[V5] [WIR] The Chicago Folios - Completed 9/19/2020

[CTPhipps]

FYI - I added links to all my previous WIR in case people want to catch up on those.

Yes, it appears I misremembered that passage, my bad. Btw note how Dread manages to antagonize the prince by calling him out on his personal power. KJ doesn't have the personal power to take on the whole wolf pack (possibly not even one of its members) and he knows this so he's forced to let them go. He then proceeds to have them killed by the second inquisition...

Indeed.

They see the Emperor has new clothes and that infuriates Kevin Jackson. Of course, there's no proof he did send the Second Inquisition after them. It's possible that the team that attacked them found them independently (or has a bug in Kevin's office). It's also possible that they were mercenaries deployed by Jackson himself. I think there's enough wiggle room that its debatable even if the Occam's Razor answer is that KJ wanted to take them out.

As for why they attacked during the night? Well, humans make mistakes. Ironically, they were probably wise to because the Wolf Pack would Earthmeld and thus are immune to the typical "attack during the day" method.

[Haquim]

I think it's jealousy to an extent given they are Archons (take note that they are listed as such as a Loresheet).



*consults PDF*

I think it was calling a Justicar as opposed to an Archon. If the Wolf Pack were just a bunch of Camarilla loyalists, KJ could just call a Blood Hunt on them and make up a reason later.

Yes, it appears I misremembered that passage, my bad. Btw note how Dread manages to antagonize the prince by calling him out on his personal power. KJ doesn't have the personal power to take on the whole wolf pack (possibly not even one of its members) and he knows this so he's forced to let them go. He then proceeds to have them killed by the second inquisition...

[CTPhipps]

I think it's made pretty clear that KJ doesn't want the Wolf Pack around and is actively working to rid himself and his city of the gangrel, going as far as leaking their position to the second inquisition (who for some reason attacked by night instead of waiting for the dawn...).

What I found disgusting is the fact that despite knowing this the Wolf Pack is still willing to work for the Camarilla as enforcers and militias...

I think it's jealousy to an extent given they are Archons (take note that they are listed as such as a Loresheet).

Edit: I also question your use of the word "archons" here. The Wolf Pack is not composed by Archons. In the very same fiction discussed here is made clear they are not as what gets KJ to let them go (before sending the inquisition after them...) is the suggestion he calls an Archon and lets him sort the situation out (possibly meaning said Archon could terminate the whole wolf pack).

*consults PDF*

I think it was calling a Justicar as opposed to an Archon. If the Wolf Pack were just a bunch of Camarilla loyalists, KJ could just call a Blood Hunt on them and make up a reason later.

“Call a Justicar.” Dread’s voice was quiet but tinged with fury.

Jackson narrowed his eyes.

Dread wasn’t sure if the Prince was offended that he spoke out of turn, or surprised that the Gangrel spoke up at all. Dread locked his gaze with the Prince. “It’s proper procedure. A Justicar liquidates us, chooses a successor, and life goes on. But which one? Geoffrey walked out with Theo years ago. Once the city knows we’re ash, everyone will wonder which clan you chose to replace us, and why. So you either have to take it further upstairs to keep the peace, or you do something right here, right now.”

[Haquim]

Opening Fiction: Modern Times

Cast: The Wolf Pack, Kevin Jackson

Synopsis: The Wolf Pack finds that serving Kevin Jackson is harder than serving Lodin. After a mission gone wrong, they find themselves ambushed by the Second Inquisition and then decide to start recruiting an army of Kindred.

Analysis: The Wolf Pack showed up in the opening fiction of Chicago by Night but it was to show that they weren't keeping with the times. Kevin Jackson didn't much care for their attempts to fight the Anarchs, the Anarchs were a lot more dangerous than they used to be, and were sent out to Seattle with one of Jackson's brothers. I've always liked the Wolf Pack but understand why they had to be cut because 4-5 Elder Archons kicking ass and taking names doesn't really lend itself to KJ's empire being unstable. Removing them from KJ's sphere makes it so the Anarchs and his rivals have a much better chance of taking him out. Also, the Wolf Pack is now among those who might [albeit they still seem to be stuck in Camarilla loyalty mode].

This story picks up some months later with the Wolf Pack burying the ashes of Ramrod after he was killed by an Anarch (implied to be Sergeant Duncan MacTavish). Their newly Embraced ghoul, Nadine, is almost broken by this and tries to quit the group before Anthius and Tyrus convince her they're a found family. Which is missing the point that they just lost a member of their found family (and a few others) for nothing.

I must say that I'm not particularly impressed by Kevin Jackson's style of Princeship as he needlessly antagonises the Wolfpack and may actually have tipped off the Second Inquisition to their location. Getting them out of town is one thing [and even that is a somewhat stupid decision] but alienating them directly and possibly starting a battle with them is something else. Certainly, a smarter Prince would just use them as a resource like La Croix could have with the Fledgling once his various suicide missions failed.

I'm not sure about KJ's motives here but it seems to be that he resents the fact that Archons are above his paygrade. It's mentioned that they're immune to Blood Hunts and only by summoning a Justicar can they have their status recinded and be put to the torch. The Wolf Pack is something of a "loophole", though since they're Gangrel and Geoffrey Leigh has lost his Justicar position due to the fact the Gangrel have formally joined the Anarchs. Interestingly, it says he "walked out with Theo" and that TOTALLY surprises me.

I also think Kevin Jackson has something of a delusion of being a softer touch than Lodin as he gets into fights with the Wolf Pack twice about them being "too loud." Given that Kevin is using Damien and his other Hounds to put Anarchs to the torch as well as inviting ex-Sabbat to join the Camarilla, I think this is projection on his part. He doesn't like anyone not firmly under his thumb. Running a mature R-rated game, I'd also speculate that KJ dislikes the Wolf Pack because of their biker attitude and association with Kine motorcycle clubs that are less than friendly to black people. This despite Nadine being an Asian American.

The ending where they've started to build their own army of Kindred and train them as new Archons is an interesting one because that IS a direct challenge to the power of the Prince. The irony is that people like Mark Decker show that Gangrel like Tyrus or Anthius could probably claim a territory like Chicago and rule it directly for the Camarilla. However, they're close to being their own sort of Anarch Free State. KJ has managed to make them a direct threat to his power, even though they're Camarilla loyalists--but, well, so was Theo Bell.

Interestingly, it's stated that Inyanga was Beckoned here and that's the first sign we have the Laibon are suffering from it as well as "traditional" Gangrel.

I think it's made pretty clear that KJ doesn't want the Wolf Pack around and is actively working to rid himself and his city of the gangrel, going as far as leaking their position to the second inquisition (who for some reason attacked by night instead of waiting for the dawn...).

What I found disgusting is the fact that despite knowing this the Wolf Pack is still willing to work for the Camarilla as enforcers and militias...

Edit: I also question your use of the word "archons" here. The Wolf Pack is not composed by Archons. In the very same fiction discussed here is made clear they are not as what gets KJ to let them go (before sending the inquisition after them...) is the suggestion he calls an Archon and lets him sort the situation out (possibly meaning said Archon could terminate the whole wolf pack).

[Nicolas Milioni]

Part of the fun/oddity of it is the fact that the Wolf Pack is not a bunch of angry Neonate Bikers, they're a pair of centuries-old Elders who are Camarilla Hitmen with ties to the Justicars. If he did call a Justicar against them, I'm pretty sure he'd get told to **** off and for the Primogen to select a new Prince.

Which I think KJ gets since he doesn't.

He just does not like them, though. It makes me wonder if he also let the Anarchs know about their presence.

Have you noticed thst Bobby Weatherborn works like an anarch mirror of KJ? Bobby was forced to become a Vampire by Lodin,Kevin consented. Bobby truly loves his wife,but in his bloodlust put her in a coma for he needeed to feed on her.
Kevin loves his family,but in powerlust has embraced them for he needed people under his thumb in other cities...

[CTPhipps]

Love Kevin! And at the same time ,i wonder if he didn't bit more than he could chew,he still only has Fortitude 3 if recall correctly . he can be killed if he angers an political enemy in his sect or another

Part of the fun/oddity of it is the fact that the Wolf Pack is not a bunch of angry Neonate Bikers, they're a pair of centuries-old Elders who are Camarilla Hitmen with ties to the Justicars. If he did call a Justicar against them, I'm pretty sure he'd get told to **** off and for the Primogen to select a new Prince.

Which I think KJ gets since he doesn't.

He just does not like them, though. It makes me wonder if he also let the Anarchs know about their presence.

[Nicolas Milioni]

Love Kevin! And at the same time ,i wonder if he didn't bit more than he could chew,he still only has Fortitude 3 if recall correctly . he can be killed if he angers an political enemy in his sect or another

[CTPhipps]

Opening Fiction: Modern Times

Cast: The Wolf Pack, Kevin Jackson

Synopsis: The Wolf Pack finds that serving Kevin Jackson is harder than serving Lodin. After a mission gone wrong, they find themselves ambushed by the Second Inquisition and then decide to start recruiting an army of Kindred.

Analysis: The Wolf Pack showed up in the opening fiction of Chicago by Night but it was to show that they weren't keeping with the times. Kevin Jackson didn't much care for their attempts to fight the Anarchs, the Anarchs were a lot more dangerous than they used to be, and were sent out to Seattle with one of Jackson's brothers. I've always liked the Wolf Pack but understand why they had to be cut because 4-5 Elder Archons kicking ass and taking names doesn't really lend itself to KJ's empire being unstable. Removing them from KJ's sphere makes it so the Anarchs and his rivals have a much better chance of taking him out. Also, the Wolf Pack is now among those who might [albeit they still seem to be stuck in Camarilla loyalty mode].

This story picks up some months later with the Wolf Pack burying the ashes of Ramrod after he was killed by an Anarch (implied to be Sergeant Duncan MacTavish). Their newly Embraced ghoul, Nadine, is almost broken by this and tries to quit the group before Anthius and Tyrus convince her they're a found family. Which is missing the point that they just lost a member of their found family (and a few others) for nothing.

I must say that I'm not particularly impressed by Kevin Jackson's style of Princeship as he needlessly antagonises the Wolfpack and may actually have tipped off the Second Inquisition to their location. Getting them out of town is one thing [and even that is a somewhat stupid decision] but alienating them directly and possibly starting a battle with them is something else. Certainly, a smarter Prince would just use them as a resource like La Croix could have with the Fledgling once his various suicide missions failed.

I'm not sure about KJ's motives here but it seems to be that he resents the fact that Archons are above his paygrade. It's mentioned that they're immune to Blood Hunts and only by summoning a Justicar can they have their status recinded and be put to the torch. The Wolf Pack is something of a "loophole", though since they're Gangrel and Geoffrey Leigh has lost his Justicar position due to the fact the Gangrel have formally joined the Anarchs. Interestingly, it says he "walked out with Theo" and that TOTALLY surprises me.

I also think Kevin Jackson has something of a delusion of being a softer touch than Lodin as he gets into fights with the Wolf Pack twice about them being "too loud." Given that Kevin is using Damien and his other Hounds to put Anarchs to the torch as well as inviting ex-Sabbat to join the Camarilla, I think this is projection on his part. He doesn't like anyone not firmly under his thumb. Running a mature R-rated game, I'd also speculate that KJ dislikes the Wolf Pack because of their biker attitude and association with Kine motorcycle clubs that are less than friendly to black people. This despite Nadine being an Asian American.

The ending where they've started to build their own army of Kindred and train them as new Archons is an interesting one because that IS a direct challenge to the power of the Prince. The irony is that people like Mark Decker show that Gangrel like Tyrus or Anthius could probably claim a territory like Chicago and rule it directly for the Camarilla. However, they're close to being their own sort of Anarch Free State. KJ has managed to make them a direct threat to his power, even though they're Camarilla loyalists--but, well, so was Theo Bell.

Interestingly, it's stated that Inyanga was Beckoned here and that's the first sign we have the Laibon are suffering from it as well as "traditional" Gangrel.

[CTPhipps]

Hey folks,

I admit I have been waiting for this for some time. I was an initial backer of CHICAGO BY NIGHT's Kickstarter and it is a major reason that I returned in full force to Vampire: The Masquerade. Beckett's Jyhad Diary had brought me back after a ten year absence but the characters of Chicago are some of my all-time favorites. They're as close to me as Luke Skywalker and Frodo are to other fans.

One of the things I loved about CBN5E's Kickstarter was that it succeeded enough to have two supplement books added to it. As much as I love V5, I have to say it has been a bit dry on the content side. This is because they've been exploring multimedia options but every additional book is something I appreciate. There's still a lot of subjects ranging from the Sabbat to the Tzimisce and Ravnos that still need to be covered.

As of this post, LTTSRR hasn't been released but it seems close and it seems like a good time to crack open my physical copy of TCF and review it. I hope people will join me in this WIR as well as share their own thoughts on characters as well as concepts. I also welcome commentary as well as criticism or discussion of points.

FYI - Starting commentary but the guy on THE CHICAGO FOLIOS has no respect for the Masquerade. Wait until they're in an alley!

The Chicago Folios

Modern Times (Fiction)

The Camarilla

Introduction and The Camarilla
The Once and Future King, Bottom Rung, and I Live with Bread Like You
The Tortoise and the Hare, Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf, and In and Out
Iron Fist: Velvet Glove, Fountain of Knowledge, Long Live the Prince
From the Ground Up, Grindstone, and Impresario
Good evening Nightwalkers, Nightwalking
Barroom Brawl and Handling Gengis
The Unfortunate Embrace, More Complicated than it seems, and Shut it Down
Chance Encounters with Hunters and Beware the Huntsmen
Dearest Club Member and Exclusive Invitation
Help for Hire - Warehouse Rebuilding, Seeking Employment

The Anarchs

The Anarch Account
Beckoning Whispers and Reopening a Cold Case
Outrunning the Past and a Desperate Rescue
Flowers in the Garden, The Lilies, and Words from the Blood
Changeling Allegiance, An Explosive Entrance, Flames Spread
Boyce's Advice and An Anarch May look at the Prince
Mendoza is Dead and Mixing it Up
The List of Ten, Who Made the Deal?, What Would Tyler Do?
Revenge is Sweet, The Plan, The Attack
The Traditions: A Feminist Perspective, At the Rant, About the Data Stick

Independent and Mortal Perspectives

Independents and Mortals
Bad Medicine, Light Up The Night, Surgical Strike
Unholy Autopsy, Factory Farmed Fangs, and Captured!
Oh Brother and an Errant Childe
Severed Ties, Whizzkid, and Opportunity Knocks
Waking Nightmares and Haunted House

Heretical Threats and Observations

Heretical Threats and Observations
Church of Caine, Divine Intervention, Our Brother's Keeper, and Rebuilding the Church
Joshua Tarponski by Ruthven
Joshua Tarponski rebuttal
The Church of Set and Eating its Own Tail
The Black Water, Auguries, Snatch and Slash
The Ashfinders, The Most Dangerous Game, The Little Village Inferno, Reign of Ashe
The Seven Fires
The Bahari
The Cult of Mithras
The Cult of Shalim

NPCs

Banu Haqim
Brujah
Caitiff
Gangrel
Lasombra
Nosferatu
Toreador
Tremere
Ventrue part 1
Ventrue part 2

Loresheets

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Original

Love be an Anarch (adventure)
On the Way to Ford's Theater (adventure)
Joliet Corrections Center (location)
The Fate of Lorraine (NPCs)
Human Resources (adventure)

WIR Links

Anarchs Unbound
Beckett's Jyhad Diary
Chicago by Night 5th Edition
The Chicago Folios
The Gary Chronicles
Project: Twilight