WELCOME|ESTERWELL, NY

The Others

The others make up the groups that are not quite your run of the mill natives or the ones that are not quite you run of the mill supernaturals. These groups often follow different rules and have different ways of doing things that may not quite fit well witht he either catagory.

 

Vampire: the Maqurade, Esterwell Chronicle

V:tM is alive and active in Esterwell, in fact most vampire characters are currently following that lore. If you are curious about what V:tM is and want to learn more you can find a great deal of information about Clans and disciplines here. that being said there are a few subtle differences in this reality that make the vampire characters unique tot his story.

 

The History

No one really knows when or how vampires entered this world, there are many rumors that Caine himself was the one to originaly cross over into this realm sometime during the first age and like all supernaturals the earth itself seemed to reject him. While others simply consider themselves native and follow strictly the precepts and origins stories from the book of nod.

Those scholars who were curious enough however are said to have traced the bloodlines back through the generations and seem to agree that the first Cainites to wander this world were a few roving MEthusula of the 5th generation hoping to escape the fortold coming of gehenna and establish a powerbase separate from their Sires. The Original vampires have since disapeared, whether having fallen into Torpor or been diablarized no one can really say, leaving the oldest known vampires in this realm in the sixth generation.

 

Whatever the truth might be the old rivalries were born anew between The Camarailla, pushing their rules and structure, The Sabbat, fueling the chaos and wrecklessnes, and The Anarchs the idealist ones who wish to usher in a new age of freedom and coexistance. For those old enough to remember or wise enough to fear it Gehenna has become a question that no one has yet answered. Do the Antedeluvians exist int his world? Or are the safe from the deeadly sleeping progenetors of their clans?

 

The Hunger

The difference main difference in this world is the blood, some humans or kine seem to have a little something extra that can either help or hinder the vampire when regaining that magical essance that fuels their superhuman abilities. While feeding will always sustain their hunger it does not always give back the essance, some might say, or energy that is needed to fuel their Disciplines.

 

Over time vampires have come to understand this different as being linked to creativity or banality. On one hand the blood of the creative will replentish the old powers in their vitae, while the blood of the banal will often sap whatever they have left and make them unable to fuel the special clan birthrights that make them what they are. Because of this, to a Cainite, what they eat can sometimes mean the difference between life and death in certain situations.

 

Some, to be sure that their meal will be enough to sate them on all levels, use illeagal drugs that will enhance even the most banal human's output, while other prefer to stalk and watch their prey from the shadows, ensuring that they have chosen well. Others still are even more selective choosing to take specific blood dolls that they have groomed themselves to be exactly what they need. Most of the wise ones however will agree that in this place one should be careful of what they eat.

 

The Weakness

Beacuse of the strange fluctuations in power and the strange way powers seem to be dampened in Esterwell, all vampires no matter what their generation, their skill or their potency suffer a kind of drain everytime they use dip into their blood pool and use a discipline over two dots. The most powerful (6-9) or the best fed can still only manage to fuel themselves through five uses of power greater then the most basic things between feedings, before they risk falling into Torpor. While those who are of a lower generation (10-15) and not as well fed often find themselves dangerously close to losing consciouness after two or three attempts.

 

Helpful tips to playing V:tm in Esterwell:

V:tm characters can some times feel daunting to a player that is new to that game or storyline, so it is definately helpful to read up on the clans and to know your powers, and the limitations thereof. Creating a character sheet can help (there is a great guide for it here) and reading up ont he clans an political structure can also help greatly. Because of the percieved lack of Antedeluvians and the fact that end game has not been reached most V:tM vampires will be from the second edition. Requiem vampires while possible would not follow the SIM storyline as easily, like they would be very very new to this world in general. There are also a few other things to consider outside of what Clan your character is from when playing a vamp here in Esterwell.

 

What generation can I make my vampire?

Because the oldest known vampires are fifth gen methusula, and because most of them have disapeared or fallen into Torpor your vampire character should be the seventh generation or above and have only up to five dots in one disipline four in your secondary and three in your last. This will help give your vampire just the right amount of strength without being so overpowered that they are invincible. No vampire can have more than five dots at any given time in any Dicipline. Any vampire under seventh gen will also be required to submitt a character sheet which can be found here.

 

Has your character learned new disciplines?

There are times when a vampire has strong ties to a friend from another clan, or the clan itself, and are able to learn some disciplines which would not otherwise come naturally to them. If your vampire is one of these, and they know something more than they should creating a story reason for why and how is very important. Also keep in mind that you can only start with three overall and any future Disciplines must be gained through interacting with other players (not NPCs) on SIM. Placing your disciplines in a pick on your profile or in a character discription ont he forum is also very useful as a check to make sure that you are staying inline with your character.

 

Thralls

Keeping a thrall or a blood doll can often make things easier for the vampire when it comes to mainting the masqurade. But remember that memory wipes are often imperfect and things like dominance only work if you thrall does not have the willpower to break it. So forcing someone to do something very much out of their character could lead to unravveling the whole of your compulsion. Being specific with wording is also important, but keep in mind that no matter what you say there are always loopholes and ways to get around it particularly if your thrall is not consenting.

 

Upholding the Masqurade.

The Masqurade is a very important thing when it comes to vampires, because it is the thing that protects them most from the Kine and others of their clan. Consider when playing a vampire which disciplines would be okay to use and which could cause someone to start asking questions. Also it's important to understand then if you do something in a public place you always risk getting caught and violating the Masqurade could lead to many unforseen consequences. Also remember that a Prince can order a blood hunt for a masqurade breach and that any character in Esterwell can be killed and must follow the Death Rules if that happens. Also remember that there is always the threat of Diablarie if you are a higher generation, so it may be in your best interest not to speak of such things when you can help it.

 

The Demonicly Inclined

Demons are very much supernaturals in this world, in that they are not at all native to it, but unlike the other supernaturals there are a few subtle differences that makes them stand apart. Particularly when it comes to how and what they seek out when it comes to replenishing their chaotic energy which is often the source of a demons power.

 

Chaos and Redemption

Unlike other supernaturals that look for creativity as a source of replentishing depleted magical energy or glamour, demonic types can often find what they need in those humans with a far more chaotic bent. Sometimes for certain demons a touch will do, and sometimes they need sex or blood to give them just the right kind of fix, but whatever the case, those humans that seem to have a peanchant for wreaking havoc and creating conflict or chaos in their wake will always do the trick. The other side of the coin of course are those humans that are gentle spirts, the redeemers, the innoccent, they seem to have a way about them that can sap of demon of their energy all together and leave them feeling weak or off when they come in contact with them.

 

Humans, the lovely creatures that they are can change, as most of them have great potential for both good or evil it just depends on what they feed, or what you feed them.

 

Temptation

The draw of temptation is a powerful one, both to humans and demons alike. There is just something about finding that sweet innocent and shaping them to be exactly what you need. Planting those little seeds, encouraging them to be the most selfishness and hate filled things they can be can lead the best sort of fulfillment; but by the same turn they can also go off in the other direction and slip right through your fingers with acts of selflessness or redemption that can change a once great meal into something that burns. There is after all the obnoxious balance that seems to always be active in such worlds.

 

The Summoning

There comes a point in almost every young demons life where they are finally able to slip out of the confines of hell and enjoy the treat of the mortal world, usually through the ignorance of the witch or the warlock the deigned to call them up from the fiery pit in the first place. Answering a summons can lead to great things, but it can also lead to great danger if the demon is not well versed in negotiation. When summoned it is important to consider the initial power burst, if you give the summoner  a little trinket or a little wish for instance make sure they are paying you with enough chaos to give you what you need to survive your jaunt. Blood sacrifices are always a thrill, and rough dangerous sex sometimes even better but there are other things that will do in a pinch and if you can convince the pour sap to take what you're willing to offer without setting boundaries you might even find yourself a new body to drive. And this is important if you don't want to be thrown back into the fire as it were.

 

Still even with new bodies a few traits can sometimes slip through if one is not skilled enough to hide them.

 

Glamour and illusion

In hell there are many levels of demon, ranging from the Fallen Masters to the little insignificant imps and everything in between. And where you fall on the food chain there often determines the things you are capable of in the mortal realm. Making a flawless human disguise for instance is a skill that is pretty high up the chain of power and command, but is often inherent to Devils, Succubi, Incubi or liltu. Most others, well, they are stuck riding around in a stolen body they usually picked up through possession. It's a little more dangerous as it leaves you open to things like exorcisms and banishment if you give yourself away, but generating enough energy through chaos can sometimes let you jump and that is always a rush. Just be careful who you are jumping into, because trying to ride one of the shiny humans is a fate worse than just being sent home. Just imagine being trapped forever inside a goodie goodie, not being able to subvert their will, being forced to watch helplessly as they do one selfless act after another after another draining you more and more until you are just a tiny little whisper waiting for a sliver of chaos that will let you out of /that/ damnable prison. Fate worse than hell, no joke.

 

Even the little ones can often create more minor illusions, even if our tails or horns are vaguely visible to those obnoxious creative sorts, we can mostly get away with hiding in our chosen human and making certain things. And that is important unless of course you want a one way trip back to hell for upsetting the wrong human.

 

The Demonic Masqurade

So it's been established that Demons can be hurt, and sent back to hell if we piss of a powerful enough or nice enough person which leads to the sort of tricky part. How do we create enough chaos to survive our experience in this mortal realm without completely giving ourselves away. Some just can't and then you get those urban legends about barfing pea soup that, yeah, in their own way do inspire a good amount of fear and fear can lead to beautiful things, but for the most part it's best not to call attention to yourself. Playing with or on emotions is usually enough, doing those little things that will be just enough to break someone's mind and send them on a killing spree, whispering here or there in their ear like the little devil on their shoulder, convincing them that you aren't real but juuust real enough that they want to listen. There are so many great ways, just try to be a little bit creative or seek out the right people and you will be swimming in chaos before anyone is the wiser. It's all about restraint, you know self control. Okay yeah, maybe you /don't/ know but you best learn quick  anyway.

 

Everything else you need to know

Like the other supernaturals demons are limited in their power output and over doing it can and well send us in to spasmatic seizure fits, no matter what kind of body we're housed in. Whether it is one of our own making or one that we're borrowing. Usually that will end in a trip to the hospital and a need to suck up some energy fast. But keep in mind even little things can be taxing, so make sure you have a human nearby with plenty of chaos to keep those old batteries going. Some charms, and books that found their way into this realm from our can also help in replenishing energy and they are so often found in such mundane places, so keep an eye out for those as well... just be careful who you steal them from. Animals are good too, they are a natural kind of chaos that can provide a good little boost when you need it, if you train them properly and keep them around. So yeah I guess that's it, everything you need to know. Now go out and have fun making the world a more violent and horrible place. Or don't.. whatever.