Larp:Stock Locations

Each location has a Stock Location rating ranging from 1 to 5, which is used to determine the number of qualities it possesses. This rating indicates the complexity of the facility, as well as its individual benefits. The rating of a location is no indication of its size; small, perfectly hidden locations can have high ratings, while large, empty warehouses can have low ones.

Controlling a location means you have physical access to it and its qualities, which you may use or share with others. A character that controls a location is free to grant temporary access, or even confer complete control, to locations in exchange for favors, boons, or whatever arrangement suits her. A character may control up to five separate locations, plus one additional location for each dot she possesses of the Retainer or Kinfolk backgrounds.

Be aware that not every stock location is obtainable.

Taking control of locations

Sometimes players can locate current locations that meet their need.

Ownership of locations can be complex. Not every location can be “owned” in the classical sense, with a formal deed in the character’s name. A variety of desirable locations are public property, impossible to be wholly owned by a private entity. However, supernatural creatures have various means to exert influence over mortals. Gaining de facto control of a location is just as effective as de jure. This power can be ascertained through indirect means, such as a vampire establishing a blood bond, a werewolf sending kinfolk to fill key operational positions, or a changeling weaving an elaborate web of seduction to ensnare a city council member. For the purpose of this system, determining the nature of the control exerted is necessary only for story, as the system treats all means as effectively equal.

New Locations

Sometimes, a character wants a location to fill a temporary need, or a player wishes to enter play already controlling a location as part of their concept.

In these cases, the players require new locations, ones that have not yet seen play and are relatively easy to obtain. For a location to fall under this category, it should be a non-descript standard location with no current direct influence on existing story. For example, a city building would not be considered a new location; but a player wishing for her character to enter play as the owner of a local bar creates the bar as a new location, including its name and history. These usually will require narrator team approval, so that they can be added to the locations master list.

Uncontrolled Locations

Players can invest toward taking control of one of an existing, but uncontrolled, location by investing influence/resources toward them. The player must invest influence/resource dots actions equal to the Stock location's rating to gain temporary control of it. Their control lasts for 1 month, unless they also spend downtime actions to gain permanent control of the location. They must spend downtime actions equal to the stock locations rating. (This may require them to reinvest influences or resources to keep temporary control of the location until all downtimes are spent.)

Controlled Locations

Controlled locations are assumed to be in the hands of player-characters, or relevant NPCs, who retain ownership of them. These locations cannot be obtained through conventional means. Storytellers note, not every run-of-the-mill NPC should own such locations.

If a player-character wishes to wrest control of an already-controlled location, they must first disrupt control of that location by applying negative qualities equal to the location's Stock Location rating (See Negative Qualities, below).

Location Types

There are three main types of locations. Locations which appear physically on one of the Dark Skylines main maps are always considered prestige locations. There are 3 Iconic locations on Caliburn: Château Souverain, Live Current, and Golconda Casino.

Standard Locations

Standard locations are run-of-the-mill places that serve a purpose, but are otherwise not entirely noteworthy. Warehouses, most office buildings, stores, and workshops are all considered standard locations. These locations are not widely known to the general public and have replaceable characteristics. However, they are the easiest to acquire and maintain. Anyone can control a standard location. Supernatural creatures appropriate and discard these places as they see fit, using them for a variety of purposes. Affecting another’s standard location or modifying your own requires succeeding at a Simple Quest with a difficulty equal to the location’s rating. A standard location can be assigned a maximum number of qualities equal to its rating.

Prestige Locations

Prestige locations are places considered noteworthy by the public or community. These locations have something interesting or grand to them, such as special architecture, a monument, or particular historical or cultural significance.

Owning a Prestige location is a bit harder and requires maintenance. Once a player has control of a prestige location, they must invest 1 influence/resource action per month per dot of the location’s rating to maintain it. Every month without this investment will give the location a negative quality and on the third such negative quality the location will be lost and must be re-purchased normally.

Iconic Locations

These locations are the most notable places in Caliburn. In general, these locations are owned by someone in a specific position and cannot be controlled by anyone else. Converting a location from Prestige to Iconic is only done at Narrator discretion. In addition to the normal influence/resource cost to maintain an iconic location, the controller of the location must also spend 1 downtime per month. If the investment isn’t made, they will lose access to the location’s qualities but not necessarily lose control of the location—but it’s likely those around them will oust them from the position that gives them control.

Location Qualities

Standard Qualities

Quality	Description
Artistic	This location is a work of art in and of itself. Controlling this stock location gives the character an additional dot of the Fame background so long as she is known to control it.
Cutting Edge	This location is a modern marvel of technological design, with all aspects of the infrastructure built towards one goal: delivering a singularly impressive high-tech experience. Controlling this location provides a character with access to what is effectively a technologically-replicated, unfocused ability to replicate the Path of Technomancy power Analyze while within the location. Furthermore, the controlling character receives a +3 wild card bonus to challenges involving the Computers skill while at this location.
Dead Zone	This building is cut off from any sort of cellular or internet service. Characters find it impossible to get online or even make phone calls without special access such as a landline or dedicated wi-fi (should the owner provide it). This area is also immune to mystical powers that control technology, such as the blood magic Path of Technomancy or the werewolf gift Jam Technology. Some speculate that there are other, hitherto-unknown factions who limit the encroachment of supernaturals at such locations. Others believe these locations may be affected by the Second Inquisition.
Distracting	Due to some feature of the location, such as loud music, flashing lights, or no light at all, one struggles to keep track of details or people while present in it. The powers Heightened Senses, Wolf Senses, or any comparable sensory enhancement do not function here, even for the character who controls this location.
Fancy	This location is in a spot where the wealthy and elegant love to congregate, making it easy for its controller to orchestrate backroom deals. A character who controls this location receives one additional Elite influence action each downtime cycle.
Firewall	This location has been designed to prevent others from remotely accessing its data and security systems. The difficulty of attempts to penetrate computer systems at this location increases by 3. Characters with both the Computer skill and have purchased the Haven background for this location receive the Firewall benefit for free.
Guards	Armed guards regularly patrol this location. Anyone who tries to infiltrate this location must contend with 5 dots of Retainers guarding it. When choosing this quality, the player may assign five level-1 Retainers, one level-5 Retainer, or any other combination adding up to five. Guards also add +1 to the difficulty of any quest to physically infiltrate the location. Location guards only protect this location, and they cannot travel.
Hangout	This location is a gathering place for mortal residents from various walks of life. Its controller gains access to one additional instance of the Contacts background at 1 dot. This benefit does not raise the level of a character’s existing Contacts, and it is treated as a separate background.
Historic	This location has cultural or historical significance, making control of it much more complicated. Add +1 to the difficulty of any quest to take control of this location.
Hole in the Wall	This location is difficult to find unless you know what you’re looking for. This location cannot be targeted or affected by other characters unless they have personally been there.
Isolated	This location is isolated from mortals, and is thus relatively safe as regards the Masquerade. Only the most egregious breaches attract outside attention.
Laboratory	This location contains a highly specialized research laboratory. Choose one Science skill specialization. This location confers a +3 wild card bonus to challenges related to that field of study. A location can have multiple instances of the Laboratory quality, applying to a different Science specialization each time.
Library	The location features an extensive library, on a variety of subjects not accessible to mortals. Before making a Lore skill test, a character may spend one hour looking things up in the library and receive a +3 wild card bonus to her test pool.
Location	The location is in an area that affords it some protection, such as being in a prestigious neighborhood, atop a lonely mountain, or at the end of a winding, private road. Anyone using downtime actions to negatively affect this facility must spend twice as many downtime actions to do so. In addition, the Storyteller may award certain story benefits relevant to the location (police respond quickly when called, nearby roads get cleared first when the weather is bad, etc.)
Lowdown and Dirty	This location is a spot where underworld figures love to congregate, making it easy for its controller to orchestrate deals. A character who controls this location receives one additional Underworld influence action each downtime cycle.
Luxury	The location is filled with comfortable and expensive amenities, such as televisions, automatic chairs, computers, or works of art. The location owner receives a +3 bonus to Social attribute tests versus mortals in this location.
Off the Grid	This location has no electronic systems as part of its workings, yet it is fully functional in all other aspects, including security. This location cannot be infiltrated via the internet or be impacted through typical bureaucratic means.
Profitable	This location generates income for its controller, treated as if she had an additional instance of the Resources background at 1 dot. This benefit does not raise the level of a character’s existing Resources background, and it is treated as a separate background.
Public Property	This location is a public facility, owned by the local government, but controlled by a vampire. Add +3 to the difficulty of any bureaucratic action targeting this facility. In addition, this location ignores the first instance of the Out of Code negative quality assigned to it. The second instance of Out of Code is treated as the first, ultimately requiring four instances before the location is rendered inoperable.
Refuge	This location has an emergency power system, as well as food supplies (including blood, if controlled by a vampire). Each level of this location’s rating gives it enough resources for a single individual to remain for 30 days without emerging, which the controller can divide to accommodate additional parties or combine for a longer duration for fewer characters.
Security	The location has a basic security system installed. Any challenges to break in suffer a −3 penalty. In addition, the controlling character always receives at least one turn of warning if she is present during a break-in attempt (no matter how well the attacker tests). Characters with the Security skill may receive this benefit for free on locations that are designated as their Haven background, but Security must be separately assigned to multiple locations.
Size	The location is enormous, with dozens of rooms, or a wide enclosed space. A warehouse’s worth of goods, supplies, people, or anything else can be safely hidden away from the world here.
Sprawling	Characters unfamiliar with this location find it confusing to navigate. Characters wishing to speak privately should notify the Storyteller of their intent, and they are then considered to be in a different location for the purposes of observation. Furthermore, characters who do not control this stock location may not declare fair escape while present, and a character wishing to leave the site must spend five minutes unchallenged before making her exit.
Staff	The location includes several servants who see to the needs of the owner and guests. Staff don’t normally fight; but if they are forced to engage, treat them as 1-dot Retainers with no combat specialties. They are available at all times, but are not entirely self-sufficient; Staff cannot be used to raise the total number of locations a character can control.
Sturdy	This location is particularly hard to ruin, thanks to solid construction. Add +3 to the difficulty of any action that would cause physical damage to this location, such as breaking down doors. In addition, the location ignores the first Damaged negative quality assigned to it. The second instance of Damaged is treated as the first, ultimately requiring four instances before the location is destroyed.
Venue	This location is an excellent performance venue. Choose one Performance skill specialization. This location confers a +3 wild card bonus to non-supernatural challenges related to that skill specialization. A location can have multiple instances of the Venue quality, applying to a different Performance specialization each time.
Workshop	This location is designed for making things. Choose one Craft skill specialization. This location confers a +3 wild card bonus to challenges related to that skill specialization. A location can have multiple instances of the Workshop quality, applying to a different Crafts specialization each time.

Supernatural Qualities

Quality	Description
Banal	This location is a soul-crushing place, devoid of dreams or imagination, and possesses a Banality Rating of 9. (See Chapter Eight: Dramatic Systems: Levels of Banality, page 224)
Barren	This location is a terrible place for vampires to feed. Reduce the amount of Blood points received from feeding by half, rounding up.
Buffet	This location is an excellent place for vampires to feed. Double the amount of Blood points received from feeding.
Dross	Your location has either naturally-occurring or creatively-manufactured physical Glamour on display which reduces the general banality of the location. As an additional effect of Dross, changelings may harvest Glamour here. Prestige and Iconic locations may have this quality twice, stacking the effects. This effect stacks with other qualities that lower Banality.
Haunt	The Shroud is much weaker here, always returning to low at the start of each day. All necromancers gain a +3 wild card bonus to all interactions with ghosts here.
Heavy Gauntlet	The Gauntlet is thicker here, making it difficult for shapeshifters to cross in and out of the Umbra. The time required to cross the Gauntlet, listed in Mind’s Eye Theatre: Werewolf the Apocalypse: Gauntlet Chart: Entering the Umbra, page 585, is doubled here.
Heavy Mists	The barrier between the autumn world and Near Dreaming is thicker here, making crossing in and out of the Near Dreaming difficult. Time spent entering the Near Dreaming is doubled.
Heavy Shroud	The barrier between the realm of the dead and the living is thicker here, making crossing in and out of the Shadowlands difficult. Time spent entering or exiting the Shadowlands is doubled.
Tainted	This location bears some sort of severe supernatural Taint. Spending more than five minutes at this location results in visitors gaining a point of Wyrm Taint, Angst, or Ennui (as may be applicable), and spending eight hours here can earn the character up to 1 additional point of ennui, or 1 point of permanent Angst or Banality. This assignment cannot result in a character gaining a 5th point of Ennui, Angst, or Banality. Gaian shapeshifters cannot cross the Gauntlet, Changelings cannot enter the Near Dreaming, and Wraiths cannot enter the Tempest from here.
Umbral Affinity	The Gauntlet is thinner here, making it easier for shapeshifters to cross in and out of the Umbra. Shifters can cross the Gauntlet here as a Standard action without spending Gnosis.

Iconic Qualities

Quality	Description
Celebrity	This location is so well-known that anyone associated with it becomes an international celebrity. A character controlling this location gains 5 temporary dots to spread among her mundane backgrounds. These dots may be exchanged once per month, and cannot combine with other backgrounds to exceed 6 dots. However, such fame comes at a cost. The character must spend 3 downtime actions every cycle to avoid breaking the Masquerade due to excessive media attention.
Fortified	This location is especially resistant to external assault. It cannot be destroyed by any physical means short of a military-grade attack. Any attempts to breach it externally are considered Epic difficulty or higher (with a difficulty rating of 30 or more), and attempts to bypass its internal security have a difficulty rating of 25 or more.
Nationalized	This location has been taken over by the mortal government. This level of financial, political, and legal support makes controlling or damaging this location significantly risky. All consequences acquired from quests involving this location are doubled.
Protected	This location is protected through legal, political, and mystical means. Multiple government agencies have a direct interest in keeping this place secure. Entire sects expend influence to ensure that troublesome elements keep away. Some whisper that secret supernatural cabals have spun a mystical spell that forces reality itself to conspire against those who would do this location harm. Storytellers are encouraged to create any number of coincidental events and happenstances that prevent a breach of Masquerade or other damage to this place. In the end, this place simply cannot be harmed, violated, or breached.
World Renown	This location is famously associated with a specific field and thus possesses global influence connected to that field. A character who controls this location may expend influence anywhere in the world, so long as her expenditure is directly related to that specific field. For example, the Library of Congress is one of the premier libraries in the world, and it enjoys exchange privileges with libraries across the globe. Leveraging this location to acquire rare or unusual manuscripts may be done with influence without requiring the use of Fame.