"<Hassan.>" he corrects. "<Sultan Gerushah and her vampires, including me, are members of the Ashirra. Think of it as the equivalent of the Camarilla of the western world. At times, we come into conflict with the other factions here in Spain - they all have different goals and agendas. However, before we talk about the factions, Gerushah has told me to inform you of something in our possession that may or may not be affected by whatever ritual the Angellis Ater are planning to perform.>

<"Deep down below the villa, under protection, is an elder Gangrel vampire known only as the Visigoth. He was staked over a thousand years ago by an unknown assailant and has been under Sevilla ever since. Sultan Gerushah found him less than a century ago. Just two days ago, Gerushah discovered the stake was missing from the Visigoth, though he was not awake. She is afraid attempting to stake him again will wake him up.>"

"<I truly believe that powerful magical energies will be at work with whatever the Angellis Ater are planning. Along with the eclipse, I fear that energy and the astronomical event combined will awaken the Visigoth in some sort of terrible side effect. I have had visions of the Visigoth awake and rampaging through the streets. In my dreams, it is wreathed in black inky shadow and cannot be harmed by any physical or mental means. I do not believe the ritual the Angellis Ater are planning to perform know this. In short, the situation here in Sevilla is quite dire. We cannot allow this ritual to take place.>"

"<I am the face of the Ashirra here in Sevilla. I will lend you any assistance I can in finding Ordonio and recovering the Chalice. Allow me to tell you about the Ashirra. Once you have found Ordonio and the Chalice, more information will be revealed to you all.>"

QUEST
CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Find Ordonio in Sevilla and attempt to recover the Valencia Chalice to ruin the plans of the Angellis Ater. In order to do this, you will have to spend some time on the streets and ask questions without revealing your true objectives and intentions as to where Ordonio is.
OBJECTIVE MECHANICS: Each vampire forms a dice pool based on how you personally inquire about where Ordonio of the Angellis Ater might be hiding in the city. You know for a fact he's in Sevilla somewhere, and it might take a few days of casual questioning on where his haven is in order to find this out. In order to describe these few days abstractly, go ahead and form a dice pool based on the most appropriate method you take to try and get this info. (For example, if Misha spent most of that time attempting to muscle and intimidate mortals for this information, she would roll Strength + Intimidation for her pool. If Victor used his computer skills to try and get information about Ordonio electronically, he might roll Intelligence + Technology.) Everyone forms one pool each, and rolls once. We are attempting to accumulate 12 success margins total as a group versus DV 3.

THE ASHIRRA
The Ashirra are a sect under which religious Islamic vampires declare their faith in Allah. Members of the Ashirra believe that redemption for the Kindred was among the promises Muhammad made if they chose to follow Allah. They are the equivalent of the Camarilla in structure and belief. Because you have acted professional during the meeting, you have a friendly ally with the Ashirra now. They are allies with the Taifa Gangrel, and sworn enemies of the Crimson Curia.
ALLIES: The Taifa Gangrel
ENEMIES: The Crimson Curia
FACTION BONUS: Hassan can perform a scrying blood ritual for you that will assist in your attempts to find Ordonio in Sevilla. Any vampire rolling any pools that involve Investigation, Streetwise, Occult, or Insight get +2 dice.

More factions will open as the story unfolds.

Victor thanks Hassan for being willing to aid them in finding Ordonio. "Could you tell us where we could find the Taifa Gangrel?"

<Of course. Seek out Nashwa bint Mukhtar. She is a friend of mine. You can find her here. Say that you are working with me. They will respond to you favorably.>

Hassan tells you the general location of where the Taifa can be found. You are free, now, to explore Sevilla, make your rolls, and find Odornio.

<Good luck, my friends.>

Sorrin spits of from the group, entering the plaza to gather information. Not wanting to call in to many favors on this trip, he gets to, "networking". Approaching a group of competing dancers, one Islamic Belly dancer faced off against another Spanish Salsa dancer. Whereas the belly dancer seemed like a water sprout in the desert, the salsa dancer was like a flicker flame in the wind. Sorrin thought how while their moves were impressive, he pondered how his companions would look in such attire.....thoughts for another time. Work first. Approaching the active women at the end of their performance, he found that they were passively-aggressively at each other's throats. Using this to step in and act as a peacemaker, he sought to gather information from both of them.

Within an hour he was trapped in a whirlwind of passion that he couldn't believe, and by the time it ended, there was scarcely any night left. Walking back to the hotel with a strange stiffness and he made a mental note to never again underestimate the passion of two women who hated each other. Still, he got what he came for....even if he felt like he was the one who had lost in that exchange.

Victor spends several hours going on his laptop, researching where he can find Ordonio before he gives the chalice to the Angellis Ater. He also keeps an open connection with Hassan, to see if his scrying ritual has found anything. The ritual proves to be a success, allowing Victor to find things he wouldn't have been able to find on his own.

Despite the urgency of the task, it still proves to be a slightly tedious task and Victor finds his mind wandering towards more interesting thoughts, namely what his female companions would look like in belly-dancing outfits. After a few hours, mental fatigue and boredom get the better of Victor and he goes to see how his friends are doing 

(Four margins of success)

Misha walked outside into the night and was thinking of ways to beat the information out of a poor volunteer until she passed by a clothing shop. A female mannequin had a belly dancing outfit on display and Misha's eyes widened to the size of saucer plates. It looked so beautiful and sexy, barely covering anything, and definitely showing off a very curvy figures in the most artistic way. She stared at it for a few minutes as the busy evening crowd bustled around her. Sure, she got a few curious glances, as there weren't too many red heads in Islamic Spain, but she didn't notice. She was picturing herself in the dancing outfit. The bikini top was small and tight, with lace and fine layers of silk bejeweled and beautiful. The bottom was worn low, very low, and the bikini bottom was attached to a long semi transparent silken skirt cut in a way for leg movement. She imagined herself, or one of the girls wearing it, perhaps dancing in it sensually, and immediately forgot why she was there in the first place. She slowly walked inside and examined the dresses.

Once their meeting with Hassan was complete, Alana would navigate her way to what she found to be the most populated places. Surrounded by as many people as she could get, she would activate Awe, drawing the attention of any nearby mortals. From there she would kindly talk to them, using her charm to persuade them into spilling any information they might have about Ordonio and his location. While the task was a little tedious, it was something she thrived at and managed to get some information from the many, MANY, mortals in this area. 

(Margin of 3)

After the meeting and having discussed that the best plan for gathering information would be to split up, Alessandra made her way to the clubs. Despite her dislike of them, most of the time you could find useful information from the people within them. Her eyes would gaze over the crowd as she waited for her martini, only asking quick questions to those around her on who would know Ordonio better than they would. It wasn't an easy feat, but when she got her answer, she slinked her way over to them, martini in hand, and started with pleasant conversation. Afterall, who could refuse speaking with a beautiful woman?

It started with a few drinks for information, then a dance or two for more, and finally she rewarded them with a kiss on the cheek for thanks at what they were able to provide her. She left the club a bit exhausted, but showed up back to the hotel with useful information at least.

(Margin 3)

Misha came back to the hotel room around the same time everyone else did. She was carrying a box. "Guys!" she explained. "You won't believe the outfit I b-" she looked around the room, everyone looked drained. "Why does everyone look so tired?" she wondered.

The research was a success. With collaborative effort, the haven of Ordonio was able to be located. Underground beneath the library in Sevilla named Libreria de Ultramar. We were able to get the address, the library's hours, and the next step was how we were going to get in after closing hours.

The option was still on the table to meet members of the Taifa Gangrel as well.

Misha took out her outfit and posed in front of the mirror, putting her dress against her body and turning in front of a mirror, admiring it.

"Research." Victor says in response. "We found where Ordonio is located." He looks at the dress as Misha admires it and takes a moment to imagine her in it. "Nice looking dress. Are you going to dance for us after this mission is done?"

Sorrin gave a small cough towards Victor, then politely states, "While I know we're immortal, we are on a deadline here. Can we please provide our full focus on this matter?" Sorrin looks at a map of the city, "In my opinion, I think that scouting out the haven while some of us go meet with the Gangrel would be most efficient. This allows us to formulate a more cohesive plan, while potentially gaining more information and allies."

"First, I am focused. I spent the better part of this day staring at a laptop researching Ordonio instead of a host of more interesting distractions. And I did ask if Misha could dance for us after the completion of this mission. Second, I don't think that any of us are too terribly stealthy, so perhaps scouting is out. But I do think that allies will help. The Ashirra and Taifa Gangrel live here, after all. If anyone knows the best way to bust into a library, it's them. Especially considering that the Lasombra can mess with shadows and technology and whatever else."

"The Lasombra seem to resonate on a deefrent frequency than vampires or mortals - as eef they are one foot eento the Abyss." Misha said, still looking at herself in the mirror. "I hef seen many places een my time - am not so sure I want to see THET place. However, would like to see myself een THEES.." she mentioned, gesturing towards her new clothes. "..after meesion, perheps, ya?" she said, turning, and bobbing her eyebrows. "Hassan deed know where to find Taifa, no?"

"Yes, after the mission. No better way to celebrate a victory than with dancing." He says in response to Misha's question.  "And Hassan told us where we can find the Taifa. I'm sure that they'll agree to help us once we've notified them of the danger, as well as the fact that we've secured the friendship of the Ashirra."

On the far outskirts of Sevilla was a very run down patch of land that contained the ruined structures of a castle used hundreds of years ago. Once, it was a bastion of defense, now it was the haven of a sect of Gangrel vampires known as the Taifa. Hassan had let Nashwa know you were coming, thankfully, for as you parked and walked the five or so miles through the darkened rolling Spanish hills to reach the Castle along a vague path, far off the well used road, wolves approached, studied you and followed you, as if showing signs of intelligence far beyond a typical animal of their kind. They were large, and kept their distance, but barely so. 

The castle was a ruin - it's day in the sun long gone. Dark outlines of figures watched you approach, climbing over rubble and nearing what appeared to be a lowered bridge. Torchlight created soft shadows in the darkness, and it took a bit for your eyes to adjust. Once over the rubble and at the main gate, a woman approached you. Behind her, an entourage of nomadic looking people stood behind her, watching you all. These vampires were Gangrel, and it clearly showed. They all looked ***** and nomadic in appearance, feral even, wearing furs and eyes glowing in the darkness, like cats or dogs. While humanoid looking, all of them appeared to be wild, and untamed. These vampires were known for their animalistic behavior and control over the wild - a trait passed down from their Antediluvian founder, Ennoia, millennia ago. 

The approaching woman stop and holds up her hand, warning you to approach no further. "Hold. Identify yourselves."

Victor holds up his hands, showing that he's not here for any hostilities. "My name is Victor. My Coterie and I are here on a mission to stop a vampire named Ordonio from delivering an artifact to the Angellis Ater. We've spoken to Gerushah and Hassan of the Ashirra and managed to gain their assistance in this matter and we're wondering if you can help us as well. We've found his Haven, it's in the Libreria de Ultramar. Will you help us?"

(Where is everybody?)

"<That depends.>" the woman says. "<I am Nashwa. Hassan told me you were coming.>" She gestures for you to enter the ruins, where torches along the walls provide the only source of light in the area. Around you, feral vampires look at you with curiosity, distrust, and wariness. "<We do not get many visitors. Come. Sit for a moment, and we will discuss your journey.>"

She leads you to a rough looking common area that looks like some sort of outdoor homeless area - with crude makeshift hovels, surrounded by debris. In short, the place looks like a mess. No one seems to mind. You sit down on what seems to be ruined blankets and pillows.

"<We are allies with Sultan Gerushah and Hassan of the Ashirra. If he has sent you to see us, it is for no simple matter. The Taifa are a movement that was formed in response of the conversion of an ancient elder vampire of the Gangrel clan, Shabaqo, to Islam. He inspired us, and others, to follow his example by resisting the Beast that our clan is so prone to embrace by following the teachings of Islam. We are not as extreme as the Ashirra in belief, and try and remain neutral in the hidden conflict of Christianity versus Islam in this country.>"

"<With that being said, we do not know you, or your viewpoints. The Islamic Lasombra have conquered this land long ago and hold dominance in numbers and belief. However, we have a spiritual connection to the land. We Gangrel are wanderers, survivors, explorers - never comfortable in one place. We resist the Beast, always one step away, and perhaps, one step ahead. We can assist you in your journey, if you prove that you are worthy.>"

Alana listens carefully before humming in thought. "how would we prove our worth to you? Our mission, as regrettable as it is, is on a time restraint. We would love to earn your trust and assistance as it IS greatly needed and would be greatly appreciated."

After introductions and as they were heading to where they would discuss the matter at hand, it took a lot of willpower for Alessandra to not grimace at the conditions they were living in. This was far from the prim and proper she was used to. The mess was horrendous (she was sure Harold would have died if he saw the place), and she had to sit on a makeshift seat that didn’t look comfortable at all. But she sat down regardless, forced a smile, and listened.

She raised an eyebrow at the mention of them ‘being worthy’, but Alana beats her to the punch in asking how to prove themselves.

<The Lasombra rule this country. Whatever shape, faction, or form they take, they are it's lord and masters - and we are caught in their game. A particular faction of Lasombra, in particular, called the Crimson Curia, make our lives difficult. They have created abominations of pure shadow that hunt our game and attack my people. You will seek out and destroy one of these monstrosities nearby - and as a gesture of good faith, I will give you access to a taste of our Blood to assist you. It will give you an edge.>

Nashwa brings over a crude cup of some sort, and uses one of her nails to puncture her wrist, causing it to bleed and flow freely into the cup.

<Drink, and receive a boon from Ennoia.>

Anyone who samples the Blood of the Gangrel will receive this ability for this encounter:

FERAL WEAPONS
This is a Protean Discipline power (pg. 270). The vampire can extend their natural weapons to monstrous proportions. This usually takes the form of fingernails extending into wicked talons but can also come in other forms such as fangs elongated into veritable daggers, as from a gigantic serpent. It can take any form you wish, creatively, but mechanically provides the benefits below.
Cost: One rouse check
System: No skill roll is needed to activate this power, only the Rouse check. Then activated, the vampire adds a +2 to their Brawl damage, and causes Aggravated Health damage to mortals. Superficial damage inflicted from this power is not halved like usual due to the supernatural and deadliness of this Discipline. So, for example, if Misha claws at a target and wins the combat with a margin of 4, she would do 6 Superficial damage to the target instead of 2.