#oneworldbynight

[martyrized]

FEONA "FIFI" LEBEAUX Skunk punk pooka perfumist. She's adorable and I love her. I play her in St. Louis and Verdant Horizons on discord for one world by night. . . . #owbn #oneworldbynight #costume #cosplay #changelingthedreaming #character #worldofdarkness #larp #glasses #Skunk #nomakeup #selfie #pooka #pookah #fae #faerie #catgirl https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfp1q03Lz2j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[owbn]

Volunteer appreciation buttons for Midwinter. Details on how you can get yours... coming soon!

[owbn]

Good afternoon OWBN participants - We have launched a project to help players integrate their new characters into OWBN's shared story. Want to be a new PC's former coterie/packmate, past business partner, or the kindred that supplied them with their latest mortal identity? (just as some examples) - Go to http://www.owbn.net/character-connections and register

[owbn]

New to OWBN and Mind's Eye Theatre? We're building resources to help you get started.

[owbn]

Want to start playing in an OWBN Chronicle? Check out our game directory.

[owbn]

Team Sabbat answers questions at Ecumenical Council! Praise Caine!

http://sabbat.owbn.net/blog/?p=703

[owbngirls-blog]

Bullying in Live Action Role Playing: Keep it in Character

Written by: OWbN Girl Caity   

           In the World of Darkness we are expected to portray through our characters callous and opportunist behavior. It is within a vampire's nature to wait for his enemy to slip up and strike when the opening presents itself. We call that 'good role play” and “good Vampire,” but how long until the behavior wears on the player and it takes root into our every day behavior? Are we merging with our characters or just becoming assholes through association? There is lying and backstabbing in game, and that's okay, even encouraged, but when it leaves the game setting it suddenly becomes the ingredients to ruin friendships, cause arguments, and kill a game. I'm talking about bullying.

            It is a widely held belief that game behavior should stay in character, yes the strong prey upon the weak in LARP, the cream rises to the top, and one must separate the wheat from the chaff. We've all heard these metaphors in play, but is there a point where a cut-throat play style could evolve into a form of bullying that goes beyond the nature of the game? Can the difference between encouraged in-game backstabbing and out of game bullying be easily distinguished? I would like to think so.

            There is an acceptable time and place to be raising your voice at someone, calling them names, and exposing their foolish choices, usually that time is when you are in character and that place is the game-site. However, the second someone drops out of character to ask you a simple question such as “Can you describe where your PC is right now?” it is no longer acceptable to raise your voice or insult someone for asking an out of character question. Your PC can be an abusive asshole, cold-hearted bitch, or a psychotic monster, but the second the out of character hand sign is revealed and you are interacted with, it is inappropriate to continue to treat people as though they are beneath you or offending you by simply existing. People attend a game because they enjoy it and don't intend to personally offend you. In this situation, I suggest to remain calm and polite, answer the questions of other players, and be polite while you're doing it, it helps build your relationship with others and progresses the game with less potential for situations of argument or harassment.

            Due to the fact that we are part of a national organization of gamers, we are often blessed with friends all over the country and these people are forever changing our perspectives on the game. Not every region plays the same as the next. In some cases, forms of cyber-bullying can erupt throughout the community and they cause problems for many players. Several people are used to playing their characters not just at game, but over the internet with many people they have only ever interacted with in person once or twice, if ever. Situations where someone uses the internet to harass you to have your character do something in one way that you do not feel comfortable doing can be considered harassment, and if the pressuring continues it can evolve into serious bullying. Someone could yell at you out of character for what you said in character in one of the public yahoo groups, or use your character e-mail to tell you to do what they want or they'll tell your storytellers or their coordinator friends that you were meta-gaming. Someone could change their user-names to contact you and push forward with this. Don't freak out and don't do something just because someone has told you to do it. Save any harassing and upsetting correspondence and send them in to your Council Member and Storytellers so the situation can be handled properly by both parties' Storytellers.

            There is hope at the end of the tunnel, even if it feels like the gaming world has too many pressures for you and not enough payout. There are people around to help you get through this and they are open and willing to assist you in your plight. Your storytellers should always be alerted if you ever feel uncomfortable at game for whatever reason, especially if it involves another player making game anything other than a welcoming and playful environment for you. While drama is a universal human constant, that doesn't mean that if someone is picking on you that you should simply accept it. Tell someone when you feel threatened, don't hide and simply take the abuse. People are here to help you and the first step to ending the bullying is to tell people so they can help you get rid of the negative behavior.

            We accept that Vampire isn't a passive-aggressive game about best friends solving supernatural crime, but that doesn't mean we should treat each other like the enemy when game is over. If someone makes a move against you in character, roll with it, take the compliment that something you have done through your clever role play has influenced somebody else and they have taken notice. Sometimes you want to scream or lash out, yell at them for ruining your fun, but part of the entertainment factor of the game is plotting and rolling with the punches as they come, rising to the top when it is your time to strike. We have all been pushed around in character at sometime or another, but remember, these people do this because it is their characters against yours, not them against you. The people you play with probably have more in common with you than just game and they are people too, don't lash out at them, and don't let them lash out at you. Remember, we go to game because we've created a community of people who share something they love with one another. Take control of the game before the game takes control of you and if you see this happening with someone else, take note and help them remember that LARP is still just a game and real life people have feelings that can get hurt and lives that can get affected if harassment becomes an option for people to utilize.

[owbngirls-blog]

History and Mythology: OWbN Girl Ryann

A great way to add depth to a character’s background is to take some inspiration from mythology and history.  You have three ways you can go about this: the direct connection (I was there), the character’s inspiration (I know all about it), or your inspiration (I was based on it). The first of these three requires probably the most research to pull off and you should use your best judgment when choosing how your character fits into history.  For example, actually being George Washington might seem like a cool idea, but considering how famous he was at the time of his death embracing him may not have been the wisest idea.  A lesser known character from history though, such a member of a group like the women who were imprisoned while fighting for the right for women to vote, can make for a strong character with deep historical ties without the need to offer too much “alternate” history.  Your character could have been influenced by particular events, such as losing loved ones to the 1912 influenza epidemic.  Whenever in the timeline you pull your concept from, it is also good to consider how much of her own time your character has brought with her into the present day.  Is she a bit anachronistic, avoiding computers and cell phones, or has she adapted well over the years to changes in society and technology? The second way to incorporate history, or even mythology into a character’s background is to let your character be the one who’s inspired.  This can take a variety of forms.  Your character could be an archaeologist (fedora and whip not required), with extensive knowledge of ancient cultures and customs.  Your character may suffer from a form of madness that makes them firmly believe that she is haunted by ghosts of a bygone era she studied once.  Or your character could have a strong interest in one particular historical period because she has some romanticized idea of what it was like and seeks to emulate it (like courtly love and knights in shining armor). The final way is to base a character on history or mythology, and change the details that fit the background you want.  You might find yourself inspired by the trials of Heracles, making right for his crimes through a series of seemingly impossible tasks.  You could be jealous Hera, misdirecting your terrible wrath on those with whom another wronged you.  Perhaps your character is a charismatic leader with a dark agenda including wiping out an entire subgroup of human or vampire-kind.  This way gives you the most leeway in what you do with your character, but this also leaves a lot of gaps for you to fill in with your own imagination. Whatever way you choose to use history and mythology to add depth and color to your character background, the best thing to do is research.  Research the event.  Research the era.  Research the people.  A little reading can take you a long way.