Vampire: The Masquerade

[General Havoc]

Might be 15-20 mins late tonight

[General Havoc]

I'm afraid I will not be available for the game on March 2nd, as I will be attending an Oscar party that evening.

[rhoenix]

My apologies, but I won't be able to make it to the game tonight. I should be able to jump on Skype later on, however.

[Cynical Cat]

Reminder that we'll be doing Vampire at 9pm on Sunday, unless we cancel.

[General Havoc]

I should be good for that time.

[Cynical Cat]

Just a reminder that Vampire will again be at 9pm this Sunday.

[Cynical Cat]

A reminder that there is still no Vampire this weekend.

[Cynical Cat]

Going to aim for 7:30 for Vampire this Sunday.

[General Havoc]

Going to aim for 7:30 for Vampire this Sunday.

Sounds good. There was a chance I was gonna be late at 6.

[rhoenix]

(character sheet v1.1)

Name: Matthias Kormos
Clan: Brujah
Nature: Survivor
Demeanor: Defender
Concept: Soldier
Generation: 8th
Blood Pool: 15 (can spend 3 blood per turn; trait maximum is 5)
Clan Weakness: The roll to resist frenzy is always +2 higher than normal.

Description: Matthias is tall, standing 6'0", and has a swordsman's build - lean, though muscular. He has black hair, and green eyes. He bears a few scars from his time in the military while alive.

Equipment: He still has his old Tagmatarchis armor, well kept, and polished. He has a set of nice clothes for meeting important folk, as well as a collection of his old weaponry from his time in the military, still well-kept.

"I clothe myself in the armor of righteousness,
Arm myself with the blade of just acts,
Shield myself with raw will,
And charge with the passion of a thousand men."

Background: Born 1097 in the Byzantine Empire, he was born to pig farmers of Constantinople, and given the name Matthias in the hopes of helping to nudge his destiny. As the second son born to the family, when he came of age, he joined the military for his own fortune. He sent money home to help his family, and still supports his mortal family in small, subtle ways even now.

Working diligently, he rose through the ranks to achieve the title of Tagmatarchis by 1125, after ten years of service - more quickly than most. He was eventually assigned to be of the Palace guard, and it was there that he attracted the attention of an odd scholar who only seemed to walk and debate at night.

This scholar appeared to appreciate Matthias' views that a warrior should be sharp of mind as well as martial of body, and after asking to speak to Matthias alone one night about an "important matter," introduced him somewhat abruptly to the world of the Damned, though he was given a proper education on unlife from who was now his sire.

Since then, Matthias has has traveled, debated, and fought across half the Empire and beyond - who knows what the future awaits him in the nights ahead?

Physical:
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 4
Stamina: 4

Social:
Charisma: 3
Manipulation: 3
Appearance: 2

Mental:
Intelligence: 2
Perception: 2
Wits: 2

Talents:
Alertness 2 - In his mind, to be aware of details of your surroundings is necessary to properly make decisions, especially in the heat of battle.
Athletics 1 - A necessity for a soldier is to move well, even in armor.
Brawl 3 - Having the ability to handle yourself when unarmed has come in handy far more than once.
Dodge 3 - One of the secrets to surviving campaigns is not being hit.
Empathy 2 - In juxtaposition, being able to read and understand others is very necessary when conducting war with words, or to simply understand someone better than you did before.
Expression 2 - To be eloquent in how you conduct yourself around others is just as important as being able to understand their perspective, in Matthias' mind.
Intimidation 2 - On the other hand, there are times when someone needs to be shown that their place is is face-first in a corner.
Subterfuge 2 - There are times when one needs to be subtle, even when being otherwise loud.

Skills:
Animal Ken 1 - Matthias has spent time getting to know his steeds over the years. He at least tries to understand animals as he does with humans, alive or otherwise.
Archery 1 - To say that Matthias has never engaged in long-range assault with a proper bow and arrows would be a complete bald-faced lie.
Commerce 1 - Learning to understand the ebbs and flows of how money and favors flow was necessary for Matthias, especially coming as he was from humble beginnings.
Etiquette 1 - Though he doesn't know all the nuances of higher society, Matthias is at least familiar with the basics.
Melee 3 - A blade has been the symbol of justice, hope, and being able to impose one's will for Matthias since before he was a soldier.
Ride 1 - To know one's steed well always serves a cataphract well in battle.
Stealth 1 - Though he often wears armor, there have been times when Matthias has had to take a far more quiet approach.
Survival 1 - Pitched campaigns forced him to learn to live off the land, a skill he still finds use for.

Knowledges:
Academics 3 - Matthias has spent much time poring over tomes and scrolls, engaging in scholarly debate more than once.
Investigation 1 - Moreover, being able to figure out what may have happened after the fact is highly useful at times.
Law 1 - Knowing the law helps one to stay to the side of it if one needs to.
Linguistics 2 - (speaks Greek, Latin, Arabic, Italian)
Occult 1 - Though not unfamiliar with the more strange things, Matthias has not made it his primary study.
Politics 1 - Along with knowing commerce and more scholarly pursuits, knowing how the politics of a region currently operate has been useful more than once.
Seneschal 1 - Though not a large land-holder, knowing the details of such things is also good to know, especially for future plans.

Backgrounds:
Generation: 4 - One of the advantages of having a discerning sire, in his case at least.
Resources: 2 - The money Matthias has to draw upon isn't great, but it is enough for him. For now.
Status: 1 - Matthias is known not only for his deeds for Rome during his life, but what he has shown and done thus far in his unlife as well.

Disciplines:
Celerity: 3 - Sheer speed is one of the defining traits of how Matthias conducts himself in combat.
Potence: 1 - Power is a virtue, and the ability to impose one's physical will on others definitely has uses.
Presence: 2 - Imposing one's social will on others is just as strategic out of combat. Politics can be a bloody battlefield, after all.
Fortitude: 1 - Stoicism is one of the virtues Matthias admires, and it evinces itself in his blood's capabilities.
Auspex: 1 - Being stoic and being aware of danger are not mutually exclusive. Matthias' sharp eyes have saved him more than once.

Combat Options:
Initiative: 1d10+6 (Wits 2 + Dexterity 4)
Armor:
- Heavy Armor (+3B/+4L soak)
- Light Helm (+2B/+3L to soak against strikes to the head; not cumulative with armor soak bonuses, -1 to effective Perception)
- Cavalry Shield (Dex+Melee Parry of incoming attacks Diff. 6(8 on foot), +1 to difficulty of incoming attacks vs. Melee, +1 to difficulty of incoming attacks vs. Missile; +2 to Parry difficulty when on foot)

Weapons:
- Broadsword (str+4L dmg, parry diff. 6, +1 to difficulty of incoming attacks vs. Melee when parrying, no bonus against missiles)
- Dagger (str+1L, parry diff. 5, no bonus to difficulty against incoming attacks when parrying)
- Lance (only used on horseback; 8 or Str L)
- Horseman's Bow (short bow) (2L, range 60 yards), 25 arrows

Merits/Flaws:
Prey Exclusion: Children - to Matthias, children are the future of the world, and they are not to be involved with the inner workings of the world. (cannot feed on children; if he accidentally feeds on a child, he automatically frenzies, and must make a roll to prevent Road loss)
Light Sleeper - Awakening at the first sign of trouble is an old ingrained habit. (Can ignore Road rating restrictions for dice available while acting during the day, can awaken immediately out of sleep with no grogginess)

Virtues:
Conscience: 3 - One must be aware of one's effects on others.
Self-Control: 5 - One must be stoic against one's baser urges to conduct one'sself honorably.
Courage: 4 - The foundation, in Matthias' mind, of what one can do.

Willpower: 7 - one's will is the foundation of one's effect on the world.

Via Humanitas (Road of Humanity): 6

10 - Selfish thoughts
9 - Minor selfish acts
8 - Injury to another person
7 - Theft or robbery
6 - Accidental violation of another
5 - Wanton destruction
4 - Impassioned violation of another
3 - Planned violation of another
2 - Casual violation of another
1 - The most heinous and demented acts

Ghouls & other Minions:
- Alastor (personal ghouled warhorse, per p.311 of Dark Ages book)
Background: Having been his warhorse at the time of his Embrace, Matthias strongly attempted to reforge bonds with it afterward - though his patience paid off. Alastor has been his faithful steed since then, and Matthias can truthfully say that he's had Alastor since before he was Embraced.

Attributes: Strength 6, Dexterity 2, Stamina 5, Perception 3, Wits 3
Willpower 4, Health Levels Ok/Ok/-1/-1/-2/-2/-5/Incap.
Attacks: Trample/Kick (7 dmg, bashing), Bite (3 dmg, lethal)
Abilities: Alertness 3, Athletics 2, Brawl 3, Empathy 2, Intimidation 2
Control Rating: 3
Blood Pool: 8


Freebie Expenditures:

Spoiler: show

- additional attr. point: sta from 3 to 4

25 freebie points:
-2 (willpower from 4 to 6)
23
-2 (Resources from 0 to 2)
21
+1 Flaw (Prey Exclusion: Children)
22
-7 (Auspex from 0 to 1)
15
-2 (Linguistics from 1 to 2)
13
-4 (Academics from 1 to 3)
9
-1 (Background: Status from 0 to 1)
8
-2 (ability: Intimidation from 1 to 2)
6
-2 (Merit: Light Sleeper)
4
-4 (Virtue: Self-Control from 3 to 5)
---
0 freebies remaining

Freebie Expenditures:

Spoiler: show

- 3xp (game 1, intro - met Helgi & Marcus, attempted poorly to entice them to join him on his personal interest in Latin dark influences)
- 2xo (game 2, matthias hears about the child rapist who must be found and properly chastised. Has not yet told Verangian guard. Marcus talked to Alfonso, was jumped, is now mad at Alfonso)
---
5xp

Game Notes:

Spoiler: show

- domination of italian (esp. venetian) of trade, of exemption of taxation, vast trade deficits to empire's trade, specifically targeted to Constantinoples trade. Alfonso is known to be involved, and known to be an associate of other powerful vampires of have similar goals. enemies on multiple sides now, including the Turks; this is not the time for this bullshit)

[Cynical Cat]

Just a reminder, no Vampire this weekend.

[rhoenix]

Matthias the Brujah is now complete and posted.

[rhoenix]

Final edits performed on Matthias' sheet pre-Sunday game.

[General Havoc]

I can actually make it tonight but will be maybe 45 mins late

[Cynical Cat]

The game is, unfortunately, canceled as I have to attend upon the court of my paternal ancestor.

[Cynical Cat]

The game is on hold due to the loss of our favorite child dictator.

[Lys]

I'll make the appropriate sacrifices to Iuppiter in the hopes of his swift return.

[White Haven]

If any of the major Roman deities would be the patron of computation, I would expect Mercury.

[Lys]

I was figuring lightning -> electricity -> electronics.

[Cynical Cat]

And the game is back on.

[rhoenix]

If I'm remembering right, and 2/16 is a Vampire gameday (Monday), I'm afraid I won't be able to make it that day. Work, yet again.

[Lys]

Been looping this song on and off for nearly a week now. That easily makes it the most addictive song i've listened to, and i'm sharing it here because the lyrics remind me of Vampire.

[youtube][/youtube]

[General Havoc]

Apropos of nothing...

[Lys]

A certain someone was curious about the swords of the Empire of Romania. They might find this interesting: http://sword-site.com/thread/99/byzantine-swords

[LadyTevar]

A certain someone was curious about the swords of the Empire of Romania. They might find this interesting: http://sword-site.com/thread/99/byzantine-swords

I was entranced for nearly an hour. I could see Marcus with a chld-sized sword, complete with bird-head pommel.