Harpy Report October 1, 2007

Warriors and Poets of Seattle:

I bring you greetings from the many Master Harpies who gathered at the invitation of the Royal Harpy, Ancelin Blanchard, in Boston this weekend past. I was fortunate to secure an invitation to this exclusive gathering and went with the intentions of both understanding how Seattle is viewed from outside and to be an advocate for what we are doing here. Seattle it seems is the newest gossip fashion, and we were all the buzz. Generally, we are seen as a backwater frontier which is barely pulling itself from the mud. I believe that few hold much faith that we will be in power in six months. I spoke of our progress and successes in such a short time and I believe I left a better impression than many had before I arrived.

I was the invited guest of Boston Master Harpy, James de la Croix, who opened the night with a piano solo which was so beautiful it brought tears to the heart of the angels.

That said, it is time to get to the gossip. I heard a great deal, and much of it will affect you.

• I was informed that Eric Vanhee has been buying up a large number of boons from Seattle . “Dog Eye,” as he is sometimes called, is the Harpy of Chicago. The Harpies have told me that many of their city members have been trading our boons to him. I have been able to track nearly a dozen boons going from the Emerald City to the Windy City in the last few weeks. I will leave it to you to discuss what implications this has.

I also heard a great many rumors.

• I have heard that the Organizatia, a coterie of Ventrue and Brujah (Communists that lived in Russia before being driven out in the 90s) may be relocating to Seattle. This confirms rumors I have heard from other sources. No one knows what great power arose in Russia , but there is no communication with vampires there now. Are they coming as refugees? Was it the Cathayans that drove them from Russia just as we were driven from Seattle or something worse? Are they allies or enemies? No one knows.

• DJ Ten Ton, the Caitiff who killed the Prince of Portland, slaughtered the Camarilla members, and took over the city was discussed a lot. There is a great history story there. That the Setites and Caitiff have become powerful in the Anarch Free City is a great concern. Many believe he will be blood hunted by the Justicars at the Conclave next year. Our alliance with the Anarchs was mentioned as part of the discussion.

• I was pelted with questions about Seattle’s policy toward the Caitiff. Both Boston and Chicago have “encouraged” their Caitiff out of the city and word is they are on their way here. They are despised across the boards. A Harpy from Orlando told me that when he was in Nazi Germany the Jews were better regarded. It was made universally clear that it will be scandalous indeed if Seattle allows the Caitiff to have a place here. Given what happened with Portland, many Harpies expressed concern. I will leave it to you to discuss the ramifications of this.

• There is speculation that the Treaty of Thorns may be revisited in the coming year as well, which is why there is a great deal of attention being paid to Seattle at the moment. Several impromptu debates regarding Anarch rights sprung up. Seattle was alternately called progressive and foolish for allying itself so closely with the Anarchs. Many fear another Portland if we get too close or trust too much. Unfortunately I don’t have the full story on which way the issue will swing.

• Justicar Xavier’s childer, Santiago, apparently has gone missing from Spokane. If you have any information regarding this please contact me immediately. I’m sure that the Justicar will be pleased if someone is able to solve this mystery.

• The final bit of rumor I will pass along, and one which no one could prove or disprove, was that on the 12th Night thirteen years ago, the Nosferatu betrayed Prince Gustav Strauss and the Domain of Seattle to the Cathayans. I heard the rumor from more than one source. I do not know if it is true or not, but it is a topic that has been discussed in Seattle as well. Unfortunately we may never know.

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While I was away in Boston, visiting Lesser Harpy Theodore Hamilton of quite diligently watched over this city for me. It is my hope to find candidates soon for my own Lesser Harpies so that I do not have to impose on the city of Spokane any more than necessary.

• The evening was the first in a series of parties. Our Keeper of Elysium, Stephen Court, devised this contest with the favor of the Prince as the prize. The first host was a Follower of Set. By all reports the party was fine. It was nothing exceptional, but also did not dishonor the host, Christopher Eldridge. It saddens me that there were no Camarilla members willing to host this party and that it took someone outside of our fold to show us how it is done. I have been told that the coming weekend will be without a party. If Mr. Court doesn’t get some Camarilla participation soon, tongues will be wagging across the country. As I learned in Boston, a Harpy loves a good party, but loves even more to talk about the bad ones and the ones that failed to happen.

• Prince Belasco, Sheriff Doc Holliday, Malkavian Primogen Alice Nussbaum, Nosferatu Primogen NidHogg, and the Brujah Cody Octavian went into the sewers and fought the so called Rat King. The Sheriff brought in the head of the rat creature that has apparently been behind so many of our rat issues in the city, wearing it as a hat. I must say Mr. Holliday, if we are ever to rid ourselves of the “frontier” image we are going to have to stop wearing animal pelts on our heads! Raven, the Gangrel Primogen, took issue with him, but their issues were settled peacefully. It is good to see that some of us remember to keep our words for one another and our weapons trained on our enemies.

• Unfortunately, some do not know how to keep their words under control. This was brought up previously in the disgraced NidHogg and Grendel, both of the Nosferatu. Clearly the message was not received by any but them. Roux White of the Malkavian Clan did not like something that visiting Lesser Harpy Theodore Hamilton said and was exceptionally rude to him in his response. Mr. Hamilton is an upstanding member of our society, far above Mr. White in the eyes of most. Mr. Hamilton found him to be an *idiot* an I fully agree. Mr. White should talk to me about how he can improve his standing and erase this terrible shame from his name. Everyone else should remember that your words can affect your station in the Camarilla. Beware who you mouth off too. The Harpies are listening.

• My final word to you is a sad announcement. Gilda Myers, the Brujah Primogen has been killed. The Prince is conducting an investigation and I will inform the Domain of the details when they are available. I ask if you have information regarding this incident that you contact me or your Primogen with the details.

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OOC: Harrison Franklin approves the negative status *idiot* to Roux White.