Talk:Paris - La Belle Époque

Paris - La Belle Époque

How is it that we have made it all this time without a discussion about Paris on this page? I am shocked. Keith 12/26/2017 19:41 MST

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Probably, because we both spend a lot of time thinking about Paris during the Belle Époque and not doing too much about it. It is understandable really, with only one player it can be a touch anticlimactic for a storyteller and even if the player is dynamic, the story is frighteningly complex. As we have discussed in the past, Paris in any era is largely a city ruled by the vampires. Lets face it, they have all the other supernaturals out numbered, even if those disparate groups worked together, which they are not very likely to do. Any player, playing alone, is likely to be cautious.

Then you take a centuries old vampire (mentally) and return him to mortality, and that individual is going to move very cautiously indeed. Because he knows. Knows that when an individual is mortal, no matter how skilled or even gifted with mystical abilities (which are frightfully underdeveloped for a setting like Paris, and which he cannot even use with familiarity or certainty) that individual might be, it takes just one mistake to end up dead. So, like the truly old man that he is, this character must act with a kind of paranoia which can paralyze a good game. And so, it is therefore quite natural that the storyteller wouldn't be having much fun and Paris - La Belle Époque might sit on the shelf quite a bit more than it gets played.

As far as discussing Paris during the Belle Époque, we have done that countless times. Just not here. I feel I know Paris very well indeed and I have read only a tiny fraction about it. Our discussions have revealed a city of haunting beauty, like a a seemingly calm ocean, but beneath the placid surface there are powerful undercurrents and deadly predators waiting to bring the unwary quickly to they're final end. Paris is a city of subtleties and splendor. It was made to seduce the hearts of the blood drinking immortals who call it home. Every art show hides a unknown political agenda, every soirée is a seduction in the making, and every seduction is an act of revenge and the great game plays itself out to the unfathomable machinations of beings who have been dead for centuries or millennia, but who refused to die. And mortals are but brilliantly plumaged pieces who end up as sacrifices unless they are chosen to become immortal for the style with which they perform they're chosen maneuvers. -- "The Magister 20:50, 26 December 2017 (MST)"

I sensed more than one question being asked here. A question behind a question. Or perhaps I read too much into it.  :-)

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Paris - La Belle Époque is like a highly complex painting that I have struggled with and yet only a few know of my work. I want to show it off, but at the same time keep my secrets so that the setting is interesting...it is an fascinating conundrum for a psychiatrist I am sure. I love the setting and wish I had other players, like any great setting, it is the fun to make it live for players. I am sure at some point it will be used that way, I keep writing it, thinking of Augias knowing that he created a huge city and gave me tons of material, at least I can keep his vision alive.

I love your answer by the way. All true, and all worthy of our mental efforts and writing. Keith 12/26/2017 21:00 MST

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Please don't take my answer the wrong way. I think the smart thing for you to do, is convince one or two others to play Mage in Paris - La Belle Époque. Some of the other players must have some interest in playing through Paris. And it occurs to me that having different players would spice things up. Also, looking at my comments above, I should probably start taking a few more risks with my character if I want to accomplish anything before we are both headed for the old folks home. -- "The Magister 21:16, 26 December 2017 (MST)"