Storyline Diary - September 2014

Storyline Diary – September 2014 This month I offer a new game format called ‘Rise of the Nictuku’ which uses a special deck inspired by the Nergal deck offered in Infernal Plague storyline from 2004. Rise of the Nictuku The Nictuku are dreadful creatures and the childer of the Nosferatu clan founder Absimiliard. Legend has it that he Embraced these monsters specifically to hunt and destroy all of the other vampires descended from his blood. Many modern Nosferatu consider the Nictuku a myth, and a story used to scare fledgeling neonates. However, they are all too real, and are terrible to behold. This VTES game format presents a special constructed Nictuku Deck, which should be used just like a regular VTES deck, except that it contains a number of special crypt and library cards which are unique to this format (and which are illegal outside of this format). The Nictuku Deck contains 70 library cards and 4 crypt cards - whoever plays with the Nictuku deck will always start with the same 4 vampires, and these are the only vampires they will have for the whole game. Only 1 Nictuku deck may be used in each Nictuku Storyline game. When planning a Nictuku Storyline game each player should bring a normal constructed VTES deck. Before play begins there will be a blind bid for control of the Nictuku deck. Each player will take a number of tokens in secret into his or her hand, and then all players will simultaneously reveal their bids. The winning bid takes the Nictuku deck, and the number of counters bid by the winner will be subtracted from his or her pool before play begins. I.e. if someone bids 4 counters for the Nictuku then they will begin play with 26 pool (instead of the normal 30). If there is tie for the highest bid, then break the tie randomly (e.g. with a coin or a die). There will then be a second blind bid for the seating of the rest of the table. The Nictuku player will always sit first, followed by whoever bids the least, followed by the next player and so on. Hence, whoever bids the most will choose their seat last (similar to the manner in which tournament final seating is determined). In this bid, all counters bid by each player will be deducted from his or her starting pool. Again, if there is a tie for any bid then break the tie randomly. During both bidding processes it is possible to discuss your desire to play Nictuku (or not), the contents of your constructed deck, and/or your preferred seating position in advance. However, it is not necessary to be truthful, and no agreements made during this game setup process are binding. In addition to the above and the normal rules for VTES, for any game where the Nictuku Deck is used the library cards Recalled to the Founder, Nosferatu Putrescence, The Portrait, Whispers of the Nictuku and Petra Resonance are banned and cannot be played. The normal predator-prey relationships should be observed, with victory points and game wins scored as normal. There is one further special rule for this game format in that once during the game the Nictuku player may shuffle his or her ash heap back into his or her library. NICTUKU DECK Nictuku crypt Nictuku library Returned Vampire #6 – Mithras Mithras is a truly legendary vampire of the Ventrue clan whose birth pre-dates the Roman Empire of antiquity and who for many years literally walked as a god among men. From the Middle Ages to the 20th Century Mithras claimed the great city of London, England as his domain - although for much of this time he delegated the running of the territory to subordinates. Widely acknowledged as one of the most powerful Kindred of the Camarilla, his peers were keen not to anger him, and were eager to seek his counsel. During the Second World War Mithras’s haven was bombed and the powerful Kindred sunk into torpor, allowing the world to believe he was destroyed. He surfaced again decades later but before he could announce himself he was attacked in succession by werewolves and then by the Sabbat. The Assamite antitribu Monty Coven came away from the fight believing himself to be victorious, and to have devoured the hearts blood of the mighty Methuselah in the act of diablerie. However, ever since Monty Coven has not been himself, struggling with the will of Mithras that now co-exists within his mind and his veins. This crypt card of Mithras could be considered to represent the mighty Ventrue at the height of his power. Alternatively, with his extreme levels of Dominate, he may simply have altered the memories of those that attacked him to suit his own ends. Or, more chillingly, the card may represent the complete subjugation and transformation of Monty Coven’s body into a new incarnation of this very powerful Methuselah. DOWNLOADS Prologue Rules Mythic vampire #1 Mythic vampire #2 Mythic vampire #3 Mythic vampire #4 Mythic vampire #5 Mythic vampire #6 [...] Mike Nudd, VEKN Storyline Coordinator V:EKN Website Coordinator

The Portrait? All my hopes and dreams crushed. On a less serious note, how do the results of the Nictuku storyline matter? Is there some reason for creating a bunch of better versions of cards, putting them together, and having one player play a different game than everyone else? While the Nergal storyline might have been popular, it was also full of complaints and the Cultist deck already felt like this concept had been overdone. Nor do the crypt cards come away as interesting. While the Norse storyline had problems, mostly that the rewards didn't justify the effort, I'd rather see another attempt more along those lines than either someone play a special deck or here's a special deck full of strictly better versions of cards (by the way, Greater Lost in Translation should have been better). Traveller Card Game

Must agree with ICL, looks of great Mithras are simply uninspiring. On other note the sweet combination of combined with and high capacity simply calls out for giga bleed under blind spot and deed the heart's desire. On the Nictucu deck Greater Nosferatu Bestial seems to be missing some of it's text.

One quick rules question regarding Mithras. If he changes sect (e.g. becoming Anarch and Independent), and he then tries to steal a title, what's going to happen? The targeted vampire loses his title, but Mithras cannot keep the stolen title?

> extrala wrote: > One quick rules question regarding Mithras. If he changes sect (e.g. becoming Anarch and Independent), and he then tries to steal a title, what's going to happen? The targeted vampire loses his title, but Mithras cannot keep the stolen title? > According to his text, he can only steal Camarilla titles if he is Camarilla. V:EKN Website Coordinator

Damn card text, gets me everytime .

Greater Beastials text cuts off. Also, Can we print an alternate Preturnatural Strength as a tourney legal card? Its a strong card for potence, and enables many decks that are otherwise unplayable. Mithras isnt terrible or great.

Shouldn't greater regeneration be greater restoration? And greater guard dogs simply has standard guard dogs text, why not let it be usable on any action, or any D action at least? Greater taste of vitae....again, I'd leave it with normal title if it isn't actually greater.

> ReverendRevolver wrote: > Can we print an alternate Preturnatural Strength as a tourney legal card? > > Its a strong card for potence, and enables many decks that are otherwise unplayable. > No. It does read "NOT FOR LEGAL PLAY", in case you doubt. It is also not a VEKN official card. Regular Preternatural Strength would be the valid option.

> talonz wrote: > Greater taste of vitae....again, I'd leave it with normal title if it isn't actually greater. > Works against allies.

> Pascal wrote: > > > talonz wrote: > > Greater taste of vitae....again, I'd leave it with normal title if it isn't actually greater. > > > Works against allies. > Huh, good catch. So that just leaves guard dogs unchanged, near as I can tell.

> Pascal wrote: > > > ReverendRevolver wrote: > > Can we print an alternate Preturnatural Strength as a tourney legal card? > > > > Its a strong card for potence, and enables many decks that are otherwise unplayable. > > > No. It does read "NOT FOR LEGAL PLAY", in case you doubt. It is also not a VEKN official card. > > Regular Preternatural Strength would be the valid option. > I meant in an actual set. Maybe no blood cost and no stealth? Or 2 blood for 1 stealth, PS drawback and Heroic Mights ranged strike? My argument being that PS fulfills a strong point in decks, and since most new cards aim to fill needs, PS obviously fills a niche Heroic Might cant, and sometimes vice versa. Another version would of course fill another niche, and be more acceesable than Heroic Might (which I thougjt paying $8 each for was bad) or thexmore practical and expensive PS.

> ReverendRevolver wrote: > > > Pascal wrote: > > > > > ReverendRevolver wrote: > > > Can we print an alternate Preturnatural Strength as a tourney legal card? > > > > > > Its a strong card for potence, and enables many decks that are otherwise unplayable. > > > > > No. It does read "NOT FOR LEGAL PLAY", in case you doubt. It is also not a VEKN official card. > > > > Regular Preternatural Strength would be the valid option. > > > I meant in an actual set. > > Maybe no blood cost and no stealth? Or 2 blood for 1 stealth, PS drawback and Heroic Mights ranged strike? > > My argument being that PS fulfills a strong point in decks, and since most new cards aim to fill needs, PS obviously fills a niche Heroic Might cant, and sometimes vice versa. Another version would of course fill another niche, and be more acceesable than Heroic Might (which I thougjt paying $8 each for was bad) or thexmore practical and expensive PS. > Any other "too expensive" cards that you would like to print out yourself with another name on it on future pdf sets? Because that's what you're asking, to be able to print all good cards that you can't get cheap from e-bay. Maybe Enkil Cog that doesn't give +1 bleed but is usable by 9 cap, or Summon History that has it inferior and superior effects switched? Marko, Prince of Helsinki

> a-e wrote: > > > ReverendRevolver wrote: > > > > > Pascal wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ReverendRevolver wrote: > > > > Can we print an alternate Preturnatural Strength as a tourney legal card? > > > > > > > > Its a strong card for potence, and enables many decks that are otherwise unplayable. > > > > > > > No. It does read "NOT FOR LEGAL PLAY", in case you doubt. It is also not a VEKN official card. > > > > > > Regular Preternatural Strength would be the valid option. > > > > > > > > I meant in an actual set. > > > > Maybe no blood cost and no stealth? Or 2 blood for 1 stealth, PS drawback and Heroic Mights ranged strike? > > > > My argument being that PS fulfills a strong point in decks, and since most new cards aim to fill needs, PS obviously fills a niche Heroic Might cant, and sometimes vice versa. Another version would of course fill another niche, and be more acceesable than Heroic Might (which I thougjt paying $8 each for was bad) or thexmore practical and expensive PS. > > > Any other "too expensive" cards that you would like to print out yourself with another name on it on future pdf sets? Because that's what you're asking, to be able to print all good cards that you can't get cheap from e-bay. Maybe Enkil Cog that doesn't give +1 bleed but is usable by 9 cap, or Summon History that has it inferior and superior effects switched? > No, just ones that fill irreplacable functions for a given discipline. Ypu CAN play weenie potence, but since plus strength actions came out, midcap and fatty grapple decks have relied heavily upon the inclusion of 1-3 of PS or HM. You cant argue that deep song is the same, since computer hacking and TTCB exist and are accessable in a pinch. You cant argue Eyes of Argus is the same, since there are 4 billion ways to untap, and ways to get intercept. Summon history is supposed to be cornercase. Temporis is on one bloodline and Gwydd. Cog should be made promo if we go into print again, same with monestary of shadows, becuase they fill the same roll as villein in different ways, enabling huge vampires to gain advantages. These cards however arent as intristic to things as standing strength is to Potence midcaps and weenies. Tsp exists, but the paralel is computer hacking to a bleed retainer. Fore sure, if we are ever back in print, cards like deep song, eyes, MotS, freak drive, deflection, TV, and others will be acquired in bulk by several players who will also want summon history and cog. Im talking about accessability of a function to new players. I own cards that do this, but new players (and people tired of moving the same Ps from deck to deck) would be appreciative if these sorts of things. But this is off topic. Im kinda shocked about some of the cards in (and not it) the Niktuku deck. No greater forced march, greater Warsaw Station, Greater (non unique ) cog and the inclusion of greater sideslip over other stuff. Also, no greater sense the savage way was the big strange to me, but I guess that cards already stupid good without adding more intercept.....

> talonz wrote: > > > Pascal wrote: > > > > > talonz wrote: > > > Greater taste of vitae....again, I'd leave it with normal title if it isn't actually greater. > > > > > Works against allies. > > > Huh, good catch. So that just leaves guard dogs unchanged, near as I can tell. > Actually that's an error that slipped through the net. The intent was to drop the bleed clause. I'll get the revised version posted ASAP. Read my new blog: gameaholicblog.wordpress.com

> ICL wrote: > On a less serious note, how do the results of the Nictuku storyline matter? Is there some reason for creating a bunch of better versions of cards, putting them together, and having one player play a different game than everyone else? > The aim is just to have fun. I'm sure some players will appreciate trying something a little bit different. If it's not for you then no harm is done, no-one is going to force you to try it. Perhaps some of my other suggestions might be more interesting to you? And if not, then please feel free to PM me with suggestions for game formats which I can write up in future articles. Read my new blog: gameaholicblog.wordpress.com

Isn't Mithras supposed to have superior celerity instead of potence? Kind of strange considering he defeated monty and have quietus. Sabbat.Black Hand Shakar: Lech loathe ranged weapons. Once each action, he may burn 1 blood to become Camarilla Prince of Krakow until the end of the action.

> Lech wrote: > Isn't Mithras supposed to have superior celerity instead of potence? Kind of strange considering he defeated monty and have quietus. > Not exactly. this seems to be rather original Mithras before Monty accident occured. See his stats from WOD: whitewolf.wikia.com/wiki/Mithras On the other hand his progeny do practice DurAnKi magic very close to Assimite sorcery. same persone is as well known 'friend' of clan Assimite. (whitewolf.wikia.com/wiki/Cretheus) assholepopulation.com/ Did u saw one today?

Hello, I would have questions about the difference between the regular Faceless and the Greater Faceless Obviously it's +2 Stealth rather than +1 stealth. - Greater Faceless does not affect allies, doesn't it? - Greater Faceless bows every vampire that attemps to block wether or not they succeeds, doesn't it? => For example: Arika who is untapped, has Dominate and is older than my Nictuku attempts to block. My Nictuku uses Greater Faceless (Superior) Arika gets +2 Intercept. Arika intercepts the action. Greater Faceless (Superior) bows Arika before she could play Obedience, doesn't it? Arika does need to play any kind of wake to be able to play Obedience, doesn't she? Card texts: Faceless (Superior): Action Modifier +1 stealth, and any minion who attempts to block this action and fails becomes tapped when the action is resolved (before resolving the action). Greater Faceless (Superior): Action Modifier +2 stealth, and any vampire who attempts to block this action taps if its controller declines to block or if this action is blocked. Obedience: Reaction Untap the acting vampire, do not tap this reacting vampire, and end the current action (and combat). The acting vampire cannot attempt the same action this turn. Thanks in advance, Best Regards, Rémi. I am Rémi Cavaillé (), Barcelona (Spain). I was the Prince of Lyon (France) around 2003. I am now Official Judge and the 5th Prince of Barcelona. Enjoy VTES, Marvel Champions, L5R and more gaming activities in Khan Jugar: sites.google.com/view/khanjugar/

What happens when Mithras steals a clan specific title (Justicar, Inner Circle)?

> theEmperor wrote: > What happens when Mithras steals a clan specific title (Justicar, Inner Circle)? > The title becomes dormant I suppose, just as if Mithras had changed clan or sect. Prince of Paris, France Ratings Coordinator, Rules Director