Getting started - help needed

[May]

Hello!
I'm in the process of starting up my very first sorcerer group ever, and I plan for us to play the "nasty house scenario" from the book as way of introduction. However, anticipating player inquisitiveness, it would be very helpful if someone could post some (credible) answers - as I can't come up with any - to the following questions:

a) If the demons are well aware that something is wrong, with Yvonne as well as with the house, why would they keep this to themselves?
In an old thread someone - I think it was Ron - wrote that non-verbal demons like most objects or parasites would simply go unresponsive an refuse to confer any powers in hopes they wouldn't be noticed; but what about demons who are indeed verbal? Why are they not yanking master's sleeve suggesting a hasty retreat? After all everyone's going to be in it together.

b) Why do the demons know? As I understand it, there is no such thing as a "sense a sorcerer" or "spot a demon" ability.

~May

[angelfromanotherpin]

a) If the demons are well aware that something is wrong, with Yvonne as well as with the house, why would they keep this to themselves?
In an old thread someone - I think it was Ron - wrote that non-verbal demons like most objects or parasites would simply go unresponsive an refuse to confer any powers in hopes they wouldn't be noticed; but what about demons who are indeed verbal? Why are they not yanking master's sleeve suggesting a hasty retreat? After all everyone's going to be in it together.

Well, I wouldn't have them keep it to themselves.  Part of the point of the scenario is to have all the Demons freaking out a little bit to keep the tension high.  Keep in mind the two requirements for the player's kickers in the scenario, though: Get them into the party and give them a reason to be there.  The Sorcerers should be invested enough not to be scared off by a little trepidation.

b) Why do the demons know? As I understand it, there is no such thing as a "sense a sorcerer" or "spot a demon" ability.

Anyone with Lore, Demon or Sorcerer, can roll Lore vs Cover to spot a Telltale.  How much info the telltale offers is up to the group, but usually it just says - subject is Sorcerer or Demon.  Since the House's telltale is iirc weird human-bone art, the PCs and demons might mistake the Telltale for the Demon, especially if they're not thinking on the sort of scale that the House operates on.

[May]

Thanks for the advice, I think that could work.  I'll probably have the demons mostly be weary of Yvonne - it makes sense that a sorcerer with a desperate glint in her eyes could only mean trouble - and not outright freeze up with terror like the object guys playing dead. There's really no reason why they should have such extreme reactions to telltales that merely informs them that there's another demon around but, as you wrote, doesn't tell them what size and power scale this demon is on.

~May

[Ron Edwards]

Hiya,

I never play demons passively. You can bet that once things get weird, the demons plead to be taken out, or try to get out on their own if they can.

However, notice Yzor's Warp ability. It makes getting through doors, windows, and even walls much more difficult than one might expect. Even a teleporting demon could find itself somewhere else in the house (whups!) rather than outside as it planned.

Best,
Ron

[The_Tim]

The demons that want out are in a bind.  On the one hand if they press to insistently their sorcerers might believe it is a sort of reverse psychology, and the house promises some greater level of sorcerer, and thus greater control of demons.  On the other hand without enough pressure the sorcerers will just think their demons are being whinny bitches.  Demons don't have a perfect read on the sorcerers they are bound to, and besides which they can't force the sorcerers to do anything.

Once the players decide that maybe the demons are onto something all sorts of nasty trapped in the house stuff can be pulled, especially if a demon has already hinted at the possibility.  That'll make for a wonderful "Why didn't you listen to me!" moment.

[May]

Hi all
Thanks for the useful answers. I think my initial problem derived from misunderstanding some previous threads; if the demons instantly percieved an overwhelming threat and reacted accordingly, attempts at building up tension towards a climax would likely be rather doomed, whereas slowly increasing panic is of course just the right tool.

~May