FREAK: The Scene

By Marc17 (mcschier@uoknor.edu), with additional material by Drew Edwards (roundtree18@hotmail.com)

Introduction

This book is about those people who wear weird clothes, don't wake up till dark and lurk on dark streets. This is about the people in black who play vampire having never played a role-playing game before. They are the children of the night of the real world. Skins. Punks. Goths. Cybers. The entire bunch which set the scene in the world of dark. They inhabit the bars, prey upon mortals on the streets, and are the blood dolls in the clubs.

Note: The views within are my own and probobly reflect my own viewpoint in my city more than reality. Deal with it. Everybody is stereotyped and nobody's perfect. If you don't like they way I decribed one of the Cliques or have a better idea, send it to me. Also, I need information on Rockabillies. If you can fill out the info on them and send it to me, I'd be grateful. I see them around at all the shows and everything, but don't know any. It's also one of the few Cliques I havn't belonged to in my life.

Character Creation

1. Pick a Clique.
2. Create a Mortal character from pg. 31 of The Vampire Player's Guide
3. You get two dots in your Clique's Special Ability and one dot in any other Special Ability. Take your Weakness. You may take another dot in a special ability for each additional Weakness you take.
4. Select Merits and Flaws. Pretty much pick any you want so long as it doesn't specifically pertain to being a supernatural creature to have it.
5. Special Abilities cost the same as Attributes when dealing with experience.
6. If a character becomes a mage, vampire, wraith, etc. they may either drop the weaknesses as well as all their Special Abilities ('Ya, I used to be into that stuff.'), or keep them all in addition to any other abilities and weaknesses their new form has.

Cliques

Racist Skin

Assholes, Fascists, Boneheads, Nazi Skins

Like all skins, they wear Doctor Martin Boots, flight jackets, and braces. They often embellish their appearance with white pride/power slogans or symbols such as the confederate flag or swastika on their flight jackets or tattooed arms.

Some house out in the middle of no where where they can sit and drink beer without anybody finding out where they live. When in town they hang out at some bar or just simply roam the streets in a large group looking people to harass.

Most racist skins were either raised by racist parents who encourage their behavior, or by uncaring parents who kicked them out/let them run away where they were picked up by other Nazi skins who offered them a place to stay and beer to drink. They were then indoctrinated into the group once they had begun to rely upon the skins.

Most racist skins have Bravo for Demeanor or Nature and is often complemented by other aggressive types of Archetypes. Physical is almost always the primary stat and mental almost always the tertiary. Most Nazi skins have the Short Fuse flaw.

Single mindedness

Hatred

Romper Stomper, Skinheads

Screwdriver, Mid-Town Boot Boys, NON, other skin bands while claiming they used to be racist

Most Racist skins belong to some sort of loose organization which borders on the verge of becoming a gang. They usually have some patch or insignia to adorn their flight jackets or tattoos to identify each other.

Traditional Skins: Some of these guys are ok, but they refuse to see the truths that we see. They consort with mongrel breeds and other race traitors.

SHARP Skins: Race traitor faggots who all need to die.

Old School Punks: Some of these guys are ok, but most of them are race traitors or faggots who need to be put in the hospital.

Crustie Punks: Queer bums who should be squashed like roaches.

Goths: Wimpy little kids who are fun to beat up.

Industrial: If they would take care of the way they look and get jobs they might be ok if they would just believe like we do. Until then they better stay out of our way.

Cyber: Even worse than the Goths.

Drag Queen: Always be sure to wear gloves when beating the shit out of these just to be sure you don't catch their AIDS.

Rough Trader: These queers need to die most of all (even if we are afraid we'd lose the fight and they'd rape us.)

True Freak: Weirdo

Traditional Skin

Oi Skin

Boots, Braces and Flight. Sometimes dressed in shark skin suits.

The local bar and their house.

These are the truest to what skins started out to be, a working class reaction to the hippies in England. They believe in being working class, listening to ska music, and drinking a lot.

Usually primary in physical stats, secondary in Mental stats (so they can get a high Wits for combat) and then Social. Natures and Demeanors vary from Bravo to Caretaker, just so long as it goes with their Code of Honor.

Drinking

Code of Honor

Romper Stomper, Rude Boy

Symarap, Agnostic Front, all Ska and Oi bands

Besides a very strong feeling of fraternity between Traditional skins, they are rarely organized besides loyalties to favorite football teams in England.

Racist Skins: Most of them are ok guys who just need to get off their racist kick.

SHARP Skins: Most of them are ok guys who just need to get off their anti-racist kick.

Old School Punks: They look funny and deserve a good thrashing now and then, but most of them have jobs and are straight up with you when they talk.

Crustie Punks: Lazy bums need to take a bath and get a job.

Goths: The girls are cute, but otherwise they're worthless.

Industrial: They seem like the hard working type.

Cyber: Aren't they just more Goths?

Drag Queen: Worthless disease ridden fags.

Rough Trader: Scary disease ridden fags.

True Freak: Probably queer.

SHARP Skin

Anti-racist Skin, Bonehead

Boots, braces, and flight jackets. Multiple anti-racist tattoos.

Bars and each other's houses.

Once racist skinheads formed out of the Traditional skins, it was only a matter of time before an opposite and equal reaction created anti-racist skins.

SHARP skins usually have either Physical or Mental attributes as Primary being either a Bravo or a Architect respectfully. They often have Fanatic as a Nature or Demeanor. Most SHARP skins with Bravo as a Nature or Demeanor have the Hypocritical Flaw.

Single-mindedness

Hatred

Romper Stomper, Rude Boy, and Skinheads

Agnostic Front, Yuppicide, and non-racist ska and oi bands

Anti-racist skins have a loose brotherhood held together by skin honor and a common cause. There is an actual SHARP (Skin Heads Against Racial Prejudice) that has members, collects dues, networks, distributes flyers and newsletters, host conventions, etc. They are mostly intellectual anti-racist skins however.

Racist Skins: They should all be put in the hospital till they leave town.

Traditional Skins: Good skinheads, even if they won't wake up and see the troubles the world faces with racism.

Old School Punks: These guys just don't care enough and sometimes hangout with the Nazis. They're no better than them if they won't help us fight.

Crustie Punks: Worthless creeps may have their beliefs straight, but they still need to bathe and get jobs.

Goths: Pathetic wimps.

Industrial: Okay guys, I guess.

Drag Queen: Okay so long as they don't hit on me.

Rough Trader: Okay, so long as they don't rape me.

Cyber: Weird pathetic wimps.

True Freak: Just plain weird.

Old School Punk

Hardcore

Old school punks come in two varieties. Hardcores wear army boots, plain leather jackets and band t-shirts with their hair cut short. Post card punks have Mad Max boots, leather jackets covered with band names and spikes, and band t-shirts with their hair colored some bright color sticking straight up into a three foot mohawk.

Dance Club parking lots, the garage where everybodies friends bands practice, Concerts

Punks are what society has made them, and they hate them for it. Nothing seems to matter except the present. There's no future. Life's just a game and they don't want to play. They're a bad seed. There's no way back. Only death will heal them.

Any Nature and Demeanor may be chosen. Character concepts are street types. Social attributes are usually tertiary.

Apathy

Obnoxious

Jubilee, Repo Man, Suburbia, and Another State of Mind

Black Flag, Dead Kennedies, Circle Jerks, DOA, Misfits, DI, Flipper, and the Sex Pistols

Old school punks have no organization besides a strong sense of unity. They will almost always side with each other, fight together against enemies, and trust each other. They can tell each other by appearance and will aid a fellow punk rocker by whatever means possible.

Racist Skins: Racist, neo-facist assholes.

Traditional Skins: Ok guys to drink with if you can stand their self righteousness.

SHARP Skins: PC, neo-fascist assholes.

Crustie Punks: Good guys, but I can't get into their music. It sounds too much like metal.

Goths: Gossiping assholes who talk behind everybody's backs.

Industrial: Cool guys to hang around with. They know what they want and strive to get it.

Cyber: A Goth by any other name is still a Goth.

Drag Queen: Funny to watch as they parade doing their stuff.

Rough Trader: These guys have some really neat leather outfits. I wish I could afford some of them, but then again, they look so gay.

True Freak: Who's not a freak around here?

Crustie Punk

Gutter Punk, Crusties

Crustie Punks are dressed in patched up jeans and jackets. The patches which are usually homemade and from various bands across the country are sometimes the only thing that hold their clothes together. Their clothes are also unwashed and glisten with a sheen of body oils, dirt and spilt beer. There hair is dredded or put up in spikes. Unlike Old school punks it is rarely colored. They also refrain from wearing leather or fur, dressing only in fiber or manmade clothes. Tennis shoes or Israeli army boots are the staple foot wear among crustie punks. Their teeth are green and there is almost always one missing from rot or fights. Tattoos are popular and range from band logos to tribal art work.

Crustie punks have at least one house in any city that they exist in which is the local flop house for anybody who cares to stay there. Most of the time it's a squat or a house which the rent will be paid for once or twice and then they will live there for the additional month or two it takes to evict them. When not at whatever house they live in, they hang around clubs, the rack, convenience stores, or anywhere else they can panhandle change, food, or beer from other people.

Anarchy and peace. After many years, the punk rock movement developed ideals and something to strive for. It's the same old line the hippies had before just Crusties don't sit down and take it. A free society with no government, no war, no money, and organic food are the goals for the crustie punks. The only real difference between crusties and hippies is that crusties like the city and listen to music that's a cross between punk and speed metal.

Pick either Physical or Social attributes as Primary, being either a street tough kid or a schmoozer who gets others to provide their way.

Survival

Filth

Whatever's in the VCR.

Filth, Blatch, Extreme Noise Terror, and Nausea

None, but crustie punks have a similar sense of camaraderie as Old School Punks as well as a friendship with them. Whatever house they are staying at will acquire some name which all the crusties living there will be known under.

Racist Skins: Fascist assholes who need to be killed.

Traditional Skins: Fascist assholes who need to be killed.

SHARP Skins: Fascist assholes who need to be killed, but at least have their hearts in the right place.

Old School Punks: Old School, even if they do dress like punk rockers off postcards.

Goths: Namby pamby anorexic, vampire wannabes.

Industrial: Goths with balls.

Cyber: Goths who are Trekkie nerds.

Drag Queen: Why would anybody dress up like that and act that way.

Rough Trader: Scary guys who are best left alone.

True Freak: Good people to go bum a beer off of.

Straight Edge Punks

By Drew Edwards

Edgers, X-Men, Hardliners, sXe Punks

They can look like any type of punk rocker with the exception of a Crustie. Hardliners avoid wearing leathers and dress more skater, they might have non- or fake leather boots or bondage gear. Straight edgers will have X's on their hands at all times and will tend to have them on the clothing too. Also straight edge sayings like" never give up" or "pure till death" will be on t-shirts.

Punk Clubs, Skate parks, Vegan Food Places, Comic Book Stores, Malls, (sit and laugh at the shoppers)

Straight Edge Punks follow a code that goes a bit like this:

Don't Drink
Don't Smoke
Don't Do Drugs
Don't have sex unless in a relationship and then stay true to that person.

Many of these punks are into herbal medicine and avoid caffeine as well. In recent years a new breed of sXe punks have appeared; they abstain from meat and adopt a vegan lifestyle. These are called hardliners. They take their beliefs very seriously, some to the point of beating up people in leather and calling non hardline edgers posers. Straight edge is moral center of punk movement. Edgers fight for animal and eco rights. They try to stay aware of what's happening in politics.

Think of why this person became straight edge. What events lead him down this path. is he a self-righteous blow hard or a neo-paladin with a mohawk. Is this person hardline and if so is he rude about it. Pick and choose among traits.

Single-Mindedness

Code of Honor

Repo-Man, Trainspotting, Gleaming the Cube, Pump Up the Volume, Punk Rock Movie, Suburbia, Straight to Hell, Errgh: A Music War.

Minor Threat, Earth Crisis, CIV, Gorilla Biscuits, Rancid

The more political may start animal rights groups or other such things. They fight for each other if one sXe kid is being beat up, another edger will jump in and bail him out.

Racist Skins: I'd like to take them and show them what its like to be bashed. If you see one, kick his ass. They all have it coming. They talk about being "pure" and think the color of their skin makes them that way. Give me a baseball bat and I'll beat a new lesson into their heads.

Traditional Skins:Working class rights is a good thing and most are good guys, but they drink too much.

SHARP Skins: Very good cause, but they drink too much. Other than that they are good guys.

Old School Punks: Good people, good music. But they have too much smack in their veins.

Crustie Punks: Take a bath, got off the weed, and get a fucking job. Fucking morons think they are punk with that cock rock they listen too.

Mini-Punx: Most of them will be alright when they get out of Jr. High.

Splatter Punks: Yeah, I know this Splatter Punk transvestite that runs the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" down in the arts district. He's a good guy, but a bit self destructive. He -- or she -- seems to think it's funny. Ghoulrockers need to learn to treat themselves better. The Misfits rule though.

Goths: Wimps who think with their hormones. Need I say more?

Industrial: I can't get into the music, I don't think they have a message. Someone please tell me what this is about?

Cyber: Good guys, I had one make me an edge site. You have to get out the house sometimes though.

Drag Queens: Don't make them mad. These guys who want to be girls can slice and dice anyone with their tongues. If you need to diss someone call a drag queen.

Rough Trader: Too hung up on sex.

Metalheads: *does heavy metal devil hand* Um yeah. No politics, they drink to much, and don't seem to think. I really don't waste much time with this type. When Rancid got popular a bunch of them went to the show. Morons.

Biker: Friendly as friendly can be.

Rockabilly: Cool guys, great tunes, cool cars, cute girls. They party too hard though.

True Freak: Huh?

Mini-punx

By Drew Edwards

Skate-punks, Alterna-teen, Mallpunx, Post-grunge Nirvanabes

Baggy paints, baggy shirts, baggy everything. They always have a skater cut and a wallet chain and a band t-shirt. The guys tend to dress like the pop band "Hanson" and the girls like Gwen Stefani from the punk-wannabe band "No Doubt."

Skate parks, punk rock clubs (gee this fake ID is cool) comic book stores, pizza places, malls (gee this Blockbuster Music is cool) and their mom's house.

Mini-punx are the younger friends or siblings of any kind of older punk rocker or grunge left over. They really want to be part of the counter-culture but just haven't made it yet. Most are still in junior high, and really don't know much about the world. While most view them as the bane of any scene they seem to have a strange insight onto the things their older counterparts miss. Most people start out as mini-punx and won't admit to it when they get older.

They are all young and naive so pick their traits accordingly. They will be full of questions, but at the same time will not warm up to any over 30.

Gossip

Obnoxious

The Crow, Clueless, Natural Born Killers, The Muppet Movie, and anything mixing the psychotic and the cute. They seem to think that's amusing for some reason.

Greenday, NoFx, Pansy Division (that doesn't make me gay does it?) Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana (Kurt's not dead) and anything their older brother listened in high school.

If you see one mini-punk you see all the mini-punx. They really don't think of themselves as a group of anything other than a group of young punk rockers. The name mini-punx was given to them by their older friends or siblings. You see mini-punx everywhere, skating, groping their underage boy or girlfriend, plotting what to do tonight or just hanging around for days on end.

Racist Skins: Yikes.

Traditional Skins: Once I get a job I think I would make a good Skinhead. Mom won't let me shave my head though so I'm going to wait.

SHARP Skins: Yeah I think I'd make a good SHARP once I move out of the house. Mom won't let me shave my head though.

Old School Punks: Wow, a real live punk. I want a mohawk as soon as I move out of the house, just like the one my older brothers had.

Crustie Punks: My older brother used to squat, he tells me cool stories about it. I'm going to squat when I move out. My mom won't let me have dreadlocks though.

Straight Edge Punks: My mom says all the X's on the hands are ugly.

Splatter Punks: Yikes, that guy looks like the Incredible Hulk's, paler, creepier, zombiefied twin brother. He just grinned at me and said something about how "I looked good enough to eat."

Goths: They look just like punks to me?

Industrial: I like Nine Inch Nails.

Cyber: Computers are for geeks -- but one of these guys sent me some porn once.

Drag Queen: Wow she's hot -- she's a what?! That doesn't make me gay does it?

Rough Trader: What's a Rough Trader?

Metalhead: Metallica rules!! Oh wait I didn't say that. That would make me a poser. Oh well, [very quiet] Metallica rules.

Biker: Old people suck.

Rockabilly: My girlfriend started to dress kinda Rockabilly. I don't know; it seems like old music to me. I like punk by the way!

True Freak: That kid in science class? I'm going to kick his ass after school.

Splatter Punks

By Drew Edwards

Hardgore, Horror Punks, Ghoul Rockers, Zombiepunx, Freak-rockers, Headstone-punks

Anything they want as long as its gloomy. Most of them men are fairly built with devil-locks and punk rock attire. Skull crotch plates are not unknown. The women (or the transvestites) tend to keep with a campy-goth mix mirroring things like the Addams Family or Vampira. Ghostly chains are a very common theme on the women, the men and those in between. Where goths whine and cry splatter-punks laugh.

Graveyards, video stores, morgues, clubs, gyms, beaches after dark, and places so gloomy no one wants to go to them.

Life is funny, but death is even funnier. Could have gone goth, but saw that as too flimsy and fake. They know they are campy and even a bit silly, but they enjoy the game. The average splatter-punk could eat the spookiest goth alive. Splatter-punk is the mosh pit to the Goth's slow waltz. They enjoy watching slasher movies and old horror films. The bloodier the better. Violence is to be enjoyed, even laughed at. Life is a gloomy pitch black joke, and splatter-punks view themselves as the monsters with the punch-line. They got their name from a horror book of several short stories. Most of them are violent, but tend to brood a bit (only for affect.) As stated before, were Goths cry, Ghoul rockers laugh.

Jester tends to be what they lean to as far as Archetype (gallows humor). Any other would follow depending on the character. Strength is important to the men (gotta look like Glen Danzig) and the women can go almost anywhere.

Apathy

Anti-Social

Ed Wood, Re-animator, Night of the Living Dead, Dead-Alive, Horror of Dracula, Halloween, Hellraiser, Godzilla 1985, Carnival of Souls, 2,000 Maniacs, and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The Misfits, Groovie Ghoulies, The Cramps, The Damned, T.S.O.L, Rocket From the Crypt, Samhain, White Zombie, Alien Sex Fiend and Danny Elfman.

They don't like themselves, much less other people. Splatter-punks don't have much a group, and really don't think of themselves as one. They would hang around Goths except, as a rule, they all hate Goths. For them, most "cliques" take themselves too seriously or are made up of a bunch of posers. Mostly you will see one or two Zombie punks together within a group of other people. Larger groups almost always have "token" splatter-punks. If they see a goth however, a thrash, either with the fist or the tongue, with most certainly happen. They really, really hate Goths.

Racist Skins: I do not like them Sam I am. I'd much rather eat greens and ham.

Traditional Skins:I guess it's a good message but these guys takes themselves waaaaay seriously!

SHARP Skins: What can I say. I'm not a racist but even that can fun if done that right way. Everything can be funny if done the right way!

Old School Punks: You know I really like these guys. They don't take crap off people but they are so full of themselves! I wonder what would happen if I hit them with an acid cream pie?

Crustie Punks: I kind of admire how gross they are, but they really need to take a bath.

Straight Edge Punks: Lighten up, fellas. Killing yourself slowly isn't so bad.

Mini-punx: A bunch of little posers, but they sometimes hit the absurdities of things on the mark. Cute kids.

Goths: Where are they? Let me at them! I'll show them what the true dark side is!

Industrial: Cool music, but they are still stuck on themselves. Perhaps a few razor blades and a rubber chicken would help?

Cyber: *hums Star Trek theme* Captain's log star date . . .

Drag Queen: Ed Wood was a transvestite. These people don't take anything seriously. And what a bunch of bitches. I love drag queens.

Rough Trader: Think they are so tough, I'd like to get them under the lash and see how long they last.

Metalheads: Dude!

Biker: Say what? And get my ass kicked? There's something the dead that still live are afraid of.

Rockabilly: Great cars, nice hair, they know how to have fun.

True freak: Everyone's a freak, everyone's a loon. Big deal.

Goth

Death Rocker, D-Rocker

Black and gothic. Black leather on top of black velvet clothes with black lace trim. Black hair covering white makeup.

Dance Clubs, Cemeteries, Denny's

Goths believe they are born different. They have always enjoyed the dark and black clothes. Night time and death are their friends; daylight and life are the enemies which torment them constantly. Romanticism and sex are the only things which inspire them to drudge though the world in a continued existence and eventually these things are left uninspiring and by then it's too late to get up the will to change.

Social attributes are almost always Primary since social interaction is the mainstay of Goth life. Mental follow while Physical is almost always Tertiary as Goths abhor physical activity for anything other than sex. Pick any Nature or Demeanor which would aid the Goth in acting superior to everyone else. Get some resources so they can buy the clothes and records or give them the skill to make their own.

Gossip

Smug

Interview with a Vampire, Gothic

Christian Death, Bauhaus, Nosferatu, Death in June, Sisters of Mercy

None beside the fact that they always gossip amongst themselves and know who everybody is.

Racist Skins: Good people to stay away from.

Traditional Skins: Ok, so long as you don't get their attention.

SHARP Skins: More people to stay a good distance away from.

Old School Punks: Loud, obnoxious assholes who can't stop talking about themselves.

Crustie Punks: Really gross kids who need to deal with reality.

Industrial: Cool guys. I like alot of their music. I just can't stand to listen to it for long.

Cyber: People who finally understand us and are properly up to fashion and etiquette.

Drag Queen: They dress horribly.

Rough Trader: I'm not afraid of them. (Said in a whispered voice from the other side of the room).

True Freak: Who cares about them?

Industrial

Cyber

Dressed in black and army green, the Industrial choose clothes that have the qualities they enjoy, rough and durable: t-shirts covered with army jackets, industrial strength work boots covered with friction tape. Heavy Materials and leather are what the Industrials prefer for utility and fashion.

Junk yards, abandoned factories, home.

Industrials were born different. They preferred the radio static to the music that played. Loud noises, explosions, crashing bangs, and the sound of destruction were better than any music made. Out of this destruction came new things, things which nobody else could see the beauty in. There is no destruction, only change and change is good.

Mental is the best for Primary attributes while knowledges and Skills are the best for Primary Abilities. Natures and Demeanors are something which allows them to be self reliant and separate from others. Most industrials have some Skill or Knowledge which they 'hack' and are very proficient in (4 or 5 dots).

Invention

Anti-social

Testuo-Iron Man, snow on some random channel

Eistruzende Neubauten, NON, Throbbing Gristle, radio static

Every man is an island.

Racist Skins: Racist bullies.

Traditional Skins: Bullies.

SHARP Skins: PC bullies.

Old School Punks: Ok guys if you can stand to hear them talk all the time. They at least respect music other than their own.

Crustie Punks: Metalheads who try to claim punk roots.

Goths: Why anybody would want to be a vampire is beyond me.

Cyber: Ok people but their music has too much structure to it. Things need to be destroyed in order to be built.

Drag Queen: Everybody's got their twist.

Rough Trader: If that's what they wnat to do, more power to them.

True Freak: Surely they must understand what we're going through.

Cyber

Cybergoth, Industrial

Similar to a goth but more latex and leather. Everything needs to be sleek and smooth. Ruffles and lace lack the statement of buckles and straps. Wires wrapped around the wrist are better than a silver bracelet, and electrical tape looks better than broach or pin.

Dance clubs, concerts, and the local on-line coffee shop.

Flesh is weak, machines are strong. Computers move faster than any brain and feel less emotions. If they could become machines with computer brains, they would. They understand machines and their world. Nothing to worry about but the flow of information and the execution of a job. All life's little trouble are just features of the flesh which they neither care for or want.

Mental Attributes are Primary while Skills or Knowledges are the Primary Abilities. Computer is almost always a given and a great many have Computer Aptitude. Pick some futuristic character concept such as a net runner, cyborg, or alien species. Whether or not you are actually what your concept is, you want to be that and almost believe that you are. Act accordingly.

Technology

Techno Fetish

Akira, Tetsuo-Iron man, and any Star Trek episode with the Borg

Front 242, Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Leather Strip, Psychic TV, RevCo

Cybers keep in contact through magazines or web pages as to what's the hottest and newest thing going. They really don't go out of their way to form groups solely of Cybers unless similar interests are involved, such as computer hacking or music.

Racist Skins: The reason I drive and not walk.

Traditional Skins: The reason I carry a shock gun.

SHARP Skins: The reason I carry pepper spray.

Old School Punks: Old guys who time is past. Beware guitar music, electronic is here.

Crustie Punks: Old School Punk wannabes.

Goths: They'd be better if they weren't so depressed all the time.

Industrial: They think like we do but their music is in a more experimental stage.

Drag Queen: More normal people revealing their inner desires for a night on the town.

Rough Trader: I could do so much with all the leather these guys were.

True Freak: We're all one of these.

Drag Queen

Fag, Queer, Queen, etc.

A badly exaggerated version of the opposite sex in really bad clothes.

Clubs, gay bars.

They are not gay; they have just been born into the wrong bodies. Ever since they were old enough to dress themselves they have wanted to wear women's clothing. They tried on their mothers' and sisters' clothes when they were away from home and later when they moved away for college they met others like themselves and clubs to go to. Now they never go back of give up their lifestyle. Any second of hteir lives that they can get away with dressing as their true sex they will. If they can actually pass fo rthe opposite sex at work or play, they will.

I only have three things to say: social attributes, social attributes and social attributes. PIck up some social merits if possible and damn the rest of life.

Transvestite

Nellie

Anything with Divine in it or Andy Warhol.

Whatever's hot on the club charts.

Every week or every year, depending on the city and clubs, they all get together to have a beauty contest to see who'll be on top of the social register.

Racist Skins: Simply horrible beasts.

Traditional Skins: Prejudices, ignorant fools.

SHARP Skins: Who are they?

Old School Punks: A very crass breed of people, but sometimes they can be fun.

Crustie Punks: Ewww. The stench!

Goths: Such pretty little children, if only...

Industrial: They don't talk much do they?

Cyber: Just as pretty as the Goths, but always talking about electronic thingies.

Rough Traders: Oh, they seem so masculine and scary, but they are really teddy bears on the inside.

True Freak: There are some really weird people in the world.

Rough Trader

Leather Man

Leather and denim. Blue jeans with leather pants, leather jacket with a leather harness underneat and a leather motorcycle cap.

Gay bars, private clubs known as dungeons.

Not only have they never liked girls, they also enjoy pain. Nothing is as romantic to them as the sharp kiss of the whip from a strong, muscular hand. It's all just one big loving family. Nobody's really out to do anybody any real harm, just searching for the sensations that come with a little rough sex.

Put primary attributes into Physical stats with a balance in the others. Get some manyl skills and a manly job, like a construction worker, a motorcycle cop or an Indian.

Ignore Pain

Top or Bottom

Homemade videos.

Whatever their lover likes.

Every major city has its own little clubs and dungeons which are kept semi-legal and are only known to those in the clique. They are kept in contact by newsletters, magazines and word of mouth.

Racist Skins: I'd like to see one under the lash to see how tough they really are.

Traditional Skins: I'd like to see one under the lash to see how tough they reall are.

SHARP Skins: I'd like to see one under the lash to see how toh they really are.

Old School Punks: I'd like to see one under the lash to see how tough they really are.

Crustie Punks: I'd like to see one under the lash , but they not using mine on his filthy body.

Goths: Wimps

Industrial: They seem stoic enough.

Cyber: Wimps with a gimmick.

Drag Queen: Part of the family.

True Freak: Sometimes these like to play.

Metalhead

By Drew Edwards

Headbanger, Duderocker, Hair Helmet

Long hair and torn up jeans are the preferred style of the headbanger. Black boots and leathers are not un-common. Many try to promote the image that they are Satanic worshippers.

Anywhere but home.

Basically a metalhead is a guy who wants to rebel against society, but doesn't really have any political beliefs. They want to be dark, but don't really know how. They want to free their minds, but tend to close them even more because of things that don't seem "tough." In short, they are rebels without a clue. Metal is based around a lot of hero worship and the average metalhead has little hope of starting his own band because few are talented enough to play the very complex tunes that they admire. Most people tend to think of metalheads as dumb. While this is not far off, many just didn't have a chance for much of an education. Therefore they really aren't very open-minded. They tend to drift from party to party, getting smashed and trashing the place Axle Rose style. Like Goths they tend to think sex will get them by. The more talented ones start bands, and the smarter ones get jobs. Like punks they really don't seem to give a damn.

Think of the type of place they grew up in, what alienates them from others, and what made them so bitter. A metalhead shuts himself off and simply begins to go through the motions. Ask why then make your character.

Drinking

Hatred

Beavis and Butthead do America, KISS vs. the Circus Phantom, Heavy Metal, Wayne's World, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, the Crow, Hard Rock Zombies

KISS, Metallica, Korn, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Alice Cooper, Pantera, Guns 'N' Roses, any hard rock/metal act.

They drift from drink to drink, fuck to fuck, and party to party. Getting organized would be a waste of time.

Racist Skins: Some of that Nazi shit is cool but they are fucking mouthy.

Traditional Skins: Those pricks stole our beer.

SHARP Skin: I'll his kick shorthaired ass if he comes near me again.

Old School Punks: All their music sounds alike dude.

Crustie Punks: Their music rules but God the smell.

Straight Edge Punks: Give up drinking? Are you serious?

Mini-punx: It's okay little dude, take a drag off of my cig.

Splatter Punk: These dudes come in 3 flavors. One is a freaky giant dude that looks like Glenn Danzig who'd sooner kill you than look at you. Two is a freaky Elvira looking chick who'd sooner kill you than look at you. Three is a freaky vampiress looking transvestite who'd sooner kill you than look at you. They are all crazy; don't mess with them.

Goths: These people are easy to get in the sack, but their music is wimpy.

Industrial: These people are wimpy, but their music is cool.

Cyber: Computers are for geeks.

Drag Queen: Fag

Rough Trader: Fag

Biker: What? No I didn't say that man. I'm okay you're okay dude.

Rockabilly: These people listen to sucky country and western music. It sucks. There aren't any of them around me are there?

True Freak: Fag with beer.

Biker

By Drew Edwards

Gearhead, Road Warrior, Hell's Angel

Leathers of all shapes and sizes, Harley t-shirts, and long ZZ top style beards are what most of the men wear. Women dress in skimpy leathers or stuff close to what the men wear.

Biker bars, Country Western Places, Clubs, The Open Road

They've seen it all and done it all. As long as there have motorcycles there have been bikers. These knights of the road are common in most places. Despite their rough appearance bikers tend to the most friendly of all people although a tad on the jaded side.

Bikers are old (albeit wild) souls even when they are young. So think of a tough, done it all, kind of person.

Invention

Code of Honor

Beyond the Law, Easy Rider, From Dusk Till Dawn, The Wild One, Werewolves on Wheels, Woodstock: the Movie

AC/DC, Ramones, Pink Floyd, Hank Williams Jr., Merrel Haggard, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Alice in Chains, ZZ Top, The Clash, Garth Brooks and The Rolling Stones.

What can I say. They share everything.

Racist Skins: If only they weren't so close-minded, they'd be okay

Traditional Skins: They're guys, good to drink with.

SHARP Skins: If only they weren't so close-minded, they'd be okay.

Old School Punks: Good music and cool leather jackets. Don't like the hair though and they are fucking rude. They're okay.

Crustie Punks: They smell bad but they're okay. They know how to survive.

Straight Edge Punks: I had to sick one of the girls in my gang on one of these guys once -- to loosen him up. Once he got laid, and believe me he didn't have a choice, he was cool. Never got him to drink though. They don't know how to party but they're okay.

Mini-Punx: They're okay but I'm not a babysitter. They ask too many questions. I like NOFX.

Splatter Punks: Freaky but they're okay.

Goths: Cute outfits -- no really. I think they are a bit hung up on themselves but mostly they're okay.

Industrial: I like NIN but these people need to get over it. They're okay.

Cyber: Don't own a computer but if I did these guys would be the first people I'd call. They're okay for pencilnecks.

Metalheads: Really not very bright but they're okay.

Drag Queen: I had this drag queen friend once. She was one funny bitch. Good lookin' too. Looked just like the real thing. I had all these friends who worked the oil fields. I'd take her picture out to them and tell them she was the "real thing." That was a hoot. Drag queens are bitchy faggots for the most part, but you know, they're okay.

Rough Traders: These guys need to stop pretending to be something they aren't. They're okay though. Nice leathers.

True Freak: In my time I'd done everything, seen everything and pissed on things that they don't have names for. You mean to tell me you're a True Freak? Ha, that's really sweet sonny.

Rockabilly

By Drew Edwards

Punk-o-billy, Psychobilly, Cowpunks, Greasers, hillbilly

For guys, its the Fonz, meets Elvis, meets Hank Williams Sr., meets Johnny Rotten. For girls its a perfect copy of a 1950s pin-up girl. You get the idea, its the 50s all over again, perfect greaser girls and guys. Leather jackets, cool hair, rolled up jeans and dark shades.

Auto-shops, malt-shops, burger joints, garages, drive-in movies, clubs, and any other "cool" place.

These people want to live the 50s all over again, and live life the redneck way. They think that rock 'n roll is best in its pure, country meets blues format. Sure, a little punk has been tossed in over the years, but who is counting. As far as they are concerned the good times are still rolling.

The major traits of a Rockabilly character is Bravo. These people like to show off as well and are out to have a good time. You should pick traits accordingly.

Technology

Tech(auto)-fetish

Grease, Beach Blanket Bingo, Return of the Living Dead, American Graffiti, Rebel Without a Cause, any Elvis or Marilyn Monroe film.

Elvis, Roy Oberson, The Cramps, The Stray Cats, Southern Culture on the Skids, Rev. Horton Heat, Old 97s, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, The B-52s, Chuck Berry, Killbilly, and Dick Dale.

Rockabillies will hang with each other or anyone who is a "real cool cat or kitten." Basically, they do what they think is fun. This normally involves eating burgers, watching "flicks" or fixing their cars. A Rockabilly's car is one of the most important things in his life. They spend hours making them look just right and purr like a kitten. They also like to fight and really don't need a reason for it. If someone jumps one of them they jump in. Another thing important to Rockabillies is their hair, which they also spend hours on.

Racist Skins: Whoa man, Chuck Berry was a black cat. Those Nazi dudes, they ain't cool. And man, how could they do that to their hair.

Skins: I can dig that working class rights jive, but man, how could they do that to their hair?

SHARP Skins: Chuck Berry was a black cat. Those SHARP dudes are cool. But man, how could they do that to their hair? Old School Punks: All I've got to say is the Clash were really cool cats.

Crustie Punk: Whoa mama, these dudes are dirty. How could they do that to their hair?

Mini-punx: Whoa little dude, stop asking all those questions. Everything's cool, just shut up.

Splatter Punks: Freaky man, just freaky. I mean really Spookys-ville USA.

Goths: Most of the guys look like drag queens, but as for the girls -- hey their pretty mama.

Industrial: I like to keep my tools for my car and my music for my music.

Cyber: Computers...aw man, I just can't dig it.

Drag Queen: Whoa man, she is hot. She's a what? Aw man.

Rough Trader: Whoa man, that guy is cool. He's a what? Aw man.

Biker: Whoa man, these guys are cool as ice.

Metalhead: Yeah man, pretty stupid.

True Freak: Don't look at me man.

True Freak

Freak, Person in Black

However they felt like dressing today, but usually in all black without any of the accessories that go with one of the other Cliques. They may also look like any of the other Cliques.

Wherever they feel like going when they decide to leave the hole they call home.

Some people never really fit into another Clique, are too much of a mixture of two or more Cliques, or are just too weird to ever be like anybody else. These are the True Freaks, people who are truly unique.

Either by environment or birth, these people are just plain, outright bizarre. I mean really out there. Any combination of stats or skills are possible. No talent can be overdone, no skill too obscure, no knowledge too weird, these people aren't by any means normal and shouldn't be treated as such. Pick lots of merits and flaws. True freaks may suffer from several major setbacks in life, but they excel in just as many advantages.

Three dots in any other special ability

Twisted

Who can tell?

Who knows?

No organization, but by some strange chance, they all seem to know each other even though they have none of the same interests.

Differs from person to person.

Special Abilities

Apathy

People with Apathy don't care what other people think. They don't care how other people act. They don't care what they want. People with apathy can still be driven and very strong willed. They just aren't influenced by the desires and norms of other people and society as much.

System: Anybody attempting to make any sort of contested roll against a person with Apathy suffers a dice pool penalty of the target's Apathy rating if the roll uses Empathy, Intimidation, Leadership, or Etiquette.

Drinking

Characters with Drinking are so used to drinking and getting drunk that being inebriated doesn't effect them as much as others.

System: Characters with the Drinking special ability may reduce any dice pool penalties from being drunk by an amount equal to their Drinking ability.

Gossip

Characters with Gossip are especially adept at gossiping either due to their mind set or the amount they do it.

System: Characters with Gossip may add their Gossip ability rating to any gossip roll they make.

Ignore Pain

Characters with the Ignore Pain special ability have developed an immunity toain; indeed they may have even begun to enjoy it. This could be from constant exposure, a sense of masochism or just what some people consider a fucked up head.

System: For every dot in Ignore Pain that a character has, he may ignore one die of penalty caused by wounds, also allowing them to act unhindered while suffering from wounds. Those who would use any sort of physical torture on those with Ignore Pain also suffer a dice pool penalty equal to the level of Ignore Pain the victim has.

Invention

Characters with invention have an understanding of how things work as well as a desire to build new things out of them. Although it is similar to the Repair skill, it goes beyond just repairing already existing equipment and into creation of new equipment out of old. By tearing apart bits and pieces of equipment and the use of tools, the character with Invention may attempt to build new things.

System: Characters with Invention may reduce any Repair difficulty roll by their ability rating and may use their Invention ability as an Ability rating required to construct any new piece of equipment if they have the proper tools and materials to work with. (Masers out of microwaves may be a little extreme, but building remote controlled robots with flame throwers after a trip to the junk yard is completely feasible as well as the role model for this Clique.)

Single mindedness

Characters with this special ability are singularly stubborn and strong willed about anything they have set their mind to.

System: Once a character states, 'I'm going to (fill in the blank)', they may subtract her Single-Mindedness rating from any Manipulation, Intimidation, Leadership, Empathy, or Etiquette roll dice pool used to get them to stop or alter her decision. This bonus last only for as long as the character is actively striving to complete the goal. As soon as she does something other than this (stopping to get something to eat, going to sleep, talking to somebody, going to the bathroom) the bonus is lost.

Transvestite

Characters with Transvestite are skilled in dressing and appears as the opposite sex. They know what clothes to wear, how to do the makeup right and all the tricks to get the body language right, sometimes better than the real thing.

System: When dressed up, by spending half an hour per dot used, people using the Transvestite special ability cannot be told from the real thing by people whose perception is lower than the level of transvestite ability used.

Urban Survival

Characters with Urban Survival can do just that, survive in the urban setting. If dropped off in the middle of an unknown city they will thrive and prosper. They will always know ways to get food, money, or shelter, but they might not be willing to do what it takes to get it.

System: This Ability may be used instead of or in addition to any Streetwise or Survival roll made which deals with an urban setting. It may also be used as the Common Sense merit while in an Urban setting but a Storyteller may only advise a character a number of times equal to his Urban Survival rating per Story.

Technology

Characters with the Technology special Ability understand technology and how to get it to work.

System: At the Storyteller's discretion, this ability may be used instead of or in addition to any roll dealing with technological items when trying to understand what they do or how to get them to work. (This includes but is not limited to computers, kitchen appliances, large stereo systems, and Technocracy fetishes.)

Weaknesses

Anti-social

Characters with the Anti-social weakness either don't like other people or don't relate very well. They suffer plus one difficulty to any roll using a Social Skill.

Bottom

Characters with the Bottom weakness must be subserviant to other characters. They suffer from a two die pool penalty on any Social roll which the ST decides is not done in a subserviant manner. The ST must allow the character a choice to change his action to one that will not invoke the penalty before the roll is made.

Code of Honor

Skins have a close set of rules which they follow. They must be working class (must have a job), must be honorable (fight any fight which is offered to you), and punish any who wrong you or your freinds (fight them).

Filth

Characters with this Weakness are exactly what it says, filthy. Their hair is matted, their clothes and bodies haven't been washed in weeks, and their teeth are green. Suffer plus one difficulty to any roll involving other people when they're down wind.

Hatred

A character with Hatred of another Clique or type of person must make a Macho Posturing Bullshit Test whenever they encounter that sort of person. Nazi skins hate minorities and SHARP skins while SHARP skins hate Nazi skins and other racists. Other characters who take this weakness, may pick another Clique or type of person with approval of Storyteller.

Nellie

You're so flaming that people across the room can tell you are gay, even if you are not. Not only can you not hide it, you don't want to. YOu play it up and enjoy the acting job you put in.

System: When dealing with anybody in normal society or a Fascist or Traditional skin, yhou suffer a two die penalty to all social rolls.

Obnoxious

Characters with Obnoxious are either loud and annoying or simply are too blunt with what they consider to be the truth. Either way, the thin veneer of social etiquette is lacking in these characters. Subtract two dice from any social rolls involving other characters with Empathy, Leadership, Etiquette, or the Smug weakness of any rating.

Smug

Scene status is everything to the character with the Smug weakness. Characters interacting socially with a character with the Smug weakness may add two dice to their pool on any roll if they have a scene status, while characters with a lower scene status must subtract two dice from any pools. In addition, characters with Smug subtract two dice from any dice pool involving another with the Apathy ability or a higher scene status than theirs.

Techno Fetish

The character with Techno Fetish has just that. Everything must be the newest thing and at the forefront of technology. If the music requires guitars, make the sounds with a synthesizer. Use e-mail not snail mail. Play digital tapes, not analog. Get a computer. This further exhibits itself as an inability to function outside of the city. Whenever not standing in or around a steel, concrete and glass jungle, Cybers suffer two dice pool penalty to any roll they make.

Top

Characters who are tops are demanding and commanding. They suffer from a two die pool penalty in any Social roll the Storyteller decides is not demanding or commanding enough. The Storyteller must inform the character of this before hand and offer to let the character change it tooa more proper response to avoid the penalty.

Twisted

Although most people have their little quirks, a character with Twisted has at least one that make other people's mouths, including other freaks, drop. It is either obvious to others who get to know the character or they feel free to tell acquaintances as they see nothing wrong with whatever it is that merits this Twisted weakness. Be it necrophilia, a dead animal collection, extreme fetishes, being unable to sleep in anything but a coffin, or an emotional fondness for small mammals, the character sees this as a perfectly acceptable and desirable way of life.

Merits and Flaws

'Zine Editor (1 pt Merit)

You put together a small fanzine of some sort, either printed or xeroxed. Right now its just a hobby and takes up more money than it brings in. However you get to write about the things that you want to and get into all the shows and clubs for free. You also get tons of free records to review. Besides this, subtract one from the difficulty from any gossip roll.

Magazine Editor (2 pt Merit)

Instead of a 'zine, you put together and distribute a full blown magazine which now pulls in more money than it cost you. You get even more privileges than for running a 'zine as well as $500/month income. It also reduces the difficulty of any gossip roll by two.

Old School (2 pt Merit)

You've been around since anyone else in the scene can remember. When they were still sneaking out of their parents houses in the clothes their mother bought them, you were there, hanging out in the middle of the scene. Everybody knows you and your name. Subtract one from the difficulty of any Social roll you make. Also, anyone trying to spread gossip about you gets to add one to their difficulty. You're just too well known for gossip to be too effective.

Queer (2 pt Flaw)

Although lifestyle and sexual preference is not in itself a Flow nor is it required if it suits your character, normal society generally considers being a fag bad. You like only people of the same sex for sexual or emotional attachments. Characters with this Flaw are easily told by everybody else for what they are or are simply very open about it. When dealing with normal people (ST's discretion) or skinheads, add one to any Social roll you make. This penalty can be avoided with people who don't know yet by making a successful acting roll vs. a difficulty of six.

Slut (2 pt Flaw)

You either put out for almost anybody or sleep with anything who will have you in bed with them. Sure, your Social role dice pools are raised by two when trying to pick up somebody, but otherwise they're lowered by two simply because people in the scene lack respect for you.

Getting Drunk

When a character drinks alcohol, she suffers a one dice pool penalty every time the number of beers (cans or drafts), glasses of wine or shots of alcohol equals her stamina rating. Thus a character with a stamina of 3 will suffer a one die pool penatly after three beers, two dice after six beers, three dice after nine beers, etc. till she can do no mroe than lay in a pool of her own vomit. Each time she reaches a new penalty, she must make a Stamina check with a difficulty of 3 plus the die pool penalty (thus 5 for the Stamina 3 character after six beers) to keep from vomiting. This die pool penalty goes away four hours after it was gained (do each different die penalty separately, thus it's possible to drink constantly for a long time and never occur a huge penalty). Walking is a Dexterity + Athletics action (Difficulty 3; walking a straight line is Difficulty 6)

Scene Status

Scene status is a description of how well people in the scene know you and like you. The higher the scene status the more likely you'll know about parties, concerts, and recent gossip. The top people in the scene are the movers and shakers of everything. Not only do they know what's going on first, but they're the ones behind getting it to happen.

Gossiping

People spread gossip to hurt enemies and help friends as well as to find out what's going on in the scene.

In order to hurt or help somebody, the gossiper must know the person's name and spend the time to spread the dirt on him around. A Manipulation + Subterfuge (or Charisma + Leadership if the character has a Scene Status of 4 or higher or the merit Old School) roll is made with a base difficulty of 7. If successful, the person being gossiped about will suffer a dice pool penalty or bonus equal to the number of successes made by the gossiper depending if they were spreading good dirt about them or bad. this will last for an amount of time equal to the amount of time the gossiper spent spreading the dirt. This could mean hours, days, weeks, or even months depending on how long they want to keep it up. If more than one person is spreading dirt about a person, then the highest bonus, plus one die for each additional successful gossiper, is added to the highest penalty, plus one die for each additional gossiper, for a net result. Characters with apathy may ignore a number of dice to the pool modifier when interacting with the person being gossiped about should they choose. The maximum penalty or bonus possible is five.

In order to find out information, such as who is spreading gossip about you, an amount of time determined by the Storyteller must be spent and a Perception + Subterfuge (or Intelligence + investigation) roll must be made. The difficulty and amount of successes needed are determined by the Storyteller according to the type of information trying to be found out.

Macho Posturing Bullshit Test

Whenever meeting a hated group the character must make a Macho Posturing Bullshit Test. This is a self control roll with a difficulty of 7. If successful, the character may act however he wishes. If he fails, the character must approach the hated person or persons and begin Macho Posturing Bullshit or leave the local. If a botch occurs, the character must either begin combat or flee. If the character decides to flee, he may not return to that local for the rest of the scene and if he does, they must suffer the next MPBT at a difficulty of +1 to whatever the last Test he made was that night. If he begins MPB or combat he may take time to say hello to friends, get help, acquire weapons, etc. but he may not avoid such confrontation for more rounds as he has Self Control.

Macho Posturing Bullshit

Macho Posturing Bullshit consists of stepping up to another character or group of characters and verbally abusing them while playing yourself up. This may be name calling, description of their sexual practices (real or not), quoting of recent rumors, telling them how badly they're going to get beat up, etc. The verbally assaulted party must then make a MPBT as above. If the second party makes the test and ignores the first party, the MPB is over and the first party makes a Fight Test as below. If the second character fails the MPB or decided to participate anyway, then a MPB Roll is made. This is contested Wits + Intimidation roll with a difficulty equal of 10 minus the roller's Manipulation. The winner gets a point of willpower. If the winner is maxed out on Willpower, the rating can exceed the permanent maximum for the rest of the scene. If the second party botches then either combat occurs without the MPB or he leaves. If the second party leaves the local due to losing or botching the MPBT, then the first character automatically wins the MPB Roll. If MPB a MPB Roll occurs, check for a Fight Test as below.

Fight Test

A Fight Test is similar to a vampire's frenzy roll. In certain situations, people freak and attack another without really putting thought into the action. The Fight Test Roll is a Self Control check with a difficulty as listed below due to situation.

Situation	Diff
Win MPB Roll	4
Ignored during MPB	5
Lose MPB Roll	6
Botch the MPB Roll	7
Encounter someone you know is spreading bad gossip about you	5
Insulted	5
Insulted by Hated Group	6
Insulted by Yuppie	7
Threatened or Bullied	6

Some Cliques are more prone to violence than others. The following Difficulty modifiers to Fight Tests apply.

Character is a skinhead or Old School Punk	+1
Character is a Goth or Cyber	-1

Comments and suggestions welcome. I think I could use a better gossip system. Coming soon: Hippies, Drag Queens, and Rough Traders