From Patrick Biggerstaff - put here by the request of the Storytellers

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999 17:21:40 -0700 (MST)
From: Patrick I Biggerstaff 
To: larpers@chronic.lpl.arizona.edu
Subject: This message is purely for OOC edification

I feel that it is blatantly obvious to anyone that they may play their character however they desire. If you don't want to obey the prince, you don't have to, if that corresponds with your character concept. I was merely trying to make the IC ramifications of such actions clear to those neonates who may not fully understand the nature of vampiric existence.

Regarding the "Ironfoot Brigade," such powerful vampires existing in a city and dictating the unlives of those younger than they is the very essence of the Jyhad. That is the whole point the Anarchs were originally trying to make, and the point that the Sabbat nightly try to force down the Camarilla's throat. The catch is that the Sabbat are every bit as manipulated as the Camarilla. That's one of the primary themes of vampire: control. Do you ever freely choose to do that which you do, or are you just a lackey to the system? I tend to believe the latter, but my adherence to the theory of Determinism kind of makes the discussion a moot point for me. Well, actually I'm more of a compatibalist, if anyone cares. If you don't like confronting such themes then don't play vampire. Personally, this is the only reason to play vampire. We get to run around and manifest the archetypes in our heads (not natures and demeanors, more along the Jungian line) in terms that we understand and relate to.

Now, I believe the problem arrises when those repsonsible for playing the elders abuse the priviledge. A chronicle's success is largely determined by the elders, and when those playing them fail to recognize their responsibility, it suffers, as do the rest of the players. Many troupes confront this problem by delegating the elders to the STs, but I do not think that we want to do this. Many players do not put the effort into an NPC that they would their own character, or they fail to understand the NPC and thus misrepresent him. Also, by allowing players to be elders, it gives them a tangible goal that corresponds with the goals of their characters. OOC the player wants to become an elder, IC the character wants to usurp their power. This correspondence may be the catalyst a certain player needed to reach a higher level of identification with his character, which may in turn lead to more dedicated and passionate roleplaying, and we end up with a more enjoyable experience for everyone, even the STs.

So if you are currently playing an elder, please examine your reasons for playing the character. Is it to shoulder a more heavy burden when it comes to making sure our themes are realized and everyone comes away from the game feeling gratified, or is it to give you a quick power fix once a month to compensate for your lack of power in the real world? If it is the latter, go play Quake, no offense. Escapism is nothing to be ashamed of, we're all on the same leaky boat when it comes to the real world and anything that makes the voyage a little more bearable I welcome with open arms. But I believe Vampire has much more potential. It allows us to examine this leaky boat (to extend the metaphor) and perhaps in a few rare instances to even plug some of those leaks, and all the while having a grand time pretending we're not on the boat. I personally am trying to sink the boat, but don't tell anyone. The captain tends to get angry.

Just thought I'd contribute to the cluster fuck.

			-Patrick "I'm better now, this is the 'real'
				world" Biggerstaff

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