James Keegan's page

I could go either way on Hacking, to be honest, but the Storyteller system is touted for being open to tinkering to suit your tastes- so basically it doesn't make a big difference to me if you're happier with it being a separate skill (under the examples, for instance, Forgery could also work as a Larceny specialization). As Beckett's pointed out, it could be a combination of a lot of things, which actually makes for a convincing argument to me to keep it as an Secondary Knowledge.

Linguistics does make sense to me as a knowledge instead of a merit- if you're all in favor of reinstating it as a knowledge, I'm fine with that.

Samnell wants me to tell you that he's finished refitting my backstory and it's now in my profile. :)

Everything checks out- approved!

Edit: Talomyr- likewise, "Damien" is approved.

Tell Samnell thank you.

Hey, Beckett- your spoilers aren't opening for me on your alias. Could it be because this is a PFS alias?

Identified loot and who I think has it:
Tripe- 2 Blue Potions (Potions of Cure Light Wounds)
1 Orange Potion (Potion of Enlarge Person)
2 Acid flasks
2 Alchemist's Fire flasks
2 Smokesticks
2 Thunderstones
1 Tanglefoot Bag
Bone Wand- Wand of Command Undead 13 charges
Masterwork Studded Leather Armor
+1 spear
Masterwork Embalming Tools
Recipe Book- contains Alchemist extract recipes

Tripe's Lab:
Full Alchemist's Lab - Yang
Set of Tomes and Notes: Secrets of the Chymists of Life in Death - Yang

Chime of Opening w/four charges, relinquished by Detressa

Tablets- Shatter and Remove Disease- Kua
Scrolls of Delay Poison x 2 (Detressa?)

Bracers of Armor +1 (from preserved Thassilonian corpse)- Yang
Sihedron Medallion- A silver disc on a leather cord inscribed with a seven pointed star. While worn, grants its wearer a +1 bonus on all saving throws. Once per day, it may be commanded to bestow the effects of false life on the wearer- these effects end if the medallion is removed. When placed on a dead body, the Sihedron Medallion preserves the corpse indefinitely with gentle repose.- Yang?

Slavery is also alive and well in the rest of the city and slavers from Urglin commonly make the journey across the Storval Rise to sell their sentient wares in the market. While the Freemen's previously militant abolitionism almost destroyed them when the rest of the city grew tired of their actions, no such protection extends to caravans on their way to Kaer Maga...

** spoiler omitted **

Talomyr

I'm inclined to let you take Hacking as a separate skill- it seems like Computer covers programming more than dealing with security and such so it makes sense. I will let you know that computers might as well be magic to me for how well I understand their intricacies, so narration will be sort of general in hacking instances.

I'll review everybody's characters tonight/during the weekend.

Here's a start...

** spoiler omitted **...

Some things to consider:

I haven't got a deadline in mind yet- take your time. I'm outlining the campaign's arc and figuring out your first "case" as Hounds. First time I'm running this, too, so I want to make sure I have a solid understanding of the rules.

It could yes, but notice how at the end of each area that describes the abilities, it lists a catch all, like Hobby Talent or Professional Skill? That's a secondary ability/skill.

Its like an ultra speciality, like diplomacy, throwing, gunsmithing, computer hacking, etc..

Wanna make sure I'm understanding this right, I have Thaum 3, and my paths could be Conjuration 2, Technomacy 1, just by spending my normal three Discipline points?

Never played a Tremere before, especially one where I needed to be this exact, so sorry for the questions..

I'm going to double check, but I think that's correct.

None of the spoiler tags are opening for me, I'm afraid.

The good thing about Mallavians is that it's difficult to know what to expect. For every stereotypical shut-in or Rain Man, there's a high functioning Patrick Bateman type.

Samnell is also a Tremere- which gives us three out of five characters in the coterie being Warlocks. There is a lot going on with the Tremere in the city, but I would like to see a little more clan diversity if anyone is willing to take one for the team and play something different.

When you place points in Thaumaturgy, you choose a primary path (usually Path of Blood). When you put a point in Thaumaturgy, your primary path increases as well. You may take a second path after you've placed two points in your primary- secondary paths must be one step behind your primary path.

So you could put two points in Thaumaturgy and one point into the Technomancy path with your three base discipline points. But to reach level two of Technomancy, you will need three points in Thaumaturgy first.

I'm not sure what you mean by a secondary knowledge. Wouldn't it be a specialty of the Computer knowledge?

Not being passive-aggressive or anything, but I was wondering if we want to trust each other with spoiler tags or go with PMs now that they're available for behind the scenes type stuff? I can go either way and I'm fine with PMs for character back story stuff but once we get into the game I could go either way.

Like what I'm seeing, please do take your time- if things go well, the game will last a year or more so there's no rush to get started.

I'll take a look tonight when I'm not posting from a smartphone and I have my books together.
Keeping it straight-
Beckett- penitent Gangrel
MonkeyGod- Tremere technologist
Samnell- Tremere or Ventrue mortician/autopsy expert
Talomyr- Tremere or Nosferatu
Jam412- Sheriff's childe, Toreador

PM away.

Do we know what clan the sheriff is? Would it be possible to have him/her be my sire? I was hoping to do Brujah, but if this is a possibility for a background, I can go with whatever clan you already assigned to the sheriff.

Also, yeah the sheriff's hounds thing seems really cool.

Spoiler- Jam412:

Edit: You could also just as easily put a point or two in Mentor and Status to reflect being the Sheriff's trusted protege (or, less charitably, underling) and be a different clan from him.

James Keegan wrote:

Thinking about Status- it may make sense to give you an automatic point while you're Hounds just to indicate that you're "Known" but it's also a measure of how important your Sire and your Sire's Sire was.

Ok. I bought him some Generation so I'll try to find a dot or so somewhere to fit with it.

Quote:

You can't go wrong with Allies, Influence and Contacts if you want to be helpful; the city morgue probably has some extra blood bags laying around after the corpses are drained, access to NYPD databases can help with a lot of things. Someone gets careless and leaves claw marks in a cadaver, you can hush that up for them to protect the Masquerade. Technology can be helpful in getting the Elders' gratitude- being able to set them up with a simple security system or communications hub is worth a favor or two.

Hm... How much Ally would an old college friend who now works in the mayor's office be? Not a decision maker, but someone in middle-management or something of that sort?

Would Contacts or Influence in the morgue be used to represent his on-the-job pull? Or would the latter entail more "He solved us that one big case, so we'll cut him a break?" situations?

Influence would be a bit more like bankrolling a city official or someone in a similar position, from the way I've read it. Someone that you can make "helpful suggestions" to before election season to get something you want passed. Though it could easily be a trusted friend that has the mayor's ear and could make a case for you.

Just one point in Allies will get you someone of moderate influence that can do the occasional favor for you. Contacts is more about the flow of information- knowing people that know people- again, even one point will net you someone that can do something significant and a handful of passing acquaintances that can do a little thing here or there like make a phone call on your behalf during business hours, find you a moving van on short notice and other small things.

No Ability higher than 3 with your base points; you can raise them to 4 and 5 with freebies.

I'll allow merits and flaws- as many merits as you want to purchase, but a maximum of 7 points of flaws.

As Neonates, you've been a vampire for 25 years or less and being part of the Camarilla you maintain humanity either because it's familiar or because it's the best cover from humans. No Paths of Enlightenment.

Thanks for the interest: I think for now I'm going to cap it at five players since this is the first time I'm diving into the system and setting for more than a casual look. Please do follow along, though- either as alternates or as characters to introduce later on once I get a sense of how things are unfolding.

Thinking about Status- it may make sense to give you an automatic point while you're Hounds just to indicate that you're "Known" but it's also a measure of how important your Sire and your Sire's Sire was.

Some basic combat ability will be useful. Hounds sometimes have to get hands-on performing their duties, especially if a Sabbat pack surfaces or a rival's ghoul thinks you were looking at her funny. On the other hand, if it makes more sense for your character to lack combat ability- go with it. Anyone can raise their physical attributes by spending blood points and if the Masquerade isn't in danger, there's always disciplines to turn to.

Resources will help determine the quality of your haven- at least, cosmetically. Domain mostly helps with hunting rolls since you're familiar with the ebb and flow of your neighborhood's nocturnal traffic. It also indicates formal claim to an area; points can also be allocated to Domain in a separate pool to determine security. A one dot geographic area with two dots in security may be small- likely your character's apartment building- but you'll have good odds of knowing who's coming and going announced or otherwise.

You can't go wrong with Allies, Influence and Contacts if you want to be helpful; the city morgue probably has some extra blood bags laying around after the corpses are drained, access to NYPD databases can help with a lot of things. Someone gets careless and leaves claw marks in a cadaver, you can hush that up for them to protect the Masquerade. Technology can be helpful in getting the Elders' gratitude- being able to set them up with a simple security system or communications hub is worth a favor or two.

Raith Shadar, copping a feel! Not creepy in the slightest...

I'm actually kind of liking maybe being a mix of Anarach and Camarilla, sort of a go between for the two.

Are we using the basic character creation rules? Any house rules?

Yeah, this is my first game running Vampire so I'm sticking with basic character creation rules with no house stuff.

Are we okay with the Hounds idea or should we look at other options?

Sweet that brings us up to five! Take a look at the discussion thread and let me know what you'd like to do.

I was doing research and found a neat panorama of the NYC morgue, or at least a big examination room thereof. Seemed neat enough to share. :)

Nice find!

The New York by Night book lays out the situation, which I'll summarize since we're all familiar with the sects and everything so neonate ignorance won't keep everything in the dark.

After a six day war with the Sabbat about two and a half years previously, the Camarilla have the run of NYC and the Sabbat are licking their wounds. The Nosferatu Calebros has stepped down as Prince after his self-imposed two year term, without ever appointing Primogen- only the Sheriff and the Scourge to keep order. There are Harpies, though it's an informal title. Several kindred are working the angles, trying to get enough support to take the Princedom for themselves- it's far from decided, however.

The Anarchs have been pushed to Staten Island and control the ferry as part of their domain. It's pointless besides as a gesture, since the Veranzano bridge is open 24 hours and they can't possibly stop that up. Regardless, though, during the winter when the ferry runs after dark (briefly) any non-Anarch is going to be sent packing if they're on that boat.

While Gehenna didn't come in 2000 when the superstitious thought it would, the anxiety many elders felt hasn't abated- especially since 2012 is the next big "Apocalypse Year". Thus, some seek to forestall the times of prophecy by fighting the symptoms and resurrecting the position of Scourge to cull the Thin-Blooded.

New York as it stands in kindred society is a mess- no Prince, no Primogen and it's difficult to really pin sectarian allegiances on all the Licks you meet. And while the Sabbat has largely been kicked out, who knows what Packs might still be hiding under the radar?

The Tremere still maintain a strong presence in the city, since they were so instrumental in both maintaining the sect's foothold during the Sabbat years and in finally driving them out. Still, they were the first target for the Sword of Caine and the ranks aren't as full as they normally would be.

And apparently the Gangrel Justicar saw something that spooked him and withdrew the clan officially from the Ivory Tower- while plenty of the Outlanders still call the sect home, the damage has been done. Calebros appointed Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx as "Gangrel territory" following the battle- but it was received as a backhanded gesture and none of the beastly kindred call the park home. They are quick to assert their claim if they find someone else hanging their hat there, however.

Of the independent clans, the Giovanni and the Followers of Set are heavily entrenched in areas of New York- and played important roles in loosening the Sabbat's grip. They may still remain fair weather friends, but that loyalty only goes as far as their bottom line...

The largest issue in most Camarilla kindred's minds however remains the Princedom and those empty Primogen seats- along with the privileges that come with them.

While I mostly prefer to play Sabbat or Independent, I have a concept that could fit quite nicely here: A youngish Tremere whose either recently embraced(last 20 yrs or so) or whose older but managed to stay up to date tech wise.

As such, he'd be a Technomancer, which I can't recall if that ended up in V20 or not. I want to say it did, since I know current tech was a big deal for the book.

If possible, he would also have a bit of Conjuration.

Technomancy is in there and definitely an option. However, I would say that it shouldn't be your primary path since it's so new and controversial with the elders of the clan. My POD copy of V20 didn't have the page with the Conjuration break down, but since I still have a previous copy of the book and it's a simple enough discipline, shouldn't be too tough to break down. If Conjuration is your primary path rather than the Path of Blood, please give me an explanation as to why- or you could purchase it with freebie points.

Considered a level of either rogue or barbarian (I like the idea of Pavel flipping out in a fight) but I think there's more benefit to just staying focused on the ranger class.

HP: 1d10+2
Okee doke, so that's going with the average of 5 to get 7 hp.

Any input on favored terrain? Seems like narratively it would make the most sense to take either forest or mountain/hill given the path we've taken and Varisia's geography.

Skills- 6 class + 1 Intelligence +1 human= 8

1- Handle Animal
1- Intimidate
1- Know: Geography
1- Perception
1- Ride
1- Stealth
1- Survival
1- Climb

Feat- Endurance (bonus), Shield Focus

I'd love to play a Salubri, but I understand that probably not going to happen.

I would otherwise like to play a

Gangrel drifter type
Malkavian insightful prophet type (or Thin Blooded).

Yeah, I'm sorry but I don't see the Salubri working too well if three of the PCs are talking about coming in with Tremere. Both of the other possibilities have promise, though. Gangrel are my personal favorite clan (not that it should sway you one way or the other) and one of the few titles officially appointed in New York besides Sheriff is the Scourge, so there could be some good conflict there if you went with the thin blooded type.

I have sort of the beginning of a personality, but not really anything that plugs right into the Vamp world yet.

The basic idea is that he's a nice boy, a sweatervest-wearing, polite young man so easy to forget that he might as well be invisible. He does his best to be helpful, loyal, and dependable. The sort of guy you'd probably think of more as a good ghoul candidate than a vampire. He pretty much was that guy as a mortal, but now it's his survival strategy. He wants to make himself too useful to dispose of or easily brush aside.

I know it's a bit of a cliche, but I like the idea of him as a medical examiner. It's a great cover, but he actually sought it out as a career. He wanted to work with dead bodies, put in time as a volunteer at a body farm, etc. He's not a particularly morbid guy. He just finds the subject interesting and the implied quiet, sort of solitary lifestyle appealing.

His personal goals are a bit nebulous since he's new at this and at being more or less on his own among vampires. I imagine he'd be very curious about the vampiric condition and the history of his new species. He's the kind of guy who would be curious about when and where his sire's sire was embraced, etc.

Considering he's a little bit of an atypical candidate for the embrace, it might have been a rushed or irregular affair. Maybe someone saw him and decided he would make a great ghoul, but a rival stepped in just to deny his would-be sire out of spite or he inadvertently stumbled into the crossfire of some vampire politics that changed plans quite a bit. ("Aw crap, the guy you just killed is the one that knew where the autopsy reports went to!")

Clan-wise, I'm leaning a bit Tremere but not married to it. I'm a little agnostic about thaumaturgy. It looks like a great toolbox for giving out favors but one that comes at a fairly high price.

Being (literally) the guy that knows where the bodies are buried, you could be a Ventrue. Malkavian or Nosferatu might also be options, though they take the character in a different direction.

Okay, we've got enough interest to start putting the pieces together. I've made a discussion thread here. I've still got a slot open and sent one of my players from my other games a message to see if he's still interested. For right now, we've got Beckett, Samnell, Talomyr and Monkeygod.

Here's our discussion/character and chronicle creation thread for the game. Since Vampire is driven by character as much as by plot, I'd like to work together with you guys to put together the chronicle. The central theme is that you are Camarilla kindred (Anarchs included) carving out places for yourselves in New York City and the boroughs. A fragile peace has fallen over the city and the dominant mood is one of guarded optimism- even the youngest kindred can make a place for themselves if they're canny and careful. More of the political and social landscape will fall into place as we talk about characters (and how involved you are in both). Rather sandboxy with that basic premise, but once your coterie's goals and relationships develop we'll get a clearer idea of where we're going to go.

Another option is that you are all Hounds for the Sheriff- this is a more procedural structure where he sends you out on the tail of those that have flaunted the Traditions, to arbitrate disputes or to investigate other matters besetting the city. Not the most glamorous job and it carries certain risks to your continued health and humanity, but it's a concrete position where you can show your capability to the kindred community as well as to the existing Camarilla power structure.

I prefer characters that fit into the major Camarilla clans- Brujah, Gangrel (though what standing they had as a clan is reduced), Malkavian, Nosferatu, Toreador, Tremere and Ventrue. But if there's another clan or bloodline that fits and you're dying to try it, I'll hear you out of course.

I'm interested, but am leaving on business tomorrow and won't really have time to put together a character until Thursday. Always been a fan of House and Clan Tremere. Failing that, the Nosferatu are fun too.

That's totally fine- I'm not in a rush.

Samnell, I'm more familiar with the Revised stuff myself- only just got the 20th anniversary edition through print on demand. Still need to see if anything was changed or if it's just everything that was printed for it.

Awesome. Just need a couple more people and we can talk about characters and building the chronicle.

I thought I would see if anyone is interested in doing an online game here on the boards- let me know if you're interested in this thread.

Given that the 20th anniversary of the V:tM books are out and rekindling interest in the previous version of the game, I'm looking to see if there are a few people interested in making characters and playing a pbp. Full disclosure: I've never run Vampire before in real life or online. I've had the revised edition from 1998 and the previous edition in high school and read through them a few times, but never gotten together a group with me as Storyteller. I am currently running two Play by Post games on the boards- one Pathfinder, one Call of Cthulhu, so I am familiar with online games at least. Both have been running for about a year, though not without the odd bit of downtime. All I'm saying is that it may be a bumpy ride if we end up rolling along with the idea- not to discourage anyone, but to make sure we know there will of course be some hiccups here and there.

Okay, now, sink your fangs into the juicy bit:
Concept- New York City is new territory for Camarilla kindred. While there's always been a presence in the city, the sect has only recently gained supremacy and this presents a unique opportunity for young kindred. Through modern technology, the elders can tap New York's resources without having to claim territory in the city itself- the Big Apple remains open and largely free of the stifling control the higher echelons of the sect exert on those beneath them and what elders are making homes in the city aren't as entrenched as they are elsewhere. Your coterie of neonate Licks seek to take advantage of the freedom New York offers: carving out hunting grounds and alliances, fending off rivals and solidifying positions of power and influence- or shoving other kindred (that owe you favors) into them so you can be left to your own devices.

Politics will be important, but I am hoping to appeal to a good range of character types and events of interest- combat, social and investigation. I don't have a start date in mind yet, right now I want to see if there's enough interest for me to start putting a chronicle together. 3-5 is the ideal number of players willing to make the commitment. Thanks!

On another note- after this, I haven't got a published thing slotted to run yet. A few ideas, nothing I'm definite on- though I do want to use more of the city rather than another big dungeon. Let me know if your characters have specific goals (for example, I know Yang will want to research his bloatmage magic, Kua will want to advance with the Duskwardens, Uwais kicks it with the Freemen, etc.) that we can work with. A couple of immediate goals and a long term goal or two would be very helpful in the coming weeks while we finish going through the Ossuary.

I'll also roll through the game thread this weekend, check over the treasure gained so far and make a full listing. Without Detressa, there may be a greater need for healing items so we can retcon in any liquidations and purchases.

Sorry to hear that, Mothman, but I understand.

Glad things are hopeful. Also- best of luck with your surgery, Daniel.

The thing is- yes, he can throw bigger encounters at us with all the NPCs helping out. But that makes more homework for DW than really necessary, adding so many new factors. We could try to get around it by assigning an NPC to each player to run as a second character in combat.

It's a strange idea- one that is likely completely impractical- but we could also get other posters to play the many NPCs we're toting around. Granted, perhaps Koya isn't the best choice given her age and support role, but Sandru, Shalelu and Ameiko are all experienced adventuring types. Some or all could start joining in in some capacity, becoming PCs.
Probably a bad idea, but I thought I would throw it out there.

Hey guys. I am officially going to call this one off, unfortunately. TPK'ed my RL party a few weeks ago (so you aren't the only ones!) so I've moved up the timeline on things that I have to write for myself and my interest has strayed a little from the premise we had for this one. You've all been great players and once I've got a good handle on everything I have some more ideas for pbp games to try out and each of you will certainly find a welcome place when I flesh an idea out and decide I'm ready to get it rolling.

Dotting for interest- I'll have a concept when I've looked through the more unusual options on the table.

Totally fine with that. Combat is where pbps can slow down a lot, so avoiding extraneous encounters is a good thing.

You guys still want to go back down into the dungeon? Second thoughts, too busy? Am I not prodding things along enough?

Sorry to hear that. Best wishes- hope things work out.

Just got this myself- very nice set of books.

Not a big deal. I've got a few irons in the fire, myself. I find that this campaign- in the beginning, at least, requires a slower pace since you've got all of London, your daily lives and these clues to sift through.

Thanks for running it for us!

I imagine that the Pharasmins would see it differently though - not so much because giving Esme her freedom violates the rules of the city, but due to their opinion on undead.

Definitely, I was just talking about the city at large. Most people find it distasteful, but as long as it's just in Ankar-Te they don't think about it.

And yes, you can buy clerical scrolls at standard rates at the Cathedral.