What have I done?

[Snowguard]

Hello. This is going to get verbose fairly quickly, so if you want a drink, get it now.

This is my first time posting on these forums, for reasons that will soon become obvious, and I'm rather quickly finding myself in a situation, the depths of which I'm unsure of. My regular gaming group, consisting of myself, my wife and two older, more experienced gamers, found ourselves in something of a rut last Saturday. No one really felt like continuing any of our regular campaigns (a couple of superhero campaigns using the Hero system in our own piece of the multiverse), and a desire to play something. One of the older fellows was throwing an idea around for a crazy guy who saw signs and portents in late trains and faulty traffic lights, and I suggested a Urban Fantasy game despite myself (again, for reasons that will soon become apparent). After everyone decided that Urban Fantasy was something we wanted to try, we looked at the Dresden Files RPG books that had been placed on our DropBox, with my wife's proviso that if we did this, she didn't want it to just be a one-shot. She invests a lot in her characters and feels bummed every time a campaign dies. We all agreed, and quickly decided on a Chest-deep campaign in a modern-day Nevermore/Baltimore. The concepts came quickly for everyone, with a punk kid-turned-cycnical police detective who saw dead people, a former criminal, now servant of a Dragon (not one of the ones mentioned in lore), and were-raven courier complete with insatiable curiosity. Feeling the pressure building, I said that "I'll play the Wizard" and slotted myself into our world.

I don't play the Wizard. Ever.

Despite being veritable virgin of the gaming group, I've got about a decade's experience at formal role-playing,  starting with D&D (I joined the RPGA at my then-fiance's advice, and met the other two fellows there), and as mentioned elsewhere, Champions (a superhero game that began when my wife moved here (Australia) once we got married (she's from the US), we met online on a play-by-post forum, which is where I started 'gaming'. In that all that time I have stuck to playing mechanically-simple concepts, and more importantly, concepts that didn't mess with the structure of the universe. The game universe that I'm in is more important than me (both as a player and a character), and as such I play my character safely within the 'realms of reality'. I've repeatedly had the group nix playing Ars Magica because I couldn't jump the hurdle to become an actual big-hitter in the game. It has been an issue particularly for my wife, who loves magic as a concept, and when Dresden Files were mentioned, I could feel her mention of 'Pure Mortals' carry the undertone of 'Sweetie, please play something else. PLEASE?' A gaming 'mistake' I make (a lot) is to create a character that is an 'Outsider', and as such makes it difficult for them to commit to whatever is in game world. By playing the Wizard I've tried to stop this issue coming to rise.

"I'm the Wizard, this world revolves around me."

This leads me to another issue.

I don't read Urban Fantasy. Ever.

A source of the mindset of issues of character probably has something to do with my choice of genre. I don't have a problem with High Fantasy, although I'm more likely read something that focuses on someone other than Mages. (I haven't read George R.R. Martin, and feel no real compulsion to do so) I don't have a problem with 'magic' in my Fantasy setting (it's sort of essential), but I like to keep it in it's own jar (Shadowrun mixes to perfectly decent genres, so I steer clear of that). Needless to say, I've avoided Urban Fantasy as a genre. I've never read (or watched) Harry Potter despite having the surname 'Snape'. Needless to say I haven't read any of the Dresden Files. One of our group has read nearly everything, and my wife has read a bit. My limit is reading Mister Butcher's entry on Wikipedia and as much of the few role-playing pdfs that we had. I like to be prepared as a gamer, and as when the pdfs were first placed in the DropBox a few years ago, I figured that someone was going to want to run a Dresden Files game at some point. I studied the books, coming up with a floating concept (a were-wolf mercenary sniper, the half-sister of the Wizard). Of course, that banked on my wife playing the Wizard, which she didn't. Her were-raven is too awesome a concept to ignore.

I'll be posting my concept of character below, and while I mechanically I'm pretty-much sorted at Chest-Deep (slap the Wizard template on her... BAM! I'm done), I'm still trying to iron out a lot of the issues (Are her Aspects okay? How are her Skills). Any input anyone has on any part of the character would be greatly appreciate.

"Hope Kent's future was determined long before she was even conceived. Peter and Phillipa Kent were young, well-to-do, and knew more than was good for them. Hungry for arcane power, they made pact with the powerful Wizard Duane McDowell – initiation into magic in exchange for their Firstborn at their moment of Adulthood. They were young, so of course they made the deal.

"After years of study, they settled in Concord, New Hampshire, and after a few years, gave birth to Hope. Showing great potential from a young age, they carefully trained her as best they could, keeping her out of 'politics', ensuring she knew the Laws, and letting her learn in her own way. (They let her buy a mobile phone, which lasted 17 hours) A solitary child, they were relieved at not having to explain interactions of the Mystic and Mundane to over-curious parents. She performed well in class, and had a knack for what little magic they showed her. Most of all, she was loved.

"With her finishing Junior High School and the onset of menstruation (a little delayed with some 'mystic fiddling' on her parents part), Hope was informed that she we need to go and study further with her Uncle Duane in Baltimore. Sad to leave her parents, she nonetheless a dutiful child, and was placed on the Acela Express. Undertaking her new studies to the exclusion of all else, she is learning just what it takes to be a mage, still unaware of the 'promise' her parents made with Uncle Duane, or the full depth of what may be required of her."

Hope Kent

High Concept Aspect: Straight-lace Student Spell-slinger (Could this be better? Naive Neophyte?)

Trouble Aspect: Uncle Duane's Apprentice

Phase One has her growing up in Concord, Phase Two involves her coming to Baltimore and discovering just how big the world is. I don't have any Aspects recorded, although I do like "I'd like to buy a clue, Alex." for Phase Two.

Phase Three:

Upon answering the door at her 'uncle's' house, she doesn't quite understand the importance of the courier, or the package she delivers. It serves as an important wake-up call to just how wider the world really is.

Guest Starring: Ophie Rucker

Phase Aspect: Poor Little Rich Mage

Phase Three:

Whilst 'Uncle' was away on business, Detective Turner came to the house, seeking assistance in setting a Soul to rest. Working her way through divination castings, Hope is able to help the spirit find peace, and prove to herself just how competent she is becoming.

Guest Starring: Detective Turner

Phase Aspect: Hey, I can do that!

***************************************************

The basic character concept is that of an Apprentice Wizard, just coming into her powers. Despite not having much in the way of social contact (or skills), word is getting around that Duane's Apprentice may be going places. I intend to start off with her being naive if exceedingly well-informed, at least in theory, with potential to develop further as needed. She's better than she thinks she is, but she's still a teenager – just more preppy than rebellious. I looked at the write-up for Molly Carpenter (a good place to start), and decided on my own take (better Thaumaturgy, no funky Talents, Stunts or Powers)

Mechanically I've given her just the Wizard Template, as I don't see what else I could afford at Chest-Deep. Her skills at various levels are as follows but I'm considering whether I want to change them (give her Weapons at some level so she could, theoretically, wield a sword – only the Dragon-servant is rigged for combat)

Great: Discipline, Lore,

Good: Conviction, Endurance, Investigation

Fair:  Alertness, Athletics, Contacts, Scholarship

Average: Empathy, Fists, Might, Rapport, Resources

I haven't given her any particular spells she does well, any elements that her Evocation is focused on, any Thaumaturgical focus, or any bonded items (is that the right term?). Any help with fleshing Hope out further would be good. Very Good.

************************************

Help me Forum, you're my only hope!

[Taran]

I'm about half way through your post but I want to pose a question: have you watched any Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Supernatural?   Both these are Urban Fantasy.   Especially Buffy. 

[Snowguard]

A fair question.

I have seen a few episodes of Buffy. Enough to be able to identify most characters and have some knowledge of their plot arcs. I believe I lost a lot of interest once they went off to college.

I might have watched an episode of Supernatural, but always felt I was never really part of their target demographic. ('People who like watching Hot Guys')

I binge-watched the first season or so of Lost Girl, although I think I did so primarily as research into the genre in a nice confluence of possibilities. ('Friends had placed Urban Fantasy in the Gaming DropBox', 'Urban Fantasy television show was free-to-view online', and 'I wasn't using mental potential to develop a cure for stupidity')

[g33k]

A few thoughts & observations...

Urban Fantasy usually falls into one of two ends of a spectrum, seldom near the middle:
at one end, the "magic is real, but muggles/mundanes don't have a clue"
at the other, alternate-reality "magic is part of accepted modern life"

Dresden falls into the "hidden magic" side of things.  Not (mostly) because the magical sorts engage is a "hide from the mortals" conspiracy but because (mostly) humans are good at coming up with mundane explanations -- "it was terrorists" and "it must have been hallucinations caused by ergot-contaminated bread" and so forth.  There is some effort to keep the magic "under cover," but it's more an ad-hoc / per-incident sort of activity, individual supernaturals not pissing in their own pools so to speak.  The supernaturals realize that, if roused, the "normals" could become a really fearsome force:  mobs with torches and pitchforks could take vampires and werewolves; AK-47s and spotlights make things even more dicey !

Wizards -- those strong enough to merit the title -- belong to a "White Council," a largely conservative organization.  Beyond decreeing and enforcing the "Laws of Magic," (and largely preferring that whole "under cover magic" schtick), they don't much interfere; but break any of the Laws and they will be on you like salt on an ocean beach.  The Wardens show up, grey-cloaked and grim-faced with enchantment-destroying swords; combat-specialist wizards with an agenda of beheading the perpetrator(s); note that even those not strong enough to be invited to join the White Council, are still bound to obey the laws (or face the consequences).

In addition to the Laws enforced by the Council, there seen to be actual moral/metaphysical "laws" of the Dresdesverse, which have reasonably close correspondence to the human-made ones, and tend to enforce themselves metaphysically even if you somehow hide from the Wardens of the White Council.

The supernatural world is big, bad, and exceedingly diverse; your apprentice-wizard has plenty of excuse for anything you (the player) don't know about the world/setting.

Some of the main players, supernaturally-speaking, include the Faerie Courts of Summer and Winter (each lead by a Lady/Queen/QueenMother triumvirate) and the "unaligned" WildFae (with (at least) 2 more major blocs of power, the Svartalves and the Goblins/WildHunt); at least 4 different sorts of Vampire; various pagan deities; dragons... and of course "God," in the JudeoChristian sense (the DFRPG community seems not-quite-settled on the question of whether this is the actual Almighty Creator, or just the biggest baddest spirit around by virtue of all the Belief-fuelled worship), plus His angels.

***

Mechanically, I see no problems with Hope; but I'm not an expert.  I might bump Scholarship up (maybe dropping Investigation?) as that seems to suit the "naive, preppy student" vibe better.  Also, the phrase you use to describe her ("better than she thinks she is") might make a nice Aspect...

My .02 fwiw

[Taran]

Your character looks good.  @g33k  I kind of like Investigation where it is.  It's a good all-round skill and very useful for declarations.  Fair Scholarship is High School/university Level and, from what I read, she only finished Jr. High before being shipped off.

Scholarship is super useful for the modern day book worm who can use a smart phone or computer to do lots of cool things.  Maybe less so for a wizard?  But that's just personal preference.

@Snowguard:  your character seems young, so you won't have to worry about not knowing the setting.  It fits the character.  Besides, with a high Lore, the GM can tell you what you need to know or you can roll for it.

When I make a character, I make notes on how each aspect can be compelled and invoked.  This will help you develop aspects and help your GM compel them appropriately.

As far as playing a wizard, I recommend you invest one enchanted item slot for a physical block against attacks.  It comes in super handy especially since your alertness(initiative) and Dodging(Athletics) are lower.  Being able to block an attack at +4 or +5 vs +2 is nice.

I can't add much more than what g33k said.

[g33k]

@g33k  I kind of like Investigation where it is.  It's a good all-round skill and very useful for declarations.  Fair Scholarship is High School/university Level and, from what I read, she only finished Jr. High before being shipped off.

Scholarship is super useful for the modern day book worm who can use a smart phone or computer to do lots of cool things.  Maybe less so for a wizard?  But that's just personal preference.

I "like" Investigation, too.  But the concept was specified as being "naive" and a good student, so Investigation seems less-apt, and Scholarship moreso.

And I'm forced to note that "Google-fu" and even hacking aren't "scholarship."  Libraries work just fine...

In the end, it's up to what the OP wants.  As you note, it's pretty easy to justify either, as-desired.

[Taran]

Searching a computer is scholarship and not every use of a computer involves google or wikipedia.  It also covers finding maps, researching government officials, brushing up on politics etc...all of which can be done on a computer.  It's also libraries.  But the last time I went to a library, I used a computer to find the book I needed.  Anyway, Lore covers a lot of what she might be doing as well.  That's all I'm saying.

I'm pretty sure the parents are well educated and the character just finished Jr. High.  Did I mis-read?

With her finishing Junior High School and the onset of menstruation (a little delayed with some 'mystic fiddling' on her parents part), Hope was informed that she we need to go and study further with her Uncle Duane in Baltimore.

The next part I took as studying to become a mage.  Not mundane scholarship stuff:

Undertaking her new studies to the exclusion of all else, she is learning just what it takes to be a mage,

I don't know if investigation and naïveté go together.  I guess it depends how you interpret it.  To me, someone who is gullible could be considered naive and that would be low Empathy not necessarily low perception.  But yeah, Just making an observation.  Not meaning to challenge your interpretation. 

[g33k]

I'm not sure, but I think we're actually quite close together on this issue... just on slightly-different sides of the same peak, as it were...

Searching a computer is scholarship and not every use of a computer involves google or wikipedia.  It also covers finding maps, researching government officials, brushing up on politics etc...all of which can be done on a computer.  It's also libraries.  But the last time I went to a library, I used a computer to find the book I needed.  Anyway, Lore covers a lot of what she might be doing as well.  That's all I'm saying.

One can pursue "scholarship" via computer tools, it's true!  Or without.  Scholarship is about finding the information; knowing what to look for, and how, how to contextualize and understand it, how to filter for valid information, etc.  Computers are just one of the tools that are available.

Now, I grant you that computers are ubiquitous tools today, and incredibly valuable in searching for and sorting through all the information available to the modern scholar!  But it's just not correct to equate or conflate "scholarship" with computer-use, or vice versa...  They tend to go hand in hand, but that's just tend.

I don't know if investigation and naïveté go together.  I guess it depends how you interpret it.  To me, someone who is gullible could be considered naive and that would be low Empathy not necessarily low perception.  But yeah, Just making an observation.  Not meaning to challenge your interpretation. 

Really, it comes down to how the OP wants to interpret their own PC.  I think we've demonstrated that it's easy enough to go whichever way suits their vision!   

[Taran]

I'm not sure, but I think we're actually quite close together on this issue... just on slightly-different sides of the same peak, as it were...
One can pursue "scholarship" via computer tools, it's true!  Or without.  Scholarship is about finding the information; knowing what to look for, and how, how to contextualize and understand it, how to filter for valid information, etc.  Computers are just one of the tools that are available.

Now, I grant you that computers are ubiquitous tools today, and incredibly valuable in searching for and sorting through all the information available to the modern scholar!  But it's just not correct to equate or conflate "scholarship" with computer-use, or vice versa...  They tend to go hand in hand, but that's just tend.

Really, it comes down to how the OP wants to interpret their own PC.  I think we've demonstrated that it's easy enough to go whichever way suits their vision!   

Agreed.