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I looked upon the scene before me - upon the mere house, and the simple landscape features of the domain - upon the bleak walls upon the vacant eye-like windows - upon a few rank sedges - and upon a few white trunks of decayed trees - with an utter depression of the soul, which I can compare to no earthly sensation… - Edgar Allan Poe * There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy - William Shakespeare * No Man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks. - Mary Wollstonecraft * Tell me the news, again, whatever it is... sorrow and I are hardly strangers. I can bear the worst. ― Sophocles






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Forum Rules
Topic Started: Aug 17 2015, 02:17 PM (1,438 Views)
Featherstone
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What is Silence and Whispers?
Silence and Whispers is a text-based RPG, set in the universe of Vampire: the Masquerade. Most of you are probably familiar with the tabletop version of V:tM; this board is similar with regards to themes and where essential rules are concerned. However, playing by forum has its peculiarities: in this format, writing a fascinating and descriptive scene is often more important than having impressive stats. Mechanics are indeed present (we follow the Revised edition, opportunely tweaked), but they play a supporting, rather than primary role. Outlined in this post: here.

This board is what we call an "interactive sandbox". There is no chronicle you are expected to join, no coterie you'll be shoved in. There are, however, themes and plot hooks that your character will have the chance to notice IC; whether they are interested or not is up to them. We also take your character's history and interests into consideration, and we will often discuss with you how to tie them with the setting whenever possible.

Moreover, the environment itself is interactive. We said that strange things happen in Turin, didn't we? As you play your game and tell your story, the world around you may respond to your actions or your simple presence in unexpected ways. Again, how you react is up to you and to how you envision your character. But, both in the mundane and in the magic sense, your actions don't happen in a disembodied void.

How to play on S&W?
To play with us, all you have to do is to create a character (you can consult this section for more information on the "how-to") and post the bio in the subforum called "Character Biographies". Your submission will be reviewed, discussed and hopefully approved by the mod team; we might ask you to change a few details of your story or of your sheet, or to explain some part of your story in a more in depth way - the goal is not censoring your awesome concepts but to make them "possible".

There's no limit to the number of characters you can have, as long as you can handle them. If you want multiple chars, you need to create an account for each of them, to avoid confusion, and to let us know that it is you (via the "Player Handle" field in your submission sheet).

We allow a certain freedom in the concepts and powers you can have. However, we do have some restrictions:
- the merits "Iron Will" and "Unboundable" and the flaw "Red List" aren't allowed without an extraordinary justification (which means, most likely they won't be allowed);
- no character should have a Generation lowe than 8th, nor more than 1000 active years;
- the more your character is powerful, the more we expect them to have a history, a psychology and goals, other than "being stronger than everyone and stomping on smaller people" (generally speaking, forum games don't give their best in terms of hack and slash or disembodied PvP, so that kind of character won't be much fun anyway).

How do I interact with other PCs?
If you wish to RP with a specific character (that is not another of your own ^^), please feel free to contact the player OOC to discuss your ideas. Similarly, if you want to join a thread, ask those who are already involved. It's polite!

Besides, we acknowledge that different people (and characters) are into different types of stories and RP. We do our best to keep the setting consistent, but within this setting anyone has a chance to live his story... so if a character isn't interested in the kind of scene you're looking for, just look for someone else. Why, can't you just visit their cheesy club and nuke it? Can't you sneak into their evil lair and strip down sexily until you impress them? Sorry, bad luck, you don't know their addresses.

What if I need a NPC?
Your scenes are likely to involve more people than your own or other players' PCs. So, what should you do if you need a NPC? Well, it largely depends on the impact that NPC would have on the story. If you just need a vessel for a feeding scene, or a taxi driver to take you somewhere, or something equally as minor, feel free to describe yours and their actions as you prefer. The same rule applies for your own ghouls (unless there's some exceptional plot reason to have them played by STs), and the faceless minions you gather or have with you. While we might mess with your allies and retainers to move on the plot, we aren't likely to dispose of them thoughtlessly. Red shirts, however, will be treated as such. You can direct your NPCs' actions, but if they do anything influential that may have consequences (as in, Ramona the stripper becomes your blood doll and you send her to rob banks; you don't get to decide the reaction and zeal of the police). Beware, also, an overzealous creator of ghouls will suffer consequences.

Killing and Diablerie: a Guide
Having established that redshirts are fair game (although the consequences for your Humanity should always be kept in mind; those faceless peons are people just like you :P), some additional words should be said on PCs.

We have already discussed here how conflict resolution and plot developments should be discussed with other players, so that the game is entertaining and fulfilling for both. This counts double if you aim at killing them. Unless someone's move has been outrageously suicidal and nonsensical, the death of a PC shouldn't be a likely or lightly taken outcome, unless the player agrees to that resolution. Indeed, someone might find a -meaningful- death an appropriate conclusion to their character's arc. The decision to end a PCs life is one that requires express consent between players. We will never ask anyone to "reroll another sheet" just because they had bad luck.

Also, as we're talking about lethal outcomes, let's not forget the dreaded Diablerie. If a PC is involved, we expect to see the same caution as expressed above. Diablerizing each other into oblivion isn't supposed to be the goal of the game, although someone might like that kind of story.

In light of that, let's jump right in on the concrete rule for our board: there is absolutely no case in which Diablerie will lower your Generation below 8th. You will not be permitted access to those infamous advanced powers you've heard about. Though, ofc, that doesn't mean your character wouldn't try. Beyond that, though, can you Diablerize freely and gain power? That depends:

If you're Diablerizing your own minor NPCs, (or even your own PCs) all you will get is a black taint to your aura, possibly a reduction of your path rating (unless of course your path encourages Amaranth), and a minor xp boost. Your Generation will not change. The act of Diablerie is still a key character moment, worthy of its own exploration, so if that's what your character would do go ahead. However, if your aim is getting more powers, or at lowering your Generation; that mook you keep staked in your basement will never be enough.

Alternatively, if you succeed at Diablerizing a key ST-run NPC who is a worthy opponent at the end of their story arc (or another member's PC who has agreed to such an outcome), you will obtain all the benefits of Diablerie, along with its obvious taint. Their soul sharing your body, and tormenting you will be a key consequence!

How often should I post?
Generally speaking, if you are involved in a thread, replying within a few days would be advisable. Of course, if you want to be more active that's just great! Playing by forum doesn't require simultaneous player - you don't all have to be there at the same time - you only need to go online when you find a free moment. It is usually possible to fit this game into our, more or less, busy lives. However, we are also aware, and know from experience, that RealLifeTM can get in the way... So, if you're going to be absent for more than a week, please inform the staff (so we know you haven't left) and the people you're playing with (so they know they have to wait for you, or have to rearrange their RP while you are away). If you think you're going to be away for a long time, we'd like to agree with you on a resolution for your ongoing scenes, and on a possible excuse that would keep your character busy IC (after all, every character has their businesses and hobbies and contacts to care about, so they've plenty of reasons to stay away from the major plots for a while)! That way, you're not going to lose your character or to suffer any drawback (other than missing some awesome scene!), and your absence won't stop other players for too long.

However, if you are inactive for more than two months without informing/contacting us in any way, we will find a reasonable exit strategy for your character... This solution means, if you come back later, you may or may not have your character back; it will depend on what was demanded of the plot to justify your sudden departure. Such a time period might be cut down to two weeks, at the STs' discretion, if your inactivity is impeding some crucial plot, or preventing other players from RPing in any meaningful way.

Basic decency and common sense
As in every RP there are behaviours we really hope not to see, such as metagaming (using OOC information to get some advantage or displaying some knowledge your character has no reason to have IC) and godmodding (deciding how someone else's character would react to your actions, without his consent). I won't say much more on the topic, as I retain some hope in humankind, but put simply players should behave like decent people, even if their characters are not.

Tracking Willpower and Blood Points
Unlike in a tabletop game, it's not easy to track your WP or BP rigorously here. So we will generally assume that, at the beginning of a scene, your character is well rested and well fed (unless it's obvious that they are coming from another very taxing adventure, or you have explicitly stated that your character was low on blood, which is up to you. Starting from there, you should track the WP or BP you spend at the bottom of the page; write a note as so:
Example
 
Bob the Brujah ran at supernatural speed*, trying to catch Alice. Then a lot of things happened, and the other things and stuff... The ST, however, is too lazy to make up a detailed scene for something that will be nothing but an example.
---
* Celerity 1 - 1 BP

We realize that WP is even less easy to track when most interactions are freeform. Just apply common sense. However, if your total WP is 4 and you're apparently going against your nature, whilst accomplishing unlikely feats, it makes sense that you will become exhausted at some point.
You regain one dot of WP per night, so after some days you will be back to your full potential, but a single night of rest won't do if you've been spending a lot. Since we follow the Revised edition, that relies on permanent WP for most rolls where it's relevant, it doesn't make much difference for power use. Just try to keep it in mind in your RP.

EXP and character advancement
EXP will be granted at the end of each thread and calculated as follows:
EXP
Completed profile1
Completed thread1
Word count 1 each 1000 words
Group interaction (more than 2 PCs in a scene)1
Outstanding play2
BonusMod agreement

Please tell us when a thread is closed! Upon its closure we will calculate your word count for you and convert it into EXP. Ongoing threads (e.g. texting, e-mail or telephone exchanges) will be valued periodically, and we will notify you within that thread when we have taken a count. Any words that exceed the relevant measure of 1000 will be noted down and added to your next count (i.e. if you write 2345 words in a thread, you get 2 EXP and 345 words will be saved for next time).

You can use your EXP to improve your character's stats (players with multiple accounts cannot transfer EXP between characters). It is their experience as characters that is measured, not yours as a player. The prices for advancing stats are the same as you would find in any manual - so 3 EXP per new ability, 10 per new Discipline and so on.

However, you cannot just buy whatever you like; your advancement should be consistent with the experiences your character has had. So, combat scenarios will allow you to improve physical stats, whilst research settings will help with mental stats. Moreover, advancing your Disciplines requires some specific training: if you want to learn a new vampiric power, please start a thread in which you describe how you learn it and practice it; be imaginative and creative: you are experimenting with your blood and exploring the boundaries of your supernatural qualities, there's material for a good scene!

XP Expenditure AKA Upgrading Costs How Much?!
Below is an outline of the xp costs for any and all upgrades you can get in game.

I want to preface this by reiterating that though you may spend the xp, any and all upgrades will not 'unlock' (to become an official part of your character), until we see evidence of said skill, knowledge or attribute being improved via RP. Same goes for Backgrounds and Rituals. Your character had to do something to earn their reward, show us what it was!

Vampire - XP Costs
Attribute4 x Current Rating
Ability (New)3XP
Ability (Upgrade)2 x Current Rating
Speciality (New)*3XP
Backgrounds (New)3XP
Backgrounds (Upgrade)2 x Current Rating
Discipline (New)10XP
Discipline (Clan)5 x Current Rating
Discipline (Out of Clan)7 x Current Rating
Discipline (Caitiff)6 x Current Rating
Discipline Path (New) (Necromancy, Thaumaturgy etc)7XP
Discipline Path (Upgrade) (Necromancy, Thaumaturgy etc)4 x Current Rating
Rituals (Clan)*2 x Ritual Level
Rituals (Out of Clan)3 x Ritual Level
Humanity/Path2 x Current Rating
Virtues*2 x Current Rating
WillpowerCurrent Rating

*Speciality – Upon first reaching 4 dots in any Ability you will gain one free speciality, beyond that you are permitted a maximum of 3 variations under a single skill.

*Rituals – When a brand new Path is purchased, gain one single level 1 ritual for it. Additionally, a ritual's power may not exceed your path rating.

*Virtues – Increasing a virtue via xp will not alter your path ratings or willpower.


Additional Charts will be added as and when we receive applications for other PC species.

System taken from thesubnet(s) and The Anarch State.

Copyright
This RPG is based upon the World of Darkness (WoD) and Vampire: the Masquerade (V:tM). All WoD and V:tM content and materials are copyright of White Wolf Publishing, Inc. (WW). This forum uses all materials and content, unofficially, for non-profit purposes. At no time will any materials or content be used for monetary gain or profit, whatsoever.

- Featherstone & Roofie
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