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

deus volt • the way of all fl esh
USING THE FOG OF ETERNITY
Though the fog of eternity might seem harsh for players who wish to portray
centuries-old vampires, it is often much more of a blessing than a curse. For one
thing, it can be very useful in legitimately masking a player’s ignorance of specifi c
historical facts that his character “should” know. After all, even if his character
was active in 1483, thanks to the dreamlike nature of torpor, his memory of the
time is likely to be quite sporadic at best. So if he happens to get a name wrong
or fails to remember important events, he can always explain it away in-character
as a result of his long sleep. That way the player can focus on what is important
for his character to know — personal details, events he was directly aware of or
involved in, a general “feel” of the period, etc. — without having him feel foolish
or put on the spot if he doesn’t know every last detail.
Another advantage of such clouded memory is that it can be a fertile ground for
character development and roleplaying. If a player would like to introduce a particular
subplot or take a certain direction with his character development, he can always
have his character “remember” an incident from his past that spurs a change in the
present. Perhaps a cruel and heartless vampire suddenly recalls a love affair or an
act of kindness from the past, and seeks to atone for his crimes (raise his Humanity).
Or maybe the sight of a building burning reminds him of battles long past, causing
him to take up the sword again for the fi rst time in centuries (raise his Weaponry).
Just remember two guidelines for such recollections: First, ask the Storyteller and any
other players involved if the memory might have some relevance to other characters
or the current story. Second, don’t try to use such sudden recollection to justify using
out-of-game knowledge.
Of course, the fog of eternity is not just a tool for players to use. Imaginative
Storytellers can fi nd all sorts of ways to play with the long stretches of time
rendered hazy, altered by dreams or even now utterly blank in a character’s past.
False memories, dream sequences, invented incidents, altered journals, coerced
witnesses, forgotten crimes, impostors posing as old friends, long-lost relatives (or
even childer), ancient feuds… the list of possible tricks and plot devices is quite
extensive, not to mention extremely versatile.
For all its uses, however, the fog of eternity should never be used solely to screw a
player over. Players are very sensitive about their characters’ histories and personalities,
and with good reason. If you plan to use the fog of eternity to introduce an element
that changes a character’s whole history or paints him in a very different light, it’s best
to talk about it with the player fi rst. Many players are willing to run with such ideas in
the interest of drama, even if they present a hardship in the short term. Failing that,
you can later reveal that the twist wasn’t really what it appeared to be at fi rst, thus
leaving the player’s original sense of his character and history intact.
THE WAY OF ALL FLESH
It is both in and against Kindred nature to plot, scheme and ultimately bring to ruin the
unlives of their own kind. It is both fate and personal choice. Even those who seek to bring
about a better world for their kind (or at least a sub-set of their kind) merely further the
mistaken beliefs and ideals that lead to greater Kindred calamity. Some believe it is simply
the way of things: God’s will, inherent spiritual evil or the most natural aspect of an unnatural
species.
Others see the way the Danse Macabre is going and legitimately fear for the future. In recent
years, more evidence emerges about the vampires of old — the long-forgotten elders who might
have been the original progenitors of the modern clans. Elders of advanced age are feared
greatly, and rightly so, and the most common position to take is one of wishful thinking.
Pretend it’s not a threat, and it will go away.
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