Compiling FAQ lists for nWoD games forums

I don't know about you all, but after the gazilionth time someone is asking for how XP works with Merits I've decided it's time for something to solve this once and for all.

WoD Core, page 157, under Bite:

"...Generally, a bite from a person inflicts bashing damage, while that from an animal or supernatural creature inflicts lethal harm. The Storyteller may decree that a human combatant can bite an opponent only after successfully grappling."

I'd say vampires fall under "supernatural creature", because of their protracting fangs.

There's a small sidebar titled "The Vampire's Bite" in VtR Core on page 165, but it doesn't specify what kind of damage a vampire's bite causes, only that damage can be inflicted either by biting or Feeding. The sidebar references the same section I quoted above, so I'm assuming the writers assumed the answer is too obvious to repeat in VtR Core.

Telperion:

WoD Core, page 157, under Bite:
"...Generally, a bite from a person inflicts bashing damage, while that from an animal or supernatural creature inflicts lethal harm. The Storyteller may decree that a human combatant can bite an opponent only after successfully grappling."
I'd say vampires fall under "supernatural creature", because of their protracting fangs.
There's a small sidebar titled "The Vampire's Bite" in VtR Core on page 165, but it doesn't specify what kind of damage a vampire's bite causes, only that damage can be inflicted either by biting or Feeding. The sidebar references the same section I quoted above, so I'm assuming the writers assumed the answer is too obvious to repeat in VtR Core.

When The Blood was out with a remark about biting causing aggravated damage, developers/writers jumped in to say that was a slip (probably due to a Masquerade holdover) and that it's meant to cause lethal. I'd mention it in the FAQ if this question is selected, because the bit in the core is too generic.

There is errata for the very high-cost Language Merit in the errata section of the download page.

Q:  Can a Vampire Embrace [X]?
A:  In general Major Templates cannot be Embraced and just die, Minor Templates lose their Minor Template when Embraced.

Ophidimancer:

Q:  Can a Vampire Embrace [X]?
A:  In general Major Templates cannot be Embraced and just die, Minor Templates lose their Minor Template when Embraced.

This should have specific examples. Probably all the major templates should be listed.
The "In general" statement will leave the question unanswered.

I can't seem to edit my post, but is this better?

Q:  Can a Vampire Embrace [X]?
A:  Major Templates (Werewolves, Mages, Prometheans, Changelings) cannot be Embraced and just die, Minor Templates lose their Minor Template when Embraced.

Yes.  Much better.

I think it might be a good idea to separate the FAQ sticky thread from a discussion on it.

Yeah, a Moderator only sticky thread will avoid the actual useful stuff getting bogged down between the discussion about what is or isn't useful, which will inevitably crop up.

Again, this thread is only to collect some stuff. As soon as we've got the majority of issues listed here I'll un-sticky this thread and make a new locked sticky thread which will hold a compilation of FAQ in a single post. This will be done per game, so Vampire FAQ will only be visible in the Vampire forum, and so on.

Ophidimancer:

I can't seem to edit my post, but is this better?

Q:  Can a Vampire Embrace [X]?
A:  Major Templates (Werewolves, Mages, Prometheans, Changelings) cannot be Embraced and just die, Minor Templates lose their Minor Template when Embraced.

Q:  How does Allies work if I want someone that's not a servant or my master?
A:  Allies are not for individuals, but a representation of your informal standing with a group of people.  There are optional Merits in supplements (such as the Friend Merit in the Requiem Chronicler's Guide) for representing relationships not covered by Retainer and Mentor.

Michael Dracon:

Does anyone know what the rules are for Major Templates becoming a Promethean?

I 'll have to check when I get home, but I could swear that I remember reading that body parts can come from any former supernatural, but it doesn't affect the resulting Promethean beyond maybe justification for odd Merits, maybe some stranger body memories.

That's my recollection as well.  This, of course, makes vampires unlikely candidates (esp. if you use the body decomposition rules in the Blood), but in general a dead corpse in the game doesn't really care what kind of supernatural it formerly was, and neither do the Prommies.