 |
|
Dark Citadel Domain SurveyFirst, we would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. The information that we hope to get should prove valuable in helping us to understand your thoughts on the domain, the individual chapters, as well as how we are performing our duties as your domain officials.
We are asking that you complete one survey for each venue that you attend. Certain sections (namely section three) will have the same answers in each venue, and so you can simply note in that section which venue hosted your first survey, and so which holds the answers to those questions. We are more than happy to give you advice and help you out completing this survey, but it is important that you thoughtfully consider each question.
But perhaps most importantly, we hope that in completing this survey you will be able to make your character more well-rounded. If you find that you aren’t able to find sufficient answers to the questions, we can help you.
You will also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of the survey, answering such things as the difference between a Chapter and a Venue, Primary and Secondary Characters, and Theme and Mood.
If you have any questions about this survey please feel free to contact your DST and CSTs. Thank you again.
Don’t forget to write your name, membership # and membership class!!!
Your Characters
Note that you should already know the answers to these questions, whether you realize it or not. These are basically those questions - although perhaps phrased differently - that you considered way back during character creation. The survey should not take too long. If you're not sure of what exactly a question means, ask your storyteller, and they'll clarify.
Terms such as Theme and Mood are described at the bottom in the FAQ, and can be found on the Venue Style Sheet for the appropriate venue. For example, the VSS for Garou is found here, the draft VSS for Mage is here at the bottom of the page, and the VSS for Changeling is on-line here.Note also that Vampire Characters are instead asked to submit or update your Character Background, showing consideration to all of the questions asked below.
1. What characters do you currently have in play (their names as well as clan/tribe/kith)? Which are primaries and which are secondaries?
2. What do your characters in this venue contribute to the a) theme b) mood c) story (see Theme and Mood below, and on your Venue Style Sheet)?
3. How do your characters in this venue make the story fun for the other players?
4. How do your characters make the story fun for you? Why do you enjoy playing this concept, this character?
5. Explain your characters’ short and long term goals. How would you like to see this brought into the story? If we were to write plot-lines surrounding your character and their goals, what would they be?
6. What would your characters’ ideal death scene be? (This says much about your character - for instance, what would they consider to be worth dying for? Write a brief scene showing your character in a Grand Ending. This is NOT to say that your character is "scheduled for termination, citizen" but rather that such a scene speaks volumes about the character in relatively few words.)
The Story
1. What do you like best about this venue and its storyline? Its Theme? Its Mood? What would you like to see changed about this venue? Why? (Again, Theme and Mood are explained in the FAQ below, and on your Venue Style Sheet.)
2. On a scale from 1 to 5, how do you rate each of these things in importance to you, in a good story (1 being not at all and 5 being most important) as it relates to this venue.
Intrigue (politics and negotiation) ;
Action (combat and challenges) ;
Mystery (enigmas and investigation) ;
Drama (ceremony and characterization)
Darkness (probability of player character death or corruption)3. Briefly describe one plot-line that you would like to see in this venue. (Also note that Prestige is a common reward for accepted Plot suggestion submissions - you can always submit a plot idea to your ST, even when we're not asking you on a survey.)
4. Which length of plot-line do you enjoy playing the most and why:
1 session ;
2 months ;
6 months ;
1 year5. Do you prefer narrated scenes or contested challenges to resolve issues such as combat (putting things in the hands of rock, paper, scissors versus putting things in the hands of the storyteller(s) narration)? Yes, this is a difficult question.
6. What has been your favorite plot-line to date in this venue? Why?
The Camarilla
1. How do you feel that your Coordinator is accessible to you (you have only one coordinator, who represents your interests in the Chapter, as well as to the other Coordinators in the Domain)? Why? What do you appreciate most about your Coordinator’s service to your Chapter? What improvements would you suggest?
2. How do you feel that your Storytellers are accessible to you (you have a variety of Storytellers, one or more for each venue that you attend)? Why? What do you appreciate most about your Storytellers' service to your chapter? What improvements would you suggest?
3. What would be an ideal time for you to to play each venue? How often do you play? Do you think each venue would benefit from more downtime? More frequent play time? The same?
4. How involved do you feel this venue is in the global game (ie. Domain, Region, Nation)? Through on-line play? Through Domain, Regional, National plotlines? How involved would you like it to be?
5. If we were to relocate this venue, where would be more convenient for you to play: Halifax or Dartmouth? Do you have any site suggestions?
6. Have you paid your $10 membership fee this year? How would you like to see your domain/chapter money used? How do you feel about a suggested game fee of $1 per game for site use, in addition to membership fees? Instead of membership fees?
This Survey
1. What questions would you like to see in future surveys? How do you feel this survey is being handled?
"Bonus Question"
(Okay, so it's really a reading list)
Have you read any of the following works? (For those you haven't, if you're interested, most are available at your local public library.)
- the core table-top books for the 4 venues played in Halifax
- Bram Stoker "Dracula"
- John Polidori "The Vampyre"
- anything by Charles de Lint
- C. S. Lewis “Narnia Chronicles”
- Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series
- Emma Bull "War for the Oaks"
- J.R.R. Tolkien "Lord of the Rings"
- Ann Rice "The Vampire Lestat"
- Robert Anton Wilson "The Illuminati Papers"
- "The Principia Discordia"
- Edward deBono "Lateral Thinking"
- Name one book that you'd add to this list.Commonly Asked Questions
Q. What is the difference between a Chapter and a Venue?
A. A chapter is the out-of-character group that you as a player belong to. We currently have 3 chapters in Halifax: Dark Waters, Shining Waters, and Sundered Will(pending). Your memberships number is assigned to that chapter and you have one CC (chapter coordinator) who takes care of your game sites, prestige, and out-of-game issues, including representing your interests to the other Chapters, and to the Domain as a whole. A venue is a sanctioned game hosting one gaming system (ie. Vampire, Changeling, Garou, Mage). It is looked after by your VST (venue storyteller) for character approval and the story-lines. You have a number of STs, at least one per venue in which you play.
For more on chapters please visit: http://dppw.tamu.edu/camarilla/index.html under “Members Only” (username: “cam-member” password: “good-data”)
Q. What is the difference between a primary and a secondary character?
A. A primary character is often your most commonly played character. You are allowed one per venue, or if you wish to have two primaries in one specific venue, you cannot have a primary in another venue. A secondary are often supplementary characters that you enjoy, but don’t play nearly as often. The advantage to a primary character is that I can claim extra XP for them based on my membership class, assuming my MC is above one (the basic level).
Example: I have two Vampire characters that I really like and want to be primary characters, however I also play in all four venues. I want my Vampire characters to both be primaries so I decide that my Changeling is going to be a secondary. I have done a lot of fundraising and charity work and helped my CC with a big project, so I have Membership Class (MC) 2. All of my primary characters get an extra 5 xp (5xp per MC level above 1). My secondary characters do not.
Q. What is the difference between Theme, Mood and Story?
A. Theme is the unifying ideas around which stories may be built. A summary, in a word or phrase, of what the story is about. A moral, as it were, and a focus for the tale which unfolds. It can be something as simple as “we must work together to survive” or “trying to save your humanity in the face of gruesome realities” or something as complex as “rationality has killed the romance inherent in the human soul”. Each story has an idea what it focuses on. Think carefully about what your game might be trying to tell you. Macbeth might have the theme of Ambition and Corruption, where Romeo and Juliet might have the theme of Doomed Love.
The Mood of a story is a combination of setting, ambience, presentation, and situation that evokes an emotional response in the players. It may be merry and carefree, dark and brooding, or ominous and bawdy. In many ways the theme and mood work together, one serving to anchor the other. Macbeth again might have a somber and imposing mood, with lots of shadows, while Romeo and Juliet is desperate and frantic.
The Story is the plot of the chronicle in which you play. The player characters, the NPCs, the setting combined create the entire event that you participate in. The Story is the plot-line, or plot-lines, which tell the experiences or adventures of the Characters which we play.
You can find the Theme and Mood for each venue listed and explained on its "Venue Style Sheet" - the Venue Style Sheet for garou is on-line here. The VSS for Changeling is on-line here. The VSS for Mage is found at the bottom of the page here.
