Domain of Washington, D.C./Baltimore, "Dark Capital" Universal Venue Style Sheet
PLAYER INFORMATION=====
Venue Name=====
The Camarilla Sanctioned Live Action Roleplaying Games of Washington, DC (VA
D-02)
Genre=====
This VSS contains rules applicable to all DST-sponsored games in this Domain.
Contact=====
Wade Racine, DST, gargoyle@nwlink.com
Place/Time=====
Game times and locations vary.
All game announcements are posted on d-dc@yahoogroups.com (as well as other
appropriate lists) a few days before the game. Each game announcement also has
the game site in CAPITAL letters in the first paragraph, projected weather (when
playing outside), and possibly a game preview.
Directions=====
Driving directions for each game are posted with each individual game
announcement.
For public transportation, consult the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit
Authority http://www.wmata.com/. Other connecting transit options can also be
found at http://www.wmata.com/about/othertransit.htm.
Theme/Mood=====
Theme and mood will vary by venue, but are based on regular surveys of the
domain’s players.
Character Restrictions=====
Out-of-Domain Players: Any character requiring High-level or higher approval for
character type or any character requiring High-level or higher approval for
other items, powers, etc., requires prior approval from the Presiding
Storyteller of each game to participate. Players showing up at a game with such
characters who have not received prior approval may not be allowed to
participate with those characters or may be told they may participate only
without their High approval items.. For prior approval, e-mail or mail a copy of
the current character sheet, experience point log, all items and character
background (if completed) to the Presiding ST. If mailed, the copy must have all
required Storyteller signatures (CST, DST, RST, etc.) or an acceptable
substitute (such as a verifiable e-mail). If e-mailed, the message must be cc'd
to the people who would have signed a hardcopy (or designated e-mail
representative of those people). Mail characters for approval to 109-E Watkins
Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. For e-mail, send them to gargoyle@nwlink.com
(attachments allowed only if they are Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel,
otherwise put the information in the message text). You may also send them to
the Presiding STs of each individual game, as stated in those Venue Style
Sheets.
Domain of D.C. Players: So long as your character is approved by your CST (or
the DST if you do not have a CST) and at all other necessary levels, I do not
need prior notice for your characters.
All Players: The Presiding Storyteller reserves the right to disallow a
character to participate if that character directly contradicts the theme/mood
of the game, or otherwise is incompatible with the game and/or setting. The
Presiding Storyteller makes such determinations at his discretion. An
explanation will be given why the PC is not being allowed into the game. The
player will be provided an opportunity to make up another character on the spot
that is compatible with the game.
Downtime Roleplaying: A balanced amount of non-game interpersonal roleplay is
encouraged to add to character depth, but players are advised to not do anything
drastic or that would require Storyteller intervention while doing small group
roleplaying outside of a formal game. While such small group roleplaying does
not ordinarily count for experience, it will help make the characters more
three-dimensional, and I will award characters that achieve greater depth with
more experience if it becomes apparent at games. Players from D.C. who wish to
obtain this extra experience must fill out a monthly Downtime Report (DTR) and
send it to the appropriate Presiding Storyteller by the last day of the month.
Experience awarded for a DTR may not exceed the standard experience point cap.
DTR's should include player name and membership number, character name, rank,
breed, auspice, and tribe. It must also contain not only what the character has
been doing in local downtime, but also a summary of character activity on
regional and national/international IC mailing lists, as well as IRC (do not
send logs). We play in a global game, and participation in the game outside of
our domain improves the game for all members of the club.
Proxy Rules=====
Though proxy play is permitted by the Camarilla rules supplements, proxy
characters are discouraged except during special events or for very specific
actions that take place outside of regular games, as there are often
insufficient staff or members who can run the proxy characters to their fullest.
Proxy is only permitted by following the prior approval requirements detailed in
"character restrictions," above (this applies to all proxied characters,
regardless of any approval levels).
Domain Storytelling Geographical Boundaries=====
This VSS covers all sanctioned Camarilla game activity in the following places
(based on the U.S. Census Bureau definition of the Consolidated Metropolitan
Statistical Area of Washington-Baltimore):
District of Columbia
Maryland (select counties as follows): Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore
(city), Calvert, Carrol, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent,
Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot and Washington
counties.
Virginia (select counties as follows): Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Fairfax
(city), Falls Church (city), Fauquier, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park (city)
and Prince William counties.
Chesapeake Bay: areas contiguous to the above locations.
Subsidiary Venues=====
There are games within the above boundaries that are not run by the domain. The
Presiding Storytellers of those games use the rules of this VSS unless otherwise
stated in their own VSSs. The impact of subsidiary games may be limited to
specific geographical areas, venues, or other boundaries if their impact would
adversely affect the domain’s chronicle as a whole. Without exception, no NPC
from another venue, particularly antagonists not native to the venue, may be
used without the express consent of the Domain Storyteller or his designated
staff members. This is done primarily to maintain continuity and to avoid
adverse impact on other venues.
Travel Risks=====
Travel into the area is not without risks, but the risks may be specific to each
venue and the travel methods used. Consult the VSS for each venue for specific
risks.
Challenges=====
There are no special rules for challenges beyond those in the authorized Mind’s
Eye Theater books and the current versions of the Camarilla Supplements (with
clarifications and addenda as posted on the national web site). On special
occasions, we may abbreviate challenges (such as in a large combat) by
disallowing retests, scripting combat, using probability calculations or even
rolling dice. This will be done only in the interests of speeding up the game
and/or enhancing critical roleplaying. In any circumstances where a character's
life is on the line, the full rules will be used, regardless of the desire to
speed up the game, unless the player waives this clause.
Player Advisory=====
The World of Darkness is not a happy place. From time to time, the Presiding
Storytellers in a venue will use adult themes, vivid descriptions, and
contentious social issues to bring the World of Darkness to life. For those
familiar with the White Wolf tabletop material, some plot elements or themes
could be considered "Black Dog" material. Such themes and issues may include
racism, sexism, bigotry, prejudice, sexual assault, and extreme violence. If, at
any time, a player feels uncomfortable with a scene, the player should
immediately inform the Storyteller. The Storyteller will either tone down scene
so that the player is once again comfortable participating in it, or will excuse
the player from the scene without penalty in or out of character, adjusting
continuity as necessary. The goal of our games is to have a good time, bringing
the World of Darkness to life as much as possible, but keeping the sensibilities
and comfort of all players in mind, so that all can participate.
STORYTELLER INFORMATION=====
Domain Storyteller=====
Name: Wade Racine
Title: Domain Storyteller, Domain of Washington, D.C./Baltimore
Address: 109-E Watkins Mill Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Phone: (unlisted; provided to STs only)
Email: gargoyle@nwlink.com
Passed Thespis (y/n): Yes.
Style=====
Game styles for domain run events are based on player preference polls.
Antagonists=====
We seek to provide a wide variety of game themes, and therefore a wide variety
of antagonists are possible. The DST reserves the right to give verbal
permission to the Presiding Storyteller for the use of mid-level approval NPCs
at games within the Domain.
Venue rules=====
Each venue may have its own clarifications and additional rules, as allowed by
the approved MET books and the Camarilla supplements.
Crossover: With the exception of third-party crossover via influences, no
crossover play is permitted involving player-characters without the express
prior permission of the Domain Storyteller. Note that this does not mean that
the player will be informed of the crossover before it happens (as that would
ruin the element of surprise in some cases). Players should be aware that if
their characters are actively seeking out supernatural creatures from other
active venues, that they will be considered them to be open to crossover contact
by player-characters from that venue at any time, including downtime (again,
subject to prior approval by the DST).
Visiting Character/Plot Policy=====
Outside plots will not intrude upon this game unless they receive prior approval
from the DST.
Plots will not cross venues without the approval of the DST.
Visiting characters must follow the restrictions given in the player's
information section. Since these game focus on those characters who are regular
participants, visiting characters may find they have little to do unless they
have a very good rationale for being there. "Deciding to just show up for a
visit," is not necessarily a good rationale, but players who actively
participate will have a greater chance of satisfaction. Visitors are encouraged,
and regular visitors even more so. Players who are visiting should contact the
Presiding Storyteller prior to the game in order to establish a good reason for
the in-character visit. Large events and in-character calls for assistance are
always good reasons for a visit.
Players portraying character types that are the “underclass” in their venues in
the World of Darkness (unaccompanied ghouls, unreleased progeny, lone Garou
cubs, etc.) will probably not be well received. Players of such characters from
outside the domain should be aware that their characters will, at best, be
relegated to "sit in the corner" for most games and, at worst, face the strong
possibility of death.
Venue Style Ratings=====
These ratings vary by particular game