Alright, so these are some very basic resources. I wanted to add more. But there just isn't enough time in the day.
Archetypes (Nature and Demeanor)
Autocrat: Stability requires order, bring it about.
Barbarian: Civilization is a joke, honor is everything.
Caretaker: Suffering is everywhere you must temper it with love.
Celebrant: Something fills you with joy and you cannot hide that pleasure.
Child: You're young, or at least appear to be.
Defender: The meek must be protected from the wicked by the strong.
Fanatic: Your cause is everything to you.
Gallant: Grace is all that counts, romance is your ideal and God's (or the Devils) will your pleasure.
Innovator: There is always a better way to do something. Your task is to bring it about.
Jester: There is too much pain in the world to endure without laughter. You make a mockery of sadness.
Judge: You seek justice for everyone
Loner: You've never fit in and never will
Monster: God has demanded you play the beast, who are you to argue?
Penitent: Your sins can only be forgiven after you've proven your true worth.
Rebel: You re sick of being ordered around. Hide your feelings well and work for the time of change.
Rogue: To hell with the rules, to hell with everyone. Life and unlife is yours to plunder.
Survivor: No matter what storm sweeps through, you will always prevail.
Tyrant: The only way to get things done is to do them your way. All other paths are folly.
Roads
Road of the Beast: Feed the Beast, that it will not break its chains.
Road of Blood: Vampiric blood grants the power for revenge.
Road of Chivalry: Treat your equals within honor and your betters with respect.
Road of the Devil: We are created evil and must play our part.
Road of Heaven: God made us vampires to exact His wrath.
Road of Humanity: The struggle to maintain one's humanity.
Road of Paradox: Existence is a lie; change reality for its better.
Road of Typhoon: Sin and corruption are the keys to understanding.
Questions and Answers
Described below are some questions that should be answered by the end of the prelude. If there is no time for a full prelude, you should at least make an effort to answer these questions. It often helps to write out the answers, even if you have undergone a full prelude.
With each question we list things the player should ask herself, as well as some advice on how to shape the prelude in relationship to the question.
- How old are you?
More specifically, when were you born, and when were you embraced? How old do you look? A good history book can do wonders for giving you appropriate or interesting dates for your character's life.
- What was your mortal life like?
Think about your childhood and how quickly you had to grow out of it. Could you remain innocent, or were you forced into adulthood even earlier than usual? Who were your parents, and how did you fit into your social class? Did you stay in one pmace throughout your life, or did you travel? Were you patriotic or apathetic? Although humans in the Dark Ages had few opportunities to change their lot, the complications of your human life are worth considering. Rare is the vampire who forgets or ignores everything before her embrace.
- When did you first meet a vampire?
When did the superstition become reality for you? Was your sire the first vampire you met, or was there another? Were you expecting the embrace? (If so, you need to explain why.) Vampires usually spend considerable time stalking their prey before they attack. The suspense of the hunt, the tension of being watched - these scenes should evoke great dread in a character (and player as well, hopefully).
- Who was your sire?
Your sire, usually the first vampire you meet, strongly colors your perceptions of vampires. What was your relationship like? Did you part on good or bad terms? Was he prejudiced? Did he describe certain clans according to his personal belief? Did he abandon you, or were you released when he felt you ready? Roleplaying a scen or two with a character's sire is an excellent way to establish the feel of how vampires deal with one another.
- How do you feel about mortals?
Some Cainites consider themselves superior to mortals, citing their undead powers as evidence. Do you still think of yourself as a person, as the same person you once were? Very few vampires of the time see themselves in such a light. Are you protective of your former fellows, or do you intend to use your new powers to avenge yourself upon them? Do you think of them as only a food source, or do you love a mortal? Although not as individually powerful as Cainites, mortals are still the major force shaping the World of Darkness. How you interact with them says a great deal about yourself.
- How did you begin to look at yourself?
Do you believe yourself to be damned, or do you think vampirism is an improvement? Why did you chose to fight the Beast? Do you believe the myths of vampiric society, or do you have your own theories? Obviously, no Cainite can deny her new nature for long. Even the maddest Malkavians have a gut knowledge that something has changed. Your self-image is central to understanding your character and how you will relate to other vampires.
- How did you meet the rest of your coterie?
Were you brought together by chance or design? Do you get along with the others? Do you have common enemies, allies or purpose? How long have you been together in the city? If you don't trust each other, the stories will be doomedto failure. During the prelude you should work out how each of you met the others. Each meeting should be somehow unique, to better cement your interpersonal relationships before the pressure starts to build.
- Where is your territory?
What are your feeding grounds, and how often do you visit them? What is a typical hunt like for you? Where is your haven for the day? You need to detail what sort of vampiric existence you have carved out for yourself. A well-conceived territory has several bonuses, including possible lowered difficulties on hunt rolls. If you have a particularly well-organized territory, you can feed without roleplaying or making rolls. Your territory is one of your most important resources - give it some thought.
- What drives you?
Do you have any outstanding enemies? What are your goals? How do you intend to spend the rest of your long existence? No real person lives without motivations. Your goals, hopes and fears are essential to your character. By fleshing out your ambitions and priorities, you understand better exactly who you are. Look to your Nature, Demeanor and Road for ideas, but feel free to add appropriate motivations that transcend thise guidelines.