We’re still young,
but we are getting older.
Our hearts are still warm,
but they are getting colder.
–The Sounds, “The Best of Me”
A game of modern gothic storytelling. A game about you.
You work long enough with the vampires, people ask you what they’re about. And, you know, the dead, they’re about as many different things as any other group of people. And they’re people, don’t get that wrong. They couldn’t be so bad if they weren’t human.
But what’s Vampire: The Requiem about? Easier answer, there. One I’ve devoted a lot of time to answering. Thought it might be nice (is anything “nice” about the Kindred?) to get some blood pumping and spill it out there for you all to see. This, from the outline to The Danse Macabre, is what Vampire is all about.1 What I give our writers to write our books. What our books give you to tell your stories.
Lemme know what you think.
***
Requiem + Masquerade
What are you going to do to make it through tonight? What about tomorrow night?
And after the deeds are done and your belly’s full, how are you going to live with yourself? What are you going to do with your damnation that makes it work all the sins along the way? That’s the Requiem.
Only half the question, though. Mortals are dinner but they’re also what you’ve got for dates. No matter how callous you become, you’ll need to move among them. How will you keep your connection to Humanity, even as a sham? That’s the Masquerade.
The song and the dance don’t always play well. Devote yourself to redeeming human sinners and you may discover they’re the only creatures you understand. Spend your nights in a vault perfecting your monstrosity and you may find yourself trapped, unable to flee through the masses when the hunters bash down the gates.
Old + New
Established 1856. That’s what the firm’s sign says. The owner was established 1856, too, even though his sharp-cut suit was made tomorrow. He’s one of your guys. One of the sharks you swim with.
The Kindred are the real predators of the modern age. They’re hip to our tricks but they’ve got a hundred years of history behind them. You’re one of them. So, congratulations: you are the child-stealer, the plague-bearer and the faceless corporate titan sucking the life out of your own home town.
Piety + Blasphemy
How did you get to be what you are? Were you a good girl, dragged kicking and screaming from heaven? Or a bad boy, brought back from the grave ’cause hell didn’t deserve you? Little of both, probably.
Somebody cheated death to bring you back, and now you’ve got to make up the debt. You can devote yourself to faith and good works. Play philanthropist. Play superhero. Or you can accept that you’re damned and get the party started, already. Piss on the cross. Get some head.
Little of both, probably.
- I’ve previously quoted other parts and versions of this document. It’s been the centerpiece of my vision statement for Requiem since sometime in 2007. ↩