Proposal approved 22-07-2016
The Tobe Na Med Research Institute is a research institute that claims to specialise in Historic Genealogical DNA research, specifically with the goal of finding genetic markers within historical noble families and their descendants. Amongst their stated primary goals is the discovery of genes which are related to the failure and success of dynasties, as well as determining if marriage customs of the historic era have created genetic division between nobles and non-nobles. They accomplish this goal by analysing the blood of the descendent of noble families, especially those who still qualify as nobles.
While this is the official story, anyway. Unofficially, the Tobe Na Med Research Institute is a front to purchase and storing blood for consumption by the Kindred who set up the institute.
The Tobe Na Med Research Institutes purchases donated blood as any research institute or hospital would. They are especially interested in purchasing the blood of humans who qualify as nobility, regardless of blood type. Notably, they take “second pick”, that is, they yield preference of purchase to any medical institution that needs blood to serve patients, and moreover loan from their supply to nearby hospitals in cases of emergency.
Besides research into nobility, the institute also tests the quality of blood for pathogens, contamination, etc.
The research institutes primary function is acquiring blood, the method for which is listed blow. However, there are several other benefits provided by the institute:
The institute can be used to acquire blood in three different ways: direct extraction, market purchase, and donation filtering
Direct extraction is the least complicated method with the most problems - it is possible to simply take blood directly out of the refrigerator in the institute for consumption. Administratively this is easy: since blood which fails pathogen tests is destroyed to prevent contamination, it requires only that a test form is filled out as a positive test for pathogens instead of a negative test and that it is recorded as having been destroyed.
However, direct extraction affects the blood supply, both in the institute and in Berlin more generally, besides being fraudulent. Using this means would be a Humanity 7 sin (theft). In special cases when there is a blood shortage (for example following a large accident), it may also be a Humanity 6 sin (accidental violation). In either case, depending on the humanity of the kindred extracting the blood, a humanity discussion may be appropriate. Naturally, specific circumstances may factor into the decision. Wasting blood for fun or using it for dark purposes may rank lower on the humanity scale and may be a violation even for lower humanity characters, while using it to save lives or otherwise do greater good than harm may mean no humanity violation took place at all.
Due to the size of the store and the normal operational costs that include provisions for failed tests, up to 5 blood can be acquired through this means in a month without affecting operations. If trying to take more blood, an (Intelligence + Medicine) check should be made. The number of successes is the amount of blood beyond five that can be taken without arousing suspicion (so 5 on a failure, 6 on 1 success, etc). If more blood than this is taken, or if a botch is rolled, an investigation is triggered with one of the grant givers or with the health department. Such an investigation may temporarily close the institutes operations, may cost money in fines, or may even place the masquerade at risk in rare cases.
Since the institute purchases blood for its research, unlike with Direct Extraction, it does not arouse suspicion if the institute purchases blood from the blood market through the proper channels. In this case, the institute purchases blood as normal, reserved for research and once acquired gives this blood to the buyer (who will pay the listed price in the form of a donation). Since this is “second pick” blood, and nobody is at risk, there is no humanity violation involved.
The going rate for blood in Germany is 105 euro's per dose 1) while the black market rate is some 200 euro's 2), so it is even possible to make some level of profit from this by filtering blood to the black market - this would, however, attract unwanted attention if it were to become known.
Two limitations apply on Market Purchases. First, since the institute cannot sell blood to consumers without arousing serious suspicion, there is a one day delay between requesting the purchase and receiving the blood. While it is possible to buy blood that is stored at the institute already, for bookkeeping purposes it is necessary to wait until a replacement batch has been bought to make sure the supply is the same in the refrigrerator as it is on paper - to do otherwise would make the purchase a Direct Extraction (even if a donation is made to pay for it).
The second limitation is that there is a limited amount of blood that can be purchased in this manner - if there is any blood to buy at all! Each month, there is 2D10 - 5 points of blood available for purchase 3). Roll the first time anyone attempts to purchase blood or use Donation Filtering (see below) during a month - if the result is zero or less, it means no blood is available.
For various reasons, it may be desirable to filter blood acquired from other sources through the research institute.
By donating a large amount of blood, it is likely that at least some of it will not be required during the regular events and that it will - after expiring - be thrown out. Blood expires after roughly 30 days and is at that point no longer of a high enough quality that it can be safely used for patients. Instead of having it destroyed, research institutes may buy such blood at a low prices if the quality is still good enough for their research.
To filter blood in this way, it must be donated to the research institute, for example by bringing in members of a herd to donate blood. This blood is then stored for one month, and during this time, it may be used to help patients. What is left, instead of being destroyed, is purchased by the research institute for “research” (more accurately, consumption). This type of purchase is similar to the Market Purchase, but has a delay of one month and is paid for out of the profits on the original donation. For simplicity, the amount of blood that is thrown out is roughly half of what is put in. Thus, you gain one point of blood for every two points of blood put in.
One advantage is that blood filtered in this way will have been tested for pathogens and is therefore safe for consumption. Another advantage is that donation filtering actually increases the supply of blood available for patients but this comes with a potential disadvantage: in special cases where there is a blood shortage in Berlin due to large accidents or the likes, the blood banks are not obligated to sell back the blood just donated. Due to the large stored supply, this would only happen in the most dire of events. Blood that has gone past its expiration date can still be consumed for blood points, but has lost its taste and is generally considered “absolutely disgusting” by Kindred.
The implementation of the Research Institute requires four steps be completed: funding, location, permits and recruitment. Once all four are completed, the institute can be started up right away. There are also two optional components which can, but do not have to, be completed.
Done
Funding needs to be provided to start up and maintain the institute. A total of € 250.000 needs to be raised (excluding the cost for the building) up front, and a Finance check may be required to effectively set up the system of loans and investments necessary to maintain the institute.
Done, inspection pending
A fitting location needs to be secured and acquired. Currently, the best location appears to be Alastar Mac Caoileann's domain, which is right next to the Charite Hospital, but space needs to be made available. Acquiring such a location may require purchasing a building or finding some other way to gain ownership of it.
The institute is located on the Second floor of the modern research building of the Robert Koch institute 3d street view
To be done
The institute will require a permit to process bodily fluids as well as connections with the local hospital and the red cross in order to be able to purchase blood. Someone well connected in the charity circuit, or perhaps with political connections, would likely be able to make such arrangements, or perhaps Influence could be used to ensure the necessary permits.
To be done
The institute needs to hire various scientists and support staff. These need to be people who are both capable and trustworthy. Preferably they would be masquerade friendly, though if not, they should be the type of people not to ask too many questions. In total, four researchers and two support staff need to be recruited.
To be done
The standard setup includes various alarms, locks and security camera's, but as an optional feature, security can be arranged to better secure the facility beyond this, posting guards or the likes.
To be done
The standard setup includes the contacts necessary to operate, but having additional connections in the science community can lend additional credence to the facility and can make it easier to get future grants, while seeming much more legitimate.