Fourth night. Part 4.

Alexander Kane meet's Seraphina Corvinus, the Hierophant of the Epitaph Order - and his unlife will never be the same.

Poetic interlude. Tuesday. 9h30pm. Cab on the streets of Santa Maria, heading to Old Town.
The cab jolted softly as it wove through the wet streets of Santa Maria, the city lights bleeding into the darkness like streaks of watercolor on a soaked canvas. Alexander Kane sat in the back seat, his katana resting across his lap and the faint hum of the cab’s engine filling the silence. The rain streaked the windows in uneven lines, creating distorted reflections of the neon-lit signs flashing by. Kane pulled his worn leather journal from his coat pocket, the familiar texture grounding him as his thoughts churned. The weight of Evelyn’s call and the upcoming meeting with Seraphina pressed heavily on his mind, the threads of chaos tightening around him like a noose.

Opening the journal to a blank page, he steadied his hand against the subtle vibrations of the moving cab and began to write. The pencil moved with quiet precision, the words forming in deliberate strokes, a distillation of the night’s events and his state of mind:

Rain whispers secrets.
The old waits with quiet fangs.
Dark truths demand blood.

Kane stared at the page for a moment before closing the journal and slipping it back into his coat. The cab slowed as the towering silhouette of the Santa Maria Hotel loomed ahead, its lights cutting through the rain. Kane exhaled softly, his resolve hardening with each breath, and prepared to face whatever waited for him inside.

____________

Tuesday. 10pm. Santa Maria Hotel. Old Town District.

"The architecture of this district holds memories of the development of Santa Maria. The district teems with the most traditional libraries, restaurants, touristic attractions and shops in the city. Santa Maria Hotel is a century old hotel that attracts many tourists."

Let's test the scene of Kane arrival. I suspect he will be received by a mortal that will politely guide him to a meetiing room where Hierophant Seraphina, dressed in white regal attire and an authoritative presence, awaits for him - but let's see how it goes. Rolling vs 5. 8. It's over the chaos rating, so the scene remains unchanged. Let's ask for Chat GPT to set the scene.

The Santa Maria Hotel stood as a monument to another era, its grand façade illuminated by soft golden light that spilled onto the cobblestone streets of the Old Town District. Its arched windows framed by intricate wrought-iron details gazed out onto the bustling square, where tourists mingled with locals under the glow of antique streetlamps. The building exuded timeless elegance, its age lending it a sense of quiet authority. Rain still lingered in the air, a faint mist clinging to the stones, giving the scene a subdued shimmer.

Alexander Kane approached the hotel’s revolving doors, his presence inconspicuous yet commanding. He adjusted the collar of his freshly cleaned coat, hiding the blade of his katana that hung discreetly at his side. The duffel bag was gone—left with Donovan—but its absence didn’t lighten the weight of the night. As he stepped inside, the warm light of the lobby washed over him, a stark contrast to the chilled streets outside.

The interior was a seamless blend of opulence and history. Marble floors gleamed beneath ornate chandeliers, and a grand staircase curved upward, its banister polished to a golden sheen. The air smelled faintly of old wood and fresh flowers, a lingering echo of the hotel’s long legacy.

A sharply dressed man behind the front desk glanced up and immediately composed himself, his professional demeanor snapping into place. “Good evening, sir,” he said with a courteous nod. “You must be Mr. Kane.”

Kane offered a faint, perfunctory smile. “I am.”

The man stepped out from behind the counter, his polished shoes clicking softly against the marble. “If you’ll follow me, the meeting room is prepared for you. The guest you’re meeting has already arrived.”

Without another word, Kane followed the man through a series of corridors, the noise of the lobby fading with every step. The halls were lined with antique mirrors and oil paintings, their gilded frames catching the dim light. The air grew quieter, heavier, the atmosphere shifting into something more solemn as they approached a set of double doors.

The man stopped and gestured politely. “She’s expecting you inside.”

Kane inclined his head, placing a hand on the smooth, cold wood of the door. He pushed it open slowly, stepping into a room bathed in soft, warm light. A long table stretched down the center, its surface polished to perfection and adorned with a modest arrangement of lilies. At the far end stood Hierophant Seraphina.

She was dressed in flowing white robes that seemed to shimmer faintly under the golden glow of the room’s chandelier. The intricate embroidery along the fabric’s edges resembled faint, winding veins, a design both beautiful and unnervingly organic. Her presence was magnetic, an aura of absolute authority radiating from her without a word. Her features were striking—ageless yet sharp, her pale eyes like cold fire as they locked onto Kane the moment he entered.

“Alexander,” she said, her voice soft but commanding, as though it had the weight to fill the room without effort. “I am pleased you could come.”

Kane’s hand rested lightly on the back of the chair nearest him, his expression calm and unreadable. “When the Hierophant requests a meeting, one doesn’t refuse.”

Her lips curved into the faintest smile, though it carried no warmth. “Indeed.”

The door clicked shut behind him, sealing the two of them in the quiet, gilded room. The world outside seemed impossibly distant, and as Kane stepped further inside, the weight of her gaze pressed against him like a force of nature.

Before continuing, I'll have the chat generate more details about Hierophant Seraphina and the Epitaph Order.

Ok. Now, let's see where this thing goes. I'll roll three pairs on the Action Table to set the tone of the dialogue.
10, 63: Bargain Neglect.
4, 74: Agree Possessions.
9, 89: Attain Technology.

It seems to me that Seraphina isn't interested in murdering Alexander, but in adding him to her ranks. Perhaps the hunters that she sent after him were actually a test. She wants to "bargain neglect" because she'd like him to stop meddling ruffling feathers, "agree possessions" and "attain technology" because she wants him to be a part of the organization. She is certainly not altruistic, and certainly wills to control Kane - but in vampire society, everyone wants to control everyone.
Alexander, however, wants to understand and to know more. He will be honest, because there's no point in trying to lie to her - she could easily kill him, and with impunity. The feeling is humbling. He says that he wants to understand the relationship between the Epitaph Order and the hunters, between they and the arcane objects that Mateo had find.
I'll roll a Gather Information move. 10, 2, 7. It's a weak hit - the information provides new insight, but also complicates your quest. Envision what you discover.
I'll roll on the action table for both questions.
Relationship between the Epitaph Order and the Hunters: Accompany intellect. It's a "keep your enemies closer" kind of things, and by controling and manipulating the hunters they can eliminate problematic vampires without creating further division among the kindred.
Relationship between the EPitaph Order and the arcane objects: 19, 10. Close Burden. They seek to acquire and control powerful objects that could create chaos or havoc if left unchecked and in the hands of less wise vampires.

The meeting room was steeped in an oppressive, deliberate quiet. Golden light from the chandelier above pooled onto the polished surface of the long table, where Hierophant Seraphina Corvinus sat with the poise of someone who had weathered centuries of power struggles. Her alabaster hands rested lightly on the table’s edge, her long fingers tracing invisible patterns on the wood as her piercing dark eyes bore into Alexander Kane.

Kane stood near the entrance, his hands resting on the back of a chair, his stance measured and calm. But beneath his exterior was a tempest of unease. The weight of Seraphina’s presence was impossible to ignore; she commanded the room without raising her voice, without even moving.

“Alexander,” she began, her voice soft and deliberate, with a cadence that demanded attention. “Do you know why you are here?”

Kane hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “I can only assume it’s because of the mess I’ve been stumbling through. Hunters. The knife. The Order.”

Seraphina tilted her head, her silver-white hair catching the light like strands of moonlight. “A mess you have been, indeed. But I would not call it stumbling. No. You’ve drawn attention, ruffled feathers. Some might say you’ve shown promise.”

Kane’s lips quirked in a faint, humorless smile. “Promise? That’s not the word I’d use.”

Her gaze sharpened, the weight of it pressing against him like a physical force. “You’re a survivor, Alexander. You’ve survived hunters, intrigue, and politics. That takes more than mere luck—it takes instinct. But instinct alone is dangerous. Unchecked, it breeds chaos. And chaos is... unacceptable.”

Kane straightened, meeting her gaze. “If you’re here to lecture me, I could’ve stayed in the basement of the Opium.”

A flicker of amusement crossed her face, brief and fleeting. “Always so direct. But no, I’m not here to lecture. I’m here to offer you an opportunity.” She leaned forward slightly, her presence somehow growing even heavier. “Join the Epitaph Order. Work with us, not against us.”

Kane frowned, his grip tightening on the chair. “Work with you? What does that even mean?”

Seraphina’s voice remained calm, but her words carried the weight of inevitability. “It means you stop meddling. Stop ruffling feathers. It means you agree to align your resources and efforts with ours. The Order is not your enemy, Alexander. We seek order and balance, not chaos and ruin.”

“And the hunters?” Kane pressed. “The ones you sent after me. Was that balance?”

She gave a faint smile, more shadow than warmth. “A test. You passed. They were meant to see how far your instincts would take you. To see if you were capable of more.”

“More,” Kane echoed, the word heavy with doubt. “Like controlling hunters? Manipulating mortals to kill off other vampires?”

Seraphina’s smile widened, but her gaze remained cold. “Control is a necessary burden, Alexander. The hunters serve a purpose—they allow us to eliminate threats without risking open war among the Kindred. It is... efficient.”

Kane’s jaw tightened, but he nodded slowly. “And the arcane objects? Mateo’s knife? What purpose does that serve?”

At this, Seraphina’s expression turned grave. “Power is dangerous in unwise hands. These artifacts could wreak havoc if left unchecked. The Order takes responsibility for them—secures them, guards them, ensures they are not misused. It is another burden we carry.”

Kane’s mind whirled with the implications, the quiet hum of the room amplifying his thoughts. He exhaled slowly, lowering his gaze to the table. “You say you seek balance, but what you really want is control. Control over me. Over them.”

“Perhaps,” Seraphina said, leaning back with a languid grace. “But control, Alexander, is far better than chaos. Tell me—what do you truly want? To fight battles without understanding the battlefield? Or to stand alongside those who shape it?”

The room fell silent, the weight of her question hanging between them. Kane finally looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers. “I want to understand,” he said, his voice steady. “If I’m to be a part of this... I need to know. No more games.”

Seraphina studied him for a moment, then inclined her head slightly. “Fair. But understand this: knowledge is a burden, and with it comes responsibility. Once you know, there is no turning back.”

Now let's think about this. Alexander's background vow is to "uncover the secrets of the Epitaph Order and determine if their vision of peace aligns with the true nature of our existence". Joining them would, in fact, allow him to better understand their practices from inside, and to investigate their actions without raisins suspicion. It seems a step in the right direction, and given his concept of a "warrior poet", a "modern samurai", military discipline and obedience isn't something to which he would oppose.
However, before signing in, there's some things he'd like to know and some things that we must do.
First, I'll advance both his Background Elegy and his elegy to investigate Elijah's claims.
Secondly, you'll notice that Kane hasn't used his Sixth Sense - and he won't. Using a power like that on an ancient vampire could be a tremendous offense, and he does not want to die yet.
Thirdly, he'll ask her to expand on the vision of peace the Order has, since it's a fulcral point in their beliefs and he'd like to better understand it before commiting to anything. I'll roll for it: 5, 44. Ambush illusion. It is a very interesting pair of words - "ambush" points toward acting in the shadows and without drawing attention, and "illusion" as the noun suggests that, by knowledge, they plan guide vampires toward truth.
Question: is the endgame for the Epitaph Order to end the façade and create a system where vampires lord over men and protect them from themselves? Likely. 19. Yes, yes it is. Thats interesting - and something that Kane would find promising.
Fourthly, Alexander would like to know what his "joining" would entail in a very practical manner. I'll roll: Dispute Enemy. He'd keep working as a "problem solver" as he does, but he'd work for the Epitaph Order.
Question: would he have a title? Very likely. 66. Yes he would. He'd also be expected to participate more in the Epitaph Order's cerimony.

The room seemed to shrink as Alexander Kane stood near the long table, Hierophant Seraphina Corvinus seated at its head. The golden light of the chandelier bathed the room in a warmth that was utterly at odds with the icy precision of her gaze. Her dark eyes remained fixed on him, patient and unrelenting, as though she could see past every layer he used to shield himself.

“You’ve spoken of peace,” Kane began, his voice measured, steady despite the weight in the air. “But peace is a fragile thing. What does it mean to the Epitaph Order?”

Seraphina leaned back in her chair, her alabaster hands folding neatly in her lap. Her silver-white hair framed her face like a crown of frost, lending her an otherworldly grace. “Peace,” she said softly, “is balance. It is order restored where chaos has taken root. And it is what the Epitaph Order strives to achieve—not for ourselves, but for all who walk this world.”

Her gaze hardened, sharp as steel. “We seek to guide our kind toward harmony, Alexander. To ensure that vampires no longer dwell in shadows, ruled by selfish instinct and unchecked hunger. Instead, we will rise as stewards—guardians of humanity and ourselves.”

Kane tilted his head slightly, his hands resting on the back of the chair before him. “Guardians,” he echoed. “That sounds a lot like rulers.”

Her lips curved faintly, a whisper of amusement crossing her face. “Call it what you like. The name matters little. What matters is the balance we must protect—and the role you will play in it.”

Kane frowned, his fingers tightening on the chair. “And what do you want from me? What does joining the Order mean in practice?”

Seraphina leaned forward, her dark eyes locking onto his. “It means purpose. Focus. It means continuing the work you already do—solving problems, eliminating threats—but under our banner. It means holding a title within our ranks, standing as a symbol of the discipline and resolve you embody. You are no ordinary vampire, Alexander. You are a warrior, a poet, a man of principle. That makes you valuable to us.”

Her words settled into the quiet, heavy with intent. Kane’s expression remained neutral, but his mind raced. He had always considered himself a solitary force, driven by his own code. To align with the Order meant surrendering some of that independence—but also gaining access to the answers he sought.

“And if I refuse?” he asked, his voice quieter now.

The air in the room shifted, a subtle but palpable chill creeping in. Seraphina’s smile widened, her expression almost gentle. “Then I will make you say yes.”

Her tone was soft, tender even, but the steel beneath it was unmistakable. “And if I cannot, then I will remove you. Your sire, your friends, everyone connected to your investigation. I cannot allow this city to be thrown into chaos, Alexander. And I will do whatever is necessary to prevent that.”

Kane’s jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. Her words hung between them like the unsheathed edge of a blade. “You don’t leave much room for negotiation.”

“This is not a negotiation,” she replied, her voice calm but firm. “It is a choice. And you will make it now. Here. Before you leave this room.”

Kane exhaled slowly, his dark eyes meeting hers without flinching. Her presence pressed down on him like a weight, and yet he stood tall beneath it. After a long moment, he gave a small nod. “Very well. I’ll join you.”

Seraphina leaned back, the faintest trace of a smile playing at her lips. “Wise, as I expected. Welcome to the Epitaph Order, Alexander Kane.”

The words carried a finality that left no room for second thoughts. As the weight of the decision settled over him, Kane felt both relief and trepidation. He had taken the first step into something vast, something dangerous—but also something that promised the answers he sought.

And the path ahead was already darkening.

Alexander will thank her in a very formal way because, after all, Seraphina is now his superior. But he'd like to understand a few more things, specially because his very much enjoys structure and order: his place within the hierarchy of the Epitaph Order, his title, his duties, who he'd be receiving orders from...
I'd like to think that Seraphina would not trouble herself with a one-on-one meeting if she'd want him to be just another grunt, so I'll rule that he will be working directly under her - which means that she herself will force him to drink from her, blood-linking himself to her, as he swears an oath of loyalty and receives his new title of "Hand of the Hierophant".
However, that's not all roses - it doesn't clarify his duties or if he'd have an immediate mission.
What would be his duties in general? Roll: 46, 93: Free value. I'll let chat gpt interpret this.
And for an immediate mission... Let's role on the "City Events" table: "Faction tensions escalate into conflict". The Agorean Movement has been sturring trouble with the main vampire society, that follows the Queen's rule - what would she have ALexander do? Roll: 16, 13: Carry chaos. Let's see what GPT does with this.

The meeting room was as still as a tomb, the faint hum of the chandelier above the only sound in the air. Alexander Kane stood before Hierophant Seraphina Corvinus, the weight of her presence pressing down on him like the hand of fate. The polished table stretched between them like an altar, its smooth surface reflecting the faint gleam of her alabaster skin. She rose from her chair with the quiet authority of someone accustomed to obedience, her white robes flowing like liquid moonlight, every step purposeful.

“You have chosen wisely, Alexander,” Seraphina said, her voice low and steady, each word carrying an air of inevitability. Her dark eyes, sharp and unyielding, locked onto his. “But choice is merely the beginning. There is one more matter before you take your first steps as the Hand of the Hierophant.”

Kane’s chest tightened, the air in the room seeming colder now. He had known this moment would come, yet the reality of it unsettled him. “What is it, Hierophant?” he asked, though his voice carried little curiosity.

“You will drink,” she said simply. “Through my blood, you will be bound—not just by title, but by essence. In this bond lies your loyalty, your strength, and your purpose. Do you accept this?”

Kane hesitated, a flicker of fear rippling through him. To drink her blood was to surrender in a way he had never done before. It would tie him to her will, make him a part of something vast and unknowable. And yet, the alternative was unthinkable. The Epitaph Order was intertwined with Olympus, the Queen’s rule overarching all. To refuse was to court death—not just his own, but that of those he held dear.

“I accept,” Kane said at last, his voice low but firm.

Seraphina inclined her head, her expression serene yet cold. She raised her wrist, her fingernail gliding across her skin with a precise motion. Blood welled up, rich and dark, its scent sharp and intoxicating. She extended her arm toward him, her gaze unrelenting.

“Drink,” she commanded.

Kane stepped forward, each movement measured, his composure steady even as his thoughts swirled. He took her wrist in his hands, the coolness of her skin stark against his own. The blood shimmered faintly in the dim light, a promise and a warning. He hesitated for a breath, then lowered his lips to the wound.

The first taste was a shock, an electric surge that coursed through him, sharp and overwhelming. It burned like fire and sang like lightning, flooding his senses with unbearable clarity. The room shifted, the light of the chandelier refracting into sharp edges, and Seraphina’s presence bloomed in his mind—a vast, implacable force that now tethered them together.

When it was done, he stepped back, his breaths shallow but controlled. She lowered her hand with practiced grace, her expression unreadable. “Kneel,” she said softly.

Kane obeyed, lowering himself to one knee. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder, a gesture that carried more weight than her entire frame. “Alexander Kane,” she intoned, her voice echoing like a bell. “From this night forward, you are the Hand of the Hierophant. My will is your purpose, my word your command. You will act to maintain balance under the authority of Olympus and in service to the Queen’s peace.”

Her words settled over him like a mantle, heavy with both promise and burden. “Rise.”

He stood slowly, his head held high. “Thank you, Hierophant,” he said, his voice steady despite the storm roiling within him. “I will not fail.”

---

Seraphina stepped to the window, her gaze sweeping over the city, its lights a fractured tapestry of mortal and immortal lives intertwined. “Your first task as my Hand begins tonight,” she said, her voice carrying an edge of finality. “The Agorean Movement grows bold. They sow discord among the Queen’s allies, threatening the unity we have cultivated under Olympus.”

Kane’s brow furrowed. “What would you have me do?”

“They gather at the ruins of Iron Vault Industries,” she continued, her tone sharpening. “A fitting location for their brand of disorder. You will go there and carry chaos to their doorstep.”

Her gaze flicked to him, her dark eyes cold but alive with purpose. “Turn their allies against them. Exploit their divisions. Ensure that their infighting tears them apart before they can strike further at Olympus. Let the Queen’s loyalists watch as the Agoreans destroy themselves.”

She moved toward the table, picking up a sleek black folder and sliding it across to him. Kane caught it, his fingers brushing against the textured leather. “Inside, you will find details on their recent activities,” she said. “Known locations, weak points, potential allies, and enemies. Use it well.”

He opened the folder, glancing briefly at the contents. Pages of reports, photographs, and maps filled the interior, a tapestry of intelligence meticulously gathered. “And the Queen’s allies?” Kane asked, his tone cautious. “How involved should they be?”

“Let them see but not act,” Seraphina said, her lips curling into a faint smile. “This is a lesson in trust and power, Alexander. The Queen’s allies must be reminded of the Epitaph Order’s role in safeguarding this city. They will see our strength without doubting our control.”

He inclined his head, his mind already turning to the task ahead. The Industrial District was a labyrinth of decay and shadow, and the ruins of Iron Vault Industries would be no exception. It was the perfect setting for chaos to bloom.

“It will be done,” Kane said. He wrote a small Haiku in his journal, signed it with his blood and gave her. The elegy was sung.

Seraphina’s smile lingered, her presence as immovable as the city itself. “Go, then. Prove the worth of your title.”

Kane turned and left the room, his steps measured but purposeful. The Hierophant’s blood still thrummed in his veins, her voice an indelible echo in his mind. The path before him was set, its edges sharp with peril and possibility.

Ok. Everything here was unexpected, but that's what playing solo gives you.

We need to do some system cleaning up before we proceed to the next scene.
I'll consider that the Elegy about Elijah's claim are concluded, but we're sitting at only a 6 progress. Let's roll. 3, 4, 1. It concluded with a Strong Hit. +3 experience.
Now I'll need to make Seraphina Corvinus into a Connection. She'll be Extreme (I'll save 'Epic' for the Queen or something similar). Let's roll vs Heart +1 (6). It's a weak hit, which means the connection is made, but there is a complication - being forced into service by a blood link is complication enough, so we'll leave it at that.
Now I'll sing her an Elegy, which will be a roll of Heart+1. I'll write this elegy as "Create havoc amidst the Agoran Movement in the Industrial District." Roll - 5, 10, 4. It's a weak hit, so I begin this quest with more questions than answers.
Considering all these circumstances, I'll also make a movement to "Endure Stress" - Alexander Kane has been through a lot this night: Rolling vs 5. 8, 1, 8. It's a weak hit. Alexander should lose 4 spirit, but he only has 3. He'll go to 0, meaning he is demoralized and crushed as he leaves the Santa Maria Hotel, carrying his katana and the folder.