Character Creation Thread - lilbug :)

Anything that you want The Watcher to know about your character, please copy it over to your character creation thread, rather than relying upon him to track down info in any other public or private thread.  He has taken on a populous game, so the easier we can make it for him, the sooner we can get up and running.  Many thanks. :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:02, Sun 09 May 2021.

I am thinking, as I mentioned, that I'd like to do an Inuit character.  My concept is a young boy who was transformed by the Inuit Gods to teach him a lesson.  He was a very selfish person who acted out, got in trouble, and pushed away his family and his friends.  Inuit are a very community oriented people, so this would have seemed especially heinous to them, but they are also very much a people who believe in second chances.

I was inspired by the Inuit stone statues, the Inukshuk that have been used by Arctic peoples for thousands of years.  I figure, at some point this young boy, let's call him Paul Tuvalakk (real name Pudlo) may have manipulated and broke the heart of the daughter of a tribal shaman.  Since he acted so coldly to others, the Inuit gods, answering the prayrs of the tribal shaman/elder, transformed this young man into something resembling an Inukshuk, sort of like the Thing from Fantastic Four, only grey and more bouldery, but with similar abilities. (Body Armour, Inhuman Strength).

He would be cursed to remain in this state until he had learned to care more about others than about himself.  He was, for a time, accepted into BETA FLIGHT for about a year, before the government cut all funding for Department H and its projects.  Some of the bitter edge to his character was quelled while he was there, and eventually he was considered a valuable member.  Paul was actually upset when the BETA FLIGHT project was cancelled, not being sure where to go at that point.

He did, however, have one offer.  A tentative offer came from New York, of all places, a school for training young heroes.  He has discovered that, to his surprise, he actually likes being a hero and wants to learn more, though he'd probably not admit that to anyone.  I see him as maybe sixteen by now.

That's the basic idea.  I'd give him an interesting friend, maybe a younger sister or love interest or cousin who lived in Manhattan or somesuch.  Do you think that would fit in with this group?

I believe it would fit with the Playbook called 'The Transformed.'
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:03, Sun 09 May 2021.

That sounds really cool! The only problem with having a friend in Manhattan is... you gotta name them. :P

So with the Transformed, the playbook's premise is that you've been altered against your will and, like Ben Grimm, you'd give anything to be able to change back. If you're already comfortable with your new form, then maybe one of the other playbooks might suit better. I might suggest playing up the discomfort of being essentially treated like a monster by most folks, maybe even make this his first team instead of his second.

Does he have a name?
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:03, Sun 09 May 2021.

Very neat, and yes, I think he'd fit in well. I agree that the Transformed angle should probably be played up. Otherwise he may as well as Delinquent for now (might fit his personality more if he obstinately refuses to repent or learn his lesson for now - abilities aren't the usual ones, but the boss says we can do whatever in that regard, and I am sure one can think of more tricksy uses to being made out of stone).
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:03, Sun 09 May 2021.

I appreciate the feedback very much :)

You're right, he shouldn't be totally adjusted to his new form, or that would negate the whole angst concept of the Transformed.  I didn't see him as completely adjusted, just maybe not so freaked out as he was initially, but maybe I'll just work him through that part too.

I'll jettison the Beta Flight training altogether and just go straight for the New York offer :-) Perhaps he was forced to go by his parents, or maybe he left on his own without telling his family... hmmmm.

I did consider the Delinquent Playbook actually, but I like the idea of the Transformed better.


Yeah names can be a pain  at times.  Let's see, his friend's name might be... Angela Zhang for example :) (Now I just have to figure out how they know one another lol).

The character's real name is Paul Tuvalok (real first name Pudlo).  As for his hero name, maybe just INUKSHUK or something more sassy like COLD STONE?
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 15:03, Sun 09 May 2021.

Hmm... Maybe part of his rebelliousness is that he is more drawn to the urban, technological, English-speaking civilisation rather than the more spiritual and nature-oriented traditional Inuit lifestyle? A quick search tells me that, as with many other indigenous peoples, the Inuits have been increasingly adopting the Internet over the last couple of decades, but along with its many uses it has helped fuel a generational divide along such lines.

In that case using Cold Stone (or Stone Cold?) could make more sense as part of that preference (possibly to be changed if his mindset changes later), and as for Angela Zhang, she might be someone he knows from the Internet. Or something like that.
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:03, Sun 09 May 2021.

Where would your parents be now? Are they in New York, too, or did you come here alone? (I recommend them being nearby too, because that gives the GM two adults with every reason to interact with the team and start telling us who they think we should be.)
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:03, Sun 09 May 2021.

I was thinking along the same lines :)  Yes, being myself from Canada I've been fascinated by the Indigenous Arctic Peoples for a very long time.  There are many things eating away at their traditional culture and values nowadays: interference from the Canadian/American governments, influences from neighbouring cultures, greater access to information, impact of global warming/climate change, religious conversion, environmental/resource issues with rich corporations (I smell a ROXXON OIL storyline there) and more.  All these things take their toll on the their more conservative way of life.

So yeah, I think that's a brilliant idea.  Paul will definitely want to embrace a more urban environment, one he's never truly experienced on this level before.  However he will find that his 'Monster identity' doesn't blend so well with the modern world :) I think that might make him feel even more isolated and alone than being from a minority culture and in a completely different country already does.  Thanks so much for that angle.

Also, I could totally see his friend Angela Zhang being an online acquaintance (in real life I met my wife online over 24 years ago).  They may have never met in person, in which case boy is she in for a surprise :P

Darn, I like your reasoning for his name, but now I'm torn between Stone Cold and Cold Stone... I think I'm leaning towards Stone Cold though because...yeah!



Okay, that's a good question.  How about his father, Nootka Tuvalok is an architect and his mother, Evaloo Tuvalok is a veterinarian.  Both have relocated to New York to try and support their son finding a school that can handle his 'extraordinary new requirements.'  They might even (on some level) resent the fact that Paul doesn't seem to appreciate the sacrifice they've made.

It will be fun to have them interact with the team and question not only their actions, but also reconsider if their own decision was the right one.  Thanks very much for helping me think this through.  Its coming together in my mind.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:33, Mon 10 May 2021.

Okay, this is what I've got...

 The Transformed

You can recall what it was like, to look normal. To have
skin. To not feel every eye turn to you once
you stepped outside. To not hear the gasps and
exclamations. When you were aimed at a regular life,
and no one ever thought of you as a monster.
Those were the days, huh.

Hero Name: STONE COLD
Real name: Paul (Publo) Tuvalok
Place of Birth: Iqaluit Nunavut CANADA
Family:  FATHER- Nootka Tuvalok (an architect) and MOTHER, Evaloo Tuvalok (a veterinarian).
Friend/Possible Romantic Interest: Angela Zhang

Look:
● Statue-like (Granite Boulders)
● (Originally) Indigenous
● stony flesh
● no costume
● human eyes

Abilities:
You appear obviously and clearly monstrous, and your powers are tied in to your appearance. Choose 2, and describe how they make you look monstrous.

□ Impenetrable Armor (Resembles an Inuit monolith known as an INUKSHUK)
□ Inhuman Might (Towers above others at his 7 and a half foot height)

LABELS

(at character creation, add +1 wherever you choose.  I added +1 to Superior)


Backstory
- Who were you before? Paul Tuvalok, just an Iqaluit boy with big dreams born into a small minded world.

- When did you change? What caused it?  When I was fifteen, an Angakok's (shaman) daughter fell for my rebellious charms.  She thought I loved her and I got her into a lot of trouble.  Then I blamed everything on her to save myself.  It broke her heart and angered her father, who asked the Spirits to teach me a lesson.  They answered him and I was changed into this...thing!  The Angakok said I will remain this way until I learn?!  Learn what, how unfair life is? Now my family is totally ashamed of me!  Stupid old man.

- Who, outside of the team, is helping you understand your new body?  My parents try, but they don't even begin to understand!

- Why don't you just try to hide yourself away?  You think I can hide THIS?  You're joking right?  Best I could do was start over someplace new.

- Why do you care about the team?  I don't really care about them, well maybe some of them are okay.  Many are outsiders like me, so at least they seem to get it and don't treat me like some kind of monster.  Doesn't mean we're friends or anything though.

Once you've finished your backstory, introduce your character to the other players,
and then determine what happened when your team first came together, the relationships between you and your teammates, and who has influence over you.

When our team first came together…
We drew attention and ire from plenty during the fight. One important person in
particular now hates and fears us. Who is it?

Relationships
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ comforted you when you were at your lowest.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ knew you before you changed.

Influence
You try not to care what other people think, even if it isn't going too well. Give
Influence to one teammate.

CONDITIONS:
□ Afraid (-2 to directly engage)
□ Angry (-2 to comfort or support or pierce the mask)
□ Guilty (-2 to provoke someone or assess the situation)
□ Insecure (-2 to stand in defense or reject what others say)
□ Hopeless (-2 to unleash your powers)

Transformed Moves: (Choose three)

□ Not Human Enough:
When you directly engage a threat in a terrifying fashion, mark a condition to choose an additional option, even on a miss.

□ Unstoppable:
When you smash your way through scenery to get to or away from something, roll + Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition; leave something behind; take something with you.

□ Be the Monster:
When you frighten, intimidate, or cow others with your monstrous form, roll + Freak. On a hit, they are thrown off and make themselves vulnerable to you, or
they flee. On a 10+, choose 1. On a 7-9, choose 2.

- You frighten others you had not intended to scare.

- You hurt someone or break something you shouldn't have.

- You feel like more of a monster afterward; mark a condition (GM's choice).
On a miss, they react with violence, hatred, and paranoia, and you suffer the brunt of it.


Other Moves:

Moment of Truth
It's so easy to forget that you're not your body, and you're not the voice in your head —- you're both. Be the monster, and save them anyway. Smash down walls, and speak softly. Because when you embrace it, you can do anything. Of course, putting on a display like this is sure to get unwanted attention…

Team Moves
When you share a triumphant celebration with someone, clear 1 condition if they treat you like a person, and mark potential if they treat you like a team mate.

When you share a vulnerability or weakness with someone, ask them if they think you're losing or gaining humanity. If they say losing, mark a condition and mark potential. If they say gaining clear a condition and shift Mundane up and any other Label down.


POTENTIAL
This message was last edited by the player at 09:08, Mon 10 May 2021.

This is the character that Alpha Flight should have had.  We are lucky Paul is in this game instead! :-)

Being Canadian as well, I approve of this character!

Basaq is a street-level acrobatic fighter type that shoots sometimes-paralytic shards at her foes.  Every time she gets seriously injured there is a strong potential for her body to change... which, for here creates a huge fear of loss-of-identity.

Would you accept her (Kanika El-Said) as the one who comforted you when you were at your lowest?  'Cause I think she might understand.

Does Stone Cold know what the conditions of his transformation-reversal are?

Nice to meet a fellow Canadian:-). Sure Basaq d totally be cool with your character in that role.  I do think she would have a good chance of understanding him, considering her own transformation.  Yes the Angakok told him he would remain transformed until he learned to love someone more than himself.  He really doesn't get it of course.

Ah, sorry.   I've decided to switch character's out.    A few too many super-athletic strong, fast, fighter girls here.

However, I can see Midnight as having some sympathy for Stone Cold.  Mike hasn't shared with most people the very special relationship he has with his sister...  I mean how do you even start that discussion "I absorbed my twin in utero and she takes over at night."  Mostly, Mila (the shade) manifests free-form in the shadows.

I'd be intrigued if there was some sort of friendship with Mila that Michael doesn't actually know about...  The idea that she has some semblance of a life outside of him would scare Mike silly.  But, either way, Mila' going to take a liking to Paul.

I'm totally cool with that idea.  Thanks for letting me know you switched characters, I wouldn't have known what was going on otherwise lol.  I can see Paul building a relationship with Mila and I look forward to role playing that with you :)

This is all fantastic so far! :-)  We don't need to do any more just yet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:23, Sun 23 May 2021.

Okay Midnight.  I need to give Influence to ONE TEAM MATE.  Should I write down that I'm giving it to Midnight or Mila or both (Midnight/Mila) LOL?  I like the idea of Paul maybe sneaking out to meet Mila at night and them spending time together in that awkward sort of teenage way.

And, if they have spoken to one another about their unique challenges and transformations then does Paul KNOW Mila and Midnight inhabit and share the same body?
This message was lightly edited by the player at 09:19, Sun 13 June 2021.

I'm cool with that!

I'm gonna ask for GMs to give me a character for Mila.   I love the awkward sort-of kinda romance angle.  Kinda reminds me of the Warpath/Nocturne romance from Exiles.

But it's all sorts of secret.  Mila's skittish about being "caught" so to speak...  so you get that illicit romance thing going which just seems so emblematic of being a teenager.

If you'd like to have a friendship with Mike/Midnight too, that would make sense.  But talk about a weird f-d up dynamic!

All right... the GM's have granted me Mila...

I'm game for whatever level of relationship you want to pursue.  But she never--ever--leaves the shadows.  She actually can't.   She can shadowwalk )so leave one set of shadows, and appear in another), but she simply cannot traverse the lit area...

I think Mila would find you ... ideal, actually.  Because of your form, she'd assume a kindred-ship of sorts.  Freaks.

I'm loving all of these new characters.  We will try to make space for all of them in the game.  I don't know how exactly but we all should have fun learning. :-)

I believe that Mila and Midnight are a boxed set, rather than two separate characters on two separate teams...  :)

Ah, OK, I see it now. :-)

Yes.  Mila is Midnight's alter-ego, so to speak.  She should not be on any team.

Every superhero has a dark side, perhaps? ;-)