Part 45: XLV - Die Konigin von Eschnapur
Alright, it's time to really start exploring Chinatown. Play that music, and let's see just what this place has in store for us.
Our first stop is here, at The White Cloud. What could this be? Let's head in and find out.
Seems to be some sort of shop for assorted Chinese/Asian curiosities with an old guy running it.
Yeah?
Everyone gets what they deserve. A keychain with a map of California or a cheap, plastic Buddha?
I do love some of these snarky responses. Hahahaha. HmmMMmm... Are you fucking with me, old man? He he he he he.This has just turned into a contest of who can take less shit from the other side.
[Listen] I'm reminded of a story: A thief named Lin was asked to steal an emerald for the head of his gang. The gem belonged to a man in a Hong Kong triad. Most would refuse this danger, but Lin was anxious to do it, and indeed he did. Uh-huh. When Lin returned, he did not want to part with the emerald he stole. He felt that the trouble he went through to take it made his ownership legitimate. The man who hired him did not feel the same way, nor did the man he stole it from. Do you know what happened to Lin? I don't know... dead? Lin was caught. One man has his gem back, but Lin's employer has nothing. I heard this tale from him when he visited my store. Sadly, I had nothing to sell him. So? Lin's eyes wanted more than his hands could keep. Ambitious eyes are, sadly, not for sale here at the moment, though I do have a buyer interested. Do you know when the next eye harvest is, by chance? Left my farmer's almanac in my other pants, sorry. Lin's body is being kept in a freezer in the back of a local noodle shop, I hear. There are people who want him... intact. But I think his eyes would fill my shelf nicely... if they were to wander in. Eye Gouge Hell, a fitting punishment for Lin. Eyes... never stole eyes before. Always a first time. I'll do it.Still got to get some funds for that sniper rifle, after all.
I knew you would. What other reason to waste words on the ill-fated?This guy knows something. This guy knows a lot about this supernatural shit we're in, in fact, and he's not talking. Look at his eyes - he's heterochromic. That just has to mean something. Let's see if we can get something out of him.
What's your story? How rude of me not to introduce myself. You may call me... Mr. Ox. This is my shop. Do you find it interesting? There are no two like it on the road to hell.Not really a clear talker, this guy. Oh well, let's go and get his eyes.
Right across the street we find a noodle shop. Well, that was surprisingly easy.
We trek around the back and enter through the back door, finding ourselves close to the freezer door, with two guys standing guard.
And it really is as simple as just sneaking up to the door, opening it (it's not locked)...
...getting the eyes...
...and leaving again.
Here are the eyes. Hmm... yes, they stare ambitiously. Hello, Lin, do you like it there? These are an excellent addition to my shop. Here, please accept this as a fair trade.With that, we get some experience and an occult item. Originally, we'd have gotten money, but WESP changed that around a bit. It does make more sense for this guy to be giving out weird occult items from his shop, to be honest. But before we can check it out...
I have another task, if it piques your... curiosity. Let's hear it. I need you to be a bad luck farmer. Do you know what this is? No, why don't you tell me? A customer has bought an unlucky talisman from me and wishes it delivered to an enemy of theirs. I need you to place this in the locker of a patron at the Lotus Blossom massage parlor so that the bad luck can bloom. That's all? Okay, I'll do it. My customer has placed a black circle on his enemy's locker. Plant the talisman, bad luck farmer. Sure, whatever. I'll see what I can do.Now, as for that occult item we got as a reward...
...it's pretty useful, but like I said, I'm more a fan of guns at this point. Still, bonuses are always appreciated.
Now, as for the second part of the sidequest - we can't actually do that just yet. You see, the Lotus Blossom is locked, and we still need to trigger something else for that to unlock.
I spent some time bopping around town, seeing interesting sights, while finding that all other sidequests were unavailable as well.
There is, however, this totally legitimate fortune teller for us to talk with.
Sure, why don't you tell me my future?
Five dollar! Here. Tell me my fortune. [Listen] Here your lucky numbers - WRITE DOWN, I NOT REPEAT! Here go. 11, 17, 25, 93, 11, and uh, 62.And that's that. Wonderful.
Our next stop on my tour of unavailable sidequest opportunities is the Red Dragon, some sort of restaurant.
As it stands, this is currently basically just the dance club for this hub...
...because this is where we find our blood dolls. Yes, dolls. Plural.
We're not good enough to get to her - and I have to say, I love these bad pickup lines. And then there's...
CAMERA ANGLE. Well, anyway, there's this guy too. He was added by WESP, and his only line of dialogue is "yeah".
He's easier to get, and he drains faster - about as fast as the doll in Santa Monica. I guess he was just put here as a way to give the player a bit of more easily accessible blood.
There's also this guy, who always starts off in the toilet. Right now, he doesn't want to talk. Fine by me, I guess.
This leaves us with no other option - it's time to progress the plot.
We find ourselves in front of some sort of small antechamber. And inside that chamber...
...we find Ming-Xiao, local Kuei-jin leader and hoity-toity twat. She also talks like she's trying to give Mussolini a run for his money, waving her arms around, accentuating her sentences like she's giving a speech, wiggling her eyebrows around, all sorts of stuff. Comes with the job, I guess. This is once again where the facial animations really shine. Note the "respecting our traditions" line. I don't really have a clue about Kuei-jin customs (though we'll be learning quite a bit about them in this conversation), but this is also a Kindred thing, as laid out by Caine himself in the Traditions of the Kindred - in particular the fifth tradition: Hospitality, which goes as follows.
Honor one another's domain.
When thou comest to a foreign city, thou shall present thyself to the one who ruleth there.
Without the word of acceptance, thou art nothing.
EDIT: Some thread stuffs about Hospitality:
OAquinas posted:
Yep. Hospitality is one of the old-style laws "handed down from Caine" that also got incorporated into the Camarilla Traditions. Basically it says when you enter someone else's Domain you make yourself known to them. Depending on how strong the Prince is in the city, you'd also ask their leave to stay...or not. Obviously, you could blow them off entirely if the Prince was rather weak or you wanted to make it a point of insulting them, but that goes more into politics.
Outside the Camarilla, the original law holds the same sway. Go into someone's turf, and if you want to make nice with the locals you pop in and say hi. If you're an unacknowledged vamp in the city and the Prince was sufficiently powerful (and learns about your presence), you could find yourself unceremoniously escorted out of the city. Near dawn. Possibly staked.
It's a practice of politeness and respect--practical conceits when dealing with a society of literal territorial bloodthirsty predators.
Not sure if there are any Cathayan analogues, but regardless they certainly wouldn't feel any obligation to follow the Cainite's social norms. If they are disinclined to kill you on sight, they may appreciate the gesture, however...
Added Space posted:
I assume it was grafted into the LARP, so a new player could introduce themselves, the Prince could exposition about the city, and then the new guy gets routed to a safe little corner so he doesn't kick over the regulars' long term stories.
Bobbin Threadbare posted:
It's also useful in P&P, though, since the prince is always a good source of adventures (as shown here in Bloodlines).
von Metternich posted:
Yeah, until you present yourself to the Prince, you're outside the protection of the Traditions. That's why it's helpful to have allies in a new city, to tell you where to go and what to do. There's also the occasional ambush of outsiders who haven't had the chance to meet the prince yet. Normally it's a formality, but if a vampire is a known troublemaker or disease carrier or whatever, the prince can technically refuse. Doing this without a good reason tends to piss people off, though.
The Ventrue also have a tradition of sanctuary: any Ventrue can ask another for help at any time, no matter their relationship, and they are required to save them. The rescued party basically owes her savior a Wookie Life Debt, though, so it's rarely invoked, and many Ventrue would rather just die than be that much in debt to another. The trading and honoring of favors is a Big Deal in Kindred society.
Anyway, I guess we're not here to cause a diplomatic incident, so let's stay friendly for now.
No, no tea, thank you.
[Listen] Ah, that is right. Your kind drinks solely of mortal blood, correct? No longer may you partake in the simple pleasures of the mortal realm. A shame.Not sure how entirely true that is. Kindred are technically capable of fucking by spending blood points, and I'm not sure just how far the whole "spend blood to fake being human" thing goes. Thread?
EDIT: The thread provides!
OAquinas posted:
Kindred can't intake anything but blood, so if she's referring to the simple pleasures of tea, then yes, totally correct. Neurochemically kindred are dead as well, so tobacco and drugs don't do them any good either--though smoking can be a useful way to simulate life by reminding the kindred to breathe in periodically.
Though in terms of physical sensations, they can simulate being alive by 8-[current humanity] blood points. Melissa would take a lot to pass as human at this point. Again, doesn't do much for the vampire in question, though it's enjoyable enough for some. Feeding replaces just about every rush and vice in a kindred's life. As Jack put it, "Blood! It's your new rack of lamb, your new champagne, your new fucking heroin!"
Kuei-Jin have to maintain a balance between Yin and Yang, life and death energies. Too much in one direction and they have to resort to feeding on blood or other "base" practices. Too much Yin and they're little better than vampiric zombies. Too much Yang and they become hedonists with poor impulse control (and can actually have children). They pursue an advancement of their enlightenment, or Dharma, through whatever their specific paradigm might be--which is determined at character creation. Ming was actually being fairly honest here; there's no central guide to enlightenment or one path they all seek. Some are violent and unpleasant, others are basically buddhist monks. They're all returned from death for a purpose, usually to resolve some wrong or unfinished business/inadequacy in life. They also all have a spirit companion that tries to take control and lead them astray called the P'o.
No, not that one. It's basically the Beast if he was more interested in screwing up your life than slaughtering everything within reach, though if you lose control to the P'o you can get violent as well.
You can? Yes. We Kuei-jin are similar to you Kindred in fewer ways than you might imagine. You are vampires, right? We are supernatural; that does not mean we are like yourself. We are beings returned through the Second Breath for a purpose. Second Breath? The Second Breath - our rebirth into the supernatural form. It is a spiritual awakening, not some lowly blood ritual meant to spread a despicable curse.Note the casual slams against Kindred. That's going to be a running theme here. There are opportunities to get pissed at her for that, but I didn't take them - at least not in the "canon" run. I did take them after reloading an earlier save because there's actually an interesting bit of dialogue hidden behind that.
But we are similar. We share superficial similarities; Kuei-jin feed on essences that can be found in blood, yes... but as we refine our existence, rarely are we lowered to consume the bodily fluids of others. So as a mortal you can choose to become supernatural? No, we do not choose, but events of our lives can awaken dark spiritual energies. We are not born of the whims of another as the Kindred are. So why are some chosen to become supernatural? The reasons are as numerous as the Kuei-jin themselves. Each is reborn with a purpose that they must find. Once their path is evident, they must seek to fulfill it, even if it takes eternity. It sounds as much as a curse as the Embrace of Caine. On the contrary, it is another chance for us to find our place in the universe, a chance for transcendence. We are not damned, not burdened with an ancient guilt, as in the legend of your biblical progenitor. Speaking of legends, have you heard of the Ankaran Sarcophagus? Of course. The entire city is alight with news of its arrival and speculation about one of your ancient vampire grandfathers, and his evil apocalyptic plot. I take it you don't believe in that? Kuei-jin do not share your history, nor do we share in your false prophecies. False prophecies? It all serves to distract the Kindred. Such a distasteful existence you live, skulking in the shadows, fighting for scraps and fearing the return of your ficticious fathers, completely oblivious to your true purpose.Oh, she's going to be in for a surprise.
Do you know the true history of the Kindred? No, I do not. But with my help, you might find the path you were meant for. Instead, you stumble through the afterlife, a meaty remnant still clinging to the mortal rib. Do you know where the sarcophagus is? We seek it, of course. I have two of my best agents looking. It could be a powerful bargaining tool. Who are these agents? Let me just say that I do not encourage you to seek the Ankaran Sarcophagus.Bah, Hamburg. We're not getting anything out of her on that front, so let's ask some more.
Tell me about your people. We are called the Kuei-jin, though you may know us as "Eastern vampires". It is a grave misnomer, I can assure you. Are you the leader of these "Kuei-jin"? In a sense, yes. You may think of me as the Baron of Chinatown, to borrow from your coarse, Cainite language. Are you descended from Caine? No. We are not simply some exotic Cainite bloodline.This leads to a spot where leaving is the only option, so I guess we're doing that.
I grant you permission to operate in the Kuei-jin domain... for now. May you find your path, Kindred.We'll just be heading back and talking to her again to get the rest of the dialogue right quick, but for now, we'll be rewinding a bit. Let's take a bit of a different path this time.
Will you stop insulting Kindred? You must misunderstand me, young Kindred. Certainly I do not mean to offend. Can't you just apologize? You must understand, Kindred - though I show you hospitality now, our two peoples are not at peace. Not since the Kuei-jin invaded our lands. Really? Can Kindred claim any ancestral homeland on the western coast of America? I think not. New is the arrival of Kindred and Kuei-jin alike; who, then, is the invader?Well, I think the Anarchs and the Camarilla both could tell you a tale or two about invaders when it comes to Los Angeles. Regardless, I'd go with the ones that have been here since around at least the 1870s over those that showed up five years ago.
The Camarilla has a history with Western mortals. Things change. Alliances shift. And people are not always what they seem. Remember that, Kindred.The World of Darkness certainly has its share of that shit. Anyway, back to the regular run, we've still got some questions to ask.
I'd like to ask you a few questions. What can I help you with? I'm looking for a missing Nosferatu. So. The great Nosferatu have lost an agent, have they? It was not by my hand, if that's what they think. Do you have any idea where he could be? I don't know where he is. Perhaps you should speak with Wong Ho about this. Who is Wong Ho? Wong Ho owns the Red Dragon restaurant. He is a prominent businessman, who has garnered much respect among his people. If something is amiss in Chinatown, he may know how to help you.Alright, so that's our next destination after we're done asking questions. Which we're not.
I had some questions about the Kuei-jin. There is much Kindred have to learn about our ways. I want to know about your relationship to humans. Humans? What is it you would like to know? How do the Kuei-jin interact with them? In our homeland, man and supernatural live in uneasy harmony. Our mortals see spirituality in all things, and our existence is taken for granted. An open secret is the easiest to keep. You do not hide your nature? We do, in fact. Our purpose is to seek transcendence. Interfering in mortals' lives, or their interference in Kuei-jin unlives, detracts from this pursuit. But you're a priestess to the humans as well, aren't you? My purpose touches many lives; such is my path. Perhaps "many lives serve your purpose" is a better way to put it. We Kuei-jin do not claim majesty over mortals as Kindred do: Whether as bestial lords or shadowy puppetmasters, you all delight in your superiority over naturally weaker creatures. Weaker creatures? I mean it in the most practical sense. Does the parent show the child contempt by protecting it? To help those weaker than oneself is a tenet of my order. I agree with your comment about guiding those who need it. Indeed. I am familiar with clan Ventrue and similarities do exist. We understand human and supernatural society more keenly than most. Agreed. The mortals of our domain are blessedly humble, simple and content to avoid supernatural attention, which is more than can be said for Western stock. They all bleed the same, I'll tell you that much. Were we not all human at one point? Is it not obvious, Kindred, that mortality is not the end? Is it then not unreasonable to think that further existences lie beyond? That we are all simply transforming? I can see your point. This is what we seek. Or at least as best as I can explain it to you.
Phew, that was a lot to take in at once, and this seems like a pretty good place to stop. Next time, we'll check out the Red Dragon again and meet Wong Ho.
EDIT: Some more stuff about Kuei-jin, courtesy of the thread:
double nine posted:
So are they kindred? Were they created by a descendant of kaine? Or are they like ghosts or mages or werewolves, supernatural but very much their own distinct thing?
xanthan posted:
The latter. They're "kindred" of the East only in the sense that out of the various Asian supernaturals they're the blood drinkers, and I think even then only the weaker ones. Also some have similar weaknesses.
You ever see Jackie Chan Adventures? Kuei-Jin are like the Jiangshi. You know, that thing that sucked chi out of people. Sure, its also called a chi vampire, but that's mostly so people have an idea what it does. Like suck your lifeforce out your eyes. Or have all its stolen chi returned by taking its left sock, putting a toadstool from a graveyard in it, and throwing it in a river.
Tehan posted:
They have the same origin story as half the supernatural critters of the oWoD: God made them, God got angry at them, God cursed them and went off to have a sulk. So they have a similar origin story to Cainite vampires and have a similar diet, but they're unrelated.
I'll dig out Kindred of the East to give a proper recap in a bit.
Edit: Okay.
The Kuei Jin origin story is, of course, told from the Kuei Jin point of view, which means it's pretty heavily distorted. Since we've got access to a lot more of what really went on thanks to Demon: The Fallen being a thing, it's theoretically possible to piece together what really happened. This is my crack at it, though I may be missing or misinterpreting things.
It's been covered in greater depth earlier on in the thread, but the quick version is that God made the Angels and the Angels made the world. The Angels either responsible for or credited with creation in the East are known as the Ebon Dragon, aligned with Yin, and the Scarlet Queen, aligned with Yang. There were also Angels called Yama Kings, which handled the Eastern afterlife. They are said to have fallen to corruption - I've got a funny feeling that this is the Eastern take on Lucifer's rebellion, but it could be unrelated. In any case, they figured out how to consume the Chi of entire regions of both the 'Yang World' (the Umbra) and the 'Yin World' (the Underworld) and effectively annex them into a separate plane of existence called 'Yomi Wan', the Thousand Hells.
To defend against them - and, if my Rebellion theory is correct, to act as shock troops in the war against Lucifer and the Fallen Angels - God created the 'Wan Xian', which were empowered mortals. They had powers they fueled from Chi they absorbed passively from the world. For a long time they did their job, but along the way they learned or were taught how to drain Chi from other creatures. At first they only used it against their enemies, but their appetites grew and they ended up as warlords and leaders of death cults to fuel their hunger.
The Scarlet Queen and the Ebon Dragon were responsible for watching over the Wan Xian and testing people to see who deserved power. When all this got away from them, they went running to Daddy. And God reacted as God always reacts in oWoD: he chucked a hissy fit and cursed the shit out of the errant creation. The Wan Xian were transformed into the Kuei Jin as their bodies died and they became unable to feed off ambient Chi. On a side note, this was apparently the final straw for God, and as far as we know this is the last thing he did before he showed up again for oWoD's Game Over.
But Scarlet Queen and Ebon Dragon are big softies, and they left hints written in the world itself as to how the Kuei Jin could redeem themselves and re-enter the karmic cycle. And in the modern times they decided to dust off the concept of empowering mortals to kick the shit out of things that go bump in the night, which is where the Hunters came from. According to Lucifer, they're also the final non-Fallen Angels left in Creation.