Character Backgrounds and Goal bonuses...

Some of you already know about this, but this isn't just for your benefit, but for the benefit of those that may not know. Most of you know that one of the things that makes a character really great, is the involvement the character has in the game. Sometimes you are able to get involved by simply being in a close-knit Clan, but usually you end up having to go at it alone, In these cases, your character is going to need to be really interesting to other players (and their characters), or will need to have some kind of ultimate goal that their trying to achieve. We'll break this down into character backgrounds, and character goals.

Character Backgrounds-

The more in-depth your character's background, the easier it will be for the Story-Tellers to either bring you into any given plot, or to start an new plot. In the past, we've used the Funky's (tm) to give ST's an idea about where your character has been, and where they're going. However, the Funky's just don't go in-depth enough, or players don't have enough room, and therefore leave alot out. What the ST's would like to do now, is have players send in detailed character backgrounds (if you haven't already) regarding the character's embrace, and other information that you (the player) may feel will help the ST's better understand your character and its motivations. These backgrounds will get you between 1 to 5 "bonus xp" depending on the amount of research and creativity in the background. If you've already sent in your character background, you can have the ST's look it over again, and award you any "bonus xp" they feel it's worth, or you can re-write it, and send it in to them.

In-Character Goals-

OK, now that you've made your character, done the background, and started to play, you need to set some In-Character goals for yourself. In-character goals are broken down into 2 types, short and long-term goals.

A short term goal, is something difficult that you're character may be able to accomplish at the next game you attend. This can be anything from gaining status that you're character would never normally get, to personal persuasions that may lead to long-term goal completion, but are not necessarily part of the long-term goal. The Story-Tellers have the final say on whether a short-term goal is acceptable or not, and completion of short-term goals earns the character 1 bonus xp (in addition to any earned from game attendance, small-game attendance, or RP awards).

A long-term goal takes at least 3 months, and alot of IC manipulations or bargaining to complete. For each 3 months that your character is actively working towards the goal, your character will get 1 bonus xp when completion is achieved. In addition, the Story-Tellers will also give an additional amount of "bonus xp" based off how difficult they see the goal is. Getting a position will generally be thought as less, than stopping a major character plot, or some nasty- beastie-from-beyond bent on total world destruction. A long-term goal will usually have some "steps" that need to be achieved before goal completion. The Story-Tellers will decide these "steps" are "short-term goals", or part of a "long-term goal".

The easiest way to distinguish between the 2 types of goals, is time. If your goal has the possibility of being completed during a single game, it's a short-term goal, if it takes at least 3 months, it's a long-term goal.

Ok, so you may still be wondering how you can get more involved in the game. If your background doesn't help enough, or your goals are either too weak, or will take a long time to complete (i.e.. years), then what you might want to try, is either finding a group of like-minded characters to help you with your goals, or "ride the coat-tails" of another character. By basically becoming a "pawn" in someone else's plots, you will be able to get very involved, not to mention have another player to converse with throughout the game. A good example of this, was my last character Constantine. When I first started, I had no idea what the hell I was doing, so I latched onto Steven, and basically became his "pawn". Granted, we were playing Tremere, which kind of work that way anywise, but any big political character needs "pawn" to complete their goals. Doing this will not only get you involved, but also give you an idea of some of the plots out there. -- JC --

Editor's Column

Well, I don't really have a whole lot to say. We had a good game at Ben's place, and are gearing up for the BIG GAME in September, At the last Vamp Admin meeting, we did some Gen drops, and discussed some new organizational issues regarding the Vampire LARP itself, as well as the Vamp Admin group. When these decisions are made final, they will be announced in the next newsletter, as well as over "larpers". I will say that if they do go into effect, it will mean more player control over the game, and involvement in how things are being run.

Recently, we have heard some clompaints about not being able (or being too afraid) to approach Admin regarding issues that are "touchy". If you don't already know, Admin consists of a very diverse group of people, and we generally discuss an issue to death, before making a final decision on it. If you don't feel you can approach Admin directly, feel free to bring it up at the WLA, talk with an ST at the WLA, or email the ST's at story@chronic.lpl.arizona.edu This address goes to all the Story-Tellers (Joseph, Scott, and Kim), and they can bring it up at the next Admin meeting. This may all be pretty mott though, depending on the results of the possible organizational changes in the Vampire LARP. The current Admin is...

Story-Tellers: Joseph, Scott, and Kim
Revelations Editor: James Clark (myself, duh!)
Treasurer Chris Robb
New People Person Brandon Cracraft
WebMaster John Brownlee (or Jason, whichever of them decides to show up)

OH! Also, remember to turn in an eventsheet for each and every game you attend. This helps the ST's track how many Xp your character has earned, as well keep the character database up-to-date. No eventsheet, no Xp!! This has always (and will continue to be) been the rule, so if you don't turn in your eventsheet either at the game, or at the WLA, make sure you make arrangements with the ST's to get it turned in before the next game. If you have email, I would personally suggest that you email your eventsheet to them either the night of the game, or the next day, so it;s all still frech in your mind! as a side-note, Joe Palmer's Web-page has on-line eventsheets and Funky's for anyone that need them, and these are automatically sent to the Story-Tellers, when they get filled out.

Remember to get your newsletter articles to me by the WLA! If I can't make it, give it to one of the other Admin people, who will get it to me at the following Admin Mtg. If you have email, I would strongly suggest that you email me your article, rather than give me a "hard copy". The reason being, is that I get very cranky when I have to re-type something, and sometimes forget to run spellchecker on the newsletter before I print it up for copying. If you have art you want in the newsletter, get it to me! I'm always looking for some cool art I can use for the cover,

Speaking of cool art, be sure to let Jospeh what you think about this month's cover. Dana put it together, and personally I think she did a damn good job!! As a matter of fact, I think it's probably the best cover we've ever had for the newsletter (sorry Joe)!

Don't forget that the BIG GAME is coming up, so if you know anyone that you think may like the game, bring them!! After talking to Scott and Kim, it looks to have a really cool, intensive plot that should affect everyone in the game. 

In the immortal words of Chris Lyon,

"Stay out of the Sun",


-James
Take me back to the newsletter page.

Take me back to the Old Pueblo By Night Page.

Jason Corley -- corleyj@chronic.lpl.arizona.edu