Alright - as we come down to the Wire I have modified the original concept.
I'm intrigued by the idea that Dr John Watson was based on a real person. Certainly the idea has been floated many times. The name is rather too similar to Doyle's colleague Dr James Watson.
I'd like to rather ignore the reality and claim John Watson was in fact based on someone Doyle knew - George Fitzroy.
Fitzroy was a prodigy, quickly achieving academic excellence in a number of fields as a lad, becoming obsessed with studies such as anthropology, mythology, chemistry, mathematics, alchemy and theology. Within these studies - and funded by his family - he spent large amounts of time and money, and actually managed to puzzle out the fundamentals of magic. From here he started to associate with the Golden Dawn.
Furious that his son was wasting his talents, his father instructed him to abandon such pursuits and commit himself to a true course.
Fitzroy took up medicine with vigor, quickly achieving his MD, and further pleased his father by becoming an army medic.
On his father's death, Fitzroy returned from India a different - broken - man. As he helped his mother through her mourning, a series of grisly murders - of which his father appeared to be one - occured in his parish. He convinced the local constabulary to allow him to assist.
His widespread knowledge, and forensic medical skills allowed them to make great headway, and the murderer was soon caught.
When another set of murders occurred, he was again called in. This time four children had been killed, with nary a clue. As the body count rose, desperate to stop the murderer, Fitzroy reached out to his old contacts, managed to obtain access to a page from a dark grimoire, and one night interrogated the latest victim about his killer. Knowing the description of the man, he discovered how to fit clues together in such a way as to point out the true killer.
His name was in the papers - briefly - for such an extreme ability to piece together disparate clues.
Human Wizard (Exploiter) 2
Str 10 Dex 12 Con 13 Int 18 Wis 14 Cha 10
Bab +1 Fort +1 Reflex +1 Will +3
HP 12
Skills: Heal +8, Perception +11(13), Knowledges (all) +8, Appraise +8, Spellcraft +8, Linguistics +8, Craft (Alchemy) +1, Sense Motive +3(5), Bluff +1
Feats: Amateur Investigator, Skill Focus (Perception), Scribe Scroll
Traits: Battlefield Surgeon, Valashmai Veteran, Student of Philosophy, Overprotective
Exploits: Familiar (Dog)
Five things that define the character
Doctor (trained to heal and protect)
Still establishing himself
Obsessed with knowledge, and magic
Caught in his own reputation as a great detective
A gentleman. Comes from a well-to-do family, and is looking after his mother.
Goals
Get a REAL spellbook
Discover magic is corruptive (end of arc, please)
Secrets
Fitzroy is nowhere near the detective his reputation paints, as he uses magic to cheat.
One of Fitzroy’s friends from the Golden Dawn was his lover, and has borne his child - something even he does not know.
Ties
1. Arthur Doyle. An old school friend, the two spend quite a bit of time together.
2. Gwendolyn Fitzroy - George’s mother. Her husband’s murder has left her fragile mentally and physically. Anytime George starts to get a regular job she seems to take a turn for the worse.
3. Sarah Percy. Sarah was George’s lover in the Golden Dawn. George abandoned her to please his father, not knowing she was pregnant. Sarah was kicked from home, and turned to magic to survive, thriving in the Golden Dawn. Recently George has returned to the fold to find his ex-lover now a leading light in the only occult organisation he knows.
Three Memories
His first spell. Simply an incantation that created wytchlight, it was enough to prove to him that magic was real, and that humanity’s fundamental understanding of the way the cosmos worked was flawed.
PTSD of his memories of an attack in India. Watching a man die twenty feet away because they were pinned down.
The satisfaction he felt when he helped catch his father’s killer.
Folks - I'll reluctantly have to withdraw my hat from this recruitment - an old game thought lost has stirred to life, so I'll be somewhat stretched.
There are already some superb pitches, so I think this one has excellent company already :)
GM-DbS: Thanks for the consideration and a beguilingly interesting setting - rest assured I'll be lurking with interest.
Cheers
BD
Sorry to hear. Your proposed character was quite intriguing. Thanks for your interest. Good luck!
I decided to go for a very different kind of character. He'd also be exotic but in a very different way.
Considering the Britsih Empire is still very much alive and kicking by the time of the game I decided to use that for inspiration.
Meet Caelan Singh (The profile isn't done yet).
He is the youngest son of a Scottish officer stationed in what was then the Punjab region of India after the Anglo-Sikh wars. After fighting closely together with a Sikh unit during the later Indian Rebellion of 1857 Caelan's father converted to Sikhism and married a Sikh woman. As such Caelan was raised as a Sikh and carries the last name Singh instead of his father's original Reid.
Recently his father passed away and Caelan was sent first to Glasgow to inform his grand parents and some aunts and uncles and now to London to inform the rest of the family as well London's East India Club (a gentleman's club) that his father joined shortly before departing for India.
The character would be a familiar stranger in a wholly strange land. He has grown up far away but looks mostly like a Scotsman, including a red beard. People tend to frown at his style of dress, which is according to his faith, especially combined with both his Glaswegian accent on his English and the fact he is fluent in Punjabi.
As far as the character itself goes, the idea is that he brings a different view to what's happening in the city. He on the other hand would be thrust into a society that he only partially understands while they expect him to be right at home.
EDIT: As far as role goes, I guess he'd fit in the Investigator to some extent. Beyond that it would be closest to the one familiar with darkness, only it would be the occult and esoteric in general instead of darkness.
I couldn't get the link to work.
I couldn't get the link to work.
That is because I changed my mind due to the lack of proper Brits within the current group. Though actually it was mostly because I couldn't figure out how to make the mechanical concept I had for the character work in a world with very limited access to magic items.
Instead I'll be submitting Malcolm Reid. He is a Witch using the Alley Witch and Hedge Witch archetype who is truly in touch with the city (basically London is his patron). He'd fill the young doctor role though he also uses his magic to heal people, hiding his magic using the Conceal Spell feat.
His gear isn't done yet but the rest is. His familiar is a somewhat scruffy red cat.
Instead Malcolm spent his hours either on the streets or performing odd jobs at the King's College Hospital, where his mother worked. There he'd help clean the halls or eavesdrop on the classes where the nurses in training, including his older sister, were taught.
Eventually he returned to the factory floor but with a very clear goal in mind: he wanted to become a doctor and needed the money to pay tuition. What he hadn't counted on was that he'd also need more education beyond his primary school years before he'd be able to enrol at King's College.
Even after being rejected by the King's College for lack of education Malcolm bluffed his way into lectures. While he got the jest of things and easily surpassed any first year student on subjects like anatomy and proper treatment of common illnesses he soon found he could not comprehend the theoretical lectures nor did he have the patience for them. He wanted to help people, not learn about obscure diseases found only in darkest Africa.
So he stopped going to the College and he stopped going to the hospitals. Instead he started frequenting the poorer, seedier parts of town. These were the places where the people truly needed help and where they were least likely to get it.
It was there that his strange abilities first manifested. He was treating a baby girl with a bad case of whooping cough and he feared for the infants life. As he was trying to make the child as comfortable as it could be, a red cat settled at Malcolm's side. Initially he wanted to shoo the feline away but something about it made him hesitate. Then, as the cat rubbed up against Malcolm's legs his hands glowed. Shortly after the light went from his hands into the infant and then back into he hands before fading. The child had stopped coughing and instead smiled happily but now Malcolm was coughing in her place.
Malcolm found that, with the help of his new found feline friend, he could channel some sort of power, magic perhaps, from the city itself, though he surmised it would only work if used for the betterment of the city's populace. He hid his abilities as well as he could but sometimes people still caught glimpses of what he did when treating the sick and soon rumours spread about a man working miracles, curing those children that had already been given up on.
As such he has little patience or understanding for those who would treat children unkindly, especially if for their own gain.
As a result of his tireless work there is very little time for him to actually make money. Many parents are very thankful for his work but they rarely even have enough money to feed themselves. All the money he does make is by selling his services as a medic to those of higher social status with illnesses they'd rather keep out of the public eye. For them he makes a myriad of ointments and tinctures to treat whatever ails them.
He almost always carries a doctor's case with him, filled to the brim with all kind of tools to help him with his work as well as a large assortment of simple herbal remedies.
Malcolm is always followed by a large, scruffy, red cat. This cat, which he named Hopkins, is entirely red with the exception of a white sock on his front left paw. The creature's bright green eyes seem unnerve adults while children adore the friendly cat.
|
Male Human Avowed 2
Gerald Dunham CR 1
TN Medium Humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Confusion Sense 30ft; Perception +4
===== Defense =====
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10; (+1 Dex)
hp 15 (2d8+2)
Fort 3, Ref 1, Will 2
Defensive Abilities Old One Attunement
===== Offense =====
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Aether Lance +5 (1d8+6) 15ft line
Ranged Aether Pulse +2 (1d8)
Special Attacks Aether Pulse,
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 2nd)
At will--Hidden Knowledge, Resonance Pulse (DC 15), Aether Grasp, Aether Lance, Aether Pulse DC 15
===== Statistics =====
Str 18, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; CMB +5, (+10 Aether Grasp to Grapple)
Feats Aetheric Armor, Embodiment of Aether, Merciful Pulse
Skills Bluff +6, Diplomacy +6, Intimidate +6, Knowledge : Planes +8(+6 Hidden Knowledge) Knowledge: Arcana +7 (+6 Hidden Knowledge), Knowledge: History +8 (+6 Hidden Knowledge), Perception +4
Languages English, Aklo, R'lyehian (Read, unpronouncable)
SQ
Combat Gear ; Other Gear 2000 GP to spend
===== Special Abilities =====
Hidden Knowledge Open a path fo unknown, eldritch knowledge, gaining a +6 to all Knowledge skills, and may use untrained..
Aether Pulse Ranged Touch Attack, deals 1d8 damage.
Aether Lance Make a melee attack in a line, rolling once and comparing to AC of all creatures hit. May move to furthest unoccupied space within the line as a free action, does not provoke.
Aether Grasp Grapple, add Charisma (Replaced by Embodiment of Aether with Strength) as a bonus, deal Aether Pulse damage every time grapple is maintained.
Aetheric Armor Proficiency in Medium and Heavy armor, and movement speeds are not reduced for using it.
Old One Pact Attunement All fear affects are reduced in severity one step. If struck in one turn for at least half maximum HP, may discorproate for 2 rounds, healing 1/4 HP each turn, and becoming untargetable and undamageable. May move through other creatures' spaces, ignore difficult terrain, cannot end turn in another creature's space.
Embodiment of Aether You can use your strength instead of Charisma to determine the save DCs of your aether pulse, clause, and pact abilities, as well as the effects of such abilities that rely on Charisma. Also add Strength as a bonus to Concentration checks and UMD. If you die, resurrection spell costs are halved.
Merciful Pulse You may deal Nonlethal damage with your Aether Pulse.
I haven't done gear, since I'm not sure if there are going to be some alternate armors or not.
I've got to go for a while, hopefully I can get back in time to finalize and post Background, Personality, and appearance.
Broad strokes; Troublesome young man from the streets, down on his luck, assaulted and attempted conversion by cultists. While the ceonnection was made, his mind (barely) withstood it, the eldritch flow of knowledge addling his mind even as it was expanded. A once reckless youth now has little common sense, though he's been graced with arcane smarts and superior strength.
As for personality, he's a bit of a reckless fellow, more inclined to hit first, ask questions maybe, but doesn't really want to kill anyone if he can help it, just subdue long enough to do as he needs to.
I present Doc Pentecost for consideration. All the background info and crunch are under this alias. He is a practicing doctor and uses alchemy to help with his work. Of late, with all the problems being reported he has started traveling armed. And his armaments include both bombs and a feral mutagen that transforms the doctor into, well, into something else. He plans it as his last resort but in truth he has come to enjoy the feeling of power the mutagen brings.
** spoiler omitted **...
We can always make adjustments in the discussion thread when recruiting closes.
Link to my submission: Edgar Stone, a native Londoner and policeman of questionable ethics. I scrapped my archaeologist idea due to the plethora of mystically endowed characters. I'm still working out his equipment and finishing up his 10 minute background, but wanted to get my submission in before time was up; my basic idea is that he's a poor boy from Whitechapel who went from a street-fighting man to a policeman.
Edgar's done, save for equipment. Wasn't sure what else would really be appropriate outside of his policeman's gear and some reinforced leathers he wears underneath. Is it possible to spend money on a residence?
I just clicked on this and I feel like I'm cutting this way too close, but an idea simply leaped out at me when I saw this prompt and I really wanna try to throw my hat into this; a Vishkanya from Greece, since Greece and the UK maintained amicable relations with each other during this time period and snakes play a potent part in mythic Greek symbology, it seems possible that someone a little more reptilian than normal might be born every now and then; some genetic "blessing" popping up occasionally among humans, if that idea's acceptable. I'm still tinkering with the specifics of his personality, but I'm pitching the idea for his race so I know if I need to change it. He'd have the "Subtle Appearance" racial trait so he didn't stand out too much.
More questions; would it be possible for me to take the talents "Card Sharp" and "Papercraft Tools" as an Unchained Rogue? I'm looking at a Sczarni Swindler, and between the fast-talking, the "Let Fate Decide" class feature, and the breakneck speed sleight of hand there's just no way I can let this character become a reality without being able to do amazing things with playing cards. Things like actually injuring opponents with them, or folding them over on themselves in just the right way to pick a lock.
In a more fluff-based question, would I be able to reflavor Harrow cards as a kind of card specifically created for throwing and edged with razors? Maybe if I took Craft: Weapon and made the things myself?
More questions; would it be possible for me to take the talents "Card Sharp" and "Papercraft Tools" as an Unchained Rogue? I'm looking at a Sczarni Swindler, and between the fast-talking, the "Let Fate Decide" class feature, and the breakneck speed sleight of hand there's just no way I can let this character become a reality without being able to do amazing things with playing cards. Things like actually injuring opponents with them, or folding them over on themselves in just the right way to pick a lock.
In a more fluff-based question, would I be able to reflavor Harrow cards as a kind of card specifically created for throwing and edged with razors? Maybe if I took Craft: Weapon and made the things myself?
Yes. I will allow it. I'm very excited about this concept. I hope that you can complete it in 3 hours.
Josh Ingle here. This is my con man, Altair Nikos. I've had to add the playing cards in twice; once as the playing card decks they actually are, and once as weightless darts so that Herolab will calculate my attack rolls and track my ammunition. Altair carries a significant number of cards. With that, I must retire to bed. Thanks for letting me toss my hat in the ring; it was fun making this character. I hardly ever get a chance to do historical fantasy with Pathfinder. :)
Welcome,
Brother Thomas
Reagan Faolan
Gerald Dunham
George Fitzroy
Edgar Stone
Altair Nikos
Please head over to the discussion thread. We will sync aliases and discuss equipment and magic!
Recruitment is now closed. Thanks to all for your submissions.
Awww.... Dang. Congrats!
Well rats. I really liked the sound of this one and worked pretty hard on my candidate. Oh well. Congrats to those chosen. Please keep me in mind if someone drops.