SEPTEMBER 18, 1999

GREETINGS!

Well, we're back from Santa Fe, and boy was it great!  No, there were no LARPs or Internet connection there, so I never got the chance to geek out… (well, not TOO much… there was a gaming store in Santa Fe, plus a really great one in Colorado Springs we found on the way back up to Canada…)  Nonetheless, we're back, so if you have any future character questions (especially Grapevine database stuff), you can contact me again.  Jill and I will try to keep synchronized databases, but I will be keeping the 'master database' so to speak.  A special thanks to Jill for handling everything masterfully while I was in absentia!

LAWS OF THE NIGHT REVISED RELEASED!

Well, during the loooong car ride down to New Mexico, I got a chance to read through the Laws of the Night Revised (which should be available at Dragon's Den, if you've reserved a copy).  For the most part, I was impressed; they fixed up a lot of what needed fixing, and filled in a lot of stuff that was missing.  There were, of course, things which I was somewhat nonplussed with, but hey, isn't there always?

So, I guess the inevitable question is - how are we going to apply the Revised edition to Saskatoon by Night?  Well, I'm sure there's many ideas on how to do this, so I'll just ramble on the way I think should be done, and then leave it up for debate; I'm sure it will be discussed on the SbN Rules Listserver...

Laws of the Night Revised is a fairly new animal, with many changes and additions to the old MET Masquerade system.  There are enough changes (half-decent ones at that), that trying to apply a lot of our current rules changes to the new system would be, well, ugly.  It would effectively be putting a patch upon a patch upon a patch.  What I propose is adopting the Laws of the Night Revised as a core rules system, and then applying whatever changes we see necessary to the new system.  I think we can safely use the SbN combat system with the Laws of the Night Revised, and perhaps some of the clarifications on some Disciplines, but for the most part, I think we can get rid of a BIG chunk of the SbN Manual.  I'm sure some people won't be happy with some of the new aspects of the Revised Edition, but hey, you can't please everyone.  I'd rather accept the whole core rules set rather than make a Frankenstein rules entity in which we have check back between the new and old Laws of the Night, plus our own SbN manual.  It would be nightmarish.

After this Elysium, I would like to meet with each of the Clans and go over many of the changes that would affect them, including going through each person's character sheet.  I am NOT going to be cutting characters, but rather re-distributing points to fit into the revised system.  Some of the major changes will require a bit of 'doublethink' in terms of some changes in continuity (for example, Tremere no longer have Blood Mastery), but I'm sure we are all experienced enough roleplayers to pull this off (Eurasia has always been at war with Oceania…).  I'll be getting in contact with the Judges (no, I haven't forgot about that) and discussing this a bit more with them sometimes within the next week or so.

This is what I am proposing, and I'm open to suggestions.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post them to the SbN Rules Listserver.

EXPERIENCE EXPENDITURES

When spending XP, please specify if you're purchasing influence or abilities.  For instance, Health Influence level 3 OR Health ability level 3.  Also, please remember to indicate which level of discipline you're purchasing.  Don't just write : "celerity" and the number of points you're spending...unless you want the ST team to choose for you.  Be as specific as possible. Please make sure Influence purchases are cleared through David (maybe get him to initial your sheet) before spending XP on it.

SANGUINEUS ASYLUM - A DARK AGES LARP

It is the turn of the 12th century. The height of the dark ages - a dark time of war and strife. England has suffered one invasion after another, and the Normans secure the grip on the land they won at Hastings in 1066. The land is far from at peace. These are dark times indeed. And in the darkness, there are monsters. Vampires stalk the night, the undying predators of humanity.

Sanguineus Asylum is a Dark Ages LARP event that will take place during Western Challenge '99, more specifically the evening of Saturday, October 2nd, 1999. The setting is the turn of the 12th century (nearly 100 years before the "official" starting date for Vampire: The Dark Ages, I know), in the north of England. The system used will likely be the Laws of the Night Revised, slightly modified by The Long Night, the Dark Ages LARP rules.

Feel like joining in this evening of passion, mystery, and drama? Well, you're welcome to show up at the door. But, if you do, you will likely get handed a pre-made character to play. If you wish to play a character of your own, you'll need to talk to me in advance. Whatever you do, do not send me a character sheet! I don't want it. I'm much more interested in a short description of the type of character you'd like to play. Then, I can either give you a premade character to makeinto your own, or write your concept into the event. Since this is a one-shot event, I have no intentions of thrusting characters in willy-nilly - hopefully, we can find a reason for every character to be there, and no one will be left bored. NOTE: Even if you don't really have a firm idea of what type of character you wish to play, talk to me ahead of time, anyway. If you tell me what types of characters you like/are good at playing, there's a lot better chance I can set aside a premade character that suits you - and even if you don't have any preferences, I can get you the details of your character in advance and things will go much smoother. And the sooner you talk to me, the more likely it is that you'll get the character you want.

ALSO, let me know if you'd be willing to play a highly visible/important character, or NPC extras and/or characters with a short time on stage, or if you'd be willing to help narrate the event. If more than five people show up, I'm going to need help with this thing. Plus, I simply really want to know how many people will be showing up - I'm planning on the attendance of your average Dark Web or Saskatoon By Night game, but if I only get 4 people talking to me before the event, I'll assume I'll have to scale back massively. Of course, if I get 50 e-mails from people who want to play, I'll likely have to widen my scope. Neither is a problem, if I know soon enough.

In case anyone is wondering, Ventrue, Gangrel, Nosferatu and Toreador are probably the most likely clans to find in the setting, and Lasombra, Ravnos, Tzimisce, Assamites, Followers of Set are unlikely to be present - still possible, but they'd likely better have a good reason to be in the north of England. Also - I'd really like some people willing to play mortals. The more, the better. I won't stop anyone from playing a Vampire, but I'd really encourage people to think about playing a mortal - especially experienced players, who have likely done the Vampire thing a million times before, anyway.

Oh, and don't get scared off because this is a Dark Ages event. I don't expect or require everyone to come in wearing full medieval garb, although costumes are most definitely encouraged (as a side note here: people who either may have bits of costuming or medieval props to lend, or are willing to share knowledge on how to create such, please contact me!). And don't be bothered about unfamiliarity with the period, or the Dark Ages Vampire-style. I'm fully expecting people who have never LARPed, or maybe even never role-played, to show up, so ignorance is not a problem. Plus, it'll be a blast, so I want to see everyone come out! Because this event is taking place as part of Western Challenge '99, there may be a cost associated, but even if so, it's likely to be small.

I'm sure I forgot to say something, and even if I didn't, please either e-mail me at ab950@sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca, or phone me at (306) 477-0145, either to ask questions, or to let me know that you're interested in attending. I want to hear from all of you very soon.

Wade Lahoda