Hello Kindred,

Last time in Dev Diary 18 (“Building Our Seattle”), we walked through the streets of our Seattle, exploring its foundations and the world you’ll navigate. Tonight, we’re diving deeper into the city, its inhabitants, and the rules that keep everything in check. These rules—the Masquerade—aren’t just a suggestion; they’re the law. Break them, and you might find yourself on the wrong end of a court assassin’s stake.

The First Tradition: The Masquerade

“Thou shall not reveal thy true nature to those not of the Blood. Doing such shall renounce thy claims of Blood.”

The first tradition is the only one universally respected, but also the one that is broken most often. A sloppy feeding with witnesses, a vulgar display of undead might, a confession to a beloved mortal. These things happen, but Kindred are expected to clean up after themselves, or there will be hell to pay. The crime-world code “snitches get stitches” doesn’t even begin to describe how seriously both the Camarilla and the Anarchs take the Masquerade. In the age of YouTube dares, clickbait, and fake news, a Masquerade breach is easily overlooked by the masses, but any transgression can end with a black ops team kicking in a haven door. Only the craziest of Cainite superiority fanatics dream of an age where they can rule openly; the rest have faced reality – the undead fare better as parasitic powers behind the throne than as great predators or infernal lords of human dominions.

- Vampire: The Masquerade - Core Rulebook (5th Edition)

Masquerade Mechanics

In the World of Darkness, the Masquerade refers to the efforts made by Kindred to conceal their existence from humanity to ensure their survival. This secrecy is vital, as widespread knowledge of their existence would likely lead to a catastrophic response from humans, ultimately resulting in the destruction of Kindred society.

The Masquerade is enforced by the Camarilla, particularly in Seattle, under the authority of the Sheriff. Violations of the Masquerade, such as using supernatural abilities in public, are met with severe punishment, including exile or final death.

In Bloodlines 2, you must maintain the Masquerade. Failure to do so will result in a swift stake through your heart. To help monitor your actions, there is a Masquerade meter at the top of the screen, consisting of two key parts:

1. The Eye Symbol: If the eye is open it indicates that someone is currently watching you. It is best to perform vampiric activities out of sight of human witnesses.

2. The Bars Around the Eye: These bars fill up when you are caught committing acts that breach the Masquerade. The progression of the bars occurs in three stages:

   • Upheld (Green): Minor infractions, such as being seen jumping abnormally high or running too fast. Avoid repeated minor breaches, or the meter will advance to the next stage.

   • Caution (Orange): Triggered by excessive actions, such as feeding, using violent abilities, or accumulating too many minor infractions. At this point, humans become suspicious. If someone witnesses your crime, they may report it to the police. You can deal with the witness directly or avoid the police. Using an ability to make witnesses forget what they saw can be an effective strategy.

   • Engaged/Broken (Red): At this stage, the police are actively pursuing you. You must break their line of sight immediately. If the meter fills completely, the Camarilla will take decisive action to end your activities swiftly and mercilessly.

Maintaining the Masquerade is critical for survival in Bloodlines 2. Stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary risks to ensure you remain under the radar.

- Project Design Director Jey Hicks

Phyre’s job as Sheriff

As Sherriff, the Nomad has a duty to keep the peace, that includes stamping down on any outside attempt to breach the Masquerade. 

With the Court's control of the city in jeopardy, other factions are starting to let the chaos bleed out from the alleyways and into the streets. The Police, under the thumb of the Camarilla, are a reactive force, not a preventative one, when it comes to kindred affairs.

From a gang causing trouble in a graveyard to an outright assault on one of the city's most public places, groups like the Anarch's can sense the rift among those in power and leap to action. 

Throughout the journey of the Nomad, the risk of exposure grows and grows. We wanted quests that take place in the city to feature bursts of violence and disorder that require the Sherriff's undivided attention. Quick thinking will be required as much as discreet tactics. The Nomad must restore order, outright crush the enemies of the Court, and perhaps, find new allies.

- Junior Level Designer Jack Goddard

Districts of Seattle

Hey, Bloodlines fans! Let’s talk about our Seattle. We’ve split it into five districts: Uptown, Downtown, Chinatown, Financial, and Industrial. Each one has its own vibe, quirks, and dangers. This city doesn’t sleep - and you’ll be hunting at its heart.

All districts connect into one seamless space. No unnecessary barriers in between them to break your immersion. You’re free to roam, stalk, and keep the Masquerade intact. From alleyways to rooftops, it’s your playground - or hunting ground. Just don’t let the locals catch you doing something “unsightly” unless you want to be hunted by the authorities.

Each district is distinct. Uptown and Financial have skyscrapers to trunk around while Downtown is packed tight and alive. Chinatown glows with lanterns and secrets. Industrial is raw, with warehouses and factories. These layouts shape your experience and strategy.

Key locations fit each district’s theme, from a shadowy pawn shop in Downtown to a bustling nightclub in Uptown. The deeper you get into the story, the more locations are revealed and open for you to explore, drawing you further into the city’s secrets. And yes, there are familiar Seattle landmarks too. But this isn’t your postcard city. It’s darker, tailored for vampires. Sorry, no Space Needle views - unless you’re looking for a long way down.

Seattle’s districts are more than a backdrop - they’re alive. Hunt recklessly, and you’ll feel the heat. Play it too safe, and you’ll miss what’s lurking. Balance is key in this city of shadows. See you out there.

- Lead Environment Artist Michael Genesis Asis

Social feeding

We’ve touched on feeding in the city before, but what does that actually mean? As Phyre, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to feed, but within the city, feeding expands into a broader set of options. Let’s explore them.

One of these options is social feeding. This differs significantly from feeding in the heat of combat - where the act is often aggressive, violent, and purely a means to an end. Social feeding, on the other hand, is more intimate. It’s an embrace rather than an attack. For me, it was important that social feeding felt distinct - not only because it’s generally more rewarding for Phyre, but because it requires the player to consider who they target, where they strike, and how they go about it. These feeds take longer, are more deliberate, and demand a careful approach.

Since social feeding is both an embrace and a higher-reward action, we always kept in mind the need for strategy - stalking prey, setting up the right situations, and, most importantly, avoiding discovery. If a civilian catches you in the act, they will run to report you to the nearest police which will lead to conflict and combat, often resulting in a breach of the Masquerade which can quickly escalate into all out violence. I really like this risk and reward system that social feeding offers which you just don’t get from combat feeds.

Whilst there are many ways to manipulate the civilians of Seattle, conversation or raw intimidation to name a few I personally like to lean into my vampiric abilities to put civilians into a relaxed state where I can freely feed on them in a secluded alleyway - it's one of the perks of playing as a Ventrue. 

Speaking of alleyways, the Seattle of Bloodlines 2 isn’t just a hunting ground - it’s a city rich with personality, distinct districts, and a diverse population. As you explore, you’ll come across different districts, each with its own unique feel, look, and feeding opportunities. Chinatown is bathed in neon light, bustling with nightlife, while the Financial District is a prime spot to find business professionals among the high-rises. The homeless can be found in most districts, but Downtown is home to entire encampments. Understanding where to find certain civilians can be key to mastering social feeding - after all, the tactics you use on bikers outside a bar will be very different from those you employ on shoppers in Uptown.

- Lead Game Designer Gavin Hood