Dark Ages : Cairo

Storyteller · Site Admin Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 690

I would like to see more new characters come in who are related to pre-existing PCs. Someone's childe, grandchilde, sire, etc. I feel this can generate considerable RP not always seen at the 'standard clan level'.

I am willing to award a few freebie points at character creation for this. How many exactly? Dunno. Depends on the concept, the relation, etc. Like I said, I'm looking for something that will generate RP. Its all on a case-by-case basis.

Of course, it is only polite to contact the player of the character who you want to come in related to, to make sure your backgrounds match.

Questions? Comments? Discuss!

- HST

Rosabella Giovanni · Guest

While I totally agree that related characters are awesome (I am one after all) I do not think you should get freebees for it. There are already built in advantages, it basically amounts to free backgrounds. I mooch my Sire's resources for example, and he behaves similar to what I could get with the mentor background. Even my brother character has done things like get me free retainer (wraith.) I think that having imitate family should be it's own reward, as otherwise it places the PCs who have awesome non-childe concepts at a disadvantage. They should not be penalized, indirectly or otherwise. Additionally, you would have to consider how far back this policy went. Several newer players (I can think of 3) are childer or grandchilder. Would they get freebees? What about longer time players?

I trust players to understand the value of the RP opportunities without being bribed. If they really can't, then I guess that is their loss. Still, many people will likely have good concepts that do not mesh with the existing elders of their clan and this too can be very interesting. Frankly, these players probably need the XP more.

Storyteller · Site Admin Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 690

Very simply, I've been in games where virtually all the players were forced to come in as mortals, and then be embraced by a pre-existing character.

As a result, 80% of the PCs have been Embraced for less than a year, with many people embracing new Cainites before they're even released from the Accounting.

The result of this is a lot of frustrated players, many of whom quit.

Obviously, this is not the case in Cairo. However, I have a feeling that we've gone to an opposite extreme where only a few of the clans have any sire-childe relationships at all.

Many players may be reluctant to come in with these established relationships for a number of reasons. Perhaps they don't want to deal with the hassle of playing an unreleased childer. Maybe they don't personally know the players of certain established characters ooc, and therefore are uncertain whether or not they can trust them. (Believe me, I've been at the bad end of many sire/childe relationships.)

This policy is to encourage players to do a little research, and see if a sire-childe relationship is viable with the concept they are hoping to play. Oftentimes, it CAN, indeed, lead to greater role-playing opportunities.

- HST

Lupe de la Téllez · Noteworthy Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 197

I'm in agreement with TPO Rosabella on this one.

Also, given that this game was initially designed with a waiting room concept, that's more likely the reason people aren't coming in and trying to be Sires/Childer of pre-existing characters. Prior to this new initiative, it was actually frowned upon to hunt for a clan, etc.

I think if you just change things in the blurb for new players to say that you encourage them to contact players of characters they're interested in, or to contact you if they have an idea but don't know the PC it would mesh with, you'll likely find enough response without giving out freebies. Currently, the character creation guidelines give strong implication that you should be coming into game more or less not knowing anyone (all the letter of introduction stuff as well as specific mention of creating a mortal for the waiting room, etc.). I think if you change that to reflect your desire to have established relations, you'll get it.
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**Sanctity**

Farooq · Guest

I am always willing to have PCs related to me, by blood or otherwise. Being related doesn't mean they have to be childer, or recently embraced even.

They could have been embraced a while ago, or even not related at all, but someone you had a relationship with or knew in a previous city.

That said, if new people are interested, I'd be happy to figure out some way they knew Farooq. He's widely traveled, and is friendly to all who treat him with respect or kindness. I'd like to have the excuse to involve more new people in plot (and more plots in which to involve new people).

Storyteller · Site Admin Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 690

Brutarius Sorge · Important Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 316

Lupe de la Téllez · Noteworthy Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 197

Storyteller · Site Admin Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 690

Precisely what I am attempting to do. I always find that encouraging behavior is easier when you dangle some XP. Razz

And incidentally, please don't think I'm talking about a LOT of XP here... in all likelihood, it will be a couple of points.