Now to continue Mark Flavian's adventures into the night with this instalment of my look at Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines. In the previous part, hunters were deceived and killed, porn production studios were investigated and a killer's trail has been picked up on. Now however, Mark returns to Santa Monica to preserve the Masquerade against the ramblings of a foolish vampire.
According to Hatter, his source, Julius, happens to live down by the Santa Monica pier. Why does that name sound so familiar...?
Oh, it's this guy! Note that his friends are no longer present. As mentioned previously, E & Lily were planning to get away from Santa Monica. I would presume Rosa and Copper tagged along with them.
I do enjoy the Malkavian speech. A lot of allusions and double meaning. It is fun to pick up the meaning.
Looks like Julius is aware some consequences for breaking the Masquerade.
A nice touch here is how earlier in the game, it was noted that Julius's speech impediment worsens with fear (which is why he stutters whenever he speaks to the player character who happens to be a full vampire). At this point, Julius's sheer terror is causing the impediment to worsen.
Such is the price to be paid for breaking the Masquerade...
I will admit that the screen-cap does not capture the sheer terror and despair Julius expresses for this moment. The reader could find a Let's Play video on Youtube to see this in full.
Luckily for Julius, Mark Flavian does have a heart, a kind one. Despite his madness.
He probably has to live away from America as well to ensure that no one linked to the LA Camarilla finds him.
As said before, Mark is a kindhearted madman. One who would not harm others on purpose unless he has no other choice (or the others engage in hostilities first).
The smile is rather odd here but I guess one could chalk it up to sheer relief.
The alternative to letting Julius live is killing him. Full disclosure: It is a chore since all he does is run around in circles out of sheer terror. It gets annoying to chase after him though one could subvert this by attacking him on sight without engaging in conversation.
Before Mark can continue with his remaining tasks, there is one more matter to resolve here.
The serial killer's trail leads to this junkyard.
I believe this particular individual here only exists as a result of the Plus Patch.
Here are two hostile dogs that do not leave their fences.
Now how will Mark overcome this obstacle?
Nevermind, the serial killer seems to have cleared it up.
Another obstacle, how will Mark manoeuvre around it?
The answer: the killer who fails to grasp the concept of obstacles.
This looks clear enough to walk through.
Or maybe not...
Let me guess, the killer will attempt to create an obstacle here.
Called it (though I have played this part so many times already that I can predict all of this).
This one is rather dangerous since it involves fire.
Thank goodness for side passages.
Now to get the proper equipment to handle the killer. I wonder if Mark has met him before,
Hey, it's that guy from the Santa Monica diner!
Mark will attempt to understand whether you like it or not.
A lack of cooperation is noted.
In essence, his reason to savagely murder those people were to avenge the murder of his family. Somewhat understandable though gruesome and still wrong by law.
There are other ways to punishing these criminals... Except this is the World of Darkness where justice may not prevail (as evident by the player's many unpunished felonies).
That does not sound like anything a revenge seeker would say. A savage animal more likely or a Beast....
While Mark has committed felonies, he has also aided certain people around him, even using his vampire powers to aid rather than savagely mutilate.
Since Mark's Persuasion score is low, he is unable to coax him out of his bloodlust. Even if Mark could coax him though, I doubt he would let him live. Until that point, the killer has shown no remorse for his actions and only possesses bloodlust. Even if he is convinced to stop, the Beast within the killer is active and may make him kill again. So, Mark will put this bloodthirsty vampire out of his misery.
As the reader can tell, the killer can deal aggravated damage that slows down healing. Luckily, Mark came prepared with proper attire and weaponry.
Rest in peace.
I will leave this loading screen up so that the reader can get an idea on how infested the World of Darkness is.
After that fight, Mark deserves (and needs) some kind of reward for putting down the killer.
Before heading back to Hollywood, it is time to check in with the denizens of Downtown.
Here is a tip for potential players; it may be better if you get rid of this guard at Skyline Apartments. Anytime you may wish to use the vent, this guard may spot the player going through the door to the basement and turn hostile. Rather than deal with that, it may be more efficient to kill him. As for in-universe justifications, the Beast took control of Mark here?
Nothing from Heather.
Nothing from Venus either.
As for Strauss, there was the matter of his book on Gargoyles.
Since Mark already picked up Strauss's book, he can preemptively begin inquiring on Gargoyles.
Yes, tell Mark more.
For the Persuasion option to appear, the player character needs a high Persuasion skill level. So I made sure Mark improved his Persuasion skill.
Remember how I mentioned that the Tremere was a young clan? From here, that claim is supported since said clan had to resort to creating Gargoyles to protect themselves during the early vulnerable years of their clan's existence.
Interesting...
This matches up with Strauss's opinion on how to handle Anarchs and other vampires. Essentially, those in power are to guide and direct those inferior to them according to Strauss.
In essence, do not use guns or bladed weapons against a Gargoyle.
Now to use that Persuasion option to get a revelation of this particular Gargoyle.
A lot of history between the two.
This is why respect has to come from both sides, especially when the employee happens to be a virtually indestructible construct.
Here is a major decision: Reveal the origins of the Gargoyle in Hollywood to Isaac or keep it a secret for Strauss. The former would humiliate Strauss (and in a way, the Tremere) and will make him despise the player character (but allows the player to express Anarch sentiments) while the latter will simply keep Strauss amicable.
Like I said, Strauss will despise the player character if they reveal the true origins of the ghoul. If the reader's player character happens to be a Tremere, DO NOT BETRAY STRAUSS!!! ...Unless you want to roleplay a rebel Tremere.
Mark will make the decision he feels is right...
Onward to the theatre!
In case Strauss's statement was not obvious, the only weapon that can effectively harm the Gargoyle is the sledgehammer.
Before Mark enters, it is time for me to improve some of his stats, namely Persuasion.
Hmm... Perhaps Isaac was wrong about the Gargoyle.
...Perhaps the Gargoyle's friendly?
And sounds pissed too.
I cannot really argue against that since vampires are undead abominations that have unnaturally prolonged their existence, contrary to what vampire romances claim they are.
Mark decides to negotiations. The problem is that this Gargoyle really hates vampires (since it is established that Strauss and the Tremere have kept it from freedom).
Luckily I improved Mark's Persuasion or else he will engage in battle. Unprepared, if I may add.
Here is a part I do like. Blindly picking options here can backfire on the player despite the successful use of the Persuasion skill. As a result, the player will have to pick the right responses to continue negotiating. First thing to remember here before picking is that the Gargoyle is presuming that Isaac is like all other vampires. The best course of action here is to make him believe otherwise like introducing the idea of the Camarilla to him.
Another thing to remember is that the Gargoyle hates being enslaved and the idea of slavery. So presenting the idea that Isaac opposes slavery by a seemingly malevolent authority would appeal to him.
Ah... the noble rebel that battles its own depraved kind. Good thing even Gargoyles can imagine such stereotypes too. Now a good way to win favour here is to mention that Isaac also opposes the Tremere, his creators and the ones that kept him as a slave.
With his hatred of the Tremere in mind, it is rather obvious what to say next.
And that is how Mark managed to obtained the allegiance of a Gargoyle for Isaac.
Will do, Mr Gargoyle!
...After Mark picks up this tape from inside the theatre.
Now to check in with Velv- I mean, VV.
Time to let her know that Julius will not be popping back here anytime soon.
Technically, Mark is telling the truth since Julius will never breath another word of vampire society again.
Which is why Julius is lucky that Mark is a (mostly) kindhearted madman. Also, nice to get a favor from VV.
Well, VV could have convinced another vampire to do this but it may leave more dead bodies (or the job would not be done at all). So she is lucky Mark was on the case. Now to hand the screenplay over.
One thing to note about Toreadors is that they admire all forms of art (or from what I can tell) and beauty so tearing up a well-written screenplay would be difficult for them as shown by VV here.
There goes one probably decent screenplay about vampires. I guess Hollywood will have to rely on that other screenplay on Kindred.
By the way, VV's reward here is this photograph of her. It may seem useless but it is actually worth a lot of money if sold.
Now to track down DMP.
Reader, do take note of the clan described here. It may come up later.
Looks like that keycard from before fits in this door in the back area.
And it looks like there was a reason for it being locked!
Here lies the studio of DMP. Witness how they are all being slaughtered by these creatures.
These creatures are quite annoying as they pounce on the player as their main attack. While this may be easy to handle, note that they are usually not alone, they are fast and they deal aggravated damage. At the same time, they make a loud roar (or growl?) whenever they pounce which may startle an unsuspecting player.
I guess someone wanted some people on zebra action (or is it the other way around?)
Well it looks like this person is holding some kind of tape.
And it looks like this person is dead. Plus he left the tape inside...
And now we get to the more gruesome sets of DMP.
Looks like Mark found a survivor.
Now to brush off his statements to satiate Mark's own curiosity.
Ever did...? Looks like Mark is starting to pick up what other attrocities DMP has done.
Regardless, murder is still murder. Mark will curse and condemn them for their atrocities.
And looks like karma came on cue. I did not take a picture of the creature attacking him since it happened so fast.
Here lies the tape. At least it is not the one from the Ring.
With shotgun in hand and blood within, Mark proceeds to flee the former studios of DMP.
Not before blowing some of those creatures into chunks.
Looks like everyone else fled upon hearing the gunshots and roars (growls?).
Quite a lot of luck actually. A lot was done. Firstly, the Gargoyle.
Well when you are conscripted into the Camarilla, it is hard to change sides.
Well, there is one more thing...
Time to spill the beans!
Mark may work for the Camarilla but he does have leanings towards certain Anarch ideals. Though the kind that Isaac spouts that mixes traditional authority with freedom unlike the Downtown Anarchs that seem to be all about freedom with no structure.
Now to let him know about Ash.
That does make me wonder how effective Hunters can be as paparazzi.
So much for Ash being one of his favorites...
Now to present the completed tape and hope that it does not feature a well.
The screen immediately cuts to black so for the dialogue, read the words in the upper left.
A woman knocks on the door, her curiosity getting the better of her.
She steps into the house. Probably confused and horrified by what she sees.
Suddenly, the door slams shuts. She attempts to open it but to no avail. Knocking on the door does not seem to work either.
Suddenly, movement.
She looks around and then sees a horrifying sight.
One of those creatures from before.
More have come. Her fear grows.
She flees. They pursue, nipping at her heels.
She sees a door. Salvation!
Slamming the door shut, she whimpers and whispers for help.
However none come. Only the certainty of death awaits.
The creatures pounce on her, ending her life.
And then the logo of the group that stole the tape to sell as their own product appear.s
Good thing Isaac can recognize houses and their locations by looking at the exteriors.
So to reach the Nosferatu, Mark will have to enter the sewers via the enemy's lair.
Nice to see that Isaac is actually taking this threat seriously. I will admit; Isaac is a competent leader.
Noted and since Mark is leaning towards the Anarchs, he agrees to an extent.
Noted.
Now for one last word on VV.
With that, a new location has opened up which makes this a perfect place to stop this part. Join me again next time as Mark makes his way to King's Way before beginning his long trek into one of the worst parts of this game.
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