Story Teller Test Study Guide & Notes (For Online Use Only)

Story Teller Test Study Guide & Notes

(For Online Use Only)

L.A.R.P. (Live action role play) there are two types of Camarilla sponsored games:

§ Sanctioned games

§ Troupe games.

Sanctioned games take place within the Camarilla’s global sanctioned Chronicle and use the framework, setting, and rules established by the club’s Master Storyteller. Sanctioned play allows only specific character types, and complies with the Camarilla’s gaming supplements for that venue. Troupe games are run independent of the global story, allowing whatever the storyteller wishes to include. Troupe play is still restricted to Camarilla Members, with the Code of Conduct and other membership rules still in effect.

STORYTELLER:

Every game must have a Storyteller, who serves as the ultimate authority and final judge in any game of the game you play. The Storyteller creates the basic elements of the plot, and makes sure that the story unfolds to the entertainment of the players — in addition to doing everything the Narrators do. It’s the Storyteller who creates the framework upon the players build their experiences. The Storyteller makes certain the story has content, interesting hooks and a narrative flow. This doesn’t mean he should just sit back and dictate the plot — characters who don’t have free will are no fun to play. During the game, the Storyteller must be watchful and ready to create new elements to make sure that the story works out well. He is also responsible for safety, ensuring that all of the players have something to do, and that everyone abides by the rules.

ESTABLISHING A VENUE:

1. Choose the genre of story you and your friends want to play.

2. Elect a venue storyteller (VST).

3. The VST and players discuss the type of games they like.

4. The VST writes and submits a Venue Style Sheet (VSS) that describes the

Proposed venue, its setting, mood, and theme.

5. Supervising storytellers review the VSS to ensure that it fits with the global

Sanctioned chronicle.

6. When a storyteller with High Approval authority approves the VSS, the

Storyteller can run games.

7. The VST helps players make characters that fit the genre and chronicle.

8. Game on!

Once the venue is approved, the venue storyteller must file a monthly

Report and meet the ongoing requirements of all supervising storytellers.

Approval Level Required Storyteller Who Can Approve:

Low: Venue Storyteller

Mid: Domain Storyteller

High: Regional Storyteller

Top: National Storyteller

Global: Master Storyteller

STORYTELLER POSITIONS:

In the global sanctioned chronicle, storytellers combine their creative efforts to build a common world setting, structure, and story. Because our chronicle is large and complex, storytellers must regularly communicate, collaborate, and compromise with each other. They must also maintain the trust of the players they serve. In the Camarilla, storytelling authority within the global sanctioned chronicle derives from the club’s Master Storyteller. Storytellers in the United States serve as an extension of both the Master Storyteller and the US National Storyteller.

Storyteller Scope of Authority:

Venue storyteller: A genre within the domain or independent chapter

Domain storyteller: Geographic boundaries of the domain

Regional storyteller: Geographic boundaries of the region

National storyteller: Geographic boundaries of the US

Master storyteller: Anywhere in the world

Within the global sanctioned chronicle, each elected storyteller has within

Their storytelling jurisdiction, the authority to:

• Establish local chronicle continuity and history within the parameters

Defined by supervising storytellers.

• Design and implement suitable plotlines.

• Create and introduce appropriate Storyteller-controlled characters; the Storyteller may portray these characters or assign members to portray them.

• Run games, downtime scenes, and proxies that affect global sanctioned chronicle.

• Interpret rules for scenes and make other necessary storytelling decisions.

• Freeze a scene or characters.

• Sanction characters for participation in the global sanctioned chronicle.

• Review and approve special requests up to their level of authority.

• Award experience traits to characters and track purchases.

• Require a player to provide full character sheet, experience trait log, and Character background.

• Conduct investigations for game-related issues and enact storyteller-based Disciplinary actions. See disciplinary action section for details.

• Hire assistants and delegate these authorities, in whole or part, to them.

• Conduct pre-game character check-in to ensure the characters conform to The venue style sheet and are suitable for the game.

Storytellers can exercise this authority as needed anywhere underneath their jurisdiction. They may also overturn or modify the decisions of any Storyteller within their jurisdiction.

VENUE STORYTELLERS:

A venue storyteller (VST) is the principal elected storyteller for a local venue within the global sanctioned chronicle. In the Camarilla, venue storytellers run the majority of sanctioned games and serve as the direct storyteller for most characters. The VST prepares and runs games that entertain the venue’s members as well as visiting members who bring suitable characters.

Most venue storytellers focus on one genre. However, it is possible for A member to hold multiple VST positions within the same domain or Independent chapter, as long as each venue has an approved Venue Style Sheet (VSS). Any Member of the venue may be a Candidate in a VST election. The Domain Storyteller (or Regional Storyteller if the venue is within an independent domain) conducts the Election. Once elected, a venue storyteller serves for one full year. At the end of this Term, a new election must be called, but the same member may apply again. A VST may leave office early voluntarily, through a venue-level referendum, or Through removal by the Regional Storyteller. Each venue storyteller is loaned one additional member class while in Office, up to MC 8. This loan must follow the Camarilla’s policies. Each venue storyteller must have an approved venue style sheet before Running games in the global sanctioned chronicle. This document defines the Local venue, its genre, scope, geographic boundaries, and game style. The VSS Should clearly define the types of characters that are appropriate for the venue. The VST should be objective and consistent whenever a member of the venue Creates a new character, a member requests to join the venue, or when a visiting Member brings a character to a venue game. The venue storyteller should regularly review and update the VSS of the Venue, to account for changes in the mood, setting, or other details of the local Chronicle. At minimum, the venue storyteller should review the VSS once every Six months with the members of the venue to ensue that the VSS matches the Style of game that the members prefer and the style of game the VST enjoy Running. Additionally, a newly elected VST should review the existing venue Style sheet and ensure that the VSS remains suitable. A VST possesses all general storyteller authorities within the scope of The venue. In addition, the VST has the following specific storytelling Authority to:

• Serve as the direct storyteller for all characters assigned to the venue.

• Act as the host storyteller for characters visiting the venue.

• Create and maintain the history and feel for the local venue.

• Approve new characters within the venue for participation in the global Sanctioned game.

• Evaluate character transfer requests from existing characters into the venue, Following the guidelines in the membership handbook.

• Grant or deny low-level requests for characters assigned to the venue.

• Determine whether visiting characters are suitable for participation within

The venue, based on the guidelines in the approved venue style sheet, Camarilla rules and genre policies.

• Establish policies for players participating in the venue.

Story tellers can Neither own personal characters nor evaluate their own special requests. Whenever a city runs more than one venue, each VST must work together To ensure that the local continuity remains consistent from venue to venue. The two venue storytellers must regularly communicate and Collaborate. These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Regional Storyteller and are monitored closely. A VST possesses the following specific duties and responsibilities to the Venue’s members and to other storytellers:

• Entertain the venue’s members and visiting members with great stories.

• Help players learn MET rules, the genre’s details, and the Camarilla’s setting.

• Organize and be responsible for the storytelling of all games within the venue.

• Assist members create characters appropriate to the venue.

• Run games that fit with the style of the approved and published venue style Sheet, updating the VSS whenever necessary or appropriate.

• Maintain a venue chronicle.

• Mentor new players and also assistant venue storytellers.

• Evaluate all special requests for characters assigned to the venue.

• Ensure that the local venue remains aligned with the Camarilla’s global Sanctioned chronicle, its rules, and policies.

• Collaborate with fellow storytellers.

• File a monthly report to the supervising storyteller on or before the 1st of Each month.

• Meet the ongoing requirements of supervising storytellers.

VST reports are due on the first day of each month, and cover the details of the Previous month. The monthly status report should include the following details:

• A list of assistants and their duties.

• Prestige recommendations for all assistants and also members who Provided storytelling support.

• A list of games hosted during the month.

• A brief summary of in-game events in the venue.

• Details of ongoing projects.

• Summary of active and proposed plotlines.

• Any problems or questions for the supervising storyteller.

• Formal record of any investigations or disciplinary actions. Supervising storytellers may have additional requirements on where to file Reports or on what information to include.

DOMAIN STORYTELLERS:

As the first principal elected supervisor in the storytelling chain, the Domain Storyteller (DST) leads the storytelling activities of an entire domain And coordinates all of its venues. The Domain Storyteller is usually an Experienced storyteller who can serve as mentor, mediator, and voice of reason For VSTs within the domain. While a venue storyteller runs games for a specific Venue, the Domain Storyteller ensures that the venues within the domain run Smoothly with each other and with the global sanctioned chronicle. The DST Oversees all cross-venue stories, and handles all aspects of the domain’s story not Contained within any venue. The DST may implement plotlines that affect More than a single venue or multiple genres.

REGIONAL STORYTELLER:

The Regional Storyteller is the principal elected storyteller who weaves The storytelling efforts of an entire region into a compelling story that fits Within the global and national settings. Most regional storytellers are highly Experienced storytellers within the global sanctioned chronicle, and they may Have run individual venues or served as domain storytellers. They use this Experience to guide the regional chronicle, to mentor storytellers, and to Encourage players to step beyond local venues and explore the larger aspects Of the global sanctioned game.

NATIONAL STORYTELLER:

The National Storyteller (NST) is the principal elected storyteller who Serves as the head of the storytelling hierarchy within a nation. The National Storyteller exercises storytelling jurisdiction over the entire nation in all genres. The National Storyteller establishes the national chronicle’s vision and serves as perhaps the most visible representative of storytelling within the nation. In this way, the National Storyteller serves as a leader, spokesperson, and Ambassador for the club’s global sanctioned chronicle.

TH E CAMARILLA’S MASTER STORYTELLER:

The Camarilla’s Master Storyteller (MST) serves as the lead storytelling Officer for the entire global sanctioned chronicle, providing leadership and Guidance for the entire storyteller hierarchy. The MST possesses full storytelling authority (including all general and Supervising storyteller authorities) for the entire global sanctioned chronicle, Including the abilities to rewrite continuity, and to modify or desanction venues.

TEST O F THE STORYTELLER:

There’s a big difference between being the one storyteller For small group of friends and being one member of a storytelling team that Manages a global LARP running non-stop across the entire world. Topics include:

• Building and managing a venue in the global sanctioned chronicle

• Designing and running plot kits and NPCs

• Storytelling theory including continuity and story balance

• Authority and responsibility of storytellers at each level

• Reviewing a special character request

• Tracking characters

• How to file a storyteller report

• Disciplinary action (storyteller version)

• Resources available to storytellers

Storytellers elected after February 1, 2004 must complete this course no Later than ninety days after their election, or they may be subject to removal from Office. Members currently serving as elected principal storytellers on that date Will have until May 1, 2004 to complete this requirement. After two years service as an officer (either coordinator or storyteller), members are invited to take a continuing coordinator or continuing storyteller’s course.

REPORTING:

Every officer must provide a monthly written status report so that supervising Officers can quickly and accurately ascertain what it happening within their assigned areas. The proper means of delivering these reports varies, but will Typically involve directly sending the report by e-mail to the supervising officer And possibly posting it to a relevant officers list. These reports are typically due

Before midnight (local time) on a set day of each month. Information that should be included in each officer’s report Is listed with the description of each office, but each officer should speak with His supervising officer for a reporting template containing more complete Information on what each specific report should include.

TRANSFER O F RECORDS:

The responsibility that goes with holding an office does not end immediately upon leaving office. Each officer is expected to transfer all records, assets and resources to their replacement within one month of leaving office.

Storytellers:

§ Copies of all reports filed

§ Copies of any reports transferred to you from previous officers

§ Results of any investigations

§ Disciplinary actions

§ Current or completed plotlines and NPCs

§ Full character sheets for each tracked by the

§ Venue Chronicle (for VSTs)

§ Assets or resources

PLOTLINES

Storytellers maintain the Camarilla’s global sanctioned chronicle and weave player-generated stories together. Plotlines within a global game tend to spread further and faster than in a small local game. Therefore, when storytellers create plotlines; they should carefully consider the following:

• Paradigms of the genre as published by White Wolf

• Established continuity within the local or global sanctioned chronicle

• Styles of play listed on approved Venue Style Sheets

• Viability of the venue and genre

Supervising storytellers may modify or entirely veto plotlines within their jurisdiction. In order to preserve global continuity and metaplot, storytellers may require certain plotlines to be run within their jurisdiction.

Example:

• First Act (Beginning): The characters are made aware of the problem: the city’s crime boss.

• Second Act (Middle): The characters work to overthrow the boss.

• Final Act (Conclusion): The characters win (but at what cost?), or the crime boss wins.

Plots don’t have to be confined to three acts; they can have many. But three is a nice, easy way to keep to a thread simple without confining events that inevitably veer in new directions during play.

FREEZING SCENES

A storyteller may call a scene freeze to consult rules, collect information, Work out logistics, or ensure overall game fairness. A storyteller may also need To freeze information or events to confirm that the scene was handled properly And those participants behaved ethically. Characters involved with the scene May also be frozen at the storyteller’s discretion, or the storyteller may choose to allow the characters to continue in play so long as they do not react to this particular scene. Once frozen, there can be no interaction using information produced by the scene, including knowledge that the scene existed in the first place. Frozen Characters may not interact in any way with the rest of the chronicle. A freeze Can last as long as a storyteller needs, but the longer it lasts, the more game play and continuity becomes affected. Most freezes can and should be resolved within an hour of being called at a game.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Each coordinator and storyteller within the Camarilla shares responsibility for keeping our club fair and enjoyable for our membership. Members are expected to follow the rules and policies of the club. Therefore, officers should investigate inappropriate conduct and act whenever it seems necessary. Members are also encouraged to report inappropriate behavior to the appropriate presiding officer, whether storyteller or coordinator. Coordinators and storytellers may enact disciplinary action within the scope and limits of their offices. Disciplinary action may be enacted after a formal hearing, after an investigation, or whenever a presiding officer directly witnesses inappropriate conduct.

PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE

When an officer hears of inappropriate conduct, the first step is to evaluate the preliminary evidence. If an officer has credible soft evidence (gossip or hearsay, i.e. something which cannot be proven) or any hard evidence (direct witnesses, paper trail, etc.), an investigation should begin.

At this point, an officer should keep an open mind and avoid forming conclusions. Rumors and allegations should never be a reason for disciplinary action without an investigation.

INVESTIGATION

Investigations must be conducted by an officer with jurisdiction, determined by either of the following cases:

• The member is within the officer’s normal scope of office.

• The member attended an event where the officer served as presiding coordinator or storyteller, and the investigation concerns actions at that event. If more than one member is involved in the investigation, it can be investigated jointly by more than one officer or by an officer with jurisdiction over all members involved. If an officer has a reason to believe that an investigation is

necessary but does not have the jurisdiction to handle it themselves, the matter should be referred to an officer who does have that jurisdiction. Before handing down a disciplinary action, the officer should first be sure to have the whole story. When opening an investigation, the investigating officer should notify the member being investigated and their coordinator (and storyteller, if this is a storytelling issue), clearly defining the scope of the investigation. During the course of an investigation, the officer should collect hard evidence such as written statements from direct witnesses, copies of character sheets (for game-related issues), and logs of online chats. The member being investigated should have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and to provide additional evidence or witnesses. Investigations should be handled promptly and kept confidential to the involved parties and officers who need to know. Show respect to members under investigation.

OFFICIAL WARNINGS

If a member makes a minor and unintentional mistake because of ignorance or misinformation, then an official warning may be the only action necessary to correct the situation. Official warnings should be given in writing to the member and the member’s supervising coordinator or storyteller as appropriate. The issuing officer should keep a copy of the official warning and also include a summary in their next report.

APPROPRIATE LEVEL O F ACTION

Officers may enact disciplinary action when a member’s actions merit a greater response than an official warning. If a member has disregarded past warnings, willfully broken Camarilla rules, or committed a flagrant action, then disciplinary action is generally appropriate.

STORYTELLER ACTIONS:

• Awarding negative experience traits to one or more characters

• Removal of special approval items from one or more characters

• Suspending one or more characters from play for a period of time

• Permanently desanctioning one or more characters

MINOR OFFENSES

We recognize that sometimes a careless mistake happens, a thoughtless action occurs, or a hasty word comes out. However, when they happen within the club, they deserve comment and warning so that they don’t become patterns of behavior. For an action to merit only a warning, it should not have had a significant affect on other members.

• A character sheet was one to five points overspent

• Accidental use of out-of-character information in game

• Minor rudeness or name-calling at a Camarilla event

• A minor offense which was clearly accidental and which the player goes beyond the call of duty to correct

SUGGESTED CONSEQUENCES:

• A formal warning

• No experience traits awarded for the night

MODERATE OFFENSES

Moderate offenses have an impact on others. They may still be mistakes or lapses in judgment, but they deserve a response more substantial than a warning. (These include but are not limited to) (For more information please read the Camarilla Membership Handbook.)

• A character sheet was six to ten points overspent

• Uses of out-of-character information in game that may disadvantage another character

• Portraying a special approval item without the appropriate level of approval

• Portraying a character without storyteller approval

• A minor offense which was repeated within a year after a formal warning or other disciplinary action

Suggested consequences:

• No experience traits awarded for the month

• Up to six negative experience traits

• Removal of a character from play for up to a month

• Up to a two-week suspension

• Removal of up to 200 prestige points

MAJOR OFFENSES

These offenses are generally significant accidents or intentional violations of the rules that affect other members and the club as a whole. (These include but are not limited to) (For more information please read the Camarilla Membership Handbook.)

• A character sheet is 11–25 points overspent

• Using a character to “avenge” or to retaliate against someone who may have been involved in the death or removal from game of one’s previous character

• Knowingly portraying a character that has been desanctioned

• Abusing the rules to take advantage of a new or unknowledgeable player

• A single tantrum or outburst at an event which is significantly disrupting to the event

• Knowingly violating a suspension from Camarilla activities

• Major or repeated violations of hotel policy during a Camarilla convention

• Claiming prestige for an action not actually performed

• Knowingly misrepresenting one’s member class

• Lying to conceal a breach of the rules

• Two minor offenses during the same incident

• A severe offense which was clearly accidental and which the player goes beyond the call of duty to correct

SUGGESTED CONSEQUENCES:

• Permanent desanctioning of the character involved

• No experience traits awarded that month to any of the member’s characters

• Negative experience traits awarded to other characters

• Limitations on special approval privileges for up to six months

• Inability to hold Camarilla offices for up to six months

• Up to a six-week suspension

• Removal of up to 750 prestige points

SEVERE OFFENSES

These are issues which cannot reasonably be an accident, and generally involve a willing and conscious decision to violate the rules of the club in a damaging way regardless of the consequences. Examples of severe offenses include:

• A character sheet that is more than 26 points overspent

• Deliberately forging an experience trait log, such as by predating the character’s creation date by a significant amount

• Openly threatening immediate harm to another member at a Camarilla event

• Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature at a Camarilla event

• Two major offenses during the same incident

• A major offense which was repeated within two years after a formal warning or other disciplinary action

Suggested consequences:

• Permanent desanctioning of all that member’s characters

• Up to a three-month suspension

• Removal of up to 1500 prestige points

EXTREME OFFENSES

This category is reserved for serious repeat offenders, or the most offensive of actions which threaten not only the safety and comfort of others in the club, but also create legal liability for the organization. Examples of extreme offenses include:

• A significant physical assault at a Camarilla event

• Significant incident of harassment after previous warning or disciplinary action for the same issue

• A severe offense which was repeated within two years after a formal warning or other disciplinary action

• Several major or severe offenses within a two year period, or a pattern of many repeated minor offenses

SUGGESTED CONSEQUENCES:

• Up to a six month suspension with possible expulsion from the Camarilla

• Removal of up to 3000 prestige points

COMBAT

There are three types of damage:

o Bashing (caused by blunt weapons such as fists or clubs; these wounds heal quickly)

o Lethal (caused by sharp weapons such as knives or bullets; these wounds heal slowly)

o Aggravated (caused by devastating supernatural attacks; these wounds take a very long time to heal).

EXAMPLE: Let’s see how it looks in action. Your character tries to shoot at a thug who just killed her friend. Your characters Dexterity is •••, her Firearms is ••, and she’s using a Glock 9mm pistol, which provides a modifier of +2. Your test pool is therefore 7. The thug is already a couple of houses away down the block — that’s generally considered medium range. A –2 penalty is applied to attacks at medium range. So, your test pool is reduced to five.

THE CHANCE DRAW:

If your test pool is ever reduced to zero or lower, you can still make a “chance draw.” Draw a single card, but you get a success only if you draw a 10. Keep redrawing: every additional ten results in an additional success, allowing you to draw again. Note that you can’t back out of a draw once you know what your opponent’s defense is. This applies to all types of actions, including chance draws and any supernatural action.

Defense: An advantage trait determined by the lowest of Dexterity or Wits. Characters can penalize a close-combat opponent’s attack by subtracting their Defense from his test pool.

Initiative

Initiative is used to determine who acts when in combat. At the beginning of a Fight, draw a card for your character and add his Dexterity and Composure dots to the Result. The total is his standing in the Initiative for the entire combat. The Storyteller draws and records Initiative for any characters she controls. All players’ totals make up the Initiative roster, in order from highest to lowest. If there’s a tie between players, compare their Initiative scores (including any Merits or supernatural bonuses). The highest total breaks the tie. If there’s still a tie, a card is drawn for each rival with the highest draw winning. If even card draws result in a tie, continue drawing until an order is established.

Initiative Total (Wits+ Dexterity) + Random Draw= Combat Order

Example: Joshua Musgrove has Dexterity 3 and Composure 2. He draws a 6 for Initiative,

for a total of 11. One of the Storyteller’s thugs also gets an Initiative total of 11. Their respective

Dexterity and Composure totals are both 5. A card is drawn for each. Both get a 3. Another card

is drawn for each, this time with a 4 for Joshua and an 8 for the Storyteller. The thug acts before

Joshua throughout the fight.

Any characters potentially being surprised must check to see if they can respond. Wits + Composure is drawn for characters who are ambushed. A Narrator may also give subjects a bonus to react if an ambush is ill prepared or poorly executed, typically between +1 to +3 depending on just how inept the attack really is.

Fair Escape

Anytime you see a character approach and with whom you do not wish to interact, you may declare “Fair escape” to leave the area without being pursued. This assumes that your opponent is not already within conversational distance.

• Close Combat: Up close and personal, this includes unarmed combat (Strength+ Brawl) and melee (Strength + Weaponry).

Example: Strength of 3 and Brawl of 2 adds to five points if penalties imposed on your character’s attack exceed your character’s Attribute + Skill + any bonuses involved

Draw Total # of Successes

10–14: 1 success 15–19: 2 successes

20–24: 3 successes 25–29: 4 successes

30–34: 5 successes 35–39: 6 successes 40–44: 7 successes

APPROVALS:

1. All character sheets are Low Approval for creation and updating. Anything from sanctioned

material that can be applied to a character sheet is Low Approval unless otherwise specified.

STORYTELLER CHARACTERS (ANTAGONISTS)

Storyteller Character (NPC): A character created by a Storyteller as part of his venue storyline.

Information Collected from:

Mind’s Eye Theatre Core Rule Book (World of Darkness) Copy write 2005 White Wolf Publishing http://www.white-wolf.com (http://www.camarilla.white-wolf.com)

Camarilla Membership Handbook, Copy write 2003 White Wolf Publishing

CAMARILLA ADDENDUM: UNIVERSAL (WW50000)

Information Compiled By:

Xander Crawford US2009115022 ADST (Requiem) 03/07/2011 ZombieStomper Productions

THIS IS NOT TO BE USED AS A “CHEAT SHEET”. This is more like a “Cliffs Notes” for those who are preparing to take their Storyteller test. THIS IS NOT MEANT FOR REPRODUCTION OR DOWNLOAD. This reference is only to be studied online. Information on this study guide will be updated as changes occur.