Mind's Eye Theatre - Vampire The Requiem.pdf - RoseRed

More documents

Recommendations

Info

chapter one: society of the damned 297 Chapter Four: Storytelling ng Ex Lungeum Leorum (Know a lion by its claw) —Latin proverb
Knowing the proper application of the rules for a Mind’s Eye Theatre session is only part of the process for putting together a truly memorable and immersing experience. Some might even argue that the rules are actually the least important part of successfully holding such an event. By now you are familiar with the mechanics of adjudicating a game session. You are prepared to handle combat situations, rules altercations and properly judge whether the actions of the player’s characters succeed or fail in a fair and just manner. But what comes next is the understanding of how to craft a grand story around the bare skeleton of those rules. And that’s really the heart of any chronicle — the story itself. Specifi cally, these stories center on the society and nightly affairs of the walking dead. They are stories about a relentless hunger that makes you a monster. It’s about having power and control over others, but ultimately not over yourself. Oh, it’s true that these characters can concentrate their abilities into some really amazing feats, but in the end they are all just slaves to that hunger that never really leaves them. Despite the fancy clothes, calm demeanors and secrets within secrets, they all hear the call of their own monstrous hunger. In order to distract themselves from that gnawing need they imbed themselves in a world of secrets, madness and treachery. These are stories about making choices when none of your options are good, safe or easy. Most of all, it’s a story you don’t tell by yourself. You tell it in partnership with other players. One of you takes the role of Storyteller, but all of you work together to make the story complete. The Requiem is subtitled, “A Modern Gothic Live-Action Storytelling Game.” This chapter serves as a guide to you on how to run such a game. Storytellers have the most need to read this chapter, of course, but some topics most defi nitely will concern conscientious players, too. The Mind’s Eye Theatre core book already told you what a Storytelling game is. So, what is a “Modern Gothic Storytelling Game”? The concept of what makes a good horror story has shifted with exposure to present day media. Most commonly what is labeled as “horror” comes in the form of the blood-splattering shocks such as those presented in a modern slasher movie. For the purposes of this game setting, however, it is important to remember that horror also applies to the eerie mysteries of a classic ghost story. The Requiem can incorporate any sort of horror, but the game focuses on what is commonly referred to as gothic horror. For our purposes what this represents is a more personal sense of horror and revulsion. It is not being momentarily startled as a hooded man with an axe jumps out of the closet, but rather the horror whose source is one’s own deeds, of one’s own self. In most horror stories, the protagonists are victims. Something bad happens to them; you’re scared on their behalf. They innocently wander into a situation that places them in some sort of physical or emotional danger, most often at the hands of some sort of supernatural force. In The Requiem’s particular brand of gothic horror, characters fi ll the roles of victim and monster at the same time. They do the bad things and suffer the consequences, or they try not to do bad things, and suffer the consequences of that choice. The personal horror of The Requiem is about realizing, beyond all doubt, that you are the monster. (Or at least your character is!) You can tell all kinds of stories in a Requiem chronicle. There are others themes to these stories that can range from dark romance to gritty war stories. Your stories, however, should offer characters a chance to discover just how diffi cult their existence as Kindred can become, especially if they are seeking to tame their dark appetite. It is their payment for the abilities they can possess — it is the cost of immortality. Can the characters withstand the hunger and rage of the Beast and still function within the ruthless demands of Kindred society? Can they 298 mind’s chapter eye four: theatre: storytelling requiem
Page 1 and 2:
live-action rules for playing vampi
Page 3 and 4:
CREDITS Concept and Design: Justin
Page 5 and 6:
4 Introduction No man ever became e
Page 7 and 8:
Vampires must sustain themselves on
Page 9 and 10:
8 chapter one: society of the damne
Page 11 and 12:
Try though they might, the Kindred
Page 13 and 14:
Kindred that thrives on blood and d
Page 15 and 16:
Geographically, the Gangrel seem to
Page 17 and 18:
dred institution, especially owing
Page 19 and 20:
London, New Orleans and Chicago —
Page 21 and 22:
20 mortal society. Certainly, some
Page 23 and 24:
22 they become helpless targets. Li
Page 25 and 26:
options? Petition for help? To whom
Page 27 and 28:
26 Needless to say, the society of
Page 29 and 30:
Church-modeled domains tend to swin
Page 31 and 32:
FEEDING RESTRICTIONS Some Princes d
Page 33 and 34:
of state.” The Herald is assumed
Page 35 and 36:
MASTER OF ELYSIUM In essence a comb
Page 37 and 38:
don’t happen, but rather that tho
Page 39 and 40:
38 The Danse Macabre Throughout the
Page 41 and 42:
Upon being informed of just how old
Page 43 and 44:
Just the same, puppets and sinners
Page 45 and 46:
44 chapter one: society of the damn
Page 47 and 48:
esponding roughly to a later Spanis
Page 49 and 50:
48 The Carthian Movement Undeniably
Page 51 and 52:
The Chain At almost every Carthian
Page 53 and 54:
52 THE CIRCLE OF THE CRONE Few vamp
Page 55 and 56:
way a static creature can otherwise
Page 57 and 58:
Hierophant In domains where the Cir
Page 59 and 60:
without the reality of it. Many you
Page 61 and 62:
The Invictus, alone among covenants
Page 63 and 64:
the Middle Ages, that God stepped i
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
66 Two: That what you once were is
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Anointing/Blood Baths Used whenever
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
it, nor does it mean to adhere to a
Page 77 and 78:
RITUALS AND OBSERVANCES The most im
Page 79 and 80:
Not all members of the Ordo Dracul
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86:
Not every covenant is as fully stru
Page 87 and 88:
— it chooses its fi ghts carefull
Page 89 and 90:
Likewise, the Ordo Dracul doesn’t
Page 91 and 92:
to Rötschreck, and can even access
Page 93 and 94:
92 THE FIRST TRADITION: MASQUERADE
Page 95 and 96:
ever fi gure responsible for the cr
Page 97 and 98:
granted therefrom), the next step w
Page 99 and 100:
Kindred even use connections in the
Page 101 and 102:
Rumors suggest that some few ghouls
Page 103 and 104:
trial Revolution) arrived not long
Page 105 and 106:
Exceptions exist, of course. Every
Page 107 and 108:
Crúac (KREW • ack): The bloody,
Page 109 and 110:
Whip: One who keeps his clanmates i
Page 111 and 112:
110 chapter two: character
Page 113 and 114:
Now that you’re familiar with the
Page 115 and 116:
All characters begin with one dot i
Page 117 and 118:
• The Carthians: Members of the C
Page 119 and 120:
118 OPTIONAL RULE: I WASN’T EMBRA
Page 121 and 122:
VAMPIRE TEMPLATE QUICK REFERENCE Th
Page 123 and 124:
• What are your habitual feeding
Page 125 and 126:
in a number of practical talents. S
Page 127 and 128:
her formidable personality and the
Page 129 and 130:
nying chart). In fact, some elders
Page 131 and 132:
little protection once they have be
Page 133 and 134:
as a whole. Princes, Regents, Primo
Page 135 and 136:
A character must have at least a si
Page 137 and 138:
136 chapter two: character Daeva Ot
Page 139 and 140:
138 STEREOTYPES Gangrel: They are b
Page 141 and 142:
clan is active in the Circle of the
Page 143 and 144:
142 chapter two: character Mekhet V
Page 145 and 146:
144 STEREOTYPES Daeva: They thought
Page 147 and 148:
in any warren until she provides he
Page 149 and 150:
148 chapter two: character Ventrue
Page 151 and 152:
150 STEREOTYPES Daeva: Our only ser
Page 153 and 154:
• Bonuses or penalties to test po
Page 155 and 156:
154 Note, however, that such protec
Page 157 and 158:
The vampire must make eye contact,
Page 159 and 160:
awake. Any injuries infl icted on t
Page 161 and 162:
In order to avoid potential problem
Page 163 and 164:
A Kindred may only read a subject
Page 165 and 166:
•••• TELEPATHY At this leve
Page 167 and 168:
during the daytime (see p. 264). Th
Page 169 and 170:
168 chapter two: character This is
Page 171 and 172:
•• MESMERIZE The source of many
Page 173 and 174:
To restore stolen or false memories
Page 175 and 176:
or accidents unless more compelling
Page 177 and 178:
Refusing to pay attention to the va
Page 179 and 180:
This power may only be used on a ta
Page 181 and 182:
diablerist being summoned into a kn
Page 183 and 184:
mediate gratifi cation, and these K
Page 185 and 186:
Rötschreck, for example. In this c
Page 187 and 188:
their Cloak to an individual who ha
Page 189 and 190:
- indicates that she wishes to use
Page 191 and 192:
Lastly, with considerable effort a
Page 193 and 194:
PROTEAN Easily one of the most over
Page 195 and 196:
Imbued with the unholy power of Vit
Page 197 and 198:
Test Pool: Resilience is unlike man
Page 199 and 200:
Crúac does not have the same linea
Page 201 and 202:
CHEVAL (LEVEL-TWO CRUAC RITUAL) Thi
Page 203 and 204:
WILLFUL VITAE (LEVEL-FOUR CRUAC RIT
Page 205 and 206:
know an unlimited number of level-o
Page 207 and 208:
BLANDISHMENT OF SIN (LEVEL-THREE TH
Page 209 and 210:
If this power is used to affect ano
Page 211 and 212:
THE COIL OF BANES The two major ban
Page 213 and 214:
Like all Obfuscate-based powers, a
Page 215 and 216:
Cost: 1 Vitae Test Pool: Resolve +
Page 217 and 218:
216 mind’s chapter eye three: the
Page 219 and 220:
In addition to the powers and advan
Page 221 and 222:
Vitae does not change a character
Page 223 and 224:
DIABLERIE The act of diablerie, som
Page 225 and 226:
OPTIONAL RULE: DIABLERIE DURATION T
Page 227 and 228:
tion best focused elsewhere. The La
Page 229 and 230:
ond. (Willingly bonded characters s
Page 231 and 232:
BLOOD SYMPATHY On some occasions, K
Page 233 and 234:
BLOOD SUPPLY When a vampire takes b
Page 235 and 236:
on the part of the Kindred to creat
Page 237 and 238:
a Ventrue ghoul gains a single dot
Page 239 and 240:
Potency comparisons or frenzy tests
Page 241 and 242:
240 mind’s chapter eye three: the
Page 243 and 244:
BASHING DAMAGE Fists, clubs and fal
Page 245 and 246:
danger. Sunlight fi ltered through
Page 247 and 248: A Vitae is spent to heal one lethal
Page 249 and 250: permanent residence in a vampire’
Page 251 and 252: If the character succumbs to torpor
Page 253 and 254: or did he merely wish they had? Som
Page 255 and 256: 254 mind’s chapter eye three: the
Page 257 and 258: of submitting to the Kiss. Few modi
Page 259 and 260: Kindred call such a temporary, nego
Page 261 and 262: Kindred who spend too much time in
Page 263 and 264: show of bravado as a show of streng
Page 265 and 266: REGAINING HUMANITY Kindred who make
Page 267 and 268: If a situation imposes penalties on
Page 271 and 272: discretion, a character may resist
Page 273 and 274: this draw succeeds, your character
Page 277 and 278: people who confront him with trauma
Page 279 and 280: The visionary encounter ends with a
Page 281 and 282: Blood Potency to a level where she
Page 283 and 284: 2,” and players should avoid usin
Page 285 and 286: city, his City Status in his home c
Page 287 and 288: CHANGING CITY STATUS City Status is
Page 289 and 290: Clan Status and City Status is the
Page 291 and 292: 3.14 — PRAISEWORTHY DEEDS FOR THE
Page 293 and 294: While engaged in rituals and simila
Page 295 and 296: usually results in punishment by a
Page 297: 296 mind’s chapter eye four: thea
Page 301 and 302: In addition to the categories prese
Page 303 and 304: As the player develops more details
Page 305 and 306: more Kindred it can sustain. The si
Page 307 and 308: focus almost entirely on raw surviv
Page 309 and 310: a target. Everyone watches TV inste
Page 311 and 312: Themes help you focus the events an
Page 313 and 314: Now you can go through this skeleta
Page 315 and 316: A New Beginning? The fi nal phase o
Page 317 and 318: Along the way, they face the tempta
Page 319 and 320: to match. What insights can a morta
Page 321 and 322: to concentrate on telling stories,
Page 323 and 324: and treachery you can accept in a c
Page 325 and 326: they meet a band of enthusiastic, w
Page 327 and 328: they are vampires violate the most
Page 329 and 330: player wants to attempt to feed, he
Page 331 and 332: or fail in a rescue attempt. Or the
Page 333 and 334: One idea of how to do so is to arra
Page 335 and 336: • Story First, Rules Second: The
Page 337 and 338: an easier time adapting to the chan
Page 339 and 340: When portraying one of the Kindred
Page 341 and 342: confusion or underestimation by “
Page 343 and 344: Whenever using makeup always give y
Page 345 and 346: normal skin tones and no fangs. Oth
Page 347 and 348: Suit Antagonists to the Chronicle A
Page 349 and 350:
HELL HOUND Description: Hell hounds
Page 351 and 352:
like. Among these, many wear heavy
Page 353 and 354:
Streetwise (test pool 5) — Homele
Page 355 and 356:
tion to avoid upsetting other playe
Page 357 and 358:
their clan affi liation or by what
Page 359 and 360:
associated with the Kindred. Pretty
Page 361 and 362:
quickly as possible. Their characte
Page 363 and 364:
362 mind’s appendix: eye theatre:
Page 365 and 366:
While every vampire belongs at leas
Page 367 and 368:
366 mind’s appendix: eye theatre:
Page 369 and 370:
clan, and she passes that weakness
Page 371 and 372:
What circumstances led this Kindred
Page 373 and 374:
THE RULES STUFF At some point, you
Page 375 and 376:
change a Kindred’s very being, th
Page 377 and 378:
Although novel Disciplines might be
Page 379 and 380:
Watch out for redundant powers with
Page 381 and 382:
An attack might have a fi xed effec
Page 383 and 384:
That Discipline is the most advance
Page 385 and 386:
healing 244-245 bat form 194 Beast,
Page 387 and 388:
addiction 221 aura veins 96-97, 223
Page 389 and 390:
esisting abilities 153-154 Vinculum
Page 391 and 392:
Ordo Dracul 77-78 torpor 248-252 dr
Page 393 and 394:
FAVORED ACTIONS Action/Power Traits
show all

Mind's Eye Theatre - Vampire The Requiem.pdf - RoseRed

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?