THE PICAYUNE PRESS: FEBRUARY 2002
_________________________________________
CONTENTS:
1. Editorial: The Picayune Press
2. Talk of the Town: Storyline Baltimore
3. Fiction: A Tale of Igo
4. Create a Caitiff(tm): Now with Pander!
5. Deck of the Month: Pandering to the Masses
6. Deck Spotlight: Custody Battle by Ethan Burrow
7. Statistics & Strategies: Memories of Mortality
8. Finale
1. EDITORIAL
As nobody else is stepping up to the plate, I've requested permission to incorporate
the Caitiff and Pander newsletters into one publication.
Inspired by that masked newsletter editor "The Googler", our newsletter shall
now become: "The Picayune Press"!
_____________________________
Definition of Picayune from Dictionary.Com
pic·a·yune (pk-yn)
adj.
Of little value or importance; paltry. See Synonyms at trivial.
Petty; mean.
n.
A Spanish-American half-real piece formerly used in parts of the southern United States.
A five-cent piece.
Something of very little value; a trifle: not worth a picayune.
____________________________
2. TALK OF THE TOWN: STORYLINE: BALTIMORE
So far, there's nothing but praise for the Storyline format from our
local players. Being a non-sanctioned event & promoted as an event
that impacts the White Wolf continuity, there were a number of odd
and fun decks that showed up. Especially nice that none of the
strong degenerate decks (Stealth Bleed w/ Impunity, Super Vote Pain)
made appearances.
For those that are unfamiliar with the Storyline format, it uses
standard constructed rules. Exception being that your crypt must
be constructed with 75% of a given clan. Fortunate are we that
the Pander have 11 different Vampires to build from.
Just off the heels of the Storyline: Baltimore event in Western Michigan,
I put together a Pander deck (for just such an occasion), and took it
out for a spin. Be sure to check it out in Deck of the Month.
3. FICTION: A Tale of Igo
By Marcus Belvedere
Igo rolled his shoulders, less out of discomfort than nervousness. It wasn't often
a lowly stooge like him got to meet with a guy like Samat. Glancing at the mirror
on his left, he checks out his appearance to make sure he looks presentable.
Aside from his impossibly gaunt look (derived from a series of eating disorders
as a mortal), he looked good. Clean suit, nice shoes, hair slicked back…it was good enough.
Still stretching nervously, he began to pace back and forth through the hotel room that
Samat was currently occupying, 'definitely a class joint' he mumbled to himself, 'bet this
guy never has to get the Prince's permission to do anythin"'.
A voice spoke up from behind him, "No, I do not have to get the Prince's permission, though
he does prefer I mind my own business". A faint touch of amusement entered the voice, "I assume
you would be the esteemed Igo….the Hungry"?
Defensively, and a touch petulantly, Igo responded as he turned to face the voices wielder,
"yeah that's me, they call me that, cuz I'm so damn skinny…" He was rather surprised to see
a dapper, slim male, possibly of arabic descent, or maybe Iberian? Igo wasn't sure.
What he did know, was that this guy radiated calm and power.
No way in hell he was going fuck with Samat.
"Sir, one of your boys said you had some buisness for me?" A servile whine ept
into his voice, and he found himself unable to even attempt eye contact with Samat.
"Yes, strange as it may sound, it has come to my attention that you possess access to the
haven of one `Elliot Sinclair`. Tell me, how is it you have access to a respected
Elders haven?" Both the tone of the voice and the body language warned Igo that lying
wouldn't be a good idea.
"Yes, sir, I do. Mr. Sinclair pays me to help patrol the grounds of his mansion at night
while he's away on business…" resentment touched his voice as he continued, "but I'm not
allowed to feed anywhere near the haven, I have to go hunting downtown, in the slums."
He sensed, more than saw Samat nodding, "Very good. Can you give me details of his
security systems and guard patterns?"
Igo nodded, "yeah, I could, but what's in it for me?" Greed, and a touch of defiance
overpowered his usual air of servile cowardice.
"A chance to hunt with ease. I can offer you the right to hunt in a good neighborhood,
with limited access to my personal herd…assuming of course your information turns out
to be accurate."
Incredulity spread through Igo's brain like wildfire. "Access to your huntin' ground?
You're fucking with me, right?"
"No, I never lie, it's a waste of time, and an ineffective tool of negotiation.
I assure you, if your information can get me into Mr. Sinclair's Mansion with ease then
everything promised will be yours."
Overwhelmed, Igo took a few seconds to catch up to reality..'at last, no more stalking
whores through the slums, no more feeding off corpses or nearly dead winos…'. Without
hesitation, Elliot Sinclair, Virtuoso Thespian and Toreador Primogen to the Prince had
just been sold out.
Sticking out his hand, Igo takes the step into a new masters grasp with one simple word.
"Deal!"
4. CREATE A CAITIFF(tm)
NOTE: With the incorporation of Pander into the Picayune
Press, Pander submissions will now be accepted.
If anyone has a better title for this section, let me know!
- Bernie
This months selection is sent to us by: Tobias op den Brouw
Jan-Willem Rouwenhorst, Martyr
Caitiff
2-cap
Disciplines: for
Card Text: When Jan-Willem Rouwenhost moves to your controlled
region, you may search through your library to immediately put
a True Faith card on him, pay 2 pool, shuffle your deck afterwards.
Jan-Willem was a originally a priest in Amsterdam, who's belief
in god diminished since his arrival in the city of sins.
He was embraced in the early morning by a stranger who ran into
his Parish from the street claiming sanctuary.
Waking from behind the alter, and his "Sire" nowhere to be found;
The dilemma of his new existence and growing hunger become
both a blessing and curse for a man of the cloth.
Paradoxically, being embraced enhanced his awareness of the
supernatural nature of the world and rejuvenated his
belief in entities such as God.
P.S.
Jan-Willem Rouwenhorst is an old character of mine from a more
memorable campaign. He started as Ventrue, but in the end, he
became founder of his own clan, but died before he could sire
any new vampires. The storyteller never disclosed whether he
actually had true fatih or not, but it often appeared so.
4A. CREATE A PANDER(tm)
Rather than design a new Pander this month, I would like to
reflect on our current Ally:
GHOULED STREET THUG (GST)
Pander Ally
2 Pool
Ghoul with 2 life. 1 strength, 0 bleed. Ghouled Street Thug may strike
for 1R damage. Ghouled Street Thug may play cards requiring basic Potence
as a vampire with a capacity of 2. Any cost in blood is paid with his life.
If a card would give him blood, give him life instead.
===
No matter how you size it, 2 pool for these mugs is rough even if they
are non-unique. Pander are the only kindred up to recruiting these bums,
which isn't a bad thing. Otherwise GST's would be rude, isn't that
right Mr. Nosferatu?
There are ways to offset the cost, but that takes time. Time is one
thing you don't have when big Dominate is on your back.
Having played with the GST's extensively the past week, I'd say thier
cost is higher than their power. So what could you do if as a GST designer?
Reduce the cost to 1 pool? Now it's undercosted
Base Strength of Two? Ouch, one word: Disarm. Next..
Give it Bleed? Now it can punch/bleed. Too much a gain
Built-in Maneuver? Nope, too strong with weapons
How about a Press?
Ya know, adding a Press is still strong but just about right.
Would reduce the need for excessive Traps in a deck (or simply
be redundant). So even with Torn Signpost, that's two rounds
of punching for 2 hand (4 total if you live past round one).
Sigh, if only my Ghouled Street Thugs had a built-in press..
5. DECK OF THE MONTH: PANDERING TO THE MASSES
Deck Name: Pandering to the Masses
Creator: Bernie Bresnahan
Type: Ally Rush / Memories of Mortality
Format: Storyline
Created: 02.07.2002
CRYPT
2x Jimmy Dunn (4) POT CEL for; cannot be contested, burns.
1x Lena Rowe (3) pre obf aus; cannot gain titles
2x Mitchell (2) pot obt; Rescuing M. from torpor costs +1 blood
1x Gillian Krader (2) dem ani; cannot attempt political actions
1x Christine Boscacci (2) dom vic; -1 intercept v. bleed
1x March Halcyon (1) for; If diablarized, no bloodhunt
1x Huang (1) pro; !-Gangrel can target H. as a (D) action
1x Royce (1) dom; -1 stealth when bleeding
1x Uriah Winter (1) pot for
1x Hasina Kesi (1) pot; Pay a pool each time she goes to Torpor
LIBRARY: 90 Cards
MASTERS: 17 Cards
10x Memories of Mortality
2x Sudden Reversal
2x Hungry Coyote
2x Fame
1x Charisma
Allies: 10 Cards
9x Ghouled Street Thug (2 Pool)
1x Vagabond Mystic
POTENCE:24 Cards
12x Torn Signpost
8x Immortal Grapple
4x Disarm
BASIC:28 Cards
10x Trap
9x Bum's Rush
5x Ambush
4x Pulled Fangs
BASIC: 11 Cards
4x Computer Hacking
3x Legacy of Pander
4x Autarkis Persecution
CREATOR'S NOTES:
This deck was put together for the Storyline:Baltimore (South Haven)
event. It was also the first time this deck was played/tested (Doh!)
Results were encouraging. My first table had a Lasombra deck as my
Predator (Dominate is bad news), so I immediately had to start working
backwards to keep pressure off of me. Memories worked VERY well
with the Ghouled Street Thugs (GST) as I managed to put all of
my Predator's Vamps in/near Torpor, then I started going forward.
Sadly, my predator got off a bleed for 6 which was exactly what
he needed to take me down. Much of the tournament went the same
way; I beat up a LOT of vampires, my prey down to <5 Pool, then
got ousted by Big Bleed or Stealth Bleed.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The deck is really fun to play, but very hard to win with.
Changes to the deck would be to change Autarkis Persecutions
to Consanguinous Boon. Increase Legacy of Panders (I only own
the 3 listed though) and drop Computer Hacks.
6. DECK SPOTLIGHT: CUSTODY BATTLE
Deck Name: Custody Battle
Created By: Ethan Burrow
Description: Weenie vote deck, that uses two possible strategies to
gain lots of votes. Bastille for Daughters, and Legacy of Pander for Pander.
Reveal the Caitiff to the clan that wins the legal battle.
Crypt: (14 cards, Min: 4, Max: 18, Avg: 2.29)
1 Gael Pilet chi FOR MEL pre 6, Daughters of Cacophony
1 Angela Preston for MEL PRE 5, Daughters of Cacophony
1 Delilah Monroe for MEL pre 4, Daughters of Cacophony
1 Muse ani for mel 3, Daughters of Cacophony
1 Lena Rowe aus obf pre 3, Pander
1 Celeste mel pre 3, Daughters of Cacophony
1 Uriah Winter for pot 1, Caitiff
1 Smudge the Ignored none 1, Caitiff
1 Nik cel 1, Caitiff
1 March Halcyon for 1, Pander
1 Igo the Hungry pre pro 1, Caitiff
1 Basil obf 1, Pander
1 Antoinette DuChamp cel pre 1, Caitiff
1 Angela Decker pre 1, Pander
Library: (88 cards)
Master (11 cards)
1 Bastille Opera House
4 Blood Doll
6 Obfuscate
Action (23 cards)
10 Enchant Kindred
1 Entrancement
2 Legal Manipulations
4 Propaganda
6 Revelation of the Sire
Action Modifier (26 cards)
8 Bribes
6 Cloak the Gathering
2 Cryptic Rider
6 Lost in Crowds
4 Missing Voice, The
Political Action (21 cards)
1 Crusade: Houston
18 Kine Resources Contested
2 Legacy of Pander
Combat (3 cards)
3 Toreador's Bane
Combo (4 cards)
4 Madrigal
7. STATISTICS & STRATEGIES: Memories of Mortality
Memories of Mortality (MoM)
MASTER
1 Pool
Put this card on a vampire; that vampire cannot attempt to block allies.
Any damage the vampire inflicts on allies is reduced to 0. The vampire may
burn 1 blood during his or her controller's influence phase to burn this card;
he or she then goes into torpor.
==
SO! What make MoM a good card? MoM gives an ally w/strength the ability
to beat the tar out of ANY Vampire. I experienced this firsthand two
years ago when my Ellen Fence got whacked into torpor, thanks to a MoM and
Haven Uncovered. Nothing like watching a wall of allies jump in and hit
you for 1+ until you're torped. Ouch.
Alternately, you could choose to play with Allies that have inherent
bleed. These now become unblockable bleeds if your prey is all
MoM'd up.
Of course, relying on this strategy is pretty fragile. Decks packing
intercept will prevent your recruiting activities. Carrion Crows or
Weather Control will wreck your day, as MoM has no effect against
environmental damage.
What basic (non-discipline) cards work well with MoM you ask?
ALLIES: (of course) with hand strength 1+ OR Bleed 1+
TRAP: Essential. As you need the presses to send your target for a dirt nap.
LUCKY BLOW: In conjunction with Trap to keep the presses rolling
PULLED FANGS: Superior to Lucky blow in that Vamps in Torpor are less likely to come back
CHANGE OF TARGET: Used as a Wake Check
BUM's RUSH / AMBUSH: Essential for Rush / Trap / Dirt Nap
COMPUTER HACKING / LAPTOPS: Great for the Unblockable Bleeds
AUTARKIS PERSECUTION: Another way to make your Allies pay off.
INTERCEPT (Any): If you can block a guy with MoM, it's all good
THE GRANDEST TRICK: Kyasid turn into allies & can do the ally nasty
TRUE FAITH: Keep your allies from getting stolen
LEFT FOR DEAD: Out of Turn, so only good if you block. Keeps HighTop alive
ORGY OF BLOOD: Usable by ANY minion (errata), keeps your Vampires in blood (conditional)
CHARISMA: Reduces the cost of allies coming into play
There are a number of cards available via disciplines that enhance
these strategies, but will leave it to you (for now) to discover
the nifty ways to make Allies and Memories work for you.
You may be asking, well why is this important to the Caitiff or
Pander? Well, there are more allies out there than Ghouled Street
Thugs. Rafastio Ghouls can pop out REALLY fast using a bunch of
1-cap vampires. Think about it. I know I will..
8. FINALE
This wraps up our first issue of the Picayune Press, and
be sure to keep them submissions rolling in.
Tchuss,
Bernie Bresnahan (bernaise1@yahoo.com)
Editor of most things Caitiff
Prince of Lansing, Michigan. USA