Character creation discussion

Greetings, fellow Heroes.

I am Nkruma, originally from Ophir, but let's not go back there, shall we?

Though I was born a slave, I can assure you that I can read and write. A little. I speak both Ophir and Atlantean with some ease. As you can plainly see, I am an Asena. I am also a consecrated devotee of Olukun, the Unknowable One. As such, I look forward to getting to know all of you better.

I carry both bow and gladius as well as my own claws. I am proficient... enough... in the use of all of them, though I prefer the simplicity of the bow. I am a competent tracker. As Olokun is tied to the moon and its tides pull at the seas, so am I tied to the spirit-wolf. I am no sorcerer. In truth, what little magic I can coax from spirit-wolf is more of a personal nature.

---

OoC:
I whipped up an Asena Slayer (Scout).
He's currently 30-something, so he's about a decade shy of middle age.
I'm from Ophir - a country with some civilized cities on the coast, but wild in the interior. I had an urban/civilized upbringing, but was born a slave.

Relationship: 1 - an Enemy that I stole an artifact from, they want my life ruined
Internal: 2 - Code of Conduct, I'm a consecrated priest of Olukun and follow his strictures closely as well as trying to adhere to the conduct of the Orixa in general.
External: 2 - Being a Fugitive. I'm on the run from the law in Ophir and haven't gone back. Sometimes, agents from Ophir might catch up with me, and if we sail into an Ophiran port, I might have to hide out.

Nkuma is 1.6m tall and around 70 kg. A thin, lean figure of an Asena.

---

Nkruma was born to a slave family in the jewel cities of Ophir. He was the servant of a minor noble family and learned to read and write (illicitly) alongside the children of the Master.

While on a ship watching over the Master's sons, he awakened during the night and went out on deck to stare down into the dark depths of the sea. While he did so, Olukun himself came to him, bestowing upon him a great cloak the dark blue color of the sea and lined at its bottom with small shells. A great treasure, Nkruma hid the cloak away. He doesn't remember much about that night. He knows that Olukun spoke to him, but when tries to remember the words, they are little more than the roaring of surf in his ears.

When he was 15, the Master's sons were killed by rivals. Since the boys were the charge of his family, they were cast out of the Master's service and driven from the city, guilty of the slaying even if only by negligence.

Afterwards, Nkruma signed on with another noble family as a guard. While doing so, his manners were polished. He spoke one day to a man whom Nkruma thought was but an alcolyte or another servant of his encounter with Olukun; as a result, the priests bought his freedom and sent him to study in the city. While there, Olukun made known to the priests that Nkruma was chosen by him. He learned much, but also learned that the life of a priest was not his life, for his heart burned with fire.

He left the temple after a night spent carousing in town. He wrestled a local Nubian champion and won. The Nubian encouraged him to become a warrior. And so, for the past five years, Nkruma has been something of a mercenary. Though he has gained great Renown and honed his skills, he still feels that there is something more that he is missing.

He has placed his trust in Olukun and journeyed once more to find his destiny.

By all means weave your stories together. If there is a connection roll with it, if not then don't force it.

My biggest thing as a player in RP is that I like and identify with my character or at the very least find them interesting to play. I approach GMing the same way. I want my characters to like their characters, no one should be stuck playing a character they don't click with, where is the fun in that?

We will be starting in the city of Atlantis, so keep that in mind. A life path of sailor might not be a bad idea for some of you as well. Not making it mandatory but you all will be on a ship at some point.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:43, Sun 26 Jan 2014.

I have been rolling up entire sheets for NPC's just so I can get better acquainted with the character generation. You will have to bear with me as I am in full learning mode with these rules:)

Biggest challenge for me is magic! As any of you who play with me in other games know, I am more of a melee kinda guy personally.

Atlantis is a great place to be! They love Olukun here and he loves the people of Atlantis as well.

Of course, some of the Atlanteans still feel that all Andamen are servants and little better than pets, but such is life. I am confident in Olukun's favor. I shall visit some temples while awaiting the next stage of my journey.

Being an Andaman in Atlantis has to be rough but just imagine being a Pict? Sure I have been a brigand and a pirate all of my life but you can't tell that by just looking at me can you? The blue swirling tattoos are just a way to decorate the body among my people, don't be so quick to judge a scroll by it's tube.

Oh, I don't know, Brude. I hear that some Atlantean women have a thing for the exotic. And these folks do use a bit of henna and paint themselves. I never touch the stuff, of course. Fur, you know.

And, if you look around, you'll notice that they do have a thing for blue. See, look on that temple over there. See the blue paint on the balustrade. Blue, man! Blue!

Now, the smell on the other hand. We might need to toss you in one of the canals.

Oh, and operas. They love plays and operas here. You'll want to read up on some of that. You can read, right?

Now, now. Put the knife away. I was just having a bit of fun with you.

I have no problem with the Atlantean ladies! They seem to like me and my colors just fine, the men on the other hand do not seem to trust me.

Can I read? By the Nine Hells, no I cannot. A pictograph here and there but as for words drawn on a page, not a lick.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Tue 28 Jan 2014.

So, Brude... if I may be so bold, might I ask what you're especially good at? All I know of the Picts is that they are barbarians from the far north, but then sailor's tales in the bars of my homeland often tend toward the fanciful.


As an OoC aside, fair and wise and benevolent GM, are you going to use the Language groups? Since we're all coming from other lands, I imagine we'll cover a few different languages and all speak enough Atlantean to get by.

Definitely! Every will have enough Atlantean to get by. One of the things I like so much about this game...I really hate the idea of a common lang like in D&D. A lingua Franca like Latin in the medieval world or Atlantean on our game is great,

Here's my Lifepaths, so that we can tie some things together

Ophir has a variety of society types, but I'm going to toss Nkruma into one of the bigger cities for his upbringing.
Urban Upbringing:
Literacy Skill +2, Language +3: 13
I'm probably going to toss that into better skill with Atlantean so that he doesn't sound quite the rube.
However a roll of 13 means that he was born a slave.
Born a slave. Gain +1 in any Skill
Hm. Well... no where to go but up, I guess.

Childhood Encounter: 3, 20 (woo! 20!)
Met Anansi and given a cape spun from his web. Gain a cloak of Masterwork quality.
Hm. Well, the Ophirites are very religious. I'll spin this into the back-story somehow. Changed Anansi to Olukun.

Family Status: 12
Family is reviled for some past deed
Ok, so, I'm a slave and my family is hated... but a God himself gave me a cloak.

Previous Adventures:
OK, starting out I'm 16 - adult for an Andaman.
At this point, I'm kind of seeing Nkruma as really good with a bow. He knows some minor cantrips and is very devout. I'm thinking of going with a variety of paths - rogue, warrior, and priest.

Path 1:
5; 5 years. Rogue. +1 Stealth
6; Battle! 15: Worked as a private soldier for a noble. Your duties included security while hunting and personal body guarding of him and his family. +1 Lore (Etiquette)

Path 2:
12: 3 years. Rogue. +1 Stealth
2: Scholarly Pursuits. 8; Was allowed to study for a week at the great library in Ophir. +1 INT.

Path 3:
11: 3 years. Priest. +1 Lore (Theology)
13: Great Fortune! 17; A god has taken a liking to you and rewards you with the Dominion Access Talent

Path 4:
17: 2 years. Warrior. +1 Weapon Skill
10: Battle. 10; Wrestled a Nubian champion at a local bar and won! Gain +5 Renown and +1 in Unarmed Fighting.

Path 5:
13: 3 years. Warrior. +1 Weapon Skill
13: Great Fortune! 12: re-roll. (gah) 6: Rogue Special. 20(HEY!): Stole a great artifact of significant Renown or power. Receive 10 Renown and then roll on the Enemy Chart to find out who you stole if from. They plan to kill you and reclaim their item. Enemy: 7, 19, 3:
My enemy is (another player's relationship disadvantage), they and I had a rivalry on the battlefield that continued after the conflict, and they want my life ruined.

---

So, if any of you want to start building some links, that's my past as it currently stands.

Mostly I am good at killing things and taking people possessions when they don't want me to. I am the pilot of the Rosy Fingered Dawn, a ship captained by Ason the Hellene. I have had my share of travel and sea battles, left Pictland when I was pretty young.

Here are Brude's lifepaths:
1. Lifepath Warrior, 4 years, You participated in the killing of an Atlantean champion! Gain +2 Renown and +1 in
any weapon skill.

2. Lifepath Warrior , 4 years, Fought pirates in the Saharan Sea. During the melee, you threw a spear through ten
men…or at least that’s how the story goes. Gain +1 in either STR or CON, choose
one.

3. Lifepath Sailor, 3 years, Fought with the Minoans during the Red Tide. During the battle, you made an enemy
of an Acheron commander named Ahmes Ahmose. He has vowed to kill you.

4. Lifepath Sailor , 1 year, Create a close friendship with a sailor. (Ason)

5. Lifepath Sailor, 3 years, Served with Sorat Youbdi, the famous Tharshesh trader. Gain Lore skill of your choice
+3.

Likely my last 8 years (3 paths) have been away from Ophir and thus traveling - and could have been anywhere, though I really only speak Ophirite and Atlantean. Still, to see the ports of Gondwana and the Mediterranean Sea, that would likely be good enough.

Maybe once the others get things settled in we can start filling in some gaps.



Also, Brude... since you served in the Red Tide, and fought with the Minoans... that kind of ties in with your Tharsheh and Hellene contacts. It seems you've done more than a bit of pirate-fighting.

Working with a few folks on their PC's via PM. Any questions, ask here or message me.

I have done more than my fair share of pirate fighting but to be honest, I have done my fire share of pirating a well.

Here's my lifepath stuff.

Lifepaths
1. Upbringing. Civilized: Literacy +2, Language +3
11: Child of Thieves, +1 Stealth
19, 13: Childhood Encounter, you stopped an assassination attempt on your family
1: Family status, your family is under a curse of some kind

Previous Adventures: (start off at age 18)
First path
13 - 3 years. Rogue: +1 Stealth
14: Great Fortune, 15: Found a device worth +8 Treasure (player chooses with GM approval)

Second path
7 - 4 years. Rogue: +1 Stealth
1: Scholarly Pursuits, 17: Explored the deepest reaches of the jungles of Awalawa with a group of Heroes and chronicled their adventures. +5 Renown

Customization:
30 CP
Talents: The Gift, Fast Cast = 10 CP
+2 CHA  = 10 CP
Skills: Weapon+2, Deception +2, Influence +2, Modes +4 = 10 CP

What we have so far:

Nkruma the Asena Saint
Sabetha the Atlantean Charlatan
Fernao the Tauran Warrior
Brude the Pictish Pirate/Brigand
Seer the Atlantean Sorceress (no sheet yet so that may change)
2 non committed

In reply to Dyaus Pater (msg # 18):

I'm really more of a Scout; the priestly stuff happened through lifepaths. I'm not nearly no where as good at calling down heaven-fire as I could be - though once I get a bunch of Renown, that might change.

---

So, Sabetha... you've been out in the world about 7 years. While that's less that Brude and I, it does sort of tie in with some other stuff. Most of the major stuff Brude and I have done is the past 8ish years, though yours seems to have been inland. Hm, maybe you could change 'jungles of Awalawa' to 'depths of the Atlantean Ocean' and that would put you out at sea as well.
Though with other PCs not yet reporting in, it'd likely be best to wait and see if anyone else has spent time out in the interior of Gondwana.

Helloooo!

I am Fernao the Flowered. I fight, yes, and I fight well, yes, I do, but Life has taught me to not fight too and I wreath myself in the beautiful things Life has given this Tauran warrior.

From Galacia did I come, son of the Chieftain of my tribe, sold into slavery by my very uncle who thought I was unworthy, he did. I ran the mazes of Herperia as a child and on that day I proved myself to myself and to my family, though I do not know that they know I did what I did, I think they would know this if they do know or did learn of it, but I do not feel the need to go back and tell them, because they are unworthy of me not the other way around as my uncle once did seem to think. I went on to win my freedom in the Gladiatorial ring as an older young man. Since then I have traveled far and wide in the search for things of beauty and the glory that comes to those that fight the good fight and fight it good!

You look familiar to me. We have met before, yes? If not it is good we have finally met, because with the exceptional strength of my arms and the exceeding sharpness of my horns, I will protect you and my spirit and body will become even more bejeweled with the glory that doing what I do will be awarded unto me.

*************************************************************************************

OOC: Uh, yeah, hiya. I'll be playing your Tauran Anti-bully, bully. (At least that's the concept as of now...) A bit dim, but he hasn't noticed that yet. 5 years as a Champion of the Ring in and around Atlantis. 6 years as an adventurer travelling the world seeking the great destiny that must be mine. Mustn't it?

Height: 2.5m Weight: 181kg

Life Paths
Savage upbringing: Unarmed Fighting +2, Instinct +3. Child of a Warband leader Gain +1 Influence
Childhood encounter: Ran the Amazon mazes of Hesperia.

Family Status: Family is corrupt and evil but hides under an exterior of benevolence

Life Path 1, 5 years Warrior: Wrestled a Nubian champion at a local bar and won! Gain +5 Renown and +1 Unarmed Fighting

Life Path 2, 4 years High adventure: Carried on a cyclone beyond the Elysium sea to the fabled sky city of Vultan where you feasted with King Blessed the Mighty. The food in the city gave you unearthly vigor. Gain: +1 CON. Bonus +1 any skill

Life path 3, 2 years Sailor: Served with Sorat Youbdi, the famous Tharshesh trader. Gain Lore skill of your choice: +3. Path bonus +1 pilot

Ooh, hey! This is the same thing that Brude was doing for his last Path! That's an easy way to link the two of you together; you both served on the same Tharshesh ship recently.

Yes! That Sorat Youbdi was a greedy bastard of a captain but he ran a tight ship. I remember Fernao well. No one on the ship could pull and oar like he did! One mighty pull and we would travel three or four league:)

It was on Youbdi's ship that I learned my skill and piloting and navigating. Many a pirate we did thwart.

Oh! Yes, Brude the Battler and I fought many a battle together against those who would be pirates had we not battled them. I learned to pilot beside him, I did. Youbdi taught me much about the stars, but it was Brude that helped me when those lessons did not make sense. Youbdi was not a very good teacher, I do not think.

You are right, Youbdi was not a good or patient teacher. I do not miss him and was a little happy when I left his service. I now sail with Captain Ason of the Rosy Fingered Dawn. He is  Hellene and a very good captain. I know he could use a strong back and a well proportioned pair of arms on his ship. You should contact him.

I like Brude. I like roses. I have fingers. The dawn comes every day. It is destined! I will speak with this Ason and offer my might.

LOL! Brude and I worked out a history with Ason. We can definitely work Fernao into it.

Hey hey... while my mind is on it:

Disadvantages:
Relationship: 1 - an Enemy that I stole an artifact from (another PCs Relationship Disad)
Who's someone you guys hate?
Internal: 2 - Code of Conduct, I'm a consecrated priest of Olukun.
I'm sure none of this will get any of us into trouble!

•   Take time to learn and understand what you can.
•   Prostrate yourself before a pool of water and sing Olukun's praise.
•   On the night of the full moon, bathe in waters that hold the image of the moon.
•   Never willingly withhold knowledge

External: 2 - Being a Fugitive. I'm on the run from the law in Ophir and haven't gone back.
This one might change, but for right now, I'm a wanted man... er, wolf.

Fernao hates his uncle Teao the Talker. My uncle is a Tauran with a silver tongue. Because I am a kind Tauran I would like to rip it out of his head not only to save the others of my family who have felt its awful caress, but to save my poor uncle from the pain that having a silver tongue must cause him.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

So Thamyron is an Atlantean sorcerer getting ready to try to run down his enemy, Ahmes Ahmose from fighting with the Minoans who has kidnapped his lover.

So it would make sense that Brude and Thamyron know each other, since we have an enemy and war in common.

More details to come.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

OK, so...

Right now, Thamryon and Brude both fought against Ahmes Ahmose, and Brude and Fernao both sailed under Sorat Youbdi.

And possibly we're all going to sign on with Ason to get us out of Atlantis!

And have to work this out but Thamyron has an enemy (Ahmose?) who has taken his lover captive.

Life paths of the most important NPC's

Alembos:
1. Lifepath Scholar, 5 years, Scholar special: During your studies at a temple, you spoke to what you believe was a god. He/She told
you things that expanded your consciousness to the far corners of the universe.
2. Lifepath Scholar, 5 years, Tradegy: Left arm ruined in battle
3. Lifepath Scholar, 5 years, Enemy: A Son or Daughter that you never knew you had
4. Lifepath Scholar, 5 year, Scholarly Pursuits: Was allowed to study for a week at the great library in Ophir.
5. Lifepath Scholar, 5 year, Scholarly Pursuits: Witnessed the universe through the eyes of a dying Jinn. This experience changed your
view of the universe and now you seek some truth you glimpsed.

Ason:
1. Lifepath Sailor, 4 years, Battle: Fought in the slave pits of Yallock and won your freedom after a year of slavery.
2. Lifepath Sailor, 4 years, Battle: Dueled the pirate queen, Zenobia and lost 4 fingers on your left hand. So pleased with
the feat, she wears them on a necklace around her neck. She seeks to complete the set.
3. Lifepath Sailor, 4 years, Battle: Fought pirates in the Saharan Sea. During the melee, you threw a spear through ten
men…or at least that’s how the story goes.
4. Lifepath Sailor, 1 year, Tragedy: Sold into slavery where you toiled for years (double the time spent) and branded on your
face as a slave.
5. Lifepath Sailor, 1 year, Sailor Special:You have traveled the entire world twice over.

Koryos:
1. Lifepath Warrior, 4 years, Spent times guarding a famous ambassador.
2. Lifepath Warrior, 4 years, Scholarly pursuits: Wrote a great poem to a romantic relationship that became famous in your local area.  You have met and married the person of your dreams.  A god is jealous of the love you have and curses the lover to be a horribly disfigured beast.
3. Lifepath Warrior, 3 years, Battle: You placed second in the gladiatorial games of Tamaonchan. +5 Renown and a horrible
and distinct scar somewhere on your person.
4. Lifepath Warrior, 1 year, You trained at the military academy in Hellas. There they focused your mind and
hardened your body.


5. Lifepath Sailor, 3 years,  Great Fortune: Solved a Sphinx’s riddle on an adventure to Khemit. The riddle gave you great insight into
the universe. Gain +1 PER.

Thamyron has also spent on the order of 10 years sailing and exploring, so he very well could have run into a good many of the other PCs then.

So, I could have met Alembos in Ophir 10 years back, before I left in disgrace

Tragedy..

Who wants this role:

A parent or sibling dies, killed by a travelling companion (choose a player character).

What's your background, Seer? Any chance the person killed was a Gladiator?

Seer the Atlantean Sorceress,

Father is a Cleric and mother is a Sorceress.

Not sure about my older siblings if there are any.

If you need a parent or sibling slain, look no further! My earliest adventure was killing an Atlantean hero. I don't want to step on any hooves though so if Fernao has dibs on killing your relative, I am good with that.

I think this fits better with your background, Brude.

Thanks guys..

So Brude it is.. I will put you in my history when I get word back from the ST.

Definitely ok with Brude slaying a relative of yours...in game only those please.

Brude...do you want to be staying with fellow red tide campaigner Thamyron while in Atlantis?

Tossing this out there again. If someone's got a strong Relationship disadvantage/enemy/rival... let me know and it possible I was also a thorn in their side.
Or heck, your Relationship disad could be someone you love! Maybe you've got a wife to take care of, or a slightly scorned lover. Who knows?! I don't! Tell me all about it!

Brude is already under contract with Captain Ason but he surely will be more than happy to be visiting his old friend here in Atlantis. Perhaps that is how Thamyron was given the invitation?

Woot! So, we have a full cast now?

To recap:

I'm Nkruma, an Asena Scout, consecrated to the service of Olukun, a sea-god (of sorts).

My Disadvantages (can be elaborated upon)
Relationship: 1 - an Enemy that I stole an artifact from (another PCs Relationship Disad - this is a big one, sorta. need to know what you folks have for relationship disadvantages)
Internal: 2 - Code of Conduct, I'm a consecrated priest of Olukun.
External: 2 - Being a Fugitive. I'm on the run from the law in Ophir and haven't gone back.

As a Priest of Olukun, my main tenets that I must keep:

•   Take time to learn and understand what you can.
•   Prostrate yourself before a pool of water and sing Olukun's praise.
•   On the night of the full moon, bathe in waters that hold the image of the moon.
•   Never willingly withhold knowledge

I'm awesome with a bow, good with a blade.
I can call on Olukun with time and some lucky rolls. Possibly some sacrificing as well. And lots of lucky rolls.
I know some very very very very minor spells. I am in no way a spell-caster but since I can touch the spirit-world, I've got the standard magic-user social penalties. 

My recap:

I'm Sabetha, an Atlantean Scoundrel



Disadvantages:
Relationship - 1: The One that Got Away, love-interest that vanished
Internal - 2: Self-Critical, has a deep seated fear that everything she does is wrong
Internal - 2: Code of Conduct, "Thieves Prosper" (make sure that thieves succeed, aid one another, go free)
and "The Wealthy Remember" (make sure that the wealthy don't get away with things just because of their wealth, justice)

Hello...

Anyone who might have played in the "other game" may recall me.  Since the "other game" is now apparently dead, I just decided to transfer my character.

Human priestess, here --- born and reared in Atlantis, to a well to do merchant family.    During her childhood, a competing group of Atlantean merchants ruined and framed her family, sending them to the streets. This experience soured her on things Atlantean, the Orixa included.

She seeks to give her outland gods (the Tharshi) a stronger presence in Atlantis. (and elsewhere)

Ironically, in childhood she had an odd encounter with the Orixa Anansi, without knowing who he was at the time. She aided him to trick a lion into a pit. Anansi thanked
her, the lion cursed her (so sayeth the rules...in what way? Dunno...), and Anansi is the one god amongst the Orixa whom she warms to, a little.


As a priestess of Ahbra:

- All must give offerings to the gods whether coin or sacrifice.
- Give travelers thanks and welcome them to your bosom.
- Never give your trust without payment in kind.
- Always pay your debts to friend and foe alike.
- Every bruise, every insult, every coin, every favor must be met in time.
- One can never have too much; gather what wealth you can.
- Bury sacrifices to Ahbra each new moon.
- Take nothing from the dead.
- Embrace darkness and extinguish fire.


It seems everyone is making their disads public, and so:

- Enemy(sibling) (1 - Relationship)(her brother; still devoted to the Orixa, cannot abide her devotion to outland gods)
- Shady background (1 - External)(family had to become thieves for a time, after they lost their merchant business)
- Religious zealot of outland gods (3 - Personality)