What is VtM?
A Note
We recognise fully that at first, Vampire: The Masquerade can appear unapproachable, and overwhelming. The setting and universe contain a plethora of terminology, references, and niche language that can be alienating to people who want to explore the world, but have no prior experience. Especially when trying to craft the story you as a player want to tell, or figure out how your character fits into the World of Darkness; it is completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and confused.
As Organisers, we remember how disorienting and disheartening this can be. We've been in those shoes before! It's jarring! Were it not for a community that was willing to walk us through it, we'd never have got to enjoy this setting that we adore.
Whilst this page is attempting to emulate that, we recognise that it will likely not cover all possible questions that our players may have. Please, if you have any further questions about the setting or terminology that has been used throughout this website, or in conversations in our Discord, feel free to ask the game team (or even your fellow players if you feel comfortable). We'd love to help!
What is Vampire the Masquerade?
The universe in which our game takes place is a setting rife with monsters. Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts: they are all very real. Not only do they exist, but they walk amongst the world, as neighbours, colleagues, lovers and friends. In the World of Darkness, the stories that make up the myths of the supernatural are all real - and they are all far more monstrous than anyone could have imagined.
In Vampire: The Masquerade, you are playing one of these very beings. A supernatural Vampire, who was once human, and has been dragged into the shadows by a predator, forcing you to be a part of their sordid world whether you like it or not. Every Vampire is a monster, clinging to remnants of their humanity - of who they once were, and how the world once looked. Every night they awaken, cursed, damned, hungry. Their condition is parasitic - subsisting off of the lifeblood of a flock to which they used to belong.
To be a Vampire is to stalk the night: navigating centuries of intrigue and chaos. Centuries of archaic traditions, rules, and religions merged with the modern understanding of technology and the world. Politics, violence, carnality and betrayal are their currency, all in the pursuit of survival now that they find themselves amongst the ranks of the Damned.
The horror is personal. You are the monster. You exist as a bastardisation of humanity, and the sinful urges that exist on the world's periphery. Preternatural powers flow through your veins, with unbound potential. At its core, Vampire: The Masquerade is a tale of conflict, between the limits of morals and humanity in the face of eternal monstrosities: given form in each character.