OK, the starting cast is David, James and Natasha.

Welcome to the game everyone. I look forward to playing together!

Ahoy, everyone!

Hey there!

Great opening post! Very evocative.

Thanks! Trying to lean into the whole horror-movie vibe there. Glad it worked for someone else!

Greetings everyone!


Looking forward to the game; and looks as thought we're all starting off very uniquely in our own particular ways.

Great things so far! I am eager to get this group together in our first chapter.

The Camarilla community in Montreal is small and tight knit. It’s safe to assume that Natasha and James know each other (or at least of each other). Between the two of you, please decide whether or not you have already met and if so, how?

As a new arrival, David will need to be introduced to the Prince of the City.  Let’s assume this is done before we launch into our first chapter and that you met at least one of the other players. Feel free to work out how that all went down as well.

Great question on how James and Natasha came to be on a first name basis.

A few suggestions.

Cooperative History - The Most Wanted Man On My Island

It is no secret that James wants Île Bizard as his personal fiefdom, he's been working towards that end for decades and has carved out a fair portion of it through various means. The Prince has mixed feelings on this, especially given Jame's relative youth.

Some sections of the island elude him however, and managing all the various aspects of the domain take up an inordinate amount of Jame's time. Over the years he has come to rely upon Natasha and her various skills and connections in exchange for feeing rights for herself and her brood.

Neutral History - A Game of Whist

The Camarilla has its traditions, and a minor one in Montreal is the periodic playing of "Whist", a somewhat antiquated card game. It's understood that the game is mere window dressing for lesser domain business and an excuse to get together and gossip. James and Natasha has both been regular's at the weekly gatherings over the years, for reasons of their own.

Antagonistic History - Thicker than Water

Jame's Sire, and a few of his older associates, take a dismissive attitude towards the Brujah, and refuse to meet with them directly. James has taken up the mantle of diplomat, having to run interference and messages between the two factions over the years. This is not a pleasant task, and James lacks the leverage of his benefactors.

The history between James and Natasha is tempestuous but not personal. James is a representative of a difficult and pompous coterie, Natasha a spokesperson for her brood and collection of the cities less fortunate kindred. Although the matter is not personal, they find themselves on the opposite side of the table politically, equals in age and influence, and pawns in the greater games being played out throughout Montreal.

Let me throw a wrench in here! Natasha is not Brujah. She's Tzimice, and her family are members of the Sabbat (if not members in exactly good standing). She largely sees the sect as having betrayed the family, and is seeking opportunities to defect to the Camarilla. They're more likely to respect what she sees as the family's ancient rights and privileges. She (and the family in general) doesn't care enough about mortals to have a philosophical dog in the fight about the Sabbat vs. Camarilla.

That said, I think that makes your proposal for a neutral history seem best fight. The Family would be reasonable interlocutors for dealings between the Camarilla and the Sabbat historically. They're recognizable as something that makes sense to the Camarilla, unlike the Packs, and can be trusted to maintain a sense of decorum that both sides would demand. They meet the the old stereotype of being gracious, trustworthy, if often unsettling and persnickety, hosts. This responsibility largely would've been taken over by the other, more firmly Sabbat side of the Family. But Natasha would still be lurking around the edges. And a card game would be right up their alley.

I would request we change that to cribbage, instead of whist. Cribbage is the traditional, antiquated card game of French-speaking Canada. I am completely serious about that.

I'm open to how David might run into either of the other two at present. Being the relative 'new guy in town' so to speak, there's quite a bit of potential in terms of meeting options available there, for either and/or both as far as that goes. Given the other two have some established history in the city already it seems, perhaps some ideas on how they'd potentially bump into David would be a good place to start?

In reply to David Bishop (msg # 10):

Let's say the events of each Prelude occur in early or mid October. The first chapter will begin on Hallowe'en giving you a couple of weeks to make the rounds of the city after settling affairs for Magister Zenjanin.

There would be a natural overlap in Clan Tremere interests within the circles of influence of Natasha's Tsimicse antitribu in Camarilla Montreal.

A question for both David and Natasha: From your perspective, how is the relationship between the two clans? It's unlikely to be cordial, but perhaps they have reached a detente? Or is there open animosity between the wizards and the dragons?

In reply to James Covington (msg # 8):

In reply to Natasha Zsoldos (msg # 9):

Done.

James and Natasha are acquainted through social circles based on the long standing tradition of calling together neonates of the Camarilla to play cribbage. While generally a social affair, nothing is simple among Kindred and these little games are often the soil for seeds of deception, intrigue and social manoeuvring.

Each of you send me a private line in this thread telling me how you have used these game nights to further a personal plot or scheme.

Sounds great.

I'll send that right over.

Depending on the duration of the contention, I could see them possibly having made a sort of 'unspoken agreement' within the city. A sort of 'gentlemans' agreement' to minimize bloodshed. Simply put, they've divided up the city. Certain areas are left to one side, certain areas to another, and a sort of "middle ground" that is the core area of strife. That way each side has their primary safe areas and its only the middle ground that is the area of direct confrontation.


A sort of detente to a point. They might have individuals still competing for a particular resource or location, but it isn't quite as bloodthirsty as in the past. At least for the moment. If hostilities between the greater whole flair up especially hard, I could see the agreement being broken rather easily, but I think both would be practical enough to see the value in having a 'core area' for each as a safe haven between each side. If that makes sense.

Did I mention I’m France for the next week? I may have forgotten to. I’m in France for the next week, and will likely be minimally around here.

In reply to Natasha Zsoldos (msg # 15):

No problem. I’m braced for the annual Spring/Summer slow down on RPOL games… I will try to have something up weekly.

Hey guys, sorry I haven’t been a consistent poster. A recent change of job and taking some courses on the side are eating all my down time. Hoping to get back into things soon, but can’t say for sure when.

Anyone still alive... or undead I guess?

Beep boop.

Un-alive and kicking!

Grooovy.

Updated some of the key game terms in the [OOC] Mechanics thread (link to a message in this game).

Let me know if something is confusing or doesn't make sense.

Hey guys. I’m traveling for work and might not have reliable access for a few weeks. I’ll check in if I can.

Sounds good!

Hi guys, I'm back.

David is looking to mingle a bit...

Natasha is quiet, hasn't been around in a bit...

Anyone still lurking?