Dresden Files RPG- Pittsburgh, Bridges to Nowhere

Super Namicchi

sounds fine to me, you can find my AIM in my profile here

Sakutian

Excellent.

Impyrocker

i don't know if i'm too late, but i'd love to join in this. How do i join/where do i find the character creation templates?

Sakutian

Unfortunately we've already got five players which is where I'm going to cut off new players. If you want I can consider you an alternate player and should someone drop out you can jump in. The character creation templates are in the Dresden Files RPG book Your Story. It's really good, I strongly encourage anyone to buy it if only for the entertainment value of Bob and Harry arguing in print throughout.

Impyrocker

Alright, thank you. I'll get it, and just join next time.

Pneumatic Horseman

Character sheet below, first one I've made, let please let me know if I'm missing anything. Tomorrow at 8 should be good for me. I'll PM you my AIM.

Name: James McDonall
High Concept: Troll Blooded Smith
Trouble: Temper Temper

Background - Where Did You Come From?
A Pittsburgh native, James’s mother, one of seven children in a 4th generation Steel family disappeared for a year before he was born, and was committed when she returned to her family shortly before the birth of her child with wild tales of being abducted and enslaved by monsters on her way home from catechism. James’s uncle Kevin and his wife Margaret were having trouble conceiving and raised James as their own. Always large even as a boy, when James hit puberty, he bulked up considerably and was a star middle linebacker and honor student at Pittsburgh Central Catholic. He was even being scouted by UPitt until after an opposing player threw a late hit on James’s quarterback near the Vikings’ sideline. James grabbed the offending player’s shoulder pads and threw him halfway across the field. Unable to prove he wasn’t using performance enhancing drugs, James lost his chance at scholarship, and was expelled from school.

Aspect – Big, not slow

Rising Conflict - What Shaped You?

James joined his adopted father, cousins, and uncles at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp and proved to be an able iron worker despite burning his arms several time on supposedly cold steel. As the mills closed one by one, the McDonall boys were forced to seek other employment. Most of them, including James, turned to crime, working as bagmen, and enforcers for Micky “The Blade” O’Doyle. As he was running numbers one night, he came across a bridge troll chasing a young girl. James delayed the creature until the girl was safe, and it recognized him as a changeling, and more exactly as the spawn of one of the underlords, Grimali. James was carried to his real father who, merciful for a troll, offered to teach James about his heritage in exchange for the manufacture of certain items. Thus, combining faerie training with his steel craft, James forged weapons for Grimali’s clan. Armed with cold iron, the headtakers quickly dominated the underpasses, and Grimali was declared underking of all the city’s bridges. James set up a smithy near the Birmingham Bridge using Faerie gold paid for his wares to support himself and extract himself from service to O’Doyle though his Faerie and mortal kin both seek him out for assistance.

Aspect – Family matters

The Story - What Was Your First Adventure?

First Born Sons
Several of James’s older troll brothers have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. As his succession to the under kingdom grows closer James must discover who is killing or abducting his reasons for not having the choice forced upon him.
Aspect – Walls are closing in
Total Refresh: 10
Spent Refresh: 8
Fate: 2

Abilities
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]
Supernatural Recovery [-4]
The Catch [+3] Cold Iron
Glamours [-2]
Swords, lots of Swords (Stunt, +2 bonus for craftsmanship roles for making weapons)


Skills
Superb - Craftsmanship
Great - Might, Weapons
Good – Alertness, Resources, Intimidation, Athletics, Endurance
Fair – Scholarship, Discipline
Average – Drive, Lore, Burglary

Sakutian

James looks good for the moment, I like how you've incorporated the trolls of Pittsburgh into his story. I was working on a sheet for a Troll King and I think I may have to modify Grimali a bit because I think he fits the bill. Nice work.

Just a quick update to our player list.

Jasmine Cartwright College Wizard- ArcanistheImpotent
Rey Nardo Were-fox Martial Artist- Dresdenphile
Juliette Wraith Princess of the Wraith Family- Rainfall
Frederick Meyer Knowledge Hungry Information Broker-SanderJK
James McDonall Troll Blooded Smith- Pneumatic Horseman

Man that's a lot of J names.

Rainfall

Sakutian wrote: »

Sure Pneumatic Horseman, you're welcome to join in. I just figured we wouldn't get anymore people at this point.

On another note does 8:00 EST tomorrow work for everyone as a time for City Creation?

Works for me, yeah.

Sakutian

I jumped the gun a bit and wrote up a supernatural history for Pittsburgh. I'm not married to any of this, it's all just ideas based off things people have said here so far and my own ideas. I'm hoping it will be a decent framework we can gut as needed and then build into something workable. Sort of a Frankentimeline. Feel free to tell me it stinks and requires total do over if need be.

The region known today as Pittsburgh has been linked to the supernatural since the first native americans began living there hundreds of years ago. For many years the various tribes were able to make treaties with the supernatural forces that would prowl through their villages. Queen Alliquippa, leader of the Seneca tribe and a powerful sorceress, kept vampires, the fairy courts, and any number of other threats at bay for years. Even among the creatures of the Nevernever she earned a fierce reputation.

Despite a tradition of truce that had lasted for generations war came with the arrival of the first european settlers. Even the magic of Queen Alliquippa proved ineffective at deterring the men who were building their homes on a hunting ground. The treaties that protected native americans did not include the settlers, and as a result they were forced to stand by and watch their slaughter for years. Ultimately Queen Alliquippa broke her own treaty and waged a guerilla war on the Summer and Winter Courts in defense of the europeans. Outnumbered and overpowered the queen also faced opposition at the hands of the very people whom she had gone to war to rescue. The numerous deaths were blamed on wasting diseases but in truth the sick and dying were maimed but otherworldly forces.

Ultimately the Seneca tribe was able to hold off the sidhe for nearly a decade of open war before surrendering. Queen Alliquippa's final desperate attempt to preserve life was the erection of a mystical barrier blocking their lands off from the Nevernever. Members of the Winter and Summer Courts found themselves trapped. The barrier saved countless lives but it also drained the queen's power, she fled with the remnants of her tribe and lived out the rest of her days quietly in a new land.

The barrier allowed the european settlers to remain blissfully ignorant of the threat that had been at their very doorstep. Sidhe who had been trapped outside of the Nevernever sought out other crossing points for the most part. A few of the more stubborn among them chose to remain devouring any humans who crossed their paths. These disappearances were always blamed on the war, natives, or animal attacks. However as industry began to grow in Pittsburgh their weapons became more problematic. As soon as the city began producing mountains of iron and steel the few remaining Sidhe fled.

As the population swelled and the city continued to grow for years safely shielded by the magic of a long forgotten queen. Then the barrier came tumbling down. At almost the same time the steel industry collapsed due to foreign competition. With no barrier and no cold iron to keep them at the bay any longer Queen Mab turned her attention back to an grudge that they had been nursing for some time. The first sidhe to cross over were the trolls, hundreds of bridges made it a tempting hunting ground for the brutish creatures. Mab allowed the trolls to breed and run rampant, eventually leaving the creatures to their own devices as other affairs drew her attention.

While the trolls were busily feeding on Pittsburgh's flesh the White Court had begun to feed on it's soul. Members of House Raith had seen an opportunity to claim a seat of power within the impoverished city. Glittering with otherworldly beauty and much need money they began pumping life back into the city, at the same time opening it up to a more sinful view of life.

Trolls, and vampires aside the destruction of the barrier and the collapse of industry drew many other magical powers to the city. Some curious, some helpful, and some bloodthirsty. Faced with a threat they don't believe in the people of Pittsburgh are going to need all the help they can get.

Rainfall

Oh I freaking love that. I can't believe I didn't draw a connection to the steel industry and the Fae before.

With a mere 20-30 year gap between the collapse of the steel industry and modern-day, it really sets up Pittsburgh as fresh ground to be broken in by the supernatural factions. Even with the Vampire War having halted thanks to the events of Changes, it's a potentially bloody battleground for any group trying to get a foothold, and who wouldn't try to get a foothold?

Of course, the surge of supernatural interest and investment means that Pittsburgh is a boom town, but it's almost doomed to get bloody.

Some quick thoughts re: Juliette and Lady Maria before I head to bed:

Given that the White Court didn't move in until the city started suffering from economic collapse, it makes more sense to peg Juliette at around 28 years old. She's been a WCV for over a decade though, and it's not like she hasn't been watching her back the entire time, so the Submerged power level still flies.
Lady Maria, though, would be a fresh leader of the WCV pack that entered the city. That means that Lord Raith would have placed considerable trust in her, probably giving her Juliette as a child to legitimize her station by drawing her closer to the core of the family. With an upstart kid and a first-time leadership position, that more clearly defines her paranoia and fear of losing power, making it even more obvious when compared to other powerful supernaturals.
Juliette's supporters would mostly fall amongst the fresh blood in the White Court, those children who became vampires from her generation(although they probably turned later, without the stress Juliette got,) while the old guard, who would be more directly powerful, but less in number, support their given leader, as she'd already proven herself to the King in order to gain the position.

I just want to get that out of the way before we start actual city building, since I can go on and on adding layers of depth to any given concept I have, and I don't want to monopolize with my own character.

Now, re: Pittsburgh, I dug up a couple of cool urban legends and stuff when I was interneting around it the other day, and with Saku's supernatural history, I think this is going to be a totally badass city to work in.

Sakutian

Liking the updates Rainfall. I'm really glad that you're so enthusiastic about the supernatural history. Funnily enough one of the themes I have scrawled down as a note for tomorrow is Magical Boomtown.

Sakutian

Just want to remind everyone that City Creation will be going on tonight at 8:00 PM EST, if you haven't gotten me your contact info and it isn't on your profile be sure to do that. I don't want anyone to miss out. I'm excited to see what sort of places and faces this group will work up.

SanderJK

I got my sheet completed, Supernatural Powers at GM discretion, but I don't think I went overboard with anything.

Sakutian

Looks good to me, I was just glancing at it. I especially like the catch for your toughness. Very Smaug.

Just so everyone knows we are going to get rolling on city creation you'll be getting an invite from me in the next few minutes. FOr Meebo to work though you actually have to be longed into the chat program you use, or meebo itslef.

Super Namicchi

just waiting for some word

Sakutian

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm pleased with how this first planning session went. I'd like to continue tomorrow at some point but I realize everyone may not have the time for that. Let me know though so we can keep up a good momentum.

Rainfall

Gah, sorry I missed city creation, I got waylaid by two friends by the gas station on my way home. Fingers crossed I can make it tomorrow night, shouldn't be a problem but you never know.

Anyway, did you guys come up with any Themes, Locations, Faces, or ideas for any of the above? Might as well chat in the thread so the pubbies can envy us.

Sakutian

Not a big deal, everyone gets busy. I'm thinking of dividing City Creation between Chat and Thread posts.

Actually we didn't end getting a huge amount done, we didn't want to leave you out of vital input opportunity. We did settle of a Threat though as well as coming up with a couple of story ideas.

Threat: Dead things like to make their homes in Pittsburgh.
Aspect: Creeping Dead
Faces: Gregor Black Court Vampire Muscle, Marlow Undead Puppeteer.

This threat inspired talk of a conspiracy among the mortals who are in the know within Pittsburgh to keep the supernatural secret. There was also talk of zombie hunters.

We also batted around the idea of a Chimera and a Wild Hunt along Blue Mist Road as adventures.

I'm thinking there should be a theme called Magic Boomtown as well. Something like:

Theme: The collapse of the Never Never barrier and the steel industry caused all manner of supernatural forces to flock to the city in great numbers.
Aspect: Magic Boomtown
Faces: (Insert Faces)

Anarchy

Damm, it looks like I missed out on the action. Can I assume this game is full for now?

Sakutian

Yeah the game is full for now. If you want I can make you can be a replacement character if someone drops though.

SanderJK

If I understand correctly, p4 and p5 assignments are supposed to be another player playing setting up a story with them in it, then the player deciding how they would finish it. So I guess the GM could assign each player two characters?

I also may not be on tonight, it's quite late for me, and today was a busy day.

Sakutian

It's fine if you can't make it tonight. I can assign characters for P4 and P5 if that's what people want, but if you guys want to work out stories among yourselves that's fine too. Heck I could even roll lots so it's random and assign you guys. There are two adventures that we started working on last night. One involves a Chimera that is infecting Pitt students during attacks and turning them into weres. The other involves the Erl King and the Wild Hunt who emerge along Blue Mist Road chasing a couple.

Sakutian

QUick heads up, I've gotten hung up with some unpacking so I will probably be late tonight for city creation. AT the moment I'd say I'll be busy until about 9:30.

If you guys want to throw out ideas for themes/threats/places here feel free to do so.

Sakutian

Apologies for tonight's delay. I hope it gives you all time to come up with a few ideas and do a bit of research if nothing else.

I went ahead and worked up a couple of places on my own, using inspiration from last night's city creation session as well of course. Let me know what you guys think.

Name: University of Pittsburgh
Description: Sprawling party/sports college
Theme
The Idea:This place seems to be the first stop for everything big, mean, and with a hankering for human flesh.
The Aspect: Fresh Meat

Faces
Name: Chimera
Concept: Primal Avatar

Name: Jasmine Cartwirght
Concept: College Wizard

Name: Blue Mist Road
Description: A heavily forested stretch of road that is known for being the setting of many strange occurrences.
Theme
The Idea: An unusual weak point in the veil between worlds allows access to and from the never Never with unsettling ease.
The Aspect: Revolving Door to the Never Never

Faces
Name: Grove Redroot
Concept: Ghillie Due Hermit

Name: Fort Pitt Bridge
Description: One of the oldest and largest bridges in Pittsburgh.
Threat
The Idea: This bridge is the hunting ground of the biggest, toughest, and most deadly troll in the city. At the moment that is the Grimali Troll King.
Aspect: Troll King's Lair

Faces
Name: Grimali
Concept: King of the Bridge Trolls

Sakutian

If anybody is able to get on Meebo again tonight for some city creation I'll be around. I'm figuring since it's the weekend at this point most of you aren't going to be able to. Here's my thought. Use the weekend to research and generate some ideas. monday and tuesday will be the days when we wrap things up, and if we finish early enough on tuesday we can actually start playing.

On another note I set up an obsidian portal page for Bridges to Nowhere. Not much to see there right now but as we go along it'll get more built up. I found it to be a handy tool for the Bloody Kansas campaign.

http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/bridges-to-nowhere

Sakutian

How do you guys feel about Denarians?

Pneumatic Horseman

Terrified.

Like the other stuff, will fill in anything I think of as I get some time.

Sakutian

I was thinking of having a former Denarian, someone who was freed from their influence by one of the Knights of the Cross. High Concept: Semi-Reformed Denarian. Not a good guy exactly but not the baddest one around.

Super Namicchi

definitely sounds like something sanya would do, seeing as he's a freed denarian himself

Sakutian

Yeah I could see Sanya being the one to free him.

Reptar

Damn. Looks like I missed this one. Good to see someone running a Dresden Game though, and I'm sure I'll peek in every so often to see what's going on.

Rainfall

*cough*

Okay, so I'm going to tentatively place myself on standby here. This weekend got a little crazy, and suddenly my time is consumed entirely(in the very good way.)

I want to dig my teeth into this game because it seems pretty awesome so far, but I just don't have the free time to participate in realtime city-building/playing sessions right now(which totally sucks, I love Juliette as a character)

That being said, there's a bunch of interesting urban legends in Pittsburgh, the one that caught my eye being the crashed B-25 bomber in the Monongahela River. The entire crew of six was rescued by a strange government agency, along with a mysterious 'seventh man,' of which no details are known. Perhaps a Sidhe who was trying to get back into the city via mortal agency? Perhaps a Denarian conspiracy? Lots of interesting ideas to be pulled from that, but it would make an interesting character or adventure, for sure.

Sakutian

Well Rianfall I'd be sad to lose you, I love your character and your contributions so far have been great. For what it's worth the play sessions will not be real time. We're just going to be making posts in an IC thread I'll be making once city/character creation is done. If you can't participate in real time city creation that's fine. Just post any ideas you have, we'll work out your character phases the same way. I'm not going to kick you out for being busy. If you can make regular posts, like once a day, I'm happy to have you on board as a player.

I love that legend of the bomber going down, hadn't heard it before. That's a very nice find.

Edit: If you could choose a Pittsburgh neighborhood for the White Court vampires to hang their hats in that would be fantastic. If not I'll manage.

Sakutian

I'm thinking of making a theme of Pittsburgh "There's No Such Thing As Monsters!", the face of which would be Pittsburgh's Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. The mayor insists that anything strange going on in the city has a logical explanation, this leads to people being unable to cope with the things that go bump in the night. At the same time anyone who tries to deal with them or let people know what's happening is treated like a lunatic.

Super Namicchi

unfortunately due to time constraints i'm gonna have to bow out too good luck

Rainfall

Arc, you suck!

If we're just doing this pbp, yeah I can post reliably, I'm not stuck away from the internet, just can't guarantee multiple free hours in a row.

Anyway, ideas! The first one is just giving a face to the first theme we worked out, I guess. The others are mostly locations!

Theme: Supernaturals are flooding into Pittsburgh!
Aspect: Magic Boom Town
Face: Warden Bill Shaughnessy, the only 'sheriff' in town.

Location(Generic Zone?): The Strip District
Aspect: Business is Booming
Face: Lady Maria, leader of the Pittsburgh White Court and heavy investor in the district.
I figure that as the clubbing district, the White Court would instinctively make their way here. With careful investment and allure, Lady Maria is ensuring that her people will have a place to feed for the future.

Location: Bliss, a nightclub in the Strip District and where the White Court meets informally.
Aspect: Whatever You Want, We Have
Face: Dorian, White Court bartender
While the White Court officially meets somewhere else(Lady Maria's mansion on Troy Hill, most likely,) an informal gathering place where they can feed and discuss minor business is only natural, especially one located in the center of their power zone.

Location: Saint Anthony's Chapel
Aspect: Sacred Relics
Face: Father Steven Kraus, True Believer
Churches! Saint Anthony's Chapel has about 5,000 certified relics, the largest collection of relics in the world outside of the Vatican itself. You can't tell me that's not an awesome place for a churchy thing.

Sakutian

First, since two out of five players have made noise about dropping today if anyway else is thinking along similar lines let me know. I realize people get busy and sometimes you just don't have time for games.

Rainfall, love everything you've suggested. My only suggestion is that there are probably going to be several faces for Magic Boomtown. I like the idea of the Warden though, could you give me some info on how you see the character? I like the idea of Father Kraus being this relic keeper, full os possibilities.

On another note the last time we spoke a couple people were talking about having a group of hunters who prey on the supernatural. Or possibly zombie hunters. Sort of like Kraven the Hunter of the undead. Loved the idea. If anyone developed more on it I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.

I've update our timeline a bit. I think friday is going to be our actual start date for the game now. Also since it seems Arc is leaving us, and I am sad to see the great GM/player that gave us Bloody Kansas leaving, I guess we've got an opening. If there are any aspiring wizards out there who care to take up the blasting rod and blast some unclean creatures back to the Never never now is you chance.

Reptar

I hate to be a vulture but I'd love to jump in. It's a bit late though but I'll definitely have a character concept and trouble and such up tomorrow morning, if that's alright?

Sakutian

Sure that will be fine.

Radical Ans

Please tell me you're including Monroeville Mall in your game.