Welcome to the OOC thread for "The Rainy City, Book 1: Music Doesn't Lie", a Dresden Files RPG game. IC Thread City Creation
Seattle, the Rainy City
Theme Aspect: It was a Dark and Stormy City
Seattle is one of the wettest, darkest cities in the US, and this fact colors its residents, both mundane and supernatural. Faces: The Lady of the Rains, Maximillian Ravenmoore (Host of “The Witching Hour”)
Threat/Theme Aspect: Boom and Bust
Marked by periods of great prosperity followed by stunning catastrophe, Seattle is never a boring place to live! Faces: Prince Balor of the Terrible Gaze (Fomor Prince Resurgent), Mark Waters (Eccentric Billionaire Philanthropist), Chad Evanston Thurgood, Esq (Chinatown's new landlord)
Theme: What it means to be a Seattleite
Seattleites are a diverse lot spanning multiple distinct subcultures: when they cooperate, the city profits. When they come to blows, the city quakes. Faces: The Duwamish (The First Seattleites), The Knights of Laconia (Seattle for “Americans”), The other Seattle Underground (Musical Goldrush); O'Reilly's (It's Magically Delicious); The Dancing Dragon (Safe haven of Chinatown)
The Supernatural Status Quo
Spoiler
Power used to be shared between three major groups: The Lady of the Rains, the Duwamish, and the Red Court (and through them, Seattle's organized crime). With the disappearance of the Red Court as a major player, the balance of power is in flux and a spot on the triumvirate is open. Still, the remaining two function in the meantime (through the shadow court) to control the excesses of the supernatural population of the city and keep the normals from finding out about them. In general the council has little interest in the welfare of mortalkind, though by necessity they curb the worst excesses of supernatural predators to avoid detection.
The Mundane Status Quo
Spoiler
The vast majority of mundanes don't suspect that anything more than business-as-usual is going on in Seattle. There is no police unit devoted to investigating “unexplainable” cases, and most of the government and people are blissfully unaware of the supernatural. With that said, the supernatural community itself is unusually large and diverse in Seattle, so though mundanes are uniformly in the dark, when taken on a whole Seattle actually has a healthy, busy supernatural community. Normals consider these people a little unhinged, but mostly harmless. It's Seattle, man. There are all sorts of crazies.
The one place where the two worlds frequently collide (even if mundanes are ignorant of this, as well) is Seattle's local music scene, which is big business even as it includes literally hundreds of bands that are unknown in the country at large yet fairly successful as regional and cult (as in small, devoted fanbase, not worshipping dark gods . . . necessarily) performers.
Last edited by Steel Mirror : 11-15-2012 at 01:23 PM.
NPCs are listed as: Name (High Concept) [Relationship where relevant] Movers and Shakers (the status quo)
Spoiler
The Lady of the Rains Idea: Enigmatic ruler of Seattle's supernatural scene and spirit of the region's weather and elemental nature. The Face: The Lady of the Rains Connections: It was a Dark and Stormy City; Victor Price (Were-elk, Attorney at Law) [My Emissary]; The Shadow Court (Equal Justice Underground) [My Court] Description:
Spoiler
Little is known about this enigmatic figure. She is as old as the land and figures heavily in local lore dating back to the oldest tales of prehistory. She isn't malevolent or dishonest, though she can be harsh and merciless. Many figure her for one of the Sidhe or a form of genius loci, and she does entertain members of standing of both the Winter and Summer Court when they are in town. Her interests in the city, inscrutable though they are, are looked after by her emissary, currently a young defense attorney named Victor Price. Past emissaries have always been talented young men of education and standing, including Seattle founding father Doctor Maynard. She is not the most active supernatural force in the city, but she is perhaps the most powerful and certainly the most enduring. When rain comes down hard and the city goes days or even weeks without seeing the sun, it is said that the Lady is walking her domain.
The Jade Court (Behind the Scenes) Idea: Reclusive group of Eastern vampires involved in criminal enterprises, but keeping a low profile in all their dealings and rarely mixing it up with other groups. Face: Suh-Yi Yeung (Venerable Tong Patriarch) Connections: It was a Dark and Stormy City; Description:
Spoiler
Mostly confined to Chinatown and neighboring Harbor Island, their interests are narrow and include smuggling and ownership of several gambling dens. In the past they operated money laundering services for the Red Court, moving large sums of money in and out of the country to obscure its origin, and acting as intermediaries for bribes and extortion scams. They are known to Law Enforcement as a sect of Tong gangsters.
The Shadow Court (Equal Justice Underground) Idea: The supernatural community takes care of its own renegades and troublemakers in Seattle. The Shadow Court makes those judgments. Face: ???? Connections: It was a Dark and Stormy City; The Lady of the Rains [Presiding Power]; The Duwamish (The First Seattleites) [Member]; Undercity (The Seattle Underground Scene) Description:
Spoiler
Sometimes, a member of the supernatural community does something to draw unacceptable attention to themselves. This can't be tolerated, and when it happens the Shadow Court steps in to police their own. It consists of 3 “Justices”, whose identities are unknown (and probably rotate). As the name implies, they are shrouded in obscuring shadows whenever they preside over a case. Defendants who cannot afford representation defend themselves. Since its inception, the Shadow Court has grown to prosecute crimes that occur in the Undercity, as mundane law enforcement doesn't even know that the place exists. Occasionally the Shadow Court will also act as impassive arbiter of disputes that arise between the city's major powers, as all-out conflict between them would be unacceptably high profile. It is located in the Undercity beneath Pioneer Square and Chinatown.
The Duwamish (The first Seattleites) Idea: Dedicated to keeping native traditions and culture alive, and using its power to hold back the darkness at the fringes of modern Seattle. The Face: Chief Jack Whitebear (The Land is Ours so Long as We Protect It) Connections: What it means to be a Seattleite; The Lady of the Rains [Like the Storm itself, we respect her and stay out of her way]; The Shadow Court (Equal Justice Underground) [A necessary extreme]; Blake Island (Werewolf Territory) [Home Sweet Home]; Daybreak Star (Native Cultural Center) [Never forget]; Burke Museum (A link to the Past and vault for its Horrors) [Even our mistakes must not be forgotten] Description:
Spoiler
Legends say that the Transformer created the first Duwamish by teaching wolves how to look like a man. When settlers arrived, the Duwamish had lived in the Sound for 10,000 years. They were quickly dispossessed of their land and likely would have been killed were it not for the brave actions of Doctor Maynard and the forward thinking of Chief Si'ahl, for which the city is named. Since then the tribe has had hard times, but never resettled on a reservation. Today they are involved in a protracted legal battle to claim the legal status of a “tribe” and assert their rights to hunt and fish on their tribal lands. Thanks to their resilience, enough of their tribe's history and tradition have survived to make them a pillar of modern Seattle's supernatural scene and a strong bulwark between the mundane population of the city and the stark darkness that threatens it from beyond the mortal realm.
The SPD (Service, Pride, Dedication) Idea: Capable with mundane matters, but supernatural happening get taken care of by the community itself . . . or by Connor O'Reilly. The Face: Connor O'Reilly (Champion of gods and Justice) Connections: Mayor Dawn Collins (A New Seattle) [Yes ma'am, whatever you say]; The Knights of Laconia (Seattle for “Americans”) [We deny all accusations of police collusion with the group known as the Knights of Laconia] Description:
Spoiler
Widely held in high regard, the Seattle Police Department has had controversy in the past, such as its response to anti-Chinese riots in the late 19th century, a similarly poor response to riots in the 1999 WTO meeting, and poor handling of Mardi Gras riots in 2001. In general they are clueless in responding to crimes with a supernatural component, but Seattle's community polices it's own so these conflicts are rare. The SPD maintains contacts with several cultural advisory boards (such as one for Native American issues and Chinatown's community) which simultaneously helps the SPD deal with these communities more sensitively and insulates the SPD from the most bizarre paranormal happenings in these groups.
Movers and Shakers (rocking the boat)
Spoiler
Mark Waters (Eccentric Billionaire Philanthropist) Idea: A rich normal guy whose search for the truth risks exposing the supernatural world. The Face: himself! Connections: Boom and Bust Description:
Spoiler
Mark Waters made his fortune in the software business, and retired before he was 40 as the richest man in the world. Once he retired, he began looking for a responsible way to disseminate his wealth, and got heavily involved in entrepreneurial philanthropy. Through his travels, Mark knows that there is something more going on in Seattle than most people realize, though he has yet to stumble onto the full extent of the city's Supernatural community. He maintains a collection of artifacts in his mansion that is reputed to rival Edinburgh itself for the breadth and significance of its mystical power.
Mayor Dawn Collins (A New Seattle) Idea: The newly elected mayor who seeks to revitalize Seattle through 21st century industry and redevelopment. The Face: Tyra Wallace (The Mayor's Right Hand Woman) Connections: Boom and Bust; Mark Waters (Eccentric Billionaire Philanthropist) [Mr. Moneybags!]; The SPD (Service, Pride, Dedication) [Don't screw this up for me]; Excelsis Development, Ltd. (We'll build a better Tomorrow; You'll get out of our way) [They're on time and under budget, I don't care what else happens] Description:
Spoiler
Elected on a platform of urban renewal and solidarity, Mayor Dawn Collins has run into unexpected resistance to her policies from the residents of certain “underdeveloped” regions of the city, including Chinatown and Pioneer Square. She sees the redevelopment as for these people's own good. Publicly she is quite popular, and has aspirations for higher office as well.
The Witching Hour (Midnight Psychology Radio) Idea: A show featuring flamboyent radio personality and psychiatrist Maximillian Ravenmoore, who has recently become obsessed with the subject of Seattle's skyrocketing suicide rate. The Face: Maximillian Ravenmoore (High Concept) Connections: It was a Dark and Stormy City; Suicide City (The Wraiths of Regret) [What does it mean?] Description:
Spoiler
Blabla
The Fomor Invasion (Cold War) Idea: Blinded by his battle with the Tuatha De Dannan many ages ago, the monstrous prince returns to the mortal realm no less terrible and more enraged than ever. The Face: Prince Balor of the Terrible Gaze (Fomor Prince Resurgent) Connections: A Dark and Stormy City; Boom and Bust; Tuatha De Dannan (Back in Black) [WE SHALL LAY WASTE TO YOUR STRONG PLACES] Description:
Spoiler
The resurgence of the Fomor is one of the unanticipated results of the end of the war between the White Council and the Red Court. Seattle is a natural target for the Fomor, given its strong connections to water and darkness. So far the Sidhe and the Tuatha De Dannan have successfully forestalled any overt action by the Fomor in Seattle, but given the region's ley lines (which are heavily favorable to the fomor and their brand of dark magic), future conflict is inevitable.
Balor may be be blind, but he's every bit as ruthless and terrible as ever, and nursing a grudge that has festered for centuries. His forces are small but fanatical, and though they haven't been as overtly active as they have in places like Chicago, they have been spotted all over town breaking into museums, universities, private collections, and anywhere else that items of mystical significance might be found. There are some thefts as well, but mostly they are just seen, then disappear. Almost like they are searching for something . . .
Excelsis Development, Ltd. (We'll build a better Tomorrow; You'll get out of our way) Idea: A high-power redevelopment company that specializes in acquiring underdeveloped urban land and turning it into lucrative business and residential high-rises. Leverages creative accounting and supernatural competency to aid in hostile takeover of reticent asset-holders. The Face: Chad Evanston Thurgood, Esq. (Chinatown's new Landlord) Connections: Boom and Bust; Mayor Dawn Collins (A New Seattle) [She pays the bills but doesn't want to see the dirty laundry] Description:
Spoiler
Excelsis Development has been active in urban renewal throughout the country, and has a reputation for convincing people to sell their property for redevelopment. Its CEO, Chad Evanston Thurgood, Esq., is known for moving to whatever city his company is involved with and getting his hands dirty to make sure the project goes ahead without a hitch. He has already bought out 15% of Chinatown, and has made offers on much of the rest. People who say no to his winning smile often find things inexplicably going wrong with their business or even their personal lives, and some people get the feeling that there is more than just a handsome Ivy-League graduate behind those dazzling white teeth.
Seattle's Other Underground (Musical Goldrush) Idea: Seattle has a strong musical culture, and in particular indie rock and experimental synthesis of cultural music and new wave pop are massively popular regionally. The Face: Kim (Foxy Rock Goddess) Connections: O'Reilly's (It's Magically Delicious) [The Spot to be discovered] Description:
Spoiler
With musical offspring like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and many others, Seattle has always been a hotspot for the next new sound. This is true more now than ever before, and hundreds of bands jockey for regional acclaim, hoping to draw the attention of big national labels. It's so big that it has even drawn in the supernatural community, and you never know when a band's drummer is really a werewolf, or its keyboardist actually a changeling. The band "Gumiho" has been on the top of the local scene for the past couple of years, and has even signed on with a respectable local label. Gumiho hasn't made it into the national spotlight yet, but according to their lead singer and bassist Kim (who is practically worshiped in the young Seattle Asian and Undertown communities) they like it where they are.
Last edited by Steel Mirror : 10-27-2012 at 09:26 PM.
Mercer Arena (Haunted Opera House) Idea: Opera House with a tragic past and uncertain future The Face: Natalya Seminov (Fallen Star) Connections: Description:
Spoiler
Originally an ice arena, then an athletics facility and finally an opera house, which was abandoned a decade ago after tragedy and falling revenue. New owners are attempting to refurbish it for a new Opera company. Supposedly the ghost of Natalya Seminov, rising star and breathtaking dancer who died in front of a packed house when the a section of light rigging crashed to the stage, haunts the theater. Accidents and near-tragedies have plagued the effort to redevelop the theater.
The Dancing Dragon (Fortress of Faith) Idea: Safe Haven of Chinatown The Face: Zhao Bae (Demon Hunting Matriarch) Connections: Description:
Spoiler
A small restaurant in Chinatown and legitimate business front for the Zhao family of demon hunters, hosting private parties and serving tourists and neighborhood residents alike with food and mahjong.
The O'Reilly Family Pub (It's Magically Delicious) Idea: The Face: Patrick O'Reilly (Magically awesome chef and patriarch of Clan O'Reilly) Connections: Description:
Spoiler
A small mom and pop pub that extends between the Undercity and top side Seatlle that caters to both supernatural and mundane clients. It's wildly popular among the city's Irish and its music scene; there is no better place to be on St. Patty's Day or when looking for some great music. Also the food is the best in the entire city.
Space Needle (They don't build 'em like they used to) Idea: A local landmark and induced convergence of ley lines with the remarkable ability to focus natural energy at its spire. Also the location of several recent high profile suicides. The Face: ??? Connections: Description:
Spoiler
There's a Wheedle
On the Needle
I know just what
You're thinking
But if you look up
Late at night
You'll see
His red nose blinking.
-Wheedle on the Needle, 1974
The same year that the first two people jumped off the space needle to their deaths.
The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair, and financed by the Pentagram Corporation. It was built in less than a year at a relatively low cost, the result of workers working through the night to finish the structure before the Fair.
There are 25 lightning rods on the structure's roof, and it is designed to survive category 5 hurricanes and magnitude 9.1 earthquakes. The foundation of the structure is a 30 foot deep, 120 foot by 120 foot solid block of steel and concrete (they say it's solid, anyway). Supposedly, on certain nights when atmospheric conditions are right, residents have seen St Elmo's Fire flaring off the mast at the center of the tower, which is not used for broadcasting or any other purpose.
3 people have committed suicide by jumping off the tower, though many more have made the climb with that intention, only to be talked down. (In our game, I'm going to up that number, including a few more recent instances).
It is situated on the old Fair grounds, now called the Seattle Center. Highlights of the center include the International Fountain, The Mercer Arena (an abandoned opera house!), the Center House (once a military armory, now home to a Shakespeare society and other performances), and the Kobe Bell (a massive temple bell weighing several tons that was given to Seattle by its sister city, Kobe, Japan. Bells in Japanese mythology can guide spirits to the mortal realm).
The Kobe Bell (Hell's Bell) Idea: Beacon for spirits of the other world. The Face: Hinagiku Katsura (Power must be tempered by Honor) Connections: Description:
Spoiler
A gift from the city of Kobe, Japan. It was originally a part of the Ikuta Shrine, and was rung to welcome warriors home from the war in Korea. It is said that ringing it under the right circumstances could call those warriors once again to do battle with the living. An elderly caretaker named Hinagiku Katsura volunteers to take care of the bell; she came over to Seattle with her daughter after the great Kobe earthquake of 1995 destroyed her home.
Last edited by Steel Mirror : 10-27-2012 at 11:44 PM.
Zhao Bae (Demon Hunting Matriarch) Motivation: I want to keep Chinatown safe Relationships: Chinatown Residents Description:
Spoiler
Zhao Yin's mother.
Kim Sung (Foxy Rock Goddess) Motivation: My music is my life, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun too! Relationships: Connor O'Reilly (Champion of gods and Justice) [My best mate], Gumiho [BEST BAND EVAR] Description:
Spoiler
Kim performing at Winterfest
The headliner for popular regional band Gumiho, Kim is certainly tinged with something a little strange. Her music is peppy but still powerful, and is popular enough that she doesn't need a day job to get by (not that she's exactly swimming in cash). She has a shot for the big time, but seems to be quite comfortable in Seattle and perhaps hesitant to take the next big step. Has been through hell and high water with Connor O'Reilly, and considers the pub her home and his family a part of hers.
Patrick O'Reilly (Magically Awesome Chef and Patriarch of Clan O'Reilly) Motivation: I will protect my family, my patrons, and my establishment. Relationships: Connor O'Reilly [My Son]; Kim Sung [She's Like A Daughter to Me]; The Irish of Seattle [We Stick Together]; Mayor Dawn Collins (A New Seattle) [Over my dead, fat, smelly body] Description:
Spoiler
A minor practitioner with the ability to make leather taste like prime rib, Patrick has always been in love with Ireland. When he realized that his son was in danger there, he made the decision to move away from his homeland to America, but part of him never left. He built O'Reilly's from nothing and turned it into the nexus of the supernatural and the mundane when he discovered an entrance to the Undertown in the wine cellar. He has a calm, reassuring smile and is known to his regular customers as a fixture of Modern Seattle. He opposes virulently the Mayor's plan to redevelop Pioneer Square, and is outspoken at neighborhood meetings about his opinion.
Hinagiku Katsura (Power must be tempered by Honor) Motivation: Protecting the Bell protects my community. Relationships: What it means to be a Seattleite Description:
Spoiler
Moved to America when the 1995 earthquake destroyed her home in Kobe, Japan. Her daughter works at Amazon.com. Doesn't speak very good English, but volunteers to take care of the Kobe Bell and its environs.
Suh-Yi Yeung (Venerable Tong Patriarch) Motivation: Business, Blood, and Honor Relationships: Jade Court (Behind the Scenes) [Boss?] Description:
Spoiler
Suh-Yi Yeung has been a successful businessman in Seattle's shipping industry for almost 70 years. His grandparents started the company in the nineteenth century, and are alleged to have been in the practice of Shanghaiing sailors for the Chinese trade route and kidnapping women in China to be brides for Chinese men in America. He presides over the Hak Hoh Fa gambling house every night where it has never been legally proven that rooster-fights, beetle races, and all manner of gambling happens on a nightly basis.
Chad Evanston Thurgood, Esq. (Chinatown's new Landlord) Motivation: Money Relationships: Mayor Dawn Collins (A New Seattle) [She writes the check, I do the job] Description:
Spoiler
A canny businessman who doesn't let anything get between him and the bottom line. His high-pressure negotiating tactics are complemented by the tendency for great misfortune to befall the people who say "no" to him. Beyond that, many residents of the spooky side of Seattle have gotten the sense that there is a lot more to the man than a trust fund and an expensive suit-something that makes them nervous to even share a room with him.
Last edited by Steel Mirror : 10-28-2012 at 12:09 AM.
Suicide City, USA - Seattle has always had a high suicide rate, but ever since the end of the Red Court a few months back, things have been worse than ever. Almost a dozen people have killed themselves since then, some in very public fashions. There is no evidence to link these events, as the suicides have been people of all races, genders, socioeconomic backgrounds, and from all over town. People usually blame this sort of thing on Seattle's legendary weather, but this time something feels more sinister about the whole situation.
The most disturbing part is the rumors in Undertown and on certain parts of the internet claiming that pictures taken of the suicide victims in the days before their deaths show wraith-like apparitions floating in the background. . .
Surf War - For decades, a group of rusalki families that live on the bottom of Puget Sound have sold fresh fish in the Undertown market. Recently, a reintroduction program for sea otters has relocated a family of kushtaka into the sound, and they have since opened up their own, competing fish stall next to the rusalki's. Tensions have been high between the two camps ever since, with numerous incidents of vandalism, theft, and malicious placement of feces in fish coolers having afflicted both camps. It may only be a matter of time before things get violent, which will bring down swift and certain wrath from the Shadow Court. Can't we all just get along?
Summer tragedy - Natalya Seminov was a phenomenon, a star destined for greatness and the darling of Seattle's theater critics, when she was crushed to death by a falling bit of rigging on the opening night of "The Midsummer Marriage" at the Mercer Arena. The opera house closed, but new investors are trying to refurbish and reopen it for a new opera company. The project has been plagued by mysterious illness and supposed sightings of Natalya's ghost, and recently sightings of a dancing specter have been reported all around the Seattle Center . . . and some people walking through the Seattle Center at night have gone missing altogether, gone without a trace. Further deepening the mystery, a woman named Naomi Smith jumped off the Space Needle just two weeks ago, her moment of death captured on live local television. Right before she leaped, she was recorded saying "Why won't you tell me I'm beautiful?" in fluent Russian. Naomi was a native Seattleite, and never learned a word of Russian in her life.
<Reserved for Guest Stars and Case Files>
Last edited by Steel Mirror : 10-27-2012 at 08:48 PM.
Connor O'Reilly (Champion of Gods and Justice) Trouble: Righteous Fury Other Aspects: Strength in Solidarity, The Arm of a God, Overworked, Underpaid, and Unappreciated, Spitting in The Eyes of Giants, My Loyal Vassal: Chęne, the Soundless Wind
Name: Detective Connor O'Reilly Template: Hand of the Tuatha Dé Danann (Emissary of Power) High Concept: Champion of Gods and Justice Trouble: Righteous Fury
Skills Great (2 Slots): Conviction, Investigation Good (3 Slots): Empathy, Contacts, Endurance Fair (4 Slots): Alertness, Athletics, Guns, Rapport Average (5 Slots): Intimidation, Stealth, Resources, Driving, Fists
Stunts & Powers Powers:
Marked By Power [-1]
Guide My Hand [-1]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]
Catch (The Bonds of Honesty and Hospitality) [+1]
Echoes of Immortality [+0]
Stunts:
Pin The Tail: Gain +2 to Investigation rolls when trying to keep track of a target during Surveillance. When Shadowing someone using Stealth, you may use Investigation to complement your Stealth skill.
Adjusted Refresh: 1
Phase One - Background (Where Did You Come From?)
Born in the northern reaches of the Irish Republic the Troubles over in Ulster were always a concern for Connor and his family, however for most of Connor's early life it was a distant concern. Troubling of course, but not something that concerned the O'Reillys directly. However when Connor was ten the tension that had always been in the town due to the Troubles boiled over into violence. His parents shocked by the bloodshed decided that unfortunately Ireland was no place to raise a child and moved to America.
The O'Reillys settled into Seattle fairly well, the culture shock was difficult at first, but the founding of O'Reilly's family pub and the culture that grew up around it helped to ease that. When Connor's father, a minor talent himself, learned of the Undercity, and that the pubs basement reached down to it he was thrilled and had it renovated so that O'Reilly's could serve customers from both sides of the city.
Phase Aspect: Strength in Solidarity
Phase Two - Rising Conflict (What Shaped You?)
Shortly after becoming a legal adult Connor took an extended trip to Ireland with his childhood friend Kim, the Scion of a trickster spirit known only as Fox. While there the two fell in with a less than savory crowd. A gang of youths with some vague Irish nationalist leanings, but really they were just thugs plain and simple, the politics were just an excuse for violence. Connor did a lot of things he wasn't proud of during this time. Theft, destruction of property, vandalism, and most sickening of all were the hate crimes. The Troubles were over and yet Connor was perpetuating that same cycle of violence that had stolen his home from him. Out of a mixed desire to hide his shame and protect her Connor kept Kim from ever seeing the nastier side of their group. She hung out with them but was never a part of their criminal dealings.
Then one day out of the blue came an Englishman who wished to hire them to steal an item from a nearby museum, some sort of Aztec mask, their was some balking over working for an Englishman, but ultimately money talks. The group stole the item with little difficulty and arranged to meet their employer at their hangout. When the appointment came around Kim was there, which made Connor incredibly uneasy, but he let her stay since it was only a handover, nothing dangerous, or so he thought. However, after they handed the item over the Englishman muttered something about loose ends and his skin began to ripple. The skinsuit sloughed off and standing before Connor was a bulbous monster with glistening black skin, terribly sharp talons, and bat-like wings. It was a Red Court Vampire, and it was trying to kill them! Kim saw the vampire and did, something. The next thing Connor remembers is the group running away from the beast through a strange forest with a massive castle dominating the skyline. Suddenly the vampire was on top of Connor and they were struggling on the ground. Then, just as the monster's jaw was about to close on his throat the head of a spear blossomed forth from its chest.
Standing above Connor holding the was a rakish youth in archaic apparel who introduced himself as "Lugh mac Ethnenn". Lugh led the group to the castle where they met and feasted with the Tuatha Dé Danann. After the feast the group were returned to the mortal world.
A few days later Connor and Kim returned to the hangout after a day of sightseeing. What greeted them was a scene of horror and revulsion: Spread all throughout the room was the dismembered bodies of the friends, their blood and viscera spilling out onto the floor. And standing in the center of the carnage was one man, his immaculate suit somehow unmarred by all the blood. Connor saw murder in the mans eyes, and he knew that he would stop at nothing to kill him and Kim.
The two fled into the NeverNever once more, strangely the man did not pursue them. They told the Tuatha of what had happened and they explained that the man was a Venator and that as long as they lived he would hunt them without rest. They also explained that so long as he remained in the mortal world they were powerless to stop him. However, if Connor would agree to serve them they could give him the power to protect himself and Kim. Connor agreed and the world disappeared into white-hot agony as his arm was severed.
Connor awoke in his bed in Seattle to find Kim and his parents watching him with concern, and that where his right arm had been replaced with one made of silver.
Phase Aspect: The Arm of a God
Phase Three - The Story (What Was Your First Adventure?) Story Title: The Hound of Ulster Guest Stars: Zhao Yin and Victor Price
Connor O'Reilly is known throughout the Irish community of Seattle for protecting its members from depredations both mundane and magical. So when Irish youths start disappearing without a trace, this Honorary Irish Consul is called in to find them and bring them safely home. But will Connor succeed when he find himself facing-off against Fomori warriors, a ravenous Loup-Garou, and the assassins of the Venatori? Not to mention interference from his superiors in both the SPD and the Court of the Tuatha.
During Connor's search for the missing Irish youths, he is targeted by assassins of the Venatori. His sometime ally, Zhao Yin, arrives in time to assist him against his would-be killers. Together, the two manage to drive them off and then go their separate ways.
Phase Aspect: Overworked, Underpaid, and Unappreciated
Phase Four - Guest Starring (Whose Path Have You Crossed?) Story Title: Demon Winds Whose story was this? Who else was in it? Zhao Yin, plus Alexander Ramsey.
The Zhao are a family of demon hunters who have protected Seattle's Chinatown for generations. When Zhao Yin's father is killed by the demon Bai Gu Jing, she must accept the burden of her family's legacy and seek revenge against the creature. But can Yin defeat a demon with an army of hungry ghosts at its back when she finds herself caught between blood sucking vampires, a Sidhe queen of darkness, and a turf war between the tongs?
Drawn in by the strange circumstances of the murder, Detective Connor O'Reilly begins his own private investigation. Upon discovering the supernatural nature of the crime the Detective tries to protect young Zhao Yin by steering her away from the things that go bump in the night and attempting to convince her to let him handle her father's killer. Until he sees her take down a vampire single handed that is. When the Lady of the Rains begins to interfere in their investigation Connor leverages status that Zhao Yin doesn't fully understand to browbeat the Lady into non-interference at the cost of a future favor from each of them.
Andrew Compton (Squire of the Winter Court) Trouble: Ice To Meet You (5am and no sleep leads to puns, I'll change it when I think up something better) Other Aspects: Seduced by Magic, Burned Bridges, Can't Catch a Break, fourth, fifth
Name: Andrew Compton Template: Emissary of Power High Concept: Squire of the Winter Court Trouble: Ice To Meet You
Skills Great (2 Slots): Conviction, Discipline Good (3 Slots): Lore, Alertness, Endurance Fair (4 Slots): Empathy, Presence, Deceit, Contacts Average (5 Slots): Athletics, Stealth, Resources, Fists, Rapport
Stunts & Powers Powers:
Marked By Power [-1]
Unseelie Magic [-4]
(Sidhe Squire's Stamina? )Wizard's Constitution [0]
Ghostspeaker but for Little Folk [-1]
Adjusted Refresh: 1 Debt Points: 3
Phase One - Background (Where Did You Come From?)
Andrew stumbled across his magic at a young age, after being forced to act in a school play that he didn't want anything to do with. Despite not really putting much effort into learning his lines, he became rather embarassed upon forgetting one and fled off of the stage. What he failed to notice as he was leaving was the temperature plunging below zero and snowflakes beginning to fall down from the ceiling. While this in and of itself was suprising, and eventually blamed on faulty pipes, the sudden emergence of small creatures everywhere he went which nobody else seemed to be able to see got him to attempt to make it snow in his room. His success in this led him to isolating himself from any friends he previously had as he devoted his time to experimenting with magic and learning anything he could from the wild faeries he encountered - which caused him to end up with a number of faeries following him around wherever he went.
Phase Aspect: Seduced by Magic
Phase Two - Rising Conflict (What Shaped You?)
Eventually coming to the point where he was struggling to find new things to do with his magic, Andrew turned to the area's occult community for assistance with his learning. Being pointed towards the Duwamish, he was quickly taken on by the tribe's medicine man as another apprentice, with the theory being that even if he was not going to act as a replacement in the future then at least if he was trained then he would not cause them any trouble. Because of this, he ended up becoming friends with a Duwamish youth called Tyler; it was a good life, with his time spent either studying magic or hanging out with Tyler.
This did not last long, though, as Andrew began to notice his friend slowly beginning to bail on him more and more. Although this gave him more time to practise his magic, he worried about Tyler and tried to approach him about it - only to be deflected and refusing to talk about it. Noticing a number of new scars having cropped up since the last time they had met, Andrew eventually decided to follow him the next time he went off on his own. The opportunity came that night, heavy rainfall masking his presence. Upon reaching a clearing, Tyler began to don a wolf's pelt - he was a Skinwalker! Andrew knew this was bad, but reasoned that he must have been coerced or blackmailed somehow into doing so. He reached out with his magic to look at Tyler's mind, only to realise with horror that somebody 'had' messed with his friend's mind. When he revealed himself to his friend and confronted him with this information, he became paranoid and accused Andrew of being the one who caused it, insisting that he had screwed with his head and that the only option now was his for him to tell the Wardens what Andrew had done to him. Shocked and feeling betrayed, Andrew fled.
He hadn't gone far before he was stopped in his tracks - there, before him, stood The Lady of the Rains herself. She told him that she was aware of the events that had transpired and, in exchange for a favour in the future, she would send him anywhere he wished to go. Hurt, confused and awestruck, he accepted the deal.
Phase Aspect: Burned Bridges
Phase Three - The Story (What Was Your First Adventure?)
Story Title: Rain Dance
Andrew has only just gotten back into town when the curator of the Burke Museum asks him out of the blue to recover a stolen Native American drum, which supposedly has the power to bind The Lady of the Rains herself! She believes that it may be an inside job, and so can't rely on the Duwamish or the Police. But will Andrew be able to prevail against the shadowy menace of the Fomor, a violent sect of Native American skinwalkers, and an eccentric billionaire looking to add the drum - and maybe Andrew himself - to his collection? And is everything as it seems, or is the curator manipulating Andrew to her own ends?
Phase Aspect: Can't Catch a Break
__________________
Bunny/Ponyatar made by Dirtytabs, because they are awesome.
Zhao Yin (Defender of Chinatown) Trouble: Bao Hu Peng Her Other Aspects: Duty Bound, "I Am The Chosen One", Modern Girl. Ancient Legacy., Anything For A Friend, [to be determined], Wracked With Doubt (by Maneuver)
Name: Zhao Yin Template: Champion of God High Concept: Defender Of Chinatown Trouble: Bao Hu Peng Her
Skills Great (2 Slots): Conviction, Fists Good (3 Slots): Stealth, Athletics, Endurance Fair (4 Slots): Discipline, Alertness, Lore, Presence Average (5 Slots): Empathy, Investigation, Rapport, Scholarship, Weapons
Stunts & Powers Powers:
Bless This House [-1]
Guide My Hand [-1]
Holy Touch [-1]
Righteousness [-2]
Taoist's Diet [-0] Stunts:
Storm of Punches: Yin may use the Fists skill to make spray attacks against opponents in the same zone as her (Same as Michael Carpenter's 'Wall of Death' stunt, but with Fists instead of Weapons).
Adjusted Refresh: 1
Phase One - Background (Where Did You Come From?)
Being born into a family of demon hunters, it's unsurprising that Zhao Yin was taught about how the world really worked from a young age. Alongside normal schooling, she was also taught Taoist practices and the proper prayers to receive the blessing of the gods. Though she tried to live a normal life, there was no way of escaping the legacy of her family and their sacred duty that went back all the way to the First Sovereign Emperor of China: Qin Shi Huang.
Phase Aspect: Duty Bound
Phase Two - Rising Conflict (What Shaped You?)
Yin was only 16 when she was attacked by one of the yaomo, demons, of the so-called "Red Court". It came at her in the guise of a man, but she could see the hunger in its eyes for something more than base lust. The demon struck, but found itself quite surprised when the young woman's touch caused its flesh to sizzle, pop, and burn. While it was still stunned, she trusted in all of her training, taking up a broom handle and, like Sun Wukong, humiliated and then killed the demon.
Phase Aspect: "I Am The Chosen One"
Phase Three - The Story (What Was Your First Adventure?)
Story Title: Demon Winds
The Zhao are a family of demon hunters who have protected Seattle's Chinatown for generations. When Zhao Yin's father is killed by the demon Bai Gu Jing, she must accept the burden of her family's legacy and seek revenge against the creature. But can Yin defeat a demon with an army of hungry ghosts at its back when she finds herself caught between blood sucking vampires, a Sidhe queen of darkness, and a turf war between the tongs?
Phase Aspect: Modern Girl. Ancient Legacy.
Phase Four - Guest Starring (Whose Path Have You Crossed?) Story Title: The Hound of Ulster Whose story was this? Who else was in it? Connor O'Reilly, plus Victor Price.
Connor O'Reilly is known throughout the Irish community of Seattle for protecting its members from depredations both mundane and magical. So when Irish youths start disappearing without a trace, this Honorary Irish Consul is called in to find them and bring them safely home. But will Connor succeed when he find himself facing-off against Fomori warriors, a ravenous Loup-Garou, and the assassins of the Venatori? Not to mention interference from his superiors in both the SPD and the Court of the Tuatha.
During Connor's search for the missing Irish youths, he is targeted by assassins of the Venatori. His sometime ally, Zhao Yin, arrives in time to assist him against his would-be killers. Together, the two manage to drive them off and then go their separate ways.
Phase Aspect: Anything For A Friend
Phase Five - Guest Starring Redux (Who Else's Path Have You Crossed?)
Phase Aspect:
__________________
Amazing avatar and signature by Savannah (who is awesome)
Last edited by AvianMalkavian : 11-26-2012 at 08:47 PM.
Common Name: Alexander Ramsey True Name: Alexander Joshua Ramirez Template: Wizard High Concept: “My will be done” Trouble: “If I do not step forth, who will?”
So, finally, let's switch to this thread. I don't think James is going to be posting a sheet here, and if he does drop by we can live with it not being among the first posts.
So from now on, post here for OOC stuff! It'll make it easier for me to keep track of the character stuff! Thanks.
Last edited by Steel Mirror : 11-15-2012 at 01:25 PM.
So, I think Bunny and I need to work on our Guest Star stuff. I'll try and come up with something later today.
Good idea! I forget that the characters aren't even completely done yet. Having that extra aspect to compel and invoke will be a nice addition to characters that already seem to be working quite well.
"During his encounter with the Fomor, Andrew is chased into the International District. He is assaulted by a young Chinese demon hunter by the name of Zhao Yin who mistakes him for an enemy. However, their fight is quickly interrupted when the Fomor arrive to try and kill both of them."
I didn't want every past encounter Yin has had to be an immediately helpful one.
__________________
Amazing avatar and signature by Savannah (who is awesome)
Can't complain about more aspects! Also, what the hell have you guys done?
So my feeling is that we can continue this conversation with Andrew and Taylor a bit, then join him up with the other two at the restaurant. Of course, he'll have to get past a picket line of pissed-off elves to get there . . .
EDIT: Feel free to ask her any questions about the current case, too. Unless you don't want her learning too much about Andrew's affairs. Which would be understandable, under the circumstances.
Last edited by Steel Mirror : 11-15-2012 at 02:25 PM.
Just as a note, the reason Yin is being so violent and having difficult maintaining control is because she's basically one Refresh away from becoming a monster. She still has free choice and she still has control, but she doesn't realize the slippery slope that she's on or that she's so close to losing herself to 'the job'. If that doesn't make sense, I'm happy to steer her towards being more 'normal' and chalk it up to the guilt she's still feeling making her so irrational.
__________________
Amazing avatar and signature by Savannah (who is awesome)
Just as a note, the reason Yin is being so violent and having difficult maintaining control is because she's basically one Refresh away from becoming a monster. She still has free choice and she still has control, but she doesn't realize the slippery slope that she's on or that she's so close to losing herself to 'the job'. If that doesn't make sense, I'm happy to steer her towards being more 'normal' and chalk it up to the guilt she's still feeling making her so irrational.
I've been pretty happy with her characterization so far! It also makes Kara her one solid connection to sanity and normalcy . . . and wouldn't it be a shame if anything threatened that connection? Why, who knows what lengths Yin might be driven to in order to save her friend?
I think we're getting close to where Yin and Andrew will have to catch up with Connor. He can investigate some more solo, but the three will probably link up before the next big developments can happen!
I think we're getting close to where Yin and Andrew will have to catch up with Connor. He can investigate some more solo, but the three will probably link up before the next big developments can happen!
Seeing as my next move is to go out and find Yin, I concur.
I'm back! Would've been back earlier, but we started reminiscing and discussing comics and the whole 'Marvel Now!' thing. Looks like I need to pick up some comics tomorrow.
__________________
Amazing avatar and signature by Savannah (who is awesome)
RSS Feeds: 
[DFRPG] The Rainy City (OOC)
)Wizard's Constitution [0]
Which would be understandable, under the circumstances.
