Playing royal #2

Well I did get some more details on the vampire prince I will be playing. Specifically what he knows about the troubles the player characters (PCs) have been involved with. The list goes, in no particular order, as follows:

• A Malkavian vampire named Daniel had his house burned down. Symbols connected with the Anarchs (PCs) were found at the scene. Nosferatu claim that one of the persons seen there was using the discipline of Obfuscation.
• A large group of vampire hunters seems to have followed the PCs into the city.
• There was suspicious activity around a traveling carnival that showed up around the same time the players did.
• Movement in the drug trade which is traditionally Brujah territory
• The Harpy had to kick several anarchs out of his territory.
• A breach of the Masquerade (leaving evidence of vampire kind where humans can find it) which consisted of 4 corpses drained of blood with anarch symbols found around them.

Normally most of of these things wouldn't be something the Prince would bother with, but that last one calls for an execution. I'm not sure how to go about it though. The tradition of Elysium, where they are to meet the Prince, doesn't allow for violence. As the PCs have shown themselves to be a violent group it is questionable that they will handle this kind of accusation and sentence well.

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Playing royal #3

My thoughts on how the game session went while playing the prince are fairly positive. no break downs and the squabbling stayed mostly in game. We had a moment where one of the players started arguing with me because I forgot that the version of Vampire: the Masquerade we are using has six Traditions. Even though I had explained that I was referring to the one concerning vampires killing each other the player thought it was time to correct me while the scene was live. Luckily the storyteller got right on to of the situation and stopped the discussion. He explained that the prince wouldn't of made such a faux pas and to continue as if it hadn't happened.

Besides that hiccup game was fun. We got deep into some of the inner politics of the city. There was an attempted coup, but I was ruthless enough in my decisions and timing that the city was brought back to heel within the night (so it seems). I only executed one character myself, but the prince went off scene to fight in a battle and won. I actually had more fun convincing various characters to run about and trying to appease the character I was playing, but who doesn't appreciate being catered to on occasion. I did find out that some of the players at least are attempting to work the background politics which is super awesome.

It also signals my tentative return to the game. Things actually seem to have gotten better and they are starting to really explore the richness of vampire society. I will most likely be bringing in a newer vampire as my character and start asking them questions. The questions will focus on how they do things as a group and what do the labels they a have accepted unto themselves (anarchs) mean to them. Basically I am going to try and get into deep discussions about the nature of the creatures we are portraying and the details of their power structure.

Hopefully some of them will want to engage in this level of character development, which will keep me from getting bored and dwelling on minor frustrations. Thanks for reading.

The Angry Man #1

The following is a work of fiction and should not be interpreted as anything else. 

Burning the town to the ground wasn't as satisfying as I had hoped. Usually when I get to see people wailing about the destruction of their homes and livelihood it fills me with a sense of peace. The hate I have for the world is quelled and I can sleep quietly. I know that part of the kindness the world has shown me is returned and feel the balance of the world is closer than it was the day before.

Not this time. Instead I feel hollow and tired. It was hard even to direct the fire wurm I had conjured to swallow the villager who attempted to strike me. I saw him stand from where the villagers huddled in the snow in terror. I recognized the hate in his eyes that pushed him to attack me, and all I felt was indifferent. The fire wurm itself caused me more ire as it was slow to react to my whim. If not for the anger caused by its disobedience the villager might of succeeded in driving his dagger into my throat.

I sit upon this rock contemplating these things. The fires consume the straw thatch of the roofs, hissing as the snow melts and turns to steam. I gaze at the villagers, surrounded by the skeletons of their ancestors that I raised, and wonder what to do with them. Usually I leave them to scatter, or kill them and use their corpses for necromantic projects, but this time neither option seems worthwhile.

Playing royal

Despite the fact that I left the vampire game beyond some time ago. I have volunteered to come back to play the Prince of the City. The challenge here for me is to portray an ancient creature whose plans unravel over decades and who always seeks the long view. I don't expect this to be a reoccurring role, but it will be nice to see some of the group again. It will probably twist the tails of a few other players, but I think the point is for the prince to do that anyway.

I have to call the storyteller tonight to see what things the prince is supposed to speak to the rabble about. It would also be nice to have an idea about what the players might want to know from the prince. Lastly I need to find out what hooks I am supposed to throw out for the group.

I will post more on this after I finish collecting those pieces of information. Thanks for reading.