OOC background writings

It was midway through the final decade of the Coldwar. The Soviets still battled the Mujahidin in Afghanistan, the Muj still heroes in the West. The Sandanistas were midway through their own little totalitarian declaration of a State of emergency in Nicaragua, and Tarlach was busy, making money, accumulating favours and generating influence hand over fist. Much of this work had been done for Tenix Pty Limited based in Australia. Tarlach had found that it was useful to have one of his home bases in Adelaide; he used this to source equipment, and manage the movement of able bodies which he was then accumulating through his work in Afghanistan and Central America.

It was while buried deep in his acquisitions and slaving that Tarlach came across Marlin, one of Tenix’ diligent workers providing for his wife and two children, including youngest daughter – his namesake - Marlie. The major international technology company Tenix had been looking for proxies to enable easy and deniable sale and passage of their systems into Afghanistan and Central America – Tarlach had been happy to oblige, though under an entirely different identity. Marlin was assigned as Tarlach’s driver and bodyguard, a courtesy they extended to all their contractors; a favour that kept a close eye on their proxy, reporting back to Tenix’ Intelligence and Security Unit in Head Office. Tarlach was well aware of Tenix’ practice and decided to test the skills of his watcher. While pursuing this test Tarlach had turned down an offer from Tenix competitor BAE Systems Australia who had been targeting Tenix’s employees and contractors for recruitment, blackmail and assassination. Marlin and Tarlach ended up driving straight into a BAE ambush. In the ensuing firefight Tarlach and Marlin disposed of a good number of their attackers, but Tarlach reveled himself for the supernatural being that he was, to both Marlin and the BAE hit squad. Needing assistance in tracking down and disposing of the assailants Tarlach turned to the one potential individual he could maybe trust. He offered unending life, this offer was accepted, Tarlach turned Marlin in a ghoul. Marlin then used his contacts within Tenix, along with Tarlach’s own Tenix, criminal and police connections, to track down and destroy those who could breach the masquerade by reporting what they had witnessed.

The two then worked as a team for several years, Tarlach and Marlin’s activities funding the education and upbringing of Marlin’s children. Tarlach took a particular interest in the intelligent and resourceful Marlie. She at first became known to him through her father’s complaints about her behaviour; and his admiration at her resourcefulness. As her father was drawn deeper into the Masquerade, and his bond to Tarlach deepened, Tarlach directed more and more of Marlie’s upbringing, subtlety influencing her experiences and individuality. Tarlach kept to the shadows for much of Marlie’s early life. Using his telepathy he would make suggestions within her young and malleable mind, the decisions and reactions still hers, but he would nudge, explain and whisper from the darkness. This opportunity to bring up potential kindred from early age was too much for Tarlach to give up. He Blood-bonded and ghouled her grandfather, so that he did not decease to quickly. Tarlach then worked the mind of the young Marlie through both male figures. Especially leveraging Marlin’s own deep-seated disappointment that Marlie was not a son. Through her grandfather and father Tarlach strengthened her individuality and capacity for solitary resourcefulness, while working on her paranoia, especially regarding threats to herself. Eventually Tarlach forced her Grandfather to move, severing the important bond she had developed and isolating her emotionally. At this time Tarlach introduced himself into the family through Marlin, and became a family friend and subtle mentor to the independently minded Marlie – to whom, through Tarlach’s telepathy, she held a recognition and trust. Eventually, after years of semi-regular interaction Tarlach offered the embrace to Marlie, and with the urging of her father she accepted. Tarlach built his childer from the ground up, at 23 he brought her into their society.

On the destruction of Corsta Micila

To the Court of Lord Prince James Winton,

Word has reached me that rumours continue regarding the destruction of Corsta Micila and that vendetta is being planned.

So that all are clear in their understanding of the reasons for Corsta’s destruction I will spell them out for you.

The ventrue Corsta Micila was found guilty of planning the destruction of fellow ventrue Blessed Brother Hawkins, more widely known as Blessed Be.

Initially the Corsta had planned the destruction of a member of the Invictus; in his own words he viewed them as “to powerful”.

He brought his plan to the daeva Ambia Pentalpha, who dissuaded him from attacking the Invictus, instead directing him to attack a member of the Lancea Sanctum, Blessed Be, Corsta’s fellow ventrue.

The then Sheriff Tekla Asshai was privy to this planning, Ambia and Corsta had hoped to co-opt him, instead he, Tekla, brought the planning to me Tarlach Doherty, his senior within the Court hierarchy, I took this information to the Seneschal who asked me to further investigate with the Sheriff, and we did so.

The planning was confirmed from the very mouths of both Ambia Pentalpha and Corsta Micila; both were intent on the destruction of Blessed Be and had asked the Sheriff Tekla to conduct surveillance on Blessed Be so that they could extinguish Blessed Be’s existence. The Sheriff of course was not conducting any such surveillance; instead, between him and me we had been confirming the planning of these two – Ambia and Corsta – to destroy Blessed Be.

Corsta, for his crimes, which would have led to the collapse of the peace of the Court of Canberra and the destruction of many kindred, was found guilty and his destruction ordered by the Seneschal, I and the Harpy Vincenzo Sangiovanni under the supervision of the Sheriff ended Corsta’s requiem.

I am as yet unaware of the punishment meted out to Ambia Pentalpha; I follow the word of my Prince and those he nominates as speaking for him.


Tarlach Doherty
Priscus of the Mekhet of Canberra
The Keeper of Elysium for the Court of Lord Prince James Winton
(Mekhet: 3)
(Canberra 2)

Harpy Duties

To the Court of the Lord Prince Emir Raoul,

News has reached me that our Prince is being “hassled” by a member of the Court for his status to be shifted. Cardinal Valeron Mayne Belotto, as an Elder you should know better! to be going directly to the Prince when we have a Seneschal, a Herald, a Keeper of Elysium, and for matters of status, a Prince’s Harpy, all position holders within the city with whom you may consult, how will our neonates learn, you can but be Recognised within the Court of Canberra until you demonstrate a greater understanding of Court etiquette.

Now fortunately the Prisci appear less weak. What a boon.

Clive, Mekhet neonate, has demonstrated strong and capable service to the Court in his position of assistant-Sheriff - in the absence of the Sheriff whoever he is - and pursued his position with diligence. It is interesting, that while some pursue status, others actually do things that deserve status. Clive is Valued within the Court of Canberra.

I must Recognise Alexander Lyons, Daeva Priscus of the Invictus.

Sundown, Nosferatu Neonate, he too has demonstrated ability beyond his years, willingly stepping into the breach to hold the role of Herald; eyes are upon you for your service to the Court.

Tarlach Doherty
Harpy to the Lord Prince Emir Raoul


OOC:

I use Tarlach’s three points this month:

– strippie strippie on the Cardinal taking him from Valued (3) to Recognised (2).

"We all know who the Cardinal is! but going straight to the Prince to be raised in status above the Prince and be way above all the members of the Priscus council – genius!"

– Clive gets status added to him for his diligent pursuit of his duties without fear or favour. Moving him from Recognised (2) to Valued (3)

"Thanks to Clive we know that the Sheriff position will actually go on the hunt for criminals within the Court."

– Alexander Lyons apparently becomes Recognisable amongst us, know who he is as he goes from somebody hanging out at Court that the Prince’s knows to someone apparently we all should Recognise because the Prince says so. Alexander Lyons goes from Acknowledged (1) to Recognised (2)

"Yeah I know Alexander Lyon he hangs out at Court all the time - whatus he do? I dunno, hangs out near the Prince."

See everyone at the game

Andrew Galan
Au2007010002

The jointly written backstory linking Kalika and Tarlach

Early in 1940 Kalika was residing in Luxor and working out of the temple of Ma'at in Karnak, Egypt, studying an ancient tome found within the ruins off the temple. She believed she was making good leeway in deciphering the writings true it was in an ancient dialect but she still managed to make her way through. Her results seemed to indicate that the tome was for an ancient sect and entailed various rituals of sorts. True it was a slow and tedious process but she managed it after consulting various scholars in the area.

At the same time Tarlach was tasked to recover a tome on Ma’at. Then residing within the North African holdings of Franco Tarlach was well placed to move through the battle-lines and into Egypt. Tarlach had been employed because it was known that he could be trusted, and with no Covenant affiliation unlikely to risk his reputation by either stealing the text for himself, or passing it to another Covenant.

The biggest problem for Tarlach would be retrieving the text without drawing attention; it was a centre-piece Tarlach discoverd to the research of a young academic, Kalika. So, while investigating the book Tarlach noted her close involvement as she explored its multiple textual meanings late into the night. Entering the offices a number of times Tarlach studied her notebooks as well as listening to her conversations with fellow researchers, and he realized that she was close to uncovering a kindred legacy held by the text, such a discovery potentially doing great damage to the masquerade.

Noting Kalika’s potential to breach the masquerade, but also appreciating her intelligence, wits and skill, and the necessity of retrieving the text, Tarlach decided to turn Kalika and so obtain both the book, and a repository of knowledge about it, then level the temple. Over the next month Tarlach set about befriending Kalika and pushing her towards her final discovery of the Crone ritual hidden within the text. He then convinced her of the necessity and wisdom of her joining Kindred society.

For Kalika Tarlach came as a new arrival in town, eager to learn of her findings and also holding a great interest in the tome. Believing he was out to take her work from under her she began to study later at night and kept the book under lock and key away from prying eyes.

Tarlach finally he came clean and explained that there was a whole new world to explore and she would be welcomed as one of his kind. She was reluctant at first but curiosity got the better of her. With the impending war on their doorstep she agreed to enter his world. Soon she would find that this was an incredible untapped resource full of opportunity to discover the true secrets of the world.

Not long after her embrace she was enveloped by curiosity and as such took to hiding in the darkest parts of the Karnak ruins. Her eyesight became very sensitive to even the slightest light and she craved to quench a thirst that refused to quell. She found that water tasted foul as did her usual sources of food. She craved something different, it was then she made her first kill upon a stray cat in a dark alley. Tarlach stayed with her for a while teaching her of kindred society. He then departed for Morocco along with the tome. She took up residence within the ruins but the impending end of the war was bringing people in and out of Egypt and she found it necessary to take up a new role within her motherland. She found a place that tourists would come and go at all hours here would be her new place. Having an in-depth knowledge of the ruins she became the resident Ma'at temple priestess, a glorified tour guide of sorts. Having to change her appearance every few years and moving between companies so as not to arise suspicion.

All was going well for Kalika the war was over and she proclaimed herself as a member of the Circle of the Crone after having read the tome and been able to decipher it as a mere mortal.

She sought out other tomes and through the coming years learned of Cruac' and other abilities known to the kindred society. Fascinated by the various clans and bloodlines she craved to learn more. The mortal contacts she had once had passed on or located else where she had to make new ones and soon found that the world was changing.

Throughout the intervening years Tarlach would periodically revisit his Childe, to her it appeared he came to consult on matters of the Occult and when in need of academic support, though while this was true, Tarlach was also interested in the development of his Childe and her Priesthood within the Circle of the Crone.

Character Links

This is the first draft of a jointly written background connection between Jack Frost's Voodun Priest, Samide, also known as Mr Saturday, and Tarlach Doherty my Hero of the Circle of the Crone character.

Haitia Summer of 1971 Tarlach had just assisted in the assassination of the Dictator Francois Duvalier, also known as "Papa Doc" and was being hounded by the Tonton Macoutes (Secret Police) under the direction of Francois's son and heir Jean-Claude Duvalier (nicknamed "Baby Doc"), on his last legs and running out of blood Tarlach ran to the last place that he had a chance of safety in the area, a large Swamp reputed to be haunted by dark and malignant spirits.

After a while of slogging through the swamp Tarlach notices that the sounds of pursuit have faded, replaced by the sounds of the warm swamp night, He turns full circle trying to get his bearings and there standing in front of him where there was naught but a patch of bear earth a moment before stands a man. He is tall well over 6 feet, dressed in an old suit jacket and black pants, his face is masked and he wears a top hat, he stands there twirling a silver handled cane seeming to be taking the measure of this intruder to his lands...

"Evnin Mr Doherty, de Loa said I would be havin a Visitor this eve" His accent is heavy and his english broken,"I got many a name in these parts but you can call me...Mr Saturday"

Dressed in studded blue hipster jeans, a glow weave lime green shirt with a red tie, and some now worse for wear platform shoes, Tarlach still manages to not look out of place in this swamp, even with the Great Sword that would reflect the moonlight but for the coating of blood..

“It would be a good evening Mister Saturday, if things had gone a little more to plan after the assassination – finding good help on this island though has not been as easy as I had hoped. Still… “

Tarlach pats the Colt .45 at his right hip and he tenses slightly, the perceptive would realize he is listening for any last sounds of pursuit.

“…some things are reliable and I still manage to put the fear of their gods into each one of the local’s eyes.”

The corners of Tarlach’s mouth turn up and some small wrinkles form as he smiles.

“I heard rumours that a creature both powerful and helpful lingered in these swamps – and that the locals venture in for aid; though it always comes at a price…I am guessing the rumours are about you, unless you represent something more powerful in this swamp?”

Mr Saturday grins a wide toothy grin “there be power in this swamp and help ta those who pay da price for it, but I not be know’en why ya put fear of god’s in people, Gods and Loa be notin ta fear” Off to there right comes a scream followed by something crashing through the undergrowth, one of Tarlach’s pursuers comes bolting through the clearing eye’s wide with terror and blood coursing down his face. He completely ignores the two in the little clearing and continues past into the swamp again, after a few moments the noise of his frantic passage subsides.

Saturday had not even flinched, the man might as well have not existed “Sun’s comin up soon my fren’ come, ya welcome ta stay wid me for a spell, we can talk about price tomorrow, come” He starts walking back further into the swamp, from far off in the direction of the fleeing man comes another scream this time cut short. Mr Saturday talks as if making idel conversation “my children safeguard dis place, and will guard us in de day time” they come into view of an old shack built atop a raft floating on an overgrown river “dis is my little place, it safe from de light of day” “you stay here a while, be good to have another ta talk to, I be needin ta work on the Traders tung, Im sure ya be noticing my British needs workin on”

Over the next few Months Tarlach stays in the swamp with the very strange Mr Saturday, they converse and get along fairly well, Tarlach teaches Saturday of the world outside of Haitian and the islands immediately surrounding it (his knowledge seems to be decades out of date) and how to properly articulate the English language and Saturday tells him of the occult, spirits and Loa and his particular take on them (as well as how to make a killer Gumbo stew). Then came the day that Tarlach decided it was time to leave and the two rarely saw one another for almost forty years.

Until one night Tarlach receives a phone call from a small Haitian village requesting that a debt be paid, Mr Saturday needs to leave Haiti in a hurry, and he needs to go a very long way.