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Special Details for Shadow of Madness in May

Shadows of Madness will include some special mods and plot that we wanted to share ahead of time so you’re prepared for May. We recommend bringing a red flashlight because, well, keep reading. We hope you’re ready for what we have planned!

Photo by Allana Marie/Black Sky Photography

Shadows of Madness will include some special mods and plot that we wanted to share ahead of time so you’re prepared for May. We recommend bringing a red flashlight because, well, keep reading. We hope you’re ready for what we have planned!

Special Mod:

The Haze Raid: Witness the return of another one of our special sign up mods! Take the fight to the Dead Six and the growing tribes of raiders. Sign up before game in Ops or during game at the Post Office. Come with a group of friends and take turns competing against each other as you hop into a ride and run, smash, and grab raids to disrupt operations and steal supplies and research materials! Hit enough camps and you might just draw out one of their leaders!

Special Plot:

Requiem Dark: Increased raider presence and suspicious activity is causing supply line disruption for sanitation. Fuel rationing is in effect until the situation can be brought under control. Generators are being shut down at midnight. Players are encouraged to bring red lights or low impact lighting such as electric candles to light up their spaces and get in the mood. Don't forget your red flashlights!

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Bri Oshrin Bri Oshrin

The First Annual Reqiuem Killympics

First annual Requiem Killympics. We're all getting a little soft, time to stretch those legs, sharpen those knives and crack them knuckles.

Photo by London Belli

First annual Requiem Killympics. We're all getting a little soft, time to stretch those legs, sharpen those knives and crack them knuckles.

Concept:

The High Lord Executioner is hosting the first annual Requiem Killympics in conjunction with the Bloodwraiths to encourage a trained and skilled town capable of surviving any threats.

Goal:

Encourage people to practice and show off their skills.

How It Works:

At check in there will be colored flags available for players to attach to their belts. These flags represent a type of challenge available to acquire them.

At the end of the event, those with the most flags in each category will receive prizes as well as those with the most total flags.

Important Rules:

  • Flags must be visible at all times.

  • Keep if fun and fair. (Don't insist on lopsided terms, accept victory and defeat with grace)

  • Only one flag may be taken at a time.

  • Flags may ONLY be taken as the result of an appropriate challenge.

  • Flag challenges are not considered CVC and do not cause CVC timer locks unless you break the rules.

Types of flags -

  • Red Flags: May only be taken through combat and duels. A standard duel is a "first to 10 strikes" fight. Players may agree to upgrade the duel "to bleedout" or "to death" if both desired, however no one may reject a standard duel without good reason (need an OOG breather, actual injury, serious time sensitive issue etc). This is to keep the challenges fair and encourage people to actually participate. Do not leave your opponent bleeding to death or in imminent danger.

  • Black Flags: Black flags may only be taken by thievery and sleight of hand. The Larceny skill of sleight of hand must be used to remove the flag from another player. Larceny may specifically target this item instead of being random.

  • White Flags: White flags are challenges of skill and may only be obtained from such things. However they may be taken by other means later if both parties agree to a challenge (IE a duel, a game of cards, a challenge of reflexes or wit etc). White flags are obtained by solving puzzle boxes and practice locks hidden around the town and refreshed periodically.

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Gallery of Gore: 2024

Hello Reqquers and friends! This month the Boone-Helms are happy to bring you the second annual Gallery of Gore! This is a completely player run event and your participation is what makes it special! Create art with us, serve drinks, cater food! Use the submission form in the post to let us know how you'd like to contribute!

Hello!

Some of you may remember last years April trade was The Boone-Helms Gallery of Gore, well much to everyone’s surprise; we remembered to do another one this year! (Take that brain holes!)

How it works:

This is a player run event for the *APRIL* game. We urge all of our artist friends to stretch their creativity for our own special brand of art and maybe make a bit of *in game* currency. We will be hosting an art gallery/silent auction where we can put your works of art up on display for the town to see. If they find some of your gruesome pieces exciting enough, they may place a bid and potentially take it home with them!

Sign ups:

There is a Google Form available here for any of you who would like to submit a piece to the gallery. “Art” is an umbrella term and we will be accepting any form of it so long as you can display it properly! The submission forms are more just so we know how many auction sheets and place holders to make. (Especially if you are planning to do something extravagant!) so please be mindful and fill those out!

Mechanics and Money:

This is a Boone-Helm production, this is our in game way of “prepping for honors fall”. Of every accepted bid, the Boone-Helm will be taking a 10% cut (with a minimum of 1 wager). For full transparency: -the 10% has been raised this year from 5 mostly because 10% is easier to calculate. -the Boone-Helm cut is NEVER kept by any of the Boone-Helm Players. The money we take is simply given back to ops. Because of this, we ask that 10% of the bid you place be paid in wagers. Currency is weird in DR and we get that some people have vast wealth in different forms so we ask artist to understand they may get mixed currency.

Time and Location:

The gallery will start during the *SECOND* hour of siesta. This will allow people who are coming off of the am block the time to get back into character and set up. The Gallery will last until the end of siesta and all bids will then be finalized. We ask artists to be near their works when they are ready to settle up. (Please don’t make me hold your money for you. I will lose it.) If anybody has any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to Kristina or Sabs (player of Nell).

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The Burning - A Page from the Volkov's

An Excerpt from a Worn, but Finely Bound, Blue Book

Photo by Shawn Smith

“Unfortunate, passionate people tend to fill our ranks. They are driven by their desperation, and that desperation informs that passion. It’s not a surprise, as often times the people who join us already feel like there is little left to lose, so why not lose yourself for the cause. Those most deeply embedded in our ranks have given up – everything.

The Volkovs who have committed to this level of service strip themselves of their name, their family, their friends, their personality. They have to in order to protect them. They have to in order to protect themselves. There is only so long you can hold on to yourself after giving up so much. After weeks, months, years, they don’t remember. They don’t remember the accent they used to pronounce their own name – what was it again? Was it Joann, no that was the face after. Or maybe before…? Time will allow you to forget many things. What you don’t forget is the feelings. The secrets that hurt. The ones that tear and gnaw at you, begging, screaming, clawing to escape. Who knows what difference that one piece of knowledge could make to the right person – but of course that is the point.

That is why it cannot escape your lips.

Trivial things can gain meaning if you allow it, and sometimes we need to allow ourselves that kindness. We take these scorching secrets, and looking to unburden ourselves, we will cast them into the burning blue flames. We will watch the yellow tip of blue flame flicker, we will watch the smoke with flecks of parchment whirl into the starry sky, and we will remember that it is okay to forget.”

-An excerpt from a worn, but finely bound, blue book

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November is Player Appreciation Month!

As many of you know, November puts a wrap on our year at Dystopia Rising New York. In 2023, we gained so many new players, we’ve seen old faces return, and we’ve built up our game to be one of the biggest in the network. We absolutely could not have done this without you.

Photo by Jen Karner

Happy Player Appreciation Month!

As many of you know, November puts a wrap on our year at Dystopia Rising New York. In 2023, we gained so many new players, we’ve seen old faces return, and we’ve built up our game to be one of the biggest in the network. We absolutely could not have done this without you.

We wanted to celebrate one year of laughs, scares, and questionable decision making with everyone, and we plan to do this every November. Starting this year, show up to our November Player Appreciation event to celebrate and get yourself some thank you gifts.

We wanted to break down a few levels of player appreciation gifts based on how often you’ve been able to support us (that includes purchasing a ticket, checking in to a game, local buy-backs, and non-attending tickets). There will be 3 categories, players who’ve supported every 2023 DRNY event, players that have supported at least half of 2023 events (4+), and players who supported us at least once (if you’re here for November it counts!).
The only catch is you have to show up (or purchase a non-attending ticket) to the November event to be a part of our celebration!

If you supported all 2023 DRNY events, here’s what to expect:

  • A special gift from the High Lord Executioner himself!

  • A piece of memorabilia to add to your costume

  • 100 Caps

  • If you are a Requiem Local, you’ll also receive a certificate as a loyal member of town!

If you supported at least half of the 2023 DRNY events (4+), here’s what to expect:

  • A small gift from the High Lord Executioner himself!

  • 50 Caps

  • If you are a Requiem Local, you’ll also receive a certificate as a loyal member of town!

If you’ve supported at least one game (November counts!), here’s what to expect:

  • 10 Caps

  • The High Lord Executioner might smile at you

Alongside some gifts, we’ll also be putting together some end of the year content. Please join us before game on (about 8pm) in the Great Hall to be a part of our end of the year video and photos!

Won’t be here in November? We’ve got more in the works to celebrate all our Requiem Locals in 2024. More information will be available by the end of the year.

UPDATE 11/6

As a team, we have taken the time to review the gifts and have decided that we didn’t give enough for our half year supporters! What that means is we’ll be adding an extra piece of costuming memorabilia to the 4+ month players in 2023. It won’t be the same as the full year players, but we wanted you all to have a little bit of Requiem to show off yourselves.

With this new addition, there are going to be a few delays. We want to be sure we choose the best quality gifts for you and with this late addition we won’t be able to have the full or half year memorabilia in time for our November event. You absolutely will be able to collect these the next time we see you all at our game. All other rewards besides the costume decor will be available at this upcoming November event.

We’re so excited to see you there and thank you again for the amazing support you have shown us this past year!

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Building a Morgue: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Fleshwall by Aries of the Zodiac Order

Building a Morgue: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Fleshwall by Aries of the Zodiac Order

Building a Morgue: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Fleshwall by Aries of the Zodiac Order


PREPARATION! (Logistics, Socializing)

Assemble your guards, rally your craftsfolk, pay your doctors, find ominous masks for your grave robbers. Assign some group leaders and get yourselves educated!

What does it mean? - Get all your friends together so we can go over some mechanical basics at the gun range!

PHASE ONE: EXCAVATION (Combat, Building, Logistics)

With all of the preparation out of the way you're probably up to your elbows in undeath. This is not important. What is important is the excavation of the foundation of the morgue. During this phase attention should be put on the clearing of the area, building and reinforcing of structural supports and removal of undead threats.

What does it mean? - Expect to coordinate moving and building of props, while fighting off hordes of zed and interacting with building puzzles!

PHASE TWO: BREACH (Combat, Medical, Building, BLOOD)

DO NOT LOOK INTO THE HELLMAW! If you have made it this far and breach the mortis avoid eye contact with the hellscape and the nightmares within! Send your fool volunteers, I mean COURAGEOUS HELLNAUGHTS! deep inside to recover samples of prime infectious materials to aid in the construction of the FLESH WALL! These samples must be recovered, treated and added to the wall.

What does it mean? - Those opting in to the splash mod portion will be diving into the mortis to face horrible monstrosities and fishing flesh scraps from blood pits, Hooray! Everyone else will be working on defending, maintaining structural integrity and processing the samples.

PHASE [REDACTED]: [REDACTED] REMEMBER TO REMOVE THIS PART

What does it mean? - Nothing don't worry about it.

PHASE THREE: THE FLESH WALL (Combat, Medical, Building, Death)

Congratulations you're still not dead , I hope! Now is the time to fully integrate the flesh wall as the membrane for our new morgue! If you followed all the steps in my provided blueprints you will complete and astounding state of the art morgue! Be prepared for one last terrifying barrage of undead as the Mortis settles and if it's taking too long don't forget you can volunteer some of your comrades into the wall itself to speed things up!

What does it mean? - Get ready for the last hurrah as you finish customizing the flesh wall prop and physically seal the breach. (hopefully with your friends on the right side of it)

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The Vivisection aka the Torture Shack

It's October and at Dystopia Rising New York that means it's time for the annual tradition of The Feast Of Flesh. Each year our team puts on an undead studded extravaganza for players to participate in that culminates in zombies tearing chunks of player sacrificed meat from the doors of cabins in a post apocalyptic mockery of trick or treating. The "easiest" way to get that pound of flesh is by enduring your own vivisection at the hand of Zodiac and his students.

Photo by Allana Marie/Black Sky Photography

It's October and at Dystopia Rising New York that means it's time for the annual tradition of The Feast Of Flesh. Each year our team puts on an undead studded extravaganza for players to participate in that culminates in zombies tearing chunks of player sacrificed meat from the doors of cabins in a post apocalyptic mockery of trick or treating. The "easiest" way to get that pound of flesh is by enduring your own vivisection at the hands of Zodiac and his students.


The Vivisection (also colloquially called the torture shack) is a fully immersive attack on the senses that pushes the limits of not just the characters, but players as well. The experience is designed to be unsettling, loud, disorienting, gross and electrifying while adhering to an opt in and opt out safety standard.

Players can expect to experience:

  • horrific smells

  • gratuitous amounts of fake blood

  • scenes of rot and decay

  • mild electricity

  • flashing lights

  • claustrophobia

  • smoke machines

  • eating potentially gross food

  • physical challenges

  • puzzles and many more. 

While the experience is meant to push your limits we take safety and comfort seriously and utilize a consent form that allows players to opt out of specific ingredients of the module as well as potential triggers. In addition, safe words are used during the experience to allow players to end the scene immediately with no negative detriment to the character for bowing out.

A full potential ingredients list will be provided to players on the consent form which will be available Friday evening at Ops and the Post Office for you to review well before the experience is set to begin. Accommodations will be made, but understand that the experience is designed to be had with all of the design elements working together and removal of too many will impact the length and intensity of the module.

Schedule:

The Vivisections will begin late Friday night for those who are adventurous enough to try their luck with the most extreme experiences and continue late in the day on Saturday before a break to sink the morgue and then continuing again afterwards until the late evening. 


The prize for enduring the experience? A pound of your own flesh to do with as you please and contributing to the unknown multi-year project of the Zodiac Collective.




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Pricing Update

Hello Wastelanders, Wanderers, and Everyone In Between,

With pricing changes from Dystopia Rising going live in October and ticket sales going up shortly we figure it's time to get the information out to you, our players and give you a little bit of background behind our decisions. If you want the shortest answer it's right below but if you want the why and how keep reading after.

Hello Wastelanders, Wanderers, and Everyone In Between,

With pricing changes from Dystopia Rising going live in October and ticket sales going up shortly we figure it's time to get the information out to you, our players and give you a little bit of background behind our decisions. If you want the shortest answer it's right below but if you want the why and how keep reading after.

Early Bird Special: 4-hour (standard) casting ticket will be remaining $65.

After Early Bird, the 4-hour (standard) casting ticket will be increasing to $75.

The 6-hour (maximum) casting ticket will remain the same price, at $45.

Day Pass tickets (with 2-hour casting) will remain the same price, at $35.

Full Opt-Out tickets will be $200 and this price will include: Your two purchasable build, and a clean-up opt-out.

Guides and Storytellers, don't worry your benefits and accommodations will remain in place.

You may be noticing these are not the same as the suggested prices from the official Dystopia Rising announcement. While increased pricing is necessary to cover increasing site costs, and fees from National we as a chapter want to minimize player impact and are not currently going to move up to the suggested $85 standard ticket. We also want to thank our dedicated player base by currently offering our early bird tickets for the original $65 pricing. The way we are choosing to subsidize this effort is with increased Opt-Out pricing. To make Opt-Out worth the cost we will be including the normally purchasable two extra build into the ticket as well as a new clean-up opt out.

Early bird ticket sales for Feast of Flesh: The Hellmaw will go live today, 9/19/23 at 8:00pm est.

If you have questions about the changes let us know by e-mailing info@dystopiarisingny.com or drop your question below.

We’ll see you soon!



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Foundations: What to Expect

With the dust settling from Honor's Fall the town of Requiem looks towards the future. Years of conflict have taken a toll on the settlement but with a newly found peace it is time to build new foundations.

Photo by London Belli

With the dust settling from Honor's Fall the town of Requiem looks towards the future. Years of conflict have taken a toll on the settlement but with a newly found peace it is time to build new foundations.

Join us in September as we say hello to faces old and new. From uneasy alliances with the Nostras Dynasty, and seeing what the Baskervilles and the Scrap Collective will bring to the town. Take a seat at the table as the Families of Requiem set aside their differences for another year to discuss the future of The Fold and set plans in motion to build a new morgue and hopefully forge a better future for the town.

Not all is calm and quiet though, the woods teem with raiders and undead drawn by the chaos of the last few months. Citizens and travelers go missing in the nights disappearing amidst strange glowing lights and the sounds of screaming animals. Strange figures lurk just out of sight and it seems the shadows are alive.

Will you survive, or will you be buried beneath the new foundations?

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Honor's Fall Recap

August 18, 2023 The sun rose Sunday morning on a quiet and exhausted town. The chaos of the night before had settled, those who survived slept or stood watch outside the Wilted Rose as Patron Families and Wards were named, last minute deals were brokered and those who would stand at the front of the next year in Requiem enjoyed a quiet drink. Where does Requiem go from here and how does it rebuild?

Photo by Allana Marie/Black Sky Photography

Photo by Allana Marie/Black Sky Photography

Honors Fall Recap

August 18, 2023 The sun rose Sunday morning on a quiet and exhausted town. The chaos of the night before had settled, those who survived slept or stood watch outside the Wilted Rose as Patron Families and Wards were named, last minute deals were brokered and those who would stand at the front of the next year in Requiem enjoyed a quiet drink. Where does Requiem go from here and how does it rebuild?

What Happened:

Friday evening the town gathered for the Bacchanal, a great party held to celebrate life a night before death would come. The Lonely Streets Hearts Club Band shook the rafters of the Great Hall with another amazing show as people feasted and danced. However as is Requiem tradition it was not without its darker side. Many were playing the political game sealing pacts and agreements for the next night. Even the High Lord Executioner was out accompanied by the Consigliare Rover Dhalia signing contracts and agreements that may well have dictated more than a few fates on Honor's Fall.

It was an early evening for a select few, Essex included, as he departed to "go home and sleep with the music on loud" leaving Saint Hermes of the Anderson-Ambrosias family to watch over the "after parties" and ensure nothing got too out of hand. Whether this was a silent approval for the holding of the coming faith meetings or a grudging acknowledgement that they couldn't be prevented who can say. The night had gone fairly quiet with many an adventurous party had, minor interruptions by raiders and zed aside. A few daring souls had lost their lives in a game of Requiem Roulette during a party in the Wilted Rose, vying for a staggering pile of money, rare equipment and most coveted a gold Memento. With the parties coming to a close Requiem slept to prepare for the next day. Silent dread filled the air the next night as the sun set and was finally cut by the wailing sound of the sirens. The anxiety and tension was palpable as the townsfolk and families gathered for the first assault, the Boone-Helm Collective spilled from the night with a horde of laughing maniacs to set the tone for the evening. So began a long and harrowing night of assassinations, fights, backroom deals, and daring escapes. Cabins were raided by armed murderers, the hospital was besieged by snipers and woods overflowed with Zodiac's creations. Late into the evening all that is known is as the bodies stacked high and survivors rode out the chaos a group gathered in relative secrecy at the Wilted Rose to discuss terms. With the help of the Baskervilles, a prospective Ward Family, some manner of agreement was reached before the close of the evening.

The morning came characteristically quietly as those still capable of standing filtered over to the Rose with the first rays of sunlight. Those who had survived laid claim to their status as Families in the coming year, ready to steer the fates of those assembled. It seemed some hopes had been dashed with the arrival of Lupa Nostras carrying a head and taking the seat vacated by Jack Warren, seeing an uncomfortable and uneasy end for many to over a year of hostilities and outright war. Still impressed by those who fought for their goals, the Scrap Collective and the Baskervilles were granted Ward status by the Bloodwraiths and Anastasia respectively. Who can say how these new players will change the fate of Requiem?

Announcements:

Tickets are already on sale for our September event Foundations. Come help build the foundations of what Requiem will look like for the next year and begin preparations for the new morgue, or just relax after two months of murder. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@dystopiarisingny.com.

Don’t forget feedback! We also added a couple of questions so you can give us your thoughts about Honor's Fall

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Honor's Fall Announcements

Dystopia Rising New York posts information on our website, on social media, and places them in your packet to reduce discussion during opening announcements. 

Photo by London Belli.

Dystopia Rising New York posts information on our website, on social media, and places them in your packet to reduce discussion during opening announcements. 

Game Specific Information

  • Due to the fallout from Dogs of War, we have the following special mechanics in play. 

  • The Zodiac diverted resources they’d normally use to keep their experiments in check.As a result, our “No Room In Hell” mechanic will be in effect through October.

  • The Boone-Helm took heavy casualties and can’t control the Raider population. As a result, all Warpath and Thrill Kill raiders (not PCs) gain the Raider Rush ability through October. 

  • The Tarrarians can’t keep undead out of the tunnels. As a result, through October, room augments & gizmos that lock doors will not keep out undead that come through the tunnels.

  • A few notes on “No Room in Hell”

  • You can only get one trophy head per body!

  • Double Tap does not stop the mechanics of No Room In Hell, nor does taking a head. 

  • We have two after-parties after the Bacchanal:

  • The Hedon After-Party (the Wilted Rose). Content Notice: Simulated drug & alcohol use, gambling, partial nudity (waist-up), discussion & images of sexual content.

  • TV Slumber Party (the Gun Range). No content notices.

  • There’s a few blog entries you should read: Family Politics, Getting A Head (read if you’re Murder Inc!), About the Bacchanal, About After-Parties

  • One important note: a trophy head requires infection loss. If someone prevents infection loss, the trophy disintegrates (you’ll be informed at the post office).

  • If you are asked to do NPC outside your normal shift on Saturday Night (i.e. you are playing a Face NPC), we are allowing you to waive normal CvC timers. Please be responsible, we trust you not to use this for an unfair advantage. 

Recurring Information

Standard Information

  • Dystopia Rising includes stories about violence, torture, drugs, and many other difficult things, but there’s one topic we don’t include in stories: sexual assault. It is never appropriate to include the topic of sexual assault in your role-play or stories. If encountered, please inform a guide so that we can take action.

  • If you are in the woods and can’t tell if a nearby sound is an animal or not, call out “Are you an animal?” If you hear someone calling that, you must respond “I am not an animal.” If you get no response, make yourself as big as possible and back away slowly.

Important Local Mechanics

Please review a few of our local mechanics. For a full list, see our website.

CAPs Calls

Players may use New York-specific CAPs to purchase Blue Plate Specials and G.O.G.O Gatherers simply by recording it on their sheet. You may also use the following Calls: 

  • JUST SAY NO - Once per event, if you’re an Aberrant and in an Area of Effect or By My Voice call that targets Aberrants or does Aberrant Bane damage, you can spend 100 CAPs and call “Just Say No.” For the purpose of that one effect, you do not count as Aberrant.

  • NOT TODAY - Once per event, if you are using a crafting or gathering skill and are interrupted, you can spend 100 CAPs and call “Not Today.” Ignore the interruption, and take up to a 5-minute break from the task. As long as you return to using the skill within 5 minutes, you may continue where you left off.

  • NOTHING VENTURED - Once per event, if you use a combat skill and that skill is countered (i.e. your attack is Avoided) you can spend 100 CAPs and call “Nothing Ventured.” You regain the Mind you spent to use the skill.

Challenge

You antagonize your target; who must target you with any attacks. This effect ends if anyone else attacks or does damage to the target, if you leave combat, or if the target cannot see you. This skill does not force a target to engage in combat, it only forces them to target you if they do so. Challenge can’t be used under the effects of Choking Blow and is countered by spending 5 Mind and using Basic Social Influence.

Compulsion

Delivered by packet or Area of Effect, cannot be negated by Avoid or Mental Endurance. The target will follow a single command until the task is completed, nullified (i.e. defend someone who then dies), the compulsion is broken, or the end of the event. The target must complete the command to the best of their ability. The target is unaware of the specific command until they begin to act upon it, but will remember all actions taken.

Unstoppable

Makes the user immune to all skills and items. The threat will respond with “No effect, Unstoppable” to a negated effect. Additionally, all damage dealt to the threat is reduced to 1 damage and the threat will periodically respond with “Unstoppable.”

Schedule of Events

Friday (includes early Saturday morning)

10:00 pm - Game On; the Bacchanal begins. Enjoy the Lonely Streetz Hearts Club band!

12:00 am - After Parties:

  • Hedon After Party (the Wilted Rose). Content Notice: Simulated drug & alcohol use, gambling, partial nudity (waist-up), discussion & images of sexual content.

  • TV Slumber Party (the Gun Range). No content notices.

4:00 am - Ops closes.

Saturday (includes early Sunday morning)

9:00 am - Ops opens.

5:00 pm - Siesta begins. 

7:00 pm - Siesta ends.

7:54 pm - Sunset.

3:00 am - Last NPC shift ends.

6:12 am - Sunrise.

Sunday

No events scheduled.

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After Parties!

We have our first After-Party, and it’s a great example of how to use the zoning rules to create appropriate content for an After-Party. Remember, while this example includes sexuality, the zoning rules are not limited to risque material!

Photo by Liz Harvey

We have our first After-Party, and it’s a great example of how to use the zoning rules to create appropriate content for an After-Party. Remember, while this example includes sexuality, the zoning rules are not limited to risque material!

Take a look at this example, and send ideas for your After-Party to info@dystopiarisingny.com. You don’t need to think of a party with edgy content notices, just come up with what you want to do so we can find you a space. 

Hedon After-Party

Content Notice: Simulated drug & alcohol use, gambling, partial nudity (waist-up), discussion & images of a sexual nature.

The Hedon After-Party will be in the Wilted Rose between midnight and 2 am, Saturday morning (the first night of the event). A Hedon revel, activities will include:

  • Strip poker (if you get down to your underwear you lose)

  • Body shots (simulated drugs & alcohol)

  • Sexy Story Time and Bawdy Party Games (i.e. seven minutes of heaven)

The staff asks for the following risk controls: do not take off your underwear and refrain from any touching of the pelvic region. You must ask for positive, verbal consent for any touching.

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The Bacchanal

Friday night of Honor’s Fall is the Bacchanal… a big party before everyone makes final preparations for Saturday night’s conflicts. With music, food, vendors, and all the bigwigs in attendance, there’s plenty to do, and opportunities for both role-play and for your character to make a bunch of Wagers.

Photo By Shawn Smith

Friday night of Honor’s Fall is the Bacchanal… a big party before everyone makes final preparations for Saturday night’s conflicts. With music, food, vendors, and all the bigwigs in attendance, there’s plenty to do, and opportunities for both role-play and for your character to make a bunch of Wagers.

Vendors… don’t forget to fill out our Vendor Form!

What Is The Bacchanal

In character, the Bacchanal is a big party. We’ll have the Lonely Streetz Hearts Club Band, last seen in January at the Black and Crimson Masquerade, playing a set and space to dance and party with your friends. There will also be food and item vendors, just like last year. In addition, most Face NPCs, including the NPC Family Heads, will make an appearance, politicking before the sun goes down on Saturday.

In-Character Politics

This year, we want to make sure that everyone, especially travelers and players who aren’t in a Family, has a chance to participate in Honor’s Fall. As such, the Family Heads will be out, looking to make deals. Not only will they organize their Families, but they’ll also be looking for mercenaries to help them collect heads and keep their own. Rather than just ask for Wagers, we recommend you deal in favors… and seal them with one of the Consigliere Rovers present.

Be careful, however, because breaking a deal with a Consigliere Rover likely means a contract on your head. Be aware that the staff will decide if the Rover families believe you breached your contract, so make sure you know what you’re agreeing to.

Vending

Are you interested in selling food at the Bacchanal? Do you have real-world props you want to sell? Fill out our vendor form, and we’ll reserve you space at one of our tables. Be advised that space is limited, so make sure you give us a good idea of what you’ll be selling!

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How To Throw A Party

This year at Honor’s Fall, we’re adding a “new” tradition to our Game of the Year: After the Bacchanal, we’ll encourage players to host After Parties. An After Party is a player-created event after the Bacchanal, meant to keep the party going and enhance the experience for everyone involved. Since this is a new event, we wanted to make sure you had guidance on how to organize your After Party.

Photo by London Belli

This year at Honor’s Fall, we’re adding a “new” tradition to our Game of the Year: After the Bacchanal, we’ll encourage players to host After Parties. An After Party is a player-created event after the Bacchanal, meant to keep the party going and enhance the experience for everyone involved. Since this is a new event, we wanted to make sure you had guidance on how to organize your After Party.

The Basics

At midnight on the first night of the event, the Bacchanal will wrap up, and various After Parties will spring up. We’ll work with players to put together a list of locations so that people can go to the parties they want. However, we’re making sure the party spaces are relatively small so that people have to move from party to party. We don’t want you to go to just one After Party… we want you to try a few of them.

In addition, all After Parties should happen inside, which allows you to “Zone For Content” (see below). If you want content that might be higher risk than we typically see at a Dystopia Rising event, we’ll work with you to create a Zone For Content.

Realize that there might be a party in your cabin until about 2 am… just like at any other game. We will not put a Zone For Content in sleeping spaces without the consent of everyone sleeping in the space.

Zone For Content

The difference between an After Party and a regular player event is the opportunity to create a Zone For Content. Similar to how we do the Feast of Flesh, we’ll allow you to set up areas where players can opt-in to content that we might not portray in regular Dystopia Rising scenes. Examples include:

  • Scenes of extreme torture and body modification (this is what we normally do in October for Feast of Flesh).

  • A Hedon Party that is more risque than normal.

  • Scenes of extreme and realistic gore, including disturbing scenes that would require a “trigger warning.”

The purpose of a Zone For Content is to establish consent for these scenes; the content will be clearly labeled before a player enters the zone, and by entering they consent to witness the content. However, the DRNY Staff is responsible for the entire event and also needs consent to the content. We will not consent to the following:

  • Use of any controlled substances, including alcohol or marijuana. 

  • Displays of or references to sexual assault.

  • Any content that could be considered harassment (i.e. racism, sexism, transphobia, etc). 

If you would like a Zone For Content, you must email us directly at info@dystopiarisingny.com. At a minimum, we’ll want to know:

  • What is the content you want to include?

  • How will you make sure the content remains in an enclosed area?

  • What’s your plan to make the content entertaining and in genre?

Not all Zones For Content will be approved: we’re not going to approve a zone that’s “Hedon Sex Party With Actual Sex,” as it’s a heightened risk we don’t want to take. However, we promise that we’ll consider your ideas and be respectful; the only thing we ask is that you accept a response of “no,” from us as you would hearing “no” from another player. 

What Next?

Got an idea? Email us at info@dystopiarisingny.com with the subject “After Party.” We’re hoping for a lot of different ideas, so please, send us a pitch!

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How To Get A Head At Honor's Fall

Honor’s Fall isn’t just our game of the year, it’s also the most important event of the year in character as well. From sunset to sunrise, the people of Requiem hunt each other and settle scores - but how are you supposed to play this?  

Photo by London Belli

Honor’s Fall isn’t just our game of the year, it’s also the most important event of the year in character as well. From sunset to sunrise, the people of Requiem hunt each other and settle scores - but how are you supposed to play this?  

We wanted to set expectations for in-character behavior and talk about what we’re doing this year to encourage it. So please bookmark this announcement and revisit it as you make plans for what you’re doing Saturday night at Honor’s Fall.

What We Learned

What we, the staff, want Honor’s Fall to be is a cloak-and-dagger, high-stakes game of assassinations and escapes. Requiem was founded by criminals and has a long history with Murder Inc… we want the focus to be on sneaking around, ambushes, and cunning. We want you all to get ready to skulk around Requiem in small groups, watching out for your enemies, and looking for heads to collect.

However, Dystopia Rising is a game, and games sometimes have optimal strategies. In the past, we learned there are two in-character strategies that work really well:

  • Hang out in a large group and wait for the NPCs to come to you.

  • Stay in disguise or unseen most of the night, and use all your abilities to escape if need be. 

These are great ideas! But this year we’re making a couple of changes to how Honor’s Fall is run to help it run more in line with its original vision. 

Also, we know it’s hard for visitors to get involved in a very Requiem-specific event. So as we introduce these changes, we want to also create a way for everyone to feel like they have something to do after sunset.

What’s Not Changing

There aren’t any fundamental changes to Honor’s Fall. You’ll still have some of the large combats you’ve seen in years past (like the Boon-Helm or Zodiac). You’ll still have the politics you’ve come to expect and a full night of violence. All we’re trying to do is incentivize players to spread out in small groups as they hunt. For many, you might not immediately notice the changes.

Change 1: Getting A Head

We’re introducing an important change to head-hunting at Honor’s Fall:

If you use a Blood-Covered Artist Toolkit (Boon-Helm Rank 1 Item) or Trophy Hunter (an Early Bird Item) to take a head from a corpse, any attempt to prevent infection loss results in the trophy rotting away.

In other words, if you prevent infection loss, you don’t get a head.

This is going to make your job at Honor’s Fall more complicated. If someone uses Master Faithful Will on a body after you’ve collected a head, you might report to the Post Office for your trophy only to find it’s disintegrated. However, if you remain with the body until it sinks (or use a recently redesigned augment) you can ensure someone loses infection.

Change 2: It Starts At The Bacchanal

Honor’s Fall is supposed to be as much about politics as it is violence, but in years past, new players and travelers have had difficulty getting involved with the 13 Families. This year, we’re making sure that the high-ranking members of NPC Families are at the Bacchanal, with the explicit purpose of involving people who aren’t in Families. 

How will we do this?

First, they’re going to be hiring mercenaries. You can expect Family Heads not only to look for protection but also “head-hunters.” We don’t want every traveler aligning with the PC Families - we want you working with all 13 Families, often at cross purposes. And so you have a starting place to negotiate… service during Honor’s Fall usually pays in favors (or, for exceptional circumstances, a Memento), not Wagers. 

How do you know that the Families are going to keep their deals? There will be Consigliere Rovers at the Bacchanal, who are there to shake in deals. In Requiem, shaking with one of these individuals after a deal is recorded means that if the deal is broken, you can expect extreme consequences (see Change 3, below). Remember, only Consigliere Rovers can seal a deal, and it has to be written down and turned into the Post Office.

Finally, sometimes you really want a Family Head dead. If you have a Memento, you can challenge a Family Head to an Honor Duel over Honor’s Fall. You must negotiate with the Family Head the details (i.e. time, location, any rules), and you can expect them to offer specific terms (for example, most Family Heads will limit the number of fighters, as well as the equipment you’re allowed to use). However, there is a risk to this duel (besides the obvious risk that you might lose)... you have to make it to the duel. Other people (assassins) may intercept you or the Family Head you challenged, particularly if the Family Head believes they’re outclassed. 

Bottom line: Honor’s Fall starts at the Bacchanal, and the deals you make there will determine how Saturday night will play out.

Change 3: If You Want A Head, You Have To Hunt Them

In the past, we wanted to make sure we brought the plot to the players, sending Family Heads to highly populated places like the Great Hall. This year, they’ll be more mobile, and likely avoid large groups. You might see Polaris or Zodiac surrounded by their forces, but they’ll be difficult targets, unlikely to fight to the death… they’ll instead flee or withdraw and make themselves more difficult targets.

If you want to get a head during Honor’s Fall, you’re going to have to hunt for them. Expect the NPCs to be played like PCs… and like PC Family Heads, they have to participate and can’t hide all night. But just like PCs, they’ll have skills and items that make them tough targets, and they’re not going to walk into the Great Hall just so people have a “shot at them.” In order to find them, you’ll have to be cunning and likely spread out: if you wait around, they’ll be dead before they get to you. 

Also, some ground rules for PC Family Heads: these are the guidelines the High Lord Executioner and Tradition expect of you. There are no hard and fast consequences for failing to meet these expectations, but the political ramifications can be severe (particularly if your family is left without a head at the end of the night):

  • The Family Head has to participate in Honor’s Fall. This means that they can’t be disguised… they have to be visibly present.

  • Participation doesn’t mean trying to survive. It’s okay to run, hide, or bide your time, but Family Heads are also expected to hunt other Family Heads. 

  • Remember, it’s not enough to participate… people have to see you participate. Preferably your enemies and not just your allies. If called to task by the High Lord Executioner, it’s not enough for your Family Members to say “They totally were there.” You’re a leader in the town, the entire town should be able to talk about something you did Saturday night. 

Change 4: Murder Inc Members

Murder Inc is an inherently CvC organization in Requiem; even if you’re not an assassin, you’re still participating in a deadly game. Like any smart group of people, Murder Inc seeks to reduce the consequences of this game, often using skills like Master Faithful Will to negotiate willing deaths over risky assassinations. However, this is not our intention for Honor’s Fall… we want to see you all make hard choices, which is why we changed the rules on collecting heads. You can expect, in the future, when there’s a Murder Inc contract, it’ll be for a head (which means it’ll be for infection loss). 

In addition, if someone breaks one of the deals sealed by a Consigliere Rover at the Bacchanal, you… Murder Inc… will hear about it. And you’ll be tasked with hunting that person down and collecting their head. The contract will be put out, and you’ll be expected to pursue it, and if you interfere you’ll likely be on the receiving end of very negative consequences.

We’re asking for our Murder Inc players to commit to the difficult choices that Honor’s Fall brings. The “Contractual Obligations” feature of Consigliere Rovers is part of our local setting, and we’re asking you to respect it as a professional, if not moral, imperative. Remember, it’s up to the staff if we deem a contract to be broken, and we’re asking for your support, as players, to steer into the conflict if it happens. 

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Family Politics

Every year at Honor’s Fall, the politics of Requiem shuffle as the 13 Families struggle for power - and take each other’s heads. Being a Family Head means being hunted during Honor’s Fall, and the result of that hunt influences who controls Requiem and the Fold for the next year. The Treaty of the Fold lays out the requirements for Honor’s Fall but leaves a lot of room for interpretation. However, we want to make out-of-character expectations clear, as well as clarify the in-character game. 

Photo by Jen Karcher

Family Politics At Honor’s Fall

Every year at Honor’s Fall, the politics of Requiem shuffle as the 13 Families struggle for power - and take each other’s heads. Being a Family Head means being hunted during Honor’s Fall, and the result of that hunt influences who controls Requiem and the Fold for the next year. The Treaty of the Fold lays out the requirements for Honor’s Fall but leaves a lot of room for interpretation. However, we want to make out-of-character expectations clear, as well as clarify the in-character game. 

Rule Zero - There’s A Lot Of Room For Play

There are many things we’re not spelling out in this announcement - for those, you have the chance to influence them in game. We’re not going to make a list of possible outcomes, because we want you to surprise us with role-play. The only thing we want completely clear is how a PC group might become a Family, and what the requirements are for remaining a Family.

You Have To Meet The Out-Of-Character Requirements

To be a PC Family, you have to meet certain requirements, listed on our website. The big one: you have to have 13 people in your family, and 10 of them either have to be local or have attended 4 games since September 2022. We’ve been tracking Family Status and attendance, and we’ll go over them with the Family Heads. If, after review, your Family does not meet the out-of-character requirements, we’ll discuss making your Family a Ward Family or disbanding. 

If you want the opportunity to become a Family at Honor’s Fall, you have to submit your action request no later than Friday, July 14th. You have to meet all requirements at the time of application.  

If You Want To Become A Family, You Need A Head At Honor’s Fall

If you put in an application to become a PC Family, you need to collect a Family Head at Honor’s Fall. How you do it is a matter of role-play, but this is a hard and fast requirement.

If you do, you’ll have the opportunity to become a Family at sunrise. This isn’t a sure thing, but realize that if you got everyone together, submitted an action request, answered our questions, and secured a head, you have a really good chance (we’re not trying to trick you). 

That said, if a new Family emerges, another will have to fall. This is a matter of politics, and the final say is up to the High Lord Executioner. For PC Families if you’ve maintained attendance, engaged with the setting all year, and played hard during Honor’s Fall… you probably don’t have to worry (although showing up with a head is a sure way to keep your spot). If you’re trying to screw over an NPC family, this will require a lot of politics, but a good start is to keep them from getting a head… which is probably going to require a lot of role-play with other player characters.

What’s Next

We'll be emailing the Family Heads within a week, confirming their rosters and numbers. They’ll pass on any information to their people… please don’t ask us directly for information about your Family! Closer to Honor’s Fall, we’ll release more in-character information to help you strategize, so that you can have a plan going in.

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Honor's Fall Meal Plan

With General admission tickets now on sale for Honor’s Fall and over 100 participants already signed up, it’s time to make sure everyone gets fed. Brought to you by Christopher Malec, our meal plans are “grab and go” so that you never miss out on food. Here’s

Photo by Jen Karcher

With General admission tickets now on sale for Honor’s Fall and over 100 participants already signed up, it’s time to make sure everyone gets fed. Brought to you by Christopher Malec, our meal plans are “grab and go” so that you never miss out on food. Here’s some important details:

  • The cost is $40 per person.

  • Each meal will come in a container or bag you pick up at in the Great Hall.

  • Chris will handle dietary restrictions as long as you list them on your order.

  • Take a look at the menu, below.

Menu

Friday Dinner

Macaroni and Cheese, with stewed tomatoes.
Saturday Lunch

Egg salad sandwich with pasta salad, chex mix and an apple. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich is available on request.
Saturday Dinner 

Shepherd’s pie with mashed potatoes. Vegetarians will get impossible meat substitute and a vegetarian gravy.
Breakfast box

Each meal plan gets a breakfast box with two bags of cold cereal and two pieces of fruit.

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Dogs of War Recap

It began in the dark and rain, it ended with a literal bang. The people of the Fold started on the outskirts of Requiem and fought inch by bloody inch until they had reclaimed their town. But while the Nostra army lies defeated, their leader, Lupa, still has cards she has yet to play, and with Honor’s Fall looming, her story is far from over. 

Photo by Ian Havens

It began in the dark and rain, it ended with a literal bang. The people of the Fold started on the outskirts of Requiem and fought inch by bloody inch until they had reclaimed their town. But while the Nostra army lies defeated, their leader, Lupa, still has cards she has yet to play, and with Honor’s Fall looming, her story is far from over. 

What Happened

The army of volunteers, both from the Fold and beyond, assembled at an abandoned cabin a mile from the town proper, with a makeshift camp set up for them. It wasn’t much, but from this location, they prepared to push back against the Nostra forces. Their enemies, however, knew they were coming and immediately started harrying the ragtag army. Striking from the darkness, they skirmished against the townsfolk, inflicting casualties and causing chaos until the Families organized a counterassault. For the rest of the night, they would push into the darkness, fighting for every step forward, until they finally reach their campsites. Late at night, the Zodiac Collective used an experimental treatment to clear the Wilted Rose, with the assistance of four individuals who gave their lives for that final push. As the sun rose and the forces of Requiem rested, they could see their town again.

Saturday saw the fiercest of fighting. It began at the Waterfront, where the Nostra held several people hostage. This small force leveraged the fact they had a captive Family member to negotiate with, stalling for reinforcements that never came. The people of Requiem attacked the small squad, but not without a cost, as the Nostra managed to claim the life of a high-ranking Anastasia member during the hostage negotiations. Now the townsfolk had a beachhead they could use to push into the rest of the town, and at noon, the violent work began. For over an hour, they fought across the bridge and then door to door, as the Nostra made them pay for every structure they regained. Still, the will of Requiem was too great and the Nostra fell back for a last stand at the Great Hall. After a few hours of quiet and an intense thunderstorm, the forces of the 13 Families made their final push across the field, into the booby-trapped Great Hall, and succeeded in wiping out the Nostra as a fighting force.

Their leader, however, was not ready to admit defeat. Lupa Nostra had planted bombs all over Requiem and vowed to kill every person there if the leaders of the 13 Families did not meet to negotiate. Looking for a “seat at the table,” she traded the control console of the bombs for the right to participate in Honor’s Fall. Unfortunately, the control console was not a simple device, and some of the most learned people in town worked into the night to disarm the bombs and everyone. Despite explosions that rocked the surrounding area and even damaged the Great Hall, they were able to save the town at the last moment, finally allowing the people of Requiem some rest.

But is this the end of the Nostra? While the war is won, the fallout is sure to continue, with some families terribly depleted, and others about to capitalize on their counterparts' misfortune. With Honor’s Fall looming, was Requiem retaken just so that the 13 Families can destroy it again?

Out-Of-Game Notes

We had 151 people on site for Dogs of War, with 162 check-ins, making this the largest post-pandemic game across the network, with the exception of National Events and last year’s Honor Fall. You defeated countless enemies and suffered 32 deaths as you fought over a mile into town and engaged in two extended battles. The night ended with a triumph of research as you defuse the “ticker box” and won the war. Congrats!

Many of you were involved in side missions to alter the course of the war and were extremely successful in avoiding tactical and strategic complications (political complications we’ll discuss tomorrow). There were 21 Requisition Requests that you could accomplish; you discovered 11 of them and accomplished 10 of them (including 9 of 14 tactical objectives). Some of the things you accomplished:

  • You avoided the Nostra having any special melee or ranged weapons, or special shields.

  • You disabled the Nostra automatic firearms, artillery, and chemical weapons. 

  • You gained a tactical advantage with respawn points and access to all doors of the Great Hall.

  • You avoided the worst of the post-battle fall-out with the assassins.

  • You ended the Post Office Levy.

Some things you might have noticed during the final battle that you didn’t prevent:

  • The “Killing Zone” call during the final battle.

  • The Trained Survivors respawned at their “Veteran stats” throughout the engagement.

  • There was no timed delay between Nostra respawns. 

You all did an excellent job at winning the war! However, many of the Families suffered significant losses during the fighting, and you’ll likely see those consequences at Honor’s Fall. Does “No Room In Hell” mean anything to you?

Announcements

  • Tickets go on sale Thursday for our game of the year, Honor’s Fall. How will the war change the future of Requiem?

  • Remember, Honor’s Fall starts with the Bacchanal, so we’ll have an all-call for food and prop vendors next week! We’re also working on lining up your entertainment for Friday night. 

  • Character sheets should be updated by Friday. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@dystopiarisingny.com.

Don’t forget feedback! We also added a couple of questions so you can give us your thoughts about Dogs of War!

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Dogs of War Announcement

Dystopia Rising New York posts information on our website, on social media, and places them in your packet to reduce discussion during opening announcements. This month’s announcements contain important information… please take a few moments to review!

Photo by London Belli

Dystopia Rising New York posts information on our website, on social media, and places them in your packet to reduce discussion during opening announcements. This month’s announcements contain important information… please take a few moments to review!

Game Specific Information

Dogs of War includes a significant amount of unique information - please review.

  • We have a significant number of Med Sleepers this game: unless cleared by staff, do not use the rooms in the Pavilion or the Hotel. If you put your stuff in there without permission, it’ll be moved. 

  • Check your packets! If you’re missing something, talk to Ryan either before 9 pm or during siesta (1 pm - 3 pm Saturday). 

  • Opening announcements are at 9:30 pm at the A-Frame. Don’t be late!

  • Check out our announcement about the CONOP to learn more about how you can impact the war with Intelligence and crafting. 

  • Remember: Full Immersion refers to players sleeping in-character in the tents we provide, and General Admission refers to everyone else, who will be sleeping out-of-character, in town.

  • If you signed up for Full Immersion and want to sleep in a bunk, you can do so by returning to the out of character area and going to bed. If you’re General Admission, you’ll probably have space in the tents but would be expected to walk back to town if the tents are full. 

  • Shuttles & Gear - Pay close attention to this section.

    • We will be shuttling people out to the A-Frame from 7 pm to 9 pm, roughly every 15 minutes. If you can walk to the A-Frame, we encourage you to do so.

    • The shuttle will stop at Check-In and the Waterfront before heading to the A-Frame

    • Please only bring the gear you’ll be using during play on Friday with you to the A-Frame, including any go-bags.  

    • If you’re Full Immersion, we will have a drop-off at the Waterfront for your sleeping gear so you don’t have to carry it all night. You won’t have access to your sleeping gear until roughly 2 am. 

    • You may also drop off equipment at the Waterfront to change after your NPC shift (it will likely be the nearest building to do so).

    • After 9 pm, you’ll have to walk to the A-Frame.

    • Starting at 11 pm, we’ll be running a shuttle back to the Waterfront every 30 minutes for people who want to go to bed. These will continue until 2 am. After 2 am, you’ll have to walk back from the A-Frame. 

  • Out-Of-Character Areas - You can’t be in-character beyond the “Forward Edge of Battle Area” (FEBA)... this is Nostra-held territory and out-of-character. We’ll go over how to know these areas during opening announcements, but in general:

    • We will be using caution tape to block the main paths. Please do not try to bypass these areas “off-road.”

    • Individual buildings will be marked out-of-character until they’re ready to be retaken. You might find certain paths cordoned off as well.

    • Do not approach the Great Hall in-character until after 7 pm on Saturday.

  • Crafting & the Post Office: The Post Office will move early Saturday morning, and we have different crafting areas:

    • The Post Office will be at the A-Frame until Saturday morning. We will not be printing anything at the A-Frame (so no Prints).

    • Saturday morning, the Post Office will open at the Wilted Rose (by the Morgue) and remain there the entire event.

    • We will have public crafting (agricultural, artisan, culinary) areas set up at the A-Frame and the Waterfront Cabin. The Waterfront Cabin will not be available until you retake it, first thing Saturday morning. These areas will not have room augments unless you build them during the game.

    • Crafting areas purchased with CAPs may be set up in locations as desired, but these locations may not be available until the town is retaken.

Recurring Information

Standard Information

  • Dystopia Rising includes stories about violence, torture, drugs, and many other difficult things, but there’s one topic we don’t include in stories: sexual assault. It is never appropriate to include the topic of sexual assault in your role-play or stories. If encountered, please inform a guide so that we can take action.

  • If you are in the woods and can’t tell if a nearby sound is an animal or not, call out “Are you an animal?” If you hear someone calling that, you must respond “I am not an animal.” If you get no response, make yourself as big as possible and back away slowly.

Important Local Mechanics

Please review a few of our local mechanics. For a full list, see our website.

CAPs Calls

Players may use New York-specific CAPs to purchase Blue Plate Specials and G.O.G.O Gatherers simply by recording it on their sheet. You may also use the following Calls: 

  • JUST SAY NO - Once per event, if you’re an Aberrant and in an Area of Effect or By My Voice call that targets Aberrants or does Aberrant Bane damage, you can spend 100 CAPs and call “Just Say No.” For the purpose of that one effect, you do not count as Aberrant.

  • NOT TODAY - Once per event, if you are using a crafting or gathering skill and are interrupted, you can spend 100 CAPs and call “Not Today.” Ignore the interruption, and take up to a 5-minute break from the task. As long as you return to using the skill within 5 minutes, you may continue where you left off.

  • NOTHING VENTURED - Once per event, if you use a combat skill and that skill is countered (i.e. your attack is Avoided) you can spend 100 CAPs and call “Nothing Ventured.” You regain the Mind you spent to use the skill.

Challenge

You antagonize your target; who must target you with any attacks. This effect ends if anyone else attacks or does damage to the target, if you leave combat, or if the target cannot see you. This skill does not force a target to engage in combat, it only forces them to target you if they do so. Challenge can’t be used under the effects of Choking Blow and is countered by spending 5 Mind and using Basic Social Influence.

Compulsion

Delivered by packet or Area of Effect, cannot be negated by Avoid or Mental Endurance. The target will follow a single command until the task is completed, nullified (i.e. defend someone who then dies), the compulsion is broken, or the end of the event. The target must complete the command to the best of their ability. The target is unaware of the specific command until they begin to act upon it, but will remember all actions taken.

Unstoppable

Makes the user immune to all skills and items. The threat will respond with “No effect, Unstoppable” to a negated effect. Additionally, all damage dealt to the threat is reduced to 1 damage and the threat will periodically respond with “Unstoppable.”

Schedule of Events

Only out-of-character information is included this month.

Friday (includes early Saturday morning)

7:00 pm - Shuttle starts taking people to A-Frame.

9:00 pm - Last shuttle to A-Frame.

9:30 pm - Opening Announcements (at A-Frame).

10:00 pm - Game On at the A-Frame. First “prime-time” shift begins.

11:00 pm - Shuttle starts taking people back to the out-of-character area.

2:00 pm - Last shuttle leaves the A-Frame. Drop-off of sleeping gear near campsites. First “prime-time” shift ends.

By this time you should have retaken the Wilted Rose, or be close to doing so. Expect the night to “end” with the front line just beyond the Wilted Rose.

Saturday (includes early Sunday morning)

9:00 am - Post Office opens at the Wilted Rose. Second “prime-time” shift starts.

Expect to begin retaking the town soon after and have most of the town, apart from the area around the Great Hall, in-character by siesta.

1:00 pm - Siesta begins. Second “prime-time” shift ends.

3:00 pm - Siesta ends.

7:00 pm - Last and largest “prime-time” shift begins.

11:00 pm - Last “prime-time” shift ends. 

Sunday

No events scheduled.

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Dogs Of War CONOP

As we prepare for our Premiere event, we wanted to make sure all our players can influence the outcome of the war with the Nostra. To make sure they know how they can do so, particularly outside of combat, we’re publishing our CONOP for Dogs of War. This document describes how players can both impact the Battle of Requiem and its aftermath.

Photo by London Belli

As we prepare for our Premiere event, we wanted to make sure all our players can influence the outcome of the war with the Nostra. To make sure they know how they can do so, particularly outside of combat, we’re publishing our CONOP for Dogs of War. This document describes how players can both impact the Battle of Requiem and its aftermath.

What’s A CONOP?

A CONOP is a military term for “Concept of Operations” and describes a plan from the perspective of the people executing the plan. Our CONOP describes how players interact with the war mechanics we’ve developed. In particular, they describe the process of how players perform intelligence, fulfill requisitions and go on missions to both avoid the worst of the possible consequences of the war, and even gain some advantages. The CONOP works in three parts:

  • Players perform research to create Intelligence Reports, which Runners can take to Ops.

  • When we receive a relevant Intelligence Report, we’ll send back a Requisition Request, which is a list of items that can be submitted to avoid specific consequences, both during the game and after.

  • Sometimes, these Requisition Requests will lead to Attack Orders, which are impromptu mods where you can gain equipment and other advantages.

Things To Remember

The CONOP describes how to perform these tasks, but there are some key things to remember:

  • Not every Intelligence Report will lead to a Requisition Request, and relatively few Requisition Requests will lead to Attack Orders.

  • Do not expect to fulfill the majority of Requisition Requests, or even discover all of them. There’s roughly two dozen requests; if players accomplish half of them, that will be an accomplishment.

  • If there’s a mechanic that hinders you during the event (for example, Life-Binding costing an additional Resolve) you can probably solve the problem using the CONOP.
    Questions? Contact us at info@dystopiarisingny.com.

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