What kind of communications does Aaron have? Cell, landline? How would his contact get in touch with him?
Cell, for sure. I imagine he'd have a business line in the store itself for the mundane side of things though.
Detective, when you make it back, can you tell me a little about your business? Do you have an office, advertising, how do people contact you, what kinds of cases, etc?
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Just got back a little bit ago.
Sorry, probably should have had that in my backstory. I've got a small office set up in my apartment where I take calls and meet clients that want a face-to-face in a private setting. As for advertisement, I've got a listing in the phone book and cards have made circulation around the neighborhoods near my residence.
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Just got back a little bit ago.
Sorry, probably should have had that in my backstory. I've got a small office set up in my apartment where I take calls and meet clients that want a face-to-face in a private setting. As for advertisement, I've got a listing in the phone book and cards have made circulation around the neighborhoods near my residence.
As for the types of cases I take, it's generally the standard PI cases: cheating husbands, cheating wives, missing relatives, missing pets, things like that. Haven't had any cases involving the supernatural until tonight.
As an aside, from a Dresndenverse perspective, having a business in your home is a very bad idea. Residences have a magical Threshold, basically a magical envelope that encompasses the place where a mortal lives. Businesses are by their nature public spaces, meaning that a home business weakens the threshold considerably. The Threshold is what blocks a Vampire from entering a house without permission, for instance.
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Yeah, but Jarrod doesn't really realize this, as though he kept a slight eye out for supernatural happenings in his neighborhood, he generally tried to keep away from everything like that. Luckily, nothing until tonight ever involved the supernatural. Now, I expect him to bone up a little more on these rules and perhaps change things. Maybe work to afford an actual office somewhere and keep his apartment separate.
Though, from what I remember of Dresdenverse (just got the first five yesterday and am rereading them now), apartments tend to have a weaker threshold than actual houses as they aren't typically permanent residences.
That's true. Family homes are much stronger. Jarrod probably doesn't have too much of a "home."
You guys want some time to chat and work things out? I can move on whenever.
Agreed.
Ill try and post in a bit, but it's bath night for the kids, so it'll be later.
Various listings of the laws of hospitality
(Warning: Wordy)
The Code of Honor of the Old World was accepted and expected when negotiating between various supernatural factions. The Obligations of Hospitality and a Sworn Oath are more binding than the threat of violence. A being making such an oath would be obligated to protect the other person from themselves and others making a threat. Failing that duty would be a serious loss of face and respect. Word would get around.[3]
The Obligations of Guest and Host are almost holy to the Supernatural world.[1]
The Fae, in particular, set great store on forms of courtesy, etiquette, and the relationship of guest to host. One openly ignored the proper forms at their peril. The Sidhe, the Lords of Faerie are likely to have extreme reactions.[4]
The Old World Code of Conduct ruled that problems are settled face to face amongst quarrelers. Supernatural fights in the open calls human attention who, as history tells, will band together and kill Supes indiscriminately.[2]
Traditional courtesies are respecting safe passage and Losing to a guest with grace.[4]
In Cold Days, when Cat Sith is summoned by Harry into Thomas Raith's apartment, he demonstrates to Harry and Thomas his utter respect for the obligations of guest and host.[1]
Quote
"While I am here, I am bound by the same traditions as would apply were I your invited guest. I will offer no harm to anyone you have accepted into your home, nor take any action which would be considered untoward for a guest. I will report nothing of what I see and hear in this place, and make every effort to aid and assist your household and other guests while I remain." ~ Cat Sith[1]
The guest right is a ancient and sacred tradition, that goes back thousands of years in Westeros to the First Men.[1]
The Sacred Law of Hospitality
The guest right is a sacred law of hospitality. When a guest, be he common born or noble, eats the food and drinks the drink off a host's table beneath the host's roof, the guest right is invoked. Bread and salt are the traditional provisions.
When invoked, neither the guest can harm his host nor the host harm his guest for the length of the guest's stay.[1] For either to do so would be to break a sacred covenant that is believed to invoke the wrath of the Gods both old and new. Both the teachings of the old gods and the Faith of the Seven hold to this. Even robber lords and wreckers are bound by the ancient laws of hospitality. [2]
Practice
A lord with a bared sword across his knees is making a traditional sign that he is denying guest right.[3]
It is sometimes customary for a host to give "guest gifts" to the departing guests when they leave the host's dwellings; this usually represents the end of the sacred guest right. In addition, visiting guests will sometimes offer their host "guest gifts" as gratitude for giving them food and shelter.[4]
Hospitality law is a legal and social practice related to the treatment of a person's guests or those who patronize a place of business. Related to the concept of legal liability, hospitality laws are intended to protect both hosts and guests against injury, whether accidental or intentional.
Duty to guests
Hotels and other business operators are expected to "act prudently and use reasonable care"[1] to ensure that their premises are (reasonably) free of risk. While not specifically requiring that a business owner ensure his guests are safe, most jurisdictions interpret 'prudent and reasonable' to include foreseeable dangers, such as tripping hazards or unsecured shelving.
In most cases, unless directly disclaimed (for example, with some insurance waivers), hospitality law does not protect a business owner against charges of negligence.
Use in common law
Common law holds innkeepers liable for any loss of guest property when the guest in on the premises of a place of business; in practice, such liability is often overlooked provided that the business owner meets certain conditions (such as having a guest sign a waiver of liability). In most countries, for liability waivers to be enforceable, notification of the waiver must be posted in an accessible, visible location (usually at the front desk or in a common area of the business), and must be printed in clearly legible text.
American hospitality statutes also govern bailments. A bailment is the “delivery of an item of property, for some purpose, with the expressed or implied understanding that the person receiving it shall return it in the same or similar condition in which it was received, when the purpose has been completed.” [2] Coat checks, safety deposit boxes, and luggage storage are common examples of bailments for the hospitality industry.
The Laws of Innkeepers by John E.H. Sherry[3] provides an in-depth analysis of the laws affecting places of public accommodation.
Hospitality is sacred. The host must not harm the guest, the guest must not harm the host, and not offering in the first place is a serious affront. In Ancient Greek, hospitality was called xenia and was sacred; Zeus was called Zeus Xenios in his function as god and guarantor of hospitality and protectors of guests. This comes from the word for "stranger"; so, for that matter, does "hospitality". Another word from that root is "hostile", which helps explain why the rules are so severe.
Less popular in modern times with the rise in hotels and forms of transport that mean twenty miles is not a day's journey, and decreasing odds that you will have to fight someone who's a stranger, but Older Than Feudalism and of vast historical importance. Because it's less important nowadays, the extreme punishments dealt out to people who abuse or refuse hospitality in classic tales appear disproportionate.
May be the Good Old Ways, practiced in Arcadia and by the Noble Savage.
Tastes Like Friendship is closely related. The host/guest bond may in fact be triggered by their eating salt (or bread and salt) together.note
Often explicitly invoked in No, Mr. Bond, I Expect You to Dine. Must Be Invited is closely related, though a being bound by both rules is going to find it very difficult to hurt anyone (at least while they're at home!). The traditional solution to this problem is greeting your guests with: "All those with good will toward this house may enter it."
Common in Sweet Home Alabama. Frequently results in Angel Unaware. Often a result of Bedouin Rescue Service. If played up in an inappropriate setting or to a ridiculous extent, it's Stranger Safety. When a guest abuses this by extending their stay overly long, it becomes The Thing That Would Not Leave. Contrast with Food Chains where it isn't safe to eat anything. For the ultimate violation, see Nasty Party.
I figure John was not taught any particular set of the Laws, but follows his own rules instinctively.
For good measure
The Unseelie Accords are a set of agreements (like the Geneva Conventions) that govern behavior between its signatories, who are the major powers of the magical world.
The Accords include protocols for etiquette, hospitality, formal duels, and neutral ground, among other things. They were instigated by Queen Mab
They were last updated in 1994, when the entire city of Milwaukee allegedly disappeared for two hours.[1]
The following are known portions of the Accords, in approximate order of appearance in the books:
· There is no spirit of the law, only its letter.[2]
· Beings have license to deliver and receive messages, and to have safe passage granted them so long as they do not instigate violence[3].
· Part of a pledge of safe passage or conduct is the promise not to drug any directly offered food or drink[4]. If it is targeted at a group, rather than a specific individual, however, then it is acceptable. [5]
· If a member of the Accords is killed by another member of the Accords, one who has close relations to the deceased can demand a weregild in compensation for their death. [6]
· Should a member of one faction wrong another faction, the aggrieved party has the right to challenge their enemy to single combat. The dueling laws are based on the Code Duello[7]:
o The organisations that represent the duelers pick an emissary from the list of neutral emissaries.
o The chosen emissary decides on a list of available weapons, such as magic or will.
o The challenged picks the weapons, and the challenger picks the time and location.
o The available weapons are not necessarily restricted to those usable by both parties. If the challenger can't use the weapon the challenged chose, they can force the challenged to take their second choice.
o Each party must have a second.
o The seconds collaborate with the emissary to work out the terms of the duel.
· Certain places can be signed on as Accorded Neutral Territory (such as McAnally's Pub). This means that signatories of the Accords do not start any conflict on the premises, and are bound by their honor to take any fights outside. [8] [9] [10]
· An individual can sign onto the Accords as a freeholding lord[11]:
o The signatory is entitled to rights under the Accords, such as right of challenge.
o To be signed on, the potential signatory must have three current members of the Accords vouch for them.
What the building might look like?
That's more true to Boston than my description was.
I am more used to thinking about local conditions, which are not so urban.(Though I'm not sure which building you're pointing out.)
The point of my description was that there were several connected stores, with living space above them that had been empty for awhile.
We can make a narrower but taller building, but Drachmen's books might have to be in the old market space or on an upper floor.
I'm OK losing the furniture space- it was to make a cool bookstore (and is a close description of my preferred local game store's space).
The bakery was to have a meeting space for us without intruding on the books or repair shop. Also, I like fresh bread smell.
The connected apartments were to make it more homey.
Perhaps we could do a new description, more fitting to the city than mine first attempt?
(by someone more familiar with city buildings than me?)
The "Base"
Equipment: Base R1 (total 5 pts)
Toughness: 5 = 0 pts
Size: Medium (Warehouse) = 1 pt
Garage = 1 pt
Living Space = 1 pt
Security Systems = 1 pt (non-magical)
Workshop = 1 pt
Living Space is 'enough for PL residents", which means for 7.
From Rynjin
Base contributions:
-Toughness +5 (steel reinforced concrete)
-Library (Is the bookstore area)
-Power System
-Fire prevention system
-Computer system
From Deko
Got 2ep left, and I'm willing to donate them to the bookstore/hideout. Use them for...whatever.
Not sure what else we need points for that makes sense with who we are and how we're meeting.
Maybe save the points for later spending?
It's late and the alarm clock awaits.
G'night, Folks.
Well, I don't want to squash the initial description. I was just walking around South Boston on Google Street view. It could be like you described and be a few older buildings all joined together by the Odds.
It doesn't have to be a real building at all. Just trying to give people a feel for the architecture and the neighborhood.
I'll be signing off as well.
joined building sounds even better than my description
maybe shared back rooms, with the loading dock/garage accessible from all?
Rynjin, do you want a corner building for more storefront windows?
John would prefer fewer windows, more dim lights
I tweaked John's Animate power again.
Now it's normal ranged, but listed as a complication that to initiate the power John must touch the target.
It may not actually be a complication, but it's not a full limitation or other power flaw and it's not really worth a drawback.
OK, tumbler?
If the target of Animate does not have to stay within the power's range of the hero, than I can put it back to Flaw: Touch.
If it does, this will show how I want to do it.
Makes me curious about it, I'll try and take a look when I get a minute. My impression/remembering regarding most powers is that if the description is "Instant," such as for Summon Minion, you could use a touch limitation, and have to be touching the object to start the animation, but after the instant had passed, the animated object could leave your range and go where ever it wanted until the duration expired. If you wanted to have to stay in contact the whole time, you could have the Touch limitation, and probably a limitation that says you have to remain in contact.
Animate Objects is Ranged, Sustained.
What I'm after is Touch to start, then be ranged/independent/on its own.
As A further question, standard animate object is to create an independent creature; how would you do control animated object/ give it commands?
I seem to remember you need an extra at + 1 or +2 per rank.
joined building sounds even better than my description
maybe shared back rooms, with the loading dock/garage accessible from all?
Rynjin, do you want a corner building for more storefront windows?
John would prefer fewer windows, more dim lights
Sounds good.
Animate Objects is Ranged, Sustained.
What I'm after is Touch to start, then be ranged/independent/on its own.
As A further question, standard animate object is to create an independent creature; how would you do control animated object/ give it commands?
I seem to remember you need an extra at + 1 or +2 per rank.
For controlling them, they become constructs, and so have a rudimentary intelligence, and so would be able to respond to verbal commands. Basically you would control them by telling them what you want them to do, pretty simple.
If you wanted to be able to command them mentally, it's based on the Summon Minion power, so I would assume you could take this associated Power Feat:
Mental Link: You have a mental link with your minions, allowing you to communicate with them over any distance.
In order to touch and have it go independently, there are two options, based on how the GM reads the rules. Though it is not explicitly stated in the rules, the consensus on the forums seems to be that for a power with the a Continuous duration, it remains active even after you switch away to another power in the Array. This is stated explicitly in certain examples, such as Create Object, but again, it never specifically states it works that way in relation to all powers. As a result, some GM’s choose to say that if you switch away from a Continuous Power to use a different effect in the array, the original effect switches off. Here is the pertinent section in the rules:
Continuous: The power lasts as long as you wish, without any concentration or effort on your part. Once activated, it stays that way until you deactivate it, even if you are stunned or knocked out.
If the GM goes with the common interpretation, you could use the power like this:
Animate Object 6 (Continuous (+1); Touch (-1))
If the GM goes with a stricter interpretation, that if you want to use another power, the first stops, you could solve it like this way:
Animate Object 6b (Independant (+0), Total Fade (+1); Touch (-1))
In either case, you would not have to remain in physical contact.
I would go with the common interpretation. It sounds to me like he might want a sustained action, which is free but requires that you be conscious.
If Sustained works for him it is cheaper, so he'd be able to afford a different Extra (such as Fanatical or Heroic), or upgrade to Rank 7 plus some feats (like progression for multiple animations), but in either case he would not be able to use any alternate powers for as long as the object was animated. As soon as he tried to use an alternate, the item would instantly revert (you can switch away from Instant or Continuous powers and have them remain active, but not Concentration or Sustained powers).
If he upgrades it to Continuous, he can switch to other alternate powers as much as he pleases (though he can't use the same power to animate another object (unless he takes the Progression feat, to allow multiple animations at once, or takes the Independent version of the power, as once it is activated, it is on its own - basically, your power is to "jumpstart" an object to life, as opposed to constantly fueling it with magic).
Animate Objects is Ranged, Sustained.
It makes an object into a construct under your control. (possibly verbal control in the absence of any extras, flaws, or power feats. I would presume non-verbal control if I stay in contact with the construct.)
(Ultimate Powers gives a listing of sample constructs by size, which is cool and something I will use as a base if I'm not using the power on a vehicle.)
I'm good with sustained duration.
I don't want the animated object active if I switch slots of the array.
I do want to not have to be touching it the whole time it is active.
As a ranged power, do I need to be in range of the object for it to stay active?
Or do I just need to take the free action as defined by Sustained duration?
I believe the range is only for the activation, and not for the ongoing use of the power. Summon Minion (the base power) allows you to summon the creature, and only has a range of touch. Obviously, as soon as the creature is created, it can leave your side to go and fulfill your bidding. I believe Animate Object with touch range would work the same way. As long as you can take a free action to sustain the magic, the range between you and the object makes no difference. Of course, without a mental link, once they are beyond shouting distance you wont be able to give them new instructions.
Right, you don't need to be in constant contact with the animated object.
I am currently reading and taking notes on Mage: Boston Unveiled and Nevermore (Baltimore) from the Dresden RPG and getting many good ideas.
latest version, adding mental link for commands and adding lots of range for the Awakened to operate in.
"Waken the Toys" Alternate Power: Animate Objects R6 (Flaw: Touch range to activate) Power Feats: Mental Link, Improved Range R5 (max range 30,000 ft./5.6 miles) (total 18 pts) 1 pt
You don't need Improved Range. Improved Range only applies to the activation range. The object can then go as far as it can manage after that, with no limitations. You will have to touch to activate, but then after that, it's good to go.
"Waken the Toys" Alternate Power: Animate Objects R8 (Flaw: Touch range to activate) Power Feats: Mental Link, Progression 1 (2 objects)(total 18 pts) 1 pt
This version gives you 120 pp to spend per automaton (since it only awards 15pp per rank, unlike our 20 pp per PL). In addition, you can activate an extra object, though without the Horde feat, activating each is its own action.
Did we decide that it would be convenient for Latimer's apartment/workshop to be in the block? If so, I can just have him wander down to get his car and find people.
Thanks, Rigor.
I'll go with that.
VideoGeek, Latimer is welcome in the building.
He can carve out workshop space as well.
Does he want a storefront or to be part of the pawn/repair shop team?
It could work that's he's separate but takes 'special' orders or that he uses the bookstore as a message drop (if Rynjin ok's).
He could also be using the place as a day job while on probation, though we'd have to determine why the Warden hasn't recognized anyone there.
Or he could just have an apartment, but otherwise not involved.
Your decision.
It probably makes more sense for him to just consider moving there now, in game (as soon as there's a lull). Other magic types, mutual protection, better contact with the "community"; all that. Kishan will probably consider getting an office there as a place where local practitioners are able to approach their local warden, for information and assistance. Of course, what manner of business it will be set up as so as not to confuse the mundanes will require some thought. She's a respected academic in the mortal world, so setting up as a Palm-Reader or some such isn't going to cut it.
Latimer doesn't have a shop, so much as he takes orders online and does mail order stuff through a PO Box. In my head (if I forgot to write it down) he was selling magical gear over Etsy when the wardens found him.
Etsy? Was this magical gear made of Macramé?
You don't need Improved Range. Improved Range only applies to the activation range. The object can then go as far as it can manage after that, with no limitations. You will have to touch to activate, but then after that, it's good to go.
"Waken the Toys" Alternate Power: Animate Objects R8 (Flaw: Touch range to activate) Power Feats: Mental Link, Progression 1 (2 objects)(total 18 pts) 1 ptThis version gives you 120 pp to spend per automaton (since it only awards 15pp per rank, unlike our 20 pp per PL). In addition, you can activate an extra object, though without the Horde feat, activating each is its own action.
However, if you don't take independent you can't change your pool. Switching to a different alternate power causes your animations to stop.
I mentioned that to him a few posts back. He said he was happy with that, and didn't see it as a power he could switch away from.
Finished some updates to my profile.
Finished my Complications, listed here for your master record:
Responsibility: White Council Kishan is a full wizard of the White Council, and can be called on as a result to attend meetings, or perform tasks/duties for the council.
Responsibility: Wardens As a Warden of the White Council, Kishan is tasked with policing human practitioners of magic, protecting them from external or internal threats, making sure they obey the laws of magic, and capturing and potentially conducting punishment on individuals that violate those laws.
Responsibility: University Professor Kishan is an associate professor, presently on loan from Oxford University. As a result, she has duties a the University, including classes to teach and exams to mark, in addition to her own research.
Responsibility: Neighbours Kishan lives on the grounds of a wealthy family’s estate. It is possible that someone coming after her at home might be a threat to the family.
Rivalry: Better swordsman than Aaron.
Rivalry: Better cop/detective than Jarrod.
Honour: The Laws of Magic As a Wizard of the White Council, Lakshmi Kishan is bound by the Laws of Magic, and must obey them or face the consequences.
Honour: Doing the right thing Kishan finds the warden’s (and others) continual choice of expediency over justice, morality, and decency to be highly distressing. Whenever possible, Kishan will go the extra mile to do the right thing, instead of taking the easy (but often immoral or unethical) solution.
Shifted some points about, folding my natural healing ability into my Magic array, making it the default ability of the power, as I suggested to Cooper that he do (and I see from his profile that he did), and shifted those points over to Skills, as I felt I was short on a few, given our discussion regarding maximum ranks.
After that, I updated my sword a little, just tweaking the last revision I did making it so she can invest some of her power into the sword, allowing her to continue to use it while using other abilities, and last, rolled the same idea over into my coat, allowing me to spend an action to juice up its defensive capabilities temporarily.
Think I'm happy where things sit for now. Will probably have to wait for the next encounter before spotting any more oversights (at which point they will probably become painfully obvious).
All the legends are true...
I thought just occurred to me about our setting; all of those tales of children that somehow found themselves making their way to bizarre places that defied description are almost certainly fictionalized accounts of the biographical or autobiographical events of children that some way or another accidentally found their way into some part of the NeverNever. Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass; Peter Pan; the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - they are all doubtlessly real events, told to skeptical adults who thought merely "What imaginations these children have."
Peter Pan was a human taught magic by faeries, who had used his magic to stop his aging, and who came and grabbed children from the real world whenever he got bored. Alice followed an anthropomorphic white rabbit, obviously some sort of fey creature, and was close enough behind it that she managed to climb through it's portal back to the NeverNever before it was able to reseal itself. The Wardrobe was made from the wood of a tree grown from a seed of a magical golden apple that grants immortality, and was grown and picked in the NeverNever before being brought back to earth to save a boy's dying mother. The wood retained some element of the NeverNever, turning it into a natural portal between worlds...
The rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper...
And of course this means that if we were to get lost in the NeverNever at some point, there would be an actual possibility of having to figure our way through the nonsense of Wonderland, or battle time-forgotten pirates in Neverland.
Edit: Frickin Oz!
Well, obviously a rivalry cannot be one-sided, so let me add that one on too. =)
Though it only makes sense once we work together a bit more.
Thinking abut grabbing one last sense with Awareness: Denarians/Demonic Influence/Something of that sort. May drop the "re-roll stuff for mind control" thing.
Can't believe I didn't think of that before.
Well, obviously a rivalry cannot be one-sided, so let me add that one on too. =)
Though it only makes sense once we work together a bit more.
Naturally. I'm thinking ahead to when we become a recurring team.
Yeah, that always has good comedic value.
"Hey! It's Joint of Bone Panic!"
Thinking abut grabbing one last sense with Awareness: Denarians/Demonic Influence/Something of that sort. May drop the "re-roll stuff for mind control" thing.
If I nab this, would a retcon be necessary, or can we just handwave his influence as being dormant and unable to be sensed easily?
Edit: Or perhaps better, this is his first brush with the Fallen since his mother, and he simply didn't recognize the vibe he was getting.
Yeah, that would necessitate some thinking, or it could be something that develops here? Maybe he could sense it but didn't know what it was, and Kishan shows him, or he makes the connection now having seen it twice.
As for the rabbit hole stories. Absolutely. Most of those places probably aren't even all that far into the Nevernever. Stuff gets weirder.
And I think Dresden may actually mention Pan at one point. But I may have made that up,
Or do it as a detect, not a full sense.
Or pay for the sense, but role-play using it for awhile as a detect, then 'up-grade' to full sense.
Rigor, I'm not sure John would be agreeable to the Warden having a public office in the building,
It would become 'The Warden's Building' with a public reputation.
It might also be bad to have a public office in a Fomor held town.
He could probably be convinced if others are in favor.
A private office is completely different as is living space.
Also, as for University, the obvious answer is Harvard. But Boston is full of quality universities,
MIT, however, is right out.
Rigor, I'm not sure John would be agreeable to the Warden having a public office in the building,
It would become 'The Warden's Building' with a public reputation.
It might also be bad to have a public office in a Fomor held town.
He could probably be convinced if others are in favor.A private office is completely different as is living space.
Very true, and fair enough. Not something we need to figure out right now. Given the general reputation the Warden's have as bloodthirsty, overzealous witch-hunters, I imagine it would be an uphill battle to convince anyone to go for close association with one, and you make a good point about the target an office would represent.
Now I want to run a campaign of fairly normal people or kids lost in the Nevernever.