White Wolf Pre-Registration Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel National Conventions Staff Volunteer Opportunities Schedule of Events Venue Style Sheets • Universal VSS • Changeling: The Lost • Mage: The Awakening • Promethean: The Created • Werewolf: The Forsaken • Vampire: The Requiem Main Page	USCC 2008 Universal Venue Style Sheet This VSS contains rules applicable to all games being run at USCC 08 in Cleveland, OH ST Contacts: Jon Herrmann, uscamnst at gmail.com Kevin Millard, nightgaunt at learsfool.com Josh Chaney, east.central.rst at gmail.com Place/Time The theme for USCC 08 is "History, Myth, and Legend." Each venue will focus on the nature of history, myth, and legend; the solutions for many of the challenges presented will be found in the writings or remembrances of the past. In Requiem, that may mean an understanding of one's forebears, as well as what one "knows" as personal history. But with the Fog, can one ever really be sure that their history is true? For the Forsaken, it may be examining their version of the American Dream- and what it means to be an American Uratha. For the Prometheans, their history is often unknown to them- and how much of it is really "theirs." The Mortals world faces the short life spans of humanity, made even shorter, commonly, when they must deal with the supernatural. For the Awakened, there are dangers and answers in the past, and it's not just the Mysterium that seeks those answers- or faces those dangers. And for the Lost, whose history is gone, replaced by the legends they've become, the truth of the past may be more inside the heart than inside any book. It will be possible to never get involved directly in any plotkit, but still be affected by player driven action as a result of the ongoing plotkits and player originated plans. This could be without attending a single scheduled event, and without realizing that your character is acting as a result of pressures in play as a result of these elements. Story is inter-woven everywhere. Theme/Mood This VSS is applicable to all sanctioned games, either ST-moderated or in non-challenge roleplay, during USCC 2008, held in Cleveland, OH from May 8-11, 2008. Specific game times and locations vary; consult the USCC 2008 schedule for specific information. Venue rules USCC 2008 uses the Camarilla rules supplement, the appropriate supplements for each individual venue, the primary White Wolf MET and World of Darkness books contained therein, and the most current version of the US rules addenda published at the time of the event. Make sure at character check in to bring all character records required per Camarilla rules. Current rules can be found in the Global and U.S. Rules Addenda, as well as any special approvals granted or requirements levied by the individual Lead Storyteller for each venue. For on-site IC check-in, please be certain to bring at least two printed copies (neatly handwritten ink is acceptable, but pencil is not) of all character sheets and item cards. All items should include, at a minimum: Your name Your Camarilla Number Your Region Primary ST's name and contact information Character sheets must have a complete XP log as well. Every single approval MID or higher must have an approval number listed either in the XP log or on the character sheet. Do not add approvals that are pending onto your character sheet. Only approved items should be listed on your character sheet or XP log. Members, particularly of Camarilla affiliates outside the United States, may be required to strike items from their character sheets, alter supernatural powers or effects, or otherwise work with the Storytellers to make sure their characters are in compliance with these rules. Each venue may have its own clarifications and additional rules, as allowed by its individual VSS for USCC 2008. Character Restrictions Each game will have venue-specific restrictions for things requiring prior approval or that are not allowed in that game. See the VSS for each game for more specific information. Regardless, there are some things that require prior approval and/or are not allowed for all games at USCC 2008. Approvals for these items will be accepted via e-mail no later than 1 May, 2008. A confirmation e-mail from the Lead Venue Storyteller will be returned with the acceptance. Players will be responsible for producing this approval at character check in at USCC 2008. The items that require prior approval by the appropriate VST are as follows: Top- or Master-level approvals: Any character type, item, supernatural power, etc., requiring Top- or Master-level approval must be sent in prior to arrival at USCC 2008 to the individual venue leads, not later than 1 May, 2008. 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 without Lead Venue Storyteller approval. The Venue Lead may also waive this requirement. See the specific game VSS for contact information. Weaponry other than what is allowed by the approved World of Darkness books requires prior approval by the Lead Venue Storyteller. Special note: Any weapon or effect, from any source, that can deliver damage to more than one target, such as automatic weapons and explosives, will be Lead Venue Storyteller approval for all venues. This applies to any device or effect which may cause the mass flight of characters or that will tie up large areas of game play space within a combat. Information on how these items were obtained should be included, as well as reference numbers if it is in the Camarilla approvals database. Magical Items, to include holy or unholy items with mechanical effects require Lead Venue Storyteller approval. Gadgetry: Things that belong in a James Bond movie will generally not be allowed. If the effect is a material or item intended to duplicate existing abilities in game (such as miniature hand-held cameras to spot those using Obfuscate, etc.), they will also generally not be allowed. Some venues have character types (Iron Masters, Forge Masters, etc.) that may use such devices. Consult the Lead Venue Storyteller to see if the items you have are considered exceptions to this rule. Otherwise, non-standard "gadgets" are generally disallowed. Cross-venue characters require the approval of the Lead Venue Storyteller for both the home venue and the intended venue to be visited, as well as the Lead Storyteller. Such cross-venue should be cleared prior to the event, not later than 1 May, 2008. It is extremely unlikely that cross-venue authorization will be granted on-site. NPCs not affiliated with authorized USCC 2008 Plotkits being run by the team leads require Lead Venue Storyteller approval. . Storytellers may petition to incorporate their plotlines and/or NPCs into the USCC plots; approval of both the Venue Lead Storyteller and the Lead Storyteller is required to do so; however, we want to encourage integration of local plots into the National events, and will try to work with you to get your plot involved in USCC. Prepared actions: Player characters will be able to enter each game session with a number of preparations no higher than their unmodified Resolve for all venues except Awakening (for Awakening, use the standard Stamina x Gnosis system in MET:A). Examples of prepared actions include potions, prepared spells or rituals, etc. Every 5 points of stored "expendable" trait (see below) brought into play constitutes one prepared action. Other actions taken prior to the game may be implemented using an assumed draw of six, and require ten minutes out of game per such assumed draw. Requiem has their own rules for prepared actions; see the Requiem VSS, please. "Expendable" traits: PC's may enter game at less than their full capacity of their applicable "expendable" trait (Vitae in Requiem, Mana in Mage, Essence in Forsaken, Pyros in Promethean). The same may apply too other traits, such as Willpower. Please consult the Requiem VSS for more information regarding Vitae. For all other venues, PC's will begin the convention with full capacity, reduced by any rituals or prepared effects as appropriate. To regain expendable traits of this sort requires ST approval. The first such contact with an ST will restore one's rating in the appropriate Merit (Hallow/Locus/Harvest/etc). All subsequent regaining efforts will be run by the Storyteller/Narrator staff as scenes. Player characters enter the event with full Willpower. Expenditures and recovery must be handled by a Narrator or Storyteller. In character "off-site" locations for use in play must be approved by the Lead Storyteller, and may be subject to travel risks and out-of-game time requirements for travel. In all cases, anything requiring prior approval must be accompanied by a full character sheet, experience point log, and a separate list of all high- and top-level approvals on the character. On-Site vs. Off-Site Players who are on the physical location of the game site yet "off-site" in terms of play represent a breakdown in the continuity of the game and will be limited as much as possible. Those events that have been designated as off-site will be clearly marked on the schedule or by Storyteller Announcement. In some cases participating in these events may limit your ability to participate in the regular venue, as well as be subject to travel risks and/or additional time requirements. Player characters may not own or have significantly greater access than other PC's to the IC location prior to this event; the event's IC location is not and will not be any PC's Haven, Hollow, Sanctum, etc., nor will any mobile Haven (Sanctum, Locus, etc.) be allowed without Venue Lead or higher Storyteller approval. Proxy Rules Though proxy play is permitted by the Camarilla rules supplements, proxy characters are not allowed for USCC 2008 without Lead Storyteller approval due to the difficulty in finding players and Storytellers to run them. This approval must be secured not later than 1 May, 2008. On-site approvals will be extremely unlikely. Travel Risks Travel in the World of Darkness is not without risks, but the risks are specific to each individual game and the travel methods used. Consult the VSS for each game for more specific information. Experience 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 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 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 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.