Post by james on Aug 2, 2007 9:12:51 GMT
“Our world’s are mostly the same just ours is a bit harsher. We have your politicians, your bands, your newspapers and your reality TV fads.
But hidden from the mortals are the monsters and supernatural creatures. We are known collectively as the Kin. Numerous and varied, though some of our prominent types are now the subject of your myth and legend. Vampires, werewolves, changelings, ghosts even demons and angels all claim ranks within the Kin.
Contrary to popular belief though none of us are damned simply because of what we are, only what we do. All Kin choose at some point in their lives whether to be light or dark. And it was this simple ideological difference which caused the first great war.
For centuries it raged secretly from humanity, the forces of light and dark, good and evil locked in everlasting battle. Both sides wanted the sole right to guide and lead humanity. The Lumen wanted to lead them towards peace, study, charity and improvement through cooperation. The Atrum felt that humanity should progress through strife and conflict, only that way would they improve and the strong survive. Behind the scenes it was more nefarious as it became apparent that both sides were not just competing for influence over humanity, but for their very souls as well.
The war led to epic battles scarcely dreamed of by today’s standards. As it continued, the mortals got drawn further and further into the midst. Sometimes as innocent bystanders, other times as willing aids and accomplices, all the while believing their faith in their side justified their killing, their sacrifices and their martyrdom.
As the blood of the innocent, the very prizes they competed over, began to stain the castle walls of both sides, their leaders mysteriously vanished. In the briefest of moments they reappeared, looks of shock on their faces and both calling for the immediate cease of hostilities. They then met, in seclusion in neutral ground. Many myths exist about this meeting, some say there was a 3rd party, named Pondera by some, who was in the meeting, and that she was somehow responsible for the original disappearances.
Whatever is believed or said, they left with a new agreement, a treaty. The war was over. Light and Dark were now bound together by The Medius Treaty. The treaty agreed that no one, kin or mortal could be forced to light or dark, all had to choose freely. It agreed to codes of conduct between light and dark, to allow each other to influence the world in their own ways, but without the large scale bloodshed that the wars had led to.
Through it all emerged a 3rd party, or perhaps they’d been there all along, The Medius. This group had no affiliation, no agenda, other than in maintaining the balance. They swore to uphold the treaty and the balance between light and dark, arguing that both were needed for the mortal world, light and dark and one could not exist without the other. They alone would act as adjudicators should one side wish to appeal against the actions of the other. And so the war ended.
At least so the party lines go! Get real, the war never ended. Light and Dark still fight on but rather than the epic battles with swords and steeds it’s now a cold war, a secret war. They still vie for control over the mortals, try to sway them to The Lumen or The Atrum. Only now they grab what they can from under the noses of the other, and from under The Medius, if you even can! The wars not over, it’s just redefined.”
Twilight is a modern-day horror LRP and taking its influences from several sources. These are most notably Stellar Games’ “Nightlife” RPG, Whitewolf’s “World of Darkness” series of RPG’s and
Sergei Lukyanenko’s “Nightwatch / Day Watch / Dusk Watch” series of books / films.
The Medius World
The game world mirrors are own in most respects. Contemporary culture and news are generally relevant and it is based in the modern day of the city of play.
The focus of the game though is on the player characters who take the parts of the supernatural creatures (referred to as “Kin”) who inhabit the world, secretly helping to maintain the balance of Good and Evil whilst at the same time trying to sway the human populace towards their chosen path.
The supernatural Kin encompass many of the creature types of modern horror, including Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, Angels, Spirits, Fae and Animates. These are one the common races however and players are free to invent and play (with organisers approval) any other creature type which is in keeping with the concept of The Medius universe
The game focuses on the quest of the Kin to support the principles and the “side” of Good and Evil, but also looks at the “grey” in between. Generally Kin choose, or through their actions become a force of Light or Dark. This is not affected by race, it is perfectly possible to have Vampires who operate on the side of The Lumen (Indeed many are proud to be breaking the stereotypes that Hollywood and pulp-fiction engrained in history)
As well as focusing on the individual characters quests to pursue their chosen moral path, both sides seek to guide and shape humanity in the ways they think are right. Most Kin ally themselves to one of two factions, The Lumen or the Atrum. They are commonly referred to as the forces of Good and Evil. It is not quite so straightforward however.
The Lumen seek to guide humanity into peace, harmony and common decency, whilst The Atrum seek to encourage freedom of action, independence and the “survival of the fittest”. Both sides engage in whatever actions further their cause the most, which often brings them into conflict. However there are rules to this warfare, otherwise chaos would ensue.
Mediating the struggle between The Lumen and The Atrum is The Medius. The Medius are the independent over-seers of the war who ensure that both sides have equal opportunity and that humanity is not unfairly influenced by either side. They do not have an agenda and care not who ultimately wins. They speak of the “big picture” and the inability for Good to exist without Evil.
They are the authority on action, and if one side is viewed to overstep their bounds they will negotiate recompense. A Kin who uses their powers to change the course of fate in their favour breaches the neutrality of the war, and thus the other side can request an unrestricted action in return to restore the balance. Likewise the killing of another Kin without just cause is considered to be breaking these “rules of war”.
The Medius hold Council where they act as judges where disputes between The Lumen and The Atrum cannot be settled amicably. They are also responsible for dealing “un-aligned” or renegade Kin, those who choose not to become involved in the politics of the two factions but would rather just continue to do as they have always done. These independents live a treacherous life as their actions are often seen to be influencing the balance and potentially threatening best laid plans
THE LUMEN AND THE ATRUM
It’s never as simple as Good and Evil of course. Anyone who thinks that The Lumen are wimpish do-gooders and The Atrum are evil sociopaths is mistaken.
The key is about the big picture. “Lightsiders” will think little of killing a “Darksider” without any reason at all other than what they are, they may even enjoy it.
Equally a “Darksider” will engage in missions of mercy and healing if they know that person will later go on to acts of evil, or indeed could be a later victim of evil.
The difference between the groups is both moral and ideological
Morally The Lumen will be more disposed towards kind, generous acts which relieve suffering. They seek harmony, the movement of the human race towards common goals and the unassailable duty of all creatures to help others less powerful or fortunate as themselves. The Lumen stand as architects, building alliances, encouraging the rule of law, morality and inspiring co-operation.
The Atrum are more likely drawn to freedom, rebellion and the unassailable right of all creatures to act as they will, without being restricted, controlled or influenced by anyone else. Inevitably this leads to hostility, and conflict as they follow their belief that only the strong should survive and the weak should perish to nourish them.
This is not to say one may exclude the other. It is perfectly possible for a Lightsider to bring the full “Wrath of God” down upon someone who might otherwise commit greater evils. There is such thing as a “just” war in the eyes of The Lumen. Likewise, whilst the killing of a Dark Magician might bring suffering upon his innocent (and unsuspecting) widow and children, it may be necessary in order to avoid whatever future acts he may commit. The Lumen tend to consider all angles and repercussions of their actions before making a decision.
Equally, a member of The Atrum might choose to cure the wounds of the murderer so that he can go on to kill some more. However The Atrum are generally not concerned with the implications of their own actions on others. They are simply concerned with themselves and how it might affect them. They wont kill indiscriminately as there is little benefit to be gained from being arrested, but will have no consideration for the family of their victim if the need arises.
Not all creatures are members of The Lumen or The Atrum. There are some independents or renegades who choose not to get involved in the politics of the two factions.
THE MEDIUS
The Medius are a group of old and powerful Kin who have overcome their emotions and any personal agenda. They have no other goal than to ensure that the “balance” is maintained. They have demonstrated amazing and unprecedented powers in the past, and all other Kin agree with their judgment either through respect or fear. Many members of the Medius were unheard of before the Treaty. Whether they were a new organisation, or were always there is a matter of debate. Many believe that they were secretly operating well before the Treaty was created, but only chose to make themselves known upon its creation.
Whatever they are and whatever their history, both Light and Dark respect them and obey their judgment.
In order to maintain the balance, The Medius arrange regular meetings of the members of The Lumen and The Atrum called “Council”. Though there are no specific rules on conduct and combat in these meetings, it is generally understood that the area is neutral and a treaty of peace should be observed. Often, those who breach it without cause receive severe punishments from their own, even before the Medius are required to step in.
Members of The Lumen and Atrum are expected to act respectfully and cordially at all times when at Council, simply because neither side wants to give the other the advantage by some minor infraction.
The purpose of the Council, and The Medius’s role is to adjudicate matters between the two sides of Light and Dark. If one side feels that the other has overstepped their bounds, outside of the Treaty, The Medius will hear their case.
Sometimes they will issue a punishment on the offenders, sometimes they will offer a Gift to the opposing side allowing them to carry out an action unhindered to restore the balance. Sometimes they do neither, believing that the balance is still stable, but providing a warning.
They will rarely act directly, but often give one side the opportunity to act against the other known as a Gift. If The Lumen use their powers to halt drug-dealing activities in the area, The Atrum may attempt to convince The Medius that this is unjust, and The Medius may give The Atrum the opportunity to use their powers to commit some other act to redress the imbalance. If The Atrum only carry out a minor act, then that is their loss, but the balance has been restored through opportunity.
Independents are permitted to attend Council, but many of them don’t have much say in the proceedings. Much of the time where an independent is brought before The Medius it is as an accused. The use of supernatural powers to influence human action affects the balance whether the “guilty party” is a member of a faction or not. Independents can inadvertently cause problems for one side or another through their actions, and without the control of The Lumen or The Atrum things can often go quite awry.
Independents are expected to refrain from using their powers for the most part, though they may apply for special dispensations. Likewise the factions can appeal for these to be granted or denied. Furthermore independents can be “requested” to join one of the factions in order to ensure that there is some degree of control over them, and in extreme cases they could be destroyed in order to preserve the status quo.
THE BALANCE
The balance is not upset by the actions of human beings acting of their own accord. Only where The Lumen or The Atrum have intervened to affect the actions of human kind can there be any petition to The Medius.
It is not necessarily the place of The Medius to tell Light or Dark what to do, nor to ensure that neither side gains any advantage. It is about ensuring both sides have equal opportunity.
If Dark Kin influences an MP into closing down a hospital, and The Lumen had ample opportunity and power to prevent it but chose not to act then this imbalance will not be addressed.
The balance is often addressed in game by the allocation of Gifts to one group or the other. When one side makes a case to The Medius, then The Medius they may allocate on the spot reparations, or may allocate a Gift which is an action from which the opposing side may not intervene, nor request any repayment or rectification of the balance. Gifts are of varying levels depending upon the action which caused the imbalance in the first place. For instance if a Light Kin uses their powers to force a petty criminal to change his ways, this may be considered to be a Level 1 infraction, and The Atrum may be awarded a Level 1 Gift by The Medius. They can use this gift for other minor acts of evil (convincing a human being that his wife’s baby is not really his, or convincing a traffic warden to let them off a parking ticket) or they can retain this and combine it with other Gifts in order to be permitted to commit even greater acts of evil.
Likewise a Gift can be used to prevent the other side from conducting an action themselves. If The Lumen owes The Atrum a Level 4 Gift, then the next time the forces of Light show up to prevent a Dark Mage from cursing a woman, The Atrum can present their Gift. The Lumen cannot intervene as essentially they owe The Atrum this act.
Though The Medius have demonstrated extreme powers and seem very aware of on going situations they do not seem to be omniscient, and several Kin have claimed to have gotten around them. Many of the discussions at the Council are one side attempting to present “evidence” against the other for alleged infractions. These infractions may or may not have taken place but where there is debate, The Medius’s decision is considered final and binding. All parties will respect that.
The Medius are played by NPC characters, and are a mysterious and enigmatic force in the Twilight world. Player characters may not be a member of nor be connected to The Medius, and IC information regarding their numbers, members, powers and organisation is very limited.
SHADOW POLITICS
Though The Lumen strive for equality and fairness, and The Atrum seek independence from all, both sides are aware that they or fighting a war and without some degree of “chain of command” they cannot co-ordinate their actions.
The Lumen and The atrum both have a respective national and regional “leaders” in each country. These will generally be an NPC character who will oversee the actions of the country or region.
These characters are often inaccessible to most “player-level” Kin due to their respective places in the hierarchy. To meet or have involvement with them shows the event is important somehow, and often means you’re in trouble. However these leaders will visit, or issue orders to each of the city divisions on a fairly regular basis to ensure that things are progressing as planned
Within each city there are often key roles that are carried out should the “leader” decide that they are necessary. The leader is responsible for the activities of their respective side overall within the city and they determine how their operatives work, what their targets are and when sacrifices are to be made. There is often an “accountant” who is responsible for cataloguing the Gifts owed and received, and ensuring that any actions which might rely on these Gifts can be “paid for”. There are other roles which are often seen such as the “lawyer” who represents The Lumen or The Atrum when appealing to The Medius, and many larger cities have divisions within their organisation (i.e. a surveillance division, a propaganda division and so on)
All player characters are considered to be a member of The Lumen or The Atrum, or are an independent. The majority of player will belong to one of the two factions, as independents are generally quite short lived. Most feel obliged or pressured into joining one of the two factions.
Each faction has a city leader which will commonly be a player character. How they organise themselves and choose their own city leaders is up to them. Either side may govern themselves as they wish, but the regional leaders will soon descend on them if displeased.
Each faction within a city is allowed to govern itself as it wishes, and unless it breaks the balance then The Medius will rarely intervene. Furthermore, each faction can police themselves and this tactic is often used as a loophole to prevent a Gift being given away. If one of the Kin consistently steps out of line, their own side may well issue their own punishments or even destroy them rather than allow a large debt of Gifts to develop.
The Medius have some similar ranks to the Lumen and the Atrum, however theirs is more based on the ranks of the judges within of the Medius. The decisions of a lower ranking member can be over-ruled by someone from a higher rank. The Medius’s main presence within the city would be the Aedile which is a lower rank within the organisations, whilst a Censor would assist the Aedile in their decisions and to keep note of Gift’s awarded by the Medius.
ONE UP MANSHIP
Whilst a portion of the game will be held at Council, many games will involve the players attempting to get their side into an advantageous position. This may involve the accomplishment of certain goals and tasks. Some of these tasks may be combat related, others political or role-play based or combinations of the above.
Inevitably some will involve a common enemy, but many others will see The Lumen or The Atrum having opposing ideas on the outcomes or desired results, and may lead to conflict between the two sides. This conflict may be resolved through the agreement of Gifts, negotiation or conflict. Whilst Gifts can be awarded where the balance has been broken, remember that this is only common where one side abuses any advantage.
But hidden from the mortals are the monsters and supernatural creatures. We are known collectively as the Kin. Numerous and varied, though some of our prominent types are now the subject of your myth and legend. Vampires, werewolves, changelings, ghosts even demons and angels all claim ranks within the Kin.
Contrary to popular belief though none of us are damned simply because of what we are, only what we do. All Kin choose at some point in their lives whether to be light or dark. And it was this simple ideological difference which caused the first great war.
For centuries it raged secretly from humanity, the forces of light and dark, good and evil locked in everlasting battle. Both sides wanted the sole right to guide and lead humanity. The Lumen wanted to lead them towards peace, study, charity and improvement through cooperation. The Atrum felt that humanity should progress through strife and conflict, only that way would they improve and the strong survive. Behind the scenes it was more nefarious as it became apparent that both sides were not just competing for influence over humanity, but for their very souls as well.
The war led to epic battles scarcely dreamed of by today’s standards. As it continued, the mortals got drawn further and further into the midst. Sometimes as innocent bystanders, other times as willing aids and accomplices, all the while believing their faith in their side justified their killing, their sacrifices and their martyrdom.
As the blood of the innocent, the very prizes they competed over, began to stain the castle walls of both sides, their leaders mysteriously vanished. In the briefest of moments they reappeared, looks of shock on their faces and both calling for the immediate cease of hostilities. They then met, in seclusion in neutral ground. Many myths exist about this meeting, some say there was a 3rd party, named Pondera by some, who was in the meeting, and that she was somehow responsible for the original disappearances.
Whatever is believed or said, they left with a new agreement, a treaty. The war was over. Light and Dark were now bound together by The Medius Treaty. The treaty agreed that no one, kin or mortal could be forced to light or dark, all had to choose freely. It agreed to codes of conduct between light and dark, to allow each other to influence the world in their own ways, but without the large scale bloodshed that the wars had led to.
Through it all emerged a 3rd party, or perhaps they’d been there all along, The Medius. This group had no affiliation, no agenda, other than in maintaining the balance. They swore to uphold the treaty and the balance between light and dark, arguing that both were needed for the mortal world, light and dark and one could not exist without the other. They alone would act as adjudicators should one side wish to appeal against the actions of the other. And so the war ended.
At least so the party lines go! Get real, the war never ended. Light and Dark still fight on but rather than the epic battles with swords and steeds it’s now a cold war, a secret war. They still vie for control over the mortals, try to sway them to The Lumen or The Atrum. Only now they grab what they can from under the noses of the other, and from under The Medius, if you even can! The wars not over, it’s just redefined.”
Twilight is a modern-day horror LRP and taking its influences from several sources. These are most notably Stellar Games’ “Nightlife” RPG, Whitewolf’s “World of Darkness” series of RPG’s and
Sergei Lukyanenko’s “Nightwatch / Day Watch / Dusk Watch” series of books / films.
The Medius World
The game world mirrors are own in most respects. Contemporary culture and news are generally relevant and it is based in the modern day of the city of play.
The focus of the game though is on the player characters who take the parts of the supernatural creatures (referred to as “Kin”) who inhabit the world, secretly helping to maintain the balance of Good and Evil whilst at the same time trying to sway the human populace towards their chosen path.
The supernatural Kin encompass many of the creature types of modern horror, including Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, Angels, Spirits, Fae and Animates. These are one the common races however and players are free to invent and play (with organisers approval) any other creature type which is in keeping with the concept of The Medius universe
The game focuses on the quest of the Kin to support the principles and the “side” of Good and Evil, but also looks at the “grey” in between. Generally Kin choose, or through their actions become a force of Light or Dark. This is not affected by race, it is perfectly possible to have Vampires who operate on the side of The Lumen (Indeed many are proud to be breaking the stereotypes that Hollywood and pulp-fiction engrained in history)
As well as focusing on the individual characters quests to pursue their chosen moral path, both sides seek to guide and shape humanity in the ways they think are right. Most Kin ally themselves to one of two factions, The Lumen or the Atrum. They are commonly referred to as the forces of Good and Evil. It is not quite so straightforward however.
The Lumen seek to guide humanity into peace, harmony and common decency, whilst The Atrum seek to encourage freedom of action, independence and the “survival of the fittest”. Both sides engage in whatever actions further their cause the most, which often brings them into conflict. However there are rules to this warfare, otherwise chaos would ensue.
Mediating the struggle between The Lumen and The Atrum is The Medius. The Medius are the independent over-seers of the war who ensure that both sides have equal opportunity and that humanity is not unfairly influenced by either side. They do not have an agenda and care not who ultimately wins. They speak of the “big picture” and the inability for Good to exist without Evil.
They are the authority on action, and if one side is viewed to overstep their bounds they will negotiate recompense. A Kin who uses their powers to change the course of fate in their favour breaches the neutrality of the war, and thus the other side can request an unrestricted action in return to restore the balance. Likewise the killing of another Kin without just cause is considered to be breaking these “rules of war”.
The Medius hold Council where they act as judges where disputes between The Lumen and The Atrum cannot be settled amicably. They are also responsible for dealing “un-aligned” or renegade Kin, those who choose not to become involved in the politics of the two factions but would rather just continue to do as they have always done. These independents live a treacherous life as their actions are often seen to be influencing the balance and potentially threatening best laid plans
THE LUMEN AND THE ATRUM
It’s never as simple as Good and Evil of course. Anyone who thinks that The Lumen are wimpish do-gooders and The Atrum are evil sociopaths is mistaken.
The key is about the big picture. “Lightsiders” will think little of killing a “Darksider” without any reason at all other than what they are, they may even enjoy it.
Equally a “Darksider” will engage in missions of mercy and healing if they know that person will later go on to acts of evil, or indeed could be a later victim of evil.
The difference between the groups is both moral and ideological
Morally The Lumen will be more disposed towards kind, generous acts which relieve suffering. They seek harmony, the movement of the human race towards common goals and the unassailable duty of all creatures to help others less powerful or fortunate as themselves. The Lumen stand as architects, building alliances, encouraging the rule of law, morality and inspiring co-operation.
The Atrum are more likely drawn to freedom, rebellion and the unassailable right of all creatures to act as they will, without being restricted, controlled or influenced by anyone else. Inevitably this leads to hostility, and conflict as they follow their belief that only the strong should survive and the weak should perish to nourish them.
This is not to say one may exclude the other. It is perfectly possible for a Lightsider to bring the full “Wrath of God” down upon someone who might otherwise commit greater evils. There is such thing as a “just” war in the eyes of The Lumen. Likewise, whilst the killing of a Dark Magician might bring suffering upon his innocent (and unsuspecting) widow and children, it may be necessary in order to avoid whatever future acts he may commit. The Lumen tend to consider all angles and repercussions of their actions before making a decision.
Equally, a member of The Atrum might choose to cure the wounds of the murderer so that he can go on to kill some more. However The Atrum are generally not concerned with the implications of their own actions on others. They are simply concerned with themselves and how it might affect them. They wont kill indiscriminately as there is little benefit to be gained from being arrested, but will have no consideration for the family of their victim if the need arises.
Not all creatures are members of The Lumen or The Atrum. There are some independents or renegades who choose not to get involved in the politics of the two factions.
THE MEDIUS
The Medius are a group of old and powerful Kin who have overcome their emotions and any personal agenda. They have no other goal than to ensure that the “balance” is maintained. They have demonstrated amazing and unprecedented powers in the past, and all other Kin agree with their judgment either through respect or fear. Many members of the Medius were unheard of before the Treaty. Whether they were a new organisation, or were always there is a matter of debate. Many believe that they were secretly operating well before the Treaty was created, but only chose to make themselves known upon its creation.
Whatever they are and whatever their history, both Light and Dark respect them and obey their judgment.
In order to maintain the balance, The Medius arrange regular meetings of the members of The Lumen and The Atrum called “Council”. Though there are no specific rules on conduct and combat in these meetings, it is generally understood that the area is neutral and a treaty of peace should be observed. Often, those who breach it without cause receive severe punishments from their own, even before the Medius are required to step in.
Members of The Lumen and Atrum are expected to act respectfully and cordially at all times when at Council, simply because neither side wants to give the other the advantage by some minor infraction.
The purpose of the Council, and The Medius’s role is to adjudicate matters between the two sides of Light and Dark. If one side feels that the other has overstepped their bounds, outside of the Treaty, The Medius will hear their case.
Sometimes they will issue a punishment on the offenders, sometimes they will offer a Gift to the opposing side allowing them to carry out an action unhindered to restore the balance. Sometimes they do neither, believing that the balance is still stable, but providing a warning.
They will rarely act directly, but often give one side the opportunity to act against the other known as a Gift. If The Lumen use their powers to halt drug-dealing activities in the area, The Atrum may attempt to convince The Medius that this is unjust, and The Medius may give The Atrum the opportunity to use their powers to commit some other act to redress the imbalance. If The Atrum only carry out a minor act, then that is their loss, but the balance has been restored through opportunity.
Independents are permitted to attend Council, but many of them don’t have much say in the proceedings. Much of the time where an independent is brought before The Medius it is as an accused. The use of supernatural powers to influence human action affects the balance whether the “guilty party” is a member of a faction or not. Independents can inadvertently cause problems for one side or another through their actions, and without the control of The Lumen or The Atrum things can often go quite awry.
Independents are expected to refrain from using their powers for the most part, though they may apply for special dispensations. Likewise the factions can appeal for these to be granted or denied. Furthermore independents can be “requested” to join one of the factions in order to ensure that there is some degree of control over them, and in extreme cases they could be destroyed in order to preserve the status quo.
THE BALANCE
The balance is not upset by the actions of human beings acting of their own accord. Only where The Lumen or The Atrum have intervened to affect the actions of human kind can there be any petition to The Medius.
It is not necessarily the place of The Medius to tell Light or Dark what to do, nor to ensure that neither side gains any advantage. It is about ensuring both sides have equal opportunity.
If Dark Kin influences an MP into closing down a hospital, and The Lumen had ample opportunity and power to prevent it but chose not to act then this imbalance will not be addressed.
The balance is often addressed in game by the allocation of Gifts to one group or the other. When one side makes a case to The Medius, then The Medius they may allocate on the spot reparations, or may allocate a Gift which is an action from which the opposing side may not intervene, nor request any repayment or rectification of the balance. Gifts are of varying levels depending upon the action which caused the imbalance in the first place. For instance if a Light Kin uses their powers to force a petty criminal to change his ways, this may be considered to be a Level 1 infraction, and The Atrum may be awarded a Level 1 Gift by The Medius. They can use this gift for other minor acts of evil (convincing a human being that his wife’s baby is not really his, or convincing a traffic warden to let them off a parking ticket) or they can retain this and combine it with other Gifts in order to be permitted to commit even greater acts of evil.
Likewise a Gift can be used to prevent the other side from conducting an action themselves. If The Lumen owes The Atrum a Level 4 Gift, then the next time the forces of Light show up to prevent a Dark Mage from cursing a woman, The Atrum can present their Gift. The Lumen cannot intervene as essentially they owe The Atrum this act.
Though The Medius have demonstrated extreme powers and seem very aware of on going situations they do not seem to be omniscient, and several Kin have claimed to have gotten around them. Many of the discussions at the Council are one side attempting to present “evidence” against the other for alleged infractions. These infractions may or may not have taken place but where there is debate, The Medius’s decision is considered final and binding. All parties will respect that.
The Medius are played by NPC characters, and are a mysterious and enigmatic force in the Twilight world. Player characters may not be a member of nor be connected to The Medius, and IC information regarding their numbers, members, powers and organisation is very limited.
SHADOW POLITICS
Though The Lumen strive for equality and fairness, and The Atrum seek independence from all, both sides are aware that they or fighting a war and without some degree of “chain of command” they cannot co-ordinate their actions.
The Lumen and The atrum both have a respective national and regional “leaders” in each country. These will generally be an NPC character who will oversee the actions of the country or region.
These characters are often inaccessible to most “player-level” Kin due to their respective places in the hierarchy. To meet or have involvement with them shows the event is important somehow, and often means you’re in trouble. However these leaders will visit, or issue orders to each of the city divisions on a fairly regular basis to ensure that things are progressing as planned
Within each city there are often key roles that are carried out should the “leader” decide that they are necessary. The leader is responsible for the activities of their respective side overall within the city and they determine how their operatives work, what their targets are and when sacrifices are to be made. There is often an “accountant” who is responsible for cataloguing the Gifts owed and received, and ensuring that any actions which might rely on these Gifts can be “paid for”. There are other roles which are often seen such as the “lawyer” who represents The Lumen or The Atrum when appealing to The Medius, and many larger cities have divisions within their organisation (i.e. a surveillance division, a propaganda division and so on)
All player characters are considered to be a member of The Lumen or The Atrum, or are an independent. The majority of player will belong to one of the two factions, as independents are generally quite short lived. Most feel obliged or pressured into joining one of the two factions.
Each faction has a city leader which will commonly be a player character. How they organise themselves and choose their own city leaders is up to them. Either side may govern themselves as they wish, but the regional leaders will soon descend on them if displeased.
Each faction within a city is allowed to govern itself as it wishes, and unless it breaks the balance then The Medius will rarely intervene. Furthermore, each faction can police themselves and this tactic is often used as a loophole to prevent a Gift being given away. If one of the Kin consistently steps out of line, their own side may well issue their own punishments or even destroy them rather than allow a large debt of Gifts to develop.
The Medius have some similar ranks to the Lumen and the Atrum, however theirs is more based on the ranks of the judges within of the Medius. The decisions of a lower ranking member can be over-ruled by someone from a higher rank. The Medius’s main presence within the city would be the Aedile which is a lower rank within the organisations, whilst a Censor would assist the Aedile in their decisions and to keep note of Gift’s awarded by the Medius.
ONE UP MANSHIP
Whilst a portion of the game will be held at Council, many games will involve the players attempting to get their side into an advantageous position. This may involve the accomplishment of certain goals and tasks. Some of these tasks may be combat related, others political or role-play based or combinations of the above.
Inevitably some will involve a common enemy, but many others will see The Lumen or The Atrum having opposing ideas on the outcomes or desired results, and may lead to conflict between the two sides. This conflict may be resolved through the agreement of Gifts, negotiation or conflict. Whilst Gifts can be awarded where the balance has been broken, remember that this is only common where one side abuses any advantage.