Untitled Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Lost Legions

After seeing the overwhelming response to an interest check in another thread I've decided to run a Dresden Files game over here. I've run a game over Skype with several friends and am participating in another over at PA forums. I'm a longtime lurker on these threads but haven't posted much (I find Pathfinder to be not as nice for PbP gameplay as FATE system.)

So anyhow, I'll keep this game recruitment open for a week and a day (closing next friday) and then begin working on city creation and final character stages with the 4-5 final players I choose, so show your interest people.

I am definitely interested. I would like to bring in a wizard, but one that is perhaps unaware of the white council.

Well assuming I dont make the cut on GM AlanMs game Id love to jump into this one with jack barb, walking dead, decietful, dead seeing, sarcastic guy.

Will the walking dead thing work for you? He isnt evil and has no history of necromancy, just woke up dead one morning.

Dotting, I'll have to dig up my copy of the game and will try to get a concept up this weekend.

The living dead thing is a great idea Jack. Kinda love the snarkiness.

I'm definitely interested. :)

Would a high concept of Monster Hunting Wizard be viable? I'm thinking a cross between Dresden and the main character of the show Grimm.

slight expansion on my concept: he would be a wizard's apprentice. He was hidden from and denied knowledge of the white council and is quite unaware of their existence. further, he fell victim to a trap laid for his master and was trapped in something like the urn from the sorcerer's apprentice. So he is originally from the 1920s and suffering from a family sized helping of culture shock.

Greetings Lost Legions. I would like to express my interest in playing in your Dresden Files game that you have offered. I do sign up for game to be in them for the long haul (longest thus far is a Star Wars: Dawn of Defiance going for 2 and a half years.

I am still relatively a new to the Fate system, but have read all the Dresden books.

I am not quite sure what concept I would like to play right now. I have several older concepts from previous games that did not continue too far (a daughter of a Valkyrie, a Mortal monster hunter, a Mortal FBI agent part of a Monster squad). I have also thought about a dwarven investigator when I was thinking of what I might want to play. Leaning more towards an Emissary of Power rather than a Changeling.

I will give it some thought and see what I can come up with over the weekend.

Thanks,
Songdragon

Any thoughts on city location? Something European would be a cool change for me.

From how Lost Legions seems to have put it, and how the creation process works, that is all worked out in City/Character creation. I know some GMs go through the process with a group while others just do it up themselves.

If we are throwing out ideas though, how about Australia. Different, but close enough to most western cultures.

I plan to get the city and such worked out after I have characters, though Australia is an interesting thought. No issue with the character concepts put forth thus far (particularly interested in how Songdragon decides Dwarves are)

So, Im bored.

Decided if jack gets picked up for AlanMs game ima put forward another character for this game, and play both at once. if i dont make it into AlanMs ill play jack here.

On that note introducing Martin (marty) Fredricks (brief background and powers on profile).

Terminally Ill pissed off bad guy turned good. Bucket list includes killing as many evil jerks as possible, and helping as many good guys as possible, recommend not making this complicated for him and staying out of his way.

this is my first time using the catch system, and I cannot think of something appropriate, I currently got, any kind of restraints, but not sure if that fits with the rules and I dont really like it, any suggestions?

Oh and terminal illness, didnt wana go with cancer, was thinking maybe something rare. Pretty sure I dont want it to be supernatural at least not that he or anyone else is aware of.

Also is the combination of toughness and recovery acceptable like this? Seems like a hefty amount of power.

Seems like an awesome concept, but it doesn't seem to be quite as fleshed out as I'd like. You can work on that if you don't get into the other game I suppose.

LL: Is that Monster Hunting Wizard a viable concept? Never doing a Dresden game, I'm not sure if that would fall into something doable. :)

Yes, that would absolutely be viable, though I've never seen Grimm so I'm working a bit on theory.

I have been doing some looking about the web and such for dwarves in Norse mythology. There is some information, but it is really lacking with any real substance. The below is what I have done to work with these types of dwarves. Input is welcome, and really I could use the helping hand.

Character concept: Dwarven Fixer for Freyja (or one of her Children still considering)

She is essentially a descendant of one of the four dwarves who gave Freyja her her necklace of Brísingamen. She wears a similar such necklace (her mark of power to others). She has worked as a Fixer of sorts, able to get things done, or find those that can, in the mortal plane.

Considering the character to have a decent Contacts as well as Presence. Not sure if I want to go for a complete social character, but she will have some social skills. She will also have sponsored magic in the way of runes (a hinted at in one of the Dresden mini stories with Sigrun Gard).

She may even have connections to Monoc Corporation. I have not thought that far ahead just yet. Just throwing out considerations.

That is what I have at present without getting deeper into the character. I will try to flesh the character out much more before the Friday deadline.

As above, I welcome any advice/help.

Thanks.

Songdragon: if you want the ability to sense magic, and the Dwarven craft ability, maybe think about a focused practitioner? Enchantment and The Sight look like they'd go a long way towards what you're looking for.

slight expansion on my concept: he would be a wizard's apprentice. He was hidden from and denied knowledge of the white council and is quite unaware of their existence. further, he fell victim to a trap laid for his master and was trapped in something like the urn from the sorcerer's apprentice. So he is originally from the 1920s and suffering from a family sized helping of culture shock.

Any input on this concept? is this workable?

Harakani: Thanks for the input. I was not thinking of being an actual spellcaster. While they might be similar, and I do see the Sense Magic a limited form of The Sight, they are more racial abilities. Just did not want the magic using in that way. I was considering the runes, from the sponsored magic to be similar to a potion.

Lost Legions, do you want us to fully create the characters? or wait for final creation to work them up as described in the book?

I'd like to put my hand up for this one. I live in Australia, so it would be a nice change to play in a country I know rather than one I don't :) Even if I don't get in, I'm happy to help with location based stuff.

The concept put forth is absolutely viable, and quite interesting. I'd like everyone to create characters up to the first 2 or 3 phases, with some idea what you'd like the last couple aspects to be. The last couple phases will be decided as expected by the book once the group is nailed down.

@LostLegions: MisterLurch raises a good point... how are you handling it?

@Songdragon: Potion creation is via enchanting. Sponsored magic gets a bit weird, but you can be a sponsored enchanter (I play one). I also think sponsored magic lets you qualify for the sight, possibly even with the soulgaze upgrade. The SIght is generally better for magical stuff because it is so core to Dresden it has its own section in the rulebook. On the other hand a simple magical sense would mean you wouldn't have to worry about your head exploding, I guess...
IIRC Cloak of Shadows throw in darksight for free.
Incidentally, if you are fae, you probably want to look at cold iron by dresden lore. On the other hand, also by dresden lore all magic has trouble with sunrise, and tends to expire. Could the turn to stone be someone stalling waiting for a spell to expire?

Ninja'd :)

@Lost Legions: I don't think I've seen what refresh level you're looking at. Up to Chest at least? :)

I'm wavering on chest deep or submerged, any thoughts?

id say chest deep.

Harakani: Thank you for the continued input, it is very helpful. I have been convinced that it might be better to go with many of your suggestions. I have some tweaking to do for the Norse Dwarf to get it to where I want it.

Lost Legion: I think either works. Submerged lets us be that little bit more. Depends on how you would like to start. It's always nice to grow into a more powerful character (at least to me). nothing wrong with being powerful of course, more options for everyone. You have had the experience of running the system, so that is a plus. I'm still getting to know it better.

As a bit of background, I've played a quite a few offline Dresdan games and am familiar with a number of FATE variations. If I get in, this will be my first online one.

I'm open to either chest deep or higher, wizard comes in at chest, therefore I'm happy.

I’d like to play a Warden. The high concept I'm thinking of is “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.” Then to play on the subtle vs overt thing, I’d like her to focus on evocation rather than thaumaturgy. I see her trouble as “Choose between your loyalties”. I see her as a old Wizard (from the 1800s maybe?). She’s become a Warden as her path, but is very sympathetic / loyal to another point of view (this could be PC or NPC, I'm leaving it open at them moment so as to allow for options).

If anyone has feedback on her, or wants to fill in the loyal angle with something from their background, let me know. If she’s ok as a concept, I’ll flesh her out a little.

My question is about the tech / wizard disadvantage. My understanding is that tech from your birth time or earlier is ok, but later than that is not. Is that how we’re planning on doing it here?

vote for submerged ;) I feel like that is the somewhat later stages of the files.

@ Jacinta .. She could be the one who released my apprentice, and has not told him about the white council yet. his master kept knowledge of the council from him to test a theory; namely whether a wizard could be raised/trained to eschew dark magic without threats.

I've decided to opt for chest-deep with room to grow, I like the ideas for Jacinta's character a lot, though for the things that burn out around you it's based upon how much refresh you've got in magical powers. Since you're a wizard it would be essentially the same as Dresden. I play a focused practitioner who couldn't use computers, but less moderb devices like phones were fine, unlike Dresden.

Lost Legions: What part of the Dresden timeline are you considering for play?

Since the Red Court and Dresden himself are both unlikely to be a driving force (I've pretty much settled on a non-American city), It's unlikely to matter too much, I'd likely put it as current (i.e. After Changes, possibly before or during Ghost Story).

Anyone managed to hammer out a full character yet?

Haven't had any free time at work last couple of days, but made some progress. Should be able to post a draft later this evening :)

Urgh marty is giving me trouble.

Here is my current ideas, Marty was a bodyguard/enforcer for a local red court big. Did alot of terrible things in his life, always had misgivings, was always just about to repent, never got around to it.

Had to kill a bunch of teenagers (minor talent people looking to save a friend of theirs), young kids who messed with his boss, it got to him, bad.

Shortly there after he got sick, doctors said terminal stomach cancer, was spreading quick, he only had a couple months to live...His boss showed up, dumped him right there.

Marty got angry, but more depressed really, his life was a waste, he had only ever hurt people, lieing to himself that he was just doing what he had to to survive. Now he was gona die. So he did something unlike himself, he prayed asking for a chance to repent.

An angel (at least he thinks it was an angel) appeared and granted him powers, to destroy some of the darkness he had created. Now marty is a super powered insano dude.

The catch for his powers is being bluntly reminded of the people he has hurt, pictures, magical images, ghosts. things like that make him immedietly revert to the state he was in before getting his powers, late term cancer and all, no powers just a sick aging man.

I like that in a concept sense but i cant wrap my mind around how that would work with the game mechanics,how many points back is that for a catch?

Also how does dual wielding pistols work? cant find anything in the rule book.

Nothing close to a full character yet. I am spending the time this afternoon/evening trying to get things nailed down.

It does look like I will be going for a more social type of character, over a combat monster (literal in some respects)/spellslinger.

Astrid (got a name, yay!) is A Face of Freyja
Trying to nail down a Trouble

Still wanting to try have have runes, not sure yet how that'll work.

Will be dropping the fae aspect that I mentioned previous and going with how the creation of dwarves (that being they were made from the maggots in the giants Ymir dead body. (Yeah, EWEEEE) but that was way back...) was explained in Norse mythology.

And we will go from there...

I was going through so many ideas looking for something perfect, and I think I may have finally found it. Whichever PCs get picked we're going to have a LOT of old characters and a LOT of knowledgeable characters. That means they're going to need a "clueless newb" to contrast with. Ladies and gentlemen, I present that clueless newb.

Nick
High Concept: Last Scion of Loki
Trouble: One day I'll be important, but not today.
Background: Hidden Power
What shaped you: You can trust me!

Very summarised origin:
Created by Loki (and an unknown parent) in a similar manner to Vali, possibly as revenge, possibly as a bid for freedom (that will bring on Ragnarok) and shrouded by all the Trickster's remaining power from detection and prophecy. Grew up surprisingly normal (I was considering "child of the 21st century") with a drive to stay under the radar.
Very summarised what shaped you:
While he was very good at lying, an event showed him how hurtful betrayal was. He tries not to betray people's trust in him. Started studying law, with the goal of going into politics.

Harkani: How much into social skills are you going with Nick?

Yeah, that stuff above doesn't really convey the sense of the character very well.

I only did phase 1 & 2, skills come after... so all this is hypothetical, and based on what other selected characters take etc etc.

Powers
Marked by Power (required for a Scion)
thinking glamours - seems to fit the Loki nature... but also tempted by crazy monster form (he is half brothers with Fenris and Jorgumandr)
I want to try to leave a bunch of this in LL's hands, so there is a mystery as to what Nick's going to be.

Skills
I know I want low Lore, and poor Discipline and Conviction. Outside that was thinking a bit of presence, probably a fair bit of deceit, Not much contacts (but a bit), poor resources (don't want to run into your fixer concept Songdragon). Reasonable scholarship, with a bit of a focus on computers.
With Loki as a parent I think Empathy or Deceit need to paramount skills (while Loki is called the trickster, a lot of his con jobs seem to be more about knowing people and social jujitsu rather than just outright lying). I'm thinking of the scene where he basically takes down the entire court of Asgard in social combat and they end up going him physically.
Tempted by an aspect "I said I had a plan, not a good plan." but it doesn't seem to fit the whole newb thing.

@Songdragon: you're worried about overlap with Jack and Astrid?

Yes. Some skills are good to overlap... just not too many. We want some diversity. Although I suspect we would anyhow.

I know I was thinking a high presence and contacts, mid rapport... not really thinking Deceit or performance.

@Songdragon: Happy to work with you on this. I've never played a performer, but I guess I could give it a go :)
At the moment his whole thing is "Hidden Power", so Presence doesn't seem the way!

Urgh marty is giving me trouble.

Here is my current ideas, Marty was a bodyguard/enforcer for a local red court big. Did alot of terrible things in his life, always had misgivings, was always just about to repent, never got around to it.

Had to kill a bunch of teenagers (minor talent people looking to save a friend of theirs), young kids who messed with his boss, it got to him, bad.

Shortly there after he got sick, doctors said terminal stomach cancer, was spreading quick, he only had a couple months to live...His boss showed up, dumped him right there.

Marty got angry, but more depressed really, his life was a waste, he had only ever hurt people, lieing to himself that he was just doing what he had to to survive. Now he was gona die. So he did something unlike himself, he prayed asking for a chance to repent.

An angel (at least he thinks it was an angel) appeared and granted him powers, to destroy some of the darkness he had created. Now marty is a super powered insano dude.

The catch for his powers is being bluntly reminded of the people he has hurt, pictures, magical images, ghosts. things like that make him immedietly revert to the state he was in before getting his powers, late term cancer and all, no powers just a sick aging man.

I like that in a concept sense but i cant wrap my mind around how that would work with the game mechanics,how many points back is that for a catch?

Also how does dual wielding pistols work? cant find anything in the rule book.

So I suppose the catch would be guilt? Well that's pretty easy for someone to pull off so I guess the decision would be how well known it is. If everyone knows about it, it's fairly useless, but extremely cheap (effectively free). If no one knows about it, or only one person knows, it has no cost reduction, making it full price. Or you could compromise and say that it's not well known, but it is findable with a little digging or research, meaning you would only pay 1 point for your recovery and 2 for your toughness, since you'd get a +2 for it being something anyone could produce (by simple berating you about your past) and a +1 for it being known only with special resources (like a wizard's library, powerful demons or angels... something like that). You don't get that extra +1 if it's something only you and close friends or enemies know, making your total on your toughness and recovery a 4 point power.

As for Dual Weilding, I'd say a stunt. Something like "A Gun in Each Hand" which gives you a +1 to Guns when you have 2 of them out.

Still wanting to try have have runes, not sure yet how that'll work

I'd imagine that unless you had something else in mind this would just be a form of sponsored magic, perhaps limited to only one or two fields?

I was going through so many ideas looking for something perfect, and I think I may have finally found it. Whichever PCs get picked we're going to have a LOT of old characters and a LOT of knowledgeable characters. That means they're going to need a "clueless newb" to contrast with. Ladies and gentlemen, I present that clueless newb.

Nick
High Concept: Last Scion of Loki
Trouble: One day I'll be important, but not today.
Background: Hidden Power
What shaped you: You can trust me!

Very summarised origin:
Created by Loki (and an unknown parent) in a similar manner to Vali, possibly as revenge, possibly as a bid for freedom (that will bring on Ragnarok) and shrouded by all the Trickster's remaining power from detection and prophecy. Grew up surprisingly normal (I was considering "child of the 21st century") with a drive to stay under the radar.
Very summarised what shaped you:
While he was very good at lying, an event showed him how hurtful betrayal was. He tries not to betray people's trust in him. Started studying law, with the goal of going into politics.

Oohhh... I love this idea. Especially Loki making a bid for freedom. That has a lot of room for me to work with as a DM. Good things.

@Martin & @LL.
Just thinking. Why would feeling bad about doing bad things be the catch? If it is an Angelic Redemption gift, that's what they're aiming for, right?

Would "turning from redemption" work? You fight someone 'cause they're a bad guy = all good. Mugging some teenager = bad.
Means you could stand up to a black court vamp one moment, and be stabbed by some street kid the next.

Now, how available is this to someone? If your targets just have to make you attack them for the wrong reason (eg 'cos you're angry) then anyone can do it. If your targets have to be unrepentant then some of them just can't do it EVEN IF they wanted to. That's +1 to +0.

Then there's how common this situation is. If Angels do this stuff all the time it might be +2... but it sounds more like you're in the +1 range. If it's just for you, then it's +0.

I am always interested in playing a Knight of the Cross (doesn't necessarily have to be one of the big three, could be another artifact like the Spear of Longinus!) or one of the Faerie Knights are of particular interest to me as well (preferably Winter).

Arightly... I have been putting some more thought into thing, especially the Trouble. I am hopeful that this works.

That is what I have right now. As always I am welcoming to critiques/suggestions. I know I can use the help.

I am debating between two different approaches to my wizard’s apprentice.

Some stuff is pretty well ironed out:

Anyone with questions/suggestions would be most welcome.

@MisterLurch - if you don't know about the Laws, save at least 1 refresh to buy Lawbreaker just in case.

@LostLegions: Hmmm, friday where I am. Thread closes today? What do you want from submissions, LL? Don't want to miss out because I forgot something. I know you want the first four aspects, do you want a full list of skills and powers?