The Theme files parallel the Setting files; whereas the Setting files are information about the setting of Las Vegas, the Theme files are information about the Buffyverse, especially as it pertains to our setting. It is imperative to read NEWS CANON as it contains information on where our game is picking up, and NEWS GENERAL.
Canon
On LTETR, we've shifted the canon timeline down four years to bring it inline with current time. The events that unfolded in Sunnydale did not happen in 2003, but rather in 2007, and the events of Angel occurred in 2008 rather than 2004. Because we wanted to play in the world as it was just after the events of Angel, we decided to shift time for the series rather than the game. We felt that players would enjoy playing in current, modern time rather than being stuck in 2005.
After the fall of Sunnydale, Buffy and crew moved to Rome. Though the loss of the Council's headquarters in London was a major blow, the Watchers Council lived on and thrives today. In Rome, Giles established a new headquarters and recalled the Watchers spread all across the globe, some whom had lost their Potentials to the First, to the new headquarters to pick up the pieces and start anew. Operatives were sent to seek out the newly Activated Slayers and bring them to Rome to be trained and taught.
The events in Los Angeles was covered up by the US Government — the battle was contained and restricted to the area surrounding The Hyperion by agents of The Initiative, and publicly reported as the filming of a major motion picture, "Hell Unleashed". A movie bearing a similar title and depicting an almost accurate portrayal of the battle hit theaters in time for Christmas.
While the records and evidence failure of the Initiative Program in Sunnydale was sealed, the program continued afterwards and The Initiative continues to operate today, though in total secret and unknown to our heroes.
The glow from the victories over evil in Sunnydale and Los Angeles fades quickly. Evil does not accept defeat gracefully. Omens and portents hint at something awful, something world-threatening brewing in several "hot spots" all over the world. One of these spots is Las Vegas, the city of sin. Supernatural activity has spiked in the area, and even the local demons are feeling the pull of it, the draw of darkness, of something wicked rising, gaping, yawning…
Church of Revelations
"Bringing a helping hand to those in need."
— Archbishop Senfold.
The Church of Revelations (CoR) is a multi-national non-profit organization. Easily able to match, if not surpass, the size and clout of the Catholic Church, the CoR has recently been granted Religion status by almost every country in the world. The CoR is easily recognizable in any area as they are always out in the community and always willing to help. Without fail, even in a tough economy, the CoR has managed to show billions upon billions of dollars of donations. No matter where you go you find very few people who speak ill of the CoR's intentions. Those that do, however, are few and far between and are often seen as insane or even worse a danger to society.
The CoR is involved in just about every area of preventative research. In fact, the CoR actually counts several renowned Scientists in its congregation. The CoR itself doesn't decry the creationism or even darwinistic views of Evolution, instead it remains silent on several key religious hot buttons. Though the CoR is recognized as a religion, its spiritual practices and ceremonies are virtually undocumented outside of the congregation. Instead it seems as if they are exclusive, while inviting all to become anointed in the doctrine. The few bits and pieces of the practices of the CoR are seen as 'odd' or even 'unbelievable'. What is known by pretty much everyone, the CoR is here to help all who need it.
Who Is Who
Archbishop Senfold
AB Reginold Senfold was a CEO for a major shipping company up until 7 years ago. Left the business world abruptly and became a rising star within the CoR. He is never seen without an entourage of "Believers" surrounding him. On more than one occasion a Believer has taken a bullet to save the Archbishop's life. He is a prominent man in the city of Las Vegas. He holds a seat on the City council as well as the Governor's ear in all matters Religious.
Bishop Nichols
Bishop Barbara Nichols is the head of the CoR in Las Vegas. Even though Las Vegas is also the Mid-Western seat for the Church, Barbara still has full authority over the Holy Orders within Las Vegas. Barbara is an openly Lesbian member of the church and maintains a relationship with a faithful woman. She is the poster-girl for the Church's acceptance of the LGBT Community; As a symbol of both prestige and acceptance within the church.
Sir William Ryans
Sir William Ryans is Bishop Nichols' right hand man. He coordinates all the various charity functions that go on within the city limits of Las Vegas. He is known to be quite the ladies' man. In the public world Sir William Ryans is the CEO of a funding group which helps start casinos worldwide, including several casinos right here in Vegas. The man is known to be quite popular amongst the Jet Setter population.
Father Timmons
Father Stephan Timmons is the head of the Holy Order of the Lighted Way, aka The Strip. The Holy Order is situated on prime "Strip" property and is just as extravagant as any casino. The Order bolsters a hostel for those whom cannot afford the price of a hotel or a warm Meal. Father Timmons is seen on many a TV show representing the day-to-day operations of the most Holy of Churches. Like all good priests of the CoR he doesn't speak about their beliefs beyond the customary "We are here to help those whom need it."
Dead People
"… in Dartmoor. A murdered countess, very beautiful. She used to float among the foothills, moaning…"
— Giles, Out of Mind, Out of Sight.
Most people who die stay dead. But some of them? They just cant let it rest. For whatever reason they have to come back from the great beyond and cause mayhem, havoc and hauntings. Or maybe just have a little more fun with the living. The 'dead but still kicking' tend to come in two forms: ghosts and zombies.
Ghosts are the generally incorporeal spirits of folk who have died. They can be anything from a simple moaning figure walking the battlements of an ancient castle at night, to a nasty, full on poltergeist able to fling objects and make blood drip from the walls. Ghosts are often stuck here for a
reason, unable to move on because of some problem or emotional distress. Sometimes, helping the ghost to work through the problem will send them
packing. Other times a person needs a good old fashioned banishing spell.
Zombies, on the other hand, are totally corporeal. There are two general types of zombies: animated corpses and revenants. Animated corpses are just that. Some magic type guy does a hocus pocus and he now has a skeleton or a corpse that does his bidding. It is mindless and cannot act on its own. A revenant, on the other hand, is a human soul trapped in its own dead body. They are often stronger than they were in life and immune to pain.
Demons
"Yeah, he's some kind of demon looking for an all-powerful thingimibob and I've got to stop him before holy havocs unleashed and its another Tuesday night in Sunnydale."
— Buffy, Revelations.
Demons are hard to classify. They are the creatures that roamed the Earth before man. Some were pushed out to other dimensions or died, and some evolved to more human forms, often by cross-breeding with humans. Demons come in hundreds of different species, with hundreds of different cultures, but not all of them are sentient in the fashion that human beings are. Some of them are unique entities with amazing and hellish powers. Some are evil. Some are just trying to survive in a world they never made. Some are incorporeal and ghost-like. Others can only exist if they possess something or someone. Some are just big, strong thugs. The best way to get a feel for what demons in the Buffyverse are is to watch both shows. Some demon types common to the Las Vegas area are listed in the next section.
Chaos Demons: These odd demons with stag-like antlers and mucus coated skin are renowned for their ability to cause Murphy's law to always be right.
Miquot Clan: Demons from the Miquot clan are strong demon warriors seeking glory. They have yellow skin, odd stegosaurus-like spikes atop their heads and can produce bone knives from their wrists for throwing. There are Miquot Clan demons living in the back alleys of Las Vegas, seeking glory and fame in the underground fight clubs.
Brachen Demons: Brachen demons are green or blue skinned demons. Their faces and necks are covered with spines. Think something like Pinhead from "Hellraiser". There are Brachen demons hiding among the native population of Las Vegas, many of them working in casinos and for the local mobs.
Kaliff Demons: These red skinned, horn ridged demons look a lot like traditional devils. They are tenacious and hard workers and many of them are involved in the local criminal element.
Byblos Demons: In their natural form, these demons are face-less humanoids that appear to be made from pure darkness. Luckily, they can take a human form at will. Byblos demons are living libraries, never forgetting information. Las Vegas is a favorite destination for these demons; they're damn good at counting cards.
These are just a handful of the demon races that can be found in Las Vegas. There are many more, both in canon, and that you can create on your own (see NEWS DEMON and NEWS PACKAGES).
Freaks
"After the fall of the Soviet Union, documents came to light detailing experiments with fish DNA on their Olympic swimmers. Tarpon, mako shark but
they never cracked it."
— Coach Marin, Go Fish.
There are some humans in the Buffyverse who are a bit more than human. They might have psychic powers, or they might be the result of science or magic run amok, or maybe they've just been the victim of a terrible accident. For whatever reason, some humans possess abilities beyond the norm. These abilities aren't usually a blessing, but a curse. They almost always come with a price and can rarely be completely controlled. Some examples, such as psionics and invisibles, are listed below.
Psionics are those with the ability to affect the world around them through the power of their mind. The more common types include telekinetics,
who can move objects with their mind; telepaths, who can read minds; pyrokinetics, who can cause objects to burst into flames; and the psychics, who can see into other places and times.
Some folk are just plain invisible. Through some quirk of quantum physics, combined with the sort of energy that can pour out of, say, a Hellmouth, those people who often get ignored and forgotten by everyone around them can just… vanish. They become invisible. Its very possible this process unhinges the mind.
