Dresden Files RPG: Low Profile OOC

Sakutian

I knew Starbucks had evil at it's core.

Cala

The poor caffeinomancers are probably caught in the crossfire of the turf war.

Sakutian

Alright the window for submitting interest is now closed!

I will be selecting the players who will take part in the game shortly.

Sakutian

Alright I have made my choices. Thank you to everyone who chose to present an interest in this, I wish I could run a agame for everyone but that just isn;t possible. The following players are the Low Life party:

Destroyah87
Kilnaga
Cala

Please begin making your characters and coordinating with one another when you can. I'd like to have character creation completed by the end of the week at the latest so we can get this game started.

Kilnaga

I may need some slight hand holding through the creation process, but as we're working together to build backstory I don't think it'll be too big an issue. :P

Sakutian

Elves are good at handholding Kilnaga. We've got you covered.



The first three phases of your story are yours to do with as you wish within reason of course. Let me know if I can do anything to help guide you through the process of character creation.

Kilnaga

I think I'd like to have a parent (or both) killed by demons. That's totally the best way to scar a kid and set him on a path to hunt them down for the rest of his life. :P

I'm totally open to suggestions on who/what the demon should be. I'd think he's still searching for leads on who/what it may have been and who summoned the thing and set it upon them at this stage. Since we have a demon roaming around DC politicos already, I'm thinking a certain politico may have gone deep dark with repeated dealings and moved on up to from the cat to working with a heavier hitter. I think to tie it in, the parent may have been a Lobbyist or some sort of low level government type who saw/heard/read something there weren't supposed to and needed to be eliminated.

If you have any ideas as to how I could better tie that into the setting I'd love to hear them.

Sakutian

Having one or both parents killed by demons seems like a solid start, I really like the idea of one of them being a lobbyist or government worker of some sort. Gives you a nice tie to the demon element, the city, and a face all in one go. Plus it doesn't take much imagination to picture a someone in politics who is willing to make a deal with a devil. Now getting to DC isn't always easy. I mean there is a Warden and the secret service to contend with. I don't imagine every lobbyist or whatever can get in and out whenever they want to. Perhaps your character's parent was forced to resort to summoning up a demon for information or power? As we all know summoning can go very badly if you get it wrong and in this case maybe something did. Both parents wind up dead leaving a child spared for some reason.

The idea of a parent being murdered for knowing too much is also good and very neat. I like the idea of it being unclear what they knew or who sent the demon to finish them off as well.

If you haven't read Backup yet you might want to check it out. Your character practically screams to be a player in the Oblivion War. At least in my mind.

Just to clarify something about one of the faces you are going to be dealing with before we go anyt further. In terms of raw power DC is a badass. I mean he doesn't go around flashing it like certain posh demons but he is responsible for some of the most damaging things to ever take place in American history. Think Harry's fairy godmother and you'd be in the right area.

Kilnaga

Well shit, just reading over the plot synopsis, I do kind of fit right in there don't I? :P

It might fit to actually have my guy be a member of the Venatori somehow, or at the very least a member of the Umbrorum. Hmmm...

Sakutian wrote: »

In terms of raw power DC is a badass. I mean he doesn't go around flashing it like certain posh demons but he is responsible for some of the most damaging things to ever take place in American history. Think Harry's fairy godmother and you'd be in the right area.

So quite the super badass indeed then.

Kilnaga

Since DC is on super lock down in the White House, would I not know about him ahead of time then? If he's such a major player, I could just use him as the big bad from my back story and I just know nothing about him to start with.

Kilnaga

Also, whereabouts age-wise are Anansi and Jennifer Reiley, particularly the latter? My guy is going to be a practitioner and a bookstore owner, and I planned to make Lore his best skill. I'm sure I'd have crossed at least one of their paths as well.

Sakutian

Anansi's age is unknown. Jennifer is a twenty. For the record while he is clearly not a demon Anansi is not human and is generally approached with caution by the majority of D.C.'s occupants. Usually he will trade information for information or favors. Bartering with him is not something that should be taken lightly.

Everyone knows about DC since he is such an urban legend even mortals haveheard of him. Actually meeting him is a rare thing though.

I could see your character as one of the Venatori very easily. Running with the bookshop owner he could see if any groups are picking up the sort of books one might want when they are trying to call up one of the Old Ones, or any demon for that matter.

Kilnaga

Sakutian wrote: »

Anansi's age is unknown. Jennifer is a twenty.

Everyone knows about DC since he is such an urban legend even mortals haveheard of him. Actually meeting him is a rare thing though.

I could see your character as one of the Venatori very easily. Running with the bookshop owner he could see if any groups are picking up the sort of books one might want when they are trying to call up one of the Old Ones, or any demon for that matter.

He may even have some of those books stashed away himself (Not that he'd ever dare use them of course).

If Jenny is the overeager researcher type, I'm sure she may have popped into the store looking for books the LoC may not have. I'm planning on the store trafficking in more used/rare books. It'll be more of a little, run down, old timey, hole in the wall joint.


So I know of DC. I'd be smart enough to know there is likely more to the story than just rumor, with the knowledge I'd have about demons. I'd never have met/seen him. I'd probably have never summoned him myself either because:
1) I probably wouldn't have access to his True Name from just rumors
2) He's so damn strong I probably wouldn't risk trying to contain him

I think my character would end up with DC high on his list of suspects, but lack access to him to confirm those suspicions (Until we run into him, if we somehow do).

I'm sure I'd also know the local Warden (or at least he'd know about me). Dealing in the demonic area of magic would kind of put the White Council up my ass.

Sakutian

I think the fact that you don't go around summoning demons like a madman or providing how to guides works in your favor. Plus remember the White Council used Dracula to bring down the Black Court. They like using literature to weaken dark magic and their various enemies.

Kilnaga

Sakutian wrote: »

I think the fact that you don't go around summoning demons like a madman or providing how to guides works in your favor. Plus remember the White Council used Dracula to bring down the Black Court. They like using literature to weaken dark magic and their various enemies.

So, on my ass for the "first case" part of my background maybe, until I proved myself.

Sakutian

Generally assume the White Council is on your ass.

Desy

Sak, are you going to be around after 5 central today?

I have some different ideas for character(s) that I could run by you.

Sakutian

I have the whole day off.

Cala

So, for my character, I'm thinking that similar to SI in the books, he got shunted off to the "black sheep" arm of the government where he has to deal with all the weird cases. I'm still thinking of a reason why. Maybe because all the "strange" stuff always happens wherever he is. Any suggestions on an idea for a department that would handle these x-files type cases?

Of course, the wardens have never been particularly fond of him due to his guilt inducing power coming awfully close to breaking one of the laws of magic so he has even more incentive to stay on their good side by making sure none of the supernatural cases ever come fully into the light.

Considering my need to research the supernatural, perhaps I'd be a regular customer at Kilnaga's character's bookstore?

Desy

Ok, so this was not what I thought I'd play at all. But I can't get this character out of my head (Do have a few other ideas, but nothing that coalesced in my head as fast as this.) So I submit for your consideration...

Rough ideas of Aspects.

Francis Drake Stone, Stage Magician and Wizard.

High Concept: The Fabulous Francisco! Stage Wizard Extraordinaire!
Trouble: Out of His Depth. Francis is prone to jumping headfirst into situations to help or protect people. It's got him into no end of trouble over the years.
Phase 1, Background: Troubled Waters. Having made a deal with the Summer Fae known only as the Lady of the Lake, a young Francis was forced to leave Washington D.C. and travel the landlocked continental US with his young mother.
Phase 2, Rising Conflict: Somebody Has To. In the mountains of Appalachia, Francis must step up to save a mining town from destruction. A rogue Bigfoot, wanting to remove the dirty infesting humans, is working to undermine an earthen dam above the town. Emerging triumphant, although a little battered, Francis gains a large measure of confidence.
Phase 3, First Adventure: This old dog still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

I have some other ideas of the '?' aspects (except the trouble, drawing a blank there) but none of them really Pop, or all reflect back to his travelling days on the Stage or his magic. Thinking he settled in DC because it's as good a place as any or he has family here. I get a picture of him as almost a travelling warden, coming into town with a circus or travelling show, digging into the supernatural side of the location and doing what needs doing. That and maybe keeping an eye out for any budding magical talents. One idea for another aspect would deal with his mentor status in those days.

Let me know what you guys think.

Edit: Sorry Sak, my irc chat program didn't blink when you messaged me at 6:50. I'm sitting in #darktimes if you feel the need/want to chat.

Super Namicchi

you gotta have something involving your wizardness in your high concept mang

Kilnaga

Ohh, ohh... progress! I'm kind of maybe doing some things out of order. I'm just getting things out of my head as they come in.

Campaign: Low Life
Character Name: Nathaniel “Nate” Roger Wallace
Template: Focused Practitioner
--Musts:
----Channeling [-2]
----Ritual [-2]
High Concept: Venatori
Phase One - Background:
--Nate Wallace was born and raised in the DC suburbs; the only child of a well-to-do professional couple. His father was a corporate banker and his mother was a congressional campaign manager. Nate was a bookish child, he loved to read. Because of this he had few friends, and instead of playing outside with the rest of the neighborhood kids he would often spend his days hiding in cupboards or under beds with a flashlight and a book.
--Aspect:
Phase Two - Rising Conflict:
--Aspect: Lexicon Malos
Phase Three - The Story:
--Story Title: Binding Shadows
--Guest Starring:
--Aspect: Bound to a Secret Order
Phase Four - Guest Star:
--Story Title:
--Whose Story? Who else was present?:
--Aspect:
Phase Five - Guest Star Redux:
--Story Title:
--Whose Story? Who else was present?:
--Aspect:

Note: I stole the names from a bunch of authors, just to keep in theme with the bookstore. :P

Sakutian

Cala I would imagine every city has some version of SI. The odd and the unexplained has to be put into a neat little box for al of the mortals to accept it without having nightmares. Perhaps he gets dumped in there because he ticks of the higher ups? I would try and avoid just doing a Dresden Files version of the X-Files. They're probably going to be burned out government employees for the most part with a small cell who actually know that the supernatural is real. Not a squad of Mulder and Scully duplicates.

You might want to rethink the incite emotion idea. It isn't terrible or anything and if you stick to it that is fine. It just seems like a very limited thing that is going to cause you some problems. Including ticking off the White Council.

Here would be my questions for the character.
1) How was he exposed to the supernatural?
2) How did he end up in this special branch of investigations?
3) If you stick with the incite emotion idea why does he have that power? What is the source?

I mean it would be easy to make a SI cop who is empowered as an agent of Themis and I appreciate that you are trying to do something a bit more unique. I've got to think that incite emotion means you have geranl mental magic, ties to a supernatural parent, or you haven't tapped your full ability. That's just my two cents though.

Cala

Doesn't the stage wizard in his high concept already involve enough wizardry? Although, I suppose you could argue you can never have enough wizardry...

Sak, do you mind if I change from induce guilt to induce anxiety? It fits a bit better into what I have in mind currently.

Here's my current idea:
Character: Ethan Lam
High Concept: Anxiety Inducing Paranormal Investigator
Trouble: Conflicting Mandates (White council wants him to keep the supernatural a secret, department wants detailed explanations of events. Ethan personally wishes he could tell people so that they can better prepare and protect themselves.)
Aspects: Distractingly Conspicuous. Ethan can't help but attract attention to himself due to his flashy clothes, mannerisms, and penchant for wearing a fedora; much to the chagrin of his fellow investigators.
Where Angels Fear to Tread. Ethan is fearless about running into dangerous situations even when it would behoove him to display more caution.

As a child, Ethan subconsciously induced anxiety in other kids and had a hard time making friends and was baffled by this. Inspired by the comic books that he was always reading, he decided that he merely needed to attract more attention to himself by being the neighborhood daredevil. He probably learns about the white council at some point while he's growing up and learns to control his minor talent.

I'm still considering adding more aspects and possibly changing his trouble as I'm not sure if it has enough hooks in it or not.

Sakutian

Alright Kilnaga I have some notes for you to think on as you continue.

1) I like the first few aspects you have worked out and I look forward to seeing the story phases you develop to go along with them.
2) Your High Concept is very on the nose and it makes no mention of his shopkeer day job. Unless you scrubbed that portion of events you might want to fuego it up a bit. "The Only Occult Bookshop Owner in D.C." for example. I just changed a few words from Harry Dresden's High Concept for that one but I think you get the idea. I think Bound to a Secret Order more that qualifies you for the Venatori portion of events.
3) Are you planning to have his parents die in the first phase?

Kilnaga

2) I'll change the concept to include the shopkeeper portion, because i'd very much like to keep that aspect.
3) Yes, I just need to think of what would make a decent aspect for the phase (My fleshing out the background for that phase isn't finished yet).

Although, as a FP, doesn't my HC have to have something mentioning my focus? That's why I stuck with that. Maybe I can change the bound to the order one to something bookshop related?

Sakutian

I think that Trouble would work pretty well Cala. What Template are you thinking of working from? I'm guessing Minor Talent correct?

Cala

Hmmm that's true that the incite emotions power might be quite limiting in practice. Maybe I'll rethink that portion. You mentioned agent of Themis? That might actually be an interesting idea. Perhaps I'll take a look at the emissary of power template again.

Sakutian

I think you could do something really cool with that, especially since you already expressed an interest in that template.

Cala

Actually that's a great idea. I had never heard of Themis before and now that I'm reading up on her, things are starting to come together in my mind.

As a kid, Ethan was constantly reading comic books and developed a strong sense of justice. Wrongs had to be righted and villains should always get their just desserts. This attitude however, quickly got him in trouble once he was fresh out of the police academy. At some point, he attracts the attention of Themis and gains her favor.

Unlike everyone else in SI, he actually volunteers to join that department once he finds out what they're responsible for. His exuberance is only slightly dulled upon seeing the faces of his new co-workers and realizing that almost everyone there was forced to work there due to past transgressions.

Based on the description of Themis, I was thinking powers along the lines of something like Cassandra's tears (limited uncontrollable precognition) and the ability to dispel illusions/glamours.

Kilnaga

More progress, also google docs.

Kilnaga

Being super inexperienced with this character creation process, I seem to have hit a wall. Looking at all these stunts/powers, I don't really see many I can take that fit my Focus. ;>_>

If my focus is taking out demonic influence on our plane of existence, how the hell would you use that as Channeling? I pretty much have no evocations and a small application of ritualistic thaumaturgy. I can summon and trap them, and I can ward like nobody's business. I can probably perform a mean exorcism as well. I may need help figuring out ways to be incredibly badass at those few things if that is all I can do.

I can also read books like a champ.

I'm thinking I might just need to take multiple HQ Workspace and Refinement stunts.

Sakutian

Cala the ability to see through illusions and limited precognition are both very good choices for an agent of Themis. I've got no problem whatsoever with you choosing to take on either of those abilities. This version Ethan seems to work much better and I think it gives you far more fun play options.

Sorry that you've hit a bit of a wall Kilnaga, I'm just looking over your sheet so please give me a bit and I will get back to you.

Kilnaga

It might be worth it to just tweak my guy and make him a full blown wizard so that he can actually do spells. Then I could just tweak his skills/powers so that he's still severely focused on one thing.

Sakutian

You don't have to be a full blown wizard to do spells though.

Kilnaga

But I have to do spells within my focus. I'm just not seeing what spells outside of summoning/warding/exorcism fit that focus. :P

Sakutian

I'l admit that playing a focuse practitioner does make evocation take some more thought than usual. I find thinking of manuevers rather than attacks gives me more ideas. Anything that can give you an advantage over a demon is a good thing. Perhaps a manuever that targets demons attempting to mask themselves in shadows?

A shield spell specifically designed to tackle Hellfire might be nice.

Sakutian

I just thought of something. How about an evocation that is sort of like the magical conunterpart of a stungun targeted to demons specifically. Doesn't have any effect on human or other creatures. Perhaps the ectoplasm demons form there bodies from is slightly unique in some way. It'd make sense. Sort of like the way soil from different parts of the world contains different minerals. You could go for straight up damage, or may just apply a temporary aspect like "Shaken Up" to a target. Heck with your Lore you have enough rote spells to go for both if you want to.

Kilnaga

Sakutian wrote: »

I just thought of something. How about an evocation that is sort of like the magical conunterpart of a stungun targeted to demons specifically. Doesn't have any effect on human or other creatures. Perhaps the ectoplasm demons form there bodies from is slightly unique in some way. It'd make sense. Sort of like the way soil from different parts of the world contains different minerals. You could go for straight up damage, or may just apply a temporary aspect like "Shaken Up" to a target. Heck with your Lore you have enough rote spells to go for both if you want to.

If its targeted at ectoplasm then it would be able to hit other creatures made of the same stuff as well? Those ideas sound pretty sweet. Hmm...

Sakutian

Well again think of it as only targeting ectoplasm linked to a demon. Maybe there is some kind of feedback through the Nevernever to their actual body and it weakens their hold on their temporary form. I don't know if that would actually work. Sorry I'm not Bob.