Ghouls: Fatal Addiction [VtM]

[AndyZ]

I totally forgot to add the explanations and clarifiers to the initial post.  Whoops.

A couple things I should make clear: Embraces outside the seven Camarilla Clans are unlikely in the extreme, and even being Embraced isn't likely to happen except maybe at the end of the chronicle.

Current plans are for a city where they might only be half a dozen or so Kindred.  I've considered using my home city of Pittsburgh or making up a fictional city, but location setting details haven't been forefront in the mind yet.

I'll probably start things off giving everyone their own ghouling scene (I've seen individual scenes starting off a game done earlier this year to spectacular effect) and transition into modern day.

Drowdeviant, Independent and Groomed for the Embrace are pretty disparate concepts.  Do you mean that the Toreador was originally considering you for the Embrace, but then tired of you and stopped giving you Vitae, so you're on your own and looking for a way to get back in a Kindred's good graces?

[Drowdeviant]

I totally forgot to add the explanations and clarifiers to the initial post.  Whoops.

A couple things I should make clear: Embraces outside the seven Camarilla Clans are unlikely in the extreme, and even being Embraced isn't likely to happen except maybe at the end of the chronicle.

Current plans are for a city where they might only be half a dozen or so Kindred.  I've considered using my home city of Pittsburgh or making up a fictional city, but location setting details haven't been forefront in the mind yet.

I'll probably start things off giving everyone their own ghouling scene (I've seen individual scenes starting off a game done earlier this year to spectacular effect) and transition into modern day.

Drowdeviant, Independent and Groomed for the Embrace are pretty disparate concepts.  Do you mean that the Toreador was originally considering you for the Embrace, but then tired of you and stopped giving you Vitae, so you're on your own and looking for a way to get back in a Kindred's good graces?

Well what I mean by independent is they were basically abandoned by their first domitor who was training them to be a spy (likely a setite who got themselves staked or something), later being found and basically adopted into the fold of a Toreador. Basically the domesticated snake concept that was shown put forth in the Lore of the Clans sourcebook.

Basically I thought the first discipline ability of Serpentis would work well with a Toreador, after all what Toreador wouldn't like having a servant who could literally stop people with a look? Also to make things clear they previously were independent before their present master or mistress snatched them up. Thinking a bartender and dancer of sorts. xD

[AndyZ]

Apologies, but I don't want to open things up to that level of complexity.  It'll be much easier for me to keep things straight, as well as handle how much information the players have, if the Domitor which initially ghouled the PC is the same one who currently handles said PC.

[AndyZ]

Okay, next question I want to put to the group: the city.  Right now, I have three potentials that we can vote on for multiple choice.

A.) Pittsburgh.  It's the city I know best because it's the closest city to me.  With a population of about 300,000, the city is already a bit small for how many Kindred it has, but not egregiously or insurmountably so.
B.) A completely fictional city.  That means we can make up anything whatsoever.  Want to play in a city on a fictional tropical island?  Very doable.
C.) Anything else.  I'm open to suggestions.  If you vote C, you're very welcome to throw down a suggestion, but it shouldn't be any smaller than Pittsburgh.

[King Serperior]

Perhaps Las Vegas?  It's a big city with people drifting in and out of the place, so a small group of Kindred can make people disappear without much issue and it provides lots of opportunities for interaction for Ghouls.

Since my Ghoul would be working for an information broker Ravnos, I could have her work in a casino as a bartender or something so that information that her Dominator seeks flows freely.

[Rook Seidhr]

I would prefer a real city, be it Pittsburgh or anywhere else.

[AndyZ]

No Ravnos.  I have everyone planned for one of the seven Clans.

I've never been to Las Vegas but I can probably pull that off if people like.

[King Serperior]

No Ravnos.  I have everyone planned for one of the seven Clans.

Fair enough.  The Dominator can be a Ventrue instead that trades in information.

I've never been to Las Vegas but I can probably pull that off if people like.

Well, that makes two of us.  Too crowded for me to ever visit personally.

[AndyZ]

I'd actually been planning to put your character under the Nosferatu and put the Ventrue in charge of various other things, if that works for you.

[King Serperior]

A Nosferatu works as well.  Could be that they own the casino (obviously only open at night if Vegas is agreeable to others of course) and that's where the standard 'Nossys know everything' deal comes in?  Would have to be skilled in Obfuscate to appear in the open though.

EDIT:  Updated the concept a bit.

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]

I'm fine with Pittsburgh or Las Vegas.

[RedPhoenix]

I know literally nothing about Pittsburgh. I know people who have been to Vegas who tell me what it's like in movies and tv shows is pretty close to right so I could probably fake it.

That being said my interest is still 'tentative' so don't base any decisions on me! :)

[Rummy Tum Tum]

Elevator Pitch: A skilled doctor with his own private practice and a touch of (Malkavian?) madness.

Domitor: His usefulness cannot be argued against, nor understated. There is one caveat in that my clan's condition seems to have affected him through the bond. Or perhaps he was weak willed enough to be driven a touch mad by the knowledge of what truly transpires in the night. Whatever the case may be, his loyalty to me is clear. Irritatingly so.

Clan Aspirations: Malkavian
Domitor Preferences: A female Malkavian who hides her madness well, but keeps an air of superiority on full display.
Desire to stick to canon: Prefer the books



Also I'm unfamiliar with both those places and don't have another in mind, so I'll go with Pittsburgh since you know it best.

[King Serperior]

I'm less familiar with Pittsburgh than Vegas (since Vegas is seen in many movies and series), but if that's what you prefer, then my Ghoul can work at a bar rather than a casino.

[AndyZ]

Okay, let's do Vegas ^_^

[AndyZ]

This isn't complete (still need some names and pictures) but I wanted to give everyone a sneak preview of the various Vegas Kindred.

Brujah -  Ashley Monroe "One of the nicer Kindred I've met.  As much disdain as she has for the system, she works with the rest of us and merely funnels her energy into her various pet projects." "Don't let her fool you.  She acts like she's so much better than the rest of us, but she ghouled herself one of the casino CEOs to make sure she's rolling in money."

Gangrel - Jacob Williams - Sheriff "Just leave this guy alone.  Listen to him if he talks to you.  Obey him if he tells you to do something.  If he pulls his claws out, throw yourself to the ground and spread your limbs in all directions to show that you surrender."

Malkavian - Victoria Claire Andrews - Seneschal "One of the few Harmless Malkavians.  One of my former ghouls reported her talking to people that don't exist behind closed doors, but don't bring it up with her.  She's...let's say she's embarrassed about it." "Those rumors about the Newspaper Mime?  No, the old tabloids with the blood-covered mime carrying an axe?  ...and red all over, yes.  That's her disguise.  She's created a facade for a serial killer that explains the accidental deaths but actually makes people curious enough to come visit Vegas and try to find them.  She's really good at anything she puts her mind to."

Nosferatu - Delilah Rodriguez "Our computer expert and information broker.  She'll give you a fair shake, but don't insult her appearance.  She does everything she can to make herself presentable." "It's creepy how she goes out of her way to try to look as normal as possible.  That latex catsuit she wears seems to hold a pretty attractive form, but have you noticed it never actually jiggles like a real woman?  And she needs to wash that wig she wears more often."

Toreador - Jessica Harrison "If there was only room for one more of us in Hell, Jessica would insist they make room for her, and they would.  She's instrumental in making sure the various Vegas shows go smoothly, which is good for tourism and therefore us." "Yes, I know how pretty she is.  Stay the fuck away from her.  She might decide she likes you."

Tremere - Samuel Fischer - Keeper of Elysium "Our supernatural expert.  There are lots of things that go bump in the night, and Fischer keeps them away.  He tends to be super busy with projects, so don't bother him if it's not important." "Such a quaint little absent-minded professor."

Ventrue - Walter Miller - Prince "He knows what it's like to get shit on, so he'll treat you decently if you need something.  If you absolutely have to skirt one of the Traditions after your Embrace, talk to him about it and he'll usually work with you to make sure things go smoothly." "This guy has no one through ten on his dial.  Either he's the chillest brother on the planet, or he's down your throat and tearing you one like you were Embraced yesterday.  Thankfully, it's easy to get back on his decent side." "Why are you so useless?  Do you want me to bring you to Miller?  Do you?"

[King Serperior]

Very nice, Andy!  Really liking the sneak previews!

I have a couple of possible alternate image suggestions for Delilah, the Nosferatu

 

[AndyZ]

I'm very picky about pictures, unless you really don't like the one I picked.  I appreciate it, though ^_^

Current plans for PCs:

Malkavian: Rook Seidhr, Rummy Tum Tum

Nosferatu: Blythe, King Serperior

Tremere: Tremerette


Kia will be handling the Malkavian and some of the NPC ghouls, and when we're good to go, we'll get sheets started.  Most likely it'll be a couple years or so since your characters' initial ghouling, and it'll be up to you all if you already want to know each other.  I could do the ghouling scenes, but I think it'd be more fun to hit the ground running with being given tasks.

[King Serperior]

I'm very picky about pictures, unless you really don't like the one I picked.  I appreciate it, though ^_^

No worries at all.  I just had a couple of Nos images and liked to offer ideas since I have too much free time looking for them.  >_>

Kia will be handling the Malkavian and some of the NPC ghouls, and when we're good to go, we'll get sheets started.  Most likely it'll be a couple years or so since your characters' initial ghouling, and it'll be up to you all if you already want to know each other.  I could do the ghouling scenes, but I think it'd be more fun to hit the ground running with being given tasks.

Sounds fine by me.

[RedPhoenix]

Do ghouls become like the clan that made them at all?

[AndyZ]

V20 Ghouls introduces some mechanics for this, but since I don't want to make that book a requirement, I'd say just to consider adding it as an RP quirk.  Or don't ^_^ I'm very cool with saying it affects some ghouls in different ways and doesn't affect other ghouls at all.

[RedPhoenix]

I guess like, would a Malkavian ghoul get all quirky, would Malkavians make sense to a Malkavian ghoul? That kind of thing. :)

[AndyZ]

In my game, it's absolutely however you want to play it, and I encourage you to have fun with it.

If you want to develop little quirks and echoes of a derangement, you absolutely can.  If you start developing insight as the Blood calls you in a various ways, likewise awesome.  If you stay entirely sane, and fear for your own sanity from knowing your Domitor is insane, and worry to no end how you'll crack if you're given the Embrace, that works too ^_^

For those who have the V20 Ghouls book, all Clan weaknesses are optional, and the Blood Flaw Immunity merit is disallowed.  Same with the Domitor background.

[Drowdeviant]

In my game, it's absolutely however you want to play it, and I encourage you to have fun with it.

If you want to develop little quirks and echoes of a derangement, you absolutely can.  If you start developing insight as the Blood calls you in a various ways, likewise awesome.  If you stay entirely sane, and fear for your own sanity from knowing your Domitor is insane, and worry to no end how you'll crack if you're given the Embrace, that works too ^_^

For those who have the V20 Ghouls book, all Clan weaknesses are optional, and the Blood Flaw Immunity merit is disallowed.  Same with the Domitor background.

What generation would our folk's domitor's be by chance? I might've asked this before, but generation kind of defines how powerful we can get in regards to disciplines. ^-^

[AndyZ]

You'll be capped at 1 point in Disciplines ^_^ I'll have to remember to make a FAQ when I come back from grabbing food.