Melbourne Customs

From CamMelbourne

Melbourne Customs

These are the Customs of Melbourne. They are summarised here to give players a reference to Melbourne In Character history and the feel of the game. New ideas for Customs that have fallen out of use will be accepted. Send ideas to vampirevst@gmail.com

The Summer and Winter Balls

The Summer and Winter Balls are large social events held outside Elysium, but considered to be free from violence and free for all to attend, regardless of social or political standing.

The Summer Ball represents a celebration of the Australian summer, and is held in January. It is expected that attendees dress brightly, forgoing black or white in their attire. It was in January of 1939 that Goran Markusovic lead the Unaligned Revolt against the Carthian Council, in which a half of Melbourne’s Court were killed. The wearing of colour is taken as a honouring the memory of those killed on Black Friday, especially those considered to be innocent victims.

The Winter ball is a dirge in the depths of the winter’s chill in July. It is expected that all attendees forgo colour in their dress, wearing only black and white. It was in July that Goran and the Unaligned were defeated and driven from Melbourne by Ijon Hall and his supporters. Wearing black or white here is considered to honour the memory of those who died fighting to regain control of the city and mourning for the period of lawlessness that Melbourne had undergone. Lest We Forget.

Those who attend the Summer or Winter Ball dressed appropriately and refrain from violence for the night are rewarded with the blessing of summer or winter, as appropriate. This blessing is an item card that gives the ability to redraw any one non-combat related challenge. The card can only be used inside Melbourne, and expires before the next seasonal ball.

Seasonal Court

The Seasonal Court takes place every three months, sometimes on Elysium. It is a Formal Court of the head of the city (Prince, High Councillor, Tyrant etc). Business of State is expected to be taken care of at this event.

Proper etiquette is expected throughout the night. The Formality of the Court demands that an opening and closing address are made, and announced as such.

All attendees to a Seasonal Court who are acting in an appropriately formal manner (as judged by the ST, if there is any dispute) receive a situational bonus of their Melbourne Status on any challenge during the formal proceedings, from the opening address to the closing address. Those who break formality and act improperly receive a situational penalty of their Melbourne Status on challenges within the same time frame.

The Invictus Oath of Dedication

This is the basic Oath all Melbourne Invictus are expected to swear. Although a brief and simple Oath, it is taken very seriously by the Covenant. The vassal usually swears to one, or all, members of the Inner Circle, pledging that “For so long as I exist within Melbourne, all that I am and all that I own shall be Invictus.” Previously this Oath has been performed as a version of the Oath of Blood Tell, creating a physical representation of the inductee’s loyalty to the Covenant.

It is not unheard of for a vampire to desire to leave the Invictus, despite having sworn this Oath. In cases like these the Covenant usually allows such perfidy only on the basis that the exiting vampire makes a gift of his worldly possessions, including retainers, to members of the Invictus and voluntarily gives up his existing status at a Seasonal Court. Despite the fact that the vampire will usually be immediately re-Acknowledged by a Prince, the literal meaning of the Oath is then considered to have been fulfilled and the exiting vampire is considered free of his previous obligations.

Only those maintaining the Custom by swearing the Oath are permitted to purchase the Invictus merit “House Membership – Melbourne”, gaining access to the other House Membership associated merits.

Those who break the Oath by leaving the Covenant with Status or possessions in tact receive a situational penalty of their own level of status to any attempt to defend their assets against an Invictus attack until their second Seasonal Court away from the Covenant.

The Lancea Sanctum Custom of Sanctuary

St Paul’s Cathedral is a Sanctuary, a place where protection is given. Anyone accepted onto the grounds of Sanctuary can be expected to remain safe there.

Anyone going against the Custom of Sanctuary by attempting violence on someone accepted onto the grounds of the Cathedral receives a negative circumstance penalty of their Melbourne Status to any dice pools while on Sanctified ground. Those protecting the Cathedral receive a bonus of their Melbourne Status to combat dice pools.

Previous Customs

A number of Customs have fallen out of favour over the years. Among these are the Carthian Games, and the Night Market, both begun originally by Melbourne Carthians.

Significant dates in the future

Anniversaries of events in Melbourne’s history make for a handy game premise.

2008 – Black Friday fires. 70 years

In 1938 Goran Markusovic brought about the end of the Carthian Council under Alicia Nunn with the Black Friday fires. Over half the Court was destroyed and the Unaligned ruled Melbourne for six years. January 2008 will be exactly 70 years since the Unaligned Revolt, and the perfect premise for a big Premium game.

2008 – Second Carthian Revolt. 10 years.

In 1998 Alec Red attempted to overthrow Prince Victor Haussman and re-instate Council rule. Shunned by most Carthians, the revolt failed and Alec was driven from the city. He was finally brought to justice and destroyed towards the end of 2004.

2009 – First Carthian Revolt. 100 years.

In 1909 the Carthians under Alicia Nunn revolted against Prince Charlotte O’Reardon. Prince Charlotte was placed on trail for Treason soon after being deposed, found Guilty and executed for her crimes.