Tales from the Silent Hedges
From Changeling Venue
Domain of the Twilight Chronicles: Changeling: The Lost Venue Style Sheet: Tales From the Silent Hedges
Contents |
Part 1: Campaign Background
Changeling: The Lost Venue Style Sheet: Tales From the Silent Hedges (Twilight Chronicles: CA-037-D)
Part 2: Basic Information
Venue Status: Pending
Chapter Name: Twilight Cathedral
Chapter Number: CA-037
Domain Name: The Twilight Chronicles (SW-CA-037-D)
Venue: Changeling: The Lost
Lead Venue Storyteller: Kim Fuentez-Anderson
Email: mddbat@sbcglobal.net
Games Hosted: On the 2nd Saturday every month.
Part 3: Styles of Play - Style of Play Description Rating
- Action - Combat and challenges (3)
- Character Development - Personal dilemmas and choices (4)
- Darkness - PC death or corruption (3-4)
- Drama - Ceremony and grand story (4)
- Intrigue - Politics and negotiation (3)
- Manners - Social etiquette and peer pressure (3)
- Mystery - Enigmas and investigation (4-5)
- Pace - Moderate to Fast Pace depending on player driven sub-plots and their relation to main storylines.
Rating Description
- 1 Never present
- 2 Sometimes present
- 3 Often present
- 4 Usually present
- 5 Always present
Action (3): For the Valley’s Lost, hidden horrors are just around the corner. Never underestimate the determination of the creatures that inhabit the Hedge. Canals brimming with unknown beasts, Orchard rows hiding malignant eyes, Shadows whispering secret stories are all a part of “Valley Life”.
Character Development (4): It’s best the Lost have a good idea who they are before making the long trip into the Valley. Being lost in a small city is different than being lost in the big city. The “Ripple Effect” is strong in Stanislaus County. Small acts could lead to big repercussions, so knowing ones mind and spirit can keep the Lost walking that fine line between Sanity and Madness.
Darkness (3-4): When the mortal social structure is so boldly distinct, the flush financial highs of “Transplanted” citizens compared to the addiction to despair in the “Airport Class”, the Valley holds little hope for some of its citizens. Yet, the nameless darkness they can not see that veils the Others’ goals might be the origin of all that is “just not right” in Stanislaus County.
Drama (4): Secret stories of a Dark Father who loved his children to death, the Mad Mother who mourns them, and the Harvesters who search for answers are whispered among the shelter children. None of these tales are lost on the Changelings of the Valley. And as the saying goes, “Out of the mouths of babes…”
Intrigue (3): Stanislaus County is both rural and urbane, since the recent influx of Bay Area City Slickers. Combine that with the inherent suspicious nature of the rural folk and the recipe for conflict is ever present. Lost must bear that in mind when talking with the inhabitants of the valley.
Manners (3): Knowing the kind of Manners needed when dealing with the different types of citizens in the Valley will help. What works for the local dairy owner won’t work for the District Attorney, or the local Norteno gang leader. One must be a Social Chameleon in order to survive.
Mystery (4-5): Most citizens say, ‘The Central Valley is like a Black Hole. Everyone who leaves always comes back.’ The mystery of the whole curse is: why?
Pace (Moderate to Fast): As noted earlier, nothing is ever what it seems in this venue. The most insignificant occurrence could meaning nothing or it may be the key to open another doorway. Each participant should be ready for anything. Again, it all depends on the player driven sub-plots and their relation to main storylines.
Part 4: Description of Venue
Background Overview:
Once upon a time, there lived a King and Queen, who loved each other with great passion. And, in their love they “created” many children, whom they both loved. Over the years, the Queen noticed that the children’s devotion to the King. Her jealousy began to grow and although she tried to ignore her pain by covering it up with the many vacant parties she threw and the hordes of guests who would attend them. In the end, it was all for naught; she could not forgive the King for loving them more than her. And, so the story ends with the death of the children, the disappearance of the King and the madness of the Queen.
Theme/Mood:
“Tales of the Silent Hedges” is a world of darkness, loss and sorrow. While non-residents live it up in the Mask of Dutch Hollow and Del Rio; Paradise, Crows Landing and the Airport hide the true Mein of Modesto. Despair is found on every street corner. Gangs fight over pieces of turf not worthy of the price of young blood. The Lost are merely a reflection of the sadness that cloaks the valley in a fog of sorrow.
Part 5: Storytelling Mechanics
Special Venue Specifics:
Players and/or visitors to this domain should be prepared for the unexpected. Participants should be able to think well on their feet and be confident and competent in the dynamics of game play (challenges, social structure, society, status, combat and multi-player combat). Those people who are new members of the Camarilla or the LARP experience should make this known to the VST and staff so that they can factor this into the session’s storyline and find a veteran player who may be willing to mentor the player in game play, style and theme.
Proxy Rules:
Proxies will be handled as per current Camarilla Addendum and the US National Addendum. In addition, all proxies require VST approval and at least 48 hours notice (so we can find a player, etc.) Also, please remember that anything that occurs to your character during proxy is final.
Travel Risks:
Varies by method of travel, route and the skill of the traveler. However, traveling through Stanislaus County can be quite dangerous if one is careless. There are far more deadly things in the Central Valley than crooked sheriffs, superstitious locals and the occasional gang members. Travel by car or train can be accomplished with a fairly low amount of risk (if one drives safely and in the right areas). Plane or helicopter flight may be accomplished fairly easy as well, but one must plan their trip carefully as access to runways and so forth can be quite limited.
Visiting Character Policy:
Visiting characters are most welcome. Visiting characters must present signed character sheets at check in, with signed experience log and signed items cards as well. Non-resident characters that are disruptive to game play and enjoyment may be barred from future games. Non-resident characters may exact revenge and punishments on local characters for IC actions, but our goal is to provide an entertaining game that both local and non-local members can enjoy.
Experience Awards Policy:
Standard award is 5 experience points. There is no travel bonus and while we recognize good role-play, we do not hold nominations for role-play awards. The ST staff may, at their discretion, authorize a role-play bonus or subtraction. Standard award presumes on time check in and participation in a majority of game time. Late arrivals can be disruptive to game flow and cause an ST to take time away from game for character check in. Thus, late arrivals may be penalized 1 point, at ST discretion. This is not an automatic penalty. We understand that life happens.
Characters who play for less than half of the game may also be penalized 1 point, again at ST discretion. We have often had characters sign in to game, and then the player leaves while taking the standard award. While this is understandable in case of illness or emergency, it is unfair to those who participate in the game.
Players who are constantly out of character or who pull others out of character may be penalized 1 point as well, again at ST discretion. Game is for role-playing, or throw playing even. Game is not for out of character socializing. Socializing should occur either before game or at “afters.” Common sense applies. A few minutes is not a problem. Repeatedly pulling others out of character or doing so for extended times, is not acceptable.
Home characters have the option of either travel or downtime actions to make up for lost or otherwise available experience points. Both are equally encouraged.
Submitted by Kim Fuentez-Anderson, US2002021457 (VST - Twilight Chronicles: Changeling)
