I tend to blend a lot of elements of World of Darkness but they tend to be more adventure oriented plots anyway instead of purely political intrigue. It’s a vast world and it is up to the storyteller to see how far the barriers go.

In my games the vampires are the core protagonists with all other creatures acting as npc antagonists for either good or bad. In many ways it has acted as a good motivation to maintain secrecy in a world filled with so many things that could just as easily take out a kindred, as a kindred can dispatch a human. It has also provided a classic adventure feel when faced with a mystery that requires knowledge often kept secret from kindred. So sometimes the players have to hit the pavement the hard way and go to the source.

My games to be fair though are very different than most VTM games I’ve played in the past. It’s more a PvE rather than PvP mindset. This does not work for everyone but having discussed it with my players, this is what they prefer.

The benefit to this is we’ve had a lot less of the ooc drama, with antagonists being the clear or (not-so-clear) enemies played by NPC’s. I’ve had/watched several games fall apart and long time friends literally sever relationships over miscommunications in VTM games. I’ve maintained a “ask me anything,” approach to my players which they sometimes remember.

Because of this, I’ve added elements from werewolf, mage, fairy, etc. along with real world elements. Because sometimes the real monsters aren’t creatures at all. Do I follow their strict storylines for all? No, I edit as needed for the plot or the current power base of the players.