I had been invited to play in a
Vampire the Masquerade game that had been running for a while. The Storyteller only had 2 players, both of
whom were playing Assamites and both had lots of experience already. Unfortunately, the Storyteller and the
players had all played Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Second Edition and had
carried over a house rule from that game that all new characters start at level
one; hence, I started as a beginning character.
In VtM that isn’t as big a problem since the chance to hit someone or to
do damage wasn’t affected by level.
My character was introduced in the
middle of the story, and that’s where the problems began. The two Assamites were hunting another
vampire and a chase had begun along an interstate. My character was introduced, sitting on a
motorcycle on an overpass as the other players ran past. One of the Assamite saw my character, saw the
motorcycle and did the most obnoxious but logical thing. He punched my character in face and snatched
the motorcycle and rode off after his prey.
My character was shocked and so was I – easiest role playing moment
ever. As quickly as I was introduced into
the game, I was taken out of it by a combination of poor forethought on the
part of the Storyteller and the logical yet selfish actions of a player.
This was undoubtedly the worst role
playing experience that I had. It’s
something that I’ve learned from as well.
I always keep this experience in mind when I’m planning to introduce a
new character.
Ack, that sucks man. I understand what the player did--makes complete sense, and he very well might have been acting in character. But it really shows the difference between D&D and Vampire. In D&D, you can assume that the PC's will immediately become best friends and allies, whereas Vampire coteries require much more of a reason to accept new people. How do you handle introducing new players now?
ReplyDeleteThat will be the topic of a forthcoming article. I'm not sure when I'll write it. I'm still feeling under the weather.
DeleteSorry but i laughed a lot rhit this story. Many cruel and black humour on our games and chronicle, specially on VtM, but on all games too.
ReplyDeleteBut of course the lesson is that the first introduction can't be TOO action or on the middle, it's much better on one calm moment (Elysium, on the tavern, etc).
I'm glad that you enjoyed the story! It was awfully traumatic at the time. And still is, since it's one of my most memorable gaming stories. However, I don't recommend recreating for your players!
DeleteI haven't had a personal story like that, but when my ex-wife first started LARPing with The Camarilla, she made a Toreador. That same evening, the Assamites in the town decided to send a message to the Toreador and decided to kill her.
ReplyDeleteThe closest I have to such a story would be my first night LARPing in The Camarilla as a Tremere... because the owner of our only game store kept pleading that they needed more players. During the course of the evening, I accidentally came upon the Assamite hang out. They got pissed and started arguing with the local Tremere. A "truce" was made, but my elders wanted me dead. Fortunately, my friend was playing a Brujah and took me to the eldest (5th generation) and explained that my clan wanted me dead. From that moment until the character died, he was known as a Brujah. No one ever suspected.
That's actually a great story! I love how your group worked out a solution to the problem that let you keep your character and didn't punish you for a rookie mistake! Those are great players! I wish I could have been there to see it.
Delete