Annabelle Triabell is the Toreador Primogen in Chicago, having risen to the position after her sire suddenly disappeared. She is well aware that some Kindred consider her artistic taste lacking and view her musical talents as nonexistent. She allows them to underestimate her, occasionally playing into their expectations to reinforce the image. After all, if they are busy talking about how her latest protégé couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket with autotune, they aren’t watching Annabelle maneuver mortal politicians. In a somewhat self-destructive way, she ensures that everyone thinks she is a fool before revealing something startlingly profound and informed.
Biography[]
| “ | You don’t have to know art. I will tell you what’s good and what’s bad. | ” |
Mortal Days[]
Annabelle was born at the turn of the 18th century, the daughter of a musician and a Parisian sex worker. Though the couple attempted to provide their child with stability and material comforts, neither of their professions guaranteed a steady income.
When her father was between patrons and the authorities threw her mother in jail, Annabelle knew what it was like to go hungry. Her father spent a brief period as one of King Louis XV’s musicians and brought Annabelle to court. It was there she determined to make a noble match for herself, so she’d never again have to worry about money.
She soon found herself welcome in courtiers’ ballrooms and bedchambers, but her prospects at marriage dwindled. Then, in 1722, a Spanish noblewoman named Maria visited the court. She took particular note of Annabelle’s father and was delighted to learn his lovely daughter had inherited some of his musical skills.
Maria confessed her secret nature to Annabelle, offering the chance to stay young forever and live out her nights surrounded by wealth and beauty. Annabelle accepted the Embrace, and Maria brought Annabelle to the New World as her student. Though neither knew it, Maria operated under her sire Helena’s control, tasked with finding suitable women from whom the methuselah could feed.
Kindred Nights[]
Maria and Annabelle roamed the New World for 200 years, arriving in Chicago at the height of the Jazz Age. As one of the oldest Toreador in the domain, Maria could have claimed the title of Primogen. However, she refused the position. Annabelle saw the chance to wield the type of power she’d dreamed of as a girl and pursued it.
Annabelle’s power plays yielded little success until, in 1983, a dispute with Lodin caused her to switch sides on the Primogen Council. Her support of the Anarch Maldavis kicked off the Council Wars, which strengthened both the Anarchs’ power and Annabelle’s own. In the end, she switched her vote back to Lodin’s side, but only after he made several hidden concessions.
Since becoming Primogen, Annabelle’s balls and parties have become the must-attend events of Kindred society, drawing established creatives and promising innovators. As much business gets done at the Primogen’s parties as it does at Elysium, and Annabelle has a reputation for both shrewd dealmaking and subtle betrayal.
For neonates, spending time in Annabelle’s entourage gives them an insight into Kindred politics. It’s an open secret Annabelle backed Gary’s Prince Modius and played him against Lodin, though few know Annabelle was Modius’ sire. She’s Embraced several childer, though only Bret Stryker, the clan’s aspiring Herald, still remains. The others have all died their final deaths or disappeared.
Annabelle spent decades in a psychic tug-of-war between Helena and Menele. Though Helena controlled her first, toward the end of the 20th century Menele gained control — without his enemy catching on. When he succumbed to the Beckoning, his grip on Annabelle snapped.
For a short time after Menele’s death, Annabelle was no longer under a Methuselah’s control. Helena had yet to reassert her will, and Annabelle felt her freedom ebbing back. Though Helena’s influence soon returned and set Annabelle back on the intended path, those inklings of doubt remain, and she now wishes to know the truth. She isn’t yet aware of Critias’ own epiphany in this regard, but should she find out, the two have some interesting notes to compare.
What freedom she might have enjoyed was fleeting: Helena’s formidable will slipped right back into place, and her recent actions are once again guided by Helena’s plans.
Annabelle’s looking for potential media outlets into which to insert herself, especially now that Joseph Peterson has flown the coop with his news network contacts. She recognizes the need for caution, as so many modern kine get their news online—where the Second Inquisition is always watching. She’s looking to scoop up a set of foreign-language stations, including Pulso del Mundo, and wants someone to make the introductions.
Annabelle’s calendar has been full of meetings regarding the Lasombra petition to join the Camarilla. Should the Camarilla accept, adding a Lasombra Primogen could either split the Council’s votes evenly or stack them. She’s been the Primogen’s swing vote for 30 years and used that to her political advantage. Now, that position is threatened. Annabelle’s not entirely against the balance shifting, as long as she can ensure she’ll benefit. She is going to actively manipulate the Lasombra negotiations to put herself in a stronger position, even if it means denying them entry to the city or allowing one of them to join the council.
Recently, letters have surfaced implicating Annabelle and the Brujah Primogen Critias as Maldavis’ supporters in the Council Wars. This is a potential PR disaster, unless Annabelle can find a way to refute or discredit the letters... or spin the narrative to make her look like a tactical genius to the Camarilla.
Annabelle hears the Beckoning calling her just before dawn, but it abates by the time she rises again at night. Unknown to her, the vitae Helena feeds her is currently sufficient to keep the Toreador Primogen grounded in Chicago. She wants to know who is cutting the call, which she finds oh, so tempting.
Description[]
Toreador Primogen Annabelle has been involved in Kindred politics for nearly two centuries. She’s served on the council throughout the reigns of four Princes and survived fires, purges, and Lupine attacks. So far, she seems unaffected by the Beckoning. Some of her enemies (and a non-zero number of her allies) whisper about what it is that lets her come through so many calamities unscathed. Is she that politically savvy, and has simply made smart bargains and surrounded herself with strong protectors? Or does some mysterious benefactor watch her from the shadows, stepping in to keep her out of harm’s way?
Annabelle throws frequent parties — one or more a week — where invitees can rub elbows with the powerful, admire art both new and old, and set any number of political plates spinning. Though other Cainites find it amusing to scoff at her taste in art, only a rare few do so to her face. While she might not have an eye for masterpieces, it’s foolish to assume she therefore has no head for politics.
Annabelle’s connections span not only Kindred society but run deep into mortal affairs as well. Her money and influence are extremely welcome in the art world. She still maintains contacts within the media under her human guise, Elaine Stanley-Greer. Although her husband’s newspaper empire shut down 20 years ago, she knows who to call to get a story pulled or a headline bumped to the front page.
Loresheet[]
Intern: Fledgling vampires who want to learn the ins and outs of Kindred politics often spend time working for Annabelle. Once per story, you may ask for Annabelle’s guidance on a particular matter. She may even decide to help you, though whether that’s to your benefit or detriment is questionable.- Glitterati: Whether you’re this week’s one-hit wonder or are famous by virtue of your last name, your presence makes Annabelle’s parties more interesting. Once per story, you can get on the guest list for an event to which you weren’t previously invited by simply asking, “Do you know who I am?”
- With Thanks to Our Donors: Annabelle knows someone at every museum and recording studio in town. Once per story, she will pull strings to get you a meeting with someone in charge, but the rest is up to you.
- Patronage: Your exceptional talents have drawn Annabelle’s eye. She invites you to sing at an exclusive gathering, or finds a buyer for your latest painting. When you perform for her associates or when Annabelle brokers a deal for your artwork, your Resources increase by one dot until the end of the story. This may be used once per story.
- Inner Circle: You’ve proven indispensable to Annabelle. She heeds your judgment and entrusts you with sensitive information. Once per story, she will present an issue of your choice (at the Storyteller’s discretion) before the Primogen council.
Appearance[]
Annabelle is a white woman who appears to be in her mid-20s. Her stunning good looks would be at home on a runway, and her connections to (and sponsorship of) top fashion designers keep her in couture year-round. She keeps her ash-blonde hair shoulder length, though the style varies with current trends. Aspiring poets have penned odes to her piercing blue eyes or commented on the fullness of her mouth.
In the 1960s, Annabelle began appearing in the society pages as Ellen Stanley-Greer, wife of Sentinel newspaper publisher John Greer. The Sentinel closed its doors in the late 1990s. In 2003, papers covered John and Ellen’s move to the Chicago suburbs, with a footnote that their home near downtown had passed into the hands of Ellen’s niece, Jacqueline—a woman who bears a striking resemblance to her aunt
Character Sheet[]
† Vampire: The Masqurade applicable stats
‡ Chicago by Night applicable stats
⸸ Vampire: The Masqurade Second Edition applicable stats
※ Chicago by Night Second Edition applicable stats
CbN 1st & 2nd Ed[]
Image: Annabelle is of average height and slightly better-than-average build, with stylishly cut, shoulder-length, ash-blond hair (recut nightly) and wide, sky-blue eyes. She has a large, full mouth and the bearing and appearance of a high-fashion model.
Roleplaying Hints: Give yourself a very slight French accent and never stop talking. However, never talk to the same person for more than a minute. Always introduce him to someone else, even if he already knows that person, and move on.
Haven: She lives with her "husband" in a mansion on the North Side of Chicago, fairly near the downtown area. It is possibly the nicest home in the Chicago area, and is filled with fine art. There is normally a party there every few days.
Secrets: B+
Influence: Annabelle wields formidable power as a member of the Primogen, and has gained even more since she became the leader of the Toreador clan. She wields considerable influence over mortals, largely because of the number of wealthy families who wish to continue to be invited to her parties. Among the elders, she is known as a talented schemer and a deadly enemy in the arts of betrayal and deal-making.
Backgrounds Sheet[]
City Artists
(Contacts 3)
Annabelle has considerable influence in Chicago’s mortal art world. A pop-up gallery comprising the work of a dozen or so art students has really grabbed her recently, with their demonstrations of blood and other bodily fluids on canvas, sheets, and blotting paper. The leader of this artistic troupe is a young man named Neil Russo (Allies 1, Retainer 1), with whom she carries on a clandestine affair.
Succubus Club
(Herd 4)
Annabelle feels the call to the renovated Succubus Club just before dawn, sleeping in the labyrinthine basement there with Helena during the day. She never remembers or questions her sleeping arrangements, nor how her Hunger is rarely pressing.
John Greer
(Contacts 2, Resources 3)
Annabelle has a loose grasp over local media via her recent marriage to retired newspaper publisher John Greer. She’s considering whether to encourage her husband back into the business, but to concentrate on online venues.
Trivia
- Annabelle doesn’t consider any of the other Primogen her equal. Critias is too lost in his own head these nights, Rosa is insignificant, “Khalid” is increasingly quiet, and Son is more concerned with individual issues than Kindred society. She’s tempted to encourage the rise of a Ventrue Primogen—perhaps Ballard or Naomi Stewart—just to give her some competition.
- Though unaware of her ancestor’s patronage, Helena keeps Annabelle safe and positions her in places of Kindred influence—for now, anyway. Just as Annabelle’s attention on Bret has frayed, so does Helena’s for Annabelle.
- Annabelle’s noticed Stryker’s waning adoration, and she’s not pleased. She’s split between letting him off the leash to see what he can accomplish on his own—hopeful he’ll fail dismally—but equally drawn to reinforcing the Blood Bond and guaranteeing his undying adoration.
- The song “Kiss-a-belle” is tearing up local music charts. The woman described in the ridiculously catchy song’s chorus could easily be Annabelle, and social media places the singer at several of the Primogen’s parties in the months before the album release.
- Many blamed Annabelle when Maria disappeared. She’s quietly started investigating Maria’s last known movements; though much of that information is three decades old, she has a few leads. In recent nights, another Toreador, Eletria, has gone missing. The circumstances of that case bear a striking similarity to what Annabelle’s learned of Maria’s habits. She wants to hire a coterie to discover what befell these two Toreador but finds herself struggling to make a deal.
- As a fellow patron of the arts, Aluc has earned Annabelle’s admiration. However, his parties make him a rival for new talent and influence within Kindred society. She hasn’t yet decided whether he’s an ally she should cultivate or an enemy to crush.
- Previews from a gallery opening Annabelle’s sponsoring suggest the show’s going to be godawful. Ticket sales are flying as everyone wants a ringside seat for the disaster.
- Maldavis wields abilities beyond what her questionable Caitiff blood should allow. Those who’ve felt the weight of her Presence and Annabelle’s have noticed an eerie similarity in the feelings of awe the two women evoke.
- When Kevin Jackson took power, Annabelle suggested a few names of Tradition-breakers for his purges. Most of them were guilty. A few were merely political thorns in her side she wished to be rid of. So long, Andrei. Au revoir, Tammy.
Gallery[]
References[]
- VTM: Chicago by Night, p. 106-108
- VTM: The Succubus Club, p. 33-49 - Annabelle's Party
- VTM: Chicago by Night Second Edition, p. 111-112
- VTM: Dark Colony, p. 56
- VTM: Vampire: The Masquerade Rulebook, p. 251-252 - sample adventure
- VTM: Vampire: The Masquerade Second Edition, p. 263 - sample adventure
- VTM: Chicago by Night 5th Edition
