Computer Use
Computer use in the game must be cleared with staff for several reasons:
- You aren't doing yourself any favors. When storytellers create plots, we often put things in the gaps of history or real-life lore, or fill in spots. We create ancient cults, strange wonky religions and the occasional UFO sighting and put it into the game world. When you just go and do a Google search, you get -none- of this. Nada, none of the actual plot information. You get random stuff of the Internet we had no part in.
- You really aren't doing yourself any favors. When we do research rolls in ST chambers, we have the opportunity to push you in the -right- direction. As oppose to whatever random direction Google takes you.
- This is not the Internet you are looking for. The in-character Internet is not the same one you and I can get to. The occult information on the real Internet isn't subject to the constant purging and deletion that comes from the ministrations of the Technocracy, Tremere deletion rituals (they do exist), Ventrue influences, weaver spiders, and a myriad of other occult forces. Nor is it added to by any of the other denizens of the World of Darkness (or their comrades). So, the same search does not come up with the same results.
- You better know where the Any key is. Not everyone can use Google, and we've seen characters with no Computer post about finding things on Internet searches. We let people use the forums without the Computer ability for convenience's sake, but anything beyond that, you need the skills to make it happen. And the only way to make sure of that is to consult with an ST.
Meditation
For this setting, it does not do everything that the book says it can do. It does NOT allow the regeneration of willpower. It also does not allow you to ignore wound penalties.
What it DOES allow you to do is to help you calm the beast. This is evident in an easier time to resisting frenzy.
This is a difficult skill to obtain and master. It is not the same as simply sitting in a yoga position and chanting.
The rolls are as follows:
- Meditation, diff 7 to enter the state
- Meditation, diff 9 per hour that the char is meditating.
If the person is interrupted and concentration is lost, no benefits are gained and if you botch... this is extremely bad, and you must see a staff member.
Performance
The Performance ability, according to the book, governs your ability to perform in a certain artistic area. In our game we also add to that the ability to "perform" in a social situation that requires you to engage or inspire people.To that end, when you take the performance at character creation or purchase it later on with experience points, you must indicate what you will use the performance for.
Examples of Artistic Performance
- Dancing
- Singing
- Stage Act
- A particular instrument
If you take performance it signifies ONE particular area your character is proficient at. Any other artistic skills can be bought as secondaries.
Examples of Non-Artistic Performance
- Oration
- Rabble Rousing
- Carousing
If you wish to take Performance because a particular discipline uses it, you must indicate a non-artistic reason for it. This indicates HOW you will use it. Using Awe is not a matter of just rolling dice. It is a matter of rolling dice AND roleplaying your character changing people's minds to follow your lead. This may be done by giving an eloquent speech, or working the crowd up into a frenzy of excitement or anger or perhaps getting them to laugh and relax and have a good time. Either way they will follow you... because you are the object of their awe and inspiration, you have engaged them into following your lead.