The Salem Chronicles
The storytelling will be infused by the best practices of PbtA and FitD systems:
Human Situation
Set in the north-east of the United States, benefitting from access to significant natural
resources and proximity to the naval shipping trade routes, Salem had become one of the
most important manufacturing centers in the country. The city was hard hit by an
economic crisis in the latter part of the 20th century, as new technologies emergent, Salem’s
natural resources became more difficult to exploit, and global trade make its industries less
competitive. The once famed “North Mile”, holding some of the manufacturing jewels of the
19th century, is now a lawless and dilapidated neighborhood ruled by gangs. Since 2000, a
nascent commodity trading activity has brought new life to the city, and the newly built
Ballard tower now hosts once of the most flourishing collection of financial firms in the
country. Recently, the city also saw the founding and rise of X-Corp, which has become in
just a few years one of the most innovative and largest technology companies.
Supernatural Situation
The history of Salem mirrors the supernatural dynamics of the city. Until the mid-20th
century, the city was tightly held by the Camarilla under the autocratic Princess Anastasia
and the Ventrue clan. Concurrent efforts by the Anarchs and the Sabbat to take the city over
from the Camarilla in the 1980s weakened the entire vampire community, and exposed
them through repeated Masquerade breaches. In 2008, Salem was the focal point of a
coordinated assault by government and Vatican forces as part of Project PRIS, and a
number of vampires – including Princess Anastasia – met their final death in the conflict.
Under the leadership of Prince Raymond, a progeny of Anastasia’s, the Camarilla has slowly
started to reorganize itself in the last 15 years, with some of the survivors of the 2008 wars
and newcomers as well.
Starting Situation
The coterie will be composed of neonate Camarilla vampires. Perhaps they have come
recently to Salem. Perhaps they were embraced right before the Salem Wars. Either way,
they need to find their place in Salem, and above all else survive…
Themes and Story Arcs
▪ Camarilla – How are they regaining full control? What are the key power struggles?
▪ Anarch – Who are the strongest factions within the faction, and what is their agenda?
▪ Autarkis – How many are left? How do they weigh in?
▪ Sabbat – Was the Sabbat fully wiped? Will they try to rebuild their presence?
▪ X-Corp – How aware are they of the world of darkness? What is their agenda?
▪ Inquisition – Have they stopped monitoring Salem completely?
▪ Jyhad – Which antediluvians or methuselahs may be lurking around Salem?
▪ Occult – Which are the other supernatural forces of Salem? Werewolves, mages, etc.
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Storytelling Principles
▪ Everything flows from the fiction – what makes sense?
▪ It is not real until it is stated – no 200-page book with the “truth” behind the game
▪ Players drive the fiction too – players can fill the blank as long as they follow the
fiction, not everything is driven top-down by the Storyteller
▪ Storytelling & fiction heavy / narrative & roleplay light – compact writing that
drives the action forward (no long literary piece and endless dialogues)
▪ Show, don’t’ tell – best way of describing your character is by establishing intent and
developing challenges
▪ No player secrets – all players know what any player know, and play their respective
character accordingly
▪ Lines and veils – targeting something between PG-13 and R, i.e., no unnecessarily
graphic violence, gendered violence, children-related violence or explicit nudity
Gaming Principles
Each roll should be important, otherwise we should not roll.
▪ The stakes of succeeding and the consequences of failing are clear and meaningful for
the character
▪ The outcome of the roll drives the story forward
We will make heavy use of the various mechanics available to compact the rolls (take
half, automatic success, one roll, succeed at cost, group help), and there will generally be no
rolling by the Storyteller. The sequence of a roll should be:
▪ Player describes the action their character is performing (i.e., what success looks
like) and proposes a dice pool (attributes, skills and modifiers)
▪ Storyteller sets difficulty and consequences (if necessary)
▪ The roll is resolved, with the player describing a success (or the Storyteller if
information needs to be unveiled) and the Storyteller a failure
E.g., player: “I spend the first part of the evening trying to eaves drop on vampire XYZ. I am
thinking it’s Composure + Stealth, and I add my Auspex as I use my Heightened Senses”. ST:
“Sounds reasonable. XYZ is a seasoned vampire, but not particularly on his guard. It'll be
difficulty 3. The risk is that you get noticed”. [Rolls 2 successes.] ST: “You manage to hear XYZ
mention such and such rumors. However, while he doesn’t seem to notice you, it is evident that
vampire ABC has caught you in the act and could use that information against you.”
Logistics
▪ 2-week pilot game for <5 players
▪ Discord – one fiction channel and one OOC channel
▪ Shared Google-slide document – for maps, NPC pictures, relationship graphs, etc.
▪ Honor system on rolls (use this if you want)
VERSION 0.1
Salem Factions
Camarilla
▪ Ventrue (•••••)
Under the leadership of Prince Raymond, the clan consolidates most of the power in Salem,
and the infighting for domain over human affairs. Raymond’s progenies are at constant war
with each other, with Ballard (who oversees business inside Ballard Tower) and his
progeny Leo (the keeper of the Succubus Club) facing off against Gambini (who oversees
the mafia in Salem) and his progeny Giovanna (keeper of the Blue Velvet).
▪ Malkavian (••••)
With no structure or clear agenda, the clan mostly consists of Primogen Sylvia, the oldest
vampire in Salem who holds considerable influence over the Prince, but seldom interests
herself to the affairs of the Court.
▪ Tremere (••••)
The agenda of the Tremere is always opaque. Primogen Damian is a secretive and wise
member of the court. Dr. Schneider is the only other known member of the Tremere, but
who knows how many other vampires work secretly inside the Chantry of Salem…
▪ Toreador (•••)
It is said that Primogen Victoria would have become Prince of Salem if she had played her
cards differently. She won't miss the next opportunity. In the meantime, her authority
remains fragmented, supported by Romero (who oversees the institutional arts scene), but
challenged by Jean-Paul (who leads anti-conformist movements).
▪ Nosferaru (••)
As Harpy and messenger of the court, Balthazar is the only well-known member of the clan.
It is said that other Nosferatu vampires live in the depth of the Salem underground, but who
would be crazy enough to go and validate that claim.
▪ Brujah (•)
As a token to Anarch community, the Prince has appointed the physical but thoughtful
Abeliar as Sheriff. It is understood that the clan cannot grow and organize itself further.
Other supernatural factions
▪ Anarchs (•••)
Troy is the only Anarch elder accepted at the Prince's court to defuse volatile situation. He
is also the recognized Baron in Salem, possibly capable of uniting the various packs if the
events require it. Other Anarchs are spread in packs around the city and led by Anarchs of
varying power and brutality, such as the crew of Gengis.
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▪ Mr. Wong (•••)
Vampires steer clear of Chinatown, where Mr. Wong is the uncontested authority over the
supernatural. He could be a mage, a medium, or something else altogether… It is said that
some vampires of Asian bloodlines reside quietly in Chinatown under his protection.
▪ Caitiffs (•)
Some isolated unaligned vampires, Gangrels or otherwise, are spread across the outskirts of
the city and try to simply survive away from all supernatural politics and affairs.
Human factions
▪ X-Corp (•••••)
Founded by Michael Parr, a young self-made billionaire, X-Corp is one of the most
advanced technology company in the world, with R&D activities across the military,
biotechnology, and semiconductor industries. Parr is known to be aware of the vampire
community, who stays far away from X-Corp. One of Michael's senior vice presidents,
Emily Lewis, has been sometimes seen at the Union Club to meet with the Prince.
▪ The Salem mafia (•••)
The Italian originated crime family of Salem answers to Gambini. It is known that several
made men, including boss Torino, count ghouls among their ranks. The family’s activities
extend across the various locations of Salem, as they try to maintain interests with all.
▪ The Dragons (••)
The Dragons oversee all criminal activities around the port and its illegal trades under the
leadership of Sei-Wei, a former Triad boss who manages the gang with an iron fist. It is
understood that Giovanna holds domain over their activities around the port, but they are
also under the careful protection of Mr. Wong.
▪ The Blue Stars (•)
Wreaking havoc across the North Mile, the Blue Stars gang are the manufacturers of the
eponymous special blend of crack widely distributed in the poorest corners of Salem. It is
brutally led by the sociopathic and yet charismatic Rock.
▪ Salem Police Department (•)
The Police Department, headed by Commissioner Baker, is a nuisance at best to deal with
as clean-ups are required for the masquerade. Abeliar holds the most control over the SPD
on behalf of the Prince and does not appreciate interferences.
▪ Inquisition (?)
Forces of the Inquisition in Salem, if any, are unknown.
▪ Sabbat (?)
Forces of the Sabbat in Salem, if any, are unknown.
VERSION 0.1
Salem Places
Old Port – Prince personal domain
The Old Port is home to old Salem money: magnificent townhouses, luxury stores,
expensive yachts, and exclusive clubs. It is the personal domain of the Prince, and no one
should consider entering the area without an express invitation by Raymond himself.
▪ Union Club. The city’s most private club is the personal meeting venue for Raymond.
Downtown – Ventrue / Sylvia domain
Downtown is a wealthy and safe neighborhood of Salem, home to its upper-class citizens
and most established businesses. Under dominion of the Ventrue, Camarilla vampires are
generally allowed to conduct their affairs and hunt, as long as they are discrete.
▪ Succubus Club. Personal domain of Leo, it is a hot scene for vampires and humans
alike, and includes a regular dance floor, a more alternative scene in the basement and
a first floor reserved for the vampires and their guests.
▪ Chinatown. At the edge of downtown, home to the Chinese-descent population of
Salem. Wandering there without being known by Mr. Wong is a bad idea, but some of
the most knowledgeable human occultists of Salem operate there.
▪ Mercy Hospital. Personal domain of Sylvia, where she expects complete privacy.
▪ Salem Police Department. The department is managed by Abeliar on behalf of the
Prince. The Sheriff expects other vampires not to meddle without his prior approval.
▪ Train station. The Sheriffs keeps a close eye on new arrivals and departures.
Financial District – Ballard domain
The district is safe and well is home to Salem’s booming financial services industry, and
under the tight dominion of Ballard, whose interests span a number of corporations and
banks across Salem.
▪ Ballard Tower. This beautiful and modern skyscraper is known to host Ballard’s
personal and highly secure haven, as well as many of his direct interests.
Commercial Port – Gambini domain
The commercial port area remains an active hub for legal and illegal trade in Salem.
Gambini and Giovanna supervise the district very closely, and try to maintain peace
between The Dragons and the mafia, both fighting for control over all affairs at the port.
▪ Blue Velvet. Personal domain of Giovanna, this tame and classy jazz bar is also a
hangout for the Torino made men who operate at the port.
▪ Docks. The Dragons control most of the docker workforce and they don’t appreciate
interference, or shipping activity conducted outside their supervision.
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Campus – Tremere domain
The campus of Salem is extensive and includes a vast complex of academic and research
department buildings. It is the domain of Damian and it is rumored than the Tremere
Chantry is inside one of the university buildings.
▪ Research department. Dr. Schneider controls a number of research units and is
personally involved in research at the Medical School.
▪ Public Library. The oldest building in Salem, and one of the oldest and most furnished
book collections in the north-east. Rumors is it may contain authentic occult volumes.
Cultural District – Toreador domain
The cultural district is the exclusive domain of Victoria, but she welcomes all who behave
on the premises. Late night activity attracts criminals of all kinds, and the proximity to the
Port District and the North Mile make it generally unsafe for vampires as well.
▪ Modern Arts Center. Personal domain of Romero, who tries to make it compete with
the Succubus Club as the go-to venue for vampires.
Underground – Nosferatu unofficial domain
A vast underground network composed of existing and abandoned subway lines, sewage
systems, and industrials exhaust venues. It is the unofficial domain of Balthazar. Who
would venture there without his help anyway?
Salem Heights – unclaimed
Wealthiest and perhaps most secure neighborhood of Salem for humans, it holds the X-Corp
HQ and the mansions of the many executives who have made a fortune working for Parr.
▪ X-Corp headquarters. The highly secure complex includes the corporate buildings, a
private airport, numerous R&D wings, as well as the Parr mansion.
North Mile – unclaimed
Once a source of great industrial wealth for Salem, the neighborhood has slowly become a
dilapidated residential zone riddled with semi-abandoned facilities. Vampires seldom enter
the Mile, for fear of encounters with violent human gangs, anarchs and werewolves.
▪ Prison. Neonates have tried to use the prison as feeding ground. It never ended well.
East Park – unclaimed
The park is as unsafe for humans as for vampires after dark. Most werewolf encounters in
Salem were reported there. Only a couple of solitary Gangrels live there.
▪ Zoo. The zoo can be a good place to find animal blood for a vampire in a pinch, but it is
deep in East Park and hunting there is a risky affair.
VERSION 0.1
Salem Map
Old Port
1. Union Club

Downtown
2. Succubus Club
3. Chinatown
4. Mercy Hospital
5. Salem Police Department
6. Train station

Financial District
7. Ballard Tower

Commercial Port
8. Blue Velvet
9. Docks

Campus
10. Research department
11. Public library

Cultural District
12. Modern Arts Center

Salem Heights
13. X-Corp Headquarters

North Mile
14. Prison

East Park
15. Zoo

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