Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2015 12:49:03 GMT
Alrighty! It's another Sheet Tutorial By.... ME!
So now, I have heard several questions about humans, some of them contradicting others a bit silly and some downright outlandish. I am going to put down some of the questions I have had asked, and the answers to each, which I hope will settle the dust on a few things. Of course, after all this is done, I have a nice walk through for the sheet for those who might wish to play as this very flexible and malleable class.
If I Play a Human, Can I Skip The Character Sheet?
- No, no you can't. There is no way for a person to avoid doing a character sheet, even NPC ghouls have character sheets, and this is for the sake of balance and equality in the room.
Won't I get Killed the Second I start to play?
-Only if you are an asshole. Seriously, we have had mortals come into rps where if we were assholes ourselves, we would have just rolled said kine in batter and fried their ass. We don't though. Yes, this IS a kill room, so there is always that risk. So the basic answer is no, no you won't get instantly killed if you make a human, we're not that kind of a room.
No One Will Want to Play with me if I make a Human!
-Can I just reach through the screen and smack people who say this? Please? Like... Now? Honestly guys, no one chooses to play or not play with someone based on what they are, it is based on other things entirely. My humans get PLENTY of play, and it's simply because of how I make them available to people who might wish to play for one, and two because I make them interesting. Instead of thinking you have to be Cain's best chummy butt buddy to get around, realize that there is a world outside of the box you put yourself in, and really explore your options.
But I Won't be Able to do Anything.
-Ooooooh seven shades of bullshit. You can only do, or not do, what YOU choose for yourself. If your character is broke or a billionaire, if they have a house or a hovel, if they are employed or munching down on the dumpster dive scene. That is why I have told all of you, from Kindred to Kine alike, Get off your lazy ass and THINK about your character. You are the ones who put the limitations on yourselves, which is why I find it utterly frustrating, because it is entirely up to each of you to make yourself awesome or awful. It is not for us to do it FOR you.
I'll End up Dying Though!
- Actually, that again, depends on you. After all, last I knew, Vampires kind of make other vampires... From... You Know... Humans? Each Clan Embraces. If it didn't, 15th gens wouldn't exist, you dig? If your human is interesting, arresting, beautiful or talented? Chances are some vampire from a clan who thinks you 'fit right in', is going to nibble on your neck like a fat kid with a giant gummy bear. I state again that how you build your character is up to you, and if you make them interesting and unique (as I am sure each of you are on the other side of the screen), you will get changed. In all honesty, right no it's not so much as I might end up dying, but more along the lines of what clan would I like to get into?
Humans Don't do Anything Interesting.
-Wow, really?! I had NO idea that all of these fantastic discoveries we are making Every Day are not interesting! Holy Cow! -smacks- Come on people! You can have your character have ANY job you want, from Priest (My human is an Vatican Ordained Exorcist for example) to Pornstar, the choices are literally limitless. Plus, uh, hello? Did everyone forget that Vampire Hunters Exist? Gah-dur.
So you see, everyone seems to be laboring under some sort of a preconceived notion that playing a human makes you instant lame. I can not stress how absolutely untrue that is.
The room owner and I have talked about this, and in all honesty, we would prefer it is people were to start out with a human and to roll from there. The reason? When you make a human character, you get to flesh them out in the most natural way possible, and because of that you get a much more in depth understanding of who that new little spark is going to be.
Why is that important? I have seen many people come in and try to play a clan that doesn't it them personality or thought wise, and it makes it both hard on the player and the character, but on the rest of us as well. There is nothing more painful to watch than someone with no concept of law and conformity, try to play a Ventrue, who's very existence is to maintain order and the masquerade. Just the same as someone playing a Malkavian and presuming they are all bear hugging sociopaths who giggle and paint happy unicorns in blood on the walls.
Doing that is almost racist in my eyes, and it shows both a lack of understanding, and a lack of self. Learn who this character wants to be by starting them off as a human, and when you find that out, then think about if you want to take the next step. That is what makes it so amazing about playing a human, is that in all honesty, you get the absolute most flexibility out of them. You aren't bound by just one set thing, or stuck in the perpetual twilight, unable to enjoy doing any other activities. The world is utterly open to you as a human, and there is nothing you can't do in it, so take advantage of it.
That being said, down to the sheet!
Name: Character Name Nature: How They Are Sex: Keep it clean boys and girls!
Player: Your OOC Name Demeanor: How They Act Home: House/Condo/Flat/Hotel/Hostel/Abandoned fucking Shoe etc.
Chron.: Birmingham by Night Concept: What they are in a nutshell.
((Link for all the nature/demeanor and what they each mean.))
Attributes:
((Link for all the attributes, and what each point means.))
Abilities:
((Talents Skills Knowledges ))
Advantages:
Backgrounds:
Backgrounds describe advantages of relationship, circumstance, and opportunity: Material possessions, social networks, and the like. Backgrounds are external, not internal, Traits, and you should always rationalize how you came to possess them, as well as what they represent. Who are your contacts? Why do your allies support you? Where did you meet your retainers? What investments do you possess that yield your four dots in Resources? If you've put enough detail into your character concept, selecting appropriate Backgrounds should be easy.
Although it's uncommon to make rolls involving Background Traits, your Storyteller might have you do so to see if you can obtain information, goods, or favors. For example, you might have to roll Wits + Resources to keep your stock portfolio healthy, or Manipulation + Contacts to wheedle that extra favor from your smuggler "associate."
Background Links
Virtues:
The Virtue Traits define a character's outlook on unlife -- they shape a character's ethical code and describe his commitment to his chosen morality. Virtues exist to help give a character a sense of being, not to force players to portray their characters in a given way. However, Kindred are passionate creatures, and sometimes an act or situation may force a character to consider exactly how she should react to a given stimulus. Virtues come into play when a character faces an impending frenzy, does something ethically questionable (according to the character's morality), or confronts something that terrifies or disturbs her.
A vampire's Virtues are determined by his Path, the particular code of ethics he follows. Most Camarilla Kindred maintain their mortal values and follow the Path of Humanity (referred to simply as "Humanity"), but other vampires often subscribe to radically different philosophies.
At character creation, a character's Humanity is equal to his Conscience + Self-Control Virtues. A character's Willpower is equal to his Courage Virtue.
Vitues Link
Conscience:
Self Control:
Courage:
Merits and Flaws:
Mental Flaws Physical Flaws Social Flaws
Mental Merit Physical Merit Social Merit
Bio:
This is your Characters Story. This is how you explain how they came to be how they are, how they have their benefits, and how they came to be in the area.
So now, I have heard several questions about humans, some of them contradicting others a bit silly and some downright outlandish. I am going to put down some of the questions I have had asked, and the answers to each, which I hope will settle the dust on a few things. Of course, after all this is done, I have a nice walk through for the sheet for those who might wish to play as this very flexible and malleable class.
If I Play a Human, Can I Skip The Character Sheet?
- No, no you can't. There is no way for a person to avoid doing a character sheet, even NPC ghouls have character sheets, and this is for the sake of balance and equality in the room.
Won't I get Killed the Second I start to play?
-Only if you are an asshole. Seriously, we have had mortals come into rps where if we were assholes ourselves, we would have just rolled said kine in batter and fried their ass. We don't though. Yes, this IS a kill room, so there is always that risk. So the basic answer is no, no you won't get instantly killed if you make a human, we're not that kind of a room.
No One Will Want to Play with me if I make a Human!
-Can I just reach through the screen and smack people who say this? Please? Like... Now? Honestly guys, no one chooses to play or not play with someone based on what they are, it is based on other things entirely. My humans get PLENTY of play, and it's simply because of how I make them available to people who might wish to play for one, and two because I make them interesting. Instead of thinking you have to be Cain's best chummy butt buddy to get around, realize that there is a world outside of the box you put yourself in, and really explore your options.
But I Won't be Able to do Anything.
-Ooooooh seven shades of bullshit. You can only do, or not do, what YOU choose for yourself. If your character is broke or a billionaire, if they have a house or a hovel, if they are employed or munching down on the dumpster dive scene. That is why I have told all of you, from Kindred to Kine alike, Get off your lazy ass and THINK about your character. You are the ones who put the limitations on yourselves, which is why I find it utterly frustrating, because it is entirely up to each of you to make yourself awesome or awful. It is not for us to do it FOR you.
I'll End up Dying Though!
- Actually, that again, depends on you. After all, last I knew, Vampires kind of make other vampires... From... You Know... Humans? Each Clan Embraces. If it didn't, 15th gens wouldn't exist, you dig? If your human is interesting, arresting, beautiful or talented? Chances are some vampire from a clan who thinks you 'fit right in', is going to nibble on your neck like a fat kid with a giant gummy bear. I state again that how you build your character is up to you, and if you make them interesting and unique (as I am sure each of you are on the other side of the screen), you will get changed. In all honesty, right no it's not so much as I might end up dying, but more along the lines of what clan would I like to get into?
Humans Don't do Anything Interesting.
-Wow, really?! I had NO idea that all of these fantastic discoveries we are making Every Day are not interesting! Holy Cow! -smacks- Come on people! You can have your character have ANY job you want, from Priest (My human is an Vatican Ordained Exorcist for example) to Pornstar, the choices are literally limitless. Plus, uh, hello? Did everyone forget that Vampire Hunters Exist? Gah-dur.
So you see, everyone seems to be laboring under some sort of a preconceived notion that playing a human makes you instant lame. I can not stress how absolutely untrue that is.
The room owner and I have talked about this, and in all honesty, we would prefer it is people were to start out with a human and to roll from there. The reason? When you make a human character, you get to flesh them out in the most natural way possible, and because of that you get a much more in depth understanding of who that new little spark is going to be.
Why is that important? I have seen many people come in and try to play a clan that doesn't it them personality or thought wise, and it makes it both hard on the player and the character, but on the rest of us as well. There is nothing more painful to watch than someone with no concept of law and conformity, try to play a Ventrue, who's very existence is to maintain order and the masquerade. Just the same as someone playing a Malkavian and presuming they are all bear hugging sociopaths who giggle and paint happy unicorns in blood on the walls.
Doing that is almost racist in my eyes, and it shows both a lack of understanding, and a lack of self. Learn who this character wants to be by starting them off as a human, and when you find that out, then think about if you want to take the next step. That is what makes it so amazing about playing a human, is that in all honesty, you get the absolute most flexibility out of them. You aren't bound by just one set thing, or stuck in the perpetual twilight, unable to enjoy doing any other activities. The world is utterly open to you as a human, and there is nothing you can't do in it, so take advantage of it.
That being said, down to the sheet!
Name: Character Name Nature: How They Are Sex: Keep it clean boys and girls!
Player: Your OOC Name Demeanor: How They Act Home: House/Condo/Flat/Hotel/Hostel/Abandoned fucking Shoe etc.
Chron.: Birmingham by Night Concept: What they are in a nutshell.
((Link for all the nature/demeanor and what they each mean.))
Attributes:
((Link for all the attributes, and what each point means.))
| Physical | Social | Mental |
| Strength: | Charisma: | Perception: |
| Dexterity: | Manipulation: | Intelligence: |
| Stamina: | Appearance: | Wits: |
Abilities:
((Talents Skills Knowledges ))
| Talents: | Skills: | Knowledges: |
| Alertness: | Animal Ken: | Academics: |
| Athletics: | Crafts: | Computer: |
| Awareness: | Drive: | Finance: |
| Brawl: | Fire Arms: | Investigation: |
| Empathy: | Larceny: | Law: |
| Expression: | Melee: | Medical: |
| Intimidation: | Music: | Occult: |
| Leadership: | Performance: | Politics: |
| Streetwise: | Stealth: | Science: |
| Subterfuge: | Survival: | Technology: |
Advantages:
Backgrounds:
Backgrounds describe advantages of relationship, circumstance, and opportunity: Material possessions, social networks, and the like. Backgrounds are external, not internal, Traits, and you should always rationalize how you came to possess them, as well as what they represent. Who are your contacts? Why do your allies support you? Where did you meet your retainers? What investments do you possess that yield your four dots in Resources? If you've put enough detail into your character concept, selecting appropriate Backgrounds should be easy.
Although it's uncommon to make rolls involving Background Traits, your Storyteller might have you do so to see if you can obtain information, goods, or favors. For example, you might have to roll Wits + Resources to keep your stock portfolio healthy, or Manipulation + Contacts to wheedle that extra favor from your smuggler "associate."
Background Links
Virtues:
The Virtue Traits define a character's outlook on unlife -- they shape a character's ethical code and describe his commitment to his chosen morality. Virtues exist to help give a character a sense of being, not to force players to portray their characters in a given way. However, Kindred are passionate creatures, and sometimes an act or situation may force a character to consider exactly how she should react to a given stimulus. Virtues come into play when a character faces an impending frenzy, does something ethically questionable (according to the character's morality), or confronts something that terrifies or disturbs her.
A vampire's Virtues are determined by his Path, the particular code of ethics he follows. Most Camarilla Kindred maintain their mortal values and follow the Path of Humanity (referred to simply as "Humanity"), but other vampires often subscribe to radically different philosophies.
At character creation, a character's Humanity is equal to his Conscience + Self-Control Virtues. A character's Willpower is equal to his Courage Virtue.
Vitues Link
Conscience:
Self Control:
Courage:
Merits and Flaws:
Mental Flaws Physical Flaws Social Flaws
Mental Merit Physical Merit Social Merit
Bio:
This is your Characters Story. This is how you explain how they came to be how they are, how they have their benefits, and how they came to be in the area.