Mornings are one of the things I dislike about longer days which herald spring and summer. Now I'm waking up around four in the morning and intermittently falling asleep. This leads to panicking and waking up wondering if I'm late for work because I slept through the radio. Adding insult to injury, the current full moon is lighting things up like it's near dawn.
I'm certain that it's highly subjective but night seems to come quickly in the spring. Maybe the fact that in winter everyone looks westward to take in as much sun as possible because of the short days. My application of spivak's razor is saying the fact that night and day are nearly equal and it's the same effect of the brief twilight at the equator.
As always, any application of spivak's razor is never to be taken without a grain of salt.
Lately it's been cold in Colorado Springs. Not to the extent that I'd rename it Cold-orado but it's respectable. Heck, I can sit in direct sunlight and still think "Maybe I should put on a hoodie."
A few days ago the mountains were completely enshrouded in clouds. Early in the morning there'd be the illusion of an open horizon to the west. As the day progressed the foothills would emerge from the mists. Tufts of cloud would be caught in the trees like cobwebs. Further in, the small valleys were full of mist reminding me of Rainy Mountain.
The deeper valleys were very dark, the kind of dark that threatens rain and lightning but since it's so dry out here there's never really a chance it'll happen even though it would feel so right. Sometimes I really would like to live in a place like Manitou Springs. Over there, you really do feel like you're near the mountains. Colorado Springs just feels like it's an extension of Kansas, its tide of humanity crashing against the front range.
One of the sadder things can only be seen at night. When I first arrived, I remember that most of the foothills were relatively dark except for the odd set of headlights or some remote house. Homes seem to be creeping upwards like a fungus.
Which brings me to a thought which has been running through my head the past couple of months.
The BBC recently featured a story about The Black Plague. Scientists are positing that with the mass die-out in Europe and Asia, trees were given the opportunity over the course of a few centuries to make a comeback after methodical deforestation. Trees breathed, reduced the carbon monoxide and suddenly the planet became a cooler place to the point that period is now known as The Little Ice Age.
The reason behind my declaration that there are too many damned people is simple. Ever since I came out here from New Jersey, I've experienced the joys and the relief which comes from having elbow room. New Jersey is host to numerous two-way roads which are as wide as a one way street out here. Sometimes narrower! Homes don't have much in the way of acreage to the point that McMansions are butted against each other and less fortunate folks while away their final years in rabbit hutches.
Keeping things in perspective, New Jersey is positively spacious compared to places like Tokyo.
Earlier this week NPR had a story about Phoenix, how it's the fourth largest city in the United States of America and how it's under a heat bubble. Four or five million people live in that burg but it's all decentralized. One suburb blends into the next while remaining the same city. Colorado Springs has the same thing going on and I don't want that to happen here.
Fuck traffic. Fuck people. Fuck crowding. I just want to live out in the wide open spaces and only see a person about once or twice a week. More importantly, I want dark skies and silent nights. Bad enough the goddamned dickless USAF likes thundering its jets as a display of force and aggression around lunchtime but things would be much worse with passenger jets rumbling in from all over creation.
There's something beautiful about being in a place so huge, like Hartsel, that it absorbs all the sound. If one dares to shout and violate the sanctity of the location then that shout is merely lost and leaves that person feeling humbled as if all the eyes of the world turned upon them and looked askance.
One of the reasons why I'm not mentioning Stephen King's "The Stand" is simple. Each of the survivors of the plague ended up surviving because they were chosen rather than leaving it up to random chance or by sheer force of will on the part of the survivor. A second minor point which detracts from my enjoyment of "The Stand" is the fact that these people are trying to start up everything that went wrong in the first place. King wants to make them come across as being noble because they were chosen by the good side, the old black lady and all that nonsense but he forgets that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
"Earth Abides" is a beautiful book. Mr. Stewart conveys the sheer emptiness of world. Of course in this case the concept of emptiness is purely human pride that only humans and humanity's creations can fill the world. The absence of man has opened his ears to hear all the birdsong in the woods. The rusting of the beasties and critters in the underbrush. A humbling reminder that humans are not relevant to the planet with temporary impact. The Earth and life is resilient either molding to a new world or rebounding once adversarial forces finally abate.
I know it's only one example but it's a strong example. During the blackout of August 2003, the air became markedly cleaner and fresher than it had been while the human machine was running. Just think what a year without technology could bring this planet! Moreso, think of the impact on our world that would come from a year without humanity.
Of course since I was harsh on Stephen King, I'll be harsh on Mr. Stewart. The tribe that forms around Ish in "Earth Abides" is very optimistic and idealistic. Noble savages in salvaged blue jeans from a department store who know how to live with the seasons and in nature rather than bringing nature under their yoke. The stereotypical Native American. Yet after all the plagues and the enormous loss of life, a little bright spot isn't completely unwelcome and the way he presents them is completely earnest.
I haven't read "A Brief History of the Dead" and I would muchly appreciate it if some kind soul would get it for me from amazon.com or pick it up at Barnes and Noble. You know the one down by Route 22 West off Hillside Avenue?
Heh.
"Girlfriend in a Coma" is a good story but the ending just fell flat. The whole tale just wound up being Fight Club For Chicks and Pussy Guys like P7A77. I couldn't really recommend it but I wouldn't deter anyone from reading it so they could argue with me over its merits and flaws.
There's some good news and some bad news. First and foremost Asbury Park is currently "on the grow" and rebounding after being under the sway of corrupt politicians and falling into ruin over the past two decades. Nextly, no one will really remember that Asbury Park was once a shoreside ghost town.
New Jersey has a heavy Sabbat influence and it was about a year ago that control over Asbury Park was wrenched away by the Tremere. The Ventrue and other associates have rebuilt the boardwalk and opened a casino, drawing large amounts of revenue into the town. Unlike Atlantic City, the entire town is prospering rather than having a glittering entertainment center surrounded by slums.
Tremere
They're the ruling political clan of the city. Tremere were at the forefront of that fiery weekend. The Prince is a man of few words and is known to be short tempered. The clan primogen and the prince's seneschal is a rabbi.
Toreador
Everyone likes the Toreador because they don't get involved in politics. The Toreador primogen is tight with the Malkavian primogen.
Gangrel
No one bothers the Gangrel and the Gangrel do not bother anyone. The primogen is a diablerist having killed the former Sabbat ruler of Asbury Park. Any Gangrel can show up at councils except for the primogen because he is a diablerist.
Nosferatu
These freaks are the smallest clan in the city made up of the young primogen and another who is rarely seen.
Ventrue
The real power behind Asbury Park. Their investments and holding companies are giving hope to the populace and drawing other investors. None of them have designs on the politics.
Brujah
The muscle behind the money. Most are content raising hell at night. Their primogen is an iconoclast who has recently arrived from Italy and has strong ties with the Ventrue and Giovanni.
Malkavian
The nuts pick up the slack on the Nosferatu. Some consider them to be oracles, others figure they're full of shit. They aren't structured at all like other clans and it's rare to come across any of the others. The Malkavian primogen is very tight with the Toreador primogen.
Caitiff
Bitches of the vampire community. Clanless and forsaken. They can be had for a price because they want to garner respect with the actual clans.
Giovanni
This family is patroned by the Ventrue and part of the financial muscle behind Asbury Park's rebirth. The Giovanni and the Venture see eye to eye on many subjects.
Ravnos
There are no known Ravnos living in Asbury Park. Sometimes one or a few will be passing through but most don't stay very long.
Assamites FORBIDDEN
The Tremere have a few Assamites blood bound to them as champions for any one-on-one combat.
Followers of Set FORBIDDEN
There are no Setites in Asbury Park nor are they welcome. It's rumored that the ones who lived there before the Tremere took it back were infernalists. All known vampires have right of destruction on any Setites.
Salubri FORBIDDEN
There are no Salubri in Asbury Park. Should any be discovered, they are to be brought to the Prince at once. Fortunately for them most don't know a Salubri from their ass.
Samedi, Daughters of Cacophany and the rest.
None are in the city. No major clan claim to patron them.
Lasombra FORBIDDEN
This clan runs Atlantic City by the O'Brien brothers. Think of them as two Donald Trumps.
Tzimisce FORBIDDEN
The former ruler of Asbury Park. He squandered money and drove everyone out.
Antitribu FORBIDDEN
The Sabbat wouldn't be complete without antitribu or Panders.
Lupines FORBIDDEN
These beasts have a pact with the Camarilla which helped get them through the rough early months of the reign. The Prince has forbidden all travel through known lupine lands and claims no responsibility for anyone's safety who is foolish enough to venture through them.
Magi FORBIDDEN
Supposedly a mage lives in New York City and another can be found in Delaware. They have little to no interest in the workings of vampire society.
All players must be able to answer these questions, in character, to my satisfaction.
Why would your character want to be part of a group?
Why were you embraced?
What are your feelings on the traditions?
Character creation is as follows:
- Attributes: 7/5/3
- Abilities: 13/9/5
- Advantages: 4/5/7/15
The background generation costs two points a dot. The trade off is the extra discipline dot.
Disciplines disallowed from the game:
- Dark ages clans and disciplines and discipline tricks
- Sabbat and Black Hand disciplines
- Kinetics discipline (outcasts book)
- Black Hand disciplines (dirty secrets of the black hand)
- Bardo (1st edition)
- Daimoinon
- Obeah (v:tm pbh)
- Vicissitude (sabbat book)
- Sanguinus (1st edition)
- Visceratika
The age background (elders rules) is not allowed in the game.
The following merits and flaws are not allowed in the game:
- Self-Confidence
- Jack of All Trades
- Danger Sense
- Destiny
- Charmed Existence
- Guardian Angel
- True Faith
- Dark Fate
- Efficient Digestion
The Iron Will merit is allowed with a satisfactory explanation. I request when you create your character that you give the character six dots of willpower. Remember a normal human being has 3 dots of willpower at the very most. Iron Will is very useful and very powerful.
The Traditions
- The First Tradition: The Masquerade
Any breach of the masquerade will summon the accused to the monthly audience of the prince, third thursday of the month, where the situation will be assessed and the accused punished by the prince. If the accused does not appear then they are placed on a shit list and automatically presumed guilty. If this person appears again in the city or its territories then that individual is to be restrained, staked and immediately brought to the prince. - The Second Tradition: The Domain
This tradition is given lip service among the rank and file. Among the elders and those who hold a position handle it strictly. Any lapses are handled by the victim. If it is brought to the attention of the prince when it is unnecessary both parties are punished. - The Third Tradition: The Progeny
No one shall create vampires or ghouls without the permission of the prince. Permission is acquired by speaking with one's primogen then the primogen consults with the prince who grants or denies the right. Once created, the progeny is presented to the prince. - The Fourth Tradition: The Accounting
Any mistake on the part of a vampire's progeny usually results in the death of the progeny. The second time will result in the death of the progeny and the sire since the sire has proven themselves to be incompetent and a liability for the city. - The Fifth Tradition: Hospitality
All vampires must present themselves to the prince. Doors open one hour after sunset. Usually the presentation is done with the sensechal. if it's the third thursday then this is done with the prince. most avoid presenting themselves directly to the prince. - The Sixth Tradition: Destruction
Only the prince can call a blood hunt. All respected vampires, titled and untitled, have the right of destruction on all Sabbat. Of course proof needs to be provided that the individual was Sabbat.
Politics
The prince represents the legislative, executive and judicial bodies.
The primogen are merely advisors to the prince. Once a year a clan can choose a new primogen who is presented to the prince who may decline, leaving the incumbent, or accept the new advisor.
Clan hierarchy can do as it pleases with its own as long as it's done on the down-low. The prince prefers it this way.
Points of Interest
The Stone Pony
The Boardwalk
The Berkeley Carteret Hotel
Palace Amusements (elysium)
The Paramount Theater (elysium)
The Paramount Theater is where court is held on the third Thursday of the month.
