Camarilla Game ~ Getting Started ~ A Guide to your First Night. Camarilla Game ~ Getting Started ~ A Guide to your First Night.Okay you've finally done it. You've turned up to your first game but you haven't a clue what to do. Don't worry; here are ten pointers to help you combat those First Night Nerves.
Relax.
The important thing to realise is that it's just a game, and that everyone involved is there for the same purpose, to have fun. If someone comes up to you and starts giving it some, it's just part of their Character. Relax and you'll find that everything seems to come easier. If a player makes you feel uncomfortable, just mention it to them and they'll tone it down a little.
Have an idea of what you'd like to play before turning up.
Some people like to play combat orientated Characters that are always getting into (and surviving) fights, whilst others just like to schmooze. The games are able to accommodate all styles of play so think about what you'd like to play before you're first game and you're bound to find something to suit you.
Keep it simple.
Quiet Librarians who turn into Vigilantes when someone fails to return a book may seem exciting to play, but are rather one note. However a Librarian who cares for each of the books under their charge like they were children is much more interesting. Complex Character ideas usually aren't up to repeated scrutiny, remember you may be creating a Character that you want to play for years, so keep it simple at first and grow into the role.
Ignore your Character Sheet.
What! I've just spent two hours creating this damn thing and you want me to ignore it! Well, for the first night anyway. Instead, concentrate on establishing your character, getting to know people and everything else. Afterwards you'll probably have a better idea of what should be on your Character Sheet and can adjust it (with the STs blessing, of course) accordingly.
Try to turn up in costume.
It's amazing how much a costume will help you get into Character. So think about how your character would present themselves the outside world. Professionals tend to wear suits, whilst street fighters go for more of the “Urban Combat” approach. You don't have to spend any money on a costume, just think about what you'd like to play and try to present an image. Other players will note costume and use it to start conversations with you.
Talk to everyone.
It's quite likely that everyone will have a better idea of what they're doing on your first night than you, so talk to everyone. Everyone involved will go out of their way to help new players, as everyone was a new player once themselves. So be sure to talk to everyone and let them know that you're just starting if you run into trouble.
Get involved.
Someone's just come up to you and asked if you want to go and help them get information on the new Biker Gang that's tearing up the city. What do you do? Go along with them, you won't have to actually leave the venue OOC, you're bound to get involved in something interesting and when you get back from your mission, you'll have something to talk about with everyone else.
Don't be too confrontational.
You may be playing “The angriest man alive”, but all that's going to do is rub people up the wrong way. Remember that if you don't know any of the other players, they'll be getting to know you as a person as well. Confrontational Characters can be fun, but aren't ideal for your first night.
Don't worry about the rules.
The rules are for the ST to worry about. Just concentrate on keeping in character, you'll pick up the rules as and when you need to. Play is usually geared to being as rule light as possible and most people will have a grasp of the basics by the end of their first game.
Have fun!
Not kill every Character. Not become all powerful. Have fun and everyone else will do as well.
