Ashen Grey : Victorian Age World of Darkness
Venturing Beyond the Shadows
On this page you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked questions during mortal character creation, as well as a few handy guidelines for using the special rules and systems found in the World of Darkness Rulebook when playing the game on an online chat.
Character Creation
The basic character creation rules are presented in the World of Darkness Rulebook. Be sure to read the Character Creation section of the General FAQ before going through the guidelines below.
• Do I need to specify a faction and/or group?
Yes. While your character’s concept may expand upon or alter them, you should pick a faction and group from those listed below:
- Faction: Crime
Groups: Beggar, Murderer, Smuggler, Thief, Thug - Faction: Law
Groups: Accountant, Investigator, Judge, Lawyer, Police - Faction: Media
Groups: Actor, Artist, Musician, Reporter, Writer - Faction: Scholars
Groups: Doctor, Inventor, Librarian, Priest, Scientist - Faction: Society
Groups: Aristocrat, Entrepreneur, Politician, Socialite, Worker
By applying your concept to these basic factions and groups you should be able to fashion any kind of character. While some groups are fairly specific (like Accountant), others are pretty broad (like Worker). The thing to remember is that the faction is the fuel for the group’s engine — without media support to gain you notoriety you’d be an entirely unremarkable actor or artist, regardless of talent. Tying your character’s concept to one of these faction and group combinations binds you more closely to the stories being told in the chronicle.
• Can I start play as a ghost?
No. Ghosts are antagonists, and not suitable as player characters.
• Can I start play as a ghoul?
No. Mortals can only become ghouls during the chronicle.
• Okay, can I start play as a blood addict or thrall?
No. Thralls to the Vinculum, or those addicted to Vitae, can only be fashioned during the chronicle.
• Can I start play as a wolf-blooded?
Yes. In fact, the only way to play a wolf-blooded is create one as a starting character. You cannot become a wolf-blooded during the course of play. Only wolf-blooded characters can undergo the First Change. At that point they lose the Wolf-Blooded Merit without compensation, and receive an auspice based on the day they change. They will start with two dots of Renown and two Gifts (in both cases, one of these will be determined by auspice) until they undergo a tribal initiation or permanently decide to become a Ghost Wolf. All other details are left solely to the Storyteller.
• Are there any restrictions on the Merits I can take?
Yes, but not many. Anything inappropriate to the period and setting (such as Fighting Style: Kung Fu) is likely to be refused by Storytellers. Also, anything extraordinary to your faction or group (like Fame for a Worker) should be backed up in your prelude, and Storytellers may require other justifications for anything they deem excessive, reserving the right to refuse any trait (i.e. the chances of being the Mayor of London and having Status (City Hall) 5 are slim).
Special Rules and Systems
• How are you dealing with True Faith?
In London by Night several locations have True Faith ratings, but this trait and rule system does not appear in the World of Darkness Rulebook. Instead, attempts to banish, repel or harm ghosts use the rules for Abjuration, Exorcism and Blessed Items (see p.213-214). While this method is normally only effective against ghosts, sites with True Faith ratings extend these rules to vampires (see the main Special Rules and Systems for further details). Note that mortals and the wolf-blooded are still affected by Lunacy (see p.175, Werewolf: The Forsaken), which must be taken into account before any attempt is made.
• What happens when my wolf-blooded character becomes a ghoul?
They permenantly lose the Wolf-Blooded Merit and the chance to ever go through the First Change.