Rules and Clarifications
- Introduction
- Responding to a turn
- Character Advancement
- Miscelleanous Clarifications
The basic rules for the game are based on those provided in the Vampire the Masquerade book, or in the free "starter kit" available from Whitewolf Games.
For the purposes of the PBEM version of the game, we will adapt certain situations. The emphasis is on roleplaying, rather than dice-rollling. When dice rolling is necessary, I will use the automatic dice rolling program on my computer. I prefer to determine situations based on the good writing, roleplaying, and logic of the players. If a situation has need for a truly random element, such as a combat scene, does the opponent smack the player? I will roll dice.
The other major modification to the rules for this game is that there is no such thing as blood-bonding. Vampires can drink from other vampires with no unusual effects. Vampires have the normal range of emotion, from passion to abhorrence.
Here are a few guidelines to try to make game play go as smoothly as possible.
- I expect people to respond to turns within a week, unless they have let me know they will be away. If they do not, I will respond for them! No complaining about what I do with you if you don't answer. :)
- Respond via email. I prefer if responses to the entire player list, this allows for interaction. You may, and are encouraged to, email your fellow players directly and have dialogue with them. If you have good dialogue back and forth, that didn't go to the whole list, and you want it included in the story-line, forward it to me. Please do not write dialogue in which you speak for a character who isn't present. All dialogue is, of course, subject to me fitting it into the story next turn. You can send me private mail too, if needed for stealth purposes, but of course you won't have the benefit of letting your compatriots respond. :) If you lose your email list, each player has a "mail to" link on his or her character sheet.
- Assume that every turn I send out ends with the phrase "Okay, what do you do now?"
- You are wisest to write your response in the form of "if - then" statements. For example "I try to hide. If the werewolf doesn't see me, I follow him to see where he is going. If the werewolf does see me, I pull out my sword, and pray like hell. I also try to dodge whenever possible." This way you cover as many eventualities as possible. I suggest you respond for the amount of time that seems reasonable. For example, sometimes you might only be able to say what you are doing in the next 10 minutes, while other times, you might be able to say "for the next few days" depending on what is happening in the story. If you get to far ahead, I will just edit as needed. Feel free to ask for clarification if you don't understand something I've written. Obviously, I'm not going to have time to write separate turns for everyone every time, so do your best to make sense of it. :)
- Don't forget to roleplay! Roleplaying is what this game is about. Remember to occasionally read your character sheet, merits and flaws, etc. You designed this character a certain way. I expect that all characters will grow and develop, but don't to way off from your concept.
Below is a table telling you how you may expend your experience points. You will be awarded 1 point for each turn your respond to, and I will award periodic bonuses.
| Trait | Cost |
| New Ability | 3 |
| New Thaumaturgy Path | 7 |
| New Discipline | 10 |
| Ability | current rating x 2 |
| Attribute | current rating x 4 |
| Thaumaturgy Path | current rating x 4 |
| Discipline | current rating x 6 |
| Replacing Expended Willpower | current rating |
Notes:
- I will be awarding 1 point per turn, plus periodic bonuses.
- Humanity may be awarded or taken away by the Story Teller based on humanitarian or cruel acts performed by characters.
- Willpower may be expended for certain activities, and may be awarded (up to normal maximum) by me for roleplaying the characters "nature" effectively. If you have expended willpower, and feel you have roleplayed in this manner, send me email pointing it out and I will consider the request. You may also purchase willpower as on the above chart, but only to replace expended points, not go over your original maximum.
- This chart is slightly altered from those appearing in the Vampire the Masquerade books, please use this one for the purposes of this game.
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Can vampires drink other kinds of blood, make mixed drinks from various types, etc?
You can drink animal blood, it's just harder work to gain susentence from it (i.e. fewer blood points). There's no reason you cannot drink it as "cocktails" at the bar, makes sense to me. Only those kindred who took the "eat food" merit can tolerate drinking anything other than blood, or eating, just for the record.
Can I say my character has a _insert unusual/expensive item here_?
You can assume you have normal items such as matches, flashlights, a jacket, a TV. For more unique items, not already established to be available to you in story (such as bullet proof vests, stun guns) ask me before you write it into your turn. My decision will be based on (a) your points in resources (b) whether or not it makes sense for you to have this item (c) my imperious whims. :)
