| “ | I don't fear LaCroix, nor do I give a damn about his jackboot sycophants and court jesters. Let them all come to Hollywood! It would be a battle sequence worthy of Kurosawa! | ” |
| — Isaac Abrams. | ||
Isaac Abrams was the Baron of Hollywood. He had a very low opinion of the Prince of Los Angeles, Sebastian LaCroix during his regency - mirrored by his notoriously low opinion of the Camarilla in general. He succumbed to the Beckoning in 2020.
Biography[]
Isaac claimed to have worked Hollywood and its stars for decades. He had had major involvement in the American film industry as a producer/financier, even after his Embrace.
His favorite actors whom he worked with include Robert De Niro, James Dean and his childe, Ash Rivers, who was embraced by him in 1997. He owned a jewel shop which he used as both a haven and administration center for his barony. He employed a Sweeper to keep him notified of any new blood in town.
By 2018, Isaac was one of the only members of the Anarch "old guard" left in Los Angeles, a position that was once again threatened when yet another Camarilla Prince attempted to declare praxis in his city. As if to add insult to injury, he was also beginning to feel the pull of the Beckoning. He resisted its call stubbornly for nearly two years before eventually succumbing, but not before leaving his former domain in the hands of his clanmate and confidant, Nelli G. Isaac's current fate is unknown.
Description[]
Isaac claims he's been involved in the movie business since it first began. An associate of Jeremy MacNeil when The Anarch Movement expelled The Camarilla from LA, Isaac has been the Baron of Hollywood since there was last a LA Prince in 1944. He's been the Valley Coterie's patron for several years, granting them domain over Griffith College in his territory. Isaac has hinted that he and Nelli G have a shared history, and that Nelli has helped him to remove "unwanted obstacles" through espionage or assassination. Isaac is now caught between the conflicting imperatives of expelling the encroaching Camarilla and thwarting the Second Inquisition's attempts to expose the Kindred by suborning the Movement's dissidents. Playing an astute game of politics, he acts as nominal leader of the LA Barons, but it's unclear how much of his power base has been compromised.
Loresheet[]
Red Carpet: Because it pleases him in some way, you're on the Baron's personal VIP list for any and all noteworthy Hollywood events and happenings. Whether it's a red carpet film premiere, opening night at a hot new nightclub, an exclusive fashion show, or on-set access to the latest film blockbuster shooting, you are welcome. All hunting rolls at these places are reduced by 1. If you're not in Los Angeles, this privilege may be extended to one Kindred or mortal of your choosing who is in that city. (But if they screw up, it's on you.)- Friend in High Places: A veteran of the Second Anarch Revolt and its aftermath, Abrams knows where the bodies are buried, often literally. Once per story, you can ask the Storyteller to provide you with a secret about Los Angeles and its Kindred. This secret gives you a two-dice advantage in any rolls you make concerning the Kindred involved in the secret.
- Production Budget: Because he sees some artistic merit in your ideas or because he owes you or an associate a favor, you get access to a film, television, or digital production studio, including mortal tech and production crew, long enough to complete a short project (TV pilot, webisode, podcast, livestream event, etc.). This favor comes with the means to distribute and promote your project. The Storyteller decides whether the project earns you a dot of Fame or Infamy.
- Parliament of Rooks: Once per story, Abrams arranges a personal introduction to and meeting with any other Anarch Baron in LA. Your safety at this rendezvous is not guaranteed, but you're close enough to Abrams that he might (maybe) object to any serious injuries done to you during your visit. Or avenge them (possibly).
- Masquerade: Once per chronicle, Abrams will take steps to ensure a risk to the Masquerade that you or one of your associates caused is covered up completely. Use of this favor depends on a strong connection to Abrams that you and your Storyteller work out together. However blatant or potentially catastrophic the incident, the problem goes away as if it never happened: buried in bureaucratic red tape, concealed by misdirection, or whatever it takes to just make it disappear. Mortals will never discover what really happened. Other Kindred might.
Personality[]
Upon first meeting Isaac, he is short and rude with the player. After they help him find his tape however, his disposition changes and he is more willing to work with the player. As long as the player doesn't spout Camarilla idiosyncrasies, Isaac is friendly and helpful to the player.
Isaac patronages the Kindred in his domain and is seen as somewhat of a father figure by some of them. The vampire V.V. adores him, and sees Isaac as her adoptive sire and the father she never had, in turn, Isaac considers V.V. his daughter/childe.
He is called gifted, and a "saintly patron of the arts/The most respected Kindred in this city.", and a "old gnarled tree that wrapped it's roots around this city years ago./He's a relic of an age long since past." by V.V. and Ash respectively.
After Negative Zero became a big hit, Isaac and Ash's relationship began to falter, much to Isaac's regret. "Once everyone knew who he was, I no longer did." After finding Ash OD'd on drugs, Isaac Embraced him because he "couldn't let him go." It appears that Isaac is struck with tremendous guilt over embracing Ash (and the loss of their friendship), as he had both gave, and took everything away from him. "I don't think he hates me... resents me, maybe. I am his sire and he is my childe and there is a responsibility and respect inherent in that bond, even if we are no longer the friends we were."
After visiting Hollywood and meeting Isaac, if the player returns to Santa Monica, the player can ask Mercurio about Isaac: "Isaac's a cool customer. Got that old-school, no-nonsense kinda swagger. Not too many like him anymore. He wears his animosity towards the Camarilla on his sleeve. Shame. Guy like him could've really been an asset."
Quests[]
- Dead Ex: Isaac requires the player to go and meet an anonymous person and get a film tape that was promised to Isaac.
- Gargoyle Removal Service: After finishing the Dead Ex quest, Isaac will ask for the player's help in defeating a gargoyle that has taken up residence in his theatre across the street. If possible, Isaac wants the Gargoyle to work for him.
- Snuff Is Enough: Isaac needs a complete copy of the tape that the player brought him. He suggests that the player go and ask around Hollywood for any information that may be useful in finding a complete tape.
- Going The Way Of Kings: Having seen the whole tape, Isaac decides to send you to investigate what is happening. He recognizes the building shown in the tape, a mansion in the Hollywood hills. He sends the player to the mansion and tells them that if they're not heard from in a few nights, he'll march his own army up the hills to take care of the problem. Speaking with Isaac after this quest is done will net the player the Fae Charm item.
Trivia[]
- Regarding the Vampire Hunters in Hollywood, he refers to them as "murderous paparazzi". Paparazzi comes from "Paparazzo," the name of a news photographer the 1960 film La Dolce Vita, and refers to predatory media photographers who chase and stalk celebrities.
- Curious thing is that Isaac, despite being the Baron of Hollywood, allows the Nosferatu to live in the sewers of the city; Gary being the Primogen for the Nosferatu and therefore affiliated with the Camarilla. "They respect my streets and I keep my politics out of their sewers, but I don't trust them by any stretch of the word." "I pity them, but I loathe their presence. I deal with them when it's necessary."
- Interestingly, although Isaac says he's been behind Hollywood for years, this is inconsistent with the Los Angeles by Night sourcebook. In the book, a 5th generation Toreador by the name of Christopher Houghton is stated to be responsible for the outbreak popularity of the film industry. This can be reconciled in two ways: the first is that Christopher is no longer in power at the time of VTM: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines (and Isaac has stepped in to fill the empty seat). The other is that Christopher was so secretive, not even Isaac knew about him, and his actions were not his own but rather Christopher's machinations.
- If the PC tries to tough talk Isaac, he replies with a list of Hollywood tough-guys: "Edward G. Robinson, Jimmy Cagney, Brando...."
- When asked about the favorite person he's worked with, he replies with a list of Hollywood stars: "Stewart, Lean, Hitchcock, Wilder, Holden, Dean, Scorsese, De Niro, and, last but not least Ash, my childe. I remember some studio suit lost in time telling me the only thing they could use Bogart for was to move furniture."
- Isaac compares Ash to past actors Clift or Dean.
- PCs can ask if Abrams produced any of the following movies: Ape Race 2, Ghost Brutha, Police Donkey 3, Time Cake, Fraternity House, and Killbot Jr.. Abrams replies he only produces exemplary, not excremental, films.
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