Teen seeker of Power who (unfortunately) found it, becoming an Emissary of an old god.
Note: This was started long ago in another thread - and I finally got around to doing up the stats
Name: Tom
Template: Emissary of Power
High Concept: Newly chosen acolyte of Priapus
Trouble: Empowered by Priapus
Background:
Tom has spent most of his short life looking for power. Any power. Something that would make him Special with a capital 'S'. Something that would show the world that he wasn't just another nobody making his way in life. In his first year of high school he exposed to Roman Mythology in a way that went further than pop culture references and from then on he dedicated his life to making contact with the Roman gods. He wasn't picky; he would take any of them except for Cybele. The act that males had to do to be accepted by the Mater Magna wasn't something that Tom could see any sane person doing. Other than that almost any god would do - as long as it gave him power.
Countless other dreamers had sought similar powers, and the vast, overwhelming majority of them passed through the phase, gained a little maturity, and went on with life. Tom is now he's beginning to wish that he was a part of that vast majority of failed seekers.
Phase Aspect: Dreams Can Come True
Rising Conflict: What shaped you?
As Tom delved into classical history his efforts shifted from Scholarship to Lore. Driven by his Conviction that there had to be something to contact, he focused on his task with all the Discipline that he possessed. Surprisingly, it was his Performance ability that made all the difference.
For the Roman gods loved poets, and as Tom wrote an epic poem about his epic (well, Tom thought it was epic) quest to contact the old gods Something heard him. Something that used Tom's hand to complete the poem. Looking down at the poem, at the stanzas had been written by his hand, Tom saw that his quest had a completion. All he had to do was accept the god's offer and he would have all the power he sought - and more!
With the immaturity of youth, Tom didn't think twice. Heck, he barely thought once before accepting the offer and becoming an Envoy of Priapus. He was slightly disappointed since Priapus was a relatively minor god (he had been hoping for Jupiter or Hecate) and Tom didn't really know much about him, but Tom knew that Priapus was god - a god that answered him with an offer of power - and that was the only thing that mattered.
Moments after Tom did so, he noticed a major change.
As any student of Roman mythology knows, their gods were always depleted with symbols. As Bacchus was always shown with his thyrsus, Priapus was always depleted showing his huge, erect penis. As Tom took up the mantle of Priapus part of him changed to something that most porn starts would envy - he was now a foot long and ready for action.
More importantly (at least it was more important then) knowledge flooded his mind, teaching him the secrets of magic. The magic of growing things, of the fields, some transformation, and a bit about sex and desire. (Priapus sponsored magic can be seen as a modified version of Seelie Magic. Mixed in with the other powers was the Curse of Impotence - otherwise known as The Dread Curse of Priapus that was unleashed against those who offended him.)
Tom fell into a deep sleep and his dreams were of Arcadian Fields.
He thought his greatest dreams had come true.
The next morning Tom saw that visible part of his empowerment was still there. To his surprise he discovered that it wouldn't go away.
That he could ejaculate but afterwards he was still stiff. That while he could still urinate from it, nothing he could do would make it shrink.
That was when he discovered the down side of being marked by a god.
Tom now finds it painful to wear pants and he has to work to find clothing loose enough to conceal his "mark" - a 'mark' that often draws attention to him. Some people are flattered, but most are judgmental or offended when they notice him walking around like that. Often people assume that he has something shoved down his pants in an effort to appear rude. Worse, he soon discovered the price of his magic. In exchange for the ability to cast spells the old god demanded that Tom have intercourse with someone willing - or at least not magically coerced. Tom could use charm, booze, drugs, or cash to seal the deal, but not mind control. (Note: There's another way that Tom hasn't stumbled over yet: force. That's right, Priapus was known to be a divine rapist and has no problem with that. The fact that Tom can get them drunk first should be a tip off, but Tom's too emotionally immature to see a problem with a god that would accept something like that.) To Tom's confusion (he used to think that he completely straight) he has discovered that Priapus isn't all that picky when it comes to sex - any woman or man will do. While the sex can be many things (even very, very good for all involved) it is never comfortable for his partner no matter how ready or experience she/he is. Often his partners feel like it's that uncomfortable first time (which was another of Priapus' traits).
Phase Aspect: Always Ready - Whether He Wants To Be Or Not
The Story: Looking for a cure in all the wrong places.
His dreams answered, Tom was troubled. He had his precious magic, but his life is difficult in so many ways. Something that he thought must be a blessing has turned into a curse. Others notice the shift in his social life. Part of him wanted the good without the bad. Seeking others who had powers (and wearing very loose slacks and wrapping a velco wristband around his thigh to conceal his "mark") he came across something that took an interest in him while making problems for others in a nightclub - White Court Vampire problems.
Good taste prevents going into details, but Tom did his all to distract a certain female White Court Vampire so that others could get away. She thought he would be a momentary distraction, but thanks to his mark of power Tom proved so much more. Only the fact that he was marked by a power prevented her from draining his life force during the hours they spent together. When she finally called an end to the distraction, she helped a very drain Tom along his way and gave him her phone number.
Phase Aspect: Bom Chicka Wah Wah Comes Through
Guest Star: Whose Path Have You Crossed? (Details to be filled in later)
It depends on who you want him to work with. Tom is likely to join with a group of other supernaturally touched people (i.e. the party) in an effort to explore the world of magic and solve his problem. If (um, when) the others notice his problem and ask him about it, Tom will shamefacedly explain his difficulty and ask for suggestions. Note: no force this side of a god will be able to help him with that, but Tom won't give up looking for a way to keep the benefits while ditching the downside.
Sample Aspects could be: "Have My Cake and Eat It Too" and "Poetry For The Win".
Power Level: Up to Your Waist
Skill Cap: Great
Skill Points: 25
Starting Refresh: 7
Adjusted Refresh: 1
Skills:
Lore: Great
Conviction: Great
Discipline: Good
Performance: Good
Athletics: Fair
Endurance: Fair
Scholarship: Fair (includes knowledge of chemicals and 'party' drugs).
Deceit: Average (Distraction and Misdirection to slip something into someone's drink)
Fists: Average
Might: Average
Presence: Average
Rapport: Average (it might be exchanged with Discipline or Performance at his next milestone)
Stunts and Powers:
Sex Appeal (rapport) - as the god makes his presence felt in Tom, Tom becomes more and more of a player.
Inhuman Recover (-2)
Marked by Power (-1)
Sponsored Rituals (Priapus) (-2): Priapus is a god of growing things, not of flashy things. This is effectively Rituals: Priapus but it still has the sponsored magic trappings. Like sponsored magic, it can't be used in ways that the sponsor would not like (e.g. no harming fields, even indirectly) and debt can be accrued, but it cannot be used to cast thaumaturgy at evocation speeds. Before it can be used to aid plant growth the area has to be dedicated in someway to Priapus. Anything from a poem that threatens a curse to a sign that says "Protected by Priapus" will do.
Items:
Rituals Items:
Focus Item
Cup of the Drunken Co-Ed (Sponsored Rituals, Lore +1)
This isn't so much a cup as a large goblet like bowl. Tim mixes various things in the goblet / bowl and more often than not drinks the concoction as part of ritual. It got its name because it was passed around at a few parties, filled with booze in an attempt to get girls drunk.
Enchanted Item
Ring of the Fields (defensive block 4, once per day)
Wind and the rain strike at the fields, but the fields endure. Men plow the fields and the fields endure. Crops come and go but the fields endure. This ring allows Tim to tap some of that eternal vibe - once a day it raises a block around him (as usually he can take mental stress to activate it more often). It has gotten him out a few scraps. Tim found it soon after he was marked and thinks it may be of ancient make. It is made of white gold (electrum) and appears to be made up of an erotic daisy chain of nude figures doing predictable things.
Potion
Tim keeps a slot open for potions. Lust potions won't do (the resulting sex won't pay off any debts) but sleep potions will work just fine. Other times he'll have a different potion (usually leaves it open and makes the Lore Roll)
Spells:
The Dread Curse of Priapus
Type: Thaumaturgy, Priapus Ritual Curse
Complexity: 16
Duration: More or less permanent.
Effect: Assigns a male victim the Extreme Consequence of "Impotent"; resisted by Endurance
Variations: Can boost the complexity to deal with thresholds and other issues.
Notes: Designed to work on people of up to Great Endurance, the math is 4 (for Great) + 4 (max roll) + 8 (to assign an Extreme Consequence "Impotent"). Luckily there are restrictions that Priapus imposes before allowing this spell to be cast:
1) the target must be male (females face a different punishment), and
2) the target must be 25 years old or older (male youths face a different punishment), and
3) the target must have wronged Tim or Priapus in some way.
That last part could be as simple as trespassing on land where Tim has placed a "this area protected by Priapus" sign or making fun of Tim's "mark of power". Attacking Tim definitely counts as an offence to both of them - not that offending both of them makes it easier to cast the spell, but if Tim forgives an assault he can always change his mind later and cast this spell since the god is still holding a grudge.
The different punishments referred to above aren't spells (see below) but angry sex with the victim - whether they are willing or not. That was how Priapus rolled back in the day and he expects his new follower to do the same. Tim has yet to inflict any of Priapus' punishments, but Priapus thinks it's only a matter of time before the boy gets into the mood of things.
Maidenhead Revisit
Type: Thaumaturgy, Priapus Ritual Transformation Maneuver
Complexity: 4 (3 for Maneuver + 1 to make it sticky)
Duration: Not touching that with a ten foot pole
Effect: Assigns the Aspect "Virgin".
Notes: Designed for use when a female or male youth (pubescent and under 25) offends Priapus or his Emissary, it makes the angry sex just that much worse. Tim hasn't used this either as part of a "punishment" or for fun, but knowledge of the spell came with his empowerment. No, it has no effects on those who already have that aspect.
Blessing of Priapus
Type: Thaumaturgy, Priapus Ritual Transformation Maneuver
Complexity: 4 (3 for Maneuver + 1 to make it sticky)
Duration: Until, um, exhausted?
Effect: Assigns the Aspect "Erect" to a mature male; cannot be used to counteract the Dread Curse.
Notes: Viagra in spell form. Yes, it can be put into a potion for later use. Tim sees this ritual as a quick way to pay back males who mock his "mark of power". Sort of a "Ha-ha you're pitching a tent too - if you call that a tent" spell. Is this a blessing or curse? Depends on the circumstances.
Notes:
Tim is apt to try to solve every problem with magic - recklessly going into debt, because what's the point of having magic if you don't use it? He thinks that there must be a way for him to keep all of his powers but have control of his 'mark'.
He is slowly replacing his wardrobe with loose fitting clothes, ponchos, and anything else he can use to hide his problem.
Using him in play:
He would be a seriously hard PC to play, but he could be a good NPC and serve as an example of what happens when you carelessly pursue power.
Story Ideas:
Tim approaches the PCs for help with his problem. He will haver if there are females around and isn't all that happy to explain things to them, but he wants a way to have his powers without the disadvantages.
A PC is attending a cultural event that includes poetry readings, and for a change one of the poems isn't just doggerel verse. It's not merely good, it's Great. Probably better than Great (depending on Tim's dice roll). Only thing is, the poet is behaving slightly off kilter. He's sitting at a table and won't stand up for any reason. And his clothes... Well, artist types often dress odd, but why won't this strange young man stand up?
A bunch of signs pop up, declaring things to be under the protection of Priapus. How can the PCs do anything other than investigate?
A girl that the PCs know wakes up with a hangover, a bit of an ache, and no memory of how she ended up sharing a bed with Tim or what happened. Do the PCs handle the creep? What if Tim says (honestly) that he was so drunk that he doesn't remember that night either?
Tim starts a cult. He uses magic to impress people. He uses magic to come up with fun substances for their parties. He uses magic to make the sex better. In short, he soon becomes a successful (if unambitious) cult leader to people who like partying. Either someone else tries to take advantage of this cult or the cult starts funnelling too much power to the old gods. Either way, Tim's little "24/7 party cult" becomes a problem that needs to be dealt with - but Tim isn't an evil cult leader. He's a lazy but kind of nice guy who likes to party and is being exploited. How do the PCs handle things?
Tim decides he wants money and tries to make it as a porn star under the name "Tom O'Priapus". Things are really working out for him, until one of his movies is edited in a way that makes fun of Priapus. Suddenly Tim has an angry patron, one that wants curses hurled, and he needs the PCs to help him deal with the situation without crossing his own line moral lines.
Tim decides to earn some fast money as gardener. He posts "Protected by Priapus" signs and cast spells. When vandals strike or neighbourhood youths start trespassing on the "protected" lands Tim starts getting dreams from his patron - and is scared spitless by what Priapus wants him to do.
Tim decides to earn some fast money with a grow-op. Priapus is a lord of growing things and doesn't care if the crop is legal or a field of cannabis - or even opium poppies. However, the god will care if the cops torch the fields or rivals drug dealers steal the crop. Tim has suddenly gone from "make lots of money fast" to "Priapus wants me to do WHAT?" - with the targets being cops, DEA agents, or outlaw bikers. He'll need the PCs help either to smooth things over or to effect a minor revenge that will satisfy Priapus and leave Tim alive.
Tim decides to earn some fast money with a grow-op. The crop grows in record time but then Tim is stuck with it. He knows it's worth money but he doesn't know how to process the crop for sale or who to sell it to. He could run into problems with undercover cops, minor drug dealers, not so minor gangsters, or even something supernatural that was meeting the area's drugs needs (maybe a Summer Court Fae known as The Lord of the Sweet Leaf?). Regardless of whether the trouble is mundane or supernatural, Tim needs help. Can the PCs help him? Do they see this as a way to teach him that "quick fixes" aren't worth the hassle?
Tim gets arrested for a date rape that didn't happen. It was one of the times that he only used his charms (as opposed to booze) but the girl later regretted the act and claims that he drugged her. He calls a PC with connects to the courts or one that he knows can pay his bail. Tim knows he'll have a really hard time of it in jail and needs help now. Will the PCs believe him or even care that he's in jail?
Tim comes to a bad end. Maybe one of his get rich quick ideas crashed and burned, maybe he goes to jail for rape (and learns how it feels to be someone's bitch), maybe he annoyed something bigger on the supernatural food chain and got chewed up - whatever happened, make it something that the PCs could have prevented. Then the shit hits the fan old style. Priapus doesn't like what happened to his emissary and takes action. The Furies are unleashed. Nemesis stalks the streets. An old god stirs to reminded others that when he marks a mortal then that mortal is HIS TOY and everyone better bloody well respect that. Forgotten old myths are becoming frightening realities and it's at least partly the PC's fault - what do they do?
