Ups!
I find the Unblooded to be very fun because of the challenge of playing one. My friends (and Ben
) can tell you that I am a big voice kinda guy and now I am forced to play someone whose very survival depends on not speaking up. The Unblooded though are very good at just sitting at the edge of a scene and listening. I play with some very good people who don't even acknowledge my presense unless they need someone. This really plays into the servants having all sorts of inside info. John has plans for the Unblooded. One of the many benefits to having the guy who wrote the game be your Narrator is you get glimpses into upcoming things. Peasant Magic is only the beginning. John already has given me some stuff for the "Talashan" aspect which are really cool. I won't get into them here because they aren't official yet, but you can be an Unblooded proper bastard in good ven style. John has also let onto darker, unspeakable things that the Unblooded do....
You can have more freedom as an Unblooded. The Ven are handicapped by their rules of decorum, which don't apply to us. I was speaking to an ork in front of 3 other ven and they didn't care. I think it might've been refered to as "dirt talking to mud." Use this to your advantage to have some fun game play. Poison someone's meal, your dirt, surely you don't possess the brain power to use poison! Watch the ven turn on each other, giggle on the inside.
Downs!
Biggest problem I am having is interacting with the game. Thus I am having problems generating style. Thus, I was the only one at the end of my last game with zero style. Some of this was expected, but even after that I still finding it to be rough. I can't intiate conversation and if I do, its generally to follow an order or get berated. Since most of my "style" comes from being behind the scene-ish, many players dont see what I am doing and thus no one is pointing at me and saying "Style that man!" I take some blame as well, as I should try my damnest to interact, but I am also trying not to get killed. Prepare to spend a lot of time being quiet. I also think this has to do with the group I game with, many of them will give style for something really funny/stupid/outlandish and not for maintaining good RP. Its called "failing upwards," and its not a bad thing, its just not the best evironment for what I am trying to do. I am trying to work out a way to get around these issues, but I haven't come up with anything I like. I am sort of abusing the "friendly game" we have to slide myself into situations, but its still nominal. The only thing I could think of is to go amongst the peasants, but then I have to pull a narrator away from the game to do that and thats just wankerish.
You are dirt. You get treated like dirt. You may have the best damn Unblooded char concept ever, but one word from a Blooded PC or NPC and its all over. Hopefully your Narrator will be kind (For a bit) and give you some passes, but don't expect it. It all can fall down at a moments notice.
Ryan's Do's and Don't For Unbloodeds! (These are all Ryan's opinions)
DO attach yourself to a PC. You get someone to speak up for you and they get a free NPC Vassal. It works for both people. I recommend scouting ahead and finding a PC that fits with what you want. My rugged mountain man wouldn't work with the Fox. I found me a Falcon, damnit!
DON'T try to play your Unblooded as some independent minded FIGHT THE MAN guy. You can get killed for no reason and it really detracts from the main part of the game. Namely, the Blooded. Fight the man should be done secretly, not out in the open.
DO get yourself a power. Peasant Magic, Talashan, or both. These powers give you a niche that non of the Blooded can do and may get you a stay of execution if you are damn useful.
DON'T overuse the powers. Its bad. Its wankerish. It gets you on "You get killed avenue." Remember, your powers are considered bad because they aren't from the Suaven. Blooded hate that.
DO still be a ven. Remember, no one expects anything from you and no one looks to you when shit goes south. If you are able to stir the pot a little, then good on you.
DON'T get caught. Ever. Never. Ever. Have some style ready as throw it down as an "Oh shit" button. It is VITALLY IMPORTANT LIKE SUPER IMPORTANT that your wagers and style go to covering your ass. Do your dirty, leave the evidence under someone elses bed.
So, thats my thoughts. Other unblooded have the same expieriences? Different ones? Let us head to the fire and talk while the Blooded party
EDIT: Wow, that was a big post. I didn't know I could write this much in one sitting!
