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OOC: Character Concepts.

Posted by GamemasterFor group 0
Gamemaster
GM, 4 posts
Mon 25 Jun 2012
at 23:08
  • msg #1

OOC: Character Concepts

This thread is for players to brainstorm character concepts among each other, decide on the group's role/theme, work out any background ties/experiences, etc. If your concept involves something the other players probably shouldn't know, post the character's known details here and message me privately with anything else. Also, bear in mind that while beginning play as a party is very convenient, it is not required. Some of the most enjoyable groups form during the course of early friendships or adventures.
lurker
player, 2 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 00:26
  • msg #2

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

In reply to Gamemaster (msg # 1):

I guess I'll start this ball rolling.

Conceptually, I'm considering either a Sanctuary Aeon priest, or an Ex-Soldier of the Stigmata Garrison that has become an Imperial Cohort in order to bodyguard a noble.
Baron
player, 2 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 01:59
  • msg #3

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

I might want to get some idea of what our GM envisions, and maybe what some of the other PCs preferences are, before I commit to something.
Gamemaster
GM, 7 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 02:30
  • msg #4

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

As of now, I'm not envisioning anything concretely - primarily due to the fact that I'll be tailoring the Epic to the characters (and players' preferences) rather than the other way around. So this thread is really here for each of you to air any and all potential character concepts that you can see yourselves getting behind, but you don't have to commit to any of those concepts yet.

This is more of an opportunity to brainstorm ideas for characters publically, rather than privately, so that each of you can get a general feel for what kinds of characters the other players in the group might like to play, and evaluate your own concepts accordingly.

For instance, each player might start off by listing 4-5 different character concepts that could potentially appeal to them, perhaps adding contingencies such as, "I'd like to play an Eskatonic confessor or a Li Halan bodyguard if someone else in the group would like to play a Li Halan noble; otherwise I'd prefer to play a Vorox ex-Stigmata Garrison war veteran working as a Muster mercenary or an Ukari Scraver, depending on the other characters in the group." Then later, after other players have fielded their character ideas and preferences, each person can better decide what type of character they'd most enjoy playing.
Baron
player, 3 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 02:40
  • msg #5

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

Well OK then, thanks for giving us the input.

I'm put-off by the pseudo-Christianity, so a priest is out.

I've played a lot of nobles, so I'll probably give that a pass.

Maybe a Charioteer, or an alien? The Charioteer more likely if we'd spend a significant time zipping through space, so I could actually pilot.

What aliens would you consider to be good choices for PC?
Gamemaster
GM, 9 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 03:04
  • msg #6

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

In general, I'd say the Obun, Ukar and Vorox are probably the most playable alien races, which is likely the reason behind the FS authors' concentration on those races in the Character Creation section of the corebook. This is not to say players aren't free to take on the role of any alien race they like, but the information on those races is not as readily available (most of the general info for them is covered in the Players Companion, except for the Vau and Symbiots), and it tends not to go as in-depth as what is provided for the Obun, Ukar and Vorox.

But my policy has always been that the character concept outweighs everything else; if you have a good concept, are able to firmly flesh out your character, and it promises enjoyable roleplaying for you and the other players, go with it.
Baron
player, 4 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 15:38
  • msg #7

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

Well, I kinda like the POV of the outsider, and having an outsider journeying through the Fading Suns worlds might be cool. I was thinking possibly of the Ascorbites, Hironem, or Etyri. Maybe an outcast from his own race and culture, as would seem likely if he's roaming about.
eskatonic
player, 1 post
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 16:42
  • msg #8

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

It's been so long since I've been able to play Fading Suns, I'm up for just about anything.  Here are some character ideas for me:

Urth Orthodox Priest (plain vanilla priest, maybe confessor if we end up with a Noble entourage).

Brother Battle monk.

Ur Obun Mystic.

Perhaps a Muster "Adventurer for Hire."  :)
Baron
player, 5 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 16:47
  • msg #9

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

Baron:
Maybe a Charioteer, or an alien? The Charioteer more likely if we'd spend a significant time zipping through space, so I could actually pilot.


To GM:
So if I were to choose a Charioteer, would that make this a more spaceship-based campaign?

To Players:
If so, would that be OK with other players?
lurker
player, 5 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 16:51
  • msg #10

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

In reply to Gamemaster (msg # 4):

Pedantically speaking, Vorox have been forbidden at the Stigmata garrison ever since an entire frontline unit of Vorox Commandos was infected by the Symbiots and turned into unstoppable killing machines.
Gamemaster
GM, 10 posts
Tue 26 Jun 2012
at 20:06
  • msg #11

Re: OOC: Character Concepts

Baron:
Well, I kinda like the POV of the outsider, and having an outsider journeying through the Fading Suns worlds might be cool. I was thinking possibly of the Ascorbites, Hironem, or Etyri. Maybe an outcast from his own race and culture, as would seem likely if he's roaming about.

It could potentially work. I would recommend a Hironem or an Etyri more than an Ascorbite, as Ascorbites are particularly difficult to play due to their complete lack of any anthropomorphisms and how little is truly understood about them by humans (which of course includes us as players). While being enigmatic and inscrutable can be intriguing, it is also alienating to others and tends to lend more toward being merely 'observed' by characters and the audience, narratively, than meaningfully engaged. Ascorbites don't offer much in the way of potential for character interaction, due to the extreme difficulties in communicating with them and understanding them. Their goals are described as "alien and unfathomable". So they seem more or less set up like the Vau - intended as mysterious NPC's more so than PC's designed to work well in a group.

Baron:
Baron:
Maybe a Charioteer, or an alien? The Charioteer more likely if we'd spend a significant time zipping through space, so I could actually pilot.

To GM:
So if I were to choose a Charioteer, would that make this a more spaceship-based campaign?

Charioteers are a hybrid of pilots and traveling merchants, so I would say: potentially, but not necessarily. If any of you decide to play a pilot, I would of course take steps to ensure you are involved in your fair share of space travel and space-related action. But you could just as easily play a Charioteer with a stronger emphasis on the traveling merchant aspect than on piloting ships through the void for weeks at a time. So ultimately, it would depend partially on your character concept and partially on the style of game everyone prefers. It could go either way.

lurker:
Pedantically speaking, Vorox have been forbidden at the Stigmata garrison ever since an entire frontline unit of Vorox Commandos was infected by the Symbiots and turned into unstoppable killing machines.

Hehe yes, I'm aware. I merely mentioned that concept as an example of how the brainstorming process can work in this thread. The Stigmata Garrison's current forbiddence on Vorox joining their ranks is the reason the concept was an ex-soldier working as a Muster mercenary (i.e. one of those Vorox shock troops whose service in the Garrison would have been discontinued following that notorious disaster, most likely now an elderly war veteran forced to do freelance work to earn a living).

I do strongly encourage at least one or two of you to play an alien, it adds to the diversity and colorfulness of the party. A Charioteer would also work very well, especially if the group will be traveling a lot.
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