Demons, Vampires, and Werewolves, oh my!

[Vandren]

Alright, I'm a glutton for punishment . . . I've got another game/board I'd like to run, if there's interest.  The setting, in my mind, is best described as Underworld meets Shadowrun meets WoD meets Neuromancer in the 20th century.  I'm not sure how else to describe it, except to post my little intro:

Dark City (yes, cheesy name, sorta)

The current year is 2006.  For over 5000 years a war has been waged in the shadows of the world.  The alliances shift and flow while most of Humanity remains blissfully unaware of the terrors that lurk in the night.  Or so things were until November of 1949.  World War II was the end of the Shadow War.  Too many supernaturals took too open an involvement in that conflict to hide anymore.  Within a year of the war’s end, the Shadows came into the light of publicity.  Demons, Shifters (any sort of human to animal shapeshifter), Spirits, Teeps (psionics), Vampires, and Witches (both sexes, though matriarchal) came out of faerie tales and into real life.  Their leashed mortals in the governments of the world acted swiftly to relax or remove laws on their behalf.  Humanity learned to live in fear.  Some fought back.  Ultimately, the supernaturals staked out territory in the world.  Some places remained contested, though.  Among these is Dark City, a sprawling metropolis in the heart of North America.  The city has become one of the battlefields of the 5000 year old war.  Some of its residents will survive, others won’t.  Which will you be?


I envision a dark city showing the ravages of 50+ years of fighting in the streets between these factions.  Some parts (the central places in their territories) may look quite nice and well kept.  Others are just this side of a warzone.  PCs can come from any race (including mere Mortals).  Characters could be combative, diplomatic (there are alliances and temporary treaties between species), enslaved, captured, etc. etc.  Technology is early 21st century with enchanted items included.  Definitely freeform.  I've got more info I can post if anyone's interested.

[Natalie C. Barney]

Heh could I play a HIGHLANDER GENRE IMMORTAL? Likely would be still secretative and maybe Dark City would be the city of the fabled Gathering where the last of the immortals will battle for the prize. After all it would shake things up. I was thinking for the environment they would be known kind of to the other races as in "the last time one of us hunted one of them several united and wiped out (insert some city) of all the offending supernaturals". After all the game they play the interferance of a vampire wanting one as a buffet endangers the Game leaving it unwinable. I figure a rule would be of the game a threat to the game by any outsider ends the hunts and focuses all their attention on the offending party- for revenge. And must I point out hardly anyone would actually believe they exist save The Watchers that chronicle the immortals, rumors and legend of the Hidden Race perhaps.

But with Game winding down the final Chess moves will be underway after all in the end there can be only one!

If not I'll likely play a Witch as is a evil, dark, sold her soul to Satan dyed in the wool Witch. If you ever saw WARLOCK or any number of bad horror movies you'd get the idea.

[Vandren]

Heh could I play a HIGHLANDER GENRE IMMORTAL?

Are they listed in the races available in the intro?  If not, then the answer's no.

If not I'll likely play a Witch as is a evil, dark, sold her soul to Satan dyed in the wool Witch.

Could work, though a Witch who'd made a pact with the Demons is more likely.

[Vandren]

A little rundown on my vision of the races:

Demons
These are extradimensional beings of so-called evil.  They take many physical shapes, though most are static (stuck in one form).  Some, however, have the ability to change their forms.  the Demons have effectively claimed the north-central part of the city for the most part.  As with all the territories, this is hardly set in stone.  Demons organize themselves into seven Houses representing: Avarice, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, Vanity, and Wrath.  Each represents a different philosophy as to how to corrupt mortals and other supernaturals.  So far, they have no particular allies or special enemies, though they have made pacts with some covens, clans, families, and individuals.  All Demons are born that way.

Mixed Breeds
There are no mixed breeds, it’s impossible.  Don’t even ask.  :)

Mortals
Mortals are your average, everyday people.  Some align themselves with one side or another.  Others work to hunt and destroy all of the supernaturals, or a particular group.  Others are simply innocent bystanders.  No mortals can have any special powers, except true faith in some deity.

Shifters
This race is composed of werebeasts of all types.  Typically, Shifters have 2-5 forms, all of the same species.  That is, a Shifter can’t have Human, Raven, and Wolf forms.  (S)He can have Human, Near Human, Wolf-Man, Prehistoric Wolf, and Wolf forms though.  They have laid claim to the southwestern part of the city, but fight constantly to maintain that territory.  Among themselves, Shifters create packs (2-10 individuals) which form septs (2-10 packs).  An alpha pack leads each sept and an alpha sept supposedly leads them all.  Each pack also has an alpha male/female leading it.  They are allied with the Teeps and hold a grudge against the Vampires.  Shifters are all born that way, with change starting at puberty.

Spirits
All sorts of entities from ghosts to ascended beings fit into this race.  None have physical bodies of their own, but they can possess mortals with some effort.  This process is easier with a willing subject.  A much more difficult process is manifestation.  This requires a lot of energy, can only be maintained for a short time, and is not usually fully corporeal.  Spirits don’t really control any territory as such, but they tend to congregate around cemeteries, holy sites, and their old homes.  Some are inextricably tied to a particular place or object (they can’t go more than a few feet from the place/item).  Amongst themselves, they have no organization.  All Spirits have to be made through death, ascension, or a combined force of will on the part of mortals.  They are allied with the Witches and oppose the Teeps for their own reasons.

Teeps
Anyone with psionic powers is a Teep.  This includes: Astral Projection, ESP, Electrokinesis, Psychic Vampirism, Psychokinesis, Telepathy, and Teleportation.  Usually an individual will be strong in one power and weak in one or two others.  They claim the southeast part of the city, usually.  Teeps form schools, led by a master who teaches the students to unlock and control their powers.  Teeps are generally allied with the Shifters and oppose the Spirits.  An individual must be born a Teep, though instruction is required in order to control and hone the raw talent.

Vampires
Wampyrs, Leeches, blood suckers.  Vampires are the classic undead blood feeders.  Myriad abilities are ascribed to them, but no Vampire possesses all of them.  They claim the northwest part of the city as their turf.  This was the only spot left after the others moved.  Resistant to change, the Vampires use a semi-feudal system of families (those “turned” by each other) and clans (5-10 families) to organize themselves.  The masters or lord of these clans meet rarely to decide the fate of others.  This organization is generally patriarchal in nature.  Vampires are allied with the Witches and hate the Shifters (former allies) with a passion.  They can only be created by draining a mortal’s blood entirely, then feeding it back to the ex-mortal on the verge of death.

Witches
These are magic wielders of both sexes.  They use rituals and incantations to manipulate mana for supernatural effects.  Typically this requires a focus, some ritual, and some words of power.  They claim the northeast as their primary turf, but this is a questionable claim.  Among themselves, witches create covens of three to nine members who unite under a leader who represents them in talks with other covens.  Witches are almost entirely matriarchal.  They are allied with the Spirits and Vampires but hate the “charlatan” Teeps with a passion bordering on obsession.  One must be born a witch, though training is necessary in order to harness the power.

[Natalie C. Barney]

Are they listed in the races available in the intro?  If not, then the answer's no.

Could work, though a Witch who'd made a pact with the Demons is more likely.

Didn't hurt to ask.  ;)

I'll play, not sure what yet.

[Elvi]

Vandren, do you realise that I have a live character wandering around the boards for each of those categories?
*looks at him suspiciously*

[Natalie C. Barney]

Wait there seems to be a group you missed you have Demons what about their opposites ANGELS. Seems freaky there would be demons running around and no Angels to counter them? I wouldn't mind running one of those if you would add them it would make sense. And the Demons should have an enemy and Angels would likely have houses to counter the Demons. Just an idea but it seems if evil have demons the good guys would have sent Easthbound Angels to do good work.

And they would have a built in ally any humans that hunt supernaturals of EVIL origine are unlikely to see Angels as bad.

Possible HOUSES: Creatiion, Hope, Justice, Nature, Love, Temperance, Truth. [Generally the Cardinal Virtues]

Just an idea or two but why do all the characters have to be ones mortals would not trust.

If Spirits fall into this category I might do that- a Spirit of light sent to inspire mortals but Angels proper would be more likely.

[Jefepato]

Just an idea or two but why do all the characters have to be ones mortals would not trust.

Probably because that's important for the theme of the game.

[Natalie C. Barney]

Ok I will play a Spirit, an Angel- well you said they could be lots of things who says God might not have sent a guardian to the city to do His divine will among humanity.

[Elvi]

"Demons
These are extradimensional beings of so-called evil"

I read it as them being 'not of this world', not the biblical 'fallen angels'

[strangely made]

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh  *jumps up and dow with hand in the air * can I play a wereyworf pweeaaseeee ???????

[Elvi]

*coughs*
Translated for you Vandren.
Strangely says,
"Hmmmm.....interesting concept you have there Vandren old chap. I may be interested in playing a lycanthrope, I will take it under concideration, perhaps a werewolf?"

[Natalie C. Barney]

Well the other side AKA the good elevated beings among them Angels and 99% of Judeo-Christians (including Muslims) would. They are Demons of course they come from Hell (however you call it).

But I was thinking a Demoness of Lust in a All-Girls Catholic School could be fun I love those uniforms. I think the site minimum age is 16 for a character. A darling little Lilim (a sex demon) all innocent and sweet with lots of dirty habits would work.  ;)

Can be a cheerleader: "2, 4, 666 come on girls for some lick, lick, licks!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Hunter]

Teeps: Using your psioinic powers to stimulate a woman's sexual desire.  Then taking advantage of it.  ^_^

[Vandren]

Vandren, do you realise that I have a live character wandering around the boards for each of those categories?
*looks at him suspiciously*

Nope . . . didn't realize that at all.  *tries to look innocent*

Wait there seems to be a group you missed you have Demons what about their opposites ANGELS.

No, no I didn't "miss" them.  I don't want anything to do with them.  And there are Demons, Demons, and Demons.  Demons A would fit into some religious schemes, sure (though those aren't really demons, Biblically they're devils).  Demons B include imps, incubi, malebranche, oni, rakshasa, and succubi, basically any kind of "evil spirit."  Then there's Demons C (according to Robert Asprin, great author, btw) which covers any dimensional traveller. 

For the purposes of this game, Demons = Demons B.

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh  *jumps up and dow with hand in the air * can I play a wereyworf pweeaaseeee HuhHuh?

Definitely.  :)

Teeps: Using your psioinic powers to stimulate a woman's sexual desire.  Then taking advantage of it.  ^_^

Hmm . . . nah, never thought of that.  ;)

I think the site minimum age is 16 for a character.

Minimum age (real and appearance) for this particular game'll be 18.  Why?  Because that's legal age where I'm from.  And to Quote Site Rule #1: "No child pornography.  No depictions of it, in text, drawings (including 'loli') or otherwise."  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=3.0

Ok, that's a couple showing interest.  A few more and I'll go for it.  :)

[Zakharra]

 I'm willing to giv e it a shot. I'd like to play a Demon female from the House of Lust. A succubi.

[Jefepato]

I'd be interested.  My first impulse is to say I'd like to play a Shifter, but that seems too much like my current character in your other game, so I might consider other concepts...

[Hunter]

Mmm...an incubus in an all girls catholic school.  *ponders*

[Vandren]

Just an idea or two but why do all the characters have to be ones mortals would not trust.

Figured I better answer this one too . . .

Demons - ok, I can see this.  I wouldn't trust 'em.

Shapeshifters - Why are they "untrustworthy"?  I'd trust 'em, traditionally, they're trustworthy (see Marie de France, Gerald of Wales, Arthurian Romances, Shakespeare, Chaucer . . . admittedly there's Spenser who vilifies them).

Spirits - Why wouldn't you trust grandma's ghost?  Or the Bodhisattva Kuan-yin?

Teeps - Could go either way with that one.

Vampires - Ok, I wouldn't trust 'em, but lots of people would.

Witches - Again, what's not to trust?  Historically, they're pretty benign and helpful - healing the sick and protecting people from malignant spirits and such.  The only folks who give 'em a bad rap are Inquisitors and other Catholic/Protestant types who wouldn't know a real witch if (s)he came up and bit 'em on the ankle - persecuting little old ladies with too many cats or the pretty young girl who refused the advances of the local priest doesn't count.

[Vandren]

I'm willing to giv e it a shot. I'd like to play a Demon female from the House of Lust. A succubi.

Ok, that gives me five or six.  Cool.  I'll tweak a few things tonight and tomorrow morning, then deal with set up stuff Sunday/Monday.  :)

[Elvi]

So.........it's a war torn city, with more supernatural beings in it than flees on a beggars blanket and you both think there's a catholic girls scholl in the middle of it?
*Rolls eyes*


Natalie, if this were my game (which it is not, so this is my own personal opinion), the answer would be 'because that's how my game world is.....

[Vandren]

So.........it's a war torn city, with more supernatural beings in it than flees on a beggars blanket and you both think there's a catholic girls scholl in the middle of it?
*Rolls eyes*

Well, I suppose it's possible . . . afterall, the supernatural folks don't necessarily have to be malignant dictators.  They could be benevolent, out to protect Humanity from the others.  And they could maintain schools for their cattle / protectorate.  :)  I could even see some Oni or Rakshasa setting up a school like that as a joke/prank/prison.

[strenoth]

ooh now this is interesting.. gah, need to finsih levle 40 DnD character creation first.. but now I'll get emails every time some one posts.

[Natalie C. Barney]

Nope . . . didn't realize that at all.  *tries to look innocent*

No, no I didn't "miss" them.  I don't want anything to do with them.  And there are Demons, Demons, and Demons.  Demons A would fit into some religious schemes, sure (though those aren't really demons, Biblically they're devils).  Demons B include imps, incubi, malebranche, oni, rakshasa, and succubi, basically any kind of "evil spirit."  Then there's Demons C (according to Robert Asprin, great author, btw) which covers any dimensional traveller. 

For the purposes of this game, Demons = Demons B.

Definitely.  :)

Hmm . . . nah, never thought of that.  ;)

Minimum age (real and appearance) for this particular game'll be 18.  Why?  Because that's legal age where I'm from.  And to Quote Site Rule #1: "No child pornography.  No depictions of it, in text, drawings (including 'loli') or otherwise."  https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=3.0

Ok, that's a couple showing interest.  A few more and I'll go for it.  :)

Actually not exactly true the Catholic Book of Excorcism (I own a copy) places Succubi and Incubi as demons, so does the Jewish and Muslim Faiths the latter adds the Jin and they are just EVIL.

As for Spirits ever read the Haunting of Morella or see Poltergeist or any other movie iwth EVIL spirits in it. In The Entity a ghose even raped a woman several times brutally.

Witches ever hear of a Satanic Witch one that follows the Left Hand Path- they are not all nice. Look at Buffy when Willow turned evil.

Maybe the Catholic Girls School is run by Lust Demons and the like as a recruiting ground for souls.

This is from Goddess Lilac in SO YOU WANT TO START A GAME- verbatim copy:
Rule the First: Characters involved in sexual scenes must have passed the onset of puberty, or whatever cultural/racial equivelant.  If someone is a million years old, but looks like a twelve-year-old boy/girl, that's not allowed.  A two-month-old clone that is functionally twenty is, however, fine.  If you want a hard, lower limit on age in your games, you can use 16.

So Demons are more like the ones in CHARMED and Angels would be their version the LIGHT BEARER or whatever they call them? So what are the opposite of the Demons are they Spirits keyed to holy places that are invested by the Higher Powers or something? I figure there should be some in the city its unlikely the Powers of Light would give up I was thinking a Clique' of them might be in the city. Not heavily organized but maybe five or six that try to protect the innocent and stop really bad things from happening.

[Jefepato]

Um...Natalie?  Why do you keep trying to argue with the GM's clear and unambiguous statements about what he doesn't want in his game?

Presumably he doesn't want 16-year-olds involved because that's illegal where he lives, no matter what the site rules say.

Presumably he doesn't want angels because they don't fit the game he has in mind.  Why do demons need an opposite?  No one else really has one, and I get the impression that nobody here is supposed to be squeaky clean.