Get documents about "news
Document Sample
These files have been updated: April 2004. You can read the latest version
Of the files on CTNS MUX yourself by simply logging in, and typing "NEWS".
Connection info
Host: ctns.mushpark.com
Port: 6200
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Topic: Description:
------ ---------------------------------------------------
INDEX: An alphabetical listing of all NEWS entries.
POLICY: Rules and guidelines for playing on CTNS.
RP: Roleplaying guidelines and tips.
STAFF: Learn about who is in charge of CTNS.
THEME: Some background information on the books.
WEBPAGES: Useful resources.
Type NEWS <topic> for more information.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
ACTIVITY: Policy for activity for staff and players.
ADVERTISING: Policy on advertisement on CTNS.
AGREEMENT: Our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
ALTS: Policy on playing multiple characters.
CONDUCT: Policy on public conduct.
DISCLAIMER: Policy on not holding us accountable!
IDLING: Policy on idling.
RESTRICTED CHARS: Policy on applying and playing special characters.
Type NEWS POLICY <topic> for more information.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY ACTIVITY
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Players
As a player of CTNS, we hope you will have a lot of fun on our MUX. If you want
to RP once a month, or every day, you are more than welcome to experience the
world of Anita Blake and be a player here! There are no activity requirements
for our players! Of course, the more active you are and the more you log on, the
more you will be able to enjoy yourself here!
However, if players do not log on for more than two months in a row, they become
subject to being 'purged'. These players will not receive a warning, but risk
losing their character in our bi-monthly purge.
If you know you will be inactive for a longer period of time, you can contact a
staff member and report yourself 'on vacation' for a month (or in extraordinary
circumstances for more than a month). Your character will then be saved from the
purge.
Players that are not 'signed off', i.e. still remain in Character Generation,
risk becoming purged after one month without notice.
See NEWS POLICY ACTIVITY 2 for activity requirements of staff members.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY ACTIVITY 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Staff Members
CTNS is an environment in which we are trying to create a good atmosphere, in
which everyone can enjoy themselves. Whatever you put in is what you'll get out,
and hopefully more! If you accept to become a staff member, we will not simply
hope that you are active and contributing, but we will expect it!
Members of the staff, including all Wizards, Royals and non-WizRoys, have a
minimum online time of 24 hours a month. If they do not meet this requirement,
the Head-Wizard will give a warning the first time. If a staffmember does not
meet this requirement a second time, he or she can be relieved from his
position.
Please note that if you are removed in this way, it is hard to regain your staff
position on CTNS at a later time. If you foresee you will not be able to uphold
your activity for a longer period of time and voluntarily step down, you can
join the ranks of our staff without any problems when you return.
In case of a vacation or a short break, always contact the Head-Wizard and
inform them of your lower activity for the month. If you are considered "on
holiday", you do not have to meet the activity requirement for that month.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY ADVERSTISING
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
CTNS is offered to you for free: we are not sponsored by any company and we
would like to keep this MUX a non-profit place on the web. This means we will
not condone any advertisement for companies or advertisement with any commercial
intent.
This means that if you would like to place an advertisement for another MU* or
website, you may only do so if this MU* or website is, like us, completely non-
profit.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY AGREEMENT
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
All players on the City that Never Sleeps must take the effort to read the
following file, which contains the 'Acceptable Use Policy', the AUP. It is our
user agreement, which every player has agreed to proceeding to Character
Generation:
The City that Never Sleeps (CTNS) is an environment based on the Anita Blake-
series by Laurell K. Hamilton. These books, all characters and places in her
books are her intellectual property. On CTNS, we merely use the 'theme' of her
books to recreate a world similar to what she writes about in her novels.
These novels contain some explicit scenes, and likewise you may encounter adult-
oriented violence on this MUX. That is why we ask that only players age 18 or up
accept this user agreement. If you are under 18, we must ask you respectfully to
log out.
See NEWS POLICY AGREEMENT 2 to continue reading our AUP.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY AGREEMENT 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
CTNS is a social environment in which we all try to build a community. The
people you will meet here, the things you will see and take part in should
generally have a welcoming and open atmosphere. However, like in real
communities, you may see, hear and experience things that you will not like.
There is no way we, as staff of the CTNS, can prevent this, because a lot here
happens instantaneously.
We ask you to accept that for the many great things you will experience here,
you may be confronted with things you do not like. If these things strike you as
really inappropriate, please bring them to our attention. In all cases, please
continue contributing to this MUX in a spirit that provides enjoyment for all
the players.
If we change this AUP, you will be notified of it on a public billboard here on
CTNS.
See NEWS POLICY AGREEMENT 3 to read the summary our AUP.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY AGREEMENT 3
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
In short, if you play on CTNS you agree to the following:
1. You are an adult, at least 18 years of age.
2. You will not infringe upon the intellectual property of Laurell Hamilton.
3. You accept that you could be confronted with experiences that you may not
like, even though we try our best to prevent this from happening.
4. The staff is not responsible for the content of the game or the actions of
players on the MUX. Don't blame us!
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY ALTS
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
ALTs are alternative characters, or characters that you play next to the first
character that you created. On CTNS you are allowed to play three different
characters, provided that you play no more than one character in each of the
'afflictions': human, vampire or shapeshifter.
You may even be connected with multiple ALTs at the same time. Proper use of
your alternate character means that at all times you will steer your characters
in such a way that they do not get in touch with each other ICly.
We do require you to register any ALTs you may have in CharGen (Character
Generation), where you will be asked to do so. This registration, in principle,
is for the benefit of the CTNS staff first and foremost. However, it is not more
than appropriate if you regard a certain 'transparency' regarding your ALTs,
i.e. not make a secret of who your ALTs are.
See NEWS POLICY ALTS 2 for more information regarding ALTs.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY ALTS 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
The staff of CTNS has the ability to see your host address, to help us determine
which characters are played by a single player. If you fail to register your
ALTs in CharGen and CTNS staff determines two unregistered characters are played
by one player, you will become subjected to disciplinary matters.
If there are more players making use of a single computer (host), please notify
the CTNS staff to prevent any problems. We accept that it is possible that there
are two or more unique players making use of a single computer (for instance a
family in which a brother and a sister log on to CTNS). In principle, this means
that we'll accept this situation when you notify us.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY CONDUCT
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
>From the user agreement, and your own common sense, it should be obvious that
we intent the "City that Never Sleeps" to be a pleasurable environment. Although
the players here are all adults, we do not condone any publicly obscene conduct,
language or RP. If you disregard this policy, staff will use any means necessary
to stop this kind of behavior. All reports about obscene behavior will be dealt
with in a serious manner.
Playing in Anita Blake's 'universe', you may come into touch with scenes that
you consider improper or indecent, for instance when we are talking about adult-
oriented violence pr sexually-oriented roleplay. If you feel a scene becomes too
visual, you should notify the players you are roleplaying with. who may adjust
their style so that the scene becomes acceptable to all parties. No player has
the right to force another player into RPing a scene that they feel is too
obscene.
See POLICY CONDUCT 2 to continue reading about this policy.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY CONDUCT 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Every player is responsible for creating a pleasant atmosphere. This means that
if someone asks you to take a topic they consider improper to a private channel
(e.g. paging), you should adhere to that. On the other hand, every player
carries their own responsibility to let others know about their discomfort with
a situation.
Last, but as the saying goes, not least: CTNS does not condone any form of
discrimination. If you feel any harassment due to your ethnic background, your
religion, beliefs, or your lifestyle, please report this to the staff, who will
deal with this in a serious manner.
Please keep in mind, however, that you have an obligation to adhere to other
players when they object to your public ventilation of ideas or beliefs. CTNS
is, first and foremost, a roleplay environment, not a public arena. If, at any
time, there are questions or doubt about a situation, please contact the staff.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY DISCLAIMER
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
This file is pretty simple and based on NEWS POLICY AGREEMENT and NEWS POLICY
CONDUCT. If you have read those, you may consider this the chocolate sprinkles
on the pie ;)
First and foremost, the staff of CTNS is not responsible for player behavior,
that is, we cannot stop any comments, scenes or behavior that could be
considered improper or obscene.
Second, the staff cannot guarantee your privacy. This is not a policy, it is a
simple fact. If you log in on CTNS, you give up your privacy rights.
Lastly, CTNS is in no way sponsored by Laurell K. Hamilton, her publisher or any
of her associates. This is not an 'official site'. Please do not infringe upon
her copyright!
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY IDLING
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
This, also, is quite simple. There is an automatic 'inactivity timeout' if you
idle, i.e. do not execute any commands on CTNS for sixty minutes, you will be
disconnected. It is not allowed to:
a) make use of any 'tricks' that execute a command for you, preventing the
inactivity timeout.
b) make use of an automated reconnect feature that automatically connects you
when you are disconnected.
If you are going to be away from your computer or otherwise inactive for over an
hour, simply use 'LOGOUT' or 'QUIT' and log in whenever you come back. This
keeps the list of who is connected clean of people who really are not there at
all!
Even though staff members may have the power to go avoid their inactivity
timeout, they should not use this, unless serious circumstances require the use
of this power.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY RESTRICTED CHARS
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Everyone is allowed to make a human character with a reasonable background.
Being an animator is cool, being the best animator in the world, isn't. Playing
a vaudun priest is allowed, being the reincarnated Dominga Salvador isn't. Cool
things are cool, don't make it too crazy, though.
All really exceptional human characters, all vampires and shapeshifters are
considered 'restricted characters', otherwise known as RC. You may apply for a
RC after two weeks since your acceptation of our user agreement. You do this by
using the @mail system to contact one or all staff members. Please provide us
with a description of the character you want to play.
See POLICY RESTRICTED CHARS 2 for more information.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
POLICY RESTRICTED CHARS 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Staff will compare the 'rarity' of your character request with the amount of
time you have been on CTNS, your activity here, your role-play ability and your
behavior. For new players this means that if they roleplay actively in their
first two weeks and we have received no complaints about their behavior, they
should be able to apply for a not-too-important vampire or shapeshifter
character.
For a 300-year-old Master vampire, we may require just a tad more ;) If you are
unsure about whether qualify for a RC, or if you have any questions, please: ask
us!
Once you have been approved for a character, you can either decide to let your
current character be 'bitten' or wounded by a vampire or shapeshifter, or you
can go into CharGen and create a completely new character. Proceed through
CharGen as usual, and then ask a staff member to set the vampire or shapeshifter
tag on you!
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
RP
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
RP stands for roleplay, which is pretty self-explanatory: you play a role. The
goal of the 'City that Never Sleeps' is not to gain experience points, not to
become the mightiest villain or hero, not to find the sacred sword, but simply
to roleplay in the world as described in Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake:
Vampire Hunter novels.
By assuming a role of someone that could live in this world, we interact with
each other by describing what our characters do and say, creating our own
storylines, our own excitement and danger, love and hate, friends and enemies.
These files contain some guidelines for RP, as well as some pointers to help you
get started. However, there is no better way to learn than by doing! So go ahead
and ask someone for RP and make your day!
See NEWS RP 2 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
RP 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
IC and OOC
IC stands for In Character, which relates to everything your character knows,
does, and is. OOC stands for Out Of Character, which entails everything you as a
player know, do and are. Everything you do in roleplay is IC, but a chat on the
<public> channel, a page or an <OOC> message during a scene are all OOC.
One of the most important things in roleplay is that you do not use what you, as
a player, know because of your OOC knowledge. Whether that knowledge comes from
someone else on the game, or perhaps from one of the Anita Blake books, be
realistic about whether your character would actually have that piece of
information.
Please resist the temptation of using OOC information that your character ICly
has no way of knowing. In all cases it is important that you realize this is not
a game that you can 'win'. This is not about being 'the best', but this is a
world that you are trying to experience.
See NEWS RP 3 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
RP 3
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Powerposing
One of the rules in roleplay is that you cannot pose for another player. You can
only RP what you do, not how another player reacts. As an example, you can pose
hitting someone, but you cannot pose knocking someone out flat. The other player
should decide what the punch did to him or her.
This means that roleplay calls upon the mature and realistic behavior of
everyone involved. Again, no one should be trying to win something, but everyone
should realize that we are all here to experience something fun!
See NEWS RP 4 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
RP 4
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Vampires, Shapeshifters and others
Vampires have the possibility to hypnotize others. Shapeshifters are
exceptionally strong. Vaudun priests can use their special powers. In the
universe of Anita Blake, characters have powers that we are not present or not
common in our every day lives.
In RP, as a special character, you have a responsibility to use that power in a
productive way: to enhance RP, to make our experience of the universe more real.
Try and communicate OOCly with your RP partners, cooperate together to make a
scene worthwhile, and try to limit or exclude powerposing (except that which has
the approval of your RP partners)
If two (or more) players cannot agree, please ask a staff member to mediate
and/or make a judgment in the case. If no staff member is on, and no common
ground can be found to continue the RP, you should postpone it until a later
moment. Every player has the right to consult a staff member on a scene.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
STAFF
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
The City that Never Sleeps is run, in principle, by the "Head-Wizard", the owner
of the game. All ultimate decisions regarding the game in all its aspects lie in
her hands. The only area over which the Head-Wizard, or any other staff member,
has authority is the real-life relations and the real-life actions between
players.
To help her run the MUX, the Head-Wizard has appointed a Staff. All staff
members are equal, and can make (non-reversible) decisions in the absence of
the Head-Wizard. Because all staff members are equal, one staff member cannot
overturn the decision of another staff member.
See NEWS STAFF 2 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
STAFF 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Staff member decisions
Staff members can be consulted for IC (theme / RP) and OOC matters. When a staff
member is consulted, or when a staff member feels it necessary to make a
decision, all players must adhere to their decision. Staff members should make
their decisions based on the information from the books, these NEWS files, non-
documented staff policy, and the views of the players involved in a situation.
Players must adhere to all decisions made by staff members, even if they do not
agree with them or when they (seem to) contradict the books, NEWS files or
previous policy. However, every player has the right to appeal to the Head-
Wizard if they do not agree with a staff member. The Head-Wizard will seriously
deal with a player's appeal or complaint and will notify all parties involved of
her decision within seven days - unless there are good reasons to postpone this
decision.
See NEWS STAFF 3 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
STAFF 3
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Apart from their authority to make (reversable) decisions in the absence of the
Head-Wizard, the staff members are mainly there to help other players. If you as
a player have a question about any aspect of the game, you are encouraged to
contact any of the staff members, who will deal with your question, comment or
complaint in an appreciative manner.
Ethics
Staff members may have special powers (granted to them through a Wizard or Royal
flag), which they can use in order to make CTNS a better environment, resolve
problems and help players. However, these powers should always be used in a
productive and ethical manner. In order to prevent any misuse of these powers,
every staff member should act in accordance with Amberyl's Wizard Ethics
(http://www.godlike.com/mushman/wiz-ethics.html). If you suspect a staff member
is misusing their powers, please contact the Head-Wizard with your concerns.
See NEWS STAFF 4 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
STAFF 4
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Admins
Next to the staff members, who assist the Head-Wizard in running the game, there
are also a group of players called "admins". Admins are players who are non-
staffmembers, but carry a Wizard or Royal flag nonetheless. They maintain and
develop the code and/or the server of CTNS and are directly answerable to the
Head-Wizard. Admins, like staff members, are subject to the Wizard Ethics
mentioned in NEWS STAFF 3. Players, in general, will not have much contact with
admins.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
ANIMATORS: About animators and animation.
SHAPESHIFTERS: About 'weres': the lukoi, the pard, the rodere.
UNDEAD: Ghosts, Ghouls, Zombies and Co.
VAMPIRES: The undead with fangs.
VOCABULARY: Useful words to know.
Type NEWS THEME <topic> for more information.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME ANIMATORS
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Animators are rare individuals who have a special relationship with the dead.
They have the ability to call the dead from their grave as zombies.
In order to be raise zombies, the following steps are taken by an animator:
* Animation requires a death. A chicken is often used, but for older zombies a
larger death (such as a goat) is requirement. For very old corpses, a human
sacrifice becomes necessary.
* The blood of the animal is used to create a circle around the grave. It is not
possible to leave the bloodcircle, the animator breaks it.
* The blood is then rubbed over the face, both hands, under the shirt, and over
the heart of the animator, and needs to be rubbed onto the tombstone.
* The animator uses ointment on his flesh and on the tombstone. The ointment
usually contains herbs and mold.
* A chant is made to call the zombie, and then when it is called forth, using
the person's name. It is hard to raise a zombie when you do not know their name.
* The zombie must feed on the sacrifice to bring some kind of human remembrance
to it.
Animators also lay zombies to rest. In order to do this, they use salt and the
blood of the sacrifice.
See NEWS THEME UNDEAD to read more about zombies.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME SHAPESHIFTERS
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Shapeshifters are also called: "lycanthropes" or "weres". This file will first
describe general characteristics of lycanthropes, and afterwards elaborate on
several groups: the werewolves, the wereleopards and the wererats.
Lycanthropes
Shapeshifters or lycanthropes are humans infected with a blood disease that
causes them to shift into their respective animal at full moon. Lycanthropes can
also shift into their animal at their wish. People risk becoming infected if a
lycanthrope (in shifted form) injures them, or if they are injected with the
disease.
Fortunately for lycanthropes, humans are generally unable to see that someone is
a shifter. Lycanthropes are often discriminated against in society. People tend
to dislike lycanthropes teaching their kids, working in food processing, in the
medical field and so on. This is why lycanthropes often keep their disease a
secret.
See NEWS THEME SHAPESHIFTERS 2 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME SHAPESHIFTERS 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Effects
Lycanthropes heal very fast, even from severe wounds. Lost limbs can be regained
in shifting to animal form. In addition, lycanthropes cannot become infected.
This makes shifters hard to kill, although they are vulnerable to silver.
Usually taking off a shifter's head or heart does the trick. Shapeshifters are
also exceptionally strong, as well as fast and agile.
Shifting
As said earlier, lycanthropes shift at least once a month, at full moon, and
more often if they induce the shifting themselves. If lycanthropes shift back
into their human form too soon, they will suffer from a coma, which lasts at
least 12 hours. Normally, they collapse back into their human form after 8-10
hours.
The closer it is to full moon, the faster lycanthropes can find themselves
shifting against their will. For instance, fresh blood or strong emotions can
cause lycanthropes to shift. The closer it is to full moon, the harder it will
be to resist. During shifting, a lycanthrope is vulnerable. After shifting, a
lycanthrope must feed.
See NEWS THEME SHAPESHIFTERS 3 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME SHAPESHIFTERS 3
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Hierarchy
Weres generally form strong groups, which take care of their own. The power
system within such a group is a natural hierarchy. The stronger and more
dominant, the higher in the chain you are. To climb the ladder of hierarchy,
shifters must fight duels with those higher in the chain than they are. To
become the leader of a group, the duel must be fought to the death.
Those higher in rank have a duty to protect those under them. To ask a pack
member for their protection is to acknowledge they are of higher rank without
having to fight them. The pack must then accept that person as a "dominant".
The most powerful lycanthropes are called 'alpha' and they are the natural
leaders of their group. They are stronger than the others, can possess special
powers and have a higher resistance against typical lycanthrope urges. Non-alpha
shifters, especially the young ones, are more vulnerable to strong emotions,
such as lust, anger and so on.
See NEWS THEME LUKOI to read about the werewolves.
See NEWS THEME PARD to read about the wereleopards.
See NEWS THEME RODERE to read about the wererats.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME LUKOI
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Hierarchy
Lukoi is Greek and comes from King Lyckaon of Arcadia who was a werewolf and who
didn't hide his nature. As described in NEWS SHAPESHIFTERS, there is a natural
hierarchy in the pack, established as follows:
* Ulfric (Wolf King)
* Lupa (Mother of the pack, Ulfric's mate)
* Freki and Geri (Second to the Ulfric)
* Skoll (Head Enforcer and bodyguard for the Ulfric)
* Hati (Second Enforcer and bodyguard for the Ulfric)
See NEWS THEME LUKOI 2 to continue reading
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME LUKOI 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Lupanar
During the full moon, the wolves gather in a special place of power called the
lupanar. The lupanar functions is the place where the munin, the spirits of the
clan, are called upon. The munin are seen as providers of wisdom and power. Dead
members of a pack are eaten by the rest of the group to preserve the munin. At
full moon, the lukoi shift at the lupanar, but this place is also used to make
formal challenges or declarations.
Protection
Members of the lukoi can challenge those dominant to them in order to climb in
the hierarchy. Instead of challenging a higher up, one can also ask them for
protection. The werewolf does this by moving into the dominant. If the dominant
accepts, he or she will touch the submissive as a sign of his or her protection.
Greeting of another pack member is always done by touching (usually the rubbing
of cheeks) and smelling (usually behind the ear of the other). When a submissive
greets a dominant, however, they must lick the lower lip of the dominant - in
public, a kiss on the cheek suffices.
See NEWS THEME PARD to read about the wereleopards.
See NEWS THEME RODERE to read about the wererats.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME PARD
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Hierarchy
The pard is what werewolves call the pack. They have a different hierarchy,
using terms from French heraldry:
* Nimir-raj (Leopard King)
* Nimir-ra (Leopard Queen)
* Leoparde Lionne (active protector of the pard)
* Lion Passant (a leader who does not actively protect the pard)
Protection -- The pard has some things in common with the lukoi, such as
phrases, or ways to ask for protection. Like in the lukoi-pack, a leopard can
petition a dominant by rubbing against him or her. The dominant, if they grant
their protection, will touch the submissive. Greeting a dominant, the submissive
licks the dominant's hand.
See NEWS THEME LUKOI to read about the werewolves.
See NEWS THEME RODERE to read about the wererats.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME RODERE
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Rodere is the name for the wererats, and they have one leader: their King,
usually a male. The King's power over the clan is absolute. Since rats are
small you would think that they would be a small, prey animal. A wererat,
however, is not a small thing. They are large enough to be the predators that
their namesakes cannot be.
See NEWS THEME LUKOI to read about the werewolves.
See NEWS THEME PARD to read about the wereleopards.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME UNDEAD
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Ghouls
Ghouls emerge from unholy cemeteries where vaudun or satanic rites have been
performed. Sometimes, however, they crawl out of their graves on their own, or
when an animator is buried in a cemetery. Ghouls have animal intelligence and
operate in packs. They usually leave humans alone, unless the human is wounded.
Fire can hold Ghouls back.
Ghosts
Ghosts are restless spirits, trapped on earth. They can only be a 'substance' if
someone pays attention to them. If you ignore a ghost, it will go away. Of
course, ghosts are particularly scary, but not very harmful.
See NEWS THEME UNDEAD 2 to continue reading.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME UNDEAD 2
=--------------------------=-> CTNS: News Files <-=--------------------------=
Zombies
Zombies are corpses raised by an animator, necromancer or voodoo priest. It
takes a while for their memory and personality to come back after they are
raised, and they can only be sustained for a few days, although the zombie can
be 'preserved' by letting it eat raw meat.
Zombies do not have thoughts of their own, and must obey the animator that
raised them. Zombies can become dangerous if the animator cannot retain control
over the zombie. Basically the only way to really rid yourself of a zombie is
putting it to rest, or flaming it.
See NEWS THEME ANIMATORS to read about raising zombies.
See NEWS THEME VAMPIRES to read more about undead.
=----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
THEME VAMPIRES
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Vampires are humans who have died, but who have risen from the dead. This person
must have one vampire feeding on him over a space of several days. There are
some rare exceptions in which one bite can make a corpse rise as a vampire.
Vampires do not age, so whatever age you died at is the age you will remain.
Vampires are also long lived, although they themselves often think of it as
being 'immortal'. In some cases, immortal comes pretty close to the truth, but
even vampires can be killed.
Like lycanthropes, vampires are vulnerable to silver or the traditional 'wooden
stake through the heart'. Less conventional means of killing a vampire are
sawing them in half with an Uzi, burning them alive or cutting off their heads
and tearing out their heart. Yeah, vampires are hard to kill.
See NEWS THEME VAMPIRES 2 to continue reading.
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THEME VAMPIRES 2
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Powers
Vampires have enormous powers: they are extremely strong, fast, and they can
play mind tricks on humans. Powerful vampires can hide themselves or objects
from view, or they can appear as out of nowhere. The older a vampire gets, the
more powers he acquires, although this levels out after a certain number of
years. By looking a vampire in the eye, even a lesser vampire can hypnotize you.
Vampires can also "smell" a person's feelings, for instance fear or lust. Master
vampires can also feel/smell a lie.
Limitations
As a vampire, you lose the taste for food or drinks. Vampires live on blood
alone, which they acquire through human. They bite their victims, using their
fangs, and feed on the blood of someone else. Often, the vampire's hypnotic
powers are used to make the feeding a more pleasant experience for the victim.
See NEWS THEME VAMPIRES 3 to continue reading.
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THEME VAMPIRES 3
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Limitations, continued
As said, vampires are vulnerable to silver and generally don't survive if you
take their head off and cut their heart out. However, older vampires and Master
vampires can survive even severe attacks.
Holy items backed up by faith flare up when they touch a vampire's body and can
cause serious burns. Traditionally, blessed crosses are used, but other blessed
items could be use as well, to keep the vamps at bay.
Vampires must be invited into a home before they can enter. Once you have
invited a vampire into a dwelling, they can return at their wish until you
revoke your invitation. Vampires that are inside a home when the invitation is
revoked will be cast out of the house by a wind.
See NEWS THEME VAMPIRES 4 to continue reading.
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THEME VAMPIRES 4
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Master vampires
Becoming a master vampire is not a matter of skill or age: it is inherent to the
vampire. Granted, the older a vampire gets, the more powerful he or she gets,
but only some will gain the powers of a Master vampire.
One of these powers is that they can call an animal to their aid, have a human
servant and additional powers depending on their line. Some can feed through
sex, others through fear, yet others can fly, or rot like a corpse, and reform
at a later time.
A master vampire has certain powers over the lesser vampires that they bring
over. Being their master, they can weaken another vampire by act of will or put
them to sleep, for instance.
See NEWS VAMPIRES 5 to continue reading.
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THEME VAMPIRES 5
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Human Servants
A human servant is bound to a Master vampire in the most intimate way through
"marks". There are four marks in total. The marks bind the vampire and the human
together. The Master gains power through their human servant and can feed on
them by the touch alone. He can eat real food through them and communicate with
them through dreams or thoughts.
Human servants gain power as well, such as immunity to the Master's eyes,
strength, stamina, a faster healing rate, and immunity to disease and poison.
Human servants are considered one with the Master vampire. If one dies, the
other often does as well.
Master of the City
The "Master of the City" is a term used for the Master vampire in charge of the
other vampires in a city. Of course, you need to be powerful to be Master of the
City, but the title itself gives power to the vampire that wields it as well. To
stay in a city, all vampires must ask the permission of the Master of the City.
See NEWS VAMPIRES 6 to continue reading.
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THEME VAMPIRES 6
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Vampire Council
All vampires are descended from the Vampire Council. The members of the Vampire
Council are considered the most powerful vampires on the world. The Council
consists of seven Master vampires and acts not so much as a governing body but
as a court or police. If a vampire is descended from one of the Council members,
it is possible that - after becoming a Master vampire - they acquire a power
related to that of one of the Council members. The members of the Council are:
* Queen of Nightmares - head of the Council, gains power through fear
* The Traveler - Can borrow other vampires' bodies
* Morte d'Amore - can rot as a corpse
* Belle Morte - can feed off lust
* Mr. Oliver - the oldest vampire
* Padma - is the master of beasts
* The Dragon - who's powers are not yet known
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THEME VOCABULARY
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Vocabulary: General Terms
* Animator - a human who can raise the dead as a zombie
* Animator zombie - a killer zombie who was an animator when alive
* Fairy - preternatural creature that can use glamor to cloud a human's mind
* Ghost - a spirit of the dead
* Ghoul - an undead creature of animalistic intellect
* HAV - Humans Against Vampires, a group trying to make vampirism illegal
* Holy - an item blessed according to a sacred rite
* Hornless Goat - a human sacrifice
* HF - Humans First, a group working to kill vampires
* Lamia - a creature that can take a partial snake form
* Lycanthrope - a shapeshifter
* Naga - creatures that appear as snakes with human heads
* Necromancer - someone who can control the dead and the undead
* Preternatural - beyond what is natural
* Pyrokinetic - someone who can call fire physically
* Triumverate - three beings who can share power, rare
* Vampire executioner - a human licensed to kill vampires
* Vaudun/Voodoo - a religion that deal with serpent worship
* White Goat - a human sacrifice
* Zombie - a corpse raised by an animator
See NEWS THEME VOCABULARY 2 to continue reading
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THEME VOCABULARY 2
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Vocabulary: Werewolves
* Lukoi - this is what the werewolves call themselves
* Munin - the spirits of the dead werewolves
* Lupanar - a place of power and gathering place, used for the pack's rituals
* Ulfric - the wolf King, the leader of the werewolves
* Lupa - the mother of the pack, the Ulfric's mate
* Freki - second to the Ulfric
* Geri - second to the Ulfric; a pack can have two seconds
* Skoll - the head enforcer and bodyguard for the Ulfric
* Hati - the second enforcer and bodyguard for the Ulfric
* Bolverk - the packmember who does the dirty deeds
* Baugi - the helper of the Bolverk
* Guunlod - the helper of the Bolverk
* Suttung - the helper of the Bolverk
* Fenrir - the challenger to the Ulfric
* Freyja - a Lupa who opened the chance to mate with other werewolves
* Vargamor - the wise man or woman of the pack. Human, usually a witch
See NEWS THEME VOCABULARY 3 to continue reading
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THEME VOCABULARY 3
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Vocabulary: Other Lycanthropes
* Pard - this is what the wereleopards call themselves
* Nimir-raj - the Leopard King
* Nimir-ra - the Leopard Queen
* Leoparde Lionne - a leader who actively protects the pard
* Lion Passant - a leader who does not actively protect the pard
* Rodere - this is what there wererats call themselves
* Rex - the king of the werelions
* Kashyapa - the male leader of the werecobras
* Kadru - the female leader of the werecobras
* Ursa - the leader of the werebears
* Alpha - a lycanthrope who is dominant
* Dominant - a lycanthrope that exercises control/influence over others
* Submissive - a lycanthrope who must have an alpha to watch over them in a
group setting
Continued in: NEWS VOCABULARY 4
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THEME VOCABULARY 4
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Vocabulary: Vampires
* Vampire - an undead human who feeds on the blood of humans
* Master Vampire - a dominant vampire, gifted with special powers
* Master of the City - the vampire in control of the other vampires in town
* Vampire Council - the seven most powerful Master vampires
* Human Servant - a human marked by a Master vampire
* Vampire Marks - a bond between a human and a Master vampire, four in total
* Stalking Horse - vampire used by a Master to protect himself from challenges
* Freak - a human who enjoys being bitten by vampires
* Pomme de Sang - enjoys a special relationship with the vampire as a steady
source of food, in exchange for protection from the vampire.
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WEBPAGE
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You can consult the CTNS webpage at: http://webpage.com
On our webpage you can find these NEWS files, as well as useful information
about CTNS, such as background information on your fellow players, a map of the
city, and useful links. Another important section of the site hosts players'
logs (and allows you to submit your own logs).
There are three websites that are worth mentioning, all of which hold
interesting information for Anita Blake lovers:
* The Anita Blake Compendium: http://halo-productions.com/anita/
* The Page of Eternal Life: http://www.timber-wolf.net/blake/
* Laurell's Official Site: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/lkhamilton/
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