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Dark Ages Vampire - Bloodlines

Game Master Dennis Harry

Bloodlines is a continuation of the now defunct table top Dark Ages Vampire game wherein the PC's have created lineal descendants throughout the ages.

Attendees seeking a seat or have a seat in the Inner Circle:

Assamite - Lord Bajazet al Nasir.

Brujah – Lady Meridie de Chancie, Lord Criatas, “Dark”Selena, Robin Leeland.

Cappadocian – Lord Benne.

Gangrel – Milov Petrankov.

Lasombra - Prince Narses the Archbishop of Nod

Malkavian – Antione le Fanu, Lutz von Hohenzollern.

Nosferatu – Cristo Petradon, Simon.

Salubri – Brian Stack.

Setites – Sadir.

Toreador – Rafael de Corazon, Francois Villon, Helene la Jouste.

Tremere - Radek, Mistress Fanchon.

Tzimisce – Myca Vykos.

Ventrue – Alyssa Gilbert, Lady Jadviga Almanov, Lanzo von Saschen, Prince Alexander.

Remember - only those listed get votes. Of course influencing their Childer can go a long way to getting a vote.

Social Combat:

Let me first thank Sir Dunstan and his excellent Game of Thrones campaign as the inspiration for this rules tweak. A shout out to Vitaliano who also does an excellent job as a player in that campaign.

Game of Thrones has a Social Combat system that, while not translatable directly, I used as inspiration for this campaign.

This is a proposed rules set and I am more than happy to hear feedback from Players before I implement it in full.

Roleplaying is still required to get your point across. However, I think a mechanical system could be beneficial for this scenario, a scenario quite unlike anything I have ever done in a Vampire game before.

Making My Case

To convince a “voter” to side with your Sire, you may roll the following set of Attributes and Abilities:

1. Against someone who is clearly NOT in your favor --- Manipulation+Subterfuge+Politics
2. Against someone who is NEUTRAL – Charisma+Expression+Politics

The difficulty of all rolls is that Cainites Willpower. You will need to score as many successes as they have Willpower to win the contest. Once you engage the voter, you will only have three rounds to make your case and can only attempt do so one time per night.

If you have Presence – Awe or Enrancement, you may attempt to use these powers in conjunction with the above roll. Each success utilizing that Discipline gives you one more success on your total roll.

Beware, failing in using Presence in Elysium can lead to Sanctions by Thomas Brexiano.

Also beware, Cainites may try to turn this system around on you…

But What if Someone Else Tries This on a Voter I just Brought to my Side?

Amount of successes is a key factor here, you will want to score as many success as you can to ensure that a rival does not try to take that vote from you!

Certain NPC’s already believe that others are in their favor and would never change their votes. Those will be the toughest cookies to break.

Note this system cannot be used on:

Your In-Clan rivals, no amount of sweet talking or bribes will change their minds they all want this position badly.

Prince Narses, he simply will not entertain such discourse. Of course, this does not mean you cannot try to get into the ears of one of his Childer to have them speak with him…

Discerning My Quarry’s Intent

How can I tell if someone is for or against me despite what they are saying?

Make a Perception+Empathy+Politics roll.

The difficulty is 10, less that Cainites Humanity score. Those closer to the Beast are much harder to read. For every Century over 300 years that Cainite has lived, the DC will be increased by 1, topping out at 10, as these Cainites have well and truly mastered this game to have existed for so long in the first place.

Once you engage the voter, you will only have three rounds to ferret out their intent and can only attempt do so one time per night. You will need to score as many successes as they have Willpower to ascertain their intent.

If you have Auspex – Read the Soul or Invade the Mind, you may attempt to use these powers in conjunction with the above roll. Each success utilizing that Discipline gives you one more success on your total roll.

How else can I make my case?

The use of Presence, while frowned upon, is much less cause for censure than using Dominate. Dominate does not work on a Cainite whose blood is closer to Caine than your own. If you seek to use Dominate to convince a voter (or perhaps one of the Childer?) to vote for your Sire, it would be best used elsewhere in the city.

Boons – the boon system of quid pro quo can also be used to gain votes. You will need to offer something of course that that voter does not have or cannot get from another candidate.

Eliminate my rivals. This one is obvious though failure to do so without detection may subject YOU to the Final Death!


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Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan

Okay newbie question...on rolling dice.

I would not know what I get till I post...so when I am rolling I guess I enter the dice roll post...see the result that edit that post for that put a proper reply?
Shadow's Status
Veronica Acqua wrote:

Okay newbie question...on rolling dice.

I would not know what I get till I post...so when I am rolling I guess I enter the dice roll post...see the result that edit that post for that put a proper reply?

What I usually do is draft a post, copy it (in case the post monster tries to get it), hit preview, then check the roll, edit the post accordingly and finally hit submit.

Sometimes I'll need to adjudicate a success any way.
Shadow's Status
Vitaliano da Riva wrote:

Thinks the Tremere has already dotted...though she could also be the Venture. Just looks kinda magey.

Also, I'm like convinced my character is about to die to roll that well.

Question, Did I need to make a category for have 4 in Occult? If so it'd be Vampire if possible. Since the Occult can cover any unearthly being and some earthly like mages.

Yes at 4 Occult you can pick a specialty and it can be vamps if you want it to be.

Clan Malkavian Blood Pool 19/30

Hmmm...Do I make the first plucked string from the web of secrets that is the Malkavian sight a dramatic/painful one or do I just do something artsy with it...I mean having sudden visions in one's head of another's life I imagine would be a very different sensation the first time it would happen.
Male Italian (Toreador)

Okay. welcome to the new blood (Pun intended)

And lord, so many options with that many exp
Shadow's Status

Veronica and Piero you should link your backstories somewhat. Anyw ay you like is fine but you at least know each other how in depth you want that shared background to be is up to the two of you.
Human

I will read through her story later tonight and come up with suggestions!
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan

She would probably be against you. The main advantage of being a courtesan in Venice back than for a woman was you had alot of freedoms not granted to other women. So she would see the brothels as a major lost of independence and a man interfering in something they don't belong. So she would probably guide young woman seeking to become a courtesan away from you. Taken them under her wing.
Human

Is she not going to like him specifically because of that? His courtesans will be extremely well treated and have every opportunity available. It's totally fine if so, but that's what Piero's reputation will be
Human

Do you have a background somewhere for me to poke through Veronica?
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan
Piero de Luca wrote:
Is she not going to like him specifically because of that? His courtesans will be extremely well treated and have every opportunity available. It's totally fine if so, but that's what Piero's reputation will be

Perhaps I am looking at from too much of a actual historical perspective...but courtesans all ready have everything your character is offering without the danger of revealing secrets of their clients.

Also probably the feminist of the character would not like the fact that a man is getting involved in it.

Shrug my character would not be openly hostile...that would be silly...but she would as I said offer guidance to any young courtesans away from you...most courtesans were trained by older courtesans anyway.

I will ask Storyteller Shadow if I am doing too much of a history buff and the Vampire Venice is different from RW Venice in regards to courtesans?
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan
Piero de Luca wrote:
Do you have a background somewhere for me to poke through Veronica?

Not yet...probably over the weekend when I have finalized everything about the character...

But pretty much growing up she showed alot of interest in subjects that any 'good' woman should not show a interest in..like fencing and reading...so her mother realizing she could not control her apprenticed her to a retired courtesan where she would have the freedom to pursue her interest and make a very good living at.
Human

Oh, you can one hundred percent feel however you like, I just wanted to make it clear that Piero has a good reputation as far as people in his employ go.
Human

For his part, I think Piero will like Veronica. He'll view her as friendly competition and be genuinely baffled by any animosity; it'll just make him try harder to be her friend :p
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan
Piero de Luca wrote:
Oh, you can one hundred percent feel however you like, I just wanted to make it clear that Piero has a good reputation as far as people in his employ go.

Sure...I was explaining why she feels the way she does to show I am not being a antagonistic D I ck but there is in character reasons for it.

Clan Malkavian Blood Pool 19/30

Hmm hmm hmm, interesting background information to learn. Mind you I will ignore it till it comes to play proper but you might find a villain in my character for possibly both of you. Though I suppose circumstances will truly dictate that situation and possibility when and if the situation ever arises.

I look forwards to the fun and interesting role play that may evolve from all this ^_^. I hope no offense is taken by anyone should think go sour in one way or another. Here is to skirting the line of of villianry and friendship.
Shadow's Status
Veronica Acqua wrote:
Piero de Luca wrote:
Is she not going to like him specifically because of that? His courtesans will be extremely well treated and have every opportunity available. It's totally fine if so, but that's what Piero's reputation will be

Perhaps I am looking at from too much of a actual historical perspective...but courtesans all ready have everything your character is offering without the danger of revealing secrets of their clients.

Also probably the feminist of the character would not like the fact that a man is getting involved in it.

Shrug my character would not be openly hostile...that would be silly...but she would as I said offer guidance to any young courtesans away from you...most courtesans were trained by older courtesans anyway.

I will ask Storyteller Shadow if I am doing too much of a history buff and the Vampire Venice is different from RW Venice in regards to courtesans?

Not too much at all. WoD is a dark reflection of the real world. Many real people, places, and events are referenced and will be referenced in the game.

Shadow's Status

Heh, almost TPK'd my Table Top group with a Meteor Swarm Friday night...

Ah well, next time :-)
Male Nosferatu 6th Generation; BP 28/30, xp saved: 0, spent 155

That is what rogues and contingency blink is good for as well as emergency force shield...

or use a time stop right after being hit by the meteor swam :)
Shadow's Status

Updates tomorrow. Last day for anyone to chime in at Court.
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan

Waiting on Luca to continue our conversation...*drums fingers*
Gangrel Blood Pool 13/10

Oh god, this is going to get confusing...
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan

Why...yes it will...though I guess we can call the other guy Piero or you Marano...
Human

First names are fine by me!

I usually only update sporadically on the weekends but I'm pretty regular during the week. This weekend was an anomaly; no interwebs at home, but that's all sorted now/
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan

That is always annoying loosing the interwebs...

I am stuck at home due to snow...I am surprise Storyteller Shadow is not more active...

Also I am still getting used to the slowness of pbp...;)
Human

It takes a while to get used to for sure.

Yeah, I heard about that crazy weather. I live in Southern California so that's not exactly something I'm familiar with.
Shadow's Status
Veronica Acqua wrote:

That is always annoying loosing the interwebs...

I am stuck at home due to snow...I am surprise Storyteller Shadow is not more active...

Also I am still getting used to the slowness of pbp...;)

Yesterday at work was a beast so I did not get to post in the morning as I planned to. I had to work today as I have some bullshit due diligence report due tomorrow an I did not start it till today. Once I am done shoveling this Goddamned snow I'll be posting tonight till I pass out...

Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan

It is all right...I am learning this new virtue called patiences...due to the slowness of pbp...

Beside I think I and Piero are having a wonderful conversation that is highlighting the differences of the two character...and perhaps revealing some possible common ground...

Which of course you can interrupt as you need to do...
Shadow's Status
Veronica Acqua wrote:

It is all right...I am learning this new virtue called patiences...due to the slowness of pbp...

Beside I think I and Piero are having a wonderful conversation that is highlighting the differences of the two character...and perhaps revealing some possible common ground...

Which of course you can interrupt as you need to do...

I may not mess with you scene till later in the week. :-)

Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan

I should have my character completed sometime tonight...should have done it earlier today...but was lazy...
Shadow's Status
Veronica Acqua wrote:

I should have my character completed sometime tonight...should have done it earlier today...but was lazy...

No worries!

Shadow's Status

All characters now have an update.
Shadow's Status

Anyone else have an XP expenditures they wish to make BTW?

Michele I know you

Michele:
discussed wanting to buy the 4th dot of Presence which would cost you 15 XP. That would leave you with 14 XP.

Vitaliano I know you

Vitaliano:
never mind you bought the 3rd dot! Agreed, that is what I would have done as well.

And I know the rest of you are hoarding those points for a rainy day :-)
5th Generation Cappadocian | Bloodpool: 26/40 | Willpower: 6/8

Storyteller Shadow:

I would like to continue advancing Lorenzo's necromancy, though I'm not sure I really have a story-linked justification to do so at this.

Advancing Auspex to 2 or 3 on the other hand could easily be justified given his interaction with Lord Benne.

Thoughts?
Shadow's Status

Lorenzo:
You have been practicing at the Discipline training with Yeti. Also, I assume in your spare time before bed you experiment with all of your powers. I would if I were a Vampire. To me that is justification enough to go in whatever direction you choose with your XP. Also, moments of epiphany do happen in real life, why not in a game? That being said one can never go wrong with Auspex! OR Fortitude for that matter.

5th Generation Cappadocian | Bloodpool: 26/40 | Willpower: 6/8

Storyteller Shadow:

Sounds like Level 1 of the Cenotaph Path (7 XP) and Level 2 of Auspex (5 XP) would be in order. I think I have the costs right, if not, just let me know.
Shadow's Status

Lorenzo:
Agreed, those are the correct costs. You can certainly spend more if you like at this time, if not, just hold onto them.
5th Generation Cappadocian | Bloodpool: 26/40 | Willpower: 6/8

Storyteller Shadow:

I've done a pretty good job of hording my XP thus far. I think it's time to blow most of them. I think I will take my primary Necromacy Path (Grave's Decay) to level 3 (10 XP) and the Sepulchre Path to Level 2 (4 XP), leaving me with 1 whole XP that has not been spent.

Looks like I still need to select two rituals from before. Any thoughts/preferences?
Shadow's Status

Lorenzo:
To be honest I am not all that familiar with Necromancy rituals like I am with the Tremere Rituals. Whatever you wish to select is just fine.
Female Vampire Tremere Courtesan
Veronica Acqua wrote:

I should have my character completed sometime tonight...should have done it earlier today...but was lazy...

[/QUOTE
Sigh...I am still being lazy...I will get it done...but not tonight...sorry...
Male Nosferatu 6th Generation; BP 28/30, xp saved: 0, spent 155

Spoiler:
I will spend the 15 on lv 4 obfuscate and save the rest for chimestry learnin

Gangrel Blood Pool 13/10

I'll be perfectly honest, I need to go back and figure out how much xp I have...
5th Generation Cappadocian | Bloodpool: 26/40 | Willpower: 6/8

Storyteller Shadow:
I've selected the rituals Lorenzo has for now (1 for each dot of primary path).

Final Sight (Level 1)
Shew-Stone (Level 1)
Prepare the Vessel (Level 2)

All three are in the V20 Dark Ages book.

Now I just have to figure out how to get the Salubri on my side/owing me something so I can begin learning healer path Valeren. :)
Male Nosferatu 6th Generation; BP 28/30, xp saved: 0, spent 155

For storyteller shadow:

Spoiler:
I plan on being hiring a couple of men to place fire pots with pitch and resin under the bridge and have torches placed and lit so that those fire pots can turn the underside of the bridge into a raging inferno. My plan is to make two shots, one at his heart and a second into the pots dropping them thru the torches igniting the trap. I hope to have him in torpor roasting and maybe get a diablerie if I can after putting him out. If the arrow fails to stake him the fire should do the job. I will be to that meeting place obfuscated trying to get there at earliest point so I can be in the perfect firing position.
Shadow's Status

Onfroi:
Good plan but it won't work. Under that bridge there is likely a warren entrance that Simon would have you enter, you send a few humans in there they will be lunch for a younger Nos or a Nos pet... Coaxing him out after the meeting might work but he'd be right on top of you...
Shadow's Status

Xing and Finn, I'll have updates for you both tomorrow, I am fading here and need to get to sleep!
Male Nosferatu 6th Generation; BP 28/30, xp saved: 0, spent 155

Spoiler:
I will just have to trust my arrow shot from outside under the bridge before we would go into the warren...sighs
Male Italian (Toreador)

To Storyteller Shadow:
Took me a bit to decide where to put Ranerius exp.
If allowed, I'd like to buy his Presence up from 1 to 3, which I know is a two stepper but it seems to be that that maybe his go to discipline in hunting and helping keep Kine going smoothly. So that would be 5 exp to get it to second, and 10 more exp to get it to third.

Given Willpower has been incredibly important to him, I would like to spend 6 exp to buy his permanent WP up to 7. I hope I have the cost right?
If so, that's 21 total spent so far.

And while he longs for performance, I fear his work at politics has kept him busy...and focused on the manuevering he really doesn't enjoy that much but isn't too bad at. Lastly two more points to buy politics up from 1 to 2.

That should be 23 points which I think all I have left unspent until now.
Is that okay/sound right with you? I'm not sure on the DAV20 costs

Storyteller:
Spending all 23 xp on:
Obfuscate ••• (10)
Alertness •• (2)
Awareness • (3)
Empathy •• (2)
Leadership •• (2)
Melee •• (2)
Subterfuge •• (2)
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