RULES Introduction to the Dark Ages

Status
Not open for further replies.
Administrator
Welcome to Endless Nights


A regional game set in Eastern Europe, designed to work seamlessly with all four currently published Dark Ages game lines. Whether your chronicle involves Vampires, Mages, Inquisitors, or Werewolves, this sourcebook provides the essential tools and information to bring your stories to life in the World of Darkness.

Since this chronicle doesn't focus on a single character type, the details for each—vampires, werewolves, mortals, or mages—may appear less extensive than in past, more specialized chronicles. However, it offers a wealth of story seeds to inspire players in crafting character concepts or advancing existing ones, while providing staff with ample material for diverse and engaging narratives.


Crossover Considerations
While this chronicle includes content for all four character types, we don't specifically encourage combining them in a single thread or personal chapter. It's certainly possible—most systems are compatible enough to allow one player to portray a vampire while another plays a mage with minimal mechanical friction. However, from a narrative standpoint, the inherent distrust and vastly different cosmologies of these groups create significant barriers. These factions have conflicting beliefs and priorities, which makes cooperation unlikely. For instance, vampires and mages might find limited common ground (despite one being undead and the other alive), but integrating vampires with inquisitors or werewolves often leads to unmanageable inter-character conflict. Keep this in mind for natural immersion and enjoy the drama.

Endless Nights assumes these groups exist within the same world but does not presuppose they know much about one another—if anything at all. Their coexistence naturally breeds conflict, and as every storyteller knows, conflict is the heart of a compelling chronicle.



Summary of the Chronicle
Set in Transylvania in the year 1197, this epic tale spans eight centuries, weaving through the rich and treacherous history of the World of Darkness. Beginning in the Dark Medieval period, the chronicle follows a diverse cast of vampires, werewolves, mages, and inquisitors as they navigate the shifting tides of power, faith, and survival. From the shadowy forests of Transylvania to the battlefields of the Crusades, and onward into the turmoil of the modern nights, this story explores the ever-changing nature of the supernatural and the mortal world alike.

Throughout the ages, players will delve into pivotal events and side tales that deepen the narrative, such as the harrowing conflicts of Under the Black Cross, the bitter rivalries of The Bitter Crusade, and the celestial omens of Darkening Sky. Each offers a unique lens through which to view the overarching story, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected tales.

This ambitious crossover chronicle blends traditional tabletop roleplaying with the dynamic storytelling of Play-By-Post forum roleplay. Drawing from Dark Ages: Vampire, Werewolf, Mage, and Inquisitor, it encourages players to embody different supernatural archetypes, offering a hybrid experience that balances system-driven mechanics with collaborative, narrative-focused storytelling.

As the story marches forward through time, players will face the inevitable evolution of their characters and the world around them, grappling with alliances, betrayals, and the haunting question of what it means to exist in the World of Darkness. The Transylvania Chronicles is more than just a tale; it is a journey through the ages where history, myth, and the supernatural collide in a grand saga of conflict and survival.


The World of Darkness is home to far more than just vampires, mages, or werewolves. Ghosts wander the night, demons entice the sinful, and fae gather in the woods, singing their ancient songs. While some of these myths might be linked to vampires, mages, or werewolves, others have their own distinct and mysterious origins.



Ghosts
The restless dead linger in the Dark Medieval world, their presence woven into countless tales. Villagers speak of spectral soldiers clashing on moonlit hills, the green-haired widow who haunts the pond where she drowned, or the cruel lord pacing his castle battlements after being slain by enemies. There are even stories of cursed skulls screaming in abandoned monasteries after sunset. Ghosts are more than superstition—here, they are real. This section presents popular legends your characters might hear, each rich with potential for investigation. The true nature of these stories, however, lies in the hands of the Storyteller.

Fae
Legends of the fae are widespread across Europe, though interpretations of their nature vary. Some see them as spirits of the wild, others as angels trapped between Heaven and Hell for refusing to choose sides in the cosmic war, while some believe they are the souls of pagans unfit for Heaven or Hell. Scholars speculate they might even be the offspring of Adam and Lilith.

Peasants are well-versed in protecting themselves from the fae, employing charms like horseshoes above doors, bowls of milk by the hearth, red thread, rowan branches, and the sound of church bells. Extreme politeness is advised when dealing with faerie lords—also called Sidhe—who might ride out at night or at midday. Sacred groves of oak, ash, and thorn are considered faerie territory, as are mushroom rings and ancient stone circles. Cutting such trees or disturbing these places without a priest's blessing invites peril. To cross into their domain at night is to tempt fate itself.

Demons
Demons are an accepted and feared reality. Cathedral gargoyles ward off their influence, and folklore teems with stories of Lucifer's cunning deals and tragic victims. Every villager has heard of the farmer who jokingly sold his soul for a mug of ale, only to find the bargain sealed.

Some demonic tales involve imps masquerading as black cats or toads, mysterious strangers who appear at desperate moments, or fiery-eyed hunters with blood-drenched hounds. Though some argue the latter might be fae or ancient deities, the Church asserts that such beings are damned either way.

Demons also manifest as incubi and succubi, preying on the dreams of innocents or becoming companions to sorcerers. These entities might serve their masters as lovers, attendants, scribes, or guardians, always staying close to fulfill their dark purposes. Other demons are unique and bizarre, each carrying their own dreadful power and lore.




-
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top