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One of my players did a fantastic job of writing out the exact method he used to create his Dresden character, and I've been granted permission to post it, so here it is:
*Lae Erg (Faerie name - given by mother)
*Russell Carver (Given name by Sophia Abaris)
High Concept: "Half-Fae Battle Wizard" (All Evocation, All the Time)
Personal Struggle: "My Father's Bargain" (Constant approaches by mother's minions, occasional distrust by the White Council in dealing with matters of the Fae, absolute hatred of father)
*Early Childhood*
*Father - the wizard Walter Carver - made a pact with the Sidhe Lady Siofra (Winter Court) for the life of his first born son in exchange for POWER
*Siofra made power play, trying to fuse a mortal line of wizards and the Sidhe
*Inherited Mother's Willfulness
*Intuitive understanding of magic's ebbs and flows - closely parallels Faerie Magic
*Father goes Rogue, becomes a Warlock and is "killed" by Wardens of the White Council - obviously, not dead
*Refused to take part in mother's plan - requested Asylum with the White Council at the age of 15
Skill Biases: Discipline, Conviction, Rapport and Deceit, Performance
Aspect: "Kissed by the Winter Court" (Appearance, Demeanor, Implied
Political Ties, Magical Aptitude, Smoochies with Maeve???)
*Apprenticeship/Rising Conflict*
*Studied under the tutelage of the witch Sophia Abaris - a Warden of the White Council
*As a Warden - Sophia excels at Evocation - a talent she has passed on to her pupil
*Apprenticed for 10 years, found his natural understanding of magic (and incidental usage of Faerie magic patterns) rapidly increased the progression of his studies
*Passed the tests to become a Wizard and was voted in as a member of the White Council at the age of 25
*Possible undercurrents of romance with his mentor
*White Council sometimes doubts his loyalty due to Sidhe heritage
Skill Biases: Discipline, Lore, Weapons, Scholar
Aspect: "Pupil of Sophia Abaris - Witch, Warden and Evocator" (Magic use, Lore, Weapon/Combat Skills)
*Novel*
"An Unnatural Union"
When a Warden of the White Council of Wizards is found slain - killed by internal watermelon growth, the White Council dispatches Wizard Russell Carver to investigate the possibility of an alliance between the Faeries of Summer and the Red Court of Vampires. But the truth is even more sinister than the White Council could ever have imagined. Can the half-fae wizard break apart an unnatural union between Summer, Winter and Vampire before they tip the war not just against the Wizards, but against mankind itself?
(Frankie's Addition)
With it being mid-summer in Texas, Russell decides to use his powers of persuasion to coerce his cousin, and occasional collaborator, Private Investigator Liz Carver, to help him narrow down the investigation. After all, watermelons are plentiful in this area and could have come from many different locations. The impulsive wizard’s got some good ideas, but it’s going to take some major digging to unearth this mystery.
Skill Biases: Presence, Empathy, Fists
Aspect: "Blood of the Thunder Dragon" (Asshole extraordinaire, maybe could be used in combat given his grandpappy's propensity for it)
Other Aspects: "Heir to a Dying Rage" - From Will's Addition (Heir to Ramon's curse - can tap to summon Ramon, or as people accuse him of creating the curse itself, consequences of the curse) , "Stubborn as a Ram" - From my addition to Kele (Use is obvious - hates to agree with people, thinks he's always right, can also be tapped positively for Will Power kind-of checks)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
The introduction to my new 7th Sea game
The Explorers and their charge ducked down a tight alleyway just in time to avoid a half-dozen of the Cardinal's men as they rushed past. They were all breathing heavily for running and fighting, but there was exilleration there too. A mad amusement that can only come from battle.
The Montaigne swordsman gestured for the others to follow back out into the streets. "We are almost there," he said with a thick accent, and added under his breath: "I think." The streets and canals of the Vodacce city were maddeningly complex from a foreigner's perspective. Why in the world they would trust boats and stinking rivers to carry their goods and people through town, the swordsman would never guess.
They had only broken cover by a few steps with the cry came out. No one waited to be told, they simply drew their blades and formed a circle, backs together and waited for the press of men that was sure to come. The nobleman who was their charge smiled bitterly. "A raging battle through zee streets was not what I had intended when I asked you to help me put and end to a war." His words were chastising, but his eyes betrayed his amusement. His blade had proven no less eager to taste inquisitor blood.
The first group of inquisition soldiers threw themselves against the group, and for a moment there was too much confusion to hold a real conversation. Never-the-less, it didn't stop them from trying.
"Begging your pardon, your Lordship, but there was really very little choice after the Ussuran decided to take missuer Andres' cloak by wrenching it off his neck." He ducked one blow, caught another with his crossed rapier and main-gauche, and then kicked his assailant backwards to make room for a fatal thrust.
The big Ussuran snorted, and brought his blade down heavily onto the weapon arm of yet another brute, severing it cleanly. "I had no choice. It was a skin taken from brother hinde without permission. The thing screamed for me to set it free."
Their Avalonian companion laughed a bit."Next time someone's garments start yelling at you, could you give us a touch of warning perhaps?" He swung his axe in a tight circle, bringing all the force he could forward onto the neck of the man facing him. His face still bore a look of surprise as his head rolled into a gutter while the body fell back into a canal.
"Enough." The nobleman seemed amused by their banter, but he was on an important mission. A quick riposte and an almost surgical thrust into the heart ended his opponent, and he began to move almost immediately through the breach he had created. "We need to move before half the city is upon us." He glanced into the canal at the boats stopped there to watch the battle. "Follow me." With a smooth motion he dropped down into the canal, stopping long enough to tip his hat to the man whose boat he had landed in, and the leapt from ship to ship until he reached the far wall, and scrambled up it.
With a smile and a shrug the Avalonian followed him, not even glancing back to see his two companions finish off the last of the patrol and run after him. Within minutes they were away from the patrols, their enemies just a cacophony of shouts and alarms well behind them. The next time they ducked into an alley it was because they had arrived at their destination. The Explorers' charge knocked three times in quick succession at the door before them, and a tall Castillian dressed in black answered. "Missuers," Lord Defoe said as he introduced them to their host, "I present you with the Marquis Darius Vilanova de Castille."
The Montaigne swordsman gestured for the others to follow back out into the streets. "We are almost there," he said with a thick accent, and added under his breath: "I think." The streets and canals of the Vodacce city were maddeningly complex from a foreigner's perspective. Why in the world they would trust boats and stinking rivers to carry their goods and people through town, the swordsman would never guess.
They had only broken cover by a few steps with the cry came out. No one waited to be told, they simply drew their blades and formed a circle, backs together and waited for the press of men that was sure to come. The nobleman who was their charge smiled bitterly. "A raging battle through zee streets was not what I had intended when I asked you to help me put and end to a war." His words were chastising, but his eyes betrayed his amusement. His blade had proven no less eager to taste inquisitor blood.
The first group of inquisition soldiers threw themselves against the group, and for a moment there was too much confusion to hold a real conversation. Never-the-less, it didn't stop them from trying.
"Begging your pardon, your Lordship, but there was really very little choice after the Ussuran decided to take missuer Andres' cloak by wrenching it off his neck." He ducked one blow, caught another with his crossed rapier and main-gauche, and then kicked his assailant backwards to make room for a fatal thrust.
The big Ussuran snorted, and brought his blade down heavily onto the weapon arm of yet another brute, severing it cleanly. "I had no choice. It was a skin taken from brother hinde without permission. The thing screamed for me to set it free."
Their Avalonian companion laughed a bit."Next time someone's garments start yelling at you, could you give us a touch of warning perhaps?" He swung his axe in a tight circle, bringing all the force he could forward onto the neck of the man facing him. His face still bore a look of surprise as his head rolled into a gutter while the body fell back into a canal.
"Enough." The nobleman seemed amused by their banter, but he was on an important mission. A quick riposte and an almost surgical thrust into the heart ended his opponent, and he began to move almost immediately through the breach he had created. "We need to move before half the city is upon us." He glanced into the canal at the boats stopped there to watch the battle. "Follow me." With a smooth motion he dropped down into the canal, stopping long enough to tip his hat to the man whose boat he had landed in, and the leapt from ship to ship until he reached the far wall, and scrambled up it.
With a smile and a shrug the Avalonian followed him, not even glancing back to see his two companions finish off the last of the patrol and run after him. Within minutes they were away from the patrols, their enemies just a cacophony of shouts and alarms well behind them. The next time they ducked into an alley it was because they had arrived at their destination. The Explorers' charge knocked three times in quick succession at the door before them, and a tall Castillian dressed in black answered. "Missuers," Lord Defoe said as he introduced them to their host, "I present you with the Marquis Darius Vilanova de Castille."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The last of the Dresden rules fall into place.
So, yesterday the Dresden playtesters finally got our hands on the magic rues, and I'm just starting to tear into them. So far they look great, though I know this is an early draft, so I expect there to be some minor changes.
This is exciting to me, because I'm running two playtest campaigns, and thus far we've been glossing over magic, or postponing the game. I intend to get into the actual campaigns later, but I thought I should at least jump on real fast while I had a minute and let those who are waiting know that it's getting significantly closer to the finish line.
Now I'm off to actually finish reading all those rules. I'll post more when I'm done.
This is exciting to me, because I'm running two playtest campaigns, and thus far we've been glossing over magic, or postponing the game. I intend to get into the actual campaigns later, but I thought I should at least jump on real fast while I had a minute and let those who are waiting know that it's getting significantly closer to the finish line.
Now I'm off to actually finish reading all those rules. I'll post more when I'm done.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Legends fall
As we watch our legends fall,
We see the light they've brought.
The dragons slain,
Princesses saved,
The darkness that they fought.
And here we stand alone at last,
On lonely mountain top.
Dreaming dreams,
Telling tales,
Our quest will never stop.
We will meet in darkened taverns,
Fight and drink and win.
Sally forth,
Down shadowed trails,
Blazed by greater men.
So come with me my boon companions,
Let us fight in his brave name.
Swing your swords,
Sling spells and dice,
Adventure, laugh, and game.
Your loss will be felt world-wide,
Mourned in homes, offices and schools
We will prevail,
The darkness fall,
Because you taught us the rules.
By Jeramy Ware, March 4, 2008
For E. Gary Gygax.
July 27, 1938 - March 4, 2008
To me nothing seems more fitting than the first Dungeon Master should pass on GM's day. Now the day will truly have meaning.
We see the light they've brought.
The dragons slain,
Princesses saved,
The darkness that they fought.
And here we stand alone at last,
On lonely mountain top.
Dreaming dreams,
Telling tales,
Our quest will never stop.
We will meet in darkened taverns,
Fight and drink and win.
Sally forth,
Down shadowed trails,
Blazed by greater men.
So come with me my boon companions,
Let us fight in his brave name.
Swing your swords,
Sling spells and dice,
Adventure, laugh, and game.
Your loss will be felt world-wide,
Mourned in homes, offices and schools
We will prevail,
The darkness fall,
Because you taught us the rules.
By Jeramy Ware, March 4, 2008
For E. Gary Gygax.
July 27, 1938 - March 4, 2008
To me nothing seems more fitting than the first Dungeon Master should pass on GM's day. Now the day will truly have meaning.
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