Modern Troupe Game

A Letter from the Storytellers

Hey team.

This letter is regarding the upcoming (Fall '98) modern troupe game.  For
those of you who may not have heard, Dane and I will be running the story
lines, and for all intents and purposes, we are the storytellers.  Ted and
Craig will be on reserve to clarify rules, but as they will both be PCs,
they will have no knowledge of the stories.  Anyone who wants to get us a
character and/or history before the end of the year is more than welcome
to.  In fact, it would be appreciated.

Some ground rules for chargen: 

*Clans are subject to our approval, with no exceptions.  Please contact us
with a desired clan before proceeding.  There ARE limits, and it's a first
come, first serve kind of deal.  

*Starting gen will be 13th, with an option to buy as low as 10th.  This
will be done using negative traits and flaws. 

*7 pts of merits & flaws, 5 neg traits, 2 derangements.  Pretty standard.

*No out-of-clan disciplines at gen.  Also, if you're planning to learn an
out-of-clan discipline at all, be aware that it will have to be learned
from a fellow PC.  NPCs will not teach them under any circumstances.

*All abilities and influences have a starting maximum of 3.  These may go
higher in game, but all increases are subject to our approval.  

*15 freebie points after initial gen.  Spend them on whatever you want,
but all above rules still apply.  Also, freebies are reduced by 5 for each
subsequent character.  Thus, your second character will get 10, your third
5, and your fourth (I don't know what's wrong with you bozos who reach
your fourth) will be pure as the driven snow.

*Everyone will be new to town, so don't go planning a character who's
unlived here for centuries or anything.  You will have been in town less
than a year, or one year at the most.

*Please don't form IC alliances pre-game.  We realize we can't really
regulate this, and we realize the irony of the players of Vlad and Remy
requesting this.  Just bear with us.

*Sabbat may be allowed, but you'll need a damn good reason.  Also, if we
do allow it, keep in mind that they will be conspirators, not psychos.
Cam infiltrators or pack assassins are more in line.  Any mindless,
violent antagonism will be met with extreme prejudice by some pissed off
NPCs (and probably PCs as well).  Also, I don't think it needs to be
mentioned that if you're Sabbat, don't get too attached to your character.
There will be a VERY limited number of you, if any, and the Cam PCs will
have the right of destruction if they find you through fair, IC means.


Some closing points:

One of our big concerns is the lack of group cohesion in the past.  While
we can't force you guys to work together, many of the story lines we have
planned will be rough.  You all stand a lot better chance of staying
unalive if you cooperate.  Also, healthy ambition will be rewarded.  What
is meant by "healthy" is any type of ambition that doesn't involve
screwing your fellow PC out of spite or arrogance.  Barring that, there
will be opportunities at lots of status, some magic items, control of NPC
groups, and yes, we may even see some diablerie.  Of course, none of this
will be easy by any means, so be prepared to take high risks if you want
some of this high return.

The focus of this game will be on FUN.  I know that declaration is getting
redundant, but it bears repeating.  Some of the stories will involve
thought, while some will be more action-intensive.  Either way, we would
like to see people who are not caught up in making their own character a
god, but are instead more concerned with seeing the group succeed, and
watching a cool story play out to fruition.  Some sh** is going to fly
each individual's way at some point, whether from us, or PC sources.
Please don't take anything personally.  It's a game.  Besides, if your  
character dies, you get to make a new one, and variety is the spice of
life.  Isn't making new characters fun?  So when we come up and ask for
the character sheet to your favorite PC, don't whine.  Instead, shout
"HOORAY!! I get to make a BRAND NEW character!!  Whee!  What fun!  Man, I
LOVE this game!"  Or something to that effect, anyway.  If you decide
you'd rather shout something else at us, and it has to do with our mothers
and maybe even farm animals, then we won't be as happy.

Finally, Dane and I are the first to admit that we don't know much about
this game ruleswise.  We're trusting you guys not to screw with us as far
as what is legal and illegal for you to be doing regarding chargen.  Stay
on the level with us, and we're willing to give you just about
anything.  Make fools of us, and you'll be amazed how quickly you get a two
foot toothpick in your bloodpump.

Well, that about does it.  If there are any questions, go ahead and reply
to this, but not to all recipients.  Remember to get us those clan
requests before someone beats you to it.

Later...

Seth and Dane

Dane Cordsen (fcordsen@gonzaga.edu)
Seth Grano (sgrano@gonzaga.edu)

© 1997 gciscell@gonzaga.edu