Larp:Stock Locations

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.

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.

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).

Prestige Locations

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.

A standard stock location can be upgraded to Prestige through a Complex Quest, at ST discretion.

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.