Ghouls: Fatal Addiction [VtM]

[AndyZ]

I had an idea for something and I'm dropping it here to see if others would likewise have interest.

I'm thinking about running a game in which all the PCs are ghouls from Vampire: the Masquerade.  Any Kindred would be NPCs, handled to offer a story.  Anyone playing one of the Kindred would effectively be a Co-GM.  Although the various Kindred would fight and bicker off screen, the actual changes going on in the story would be discussed by those handling the Kindred to make it a story with focus on the ghouls rather than having the Kindred truly bicker and battle things out.

Although some of the ghouls could be established and old, I imagine most of the characters would be more interested in being recently brought in.  The easy way to handle this would be to have some kind of catastrophe; maybe most of the city's ghouls were killed off by hunters or Lupines in some horrible war that recently ravaged the city, and all the new ghouls are being brought in as replacements.

I only came up with this today, but I haven't been able to shut the idea out of my head, so I'm pitching it down to see who all would even be interested.  I know full well I'd never be able to handle running it alone.



Adding my sheet stuff to my initial post:

Elevator Pitch: If another Kindred asked your Domitor, "Why on Earth did you ghoul this person?" then what reason would your Domitor give?  This should include your character concept.
Clan Aspirations: If your character was actually chosen for the Embrace, which Clan would be most likely to Embrace them?  You may or may not start out ghouled to this Clan, and actually receiving the Embrace this decade is very unlikely.  Only the seven Camarilla Clans, please.  "I never want to be Embraced" is also valid.
Domitor Preferences: Let me know as kind or as cruel as you'd like your Domitor to be.  Similar to Ons and Offs, I want to know how close people want to dance with triggers.  If you explicitly want a Benevolent Domitor, or a Domitor of a specific gender, if you want a Toreador who loves you and fawns over you but will discard you as soon as you go out of style, or if your concept hinges around having a Domitor who misgenders you, this is the place for all the interesting quirks you're hoping to explore.  If you specifically just want a Domitor of a specific Clan, this is a good place to let me know also.  Having a few preferences is cool, but the more details everyone has, the harder it will be to match everyone.  I can't guarantee I can fit all of them, and "I just want to play" is absolutely acceptable as well.
Desire to stick to canon: This is an interesting one.  All the players likely already know everything about vampires, but the characters do not.  Because of this, it can be fun to mix it up and turn traditional lore on its head.  Does sunlight actually burn them to ash?  Does garlic work?  Are the Clans even the same as in the book?
  Vote here if you absolutely want me to stick to canon, or if you absolutely don't want me to stick to canon.

Code Select Expand

[b]Elevator Pitch:[/b]
[b]Clan Aspirations:[/b]
[b]Domitor Preferences:[/b]
[b]Desire to stick to canon:[/b]




World Building Thread: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=271662.0

I decided to give everyone a little bit of a buff from what ghouls usually get.  The caveat is this: Flaws will not give freebie points.  Use them for roleplay value all you like and overcome or succumb to them at your own discretion, but I'm rubbish at keeping track at them while also handling the machinations of several Kindred.  For starting Blood, either take 3 or roll a d5.

Attributes 7/5/3 Skills 13/9/5 (No Ability higher than 3) Disciplines Potence+1 Backgrounds 7 Virtues 7 Blood Pool 3/5 or d5/5 Freebies 21.  Use the Ghouls chart on page 497 of V20 for Freebie Point expenditure.  Discplines purchased should only be those of your Clan, but every Domitor knows and can teach the first dot of every Discipline inherent to their Clan.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

This could be neat.

[Blythe]

I'd love to be a player in such a game. :)

[Wolfling72]

Gods, i loved fatal addiction...

[Rook Seidhr]

Interesting idea.

[PixelatedPixie]

I would be interested.  I think I have that book somewhere.

[AndyZ]

For the book, I'll probably just use the V20 Core, with a few of the merits and flaws added in that make sense for ghouls.  Double cost for Unbondable, for example.

[Rook Seidhr]

Not the V20 Ghouls & Revenants book?

[AndyZ]

In all honesty, I didn't know there was one. Thank you. I'll have to check the price tag, and it'll also depend on if people interested likewise want to use it.

[Kia]

Discussed in pm, but also putting on record that I can help co-gm sls, plot bunnies, and npcs.

[AndyZ]

Okay, there's definitely interest here, and I'm not 100% but I can probably handle this in a few weeks.  My annual RP trip in early August will give me a few days where I have little else to do but plan and think.

I grabbed the V20 Ghouls book.  It looks like it has a bunch more Merits and Flaws, but the price increase to Unbondable and the Benevolent Domitor merit are still in there.  The Flaws look to be Storyteller-intensive, and I'll likely do what I often do if it sounds good to people: give everyone extra freebie points and then not give freebie points for Flaws taken.  The Domitor background will not be used, and if all you have access to is the V20 Core, you should totally still be able to play.  For this reason, Ghoul Clan flaws will not be used: feel free to have a Nosferatu ghoul who is slowly losing Appearance (or play one who inexplicably has a high Appearance ^_^) but I'm not putting mechanics to it.

So here's what I'll want from people who are interested:

Elevator Pitch: If another Kindred asked your Domitor, "Why on Earth did you ghoul this person?" then what reason would your Domitor give?  This should include your character concept.
Clan Aspirations: If your character was actually chosen for the Embrace, which Clan would be most likely to Embrace them?  You may or may not start out ghouled to this Clan, and actually receiving the Embrace this decade is very unlikely.  Only the seven Camarilla Clans, please.  "I never want to be Embraced" is also valid.
Domitor Preferences: Let me know as kind or as cruel as you'd like your Domitor to be.  Similar to Ons and Offs, I want to know how close people want to dance with triggers.  If you explicitly want a Benevolent Domitor, or a Domitor of a specific gender, if you want a Toreador who loves you and fawns over you but will discard you as soon as you go out of style, or if your concept hinges around having a Domitor who misgenders you, this is the place for all the interesting quirks you're hoping to explore.  If you specifically just want a Domitor of a specific Clan, this is a good place to let me know also.  Having a few preferences is cool, but the more details everyone has, the harder it will be to match everyone.  I can't guarantee I can fit all of them, and "I just want to play" is absolutely acceptable as well.
Desire to stick to canon: This is an interesting one.  All the players likely already know everything about vampires, but the characters do not.  Because of this, it can be fun to mix it up and turn traditional lore on its head.  Does sunlight actually burn them to ash?  Does garlic work?  Are the Clans even the same as in the book?
  Vote here if you absolutely want me to stick to canon, or if you absolutely don't want me to stick to canon.

Code Select Expand

[b]Elevator Pitch:[/b]
[b]Clan Aspirations:[/b]
[b]Domitor Preferences:[/b]
[b]Desire to stick to canon:[/b]


[King Serperior]

Tentative interest.  The main book I have is the V20 one, so if you say it's good, then I'm happy for that.  ^_^

Might need a day or so to think of something.

EDIT:  It appears that the idea for a concept came to mind faster than I originally thought:

Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide

Elevator Pitch:  "Why did I choose this one to be my Ghoul?  Do I need a reason?  I do?  Very well.  I chose this one because because...it's none of your damn business why!  Sigh......you won't leave me alone, will you?  F***!  Fine, fine, so be it.  I deal in the trade of information, as you well know, and about two years ago, word on the wind told me about a human in Montana who's twin brother was one of them Hunters.  So, one night while she was in town, I charmed her, slipped a little blood into her drink, and before the week was out, she was mine.  I took her with me when we left the state and, I must say, I believe her brother and some of his friends still looking for her and the monster that took her.  But, she won't betray me as I have told her the truths that her brother neglected to mention and made her into more than what she was before.  She could be a useful bargaining chip if he ever comes here, not that he would ever hurt her.  After all, she's a Ghoul!  There's still the chance to save her!  It'll be that weakness, that hesitation that kills them!  Laughter."  ~Quoted by the Dominator (not really an actual quote).
Clan Aspirations:  Nosferatru (Being Embraced in the future is an option here, but not required)
Domitor Preferences:  The Dominator in question is an information broker, someone who buys and sells information and makes a trade in secrets under the guise of running a casino (through which income comes in in addition to information).  That is how they came across some juicy information about a young woman whose twin brother is a well-known up-and-coming Hunter and decided that taking her would be a good idea.  The Dominator isn't particularly cruel, nor are they overly nice.  Overall, they treat their Ghoul like a useful tool, keeping her sharp and maintained for the time when she's needed most.  Other than that, I don't really care about the details.
Desire to stick to canon:  I would prefer it if you stuck to the books.

[Blythe]

Elevator Pitch: An ex-CIA agent who now works for a large corporation in their human resources department.

Domitor: "Why her? Why not her, is a better question. No one better to help cover up Masquerade breaches than someone that's part of one of the biggest organizations to do cover ups in the USA. Knows just the right people to make certain kinds of bullshit disappear...and can make certain people disappear in her own right. Bit of a stoic and stern type, responsible, doesn't like to make waves. At the same time, has a commanding knowledge of the law and knows just how to wriggle around it."

Clan Aspirations: No preference, though for a bit of drama, I'd love if she were Embraced by Clan that differs from her Domitor. Totally down with her being 'poached' by another Kindred.

Domitor Preferences: Nosferatu, preferably, but I'd happy accept any. I really just want to play.

Desire to stick to canon: Slight preference for canon, but I can go either way, really. Also worth noting that I have the old Ghouls book and the V20 one, so I'm down with whatever edition you pick, Andy.

Notes: I can easily flip this concept to something else. Mostly I want a 'government' vibe with my character, so this concept is fluid depending on where you want the setting to be! I can also easily flip this to be just a police officer, which would still suit the tone I want.

[Tremerette]

Genevieve "Jenny"-Pawnbroker, fixer

Elevator Pitch: Genevieve can get things without a big paper trail. You start buying up all the silver in an area it can be a tell but she slowly sidelines most of the silver objects that come into her pawn shop if she can get to them before any paperwork might be drawn up. Old widows wedding rings, and other odd ends that are vital for certain rituals. She knows just enough to keep slowly identifying and stock piling key items for me, and has even helped me earn a few brownie points with my higher ups. You bawk but do you know how many rituals need silver? If I wanted to hunt down a foolish group of antitribu I'd check for big purchases of lots of silver from the same person. Genevieve helps keep things smooth and flowing discretely to protect the masquerade.
Clan Aspirations: Tremere
Domitor Preferences: Male Tremere, experienced neonate or relatively young ancilla. He knows the bond has left her deeply attracted to him in the unhealthy way that ghouls often are to their domitors. He uses positive reinforcement, a brush of his hand against her cheek or an encouraging smile are often enough to keep her going. When she does well it amuses him to indulge her obsession, she does well and he might perform some minor sexual act such as fingering her or allowing her to perform acts to please him. He has turned her monthly feeding into an affair designed to bind her closer to him. Bar some truly exceptional service or his whim it is the only time she can be with him. However she knows she is unworthy being a mere ghoul and accepts this. If she does not do well he will with hold the blood for a day or two and inform her if she wishes to be with him next month she needs to do better.
Desire to stick to canon: The general weaknesses, clans etc I'd be keen to stick with but perhaps going with an alternate version with regard to the sects has panned out or there are different dynamics, did the Cappadocians get wiped out, if not did the failed Giovanni defect to the nascent Sabbat etc. Have the established Sects fractured etc.

I have the idea where she might have established casual relationships with one or more PCs where she calls out her domitors name in the throws of passion. Bonus points if a pc ghoul looks vaguely like her domitor... because ghouls get crazy obsessive and potentially dangerous if not handled well.

[AndyZ]

One thing I should note is that I don't intend for there to be a lot of sex in this game.  Characters can pair off by all means (and I can set up a side thread for it if desired), but I'll be going with the more canonical concept of Kindred not having much in the way of sex drives.

[Tremerette]

Oh yeah, to him I think it's the equivalent of having a beer with an employee, it's probably the one time in a month he does. I can completely strip it out of course too with no real sexual element between them. Being a ghoul though she'll still "Love" her domitor and be a little unhinged by it. It's one of the more interesting parts about ghouls. I'd still be open to discussing possibilities with another player, her having a very confusing relationship with another ghoul.

[Blythe]

So long as there's a lot of uncomfortable blood sharing for my character (I'm totally into the whole blood-eroticism thing VtM does), I'm totally fine with sex not being included with Domitors.

[AndyZ]

Oh yeah, to him I think it's the equivalent of having a beer with an employee, it's probably the one time in a month he does. I can completely strip it out of course too with no real sexual element between them. Being a ghoul though she'll still "Love" her domitor and be a little unhinged by it. It's one of the more interesting parts about ghouls. I'd still be open to discussing possibilities with another player, her having a very confusing relationship with another ghoul.

This can work ^_^ We're still fleshing out NPCs, but your idea is very specific and I'm not 100% I can fit it in.

So long as there's a lot of uncomfortable blood sharing for my character (I'm totally into the whole blood-eroticism thing VtM does), I'm totally fine with sex not being included with Domitors.

It may amuse you, but will likely not surprise you, that I already know (and had actually already told Kia hours ago) what your Nosferatu Domitor looks like naked.  Of course, sex with Nosferatu is unlikely to be a thing that happens.

Blood sharing will absolutely be a thing.  I'm thinking of setting the ghoul Blood Points cap at 5 just to make for easy bookkeeping.

[Blythe]

It may amuse you, but will likely not surprise you, that I already know (and had actually already told Kia hours ago) what your Nosferatu Domitor looks like naked.  Of course, sex with Nosferatu is unlikely to be a thing that happens.

Blood sharing will absolutely be a thing.  I'm thinking of setting the ghoul Blood Points cap at 5 just to make for easy bookkeeping.

This both amuses me and does not surprise me!  ;D

And awesome, good to know! :)

[King Serperior]

For the time being, I'm not interested in any sexual components regarding the system.  VtM, to me, is more about the blood and backstabbing behind the scenes and under the table than it is about that.  I'm not against other PCs doing it though.   :-)

[Rook Seidhr]

Elevator Pitch: "The Tremere were eyeing her, so I took her. You know how I feel about them poaching on my turf. She's smart and pretty; I don't know whether I need a, what is it, digital archivist, but if she doesn't make herself useful I can always kill her later."
Clan Aspirations: not Nosferatu.
Domitor Preferences: maybe the more organized sort of Malkavian, maybe a Toreador; in any case, obviously someone with a hate-on for the Tremere.
Desire to stick to canon: shake it up!

[RedPhoenix]

Tentatively interested, will have to see what develops though!

[Drowdeviant]

Tenatively interested as well.

Though what generation will our domitors be by chance Andy? I ask cause it mainly governs how powerful a ghoul can get in the way of discipline levels. :/

[AndyZ]

Most likely I'll waive the Domitor background and have everyone only able to get the first level of Disciplines that their Domitor possesses, unless people really want high-powered ghouls.

[Drowdeviant]

Most likely I'll waive the Domitor background and have everyone only able to get the first level of Disciplines that their Domitor possesses, unless people really want high-powered ghouls.

I see. Hmmmm. Honestly I'm pondering an independent who might be getting groomed for embrace by a Toreador...that or they're secretly aspiring to being embraced by the followers of Set. xD