Welcome! I'll put up a larger thread for collating character, chancel, and Imperator information as we get there, but for now the first step is probably to get character sheets- or at least, character concepts out there. Lifepaths are optional though I do find that system useful for giving me straightforward jumping-off points.

I'd also like to encourage people to let the group (or me in PM, if you prefer) know if there are particular themes or content that you'd prefer the game avoid dealing with too intimately or graphically. Most of that goes for pretty much any RPG, but the unique setting of Nobilis has the potential for a main player character or major npc to be effectively a personification of someone's personal triggers, and I don't want people to feel like they need to just grit their teeth and bear that to engage with the game.

(Why yes, I have had that happen before in a game. :p )

Finally, I'm going to go ahead and link to the mechanics cheatsheet graciously provided by Flarelord: https://drive.google.com/file/...X1U/view?usp=sharing

Hey, everyone, Flarelord Here.

If we're looking to potential content, we may want to consider Mature or Adult game rating (I have no issues with either, and think they'd be a good idea)

So, my main computer is crapping itself but I have a shoddy netbook and some other potential backup sources of net access in a pinch. Just figured I'd let everyone know that gem of news.

Anyway, as for ideas, I don't have lifepaths done since I don't really do that until I have a fair idea of what I'm going for, but I don't currently have a specific estate in mind.

As of right now, I'm thinking about a character who leans more on Aspect and Treasure, possibly taking some flavor like a classic vampire, with a contemporary flavor. I have an image of inspiration for this in mind, linked here: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/3725821

but am open to other ideas, and not 100% committed to that if it's a bad fit with anyone. Don't have much in mind for the estate and domain of said character.

Fair warning, i haven't done much nobilis in literal years, so, I'm going to be sooo rusty. @GM, do you have the Story of Treasure  book that expounds a bit on Treasure and ways to use it?

In reply to Player 1 (msg # 2):

I do, and I'm glad you mentioned it. I might have forgotten to dig it up.

Awesome. If I do go the aspect/treasure route, I was thinking of trying for aspect of at least 3 and treasure of at least 4, going the route of being able to guide bonds with people I've had blood of, among other bonds (A motorcycle is coming to mind maybe)

but not committing too hard to this idea until I see what everyone else wants. :D

In reply to Player 1 (msg # 2):

Why not the estate of vampires?

Anyways here's my character.

Alcohol nobilis Jimmy just Jimmy.

Passion 1 drinking
Passion 5 making friends
Skill 2 finding stuff
Bond 5 I've got a drinking problem
Bond 5 i love my pet cat
Affliction 3 an excrucian’s in love with me
Alcohol 3 loosens the mind
Alcohol 3 a thing that ruins lifes
Alcohol 1 causes accidents
Aspect 0
Domain 5
Persona 3
Anchor 0
1 extra mp per category or 6 mp for all categorys

Interesting. Dunno about estate of 'Vampires' but I considered Blood, but it's also potentially notable that she probably won't have a rating in her domain or estate, at start.

Alcohol Man is neat. Megadrunk~!

Also, wow, I found a nasty old Deceiver I created with the Deceiver Lifepath book, in looking back to find my old character sheet format (Which I will reassemble in RPOL's new table format for this game, if people would like)

Just gonna talk about her, because she's awesome.

---

Camilla Rue - Excrucian Deceiver

Lifepath
Key: IV Clematis (Key of the Angel - I’m Reaching Out to You...)
Lie
Like a worried little sister
I’ll forgive you your blindness
Contact: Power
Target: I will open your eyes to the truth behind the Lie.
The world only hurts me because it doesn’t understand the Truth
Truth
This Key has No Truth

Key: XIV Water Lily (Key of Something Spiritual - My Nature...)
Lie
Innocent & Pure
I can forgive anything
Unconditional Love
Truth
Excrucian Deceiver
Forgiveness is the first step on the path to reformation
I can’t stop mistakes or accidents from costing innocent life
Contact: Ghost
Ghost: It was an accident... I’m sorry.

Aspect 0 (5 AMP)
Persona 5 (5 PMP)
Treasure 0 (5 TMP)

Passions & Skills (Will 8/8)
Cool 2 (+0)
Shine 0 (+5)
4 I am a trustworthy and gentle person with a healer’s heart.
2 I know how to protect myself if I have to.
-4 I really can’t do anything that inherently needs sight, like read or discern color.


Bonds & Afflictions (13)
1 B: I don’t want to fight you.
2 A: I know the presence and truth of all guilt.
2 A: I radiate a sense of innocent purity.
2 B: I can work around my debility like an action hero.
3 B: I want to be forgiven!
3 B: Everything will be alright. I forgive you.


State Properties (7)
Those Forgiven by Camilla Rue...
... are Forgiven by Camilla Rue.
... understand their forgiven sin.
... find solace from their guilt.
... are protected from harmful retribution.
... are convinced of her divinity.
... reject those she does not forgive.
... start their lives anew

Clarifications on how her Estate works  - Just because everyone is guilty of something doesn't mean she can forgive ANYONE, anytime. She must 'Know' and 'Make Clear' what she is absolving someone of, and they must feel at least some guilt about it. 'Reject those she does not forgive' covers anyone they know to directly have wronged her, as well as anyone whom she calls out on their true guilty feelings - and doesn't forgive.

Her affliction helps her to see most valid 'Guilty Feelings' - they can be real or imagined, or even inflicted by her - she could, for instance, convince someone they're guilty of something, perhaps even of being unable to see through the lie of reality - and then she could forgive them of it. She can also forgive anyone ANYTIME they apologize to her, though doing so forgives them of 'what they felt they were apologizing for' (which also means they understand it as a sin)

Oh, God, I was a strange person in 2013.

https://docs.google.com/docume...lbw/edit?usp=sharing Another Excrucian Deceiver by me :D

Deceivers are always fantastic. Mimics and Strategists have their own things going on, but I always feel like Warmains have the most to live up to, among the Excrucians.

True Story: Based on the deceivers lifepath system, I made a lifepath system for Excrucian Strategists... and emailed it to Jenna Moran. SHE ANSWERED.  It was so cool :D Basically said it was a viable stopgap if you wanted to use it. I never completely finished it, but, yeah.


Anyway, back onto the actual subject of this game... let me get to work on that character sheet format.

I almost forgot. Sorry if it goes without saying but no rape in the game please.

Otherwise I'm fine with most subject matter.

I think we can safely put ToS violations outside the realm of possibility.

I would like to make the game an adult rating as well.

And I am fine with no rape. My noble personally won't be into that sort of thing but would probably horribly punish or maim a rapist.

I believe the adult tag gives us the most artistic freedom in our game and posting. And while this means things like sex, use of drugs and alcohol, illegal activity, etc can and probably will come into play it doesn't mean that every single scene has to fall into total debauchery and even if it did you can still have things fade to black if you don't feel like being explicit. Just having the option to be explicit is good and like I said I want our game to have the fewest constraints possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:51, Sun 09 Feb 2020.

I'm on board with that since my girl looks like she might be a pretty open-minded vampire lady who has a group who likes being snacked on :D

Here's a sheet format I assembled. I figure the proper character sheet itself can cut out the Lifepath segment if desired, since it's not critical, and that can be kept to a Lifepath PM potentially. I reccomend perhaps keeping up in any action-oriented posts with mundane intentions and miraculous actions currently sustained or in use. I admit, I've played very little Nobilis and sometimes feel like I don't fully understand how the complex mechanism works in motion, though I have a fair idea of how to build it :D.  Sheet Code below.

Sample Blank Sheet:

---

Name:
Estate:
Origin:
Age:
Gender:






Additional Anchor Notes
Anchor

• Expanded Details

Anchor

• Expanded Details

Gifts
Gift (# CP)

• Expanded Details

Gift (# CP)

• Expanded Details

---

Lifepath Notes

Estate:

Key: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shadow

Key: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shadow

---

Projects and Destiny

Project : (##/## Destiny)

• Details

---

Sheet Code (Copy into Character Sheet)

Tentative Concept under development, before I format it, since Netbook is a pain to use to format things...

Luna Duscae
Age: ~33 (Looks to be about 21)
Estate: Night
Origin: Human (Vampire)
Icon: A dark silver crescent with the tips in blood red.

Originally a young woman with few roots and a rebellious attitude, Luna accidentally slipped past the border mythic and (details pending) - eventually became a vampire, under service to her original maker until she awakened as a Noble, which broke the tethers tying her to her former master. Still very much a loner by nurture, she still seeks connection with others, but the nature of herself and her estate make it difficult for her.

Aspect 3   6 MP
Domain 0   6 MP
Persona 0  6 MP
Treasure 4 6 MP

(22 CP / 30 above)

Passions & Skills 7+5 (1 cp)
Cool 0 +3
Shine 3+0
Superior Vampiric Charisma 3
Passion: Rebellious Drive 3
3 pts left pending.
-1 Daytime Responsibilities

Gifts (7 cp)
Active Immortality 6
Shapeshifting 1 CP  (Forms: Human/Vampire (original), Mist, Bat, Black Fox, Hybridization of those forms, altering clothing, eye coloration)


Bonds & Afflictions (13+4)
Bond 3: I am invigorated by Night itself.
Affliction 3: I have superhuman senses.
Affliction 1: My Bite is a pleasurable experience that won't kill or turn someone.
Bond 3: My beloved Motorcycle (name pending) (anchor)
Bond 3: My Blood-Claimed Lovers (Collection of Anchors)

4pts remaining for some more anchor ideas.

The Motorcycle is a Wonderous Anchor with extraordinary durability and the ability to defy physics, allowing it to be used to pull off impossible driving stunts and feats. Ir can carry more in its sidebags than you'd expect, and  can even chart a route between realms (with sufficient strike where needed).  When used with Treasure 5 miracles, the roar of the engine, the force of the bike, and sparks from the tires and exhaust can be used as active, impossible weaponry.

Her Blood-claimed lovers are a rare collection of anchors - invariably young women whom she's given a taste of her blood - never enough to fully turn them into vampires themselves (though they manifest some of her gifts and traits when she channels herself through them at times).  She guides them frequently, though, and they provide connection for her. Mundane Anchors, but her blessings and guidance provide for them in many ways. She tries to make a better vampire of herself than her former master.

Estate Properties (7)
2 Night brings out ones' true nature.
3 Night invokes either loneliness, intimacy, or revelry.
1 Night is a time of respite and sleep.
1 Night is a mantle of concealment for those who need it most.

Lifepath pending, and I'm not 100% locked in yet. Anyone have input or commentary?

Flarelord/Player 1: How come are you using 30 cp to build your character? The book I'm reading says we only get 25. I am VERY rusty on Nobilis so am I missing something?

All: Do you know if the immortal gift also does the things that elusive does, or no?

---

Ok so still working on my character but I tried to stumble way way through the lifepath system. I hope I did it right. I basically chose the two flower keys that appealed to me and built around it. The character mechanics are still a work in progress. Any thoughts or advice or comments welcome!!!

NAME: Reyfus

ESTATE: Deviance

LIFEPATH

Key: III Acacia (Key of Something That Must Be Hidden)
Heart
*I hide that I am the lovechild of my Imperator and an Excrucian God.
*Even worse...Lord Entropy knows and seems amused by and even supportive of my situation. You'd think I'd be relieved, but well...it's HIM of all people! (From Coolness)
*And even more awkward...some Excrucians are trying to woe and befriend me. Like truly befriend, with no obvious strings or hidden agenda. Some still want me dead though of course. (From Estate)
*I definitely am fine with fighting the excrucians who are attacking estates, but the ones who are peaceful I'm willing to talk with and see what happens. (From Estate)
*My abhorrent Weapon works for me and no other due to my Excrucian parent's bloodline running within my veins. (From Origin)
*I don't want any more scrutiny on my Imperator parent, for I want to protect them from harm (From Contacts)

Shadow
*Painful Silence
*Set Apart
*I killed my own excrucian parent, and it haunts me to this day (From Affiliation)

Key: XII Hollyhock (Key of Destiny In The Balance)
Heart
*I'm becoming something thought to be impossible - An Archon, an Imperial/Excrucian Hybrid.
*Deep down a part of me wants to embrace the outer lands and my Excrucian blood (From Estate)

Shadow
*Self-Doubt
*Changing Hurts
*I won't let my Imperial Parent or Imperial Estate die, regardless of my lineage. (From contacts)
*How can I forgive the Excrucians and myself for killing my parent? (From Contacts)

Foundation
*Coolness - Just Plain Weird (+Acacia Heart)

Estate
*From the Dark Side of Human Experience (+Acacia Heart)
*Something You Live (+Acacia/+Hollyhock Heart)

Origin
*Extraordinary Life (+Acacia Heart)

Contacts (3 From Extraordinary Life)
*Excrucian - My Cousin by blood who wants to be my friend and treats me as her "cute little cousin." Favors me over their excrucian grandfather. (+Acacia Heart)
*Nemesis - The shards of my Excrucian Grandfather. I WILL punish and diminish him for what he's done, but I have yet to decide if I'll kill him or not. But his shards are my prey. Especially since they still want to kill my imperator parent. (+Hollyhock Shadow)
*Legacy - The Society of Eurytos and Slaying of my Excrucian Parent(See Note 1 Below). (+Hollyhock Shadow)

Affiliation
*Song of the Dark (+Acacia Shadow)

What Does It All Mean?
*Project: Achieve Greater Mastery Over Eurytos (Goal= +1 Treasure Rating)
*Ongoing Struggle 1: How do I balance out my Imperial and Excrucian sides?
*Ongoing Struggle 2: How can I make Eurytos once again inspire joy somehow?




Note 1: This used to be an Excrucian cult, centered around my excrucian parent and named after his Abhorrent Weapon, which once used to inspire joy. I grew up with this cult in my life (and spent a lot of time between them on Earth and my chancel as a child) and I was basically a prince among them. But then, due to my grandfather's plot to kill my excrucian parent for daring to fall for the enemy, the cult turned on me and worked with enemy excrucians to overwhelm my parent. Except in the end it turned out the cult was only working for the enemy because my parent told them to since Grandfather threatened to kill them all and start main-gunning for me and my Imperator if he did not take responsibility and commit seppuku with his own abhorrent weapon Eurytos. Eurytos refused to kill its master even with a treasure miracle and it wouldn't work without my parent's bloodline. And so Grandfather figured out a loophole: he told me that if I didn't kill my parent with Eurytos that he would kill me and then focus all his energy on trying to kill my Imperator parent. After slaughtering the cult first of course for good measure. My parent told me to slay them and inherit his blade and cult. Eurytos sensed that there was now no recourse, and worked in my hands as I slew my own parent, and then used all that energy to work an imperial treasure miracle on Eurytos (or if stats change his parent worked it as they died) of my own to banish Grandfather to the outer realms. Hopefully he never finds a way back into the Ash.

And on that day did Eurytos cease inspiring joy, as it became Eurytos the Horror. It lets no one even lay a finger on it, not even cultists, except me anymore. And To this day, I still care about the cult but still cannot fully forgive them for not working with me against the enemy in the beginning. A part of me feels that if they didn't turn against me at my parent's behest in the beginning we could have found a way out of this mess. The cult now only worships me as "The Divine Blossoming One." I am usually pretty Tsundere toward them.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Mon 10 Feb 2020.

Thhhaaat would be a total memory failure on my part. Damn :/  I thought it was 30, not 25.

What to cut though. Mrm, hard to make a cut out of this. Probably  lose one point of treasure, plus reduce active immortality to durant and eternal (and I can see using a project to upgrade those two into Active Immortality later?)

that would free up 5 CP, bringing me back to 25 (page 114 does say 25, I just couldn't find it and was operating on memory)

As for your thing, let me have a look.

That's definitely interesting. I don't know if Imperator-Excrucian parents are a thing, but I don't see how they can't, either. That aside, looks pretty neat. Should mesh interestingly with Luna (I'm planning for Luna to have a fairly positive perspective on the Code of Hell, myself, need to sit down and do her life path properly, I just want to be sure I've got the right idea for this group.)

As for Elusive, I'm not 100% but if you examine the table (I think it actually is in the book somewhere) (somewhere, but I reproduced> it more concisely in my cheat sheet) about how durability works, Immortality's definitely a bigger version of kind of Durant and Eternal, but as written it totally applies to any mental or similar curses that would take you out too, if you read the descripotion. So I'd say that Active Immortality is kind of like buying a Durant, Elusive, Eternal Combo Meal and super sizing it with a bit of extra efficacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Mon 10 Feb 2020.

Player 1:

It's dropped multiple times in the book that someone can have excrucian parentage, Imperator heritage, but I agree that having both at once should or OUGHT to be impossible. So I figured...hmmm, why don't I push the limits and make that my "one special thing." I feel most player characters have "one special thing" about them that sets them apart from everyone else, that being a baby Archon is my character's I figure.

Oh and for anyone else following this per a private discussion I had with Player 1, I think we agree Elusive isn't included in immortal. That is its own special effect.

And for your character based on your concept...I'd just trim a bit back so you have Treasure 3 Aspect 3 (which will still let you be really powerful), and trim immortal back to Durant and Eternal. That should really round her off nicely and I think will let you play up your concept well, while still leaving you extremely hard to kill.

A question to your character: has ennoblement allowed you to walk in the sun again? Are you a slave to your blood hunger, or did that get zapped away by becoming nobility as well (Eternal basically ensures you won't starve lol).

And what does your character think of her old Sire? Does she love or hate that Sire? Because right now, the tables have turned and you're far stronger than even an elder or ancient vampire.

I think you're misquoting my stance on Elusive/Glorious/Active Immortality, but my own clarification that was here was poorly written. Going to re-write it later, but TLDR: It was because we were explicitly discussing the Glorious gift.

My argument is that Active Immortality  DOES include the benefits of Elusive due to the table on page 331 (Assessing damage) plus the fact that  Elusive, as I interpret, is the social/magical equivalent of the physical resistance of 'Durant'. I was suggesting that Neither would directly say you can outright ignore Glorious, however if you CHOSE to, I'd say that an Immortal power probably wouldn't take a wound for ignoring it. An Elusive one might take a surface wound or something?  (This being absolutely avoidable by not contesting reacting to you as a Glorious being, though IMO this can take many forms depending on the creature subjected to the effect.)

Yeah, this explanation is MUCH clearer than the one I had here before. I'll reiterate, though; this is my interpretation, and I invite our GM's interpretation since that's the one that really counts, here.
===========

As for the other thoughts there:

Yep, that's my decision on downgrading to 25 CP, we talked about that.

She can walk in the sun just fine, with Eternal, however she has a -1 Skill: Daytime Responsibilities - unless she has a more applicable skill, her mundane abilities are nerfed during the day. She also has a 3 point bond she can draw on at night that can help give her Miracles Strike, from being empowered by the Night.  So, she's stronger at night and slightly more limited during the day.

Eternal does technically make her immune to bloodthirst, but I'm very much going to say she still needs blood to some measure, that's one of the purpose of her anchors. I planned to have total blood depletion as a weakness of her immortality (IE, she can be killed through Immortality if she and all of her anchors, as well as every drop of her blood is destroyed, otherwise she can regenerate via her blood wherever it might exist.) She won't have that Immortality yet, but yeah.

As for her relation to Vampires, she absolutely despises her former sire, and is an oddity in the vampiric community as a young vampire who outclasses ancient elders in potential. I'm very much seeing her as not wanting to be involved with them but ending up in a lot of the same circles because while she's not restricted to nighttime activity, she prefers it.  More thinking on this as I get into her Life Path. I'm currently considering what Keys to pick.

Treasure 3 lets me have access to Treasure 4 and 5 miracles with relative efficiency, and I can still have a pretty good Wondrous Anchor and can unleash its basic abilities without a miracle.   Also made a mistake on mundane skills, it's 8  points to allocate, not 7, +5 for 1 CP. So yeah, slowly shaking Luna up. Pleased with her so far.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

Edited the first part of the previous post significantly when I realized it was unclear. Ended up with something much more clear, IMO.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

@GM: Can we get Character sheets open? I'd like Player 1 to be renamed 'Luna Duscae' as well, please. Think I'm gonna stick with this idea unless Player 3 or 4 has an issue.

Though, at this point, 4 hasn't chimed in yet, at all.

Player 1: Hmmm...I see. I see what you're saying now. So if the immortal chooses to ignore glorious for whatever reason, they need to resolve it like a miraculous conflict??

Reviewing stuff a bit more from the PM where we talked more about it; Glorious is a Major creation of Emotion noted as One Trick - so, you'd have to be more clear about your one trick, yeah. What kind of Glorious are you, what's the intended emotion? Miracle Level 7, pretty hefty.


That said, Elusive specifically and Immortal as well do sort of preserve the self. (level 3 domain, level 6 Immortal; but direct miracle levels aren't the only factor)

Again, this is largely a GM call, and I'm not the GM. This is part of what makes Nobilis hard to run/play. So much interpretation.

I suppose the point is, since you want Glorious, why not tell us: 'What kind of Glorious are you trying to do, and what, exactly, are you trying to get out of it? How do you want to see your use of Glorious play out?'

Are you trying to be someone who shows up and everyone stops fighting and runs away from you, what? Because IMO that's going to drive off some types, but not others. Context matters, and so far, we've been talking in a far too general sense. Give us specifics to talk about and we can make better assessments, I think? Nobilis is a game where the specifics matter.

Also, for those of you who may not know, RPOL has a Discord Server. I'm on there, but currently I don't think anyone else here is.

To get there, you can use the link on the main RPOL page, top right corner 'Chat' near rMail.

I'm Flarelord #6891 in the RPOL Server, and would be happy to talk via DMs in a more live format if anyone wants to. No pressure, though :D

I guess I'm still fleshing out that part of the character conceptually.

How is character creation coming for the rest of you guys?

I'm still learning the GM controls for RPoL, but names should be updated now and character sheets should be open, with the sheet Luna composed added into each one to start with. I've sent a PM to P4 to see if they're still interested.

The estates of Night, Alcohol, and Deviance are so far painting a fairly interesting picture of your Ymera.

---

Regarding Immortal, my understanding has always been that it includes more powerful versions of Durant, Elusive, and Eternal within its effect.

I'm having to think over the thing about Elusive/Active Immortality versus Glorious. Digging up some old discussions on forums on the subject, one proposed interpretation was that Elusive can still provide indirect resistance to the effects of the higher-level Glorious, by countering "You *do* feel this way" with "But you don't necessarily lose control of yourself because of that." I kind of like this interpretation, since it allows the relatively low miracle-level gift of Elusive to still be meaningful when facing the kind of transformative and mind-altering miracles it seems primarily designed to protect against.

With that interpretation, the benefit of Elusive in those contexts will often be that it allows you to hold on to your self-identity, self-awareness, and things like your values, personality, and self-image in spite of outside influences, without necessarily negating those effects entirely. For example, it would bank heavily on the way Enchantment miracles make you one thing but never explicitly make you not the thing you were before, even if that often implicitly comes with the miracle in practice.

Direct miraculous conflict would be more likely from a miracle of Destruction or Sacrifice. Going by that reasoning, I don't think I'd require a noble with Elusive or Active Immortality to take a wound to resist Glorious in practice, perhaps unless they wanted to truly block out even the less tangible effects of even inserting a feeling into their mind to begin with. (Which could conceivably become relevant in the magic-filled Tree of Worlds.) Both could reasonably be used to significantly reduce the type of wound you'd need to take to resist more explicit effects, in the same way that Durant and Immortality do for physical harm, just in this case for more abstract effects, with Active Immortality providing an even greater reduction in edge cases.

---

Whew. At least, that's how the puzzle pieces left by what I'm guessing is a minor rules oversight seem to fit together coherently in my head. :p But I'm open to further discussion if that doesn't seem consistent to you folks. As it is I'm surprised I got through that without a headache.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:46, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

Those gotta be pointy brackets instead of boxy ones :D

And yeah, that's about where my brain is, overall. Nobilis is veeeerrry much a game of circumstances, so considering circumstances is tricky.

I'm working on figuring out my keys and lifepath angles. I know the book allows you to choose multiple options at the lived an X life and life type legacies stage, by the book, but does our HG want to allow that.?

I was thinking about our Imperator with these three, and a Hell or Dark coded imperator kind of makes sense to me. Luna's take on the Hell code is much less of a 'corruption' than a 'loving the damaged/broken things' and she's probably got a bit of light there in her overall outlook, IE wanting to mend and help instead of indulging the mess.

Thanks, edited. And I have no problem with that. ^.^

I feel our imperator is straight up a Magister of the dark the way these estates are coming. And I like the image of a dark, sultry fem fatal looking imperator.

I can be onboard with that. :D

Ok, you seem all be ready to go, I still have to look at the differences with the second edition XD

Do we always work as a Familia Caelestis ?

Yes the default assumption is we are our imperator's only powers and together we share our chancel and familia.

We don't strictly operate together at all times, but we do share an Imperator and Chancel.

Correct but we are very close allies and are us against the world basically.

Ok, the lore seems to be the same as in 2nd edition then. There are some differences in the system though. I will look into this.

I was thinking of a Power of the perpetual Motion incarnated in the Wandering Jew. But with your own concepts, I wonder if I would go into something like Secrets/Hidden Truth. Or even Fear with a Scarecrow.

What would you like the most ?

PS: I'm a French speaking Belgian. And my come back in rpol is also motivated by the opportunity to practice my English in good conditions. So don't hesitate to correct me if you feel so.

Secrets, Hidden Truths, or Fear could be neat. I'm not sure what to make of the other one, personally.

I'm looking over Keys to try and pick the ones that are best suited to what I want to focus on with Luna.

Personality-wise, I intend for her to be somewhat melancholic, romantic, aloof, and an iconoclastic and rebellious type. She's had a sequence of lives, effectively - from a rebellious young mortal who stumbled her way into the domain of vampires, to the thrall of a powerful vampire who spent time offering her blood, then blossoming into one of the undead herself. She spent time with the vampires as such , until she became selected as the Power of Night, an event that came with freedom from her bonds of blood to her former sire and also a refreshing glimpse and more of the deeper reality of the world than she'd seen before.

She remade herself from it, with the goal of being someone worthy of her new power, but still held down by the past, in ways. She remained a vampire, her craving for blood lingered, and while she surpassed elders in power, she was now an outsider amongst her former kind twice over.

She'd always been lonely, and it had only become worse when she became a Vampire - she had always been rootless and without a connection, looking for someone or something to hold on to. There were plenty of passions, but no deep and gripping loves, and that, too, followed her into her Noble life, where she also must worry about the prohibition against a power who dares to love.

It doesn't stop them from seeing her, from falling for her almost without her effort or intent, and she cares, she simply doesn't... love, regardless of how she wants to.

As such, and entirely for functional purposes I've selected keys 6 and 9 for Luna. I was... amused, when I settled in, that it fit that way.


Pondering the questions for her, I'm liking the answers of

'In Love with Something' but I am also considering 'Something cool' or 'Epic, Inhuman, Powerful'
Night being (undecided) Beautiful or Painful, she kind of feels both? and either something Lived or Described (I liked Lived for Night Life flavor)

Troubled Origin, I think, but I'm planning to pick several options from the various subcategories:

Some Scars Remain, Trouble Inspired Me, Alienation, and Freedom!. Possibly Reverence in Purpose.

Contacts, I'm debating taking a few. I like taking Legacy  for +1 to New Life, but I also kind of want it to reflect either her sire or a vampiric elder she still has contact with and may not totally get along with but won't ignore.

Also considering a Corrupting Influence, possibly (if Reyfus is onboard) his Excrucian cousin, who perhaps in addition to treating him as little, has an interest in Luna? And also at least one contact reflecting the small group of lovers/blood sources she keeps but also guides and helps with her Shine.

Planning to go Code of Hell, but variant in that she's definitely a 'love the flawed and damaged' sort of person, but she's less 'revel in corruption' and more 'help them better themselves / protective' sort of angle.


Will have the actual life path done up eventually. :D but that's what I have thus far  as far as my notes go.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

Also, 2 votes for adult rating, anyone object to that?

Player 4: I think going Hidden Truths would not only be the most fun and evocative estate of the ones you're considering, but thematically would go the best with Alcohol, Night, and Deviance. That's my vote.

------

Everyone (proposal for Imperator): So I am imagining our Imperator as a sultry, dark fem fatal Magister of the Dark. Don't Worry player 1 you can still be code of hell individual nobles can have differing codes and I like your more positive take on the hell code anyone. She would not necessarily be terribly malicious herself though, but would play out a lot like Jessica Rabbit from the Roger Rabbit movie in terms of her drive, her love and hate of people and things, and her general feel. She'd treat her powers relatively well, pushing them and making things interesting but being truly kind to them in return and helping in her own way. To everything else though, she is truly kind and perverse in even measure and exults in the variety of choices humans can make, even if many of those choices lead them to self-harm as much as self-help.

Here are some traits I'm thinking of:

LADY EVANESSA

Estates: Alcohol, Deviance, Hidden Truths, Night
*Magister of the Dark
-Choices
-Hungers
*Assertive yet permissive
*Like a fem fatal
*Always has a glass of wine in hand, but never gets drunk
*Sultry, but poised
*Can be kind, but also perverse

And she'd look something like this:

https://es.dreamstime.com/foto...e-vino-image57778679

-----

Player 1: Here is a suggestion for your character based on what I've seen you post and what we've discussed. I really like your concept and wanted to offer suggestions to help flesh it out more. I toned some things back given you over-spent before, but also to try and flesh the concept out more too I added new things as well. I also wanted you to have more anchors since you're so Treasure-focused. Obviously, you're the captain of this ship and I offer this purely to be gregarious and helpful and as an exercise in practicing the system. I hope you find something useful in it, and please feel free to give me suggestions for my own character too:

Luna Duscae (25 CP Total)

Stats (18 cp Spent)
Aspect 3   5 MP
Domain 0   5 MP
Persona 0  5 MP
Treasure 3 5 MP

Passions & Skills (8+5 Points) (1 cp spent)
Cool 0+3
Shine 3+0
Superior Vampiric Charisma 2
Passion: Rebellious Drive 2
Passion: I seek a connection with others 1
Skill: Drive 2
Skill: Stealth 2
Skill: Tracking 1
-1 Daytime Activities

Gifts (6 cp spent)
Durant 1
Eternal 3
Shapeshifting 1 (Forms: Human/Vampire (original), Mist, Bat, Black Fox, Hybridization of those forms, altering clothing, eye coloration)
Call Vampiric Animal Minions 1 (Summon any local bats, wolves, or rats. Lesser Summoning of Animals Miracle 4. Activation Simple -1, Area Local -1, Flexibility Handful -2, Rarity Common 0 = 1cp)

Bonds & Afflictions (13+3 Bond Points)
Bond 2: I am invigorated by Night itself.
Bond 2: My beloved Motorcycle (name pending) (anchor)
Bond 3: My Blood-Claimed Lovers (Collection of Anchors)
Bond 1: I never leave the chancel without my favorite black leather jacket! (Anchor)
Bond 2: I hate my vampiric sire!
Bond 1: While I don't need blood to survive anymore, I still have some of my old blood hunger.
Affliction 3: I have superhuman senses.
Affliction 1: My Bite is a pleasurable experience that won't kill or turn someone.
Affliction 1: I'm weaker during the day, although no longer burst into flame from sunlight.

-----

Next, I will post a proposal for my character tomorrow. I ran out of time tonight and gotta hit the sack to get up for work in the morning. Hope you enjoy reading this!

EDIT: Yes player 1 I'm on board for Reyfus' excrucian cousin also being involved with you somehow.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

I'll consider the proposals there, but I have a bunch of stuff already written down on paper, I've been finishing up before  typing up. The affliction about being weaker in the day isn't needed. Durant alone covers it, and I've opted to write that up as the skill penalty, a bonus to the  bond empowering her at night instead, so it's less 'day is a nerf' and more 'night is a buff' mechanically for her.

Was going to be considering some additional anchors with my remaining points. Thanks for taking an interest. I probably won't get the animal summoning gift though, probably :)  want a little more MP to work with, especially with my Treasure having to have been lowered by 1 from the overspent version.


Regarding the ideas on the imperator:

I like the idea of her. I'm wondering if she likes to appear as kind of a lounge singer or something. I can definitely imagine she probably pokes a bit at Luna.

Any name or details you have fixed on the excrucian cousin?

Ok, I will go for the power of Hidden Thruth, with a Kassándra concept…
This message was last edited by the player at 10:33, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

2 things

1 what's all the codes again?

2 hey one of my afflictions is that an excrucian is in love with me so what if reyfus's cousin is the one with me.

Boiling the codes down here for you... also see page 146 for a better list, and I think there's another place; downside to this book, some stuff is hard to find.

Heaven:  Impossibly high standards, with the extreme of the code being 'so high nothing really lives up to them' Angels - sealed the gates of heaven against the dirty, impure world, but still try and improve said flawed world

Hell: Love the broken, corrupted, and damned. Devils and extreme interpretation revel in corruption and suffering and like to see people and things falter.

Light: Prioitizes human survival above all else, considering things like vampires, imperators, powers and excrucians to all be lesser, and their main priority is humanity

Dark: Similar to Hell, but explicitly fixated on humanity and their freedom. Specifically their freedoms that can be self-destructive.

Wild: Following your own internal laws without regard for the world's particulars or such. Very much an expression of those laws, which you won't directly violate.

Jimmy I'd be ok with that too. Perhaps we can say his cousin has an interest in you guys because of how close you are to Reyfus. Like you guys probably met her through him when he went out to see her some time and forged your own connection with her afterward.

Possible. I don't want to pile too much into the one NPC, though, and it sounds like my interest and Jimmy's may conflict there, given how that contact was looking to fit into my Lifepath.  I might go a different direction there, in that case.

You mentioned corruption but it was vague. And we can have different excrucians for sure.

Maybe Jimmy is linked to reys cousin but the one linked to Luna is one of the bad ones who want to hurt Rey and they are trying to use you in hopes of getting closer to him in a bad way or to get at our imperator? Maybe even try to hurt Rey by hurting you, or manipilate you against him or the imperator?

I'm going over my Contact options, but got ya.  I'll see what I come up with.

Absolutely

...like I said before you're the captain of that ship. I'm just trying to be nice and helpful and offer feedback and suggestions and so on. I've always liked the collaborative aspect of this game system compared to many other systems.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

Player 1: Yes, a lounge singer is a good image of how I'm envisioning our imperator.

To All: I have decided that Reyfus' Father was a Deceiver of high lineage named Locke Da'Variad, who had the pseudo estate of "The Curiosity of Locke Da'Variad". His cousin is also a deceiver who takes the form of an attractive woman (she's not as sultry to the level that our Imperator is, but she's always "pretty cute" to any onlooker in a universal way). Her name is Lasentha Da'Variad. She's relatively benign as far as excrucians go, but she's not a helpless pushover and can be feisty when pushed too far.

Some details about her. In the ongoing excrucian political debate of "Reyfus is an intriguing scion of our people that is becoming something new and supernal" versus "Reyfus is an abhorrent abomination that resulted when one of our own was in bed with the enemy whose existence is impossible" she definitely is in the first school or camp of thought where as his grandfather is in the latter (and sort of the leader of that school of thought).

She also responded strangely to Jimmy's Alcohol estate, and its property of causing accidents and loosening the mind somehow interacted with her own pseudo-estate of "The Thirst of Lasentha Da'Variad" and caused her to fall for him. Since alcohol seems to drown out other things (at least for a time) and this includes her metaphorical thirst. She thinks Jimmy is super HOT, and she wants him to sate her thirst in a literal and figurative way. And she can be kinda intense about things she cares about or that hold her attention. She's often concocting absurd and sometimes comical plots to try and seduce him.

She knows all about Reyfus of course and about our chancel and so on. Our Imperator and her have a live and let live policy right now. They used to be on more friendly terms when Locke was alive as they bonded over their love of fine wines but after his death Evanessa sort of withdrew from all Excrucians even the nice ones. Neither blame Reyfus for his father's death (they correctly blame his grandfather) but their relationship has been more civil than sisterly since then. She's on good terms with Reyfus though and he does see her now and then as she's the only friendly active family on his father's side he's got right now (the rest are outside creation or doing whatever). She really liked Locke - he was one of her favorite uncles - and was really upset with her grandfather's actions and pettiness. She is anxious to see what sort of god or god-monsyer Reyfus grows into one day, since she can tell he's still young in his power and in the process of changing into something else still. She basically sees him as a freak of nature, but in a good way.

-----

Ok, so here is what I'm thinking of Reyfus' Stats.

Name: Reyfus Da'Variad

Stats (15+1 cp Spent)
Aspect 0   5 MP
Domain 0   5 MP
Persona 4  5 MP
-Secondary Estate of "The Curiosity of Reyfus Da'Variad" 1
Treasure 1 5 MP

Passions & Skills (8)
Cool 0+2
Shine 4+0
Superior Godling Physique 4
Passion: I strive to excel at swordplay and the arts 1
Passion: I love learning about the things of the world and beyond 1

Gifts (9 cp spent)
Immortal 6
Glorious 2
Soul-Carving Sword 1

Bonds & Afflictions (13+1 Bond Points)

Bond 3: I can draw on my untapped limitless potential as a source of strength.
Bond 3: The Society of Eurytos (Collection of Anchors)
Bond 3: I am the legitimate heir of Eurytos, the Abhorrent Weapon of Horror. It doesn't play nice with anyone else though. (Anchor)
Affliction 3: I am above the law.
Affliction 1: I'm a freak of nature...and some excrucians think so in a good way.
Affliction 1: ...and so does Lord Entropy. Which kinda creeps me out.

Estate Properties (7): Deviance
2 Causes something to stray from norms and expectations
2 Can sometimes be a source of good with pleasantly surprising results
1 Makes something miss its mark
1 Allows the impossible to become possible
1 Is confounding, devious, and sneaky

Estate Properties (7): The Curiosity of Reyfus Da'Variad
2 Can discover the truth and learn secrets
1 Demands satisfaction
1 Killed the cat
1 Is ripe with possibilities
1 Can get you into or out of trouble
1 Is intriguing, captivating, and sultry

Anchor Panoply

The Society of Eurytos: This mystery cult is thematically part Stone Mason, Part Illuminati, part religious group, and part sorcerous cabal. It is composed of members and their friends and families and has chapters around the world with interests in secular business, politics, and the esoteric. It initially began as an Excrucian cult centered around the outer god Locke Da'Variad (who's divine curiosity blessed the cult with knowledge and power) and to a lesser extent some of his allied excrucians like Lasentha. However, it has since changed hands and its sole patron is the god Locke's only child, the divine blossoming prince Reyfus Da'Variad. This is a wondrous collection of Anchors with access to sorcery of many types, although it only functions on the mundane level of normal or mundane-magical action without Reyfus expending Treasure MP.

Abhorrent Weapon [Horror]: Originally known as Eurytos, this is one of the seven known abhorrent weapons on the Ash. Originally created by a powerful excrucian of high lineage named Lock Da'Variad, it was known as a divine relic that could inspire joy. But after being forced to kill its own maker by other excrucians, it now lives in utter horror of itself and became a sharp and barbed thing that ceased inspiring joy. It's self-loathing horror allows it to inflict horrific wounds on anything it strikes, and it is able to cut through and kill anything. It only withholds harm from and allows itself to be wielded by its maker's son, Reyfus Da'Variad. He one day hopes to help Eurytos move past its personal horror somehow but knows that will be a slow and long undertaking.

Aha, Ninja'd by Reyfus~!

Lounge Singer Imperator:  I like. I definitely imagine our Chancel (if it's a city style location) has a very active night life - lounges, clubs, bars, ect.) There's probably A vampire presence, but not a massive one. *just had this idea* Maybe she's led a small group of Vampires out of the usual vampire culture and that's settled here and she can do a contact related to that. I know I've had some contact pondering of late.

Cousin Lasentha sounds fun. I get the idea that maybe Luna finds her passion interesting, maybe even (covertly) lends her a hand, but also doesn't really get what she's so into about Jimmy, as for the start of things.  I can see them interacting, even if I am not going the route I had in mind.

Overall, I like Reyfus. Nice that you gave him an Excrucian-style Estate as well. Hope you're oK with me also getting a good Shine value? (I like the idea that she does have positive impacts on people when she tries)

---

Pondering on my Lifepath. My working bit here so far is as follows

Lifepath Notes

Estate: Night

Key VI: Wild Oats - Key of Destiny Denied
Heart: Hunger

• Lonely 'Bad Girl' Romantic
• Love of the Night Life? (Estate is Something Lived)
• I need their Blood. (Lived a Troubled Life)
• I want to Love them. (Code of Hell)

Shadow: Why It Feels Empty

• Difficulty Opening Up To Others (Alienation)
• Powers are Forbidden to Love (Reverence of Purpose)
• They can't really understand me... (Followers Contact [Her Collection of Blood-doners/lovers])

Key IX: Honeysuckle - Key of Something, Finally at Rest
Heart: My New Life

• Charmingly Aloof and Benignly Rebellious
• Carefully Hidden Soft Spots (Estate is Painful Side of Life)
• A Protector (Trouble Inspired Me)
• ???? (Legacy Contact: Elder Vampire)

Shadow: My Old Life

• They Made Me What I Am (You are Something Cool)
• I love the Night Life (Estate is Beautiful Side of Life)
• The Vampires Took Advantage of Me (Some Scars Remain)
• I Regret What He Made Me Do??? (Nemesis Contact: Former Sire)

---

I picked both Beautiful and Painful sides of life despite generally the rule being to pick one, because I love the feel of Luna being conflicted as to whether or not she actually does find it more painful or beautiful.

I picked freely with the options for troubled, humble and blessed lives, as the text does suggest you're free to do so. I mainly picked Troubled (but I felt like Extraordinary would also be viable), but picked all relevant sub-picks that seemed to fit: Some Scars Remain, Trouble Inspired Me, Alienation, and Reverence in Purpose.

So far I'm debating Contact related stuff.
Her Followers contact is intended to represent the anchors she has who offer her blood and she inspires with Shine/Guidance. She cares, but has trouble feeling truly loved by them.

I am liking the idea of possibly two Vampire Contacts, setting her former Sire up as a particularly bad dude amongst the vampires, and possibly an elder, and an more neutral position with another Elder perhaps, but ultimately I figure most vampires see her as 'technically one of us, so we can't just through her out of vampire spaces (she'd probably kill us), but not *really* one of us anymore.

---

I am planning on a Shine of at least 3, maybe higher ( I assume anytime something is bought that invalidates something, like a Persona level that comes with a free rank of shine) it would refund the thing so it can be respent... (Similarly I assume Durant/Elusive/Eternal can be 'upgraded' toward Active Immortality, that reasonable?)

Having two Vampire NPCs might be a lot, though, so, I could just go for an Elder Vampire who is her main friendly connection to the vampiric community and having issues with it come up occasionally, and drop the 'Former Sire as Nemesis' and have him actually just be legit beneath her now.

I am imagining she's hurt people and possibly been hurt in the past with her vampire connections. She did spend some time as essentially one of their hanger-ons who was there to be a blood snack. Eventually earned/ someone wanted to turn her' so she was turned, then had to serve them, and probably did some things in general she's not happy with during that time.

Ultimately still debating on the contacts for Key 9.

Found some art that might make for good imperator reference too :D (or, frankly, maybe an NPC for me.)

Slight lighting variant: https://i.postimg.cc/BvYxPyv6/Evanesse-b.jpg


This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

WIP sheet here. Still got a few things to do.

Finalize Contacts and Lifepath stuff...
Finish Mundane Skill List (I've been having issue wording exactly what I mean for her 'rebellious' thing.)
Additional Anchors - there's not strictly a problem leaving some points unspent, because I can use a treasure miracle to claim a miraculous anchor in play (and simultaniously invoke it, too!)

Project Ideas~!


Growth Plans: I know I plan to grow several things early on;
2 CP worth - Immortal (+ the points from Durant and Eternal)
I want to raise Treasure and aspect each by 1, and definitely get some Persona early on.

---

Name:   Luna Duscae
Estate: Night
Origin: Human-turned-Vampire-turned Power
Age:    33 (21 apparent)
Gender: Female





More ideas: 3 Bond Points Unspent
A personal icon (bloody crescent, a silver/dark moon shape with the points of the crescent stained red)
'Someone whose blood I've tasted' -idea of her being able to gain power over someone by tasting their blood.


Additional Anchor Notes
(Name Pending) Motorcycle

• Expanded Details

(Followers/Blood Donors/lovers)

• Expanded Details

Anchor

• Expanded Details

Anchor

• Expanded Details

Gifts
Durant (1 CP)

• Improved Durability vs Physical Harm (p228)

Eternal (3 CP)

• Ignore physical and environmental conditions short of harm, resist pain. You can potentially stabilize from wounds that would be fatal otherwise.  You live on miraculous energy instead of food, water, air, ect. *Luna still has blood cravings, but doesn't depend on it, though her eventual Immortality will require blood*  Luna doesn't age. (p229)

Shapeshifter (1 CP)

• Automatic speed allows shifting as part of other actions without miracle use. (p231)
• Forms: Human/Vampire Original Shape, Bat, Black Fox, Mist, Hybridizations. She can also change her eye color, as well as the details of her clothing.

Gift (# CP)

• Expanded Details

---

Lifepath Notes

Estate: Night

Key VI: Wild Oats - Key of Destiny Denied
Heart: Hunger

• Lonely 'Bad Girl' Romantic
• Love of the Night Life? (Estate is Something Lived)
• I need their Blood. (Lived a Troubled Life)
• I want to Love them. (Code of Hell)

Shadow: Why It Feels Empty

• Difficulty Opening Up To Others (Alienation)
• Powers are Forbidden to Love (Reverence of Purpose)
• They can't really understand me... (Followers Contact [Her Collection of Blood-doners/lovers])

Key IX: Honeysuckle - Key of Something, Finally at Rest
Heart: My New Life

• Charmingly Aloof and Benignly Rebellious
• Carefully Hidden Soft Spots (Estate is Painful Side of Life)
• A Protector (Trouble Inspired Me)
• ???? (Legacy Contact: Elder Vampire)

Shadow: My Old Life

• They Made Me What I Am (You are Something Cool)
• I love the Night Life (Estate is Beautiful Side of Life)
• The Vampires Took Advantage of Me (Some Scars Remain)
• I Regret What He Made Me Do??? (Nemesis Contact: Former Sire)

---

Projects and Destiny

Project : (##/## Destiny)

• Details

This message was last edited by the player at 07:51, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

In reply to Luna Duscae (msg # 52):

I think the personal crescent is a pretty good bond idea.

Also i like the cousin.

All: I'm SO GLAD that you guys are happy so far with what I wrote. I literally sat in front of my computer for hours yesrerday after work really hemming and hawing and hashing things out. Trying to get them just right and capture the feel I'm going for.

Luna: I'm definitely thinking our chancel has an active night life for sure. And chancel creation will be fun when we get to that. I think having some vampires there who are friendly to you is interesting too.

And yes...I see you caught that he has an excrucian estate. It's actually literally the same one as his father's although applied to him. I thought it would be a nice touch to highlight his heritage while still being well within the parameters of the rules and such. It's a side I'd like to grow over time which is why I kept it purposefully low given his shadows on his hollyhock key, but as he explores his other facets that side can and should grow over time.

And don't worry about the shine thing. This isn't a competition...you deserve to shine too! Rey has so much shine because he's high persona. You have it for different reasons; you don't shine because you're numinous, but because you're enthralling and charismatic and that aspect of you as a vampire got heightened by commencement. I guess you could say that while they both have high shine, it plays out differently.

For Reyfus, he straight up has the otherworldly beauty of an excrucian as well as the numinousness of an imperator. He's charismatic because his presence just takes up the room...and he really isn't trying. He's winging it. He doesn't fully understand all of his power and his potential yet. And his cult and others react to him like they would a god emerging from a closed lotus. He doesn't plan tactically as much as he should, or have strict manipulation or charisma directly but he is still radiant like the sun in his shine and is seeps into and infects everything connected to him.

For Luna, it's different. I envision her shine being a consequence of cunning and manipulative planning, combined with sheer unnatural charisma. It doesn't come from persona. It doesn't NEED persona. She is sexy and enthralling in a sort of ideal vampire way. And I also like the idea of her shine representing (in part) the bloodblond she has with her anchors too. That bond drives people to do things and to do them unnaturally well compared to normal people. It's like the blood is enthralling and empowering all at once.

Luna and Jimmy: Really glad you both like Lasentha. I thought hard about her too. I envision her personality as something like a (mostly) non-sociopathic version Harley Quinn from batman. Although when she's angered she basically getsinto sociopathic Harley mode on her oppressors. With her obsession for "Mister J" being for "mister Jimmy, albeit more aggressive than Harley has for joker as she's totally willing to initiate with Jimmy. Sort of like Harley Quinn mixed with Elmira from tiny toon adventures. :P

I know the feeling of stressing about what you're writing and how people will take it :D  I like the Imperator stuff.

Yeah, I like the idea of a small community of Vampires who are actively, kinda like her, trying to  do the thing of actively protecting and or making their donor's lives better instead of just collecting fanatical attention and being kind of rock star night life folk who help themselves to whatever neck they happen to fancy.  She's not an Elder Vampire, and none of them were exactly sired by her, but she's kind of got comparable clout to one, now.

Kind of to her chagrin.  She wants out of that life, kinda.  (Buuuut she has to share the night life with them, and they made her what she is, and all of the other shadow 'but...' issues to wanting to elude that life.)

And yeah, I kind of see that. I also sort of liked the amusing fact that the idea of letting her drink someone's blood kind of can actively improve their mundane life XD. that interpretation of her Shine is pretty accurate.

I'm still struggling to word exactly what i mean by some things. I am tempted to try and shorthand the concept of her followers into a Vampiric 'harem', as she definitely does get physical with them (and yeah, it's pretty much exclusively women),  but it also is only like half-fulfilling for her, because of the whole 'failure of them to really comprehend her actual issues' so it's more of a case of them trading blood for her support and a guidance, and sometimes serving as an anchor.

I'm planning to go with the idea of 'creating a vampire calls for draining someone's blood, and replacing it with the vampire's own', so it's something she could still do, but not really a thing she wants to do, and not really something you do accidentally. I did like the idea that she uses her blood lightly in this way as part of claiming anchors - she just doesn't completely drain them, so they're connected to her, bound to her via guidance and potential possession, but they also don't become undead vampires or anything. (but when she channels herself through them as Possession they do exhibit vampiric traits and manifest her abilities)


Another thing I'm having trouble 'wording' is that whole 'rebellious' thing. It's very much intended to capture the feel of 'that tough-looking loner girl drinking alone and she looks like trouble and you're probably too intimidated to approach her, she's got a motorcycle and an issue with authority (especially abuse of authority) and she'll definitely floor anybody who tries to fuck with her.' sort of feel.  She is distinctly 'nicer than she looks' but she's got a 'tough and independent image'

She looks like she should smoke and drink and get in fights a lot, but she doesn't really do the former. She does drink, but with Durant/Eternal and being a Vampire, it doesn't do much to her (She does feel enough to appreciate, but not enough to impair her; it's better when she's sampling someone who's a bit tipsy than drinking herself, and totally prefers wine or cocktails to harder drinks). Fights, they happen, and that much is pretty true.

I think she might have a bit of a confusing infatuation with our Imperator, likely to no direct results, but I can oddly enough see her as capable of understanding Luna where not many others could - not that I see Evanessa as likely to return the interest (possibly without projects, if I pursue that idea?)  Might not be a good idea, leaving it open for commentary.


But yeah, largely trying to word a few things. I've already decided the miraculous things her motorcycle can do. I'm up for more Anchor Suggestions (and I'm okay with lowering her current anchor bonds a little if we need more points)

I wonder if she should have some sort of weapon, though as a vampire with aspect, and the option of using her bike as one, it'd probably be superficial unless the miraculous powers were more explicitly combat oriented.

I like the idea of the icon/ sigil thing for her, since it can be carved into something (and the tips can be stained with a drop of blood, so not hard to make with aspect) and it can be used to keep an eye on things.. though, I'm not strictly the biggest fan of that sort of anchor, so mixed feelings. I do think it will be her 'sigil' whether or not it's an anchor.

I don't have to spend it all at start, though I can. It's totally possible to claim and invoke anchors in play. It could be cool to do that some.

At treasure 3, I'd personally like to see you with more anchors.

I think your sigil is a great idea. As an anchor you can use it as a symbol as well as something that maybe you wear as a necklace or carry around or something like that. The symbol could be drawn in other places of the world or maybe pictures of it posted or physical little statues of it somewhere or whatever. And those could be things that you could you don't possess or empower as anchors with the relevant miracles. I think it's a great idea and I hope you don't shy away from it. Hell maybe I'll get inspired and one day have a sigil too if yours plays out well enough!

Edit: you could even put it on business cards and now you have a way of connecting and spying on all sorts of people and places.

I definitely think you should put a one-point Bond of how you hate your sire. You don't have to make an anchor out of him or anything right now. But I really think that it would be representative of you and something that you could draw on four strings in a contest related to him.

For the motorcycle I think you should consider some sort of Main power focused on its mobility or something like that rather than using it as a weapon. And I'm getting the feeling that you are hesitating on this as well. if you would like some sort of weapon or something like that that would be a good excuse for another anchor. Then again you also have aspect 3 so you don't really need a weapon LOL. if it is a weapon though it should be something really meaningful. It doesn't have to be like a soul carving sword or anything. But maybe like a silver sword that belonged to your sire once or that you got in the fight maybe when there was a vampire versus werewolf fight back when you were just a vampire that was really important and people that you cared about died in it. Something like that.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

The whole vampire v werewolf thing always felt contrived to me :D

Definitely more anchors, that's my plan. As for the motorcycle being able to do a ton of things, any anchor can "be an effective weapon" with treasure 5 miracles :D  At least in miraculous conflict.

I did have myself pretty set that the main thing it has going for it is physics-defying tricks and the like,  manifested in a few ways, mostly in the driving, but also being able to pack more cargo than a motorcycle should, and being able to navigate  more dimensionally, in addition to crazy 'driving on walls tricks' and such :D

But yeah, I definitely like the sigil idea, I had a thought of earrings actually, but yeah :D.

Got prep to do for somethigng tonight, so more work on this tomorrow from me. Saturday is pretty tied up too, unfortunately.  Friday, though, I plan to get something more done. Still open to input though.

One point bond hating Sire could be good.

Werewolves vs vampires is DEFINITELY contrived. Probably some wayward imperial miracle or level 7 or 8 miracle making some domain inimical to the other. :P
This message was last edited by the player at 21:22, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

Player 4 how are things going?

Today's been... rough.

Trying to get a few ideas out of me before bed here:

Skills:

Cool 0+3
Shine 4+0
Superior Vampiric Charisma 3 - given this is Superior, it gets mundane edge. I'm partially seeing this as connected to her level of Shine, and also partially seeing it reflecting that vaguely hypnotic quality vampires tend to have about themselves.  Also relevant, I sort of like the notion that the fact that it's Superior makes it easy for her to overplay her charismatic mundane actions or convince people of things they wouldn't normally entertain. (given that it overwhelms so well I very much imagine she's the kind of character who is capable of overcoming obstacles people might have to certain ideas. I definitely imagine this in connection to seduction, her being the type to make straight girls second guess themselves. Also potentially relevant to other situations, though. Plus, if people take her advice, her Shine totally helps make their lives better for it.) I don't see it overcoming a miraculous character directly, but I do like the overall idea of this.

4 Passion: I'm a 'Rebellious Bad Girl'...

2 Passion: ... with a heart of gold.

So, was going over the above about how I intended 'Rebellious X to work' and still am not totally sure how to phrase what I want. It's a fairly broad concept, but that tends to be very okay for strong mundane characters. The book itself says that strong mundane characters have more broad skills of higher rating than specific ones. That said, I could see something like a ' "I'm a 'Bad Girl'..." and "... With a heart of gold." checking out there?  One applying to 'bad girl' sorts of things, the other applying when she's kind of lowering that facade and  being genuinely nice :D  Commentary welcome here

-1 Daytime Lethargy - I think I like this wording best for this.   If she's got something else, she can base daytime stuff on that, but otherwise, she's just innately lethargic during the day.

===========================

Bonds and Affliction Notes

Invigorated by Night: I figure she can reliably call on this one a few times a night for empowerment, but I like the idea of 'recharging' the Bond being specifically 'indulging in some classic night life recreation'  of some description.

Super-Senses Affliction: I am envisioning this as the story taking her super-senses as given, so unless people are beating the auctorias with sneaky miracles or using some power to spoil her senses, she's prolly going to see what's up.  I don't see someone beating her senses as breaking this affliction, but I do see someone using a miracle to damage or cloud her senses directly affecting it. I also imagine this covers your usual human senses, but I kind of like the notion that it also covers night vision, hearing strong enough to hear heart beats, tracking by scent, possible echolocation (given her bat form), ect.  I can imagine the above, and maybe a thermal sense. I'd like to see feedback on these assumptions to see what people think.

Pleasurable, nonfatal bite - pretty much just a thing I want to be true about her, level 1 since there's not much backing to it, but there doesn't need to be since it's mostly for fun.



Decided to call the 'followers' her 'Vampiric Harem'. Specific details on the harem so far: It's a group currently at about 10 members.  All of them are female, have some degree of infatuation toward Luna, and care about her (and she cares about them) but as mentioned, none of them are deep into the supernatural (the deepest any of them really know is 'vampires exist and need to be kept secret') All of them have some sort of night life angle, if only occasionally. They're diverse across  most other walks of life, there's probably at least one High-tier Corporate woman, one Med Student, one Police Officer, and one model or something amongst them.  Diverse economic and social statuses.  She's open about the fact that there are multiples, and they're all fine with that, and I like the idea that she's brought one couple together within her harem more specifically.

Largely, the finer points of the group aren't super-important, I don't imagine. What is, is that they generally will happily give her blood, and she largely guides and helps the ones who need help via being her anchor. A few were rescued from a less pleasant vampire, one was probably someone she saved from some clumsy date trying to drug her.


Going to have her Bloody Crescent sigil as a 1 point bond anchor.

Going to put a 1 point bond into 'I resent my Sire'

Leaves 1 bond point. I want one more miraculous anchor, but I'm drawing a blank at present.

Bonds currently look like
B3: Invigorated by Night
A3: Super-human Senses
A1: Pleasurable Bite
B1: I Resent My Sire
B3: Altair, my Motorcycle
B3: My Vampiric Harem
B1: Bloody Crescent Sigil

1 Point Remaining Could also see lowering Senses, or Harem by 1  to make a higher point value or to cover 'claiming' an Anchor in play.

Contacts, think I will keep the Sire Nemesis (even if he's not really strong enough to oppose her directly), and either keep or ditch the contact of an Elder Vampire.

I do like the above-mentioned idea of Luna having a 'thing' for our Imperator, but I can see it being a thing she tries not to show, but also can see her natural charm being so high that it's kind of an open secret as she kind of just flirts without really being able to stop herself :D




Commentary welcome, sorry I've not been around much today working on this. Rouuuugh day. Similar tomorrow.

In reply to Reyfus (msg # 59):

I'm on the creation of the character. The week-end is just quite crowded for me ;)

I will call this Power "Cassándra", and she will be transgender (which came as an evidence for me with the thema of "Hidden Truth"). She will certainly be Mysterious and have Umblemished Guise for the same reason.

In reply to Player 4 (msg # 61):

For vampire. Maybe have a one point bond withe the imperator?

For Cassandra i love that your making her Transgender since i use to hang out with a lot of trans people online and am personally a ally to trans people. I can't wait to learn more about them!

About Reyfus:

So I've been thinking more about his properties. For now, his other stats seem good. He's supposed to feel like he has a huge amount of innate talent but much less skill and development since his being nascent is so part of his concept, and he hasn't really blossomed out yet in most ways. But the estate properties of Deviance I'm tweaking a bit to better represent how infectious and rampant it can be. And also missing a mark and straying from norms and expectations ended up in my mind being the same thing so I just merged those points to give deviance a stronger definition.

Estate Properties (7): Deviance
3 Causes something to stray from norms and expectations
1 Can sometimes be a source of good with pleasantly surprising results
1 Can be anywhere it pleases
1 Allows the impossible to become possible
1 Is confounding, devious, and sneaky

Estate Properties (7): The Curiosity of Reyfus Da'Variad
2 Can discover the truth and learn secrets
1 Demands satisfaction
1 Killed the cat
1 Is ripe with possibilities
1 Can get you into or out of trouble
1 Is intriguing, captivating, and sultry

Luna: I'm so glad you took up the icon. It's a great idea and Reyfus might even get one when he gets another treasure point or something from being inspired by you. But when more than one of us is nudging you to do it you know it's probably the right move. And you can be so creative with it too!

For your harem...I'd like to propose that it's bigger. Go from 10 people to say...maybe 100 or even a few hundred people. And The catch is they aren't all in one city. You have a few here, a few there....all over the world. Truly a mistress in every port! And them being all women is fine - maybe just feeding on someone isn't enough to make them an anchor and you actually have to give them a taste of your own blood to seal it. Like ghouling from vampire the masquerade/requiem. But I really like the idea that your character has been to multiple cities around the world and "sampled the local cuisine."

Cassandra: Interesting. Well then I'd like to make a proposal to your character concept to help flesh it out more. As a mortal, you were transgender post-op. But it still wasn't truly real. Deep down, you were still a man who had his genitals cut off and took some hormone pills, and you knew it. But deep inside, your gender (different from biological sex) wasn't strictly male. It was either female or some sort of non-binary or something. But you always had trouble in your own skin.

And then one day, SHE came into your life. And she meddled, like she usually does. She was gorgeous, and complicated, and devious, and a bit coy. She challenged you on your views and called you out on your own self doubts. And then, for whatever reason as her whims are still hard to figure out even now, she chose you and made your life even MORE complicated than it was before. But there were some good things that came from becoming the power of hidden truths, since your mortal inconsistencies changed and contradictions got smoothed out by commencement. And you became more real. Truly real.

Like your body. Hidden truths are still true, even if they seem contradictory or muddled on the surface. And your body and mind was one big hidden truth. And so you became TRULY transexual AND transgender. Like...that little part of you that you tried to hide from yourself that still identified as a man and liked being a man was brought to the surface. You had a penis and testes again, surgery be damned! And chest hair and a beard...you were a man again! But then you became a woman. Like a real biological woman! You had a vagina and ovaries and breasts and nice hips. And your gender was more feminine as well. And now and then, on those days you really felt all mix up inside (but still not contradictory just mixed up now), where you were really non-binary, you became physically androgynous and your genitalia not well defined. But then you could switch one way or the other again. Maybe even be a man now and then but with a vagina, or a woman with a penis. Or then back to being cis male or cis female then androgynous again. For the entire spectrum of male to female to in between was your hidden truth realized. And you may even be a huge ally of the LGBTQ population worldwide too. Reyfus is too, albeit more from a deviance standpoint than a hidden truth one but still.

And among nobility, this fluidity of self allows you to have absolute perfect guising as you can both reveal your inner self but even - on the miraculous level - hide it when needed, and an insight into personal contradictions few others have. And as the power of hidden truths, while you can reveal the truth you can also hide it. And by default, you yourself as the embodiment of hidden truths are mysterious and vague on a metaphysical level.

Bond 1* Sometimes I'm male, sometimes I'm female, and sometimes something in between as my feelings and needs dictate.

Gifts
Perfect Guising 1
Mysterious 5

To All:

I'd like to propose a chancel for us too that I've been thinking about all week now. This is meant to be collaborative to a point to if you guys really like or really dislike something or have suggestions or other input please speak up. I want buy-in from all of you guys just like you did with the imperator.

THE GLOAMING CITY VESPERA

Inspirational Image:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z8toXdH_3I0/maxresdefault.jpg
http://t.wallpaperweb.org/wall...ilight_Singapore.jpg

*Sort of Noir.
*Has an active and thriving nightlife.
*Is generally nighttime twilight more than daytime. Usually, anyway.
*Isn't as bad a place as it seems. Has its own peacefulness even.
*Does have a scary side though.
*Has eclectic and varied inhabitants, with beautiful gloaming but varied architecture.
*Is generally liberal, and sometimes ordered and sometimes ordered-chaos.

Vespera is a large cityscape that has architectural features that are always reflective of what is cutting edge in the real world but with a twist. These days, it looks kinda like Chicago and kinda like Singapore and kinda like Venice. It does have some older style buildings like cabins and even temples and gothic cathedrals thrown into the mix too, but overall the place has a sleek, stark effervescent quality with dark buildings limned in flowing fae-like light. The sky is sometimes filled with millions of stars and sometimes just pitch black, and when the city is more twilight it can be clear or cloudy depending on the day. The place reacts strongly to its powers and Imperator though, and they all try to be (kinda) careful lest the city is covered in extreme rain, heat, etc mirroring their emotions. The cityscape is normally Night 60% of the time, twilight 30% of the time, and day only 10% of the time.

Locations of Note

Stepford: In the suburban neighborhood called Stepford (named after the Stepford Wives by Reyfus who enjoyed the eponymous book and movies), it is always Daytime thanks to the power of Deviance. He set aside a place for people who needed space from darkness, vampires, the nightlife, and the other things of the greater cityscape itself. It is a place with green lawns and white picketed fences and other suburban amenities, and is in and of itself a form of deviance from the greater flow of Vespera itself. Somehow, the sunlight from within doesn't bleed outward into the rest of the cityscape. It's just suddenly night and then after crossing a road day.

The Nightside: In this neighborhood, which coincidentally (or is it?) is geometrically across from town from Stepford, it is always perpetual night regardless of the overall current light level of Vespera itself. And regardless of the current weather or sky the moon can be seen clearly above - a reminder of the architect of this neighborhood: Luna. While all people are welcome into Nightside, Luna created it especially as a place for the vampiric and other light-fearing inhabitants of the city to relax in or live in.  Some say that Luna has a large mansion on the moon. And the rumors are totally true! And in the chancel she can casually use aspect 6 miracles to leap up to her moon Mansion, or back down into the city with ease!

The Crawl: Short for "bar crawl," the Crawl is a neighborhood that very literally has a bar on every corner and block. And while there's these sorts of establishments all over Vespera, none are so densely populated by bars, taverns, inns, and speakeasies as The Crawl. This is because Jimmy, the power of Alcohol, did an experiment to see how the cityscape and its economy and the flow and lives of its inhabitants would change (or not change) by adding more bars! While there are other sorts of establishments here too like brothels, strip clubs, sports bars, arcades, and such no other place in the city is so thoroughly inundated by the presence of alcohol, which seems to line every shelf in this place. For good or ill, there's a lot of buzzed and drunk folk wandering around, lots of groups pub-crawling, and so on.

The Evanescence Lounge: This is the most well-known building in the entire cityscape, and is also located near the center of the chancel. The Imperator tends to appear most here, when she isn't in her sanctuary comatose from fighting in the Valde Bellum. The best way to describe it is as an extremely high-end 1940's or 1950's caberet lounge with a large grand piano and plush overstuffed furniture and attractive wait staff. The imperator, when present, often acts as the main lounge singer and can be found lounging around like a cat atop the piano (sometimes with her son next to her too or playing the piano in a duet) or across some large plush ottoman sofa.


NOTES: I want to include some sort of open temple looking space where Cassandra likes to hand out in and sometimes gives oracles and predictions. Although keep in mind we can go almost wherever we want in the chancel and aren't constrained to these places.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:33, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

I think given the inspirations we're all leaning toward, looking for a full Adult Rating may be ideal, I know the idea has been floated, but we haven't made the official jump yet. Anyone not onboard with that?

Also, i'd love to hear more feedback from our HG in general on a lot of these ideas.

I had thought about larger, but didn't want the GM to feel overwhelmed. Making it much larger, I'm on board with. With Aspect, I'm not *really* limited by Dunbar's Number like normal people are.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar%27s_number

And yeah, just feeding on someone isn't enough to make an anchor of them, and she does a small dose of her blood as part of anchoring someone, though she also doesn't drain them first, so they don't actually become vampires (again, when she possesses them, they do display vampiric characteristics and her gifts and abilities, so it's like the potential is there with said blood, but inactive, as part of the link she can use to guide and influence them)

@LGBT issues - Luna's pretty much a card-carrying ally, as well. Given her preferences :D

I see your sneaky moon-mansion suggestion, and part of me likes it :D  Are you thinking it's 'weirdly' part of the Chancel? (maybe it's a connection point for the chancel, so that in a serious pinch we can totally miracle our way to the moon to get to the chancel :D)

I like the overall flavor and inspiration for the city. A lot of what was listed in the Chancel Properties feel more like facts about the place than cool, possibly fun deviations from the usual  order of things like some supernatural places can have. I'd almost want to go back over World Properties and suggest some that enhance the  magical qualities of the place. :D


Instead of a 'kind of Noir' place, I like the idea of it being phrased more as a 'Neo-Noir' evolution - Like, the world is colorful, but sometimes it can feel like all the color's drained out of the world, the Chancel is very much host to that sort of feel, but with a distinctly more modern feel. It's Noir, but some of that isolation and color washing is via the glow of cellphones and the internet and how that can sometimes create mystery and a feel of isolation.

I do like the idea of danger in the chancel, but I like the idea that it's maybe the province of out of control drunks or vampires lost to their hunger.  There's probably some criminal underworld stuff in the Chancel too, as a result of interplay between Night and Deviance... but I can also see the idea that it's under control, managed to some degree, and part of me sort of likes the idea that maybe some of the vampires Luna has brought into the Chancel who are sort of avoiding the more common vampire approach might be almost like the sort of thing you'd read about in the early mob days, kind of  where the toughs of the mob would actually proect the community, except here it's vampires. I dunno, though. I like the idea, but dunno if I wanna go that way. It does kinda fit with the idea of Luna having a Mansion and that image, I could maybe see her almost portraying herself as the 'mob princess' of some vampire splinter group she's led to the chancel, who do less killing/'taking' blood and more working for it, possibly.

Nahsure.

If we've got all these high-rise buildings, something must be up with them, what industries and stuff is the chancel into? :D I sort of like the idea that there's definitely a local brewery  that probably does international success thanks to Jimmy :D

Hmm, Wonder if Cass has any ideas where they'd like to set up as a focal point in the city.


I like the idea of Stepford and Nightside for sure, and love the evanescence lounge...

Luna: I'm glad you're liking my ideas so far. And yes, neo-noir is actually more what I had in mind than "just noir." And I tried to create the chancel features based on how the book said to, but really it's collaborative and we can tweak these to be more broad and magical for sure.

And don't worry about Dunbar. Luna isn't necessarily fully close to each and every one of her anchors but each of them has importance to her to some degree. You don't have to go nuts and name each anchor. I know I'm not naming my cultists lol. But this way, you can have at least 1 anchor in all the world's major cities at least. Maybe 2 or 3 in some places. For all other issues...shunt the problem onto aspect. :)

As for you and vampires...here's how I see it. In terms of power, you're probably the strongest vampire on the planet right now with your nobility factored in. Looking at the strength charts (not factoring in aspect) it goes 1-5, with like for instance a 0 being human seed and a 5 being the speed of light. So I'd say real young vampires have a superior trait of 1 in a few areas, with an older vamp having a 2. Your very ancient elders, progenitors, etc probably have a 3. Like your sire is a badass and has a 3. He's able to go toe to toe with a bear and probably win in a wrestling match. 3 is beast-like power which is immense. Vamps aren't at a 4 or 5 because that's like strength of a mountain at 4 and speed of light at 5. I'm demonstrating this just to show you how freaking powerful you are compared to even ancient horrors. So at charisma 3 I'd say her vampire abilities got amped up to elder level by commencement, but her physical abilities got subsumed by aspect 3.

As far as the vampire community is concerned, do aren't "like" an elder. You ARE something in that tier. You're a saint and a horror unto yourself. The Donald Trump of vampires. ^_- And even if Luna doesn't WANT that type of political clout, you have it. And you probably did whoop some powerful vampire ass in the beginning when you were commenced, and settled some bloody scores with enemy vamp and non-vamp groups that got you a rep you'll never shed. Like Trump, there's no impeaching you now from the top of the vampire food chain. :P

So yes, some vampires would surely be drawn not only to your power but your charisma as well and come side with you in the chancel instead of being in the normal vampire social hierarchy, which I see as something similar to vampire the masquerade's camarilla. Some probably snuck in or figured a way in, others probably were let in by you, and a few may have been on your shitlist and you said "either you come here and be rehabilitated or I freaking kill your ass" to. Regardless, part of the chancel populace is vampiric. No more than like 5% though. And they know they need to follow the rules or else. Reyfus has sent more than 1 vamp flying across the city with a level 4 superior roundhouse kick for misbehaving, and I'm sure Luna plays "mafia godmother" to the chancel vampires for sure and has executed a few publicly that tried to run amok against innocent humans in the chancel.

Speaking of which...glad you loved my ninja'd moon mansion idea lol. I'm thinking you don't let a lot of traffic come and go to your own mansion and few beings could reach it who weren't miraculous, so you probably have a nice building on the ground in Nightside where you "hold vampiric court" now and then as needed, and is a center of vampire politics. I'm picturing the vamps there running themselves as a sort of mafia with maybe 3-5 main groups/factions within it each with their own equivalent of a "prince" or "godfather" boss. And all 5 of these factions know they answer to or at least pay needed lip service to Luna who's like the godmother of godfathers. I don't see luna spending all her time politicking, just now and then enough to keep things under control. The vamps essentially are their own independent political entity separate from the "camarilla" of the world at large, and you're the big boogy man at top but otherwise they have their own mafia style of working. I like the edge a mafia organization would have and it fits this chancel well I think.

And yes, it will definitely have a criminal underworld as well as more "legit" folks living there. And I absolutely LOVE Jimmy being the center of a booming internationally acclaimed brewery. It could be so popular even other chancels buy the stuff!

Everyone: I'm going to submit another improved version of the chancel with more details and tweak its properties, as well as some location descriptions and added new ones. This is open to feedback as always:

THE GLOAMING CITY VESPERA

Inspirational Image:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z8toXdH_3I0/maxresdefault.jpg
http://t.wallpaperweb.org/wall...ilight_Singapore.jpg

*Sort of Neo-Noir.
*Has an active and thriving nightlife.
*Is generally nighttime or twilight more than daytime. Usually, anyway.
*Isn't as bad a place as it seems. Has its own peacefulness even.
*Does have a scary side though (criminal underground, monsters, etc).
*Has eclectic and varied inhabitants that somehow get along on average, and is filled with beautiful limned architecture.
*Has a certain magical fae-like quality that is hard to fully describe.

Vespera is a large cityscape that has architectural features that are always reflective of what is cutting edge in the real world but with a twist. These days, it looks kinda like Chicago and kinda like Singapore and kinda like Venice. It does have some older style buildings like cabins and even temples and gothic cathedrals thrown into the mix too, but overall the place has a sleek, stark effervescent quality with dark buildings limned in flowing fae-like light. The sky is sometimes filled with millions of stars and sometimes just pitch black, and when the city is more twilight it can be clear or cloudy depending on the day. The place reacts strongly to its powers and Imperator though, and they all try to be (kinda) careful lest the city is covered in extreme rain, heat, etc mirroring their emotions. The cityscape is normally Night 60% of the time, twilight 30% of the time, and day only 10% of the time.

Locations of Note

Stepford: In the suburban neighborhood called Stepford (named after the Stepford Wives by Reyfus who enjoyed the eponymous book and movies), it is always Daytime thanks to the power of Deviance. He set aside a place for people who needed space from darkness, vampires, the nightlife, and the other things of the greater cityscape itself. It is a place with green lawns and white picketed fences and other suburban amenities, and is in and of itself a form of deviance from the greater flow of Vespera itself. Somehow, the sunlight from within doesn't bleed outward into the rest of the cityscape. It's just suddenly night and then after crossing a road day.

The Nightside: In this neighborhood, which coincidentally (or is it?) is geometrically across from town from Stepford, it is always perpetual night regardless of the overall current light level of Vespera itself. And regardless of the current weather or sky the moon can be seen clearly above - a reminder of the architect of this neighborhood: Luna. While all people are welcome into Nightside, Luna created it especially as a place for the vampiric and other light-fearing inhabitants of the city to relax in or live in.  Some say that Luna has a large mansion on the moon. And the rumors are totally true! And in the chancel she can casually use aspect 6 miracles to leap up to her moon Mansion, or back down into the city with ease!

Nighthall: Most shared vampiric politicking takes place in a special convention center down on the ground in the middle of Nightside called Nighthall. It is considered neutral ground for vampiric politics and solely under Luna's jurisdiction. She tends to do most dealings with the mafia-like vampire factions of the cityscape there as well, and when two factions need to meet to broker a deal or discuss something they know they can use Nighthall as well, which Luna keep open 24 hours a day to all vampires. Vampires in trouble with their factions can also take sanctuary here until Luna decides they should be spared to returned to their faction, as vampiric violence is forbidden here.

Mister J's Brewery: At the urging of the other powers, and with amused chuckling from Evanessa, the power of Alcohol was convinced to create a brewery operation and see what happened. And, not surprisingly, the power of Alcohol managed to create and produce the best tasting alcohol in the world. Internationally acclaimed, Mister J's Brewery is the high-class version of Coors and Miller (and does hard liquor too) and is so well-regarded even many other chancels purchase its products. And naturally, Evanessa coerces Jimmy into providing, free of charge of course, all the alcohol for The Evanescence Lounge. She calls it "rent or tax or some such" or some other excuse, but the reality is she just loves the finest drink she can get her hands on.

The Crawl: Short for "bar crawl," the Crawl is a neighborhood that very literally has a bar on every corner and block. And while there's these sorts of establishments all over Vespera, none are so densely populated by bars, taverns, inns, and speakeasies as The Crawl. This is because Jimmy, the power of Alcohol, did an experiment to see how the cityscape and its economy and the flow and lives of its inhabitants would change (or not change) by adding more bars! While there are other sorts of establishments here too like brothels, strip clubs, sports bars, arcades, and such no other place in the city is so thoroughly inundated by the presence of alcohol, which seems to line every shelf in this place. For good or ill, there's a lot of buzzed and drunk folk wandering around, lots of groups pub-crawling, and so on.

The Evanescence Lounge: This is the most well-known building in the entire cityscape, and is also located near the center of the chancel. The Imperator Evanessa (which is where the word Evanescence comes from) tends to appear most here, when she isn't in her sanctuary comatose from fighting in the Valde Bellum. The best way to describe it is as an extremely high-end 1940's or 1950's cabaret lounge with a large grand piano and plush overstuffed furniture and attractive wait staff. The imperator, when present, often acts as the main lounge singer and can be found lounging around like a cat atop the piano (sometimes with her son next to her too or playing the piano in a duet) or across some large plush ottoman sofa.

The Librarium:

https://dncache-mauganscorp.ne...920-bigthumbnail.jpg

While there are multiple libraries spread across Vespera, none is as large or grand as the Librarium. This place not only contains many, many normal books but also has many restricted books about hidden truths or other things that the power Cassandra feels the need to document and record. This place is both a place to obscure the truth as well as learn the truth, and people come here to try and get information to help them do both. Cassanda hirself sometimes does book readings or consultations for people, and when the mood takes hir even does oracular style divinations and oracles. Reyfus likes to sometimes try and steal or uncover or otherwise pit his divine curiosity against her hidden truths - usually more to rile hir up or be playful than anything and never to attack hir estate - but he tends to beat hir only about a quarter of the time though as ze is generally so much better at this than he is.

The Fane of Dusk:

https://www.mercurynews.com/wp...jpg?w=1024&h=683

This outdoor circular shrine-temple is bordered with tall well-pruned trees and perfectly landscaped. It looks out across a pool of ever-clean water onto a grand plaza area that can narratively fit as many or as few people that need to be there. This place is Shared by the ruling powers of Vespera, and they use the space for shared events or when more then 1 of them or even all of them need to hold court for something all together. The place is always in some state of dusk - never day never night. If vampires or other petitioners come - and are legitly on business there - the place narratively always has shadows or gloom to accommodate them so they don't get harmed while seeking an audience. The Imperator rarely comes here, and when she does she stays quiet in the background usually and lets the powers take the stage. This is their staging ground and the chancel knows it.

The Hollyhock Chateau: Of all the nightclubs and lounges within Vespera, none is more reknowned (except for the Evanescence Lounge) than the Hollyhock Chateau. A combination of social lounge and  high-end nightclub, this location is the creation of Reyfus Da'Variad power of Deviance. It is essentially a more energetic and modern version of his mother's more mellow Evanescence Lounge (think like the Lux from the Lucifer series). While Reyfus tends to wander about the chancel like a cat and doesn't always sleep in the building's top-floor penthouse apartment, he does spend a lot of his time and attention here in the way the others do Nighthall, the Librarium, and Mister J's. The place has a more lounge like and gentleman club like atmosphere in its main area but there are side rooms and wings that are for more energetic customers. Like sex rooms, BDSM chambers, drug dens, and so on. Vampires are strictly forbidden from feeding on the premises except in one designated wing of the building and only with consent. Those few who deviate from this rule are punished terribly. The last guy who did that got sent flying across the city from a Reyfus roundhouse kick.

When Evanessa is awake in the chancel though, Reyfus - ever the mama's boy - usually holes up at the Evanescence Lounge instead although the Hollyhock is still generally open for business.

The Cathedral of Eurytos:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals...4c85f63b8cf00f60.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals...52c0582580c01c42.jpg

This building resembles a large, dark gothic cathedral. Its main-facing stained glass window seems like it changes at least once per week, although there are usually Acacia and Hollyhock flowers represented somewhere, the two key flowers of Reyfus. This is not an evil place, although it's not a public space either. It is a branch of the Cult of Eurytos that managed to access the chancel somehow and they took root there while Locke Da'Variad was dating Evanessa. Now, after Reyfus the Blossoming Prince took up his father's sword and divine mantle, the place is essentially the equivalent to the Vatican for the entire worldwide cult network. The cultists' own sorceries seem to be strongest here, in the heart of their patron's estates, and the Cathedral is seen by many as a sacred mecca to Deviance and Curiosity, and all the good and bad that come from both. They do try to convert more and more of the chancel population to the cult but aren't mean or overly pushy about it and their presence here has been more good than bad for the cityscape thus far. Especially since they are generous with donating to the Vespera branch of the Girlscouts and a few other non-profit entities.

CHANCEL BANES

The Shadow Cats

http://awoiaf.westeros.org/ima....Jones_Shadowcat.jpg

Superior Attribute: Shadowcat 2
Skill: Stealth 1
Skill: Tracking 1
Skill: Under bright light -1
Passion: I must prey upon the inhabitants of the chancel 1
Durant
Elusive
Affliction: Made of living shadow 1
Affliction: Lose Durant when under bright light 1
Affliction: Can see perfectly well in darkness 1
Affliction: Unable to abide daylight 3

These bane monsters are about the size of small great cats - less like a tiger and more like a Bobcat - although are notable in that they are composed of semi-solid living darkness. They arose as a result of the Ash rejecting the twisting of the laws of nature that occurred when Evenessa created the chancel, and are a remnant of the darkness that did not bow to the estate of night. They are cunning and predatory creatures, and will attack man woman or child if they can get away with it. They only fear two things: bright light (especially daylight), and Reyfus's curiosity. His curiosity tends to kill cats, after all. They consider Luna to be their greatest rival in darkness and tend to appear more in nighttime areas rather than twilight ones as a result, but at the end of the day they hate all the powers and their imperator and wish to devour every living thing in the chancel and return it back to the Ash. Unfortunately, the powers cannot truly destroy them without risking unravelling the chancel, so they are a nuisance that must be endured.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

Gross comparison *jumps in a bath*

 But yeah.. hmm.. that idea for her position in vampiric stuff could be neat. I do see her being pretty hands off so long as they're not running things into a direction she disapproves of. I can see some elders more okay with risking  stuff she wouldn't approve of than others, and  it tends to be a big deal when she steps in.

As for the changes you made to the properties, I was thinking more along the lines of revising the ones about  'it's scary ' but it also has an active night life - that's not really a world principle so much as a thing that happens there, IMO, so the world principles are more like quirks about how reality works here.

I like the shadowcats... and miiiiight take one as an Anchor :D hehe

I thought you'd like that comparison. :P

But yes...I can see perhaps 5 or so true elders being here as leaders of their own factions, and the whole vampiric shebang being run like the mafia. But with fangs. You're sort of above all their crap, and really only get involved when they beg you to or when they start pushing the boundaries a bit too far for your tastes. But I wanted you to have that backstory connection reflected in your chancel, and a place to mingle with the masses but then when you just need a break you can hide out in my penthouse or go jump to the moon mansion or something. ^_^

As for chancel links...the moon inside the chancel is a feature of the chancel itself, not "the real moon." HOWEVER, I do think making one of the chancel links go to the moon is highly intriguing and I approve! In particular, the darkside of the moon.

You'll have to be more specific about what you want for the chancel properties. I though it was important to have that there as it really gives a feel for the chancel itself. But if you have some sort of world property you're thinking of please share and let's see how we can incorporate it.

Cassandra and Jimmy you too...do you guys like things so far? Any feedback?

actually, not sure I can take the shadowcat as an anchor, but still.  I like them. I do like the idea that we can totally deal with them, just either 'they don't die' or ' we just drive them off if they bother us :D . I can definitely see some of the vampire clans/groups working on that. I like the idea of the five families sort of thing, with her Sire definitely running the one she likes the least, and I like the idea of each clan having its own internal things going on, interactions with each other, and such.

I like the idea that they are kind of the authority in at the least Nightside and they probably have a bit of a place everywhere. I figure twilight isn't too bad on them, but Stepford  (and day, elsewhere in the chancel) would give them pause.

I do like and appreciate all you've done getting the Chancel up and running.

happy that you are happy with everything that I'm trying to do. I'm trying really hard to try and work in elements from all four of the player characters into the features of the chancel as well. I definitely would like some more input from the other players but at the same time I'm doing the best I can to try to make sure everyone's thematics are being included.

you might not be able to anchor one of the Shadow cats because they are banes. However we can kill them if we have to we just cannot like use a miracle or something to permanently kill them forever and ever because part of the whole thing about them is that they do come back or the very least maybe individual Shadow cats don't come back for shadow cats as a whole will keep coming. And this is for as long as our chancel exist because it has to do with how it was created in the first place.

I can definitely see like they're being like a human and vampire police force or military group or something like that that hunts down these things or tries to keep tabs on their activity and keep their numbers down.

is your sire actually going to be one of the vampires leading one of the mafia families in the chancel? I have no problem with that if that's the case I just think that's highly interesting if that's what you're allowing. Probably fun for you as a player but kind of masochistic to your character LOL.

I had assumed that's what you were thinking (Sire in the Chancel) but I could well see her not having him here, too. She'd prefer it, I just don't want the GM to have too many mini-factions to keep up with (honestly, in that case, maybe more look at them if you want to involve them?)

So, yeah, Sire can be external to the Chancel.

I don't know if I see the vampires as a 'police force' so much as the sort of way you'd have mafia types actually protecting and taking care of stuff for their community  (you know, before the era of 'protection' racketeering.)

--

Personally, I appreciate the initiative you've taken so far, and I find it helpful because I have been struggling to be creative enough, especially while wading through my technical issues and medical issues currently.  :D Thanks for offering so manny good ideas.

My pleasure.

and I don't mean like the vampires are the only ones doing it. I meant I think we should have a special unit called maybe the tigers or something like that that consists of SOME vampires and humans alike think of it as sort of like a special forces type thing and they specialize in hunting down and keeping tabs on the shadow cats.

because not all of the vampires are just going to want to stay in nightside. There are going to be a lot who want to go out and about in the city itself too. Vampire who have friends and family and what have you who live in the chancel.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Sun 16 Feb 2020.

sounds good. I don't feel 'special forces', but I like the idea.

Not sure about the tigers name, but I don't have better ^^;

Playing with an updated idea for a list of Bonds

Bond 3: I am invigorated by Night.
Bond 2: Princess of the Vampires.
Aff  3: I have exceptional, superhuman senses.
Aff  1: My Vampiric Kiss is a pleasurable and nonfatal experience.
Bond 3: Anchor - Altair, my Wondrous Motorcycle
Bond 2: Anchor Collection - My Vampiric Harem
Bond 1: Wondrous Anchor - Moon Manor OR Affliction 1: Dreamwalker OR Affliction 1: Infatuated by our Imperator
Bond 1: Anchor Sigil: Bloody Crescent Fangs

So I'm debating a few fun details about things, and I kind of like this spread of Bonds and Afflictions

Anchors, I've got the Physics-Defying Altair, named for a brilliant star, a fantastic motorcycle that can perform wondrous feats.

I've got a globe-spanning harem of shallow lovers I care something for but kind of collected over an effort at finding something that felt deeper and more meaningful, and I'm still very much a caring presence in their lives, but they don't satisfy me the way I'm looking for.

Bloody Crescent Fangs sigil she can use to look through. I like the idea that Nighthall has this design over the main rooms, but it's far more subtly implemented on every doorframe, so that there are places people are almost SURE she's watching, but then people think some places might be safe from her eyes and ears.

So, I was wondering if people thought it might make some sense for Luna to use a Persona Miracle to enter someone's dreamss? I considered, also, the idea of an Affliction that allowed her to do so, or to treat any portrayal of herself in someone's dreams as an anchor she can inhabit and control, or similar...

Then I had the neat idea about her Moon-Manor, and stuck upon the idea that maybe her actual moon manor doesn't truly exist, except in the form of a dream that part of her is always dreaming, making it something of a wondrous dream as an anchor but one that she can kind of shape using treasure miracles like a chancel, but it's more of a dream she can pull people into or something. Dunno. Fun ideas. not sure about them though.

I decided to combine the ideas of her sire bond with the whole 'princess of the vampires' sort of idea, I was unsure if it should be a bond, or an affliction, representing kind of the 'not always desired' influence she possesses with them. I like the Bond since it gives me more control of when it comes to the fore as a player, so she can absolutely go kind of pseudo-subtle in the domain of other vampiric Elders and leaders until she really has to reveal just how strong and capable she actually is.

I like the idea that there are elders out there that control other cities worth of vampires, and the ones she brought with her here kind of believe in her ideals of generally treating their humans with at the least consideration, if not more care. Some who brought their former human families here to live in a place where the vampires would be safe from the sun, but also the family wouldn't be subject to unwilling predation by vampires (Shadowcats, on the other hand)... still.. I like the idea. She's kind of a revolutionary amongst vampire leaders who AREN'T part of the Chancel, but they definitely kind of have to respect her power and the following she has, even if they don't agree with her.


I like the idea she tries to downplay all that authority pretty frequently, but with her level of shine and charisma, it's only so effective, people tend to realize, if not that she's explicitly an elder vampire (at least, vampires do), that she's a powerful one, and mortals just tend to find her kind of irresistibly compelling no matter what she does.

And yeah, I do really want to fit a bond/affliction connecting her to the imperator in there, but I find it hard to word or fit. :D I feel I'm narrowing things down, though, quickly.  Any commentary on this draft of Bonds, Reyfus, GM, Others?

Annd think I stumbled across something that's a pretty good fit for my concept thus far. not sure which of these versions I prefer though:

https://youtu.be/xmr5s_-ZrSM  - Kina Grannis (I like that this one has the piano instrumental going on, which makes it feel a bit more fitting somehow?)
https://youtu.be/cyOqIKGbYkg - Sleeping with Sirens

In reply to Reyfus (msg # 66):

No problem. Anyways i love it but one small change. Instead of Jimmy making the crawl as an experiment i imagine it's more in character that he did it to share booze with the populace.

Other then that perfect!

Sheet Update Round (WIP, but nearly done)

To Do: Settle last bond point. Declare an opening project or two (can do this in play as i get a feel for her)

Name:   Luna Duscae
Estate: Night
Origin: Human-turned-Vampire-turned Power
Age:    33 (21 apparent)
Gender: Female






Additional Anchor Notes
Altair; Wondrous Motorcycle

• Design: 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan: https://cdp.azureedge.net/prod..._BLUE/2000000002.jpg
• Functions with no overhead as a superior example of its kind. (Infinite fuel, radio always works, never needs maintenance or upkeep. More maneuverable and responsive than default. Room for a single passenger. Compartments are automatically organized and seem to always offer up what someone's looking for when they reach in. Treasure 4 miracles can call the bike to Luna's aid.
• Wondrous Powers allow the motorcycle to flex the laws of physics; it can support up to two additional passengers despite not seeming any larger, drive as quickly as Luna could move with Aspect, hold truly surprising amounts of cargo, and pull off stunts and maneuvers that are patently impossible, like driving across a lake's surface, along walls and overhangs, performing impressive launches and aerial maneuvers without ramps, and similar tricks. It can't quite *fly*, but it can almost do so in short bursts.
• With a Treasure 5 miracle, the bike becomes an effective miraculous weapon, able to assist combat with other supernatural forces dramatically.

Vampiric Harem; Mundane Collective

• Collective consists of approximately 200-250 women across the world and within the chancel. Most have an active interest in some element of an active night life, though not all. Only a small handful (about 10-15) vampires are among the list, her vampiric daughters. Few have positions of major authority or influence, but most have some sort of connections. In some towns, she has as many as five, while many host only about 2.
• All benefit from the effects of being an Anchor, her guidance when they are in need (and her Shine, when that comes up.) Luna frequently accepts blood from her harem, though also spends time in their company. Her various lovers are aware that she has many lovers, and are generally OK with that, with some of them also having other partners (or even in several cases, partnering up with others of her harem).
• When she possesses one of her anchors, she can manifest her vampiric powers and miraculous gifts through them via their blood link - each anchor is claimed with a small taste of her blood, not enough to turn them (usually), but enough to create the potential, which manifests when she possesses, and recedes when she departs (usually).

The bloody Crescent; Sigil

• A small, simple sigil - a dark crescent shape with the tips of the crescent in a red hue, though this coloration can be very dark, very bright, or anything in between. She can use these marks as her eyes and ears, and wears earrings in the design almost all the time. She also has a tattoo of the design on her ankle.

Gifts
Durant (1 CP)

• Improved Durability vs Physical Harm (p228)

Eternal (3 CP)

• Ignore physical and environmental conditions short of harm, resist pain. You can potentially stabilize from wounds that would be fatal otherwise.  You live on miraculous energy instead of food, water, air, ect. *Luna still has blood cravings, but doesn't depend on it, though her eventual Immortality will require blood*  Luna doesn't age. (p229)

Shapeshifter (1 CP)

• Automatic speed allows shifting as part of other actions without miracle use. (p231)
• Forms: Human/Vampire Original Shape, Bat, Black Fox, Mist, Hybridizations. She can also change her eye color, as well as the details of her clothing.

---

Lifepath Notes

Estate: Night

Key VI: Wild Oats - Key of Destiny Denied
Heart: Hunger

• Lonely 'Bad Girl' Romantic
• Drawn to the Extraordinary (Estate is Something Lived)
• I need their Blood. (Lived a Troubled Life)
• I want to Love them. (Code of Hell)

Shadow: Why It Feels Empty

• Difficulty Opening Up To Others (Alienation)
• Powers are Forbidden to Love (Reverence of Purpose)
• They can't really understand me... (Followers Contact [Her Collection of Blood-doners/lovers])

Key IX: Honeysuckle - Key of Something, Finally at Rest
Heart: My New Life

• Charmingly Aloof and Benignly Rebellious
• Carefully Hidden Soft Spots (Estate is Painful Side of Life)
• A Protector (Trouble Inspired Me)
• An 'elder' Vampire Princess, despite my preferences (Legacy Contact: Five Vampire Clans)

Shadow: My Old Life

• They Made Me What I Am (You are Something Cool)
• I love the Night Life (Estate is Beautiful Side of Life)
• The Vampires Exploited me. They still do. (Some Scars Remain)
• He's hurt so many, me included... (Nemesis Contact: Former Sire)

---

Projects and Destiny

Project : (##/## Destiny)

• Details

---

Jimmy: That sounds more than reasonable, Jimmy. So be it - he made the crawl as a purposeful attempt to get more alcohol out to the people. :)

Have you chosen bonds and afflictions yet? I also think you should have at leats an anchor or two associated with bonds even though you're not high treasure. Because we all have things we care about and even treasure 0 has an impact. And inside our chancel you're effectively treasure 3.



Cassandra: I'd like to hear more from you. You've been really quiet lately. Please chime in here when you can ok hon? Both about your own character build ideas, as well as what we're doing with chancel development and world building.

Talk to us.



Luna: Yes that's exactly the sort of neatness an icon can have. And you putting them in nighthall (and hell all over the chancel and in parts of the world) to give you vision is a perfect example of treasure.

I also intend to diversify my anchors over time in the game but Reyfus doesn't have as many starting connections as Luna does which is why I'm keeping his anchor list short for now.

I have an interesting idea for your last bond/affliction point:

Affliction 1: I have a crush on my imperator, and she knows it and uses it as an excuse to tease me even more than before.

I think you'd need to use 1-3 projects to actually get the Imperator to consider reciprocating true romantic feelings back. She likes you, but in a strictly platonic way, at the start of the game but really likes to poke and tease you and sometimes even push your boundaries or put you in uncomfortable or dramatic situations.

As for the vampires...I wasn't suggesting the world itself had 5 clans. I mean they can if that's what you want but what I meant was within the chancel itself, the vampires sorted themselves out. You know, through their usual politicking and occasional hard plays like vampires are wont to do. And in the end, they got sorted into Five FACTIONS WITHIN the chancel itself. I was proposing that the vampire factions that are based in the chancel broke away from the mainstream vampire groups out in the real world and now work like a mafia composed of 5 main crime families that collectively are their own new major power bloc among vamps.

I'd also like to propose that perhaps we call the 5 vampire Factions within the chancel Noctem, and that you consider taking Noctem as an anchor of some type either now or perhaps after the game starts to show the sense of obligation Luna feels for them. You don't have to necessarily love your anchors. Maybe you care for some of them and hate others but together they are Noctem. I think the factions may have different individual approaches. Maybe we can break them down.

*The Dark Crescent: Most vampires have heard of Luna by now, and some of them know she's some sort of weird uber-vamp or something similarly impressive. Certainly she's more than an elder in power somehow. The vampires of Noctem, though, all know she's some sort of blood or night goddess or some unholy terror. And it was only a matter of time before Luna attracted the attention and reverence of some of the more spiritually enterprising and occult minded. This faction consists of vampires that actually at worst revere and many times outright worship Luna as the goddess of night or as an ascended blood god, and they develop rites and ceremonies to try and bolster their power and commune more with the power of Night, the vampire princess who lives on the moon and can walk in the sun freely. Some of these cultists are pretty benign, and others are into things like blood magic and sacrifices and such as they've discovered a new divine source of power to align with and seek to ever expand their craft. It is rules by "The Coven of Four," each a vampire or vampiress of great mystical prowess.
*The Blue Thorn: This faction of vampires is more entrenched in financial markets and politics than any of the other factions (not to say they're the only ones though mind you). They consider themselves the Bluebloods among the chancel vampire population and are ruled by a suave and sexy high-class elder vampiress named Vanessa. Vanessa is all silk on the outside and sharp blades on the inside, but she never breaks a deal as the reputation of the faction is paramount to her. Doesn't mean she won't become your worst nightmare if you do though, or otherwise oppose the faction. This faction is highly hierarchical.
*The Crimson Triad: This faction has an unusually strong Asiatic influence, with about 75% of their members being of Asian descent. The faction is ruled by three elders who had falling outs with the vampire societies in their home countries of China, Japan, and South Korea respectively. They and their surviving followers each separately wormed their way into the chancel and settled there, and for a time there was conflict and friction before the three elders decided they had more mutual interests than not and they merged into the Crimson Triad. They are heavily involved in the criminal underground.
*The Silver Chain: This faction works differently than the other 4. It's special in that it isn't ruled by an elder or a small group but instead is democratic, with elected representatives that are chosen yearly by the whole via popular vote. Each vampire in this faction is there because they were initially (or still are) on Luna's Shit-List. These are vampires either from other factions or out in the world that tried her patience too far and she gave them an ultimatum: "either be rehabilitated or I'll fucking kill you." These vampires are forced to join the Silver Chain, which is under more scrutiny from Luna than normal however as long as they are following the chancel's rules and maybe some individual ones she sets at sentencing she lets them live and even prosper. This isn't to say all of these vampires are nice, just that they have a direction they must follow and there's enough of them to form their own power bloc.
*The Covenant of Night: This faction consists mainly of vampires who's main desire was always initially to try and view humanity as equals. While they aren't necessarily all "the good guys" they are the nicest of the five factions and actively work to try and maintain their human temperament, maintain human connections, and try to feed as humanely and with as much consent as possible. They are the faction that most will mingle with the other residents of the chancel, and they work hard to control their bloodlust and see Luna as something of a savior or at least a good example of how a vampire can beat down their lusts and keep their human sides strong. Now, this isn't to say that there aren't human-friendly vamps in the other factions, but this faction has the most actively and truly human friendly among them. They aren't paying lip service or trying to slide under the radar. They actively feel a responsibility to the entire chancel and not just Nightside or individual family and friends. They are ruled by a council of 9 vampires that are elected by the faction members as a whole, but that then keep their positions forever unless they die or are voted out by the rest of the council.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

I like that Bond,  and will go with a version of it. and yeah, I definitely see that being a project on her list :D

Also, I think we had the same intent with the idea of the 'five clans/ factions' as not 'the whole of all vampires' but the vampires within the chancel. I really like your ideas there, too. Will ruminate on them, but overall I think they're pretty good. and I like the idea of Silver Chain where she can absolutely keep the troublesome ones on a leash :D

I like the idea that she's pretty hands off with the others, unless they get into some activity she disapproves of strongly enough to get involved, but I think there's a certain barrier of 'I really don't wan to bother with it' that they have to breach before she actually steps in - which also tends to mean when she does, she can be pretty dramatic about it.

======


Also Re: the bit to Jimmy about "You're effectively treasure 3" - not quite. You're effectively treasure 0, with a 3 Miracle Point discount on miracles used - but also remember that MP can only be spent in increments of 1, 2, 4, or 8+ taking a wound

So to get the treasure 3 effect, he'd have to spend 1 MP and would be at treasure 4 for that miracle :D

(I mean, the easy way is just assume it's a +3 stat bonus, but still.  Either way is acceptable, if our @HG would like to comment on that. Also on making the game Adult?)

In reply to Luna Duscae (msg # 79):

I...I did not think about that with the chancel miracle mp discount thing. I was just assuming yay they get 3 more mp but honestly, you're absolutely right the rules don't say that the 1-2-4-8 rule changes by any means. So I agree with your interpretation!

So I take back what I said - Jimmy is Treasure 2 for free effectively and treasure 3 for dirt cheap.

---

As for the vampires, I definitely thought you'd like the idea of the Silver chain faction. You have thrown around the word "rehabilitate" a few times I think and I wanted to expand on that. And what better way to do it then to have an entire faction in the chancel who are on her naughty list, but who chose to go with her instead of meet final death at her hands.

And yes...politically I'm seeing Luna being hands off and mostly reactive with vampire politics. Basically "you all play nice now, because if I have to get involved no one's gonna like it." She probably does maybe like once a month or some other infrequent time hold court for a day at Nighthall to touch base with the factions, give them reports and any orders she needs to, talk to the silver chain reps, etc.

I'm glad you liked my 1 point affliction idea for her crush too.

Treasure 4 for dirt cheap. The increase to effective miracle level IS the number of points spent.. you're just limited in how much you have to spend at the higher levels...

(IMO, this is to reflect a less refined level of control of power at the higher tier of exertion, at least that's how I explain it.

Like, at stat 0

you can use level 1 miracles for 1 MP, 2 for 2 MP, 3 and 4 for 4 mp, or up to 8 for 8 MP and a wound. The Chancel Discount just means you pay 3 less.

(so, at stat zero, miracles of level 0,1,and 2 for free,  3&4 for 1mp, or up to level 8 for 5mp and a wound.

Things are less clear on the subject of buying Strike for gifts with MP, since that seems to be a separate expense.

At treasure 0 in the chancel he can use treasure 2 for free as he would just be doing the 2mp option and then getting the full discount.

He could spend one mp and use treasure four.

He could use treasure 8 for 5 mp and a wound.

I think this example is right now.

Here's the Lifepath, I'm not always sure if I will make a troubled life or an extraordinary Life.

I like the Idea of an Apollo in love with her, not knowing he's a not a woman. An Apollo that gave her some gift (divination) but cursed him to refused his love (his divinations will not be trusted).

Or(and ?) he can bear a very strong secret about the creator itself and that's why he's the Power of Hidden Truth : to help her to bear this burden, and keep it secret.

---

Lifepath Notes

Estate: Hidden Truth

Key: III Acacia. A dangerous secret

• Keeping God's Secret
• More than anything else, I'm just plain weird
• My Estate is from the Dark side of human experience
• (I'm still in Trouble ?)

Shadow. That hurt to keep

• Painfull Silence
• set apart
• (nemesis ?) (an ennemy Excrucian ?)

Key: XI Wild Rose. My Nature

• Freak
• My Estate is something you live
• I lived a troubled life (or extraordinary life ?)
• I sing the song of the Wild

Shadow. My strugle

• Trying to fit in
• self doubt

---

As I said, last week was quite full. Now I focus into the reading of the book and the character creation. It's not easy without a personal thread actually (if HG can create them…)

I think it would be nice to have a separate thread to discuss about the Chancel, so we don't mess with all the subjects. It would really be easier for me. (Even if we were writing in French, that's not the language the problem)

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 84):

That's definitely doable. It's past time in fact, I think, that I go ahead and expand this into a few separate threads for finalizing the characters, chancel, and collating information. I'll get on that today. (Don't worry, I have a lot more input on various things, but I'll get to that as I expand this board.)

I've been hesitant, but I'm willing to set the game to Adult, I just need to double-check the process of changing the rating here and see if there's any additional vetting RpoL will require on my part before doing so.

RPOL automatically vets now. It has made all of us at some time in the past declare if we're adult or not.

Under user preferences it should say if you've been granted adult access or not. And I think it automatically prevents you from being in an adult game.

Also Cassandra nice to have ya back with us again. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

It will ask us to confirm our DoB automatically, you need do nothing but turn the setting over, HG.  Remember that Group 0 Threads are still publically viewable, so keep thread group in mind.

Some thoughts on Cassandra:

I'm not sure there's 100% a specific deity but you can absolutely be keeping a secret from someone major. Maybe not Lord Entropy, but there are some other big figures. I might suggest Anada.  Powers don't really get granted power from higher beings so much as become symbiotic extensions of an Imperator. Mind, if your prophetic powers have another source, that could be interesting...

Once you make those various lifepath calls, you'll want to turn each point under a heart to a factor or quality relevant to the heart of that key, and each of the shadow points to one that reflects the things that complicate or get in the way of what they key represents.

(For example a good idea behind the Shadow of your Acacia key is to come up with reasons  that keeping the secret is so painful, or that motivate you to keep the secret, or that represent why you want to reveal it but can't.)



Breaking the discussion into threads sounds good to me :D

Glad to see our HG and Cass both lively :D

Honestly Lord entropy is not infallible or perfect. people keep secrets from him all the time. For example you know damn sure a lot of people are breaking the rule about falling in love lol. if you want to keep a secret from him then by all means go for it but you probably will need an affliction with a relatively high rating like three plus for that to be viable.

As it happens, at least one player doesn't have access to the Adult section of RPoL at this time. If that changes (they may simply not yet have requested access), I'll adjust it, but for now, I hope folks are okay with working within the mature rating?

I'm setting up an Imperator and Chancel topic now for the binding elements of the Familia Caelestis. I'll set up individual topics for each player character for discussion and finalization. I figured I'd leave them in Group 1, unless you folks would prefer to make those private threads?

I'm ok with public private threads. It's still cool if other players can make bonds with their own characters or give inspiration. But I admit that my own Estate is by essence not really easy to let in public ^^

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 90):

If there are elements folks want to keep private, private messages and an extra, private thread are still options. ^.^

Probably going to err on the side of several specific threads (Imperator and Chancel each having their own threads, each player character, and a thread collecting brief details on a cast of mentioned NPCs and contacts.) We'll see if that gets too cluttered and ends up needing to be merged.

Sorry, I didn't see this message. The problem of too long posts, we don't see what was for us ^^

Thank you, but … no. I'm not interested by the concept. My idea of transgender with Hidden Truth is not compatible in my mind with the fluidity of genre (it's not truth if it changes at will) nor with the operation (it's not hidden anymore). And I want to explore this character by myself ;)


Exact ! No problem to keep it open to the group then.

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 92):

No problem. Was just wanting to offer that to you to see if you liked it or not.

And how about the chancel so far? Are you liking the direction the discussion on that has been going?

I didn't read all, TMI…

Is the basic concept about a "roman noir" ambience ? I like this inspiration. It fits our Estates perfectly. Casablanca, Sin City, it's ok for me.

fun fact : in my former Nobilis game here, we had a black and white Chancel, inspired by Metropolis.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Tue 18 Feb 2020.

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 94):

I've just re-posted (copypasted) the Chancel description thus far in its own topic, so hopefully that will help. ^.^

My evening is unfortunately busy, I'll be free later to work on stuff :D

In reply to Cassandra (msg # 94):

I highly suggest you read the chancel description that was ported to the new thread by the GM. I even put a location in there that focuses on you - the Librarium - and would love either your buy-in and/or feedback.

And you're close about the chancel. It's neo-noir overall, as it has more modernity to it although some parts of it definitely resemble the earlier 1900's like the Lounge is definitely inspired by the 1940's or 1950's.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:21, Tue 18 Feb 2020.

Phew. Specific character threads are up. You guys *should* be able to edit them.

Cassandra, just let me know which spelling you're going with.

Next I'll gather up a little Dramatis Personae of NPCs that have been mentioned thus far and that you folks might still have in mind.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:04, Tue 18 Feb 2020.

I'm reading the kickstarter pre-release version of Jenna Moran's Glitch, and immediately noticed an interesting tidbit: In it, the Magisters of Dark and Light are now referred to as Lords of the Game and Lords of the Rules, respectively.

getting freed up. Don't have access to Glitch stuff, but neat. :D Will be able to start contributing shortly :D

I didn't know she was working on anything new. I'll have to check it out.

Also I got Reyfus converted into the new sheet format, with a few of my own tweeks like I added contacts for instance.

I also decided to focus in on his theme of having untold potential but still being nascent and new. So I set his treasure to 0, and lowered his cult bond by 1 to reflect this, and set persona to 5. He now has more Deviance than even our Imperator. He is the living avatar of it. And this is important, because it was only through a once in a lifetime interaction of Evanessa's Deviance estate and Locke's Curiosity that was able to make the impossible be possible and give birth to Reyfus. However, he still has Horror and the Society of Eurytos as Anchors. As Treasure increases, I intend to get him a sigil and other anchors but for now he's purposefully looking under-developed in that area compared to someone with more mature bonds like Luna.

So he (sometimes literally) shines like the sun as a proto-divinity, and divine power just drips off of him, but the reality is that even though he's 80 years old he is not human and was never human and has a different life cycle as the only one of his kind. Relative to his cycle, he's only very recently become a young adult. He was born in 1940 and remembers bits of the start of world war 2 and the roaring fifties and all that, but he was a child longer than a human is a child, and was a teenager (and QUITE the handful for the Imperator, the powers, and the chancel at that) for longer than a human normally is one, and has only been an adult for like maybe 5 years. Aged from baby to like roughly 5 years old and then his development slowed since 1945. He aged about 1 human year for every 5 real years that passed and this growth cycle was protected/enforced by his freak of nature affliction. He will now stop aging physically but only just recently became an adult and his power is still nascent and growing.

And yes, he was and still is a mama's boy. But he was something of a troublemaker mixed with a brat although did have a bright and charismatically cheerful personality as a child. He was everything endearing and terrifying about a child, although even younger he supported the chancel though in his own childlike ways and spent his time between his father on earth and mother in Vespera. He was roughly 11 physiologically and psychologically (in the year 1975 if my math is correct) when he killed Locke. As he became a teenager, be became more withdrawn and brooding, and did lash out sometimes at just about everyone - allied powers, chancel inhabitants, shadowcats that even looked at him funny, and also cultists and such on earth but he never hurt Evanessa. He sees her as the one truly innocent person in the whole sordid affair. But as he became an older teenager (like the equivalent of 15 years old) puberty set in and he began to mellow out and stop lashing out so much and take an active interest in others - both male and female. He also became more thoughtful and ponderous, and while he still has a meddling, trickster side he is now filled with existential self-doubt about himself and what he should do with his future...classical traits of transitioning from childhood into adulthood. He physically and psychologically is around 20 years old now in human terms. The Society of Eurytos and of course his mother have picture books of him from every year since 1940 when he was born.

So as an adult, he's only just starting to be more forgiving and open to the Society of Eurytos and anyone else involved in his legacy contact, and is seeing that he needs to branch out and not be completely self-absorbed. You know...take on adult responsibilities. That is the core of his project right now to increase his treasure rating from 0 to 1.

How does one request an adult rating?

Per this: link to a message in another game

"4. All users who wish to have adult access will need to provide an age statement / age of majority statement which requests access to the adult section.  This will be automatically requested whenever you try to access an adult game (outside of the game introduction and group 0/public threads), or you can do it from "User Preferences".  At that point your adult access will change to "pending".  This submission will be put into a queue which will be reviewed by myself and the other moderators.  This statement will either be approved or denied depending upon the statement provided.

Only a member who has an account that is over two weeks old can request adult access. "

So are we thinking of a fairly recent 'start' for our group? Maybe we've only all come together and really formed our chancel in about the last five years? Luna's 33 years old (she became a vampire and hasn't aged beyond 21, though) that gives her about 6-7 years as a vampire before she became a power, which feels good to me.

Luna has almost as much shine and magnetism as he does, though, handled in a different way, with a different finesse, and alongside vampiric charisma that can be more subtle than his shine.  It seems like she's the most physically adept of the familia, with her moderately good aspect score, which has subsumed a lot of her former vampiric strength.

I can imagine that she has a bit of reluctant big? sister going on with Reyfus, I've imagined her being friendly with Excrucian cuz, but TOTALLY not getting her attraction to Jimmy. Might help her with some of her schemes involving him though.

With Kassandra, I can imagine a few interactions, but I need to know more about what kind of expression  you put forward generally before I know what makes the most sense to suggest. I can see some degree of confusion on Luna's part, though, flirting if she perceives female, or not if she doesn't, with some sort of confusion with more androgynous perceptions. Regardless, I love this mental image of 'how luna feels about them' being along the lines of 'I like them, I don't really understand them, but I guess we have that in common - people don't really 'get' either of us' - a bit of comraderie, perhaps, but also a bit of hesitation with the whole hidden truths estate.  I don't want to pitch anything specific until I have a better understanding of what Kass expresses as, and such.

That said, Luna is pretty exclusively into women. I'm thinking part of that is just her inclinations, and part of it is probably past trauma she's put behind her but it's shaped her tastes. She doesn't hold anything personal against men, she just finds it harder to be close to them.

I'd like our chancel to be older - at least a century and maybe some sort of improvement or overwriting of something from a previous time that the imperator had to update to make it more fit to protect her for the war.

I suppose I'm not 100% married to that though or ready to dig my heels in but it seems weird to have a chancel that's only 5 or 10 years old. Maybe Evanessa was in an older, less secure chancel (had crappy auctoritas, got ravaged by excrucian attacks or perhaps a pyrric victory she had over a rival imperator's chancel that left the old one scoured heavily of potency, etc) and maybe it had to be "re-coded" and thus she had to do the creation rite again - including paying the steep cost of lives/broken hearts/whatever.

Now THAT I could be on board with.

I like the idea of an older chancel, too, but I like the idea of when Luna became a part of it she needed to 'attune herself' to it, maybe, allowing her to invest some sort of cost into the place to connect herself to it (and maybe that is when the vampiric concessions began to emerge, maybe they weren't fully there before :D)

I definitely would be supportive of us having had to do another chancel rite for [insert whatever reason here that fits]. Like I said I'm not digging my heels in. I guess I think having both the old and the new in the chancel's history is more appealing to me for some reason.

And if luna is the cause of needing re-attunement then it would only make sense the imperator dumped the task of securing payment onto her as well. It even fits your bond of her pushing you lol.

I do like the notion of a long-lived chancel that maybe needed a more recent sprucing up or at least an attunement of any newer/ more recent powers to it. I kind of like the idea of that even being reflected in the city itself, with the Nightside/Nighthall being new and modern with other areas being a little more dated, but all smoothly blending into a cohesive cityscape.

Got off my ass and got my physical description done :D

Lol I totally forgot to put one in my profile too.

I filled out the rest of my description, personality,  anchors (pendign a bit more there) and  Background info - In Background Info, HG, I did come up with the idea of when her commencement occured; She actually, as a vampire, stayed out with the intent to burn under the sun's first light, but Lady Evanessa kept day from coming and performed her commencement. I figured that felt appropriate, especially for a Magister of the Dark's commencement?

And I do like the idea that after that point, Luna did kind of rebound from her meh state.

Timeframe, she became a Power no more than 6 years ago, and a vampire when she was 21 ( ~12 years ago)

I'm pretty eager to start getting some scenes to play her in, feel out her style in practice, a bit.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:41, Thu 20 Feb 2020.

I am gonna get something up now for his profile, Luna.

How is everyone else doing? Kass? HG? Jimmy?

Ooooh. Nice look~!

In reply to Luna Duscae (msg # 113):

Thanks!

I finished the rest of the profile too if wanted to see the other stuff.

Niiice~!

Yeah, I can see  Luna and Reyfus getting along well enough :D

In reply to Reyfus (msg # 112):

I already finished my profile.

In reply to Jimmy (msg # 116):

We meant that we completed our character description part of the tool character profile itself. Like what lets you click on somebody's name and see stuff about them.

HG how are things going? How are you feeling about our game so far and how things are going?

Still here. Apologies, I'm trying to keep up a rhythm for now of chiming in throughout the week and then taking some time on the weekend when I can really go through and update things (both behind the scenes notes and the topics) at my computer.

It looks like Apollo and Artemis will both be present as NPCs, which should be interesting. (With a set of "lunar powers" as probably-minor NPCs and Apollo as an NPC with a large role in another character's backstory, it would feel silly not to include Artemis as well, whether she ends up appearing in the flesh or not.)

For Jimmy's cat, I'd love to get a name to put down! Unless this is one of those cases of a pet that the owner never stops referring to as just "cat"?

HG, how are you likening Reyfus and his design and development so far?

How about Luna? How are you feeling about her?

About Jimmy?

About Kass?

Do you like the chancel we're patching together?

I am "checking in" with you right now, basically.

Artemis sounds interesting to me :3

The cats name is timbers.

*Pokes at Hollyhock God*

HG's said before they tend to be out on the weekends, so, I wouldn't expect much over the weekend. Still, Do hope we hear back next week. :)

Now I think we're in a good place to worry. Let's get a role call of everyone still alive and checking in, here. Who is here and interested, who isn't, GM included?

I'm onboard and interested, hopeful we're still on for something, but worrying a bit. Status update in general: Thursday is my dental appmnt, and I don't know if any work will be done that day, currently, so if so, I might be a bit out of it after, but we'll see.

I'm onboard and interested. :)

I'm onboard and interested. I wonder where's the gm.

I'm still alive, waiting for some answers for the HG.

Well HG logged in yesterday. That's a good sign at least.

HG... please talk to us!

In reply to Reyfus (msg # 129):

Since this game is clearly dead I'm leaving.

Yeah seems this way. I don't know why the GM is ghosting on us.

I'm still here and hoping, but... yeah.