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The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: JG_Mage on April 19, 2010, 04:39:23 AM
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Some high concepts I'm playing with to learn character creation.
- Recovering Third Eye Junkie Putting self in harms way for a natural high.
- Sinner Sent out to Repent Like Dirty Dozen.
- Mother Working Off Debt to a Faerie Court. Child is in protective custody of said faerie court.
What are you working on?
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I had a Werewolf/Focused Practitioner, his bare bones cost being 9 Refresh(8 without Pack instincts for a "Lone Wolf") so he'd either have to be in a PL7/8 game and evolve powers or start off in a PL10 game. He was finicky... I haven't touched him in awhile but I'll eventually get back to him.
I'm semi-interested in a non-believer Champion of God, but worried I'd be stepping on Sanya's toes.
Robin Hood/Goblin Knight is interesting, but it would take quite awhile for me to figure out his abilities. He's on the deep back burner in my mind.
A Scion-type character like Kincaid or Mouse is also greatly appealing to me.
I'm also working on a custom Banshee, not a character an NPC monster.
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I'm semi-interested in a non-believer Champion of God, but worried I'd be stepping on Sanya's toes.
I'm sure Sanya is the one copying, like Billy Idol copied Spike. :D
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I'm semi-interested in a non-believer Champion of God, but worried I'd be stepping on Sanya's toes.
Depends on how you spin it. An Agnostic says, "I Don't Know". Although, I would give serious props to someone who could justify an Atheistic Champion of God.
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I have three I am working on that cover a broad area so I can fill gaps the other players in my group leave when they make their characters.
Fake Psychic Werewolf: uses his "Psychic Nose"(easier than telling people you're a werewolf) to find people and things for a living, also masquerades as a Minor Talent to protect that community from predators. Thanks to a run in with a "grateful" fae he now actually does have a psychic nose, Cassandra's tears in olfactory form.
Goblin Knight: Check the "local practitioner seeks Sponsor..." thread for more details, he got lost in the never never and ended up killing a creature for food, it was being hunted by the Erlking and he offered his service in repayment.
Grey Sheep of White Council Family: Sorcerer who had someone close to him gunned down by the Red Court during the war because he was the weak link in a White Council dynasty family because he refused formal training. He rose her body as a Zombie in a twisted attempt to bring her back. Horrified at what he had done he stopped using magic for a few years until the events of his first novel forced him to start again. He is taking it slow and avoiding both necromancy and his family due to being terrified of being found out as a Warlock.
... wow, now that I sat down and looked at them all I see how much more work I put into 1 and 3, and the goblin knight is just about the powers... may have to re-write it.
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I'm sure Sanya is the one copying, like Billy Idol copied Spike. :D
That's so meta considering James Marsters does the audiobooks :P
Currently I'm playing a True Mortal cop who street races motorcycles at night, who may or may not evolve into a Minor Talent (Cassandra's Tears). Though I could see him going several directions supernaturally, he'll likely end up a monster hunter sporting a shotgun filled with a combination of steel shot and rock salt (perhaps using his visions to hunt down evil, but then I fear I'll be going too much into the Supernatural or Angel route :P ). He's very Stunt heavy so any sort of supernatural advancement will either be far away after some Major Milestones or taken with extreme thought put into the matter, since I'd have to ax some of my stunts.
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Depends on how you spin it. An Agnostic says, "I Don't Know". Although, I would give serious props to someone who could justify an Atheistic Champion of God.
I'm not sure I could, without stepping on Sanya's toes. Hell, I based a D&D cosmology on half his comments about them being aliens/powerful beings, but not literal gods/angels (To be fair, I also had inspiration from Supernatural and Stargate, with a little HP Lovecraft and Hellboy thrown in).
Though I could go the Angel route, it's about Fighting the Good Fight not about who sponsors you (To be fair, listening to Small Favor on audiobook again, I think Sanya says something similar :'( . I know the OW entry for Sanya says something similar... maybe I should just play Sanya :P )
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(To be fair, listening to Small Favor on audiobook again, I think Sanya says something similar :'( . I know the OW entry for Sanya says something similar... maybe I should just play Sanya :P )
As statted, he's actually a Submerged level character if you fill in a few low level skills, so you actually could play Sanya.
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As statted, he's actually a Submerged level character if you fill in a few low level skills, so you actually could play Sanya.
Not sure I could pull off the being Russian :P . Plus I'd feel, wrong roleplaying a canon character.
Of the Knights, Sanya is probably my favorite.
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Half outsider merc: who is the protector of the savior of mankind and as a really long story
A clued in writer: he mainly is the puzzel solving type, and is fairly in the know, he also knows his way around a gun
A were-panther: a stealthy type, i have yet to come up with a plot and job for this guy
a thaumaturgy based wizard: again, i dont have a past for him, but he would be fun to play i think
A champion of god:think hugh jackmans van hellsing
A vampire assassin: he's an emissary of power, of what power i have no idea, but think alucard in the helllsing series.
and sanya's awsome ;D
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High Concept: Sorcerous Scion of the Old Way
Trouble: Delved too deeply into Primordial lore
Other Aspects see below for where they came from
My friends are my family
"And what rough beast, its hour come round at last"
I protect what's mine
i lost my kitty : /
I brought the fire!
Background: Where did you come from?
mother is sociable and strange. father is religious fanatic in the bad way. parents got divorced while he was young. his older brother is a golden boy. he studied religion and philosophy as self defense.
My friends are my family
Rising Conflict: What shaped you?
While roleplaying, accidentally joined an animistic cult, run by an insane wyld-fae/creature [Shaun] intent on transforming Talents into half-human half-other creatures. started dating a were-cat named Jessica. Successfully performed said transformation ritual on himself.
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last
The Story: What was your first adventure? "A Reckoning"
When approached by the Wardens who have discovered that Shaun [the wyld-fae creature] is breaking the Second Law of Magic, It is a close call, but when I realize that only luck allowed me to survive the ritual,and thus the others in the cult would likely die if attempting it. I help the Warden to kill Shaun and save my friends
Jessica Kitten, Warden Aquilus
i lost my kitty : /
Guest Star Redux: Who Else’s Path Have You Crossed? "Spring Break Smackdown"
Brian gets visited by Jason, who drags him off to Massachusetts to help some mortal guy named Matt. Not realizing how well trained Matt is, Jason and Brian are impressed with his skill with a sniper rifle. Together they take down the vamps, with Matt providing damage and cover fire, Jason burying them and breaking them apart, and Brian following up with gasoline and matches. Turns out the vamps were looking for the Umbrorum, and Matt's parents have to move.
Other Stars : Jason Aquillus, Matthew Stone
"I brought the fire!"
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I've got a couple of ideas kicking around in my head including:
- Golden Boy of the White Council - An up-and-coming wizard from a prominent family who made their fortune in the jewelry industry. Especially adept at creating enchanted items, potions, and magical foci.
- Were-Gator Good Ol' Boy - Raised in the swamp and able to turn himself into a gator. Good at brawlin', huntin' and tinkerin' with almost nothing in the way of social graces.
- Were-Bear Biker - A biker without a gang affiliation who can turn himself into a grizzly, thanks to a natural family aptitude for shape-shifting.
- Urban Sorcerer Artiste - An inner-city graffiti artist who makes his living as a thief and practices his sorcery in the warehouse he squats in.
- Fist of God - A boxer-turned-priest who tries to spread the word in the inner-city while fighting the forces of darkness with nothing more than his faith and a mean left hook.
- Aged Sorcerer - A practitioner who was never powerful enough to join the White Council, now visibly aged and nearing death. Obsessed with the idea of extending his own life.
- Ex-Mafioso Disciple of Chernabog - Empowered by a dark god from his homeland of Russia, he is tasked with representing the demon's interests in the mortal world while raising his son alone.
- Scion of Hercules - The half-divine offspring of the ancient hero, he is used to having life handed to him on a platter. The changes going on in the supernatural world forced him to be drawn in and take sides.
Hopefully these seem like some decent ideas.
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Urban Wendigo, Musician
Trouble: I do NOT eat people!
The ancient guardians of the nature have retreated as mortals have expanded into the wild. This guardian has decided to stop retreating and is fulfilling his ancient calling in the big city.
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Urban Wendigo, Musician
Trouble: I do NOT eat people!
The ancient guardians of the nature have retreated as mortals have expanded into the wild. This guardian has decided to stop retreating and is fulfilling his ancient calling in the big city.
i like it, but according to native American myth wendigo are rather vicious corrupted cannibalistic monsters not guardians...
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i like it, but according to native American myth wendigo are rather vicious corrupted cannibalistic monsters not guardians...
1) Ethnic stereotyping can be very hurtful. Hence the trouble aspect, "I do NOT eat people!"
2) If Wendigos were cannibalistic then they would be eating other Wendigos. Eating people would just make them a carnivore, like a vicious, corrupted bear.
3) As for vicious and corrupted vs guardian, do you really think that the people spreading these pernicious tales have actually sat down and had a conversation with a Wendigo?
4a) A guy is in the forest, up to no good, and a Wendigo decides to put a stop to it. He jumps out of the bushes dances around making scary faces and a lot of noise. The bad guy runs away screaming like a little girl.
4b) So, I was in the forest, minding my own business, when this Wendigo jumps out of the bushes and tries to eat me. I just barely managed to fight the vicious, corrupted beast off and escape with my life.
Which of the above stories do you think he is going to tell his friends? Which story do you think would get published?
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2) If Wendigos were cannibalistic then they would be eating other Wendigos. Eating people would just make them a carnivore, like a vicious, corrupted bear.
From most of what I know about Wendigos, they become one because the person is a cannibal. And as they're still partly human I think cannibal is a valid term, though anthrophage might be a better one.
Big Foot/Yeti might be a better "human-like forest protector"
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The two I'm playing with in my head right now"
High concept: Should not have failed the White Council test
Trouble: You never get a second chance to flub a first impression (see high concept).
A lore focused Wizard whom the WC see as a minor practitioner, and does not have the connections or confidence to push for membership despite actually having the ability.
High Concept: Heir of Dr. Jeckyll
Trouble: Heir of Mr. Hyde
Aspect: "Je'-quell not Jeck-ell' " (if you've seen Young Frankenstein, you will understand this one)
A ritual Alchemist Dr. and shape-shifter who's beast is a beast of a man...
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2) If Wendigos were cannibalistic then they would be eating other Wendigos. Eating people would just make them a carnivore, like a vicious, corrupted bear.
3) As for vicious and corrupted vs guardian, do you really think that the people spreading these pernicious tales have actually sat down and had a conversation with a Wendigo?
From native American sacred stories comes the story of a man or men who have eaten the flesh of other men, they became tainted with a horrible hunger for the power that such an unholy act gave them, went mad, and become warped in body and soul thus becoming wendigo. now if you want to just change wendigo to "feral half man creature that is an ancient guardian", your all set. you could also change what wendigo means, but my descriptions are from the Native American version of the legends not the European ones.
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Big Foot/Yeti might be a better "human-like forest protector"
Since this was a High Concept topic, I did not mention that Shapeshifting is part of my character concept and Wendigos are shifters, the Sasquatch and Yeti are not*. Also, Sasquatch and Yeti are described as ape-like where as the Wendigo are more wolf-like or bear-like. You see, I needed at least a +4 Catch (Silver) to offset his Toughness powers. That's +2 for "something that anyone could reasonably get access to, but usually doesn’t carry on them", and +2 for "almost anyone with an awareness of the supernatural knows about the Catch or could easily find out." I figure that a guy who changes into anthropomorphic wolf-like creature will either be mistaken for a were-wolf (hence silver) or recognized as a Wendigo (also silver). Worst case, this is only a +3 catch; but every little bit helps.
Also, people, why quibble over whether a mythical creature is realistically represented in a fantasy role playing game? If the Wendigo that I want to play in my game truly offends you then I promise I will not play that character in your game.
* unless you are suggesting re-inventing the Sasquatch and Yeti. Which I would advise against. I am taking quite the wrap here for re-inventing the Wendigo. :)
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What about an Animal-Were, like Tera West? Or a shapeshifting Scion? Hell, even a Scion of a Wendigo... Or a Skinwalker (obviously taught, rather than one of the originals)
And I think the quibbles are that your changing the fundamental nature that 'Wendigos are Evil,' which every media I can think of portrays them as evil (even other RPGs). The humans are cursed for their deeds and turned into monsters, whereas people like the classic infection-Werewolf or Loup-Garou can be good... just the beast inside them is not.
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He could even be a scion of a spirit wolf, there's precedent for that in native lore. I agree the concepts perfectly fine and shiny. its just the use of the word wendigo, which has verry clear pretty much universal connotations.
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He could even be a scion of a spirit wolf, there's precedent for that in native lore. I agree the concepts perfectly fine and shiny.
That sounds great! You should post your scion spirit wolf, I would like to compare him to my Wendigo.
its just the use of the word wendigo, which has verry clear pretty much universal connotations.
That's another great idea. A character that challenges a "verry clear pretty much universal connotations" would have a brilliant trouble aspect. Something like "I do NOT eat people!." I wish I had thought of that! :)
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That sounds great! You should post your scion spirit wolf, I would like to compare him to my Wendigo.
That's another great idea. A character that challenges a "verry clear pretty much universal connotations" would have a brilliant trouble aspect. Something like "I do NOT eat people!." I wish I had thought of that! :)
No need to be snarky, this does not need to devolve into a flame war.
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No need to be snarky, this does not need to devolve into a flame war.
No snark was intended - hence the smiley at the end.
I was just trying to pointing out that what some people seem to think of as flaws in the character concept are actually strengths.
You could play a Wendigo as a re-skined ghoul. Give it a Feeding Dependency, take the refresh rebate and buy an extra power or just have a higher refresh rate. The character would be challenging to play because you would be constantly dealing with the "OMG a Ghoul" factor. Judging by the reaction here every one would be fine with this type of Wendigo.
Or you could play a Wendigo as I have suggested, a misunderstood nature guardian trying to make it in the big city. Don't take a Feeding Dependency, don't get the refresh rebate and have fewer powers or a lower refresh. There is still the perception of a Feeding Dependency so you still have to deal with the "OMG a Wendigo" factor. And to top it off, putting him in the city makes him a fish out of water. I think this is a much more interesting character to play.
Interesting aspects make for interesting characters. You want them to get you into trouble so you can earn FATE points. Judging by the reaction here, I think I have a fantastic High Concept.
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A few of mine
Axe-crazy ex-thrall
Lycanthrope Outlaw
Pyromancer for hire
Heathen Holy Warrior (Asatru worshipper, Tyr specifically)
If anyone wants to hear more about one of them, let me know.
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Lycanthrope Outlaw
An outlaw in what sense? On the run from mortal law enforcement or exiled from lycanthrope society?
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Mostly the former, but a bit of the later. He's part of a gang that's dominated by lycanthropes, like the Full Moon Garage gang, but he's been doing some of his own stuff trying to protect people from supernatural predation on the side. The gang leader may try to kill him if he steps too far out of line.
I chose Outlaw because it was an easy word for criminal, and the fact that he's muscle for a group of drug runners may come up.
His present Trouble Aspect is Heart of a Man, Soul of Wolf
Basically the problems of being part of a gang/pack but still caring about other people.
If anyone has suggestions on other ways to word those ideas, that would be great. The hardest part of working on Aspects is finding the right way to express them.
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The character I used to test the character generation chapter ended up like this:
Jacob Grey
High Concept: Ex-Military Wizard Bodyguard
Trouble: Ancient Wizard In My Head
Background Aspect: I Escaped the Trailer Park
Rising Aspect: Rangers Lead the Way
First Story: Something to Prove
Guest Star: Hard to Kill
Basically he's a kid from the bad part of town who got given the option "Join the Army or go to jail". He flourished in the Army and ended up as a Ranger, the elite infantry forces of the US military. During an ugly firefight in Afganistan, he stumbled upon the tomb of a wizard who belonged to Alexander the Great's armies--with the spirit of that wizard locked in a quartz amulet. Gravely wounded, the trapped wizard offered to heal and teach Jacob, and Jacob agreed. His first adventure is all about him learning magic at a MUCH older age than typical, as well as trying to convince the Wardens he's not a danger and also fending off the warlocks who want the necklace for themselves. Once it's finished, he becomes a freelance bodyguard, specializing in "unique" security needs.
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started as an npc but i now i just want to play him
High concept: Ronin Wizzard
Trouble: "you wouldn't like me when im angry"
background: From a long line of wardens
rising conflict: headstrong then, stubborn now
story: "No, But I read a book on it."
geust star: my mouth is a double edge sword
Geaust star2: "I still have friends on the council"
basically he was raised with expectation that he would become a ward scince his father and gradfathers were warden, and waised taught the 7 laws very early. he was also taught many of the "old tricks" of the wardens. his father was killed "on the job" and mother died in a car accedent a few years later he moved from the subburbs and was taken in and aprenticed to his strict grandfather on a ranch in colorado. he was taught the old fashoned way, think rocks for shield practice. he suplemented his warden training with many books from the library (he had to ride his horse) he is very well read (he liked samurai stories aswell) while he was still an apprentice he was brought to a few official white court trial and witnessed first hand thier conclusions. be fore he was to take the "exam" he convinced his grandfather to take him to a secret meeting in Archangelsk, Russia. he was the sole survior to escape into the nevernever, and while fighting off a dozen RC vamps(think bubble), maeve (yes that one) showed up and offered him safe passage as a geust back to his exit, for one little favor to be named later. after a few brief caveats he aggreed and she vampcicles. and he still owes her one. when he returned he spent months recovering and training, but was disgusted to learn that the white council was still sueing for peace rather than gearing up to fight. he amazed his warden test giver (some guy his own age named carlos) away with his power. however he flat our refused to join the white counciluntill they fought the war in earnest. surprisingly many hawkish wardens and wizzards understand his reasons, and some even think he could make an excellent "asset." he will bow to no one but work with any one to hurt the reds.
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started as an npc but i now i just want to play him
High concept: Ronin Wizzard
Does he have Item of Power: Luggage?
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Does he have Item of Power: Luggage?
Aspect: All Problems solved by running
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Does he have Item of Power: Luggage?
umm thats Rincewind not Ronin
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Bruce Wayne
High Concept: The Dark Knight
Trouble: Just a mere mortal
Background Aspect: Richer than God
Aspect: Batman always wins
Aspect: Even if he loses
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A few of mine
Axe-crazy ex-thrall
Lycanthrope Outlaw
Pyromancer for hire
Heathen Holy Warrior (Asatru worshipper, Tyr specifically)
If anyone wants to hear more about one of them, let me know.
Axe-crazy ex-thrall and Heathen Holy Warrior please.
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Were-bear Guardian - character idea based on Barak of The Belgariad, the character would be the guardian of one of the other characters. An involuntary change, the bear change would be invoked when the other character was laced in danger. Should be fun for the GM to compel.
Manimal - remember the 80's TV series with Simon MacCorkindale? A multiform shapechanger that can transform in to various animal forms (as long as it's either a panther or a hawk :)).
Immortal Mortal - A character like Capt Jack Harkness (Torchwood / Dr Who) or Capt. Scarlet. They take damage as normal, but can't die. They eventually recover (Trouble: Just can't die). Mythic Recovery, but no other powers. The character is destined for a long life, like a Wizard, and the resulting losses that entails.
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Wrath of God- When the Bible talks about the wrath of God they weren't talking about God being angry, it was talking about a chosen few wielders of Amoracchius who have the can completely let loose with the power of God (as in they leave craters where towns used to be) if they are ordered too. The term "tough love" came from these guys and they smack down the righteous gauntlet without blinking an eye.
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Child of Abomination: Last scion of a long line of outsider-tainted witches stretching back to Salem, "gifted" with a potent combination of water-specialized evocation and the ability to become an unspeakable eldritch horror and devour the unclean.
Hobkin "Security Consultant": Changeling ninja, extremely good at stealth, deception, and the delicate art of cold iron dagger placement.
Pale Court Vampire: An experiment gone so wrong it went right; a human-seeming vampire without feeding dependencies, with red and white feeding methods, the mind powers of the black and white courts, and the best aspects of black and red court shapeshifting.
Submerged Build
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Emotional Vampire -1
Blood Drinker -1
Incite Emotion -1
Domination -2
Supernatural Toughness -1 (Catch: Sunlight and mortal magic)
Human Form +1, tied to
Inhuman Strength -2
Claws -1
Wings -1
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Pale Court Vampire: An experiment gone so wrong it went right; a human-seeming vampire without feeding dependencies, with red and white feeding methods, the mind powers of the black and white courts, and the best aspects of black and red court shapeshifting.
And everybody wants him/her dead or to use him/her? Dang. 8)
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Original poster beat me to the "Former ThreeEye Junkie on the Turnaround" concept I was kicking around, so I'll toss some of the others out here. . .
Fire-Slinging Winter Changeling - Basically the kind of character that doesn't WANT to go Winter but still finds himself answering to certain "instinctual" calls of his nature.
Little Talent with Big Britches - I haven't decided on what kind of non-wizard spellcaster this will be, but their motivation is "I wanna be a Warden someday!" (Not sure if this is a normal Aspect, a better way of wording the High Concept, or even a Trouble Aspect.)
I was rather tempted to add the trouble aspect of "Indebted to Power" and adding sponsored magic to the mix. Hrmmm. . .
Reenactor Running With The Pros - A Vanilla Mortal (or at least one who STARTS as a mortal) who reenacts one (or many) battles and lifestyles of the past, but has been roped into supernatural politics due to the supernaturals present at these events.
(This one is left wide open, as this character can be a Wild West Gunslinger, a Civil War Soldier, or even a Chivalrous Knight, among other options).
Have fun!
--Crion
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Reenactor Running With The Pros - A Vanilla Mortal (or at least one who STARTS as a mortal) who reenacts one (or many) battles and lifestyles of the past, but has been roped into supernatural politics due to the supernaturals present at these events.
(This one is left wide open, as this character can be a Wild West Gunslinger, a Civil War Soldier, or even a Chivalrous Knight, among other options).
Have fun!
--Crion
I could very much see "Reenactor with a real widget" -- I found it at a junk sale, and it went so well with my costume, and now I can't get rid of it....
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And everybody wants him/her dead or to use him/her? Dang. 8)
And that's just the High Concept - his TROUBLE is "I sparkle, crush on vampire slayers, AND substitute eroticized murder fixation for all my personality traits at the same time"!
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I could very much see "Reenactor with a real widget" -- I found it at a junk sale, and it went so well with my costume, and now I can't get rid of it....
That's also a fun way to go. A spin on your twist:
Curious Collector With a Rider - (I need a better name for this one.) Average Joe that came into possession of an Item of Power that has it's own personality with it. Think Hexenwulf belts and the Silver Denarii, only with an actual person of the past within it that offers knowledge, power, or just forces themselves into the poor fool who possesses it.
I've had this used in a different game some time ago: an Archaeologist who specialized in Ancient Egyptian History coming into contact with an item owned by a long forgotten Egyptian Sorceress. It played out as one part Lash (offering knowledge and Sponsored Magic as needed), one part Hexenwulfen (psuedo-possession to complete certain physical tasks), and a LOT of interesting roleplay.
The idea has also been seen in a few other shows/books/etc, but it's a good one.
--Crion