The Cat

[Keith Fyans]

Something I was toying with...


The Virtue of Curiosity

Curiosity in our own society, while sometimes inappropriate, is seen as a blessing none the less. It drives us forward in and allows us to overturn outdated traditions and unearth new knowledge. While we would like to think that Ven society would hold the same esteem to curiosity as we do, they instead found it to be something to be ashamed of.

To those who would implement the deeply ritualistic set of limitations and balances Curiosity proved a great enemy, one that the conservative members of the Senate felt would be the Doom of all. They point to the fate of the House of the Cat to illustrate this point. That said, some Nobles still secretly let their Curiosity drive them to uncover things that the wise say are best left undisturbed, instead spotting Advantage in the unknown.


Those with the Virtue of Curiosity... are always pushing on the boundaries of society, looking for explanations for things best left uncovered. Violating the peace of slumbering Sauven to understand their motives. Hunting out Spectres to find whey truly are. Researching ludicrous rumours of peasant magics. Delving into Ruins. Looking to the past. Talking openly of the Sorcerer-Kings. Dangerous endeavours. Any Ven Risking their Curiosity can spend a Wager to place an Aspect on the scene regarding a taboo subject. This taboo can be Tagged using one Style to gain 2 dice by using the forbidden topic to their Advantage. Any Ven at the scene can be Compelled to act according to societal norms of the taboo.

Of course those taking Advantage through means seen by others as out of bounds often leads to accusations of Insult and even Injury by others more willing to tow the Senate line.


Those without the Virtue of Curiosity... cannot stand idly by while another undermines centuries of tradition designed to prevent the passions of the Ven causing their own destruction. Any Ven without Curiosity must spend a Style Point if evidence shows another Ven to have publicly broke the norms of society, otherwise they are must act to bring the offender to task for the perceived Insult. Some days it feels as if the whole Senate was on the side of the cries for your head for your Insult.

Sometimes they were.

[Astelle_Mwwr]

I love that take on curiosity!

[Keith Fyans]

Why thankyou! Your ideas of other magics are not lost on me; I'm planning on trying out some Blessings of the Cat Sauven that will have a focus on Spectres, Sauven, The Invisible World and the such... watch this space

[JohnWick]

I really like the Curiosity Virtue.

I made a solemn vow to never write a "Blooded of the Cat" House.

That vow only applies to me, however.

[Keith Fyans]

The thing is I'd not want to do a book about just the House of the Cat...

[Aban the White Stag]

I like the idea of the Curiosity Virtue. Then again I like the idea of getting other people into trouble and seeing them squirm...

And since "Curiosity killed the Cat," it would be apropos.

Once again, I'd like to see this in action of the tabletop (or the LARP perhaps?)

[Astelle_Mwwr]

Well of course it would probably be put in a book either with other houses or as another supplement like Coronets but Never Crowns. As for the LARPing I am hoping!! I think, with the different magic set, and if Mr Wick the architect of the main book is okay with it, this might be something to put into a supplement with some alternate magics and a little more emphasis on the information gathering/revealing aspects of Ven society. I keep thinking there should really be a way to play around with research so you can have knowledge aspects that make it easier to make wisdom, cunning or curiosity checks with certain information. (Something like "Expert of Ruins" or "Sorcerous Item Specialist") The names are just for explanation, they will definitely be MUCH more subtle in the long run. A title for the supplement escapes me though...

[Astelle_Mwwr]

And again I hit "return" too soon. What I REALLY want to see is something similar to maneuvers where you can have 3 little knowledge specialties that give you a small boost for certain information in a narrow field. "Yes, you know a lot about the houses, but do you know everything there is to know about the blooding rituals of the Wasp House? I do." I think if this is used they would be VERY specialized, more so than aspects, which is why you get 3 of them. Possibly instead of maneuvers if you're just not a dueling type.

[Keith Fyans]

What I REALLY want to see is something ... where you can have ... specialties that give you a small boost for certain information in a narrow field ... (Something like "Expert of Ruins" or "Sorcerous Item Specialist")

Aspects?

[Astelle_Mwwr]

You missed the next sentence. (Edit: used Post instead of Sentence originally)