Genre

This VSS contains rules applicable to all games being run at NERE 2009

ST Contact

Lead Storyteller: NE RST Matthew Pester
northeastrst@gmail.com
Awakening Venue Lead: Jim Ruggiero
dimmak@camarillaprovidence.org
Lost Venue Lead: NE ARST Lost Stephen P. Naum
nearstchangeling@gmail.com
Forsaken Venue Lead: NE ARST Forsaken John Christensen
neforsaken@gmail.com
Requiem Venue Lead: Mark Lewis
sarcasm2112@gmail.com

IC Registration Contact

IC Reg Lead: Ryan Coogan
NERE.IC.REG@gmail.com

Place/Time

This VSS is applicable to all sanctioned games, either ST-moderated or in soft role-play, during NERE 2009 July 16th - 19th, held in Windsor Locks, CT, at the Sheraton Bradley Hotel. 1 Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT Specific game times and locations vary; consult the NERE 2009 schedule for specific information.

Mood and Theme

Information about the moods and themes for NERE 2009 can be found in the Venue Specific VSSes

General Notes

Please see the individual VSS for every Venue in which you intend to play; some VSSes for NERE 2009 may have specific rules that build upon, and differ from, the general systems outlined in this document.

Because all of the genres in the new world of darkness have elaborate systems, made even more complicated by custom approvals and the ever changing addendum the NERE 2009 Lead Storyteller and his Venue Storyteller Leads have final veto authority over any system employed over the course of the event, and may simply deny or freely modify the use of any rules mechanics, regardless of how "technically allowable," in the interests of preserving a fair and enjoyable play environment for all. Actions with the potential for creating great story will always be given preference to clever uses (or abuses) of the rules.

Venue Rules

NERE 2009 uses the Camarilla rules supplement, the sanctioned materials for the World of Darkness and for each individual venue, as determined by the most recent US and Global rules addenda at the time of the event. Any items not covered within these sources are considered to be an approval items and require pre-approval of the Convention's Lead storyteller and the Venue Lead.

Members of Camarilla affiliates outside the United States may be required to strike items from their character sheets, alter supernatural powers or effects, or otherwise work with the Storytellers to make sure their characters are in compliance with these rules. Each venue may have its own clarifications and additional rules, as allowed by its individual VSS for NERE 2009.

IC Check In

Players should be certain to bring at least two printed copies (neatly handwritten ink is acceptable, but pencil is not) of all sanctioned character sheets for characters that will be portrayed at the event which should include:

• Your name
• Your Camarilla Number
• Your Region
• Primary ST's name, their contact information, and Camarilla number.

Character sheets must have a complete character creation and XP log, as well. Every single approval mid or higher must have an approval number listed either in the XP log or on the character sheet. Do not add approvals that are pending onto your character sheet. Only approved items need to be listed on your character sheet or XP log.

Play Style Identification

Every player has their own play style and preference as to the amount of storyteller attention they are interested in. So that NERE's storyteller team can provide a better play experience for its players, we will be asking that players select one of three color coded ribbons to attach to their ID badge. Players may take more than one of these ribbons if their preference changes from venue to venue or if their preference changes during the course of the event. The meaning of these colors is as follows. Green means; I am always interested in storyteller run plots and do not mind being interrupted if it means getting a chance to follow plot. Orange means; I am interested in plot but if I am already occupied please let me RP and move on to another player. Purple means: I am here to roleplay, if I want storyteller attention I'll come find a storyteller.

Wearing one of these three colors does not guarantee that you will receive the amount of storyteller attention that your prefer it is merely a tool to allow the ST Staff to better do its job. While we will do our best to allow those who do not want ST attention to exit scenes and to allow those that do to enter them there is no way to completely ensure this in such a large game environment. We also encourage players to keep an eye out for this color code ether to help spread story around or to help a player to gracefully exit a scene.

Character Restrictions

Each game will have venue-specific restrictions for things requiring prior approval or that are not allowed in that game. See the VSS for each game for more specific information. Regardless, there are some things that require prior approval and/or are not allowed for all games at NERE 2009. Approvals for these items will be accepted via e-mail no later than June 1st, 2009. A confirmation e-mail from the Venue's Lead Storyteller will be returned with the acceptance. In all cases, anything requiring prior approval must be accompanied by a full character sheet, experience point log, and a separate list of all mid, high and top level approvals on the character. Players will be responsible for producing this approval at character check in at NERE 2009 and may be called upon to produce this approval email by a storyteller at any point the character is in play during the event.

The items that require prior approval are:

Top- or Master-level approvals: Any character type, item, supernatural power, etc., requiring Top- or Master-level approval must be sent in prior to arrival at NERE 2009 to the individual venue leads. Players must include on the character sheets presented at NERE a typed description of that power, ability or item, and its game mechanics, otherwise it will not be available for use at NERE 2009. For preapproval of items and characters please send an email to NERE.IC.REG@gmail.com this email address will be used for preregistration for all venues run at NERE 2009.

Weaponry other than what can be allowed by a low approval storyteller requires prior approval from the Venue Lead Storyteller. Any weapon that can deliver damage to more than one target, such as explosives, will require the approval of  NERE's Lead Storyteller and the approval Venue's Lead Storyteller. This applies to any device which may cause the mass flight of characters or that will tie up large areas of game play space within a scene. Information on how these items were obtained should be included, as well as reference numbers if it is in the Camarilla approvals database.

Magical Items regardless of type require Lead Venue Storyteller approval.

Gadgetry: Things that belong in a James Bond movie will generally not be allowed. If the effect is a material or item intended to duplicate existing abilities in game (such as miniature hand-held cameras to spot those using Obfuscate, etc.), they will also generally not be allowed. Some venues have character types that inherently use such devices. Consult the Lead Venue Storyteller to see if the items you have are considered exceptions to this rule.

Proxy/Cross-Venue Play: Due to the difficulties involved in both live proxy play and cross-Venue play at conventions, neither will be permitted at the NERE 2009.

NPCs not affiliated with authorized NERE 2009 Plot kits being run by the team leads require Lead Venue Storyteller approval. Storytellers may petition to incorporate their plotlines and/or NPCs into the NERE plots; approval of both the Venue Lead Storyteller and the Lead Storyteller is required to do so.

Storyteller Empowerment in Scenes

Mass combat and scenes with over five participants, because of their tendency to escalate quickly into time freezes that can tie up characters, will be carefully monitored. A Storyteller may pull a large (five or more person) scene off the main floor if a breakout space is available. The Storyteller is empowered to determine when and how other characters are allowed to enter such scenes. If any players argue with any of the Storytellers or otherwise disrupts the flow of the scene, that player can be asked by the Storyteller on scene to hand his or her character sheet over to the Storyteller and to leave the game, at which point the PC will be scripted out of game in a manner fully at the discretion of the Storyteller on the scene. There will be little tolerance for disruption of game flow. Any and all Storytellers or narrators have authority over how the game is run and onsite rules calls. Any arguing or disruption of game will not be tolerated.

Due to the extremely intricate rules mechanics and the ease with which play can become bogged down with systems, the NERE 2009 Lead Storyteller and the Venue Lead Storytellers are empowered to narrate any scene in the interests of facilitating a smooth flow of game play. Any rules call made by any Storyteller (including narrative calls made by the NERE 2009's Storytellers) may be challenged at the time it is made. The challenging player has 1 minute to make his or her case, whereupon the Storyteller will render a final decision, which will stand for the remainder of the event. Argumentativeness or other forms of disrespect for Storyteller authority (whether on account of rules calls or for any other reason) will result in the Storyteller requesting that the offending players turn over their character sheets and leave the game, whereupon the characters in question will be scripted out of the scene and that day's event according to the Storyteller's discretion.

Requests for appeals of any sort will be accepted via e-mail for up to 30 days after the conclusion of the convention.

Experience

The standard experience award for NERE will be 3-5 XP per full session played. The XP may be divided between characters if more than one character is played during a session. Determination of an over-the-cap XP award will be made following the game, with the recommendation of the Venue Lead Storyteller to the Lead Storyteller based on the quality of role play. Experience for a good death may be awarded by players' home Storytellers in accordance with the Camarilla supplements, or by the Venue Lead Storyteller or Lead Storyteller for character deaths occurring during the convention.

On-Site vs. Off-Site

Players who are on the physical location of the game site yet "off-site" in terms of play represent a breakdown in the continuity of the game and such activities will be limited as much as possible. Approval from a Venue's Lead Storyteller or empowered assistant is required to take part in such a scene during the event

Travel Risks

Travel in the World of Darkness is not without risks. However, so as not to bog down game play for NERE 2009, it will be assumed that Characters travel unmolested through normal low profile means to and from the IC setting of the event. High profile travel or non normal or supernatural means of travel require the pre approval of the Venue Lead. Consult the VSS for each game for more specific information.

Mass Destruction Effects

Because mass destruction effects have the potential to end the IC reason for the gathering prematurely, any effect that could result in the mass exodus of characters from the area must be pre-approved by the NERE 2009 Lead Storyteller and the Venue's Lead Storyteller. Items with mass destruction effects will not be allowed to enter play for this event.

Player Advisory

The World of Darkness is not a happy place. From time to time, the Lead Storytellers in a venue may use adult themes, vivid descriptions, and contentious social issues to bring the World of Darkness to life. 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 running the scene. 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 and either take over play of the character or else script him or her out of the scene without penalty, to preserve the narrative flow of events.