So I met a coterie of scholars here in New Orleans.

One of them was kind enough to share rumors of a fascinating legend: that through strict adherence to our human roots and great trials one could transcend some of the curses of our kindred nature.

I've heard of the Path of Redemption but this went even further, I'd dare call it the Path of Verisimilitude, or the Path of Humanity itself.

Maybe many childer follow the path of humanity, being like humans because they know no other way to stave off The Beast within them, but this seems to be something else entirely. Constructed like a path of enlightenment, sanctifying attachment to the mortal condition and mortal society.

I find myself intrigued by parallels to the path of my Sire: the Path of Metamorphosis so common to my clan. Metamorphosis holds sacred observation of the capabilities and mutations of the human flesh. But a true observation of Humanity requires observation of human morality and ethics and their myriad permutations.

I must explore the connection between flesh and ethics further.

New Orleans is an absolute trip. I haven't had good internet access until recently, my apologies to my faithful readers for the gap in posting.

Mardi Gras was an absolute blast. For those so inclined the doped blood flows easily and freely. The local authorities (kindred and mortal) are alert but there is more than enough room for a little fun.

On the theme of my main mission I've met a circle of scholars here that have been most enlightening. I will post later, once I'm more clear-headed.

Dear Readers:

I promised to a friend I made in Los Angeles that I would mention her new business. Dark Visions is an art gallery catering to those with a taste for the macabre and gothic, now open for business at DVGalleries.net and at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica.

I'm not an art expert but I know what I like and I like quite a bit of what they have. Be sure to see the owner's master's work in the back room: A triptych depicting Caine being cursed by god, Caine spurning Lilith and Caine meeting the Crone. Sadly it's a commission piece (for whom she wouldn't say) but it was truly impressive in acrylic on aluminum panels each easily 10 feet tall.

The smaller series, depicted the seven powers taught Caine by Lilith, is similarly stunning; and for sale to the right discerning buyer.

I've decided that Beckett is probably no longer in Los Angeles, nor is anyone else who can help me in my quest.

There were some in the city willing to expand my knowledge and the prices usually weren't too dear, but in the end there's not much here for me.

I will say I admire the polyglot treaties and unspoken agreements that ensure a mostly peaceful city though various districts are controlled by the anarchs, sabbat and camarilla. I was impressed by the relative order in Hollywood, though they are an anarch territory.

Spent two days in Hollywood, under the blessing of the Baron there, decent-sized kindred population, it's hard not to run into ghouls in the major hotspots. Most of them were highly suspicious of me, apparently they had a nasty run-in with an elder Tzimisce about a decade ago.

met a young Toredor who wanted to take me clubbing, apparently there's a few kindred-owned nightspots in town: not surprising really, though it amazed me one of them was a Malkavian. She was good company, I think she was struck by the fact an ancilla even deigned to talk to her. In terms of appearance she reminded me of what might have happened if Nicolette had a ne'r-do-well sister. In terms of behavior she reminded me of a younger Emily.

All in all I enjoyed my stay but, honestly, I think a stop back in Lansing will be a welcome return, before my next destination: New Orleans.

To all my readers:

After doing a little bit of work for a local nosferatu I have acquired an E-mail address. Feel free to contact me at dWintermut3 (at) Gmail.com

If you append the tag (Schrecknet) to the front of the subject line it will be routed to my secured address.


Side note:

Haven't had time to upload pictures, will do so once I get back to Lansing probably.

Arrived in Los Angeles two days ago. Travel took a bit longer than I'd like but it was worth it to be safe.


Prince Strauss has been nothing but hospitable. He was somewhat hostile initially, not surprising given the bad blood (no pun intended) between our clans, but on finding out that I was fairly close to the Lansing Tremere he softened slightly. He gave me permission to travel freely, though he warned me against going to the valley (Sabbat territory).

Apparently Santa Monica and Hollywood are under Anarch control, which is unfortunate because he's been seen both of those places, as soon as a decade ago.

I was disappointed to hear that no one in Elysium had heard hide nor hair (no offense intended to my Gangrel readers) of Beckett for nearly as long, since some political controversy. I may have to move further afield but I at least can look for what I can find here. A city with a kindred population this size is likely to get me closer to a number of my goals.

As a personal side note it's quite a beautiful city, so many people! I even took some pictures. They should be coming in my next post!