 |
|
| |
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
realistic, but it will make a deeper impression on your
game looking for here, and what can they expect to find?
players.
Rather than immersing herself in the psyche of one Gothic-
horror character, the Storyteller must create a rich tapestry
Also, take a look at your setting, and do the same thing for
in which she plays all the forces in a Gothic-horror world.
each location that you do for each NPC. If it's a location of
This gives her the unique opportunity to be more than just
major importance, study it carefully. You are obviously not
an actor on the microcosmic stage. She is the stage.
going to portray a building. However, picture the location,
the "set," in your mind. Make sure the location has several
Roleplaying takes place in the Theatre of the Mind, the
distinguishing features that you can convey. In a horror
shared universe prepared, updated and hosted by the
game, smells and odors are good at conveying a particular
Storyteller. The players are the ensemble acting company
mood.
populating the space, but the Storyteller must set the stage
before they appear, and act as stage manager, dramaturge
For minor locations, do the same thing as for minor
and director as the unscripted, unrehearsed, spontaneous
characters. Toss in something quick that will make an
drama unfolds.
impression. It should be something short, yet unique to
89
Vampire Storytellers Handbook
To provide the players with an experience suitably rich in in other countries. And we fear that if it can happen
darkness, fear, oppression and horror, the Storyteller must overseas, it can happen here.
populate his stage with suitably frightening situations and
From proof of stolen election materials in Watergate to
creatures. Heroes are made by the quality of their villains.
proof of illegal predations by the Iran-Contra gang to new
Protagonists can only rise as high as the antagonist stoops
evidence of stolen Presidential elections and Presidential
low. In movies this is often accomplished by having the
assassinations, it is clear that it can happen here, and does.
irredeemably evil villains kill the hero's girlfriend or best
It never was morning in America. It's been the pre-dawn
pal or dog or all three. But we require more than that.
Hour of the Wolf for a long time. The thought of an
Our myths are pallid, uninspiring and ultimately American coup d'etat is truly frightening, more so than all
unsatisfying if they are nothing but passion plays of the mournful tales of vampiric horror we wan weave.
vengeance. The overall menace must be extraordinary. It
So here we have the great horror that can illuminate our
must reek of the very foulest iniquity. The players have got
games. This is the horror the Anarchs face every day. The
to reel with the impact when they learn the full extent of
terror of not knowing who the greater enemy is - the
the villainy. Simple wickedness is not enough. Pawns of the
scowling leader of a rival Clan or the smiling Elder of your
real Enemy can be merely nasty bad guys, but the
own. All the worst elements of the sh adow government of
overarching scope of the Enemy's crimes must be pervaded
America are present in the Camarilla, but are magnified to
with a rich mire of
the Nth degree. The treachery, covert wars, double-dealing
corruption and horror. Only then will the players' triumphs
and assassinations are even more common among the
actually be meaningful. But where do we find sufficient
undead.
corruption? Where can the Storyteller go for inspiration
The secret deals made in sumptuous boardrooms and fetid
and guiding principles? As always, your source is the
alley s at the middle and high levels of the Camarilla leave
world. All the primary building blocks you need to set your
the young Vampire isolated in a frightening world.
stage are there, in the actions of real people in the real
Shadowy cabals of powerful Elders plot with Methuselahs
world.
above, Ancillae below and Elders of rival Clans to suppress
Look around you for the worst examples of villainy, and
the young and keep their lofty positions intact. They grasp
incorporate them. What are they? Adolf Hitler? Saddam
at power for the sake of power. They hoard vitæ for the
Hussein? Ah, dear Storyteller, there are far richer veins of
sake of continuing their unlife forever, at all costs. At the
evil to mine than those. Far fouler than naked aggression is
bottom of their undead hearts, their greatest loyalty is not
aggression clothed in the rich new robes of the emperor. So
to a cause or even their people, but to conserving their own
what do we look for to find these examples? The secret is
position and power.
betrayal. Rank, malignant betrayal.
There is no one they will not betray in their mad quest for
The real villains in our world are not petty tyrants with
fresh blood and their own eternal survival. They have no
thugs and guns and clumsy, fumble-fingered power plays.
real interest in the younger Vampires except as pawns,
The real horrors are the leaders who hide behind noble
soldiers, workers and food. They profess great loyalty to
purposes as they betray our trust: those who rule in our
their young, but always weigh the amount of sustenance
name, but not with our permission, and silently betray the
the young Kindred could provide against the resistance he
shining promises they make. The greater our trust and
could muster in defending himself. The Elders work to
faith in them, the greater the possibility for rank betrayal,
keep the trust of the young until they decide to attack that
and true horror.
particular Neonate.
Despite rosy pronouncements and optimistic forecasts,
This puts the Neonates in a double bind. To gain power in
there is a bleak pall hanging over much of the world.
the Camarilla, the young Vampire must be absorbed into it,
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plcs-sysunia.htw.pl
|
| |
|
|
|
| Podobne |
| |
|
| |
|