ParanetOnline
The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: Deadmanwalking on April 27, 2010, 10:57:25 AM
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So, I've created what amounts to a PC group of eight characters. Fairly well balanced, a variety of types, and with connections to existing Dresden Files characters. they're fully statted, though I'll be writing (as opposed to just knowing) their Backgrounds as I go (and all should be up within a few days). They are suitable for use in Con Games or whatever else. If used for such purposes, I recommend making a quick list and letting however many players you have (presumably less than 8 of them) pick which characters they want to play. Characters are all, obviously, Chest Deep. Commentary of all sorts is welcome.
First up, an index (courtesy of Jeckel):
Novel Chronology (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798629.html#msg798629)
1: Elizabeth Anne Winthrop (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg797667.html#msg797667) - Wizard
2: Father James O’Connel (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg797829.html#msg797829) - True Believer
3: Erin Carter (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798434.html#msg798434) - Were-Wolf
4: Sam Coleman (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798607.html#msg798607) - Changeling
5: John Strauss (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798664.html#msg798664) - Focused Practitioner
6: Matthew Holland (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg799599.html#msg799599) - Red Court Infected
7: Detective Sgt. Delilah Vance (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg803061.html#msg803061) - Pure Mortal
8: Anthony Desouza (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg803731.html#msg803731) - Pure Mortal
And then our Wizard:
Name: Elizabeth Anne Winthrop
Background:
Liz grew up in a good home with a very normal family. She was always excitable and exuberant, taking life head-on with a great deal of joie-de-vivre, and little in the way of common sense or self-preservation instinct. Her family was upper middle class, but by no means rich, and she seldom speaks to them these days.
Aspect: Youthful Exuberance
Rising Conflict:
When she was 15, Liz made the earth move. Literally. She got very lucky and not only didn’t hurt anyone, but was found by a Wizard of the White Council fairly rapidly and taken in to be put under instruction. She rapidly displayed a prodigious magical talent as well as a lack of what was seen by her instructor as the proper temperament for a Wizard, and particularly a Warden, despite being a decent Evocater. Due to this, she is not given the rank of full Wizard until the age of 23, and even then not considered for the Wardens.
During this time, Liz met and dated a charming young man and fellow apprentice named Carlos Ramirez, who has since moved on to great things. The breakup was relatively amicable…though these days she’s a bit jealous of the esteem and position he’s managed to achieve.
Aspect: Magical Prodigy
First Novel: Falsely Accused
When Liz is accused of having broken the First Law, her ex-boyfriend being a Warden Commander comes in real handy. While he runs interference with the Council, she sets out to prove her innocence, and, with a bit of help from Father O’Connel and John Strauss, PI, she manages to clear her name and nab the mercenary sorcerer who set her up.
Aspect: Carlos Ramirez’s Ex-Girlfriend
Guest Star: Past Sins
When Father O’Connel’s past comes back to haunt him, Liz proves her loyalty to her friends beyond a shadow of a doubt, helping him to lay old demons to rest, even when it almost kills her. While doing so, she meets and works with Erin Carter, another friend of Father O’Connel, and the two actually get along quite well.
Aspect: Loyal To A Fault
Guest Star: Turf Wars
When a Red Court offensive moves into town, Liz (as a representative of the White Council) is forced to ally with Matthew Holland, from the Fellowship of St. Giles, as well as a Pure Mortal businessman named Anthony Desouza to stop them. Not that she minds after she sees their handiwork first hand. Together the three put a stop to the Red Court with extreme prejudice, using a combination of dirty tricks, manipulation, and sheer violence.
Aspect: Subtle And Quick To Anger
Aspects:
High Concept: Young Untried Wizard
Trouble: More Bravery Than Sense
Other:
Youthful Exuberance
Magical Prodigy
Carlos Ramirez’s Ex-Girlfriend
Loyal To A Fault
Subtle And Quick To Anger
Skills:
Superb: Conviction,
Great: Discipline, Lore
Good: Rapport, Scholarship
Fair: Alertness, Athletics, Resources,
Average: Contacting, Deceit, Endurance, Presence, Weapons,
Powers:
Evocation [–3]
Thaumaturgy [–3]
The Sight [–1]
Soulgaze [+0]
Wizard’s Constitution [+0]
Total Refresh: 1
Specializations:
Evocation: Elements (Air, Earth, Spirit); Control (Earth +1)
Thaumaturgy: Complexity (Divination+1);
Focus Items:
Shield Ring [+1 Defensive Control and Power with Earth]
Wand [+1 Offensive Control and Power with Earth]
Rotes:
Gravity Warp (Block: 6 or Armor: 3, requires Ring)
Lightning Bolt (Weapon: 6 Attack. Requires Wand.)
Moving Earth (6 Shift Maneuver against area or opponent. Requires Wand.)
Earth Tremor (Weapon: 4 Attack, targets an entire zone. Defended against with Might. Requires Wand.)
Stress:
Mental: OOOO (+1 Minor Mental Consequences)
Physical: OOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 3, with magic.
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Name: Father James O’Connel
Background:
James O’Connel grew up in a fairly typical Irish-Catholic home, and eventually went into the seminary and became a priest. He joined up with the army as a chaplain, seeing action several places, and doing a few things he’s not proud of. He also ran into the supernatural for the first time during this period, and learned some truths about the world.
Aspect: Former Army Chaplain
Rising Conflict:
Returning from military service, Father O’connel was assigned by the church to a small parish in the bad part of the city. With courage and dedication he set about making his church into a true refuge for the people of the area. He is not the most enthralling speaker, but he knows more about faith and theology than most people can dream of, and everyone in the parish likes him. He has also worked specifically against various malevolent supernatural beings. Usually from the safety of the Church, but occasionally taking up his old service sidearm and taking the fight to them.
Aspect: Pillar of the Community
Guest Star: Falsely Accused
When Liz, a young lady who has helped out occasionally with the more obscure problems he ran into, is accused of murder and asks Father O’Connel to help her clear her name, what can he do but accept? She also requests the help of one John Strauss, a Private Investigator, and he and Father O’Connel like each other and work well together. He serves both, but especially Liz, as moral support, and a shoulder to lean on in dark times.
Aspect: A Shoulder To Cry On
First Novel: Past Sins
One of the worst things Father O’Connel ever did during his time in the military comes back to haunt him in the form of a ghost that looks like a young boy he once chose not to save for what he thought was the greater good. Desperate and unable to sleep at night for fear of the dreams the creature brings, he enlists the aid of Liz Winthrop once again, as well as that of Erin Carter, a parishioner and friend of his who he knows is more than she appears. The two investigate, and find that the image is a mystical image, a lie used to hurt Father O’Connel, who, his faith that he does not deserve this reaffirmed drives it off with the raw power of his belief.
Aspect: I Shall Fear No Evil
Guest Star: Finding Justice
When Det. Sgt. Vance is put on the case of what is looking more and more like a local serial killer, she calls in her old partner Jack Strauss, and he (seeing a certain religious theme to the crimes), calls in Father O’connel as a consultant. Father O’connel’s knowledge is instrumental in eventually finding the murderer, though he remains unaware of what Dt. Sgt. Vance was actually forced to do to stop the crimes…
Aspect: Scholar and Theologian
Aspects:
High Concept: Righteous Man of the Cloth
Trouble: To Turn the Other Cheek, or Lay Low the Wicked?
Other:
Former Army Chaplain
Pillar of the Community
A Shoulder To Cry On
I Shall Fear No Evil
Scholar and Theologian
Skills:
Superb: Conviction,
Great: Empathy, Scholarship,
Good: Contacts, Rapport,
Fair: Athletics, Discipline, Guns
Average: Alertness, Endurance, Fists, Lore, Presence,
Stunts:
Blessed Words (Conviction)
Capable Researcher (Scholarship)
Powers:
Bless This House [-1]
Guide My Hand [-1]
Righteousness [-2]
Total Refresh: 2
Stress:
Mental: OOOO (+1 Minor Mental Consequences)
Physical: OOO
Social: OOO
Armor: None, usually.
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Name: Erin Carter
Background:
Erin grew up in Chicago, to a middle class family. She was an inquisitive, smart, and charming girl, with a bright future and an interest in environmentalism. She and some of her college friends found out there was more to the world than they’d believed and eventually met a woman named Tera West and rapidly became classic werewolves in an effort to do something to change it. They were and are the Alphas.
Aspect: The Best of Intentions
Rising Conflict:
There followed several years of hard, vicious, fighting. And Erin became very, very, good at it. She also got tired. Combat fatigue, being a quitter, whatever you want to call it, she realized that being an Alpha was eating the rest of her life. She knew that wasn’t true of some of her friends, but it was true of her, and when she graduated she took the opportunity to move away from the city and stop trying to be a superhero. She realized with unfortunate speed that she wasn’t actually very good at normal life. She had an undergraduate Liberal Arts degree and all the marketable job skills of a High School dropout.
Aspect: What do you do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
First Novel: Wolf Time
A gang of Lycanthropes with a Norse theme move into Erin’s neighborhood and see her as competition. Despite wanting nothing to do with the supernatural, she is given no choice and is forced to recruit an ally in order to show these idiots who they‘re dealing with. She manages to get a local Changeling she’d run into clubbing by the name of Sam Coleman to help her, in exchange for a future favor, and proceeds to demonstrate to the Lycanthropes that they are one if the least scariest things she’s fought since becoming a werewolf.
Aspect: I’ve Killed And Eaten Worse Than You
Guest Star: Past Sins
When Erin’s parish priest, Father O’Connel, is in trouble of the supernatural sort and he asks for her help, she doesn’t have the heart to refuse him, and winds up working with a young witch named Liz Winthrop. Together, the two track down what’s giving the priest trouble, and help him to deal with it. They also become fast friends along the way.
Aspect: Can’t Resist A Cry For Help
Guest Star: Dragon Slayer
When Sam Coleman calls in his favor for Erin to help him save a little girl kidnapped by a lesser dragon (adult virgins being rare these days), she warms to him somewhat. In fact things become downright heated between the two, and only the presence of both Matthew Holland (who joins their quest on his own after hearing there was a child missing) and Det Sgt. Delilah Vance (ditto) as chaperones, keeps things from going further than Erin is comfortable with. Personal issues aside, the four of them manage to save the girl and slay the beast.
Aspect: Animal Magnetism
Aspects:
High Concept: Former Alpha
Trouble: Just Wants A Normal Life, But Can Never Have It
Other:
The Best of Intentions
What do you do with a Liberal Arts Degree?
I’ve Killed And Eaten Worse Than You
Can’t Resist A Cry For Help
Animal Magnetism
Skills:
Human:
Great: Deceit, Rapport,
Good: Discipline, Empathy, Presence,
Fair: Alertness, Athletics, Lore, Scholarship,
Average: Contacts, Conviction, Endurance, Fists, Stealth,
Wolf:
Superb: Athletics, Fists,
Great: Alertness, Stealth,
Good: Endurance, Discipline,
Fair: Lore, Scholarship,
Average: Conviction, Presence,
Stunts:
Sex Appeal (Rapport)
Powers:
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Beast Change [-1]
Human Form [+1], affecting:
Claws [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Total Refresh: 1
Stress:
Mental: OOO
Physical: OOO/OOOO
Social: OOOO/OOO
Armor: None, usually.
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Nice work so far. Can't wait to see the rest ;D
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Nice work so far. Can't wait to see the rest ;D
Always nice to be praised. :)
And the rest are coming in the following order (High Concepts Provided):
Sam Coleman, Changeling Swashbuckler
John Strauss, Ectomancer PI
Matthew Holland, Order of St. Giles Heavy Hitter
Det. Sgt. Delilah Vance, Clued-in Cop
Anthony Desouza, Slightly Shady Black Belt Businessman
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Nice to see all the tie ins already in place. If not used for a convention game they would also serve as a great example of how to put together a group of interconnected characters.
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Nice to see all the tie ins already in place. If not used for a convention game they would also serve as a great example of how to put together a group of interconnected characters.
Yeah, they probably could at that. Always nice to make useful things. :)
Those are a stone bitch to do by yourself, by the way. Keeping 8 characters straight and, more importantly, all connected together enough that any 4 could be picked and not have any of them the odd man out who doesn't know the other three? Even harder than it sounds.
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Hey thanks for posting these! Great job.
I may be running a little demo soon and I'm going to use these ;)
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Cool! ;D
Please tell me how it works out, I'd love to hear feedback.
If time's a factor, the lot should be posted by Friday-ish, maybe sooner if I get all inspired or have a lot of free time.
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Excellent, the session is about a week away.
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Cool. 8)
I'll definitely be done before then. Speaking of which, here's another:
Name: Sam Coleman
Background:
Sam was born to a rich couple living in the nice part of town. His mother was a particularly lovely human, and his father a sidhe knight of the Summer Court spending some time in human society. He was raised with the best of everything and a very real sense of his own importance. He was also instructed by his father in who and what he was, and taught swordplay and honor from a very young age.
Aspect: Child of Wealth and Privilege
Rising Conflict:
As he entered his teenage years, Sam became somewhat wild, though less outwardly rebellious than many children, and turned to various extreme or outré activities to keep himself entertained. His sense of arrogance grew by leaps and bounds as he found success easy in almost every area he attempted.
Aspect: Almost As Good As I Think I Am
Guest Star: Wolf Time
A lovely young woman by the name of Erin Carter, who Sam had met while clubbing comes and requests that he help her with a Lycanthrope problem, revealing herself to be a werewolf in the process. Never one to turn down a request for aid from a beautiful woman, Sam agrees, though in the tradition of the Fae, he does request a favor in return at a later date. With his not inconsiderable help she defeats her foes, and he is left with a new respect for her battle prowess.
Aspect: Dashing Swordsman
Guest Star: Winter Ghosts
John Strauss, an Ectomancer and Private Investigator, is looking into the enslavement of some local ghosts and their use as a murder weapon, along with his ex-partner Det. Sgt. Vance, and when evidence points Strauss at the Winter Court of the Fae, he seeks out an expert with his ghostly contacts…and finds Sam. Sam’s experience in the duplicitous world of the Fae is invaluable, and the three track down the culprit, a Winter Court troll-mage, culminating in John killing the creature in a formal duel.
Aspect: Deception Is A Fine Art
First Novel: Dragon Slayer
When a young girl is stolen away into the Nevernever by a lesser dragon (adult virgins being increasingly rare), the local Summer Court disapprove, but are bound by old pacts not to interfere, and, lacking access to a Knight, request that Sam go and take care of the problem. Naturally, he complies, requesting Erin’s aid and renewing their acquaintance in a somewhat warmer fashion. He also receives aid from both Matthew Holland and Det. Sgt. Delilah Vance, who, each for their own reasons, just came looking for a missing kid, and with all three of their aid manages to save the girl and slay the dragon.
Aspect: Saving Damsels And Slaying Dragons
Aspects:
High Concept: Changeling Swashbuckler
Trouble: Family Problems
Other:
Child of Wealth and Privilege
Almost As Good As I Think I Am
Dashing Swordsman
Deception Is A Fine Art
Saving Damsels And Slaying Dragons
Skills:
Superb: Weapons,
Great: Deceit, Rapport,
Good: Athletics, Presence,
Fair: Contacts, Lore, Resources,
Average: Alertness, Conviction, Empathy, Endurance, Fists,
Stunts:
Riposte (Weapons)
Powers:
Glamour [-2]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]
Inhuman Recovery [-2]
The Catch is Cold Iron and the like [+3]
Total Refresh: 2
Stress:
Mental: OOO
Physical: OOO(OO)
Social: OOOO
Armor: 1, except vs. Cold Iron.
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Not that anyone besides me cares, but here's a Novel Chronology:
Wolf Time
Winter Ghosts
Falsely Accused
Past Sins
Turf Wars
Dragon Slayer
Finding Justice
Blood Debts
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Not that anyone besides me cares, but here's a Novel Chronology:
Wolf Time
Winter Ghosts
Falsely Accused
Past Sins
Turf Wars
Dragon Slayer
Finding Justice
Blood Debts
It does help keep the character chronology straight though.
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It does help keep the character chronology straight though.
God yes, which is why I did it.
But since I'm listing the novels in order of occurence on each character sheet, the master list is of only academic interest to folks who aren't me, since the work requiring it has mostly been done already.
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John's novels are a bit long, but I don't think it's so bad it's unworkable.
Name: John Strauss
Background:
John was always a weird kid. He had more imaginary friends (and the occasional enemy) than you could shake a stick at, and he knew things there was no way he could know. His very normal parents loved him, but had no idea what to do with him, and John grew up strange and distant. He wanted to help people, but was more comfortable with the dead than the living, and no good at all in the sciences. Cop seemed a natural career choice.
Aspect: I Talk To Dead People
Rising Conflict:
When John was around 30 he ran into someone else who could see ghosts. He was amazed and delighted, he wasn’t crazy! He went out immediately in his off-hours to learn how to better use his talents and to become part of the mystical community. Unfortunately, his superiors took this behavior in a very bad light and suspicion was thrown on him every which way it could be. He was rapidly, through no fault of his own, labeled a crackpot and kicked off the force. He got a PI license pretty quick, though, and has been working as one ever since. He’s also stayed in contact with his old partner, Det. Sgt. Delilah Vance.
Aspect: I Used To Be A Cop
First Novel: Winter Ghosts
John is called in for his very first police consult by his old partner, Det. Sgt. Vance. She say she’s going out on a limb here, so he better make something happen, which will be real magic, since the victims don’t have a mark on them. John does his thing and discovers that somebody has enslaved one or more ghosts and is using them to commit murder. Following up through his ghostly contacts, while Delilah works the human side of things, John discovers that the Winter Court of the Fae appear to be involved, under the pay of a human. They enlist the aid of one Sam Coleman, a Changeling, to help navigate Fae politics, and with his help, trap the culprit (a Troll Witch) into a duel with John, who slays the foul beast by freeing it’s own slaves to destroy it. Meanwhile, Det. Sgt. Vance apprehends the man who funded the murders and catches a credible confession of his on tape, officially solving the case.
Aspect: Second-Best Investigator You’ve Ever Seen
Guest Star: Falsely Accused
When a young woman by the name of Liz Winthrop is falsely accused of murder by magic, she hires John to help her prove her innocence and, with the help of a local priest named James O’Connel, they manage to find the real killer (a mercenary sorcerer) and bring him to justice.
Aspect: Knows This Town Like The Back of His Hand
Guest Star: Finding Justice
Delilah calls John for help again, this time off the books, and like a good friend and partner he comes running. This time a series of perfectly non-magical serial killings have her stumped, and his more mystical insight is needed. He provides a bit of it, and recommends Father O’Connel to look into some religious symbolism in the case. After getting the info from the priest, the trail leads to the business empire of one Anthony Desouza who owes Det. Sgt. Vance for a minor favor a long time ago. He helps them to find the man they’re looking for…only to find he’s a well-connected businessman and the son of a local politician. He’s clean cut, all American, and no jury in the world will ever convict him. Delilah kills him, and John helps her cover it up, again, like a good friend and partner.
Aspect: I’d Kill Or Die For My Friends
Aspects:
High Concept: Ectomancer PI
Trouble: People Say I‘m Crazy
Other:
I Talk To Dead People
I Used To Be A Cop
Second-Best Investigator You’ve Ever Seen
Knows This Town Like The Back of His Hand
I’d Kill Or Die For My Friends
Skills:
Great: Conviction, Discipline, Investigation
Good: Athletics, Lore, Guns,
Fair: Alertness, Contacts, Rapport
Average: Endurance, Presence, Scholarship,
Stunts:
Scene of the Crime (Investigation)
Powers:
Ghost Speaking [-1]
Channeling (Spirit) [-2]
Ritual (Ectomancy) [-2]
Total Refresh: 2
Focus Items:
Black Leather Gloves [+1 Offensive Control and Power with Spirit]
Enchanted Items:
Grey Trench Coat [4 Shift Block or Armor 2, Three times per session.] [3 Enchanted Item Slots.]
One Potion Slot.
Rotes:
Incorporealize (Block: 4 or Armor: 2)
Force Strike (Weapon: 5 Attack. Requires Glove.)
Poltergeist (5 Shift Maneuver against area or opponents. Requires Glove.)
Stress:
Mental: OOOO
Physical: OOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 2, with magic.
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Name: Matthew Holland
Background:
Matthew was born in a slum. Not ‘the bad part of town’ or anything so prosaic, but a slum, to a single mother who spent a lot of her time drunk. He was forced to grow up fast, hard, and mean. He’s done things he’s not proud of, and things that would turn people’s stomachs that he doesn’t even care about any more. He had a hard life and it’s left him someone who‘s not only capable of violence, but quite enjoys it.
Aspect: Grew Up Hard
Rising Conflict:
Matthew grew up to be huge, and an extraordinarily dangerous human being. When he was 19, a local Red Court vampire who looked like a beautiful woman decided to make him her pet, tool, and snack food of choice. She kept him as an addict and day-time enforcer for over a year before receiving permission to turn him…and left him to eat a 6 year old child as his first meal. Big mistake. Matthew ripped down the door, carried the child away and slew his former mistress personally. His last words to her were “You don’t hurt kids.” He was on the run from then on until he was found by an operative of the Order of St. Giles, tattooed, given some basic training, and pressed into service.
Aspect: Dangerous Man
First Novel: Turf Wars
When the Red Court get ready to move into this own, the Fellowship send Matthew there to put a stop to it. He rapidly makes common cause with a businessman named Anthony Desouza, who agrees to help as soon as he sees some of the things the Red Court have done, and shortly thereafter with the local White Council representative, one Liz Winthrop. The three use a combination of manipulation, dirty tricks, and sheer violence to defeat and destroy the incursion. Throughout this, Matthew uses his powers extensively and is tempted by human blood at a few inconvenient times, but he resists all temptation with an iron will.
Aspect: I Am Who I Am, and Nothing’s Gonna Change That
Guest Star: Dragon Slayer
When Matthew hears of a child going missing in his neighborhood, he decides to go out, find those responsible, and get the child back. His investigation doesn’t go very far until he runs into Erin Carter and Sam Coleman, a werewolf and a changeling, who appear to be looking for the same kid, and say she’s been stolen into the Nevernever by a dragon of all things. Well, never one to turn down a challenge or leave a kid in trouble, Matthew agrees to work together with them. Then they run into a cop of all things, but Det. Sgt. Vance agrees to work with them, too (she seems to know Sam) and the four of them manage to rescue the kid and take care of the dragon. A good day’s work all things considered.
Aspect: Soft Spot For Kids
Guest Star: Blood Debts
Called for help by his one time ally Anthony Desouza to help him deal with a criminal and business rival who’s brought in a group of ghouls to kill him, Matthew feels he owes him one and agrees. The two of them kill everyone. Not just the ghouls but everyone involved. Mr. Desouza feels the need to send a message. Matthew has no objections and, indeed, quite enjoys his part in this plan.
Aspect: Vicious Sonuvabitch
Aspects:
High Concept: Order of St. Giles Heavy Hitter
Trouble: Hunger for Violence
Other:
Grew Up Hard
Dangerous Man
I Am Who I Am, and Nothing’s Gonna Change That
Soft Spot For Kids
Vicious Sonuvabitch
Skills:
Superb: Fists
Great: Discipline, Might,
Good: Athletics, Endurance,
Fair: Alertness, Intimidation, Investigation,
Average: Contacts, Conviction, Lore, Presence, Scholarship,
Powers:
Addictive Saliva [-1]
Blood Drinker [-1]
Tattoos of St. Giles [-2]
Feeding Dependency [+1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]
Inhuman Recovery [-2]
The Catch is holy stuff [+2]
Total Refresh: 1
Stress:
Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOO(OO)
Social: OOO
Hunger: OOOOOO
Armor: 1
Note: Most characters languages are at their discretion, but Matthew speaks Spanish.
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Note: Dragon Slayer has been edited under every character involved in it to include Det. Sgt. Delilah Vance. Remember how I mentioned it being hard to keep 8 characters straight? Yeah, well, I'm just getting to her and she only had one Guest Star. So I fixed it.
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I think I'm done with these for tonight. I'll get at least one (and maybe both) of the remaining two up tomorrow. And the other the next day at the latest.
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Matthew Holland's Catch has been modified slightly to reflect the new official ruling on how those work, and my impression from the books.
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Matthew Holland's Catch has been modified slightly to reflect the new official ruling on how those work, and my impression from the books.
New official ruling?
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New official ruling?
Yeah, check the last page of the Typos thread, and iago's comments therein, it's not quite as clear-cut as I have it here, but the Template section is definitely somewhat in error about what constitutes a Red Court Infected's Catch.
While I'm informing people of this kind of thing, it should also be noted that Claws have officially been made Weapon: 2, meaning their added stress doesn't stack with anything except Inhuman (or higher) Strength bonuses, but also that they deal one more Stress than previously.
I think those are the only official rulings people might not've heard of that effect these characters.
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Thanks
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Thanks
You're very welcome. :)
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Have you thought about listing the names of the guest stars, next to the Guest Stars slot, to help keep the participants straight? ;D
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Have you thought about listing the names of the guest stars, next to the Guest Stars slot, to help keep the participants straight? ;D
It's a good idea, but a bit late now, since I've got all of them fully worked out. :-[
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Sorry this one's both late and long, but what are you gonna do? The final one (Anthony Desouza) will be up either tonight or tomorow.
Name: Detective Sgt. Delilah Vance
Background:
Delilah Vance was born into a large family of cops. Her father, uncles, and cousins all wore a badge, or had at one time, and all her brothers planned to as well. And so did she. As the only girl in a large family of boys she grew up a bit of a tomboy, but always with becoming a Police Officer in mind. While other teenagers were dating, cheerleading, playing football, or studying for finals she studied interrogation techniques, criminology, and how to shoot a gun. She became very good at all of them, and eventually became a Police Officer, and then rapidly a Detective.
Aspect: To Protect And Serve
Rising Conflict:
After becoming a Detective, Delilah was partnered with a man named John Strauss, a gifted Detective (if a bit odd) who took her under his wing. She rapidly surpassed him in investigative brilliance, though she never quite equaled his hunches. The two worked together and were friends, their friendship even withstanding his being kicked out of the Department in disgrace over some spooky shit. She underwent a few disciplinary hearings after that, and went through a few partners, but she also closed more cases than anyone else and netted herself a promotion to Detective Sergeant, and an exile to Special Investigations…where the weird things are.
Aspect: Best Investigator In The Department
Guest Star: Winter Ghosts
When a number of people start turning up dead, Det. Sgt. Vance is forced to call in her ex-partner (now a PI) to help her look into them. He says that someone is using ghosts as a murder weapon, and he proves to her that he’s right. The two go looking into who’s doing this, and discover that it’s an honest-to-god Faerie…a Troll. And that it appears to be a mercenary, being paid to commit the murders. They go looking for help in dealing with something like that and find Sam Coleman, a young man of Faerie descent. While he and John go to deal with the Troll, Det. Sgt. Vance finds the man who hired it, and manages to get him to confess to having hired the murders without referencing anything that’d make him sound crazy. She closes the case, and now knows for a fact that John isn’t crazy.
Aspect: Always Gets Her Man
Guest Star: Dragon Slayer
When a young girl goes missing, Delilah investigates privately. She runs into Sam Coleman, as well as a woman named Erin Carter and a man named Matthew Holland (apparently a werewolf and some sort of vampire, respectively). They tell her that a Dragon, of all things, took the girl. She goes along with them to rescue the girl and helps to do both that and slay the dragon, demonstating moves right out of an action movie in doing so.
Aspect: Faster Than Lightning
First Novel: Finding Justice
When a series of what appear to be mundane serial murders stumps her for an answer, Delilah once again calls John for help, this time off the books. With his help, and that of a Priest he recommends (one Father O‘Connel) she finds out enough about the religious and mystical symbolism behind the murders that she can get a general direction to investigate. The trail leads to a business owned by one Anthony Desouza, who luckily owes Det. Sgt. Vance a favor from a while back. He helps her to find the man who’s clearly the killer (even the ghost of a victim confirms it)…and he’s untouchable. He’s a clean, all-American, young man. Respected in business, and the son of a local politician. No jury in the world will convict him. And Delilah makes the hardest decision of her life…she kills him. John helps her cover up the physical evidence and, unbeknownst to John, Mr. Desouza also helps with the cover-up after she informs him of what the man had done.
Aspect: Justice Is More Important Than The Law
Aspects:
High Concept: Clued-In Cop
Trouble: Commended or Arrested?
Other:
To Protect And Serve
Best Investigator In The Department
Always Gets Her Man
Faster Than Lightning
Justice Is More Important Than The Law
Skills:
Superb: Guns
Great: Intimidation, Investigation
Good: Alertness, Drive,
Fair: Athletics, Contacts, Fists
Average: Conviction, Endurance, Lore, Presence, Resources
Stunts:
On My Toes (Alertness)
Suppressive Fire (Allows the use of Guns as a Dodge skill as long as she has a gun in hand) (Guns)
Target Rich Environment (Guns)
Interrogator (Intimidate)
Pin the Tail (Investigation)
Scene of the Crime (Investigation)
Total Refresh: 4
Stress:
Mental: OOO
Physical: OOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 1 or 2 w/ bulletproof vest
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How does he have so many Physical Stress boxes, I count 6, and he only had an endurance of 1.
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How does he have so many Physical Stress boxes, I count 6, and he only had an endurance of 1.
Typo. I copied and pasted from the previous character and neglected to fix it. My bad, and it's fixed now.
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And the final one:
Name: Anthony Desouza
Background:
Anthony Desouza grew up poor. Not didn’t have enough to eat poor, but poor enough that his clothes were old hand-me-downs and the other kids made fun of him. He decided at a very early age that someday he was going to be rich, and powerful, and nobody would dare to trifle with him. He devoted himself to that cause completely, with all his intelligence, drive, and ruthlessness. To gain what he has, he did a number of shady, illegal, or horribly immoral things, and he’d do them again if he had to.
Aspect: You Do What You Need To To Get Ahead
Rising Conflict:
As he began to rise in power, a few people seemed to think Anthony was dangerous to them, and some of them even told him so. He put them all at their ease, charming and personable to a fault…occasionally right before he slid the knife in. His rise to power and privilege was greatly enabled by his ability to schmooze and lie, as well as by his more vicious skills. Always one for self-improvement he also studied the martial arts, and became quite accomplished in a variety of harder styles…ones suitable for killing a man with your bare hands. During this time he also found out about the supernatural, and began to take it into account in his business dealings.
Aspect: Charming and Plausible
First Novel: Turf Wars
When the Red Court get ready to move into town, Anthony Desouza finds out about it and considers his options. He’s still considering when he meets a man named Matthew Holland, a Red Court Infected who shows him an atrocity committed by the Red Court. That decides him. As ruthless as he is, there are some things Anthony Desouza simply will not allow to stand. They rapidly ally with Liz Winthrop, a member of the White Council, and the three use a combination of manipulation, dirty tricks, and sheer violence to defeat and destroy the incursion.
Aspect: Some Things Cannot Be Allowed
Guest Star: Finding Justice
When a thoroughly mundane serial killer case brings Det. Sgt. Delilah Vance and her ex-partner John Strauss (a rumored Ectomancer and Private Investigator) to him for help, Det. Sgt. Vance calls in an old favor he owes her, and he helps them to track down the man they are looking for. Unfortunately, he’s untouchable by the law, and Det. Sgt. Vance decides to kill him. She calls Anthony to help her cover it up, and considering what the bastard had been doing, he helps out free of charge.
Aspect: I Pay My Debts
Guest Star: Blood Debts
When Mr. Desouza is jumped by a ghoul and barely manages to defeat the thing in hand-to-hand combat (with a whole lot of luck), he does a bit of research and finds out that a well known criminal and rival of his has called in a small pack of ghouls to help him dispose of his enemies. Deciding to fight fire with fire, he calls Matthew Holland, who feels he owes Anthony one and agrees to help. The two of them kill everyone. Not just the ghouls but everyone involved in the plan, and most particularly the man behind it. Mr. Desouza feels the need to send a message about what happens when you mess wth him, and does so very clearly.
Aspect: Blood On My Hands
Aspects:
High Concept: Slightly Shady Black Belt Businessman
Trouble: Knows Too Much
Other:
You Do What You Need To To Get Ahead
Charming and Plausible
Some Things Cannot Be Allowed
I Pay My Debts
Blood On My Hands
Skills:
Superb: Resources
Great: Deceit, Fists
Good: Presence, Rapport,
Fair: Contacts, Discipline, Scholarship
Average: Alertness, Conviction, Empathy, Endurance, Lore,
Stunts:
Takes One To Know One (Deceit)
Footwork (Fists)
Martial Artist (Fists)
Lethal Weapon (Fists)
The Weight of Reputation (Presence)
Lush Lifestyle (Resources)
Total Refresh: 4
Stress:
Mental: OOO
Physical: OOO
Social: OOOO
Armor: 1, with stylish bulletproof vest.
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And there we go. :)
Wow, that was a lot of work. I really hope someone uses these, as my odds of doing so are a bit low. For reference, i avoided mention of a city intentionally. These folks can be in any decently large American city except Chicago (because Erin left there, remember?).
I also intentionally created these characters so that if someone wanted to play a character like one of the ones in the Dresden Files they could, without having any of them be less than unique characters. The trick is to ask what aspect of the character they want to play. For example, if someone asks to play someone like Harry they could play either John or Liz depending on whether they care more about the Wizard or PI element. The same applies to most of the other characters (though, admittedly, Marcone and Murphy are both pretty straightforward).
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Erin, when in wolf form, has Claws (treat as weapon 2) and Inhuman Stregnth (add +2 to fist attacks damage). So every time she lands a bite attack on an opponent its damage has a base of 4? Am I reading that correctly? If so, ouch.
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Erin, when in wolf form, has Claws (treat as weapon 2) and Inhuman Stregnth (add +2 to fist attacks damage). So every time she lands a bite attack on an opponent its damage has a base of 4? Am I reading that correctly? If so, ouch.
Yep! :)
Claws are nasty, though no more so than someone with Inhuman Strength and a sword.
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I'm using her as a model for a werepanther (think Nastassja Kinski from Cat People) and wanted to make sure I understood how that would work...no wonder Ghouls are such high demand as muscle, that'd make them equal (if uglier) damage wise in a fight.
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Oh, yeah. They're scary. Red and Black Court vampires have 'em, too. Only the White Court lack Claws...which likely explains their propensity for things like swords and guns. :)
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Very nice, those are just spectacular. I've been referencing this thread whenever I need an example of non-canon characters. Good job mate. 8)
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Very nice, those are just spectacular. I've been referencing this thread whenever I need an example of non-canon characters. Good job mate. 8)
Thank you for your kind words. :)
If enough people are interested I could make a theme group or two as well. An entire group of Wardens (at Submerged power level), or a pack of werewolves (ditto), or an all Pure Mortal group (at Feet In The Water or Waist Deep), or things like that.
This group really is too much my own ideal for me to make another mixed group like it, but I could definitely do other stuff like that listed above. Anybody interested?
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Very interested. I'm a big fan of these characters actually.
If I could make a request, I'd like a small group of sample characters (like 3 or 4) of a mixed group of Waist-Deep or Chest-Deep. I've got to run a sample game before next year for a couple of players. The group you've got up is great, but there just so many to pick from. If the group had a college theme (like a group of gaming nerd werewolves or a sorcerer's fraternity), that'd be a plus.
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Hmmm, something smaller and lower powered? I might be able to do five Waist-Deep characters with a college theme...but I'm not sure it would be as widely applicable. I'm not saying no, mind you, but I'll need to think about it.
Also bear in mind that the current group aren't supposed to all get used together. Or at least that's not how I see them getting used most. You're supposed to list them off by brief description and have the players pick who they like (or give them out to players based on what kind of character they want to play). Any group of four or more of these characters should mostly know each other, so that element is dealt with, and that way nobody gets stuck playing something they can't stand. With three players...you'd need to be a bit more selective, but you could still absolutely use, say, Elizabeth, Erin, and Delilah (for the all-girl group), or reunite any three of the four from Dragonslayer, or a lot of the other possible combinations. As long as at least one of the three has worked with both of the other two (even if in separate Novels) everything should work out.
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Hmmm, something smaller and lower powered? I might be able to do five Waist-Deep characters with a college theme...but I'm not sure it would be as widely applicable. I'm not saying no, mind you, but I'll need to think about it.
If you don't focus the theme on College Students, but instead keep it general, students, faculty, the requisite college town, etc, it shouldn't be to hard to pull out five interesting characters where any two or three of them will work well in any town that has a community college/college/university. While that isn't as applicable as characters built for any-town-usa, I don't think its two specific. Though I do agree that a hand full of characters focused just around the students might be a little to narrow.
I'm partial to pure mortals in whatever system, so I have to cast my vote in that direction for selfish reasons, but I think lower level characters is a very good idea on its own. There are plenty of discussions and examples of how to use/abuse the rules to make uber characters, but there aren't many of how to make a normal starting character who can develop from rags to riches as it were. I think that would be very helpful to new users, especially those that are also new to table-top rpgs in general.
That's my two cents, but I'll be happy with any more good examples you make, regardless of level or template. Heck, if nothing else, there super entertaining to read. :)
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Hmmm...the college game idea isn't gelling. I'll think on it some more and see if I can work something out, but it's not looking likely.
A mixed party at the Feet Wet level is a possibility, that'd certainly be different enough from the current group to warrant a new group...but I keep coming back in my head to the all Warden group, and how I'd distinguish them from each other. It could potentially be really fun.
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Very interested. I'm a big fan of these characters actually.
If I could make a request, I'd like a small group of sample characters (like 3 or 4) of a mixed group of Waist-Deep or Chest-Deep. I've got to run a sample game before next year for a couple of players. The group you've got up is great, but there just so many to pick from. If the group had a college theme (like a group of gaming nerd werewolves or a sorcerer's fraternity), that'd be a plus.
give me a few hours/days and ill see if i can get something worked up for you, im not the writer that deadman is, but i figure f i do most of the heavy lifting, others can sand down the edges for you.
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I think I'd actually prefer it if you started your own thread for that. Just as an organizatonal matter. I mean, if I really do start doing additional groups, this thread is going to get plenty confusing for those looking for something specific without other people doing entirely separate groups simulataneously. And scheduling a thread seems silly.
That said, you should totally do it if you want to, I'll definitely be on the lookout for such a thread and would happily comment on it.
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Well, the college characters still aren't gelling, so I doubt if that's gonna happen. But I'm busy the next couple of days, so people still have time to get their votes in on what I do next. I'll see what the most people want me to do by Friday, and do something like that.
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I'm voting a mixed group at feet wet. Not only does it show the potential for long term progression but it shows that not everyone needs to be a wizard (or how dangerous wizards appear from the outside). Some ideas I've been playing with for characters that would fit the profile are:
Lottery winning thrill seeker
Misunterstood mechanical genius
Retired medical examiner
Con man with a curse
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Okay, with that as the consensus, I'll go with it. I'm thinking 6 characters: An Alchemist, a Kinetomancer, a Troll-blooded Changeling, a Were-Eagle, a Pure Mortal Medical Examiner, and a True Believer ex-soldier and current beat cop.
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Those sound great, I'll especially be looking forward to the Pure Mortal Medical Examiner. 8)
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Hey thanks for posting these! Great job.
I may be running a little demo soon and I'm going to use these ;)
So, did this ever happen? And if so, how'd it go? I'm very interested in feedback.
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Sorry for the delay, my computer hasn't been allowing me to even see the Forums since Saturday. Characters should start being posted shortly.
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Can't wait to see the next characters, and no worries, the forum doesn't seem to like letting me connect either. :-\
Was looking through the thread again to see how you did a few things on the characters, and I decided I would gather the links this time so I don't have to search for them each time I want to check something. Decided to post them so you could let me know if I got any of the Templates wrong, and so they can't just get lost somewhere on my computer. Thanks again for these, I find them very useful and am looking forward to the next group. :)
Sample Characters Thread (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.0.html) by Deadmanwalking
Novel Chronology (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798629.html#msg798629)
1: Elizabeth Anne Winthrop (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg797667.html#msg797667) - Wizard
2: Father James O’Connel (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg797829.html#msg797829) - True Believer
3: Erin Carter (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798434.html#msg798434) - Were-Wolf
4: Sam Coleman (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798607.html#msg798607) - Changeling
5: John Strauss (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg798664.html#msg798664) - Focused Practitioner
6: Matthew Holland (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg799599.html#msg799599) - Red Court Infected
7: Detective Sgt. Delilah Vance (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg803061.html#msg803061) - Pure Mortal
8: Anthony Desouza (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,17704.msg803731.html#msg803731) - Pure Mortal
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Nice. :)
You mind if I copy this (and give you credit) into the first post? It'd make things easier for alot of people. Likely including me.
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Yea, go for it. I'm always happy when my OCD helps other people. :)
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I vote for a master sticky list of fan created characters. It'll help me a lot putting con games together.
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Cool. It's been done. Sorry the second group have been taking so long, but I've been busy since my computer problems have been sorted.
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Ok, as was mentioned in the animals thread, I had a desire to archive sample character sheets on a web-site. Seeing as the animals are going to be a big list, I started with this group of eight wonderful characters.
It took a couple hours to get the character sheet pages up and cross-referenced, but it took a few days of light work to wrap them in an appropriate web-site. These first eight characters are now be viewable here (http://www.vinlandsolutions.site11.com/Products/DFRPG/SampleChars.html) in the Sample Characters area of the new DFRPG Fan Resources (http://www.vinlandsolutions.site11.com/Products/DFRPG/index.html) web-site.
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Awesome! ;D
That looks really great, and clearly some real work was put into it in reformatting. And quite possibly in a better format than I use.
Sorry for the delay in the second group of characters, but I'm actually starting a DFRPG game in a few days, and I need to focus on statting the NPCs for that between now and then.
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Awesome! ;D
Thanks, I'm glad you like it. And if the next group gets pushed back a bit because your working on other sheets, that seems like a win-win, cause I'm guessing a few of them will make it to the forums. :)
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Thanks, I'm glad you like it. And if the next group gets pushed back a bit because your working on other sheets, that seems like a win-win, cause I'm guessing a few of them will make it to the forums. :)
Probably some of them, but at least one of my players reads these Forums sometimes, so I can't post anything here that the characters just should not know. That does till leave quite a few NPCs, though.
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Okay! Here's the first of the Feet Wet characters. These are a little less thought-out in advance than the previous group, so I'm going to do the last two phases (the Guest Stars) in the thread itself, and edit them in. Aspects for those Phases have already been come up with in some cases, but are subject to change.
Name: Officer Steven Marks
Background:
Steven Marks grew up in a very conservative, traditional, religious family. He rebelled against the first two somewhat, but embraced the third. He also embraced his family’s long tradition of military service, and joined the Army, where he served two tours of duty and became used to both a combat environment and his seeming luck in avoiding fire (See "My Faith Is My Shield" below).
Aspect: Hardened Veteran
Rising Conflict:
After returning from the military, Steven Marks bounced around a bit, and lost a few jobs, due to an inherent and moral distaste for lies and other dishonesties. He eventually became a Police Officer...and might well have been promoted to Detective by now were it not for the already stated dislike of lies. As it is, he's a beat cop, and a damn good one.
Aspect: No Taste For Lies
First Novel: Faith‘s Shield
In his first real encounter with the supernatural, Officer Marks runs into a hunting Red Court Vampire, and succeeds in driving it off with the power of his faith and saving it's intended victim. He seeks help from those he hopes will believe him, and finds it. With help, he finds and slays the creature, coming away from the encounter with the knowledge that such creatures exist, and a dedication to stand against them when necessary.
Aspect: To Lay Low The Wicked
Aspects:
High Concept: Devoutly Religious Beat Cop
Trouble: Trying To Make a Difference
Other:
Hardened Veteran
No Taste For Lies
To Lay Low The Wicked
To Do the Right Thing
Stubborn To A Fault
Skills:
Great: Conviction,
Good: Endurance, Guns
Fair: Alertness, Discipline, Investigation,
Average: Athletics, Fists, Presence, Scholarship,
Stunts:
Blessed Words (Conviction)
Target Rich Environment (Guns)
Powers:
Bless This House [-1]
Guide My Hand [-1]
My Faith Is My Shield [-1] (May use his Conviction as a defensive skill in almost any Physical or Social conflict.)
Total Refresh: 1
Stress:
Mental: OOOO
Physical: OOOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 1, with bulletproof vest.
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Shouldn't he have a refresh of 3, not 1? Did the original write-up have Righteousness?
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Feet in the Water is 6 Refresh, the character has two stunts for -2 cost and -3 cost in powers, so I think the Total Refresh is right.
And looking good. I love faith-against-darkness themes, so this character is already one of my favorites. 8)
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What Jeckel said. This group are much less hardcore than the previous one (though still pretty damn cool).
And just FYI, I doubt any more of these are going to get done before Tuesday or so, as I have a Con to go to this weekend.