Darius Cain has lived his whole life in the city. He was born to an aged father and a mother he never knew and has led a mostly solitary existence. His father Malachi Cain was already past two score years when Darius was born and never talked about his mother; only saying “She left when things got bad.”
Since the time he could walk, Darius helped his father run the family business – a green grocery and dry goods store in the heart of one of the city’s lower income neighborhoods. Since the store struggled to make ends meet most of the time, Darius was required to learn every job in the place from keeping the books and stocking the shelves to running off would-be thieves with his father’s cudgel.
The night of the fire everything changed. When that thing burst through the front window of the store Darius was too shocked to do more that stare. He was amazed at how quickly his father, now nearly three score years old, moved to confront the fiend. His father carried a dagger and intricate flintlock pistol that Darius had never seen before. One shot from the pistol was enough to dispatch the creature, but the damage was already done. His father was ravaged by the things claws and the store was ablaze from its dying frenzy. With his dying breath, his father bade Darius to take the dagger and pistol and a satchel of dark leather that contained “his legacy”. Then Darius was forced to flee the burning building. The store was burned to the ground along with most of the surrounding block. Without the money to rebuild, Darius was forced to look for a new direction in his life.
The items his father left him are all that he had to start with. The dagger is made of a light weight steel that has a strange greenish tint and is inscribed with unfamiliar runes. So far research into the runes has let Darius roughly translate their meaning as “Angel’s Bane”. The pistol is a masterwork of the artisan’s craft, truly a work of art. Along with the pistol is a pouch of seven rune carved silver bullets that send a shiver down your spine if you hold one for too long. Also in the satchel Darius found a badge of a captain of the city guard and a letter informing Malachi Cain of his expulsion from the city guard for “suspicion of consorting with dark forces”. The letter is dated a little less than a year before Darius was born.
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I hope that is okay. Especially the pistol, not sure if that is too unusual or not.
Game rules stuff
The dagger and pistol are not supposed to be powerful magic items, more of story hooks. I will let you determine their exact properties but I would imagine they are most (or only) effective against outsiders. Also I mentioned seven "magic" bullets because there may not be any way to get more.
Character:
Human, elite array for stats
2 levels expert (yep working in a store nets you npc classes)
1 level human paragon
plan to take two more levels of human paragon then start taking levels of whatever "real" character class seems appropriate.
Probably will also take an exotic weapon feat for the pistol if you allow it in the game.
OK, Darius seems fine (I like that he'll have expert levels) but I have a few changes I'd suggest. If any of these will cause problems for you, that's fine, we can leave them too, but
a) Let's leave the dagger unidentified. It's much more fun if you have to figure it out later. Otherwise it seems fine.
b) I'll allow the pistol, but in this setting, it will be rare and semi-realistic. If you shoot someone, they will likely die. If you miss, it'll take you a couple of minutes to reload, and you'll probably die. :) Also, powder and shot are not common... perhaps even not made in this area. You won't be able to use it a lot.
c) Seven magic bullets... I like that, very Supernatural.
d) I like your father's background a lot... I think I'll use that as an "in" for you. Send me an email, I will give you your lead-in information.
Alright, we're set. Those who haven't emailed, do so as soon as possible, and I will get the ball rolling (in the classic Indiana Jones sense).
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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OK, Darius seems fine (I like that he'll have expert levels) but I have a few changes I'd suggest. If any of these will cause problems for you, that's fine, we can leave them too, but
a) Let's leave the dagger unidentified. It's much more fun if you have to figure it out later. Otherwise it seems fine.
Okay it's now a dagger made of light weight steel with a strange greenish tint and unfamiliar runes. Thus far, Darius has been unable to decipher their meaning.
b) I'll allow the pistol, but in this setting, it will be rare and semi-realistic. If you shoot someone, they will likely die. If you miss, it'll take you a couple of minutes to reload, and you'll probably die. :) Also, powder and shot are not common... perhaps even not made in this area. You won't be able to use it a lot.
This is pretty much what I was thinking, you get to shoot it once then you are done with it until you get a chance to reload it. Oh and by the way, the seven magic bullets Darius has are currently the only ammunition he has for the gun. He will have to figure out if/how normal bullets even work and where to have them made.
c) Seven magic bullets... I like that, very Supernatural.
I love that show. Pretty much stole the idea strait from the show.
d) I like your father's background a lot... I think I'll use that as an "in" for you. Send me an email, I will give you your lead-in information.
Excellent. I thought that would be a good way to tie in Darius's background. Also it could be more than a coincidence that his father was expelled from the guard for consorting with dark forces around the time he fathered Darius and that his mother left/disappeared shortly after his birth.
Edit:
I'd like to add one more item to the satchel. A silver locket about an inch in diameter. On the front is a strange symbol, perhaps an (un)holy symbol. Inside is a miniature painting of a beautiful dark-haired woman, inscribed with the name "Belladonna", his mother's name...
Darius Cain
Human Male, Age 17
Left with a legacy of occult items after the violent death of his father, Darius learns that his father was much more then the aging grocer that he knew. Driven to uncover the mysteries of his father's past, his mother’s identity and inhuman fiend that killed his father; he begins his own investigation into the occult. Unfortunately for Darius, there are those in the city who frown upon that kind of activity.
Stats:
Elite Array: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8
Strength: 10 Darius is no weakling, growing up there was plenty of physical labor to do in the store, but it was light and intermittent.
Dexterity: 15 Naturally quick with his hands and light on his feet, Darius has always had good reflexes.
Constitution: 12 Darius is fit and healthy, the store may have struggled financially, but when you own a grocery there is always food to put on the table.
Intelligence: 14 Darius is quick witted and better educated than most young men from the low income neighborhood where he grew up.
Wisdom: 8 So far Darius is young and has led a relatively sheltered existence. His father protected him from more of the nefarious elements in the city than he ever knew. He is very inexperienced and too quick to trust people.
Charisma: 13 Likeable but shy. Darius is friendly and helpful when spoken to directly, but is usually quiet and defers to others until that point, especially if they are older or more experienced than him.
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Whoops; I was waiting for an e-mail reply.
I've checked out the wiki, and seen the setting info, and started writing the backstory on my profile. It may change slightly, as I add a sentence here or there, but for now, it's enough to say that, in keeping with the common theme, he's got an unfortunate past, a grudge on his back, a mystery to solve, and little to lose.
Darius Cain
Male Human Expert 2, Human Paragon 1
Str: 10 (+0)
Dex: 15 (+2)
Con: 12 (+1)
Int: 14 (+2)
Wis: 8 (-1)
Cha: 13 (+1)
HP: 6 (lvl 1) + 3(1d6) + 5(1d8) + 3 (con) = 17
AC: 10 + 3 (leather armor) + 2 (dex) = 15
Base Attack: +1
Fort: 0 + 1 (con) = +1
Ref: 0 + 3 (dex) = +3
Will: 5 - 1 (wis) = +4
Will vs. mind affecting: 5 + 1 (cha) = 6
Weapon & Armor proficiency: Simple weapons, rapier (human paragon), Flintlock Pistol (feat), light armor but not shields.
Feats:
Human: Jack of All Trades: Darius can attempt any skill check as if he had ½ rank in the skill.
Level 1: Force of Personality. Darius can use his charisma modifier instead of his wisdom modifer for will saves vs mind affecting spells and abilities.
Level 3: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Flintlock Pistol)
Class Features:
Adaptive Learning: Decipher Script is always a class skill for Darius.
Skill point details
Expert Class Skills (Pick any 10)
Skill Points: 45
Level 1: (2 (int) + 6) x4 + 4 (human) = 36
Level 2: 2 (int) + 6 + 1 (human) = 9
Appraise: 4 ranks
Decipher Script: 5 ranks
Diplomacy: 5 ranks
Gather Information: 5 ranks
Knowledge (Architecture & Engineering): 3 ranks
Knowledge (History): 5 ranks
Knowledge (Local): 3 Ranks
Knowledge (Religion): 5 ranks
Search: 5 ranks
Spot: 5 ranks
Human Paragon Class Skills (Pick any 10)
Skill points: +7
Level 3: 2 (int) + 4 + 1 (human) = 7
Decipher Script:
Diplomacy:
Gather Information:
Hide: 1 rank
Knowledge (Religion):
Knowledge (The Planes): 3 ranks
Move Silently: 1 rank
Search:
Spot:
Tumble: 2 ranks
Skills:
Appraise: 4 ranks + 2 int = 6
Decipher Script: 5 ranks + 2 int = 7
Diplomacy: 5 ranks + 1 cha = 6
Gather Information: 5 ranks + 1 cha = 6
Hide: 1 rank + 2 dex = 3
Knowledge (Architecture & Engineering): 3 ranks + 2 int = 5
Knowledge (History): 5 ranks + 2 int = 7
Knowledge (Local): 3 Ranks + 2 int = 5
Knowledge (Religion): 5 ranks + 2 int = 7
Knowledge (The Planes): 3 ranks + 2 int = 5
Move Silently: 1 rank + 2 dex = 3
Search: 5 ranks + 2 int = 7
Spot: 5 ranks -1 wis = 4
Tumble: 2 ranks + 2 dex = 4
Gear:
Leather Armor, Rapier, Green Steel Dagger, Flintlock Pistol & 7 Silver Rune Bullets, Father’s Satchel, Father’s City Watch Badge, Father’s Letter, Silver Locket, Journal of his Occult Investigation (just started).
Money: Darius is down to last few silver, plus some pocket change.
...in keeping with the common theme, he's got an unfortunate past, a grudge on his back, a mystery to solve, and little to lose.
Drama ahoy! Yay! Alright, I'm working on those character lead-ins now, I'll send them out as soon as they're done, and I'll post the link as soon as I've started the Pbp game proper on the messageboards.
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Sorry for the delay; my dryer packed in, and I've been ferrying bin-bags of soggy clothes and kids' blankets to my parents.
Joy!
Are we going with standard wealth-by-level?
I was thinking of assuming some cash had been splashed on scrolls to transcribe into my Malleus Maleficarum, to widen my spell choices.
Are we going with standard wealth-by-level?
Good question -- so far I've stuck with a couple of masterwork items, no magic, because I wasn't sure about their availability.
Sorry guys, still working on the character lead-ins (they'll be out tonight).
A few issues:
Fatespinner: I still need your email address.
Wealth/gear: I'd prefer no-one have any magic items (this being a low-perceived-magic campaign) other than what I've already mentioned (Father Thomas should have a decent number of spells though). You're not going to get much magic stuff, either. If you have a lot of wealth, you might have some masterwork items, but otherwise, everyone might have a weapon or two, some clothing, etc.
Races: Yeah, so far, we have seven humans and one mentioned dwarf. I'm running with that: nonhumans will be a racial rarity- it will be thrilling and rare to meet an elf.
I've added equipment, can you please advise if you have any issues with any of it. Thanks!
Heh. Thanks! We do what we can!
So, in the interests of saving space at the top of this column for people seeking a game, what say we start up a discussion thread for the game? It'd be nice to be able to have a spot to discuss OOC issues without hogging the Gamer Connection page.
In that spirit, something has come up with the game. Specifically how much DM hijacking is okay for us to be doing, how much is expected, and how much is too much? I understand it's a dice light game, but what about creating and playing our own NPCs? Playing out our own combat encounters? That kind of stuff. I'm all for a dramatic, roleplay centered game--but I worry a bit that if it goes too far it starts to turn into a collaborative fanfic and you lose the element of fun uncertainty that comes from having a DM. Just curious how far you think is too far and what my bounds are before I start to jump into the action.
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RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16
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Heh. Thanks! We do what we can!
So, in the interests of saving space at the top of this column for people seeking a game, what say we start up a discussion thread for the game? It'd be nice to be able to have a spot to discuss OOC issues without hogging the Gamer Connection page.
I think that is a good idea Grimcleaver. We are all connected now so I guess we should move over to the game discussion forum.
Also I think it would be helpful to use the occ (out of character) tags for any out of character comments or questions posted in the main game thread.
Done and done.
We have a discussion thread. Those of you who haven't already, I urge you to join the Wiki... I have pictures and background stuffs galore.
