Hmmm... anyone else here who could end up helping Jericho through a NeverNever rift and into York? I have a now useless guest star I could easily replace.
I could actually see Grillan being useful in this, given his thaumaturgy abilities. It would make particular sense if he had either been in the process of opening or closing the rift.
Closing would likely have been because it was attached to something he wanted to include in his hoard, but an open connection to the NeverNever represented too big a security threat for him to accept, or because the rift was simply too close to the house he had moved into. Alternately, perhaps some enterprising thief had tried to use the NeverNever as a route around his protections. In any case, given his relatively contemptuous view of the White Council's justice, a short conversation with Jericho and finding out about his troubles with them would likely have been enough to get Grillan to let him through the rift before it was sealed.
Opening would probably make the most sense if he was chasing after a thief who was trying to take refuge there... and because he'd followed it into its own territory, Grillan probably would have been in over his head. I could easily see Jericho having turned the tide and saving him at a key moment in the fight with the thief, and Grillan letting him hitch a ride back through to the real world as a thank you.
Out of curiousity, would it be acceptable to re-flavor potion slots for Grillan as more akin to talismans? I seem him as being likely to bind up power in limited use methods (ie, potions), that he can carry around with him, anchored to objects from his hoard. But it doesn't strike me as in character for him to do so in a manner that would actually require the destruction of a piece of his hoard.
So, I was thinking that there really isn't any mechanical difference between a single use potion contained in a vial that a wizard drinks, and anchoring the power to a physical object that has been treated in some way before hand to hold the spell energy.
I mean, even the sense based ingredients part of potions could still be used... it's just a reflavoring of the container for the prepared spell.
Yes, talismans would be absolutely fine. We could say that once discharged they need to be 'earthed' or recharged.
Still trying to figure out how to guest-star in a way that makes sense for Kenneth, but I think I've got my foci selected -- and working on the details of the rote spells, although I've put what I've got into my profile.
I'm trying to avoid anything too Fey-related in Kenneth's background, which is why I have to step somewhat gingerly (no pun intended, red-headed Scot and all) where these are concerned.
I could see Kenneth guest starring in Grillan's story, particularly if he'd ever had an object from his hoard broken and needed it repaired, which is something I'm certainly not adverse to saying happened at some point...
Side note: Aside form his last two phases and aspects, Grillan should be finished mechanically, I think.
@Jack the Shadowlord – Your phase 5, the manor house break in performed by Trip’s sister Maribeth, a Red Court vampire and her lover Cidric the one who turned her.
@Jericho Korben – It is possible that your mother is Trip’s sister Maribeth. Maribeth was a wild one and only married out of duty. She had many affairs during her marriage and could have born Kilborn as a result. Maribeth has recently been turned into a vampire by a member of the Red Court. This would make Trip your uncle.
@Kenneth Evander Finley – As a crossover from your looking for the cult that killed your girl, you could have come across some Red Court vampires that Trip was hunting.
Ken, if you're wanting to connect to my first story I'm fairly certain it'll work, DSX can fill you in a character you may know, who may drag you to York or simply be re-uniting in the next set-piece.
Trip, that's kind of an awesome thought. I haven't really connected my family to my story but if you like it it could work.
Jericho -- I inserted myself slightly into that -- I figure that the lack of evidence isn't as much an issue to someone who's entire system comes from taking things on faith. :)
Also, thanks to some advice and guidance from Jericho, I have finalized my rote spells, focus items and enchanted items (a few shifts from the original ideas, but I think these all work thematically).
Ok, I've shifted the aspects around and guest star roles -- Trip, Kenneth's now crashed your first run-in with vamps and helped kill one to get you out of harm (at that time), assuming you're willing.
So, Kenneth's Seven Aspects are:
- High Concept: Warrior-Bard of Old
- Trouble: Romantic Poet's Soul
- Runt of The Litter
- Bet You Can't Save Just One
- Echoes of Caitlin
- Burns With Righteous Fury
- One Faithful Harp Shall Praise Thee..
Though I have to say, I'm a little concerned about overlap between some of these.
Alright then, Jericho is my nephew and Kenneth helped me survive my first encounter with the supernatural.
I just need to upgrade my stats to 30 points up from 25 and work out some stunts.
Minor rebuild -- turned the sword from a focus into an enchanted item, and built 2 new rote spells -- the old item/power combo didn't quite jive with me.. Of course, I notice that if I keep my armour rote up I can never attack, so I may want to figure out something else, but one thing at a time.
Also - I just noticed that the board didn't warn me about post #10 and making this alias permanent. Weird.
Alright, I used Jericho's Stranger in a Strange Land for Grillan's first guest star, and had him offer some directions to Jericho as to how to get out of the NeverNever (chosen to put the Ferromancer out near Jorvik, in case Grillan ever needed to ask a favor of him).
I still need to find another guest star idea for the last phase though. Anybody got any good suggestions?
It's a little tricky with your backstory of having been enslaved, however, it's possible one of the Cultists who grabbed Sloan sought your experience iding an artifact -- or worse, tried to swipe one from you.
Cool it'll be a few days until I close the original chapter and introduce you lot. Especially as Aximeus & Jericho were both feeling under the weather.
Roger that, now that Anime Conji is over, I'll be able to figure out my focus items and such.
I'll get a response up tomorrow - I just want to make it good; but Duana with 'cede to your request. Hopefully i can do that in her character.
Just creating a 'box opening' sequence which will also close the first "book/act/chapter". I will do a brief write up of the story.
So, I've got the story for Grillan working with Kenneth figured out... but I'm not sure of a phase aspect to accompany it. Anyone got a good idea? I'd like something that kind of showcases Grillan not always seeing the impact of his actions at first, but feeling responsible enough when he becomes aware to get involved, given how the story came out.
Guest Starring: Kenneth Evander Finley
During one of his stints as a restoration specialist, Grillan was approached by a man to reconstruct some old stonework. The job paid well enough, but the patterns that Grillan ended up remaking left him with an unpleasant vibe.Concerned, Grillan set about tracking the man down, and quickly discovered the man was a cult leader, and the symbols he had been recreating were only small parts of designs on a sacrificial altar. His path crossed with a young man named Kenneth, who was looking for a missing girl named Sloane. Worried that Kenneth might barge in and cause the cultists to use the altar precipitously and let their sponsor into the world (because Kenneth seemed a bit rash), Grillan presents himself as a concerned shaman who has figured out what the cult is attempting and wants to stop it.
He provides Kenneth with talismans which will offer a fighting chance against the cultists, in exchange for the agreement that the altar will be unmade after the girl is rescued.
I'm just not sure how to boil that down to a good phrase for the aspect.
From what I understand, the aspect's what was unlocked in you for the experience -- so this could be anything from SAGE FOR HIRE to PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS to TELL ME NO LIES to... well, anything. (The "building up Harry Dresden" thing in the book gives him PERPETUALLY BROKE as an aspect based on his last guest star, despite it not really being referenced) -- so you don't really have to link it to what action you took in the story, per se.
That's cool, I'm also running one IRL. Which is interesting: the players are having a great time, but I'm not sure if it's a bit meh. However the last session was awesome - a weird fight that lasted the whole evening.
Highlights include:
- Throwing a bottle of Sambuca over a ghoul then flicking a lit cigarette into it!
- Flamboyant singer atop the back of a man in a Godzilla suit; smashing the flaming skull off a zombie.
- A Flaming zombie in 6” Teflon high heels, being taken out by a falling prop Mothra.
- A half ogre, grabbing a burning zombie and pummelling another with his corpse.
- A Spiritualist hiding in the mens loo; getting the help of a all girl group to bar the door whilst he talks to a ghost.
- Mob hit-man shooting a demon with silver bullets.
I like let cooler heads prevail, but I'm just not seeing it as viable, in that it seems like it would be very awkward to turn into a compel.
Sage for Hire seems more workable, so I think I'll go with that.
Avarice makes the heart grow fonder?, sorry I'll try something better.
I like let cooler heads prevail, but I'm just not seeing it as viable, in that it seems like it would be very awkward to turn into a compel.
Sage for Hire seems more workable, so I think I'll go with that.
I could compel let cooler heads prevail pretty easily...
it could be used to compel you to stand down in situations where you're getting too aggressive
it could be used to compel to back down when someone else is getting too aggressive, because you let "their cooler head prevail"
Letting off steam?
Yes, that was railroady. Don't worry, I personally cleared it with DSX before doing it. I would feel that was incredibly annoying if anyone pulled it in my game without permission.
So, after thinking about what Xaaon said, I changed that last aspect to "Let Cooler Heads Prevail."
Now to just be told when it's good for the new folks to join in the gameplay thread.
I'll start the next act/chapter tomorrow...
...it'll start at a Valentines Day Dance at the Universities Central Hall. So if yu can think of a reason to be there?
Well, assuming I rescued Sloane, she could be dragging me out to "have a social life" -- she's a student there, after all.
Do the British have something like our (the US's) ROTC? If yes Trip could be as a guest speaker helping them get recruits.
I'll dream up something for Rill. Likely he'll be undercover, intent on acquiring some relic the university keeps on display.
@Trip -- Usually no. From what I know of my friends here, the UK works in a similar way to Canada, which is to say, there is an active Cadet program at the high school level -- but then, rather than ROTC at each college and university, you head to the Royal Military College (which is to say, Sandhurst, for the Brits, though for us, it's the RMC) -- where you get a university education as well as your officer training, and then you're on active duty.
(In Canada, you can attend the RMC as part of the Reserve Entry Training Plan [RETP], at which point you don't get a free education, nor are you paid for your in-class time, though you are paid for your summers}
Which isn't to say that they wouldn't send you to a school to encourage folk to consider heading to Sandhurst -- and if they're anything like the Canadian RMC, they'll be pushing their graduate studies programmes.
Cool, can't wait!
Um, Sorry DSXM, I kinda wrote my last post without reading the last 20 entries in the OOC thread. ;P Not trying to drag out the last scene, promise! :)
Hm, so Henri is alive. (Recurring villain anyone?) :D
Just basically trying to figure out how much trouble to expect from Henri in the (immediate?) future. And if the Imp is going to go away, or become a contact? :)
I thought Jericho's post was awesome. I can totally see that scene. And the way I/Danny figures it, when dealing with the supernatural, you have two ways, One, trick them into doing what you want and hope they don't figure it out. Or two, convince them that you are the biggest dog on the porch. (guess which way Danny prefers!) :)
Danny has his reason for being at the party/event. He hasn't seen the twins much (at all) lately. He's ready to have some fun!
DSXM, the RL game sounds like a blast! Sounds like you have a group that thinks like my old gaming group. 'Outside the box' if you will. I'd appreciate updates on fun scenes like that one again. (Maybe it'll give me ideas!) :)
Danny can't wait to meet all his new 'friends', welcome guys!
Let's say Trip is there as a guest lecturer encouraging students to enlist and transfer to Sandhurst.
I thought Jericho's post was awesome. I can totally see that scene. And the way I/Danny figures it, when dealing with the supernatural, you have two ways, One, trick them into doing what you want and hope they don't figure it out. Or two, convince them that you are the biggest dog on the porch. (guess which way Danny prefers!) :)
Thank you, thank you *bows*
I worked on it for awhile, since I knew I could do it as a cutscene. It was fun to write it out.
And Jericho already has a reason, he's been co-opted into it in the last story.
Do the British have something like our (the US's) ROTC? If yes Trip could be as a guest speaker helping them get recruits.
Yes, there's the Sea-scouts for youngsters and the Services (Army, Navy, Air-Force) offer students grants if they join up upon completion. Also many of the British athletes and Rugby players serve in the military as part of their profession (eg. Double Olympic Gold medalist Kelly Holmes).
Anyway as a SAS man, Trip would have been in the Army. (it's the less famous SBS for the navy) And all the forces are separated/segregated.
Cool, can't wait!
Um, Sorry DSXM, I kinda wrote my last post without reading the last 20 entries in the OOC thread. ;P Not trying to drag out the last scene, promise! :)
Hm, so Henri is alive. (Recurring villain anyone?) :D
Just basically trying to figure out how much trouble to expect from Henri in the (immediate?) future. And if the Imp is going to go away, or become a contact? :)
That's fine, better to have all the info out there than not too much. Especially with my convoluted plots, hope the brief synopsis was alright, I wanted to do more but it was getting a bit difficult to order.
DSXM, the RL game sounds like a blast! Sounds like you have a group that thinks like my old gaming group. 'Outside the box' if you will. I'd appreciate updates on fun scenes like that one again. (Maybe it'll give me ideas!) :)
Yeah, they seem to be having a great time. Personally I have been feeling it's a bit meh, with some of the scenes and NPC's not gelling right. Brilliantly we were only meant to have 1 more session when the players have thrown a curve-ball at me and the climax is going to be interesting.
Sorry everybody that I didn't get the post up tonight. I'll review everyones sheets and try to get it up tomorrow. After a full day of complicated rules, all my games have tons of posts in - better than being quiet :)
Fair enough. I may actually adopt that house rule if my TT group ever gets around to playing a dresden files game.
Ryuko/Jericho's idea, and i find it gives a nice randomness to the combats, especially if you have the same group.
Again, my apologies
That's fine i have been trying to come up with a perfect start (whilst being busy), but have decided with this... more to come but everyone feel free to place yourselves there.
Do I need something from you or should I just self-insert?
Sorry, was trying to compose it and then got disturbed, will try to describe the scene a bit more. Also finding it a bit hard not dictating actions.
Xabulba/Trip: we still need to put the guest-stars in your Alias and some aspects. I had some thoughts:
'Who dares wins' - SAS motto
'Fit for Duty'
'Armed and Dangerous'
'Major -' something, like Pain, Peace; basically something reflecting his rank.
There is also the Red Court Vampires, which now seem to be part of all the stories, this seems to be perfect for whats' happened already.
Before the act starts, everyone has a minimum of their refresh FP.