Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
New "in-game" Blog
Please check out the info on this blog. The info is considered "in-game" info characters playing vampires to access.
Dublin @ Night
Dublin @ Night
Friday, November 18, 2011
Available Characters
Brujah:
* Ash/Alice Mal'Eoin – You are a former member of the clergy, clinging to your faith in the absence of God’s light. Penitent Clergy. Moderate difficulty level
* Brandon/Bree O'Daire – You are the result of youth on the hard streets of war torn Belfast. You loved to fight, drink and fight some more. Now you’re immortal… Novice difficulty level
Caitiff:
* Jimmy O'Torc - Fucking right. If anyone asked you what your thoughts on the British were, you'd bloody well tell them that those Unionist Wankers ought to get blimey fucked. Eh, but nobody's ever arsked ya, have they? No, they sure ain't. Moderate difficulty level
Malkavian:
* Louis/Liffey McNolan – You adore your childe. You know how silly Neonates can be sometimes, especially when they come from your clan… Challenging difficulty level
* Terrance/Tyler Walker – Your sins weigh you down like a ton of bricks. Some sins are too grave to be forgiven. If only the Lord would speak to you… If only you could find a way to be closer to him… Very challenging difficulty level
Nosferatu:
* Nyce/Nessa O'Clarke - Misunderstood Dreamer – Novice difficulty level
Toreador:
* Fergus/Fanny McShea - You've never created art. You've spent your life assaulting the senses of the sheep that stumble through life, half-asleep. You don't know why your sire embraced you, but apparently, she saw some sort of talent in you. Novice difficulty level
* Torrance/Tundra Kole - The bottom line is very simple: You're the greatest sculptor of your day. You know it, the other Toreador know it, even if they won't say it. You're a prodigy of the art, and that's the bottom line. Moderate difficulty level
Ventrue:
* Carlos/Carla Obregón – Known as a Young Turk of your clan, you’re Irish via Mexico and then back to Ireland. You were born in East LA and had a very tough upbringing. Because of this, you find yourself right at home in the tough city of Dublin. Novice difficulty level
* Roddrick/Rose Nottinham – You were embraced in the early 90’s after the .com boom. Well, before you had even finished your agog, your business crashed and you were left penniless. Now you’re the black sheep of your clan. Challenging difficulty level
* Ash/Alice Mal'Eoin – You are a former member of the clergy, clinging to your faith in the absence of God’s light. Penitent Clergy. Moderate difficulty level
* Brandon/Bree O'Daire – You are the result of youth on the hard streets of war torn Belfast. You loved to fight, drink and fight some more. Now you’re immortal… Novice difficulty level
Caitiff:
* Jimmy O'Torc - Fucking right. If anyone asked you what your thoughts on the British were, you'd bloody well tell them that those Unionist Wankers ought to get blimey fucked. Eh, but nobody's ever arsked ya, have they? No, they sure ain't. Moderate difficulty level
Malkavian:
* Louis/Liffey McNolan – You adore your childe. You know how silly Neonates can be sometimes, especially when they come from your clan… Challenging difficulty level
* Terrance/Tyler Walker – Your sins weigh you down like a ton of bricks. Some sins are too grave to be forgiven. If only the Lord would speak to you… If only you could find a way to be closer to him… Very challenging difficulty level
Nosferatu:
* Nyce/Nessa O'Clarke - Misunderstood Dreamer – Novice difficulty level
Toreador:
* Fergus/Fanny McShea - You've never created art. You've spent your life assaulting the senses of the sheep that stumble through life, half-asleep. You don't know why your sire embraced you, but apparently, she saw some sort of talent in you. Novice difficulty level
* Torrance/Tundra Kole - The bottom line is very simple: You're the greatest sculptor of your day. You know it, the other Toreador know it, even if they won't say it. You're a prodigy of the art, and that's the bottom line. Moderate difficulty level
Ventrue:
* Carlos/Carla Obregón – Known as a Young Turk of your clan, you’re Irish via Mexico and then back to Ireland. You were born in East LA and had a very tough upbringing. Because of this, you find yourself right at home in the tough city of Dublin. Novice difficulty level
* Roddrick/Rose Nottinham – You were embraced in the early 90’s after the .com boom. Well, before you had even finished your agog, your business crashed and you were left penniless. Now you’re the black sheep of your clan. Challenging difficulty level
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Ireland: The Anarch Revolt
While Europe burned during the inquisition, and bands of Anarch neonates traveled from city to city slaying their elders, Ireland’s kindred struggled to fight the oppression of England’s dominating Prince Mithras. Ireland, for as long as any kindred can remember, has been fractured into a number of Anarch baronies, independent of one another, yet unified by the inherent nationalism of the Irish identity. Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford and Belfast were among the larger baronies in Ireland throughout the 15th century. At that point, there was very little structure within the Anarch movement, and most nights were wrought with skirmishes against the lackeys of the British elders. Generally, a large local coterie of cainites would be the only opposition to the oppressive elder powers in Ireland. Often underestimated and marginalized by these elders, these nomadic coteries struck deep wounds into the domains of these elder cainites. By 1490, the Anarchs had rendered the British ruling class of cainites nearly impotent in Ireland.
On October 23rd, 1493, dozens of Anarch Cainites assembled to meet with Hardestadt and his nascent Camarilla organization, which had formed merely 7 years earlier, at the small English village of Thorns. In a scene to be repeated throughout history, the struggling Anarch leaders would render themselves impotent in the face of their opposition, being granted safe return to the purveyance of their respective clans and princes without threat of retribution for past crimes, save those “most grave”, which would be judged or forgotten within a year. There were a number of Anarch leaders from Ireland in attendance that night, and for many of them, it would mark the end of the revolt and a severance of ties to their relations in Ireland.
As history shows, this marked the creation of the Sabbat; a twisted cabal of cainites standing in direct opposition to The Founders and their Camarilla. For many of the Irish Anarchs though, the Sabbat was business as usual. Led by an Irish Brujah named Aodhan O’Neal and a Viking Ventrue named Gotsdam, a minority of the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Anarchs left England in disgust, returning to their baronies to continue fighting Mithras’ English forces. Upon their return, Aodhan and Gotsdam scoffed at the treaty and informed the other Anarchs that it was more meaningless trash disguised as an olive branch.
For the Irish cainites, the nightly struggle would continue for centuries. Over time, many of the original "Kindred" (as they'd come to be known) of the Anarch Revolt would not make it into the modern nights. As the war against English control would wax an wane, many of the eldest kindred would vanish from the field of battle; succumbing to torpor, relinquishing to the Camarilla's lure or falling victim to Final Death. Eventually, a younger generation of Kindred would take their place, continuing the revolt against Mithras.
Around the middle of the 19th century, the war against Mithras erupted to a fever pitch, led by the childe of Aodhan O’Neal; Donal' O'Connor and his coterie. Eventually, the Camarilla stepped in and brought the Dublin Anarchs, now elders in their own right, to heel. With much disdain, in 1921, Dublin became a Camarilla city, quietly supporting the IRA against British rule, as well as other Anarch baronies throughout Ireland.
Today, Ireland remains a country fractured and distant, at least from the kindred perspective. Belfast is literally divided and controlled by two opposing kindred factions. On one half, you have the Anarchs, led by Baron Rourke Fitzgerald of clan Brujah. On the other, you have Prince Alistor Quinn of clan Malkavian. While the city remains tentatively peaceful, the kindred battle nightly for control of the city. Various other counties throughout Ireland are either void of kindred, or consist of small Anarch coteries forming various baronies.
The Jihad has evolved over centuries, and the focus of the fight against England has shifted focus from Mithras to Queen Anne. After much speculation of Mithras being in torpor since 1941, it's been widely accepted that he's met final death. Queen Anne, through her own doing, or simply through skewed perception, has become the primary focus of the opposition; both from the Anarch perspective, and Dublin's Kindred (which are essentially the same, and widely believed to be mutually sympathetic).
For what it's worth (in Ireland, it's worth less than nothing):
THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR OOC PURPOSES ONLY. TO ACTUALLY KNOW THE CONTENTS REQUIRES CAMARILLA LORE X 3
Many years have passed since the start of our current conflict now called the Anarch Movement. Be it known that on this night of 23 October, 1493, the Jyhad has ended. The time for self-destruction is over.
This Concordat, bound in the Covenant of Caine by sacred vow, represents an unyielding vigilant truce between the Kindred known unto themselves as Anarchs, the Clan Assamite and the free-standing Kindred bound under the title of Camarilla. Henceforth, the parties shall be recognized by faction as the Anarchs, the Assamites and the Camarilla.
Each of the parties agrees to the responsibility of maintaining peace. Each shall lay its censures upon any who breach or oppose this sacred Agreement. Accounting will be made of all parties for violations by them to either the letter or spirit of this Agreement. This document is legally binding under the accepted Lextalionis of all Cainites as it has passed through the ages. All Kindred are entreated to accept and gain pleasure from this peaceful accord.
Be it known that the Anarchs will enjoin with the Camarilla as an accepted part, making it whole. Anarchs are expected to work peacefully to achieve their own ends. They must become defenders of all and they shall receive full entitlement to all rights and privileges belonging to all Camarilla Kindred. All Anarchs shall be accepted back unto their elders and their formerly denounced clans without any fear of reprisal. Only the most vicious of atrocities shall not be forgiven. These shall stand written for the Justicars to hear within one year after which all allegations are no longer valid. All Anarchs shall reclaim all remaining and rightful property confiscated from them. In return, they must turn over any war gains taken during the conflict by giving them to their sires or any recognized clan elder.
Know also that if the Anarchs are further warred upon, this open jyhad invalidates their responsibility to maintain peace with their attacker. They may act freely without fear of reprisal from any nonactive members of the Camarilla. Anarchs are guaranteed the freedom to act as they please short of breaching the “Masquerade” imposed for the protection of all Kindred from the kine.
It is also noted that any member of any other self-proclaimed sect must openly declare this before his elders and renounce this relation. Failure to do so will result in the destruction of any deemed guilty. No Kindred may be sent knowingly to his death by an elder or sire unless the security of clan or Camarilla outweighs the possible loss of unlife.
From this night forward, the Assamites shall henceforth no longer commit diablerie upon members of other clans. The Assamites must commit themselves to this acceptance by a mark of assurance placed upon them in the form of a thaumaturgical limitation. All members of the Assamites shall become unable to drink freely of the vitae of other Kindred from now unto forever. In addition, the Assamites shall pay the Brujah elders of Spain two thousand pounds of gold in ransom of the five Assamite elders captured committing diablerie. Also, the Assamites may no longer participate in Blood Hunts.
Be it also known the Assamites are guaranteed complete independence from Camarilla demands. The Assamite fortress, Alamut, shall be free from any further assaults. Assamites are also granted, out of respect for their beliefs, the freedom to commit diablerie upon all Kindred not recognized as holding membership within the Camarilla.
It is rendered that all parties involved and all showing allegiance to any of these parties shall be held responsible for all aspects of this Convention brought forth here, in the neutral kingdom of England, outside the hamlet of Thorn, near the town of Silchester. May Caine hold truth and peace for us all.
Signed,
Hardestadt the Elder: Representative of the Clan Ventrue
Rafael De Corazon: Representative of the Clan Toreador
Mistress Fanchon: Representative of Clan Tremere
Camilla Baines: Of the Malkavians
Josef Von Bauren: Representing Clan Nosferatu
Adana de Sforza: of the Brujah
Milov Petrenk
On October 23rd, 1493, dozens of Anarch Cainites assembled to meet with Hardestadt and his nascent Camarilla organization, which had formed merely 7 years earlier, at the small English village of Thorns. In a scene to be repeated throughout history, the struggling Anarch leaders would render themselves impotent in the face of their opposition, being granted safe return to the purveyance of their respective clans and princes without threat of retribution for past crimes, save those “most grave”, which would be judged or forgotten within a year. There were a number of Anarch leaders from Ireland in attendance that night, and for many of them, it would mark the end of the revolt and a severance of ties to their relations in Ireland.
As history shows, this marked the creation of the Sabbat; a twisted cabal of cainites standing in direct opposition to The Founders and their Camarilla. For many of the Irish Anarchs though, the Sabbat was business as usual. Led by an Irish Brujah named Aodhan O’Neal and a Viking Ventrue named Gotsdam, a minority of the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Anarchs left England in disgust, returning to their baronies to continue fighting Mithras’ English forces. Upon their return, Aodhan and Gotsdam scoffed at the treaty and informed the other Anarchs that it was more meaningless trash disguised as an olive branch.
For the Irish cainites, the nightly struggle would continue for centuries. Over time, many of the original "Kindred" (as they'd come to be known) of the Anarch Revolt would not make it into the modern nights. As the war against English control would wax an wane, many of the eldest kindred would vanish from the field of battle; succumbing to torpor, relinquishing to the Camarilla's lure or falling victim to Final Death. Eventually, a younger generation of Kindred would take their place, continuing the revolt against Mithras.
Around the middle of the 19th century, the war against Mithras erupted to a fever pitch, led by the childe of Aodhan O’Neal; Donal' O'Connor and his coterie. Eventually, the Camarilla stepped in and brought the Dublin Anarchs, now elders in their own right, to heel. With much disdain, in 1921, Dublin became a Camarilla city, quietly supporting the IRA against British rule, as well as other Anarch baronies throughout Ireland.
Today, Ireland remains a country fractured and distant, at least from the kindred perspective. Belfast is literally divided and controlled by two opposing kindred factions. On one half, you have the Anarchs, led by Baron Rourke Fitzgerald of clan Brujah. On the other, you have Prince Alistor Quinn of clan Malkavian. While the city remains tentatively peaceful, the kindred battle nightly for control of the city. Various other counties throughout Ireland are either void of kindred, or consist of small Anarch coteries forming various baronies.
The Jihad has evolved over centuries, and the focus of the fight against England has shifted focus from Mithras to Queen Anne. After much speculation of Mithras being in torpor since 1941, it's been widely accepted that he's met final death. Queen Anne, through her own doing, or simply through skewed perception, has become the primary focus of the opposition; both from the Anarch perspective, and Dublin's Kindred (which are essentially the same, and widely believed to be mutually sympathetic).
For what it's worth (in Ireland, it's worth less than nothing):
THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR OOC PURPOSES ONLY. TO ACTUALLY KNOW THE CONTENTS REQUIRES CAMARILLA LORE X 3
Many years have passed since the start of our current conflict now called the Anarch Movement. Be it known that on this night of 23 October, 1493, the Jyhad has ended. The time for self-destruction is over.
This Concordat, bound in the Covenant of Caine by sacred vow, represents an unyielding vigilant truce between the Kindred known unto themselves as Anarchs, the Clan Assamite and the free-standing Kindred bound under the title of Camarilla. Henceforth, the parties shall be recognized by faction as the Anarchs, the Assamites and the Camarilla.
Each of the parties agrees to the responsibility of maintaining peace. Each shall lay its censures upon any who breach or oppose this sacred Agreement. Accounting will be made of all parties for violations by them to either the letter or spirit of this Agreement. This document is legally binding under the accepted Lextalionis of all Cainites as it has passed through the ages. All Kindred are entreated to accept and gain pleasure from this peaceful accord.
Be it known that the Anarchs will enjoin with the Camarilla as an accepted part, making it whole. Anarchs are expected to work peacefully to achieve their own ends. They must become defenders of all and they shall receive full entitlement to all rights and privileges belonging to all Camarilla Kindred. All Anarchs shall be accepted back unto their elders and their formerly denounced clans without any fear of reprisal. Only the most vicious of atrocities shall not be forgiven. These shall stand written for the Justicars to hear within one year after which all allegations are no longer valid. All Anarchs shall reclaim all remaining and rightful property confiscated from them. In return, they must turn over any war gains taken during the conflict by giving them to their sires or any recognized clan elder.
Know also that if the Anarchs are further warred upon, this open jyhad invalidates their responsibility to maintain peace with their attacker. They may act freely without fear of reprisal from any nonactive members of the Camarilla. Anarchs are guaranteed the freedom to act as they please short of breaching the “Masquerade” imposed for the protection of all Kindred from the kine.
It is also noted that any member of any other self-proclaimed sect must openly declare this before his elders and renounce this relation. Failure to do so will result in the destruction of any deemed guilty. No Kindred may be sent knowingly to his death by an elder or sire unless the security of clan or Camarilla outweighs the possible loss of unlife.
From this night forward, the Assamites shall henceforth no longer commit diablerie upon members of other clans. The Assamites must commit themselves to this acceptance by a mark of assurance placed upon them in the form of a thaumaturgical limitation. All members of the Assamites shall become unable to drink freely of the vitae of other Kindred from now unto forever. In addition, the Assamites shall pay the Brujah elders of Spain two thousand pounds of gold in ransom of the five Assamite elders captured committing diablerie. Also, the Assamites may no longer participate in Blood Hunts.
Be it also known the Assamites are guaranteed complete independence from Camarilla demands. The Assamite fortress, Alamut, shall be free from any further assaults. Assamites are also granted, out of respect for their beliefs, the freedom to commit diablerie upon all Kindred not recognized as holding membership within the Camarilla.
It is rendered that all parties involved and all showing allegiance to any of these parties shall be held responsible for all aspects of this Convention brought forth here, in the neutral kingdom of England, outside the hamlet of Thorn, near the town of Silchester. May Caine hold truth and peace for us all.
Signed,
Hardestadt the Elder: Representative of the Clan Ventrue
Rafael De Corazon: Representative of the Clan Toreador
Mistress Fanchon: Representative of Clan Tremere
Camilla Baines: Of the Malkavians
Josef Von Bauren: Representing Clan Nosferatu
Adana de Sforza: of the Brujah
Milov Petrenk
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Characters, Players, and Dublin.
This is the list of characters, who's playing them, as well as Status by clan. This is not a comprehensive list of all the kindred in the city, simply, a list of PC characters. I may include a list of NPC's later, but I dunno.
Brujah
1. "Mad" Jenny O'Sullivan - Player: Katie Fountaine - Acknowledged, Respected
2. Donal' O'Connor - Player: Robert Batton - Esteemed, Famous, Feared, Influential, Respected, Well-Known
3. Eric Clemmons - Player: Pete Worman - Acknowledged
4. Lem MacNeal - Player: Keith Kaye - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Cherished, Famous
5. Mitchel Dunham - Player: Phillip Gleason - Acknowledged
6.Rossen O'Reilly - Player: Andrea Kolasinski Marcinkus - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Honorable
7. Timothy O'Myer - Player: Anthony west - Acknowledged
Malkavian
1. Shamus McMillian - Player: Ray Jenkins - Acknowledged, Enlightened, Revered
Nosferatu
1. Connor Flannagan - Player: Jeff Meisinger - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Revered
2. Miles Douglas - Player: Andrew Mackenzie
3. Morgan McKennan - Player: Jamie West - Acknowledged
4. Otto McSarline - Player: Chris Collier - Acknowledged, Feared
5. Paul Cheshire - Player: Thomas Polinski - Acknowledged
6. Ronan O'Sullivan (Mouse) - Player: Soren Haurberg - Acknowledged, Respected
Toreador
1. Carter McArther - Player: Dominick Martino - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Feared, Loyal
2. Imputa Zilla - Player: Karen Bruenning - Acknowledged
3. Patrick Handrin - Player: Robert Engler Jr. - Acknowledged, Admired, Revered
Tremere
1. Christy Walsh - Player: Victoria Pacillo - Acknowledged
2. Neal Walsh - Player: Ryan Zabawa - Acknowledged
3. Owen McTigres - Player: Tom Gorman - Acknowledged
4. Philip, Duke of Wharton - Player: Chris Knuth - Acknowledged, Cherished, Revered
5. Rocko McGuire - Player: Ed Bruenning - Acknowledged, Revered
Ventrue
1. Eric McPolo - Player: Phil Lazzari - Acknowledged, Cherished, Revered
2. Francine Von Ashtar - Player: Ranee Johnson - Acknowledged
3. Richard McHugh - Player: Thomas Macawley - Acknowledged
4. Thomas McGregory - Player: Josh Bracken - Acknowledged, Cherished, Influential
Caitiff
1. Devon Hart - Player: I still don't know - Acknowledged
2. Jon-Pierre Dumont - Player: Ken Spensley - Acknowledged
Lasombra Antitribu
Bill Winterholme - Player: Chris Tyk - Acknowledged
Assamite
1. Butal Amed Rashad - Player: Greta Duve - Acknowledged
Followers of Set
1. Fontain Pali - Player: Andrew Beasanski - Acknowledged
Gangrel
1. Carlo McCormick - Player: Joe West - Acknowledged
2. Drew Holiday - Player: Levar Jackson - Acknowledged, Respected
3. Vance Yannis - Player: Jeremy Ultsch - Acknowledged
Brujah
1. "Mad" Jenny O'Sullivan - Player: Katie Fountaine - Acknowledged, Respected
2. Donal' O'Connor - Player: Robert Batton - Esteemed, Famous, Feared, Influential, Respected, Well-Known
3. Eric Clemmons - Player: Pete Worman - Acknowledged
4. Lem MacNeal - Player: Keith Kaye - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Cherished, Famous
5. Mitchel Dunham - Player: Phillip Gleason - Acknowledged
6.Rossen O'Reilly - Player: Andrea Kolasinski Marcinkus - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Honorable
7. Timothy O'Myer - Player: Anthony west - Acknowledged
Malkavian
1. Shamus McMillian - Player: Ray Jenkins - Acknowledged, Enlightened, Revered
Nosferatu
1. Connor Flannagan - Player: Jeff Meisinger - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Revered
2. Miles Douglas - Player: Andrew Mackenzie
3. Morgan McKennan - Player: Jamie West - Acknowledged
4. Otto McSarline - Player: Chris Collier - Acknowledged, Feared
5. Paul Cheshire - Player: Thomas Polinski - Acknowledged
6. Ronan O'Sullivan (Mouse) - Player: Soren Haurberg - Acknowledged, Respected
Toreador
1. Carter McArther - Player: Dominick Martino - Acknowledged, Esteemed, Feared, Loyal
2. Imputa Zilla - Player: Karen Bruenning - Acknowledged
3. Patrick Handrin - Player: Robert Engler Jr. - Acknowledged, Admired, Revered
Tremere
1. Christy Walsh - Player: Victoria Pacillo - Acknowledged
2. Neal Walsh - Player: Ryan Zabawa - Acknowledged
3. Owen McTigres - Player: Tom Gorman - Acknowledged
4. Philip, Duke of Wharton - Player: Chris Knuth - Acknowledged, Cherished, Revered
5. Rocko McGuire - Player: Ed Bruenning - Acknowledged, Revered
Ventrue
1. Eric McPolo - Player: Phil Lazzari - Acknowledged, Cherished, Revered
2. Francine Von Ashtar - Player: Ranee Johnson - Acknowledged
3. Richard McHugh - Player: Thomas Macawley - Acknowledged
4. Thomas McGregory - Player: Josh Bracken - Acknowledged, Cherished, Influential
Caitiff
1. Devon Hart - Player: I still don't know - Acknowledged
2. Jon-Pierre Dumont - Player: Ken Spensley - Acknowledged
Lasombra Antitribu
Bill Winterholme - Player: Chris Tyk - Acknowledged
Assamite
1. Butal Amed Rashad - Player: Greta Duve - Acknowledged
Followers of Set
1. Fontain Pali - Player: Andrew Beasanski - Acknowledged
Gangrel
1. Carlo McCormick - Player: Joe West - Acknowledged
2. Drew Holiday - Player: Levar Jackson - Acknowledged, Respected
3. Vance Yannis - Player: Jeremy Ultsch - Acknowledged
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Some Important Real Life in the Fantasy
I think it's very important to give some perspective on an especially poignant historical event that sits as an integral background of this game. While we are all here to have fun playing in a supernatural setting, and the game doesn't actually take place in Belfast, we should all have the maturity to understand what it is we are role-playing, and what our stories mean when we pick up our character sheets. There are a number of concepts dealing with Ireland's wars and varied conflicts for independence from colonial rule. These concepts are more than just your average elder vs. neonate politics; these are volatile and emotional concepts driven by real fear, hatred, tyranny and death. Regardless of our individual political beliefs, this game presents an opportunity to truly explore the struggle of people held down by oppression and violence, both real and perceived. Many of the characters have lived/existed through The Troubles, and those concepts shouldn't be played in a caviler manner. Additionally, there are more than a few of the Kindred in Dublin that have been privy to centuries of this type of crushing war and turmoil. Hopefully, these videos can give a modicum of perspective on what that exactly entails.
I know that a few simple videos about the struggles in Northern Ireland barely scratch the surface of the entire situation. There are a ton of resources available for the interested and discerning player. Here's a list of some of the films set to the backdrop of The Troubles. I especially recommend "Hunger", which is currently available on Netflix to watch instantly, along with a number of other films on that list.
That's all for tonight, and I hope you all keep having fun.
I know that a few simple videos about the struggles in Northern Ireland barely scratch the surface of the entire situation. There are a ton of resources available for the interested and discerning player. Here's a list of some of the films set to the backdrop of The Troubles. I especially recommend "Hunger", which is currently available on Netflix to watch instantly, along with a number of other films on that list.
That's all for tonight, and I hope you all keep having fun.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The annual Dublin Samhain festival
Samhain is an ancient tradition among the people of Ireland. Dating back to the 8th century AD, it is a festival linked to both Celtic cultures as well as the Catholic All Saints’ Day. Originally, it was a festival celebrating the end of the harvest, the end of the “lighter half” and the beginning of the “darker half. It was celebrated over the course of several days, and had many of the same elements of a Festival of the Dead. 
Over the years, Samhain has evolved into what we know of today as Halloween. Halloween in Dublin is very much an important aspect of the local culture. It is steeped in the ancient traditions of the land, but has evolved to meet the modern day. Indeed, as important as it is to the kine of Dublin, it’s even more important to the kindred population. The Prince of Dublin has celebrated Samhain to one degree or another for as far back as anyone in the city can remember. 
Over the last twenty years, the festival has started a few days before the 31st, and generally ends on the first or second of November. Typically, there is a neighborhood wide party that starts at the Tír na nÓg and leads many blocks to the Arbour Hill Cemetery. There, kine and kindred alike go to pay their respects to the dead, as well as visit, “The Lord of the Dead.” 
At the Tír na nÓg, none are allowed entry to the pub without some sort of costume. Those that wear vampire costumes are rewarded with free drinks. Anyone with a traditional Celtic costume is rewarded with free drinks, and food, as well as the opportunity to confess their sins to the “Lord of the Dead”. It’s become a local past-time to get the opportunity to visit Arbour Hill on Halloween, as it is said the the Lord of the Dead grants you a single wish if you pay your true respect to the spirits of the dead. It’s cautioned that if you do not show respect, and treat the visit like a joke, you will be overwhelmed with the terror of the walking dead.
For the kindred in the city, this event is unprecedented. It’s an opportunity to ignore the masquerade and feed upon the disrespectful mortals of the city without fear of the Prince’s wrath. At the Graveyard, all the Kindred in the city ignore the masquerade and must dress in the clothing a dead person would be buried within the cemetery. Many will use make-up or even Obfuscate powers to appear more convincing. The vampires must remain out of sight until the mortal begins snickering or disrespecting the dead. If the mortal does not take the ritual seriously then they may be fed from under the watchful gaze of the hierarchy. The mortals are always given a wild story regarding the dead being arisen and walking in the graveyard and are dominated and driven back to the block party terrified. Those mortals who show respect to the spirits of the deceased, and bring a gift to honor the dead, only ever see "The Lord of the Dead" sitting on an unmarked tomb. They are granted a wish...
This festival is the only time, as per the treaty with the Lupines, which Kindred are permitted to feed on native mortals in Dublin. The festival is meant to honor the spirits of Ireland’s deceased, and to assure that those who dwell within Dublin do not forget what their ancestors have sacrificed. Many kindred and kine alike tell tales of feeling and seeing the presence of spirits on these nights, and some especially skilled kindred know that the veil between the land of the living and the land of the hereafter are especially weak on these nights.
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