Saskatoon by Night SEPTEMBER 19, 1998
THE STORYTELLING TEAM
 
Storyteller  Randy Mosiondz  652-0458 mosiondz@shaw.wave.ca
Influence Narrator Sean Farough  382-7426 bsvt@sympatico.sk.ca
Rules Narrators Seamus Paterson  955-1396 spaterson@sk.sympatico.ca
Jill Bell   934-0631 cenobyte1@home.com
Costuming & Props Amy Skopik  652-0458 amy@skatter.usask.ca
 Judi Thomson 
 
SYMPATHETIC INK. MATERIAL NEEDED
We’ve started receiving submissions for the Fall issue of Sympathetic Ink., which will hopefully be released in October.  However, we would like more of your opinions, ideas, stories, poems, illustrations… whatever.  Get your submissions in soon so we can add your contribution to the creative work that is Sympathetic Ink.

SBN MANUAL V2.0 IN THE WORKS
We’re still plugging away, slowly but surely, at the SbN Manual.  We’re planning on fleshing out all the Disciplines to 5 levels, clarifying difficulties for Challenges, history of Saskatoon in the World of Darkness, combat systems, etc.  If there are any areas you would like to see changed, clarified, or revised, please either place your suggestions in the Suggestion Box (available at the Sign-in room at the Elysium Night) or contact Randy.

We are hoping to make the new SbN Manual a 3-ring binder, allowing updates and revisions to be kept with the main manual, as well as information handouts from the SbN World of Darkness Seminars.  Another suggestion is to have a pocket-version of the manual available for easy reference during gameplay.  We’ll see what we can do…

WEB PAGE UPDATED
Revisions have been made to the SbN Web Page!  Please feel free to check it out at:
 http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/arts/night/sbn_main.htm

If there are any discrepancies or additional info about your character, please let Amy know by contacting her at amy@skatter.usask.ca

SASKATOON BY NIGHT LISTSERVER
We’ve got a listserver!  If any of you are not on the listserver, point your Web Browser at the following link: http://www.coollist.com
Our list name is sbn@coollist.com.  You should be able to subscribe yourself to the list by following the instructions on the Cool List page.

BEAST TRAITS AND FRENZY REVISITED
Last month we introduced a draft of the new Beast Trait system which replaces the system in the Masquerade 2nd Ed. As a recap, all vampires are affected by common Frenzy triggers; Hunger, Anger, and Rotschreck. When affected by these triggers, the player must make a Frenzy Test which is the character’s current Willpower versus the number of Beast Traits (ties are re-tested).  Willpower may still be spent to keep a Frenzy at bay for ten minutes should a person fail the Frenzy Test.  Failing a Frenzy Test places you into a Frenzy in which you must feed, destroy, or flee (See last month’s Beast Trait Draft for more details). These rules are to be play-tested until the release of the SbN Manual v2.0, at which point they will become part of the standard rules for Saskatoon by Night.

Disciplines and Frenzy
While in Frenzy, the character becomes a vessel for the single-mindedness of the Beast.  All actions taken while in Frenzy must be immediate and to the point; the Beast doesn’t give a whit about subtlety. The character may NOT initiate any Social or Mental Challenges (except for intimidation purposes, like Dread Gaze); the character may use any Physical Discipline while in Frenzy, with the following restrictions:
 

  • No Complex Actions can be Taken – you will want to feed, destroy or flee with the most personal means available to you.  All actions taken will be precise, simple and to the point.
  • No Ranged or Melee Weapons can be Used – any combat actions taken will be with your bare hands (or claws) if possible.  You want to feel the blood on your hands…
  • No Thaumaturgy may be Used – Thaumaturgy is different from other Disciplines in that it is partially scholastic in nature and thus requires focus of thought.

    • Example. Sir Peter Sommerset loses it and slips into a Rage Frenzy directed at Mr. X.  The gun in his hand feels unnatural; he wants to rip the terrified Malkavian limb from limb. Sommerset lets the gun fall from his hands and leaps upon the Malkavian, pummeling him over and over…

    Degeneration
    Whenever a character takes an action that is questionable in nature, he loses a bit more of his or herself to the Beast.  In game terms, whenever any of the following actions are taken, a Beast Trait check is required:
     

  • Wanton destruction.
  • Not resisting frenzy.
  • Going against one’s Nature.
  • Killing a mortal.
  • Torturing someone.
  • Embracing a mortal out of spite.
  • Betraying your sect, clan, etc. to the enemy.
  • Bringing about the unlawful destruction of a Kindred in the same sect, clan, etc.
  • Committing diablerie.
  • Dealing with the infernal.

    • A Beast Trait check is a Simple Test for each Beast Trait you have; winning any of the tests prevents you from descending to the Beast.  Thus as you slip towards the Beast, the more cold, callous, and insensitive you become, thus making it more difficult to fall further.

    Optional: for each Beast Trait you gain past the first, you may want to take a Violent or Callous Negative Trait to reflect your degeneration.

    GAIA NEEDS WARRIORS!
    These are the final days. The Wyrm grow stronger as it spews forth its evils unto the earth.  The world is dying, being corrupted by the poisons mankind has produced in their relentless pursuit of power.  The signs are clear; this is the age of the Apocalypse.  The acrid air is heavy with hate and a question hangs in the haze – when will you rage?

    Brock Knudsen is looking for new players for his Werewolf LARP!  If you are interested in exploring a very different paradigm in the World of Darkness, contact Brock at 343-5613.  If you know other players that may be interested, get together and form a pack!  There are currently 3 packs at the City Bridges Caern, but more are needed.   The call of the Wyld is upon you…

    DUKE SMITHWICK NEEDS QUESTERS!
    The Duchy of Bridgeberries – an Arcadia gate lies somewhere within the domain of Duke Smithwick the Troll, and under the command of High King David, has put out a call to all brave Changelings, Seelie and Unseelie, that are willing to Quest for greater glory!

    Ryan States is running a World of Darkness Changeling game right now on the first Saturday of every month, and has opened a few new positions in the game.  If you wish to delve into the world of the Fae, contact Ryan at 343-1019.