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This page is intended to explain what a harpyreq is, how to use them, when to use them, and why they should be used. It seems that many people do not understand how it works here on CoH, or they have tried and it failed or backlashed, or they are used to doing it differently in other games and the help files or other explanations have simply failed to grant an understanding. We hope to provide more clarity here in this medium. If there are more questions still after reading this, please seek out one of the harpies so we can further clarify OOCly.
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WHAT IS A HARPYREQ?
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A Harpyreq is basically a report or conversation with the Harpies. Not just a one on one, but it goes to all of them. It is akin to speaking directly to the harpys, even if you cannot grab one ICly, and you have the added benefit that it will reach all of them - including the NPCS.
IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT LIKE AN XP/NOM. THIS IS NOT FOR SHOWING UP AT A SCENE. THIS IS NOT A PARTICIPATION AWARD THAT EVERYONE GETS.
Did you host an event? That does not mean those that came get status. Did they do an extraordinary amount of work for that event to come off, including using influence, contacts, retainers, etc, for it to be a success, and help the Praxis or the Camarilla? That will get you a gain. Not just donating an item for an auction, or a dancer that dances, or a singer that sings. It needs to be 'Ultra Plus' - 'Above and Beyond'.
Not a party? Again, things like going on a called Blood Hunt and helping to take the one under the blood hunt in is not going to get you status either. Every one is expected to participate in a Blood Hunt and do /just/ that. Did you do something extraordinary for it? Maybe? But showing up and using a discipline or weapon is just expected.
A Harpyreq will give the Harpies a chance to discuss what you bring to them, and decide if they should spread the gossip, as well as either give status to the subject of the rumor, or take it away.
Status may be gained in many ways such as by helping to preserve the Masquerade, doing favors for the Prince, or an Elder, or saving another Kindred's unlife. They may also gain it by overthrowing the holder of a station and assuming their mantle, granting it in return for a boon, or defeating a Sabbat menace in the city.
On the flip side, Status may be lost, and the possibilities for that are almost endless. From losing control and frenzing, disrespecting another Kindred (especially of higher status), violating the traditions, to acting against the Praxis. More examples will be found later on.
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WHO SHOULD USE A HARPYREQ?
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HarpyReq's are for every and any acknowledged member of the Camarilla to use. Consider before you put it in yourself - what is your own status, and what is the status of the person you are reporting about? Especially if you are lower in status, you may want to find someone of higher status to also report this, or do it for you. In fact, the more people that report to the harpies about a particular issue, the more attention it will get, and more weight either for or against the person it is about.
In general, for example, if someone of 5 status submits a report on being snubbed by a person of 50 status, it will probably be ignored because why should someone that much higher of status pay any attention to you? Now, if someone of 50 status submits a report on being snubbed by a person of 5 status, that would get attention and rumors spread, including a loss of status.
HarpyReq's are not for Ghouls though. Even those that are acknowledged, they have no status, and will not gain or lose for themselves - but for their domitors. If you play a Ghoul, you should find a Vampire to put in the request. If you have a Ghoul that either did something good for you or in a scene, or did something bad - you must put in the request FOR the domitor.
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WHEN SHOULD I USE A HARPYREQ?
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You should use a HarpyReq when something has happened (good or bad) that you feel the harpies should know about, especially if it fits into one of the categories that will be described below. It isn't for OOC issues, only IC ones. Vampire is a highly social game, so missteps ICly have consequences if the harpies find out, and deem it so. Similarly, going above and beyond, doing something helpful, have benefits.
Remember, with great power comes great responsibilities. The higher your status, the more clout you have to throw around, and can affect how others behave. If you feel someone is wrong, and they are of lower status, then without absolute proof that you were wrong, then the person of lower status will take the hit.
NOTE: If more than one player submits a harpyreq about the same incident (be it for a gain or a loss), the status of those players will stack and lend weight to the request. There is no double dipping on the award/consequence, just strengthening of the original request in the harpies consideration. The more status saying that something is either acceptable or unacceptable, the harpies must take closer notice.
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WHY SHOULD I USE A HARPYREQ?
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Why? Because we are freakin' vampires and this is a game based on socializing. Yes, combat happens. Yes, we need to feed off mortals (and sometimes rats, chickens, poodles...), but most of what happens is a social scene. Not just bar RP, but based on how we socialize with each other, when/where/how/why - even what we wear. Does something make another frenzy? Make them upset they lose their cool? Did someone help someone else out? Prove loyalty to the praxis? Find a traitor? If so, yes, it is time! Granted, many of those may be something to take to the Sheriff first, or the Prince, so when it doubt - ASK!
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HOW DO I USE A HARPYREQ?
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Mechanically, the commands are:
+harpyreq <Recipient>/<Type>=<Explanation>
Where Recipient is the person it is about.
Type refers to what sort of behavior it is. The choices are BEHAVIOR, COURT, and PRAXIS.
The Explanation should give details about what the recipient did (good or bad), and your thoughts on it. Remember - this is not turning someone in for punishing a crime. This is gossip and keeping those of lower status in line, or raising people up that are beneficial socially.
TYPES:
As mentioned above, there are three Harpy types. One, or more, are used for every Harpyreq, rather it is scandal or praise:
BEHAVIOR, COURT and PRAXIS
Remember that actions of a Character's Childer and Retainers can gain or lose Status for them. If you are making a request based on one of them, you need to request /FOR/ the Sire/Domitor - not for the childer/retainer.
NOTE: The following is a mix from: Harpy Primer, and what the current harpies, Amelie, and Raisa have agreed to with the NPC Harpies. Future Harpies, or those for another Praxis are not beholden to these.
BEHAVIOR
1. Airing Dirty Laundry
2. Behavior Not Befitting One's Station
3. Disrespecting the Standing of Other Camarilla Kindred:
- Faking One's Reputation
- Falsely Claiming A Boon
4. Frenzying
5. Infiltrating Another Clan
6. Minor Tradition Violations:
- Questioning the Sect
- Reneging on a Boon
- Spreading Heresy
- Supporting Scandalous Kindred
- Violence
GAINING
1. Keeping Confidence
2. Behavior Befitting One's Station
3. Respecting the Status of other Camarilla Kindred
4. Keeping Control under Difficult Circumstances
5. Working with Another Clan to
- Defeat a pretender
- Notify of a risk
- Help to save face
6. Supporting the Traditions
- Supporting the Sect
- Fulfilling a Boon with Extra
- Speaking out against Heresy
- Condemning Scandalous Kindred
- Stopping a Frenzy (self or other)
Events/PrPs
1. Protecting the Masquerade
2. Entering the Fray (Must involve a Risk level 1 at least)
- Protecting Innocents
- Fighting enemies
- Healing others
- Protecting Kindred of Another Clan (not your own or of an ally clan or individual)
- Risking Unlife for Praxis (must be risk level 3)
- Going into Torpor protecting the Praxis (must be risk level 2-3)
COURT
LOSING
1. Disrespecting Elysium
2. Interfering With the Duties of a Court Officer
3. Violation of Domain Protocols
GAINING
1. Protecting Elysium
2. Assisting with the Duties of a Court Officer
3. Protection of Domain Protocols
PRAXIS
LOSING
1. Elected Prince
2. Announcing an Attempted Praxis Seizure
3. Bloodhunting During A Praxis Seizure
4. Publicly Challenging a Praxis
GAINING
1. Unusual Acts Supporting Prince
2. Stopping an Attempted Praxis Seizure
3. Fighting to Prevent a Praxis Seizure
4. Publicly Defeating a Challenge to a Praxis
Events/PrPs
1. Increasing the overall standing of the Camarilla
2. Increasing Camarilla Strength
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