Fresno VSS
From Changeling Venue
Contents |
Part 1: Basic Information
Venue: Changeling the Lost Lead Venue Storyteller: Chris DiAngelo Storyteller Contact: fisherkyng@gmail.com Games Hosted On: 1st Saturday Night, and 3rd Saturday Afternoon
Part 2: Styles of Play
1 – Never Present 2 – Sometimes Present 3 – Usually Present 4 – Often Present 5 – Always Present
Action – Combat and challenges – 3 Character Development – Personal dilemmas and choices – 4 Darkness – PC death and corruption – 3 (More Corruption than Death) Drama – Ceremony and grand story – 4 Intrigue – Politics and negotiation – 4 Manners – Social etiquette and peer pressure – 3 Mystery – Enigmas and investigation – 4 Pace – How fast do stories emerge, develop, and resolve – Moderate
Part 3: Description of Venue
History and Description of Setting:
Historically the Fresno area has been believed to have been plagued by one Gentry, known to most as the Lady of Fog and Dust. She has since history recalls kept the lands in which the cursed fog of winter has touched under a constant fear. Few Changelings have ever escaped her, and those who had, were just better sport for her huntsmen.
The Changeling court that developed in the Fresno area was established before the settlers themselves came here. The native tribes, the Tule, Yokut and Yiwok established a court system of 2 factions, instead of 4 seasons. These factions were known as Low Grass, and High Rock named after the migration of the tribes from the valley floor in winter, to the foothills in summer.
The 2 faction court system prevailed in the Fresno area for nearly a century. It was because of the weakened court system, that the Lady of Fog and Dust, was able to keep her tyranny over all things fae in the Fresno area. Fresno’s history is drenched in loyalist spies, and betrayals. But all of those events are a shadow compare to the change that took place at the turn of the century.
In the year 2000 a group of Changelings escaped with fragmented memories of killing the Lady of Fog and Dust. Some among the Lost do not accept their own memories and believe they are free as some horrid trick of the Lady, while others celebrate and believe it to be true, because the tyranny has at last ended. Those who believe the Lady of Fog and Dust to be dead raised a hero from among their ranks, a Wizened Smith by the name of Arthur Shiningmane.
The first months were difficult for the fae who escaped, as they had no teachers but a book left behind by the other Lost before them. The book explained the error of their ways, and the necessity to establish the Seasonal Court system. Lucinda Sleet, the Lamenting Lady was the first Winter Queen of Fresno. Spring brought visitors from a far, and many of the Changelings of Fresno found new friends and mentor’s among the visitors.
As the first summer approached, and many of Fresno we’re expecting Arthur Shiningmane to be crowned King, they discovered that Arthur was missing. It was the first sign of doubt that many showed.
(More to be added before January 1st, based on Historical Soft RP games)
Notable NPC’s:
Arthur Shiningmane – Arthur is believed to have been the catalyst to have set off the revolt that led the destruction of the Lady of Fog and Dust. He humbly denies such things. Arthur has been missing since the night of the Summer Solstice of 2000.
Lucinda Sleet, the Lamenting Lady – Lucinda ruled as the Winter Queen for every season until the Winter of 2007. She was killed in an accident that some believe to be foul play in the Autumn of 2007. Lucinda was once the song bird of the Lady of Fog and Dust, she vowed to never sing the songs her Gentry once made her.
The Vineyard Foundation – A trust created by a notable Changeling sometime in 1950’s. The trust is composed of family members of deceased Changelings, some of which are ensorcelled mortals. The trust meets on the first floor of the freehold and helps organize many charitable events in the Fresno area, as well as sponsoring youth sport teams.
Locations:
Sanitarium of Wayward Dreams – The Sanitarium of Wayward Dreams, was once known as the Sample Sanitarium, one of Fresno's first hospitals. If you happen to speak to anyone in their 70's or 80's in Fresno, you will find the majority of them were born in the Sanitarium. Shortly after that time period the Sanitarium was closed down, as Dr. Sample went on to help develop the hospital of the Sequoia's.
A prominent Changeling of the time, bought the Sanitarium, and upon his death, left the Sanitarium and his wealth to a trust fund held by a group called the Vineyard Foundation. Their wealth was predominantly from grape fields in the area of Fresno. The Sanitarium is still owned by the Vineyard Foundation, while their board of trustee's has changed more often than most boards.
When you first walk into the Sanitarium, there is an open hallway with a wall of various plaques and awards. Most are in recognition of community service, while others are for charitable donations. Some are even awards of various sports teams, shirts in glass frames and the like. The first floor has a few small offices, and a board room where the business of the Vineyard Foundation is conducted. There is also a banquet hall, and kitchen on the first floor, and some common restrooms.
The second floor requires a magnetic security card to enter. On this floor, there is a large common room which is used as the Throne room. There is a hearth across from the throne. Other rooms included private meeting rooms, storage and a library.
The third floor consists of twenty full suites for the various residents that have claimed the Freehold as their home.
There is a small shack on the roof that in the past was used by a Wizened Oracle as a Solarium, but since has been vacated. Additionally it is rumored that a Tunnelgrub once dug strange tunnels in the crawl space beneath the Sanitarium.
Hedges – Hedges is a street running through the southern part of the city, and is mostly residential. At one time, there were many gateways on this street that led to the Hedge. The Bridge Burners, destroyed most of them, though plenty missed their eye still. Hedges is not far from the Sanitarium, and the Changelings have discovered that Hedges has become the path to the Goblin Markets.
Antagonists:
The Lady of Fog and Dust – This Gentry is based in the Fresno area, most of the PC’s on the VSS have united through their shared Durance under this tyrant. The Lady of Fog and Dust is currently believed to have been destroyed.
Preferably PC antagonists will be kept to a minimum. Our VSS will be supporting a small group of players, and though there should be tension and drama available between the core players, the Story will provide the majority of antagonists.
Some antagonists may take on the role of the boogey man, and be extremely over powering compared to PC’s. These NPS’s are intended to set a mood to the game and not be directly confronted. If Players do attempt to confront these boogeyman PC’s the ST will relay a warning indicating the severity of their actions.
Players are reminded that even a regular joe walking down the street can be an antagonist to them.
Proxy:
Players who wish to proxy their characters into the venue for a game must submit the following documents, no later than 48 hours prior to the game: complete character sheet and XP log; brief write-up of the character’s attitude, personality and motivation for attending the game; brief write-up of the character’s intentions; brief write-up of the character’s reactions to possible situations. In addition, a proxying player is encouraged to find a local player to play their character.
All PC’s visiting the domain during downtime scenes must alert the storyteller. Visiting PC’s in downtime scenes are considered to be proxied to the venue as a hard proxy. No soft proxies will be accepted. Interaction occurring in the domain between players with out the notification of the storyteller, is not sanctioned and is considered not to have occurred.
Out of Domain Characters:
Players with characters from outside the Domain are encouraged to attend Dark Tower Changeling games. All characters and item cards must be approved by the Player’s own VST and the Dark Tower VST prior to the start of game. VST reserves the right to decline approval for any characters or items deemed unbalancing to the venue. It is strongly recommended that players with approvals and a lot of xp, including xp from creation email the VST prior to game to ensure there will be no problems.
Travel risks:
Fresno is accessible by Air, rail and land but is surrounded by vast stretches of farmland. There are no mundane travel risks to and from Fresno. For those traveling through Trods and close to the Hedge, there is always a possible risk that may result in downtime scenes, or encounters with the Others or their servants.
Challenges:
Challenges will be resolved as determined by the Mind’s Eye Theatre Core Rule book and related Camarilla Fan Club materials. A storyteller or narrator may make request the players to narrate combat or other challenges in the interest of promoting role-play or to speed up a lengthy challenge. ST staff will have cards on hand to facilitate the random 1-10 system, hands will be used in cases of no cards or mass challenges.
Rules:
A current copy of the character sheet and current XP log are required to be in the possession of your Lead ST.
All characters attached to this VSS are under the jurisdiction of the VST of the venue and the DST of the Domain. Players who are not a member of the Domain but who wish to attach characters to this VSS, can do so with the permission of both their own DST and the DST of Dark Tower. Additionally there must be fair reason to do this, such as your character living here, or this is the main VSS you play in. If this is the main VSS you play in, but belong to a different domain, it is encouraged that your PC be on our VSS to allow the ST staff the ability to have direct control over your character, as well as for approvals and balancing game play.
Experience:
Per game, two experience will be given to those who play. An additional two experience will be given to players who wear costume. Costume’s vary in Changeling from the fantastical to the mundane, this will be taken into consideration. Costume is anything that fits the genre and your PC, and most notably not your regular street clothes. A fifth experience will be given to players by nomination of other players for extraordinary role-play. The ST requests that people make note, that this 5th xp is not an outlet to pat your friends on the back, but to really reward someone for something exceptional. Downtime experience will also be rewarded as to a maximum determined by the US Addendum. Downtime xp, can be earned for email scenes between players or the ST, list activity and even updating the WIKI!!!
