Dark Ages : Cairo

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

I'd like to clarify something that we handle a little differently than Laws of the Night.

Like many LARPs, we do not, in most cases, use contested challenges in combat. Wherein the book has two characters attacking eachother, and one succeed while the other fails, instead, we resolve the attack of the character with the higher initiative (based on traits), run the challenge, then run the same process with the opposing character, assuming they are still up and fighting.

There are a multitude of advantages to this technique. For one thing, its frankly more realistic as I envision it. Two characters should both be able to hurt eachother in the same round. For a second thing, it makes abilities like Dodge actually useful.

There are exceptions to this, of course. If two characters are actually grappling, contested challenges may be used. In other cases, a block manaveur may be viable, which would allow for a Strength vs. Strength challenge. (Meaning both characters would apply their Potence, assuming they had it.)

I'm sure I'm going to have questions about this, so let's have at.

- HST

p.s. On a related note, the appropriate ability retest to resist an attack with your Stamina (a process known as 'soaking' in table-top) as opposed to dodging with Agility will be Survival. That means that is someone punches you and wins the initial challenge, you may call for a Survival retest to attempt to take the hit without taking the damage. Obviously, this may not be used all cases, especially when defending against Fire. (Though of course, Fortitude may still be used regardless.)

Questions? Comments?

Zackari · Established Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 234

:raises his hand...: Celerity level one...you can choose to act first...correct.?

so if bruja A is walking down the street and Ventrue B comes and attempts to hit him. Bruja A can declare Celerity, and choose to act first, even though Ventrue B has higher traits for initive, correct?

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

Partially. I look at it this way; Celerity 1 does NOT give you initiative in combat. Celerity 1 simply allows you to take an action in response when you would normally be confined strictly to trying to dodge, etc.

The textbook example, of course, is this: Kindred A draws a gun on Kindred B, and clearly has the intent to fire. Kindred B burn for Alacrity, and so he can draw his own gun. Both may now fire at eachother in the same round. Normally, Kindred B's only option would be to try to Dodge.

Make sense?

Zackari · Established Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 234

otayyy

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

Chisisi · Guest

what if your gun was already out, when you burnt for alacrity, could you then shoot him first Razz

(just wondering since I'm new ;p)