V:EKN Lasombra Newsletter - Oct 2000

Official V:EKN Lasombra Newsletter for October 2000
 
By Michael Eichler
 
Before moving on, I would like to apologize for not publishing this 
newsletter earlier than this.  Between life and finally getting my 
system working at my house I just haven’t been able to meet the monthly 
newsletter.  This is a situation I hope to remedy within the next few weeks.
 
Enjoy!
 
Michael Eichler
 
- - - - - - - - - - -
Story Time - Sticks and stones may break my bones, but a M15 WP can be forever.
Minion Call - A discussion of cards...
Deck - Lasombra Masters on the Presidential Lawn
Deck - Might of the Night Political
- - - - - - - - - - -
 
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but a M15 WP can be forever. 
 
Caceras brooded over his current situation in his coup attempt 
against Caldwell when a knocking at his door sounded.
"Enter" announced Caceras.
The door opened and in walked Sophia.
"My dear Sophia, your delightful presence has been missed.  
How was your endeavor?"
"It went well enough."  "Your requested job was a pain in the ass but 
it was fruitful.  The information you desire is on this CD, Sophia said 
as she handed it to Caceras.
"What was the cause of the delay?  You should have been able to record 
this information within a day.  You’ve been gone for over a fortnight." 
Caceras spit out while taking the CD.
"You are correct Caceras, however, the fragment data at the presentation 
was not genuine.  The Librarians stalled the unveiling, while a massive 
search ensued throughout Montreal.  The intrigues were noteworthy, but 
desperate, and in the end deadly.  The true fragment was eventually found 
and it’s translations plus images are now in your hands."
"Please tell me I can rest now," requested Sophia.  "You know how I hate 
air travel, especially United.  Can you believe I was sent to Denver?  
Denver of all places!  It took Henry a day to clear the mix-up and another 
to have me brought back here.  Good servants are hard to find."
"My sympathies on the poor return trip," said Caceras quietly.  "However, 
I do have another small request of you, my dear.  I need to know if you 
remember Benito?"
"Benito!  How could I ever forget that pompous ass!  Damned Toreador is so 
full of himself it just makes me want to retch!" snarled Sophia. "Ah, I see 
you do remember him" smiled Caceras.
"Well, I feel it is my duty to inform you that prior to your return, 
your friend..." droned Caceras as Sophia grimaced, "...Benito came to the city 
upon Caldwell’s request."
Sophia lost all expression
After a two beat silence...
"The great Benito, here in this city?  Upon Caldwell’s request?  What kind 
of idiot... oh.  I forgot myself, Benito is an idiot", Sophia stated mockingly, 
"Do you know what Caldwell promised Benito for his services?  You?  Me?  Both?"
"My sources are working on that as we speak", answered Caceras, "However, 
I have learned that Benito will be announced and brought up to Bishop..."
"BISHOP!" roared Sophia.
"If that ass kissing, shit eating swine becomes a bishop here, I may never be 
able to pay back that son-of-a-bitch for what he did to me in Athens."
"Where is this coronation to occur?" inquired Sophia.
"It is to take place tomorrow, midnight, at the Opera House", Caceras answered 
flatly as he turned away to look at his aquarium with a smile. "I am just 
supposing here for a moment", Sophia stated, "that you would have zero objections 
if something were to go wrong at the opera tomorrow night.  Is this a 
correct statement?"
"My dear, Sophia, I never object to anything you do when it embarrasses 
Caldwell or any of his small minded productions", Caceras answered with delight 
dancing in his eyes as thoughts of turning fortunes moved through his head.
"Then with your leave, I have several hours to prepare my ‘embarrassing accident’ 
for tomorrow’s gala." Intoned Sophia as she turned and exited the room.
 
Next Evening...
"Phillip, which period do you believe I should wear, Paris early 1700’s or 
Italian mid to late 1400’s?  Peter the Great or Lorenzo de’ Medici?" inquired 
Benito as he aired out his wardrobe.
"Hmm, I would have figured you for early Colonial American myself" answered 
Phillip from across the room as he continued to peer out the window.
"What the devil Phillip?  What do you find so interesting outside that 
you can not even help me with my grand night within your city..."
"And soon to be your city as well, Benito.  Please do not forget that." 
Phillip answered quietly.  "Let us not forget our true purpose here. 
Caldwell’s nemesis, Caceras, must be brought down.  When I first came here, 
it was Caldwell who protected me from machinations of that windbag Lasombra.  
His majesty had eroded much of our lord’s power. But after much talk and 
contemplation it was decided that we needed you.  After all, I can only do 
so much here and Caceras seems to have a way of gathering and enveloping 
new contacts and powerbases that I have been a busy little monster as of 
late.  The teams being sent out after me are becoming more and more dangerous.  
I fear that my time is close at hand."
"And what makes you feel such?" asked Benito as he brought out his best 
Bostonian suit.
"...I’m not sure... just a feeling, really", answered Phillip.  "The last 
team I fought was not bad, slightly disorganized, but dangerous none the less.  
I was lucky and my luck can not continue to run as it has." "Have you discussed 
this with Caldwell?  I would imagine he could send you some assistance or 
allow you to reduce your special activities considerably", responded Benito.
"No, I haven’t.  Caldwell has started to become more agitated as of late.  
When I made inquiries he informed me that he seemed to have had one problem 
solved only to see another creep up from somewhere south", Phillip stated 
carefully.
Suddenly Phillip turned quickly back towards the window.
"What is it?"
"A contact of mine.  I shall have to introduce you to him, but it will have 
to wait.  I do apologize for not being of more assistance to you. I can have 
one of Caldwell’s servants help, but I must depart immediately", responded 
Phillip as he made for the door.
Benito closed the distance to the door before Phillip could reach it.  
"Phillip, be careful, my brother.  It is not like you to be so abrupt 
while you are still distracted with thoughts of failure still looming 
overhead.  If you have need of me, you know how to get me" Benito stated 
as he kissed Phillip and allowed him to leave.
 
Exiting Caldwell’s residence, Phillip crossed the street and headed toward 
his stooge.  He slowed as he drew near, stopping at a public phone, 8 meters 
from where his contact sat talking on a cell phone. Phillip paid and dialed 
a number.  A barely audible beep was heard as the contact opened the line 
and stopped talking.
"What news do you have?" inquired Phillip.
"I thought you might be interested in knowing of the return of an old 
friend of yours", answered the contact.
"An old friend?  I have no old friends, old enemies, yes.  Friends, no", 
responded Phillip.
"Have it your way then", the contact sighed.  "You may be interested in knowing 
that Sophia has returned from her sudden departure to Montreal." "Sophia has 
returned.  I suppose I had good reason for feeling a crawling on my skin as 
of late", hissed Phillip.  "Is she lounging at her usual club or is she kissing 
up to Caceras?"
"Neither, word has it she is was informed of Benito’s presence within the city 
and was out of Caceras’s office like a shot", answered the contact.
"Do you know of her whereabouts at this time?" asked Phillip.
"I have a good idea as to where she is headed, yes.  Her exact location at 
this time, no", the contact whispered.
"I take it the bitch has not gone into hiding then.  Where do you believe 
she is headed?" asked Phillip.
"To the Announcing this evening, read your history or at the very least 
ask Benito on his knowledge of Sophia", the contact stated smilingly.  
"Ah, it is time for me to leave.  My bus has arrived and I can not be missed 
for too long.  Keep talking until after I leave." Phillip watched as the downtown 
bus pulled up and the old man rose from the bench and walked toward it.  He 
continued an imagined dialogue for several more minutes.  Upon hanging up 
the phone, Phillip decided to gain some historical knowledge.
 
Sophia was feeling rather smug as she thought of the disruption she would 
cause Caldwell and embarrass Benito during his "supposed" finest hour.  
Her time of preparation was nearly complete.  All of her associates assisting 
her should already be in place.  All that was needed was her entrance and 
signal and the show would really begin. Deciding against a taxi, Sophia felt 
a walk to the Opera House would be nice.  Besides, she might get lucky and 
find a snack along the way. 
 
Phillip hurriedly walked toward Wilson Park as he reflected upon the 
information Benito had related to him.  Both had felt that Sophia would 
probably attempt a disruption this evening and thus, Phillip was 
commissioned to find a way of delaying or stopping Sophia before she 
could bring about any kind of distraction.  Feeling rushed, Phillip had 
risked a call to his main contact and learned that Sophia had not hired 
a ride to the Opera House.  If she were to walk, her route would bring 
her through the park where she could be stopped.  He only hoped he would 
be able to intercept her before she passed through.  Upon that thought 
Phillip picked up his pace.
 
Halfway through the park, Sophia heard a whisper of danger and dropped to 
a crouch as she scanned the surrounding terrain.
"I suppose I never could sneak up on you Sophia", Phillip announced casually.
Sophia stood facing Phillip.  "Phillip, what ever made you think you could 
sneak up on anything, because you are a creature of the night?  I find that 
rather amusing.  I do not suppose you would consider entering comedy and 
give up your rather poor abilities as an artist", Sophia responded.
Phillip’s expression turned sour.
"No, I guess not.  Silly me for ever thinking it could ever happen", Sophia 
stated.
"You do know you will not make it to the Announcing", Phillip said plainly.
"An Announcing?  Tonight?  My dear Phillip, I was not informed.  But even 
if I had, what makes you think you could stop me from attending an event 
that all Sabbat members are required to attend?" Sophia stated levelly.
"Why with my charm and good looks", countered Phillip, as they started to 
circle and size each other up, searching for weaknesses.
"Phillip, you may have been a peacock once, but now you possess nothing that 
any woman would want.  I suppose that is why local talk says you must charm 
all your victims in order to even feed" Sophia fired back. "Ah, Sophia.  If 
only we were able to come to terms and find some way to overcome our differences" 
Phillip stated lightly as he threw his arm forward.
The shuriken whirled through the air and hit darkness.
"Interesting toy Phillip.  Is this the best you can do?  Or do you yet have 
some means of impressing me?" chided Sophia.  "On second thought, let me 
impress you."
Sophia threw her arms wide and became enveloped within a cocoon of darkness.  
She quickly dropped down to the ground and rolled to the right.  She mentally 
shaped an image of herself within the cocoon and allowed it to drop away.
The darkness melted into the ground and found it’s way back to Sophia as Phillip 
stood on guard staring back at the darkness as it melted away.
"Is that suppose to impress me?" Phillip shot back mockingly.  "I am afraid to 
inform you my dear, that I am not impressed."
Sophia breathed a command and fell into the darkness that lay next to her.  
The night changed into an environment of twilight as Sophia stood and moved 
silently away circling behind Phillip.
"What is the matter, Sophia?  Have you nothing to say?  Has your wit finally 
met its end?" Phillip inquired, as he lunged forward and quickly spun to the 
left tearing at the air with a knife that appeared from nowhere.
"What the devil?" Phillip intoned.
Realization quickly followed and Phillip immediately dove to the right as 
a park bench crashed into his former location.
"Damned Lasombra magic!  If it is magic you wish to see Sophia, then behold!"
Phillip yelled, as he whipped out a gun and shot it into the air.
Sophia cursed wildly when the flare ignited and started it’s slow decent 
towards the ground.  Throwing her arms up to shield her eyes from the painful 
light, she lost sight of Phillip.
Taking advantage of Sophia’s momentary lapse in concentration, Phillip drew 
his H&K P9S and opened fire upon her.
As Sophia staggered from the impact of the first bullet to her left breast, 
she willed the darkness to seek out her antagonist, and shield her from sight 
as she dropped to the ground.
Realizing he only hit Sophia once, Phillip cursed loudly into the darkness 
surrounding him.  He immediately dropped and rolled to his right as he ejected 
the spent clip and quickly slapped in another. Spending blood to heighten his 
senses he noticed an odd flowing movement like water through the grass as he 
chambered another round. The flowing movement paused and then seemed to sense 
his presence. Altering its course to intercept him it accelerated its movement. 
Backpedaling several steps Phillip pulled out a black stick and struck it against 
the butt of his pistol.  The magnesium flare ignited, throwing out a light as 
powerful as a thousand candles into the area instantly.  Wincing from the painful 
light, Phillip flung it at the darkness and watched as the darkness around the 
flare turned to vapor and forced the rest into retreat while a howl of pain 
erupted to his left.
Sophia shook off the burns of the flare as she subdued a growl in her throat.  
Speaking to the earth, she started to sink as the ground swallowed her.  
Phillip stared in horror as Sophia disappeared into the ground.
"Christ!  Where did she learn to do that?" muttered Phillip as he started 
to back away slowly to put some distance between himself and the location 
where Sophia had disappeared.
A slight rustling of leaves alerted Phillip of the impending danger. Burning 
yet more blood, he threw himself forward into a side roll and came up firing.
Sophia caught off guard recoiled as several bullets traced themselves across 
her body and fell backwards into the darkness that once again had risen to 
protect her.
"You can not win Sophia", Phillip announced.  "I have faced better and I am 
still standing."
"Have you really faced better?" Sophia spoke softly 5 meters to Phillip’s right 
as she appeared from out of the darkness.  "I would imagine you have only faced 
young packs of meandering fools, much like yourself if you think you will walk 
away from me."
Phillip dove forward as a fist of darkness struck at him from behind. Rolling 
into a standing position, Phillip started to fire his gun again.  Bullets struck 
Sophia again and again, but they appeared to cause no effect.
Sophia laughed aloud as she pretended to throw her arm forward as if pitching 
a ball.  A band of darkness erupted from her hand and flew toward Phillip.  
The impact threw him back several meters as Sophia started to calmly approach 
his prone form.
Realizing that Sophia was more powerful than he had anticipated, Phillip quickly 
ejected his clip and slammed in his emergency clip. As Sophia approached the 
surrounding lights started to fade as a globe of darkness started to close in 
upon him.  Taking aim, Phillip muttered, "I’ll meet you in hell, bitch!" as he 
squeezed the trigger. Fire erupted from the barrel as several magnesium rounds 
found their target.  Sophia lit off an ear shattering scream as round after 
round struck her and threw her backwards to the ground.
Phillip let go of the now useless P9S and slowly stood.  Looking around and 
seeing nothing, Phillip felt a raging fear as he realized that Sophia was 
nowhere to be found.  Turning quickly Phillip ran for the edge of the park 
while flipping open his cell phone and pressing an emergency number.  He 
just as quickly closed and slipped the still active phone back into its 
holder as he neared the fence line of the park.
Jumping up to cross the fence, a tentacle of darkness rose up and grabbed him.
Sophia laughed aloud, as she stumbled out of the woods and used her darkness 
to fling Phillip against tree after tree.
Phillip started to feel his reserves slip away as each impact broke bones and 
tore skin.  In desperation, Phillip felt and located his last weapon.
Pulling the pin, Phillip allowed the grenade to fall to the ground near to 
where Sophia leaned against a tree.
The M15 exploded throwing white phosphorus everywhere.  Sophia immediately 
sank into the ground to escape certain death as burning phosphorus ignited 
a blaze in the surrounding underbrush.  Phillip was thrown clear of the park 
landing in the street, when the darkness disappeared.
A car screeched to a halt to avoid hitting him.
Fifteen minutes later, with the Fire Department, police and coroner upon the 
scene, Phillip was toe tagged and carted away in a body bag. 
 
Benito and Caldwell strolled across the stage talking quietly when Benito’s 
cell phone chirped.  Alarmed, Benito opened the cell phone and read the display.
"My dear Benito, what could possibly be so disturbing as to bring such a look 
of alarm?" inquired Caldwell.
"It is Phillip.  He is in trouble and needs my assistance", Benito answered, 
"Do you have anyway of tracing this line?"
"I will have one of my servants perform the service." Caldwell responded as 
he raised his hand to attract the attention of one of his many servants.
"Take Mr. Benito’s cell phone and trace where the call is originating, 
quickly" Caldwell commanded.
The servant bowed, took the cell phone and left the stage.
"I just know Caceras is responsible for this", muttered Benito.
"My lord, I wish a favor", Benito asked.
"Name it, my dear Benito", answered Caldwell.
"I wish to send a message to Caceras that any attacks against my clansmen 
will not be tolerated.  And so I would like to send a young protégé of mine, 
Leah, to perform a small duty tonight."
"Whatever you see fit to do, Benito, I will honor it with my seal" Caldwell 
replied smiling.
 
- - - - - - - - - - -
A discussion of cards...
 
While each clan within V:TES possess special cards that help give them 
advantages over their opponents, the Lasombra are fortunate to have access 
to cards that easily compensate them for their shortfalls.  The first of 
these cards was discussed in the last newsletter, July 2000. That card was 
Political Struggle.  In that article I discussed the card’s multifunctional 
ability of assisting the Lasombra in gaining additional votes to gain 
political dominance, by acting as Contract or a slow acting Bum’s Rush.  
This article will highlight the use of Political Seizure and Camarilla 
Vitae Slave.
 
Political Seizure - Lasombra Required Master Card
2 Pool cost.
Text: Choose a location.  This card contests that location as though it 
is the same card, even if the other location is not unique.  When that 
location is yielded, burn this card; the other card comes into play under 
your control untapped instead of being burned.
 
    This card is the "any location" counter for the Lasombra.  If you don’t have 
the political strength or Arson to destroy an Elysium or Ventrue Headquarters, 
just use your Political Seizure to contest it. Is a pesky KRGC Radio Station 
causing too much interference?  Contest it with a Political Seizure and the 
airwaves are once again safe decent music listeners.  And while the number 
of non-unique locations is at this time is small, it could increase with 
future expansions.  As such the only non-unique locations are the Communal 
Haven: Temple and the Tzimisce’s Living Manse.  The remaining locations that 
it can contest are all unique locations.  Out of the 87 unique locations 
currently within the game that you could contest, 67 can be used once 
possession has been acquired.  Only 19 of the 87 locations are specifically 
clan unique and therefore of no use to the Lasombra, other than as a means 
by which it is denied to its former owner.
    While the thought of contesting may not find favor in many people’s 
minds, it is to be remember that it is a viable strategy and should never 
be just tossed aside.  Contesting a title could give you the political 
edge you need to win a table or contesting key vampires, or allies, could 
save you from being taken off the table.  Contesting locations can many 
times be just as important.  And while you do have to pay the cost of 
maintaining a contest in addition to the up front cost of initiating it, 
it could give you the time to move other strategies into motion.
    Currently the only major difficulty the Lasombra, actually all Sabbat 
and Independent clans, has in the use of a contesting strategy is developing 
a good method of regaining pool.  The use of a Blood Doll with a Hunting 
Ground is one method.  The use of Consanguineous Boon is another.  However, 
there is nothing that compares to the Camarilla’s Minion Tap/5th Tradition 
combination.  But there is one other method by which the Lasombra can make 
a contesting strategy really pay.  That method is with the use of "Thanks 
for the Donation" Dominate action, especially when you are contesting a location 
with your prey.
 
Camarilla Vitae Slave (CVS) - Lasombra Required Retainer Card
2 Blood cost
Text:  Retainer with 1 life.  The vampire with this retainer increases his 
or her capacity by 1.  During each of his or her controller’s master phases, 
he or she may choose a basic level Discipline he or she possesses.  He or she 
then has the chosen Discipline at the superior level until his or her 
controller’s next master phase.
 
    This is an outstanding card for the Lasombra, especially when used in 
conjunction with Heidelburg Castle, Germany.  The CVS is an excellent method 
by which a vampire can gain a superior discipline dependent upon what cards 
you currently possess at the start of your turn.  Only the Infernal Familiar 
is better in this respect only without the fear of getting turned to ash once 
you have used it one too many times.
    The only use of the card that I am unsure on it’s legality is using CVS 
to give one vampire a superior discipline during the master phase and then 
using the Heidelburg Castle, Germany to move it to another vampire and doing 
the same.  In effect, giving two minions a superior discipline for the price 
of one CVS.  (LSJ?)  If the combination is legal, it will open provide the 
Lasombra a strong capability for 2 blood and 2 pool that can all be acquired 
within one turn of play that can last the rest of the game.
    The only danger with the use of CVS is once it is in play, it can be stolen 
and used by another vampire as the card makes no distinction on what clan can 
use it.  It only has the initial recruitment requirement by a Lasombra as the 
only method for it to come into play.  A bonus of this lack of distinction, 
however, is the card can be moved to another vampire, via Heidelburg Castle, 
and be used even though it may not be a Lasombra.
    For all Methuselahs wanting to gain access to CVS, but are not playing 
Lasombra, a simple Clan Impersonation is the only requirement. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - -
Deck - Lasombra Masters on the Presidential Lawn
 
By Michael Eichler
 
Crypt - 14 minions
  Aaron Duggan - 2 / obt / Lasombra
  Mitchell - 2 / obt pot / Pander
  Cameron - 3 / pot dom / Lasombra
  Ramiro - 4 / obt dom vis / Lasombra
  Ignacio - 4 / obt dom pot / Lasombra
  Guido Lucciano - 5 / OBT dom obf / Lasombra
  2x Aurora Van Brande - 6 / OBT pot dom for / Lasombra
  2x Sela - 6 / POT PRE obt cel / !Brujah
  Jessica - 7 / OBT PRE CEL AUS / !Toreador
  Gratiano - 8 / OBT DOM pot obf / Lasombra
  Alvaro - 9 / OBT POT dom pre / Lasombra
  Antonio Delgado - 9 / OBT POT DOM tha / Lasombra
 
Library - 90 cards
 
  Masters - 19 cards
    Heidelburg Castle, Germany - 2 pool
    Legendary Vampire - 2 pool
    Political Hunting Ground - 2 pool
    Information Highway
    Political Seizure - 2 pool
    The Hungry Coyote - 2 pool
    Inbase Discotek, Frankfurt - 2 pool
    Tribute to the Master
    Minion Tap
    2x Power Structure
    4x Blood Doll
    4x Presence
 
  Non-Disciplined - 15 cards
    2x The Embrace - 2 blood
    2x Bloodbath - 1 blood
    Arson
    3x Bribes
    3x Cryptic Rider - 1 blood
    4x Wake with Evening’s Freshness
 
  Dominate - 5 cards
    5x Deflection - 1 blood
 
  Obtenebration - 19 cards
    3x Shadow Play - 1 blood
    4x Shroud of Night
    4x Arms of the Abyss
    6x Shadow Body - 1 blood
    2x Entombment - 2 blood
 
  Potence - 2 cards
    2x Torn Signpost
 
  Presence - 7 cards
    4x Bewitching Oration
    3x Voter Captivation
 
  Retainers - 4 cards
    J.S. Simmons Esq.
    Tasha Morgan
    2x Camarilla Vitae Slave - 2 blood
 
  Equipment - 3 cards
    2x Laptop Computer - 1 pool
    Ivory Bow - 1 pool
 
  Political - 16 cards
    Crusade: Detroit
    Crusade: Toronto
    Crusade: Mexico City
    Crusade: Houston
    4x Kine Resources Contested
    2x Consanguineous Boon
    Rumors of Gehenna
    Autarkis Persecution
    Political Stranglehold
    Ancient Influence
    Dramatic Upheaval
    Conservative Agitation
 
This deck seeks to use the Camarilla Vitae Slave to broaden the 
deck’s ability to play Presence in it’s political attacks.  That 
coupled with Power Structure, Heidelburg and several Presence cards 
should give the deck what it requires to roll.  An earlier variant 
did fairly well, gaining 1-2 VP per game.

==============
 
Deck - Might of the Night Political deck
 
By Tim Eijpe
 
Crypt: (12 cards) [Min: 19, Max: 39, Avg: 7.67]
  Alvaro (Lasombra, 9, dom OBT POT pre)
  2x Angelica (Lasombra, 10, cel DOM obf OBT POT)
  Antonio Delgado (Lasombra, 9, DOM OBT POT tha)
  Aurora Van Brande (Lasombra, 6, dom for OBT pot)
  Ayelea (Tremere Antitribu, 10, AUS DOM OBT pre THA)
  2x Gratiano (Lasombra, 8, DOM obf OBT pot)
  Guido Lucciano (Lasombra, 5, dom OBT obf)
  Ignacio (Lasombra, 4, dom obt pot)
  Quentin (Ventrue Antitribu, 9, AUS cel DOM FOR obt)
  Ramiro (Lasombra, 4, dom obt vis)
 
Library: (90 cards)
  Master (18)
    4x Blood Doll
    Dreams of the Sphinx - 1 pool
    Elysian Fields - 2 pool
    Giant's Blood
    2x Heidelburg Castle, Germany - 2 pool
    Hungry Coyote - 2 pool
    Information Highway
    Legendary Vampire - 2 pool
    4x  Minion Tap
    Political Hunting Ground - 2 pool
    Tomb of Rameses III - 3 pool
 
  Obtenebration (29)
    8x Arms of the Abyss
    5x Entombment - 2 blood
    4x Eyes of the Night
    8x Shadow Play - 1 blood
    4x Shroud of Night
 
  Dominate (23)
    4x Deflection - 1 blood
    4x Govern the Unaligned - 1 blood
    Grave Robbing
    6x Mind Rape - 2 blood
    4x Obedience
    4x Redirection
 
  Obfuscate (1)
    Hidden Pathways - 1 blood
 
  Political (9)
    Ancient Influence
    6x Banishment
    Dramatic Upheaval
    Political Stranglehold
 
  Non-Discipline (7)
    Bloodbath - 1 blood
    6x Wake with Evening's Freshness
 
  Retainer (2)
    Mr. Winthrop
    Camarilla Vitae Slave - 2 blood
 
  Equipment (1)
    Ivory Bow - 1 pool
 
Comments:
Bring out a voter with both superior OBT and DOM. Play conservatively 
until you have the hand you want, take out your prey in preferably one 
turn and keep low again. Don't look too aggressive and make alliances 
when you don't have Voting Dominance. Stabilize the table with "random" 
deflects until you can take out at least two people quickly.
 
I have actually played it twice now, and it does look promising.  I might 
go for a bit of Potence in the next version and somehow increase it's 
intercept ability plus some Shadow Steps, IG does hurt too much. I had 
recently taken out Quinton (just too costly) for Aaron and one Arms of 
the Abyss for a second Hidden Pathways as a variant.  As many people know, 
I have been playing Psychic Veils in my Lasombra Embrace decks, but this 
card really it the best to work with in this deck. The Mind Rape does get 
stealthed cheaply. During my last play, I received 3 VP's with it. Overall, 
the deck fares pretty well, grabbing 5 VP's out of a possible 9 in the first 
two games it played.  I still feel the deck still needs to be tuned as the 
ratio's of the disciplines do not really work IMO.
The pool gain is good, especially when you get the Heidelberg.  Biggest problem 
for the deck is people tend to gang up after one Mind Rape.  So I have the combo 
where MR works like a rush action together with an Entombment. Which is really 
nice.  Banishment works fine without the MR and so does the Heidelberg.  I am 
thinking of including a Golconda with the duplicates in the crypt.  I still 
haven't found the slot yet. 
 
Currently, the deck works well both offensively as well as defensively 
without losing forward momentum, and although it would not qualify as 
a toolbox it does come close to one.