Millennium Cultist

Vampire: The Eternal Struggle Storyline Event
 
Beginning this November, Vampire: The Eternal Struggle (V:TES) players around the globe will participate in the latest V:TES storyline event. V:TES storyline tournaments are player favorites and attract veterans and new players alike. Players are required to build and play decks with crypts composed mainly of a single clan of vampires. Results from events around the world are then tallied and the clan that wins the most events is typically rewarded with a card in a future V:TES expansion.

Compared to previous storyline events, the Millennium Cultist events will allow greater participation for each of the tournament's players. Storyline Director, Robert Goudie said, "In the past, much of the fun of storyline events was experienced only by the finalists. This time we wanted to extend the experience to all players." 
As with last year's successful Infernal Plague storyline event a custom deck, legal only for this storyline tournament, will be provided to players. However, this time a special deck will be used at each table throughout the event. "Putting a custom storyline deck in each 5-player support kit seemed like a great way to let everybody share in the experience," said Goudie.

The story revolves around the unauthorized Embrace of a small-town Kentucky pastor, Reverend Daniel Adams. After his rebirth as a vampire, Reverend Adams tries to reconcile his religious beliefs and the hideous acts he performs under the control of the Beast. His professional life also takes a turn. The further Reverend Adams' sanity slips, the more popular he becomes. His charismatic sermons and end of the world prophecies result in a compound full of followers and a growing armed militia, none of which has escaped the notice of the Camarilla and Sabbat.

The special storyline format will revolve around a Daniel Adams, Millennium Cultist crypt card that will begin play in the center of the table. Players will take actions to take control of Reverend Adams. While controlling Reverend Adams, players may use cards from the special Millennium Cultist deck. The deck contains cards that represent the strength of the cult's financial resources and the militia's growing weapons cache.

In addition to the custom storyline legal decks, the support kit also contains 5 copies of a legal-for-play version of Revered Adams.

The following is the Prologue for the Cultist Storyline Event

LOCAL PREACHER'S PERSONAL REVIVAL SPURS GROWTH

by Liz Schall
Staff Reporter, Lexington Post-Dispatch

Among the many small churches of Clay, Kentucky is also found the fastest growing church in the Eastern U.S. Over the course of just a few months, the Millennium Church of the Coming Kingdom has grown from a small, mostly elderly, congregation to a community bursting at its seams.

Led by its young, enigmatic pastor, Rev. Daniel Adams, the Millennium Church has outgrown the 100 year old church building in which it formerly resided. In response to the growth, the congregation has temporarily moved outdoors and acres of land are now peppered with tents used for church activities and for housing many of the church's members.

It is this recent move to a communal living style that has some outsiders worried. One woman, who asked that we not identify her by name, said that the Reverend's followers were selling all of their possessions and giving the proceeds to the church. She continued, "The church created an armed militia to get ready for the end of the world." Many local residents have also blamed the church for a recent spate of livestock killings. Local police said that the animals were killed in an "unusual manner", but refused to elaborate. Officials were quick to say that they have not established any connection between the killings and the Millennium Church.

The most startling aspect of the church's growth is the speed with which it has come about. By all accounts, Rev. Adams was, at best, a mediocre preacher and a man nearly devoid of charm. His installation at the Millennium Church was his first stop after ordination and his struggling ministry consisted mainly of ministering to Clay's elderly and sick. Yet Rev. Adams is certainly at the root of this tremendous growth and his personal transformation is mirrored in his congregation.

In June of 2006, Rev. Adams attended a denominational conference in New York City. After attending a show, Rev. Adams fell prey to a mugger and was badly injured. When he didn't return from New York on-time, many of the congregants assumed he'd chosen not to continue as their pastor. Church members noted that a previous pastor had abandoned them in a similar fashion and this contributed to their outlook. Reverend Adams did return, however, and the changes were apparent almost immediately.

"Rev. Adams' disappearance a few months ago was a frightening time for all of us," said Michael Dean, one of the church's eldest deacons. "I was headin' home in my pickup from a friend's place in Fredonia when I saw the Reverend walkin' on the side of the highway. I picked him up and brought him home. He said he'd been mugged; maybe even poisoned. He sure didn't look good."

The first signs of Rev. Adams' transformation occurred during his convalescence. "It took him quite a while before he felt up to going back to preachin' at the church, but some of us elders would go to his house in the evenin' and he'd teach us," said Deacon Michael.

It was at these impromptu services where the deacons first noticed the renewed spirit of Rev. Adams. It was also during these first nights that they reportedly witnessed Rev. Adams perform miracles and heard him speak his prophetic visions of the end of the world. Since that time, many of the church's members claim to have personally witnessed Rev. Adams work miracles.

In recent weeks the church has begun to build walls around their compound. "We're in the last days, and Rev. Adams says we're gonna be ready," said Deacon Michael.

However, the church's next battles are more likely to be legal, than spiritual. Some Clay residents have promised a lawsuit to try and stop the church's expansion. The Millennium Church had no comments on the threatened lawsuit.

Horatio Ballard tired as he neared the end of his nightly web search for pertinent news stories. He knew that this was one of those menial tasks that he probably should have delegated to some underling, but Horatio found comfort in the routine. In earlier nights, Horatio would have newspapers snatched from the printing presses across the Midwest and would have them hand-delivered to him. Back then, there was not enough time to review the papers and react before they were distributed. The internet, however, changed all of this.

Local news from Kentucky was rarely relevant and Horatio only followed the link by accident. He had already closed the browser window when his mind recalled a few words that he'd just seen on the screen. Horatio re-opened his web browser and retrieved the news article. He re-read the section about the dead animals and knew something was awry.

Horatio would need to find out more, certainly, but he felt that he'd stumbled upon a situation with the makings of a major Masquerade breech. He was also aware of the value of a nice cache of arms--something a growing militia was sure to have.

Jacob Votaux reached Clay in August and had already begun to carry out his orders--get close to Reverend Adams. He carefully catalogued every detail about the militia; the weapons storehouses, when additional arms shipments would arrive, and who was delivering them. Jacob also perfectly recorded every utterance Rev. Adams made when he'd preach. After a time, Jacob's superiors stopped asking him about weapons and told to focus on the prophecies. Each time Jacob reported-in to his Sabbat superiors, he could sense that the information he provided was important and useful--and frightening.

Official Storyline Events

The V:tes Storyline Events are a series of worldwide tournaments and special events that allow V:tes players to influence the outcome of critical conflicts in the classic World of Darkness. These events have special rules in addition to the normal tournament rules, feature special promotional cards created just for them, and chronicle the victories and defeats to the V:tes clans, factions, and characters.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Berlin Storyline Events 2017

Nefertiti Advanced	Amulet of the Ancients	Visage of Caine

 

• Rules
• Special cards

• Background and rules

2015 The Red Sign Storyline

The Red Sign is a constructed V:TES Storyline event designed for worldwide play during spring and summer 2015.

Except as noted in these instructions, each Storyline game will follow the VEKN Constructed Tournament rules for card play and deck construction. Each Storyline game will be timed to a maximum duration of 2 hours.

At least 75% (e.g. 9 out of 12) of the vampires in each player’s crypt must belong to the same clan. In this context, ‘clan’ includes all bloodlines, Panders and Imbued, but not Caitiff.

In addition to the standard list of VEKN banned cards and errata, the following changes apply:

• The event card Recalled to the Founder is banned
• The ally cards Mehemet of the Ahl-i-Batin, Order of Hermes Cabal, Outcast Mage, Tara, Hollow One and Thadius Zho have their printed cost reduced by 1 pool.
• The ally cards Nephandus and Veneficti are infernal.

Players may also use any or all of the crypt and library cards provided in this pack in deck construction, with the exception of The Red Sign (see below).

The Storyline will be played in single games, with the results of each game contributing to the narrative. Each play group may play this Storyline any number of times within the allotted time frame.

Players will note that the master card The Red Sign provides an alternate victory condition to win the game.



The following pack contains the full rules sheet, printable PDFs for 48 new library cards and 8 new crypt cards, a Storyline results form and an equivalent e-mail results template.

The contents of this pack may be updated during the course of the Storyline, so please check for updates posted here at www.vekn.net

DOWNLOADS

• Red Sign - Rules
• Red Sign - Crypt
• Red Sign - Library
• Red Sign - Results form (text format or zipped MS Word format)

Mike Nudd, VEKN Storyline Coordinator

2014 Anniversary Storyline – “The Returned”

SYNOPSIS

Starting in April 2014, and running episodically each month for the six months leading up to the EC, there will be an Anniversary Storyline called "The Returned". Each month, a special Mythic Vampire from the lore of the World of Darkness will be offered to the player base as a ‘thank you’ for continuing to play, support and promote the game.

RULES

As per the last two official Storylines, the format will be single games of V:TES where each player uses a Storyline legal deck (i.e. a crypt 75% of the same clan). The Storyline will also require you to keep a league table of game wins among your playgroup.

Any player who achieves at least one game win during the month will be permitted to use that month’s Mythic Vampire in deck construction for the remaining duration of the Storyline. E.g. a winner in month 1 (April) will be able to use the first Mythic Vampire released in any game over the next 6 months of Storyline games.

And at Mannheim any player attending the EC will be encouraged – regardless of league performance - to use any of the six Mythic Vampires in friendly games played during the course of the event (with the agreement of their opponents).

DOWNLOADS

• Prologue
• Rules
• Mythic vampire #1
• Mythic vampire #2
• Mythic vampire #3
• Mythic vampire #4
• Mythic vampire #5
• Mythic vampire #6
• Mythic vampire #7

 Mike Nudd, VEKN Storyline Coordinator

Storyline - Ragnarök, the Final Battle

Synopsis

The All High, a legendary Gangrel elder, is missing. An army of monsters has descended from the mountains of Norway and Sweden intent on wreaking havoc upon the World, upsetting the ages-old conflict between sleeping Methuselahs.

Rules

Ragnarök, The Final Battle is a constructed V:TES Storyline event designed for the 2013 VTES European Championship.

Except as noted in these instructions, each Storyline game will follow the VEKN Constructed Tournament rules for card play and deck construction. Each Storyline game will be timed to a maximum duration of 2 hours.

At least 75% (e.g. 9 out of 12) of the vampires in the player's crypt must belong to the same clan. In addition to the standard list of VEKN banned cards, Recalled to the Founder (Event) is banned from play.

Any single V:TES game played with 4-5 players using Storyline legal decks between 00:00 Monday 30th September and 00:00 Thursday 31st October anywhere in the world that uses the described game modifications may contribute towards the Ragnarök Storyline and have its results submitted.

The pack provided in support of the Ragnarök Storyline includes several sheets of additional cards:

• Adversary cards — monsters to fight during the game
• Reward cards — prizes to be won during the game
• An All-High vampire card
• Optional Brunhilde Advanced and Valkyrie vampire cards which may be used in any player's crypt
• An optional set of additional werewolf themed cards which may be used in any player's library

Before the game begins shuffle the Adversary cards and deal out 7 of each to form a deck, which is placed in the centre of the table. Do the same with the Reward cards. The 2 remaining cards from each set should be placed to one side without revealing them. Also place the All High vampire card in the centre of the table.

After each player has taken two turns the top card of each of the Adversary and Reward decks are revealed. Counters should be placed on the Adversary to represent its starting life. The text on the Adversary will take immediate effect.

Adversaries are immune to all card effects which target allies, and are also immune to all card effects which target minions controlled by other Methuselahs.

In each player's minion phase, any minion controlled by that player may take an undirected action to enter combat with the revealed Adversary. If its life is reduced to zero by combat damage it is burned and removed from the game.

The controller of acting minion that burned the Adversary takes the revealed Reward card and may place it on any minion he or she controls.

The next top card from each deck is then revealed. This sequence is repeated 7 times until there are no Adversary or Reward cards left on the table.

When the last Adversary is burned all players left in the game make an open bid for control of the All High using their pool, starting with the active player. The minimum bid is 1 pool. Players are not forced to bid if they do not wish to. The player that wins this bid moves the All High to his or her ready region with 0 blood, and play continues as normal. All of the pool bid by the winner is returned to the blood bank. The losers of the bid do not lose any pool.

An FAQ is included in the pack which should answer many common questions.

All players are recommended to download and print their own copies of the Storyline pack from the link below. Printed copies will be circulated at the EC but they will be limited in number - players are advised to bring their own copies if possible.

DOWNLOADS

• Prologue
• Rules
• Crypt Cards
• Library Cards
• Adversary and Reward Cards
• Questionnaire

 Mike Nudd, VEKN Storyline Coordinator

Storyline for the European Championship 2012 in Budapest:

Budapest is a city without a ruler. Its former master, a fearsome Kindred from the Cold War era, has publically declared his retirement and has suddenly vanished from the scene He has left no clear heir or successor. The largest factions of the Kindred have learned of this opportunity and have flocked to the city —some to seek their fortune, others to settle old scores. Prominent among these new visitors is the venerable Bulscu, a Magyar of ancient descent and former prince of this city. Many suspect he will bid to become lord of this domain once more.

• Prologue
• Rules
• Questionnaire
• Bulscu
• Buda Castle
• Download all files

2010 Spring: Battle Lines:

It has long been foretold that when the Antediluvians rise their descendants will be recalled to meet their founders. On that day the children of the ancients will be consumed, driven mad, or destroyed. But what of those vampires who through tricks of time or manipulations of the blood have no single Antediluvian they call their progenitor? What of the bloodlines?
Emissaries of the Bahari have approached the bloodline elders. They bring dark warnings and a message of hope. The bloodlines have a chance to survive the coming cataclysm. But they must renounce the father of their kind and swear allegiance to Lilith, the Dark Mother. They are faced with a terrible choice. Do they heed the warnings and join the servants of Lilith? Or do they remain true to all they have known and remain loyal to Caine? Faced with these choices debate, subversion, and civil war breaks out among and between the bloodline clans. They must choose which side they are on. The Battle Lines are drawn.

• Introduction
• Introduction Part 2
• Rules
• Standings
• Aftermath

2009 Fall: Eden's Legacy:

For centuries the Royal Order of Edenic Groundskeepers conducted their clandestine research. The members of the order have gathered the secrets of their forbearers and the world's greatest trove of Kindred lore. Recently, several scholars of the order mysteriously disappeared. As the secret of the Edenic Groundskeepers is revealed, the world's Methuselahs realize their sudden peril and the opportunities before them. The clandestine struggle for control of the information unearthed by the order begins.

• Introduction

• Rules
• Standings
• Aftermath

11/13/2009: EC 2009: Friday the 13th (Location: 2009 European Championship, Palma de Mallorca)

On the eve of the last chapters of Gehenna, the caster of a massive cataclysm awakes to a new world. His name is Claudio Severino and he comes back with knowledge and powers that are not meant to exist. Many seek him - some to destroy him, others to find out what he knows; some to save the Tremere, others to annihilate them. Others seek him to become like him. Indestructible.

• Home
• Introduction
• Rules
• Aftermath

2009 Spring: Rise of the Imperator:

In a time of crisis, a leader will rise. Who will have the honor, the responsibility, the power to lead the armies of the Camarilla? Who will be the Imperator?

• Introduction
• Rules
• Standings
• Aftermath

2008 Fall: Anarchs and Alastors

An outlaw anarch gang is on the loose. Rich awards await those who can stop them.

• Introduction
• Rules
• Standings
• Aftermath

10/23/2008: Black Miracles and Lies (Location: 2008 North American Championship, Montreal)

• Introduction
• Rules
• Aftermath

2006 Winter: Milleniumn Cultists

The followers of Caitiff preacher threaten the Masquerade. His sermons threaten something worse.

• Introduction
• Rules
• Millennium Cultist Epilogue

2005 Fall: The Return of Nergal (Infernal Plague II) Storyline.

The infernal plague continues when the Prince of Hell is unleashed.

• Introduction
• Aftermath

2004 Fall: Infernal Plague Storyline,

Featuring Barbaro Lucchese’s efforts to spread infernalism.

• Introduction
  
• Epilogue
• Aftermath

2003 Summer: Lambach's Legion Storyline,

Featuring Lambach's efforts to raise a legion of loyal followers, for purposes known only to him.

• Introduction
• Aftermath

2002 Fall: The Eye of Hazimel Storyline,

Featured the struggle for the control of the Eye of Hazimel following the events of the Clan Novel series.

• Introduction
• Aftermath

2002 Winter: The Baltimore Storyline,

Featured the struggle for the control of Baltimore following the events of the Clan Novel series.

• Introduction

• Aftermath