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Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel Schedule of Events Venue Style Sheets • Universal VSS |
USCC 2008 Venue Style Sheet for Vampire: The Requiem Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust This VSS is considered a supplement to the USCC 2008 Universal VSS ST Contacts [R.01.0] Nycci Daniels, nycci.daniels at gmail.com and Justin Gaskins, jagaskins at gmail.com Place/Time [R.02.0] This VSS is applicable to all sanctioned Requiem games, either ST-moderated or in non-challenge roleplay, during USCC 2008, held in Cleveland, OH from May 8 to 11, 2008. Specific game times and locations vary; consult the USCC 2008 schedule for specific information. The Universal VSS is considered always in effect, with this VSS being supplemental to the Universal VSS. In a situation where there is a conflict between the two VSSs, the Universal VSS takes precedent except in cases where the Requiem VSS specifically lists this to be an exception to the Universal VSS. Theme/Mood [R.03.0] The Theme for USCC 08 Requiem is “What Makes a Legend, makes a Myth.” The focus of the venue will be on the events and the things that make heroes and legends, and those things that brand others as villains. From the moment that we are born, we imprint ourselves in history, walking footsteps through time until the moment when we turn to ash. Yet, in that time, we leave marks upon the past, the present, and the future. This weekend, each person will have an opportunity to find or make his or her mark – for even as the Fog of Eternity may obscure, it often lets slip through a hint of what was lost – or something that never was. From the grand motions of court to be held, to the insular meetings of clan and Covenant, and even to the graceful display of the Daeva Ball, heroes, villains, legends and myths shall be created, reborn, and in some unfortunate cases…meet timely and untimely ends. The question is…where will you be when the clock chimes midnight? Will you be in the comfort of your carriage, or locked inside a pumpkin? “There are heroes and there are legends. Heroes get remembered but legends never die.” (Sandlot) Styles of Play [R.04.0] Action (Combat and Challenges) 3 A house divided will crumble and fall – as the denizens of the darkness gather together, whether in camaraderie, or in Covenants, strife and conflict are certain to occur. Character Development (Personal Dilemmas and Choices) 4 Part of the wonders of a global chronicle is having your PCs constantly faced with challenges and choices. This will be no different…what appears to be true one moment, may not be the next – where will you go when the truth is finally revealed? Darkness (PC Death or Corruption) 5 Death, is a part of everyone's existence…what is the past is the present for some, and the hint of the Fog can cover one's actions, and memories…but what happens when that is stripped away? What price will your PC pay for power? For money? For fame? And finally, to become a legend? Sometimes, there are far worse things than death… Drama (Ceremony and Grand Story) 5 Drama, grand ceremonies, and flourish are going to be the prime and central targets…everything from the grace of the Daeva, to the staunch traditions of the Invictus are going to be something ceremonial. This weekend will be the weekend when lines will be drawn – as most Invictus and Carthians would comment, between those who would call themselves Bourgeois and Proletariat. Intrigue (Politics and Negotiations) 4 Covenants, Clans, Bloodlines, Coteries – these are all aspects of the Requiem which will come into play in this venue. The ties that bind each other will extend beyond sire and childe, but will go deeper – is friendship stronger than the ties of blood? Or will the pull of the puppet strings win out? Mystery (Enigmas and Investigations) 4 There will be enigmas, and there will be a reason to go hunting for them…but what you will find is up to you – and how hard you look. Just remember, sometimes what is hidden behind the looking glass is not necessarily what you see within it. Character Restrictions [R.05.0] The Requiem game will be using the honor system. All items Mid Approval or higher, along with any Low Approvals / Notification requiring tracking within the database, must be listed on either the character sheet or xp log. All mechanics not found in either Mind's Eye Theatre (WW50000) or Mind's Eye Theatre Requiem (WW50001) must be available upon Storyteller request. This can be provided via a sanctioned book, a print out or photocopy of those mechanics, or neatly handwritten in pen (pencil or illegible handwriting will not be accepted). If those mechanics can not be made available to the Storyteller upon request then those mechanics may not be used. Custom Mechanics [R.05.1] In addition to the requirement above, any custom mechanics (discipline, devotion, item, etc) must be sent in prior to arrival at USCC to USCC08.requiem@gmail.com . Players must include on the character sheets presented at USCC a typed description of that power, ability or item, and its game mechanics, otherwise it will not be available for use at USCC. Please note that this does include custom devotions taught at High Approval. Top or Master Approvals without custom mechanics do not require prior notification. Prepared actions [R.05.2] The limitation of a number of prepared actions based on unmodified Resolve, as stated in the Universal VSS, is not used within the Requiem Venue. All Theban and Cruac Rituals cast before entering play are considered to be cast with an assumed draw of “6.” All Obfuscate draws to conceal weapons done before entering play, etc are considered to automatically have 1 success. Anything beyond that, a draw is required. Notification of these prepared actions must be logged with a Storyteller or Narrator on site and noted by them on the relevant character sheet. External/Alternate Vitae Sources [R.05.3] Vitae containers that are not part of the kindred's body are limited as follows: Vitae Reliquaries, Succulent Buboes, Coptic Jars (Libitinarians), Sanguine Exaltation and other external sources are limited to a maximum of 10 traits of vitae if your PC can perform the ritual/discipline/devotion and 5 if you can not. Spoiling potions are limited to 6 if you can create them yourself or 3 if you cannot. Oath of the Bloody Hand does not count as an external vitae source for these purposes but is limited as follows: as much vitae as the Low Approval tracked in the Database shows. Fontal Ritual Vitae (Resounding or Arcane) is limited to your starting Vitae if you can perform the ritual and 7 if you cannot. The Theban Ritual, Vision of Will, may not be used to provide ‘Inspiring', as per the merit, scenes at USCC 2008. Willpower and Vitae traits [R.05.4] PCs enter the VSS with full willpower. Characters that are able to feed on animals start the event at full blood. Those who must feed on humans start at ½ of their max (rounded up) and may add Herd + Haven Location. Those characters who must feed on vampires start at ½ of their max (rounded up). Those wishing a different starting vitae should see the ST table prior to game and must bring their “food” with them. Coil of Blood 1 will provide the user's unmodified Resolve in additional starting Vitae, up to their maximum. Each night is considered a separate night for the purposes of waking up. In character "off-site" locations for use in play must be approved by the Lead Storytellers, and may be subject to travel risks and out-of-game time requirements for travel. Additional Restrictions [R.05.6] No character is able to purchase the Haven merit for the game location. It is assumed to be secure and relatively secluded from mortal eyes. Mobile Havens are not permitted onto the VSS. The Haven merit may be purchased for sites in Cleveland in accordance with the standard approval process and must have an approval number with them unless the character is on the local NeoDOM Requiem VSS. Uses of off-site locations will be heavily monitored and uses of off-site locations that have been previously purchased as the Haven Merit will not be allowed. City-specific merits and rituals from World of Darkness: Chicago may not be purchased for use in Cleveland. Carthian Law is not in effect nor will it be. To have a character that can be portrayed at the game, the character's physical body must be located within the VSS. If for any reason your character is given fair escape and leaves the area defined by this Requiem VSS, they will be effectively checked out of the convention and may not return. Proxy Rules [R.06.0] Though proxy play is permitted by the Camarilla rules supplements, proxy characters are not allowed in Requiem for USCC 2008. Travel Risks [R.07.0] None Experience [R.08.0] The standard experience award for USCC will be 2-5 XP per session, in accordance with the Camarilla and U.S. National Addenda. Earned XP may be divided between characters if more than one character is played during a session, but the total remains the same (ex: if 4 XP are earned, they may be split between two characters 2/2, 3/1, etc, but each character does not receive the full 4 XP). Determination of an over-the-cap XP award will be made following the game, with the recommendation of the Venue Lead Storyteller to the Lead Storyteller based on the quality of roleplay. Experience for a good death may be awarded by players' home Storytellers in accordance with the Camarilla supplements, or by the Venue Lead Storyteller or Lead Storyteller for character deaths occurring during the convention. Players who seek Good Death awards must contact the Venue Lead Storyteller, who will recommend Good Death awards to the home Storyteller. Good Death XP will not be awarded on-site. Narrator and Lead Storyteller Empowerment in Mass Combat Scenes [R.09.0] Mass combat, because of its easy opportunity to escalate into sessions of challenges that tie up characters for long periods of time, will be carefully monitored. Any Storyteller may pull a combat out of the main gaming area and into one of any number of side rooms, including the designated Controlled Challenge Room ("CCR"). The chief Storyteller on-scene or designated Combat ST is empowered to determine when and how other characters are allowed to enter such combats. If any players argue or otherwise disrupt the flow of combat rounds with unnecessary discussion, the designated Combat ST has the power to either remove the player from the scene and portray their character for them to the best of the ST's ability or declare the player's character knocked out of the combat, and the Lead Storyteller or Lead Venue Storyteller has the option to declare that the player's character has been killed during the combat, without reference to test, challenge or other game mechanics. The ST Lead or Venue Lead also has the right to script events in combat scenes to ensure that the events do not negatively impact the larger setting. Attendance at the convention and signature of the statement of understanding the VSS equates to express agreement to these rules, including acceptance that scripted scenes may be considered 'mediated' ( i.e., acceptance of this VSS constitutes acceptance of the mediation, with details being stated in the scripting of the scene), and therefore are not required to strictly follow the letter of the rules so long as they uphold the spirit of the rules in a fair and equitable way with enjoyment and story for the Chronicle as a whole as the primary concerns. Appeals to the scripting of a scene, or any other ruling made in any combat situation, may be made to the Camarilla Council, but must be filed, in full, no more than 30 days following the incident appealed to be considered valid. Player Advisory [R.10.0] The World of Darkness is not a happy place. From time to time, the Lead Storytellers in a venue may use adult themes, vivid descriptions, and contentious social issues to bring the World of Darkness to life. For those familiar with the White Wolf tabletop material, some plot elements or themes could be considered "Black Dog" material. Such themes and issues may include racism, sexism, bigotry, prejudice, sexual assault, and extreme violence. If, at any time, a player feels uncomfortable with a scene, the player should immediately inform the Storyteller running the scene. The Storyteller will either tone down scene so that the player is once again comfortable participating in it, or will excuse the player from the scene and hand the PC to a Narrator or other designated representative to finish out the scene without breaking continuity. These disturbing elements will not be used lightly, and players that leave due to comfort issues will be treated with compassion and courtesy. Storytellers will take reasonable steps to ensure that players who must leave a scene for this reason are not put at a disadvantage by their departure. |
