Interest Checks - World of Darkness

Yes, that's interest checks plural. Pitching this because I've noted some welcome chatter on the current dearth of World of Darkness games, (reversia.ch started a Sabbat one recently) and also that a good number of us familiar with its system core hanker for some of that. Also I believe we haven't given VtM 5th ed a proper run here on GP yet, which is a shame really.

Depending on who wants to play, and drawing from 5e published resources, I'd like to offer the following possibilities:

1. A full-length chronicle, such as Fall of London. This will be for players who want something for the long haul, with major character development that is relevant to the story itself. The premise of this adventure means we can't easily swap a PC in/out, so I will be picky in selecting whom I believe will be thoroughly committed to seeing this through.

2. A medium-length adventure, such as something from Let the Streets Run Red. There's enough meat (and blood) in them to give us a solid sense of how V5 plays like. If we decide to play on after the first story, we can continue with another. The difference between this and option 1 is that we won't get the overarching sense of scope and drama a chronicle affords.

3. An introductory one-shot, Midnight Kiss. This would be for those who've wondered how a Vampire game plays like, but have little or no experience with the system, or want a V5 taster. We cut straight into the scene with pre-gens, and be done by midnight, metaphorically.

Chime in if you want a piece of this, and briefly let me know what you want out of a V5 game and your commitment level. From there I will convert this into a proper recruitment pitch to describe exactly what we'll be playing!

I'm in. I don't care which one we settle on, but I'm in.

Always wanted to try any World of Darkness games, but I never got the chance. Really interested to play V5. I am up for any kind of chronicle. I have the corebook but I haven't read it, so I am basically a newbie. I wanted to clarify this before you started. I hope it doesn't affect my recruitment chance, but if you want only experienced players, I will accept that. It is difficult to teach WoD to a newcomer, though I must admit, I am familiar with the clans on a basic level. Also, I have played some text games on Vampire: the masquerade before.

Aw, man. V5. That's the one i'm really not hot about at all, so unfortunately i'll have to sit this one out. My main exposure to this was around the time it came out, watching the live playthroughs and being bothered by the "hunger dice" mechanic and reading threads on reddit's WW forum, where folk discussed the lore changes, which were.. confusing and not in a good way. It makes sense for GP i guess, since the majority of people here seem to be multi..uhh systemalists? Know a lot of different game systems, is what i mean; and it's definitely a fun activity to try out new things, instead of running same thing over and over again. And it's of course great to see more WoD stuff. So i truly wish you guys the best with your games, and i'll be keeping an eye out for something non-5 era! I've contemplated creating another V20/rev for folks whom i didn't invite to the Sabbat one, and had a pretty good idea for it, but as i already run 2 games, i don't want to stretch myself to thin to the detriment of all 3. So maybe a bit later. Anyways, have fun and have Good Evening!

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Please count me in, and just as MaJunior, I'd be happy with any of the sceanrios you have laid before us!

Good luck with this!

So glad to see more WoD popping up on the site! I'll throw my hat in the ring as well, happy to join regardless of length.

Options 2 and 3 has my interest

Would like to, but real life kept me so busy recently not sure i can be stable poster in coming up weeks.

I've always wanted to try VtM, and this sounds like the perfect opportunity. Mainly familiar with it (basic lore and mechanics) through some podcasts I've listened to, though it's been a while and would need to brush up. I'd be down for options 2 or 3.

Sounds like you've got plenty of interest, and I would be too. Put me on the back-up list of players if anyone ends up dropping?

I've been kicking around a character concept. An Anarch Brujah.

I might be up for this. I’d choose option one or two, though. I like to make my own character and get a chance to develop her, rather than a quickie with pre-gens. I’ve been playing vampire/WoD since about 92, have run several editions before V5, but have only dabbled a bit in 5th ed so I’d love to give it a spin

Drgwen makes a valid point about character development and not going with pre-gens.

I'll update my interest to option 2

It's kind of funny. Based on preference, they're already in order for me. #1 would be my first pick, #2 my second pick, and #3 my last choice. However, I felt it more important to stress that -- because I loves me some WoD -- that any option was just fine.

I'd happily take a one shot with pregens over nothing at all.

Thanks for the early chiming in everyone! I certainly think there are two strong possibilities here:

- a longer game that allows for character growth (always fun to buff some of those powers, and also have narrative development with stakes, pun intended)

- a one-shot that allows some of us to get our fix, experience how 5th ed is like, bite a few kine, and play without needing to do character generation

Both are fun! Lemme mull over whether I want to consider running two games, since there's a goodly amount of interest.

I hear you! Having played the other versions, Requiem included, I do feel and have gone through some of the changes. As usual some better, some worse in terms of system mechanics. Lore shifts are sometimes difficult in my own head canon, I sometimes imagine the different editions to be resets, so that I'm not encumbered by previous lore (there's so much history in WoD games!).

One of my intentions is to take V5 out for a proper spin on its own merits, so I shall pretend this is new lore for myself and everyone else playing. (And if in the course of the game I get mixed up with older editions, help me self-check!)

Never played VtM, but creating some damned souls tussling with the beast within? Sounds like a hell of a good time! I have a vague idea of a priest struggling against his sinful descent, but more ideas could be forthcoming if this goes forward, and if I make the cut. I generally like longer stories, but given my lack of experience on the system, a shorter run could also work for me. Definitely interested!

My experiences with Vampire etc have been poor. I am curious, though. Long game would be interesting. My lore isn't terribly deep, I don't think.

Probably full and you're spoilt for choice, but out of curiosity, what books are you thinking of using? I've a soft spot for the Hecata, but they were a later thing, so y'kno,w worth checking.

I'd probably do things on a adventure to adventure basis building out to a longer campaign if the stars align.

Color me interested. My experience with VtM is limited to a oneshot done with some pregen characters, but I quite enjoyed my experience. Up for anything, though leaning towards the mid-length option.

I am not a fan of this edition but if it means playing a game I love. Sure. I will toss my hand in.

I'm thinking seriously how many players we can reasonably accommodate, so let's see. But yeah, the Hecata might not come into play yet unless I open up the options in Cult of the Blood Gods.

Thanks again for the strong interest everyone. I am honestly contemplating two games, one which gives people newer to V5 a chance to get into the game and not be too overwhelmed by too many options and too much lore to begin with. And another for people who know what they are signing up for. Vampire games take a moment to prep, even with published material. I shall be posting a proper recruitment write-up so we know what we're playing. And let's see whether we can accommodate most of those here who've thrown their names in.

Fantastic!
It crossed my mind, the beginner game might benefit from having a VtM vet amongst the players. That way you aren't shouldering the entire burden of training yourself.

As much fun as I've had with Vampire content (Redemption & Bloodlines videogames, LA by Night game stream etc) I never seem to get a good experience when actually playing the TTRPG itself. Maybe it's been because of the ST and group, so if there's one person I'd trust at the helm for this, it'd be @BedzoneII

So this feels like the correct audience to drop this tidbit to...*No relation to vampire the game.

This game does interest me. I have been in many formed groups that have collapsed after a dozen or so posts for one reason or another, but I can see that you're probably more than a little full at the moment. If you have an opening later, keep me in mind.

Still watching.

Still here!

Thanks for the vote of confidence DarkRaider, and thanks again everyone for the overwhelming interest. I do realise I can't accommodate everyone, but I'm gonna go ahead and pitch one of the games first, followed by the next.

I got distracted over the weekend by Runekyndig, who was trying to make me pitch a Mage game instead, so I fleshed out a story proposal for that one too in my head.

For me, a mage game would have priority over a vampire game, but you know that already.

As a forever Mage storyteller, I'd jump on the chance to play, but go with what works for you, obviously!

Stahp, what next, you'll run a Wraith game too?

Why would you be so mean like that! :D

The one game I've never played. Not really played on its own anyway.

If there an OWoD Werewolf or Mage game - count me in! 😁

This thread is turning into a whole World of Darkness server itself!
Wraith 20th is on my list, yikes! As is Demon!
Gonna leave Werewolf and Changeling to better storytellers though.

So, to manage everyone's expectations since there are so many WoD fans, let me be clear what I'll be pitching in the next few days, so that people can know what to expect:

- First up will be a V5 one-shot. Pre-gens will be provided so that people can get to playing straightaway. This game will be a good place to learn V5 system, or get a sense of the lore that surrounds it (Camarilla? Jyhad? Coterie?) or to get back into Vampire in general. Some assurance, just because it's a one-shot doesn't mean we have to stop when it ends, it all depends on the commitment level of the players.

- Next will be a V5 longer chronicle, 4 to 5 clear published scenarios, but with my sandbox surrounding them in case the politics take a different direction. Make your own characters, and also be prepared to do a bit of worldbuilding. There will be character advancement, so that we get to play with some of the higher level disciplines. Whether this launches first, or the following does, is up for discussion.

- I have made my draft plans for a Mage 20th game. Not a published story, so I'll have to write it up properly to pitch it. It will happen though. Mage is the other WoD game I miss terribly.

- Finally, someone go ahead and tip me over the edge about Wraith. It's a game that hasn't had enough of a proper go on GP I believe, and that's good enough reason to start one, and what's not to like about playing dead people? Also Wraith 20th is a solid compilation!

First pitch drops tomorrow. I'm not particularly fond of first come first served, so no rush!

Are you looking to be convinced to run it?

Here's my "pitch" (including the good and the bad):

I've played in one Wraith game IRL a couple years before COVID. It was a "one shot" (maybe 6 sessions?) that lead into a V20 "zoo" campaign.

It has perhaps the most arcane but also some of the most interesting (imo) lore of any of the lines. It was a bit hard to grok the vibe at first for me, cuz there's some really complex dualities (or even "tri-alities") going on in it, but what I arrived at was, imo, that vibe is like 50% Dostoyevsky, 50% 90s-goth-freak-kamp. (think: Beetlejuice - but in a good/darker way, or "Cool World" - except if the cartoon world was the world of the dead) In a good way!

Setting that aside... it is heavy, emotionally. Especially character creation.

You are creating characters that have died and can't move on for probably some terrible or terribly-poignant reasons, right?

So players need to be prepared for that to run through out character creation and the story in play.

Had some of the most rewarding roleplay I've ever experienced under that game. But every session was a bit emotionally draining.

There's probably ways to get away from that draining feeling (focus more on the Shadowlands, and/or more on violent deaths and revenge arcs, or community or "service" focused past-lifes, instead of familial/protective concepts), but we blundered right into it, and... oof... for better or worse it was intense.

Possibly the most unique experience I've ever had in ttrpgs.

Can't think of anything else that crafts a similar experience and narrative.

That's certainly the experience that I want! But I'm not sure that's the case with the players in my groups. Am I underestimating them? Possibly, probably even. Am I confident in my storyteller ability to guide them in such a game? No.
Changeling: the Lost (i.e., Chronicles of Darkness, not oWoD) is on my short list of games to run. I've not run or played in Changeling: the Dreaming before. I do have C20 though. Hmmmm....

Dostoevsky meets Beetlejuice is a hell of a pitch.

Dear god that was quite the post. I think this is largely a game about exploring relationships and the tragedy of a fall from the light. How becoming a vampire both changes and does not change a person.

What does immortality do to a person? How does the need to feed on people alter your humanity? Do you give in to the beast or do you retain your compassion?

How did you become a vampire? What do you think of your sire for doing this to you? Is it a blessing? A curse? What if you don't have a sire and your transformation is the result of strange and powerful magics? How long have you been an immortal?

FYI, I was talking about Wraith. Not Vampire.

Echoing Dirigible to say that's a hell of a pitch! Emberskyes we were talking about Wraith in that last post.

Thanks Emsquared for that reflective review, the detail is much appreciated. I ran Wraith once many many years ago, and my players didn't want to get very far, we were younger then, and the other WoD games felt much more edgily enticing, so that was that. I'm looking to give it a go again, I feel it's got so much meaning and gaming promise, easily the 'deepest' of all the WoD games.

For those who've been keeping up with this thread, I changed the title!

More importantly, first game pitch is up in the Tavern!

I'd love to join, not so much for one shot because I don't get invested in characters only meant for short periods of time.

Might be interesting to expand to. What would I be needing for books?

Sounds fantastic all those ideas.

My second recruitment thread is up in the Tavern!

Honestly I'm responding to the enthusiasm shown here, same game, different approach. Caters to two very distinct expecatations of what kind of game people want to play.

Here's my pitch, I'll refrain from applying in one of your V5 games, just to save myself the bandwidth for when you do launch a Wraith game :P

With that rare chance to share a game with you Dark Raider, I'll be thinking hard to put up a Wraith game soon!

Have a look at Vampire the Masquerade 5th edition! See if that feels like a game you'd want to get into.

I am extremely interested in the long game, but would happily (and gratefully) accept a spot in any!

The V5 games are yet to start and you guys already discussing the MtA AND Wraith, eh? Can relate. Been thinking about some peculiar Ascension and Changing Breeds scenarios, but gosh darn in, the time! The ST's biggest enemy. As for Wraith.. I think i personally would be a bit apprehensive about running it with people with whom i've never played before. Feel like it would be more smooth sailing if players knew each other, what to sort of expect of one another, the style and interests. The shadow stuff is a particular beast after all.

Longer the better. Always have WoD interest..

Any movement on any other WoD games planned to start out (non Paradox stuff)? I'd love to play something, even splats i'm less familiar, like Orpheus. Conversely, while procrastinating, reading some other books (instead of the ones that are actually relevant to my running chronicles), i thought up a smaller "one-shot" type VTM thing, mainly to test out Inceptors+Discipline making, detective style game and actually running a more pre-planned/written plot as opposed to player's choice open world/sandboxy extravaganza.

It took a moment, thanks to chargen decision-making, but we're off to a start on our V5 game. That still seemed more preferred than opting for a one-shot with pre-gens. That said reversia.ch, if you're offering up a one-shot I think there'll be takers.

Next up is Mage. There was some interest here for that. We're still very far from Mage 5th ed, so it's likely to be good old M20.

Looking forward to a Mage game

I'd love to play Mage! Most of my experience with 5th Ed is from Werewolf and I'm not really a fan.

I'm contemplating a few one-shot (as in story with a definitive conclusion) VTM ideas: the aforementioned Inceptor detectives game, akin to the second VN in the "New York" series; a Tremere only chantry building game, played during a certain time period; or a Week of Nightmares for Nosferatu, similarly played during a certain time frame. That being said if there is a Mage game on the horizon (some pun intended), i'll probably wait to apply for that. Whether i get in or not, that might be the needed push to try and run one of the Mage ideas instead. To get inspired, so to speak.

I have been reading the Streets and it's being interesting. Looking forward to see the story unfold.

Wouldn't mind trying a proper mage game.

Always one for a Mage game, I'd suggest going back to revised for a more consistent edition (IMHO).

Not 2e?

---

Also, any thoughts on Vampire cities? Is Chicago a classic or a old mare that needs to be put down out of its misery? There are a lot of cool places, but i'm feeling a bit unqualified to run the majority of them, mostly for cultural reasons.

Revised, imho obs, has the cleanest laid out rules before the over enthusiastic bloat of M20. Not so keen on the setting change, not sure why they keep wanting to make Mage a grubby street game but there you are!

For Vamp I'd pick somewhere like New York or San Diego, places people will know from other media and have an interesting story. It's either that or pick out one of the interesting setups from Beckett's.

I've always wanted to get more involved in one of these games, but I'm a literal neophyte with the veterans who use the lingo. I have no clue what people are talking about with all the edition discussion and decision-making (or lack of it) and various spectrums of play, because WoD has to split everything up. I'm mainly experienced in Vamp, and have a shotgun collection of material from across editions old and new and newer...and then setting counts, too.

I like WoD but seem perennially allergic to finding anything since it moved beyond me.

Posting my interest in a Mage game, depending on when that happens. =) If it's too soon I would not be able to join =(

Thanks all for keeping the interest ongoing! A Mage game is in the works. Revised is cleaner, while M20 is way more gonzo I admit. But I do appreciate the thorough compilation of everything in one volume, although I suspect we'll have to take out a few tedious things for PbP purposes.

I'm very encouraged, so watch out for a new recruitment thread soon!

With the number of interest (i'm interested, but my experience is Vampire and Werewolf) how many players are you looking at taking or are you also looking at multiple Storytellers?

I see I'm far too late for the Vampire games, but I'd like to be put on the waitlist for those if there's room. I'm a big VtM fan, and I thank you for hearing my interest.

Excited to hear that a Mage game is in the works. I'm also still contemplating running another VTM game (or maybe something else), just can't seem to decide on the place and core theme/mood. I've been rereading the New Your by Night book, after Tiffany mentioned it, as the only two things i remember from it were "that's not how you pronounce Aisling" and "THERE ARE TZIMISCE IN THE SEWERS!".

@PlebeianG

In terms of Mage editions, i'd say that we have:

1)2ed - simplest rules, hopeful, cosmic adventures, with the "i can change the world!" attitude

3)3e/revised - gritty, depressive street-level survival, "the war is over and everybody lost"

4)M20 - a massive compilation tome, pretty much "everything everywhere all at once". utter (optional and not) bloat.

My vote would be M20 and let the storyteller have the freedom to build without the 'but the rules say this' arguments that might arise.

Not just any Tzimische, the entire Cathedral of Flesh!

Mage is mage, and I will play any version you offer, though I do have a few issues with M20. In some way, it's too much mage to handle, and rather than just a collection of all the rules in a metaplot free package, it makes a few changes to the fundamental rules of the setting.

Though it should have always been the Society of Ether, and I shall die on that hill, ether goggles in hand!

I yeah I know I'm being grumpy about unimportant stuff!

Take it from an old man, don't be grumpy for too long; it tends to grow on you like a fungus. I can't get rid of my grumps. :D

Really nice to see a whole bunch of us still keeping the interest alive through all the different editions of Mage, and also Vampire for that matter. My take is certainly that the edition to use is the one that evokes whatever we want the game to best represent. Loving the edition debate!

@PlebieanG I did pitch a starter one-shot for those who wanted to dip their toes into WoD, best way to learn it is to play a straightforward starter scenario without thinking too hard about setting or edition.

@reversia.ch Chicago will always have a soft spot in my heart because it's the first setting, and because there's so much rich detail to use. But I can see why avoiding it in order to avoid overfamiliarity is a thing.

I don't have enough experience with the different editions to voice an opinion, other than use the one that fits the story best

I will say that the improvising magic is what drawing me most to the system

Thanks for the info on the edition difference. I don't have the experience either, but perhaps at some point I get involved.

I'd be good with either second edition or M20.

But not the revised?
I feel like what gives it more gravity is the belief - a VA and Verbena trying to produce the same effect would do wildly different things, because they believe that it will work. Though it can be a double-edged sword, i suppose. What if your character faith and belief doesn't align well with any Tradition/Convention? Gotta pick up that "Orphan's survival guide" at that point.

Been a while, but Orphans really isn't worth it! And you're right about how paradigm effects a Mages view on the world is fascinating, hard to cover well in this format though.

I belive that the PBP format allows each player the time they need to express their mage's view on the world

Why not? It is hard work, to come up with a concept, a belief, a paradigm of your own, but seeing it sing is quite satisfying, i would think.

Sorry, should have been clearer, I love me some bryonic gothic Hollow Ones and their ilk. The Orphan Survival Guide, however, really isn't worth it if you're looking for interesting material on of them.

I'll admit that this is all from memory, though it's telling that it's not with my other Mage books!

I think it was one of those general books, that went to more for feeling than rules. That was the one where the reader was sitting in a cafe with a Hollower in early chapters, i believe. Gotta reread it. Kinda makes sense that it would be broad, given that Orphan can literally be anyone doing anything any sort of way. It does begs the question about Hollowers themselves - how do they fare these days? What are Gen Z and Y (that's what the next one referred to as, right?) Hollow Ones look like. I remember seeing interesting title on a Youtube video once, was something like "Rise of Aesthetics/Death of Subcultures". So what is a modern Hollower? How do they feel about the "old" guard and vice versa?

I've started a VTMxMTA chronicle and we're still looking for a few good licks. Posting here in case folks who subbed to this thread missed the recruitment for it - Singing streets.

Thank you, but I'm mostly interested in a Mage game, not a mixed one