San Francisco by Night
Storyteller and Player Responsibilities
Master Storyteller Responsibilities
System Storyteller Responsibilities
Theme Storyteller Responsibilities
Assistant Storyteller Responsibilities
Player Council Responsibilities
Storyteller Benefits
Master Storyteller (MST) Responsibilities
1. Overall Responsibility. The MST has final authority in the Chronicle.
2. Source of Appeal. The MST serves as a source of appeal for all other participants. For example, if a System ST and a Theme ST cannot resolve a disagreement, then the MST shall serve as arbitrator. If a player believes another ST has treated him unfairly, he may appeal to the MST. Players should first try and resolve disputes with other STs.
3. Concur on Character Sheets. While the System ST's should approve character sheets, the MST should superficially review them for general adherence to Chronicle guidelines.
4. Consult Player Council. The Master Storyteller shall meet with the Player Council at least once a month in a chat and regularly consult with them via an email list.
5. Consult Storytellers. The Master Storyteller shall meet with the System and Theme STs at least once a month in a chat and regularly consult with them via an email list.
6. Web Page. The MST shall keep the web page updated with all relevant information for the Chronicle.
System Storyteller Responsibilities
1. Approve Character Sheets. Character sheets should be approved by the System ST. A copy of the character sheet should be sent to the MST for his concurrence.
2. Interpret System Rules. System ST's should handle all day-to-day tactical issues of their system (e.g., making sure experience is recorded and spent properly, reknown and status rewarded, etc.)
3. Combat Arbitration. As a first step, players should work together to craft their scenes and attempt to settle their differences between themselves. If they have an unresolved difference, one the players may request the System ST to arbitrate. If he or she is unavailable, then they may appoint someone agreeable to all sides. If agreement cannot be reached, then they should reschedule the scene for a time when an acceptable ST can be present. The Combat Theme ST is responsible for arbitrating crossover combat scenes. In addition, Players may appeal a descision by the System ST involving Combat dispute to the Combat Theme ST. If the Combat ST and the System ST cannot agree, then an appeal may be made to the MST.
3. Develop System Storylines. System STs should make sure all players of their system have a chance to become involved in the game.
4. Other Systems. System STs should only make rulings and create Non-player Characters in their own webs of activity (i.e., System ST's have no powers outside of their respective theme rooms). For example, the Mage Storyteller should avoid trying to act as a storyteller in a Vampire room. This rule was enacted because a number of players expressed the strong desire to have theme rooms. If they visit the Mage Chantry, they are expecting a Mage-dominated experience, not a Wraith-dominated experience. If they visit Fairyland, they don't want to spend their time with Vampires, etc. Players can visit member rooms as they desire (e.g., a Vampire player can visit Fairyland if he can find the way).
5. Consult Players. System ST's should contact their players on a regular basis to determine if their needs are being met.
6. Source of Appeal. Serve as a source of appeal for Assistant Storyteller decisions.
7. In many cases, the System ST will also have a character who is the leading political person for his or her group. This is done because we do not have enough qualified people willing to ST. Like all of us, they would rather play. In such cases, the ST's should take care not to advantage their character within the system through rulings. If a system player believes this has happened, he or she may consult with the MST and the Player's Council on the matter. For example, the Camarilla Prince/ST makes a ruling which causes the death of the Prince's main rival within the Camarilla. If the dead rival believes the ruling was unfair, he or she may appeal to the MST and the Player's Council.
If the ST's character is no longer in the game (e.g., killed), this may or may not necessitate a change in ST responsibilities. Keep in mind this is done strictly out of necessity (i.e., lack of dedicated, competent ST's who only wish to ST and not play as well). If an ST also plays a character, there are a number of natural efficiencies which result when that character is the lead character for the group. Likewise, there are problems if an ST plays a character who is not the leader (e.g., Camarilla ST with a Sabbat character).
An ST will not be chosen first and then create a leader character (i.e., the ST gets special benefits). Instead, if another ST is not available, the lead character will be asked to assume the ST burden as well. For example, the Camarilla ST does not create a character and make him Prince. Whichever character assumes the Prince position through in-character cunning will be asked to become ST as well. Please re-read this carefully because it is an important distinction.
8. Message Boards. System Storytellers shall have the right to issue a warning to those who are belligerent on the message boards. If the warning is not heeded, Storytellers have the right to issue penalties as they see fit (e.g., docking of experience, expulsion from Chronicle).
Theme Storyteller Responsibilities
1. Coordinate Theme Issues Across Systems.
2. Develop Theme Storylines.
Assistant Storyteller Responsibilities
1. Assist a System or Theme ST. As long as the System or Theme ST maintains overall responsibility of his area, he or she may delegate whatever functions they desire (e.g., character sheet approval, develop Storylines, arbitrate rule issues).
Player Council Responsibilities
Player Council representatives are nominated by the players and approved by the MST. A player who is also an ST may sit on the council if he or she has sufficient support from among the players. Members of the Council should demonstrate (1) Maturity (2) Level-headedness (3) Good Role-playing ability (4) Ability to get along with people out-of-character.
1. Assist the MST in developing overall strategic direction for the game.
2. Act as Voice of the Players in resolving Chronicle issues.
3. Serve as a forum to discuss major issues and disputes.
1. To compensate Storytellers for the lost playing time which is inherrantly caused by the burden of their responsibilities, Storytellers shall have the right to accrue 1 extra experience point per day. This is not cumulative with public playing experience in an approved Member Room. In other words, Storytellers automatically earn the 1 experience point per day for active role-playing. For example, normally a character may earn two experience points per day if he plays two hours in the Casino or one of the System rooms. However, the massive amount of work required as an ST may prevent an ST from spending those two hours of role-playing. Therefore, he is automatically awarded the point. However, if he can do his ST responsibilities and still can spend two hours in character, he still only receives one point. This is one point in total and not one point per character.