Dead Man Walking! A Way of the Wicked Campaign Phase III (Inactive)

Game Master bwatford

Hecate Reeve wrote:

"ALL HAIL ASMODEUS!"

Which one? :P

If you have to ask, perhaps you aren't ready to know - and why am I telling you just for the asking? (Still Lawful Evil...)

;)

I have started the gameplay thread for phase III. DO NOT start posting yet. Read the setup, the instructions and the steps.

If you want to dot the thread for easier access then dot it and then delete your post as not to clutter the thread. It will save it to your campaigns tab just the same.

Any questions? If so ask them here, we will begin as soon as the final twelve are chosen.

There goes the neighborhood boys and gals. Looke forward to RP'ing this out with you guys. 50 post already. Let me see what you guys have been talking about :)

EDIT: Web site is cool. Hope to be on there one day. I like the feat chain as well. I was wondering if you would be using the vampire and lich options. Alright good luck all.

@ Ashe
Vampire and Lich options are a go.

Would you be so kind as to make us up an alias for your character.

Here you go. Also Gabriel after the change

Yeah, now that is going to infiltrate the human society really well.

I am guessing the magic shoppe needs to be making a lot of hats......

Well I thought it needed to be extreme for his familly to turn on him. :) Makes that alter self on those feats pretty appealing :)

So I assume we will be able to retrain feats then. Since the Vampire ones can be taken starting at 1st level, or should we have been bitten by a vamp in our backstory. I'm just curious as I'm pretty sure I'm going to use your devil feat path.

Either it is in your backstory or you have to wait to you can find one to bite you.

You can retrain feats by using the retraining guidelines.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/basics-ability-scores/more-character-options/retrai ning

Ok recruits, DM Asmodeus needs some assistance before selecting the next member of the final twelve. I want to give one of the last available three slots to one of these characters listed below, but I am torn between which one. Check them out and PM me your vote.

Seth86 - Malleck the Dhampir Anti-Paladin
Uncle Taco - Paimon the Fool the Half-Orc Skilking Slayer Rogue
Dark Netwerk - Amestri Atezadeh the Peri-Blooded Aasimar Warpriest of Eiseth.

I have not read the three submissions yet as I prefer to write my own without being influenced by the others', but I will do so later today as I am sure they are very good. After all, those chosen so far are.

Still, my suggestion would be that perhaps you should wait until the end of Phase 2 (the 24th, I believe?) before selecting the last three or the twelve, so as to give the time to the rest of the Phase 1 applicants to finish their concepts, if they are so inclined. Seeing the slots fill up may make one think twice about whether he still has the time to write a good enough submission or the chance to be selected when there only so many slots left; I know I did. And there are some players among the Phase 1 participants that may take a while to put up a finished submission, but the end product is beyond solid and their participation in a game is an asset and a boon to it and the story being created through it.

I have not read the three submissions yet as I prefer to write my own without being influenced by the others', but I will do so later today as I am sure they are very good. After all, those chosen so far are.

Still, my suggestion would be that perhaps you should wait until the end of Phase 2 (the 24th, I believe?) before selecting the last three or the twelve, so as to give the time to the rest of the Phase 1 applicants to finish their concepts, if they are so inclined. Seeing the slots fill up may make one think twice about whether he still has the time to write a good enough submission or the chance to be selected when there only so many slots left; I know I did. And there are some players among the Phase 1 participants that may take a while to put up a finished submission, but the end product is beyond solid and their participation in a game is an asset and a boon to it and the story being created through it.

We have seven Phase one applicants left that have not submitted Phase Two applications, of those I have been in contact with all by PM. I have got confirmation back that three are working on their submissions. The other four I have not heard from.

I do not plan on filling the final three spots until I see how the final applications fall. However I still would like to hear from everybody on the three that I mentioned.

And welcome aboard F. Castor..

Also, to let everyone know, I picture life on the secluded island as having customs and mannerisms that pretty much match the Victorian era, without the technology of course. With the island being brought together under Mitra, or what they consider the one true god, they have developed customs that are specific to the region.

I also thinks it fits the flavor of a lot of your characters that have been selected, really, really well. To have an evil campaign full of upper class ladies and gentleman. lol. It really has a League of Extraordinaire Gentleman feel to it.

What do the rest of you think?

Here is a couple links that will help you roleplay in the era as well.

http://keir-reviews.tumblr.com/post/48408765413/how-to-roleplay-in-the-vict orian-era#values

http://www.almanac.com/content/etiquette-and-manners-victorian-era

Excellent, and exactly what I had in mind. Vulgar adventurers may keep their broadswords, helmets, plate and mail, magical bracers and amulets; mine will be the sword-cane, top hat, waistcoat, cufflinks and tie tacks. No dusty backpack, but a proper doctor's bag and surgeon's kit. Also, I have from the first imagined my mutagen, at the least, not in potion form, but rather administered via a large brass syringe...

Hello to everyone, DM and potential players both.

By the way, I am unable to find Seth86's submission actually.

I approve - it would explain Hecate's desperation to escape the shackles of her middle class existence with its concomitant weight of expectations.

However, no corsets or bustles for her - since she's going to be a wizard, she can dress pretty much as she pleases and still be employable. I envisage her dressing more like the lower classes: flowing dresses, shawls, even *gasp* bare arms...! Yes, aristocratic tastes but lower class attire - I'll update her description accordingly.

EDIT- Hi, F.Castor/Erevan!

EDIT II: Description updated

By the way, I am unable to find Seth86's submission actually.

I must be going crazy, because I can't find Seth86's nor Lord Zekk's submission. D:

Are they using Stealth and I can't see them because I have a +0 modifier to Perception?

Right, Lord Zekk's either. Of course, he is among the final twelve so no input needed from us. However, both Seth86 and Lord Zekk have submitted anti-paladins (and dhampirs at that) and comparing the two submissions might be useful in deciding how to judge the three vying for a position (Seth86, Dark Netwerk and Uncle Taco).

Eh, It's mostly because I just want to read everyone's backstory that I was searching for Lord Zekk's. :D

Well, of course that too. :-)

I imagine the both of them submitted everything via PM's. A shame, that.

It'd be better to see their backstories, just to know how they do the role play biz.

Victorian? Intresting take, so try to be more suave and stuck-up? Damn... I can do suave, but I can do down right evil better! Oh well, tally-ho then! Chip, chip, cherrio and all that...stuff! Allons-y? Oh wait that's french...bugger!

By the way, on the first blog you linked there's a broken link to another site with more information on upper-class etiquette in the Victorian Era:
here is the fixed one.

PS: I'd prefer if keep as a reference only the direct links you provided: this one is huuuuuge.

@ Doctor Wilken: I love the idea of brass syringes for the mutagen; a 7% solution, perchance? ;)

@ Chill Dude: Victorian shouldn't mean that we're limited to suave or stuck up - there's always room for navvy sorts and mockney rhyming geezers; or dastardly Johnny Foreigner types... Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has the Invisible Man and Captain Nemo, just for starters - and Quartermaine's not exactly upper class himself. (Let's overlook the hideously inappropriate Fu Manchu portrayal and move swiftly on, shall we?)

That said, "Suave" and "downright evil" are definitely not mutually exclusive! Hollywood seems to love Brit baddies for that reason: Scar in The Lion King, through to

Seth86's backstory.....

The sight was terrifying to behold, but that didn’t matter as there was no one around to see. The young human woman in the hold of a vampire while being drained of her life force, sucked dry of her precious blood, while desperately trying to get away. Desperately trying to protect the child she was carrying in her womb.

The next morning she was found, clinging to life by a bare thread. The same day she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, but her strength wasn’t enough, and after a long painful labour she sighed out her last breath. The baby was born a dhampir, an aberration, his very existence scorned by his elven father. No one ever found out why he was allowed to live, or why his father kept him but Malleck grew up secretly in the dungeons of the House Alerion family household.

One morning a stern-looking gentleman arrived, Malleck’s father introduced him as the head of a nearby school dedicated to Mitra. This school prepared children to become paladins and clerics in the image of Mitra. With a sigh his father said to the gentleman as he opened the door to the dungeon “you are my last hope, I don’t know what else to do” That very same day Malleck was told to pack his few belongings and was sent off to the boarding school. He was nine years old at the time.
School life was not kind, the children teased and mocked him, teachers looked down on him and punished him because of what he was. He took out his frustration on the smaller children that couldn’t fight back, and even some of the older ones that picked a fight at the wrong moment. One day he received news that his father had married an elven woman and a few years later his step-mother gave birth to two perfect elven twin girls. Malleck never got along with his half-sisters and avoided them, along with everyone else, every time he was home.

Once he was finished with school, his father put him in to a training facility for Paladins with the words “despite of what you are, I will not let you become a force for evil”, and with no other choice Malleck learnt to become a paladin. He paid careful attention to everything that was taught and learnt not only the paladins’ strengths, but their weaknesses as well. Fights with the other paladins continued and after a few years he got fed up with the way that everyone said they were fighting for peace and justice, trying to attain perfection and yet they couldn’t treat him with respect.

He started to consider leaving. He’d never been happy there, and there was nothing stopping him from going his own way now that he was an adult. Then one night while he was out walking, plotting what he was going to do next he was approached by an individual. The man was wearing a long robe, the colour of dried blood with a deep hood that hid his face. “We have been watching you. You are different from the other … paladins” he said, turning the word ‘paladin’ into a sneer. “You don’t belong here, you were destined for greater things and they are holding you back. Therefore, we have a proposition for you. But before we can tell you what it is, we need to know that you can be trusted.” Malleck smiled, his sharp pointed teeth glistening in the moonlight, this sounded interesting and it could be exactly what he needed. “The Mitra paladins have taken something that is rather dear to us” the stranger continued “an amulet of Argathoa. They plan on destroying it. If you can return it to us you will be rewarded and we will discuss the proposition.” Malleck nodded slowly, “where do I take the amulet once I have it?” The stranger replied “Once you have the amulet show it to the inn keeper at the Wailing Siren. He will tell you where take it” With that the stranger turned and disappeared into the shadows. Perfect, Malleck thought and started walking back. Instead of going to the sleeping quarters he headed straight for the treasury, it was the safest place, he was sure they would have kept it there. The passages going to the treasury were trapped, but he had figured out the triggers and traps a long time ago avoiding them wasn’t a problem. There were two guards in front of the door. Sneaking up behind the first guard he grabbed him and twisted his head far to the right till he heard the bones in his neck crack. Letting the body fall to the floor he pounced on the other startled guard. As the second guard came charging forward Malleck planted his feet ready for the onslaught, but at the last moment he side stepped letting the guard’s own weight force him to collide with the wall. While the guard was lying there unconscious, Malleck took away his weapons and removed the guard’s helmet and all the armor on his upper body. Once that was done Malleck sat and carved the holy symbol of Mitra onto the guard’s chiseled chest, because he was bored. Eventually the guard came around looking down in horror at what had been done to him. Malleck sat nonchalantly against the wall throwing a dagger into the air and catching the hilt. “On the other side of that door there is an amulet of Argathoa. I want you to bring it to me and I’ll allow you to leave this life swiftly. If you refuse your next hours are going to be incredibly painful.” While he was talking he slowly got up and took a torch off its hook on the wall and started sauntering toward the guard lying on the floor. The guard spat on the floor “Argathoa is the queen of the undead, what would you want with a relic of hers?” Malleck smiled, his pointed teeth almost glowing in the torch light “you’re asking the child of a vampire’s kiss why he wants an amulet of the Queen. You bore me with your chatter.” Pulling the guard to his feet and covering his mouth, he rammed the burning torch into his stomach muffling the light momentarily then pulling the torch away before the flames died. The guards’ screams muted by Malleck s’ hand made a hollow moaning sound echo through the passage. “Now are you going to fetch the amulet or am I going to continue playing?” Malleck asked as the sounds faded away. He stepped back shoving the guard to the door. The guard stood there shaking, staring at the door. As Malleck started walking forward, swinging the torch, the guard gave a start and started fumbling at a rock next to the door. Malleck looked on amused bringing the torch close to the guard. “I’m getting impatient …” as he let the flames of the torch dance across the guards back. There was a click and the door to the treasury swung open. “Good, now go fetch the amulet and this will all be over, like a bad dream” The guard showing no expression at all walked into the treasury and came out holding a small wooden box. “Open it” Malleck ordered. As the guard opened the box there was a flash of light and the guard fell to the ground dazed. Malleck examined the amulet in the box. It was beautiful, made from gold it was in the shape of a giant fly about the size of the palm of his hand with a skull engraved on the back. Two enormous faceted diamonds made up the eyes and a thousand tiny rubies encrusted the wings making it look like it was covered in drops of blood. Malleck unwound the scarf around his neck and being careful not to touch it he wrapped the amulet in the scarf and tucked it into his pocket. He stood up, the guard was trying to stand but was still dazed, Malleck gave the guard a vicious kick sending him sprawling on the ground. Then plunged the dagger deep into the mans’ adam apple, through his neck, pinning him to the floor. He stood and watched as the man struggled, gurgling until at last he stopped moving. Malleck turned and went back up the passage avoiding the traps again. Judging by the angle of the moon Malleck guessed that he had about 2 hours before morning when the guards would change. He wasn’t worried, he planned to be far away long before that.

After grabbing his few personal belongings he was on his way to the inn that had been pointed out to him. This early in the morning there were few people around and he made it to the inn unseen. Slipping around the back he let himself into the kitchen. The girl busy making the fires gave a startled squeak. “Now be a good girl and go fetch the inn keeper and nothing bad will happen” The girl gave another squeak and rushed off with huge frightened eyes. Malleck waited in the kitchen, helping himself to a chunk of bread. The inn keeper came in looking very disheveled from being woken so early and not at all friendly. However before he could say a word Malleck said “I was told to come here once I had acquired a certain amulet and you would tell me where to take it next. I have it in my possession now, where do I take it?” The inn keeper’s expression suddenly turned from anger to fear “you … you have it … here? Show … show me” Malleck pulled the carefully wrapped package out and unwrapped it to show him. The inn keeper gasped and waving his hands pathetically in front of himself pleaded “put it away … put it away… yes … I see you have it … you need to … you must take it away … there is a man … a man ... his name is Dorian … where are those envelopes …” he lifted a plank on the mantelpiece and pulled out two envelopes. “this one is a letter for Dorian …. don’t open it… he is a harsh man… this … this one .. this one will give you the directions …. now take that thing out… I don’t want it here … it’s bad.. evil …it’ll bring me to ruin ..” The inn keeper ushered Malleck out of the door, which he then promptly slammed shut and Malleck could hear the lock being turned. Raising his eyebrows at the inn keepers’ behavior he slipped away keeping to the shadows, moving as fast as he possibly could to get out of town.

An hour later he was safely out of the town and the sun was just breaking the edge of the horizon. That’s when the alarms sounded in the distance, Malleck smiled to himself knowing that he was safe for the time being. He carefully opened his envelope and read the instructions, then set off to find Dorian.

Ten years earlier in another part of the world.

The arrow flew straight and true as it left Dorian’s bow and a scream echoed through the forest as it sunk into his target. Goblin hunting was always fun. Dorian jumped off his horse to retrieve his arrow from the still corpse. As he was wiping the blood off on the grass he heard a soft mewling, slowly he walked towards the sound. It seemed to be coming from behind a large bush. Drawing his sword he silently walked around. Curled up underneath the bush on the other side was a tiny catfolk child. she seemed to be about two years old, with tattered clothing barely providing any cover. She was covered in hundreds of tiny cuts like she’d been running fast through bushes and brambles, but across her left arm and on the right side of her torso there were angry open wounds that could only have been inflicted by a weapon. She turned looking at him with big bright green eyes and tear stained cheeks. “I’m not going to hurt you” Dorian cooed softly as he very gently picked her up. Taking off his jacket and wrapping her up in it he carried the small kitten back to his horse, from where he rushed home to tend to her wounds.

Cisrra spent her youngest years in Dorians’ home. She had been born to a catfolk family in the woods, but then a group of bugbears had killed her family and destroyed her home. She was the only survivor of the attack and had been running for hours before Dorian had found her.
Her natural skill at acrobatics and her love for hunting made Dorian decide she needed more formal training. When she was six years old Dorian sent her to an old Ninja master that lived on the edge of the woods to train in the art. She spent everyday training, and when she wasn’t training Dorian would take her hunting in the forest, instilling a fierce bloodlust into her. When they went to town, he would point out the weaknesses of every person they passed and explain to her the most effective way he suspected they could be killed. Soon Cisrra was arguing with his theories on killing people as she believed she had a better, more effective way.

One day shortly after Cisrra’s eleventh birthday, while in town Dorian and Cisrra were arguing about the most effective way to kill a man that had arrived on a chestnut stallion. The argument continued as they went home, but Cisrra could not be swayed from her opinion – the best way to kill a young noble is in his sleep because without fail they always know how to use weapons at least to some degree. That night she slipped out of the house and made her way to town. With night as her cover she slipped from stable to stable until she found the chestnut stallion. With her natural acrobatic skill she scaled the wall and climbed to the roof. Once there she quietly climbed into the attic through the window. Treading softly so as not to wake the sleeping people. She tip-toed through the inn until she found the book where the inn keeper logged all the visitors that were renting a room for the night. Looking through the names in the book she narrowed it down to three people, all staying in the rooms where the more wealthy travelers usually stayed. Searching through the kitchen she found the keys the servants used when cleaning the rooms and going to light the fires. Going upstairs again she headed straight for the first room, quietly unlocking the door she found a man snoring inside but he was not the one she was looking for. She closed and locked the door again and headed to the second room, there she found the handsome young man she and Dorian had been arguing about. She slipped inside and closed the door behind her. She stood watching him sleep, lightly breathing in and out, the drew her punching daggers out from their sheaths in the small of her back. With a quick fluent movement she stabbed down into his chest at an angle so that the blades of the first dagger went between his ribs, swiftly the second dagger followed straight into his throat turning the startled shout into a gurgle before it could start. Leaving the dagger in his throat she pulled out the dagger in his chest and, after covering his face with the pillow, plunged the dagger in again in the opposite side. Pulling it out she laid it on the bed and picking up the man’s sword she used it to remove his head from the still twitching body. Stuffing the head into a pillow case, she smiled to herself. He never stood a chance. As she turned to the window she saw a frightening face staring back at her, the insect-like look of the face startled her but before she could fully understand what she had seen the face was gone and she was left wondering if it had been her imagination. She opened the window and looked out but couldn’t see anyone. Quietly making almost no noise she slipped through the window and landed with an almost soundless thud. As soon as her feet touched the ground she moved quickly towards her home.

When she got home Dorian was pacing by the fire “Where have you been! What are you thinking going out by yourself at this time of the night! I was worried sick!!!” Cisrra pulled the head from the pillow case and dropped it onto the table. Then walked to the middle of the room, stretching her hands high above her head she twirled slowly “not a scratch, and he barely had a chance to make a sound” she walked over to Dorian and kissed him on the cheek “I’m tired, I’m going to bed” and with that turned and went to her room. Dorian smiled, everything was working out perfectly he hadn’t even had to coax her into doing her first kill.

A few days later a lady appeared at the door. She explained that one of the Red Mantis assassins had seen her kill and that they had been rather impressed. So they were offering her a chance to come and train to be one of their own assassins. Cisrra found the whole idea intriguing and agreed to go with the woman to train with Red Mantis Assassins Guild.

Nearly a year later, after receiving a lot of training and officially becoming a novice in the Red Mantis Guild Cisrra returned home to Dorian. She wasn’t planning on staying long before returning to the guild’s training house, but while she was there a curious stranger appeared. A dhampir man. Cisrra was stretched out in the gap between the book shelf and the ceiling when he appeared in the library. He was very handsome and had a rebellious quality about him that she found extremely compelling. He didn’t notice her hidden in the dark corner. He walked over to Dorian with a confident saunter. He spoke a few words to Dorian and pulled a package out of his pocket. Dorian unwrapped it muttered a few words and then left the room, leaving the stranger there. The stranger walked over to the bookshelf, Cisrra held her breath, but he hadn’t noticed her yet. Dorian came back into the room carrying a bag of gold, which he dumped into the stranger’s hands “the man that gave you this task is an agent in the Order of the Whispering Way, they have taken an interest in you, having watched you and learnt about your history. If you are willing, they are offering you a place in their ranks” The stranger thought about this for a moment “The Whispering Way …” he muttered, looking down at the gold in his hands. He looked up, straight into Dorian’s eyes “I will take the place that’s being offered” Dorian smiled, satisfied by the way things were going “good ... Cisrra come here” Startled the stranger spun around as Cisrra gracefully leaped out from her hiding place landing in front of the book shelf. With a smug smile at the appreciative look in the stranger’s eyes she walked over to Dorian “yes?” “Malleck this is Cisrra, you are welcome to stay here, rest and share our home until I receive word from the other members of the Way” turning to Cisrra he said “I trust you will make our guest comfortable” Rolling her eyes Cisrra sighed “well … I can promise I won’t kill him …?” Dorian laughed quietly “that’ll do kitten” he lightly kissed her on the forehead then turned to Malleck “you must please excuse me, I have business to attend to” and with that left the room. Malleck stepped closer to Cisrra, running a finger down the soft fur in her neck “you are a pretty little kitten”. In a moment Cisrra had her punching daggers out “I’ve got claws too” Malleck nodded as he slowly walked around her “very impressive, and the fact that you were here the whole time without me noticing was impressive too … but I wonder …” circling around her slowly he suddenly grabbed both her arms stretching them out above her head and, holding both in his one hand he trailed his hand down her side as she was unable to release herself “I thought so … claws are easily taken care off” and he let her go.

Cisrra and Malleck got along just fine and in the week they stayed together in Dorian’s house they were together virtually all the time. For the first time Malleck was around people who didn’t mock him for being what he was. He went hunting in the woods with Cisrra and reveled in her bloodlust as well as his own. Although her blasé, teasing nature infuriated him he was careful to keep his temper under control around Dorian as he seemed to be fond of Cisrra and Malleck didn’t want to lose the opportunity he now had. Cisrra enjoyed Malleck’s company and teased him simply to see if she could push him over the edge.

Soon a request came through for Malleck to come through to Gallowspire, to her surprise they requested that Cisrra accompany him. Together they left and traveled the difficult journey together, leaving chaos in their wake … simply because they would become bored with the journey on the road. Once in Gallowspire Malleck undertook his training as the anti-thesis of everything he had been trained to be all his life, he became an anti-paladin in every sense of the word. Cisrra spent her time between training at the Red Mantis Guild and working with Malleck on his missions for the Whispering Way. Malleck and Dorian struck up an unusual friendship somewhere between brotherhood and a bitter rivalry.

One sunny afternoon about two weeks after her 14th birthday Cisrra was home at Dorian’s request and as usual Malleck had accompanied her. Dorian and Malleck had been in deep conversation in the library all day and Cisrra was becoming rather curious. Just as she was about to lose patience they called for her to join them. “Cisrra” Dorian started “we have decided that it will be to our mutual benefit if you and Malleck are joined in matrimony. Malleck agrees and we have decided that you shall be wed within the week” Cisrra raised her eyebrows “I don’t have a choice, do I?” Malleck walked to her and holding her tightly against him whispered in to her ear “No, you will belong to me” Cisrra closed her eyes and took a deep breath “Fine, I will marry you” stretching her hands above and pulling in her ribs she relaxed her entire body, slipping through Malleck’s hands. The sudden change of weight took him by surprise as she slipped through his fingers, before he knew it she was standing just beyond his reach. She smiled at him and winked before disappearing out the door.

Cisrra escaping his grasp so easily made Malleck angry, he was careful to hide his frustration around Dorian but he vowed that Cisrra would learn who was in charge here. That evening he found her and told her he had a special pre-wedding gift for her. Taking her to his room he gave her a beautifully wrapped box, excited Cisrra opened it quickly. Her excitement turned to confusion as she took out the silver studded collar and leash. Malleck smiled wickedly as he closed and locked the door behind him.

Lord Zekk is still compiling his backstory into story form. Here is the basics.

ARIANA DARKLIGHT

Step 1: Write 5 background and concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character. These can be a concept overview, a list of important life events, a physical description, a personality profile...whatever you need to get an image in your mind. 5 is just a minimum...more elements are encouraged!

1) Well educated. A former student of the Church of Mitra she has been working as a courtesan for some time, though secretly she has been plotting to overthrow the Church and Government.

2) She is pragmatic, charismatic, beautiful and flirtations. She knows how to flip her dark flowing hair, let slip little glimpses of what's below her dress and soften her voice, using charms against the weak willed and exploiting temptations most men are slaves to.

3) Usually calm and collected she has a terrible temper and the ruthlessness to back it up. She has learned how to fight in her years living in the underside of the city. What she lacks in technique she makes up for in ferocity. She prefers to talk her way out of most situations but has no hesitation using deadly force when required. It's just so messy.

4) She no friends and few allies. Trust does not come easily to her. She sees others more as tools rather than as equals as she has yet to meet anyone worthy of such respect.

5) She has a soft spot for the women of the night and has a deep hatred for the loyal worshipers of Mitra.

Step 2: List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.

1) She would like to destroy the Church of Mitra and bring the Talingarde Government to it's knees replaced with all the greatness of Asmodeus.

2) It would be awesome if she could personally dispatch the holy knights of Mitra/ Paladins and/or whoever their leader is. Also she would love the chance to seduce the clergy/ clerics and then once they have been seduced by darkness destroy them.

Step 3: List at least two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!

1) In her time as student in the church of Mitra she fell in love with a young student. She doesn't know it was love, but he is not a holy knight/cleric/paladin and facing him would test her faith when the feelings she doesn't know she still has face her.

2) She has a small rentinue of loyal followers though she does not truly trust them (she never trusts anyone so...) who she leads to subvert the Church and Government.

Step 4: Describe at least three people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.

1) Arthus Mendes a mercenary and a sell sword. The skill fighter, with few principles which are mostly revolve around him paid for his services. He taught how to use wield a blade, shoot a bow, raise her shield and move in armour.

2) Nymeria - A witch and the madame of the brothel she first started in and the one who recognized her talents and taught her the ways of a courtesan.

3) Enemy could be any promient Knight or Paladin - I'm not familiar with the important figures of Talingarde

Step 5: Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.

1) Ariana remembers the first time they went swimming. When she emmerged from the water her small clothes clinging to her shapely young body. She had the attention of every fool eyed boy most of them with they gaping mouth hanging open looking stupid labourers. In that moment she knew there was something about her that gave her power over men.

2) The memory of the first time the sunlight was to bright for her. The thirst burned her throat. He came to her to console her. He was infatuated, and before she knew what she was doing she was drinking deeply from him. The warm satisfying feeling. He never told a soul of it. But he never looked at her again.

3) She remembers running through the night. Terrified. They thought she was a monster. They wanted her dead. She never felt so scared. So afraid. Nowhere to go. What would she do, if she survived.

4) Her first night with a man. She had watched the other girls do it. They told her how. What to expect. She smiled and flirted but he didn't care. He ripped her clothes off and went on with it till he was done.

5) He was hansome and wealthy. He wanted something his noble wife could not give him. She was dressed so elegantly, flowing gown with deep cuts in all the right place enhancing her studding figure. She spoke sweet words, listened to him, danced with him and for him. They were together again and again. He came back the next night, and the night after that and the night after that. He was hers and he wasn't the last.

6) The warm blood on her hands, on her lips. Stupid soldier. Thought he could have his way with her. The fool. She took his blade from him with her bare hands. Cut him with his own blade over and over, finally decapitating him. That was her first kill.

@ Chill Dude: Victorian shouldn't mean that we're limited to suave or stuck up - there's always room for navvy sorts and mockney rhyming geezers; or dastardly Johnny Foreigner types... Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has the Invisible Man and Captain Nemo, just for starters - and Quartermaine's not exactly upper class himself. (Let's overlook the hideously inappropriate Fu Manchu portrayal and move swiftly on, shall we?)

That said, "Suave" and "downright evil" are definitely not mutually exclusive! Hollywood seems to love Brit baddies for that reason: Scar in The Lion King, through to ** spoiler omitted ** in the Star Trek reboot and Loki in the Avengers movie.... Hells, Dick Dastardly in Wacky Races, even ("Drrrrrat and double drrrrrat!")

I was just a bit worried about restrictions that come with Victorian behavior. However, I see your point, a good baddie is a charming baddie. However, I would enjoy the idea of, say Ratiagn, a villain who tries to be a gentleman, but is so bad and controling his inner monster that it pops out frequently. And by the end he just gives up and gives in to the beast. That would be an intresting take.

The "Victorian" setting is just for flavor, it really changes nothing game wise, it however does give everyone a focus RP wise. Also not every character on the books is from Talingarde or at least civilized Talingarde so some may not be used to its customs or may not have learned how to completely fit in yet. Social status has everything to do with it as well.

It is your character after all and you should be able to play him however you like and/or however you perceive him/her to be regardless if it 'fits in' or not.

"But isn't it ah slash bit more geay when your chaaaractah talks fancy lik this? Oh stop it! You tease!"

However, I would enjoy the idea of, say Ratiagn, a villain who tries to be a gentleman, but is so bad and controling his inner monster that it pops out frequently. And by the end he just gives up and gives in to the beast. That would be an intresting take.

I think that would be a cool take on it:

*RAGE*

*unspeakably vile act(s)*

"Now look what you made me do..."

Something along those lines?

@DM Asmodeus: I can see where you're coming from on this; I'm trying to mod my character accordingly - I've always associated Victorian with Steampunk, so to have that setting without the associated tech is quite a novelty.

The "Victorian" setting is just for flavor, it really changes nothing game wise, it however does give everyone a focus RP wise. Also not every character on the books is from Talingarde or at least civilized Talingarde so some may not be used to its customs or may not have learned how to completely fit in yet. Social status has everything to do with it as well.

Very well, just wondering, having Victorian customs in medieval fantasy threw me off a bit.

@Darkness Rising: Precisely! *wicked grin*

I know we still have Phase Two submissions coming from:

DFang - Human Wizard (Creation)
Spazmodeus - Half-Elf Ranger (Urban)

However I have not heard anything back from the PM sent this past weekend from:

alexgndl - Skinwalker Inquisitor
DM Barcas - Kitsune Sorcerer (rakshasha-blooded)
Salty Kid - Human Rogue
Sigz - Aasimar (Angel Blooded) Inquisitor (Torture Master)

Looks like the final three slots may come down to the wire.

Talingarde and Gaslights (Thought I better address this since we are doing Victorian customs and the two usually go together..)

Public illumination preceded the discovery and adoption of gaslight, Talingarde is on the edge of this discovery of gaslight but it is still a few decades out of reach. King Markadian V has ordained lanterns with lights to be hanged out in all cities and settlements each evening from dusk to dawn on all paved city streets. It has also been ordained that the inhabitants of any settlement were to keep lights burning in the windows of all houses that faced the streets. It further has been ordained that all inhabitants in any occupied building within the confines of Talingarde no matter if within a settlement or not, hang out a light, or lamp, every night from six to eleven o'clock, under the penalty of one copper as a fine for failing to do so.

Cool - I think that I will change my crime to going around dousing public lights. Lol.

Should be easy enough to steal a few lanterns anyway if needed.

ITS TOO QUITE!!!! SOMEBODY POST SOMETHING!!!!!!!

Well, as much as I would like just to announce the final three and move on. It would not be fair to those that are still working on their Phase Two submission.

Only a few more days to go however and we all will have plenty to talk about.

So we're waiting the submission from DFang and Spazmodeus, and the last part of the Phase 2 submission by The Pale King, and then we'll pass to phase 3?

That, or we'll just have to wait another 3 days. *Taps fingers nervously*

I show that The Pale King's submission is completed.

Waiting on the other two at minimum. The way it looks is we will wait the three days and then make a final decision on Monday morning and then move to Phase Three.

I really would like to see a Phase Two application from DM Barcas but I haven't heard from him.

Two sides to that consideration. On one side, you did give people until 8/24 to complete Phase II. On the flip side, if the player is not on vacation, or otherwise unable to access the site, their failure to respond to PMs and/or post on the recruitment thread is always concerning when considering that they are expected to be posting more or less daily, hopefully more than once a day if the situation requires it.

Although I am quite eager to start as well, to be fair the deadline is the 24th, at least at this time (I believe it was the 31st at the beginning). Of course, it is DM Asmodeus' game and thus he may very well choose to end the whole recruitment process earlier, but we did work on our applications under the assumption that we had ample time to do so. Regardless, we are among the lucky twelve so a day or two earlier or later hardly matters to us; it may, however, matter to those still working on their submissions, because a hastily finished application due to their perceiving to be out of time sooner than expected may not be indicative of their true potential as players.

As for one's reliability, we chose to submit characters because we believed we could post at least once a day and presumably something a bit longer than a one-liner. However, even the best of plans can go awry, especially if or when the beastie known as Real Life chooses to rear its sometimes ugly head. But that is also why there are going to be two alternates chosen alongside the six core players as well, I believe.

Anyway, just my two shillings... ;-)

There will be six players chosen and two alternates among the 12 in the final Phase Three. While I do tend to look at things through the same eyes as Tkaara about the posting time or at least tell us where they are at with the background, etc.

I believe in all fairness however (like F. Castor stated) that since this is a major cut of applicants then I would like to give them the agreed upon time frame. I will be busy this weekend with my Real Life campaigns as well so Monday would be a much better kick off day for Phase Three than this weekend.

Another concern is that I selected Lord Zekk - Ariana Darklight the Dhampir Anti-Paladin. a couple days ago and asked that he join us in the discussion thread and he has not appeared as of yet so that worries me about his possible posting schedule.

In any event when we start Phase Three with the final twelve we will see where everyone stands and all of you can make your votes and judgements based on physical post and actions, thus the entire purpose of Phase Three.

Looking forward to monday then. Have a great weekend all.

Ah man, now we all have to wait. Can't we just kill off one or two over the weekend. We will call it the unexpected after affects of an out of control prison party. Just think of the benefit of this, two less to have to worry about voting off and killing later.

Tkaara quickly raises her hand: Not it.

Hey just got the PM about the discussion thread. My character is ready. I forgot to copy paste her in into the sheet, doing that right now.

Been posting daily in the game I'm DMing and the one I'm playing in right now. So hopeuflly you won't need to worry about my posting schedule :)

ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!!

The final twelve have been chosen. The PM's have been sent. The remaining three should be arriving here shortly.

I have also created a mystery 13th spot that I will use to select any really juicy character submitted in Phase Two over the weekend.

So stay tuned folks. I am working on the opening story now and will be posting and opening the Phase Three gameplay thread shortly.

Please create an alias for your character and join in once I give the go ahead. Good luck to each of you. Make sure to read the rules and instructions in the top of the gameplay thread.

.....................................................................

Full character sheet is up with the background.

Hello, my friends. I hope that Sigz puts in his application as well. He has been by PBP player for three years and is a fantastic player. I look forward to this Phase 3 process.

I am hoping to see his application as well as Dfang's. We will let them battle it out for the mystery 13th spot if they submit this weekend.

I am hoping to see his application as well as Dfang's. We will let them battle it out for the mystery 13th spot if they submit this weekend.

Oooh, a battle. What are they going to use? Sawtooth sabres? Cat o' nine tails? Spiked chains? Butter knives?

Shrubberies.

For in this case, The keyboard is mightier than the sword?