Look the Devil in the Eye 6: Intelligence
Jan 25, 2016 13:00:54 GMT -8
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Post by Shah-Khohr of Ventrue on Jan 25, 2016 13:00:54 GMT -8
There were certain things that needed to be considered before further action could be taken in this hunt.
The first was that Red Listers, specifically those hunted by both the Alastors and Josians (of which there had been, in the entire history of the Camarilla, perhaps four), were exceedingly dangerous and difficult to track. It was paramount to understand that not all hunts resolved quickly or cleanly- morale was always a consideration when moving emotional creatures such as Kindred towards a task.
The second was the the Hunt was going to have many different phases. It was going to be necessary to shift the balance of the region and build enough alliances that such a hunt was even possible much less practical. To do that, resources would need to be controlled and manipulated in such a way that people were happy enough to help after the fact.
The third was that the best way to destroy an Anathema was with overwhelming, uncompromising force. That meant that momentum would need to be gained and focused appropriately. It would take some time to acquire the wealth of boons needed to properly attack such a creature.
With these three laws well understood, a plan could be formed, followed and perfected. It was there, in the depths of his Haven that the old Russian started putting pen to parchment to formulate such a plan. Step one was reacquiring Vancouver to Camarilla forces. This would put the region back in balance, show the world that Seattle had the clout to handle the next step, and hopefully put a few appropriate words in the correct ears in attracting the appropriate type of attention.
The war for Vancouver was coming along at an acceptable pace. The crime scene had been reassembled and the story uncovered. The unfolding of events made it clear how the attack took place, though it was still unclear as to the why of the matter. The important agents within Vancouver were now named, and their havens mapped (within an acceptable degree of error). Remaining Camarilla forces were paid to confirm this information, and once that was done to his satisfaction, a proper plan of assault could be formed.
There were realistically five remaining phases of the Vancouver assault that needed to be handled appropriately before a formal assault could begin.
1) Vancouver needed to be appropriately mapped. Which territories were held by what, and where the fighting was fiercest. Havens had been located, and that would be enough to neutralize some of these agents, but the actual lay-out still needed to be focused. The captives taken from Vancouver had provided some information, as well as some of the other maps that had been acquired. Once this was confirmed, logistics needed to be put in place to ensure the smooth impregnation of the city by allied forces.
2) The Lupine forces would need to be bartered with, placated, or in some other way removed from the equation. A plan was underway to handle that. The moon-beasts were notorious in their family structure, and it was theorized that the forces in Vancouver were allied to one of the factions fighting in Tacoma. Logically (if logic could be applied to such creatures), if the lupine situation of Tacoma could be resolved to the satisfaction of the 'good' side, it could be theorized that this group of Lupines could either bolster the Vancouver forces and bring about unbridled pressure on the Sabbat there or at the very least, the gesture of goodwill could be leveraged to negotiate a cease-fire with the northern faction. Either way, we had appropriate tools to handle the Tacoma situation (see file #24). Positive contact needed to be established, and terms drawn up. All very reasonable.
3) Sabbat politics were at play here, but needed to be played to their favor for a successful strike. Evidence that the initial assault against Vancouver was carried out by an Infernalist should be enough to spark a cessation of further support from the greater organization, or at least slow it. Further pressure was being applied subtly to give the Sword of Caine's Josian equivalents (their dread Inquisition) evidence of Bruce's misdeeds. With proper application, it could be surmised that the further aid to the city would be slowed or halted entirely. The initial reports reveal that Denver and Vancouver aren't allied, and might be antagonistic to one another. If they are isolated, they are actionable.
4) Support would need to be drummed up from the greater Camarilla Courts. The most expedient route available would be for Seattle to host the enclave that awarded the Trophy to the one that slew Jaynetown(Jonestown). At that time, they could name a replacement to the Red List. At least two Justicars would need to be present, and if boons could be levied appropriately, further support from the Camarilla could be garnered. This was the best hope Seattle had for a prolonged fight. Further, while the death of so many Archons in Seattle may seem like a hindrance to these efforts, it could easily be turned to an advantage if one was blamed for this and placed in the running for the Anathema. If only there was such a creature. Perhaps one that had lied about her past and purpose? One that had cornered and nearly killed a well respected and highly revered Tremere? One that could easily be tied to the death of both of these Archons. And one that fled the city, directly North, to take shelter in Vancouver? Further, if the Trophy for the fallen Red Lister was appointed to Siegfried himself, that would garner almost immediate Ventrue support and aid. Lucinde herself might be in attendance at these events, and she was... intensely effective.
5) Troops. This fight would need troops. If the werewolves could be neutralized in this effort, the Camarilla forces would still be squaring off against Sabbat packs that had come prepared specifically to fight the lupines. That implied a certain degree of reckless behavior and certainly spoke of strength. Knowing where they havened/territoried, and who was in what pack would go a long way to making these cainites assaultable, but it would be foolish to presume an easy fight. For this to be successful, troops would need to be called. Cassius Cross, the charismatic Brujah would be the figurehead to rally the peoples around. He was well liked in Court and the Brujah favored him. With careful and considerate support, he could certainly take the fight to Vancouver. And, if the assault was successful, he could take the throne for himself. With Seattle offering both aid and support in these troubled times, a newly forged Prince would do well to remember his friends.
Various bits of paper were added to the cork board revealing the goings of Seattle and their war effort. It wasn't time to strike yet, far from it. But, if they acted quickly, it could be time soon. And it could be done with terrible effect.
Politics always came before war. And politics came after war. Both could kill the foolish or the sloppy. Best be careful in coordinating the next phase of the plan...
The first was that Red Listers, specifically those hunted by both the Alastors and Josians (of which there had been, in the entire history of the Camarilla, perhaps four), were exceedingly dangerous and difficult to track. It was paramount to understand that not all hunts resolved quickly or cleanly- morale was always a consideration when moving emotional creatures such as Kindred towards a task.
The second was the the Hunt was going to have many different phases. It was going to be necessary to shift the balance of the region and build enough alliances that such a hunt was even possible much less practical. To do that, resources would need to be controlled and manipulated in such a way that people were happy enough to help after the fact.
The third was that the best way to destroy an Anathema was with overwhelming, uncompromising force. That meant that momentum would need to be gained and focused appropriately. It would take some time to acquire the wealth of boons needed to properly attack such a creature.
With these three laws well understood, a plan could be formed, followed and perfected. It was there, in the depths of his Haven that the old Russian started putting pen to parchment to formulate such a plan. Step one was reacquiring Vancouver to Camarilla forces. This would put the region back in balance, show the world that Seattle had the clout to handle the next step, and hopefully put a few appropriate words in the correct ears in attracting the appropriate type of attention.
The war for Vancouver was coming along at an acceptable pace. The crime scene had been reassembled and the story uncovered. The unfolding of events made it clear how the attack took place, though it was still unclear as to the why of the matter. The important agents within Vancouver were now named, and their havens mapped (within an acceptable degree of error). Remaining Camarilla forces were paid to confirm this information, and once that was done to his satisfaction, a proper plan of assault could be formed.
There were realistically five remaining phases of the Vancouver assault that needed to be handled appropriately before a formal assault could begin.
1) Vancouver needed to be appropriately mapped. Which territories were held by what, and where the fighting was fiercest. Havens had been located, and that would be enough to neutralize some of these agents, but the actual lay-out still needed to be focused. The captives taken from Vancouver had provided some information, as well as some of the other maps that had been acquired. Once this was confirmed, logistics needed to be put in place to ensure the smooth impregnation of the city by allied forces.
2) The Lupine forces would need to be bartered with, placated, or in some other way removed from the equation. A plan was underway to handle that. The moon-beasts were notorious in their family structure, and it was theorized that the forces in Vancouver were allied to one of the factions fighting in Tacoma. Logically (if logic could be applied to such creatures), if the lupine situation of Tacoma could be resolved to the satisfaction of the 'good' side, it could be theorized that this group of Lupines could either bolster the Vancouver forces and bring about unbridled pressure on the Sabbat there or at the very least, the gesture of goodwill could be leveraged to negotiate a cease-fire with the northern faction. Either way, we had appropriate tools to handle the Tacoma situation (see file #24). Positive contact needed to be established, and terms drawn up. All very reasonable.
3) Sabbat politics were at play here, but needed to be played to their favor for a successful strike. Evidence that the initial assault against Vancouver was carried out by an Infernalist should be enough to spark a cessation of further support from the greater organization, or at least slow it. Further pressure was being applied subtly to give the Sword of Caine's Josian equivalents (their dread Inquisition) evidence of Bruce's misdeeds. With proper application, it could be surmised that the further aid to the city would be slowed or halted entirely. The initial reports reveal that Denver and Vancouver aren't allied, and might be antagonistic to one another. If they are isolated, they are actionable.
4) Support would need to be drummed up from the greater Camarilla Courts. The most expedient route available would be for Seattle to host the enclave that awarded the Trophy to the one that slew Jaynetown(Jonestown). At that time, they could name a replacement to the Red List. At least two Justicars would need to be present, and if boons could be levied appropriately, further support from the Camarilla could be garnered. This was the best hope Seattle had for a prolonged fight. Further, while the death of so many Archons in Seattle may seem like a hindrance to these efforts, it could easily be turned to an advantage if one was blamed for this and placed in the running for the Anathema. If only there was such a creature. Perhaps one that had lied about her past and purpose? One that had cornered and nearly killed a well respected and highly revered Tremere? One that could easily be tied to the death of both of these Archons. And one that fled the city, directly North, to take shelter in Vancouver? Further, if the Trophy for the fallen Red Lister was appointed to Siegfried himself, that would garner almost immediate Ventrue support and aid. Lucinde herself might be in attendance at these events, and she was... intensely effective.
5) Troops. This fight would need troops. If the werewolves could be neutralized in this effort, the Camarilla forces would still be squaring off against Sabbat packs that had come prepared specifically to fight the lupines. That implied a certain degree of reckless behavior and certainly spoke of strength. Knowing where they havened/territoried, and who was in what pack would go a long way to making these cainites assaultable, but it would be foolish to presume an easy fight. For this to be successful, troops would need to be called. Cassius Cross, the charismatic Brujah would be the figurehead to rally the peoples around. He was well liked in Court and the Brujah favored him. With careful and considerate support, he could certainly take the fight to Vancouver. And, if the assault was successful, he could take the throne for himself. With Seattle offering both aid and support in these troubled times, a newly forged Prince would do well to remember his friends.
Various bits of paper were added to the cork board revealing the goings of Seattle and their war effort. It wasn't time to strike yet, far from it. But, if they acted quickly, it could be time soon. And it could be done with terrible effect.
Politics always came before war. And politics came after war. Both could kill the foolish or the sloppy. Best be careful in coordinating the next phase of the plan...