Out of character thread

Well, I've added a couple of you already with a couple more hopefully on the way in the next day or two. Feel free to chat amongst yourselves while I get everything started! :D

Howdy Folks

Howdy!

Hey guys, the question was brought up to me as to how historically accurate this world is and if there are any steampunk elements to it. So I thought it might clear up some confusion if I posted what I wrote. It was a really good question. I also may find myself loosening up a bit on the steampunk down the line, but for now it's pretty minimal:

"It's pretty dang historically accurate. I may allow for a tiny bit of steampunk elements, but they will not be widespread, as the general population will not have access to such things. For instance, if your character is very smart and is an inventor of sorts, that would be allowable to have more advanced technology to an extent. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same assets you would have in historical Victorian times. The men of letters and hunters pretty much keep themselves out of the spotlight, so the general population doesn't have a lot of knowledge about what's really going on.

Later though, I may add some magic items that are fitting to the setting. Also, if you choose to be a man of letters, there will be definite bonuses to that, such as minor spells, extra knowledge ranks, etc. If you were a hunter though, you would get extra bonuses to your physical abilities. So it really depends on what is more important to your character."

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am Penny Dreadful — a humorous pseudonym, obviously, to protect my family name from scandal and my enemies, but it suffices to say you may address me as "Lady", if you wish. I am a private and consulting detective specialising in cases possessing certain unique, even grotesque, features and supernatural elements, and have earned some small repute in this field. You may have heard of the Ripper case? I was formerly based in London, but have been invited by the Men of Letters to visit 'the colonies'. I look forward to making your acquaintance."

:)

Penny is a detective of the Sherlock Holmes school, applying the art of deduction to the world of the supernatural. She's also a bit of a Lovecraftian investigator, and a huntress of Victorian Britain. Penny should be a Smart/Dedicated/Investigator, and a skilled type.

I'm not sure if she's a hunter, since she's not likely to be much of a fighter, or if she's a woman of letters, as she doesn't know any spells, though both may change with a few levels. I guess "hunter" would be more accurate given what she does, but she'd generally need the aid of some able-bodied gentlemen to dispatch the monsters when things get physical.

I mentioned a dash of steampunk in my application, for novelty value and because it seemed to suit the era and a lady detective in a suit. I've never really played with steampunkishness before. I thought to give Penny some small gadgets: funky magnifying glasses or an old-fashioned EMF meter or maybe a modified crossbow or pistol for firing different substances at different creatures. But I'm not sure how well I can squeeze in the skills or afford them. I'm not really married to the concept, and will give it up if someone else wants to be an inventor or if it doesn't suit.

That would actually be acceptable Penny. I'm a pretty generous GM and I'll make sure everyone gets goodies from time to time. It's part of the fun!

Looks like we're getting pretty full on characters already. I just need people to message me their back stories, or post them on the character thread if they so desire, so I can get a feel for people's characters. It seems that a lot of people are likely to be hunters starting out anyway, which is awesome. IF you plan to be a man of letters, please specify so to me so I can treat you as such. Otherwise I will assume you are a hunter. Naturally as the game progresses you can dabble in it should you desire.

I am going to be working on some actual bonuses and minor spells too that will be available to you. For instance, if you are a man of letters, you will have a set of spells you can choose to learn. If you are a hunter, I will have other bonuses as well, just to keep things interesting. I'm hoping to have it all fleshed out rather soon, so keep your eyes out for it.

All that said, I'm really looking forward to playing with you all. I've only had one game on here for a while, so I'm pretty excited for a fresh story and a new setting. I'm a pretty enthusiastic gamer and the game I do have besides this one has been going on for almost three years now. So needless to say, I'm here for the long haul. Hopefully you all are too, as it's not very fun when people drop out after the first two weeks, etc. Keep that in mind before we start please, and let me know if things don't allow you to post consistently.

Howdy

I believe Father Simon will be a man of letters. I hope the GM will allow him some spells based on faith.

Btw/ my guy is from the Boston area. Anyone want to make a common backstory?

Sure I can work with you on that one -- I can see perhaps in my low times I came to you for guidance perhaps.

That sounds perfect. Simon has a high knowledge in human behavior, theology, and has a natural ability with people. Would you like to play something out in PMs?

Sounds good -- I am somewhat around so if I dont reply right away it will be later ; )

Well I will let you start. You are the one who seeks out guidance, and so I would be more comfortable replying to you rather than trying to create a reason on your behalf. Fair?

Jacques may have returned to Fitzwilliam for a visit with family. A quick train ride to Salem MA after that to begin his hunting in the States would not be out of the question.

Its only 16 miles from Boston to Salem. Simon could easily have been investigating the same thing Jacques was into. Is this something you would like to play out in a pm?

I'm still trying to finish up my sheet. If you want to start a pm thread about a hunt in Salem, I'd be happy to contribute.

Let's say I start out with a visit to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Salem to meet a Priest who was in the seminary with my friend from St. Petersburg.

I always prefer the other person start the thread if possible.

So the three of you will have known each other? Let me know in general the basics of how well you know each other before we start. I will probably be posting tomorrow to begin everything. It will start with a summons to New York. Are you guys coming straight from Boston together, or will it have taken place more in the past and you just reunite when I start the storyline?

I would say I know at least Simon 2+ years -- Not sure if I know the crazy Frenchmen yet unless I met him while traveling with Simon.

Updated my description to maintain the "Crazy Frenchman" image.