% ($Id: starts.setite.chess.html,v 1.1.1.1 1998/08/07 05:34:46 korg Exp $)


\chapter{Setites Chess}


\begin{quote}
"I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it."

{\em -- Ashleigh Brilliant  and  Samu Mielonen (f1sami at uta dot fi)}
\end{quote}




\section{Players}

Four players in this system less bash, set in the Vampire world.

I stated that they needed a reason to stick together, so like most
players, they decided that "We play paint ball together" was enough.
So I thought "Fine, be like that then!"
If they were going to make it hard on me, then I will give them a
reason\footnote{They say suffering is good for the soul. :-) }
to stick together.
I had been meaning to play a Chess game with my origional group, but
the chance never arose, I used a variation of it for the starter in
this group. I was, I suppose, partially based on {\em Player of Pawns}
from \cite{ww:sc}, which I had read. But it was heavily modified by
my ideas on what settites would actually be like, how their corruption
would actually mainifest.

\section{Idea}

The idea of this mini adventure is to get the players embraced and
into vampire society for the rest of the adventure to start. I would
like their experiance of vampires to be one of initial shock at the
discovery, replaced with horror at their action and then becoming that
monster. 

I needed some way to get them 'into' vampire action, the Chess idea
offered a good way of providing the surprise and horror elements.
I needed some way to force them to play. To this end, I decided that the
Setites decided that the mortals they were playing with were a bit
understaffed and wanted to `help' them increase their pieces.
The settites forged evidence that, if given to
the police, would put players in prision or atleast a lot of trouble. 
They wanted to force the group to the mortals side and/or bring Alister,
who they think they can corrupt, into the game.

Setites are white, mortals are black. Because of the reluctance to
play on the black team, the settites have blackmail material
on each of the players and their loved ones. This combined with threats
of death if they leave is usually sufficent to ensure a good game.

\subsection{Evidence}

The evidence was documentary evidence that showed Alister had fiddled
the books at his work, using Roberts computer skills. Peter, the boss
found out about it, and attempted to blackmail the pair. They
convinced Duke and Lily to kill Peter. The Setites have forged
recorded voice
conversations of the planning of the hit. The idea was they Lily lure
Peter to a spot where Duke killed him. To this end, a gun that Duke
examined (from Mickey the Fixer) with his finger prints on it has
been purchased and used to kill Peter.

\subsection{Background}

The settites in Melbourne (not the temple builders) wanted a testing
ground for their pieces that did not directly involve vampiric activity,
and an activity that, if possible, gave them a tool to use against the
existing Camarilla and sabbat powers. Mary thought of the idea of the
chess game with mortals and she became the queen of the white team.
She selected one of her Childer, the most cunning, to become the King
of the team and thus the game was started.

The idea was to form two teams, the settite team that allows them to
train and assess interesting mortals and the other, the mortal team.
By collecting and faking evidence against the mortal team, the
settites stop them from `going public'. By using brutal tactics
against them, they ensure brutal replys, brutal enough to be used
against the sabbat and camarilla kindred. By using political and
financial influence, they build a team capable of gathering
information on the settites enemys. By requiring peak performance,
they have a pool of possible soldiers for any war, ready trained and
requiring only bonding and domination to become efficient loyal
soldiers. Best of all, if they are captured or discovered, they know
nothing of the settites and, with the correct evidence shown to them,
point the finger of blame at the settites or some camarilla patsy.

The Settite team (white) became interested in Alister as a pawn with
financial contacts in the city. After watching him carefully, they
noted his weakness for occult things and his collection friends. The
head of the Settites in the city ordered him contacted and his
usefulness tested.

The black team forged enough evidence to link them all to Peters death,
figuring that this move would also provide an insite to the black teams
control of the police force. They killed Peter and planted the evidence
for the police, but before they could lead the black team to rescue
the group, fate interveaned.

The black team, tailing one of the white players, accidently intercepted
the information after it was planted in Peters car. They could make nothing
of it, in terms of their chess game, and without it, the police have
only suspicions and the 'hints' dropped to the white teams man inside
the police. The black team assume the white team want the group
destroyed, but can see no reason for this.

The black team looked at the evidence and decides to watch the group and
see why the white team wanted them out the way. After seeing no reason,
they decide to contact them and possibly recruit them.

\section{Rules of the Game}

\begin{itemize}
\item	[Pawns] Always mortal, with no idea of Supernatural until they meet
a fighting piece in the battle, or defeat a major piece.
\item	[Knights] Fighting piece.
\item	[Bishops] Fighting and influence piece.
\item	[Rooks] Influence piece, covers others.
\item	[King] planning piece.
\item	[Queen] supplier of influence, money and power.
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Rules}

Two umpires are to be vet any communications with pawns. These
umpires shall be provided by the white team.
The umpires monitor contact between the pawns and the other pieces to
make sure they are not informed of the supernatural.
Any 'extra' communications with pawns shall result in their
destruction. The umpires are garenteed loyal be a large cash payout on
completion of their year of service and threats against their
families.

Pawns may only become major pieces after defeating a piece of equal
or lesser value than that they will become.

\begin{tabular}{|c||c|c|}
\hline
piece			& black			& white \\
\hline
\hline
Umpire			& Jack Peterson		& -- \\
King			& John Potter		& \\
Queen			&			& Mary \\
Kings rook		& Judy Mannering 	& \\
Kings bishop		& 			& Harold Mannering \\
Kings knight		& 			& David Lingman \\
Queens rook		& Albert Bookman	& \\
Queens bishop		& 			& \\
Queens knight		& Demetry Beam		& Colin "col" Ashley \\
Kings pawn		& Anthony Anton		& \\
Queens pawn		& 			& \\
Kings rooks pawn   	& Demetry Donald	& \\
Kings bishops pawn 	& 			& \\
Kings knights pawn 	& Greham Dunn		& Jimmy Croft \\
Queens rooks pawn  	& 			& \\
Queens bishops pawn 	& 			& \\
Queens knights pawn 	& 			& \\
\hline
\end{tabular}


\section{Game time line}
\begin{description}
\item	[Sat] Win paint ball game. Go to "Shades". Duke meets some
shady contacts. Fight starts, some paint is splattered. Lily is not
impressed. Robbo gets a two coats and a few bruises.
\item	[Sun] Robbo, Duke and little Robbie go possum shooting.
\item	[Mon] Peter Smith, Alister's boss and Lily's client (via
Alister) is missing. Alister goes looking. Police Visit, Peter has
been killed. Alister drops in to see the widow. Alister holds a
seance, vision of two people and a led pipe. Lily visits the cells
and meets a few plods, a wasted hours.
\item	[Tue/Wed] Robbo gets a visit from someone interested in the
paint ball team. Meet people in "shades". Meet Demetry (Pawn) and he talks
about the "game". Duke, Robbo and Alister tie up Demetry and drive
him off. Lily and Anthony drive after them.
Take Demetry for a drive and dive into the water. Go and see John
Potter, he talks about the game. Albert (rook) was there too,
as was Jack (Umpire).
\item [Thursday] Happy with new job. Duke is follwed at factory. Its
some woman. Later again at shades. Take her to Potter, umpire says
she is a pawn. She denys it.
\item [Friday] Robbo picks up his son. Little robbie had a message
for his dad from the other sides piece.



\end{description}



\section{Plot}
\begin{itemize}
\item	Get group together. Select target, fit game to group.
\item	Odd things start happening.
\item	Let them meet the black side. Let tehm meet a few of the black
pieces, say a pawn and the king.
Black side will attempt to
convince them that the white side is bad. This is true, but it may
be difficult\footnote{Dont be afraid to lie to players. I
think its a bit early here, but when the game gets going dont be
afraid to have an NPC come up to the players and mislead them for the
NPCs benifit.}. At this stage in the game, dont try to mislead them
too much or your game may not recover.
\item	King explains what he can. About the pieces, the umpires,
about how they can play or the other team will kill them.
\item	Maybe let them meet another piece or two.
\item	Person tailing the players. Its a whte pawn who has been
ordered to follow the players, without any support from other pieces.
The white side are testing to see how long before the players notice.
\item	After the players question the pawn, he will tell them wher to
find his ``boss''. 
\item	The knight will play with them for a bit. They either win or
he lets them go.
\item	HERE

\item	 information on White team meeting place. Go there, King talks from the
shadows. Lets Knight `test' himself on the group. King leaves, Knight
attacks. Chase through the factory.
\item	Knights car has lots of McDonnalds things from Burwood.
Cemetry, King in a crypt with Stonebridge.
\end{itemize}









\section{Non Player Details}
\subsection{Black team}
\subsubsection{John Potter}
Your life in naval intelligence was just starting to show fruition
when you were taken for the game. Your career ruined on the whim of
the evil blood suckers who manipulate, murder and control everything.

You are the leader, the king of your team, people fight and die at
your command. Good people give their life, but atleast you have enough
skill to make sure they those blood suckers suffer for the sacrifice.

The wearyness of this life shows on your face and in your eyes. Soon,
you shall discover their king and the game shall end.

\subsubsection{Demetry McDonald}
Your life was smashed but John helped you put meaning to it all.
You had a choice, flee or fight, you decided to fight those who
destroyed your life. John is not telling you everything, but you are
willing to wait.

\subsubsection{Anthony Halley}
It must be a joke! Has to be. All this pawn and chess stuff. Oh well
atleast you dont have to do that 9 to 5 stuff no more.

\subsubsection{Albert Bookman}
You did not think that you would have this much influence by 32. 
Since the start of the game, you soon became a rook. Since then, you
have been collecting influence in financial circles. You know the
great evil that you fight and would quite happily give up everything
to destroy them for ever.

\subsubsection{Jack Peterson}
Umpire. Why me? Still, if you can survive the year, then your family
will be save and the money will make you comfortable for the rest of
your life. You pity the poor players, but you must do your job, or you
and your family will suffer the retaliation. Just a few more months.

\subsection{Black team}
\subsubsection{Colin "col" Ashley}
Wow! What else can you say. Immortality, power! From nothing, petty
crime on the streets to God amongst humans. All you need is blood,
and thats {\em easy} to take now. Now you have the power, you can do
{\em whatever} you want. The world is yours!

\subsection{Mary}
The game was your idea, one that showed your worth and one that gives
you what you want. Entertainment, money, power and the chance to see
how humans react like mice in a maze.

Mary is detailed in the settite section.







\section{Player Details}
\subsection{Delilah}

\begin{quote}
I can feel for her because, although I have never been an Alaskan
prostitute dancing on the bar in a spangled dress, I still get very
bored with washing and ironing and dishwashing and cooking day after
relentless day.

{\em-- Betty MacDonald }
\end{quote}


\begin{verbatim}
Location: Melbourne, Present era
Occupation: "Good-time girl"
\end{verbatim}

{\bf Known as}: Delilah, Lily

{\bf Remarks}: Born in the not-so-good area of Noble Park. Now aged
24. Family poor. Rebellious at school, so found it hard to obtain
good grades even though I am reasonably "with it". Met guy in Year
11, family moved in Year 12 and I didn't want to go. Stayed behind
after major row with family, but guy ditched me only a few months
later. Nowhere to live, no money. Found myself on the streets of St.~Kilda,
after talking with someone at the railway station (Noble
Park). Started out low in business, but currently in favor with
"Madam" since I saved the butt of one of the girls from some weirdo.
As a result I can choose who has me to some extent.

Lean figure, short dark hair and hazel eyes. Small tattoo of a rose
just below navel. Knows a little of how to fight hand to hand: nail
file can be incredible. Likes to go shopping in fishnets and not much
else in the "better parts" of Toorak sometimes, just to see snobs
reactions.

{\bf Favorite Bar}: a dark, slightly smoky hotel: "Shades". Mixed
lot there- bits of every social group. Occupy the "back room" there
sometimes for "chatting with friends" of course.



\subsection{Robert Douglas Kirchoff}
\begin{quote}
Live fast, die wide.  {\em -D. Groves, unemployed, poor.}
\end{quote}
\begin{verbatim}
Age: 38     Weight: thin  Height: short
Tastes: Great/More filling.
Born: Newcastle, brought up Melbourne
Academic: year 10, Caulfield High School
\end{verbatim}

{\bf Known as}: Rob, Robbo, "The Kid"

{\bf Remarks}: Part of a skirmish team "Flying Leathernecks".
Cowardly, unreliable, smokes, drinks  occasionally, wears glasses.
Unemployed Telecom Engineer on the Dole.
Separated from wife, one child, son, "Little Robbie"
Used to be a Pacifist, but recently converted to pro-weapons.



\subsection{John Wayne}
\begin{quote}
"He's in a gun fight now, I'm going to have to take a message"

{\em-- Ms July, Under Siege}
\end{quote}
\begin{verbatim}
Age: 32     Weight: 105kg     Height: 175cm
Favorite Film:  The Green Berets.
Favorite Actor: John Wayne
Favorite Magazine: Soldier of Fortune
Favorite Book:  War and Peace- the 1st half.
\end{verbatim}

{\bf Known as}: John, "The Duke"\footnote{ Thanks to Simon for "The
Duke", I appreciate that as a response to the rule "No munchkins". :-)}


{\bf Appearance}: Like Homer Simpson, but always sees Arnie in the mirror.
Has scar across his right cheek from when he fell off the swing at
age 4. He thinks it makes him look macho. Has U.S. Marines tattoo on his
right shoulder.

{\bf History}: Was born in Glen Waverley to Mr and Mrs Campbell. They
called him Donald, but he had it changed. When he left school in year
10, he tried to join the army, but he was allergic to army food. He
tried to join the police but he couldn't do the obstacle course. He
works for Pitbull Security on night shift. He likes that because he
can carry his illegal Desert Eagle .44 Mag instead of the wussy .38
the company require. He patrols a factory at Broadmedows. He walks
around with his hand on his gun, jingling his massive bunch of keys
and shining torch around, looking for commies. He has never fired a
shot in anger, but is hanging out for the day when a graffiti artist
gets too cocky. After his shift he goes home to read his magazine or
admire his weapon collection. He is especially proud of his illegal
AK47 which he unfortunately has no ammo for. Things he is a real stud
because Delilah AKA "Mummy"\footnote{Maybe its just me, but I am sure
Frued said stuff about this.} tells him every 2nd Thursday, payday,
when he goes to Tarts'R'us brothel in St. Kilda.

{\bf Remarks}: Part of a skirmish team "Flying Leathernecks".


\subsection{Alister}
\begin{quote}
"He looks like an accountant sweety, doesn't he?"

"A bitter paper pusher, always dealing with salaries larger than his own
and resenting every second of it"

{\em -- Edina Rose and Patsi Stone, Absolutely Fabulous}
\end{quote}
\begin{verbatim}
Occupation: accountant
\end{verbatim}

{\bf Remarks}: Interested in occult matters. Finace named Patrica who
is the quiet type.