Changing Breeds
I'm starting up an Apocalypse game, and I'm going to do my best to run it as ST. I've only ST'd one game before, and I honestly don't think I did a very good job. But I really want this Apocalypse game to happen, so i'm going to do my bestest to try and provide a good game for the others. I've got a concept down for the game, and am doing my best to figure out a good plotline that'll run for 10 months or so. Coming up with plot is hard, yo.
But, what i'm really not sure about is how to handle the players that want to play changing breeds. Apocalypse is all about the Garou. The backstory basically describes how the Garou decided in the War of Rage that the other changing breeds "weren't doing it right" and they were tainted and foul and must be destroyed. The Garou decimated most of all of the other changing breeds, and now those that are left have an ingrained hatred right back at the Garou for their terrible treatment upon their ancestors. Now, present day, some Garou consider the War of Rage as one of the Garou's biggest mistakes, knowing that the war against the Wyrm would be better fought with the assistance of the other changers, but that little can be done to erase the past. Most Changing Breeds do their best to hide from the Garou else they too be destroyed in a last final attempt to eradicate their breed. So.. they just all generally do not get along.
But I have at least two players that have outright said they will not play unless they get to play the Changing Breed they specifically want to play. I'm honestly fine with the guy that wants to play a Corax. The Corax is one of two changing breeds that generally get along with the Garou to a small extent. But then I've got a guy that has his heart set on Bastet, and will not play at all if he doesn't get to play one. (I *hate* ultimatums from players). He wants to play a scout type, and safe-haven keeper. I fear that the character interaction he will be reduced to will be so minimal that he simply won't have fun at the games. There's also the chance that he might just get killed by the Garou too. I don't really want to tell him no, because I want him to play. But I just don't know if I can reasonably accept the breed into the game because they just Do Not Get Along.
Most people when I ask how to work in changing breeds just tell me "don't" and be done with it. But then I get players that will ONLY play changing breeds ... and I really want as many people to play as possible. But I suppose if adding an extra body really does nothing to add to the game, then maybe its not that beneficial. Its like those instances where you add a player to a game that simply does not work well with the group and wants to do everything solo (kinda like Bastet tend to do).. and when they demand the Storyteller's attention for their solo plot stuff.. it takes the ST away from the larger group. Or.. I could just treat him as a semi-NPC..
I dunno.. hard to consider.
But, what i'm really not sure about is how to handle the players that want to play changing breeds. Apocalypse is all about the Garou. The backstory basically describes how the Garou decided in the War of Rage that the other changing breeds "weren't doing it right" and they were tainted and foul and must be destroyed. The Garou decimated most of all of the other changing breeds, and now those that are left have an ingrained hatred right back at the Garou for their terrible treatment upon their ancestors. Now, present day, some Garou consider the War of Rage as one of the Garou's biggest mistakes, knowing that the war against the Wyrm would be better fought with the assistance of the other changers, but that little can be done to erase the past. Most Changing Breeds do their best to hide from the Garou else they too be destroyed in a last final attempt to eradicate their breed. So.. they just all generally do not get along.
But I have at least two players that have outright said they will not play unless they get to play the Changing Breed they specifically want to play. I'm honestly fine with the guy that wants to play a Corax. The Corax is one of two changing breeds that generally get along with the Garou to a small extent. But then I've got a guy that has his heart set on Bastet, and will not play at all if he doesn't get to play one. (I *hate* ultimatums from players). He wants to play a scout type, and safe-haven keeper. I fear that the character interaction he will be reduced to will be so minimal that he simply won't have fun at the games. There's also the chance that he might just get killed by the Garou too. I don't really want to tell him no, because I want him to play. But I just don't know if I can reasonably accept the breed into the game because they just Do Not Get Along.
Most people when I ask how to work in changing breeds just tell me "don't" and be done with it. But then I get players that will ONLY play changing breeds ... and I really want as many people to play as possible. But I suppose if adding an extra body really does nothing to add to the game, then maybe its not that beneficial. Its like those instances where you add a player to a game that simply does not work well with the group and wants to do everything solo (kinda like Bastet tend to do).. and when they demand the Storyteller's attention for their solo plot stuff.. it takes the ST away from the larger group. Or.. I could just treat him as a semi-NPC..
I dunno.. hard to consider.