Astra Myst
Do you want a wish?
- Location
- Milky Way Galaxy
[x] Autarkis
Blood-soaked Destinies (A Vampire the Masquerade Quest)
- Thread starter Soup
- Start date
- Mature
- Location
- Centro Italia
[x] Autarkis
Vote closed
Character Creation Part Three
Took me quite a while to come up with ideas of how an Autarkis could fit into this setting and the vampire world at large but it hink I got some interesting choices for you, so without further ado:
Where do you spend your nights?
[ ]Naples (Italy)
The second world war is over and Italy lies in ruins. Mussolini was cast down and even the mafia got in on the action, helping the Americans and the insurrectionists to shatter the dictators regime. In vampire terms, the camarilla backed the government and the Giovanni necromancers backed the mafia and after the war the influence of the ivory tower lies in tatters, paving the way for the vampire backed crime families to take what they have so long been denied. Perhaps that chaos can create opportunity for one such as you?
A post world war II economy of a county on the losing end and undead mafioso summoning things even more dead than they are, what more do you want for a cigarette smoking quest of vampire noir? This game will probably focus on dark mysteries, intricate plots both personal and political as well as the presence of a certain criminal vampire clan.
[x]Philadelphia (United States)
The former capitol of the United States of America is on a downward spiral as the heavy influx of immigrants collides with the city's fading national importance. The poor are sequestered into the crowded slums of the city, the arrival of new refugees is met with violence and the politicians receive more and more bribes as the city's industry leaves for elsewhere. "Corrupt and content" is the City's new motto. The Vampire side of the city's history doesn't look all too different as more and more Sabbat infiltrators arrive to the Camarilla domain of Philadelphia and Elders of the sect leave to pursue more important matters elsewhere. The white tower is crumbling in the third largest city of the states and misery, both human and inhuman, floods the streets of this once great metropolis and unfortunately for you, the coming troubles care little for your desire to stay out of politics.
A gritty urban environment is a rather typical setting for the noir genre. With this option the themes of moral ambiguity, surviving day-to-day, desperation, struggle and a bleak outlook on humanity and your fellow vampires will most like take center stage.
[ ]The road (anywhere it takes you)
Vampires are as divided by distance and allegiance as mortals, but sometimes a centuries old friendship endures even despite conflicting loyalties. And who better to deliver the messages of ancient monsters than one who claims neutrality? Now if only this new package you are meant to deliver wouldn't reek of trouble so much.
This concept of being a courier is something that fits well with the themes of paranoia, dark mysteries, a morally compromised protagonist, intricate plots, loneliness, alienation and perhaps even underlying existential philosophy if I somehow manage it.
All of that being said, the final game hasn't been decided on yet and all of the ideas for the setting can be changed depending on what you choose during the rest of character creation and, of course, on what I can come up with.
Side note: I totally forgot to reserve posts on the first page for the character sheet and other important stuff. My bad. I guess I have to figure out how to deal with that, probably gonna have to put it under the information threat mark or edit it into the first post somehow. Im sure I'll think of something.
If you have any ideas of your own what an Autarkis vampire could be up to in the 1940s and 1950s dont hesitate to post it, I would really like to know what you would expect out of a vampire Noir Quest.
Where do you spend your nights?
*****
[ ]Naples (Italy)
The second world war is over and Italy lies in ruins. Mussolini was cast down and even the mafia got in on the action, helping the Americans and the insurrectionists to shatter the dictators regime. In vampire terms, the camarilla backed the government and the Giovanni necromancers backed the mafia and after the war the influence of the ivory tower lies in tatters, paving the way for the vampire backed crime families to take what they have so long been denied. Perhaps that chaos can create opportunity for one such as you?
A post world war II economy of a county on the losing end and undead mafioso summoning things even more dead than they are, what more do you want for a cigarette smoking quest of vampire noir? This game will probably focus on dark mysteries, intricate plots both personal and political as well as the presence of a certain criminal vampire clan.
[x]Philadelphia (United States)
The former capitol of the United States of America is on a downward spiral as the heavy influx of immigrants collides with the city's fading national importance. The poor are sequestered into the crowded slums of the city, the arrival of new refugees is met with violence and the politicians receive more and more bribes as the city's industry leaves for elsewhere. "Corrupt and content" is the City's new motto. The Vampire side of the city's history doesn't look all too different as more and more Sabbat infiltrators arrive to the Camarilla domain of Philadelphia and Elders of the sect leave to pursue more important matters elsewhere. The white tower is crumbling in the third largest city of the states and misery, both human and inhuman, floods the streets of this once great metropolis and unfortunately for you, the coming troubles care little for your desire to stay out of politics.
A gritty urban environment is a rather typical setting for the noir genre. With this option the themes of moral ambiguity, surviving day-to-day, desperation, struggle and a bleak outlook on humanity and your fellow vampires will most like take center stage.
[ ]The road (anywhere it takes you)
Vampires are as divided by distance and allegiance as mortals, but sometimes a centuries old friendship endures even despite conflicting loyalties. And who better to deliver the messages of ancient monsters than one who claims neutrality? Now if only this new package you are meant to deliver wouldn't reek of trouble so much.
This concept of being a courier is something that fits well with the themes of paranoia, dark mysteries, a morally compromised protagonist, intricate plots, loneliness, alienation and perhaps even underlying existential philosophy if I somehow manage it.
*****
All of that being said, the final game hasn't been decided on yet and all of the ideas for the setting can be changed depending on what you choose during the rest of character creation and, of course, on what I can come up with.
Side note: I totally forgot to reserve posts on the first page for the character sheet and other important stuff. My bad. I guess I have to figure out how to deal with that, probably gonna have to put it under the information threat mark or edit it into the first post somehow. Im sure I'll think of something.
If you have any ideas of your own what an Autarkis vampire could be up to in the 1940s and 1950s dont hesitate to post it, I would really like to know what you would expect out of a vampire Noir Quest.
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- Location
- Centro Italia
[x] Neapels (Italy)
[x]Philadelphia (United States)
The traveler reminds me of Night road, but honestly where the noir genre stands out the most is in the urban environment.
Also, in case Philadelphia wins, how will it work to be independent? Will we be like Joe Pitt or is it something related to our sire?
[x] Philadelphia (United States)
Also, in case Philadelphia wins, how will it work to be independent? Will we be like Joe Pitt or is it something related to our sire?
[x] Philadelphia (United States)
- Location
- Your pantry
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Neapels (Italy)
@Salas555
That is a good question, one I might make you guys answer at the tail end of character creation. I do have some ideas, but it really depends on what kind of character and what clan you choose. I also never played Night road, although I know of it. Is it worth playing?
[x] Neapels (Italy)
Vampire: The Masquerade — Night Road
The elders have entrusted you, an elite vampire courier, to deliver their secrets. Can you outrun the hunters, the other drivers, and the rising sun?
www.choiceofgames.com
The story is quite interesting, with many options to choose what to do in each situation depending on your stats or your inclinations in the game.
[x] Neapels (Italy)
- Location
- Sweden
[x]The road (anywhere it takes you)
Though it has some weird parts with the whole super serum and Julian.
It's a relatively famous choice game. In it you play as a vampire who, because of the power plays of his sire, ends up working as an independent delivery man (Independent between quotes). Much of the story is you making deliveries for a cabal prince, but you don't really work for him.Vampire: The Masquerade — Night Road
The elders have entrusted you, an elite vampire courier, to deliver their secrets. Can you outrun the hunters, the other drivers, and the rising sun?
The story is quite interesting, with many options to choose what to do in each situation depending on your stats or your inclinations in the game.
Though it has some weird parts with the whole super serum and Julian.
- Location
- Mataram Free Territory
- Pronouns
- He/Him
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Since we're an Autarkis it will certainly flavor things going forward, some quick musings:
For Naples, we're looking at a broken territory, one ripe for conquest and consolidation, the structure before has fallen and we're to make something for ourselves, or suffer as everything further decays. Appropriate for Autarkis certainly.
For Philadelphia, the most associated with noir by default, we're looking at a location that still has structures around it but is slowly being eroded away, Camarilla are still have the lay of the land, but Sabbat and likely Anarchs want parts of this city, being Autarkis means we're more of a potential mercenary to the various factions, though the Camarilla will default consider us one of them even if we don't, and working for the Sabbat in particular is a very tricky prospect. Certainly a lot mattering here is based off of if we're a powerful known neutral party, or a weaker individual that cares not for any of the factions and just wants to keep unliving, both have interesting ideas.
For The Road, for vampires a city is an Island Nation, the roads are dangerous seas, where little mistakes can end your unlife. Resourcefulness is a must, and knowing you're not fully trusted is a concern, but such is also simply a fact of vampiric unlife. Here you "Friends" one day become your "Enemies" the next, but at least you don't have to worry about placating the local vampire leadership because you can more or less leave. Hopefully sneaking your feeding or getting feeding rights when entering a Camarilla's Domain.
[X] Philadelphia (United States)
I think I lean towards Philadelphia, hits the Noir prompt the strongest, and I think its the most interesting in terms of weak/strong Autarkis having major differences in how they would play and be interacted with. Will be happy with any of them though.
For Naples, we're looking at a broken territory, one ripe for conquest and consolidation, the structure before has fallen and we're to make something for ourselves, or suffer as everything further decays. Appropriate for Autarkis certainly.
For Philadelphia, the most associated with noir by default, we're looking at a location that still has structures around it but is slowly being eroded away, Camarilla are still have the lay of the land, but Sabbat and likely Anarchs want parts of this city, being Autarkis means we're more of a potential mercenary to the various factions, though the Camarilla will default consider us one of them even if we don't, and working for the Sabbat in particular is a very tricky prospect. Certainly a lot mattering here is based off of if we're a powerful known neutral party, or a weaker individual that cares not for any of the factions and just wants to keep unliving, both have interesting ideas.
For The Road, for vampires a city is an Island Nation, the roads are dangerous seas, where little mistakes can end your unlife. Resourcefulness is a must, and knowing you're not fully trusted is a concern, but such is also simply a fact of vampiric unlife. Here you "Friends" one day become your "Enemies" the next, but at least you don't have to worry about placating the local vampire leadership because you can more or less leave. Hopefully sneaking your feeding or getting feeding rights when entering a Camarilla's Domain.
[X] Philadelphia (United States)
I think I lean towards Philadelphia, hits the Noir prompt the strongest, and I think its the most interesting in terms of weak/strong Autarkis having major differences in how they would play and be interacted with. Will be happy with any of them though.
[x]The road (anywhere it takes you)
@ComiTurtle Mostly correct, but in Naples it is the camarilla's influence that was destroyed, not the camarilla itself. I would even say that the camarilla in Naples would be stronger than the one in Philadelphia although more vulnerable at the moment. The Naples Camarilla also faces a more organized threat, one that does know how to play subtle and fight in the shadows, something that may not be the case with some of the enemies in Philadelphia.
As for the vote, I believe that Philadelphia and Naples are currently tied, so I will leave it open for longer than the last few votes to get a clear winner.
[x]Philadelphia (United States)
So it's an Italian mobster or a private detective in America (it's noir, although we're act more like a mercenary, on paper, we're more likely to be a private detective)
