History Fridge / VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines

* As you keep doing the main plot quests, TV-Anchor starts telling about some strange occurences around the world. One is about a bestial deer-man that (most likely some random Gangrel fledgling or a Tzimisce from Ratti-Ben's lineage, since a Fera wouldn't have any reason to attack the villagers unless they are slaves to Wyrm) terrorizes the villagers in New Delhi. The Tv-Anchor also notes that those villages were once attacked by bear-men and monkey-men as well, indictating that the villagers are being harassed by a Gangrel pride, since there are no deer or monkey fera.. Humans, of course, call it [[KarmaHoudini mass hysteria]]. The other is about a freak sandstorm eleminating several US jets flying over the Persian Gulf, and the last survivor saying that the sandstorm blotted out the sun. One might chalk it up to hysteria in part of the only surviving pilot, but those who have read Gehenna, the Last Night knows [[MonsterProgenitor what that sandstorm actually is...]] [[spoiler: It's Haqim, the Assamite Antediluvian.]]

* As you keep doing the main plot quests, TV-Anchor starts telling about some strange occurences around the world. One is about a bestial deer-man that (most likely some random Gangrel fledgling or a Tzimisce from Ratti-Ben's lineage, since a Fera wouldn't have any reason to attack the villagers unless they are slaves to Wyrm) terrorizes the villagers in New Delhi. The Tv-Anchor also notes that those villages were once attacked by bear-men, monkey-men as well, indictating that the villagers are being harassed by a Gangrel pride. Humans, of course, call it [[KarmaHoudini mass hysteria]]. The other is about a freak sandstorm eleminating several US jets flying over the Persian Gulf, and the last survivor saying that the sandstorm blotted out the sun. One might chalk it up to hysteria in part of the only surviving pilot, but those who have read Gehenna, the Last Night knows [[MonsterProgenitor what that sandstorm actually is...]] [[spoiler: It's Haqim, the Assamite Antediluvian.]]

* As you keep doing the main plot quests, TV-Anchor starts telling about some strange occurences around the world. One is about a bestial deer-man that (most likely some random Gangrel fledgling or a Tzimisce from Ratti-Ben's lineage, since a Fera wouldn't have any reason to attack the villagers unless they are slaves to Wyrm) terrorizes the villagers in New Delhi. The Tv-Anchor also notes that those villages were once attacked by bear-men, monkey-men as well, indictating that the villagers are being harassed by a Gangrel pride. The other is about a freak sandstorm eleminating several US Pilots on the Persian Gulf, and the last survivor saying that the sandstorm blotted out the sun. One might chalk it up to hysteria in part of the only surviving pilot, but those who have read the Gehenna, the Last Night knows [[MonsterProgenitor what that sandstorm actually is...]] [[spoiler: It's Haqim, the Assamite Antediluvian.]]

** Another explanation is that she is a thinblood, like E, even though a generation lower than him. It might be that her blood lost most of the vampiric capabilities and is thus perfectly suitable for drinking by other vampires. This is supported by the fact that the blood you can buy from Vandal prior to her rescue is hers ("I'll go buy another bag of you."), and the protagonist doesn't seem to develop any blood bond with her.

** Another explanation is that she is a thinblood, like E, even though a generation lower than him. It might be that her blood lost most of the vampiric capabilities and is this perfectly suitable for drinking by other vampires. This is supported by the fact that the blood you can buy from Vandal prior to her rescue is hers ("I'll go buy another bag of you."), and the protagonist doesn't seem to develop any blood bond with her.

** This idea might be worthy of FridgeHorror. Maybe she wasn't staying to simply donate. She was being restrained, fed and then drained of her blood. Vandal probably has a good idea of how the blood bond works, and that Vampire blood could be used to replace normal human blood. He could be using Lily's blood to give people blood transfusions, making them become addicted to her and thus be willing to come back. Essentially, he's making it so that there will always be people willing to give blood so he can make a killing off of vampires.

** There's a further layer of fridge brilliance there: what could be the greatest possible madness to afflict a Malkavian, who have incurable insanity as their [[GangOfHats hat]]? Being absolutely convinced that he is the OnlySaneMan, of course. This leads to yet another layer of fridge brilliance regarding the voices he hears: so far from being random babblings, they are a fine example of paranoia-as-heightened-awareness - truly an ironic affliction for someone who believes himself to see the truth more clearly than anyone else. The final layer comes when one realizes that even this heightened awareness was a falsehood - the greatest danger to him came from Ming-Xiao, not [=LaCroix=]. [[spoiler: Or wasn't, considering that it was actually LaCroix who ordered his assassination, and the client is usually considered the "original" criminal rather than the hitman, who could've been anyone. Let's not forget the power of Malkavian insight which often turns out to be correct.]]

** There's a further layer of fridge brilliance there: what could be the greatest possible madness to afflict a Malkavian, who have incurable insanity as their [[GangOfHats hat]]? Being absolutely convinced that he is the OnlySaneMan, of course. This leads to yet another layer of fridge brilliance regarding the voices he hears: so far from being random babblings, they are a fine example of paranoia-as-heightened-awareness - truly an ironic affliction for someone who believes himself to see the truth more clearly than anyone else. The final layer comes when one realizes that even this heightened awareness was a falsehood - the greatest danger to him came from Ming-Xiao, not [=LaCroix=].

* Why does [=LaCroix=] insist that you look at him when you tell him that you saw Nines Rodriguez leaving Grout's mansion? Dominate requires eye contact, and the Prince wants to be absolutely sure he's getting the truth of the matter.

*** This, and also that Lacroix and/or one of his vampire goons could've given you a very brief debriefing on your clan offscreen.

* LaCroix seems to go down far too easily if you side against him in the end. Even though he may be a NonActionGuy, by Kindred standards, an Elder like him still ought to be able to fight back ''a little'' even after botching a Dominate roll. Ignoring that this was probably because the devs rushed the game ending, it makes sense when you realize that LaCroix just finished using Possession on one of his soldiers to turn him into a suicide bomb. The only way to "defuse" that bomb is to hurt him a lot...while he's still glowing blue to indicate that he's ''still'' possessed. Anyone who's read the original game book knows that possessing another means that ''you'll'' take damage if ''they're'' damaged. When you hurt the guard, you hurt LaCroix, who had to use vitae to regenerate. By the time you reach him, he's almost out of vitae and the failed Dominate attempts only drain him further. ''That's'' why he gives up and starts begging - he has no power left with which to fight back unless he wants to risk going into a mindless Frenzy. Ventrue don't like doing that.

* The chess metaphors you're mailed from "a friend" tend to make even more sense if you actually know more than just the basic rules. LaCroix as the white king seems straightforward enough, but consider that the king, despite its critical importance to the game, is extremely weak and vulnerable, and relies on the other pieces to protect it... just like how LaCroix relies on everyone else to play along with his game, and will go down without a fight unless you side with him. Grout is the bishop - technically important and useful under the right circumstances, but also limited in scope and just as useful as a sacrifice. As a Primogen, he's nominally important to the Camarilla hierarchy, but as an insane Malkavian he's unreliable and useless, and very few would miss him, making him a prime subject for trap bait. Finally, the fledgeling as the pawn - commonly acknowledged as the weakest piece, with limited movement and ability; disposable, replaceable, forgettable. But if a pawn manages to survive long enough to cross the whole board, they can become any piece they want to be, and is deep inside enemy territory when that happens. Just like how the fledgeling, at the end of the game, will have a wide spread of powers, abilities, weapons and contacts, and is in a prime position to win the game for any side that they choose to favor. Also, note that "become any piece they want to be" includes ''enemy pieces'', which is a very questionable gambit, but has actually been part of some winning chess strategies.

** [[FridgeBrilliance Or that you remember seeing what he wanted you to see.]]

** Also, there's a good chance the player will realize the StealthPun at work before the PlayerCharacter brings it up in dialogue: [[spoiler:the Lunatics [in this case, a nickname for Clan Malkavian] are running The Asylum]].

* Why does [=LaCroix=] insist that you look at him when you tell him that you saw [[spoiler:Nines Rodriguez]] leaving Grout's mansion? Dominate requires eye contact, and the Prince wants to be absolutely sure he's getting the truth of the matter.

* The Elisabeth Dane, a ship where the Ankharan Sarcophagus was discovered had all it's crew slaughtered before the rest of the plot happened. The endings in which you discover what is in the sarcophagus seem to come out of nowhere unless you remember that [[spoiler: Jack used to be a pirate.]] Yes, that, turns out to have been an actual hint.

** There's a further layer of fridge brilliance there: what could be the greatest possible madness to afflict a Malkavian, who have incurable insanity as their [[GangOfHats hat]]? Being absolutely convinced that he is the OnlySaneMan, of course. This leads to yet another layer of fridge brilliance regarding the voices he hears: so far from being random babblings, they are a fine example of paranoia-as-heightened-awareness - truly an ironic affliction for someone who believes himself to see the truth more clearly than anyone else. The final layer comes when one realizes that [[spoiler:even this heightened awareness was a falsehood - the greatest danger to him came from Ming-Xiao, not [=LaCroix=]]].
* So, there are Werewolves, notorious for their hatred of vampires, that are hanging out in Griffith park? Why haven't they attacked the city before now? [[spoiler: Especially when an Antediluvian is about to rise?]] Answer: [[spoiler: The sarcophagus contains only explosives, and the werewolves, with their spiritual powers know that. Hence, they have more important things to do then mess with a few vampires in a city.]]

* The chess metaphors you're mailed from "a friend" tend to make even more sense if you actually know more than just the basic rules. LaCroix as the white king seems straightforward enough, but consider that the king, despite its critical importance to the game, is extremely weak and vulnerable, and relies on the other pieces to protect it... just like how LaCroix relies on everyone else to play along with his game, and will go down without a fight unless you side with him. Grout is the bishop - technically important and useful under the right circumstances, but also limited in scope and just as useful as a sacrifice. As a Primogen, he's nominally important to the Camarilla hierarchy, but as an insane Malkavian he's unreliable and useless, and very few would miss him, making him a prime subject for trap bait. Finally, the fledgeling as the pawn - commonly acknowledged as the weakest piece, with limited movement and ability; disposable, replaceable, forgettable. But if a pawn manages to survive long enough to cross the whole board, they can become any piece they want to be, and is deep inside enemy territory when that happens. Just like how the fledgeling, at the end of the game, will have a wide spread of powers, abilities, weapons and contacts, and is in a prime position to win the game for any side that they choose to favor. [[spoiler:Also, note that "become any piece they want to be" includes ''enemy pieces'', which is a very questionable gambit, but has actually been part of some winning chess strategies.]]
* After you (finally) retrieve the sarcophagus, there's a cutscene that shows you loading it into the back of a truck. Where have you seen a truck like that before? You borrowed it from Fat Larry, of course! Still doesn't explain how you managed to sneak the sarcophagus out of [[spoiler:the Giovanni mansion]] without being spotted, though.

* In the first bounty hunter quest, if Gimble had already [[spoiler: captured [=McGee=] and cut his arms and legs off]], why was he still trying to reach him at the tattoo parlor?
** It's likely [[spoiler:he'd bugged the parlor and wanted to drag in more victims (like people looking for [=McGee=]) by using the phone to contact them.]]
** Also, are we really sure [[spoiler:he did get [=McGree=]]]? I don't remember them actually saying it.
** [[spoiler:Gimble did get [=McGee=]; Carson mentions that Gimble has been mutilating both him and [=McGee=], and after the boss fight with Gimble, you can look in one of the cells and see [=McGee=]'s corpse.]]
* A more serious problem in the same quest. Being able to send [[spoiler:Gimble to Vandal in the blood bank]] is a great idea, but why doesn't it make you lose humanity? OK, Gimble is a serial killer, but when the mentionned dialog option appears, the player character is talking with Gimble in his waiting room and it is the only oportunity to do it. You discover the proofs that Gimble is a serial killer ''after'' this point, when you explore his basement (and speaking with him is no longer possible). You just sent to his death someone you didn't have any reason yet to suspect, so it should have triggered a humanity loss.

* How could Vandal be using [[spoiler:Lily]] as a "donor" at the blood bank? Being a vampire, she wouldn't be capable of producing blood.
** This idea might be worthy of FridgeHorror. Maybe she wasn't staying to simply donate. She was being restrained, fed and then drained of her blood. Vandal probably has a good idea of how the blood bond works, and that Vampire blood could be used to replace normal human blood. He could be using [[spoiler:Lily's]] blood to give people blood transfusions, making them become addicted to her and thus be willing to come back. Essentially, he's making it so that there will always be people willing to give blood so he can make a killing off of vampires.

* After you (finally) retrieve the sarcophagus, there's a cutscene that shows you loading into the back of a truck. Where have you seen a truck like that before? You borrowed it from Fat Larry, of course! Still doesn't explain how you managed to sneak the sarcophagus out of [[spoiler:the Giovanni mansion]] without being spotted, though.

* How could Vandal be using [[spoiler:Lily]] as a "donor" at the blood bank? Being a vampire, she wouldn't be capable of producing blood.

*** Very few people, especially those who have moved around a lot, have perfectly identifiable accents. This goes doubly when it comes to languages not native to the speaker. Figuring out someone who has never left Birmingham is from Birmingham by accent alone is one thing, but try figuring out the accent of a Frenchman who learned English from a German teacher at a school in Belgium, listens to British audiobooks and watches American TV.

* Why does Grout take so long to develop the madness of his clan? Answer, he doesn't. Later mentions of hearing voices are separate to his true insanity, which is his "infatuation with reason" as he puts it.

* VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines. As in many western [=RPG=]s, there is a Haggle skill that can get you better prices in stores. But what use is haggling in modern-day America, where prices are fixed? It seems silly until you realise that every single "store" in the game is one where haggling would logically be permitted. You buy things from a pawn shop and out of the back of a truck. Even the petrol station's gear is being sold "unofficially" by one of the employees.

** Also, in several rants, he makes reference to "The Great Worm" under the city, and "worms stripping the foulness from the skull of the earth." Well, werewolves already featured in the game, so perhaps the [{EldritchAbomination Wyrm]] as well...

* The game makes a huge deal out of maintaining the Masquerade, to the point that when you accrue enough violations your game is immediately over. How, then, does that explain the Sheriff's Chiropteran form on top of Venture Tower? That's clearly a MASSIVE Masquerade violation, well in the view of several hundred people in adjacent buildings at least. But think about it. [[JudgeJuryandExecutioner Who punishes Masquerade violations?]] [[HangingJudge Prince LaCroix]]. [[SuicideMission Who has been trying to kill you the entire game?]] [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Prince LaCroix]]. [[OhCrap Whose office are you a few steps away from?]] [[DirtyCoward Prince LaCroix]]. With the Ventrue being one of the weakest clans in combat and you being a certifiable BadAss, he's so frightened of you that he's willing to sanction this enormous violation rather than risk having to face you in person since he knows he'll die if that happens.

* While the were-shark quest may seem to come out of nowhere, by the book canon, it is surprisingly through and plausible. The wereshark is a Same-Bito, a hengeyokai variant of the Rokea (weresharks). Same-Bito, unlike regulr rokea, have taken time to try and adapt to the life on the surface. Hengeyokai also are far more likely to deal with Kuei-Jin on neutral terms, unlike western shifters and kindred.

* So, [=LaCroix=] can Dominate you into advancing the plot if you refuse his orders, but at the end, his attempt to Dominate you falls completely flat. While the game certainly doesn't make a point of following [=PnP=] rules to the letter and this is usually a good thing, thinking about this one too hard makes it a little messy; the only way for Dominate to fail without any effort on the victim's part is if the "victim" is a lower generation, so how does he do it early in the game? [[FridgeBrilliance Simple]]; he doesn't. Regardless of attitude, the player character finds it in their best interest to do his dirty work, so his attempt to Dominate you ''looks'' like it works fine.
** Another possibility: the player diablerised the Cathayan/the Chang Brothers/Andrei the Tzimisce, lowering the generation enough to the point where [=LaCroix=] is not powerful enough to dominate them.
*** Yet another possibility: in tabletop Dominate requires a dice roll versus victim's Willpower. If Willpower is high, Dominate can fail. You see, Willpower wasn't used in Bloodlines, so we can assume, that after all those adventures the player's Willpower became stronger, and [=LaCroix=] simply failed the dice roll.
*** This actually makes plenty of sense if you decide that the difference in willpower is to blame. Think about it: early in the game, the PC was likely unsure of what to do (having recently been plunged into an ancient secret society and forced to fight for survival) and therefore not as willful. They aren't really sure of what to do with their un-life. By the endgame however, the PC is sure of why they're in Lacroix's office and will not be swayed from killing him.
*** Or maybe [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Gehenna]] has already started, and [=LaCroix=] is simply one of the first Kindred to be afflicted by the Withering.
*** The Withering explanation moves this whole Dominate debacle from FridgeLogic to FridgeBrilliance.
*** The Withering doesn't explain why Andrei noted that your blood has become much more potent than the last time he saw you though.
*** It actually does - some vampires (mostly younger ones and/or Caitiff) get a temporary boost in power. It was never really explained why and it was noted as something really rare but it is there and it is a definite possibility. The PC could have just...been a fluke.
*** A couple of dialogues suggest [[spoiler:Caine himself]] has been cheating by effectively lowering the generation of the player via his godlike powers. This also explains how the player characters goes from weak whelp to destroying creatures that should be able to insta-dust him.
*** Throughout the game, you get a hold of plenty of extremely powerful artifacts, vampire and Elder blood packs, and plenty of other things that could arguably lower your generation or give you some other defense.
*** Why not go with the obvious? Throughout the game, [=LaCroix=] has basically sent your character on multiple suicide-missions and yet has seen them come out on top every time. He's a newly-instated Prince, and a rather disliked one, so his powerbase isn't exactly as strong as it could be had he been in the position longer (It's even implied that the Sherriff is his only truly loyal servant and the big brute's intimidation factor is the main reason [=LaCroix=] is still "on the throne"). The endgame attempt at Dominate fails because [=LaCroix=] has slowly realized you are a ''very'' big threat to him and his role as Prince, and despite not showing it outwardly, he's too damn scared by this revelation to concentrate enough to make it work! In short, [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration he botched his roll]].

*** This, and also that Lacroix and/or one of his vampire goons could've given you a very brief debriefing on your clan.