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

associated with the Kindred. Pretty much any kind of concept you can think of can be somehow
translated into this Mind’s Eye Theatre system. And while established stereotypes give
your players a starting point for how to grasp some parts of the world, don’t feel the need
to be locked into those molds. Clans and covenants are starting points for generating good
character concepts, not destinations that indicate the journey is over.
Some players defi ne their characters by what group or clan they belong to. A player might
make the mistake of reading a description of a certain group and decide that this is what their
character needs to be. This is often the case with inexperienced players who are still looking
to get a handle on what The Requiem is all about.
Yet not all vampires are the similar just because they happen to belong to the same certain
clan. Very few had a choice of which clan Embraced them, relying instead on their choice
of covenant (or no covenant at all) to defi ne their identity among the Damned. At the same
time, each clan and covenant brings members into the fold for various reasons. Most realize
that by favoring diversity they can take opponents by surprise and open up avenues of
advancement that were previously closed. While it’s true that a group can have an image of
being a certain way that can be summed up in a few sentences, your players should realize
that the world just isn’t that black and white.
As a Storyteller, don’t feel the need to restrict your players by enforcing the examples presented
in this book. There is no “right” way to play a Nosferatu. There is no “correct” method
of being a member of the Circle of the Crone. Encourage your players to explore new ground
by throwing some surprises in the mix and breaking with the stereotype associated with a
concept. A clan label does not completely defi ne a character’s nature. It is the personality
and mannerisms of a person that makes up what a character is.
LOSING TOUCH:
“I AM A VAMPIRE.”
Some players can get so wrapped up in the romance of the undead nightlife they actually
start lose themselves in the fantasy of it. They begin to identify a little too much with the
character they are playing, and may begin to take the character’s setbacks as their own. While
it is important to give some kind emotional investment into your character, there is also a
need for a certain emotional distance from that character. Some players might develop too
much of an attachment to their characters. Certain people are looking for something missing
in their own lives and think they can fi nd it in a story involving mature themes.
If there is an occurrence of this in your own game, or even a suspicion that some players
might be getting a little too wrapped up in what’s going on, deal with it quietly but fi rmly,
and preferably as soon as possible. Yet don’t go in with metaphorical guns blazing and assume
the worst — drastic action is seldom necessary. It might be that a player didn’t realize he was
making that kind of impression (particularly if it’s a new player who isn’t familiar to the rest
of the group), or even just that a player needs to “tone it down a little.” If there is a problem,
however, don’t hesitate to be fi rm with the players in question; humoring the fantasy even a
little generally does more harm than good.
NEVER ENOUGH:
“AS SOON AS I GET MY OWN BLOODLINE AND
SOME MORE OUT-OF-CLAN DISCIPLINES, I’LL BE ALL SET!”
Some players think that in order to create a good character, they need to be a master of
whatever niche they are seeking to fi ll. In deciding their characters must be unassailably
powerful, these players feel they are required to have their character gain the most power as
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mind’s chapter eye four: theatre: storytelling requiem