Event Storytellers
Jessi Hixon (mierandra@gmail.com) - Lead Storyteller
Jamie Schork-Morencey (pouncy@gmail.com)- Assistant Lead Storyteller
Genre
This VSS contains rules applicable to all IC interactions by PCs registered to play at VirtuaCon 2006 or which use locations under the jurisdiction of VirtuaCon 2006 and any relevant OOC actions of their players during the course of the event.
Place/Time
This VSS is applicable to all sanctioned games, be it ST-moderated or soft role-play, during VirtuaCon 2006 (July 20th-23rd, set in Athens, Greece).
Theme/Mood
The overall motif for VirtuaCon 2006 is "Of Mythos and Man," highlighting the interactions of what it is to be supernatural, to be humane, and to have a history, and to find one's own place in the midst of all of those things.
Venue Rules
VirtuaCon 2006 uses all White Wolf books and secondary resources described as
sanctioned within the Camarilla Addendum for Requiem, Awakening and Forsaken and relevant Settings documents. Changeling utilizes the Prime and Changeling 6.0 documents and the books described as sanctioned within those documents.
For IC check-in, please be certain to provide a copy of each character sheet (NWoD PC sheets should use the Excel/Open Office format; see http://sheets.immortaldanse.org for acceptably formatted files) with a full XP log and all approval numbers assigned to that character. The character sheet should have on it the player's name, Camarilla membership number and email address, as well as the name and valid email addresses of the PC's direct storyteller and the player's direct coordinator. Every single approval Mid level or higher must have an approval number, even if that approval is pending; the only exception is crossvenue at the convention itself, which will not require a database number but will require approval emails from involved storytellers. Members whose ST chains do not utilize the database should have emails from the appropriate level of their ST chain for verification of necessary approvals in lieu of a database number. Players may be required to strike items from their character sheets, alter supernatural powers or effects, or otherwise work with the Storytellers to make sure their characters are allowable for play.
It will greatly improve the quality of the service that the convention staff will be able to provide to the players if they make all possible efforts to register their PCs with check-in as early as possible. This will help to avoid long delays during the event which could result in PCs not being able to enter play for extended periods of time.
Challenges will be resolved by utilizing a randomizer within IRC. The ST staff reserves the right to roll in private rooms, where players cannot see the results of their die rolls.
Each venue may have its own clarifications and additional rules, as allowed by its individual VSS for VirtuaCon 2006; however, at no time does the more specific VSS override the Universal VSS.
Character Restrictions
Each game will have venue-specific restrictions for things requiring prior approval or that are not allowed in that game. See the VSS for each venue for more specific information.
The following restrictions apply to all venues unless otherwise noted:
Any item or supernatural power with custom mechanics or item of True Faith or that gains its power from Divine or Holy sources requires Lead Venue Storyteller approval.
Gadgetry: Things that belong in a James Bond movie will generally not be allowed. If the effect is a material or item intended to duplicate existing abilities in game (e.g. miniature hand-held cameras to spot those using Obfuscate), they will also generally not be allowed. Some venues have character types (e.g. Nockers) that inherently use such devices. Consult the Lead Venue Storyteller and Venue VSS to see if the items you have are considered exceptions to this rule.
Crossvenue will be allowed at VirtuaCon 2006 with the approvals of the Lead Storyteller of the "home" and "visiting" venues and the Event Lead Storyteller. These should be handled at least one week prior to the convention via email. The player may be required to produce those emails at any time during the convention.
Characters who come into the game with effects cast on them by other PCs will be required to provide the name of the casting character, the name and contact information for the player of the casting character and the name and contact information of the ST who supervised the casting. This should be checked in with the PC bearing the effect at IC check in.
NPCs not affiliated with authorized VirtuaCon 2006 plot kits being run by the Lead Venue STs require Lead Venue Storyteller approval. Storytellers may petition to incorporate their plotlines and/or NPCs into the VirtuaCon plots, however, approval of the Venue Lead Storyteller is required to do so.
In character "off-site" locations for use in play must be approved by the Venue Lead Storyteller or the "Red Shirt" ST on duty at the time. Scenes which occur in unapproved off-site locations will be removed from sanctioned continuity and any information used from them at any point in time thereafter will be considered metagaming. Off-site, in this case, refers to PCs being away from the intended IC location of the PCs during the game.
Proxy Rules
Though proxy play is permitted by the Camarilla rules supplements, proxy characters are not allowed for VirtuaCon 2006 Requiem due to the difficulty in finding personnel to run them. Specific proxy scenes may be allowed, with prior approval of the Lead Venue Storyteller.
Travel Risks
Travel in the World of Darkness is not without risks, but the risks are specific to each individual game and the travel methods used. Consult the VSS for each game for more specific information.
Experience
The standard experience award for VirtuaCon 2006 will be 2-5 XP per full session played depending on Venue. The XP may be divided between characters if more than one character is played during a session. Determination of an over-the-cap XP award will be made following the game, with the recommendation of the Venue Lead Storyteller to the Event Storytellers based on the quality of role-play. Experience for a good death may be awarded by players' home Storytellers in accordance with the Camarilla supplements, or by the Venue Lead Storyteller or Event Storytellers for character deaths occurring during the convention.
Narrator and Lead Storyteller Empowerment in Mass Combat Scenes
Mass combat, because of its easy opportunity to escalate into sessions of challenges that tie up characters for long periods of time, will be carefully monitored. The Storyteller on scene may OOCly pull a large combat out of the main IC gaming channels and into one of any number of side channels. The Storyteller on scene or designated Combat ST is empowered to determine when and how other characters are allowed to enter such combats. If any players argue or otherwise disrupt the flow of combat rounds with idle discussion, the Storyteller on scene or Designated Combat ST has the power to ask the disruptive player to leave the combat, while choosing to remove the player's character from combat in any manner they should feel is appropriate (including PC death).
Mass Destruction Effects
Because mass destruction effects have the potential to end the IC reason for the gathering prematurely, any effect that could result in the mass exodus of characters from the area must be pre-approved by the Venue Lead Storyteller. Any items with mass destruction effects must be pre-approved by the appropriate Venue Lead at least two weeks before the convention.
Player Advisory
The World of Darkness is not a happy place. From time to time, the Lead Storytellers in a venue may use adult themes, vivid descriptions and contentious social issues to bring the World of Darkness to life. For those familiar with the White Wolf tabletop material, some plot elements or themes could be considered "Black Dog" material. Such themes and issues may include racism, sexism, bigotry, prejudice, sexual assault and extreme violence. If, at any time, a player feels uncomfortable with a scene, the player should immediately inform the Storyteller running the scene. The Storyteller will excuse the player from the scene and hand the PC to a Narrator or other designated representative to finish out the scene without breaking continuity. These disturbing elements will not be used lightly, and players that leave due to comfort issues will be treated with compassion and courtesy. Storytellers will make every effort to ensure that players who must leave a scene for this reason are not put at a disadvantage by their departure.
