Dark Ages: Vampire. Interest?

[Jaded]

I'm curious how much interest there would be in a Dark Ages: Vampire game. 

I am leaning towards setting it in Riga, so it would probably be a bit more chaotic than one set in a more civilized region.  However I think the mix of local pagans, German crusaders, and so on could create some interesting plots.

As an initial starting plot, and a way to bring the characters together, I am thinking of focusing on Bishop Albert and his knights hunting Cainites for their blood.

Would anyone be interested?  And does anyone have suggestions or questions?

[AndyZ]

Bookmarked and I'll be keeping an eye on this.  Not 100% sure what I'd play though.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Jaded...why you got all the stuff I'm interested in playing?

[Ixy]

My medieval history knowledge is very weak, but I did a little research and it looks like Riga would make a really cool setting for VtDA.  I really like the setting, and depending on how you want the game to flow and develop, I'd like to learn more.  Would there be a premise for the characters to be collaborating or interacting-- like a coterie, or some elder's manipulation?  Would it be a small group?  And what would the major themes be?

[Jaded]

Bookmarked and I'll be keeping an eye on this.  Not 100% sure what I'd play though.

:-)  Let me know.  Most of the clans could probably fit without too much trouble (excluding maybe  the Assamite and Followers of Set).

Jaded...why you got all the stuff I'm interested in playing?

Similar interests? ;)

My medieval history knowledge is very weak, but I did a little research and it looks like Riga would make a really cool setting for VtDA.  I really like the setting, and depending on how you want the game to flow and develop, I'd like to learn more.  Would there be a premise for the characters to be collaborating or interacting-- like a coterie, or some elder's manipulation?  Would it be a small group?  And what would the major themes be?

I'm not an expert on medieval history either, but it does seem like an interesting spot. :-)  The knights/germans are just moving in, the pagans are still around, it is on a historical (and future) trade route, etc.  In universe (based on Dark Ages: Europe) there are three major canon vampires about.  Lord Horst de Novara, a German Ventrue who has influence with the crusaders.  Vala, a Tzimisce holds sway in many of the non-Christian areas.  And Lacplesis the Bear-Slayer, a Gangrel, is fighting the crusaders in the wild.  Bishop Albert of Riga is a former Lasombra ghoul, who is the head of the Brethren of the Sword, a knightly order, and is using them to hunt Cainites for their blood.

My thought to bring the characters together is survival.  With the knights hunting vampires, and a conflict brewing, they are somewhat caught in the middle.  So they would probably be a coterie at least initially.  I'd prefer a smallish group, 4-8 would be my ideal. 

The themes would mainly be survival and conflict.  The conflict wouldn't necessarily be combat, but with the pagans and crusaders facing off, a number of influential vampires, and probably a bit of a power void in the local cainite society, the characters would have to decide how to deal with it all. 

[Ixy]

Wow-- that's an awesome answer.  Thanks very much for all the additional info!  I'm interested in applying, and will start fiddling around with character ideas to see what might work.

[Toggle]

Mmmm Dark ages vampire clearly the best time to play vampire.   Tzimisce or Lasombra... oh the choices.

[AlexStone]

Count me as interested, though I'd like to see what other people are interested in playing/doing before I toss in a character- I don't want to play the odd Kindred out or force the game into the mold I want if others have strong desires in a certain direction.

[Imogen]

I'm interested but at this moment can't commit to a new game. I'll be keeping an eye on this one tho.

[Ixy]

Count me as interested, though I'd like to see what other people are interested in playing/doing before I toss in a character- I don't want to play the odd Kindred out or force the game into the mold I want if others have strong desires in a certain direction.

I would love to make some connections with the other characters as well.  Right now it's just in the 'idea' phase, and I'm considering playing a female warrior/matriarch type, the character embraced as a Varangian from near the trade routes connecting 'dark' Europe to Constantinople, etc. in the late 10th century.  Much a free-spirit, paganistic type, my concept's probably very unrealistic or rare for the time period, sure, but... it's fantasy, right?  I've got room in my background for allies, rivals, a sire, lovers-- kind of imagine her having, at some point in her undead history--allies, 'war-buddies', lovers or manipulators from the Brujah, the Setites, the Gangrel, etc.  I ave a crazy idea about a Tzimisce involvement as well.

[Jaded]

Mmmm Dark ages vampire clearly the best time to play vampire.   Tzimisce or Lasombra... oh the choices.

Either could work. :-)

Count me as interested, though I'd like to see what other people are interested in playing/doing before I toss in a character- I don't want to play the odd Kindred out or force the game into the mold I want if others have strong desires in a certain direction.

Okay.  Let me know. :-)  If Ixy is going a Pagan, and Toggle a Lasombra or Tzimisce, a common 'thread' could be opposition to Lord Horst de Novara.  Not a requirement though.

I'm interested but at this moment can't commit to a new game. I'll be keeping an eye on this one tho.

Thanks for your interest. :-)

I would love to make some connections with the other characters as well.  Right now it's just in the 'idea' phase, and I'm considering playing a female warrior/matriarch type, the character embraced as a Varangian from near the trade routes connecting 'dark' Europe to Constantinople, etc. in the late 10th century.  Much a free-spirit, paganistic type, my concept's probably very unrealistic or rare for the time period, sure, but... it's fantasy, right?  I've got room in my background for allies, rivals, a sire, lovers-- kind of imagine her having, at some point in her undead history--allies, 'war-buddies', lovers or manipulators from the Brujah, the Setites, the Gangrel, etc.  I ave a crazy idea about a Tzimisce involvement as well.

Sounds good/fine to me. :-)  I would assume Vampires would tend towards rarity in who they embrace. ;)

[AndyZ]

What all is there so far?

[Jr]

I'm pretty interested in this. Do you mind putting up with someone who's never played Vampire before?

[Jaded]

What all is there so far?

Ixy is the only one to pitch a concept so far.

I'm pretty interested in this. Do you mind putting up with someone who's never played Vampire before?

I'm fine with inexperienced players. :-)

[Prince Truhan]

I'm interested. I have only played the game in the modern age though (and with only the basic manual).

Should I check for differences or are the same things available? (with the exceptions you mentioned of course)

[AndyZ]

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/2676/Dark-Ages-Vampire?it=1

There's a decent number of system differences, though the setting is very much what you'd expect.

[Jr]

Okay, I managed to obtain the books. Do we have enough people? Any general guidelines for character creation?

[Prince Truhan]

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/2676/Dark-Ages-Vampire?it=1

There's a decent number of system differences, though the setting is very much what you'd expect.

Thank you.

Alright I got a hold of the book and contrary to my own expectations, I think I would make an errant Toreador that prides himself as a great swordsman

[Jaded]

Okay, I managed to obtain the books. Do we have enough people? Any general guidelines for character creation?

We have enough interest, assuming most people who are interested make a character.  No real guidelines, just make sure it fits the time period and region.  Standard rules otherwise. 

Thank you.

Alright I got a hold of the book and contrary to my own expectations, I think I would make an errant Toreador that prides himself as a great swordsman

Sounds good. :-)

[RubySlippers]

Okay if I decide to play a Nosferatu are you allowing all the fun merits they have like Disgusting and Projectile Vomit?

Seriously if I'm going to be a masked former pagan knight felled by Leprosy and embraced might as well go off the deep end and use all the clans strengths, including making a mortal knight disgusted fighting her.

Hell most of her allies might find her undesirable as well but would you dig around a Leper colonies waste pits for her?

[Jaded]

What book are those from?  But in theory I'm fine with them. 

[RubySlippers]

Nosferatu Clan Book

Things would be well making her revel in her freakiness in combat vomiting up some body parts and literally stuff from a waste pit could be pretty effective, not sure yet I'm mulling over ideas.

[AndyZ]

There were clan books in Dark Ages?  I need to look into this...

[RubySlippers]

There are some, most of the clan physical mutations from her clan were likely always there though after all a huge inhuman mouth with oversized fangs are not something modern. mwhahahaha

Here are 6 pts. of Merits I plan to take-

Long Fingers (1 pt. Merit) Your fingers are unnaturally long and spidery. You gain an extra die on any roll involving coordination or grappling.

Oversized Fangs (1 pt. Merit) You have enormous fangs, snaggly tusks resembling those of an elephant or walrus. They cannot be retracted, but they do an additional die of damage and add one die to your intimidation dice pool.

Projectile Vomiting (2 pt. Merit) This talent is like the Eat Food Merit, but twice as versatile. Food comes in; food goes out very, very fast. A vampire with this ability can ingest, and possibly even taste, food and drink. He cannot gain any nutritional benefit from this ordinarily digestible matter, but he can store it for later use. When this need arises, the Nosferatu can not only disgorge his stored supply of food, but also aim it with a degree of precision. For the record, projectile vomiting is the Sotryteller system usually requires a Stamina + athletics roll; the difficulty is 8, and a victim can attempt to dodtge this bolus of ejected victuals. Although this attack does not cause damage (save to ones pride), the type of food ejected may temporarily obscure a victim's vision, cause him to slip or merely force him to weep with shame at a Camarilla Toreador's grand ball. Pity the poor vomit-drenched Toreador....

Gaping Maw (2 pt. Merit) You've got a nasty gash where your mouth should be. It can smile, it can frown, and most importantly, it can grin two or three inches wider than any human mouth can. An ordinary vampire can suck up to three blood points in a t urn. You can drain up to four points a turn, provided you can latch your tooth-filled orifice around enough skin.

And some Flaws well she lives in filth and well kind of lost it a bit-

Anosmia (2 pt. Flaw) You have no sense of smell or taste. The vilest odors and flavors imaginable cannot affect you; in fact, you do not even recognize their presence. You cannot attempt a Perception roll that involves either of those senses. However, any supernatural attack involving horrific oders and tastes does not effect you. Granted, Nosferatu who have surrounded themselves with unseemly funk long enough become immune to just about any foul odor, but you simply do not recognize smells at all.

Necrophile (3 pt. Flaw) No, you don't have sex with the dead, but you certainly enjoy their company. You are obsessed with dead bodies, and "invite" them over to your domain. Your haven is distastefully decorated with severed and mutilated body parts of all kinds. You talk to your dead friends, dance with them, make art out of them, and entertain frequently. Some vampires of particularly refined temperament may need to overcome a Courage roll (diff 4) to enter a room where you've left your guests and their accouterments. Toreador go ape shit; Toreador antitribu applaud. For some reason, this Flaw is very popular among Leatherfaces.

[Jr]

I have no idea what kind of character I want to make. Any suggestions? Maybe an accessory character, like a smith for the sword guy?

[Ixy]

Draft 1 here: http://i.imgur.com/fWmBD9n.jpg

[Idachan]

*slaps herself* You make me want to play (perhaps just to see the horror that will be RubySlippers) but I really should not... <.< But if I would, I'm interested in a Gangrel huntmaster type so perhaps I can resist after all.








_{edited to clarify}

[Jaded]

I'd be fine with those RubySlippers. :-)

I have no idea what kind of character I want to make. Any suggestions? Maybe an accessory character, like a smith for the sword guy?

I'm not sure what to suggest, most anything could work.  You could make an accessory character, but I would suggest something that isn't reliant on someone else's character.  Any particular style or type of character you like to play?  (ignoring vampire specifically for the moment)

Draft 1 here: http://i.imgur.com/fWmBD9n.jpg

Your Generation may be mixed up.

What was Heart of Bone?

*slaps herself* You make me want to play (perhaps just to see the horror that will be RubySlippers) but I really should not... <.< But if I would, I'm interested in a Gangrel huntmaster type so perhaps I can resist after all.

;)  Let me know.

[RubySlippers]

Coming along not thing about Nos a lot of backgrounds are just not needed.  ;D

I did give her resources of one dot her ability to score cool things like find graves with good armor or a sword or loot the rings off them. Well she can trade that off through other Kindred for stuff she needs.

[Idachan]

;)  Let me know.

Mind you, Cappadocians... I do like being creepy.

[Google]

It has been ages since I played a Vampire game but I was always a fan... of course I am thinking Clan Lasombra

Need to brush up the concept but still always loved the shadowy bastards

[RubySlippers]

Okay I'm almost done with my sheet but I need stats for a weapon not in the game a Maul, its a two handed hammer. She has with Potence Strength 4 so can use it I'm sure.

SHEET SO FAR



Name: Iladora
Player: Rubyslippers
Chronicle:
Nature: Barbarian
Demeanor: Barbarian
Clan: Nosferatu
Generation: 11th
Concept: Leperous Thing
Haven: Caves in Big Cesspit

ATTRIBUTES
PHYSICAL
Strength 3 Dots
Dexterity 4 Dots
Stamina 4 Dots
SOCIAL
Charisma 3 Dots
Manipulation 2 Dots
Appearance 0 Dots
MENTAL
Perception 3 Dots
Intelligence 2 Dots
Wits 3 Dots

ABILITIES
TALENTS
Alertness 1 Dot
Athletics 1 Dot
Brawl 2 Dots
Dodge 2 Dots
Intimidate 3 Dots [Specialty: Exploit Clan Appearance]
SKILLS
Animal Ken 2 Dots
Crafts 3 Dots
Melee 3 Dots [Specialty:]
Stealth 3 Dots
Survival 2 Dots
KNOWLEDGES
Academics 1 Dot
Linguistics 2 Dot
Medicine 1 Dot
Occult 1 Dot

ADVANTAGES
BACKGROUNDS
Generation 1 Dot
Herd (lepers) 3 Dots
Mentor 1 Dot
DISCIPLINES
Animalism  1 Dot
Fortitude 1 Dot
Obfuscate 1 Dot
Potence 1 Dot
VIRTUES
Conscience/Conviction 3 Dots
Self-Control/Instinct 3 Dots
Courage 5 Dots

ROAD OF THE BEAST 6
WILLPOWER 5
BLOOD POOL

MERITS 7 pts.
Lizard Limbs 1 pt. Merit
Long Fingers 1 pt. Merit
Oversized Fangs  1 pt. Merit
Projectile Vomiting  2 pt. Merit
Gaping Maw  2 pt. Merit

FLAWS 7 pts.
Anomina 2 pt. Flaw
Cannot Embrace 2 pt. Flaw
Necrophile  3 pt. Flaw

ARMOR
Light Armor  +1B/+2L
Light Helm  +2B/+3L

WEAPONS


FREEBIE POINTS 15 + 1 Left from Flaws
Add Discipline: Fortitude 7 pts.
Raise Stamina +1 Dot 5 pts.
Courage +1 Dot 2 pts.
Specialty Melee 1 pt.
Specialty Intimidate 1 pt.

[Jaded]

Mind you, Cappadocians... I do like being creepy.

Creepy is always good. ;)

It has been ages since I played a Vampire game but I was always a fan... of course I am thinking Clan Lasombra

Need to brush up the concept but still always loved the shadowy bastards

Lasombra are fun. :-)

-=-=-=-

I only had time to give it a quick glance RubySlippers, but you may only have 11 (instead of 13) Skills.

As for a Maul, assuming you mean a giant hammer?  I'd probably just put it the same as a Great Sword, but doing +6B instead of L damage. 

[RubySlippers]

Your right I will add the Maul and should be good to go, I just think a big hammer on her shoulder would fit her. Now should her armor be cured human skins or not?

[Prince Truhan]

Gory as that might be it's not particularly resilient.

If I were you I would just add a few human scalps to it or maybe a human head.

Depends on your take but I thought dead bodies were her friends so she might not tear them apart for armor.

A barbarian I once had carried "Skully" around, the skull of a powerful enemy he had killed in one hit. He engaged in talks with it every now and them.

(All this was said as my toreador looked the other way with his fingers in his ears)

[RubySlippers]

Your right should be regular cured leathers but would be funny, but her home will be amusing.

A Nosferatu that acts like a Malkavian- that alone should make her extra creepy.

[Prince Truhan]

If you want Malkavianess if the DM allows perhaps you could take the flaw derangement:fantasy to have the corpses talk to her.

Or even "alive" corpses that want to be released from their life

[RubySlippers]

Her flaw does that already, I need her to be functional.

Right now she lost it but is still not someone you want to mess with she can hurt you.

[Prince Truhan]

yeah, you are right

[Silk]

Putting down interest :)

[Jr]

So a swordsman and something out of a slasher film. I guess we're gonna be a mostly combat party. Maybe I should follow in that vein, make a claw-fighting Gangrel?

[RubySlippers]

Well my character can fight because its a violent time, even most Toreador likely can use a blade well.

[Jaded]

Putting down interest :)

Let me know what you want to play. :-)

So a swordsman and something out of a slasher film. I guess we're gonna be a mostly combat party. Maybe I should follow in that vein, make a claw-fighting Gangrel?

A Gangrel could work.

[Jr]

I statted my Gangrel. He's a small-town barber (meaning he also functions as the town's doctor and dentist) who gets most of his blood from the leeches employed in his craft. He's also a real beast with his Protean claws. All I need for the finishing touches is more info on this Riga place. Is it in any of the sourcebooks?

[Jaded]

It is mentioned in Dark Ages: Europe.

[Jr]

Hmm, looks like I don't have that one. Could you give me the most common language there?

[PoppyHoneymeade]

Hmmmm, this sounds interesting but I tend to make more social or mental characters rather than combat oriented ones... I wonder what the premise is for the coterie to gather? If we are a coterie rather than just people who happen to live in the same place and time...

I had a Victorian Age Toreador who assumed all Nos had Anomia (how else would they stand living in the sewers?) and didn't want to be rude and point out to the Nos in our group that he smelled so she sneakily spritzed him with perfume from behind. She was considerate enough to use a more gender neutral citrus scent though.

I have the core Dark Ages book, but not any of the others from the era, so I think if I play I'd like to be a relative newcomer to the city so I can get to know things IC as well as OOC. Considering Tzimisce Koldun or Ventrue probably... though I might end up going for something completely different in the end.

[Jaded]

Hmm, looks like I don't have that one. Could you give me the most common language there?

Hmm, I'm not sure on language.  I'd assume German among the upper class, probably Latvian among the lower class.

Hmmmm, this sounds interesting but I tend to make more social or mental characters rather than combat oriented ones... I wonder what the premise is for the coterie to gather? If we are a coterie rather than just people who happen to live in the same place and time...

I had a Victorian Age Toreador who assumed all Nos had Anomia (how else would they stand living in the sewers?) and didn't want to be rude and point out to the Nos in our group that he smelled so she sneakily spritzed him with perfume from behind. She was considerate enough to use a more gender neutral citrus scent though.

I have the core Dark Ages book, but not any of the others from the era, so I think if I play I'd like to be a relative newcomer to the city so I can get to know things IC as well as OOC. Considering Tzimisce Koldun or Ventrue probably... though I might end up going for something completely different in the end.

My thought to bring the characters together is survival.  With the knights hunting vampires, and a conflict brewing, they are somewhat caught in the middle.  So they would probably be a coterie at least initially.  Mental and social skills could be just as useful as combat ones, it is all in how they characters decide to handle the situation .;)

A newcomer would fit. :-)  Tzimisce or Ventrue would both fit.  Let me know. 

[PoppyHoneymeade]

Given some of the members of the group it might be helpful having someone around who can dominate various people into overlooking the smelly leper trailing through the place... that being said being able to look like anything you want can have its uses... Hmmm.... Time to start thinking of a concept...

[RubySlippers]

Vampires generally don't have diseases she is no longer a Leper. As for smelly my character smells herself she is just fine there no odor at all. (helps she can't smell or taste though but she swims in the nearest lack once a week if she needs to or not)

[Jr]

Okay, here's my character. I'm free to answer any further questions on him.

http://i.imgur.com/i0x7dvg.png

[Jaded]

Sorry for the delay.  Those who are interested, please post a character sheet in this thread: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=184751.0

Thanks!  Hopefully we can start before too long.

--

Hmm, I put that in the wrong forum.  How do I go about getting a thread moved?

[Jr]

Looks like nobody else has posted their sheets in the thread. Is this game still happening?