nWoD Help and Advice Thread
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Because I fucking love the look of my own text on a screen, and I have like, 20% of a clue what the fuck I am talking about, I am here to answer YOUR questions.
A lot of us play nWoD 2 now. A lot of us also don't have a goddamned clue of our ass from a hole in the ground.
This is where I come in. The hole is the one in the ground.
But seriously, I know WoD pretty well. Not perfect, I do make the occasional, rare mistake that I then attempt to purge any existence of from the face of the earth.
What troubles you? Ephemerals? Tilts? What you can use Animalism for? How to kill a werewolf? How to make a lactating male PC?
I can help. Ask anything, no matter how small, and I will do my damndest to get you an answer. Maybe even an example.
I'm a rodeo clown.
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I'll throw in my hat here, too, and help.
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I'll bite.
Doors. How would you use them in everyday RP with other PCs?
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Dear @tragedyjones.
I'm a relatively young Ventrue who was Embraced during college. None of my friends know I died or that I'm now a creature of the night. They think I just disappeared for a few years due to a breakdown from stress (I was pre law). I still maintain contact with them for dinner and theatre dates and they don't have a clue.
My problem is that now we're in our thirties, they're starting to get married. I've already had to miss three weddings because they were scheduled for noon. My coterie says I should just break ties with them but I don't want to do that.
My question is this: a fourth friend just got engaged and they're setting the date. Should I dominate them into an evening ceremony or just resign myself to another missed wedding? Do I still need to buy a wedding gift for them if I'm not going?
Asleep During Daytime
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@TNP said:
Dear @tragedyjones.
I'm a relatively young Ventrue who was Embraced during college. None of my friends know I died or that I'm now a creature of the night. They think I just disappeared for a few years due to a breakdown from stress (I was pre law). I still maintain contact with them for dinner and theatre dates and they don't have a clue.
My problem is that now we're in our thirties, they're starting to get married. I've already had to miss three weddings because they were scheduled for noon. My coterie says I should just break ties with them but I don't want to do that.
My question is this: a fourth friend just got engaged and they're setting the date. Should I dominate them into an evening ceremony or just resign myself to another missed wedding? Do I still need to buy a wedding gift for them if I'm not going?
Asleep During Daytime
Heh. This almost sounds like it could be Fiona@Eldritch. She's great.
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@Arkandel said:
I'll bite.
Doors. How would you use them in everyday RP with other PCs?
I am not @tragedyjones but I'll take a stab at this one, with the caveat that this is only my experience/take on it.
With PCs, Doors, I find, are best used as a framework for OOC conversation about what would have the best chance of getting a PC to sign on to an idea or attempt at manipulation. They're great for a framework, because the initiating player has to develop a /concrete/ end goal. "My PC would like to convince your PC to support her in the upcoming election, and I'd like to work from the Doors system to do so." Assuming the other player is cool with that, you both now have a frame of reference, and can work out the answers to the following questions:
What's the targeted PC's initial disposition? Does My PC know something that might improve it if they accepted it ? (Soft leverage, or a scene/roll made to improve the initial disposition.)
How many Doors does the targeted PC have? Would (action of my PC) be something that has a chance of opening a Door? Would you like to scene this out, or should tickets to the Very Exclusive Event just arrive in your mailbox with a "Hope you like this," note from My PC? If my PC wanted to turn you against the other candidate, would you be comfortable with, perhaps, a contested and extended action while we scene debating the relative merits of the candidates?
Basically, I try to give the Target PC ultimate control over what has a chance of working (and if the desired goal is feasible at all), and then use the dice and the Doors mechanic to decide if it DOES work. Doors make a great framework for discussing social actions so that no one (unless they're just completely opposed to dicing social actions at all) feels railroaded or like the goalposts are being changed on them. Caveat: I haven't ever moved to Hard Leverage or Forcing Doors, so can't speak to that.
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@Pyrephox said:
@Arkandel said:
I'll bite.
Doors. How would you use them in everyday RP with other PCs?
I am not @tragedyjones but I'll take a stab at this one, with the caveat that this is only my experience/take on it.
With PCs, Doors, I find, are best used as a framework for OOC conversation about what would have the best chance of getting a PC to sign on to an idea or attempt at manipulation. They're great for a framework, because the initiating player has to develop a /concrete/ end goal. "My PC would like to convince your PC to support her in the upcoming election, and I'd like to work from the Doors system to do so." Assuming the other player is cool with that, you both now have a frame of reference, and can work out the answers to the following questions:
What's the targeted PC's initial disposition? Does My PC know something that might improve it if they accepted it ? (Soft leverage, or a scene/roll made to improve the initial disposition.)
How many Doors does the targeted PC have? Would (action of my PC) be something that has a chance of opening a Door? Would you like to scene this out, or should tickets to the Very Exclusive Event just arrive in your mailbox with a "Hope you like this," note from My PC? If my PC wanted to turn you against the other candidate, would you be comfortable with, perhaps, a contested and extended action while we scene debating the relative merits of the candidates?
Basically, I try to give the Target PC ultimate control over what has a chance of working (and if the desired goal is feasible at all), and then use the dice and the Doors mechanic to decide if it DOES work. Doors make a great framework for discussing social actions so that no one (unless they're just completely opposed to dicing social actions at all) feels railroaded or like the goalposts are being changed on them. Caveat: I haven't ever moved to Hard Leverage or Forcing Doors, so can't speak to that.
This is probably the best answer you're going to get, yeah. and if more people used this, they would have a lot more to RP about. A lot of people who want something from another PC want " a scene" in which they get it, basically. To me, that's boring. A series of things, not all of which have to be scenes, is the best course (as described above).
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I had a meeting and during that time, @Pyrephox was very helpful with that answer.
Another thing to remember, is that Social Maneuvering, except in the rarest of circumstances, is not a one scene type of encounter. The scale for how often someone can make a Maneuvering attempt ranges from 1 turn to 1 /week/. This is not a system for quick results without some sort of magic mojo.
Further, should PCs be subject to social maneuvering they should and are allowed to present an Alternative Resolution.
Here is my example of how a Social Maneuvering encounter between PCs would go.
Irving Iron Master is the alpha of a local pack. He is desperate to get the aid of Billy Bone Shadow to grant him some help in dealing with a particularly bizarre spirit - Irving wants Billy to grant him access to his occult library.
By default, these guys have Average Impression. Neither PC has met in more than passing. Irving's player has reached out to Billy's player and asked if he would help, Billy's player said "it is not outside of the realm of possibility, let's see if you can convince Billy IC. Irving's player suggests social maneuvering, and they both agree to it.
ICly, Irving reaches out to Billy and they meet at a local tur. Wanting to make things a bit fast, Irving is exceptionally polite and cordial, hosting the meeting during Billy's moon phase. This bumps the impression to Good.
Irving's player states his goal: Gain access to Billy's Library. Billy has 3 Doors - The lower of his Resolve and Composure. The use of his library is not a breaking point, and it is not preventing him from fulfilling an aspiration.
In their first scene, Irving's player rolls Intelligence + Occult in an attempt to describe just how desperate the situation is, and to impress Billy with his base level of knowledge. Irving succeeds and opens 1 Door. With a good impression, Irving must wait a day to try again.
The next day, Irving sends a message to Billy via a spirit to convey his thanks for considering the option, and rolls Presence + Socialize. Irving manages to gain 5 successes, which, as an exceptional, opens 2 doors, which is how many remained.
Now, Billy's player has a choice. He can either grant Billy his goal, or present an alternative. In this case, he does the latter. Since Billy wishes to earn Wisdom, he offers to, instead of sharing his secrets, construct a Fetish to allow Irving to better deal with the spirit. Irving's player agrees, and they move on!
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@TNP said:
Dear @tragedyjones.
I'm a relatively young Ventrue who was Embraced during college. None of my friends know I died or that I'm now a creature of the night. They think I just disappeared for a few years due to a breakdown from stress (I was pre law). I still maintain contact with them for dinner and theatre dates and they don't have a clue.
My problem is that now we're in our thirties, they're starting to get married. I've already had to miss three weddings because they were scheduled for noon. My coterie says I should just break ties with them but I don't want to do that.
My question is this: a fourth friend just got engaged and they're setting the date. Should I dominate them into an evening ceremony or just resign myself to another missed wedding? Do I still need to buy a wedding gift for them if I'm not going?
Asleep During Daytime
Asleep During Daytime, you have a few ways to handle this. First, you're young and new to your Requiem. If you are durable enough, and as a Ventrue you may know some Resilience, you could try and be a badass and attend the wedding, at least the ceremony, and leave early claiming you aren't feeling well - the sunburn will help corroborate your story. If you're fully fed you can survive an hour or two in the daylight without taking any aggravated wounds, but be sure to have a snack planned.
If you are already considering Dominating them to alter the ceremony, perhaps you can do that, but this is a dangerous path. It only gets easier to break people after the first try. Are they your friends then, or just meat-puppets to bend to your will?
And yes, you should send a gift. Especially if they are well to do in the mortal world, you should continue to cultivate those allies!
