Downtimes are out and wow, they were fun. Lots of great interaction.
General points
Trivial actions are free. There will be general notes and comments to make that aren’t really downtime actions. If it’s something you can do normally in half an hour it can just be a note.
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If you are coordinating in an action between a few people, please let me know who the lead is. Everyone still notes the action in their downtimes but I will be giving the overall lead the main points. I don’t assume that everyone shares all the information. Similarly, if your specialty and contribution indicates something specific I may just give that information to you alone.
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Ref a patrol of your personal haven. Keep in mind this is largely undefined. The only way you will find something here is if someone is actively trying to scout out your haven. So, it’s good to do but keep in mind hopefully there should be nothing.
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Scope of actions. Frequently downtimes are quite ambitious and broad in scope. Keep in mind I scale the response to the level of detail in the search. You will get a more specific answer to a more specific question. If you want to know which character is behind which influence you need a lead (eg successful use of word on the street) or a guess. Guessing is great. I think Mr X is influence behind Ice Cream Trucks (underworld) and I am going to check it out. I can follow him to see if he goes to the creamery or check his bank records to show chocolate payoffs. This is a much better downtime than wondering what Mr X is up to.
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Lots of actions have variable outcomes. If you want to do more with it I usually have a comment to see me before next game. Keep in mind things can be updated or done in a side scene. Similarly, there are also things that may happen in game or just before. Timing is everything.
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Media. This is new. Trying to get better with general news stories that affect everyone. Things you learn without having to devote an action to it. How can that be bad?
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I am trying to keep track of who is teaching who what. I get the frustration that sometimes you ask someone to teach you and they forget about for a few months. Then they add it in, and you haven’t allocated XP to it. What I am going to do is start adding in Discipline – 0 to character sheets when someone has taught you the first level but you haven’t increased it yet. Just to show that you have it when ready.
.
Having had a chance to observe from afar I have noted that patrolling is not as effective as I would have thought. Vampires have many skills to get around being observed, including working with intermediaries. I witnessed people put a lot of thought into their activities in other character’s areas and did so without successful discovery. Or frankly, any chance of discovery. The defence is certainly at a disadvantage here. You are far better off to find out what your “friends” are up to than to try to react.
.
Hunter still hasn’t shown up yet. Much to my disappointment.
.
There is still one side scene to do before the next game. Those involved have not been told yet. So, one more incident to follow.
General points
Trivial actions are free. There will be general notes and comments to make that aren’t really downtime actions. If it’s something you can do normally in half an hour it can just be a note.
.
If you are coordinating in an action between a few people, please let me know who the lead is. Everyone still notes the action in their downtimes but I will be giving the overall lead the main points. I don’t assume that everyone shares all the information. Similarly, if your specialty and contribution indicates something specific I may just give that information to you alone.
.
Ref a patrol of your personal haven. Keep in mind this is largely undefined. The only way you will find something here is if someone is actively trying to scout out your haven. So, it’s good to do but keep in mind hopefully there should be nothing.
.
Scope of actions. Frequently downtimes are quite ambitious and broad in scope. Keep in mind I scale the response to the level of detail in the search. You will get a more specific answer to a more specific question. If you want to know which character is behind which influence you need a lead (eg successful use of word on the street) or a guess. Guessing is great. I think Mr X is influence behind Ice Cream Trucks (underworld) and I am going to check it out. I can follow him to see if he goes to the creamery or check his bank records to show chocolate payoffs. This is a much better downtime than wondering what Mr X is up to.
.
Lots of actions have variable outcomes. If you want to do more with it I usually have a comment to see me before next game. Keep in mind things can be updated or done in a side scene. Similarly, there are also things that may happen in game or just before. Timing is everything.
.
Media. This is new. Trying to get better with general news stories that affect everyone. Things you learn without having to devote an action to it. How can that be bad?
.
I am trying to keep track of who is teaching who what. I get the frustration that sometimes you ask someone to teach you and they forget about for a few months. Then they add it in, and you haven’t allocated XP to it. What I am going to do is start adding in Discipline – 0 to character sheets when someone has taught you the first level but you haven’t increased it yet. Just to show that you have it when ready.
.
Having had a chance to observe from afar I have noted that patrolling is not as effective as I would have thought. Vampires have many skills to get around being observed, including working with intermediaries. I witnessed people put a lot of thought into their activities in other character’s areas and did so without successful discovery. Or frankly, any chance of discovery. The defence is certainly at a disadvantage here. You are far better off to find out what your “friends” are up to than to try to react.
.
Hunter still hasn’t shown up yet. Much to my disappointment.
.
There is still one side scene to do before the next game. Those involved have not been told yet. So, one more incident to follow.
