Part 4: IV - Surf's Up

Welcome to our shitty apartment in Santa Monica. This place is a dump. LaCroix could have done a lot better than this, but this is what we're given.



We find 3 Blue Blood packs in the fridge, and a pill bottle and watch (!) in the bathroom. Bloodlines is set in 2004. People still used watches back then. Almost 10 years later and the only people who wear watches are old as fuck, or wear them as a fashion accessory.



Turning our attention to our desk that looks like it was found next to a dumpster, there are three things of immediate note. The first is a note.



Mercurio doesn't seem like such a bad guy, but you can never tell for sure if he's just getting all buddy-buddy with us for his own gain.

In the world of Vampire, you've got to be aware that that stuff can happen. As a young fledgling, we're viewed as a tool by many who would use us for their own gain.

We take the $100 from the desk, and check out the folded card sitting on our desk.



Downtown... Downtown LA? We're stuck in Santa Monica, and who knows when we'll be there. Something to keep in our back pocket, anyway.

Last, let's check the computer.




We know, LaCroix.


I don't think we need to worry about that.


If we need to find someone, it sounds like Kilpatrick's is a place we can go.


Mercurio's picking up explosives? Whatever we're supposed to do must be serious.


Hmmm... Could this be spam? Or something more?





Bah, forget it. Turning on the television, the newscaster is reporting about some new creature that washed up on the beach. The background says "Terror on the Pier". What could've happened?



We won't find any answers standing around in our apartment, at any rate. We should go.

Exiting our apartment and going down the stairs, a newspaper, sitting on someone else's doormat, catches our eye.



That must have been what the news report was about. It's surprising that the L.A. Sun would print that picture on the front page, or even at all, but it's also intriguing in another sense. The killing looks unique enough where it could have possibly been a werewolf that committed the killing. But why tie him up on the pier for everyone to see? It means that whoever, or whatever, did the killing wanted to send a message. We should check this out when we make our way down to the pier.

* * *

A side note: there was a completed game caled Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Heart of Gaia that never got released.



However, you can view all of the cutscenes from the game, stitched together, here, and what looks to be a gameplay clip here. The cinematic director wrote a small amount about the game on his website.

* * *

Exiting our apartment, a homeless guy strikes up a conversation.



Here, it's not much, but I hope it helps,

We lose $10 but gain back some humanity. A reasonable trade.



Mercurio said his place was just to the right when we go down the alley leading to our apartment.



And to the right we find... Mercurio? We don't know what he looks like, but it's safe to assume that the deal for the explosives didn't go as planned, if that's him.

And who's that crying over him?



As soon as he enters his apartment building, she disappears.

_{She was added into that cutscene by the recent Plus patch, if you're wondering. It doesn't make much sense. Those of who who have played the game know who it is, but please don't spoil it yet, because we haven't met her.}



That's the music that plays throughout the streets of Santa Monica. Bloodlines' soundtrack is pretty good, so the music is worth listening to. It also played throughout the tutorial, for whatever reason.

Anyway, it seems that this guy is having trouble with his car. So much trouble that he decided to park it on the sidewalk. Let's confront him about it.



What are you doing?



Let's try to get money out of this guy before anything else.

[Persuade] Terribly sorry to trouble you, my walllet's been stolen and I need to take a cab.



Good. Now...



[Dominate] Meet me in the alley.



I'm sure you can see where this is going.



We drink just enough blood to refill our meter entirely. As OAquinas pointed out, it doesn't make sense if the target's blood meter represents the full amount of blood in their body, since they live if any amount is left. It probably represents the least amount of blood they can live with.



With that little diversion out of the way, we should check up on whoever that was. I'm guessing it's Mercurio.



That's a lot of blood loss. No normal human could lose this much and be okay.

P.S. I'd love to link to the little piano piece that plays in here, but I can't find it with the other music, or in any other folder.



Ouch. That does not look good.



Just kidding. There was a cappadocian vampire named Mercurio back in Redemption. No relation, thanks to Christof Romuald. Have I mentioned that I'm not happy with that LP? One thing I wished I would have done is show off the soundtrack more than two times.



Are you Mercurio?

Uhh... yeah. You're lookin' for the Astrolite? I'm... oh... I can feel a draft on my fuckin' insides! They shanked me - the bastards! The blood ain't workin' no more - my head, it feels... cracked. Uh. I think my eye's popped.

He says that "the blood ain't workin' no more", meaning that he's been fed vampire blood. Mercurio is a ghoul: a creature that is fed vitae and gains some of the benefits and drawbacks of being a vampire. The effects last one month, and the process must be repeated if the ghoul wishes to remain a ghoul. A ghoul stops aging when fed vitae, and if their supply runs out, then they progress to what their normal age would be. If a ghoul is old enough, this means certain death.

Stay with me. What happened?

I got... I went... Uh... What is this lump? Is this my rib? Oh, holy shit, my rib is pokin' through my side?!? Oh. I'm all numb... you gotta look and tell me!

It's a broken bottle. Now, tell me what happened to you.

Goddamn chemist! Can't trust any operators in LA. I verified him, organization seemed reliable. Guy mixes up speed, his crew sells it. Occasionally does explosives. I set up a drop. I show up at the beach with the money, right? Four of these guys, they come out of nowhere. Junkie pricks - hit me with a bat! Head feels like I got a friggin' horse kickin' it. I never shoulda gone alone... amateur move. I shoulda handled those pricks. Goddamn dirty Cali rat bastards. Those cocksuckers - beat me rotten, left me for a stiff. I had to crawl to my car, crawl my ass up here. The vamp blood's the only thing holdin' me together. But shit, they got the money, they got the Astrolite...

Vamp blood. Let's press Mercurio on this, see what his story is.

Vamp blood?

Right, you're straight off the bus. Once a month I get fed vampire blood. Heals me faster, makes me stronger than a normal human. I don't age. By lookin' at me, you wouldn't realize it, but I'm almost sixty.

So where do I find the astrolite now?

Those small-time sons of bitches live out in a dump on the beach. Four or five of 'em. The one's got the explosives is Dennis. Got my money too, that prick!

How do I get it back?

You gotta... gotta get it back from 'em. Maybe reason with 'em, maybe break in, I dunno. God, I wanna kill 'em. Do whatever you people do. I blew it, I know.

Is there anything I can do to help you?

Yeah, if you could... unhhh.... Somethin' just started leakin' - I need somethin' for the pain.

I'll bring something back for you.



Good to know. Goodbye.

Choices and consequences. We don't have anyone to tell, at the moment, though. We could conceivably email LaCroix, but that's not an option Bloodlines gives us.





Back outside, the clinic opposite of Mercurio's apartment building stands out against the night sky. The clinic looks very... unlike a clinc would, I'll just put it that way.



This creepy guy standing outside of the clinc strikes up a conversation when we pass by.

I'm okay, do I know you?

Aw man! Wait. Say that again.

This sounds like a bad pick-up routine.

Okay. Do I know you?

Aw man! You - you're a vampire, aren't you?

This isn't good. If he's bluffing, if this is really some sort of pickup routine, revealing ourselves is a masquerade violation.

What? Vampire? What the hell are you smoking?

C'mon. You are too! Oh man! Don't bullshit me, girl; just come clean. I ain't gonna tell no one. It's okay! I just wanna talk.

Well, let's humor him, anyway.

Alright then, let's talk.

Hell yeah! Oh man, I knew it! I just- Oh geez, I knew you were. I just could tell. I - oh man, this is great! And th-then I saw your teeth an-and I was, like, damn! It was like I could just sense you. The name's Knox Harrington. Pleasure to meet you. Aw man!

Are you a vampire? How do you know all of this?

I'm a ghoul. I didn't know about any of this stuff until a couple months ago... when this guy just appeared and, well, all of a sudden - bam! - whoa man! - vampires are real and right there in front of my eyes. Blew my goddamn mind.

Physically strong and intimidating, a very rugged individual. Now uncharacteristically giddy. Knox has succumbed to childlike excitement at the new world that was suddenly unfurled before him just months ago, when a vampire came to him and welcomed him into the world of immortals.

Let's see... we could press him more about being a ghoul, see if he reveals who did it to him.

You said you're a "ghoul"? What is that?

Well, the way it was explained to me, whenever a vampire lets a human drink some of their vampire blood, the human gains a little vampire power, can heal up quick and that kinda stuff. Geez, oh man! Then they're a "ghoul", and ooh, watch out!

Who was the vampire that made you a ghoul?

Aw man! I really wish I could tell ya, but I don't think I'm supposed to. But it's really cool to be talkin' to you, just, well, because I don't get a lot of chance to talk to vampires - oh man! - well, other than my master, so I thought I'd just say, ya know, what's up, ya know?

He can't tell us? Interesting...

You like being a ghoul?

It's awesome! Man after that first taste of vampire blood... it's like the best drug. Aw man, I'm tellin' ya, it's like... well it didn't mess me up, just made me feel like I was better at everything. I felt like a god, just suckin' on that nasty dude's wrist.

He's inadvertently dropped a clue as to who his master is. Knox called him a "nasty dude", which could mean it's a Nosferatu, or it could just be a guy who doesn't shower. But we do know it's a male.

So what are you doing around here?

Look, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I'm on a "secret mission" for my master.

Secret mission? This could be good...

Well, hey - ha! - it's been great talkin' to you, man, but I better be going - aw man! - ya know, important stuff to do.

See you around.

That didn't go anywhere, but we'll see if we run into Knox later.



Down one of the alleys, we run across this hairy-looking guy.



Who disappears in a cloud of smoke. Hm...



Best get to getting this Astrolite. If those guys, one being named Dennis, have a shitty shack on the beach, we've got to go down through the parking garage.



Of course, the pier is closed off. We'll have to go through some other way to get a look at the body. Those stairs on the left could be a way.




We find our way to the beach, but someone blocks our path.



What?

Those men you're looking for.

How did you know I was looking for someone?

Never mind. You wouldn't understand.

Weird. Well, what's new. Thanks.




_{This song quietly plays from the radio}

There is quite a ragtag group of people around here. I wonder why they're congregated around here. Let's ask.



What are you talking about?

You mean you ain't here to run us off?

Uh, no. Is that common?

We're getting pretty sick of it. Someone citing domain or inthe worst cases, hunting us for sport.

What? Why?



I'm new to this myself. What's a thin blood?

Damned if I know. I know you don't want to be one. You seem to be in the loop - you tell me.

For starters, what clan are you?

Clan? See, I've heard all that before, an- and I still don't know what the hell anyone's talkin' about. I'd like to know just what I've become - we- we'd all like to know jus- just what the... the hell kinda devil's contract we've apparently signed.

How'd this happen to you?

I'd just came to town for the surf tourney - seems like years ago, but it's, well, been about six months now. Every night during the finals, I used to hit the local diner after the beach parties fizzled out in the A.M. That's where I met her.

Met who?

She had a natural beauty, not like all the plastic dolls littering the sand. Her name was Lily. I remember introducing meself - the way she seemed grateful for the company. Well, a few nights after our meeting, we were on the beach alone and...

Go on.



Is Lily dead?

Clinically, yes. But honestly, I don't know. I suppose I'd have moved on by now if I didn't think she'd show up one of these nights. There's a lot I've got left to say to her.

You do know you're vampires, right?

That's what Lily tried to tell me. But what I don't understand are the rules and the terms and the reason some of 'em are at our throats claiming we're harbingers of the apocalypse. That's what I want to know.

The apocalypse. The Kindred Eschaton, the end time. Gehenna: the albatross of Vampire: The Masquerade. The time when the antediluvians awake from their slumber and devour their descendants. The increase of Thin-Blooded vampires is a sign of the coming of Gehenna.

* * *

The Chronicle of Caine
In the beginning there was only Caine.
Caine who sacrificed his brother out of love.
Cain who was cast out.
Cain who was cursed with the lust for blood.
It is Caine from who we all come,
Our sire's sire.

For the passing of an age Caine lived in the land of Nod
In loneliness and suffering.
For an eon he remained alone.
But the passing of memory drowned his sorrow.
And so he returned to the world of mortals,
To the world of mortals,
To the world his brother and his brother's children had created.

Though he became ruler of a mighty nation, Caine was still alone,
For none was as he. His sorrow grew once again.
Then he committed another great sin, for he begat progeny,
Of whom there were only three.
But from them came more progeny, Caines grandchilder,
And then Caine said, "An end to this crime. There shall be no more."
And as Caines word was law, his brood obeyed him.
The city stood for many ages,
And became the center of a mighty empire.

But then came the Deluge, a Great Flood that washed over the world.
The city was destroyed.
And its people along with it.
Again Caine fell into a great sorrow and went into solitude,
Becoming as a dog amidst the wastes,
And leaving his progeny to their own ends.
They came to him and begged him to return,
To help them rebuild the city.
But he would not come with them,
Saying the Flood had been sent as punishment
For his having returned to the world of life
And subverting the true law.

A great war was waged, the elders against their children,
And the children slew their parents.
The rebels built a new city
And brought to it 13 tribes.
It was a beautiful city and its people worshipped them as gods.
They created new progeny of their own,
The fourth generation of Cainites.
But they feared the Jyhad,
And it was forbidden for those childer
To create others of their kind.
Although this city was a great as Caines, eventually it grew old.
As do all living things, it slowly began to die.
Their city was destroyed and their power extinguished.
With their authority gone, all were free to create their own broods,
And soon there were many new Cainites,
Who ruled across the face of the Earth.

* * *

The Antediluvians are Caine's grandchilder, according to legend. The survivors of the Great Deluge. 13 of them, one for each clan, though this number has been disputed. Some have been diablerized, some remain in torpor. I asked Vic, "Why are they in torpor?" and this is what he said.


If any of you have played Redemption, Vukodlak's plan was to arise and diablerize the antediluvians to prevent Gehenna. How he would do this is a mystery. Why the antedilvians would want to diablerize their offspring is a mystery, as well.



Are all these others here thin-bloods as well?

Aye. Most of them just recently arrived in LA. Got chased off by the Sabbath or some such thing from their home cities. They're more in the dark than I am. They're a good bunch, but... well they've been through a lot. It's affected them.

Maybe I should look into this whole thin-blood thing.



I'll ask around, see what I can dig up.

Oh, we'd appreciate it. Oh, 'fore I forget, name's E. The black-haired beauty over there's Rosa - sees the future, so she says. That nervous bloke is Copper, and the one who can't speak so well's Julius. Kids' gloves with them; they've had it rough.

Any idea where I might begin looking for information?

Seems no one'll talk about it. This all started that night in the diner... maybe you could start there.

I'll see what I can do. Goodbye.



Before we do anything else, let's check on that killing at the pier. If you look near the top of the picture, you can see a lone wolf standing on the ridge.



It confirms what we saw in the newspaper, but there aren't any other clues to be found around here.



While up here, We find a pack of gum...



and below the pier, a stake. We are a vampiric MacGyver - this will all make sense soon enough.

So let's get to talking to the rest of the thin-bloods. We'll start with Copper.



Head vampire? Uh, yeah, of course we do.

Who doesn't?



[Persuade]If he's killed with the Holy Stake, sure. Interested in purchasing it?

Okay. But first I had another question. Umm... how about blood transfusions? If I get a full blood transfusion I can become human again, right?

[Persuade]Sure. If it's unicorn blood.

Unicorn blood?

Oh, there can be vampires but no such thing as unicorns?



Next is Julius.



Are you okay?

It's nuh-nuh-nothing.

Do I scare you?

Nuh-nu-nuh-no no. I have a sp-s-s-speech-puh-pw-oh-oblem. S-s-sor-sorry.

Puh-puh-puh-pathetic!

I'm sure he'll never come up again. Let's try talking to that woman again, Rosa.



What are you talking about?

Why is he smiling? The father? Is it- Is it the father behind him?

You're not makng any sense.



Here Troika falls back on that shitty mad oracle trope that bad writers use as a lazy method of foreshadowing.

I don't understand.

Ah, I sorry. Sometimes I see... nothing - disregard what I say.

That's a not-so-subtle way of saying "we're trying to foreshadow, here."

[Persuade]You have a gift. Please, it's very important. Can you tell me anything else?



This sound suspiciously similar to that email we received from "a friend".

Can you be more specific?

I don't know what I'm saying. Forget what I say.

Wait... do you know anything about the murder on the pier?

Murder? Yes... the killer is dead. He moves soon and travels to the heart of the ángeles... and to the home of the stars... and then returns fulfilled... and empty once again.

Can you tell me my fortune? I'll pay you.

Fortune is not your destiny. All of us are unfortunate. Every time I sleep the future plays out before me. I know the ending... it will end over and over until I cease to dream. I know your questions. For $100, I'll tell you what you don't want to hear. I need money to leave this place.

A hundred? I'll give you twenty. Here's my question.



What's going to happen to me in the next few nights?

The crimson ship. He's not who he says she is and it's going to burn. Dinosaurs? He's furious... the man with the crest... the voice in the darkness, boss. Chinese brothers. Follow the lights to the end of the tunnel. Where do you want to go?

Who can I trust?

Hmm... the man on the couch... the lone wolf. All others - tread carefully.

The man on the couch? Could she be referring to Mercurio? And who's this lone wolf?

Who are my enemies?

Many. Everywhere. Some with swords, some with smiles. But I pity them. You are a remarkable foe.

So, who has a job I can do?

Those with a lot to say... usually have something on their mind. There are many unique individuals around the city. It's almost as if they're waiting for you to ask the right thing. E, for example.

"You're aware that you're playing an RPG, right?

Any advice at all? Something that's going to save my life?

Don't open it.

In fifth grade, who stole my bike?

I see the future, not the past.

So, am I going to win after all is said and done?



Don't worry, Troika. I bought the game on steam when it was on sale. I didn't pirate it.



Let's get to the point. We came down here to get the astrolite. The chemist's beach house is up on the cliff.



As the first main quest, when Troika didn't face any time-crunching deadlines, etc., there are multiple ways of approaching this.

1. Kill everyone and get the astrolite
2. Sneak around the back, cut the power, and sneak in to steal the astrolite
3. Talk our way into getting the astrolite

We're most equipped to do this the third way. Our first obstacle is the shirtless guard near the fence. We should also look for Mercurio's money.



[Seduction]Do I look dangerous to you? I'm sure a big man like you isn't scared of me.



With that, we enter the house.



This is on the television. I've read that this is actually alpha footage of Bloodlines.



We also find a room with a vent. Something tells me we should check it out.



What do you know! Mercurio's money. Now to get the astrolite.



Eventually, we come across this room. This must be Dennis. The astrolite sits on a table behind him, but if we just take it, guns will come out.



Bringing up astrolite right away will tip Dennis off that we're with Mercurio. Better play this safe.

What have you got?

My staff maintains at all times a twenty-four carat smorgasbord of A+ narcotics guaranteed to make the competition's shit seem like a weak cappuccino in comparison. White, green, blues, reds, black - you pick a color.

I'm looking for something different. Got any explosives?

Explosives? Fun stuff. You can get yourself a lotta attention that way. I may have somethin'. Why would you need to get your hands on some fireworks?

Money problems. I need to make a car disappear for the insurance.



[Seduction] Anything else you take besides cash?

Mmm hmm. I'd be open to negotiations. Question is: how open are you?

Want to send your buddy out of the room and find out?

Dennis turns to the other guy in the room...

Yo, go check the odometer on my car.

The guy leaves, and Dennis turns back to us...





We're sucking on Dennis' neck and sending him into shock or whatever happens to someone in that daze they're in after we feed on them.



Dennis none-the-wiser, we steal the astrolite from under his nose and exit the area.



But not before running into this dog.



This little guy is added to the game if you install the plus patch. He doesn't serve much purpose unless the NPCs in the area become hostile to you, and then he'll attack you on sight. Even then, he's buggy as fuck.







Anyway, let's see if Copper has come up with the money.



I have the special chewing gum for your teeth for $100.

Uh... o-okay. I-I guess. Here.

And here's the stake. You have $100?



Well, what should we say? Who should sic Copper on?