So tell me about Wraith and Geist

Canada_jezus

Hey,

I've been reading through the Wraith core rulebook and a few of the splats. Its really a fantastic setting and i'd love to play in or run a game, i think. I'd just like to ask basically anyone whose played, how was it? Were the terrible roadblocks that prohibited enjoyment?

Also angst, jezus h the rules seems pretty harsh. I mean, in a long enough chronicle isn't everyone pretty much boned? Or am i looking at things wrong?

Also Geist, i don't have the book yet but the wiki didn't really get the vibe across i guess. You're basically death's internal affairs? Also how does it play? Is it pulpy, is it angsty?

INeedNoSalt

Wraith is awesome if you ignore all the goddamn NIN quotes.

Also angst, jezus h the rules seems pretty harsh. I mean, in a long enough chronicle isn't everyone pretty much boned? Or am i looking at things wrong?

This is a game about being depressed about being dead and not being able to have the things you love.

You've lost before you even begun!

MoosehatIV

In very very broad terms you are "death's internal affairs" in Geist. Some people are nice and help ghost move on, some people kill the living because they feel they must, and others just trap ghosts in objects and use them to further their own power. And those aren't exaggerations, those are literally some of the archetypes you pick when you make a character.

As for angsty vs pulpy, it is a little of both. It tends to get rather pulpy, because ghosts generally dont hang out in high tech or high traffic areas. So even in a modern city you are scrounging around the older edges in the older buildings that have more powerful ghosts. But it can get angsty, since essentially you are brought back from death by a half mad death spirit who gets to ride shotgun in your skull until you die. Which he won't let you. Ever. Even if constantly bringing you back begins to drive you insane.

Canada_jezus

Oh i've been told that geist is a lot looser on the morality scale? Like you can murder people thats ok?

Also, for wraith i'm just wondering how any wraith gets to be old and powerful when it seems like the shadow is just going to rail you into oblivion in short order.

MoosehatIV

Edit:
Actually, I reread it. Killing or stealing is absolutely fine. However, killing without a good reason can make ones Geist revolt against them. Thus, synergy (the geist replacement for morality) is brought into jeopardy.

Synergy and Sins
Synergy Discord Trigger
10 Opening an Avernian Gate,
entering the Underworld.
(roll five dice)

9 Using plasm from a deathmask,
violating an Old Law.
(roll five dice)

8 Closing an Avernian Gate.
(roll four dice)

7 Destroying a charm or fetter.
(roll four dice)

6 Destroying a ghost or Avernian
Gate, ectophagia. (roll three dice)

5 Destroying a vanitas, reviving a
dead person. (roll three dice)

4 Destroying a memorabilia or
deathmask, accidental murder or
manslaughter. (roll three dice)

3 Destroying a keystone, destroying a
geist. (roll two dice)

2 Torture, serial murder.
(roll two dice)

1 Mass murder, suicide attempt,
attempting to destroy one’s own
geist. (roll two dice)