- Heart of Darkness - Forsaken VSS
Surviving the Shadows “Lakeland”
1) Overview
Genre: Werewolf
Domain: Independent
Website: http://www.heart-of-darkness.net
Action: 4
Darkness: 4
Drama: 3
Intrigue: 3
Mystery: 4
Pace: complex plot with varying resolution speed
Contacts:
Story Teller Information:
VST Contact: Carl Richter
VST E-Mail: stang4u27@yahoo.com
Coordinator Information:
DC Contact: John-Jay
DC E-Mail: heartofdarknesscc@gmail.com
2) Setting
The setting and the location is the City of Lakeland and the surrounding areas, Bartow, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Polk City, Mulberry, Haines City, Davenport, and the Green Swamp up to the Pasco, Sumter, Lake and Osceola County line borders.
3) Venue History
The summer of 2004 changed everything for the local area. That was the summer of the triple hurricanes in the mortal world across FL… and when the Pure used those storms as cover to strike against their enemies, the Protectorate of Polk County. The fight was hard and vicious, and in end the end neither side had truly won. The Protectorate lay broken, but not destroyed. Their enemies had broken the hold over Polk County, but were not in control of the area. This is where the story starts…
4) Theme
The Protectorate of Lakeland has fought long and hard to re-establish its sway of the greater Polk territory. As their control of their personal territories increases, the evidence of the strength of their enemies becomes more obvious. Now, it is time to start to rally together and do the job Father Wolf did before them. But how long and how hard is this road? Only time and their consciences will tell.
The Plots
The mass of the Plots will be player driven. However, many other things seem to influence the nights and are able to add their twists and influence into the local area when they wish.
Antagonists
Over all other PC’s seem to be the most prevalent antagonists. Other Creatures of the night have been known to also show their faces from time to time though causing their own Antagonisms
5) Mood
The Polk County area and especially the Lakeland area seems to have a dark hold on local lands. People come and go yes, but, for the few that have come to call it home for a time, find it hard to leave, and harder to stay away once they have. Something always seems to be calling them back, into this heart of darkness.
The area has a feel of Darkness all about it. There really is, no other way to describe it. The people of the area might not notice it fully, but they do realize that something is not quite right. Those who know about the supernatural respect it, but even they do not know what it really is. Just that it is there.
This leads to a feeling of unease and causes a constant looking over ones shoulders. Never knowing what might be out there with them in the dark, but knowing that they are not alone …
6) ST Notes / Mechanics -
The ST staff would like to make several clarifications.
* Situational modifiers may be assessed (in the form of points or otherwise) by the ST as he or she deems necessary.
For example if you have been knocked down and you are trying to hit someone you may be unable to use any defense do to your prone position. STs will be open to debate with regard to rules calls. However once the ST has made it clear that a decision is final discussion on the matter should end until the scene is finished and an appropriate time for it to continue is found.
* Magical Items (ie Fetishes and Talens) -
A PC cannot have more than their Harmony of Talens on their person at any time. A PC cannot have more than Harmony + Primal Urge Fetishes active on the same time. Fetish/Talen creation is according to Lore of the Forsaken pages 138-149. In addition, each step of the creation process is considered a separate downtime action. It is possible for item creation during a live game but the difficulties will be increased accordingly for rushing.
* Downtime Reports -
Every PC has their Resolve x2 Personal Downtime Actions available to them every month. Patrolling a territory, defending a locus, maintaining a day job are possible downtime actions. Any personal action can be passed off to the appropriate "Influence" Merits (Allies, Contacts, Mentor, Retainers, Status and Staff) to be done instead of using a personal action, as per MET: Core, pages 140-141. Downtime reports must be submitted either in writing (by hand or via electronic means) or communicated (via verbal or digital means) to the VST.
* Experience Expenditures -
In order to spend XP on a PC, the player must communicate with the VST and discuss with them the expenditures. If this is not done, the changes to the character sheet will not be authorized. First violation will have the changes revoked. Further violations will be treated according the Camarilla Fan Club Handbook.
* Growing Loci -
References: Werewolf the Forsaken pg. 262 and Lore of the Forsaken pg. 130
At the first game of the month, the players decide what they want to do with their loci.
Normal Mode
The Normal mode is the default, and assumes that the characters spend some time patrolling the loci borders. The Essence is drawn from the locus on a regular basis so that it does not spill onto the pale and attract spirit attention. The Essence is used to defend the locus and the territory that the Forsaken pack has chosen. At the game, the pack can choose to distribute 5 * the locus rating in Essence among the pack members. Normal mode is assumed unless the players state otherwise, and does not require any additional downtime actions.
Growth Mode
Growing a locus takes quite a bit of work and attention. As the locus fills beyond it’s maximum capacity, the Essence spills onto the pale where it serves as a beacon for nearby spirits. It takes only a moment of inattention for a spirit to steal several points of the carefully accumulated Essence. As the locus grows, it attracts more and more spiritual attention. The higher the rating of the locus, the more powerful the spirits attracted by the overflowing Essence. While in Growth mode, the pack cannot use any of the Essence from that locus during a game. The usual 5 * locus rating is not available for distribution at a game. In addition, downtimes must be spent to reflect the constant vigilance.
Maintenance Mode
On occasion, the pack may want to stop accumulating Essence and simply maintain and protect the already accumulated Essence. This often happens when the pack is in need of immediate Essence at a game, but wants to continue growing the locus after the emergency has passed. While in Maintenance mode, all the Essence accumulated in the locus is available for use during a game (including the usual 5 * locus rating). However, the choice to use that Essence comes at a price. The pack cannot grow for the next month, and must instead concentrate on not losing any more of what they have accumulated.
Locus Growth
The process of growing a loci begins when the pack inform the ST of their intention to do so at a game and do not draw any Essence from that specific locus during that game.
{For Example: The pack of the Lone Wolf decide to grow their level 1 loci to level 2. They realize that the process will take several months of constant attention and effort. At the next game, they inform the storyteller that they want to grow their locus. The Essence from that locus is not available at that game. However, since the pack also has a level 2 locus, they can use the Essence from that locus normally. The pack has 10 Essence rather than the usual 15 to distribute among pack members before the game begins.}
To grow a locus requires an accumulation of 150 Essence after the locus has reached maximum capacity (ie. when it is full). A locus can hold 10 * its rating before becoming full. After the appropriate amount of Essence has been accumulated, the Essence has to settle for an entire week before the locus rating is increased.
{For example: A level 2 locus can normally hold 20 Essence before the locus overflows and the Essence begins to collect on the pale (attracting lots of attention). 170 Essence (20 + 150) would be required to raise a level 2 locus to level 3.}
Resolve Downtime Actions are spent to represent the effort involved in patrolling the locus at all times against any Essence thieves. For each Resolve downtime spent to grow a locus, the player draws a single card. This represents the net amount of Essence the pack was able to accumulate and defend. Multiple downtimes per character can be dedicated to growth.
A pull of 1 results in a net growth of 0. 10-again does apply to this pull. The total Essence gained in a single month cannot exceed the maximum produced by the locus (rating * 30 days * 3 / day = rating * 90).
((Note that the locus rating is not factored into the growth formula to represent that the amount of Essence lost to thieves or used in defense of the locus are greater because of the increased strength of the enemies attacking.))
{For Example: During the following month, the 5 pack members each submit two Resolve Downtime actions to represent the effort of constantly watching and guarding the locus from thieves. They each get to pull twice at the next game. They pull well and gain 65 Essence in their first month.}
The total accumulated Essence is tallied from month to month and should include the Essence normally available for distribution at a game.
{For example, a level 2 locus normally has 10 Essence available for distribution at a game (2 * 5). At every game, the accumulated Essence pool increases by 10 in addition to whatever Downtimes are spent to grow the locus.}
A minimum number of downtimes are required to grow the locus effectively. Forevery Action the players lack to reach the minimum listed in Table 1, the ST pulls a card to represent the amount of Essence lost to thieves. As below, a pull of 1 counts as a 0 and 10-again does not apply.
Table 1: Growth
Locus Rank / Minimum Actions Required
1 / 3
2 / 6
3 / 9
4 / 12
5 / 15
Locus Maintenance
If players use any of the accumulated Essence during the game, growth during the month is not possible. The next month is spent trying to maintain any accumulated growth. At the next game, a number of pulls equal to the following chart (Table 2) is made. The amount of the pull represents the amount of Essence that was lost during that month. Downtimes may be spent to
reduce the number of pulls on a 1 for 1 basis. A pull of 1 counts as a 0 and 10-again does not apply.
Table 2: Maintenance
Locus Rank / Number of pulls
1 / 3
2 / 6
3 / 9
4 / 12
5 / 15
{For example: The pack has worked diligently for two months and has accumulated 100 Essence. At the September game an unexpected crisis results in the decision to use some of the carefully stored Essence. The players approach the ST and inform her that they need to withdraw 20 Essence from the locus. The Storyteller reminds them that they will not be able to grow during the following month and then subtracts 20 from the accumulated 100. During the month of September, the pack must spend at least 3 downtimes to protect the locus from thieves. The pack manages to spend 2 downtime actions. At the first game of October, the ST pulls a single card to determine how much Essence was lost. The ST pulls a 4 and notes that the pack is again attempting to grow their locus. The locus normally produces 5 Essence for use during the games, and the ST notes that these 5 Essence are added to the pool (for a total of 81 Essence).}
Downtimes submitted in excess of the minimum required have no additional mechanical benefit.
7) Player Information
Game Times:
Game will be played every 4th Saturday of the month. Sign begins at 1:00 pm. Game starts at 2:00 pm and will run until 6pm or latter depending on the ST and Staff’s discretion.
In Character interactions may also take place on our website with an approved proxy. Experience for these interactions will be awarded at the end of each month and will be based on the level of interaction and involvement the character participated in.
Travel Information:
Contact the VST at stang4u27@yahoo.com or our CC at heartofdarknesscc@gmail.com
Restrictions:
Characters are expected to and will need to be based off the most recently approved rules set forth by the Camarilla’s addendums and supplement’s. Character Concepts must be approved by the ST and or Staff prior to play.
PC Concepts:
Most concepts are and will be considered by the ST and or staff. The ST and or staff does have the right to deny certain concepts for reasons that they find worthy of this action.
Check-In Rules:
All players must have a copy of their character in order to play. All players must either have the VST check-in an item card for all possessions they with to take into play, or the item must be listed on the character sheet. All players should have a copy of their updated experience log.
Visiting Players
Visiting Players are more than welcome to come to games. It is requested that if a player is planning to attend, they send their sheet to the ST prior to showing. Players with High or above approvals should send their sheets 48 hours in advance. This is so the VST and staff are aware of the character coming and can adjust plots appropriately. The VST reserves the right to ask the player that fail to do so to play an alternate character for the night or to avoid certain plot aspects.
Visiting players may also be asked for proof of their MC Level.
Proxy Rules
Proxy rules can be found in the rules of the Camarilla organization listed in the Rules book, addendums and supplements.
No Soft Proxy is allowed; player proxying to the area are considered Hard Proxy.
Proxy should contain the following information
- Were you invited to City and if so who invited you?
- How are you are arriving in the City?
- Why are you arriving in the City?
- What are your intentions during your visit to the City?
- Who else are you arriving with?
- A statement that includes the phrase “I have read and understand the VSS for and agree to the terms of this proxy.”
All proxies must understand and accept the following disclaimer:
"Unless specifically noted otherwise by the VST, all proxy visits to The Heart of Darkness Chapter carry the possibility of character death. The player engaging in the proxy agrees to accept the full consequences of their visit."
Challenges:
All challenges will follow the rules as clarified by the latest Camarilla rules supplement. Players are free to throw challenges with each other without the VST, or a designated narrator, except for in the case of combats and/or in any situation that will result in the death of a character. The VST, or a designated narrator, must be present and give permission before any combat or killing blows begin.
Experience Guidelines:
Players will typically receive four experience points for each game. The VST may award fewer points to players who show up late to game, who don’t stay in character for extended periods of time, or for a host of other possible reasons. The VST can also award one extra experience point as a reward to players for exceptional role play, contributing greatly to the night’s game, for surviving a particularly dangerous scene, for a good death scene or for a host of any other possible reasons. The decision to award less or more than 4 experience points is solely in the STs discretion.
The ST and staff may also award experience for use of game supplement interactions from our forums. Players must be proxied into this chapter for the award. Please review our proxy rules if you wish to participate in the game supplement our chapter offers.
Experience for these interactions will be awarded at the end of each month and will be based on the level of interaction and involvement the character participated in.
ST Notes:
The ST and Staff will be open for discussions on rules and conflicts during game. Once the ST or Staff has made a final call though the discussion is then over. Discussion can be brought up again after the scene is completed, or at a latter time more appropriate for the discussion.
You have stumbled upon the website for White Wolf's Camarilla Fan-Club Chapter located in Lakeland & Polk County Florida. This site is for the members, guests and the lost to locate information on our games readily online. Everything on this site is for Entertainment Purposes and in no way reflects the Real World, this is Fantasy Gaming.
