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Salon Style Play

Toreador Society is a highly political game, organized along the lines of a salon styled culture. Gatherings are usually parties, private viewing, and gala performances. Central to this game is earning in Clan Prestige by either producing art, dazzling others at socal gatherings, or by doing service for the Clan. Please note that gaining Toreador Prestige through producing art is not necessarily gaining Clan Prestige for producing it, rather it is an acknowledgement of that art's worth to the Clan.

At times, clan meetings are held only in exceptional circumstances, or when extra-clan politics are being planned. More often, a Toreador Leader will form a small group of confidants to which he will discuss city events, known as Le Salon Ferme [the closed room]. When a larger meeting, spanning many cities is called, this is more often refered to as a Grand Salon.

Most information about Toreador within the Clan is relayed through gossip at social gatherings or through private correspondence. That is why both are so highly valued to the Toreador, as it is their vehicle to discuss political affiliations, express their views and ideas, and find out tidbits of information.

There are five types of Toreador Salons, each more in depth and having more potential social impact that the one before it. They are, in increasing order of importance: Parties, Caberets, Exhibitions, Balls, and Grand Salons. Each are discussed in more depth below.

• Parties:

  These gatherings are often sporatic, frequent, and small, held in small hotel meeting rooms, rented warehouses, or personal known havens. Dress is casual, and conversation is relaxed. Any Toreador can throw a party, as parties are the lifeline for gaining information and prestige from clanmates, and to meet and discuss various social politics. Because of the relaxed nature and structure of a party, a Toreador may invite anyone he likes to his party. Art displayed here is more often from the host's personal collection.

• Caberets:

  These are very much like parties, but with a more formal tone. Often, there is a theme associated with a Caberet, such as "Martini Lounge". Dress is informal, but professional and most often pertaining to the Caberet's theme. The environment may be small, but luxurious.

  Any Toreador may throw a Caberet. If your character throws one, your character should make sure that he invites everyone of higher Clan Prestige. If he neglects such, it can be considered a challenge to the univited's Toreador Prestige. Caberet's more formal tone and this difference is what sets Caberets above an average party. Caberets can be viewed as a Toreador's desire to gain more status in his clan from those with better Clan Prestige.

  Art displayed here is a combination of the host's personal collection, mixed in with other Toreador artists whom he is interested in creating favor with.

• Exhibitions:

  Exhibitions are semi-formal events, more often used to launch artistic endeavors rather than for social activities. These are most often held in museums, galleries, or large gathering halls. Beginning artists are usually introduced to the scene at an exhibition.

  Exhibitions may be held by any Toreador, however, it is looked down on whenever a Toreador holds an Exhibition to show his own art. Exhibitions are usually more costly than parties or Caberets because it often requires obtaining space, insurance for the art work, and publicity. Exhibitions are most apt to having mortal guests as well.

• Toreador Balls:

  Toreador Balls are semi-official, formal occassions. These galas are held in larger, pricer hotels, refurbished warehouses, or a larger, fancy house.

  A Toreador needs permission from the Primogen or any Toreador with more Toreador Prestige in the city to hold one. Toreador Balls function not only as a way to gain information and prestige, but also to give other Toreador an opportunity to show their art in a more social atmoshpere. Invitations to Toreador Balls are an extremely important matter. Most often, Toreador of equal or higher Clan Prestige than the host are expected to be invited, with exception to especially promising, lower in Clan Statused artists "comissioned" to perform at the Ball.

  Artists are often allowed to perform or display art, but a Toreador Ball host is not obligated to allow an artist of lower Toreador Prestige to perform or display his art at the Ball. More often, a host is petitioned by artists of lower Clan Prestige for permission to display work. A smart, effective host will invite Toreador of higher Toreador Prestige to display their work along with the Ball invitation.

  The success of a Toreador Ball is not only judged by the standard of art shown there, but also on the creativity and social ingenuity of the host. Often Toreador Balls with a theme are most liked with all sorts of diversions and pleasures offered by the host.

• Grand Salon:

  Grand Salons are held only by the creme de la creme of Toreador society. These are very formal occassions to be undertaken very seriously by the host and attendants, alike. These are held in grandiose hotels, huge mansions, or other largely spanning luxurious accomodations.

  A Toreador not only needs the support of her city's clanmates to have a Grand Salon, but should also have the permission of the city's primary sect leader. A Toreador should also have at least Clan Prestige of five to be allowed to host it, as a less prestigeous Toreador should expect no one to attend her Salon. Invitations to a Grand Salon is of grave importance, as a Grand Salon is the pinnacle of all Toreador gatherings, and is a strong measure of the host's socio-political savvy and confidence.

  Art displayed or performed at a Grand Salon should not only be focused on the host's tastes, but more on the tastes of those important persons confirmed to attend. A Grand Salon with more varied and innovative arts, known as spectacular specimens of their genre, should best be displayed. More often, Toreador artists will have to lobby to get their art performed or displayed there. But the host of a Salon will also be desperate to provide only the best at this gala.

  The host should know that any Grand Salon he undertakes may be the talk among the Toreador for decades to come. As such, very close attention to detail on both the artistic and socail realms should be highly considered. In general, a Grand Salon can make or break anyone attending, especially the host.

General Notes on Running a Salon

1. First determine the scope, or level, of the salon. This will dictate many of the other decisions that must be made before the salon is held.

2. Chose the setting. Large, ornate rooms with ample seating against the walls in small groups seems to work the best. Clearly mark off a section of the room as the 'stage' if a physical one is not available. The lighting should be dim, almost romantic.

3. Chose background noise. Live music is best, but if not available, use piano or music with a classical mood.

4. Make sure that all players that plan to attend the salon know the importance that status (and clan prestige for the Toreador themselves) will be key.

5. STs are encouraged to use status against characters in a salon setting. Something that was used at 12th Night and seemed to work rather well is the 'social strike'. Cards are kept with a generic 'bad manners' note. If characters are seen acting poorly in a salon, STs may give them a 'strike card' documented with the character's name, the ST that noticed the IC action and a short description of the faux pas that was seen. If any character receives three strikes, they are asked to leave. If they refuse, a group of ghouls, sufficient to the job, 'escort' the character from the premisis. What is done with that character once outside of the salon, should be decided on before hand by the PC host of the salon. Please bear in mind that the scrutiny placed on the characters in attendence should be proportional to the type of salon being held (a Toreador party would have more leniency than a Grand Salon.)

6. Performance schedule. As a general rule, its always best to have more people looking to perform than there are slots in the schedule for performances. This will allow PCs to joust for the honor of performing, either through the use of clan Prestige, currying favor with the host, or direct prestation with a PC that already has a slot. Be sure to leave enough space (thirty minutes is a good bench mark) between performances.

7. Static Art. Place all static art in one central place, preferably away from any door (to detract from thieves). Make sure all art is marked with any neccessary OOC information (performance level and PC artist, as well as any real life information that may be needed: true artist, etc). More information on static art is provided in the "Art in Play" section.

8. Toreador Clan Disadvantage - For performances, simply do a large group test with all Toreador players in the room for each performance. Under 5.0, a Toreador only has to burn a temp mental to not feel the effects of their disadvantage. Some things to keep in mind for this:
   • This applies only to performance 3 or better.

   • For non-static performances...
     • A new test must be thrown if done by the same artist, new song/oration.
     • A new test must be thrown if done by a new artist, same song/oration.
     • No new test must be thrown if the character has heard that artist do that particular song/oration before.

   • For static performances...
     • A new test must be thrown for each work an artist produces.
     • If a character crosses a piece of art that he's seen before in chronicle, then no test is necessary.