PA World of Darkness: Vampire *Updated

Kolchak

Okay, okay, I know WoD gives most people the distinct impression of oily, LARPing mouth-breathers who take their games way too seriously. Stereotypes aside, it's a fun system and if you're interested in participating in a game for something different, or something new, it might be fun to run one? I've been thinking about it for a bit. I've run for people here at Penny Arcade before and I daresay it turned out well. As everyone who's tried to run or play a game online knows, scheduling will always be the real challenge. I'm open to Vampire (The Masquerade, not The Requiem) or Werewolf, but I just don't really like the Mage system and incorporating it with anything else is too much of a labyrinthine headache to want to get involved in.

I don't have tons of experience myself, so that's not an issue if you're interested; anyone is welcome, as long as they are interested, are ready for a modest commitment, and are ready to learn if they haven't played before (PM me and I can help you out with this). I'm just basically testing the waters here to see if I can drum up any interest, so if you'd like to play or are curious about what it might entail, then the offer's on the table (pun intended).

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UPDATED :

Okay, so things are falling into shape. We will be running a game. To start with, I'd like to have 4 players, but since scheduling is never going to be perfect, I'd be willing to accomodate players on a 'drop in' basis since everyone always making it won't be feasible. So far confirmed to participate are:

St. Justice
Aegis
Powerslave

Have expressed interest/are potential players:

Reynolds
siliconenhanced
Abraham F. Hawk
Fiaryn
AcidSerra

The Chronicle

The game will be a Camarilla chronicle set in Cold-War Europe circa 1962, starting in the divided city of Berlin (which gives character opportunities for both East and West based characters). The players will navigate the tense spaces in between the West and East in the world of humans, and the Camarilla and Sabbat in the world of Vampires. More to come upon receiving all the characters to be put into the mix and incorporating their particulars into an overall storyline.

The Ruleset

For the sake of familiarity for both myself and most players, the game will be in the older Vampire: The Masquerade rules, except for combat, which we will run under the new World of Darkness system, which is more streamlined, and will allow us to get through combat quicker and with less headaches. I promise it's easy to learn, intuitive, and will be an overall positive in playing online where keeping the pace moving is important for the players to maintain focus.

What You Need to Play

A familiarity with the rules of the game. Even if you don't know anything about the World of Darkness system, it's intuitive and if you really want to play, you can be supplied with what you need. PM me and I will set you up.

A character sheet and description submitted to me. Go here http://www.white-wolf.com/Images/CharacterSheets/V3-4pagecharactersheet.pdf, and fill the character sheet out. Ideally characters are well-thought out, and have desires, ambitions, and personalities other than getting experience and loot. Fill out the sheets, PM the info to me, and you're well on your way. Characters should be from the Camarilla clans, or an Independent clan- I'd prefer if you chose not to play Assamites, Followers of Set, Lasombra, or Tzimisce, but if you do a great job sculpting your character, it's okay with me to be a Sabbat clan antitribu or one of the 2 aforementioned Independent clans.

reasonable availability. Hey, we all have stuff to do, and I understand that. I don't expect players to be able to sacrifice their personal lives to make it every single week, but if you want to play, please show up as often as you can. I'm going to do my best to make it worth your time. Ideally I'd like four players a session, probably running a couple hours apiece, depending on variables, of course. Right now we're leaning towards Sunday evenings.

OpenRPG, or at least IRC. I'd like to give OpenRPG a shot in running this game, since it has a lot of neat features that are helpful for a Storyteller (WoD equivalent of a DM) to express stuff with. It's not a terribly complicated program, or a particularly arduous download. Nevertheless, if it becomes a stumbling block for some reason or another, even lowly IRC is equipped to meet the needs of the game.

A good attitude towards the game. Ultimately, the Chronicle is as good as the players and storyteller make it. Don't be afraid to really roleplay your character! That's where the fun lies, getting into who your particular Vampire is, and pursuing the goals of the story in his/her particular manner.

Updated April 22

cj iwakura

Well, if you're into the Phalla/Mafia thing, there's actually a Vampire: Masquerade one coming up...well, any minute now... if you're talking something more traditional, that sounds cool too, but I'm not at all familiar with how its run through a forum.

I'm not familiar with Werewolf, though.

Kolchak

Ah, yes. The venue, I should have mentioned that. Ideally I'd like to play over OpenRPG, which is an open source program very handy for doing P&P games over the net. Failing that, even IRC has a pseudorandom number generating function, which is about sufficient to play.

Kolchak

As far as scenario goes, that's negotiable based on how the players feel about it, but I'd like to set it in a European city either in the contemporary period, or the early 1950s; characters need not be Euros, though. I find sometimes stuff like modern assault rifles kill the fun of combat and modern technology levels the playing field to the point where it's no fun for anyone. I'd like to run a Camarilla chronicle, but if you're dead set on playing a Sabbat character, and are really obstinate about it, I might just cave to you. I like to run campaigns that are flexible to player action and based more on the puzzle-solving and investigations/intuitions of the players than to follow a strict storyline. Expect a moderate level of combat, but also expect failure if you neglect social attributes. As far as times go, I'm fairly flexible, I'm really running this game in part because I'm bored between semesters. I'm on PST, if that's any indication. Evenings are probably the best time for everyone, no? Maybe Sunday evenings? I don't know, that's flexible, so don't let that turn you off if you are interested.

Reynolds

You already mentioned the stereotypes, so I'll just say...if it won't be like that, I'd be interested. I keep trying to give WW a fair shake, and the rules and setting are sound. Once I actually get down to playing, each campaign seems to be about the same, though.

I have to say, enough though I don't fully understand it, I prefer Mage over Vampire. Never played Werewolf personally, though. Played a Changeling once.

Kolchak

The thing I don't like about Mage is that it's hard to control as a Storyteller. The powers available to mages are so expansive that they basically do whatever they like and it's hard to direct the flow of play.

siliconenhanced

I'd be in, for whatever you were up for.

Abraham F. Hawk

Oo, man, I'd really like to join. But we live in, like, different time zones and stuff. Might be a problem. And, I have never played World of Darkness before, but, hey, I can learn.

Zerinan

So how exactly do you play this? Is it like a table top game, but online somehow? It sounds interesting, but I'm not sure if I would be able to do it.

DarkPrimus

Kolchak wrote: »

The thing I don't like about Mage is that it's hard to control as a Storyteller. The powers available to mages are so expansive that they basically do whatever they like and it's hard to direct the flow of play.

That's only if you let them. There are plenty of forces in the WoD that can beat down any Mage who starts getting too sure of himself, not the least of which is the Technocracy and, of course, Paradox itself.

mcc had a Mage game going for a while, until the players stopped showing up (D: ) and for the six or seven sessions we had, I was the only PC who actually did any magic. And that was like, twice.

Reynolds

Zerinan wrote: »

So how exactly do you play this? Is it like a table top game, but online somehow? It sounds interesting, but I'm not sure if I would be able to do it.

You just use some sort of chat program, usually IRC, to talk to each other. You have another program that works with IRC to roll dice and show hte results to everyone. That's...about it. Pretty simple. Maps are one of the harder parts.

EvilBadman

Not, WoD, but White Wolf's Scion looks shit hot.

Fiaryn

I'm probably down, but I'd like to wait and see what we set ourselves on doing in the WoD. Werewolf/Vampire/Changeling/Brooding Emo kids ololol or what.

Saint Justice

I think it'd be really cool if you used the nWoD system and did a "hunter" game where the players are mortal and the emphasis would be on survival and horror.

I really do recommend the nWoD rules, though. You can still maintain the setting (Masquerade,etc.) and just incorporate the nWoD rules. They're much quicker and easier than the oWoD rules, especially in regards to combat. This would make it easier for beginners, as well.

That being said, it mainly depends on scheduling. I'd be up for "hunter" or vampire games. Might even try mage or werewolf if it's the nWoD version of them.

Powerslave

I am very interested.

Aegis

Kolchak wrote: »

The thing I don't like about Mage is that it's hard to control as a Storyteller. The powers available to mages are so expansive that they basically do whatever they like and it's hard to direct the flow of play.

Yea, takes alot of Storyteller involvement individually with spells to oversee a Mage, but is quite fun and opens up quite the roleplaying possibilities nonetheless. Plus, playing a Virtual Adept is awesome

But yea, would be up for a VtM game (I have books galore on Mage: The Ascension & Vampire: The Masquerade, but nada on Werewolf, so have no clue how those works). Now just gotta figure out if I'd prefer a Malkavian or Tremere...hmmm.

AcidSerra

I'd actually be interested in this one, though right now my computer is under heavy maintenance, so you may have to hold a slot for me until I can get my comp back in working order.

Kolchak

Okay, sounds like we have some player interest. I'm gonna go ahead and set it as a Vampire: The Masquerade game. This won't be your typical humourless black cloaked teenagers kind of game, I assure you. If you're interested in playing, send me the info I'll need with your character sheet, a description of your character, and what times you'd be available to play at. If you're unsure of the rules on how to play or create a character, give me a PM and I will help you out.

http://www.white-wolf.com/Images/CharacterSheets/vampire_new.pdf Character Sheet

Aegis

Any specific merit/flaw/generation restrictions?

cj iwakura

Camarilla chronicle, or open-ended?

Kolchak

Camarilla please, if we're going to have beginners then it's not perhaps the best introduction to have Lasombras running around ripping priests' heart out. Keep your generation to 11th at the most, please. It's no fun for me if players try to min/max on me, World of Darkness is much more about the storytelling. Merits/flaws, just please don't try to create a combat super character and everything's fine. If you are dead set on having something like True Faith, you should really have a great character worked out. The year is 1963, so plan your characters accordingly.

cj iwakura

My characters are almost always socialites. I suck with physicals. :P

Too bad, my Malk was 9th gen back in the day.
Pure luck of the ST draw.
(Sure made the guy who diablerized him happy...)

Saint Justice

Sunday evening would be best for me, but I might be somewhat flexible if that's not possible.

Zerinan

I don't know how I would make the character and I'm not to clear on everything, but I would like to do this... at some other point in time. I'm probably going to be too busy with the Phalla, and life, to do this as well.

AcidSerra

Sadly I'm lacking the rulebook atm, so I'll probably need a bit of help with chargen. I tend to prefer simpler, less powerful characters so I doubt I'll be min-maxing on you. Sunday nights also typically work well for me since I'm usually off work.

(Tommorrow I've got alot of computer work planned and next sunday I don't have off, I don't really know why either, I may not have any off that week. However I should be able to play from work, but I'll have to go afk several times.)

cj iwakura

I have a Mind's Eye Theater rulebook, but I don't know if that's of any help.

Aegis

Cool, will try and have a char done up by tomorrow or so then.

Powerslave

I'm assuming the Computer ability isn't going to be used. Are you going to be replacing it with something else?

Kolchak

We'll just let Computer be and the rest are fair game.

Kolchak

After running through the system a bit, I've decided to go with the New WoD combat system for the Chronicle. It's more streamlined and will cut down on the amount of time players have to idle around puzzling through soak rolls, et cetera. It took me about 5 minutes to learn, so I don't anticipate it'll be a big issue.

Saint Justice

If anybody needs any books, just pm me and I can send it to you over AIM. I have the nWoD core book, V:TM core book, and many others.

Kolchak

Updated with minty fresh sanguine flavour.

Reynolds

My friend has either Vampire or Mage...don't remember. He also has the nWoD main book. I'll try to grab them for a while. I'll try to think up some character for the...60s?

cj iwakura

I'm not familiar with nWoD at all. It's tempting, but I have a lot of learning to do if I'm going to get involved in this.

Almost everything I know about V:TM I learned from the Mind's Eye version.

Reynolds

I belive he's using the same setting/creation rules as standard Vampire, and just using the combat rules from the new WoD book.

Kolchak

Right.

greynin

I could be interested in this if it fits my schedule, which is weird, I work evenings Sun-Thu. One thing I am not understanding cleary though, possibly a reading comprehension problem on my part. Are you planning on using the oWoD setting with the nWoD rules?

edit: haha okay you just answered that question. follow-up: you'd said you're just now reading through the nWoD stuff, right? having played both extensively i would really caution that you not make that call until you've had a change to read through everything. the nWoD changes to the combat mechanics, disciplines, and clan/covenant powers are all inter-related. also be aware that nWoD no longer has Generation, which was a big factor in numerous disciplines as well as the base rules for blood pool max, spend per turn, etc.

Kolchak

nWoD rules for combat to speed things up, otherwise oWoD. Kind of a hybrid system.

greynin

Kolchak wrote: »

nWoD rules for combat to speed things up, otherwise oWoD. Kind of a hybrid system.

That's the impression I was getting, yeah. See my edits to my above comment. I was of the same mind when I first picked up the nWoD stuff. Loved the new mechanics, was somewhat dishearted by the loss of of the old canon (which was like 75% stupid dork masturbatory crap but had some 25% really good content).

I tried to do the converting thing but the problem becomes that you have to convert every single Discipline to the new system, and the balance is all changed around. There are very few workable 1-1 conversions. What clans/bloodlines have what disciplines is another complicating factor as regards balance. Then take the new magical Covenant Disciplines. There is no more Thaumaturgy. You'd have to again convert everything over to the nWoD system if you plan on having Tremere characters/NPCs.

Not trying to piss on your parade here. I just want to make sure you understand the full ramifications of what you're planning to do, having tried to do the same thing myself in the past and finding it just too full of potential for my own homebrew to screw things up.

siliconenhanced

Okay, you can count me in for reals. I'll get you a description/CS shortly.

Fiaryn

Alright, put me down for confirmation. Your chosen time period intrigues and I've already got a character concept a-simmerin'.

Here's a hint: I hope to Tremere it up. Tremere it so hard.