Cabal Comes Together (later that night after Concilium) - MAGE [2-1-2026]
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Cabal Comes Together
Date: [2-1-2026] -- Oct 4th, early in the morning (2 am)
Location: Cafe that is near the southwest side, in a rougher part of town
Player Characters Present: Mage Cabal people
Open Spots: If you're a mage, you're in.NPCs Present: Ashbriar is here, sitting next to Dante, trying not to accidentally impersonate him as he sips coffee sternly. She keeps making silly faces as she can't help but laugh a little at his super serious nature.
Current Scenario: Concilium is over, some of the mages want to officially form a cabal and need a safe place to meet. Dante said he knew a place that would be open and empty at this time, and safe to chat.
Suggested Dice Pools: Social for first impressions (especially on Ashbriar as shes an NPC and can be controlled with the power of DICE), mental to come up with ideas or answers to issues or put things together, perception to keep a look out
End Trigger: when Dante says its time to go
Opener: The Laymen Diner squats on the corner of 47th and Pulaski, its neon sign half-dead, the word ‘La_m_’ flickering in a sickly pink glow that stains the wet pavement. The windows are fogged from the inside, grease and condensation blurring the view of the sparse traffic outside. The El rumbles faintly several blocks away, its sound half-swallowed by the drizzle that’s been misting since midnight.
Inside, the diner smells of burnt coffee, fryer oil, and cheap disinfectant. A jukebox in the corner hums static between tracks — someone must’ve punched in a song hours ago that never played. Fluorescent lights hum overhead, too bright for this hour, making the cracks in the linoleum and the stains on the ceiling look like veins in tired flesh.
The night waitress, Rosa, moves slow but watchful. She’s been here twenty years and doesn’t startle easily. Her hands tremble when she pours coffee, but not from fear — from habit, caffeine, and the years. She eyes everyone who comes in, because nobody good walks into The Laymen after midnight unless they’re running from something worse outside.
A pair of truckers sit in the corner booth, nursing half-finished plates. Their conversation is low and forced — the kind of silence shared by men who’ve seen something on the road they don’t want to admit to each other.
At the counter, a man in a soaked hoodie stirs his cup of coffee without drinking. His reflection in the stainless-steel napkin holder stares back at him.
The air feels heavy here, not with smoke but with attention. Something in the back booth — a space perpetually empty even when the rest of the diner’s full — seems to hum faintly, a vibration you feel in your teeth more than hear. Some nights, Rosa says that booth smells like rain and ozone. Others, like earth after a grave’s been opened.
Outside, the drizzle thickens into rain, the neon light smearing into bloody streaks across the windows. A city that never sleeps dreams uneasy dreams, and this diner — this forgotten little pocket — is where those dreams sometimes sit down for coffee.
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Chance Meridian
Health 7/7
Willpower 6/6
Mana 6/12
Conditions: Inspired, Steadfast, Connected (Mages)Action: Make a good "first" impression (because I've met all before).
Dice Pool: 10 = Presence (3) + Empathy (2) + Attune (2) + Willpower (3)Description:
Chance Meridian arrives a few minutes early, because he almost always does. Not early enough to look eager—just early enough to take the measure of a room before it fills.The Laymen Diner feels like a place where secrets come to rest when they’re too tired to keep running. Chance clocks the exits first, then Rosa, then the empty back booth that hums in a way his teeth don’t like. He doesn’t stare at it. He just… notes it. Later problem.
He slides into the booth with Dante and Ashbriar with an easy familiarity, coat damp from the rain, expression calm but alert. A nod to Dante—we’re here, it’s happening—and a polite smile toward Ashbriar that carries no pressure, just warmth. He orders coffee, black. Rosa doesn’t ask questions.
As the others filter in, Chance listens more than he talks. When he does speak, it’s measured—asking how everyone’s holding up after the Concilium, referencing shared ground they’ve already bled on together. Bitten Streets. Long nights. Things that don’t stay buried.
“This doesn’t have to be grand,” he offers quietly at one point, eyes flicking briefly toward the window, the rain, the city beyond. “Just reliable. When something weird breaks loose, we show up. We keep people alive. We clean up what we can.”
He lifts his coffee in a small, understated gesture.“To showing up.”
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Seraphine Ashbriar
Health 7/7
Willpower 7/7
Mana 6/12
Conditions: **Action: don't embarrass herself with her cabal friends.
Dice Pool: 1 = Presence (2) + Socialize (0) -1"To Showing Up!" Ashbriar almost jumps out of her seat as she over enthusiastically hits Chances glass with her own, knocking the sloshing iced tea all over the table. She quickly mumbles an apology, turns beat red, and then starts frantically cleaning the table.
"Are the others coming? You remembered to invite them, right Dante?" She asks cautiously and somewhat quietly, not accusing but also not sure.
She seems a bit jumpy, but then with what has been going on, can she really be blamed?
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Dante - Moros Detective - Dylan
Health: 7/7
Willpower: 3/6
Mana: 6/12
Conditions: noneAction: Get down to buisness. Skill Check Presense 2 + Politics 1 + Willpower 3 + Status Guardians 3 = 9d10
Description: The rain hits the pavement outside the Laymen's diner like the cities grieving a lost love. I give my longcoat a quick shake as I walk through the door.
I see Chance and Ashbriar already sitting in a crowded booth.
"Good, you're here. We've got a lot to discuss and not a lot of time to do it." I begin.
"I dont need to tell you how bad it is out there. Youve both shed plenty of blood for the penentical already. And its only going to get worse before it gets better."
"So lets get down to brass tax," I say dipping my finger in Ashbriar's Coffee and tracing a circle on the table, "what do we call this thing?"
"...because its high time us Mages start circling the wagons. "
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• Ken(Hideki Takashi)
Dice Pool: Manipulation(1) + subterfuge(-1)=chance die
Action: talk with Dante about the cabal. Try to lie and say the coffee is good.
Health: 8/8
Mana/Vitae: 13
Willpower: 6/7
Conditions:
Description
Ken drops into the diner like he owns the night, rain still clinging to his jacket, hair damp. He clocks the room in half a second—the flickering neon, the dead jukebox, the booth that feels like it wants to bite-and grins.He slides into the booth.
“Evening, Rosa,” he says, voice warm, easy. “Coffee. Black. Hit me with the good stuff.”
Rosa arches an eyebrow like that’s the funniest joke she’s heard all week, but she pours it anyway. The coffee hits the cup with a smell that could strip paint.
Ken takes a sip.
He doesn’t flinch. Not a muscle.
“Mmm,” he says, nodding like a man tasting a fine espresso on the Riviera. “Yeah. That’s… that’s the one.”
Then he leans just a little toward Dante, lowers his voice to a whisper meant for fighters and sinners only.
“How can you drink this shit, man? I’ve taken fireballs to the face smoother than that.”
He sets the cup down, undeterred, because quitting has never been his style.
Ken's grin sharpens when his eyes land on Ashbriar. "It's nice to see you again ashbriar"
To Chance, he nods silently.
Then back to Dante, tapping the coffee cup with one finger.
“You come here often, or you just collecting bad decisions tonight?”
The rain hammers harder against the windows. The back booth hums. Ken doesn’t look away from them.
“now what's this about a cabal Dante.""something tells me this night’s about to get real interesting.”
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Richard "Ricky Dee" Davenport - DosBox - Mad Black Hatter
Dice Pool: Manipulation(3) + Subterfuge (1) = 4
Action: Trying to look like he isn't stoned out of his mind; also, like disguised and shit or smth idk lolMana Pool: 12 [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] (Spend 3/Turn) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] Health: 7 [X] [X] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Willpower: 5 [X] [X] [X] [ ] [ ] Conditions: NoneDescription: As if in response to Ken's statement about the spectacle the night would soon behold, the supposedly dead jukebox kicks on (Forces 1), playing a song made popular again by the game Fallout 3. In saunters a man in a business suit dressed all in black, including a full-face hood to conceal his face and a jaunty-looking fedora. His eyes are bloodshot as he approaches the group, and he sports a fancy black cane with a gold orb on the top; precious metals always work good with wands, don't they?
The man approaches, giving a bow with the doff of his hat, "Things do seem like they might get interesting, don't they, Ken?" He clears his throat; this is his first time trying out the bad British accent, yet he is confident he'll get better with time, "I apologize for being late. Creating an alter ego takes a bit of elbow grease: or at least some time in front of the mirror. I'll be going by the moniker Mad Black Hatter if it suits everyone. It's a hacker reference. In case anyone was wondering. I'm quite a bit proud of the idea."
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"Well," Dante says, "if no one has any preference for what we call ourselves, then this should be as good as any."
I take out the folded sheets of paper from my trench coat and unfold and lay on the table for everyone to see. It reads as follows:
Preamble
We, the undersigned, in order to preserve balance, provide for the common defense, secure the Veil, and safeguard the Awakened from threats both seen and unseen, do ordain and establish this Charter for the Onyx Circle (the Circle). We do not posture, we do not politic, we respond and we respond in kind.
Article I — Purpose
Section 1.
The Circle shall serve as a dedicated response body to emergent supernatural anomalies within the City of Chicago and its immediate metropolitan area.
Section 2.
The Circle shall identify, assess, and secure sites of occult disturbance, including but not limited to manifested spirits, ephemeral incursions, Abyssal intrusions, unstable Hallows, Claimed territories, and locations otherwise compromised by uncontrolled magical phenomena.
Section 3.
The primary objective of the Circle shall be containment and mitigation. The acquisition of artifacts, territory, or political leverage shall not supersede the mandate of Article I Section 2.
Section 4.
Once a site has been deemed secure, any member of the Circle may, at its discretion, release said site to the appropriate Order, recognized cabal, or designated custodian for further study, stewardship, or sanctioned exploration.
Section 5.
The Circle shall operate as the initial line of intervention, ensuring that emergent threats are rendered manageable, survivable, and strategically controlled before broader Awakened involvement occurs.
Article II — Preservation of the Veil
Section 1.
The preservation of the Veil shall remain paramount in all operations undertaken by the Onyx Circle.
Section 2.
All actions conducted under the authority of the Circle shall prioritize the concealment of supernatural phenomena from Sleeper awareness.
Section 3.
Members shall employ the least conspicuous means necessary to resolve anomalous conditions, escalating only when restraint would result in greater harm.
Section 4.
Any breach of the Veil resulting from Circle operations shall be contained, mitigated, and corrected with deliberate expediency.
Section 5.
Knowledge deemed hazardous to the stability of the Awakened or the Veil shall be secured, restricted, or suppressed in accordance with prudent judgment.Article III — Field Conduct and Operational Procedure
Section 1.
No member shall engage an identified anomaly alone without prior notification to the Circle, except in circumstances of immediate and unavoidable necessity.
Section 2.
All sites shall be approached as active investigations, with due attention given to perimeter security, threat assessment, and environmental stabilization.
Section 3.
The neutralization of hostile entities shall be undertaken with precision and proportionality, avoiding unnecessary destruction or spectacle.
Section 4.
Artifacts, tomes, or occult instruments recovered during operations shall be catalogued and secured pending collective determination of disposition.
Section 5.
Operational documentation shall be maintained in secure archives accessible only to sworn members of the Circle.Article IV — Membership and Confidentiality
Section 1.
Membership within the Onyx Circle shall require unanimous consent of all standing members.
Section 2.
All deliberations, intelligence, and internal disputes shall remain confined to the Circle unless disclosure is deemed strategically necessary.
Section 3.
Members shall not disclose operational methods, intelligence holdings, or strategic intentions without collective approval.
Section 4.
Violation of confidentiality shall constitute grounds for censure, suspension, or expulsion, as determined by unanimous vote of the remaining members.Article V — Mutual Defense and Obligation
Section 1.
An attack upon one member during sanctioned operations shall be regarded as an attack upon the Circle as a whole.
Section 2.
Members shall render reasonable aid when summoned for emergency response, subject to their capacity and safety.
Section 3.
Resources, whether arcane, material, or political, shall be leveraged in defense of the Circle and fulfillment of its mandate.
Section 4.
Internal disputes shall be resolved privately and without compromising operational integrity.Article VI — Relations with the Concilium
Section 1.
The Onyx Circle recognizes the authority of the local Hierarch and the governance of the Concilium.
Section 2.
The Circle may accept assignments consistent with its stated purpose and operational capacity.
Section 3.
The Circle retains the right to decline actions that materially compromise the Veil, the safety of the Awakened, or the integrity of its charter.
Section 4.
The Circle shall not serve as a political instrument for factional gain, nor engage in actions designed solely to elevate reputation or influence.Article VII — Symbol, Oath, and Continuity
Section 1.
The symbol of the Onyx Circle shall be a black, unbroken ring, signifying unity, secrecy, and the void we hold at bay.
Section 2.
Each member shall swear an oath affirming loyalty to the Circle’s mandate, the preservation of the Veil, and the defense of the Awakened.
Section 3.
The charter may be amended only by unanimous consent of all sworn members.
Section 4.
The dissolution of the Onyx Circle shall require unanimous agreement and the secure disposition of all records, holdings, and restricted knowledge."That's a Charter," Dante says, "Nothing fancy, but at least it makes this thing formal."
"If you got any comments, speak now or forever hold your peace?"
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Okay, I think that's the crew. Ken, Ashbriar, Dante, DosBox, Chance.
As a note, Cabal's can include non-mage members. Some Cabal's have spirit members, werewolves, vampires, or other stranger things.
Ashbriar pauses and stares at the document, half empty glass in hand.
"wow." She says, whistling a little to herself.
"I didn't know this was so formal. This uh, doesn't lock me into something or force me to name my future children after all of you, right?" She tries to lighten the tone as she reaches for the pen.
She signs her name with a little flourish.
"That should do it. I've already been pulled out from trouble by a couple of you, and I hope to do the same in kind." She holds out the pen for the other's to sign.
: Suggested Actions :
- Sign the document and react to it
- Bring up a current event topic to investigate (start new scene)
- Ask for a favor from a cabal mate
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• Ken(Hideki Takashi)
Dice Pool:
Action:
Health: 8/8
Mana/Vitae: 13
Willpower: 6/7
Conditions:
Description
Cups and cutlery rest neatly between them, the low murmur of the restaurant wrapping around the table like a curtain.
Ken lifts his cup and drains the last of what is supposed to be coffee, though it’s long since gone lukewarm. He sets it down with deliberate care. Without a word, he pulls the contract closer and scans it.
Satisfied, he takes the pen.
The scratch of ink across paper is unhurried but decisive.
He caps the pen, slides the document back across the table, and finally allows himself a faint, controlled smile.
“I look forward to working with you,” he says smoothly, dipping his head in a polite bow—just enough to signal respect, not submission.
There’s a brief lull as the final signatures are exchanged. The air shifts; business has been settled.
Ken’s fingers linger near his cup before he speaks again, tone quieter now.
“There’s something else,” he says, gaze steady. “An out-of-town kindred from home has been frequenting my favorite spot.”
A slight tightening at the corner of his mouth betrays his concern.
“I’m not sure why she’s here,” he continues, voice calm but edged. “But it can’t be good news.”
He leans back just slightly.
“Her name is Sarah Sawano.” -
Richard "Ricky Dee" Davenport - DosBox - Mad Black Hatter
Dice Pool: Composure (3) + Expression (1) = 5
Action: Trying to look like he didn't just get his shit rocked by a fucking werewolf kaiju or whateverMana Pool: 12 [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] (Spend 3/Turn) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] [X] Health: 7 [X] [X] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Willpower: 5 [X] [X] [X] [ ] [ ] Conditions: NoneDescription: The Man in Black brings a thumb and forefinger to his chin, making an intrigued sound emanate from his vocal cords before he begins to read the document presented. Like REALLY READ the thing. Every so often he'll make an, "Oh?" or an, "Aha!" while glaring at the words on the charter before removing some kind of ornate stamp, wrapped in a kerchief from his pants pocket. With a strong press, he leaves a mark on the document, reading, 'The Mad Black Hatter'. The 'B' is wearing a jaunty fedora. Cute. Someone is putting way too much effort into this bit.
With a nod, the Hatter emotes cheerfully, "That should be as legally binding, or more so, than a signature, I suspect?" The Hatter doesn't make any comment on the vampire because vampire knowledge isn't in his wheelhouse.
