and witnessed the unveiling of Desirée’s masterwork. He is told to keep his mouth shut about Desirée and sent on his way. Brandon attended the Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989. He was enraptured by the painting of the Prince Desirée had painted a few years previous. Brandon was at Alexandria Elysium on December 8, 1994 for the Prince’s potestas edictum. He was shocked to see the great debutante Desirée covered in filth when she entered Elysium with her friend, Thaïs.
Carillo, Rommel
Toreador/Caitiff of Georgetown. It was intimated by Priest that Rommel is from an unauthorized siring and so is sentenced to likely die in the upcoming attack against the Sabbat forces in Bowie, Md. on January 1, 1986. He seemed very scared, but managed to do well and shot a few Sabbat from atop a shed. He was Presented before the Prince of Georgetown by Priest, as he was not claimed by the Toreador for his unauthorized siring and thin-blood (13th generation) status. The Prince drooled over the young flesh, however, and decided that he could be taken to the Prince’s chambers to “work something out” for him to be granted continued existence. Rommel was also initiated into the S’eth Adar by Priest for his valiant efforts in the Battle of Bowie. On February 10, 1989, Rommel was wearing a skimpy outfit at the feet of Prince George during Henry’s Presentation. Rommel was dressed in a panda hat and gloves with a speedo (and otherwise naked) to attend to his master, the Prince, at the Georgetown Elysium at the National Zoo on December 7, 1994. He was seen running into the zoo as the Ventrue completed their coup. His fate is unknown at this time.
Danė
Toreador of Alexandria. The cute twink designer was enraptured by Adrianna Dior so much at the Ball at the Mill that he made a point of befriending her (with the help of Presence). The next day, on Saturday, February 12, 1983, he drank too much and killed her in his passion. Filled with regret and panic, he managed to Embrace her, but was nearly Diablerized in the process. Danė took his new childe to his penthouse atop Del Ray Tower for her Change. The next night, the two discussed the Kindred and the Toreador and hatched their plan to try to survive the unauthorized siring. On Valentine’s Day of 1983, Danė and Adrianna, now calling herself Desirée, went to Signature Theatre in Toreador-held Shirlington to throw themselves at the mercy of Keeper Melisand Granger. Melisand was so impressed with Desirée’s talent that she allowed Danė to only suffer a decade in torpor and lose his assets as opposed to be turned over to the Prince as a Tradition violator. Melisand audibly missed Danė’s party-planning abilities during the Valentine’s Day ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Sandra Polloch Boat House on February 14, 1989. Danė was freed from his torpor sentence in 1993. He has been working as Desirée’s party-planning assistant at the Alexandria Elysium. Danė was at Elysium for the potestas edictum on December 8, 1994. He saw Desirée and Thaïs come into Elysium covered in filth from the Nosferatu sewers following the attack on Georgetown.
Desirée
Toreador of Alexandria. [NOTE: Desirée is a Player Character, however, the player needed to take a step back from the game for a while. So, here are the notes of Desirée’s actions while she was briefly an NPC. To see notes from Desirée as portrayed while a PC, click here.] On December 3, 1994, Desirée met her friend Thaïs at the H&H Ranch in Chantilly. Desirée brought a couple of her ghouls and two vehicles. She had her new associates driven in one vehicle as she and her friend Thaïs rode in another. While in the car, she discussed with her friend how she didn’t trust George and also she was worried about her partner/ghoul Elijah and his troubles at work. Desirée met with Nikoli and Joan at Daingerfield Island. She snuck alongside Joan to OTCAL through the streets of Old Town Alexandria. Once there, Desirée read an ancient Enochian tablet and was sent into a seizure with blood foam flowing from her mouth at the mention of a Word of Power. She recovered with the help of her friend, Thaïs. Having enough of that, Desirée left OTCAL shaken, but resolved to wash her hands of the matter, if possible. Desirée and Thaïs went to meet with Barnaby Wilcox at his penthouse office in Georgetown. He was condescending and couldn’t believe that Desirée wasn’t spying on him by sending her ghoul to his chief business. He fired Elijah and Thaïs and Desirée left, swearing (eventual) vengeance for the slight. Desirée met with Thaïs on December 7, 1994 as the two got ready in Desirée’s penthouse for the “party” of Georgetown Elysium. Desirée presented Thaïs to Prince George as her guest at Elysium. Elysium was turned upside down following a Ventrue coup and then a Sabbat attack. Desirée escaped, much to her disgust, through a manhole into the sewer with her friend, Thaïs. She travelled through the upper sewers and at last came upon a white alligator who had escaped from the zoo. The Nosferatu Cheesehead appeared and used Animalism to send the gator back to the Deep Undercity. Desirée took a skiff with Cheesehead and Thaïs to Heart Island in the Underlake. There, the deadly Ribbon Wall came up for the first time, though Desirée jumped to safety. [NOTE: the Player Character rejoined at this point in the story]
Falstaff, Roberta
Toreador of Alexandria. Roberta is a fine painter and a Toreador of Alexandria. She attended the Guild Salon below Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Va. on February 14, 1983 and witnessed the unveiling of Desirée’s masterwork. She is told to keep her mouth shut about Desirée and sent on her way. Roberta attended the Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989 and was captivated by the ghoul dancers.
(Prince) George
Toreador Prince of Georgetown. The hedonistic George rules from his golden throne in Elysium, concerned mostly with filling his empire with pretty, sparkling things. He accepted Rose and Jinx into his Domain on January 6, 1986, a few days following the Battle of Bowie, as they were both Presented by kindred to whom he had promised the right to sire. He allowed the 13th-Generation Toreador/Caitiff neonate Rommel Carillo to stay alive in his Domain, as he had him delivered to his personal quarters for further “examination.” He allowed the registration of Vitus as a member-in-good-standing of the Camarilla population of Georgetown at the behest of Vitus’ sire, Barnaby Wilcox. Apparently, George owed Wilcox and his coterie a major boon of some sort, which was paid by the embraces of Raleigh of the Brujah, Vitus of the Ventrue (and what Cedric did with his boon, if anything, is unknown). Prince George met Henry as Presented by Cylus Pine on February 10, 1989. George flirted with Ambassador Carlo Giovanni when the latter had come to court at the Smithsonian Castle on November 27, 1994 to present Gwenevieve Rossellini as a Registered Dignitary of Clan Giovanni. George granted Gwenevieve temporary residency, provided she abides by the Promise of 1528 and doesn’t cause any trouble. George held a giant Elysium at the Smithsonian National Zoo on December 7, 1994. He was surrounded by his sycophantic Toreador and held court, accepting Thaïs as a visitor when she was presented by Desirée. Later in the evening, he introduced the Daughters of Cacophony Nerys and Mi’chell as resident performers, but their concert was cut short by Jordan Bingham and the Ventrue who openly called for the Prince to step down. George then used Majesty to cow his subjects, but Jordan used his own Presence to counter. The Ventrue won the day and Jordan staked George into torpor with his own hand. George’s torpid body was dragged behind the Ventrue phalanx as they sought an exit from the zoo as the Sabbat attacked. George’s fate is unknown at this time.
Granger, Melisand
Toreador Keeper of Elysium of Alexandria. Melisand is the Keeper of Elysium and a Harpy of Alexandria. Danė first mentioned over Adrianna’s dead body on Saturday, February 12, 1983 that his sire Melisand would be very angry with him and tried to remember how she had embraced him so that he could do the same to Adrianna. Melisand met with Danė and Adrianna (now Desirée) before the Guild meeting at Signature Theatre in Shirlington. She considered their fates, but when Desirée produced a masterwork, she decided to take the fledgling under her wing and slap Danė on the wrist with only a decade spent staked in torpor in a box. Melisand took Desirée under her wing and raised her as her own, but it was an expensive exchange: she lost her Shirlington Domain and over 4 million dollars to the Crown following Desirée’s presentation to Prince Elaine on February 18, 1983, not to mention the boon she owed Sandra Polloch for wiping the minds of Danė’s five “boyfriends.” Melisand was mortified when Desirée’s painting was unveiled and missing at Elysium on August 5, 1984. She used Spirit’s Touch to determine that someone was using obfuscate to steal it. Melisand directed Desirée and Thaïs to Simone Laurentiis at Alexandria Elysium on July 23, 1988. She later witnessed the boon granted by Simone Laurentiis on behalf of the Tremere to Desirée and Thaïs. Melisand wistfully missed Danė at the chaotic party at the Alexandria Elysium: the Valentine’s Day ribbon cutting and regatta at the new Sandra Polloch Boat House on February 14, 1989. Melisand orchestrated the entertainment at the Venetian Renaissance-themed Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989. She stared daggers at Vitus of the Ventrue when the newcomer was gifted her old domain of Shirlington. Melisand is happy to have her childe Danė back following the end of his sentence in 1993 and now has him as her personal purse puppy / assistant party planner at Elysium. Melisand was seen at the chaotic Alexandria Elysium on December 8, 1994 as Desirée and Thaïs entered and demanded an audience with the Prince. She was there during the Prince’s potestas edictum.
Philipe
Toreador Primogen of the Domain of Georgetown. The gilded youth (appearing) stood behind Prince George at the Elysium on July 23, 1985 at the Kennedy Center and the Elysium on January 6, 1986 at the Smithsonian Castle. He appeared to act as an advisor of sorts to the doddering Prince. Philipe was at the presentation of Gwenevieve Rossellini to Prince George on November 27, 1994. He was seen whispering in the Prince’s ear. Philipe stood by the throne in all of his glory at the Georgetown Elysium at the Smithsonian National Zoo on December 7, 1994. He is an ardent supporter of Prince George amidst the coup attempt by the Ventrue. Once the tide had clearly turned against George, he was lost in the melee. His fate is unknown at this time.
Samal
Toreador Methuselah? He has been called a Childe of Toreador, though precisely what that means is not yet known. He has something to do with OTCAL and Nikoli of the Brujah. Joan knew of him. Nikoli told Zachary that he would introduce him in the p.m. of December 3, 1994. Samal was in the belly of OTCAL in Old Town Alexandria, his spirit bound within a giant sandstone pillar attached to wires, tubes and screens. The entity, if indeed it was ever “Kindred,” is beyond what any who have met it could conceive as such. Apparently, he was the force inside the sandstone who Nikoli said held more knowledge than all of the Library of Alexandria: and there are receipts to prove it. Suspended about Samal are ancient parchments enclosed in glass which hold the Enochian writings of the antediluvians, including a number of Words of Power. Late in the p.m. of December 3, The Prophet Zachariah entered the chamber as was foretold, alongside his associates, even as his apostles Joan and Nikoli stood back in the library antechamber, in reverence to the entity. Samal communed with his “old friend.” When George read forbidden knowledge, he roused the ancient, who taunted him. Samal’s essence stood by as the Kindred around him gained ancient knowledge throughout the morning of December 4, 1994.
Venus
Toreador antitribu. Venus was a part of the Sabbat Pack of Bowie who was participating in the vaudlerie before the Battle of Bowie at the Skate-O-Rama on January 1, 1986. She was viciously stabbed and ultimately staked by Prentiss. Later, she was put through the torturous resanguination-exsanguination treatment, her blood prepared for the feast at Elysium. After enough vitae vials were taken, she was staked for the sun.
Ghouls
Ansiza, Victor
Domitor: Desirée
Victor was an agent of the Special Forces in life and had been working on contracts in a shady world known unto Alexander Chaykovsky. He brought Victor in to Club Euphonia on December 9, 1994 to meet with his mistress, the Toreador Desirée. Desirée used Presence on Victor and then ghouled him, having him stay in Del Ray Tower Apartments.
Bentley
Domitor: Melisand Granger
Bentley is Melisand’s driver and takes her and her “childe” Desirée to various places in early February 1983.
Chaycovsky, Alexander
Domitor: Desirée
Alexander is Desirée’s head of security at Club Euphonia and personal ghoul. He has blonde hair, green eyes and is in his 40s. He has been made aware of the World of Darkness so as to protect his mistress from the dangers therein. Alexander had security under wraps on the day of the grand opening of Euphonia on May 7, 1988. Alexander checked with Desirée on December 2, 1994 to make sure that she was fine when leaving with three strangers from her club. Alexander let Zachary and Benjamin wait inside of a locked closet on December 8, 1994, just as the city was enveloped in the frenzy of the “terrorist attack.” The two had come to Club Euphoina looking for Desirée and Thaïs. Alexander was given the green light to head out into the chaos of the city to track down some of his retired special forces buddies and offer them the moon to come and work for Desirée. The following night (December 9, 1994), Alexander returns to Euphonia with three of his contracting contacts with a look to make them ghouls. He feeds Desirée and makes a point of taking the lead with the new ghouls.
Drew
Domitor: Melisand Granger
Drew was dispatched by Melisand Granger to help Desirée with the missing painting matter on August 5, 1984. He showed up a bit late, but was helpful in offering his blood to Desirée. Drew was dressed as a Renaissance Venetian juggler and entertained at the Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989. Drew continues to work for the Toreador clan and occasionally is leased out to Elysium.
Federman, Andrew
Domitor: Danė (originally), unknown following her Domitor’s torpor. She is fed by the Crown, but precisely what this does to the Blood Bond has not been investigated by the players
Andrew was first seen as Danė’s driver and dropped off his master at Adrianna’s art gallery in Del Ray, Va. on February 12, 1983. He was later introduced by Danė as the Toreador’s former lover and current ghoul servant. The long-suffering man does anything his domitor demands. Federman’s fate was uncertain after his domitor Danė was sentenced to a decade of torpor in a box on February 14, 1983, but Melisand had Andrew shipped to Elysium to be a ghoul of the Crown. Andrew was serving blood flutes of the Elder vitae of Broaddus the Wight at Elysium on August 4-5, 1984. Andrew served blood flutes at the Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989. Andrew is still seen at Elysium throughout the early 1990s, but at least is happy to see a released Danė returned.
Fields, Elijah
Domitor: Desirée
Adrianna Dior’s boyfriend, Elijah lives the comfortable life of a rich lawyer for a petroleum lobby on K Street. He has a fine estate in Reston, Va. On February 12, 1983, Elijah told his girlfriend Adrianna that he was going to the Middle East for a work event and wouldn’t be back for a week. He left her with a credit card and full use of his house et cetera. Elijah had a difficult phone call with his girlfriend who sounded like she was breaking up with him while he was on his trip to Dubai. Upon returning, he was made into a ghoul and now serves his domitor and girlfriend, Desirée. Elijah noticed a Masquerade breech on May 7, 1988 when a news reporter ranted on the air about vampires before he was taken off and the station cut to commercial. He went with Desirée to H&H Ranch and later to the grand opening of Club Euphonia later that evening. He witnessed his mistress make out and feed from various other people, and though jealous, there was little he could do about it. Desirée went to see her hubby at their home in Reston on December 3, 1994, ditching her friend and new acquaintances, after Elijah stressed that he wanted to see her. Later in bed, Elijah told his domitor/girlfriend that he was concerned about work. Someone named Henderson had started asking him prying questions involving why he didn’t appear to be aging and Elijah had been asked to come and see a Mr. Wilcox at an evening meeting the following night. Elijah did not attend the fateful meeting with Barnaby Wilcox at Desirée’s insistence. Despite Desirée’s attempts when meeting with Wilcox (or perhaps because of them) on December 5, 1994, Elijah was summarily fired and blackballed, though a nice “one week of paid vacation” was given as severance. Following the “terrorist attacks” in D.C. and the erection of the Tremere’s psychic ribbon wall on December 8, 1994, Desirée had her friend Thaïs’ ghoul go to Reston to pick up Elijah to bring him to the relative remote safety of H&H Ranch. Elijah is elated to speak to his girlfriend/domitor Desirée when she is able to get through to him using her new satellite phone from her building in Del Ray on December 8, 1994.
Garcia, Elizabeth
Domitor: Desirée
Desirée’s “face” in the mortal world. As such, Elizabeth oversaw the day-to-day operations getting the cast and crew sourced for the D-list vampire movie Des and Ty produced in May-July 1988. Elizabeth is staying at Club Euphonia during the time of troubles on December 8, 1994.
Grey, Bernice
Domitor: Desirée
Bernice is the General Manager of the Del Ray club, Fuse, and is Danė’s ghoul. Bernice Grey’s fate was uncertain after her domitor Danė was sentenced to a decade of torpor in a box on February 14, 1983, but Melisand had her keep her job managing Fuse and would serve now as Desirée’s ghoul. Bernice managed the “grand opening” of Euphonia on May 7, 1988. Bernice made sure that Desirée was alright as her domitor left Club Euphonia with three strangers on December 3, 1994. Bernice saw to the needs of her mistress on December, 8, 1994, shortly after the “terrorist attacks” and subsequent martial law left the region in turmoil. Desirée’s forces (those still alive, anyway), were gathered at Club Euphonia at Del Ray Tower. Bernice does her best to ensure the Tower is well stocked and prepared for what is to come.
Janette
Domitor: Melisand Granger
Melisand Granger dispatched her ghoul Janette to Club Euphonia to help Desirée in her quest to determine what happened to her missing painting on August 5, 1984. She got high to give Marcel some “weed blood” and allowed the Settite to feed from her. After her part in the little affair was done, she left the club. Janette was a dancer/entertainer at the Alexandria Elysium of February 23, 1989. For some reason, Janette was helping to mind the door at the Smithsonian National Zoo for the Georgetown Elysium and thus recognized Desirée and Thaïs. Why she was now working for Georgetown was never explored: perhaps she was “on loan?” She must’ve been in the first line of attack when the Sabbat came. Screams were heard in her direction, so it is likely that she is dead, but her fate is unconfirmed at this time.
Kyrsten
Domitor: Melisand Granger
Melisand Granger dispatched her ghoul Kyrsten to Club Euphonia to help Desirée in her quest to determine what happened to her missing painting on August 5, 1984. She got high to give Marcel some “weed blood” and allowed the Settite to feed from her. After her part in the little affair was done, she left the club. Kyrsten was a dancer/entertainer at the Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989.
Ralph
Domitor: Melisand Granger
Ralph is one of Melisand’s beautiful ghouls. He is seen at Signature Theatre in Del Ray with his mistress on February 14, 1983 as well as on other occasions. Ralph attended Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989 as an entertainer/dancer in the Venetian Renaissance-themed event.
Rudolph
Domitor: Melisand Granger
Rudolph is one of Melisand’s beautiful ghouls. He is seen at Signature Theatre in Del Ray with his mistress on February 14, 1983 as well as on other occasions. Rudolph attended the Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989 as an entertainer/dancer in the Venetian Renaissance-themed event.
Sebastian
Domitor: Desirée
Sebastian drove his mistress Desirée and her friend Thaïs from Elysium to Del Ray Tower in the early hours of August 5, 1984. The next day, he helped get a man into a cab after Desirée had sipped on him. And then, he had to tear off Thaïs from his fellow ghoul (Theodore) when she drank too much. On May 7, 1988, Sebastian drove Desirée to H&H Ranch and then on to Euphoina from her home. On December 3, 1994, Sebastian drove Thaïs, Desirée, Zachary and Benjamin from Club Euphonia to his mistress’s art gallery. At his mistress’s orders, Sebastian took Thaïs, Benjamin, Zachary and George to Lincolnia Industrial Park in Arlandria to meet with the enigmatic Nikoli. Sebastian then drove the team to the H&H Ranch. The next night, he drove his mistress Desirée and her friend Thaïs to Daingerfield Island in Old Town Alexandria and then took them back to Desirée’s Del Ray Tower in the morning. Sebastian rode with Desirée, Theo and Thaïs to Barnaby Wilcox’s Penn Quarter K Street office. Following the meeting, he dropped off Thaïs at Franklin’s Pub in Fairfax City and continued with his mistress to wherever she wanted to go. Sebastian drove Desirée and Thaïs through a throng of IMF/World Bank protesters to the Georgetown Elysium at the Smithsonian National Zoo on December 7, 1994. He helped Desirée out of the car and is waiting beside it on the street until his mistress returns. The Sabbat attacked the zoo that night and as Desirée desperately tried to call Theo and Sebastian, no one answered. Sebastian’s fate is unknown at this time, though he is presumed dead.
Theo
Domitor: Desirée
Theo serves his mistress Desirée both as muscle and as an occasional vessel. He was “lent out” to Thaïs on Sunday, August 5, 1984 at Club Euphonia for a quick sip, but she drank too much. He is in serious need of blood on the floor of the VIP area of the club. Theo was along as protection with Sebastian for Desirée as they escorted her from her home in Reston to H&H Ranch on May 8, 1988. He then accompanied his mistress to Euphonia for its Grand Opening. Theo helped to guard Desirée and her guests as they were ferreted between Club Euphonia to Desirée’s art studio on December 3, 1994. Theo stood watch at the door to the gallery and helped George in after he was found bloody at the doorstep. Theo then took the troupe back to Euphonia and then took Desirée to her haven in Reston. Theo picked up George, Benjamin and Zachary the following evening at H&H Ranch and drove them to Daingerfield Island in Old Town Alexandria. Theo rode with Desirée, Sebastian and Thaïs to Barnaby Wilcox’s Penn Quarter K Street office. Following the meeting, he dropped off Thaïs at Franklin’s Pub in Fairfax City and continued with his mistress to wherever she wanted to go. On December 7, 1994, Theo went with Desirée and Thaïs to the Georgetown Elysium at the Smithsonian National Zoo. He helped Thaïs out of the car and waited outside of it on guard duty until his mistress returns. The Sabbat attacked the zoo that night and as Desirée desperately tried to call Theo and Sebastian, no one answered. Theo’s fate is unknown at this time, though he is presumed dead.
Townsend, Janice
Domitor: Danė (originally), unknown following her Domitor’s torpor. She is fed by the Crown, but precisely what this does to the Blood Bond has not been investigated by the players
Janice is Danė’s daytime face of his party-planning business and Danė’s ghoul. Townsend’s fate was uncertain after her domitor Danė was sentenced to a decade of torpor in a box on February 14, 1983, but Melisand had Janice shipped to Elysium to be a ghoul of the Crown. Janice attended the Alexandria Elysium on February 23, 1989 as a blood-glass bearer/server. Janice continues to serve Elysium as a crown ghoul in 1994.
Turlington, Brace
Domitor: Desirée
Brace was a Navy Seal in life and had been working on contracts in a shady world known unto Alexander Chaykovsky. Alexander brought Brace in to Club Euphonia on December 9, 1994 to meet with his mistress, the Toreador Desirée. Desirée used Presence on Brace and then ghouled him, having him stay in Del Ray Tower Apartments.