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I've noticed something about this new House system, and I find it odd that there hasn't been much/any mention of it on the forums thus far.

In the vampiric society created by White Wolf's Vampire: The Masquerade there existed a game of power between elder vampires known as The Jyhad (also referred to as The Eternal Struggle). The elders who had garnered respect were the main players while the rest below them observed from afar while a few unlucky vampires were used as pawns in the game.

Now, this wasn't a game or contest that was neccesarily well known amongst the younger vampires, or even openly discussed in the society, but it existed. It took the form of roles within a city, or within an entire sect... a sire and his childe... a Prince and those under him...

Vampires are constantly struggling to gain more than what they have, to garner more recognition and prestige. Does it not seem to anyone else that this is what has been introduced to The Rave? A game of power amongst the members; a competition to be at the top?

This isn't an attempt to criticise the new system, or to grate at the nerves of those 'in power' around here. This is an honest attempt to start a discussion.

So, discuss...

I don't think that is what was intended but that does seem to be one way of looking at it.
It is a struggle to keep your status up, and try to be brtter than before, but isn't that what being a vampire is? Hell, being human for that matter, all life tries to do better than they can or have the means to.

i think the house "problem" isnt i a problem. i think everything on this site is just the way it should be

it is certainly a way of looking at it but i dont see it as a game of power coz no matter how high your status is, is odesnt get you more power on your own.
i see it as a contest for fun and personally im in no competition with anyone

I was suprised to say the least and given there was no fore warning....................
I always thought vampire's were solitary creatures and only either coupled or at most there were 8 to a group (and there were constant differing opinions and power struggle's) and like above am in competition with no one so I'm just waiting to see how this all turns out.

People will obviously see this the way they chose to see it; but in the case of The Jyhad, people didn't see it.

These Houses in The Rave are ranked by their standing, and by the favor of The Prince. I'm interested to watch the contrast as each House develops its own personality and presence at The Rave.

It's about evolution and the nature of the beast, an eternal struggle...

Hmmm... I think it has more to do with the site.

I think that Cancer did it for his own reasons of course.. but if I might guess a few of the reasons

1. To keep memebers from having nothing to do
2. To increase membership activity.. woohoo if you have a million members... but who cares if there's only twenty that do anything...
3. To take what is commonly thought of as the vampire heirachsy (which is why no one asked why he's the prince) and gave it more defined edges...

Nicely said, Lilyrose. I think the status and ratings stuff are just away to keep ppl more involved with the site. I don't feel Cancer, intends the new House Societies as a slight to anyone.

wow, people believe in me!

Sorry Jason, it's just the type of person I am.. it will always be about compition between the houses... :-)

well that and making friends

and having someone to chat with

and having something to do when bored

i believe the house system was created as a system of order rather as a game to be at the top.

Thanks for the compliment. :-)

Now that we have some good discussion going, I'd like to state that I'm not neccesarily of the opinion that the House system is bad (though, like all systems, it is flawed). I wanted to get this view out there and give a few defenses of it before letting the cat out of the bag on that part.

As I stated earlier, I'm not completely decided one way or another on how I feel about the House system. I do agree that it will be a good way to get members involved (someone else said it earlier- what good is a board with a million members and only twenty active). I hope that it does get more members involved with the database and contributing articles because that's what brought me here in the first place.

I also think its very creative that, slowly, Cancer has been incorporating aspects from all different sources of information and fiction on vapirism.

The Status system resembles both Sanguinarium titles (albeit in a much more playful fashion) and the age-related titles of Vampire: The Masquerade (neonates, anccilae, or whelp and lick for more vulgar terms). Each title in the system is also a vampire or vampire-related term.

The House system resembles both the modern House system (such as Khepru and Sabretooth) and the Covenant system of White Wolf's Vampire: The Requiem (part of the new World of Darkness system; examples would be Ordo Dracul and Lancea Sanctum).

Other member titles, such as Acolyte and Dominar, also relfect Sanguinarium titles and Paths/Castes in their duties.

Mmm,.....ok.

Personally competition and competitiveness is inherit and human nature. *Smiles* Even vampyric nature. So to compare this to the VtM series is accurate, but not the sole comparison that can be drawn.

Any society, will have those who work to gain at different goals, why should vampyres be any different.

now i have never played the particular role playing game before but as being a member of a house i do not (as of yet) see any abuse of power of struggle of power..sure you have competition but its all in fun and its to engage people to be more involved with the site and each other.
for is it not part of human nature to compete and get that well deserved "good job" for doing good?

I posted something similar to another thred, stating that I like the house system. I find that there are others in my house that have many of the same interests as me, and that could be coincidence or it may have been planned that way. As far as competition goes, I am out to advance myself to the highest level that I can reach here but having the added benefit of a little bit of sport ( contests, etc), it makes it even more fun. I played VtM for a little while but never got far enough along to get to what is being discussed here. Hope that this still makes sense and fits with the topic.

i think the house system will bring the groups of us together, give us more of a family feel, and when the houses are trying to do stuff thats better than the other houses it will benefit VR as a whole. I just cant wait til im level 5 so i can be inducted into THE HOUSE OF NOCTURNAL RETRIBUTION (hint hint Nicnivian)

I'll just make a trivial corrrection, those elders are called "Methuselahs" (Mind my incorrect spelling), yes virtually house struggles could lead to a Jyhad technically but of course nothing as like mentioned in the white wolf series. The context is quite different here.

true, Yendor, i dont think a petty house struggle on VR could lead to anything on that large of a scale. but its a funny thought though.

that's interesting...i hadn't thought of that...but yeah that could be the case...when i first heard about the new Societies i really wanted to be in one but now i'd rather not be...hmmm...

I think the houses were a GREAT idea and have already brought me new friends whom I never would have talked to otherwise, and not just from my house...the friendly bantering between members of houses has been fun, and as far as power goes...NOTHING HAS CHANGED...those high enough in status to get a House, are still WELL beyond reach of the rest of us for a while (yes even you Yendor...LOL)...And I haven't heard of ANYONE from the VR "heirarchy" ever "weilding their power" over anyone else...its a better forum for "intimate discussion" on a great many topics, and a way to Not get lost with a million frickin members floating about like on VF/DS/and even GG...so I think its probably the single greatest addition since I have been on here...

I think that this system of power gathering was around before the house system with the different levels but now we just have a more outlined power struggle as it seems. In compatition spawns greatness thus creative ideas, self expression and so on. I think the new system is a step forward for the community and I for one take pride in the house I have been inducted to.
Sorry if this came off as aggressive it isn't intended to be.

"competition" Sorry I can't spell to save my life...lol...

well i haven't played the masquerade seeing as i can't find anyone to play with me on this godforsaken island... so the closest i could get to comparing the house system to something would be harry potter, the idea of which seems quite benign to me... some people may view it as a power struggle of sorts, but at the end of it, not many people get to choose their status in any place in life, unless they have chosen to somehow earn it. we don't choose what houses we get into, and we do our best to better ourselves in, and help in the advancement of those same houses.

Clarification - it used to be played alot on this "godforsaken" island LOL...it's just that the hype wore off before you grew up enough (Kidding) :)

yeah i know it was played a lot only it happened to be in my 'im too old for that' phase... that's basically when i was dumb enough to decide i wanna be a grown up and do grown up things. and pretending to be vampires wasn't a grown up thing. so now that i actually am legally grown up and don't need to pretend any more and have finally accepted the importance of goofing around... everyone else thinks they're too old for it! blehh i give up

I AGREE WITH

lordvampirio

IM NOT IN A CONTEST WITH ANY ONE
AND DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH I AM OR MENT TO BE

SMILES

it's all fun and games...

till someone gets bored...

can you say cliquey?

i dont see a problem i like the way everything is.

Fuckin' Great, I say the same shit and they close mine down. Thanks notyoursavior

This is a very interesting topic..I myself have never played vtm...I think vtm is a cool concept ...As for the houses on vr,I think the purpose was for many reasons im just speculating on a general scale mind you all.....

1.to introduce ppl to each other in a different way other then rating ,or pm'ing etc

2. to see if a conglomerate of ppl could get along well and be a family ...

3.to have fun and make this site the best and most addictive and unique site out here online

4 to spread the wealth of knowledge this site holds ..

5 and last but not least to give the site structure amongst its ppl :)

renshai... what you said i agree with and also what revensway and lillyrose said i agree with .. and jasons post summed it up entirely! and yes our house does indeed kick butt at hangman =) hehe

Wolfmanwayne, I think you are being a little unfair- what notyoursaviour is saying, from my point of view, is that there is an interesting correlation between the VTM stories and the subject of control and the new house system.

It raises interesting questions about whether we are simply pawns in a game of wider reaching design, or, is it just something the Prince came up with to stop the site from becoming stagnent and a way of generating further interest and discussion?

Either way, the thread you posted was a bit of a rant and didn't make me consider those questions.

I think it's possible that some will view it as a power play; but, just as many will view it as just a way to have fun and enjoy another activity.

There will always be a struggle for power, no matter what you do or where you go, gather more than 1 and it inevitably happens.

It's an interesting concept.

I've played Masquerade plenty (I'm a dork
= )~ what can i say?), but I'm new to the site and not part of a house.

Puts me in an interesting viewpoint.

From the looks of it, the house system seems almost an experiment in web management. On other web venues, you can join a group from the day you start, and no participation is required.

And on this site, I've noticed that a lot of people start off and then never come back, or come back rarely.

So the people who do pay attention now have more of a reason to. People want to go as high as they can so they can get the house they want (which could be some amusing drama later), or want to boost their house however possible. This means working hard for rank and to improve names.

This includes more active forums, new people getting a full range of welcome's, and levels going up. More people will want premium memberships. Wonderful boost for economy.

I could be wrong, but that's what I thought from the beginning.


Whether or not it's being done for someone's ultimate amusement, it'll happen anyway. Myself, I hope he is having fun with it :)

Very well said, tyedyegodess. :-)

You hit it perfectly TyeDye......amazing summation!

hmmm it seems like that however it also causes organization

out of chaos come order. And i for see that there will soon be a rush to grab up members for the houses and such. As mentioned above and it doesnt only apply to vampires but humans also, they seek to increase what they have.

very interesting.. a little change never hurt anybody..

in all essence what cancer is trying to do is make this site stay most active, why do you think he starts member induction at level 5 caitiff? Smart thinking on his part.People at this level have been active so far,so why would they wanna go stagnant? they would'nt .

Cancers clever as clever can be and he will get us to be active,I see it already happening to be honest! hehe

Because it seems there are alot of ppl wanting in the houses so far ,by what i see on the forums.....

So they are becoming more active on here, Cancer's making it to where you have to earn the privlage to be inducted into a house ..smart move on his part!

If i spent as much time and im sure money as Cancer has so, far i'd want each and every person or as many as possible to be active alot!



tye dye well said hon! =)

Well i think that there as always been a type of competition between us all with the profile and trying to make yours nice and get good ratings but bringing the houses does bring a whole other dimension to the site! but it is a good one and has benefits.

I've been enjoying watching this discussion.... I do agree that Cancer only wanted to increases membership and activity. I certainly have been on here more because of it. I'm not a competitive person by nature but I enjoy being a part of something and watching it grow. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :)

i can kinda agree on that, making the houses more competative to earn different kind of favors and power positions. that would be awesome

I am not in a house, nor do I wish to be, but I believe they will be interesting to observe as they struggle for power. And insight into both human and vampiric nature, the nature of any creature in a society.

I... personaly think that this houses ideea is a very good one...

I think the system is fine. It only makes sense that those who give more of their time and participation to the site would receive status/levels, added bonuses such as the chance to become house members and so on.

Could the system as it is set up lead to conflicts between the various houses?
It's always a possibility. But I don't see it being something that would be allowed to get out of hand and cause any real conflicts.

Besides a little compitition is good for the soul. (Provided you have one anyway lol)

Though I personally am not eligable at this time to be inducted into any house, it in no way bothers me that others can and do get admitted.

In fact it really wouldn't bother me if, when I am at a suitable level, no one felt I was "house" material.

It wouldn't even bother me if I never progressed all the way to the "top" of the food chain, so to speak.

For me at least I see myself as being in competition with no one but myself.

For me, being here isn't about a struggle for power or position or ranking, it's about having fun and meeting some new and interesting people.

You want struggles and conflicts between houses or groups....go into politics lol.

Well I've never played "The Masquerade," I've heard things about it from my friends. But never played it. This does sound simialr I'll admit. So maybe, or maybe not. Just depends on how deeply you want to read into this.
Kiara

Wow. Glad so many people liked what I had to say :)

I think the houses could help us on some things

Well, i dont care if i get in a house or not. if i do good for me and i will participate. but i'm not one to go around asking.

Im Glad Im not the only One thinking this

But Who am I to Say. Nobody Just another
" Free Member "

yeah i know what u mean

I'm not sure what you were implying with the "Free Member" comment LivingWasteLand, but there are plenty of non-premium members who have been selected into the Houses.

Bullshity !

I believe that you have a bit of truth there because the house masters are always making us or trying to make us earn as much favor as possible for the good of the house but I see it as the house master want to be the best out of all the other houses using the lower members as soilders.

I dont see a problem I like the way everything is.

Interesting, however, i normallly don't allow myself to be that drawn in so as i might become a pwn. I'm more of a manipulative person myself

When I first found this site I didn't know what to expect. Since I have been on here I have learned a lot of information. And I was accepted in a house which to me they are great I have met a lot of people because of it that I would never have spoken to. I have found that the ones in my house share a lot of the same views. I have friends in other houses and to be honest the competition is friendly more fun than serious. I don't see a problem with the way cancer has set them up!