As I begin to develop Kensei, I've begun thinking about the kind of game I want to play in. You see, Kensei is a larp about competition, about being Number 1. As much as I, as a storyteller, like that, I as a player have an issue.
I've noted before that, in other games and groups I've played with, there is a decided undercurrent of wanting to win inherent in the game. We've all heard stories of Vampire games devolving because the political backstabbing was going on out of character just as much as inside, people working more for their own sake than for the game as a whole. I've been witness and party to several episodes of drama that frankly take the fun and flavor out of games, and there are entire articles of literature about horror stories of larping where someone or someones just had to get what they want, and damn the rest.
And then there is the subtle stuff. Small groups of a larger club forming into cliques that tend to only work with each other, even in other games. Where does the line get drawn when you just decide to stop playing with the larger group and branch off and do your own thing?
I think, one of the things that has always drawn me to larping is the most basic thing that separates it from most other forms of performance and gaming. It is, by it's very nature, a collaborative effort. Larps cannot and will not work if the greater body performing in it is not in some way working together. This was evident in my Mage game, where people were showing up simply because there was a game to play. There was no real drive to interact or really do anything there, which resulted in lopsided gaming and what was in effect a table top that no one really wanted to go through, least of all the person playing it.
Larping is one giant study in Group Dynamics. I swear to God, I have professors who would have mental breakdowns trying to map our interactions with one another. We are the audience to our own performances, the characters of a story that we are all writing. That's not prosaic, that's what's happening. My friend Chris, one of the best roleplayers I've ever known, told me once that larping was a social contract. You agree to a degree that you are in a room with people doing a thing. When that works, it works. It's bumpy and it needs recalibrating at all times. When it doesn't work, you fucking feel it at every step of the way.
In short, people need to be on deck for what is going on in this game. They have to agree that they want to be part of the collaborative whole, they don't all have to have the same agenda or the same methodology, but they all need to accept that they are all in this together and that each and every one of them brings something to this. They also need to acknowledge that their Characters do not equal The Players. I think a lot of the drama that goes on is when we forget that I am not He and He is not Me. As someone who supports the concept of Bleed, where you experience emotions and feelings of your characters (and vice versa) you'd think what I just said would be contradictory. It isn't. Bleed is fun, Bleed is great, Bleed is the best parts of the experience. However, when things go bad in game you have to remind yourself that this isn't happening to you, it's happening to your character. You have control of your character, you are not your character completely. I think that when we don't keep that in mind, it's easy for something In Character to be taken personally Out of Character, especially in some of the darker games.
I find this is difficult to maintain in larger, public clubs like Mind's Eye Society. You're guaranteed to get different personalities and concepts about how the game is to be played when the only major requirement for membership is to be a paying member of the club in good standing. I've seen people who, in any privately run group, would have been thrown out on their ass and/or beaten to crap for the amount of abusive drama they've leveled to a people. I'm not just saying they there are levels of disagreement. I'm saying that these are people who Do Not Care For Anything But What They Can Do and Get. They don't collaborate, and that becomes a dead stop in gaming.
I would also like to point out that this is not just people with Malicious Intent (though God Help Me, there are those out there). Let's be honest, we're nerds. We're all of us dorks to the outside community and for most of us, social interactions aren't our forte' for whatever form or reason. I'm not saying that those of us who aren't good at social mechanics should exclude ourselves from gaming, because I'd be one of the first people thrown out the proverbial window, but I'm saying that in a culture that promotes collaboration, these things would be balanced out both in and out of game. There would be more discourse before the player joined the game as to what was expected of them and what they expected of the game. There would be more dialogue. In the culture of a public club, that becomes difficult because there is a sense of "well, I'm here because I paid to be here, so I'm here to do what I paid to do." In a private game, where the player pools are smaller, more intimate, and more often than not know each other, the gaming becomes more communal and honest and open. In a club that is more public and paying (key word), I've found people more closed off to collaboration. The irony is captivating in a depressing matter.
We need to all be aware that we, as players, are in this process together. It's one of the reasons I was initially drawn to Dystopia Rising. The DR New Jersey game, began at 9pm on fridays with a gather up of all the players and game runners, lead by Michael *He-Who-Swims-In-Tears* Pucci would run down the general rules and regulations for the game. This is necessary because it helps bring the players together and no one gets to say "well I wasn't told". He also, as I recall, would finish off his ranting announcements by reminding us, each and everyone of us, that we are all nerds and what we're doing is geeky beyond belief. It's a unifying call, a rallying cry, and while it doesn't guarantee that everyone will all play in the sandbox nicely together, it does mean that the cultural expectations of the group have been set.
And when the Man setting the rules down is literally responsible for the world you're playing in, it is not wise to fuck with him. Especially at 4am and he has killer-ninja-zombies on deck.
And that's what I think it is a problem of, ultimately. A cultural expectation. I think that it's easy to view larping as just a hobby, just a game, and not what it really is: a sub culture. We meet at appointed times on a regular basis, have our own language, meetings, tomes and core beliefs. We're a community of people of various backgrounds united because we like this kind of thing. If we consider it like that, how can this not be a collaborative effort. We can't survive on our own, we need community.
We also need a language, and something I learned recently touched a nerve for me. I was trying to build Kensei as a Player vs Player game, but I was trying to keep it as an IC thing without it becoming an issue with the Players. So a PvP game without OOC PvP. Aaron Vanek, whom as I write this is currently being awesome in Wyrdcon (damn him) introduced me to a term that cuts the confusion out of that sentence. Character vs Character. This was something of a revelation to me because it never occurred to me to think of it that way. It states, right there, that the characters are in conflict with one another, not the players. It sets up, even for those who value the Letter of the Law over it's Spirit that this is a game where the drama is for the characters and not for the players. So is making the rules favor roleplay over statistics, because instead of focusing on just raising numbers, you have to interact with the pool at large, seeking out others and creating something within the game. It doesn't have to be a large thing, but it's a great thing.
Talking with Aaron and some of the Nordic Larpers that I have met over the past year, they have managed to pull off a level of intense play that I've not experienced yet. And they are the ones who really drive home the phrase: Play to lose. During our discussions, it's become a stereotypical sort of notion that the US larps are more focused on the individual because the US as a cultural focus on the individual's needs and attaining them while the Nordic games are more communal because their culture values communal.
To close, there is nothing I can really say to really answer "What can we do?" I think that being open about what we want, and how we want it is always a good thing. We're playing in different worlds, in different mindsets. We need a place we're safe in, with a group that is on track with each other, that can, at the very least, trust one another to maintain that world and support each other in their own process. It doesn't seem to make sense to me any other way. I can't say that this thinking is the right way to go about larping, but it just makes too much damn sense that in an activity that requires the interactions of other people we need to accept that we need other people to make it work.
Or else, what the hell are we doing here?
Later.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Sunday, May 18, 2014
The Very Long Night of Owen Asteria
Normally, I only talk about snippets of play unless it was a full event. That being said, the last game of Requiem was pretty spectacular and I thought I should share. This is the story of Owen Asteria becoming Prince of New York. This will be done both In Character and Out of Character.
Before we begin, I should explain some things. My character, Owen, is a member of House Asteria, a centuries old Family of Vampires who are founded by three Siblings: Ramiel, Phoebe and Rhona. Through the centuries, they have politicked, enjoyed, and experienced so much as they became mainstays of the Circle of the Crone, the political body of pagan Vampires. Owen is the childe of Genevieve Asteria, who is herself the Childe or Ramiel. Owen was Embraced in the mid 1920's, is a member of the Circle himself, and is also a Khaibit. Khaibit are a rare form of vampire who are able to manipulate and even become living shadows. Owen's Khaibit mentor has manipulated and guided Owen through covert and overt measures for decades, with Owen's instruction coming to a head by being tortured for months and left to fend for himself.
In New York, the City is on the brink of war. Vampires of Belial's Brood, a chaotic cult of Devil Worshippers, have infested Long Island and consistently breach the borders into the City proper. Owen, who was made Seneschal (think Chief of Staff) for the Prince of New York, Maria Lorraine. While Maria was away and Owen given nominal Praxis of New York, it was decided that War were to be declared against the Brood. It was also that night that Owen was to learn his mentor is in Long Island, or at the very least another vampire like him. The Asteria are very much aware that Owen is willing and able to go into Long Island, which is a chaotic nightmare for Vampires, to hunt them down and have made very loud noises to stop him.
A month passes, April to May. I come in to game after dinner, where I meet Jenna, the player for Maria Lorraine. She came up to me and said "So I'd like to start off the game by giving up Praxis to Owen."
I blinked, we had discussed this happening for a while ICly and OOCly, but we hadn't nailed anything down. We agreed to hold off, because Genevieve, Owen's Sire and Harpy (think Court Reporter meets a Gossip Columnist and Social Demagogue. Then add Fangs) isn't there and this is something that should be recorded and should have someone to play Social Referee in case shit goes weird. We agree and hold off until Genevieve can arrive. I come in to game as Owen and approach Owen's aunt, Phoebe. Phoebe is one of Owen's teachers and out of most of the family one of the people Owen trusts. Owen tells her that Maria Lorraine intends to step down that night. Phoebe, and her player Margaret, blink.
"We need a family meeting, right now" She says, both of her, Phoebe AND Margaret.
We grab the members of the Family in attendance. Myself, Phoebe, Ramiel, Rhona, and Owen's cousin (and Prince of Oneonta) James. Owen unites them and then explains what is to happen. There is general shock, especially from Ramiel, who isn't a fan of the rather large and already present Asteria gaining any more overt power. Becoming Prince of New York, arguably the most influential City currently existing on God's Green Earth, qualifies as having more overt power.
A lot of things were said there in the initial reaction. Too many for me to remember. Ramiel was aghast, and immediately spoke of people readying to declare that the Asteria wished to declare Imperia, Dynastic rule of the NorthEastern Region. Rhona, on the other hand, had other thoughts. Apparently, during the time that Owen had been away at 'Summer Camp', being tortured and instructed in the Khaibit Arts by his psychotic Ra's-al-ghul-was-a-rank-amateur Mentor, Juniper (Owen's cousin, Rhona's daughter, and a somewhat insane dreamseer) had a dream of Owen.
Before we begin, I should explain some things. My character, Owen, is a member of House Asteria, a centuries old Family of Vampires who are founded by three Siblings: Ramiel, Phoebe and Rhona. Through the centuries, they have politicked, enjoyed, and experienced so much as they became mainstays of the Circle of the Crone, the political body of pagan Vampires. Owen is the childe of Genevieve Asteria, who is herself the Childe or Ramiel. Owen was Embraced in the mid 1920's, is a member of the Circle himself, and is also a Khaibit. Khaibit are a rare form of vampire who are able to manipulate and even become living shadows. Owen's Khaibit mentor has manipulated and guided Owen through covert and overt measures for decades, with Owen's instruction coming to a head by being tortured for months and left to fend for himself.
In New York, the City is on the brink of war. Vampires of Belial's Brood, a chaotic cult of Devil Worshippers, have infested Long Island and consistently breach the borders into the City proper. Owen, who was made Seneschal (think Chief of Staff) for the Prince of New York, Maria Lorraine. While Maria was away and Owen given nominal Praxis of New York, it was decided that War were to be declared against the Brood. It was also that night that Owen was to learn his mentor is in Long Island, or at the very least another vampire like him. The Asteria are very much aware that Owen is willing and able to go into Long Island, which is a chaotic nightmare for Vampires, to hunt them down and have made very loud noises to stop him.
A month passes, April to May. I come in to game after dinner, where I meet Jenna, the player for Maria Lorraine. She came up to me and said "So I'd like to start off the game by giving up Praxis to Owen."
I blinked, we had discussed this happening for a while ICly and OOCly, but we hadn't nailed anything down. We agreed to hold off, because Genevieve, Owen's Sire and Harpy (think Court Reporter meets a Gossip Columnist and Social Demagogue. Then add Fangs) isn't there and this is something that should be recorded and should have someone to play Social Referee in case shit goes weird. We agree and hold off until Genevieve can arrive. I come in to game as Owen and approach Owen's aunt, Phoebe. Phoebe is one of Owen's teachers and out of most of the family one of the people Owen trusts. Owen tells her that Maria Lorraine intends to step down that night. Phoebe, and her player Margaret, blink.
"We need a family meeting, right now" She says, both of her, Phoebe AND Margaret.
We grab the members of the Family in attendance. Myself, Phoebe, Ramiel, Rhona, and Owen's cousin (and Prince of Oneonta) James. Owen unites them and then explains what is to happen. There is general shock, especially from Ramiel, who isn't a fan of the rather large and already present Asteria gaining any more overt power. Becoming Prince of New York, arguably the most influential City currently existing on God's Green Earth, qualifies as having more overt power.
A lot of things were said there in the initial reaction. Too many for me to remember. Ramiel was aghast, and immediately spoke of people readying to declare that the Asteria wished to declare Imperia, Dynastic rule of the NorthEastern Region. Rhona, on the other hand, had other thoughts. Apparently, during the time that Owen had been away at 'Summer Camp', being tortured and instructed in the Khaibit Arts by his psychotic Ra's-al-ghul-was-a-rank-amateur Mentor, Juniper (Owen's cousin, Rhona's daughter, and a somewhat insane dreamseer) had a dream of Owen.
There was a lot of fire, a lot of death, and Owen was the bringer of most of it. I have the whole thing on my computer, because my ST is a vicious bastard and my writing partner and wanted to share. I know the omen, Owen only knows that something has gotten people spooked. Apparently, Owen is a stand in for Fenrir, the wolf of Darkness and the beast the cracks off Ragnarok and the death of the Gods. By Gods, we mean the Founders.
Oh fun.
Owen got the liner notes from Rhona, which left nothing to make Owen any more comfortable with things to come. It was decided that if Owen wished it (and very darkly, he did) then the family would give him their blessing. From there, Owen just had to wait out the night, wait for Genevieve, and also get a hold of his allies.
His main ally is Johanne Fleischer, Viceroy Johanne Fleischer of the Invictus. To describe the Invictus, well, they are the Nobility. They have vassals, lieges, and courtly traditions. They are civilization in the face of vampiric inhumanity. And Johanne is the Final Word for the Invictus in the NorthEast. Johanne is a Nosferatu, a rare form called a Caporetti that was prone to freezing things at a touch and for stoic efficiency. He's a civilized killer, much like Owen. Owen spilled things out to Johanne, and his goals to appoint Johanne as Herald. Herald is like the Vice President, ultimately they do nothing unless the top office becomes vacant. Owen did this for several reasons, 1) because Johanne is his ally; 2) because Johanne is one of the few vampires in the City Owen trusts not to attempt to stab him in the back, but rather go for the chest 3) because it would help keep the OTHER invictus off his tits, and possibly put more of them to work for the City.
Of course, just as Owen's about to give that pitch, Ramiel appears and informs him that he has spoken to House Bari, an Invictus Family that has long been allied with the Asteria, and that they support Owen's Praxis in return for Status and the title of Herald.
Owen loves his family. He has to in a real sense. He is a Khaibit, a servant in the same way Samurai serve. They are spies and killers and administrators. Owen serves House Asteria, and he loves them all very deeply.
That does not mean he likes them all of the time.
Later on, when Owen encountered Ramiel and asked for further details, the title had changed to something else. This has lead to an ongoing discussion as Owen sets his Court in order.
While also discussing with Ramiel, Owen lets it out of his fear. He is afraid, he is afraid that this is exactly what he wants and that he's afraid that this is all playing into the hands of his Mentor/Torturer. He explains to Ramiel that Khaibit are servants, but he clarifies that Khaibit don't have to serve people, they can serve an idea. Owen is aware that his mentor is the latter, and that his Machiavellian schemes are being played like 3d chess, and all the moves Owen can make are to his advantage. Owen taking Praxis is in part Owen's way of preparing the City, because Owen realizes that while his mentor is on Long Island, he isn't part of the Brood. If anything, he's using the Brood for his own purposes.
This entire meeting happened on the fire escape of the studio we were playing in, the night giving way to darkness and a light pattering of rain hitting us as we take the night air. It added a lot to the scene, giving it a more naked and vulnerable feeling. Owen, being something of a cthonic figure, definitely felt more comfortable in the darkness and away from the light. Most of his meetings took place behind a heavy black curtain. He did this as much for privacy as much as the fact that anyone dumb enough to challenge a Shadowmancer in a darkened corner is someone Darwin would have just handed the Award to.
Other meetings that happened in waiting for Genevieve's arrival included Maria Lorraine, keeping her apprised of several things. As they were talking and sharing in one of the few candid moments, Owen and Maria kissed. I haven't really done romantic scenes in larps, mostly because I'm awkward with them in real life. But things had gotten intense, and Owen's main Vice is Lust. So I went out of character and Narrated to Jenna that Owen kisses Maria. She in turn narrated that Maria returned it and added her own. It had become clear throughout the night that the two of them would be seeking relationship devoid of business and more towards pleasure.
Around this time, Genevieve arrived, with the rest of the Asteria. Owen's Uncle (and some times Lover) Nikolas and Owen's cousin Adwin (aka Winny) Asteria, along with her Ghoul, nicknamed "Roomba" or "Futon", arrived with her. Owen guided them and the family as well back into an empty corridor (which thanks to the people in the building we were playing game, definitely had the nice druggy smell of a real Asteria meeting) and reiterated what he had said before. No one was really surprised, if anything Genevieve was expecting it, continuing a long history of Owen and Genevieve just being complete assholes to each other.
Of all the other members, Owen was most interested in Winny's reaction. The month before, when it became clear that Owen was going to War with the Brood, Winny had gentle taken him aside and said, in her utmost sincerity and unabashed commanding tone that she refused to let Owen go into battle alone. This would have been fine, Owen had fielded a similar scene with Ramiel the same night, except that Owen and Adwin up to that point hadn't really interacted in a serious way. Owen and Adwin loved each other in a light, somewhat shallow fashion. They'd talk and flirt, they'd make jokes and snide comebacks at each other. Their first scene together involved Adwin jumping on Owen's back for a piggyback ride. This outburst, and the scene in of itself, marked a very large beat change for them both. It was one of the more heated scenes I had ever taken part in, made all the more possible because Adwin's player, Jill, is not one to pull her punches. It ended with Owen confused and angry, and with Adwin angry and shouting at him at how important he is. The conversation was set to continue
That conversation didn't continue until a month later, when Owen announced his ascension. Eventually, Owen took her aside, back onto the darkened Fire Escape, and asked her if there was going to be any problems. She said there weren't. They discussed their situations on a fire escape with a light drizzle hitting them. And the two of them came to an understanding, that the two of them genuinely do care for each other. Even in a Family of Vampires, genuine love is rare. It'll be interesting to see where that goes, if anywhere.
The night continued. Owen, Genevieve and Maria convened to coordinate her abdication to the Throne. After announcements were made, including a tie in to the North East convention later this month, Maria Lorraine made hers. As far as transitions of Praxis are concerned, I think this one was the most amiable I've ever heard of. She handed it off, taking a smaller office with some lands attached, and going off to enjoy the rest of her nights, which apparently would include Owen, and very little clothing.
So, there I was, and there Owen was. And the Court of New York applauded him. He spoke of the coming war with the Brood, he spoke of New York and it's importance. He spoke of hard times and he made promises to do right by them.
And then, Ramiel stood up and said, very clearly.
"The Circle of the Crone support Prince Owen Asteria,"
There was a pause, or at least I remember a pause. And then another voice rose up.
"The Carthian movement supports Prince Owen Asteria."
Another voice rose,
"House Bari supports Prince Owen Asteria."
Another, this time Adwin
"The Unaligned supports Prince Owen Asteria."
another,
"The Lancea Sanctum supports Prince Owen Asteria."
Chills flooded me that moment. It's one of those "you had to have been there moments" I had been there, and both my character and I shared a moment of surrealness. This was a scene most people saw in movies and books, it was something that most Vampire Players dream of doing. My Character had been made Prince, and in the most theatrical way was accepted by the Court. I talk of the Mythic aspects of Larping, and I talk of Bleed. After all that had gone on that night, that was the crescendo to a full evening. Four hours of pure roleplay, with little-to-no-stops, and with experiences from nearly everyone in the room. It was a thrill and a joy.
Now that Owen is Prince, and is the first and last line of most of the intrigue, it's only going to get better/worse from here.
Hopefully I'll have more to report on that soon,
Later
Oh fun.
Owen got the liner notes from Rhona, which left nothing to make Owen any more comfortable with things to come. It was decided that if Owen wished it (and very darkly, he did) then the family would give him their blessing. From there, Owen just had to wait out the night, wait for Genevieve, and also get a hold of his allies.
His main ally is Johanne Fleischer, Viceroy Johanne Fleischer of the Invictus. To describe the Invictus, well, they are the Nobility. They have vassals, lieges, and courtly traditions. They are civilization in the face of vampiric inhumanity. And Johanne is the Final Word for the Invictus in the NorthEast. Johanne is a Nosferatu, a rare form called a Caporetti that was prone to freezing things at a touch and for stoic efficiency. He's a civilized killer, much like Owen. Owen spilled things out to Johanne, and his goals to appoint Johanne as Herald. Herald is like the Vice President, ultimately they do nothing unless the top office becomes vacant. Owen did this for several reasons, 1) because Johanne is his ally; 2) because Johanne is one of the few vampires in the City Owen trusts not to attempt to stab him in the back, but rather go for the chest 3) because it would help keep the OTHER invictus off his tits, and possibly put more of them to work for the City.
Of course, just as Owen's about to give that pitch, Ramiel appears and informs him that he has spoken to House Bari, an Invictus Family that has long been allied with the Asteria, and that they support Owen's Praxis in return for Status and the title of Herald.
Owen loves his family. He has to in a real sense. He is a Khaibit, a servant in the same way Samurai serve. They are spies and killers and administrators. Owen serves House Asteria, and he loves them all very deeply.
That does not mean he likes them all of the time.
Later on, when Owen encountered Ramiel and asked for further details, the title had changed to something else. This has lead to an ongoing discussion as Owen sets his Court in order.
While also discussing with Ramiel, Owen lets it out of his fear. He is afraid, he is afraid that this is exactly what he wants and that he's afraid that this is all playing into the hands of his Mentor/Torturer. He explains to Ramiel that Khaibit are servants, but he clarifies that Khaibit don't have to serve people, they can serve an idea. Owen is aware that his mentor is the latter, and that his Machiavellian schemes are being played like 3d chess, and all the moves Owen can make are to his advantage. Owen taking Praxis is in part Owen's way of preparing the City, because Owen realizes that while his mentor is on Long Island, he isn't part of the Brood. If anything, he's using the Brood for his own purposes.
This entire meeting happened on the fire escape of the studio we were playing in, the night giving way to darkness and a light pattering of rain hitting us as we take the night air. It added a lot to the scene, giving it a more naked and vulnerable feeling. Owen, being something of a cthonic figure, definitely felt more comfortable in the darkness and away from the light. Most of his meetings took place behind a heavy black curtain. He did this as much for privacy as much as the fact that anyone dumb enough to challenge a Shadowmancer in a darkened corner is someone Darwin would have just handed the Award to.
Other meetings that happened in waiting for Genevieve's arrival included Maria Lorraine, keeping her apprised of several things. As they were talking and sharing in one of the few candid moments, Owen and Maria kissed. I haven't really done romantic scenes in larps, mostly because I'm awkward with them in real life. But things had gotten intense, and Owen's main Vice is Lust. So I went out of character and Narrated to Jenna that Owen kisses Maria. She in turn narrated that Maria returned it and added her own. It had become clear throughout the night that the two of them would be seeking relationship devoid of business and more towards pleasure.
Around this time, Genevieve arrived, with the rest of the Asteria. Owen's Uncle (and some times Lover) Nikolas and Owen's cousin Adwin (aka Winny) Asteria, along with her Ghoul, nicknamed "Roomba" or "Futon", arrived with her. Owen guided them and the family as well back into an empty corridor (which thanks to the people in the building we were playing game, definitely had the nice druggy smell of a real Asteria meeting) and reiterated what he had said before. No one was really surprised, if anything Genevieve was expecting it, continuing a long history of Owen and Genevieve just being complete assholes to each other.
Of all the other members, Owen was most interested in Winny's reaction. The month before, when it became clear that Owen was going to War with the Brood, Winny had gentle taken him aside and said, in her utmost sincerity and unabashed commanding tone that she refused to let Owen go into battle alone. This would have been fine, Owen had fielded a similar scene with Ramiel the same night, except that Owen and Adwin up to that point hadn't really interacted in a serious way. Owen and Adwin loved each other in a light, somewhat shallow fashion. They'd talk and flirt, they'd make jokes and snide comebacks at each other. Their first scene together involved Adwin jumping on Owen's back for a piggyback ride. This outburst, and the scene in of itself, marked a very large beat change for them both. It was one of the more heated scenes I had ever taken part in, made all the more possible because Adwin's player, Jill, is not one to pull her punches. It ended with Owen confused and angry, and with Adwin angry and shouting at him at how important he is. The conversation was set to continue
That conversation didn't continue until a month later, when Owen announced his ascension. Eventually, Owen took her aside, back onto the darkened Fire Escape, and asked her if there was going to be any problems. She said there weren't. They discussed their situations on a fire escape with a light drizzle hitting them. And the two of them came to an understanding, that the two of them genuinely do care for each other. Even in a Family of Vampires, genuine love is rare. It'll be interesting to see where that goes, if anywhere.
The night continued. Owen, Genevieve and Maria convened to coordinate her abdication to the Throne. After announcements were made, including a tie in to the North East convention later this month, Maria Lorraine made hers. As far as transitions of Praxis are concerned, I think this one was the most amiable I've ever heard of. She handed it off, taking a smaller office with some lands attached, and going off to enjoy the rest of her nights, which apparently would include Owen, and very little clothing.
So, there I was, and there Owen was. And the Court of New York applauded him. He spoke of the coming war with the Brood, he spoke of New York and it's importance. He spoke of hard times and he made promises to do right by them.
And then, Ramiel stood up and said, very clearly.
"The Circle of the Crone support Prince Owen Asteria,"
There was a pause, or at least I remember a pause. And then another voice rose up.
"The Carthian movement supports Prince Owen Asteria."
Another voice rose,
"House Bari supports Prince Owen Asteria."
Another, this time Adwin
"The Unaligned supports Prince Owen Asteria."
another,
"The Lancea Sanctum supports Prince Owen Asteria."
Chills flooded me that moment. It's one of those "you had to have been there moments" I had been there, and both my character and I shared a moment of surrealness. This was a scene most people saw in movies and books, it was something that most Vampire Players dream of doing. My Character had been made Prince, and in the most theatrical way was accepted by the Court. I talk of the Mythic aspects of Larping, and I talk of Bleed. After all that had gone on that night, that was the crescendo to a full evening. Four hours of pure roleplay, with little-to-no-stops, and with experiences from nearly everyone in the room. It was a thrill and a joy.
Now that Owen is Prince, and is the first and last line of most of the intrigue, it's only going to get better/worse from here.
Hopefully I'll have more to report on that soon,
Later
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
A good few weeks
The past month has been a pretty enjoyable series of events in larping circles. That's saying a lot considering the recent rash of burnout. I figured I would share.
Last week, I went to Boston to play their Requiem and Accord games. My friend Abby invited me to come with her and it was a great opportunity. Boston is a great town, even for someone who is born and raised in the Bronx. We made our way in to Requiem, which was already under way. Abby and I play (respectively) Genevieve and Owen Asteria. Genevieve is the Harpy of New York, one part Court Reporter, two parts Queen High Bitch of Sass. She records the goings on and sordid details of Court as well as recording the major currency of Vampire Society: Favors. She records their purchase and cashing in, as well as the Status one acquires for the City. Owen is her childe, she is the one who bit him almost a hundred years ago. He is Seneschal of New York, the chief of staff for Prince Maria Lorraine (note: Prince is considered a gender neutral term to Vampires) of New York. Together they are a part of House Asteria, a family of hedonists, ritualists, socialites and influence mongers that span the Eastern Half of the United States.
Visiting the Boston Court was interesting, as there had been some drama as of late between a House member and the current Prince of Boston. Genevieve was there to smooth things over, Owen was there to make sure she got out of Boston without breaking a nail. It was mostly a social gathering for us. Many of the other characters were chasing down plot (more of that to come), so it was just Genevieve, Owen, Prince Claudia Malve and her Harpy, May. Owen/I sat at the sidelines and just enjoyed the three talking. All of them having been Harpies at one point or another. Just being able to socialize and learn about things outside of New York, especially how people view Owen's family.
As the game moved on, the characters chasing the plot arrived. The spoke of a Cult that Worships eternal darkness, being able to summon Monsters of Shadow from a different dimension. Genevieve and Owen just look at each other, because Owen is a Khaibit, a type of vampire that can control shadow and darkness, one whom worships eternal darkness. Owen shakes his head and just goes "Not my circus, not my monkeys". I'm not sure what Owen could have done, but I don't like coming into a town and just going "by the way, I have this thing which could quite possible kill your plot." Social are for visitors, plots I like to keep for the locals unless it's absolutely necessary.
At Accord, my Mage Rhys had a full night. Rhys came in with Abby's Firewall (spelled F1R3W@LL, because fucking computers), a Changeling who runs the New York Cell of the Accord. They came to celebrate a cell member of Boston at his wake, as he sacrificed himself at the National Convention just a few months before. Rhys went to mingle with other Accordists and to do what he does best: Speak to Cities. Rhys also went to brow beat another Mage, who had essentially abducted one of his friends into the Spirit Realm for no reason other than "I wanted to make friends with him and show him what I can do"
Rhys, if nothing else, is not a fan of other Mages. He's from the school of playing smart and clever than Hard and Loud. The running joke from people more often working out of New York is that Rhys is one of the most competent Mages in the entire (global) Accord. We joke about it, we laugh, then it was spelled out to Rhys (and myself) that this wasn't a joke. Not only that, but people had been keeping Rhys off of people's radars because incompetant Mages can be used. A competent Mage is a threat.
This was made abundantly clear when the Cell Leader of Boston asked Rhys to investigate the major problem going on in the City...actually, he asked a lot of things, to which Rhys replied with "Whoa! Whoa! I'm good, but I didn't exactly bring my CSI kit, and I don't think Cities speak much Science, except maybe Silicon Valley. He searched, and he got some answers with the help of others. Rhys became useful the entire night as people kept asking him to look into things.
By the end of the night, he *might* have found a way to fix things for Boston. Which he then goes "Guys, go and do a thing. Seriously. Will help you." Because I DO NOT LIKE BEING THE SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE OF THE ROOM, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S NOT MY ROOM.
Oh, and he managed to get a date that night with one of the local cell members. Score all around.
It's refreshing to play outside of your home town, because you don't know who these people are for the most part, both in and out of character. You don't know the set lingo, you're out of your comfort zone. You feel the need to be on your best game. Whereas in your home game, you slip into familiar patterns, allowing yourself to have off nights and such. If you're going to be visiting another group, you might as well give it some extra oomph.
Also happening this month was the all call for articles for the Wyrdcon Companion. WCC is a yearly publication for scholarly larp articles. Having met quite a few of the writers, and being spurred on by my own cheering section (hi guys), I submitted my abstract for the publication. The Article is about Mythology and Larping, how Mythologies create larping situations and how larping situations (players and their roleplay) in turn create their own mythology. It's a subject I hold near and dear, having formed the idea some months back. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.
I was also able to meet Johanna Koljonen and Bjarke Pedersen, members of the Nordic Larp scene. They did a lecture on Nordic Larping as an artform. Together, they gave a breakdown of larp, of Nordic Larp, and as it's use. They spoke of four games, one in which it was a larp based around Hamlet, and the players took on the roles of the court of Elsinore. The second was a larp about a futuristic commune based around the concepts of Perls and Gestalt Therapy (which having spent years reading Perls, he'd have most likely gotten a kick out of it). They touched on a lot of feelings I have towards Psychodrama, having studied it in my internship. The third was Just a Little Lovin, the story of love and life at beach houses in New York during the beginning of the Aids epidemic. And finally, Monitor Celestra, a Battlestar Galactica larp taking place on a WWII ship to simulate the retro tech of the series.
During the lecture, Johanna asks an important question: Are these high concept larps 'games'? My answer was that it was more 'play'. You have rules agreed upon, boundaries and settings. And then you stretch out your imagination. Games, at least in the modern sense, denotes a winner and a loser. What is winning and losing in a larp? How does that factor? It's more playing with one another, less competitive and more collaborative (KEY WORD).
After the lecture, I spoke with Johanna, Bjarke and Shoshana (who of course hosted). We talked about the shaping of mythology in larp (which gave me some really good feedback). We also talked about the Harry Potter larp that's forming in Poland by Claus Rassted (major Nordic Larp designer and overall awesome human being), and the planning that some people are putting into their trip, including a trunk and filling it with genre appropriate things. I spoke of my love of in-world books and my projects in that vein, making field journals and grimoires and tomes for my characters and games. We spoke a lot and it was a fun night of exchanging ideas. It's also made me want, in a very real way, to go to Denmark next winter for Knutepunkt, the Nordic Larp conference. Several days in Copenhagen listening and playing a bunch of interesting high concept games? Yes, please. All of this.
Finally, this past weekend (after my trip to Boston), Owen was made Prince of New York. This was something that, quite honestly, I didn't think was going to happen, but somehow it just worked out that way? I had said before that Owen would want praxis, but Craig wasn't sure. Craig made the decision to go for it. The Prince the past several months has been played by Jenna, my friend of five years. This was her first ever larp character and her first time roleplaying, and she managed to play Prince so well that people didn't want to kill her to take the throne. Now the game has changed a bit, and while Owen has the throne, he now needs to prove he earned it.
This also means that, at the end of the month, Owen will be at NERE (the regional convention for Mind's Eye Society) as a Prince of New York, joined by probably several others. That means I get to be sociable to all of the fellow monsters.
It's been a good couple of weeks for me. I'm sure I'll update as the time goes on.
Later,
C
Last week, I went to Boston to play their Requiem and Accord games. My friend Abby invited me to come with her and it was a great opportunity. Boston is a great town, even for someone who is born and raised in the Bronx. We made our way in to Requiem, which was already under way. Abby and I play (respectively) Genevieve and Owen Asteria. Genevieve is the Harpy of New York, one part Court Reporter, two parts Queen High Bitch of Sass. She records the goings on and sordid details of Court as well as recording the major currency of Vampire Society: Favors. She records their purchase and cashing in, as well as the Status one acquires for the City. Owen is her childe, she is the one who bit him almost a hundred years ago. He is Seneschal of New York, the chief of staff for Prince Maria Lorraine (note: Prince is considered a gender neutral term to Vampires) of New York. Together they are a part of House Asteria, a family of hedonists, ritualists, socialites and influence mongers that span the Eastern Half of the United States.
Visiting the Boston Court was interesting, as there had been some drama as of late between a House member and the current Prince of Boston. Genevieve was there to smooth things over, Owen was there to make sure she got out of Boston without breaking a nail. It was mostly a social gathering for us. Many of the other characters were chasing down plot (more of that to come), so it was just Genevieve, Owen, Prince Claudia Malve and her Harpy, May. Owen/I sat at the sidelines and just enjoyed the three talking. All of them having been Harpies at one point or another. Just being able to socialize and learn about things outside of New York, especially how people view Owen's family.
As the game moved on, the characters chasing the plot arrived. The spoke of a Cult that Worships eternal darkness, being able to summon Monsters of Shadow from a different dimension. Genevieve and Owen just look at each other, because Owen is a Khaibit, a type of vampire that can control shadow and darkness, one whom worships eternal darkness. Owen shakes his head and just goes "Not my circus, not my monkeys". I'm not sure what Owen could have done, but I don't like coming into a town and just going "by the way, I have this thing which could quite possible kill your plot." Social are for visitors, plots I like to keep for the locals unless it's absolutely necessary.
At Accord, my Mage Rhys had a full night. Rhys came in with Abby's Firewall (spelled F1R3W@LL, because fucking computers), a Changeling who runs the New York Cell of the Accord. They came to celebrate a cell member of Boston at his wake, as he sacrificed himself at the National Convention just a few months before. Rhys went to mingle with other Accordists and to do what he does best: Speak to Cities. Rhys also went to brow beat another Mage, who had essentially abducted one of his friends into the Spirit Realm for no reason other than "I wanted to make friends with him and show him what I can do"
Rhys, if nothing else, is not a fan of other Mages. He's from the school of playing smart and clever than Hard and Loud. The running joke from people more often working out of New York is that Rhys is one of the most competent Mages in the entire (global) Accord. We joke about it, we laugh, then it was spelled out to Rhys (and myself) that this wasn't a joke. Not only that, but people had been keeping Rhys off of people's radars because incompetant Mages can be used. A competent Mage is a threat.
This was made abundantly clear when the Cell Leader of Boston asked Rhys to investigate the major problem going on in the City...actually, he asked a lot of things, to which Rhys replied with "Whoa! Whoa! I'm good, but I didn't exactly bring my CSI kit, and I don't think Cities speak much Science, except maybe Silicon Valley. He searched, and he got some answers with the help of others. Rhys became useful the entire night as people kept asking him to look into things.
By the end of the night, he *might* have found a way to fix things for Boston. Which he then goes "Guys, go and do a thing. Seriously. Will help you." Because I DO NOT LIKE BEING THE SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE OF THE ROOM, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S NOT MY ROOM.
Oh, and he managed to get a date that night with one of the local cell members. Score all around.
It's refreshing to play outside of your home town, because you don't know who these people are for the most part, both in and out of character. You don't know the set lingo, you're out of your comfort zone. You feel the need to be on your best game. Whereas in your home game, you slip into familiar patterns, allowing yourself to have off nights and such. If you're going to be visiting another group, you might as well give it some extra oomph.
Also happening this month was the all call for articles for the Wyrdcon Companion. WCC is a yearly publication for scholarly larp articles. Having met quite a few of the writers, and being spurred on by my own cheering section (hi guys), I submitted my abstract for the publication. The Article is about Mythology and Larping, how Mythologies create larping situations and how larping situations (players and their roleplay) in turn create their own mythology. It's a subject I hold near and dear, having formed the idea some months back. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.
I was also able to meet Johanna Koljonen and Bjarke Pedersen, members of the Nordic Larp scene. They did a lecture on Nordic Larping as an artform. Together, they gave a breakdown of larp, of Nordic Larp, and as it's use. They spoke of four games, one in which it was a larp based around Hamlet, and the players took on the roles of the court of Elsinore. The second was a larp about a futuristic commune based around the concepts of Perls and Gestalt Therapy (which having spent years reading Perls, he'd have most likely gotten a kick out of it). They touched on a lot of feelings I have towards Psychodrama, having studied it in my internship. The third was Just a Little Lovin, the story of love and life at beach houses in New York during the beginning of the Aids epidemic. And finally, Monitor Celestra, a Battlestar Galactica larp taking place on a WWII ship to simulate the retro tech of the series.
During the lecture, Johanna asks an important question: Are these high concept larps 'games'? My answer was that it was more 'play'. You have rules agreed upon, boundaries and settings. And then you stretch out your imagination. Games, at least in the modern sense, denotes a winner and a loser. What is winning and losing in a larp? How does that factor? It's more playing with one another, less competitive and more collaborative (KEY WORD).
After the lecture, I spoke with Johanna, Bjarke and Shoshana (who of course hosted). We talked about the shaping of mythology in larp (which gave me some really good feedback). We also talked about the Harry Potter larp that's forming in Poland by Claus Rassted (major Nordic Larp designer and overall awesome human being), and the planning that some people are putting into their trip, including a trunk and filling it with genre appropriate things. I spoke of my love of in-world books and my projects in that vein, making field journals and grimoires and tomes for my characters and games. We spoke a lot and it was a fun night of exchanging ideas. It's also made me want, in a very real way, to go to Denmark next winter for Knutepunkt, the Nordic Larp conference. Several days in Copenhagen listening and playing a bunch of interesting high concept games? Yes, please. All of this.
Finally, this past weekend (after my trip to Boston), Owen was made Prince of New York. This was something that, quite honestly, I didn't think was going to happen, but somehow it just worked out that way? I had said before that Owen would want praxis, but Craig wasn't sure. Craig made the decision to go for it. The Prince the past several months has been played by Jenna, my friend of five years. This was her first ever larp character and her first time roleplaying, and she managed to play Prince so well that people didn't want to kill her to take the throne. Now the game has changed a bit, and while Owen has the throne, he now needs to prove he earned it.
This also means that, at the end of the month, Owen will be at NERE (the regional convention for Mind's Eye Society) as a Prince of New York, joined by probably several others. That means I get to be sociable to all of the fellow monsters.
It's been a good couple of weeks for me. I'm sure I'll update as the time goes on.
Later,
C
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