DM Ryuko's Rotten Apple DFRPG (Inactive)

Game Master Ryuko

Hey guys, post up full character sheets here, along with working together to get your guest star appearances together. I decided on NYC and will be posting up as much of the city as I can put together quickly later tonight. Remember, whoever your first guest star is with, you have to create one area or neighborhood for them, including a theme/threat and a face. Feel free to be creative, use thier workplace, thier hangout, whatever feels right to create by you. Feel free to drop any other thoughts in here.

Hey Ryuko thanks for the invite. Really looking forward to the game! Still working on Foci, Rotes, and such. Magic system is a lot to get my head around because its unlike anything I've ever played before but I'm starting to get it. I have a couple questions though.

1. Shifts - how many do you have and how many can you use on an effect. Like say I wanted to throw a ray of fire down at a bad guy. I know that you would roll conviction for the power and then discipline for the control and add up the results. I'm just not sure how shifts come into play.

2. Foci - I understand that I have 2 slots for evocation and two slots for thaumaturgy and I understand how the ones for evocation work, switchblade is going to add +1 to conviction and I am going to have a ring for +1 to discipline for control, but I'm not really sure how the ones for thaumaturgy works.

Any help you can give would be awesome and thanks again for the invite!

So firstly trying to come up with a surname, then i will make an alias. I was thinking something English rose, middle-class and horsey.
Taylor, Kingscote, Campbell, Forsyth, Booth, Ward? I won't do the double barreled thing since Aldrich is.

Ryuko, is your friend still going to play? Just in case we need to guest star them?

Just brainstorming some options for Zoe.
Supernatural Sense- i like the idea of perceiving something not normally recognised, like hope or lust (in the example). But i was thinking something more mundane, her heckles rise when in the presence of vampires (in lion form). Or she can sense when the never-never is about to be breached, or ectoplasmic forms have a different feel to them? I sense of dawn approaching is a staple (but as good as a watch). Maybe she could smell the passage of demons/ black magic, which works well with her background. Or maybe you can sense the weak person/ animal in a herd (tying in with her lion nature).

Echoes of the Beast - there are 3 advantages/ consequences of these;
1) Beast Senses - You have an enhanced sense common to the animal. I will do a bit more research on felines but smell is a good one. An interesting option would be to always land on your feet (though this would not stop falling damage).
2)Beast Trapping - +1 to a skill trapping, {book example +1 to tracking when barefoot for leopards). This is an option or maybe running barefoot (in NY ewwww)
3)Beast Friend - gain instinctive rapport with lions. This is straight-forward if rare.

Item of Power - Zoes' mothers' engagement ring. A silver ring with marking around the band, no stones. What are the markings (think the one ring)? Zoe is curious and will ask. Are they demonic, ancient languages, fey or a wizards writings?

Marked by Power - A marking from a supernatural power that is obvious to observers showing you have been 'claimed'. This will be to do with the demonic/beast co-pilot. So i was thinking definitely the blue eyes of a big cat (maybe with the slit iris'). Zoe could have small fangs that she disguises or retracts? A streak in her hair that is reputed by any mage to be a sign of demon possession. Maybe a demonic/magical sigil branded/tattooed on her shoulder. Or something more ephemeral like a dark haunted look in her eyes (deep & soulful?) that show she has taken on a burden. That she sometimes speaks in a different language, that of the abyss to seemingly no-one?

Demonic Co-pilot Now this could require a bit of secrecy/ co-operation with Ryuko. It depends what we want to say is the co-pilot or force that made a deal with her father & showed her how to use the ring. It could be a straight demon looking to corrupt her soul, or it could be a fey manipulating her for its own ends. Or simply the spirit of lions/ the beast trying to take physical form. Whatever the exact nature (that i don't have to know), the agenda can be unknownst to me. Though what i might do is when posting put her thoughts down. (Eg. Zoe walks through the slaughterhouse averting her eyes to the carcasses. Look, breathe in the rich scent of blood, you know you need it. a voice whispers to her. Slowly she turns, before abruptly running out)

This brings me to another point, without trying to formalise anything; what style do you want us to write in (i know this could have waited until the ic thread starts but). 3rd person, present tense for descriptions? 1st person present in bold for talking? & italics for thoughts?

Anyway just some thoughts, thanks. :)

So firstly trying to come up with a surname, then i will make an alias. I was thinking something English rose, middle-class and horsey.

Taylor, Kingscote, Campbell, Forsyth, Booth, Ward? I won't do the double barreled thing since Aldrich is.

Ryuko, is your friend still going to play? Just in case we need to guest star them?

Yes he is, he's working on his char and account here now, should post soon.

Just brainstorming some options for Zoe.
Supernatural Sense- i like the idea of perceiving something not normally recognised, like hope or lust (in the example). But i was thinking something more mundane, her heckles rise when in the presence of vampires (in lion form). Or she can sense when the never-never is about to be breached, or ectoplasmic forms have a different feel to them? I sense of dawn approaching is a staple (but as good as a watch). Maybe she could smell the passage of demons/ black magic, which works well with her background. Or maybe you can sense the weak person/ animal in a herd (tying in with her lion nature).

I like this... I think... Smell black magick/corruption. (And it smells quite good.) I also like sensing the weak link. I'll give you an Alertness roll when you meet a group for that one.

Echoes of the Beast - there are 3 advantages/ consequences of these;
1) Beast Senses - You have an enhanced sense common to the animal. I will do a bit more research on felines but smell is a good one. An interesting option would be to always land on your feet (though this would not stop falling damage).
2)Beast Trapping - +1 to a skill trapping, {book example +1 to tracking when barefoot for leopards). This is an option or maybe running barefoot (in NY ewwww)
3)Beast Friend - gain instinctive rapport with lions. This is straight-forward if rare.

Yeah, certainly smell. I would say that you automatically take one less shift of falling damage, and that of course could be further lessened by Athletics. And weirdly seem to land well, even if not always on your feet. The skill trapping... whatever you like I suppose. The barefoot thing seems a little odd to me but if you like it... Beast Friend... won't come up lol. Sorry.

Item of Power - Zoes' mothers' engagement ring. A silver ring with marking around the band, no stones. What are the markings (think the one ring)? Zoe is curious and will ask. Are they demonic, ancient languages, fey or a wizards writings?

I like this. I think the markings are unidentified, but some wizards she's spoken to don't know. She hasn't managed to get a fey to tell her without an absurd price, and has no way to speak to a demon... yet.

Marked by Power - A marking from a supernatural power that is obvious to observers showing you have been 'claimed'. This will be to do with the demonic/beast co-pilot. So i was thinking definitely the blue eyes of a big cat (maybe with the slit iris'). Zoe could have small fangs that she disguises or retracts? A streak in her hair that is reputed by any mage to be a sign of demon possession. Maybe a demonic/magical sigil branded/tattooed on her shoulder. Or something more ephemeral like a dark haunted look in her eyes (deep & soulful?) that show she has taken on a burden. That she sometimes speaks in a different language, that of the abyss to seemingly no-one?

I think of the Mark more as a magical thing, not seeable by the naked eye. Though of course that's your choice, all of these are perfectly fine with me.

Demonic Co-pilot Now this could require a bit of secrecy/ co-operation with Ryuko. It depends what we want to say is the co-pilot or force that made a deal with her father & showed her how to use the ring. It could be a straight demon looking to corrupt her soul, or it could be a fey manipulating her for its own ends. Or simply the spirit of lions/ the beast trying to take physical form. Whatever the exact nature (that i don't have to know), the agenda can be unknownst to me. Though what i might do is when posting put her thoughts down. (Eg. Zoe walks through the slaughterhouse averting her eyes to the carcasses. Look, breathe in the rich scent of blood, you know you need it. a voice whispers to her. Slowly she turns, before abruptly running out)

Actually... I think this one will be a secret to you. The presence has never spoken to you, but you do feel it trying to influence you sometimes. You do know that your father sometimes looked... far away. And he never went hunting with his friends, always finding a reason to bow out. You have wondered if he felt the bloodlust that you feel now.

This brings me to another point, without trying to formalise anything; what style do you want us to write in (i know this could have waited until the ic thread starts but). 3rd person, present tense for descriptions? 1st person present in bold for talking? & italics for thoughts?

That's exactly my standard way. To make obvious:

Simple enough?

Imimrtl: Your Foci actually don't work that simply. Each one gives a +1 to Conviction or Discipline for one element or form. In other words your switchblade could give +1 Power (Conviction) to Fire, or +1 Control (Discipline) to Attack spells. So each applies a bonus to one skill, for one form (attack, block, or manuever) or one element. Hope that helps.

As to Conviction shifts. You choose how many shifts go into the spell. You do not roll conviction for it. For instance, you may throw all your power into the attack 5 shifts for your 5 Conviction. Each shift above your Conviction deals mental stress on a 1:1 basis, and casting a spell always deals 1 mental stress. After you choose shifts, you have to roll Discipline to control the power you threw, so less power is easier to control. In addition, any shifts that get away from you through a low Discipline roll show up as Fallout or Backlash. Backlash is mental stress to you, Fallout is physical stress to the environment. Fallout is generally handled as Murpheys law, meaning it'll be bad. Helpful?

ello everyone,
So first time on these paizo boards, and second time making this character, has been about a year now since I made him and im still in the remaking process.
But I can tell you his basic concept and such (apologies for length, character has a long history ill try to be as brief as I can).

high concept- Champion of a God forgotten
Seil (as everyone knows him, his actual name is far larger and harder to say) was born of the Maenad Mothers in an age before calendars and years. He was born into the service of his god, who has been called dionysus, bacchus, and a whole host of other names. Through the ages the young satyroi (child satyr btw) grew into his immortality and preached his master and gods faith to humanity, and for a time it was good. However with the wars with apollo, the first death of dionysus, and the creation of civilization the world changed and he and his people abandoned it for the never never, returning ocassionally to bring humanity back to the old ways, to bring life and choas back into a world of ever growing apathy and order. They never suceeded, they got close in europe but the dark ages did not last and were not the desired effect. Returning now, dionysus and his followers seek once more to destroy the workings of apollo and bring mankind back to the ways of passion, emotion, freedom, and chaos. They entered the world in the 60s and Seil has been touring the western hemisphere ever since and three years ago stopped in new york taken possesion of a bar by way of "converting" the old owner. The bar, renamed The lotus is now a popular hangout for supernaturals and in the know humans.

trouble- People Forget
Seil is old and is fastly growing tired, away from his god he has aged these last few decades and his hope for humanity has aged with him, although he wont admit it he is beginning to think humanity should be left to destroy itself. He is tired of teaching the same thing to deaf ears and tired of being ignored.

thats all I have so far, i remember something about having three compels? or something, but until this pdf downloads and i brush up on it thats all i can give you.
Anybody interested In how our characters met and stuff please talk to me about it, read some of your characters on the other page.

and wouldnt you know by the time i finish my post you guys have all posted haha.

Definitely helpful thank you. I think since my switchblade is more offensive I am going to have that add +1 conviction to Fire spells and the ring do +1 discipline to block. Does that work better?

That works very well... as a side note, that means direct target, 1 target, pure damage fire spells from you hit with about the force of a bazooka. Just a cool thought. Hard to control 6 shifts with a 3-4 discipline though.

Yeah I kind of have a feeling insurance companies are going to have nightmares about me lol.

So apparently they are called aspects, here are my three

Of Another Time
Seil was born before recorded time, as such he has never conformed to modern times, or even medieval times for that matter. Being so old he is a creature from an age long past.

POS: Get a new perspective, empathize with other very old or socially odd creatures
NEG: Act oddly, make faux pas, misunderstand modern terminology And technology

Shepard of Men
Seil grew as a servant and preacher of dionysus, in ancient times he would convert and teach hundreds of humans at a time, and as they ate the flesh of dionysus (ripping a bull apart with there bare hands and eating it raw) they would become part of his flock and under his protection. Seil is nothing if not a shepard he was raised to be one thousands of years ago and Seil hasnt changed much since then.

POS: Have contacts and people useful to me, people see me as a leader, and I are very charismatic
NEG: To keep that, I must protect my flock, even when I don't want to

Avatar of Abandon
Recent years have seen Seil isolated from his people for the first time in his long life, he has been sent out alone to convert and understand the world. This has not gone well for him, this world depresses him and he misses the power and company of his god and people. As such he often turns to earthly desires for compensation.

POS: Push others into losing themselves to vices
NEG: Seen as someone undependable, have difficulty fighting my nature sometimes

Hi laiceps, welcome to the gang.

So in terms of characters we've got:
Seil, Champion of a God Forgotten (laiceps)
Zoe, Reckless Were-kitty (DSXMachina)
Parker Aldrich De Montford, Wizard without a cause (imimrtl)
Thomas Haywood, Government Sanctioned Monster Hunter (Songdragon)
Jimmy G, Half-Goblin Runaway (Art)

Hope that helps with the 'guest starring' stories. Now, does anyone have a template for a full character sheet that I can steal for Jimmy's profile?

Jimmy G, what was your first adventure?

When the homeless start going missing in his neighbourhood, runaway Jimmy G knows he should get out of town before he's the next victim. But can he leave his friend in danger when he sees a newly made vampire starting to feed? Trying to fight the supernatural menace head on doesn't go well, and Jimmy is lucky to stay one step ahead in a frantic race through the night-time streets. Can Jimmy turn the tables on the vampire that pursues him without getting tangled up with the police. And is breaking into the vampire's lair a good idea, even in daylight?

ASPECT: SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STAND YOUR GROUND or DOING WRONG TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT or BREAKING THE LAW FOR FUN AND SURVIVAL or something like that. Man, these aspects are hard - hope I get the hang of it sometime soon!

So this is the alias, wow took a bit trying to decide on the picture. But i haven't seen it used too often, which is a bonus. I'll do one for the lion form and get the PC sheet done.

Got the skills & powers on the alias, will do the aspects stories in a bit. I've got to prepare for the 'In Nomine' game i am GMing tonight. But i slightly swapped some of the lions skills around, so that it has a decent fists so it can initiate a grapple. I also chose 'Insatiable curiousity' for the Trouble, though "Curiousity killed the..." may sound better.

Welcome liaceps, Seil sounds great, i may have Zoe having been a regular at your bar. Art if you can take anything from Zoe's alias as a template feel free, i just typed it out randomly.

Chiming in...

Profile has Thomas' character stuff.

So what does everyone want to do for guest stars?

I had a few ideas, but i don't want to take the best(easiest) slots. So here is a brief synopsis for each possible guest star.

Seil(liaceps) - Zoe is a regular in his bar, being able to get in without being carded. One night she is being hassled by a couple of wizzie-wannabe thugs and Seil looms over them. After a brief verbal altercation with the men, they leave with their (figurative tails between their legs). Seil strikes up a conversation with Zoe, feeling jaded after yet again seeing off idiot drunken louts/frat boys. But Zoes' ethusiasm for the band thats playing just about gets him through the boring evenings work. So Zoe regularly goes to the bar, she tries to get Seil to book more 'cool' bands that she knows from college.
Theme; when things are going down, profits on the up. - Face-either a bar manager or the lead guitarist of a band. I think this could work, hopefully this does not seem too much of a story about Zoe. Its' just Seils story has strong character but less actively happening. There could be a greater importance to the decadant goings on of Seil, which would be fun.

PA De Montfort (imimrtl) - Dead mans Curve; Parker met the mortal (Sally?) either at a Soiree held but your father, mostly attended by mortals. (or at a bar?) Parker saw a small group of outsiders in one corner and eaves-dropping you heard them discussing wizards, the council & the supernatural. Sally had heard something about the increasing number of vampire/ghoul attacks & disappearances down the old subway system. (She worked as a surveyor down there?) The rest of the group including Zoe were a bit sceptical. Intrigued by the development Parker approached them and struck up a conversation, most left but for Sally & best friend Zoe. Sally promised to investigate these during her expedition the next week.
A fortnight later at a house-party, Sally was excited about this idol she had discovered in an abandoned tunnel. Zoe was trying to calm her down but she insisted she must she Parker tonight, so she phoned him and arranged for a meet later that night. A couple of minutes later 3 near identical suited men entered the house, Sally looked panicked and fled before Zoe could escort her.
The next day Zoe heard that her friend had died, she has not forgiven herself for not accompanying her.
Threat; Could either be an up class area of town with a 'not as clean as it looks' type threat, where Parker is expected to follow his father and Zoes' Aunt takes her to business functions. Or it could be the old abandoned sub-way. 'In the dark no-one hears you scream' or 'Lurkers in the dark', this would be more of a active quest threat/theme than somewhere to hang out (unless you like that sort of thing ;P )

Jimmy G - Zoe feels the need to unwind and destress, so she transforms and goes on the prowl. Her eye is caught by a young man running from a blood-soaked vampire, she follows enjoying the thrill of the chase. Until the man is cornered in the disused train depot, watching from the shadows he puts up a respectable (but losing) fight. Zoe moves into position on an engine and pounces raking the vampire, inchor spurts getting in her eyes. The vampire seriously wounded takes advantage of this distraction, hamstrings her with his bloody claws and flees.Hope that does not sound too much like Zoe one shotted a creature you were having trouble with, its just i am not good at writing protracted fights.With a howl the Zoe-Lion jumps into a boxcar, transforming back into a human. Poking her head out she sees the young man, breathless but unharmed with a determined look on his face. She asks to borrow his worn leather jacket, which he graciously loans her. Jimmy assures her than he must do something, that he can track the creature back to its lair & in the cold light of day, between the two of them they might have a chance.Maybe one of the others turns up and all 3 of us go on the hunt for the new vampire? Or we call in him to help us deal with it? Like Kincaid & Mavras' lair?
Theme/threat; I think i could come up with a wrong side of the tracks threat, but i will wait to see what others want to do.

Thomas Heyward - I could easily put a great story for you but it might work better if everyone has stories of another.

Purrrrrrrrr

So what does everyone want to do for guest stars?

PA De Montfort (imimrtl) - Dead mans Curve; Parker met the mortal (Sally?) either at a Soiree held but your father, mostly attended by mortals. (or at a bar?) Parker saw a small group of outsiders in one corner and eaves-dropping you heard them discussing wizards, the council & the supernatural. Sally had heard something about the increasing number of vampire/ghoul attacks & disappearances down the old subway system. (She worked as a surveyor down there?) The rest of the group including Zoe were a bit sceptical. Intrigued by the development Parker approached them and struck up a conversation, most left but for Sally & best friend Zoe. Sally promised to investigate these during her expedition the next week.
A fortnight later at a house-party, Sally was excited about this idol she had discovered in an abandoned tunnel. Zoe was trying to calm her down...

I love it! Great tie in.

Jimmy G, what was your first adventure?

When the homeless start going missing in his neighbourhood, runaway Jimmy G knows he should get out of town before he's the next victim. But can he leave his friend in danger when he sees a newly made vampire starting to feed? Trying to fight the supernatural menace head on doesn't go well, and Jimmy is lucky to stay one step ahead in a frantic race through the night-time streets. Can Jimmy turn the tables on the vampire that pursues him without getting tangled up with the police. And is breaking into the vampire's lair a good idea, even in daylight?

ASPECT: SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STAND YOUR GROUND or DOING WRONG TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT or BREAKING THE LAW FOR FUN AND SURVIVAL or something like that. Man, these aspects are hard - hope I get the hang of it sometime soon!

Really like the story, i think Songdragon has the best template profile. In regards to the aspects i think you could just change it to a punchier "Stand Your Ground?", "2 wrongs make a right?" so they could be invoked for both directions (& bear in mind sometimes we want to concede a fight, so this could be interesting). The 'breaking the law' idea is quite interesting to. BTW how would you describe Jimmy, more a street punk or more Roddy Piper in They Live, both are cool?

Hope i don't sound like a know it all, just trying to help. :)

Thomas' story, if anyone wanted to be a guest star ...

Blood Price:
It had been a quiet week for those who worked at "Mosnters R Us" so Thomas decided to take the team out for a round of drinks. A few hours later mostly everyone had left for home or wherever else they might go to let off the rigors of this job. That left Alexandra, a fellow agent who Thomas had been seeing for most of a year. They had kept things quiet, but the team knew. The couple departed the establishment before eleven and and for Alex's place. It was not too far that the couple was set upon by a half dozen Red Court vampires. A brief fire fight ensued but they were no match for the vampires numbers, even if the pair managed to injure most of them. The vamps threw the pair in a van and took them someplace private. Arriving they pair were tied up and their leader, an up and coming leader in the Red Court, Christopher Wade. He knew the pair and was pleased his comrades captured them. They went about torturing both Thomas and Alex. Christopher made a point to distress Thomas the most, taking to feeding on Alex personally. Hours had past and Alex was finally dead. The vampires closed to end Thomas' life but there was a large crash, a large section of the wall now missing. His rescuers had arrived. Now, whenever vampires are encountered, they are dealt with harshly.

Ok then, I'd like a checklist from everyone of what's done.

1)High Concept, Trouble, Phases, Aspects.
2)Skills, Powers, Stunts, Refresh Totals.
3)Guest Star.
4)Guest Star Redux.

After those are done for each person we'll be set to go.

1)High Concept, Trouble, Phases, Aspects.
Complete
2)Skills, Powers, Stunts, Refresh Totals.
Complete
3)Guest Star.
Complete - for Zoë Campbell
4)Guest Star Redux.
Anyone not have a Guest star or wish one from from the mortal among the bunch

1)High Concept, Trouble, Phases, Aspects. Complete
2)Skills, Powers, Stunts, Refresh Totals. Complete
3)Guest Star. In progress
4)Guest Star Redux. Not started

Profile is up to date. Need to read up on Stress, Consequences, Fate points / refresh, and aspects.

DSXMachina, that's exactly the sort of help I was looking for, thanks :) Tomorrow I'll get two 'guest starring' stories done, and then should be all set. One of the stories leads to Jimmy unlocking his 'Cloak of Shadows' power.

1)High Concept, Trouble, Phases, Aspects. Complete
2)Skills, Powers, Stunts, Refresh Totals. Complete
3)Guest Star. - Parker de Montfort Story complete (though needs tweaking), Aspect(got some ideas), Threat/Theme (got a decent concept)
4)Guest Star Redux. - Jimmy G. {If thats alright}, Story complete, Aspect- 'The Cats got claws'/ '9 lives' (just needs polishing)

I will have it done by 16:00 GMT tomorrow (11EST?). Wondering if Parker or Thomas want to join me in the Redux for Jimmy G, and Seil will need a Guest star.

My PC profile should be complete for both Forms of Zoe, apart from i put in a (superfluous) appearance section which i will eventually get done.

Guest Star - Trust your Animal Instincts]
Having been dragged by her Aunt Sophie to a soirée, Zoë was feeling isolated. The lawyers and elite held no grandeur for her, despite her Aunts wishes Zoe could not see herself growing up to be a part of this hollow world. Fortunately, she managed to get an invite for her friend Sally, a well-born surveyor who happened to share the same taste in music and art as herself.

With a couple of vapid flibbertigibbets flitting around them, this gathering held by the Comte de Montfort to celebrate a new amalgamation was turning out surprisingly well. Sally started talking about the recent disappearances of vagrants & the rats from the old redundant subway system. 'How are the Council going to respond?' Sally questioned (knowing to the mundanes that this meant the city, whereas to clued in people like herself & Zoë it was the White).

Out the corner of her eye Zoë spotted a well-dressed slick gentleman listening in, the eyes met just long enough before she lowered them; Zoë fearful of what might be there did not want anyone looking into her soul. He moved towards the pair introducing himself with eyes slightly downcast, as if ashamed (?) as Parker de Montfort, son of the host; whilst still assessing their reactions to his name. Zoë never one to care for titles (for once she had ridden with the Duchess of Bedford on a hunt) was non-plussed. He bid Sally to continue with her tale, the rest left either skeptical about the tale or not wanting to be seen with the odd trio. The rest of the night went swimmingly; art, history, music, sub-cultures were all discussed, sometimes to frantic debate. Parker though got a concession that Sally inform him about anything else she learns about the tunnels or the supernatural in general.

It was a fortnight before Zoë saw Sally again, a busy 2 weeks filled with coursework and guitar practice. But they finally met at an apartment warming downtown, Sally seemed nervous but excited. There was a development in her survey; it seems a hobo had found a statue amongst some old debris. He had been hoarding it but had suddenly been found murdered, with strange markings according to 'rumours'. It worried Zoë to see her best friend so excited but happy she found an interest (maybe in more than just this survey, she romantically mused). Sallys' face went pale and tracing her sight-line Zoë saw three men suited and near identical enter the party, clearly out of place. Sally bolted, Zoë caught her trying to stop her or at least accompany her. But Sally told her she had called the dishy Parker and he was to meet her in the hills. Not wishing to be third wheel at their tryst, she let Sally leave.

The next day she heard that Sally had died, Zoë has not forgiven herself for letting her go alone. She should have trusted her instincts. Still broken up about the loss of her friend, Zoë needs to do something.

Threat - Abandoned Subway
Theme - There's a regular service in the Dark

The New York subway abandoned in the 1940's after a tunnel collapsed excavating a new section. The city council thought it was because it was too near the river, but was it something more sinister? The Nazi's, a group of ghouls, or wizards caving-it in to stop something from seeing the light. The Subway built in 1870's using Irish (navvi) blood, was designed by an eccentric Jedediah Hulse using hidden cache of gold. It describes a strange elliptical patterns rather than direct routes, which he claimed to the council were to avoid bad spots. After his disappearance at the turn of the century this line was never expanded. Recently strange sounds have been heard, singing? Machinery? But no-one should be down there, of course the poor, lost, destitute, insane, wanted or unwanted use these tunnels but now even there are starting to leave!

Richard 'Toothy' Hulson - A vagrant that lives in the tunnels, known for his one & only tooth. He seems to know all the routes through the tunnels and seems to be the first to hear the rumours. He is often heard muttering to himself as he drags along and old shovel behind him. He has heard to say he will never leave the tunnels but there will be a reckoning soon.

The 'animal instincts' aspect hopefully will allow self compels, regarding social encounters and circumstance dependent physic ones. It can also be used to make Zoe do things against her judgment but in line with her instincts.

Hopefully i have not gone too far with the Threat/theme it just sort of grew (bit of a 'Relic' ripoff). I tried to slip in that the threat might be religious/vampire/magic/fey with the service aspect refering to both the train service & religious services (or of course any other service (kinky :P ).

Guest Star Redux - The Cats got claws - Jimmy G
After the death of her best friend Sally, Zoë felt the need to unwind and destress. So she went to central park, putting on the silver ring despite her better judgment. Once on all doubts crept away, was she falling further into the maws of the beast? Soon she cared not, running through the park hunting squirrels thought disappeared. A stranger sight was not seen there that night.

Aeons passed, she found herself running with asphalt beneath her paws, lost away from the cloth cache thought returned. Then she heard the movements of a man with another shadow following him. They moved like silk mesmerised Zoë joined in the chase, though alley and street she could hardly keep pace until they entered the train depot. The chased man a rough looking youth seemed to be cornered and exhausted, the other figure emerged from the shadows a visceral mess. The feral visage destroyed what could have been a human face, fangs and clawed hands dripped in blood turned black ink by the night. A brief flash of movement and a tussle ensued with the feral strength affording the attacker the upper hand.

Whilst this occurred Zoë decided she must help this man against the beast, perhaps seeing his plight as hers. She positioned herself on a box car and pounced raking the feral vampire the blood spurting in her eyes. The vampire seriously wounded takes advantage of the distraction hamstrings Zoë and takes flight. With a howl of pain, frustration and despair Zoë-lion jumps into the boxcar.

Shocked by the vampire, lion and desperate fight the thug recovers his composure remarkably quickly. Just in time to see a cute blond head pop around the corner of the boxcar. "Ummm, love you wouldn't mind lending me that nice leather jacket your wearing? Its just its a bit nippy and i left my other suit elsewhere." she says with a wink. The jacket comes flying at her head, "I'm Jimmy G by the way, you are?" he says sardonically. As they head over to the park to pick up her clothes, they decide that the vampire needs to be dealt with. They are both sick of being forced to live in fear.

"We need to attack its' lair, in daylight, the two of us might survive. But I've got a friend...."

Cats' got Claws - is another aggressive self-compel heavy aspect, but could be used in conjunction with (or as a responce to) a 'Pride' compel. It can also be compelled to show that sometimes she can get annoyed, confrontational.

Alternatively it could be - Lionheart of Gold {she would help anybody who need it to prove to herself her own humanity}
-Landing on your Feet {to show that sometimes she just gets lucky, with friends, money}
- 9 Lives {she can escape unlikely situations, but sometimes she is required to use up all her lives!

I'm ready, boys. ;p

1)High Concept, Trouble, Phases, Aspects. Complete
2)Skills, Powers, Stunts, Refresh Totals. Complete
3)Guest Star. Complete
4)Guest Star Redux. Complete

Everything is in my profile now, hopefully. As you see in the end of the Guest Star Redux i left a gap for anyone else to jump in, i did not even state who had the friend.

1)High Concept, Trouble, Phases, Aspects. Complete
2)Skills, Powers, Stunts, Refresh Totals. not complete still looking at doing magic rotes and rituals and such. Would love any help in terms of rotes and rituals. Just way different than any system I've ever done and having a mental block trying to get around it lol
3)Guest Star. not complete Will do by tomorrow
4)Guest Star Redux. Not Complete Will do by tomorrow

For Zoe's story...

Theme: The Hovel
A run down place of the city where the low income housing is so shody that much of the area is condemned. Not so great for those with need but ideal for those with something to hide. The area has been taken over by some low life scum, but even they stay clear of the supernatural creatures that now call this home. The area of old apartment blocks and warehouses now house a guarded community of creatures that just cannot or do not want to live in common society.

The Face: Lawrence (concept: A Half-Orc on the Run but in the Know) Lawrence is a half orc on the run from the Winter Court for some matter. He lives here in the Hovel and seems to be the go to guy who knows what is happening in the area.

Looks like we can chain some of the 'guest star' stories together... Zoe and Jimmy have a run in with a young red court vampire, and just about escape. Knowing it will come back for revenge, they decide to break into its lair in daytime and put an end to the menace. Fortunately Zoe has recently met the wizard Parker de Montford who agrees to back them up. By luck they break in to the run-down townhouse just in time to rescue Thomas, and just too late to rescue Alex. There are more vampires than they expected and they are forced to escape, damaging the vampires, but leaving many alive. And angry.

How many stories do we want to end up with? As they are guest star stories do we share them? But then choose an appropriate aspect each?

EDIT: Ooh extra thought! Jimmy is separated from the others in the chaos of the escape. He is forced to hide right in the vampire lair, in a dark corner of the loft space. Just as he expects to be caught and killed, or worse, he calls on his natural abilities and wraps a cloak of shadows around himself. This saves his life at the cost of shifting him closer to his fey heritage.
ASPECT: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

1)High Concept, Trouble, Phases, Aspects. Complete
2)Skills, Powers, Stunts, Refresh Totals. complete
3)Guest Star. not complete
4)Guest Star Redux. Not Complete

As far as I can tell besides myself only thomas and jimmy need guest stars.
Jimmy
maybe something along the lines of coming to my bar after escaping the vampires seeking sanctuary, either being refered there or stumbling upon it? Vampires come looking for you and I along with some intimidating back up from my patrons convince them you left town. I ask you to let your friends know they are welcome to hid out there anytime they like, the lotus welcomes any enemies of those creatures (Seil has issues with vampires particularly white court, but anything that feeds off of any kind of life force pisses him off) whata think? My aspect for this could be "New Blood" pos: new found friends, who owe me?? neg: new found enemies who are very angry and powerful types

Thomas
Perhaps your investigation into the dealings of red court vampires in the local area led you to Seil? Or something? for some reason Im drawing a blank right now... lemme know if you have any thoughts, Id like a story that has seil out and doing something besides being in his bar, which admittedly is where he spends most of his time.

Thomas
Perhaps your investigation into the dealings of red court vampires in the local area led you to Seil? Or something? for some reason Im drawing a blank right now... lemme know if you have any thoughts, Id like a story that has seil out and doing something besides being in his bar, which admittedly is where he spends most of his time.

Seil... Works for me. Perhaps you know Lawrence in the Hovel... or he knows of you. Either way, you heard something at the bar and Lawerence gave you Thomas' number. Thomas after all is known to be helpful and has something of a beef with vamps.

Now to just come up with a Guest star role for Thomas there... and an aspect. I with think overnight on it.

Hi Seil, I like that suggestion. Probably in one of Jimmy's early adventures when he was running away from the young red court vampire he stumbled straight into Seil's bar. Sheer dumb luck! Since then it's been a regular hangout whenever Jimmy has enough money for a couple beers, and Seil has become someone to look up to.

Jimmy's aspect from this might be: DUMB LUCK

How many stories do we want to end up with? As they are guest star stories do we share them? But then choose an appropriate aspect each?

Basically you guest star (at least on your sheet) in 2 adventures belonging to someone else's story and get Aspects for them. Someone guest starring in your adventure does not get you an Aspect, but just gives an in game reason for why & how we know each other. They can be from any of another characters stories, not just the last one. So everone will end up will 5 Aspects, 1 Trouble & 1 High Concept. But i am really liking the combining the stories and its becoming interesting & unique.

What is Parkers specialty Force?
What does he do with magic? Divination? Fast Movement? Alchemy? Binding/ talking to sprites? Pure theoretical work?
I have a few ideas for Rotes i'll get them down soon.

liaceps, i love the "New Blood" aspect it resonates perfectly with Seils concept.

Rotes; you probably need a defensive, offensive & utility one at least.
Perhaps;

Air Shield; "The air in a sphere around you body becomes denser sucking in more from around the room and creating a dense bubble of air around you this blocks attacks, except for a couple of inches from your face where it becomes weak again. Disadvantage of this is it would be a fairly weak shield & could not be used in an enclosed room, but it will be all around; protect against all attacks. It could be for other elements, taking the moisture out of the air, a swirling whirlwind of dust with enough kinetic energy to stop weapons, or a shield of fire!

Knock down You summon air from around you in a burst, throwing things to the floor, keeping the enemy away and off balance. It could inflict a status effect (like fallen over/ off balance) & a small amount of damage. Of course this would be in addition to you main DESTRUCTIVE rote. It could work for other forces as an explosive fire shock-wave, a localised earth tremor.

I will check these mechanically later, depending if you like them.

Imimrtl, firstly i hope it is alright trying to go through this with you, i am new to the game too. I think an interesting way to think about it is as a D&D wizard that is limited by reality.

Since it will allow you to control up to your discipline (3) without a roll. +1 for the knife if it is a fire-based attack.

So you could potentially be looking at;

- A Fire based attack rote, using your knife as the foci (+1 conviction=6) & Specialisation (+1 to conviction or discipline - personally i would go for discipline or else you would be at 3/7 and you would only be doing a weapon 3 damage without causing backlash, even if you could cast a 7 shift spell with taking 1 stress). Do you have to specify where all the shifts will always go with a rote? I am not sure, but IMO not as you cannot change power level.

- A prolonged Block, using your leather jacket as a foci to give you +1 discipline (+4). If this was a curve/wall/shield of fire then, if you took discipline as your specialisation this could be +5. Making it a strong block (equal to your conviction). But what do you want to do with this make a shield or Armour up your jacket with fire?(or protect friends,) A shield could give you a block of 5-duration of blocking which is good or strength:2 armour for 2 rounds that cannot be bypassed.

- Flash-bang a rote that lets you tag every creature in the area with blinded. So with a discipline 4 you would need 3 shifts to do the maneuver (min based on Ryuto discretion) and 2 shifts to affect every creature in the area. Without rolling, you cannot do this but we could find a way, by using backlash to take the stress (a risky proposition for a rote).

Other Route Ideas - Invisibilty, Subtle Illusion, Distracting Illusion, Using air/earth magic to help you run faster, Telekinesis.

Thaumaturgy - firstly it could be expedient especially to leave the item slots until later. The good thing with Thaumaturgy as it is the process of slowly casting spells (taking minutes to hours) is that you do not have a set of spells that you are able to do. You can do anything, which means in this instance you do not have to think exactly what spells Parker will do in the game, especially without knowing what we will be doing. All you have to decide is what type of thing you think Parker should be BEST at, cause he can do ANYTHING. So all you have to decide is his Specialty.
Think of a theme; will he track people, create traps/ wards, create ectoplasm monsters, craft and create items/ works of art/ weapons, divine the future (oracle?), read peoples surface thoughts (dangerous), talk to fey/demons, create barriers to stop creatures escaping, erect buildings.

Hope this helps, i'm just quite excited about the game.

DSX, I think you're a little confused on rotes. Or maybe I'm not reading it right. Allow me to try to explain some things for him.

Imimrtl: Let's break things down.

You have 5 Lore, meaning 5 rotes.
You have 5 Conviction, meaning 5 shifts of power without taking further mental damage.
You have 3 Discipline, which means 3 shifts of power without backlash or fallout.

Now you may make rotes above your Discipline, meaning that unless you have a fate point to spend on it, you take backlash or fallout. You can also take rotes with more shifts than your Conviction, meaning you take mental stress for every shift higher than conviction.

Your options are simple too. Attack, Block, or Maneuver.

Attacks deal stress, Blocks stop stress, and Maneuvers put Aspects on opponents.

Some suggestions from me for rotes.

A single target attack: This one is simple, every shift goes to damage, so you could have Weapon 3 attack without backlash or fallout, up to Weapon 5 without taking further stress.

A multi-target attack: This one will either split the amount of shifts you have between your targets, (Weapon:1 against the guy on the left and Weapon:2 against the guy on the right.) or make it a full area attack, which takes 2 shifts. Meaning you could spend your 3 safe shifts to make a Weapon:1 attack against an entire zone. Note this would hit your allies if they are in the zone as well.

A Block: This one's fairly simple, either 1 round of heavy block, using all 3 shifts on power to make it a +3 block, or trade shifts for rounds on a 1:1 basis. So you could instead go with a +2 block for 2 rounds, or a +1 block for 3 rounds. Note that if anything gets by your block it ends instantly. Also that contrary to those above, you would get 4 shifts total to this, thanks to your jacket.

Armor: Thanks to your jacket again, you can get an Armor: 2 for 1 turn. Or go with Armor: 1 for 3 turns. Armors advantage being that it doesn't fall if an attack bypasses it. It also works against attacks you aren't aware of.

Single Target Maneuver: Maneuvers require 3 shifts to cause an aspect on a scene or a person, which is just as much as you control by default, so you can place one maneuver on someone. This can be just about anything, though it doesn't change between castings. This could be a single target blinding effect using a flash of fire, or a knockdown using earth or force. If you have more shifts for whatever reason, you may use 1 shift per round to keep the Aspect on them longer.

Multi Target Maneuver: This is, unfortunately, outside your abilities without taking damage/fallout/tagging an aspect. However, if you get to do those things, it is exactly as above, except with another 2 shifts added to affect a whole zone.

Self Manuever: This is the same as the Single Target, only you're using it to put a positive Aspect on yourself, like using Earth to move faster, or force to fly through the air. (Note you'd still take falling damage so... maybe not worth it.)

That's about all the simple options I can think of, note that this applies to general Evocation as well as your rotes, meaning you can throw around all these spells normally as well, though you have to roll Discipline to control them in that case. Also remember that you can describe your spells however you like. The single target attack could be a gout of flame, a rock thrown with earth, a flinging of force. A block could be flame melting bullets and weapons, a slab of rock thrown up to avoid, or a kinetic sphere. Anything can be described however, but you must decide your rotes beforehand.

That work? I find the magic in this system is easier to explain when broken into component parts.

Awesome! Thank you so much for the explanation that is exactly what i needed.

Rotes: Single Target fire attack (INARDESCO!)

Multi target fire attack (COMBUSTIO) affects all targets in an area

Fire effect block (CONCUSTODIO)

Earth speed increase effect (PROPERO)

Fire blinding effect (FULMEN)

Let me know what you guys think of those.

Foci: Switchblade +1 Conviction

Specialization: Fire +1 discipline

Foci: Leather Jacket +1 Discipline

Rituals:

I see him as more of a wards sort of guy, that may evolve as the game goes on but I kind of see his background growing up in traditional magic wards are very traditional.

I think I have those right.

I see him doing a lot of stuff on the fly too so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks again for all your help and patience.

Yes Ryuto thats what i was (failing) to say. But basically i was also adding in the added complexity of the the foci & specialisations. Though i was wrong about the blocking all around. Anyway thats a great explanation. The way i read it Rotes are basically a spell that you don't have to roll for, the happen automatically.

I'd also like a shift breakdown of your rote spells for Parker either here or in your profile. Also remember that your foci only add to your skills for certain things. The categories include any of your elements or thaumaturgical specializations, or simply Offense, Defense Or Maneuvers. So instead of what you have there you need to write it as (For Example):

Switchblade: +1 Power Offense
Leather Jacket: +1 Control Earth

Got it?

I also plan to have (most?) of the city up tonight. Some Movers and Shakers: Summer Fey, Red Court, A Dragon, Human Technology Mogul, and Apollo. Just for a tease.

Sounds good. I think my jacket is going to be +1 control fire.

So the Guest Stories are (?);

Zoë -Parker; Dead Man’s Curve Threat-Down in the Subway
-Jimmy
Thomas – Zoe; Rescue in the Bar Threat-The Hovel
-
Jimmy -Seil; ‘Dumb Luck’
-(?)Thomas; rescuing him from the vampire lair.=> ‘Hidden in plain Sight’
Parker -(?)Jimmy and/or Thomas as he joins Jimmy & Zoe taking on the vampire lair.
-
Seil -(?)Jimmy
-(?) Thomas, helping him & getting out of the bar.

This is just trying to make a cohesive list of the guest stars, so we can see what everyone has chosen and to help with progressing them. It’s working out quite well with everyone at least having a passing familiarity with each other.

Finished off with
Got That
Thomas’ cell phone rang and he looked to see who it was. Lawrence. Must be important, he thought. Answering the call he flipped open his notepad and took out a pen, “Heya Lawrence. What’s happening?” With a few uh-huhs and okays Thomas had an address and was on his way to an area known as the Hovel. He arrived twenty minutes later to find a gentleman by the name of Seil. He had some information regarding a group of vampires taking up shop in the Hovel and scaring a lot of good folk. At the sound of vampires, Thomas was all over the idea of taken these nasties on. Seil looked at Agent and asked if he was going to go in after vampires with just a handgun. Thomas smiled and moved to the back of his older Land Rover opened the back up and started to gear up in some light body armor, grabbed up a black backpack that had compact sub-machine gun velcroed to the side of it, and picked up a shotgun. “I’m ready now.” With that, the pair headed for trouble.

*** *** ***

And I changed the places around for the city from one sotry to the other...

Pacha A well to do club. After a week of being closed the place reopened with a new owner and some minor renovations. The crowd changed a bit but the Pasha is still a place to be. The new manager is one Christopher Wade, a Red Court Vampire. He runs a tight ship and does not take crap from anyone.

The Face: Christopher Wade (concept: Vampire Club Manager)

(for Thomas’ Guest Star in Zoe’s story)

The Hovel A run down place of the city where the low income housing is so shody that much of the area is condemned. Not so great for those with need but ideal for those with something to hide. The area has been taken over by some low life scum, but even they stay clear of the supernatural creatures that now call this home. The area of old apartment blocks and warehouses now house a guarded community of creatures that just cannot or do not want to live in common society.

The Face: Lawrence (concept: A Half-Orc on the Run) Lawrence is a half orc on the run from the Winter Court for some matter. He lives here in the Hovel and seems to be the go to guy who knows what is happening in the area.

(for Thomas’ Guest Star in Siel story)

Hey guys, your fearless leader here. I'm sorry I've been MIA for the last few days, had girl trouble, then have felt sick for a while. I have the next 2 days off however and I promise to give you something for the city by Wednesday. To start, we have this:

The Big, Rotten Apple

Theme
From up here, everyone looks like ants.

It's hard to tell who your schemes will effect, and some people just don't care that much. The movers and shakers live in their high rises and ignore the people on the ground.
Faces:
Lord Christof Wade (Red Lord of New York)
Apollo (Greek god of order, Law, and the Sun)
Merotaxial (Dragon with a love of Meddling)
Jon Spiro (Clued-in Tech Mogul)

Threat
Something Brewing in The Dark

There are tales of something happening in the Sewer and Subway systems. No one seems to have concrete information, but everyone has a friend of a friend of a friend who's seen something. There do seem to be a lot more rats about (2 legged and 4 legged) who would generally be underground. What are they staying away from?
Faces:
'Toothy' Hudson (Clued-in Vagrant living in the Tunnels)
Starveling Cat (A Summer Fey creature that stalks the tunnels. Likes to play with his food.)
Warren Lortican (Ghoul tribe Leader)

Theme
Balance of Power

The game of power if a tough one. Each player moving his pieces in a delicate balance. The gangs, police, and even supernatural forces dance around each other, each time hardly avoiding a conflict. And all know that at some point, the house of cards built by those at the top will fall.
Faces:
Warren Lortican (Ghoul Tribal Leader)
Big Slim (Half Troll Gang Leader)
Lord Cristof Wade (Red Lord of New York)
Bertram Skavis (White Court Drug Lord)
Warden "Ice" Smith (Head Warden of New York)

There's your three overarching themes/threats. Locations will be up later, as will people. Note: I have lots of characters, it's up to you which your character knows/knows of and which they don't.

Also: In keeping with players creating the world, the first person that you guest star with (As in, the person on your character sheet for your fourth aspect) will need an area and a face created about them. Most of you have put forth ideas, but go ahead and formalize them now. Remember, Area, Theme/Threat, Face, Faces Concept and Motivation. Each character must approve of their guest star area.

Ok. Now I'm off for a bit.

Theme
[i]Home of Our Own[/b]

The Hovel A run down place of the city where the low income housing is so shody that much of the area is condemned. Not so great for those with need but ideal for those with something to hide. The area has been taken over by some low life scum, but even they stay clear of the supernatural creatures that now call this home. The area of old apartment blocks and warehouses now house a guarded community of creatures that just cannot or do not want to live in common society. They try to fix things up to a liveable level and tend to look out for one another.

The Faces:
Lawrence Foster (Fatherly Half-Orc)
Tinyanna (Sprite Healer)
Jackson (Kobold Handyman)
Father Gregory (Clued in priest keeping the faith Amongst all creatures)
Tatyana (Revered Seer)
Martian Mathews (half-elf info broker)

Also: In keeping...

That sounds great & really interesting Ryuto, hope your feeling better. I'm keeping the Threat/theme the same as i posted above (bar grammatical errors), provided that it OK with Imimrtl;

This is available in this profile under Guest Star - Trust your Animal Instincts, to avoid re-posting & spamming.

Hey guys, sorry to be slow posting. I've written references to Zoe and Seil into Jimmy's adventure. I'm having a bit of trouble working out how to write my final 'guest starring' story. I get that it should be me appearing in another character's story. My first one is me appearing in Thomas' story as part of the rescue group, and then hiding heroically from the vamps.

For my second 'guest star role' I'd like to appear in Parker's main story. I don't want to make too much up - it's their story, I'm just a guest.

So Parker, what's happened recently that Jimmy might have gotten involved in? Any dealings on the street with issues normally below the notice of the White Council? Perhaps he's been investigating some literal 'pixie dust' being dealt to junkies, and Jimmy gave him an important lead? Or maybe Jimmy has helped him as lookout on an investigation?

All right gents, slight change of plans. We will be moving forward with the game without locations fully set out. I believe they will evolve more organically from play. I will be starting an IC thread tomorrow, with all of you at a fine dinner party for Jon Spiro, head of Spiro Enterprises. Try to think of why you may have been invited, and remember while posting that it is your story as much as mine. The appropriate response for "Is this guy someone I know/Is this place nice/Is there a bar/Do the windows face anything cool to look at/Just about anything else?" is "Now that you've asked, yes." In other words, remember this is a cooperative story, and tell your own bits without me needing to clarify everything.

See you all tomorrow.

Cool, i think thats a good idea getting the ball rolling. Especially in pbp it's too easy for the game to stall. The areas/faces we already have seem interesting. I take it we will answer why we have been invited in the IC thread.

Of course this style of game is great, thats why i also love Feng Shui.

Just had a brief look over everyones characters in their profile and spotted a couple of things, if you don't mind me mentioning. Jimmy you should have 4 Physical & 3 mental stress boxes for your Endurance and Conviction. And Parker you have 4 Physical stress boxes but your fair Endurance only gives 3, just wondering what i missed?

Oh, BTW where is everyone from, i remember in the Gamer Connection Thread some people said countries but i was just wondering where abouts?