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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Craftzero on August 11, 2010, 06:07:13 PM
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I've written up Los Angeles for my group, but I'm having problems trying to figure out a good Neutral Ground. One that reflects the city - whether that's the decadence or the movie industry, or anything else. Does anyone have any suggestions..?
(Currently Grauman's Chinese Theater and Griffith Observatory are... err... busy)
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I'd almost be inclined to say "Any Currently In-Use Movie Set" as part of some general deal to not interfere with Hollywood in general and the cash-flow from movies in particular. This obviously wouldn't be a viable place to just hang out, but having covert meetings between enemies there as they both serve as extras sounds really fun.
Just an idea.
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Not technically in L.A., but Disneyland. There's no fighting allowed at the happiest place on earth.
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Not technically in L.A., but Disneyland. There's no fighting allowed at the happiest place on earth.
Meh, I have it as a stronghold of the Summer Fae. But good thought. :)
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Well you could go with one of the old Hollywood restaurants like Musso & Frank or The Formosa Cafe.
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A convention center. Plenty of crazies around to blend in with.
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The area around the Hollywood sign (originally Hollywoodland). Isolated, iconic, possibly with a ghostly/spectral guardian (actress who committed suicide by jumping off the sign; can't find the name atm).
Tourists take pictures of the sign, but the area is wooded so anything below the tree line is invisible...
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The Pantry! An awesome old 24/7 restaurant. http://www.pantrycafe.com/
Either that or maybe a major hub, like Union Station.
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I'm running a game that's also set in LA, and I'm doing it so that there aren't any places like Mac's or Neutral Grounds (from the Baltimore setting in YS). Signers of the Accords, of course, have their own neutral territories where violence isn't permitted and safety is guaranteed (if promised, and with varying degrees of truth) but the PCs don't have any place they can go to be completely, 100% safe. That's just the kind of LA I'm creating, though, one where safety is never a sure thing and everyone looks out for themselves. Aside from that, I think the movie set idea is a good one. It makes sense. Perhaps a night club, to reflect the city? That was one idea I'd considered.
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Encounters Restaurant at the LAX Theme Building, the Accord Signatories might find it interesting to do business in such an exotic human oriented locale.
The Roosevelt Hotel classic Hollywood location.
The Chateau Marmont I really like the idea of a very loose Neutral Ground where just about anything goes, but once you've made the "Black List" you're banned for life.
Olivera Street could make an interesting location for an occult bazaar.
Maybe all of the Norms Restaurants are open 24 hours for a reason.
I also like the idea of Every Movie Theater in LA being Accorded Neutral Ground due to the importance of the movie industry, maybe all the Studios are part of this as well..
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The first thing that came to my mind was Grauman's Chinese Theater. It's the place where everyone goes to put their hands in the wet concrete, it's got a long history and a distinctive look. And a darkened movie theater gives a place where people can whisper to each other without attracting attention.
That's what I would do.
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Thank you guys so much for the help! Some great ideas here.
As a couple of folks mailed me for what I have on LA, I decided it easiest to post my themes/threats/locations. Hopefully it helps anyone looking to set their game in LA.
City Name: Los Angeles, CA
Campaign Title: At Last, Babylon
Themes and Threats
Aspect: The Thick Green Line[/b]
Theme: The rich keep getting rich, the poor keep getting poor.
The divisions between the classes is growing. The middle class is disappearing. In Bel Air and Beverly Hills, the wealthy hold decadent parties where the cars are worth more than the average persons’ home. The poor cling to each other, fighting back the rising despair. Those who Have make the rules, those who Have Not try to avoid notice.
Aspect: The Walls Are Leaking
Theme: The walls between the worlds are becoming thinner.
There are places in Los Angeles where it’s easy to open portals to the NeverNever by those with the proper magics – that’s not unusual. But when portals open of their own accord, it’s time for the supernatural community to be worried…
Aspect: Breakin’ The Law
Threat: Not enough wardens, too many warlocks
The war with the Red Court vampires has taken a toll on the White Council, especially in LA. Word on the street (and among the Ordo Lebes) is that in the face of too few Wardens, the warlocks are reaching out to one another. And worse – organizing.
Locations
Name: Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Aspect: Pulse of Power
Theme: There’s a ley line of sorts that sits on Grauman’s Chinese Theater. But it’s not a line – it’s a node, with no apparent connections to it. The belief is that there’s something that sits underneath the theater, something powerful that can used by those with the knowledge to tap it. So why is everyone afraid to go near..?
Name: Griffith Observatory
Aspect: The Stars Are Right
Theme: There’s a strong threshold of sorts that covers most of the Griffith Observatory. While this may appear on the surface to be an excellent place for a Neutral Ground, those with supernatural awareness avoid this place like the plague. Something there sets their teeth on edge, and hidden things seem to lurk in the corners and lines of the observatory itself…
Name: Compton
Aspect: War In The Streets
Threat: There’s long been gang warfare in East/South-east LA. But only in the last 15 years has it really become truly serious – the gangs are now led by ghouls. They’ve found a home (or a purpose) in the gangs, and many ghouls see ‘gang related death’ as another way of saying ‘fast food’.
Name: Bel Air
Aspect: We Know About You
Threat: New Mason Security is known among the wealthy and elite of Bel Air as the company of choice when you need to secure your home (or mansion, in many cases). What makes them unique is that they are In The Know – and they secure homes against supernatural interlopers. Most of their customers aren’t even aware that they’re being protected against the Fae, Vampires and the like – they just know they’re paying for the best.
Name: Disney World
Aspect: It’s A Fae World, After All
It may appear simply be a place for children to visit their cartoon icons, but Disney World is very important to the Summer Fae Court. The least interesting stories tell of portals to the NeverNever, but darker rumors hint that the Fae want something from the children…
Name: Chinatown
Aspect: Jade Gilded Coffins
Threat: They are considered the most secretive of the vampire courts, but the Jade Court holds a well-known position of strength in Chinatown. Nothing goes in or out of the area without their knowledge. They are careful to avoid angering the well-entrenched White Court everywhere else in Los Angeles, but they have made no bones about it – Chinatown is theirs. Another item of note – young women with green eyes often disappear here, for reasons unknown…
Name: Location Unknown
Aspect: Pieces of the Dead
Threat: Something has haunted the streets of Los Angeles for the past few years, although their impact has been minimal. They have simply watched – until now. Those who have taken note of their passing call them The Stitched – men and women that have been sewn together from different body parts. But they don’t act like undead, possessing a sentience and purpose that is thus far unknown. What’s interesting is that there is no hint of necromantic energy in their aura – only a chaotic swirl of confusing colors, hues - and pain.
Name: Hollywood
Aspect: Lust Comes In Many Forms
Threat: The White Court holds sway over Hollywood. Not just the pornography films – that’s obvious, and considered by the elite of the White Court to be almost too easy. Instead, House Kirkuv drives the film industry towards a decadence that fulfills both their hungers as well as House Horvath (who feed on despair). Nothing is more satisfying than driving well-known movie stars from the top of the food chain to the bottom, worn down by drugs and sex.
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we decided for my game that all wal-marts are accorded neutral grounds.
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Name: Compton
Aspect: War In The Streets
Threat: There’s long been gang warfare in East/South-east LA. But only in the last 15 years has it really become truly serious – the gangs are now led by ghouls. They’ve found a home (or a purpose) in the gangs, and many ghouls see ‘gang related death’ as another way of saying ‘fast food’.
I am now picturing a gangsta-dressed ghoul rapping Straight Outta Compton while dual wielding AKs sideways.
And I love you for it.
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we decided for my game that all wal-marts are accorded neutral grounds.
I love it... any reason why?
I've made all UU churches ANG in my games. Come one, come all...
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has the idea of ANYONE can shop here :D
it's also basically a global empire unto itself. i figure if marcone can be a freeholding lord the wal-mart execs had a fair chance as well, and they only care about the bottom line of business, not who you are :D
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McAurther Park.
I'm totally serious. Big open place in the middle of the city, lots of police and homeless presence. Why? The homeless figured out less of them get "disappeared" if they stay in the park overnight. (no hunting for red court and ghouls) And the cops add a "don't show off in front of the mortals" factor.
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Similar to a previous poster's comment about all Wal-Marts being NG, was listening to a DFRPG podcast last night and one of the developers (Lenny) mentions that in his own Las Vegas game, the entire Strip is neutral ground. The entire thing. That kind of opened it up for me - that it could be an area vs a specific locale.
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I love it... any reason why?
I've made all UU churches ANG in my games. Come one, come all...
But aren't most <1 refresh supernatural things hedged out of places of worships?
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McAurther Park.
I'm totally serious. Big open place in the middle of the city, lots of police and homeless presence. Why? The homeless figured out less of them get "disappeared" if they stay in the park overnight. (no hunting for red court and ghouls) And the cops add a "don't show off in front of the mortals" factor.
That's pretty much the same reason that Centennial Olympic Park is ANG in Atlanta.
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Pink's.
"'Cuz them chilidogs are that dam good."
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Correct me if I'm wrong but there are these large piers in Santamonica or somewhere aren't there? I think that would be really cool as it is surrounded by flowing water. Nobody says that neutral grounds have to be a establishment of some sorts. It totally can be a landmark or something totally unattached to anybody but the city...
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How about the Convention Center? I know it's a big place, but LA is such a large city and international hub that you might want to have numerous meetings going on at the same time involving entities that don't generally want to associate with each other. The place is large enough that I'd bet some of the major powers would have permanent spies stationed there just to see who was meeting whom.
Plus, imagine the fun of having a clandestine meeting in the middle of something like Comic-con!