For-Certain Character Types

[iago]

From the books, a wizard is a magic practitioner with both power and talent. Sorcerers just have raw destructive power, but with no skill to do other things.

I am guessing that a minor talent is someone with little magic but some flexibility.

My guess is that a focused practitioner is like Mort, a one trick pony.

True believers are probably like Father Forthill. Their faith doesn't give them huge powers, but they always seem to be protected and they might have other things going for them.

How close am I?  (:

Pretty close.  Minor Talent? Lydia, from Grave Peril, is one example.  As might be slightly-precognitive lass from White Night.

Sorcerers are sort of like Wizards without the bloodline or the training. Think Victor Sells.

Otherwise you pretty much have it.

[prophet224]

First, thank you Iago for what appears to be (almost at least) an excerpt.  That was a much-desired peek into things.

I do find it interesting that the Knights of the Cross come under "Champions of God", as this indicates that there are other types of champions out there.  I like.

I also find it interesting that there is as much differentiation as there is... 'Minor Talent', 'Wizard', 'Focused Practitioner', 'Sorcerer'.  I kind of thought that the differences would be built with skills, aspects, and stunts (SAS), but that the builds would use the same SASs in different fashions.  As I understand it, these (Wizard, Sorcerer, etc) are Stunts, yes?

On Ghouls: One of the playtest groups (Rick Neal) actually tweaked things a bit and had a ghoul PC.  I'm not saying it's a great idea, but hey, who am I to judge?
http://www.rickneal.ca/?page_id=53

Just an amusing (to me at least) note regarding God and gods: even in the Old Testament, God talks quite regularly about gods.  He doesn't generally say that they don't exist, just that they aren't the Almighty, and to not pay attention to them.  Hmmm...

[iago]

That's why you play a ghoul who's a vegan.

Ohhh, you want to play a starved-to-death ghoul! Now I get it!

[iago]

I also find it interesting that there is as much differentiation as there is... 'Minor Talent', 'Wizard', 'Focused Practitioner', 'Sorcerer'.  I kind of thought that the differences would be built with skills, aspects, and stunts (SAS), but that the builds would use the same SASs in different fashions.  As I understand it, these (Wizard, Sorcerer, etc) are Stunts, yes?

Minor Talents don't participate in the spellcasting game. This is for one-off non-spellcaster types.

So really it's just the Focused Practitioner (narrowly defined, small set of stunts, ala ectomancer), Sorcerer (no bloodline and mostly self-trained, but could go toe to toe with a wizard on a good day), and Wizard (full bloodline, training, white council membership and oversight, etc).  They're sort of weight classes, though they're weight classes that could kick each other's asses under the right set of circumstances, with plenty of overlap.

Templates (such as the one seen above) aren't stunts, they're stunt-sets.  So think of these three templates as "character recipes".

On Ghouls: One of the playtest groups (Rick Neal) actually tweaked things a bit and had a ghoul PC.  I'm not saying it's a great idea, but hey, who am I to judge?

Oh, I'm well aware of Rick's wonderful playtest blogging.

I warned him that the Ghoul type of character was probably not an official option.

Just an amusing (to me at least) note regarding God and gods: even in the Old Testament, God talks quite regularly about gods.  He doesn't generally say that they don't exist, just that they aren't the Almighty, and to not pay attention to them.  Hmmm...

Yes, quite interesting, isn't it?

[Rel Fexive]

So it looks like my idea of a cop with a talent for finding people (lost folks, murderers, kidnapees) would be a Minor Talent then.  A bit like Angela Dodson in the Constantine movie.

[iago]

So it looks like my idea of a cop with a talent for finding people (lost folks, murderers, kidnapees) would be a Minor Talent then.  A bit like Angela Dodson in the Constantine movie.

Or could be a Focused Practitioner -- a divinator or somesuch.

[Rel Fexive]

I guess so.  I think of the concept as more "I just know where to go and look" rather than "I perform my locator ritual using the murder weapon" though... but with a bit of focus the Minor Talent's instinct could be honed into the Focused Practitioner's directed ability.  Perhaps that is a character goal right there?

[Lanodantheon]

Warden Swords, would those be Items of power or are those too uber for PCs?

[ludomaniac]

Warden Swords, would those be Items of power or are those too uber for PCs?

It depends on the game you run.  If I let a character have a Warden's Sword, they'd also get cool accessories like a Warden's Cloak, a Warden's responsibilities, and a Warden's enemies.  Congratulations, you are now a primary target of the Red Court!  Enjoy the sword...

[iago]

Warden Swords, would those be Items of power or are those too uber for PCs?

Haven't plumbed those particular depths yet.

[Diebdazar]

Home brew:

Personal Artifact Stunt required:
--Warden swords pitch conviction and/or discipline against the foes to unravel the spell, can be done as part of an attack.

Obviously aspects can be tagged to boost the chance.


I don't remember but if it is said that any warden's sword can unravel any magic then it might very well be a bit of propaganda.  Give a seed of doubt to foes and what not .

[tonpa]

That sounds really good, maybe would reguire "Warden Sword" -type aspect, maybe named that would modify the specified affect. If the effect would be one player is defending against, it could be a turn based check to keep the enchanment going (basically going against a static block number from the enemy npc), maybe with Conviction or Lore being the skill used. 

[Diebdazar]

Nah, it'd be part and parcel of the "White Council Warden" aspect, they're just required to also pay for the stunt of having their sword (unless they're like harry)

[Soulless Mystic5523]

Remember that Warden swords are custom to each Warden. I don't think that they'll work for just anyone. That's why Harry doesn't have one yet.

[iago]

Remember that Warden swords are custom to each Warden. I don't think that they'll work for just anyone. That's why Harry doesn't have one yet.

And might not ever, due to the way the end of Dead Beat shook out.