Alright I've got a timeline and some organizations that I'm generally a fan of. This week WoTC had a cool article on Modern armor to go with the modern weapons rules in the DMG. It was pretty cool and reminded me about the Urban Arcana ModernD20 materials. I realize what I'm doing is fairly similar, except I'm more forcing D&D onto the world then having it integrate with folklore and such. I realize this had made my job really difficult because I'm trying to change the whole world instead of have it exist in a shadow world alongside it. Dresden files does a similar thing, creating its own courts and powers alongside the natural world and having most people be oblivious, rather than having everyone try to learn magic and protect themselves from vampires, necromancers, etc.
I think that is a good thing. It is setting up this setting in its own unique way; however it really isn't leaving enough room for adventure. I'm still not sure how much traditional adventure I want and I'm still looking at the Madadam series (pre-flood) to get a feel on using magic or tech heavy worlds for small stories. I feel like I also need to reread Transmetropolitan and Rat Queens, because that's honestly what I want it to be between.
Speaking of which, I had a bit of a mini-insight over the other night. I've been using the class names from the PHB the whole time, but if people just come out with these powers, without any labeling, there is no reason to call them these things. In fact, now, I'm thinking that the names for the sets of powers come from the people, and most likely the NDL (National Delver's League) to describe who is on their teams, etc.
I have planned on assuming everyone starts at Level 3, a pretty moderate power level for 5th, especially since I really want those who come out of the bifrosts to have a good chunk of new power on their hands. So looking at what each class would have by level 3, I started coming up with some alternative names:
Barbarians get increased durability without armor and the ability to hit really hard. Basically they get really minor super strength and partial invulnerability. The rage likely turns on when they are stressed in combat and doesn't have any real mental negatives besides no spells, so I'm not worried about insane berserkers. Thus I'll call them Juggernauts.
Bards get some really cool spells at 3rd level, things like invisibility, suggestion, cure wounds, hold person. By then they also have some good inspiration abilities (that will probably work like a spell, like warmth or courage or some such feeling) and several skills with expertise. Given all this, they work well as a helper and a trickster. I think I'm going to stick with Performer for now.
Clerics differentiate pretty quickly with their domains. Some have great spells for support, others for blasting, and some for getting up in your face. Since the clerics take so many different forms, I'll call them Incarnates (which has nothing to do with how much I love the Incarnum system of 3.5...nothing at all).
Druids at level 3 are all about shape shifting and casting some kick ass elemental and nature-controlling spells. Druid is actually a pretty good name, as I'm pretty sure any nerds would immediately call them that (thanks to the visibility of WoW), but I'm going to assume the news and the NDL call them Naturalists. Which probably makes actually naturalists a little miffed.
Fighters are a little rough to give another name too. At level 3 they have some limited self-healing, fighting styles, extra actions, and either some magic, or some cool fighting skills. Considering their durability and flexibility I think we'd just call them Heroes. It's definitely classic and fighters totally have that traditional heroic feel.
Monks are by far the most useful non-spell casters because they don't need weapons to be good. All other non spellcaster will have to deal with subpar or improvised weapons in a public setting, but the monk can just walk around ready to fight, fall of buildings, jump great heights and maybe cast some sick spells. For this reason they'll just be known as Brawlers.
Paladins get some neat fighting and buffing spells, as well as smites, lay on hands, and a divine sense. Without context a paladin is a guy running around with a weapon charged with energy who heals people and chops others heads off. For know we're going to go with Knight,
Rangers are actually getting a bit of utility change from me pretty soon to improve the Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer traits. Until then they'd still be the masters of fighting with nature on their side. Ranger isn't that obscure of a word, but I imagine it'd be easier to just call them Hunters.
Rogues are going to be good at moving really fast, hiding, and getting out of dodge. They are the ultimate guerrilla fighters and have the skills and sneak attack to make it work. depending on their archetype they might have some sneaky spells to back it up, some assassination bonuses, or some acrobatic and dexterous skills. Because they stick to the shadows and work best when taking advantage, we'll call them Prowlers.
Sorcerers are getting a bunch of cool wizardy spells, but minus a lot of the utility. In exchange they et a lot more flexibility with their font of magic and metamagic. Considering the powerful spells and their opportunity to overpower them, as well as their origins manifestations looking pretty awesome, I'm going to call them Dynamos.
Warlocks are going to be called Witches. I think that is pretty easy, witch is a much more common term than warlock and warlock also has a bit of the picture of only the pactblade, where as tome and familiar fits witch better. Just call the pactblades something cool like a witchknight.
Wizards are going to be Mages. Despite Harry Potter, it is still a much more common term, plus I like the idea of using my own vocabulary for this world, it helps to set it apart in my mind from literal D&D. Besides I think it fits no matter what school they end up with, it also sets them up as a generic caster.
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER!
Brawler Hunter Knight Performer
Dynamo Incarnate Mage Prowler
Hero Juggernaut Naturalist Witch
We'll see if this makes a difference, but in my head it does.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Monday, April 13, 2015
BiFrost Homebrew: Modern Backgrounds Pt. 3
Some more modern backgrounds; I really like the idea of an emergency services character like a firefighter who uses their skills to earn some money on the side as a delver. Entreprenuer also makes a good lick of sense in BiFrost where there is a lot of money to be made exploitng the bifrosts and delvers.
Emergency Services
Rescue workers, firefighters, paramedics, hazardous material handlers, and emergency medical technicians are all considered emergency services. Emergency service workers often enjoy the thrill of the risk and the joy of helping people. What field do you work in? Are you volunteer or career? Are you close to those you work with? Have you been in danger before while in these hazardous areas?
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Medicine
Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (land) and one gaming set
Equipment: A set of comfortable clothes, a uniform, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and $500.
Feature: Quick Assessment
You can quickly assess a dangerous situation or injury to figure out the difficulty of solving the issue. For example, you can see the Wisdom (Medicine) difficulty to set a broken bone, or the Strength (Athletics) difficulty to jump across burning debris.
Entertainer
Actors, newscasters, radio and television personalities, and musicians and anyone who earns their living performing are entertainers. Entertainers usually enjoy being in front of crowds and voicing their opinions or getting others to laugh. Are you extroverted, or is what's on a camera just a persona? Are you famous locally, nationally, or not at-all, doing only small-time jobs?
Skill Proficiencies: Performance and either Acrobatics or Humanities
Tool Proficiencies: One musical instrument and either a disguise kit or another instrument
Equipment: A musical instrument, a set of comfortable clothes, a pencil and pad of paper, $500.
Feature: Book a Gig
Wherever you find yourself you can find a place to perform that will provide at the very least room and board for as long as you perform and maintain good will in the town. The more famous you are the more help you can receive, but also the harder it is to unnoticed.
Entrepreneur
People who want to be their own boss; they believe in themselves, have an abundance of confidence, and the ability to acquire the funds necessary to bankroll their newest money-making venture. These small to large business owners have a knack for putting together business plans, gathering resources, and getting a new venture off the ground. Have you been successful as an entrepreneur? What kind of businesses or ideas do you work with: technology, media, household products, etc.? Have you ever lost big?
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion and Current Events
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s tools and one gaming set
Equipment: A set of professional clothes and $1000.
Feature: Spirited
You are filled to the brim with ideas and you like to share them with others for profit. Others can sense this in you and will grant you an audience when you come to them with a fresh business venture.
Investigative
Investigative reporters, photojournalists, private investigators, police detectives, criminologists, criminal profilers, espionage agents, and others who use their skills to gather evidence and analyze clues are all in an investigative occupation. These workers rely on their perception and insight to notice clues, catch people in lies, and ferret out the truth. Do you investigate in the private or public sector? How high do you rank? Have you had to cover up the truth, and are you ashamed of it?
Skill Proficiencies: Investigation and Insight
Tool Proficiencies: One of either disguise kit, forgery kit, or computing kit.
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of professional clothes, a pen and pad, a digital camera, and $500.
Feature: Gather Information
After spending a few hours in a town, bar, or other social area you are able to figure out who the big players are, the feel of the town, and any other basic information without having to talk to anyone.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Lisa and the Light pt. 11
Men and women frolicked and drank, they swayed and danced to a tune delicately finding its way from a harp to the ears and feet of all those in the clearing. All cups were full and sloshing, a deep violet wine that stained the grass and the white cloth which shrouded the figures faces but left their gleaming torsos bare.
But Lisa wasn't sure they were men and women, not exactly, their tanned skin gleamed in a way she found unnerving and alluring, and the shape and flexibility of their limbs and torsos was ever so slightly off, like a funhouse mirror, the reflection warping them. And how had she not heard the music, she had approached slowly and while the tinkling of the harp was soft, it was intoxicating; and where was the snow.
One of the revelers noticed her and pulled her over, into a dance, grabbing her by the hand and leading her through steps. Lisa found herself following nervously and the laughing as she lost herself to the movement. Her legs gave out from underneath her, with joy and happiness. A crashing laughter that left her breathless, when had she last laughed this hard, closed her eyes and sent out slow crawling tears.
A woman was with her then, a braid of gray hair and a hint of breast the only indication of her person, the cloth over her face was sheer, and yet the features of the visitor were vague. The woman cradled Lisa's head in her lap and stroked her hair as the laugh died into giggles and resurrected themselves as a contended smiling silence. She wondered when she last had been held like this, her mother had always been so cold.
"You seem so happy to be here," said the woman, her accent thick and unrecognizable, but welcoming and soft, "you were lost."
It wasn't a question, and yet Lisa nodded her head and then turned to hide her eyes in the woman's skirt. Why had she ever come here in the first place, she couldn't remember, and yet she was so happy she had come. Parties usually meant getting felt up, getting into fights, and running before the cops dragged you away. But this was perfect, this was calming and fun, and look how calm she was and how sweet this old woman.
"You don't have to ever return, you can stay here with us, and revel and rest," and Lisa considered the offer and found it perfect.
"What do I have to do?" Lisa asked.
The woman gestured and a silver cup of violet wine appeared in her hand, she propped Lisa up on her knee and put the cup to her lips, the sweet smell almost masking the scent of strong alcohol.
"I can't drink this," admitted Lisa, indignation rising in her voice, memories coming back to her again of running away from her mother, of the argument and the slamming doors, and the life growing inside her.
But Lisa wasn't sure they were men and women, not exactly, their tanned skin gleamed in a way she found unnerving and alluring, and the shape and flexibility of their limbs and torsos was ever so slightly off, like a funhouse mirror, the reflection warping them. And how had she not heard the music, she had approached slowly and while the tinkling of the harp was soft, it was intoxicating; and where was the snow.
One of the revelers noticed her and pulled her over, into a dance, grabbing her by the hand and leading her through steps. Lisa found herself following nervously and the laughing as she lost herself to the movement. Her legs gave out from underneath her, with joy and happiness. A crashing laughter that left her breathless, when had she last laughed this hard, closed her eyes and sent out slow crawling tears.
A woman was with her then, a braid of gray hair and a hint of breast the only indication of her person, the cloth over her face was sheer, and yet the features of the visitor were vague. The woman cradled Lisa's head in her lap and stroked her hair as the laugh died into giggles and resurrected themselves as a contended smiling silence. She wondered when she last had been held like this, her mother had always been so cold.
"You seem so happy to be here," said the woman, her accent thick and unrecognizable, but welcoming and soft, "you were lost."
It wasn't a question, and yet Lisa nodded her head and then turned to hide her eyes in the woman's skirt. Why had she ever come here in the first place, she couldn't remember, and yet she was so happy she had come. Parties usually meant getting felt up, getting into fights, and running before the cops dragged you away. But this was perfect, this was calming and fun, and look how calm she was and how sweet this old woman.
"You don't have to ever return, you can stay here with us, and revel and rest," and Lisa considered the offer and found it perfect.
"What do I have to do?" Lisa asked.
The woman gestured and a silver cup of violet wine appeared in her hand, she propped Lisa up on her knee and put the cup to her lips, the sweet smell almost masking the scent of strong alcohol.
"I can't drink this," admitted Lisa, indignation rising in her voice, memories coming back to her again of running away from her mother, of the argument and the slamming doors, and the life growing inside her.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
BiFrost: A Working History
I want this story to start in 2003. I'm not 100% sure why, maybe ebcause nothing momentous happened in 2003, at least not that I can remember. Looking back to 2203 thats when we had a lot of protests against the Iraq war, SARS, the Collumbia crash, deer and horses getting cloned, iTunes is released as is the Living with Michael Jackson documentary, X-Men 2, Return of the King, Bruce Almighty, and Finding Nemo are all released. and our popular artists are Beyonce, Evanesence, Limp Bizkit, Shania Twain, 50 cent, and Eminem. Fashion trends seem to be focused on baggy shorts with midrif tops, apparently also ugg boots. The human genome project was also completed this year.
Lots of things actually happened that year that could be used by bifrologists to conjecture about why the portals appeared that year. I have my own personal reasons the portals appeared, but I also have several of them. I want to take a page out of Keith Baker's book about the events of the Mourning in Eberron, and say there is no one reason. It's more fun if people can make up their own reasons, especially if they want that kind of intrigue to be a central plot of their campaign.
14 April 2003: The Human Genome Project is completed
Portals to self-contained universes appear throughout the world
May 2003: A woman from Norway who returns from the portals with a flying carpet dominates the
news; she coins the term bifrost to describe the portals
December 2003: The Pope announces his official condemnation of those who return from the bifrost, likening them to demons.
2004: Bombing in Spain linked to delvers; panic about the use of powers.
The Guild for the Advancment and Protection of Devlers (GAPD) is founded in New York, and quickly opens its doors is in major metropolitan areas around the world.
2005: Thousands go missing as a cult in Vietnam walks into a bifrost and never returns.
The story of underground fights between those with powers is brought to light.
An attempt in Nigeria to close a portal with explosives results in the mysterious destruction of an entire town.
2006: A young boy with a rare bone disease is given gauntlets that make him as strong as professional weightlifter allowing him to walk for the first time.
Dungeoneering Inc. and Haversack's Goods being trading publicly.
2007: The Sudan attacks Chad with a large force of delvers who almost completely overrun the country before the UN steps in.
The first openly powered senator is elected to office.
2008: Allegations arise of politicians abusing powers and powered individuals during the US elections. The Democrats for the Proliferation of Powers (DPP) denies any direct contact with the candidates as do the Republicans for the Expansion of Wealth (REW).
The National Delvers League start airing competitions between delvers to great commercial success.
2009: Many states attempt to pass legislation limiting delvers access to public office, some pass but are difficult to enforce.
The application and social website Delvr is created and provides unprecedented access to opportunities to safely enter a bifrost with an experienced party.
2010: The Institue for Dimensional Study releases a revealing and comprehensive study of the number of people who have gone missing into the bifrosts, who have returned with powers, the proliferation of magic items, and the effects of the influx of precious metals and minerals on the economy.
2011: Haversack's Goods develops power detectors and beings selling them to governments and the public. Within months there are stories of delvers who are stripped of their rights upon discovery.
2012: Thousands of members of the group unironically calling themselves Witch Hunters march on the capitol in Washington D.C. demanding legislation be enacted to protect normal people from those with powers.
2013: Congress passes legislation requiring those with powers to be registered and carry and ID card. The same bill outlaws the use of powers in government buildings and makes it a felony to use powers against another person.
The DPP and REW give tacit support despite the outcry from the GAPD.
Lots of things actually happened that year that could be used by bifrologists to conjecture about why the portals appeared that year. I have my own personal reasons the portals appeared, but I also have several of them. I want to take a page out of Keith Baker's book about the events of the Mourning in Eberron, and say there is no one reason. It's more fun if people can make up their own reasons, especially if they want that kind of intrigue to be a central plot of their campaign.
14 April 2003: The Human Genome Project is completed
Portals to self-contained universes appear throughout the world
May 2003: A woman from Norway who returns from the portals with a flying carpet dominates the
news; she coins the term bifrost to describe the portals
December 2003: The Pope announces his official condemnation of those who return from the bifrost, likening them to demons.
2004: Bombing in Spain linked to delvers; panic about the use of powers.
The Guild for the Advancment and Protection of Devlers (GAPD) is founded in New York, and quickly opens its doors is in major metropolitan areas around the world.
2005: Thousands go missing as a cult in Vietnam walks into a bifrost and never returns.
The story of underground fights between those with powers is brought to light.
An attempt in Nigeria to close a portal with explosives results in the mysterious destruction of an entire town.
2006: A young boy with a rare bone disease is given gauntlets that make him as strong as professional weightlifter allowing him to walk for the first time.
Dungeoneering Inc. and Haversack's Goods being trading publicly.
2007: The Sudan attacks Chad with a large force of delvers who almost completely overrun the country before the UN steps in.
The first openly powered senator is elected to office.
2008: Allegations arise of politicians abusing powers and powered individuals during the US elections. The Democrats for the Proliferation of Powers (DPP) denies any direct contact with the candidates as do the Republicans for the Expansion of Wealth (REW).
The National Delvers League start airing competitions between delvers to great commercial success.
2009: Many states attempt to pass legislation limiting delvers access to public office, some pass but are difficult to enforce.
The application and social website Delvr is created and provides unprecedented access to opportunities to safely enter a bifrost with an experienced party.
2010: The Institue for Dimensional Study releases a revealing and comprehensive study of the number of people who have gone missing into the bifrosts, who have returned with powers, the proliferation of magic items, and the effects of the influx of precious metals and minerals on the economy.
2011: Haversack's Goods develops power detectors and beings selling them to governments and the public. Within months there are stories of delvers who are stripped of their rights upon discovery.
2012: Thousands of members of the group unironically calling themselves Witch Hunters march on the capitol in Washington D.C. demanding legislation be enacted to protect normal people from those with powers.
2013: Congress passes legislation requiring those with powers to be registered and carry and ID card. The same bill outlaws the use of powers in government buildings and makes it a felony to use powers against another person.
The DPP and REW give tacit support despite the outcry from the GAPD.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
The Latest Friday Fiction: Lisa and the Light Pt. 10
The arrows stopped.
It was an odd realization, but there it was: the arrows stopped. These were no gun-wielding thugs, this wasn't a drive-by. This was a battle to the death or retreat, and Lisa had won. The hammer hung lazily from her hand and its glow faded. Snowflakes had made their way through the canopy falling lightly on its metal head.
Lisa pressed onward through the forest, with her sense ever so slightly more attuned, more aware for another ambush of knife-toothed monsters, of arrows and cleavers and near death and destruction. Had she enjoyed the rush of battle, she dare not ask herself, not really. Like the danger she had met before in her neighborhood, the danger that came from living in poverty and sin, she was filled with a mix of anxiety and excitement and like before it did not fade. Lisa knew from experience the process of coming down from the natural high could take hours, and in the meantime she was happy for its urges. Keep going, keep looking, fix the problem, don't think about how one arrow missed you only by a few inches, don't think about the stains on the weapon, they must have been blood. Keep going, you have to be safe, keep going, the arrows have stopped.
The forest path opened into a learning and her boots found no snow there to protect her swollen and abused feet from. In the middle of the clearing was not more enemies, more monsters, more sharp-toothed demons as her heart was sure there would be as soon as the light from above no longer hit the canopy and made clear what was in the clearing. Clear and distinct in front of her was somethign she knew well: a party.
Monday, April 6, 2015
BiFrost Homebrew: Modern Backgrounds Pt. 2
The next round of backgrounds! This time we have some modernized repeats from the PHB, but also some new ones. I'm particularly happy with the Creative and Dilettante who fill very modern niches.
The Creative isn't quite the guild artisan, which is important considering guilds aren't what they used to be. Instead the creative is a passionate artist in their purist form.
The Dilettante, on the other hand, is broader, more vague, and yet fills a role similar to a noble in their feature, which offers a mass of social clout and puts it at their disposal. Playing these four backgrounds would certainly, easily, differ in feel, and that's what I really wanted.
I especially like to imagine a party of those with different backgrounds: a creative and his criminal drug dealer; a charlatan and the dilettante he is trying to dupe, etc.
Charlatan
Conmen, hustlers, spies, and anyone else who makes their living tricking others are charlatans. Charlatans usually enjoy their scams and swindling, working pool tables, gambling, selling false insurance door to door, and other such plots. Are you a big-time conman or do you work small grifts? Do you work alone or with a group of other charlatans? Have you been caught before and are on the run? Whats the most common con you run?
Skill Proficiencies: Deception and Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit and forgery kit
Equipment: A set of professional clothes, a disguise kit, tools to run your con, $750.
Feature: False Identity
You have a false identity, including a complete set of clothes, driver’s license, passport, credit cards, everything you need to pass as this other persona including a different background, maybe even “friends” to back up your story.
Creative
Artists of all types who fan their creative spark into a career: illustrators, copywriters, cartoonists, graphic artists, novelists, magazine columnists, sculptors, game designers, screenwriters, photographers, and web designers all fall under this occupation. Creatives of all types use their artistic skills to make a living, even if the living isn’t much. Are you famous in your field or just starting? What kind of work do you do, commercial or more artistic? Do you freelance or work with a creative company?
Skill Proficiencies: Humanities and either Persuasion or Investigation
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisans tools
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of comfortable clothes, a set of artisan's tools, and $500.
Feature: Bohemian Solidarity
You can get help from other creative types to find free lodging (couch surfing) and employment in a new town. They will also help you in small ways especially if you are in similar fields.
Criminal
Anyone who earns money from being on the wrong side of the law is a criminal. This occupation includes burglars, drug dealers, thieves, crime family soldiers, gang members, bank robbers, and other career criminals. Criminals aren’t deterred by the prospect of jail and often display their power easily. Are you an obvious criminal related to a gang, or a are you a power broker in the shadows, laying low? Do you work as a criminal willingly or were you pressured into it? Do you have a record, is there a warrant out for you currently?
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and either Stealth or Deception
Tool Proficiencies: One gaming set and thieves’ tools
Equipment: A crowbar, a set of comfortable clothes, thieves’ tools, and $750
Feature: Criminal Contact
You have a contact that can relay messages for you to and from the criminal underworld and will give you the heads up on any important news.
Dilettante
Those who are wealthy from family holding and trust funds. They typically have no job, few responsibilities, and at least one driving passion that occupies his or her day. That might be a charity, an ideal, or a lust for life. Did you earn your money through one great idea or did you inherit it? What do you do with your time, are you a playboy or a philanthropist or do you stay out of the public eye all together, focusing on your own projects?
Skill Proficiencies: Current Events and Intimidate
Languages: Two languages of your choice
Equipment: A set of expensive clothes, an expensive trinket, and $1250
Feature: Privileged
You’ve known wealth for a while and it shows. Those who recognize your name will help you hoping for a reward or simply due to deference. Those of the same social class will be sympathetic to your cause and offer assistance to you, assuming you aren't on their bad side.
The Creative isn't quite the guild artisan, which is important considering guilds aren't what they used to be. Instead the creative is a passionate artist in their purist form.
The Dilettante, on the other hand, is broader, more vague, and yet fills a role similar to a noble in their feature, which offers a mass of social clout and puts it at their disposal. Playing these four backgrounds would certainly, easily, differ in feel, and that's what I really wanted.
I especially like to imagine a party of those with different backgrounds: a creative and his criminal drug dealer; a charlatan and the dilettante he is trying to dupe, etc.
Charlatan
Conmen, hustlers, spies, and anyone else who makes their living tricking others are charlatans. Charlatans usually enjoy their scams and swindling, working pool tables, gambling, selling false insurance door to door, and other such plots. Are you a big-time conman or do you work small grifts? Do you work alone or with a group of other charlatans? Have you been caught before and are on the run? Whats the most common con you run?
Skill Proficiencies: Deception and Sleight of Hand
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit and forgery kit
Equipment: A set of professional clothes, a disguise kit, tools to run your con, $750.
Feature: False Identity
You have a false identity, including a complete set of clothes, driver’s license, passport, credit cards, everything you need to pass as this other persona including a different background, maybe even “friends” to back up your story.
Creative
Artists of all types who fan their creative spark into a career: illustrators, copywriters, cartoonists, graphic artists, novelists, magazine columnists, sculptors, game designers, screenwriters, photographers, and web designers all fall under this occupation. Creatives of all types use their artistic skills to make a living, even if the living isn’t much. Are you famous in your field or just starting? What kind of work do you do, commercial or more artistic? Do you freelance or work with a creative company?
Skill Proficiencies: Humanities and either Persuasion or Investigation
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisans tools
Languages: One language of your choice
Equipment: A set of comfortable clothes, a set of artisan's tools, and $500.
Feature: Bohemian Solidarity
You can get help from other creative types to find free lodging (couch surfing) and employment in a new town. They will also help you in small ways especially if you are in similar fields.
Criminal
Anyone who earns money from being on the wrong side of the law is a criminal. This occupation includes burglars, drug dealers, thieves, crime family soldiers, gang members, bank robbers, and other career criminals. Criminals aren’t deterred by the prospect of jail and often display their power easily. Are you an obvious criminal related to a gang, or a are you a power broker in the shadows, laying low? Do you work as a criminal willingly or were you pressured into it? Do you have a record, is there a warrant out for you currently?
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and either Stealth or Deception
Tool Proficiencies: One gaming set and thieves’ tools
Equipment: A crowbar, a set of comfortable clothes, thieves’ tools, and $750
Feature: Criminal Contact
You have a contact that can relay messages for you to and from the criminal underworld and will give you the heads up on any important news.
Dilettante
Those who are wealthy from family holding and trust funds. They typically have no job, few responsibilities, and at least one driving passion that occupies his or her day. That might be a charity, an ideal, or a lust for life. Did you earn your money through one great idea or did you inherit it? What do you do with your time, are you a playboy or a philanthropist or do you stay out of the public eye all together, focusing on your own projects?
Skill Proficiencies: Current Events and Intimidate
Languages: Two languages of your choice
Equipment: A set of expensive clothes, an expensive trinket, and $1250
Feature: Privileged
You’ve known wealth for a while and it shows. Those who recognize your name will help you hoping for a reward or simply due to deference. Those of the same social class will be sympathetic to your cause and offer assistance to you, assuming you aren't on their bad side.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
BiFrost: Seeing What I've Got
A quick breakdown for my own memory:
Templars - Religious group that hates the bifrosts and all they stand for
Thaumaturges - Religious group that sees bifrosts as holy
Dungeoneering Inc. - Company that focuses on providing goods to delvers; focuses on tools
Haversack's Goods - Rival company to Dungeoneering Inc.; focuses more on goods
Various Boutiques - Small local companies serving the community and specific classes
Republicans for the Exapnsion of Wealth (REW) - Republic lobbyists for economic protections on wealth retrieved from
Democrats for the Profliferation of Powers (DPP) - Democratic lobbyists for protection of delvers with, especially magic, powers
Guild for the Advancement and Protection of Delvers (GAPD) - Lobby for both sides of the aisle in defense of protections for delvers, as well as a provider of insurance, banking, etc.
Wow, that is a lot of powers at play. In fact, I think it might be just enough powers in play to finally start planning some interaction and some history. This is admittedly the scary part, because its where people might step in and say "I don't think that's what people would do." They're probably right, I've only studied history in high school, and tangentially in college since literature and history go hand in hand. My expertise is limited, but I love history, and I like thinking about people. Honestly, if I'm wrong, I wouldn't be above admitting and changing it...or at least I hope I'm not above that. Admittedly, no one is commenting yet anyways, at least not on the blog, but I know some of you read this when it comes out. I see you and I appreciate you.
I'm procrastinating actually having to put this all together. I think I should use the city building tool from the Dresden Files RPG and just expand it to a world. That actually sounds like a damn good idea, I'm always impressed by people who have a firm grasp of the creative process like the folks at Evil Hat. And I'm procrastinating again.
If/when I do that, I'll make sure to upload a picture.
In the meantime, I guess it's time to take the world and the powers and start coming up with some...well basically situations. This world was created to build small stories, to take the average person and allow them to grab some power and see what comes of it.
Speaking of which I have one more power group to add:
Various Criminal Organizations - From preexisting groups the Bloods, Crypts, Biker Gangs, to new ones that would pop up, the Golden Boys (sounds like a 50's group), the Arcane Brotherhood, Mafia of various countries. Yakuza? Maybe! The Margret Atwood in me says to combine these into something called like Arcanogangs or something, or Crimigicians, but I'll avoid it for now.
Next week I'll start brainstorming adventures and focusing in on specific cities around the country and around the world!
Next week I'll start brainstorming adventures and focusing in on specific cities around the country and around the world!
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