From DC by Night Wiki
Play Status


Play status refers to whether or not a kind of creature, clan, or power is available to players for their new characters. DC by Night is a fairly fluid game, so the rules here are not final, but if you want to play a character that deviates from them, you'll have to talk it over with the Admin.

Status Options

There are three play statuses:

  • Open: This means that the clan/power is freely available for players to build into their character.
  • Restricted: This means that the clan/power may be available if you discuss your ideas with the Admin. Things are generally Restricted because they're overly powerful, too rare to be played casually, or are already over-represented in the game, so there is no guarantee you will be approved, but it never hurts to ask!
  • Closed: This means that the element in question is not available for players to use. Things are usually put on Closed status because they are game-breaking, or because there are just too many people doing them already.

If you have an absolutely incredible idea for something that is on Closed status and you feel certain Admin will agree, feel free to pitch it anyway, but don't be surprised if it isn't approved!

Creature Types

Demons

All demon characters are currently on Closed status, due to being too powerful when compared to other characters already in the game and in need more specific storytelling as a result. The table below represents the play statuses that will be in effect should demons become playable again in the future.

Demon Houses by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Fairies

Fairies are playable within limits; for the most part, only Changelings and occasional chimerae are playable, with the True Fae and similar monstrosities staying firmly in the Dreaming where they belong. Keep in mind a fairy's unique needs when planning a new character, as many of them have a very hard time operating in human society.

Fairy Kiths by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Ghosts

Unlike most other supernatural creatures, ghosts are largely Open for play within the statuses below. Keep in mind that ghosts are often unable to affect events in-game, even to communicate with others, and may therefore be frustrating characters without a solid story in mind.

Ghost Guilds by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Kuei-Jin

All Kuei-Jin characters are currently on Restricted status, due to being capable of causing severe upset and overbalance among the majority of other player characters. The table below represents the play statuses that will be in effect should Kuei-Jin become freely playable again in the future; in the meantime, feel free to ask Admin if you're interested in playing one

Kuei-Jin Dharma by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Mortals

Mortals are, for the most part, open for play for anyone, but exceptions exist in the table below. Keep in mind that while mortals are easy to play due to their lack of powers and ubiquity across the world, they're also easy to see fall prey to the many dangers of the World of Darkness, and characters often do not survive (or at least don't survive in their original form) for very long.

Mortals by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Mummies

All mummy characters are currently on Closed status, due to their very specific story needs and incompatibility with several plotlines already in progress. The table below represents the play statuses that will be in effect should mummies become playable again in the future.

Demon Houses by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Shapeshifters

The play statuses below refer to creating new shapeshifter characters; existing characters remain in play as they are, regardless of their status.

Demon Houses by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Due to their global dominance, there are more distinctly different breeds of Garou and Bastet than other groups; both have additional play statuses available below.

Bastet Breeds by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed
Garou Breeds by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Vampires

The play statuses below refer to creating new vampire characters; existing characters will not be raptured out of existence if they happen to belong to a Closed group. Note that all bloodlines, due to their rarity and unusual powers, are considered either Restricted or Closed.

Vampire Clans by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed
Vampire Bloodlines by Play Status
Restricted
Closed

Philosophies

Auspices

Creeds

Morality Paths

The play statuses below apply both to characters wishing to start the game on a path, and to characters who are already in play and wish to change their existing one. Keep in mind that changing morality paths is very difficult and dangerous, and that characters must spend a considerable amount of time and effort just to attempt to do so.

Politics

Kuei-Jin Sects

Vampire Sects

Powers

Vampire Disciplines

The play statuses below apply only to characters wishing to learn these disciplines if they are not native to their clan or bloodline. If your character's clan or bloodline already has access to a discipline, you can assume that it is Open for you.

Note that, while Celerity, Fortitude, and Potence are all Open for characters, DCbN maintains a house rule that no non-elder character may possess all three

Disciplines by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Note that all Combination Disciplines are considered Restricted (if the disciplines being combined are either Common or Restricted) or Closed (if any of the disciplines being combined are Closed).

Blood Sorcery

The play statuses below apply only to characters wishing to learn a path of blood sorcery that is not native to their clan or bloodline; all the usual rules about who is able to learn any form of blood sorcery apply. If your character's clan or bloodline already has access to a form of blood sorcery, you can assume that it is Open for you.

Blood Sorcery by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed

Since there are multiple paths and specialties within most blood sorceries, additional tables are provided below for their play status, as well. Keep in mind that just because, say, Necromancy is Open does not mean that every possible Necromancy path is. The "default" path that a player character taking a particular kind of blood sorcery starts with is marked with an asterisk (*).

Forms of blood sorcery with fewer than ten discrete paths (for example, Mortis or Sihr) are not represented on the tables below; consider their paths equally possible unless otherwise noted. Some blood sorceries may only have Restricted or Closed status paths; such powers are rare enough to be unlikely to appear in normal gameplay.

Akhu Paths by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed
Dark Thaumaturgy Paths by Play Status
Restricted
Closed
Dur-An-Ki Paths by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed
Koldunism Paths by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed
Necromancy Paths by Play Status
Open
Restricted
Closed
Thaumaturgy Paths by Play Status
Open
  • [Path of Blood]]*
Restricted
Closed

Kuei-Jin Disciplines

Shapeshifter Gifts