What is a Memoriam

A Memoriam is when a Kindred looks to their past to learn an answer for something they are currently facing. This will usually allow them to recall a fact, remember a detail, or relive an important moment. These memories are not perfect; it is an effort to go back, but the use of mind-altering powers, elapsed time, strong emotions, and/or general lack of detail may have affected their memory of what truly took place. Another Kindred who was also there may remember events very differently. Neither version is the objective truth, nor is it entirely wrong. That is the nature of memory, especially memories that are as old as the ones being experienced. Memoriams do not change history or backstory; while a Kindred may discover that their sire was killed by someone else, their sire is still dead. These cannot be used to add things missing from the sheet at CC, such as lineages, certain Merits or Flaws, or connections to important SPCs. STs reserve the right to deny any Memoriam request that appears to be unsupported by their bio at CC.

Older Kindred have so many memories that they do not readily retain every detail, just for their own sanity. But even young Kindred can search their memories for details in this manner, but still find it lacking as more recent events dominate their thoughts. Regardless of how rolls and the situation unfolds, the character still survives, but if they take enough damage to enter Torpor they will awaken early from the Memoriam with 1 unfilled Health box remaining.

You may only have one memoriam per story. 

Goals

The reason for diving into memories is to help with a present problem. This isn’t to build backward, but to help move forward. As the book’s 3rd level is banned, here are the two options.

• Level 1: Answer to a question, recall a connection. This is mostly for RP and to allow for delving into the character’s past. These are done as an ask.
• Level 2: Kick off to a larger story. This may be used to remember the first step in a longer story. Part of an ode or a preamble to one. 

Setting up a Memoriam Ask or Ode

Level 1 Memoriam – Open an ask if the memoriam is level 1. A level 1 is for personal stories; it does not confer bonuses or anything else mechanical such as Backgrounds, Merits, etc. Instead, it will answer questions about a character’s personal history (nothing relevant to the setting or wider lore) or allow them to recall information that provides a plot hook for their ongoing server roleplay. 

Outline what you would like for the Memoriam in your ask. The duration of the level 1 Memoriam is one short scene. It may require rolls, or it may not, depending on the roleplay. 

Level 2 Memoriam – This is still a personal story; it does not relate to Seattle’s political scope or specific historical development as a domain, relationships or interactions with Seattle by Night SPCs, or other setting-significant situations. It must be submitted as an Ode.  This does allow a full week of play surrounding this specific memory, and should be a defining moment in their history. Examples may include: their Embrace, the death of their Sire, or a specific moment related to a Loresheet relevant to the backstory. Rewards might be provided, as long as they make logical sense within the experience of the story. Do not expect them, unless something is warranted or worked toward in the Ode. This is not treated like regular campaigns, where the factions often give rewards or other SPCs.

What is required to enter Memoriam

Kindred need to stimulate their brains and force cells back to life to dive back into their memory in this way. A Rouse Check or 1 Aggravated WP damage is needed.

• This can only happen once per story
• It has to be a date after their birth (minimum age of 18 years old at the time of the Memoriam.)  
• Others can enter with the proper ritual, or if they were present for the events of the memory.

Character stats

• Starting hunger is the same as when you entered Memoriam
• All Attributes, Skills, and Disciplines stay the same, even if they would realistically be lower (This is just a mental reenactment). Players may choose to nerf their character as they want.
• Advantages are what is on the sheet, as to what makes sense to what they’d have had. New Advantages will not be added.

Rituals

Shared Memory: Approved; additional characters experiencing the memories gain nothing if they were not present for the event when it originally occurred. This is best used for providing plot hooks and understanding of characters’ experiences.

Stolen Memory: Approved, can only go back to Sire.

Guided Memories: Banned.

After the Memoriam

• How the character navigated it will reveal truths they sought.
• WP damage taken during Memoriam is maintained upon waking
• Physical damage taken during Memoriam is sustained in the present night, showing up on your body magically. (Akin to the Toreador alt bane)
• If a player so chooses, they can take aggravated WP damage instead of the Stains their past actions earned.