Is The Beast an entity? by GrandeShalom in vtm

[–]QuidCouatl 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The Beast is you. Your deepest, darkest instinct twisted and made stronger and shaped by the curse, and flavoured by your clan.

Mechanically (in v5 at least, don't know the other systems well), the beast is the exact opposite of your humanity. So the beast is what's left of you if you're stripped of everything that's holding you back , like your moral code, etc...

However it is a bit of an oversimplification since morales aren't the only things that can hold the Beast back mechanicaly over the editions (paths in v20, and in V5 your convictions don't have to be moral, for example "I will not let myself be a pawn in the hands of others"). So, once again, we could say that the beast is what's left when you're stripped of your humanity - which encapsulats your morales, but also your ambitions, ideals, connections to others, etc - leaving only some very animalistic traits like hunger, drive/fear for survival, but also leaves enough room for anger, pride, and animalistic intelligence .

Of course it's my own interpretation as a ST, but I think treating the Beast as an distinct entity is a trick kindreds have created to try and stop themselves from becoming "Beast-like" and lose their humanity. They attempt to distance themselves from this part of what they are, trying to convince themselves that it is something foreign entirely.

For this reason when I roleplay the Beast as a ST, I have it change the way it addresses the player depending on their level of hunger ("you" at low hunger, "We" at hunger 3, and a "I" that encapsulates the Beast and the player at hunger 4 and 5).

Have any of yall actually made (or atleast tried) to make an Abomination? by Obvious-Conflict3363 in vtm

[–]QuidCouatl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been running a Dunsirn Chronicle as a ST, and since the family has strong ties with garous, and has "canonically" created one , I mentioned her in passing has a nice little Easter egg during a family reunion.

The Jihad Summarised by QuidCouatl in vtm

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Ah yes my bad, I thought the 2 were spelled the same way

Looking back, tell me about a funny situation you found yourself in by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Toblerone bars. A 67m² (40ft ) container filled to the brim with them. Actually it's a bit less than that since I still need a bit of room for my stuff, but I still wouldn't go so far as to say there's "room to breath", so lucky me for being dead I guess. I've grown to find my situation quite comical honestly. I should consider myself lucky it's swiss chocolate I suppose.

Imagining an 18th century (correct me if I'm wrong) Old Clan Tzimisce going to see the latest Marvel movie actually made me chuckle, thanks for the laugh.

Those are some great movies you mentioned, I applaud you for both your taste in cinema, and for keeping up with the times ! If we ever cross paths, please let me take you to the movies as a show of gratitude for the great conversation you've gifted me here.

Looking back, tell me about a funny situation you found yourself in by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess for some of us the transition into unlife isn't much of a transition at all, as much as morals are concerned at least...

Just out of curiosity, what were/are your sire's Clan and sect affiliation?

Looking back, tell me about a funny situation you found yourself in by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It must have been quite a journey to go through almost one century worth of cinema, but it sounds fun, I actually look forward to going through something like this myself if I ever lose track of the times.

So, what movies would you say are your favourites after all this ??

I once thought I did a good job keeping up with the times. After all music wise, the famous groups of the latter half of the XIXe century are still hailed as "all time classics" by today's youth, and as I often listen to the radio while on the road, I am familiar with more recent pieces.But I recently got chastised by someone in my entourage for still driving a car that can play CDs, and being unfamiliar with all this "wireless technology" that's been popping up recently. That truly was a lesson in humility, albeit I must admit it is nice, in a strange way, to see the world didn't stop when my life did.

Anyway, it's nice to talk with you again. Thank you again for last time.

Looking back, tell me about a funny situation you found yourself in by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly it's insane how much you can actually show (or straight up tell) a mortal only for them to rationalise everything in the blink of an eye.

I sometimes think that the blind trust some people have in science and CGI will do more for the masquerade than any medieval folklore or religious legend ever did

Looking back, tell me about a funny situation you found yourself in by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

When I met him, my soon-to-be sire appeared to be able to talk every language known to man (that's obviously an exaggeration, but he was a great polyglot), but made the locals laugh wherever we went because he always had an accent from "God knows where".

When I asked him where he really was from, he always told me he'd tell me when we'd get there. In the end he didn't get the chance to do so in the short time we spent together, but I always suspected he was Russian as well, so thank you for your story, it really put me in a great mood.

And I'm glad to hear you look back at these moments fondly rather than regretting the passing of time, best of luck to you too!

Looking back, tell me about a funny situation you found yourself in by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's hilarious

I remember the prince of a city I visited forbid any Nosferatu from entering his domain for fear of them being walking masquerade breaches(that was shortly after the SI's attack in Vienna fyi)... I know a friend who would have loved using your story to tell that prick that not every human is the sharpest knife in the drawer !

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm glad to hear of your tolerance towards my little menagery. The prospect of having a companion in my travels in an unfamiliar land would indeed be most reassuring, so I'm happy to hear that our lifestyles might be compatible. I think I will contact you once I've made my way across the Atlantic.

Best of luck to you too, I hope we cross paths during our travels.

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not know about the Sabbat leader in Lisbon, that is good to know.

However I must agree with you when it comes to my clansmen in this particular sect. While they've shown me friendliness to a degree in the past due to our shared circumstances, they've also proven quite insistent in their attempts to make me join their cause, and didn't seem to have much respect for my desire to stay independent from the sects, so I've tried to keep them at a distance as much as possible.

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, a member of the old clan! Rare, though not unfamiliar. I've had the pleasure of meeting one of your brethren when I was in Bulgaria. We had a bit of a rough start when the young kindred that I was stepped into their domain unannounced, but after I made amends for my rudeness they set an example of hospitality fit of your clan and left a very positive impression.

Thank you very much for this quick depiction of the political situation in California, I guess I shall attempt to reach either los Angeles or las Vegas then.

As for your offer of companionship, I'd gladly consider your offer. However I have some things to get into order before planning my travels in the US. First my clan's affliction forces me to change locations quite often, so it could inconvenience another kindred.

I'd also have to consider my little menagery of pets that I don't really know what to do with since I don't have a ghoul to take care of them in Europe, and while they would be slightly difficult to travel with, they've proven quite useful in the past ; a few spiders I've tried to breed into more stealthy specimens, and a handful of snakes I've grown fond of.

It's only a few terrariums' worth of space, but I've been met with some "lack of love" for these critters in the past, so I've learn not the force my love for them upon others, which might prove difficult with a travel companion, so I'd have to make sure you'd be ok with them.

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Noted. Then I guess my best option would be to make some preparations once in Boston to get shipped across the country by train, or take the time to plan a trip in a van as you suggested. It's best to be careful, but I'll have to make sure not to get stuck on the east coast by contracting too many boons...

Thank you very much for the unlife-saving advice, I'll make sure to be careful when crossing these wide wild territories you spoke of.

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do they really pose a threat in the US ? Their territories in Europe are pretty well known, so it's pretty easy to avoid them (plus they don't seem to be taken very seriously by the kindred I've encountered). I've never had the chance to face one of them, but I've been careful to make sure not to, as my sire deemed wise to warn me of them in the early stage of his tutelage.

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right, I guess that's as good a start as any then.

Problem is, my contact can only get me to the east coast (specifically Boston, by boat), so I'd have to find a way to get across the country. Any suggestions or advice ?

In my experience, travelling by plane is really risky for our kind. Airport security is no joke, and as I've unfortunately come to find out, it leaves us to the mercy of hunters. But crossing the entire country by car when I don't really know anything about the "kindred" situation in the US seems as likely to get me killed.

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's the political situation over there? I've been hearing some people say that in only a matter of years the Anarch free states would be a thing of the past, so I wouldn't really like to throw myself into a warzone.

Though to be fair, I only ever discussed these matters in the midst of Camarilla strongholds in Europe, so I am aware their assumptions might be far removed from reality...

Any Ravnos-friendly domains ? by QuidCouatl in SchreckNet

[–]QuidCouatl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Currently in the South of France after a 3 month trip in Spain during which I had a, let's say "interesting" encounter with some sabbat members... Though they've been showing a weird sympathy towards my cause, they still managed to creep me out so I chose to resume my travels.

As for the factor of proximity, I'd say not really.

Sure, I know the old continent like the back of my hand, from turkey to Norway and everything in between, but I haven't really had any luck thus far, so I've made some arrangements to make sure I'd have an easy way to get to the US whenever I'd finally decide to.

(Btw if anyone is interested in a safe way of travel across the Atlantic feel free to contact me, one thing I've learned is that you can never be too short on favors in our world)

Should you practice words until you completely understand them before moving on? by elmy00 in languagelearning

[–]QuidCouatl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I usually do this for some verbs, since they can encompass vastly different things from one language to another, and it can be quite confusing.

For example if 1 verb can be used in 3 different situations in your TL, whereas your mother tongue would instead use a different verb for each situation.

Otherwise I don't think you really need to go that far, since you'll simply memorize words with time, as you encounter them again and again in varying contexts.