What kind of characters can I play?
So long as it's an original character, would fit the setting and doesn't come across as, well, you know... Ridiculous? Feel free to run it by us! We've got plenty of RPG experience and if there's something we feel might unnecessarily complicate matters, limit interaction or make the character a little too over-powered, we'll try and come up with constructive suggestions for how they could be altered for acceptance. Please also remember that characters would, to varying extents, embody Victorian ideals. Not everyone can 'buck society' and be modern-minded.

No, we will not accept characters from Victorian literature or other published franchises (i.e. crossover characters).

When and where are the main events set?
We commence in 1891, London. Some adventures might also take place in other parts of the world. This is the age of adventure, steam and electricity! Things like the telephone have been invented, but you won't exactly be able to pick up your mobile and call for the police. This is an exciting and dangerous time in world history, with lots of scope for supernatural elements.

We also have the bonus of knowing that, as we progress, world history will be changed. Don't forget, though, that at the outset of the game, 1891 is historically accurate!

What's all this about 'steampunk'?
Cool, that's what! Because we're dealing with a covert organisation, specifically geared towards fighting supernatural threats, inventors and scientists will come up with contraptions which will, in time, get dispersed into society at large (by accident and not). The microchip might be impossible, but that doesn't mean we can't explore a lot of other stuff. It's important to remember that only the Inquisitors will have such technology at the outset of the game, as their scientists invent the gadgets. After a while, pieces of it will make their way into others' hands (wait for moderator cues), but the Inquisition will retain the bulk of the technological weaponry. It is what makes this group of humans so powerful against the occult.

For obvious reasons, the Inquisition will only be using crude, very primitive devices early on, but look at the sort of things portrayed in 'Van Helsing' and 'The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen' for what technology might eventually make its way into our characters' lives.

What about social conventions?
We want to try and stay relatively authentic, where possible, but not at the expense of readability. Keep in mind that, while Victorian London was undergoing many theological challenges, Christianity was a far stronger driving force in peoples' lives than it is in the 21st century. Science butted heads with religion. The Spiritualist movement, with mediums trying to contact the dead, was of intense fascination.

Something else to remember is that sexist attitudes were rampant, as were those about class and race. Guys generally thought that a woman's place was in the kitchen, etc. Try not to inject too much of this into your writing, though; There can be a fine line between historical authenticity and just being downright offensive.

Also worth remembering is the largely repressed attitude to sex. Some characters will be flirtatious, but certain customs would be observed or those involved would be looked down upon. Pregnancy outside of marriage, for example, was a social taboo and birth control was not nearly so effective. 'Dracula' might be tame now, but back then, it was the very height of eroticism!

How would my character get involved?
That's up to you! If they were recruited by the Inquisition, this would have been a low-key, covert affair and they would have had to demonstrate a useful skill. But Victorian London had masses of people in it and the class system was most definitely in effect. You don't have to be a part of the Inquisition, just to know someone who's secretly in it. As with today's world, there would be criminals, politicians, business people, the wealthy and poor.

And then, of course, there are the villains... The things our heroes need to confront.

What is the Royal Inquisition?
A covert organisation which is meant to safeguard the British Empire against occult threats. They're researchers, scientists and adventurers, each with unique strengths and weaknesses, but who operate not too unlike a secretive, Victorian-era order of Knights. Their remit is such that they are entitled to go anywhere within the British Empire to do what is necessary, but keep in mind that they are few in number. This is precisely why they are empowered to gain the assistance of local authorities.

Some will be more open-minded than others. Males and females are recruited, in recognition of all those with relevant talents being needed for this most patriotic of duties.

Be careful, though. They do not want their existence to be known and there are harsh methods to deal with anyone threatening to compromise security. They know that enemies will and have been made in their quest. Many of them powerful.

How come sunlight doesn't kill vampires?! Buffy never had this problem!
Buffy also had a relatively easy time of it, with vampires. :) In this world, vampires, werewolves and more, are based far more closely on classic lore. Eastern European vampires were apparently quite comfortable with hunting during the day and a reanimated corpse has no reason to suddenly become dust. Whether or not vampires really ever existed, the 'slaying' of them was a very real and dirty business, with all the consequences expected of plunging wood into chests, incineration and removing burnt remains for scattering.

Vampires might not know martial arts, but they are deadly and formidable opponents. There is also the possibility of them regenerating from ashes, so as to allow for fights not always having to end in an unsatisfying draw.

We are also happy to consider other interpretations of supernatural creatures. There are plenty to choose!

Well, I have this idea for a vampire werewolf and...
Not possible! Vampirism only affects corpses and the mystical animal-shifting essence becomes inert after death. Also, it would probably be considered as over-powered.

What are the restrictions on characters using magic?
While we have nothing against the 'Charmed' portrayals of using lightning strikes or balls of fire, we prefer a realistic appreciation of magic. If practitioners use any such massively destructive (or protective) spells, then please try to factor in that it would take a great deal of focus and energy. This is to prevent characters from being casually untouchable and reinforce the need for co-operation between characters.

Do characters have a network of journals, where everyone can reply to one another?
No. Even steampunk Victorians don't have the Internet. Everything's pen and ink.

Is this game set in Joss Whedon's Slayerverse?
Nope.