A Nightmare Realized...
It’s the same dream you’ve had for the last few weeks; the sort of thing quick to be forgotten upon awakening, yet even quicker to return in vivid detail upon returning to sleep. A world without color, a mosaic nightmare composed entirely of black pieces. Every time you dream of this place, another terrible detail stands out: each consecutive return further sharpens the definition of the picture, somehow allowing you to categorize “shades” of black into relatable shapes and sensations.
Ink-black waves crash upon the equally dark rocks, sending a fine spray of freezing oily water against your cheek. A foul wind blows across the beach’s black sands, filling your nose with the stench of bloodshed and ashes. Strange, hideous shades flap by in the distance overhead, screeching monstrosities that vaguely bring seagulls to mind. Before you is the ocean, a horizon-stretching abyss from within swims the vaguest shapes of unfulfilled horrors, things never meant to exist.
Why do you keep finding yourself here, again and again?
A good question.
The “voice” brushes past, a shadow amongst shadows, barely perceptible, more a sensation than anything vocal.
Why are you all here?
You look around and realize you’re not alone: there are other people here. Each of them, just like you, stand out as beacons of color in a world composed of nothing but black.
Thunder crashes in the distance, the endless dark depths roiling at the approaching storm clouds. They’re coming for you, and their desire cannot be dissuaded; they will have you, and there’s nothing you can do about it. A wall of hands, taller than the sky and enveloping the nightmarish earth, races across the oceanscape, grasping and feeling in their frantic desire.
As you wake up, drenched in cold sweat, one last whisper lingers, a final remnant of that nightmare:
They’ve found their way.
So, what’s this?
This is a game I’m organizing, using White Wolf’s Storytelling system at its core. The players take on the roles of people living in or around Atlas City, either as residents or visitors. Over the course of the game, they’ll face the mysterious horrors that have recently plagued their dreams.
What’ll I need to run this?
You’ll need access to the new World of Darkness core rulebook. If you don’t have it, I’ve written up a character creation guide
here.
The Setting
Established in the 1970s, Atlas City is located in a mountain-region of the Midwestern United States. Considered by most to be a very prosperous and peaceful city, Atlas enjoys a strange harmony of civilization and nature: multi-story offices buildings right across the street from trails that lead into the surrounding countryside.
Details concerning character creation
As previously mentioned, all submitted characters have to either be residents of Atlas City or visitors; if a visitor, they need to have a reason to be staying in the city for at least a few months. Other than that, they can be pretty much anyone. You can make them as complex or as simple as you want, as realistic or as over-the-top as you’d like: an ex-navy seal that killed over a hundred guys in his career and a soccer mom with two kids are equally welcome. The only constant all the characters share are the dreams of the blackness, though whether they even remember these terrible nightmares or are affected by them are up to you.
While I will still be open to submissions, the starting group has been decided upon.
Celia Mark (El Skid)Hank Walker (Horseshoe) Correction: Your skill spread is 12/6/4, not 11/7/4. Also, you've got one too many skill specializations.
Aedan Sonnen (Egos) Correction: Skill spread is 12/7/4. Also, you didn't choose any skill specializations.
Jeremy Silver (Void Slayer)Drew Kristoph (Kay)
To other interested players, feel free to post your potential characters here. I'm by no means done recruiting.
Posts
So the setting is Atlas City, what's the time period? present day?
Name: Celia Mark
Age: 48
Gender: Female
Stats:
Int: •
wits: ••••
Resolve: ••
Strength: ••
Dexterity: ••••
Stamina: ••
Presence: •
Manipulation: •
Composure: ••••
Defence: 4
Size: 5
Health: 7
Initiative: 8
Morality: 7
Speed: 11
Willpower: 6
Virtues & Vices:
TBD
Skills:
Investigation: •••
Occult (Cultural Beliefs): •••
Medicine: •
Athletics (Throwing): ••
Brawl (Kung Fu): ••••
Stealth: ••
Weaponry: •••
Empathy: ••
Persuasion: ••
Merits:
Fighting Style- Kung Fu: ••••
Disarm: ••
Fighting Style- Two Weapons: •
Background:
Physically, she appears to be a homely looking woman of middle age with very short black hair. It's obvious she has taken good care of her body- by no means muscular, she is nevertheless shapely and lithe. Her wardrobe is simple, with a definite eye towards ease of movement and comfort- she is protective of her well being, and is always ready to defend herself on her frequent walks outside alone at night.
Outside of martial arts, Celia's only other passion is for the occult, and she has collected a few baubles and knicknacks over the years- A scroll written in Mandarin, a couple of beaded neclaces and some figurines. Each of these she has searched for and bought because she believes they are authentic, and could hold some measure of power inside of them, which she believes should be protected.
Celia doesn't care much for personal posessions, and doesn't really own much except for a couple of Sai (knives) and her knicknacks. Her appartement above the dojo is loosly furnished and sparsely decorated... And most importantly, well insulated, as she likes peace and quiet.
Socially, Celia is a bit of a shut-in. She spends much of her time alone, and generally does not put a lot of effort into putting on a good show for others. The only exception to this is in her teaching, where her passion for martial arts shines through, and she has been known to be quite charismatic before withdrawing into her shell.
The important thing to her is to never lose control of herself. She must remain calm and in control of her speech and actions at all times- when she was younger and full of anger, there had been a couple of incidents that almost lost her her sensei. Hell, the last one almost got her arrested. From that time on, she had perfected self-discipline, and carefully kept out of any situation that could result in her becoming emotionally attached, in her losing control again.
Dream:
Celia woke again, her eyes flying open and her mind seeming to empty of the dark shapes and strange faces for the third night in a row.
What did the visions mean? She was aquainted with chinese medicine, and was sure that she was centered inside, and that her apartment had excellent Feng Shui. She meditated and performed martial arts daily, so surely her mind was not conjuring up these horrors from hidden anxiety.
It must be an external force, evil spirits descending on me, preparing to take my relics? She bounded over to the dresser, pulling on a simple Gi and taking a necklace resembling a monkey's head and put it on. She then went into a locked cupboard and drew out a pair of Sai, a pair of 3-pronged daggers that were the only real weapons that she owned.
Well, if the evil spirits want to come for me, they won't find me unprepared.
And so she tucked the Sai into her belt and settled down comfortably to wait- For whatever was coming.
...Or her morning class, whichever came first.
Hank Walker
The role of Hank will be played by Ron Perlman.
http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=197733
Motivations:
Asking Hank about his dad... not a good idea.
Wrath - Remember the "violent sociopath" bit? Hank has no problem with using violence as a tool to get things done. In fact, deep down in the primal part of his brain, he likes it. Hank has done some things in his life that would shock your average person. To him... the violence and ugliness of the world is just life. And when things get beyond his version of "just life", he gets ugly.
Backstory (warning: long)
Los Angeles, Twenty-Two Years Ago
Los Angeles, Twenty Years Ago
The Crown Vicky rumbled out of the warehouse near San Pedro, down a few sidestreets, and on to the Harbor Freeway.
Antelope Valley Press Article -- 19 Years Ago
LANCASTER - A state prison inmate is suspected of killing another inmate who was a convicted child molester and arsonist in the cell they shared, a prison spokesman said Thursday. James Carpenter, 59, who was serving a 25-year sentence, was found mortally injured early Monday in his cell in a so-called "sensitive needs" section of California State Prison-Los Angeles County.
As officers were doing a security check, they noticed an inmate lying on the cell floor, wrapped in a blood-soaked bedsheet. The officers unwrapped him, checked his pulse and called for prison medical personnel. Carpenter was pronounced dead about two hours later by the prison's chief medical officer.
Cellmate Hank Walker, 26, who is serving a 30-years-to-life sentence as a "three strikes, you're out" repeat offender, was most likely the only other inmate known to have been in the cell. Prison officials cannot comment on whether Walker admitted killing his cellmate or said why he had done it. Lancaster Prison is currently at twice its capacity, and such crimes are unfortunately common.
Walker was removed from his cell and taken to solitary confinement. He has not been charged with a crime, though the investigation is continuing by both state prison investigators and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide detectives.
The interviewed official said he didn't know why either man was in the "sensitive needs" area, but he said the area holds inmates who are considered a risk in the general prison population, for reasons that include the crimes they committed, but more often because they dropped out of or offended a gang.
Carpenter had been convicted in 1976 in Riverside County of child molesting and had served all of his current sentence in Lancaster. Walker went to state prison after the well known "Hawthorne Shootout". His sentence was for 30 years to life as his "third strike."
Walker's "lock-down" cell is located a section of the prison in which prisoners are not allowed to leave their cells unless given special clearance to perform their job assignments. The overcrowded Lancaster prison contains some of the most violent criminals in the state, and is considered the most dangerous for both inmates and guards.
California State Prison, Lancaster, 18 Years Ago
California State Prison, Lancaster, 15 years ago.
California State Prison, Lancaster, 5 years ago.
Edgar was right about that. Boredom was the biggest enemy. For the inmates and the guards. It was the cause of violence more than any other. And there was plenty of it to be had in somewhere as terrible as Lancaster. Even cleaning the guards' toilets was a welcome reprieve. And there were a few guys... not many but a few... who didn't even do wrong. That was probably what pissed Hank off the most... that he'd had a pro bono lawyer try to get him out. Hank knew why he was there. And in his mind, he deserved it.
Lancaster, CA. Recent past. 60th Street.
This is why people must go back into the game. The game never changes. You always gotta do the same stuff. I'm still tough enough for it, I'm still mean enough for it. No. I ain't going to do it. I ain't going back to that cell, and I ain't going to get more scars from whittled down soap or toothbrushes.
He continued to walk and smoke his way through the hot California sun, through the soil that crunched beneath his feet at the side of the road, through the smell of smoke and dirt and sweat. Hed known life in LAC longer than he'd known life on the outside. He was just a kid in his twenties when he got arrested for posession of illegal firearms, assault with a deadly weapon, and other crimes.
Life on the outside. He thought he was never going to see it. And here it was. In goddamned Lancaster of all places. In the top 100 most dangerous cities in america, according to an article he'd read on the inside. He looked over at the San Gabriel Mountains, like a wall that separated him from LA, the only other place he'd known. It seemed like Lancaster was practically a prison on the outside.
He walked what seemed a long distance down the shoulder 60th street, feeling the desolation and the cars that raced by. Was he a drifter now? What else would he have been. Bullshit tract housing across the street. He kept heading toward the water tower in the distance.
Finally he passed the water tower, found himself in the row of bleak houses roasting the the Mojave sun. Empty lots with no sign of occupation... who the hell would want 'em?
His feet carried him a few more miles to something labeled "Southwestern Steakhouse". A steak sounded pretty good... as strange as it was, this place standing smack in the middle of dirty hot shitty nothing. Maybe that was perfect. He recalled that barbeque place that was in the middle of nowhere in Morongo Valley. Damn that place was good. Better than the one he always used to go to in Crenshaw.
He sat down outside in what little shade he could find, chain-smoking until the place opened at 4pm. As he went to the dumpster to toss away his butt, he saw a soggy piece of paper on the ground. He picked it up. Sure enough it was a bus ticket. Atlas City... one way.
Why the hell not?
The Dream.
Day Labor. Flophouse. Hotplate. Walking around with the biggest knife I could find at a flea market in my coat pocket. All of $1.50 and I sharpened it on the concrete. I can't even afford a piece of shit MP-25 or a J-22. I tell myself I don't need weapons. I'm not the kind of person who is supposed to have them. I can go back in the pen if I get caught with them. But they're what I know. It's like how some people can't do without cell phones or a driver's license. Most people didn't even have cell phones when I went inside. I'm a teenager again... at fortysomething years old. I'm not exactly sure how old I am. Prison does that to your sense of time. You get thirty to life and then one day you don't count. And then the next day you don't. And the next And then time is gone.
I feel too old. I try not to sleep despite how fucking beat I am at the end of the day.
Every night it's the same.
I'm on a beach. The sand is white, and I know it's not supposed to be. It gets more real every night. It crunches. It's not snow. It's ground fine but not from rock. The sea is black, and I know it's not supposed to be. Not because water isn't black. It's that metallic smell when it hits my cheek. It's that smell that doesn't wash off your hands easy.
Everything's a haze. There's this black thing. Eventually it starts looking like a house. At first it was empty. And then these white lines started creeping in. Rotten box springs. A skeleton on top. Not just a skeleton but a cooked one. Flesh still on him. There's burnt wallpaper. A kitchen full of dishes. I keep looking around until I look back at the bed. It's my old man. The night after he threw my mom down the stairs and broke her neck and passed out on the bed. The first time I made sure he never got up again. I was five or six. I wasn't even old enough to go to school.
The house starts to swim around me. I feel like I'm going to puke. There's something in the house. It growls at first. A few days later it could make words. It knows my name. Henry, it says. Henry, come upstairs. Go to sleep. We're waiting for you. I can't breathe. I run back out to the stoop.
And they're outside. Them. They look like people. They're shaped kinda like people. Always shifting. And staring at me. They look like something wearing someone's skin. One size too tight. I fall on my knees. There's nowhere to run. Everything is the same. A sea of blood, a desert of bones. That house. Those voices. Those 'people'. I start howling like an animal.
I wake up out of breath. My throat burns.
Every morning I think about doing something that'll get me in the joint for the rest of my life. Like if I went back things would be the way they were. I've never felt crazy before. It's only when I sleep. But if I went back to prison? I don't know if it will change anything. Things are different. Forever.
It started when I came to Atlas. Someone in this city knows. I know they do.
And I'm going to find them.
Character Sheet:
http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=241870
Background:
Using his family's connections, he worked as an investment manager working local real estate. When the opportunity came up, he pursued public office after his predecessor got arrested for corruption. He ran unopposed as a Republican in the 7th District of Atlas City.
He spends his days golfing, going to seedy bars during the day, and occasionally heading down to City Hall to check on his assistant who is the real representative of the 7th. At nights, he goes to sports bars, bets a lot of his Dad's money on college basketball, and drinks himself to oblivion. Occasionally, some innocent young woman would be lured back to his apartment Downtown with empty promises and an exaggerated perception of his power.
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Stats:
Int:••
Wits:••
Resolve:•••
Strength:•••
Dexterity:•••
Stamina:••
Presence:••••
Manipulation:•
Composure:•
Defense:2
Size:5
Health:7
Initiative:4
Morality:7
Speed:5
Movement:
Virtues and Vices
Justice
Pride
Skills
Physical:
Athletics:••••
Brawl:••
Firearms:•••• (Sniping)
Stealth:•
Mental:
Academics:••
Computers:••
Medicine: •• (Emergency Care)
Politics: •
Social:
Persuasion:•••• (Oratory)
Merits
Inspiring: ••••
Fast Reflexes: ••
Quick Draw: •
Background:
Aedan went into college studying philosophy. As a child he was always deeply concerned with the nature of evil and its existence, so it only seemed nature for him to pursue this path. Despite very little career opportunities in the field. He became fascinated with notions such as the "will to power", cults of personalities and revolutionaries. He would soon join the ROTC program in school. Not out of patriotism but as a to way to access a means to "fight the injustices he viewed"... The fact this wouldn't necessarily coincide with the countries current plans..proved problematic.
After graduation, Aedan attended Officer Cadet School to completion but was denied service after several psychological examinations. Considering his ultimate goal was grandiose and along the lines of taking out various despots through means only know to himself .....this is not surprising.
The men who denied him did not know this whole story of course, but.. it stopped him from his goals. And the image he had crafted of himself. He technically remained a "reserve". And he still trained from time to time, allowing the goal to fester in his mind. But reality started to set in over the years . And it is starting to seem unlikely he will be that hero and rid the world of said evils and he wonders if he even knows what he is talking about especially since he has been sent to a retreat in Atlas City on behalf of his family.
The Dream
The Dream started three days after arriving in at the retreat. At first, Aedan didn't know what to make of them. He told Dr. Lamrec of what he had seen; he just gave him more sedatives to take before he went to sleep. But the dreams became more and more vivid.
Various combination of sleeping medications and anti-depressants were added to the mix of pills he would take each night, but the dreams got more vivid. The reaction was mixed, he always woke up in a sweat and it seemed like he had finally received confirmation he had gone insane. At the same time this was the first time he had actually felt like he was chosen for something. Despite how painful they were, he wasn't sure if he wanted them to stop.
Brief idea, wanted to go with photo negative of the Army poster boy. Not sure if that comes through. Will check in the morning for grammar errors and odd wording. Just wanted to get something down.
Also, how much real-world fiction would be present in-game? A concept forming in my mind right now revolves around a young adult who has a huge interest in urban myth and legend, with an almost encyclopaediac knowledge of weird fiction - he'd have read all the WoD fiction (which is the one that is most likely NOT to exist in this world, unless it's the Black Dog stuff), be a huge paranormal weirdness buff, know all of the 'spooky internet stuff' like the Keepers, the SCP Foundation, Marble Hornets, John Dies At The End, all that stuff. He'd also be well-versed with more classical literature, like Lovecraft, Stoker, Shelley and Byron.
I'm just wondering what'd exist in this world, and what wouldn't.
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
Name: Jeremy Silver
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Concept: Mentally unstable college dropout
Wits:••
Resolve:•
Str:•••
Dex:•••
Sta:••
Presence:•••
Manipulation:•
Comp:••
Defence: 2
Size: 5
Health: 7
Initiative: 4
Morality: 7
Speed: 11
Willpower: 3
Virtue: Kindness
Vice: Sloth
Skills:
Academics:•••
Computer:•
Occult:•
Medicine:••
Science (Biology,Physics):••••
Athletics (swimming):••••
Animal Ken:••
Expression:••
Persuasion:••
Socialize:•
Merits:
Resources:•
Fame:•
Direction Sense:•
Contacts (mental health professionals, Atlas University):••
Allies(Atlas University):••
Background:
Shortly afterwords he spiraled into a deep depression and almost took his life. Although he was only hospitalized for a short time his terrible dreams and depression were never successfully controlled by medication. He attempted to continue his education several times; however the stress and shame combined with his condition made this impossible. First his grades and attendance slipped, then, despite the help of several of his professors, he left the university completely.
Jeremy currently works as a clerk at a local grocery store and part time as a janitor in one of the large office buildings downtown. He also volunteers at a downtown animal shelter.
Kay: As for whether the World of Darkness exists in this world or not, it would be smarter to say it doesn't exist AS the World of Darkness. Maybe there's some parody based off it, but yeah...
Essentially, I'm still not completely sure how completely the World of Darkness setting fits into what I'm organizing. Will there be Werewolves, Changelings, Vampires, etc? As the World of Darkness knows them? Maybe, we'll see once the game has started.
lemme know if i screwed somethin' up
but i think the mythweavers sheet is at least acceptable
[strike]speaking of, ST
are you okay with trading a point of morality for 5xp at character creation?
i can't remember if that is a standard rule or not
anyway, i'd probably put hank down at 6, which is sorta in line with the "gang member" example antagonist in the book[/strike]
edit: take it back, i think hank is trying to be better than that now
I'm thinking that he could have been studying psychology, with a project on urban myth and legend as his Masters project, though that may be a little too close to the Candyman storyline for comfort.
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
(heaven knows I've tried)
Edit: In fact, I'm happy to encourage other applicants to come up with character reactions (like Celia)/interpretations (like Hank's) of the Dreams. A little foreknowledge of the character's outlook towards it (or if they even really remember them when they wake up) would be useful for the start.
Additionally, I'm going to be a jerk and request one more thing from everyone submitting a character. Please PM to me a list of defining tragedies/hardships/event/urges in your character's life. When I say defining, I don't mean "His cat died when he was 5." Yes, it's tragic and probably meant a lot to him at the time, but unless the death of said cat is something that has literally integrated itself with the core of his being, it's not a defining characteristic.
Examples can be:
-Death of an immediate (or at least very close) family member, especially if this led to a troubled period (parents divorced, major lifestyle change, etc).
-A "journey" (used loosely) which resulted in a great growth (or maybe degeneration) as a person (Prison sentence, religious pilgrimage, extremely vicious divorce, etc.)
-One particular moment in which their outlook on life changed due to an exhaustive number of circumstances. It could be a societal change (the Kennedy assassination, moon landing, first premiere of the Beatles), an anecdotal situation (first true love, that summer at band camp) or perhaps a moment of incredible emotion.
-Urges aren't quite so easily categorized. These are just things that make your character who they are, not necessarily related to any outward event; complexes and vices fall into this category, but so do more wholesome things, such as still considering themselves a devout catholic, regardless of the bad things they may have done. Maybe they have a soft spot for dogs or children, or a love of art. This is the golden lining in the shadow, good or bad quirks or habits that exist because they just do.
Please be sure to list the three most important events at the top of the list; you can make the list as long as you'd like, but try to have the most defining things at the top. This does not need to be an overly-detailed list, either. You don't need to map out the character's history, just give me a few key moments, periods of time or aspects.
Edit: This isn't as committed of a task as you might think it is. My examples didn't likely help, on that note. If you've created at least a decent backstory for your character, then this "event list" business is half-done already. You don't need to create events or stick on extra bells and whistles to your character's existence, unless you'd like to.
To those of you who already responded to my jerk request (Horseshoe, Egos), thank you. If everybody else is spending their time agonizing over the content of said post, don't worry so much.
And yes, I still intend to keep to my Sunday deadline for starting this game, so if you had intended to submit a character this is my subtle kick to the ass.
ATTRIBUTES:
Intelligence •••
Wits •••
Resolve ••
Physical:
Strength •
Dexterity •••
Stamina ••
Social:
Presence •••
Manipulation ••
Composure ••
SKILLS:
Academics ••
Computer ••
Investigation ••• (Dreams)
Occult ••• (Urban Legends)
Science •
Physical:
Athletics •
Larceny •
Stealth ••
Social:
Empathy •
Persuasion •• (Fast Talking)
Socialize •
Streetwise •
Subterfuge ••
Size: 5
Health: 7
Initiative: 5
Morality: 7
Speed: 9
Willpower: 4
Contacts (Journalist) •
Resources ••
Background:
At first, he studied useful subjects - science, math, law - until a friend of his introduced him to the concept of Urban Myth, the wild fantasies of Lovecraft and Derleth, as well as the more modern tales of David Wong and Brian Lumley. At this point, he decided it was time to study what he wanted, and to learn for the sake of learning. He decided to write a thesis on 'The Psychology of Modern Myth', and as his professors had no problem with whatever he decided to do (his parents had money, after all), he set to work.
Drew learned a huge amount about modern Urban Myths, as well as the older legends that many were based on. His studies also bordered on the more occult leanings, and read about the secret societies of the early twentieth century, more out of personal interest than anything else. As he delved deeper into these mysteries, Drew started to learn about the techniques involved in spiritualism, automatic writing, and lucid dreaming. That's when the dreams of threatening darkness started.
Reading up on the dreams, Drew practiced the skills needed, and though he had a fair measure of success in more normal dreams, any time he fell prey to this recurring nightmare, his ability to direct the flow of the dream faltered. Until last night. He managed to take a step fowards, towards the threatening storms, and scream a question at them. He just does not remember the question, or the answer he is sure he received. Maybe next time the dream hits, he'll be able to control himself with more success.
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
Less than a day to go, folks.
Celia Mark (El Skid)
Hank Walker (Horseshoe) Correction: Your skill spread is 12/6/4, not 11/7/4. Also, you've got one too many skill specializations.
Aedan Sonnen (Egos) Correction: Skill spread is 12/7/4. Also, you didn't choose any skill specializations.
Jeremy Silver (Void Slayer)
Drew Kristoph (Kay)
The IC Thread will be coming up shortly, feel free to start once it's around.
jc pillars: You never replied to my PM. Let's have a chat.
To other interested players, feel free to post your potential characters here. I'm by no means done recruiting.
That said, I'm not sure how much mystique there will be around this game, secret rolls/modifiers etc. Maybe this game is better suited to GM rolls?
And thanks for choosing Drew!
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
d'oh! knew i musta missed something. will correct and update sheet soon.