This evening I felt the grounds about the Chantry shift, imperceptible to almost all. It was a slight wavering, a soft buzzing, something different. I finished my report to my Lord and had already had suspicions concerning the cause. I rose from my chair feeling my way through my abode, it speaks to me and tells me what I wish to know. I find the second largest of the studies and knock, slightly. Reginald dislikes being disturbed in his work, but I believe that "sensation" obviously signified it's climax. He might possess quite a stubborn attitude, certainly something the apprentices despise, but he is fanatically devoted to the clan and it's defenses. Honestly, having spent so long with him I have grown to like him. I regret the possibility of his regenthood, but he will be strong and I am certain the lord has been watching this one for quite awhile.
A slight sound behind the door snaps myself back to my senses. I hear a soft murmur and the handle slowly turns...

  Having brought the new Ritual to completion, I rest a moment and examine the shifting bloody circle of runes I am seated in the center of.  This should do nicely for possible future difficulties.  Those worthless Sabbat beasts will find our Chantry an unpleasant place to assail.

 Hearing the knock I was half expecting, I carefully rise and step gently over the runes to the door.  "Just a moment, Thaddeus. ",I quietly say as I open the door.  Seeing that my expectations were correct and Thaddeus is indeed outside, I quickly step back saying, "Please come in, I have a new defense to offer the Chantry you must have noticed being tested."  I then move to a set of chairs and a low table covered with various tomes relating to my recent work and offer a seat to my guest.

I enter, casting a precursory glance at the bloody inscrïptions upon the floor, and take the offered seat."I see you have been busy  Reginald. I had assumed it was you whom cast a ritual this potent, yes potent indeed. Some sort of warding circle? I hope we are not interested in hailing the herald of hell, at least not this evening because I believe it is going to rain and you know how I do hate getting wet", I reply jokingly. "I simply felt the rituals fruition and wanted to investigate. How have the apprentices been coming? I  rarely even see them about these days, it almost reminds me of the days in the old world. Everything had a purpose and everything was dire, quite different these days."  

  I allow a slight smile to crack my usual expression.  Thaddeus was always one of the most astute scholars of the arcane I have known.  "Yes Thaddeus, this is a small attempt at crafting effective yet deceptive weaponry against these foolish Sabbat packs that have encroached on our lands."  I gesture to a small walking cane with a brass grip at its top, laying within the circle on the floor.  "This is a simple portable example of a new ritual I have finished researching for possible applications in combat.  The business end of the cane was the actual target of the ritual.  It is a bane to our kind.  A simple poke with that cane will cause immense damage to an unwary Kindred.  Carefully managed, perhaps this could be of use to us in the future."  

 "As for our apprentices...  Most have sufficient discipline to achieve results.  Given time at least.  Some will require outside help to understand any of the deeper mysteries of our Chantry.  Our newest member seems very inclined to research and discovery, though his thoughts are still the scattered type found amoung the youngest of our kind.  I am sure he will settle down quickly, given a little time and a task or two."  

 An expression of faint nostalgia briefly crosses his face as he ponders old times, faded times... "I must admit, having such extended peace and so many conveniences has changed the way life and unlife is conducted.  A century ago, almost none of what we have now was even invented.  Though, I have been able to defy time as far as maintaining discipline and focus in our labs and library."  A somewhat vicious little grin shows itself as the thought of old fashioned 'discipline' crosses his mind.

 "Do you have any thoughts on practical uses for this new ritual?  I am concerned about whom we would trust to carry such items as well."

"Interesting work indeed, initially I would be inclined to Sebastion, as he does have a certain brawn that this might accompany nicely. As far as applications, I could guess though you Massimo are much better versed in such things," I reply smirking. "James is an interesting one indeed, and I believe this Sabbat incursion will quickly cure his sense of loss over his previous life. I remember my days as a young apprentice, and the bloody battle with the fiends that continued for years disciplined me quite immediately. I often wonder how many were lost in those days." his gaze wanders, lost in another time, another place.
"So, have you any luck with Eckhardt I fear he is a creature of the modern age. It is strange how even unliving we see change and are disturbed. I would have thought our common birthplace would have granted a kinship, but I realized he is from a far different Deutschland than I."

  "Sebastian...  I will have to send for him I suppose.  He truly detests those rare times I am forced to hunt him down.  Even walking amongst such living plant life is likely to leave a swath of destoyed garden again.  My touch and presence is still the blackest to be found for his precious work.  Ah well, perhaps I will one day find a way to remove this unfortunate effect."

"As for Eckhardt, I cannot say I have a great rapport with him myself.  I am not overly bothered by the technology he treasures, but I am nowhere near an expert with such things.  He and I are courteous at best with one another.  Even for immortals, time can create barriers to understanding and communication.  It will take quite some time to bridge the gap that exists at this moment."

 I pause briefly and raise an eyebrow, allowing curiosity to show on my face.  "What has become of Jillian in recent nights?  She has attended to her mandatory studies as always, but has been absent recently.  I sometimes feel somewhat concerned when I cannot keep my eye on her, considering her habits and skills.  I presume she is attending to duties?"

" Yes, Yes I believe she is out carousing as all within her house are apt to do. I do not mind monitoring her progress as she tends to political maneuvering that I feel are beneath me. We have earned respect through our presence and commitment to the foundations of respect in the city, I would not throw it away by dalliances with whelps below my status."

"We shall set to work on crafting a handful of these items, with the Sabbat on our door we can never be too well prepared. I realize they pose no actual risk to our Chantry, but it would be amusing to see these field tested. If even the city were to fall, we are more than capable of withstanding a siege for months."

 

  "Very well Thaddeus.  I will need to take a brief respite to bring myself to full capacity before we begin serious production of these items.  We should be able to craft one per night without trouble.  Two a night, on occasions you have the time to spare for it." I rise and carefully organize the notes and materials into logical order for our future use.

 "If you have no further need of me, I should take advantage of the remaining hours of this night.  I will hunt as efficiently as I may and return to set up a laboratory for our use."  I offer a slight smile and a respectful bow to my Regent.  "Feel free to peruse the notes if you wish Thaddeus.  The ritual is yours to know, as is any of my research of course."  Waiting briefly for any further requests, Reginald will then take his leave for the night.

"Well, documented," he says casually glancing at the documents."Yes, by all means I appreciate your time, but I need to return to my work as well, enlightening as always Reginald." With that I exit the door.

 Heading back to my office, I diverge toward a room off to the side and enter. I slowly bring on the lights on looking at an old painting I commissioned centuries ago. It depicts a siege of a castle in the Alps, a memory from long ago. I concentrate igniting the candles about the room, and turn off the lights. I settle back into a comfortable chair, and I remember..

(Just a note: Id like to receieve some information on these weapons (especially the cane) before they see deployment or use, thanks. )