Rome, Georgia (Lost VSS)
From Changeling Venue
This is the currently sanctioned Venue Style Sheet for the Lost Venue in Rome, Georgia USA. For general information about the city, please refer to this article: Rome, Georgia.
Contents |
Basic Information
Domain Name: Marionettes in Night's Performance (GA-009-D)
Venue: Lost
Venue Name: Off the Beaten Path
Lead Venue Storyteller:
Games Hosted On: 3rd Sunday, 1pm - 6pm
Website: minp.current93.net
Styles of Play
Rating Description
1 - Never present
2 - Sometimes present
3 - Often present
4 - Usually present
5 - Always present
Action - Combat and challenges: 2
Character Development - Personal dilemmas and choices: 4
Darkness - PC death or Corruption: 3
Drama - Ceremony and grand story: 4
Intrigue - Politics and negotiation: 3
Manners - Social etiquette and peer pressure: 2
Mystery - Enigmas and investigation: 4
Pace - How fast do stories emerge, develop, and resolve? moderate
Description of Venue
Setting
"A quiet little town, off the beaten path where the only visitors are those who know how to find her." At least this is how those who have called Rome home all their lives wish it to be. However there is always more to a town that what lies on the surface. Something is very wrong with Rome, Ga. Anyone passing through tends to get a weird vibe coming from the city, and it's not at all comforting. Many claim Rome is cursed, but that can't be true can it? Then again, it's not called the "Enchanted Land" for nothing.
Rome has a long and established history, longer than many other Southern towns, thanks in part to it not being completely burned in Sherman's progression through the South. Rome is an antebellum city by nature, a bit behind the times, and very set in its ways. But as with all things, progress comes, and the city's younger blood is hearing the call, businesses, homes, and even a possibility of connection to the outside world, each bring a different feel, something the city itself is accepting, as the very land around her fights to maintain the old ways. The Seven Hills of Rome hold their own mystery and intrigue for those willing to venture even further from the beaten path. Some hold danger and corruption while others hold strange and mysterious wonders, for one who knows where to search or is diligent enough to find them.
Venue Specific History - Overview
"No man is rich enough to buy back his past." ~ Oscar Wilde
For centuries mankind has lived ignorant of all the things that exist in the world around them. But some, a select few know the truth, not because they are smarter, faster, or better than any others, no, because they attracted the attention of those things that move in the strange places of the universe. They were taken, and lived lives of fear, wonder, pain, pleasure all the while wrapped in gossamer chains of servitude to strange powers of old, beings known by many names, but to these unfortunate the are called the Others.
But a few, those with the strength of will, and the desire to return home have found their way back, across the twisted and thorn entrenched Hedge between Faerie and the mundane world, each hoping, believing that they could reclaim their old lives, but each finding that their time in Arcadia has changed them, warped their bodies and souls into something new a being not wholly part of either world, but caught between the two.
This story focuses on the Lost of Rome, and Floyd County Georgia. Those who have found themselves deposited through the Hedge in the "Enchanted Lands" or have made their way here seeking what life they can make of it. Their trials, tribulations, joys and triumphs will play out, each and every step leading them further down the path to a new life they can forge for themselves, while seeking to maintain their freedom from their Keepers and from falling deeper into the tapestry of madness that knowing has woven around them.
Venue Government - Overview
For over 150 years the Changelings that call the "Enchanted Lands" home have honored the nature of the seasons, both to give structure to chaotic nature of the Lost and to help ward off the attentions of the the True Fae who may come looking for those who escaped.
Over time a set of Fleeting and Eternal Offices have developed to guide, govern and protect those who seek this land as home.
[edit]The Fleeting
Each court rules during its time, and is responsible for the safety, and governance of the Lost of this land. Each Court chooses it's "Caesar" on the last day of its preceding season, and the title and authority is handed off by the "Caesar" of the previous season at a festival held to honor the changing of the times. The new ruler then makes known the first edicts of the new court, which are usually traditional laws or practices that represent how that Court views the way the Changelings should live their lives. These are seen as a tone setter for the new regime and how it will handle its rule for that time. The previous "Caesar" then takes the title of "Senator" for their Court, and joins the ranks of the other "Senators", each made up of the previous rulers from the last time their court held the reigns of power. The "Senators" are charged with acting as the voice of their court and are expected to serve as Paragons of their Season until their time to rule returns once again, and a new "Caesar" is chosen for their Court. The ruling court does not have a "Senator", and it is expected that the "Caesar" acts in this capacity themselves as they are the current Paragon of the ruling court. A term for a "Caesar" is only that of the Season they are chosen to represent their Court, and the term of a "Senator" is only the span between the time their Court rules and the next time their Season returns their Court to ascendancy. While it is rare, both a "Caesar" and a "Senator" can be removed before their terms are up, this must be done by their Court in the manner they see fit based off their beliefs, or by their death or other act of vacancy. Only once in the recorded history of the land has a "Caesar" been removed by actions of the combine might of the other courts, and this caused a rift amongst the Courts that took years to repair.
On rare occasions in the past it has been known for there to be no one to assume the mantle of "Caesar" for a court when its Season comes around. This has been for many reasons, but the most common is when no member of that Court exists within the "Enchanted Lands". Two traditions exist to cover this unfortunate event, the Right of the "Poppet," and the "Right of the Vacant Throne". While neither is ideal, it is tradition for some act to be done to keep the cycle of the Seasonal Courts running, and to ignore the vacancy is considered bad luck for the Court that follows the Empty one. The Right of the Poppet is the more favored of these traditions, with the Right of Empty Throne seen as a last resort.
[edit]The Eternal
While the Caesar and Senators sway in the changing winds of the Seasons, there are those who stand as pillars to all within the community. Those who see to the day to day needs of the Freehold.
The Custos, Guardian, Sheriff and Solider of the Freehold, the Changeling who holds this position is responsible for the military defense of the Freehold and its citizens as well as enforcing the laws both ancient and seasonal. The Custos has the right to act as he/she deems necessary in the protection of the charge he is given, and answers only to the Caesar or the combined might of the Senators if the Caesar is not available to intervene.
The Hospes, Hostess, Greeter and Mother/Father of the Lost within the Freehold, the Changeling who either by charge of choice has taken to being the one who organizes meetings, parties, and markets within the Enchanted Lands. Seen as one of the most important positions as they are also responsible for taking those who have recently escaped or are newly arrived within the Freehold under their wing, as well as acting as contact for those Changelings visiting from other Freeholds.
The Veneficus, Scholar, Sorcerer and Caretaker of the Freehold, the Chageling who is seen as the most knowledgeable and organized of all those within the Freehold. The Veneficus is responsible for keeping knowledge that has been gathered by the Freehold or dealing with any new or dangerous magics that have been discovered or threaten the community. They are also charged with maintaining, tracking and overseeing Freehold resources and are usually seen as the final authority as to what is available for the use of the Freehold. The Veneficus is seen as the only position that even the Caesar has no real authority over when in comes down to the duties of the office.
The Legatus, Envoy, Negotiator, and Go to Guy, the Changeling who is seen as the person to go to when things need doing in the Mortal World, if you can't get it done on your own, The Orator is the person to ask in matter relating to the Mortal Authorities, Criminal Elements and anything else that might arise. He/She is also responsible for working with the Hospes in getting the Newly Escaped on their feet, an apartment, new ID, a job, etc. Of course the more elaborate the request, the more it will cost the newbie.
Theme/Mood:
Discovery – What have you left behind, what are you now, and what are is to become of you? Searching and discovering a world around you that has changed, or has been changed by the very nature of what you are. A world once peaceful and mundane, now full of danger, fear, wonder and madness. Can you overcome your mistrust and shattered emotions to build a place for yourself in a world you once called home?
Storytelling Mechanics:
Proxy Rules
All character proxies to this venue require a hard proxy if the character intends to do any of the following:
- Stay within the city more that three days. - Use any power within the bounds of the domain. - Interact with any characters on a level beyond simple conversation. - Become involved in any scene being run. - Become involved in any plot being run.
Hard proxy characters will be handled solely by the venue storyteller, and require the player to have the characters' presiding storyteller provide a copy of the character sheet and notification that they give the character leave to be hard proxy for the duration decided by the local venue storyteller. Should anything happen to the character, the presiding storyteller for that character will be contacted with the results. The venue storyteller will not accept hard proxies to games except under certain circumstances. Anyone wishing to have a character hard proxy to a game will need to contact the venue storyteller at least one week in advance for it to even be considered. Lastly, the venue storyteller reserves the right to hard proxy any character visiting his venue even if only for a game. This is usually reserved for scenes that may extend beyond the scope of one day or that result in a time freeze. However, it can also apply in other situations. For more information, see the section on character risks.
Character Restrictions
Members should keep in mind that given the scope of the city, that characters of a type that require mid or higher level approval will be moderated based on the Changeling population of the city and the justification given for the character to be present in the venue. As certain Seemings, Kiths or Courts become numerous in the city, the storyteller reserves the right to place limitation on the creation of new characters of these types as they he/she sees fit. Players wishing to introduce a character of one of limited seeming or kith may still be allowed to play one if they can give appropriate justification on why another should be brought into play. This is not intended to strictly prevent players from portraying a favored seeming, kith or court. Instead it is a means to foster diversity and allow the game to encompass a wider range of concepts and types for the sake of all players wishing to be involved. Characters wishing to possess high-powered firearms, explosives, gadgets, and other such items need to have the necessary merits to acquire them and must have the appropriate abilities to use them. The storyteller reserves the right to restrict any such items as they can be highly damaging to the chronicle, and will not usually play a part in the scenes or story lines that will be run in this venue.
Character Risks
Members attending games in this venue should be aware that there are inherent dangers within the city that could result in their character's death, or worse. Any scenes that result in a character's death will be arbitrated with as much attention as necessary to insure it is done fairly. Members who leave the game in an attempt to avoid character death or interaction with a scene, antagonists, etc., will have their character hard proxy to the scene and the character will be portrayed by a narrator or another storyteller until the issue is resolved. If a member wishes to avoid any risk for his character the honest way to do so is to abstain from playing that character in this venue.
Visiting Characters Guidelines
Any member bringing in a character from an outside venue is expected to provide the following:
- A character sheet signed by the character's presiding storyteller. - Contact information for the character's presiding storyteller (preferably an email address). - Approval codes for any aspect(s) of their character requiring mid or higher approval. - Signed item cards for any weapons, armor, ammunition, or the like their character is attempting to bring into the city, and notification of whether that item was legally or illegally obtained in-character. Items listed on characters sheets will suffice, however this does not protect items from being lost or stolen due to plot or player character actions. - Separate character sheets for any retainers or the like that they are attempting to bring into the city.
Though the storyteller will be lenient on visiting characters that are outside the normal power range of local characters, such as high Wyrd characters, it is expected that players of those characters moderate their own actions and ask before becoming directly involved in any scene or plot line that they could easily resolve through use of rare powers, excessive force, or the like. Should a member show they are incapable of such restraint, the storyteller will deny the use of certain powers, traits, or the like as he sees fit for the duration of the character's stay within the local venue.
Experience Award Guidelines
Characters will receive experience based on the following criteria:
- All rules found in The World of Darkness Camarilla Rules Addendum - Characters must play the same character at least 75% of the time that they are present at the game in order to gain a full portion of the experience awarded for the game. While this is not to discourage people from having more than one Changeling the Lost character it is to minimize the disturbance and confusion that repeated character changes can cause.
