General House Rules

1) Revised rules take precedence over earlier editions.

2a) Events occuring outside the chronicle should not affects events and characters in the chronicle.
2b) Items gained from outside the character cannot be brought into the character unless approved by an ST.
2c) Characters from outside the chronicle may not act as tutors to characters in the chronicle without ST permission.

3) Be reasonable when selecting starting equipment and Traits. The STs reserve the right to deny anything they feel is unnecessarily disruptive or otherwise inappropriate.

4) Be mindful of your surroundings while in character. Carrying a battleaxe on the streets will likely land you in jail, as will a gunfight. If in a situation where it is likely police would respond, contact an ST.

5) If a character needs to leave in the middle of a scene, the player should discuss an exit strategy with the ST/other players. Characters may not just be removed from the scene. If necessary, the scene will be frozen or the character run as an NPC.

6) Should a character take an aggressive action against another, any of the players involved are free to call for an initiative roll.

7) There is a limit of three characters per section per player. Players who want a new character will need to retire one of their old ones.

8) Using Backgrounds, using an Ability/power to gain information, or performing an action that has an effect on NPCs requires consultation with an ST.

9) Willpower may be regained through either acting according to your Nature (Auspice if Garou) or an extraordinary success. Additionally, all characters regain a point of Willpower once a week, on Sunday.

10) Willpower may not be spent on soak or damage rolls, or any roll that the ST deems to be "passive" in nature (such as "danger sense" rolls).

11) Any successful attack roll will result in one die of damage to be soaked, so long as the maneuver would typically inflict damage.

12) Characters may take an additional specialty for a Trait at five dots, with all the usual benefits.

13) Should crossover occur, official crossover rules from the books will be used (if possible). However, preference is given to the rules in the Vampire ST Handbook above the others.

Backgrounds

Resources and Influences

If you get your Resources via the Stock Market you need to keep in touch with an ST. This way we can properly keep track of the ever-shifting market. You can avoid rolls to show an increase/decrease in your Resources if you select real stocks that we keep track of.

Contacts and Allies

Contacts and Allies Outside the Game

Many in the game have PC contacts and allies that are not part of Necropolis. We do not restrict things of this nature since NC does its best to interact with everyone until given reason not to. Still, rules have to be set up for the individuals that begin aquiring information or other.

Any weapons or other that you have aquired from your contacts and allies that are not NC approved characters must be brought to the attention of the STs so they can note it.

Information gathered from PCs outside Necropolis is iffy. Most of it is just fine but please stray from information that destroys the mystery in the game such as someone telling you everything they know on the Shifters, Wraith, Mage, Changling or other. Knowing everything doesn't make your character look smart as much as it makes the player look foolish. Any information your character has on other supernaturals must be covered by the appropriate Lore. You cannot start with it and the Lore can only be gained through Necropolis Storylines.

Favors are a major matter to bring up. If the nifty cool 4th Generation Abomination goes around using his powers to find out certain things, do you grand favors against someone else in the game, or another problem of that matter it will not be accepted. The Archmage you are buddies with cannot be used to whisk you away from a matter concerning Necropolis. Please keep in mind while freeforming with others you may choose to do so but use your better judgement.

Retainers, Ghouls and Childer

Retainers, Ghouls and Childer must be approved by the STs before you can gain any sort of benefit from them. This includes animals or anyone acquired through game play. These must be posted on the character sheet to be counted.

When selected retainers ensure it makes sense and can be explained. A Sabbat Cainite would more than likely not be found with an entourage and a poor Caitiff will have a very hard time keeping a tiger as a travelling companion. Write up explinations on your character sheet for how you keep your retainers loyal, what purpose they serve and any other details to flesh them out. Do the proper research for any inconsistancies and feel free to contact the STs for any questions.

Ghouls

Although it goes without saying, ensure you have permission from the player and explain to them what being your ghoul would entail before ghouling their character. Note: If this is being done out of IC spite or as a way to break a character OOC permission is not necessary (using the same rules as if you were killing the character - this is a game of horror and bad things happen). If you are unsure on what to do in a situation like this speak to an ST for help.

Should the player not be in Necropolis make sure they realize that by being ghouled they are joining a chronicle. Let them look over our rules and creation guidelines to see if they want to make that choice. Also, bear in mind that supernaturals cannot be used as ghouls unless under very special circumstances. Many supernaturals cannot be ghouled and many others are vehemently against such a foul act.

Sabbat ghouls are NOT treated kindly and are few and far between(Animal ghouls normally get better treatment than kine, even). Most Sabbat hate the idea of trusting a 'lesser' being and most packs are "allowed" only a couple at a time. Ghouls are seen as food, cannon fodder, toys, and more so playing one for a pack can be tricky unless you don't mind playing out nothing more than disposable trash. These characters normally end up becoming pack material, not having a single master and answering to the whole pack rather than face the wrath of one Cainite. Because of this we do not allow players to make a Sabbat ghoul.

Embracing

Embracing is a very serious act for most Kindred. With this you are taking away a mortal life and cursing them for all eternity. This also means they must learn how to fend for themselves in a very complex society. For the Camarilla this means learning the Traditions, proper etiquette and so forth while also having the prince's permission(and a boon owed) for the creation of the childe. The independent clans also have their own traidtions to uphold as far as Embracing goes although this varies depending on the clan. The Sabbat are the most violent of all of these - normally treating the Embrace as a means to acquire cannon fodder then enlisting any survivors as True Sabbat after a grueling ordeal that breaks and destroys all but the strongest.

Because of all the complications that come with a newly Embraced character we ask that you first acquire permission from the player before Embracing them. This will be treated the same as the permission for making someone into a ghoul - if it is something the character is doing as punishment or to destroy another it can be done without permission. But speaking with one another on the matter OOC would be recommended. If you are unsure on the situation speak to an ST for further advice. ST permission is not required to Embrace someone unless they are in the Mortal section of the Necropolis Chronicle. Should this be the case, ST permission must first be acquired before the Embrace will be admitted into the Chronicle.

Animal Retainers

Large Exotics:Exotics range from any sort of non domesticated animal (lions, bears, wolves, tigers, etc). These are not, under any circumstances allowed for the following reasons. According to laws on exotics they not only cannot be loose wandering at your side (no matter how tame and friendly you plead they are). The law also requires that you have check ups to make sure the animal is getting the proper care. On top of vet bills, feed bills and general care, housing an animal of this sort is expensive. Animal Control will be called in to capture and restrain any animal caught roaming the streets of Necropolis. This will also result in the owner of the animal most likely being fined, their pet possibly taken depending on the severity of the situation.

Please remember that wolves are not going to be found on Long Island in Necropolis. Although many people could mistake a roaming wolf as a stray dog on the street it is usually not a wise idea to take a chance. There are many enemies of the Garou that wouldn't mind causing a hysteria over a roaming wolf in the city that needs to be "humanely relocated." On the other side, an unusual animal roaming the streets can draw the attention of witch hunters for any Mage or Vampire attempting to do the same. Use your better judgement and realize that many will have a negative reaction to being so blatant.

Smaller Exotics:These would be your rats, snakes and other unusual, but easily obtained pet. Keep in mind that if you do have a pet of this nature that carrying them around all the time isn't the best for them depending on the weather. Snakes cannot be curled around your neck in the winter time and some species can develop burns from the summer sun. A license is not required to keep these and they are easy to care for. The down side is many businesses do not allow pets inside their shops and it is hard to leave an animal like that sitting out alone while you are having a drink inside. Another downside is the fact you will stand out more in a crowd. The last thing a supernatural needs is to be remembered and noticed.

Dogs and Cats:These would be your easiest retainer to have. They are easy to tend to, don't draw too much attention to you and are legal to have. Please keep in mind if your pet attacks someone else in this city a complaint can be put in and the animal can be put down. Also, there are strict leash laws inside the city limits. If your retainer is not on a leash there can be consequences for it.

Abilities of Zero

This is a more humorous take on questions new players ask about what they actually know. White Wolf normally places an example of sorts beside Abilities from 1-5. This is how much you would know, or how capable you are at doing something, if you place no points in it.

Please remember we want to see, and help, all our players roleplay to the best of their ability, and pretending you are able to do something you can't defeats the challenge and destroys the quality of the character. Prove you are up for the challenge of roleplaying what is on your sheet instead of looking at it as dice rolling stats.

For any questions about what is here, or for any assistance needed on your character, feel free to contact the STs at anytime and we will help you to the best of our ability.

Alertness: Ooh, shiny rock!
Athletics: Damn, the soccer ball only went ten feet.
Awareness: What's magic?
Brawl: Where's my little brother at? Need to punch away some stress.
Dodge: Please don't hurt me, Mr. Bully.
Empathy: I don't get it. Why are you upset I insulted you?
Expression: Like, I uh... went to see... that guy...
Intimidation: All the world will tremble before the might of Sideshow Bob!
Leadership: You should do what I say, because, like I know what I'm doing!
Primal-Urge: So... we're like, supposed to act like dogs?
Streetwise: What's that white stuff in the bag you're trying to sell me?
Subterfuge: But mommy, I didn't do it!