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

their clan affi liation or by what covenant they own loyalty to, but by their personalities and
histories. A character can fi ll a unique niche in a game and still be part of one of the larger
clans. Bloodlines should be reserved for those concepts that would heighten the drama and
enjoyment of your game, not serve the whim of a player who just wants to try something new.
Use bloodlines and other exotic lineages for the spice in the soup, not the stock.
POWER BLOCS:
“THIS IS AN INVICTUS DOMAIN. OTHER KINDRED NEED NOT APPLY.”
The Status systems in The Requiem encourages clans and covenants to gather and secure
power for their own protection, and that should remain a strong element of the game in order
to give politics real value. Never let the game get to the point, though, where players who
aren’t part of the dominant parties can’t fi nd any point in playing. It might come to pass that
a certain single group or affi liation holds full sway over a city setting. Maybe chance provided
that opportunity, or maybe the group earned it through hard work and dedication to achieving
the prize. Regardless, it now fi nds itself fi rmly in control. But what happens to everyone
else? Some players might begin to question why they even bother showing up, particularly if
the group in power begins throwing its weight around in petty or vicious ways.
Players on both sides should remember that even those groups who do not have a dominant
role in a city setting are still important to the political atmosphere. While vampires of different
groups might not fully trust or support each other, they realize that each clan and covenant
has certain advantages. It is very possible to have a city setting controlled by one group, which
still allows other groups to fl ourish there. There are things that other groups have access to
that benefi t a city as a whole, even if Kindred from opposing factions don’t like to admit it.
Once power is secured within, a city can still be in peril from without. And protecting one’s
holdings from all takers requires every advantage a city full of Kindred can muster.
Of course, the Storytelling staff should also make sure there isn’t some out-of-game truth
to reports to gloating, mockery and other player abuse. While it can sometimes be hard for
players to separate in-character rants from out-of-game attitudes, few things can kill the fun of
the Status system faster than having a group of players use in-game authority as justifi cation
for making everyone else miserable out of game. It’s quite possible to have fun and enjoy the
game without acting superior to the other players just because of a matter of in-game faction
supremacy. It’s only a game, after all. Momentarily achieving some sort of position of power
might indicate some cleverness and dedication, but it doesn’t entitle those players to rub
their opponents’ noses in it out of game.
Lastly, players should also remember that dominant factions are often a part of the Kindred
experience, even when the optional Standing rules aren’t in effect. To a certain degree, they
should accept the behavior of the characters in power as part of the Danse Macabre, and not
take out-of-game offense at it. If a certain group has so much control of the game that other
players feel paralyzed and helpless, encourage the minority to seek out other strategies. Have
those players use other resources to materialize their goals. Show them that their characters
still have an important role in the story even if their clan or political group is not in the majority.
After all, if the majority group is really being vicious and petty at every turn, it’s likely
that lesser factions will have a lot of allies ready to help them unseat these tyrants.
MINDLESS REVOLUTION:
“THE PRINCE MUST DIE! WHY? WELL...”
Some players generally dislike authority. For whatever reason, these players always seek to
have their characters undermine the established power in a game setting. Even if that power
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mind’s chapter eye four: theatre: storytelling requiem