Hello
It's DM Beckett.I've begun to create a character with the rules I saw, but I had a few questions. I wasn't clear on for Attributes if we got a free starting dot or not?
I'm working on a more flushed out background and description, so that should be done tomorrow. I think I'm going to go with Eastern European origin rather than France, and I also see that somehow a bit of my original post get eaten.
Please have a look at my basic stat workup and let me know what I need to do. I'm also shorting myself a Background, just because nothing really fits.
There is a substantial amount of upheaval in the East at this fine but where in the East are you thinking? The Arpad line has died out. The Teutons are conquering Russia. Serbia is on the rise. ByzAntine Empire is still losing ground And has yet to have its final dynasty in the sun. Mongols hAve been repulsed in India.
The Ottoman empire begins to rise.
Timbuktu goes into decline as a major trade route in Africa and with. New rulership is sacked a few short years from this date.
What I am looking for from any new player is a hook from the time period that explains why you have journeyed to Venice. Flight from an enemy, seeking business interests, a ghoul of a master who has brought you here from a meeting, a resident even of Venice is fine.
Thank your for your interests and submissions.
Cantor you would need to spend 1 more Background point. I see you are reserving 14 Freebies for Embrace, good for me. I eed to see that fleshed out background.
MonkeyGod, go ahead and post character stats as well so I can take a look. I like your concept just fine, with the caveat I included in my PM's.
You have till Sunday so plenty of time to get something ready. Looks like i is just between the two of you at the moment.
Whoever does not make it will be an alternate. As Lord Zekk knows, that actually means something as he was picked up when I had availability.
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I should be done now. A little has changed, but it's still pretty much the same. I've also taken the liberty of trying to include myself in some of the NPC's and location mentioned in the Campaign tab. If that doesn't work, (I honestly don't know), I can always change it. I also tried to leave things a bit vague specifically for so that you can have some interesting "hooks" to use as you need.
I figured that Cantor would be a good nickname, though the "Alternate Identitiy" I have been living by is Yanos St. Germaine. Real name is Christoff, but I've essentially given up that life completely, by necessity. I also figured that during my trek that finally lead me to Venice, I was forced to live by a bit of banditry (stealing bread), though I hated myself for it. I'm also considering adding it that he attempted to join a Crusade but got stranded in Venice, but I need to actually double check the years for that.
Out of character, I also did notice that there is a Salubri around. I'd absolutely love the opportunity to play one, if that fits, but if not, no worries. It's normally just one of those things that's automatically disallowed, but I also understand that you are wanting to pick clans and probably have a reason for that.
As to Freebee points, I honestly wasn't sure how to work them, so I just figured I'd build without them just be safe. I did want to play up the difficulty with being an outsider, but I also wanted to at least be able to communicate, so I went with the Merits/Flaws before I even noticed the notes in the Campaign thread. ha ha I am also really considering Inoffensive to Animals, kind of playing up on the "simple man" concept, and in VtM Modern setting, there was a Merit I was also wanting to ask about, something like Strong Back. But I need to find it, first.
I did have a question regarding Animal Ken vs Expert/Professional Knowledge (Animal Training/Hunting/etc). I wasn't sure which one to pick.
OMFG, I love the Background and the way you tied it in.
Let's see what MonkeyGod proposes before I make any sort of choice.
Thank you for the work on the character.
Animal Ken is the way to go, other skills add to special dice pools but that is the mainstay ability.
One thing I mentioned much earlier. In this version of history, Tremere sought out and diablerized Ravnos. Etrius and many other Tremere perished in the fight.only Tremere and one unidentified follower made it out.
The Council of 7 is now only 3 - Goratrix, Meerlinda, and Abertorius. More info will be released on an as discovered basis.
This act did wake Saulot who is now the second most active Antediluvian after Lasombra.
Unavailable for a day or so...
Animal Ken is the way to go, other skills add to special dice pools but that is the mainstay ability.
One thing I mentioned much earlier. In this version of history, Tremere sought out and diablerized Ravnos. Etrius and many other Tremere perished in the fight.only Tremere and one unidentified follower made it out.
The Council of 7 is now only 3 - Goratrix, Meerlinda, and Abertorius. More info will be released on an as discovered basis.
Did not know that. Are there any other house rules/alternate histories of which we should be aware?
No, you are all a bunch of humans what would you know about Vampires ;-)
I will update the thread later, have to go to a meeting and some of these updates will take a significant amount of time...
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@ Players/ST
I was wonder if you could sort of explain to me how the game(s) are running. I noticed that just about everyone first posts the Date and then their name before posting, while the ST posts the Date and who they are posting to, I believe.
I have refrained from reading the gameplay thread to avoid metagame knowledge, but I know there are a lot of players. Is everyone basically playing their own individual game?
ST is slowly and artfully interweaving all the contexts. This has been one hell of a prologue.
Some of us don't know each other, just of each other. And the NPCs span context in the single shared world.
I believe he's letting us, our chosen character personality and decisions mold the type of game this becomes.
Yes Yes and Yes.
There are essentially 10 games at once which have intersected at various points in time. Your choices mold the game, in fact it has resulted in eintended clan of embrace changes and some NPC deaths amongst other plot shifts.
Soon very soon you will all converge...
Nor have I part of why sometimes it can be slow moving.
Btw, you're running an amazing game. I can't wrap my head around the complexity of it all (in a good way) which is brilliant and I'm not trying to too hard either. I like not knowing too much about the other players so that Bassanio doesn't know stuff he shouldn't.
If one were so inclined to look at the posts for Lorenzo Cappelli and Baldemar de Frisia one would see the name Augustus Giovanni appear in both threads. In one it is discussed that he and his brood are leaving the city, when pressed the response is that he is a monster. In the other thread we see how truly monstrous he is. This juxtaposition is something that simply cannot be a achieved in a table top game and is one of the reasons why I am enjoying running the game so much.
Glad you are enjoying it so far Bassanio. You have entered the game at an interesting time to say the least.
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If anyone is interested, I'm part of an (original) WoD podcast. HERE is a link to the Midnight Express.
Took a look will delve more into it later. It is funny that you mention Midnight Circus, I utilized that supplement, a Cthulhu story arc, and one of the Transylvania Chronicles chapters to run one of my more nefarious table top story arcs. The only Player in this troupe who played in it was Querini and sadly his memory of old chronicles has receded much like his hair line! :-)
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Ha ha, actually, the Midnight Circus episode was our attempt at an April Fools Day prank. We swapped places with the Dark Days Podcast crew. We both recorded an episode on cross-overs and the Midnight Circus, but put them on the other's site.
In an odd way, the last episodes discussion on Anarchs Unbound was a factor in my character's concept.
Actually, you might also like them, though they are more focused on the nWoD. Darker Days
I was wonder if you could sort of explain to me how the game(s) are running. I noticed that just about everyone first posts the Date and then their name before posting, while the ST posts the Date and who they are posting to, I believe.
I have refrained from reading the gameplay thread to avoid metagame knowledge, but I know there are a lot of players. Is everyone basically playing their own individual game?
I make sure to leave in Storyteller Shadow's date/place/name stamp when I post. I do it for the same reason I appreciate everyone else who does it. I do not look at posts unless my character's name is listed at the top in that stamp. That keeps me from inadvertently discovering something that does not pertain to my character because I am perusing posts looking for mention of my character. Add in that we are currently running a bunch of different storylines and it could become quite confusing if we didn't keep the posts separated by name. In Storyteller Shadow's example above, two of us dealt with the knowledge of a vampire leaving Venice. My character would wish that we had each learned this the other way around, but I'm glad I didn't know about it because it could have ruined the surprise that I received (oh my god, what a surprise!).
So far, I have only met one other PC. I have dealt with about a dozen NPC, many of whom I'm sure are some other player's background. I am very impressed with his use of NPC and the sheer number of them beggars belief. In whole, this is probably the best WoD game I've ever played.
Thank you for the compliment Baldemar. You did also briefly, ever so briefly meet Michael Santo but at that point you were DMPC'ed.
I feel that recurring use of NPC'S is vital to making a game world feel real. Michele Querini and Xing Shi (though his time inbthe army and his moving away have limited his tsble top time over the years) can attest to my similar treatment of NPC'S in previous Vampire games as well as D&D games. If you do not care for these characters you will not care for your own and soon the game will not continue to capture your interest. Like a movie with no plot and giant explosions it may briefly entertain but will never capture the imagination.
I think what makes this particular game great (not bragging I think it is just the truth) is the effort the PC'S put in. By far this is the best group I have ever run a game for especially from a role playing perspective. I am consistently blown away by PC posts, it is important for the DM that he gets out what he puts in and in this game I feel I get as much if not more back. Kudos to excellent players.
FYI I will update thread again tomorrow time to go back to sleep :-)
Are specialties just boons or is there some penalty cost elsewhere? Do you have to take them?
As to the dice, I saved some for Menini! Now, what captain can resist a call for help... Even if he doesn't recognize the voice, though with that roll, he just might.
Once you achieve the 4th plus dot of an Ability or Attribute you pick a dpecialty. That specialty allows you to count 10's twice when a challenge called for matches that specialty . No penalty cost elsewhete. If you do not take them you get no added benefit for rolling 10's.
Yes great idea calling up! That will be resolved once Baldemar posts again.
He just destroyed my lead ship and annihilated my crew!
But, on the bright side... I get to build a sleeker, faster vessel!
Actually that was Baldemar's fault :-)
Were Michele still online he would tell you never to build a Manse or Tower into your background. I have a habit of burning them down or wrenching thethem from the ground and depositing in a nearby ocean as the plot requires....
Lorenzo did we research the history of autopsy at the beginning of this game? I was doing research regarding criminal organizations in Venice in our time period and stumbled on a treatise on autopsy in the period. It seems autopsy comes into vogue during Lorenzo's lifetime. Huzzah for historical accuracy
No problem Cantor knowing that ahead of time would allow me to simply DMPC you as necessary. But I certainly will not hold someone's career against them when choosing players, especially a military man.
Actually that was Baldemar's fault :-)
Lord Jurgen will owe accordingly.
I didn't want to blame another PC, the ST can always find other ways. Creating a connection is nice, but it didn't have to be at that cost.
Also, wasn't literally a Khadaji Shipping vessel.
I've never burned a continent before but there is a first time for everything.....
Actually that was Baldemar's fault :-)Lord Jurgen will owe accordingly.
I didn't want to blame another PC, the ST can always find other ways. Creating a connection is nice, but it didn't have to be at that cost.
Also, wasn't literally a Khadaji Shipping vessel.
Oh yes it did, Augustus Giovanni is one of the most ruthless Vampires ever to cross over, perhaps only Tremere is more power hungry and vindictive than he is...
Yes not literally a Khadaji Vessel so no loss in Resources to Alessandro.
Something tells me Lord Jurgen will have something to say about your assertion. ;-)
Lorenzo did we research the history of autopsy at the beginning of this game? I was doing research regarding criminal organizations in Venice in our time period and stumbled on a treatise on autopsy in the period. It seems autopsy comes into vogue during Lorenzo's lifetime. Huzzah for historical accuracy
I do not believe we did. If I remember correctly, at the point of the game where Lorenzo was investigating for cause of death of a NPC, it was assumed that Lorenzo's study of death was A) Not widely known and B) Would not be well received by the vast majority.
Apologies for keeping you waiting, Alessandro. I have a pm into our ST and am just waiting for a reply before I can post in game.
Oh, I'm fine... No worries here!
So, as to specialties...
Lightning Reflexes would affect all the defensive combat rolls? Dodge, Parry, Block?
Precise would be combat offense, melee and range? Block?
Swift is speed with regard to movement? Racing? Parry?
Feline Grace would be athletics, dodge?
From there, whatever the situations call for or that a case can be made for?
Sounds about right to me! :-)
As you have the Merit Catlike Balance I would tend towards Lightning Reflexes or Swift.
Lightning Reflexes for Dexterity
Urbane for Charisma
Was that last post over the top? Hee-hee...
Was that comment meant for Achern or Baldemar :-)
Those Botches no good with Fire...
Bassanio and Vitaliano, new posts up for you.
Finn, just hang in there!
RECRUITMENT FOR THE LONG NIGHT
Some of you may have observed that I had a Recruitment for one more Player. I prefer an odd number in a Coterie.
We received 3 very interesting submissions. The last entrant is having laptop problems and should have his final submission up tomorrow.
1. A native of the City whose family has multiple legitimte business dealings in Venice by Day. Venice by Night the family is something more sinister. Submission by MonkeyGod. MonkeyGod briefly ran a Modern Vampire game that I played in that was quite entertaining, I was sad to see it come to an end.
2. A native of the the City, a Bon Vivant Nobleman. Submission by Karlprosek. Karl is a player in a Wheel of Time game I play in and is quite a skilled Roleplayer.
3. An immigrant from Eastern Europe. He works for Greetings Inn and is quite literally inn over his head. Submission by Beckett, Cantor here in the Discussion thread. Beckett hosts a Vamp podcast and for God's sake the man's handle is Beckett, one of my favorite Canon Vampires so we know he will know what he is doing.
I see two choices:
1. Allow one Player in, or
2. Since we had an odd number of submission which would bring the total to 13 and there are 13 Clans, all 13 Clans would be represented in this game.
Please PM me your opinions as current Players, I am interested to see your take. I have a way in for all of these submissions, even this very night in Gameplay. You can review their submission in the Recruitment thread although I think Karl's full submission will not be ready till tomorrow.
If I don't receive a PM from you I will assume you don't care either way what decision I make.
Was that comment meant for Achern or Baldemar :-)
Those Botches no good with Fire...
The dude in the diapers, matching mine. Alessandro doesn't see who might hear him. He knows of two individuals, Captain and Knight.
Final submission is in, concept, background and appearance/personality.
Each one has strengths and weaknesses but there is no perfect submission. :-)
Keep your opinions coming. I would like to make a decision on this in the next few days to get 1 or 3 into the mix before downtime.
Hello to all
I am in the market for one (possibily two players)
for a game of Red Hand of Doom set in the World Of Greyhawk
if you are interested you can head over to the recruitment thread of my game
(just go under my maine alias and look for the game thread) or pm me)
Rule Set: ADD 3.5
Books allowed: Phb, Phb2, DMG, All complete, All Race of, DragonMagic, Spellcompendium, All Environmental, No psionics, No Race of Ebberon+Faerun
32 point Buy,
Alignment: All except, CE, NE, LE
Race: Elf or 1/2 Elf
Class: No dragon shaman / warlock / Wizard / Barbarian (on the top of my head)
Level: 6th, 5000 gp
Hp / level: 1/2HD +1hp (round down)
Party Size: 4-5
DM Note: Enemy are intelligent,organized and ruthless, if you fall they WILL try to finish you off. NO NPC has resurrection spell available in Elsir Vale. If you die you might be able to play a NPC(as is) if unlocked in the story.