ParanetOnline

The Dresden Files => DFRPG => Topic started by: lordoracle on July 01, 2010, 06:40:09 PM

Title: Template: Pucks
Post by: lordoracle on July 01, 2010, 06:40:09 PM

I want to create a template for the Fae Pucks. Not really looking for the Disney Gargoyles version (magical trickster) but more of Robin Goodfellow from Rob Thurman's Landros novels (Used Carsalesman and Con-Artist/Thief) without the sex obsession.

Can anyone make suggestions? I've got book 1 for the game already and am picking book 2 tonight when I go to a heroclix tournament at the game store.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: JosephKell on July 01, 2010, 07:02:05 PM

You mean, like a satyr?  Top half man (but with horns) and lower half goat.  Plays the pipes for nymphs.

Luminous and I had a conversation a while back (and while I don't remember reaching a consensus, based on his post in another thread (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,18189.msg848305.html#msg848305), we both came to the same group of powers).

That list was:
   Glamours [-2]
   Incite Emotion (Manic revelry; At Range, Lasting Emotion) [-3]
   Inhuman Speed [-2]
   Inhuman Toughness [-2]
   the Catch [+1] is cold iron and the like.

But this was a list for an NPC faerie, and intended as the "Choice" condition for a changeling with a satyr parent.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: Deadmanwalking on July 01, 2010, 08:25:49 PM

For Pucks as you describe, I'd do the following:

Glamours [-2]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]
Inhuman Recovery [-2]
The Catch is Cold Iron and the like. [+3]

The Incie Emotion mentioned above also makes sense but may or may not fit what you're aiming for. High Deceit and Rapport are reccomended, along with decent Athletics and Endurance.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: TheMouse on July 01, 2010, 09:05:42 PM

Puck isn't a category of faerie. He's an individual.

If you're looking for the category of being to which the Puck belongs, you could do worse than calling him a goblin or sprite. Your basic goblin would probably have something like:

Glamour (-2)
Inhuman Speed (-2)

Individuals would vary off of this baseline.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: lordoracle on July 02, 2010, 05:29:27 AM

Actually, in the Thurman novels, Pucks are a race which inspired Satyrs (the goats legs were actually a disguise). Robin Goodfellow is actually the FIRST puck with another actually being the base for Hobgoblins. Pucks actually all look alike and really cannot stand being around each other because of all the stealing from each other.

I like some of the suggestions. One thing I've been unsure of is if they'd be Summer Court or Wyld Fae. Because they live for life, they would not be Winter.

Quote from: TheMouse on July 01, 2010, 09:05:42 PM

Puck isn't a category of faerie. He's an individual.

If you're looking for the category of being to which the Puck belongs, you could do worse than calling him a goblin or sprite. Your basic goblin would probably have something like:

Glamour (-2)
Inhuman Speed (-2)

Individuals would vary off of this baseline.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: TheMouse on July 02, 2010, 05:18:46 PM

Quote from: lordoracle on July 02, 2010, 05:29:27 AM

Actually, in the Thurman novels, Pucks are a race which inspired Satyrs (the goats legs were actually a disguise). Robin Goodfellow is actually the FIRST puck with another actually being the base for Hobgoblins.

Then consider this another vote against turning mythical individuals into races.

And, yes, Medusa being turned into a race of monsters in D&D annoys me as well.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: luminos on July 02, 2010, 05:27:33 PM

Quote from: TheMouse on July 02, 2010, 05:18:46 PM

Then consider this another vote against turning mythical individuals into races.

And, yes, Medusa being turned into a race of monsters in D&D annoys me as well.

I second that vote.  Treat puck as a hobgoblin, and Medusa as a Gorgon.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: Deadmanwalking on July 02, 2010, 06:22:31 PM

Quote from: luminos on July 02, 2010, 05:27:33 PM

I second that vote.  Treat puck as a hobgoblin, and Medusa as a Gorgon.

He's basing this on a specific (really cool) thing done in a book series. Give the man a break, guys.

Additionally, Puck makes several references to the possibility of others of his kind "As I am an honest Puck..."


And, in fact, looking at wikipedia, Puck is the generic term, or at least can be considered so as easily as Hobgoblin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puck_(mythology)

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: ballplayer72 on July 02, 2010, 07:34:42 PM

Quote from: lordoracle on July 02, 2010, 05:29:27 AM

Actually, in the Thurman novels, Pucks are a race which inspired Satyrs (the goats legs were actually a disguise). Robin Goodfellow is actually the FIRST puck with another actually being the base for Hobgoblins. Pucks actually all look alike and really cannot stand being around each other because of all the stealing from each other.

I like some of the suggestions. One thing I've been unsure of is if they'd be Summer Court or Wyld Fae. Because they live for life, they would not be Winter.

Robin isn't the first puck ;)    THe puck from Moonshine is.   Hob.   
Robin is however the basis for the playful trickster legends associated with his actual species in the novels, like Pan.  Just as Hob is the basis for the vindictive trickster legends associated with his species, Old Hob that kind of thing.

Love Thurmans writing almost as much as Jim's.  Almost ;)   Have you read "a trick of the light"  her other series that takes place in the same world?   YOU SHOULD IF YOU HAVEN"T, it reveals ALOOOOOOOOOOOT about the Setting.   Like alot alot. It'll blow your mind. For serious.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: lordoracle on July 03, 2010, 11:16:31 PM

Haven't read Trick yet. Have about 1/2 left of Death Wish and then Roadkill. Took a week off from reading Deathwish when Changes came out. Once I finish Roadkill, I'll most likely pick up Trick of the Light since it's going to be around April for Ghost Story.

I guess I mixed up Rob and Hob. I know that Monsterpedia lists Pucks as a race.

I'm basing my campaign in Panama City, Fl, where I live and making some embellishments to give more substance to the city. The puck is being based on my former employer at one of the local comic and game shops. He had already agreed to provide a Bob-type a "voice" if anyone should happen to end up with something like it. Whenever I'd mention it and clarify Bob's being a smart-ass, every one would say "so James is doing it".

Quote from: ballplayer72 on July 02, 2010, 07:34:42 PM

Robin isn't the first puck ;)    THe puck from Moonshine is.   Hob.   
Robin is however the basis for the playful trickster legends associated with his actual species in the novels, like Pan.  Just as Hob is the basis for the vindictive trickster legends associated with his species, Old Hob that kind of thing.

Love Thurmans writing almost as much as Jim's.  Almost ;)   Have you read "a trick of the light"  her other series that takes place in the same world?   YOU SHOULD IF YOU HAVEN"T, it reveals ALOOOOOOOOOOOT about the Setting.   Like alot alot. It'll blow your mind. For serious.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: Slife on July 04, 2010, 02:08:52 AM

A concealed staff weapon should also satisfy the catch for pucks.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: GruffAndTumble on July 04, 2010, 03:20:13 AM

Puck is a species, not an individual. Robin Goodfellow is a Puck, but is not Puck or the Puck, despite occasionally being referred to as such. Shakespeare was drawing on a tradition of faerie tricksters also called Pookas and several other names I can't recall off the top of my head.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: lordoracle on July 11, 2010, 03:01:08 AM

Was talking with a friend who's also reading the Landros Novels and he reminded me that Robin has really no other powers than that he's immortal. With enough trauma, he'll die, but he heals quickly from most anything else. I figure pucks would have the Inhuman Recovery and I would imagine a high Deception Skill rating.

Anyone else agree?

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: lordoracle on March 10, 2012, 06:03:08 PM

Well, it's been a while, but I'm getting back to working on a template for Pucks (as used in Rob Thurman's Leandros books) now that her new book actually goes into Goodfellow's family tree and abilities. If you have not read Doubletake yet, there are spoilers regarding Rob Goodfellow, Hob, and the whole Puck race.

(click to show/hide)

In the book, we find out that Pucks reproduce by mitosis. They are literally a family of natural clones of the original, Hob. When one reproduces, the new puck has all of the memories of his progenitor up until the point they split and then begins forming new ones. They also produce pheromones which inspires other supernaturals to trust them (Incite Emotion: Trust?). It doesn't affect normals. They also have an obvious regenerative ability.

Now, in converting them to Dresden, I would say the have an Incite Emotion: Trust with a refresh cost of -2 (-1 for the power itself, and an additional -1 for it not being limited to touching). The cloning ability doesn't really need to be statted since it's just copying the existing character and presumably a long process. It's the pucks regenerative ability I'm puzzled on. What level recovery would it be? It doesn't seem to like Wolverine's, but it's not the healing of a normal person, either. And of course, pucks are immortal but can be killed.

I appreciate any help or insight.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: Adin on March 10, 2012, 09:51:23 PM

I would say Inhuman Recovery and nothing else.  In the latest book we found out that while they once could incite emotion on supernaturals, other creatures have adapted unless there are a large number of pucks congregating in a Panic.  That said, Hob displayed Inhuman Speed, Strength, and Toughness, but he was the original Puck.

Since their trust power only works when there are a group of them together (which only happens every thousand years,) I would call it a +0 custom power called Panic.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: lordoracle on March 11, 2012, 04:30:02 PM

Quote from: Adin on March 10, 2012, 09:51:23 PM

I would say Inhuman Recovery and nothing else.  In the latest book we found out that while they once could incite emotion on supernaturals, other creatures have adapted unless there are a large number of pucks congregating in a Panic.  That said, Hob displayed Inhuman Speed, Strength, and Toughness, but he was the original Puck.

Since their trust power only works when there are a group of them together (which only happens every thousand years,) I would call it a +0 custom power called Panic.

Sounds good. Considering how pucks reproduce, I would say the others have the potential for Hob's abilities.

Title: Re: Template: Pucks
Post by: Richard_Chilton on March 12, 2012, 04:43:30 AM

Looking at the subject line, I started thinking of Puck as mentioned in plays and poetry.  That one certainly had Greater Glamour.

Richard