I have deliberated...
Those are all good points, but if not now, then when? Do we wait for an opportunity to be courageous? That seems kind of counter-intuitive, all such opportunities will be as risky, if not more, as this one. It's possible that by doing this, we'll have a better insight into this Vogler character, should he deem us best buds and righteous dudes.
You've got me there, man. The whole point of being courageous is doing something that you don't know will end up in being alive. If you knew the outcome, it wouldn't be courageous, now would it?
At the very least, the fact that the Sabbat are so far away from their strongholds in the South and that it is near dawn indicates that it is unlikely to be an organized attempt to ambush and capture/kill Anthony. Think about it: if this were a truly well-executed mission, I doubt they would have bothered to bait us so easily and so close to dawn. In fact, it's downright stupid and a bigger risk for them to attack us because finding safety before the sun's up would be harder for them than it would be for Tony, since we're right next to our home. If the attackers (a) tried to get us by surprise or (b) got here earlier, I could potentially see a well-planned ambush here, but I don't think that's the case. If it were, why attack a Ventrue Baron near dawn while in the middle of Camarilla territory, far from safety? It's a tactically stupid move.
... And if it's a tactically stupid move, I doubt whoever decided it was a good idea was very smart anyways.
Sometimes in life you just need to throw caution and concern and risk analysis to the wind and kick some ass. That is what bravery is. Being a Ventrue doesn't have to mean being a pussy, they once were knights and barons and warriors who lead from the front, sharing in the glory and respect of their loyal men.
You make many good points Esquilax but I simply feel this is a vital moment that will turn Anthony around into a more well-rounded and dignified man. I don't think we can wait forever to do this. Too long and Anthony will become too set in his ways and perhaps even begin to rationalise his cowardice. It's a hidden gift that Anthony recognises and wishes to confront his fear. People obey the Ventrue in the Modern Nights, but fuck all respect them any more and justly so. Anthony could become a man who actually deserves respect.
There's intangibles at play that make a Kindred powerful. We know Anthony's cunning, and that's allowed him to build up his Kine contacts and kill Kindred of more potent blood and greater power than him (i.e. du Marchais and Angelos). On paper, these guys should have wiped the floor with Tony a long time ago. It would definitely nice if he had some balls to go with his brains.
Fuck it, you boys have convinced me. Tie game again.
AA
EDIT: Holy shit, in the moment I posted, two people went for A. My flip-flopping changed nothing, I feel like a BioWare game.