Activity Log, February 20, 2001 After managing to retrieve Nathaniel, the subjects realized that there might be something to his obsession with this cathedral they spoke of (though I find it interesting that our records on New York City show nothing of such a place). They agreed to meet and discuss the fruits of their independent researches into the matter, and to form a decision about what to do to help their friend. The group (sans their new friend Hannah) convened at a small emergency medicine clinic out in Elmhurst, which seems to be owned by Cliff. After securing the location (it is quite reassuring to see them learning from their mistakes!), the Tremere revealed that he had been attempting to restore Nathaniel's mind through his mystic powers. However, he said that such a recreation would be nearly impossible, as the compulsion to find the cathedral and act as a sacrifice there was overriding all other drives in Nathaniel's mind. It would be most interesting to know whether this compulsion is truly Vassily's doing; I had not thought his power to extend so deep, though perhaps it is amplified in one of his own blood. Ari suggested that the group convince Nathaniel that his desire had already been fulfilled. After that was done, perhaps his personality could be rebuilt and he be restored -- a touching display of loyalty, which is fairly unusual among the vampires, as I understand it. The group began to discuss ways of penetrating the cathedral and creating a charade of sacrifice for Nathaniel. It quickly became clear that the first order of business would be neutralizing Vassily, as there could be no telling how he might interfere with any plan the subjects made. Ari showed the group an amulet he had stolen from the Tremere, claiming it would disguise him as any person whose blood it contained. If he is truly stealing from his masters, he is sufficiently foolish that I will not even regret it when they eliminate him. In any case, he suggested that if the group could capture and stake Vassily, he could then simulate Vassily for Nathaniel; the illusion would help him break through the mad one's mental defenses. The group spent some time discussing how to defeat the great worm, as well. They seem to have inferred that the way to the cathedral lies past its fearsome track; at one point Parker suggested that it might not be the only thing below the city, but his suggestion was immediately discarded. The consensus seemed to be that once the worm was defeated, they would then hold the cathedral, and they could use it to conduct the ritual to restore Nathaniel's mind. They discussed a number of plans, both reasonable and foolish, to destroy the worm. Alice, Mobea, the Nosferatu and the werewolves were all offered as possible sources of aid, but the group wisely realized that none of them were both able to do the job and trustworthy. Eventually they decided that they would use Vassily as bait to lure the worm past the crevice leading into its tunnels; they would allow the worm to have Vassily as they ran for the presumed safety of the cathedral at the other end of the tunnel. Ari showed them further spoils from his raid on the chantry, an enchanted cloth that could hold them in the air and conceal them. If only I could obtain that artifact! I am sure it would teach me much about the methodology of the Tremere wizards. After some further discussion, they realized that obtaining Vassily was necessary to the plan, and so they repaired to the Upper West Side, where Vassily and Nathaniel had last been seen. After searching for some time, following signs that I must say I could not interpret, they came upon Vassily. Ari, masked as Nathaniel, was singled out to join him atop a building while the rest of the group ascended a nearby fire escape. Unfortunately, Vassily managed to penetrate the Tremere's disguise, and a fight quickly broke out between the mad priest and his pretended disciple. Ari attempted to use the powers of command on Vassily, while Vassily tried to stake Ari for who knows what purpose. As soon as the others heard the sounds of struggle, they leaped into the fight with quite commendable loyalty to their comrade. Ethan managed to tackle Vassily, nearly driving his own stake through the struggling Malkavian, but was driven back, clutching at his head in what I must assume was the grasp of inflicted madness. Parker attacked Vassily, but was unable to prevent him from causing the same ailment to Ari. Before Vassily could damage the group any further, however, Cliff grabbed the stake still dangling from Vassily's breast and shoved it home. Despite his actions in putting the mad one down, Cliff insisted that Vassily's life be spared, even after the necessary blood samples had been taken by Ari. Ethan's rational argument that the Camarilla would surely hunt them for this act swayed Ari and Parker, and the group took Vassily to a safe room they had prepared in a hotel. The following evening, the group gathered (with Nathaniel and Vassily, both subdued) and headed for the tunnels under the city. After penetrating the outer tunnels of the Nosferatu, they slipped through the crack in the tumbled rocks and pushed their way to the great tunnel of the worm. Carrying Vassily, they moved toward the cathedral (or at least away from the pit), but turned around for no discernible reason and fled back into the crack, reaching it only moments before the monster hurtled by them. Seeing it again, I cannot help wondering what it might be. It seems to be vampiric in nature, though perhaps that requires little mystical skill to discover. The question that most concerns me is the matter of its sentience, but as I do not intend to brave the warrens, I suppose my researches must be rather limited. The monster certainly seemed to be aware of their presence, rushing partway past the crevice and then inching backward to explore it with tentacles and claws. I suppose there was a crucial moment at which they intended to push Vassily in front of the monster, but Cliff's hesitation to commit murder allowed it to pass, trapping them in the crevice. As the monster showed no intention of leaving while the group stayed so close to it, the group eventually chose to return to the surface through the warrens, and try assaulting the monster another day. Transcribed and maintained Elizabeth Kent