Nightborn News

[p]Nightborn has a cast of characters both mysterious and varied. There are Scheming Vampires, Ferocious Werewolves, Churlish Faeries, Wizened Witches, and other Creatures of the Night who may try to Stalk, Seduce, or Slay you. To bring these colorful characters alive, the talents of Voice Actors have been utilized to help create an immersive role playing experience. [/p][p]
As a modest Indie title, Nightborn does not plan to have any big name voice actors or major celebrity personalities providing dialogue for the game. This does not mean we are eschewing away opportunities to work with collaborating influencers and reviewers, especially those focused on gothic horror titles and RPGs. In fact, some of you may be pleasantly surprised who you hear in the Nightborn Demo. [/p][p][/p][p]Some of the characters are voiced by the developers. As passionate game professionals, we like to put ourselves in the game. In the case of Nightborn's Creative Director, David, you can take that almost literally. The character of Bart the Bartender's face was generated from a facial scan of David and he voices this information broker.

Many of the other characters will be voiced by professional voice actors. There is a lot of talent out there, and the more we raise with the Nightborn Kickstarter, the more character's we may cast as we hire voice actors with the funds. It is a core goal of this project to bring in as many people who are out of work as the budget allows.

Any support Nightborn fans can provide is greatly appreciated. Please follow the Kickstarter, Wishlist Nightborn on Steam and The Epic Games Store, share these pages on social media, and participate in community discussions. [/p][p][/p][p]Nightborn on Kickstarter[/p][p]Nightborn Lineage Quiz[/p][p]Nightborn on Steam[/p][p]Nightborn on the Epic Game Store[/p]

[p]Nightborn has been inspired by many great works of media, including literature, such as Bram Stoker's Dracula and Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, movies, such as Lost Boys and Sinners, and video games, such as Fallout: New Vegas and Vampyr. An RPG you might not associate with the Vampire genre, yet was still a huge inspiration for Nightborn is CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077, [/p][p][/p][h2]A Legendary Redemption [/h2][p]Cyberpunk 2077 is known for a great many things: An amazingly immersive Night City, deep and emotionally resonant stories, a faithful yet evolved version of R. Talsorian's tabletop RPG world, and one of the most troubled video game launches in history. The game at launch riddled with bugs and had a lot of trouble with lower spec systems including some consoles. [/p][p]Through diligence and hard work, CD Projekt Red worked on patches until the original vision was restored, all culminating around the time of Phantom Liberty, Cyberpunk 2077's expansion was released. Not everyone agrees, but this journey is generally considered one of gaming's greatest redemption stories of all time. [/p][p][/p][h2]Superstar Power[/h2][p]Cyberpunk 2077's dystopian near-future depicts a world where corporations rule and (cyber)punks rage against the machine. One of the clever ways CD Projekt emphasized in-world significance of cultural markers was to mix real life popular culture with the storyline. They did this by casting the movie star Keanu Reeves as Johnny Sliverhand, the Rocker signature character from the Tabletop game. This made it easier for a player to understand the gravitas Johnny Silverhand had in Night City. assuming they knew Keanu's work. [/p][p]CD Projekt Red did a similar thing with video game streamers or adjacent personalities, such as CohhCarnage, Jesse Cox, and Alanah Pearce, who were all given models and NPC roles in the game. These served as fun encounters and easter eggs for their fans. [/p][p][/p][h2]Inspirations[/h2][p]Nightborn does not have the budget to land a Keanu Reeves or Idris Elba, but the idea of putting streamers or video game industry folk in the game is being worked on. It may surprise you who is already involved, but we would like to hear from you who you'd like to see in Nightborn as well. [/p][p]New Orleans is the setting of Nightborn. Cyberpunk did an amazing job making Night City come to life and be effectively a character in the narrative. While Nightborn's New Orleans will be nothing close to the scale of Cyberpunk's Night City, you may notice some extra details while exploring which were inspired by the impressiveness of CDPR's work. [/p][p][/p][h2]Divergence[/h2][p]Hopefully, Nightborn's launch will differ from Cyberpunk's. Releasing a Nightborn Demo, running a global Beta test, observing core optimization principles, and the game being in a much much tighter scope should help prevent a buggy release. [/p][p]Another difference between Nightborn an Cyberpunk is Cyberpunk was designed to be primarily first-person. Nightborn will have free toggle between First-Person and Third-Person, for most gameplay except for dialogue, which will be First-Person facing the subject being spoken to. This should afford for the player to play in the style they prefer for combat, stealth, and traversal.


What do you think? Is there more we should borrow from Cyberpunk 2077? Are there pitfalls we should take extra care to avoid? Please let us know and comment below. [/p]

[p]Nightborn has been inspired by many great works of media, including literature, such as Bram Stoker's Dracula and Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, movies, such as Lost Boys and Sinners, and video games, such as Fallout: New Vegas and Cyberpunk 2077. However, there is a video game which Nightborn takes a more apparent inspiration from and that is Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines. [/p][p][/p][h2]A 2004 Cult Classic[/h2][p][/p][p]Bloodlines is based on the Vampire: The Masquerade Roleplaying Game by White Wolf Entertainment. Bloodlines is known for its clever interpretation of the setting, memorable characters, immersive story, and replayability. The game came out in a buggy state, and through support from the community, mainly through the Unofficial Patch, Bloodlines is still played and re-played today.[/p][h2]
Sequel Coming Soon[/h2][p][/p][p]Recently before this was written, The Chinese Room and White Wolf released the Pre-Order Trailer for their official sequel to Bloodlines, Bloodlines 2. It is great to see more vampire games being made, the more the better. Like Bloodlines 2, Nightborn has also taken inspiration from Bloodlines, so it is quite interesting how different our interpretations and design choices ended up. [/p][p][/p][h2]Inspirations[/h2][p][/p][p]Bloodlines brought a Dark Gothic Los Angeles to the forefront as almost a character in its own right. Nightborn aims to do something similar with New Orleans, drawing out the mood and distinct feel of the Crescent City. [/p][p][/p][p]As is RPG tradition, Nightborn has several "classes" called Lineages. A Lineage is the family of Vampires your descend from. Each Lineage has their own Unique combinations of powers, setting them apart and adding to replayability. All 10 Lineages will be available with the base game, no additional paywall. Choices matter in Nightborn. Bloodlines had some of the best Roleplaying ever, with various ways to solve quests or endings based on player decisions. Nightborn learned from this and quests are reactive with multiple ways to resolve them. [/p][p][/p][p]In Nightborn, many of the hallmarks of an RPG, such as an inventory system or shops are similar to those found in Bloodlines, though what you can buy there I'll leave somewhat a mystery for now. Don't worry, we will have as many micro-transactions as the original Bloodlines; meaning none. [/p][p][/p][h2]Divergence [/h2][p][/p][p]Nightborn is based on its own original setting. While Vampire: The Masquerade is a titan in the Vampire landscape, the differences in lore and rules of the worlds are quite vast.

Nightborn does not tie sanity to a single type the way Masquerade does with their Malkavian Clan. Though sanity is something all Nightborn Vampires must grapple with, especially if they drink the blood of their own kind.

Nightborn will handle in its own unique way. The in-game systems and the more meta RPG systems are originals crafted for this game, specifically.

What do you think about this first inspiration for Nightborn? What would you like to see from Bloodlines integrated into Nightborn, and what would you like to Nightborn to avoid or innovate on? Feel free to comment and discuss. [/p]

[p]Vampires don't need body armor, bullets hardly harm the undead. Words can be cutting and Nightborn are creatures who survive and thrive by the social circles in which they walk. [/p][p][/p][p]In Nightborn, what you wear can change other's perception of your character. You may dress to impress, blend-in, insult, or intimidate. They say you can't judge a book by its cover, little do the mortals know what kind of monster lies within. Nightborn's fashion system allows you to roleplay a character from multiple types of social circles, or you may change your clothing to be a social chameleon.[/p][h2]
Cocktail [/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Vampires like hosting formal events to assert their authority and demonstrate their wealth. They often own or congregate at bars, clubs, galleries, museums, and other event spaces. This gives them prestige and easy access to high quality feeding opportunities. [/p][p][/p][p]Whether it is a themed event, a cultural celebration, or a charity fundraiser, the mortals are likely to show up for an event they receive and exclusive invitation to, especially when there is an open bar to lower their guard. These event require a bit of dressing to impress if one want to fit in. [/p][h2]
Corporate [/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Business casual is common among the white collar workers of New Orleans. However, everyone loosens up around Halloween. You will see many costumed individuals walking the French Quarter, but those who are right out of work or too square to commit to the bit, will simply throw on a masquerade mask to join the festivities. In this case, you will still be able to tell what social circles the masked individual belongs to. [/p][p][/p][p]When not partying in the streets, serious business can be conducted behind the walls of corporate buildings and all parties are expected to dress accordingly. In the supernatural underworld, these dealing will exchange more than cash, often souls, blood, or eldritch artifacts are the currency of the night. [/p][p][/p][h2]Punk[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p]Rejecting the corporate mandate of the modern world, Punks rebel against what others think they should do and live in the moment. When a Nightborn dresses Punk. it is often to display a distain for the rules of both humanity and vampire-kind. Punks blaze their own path, and smash the systems holding them back.

Pictured are Janet & Brad, who have decided to mock the sanctity of this graveyard. I'm certain nothing bad will come from such desecration. And if something does come along to teach them a lesson, hopefully it leaves behind their sick duds.
[/p][h2]And More...[/h2][p][/p][p]Other fashion styles in Nightborn include Avant-Garde, Archaic, and Gothic. Casual wear and vocational uniforms will be present as well. It will be Halloween, so expect the mortals to wear all sorts of costumes.

What do you think of the Fashion System in Nightborn? Did you spot the references in the screenshots? [/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]Vampires may be one of the more numerous Supernatural creatures that stalk the Night, but one of the reasons Nightborn are such social animals is for the protection their numbers grant against the other threats in the darkness. [/p][p][/p][p]Nightborn are not alone. Some Nightborn may trade, traffic, or make deals in Underworld markets while other creatures make war with Vampire-kind. Some may be controlled with the powers of the blood or dark ritual magic. And still there are others which are too mysterious or incomprehensible to engage and walk away in one piece. [/p][p][/p][h2]Therianthropes [/h2][p][/p][p]Werewolves, Weretigers, Wereboars, and far stranger Human-Animal amalgamations can hide amongst mortals almost as well as Vampires. Therians, often call Lycans or more informally Werewolves, have powers to change shape, camouflage with their surroundings, fog memories, and cover their tracks. [/p][p][/p][p]Their closeness to humanity often puts Werewolves at odds with Nightborn, though sometimes treaties and pacts get made, usually with provisions for dividing lines for territory and resources. Even so, some of the more infamous supernatural wars have happened between Werewolves and Nightborn. [/p][p][/p][p]Werecreatures can take many shapes, but the most commonly observed is the hybrid human/wolf form, which is deadly to mortal and Vampires alike. Nightborn see lore on Werewolves as highly valuable, and as Nightborn try to keep their own secrets about their weaknesses, Werewolves do the same and keep their capacities and limitation close to the chests. [/p][p][/p][h2]Cryptids[/h2][p][/p][p]Bigfoot, the Chupacabra, and about every Creepypasta you've ever heard of might actually exist in the world of Nightborn. From ancient legend to modern internet viral horror stories, the things which go bump in the night are here and best avoided.[/p][p][/p][p]Many of Cryptids do not distinguish between Vampires and mortal humans, so their dangers, curses, and horrors could be as dire to Nightborn as the legends tell. Luckily, as a Nightborn, you have a suite of powers to help thwart your doom from these relics of the past and future. [/p][p][/p][p]Not much is known to the Nightborn about Cryptids, in general. They seem to each be different and follow their own logic and rules or lack thereof. Nightborn scholars seek a unifying theory behind the nature of Cryptids, if such a thing is even possible. [/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h2]Magicians[/h2][p][/p][p]Witches, Wizards, Warlocks, and even magical practitioners whose titles don't begin with "W" are another consistent group of competitors/collaborators which Nightborn will tolerate or battle depending on their interests and circumstances at the moment. [/p][p][/p][p]Magicians are no conjurers of cheap tricks. Their studies, rituals, and bargains charge them with magics which makes them more than human and should be treated as such. Those of the Arcane Arts are cornerstones of the Underworld, conducting trade between Supernatural creatures or jailing those who are too troublesome in eldritch wards or pocket dimensions. [/p][p][/p][p]There are many paths to magic, and many Nightborn covet the powers of these Sorcerers as they resemble Vampire magics, yet seem unattainable and irreplicable for the Nightborn. Nightborn-Magician relations are often strained, yet both sides have a difficult time hiding their fascination with the other. [/p][p][/p][h2]Undead[/h2][p][/p][p]Revenants, Ghouls, and Ghosts haunt the cursed places of the Earth. Nightborn are technically Undead, yet bare very little similarity to the other varieties. Shambling corpses rarely show any other motivation than eating brains and specters don't have physical bodies which makes for a difficult social life. [/p][p][/p][p]Zombies hunt in areas cursed by Necromancy, particularly Graveyards, Crypts, and Catacombs. Spirits of the dead linger in areas of importance to their life and the trauma of their death. Incorporeal Undead are notoriously hard to get rid of as they lack a physical body to destroy. [/p][p][/p][p]Nightborn often deal with Undead either via their own Necromantic Rituals or those of their adversaries. Revenants make for cheap guards and intrusion deterrence for areas you don't want others lurking.[/p][p][/p][h2]Faeries [/h2][p][/p][p]Masters of Dreams and Nightmares, the Fae come in many shapes and sizes. Some are recognizable as Elves, Trolls, or Goblins, yet others appear more absurdist or surreal. One thing is for certain: they are not here to lead you on an adventure in a magical land, and are more likely to steal your mind, life, or face.[/p][p][/p][p]Nightborn do their best to avoid Fairies, as they have been at odds for centuries, with some Vampires and Immortal Fae being old enough to remember why. The Fair Folk don't play fair, but there is always a tale in a book somewhere hinting on how to deal with them. [/p][p][/p][p]The only common ground that can be found is in a Goblin Market found in only impossible spaces. Even there, Vampires should be wary, as it is the Fae's home turf, though it is know Fae must honor any deal they make. Make sure to read the fine print. [/p][p][/p][h2]Horrors[/h2][p][/p][p]Unspeakable things lurk deep in the oceans, far in the wilderness, and beyond the stars. Horrors are monster that even monsters fear. Horrors cannot be reasoned with, those some may be appeased through odd nonsensical and rituals which often resemble atrocities rather than sacred rites. [/p][p][/p][p]Lesser Horrors include Krakens and Leviathans, and they only get harder to comprehend from there. Some Horrors are made from a thousand stitched together corpses while others only can exist half-way in our reality with their other half existing in a dimension of pain & terror. Glimpsing such an abomination can drive mortals and immortals alike into a gibbering madness. [/p][p][/p][p]Trying to traffic or bargain with Horrors is pure folly. Running is the best course of action in the rare time is an option. Some long-lived Nightborn argue it is better to observe a Horrors appeasement ritual at great cost rather than risk a Horror running free in the world. Thankfully, Horrors are exceedingly rare. [/p][p][/p][h2]Mythics[/h2][p][/p][p]Djinn, Devas, and Demons are some examples of some creatures Nightborn have categorized as Mythics. Mythics have ties to Gods & Demigods of the Ancient World. Only the Eldest of Vampires know if the Gods ever truly existed, but some of their alleged servants and enemies can still be found in modern nights. [/p][p][/p][p]Mythics have their own motivations, cultures, and creeds. Their true purpose, weaknesses, and needs often don't match up with the tales about them. Figuring out their specific patterns is a dangerous task, yet often necessary to gain any advantage. [/p][p][/p][p]Mythics are known for their willingness to bargain, barter, or bet. Nightborn have learned to be as clear as possible with terms of a deal, as a careless trader could have been better off dealing with the Fae. Shrew operators can make out ahead with contracts, as what is valuable to a Mythic might be of no consequence to a Nightborn. It is not like Vampires value their souls anyway. [/p][p][/p][p]In the next section of Creature of the Night, we will go over those who fight back against the Creature of the Night: Monster Hunters. [/p]